Roam along Tunxi Ancient Street
At the foot of Mt. Huangshan Huangshan tour, at the bend of Xin'an River, lies the beautiful mountain town called "Tunxi ". Being top of the Four Ancient Towns of Huizhou in the history, Tunxi is now the central district of Huangshan City. In this old city, you can find the "Tunxi Ancient Street", which is dubbed as the flowing Qingming Scroll (also Along the River during the Qingming Festival), one of the tops ten Chinese traditional paintings. Similar to the Qingming Scroll which presents the lively local life, here in Tunxi Ancient Street, colorful bazaars of local features are displayed in front of your eyes. It is also listed as one of China's Top Ten Historical and Cultural Streets.
As a city with a lengthy and storied history to match its excellent location, Tunxi is a great bonus destination for tourists visiting Huangshan. It is the major gateway to Mt. Huangshan. Many visitors choose to stay there and take the one hour trip to Huangshan Scenic Area.
Tunxi has many budget accommodations and restaurants. Don't miss visiting the Tunxi Ancient Street of the old town. In the evening the red lanterns light up and make for a festive atmosphere. Tunxi Ancient Street is one of China's best antique markets.
Deep and narrow, Tunxi Ancient Street Huangshan travel was originally built during the Song dynasty. The street is paved with maroon flagstones and is about 1,200 meters (3940 ft.) long. The buildings here are typical Hui-style (the featured style of Anhui Province). Most of them are only three stories high, stone-based and brick-laid, decorated with gray tiles, exquisite wood carvings, white walls, and horse-head double eaves on the roofs.
In this street, shoppers will enjoy the oldest stores in Huangshan City, some of which have been doing business for centuries. There are curios, Chinese Four Treasures of the Study (i.e. writing brush, ink stick, ink stone, Xuan paper), Hui-school traditional Chinese paintings, engravings, rubbings from the tablets, inscriptions, ornaments and many tourist souvenirs for selling.
The Tunxi Ancient Street is a place you definitely don't want to miss during your trip to Huangshan China tour deals. It offers a unique window through which one can explore the Hui Culture as well as the beauty of Southern China. Tunxi's enchantment will leave you nostalgically thinking about the past.
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Travel Guide - Yumbu Lakang
Yumbu Lakang is the oldest palace in Tibet. It was built by Nyatri Tsanpo, the first Tibet Tours Tibetan king, in the 2nd century B.C. It was also the burial ground for kings of the Tubo Kingdom between the seventh and ninth centuries. The palace plays an important role in the origin of Tibetan history and culture.
Yumbu Lakang Palace China travel service sits atop a small hill east of the Yarlong River and faces west. Therefore from the palace you will also enjoy a bird's eye view of the beautiful Yarlung Valley.
In Tibetan "Yumbu" means female deer, and "Lakang" means holy palace. Taken together "Yumbu Lakang" means "the palace built on a doe's leg". It is named this because the hill the palace is built on resembles a deer leg.
Legend says that in the fifth century a Buddhist sutra fell from the sky onto the roof of Yambu Lakang China tour deals. Nobody could read the book. However a sage predicted it would be interpreted between the 7th and 8th centuries, so the sutra was well kept in the palace. It is legends like this that gives Tibet much of its rich culture and fascinate tourists from around the globe.
Tibetan kings and their ministers are enshrined in a small palace mausoleum. The mausoleum's upper floor holds a small chanting hall, which houses statues of Sakyamuni and Chenrezi. A mural gallery uses vivid pictures to depict Nyatri Tsenpo's arrival from the sky as well as many other historical Tibetan legends.
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Learn more about Lhasa
Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, the 'Roof of the World', is the political, economic and cultural centre of Tibet Tibet Travel. Situated on the north bank of the Lhasa River, a tributary of the great Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra), it is one of the world's cities nearest to the sky and one of the cleanest. For a millennium, this city has stunned the world with its majestic landscapes, unique culture, strong religious aura and exotic ethnic people.
Lhasa covers an area of about 30 thousand square kilometers (7.4 million acres), about 3, 658 m (12 thousand ft) above the sea level on average. It has a plateau monsoon semi-arid climate. It is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter. The highest temperature is 29 ℃ (84 ℉) while the lowest is -16.5 ℃ (2.3 ℉). Rains fall mainly in July, August and September, and almost always during the night. It is sunny during the day almost all the year round. The sun shines on the city over 3,000 hours a year, hence the name 'City of Sunshine'.
As one of the 24 historical and cultural cities last minute China travel deals nominated by the State Council in China, Lhasa showcases much in its long history. The excavated Site of Qugong Culture shows the civilization of the city began in the Neolithic Age. Lhasa, 'Holy Land' literally in Tibetan, had prospered with its popular Tibetan Buddhism. In the 7th century AD, Songtsen Gampo united the whole of Tibet and founded the famed Tubo Kingdom. He then transferred the political centre from Shannan to Lhasa, and ordered the construction of the grand Potala Palace on the Red Hill, Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Monastery and other palaces and temples. With the wide spread of Buddhism and the attraction of the statue of 12-year-old Sakyamuni, pilgrims to Jokhang Temple increased day by day. So a circum-ambulation road formed around the temple and Lhasa became a real holy land. At the same time numerable residences, local authorities, shops, and hotels sprang up in this area, which gave rise to the modern- day Barkhor Street. Later in the 14th century, under the patronage of the Pagdu Dynasty of Tibet , the founder of Gelugpa - Tsong Khapa and his devout disciples established another three of the greatest monasteries, that is, Ganden, Drepung and Sera. The Buddhist master also pioneered the leadership of Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama in Tibet. Then during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama, Norbulingka, a 'Summer Palace'of Dalai Lamas, was built not far from Potala. The ancient city of Lhasa, at the centre of Potala Palace, was thus formed.
Lhasa China Holidays has a total population of about 521.5 thousand, including Han, Tibetan, Hui and other ethnic groups, 31 in all. Tibetans comprise over 80% of the population. In the city, you can always expect to see Tibetans in exotic dress turning prayer wheels, chanting sutras, and worshipping at what are considered sacred spots. Tibetans are versatile and approachable, and accomplished in singing, dancing, Tibetan operas and various exquisite handicrafts. They are always ready to present a white Khatag, Yak Butter Tea and wonderful performances for guests from afar. Lhasa also has many unique Tibetan festivals in nearly every month, such as Tibetan New Year, Butter Lamp Festival, Shoton Festival, and Bathing Festivals. During these times they celebrate with colorful activities. To enjoy these unique festivals with them is sure to leave you with warm memories.
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Travel Guide - Daolang Muqam and Maixirepu Dance
The Daolang Muqam is a kind of Uygur folk dance integrated with song, dance and music. With a long history and complete form, the Daolang Muqam has a rich frontier fortress style. Dolan is an ancient name of Markit last minute China travel deals, later it was expanded for Uygurs living in several places in the Tarim Basin. They developed oases on the edge of the Taklamakhan Desert. The Uygur people living in the counties of Meget, Bachu, Shache, and Awati call themselves "Dolang", and the place in which they live "Dolang". At present, the Daolang Muqam has become a necessity activity in celebrating the holidays and in the leisure entertainment. Many actions of the gymnastics and martial arts are mingled into this ancient folk art, which make the Daolang Muqam more free, flexible and fascinating.
History
It is said that the Daolang Muqam China travel service had 12 sets originally but now only 9 of them are extant, including the Baxibayawan Muqam, Zierbayawan Muqam and Querbayawan Muqam, etc. Each set of the Daolang Muqam is composed of Mukaidiman, Qieketuoman, Sainaimu, Sailekaisi and Selimaer five parts. Each sets of the Daolang Muqam can last for 6 to 9 minutes. The nine set of Daolang Muqam costed about half and one hours. The librettos of the Daolang Muqam were all the folk music of the Daolang area. It reveals the happy, sorrow, anger and the joy of the Uygur proplr and all the aspects of social life. The Daolang Muqam was started from the folk culture and developed in the palace of the city and county on the oasis. With integration, the various, comprehensive, residence and the popular art form of the Uygur People were formed. Compared with other Moqum, the Daolang Muqam in Xinjing China Holidays has its own distinctive art features. In 2006, the Daolang Muqam, a kind of folk custom, was listed as the first batch of national nonmaterial cultural heritage.
Maixirepu Dance
Originally, the Maixirepu Dance means the joyful entertainment. The folk dance Maixirepu is the most popular entertainment activity among the Uygur people. All people, men or women, old or young can participate in performances. There are no strict limitations on numbers of players or performance time. In addition, it can be played everywhere at anytime on festivals or at wedding celebrations. With singing and dancing in a warm and festive atmosphere, the dance Maixirepu has a broad mass bass and reveals the Uygur national characteristics vividly.
Maixirepu Dance in Uygur, is popular mainly in areas from the Ye'erqiang River to the Tarim River, northwest of the Tarim Basin, with Maigaiti County at the center. Generally speaking, Maixirepu is divided into four categories according to its functions: rituals of festivals and celebrations as well as life rituals, farming and animal husbandry, social activities, and other folk custom activities. All the dances are formed by the three to six beat and without interlude or even a long rhythm. The librettos are linked up by some unrelated poetry. The scale mode of the song is given priority to natural seven sound orders and accompanied by five or six sound orders occasionally. Maixirepu still preserves the primitive flavor of the Tarim aboriginal song and dance performances. It is not only enriched the daily life of Uygur people but provides a valuable material to the study of the history, social life and folk customs of the Daolang Uygurs.
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Learn something about Tangyue Archway
Located at the entrance of the Tangyue village in Huangshan Huangshan travel, about 5 kilometers to Shexian and 26 kilometers to Tunxi Village, Tangyue Archway group is composed of seven memorial archways in order of “loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness". Three of them were built in Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), and other four were built in Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). With different architectural characteristics, these archways reveal Chinese thought of ethics and morals and the traditional Hui style carving.
"Bao Can Xiao Xing Archway"
“Bao Can Xiao Xing Archway” is a filial piety archway to commend a son named Bao Can who served his sick mother for many years. The archway was built in Ming Dynasty carved with two Chinese characters “Shengzhi”, which means that the archery was set up by the emperor’s order. In Chinese minds, filial piety is the most important of all virtues.
"Ci Xiao Li Archway"
The "Ci Xiao Li Archway" was built in honor of Bao Sheyan and Bao Shousun (father and son) by the order of the emperor. According to historical records, a general in Yuan Dynasty captured the father and son and wanted to execute one of them. They both begged to be killed for each other. Finnally, the general was moved by their action and released them. Later, an archway was built in praise of their filial piety and self-sacrificial spirit.
"Jiang Shi Jie Xiao Archway"
It was set up in 1784 of Qing Dynasty carved with Chinese character “Shi Zhen Quan Xiao” and “Li Jie Wan Gu”. In ancient china, many wives were willing to die with their husbands or never married in their rest life to show the loyal and steadfast minds to the husbands. In Tangyue Village, a woman became widow at the age of 26. But she never married again and brought up her son to a famous doctor. Therefore, when she was 80 years old, clansmen built the archway Huangshan tour in praise of her chastity.
"Le Shan Hao Shi Archway"
The archway was built in 1821 to commend a man named Bao Laifang who donated plenty of grain and money to the court. So the government ordered to establish the archway in honor of his charitable behavior.
"Wu Shi Jie Xiao Archway"
According to the records of the county China tour deals, a stepmother who remained chaste while raising her stepchild after her husband died when she was 29. When she was old, she used all the property to establish tombs for her dead husband and some clansmen who did not have money to be buried. Her action touched the local officials, who made up their minds to erect an archway to honor her in spite of the convention that erecting an archway for a step-wife was prohibited.
"Xiao Zi Archway"
Founded in 1797, the archway was in honor of a dutiful son who named Bao Fengchang. He begged along the way to find his father and cured his sick mother. In order to advocate filial piety, the archway was built.
"Shang Shu Archway"
It is the representative of loyalty from a man called Bao Xiangxian who used to guard Yunnan Province China travel service and brought a peaceful life to the locals. In his long life of being an official, he always does his best to go good for the country and people. So the archway was built to commemorate hin.
The complex of the seven archway has become a main attraction in Tangyue Village that attract visitors from home and abroad with it Chinese traditional concepts of ethics and morals and the touching stories.
Travel Experience to Dong People Village
Dong People Village, also named as Zhaoxing Dong Village China travel deals , is located in Liping County, east 450 km from Guiyang City. It is the largest Dong village in China, and it is the folk-custom cultural center of Dong nationality. In the village, all Dong People’s family name is Lu, and they live in five districts. Stilted building with two or three layers is the house of Dong people, and its biggest feature is pure wooden structure.
Functions of drum tower
Drum tower is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Dong people build the drum towers, because it is the symbol of Dong Village; the symbol of family name of Dong nationality; relaxation place for villagers; social occasion for young people; a place to welcome guests; a place to hold meetings and a tool for passing information or alarming.
Five main drum towers
Drum tower in Zhaoxing Dong Village China travel service is very famous. There are five drum towers built in different styles standing for five districts.
Drum tower in wisdom district has an area of 77.3 square meters. It has nine-layer eaves and octagonal saddle roof, and it is 14.9 meters high. Each eaves has grey tiles covered, and the ridge of the tower is white with the animal patterns of lion, tiger, and phoenix and so on. There are 16 pillars as the framework supporting the whole tower, among them, four pillars in the center straight through to the ceiling. The whole tower is with carved beams and painted rafter. There is Huotang (a kind of Chinese fireplace) in the center of the tower, and wooden benches around placed for villagers to rest.
Drum tower in kindness district takes up the area of 60 square meters. It has seven-layer eaves, octagonal pavilion roof, and it is 217 meters high.
Drum tower in faith district takes up the area of 78.3 square meters. It has eleven-layer eaves and octagonal pavilion roof, and it is 25.9 meters high.
Drum tower in loyalty district China shopping has an area of 81.6 square meters. It has eleven-layer eaves and octagonal pavilion roof, and it is 25.8 meters high.
Drum tower in propriety district has an area of 70.3 square meters.It has thirteen-layer eaves and octagonal pavilion roof, and it is 23.1 meters high.
Traditional songs and dances
Dong People Village is not only famous for its drum tower group, but is famous for its songs and dances. When the festival is coming, Dong people will gather in the drum tower, and hold kinds of activities. The Grand Song (Dage in Chinese) is especially famous in the world, and others are love song, folk song, liquor songs, songs with playing lute, Lusheng dance etc.
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Yongle Palace last minute China travel deals lies in three kilometers north of Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City of Shanxi Province. It is a grand-scale Taoist building group, and it is famous for its murals. Walls of four main halls in Yongle Palace are fully covered by Murals, and its total area is 960 square meters. It is a big existence that can compare beauty with Dunhuang Murals.
Relocation
Yongle Palace was so called, because it was first built in Yongle Town of Ruicheng County in 1247, and the construction lasted over 110 years. It was moved to the site nowadays in 1958 as a result of Sanmenxia Multipurpose Dam Project on Yellow River. Relocation of Yongle Palace spends six years, and it is a successful example to move ancient building group.
Architecture Layout
Yongle Palace China travel service has a typical architecture style of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 A.D.) and also emerges the style of Song (960-1279 A.D.) and Liao (916-1125 A.D.) dynasties. Apart from temple gate, there are four main halls of Dragon and Tiger Hall, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall in turn built on the central axis.
Dragon and Tiger Hall
It works as the main gate of Yongle Palace. Murals in Dragon and Tiger Hall include the patterns of Gods of two Gate Gods, Town God and Gnome etc.
Sanqing Hall
It is the main hall of Yongle Palace, and it shrines three main Gods of Taoism in the Heaven. Four walls of Sanqing Hall Shopping in China are surrounded by murals, but the most excellent mural is Worshiping Celestial Worthy Pattern. It is 95 meters long and there are 286 figures on the mural with an area of 403.34 square meters. These figures are arranged symmetrically in an honor guard team. The mural is headed by Gods of Green Dragon and White Tiger, and eight main Gods and Goddess are companied by generals and soldiers in the Heaven to worship Celestial Worthy (the most powerful God in Taoism). About 300 Gods are concentrated on a Taoist ritual, and the general effect of pattern is overwhelming.
Chunyang Hall
It was built for worshiping Lu Dongbin (one of the eight Gods in Taoism). In Chunyang Hall paints a legend story of Lu Dongbin from his birth to become a God. The mural on the back wall with scene pattern is a precious artwork, which describes that Lu Dongbin is communicating Taoist Despines with his fellow.
Chongyang Hall
It was built to enshrine Wang Chongyang (the founder of Quanzhen Taoism) and his seven disciples. The mural on this hall is to describe the story of Wang Chongyang, from his birth to indoctrinate his disciples as a Master.
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Don't miss The Origin of Ming Thirteen Tombs during your Great Wall travel
The world–renowned Ming Thirteen Tomb last minute China travel deals is the mausoleum complex of 13 emperors of Ming Dynasty. From May 1409 when Chang Mausoleum was commenced construction to the burying of Emperor Chongzheng, the last emperor of Ming Dynasty, it was more than 230 years of history. There are in total 13 splendid imperial mausoleums, seven concubines mausoleum and one eunuch mausoleum. And totally, there were 13 emperors, 23 empresses, two crown princes and more than 30 concubines and one eunuch buried. It is the largest mausoleum complex with the most emperors’ tombs throughout the world.
Somebody may ask why it was called Thirteen Tombs China travel service now that there are 16 emperors in Ming Dynasty. It is essential to re-narrate the history of Ming Dynasty. The first emperor of Ming Dynasty was Zhu Yuanzhang who selected Nanking as his national center, and his mausoleum was located in Zhongshan Mountain of Nanking, which is officially respected as Ming Xiao Mausoleum. The second emperor of Ming Dynasty was Zhu Runwen. He ran away due to the Incident of Jinnan(靖难之役) launched by his uncle, Zhu Di, who later became Emperor Yong Le. Zhu Runwen died or not is still unknown, hence he did not have mausoleum. The Seventh Emperor Zhu Qiyu under the mastermind of former Emperor Yingzong’ s understrappers was killed. And Emperor Yingzong did not admit Zhu Qiyu was the emperor of Ming Dynasty, so he was buries another place, which is today’s Yuquan Mountain in west suburb of Beijing. So there are three emperors’ mausoleums in other places or unknown, and the other thirteen emperors’ mausoleums were located in Tianshou Mountain of Beijing Public China Holidays , so it was called Ming Thirteen Mausoleums or Ming Thirteen Tombs.
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Silk Road Travel - Qiuci Capital Ruins
Located on the traffic rush of Silk Road and connected the east and west trade, about one kilometer to the west of Kuqa, Qiuci Capital Ruins last minute China travel deals play an important role in the east and west civilization, world economy and the cultural history. Now here preserves the cultural relics of the ancient India Gandhara, Qiuci, Tubo, and Han civilization, which provides valuable resources for the exploration and study of the Qiuci grottoes as well as the Central Asia, West Asia and East Asia culture.
Qiuci Kingdom
As one of the ancient state in the western region of China, Qiuci has changed name several times in the history. During the Han Dynasty (202BC-202AD) it was named as Yancheng, then Yiluolucheng in Tang Dynasty (618-907). The whole city was in the shape of an irregular square. The city wall was about 8,000 meters in perimeter and two to seven meters in height. The northern, southern, eastern, western part of the wall was 2,000, 1806, 1646, 2,200 meters respectively. While, the existing walls are northern, southern and eastern with the length of 10, 300, 11.4 meters separately. The pieces of pottery, iron, bronze and Wuzhu coin have been excavated beneath the walls, which show the people there have closely connected with the mainland people.
Qiuci culture is a mixture of eastern and western culture China travel service and has made great contribution to the Chinese civilization and the world cultural exchange. It is famous for its music and grottoes. It is horned as the the capital of western region Buddhism and its music and widely influenced the Central China, North Korea, Japan and Southeastern area.
Qiuci Grotto
Known as one of the four Buddhist grottoes in china, Qiuci Grotto is the general name of the grottoes in Qiuci. It contains six main grottoes such as Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave, Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave, etc. The murals in the cave contain rich theme and show clear mark of the cultural exchange of the western and the eastern. The Qiuci Grotto has a far reaching impact on the mural art. It occupies an important position not only in the Chinese Buddhist history but the art history. It serves as a Buddhism cultural bridge between the central Asia and the east.
Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave
As one of the four famous caves in china, Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave China Photography Tours lies on a cliff and stretches for thousands of kilometers. There are more than 80 caves with murals, which covers an area of about 10,000 square meters. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China.
Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
Three are 47 numbered caves are found at present, among which 38 are preserved well. The murals in Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave are mainly about stories and images of the Buddha as well as the warriors with amours, swords and boots. The cave is a regional focus of heritage conservation unit.
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Get to know Taining Danxia Landform
Particularly in southeast and southwest China, Danxia Landform, features red fortress-like peak or peaks last minute China travel deals, weird stones, stone bridges and stone caves. It is a unique type of petrographic geomorphology found in China. In Taining, there are two regions of Danxia landform, Golden Lake in the south and Shaqingxi Stream in the north. With a total declared area of 235 square kilometers (91 sq. mi.), a core are of 111 square kilometers(43 sq. mi.) and a buffer area of 124 square kilometers (48 sq. mi.
With the most intensive network of valley, the most mature cliff caves, the most intact ancient planation surface, the richest cave culture and the most significant Danxia landform on water, Taining Danxia Landform plays an irreplaceable role in China. Besides, the gorge-style adolescent Danxia landform only could be appreciated here. Taining Danxia Landform China travel service has been praised as “where the story of China’s Danxia landform begins”. Taining features three world wonders, “Danxia landform above water”, “Grand Canyon Park” and “Cave Museum”.
The most intact ancient planation surface:
For billion years, Taining has recorded the formation and development process of the West Pacific continental margin of the Mesozoic Era, and retained the complete and remarkable ancient planation surface, the structurally-controlled mountain plain, the special netted valley land and red mountainous mass. Moreover, with the grand Danxi cliff, the unique incised meander and unique wonderful Danxia cavern group, the Danxia Landform formed its own elaborate and intricate “the Taining style” canyon complexes.
The most intensive network of valley:
With some 70 line valleys, 130 lane valleys and over 220 gorges, Taining Danxia Landform has the most intensive network of valley in a crisscross pattern. The wonder, like a Grand Danxia Canyon Park, is rare among all China’s Danxia landforms China tour videos.
The richest cave culture:
Danxia landform in Taining has special connection with traditional Chinese culture, like Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. With special Danxia cliff and temple culture, Danxia disciple culture, residence culture and cave funeral culture, it has already become the model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
The most mature cliff caves:
With over 60 large single caves and over 100 niche-like caves, Danxia caves in Taining have been developed for over 1,000 years. These tens of thousands of caves with different shapes and sizes constitute a unique Danxia micro-landscape and win Taining the title of Danxia Cave Museum.
The most significant Danxia landform on water:
Danxia landform ideally combines with lakes, streams, ponds and waterfalls. They form a rare wonder of Danxia on water at home and abroad.
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Located in southeast Xian, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the Bell Tower (the city center of Xian last minute China travel deals), Qujiang Pool Park was was designed by Zhang Jinqiu who aimed to rebuild the royal garden of ancient China and made it a recreation area in Xian. With it natural beauty and abundant history, Qujiang Pool Park has become a popular scenic spot since the day it opened to public on July 1st, 2008.
In history, Qujiang Pool was once the most famous scenic spot in Chang’an (the name of Xian in ancient China), a royal garden since the Qin Dynasty (221BC - 207BC). Later, in Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), Qujiang Pool China travel service has become a public recreation area. The Royal families, dignitaries and citizens usually went here.
While walking through the west gate of Qujiang Pool Park, the first thing you can see is the pool, which covers an area of 82 acres. Going south, you can find there are nine wooden houses which named after the tunes to which Song poems are composed. In some of the houses, Shaanxi opera, leather silhouette shows and Fengxiang clay sculptures are presented, and one of the buildings is a small museum, in which you can see the discoveries of archeological excavations of Qujiang ancient ruins.
Standing in the Qujiang Pavilion, which is located by the lake, visitors could see the Jiangtandieshui, a tiny waterfall which naturally divides the pool into two parts. Go south, you can find two reed marshes, which you can walk through on a wooden landing stage. At the end of this stage, you will arrive at Yunge Pavilion, from where you can rent a boat and take a visit on the lake. To the south is the Willow Dam, named for willows on both sides. At the end of Willow Dam, the Yuejiang Tower is situated in the south of the park, from where you can get a birds-eye-view of the park and have a rest. Then going north, you can see a house with a small pavilion off its winding corridor: a house on the river.
Here, it is a small island was designed with some houses and galleries for tourists to have a rest, even fishing. Besides, you can reach the island from a wooden bridge on the east bank, and arrive at the last scenic spot, the traditional Chinese style Changguan Teahouse. Not bad have a cup of Chinese tea and enjoy the beautigul scenery of the river.
Qujiang Pool Park Notes
Transportations:
1 By Public Transport
Take Bus No. 715 or Qujiang Xinjing Line and get off at Qujiangchi Yizhigongyuan Shopping in China (Qujiang Pool Park) station.
Take Bus No. 22, 212, 504, 801 to Qujiangchi Diaoduzhan (Qujiang Pool Control Office) station, and then the take a 2 minutes’ walk to Qujiang Pool Park.
2 By Taxi
Xian Railway Station-Qujiang Pool Park, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), and it takes about CNY 30 by taxi.
Bell Tower-Qujiang Pool Park, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles), and it takes about CNY20 by taxi.
Qujiang Pool Park Remark
1 There are any other tourist spots nearby Qujiang Pool Park, such as Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Qujiang Cool Cve Heritage Park, Tang Paradise, Mausoleum of Huhai(the successor of Emperor Qin Shi Huang) etc.
2 If you want to eat there, Yuejiang Tower restaurant will be nice, however, since it is far from the downtown are, so the facilities are not so well developed, you can bring some water or food, or also go back and have dinner downtown.
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Travel Guide - Jiawu Sea Warfare Museum
Location of Jiawu Sea Warfare Museum
Located in Liugong Island, Jiawu Sea Warfare Museum last minute China travel deals is a large memorial hall that records the solemn and tragic history of Jiawu Sea Warfare. The museum first began opening to the public in 1985. There are totally 9 display rooms, integrating multifarious art forms such as painting, sculpture, films and videos added with modern technologies such as music, light, electricity and intense visual languages, making this period of history more vivid and authentic. Till now, the museum has already received more than millions of visitors from all over the world. Through different artistic mediums, providing an unforgettable lesson of the defeat of Beiyang Navy and the unity of the Weihai people.
Features of Jiawu Sea Warfare Museum
Since the opening of the Museum on March 21st, 1985, it has been turned into a museum to commemorate the national heroes sacrificing their lives in the Sino-Japanese War. In Liugong Island lies Jiawu War Memorial Hall, there are 28 unique memorial sites displaying such relics as Beiyang Fleet Command, Dragon Temple China travel service, Residence of the Commander, Dingruchang, Navy Academy, Iron Dock and various Old Fort, etc. All the 28 relics of Beiyang navy of Qing Dynasty are ranked State-level cultural relics, now, it is under good protection. At present, most of them are opened to visitors, such as Beiyang Fleet Command, Dragon Temple, Residence of the Commander, Dingruchang, Weapon Museum, Old Fort, etc.
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Explore Qingdao Underwater World
The larruping Qingdao Underwater World last minute China travel deals offers an incredible view of a marine world. Lying to the west of Number One Bathing Beach and to the northeast of reputed Luxun Park, it is located on Huiquan Bay in Qingdao, Shandong Province. By dint of high-tech and favorable geological position, it combines the advantage of the Qingdao Specimen Hall, Qingdao Aquarium and Qingdao Freshwater Fish Center, turning into a hot spot for marine ecotourism.
The underwater world is made up of several exciting underwater landscapes including the inter-tidal zones, underwater tunnel, performance hall and exhibition areas. The inter-tidal zones are full of some special species, forming an extraordinary ecosystem. Different kinds of echinoderms, algae, arthropods, marine mollusks and a small quantity of fish are living here. Some bright-colored or peculiar species will bring you a distinct and great view!
Excellent items, like sea-maiden exhibitions, the dances between human and sharks and underwater ballets are showed in the performance hall China travel service. If a new couple want to experience an especial wedding here, undoubtedly, they will have an memorable memory of this happy and sacred moment. In the imposing columniform exhibition hall, the funny corals, varieties of beautiful zoantharian and interesting tropical pet fish will surely feast your eyes.
Qingdao Aquarium was the first aquarium of China. The imposing main building followed the Chinese conventional style, and was praised as one of the ten most magnificent buildings of Qingdao. Sea beasts like South American sea lions, harbor seals, Humboldt penguins also can found in the Qingdao Underwater World and they will show their artful and lively performances. Specimen Hall of Marine Life boasts the most abundant specimens in the world, displaying more than 20,000 specimens from all over the world Public China Holidays.
The Freshwater Fish Center is an analog of a tropical rainforest ecological environment. Many endangered and rare species and some tropical fish including South American arapaima, Chinese sturgeons, valued angelfish, giant salamanders and Yangtze alligators are on display. Besides, there is a special exhibition area for the jellyfish. Different kinds of interesting jellyfish swimming in the water, like full-blown flowers in the garden and will bring you to a dreamy world.
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Travel Guide - Mingqing Street of Pingyao Ancient City
With main streets forming a "干"shape, there are altogether four main streets, eight branch streets and 72 lanes in Pingyao Ancient City affordable China travel packages. The three-storey Market Tower is the center and joint point of the city streets. The buildings such as Ancient City Government seat, Town God's Temple, Confucius Temple, Military God Temple, Wealth God Temple and Lucky Fortune Temple are arranged symmetrically. Even have experienced a really long history, all these buildings show no sign of dilapidation. In front of the gates of some magnificent buildings and grand shops, deep ruts on the ground are still there to be seen, reminding visitors of its ancient busy traffic and commercial situation.
The streets in this ancient town are broad and very well arranged. Dotted with memorial archways and decorated gateways, the streets and lanes stretches one after another and high and low with the old houses and courtyards flanked. Walking along the ancient street, visitors will have the feeling of backing to a town of ancient China China travel service.
Located in the town center, the 18.5 meter-high Market Tower Public China Holidays is the highest building within the main street from the south to the north running through it. It is said the marketing was going on around this tower all day long long long time ago, hence the name Market Tower. Nowadays, this tower is one of the historical sites and protected by the provincial government. Moreover, though it had a renovation in 1688 during the Emperor Kangxi Period of Qing Dynasty, people still don’t know when it was first built.
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Travel Guide - Dule Karst Scenic Area & Bailian Cave
Dule Karst Scenic Area
Regareded as the "palace of the art of the nature", Dule has 12 mountains, 46 lava caves China vacation deals, 1 brook with the length of 3,400 meters and 4 artificial lakes in an area of 10 kilometers which is surrounded by deep forests and high mountains. That means here is a perfect touring place with blooming flowers, green trees, clean and fresh air, cave and stone etc. If you are so tired to see some historical relics or big, hot, crowded attractions, here will give you a reason to spend several idle days.
Moreover, as the origin of the title of the "palace of the art of the nature", it comes from the stalactites with bizarre shapes in the cave China travel service. Stalagmite, stone pillar, sheet, stone flower are all around the cave, some of them look like birds and animals, flowers and grass, some look like bead curtains or the roof of the palaces, hence the name "palace of the art of the nature".
Dule Forest of Steles, which is the first forest of steles of the modern calligraphy on the cliff, is located in the scenic area. A large amount of modern calligraphers came and left their calligraphies in the forest, if you want to have an idea of the modern calligraphy, it will be nice to be here.
Bailian Cave
Embraced by mountains and picturesque scenery, Bailian Cave is 20 meters high with the main cave covering 774 square meters, besides, there is an underground riverYangtze River tour which is flowing all the year round by the side of the cave. Bailian Cave is the first cave science museum of China. In the cave, many fossils of ancient people and mammalian are displayed in the exhibition hall of the museum. with these fossils, visitors will figure out how the ancient people in Bailian Cave see clothes and cook food on fire since 50,000 years ago. Furthermore, the 1,870 miles long narrow pass in the cave has many maze-like twists and turns, and at the lower part of the cave, there is a 370 meters long underground river running throughout the year.The karst cave covers an area of over 7,000 square meters.
The cultural relics includes animal fossils, teeth fossils, stoneware, stone decorations and primitive pottery slices etc, and most of them are unearthed at the accumulation horizon of the cave.
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Travel Guide - Jianshui Ancient Town
The ancient city wall of Jianshui was built in Ming Dynasty with a long history of more than 600 years. Today, only Qingyuan tower at the West Gate and Chaoyang tower last minute China travel deals at the East Gate is left standing.
The Zhu family garden is a local residence with its unique characteristic. It was built 100 years ago by a merchant named Zhu and his brother after they became wealthy. The garden is built as alabyrinth. The main building is structured with a programming of "four vertical and three horizontal lines". It consists of many courtyard-style folk houses. The lively paintings, the upturned eaves and the elegant carvings on the roof beams will bring us back to the time when Zhu lived.
A young Opera stage stands in the water in the garden with only the goldfish to appreciate the scene. A pavilion built for the daughter of the master is a vestige for you to tell how the girl spent her lonely life.
The Jianshui Confucius Temple top China travel service is one of the biggest Confucius temples in China and another ancient building which is worth a visit. Confucius, the great philosopher, educator, lived from 551-479BC. His philosophies have deeply influenced the culture and life of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean. The Jianshui Confucius temple was first built 700 years ago and expanded several times. It survived, thanks to its remote location. The big cypress tree standing in the temple is hundreds of years old. Dacheng Hall is the most imposing one in the temple.
There are many ancient wells in Jianshui and it is interesting to search for these wells. One of them is so strange with the mouth likes the moon, hence its name--Moon Well China Photo Tour.
The most famous one in Jianshui is Daban Well. It is situated outside the West Gate. Local people like the taste of water and use it to boil tea every day. Not far away from Daba Well, there is another famous one named Xiaojie Well and goldfish swim in the water lightheartedly. These ancient wells are closely related to people’s daily lives.
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Best Journey to Xitang Village
Lying in Jiashan County, Zhejiang , Xitang enjoys thousands of years of history. Rivers Yangtze River tour run through the quiet and natural environs of the town, with blue water sparkling everywhere. Xitang is a fairyland. When visitors wander in the town, the feeling is like moving a picture. The ancient buildings, in which corridors, lanes, and bridges are built, scatter along the river.
1. Covered Corridor
The covered corridor is the most distinctive feature of this water towns. The whole1, 000 meters long covered corridor consists of many sections. The corridor is usually tile-roofed and built along the riverside. It can provide shelter for the visitors. So visitors in Xitang can never be caught in the rain or heated by sunlight. The corridor is carved with decorative patterns, and they are praised as the most elegant artistic corridor.
2. Bridges
The bridges are used as links from one place to another place China vacation deals. They are convenient and beautiful. The bridges scatter along the lanes in different shapes. Some of the bridges connect with legends. The bridges scatter along the clean water and making the rivers cut by excellent bridges.
3. Houses
There are no newer houses in Xitang. The historic houses boast their value of culture. The houses also show the excellent skills of the houses owners. The houses themselves are also the cultural relics. To this day there are exhibitions of the ancient rare books of the owners passed down from generation to generation or rubbings from a stone inscription of a famous calligrapher. It is common that the grass grow on the roof of the houses. The grass on the top of the roof is said to be the spirit of the former owners, and it is a symbol of peace, prosperity.
4. Lanes
Lanes in Xitang China shopping range greatly in width, length and color. They are used to be the drain of families and artery in the town. The narrowest lane in the town is 80cm, with 2 people passing through at a time.
The lanes connect the families into a organic net, and you can go to anywhere from any place.
Xitang Village Notes
Admission Fee for Xitang is CNY 100, including both the scenic region and 11 sightseeing spots, and it opens for the whole day.
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Learn general information on Ling Canal
Located in Xing'an County, 66 kilometers (41 miles) away to the northeast of Guilin Guilin tours in Guangxi Province, the Ling Canal is one of the oldest and most integrated canals in existence in the world. What’s more, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, cultural relics, and historical sites of Guilin tours.
As early as 219BC to 214BC in the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259BC - 210BC, the first emperor who unified China), the canal was built. Since then, the canal has been renovated several times. Including the six countries (Qi States, Chu States, Yan States, Han States, Zhao States, Wei States), Qin Shi Huang dispatched 500,000 troops to the regions south of the Five Ridges (covering Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces last minute China travel deals). Nevertheless, there were no convenient roads to the south. To solve this problem, Shi Lu (an official of the Qin) was ordered for the building of a canal, thus, the food and money can be transferred in time. Once completed, to their surprise, the project not only facilitated the transporting of goods but also provided irrigation to the region. All in all, it occupied an important position in the integration of China and the prosperity of that region. In other words, the canal witnessed the history of the Guilin.
The length of the canal can reach about 34 kilometers (21 miles), consists of two parts: the northern canal and the southern canal. The Xiang River Yangtze River tour and the Li River are connected by this canal. The canal is 10 meters (32 feet) long and 1.5 meters (5 feet) deep. There are five parts consisted of the canal and each of them has a specific function. For example, Hua Zui, in the shape of a ploughshare, is a stone dam made of giant stones. It is used to divide the upper reaches of a sea partly into the northern canal which disembogues itself into the Xiang Rive and partly into the southern canal, which empties into the Li River. Generally speaking, the regions are still benefit from this canal for it still performs its function in terms of irrigation. So you should visit Ling Canal if you travel to Guilin. Here belowed is something about Guilin travel guide.
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A famous tower in China - Canton Tower
As one of noted attractions of sightseeing Guangzhou, the Canton Tower is a radio and TV tower China vacation deals, which is not far away from Chigang Pagoda, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, and 125 meters (410 ft) away from the north shore of the Pearl River. Facing the Haixin Sha Island and Pearl River New City in Guangzhou 21st century CBD District across the river, the tower was finished in 2009 and became operational on September 29, 2010 for the 2010 Asian Games.
Do you heard about the Xiao Man’s Waist? It is a description of the slender waist of Xiao Man, who a famous geisha in the Tang Dynasty (618AD-907AD). It was adopted on the innovative design of the tower. While most skyscrapers bear ‘male’ features; being rectangular, introvert, strong, straight, and based on repetition. However, the creative architects wanted to create a ‘female’ tower, being complex, transparent, curvy and gracious. In other words, they want to design a free-form tower with a rich and human-like identity that would become a landmark of Guangzhou city, which makes you feel that it is a dynamic and exciting city. As a result, it is what you see today: a tower is very slender and tall, and bears similarities with the figure of a female. As same as the slender waist, the narrowest part of tower is the waist, which is the 66th floor, with a diameter of only 30 meters (98 ft).
The most impressive part of this 610-meter tower is the a tapering silhouette and is designed to house TV and radio transmission facilities China travel service, exhibition observatory decks, revolving restaurants, space, conference rooms, shops and 4D cinemas. There is a rotation between lower and upper level floor plates designed by the Information Based Architecture and characterized by a twist and narrowing elliptical waist of less than 27 meters (87 ft). The main design features to offer outdoor and physical experience for tourists. In addition, there are outdoor gardens set within the structure, and a large open-air observation landscape opens up magnificent views over the city. Obviously, it is not only the tallest TV tower in Asia, but also one of the most beautiful structures providing transmission services for the Sixteenth Asian Games.
You can enjoy an unobstructed view of Guangzhou City China shopping here. If you want to have a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful scenery of both the Guangzhou New City and the Pearl River, climbing the tower is a perfect choice. Besides sightseeing function, the tower also plays the role as transmit radio, TV and microwave digital signals.
Entering the tower, you can see the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall with a total floor area of not less than 5,000 square meters designed to display large-scale large city models and other urban construction achievements. Moreover, there are also viewing platforms, entertainment and restaurant facilities, with recreational, dining and other services for tourists. It is really convenient for you to visit.
The tower is very beautiful in night, which glows and emits light rather than being up lit. Every node in the lighting design is individually controllable to allow for animations and color changes across the entire height of the tower. Thus, the various colors add the beauty of the tower. There are also showed three laser lamps which can reach as far as 1 kilometers point directly to the top three buildings of Guangzhou City, Zhongxin building, and the twin towers in Zhujiang New City. The aerial mast is controlled by keying circuit, and it will change one color everyday. As a result, local people would know what the day it is depend on the light that day.
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Travel Experience to Jinshitan Scenic Area
Jinshitan Picturesque Place, also called as the Fantastic Stone Seaside Nationwide Hotel, is located in the Liaodong Peninsula. It is about 50 kilometers away from the northeast of Dalian City China travel deals. It involve two peninsulas with a wide beach between them, with a area region of 62 rectangle kilometers (15,321 acres) and a water surface area of 58 rectangle kilometers (14,322 acres). Enclosed by sea all around, the beach operates a shoreline of 30 kilometers (19 miles).
The most wonderful perspective is focused in the southern peninsula. The wide framework came into shape as early as the Sinian and Cambrian Times. you can see huge numbers of unusual stones in various kinds of forms and positions. Others similar camels, turtles, dinosaurs, lions, and so on . No wonder it is known as the hard creature globe. The Longevous Stone found in is the greatest deposit rock Shopping in China with the best framework on the globe, established 600,000 years ago. One just cannot help marveling the power of characteristics.
Jinshitan Picturesque Place also offers top-class leisurely infrastructures. The golf course actions huge veggies of 17,500 rectangle kilometers (4,324,344 acres), using the beach. A tracking ground in the european peninsula, prepared with modern features, calculating a space of 2,000,000 rectangle kilometers (494,210,763 acres). A plant display area also can be available in it.
You would never be exhausted in Jinshitan Picturesque Place for there are so many scenic sports to pursuit. Jinshitan Picturesque Place China tour videos plans to become an all-round resort that combines travel and leisure with enjoyment. Many tasks are still under designs, such as Concept Areas, Hi-tech Farming Touring and Business presentation Recreation area and Fantastic Stone Area Country, etc.
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Get to know Wolong National Natural Reserve
As for Chengdu travel guide, Wolong Panda Reserve is definitely a strong recommened place, which is also known as Best Sichuan Tour Package of Pandas, Jiuzhaigou Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, which is situated in the east of Mt. Qionglai, about a 3-hours drive from Chengdu. It is a comprehensive state natural reserve, occupying an area of 200,000 hectares (494,200 acres). Wolong National Natural Reserve was first built in 1963, making it the earliest, largest and famous panda reserve in China and also in the whole world. In 1980, it was listed on UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Network.
Supported by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, which was founded in 1980 with assistance from World Wildlife Fund, in Wolong Panda Reserve, there are totally sixty-seven captive pandas among 150 pandas. In the Center, Hi-tech is used so common, which can be regarded as a world leader in propagating the panda species. If you like, you can take pictures with mice-like Wolong panda babies.
In China, pandas are national treasures and also ambassadors showing goodwill to other people and countries, so people from all nations are welcome to adopt pandas by naming them with an accompanying donation China tour deals.
Wolong National Natural Reserve, since the opening of wildlife observation spots, has attracted numerous animal-lovers, tourists, explorers, as well as scientists, where wild pandas may show up sometimes.
Wolong National Natural Reserve, well-known as bio-gene bank both at home and abroad, is home not only to the giant pandas but also to some other rare and endangered animals such as red panda, golden monkey, white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris), gnu (wildebeest) and some precious plants like yew and beech.
Other main scenic areas in Wolong Panda Reserve China travel video include: local plant specimen No.2170, animal and plant specimen museum, bird specimen No.225, beast No. 56, insects No.700, amphibious reptiles No.17 and fish No. 6.
Since Wolong National Natural Reserve enjoys warm and humid climate favorable to Chengdu pandas' favorite food, bamboo, it is also a fairyland for tourists. Meanwhile, 101 mountains above 5, 000 meters (16,400 feet) varying from 6, 250 meters (20,500 feet) to 1, 150 meters (3, 772 feet) as well beneficial to bio-diversity preservation and fantastic beauty of natural view here.
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Travel Guide - Scenic Wonders of Huanglong Scenic Area
Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Scenic Area, also in northern China Sichuan Tours Sichuan's Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, neighbors the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. It was named after the ancient Huanglong Temple within the area.
The most remarkable scene China travel deals in the area is the Huanglong Valley noted for its unique open karst landscape. The main attraction of the valley is the 3.6-kilometer-long and 30 to 70-meter-wide pale yellow calcareous deposits. At the end of the valley, water from melting snow mixes with limestone water from underground, flowing down the mountain terraces, depositing the calcium carbonate from the limestone water on the rocks, stones, and fallen branches in its path. The calcium carbonate, in turn, develops into solid, low travertine banks and reacts chemically with organic and inorganic substances, resulting in various kinds of calcareous deposits that reflect a golden color in the sunlight in the water that flows down the slopes just like a huge yellow dragon flying down the snow mountain. When water flows into two separate streams, it naturally turns into more colorful lakes and waterfalls, forming a ladder-shaped lake group. The water is crystal clear. The mineral deposits at the lake bottom look like jadeite and agate – magnificent and beautiful.
The Huanglong Temple is situated on the top of the scenic area China tour videos. South of the temple is Xuebaoding, the main peak of the snow-capped Minshan Mountain. Rising 5,588 meters above sea level, it is covered in snow all year round.
The scenic area was made a world natural heritage site in 1992.
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Wonderful events for winter - Ice & Snow Festival
Hā’ěrbīn’s main claim to fame these days is this festival. Every winter, from December to February (officially the festival opens 5 January), Zhāolín Park (照林公园) China vacation deals and Sun Island Park become home to extraordinarily detailed, imaginative and downright wacky snow and ice sculptures. They range from huge recreations of iconic buildings, such as the Forbidden City and European cathedrals, to animals and interpretations of ancient legends. At night they’re lit up with coloured lights to create a magical effect.
It might be mind-numbingly cold and the sun disappears mid-afternoon, but the festival, which also features figure-skating shows and a variety of winter sports, is Hā’ěrbīn’s main tourist attraction – and prices jump accordingly.
The festival takes place in multiple locations. The main venue, Harbin Ice and Snow World and the Snow Sculpture Art Exhibition are both held on Sun Island . The Ice and Snow World exhibits are held in the west end of the island on the north bank of the Sōnghuā River Yangtze River tour. They are best seen at night, so note that a daytime ticket (good from 9.30am to 1.30pm) does not grant admission to the venue at night.
The Ice Lantern Venue Student tours to China is held in Zhaolin Park and many consider it the least interesting venue. If you do go, again, get along at night when the lanterns are lit.
Taxis are expensive and often hard to flag down during the festival times but you can ride horse carriages, or even use your own feet: the Sun Island venues are actually reachable by crossing the frozen Sōnghuā River (plan on one to two hours). Note that prices for the festival have been skyrocketing recently so don’t be surprised if they are even higher than quoted above.
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Travel Guide - The Former Residence of Lu Xun
Over the course of Chinese history, Beijing last minute China travel deals has been the home of many intriguing and important figures. Along with the rapid progress of Beijing's modernization, many hutongs (back street lanes) have been rebuilt into broad roads lined with modern buildings. The former residences of some of China's most important people, however, have been well preserved, holding more value maintained than destroyed. Among these, two residences are protected by the state, and 11 fall under municipal protection. These residences once belonged to notable personages of contemporary Chinese revolution, those renowned in modern and contemporary Chinese culture, and famous historical figures.
Lu Xun was born Zhou Shuren on September 25, 1881, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. Zhou adopted the pen name Lu Xun in 1918, when he began writing for New Youth magazine.
A great writer and thinker, and the founder of Chinese modern literature, Lu Xun was born into a downfallen scholar-bureaucratic family. As a child, he was educated to read poems and classic books. He often accompanied his mother on visits to his grandma, who lived in the countryside, and those experiences later became material for his novels about rural life.
In 1898, Lu went to Nanjing Student tours to China for study. It was there that he first learned about Western bourgeois-democratic thought and contemporary science. Four years later, influenced by evolutionist thought, he went to Japan, where he first studied medicine and later turned to writing. He believed that literature could change the spirit of a falling nation. In May 1918, Lu wrote and published A Madman's Diary, his first novel, in a modern, colloquial style. A fierce attack against the old ritualistic dogma and feudal system, this novel laid the cornerstone for modern Chinese literature. In 1921, he published a novella, The True Story of Ah Q, which is still considered a monument in the history of modern Chinese literature. His novels mostly derived from the harsh realities of the time, revealing the pains in people's lives and advocating relief for society. In addition, Lu also made great contributions in supporting and instructing advanced literary societies, taking in and training young writers, translating and introducing foreign literary and artistic works, and sorting and studying the ancient Chinese literary heritage.
Lu came to Beijing in May 1912. His first home in Beijing was in the Shaoxing Chamber in Nanbanjie Hutong, south of Xuanwu Gate. There, he wrote A Madman's Diary, Kong Yiji, and Medicine. Later, he sold his old house back in Shaoxing and used that money to purchase a house at Badaowan in Xinjiekou China Photography Tours.
After moving into the new house at Badaowan, Lu Xun reached the peak of his literary career. He completed nine novels, including The True Story of Ah Q, Storm, Hometown, and Local Opera. It was also during this period that he published his first novel collection, Call to Arms, translated blind Russian poet V. Erosenko's A Collection of Fairy Tales, and compiled the first volume of A Concise History of Chinese Novels. That house remains, but has become an everyday residence for several local families.
In May 1924, Lu moved into the No. 21 compound at Fuchengmen's Lane 3; he lived here until he was relocated to Shanghai in 1928. It was a typical residential compound of Old Beijing, and all the houses here were designed by Lu Xun himself in the spring of 1924.
Lu named his studio, which was also his bedroom, the Green Woods Study. From the studio, he produced more than 200 acclaimed works, including the poem Wild Grass; the essay collections Hua Gai, Wandering, and Morning Flowers Picked at Dusk; and translated versions of A Concise History of Chinese Novels and Hot Wind.
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Travel Guide - Beijing University Geological Exhibition Hall
The Peking University Geological Exhibition Hall affordable China tours, located in the campus of Beijing University, is the earliest museum of geological science in China. It used to be the exhibition room of the Geology Department of Peking University founded in 1909. By 1917, the Peking University Geological Exhibition Hall had collected more than 1,000 items of samples in the fields of paleontology, mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology.
In 1934, the Peking University Geological Exhibition Hall was completed, in which four exhibition rooms were set up, namely the Dynamic Geology Exhibition Room, the Paleontological Stratum Exhibition Room, the Paleobotany Exhibition Room, and the Mineralogy and Petrology Exhibition Room China Photographing Tours.
In 1952, all the samples in these Exhibition Rooms were moved to the newly founded Beijing Geological Prospecting College (now called the China Geology University in Beijing).
In 1955, the Geological Exhibition Hall was rebuilt in Peking University Student tours to China and started to collect various kinds of geological samples. Its rare samples include the trilobite, Maoming turtle, crystal pyrite cluster, orpiment calcite crystal cluster, stibnite crystal cluster, dolomite crystal cluster and the realgar monocrystal crystal with the weight of 225 grams.
The Peking University Geological Exhibition Hall covers a space of over 600 square meters, displaying ordinary geology, structural geology, paleontology, geological history, mineralogy, petrology, mineral deposit, and the minerals for arts and crafts.
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Beijing Travel Guide - Beijing Museum of Traditional Opera
The Beijing Museum of Traditional Opera is located inside the China travel deals Beijing Huguang Guildhall Chamber of Cultural Prosperity and Ancestral Hall of the Local Worthy.
The museum's various exhibits have distinctively artistic characteristics. On display in the exhibition hall are several dozen biographies, cultural relics, and costumes and instruments that trace the history of Chinese traditional opera. Stage photos of Peking opera masters in performance are also exhibited. The most precious exhibits include a picture of Shouyun Xuan Accepting Congratulations, the pass to enter the imperial palace issued to opera star Chen Delin, the imperial phonograph, four famous Peking opera fiddles, and the Liyan Pictorial, all of which are of high artistic value.
Inside the exhibition hall is the most eye-catching exhibit - an admission pass to the imperial palace issued to Chen Delin, by the Court Theatrical OfficeEducational tours in China. Chen Delin was an opera performance artist, and the foremost Qingyi actor at the end of Qing Dynasty. He was the inspiration of many famous opera artists, from Wang Yaoqing, to the Four Famous Female Characters (Mei Lanfang, Xun Huisheng, Shang Xiaoyun and Cheng Yanqiu). The pass was issued in the 25th year (1899) of Emperor Guangxu's Reign, when Mr. Chen used it to gain admission to and perform in the imperial palace.
The pass is 9cm wide, 15.5cm high, and 1.4cm thick, and has a hole through which to insert and tie a length of thread. On its face are two rows of characters: Court Theatrical Office, made in Guangxu 25. On the right is written: Student Chen Delin, aged 38, and on the left are characters describing the facial features of the holder: yellow, clean-shaven face. On the back appear the two characters that mean "waist tag." On the upper half are the vertical, gilded characters, "Issued by Office of the Imperial Household Department," and on the lower half appear the Manchurian characters: "Governor of Imperial Household Department."
Vividly depicting Chen Delin and his six famous students: Wang Yaoqing, Mei Lanfang, Jiang Miaoxiang, Wang Huifang, Wang Qinnong, and Yao Yufu, the picture of Shouyun Xuan Accepting Congratulations exemplifies the opulence of Peking Opera, and is of high cultural value China travel video.
The four famous Peking opera fiddles were made by Shi Shanpeng, the most famous Peking opera fiddle producer. Their sound was intended to imitate the voices and singing styles of the Four Famous Female Characters. Their excellent workmanship and superior quality of tone have won high acclaim within theatrical circles.
The Beijing Museum of Traditional Opera currently offers a range of activities, including performances, exhibitions, academic seminars, and foreign cultural exchanges. In addition, in the last week of each month, it holds a series of lectures on traditional opera, free of charge, every day at 2:00 p.m. During performances, both Chinese and English subtitles are screened, and there is also English and Japanese simultaneous interpretation.
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Proper protection of historical sites in Yangtze River area
Historical sites China tour deals are cherished because of their long-time cultural accumulations. But how to avoid losing their inside information during the process of moving these inscriptions? Li Hongsong, deputy director of Ancient Building and Historic Site Protection Center, expressed his own ideas. Cultural relics should not be protected by setting up monuments, but by prolonging their life in a scientific way, he said. The aim of protecting the Qutang Gorge stone inscriptions is not only to restore them but also to truly record the history in them. The new stone inscriptions, as one way of protection, should be integrated with the surrounding environment. He insists that higher requirements should be set for the site selection and restoration project.
According to Li, of the 13 pieces of stone inscription works, four will be cut out and relocated, four will be replicated and the other five will be carved artificially. The tablet carrying "Ode to the Resurgence of the Song Dynasty" will be cut out in whole piece and migrated to the newly built Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing China Educational tours.
Archaeologists, together with geologists and related engineers, investigated the gorges area several times, mapping, sampling, analyzing and calculating, for working out a plan to protect the cultural relics in the area. At last they chose a site 500 meters downstream from the original one for the replicas. It is a precipitous valley, composed of steep cliffs and gentle slopes. The cliffs rise as high as 200 meters, while the top of the slopes is also at an elevation of 180 meters. It, to a large degree, preserves the natural scenes and human landscapes of the original site. The conditions for replicating inscriptions are also great.
The migration of stone inscriptions puts forward harsher requirement for cultural relic protection. The most advanced way of cutting is employed, which causes little trembling in work and has little harm on the relics. Also, three-dimensional technology is used to project the original characters onto the new cliff wall. In the following step, experts will depict each piece of the works carefully. After repeated revision, craftsmen will carve them with chisels. When the whole work is completed, a new chalk wall measuring 190 meters long will appear on the cliffs on the Yangtze River Yangtze River tour again.
Li said that protection of stone inscriptions will be carried out in four ways: material collecting, protection on the original site, moving to other places or making replicas at the new sites, and displaying. Most inscriptions will be protected in the first two ways and few will be moved to other places, such as the carvings on the Chalk Wall and Niuweishi cliff paintings.
Water is a primary factor in the Three Gorges culture. The life, transportation and economy of the ancient people here are all closely related to water. For instance, the cliff painting at Niuweishi depicts the fishing life of ancient people. As fishermen often quarreled with each other over the ownership of fishing docks, they sometimes set up tablets beside their docks to mark the building process and ownership. With the development of water transport, commercial shipping became an important living way for the Three Gorges ancestors. As this area was rich in well salt, many people lived on the shipping of salt. A tablet in Fuling records such an event. The inscriptions also depict the dangerousness of the place. Many of them record events such as road and ship building, navigation route harnessing and compulsory ferry, notice of danger or praying for peace. Other inscriptions reflect the history and politics of the Three Gorges area China Photographing Tours. The "Ode to the Resurgence of the Song Dynasty" is one such example. The stone in Liugang showed military establishment of the Qing Dynasty in Yunyang County.
What should also be mentioned is the art value of these inscriptions: the poems of famous literary figures, rich styles of calligraphy and exquisite sculptures always remain an attraction to visitors.
Learn the history in Yangtze River area - Tomb Group of the Ba Aristocrats
It is hard to believe that Xiaotianxi Village affordable China tours in Fuling, Chongqing, was the final rest place of the ancient Ba aristocrats of about 2,000 years ago.
In this small village built on a mound near the Wujiang River, with dozens of households, however, a large amount of bronzes and jade wares typical of Ba culture were unearthed. The findings are unparalleled in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, either in quality, diversity or amount.
According to Fang Gang, an archeologist with the Chongqing Cultural Relics Institute who was working at the site, the Xiaotianxi Village Ruins were found by accident in 1972. The village became famous overnight because of the bronzes found here. It was the first time that such abundant bronzes of the Ba people were found in the Three Gorges area. It coincided with the depiction in Records of the States South of Mt. Hua: "Most of the mausoleums of its (Ba's) former kings were in Zhi." Zhi refers to Fuling.
Between 1972 and 1993, four salvage excavations were conducted on the Xiaotianxi Ruins Yangtze River tour and cultural relics from nine of the tombs were collected and studied. In 1994, the Sino-Japanese Archaeological Physical Exploration Experimental Research Team employed the CT technology in exploring underground relics and received abnormal signals, so they guessed they might have found the mausoleums of the Ba kings. Meanwhile, numerous bronzes were unearthed. The most important of those, a set of 14-piece chime bells, is now preserved in the Fuling Museum.
Fang said that the current excavation has cleaned up 11 shaft tombs, ranging from the early Warring States Period to the early Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). From these tombs, large quantity of bronze and jade articles were dug out. There were also two skeletons, including a complete one, and two Chu-style jade swords which were found for the first time in Ba tombs. From Tomb No. 12, archeologists unearthed the most diversified high-class bronzes. On the surfaces of kettles and vehicles, handicraft with inlaid silver filigree was witnessed; while on chunyu (a kind of ancient bronze musical instrument), dagger-axes, bells, Ba-style swords and spears, archaeologists found patterns such as hair bun, hand palm, clouds, tiger, boat and fish.
In a small tomb China Educational tours measuring no more than four meters long and two meters wide, a strange bird-shaped vessel was found one meter underneath the ground. The vessel has duck-web feet, cock's nib and bird's wings. Though many feathers have fallen off, the excellent workmanship stands out clearly. The remaining feathers show traces of finely polished nail-sized turquoises which were stuck on the bird's body.
Were these mausoleums belonging to the former Ba kings?
Though among the findings from these tombs are chunyu and zheng, two musical instruments used by ancient rulers to call on their troops, and other high-class belongings, such as chime bells and jade swords, they were not items exclusively possessed by Ba kings. What's more, the bird-shaped vessel in some way features the Central Plains culture. All the tombs are not in a very large scale, and most of them are of the middle and late Warring States Period. From these facts, Sun Hua, professor from the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University, concluded that the tombs should have belonged to the aristocrats who remained on the land after the Ba Kingdom was conquered by the Qin State, who later united China.
Then, where are the true mausoleums of the ancient Ba kings?
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Get to know Ling Canal
The Ling Canal is one of Guilins hidden gems. The most unfortunate aspect about the Ling Canal is that it is situated about 70 klms north of Guilin City China travel deals in an area that does not attract many foreign tourists because of its isolation from other tourist destinations. The other tourist attraction in this area is Merryland Theme Park and Golf Resort but by its nature it attracts a different kind of tourist.
The Canal is a wonderful example of the engineering and architectural skill that existed in Chinese society more that 2000 years ago. The Canal was built in the year 214BC by Qinshihuang, first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The canal system connects two rivers, Guilins Li River Yangtze River tour and the Xiang River but as these rivers are tributaries of the Pearl and Yangtze Rivers the connection linked two of the largest river systems in China thereby opening a huge area to allow travel and commerce to flourish. It was also an important political move as it unified north and south and allowed the Emperor to consolidate his power.
The complexity of the project is more easily understood when we see the difference in water levels between the two rivers which in some planes is around 6 meters. The project required a complex system of locks and dams to allow the two water systems to merge. At one point the two rivers are only separated by about 20 meters. It is fascinating to watch as the rivers flow in different directions.
It is possible to take a boat ride down the south canal to Xing’an Town China Photography Tours which is well worth the money. The wooden punt is poled along the canal by two boatmen who are happy to point out the points of interest and answer questions if you have someone along who speaks Chinese. They are happy to stop at the most significant spots on the canal for photos or to allow you to get a better look. The ride finishes in the town. The canal continues through Xing’an. The walk along the waterway is very interesting. It is lined with old traditional style building where the residents go about their daily life. I do believe that it would be very crowded with domestic tourists at holiday time, but our visit was free of any congestion and we were the only western tourist in the place. We not hassled by anybody wanting to sell souvenirs or continually assaulted by hello, lookie venders.
A Chinese guide or Chinese speaker is almost a necessity to get the most out of the experience. The ticket office at the entrance advertises a boat ride but this is just across a small lagoon and is not worth the RMB 20 per person for a 50 meter ride. The boat ride down the canal is purchased from the boat operators at the start of the south canal. You cant miss it. The park that surrounds the start of the canal also contains a small museum displaying he wreckage of one of the legendary flying tigers squadron that operated in the area during W W 2. We found it interesting but not riveting.
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Xinjiang Dairy - Wujiaqu
Wujiaqu is a city under the management of XPCC. We first arrived in a residential area filled with new apartments, painted in a light shade of pink. The people who live here are mostly XPCC employees, which includes teachers, farmers and factory workers. We met a middle school teacher who moved into the area in 2012. She says that compared with the places she has lived in before, her two-bedroom apartment is like a dream home. On our way back, we saw the houses that she used to live in. They look like dilapidated slums with rows of mud-brick walls. These places are completely abandoned now that people are provided with better living conditions.
This morning, we took off from Silk Road tour Xinjiang's capital city, Urumqi and officially started off our tour of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or XPCC. A little bit more than an hour later, we arrived at Wujiaqu.
Last night, at a meeting with the XPCC authorities, it was discussed that one of its biggest projects is building cities. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps literally turned what was empty deserts into a place of living and commerce. Today, we got to see what one of these cities looks like.
Wujiaqu is not an urban center of Xinjiang affordable China tours. Its main industry is agriculture. However, with the advancement in technology, farmers are able to do their work more efficiently and yield higher output than ever before. We visited a model farm and learned about a modern irrigation method called the drip irrigation system, which saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly to the root zone, through a networks of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters.
In the afternoon, we visited a museum in Wujiaqu. The place is built in commemoration of the history of the 6th Division of XPCC. The museum is divided into two floors. The ground floor relays the events during the Sino-Japanese War to visitors and it also gives a brief introduction to the army generals that have made great contributions to the war effort while on the second floor, it shows the involvement of the division in Xinjiang's agricultural development. On display are mud huts that they used to live in in order to escape the region's harsh climate, the clothes they wore and the equipment they used to farm the land top 10 China tours.
We also traveled to Qinggeda Lake and the surrounding wetlands. The wetlands is an environmentally protected area in Xinjiang and is home to numerous animals including dozens of species of birds. A man-made reservoir, the lake's construction started in 1951 under the guidance of General Wang Zheng and it now is a water source for the local agricultural industry. In addition to that, the water also flows downstream to a man-made pond filled with lotus plants.
Today, I was impressed how much the region has transformed from an isolated area in the desert that was barely habitable to what it is today. Many members of the XPCC are truly devoted to Xinjiang and have dedicated their lives to the construction in these areas and their daughters and sons have come back to the region after graduation from university to further develop this area.
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Travel Guide - Xihai Grand Canyon
Xihai Grand Canyon is a newly-developed scenic area open to public on May, 2001. Covering the most prime scenery of Xihai Scenic Area (Western part of Huangshan Scenic Area), it starts at Cloud-dispelling Pavilion last minute China travel deals, linking White Cloud Area at Fairy-walking Bridge, and creating a breath-taking circular sightseeing route. Within its 25 square kilometers, there are many unique rock formations,such as Upside-down Boot, Lady Playing Piano, Dog Watching Sky, Man Walking on Stilt, and fantastic peaks; Archway Peak, Nine-dragon Peak, Double Bamboo Shoot Peak, Stone-bed Peak, Stone-pillar Peak and Pine Forest Peak, just to name a few. Lush pines abound in the area and the large historic ones have names. You become immersed in your surroundings and find yourselves in an amazing painting. Scenery keeps changing as you walk on steep steps usually clinging to precipices. Every step reveals a breath-taking view so you can just point your camera and take a perfect photo almost everywhere on the way. No wonder it's also called Magic Scenic Area best tours of China. A 4.5 km downhill walk will take you deeper and deeper in the ravine,with cliffs and peaks becoming higher and higher, arriving at Fairy-walking Bridge. It's a real Grand Canyon! In front of you from the bridge, the 3 km long steps will lead you through the White Cloud Area to the Heavenly Sea Area. It's no doubt a difficult, yet rewarding trip with so many fantastic views. To complete this circular trip, you will climb up another 0.7 km to Bright Summit (1860m and second highest peak of the Yellow Mountain). Then continue down 1 km to a huge rock known as Flying-Over Rock, and finally 1.5 km further down will take you back to the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion travel China guide. This spectacular circular route is a good option for the energetic physically fit tourist. A better option for those who are not used to strenuous activity would be walking a small section of it rather than missing it altogether. This very secluded and fantastic scenic area known as the Grand Canyon of the West Sea is becoming more and more popular. It's a must see destination for tourists, even though being a newly opened area you may not find much other reference material in English. more at chinatour.com like China Panda tours |
Travel Guide - Aberdeen in Hong Kong
Aberdeen Harbour Aberdeen, the largest satellite town of Hong Kong city, is a vibrant waterfront harbour resort China vacation deals. It is unique in the sense that it puts forward the traditional lifestyle and modernity on a single platter. Floating restaurants are highly acclaimed features of this tourist centre, which is one of Hong Kong's oldest and most popular tour attraction. Traditional Fishing Life Conventional lifestyle still prevails in Aberdeen. Aberdeen harbour preserves the features of a fishing port. Fishing boats, equipped with traditional sampans, shuttle back and forth. Fishermen are busy arranging for their bread and butter. Visitors can cruise around the fishing port on a boat. However, they are advised to negotiate the price with the owner before boarding. People who have passed most of their life on dry lands would find fishing life of Aberdeen very intriguing. Floating Restaurants Aberdeen in Hong Kong, also known as a resort, arranges for delicious seafood. Particularly two lucrative floating restaurants 'Jumbo Floating Restaurant' and 'Tai Bak Seafood Boat' in Aberdeen resort Hong Kong tours constantly attract the visitors. These restaurants are anchored in the harbor. Visitors can travel to the restaurants by taking a free shuttle. They can enjoy delicious seafood as well as other culinary delights in these restaurants. Jumbo Kingdom Jumbo Kingdom in Aberdeen is known for its arresting design, decorative lights and restaurant. Its design seems to be borrowed from the imperial palace of ancient China. The restaurant has been the international celebrities' haunt for years. All kinds of gastrnomical delights, especially Chinese cuisine can be enjoyed here. Transformation Aberdeen harbor of today is a modern town with the population of about sixty thousand. Two centuries ago, it was a haunt of pirates. Later, it transformed into a simple fishing village. In recent years, it has evolved into a modern town top China tours, with high-rise buildings and entertainment facilities. Yet it maintains its old world charm which fascinates the tourists. Location Aberdeen is located in the Southern District of Hong Kong island. Aberdeen harbour lies between Aberdeen town and Ap Lei Chau. more at chinatour.com like Yunnan tours |
China Guide - Jingting Mountain
Xuancheng is rich in beautiful natural and human landscapes and famous historical interests. They include Jingting Mountain China travel deals, which Libai(699-762), one of the greatest poets of Tang Dynasty, once admired with the popular lyrics “All birds have flown away, so high,/ A lonely cloud drifts on, so free./We are not tired, the Peak and I./ Nor I of him, nor he of me”; Jingting Mountain Jingting Mountain top China tours is located on the bank of the Shuiyang River to the north of Xuanzhou City. It abounds with green teas, of which the Green Snow Tea is the most popular. When Libai was angry with the imperial government and extremely disappointed with his official future, the ancient Chinese poet Libai wrote: Sitting Alone on Jingting Mountain All the birds have flown up and gone; A lonely cloud also floats leisurely by. We never tire of looking at each other Only the mountain and I. Jingting Mountain-Tea Culture The southeastern part of Anhui Province travel China guide is famous for its fertile land and teas, and among the latter the Green-frosted Tea enjoys the highest prestige. Within the Tea Culture Area, on the hill-slope grow tea trees, which, as the symbol of tea culture of the Southeast Anhui, meet the eyes of visitors and present splendid dark green. more at chinatour.com like Silk Road tours |
Jinshan Hill Park is in the northwest of Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province China vacation deals. It is on Mount Jin which is about 44 meters (about 144 feet) high and covers an area of 102 acres.
The picturesque scenery of Jinshan Hill Park is made up of over thirty scenic spots on Mount Jin. Throughout history, the park gained its fame for its beautiful landscape, its important status in relation to Buddhism as well as having soul stirring legends. Jinshan Temple, Spring Zhongling (praised as the First Spring under the Heaven), and Jintian Garden are among the most famous scenic spots in Jinshan Hill Park.
Jinshan Temple is indispensable to the renown of Jinshan Hill Park.
JinShan(Golden Hill) is located in the west of zhengjiang city,jiansu province, In ancient times ,it was a solitary mount on the Yangtze river ,Floating majestically on the river center,it'sshapes are manifold,in sunshine and in rain ,In terms of wondrous beauty,it is unrivalled
According to chronicles the hill stands 190 chi(63.3metres)high and it's width is 620 steps ,although JinShan,jiaoshan and beigu have historically been referred to as "the Three hills in jinkou(nowzhenjiang),jinshan however, has always been known as the crown of zhengjinang's fainous scenery
Reccords vary as to when the Jinshan Temple top China tours originated One record says that it was built in early eastern Jin Dynasty.Yuan Dynasty scholar Yuji wrote in his Wangshaouge ji(journals of Longetivity chamber):" In the hill there is a Buddhist temple of the JinDynasty ,built in the time of Emperor Ming ." Scholar Zhao Mengfu,However,wrote that the temple was constructed in the time of Emperor Yuan.
Another record says that the temple was built in the Liang Dynasty,for eminent Liang monks said that in the fouith year of the Tianjian period Liang Emperor Wu arrived at Zexin Si(River Center temple) and inaugurated the water ,Land and air dharma Assembly In his chronicles,Jinshan's monk yuanji wrote that the Assembly was organized in the Tianjian period of the Liang Dynasty,as an imperialedict ordered the holding of such a congregation , which fuither brought fame to Jinshan
But there were also sayings that the Temple was built in the Tang dynasty ,The Xhan Fu Tu Sutra mentions :"The Temple started construction in the time of the Tapas Master Beitoutuo of the Tang ,Dynasty "The book XinHai Zhilue Registers, The Venerable Master lingtan was the grandson of Dajian and also an descendant of E mpress Wu zetian A man of supernatrual ablitym he went to live in the S erpent Cave on the peak of the Hill ,where he achieved superior meditation ,Later he tamed the serpent ,Which subsequently went out to the sea ,And this was the beginning of the opening up of Hill by the Chan clan It is this story that makes most Chinese people get to know Jinshan Temple travel China guide
Jiangtian Buddhist Temple ,at the doorway of the Jinshan Temple, look up and you will see the tablet of "Jiangtian Buddhist Temple", which was inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty when he accompanied Queen Mother to the Jinshan Temple for pray. Jiangtian Temple is the present Jinshan Temple, which has been an ancient temple of Zen Buddhism enjoying a reputation at home and abroad since antiquity. It was built in the East Jin Dynasty, about more than one thousand and five hundred years removed from modern times. It was first named Zexin Temple and Jinshan Temple at the beginning of the Nan and Tang Dynasties. The temple has a grand scale. During its meridian period, it had more than three thousand Buddhist monks and tens of thousands of monks. During the Qing Dynasty, Jinshan Temple ranked with Putuo Temple, Wenshu Temple and Daming Temple as the four famous temples of China.
Fahai Cave.also called Peigong Cave. It is on the cliff below the west of the Cishou Tower. Now in the cave stands a statue of Fahai and at the mouth of the cave hangs a horizontal tablet "Ancient Fahai Cave". The Fahai Cave is the place where Pei Toutuo, also called the Zen master Fahai, who is the founder of the Jinshan Temple, performed penance. The White Dragon has the stone statues of the White Snake and Green Snake.
Miaogao Platform,also called Drying Scripture Platform. "Miaogao" is a free translation counterpart of "Xumi" in Sanskrit. According to the Records of Jinshan written by Liu Bian, "Miaogao Platform is behind the Jialan Hall; it was built by the monk Foyin chiseling a cliff during the Yuanyou Period of the Song Dynasty; it is more than ten zhang high; there is a pavilion upon it; it is also called Drying Scripture Platform." It has gone through rises and falls for many times. The monk Shizhong of the Ming Dynasty and Xue Shuchang of the Qing Dynasty had successively rebuilt it. In 1948, it was ruined by fire together with the grand hall of the Jinshan Temple and the Scripture Collection Building. Now only the site of the platform is left. The Miaogao Platform was also a good place to admire the moon at that time. There is a tale going around there that Su Dongpo, a famous writer of the North Song Dynasty, once admired the moon here.
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Liangkou Scenic Area is about 23km away from the seat of sanjiang County. It consists of the spots such as Sanwang Temple China travel deals, Rehe Bridge and the Old Banyan Tree etc.
Sanwang Temple
Aka the Three King's Palace (literally Sanwang Gong), is located between the Heli and Nanzhai villages. Against the mountain and by the river, the temple was originally built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in 1821(the Qing Dynasty). According the local legend, there was a client state of the Han Dynasty called Yelang in Sanjiang. The king had three sons and two daughters. They each were clever and brave. The emperor of the Han Dynasty thought that the king would betray the county and killed him in B.C 111, but found innocent later. The emperor made profuse apologies and gave a big compensation to the king's sons. The three large-minded sons of the king forgave the emperor and buried the past. They renovated their state and worked hard for the Han Dynasty. They were always close to the people and beloved by all. After death, people built the temple to memorize them and named it Three King's Palace top 10 China tours.
The entire building of the temple is simple and tasteful. Its layout had copied the ancient Han people's architectural style. The theater stage and the side rooms were the authentic Dong style. This temple is considered as the perfect combination of the Han and Dong architectural style in China. In the temple, many pretty patterns were painted or carved on the walls, pillars or the eaves etc. Here most of the time is always quiet. Only the worshipers may occasionally pay a visit. The most bustling time here is in annual January 5th (lunar calendar), the local people usually assemble here to hold a large-scale temple fair.
Rehe Bridge
The way to the Sanwang Temple, properly speaking, it was built for the three kings' devotees and belongs to the temple's auxiliary building. The bridge was built in 1898. It measures 48.9m in length and 4.35m in width. It has 12 corridors and three kiosks with very distinctive roofs with eaves that resemble the wings of birds. The local people said there are two Dong architectural styles are found on the bridge China tour guide. The bridge foundation is brick arch. Its body is made of wood, and does not use nails, or fasteners of any kind. The wooden part of the bridge is built of the mortise and tendon design, and uses their own weight to hold them together.
Chankou Old Banyan Tree
Chankou Village is located on the junction of the Meng River and the Rong River, where stands a giant old Banyan tree. It looks like a giant umbrella from the distance. For centuries, the tree has been regarded as the patron saint of the village. The localites believe that it can ensure the village's peace and safety. According to the aged villagers, the tree is more than 1310 years old!
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Jianzha Kanbula National Geopark China vacation deals, one of the third batch of the national geoparks approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources of P.R.C., is located on the south bank of the Yellow River, northwest of Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is 131 km away from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province; it covers a total area of 15,247 sq km.
Kanbula Scenic Area is known throughout the world for its Danxia geomorphy. It features huge peak, mesa, cave, and steep cliff. The mountains take the shape of huge pillars, pagodas, castles, giants and beasts, all diverse and lifelike. The landforms have recorded the action of inner and outer gravity on forming the transition zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Loess Plateau since the Tertiary period. It is of great scientific value on studying the environmental evolution of the Yellow River Yangtze River tour valley in west China.
What to See (the Main Attractions)
Kanbula Scenic Area is a perfect place for the tour of forest park, typical Danxia geomorphy, the large-scale power station, the local religion culture, and nationality tradition. Mountains and lakes top 10 China tours, religion and folk custom, all these unique flavors give tourists the delightful feelings in Huangnan Prefecture.
Kanbula has a long history of Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as one of the cradles of Tibetan Buddhism in later booming stage. There are Ningma Sect Temple, Aqiong South Sect Temple, South Sect Nunnery, and South Sect Zha Temple. The buildings of the temples are not big, but they have a long history in Kanbula, becoming one of the famous Buddhist Sacred Places in Qinghai Province.
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Gaotian town is in Yangshuo county China travel deals. The surrounding area is very popular among photographers and some truly stunning images have been captured from around this area. Gaotian is situated within the Moon Hill Scenic area where the Yulong and Jinbao Rivers meet. The two rivers join to make the Tianjia River which is a tributary of the Li River. The karst mountains and farmland combine with the waterways to create an idyllic location ideal for taking wide angle landscape photos.
With many fabulous scenic spots in Yangshuo, Gaotian has fantastic peaks, grotesque caverns and beautiful rural scenery.
The ancient ferry is located at the bank of Jinbao River Yangtze River tour, a tributary of the Lijiang River. Beside the ferry stands a old banyan tree looking like a large umbrella. A legend goes that Gaotian was planted in the Jin Dynasty, about 1,500 years ago.
Ususlly the most popular route in Yangshuo for 1-2 day biking trips is the road to Gao Tian. Famous attractions here include the Ancient Ferry, Tunnel Crag (Chuanyan), Moon Hill, Yulong River, Silver Cave China best tours,Water Cave and Big Banyan etc. In order to have more fun in the countryside, you had better choose to stay overnight in our Dragon River Retreat or at a farmer's home.
The Moon hill has a cave with a diameter of 11 m, looking just like a full moon, hence the name. Viewed from different angles, the cave takes different shapes, just as the moon chances shape with time, and this is one of the major charms of Yangshuo. The fantastic views from the top have made this hill one of Yangshuo's best attractions.
We definitely recommend you come to see the Gaotian town, because this is a place never let you down, tens and thousands of people are attracted to come here every year and give the highest praise on it.
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The Temple of Azure Clouds, or Biyun Si, lies at the foot of the Western Hills. Its landmark the Diamond Throne Pagoda China vacation deals can be seen towering amidst green trees from a far distance.
This temple was initially built during .the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was taken reconstruction during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The interior buildings almost retain the style of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) completely.
Just outside the north gate of Xiangshan Park which is 20 kilometers from Beijing City, is the Temple of Azure Clouds. This temple was initially built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was taken reconstruction during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The interior buildings almost retain the style of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) completely.
The gate of Azure Clouds which is faced by the stone lions is called the Mountain Gate top 10 China tours. Close to it is a very deep pool where visitors can view a river that never dries up. On both sides of this temple are two Buddhist guardians which were carved during the Ming Dynasty and each being five meters in height. Upon entering this temple, tourists first visit the Front Palace where the stout Maitreya is displayed and then they encounter the Sakyamuni's Palace where there are statues of Sakyamuni and his disciples as well as the Arhats.
The most famous buildings inside the temple, however, are the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is in the center of the temple, the Five Hundred Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Tower.
There is a red wooden plaque hanging above the front gate of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the words on the plaque which is engraved in gold was written by his wife, Song Qingling. Inside this hall lies an empty crystal coffin presented by the USSR government in 1925 in memory of Sun Yat-sen, because his body had already been buried elsewhere, the coffin was left here till now. Photos of Sun Yat-sen, his handwriting, his books and his statue are also on display inside this hall.
The Five Hundred Arhats Hall located on the west side of the China travel guide Temple of Azure Clouds, includes nine rooms, four small wells and a pavilion. The inner side of the front gate has figures of four heavenly kings, and three powerful Buddhas, Burning Lamp Buddha, Sakyamuni and Maitreya, are placed in the middle of this hall. Another Buddha called Ji Gong, squats on the beam of the house.
There is a legend about Ji Gong that goes like this: A long time ago when a meeting of selecting Arhats was to be held in this hall, Ji Gong had arrived very early and found that the door was locked, so he went out to take a walk and met a girl who was in danger. After rescuing her, he returned to the hall and found that all the seats were occupied. Therefore, Ji Gong had to sit on the beam.
Altogether there are 512 statues, of which include 500 wooden Arhats, 11 Bodhisattvas and one statue of Ji Gong. All the Arhats are vivid, life-size statues with different poses and expressions. It has been said that two of these Arhats were the statues of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
The magnificent Vajra Throne Tower is the highest building in the Temple of Azure Clouds. This 35 meter-high tower with elegant decorations is well-known within the area of Beijing City for its high elevation. The tower is located on Xishan (West Hill) and when you climb to the top, it is a perfect observational position to view all the scenery in the suburbs of Beijing City.
It is suggested that tourists visit the Temple of Recumbent Buddha (Wofo Si) first, then Xiangshan (Fragrant Hill), and lastly the Temple of Azure Clouds. These three tourist spots are all on one tour itinerary and can be reached by public bus, Nos. 318, 333, 360 or 904
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Tiandu (Heaven Capital) Peak China vacation deals is a third spot that simply must be visited if you spend any time in the park. It is a fascinating height of 1,810 meter. The climb, dangerous in the old days, is a "walk-over", with stone steps placed or hewn along the trail and iron chains to cling to. Now 43,000 steps link all the peaks and a winding path 3,800 meters long has been paved for the convenience of tourists. The peak is over 5900, is one of the steepest and most breathtaking peaks of Mount Huang. At the top of the peak is a stone carving of 4 Chinese characters "Deng Feng Zao Ji" (the highest peak), as the peak surpasses the others in the surrounding area. A traveler in old times that failed to reach the top sighed as he composed this poem:
“How I wish I could ride a crane some day to view the sea of clouds over Tiandu Peak.”
The top of the peak top 10 China tours is flat with a natural cave large enough to hold more than one hundred people. The saying goes: “Without reaching Jade Screen Pavilion, a panoramic view of the mountain is impossible; without climbing Tiandu Peak, your trip is in vain”.
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Main attractions in Lanzhou for your Silk Road travel
Five Springs Park
Five Springs Park lies in the northwest part of Gaolan Mountain, which stands in the south part of the downtown area in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province Silk Road tour. The park, the largest in Lanzhou, occupies 266,400 square meters (2,867,599.56 square feet) on Five Springs Mountain. The Middle Peak of the Five Springs Mountain, the highest point in the park, reaches 1,600 meters (5,294 feet). It serves as the park axis. Ganlu Spring, Juyue Spring, and Mozi Spring are distributed over the Middle Peak area. Meng Spring and Hui Spring are located on either side of Middle Peak. The five springs are not the only tourist magnet. This park is also a famous scenic religious spot. Wenchang Temple, Butterfly Pavilion, Golden Buddha Temple, Mahavira Hall, Wanyuan Pavilion, Thousand Buddha Temple, etc., are arranged along a passage on Five Springs Mountain. Corridors and stone steps, which add artistic atmosphere to the park, connect the buildings. The natural beauty of the five springs is enhanced by verdant groves while the temples make it a famous religious destination. Five Springs Park not only offers visitors a place to relax, but also provides a place to learn about Buddhism.
White Pagoda Hill Park
The mountain stands at the northern bank of the Yellow River Yangtze River tour and has its name after the white pagoda on top of it, the White Pagoda Hill Park is a large, It is a nice place for strolling, with green forests, scattered pavilions, teahouses and, from its heights, some good views of both the churning river and the city beyond. The nearby bridge, Zhongshan Bridge, was the old crossing point for travelers and merchants who were then to head north on the Silk Road.
The park was named after the White Pagoda Temple that crowns the summit of it's steeply terraced slopes. This temple was first constructed in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), allegedly under orders from the despot Genghis Khan to commemorate a Tibetan lama. The temple was then rebuilt and expanded in the Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing (1644-1911 AD) Dynasties. Nowadays the center point of the temple China tour deals is an octangular, The pagoda is structured in 7 terraces with an octagonal body in a height of 17 m. There are a few more sights that are worth visiting here.
Maijishan Grottoes
The 194 cave-shrines of this "Gallery of Oriental Sculpture" on a perpendicular mountain cliff southeast of Tianshui, provide shelters to 7,200 stone and clay figurines and 1,300 square metres of murais. The clay figures, fastidiously crafted to the minute detail, and blending lifelike imagery with spiritual resonance, are paragons of ancient Chinese clay sculpture. In addition to clay sculptures,there are more than 2,000 pieces of pottery, bronze ware,ironware, and jade articles,ancient books,documents,paintings,calligraphy and other cultural relics in the 194 grottoes.The highest figure is about 16 meters,and the smallest being only 10 centimetres.Its exquisite clay sculptures are well known not only in China but also abroad.The grottoes have applied to the United Nations’Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for admission onto the World Heritage List.
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The Mt Siguniangshan affordable China tours is a national grade natural reserve well-known throughout China. The scenic zone is not far from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. If you go northwest from the provincial capital, pass Dujiangyan, and Wolong Panda Protection Zone and cross the verdant Balang Mountain, you will get to the scenic zone.
The scenic zone covers an area of 450 square kilometers and consists of the Siguniang Mountains, Shuangqiao Gully, Long Flats Gully and Lake Gully near them. The Siguniang Mountain has four peaks which stand side by side like four girls at the end of the Qionglai Mountain Ranges on the Aba Plateau. They rise 5355,5454, 5664 and 6250 meters above sea level. Enjoying the equal fame as 7556m-high Mount Gongga not far away which is know as “king of Sichuan’s mountains”, the Siguniang Mountains is honored as “queen of Sichuan’s mountains”..
The Siguniang Mountains are extremely beautiful. Their tops are covered with snow; their feet are zigzagged with murmuring streams all the year round. In spring and summer, birds sing and flowers give forth fragrance, snow water gurgles in deep valleys and golden pheasants dance in quiet forests. In deep autumn, red leaves dye the mountains red, silvery waterfalls hang on steep cliffs, wisps of smoke spiral from village top China tours chimneys and songs of herdsmen are heard. The scenes are so attractive that the mountains is compared to “the Alps in the East”.
The 30-kilometer-long Shuangqiao Gully is as alluring as a painted corridor. The gully is flat and broad. Brooks flow through it. Virgin forest clothes the ridges and dozens of peak China tour guide such as the Five-Colour Mountain and the Hunter Peak are in different shapes and tower into the sky.
The Long Flats Gully is carpeted with age-old pines and cypresses. Waterfalls and springs babble and gurgle. An ancient horse trail zigzags through the forests.
The Lake Gully is dotted with lades. Of them, the biggest and the most beautiful are the Five-flower Lake and the Great Lake. The baby Lake is so clear that the local residents like to wash their newly-born babies in it. The lakes are surrounded by towering mountain peaks. It is quite strange that the scenes of four seasons can be found on the same mountains and waterfalls come from nowhere and disappear into nowhere.
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It is no exaggeration that Xian Xian tours is the first choice if you are willing to find the longest history of China. This region is one of the vital birthplaces of the profound Chinese civilization. Benefiting from the fertile land and comfortable climate in ancient time, the rulers of 13 dynasties have set up their capitals in Xian successively. Thus, Xian is one of the cities which preserve a wealth of historical heritages in China.
Prehistory
The Lantian Man, which was found in Lantian County of Xian, has inhabited in this land about 800,000 years ago. The founded skulls fossils is said to be the earliest and best preserved ones in China until now. Coming to 300,000-400,000 years ago, the primitive people around Xian have turned into the stage of primitive clan communes gradually. The base of this region's agricultural production should be started when the Banpo Man made living here about 6,000 years ago. They have settled down in the eastern suburban of Xian City Xian trip, setting up the Matriarchal clan villages
In the Slave Society
The slave society of China mainly refers to the periods of the Xia (21st-16th century BC), Shang (16th-11th century BC), Western Zhou (11th century BC-771BC) as well as Spring and Autumn Peroid (770 BC-476). During this long history, more and more nations have immigrated to the Guanzhong Plain the center of which is just current Xian. Therefore, both of this region's economy and political system has gained rapid development. Until to the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Wenwang have moved the capital-Fengjing to the west bank of the Fenghe River nearby Xian. It played as the dynasty's religious and cultural center. Later, his heir Wuwang built the political center on the east bank of the Fenghe River, namely, Haojing. This should be the first recorded dynasty founded the capital in Xian City.
In the Warring State Period (476BC-221BC) and the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC)
Coming to the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, namely, the Warring States Period, there mainly distributed seven powerful states in China. Qin, one of the seven states, was located in the center of Shaanxi Province and east Gansu Province. Later, Ying Zheng, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, set up the first feudal dynasty in Xianyang (consists of current Xian and Xianyang cites China tour deals) after unifying the other six states. Although this dynasty fallen soon, a great number of historical relics were left, for example, the so famous Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Until now, some traditions and cuisines from the Qin Dynasty are still kept by the Xian locals.
In the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220)
The Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24AD), which is the third dynasty setting up its capital in Xian, constructed its capital -Chang'an on the relics of the Qin's Xianyang. Once, Chang'an City was the largest one in the world, covering an area of about 36 square kilometers (13.9 square miles). Now, the site of the Weiyang Palace is preserved well in Xian. The famous 'Silk Road' which starts from the Chang'an City appeared during the period of Wudi, opening the communication between China and overseas countries. On the other hand, the emperors carried out a series of policies to help the rehabilitation of the people. The Chang'an became a thriving city both in economy and polity in the world wide
In the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties
At the found of the Sui Dynasty, the Han's Chang'an City has been destroyed seriously owing to long years of wars from 220 to 589. Therefore, the emperor built a new city just to southeast of the old Chang'an City, called Daxing City. After the Tang Dynasty overthrew the Sui and captured the Daxing City, the first emperor of Tang renamed the city as Chang'an City again. Later, some subsequent construct and renovation projects were taken. In the early period of Emperor Taizong, the Daming Palace was constructed, which was the political center of the whole dynasty later. There is no doubt that Tang should be the most prosperous dynasty in Chinese history. Thus, as the center, Chang'an was one of the largest economical, political and cultural centers in the world at that time. Most overseas travelers and businessmen came to Chang'an, enjoying the city's gloss.
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"Prince Qin's Cavalry" is a tribute to the illustrious military exploits of Li Shimin, who bore the title "Prince Qin" before he became emperor. The aim of the dance was to remind Tang Dynasty last minute China travel deals soldiers and civilians always to be on the alert and prepared for war.
Dances in the Tang Dynasty fell into the two categories of martial and civil, and were also known as "gentle" and "vigorous" dances. As their names suggest, the "civil dance" was soft and graceful, while the "martial dance" was vigorous and bold.
"Prince Qin's Cavalry " is a martial dance that celebrates the power and grandeur of the imperial army best tours of China. Its performance called for 120 dancers, a choir of 100, and 100 musicians. The dance music was Tang court composer Lu Cai's adaptation of various folk melodies. The dance formation is circular to the left and square to the right, with war chariots to the fore, and foot soldiers bringing up the rear. Its music leads the dance formation through 12 variations, which the audience would watch, awestruck, beating time on the floor with their scabbards.
Another aspect of the martial dance is the "sword dance," devised by master swordsmen. Ancients sought to combine the ethos of swordsmanship with the sword dance, calling it "sword vigor." The most famous sword dancer of the Tang Dynasty was legendary beauty, Gongsun. As a child, celebrated Tang poet Du Fu once watched her dance, and the specter created by her superb skill remained forever fresh in his memory. The square in Yancheng, Henan Province was a sea of people. Following a roll of drums, Lady Gongsun appeared, rapier in hand. The sword glinted with every change of posture and stance, whispering like silk on being unsheathed and flashing at each thrust. Her dancing seemed to evince a power that could hold back rivers Yangtze River tour and repulse oceans. Years later, Du Fu watched the sword dance performed by Li Shi'erniang, one of Gongsun's adherents. Her execution of it was so reminiscent of Gongsun's original performance that Du Fu, now in his 50s, was fired with new vitality, and wrote a poem, The Sword Dance performed by a Girl-Pupil of Lady Gongsun.
According to historical records, the calligraphic skills of Zhang Xu, great Tang calligrapher famous for his wild, uninhibited cursive hand, greatly improved after watching the sword dance. His brush strokes were inspired by its dynamism, and the structure of his characters reflected their sense of rhythm. He claimed to have inherited the spirit of Gongsun after watching her sword dance.
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Kung Hei Fat Choy in Cantonese literally means to wish you make a lot of money in a New Year, which is a conventional greeting in the New Year. Because there is a tradition of doing business in Guangdong and Hong Kong Hong Kong tour, Kung Hei Fat Choy is originally auspicious greeting that was mostly used in those areas.
Kung Hei Fat Choy in Spring Festival
Kung Hei Fat Choy is the important phrase that often used in New Year picture, couplets and playing New Year visits, some times children also take part in to wish a good omen.
Paying New Year Visits
China has a tradition to pay New Year last minute China travel deals visits in the first day of New Year. People get up early in this day and wear the most beautiful clothes to visit elder generations and friends. When they meet, some greeting phrases are indispensable, like Happy New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choy, Wish You a Good Heath and so on, and the elder generations will give money to younger generation as a lunar New Year gift. All this phrases all have a good wish. Someone would say that I had not made a fortune in a new year, why congratulates me. In China New Year stands for a new beginning of a year, so everyone wish a lucky year. So Kung Hei Fat Choy really means a lucky strike. Actually, Chinese Spring Festival will last 15 days, and Kung Hei Fat Choy always works in these days.
Couplets with Kung Hei Fat Choy
It is said that the tradition of pasting Spring Festival couplets and pictures in China has a history of one thousand years. People hanged peach wood slab on the gate to avoid evil spirits in ancient times, and in Song Dynasty (960-1279), they began to write characters on peach wood slab, which not only kept the meaning of avoiding evil spirits, but could express good wish and had decorative function. Spring festival couplets are still in use, but red paper substitutes for peach wood slab for more festive atmosphere.
New Year Picture with Kung Hei Fat Choy
The Chinese characters Kung Hei Fat Choy is the important content of New Year picture and couplet China best tours. In the picture, the God of Wealth takes the scroll with character Kung Hei Fat Choy, which means to bestow treasures to humankind. That is why you can see kinds of New Year pictures and couplets pasted on the wall and gate of Chinese family in China.
Kung Hei Fat Choy for Children
Sometimes, Kung Hei Fat Choy is often used among children and teenagers when celebrating a festival including Chinese Spring Festival. Because a phrase jokingly goes that “congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope”, if a child say the front phrase “congratulations and be prosperous”, and the adult would give him or her a red envelope with money in it.
Unconfirmed Origination
However, Kung Hei Fat Choy came from the book written by a foreigner that records the Chinese folk customs. In the period of Westernization Movement (1861-1894), many foreign merchants went to Guangzhou to do business, so quite a few Chinese worked in foreign companies. In the early period of the 19th century, a young British named William served in an American company, he found that some Cantonese staffs would visit company and say Kung Hei Fat Choy to their bosses in every new year, so that to wish more money in a new year, and later on, William written it into his book Foreigner in Canton
Afterwards, Kung Hei Fat Choy is widely spread abroad. Now Kung Hei Fat Choy is the most popular greeting when a foreigner congratulates a happy New Year to Chinese.
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Development of the Temple
Labrang Temple is one of the highest Buddhism institutions in Gelug Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in 1709 of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) by Living Buddha Jia Muyang in first generation, and meanwhile Wensi Academy and Xubuxia Academy China tour deals were created. The Buddhist hall in Xubuxia Academy is the only and the most ancient Buddhist hall built by Living Buddha Jia Muyang in first generation.
Large Scale
With the development of 280 years, Labrang Temple is a comprehensive temple that has six academies, 108 attached temples, eight parishes, 48 Buddhist halls, 500 Buddhist monasteries. Six academies include one academy for Esoteric Buddhism and Exoteric Buddhism, and other five for Esoteric Buddhism.
Great Scripture Hall
Architecture style of Labrang Temple is mainly Tibetan style. Six academies have scripture halls each. As the center of Labrang Temple, scripture hall in Wensi Academy (also called as Great Scripture Hall best tours of China) is the largest one. Great Scripture Hall can hold 4,000 to chant sutras at the same time in its peak time.
Front and Main Hall
There are hundred of large and small buildings distributed in front hall, main hall and back hall. Front hall shrines the statue of Sontzen Gampo (a famous king of Tibet in ancient times), and the front courtyard with 32 rooms surrounded is a place for students of Wensi Academy to exchange sutras and to take the exam. There is a stele hanging on the main hall bestowed by the Emperor Qianlong (1735-1795) of Qing Dynasty, and here shrines statures of Sakyamuni and Tsongkhapa (the founder of Gulug Tibetan Buddhism) etc.
Maitreya Hall
Back Hall of Great Scripture Hall is also called as Maitreya Hall
. It was first built in 1788 and has six layers. In the center of the hall shrines gold plating bronze stature of Maitreya, which is about ten meters high, and in the left are 14 stupas.
Buddhist Festivals
Labrang Temple has Buddhist festivals China travel guide and ceremonies nearly in every month. For example, the most important one is Praying ceremony in the first month of the lunar year. It lasts 15 days from Jan.3 to 17, and in this period, all monks chant sutras in Great Scripture Hall six times a day to pray a peaceful world, or other beautiful wishes. Besides, there are activities like “Free Captive Animals”.
During Parinirvana (death) days of the five generations of Living Buddha Jia Muyang, Labrang Temple has commemorative activities.
Rich Cultural Relics
Labrang Temple is one of the Tibetan Buddhist temples kept plenty Buddha statues. There are ten thousand cultural relics including famous murals and Tangka, and many Buddha statues, classical sutras and books of 60 thousand involving history, biography, and medicine and so on, which has a great influence in Tibetan Buddhism.
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Firstly built in 1444, Chambaling Monastery China travel deals is located in the junction of Anqu River and Zaqu River in Chamdo Prefecture. The monastery with main well-preserved architecture is the biggest Gelug Sect temple in Changdu area, which stands for the highest level in the area of Chamdo. Buddha statues, Murals and Thangka are very exquisite and the most worth seeing is the dance.
History
It is said that the master of Gelug Sect Tsongkhapa predicted this place would become the place to spread the Buddhism at the age of 16 when he passed the intersection of the two rivers on his way from Qinghai to Lhasa best tours of Chinato learn sculptures. Later on, in 1444, the disciple of Tsongkhapa took 8 years to complete this construction. The relationship between Chamdo and the government in mainland was very close. Chambaling Monastery played an important role in pacifying the rebellion in Zungar. Since Emperor Kangxi in Qing (1644-1911) Dynasty, the main living Buddha in Chambaling Monastery accepted the conferring titles by the following emperors. The Chambaling Monastery had reached its peak once with more than 3,500 monks. The underling temple had the number of 135, which were widely located in Chamdo, Nyingchi, Nagqu and other areas. It gradually became the biggest Gelug Sect temple in this area.
Attraction Features
The main buildings are well preserved. The Buddha statues, Murals and Thangka are pretty exquisite. It has five Zhacang which is the special place popular China tours to study Buddhism subject. The most worth seeing performance is the God Dance which is held during the time of Butter Sculpture Festival about one month after the Tibetan New Year. The movement of the dance is heavy with grand atmosphere. The dancers all are wearing grotesque masks to show the ancient celebration with dressing gorgeous costume, which enjoys a very high reputation in the Tibet Plateau.
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As a ruin of Tang Dynasty (618-907), Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave is located in the northwestern suburbs, about 13 kilometers from Kuqa City Silk Road tours. Kuqa City used to be under the region of Qiuci state, so the caves here are very significant in the history of Qiuci as well as the Buddhism. There are 47 numbered caves are found at present, among which 38 are preserved well. The murals in Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave are mainly about stories and images of the Buddha as well as the warriors with amours, swords and boots. The cave is a regional focus of heritage conservation unit.
About the name
“Kizil” means “girl” and “gaha” means “residence” in Uygur language. It is said that the beacon tower here is the place where the princess has lived. Hence the name of the beacon tower and the cave affordable China tours nearby.
No.24 Cave
What distinguishes the Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave from other caves is the No.24 Cave. It is a seven angular plane, with a column in the center, two galleries on both sides and a tunnel on the back wall. It is rare to see in other caves.
The Murals in Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave top 10 China tours have 11 caves with murals, which resemble the Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave in the theme and style. The murals are mainly about the stories and the life about the monks. The cave was built in couples, that is one for religious teaching and worshiping the Buddha and the other one for meditation and residence.
All the existing valuable murals are in Qiuci style. With the concave and convex drawing skill, bright color and exquisite line, the image of the people and the animals are depicted vividly. The murals show the talent and outstanding ability of the craftsman and reveal the aesthetic sentiment and aesthetic standards at that time.
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Time flies forward so fast, and in a common sense, it can not turn back. However, scientifically, time traveling China vacation deals still be one of the most popular and controversial theory.
If, I said, if we can really make the time jumping, what will you do? What we’ve done will change the history?
I think everyone has some good reason and wanna turn back the time, to review the happiness of the childhood, to make up the friendship or to avoid accidental thingy…
If I can turn back the time and make the time jumping, I not need to worry about, at least, so called ‘Grandpa Paradox’ as I loved my grandpa so much and I am so sure I will never kill him...
The only thing I wanna know is, anything we’ve done during our traveling top China tours, by any chance, can change the history? For a wrong doing at that time, if we do make it right and push it forward as we expected, then it goes. If it do change the history, so now, we have no reason to come back as the situation really runs well…But, we do make the time jumper to fix the thingy…The past has been changed so as the reality. But we do experience the world in a different way. ..I have to admit, I am totally confused. I even have no idea what I am talking about! L
Might the parallel worlds do exist! We moved in different worlds and still have chance to create a new one.
Ok, now, if we can turn back the time, what would I do? Everything I’ve done may create a new branch of the life. I have choices! To recall my distant childhood or review my romantic teenager’s life! Or maybe I can even think about a great thing… Well, stop! Time travel still a fiction at this time, I said to myself, no need to mass up my mind though it’s already full of fantastic.
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Last week-end I went to Hong Kong Hong Kong travel for some fun and relaxation. Prior to this, called in at my local Public Security Bureau (PSB for short,) to apply for a new 12 month visa. Did not need one I was assured, as I had an extended visa valid for three more months. I pointed out that the twelve month visa would expire in three days. The kindly young lady said "as I had been out of the country 3 months prior to visa expiry, this automatically generated a 180 days extension. She assured me that this was correct. Have to say that this did not seem to be correct to me, but, who am I to argue with Chinese authority.
After enjoying a thoroughly terrific time on the island, returned to the Shenzhen main land border on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon. After going through the Hong Kong border controls with my dearly beloved girl, gaily presented my passport to Chinese border controls. Quite naturally we all get a little nervous when presented by officialdom in the guise of a burly Chinese Border policeman, he opened my passport scrutinized it carefully, looked over his glasses then glaringly told me "your visa has expired there-fore you cannot enter China". Bright red cheeks showed how embarrassed I was as two surly looking policemen walked me to an adjacent office where I was politely told to get back to Hong Kong.
Wow! There was I, with a lovely young lady who had already gone through Chinese controls and could not return. I argued and argued to no avail. Chinese inscrutability ruled the day. The police officer concerned was very friendly, keeping hold of my passport and under strict surveillance, he allowed me to go over the border and say good bye to my dearly beloved, who by this time was in floods of tears. She decided to wait for me, staying with friends in the city of Shenzen until my return, hopefully that is, with a new China visa.
The border police realized that it was an honest mistake on my part and I trust, had some sympathy for the Guilin PSB. Offered a cup of tea whilst informing me that the Chinese Embassy in Hong Kong would issue a new visa. On a Sunday? Oh yeah! I said that that was impossible. With a shrug of his shoulders they told me to walk back through the crossing to Hong Kong.
On the surface that sounded okay, until I tried it. An elderly, not smiling Chinese policeman stopped me and said "you cannot come this way, you have to go back" to which I replied in my very bad Chinese "that is all I wanted to do, but they wont let me" After a lot of argy-bargy three Chinese Border police arrived, explained the situation to the guard who then, under escort, handed me over to the Hong Kong border control. Where I was informed that I would have to join the mile long queue, just as if it were my first entry into the region.
What hassle! What a day!
After what seemed a day and a half, was processed into Hong Kong Kunming tours, caught a bus and rather 'hot under the collar' arrived back at the hotel that we had just left, only to be told that there were no rooms available.
Gosh! If I wasn't so tired I could have exploded. After much pleading and much to my relief a room materialized. Phew!
The next morning being Monday, went to the Embassy where I was informed that I could not apply in person, I had to make an appointment which would take a few days. "A few 'flipping' days I yelled" I tell you I very nearly had a coronary, after all of the hassle this was just one step tooooo far. After a whole hoset of loud shouting, the throwing of Chinese arms, gesticulating, threats to call the Hong Kong Police and have me locked up, a smart and very petite young lady, (who turned out to be the office manager,) appeared. She sternly told the guards to "calm down" turning to me, quietly asked my name, then said that she had received a telephone call from the Chinese Border Control, asking the embassy to show every assistance in providing a new visa. Much to the chagrin of the security guards and to my immense relief, asked me to follow her into the deeper sanctums of the embassy. Walking passed a large office where a number of serious looking girls appeared to be under siege from large mounds of visa applications we came to a solid looking fire door. She showed me into a plain, all white waiting room, with three large mirrors on the walls. I thought that three mirrors was bit of an over-kill. My imagination was beginning to run riot; peering closer at the mirrors only made it worse. Were there eyes peering at me from behind the mirrors? Was that movement that I could see? I have to say that I really felt uncomfortable. I am no James Bond, so sat on one of the chairs, picked up a Chinese magazine that lay on the table, pretending, as it were that I could read Chinese. Sitting quietly in the hushed surroundings did absolutely nothing to settle the 'butterflies' in my tummy. Imagination sometimes is a terrible thing.
After a dragging half hour had passed, (seemed like a day or two) the door opened, standing there holding my passport, complete with new visa was the same smiling young lady.
I paid the bill, Grabbed my passport with the valued visa duly stamped and with my heartfelt thanks to her, jumped into the nearest taxi and scampered back to the hotel. Collected my luggage, hardly pausing for breath, hailed a taxi and beat it back to the border. where I thanked the Chinese police for all of their help.
Smiles around, I was escorted to the border visa check by two police officers. I was the subject of many stares as they marched me straight to the front of the queue and processed in double quick time. After hand shakes and much back slapping, they waved me goodbye, I had the impression that they thought all foreigners were idiots.
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Lizhuang Ancient Town, known as the first town along the China Yangtze River Yangtze River tour, is located in Yibin City of Sichuan. Lizhuang town is famous for its high-valued architectures which carry hundreds of years’ civilization of the Yangtze River.
There is a sentence to describe Lizhuang Ancient Town as following: In the eastern China, There is a Zhouzhuang water town. In the western China, there is a Lizhuang ancient town.
How to Get to Lizhuang Ancient Town – for self-driving tour
When arriving in Yibin City in Sichuan last minute China travel deals, driving on the Binjiang Road which is along the Jinsha River. Till seeing the junction of three rivers, the Jinsha river meets with Minjiang River and then combining as the Yangtze River, go on the road towards Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area Changning – Yibin Road. The good road situation with four lanes and clear direction signs, following the Shunan Bamboo Sea Scenic Sign and then you will see the Lizhuang Ancient Town sign, driving according to its direction.
As the famous historical ancient town in China, there are 18 Ming and Qing dynastyies style streets which have been kept very well in Lizhuang Ancient Town. All of these streets are built by stones.
One of the famous streets in Lizhuang is called Yang Street, meaning goat street, because it was the goat and battle trading market in the ancient time.
Walking along the Yang Street, then Zhang’s Family ancestral temple is presented in from of us. This temple was once the house of Zhang’s family, the local rich family. Built in Qing Dynasty Daoguang period, it is turned into the cultural museum aiming to display the articles and masterpieces in the China warring period in last century.
And one of the four unique Lizhuang Ancient Town best tours of China treasures “Carving Windows of White Crane” can be found in Zhang’s family temple. All of the 24 windows in this temple were carved white cranes patterns as a prosperous symbol of the Zhang Family at that time.
Continue to waling around the ancient town, the entrance of the Jade Buddha Temple can be seen from a long distance. This temple is named because of the jade Buddha states which have been kept in this temple for a long time.
When seeing Lizhuang Ancient Town from the high place, houses in Lizhuang are all built by gray roofs and deep blue walls. These houses are also called courtyards. The small one with an area of 150 – 200 square meters, while big ones may be in hundreds of square meters
You may lose interest on this town from the name of it. But this ancient town is a place worth to visiting with its unique 1450 years history.
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For people who have been to Yamdrok Lake China vacation deals, the breathtaking scenery and the impressive amazed feeling may be a memory which could not be forgot even many years past.
Some people say, Namtso Lake is better, it is vast, crystal, shining, and gorgeous. While some others says, Yamdrok Lake is better, although they could not find too many words to describe it, the words from them are “Yamdrok Lake is different from one site to another side”. For me, the image of Yamdrok Lake is more like a well-kept camera film which can be developed in any time.
Yamdrok Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, is located in Shannan Area. With a altitude of 4,441 meter, Yandrok is a large kake with an area of 623 sq km. It is the largest inland lake of the northern range of Mt, Everest. The crystal lake is a fantastic place cause me have a delusion in the fairy land. A jade-green lake top China tours suddenly appears in front of my eyes, it causes me excited immediately. If really want to distinguish the Namtso and Yamdrok, I will say:
Namtso is more like a mother which may let me calm down
Yamdrok is more like a fairy maiden which may let me have a joyful mood
This is the Yamdrok I have seen - the grassland still kept a little green, and the thick clouds ran slowly in the sky. Totally different like the bright image printed on the pst card. For me in this moment, Yamdrok is a sad lady who like to hide words inside her heart.
Yes, when get to the next turn, the bright lake appears. And in this moment, Yamdrok popular China tour package is more like a optimistic lady who always smiling to every one in every day.
Just rains in the far away from my sight.I use my camera to focus on the rainy clouds. Fantastic, just rain in one area while the other areas are still fine.
The Mani Piles along the road. Mani Pile is common in Tibet’s caves, roads, lake banks. These piles are regarded as an altar. Each stone is carved symbols of the God. The piles here add a holy ring of Yamdrok Lake.
The cycling traveller along the road. I always respect this kind of travellers. They are brave to make their dreamy road come ture. Just want to go to Tibet, and then, they go there.
The physical and the spirit to finish this route are the most admired things for me. But I may not plan to do that. Just like, some people may cause your admiration, but you never dream to be one of them.
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Dukezong Ancient Town, a quiet place belonged to Shangri-La Yunnan last minute China travel deals, is the Garden of Eden in Southern China. May be few people know that Dukezong is titled as “the city of moonlight”.
The quietness of Dukezong is unique. This ancient town was built according to the Shangbala – an ideal country which was described in the Buddhism script. With about 1,300 years history, Dukezong Ancient Town once experienced the battle scene in the past, the prosperity of the Ancient Tea and Horse Road, and the development of Shangri-La.
In the Tibetan language, “dukezong” is the pronunciation referred to two meanings, one is “the castle built on the stone”, and the other one is “the city of moonlight”.
Dukezong Ancient Town best tours of China is quiet in most time of a day. The glaring sunlight which shines on this place during the mid-day causes Dukezong quieter than any other time. Although it is now a place for people to find out the quietness, it also has been experienced disturbs from the noisy world. The most serious one happened in the 1910s. During that time, Shangri-La had been invaded by brutal brigands for three times. Since that time, Shangri-La became a poor place. Merchants were afraid to run their businesses there, and the Tea and Horse Road gradually became decline.
Dukezong Ancient Town is not very wide. Taking the Guishan Park as the central living area, residences have dwelled here for generations, Giant Buddha Temple and the world’s largest prayer wheel are built on the peak of Guishan Mountain. Dukezong is built based on the mountain. The endless road in zig-zag shape has been shaped by the time. Sometimes it may cause people an illusion that we may lose ourselves in this ancient road. The time-old stone used for building this road now is still keeping the footprints of horses. It may be the clue for the world to trace the past prosperous time.
Behind the Dukezong Ancient Town, there is a small size mountain called Xiaoguishan popular China travel package. In the mountain, there is a palace called Chaoyang Palace which was built in Qianlong Period Qing Dynasty. Because of its high location, the palace is more like the one inside the sky and surrounded by clouds, very magnificent scene. And on the top of the mountain, there is a large prayer wheel. It is said that it is the world’ largest prayer wheel that has been recorded in the Guinness World Records The golden wheel is always shining and stretching into the sky. With the blue sky and white clouds accompany, the prayer wheel is always working for protect the residents in this moonlight city away from unhappiness,
Yak meat chafing dish is the brand cuisine of each restaurant in Dukezong Ancient Town. I was just a little afraid of the yak meat which was hanging on the wall. Not got used of this taste, but it was really a time-old restaurant which had been existed for 127 years,
The scenery outside the ancient town, still keeping the Tibetan style which emphasizes the beauty of the reality.
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In my Silk Road tour this year, Danxia in Zhangye in the Gansu Province is one of the must-go places. This place is famous for its colorful land.
I have noticed this place because of a movie directed by Zhang Yimou. Although the movie was not in a good comment, Danxia as the movie taking spot became famous.Danxia in Zhangye can be appreciated during the sunny day. The bright sunshine make the ground in an amazing scenery. The ground becomes alive like a charming lady who has just finished an elaborate make-up.
In the competition “the most beautiful danxia landform in China” held by China Discovery Magazine, Danxia in Zhangjie affordable China tours ranked as the top one. Thus it will really be the most magnificent one in the world. It is hard to image that there is a gorgeous and colorful land in this dull yellow ground.
During my night on that place, it was raining outside. I anticipated a good weather in the next day.
When I woke up, there was still thick clouds. But the sunshine sticked to penetrate the cloud. I was happy to see because it was a sign to show the good weather.
It was so great! The sunshine just came, to sprinkle on the land. From the sentence of the staff in the Danxia scenic area top 10 China tours, it was the most beautiful moment that seeing Danxia after the rainy days.
Aimed to see the extremely scenery, I walked on the muddy ground. How about the picture? Do you have a feeling to fall in love?
On the fixed plank road in the scenic sport, people could find a good high-point according to the angles and lights you want to create your own Danxia pictures.
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In the art world or in the natural world, green usually serves as a supporting color for red, which blossoms and catches all the attention.
But in a river range in northwestern Guizhou province, red gives birth to green. They compliment each other and form the most vibrant, almost dizzying, dichotomy.
Green here is the primeval forest and lush vegetation, while red is the land and rocks.
At the place just before Chishui River flows from Guizhou to Sichuan affordable China tours stands a vast expanse of rocky mountains and plunging waterfalls. To date, 72,178 hectares of this has been designated as danxia landforms and is currently inspected by UNESCO experts for a potential natural heritage listing. Literally meaning "red rocks", danxia refers to red-colored sandstones and conglomerates of the Cretaceous age, which often look like stacked pancakes.
"Some 230 million years ago, this was the bottom of the ocean," says Tu Yuling, geologist with Guizhou Normal University.
"During the Jurassic age, this was an inland lake. Later it was elevated but managed to retain the red sandstones of that age."
Red is the result of oxidization of iron that permeates rocks and soil. Locals extract color dyes out of the material.
Not only are mountain rocks crimson but also the soil exudes a rich vermilion.
When it rains, the river changes to a muddy reddish color with almost tragic overtones.
But vegetation in this area is so verdant it takes time and effort to locate bare rocks with no shrubbery.
Near the Five-Pillar Peak, there is a gorge that resembles a cistern and the top edge is a striking circumference of danxia stones. Zhang Yimou, the filmmaker famed for using - or overusing - bright colors, would love it.
To prove that dinosaurs once roamed here, there are 40,000 alsophila trees in Jinshagou, one of the scenic parks best tours of China in the area. Alsophila is a kind of fern.
But unlike the other two-dozen fern species found here, it is much taller, about 5 to 6 m - the highest reaching 9 m - and 20 to 25 cm in diameter. Some are pairs that grow together.
This oldest and rarest fern variety dates back some 200 million years.
"Dinosaurs used to eat the little things on these trees," explains Zeng Qiang, a local official. Some 100 km from here, in Zigong of Sichuan province, fossils of every dinosaur species have been discovered and displayed in a museum.
But human beings are not dinosaurs and have found little practical use for this fern tree. Some ferns are made into appetizers, but alsophila is not edible. In addition, the tree trunk has a lot of starch-like substance, which rules out the possibility of being turned into material for furniture.
Stranger still, alsophila cannot survive if you move it elsewhere.
"We sent some to the Kunming Botanical Expo, and they just died," Zeng says.
Kunming, capital of Yunning province, has a similar environment.
That means poaching is useless. In a sense, this fern has outlasted other things of its age by being irrelevant other than appearing in movies like Jurassic Park.
Scientists did not pay attention to it until 1983.
They were not looking for alsophila in Hainan but for another breed of rare flora in Chishui. While taking a break, one member noticed alsophila and wondered whether it was the one on the endangered list.
The next year, a protection zone was mapped out. In 2000, the local government opened its "Jurassic Park". The few dinosaur sculptures notwithstanding, only adventure seekers come here.
"It's not a place for leisure tourists," says Zeng Qiang, the local official.
However, pleasure seekers have an abundance to revel in. As long as you love the sight of water pouring down slopes, Chishui is gushing with delight. It isn't called the "city of waterfalls" for nothing.
"We have 4,000 waterfalls, and I'm counting only those at least 3 m tall," Zeng says.
Chishui is located at the edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau popular China tour package where it descends sharply to the Sichuan Basin.
Hence the ubiquitous gorges and canyons where water cascades its way into softer rocks and dances downslope, forming nature's most rapturous crescendo and mesmerizing landscapes.
The biggest, Shizhangdong, sits on the upper reaches of Fengxi River, about 30 km from downtown Chishui.
It is 76 m tall and 80 m wide - 8 m taller than Huangguoshu, China's largest waterfall, but 1 m narrower.
There are several points from where you can take photos or get wet. About 2 km downstream is Zhongdong, or the Middle Fall, which is 75.6 m by 18.5 m.
Unlike the unruly Shizhangdong, this one is like a curtain with one half incorporating a break.
Closer to downtown, only 15 km, is Sidonggou Scenic Area, with its succession of cataracts. The four big ones offer different ways of splashing, some passionate, some haunting. It looks like a fantasyland out of The Lord of the Rings.
If you love the land, you'll also love the people who inhabit it.
There are several old towns in Chishui. On your way to the Sidonggou waterfalls is Datong, a narrow street with pebble stones and old women sitting by the door, reading old books or playing mahjong. The only telltale sign of modernity is the TV behind every open door, which is always on.
Bing'an almost hangs onto the southern bank of the Chishui River Yangtze River tour.
This winter, during Jan. 3 to 11, TopChinaTravel traveled to north China: Xian-Datong-Beijing. During the travel to China, I have the chance to see many quite famous attractions that I haven’t been in my whole life. In this blog, I want to tell you how beauty the Summer Palace under the sunshine after noon in winter.
It was snow half month ago in Beijing, but the snow is not melt so soon in the cold winter in Beijing, so we were very lucky to see the snow scene in sunshine in Beijing, even our guide thought we are lucky team to enjoy the best weather in Beijing during the hard winter.
Summer Palace is the temporary imperial palace last minute China travel deals and garden of the emperor of Qing Dynasty. It used to be Qing Yi Yuan. There are tree famous hills and 5 gardens in the Palace. Original built in 1750, and finished in 1764, it covers an area of 290 square km.
The front door of Summer Palace is very beautiful with ancient architecture style.
The big lake in the palace is Kunming Lake, it occupies three fourth of the whole area of the Palace, which is about 22,000 square km. The lake has been frozen for half a month. The surface of the lake is still so frozen that people could walk and jumping on the lake. Our guide said that at the last day of 2012, there was a stage on the lake best tours of China just above the big ice.
Our guide Simon told us the long gallery of the palace is one of the highlights. It starts from Yaoyue Gate, extending to Shi Zhan Pavilion. The gallery is 728m long, which is the longest gallery of all the gardens in China. Each beam of the gallery was painted with sceneries, birds, people, etc.
So wonderful afternoon in Summer Palace popular China tour package, was not it? Actually it was my first time to the summer place. Walking leisurely in the Summer Palace, I finally understand how deluxe the life of Emperors and loyal families.
Located in the eastern suburbs of Tunxi district in the Anhui province city of Huangshan last minute China travel deals, a visitor will find Huashan Caves steeped in ancient, mysterious legends.
We drove to the foot of Huashan Mountain in the intense heat of summer. On the verdant, wild grounds, Xin’an River Yangtze River tour curled around the mountain. It was a year with less rainfall, and the river level was low. Horses feeding on grass would regularly stop to drink water from the riverbank.
On one side of the river stands Huashan Mountain, crowded with bamboo, pines and wildflowers. On a huge rock are carved four Chinese characters that read: Huashan Mountain Mystery Caves. This was our destination.
We climbed onto a hanging cable bridge about three stories high and then climbed a dozen stairs to the entrance of one of three caves open to the public. The entrance to Huashanhu Cave was sealed by mud and stones. It was accidentally discovered by a local medicinal herb collector.. The chilled air inside the cave posed a great contrast with the hot summer air outside. Inside, bats were hanging from the ceiling.
All the Huashan Caves, each ranging from 10 meters to 20 meters in height, were manually chiseled more than 1,700 years ago. Stone chambers in the cave were sometimes connected by way of corridors. Stone columns in various shapes – such as an elephant or a boot – supported the ceiling. Altogether, 36 chambers have been found among the Huashan hills. Some chambers are filled with water, and some are two-story chambers.
Deep in the cave, there was a crystal-clear pool. It was as cool as well water. A China tour guide told us there were no living fish in the water because of the high mineral content.
The history and purposes of Huashan Caves are now untraceable due to the lack of any words in books or on cave walls describing their use.
Why was this magnificent project built? Were they built for troops, or is one an abandoned imperial tomb? Why does each cave have different marks chiseled into the stone? These unanswered questions proved mysterious and added to the fun of our adventure in the Huashan Caves best tours of China.
Situated at the confluence of Shexian, Yixian and Xiuning counties, Huangshan Mountain last minute China travel deals covers an area of about 1,200 square km, the highlights of which occupy 154 square km. It is a landform typical of Mesozoic granite. Its highest peak, the Lotus Peak, rises 1,864 km above sea level.
Officially designated as one of China's top 10 scenic spots, it has charmed countless number of tourists from home and abroad. Huangshan Mountain can be regarded as an amalgamation of all the merits of other mountains: grand, steep, picturesque, and with a rich cultural heritage. Xu Xiake, a well-known geographer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), once said, "When I have visited Huangshan Mountain, I don't even wish to visit others."
Blessed with a mild climate, Huangshan Mountain presents different scenery in four seasons. Its "four major marvels" are the uniquely shaped pines, oddly-shaped rocks, seas of clouds and hot springs, all of which are well known both inside and outside China. The abundant remains of glaciers and water resources, a geological structure unique to Huangshan Mountain, have produced such natural wonders as the Kuzhu Brook, Xiaoyao Brook best tours of China, Renzi Waterfall, Baizhang Spring, and Jiulong Waterfall.
In addition, thanks to a complicated natural environment, Huangshan Mountain has a well-balanced ecosystem, thus becoming renowned as "a natural zoo and a botanical garden extremely rich in plant varieties".
The reason why this mountain is so well-known throughout the world is not only because of its natural beauty but also due to its time-honored culture popular China tour package. According to Huangshan Mountain Historical Records, Buddhism was introduced to Huangshan Mountain as early as in the Southern Dynasty (AD 420-589); and some 100 Buddhist temples were subsequently built in the mountain, including the Xiangfu Temple, Ciguang Temple, Cuiwei Temple and Zhibo Temple, which are so famous that they are known as the "four major temples in Huangshan Mountain".
In 1990, Huangshan Mountain was placed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO. The year 2004 saw it rated as one of the world's geo-parks, and in 2007 it was included in China's first batch of AAAAA class tourism zones. Furthermore, it has been granted some other honors, such as a national key scenic area, a national forest park, and a national geological park. In fact, the natural and cultural China tourism resources, all extremely abundant and colorful, have made this mountain a famous tourist attraction not just for Anhui but for the whole country at large.
Lipu County, which is bordered by Yangshuo County China vacation deals in the north, is known for its green mountains, weird caves and simple and unsophisticated lifestyle. The main tourist attractions in this scenic area include Fengyu Cave and Yingzi Cave.
Fengyu Cave
It is about 16 kilometers from the county seat to Fengyu Cave. On the way, you will pass some famous scenic spots, such as the Green Mountains in Afterglow, Wolong Hill, A Beauty Watching a Lion, The Peacock Spreads Its Tail, A Golden Rooster Heralds the Break of a Day, A Camel Crossing the River, etc.
The cave got its name because the underground river Yangtze River tour in the cave is teeming with a small fish called Youfeng. The cave is 7.1 kilometers long, and goes through nine peaks. Fengyu Cave has four characteristics as follows:
The land-water-air tourist route: Firstly, you will travel on the land for about 2 kilometers, then get on a boat for a 3.3-kilometer trip, and finally take a 1.8-kilometer trip by overhead train to have a nice view of the rural areas.
The underground river is wide and deep. The width of the river varies from 2 to 12 meters, and the average depth is deeper than 0.6 meter. In the underground river there is an underground lake, with an area of 3,000 square meters. In the dim light, the dim stone landscape on both sides of the river top 10 China tours will make you believe that you were in a fairyland.
Fengyu Cave has several dozens of natural halls in various sizes. The largest one covers an area of 25,500 square meters, and is 46 meters high in the center. It is one of the most spacious halls featuring a large number of stalactites in the world.
In the hall stands a stalagmite, 9.8 meters high, with a diameter of only 14 cm from top to bottom, known as the “Divine Needle to Subdue the Sea”. It is a rarely seen in the cave dripstones in the world.
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The Ruoye Stream traverses the southeastern part of Shaoxing County affordable China tours. The stream starts at the Ruoye Mountain. Legend has it that there was a deep pound at the source head. Today, the pound is in the Kuaiji Lake (Pingshuijiang Reservoir).
The stream has been known for hundreds of years for a fabulous boat trip to explore the natural wonders. Poets were the best known explorers, for they poeticize what they see and feel there in masterpieces. Li Bai, the greatest poet of the Tang Dynasty, once wrote in a poem, “Girls are picking lotuses on the Ruoye stream top China tours. When they see visitors, they stop singing. They giggle and go to hiding in the lotus flowers. Feeling shy, they refuse to come out.”
In recent years, the Kuaiji Lake Holiday Resort and water sports area have been built and enjoy a good reputation. The Yunmen Temple and Pingyang Temple in neighboring areas are the best of the temples scattered in Shaoxing County. The Pingyang Temple is well known as a “dustless” Buddhist sanctuary.
Today the stream retains its natural charm. The lake and the surrounding hills are like a piece of silk embroidery. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauties during their leisurely stay there.
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Fei Lai Feng (also named Ling Jiu Feng affordable China tours), stands next to Ling Yin Temple and is a must-see in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. There are many legends about the peak's name. A well-known legend states that an Indian monk named Huili arrived in the valley 1,600 years ago and was surprised to see a peak so dissimilar from any other one in the valley. He believed that the peak had flown over from India because the shape, although unique in China, was common in India. However, he did not know why the peak would have flown to this spot so far from his country. Hence the peak's name was created and has passed down to the present day.
Fei Lai Feng, 209 meters (about 700 feet) tall, is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the sandstone mountains around it. Large stones scattered along the peak are said to resemble animals like a flying dragon, a running elephant, a crouching tiger, and a fleeing monkey. On the other side of the peak, a pavilion named Cui Wei was erected to immortalize the national hero Yue Fei. This man contributed greatly in the war against Jin Tribe during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 China guide).The pavilion was destroyed many times before the large restoration of 1942. The current pavilion keeps its old face with fresh paint.
The caves of this mountain shelter about 330 stone statues dating from the 10th to the 14th centuries. The statues appear in a variety of poses ranging from standing, to sitting, to sleeping. A favorite may be the Laughing Buddha, sitting on the cliff along the stream with exposed breast and belly. If you wonder why he has such a big belly, the answer is that his belly is where the Buddha keeps all of the world's troubles. The question always comes out "why are there so many Buddha statues in the cave?" Local legend has it that the peak had destroyed many villages before it settled down in Hangzhou top China tours. In order to prevent the peak from causing even more damage, over 500 Buddha statues were caved out of the peak to suppress it. Consequently, the water-eroded caves in the peak are regarded as the very birthplace of many local legends.
In 1993, a new site by the name of "China Grotto Art Garden" was set up around the Fei Lai beauty spot. Thousands of professionals and aficionados in the fields of engraving and grotto research flock to this place to study the unparalleled Chinese classical rock carvings.
Among all the mountains around West Lake, Fei Lai Feng is the one most likely to simulate the imagination and make one reluctant to leave. Some even say that one experience at Fei Lai Feng will leave you with memories that will last the rest of your life.
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Known for the largest and the first mangrove natural reserve area in China, Dongzhai Harbor China tour deals is located in the northeast of Haikou City with an area of 3337.6 hectares (about 8247 acres). It is a typical tropical jungle, and the mangrove tree family can be seen everywhere in the area. Mangrove is a kind of tropical tree that grows in swamps and sends roots down from its branches. When the tide is high, the mangroves are submerged by the water, and leave only the green crowns for people to wonder at their marvelous nature.
Dongzhai Harbor Mangrove Natural Reserve Area is also called 'heaven for birds'. About 159 species of birds inhabit the reserve, including many rare migratory birds. So it is not only a national mangrove reserve, but it is also a wetland of international importance especially as a waterfowl habitat. During the winter, the best season for bird watching in Dongzhai Harbor, tens of thousands of birds turn the area into a wonderland China best tours. Because of the nourishment the mangroves provide to the swamp, marine animals prefer to spawn and raise their infants here. Fish, shrimp and shellfish in abundance can fill visitors' stomach freshly and palatably, and provide a substantial feast for the birds.
Apart from the beautiful scenery, there is another natural wonder in Dongzhai Harbor: Villages under the sea. Historical writings say that at midnight on July 13th, 1605, a severe earthquake occurred and made 72 villages subside into the sea. Hundreds of years later, the 72 villages have become an amazing underwater sight waiting for visitors to discover their extraordinary story for popular China travel package.
No matter what kind of adventure you are looking for, whether natural sightings of the mangroves and birds, or the underwater sightseeing, or you just want to have a good meal of local foods, you can certainly have a good time in Dongzhai Harbor Mangrove Nature Reserve Area.
How to Get there: It's 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) away from Haikou City, so you'd better take a bus at Qiongshan Minibus Station on Hongchenghu Road. Get off at Yanfeng Village and find a passenger tricycle; it will take you to Dongzhai Harbor directly.
Special Local Product: seafood (oyster, prawn, eel and crab, etc.), sticky rice cake, tropical fruit.
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The monastery is famous throughout Tibet since it was the first Buddhist chapel ever built in Tibet. It lies five kilometers (three miles) south of Tsedang on the road leading to Yumbu Lakhang last minute China travel deals . Built approximately under the reign of Songtsen Gampo, Trandruk later experienced large-scale reconstruction after it converted to Gelugpa.
Legend said that it was only after Songtsen Gampo turned into a roc to conquer an evil dragon that it could be built there, which is the origin of its name, meaning a roc conquering a dragon. Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng always visited the monastery after they moved to Lhasa. An apartment believed to be their lodgings during their visits in Trandruk is still left, however restoration is badly needed since it is in poor condition. Princess Wencheng left many willow trees around the monastery.
The main building in Trandruk is its Tshomchen, in which Padmasambhava is enshrined. The Jokhang like building has many chapels, in one of which a precious pearl Thangka, representing Chenrezi in rest, is housed. The Thangka is made of about 30,000 pearls and hundreds of other gems like diamond, sapphire, turquoise, ruby and amber. Pilgrims throw money to the thangka to show their respect.
Tran means roc and druk means dragon in Tibetan. The monastery got is name from the legend that it could only be built after Songtsan Gampo had turned into a roc and conquered an evil dragon. It’s said that renowned figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Padmasambhava and Milariba, had practised Buddhism nearby after it was built and the remaining relics best tours of China are Sacred land for the devotees.
Trandruk was built during the reign of Songtsan Gampo, and later extensionswere designed by Juequjian of it. It’s said Princess Wencheng stayed and practised Buddhism here at one time and left some relics. Trandruk later converted to Gelugpa and experienced large-scale reconstruction and later it belonged to Gelupa (one of the Sects of Tibetan Buddhism).
Location:
Trandruk Monastery popular China travel package lies on the southern side Mt. Gangpo Ri, on the east bank of the Yarlung River, about 2 kilometers south of Tradrug.
Transportation:
You can get a public bus from NaiDong Road in Tsedang to Trandruk Monastery for 2 Yuan. Alternatively it costs 10 Yuan to get there by motor tricycle or 5 Yuan to by local tractor. As it’s only 2 kilometers from NaiDong Road to the Monastery, you can walk there in about an hour.
Opening time:from 9:00 am to 16:00 pm. Allow about 2 hours or so for a visit.
Admission fee: 30 Yuan
Evaluation: You must see the most precious treasure in the monastery -- a pearl Thangka (Thangka is a kind of paintings illustrating Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan arts This pearl Thangka is brought here by Princess Wencheng)
Tour Trandruk Monastery
The lower layout of the main hall is similar to that of Jokhang in Lhasa. Once many ancient murals and the sculptures of Songtsan Gampo, Princess Wencheng, Nepal Princess Chizun and the minister Ludongzan were kept in the monastery. But they were gone for some historical reasons. Later the fifth Dalai Lama made some repairs and added a golden roof and there were further repairs made by the thirteenth Dalai Lama. Unfortunately a double-layer bell, which was cast under the supervision of the Han monk RenQing (DaBao) in the late 8th Century has since been destroyed. The bell was cast with 12 sentences of inscriptions in Tibetan and with 6 sentences on each layers. They were arranged from left to the right. The monastery has otherwise been restored and redecorated.
A pearl Thangka which is housed in one of the chapels representing Chenrezi (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) at rest is the monastery’s major treasure. It is 2 meters long, 1.2 meters wide and is made up of 29,026 pearls and a diamond, two rubies, a sapphires,185 turquoise, amber, 1997 corals and 15.5 grams of gold
Trandruk monastery is one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet which attracts many pilgrims and visitors. It is included in the list of the state key historical sites that are given special protection.
Tips:
1Transportation: It costs 30 Yuan to rent a motor tricycle from Tsetang and back, 80 Yuan for a medium-sized bus, or you can hire a car and driver in Tsetang, and agree a price which would include Yumbulagang and The Tombs of the Tibetan Kings in the itinerary.
2. Accommodation: The nearest accommodation is at Tsetang
3. Food: There is Sichuan Restaurants in Tsedang which can satisfy most tourists.
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The lung of Hangzhou, Xixi National Wetland Park last minute China travel deals is located on Tianmushan Road in Liuxia Town of Hangzhou, 5 kilometers from the West Lake and 8 kilometers from Hangzhou’s city center. The gorgeous and peaceful park covers an area of 10.08 square kilometers, of which 70% is covered by water and 3.46 square kilometers are open to the public. There are also 6 rivers crossing one another, among which a number of fish ponds are scattered, creating delightfully unique landscapes in the wetlands.
The picturesque Xixi National Wetland Park is rich in ecological resources and deep in cultural connotations, infusing urban wetlands with agricultural wetlands perfectly as one. There have been established 3 ecological conservation areas in order to protect the fragile ecosystem, namely Feijiatang Ecological Conservation Area, Lobster-Dragon Bay Ecological Conservation Area, and Zhaotianmuyang Ecological Conservation Area. The park is famous for its 13 mesmerizing scenic spots including Zhoujia Village, Yanshui Fishing Village, Bo’an Thatched Cottage, Xixi Water Pavilions, Plum & Bamboo Manor, Deep- Pond Bay, Xixi Plum Villa, Xixi Thatched Cottage, Autumn Snow Nunnery, Xixi Silkworm & Silk Story, Xixi Families, and Wetland Vegetation Appreciation Area.
1. Lobster-Dragon Bay Ecological Conservation Area
The largest of the three conservation areas in the park, the Lobster-Dragon Bay Ecological Conservation Area best tours of China hosts numerous aquatic vegetations and animals. It is also a paradise for birds, and many bird-watching pavilions are set up for visitors that allow for the spectacle of thousands of birds flying around and around.
2. Wetland Vegetation Appreciation Area
The Wetland Vegetation Appreciation Area is located between Yanshui Fishing Village and Deep-Pond Port . Here live different kinds of aquatic vegetations, such as flag-leaves, water oats, duckweeds, and wild celeries.
3. Zhoujia Village
Crossing Xixi Bridge, visitors walk into Zhoujia Village which functions as the entrance to the park and the Huanglong Passenger Concentrating and Distributing Center. A number of teahouses are available in Zhoujia for visitors to have a relaxing rest on their vacation. Also at the entrance of the park stands the Wetland Popular Science Exhibit Hall.
4. Yanshui Fishing Village
Fishing activities and traditions are displayed in the Yanshui Fishing Village, and it is also an ideal place for visitors to unwind. Various restaurants and eateries in the village offer authentic and tasty seafood dishes that showcase the town’s main work.
5. Autumn Snow Nunnery
The nunnery was built in the Song Dynasty and renovated in the later Ming Dynasty by the Shen brothers. To this day, many local nuns live here.
6. Xixi Silkworm & Silk Story Scenic Spot
The Xixi Silkworm & Silk Story Scenic Spot Silk Road tour vividly teach the 12 ancient silk-producing processes including picking mulberry leaves, rearing the silkworms, cooking cocoons, and reeling off raw silk from cocoons. All of these steps recreate the heavy labor of ancient women living in Xixi.
7. Deep-Pond Bay
The annual dragon boat competition held during the immensely iconic Dragon-Boat Festival throughout China is hosted locally in Deep-Pond Bay every year. During this time, the park bustles with life and energy. Otherwise, there are even some dragon boats are available for visitors to row freely in the bay.
8. Xixi Water Pavilions
The Xixi Water Pavilions have functioned as the meeting point for litterateurs since ancient times. It is composed of 2 buildings in total, with the Book-Preserving Pavilion in the east and the Blue Stream Study in the west.
Address: Tianmushan Road, Liuxia Town, Hangzhou
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm every day
Bus routes: direct sightseeing bus No. 5 from the Huanglong Passenger Concentrating and Distributing Center to the scenic spot; or bus No. U13, 310, Y13, Y15, 526, and 13 from the city center
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Wenfeng Pagoda is famous for its unique style of structure. Just on the contrary to the ususal form of common Pagodas last minute China travel deals, it is wider and wider from the bottom to the top, looking like an umbrella, unique in style both at home and abroad. Wenfeng Pagoda is 38.65 meters tall while the perimeter of the Pagoda foundation is 40 meters long. It has brick Pagoda body and wood eaves. The octagonal body of the Pagoda standing on the round lotus-like foundations of seven floors interlacing with each other and extending both to the left and right enhances the solidity and beauty of the Pagoda.
The upper body of the Pagoda has five levels of extruding eaves, the higher the level, the bigger in size. The extruding eaves supported by artistic bricks are different from each other in structures best tours of China.The brass bells hung ove the tips of the octagonal eaves ring and echo along the wind, making clear pleasant sounds.
The bottom floor of the Pagoda has arch doors on each side among which only the one facing south is the real gate accessible while all the others are just for decoration with patterns of lotuses, dragons, etc. On the upper frame of the door are bricks inscribed with vivid traditional Chinese pattern of “two dragons coiling around a huge pearl”. The octagonal Pagoda is splendid in view, with supporting columns of embossment of lifelike coiling dragons.
On the eight sides of the brick Pagoda popular China travel package above the door as well as on the intervals of the eight colums with carves of dragons are eight embossed buddhist stories describing the affairs of buddha and showing their divine statues, vivid in patten and lifelike in expressions, considered as one of the rare valuables of ancient brick carving artworks.
Tourists can step up into the Pagoda by the platform of 2 meters tall at the bottom entry facing south, and reach the top after 72 coiling steps. At the very center of the Pagoda top erects a jar-like Tasha (the symbol of the pagoda) which is 10 meters tall, unique in form all over the country. Around the top is a wall of battlement which is more than 1 meter in height. The top platform has a capacity of 200 people. Looking far into the distance on the top, you’ll enjoy the beautiful view of Anyang, the ancient modern city.
Wenfeng Pagoda, the highest building in Anyang till the middle 1980s, has always been the simbol of Anyang for all those dynasties
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The indigenous religion is called Bonpo before the 7th century, whose belivers believe in the being in everything of the holy spirit. The high ministers of that religion presided over almost everything on the earth, so they were the most powerful men even than the kings. Buddhism was introduced into Tibet last minute China travel deals since the 7th century, after centuries of ups and downs it flurished throughout Tibet from the 10th century on, and came into being various sects till Chongkapa’s religious reform in 15th century. Gelug Sect ,founded by Chongkapa, became he most influential in Tibet since then.
Tibetan Buddhism is characterized with its overall involving into political , economic and everyday life in Tibet. It was influenced by Buddhism from Nepal, India , China mainland and Bonpo ministers.
Two famous Buddhists are especially memorable in Tibetan Buddhism, one is the Indian Lotus-born Shamanist who established the first temple best tours of China–Samye in Tibet and organized the translation of holy scriptures; the other is Chongkapa whose religious reform made Gelu Sect’s influence possible.
Tibetan people , different from others , bear no family names, their names always have certain meanings, such as Buddhism, the moon, the sun, the flowers, Friday, liberation , red flag and so on so forth. Their costumes are traditionally made from woolen materials and sheephides decorated with diamonds and headdressings with only the obvious difference between men and women in styles and patterns. Their main food and drink are barley cake, corn, potato, mutten, beef,butter tea and barley wine.
Because of its nation-wide belief in Buddhism,marriage in the life of Tibetan people is saturated in religious atmosphere. The engaged parties first of all,must invite a living Buddha to decide whether their marriage is suitable or not according to holy scriptures. When decided appropriate, the two parties must sign engagement certificate on a given good day and present hada and other valuables to each other. The day before wedding day, the family of the bridegroom must send dowry to the bride, then , wedding will last for three happy days popular China tours . Dowry must contain three very important things:a small golden Buddha Statue, a set of holy scriptures and a small Buddhist pagoda.
There are several kinds of funerals in Tibet according to the dead’s social and economic status.
Heaven funeral is the commonest in Tibet. As Tibetan people believe their ancestors came from heaven, they must join their ancestors after death. The dead must be worshipped and prayed for several days with the help of Buddhist monks before it is carried away to the heaven funeral altar. The family must not escort because the body would be dismembered and left to be swallowed up by vultures. Fire funeral is respectfully for the dead living Buddhas and the nobles, and pagoda funeral is specially for Panchen Lamas and Dalai Lamas, the pagoda would be decorated with gold and precious stones after burial
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The Gao Grand Courtyard is located at No. 144 on Beiyuanmen Street in Xi’an travel to Xian. It was built in the Chongzhen Period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and initially functioned as the former residence of Gao Yuesong, the founder of China’s prominent Gao family. It covers an area of 2,800 square meters with a construction area of 2,527 square meters, and is actually a masonry-timber structured quadrangle dwelling with a total of 86 rooms, 56 of which are open to the public. The Gao Grand Courtyard was listed as a Key Historical Street-Protected Item of China and Norway in 1999, and it became a teaching base for Norwegian and Chinese postgraduates majoring in architecture.
The main buildings in the courtyard are in the old Ming style with “family culture” as the main themes. Indeed, the rich traditional Chinese furniture, brick carvings, and elegant couplets on the columns bring visitors back to the grand Ming and the Qing (1616-1911) periods and exemplify the might of the great Gao family. At the same time, visitors can appreciate the old photos hung on the walls, which are very precious for their historic value. The courtyard also features a painting studio which had the primary purpose of creating a scholarly and family atmosphere rather than for making a profit; today, most of the painters are college students from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts Xian tour packages. However, visitors may practice their artistic hand with the guidance of the professional painters in the studio in order to experience the charm of traditional Chinese painting art in person. As well, a professional photography studio is available in the in the Gao Grand Courtyard, where people can have a photo taken of themselves in ancient costumes as a memento of their visit.
From time to time, unique Chinese shadow plays are performed in the courtyard on an ancient stage, which is generally loved by visitors from both at home and abroad. Spectators may enjoy the dramatic fighting and killing spectacles of usually more than two shadows during the performances, delightful shows which are very vivid and comical as they move along with music. Famous plays available include “Borrowing Water,” “A Jewel Box,” “Mourning for the Dead,” and “Selling Miscellaneous Articles.” In addition, examples of Shaanxi Opera , puppet shows, and ancient singing and dancing performances are regularly available.
The courtyard’s focus on educating the public about local folk customs is further promoted in the series of activities offered such as “Spending the Spring Festival in the Courtyard” and “Back to the Lantern Festival 400 Year Ago.” When the winter approaches, a number of red lanterns are hung from the courtyard’s teahouse during which the charcoal basin flames brilliantly, and visitors are invited to taste tea, appreciate the snows, and enjoy recreational time with the artists.
Background Information
Gao Yuesong was born in Zhenjiang of the Jiangsu Province and earned 2nd place at the palace examination during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. Due to his hard work and persistence, Yuesong later became China’s prime minister, and the courtyard was bestowed to him by Emperor Chongzhen. From the 14th year of the Chongzhen Period of the Ming Dynasty to the 10th year of the Tongzhi Period of the Qing Dynasty, Yuesong’s offspring continued to successively secure themselves in a wide range of official positions for 7 generations.
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More than 2,000 years ago, Chinese and foreign business people left from the ancient city Chang’an (today’s Xi’an Xian travel guide) and sent large numbers of Chinese silk to central and western Asia and countries along the eastern Mediterranean, creating a famous route which crisscrosses the European and Asian Continent with a total length of more than 7,000 kilometers. Later, it was named the “Silk Road” by Ferdinand von Richthofen, an eminent German geographer.
The Silk Road gets its name from Chinese silk trade, a major reason for the connection of trade routes into an extensive transcontinental network. China is the earliest country of sericiculture and filature. From the 138 BC to 119 BC, Zhang Qian, an imperial envoy of West Han Dynasty, opened up this ancient route. He led a delegation with silk and gold to reach the areas in Xinjiang, including Loulan, Kashgar, Hetian and Valley of Yili River, etc. His vice-envoy also reached Iran and India. The countries in these areas also sent envoys to China. The technologies of papermaking and printing, Great Inventions of Ancient China, were introduced into Arabian countries along the Silk Road . In fact, Buddhism spread to China from India because of trade along the Silk Road, similar to the way Islam spread along trans-Saharan routes in medieval West Africa.
The Silk Road, connecting ancient Chinese culture, Indian culture, Persian culture, Arab culture, ancient Greek culture and culture of ancient Rome, has played an important role in promoting east-west cultural exchanges and in enhancing China’s exchanges and friendships with foreign countries. The Silk Road has become one of the most famous tourist route.
The Silk Road stretches more than 4,000 kilometers within China, mainly passing through Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Silk Road tour. Along the Silk Road, there is a vast land teeming with cultural relics and historical sites, as well as enchanting natural landscapes and strong and colorful national flavor.
Xi’an, a starting point of the Silk Road, is a must place if you want to visit the Silk Road. It is the right place for the exchange and gathering of eastern and western cultures of all ages, and the place where innumerable historical sites and rare cultural relics were left. In the western suburbs of Xi’an is erected a group of large Silk Road camel sculptures. Stretching 51 meters long, the camels are carved out of red granite. They are the longest stone sculptures in China. More than 1,000 years ago this spot was the western gate of Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty. Historical records show that it was the starting point of the Silk Road. Whether camel merchant teams loaded with silks for faraway countries or Persian merchants, they all must pass here. Starting from here and going west along the Silk Road, you can see the ruins of Chang’an City of Han Dynasty, the Maoling Mausoleum, the Tomb of Concubine Yang, the Qianling Mausoleum, the Famen Temple affordable China tours, and other historical sites.
Out from the Shaanxi boundary and further to the west, the Silk Road crisscrosses the Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province and the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang. Along the road, you can visit the Jiayuguan Pass-the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China, the Mogao Caves or Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang (also known as Thousand Buddha Cave)-one of three noted grottoes in China and also the largest, best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world, the Ancient City of Gaochang- one of the best-preserved ruins of the ancient cities in China, the Heavenly Lake of Tian Shan (Tianchi)- an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period, and other famous scenic spots. You can enjoy ethnic groups’ unique customs and flavor in the western regions, as well as the enchanting scenery and vast grassland, desert and snow peaks.
Travel Tips:
There are large temperature difference between day and night in the northwest areas, such as Xinjiang and Gansu. You had better bring a spare coat or sweater with you.
At some tourist sites, such as Heavenly Lake, Nanshan Pasturage, and Mingsha Mountain (Singing-Sand Mountain), etc., you may need to ride horse and camel. So, a pair of proper shoes is quite important.
The temperature of northwest area is lower than the hinterland, and many areas are high in altitude. Remember to prepare some sunscreens and medicines.
Xinjiang is a minority region, with strong religious consciousness. The Muslim does not eat pork, which is the biggest taboo in their life. Do not bring or discuss the topic of pig, to avoid any misunderstanding.
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According to Chinese folklore, the spirits of deceased ancestors continue to look after the family last minute China travel dealsfrom the great beyond. As such, it is believed that sacrifices of food and paper money will keep the spirits happy, thus blessing the family with good luck. On Qing Ming, Chinese families will visit the grave site of ancestors to do some landscaping and spring cleaning. With the massive increase in China’s population over the past few decades, private grave sites have given way to public cemeteries, and most people are cremated these days. Families will make an offering of bland, dry food at the tomb of their ancestor; this keeps the other ghosts in the area from being tempted to have a taste for themselves. It’s a different story at home, though, as families will cook up the favorite dish of their deceased ancestor and offer it at an altar in their home.
Another tradition is the burning of joss money (金纸 – jīn zhǐ – lit. “gold paper” best tours of China) at the tomb. With families often burning billions worth of this fake currency, it is believed that this practice allows the deceased to continue living a comfortable existence in the afterlife. However, just as with the fireworks during the Spring Festival, this poses serious fire hazards every year - so much so that Chinese police have been beefing up the security for this festival in recent years. Burning paper money has actually been illegal in Beijing since 1995, and chrysanthemums (with their flame-like petals) have overtaken the capitol for the China holiday.
The tech savvy youth of China have also found more economical and environmentally friendly ways to remember the dead – on the internet. In an example of just how much technology and its byproducts influence our daily life, some stores are even selling paper iPhones and iPads to offer to those on the other side. In addition to being able to enjoy a nice bowl of rice and chicken, great-great-great grandfathers everywhere in China will now also be able to join the rest of the world in playing Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja.
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Bordering Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui and Henan provinces, Bozhou lies in the northwest of Anhui Province last minute China travel deals and the center of the Huanghuai Plain. It has under its jurisdiction three counties, namely Woyang, Mengcheng and Lixin, and one district, Qiaocheng.
Being one of the birthplaces of the Chinese people, Bozhou has a history of more than 3,700 years according to written records. Even as early in the Shang Dynasty (17th- 11thcentury BC), Bozhou was a relatively advanced city in economy and culture, and one of the civilized cities in the world at that time.
The long history, splendid ancient culture and the so many famous people left Bozhou plenty of valuable ancient relics. Bozhou best tours of China has 18 key cultural relics sites under state and provincial level protection, 36 under municipal protection and 150 ordinary ones. Among them, the famous ones are the Huaxi Building with marvelous carvings and colorful paintings, the Yuchi Temple relics reputed as the first primitive village of china, the Underground Pass way for Army Deployment in the Period of Cao Cao, which was claimed as the oldest and most intact underground Great Wall; the Huazu Buddhist Convent, which has 8 scenic spots as the sound of the hut, the fragrance of the medicine garden, the cry for longevity by the five animals and the convent has the name inscribed by Guo Moruo; the tombs of the Cao family with fine architecture, the Tianjing Palace and the Zhuangzi Ancestral Hall with grand buildings, the tombs of the hat and clothes of the respectable King of Chengtang in the Shang Dynasty, the Baiyi Law School, the old temples of the Muslims, the 72 old streets and 36 old roads with characteristics of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A lot of famous persons were born in Bozhou, such as Laozi -- the founder of the Taoism, Zhuangzi -- the sage, Cao Cao -- the King of the Wei Kingdom, and Huatuo -- the highly skilled doctor. In 1995, the General Secretary of CPC, Jiang Zemin inscribed Bozhou as Hometown of Huatuo, Village of Medicine, far spreading the fame of the capital of medicine popular China travel package.
Bozhou is also famous for its wine. Represented by the Gujing imperial wine, the wine of Bozhou weighs to some extent in the wine industry of China.
As the gold triangle of ox, Bozhou has created a new situation featuring ox husbandry in a large scale, professional development and corporate management. Bozhou is a major producer of paulownia and poplar; woods are exported to Japan and Southeast Asian countries.
Bozhou was approved by the State Council as a city directly under the jurisdiction of the provincial government in June 2000. It is a cultural and historical city at the state level and an excellent tourist city of China.
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Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing last minute China travel deals ), which can be used to self-defense and improve the corporeity and prevent and cure the illness, is a kind of traditional Chinese boxing with gentle and slow actions. It has a long history with various schools and wide popularity.
Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) originated from the late Ming Dynasty of China (about 400 years ago). Chen Wangting, a villager of Chenjiagou village, created a new kind of Chinese boxing based on the integration of the ancestral boxing, the essence of the excellent folk boxing types and the Chinese medicine meridians, so it is called “Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing)”. The theory of Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) evolved from the classical works of the Chinese traditional philosophy best tours of China, leechcraft, Wushu, such as the Book of Changes, Huang Di Nei Jing and so on, and absorbed the proper contents of the Daoism, Confucianism, Sakyamunism and so on during its long time development, so Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) is called as “the Quintessence of the Chinese Culture”. Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) is a kind of martial art to make people strong and healthy; it is not used to attack people. The actions of the Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) are gentle, slow, coherent and flexible, and it can dredge the main and collateral channels, regulate Qi and blood, nourish the viscera and strengthen muscle and bones. Nowadays, Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) has become one kind of sports especially for old people.
Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) is also popular among the foreign countries. There are Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) activities in Europe, America, Southeast Asian, Japan, and etc. Many countries have established societies such as Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) Association to carry on communication activities with China. As a unique Chinese sport, Taiji Quan (Shadow Boxing) has aroused interest and love of many foreign friends.
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Huangluo Yao village is the only one of Yao ethnic group among all the thirteen villages in Longji last minute China travel deals, where lives Red Yao people. You will find that all the women in the village enjoy wearing red clothes. But the extremely important characteristic of the village is that it's known as the Long-hair Village. According to local tradition, women cut their hair only once in their lives ― at about 16 to 18 years old when they are considered ready for adulthood and marriage. The cut hair is kept like a headpiece, and twisted into part of their regular hairdo. They hold a Guinness Record for the length of their hair!
You will see the long-haired ladies washing their 4-foot long hair along the riverbanks. Their jet black and beautiful long hair give people deeply impression. Is it the secret of how they protect their long hair? It is said that they wash their hair every two to three days with "rice water" (water used to rinse rice) in the nearby river. If you want to verify the effect of this kind of "shampoo", why not to have a try for your China best tours?
Yao people are good at singing and dancing, they like sing folksongs to spread their centuries-old splendid history and reflect their happy life popular China travel package. Red Yao is a open mind ethnic group, they are wise in looking for love and express their love. You can appreciate the wonderful songs and dances performed by those Red Yao girls with their long hair.
Being well-known as "the First Village of Long Hair under Heaven". The amazing landscapes with long hair girls will fest your eye!
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I got up early in the morning, about 4 a.m.
Everything was ready, and I walked out of the hotel affordable China travel packages. It was still dark outside. And I heard that the sunrise in Lianfeng was at about five o'clock. So I started right away. I climbed the mountain of primeval forest in the dark alone, a little scared, but luckily, there were some birds twittering in the branches, which made me courage to move on.
Lianfeng Yunhai is one of the top ten attractions in Jiuhua Mountain, next to Jiuzi Rock Scenic Area, and is an important part of the Jiuhua Mountain National Forest Park. The scenic area is known for the majesty, steep, risk and elegant hills there. The main peak is the Lotus Peak, 820 meters above sea level. The mountain is shaped like a penholder, commonly known as Bijia Hill top 10 China tours. The mountainside has steaming cloud and fog all the year around, and shape like a jade belt. Climb to the peak, visitors can ofter see the clouds wonders, hence the name lianfeng clouds. Buildings in the scenic area are on the mountain, with a large-scale Huizhou buildings, park is the hill, mountain is the also the park, green mountains and blue waters.
At dawn, the sun had not risen. I could see the star light of the mountain villages.
When the sun rises, the color of the light changed rapidly. Fields and villages at the foot of the mountain clouds gradually contracted in golden light, dreamy, forming a magical and magnificent landscapes.
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There are many ways to explore Zhouzhuang China vacation deals. You can slowly wander in Zhouzhuang's folk shops and talk with the shopkeepers or learn about the city through its food.
Zhouzhuang's food is richly endowed by its history and culture. Its famous wansanti (pig's hoof) dish is the most notable. Lots of sugar is added in the making process of wansanti, which results in its great taste and appearance. Hundreds of years of tradition have helped make wansanti the main course at the dining table of Zhouzhuang residents. It represents reunion and is a favored dish to treat guests. So, if you're tired of having New Year's Eve dinner in the city, you may wish to come to Zhouzhuang for top 10 China tours and have a wansan dinner with friends and family to welcome the New Year.
houzhuang is more than just a tourist attraction nowadays; it is also a communication and exchange place for art and culture. You can learn the culture and history of heptachord, a kind of ancient Chinese musical instrument, and enjoy its pleasant sound in a club. You can also appreciate the local folk art of embroidery. Zhouzhuang's Kunqu opera is quite authentic, so why not go to the old stage and enjoy some opera popular China tour package. There are also some fashionable leisure places for young people.
Drinking Apo tea is a must when visiting Zhouzhuang. Nothing is better than a moment of distraction in the natural landscape with a cup of tea in hand. The beautiful scenery and the refreshing tea can make all worries and troubles disappear.
Zhouzhuang is changing, but its ancient culture and history will remain forever. New things and old traditions mutually complement each other and together contribute to a better Zhouzhuang.
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In a tributary of the Yellow River Yangtze River tour source, the southern mountain area and the midstream of Huangshui River, standing a grand and magnificent temple, it is the well-known Hongshuiquan Mosque. The Mosque is located in the eastern Qinghai Ping'an County, over 30 kilometers southwest of the Hongshuiquan village. It is said that it was built in the Ming Dynasty, was originally small scale, but had been expansion after 5 times. The whole temple covers an area of 4500 square meters, consisting of screen wall, gate, the Azan House, the prayer hall and the school, etc. it is famous for its superb craftsmanship and architectural art.
On the architectural style, Hongshuiquan mosque integrates the Han, Hui, Tibetan and other ethnic architectural style and features, but also used a large number of auspicious patterns, such as chrysanthemums, bamboo, plum blossom, orchid, The Eight Auspicious Symbols, the dark Eight Immortals, poetry and painting, etc. Han, Hui, Tibetan and other ethnic cultural elements appear in the same mosque, which is rare in China mosque, but also show as a symbol of national unity and the crystallization of national wisdom last minute China travel deals.
Hongshuiquan mosque’s brick art is very exquisite, rare boutique. The beautiful patterns carved on the blue brick mill are the wisdom and skills outcomes accumulated of Chinese Muslims over the years.
There are hundreds of different patterns on the screen wall in front of the mosque, which are also the pattern the folk love to use to make moon cake best tours of China and refreshments.
There is a small village with about several households on the hillside, where living conditions are extremely difficult, the villagers eat pit water, is completely dependent on the weather.
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He was born in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province affordable China tours in 1983. From the age of 17, he began to find teachers who could teach him the skill of making porcelain. And now he has engaged in Chinese antique porcelain production for nearly 10 years and got a high reputation in local workshops. Jingdezhen--his hometown--his home.
Blue and White Porcelain is the distillate of wisdom of the ancient Chinese working people. No exaggeration to say that it is the seamless integration of manual arts and the human mind of the Blue and White Porcelain to make people impressed enough in the world, and the most famous porcelain is the Shusong Porcelain, of which the existing as the whole thing less than twenty pieces in the world, everyone of them is a priceless casual, worth tens of millions of dollars. The formula and art craft has been lost.
Maybe there are some people still do not the word “china” has another meaning--porcelain, so we can see how important the porcelain is for the Chinese people, it may be called the quintessence of Chinese culture.
Below these are the photos of Jingdezhen kilns, we can also call them the wood kiln sites.
Attention: they have been reconstruction, only for visiting top 10 China tours.
This man is the hero of this article, everybody call him Tom.
Next, tell you about the production of the king of ceramic - porcelain - blue and white porcelain, which is also my job.
The first step is to make rough porcelain.
The second step: repair porcelain ( pay attention to keep the hands steady )
The following are the two pictures of the porcelains after repairing, beautiful, right?
Step 3: depicts. (Notice the painting style, because they paint according to the painting style of each dynasty China guide. Following is the style of the Qing Emperor Kangxi.
This is the highlight of his work, the most important and most critical. It was rather lonely while working, so he would listen to music ... Here are the finished works.
After washed by some special additive, the porcelains can be like this, look like the antique? Style is very important. Generally he makes some more, because the success rate is low by firing.
After the glaze it will be fired in the furnace, in the former they used wood kiln, because of too much consumption of firewood kilns, as well as environmental damage, now not allow to use the wood kiln in Jingdezhen, they had to use the gas. But to tell the truth, fired in the wood kiln is better than in the gas kiln, porcelain is more gloss glaze.
If you have the chance to go to Jingdezhen, feel free to find him. He can tell you more about the blue and white porcelain, what I said here just only a small part of ceramics, there are a lot of porcelains waiting for you to know them.
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Badain Jaran Desert is the 4th largest desert in the world and the 3rd largest desert in China, with an area of 47,000 square kilometers, and 35,000 square kilometers laid in Alxa Youqi. Badain Jaran Desert is famous for its "peculiar peaks, sound sands, numerous lakes, holy springs and ancient temples". The height of Badain Jaran Desert China vacation deals is between 1100m and 1600m, and the relative altitude of the sand hills ranges from 200m to 500m. The sand hills account for 61% of the entire desert area. At the hinterland of the desert, big sand dunes placed at regular intervals by the wind power, the dunes look like huge ocean waves impressing the tourists strongly.
Badain Jaran Desert is the 4th largest desert in the world and the 3rd largest desert in China, with an area of 47,000 square kilometers, and 35,000 square kilometers laid in Alxa Youqi. Badain Jaran Desert is famous for its "peculiar peaks, sound sands, numerous lakes, holy springs and ancient temples". The height of Badain Jaran Desert is between 1100m and 1600m, and the relative altitude of the sand hills ranges from 200m to 500m. The sand hills account for 61% of the entire desert area. At the hinterland of the desert, big sand dunes placed at regular intervals by the wind power, the dunes look like huge ocean waves impressing the tourists strongly China best tours.
What to pack?
60L backpack, windbreaker, quick drying clothes, quick-drying pants, T-shirts, cotton pants, sweater underwear, hiking shoes or desert boots, slippers or sandals, gaiters, coolmax socks 3 pairs, magic scarves, hats, sunglasses, goggles, cameras, 2-4 camera batteries, knife, toilet paper , towel, soap, toothbrush, water bottle, life-saving whistle, headlamp, flashlight, mobile phone (2 batteries), watches, cash, bank cards, food bags, chopsticks, spoon, cup, mp3, digital partner, cellophane tape, rubber rope, lipstick, personal medicines.
Tips:
1. The most favorable season top China tours for trekking through Badain Jaran Desert is from May to October, excluding July and August.
2. The temperature in desert fluctuates dramatically from day to night. Long sleeved shirt is highly recommended.
3. The altitude of Badain Jaran desert is between 1100m and 1600m. UV radiation intensifies at this altitude, sunscreen lotion and sunglasses (with strap) would be very necessary. And hat: preferably that cover the ears.
4. The desert has a dry climate all the year round; To drink water often during the trip.
5. Medicines for cold, diarrhea, car sickness and skin sensibility etc. should be prepared beforehand in case of emergency.
6. Good walking shoes are essential for trekking in desert. Hiking shoes and desert boots would be preferable.
7. Small backpack to carry your camera and water, plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment from sand and dust.
8. Insect repellent.
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Chen Clan Academy is also called Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family China vacation deals, and it was a place both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Now it serves as Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts to show the most characteristic Guangdong architecture. Located at Zhongshan 7th Road, the Chen Clan Academy is a symmetric complex which consists of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards. It was added in the list of “Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State” in 1988 best tours of China.
Facing south, the complex forms around a north-south axis. A large collection of southern China art pieces, for example, wood carvings and pottery, can be found in the structure. The Chen Clan Academy complex exemplifies traditional Chinese architecture and decoration style, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments worldwide. The buildings in the Chen Clan Academy are fully decorated with wood carving, stone carving, brick carving, pottery, plaster and iron engraving. The content of these decoration are mostly flowers, birds, Cantonese fruits and scenes in traditional dramas.
The Chen clan academy has a large collection of wood carvings, which can be seen everywhere in the halls at the corners of the beams, walls, and doors.
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Although the reputation of Huanglongxi Ancient Town is not so far and wide as Lijiang last minute China travel deals and Fenghuang, but it is also has unique style of the thousand years of ancient Sichuan. Huanglongxi Ancient Town is only 40 kilometers from Chengdu, some away from the hubbub and can be felt a lengthy time here. Clear Jinjiang water joins the beautiful Lu River here, so there is the reputation of Huanglongxi Millennium Water Terminal reputation. Went into the town, quartzite pavement, wooden beams green tiles pavilion, bridges, banyan, shops, rickshaw pullers, etc, constitutes a Sichuan folk style picture.
The reason why the Huanglongxi Ancient Town best tours of China is favor for visitors is that there is heavy heritage which settle down in 1700, no hustle and bustle of big cities, as well as Winding stone paths trails, the riverside the cornices Qiaojiao the wooden houses on stilts, the shops on the street teahouse, the temple shrouded of smoke, demonstrating a Sichuan township folk customs picture, giving a rustic but novel experience.
Huanglongxi, lively and also quiet, if you are tired, want to find a quiet place, just go in depth to ancient town alley! If bored, want to find a vibrant land then go to town that people weaving Commercial Street popular China tour package, looking for fun!
If you are tired, walk along the Huanglongxi. Walk through the ancient street, drink a cup of tea, daze in the ancient pier, can make you feel good.
People will never see hurry walking ones in Huanglongxi Ancient Town. In the sound of evening bell of the ancient town temple, I said goodbye to the leisurely ancient town.
tags:China tourism
Songshan district is an important birthplace of Chinese civilization with a long history China travel guide. It is the earliest political, economic and cultural center of ancient central China. During this full of history district, the most famous is Mountain Songshan.
Mountain Songshan, which is also called Zhongyue in Chinese, is considered as the top list of the fifth influential sacred “Wuyue” Mountain. Mountain Songshan is not just famous for the beautiful scenery but the flourishing culture. The Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism are all developed representatively in this area.
Located in Dengfeng city in Henan Province in central China, Mountain Songshan has two main peaks of Taishi and Shaoshi where lots of sceneries spread along them. It is a charming place to visit.
Here are some typical places to recommend for you.
1. Zhongyue Temple
Zhongyue Temple affordable China tours is one of the oldest of Temple in China, originally built in the Qin Dynasty over 2,200 years ago. It is a famous Taoist site situated halfway up the Huanggai peak of the Songshan range with a total area of 110,000 square meters. Zhongyue Temple enjoyed the highest estate in Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty. This kind of ancient temple is very gigantic and majestic, which also rarely to be seen in Chinese civilization.
2. Songyang Academy
Songyang Academy also named Yingtian Academy, located at the south foot of the Songshan Mountain. Embraced by the grand mountains and green trees, Songyang Academy enjoys a quiet and elegant environment. It was created in 484 A.D. and became one of the forth famous Academies in Ancient China. The academy is similar as the university in today. Many outstanding politicians, philosophers, poet and litterateurs had been teaching in Songyang Academy, it also trained up a lot of famous people on that time. Songyang Academy played a very important role in the education history of ancient China.
3. Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Buddhism's Chan Sect (Zen) in China as well as the cradle of China's Shaolin Kongfu (martial arts). Shaolin Temple top 10 China tours covers an area of more than 30,000 square meters, it looks solemn and grandeur. But what makes the temple famous is for its unique Kongfu. There has Kongfu performance to appreciate by the well-trained monks in Shaolin Temple.
4. Gaocheng Observatory
Gaocheng Observatory is built at about 1271A.D, designed by Yuan Dynasty famous scientist Guo Shoujing. It is the oldest observatory preserved in China at about more than 700-years of history. The old ancient observatory was designed originally for use in predicting the time of the solstice each year and became the cradle of astronomy of ancient China. Besides the Kongfu performance, the pagodas are also worth to see. It is about 300 meters in the west of Shaolin Temple. This various standing pagodas are the largest-scale group of pagodas in China.
Mountain Songshan is renowned at home and abroad for its stunning landscapes popular China tours and ancient sites. Why not go to Mountain Songshan to find the brilliant culture of China?
Lingyin Temple is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, northwest of the West Lake.Lingyin Temple is a simple and quiet, scenery pleasant resort.It’s said that 1600 years ago,an Indian monk called Hui Li come to Hangzhou China tour deals, seeing the beautiful scenery and consider that there are "the hidden fairy" here,so he built a emple named Lingyin.
During the Spring Festival, the temple is open from 7:00 am to 5:00pm.The Lingyin Temple ticket is 30 yuan and the Feilai Peak cost 45yuan.If you want to go to the Temple,you must go into the Feilai Peak area first.Vistors can burn incense and pray for the next year.
After out of the Temple,take the NO.7 bus and get off at Yaojiangguangsha top China tours, then walk to the Hefang street.It takes 70 minutes.The bus pass by North Road and Lake Road which is the most beautiful section of the West Lake area.
However, the most popular place in Hangzhou during spring festival is not West Lake but the Hefang Street. Hefang Street is an ancient street with long history and rich culture.It was the bustling market of ancient Hangzhou popular China tour package, the cultural and trade center of Southern Song Dynasty.
Visitors can feel Chinese tea culture, traditional Chinese medicine culture, food culture and many century-old culture in Qinghefang shops with a variety of folk artists and folk custom stalls.
The street is full of ancient famous shops,such as Kong Fengchun powder stores, Bandung ham shop, Mi Dachang pipe down shops,Yezhongde traditional Chinese medicine shop, Wang Shunxing noodle shop, Weng Longsheng tea and so on.
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If time reverse back to 1,000 years, Kaifeng, the ancient city along Yellow River Yangtze River tour, is the most prosperous, rich and beautiful capital with the largest population in the whole world when Northern Song Dynasty. Now history is history, Kaifeng has become an international tourism city of great culture and history. Even those glories of the past are as ephemeral as smoke and cloud, today Kaifeng is still a ancient city with pristine, dignified and charming atmosphere.
Kaifeng is located in Henan Province, close to Zhengzhou city which is the capital of Henan province. Kaifeng is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals in China. When travel to Kaifeng, there are a lot to see and enjoy, scenic sites, folk culture and local flavors, all these would give you a great time.
What to see at Kaifeng city?
Millennium City Park
Millennium City Park last minute China travel deals is a theme park that archaizes the masterpiece painting of Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival which describes a general view of folk customs and habits of Song Dynasty. Whne travel to Millennium City Park, you can experience people’s life at ancient Song Dynasty. Dress Song costumes, enjoying ancient buildings of gate building, Rainbow Bridge, street view, riverways, wine shops, tea house and so on, at the same time watching folk performances that are famous at Song Dynasty... That’s the casual and pleasant life at that famous painting, but you are experiencing now.
Longting
Longting is actually a palace built above a huge black brick base which is as high as 13 meters. Here you can learn valuable cultural relics, overlook the beautiful overview scenery of Kaifeng city. There are two lakes , Lake Pan and Lake Yang, standing opposite to each other alongside the avenue in front of Longting, which adds more attractions to Longting.
Daxiangguo Temple
This is a famous Buddhist temple, located in the downtown of Kaifeng best tours of China. It was a royal temple for Northern Song Dynasty. Daxiangguo Temple is a complex of several halls. Its elaborate layout, delicate wooden carving arts, magnificent architecture and solemn atmosphere has attracted a lot of people.
What to eat at Kaifeng?
First of all, at Kaifeng you can taste native Yu cuisine. Youyixin Restaurant , locating at downtown, is a good recommendation where you can enjoy authentic and delicious Yu cuisine. Also there are many special and unique local flavor snacks at Kaifeng city. The most famous one is soup dumplings. Then almond tea, mutton steamed bun, eight-treasure rice pudding and so on. You really should tray these special flavors when you come to Kaifeng.
Accommodation
Hotels for accommodations focus in Gulou area at the downtown. This place is very convenient to many scenic sites and for enjoy local food. By the way, Kaifeng Hotel is recommended for its special archaizing garden-styled hotel.
tags: China tourism
Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty. Xi'an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road Silk Road toursand home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang… Because of the city's many historical monuments and a plethora of ancient ruins and tombs in the vicinity, tourism has been an important component of the local economy, and the Xi'an region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.
Xi'an has a rich and culturally significant history. That directly results in abundant and important historical sites, and some of them are ongoing archaeological projects, such as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army.
There are several burial mounds, tombs of the Zhou Dynasty kings located in the city. Xi'an Xian tours also contains some 800 royal mausoleums and tombs from the Han Dynasty, with some of them yielding hundreds of sculpted clay soldiers, and remains of sacrificial temples from the Han era. The city has numerous Tang Dynasty pagodas and is noted for its history museum and its stele forest, which is housed in an 11th-century Confucian temple containing large stone tablets from various dynasties. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda are both spectacular towers and both are well over 1,000 years old and have survived great earthquakes.
The former is next to a large square with the largest fountain in Asia which projects water high into the air, rising and falling in time to music during one of the daily performances (usually at noon and soon after sunset). They protected Buddhist writings in the past. Huaqing Hot Springs at the foot of Mt. Li have a history of 6,000 years, the adjacent Huaqing Palace has a history of 3,000 years. It is ranked among the Hundred Famous Gardens Xian attractions in China, it also has the status as a National Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National Key Scenic Area.
Featured Xi’an culture is also an important factor to attract so many visitors from home and abroad. Qinqiang, for example, is the oldest and most extensive of the four major types of Chinese opera. Also called "random pluck", Qinqiang is the main type of drama in Shaanxi province.
As the earliest ancestor of Beijing Opera, Yu Opera, Chuan Opera and Hebei Opera, Qinqiang has developed its own system of unique vocal music, spoken parts, facial makeup, posture, role, category and acting. It can be traced to Xi Qinqiang in Qin Dynasty, and blossomed until Qing Dynasty, with direct influences on many branches of Chinese Opera.
We lived in modern cities or countries. Though we are aware of how ancient our country is, many of us don’t know what that exactly means. Go to Xi’an, and you’ll at least realize how great our ancestors are.
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We finally reach the last month of a year and most cities in China begin to suffer through the chilling days of snowy winter. If you are looking for an ideal resort with pleasant temperature and shining sunshine, then Repulse Bay is a perfect place for you to enjoy a warm getaway. Hurry up, dear friends! Let is begin our winter China trip.
The Repulse Bay, renowned as a magnificent bay in Hong Kong, is situated in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. With prosperous dining industry and attractive entertainment, the Repulse Bay has always filled with relaxed and carefree atmosphere, welcoming a lot of visitors from worldwide all year around. As a matter of fact, the history of Repulse Bay can be traced back to about 1840, when the First Opium War happened. At that time, the Repulse Bay was a base used by pirates, which made foreign merchants worry about the safety of goods trading with China. Later the British Fleet repulsed the pirates and this bay gained the name “The Repulse Bay”. And during World War 2, Repulse Bay Hong Kong tourist attractions is regarded as a strategic place with great significance. Since the Repulse Bay Hotel was built, Repulse Bay gradually developed into a hot travelling resort.
Compared to the extremely cold winter in northern cities, weather in Repulse Bay is always agreeable. The beach is golden and smooth; the sky and sea are cozy and blue. Choose a sunny weekend and lay on the vast beach, you can not only feel the fresh air, but also see the lovely blue seawater lapping the seashore. This carefree macca is so charming and make all the people yearn to have a visit.
Aquatic activities are rather popular in Repulse Bay since the sea water temperature is between 16 degree and 26 degree around the year. Have you ever image swimming in a 100% safe place with shark prevention facilities and responsible lifeguards? Then Repulse Bay is your perfect natural swimming pool! Clean and safe swimming conditions are available for all kinds of persons no matter you are good at swimming or never swim before. Besides swimming, other activities also prevail here, such as BBQ, sightseeing in lighthouse and sunset-watching last minute China travel deals. For those who like BBQ, barbecue racks are offered under the shape; and for the romantic young couples, watching sunset together seems awesome. Additionally, Repulse Bay is dotted with award-winning restaurants, luxurious hotels, large supermarkets and yummy cafes. If time is not so pressing, you can spend the whole weekend in Repulse Bay, tasting the delicious HK local food, having a cup of coffee, enjoying the wonderful scenery and shopping in the supermarkets. What an exciting trip!
Travel tips: 1. the admission of Repulse Bay is free for everyone. 2. You can either take a bus or the subway to Repulse Bay. If you decide to go to Repulse Bay by bus, bus No.6, 6A, 6X and 260 can take you there. As for the subway, please get off at Central Station. (Go out of the station to the Exchange Plaza through the Exit A)
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If you are tired of the noise and busyness of cities, you can enjoy the quietness and slowness in Guyan Painting Town China tour deals. There is no modern harassment, thus time seem to become slow in this town. As the famous Chinese poet described in his poem "mistake":
Your heart is like a small lonely town
Just like the street of blue stones at eventide
No chirping of crikets, the spring curtain of March is not lifted
Your heart is a small window closely shut
My clattering hoofbeats are a beautiful mistake
I am not arrival, but a passenger
You can enjoy the scene described in the above poem. But in fact, many old towns are full of visitors during China holidays or weekends. So if you are a photographer, you can hardly take photos of the original town because your photos are packed with visitors.
Guyuan, located in Dagangtou District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, is a special ancient town full of artistic inspiration. Walking along the street, you can witness a line of painting studios on the both sides of street. When you enter a studio, you can slowly enjoy the paintings without the interruption of staffs to promote their paintings. The scenery around the town is also very charming, reed marshes, quiet lake and fishery boat, which makes time in the town goes slowly.
With history of 1500 years, Tongjiyan is one of great five ancient irrigation project last minute China travel deals and it still has irrigating effect till now. Tongjiyan has been being well maintained since its completion and has been used for over 600 years.
The best-preserved and earliest arched dam, the group of a-thousand-year-old camphors and the ancient buildings and natural beauty of Qujiang River become the best place for painting, artistic creation and photographing. The age of these camphors are over 800 to 1000 years averagely.
During Ming and Qing dynasties, over 20 persons made achievement in government and they began to build big residence in their hometown, Yu Ye Liu Fang, a ancient residence in Qing Dynasty, takes an area of about 880 square meters and are well preserved. Nan Shan Ying Xiu, built in early Qing Dynasty, is another famous one in the village. According to legend story, the owner of this house was very smart and could write poem at five, play chess and Guzheng (an ancient Chinese musical instrument).
So if you have a chance to visit Zhejiang China best tours, you can consider this town.
The spring season is around the corner, and if you have never made any plan to travel somewhere and if you want to go for a trip in the spring days, you can keep reading this article where you will great help for your spring tour China vacation deals in the year of 2014.
This is about the tips to travel to China in the upcoming spring – travel to Beijing best tours of China, Xi’an and Chengdu with about half of a month:
The Beijing tour will start your long China trip, where your first few days will be wonderful with the sightseeing of Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Temple of Heaven, Badaling Great Wall and Ding Tombs, Summer Palace and Hutong, and you will enjoy the excellent show such as the Peking Opera and taste the delicious food there – Peking Roasted Duck; then you will turn to Datong to see the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County and Hanging Temple of Datong City, the Nine Dragons Wall, Huayan Monastery, Yungang Grottoes; then the next destination will be Pingyao to visit the Ancient City Wall and Rishengchang Draft Bank before taking the train to Xi’an Silk Road tour . Upon your arrival in Xi’an, you will take the chance to see the ?Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi History Museum and the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, and you can enjoy the show of Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show and have a taste of the dumplings there; your tour will keep continue with the Jiuzhaigou scenic spot and the Huanglong Scenic Area and the?Leshan Giant Buddha in Leshan city and Baoguo Temple on the Mt.Emei along your way to Chengdu from Chengdu; the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in Chengdu will be the last attraction for you during your amazing China tour within these ten more days. Then you will depart Chengdu to finish your China trip in spring.
The following are some tips to make sure traveling safely:
1. Make sure you have quite much information of the place you will China vacation deals travel to.
2. Make several copies of your passport, traveler's checks, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets and other travel documents. Take one copy with you and leave one copy with a relative or friend back home.
3. Be sure the photographs on your passport, driver's license and other ID is accurate, and be sure your passport, driver's license and other ID is valid and not expiring before you return from your China trip.
4. Take care of your bags when you are in the crowd places
5. When you lost your thing during the tour, please call the police in China, telephone no. is 110.
6. Dress down, leave expensive jewelry and watches at home and don't show large amounts of cash or traveler's check in public.
7. During your tour, when you have free time, you may want to go somewhere on your own by taxi, it's better ask the hotel staff to arrange taxi service for you, take a hotel card with you or ask your China tour guide / receptionist to write down the names of the hotels and places you want to go in both English and Chinese before getting in the car. Remember the number of the taxi in case you leave something in it. Of course it is better to get the taxi invoice; it can help you to find the taxi easily.
8. Prepare a guide book with some useful words and phrases both in Chinese and English. You can show the matchbook to a policeman or a local people if you need to find out and say like: “Where is the restrooms?” or “Where is KFC?” etc.
9. Respect the customs of local people, especially when you go to visit the areas of different minorities, ask your tour guides about the proper etiquettes, behaviors, manners and taboos to avoid offending people. Because people in different cities have different etiquettes, it is better to know it in advance.
10. Most people in China are friendly, and some of them are eager to practice English, it is delightful to talk with them, but never go to anywhere with a stranger.
11. If you are to take the train during your tour in China, be sure you take your train at the right railway station because some of the big cities in China may have two or more railway stations, and when you get to the railway station, be careful with all your properties since the railway stations in China are always crowded, and never entrust your luggage to someone not in uniform. While you are on the train, be sure your passport, your credit cards and all valuable things are put in a safe place. Please also pay attention to the persons around you especially when you take the night train.
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Jiuzhaigou China vacation dealsis a narrow strip of lowland, four hundred kilometers long, in the Minshan Mountain Range in Nanping County, northeast Sichuan. It got its name because there are nine Tibetan villages in the valley. As it is a remote place with unusually charming scenery and few inhabitants, it is often called the "wonderland on earth." The valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is covered with luxuriant primitive forests and dotted by more than a hundred lakes and ponds of various sizes. At the bottom of the clear blue lakes, stones and waterweeds twinkle in the sun, producing a rainbow of colors. As the valley is of a terraced topography, waterfalls are created between lakes on different levels, the biggest drop being over twenty meters. The roaring sound of the falls echoes through the valley.
The valley is home to a great variety of plants and rare animals, such as the giant panda, lesser panda, golden monkey, and antelope.
It is said that the Jiuzhaigou Valley( Jiuzhai means nine villages)was named after the nine villages contained in the vast nature reserve. Lots of rare species inhabit the area including Pandas and Golden monkeys. The three main gullies-Shuzheng, Rize and Zechawa form a Y shape, with 108 mysterious lakes scattered around and a plethora of connecting waterfalls and brooks.
Legend has it that long long ago, a beautiful Goddess received a mirror from her lover. The goddess was so excited that she dropped the mirror, smashing it into 108 small pieces. Over the centuries those pieces gave birth to 108 wonderful lakes.
Jiuzhaigou's spirit is its pure, crystal clear water.Jiuzhaigou
Five-Coloured Lake
There is a fairy tale in ancient China that the princess of heaven has a five-colored lake called Yaochi in her palace. In Jiuzhaigou Valley top China tours you can see that lake of legend. Through forest clearings and the briefest of glimpses between needle clad branches you may catch a glimpse of the water which sparkles in a kalaidescope of sky blues, light greens, yellows, greys, pinks and blues.
Five Flower Sea
Rize Gully Five Flower Sea is even more magnificent. Surrounded by mountains, the sea looks like a huge calabash infusing colorful water continuously into the foot of the mountain. The strange part is that on the belly of the calabash, there is a ten-meter long light blue design which looks like the leg of a deer. Legend has it that it is the residing spirit of a spotted deer which slipped and fell down the cliff.
Waterfalls
Waterfalls make attractive views. Jiuzhaigou Valley is a paradise surrounded by mountains, with tranquil lakes like pearls popular China tour package. But the quietness is sometimes broken by the waterfalls, which take you to another world. The waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou ValleyJiuzhaigou are like green looms weaving different silks. Varying in shape some are like dragons, some like snow and some like pearls. The sun often casts rainbows across their fronts.
The Nuorilang Waterfall is a perfect case in point. At the top of the great waterfall, which is about one hundred meters in width, are a line of willows which form a monumental green wall. Like the teeth of a comb their trunks seem to be running constantly through the water, untangling it. Jiuzhaigou Valley feels like a dream. Beautiful scenery greets you wherever you look. Nature is all around, quiet and still yet more alive, more vibrant than the busiest of cities.
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Nine provinces of blood Wuhan, gathered be tolerant to diversity of new thinking. Revolution first shot fired in Wuchang China vacation deals, and Wuhan in China's central geographical location are not unrelated. Opened resume you will find the Wuchang Uprising led revolutionaries, mostly Born in the 1880s, it was part of the last century, '80' after the blood's. lapse of centuries, the 20th century 80s Wuhan youth, but also in the direction of brewing a city life change. generations '80 After 'in the staggered time node, in the same city of Wuhan, realized the dream of MACD, separated by a hundred years, the old and the new Wuhan, Wuhan, also in two generations of' 80 'after the memories and dreams temporal overlap.
And the city walls three meters password
'Shi Ying House backyard, keep the old walls of the Wuchang last three meters.' Scorpion, Born in 1981, 'Peach Seikei city tour' initiator. Scorpion doctoral specialty is ancient Chinese literature, but apparently, he prefers OK Miles roads, streets Wuhansanzhen every one, have left off 'scorpion tail' marks. Like Dan Brown's Rome, scorpions Wuhan has his own password. always wearing the hat, a man dressed in hip-hop promoter of urban culture, leisure time, or a letter of tea master in his series of works, there is a cup called 'hermit in the city,' the tea, scorpions obviously not a hermit, he just caught hidden in Wuhan city corner secret when I follow in his footsteps to find those who have been forgotten in Wuhan city password, Wuhan burning like a bowl of dry noodles eaten, fresh and a plot top China tours.
First stop, Tanhualin 32, Mr. Liu Gong Mansion site. Door closed, but will be able to probe into the digital camera Guaige Wan door, get a glimpse of the main hall of the Corinthian columns on the porch. Scorpion told me, on behalf of the Wuchang Uprising 'Uprising The flag '1.90 eighteen star flag, was born in this building lingering charm of the French countryside villa-style building.
The second station, Shi Ying former residence of the old man does not know, Wuhan Shi Ying, the Sun's comrades, like a train ride steerage of the 'republic's first clean government' in the city of Wuchang wusheng have a back door Walls possessions 1927 -1929 Wuchang staged a 'demolition of the city in mind,' the clerk asked Shi Ying, 'outside the walls removable? '' together with the house demolition. 'seemingly casual word, leaving Wuchang City Ming the last paragraph of the ancient city wall in order to meet the Xinhai Centennial, who blasted Governor uprising gate tower complex built next door walls 333 meters uprising, a new look compared to the spotlight before bracing walls, Shi Ying backyard planted with potted flowers that Jimmy , crumbling old walls, but rather an old friend, looking comfortable kind.
The third station, Hanyang door in the eyes of the scorpion, Wuchang Han Yang Mun's role as Champ de Mars in Paris in the Champ de Mars, looking at the Eiffel Tower, the Eiffel Tower became the gateway to the miracles of the Tower of Babel, in Hanyang door marshland, scorpions said to me, 'You see the Yangtze River tour Yangtze River Bridge, just lying there in the Eiffel Tower.' 54-year-old Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge across the Snake Hill in Wuchang and Hanyang Kameyama, between the bridge did not pass before the Yellow Crane Tower is actually the site At Hanyang door next to the Yellow Crane Angeles, and Kameyama across the river on Riverside House, Bridge repair pass, the fairy riding a crane can be no freedom of movement between Qionglouyuyu in two, meaning heavy industrial clank steel frame for the classic Cinderella myth adds legendary. This is somewhat similar to the Louvre and the Louvre glass pyramid in front of the wonderful visual combinations.
Riverside Hanyang door has become rubble, but the huge bridgehead and the pier dock gates Wuhan people's thoughts, each to Wuhan from Hubuxiang Mrs. Hsu family eating paste soup with fried dough sticks, I will cut across the path of democracy in the Republic of style, came close to the pier marshland Hanyang door every time, there are always people in Wuhan put water bottles thrown into the River, there are always a golden retriever or labrador struggling to swim to the bottle Diao back then, which is living in Wuhan unique riverside walk the dog in a way which makes me feel that time has not elapsed before. Later, I thought, maybe around the tall iron bridge brings eternal meaning - After more than 70 times after the impact, the bridge remained motionless, Wuhan, called the 'bridge strong.'
Fourth leg, long life together. Scorpion said to take me to the barber shop, I was in Malacca, old-fashioned barber shop let old mother with herbs starched hair, in Guangzhou, is only a small island village shop have seen an old barber chair beams flying cat. Wuhan there are more fanciful barber shop? 'Chiang Kai-shek and the Mei Lanfang are here cut overdone.' Scorpion spoke slowly.
Hankou Zhongshan Road and Station Road Interchange, sitting three small Western-style Church of longevity former French Concession popular China travel package continuation charm from its inception in 1911, on display in Hall longevity, 'eighteen shaved weapons,' the epitome of centuries recorded in Wuhan A hundred years ago, Wuhan, master barber mostly from Yangzhou, they hand pick pole, a washbasin a stove, yelling street Revolution of 1911 after a successful barber business has become the meat and potatoes, Yangzhou Cheung Chui years out 'longevity Church', is nothing more than overtones fixed place for a long time to find a quiet. Zhang may not think that he created life together, have become China's first haircut well documented.
Sanyuesan Festival, also called March Third Festival, is an exciting traditional festival of the Buyi people, which held in every 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month of the year. The Buyi people scatter fried corns on the slopes and sing folk songs to pray for a bumper harvest. The festival China vacation deals is full of songs and wonderful folk cultures, which attract flocks of visitors each year.
During the festival, the local young boys and girls come from different parts of the region, singing and dancing together to show their feelings, so the festival is also known as " Sanyuesan Song Festival". Some of them like joining in the singing competition, while others like singing in antiphonal style by blowing the tree leaves in the dense forest, or travel in groups along the stream playing with the water and singing cheerfully.
The locals take it as a good chance to find their lovers, and they will present gifts to each other when finding they are congenial. Bamboo Dance top China tours is a must during the festival by girls and boys. Some other interesting activities include push-and-pull, wrestling, shooting and swinging and so on.
As a kind of ballad singing, the folk songs of the Buyi ethnic group usually accompanied by eight kinds of musical instruments, the long history can be traced back more than two thousand years ago. The tune and lyrics of the songs were passed down orally from generation to generation. It is usually sung during holidays and weddings. The art form has been recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage.
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Several religious practices are associated with Ringha’s "Temple of the 5 Wisdom Buddhas". Devotees come here to pray for good health, to be cured of illnesses and to be blessed with children. In an effort to accumulate good karma, the faithful release chickens and other animals that had been slated for slaughter and allow them to roam freely. Afterwards, the devotees walk clockwise around the sacred hill and pray to have their wishes fulfilled. The serenity of the old pine forest helps with the concentration on the prayers.
According to an ancient legend, a venerable Buddhist monk from India went on pilgrimage to Tibet last minute China travel deals accompanied by his goat. After traveling for three years the odd couple reached the valley of Ringha and his goat refused to move another inch. That moment the monk knew that he had found a sacred place where he had to stay and build a temple on the hill.
Even though the origins of the "Temple of the 5 Wisdom Buddhas" are shrouded in mystery, the place has always held a special place in the hearts of the Tibetan community and is considered one of the five prominent Tibetan temples in the Yunnan province. At least 700 years old, the compound was visited by the 5th Dalai Lama who meditated in the grounds. And while much of the building was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the local villagers raised the funds to rebuild the main prayer hall, a small and modest structure. Unfortunately, only three miniature statues have survived from the original temple best tours of China.
Hundreds of prayer flags inscribed with auspicious symbols, invocations and mantras are planted on the hill, as it is believed that the prayers and mantras are blown heavenward as offerings to the deities and henceforth bring benefits to the ones who hang them, their neighborhoods and all sentient beings, even flying birds.
On the way downhill, rotating prayer wheels or chokhors line the stairs with Om Mani Padme Hung mantras etched in relief on the cylinders.
Tibetans believe that every rotation of a prayer wheel equals one utterance of the mantra, so by turning the wheels clockwise one accumulates merits, replaces negative effects with positive ones and improves one’s karma in the next life. In the process, Buddhists also recite the Om Mani Padme Hung mantra, which teaches us that one can transform one's impure body, speech and mind into those of a Buddha by following the Path, which requires both wisdom and the correct method.
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Qiuse (autumn color) is one of the local custom that with strong Lingnan features, Foshan affordable China travel packages as its famous hometown, colorful activities are held in autumn in celebration of the autumn harvest each year. Furthermore, Foshan is known as one of the four most famous ancient towns in China, a great many of the folk festivals are held within the year.
Qiuse Activities
Qiuse activities are colorful and with strong local folk cultures, that can be devided into two categories which are performing arts and handicrafts. Performing arts include lantern demonstrations, playing with dragon lanterns, acting out drama stories, lion dance, walking on high stilts and so on. The handicrafts top China tours inlude sculptures, needle carving, pasting, paper sculpting, etc.
Lion Dance
Lion dance is one of the most interesting activities during the Qiuse festival. Also called Xingshi in Chinese, is a form of local folk art based on martial skills and the imitation of a lion's body movements, and also an entertainment and activity to improve health. The lion is performed mainly by two players, one holding the head while the other holding the back part of the lion popular China travel package.
Follow the master with a dragon pearl, the lion dances to the rhythm of the drums, songs and cymbals. It spread all over Lingnan Region early in the Ming Dynasty. And now, lion dance is so popular locally that every holiday
or joyous occasion witnesses lion dance keenly playful for the sake of celebration, especially during the Spring Festival China guide.
People in Beijing may all know something about the traditional course of China vacation deals Beijing: Su Zao Rou. And its taste attracts many people. Exactly how to make such a delicious dish? Here let’s have a try.
Su Zao Rou (meat in broth) is unique to Beijing. It is neither homemade nor prepared for banquets. However, locals cherish a great fondness for this dish. The words “Su Zao” do not mean that the dish is cooked in the Suzhou style, but it is a common assumption. The recipe was from the court of the Qing Dynasty. Cooked with several traditional Chinese medicines and spices, the dish is appetizing and has many benefits for the spleen. Braising and simmering are very important in the cooking process best tours of China . What the words “Su Zao” actually mean is that this dish is both soft and crisp. Main ingredients of Su Zao Rou are pork and pig offal. The secret of delicious Su Zao Rou lies in the stock and Su Zao broth. Famous braised pork with soy sauce depends on the proper preparation and preservation of stock. For example, Tianfu Restaurant is expert at stock, thus its famous braised pork shoulder with soy sauce is highly spoken of. Boiling the meat in the stock is the first procedure. The second and also the last procedure is making it soft and crisp. When preparing the Su Zao broth, add a proportional amount of soy sauce and salt into water. Grind the traditional Chinese medicines into powder, seal them in a small well-sewed cloth bag, and put the bag in the boiling soup. When the scent of medicines and seasoning is clear and fragrant, the Su Zao broth is ready and it can be used for simmering meat. Remaining Su Zao broth is preserved, increased and recycled just like stock. Slice the meat and put it in a bowl (or pot or jar as appropriate), sprinkle the meat with the stock, and no other seasoning is necessary (spicy food lovers may add some spicy sesame oil). It is then ready to eat. It can be eaten together with wine or sesame pancakes popular China travel package. The broth is thick and fresh, and the meat is soft and crisp. Su Zao Rou is a unique and tasty dish suitable for people all ages.
According to the above instructions, do you succeed in make your own Su Zao Rou?
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Lu'an, a name that cannot be heard from many people, seems a little different from tourism or beautiful sceneries, however, it has another famous name called Western Anhui last minute China travel deals, filled with plenty of classical and elegant sense, making people look forward to this beautiful and mysterious land which hasn't been founded; it belongs to the center of economy, political and cultural center near Dabie Mountain.
Talking about Dabie Mountain, it is the war historic site that has no link with natural scene and smoke of gunpowder no longer exist, however, the real Dabie Mountain expresses its unique charming with its own beauty. People who travel to Dabie Mountain will go to the main peak Baimajian, where is full of splendid trees and grasses, forming a natural oxygen bar that once you are tired with climbing, you can become vivid after several deep breath. It would be a healthy journey for you after staying in the big city for a long time, admiring the roadside natural sceneries.
Autumn Dabie Mountain best tours of China has a different beauty, trees have already said goodbye to the monotonous green color and changed into the colorful clothes, including the green, dim yellow, vivid golden and deep red, which is as if an oil painting with deep ink but still keeps the beauty of nature.,walking along the stone alley toward the main peak of Baimajian, yellow leaves that lying on the street shape into a golden carpet, giving out the rustle when stepping on them. When it is sunset, the entire forest becomes red, withered and yellow thatch is flying along the wind, giving you another sense of beauty.
Shou County – The Ancient County
Shou County, a name that gives people an ancient sense, carries a deep historical lingering charm, and it is true that it was the capital of Chu State in the Warring States Time, the hometown of Chu culture and therefore it was called as Chu Capital, at the same time, it is the place that Battle of Fei River Yangtze River tour taken place, you can even date back to many things until now.
There in Shou County, you can find many historical walls built since Song Dynasty, there are four gates in the wall, south, north, west and east, and the most marvelous thing is that there are barbicans in North and South Gates, which were meant to protect outer forces from breaking into, a stone turtle head stands along the East Gate.
There is no ticket shot, people inside the ancient wall live happily as they like, giving us a sense of freely, and non-desirable. Wondering along the ancient wall, a historical feeling filled your brain by touching those stones that emerged from great vicissitudes, no words can be used as a description toward it.
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Location: Lovers’ Rock, Bowen Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Date: seventh day of the seventh lunar month. 13 Aug 2013; 2 Aug 2014; 20 Aug 2015.
Level of participation: 2 - see dazzling displays of domestic prowess and gaze at the starry symbols of two lovers China tour deals.
Qi Xi is the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Night. In a tradition that pre-dates Christ (not to mention speed dating), single girls carry out tasks to impress potential lovers. Also called Night of the Skills, the event sees girls showing off their talents at domestic duties such as embroidery and melon carving. They throw a sewing needle into a bowl of water and, if it floats, that indicates the girl is an accomplished knitter.
The festival honours seven fairy sisters who, while swimming, had their clothes stolen by a cheeky cowherd. Sent to ask for their clothes back, the youngest and most beautiful sister had to marry the mortal because he had seen her naked.
When her mother got wind of the unsuitable match, she angrily formed a river Yangtze River tour in the sky to divide them - the Milky Way. On this night, magpies fly into the heavens and create a bridge to unite the lovers.
Girls make offerings of flowers, food and face powder to the stars representing the couple. When the ceremony is over, in the hope of sharing the seventh sister’s celestial beauty, they throw half the powder on the roof and use the rest.
Local attractions: While the festival takes place throughout China, Hong Kong tours Hong Kong’s Lovers’ Rock is a pilgrim site for newlyweds and singletons.
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Most of the dwelling houses of the Bouyei Ethnic Minority are stone houses of stilt style or half-side building style. Zhenning Autonomous County and Anshun City of Guizhou Province affordable China tours inhabited by Bouyei ethnic group are abundant in high-quality building stones. The local Bouyei people tailor measures to suit local conditions and make use of local stones to build their houses with distinctive ethnic characteristics.
The walls of the stone house are built up with stone stripes or blocks to a height of 5 or 6 meters featuring weather-tight stone roofs to protect from wind and rain. Except for the purlines and rafters, all are made of stones, even including domestic tables, benches, kitchen stoves and earthen bowls. Everything looks unadorned and impregnable.
In West Guizhou Province, starting from Guiyang Cityall the way to Pingba County, Anshun City, Puding County top China tours, Zhenning Autonomous County and Guanling Autonomous County, there is a kind of stone house out of the common whose foundations, walls and roofs are all made of stones except for several beam columns.
Lime mortar is generally used as adhesive for foundations and walls of the stone houses, while adhesives made of sticky rice or water extracted from the Chinese goosebeery roots are for taller buildings, which is a kind of special architectural technique with a long history in Guizhou Province.
The stone houses place great emphasis on decoration which is of great variety. All symbols and patterns have certain symbolic meanings and are not designed simply for the sake of decoration and beauty but with profound cultural connotations.
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Chinese food in China (real Chinese food, as many like to proclaim) is very different to the kind of food altered to local tastes for consumption in other countries. Indeed, many overseas Chinese people are highly critical of the food of Chinese in other countries, deeming it to be to ‘samey’ and not at all reflecting the huge diversity of styles and flavors to be found on the mainland, Taiwan and Hongkong Hong Kong travel. Chinese food in many western countries is commonly considered to be MSG (read- head ache inducing) laden greasy fare that is only to be used as a takeaway option. Many foreigners that arrive in China are then surprised by the variety and incredible quality of Chinese food and they become Chinese cuisine converts. Chinese people and foreigners have differing opinions on many foods; though there are also foods that are universally popular. Here’s the lowdown on a few of China’s most internationally popular dishes and what Chinese people think of them too.
Kungpao Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken is Guizhou’s most famous dish. It is popular among both Chinese and foreigners, though much more so with foreigners. The dish is named after Ding Baozhen, a late Qing Dynasty official who was born in Guizhou and served in Sichuan China vacation deals. His name, Gong Bao, roughly translated as’ palatial guardian’, is where the name Kung Pao chicken comes from. The dish’s main ingredients are chicken, dried red chili peppers and peanuts and the dish has tangy, spicy, sweet, salty and crunchy flavors and textures
Should you dine with a big group of foreigners in China, it is highly likely that at least one of them will request Gongbaojiding. It is a running joke amongst Chinese people with foreign friends that said friends are likely to order Gongbaojiding when dining. So predictable! Many Chinese people, however, are a little less enthusiastic about the dish. Many believe that this lesser popularity stems from a couple of reasons. The first being that Chinese people are not such big fans of chicken breast, considering it bland and dry. They often prefer more texture in the form of gizzards, skin and cartilage from chickens. Another reason is that many Chinese people are not so fond of dishes with strongly flavored sauces when eating out because such sauces are sometimes used to mask the flavor of bad meat
Dumplings
Though often confused with Wonton by Westerners, dumplings are a dish which are very popular indeed amongst foreigners dining on Chinese food. The main differences between wontons and dumplings are that wonton are always served in soup where as dumplings are dipped in sauces and are also constructed from a slightly more firm, sturdy and thick casing. Chinese people have been honing the skill of dumpling creation since the Song dynasty. And Chinese dumplings, commonly eaten during spring festival, are either round or half moon-shaped, boiled or pan-fried.
When eating dumplings many people like to make up a mixture of vinegar, dried ground chili and garlic. This taste fantastic although it should be warned that this gives the eater pretty stinky breath. Some favorite dumpling fillings are egg and chives, pork and mushroom and ‘three vegetable treasures’ susanxian. Unlike Kungpao chicken, dumplings are a kind of Chinese food agreed upon by both Chinese and foreign dinners, the common consensus: fantastically tasty. Everyone in China loves dumplings; though older, traditional people may believe that dumplings should not be everyday staples and that their consumption should just be limited to Chinese New Year; so as to maintain their special place in culinary culture and keep their status as a real treat, just as they were in the old days.
Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are commonly eaten as an appetizer, eaten either fresh or fried. They are usually eaten during the Spring Festival top China tours in China, hence the name. The dish bears auspicious connotations thanks to the fact the rolls resembles gold bars and diners associate this with wealth and prosperity. Though often associated with China, Spring rolls are in fact a predominantly Vietnamese dish. Vietnamese spring rolls come in two different kinds, one is the traditional deep fried flour variety which is filled with vegetables such as bean sprouts, the other includes fresh vegetables such as cucumber and is served raw.
This is why in many of China’s city’s you are more likely to see them on the menu of Korean, Thai or Vietnamese restaurants rather than at traditionally Chinese eateries. Though a popular ‘chinese’ food worldwide, it is true that many Chinese people, especially those of certain areas in the north and west have never eaten such a dish. Spring rolls are definitely a yummy culinary treat but they are far from being representative of real authentic Chinese cuisine, as many Chinese people will attest.
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A Brief Introduction to Drigongti Temple
Drigongti Temple is located in the Menba Town of Mozhugongka County about 70 kilometers northeast of the Xuerong River Yangtze River tour. It was built in 1179 by RenQinbei-the founder of the Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After the construction of the temple, it became the center for the temples of Drikung Kagyu sect. It was built among the steep mountains and is very magnificent. Today, there are about 300 monks in the temple.
History of Drigongti Temple
The Drikung Kagyu sect was originally quite large a sect of Tibetan Buddhism. But in the reign of Sakya, Dtikung Kagyu sect was at odds with the Skaya sect. Later, a battled began between the two sects and lasted for a long time. It is said that, apart from the fact that the monks of the two sects fought each other, the eminent monks of the two sects even held rituals to cast spells to fight against the enemy. Following that, the Tantra monks of the two sects fought secretly. In 1290, the Sakya sect came to the Drigongti Temple from afar to fight a decisive battle. At that time, the supernatural power of the eminent monks was almost useless for it was a close battle between the monks with their hands and bodies. At last, the Drikung Kagyu sect was beaten by the Sakya sect and the Drigongti Temple affordable China tours was almost destroyed in the war. The majority of the buildings in the temple were ruined. In the following time, it was restored and rebuilt successively and there are more than 300 monks now in the temple.
Attractions of Drigongti Temple
Drikung Mandala
The most famous celestial burial platform of Tibet top 10 China tours is located in the Drigongti Temple. In the world, there are altogether two well-known celestial burial platforms. One is the Siwacai Celestial Burial Platform in India and the other one is the celestial burial platform in the Drigongti Temple. It is called Drikung Mandala. According to a local saying, if one receives the abhiseka ritual of the living Buddha, he will go to the heaven rather than the hell after he dies. Therefore, many people send the dead to this celestial burial platform in the hope that their relatives can go to the heaven. Countless colorful Fengma (wind and horses) Flags (Fengma Flags are used to pray for the dead) hang on around the celestial burial platform, waving in the wind.
Stupas
There are 6 stupas of the living Buddhas not far from the celestial burial platform. Inside these stupas lay the remains of the dignitary. Stone carvings of the Buddhism scriptures are piled up around these stupas. In this way, the souls of the dead dignitary live forever.
Temples near Drigongti Temple
There are many temple buildings of the Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism near the Drigiongti Temple, one after another. It is said that there were once altogether more than 30 temple buildings near the Drigongti Temple while there are only 6 or 7 remained. In the deep of the mountain streams lies a temple named Dezhong Nunnery. It is a famous ashram for the self-cultivation of the nuns. There is a hot spring named Dezhong Hot Spring in the nunnery. With a moderate temperature, it can cure many diseases. Many people come here to enjoy the magical effects of the Dezhong Hot Spring. On the bank of the lower- middle reaches of the Xuerong River lie the Ya'ergang Temple, the Zongtze Temple, the Zhaxue Temple, Gatze Temple and so on.
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0.3 miles from Qingdao Railway Station, Zhan Bridge (trestle in Chinese China vacation deals), a Qingdao landmark, welcomes travelers at their first stop in this beautiful coastal city.
Originally built in 1891 as a naval pier, Zhan Bridge is 440-meter (1444-foot) long and 10-meter (33-foot) wide with giant granite supports. Lotus-shaped lamps provide illumination and decoration. At the south end of the bridge is a Chinese style octagon pavilion standing in contrast to European buildings in the background best tours of China.
Qingdao Bay is crescent shaped; like an arrow, the bridge shoots into the broad sea. Standing afar, a white lighthouse braves the waves and wind, while the Small Green Island (Xiao Qind Dao) is a serene platform for exuberant trees. Dynamic and static scenes meld.
No. 6 Beach west of the bridge and Zhan Bridge Park around the bridge invite visitors to enjoy the beauty of Qingdao Bay.
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A Brief Introduction to Three - Color Lakes
Three-colors Lakes is located in the Bianba County of Qamdo prefecture in Tibet last minute China travel deals, 50 kilometers away from the town. Three-color Lakes is a group of three lakes-the White Lake, the Black Lake and the Yellow Lake on the elevation of 4,200 kilometers. The lakes are surrounded by snow-mountains, forests, springs and waterfalls, all of which form a harmonious and beautiful landscape.
Legend about Three - Color Lakes
There is a beautiful legend about Three-color Lakes. According to the legend, the three lakes-White Lake, Black Lake and Yellow Lake, were originally three brave and valiant soldiers of King Gesar. Water in the three lakes never was inexhaustible just as the three senior generals of King Gesar would never die.
Cause of Formation of Three - Color Lakes
As for the cause of formation of the Three-color Lakes best tours of China, there is no final conclusion but three viewpoints. The first viewpoint goes that the lakes are of various depths, so they take on different colors. The second standpoint is that the mineral substances of the rocks in the lakes are diverse, which leads to the variety of the lakes' colors. While the last idea is that the difference of the water plants on the bottom of the lake gives rise to the diversity of the lakes' colors.
Attractions of Three - Color Lakes
The Three-color Lakes are embraced by green trees with waterfalls flowing into the lakes. Interestingly, these waterfalls are crystal clear before fall into the lakes. As soon as they fall into the lakes, the colors change immediately. There is a stream connecting the Black Lake and the White Lake. What is astonishing is that water in the Black Lake turns white the moment it flows into the White Lake popular China tour package. Many schools of big fish can be found in the Three-color Lakes, for the local people on the lakeshore never eat fish due to their religious faith.
In Tibetan, the White Lake is called Tsogar with white and grey water in it and lush green trees reflected on the surface of the lake. The Black Lake is called Tsonar in Tibetan. It is the largest lake among the three lakes. The Black Lake looks like ink pond from afar, with mountains surrounding it and unfathomable depth. The Yellow Lake is called Tsosi in Tibetan and is the smallest lake among the three lakes. In the sunshine, the water takes on a golden look with mists and clouds pervading above the lake. The Yellow Lake and the earth are of the same color.
Sceneries of the Three-color Lakes are different in different seasons. If you arrange your Tibet tour in April or May, you will have the chance of enjoying the azaleas on the lakeshores and wild ducks and black swans flying above the lakes. If you are lucky enough, you can also come across the national-level rare and endangered wild animals such as flocks of argali sheep and so on.
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Dianjiang Peony Ecotourism Zone - Brief Introduction
Diangjiang Peony Ecotourism Zone is located in Taipin town, Diangjiang County of Chongqing Yangtze River tour and it is 100 kilometers away from the main city zone of Chongqing. The Hurong speedway and Yuwu Road go through the land from north to south. Dianjiang Peony Ecotourism zone is 9 kilometers from Dianjiang County and it has an urban area of 30 square kilometers. Recently, the peony garden has passed the inspection and evaluation of the national tourism administration and became one of the demonstration centers of agritourism. It is also the only national tourist site of Dianjiang, with acreage under peony of 2.5000 mus, being the first of our country. Each March, the peony would be in full bloom, with a florescence of half a month.
Dianjiang Peony Ecotourism Zone - Dianjiang Peony Festival
Dianjiang Peony Festival China vacation deals is held every March for the enjoyment of the sight of peony. On every occasion, many stars are invited, by now, Song zuying, Pan Weibo, SHE, and Sun Yanzi have been there for the art performance. Since the festival, the number of tourists going there has been increased greatly, from 6.8000 to 60.7000, with an average annual increase of 39.5 percent. By now, the festival has been held for 12 times. After the cultivation and development of years, Dianjiang Peony Festival has been a national important tourist festival. At the same time, apart from the New Year, it is the most grand and magnificent festival for the Dianjian People.
Dianjiang Peony Ecotourism Zone - Tips
As for the attraction, there are three garden districts: Taipin Lake Peony competitive garden, Bailing Mountain Peony competitive garden and Kaizhifeng Peony Competitive garden top China tours. The first florescence is Mar, 25 to 30, and the full florescence is Mar, 31 to Apr, 10.At the Peony Ecotourism Zone, it is one person one ticket, and the entrance ticket is 20 Yuan. There are narrators for you.
Dianjiang Peony Ecotourism Zone - Transportation
If you are self-drive, you may go through the Yuyi Highway (Chongqingrenhe - Changshou County - Dianjiang County), with a mileage of 126 kilometers and road toll of 80 Yuan. If you go the Yuwu Road, you may go to Taipin from the northern station of Dianjiang, with a mileage of 8 kilometers and to and from road toll of 6 Yuan. You also may take a bus at the northern station of Chongqing, of course, there is bus to Dianjiang at Chaotianmen, Caiyuanba and chenjiapin. When you get to Dianjiang, you may take the bus from Dianjiang to Taipin at the southern station.
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Below are are useful tips after I went on a Mt. Huangshan tour affordable China travel packages and can be a reference for anyone who would like to take a mountain tours:
Start early
Start your hike early, as it takes about 6 hours or more to reach the summit.
Travel light and take only the essentials
Travel light and take only the essentials - Bring a backpack with a jacket, as temperature drops as altitude increases and the weather is a little chilly in the late night and early morning. Buy your bottled water and some light snacks in a Tunxi grocery or someplace else before arriving at Huangshan. Once you arrive at Huangshan, the higher you climb, the higher the prices climb with you!
Hire a porter
Leave the unnecessary behind, as there are LOTS and LOTS of stairs. If you have no choice but to travel with your luggage and your hotel is at the summit, you’d better hire a porter to carry your bag. The porter will walk along with you, explaining major sites along the way (only in Chinese though), and look after you! The price is always overpriced, and you must negotiate the price first with the porter. The fabulous views of the Mountains do make it all worth while.
Wear comfortable shoes
Be prepared to climb hundreds of steps up & down to various peaks top 10 China tour packages. As stairs are narrow somewhere and the ground may be slippery, be careful when you walk along the edge of cliff and stairs. No high heel shoes!! Sneakers are good enough while sturdy comfortable hiking shoes can be a better choice. Don’t let people push you over! When observe do not move. Take care & watch out!
Use a walking stick
A walking stick is very useful even if you are just going up and down by cable cars and walking the steps on the top of Mt. Huangshan. It can help you to balance and reduce the weight on your knees. Do not throw them away. Take them home as souvenir to remember the wonderful and tiring moments at Mt. Huangshan.
Bring a raincoat instead of umbrella
Never use umbrella, always wear your raincoat (it can be bought there popular China tour package), as wind in the mountains can be very strong, it would be a safety hazard to use an umbrella. Also umbrella can block your view. It might rain in Huangshan. A rainjacket will protect you both from rain and wind.
No smoking
Apparently you are not free to smoke wherever you like. There are designated areas for smoking. So do your part of preventing a fire caused by cigarettes from destroying Huangshan. Breathe the fresh air instead.
No rubbish
If you see the old men carrying all the material up and carrying all the rubbish down the steep mountain steps every day, you would not want to waste anything up there or throw any rubbish inconsiderately. Keep Huangshan beautiful and natural for everyone who is visiting or will visit in the future. Natural environment cannot be protected only by picking up rubbish.
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Nyingchi Prefecture is located at the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River Yangtze River tour in southeastern Tibet. It is 3000 meters above the sea level. It is a place with beautiful natural landscape. The Namjabarwa Peak, the worldly famous Yarlung Zangbo Canyon, Lake Pagsum Co, Zayu and Bome attract tourists both at home and abroad with their unique natural sceneries.
Natural Landscapes in Nyingchi Prefecture - Lake Pagsum Co
Lake Pagsum Co is also known as the Lake Conggo. It is located at Xoka District in Gongbogyamda County with an elevation of more than 4000 meters. It is more than 300 kilometers away from Lhasa. In the middle of the lake, there is an ancient temple of the Rnyingma Sect built in the 17th century. During the Walking around the Lake Festival on 15th of the fourth month according to the Tibetan calendar, Buddhist believers from Nyingchi and other places would come to walk around the lake.
Natural Landscapes in Nyingchi Prefecture - Big Turn of Yarlung Zangbo River
Yarlung Zangbo River originates from the middle section of the northern slope of the Himalaya Mountain. It is more than 6000 meters above the sea level. It runs suddenly in Mainling County and cuts the Himalaya Mountain affordable China tours into two sections. Then the river runs through a narrow passage between the two 7000-meter-high peaks of Namjabarwa and Jialabailei.
The flow of Yarlung Zangbo River at the big turn averages 1000 cubic meter per second per second year round. In one section less than 1000 meters, the drop is more than 300 meters and its current velocity is more than 18 meters per second. Here is the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon which was praised as the first canyon in the world. Standing by it, you will feel the fascination of the nature, including the precipitous cliffs, hot springs waterfalls, primeval forests, rare plants and animals.
Natural Landscapes in Nyingchi Prefecture - Pungri Holy Mountain
Pungri Holy Mountain is to the southest of Nyingchi County best tours of China seat on the northern bank of Yarlung Zangbo River. It is one of the mountains respected by the Bon believers. During a competition with the Bon, Buddhism gained the upper hand and put the Bon in the edge of termination. A legend says the Bon believer Aqiong Jibu destroyed the magic arts of the Buddhist master Padmasambhava in the power contests and thus saved the Bon.
It takes three days to walk around Pungri Mountain at least. It would take at least 7 days if the visitors would visit the monasteries around the mountain. In Nyingchi Prefecture, visitors could hire a horses and yaks for carrying the luggage. But the horse and yaks could not pass through the mountain pass and have to make a detour from the east slope. Food and lodging are available at the monasteries.
Natural Landscapes in Nyingchi Prefecture - Namjabarwa Peak
Yarlung Zangbo River has a big turn at the juncture of four counties of Nyingchi, Mainling, Medog and Bome. To the east of the turn stands the 7782-meter-high Namjabarwa Peak, the 15th highest peak in the world. It faces the Indian Ocean and reflects an obvious vertical landform. There is a tropical rain forest in its valley and it is a snow world above the snow line.
It is 404 kilometers from Lhasa to Bayi Town along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and 75 kilometers from Bayi Towan to Mainling. Then you can go eastward along the Yarlung Zangbo River for 91 kilometers and arrive in Pai, then go northward again to Gegar and walk to Anidanggar, the 3512 -meter-high camp for mountaineering the Namjagbawa Peak.
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Ziyuan is a beautiful county in Guilin last minute China travel deals. I heard of its beauty many years ago and was inspired to visit by a yearning to see its enchanting scenery. So, I got on the bus and began my journey in Ziyuan.
After a 2 hour trip from Guilin, I reached the small county that I had long anticipated seeing. The guide told us that a boat journey on Zijiang River was an experience not to be missed, so we picked up our cameras and took to the water. The journey to the wharf and the boat was not far, and I was certain that water would be the best vantage point from which to view Ziyuan. I had never seen a river as clear as Zijiang; it was easy to see fish, water plants and pebbles in the water. The water was so green that I could not help putting my hands in it to enjoy its cool and refreshing qualities. Alongside the river, there were many beautiful mountains. These mountains have more than 130 scene spots between them, such as Sail Stone, Sanniang (the third girl) Stone, Eye Stone and Torch Mountain. The shapes of the mountains were vivid and almost every scene spot has its legend. Listening to the guide?s explanation, I was surprised at the local people's imagination and culture China guide.
During our boat journey, we passed a village called Langtian where Yao people lived. Langtian Village is the biggest minority village near the Zijiang River. We stopped and were invited into the village by the enthusiastic Yao people who were ready in wait for visitors. Ziyuan is a region where ethnic minorities live; the major ethnicities are Yao and Miao, who still retain their customs and unique lifestyles. We enjoyed the Langtian people?s distinctive dances such as the Rattle Stick Dance; Yelling Dance and Stamp Dance. We also played a funny game called Carry the Bride, which is a special custom of Yao people.
Leaving, Langtian Village best tours of China, we continued on our journey. I breathed in the fresh air, admired the blue sky and the green water and listened to the birdsong. I would dare to say that if you were here, all of your troubles would quickly fade to irrelevance.
The second day and third day, we went to Bajiao (eight-horn) Mountain, Baoding Waterfall and Wupai River.
Bajiao Mountain is named for its peak whose shape is similar to that of eight horns. The main peak?s height above is 814 meters above sea level; it is surrounded by a group of mountains and shrouded in clouds which help it to appear as mystic as it is magnificent. The appearance of Bajiao Mountain is a rarity. Baoding Waterfall was praised by famous Chinese ancient tourist Xu Xiake. Its height is nearly 700 meters, divided into nine smaller stages. Of these the fifth one is the most magnificent in both size and appearance
At Ziyuan popular China travel package, I also ate many delicious edible wild herbs, which are not only pleasant tasting, but also possessed of health-giving qualities. I had spent many happy days here and was reluctant to leave. Therefore I introduce this beautiful place to you now. Furthermore I would suggest that if you pay this place a visit, you will fall in love with it too.
Nanshan Botanical Garden located at Nanshan Mountain and was found based on this mountain with a coverage area of 551 hectares in 1999. Nanshan Botanical Garden is 15 kilometers away from the downtown of Chongqing Municipality, which is the few suburban scenic spot of China with its rich negative ion and fresh air. Nanshan Botanical Garden affordable China tours is called "Green Protective Barrier" of Chongqing Municipality. It is a low mountain view of botanical garden of science research and garden art landscape, which mainly collects subtropical low mountain plant of China.
Nanshan Botanical Garden divided into 18 different kinds of specialized gardens such as ornamental plant area, scientific research area and plant ecological reserve. All the year around, you can smell the sweet fragrance so that Nanshan Botanical Garden was praised as the "Flower Crown in Chongqing City".
Nanshan Botanical Garden – Attraction
In the Nanshan Botanical Garden, there are Rose Garden, Bonsai Garden, Camellia Garden, Outskirts Park, Golden Eagle Park, and Central View Garden and so on. Nanshan Botanical Garden had collected more than 1,000 famous and precious flowers from home and abroad such as Chinese flowering apple, osmanthus fragrans, oriental cherry blossom, plum blossom, camellia, rhododendron, hyacinth orinntal, magnolia, crape myrtle and boneset.
Besides, you can have a walk on the Cherry Square, Fountain Square or just relax yourself on the leisure land. Nanshan Botanical Garden is the best place of summer resort.
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden top 10 China tours is one of the most famous gardens in Nanshan Botanical Garden. Covering an area of 176 mu (130,666 square meters), the garden integrates the landscape of parks and scientific meaning of botanical gardens. The Cherry Road and Cherry Square are crowded by people for enjoying the Cherry blossoms beauty especially from March to May annually.
Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Garden covers an area in excess of 30 mu (twenty thousand square meters) with different kinds of Bonsai and a lot of inscriptions, which shows a profound culture.
Camellia Garden
There are more than 170 different kinds of camellias with the number of 20 thousand in Camellia Garden. In addition, there are also full of ancient camellias of over one hundred year and other national rare plants.
Golden Eagle Park
The Golden Eagle Park lies on the Eagle Peak of Chongqing Nanshan Mountain, with a height of 701.13 meters above the sea level and an area of almost 200 mu (1 mu=666.67 square meters). It is the summit and one of the remarkable buildings of Chongqing Municipality. It is named Golden Eagle Park because of the golden eagle statue standing on a red conch in the park.
Single Tree Overlooking Stand
The Nanshan Single Tree Overlooking Stand is also a famous resort of Chongqing Municipality besides the Yangtze River Yangtze River tour, Three Gorges and Dazu grottos. It can accommodate thousands of people viewing at the same time. You won't miss it when you visit Nanshan Mountain and Nanshan Botanical Garden, which is the best place for Chongqing night view.
Outskirts Park
There are many historical relics of Ming Dynasty's and other facilities in the Outskiet Park in Nanshan Botanical Garden.
Central View Garden
Central View Garden is one of the cultural infrastructures with a coverage area of green land of 35000 square meters, which contains an area of water and wetland of 2500 square meters.
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Three Gorges is one of the top 10 sceneries of China top 10 China tours and also put on the top of a list of China's 40 best scenic spots. It is from Kuimen in Fengjie County to Nanjin pass in Yichang, extending 192 kilometers. Three Gorges consists of Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge. It has become the most splendid and magnificent landscape gallery along Yangtze River.
Unique Natural Scenery
There are high mountain ridges , sheer precipice and overhanging rocks on both banks, scenes are unusual matter-exhausted. The continuous cliffy peaks are generally 700-800 meters higher above the river. The narrowest place of river only has 100 meters or so. As the completion of The Three Gorges Dam project, it materializes the gorgeous scenery what is described in a poem by Mao Zedong, "A lake will appear around the deep gorge's crest".
History and Culture
Daxi Culture: Famous Daxi Culture (4400 BC-3300 BC) is a shining jewel in the river of Chinese history. The findings of Daxi Culture reveal the regional cultural heritage of Red Pottery and Painted Pottery culture which started at the middle reaches of Yangtze River Yangtze River tour.
Culture of Three Kingdoms: The gorges and the valleys used to be the ancient battle fields for innumerable heroes in the age of Three Kingdoms.
Celebrities and the relics about them: This area has attracted and inspired many poets and talents, such as great patriot poet Quyuan and famous talented woman Wang Zaojun. The great talented poets such as Libai, Bai Juyi, Sushi and Luyou has left their footprints among the manificent mountains and beautiful rivers, and they also created many classical poems and artiles.
Old Traditions
Dragon Boat Race: The main nationalities who live around Three Gorges are Han and Tujia people. On every 5th of May of lunar calendar, People of Chu will hold a sacrifice offering ritual (Dragon Boat Race) to express their respects to Quyuan.
Unique Marriage Custom of Tujia People: The marriage of Tujia girls seems to be a touching and dramastic opera. There are six complicated steps before marriage. They are Proposing, Background Checking, Birthday Matching, Presenting Betrothal Gifts, Presenting Wedding Gifts, Selecting the Wedding Date. Every step must be carried out one by one strictly in accordance with local trations.
Abundant Tourist Attractions
There are many beautiful attractions in Three Gorges. The most famous attractions include Fengdu Ghost City, Shibaozhai in Zhongxian County, Zhangfei Temple in Yunyang popular China travel package , White Emperor City, Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge, Xiling Gorge, the magnificent Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream and Lesser Three Gorges of Daning River.
Qutang Gorge
It extends 8 kilometers and is the shortest canyon of Three Gorges which is famous for its magnificent view.
Features of Qutang Gorge
Magnificent: The magnificent view is mainly presented by mountains. The main peak of the canyon is over 1,500 meters high.
Narrow: The channel of Qutang Gorge is very narrow. The width is about 100 meters, the narrowest channel is only several score meters wide.
Spectacles: Remains of Ancient Plank Road, Suspending Coffins of Bellows Gorge, stone inscriptions Fenbi Wall, Drinking Phoenix Spring and Hanging Monk Rock
Wuxia Gorge
Wuxia Gorge is famous for its elegance and it it the most outstanding part of Three Gorges.
Features of Wuxia Gorge
Elegance: The view of Wuxia Gorge is very elegant and beautiful and it differs in all kinds of postures.
Spectacles: It is always cloudy and rainy in the canyon. So it makes a spectacle called "Rainclouds Over Wushan". It is like in a delicate beautiful gallery. You can absolutely enjoy the awe inspiring view.
Xiling Gorge
Xiling Gorge extends 76 kilometers and is the longest canyon in Three Gorges. It is famous for its dangerous shoals and reefs.
Features of Xiling Gorge
Danger: The whole gorge is formed by shoals and reefs. It is described as gorges in gorge and shoals in shoal.
Spectacles: Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge, Ox Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, Kongling Gorge and Lantern Shadow Gorge
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Shanxi China vacation deals businessmen used to be the best at financing and the richest in China. At present, although the rich businessmen in the old days have passed away, their luxury mansions have been preserved. These grand mansions were exquisitely built, magnificent and comfortable; besides, their most distinctive feature is their tall walls and deep yards out of the defensive concern. Like solid castles, they are telling the history of the prosperous and rich businessmen in those days.
Among the folk residences in China, those in Shanxi and South Anhui are equally famous, as the saying goes, "Shanxi in the north and South Anhui in the south have the best folk residences of China". Among the Shanxi residences, the most luxurious and magnificent are those in the areas around the Fenhe River, among which the most representative are those in Qixian County and Pingyao top 10 China tours.
Qixian County is located in the south of Taiyuan and in the center of Shanxi. It is amazing that there are over 40 luxury residences with yards in the county. The reason why they are of high quality is that since the Ming Dynasty, many people in Qixian County have been travelling outside to do business, returned home after they got rich and spent extravagantly in building luxurious houses.
Qixian folk residences can perfectly demonstrate the main characteristics of Shanxi folk residences. First, they have tall outer walls. Looking from outside the houses, you may find the solid windowless walls, as tall as the buildings with four to five stories, are quite defensive. Second, most of the houses are built with the lean-to roof; the gable roof is rarely seen on the wing-rooms, the principal rooms or the bungalows. Due to the adoption of the lean-to roof and tall outer walls, the raindrops will flow into the courtyards and hence the saying "fertilized water is to enrich one's own land exclusively". Third, the courtyards are mostly in the shape of a rectangle with the distance from east to west shorter than that from south to north. The gate is often located at the southeast corner.
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Deep in the Taihang Mountain, about 60 kilometers northwest of Huixi County of Henan Province last minute China travel deals, there locates a small village called Guoliang Village. Guoliang Village is renowned by its unique and adventurous location, its beautiful natural scenery and unique culture.
The Village is constructed on the cliff which is as high as 1700 meters high with breathtaking scenery. Though Guoliang Village was existed in the late West Han Dynasty, Guoliang Village was almost isolated from the outside world as there was almost no transportation from the Guoliang Village to the outside world of Taihang Mountains. The only way to the village on the foot of the Taihang Mountain is the heaven ladder which is actually a mountain road that was chiseled on the mountain. It is quite tough road and dangerous.
Until the year of 1972, residents in the Guoliang Village plunked their courage and managed to construct a road which makes the Guoliang Village accessible to the outside world. And the road they constructed is the famous Guoliang Tunnel.
The uniqueness of Guoliang Village best tours of China lies in its high geographical location. It is located in the platform on the Taihang cliff, which is as high as more than 1700 meters. The Guoliang Tunnel, which is actually a caverned road, is about 1.3 kilometers long, five meters high and 4 meters wide.
Walking on the Guoliang Tunnel really need courage. This cliff corridor is a difficult path carved into the mountainside. It winds up according to the shape of the cliff. The tunnel is dark here but bright there, high here and low there. Some parts are quite flat, but some are quite uneven. All these are due to the geographical features of the cliff. But the tunnel is quite difficult to walk through, not to mention the ultra difficulty for the construction.
Because of its unique geographical location, Guoliang Tunnel popular China tour package is considered as a miracle by the outside world. Right along the road is the deep canyon, which may be hundreds of meters high, or a thousand meters high. So walking through this tunnel or driving on the tunnel is considered an adventure for most tourists.
The Guoliang Village has special and unique beautiful scenery and now has been a tourist destination for many people to admire its uniqueness. With the towering surrounding mountains, luxuriant forest and waterfalls are commonly seen in this area. Something special about the Guoliang Village itself is that most items in the village are made from stones. Walls and gates, daily utensils and tools are all made from stones from the mountains.
Around the Guoliang Village, there are many strange and peculiar stones of different shapes and postures that are loved by tourists. Not far away from the Guoliang Village, there are many caves that have special scenery to enjoy.
Now, the Guoliang Village is not only a tourist destination, it is also a famous film base where decades of TV series and films are shot there.
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The Yellow River Scenery China vacation deals was built 20 years ago and covers and area of 17 square kilometers. It consists of The Five Dragon Mount, Yue Mount, the Camel Mount and the City of the Two Han Kings. The scenery spots include the Sky Pavilion, the Polar-looking Pavilion, the Happy Pavilion, and the Hill Side Pavilion, the Bright River Veranda and the folk customs garden and the Yellow River Tablets. The spot enjoys the reputation of a sparking pearl on the Yellow River, which attract thousands of visitors from home and abroad.
The Five Dragon Mount is a key scenery spot and the lifeline of Zhengzhou top China tours. The Eight channels provide the main water resource for people's life and industry. The mountain ranges rise and fall, dotted with many pavilions. In the garden, guarded by the five dragons, lies the statue of the Yellow River Mother. The mother is dressed in the Tang suit, with a baby in her arms, looking kind and caring. Inside the Yue Mount Temple there are the Purple Gold Pavilion, the Iron Cable Bridge, the Peony Garden, the Rose Garden and the Botany Garden. Chairman Mao and Zhou Enlai ever set their feet here. The Purple Gold Pavilion is the best place to watch the sunrise.
There are also the status of the two Yan Kings, Dayu, and the sons and daughters of the Yellow River. The No.1 Bridge along the Yellow River can also be seen here. When evening comes and the lights are lighted, the light shadow reflections look like dragons swimming in the river.
The facilities for recreation are complete, including a 760-meter-long ramp with the maximum speed 12.5m/s. Besides, there are hover marines sailing on the Yellow River. The entertaining facilities can help the visitors enjoy the beauty of the Yellow River and feel the history of the Yellow River.
How to Get There?
Take No16 buses in front of the Number Two Hospital or any bus stop along the Nanyang Road and you will reach The Yellow River Scenery directly for your popular China tour package. Inside the spot, there is a 2,000-meter-long cableway between The Five Dragon Mount and the Camel Mount and the journey takes about 20 minutes.
More Tips:
1.Food:There are 20 restaurants and manors in the tourist spot, providing food and other services.
2.Shopping:Handicrafts such as the Yellow Mud ink stones are on sale
3.Accommodation:The Dahe Manor can provide accommodation
4.Suggested visit time: one day
tags: travel to China
As a grand festival for worshiping Pan Hu, a remote ancestor of the Yao ethnic minority, King Pan Festival is evolved from the "Dance of King Pan" which was directed at expressing appreciation China vacation dealsto King Pan for his favor and also praying for offspring's safety by means of singing and dancing. During the festival, people of the Yao ethnic group will sing the Song of King Pan and perform tambourin dance to worship the ancestor, in combination with a series of celebrating activities such as performance of devil stick dance and shooting off festival fireworks. Young men and women will single out their dream lovers in the antiphonal singing contests.
Being an epic created collectively and passed on from generation to generation, the Song of King Pan has various contents as its theme, such as the ancestors' pioneering, migration, mountain furrowing, hunting, love and marriage, etc. It contained initially some sheer religious ballads and was added with huge quantities of secular contents in the course of spreading best tours of China. Therefore, its content has been increasingly richer and seven days and nights will be required to sing it through.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Pan Hu succeeded in chopping off the head of King Gao, an enemy of King Ping, who then betrothed his third daughter to Pan Hu and appointed him as king. Pan Hu was hereby awarded the honorific title "King Pan". Afterwards, King Pan and the third princess gave birth to six sons and six daughters. It is at that time that twelve surnames of the Yao ethnics came into being. Subsequently, King Pan was butted by an antelope off a cliff and passed away. His sons and daughters then made a tambourin out of sheepskin and worshiped their father by means of singing and dancing. This ceremony was held on every birthday of King Pan from then on. Still, another saying goes that the offspring of King Pan fortunately survived disasters in the course of migration by making a vow to King Pan. They then redeemed vows to him on his birthday annually. This is why King Pan Festival is also called "Redeeming vows to King Pan".
As a form of continuity of Yao people's traditional culture, King Pan Festival is an embodiment of their respect and gratitude to their ancesto
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Beijing Zoo
The Beijing Zoo is located at North Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District. Founded in 1906 during the late Qing Dynasty, the Beijing Zoo China travel deals is the first of its kind to be opened in China and has the largest animal collections in the country. Covering a total area of some 86 hectares, including a water area of 86,000 hectares, it is home to about 450 species of animals, totaling more than 5,000, and 500-odd species of marine fish, totaling more than 10,000. There are mainly the Panda House, Antelope House, Elephant Kraal, Bear Hill, Rhinoceros House, Orang House, Song Bird House and Amphibian and Reptile House in the zoo. It also has African zebras, Australian Kangaroos, and musk oxen. Rare animals special to China include giant panda, golden monkey, white-lipped deer, Siberian tiger and red-crowned crane and so on. The Beijing Zoo is not only a venue for science popularization and scientific experiment but also a good place for recreation. Over 6 million domestic and foreign tourists visit the zoo every year.
Beijing Happy Valley
The Beijing Happy Valley China best tours is located at the southeast corner of Sifang Bridge at the East Fourth Ring Road in Chaoyang District. Covering an area of 560,000 square meters, it is the largest, most internationalized and modern theme park built with more investment than any others in China. The Beijing Happy Valley features “fashionable, dynamic, joyful, dreamy”, and integrates the marine, terrestrial and aerial recreations both in the daytime and at night. It is an important symbol of experiencing tourism in Beijing. The Valley elaborately establishes 50-odd special sights, over 10 performances items, 30-plus recreational facilities and 20-odd games and auxiliary commercial facilities, creating a mysterious world.
Taipingyang Underwater World
Under the CCTV Tower, the Taipingyang Underwater World is a comprehensive modern center popular China travel package, mainly displaying the living marine resources and integrating popular science education, appreciation and entertainment. Here you can appreciate various beautiful and mysterious marine living creatures, and the beautiful scenery at the bottom of the sea. The aquarium contains more than 4,000 cubic meters of water and raises several hundred species of marine organisms, ranging from large sharks to colorful coral fishes. Over 20,000 marine fishes of more than 300 species live and swim comfortably in the aquarium. An 80-meter long automatic walkway will carry you along the tunnel and at the same time offers the best view of the aquarium. The rich-colored coral reef and swimming shoal around make you feel you are at the bottom of the sea.
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Nestled in green hills with clear stream run through, Zhongshan Old Town is about two hours' drive south of Chongqing City Yangtze River tour. The old town is line with wooden home s on stilts above the riverbank. Dating back to the Song Dynasty, Zhongshan was a prosperous port town along Sunxi River and a favorite of imperial court members. Be sure to walk down to the river and look up at the houses to see their support structures. In the ancient time, the town was very prosperous with shops running different businesses. Now many old businesses vanished but the old inns are still opened. In the past it received the trade men but now tourists.
Many residents of these old houses have turned their living rooms into storefronts. While some hawk souvenir trinkets, others sell locally made products such as chilli sauce or jug of rice wines. Many popular snacks can be eaten here like squares of grilled, spice-rubbed tofu and sweet doughy rich cakes filled with ground nuts.
The emerald bamboos were planted on the bank of Sunxi River.The leaves rustled gently when the breeze starts. The small teahouses on the riverbank is the best places to enjoy the leisurely life last minute China travel deals. There are several small teahouses and restaurants above the river. It is very enjoyable to drink the tea and immerse yourself in the imagination in this beautiful and untouched view.
Stretched along Sunxi River, Sanhe Old Street is one of most representative streets in the town. The street is characterized by cool in summer and warm in winter, avoiding sunshine and rainwater in rainy day. Over 307 old storefronts stands on the streets.
here are about 20 ancient temples in the town and Shuangfeng Temple are the best-preserved and most famous by comparison with the others. Shuangfeng Temple was built about the late Tang Dynasty China guideand renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties. But it is still unknown which year the temple was built. According to the recording on the stele in the temple, the temple housed about 500 Wushu monks in its heyday and had many branch temples. It is very worthwhile to visit.
Over ten manors can be found in the town but the most famous one is Longtang. Longtang Manor, also named Yu Family Courtyard, was built in the late Qing Dynasty and takes and area of 8,100 square meters with 95 houses in it. The manor houses patios, gardens, watchtowers, theatrical stages, corridors, etc.
The natural view nearby the town is very splendid and charming. The valley, 15 kilometers south of the town, was formed 65,000,000 years ago and takes on Danxia Landform. The view, formed by streams, waterfalls, cliffs, rocks and caves, is very captivating and attracts many photographers.
To get there from Chongqing, change bus at Jingjin from where buses leave for Zhongshan roughly every 30 minutes from 8:40 to 16:30. The last bus from Jiangjin to Chongqing is 19:00 and the last bus from Zhongshan to Jiangjin is 16:20.
tags: China tourism
From: http://www.sooperarticles.com/travel-articles/destinations-articles/impressive-zhongshan-old-town-1167182.html
If winter comes, can spring be far away? Yes, it is winter time now, and the last two months left for this year, and spring will come to us soon. So, before the warm spring comes, you can take time to make full preparation for your spring travel somewhere warm you like. Here, I will recommend you the Beijing, Xi’an (where you can start your Silk Road tours) and Shanghai for your spring vacation and holiday traveling destinations where your family members can acquire a lot of fun and relax yourself well. Follow me here for more information in detail. Here we go!
Hutong Tour
How to start this amazing family tour? Yah, you may guess it – arrival upon Beijing last minute China travel deals in your first day when you will take a good rest in your hotel that day; then your family will view the classics in the second day including sightseeing of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and of course experiencing the local people life by enjoying the Hutong tour there; then you will explore the charm and learn more about the Chinese history by seeing the Great Wall and the Temple of the Heaven in day3; the next day the Beijing: Zoo and Water Amusement Park will be fantastic attractions for your kids before taking flight to Xi’an at fourth day for the visits to The Terracotta Army and Bike Ride on the City Wall at day5; then keep discover and enjoy the charm of China by visiting the Shaanxi History Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at the sixth day before your flight to Shanghai later that day, where Shanghai World Financial Center, the City God Temple and Yuyuan Gardens and the Bund are the highlights of your seventh day and enjoying the local life with your kids in Shanghai at eighth day before taking departure from Shanghai at 9th day to finish your wonderfultravel to China.
Just make your plan and take full preparation to your China tour in the upcoming spring days right now!
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Songpan Ancient City Overview
The Ancient City of Songpan affordable China tours, frequently referred to in ancient times as the 'Gateway to Western Sichuan', is located in the county of the same name, one of the 13 counties of present-day Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, or Aba Prefecture for short. Aba Prefecture is home to Tibetan, Qiang, and Hui ethnic minority groups, as well as ethnic Han Chinese. The largest population group is the Han Chinese, at about 43%, then the Tibetans at about 37%, the Hui at about 13%, the Qiang at about 7%, with the rest - less than 1% - being composed of ethnic Man, Mongolians, Yi, and Zhuang. Songpan Ancient City (in the following, Songpan for short) makes up a part of the present-day city of Jing'an, which lies about 200 kilometers, as the crow flies, almost due north of the city of Chengdu. Curiously, the four main ethnic groups of Songpan have managed to create a fusion culture, known as Kangba Culture, which is a melding of the four main ethnic cultures: Han, Hui, Qiang and Tibetan.
A Brief History
Songpan was previously named Songzhou, though it had been in existence, possibly under a different name - or no name - for centuries before it was given the name Songzhou. It is often reported that the city has a history of 2300 years, yet those who make this claim - and they are legion! - always conveniently skip to the city's more recent history, when Songpan was established as a county in CE 618 (only about 1400 years ago), during the Tang (CE 618-907) Dynasty, and with the city of Songpan as its seat. Though the city of Songzhou became the city of Songpan, the prefecture bearing the name Songzhou continued at least into the Ming (CE 1368-1644) Dynasty, when Panzhou Prefecture was combined with Songzhou Prefecture.
During the Tang Dynasty China guide period, the city - and prefecture - was the scene of much warring, since the neighboring Tibetans, looking to expand their dominion, constantly made raids upon the inhabitants, who were chiefly of Qiang ethnic origin. Though the prefecture was under the suzerainty of the Chinese empire at the time (i.e., under the Tang Dynasty), the area corresponding to present-day Tibet Autonomous Region, which is under Chinese suzerainty today, wasn't at the time. Seeking therefore to defend Chinese territory, the Tang Dynasty emperor, Emperor Taizong, stationed a large garrison in the prefecture, since it was impractical to send the occasional expeditionary force to the area, given the great distance, the difficult terrain (this is high mountain terrain, so during winter it would have been an unimaginable ordeal), and given that the Tibetan raids were a continual, off-and-on affair (interestingly, the Tibetans are believed by anthropologists and archeologists to themselves have descended from the Qiang ethnic group, so, if true, they were waging war on their Qiang cousins in Songpan, as it were).
After a certain amount of warring, the Tibetan king, King Songtsen Gampo of the Tubo Kingdom, proposed to Emperor Taizong that the two conclude peace, and that in order to show good faith, the emperor should offer him the hand of a Chinese princess. At first Emperor Taizong refused, but in the end agreed, and Princess Wengcheng, the niece of the emperor, was given in marriage to King Songtsen Gampo. The peace held for the remainder of the king's life, which suggests that the king was pleased with his new wife (he had several of them). As a matter of curiosity, it is said that it was Princess Wengcheng, who was herself a devout Buddhist, who caused the Tibetan king to convert to Buddhism.*
Songpan would become an important stopping-off point on the Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road, aka the "Silk Road of Southwest China". Though less well known than the famous Silk Road of the silk trade, the ancient route that transported tea and horses (tea from China to points southward, and horses from Tibet, especially (one of the reasons why the Tibetan invaders into the area around Songpan were so successful was precisely because they had horses), to points northward, i.e., into the rest of China) across treacherous mountain terrain was much more daunting a challenge to those whose livelihoods depended on it than the more accessible, and more heavily trafficked silk road routes (there was both a northern and a southern silk road, as well as a later "silk road" route by sea). To learn more about the Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road top China tours, click here.
If we fast-forward to the 12th year of Emperor Taizu's reign (CE 1368-1398), the Hongwu Emperor had commissioned General Ding Yu to build a city in the area which would be the administrative center of the new combined prefecture (Panzhou Prefecture was, as indicated, combined with Songzhou Prefecture). The city of Songpan was thus greatly expanded. It was also at this time that the city was fortified with a protective wall, the north gate of which is the best-preserved section. Whether in honor of the city's former name or in honor of the prefecture, the name "Songzhou" is inscribed on this wall.
The 10-meter-high wall stretches 6? kilometers and encompasses an area of some 9 square kilometers. Its giant blue bricks, held together with the help of a mortar made of sticky rice, lime and Chinese wood oil, weigh 30 kilograms each, and measure 50cm X 25cm X 12cm. In spite of the odd mortar ingredients, the brick wall has stood up well to the wear and tear of nature, though the ravages of war have been less kind to the wall. While it took only 5 years to complete the wall, it took several more years to complete the construction of the expanded city within the walls. The wall's gates were particularly distinctive, with various engravings of animals such as horses, cranes and deer, though only the north gate remains in a well-preserved state (in all, there were originally 7 arched stone gates).
Folk Customs
As indicated above, the Kangba Culture folk customs of Songpan reflect the unique amalgam of Han-Chinese, Hui, Qiang and Tibetan cultures. The influx of Han Chinese to the area was initially in response to the need to safeguard a distant outpost of the empire that was under threat, namely, under threat from Tibetan invaders. Later the Hui, who are the descendants of Arabic and Persian merchants who arrived in China during the 7th century (the Silk Road changed the course of history in many ways), who mainly occupy present-day Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, situated just north of Gansu Province, came into the area (Gansu borders Sichuan popular China tour package to the north). Today, members of the Hui ethnic group, not unlike the many other ethnic groups of China, reside in cities and villages throughout China.
China is a very interesting and thrilling place to visit China vacation deals. There are a few key things that you need to be sure to bring with you, and some tips that can help you along your way.
1. Bring all the necessary documents you need to travel China. Like passport with all necessary visas, international Airline tickets.
2. Arrive prepared in China. Though there is shopping on every street corner, many of the things you may be used to may be unavailable to you in China. Bring toilet paper as most restrooms will not provide this. Plan ahead by saving toilet paper, in advance of the trip. Each time you have a partial roll left, place this in a baggie and toss it into your suitcase. Six to eight small rolls will last a family of four through a two week trip. Five-star hotels will always have western-style toilets and toilet paper. Most larger airports will have at least one western toilet in the lavatory as well. Take only a key to your house or a car key with you. Leave all others at home.
You need your own toilet paper, especially if you are traveling by train.
These toilets are only available in the 'country-side', not in the metropolitan areas in China.
3. Bring Pepto Bismol and Immodium chewables. Water quality in China is very poor and you may develop slight intestinal problems if you use tap water to brush your teeth, or if you eat vegetables which have not been cooked after having been rinsed in tap water. Chew two Pepto Bismol tablets before your meal to help prevent intestinal troubles.
Again, only in the country-side places, not in the 'metropolitan' areas.
4. Bring clothes according to what season you are traveling. China gets HOT in the summer top 10 China tours, and very cold in the winter. Bring plenty of clothes, but remember you can always find a laundromat to get your clothes washed, or use the laundry service at your hotel. Beware, however, some laundry places use detergent that can irritate your skin if it is sensitive. Having your clothing dry-cleaned instead will avoid this problem.
5. The Dress standard for most places in China would best be described as "smart casual", if your tour involves some formal occasions, then a set of formal suits would be recommended.
China is somewhat like the USA. Summer in the South is very hot and humid, and winter in the North is cold and dry.
6. Remember when you take a shower, be careful not to get any water in your mouth. It tastes normal, but could easily make you sick. Always brush your teeth with bottled water.
In small cities, bottled water that was filtered with cheap nylon filters is still being sold. Buy name brand bottled water in big supermarkets.
7. Consult your physician(s) or a travel clinic in advance of travel. Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. Be sure to have your prescriptions filled before your trip. China requires that you present a letter from your doctor indicating the need for the use of any psychotropic medicines you might be taking. Bring antibiotics and any other prescriptions you will have to take during your travel. Count enough for your days of travel, plus a few spare pills. Bring all of this in the original prescription container. The Centers for Disease Control also keep an updated page on health information for travelers to China popular China tour package.
8. Write the contact information for each of your doctors on an index card. Be sure to take this with you during your day trips in the event you have a medical problem, and need to call home.
9. Stock a hip pack for each member of your party with a small roll of toilet paper, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Non-alcohol hand sanitizer or wipes are best, as Chinese airport security will occasionally confiscate alcohol-based sanitizers (especially in Guangzhou). Enclose also a granola bar, some cough drops, and some gum, if you'd like. These will come in handy as you travel around town. Include a flashlight since electrical blackouts can happen at any time, and you might find yourself in a dark room.PLEASE: Remember that you are NOT in the United States! In bathrooms in China, to reduce the amount of waste used in the area there will most likely be no toilet paper so carry around lots of tissues. Tissues can also be found in local markets for only about 1-2 Yuan.
10. Take traveler's checks, and some cash, as credit cards are not accepted by many restaurants and shops. Bring a security pack which will allow you to keep any return flight or train tickets and your traveler's checks, credit cards, and or cash, safely attached to your person, underneath your clothes. This way you can keep essential items safe if there is no safe in your hotel room travel China guide.
The major banks in big and medium size cities have ATM that accept foreign debit cards. I use my USAA Federal Saving Bank and East Asia Bank (North America) debit card with no problem. In small cities, some banks would not even exchange your USD for RMB.
11. Other things you may need. Raincoat and/or umbrella, Hat, Sunglasses & Sunscreen, depending on the season and your destination, Insect repellent, Converter (power adaptor) if you have one or it is necessary for you to have one.
Harbin Harbin is deservedly the winter paradise for tourists, due to its snow and ice landscape. Tourists can appreciate the Ice Lantern Exhibition, admire Snow Sculpture on the Sun Island, Watch Winter Swimming Performance and take part in Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. The most attractive festival, Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, is officially opened on January 5 every year and lasts to February 28, consisting of 5 parts and over 100 activities. There are also a number of snow resorts welcoming you in January, such as Yabuli Ski Resort China tour deals, Grand World of Ice and Snow, Sun Island Scenic Area and Moon Bay Ski Resort. Thus, if you don’t fear the cold and love the world of snow, Harbin is a good choice.
Sanya Sanya is celebrated as "the oriental Hawaii” and "the natural oxygen bar", becoming a famous tourist resort for its beautiful beaches, warm sunshine and convenient weather condition. The weather in January in Sanya is very pleasant with no frost or snow. Various flowers are in full bloom all the year round. For years, Sanya best tours of China has been a preferred resort for people living in North and Central China to keep away from the chilly winter. These years, an increasing number of tourists at home and abroad come to Sanya to spend their winter holiday.
Dali Dali is not that cold in January like other cities of China, with the average temperature of 9 oC. It is a great place to keep away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. People in Dali seem to live in an ideologically isolated world and they, keeping their traditional way of lifestyle. Many tourists love to stay in Dali's ancient town to explore the small alleys and enjoy cheap beer, pizzas and cappuccinos.
Beijing As the capital city of China, Beijing popular China tour package not only boasts places of historic interest and scenic beauty, but also abounds with a number of ski resorts suitable for winter-activities, such as Badaling Ski Resort, Huaibei Ski Resort, Jindinghu Ski Resort, Jundushan Ski Resort, Lingshan Ski Resort, Nanshan Ski Resort, Pinggu Ski Resort, Shijinglong Ski Resort, Yunju Ski Resort and Xueshijie Ski Resort.
Huangshan City Huangshan City is well-known for its famous mountain, Mt. Huang. Mt. Huang becomes famous for its four supreme sights, including strange pines, grotesque rocks, the sea of clouds and hot springs. Huangshan has beautiful scenery in every season. However, the best time to visit Mt. Huang is in January, due to its miraculous sight of the sea of clouds. Besides, the hot springs of Mt. Huang can help tourists to ease their tiredness and relax themselves, enjoying a comfortable winter vocation. Meanwhile, it’s also the best time to watch the sunrise in January on Mt. Huang of Huangshan City Yangtze River tour.
If you are looking for a less-crowded historical village to explore, this is the place.
Spending a weekend in an ancient town near Shanghai last minute China travel deals has been a popular way for city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle. But because of their growing popularity with overseas and domestic tours, some ancient towns like Zhouzhuang and Zhujiajiao have become too crowded to offer a real sense of escape.
Anchang, an ancient town 12 kilometers west of the city of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, with its untouched historical beauty, tranquility and elegance, is a good alternative to those overcrowded destinations.
The history of Anchang dates back more than 4,000 years when it was a muddy riverside village where locals made a living fishing and making salt. The local economy improved in 1489 during the Ming Dynasty, when the local government opened a market and promised each investor four baked cakes, a good incentive at the time.
The once-isolated fishing village gradually developed into a trading center with clothing, and cooking oil and other agricultural processing industries. By the early days of the Republic of China, Anchang was one of the most famous towns in Shaoxing. The textile products made in the village were known throughout the country and exported overseas.
As water was the most convenient form of transportation in ancient China, the town, like other ancient towns along the Yangtze River Yangtze River tour, gradually expanded, with 17 stone bridges helping villagers cross the river. The structural pattern of the town has remained unchanged since those times.
Upon entering the town and strolling along its stone streets, visitors will see women washing clothes beside the river, ducks swimming and dogs sleeping on the doorsteps of stores - none bothered by the presence of strangers.
The typical residential buildings in Shaoxing county are called taimen. They feature black tiles, white walls, stone doorsteps, stone-carved windows, several courtyards and dozens of rooms. Big families usually shared these centuries-old buildings. Judging from its scale and social status of its owner, Shi Taimen is one of the best examples and will familiarize visitors with the local architectural style. Shi Taimen was the former residence of Zhu Xieyuan, a minister in Ming Dynasty, who is also a famous historical identity in the Anchang area.
After walking and admiring the old buildings, a roadside teahouse is the perfect place to rest, snack and even nap. Some are very small, only big enough for five tables. At the teahouse where I stopped, the waiter said the house had a history of more than 300 years and even the chair where I sat was 80 years old.
On the stove there are many thermos containers. Customers can refill their cups with no limits. The teahouse also provides dishes like fried niangao (glutinous rice cake), cooked vegetables and dried sausages.
For just 2 yuan, I spent the whole afternoon in the teahouse, taking a short snap, listening to conversations between local villagers and watching people stroll along the riverfront.
Taking a boat to tour around the ancient town is a must best tours of China. A Wupeng is an old-style black-roof boat that is a distinctive feature in the Shaoxing area.
Wearing a black felt hat, the 76-year-old boatman was experienced in his craft. He controlled the speed with an oar under his feet and the direction with a rudder in one hand. The oar fluttered up and down so fast that even young people would have a hard time competing with him. The views aboard the Wupeng transport visitors back in time to a quieter, simpler time.
If forgetting about the worries back home and basking in traditional life is what you're looking for, Anchang will provide that experience.
Anchang also offers many traditional activities such as boat weddings, temple fairs and craft demonstrations. Visitors also have the opportunity to watch Shexi opera, a kind of village theatrical performance popular during ancient times in Shaoxing. These days there are only a few amateur opera troupes in Shaoxing. These troupes travel around villages and towns in Shaoxing throughout the year and Anchang is one of their favorite destinations.
If You Go:
From Shanghai, take a train or long-distance bus to Shaoxing (30 yuan for train and 73 yuan for buses). Take bus No. 118 or No. 208 for the ride to Anchang. A standard room in an Anchang Hotel is about 100 yuan. Visitors can also stay in small inns or with local families for about 40 yuan for one room. Try Shaoxing wine, niangao and locally-made sausage.
tags: travel to China
This village on the far-flung west coast of Lantau was once home to the Tanka people and an important trading and fishing port to China a century ago. Salt and fish are the major exports. Today Tai O Hong Kong travel is in decline, except perhaps as a tourist destination offering an intriguing glimpse of the life of a traditional fishing village.
A few of the salt pans still exist, but most have been filled in to build houses. Older people still make their living from duck farming, fishing, making the village’s celebrated shrimp paste and processing salt fish, which you’ll see (and smell) everywhere. It remains a popular place for locals to buy seafood – both fresh and dried.
As recently as the 1980s, Tai O also traded in IIs (illegal immigrants) brought from China under cover of darkness by ‘snakeheads’ (smugglers in human cargo) in long narrow boats, sending back contraband such as refrigerators, radios and TVs to the mainland.
Tai O is built partly on Lantau and partly on a tiny island about 15m from the shore. Until the mid-1990s the only way to cross was via a rope-tow ferry pulled by elderly Hakka women. That and the large number of sampans in the small harbour earned Tai O the nickname ‘the Venice of Hong Kong’. Though the narrow iron Tai Chung footbridge now spans the canal, the rope-tow ferry is resurrected on some weekends and holidays: drop $1 in the box as you disembark.
Some of the tiny, traditional-style village houses still stand in the centre, including a handful of Tai O’s famed stilt houses on the waterfront. There are a few houses that escaped a fire in 2000, plus a number of shanties, their corrugated-iron walls held in place by rope, and houseboats that haven’t set sail for years.
The stilt houses and the local Kwan Tai temple Hong Kong tour packages, dedicated to the god of war, are on Kat Hing St. To reach them, cross the bridge from the mainland to the island, walk up Tai O Market St and go right at the Fook Moon Lam restaurant. There’s a couple of other temples here, including an 18th-century one erected in honour of Hung Shing, patron of fisherfolk; it’s on Shek Tsai Po St, about 600m west of the Fook Lam Moon restaurant.
At the end of Shek Tsai Po St stands the beautifully restored Old Tai O Police Station. Built in 1902, the former marine police station was originally set up to protect the surrounding waters from pirate activity. Sea raiders gradually became a thing of the past as the 20th century wore on but a new problem surfaced in the 1980s when a new wave of illegal immigrants and smugglers from China tried to sneak into the territory via Tai O. When that also became history, the station continued to serve as a patrol post until it was retired in 2002. The complex has undergone a delicate restoration since and in 2012, it re-opened as the charming Tai O Heritage Hotel. Even if you aren’t staying here, it’s worth joining the free guided tour (affordable China tours), which starts at 3pm daily. Online reservation is a must.
There are also brief river boat tours departing from the footbridge.
More: Hong Kong sightseeing
The Kirgiz household often consists of three generations, with married sons and their families sharing a tent/ mud house with their parents China vacation deals. Marriage is generally arranged by the parents, and in former times, this might even occur before the birth of a child - "marriage arrangement at pregnancy", as it was called. Pre-maritial courtship is in the form of a short ceremony, and is initiated when the groom presents a roasted sheep to the bride's family. Relatives of the bride respond by tying the bride-and-groom-to-be to special stakes in front of the tent or house. The couple will only be released when the father and the brothers of the groom "plead for mercy", i.e., present the bride's family with yet more gifts.
The subsequent wedding ceremony is presided over by an imam who, as a symbolic ending to the ceremony, divides a specially prepared cake into two pieces, then dips the pieces in brine - symbolizing the need for married couples to accommodate the less-good as well as the good - before placing them in the mouths of the newly-weds as a wish for the couple to 'share weal and woe', remaining together forever. The groom then takes his bride and her betrothal gifts back to his home.
The Kirgiz household is characterized by a distinct division of labor in the home: men do things like herd livestock, tend to horses, slaughter sheep and cattle, cut firewood (and sometimes grass) and perform any other chores that might require a man's physique, while women graze individual cattle, milk cattle, deliver ewes, shear adult sheep, process and preserve animal by-products and perform any other household top China tours chores that a man would not be expected to partake in.
Formerly, Kizilsu-Kirgiz women did not traditionally enjoy many individual rights in the usual sense. For example, they had no right to inheritance. When a son married, in contrast, he had the right to an immediate inheritance: a portion of the property of the father/ the larger family was shared with the newly-wed son (the remaining property, after the death of the father, would fall to the youngest son, who would take care of his mother). The property of a childless Kizilsu-Kirgiz male was inherited by his close relatives, while Kizilsu-Kirgiz women had no right of inheritance at all popular China tours. With the emergence of the PRC, these customs have been modified, permitting female inheritance and in general fostering greater gender equality.
The Kizilsu-Kirgiz funeral ceremony is still observed the same as ever by both males and females: black clothing, black kerchiefs - black everything, in fact - signifying mourning, is the norm in Kizilsu-Kirgiz society, as it is in many if not most other societies.
tags: China tourism
Location: in front of Pak Tai Temple, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong Hong Kong tours
Dates: starts on the sixth day of the fourth lunar month, usually late April or early May
Level of participation: 2 - try to catch a bun
Unique to the Hong Kong island of Cheung Chau Hong Kong sightseeing, the Bun Festival is renowned for its rocket-shaped towers standing up to 20m high and covered with sacred rolls. At midnight on the designated day (the Buddha’s birthday public holiday) competitors scramble up the towers, grabbing a bun for good luck. The higher the bun, the greater the fortune, so everyone tries to reach the top.
Dedicated to Pak Tai, the Taoist god of the sea, the festival had its low point in 1978 when a tower collapsed under the weight of the climbers, injuring two dozen people. For 26 years thereafter everybody was confined to the ground and the buns were handed out, but the climbs resumed in 2005, with the old bamboo towers replaced by sturdier metal constructions and the climbers using safety ropes. Swirling around the climb is the greater festival, with processions featuring floats, stilt walkers and people dressed as characters from Chinese legends and opera. Most interesting are the ‘floating children’, who are carried through the streets on long poles, cleverly wired to metal supports hidden under their clothing.
Essentials: the islanders are supposed to eat only vegetarian food during the festival, so meat may be hard to come by for carnivores.
Local attractions: wander the harbour to see the crowds of colourful fishing boats.
Learn more via Hong Kong city guide and travel China guide
The Shalu Monastery is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Shigatse in Tibet affordable China travel packages. For centuries it was renowned as a centre of scholarly learning and psychic training, and its mural paintings were considered to be the most ancient and beautiful in Tibet. The monastery was also the first of the major monasteries that was built by noble families of the Tsang Dynasty, during the great period of Tibet’s revival of Buddhism. Thus, it then became an important center of the Sakya tradition. The monastery’s architecture is a perfect combination of Tibetan and Han styles with archways, carved pillars, tiled roofs and the Song and Yuan style murals, making it different from other monasteries in Tibet.
“Shalu” means “new bud” in Tibetan Language. Chetsun Sherab Jungnay founded the monastery in 1040. According to the legend, its founding involves Chetsun and his teacher. His teacher suggested that Chetsun shoot an arrow, and found a monastery where the arrow hit. The flying arrow hit a new bud, hence the monastery’s name.
In 1320, Buton Rinpoche became abbot of the monastery top 10 China tours. Buton was one of the greatest religious scholars of his time. His knowledge covered a wide range of religious subjects. So did the library that he assembled. He brought together 108 volumes of the fundamental texts of Buddhism, including the Kanjur and Tenjur sutras, plus 200 volumes of “treaties and commentaries”. Over 3,000 monks were attracted to his teachings. Because he had no interest in politics, however, his sect was not politically very influential.
Shalupa, also known as Butonpa, took form under Buton’s leadership. Shalupa included magical feats that monks learned to do. Some monks wore thin clothing in cold weather. They were able to raise their body temperatures to such a level that warm clothing was not needed. Other monks were able to run by leaping superhuman distances, covering long distances without rest.
The monastery is architecturally distinctive. In 1329, an earthquake destroyed the monastery. In 1333, Buton rebuilt it under the patronage of the Chinese Mongolian emperor. Since many Chinese Han artisans participated in rebuilding the monastery, the rebuilt monastery is characterized by the fantastic mixture of the local Tibetan style and the Chinese style of the Yuan Dynasty.
The two-storey Shalu Lakhang Temple popular China tour package, the main building of the monastery, is located at the center of the monastery with other buildings of the monastery surrounded it. On the ground floor, the Tschomchen (also a hall) enshrines Sakyamuni and his disciples. The chapels flanking the Tschomchen house Tanjur and Kanjur, two very important sutras of Tibetan Buddhism. Chapels in the roof floor are of typical Chinese blue tile design. The chapels enshrine Sakyamuni, Shalu Monastery’s own Buton, and the Arhats.
There are about 100 murals in the monastery, and most of them are on the walls of the corridor. The murals in Shalu Monastery are the typical works of Tibetan Buddhism in Chinese Yuan Dynasty and are characterized by lively and beautiful. Most of the murals depict stories from the life of the Buddha.
Shalu Monastery is famous for its four religious treasures which are of notable value. One is a sutra board, which is 700 years old and impossible to be reassembled if it is ever broken apart. A passage of sutra is printed on the board and is believed to bring good luck. The second treasure is a brass urn. It contains holy water that can cleanse away the 108 filths. The urn is usually sealed and covered with red cloth. The water is changed every 12 years. The third treasure is a stone basin that was once Chetsun Sherab Jungnay’s washbasin. The fourth treasure is a stone tablet on which the mantra “om mani Padme Hum” is written and four dagobas are carved. It was discovered during the original construction of the monastery.
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China is a large country with rich tourism resource. There are plenty of tourist destinations with each feature that will feast your eyes or make you relax. Some destinations are renowned for its history and culture; some boast picturesque landscapes; some are endowed with colorful ethnic characteristics; and some are economically prosperous. However, which are top China photography destinations? Here, we offer the best photo places in China where you can take breathtaking photos in a visit to China.
Let us know where they are and what they’ are like in the comments section below. All these already have been praised by many experienced tourists, famous world magazines, and photographers. The life in China is perfect material for photography. We wish you can take amazing photos from the best places in China for photography that show the wonderful scenery and brilliant culture at their most charming.
1. Xidi and Hongcun Village.
Xidi and Hongcun Ancient Villages, located at Yixian County in southern Anhui Province, are both listed as the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2000. These two villages boast the most representative local-style residences so that they are listed among top China photography destinations.
Xidi Village, which dates back to Northern Song Dynasty, has a history of over 900 years. It has 124 ancient residences and three ancestral temples of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Hence, this village is often referred to as the Ming and Qing Folk House Museum of China. Besides, carving art is also famous here. The carvings in wood, stone and brick are rich and colorful.
Hongcun Village has been named "a village in the Chinese painting". Generally, the village will be surrounded by clouds and mists as it is located at a high altitude. It now preserves 137 ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties. All these residences that built with pink walls and black tiles are arranged accordingly along the street.
2. Lijiang
Lijiang, as one of the best photo places in China affordable China tours, is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It has rich tourism resources, such as magnificent mountains and rivers, numerous ethnic minorities, long history and brilliant culture. And the heritage site of Lijiang Ancient Town just lies here, which has retained a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity.
Besides this wonderful sight, you can’t miss “One Mountain”, “One River”, “One Lake” and “One Culture” here. “One Mountain”, that is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Awesome and unconquered, it is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. "One river", that is the Jinsha River, with breathtaking and magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge as a representative. "One lake", that is beauteous Lugu Lake, called the "Mother Lake" by Mosuo people. "One culture", that is the Naxi Dongba Culture, which is unique and profuse culture of Naxi people.
3. Yangshuo
Yangshuo is included in best places top China tours to take photos in China, due to its gorgeous scenery and relaxing life-style. This beautiful county lies south of Guilin, Guangxi. As the old saying goes, "Guilin's scenery is the most beautiful in the world, while Yangshuo’s is far more superior to that of Guilin's". From this, one can know that the natural scenery of Yangshuo is unique and fascinating that attracts a great number of poets, painters and Photographer for years.
Highlights of this Top China.
4. Tibet
For tourists, Tibet is no doubt one of the most remarkable places to visit in China. Fabulous monastery sights, magnificent plateau landscape, stunning views of the world’s highest mountains and one of the most likeable peoples you will ever meet makes Tibet become one of the best places in China for photography.
There is Gyantse, which is famed for the the Gyantse Kumbum, the largest chorten (stupa) in Tibet. There is Nyingchi, renown as “Switzerland of Tibet”, which has snow-capped mountain peaks, well-preserved original forests and numerous colorful grasses. And Mount Everest is the pride of Shigatse that has become one of the most charming tourist attractions in Tibet.
5. Jiuzhaigou
With a good reputation of the “fairyland on earth”, Jiuzhaigou Valley popular China tours is regarded as one of top China photography destinations. It is really the masterpiece of nature that deserves that name. It is a nature reserve and national park located in northern Sichuan province of southwestern China. Water is the spirit of Jiuzhaigou Valley and is considered the most beautiful scenery in the valley. The crystal clear, colorful lakes, muti-level waterfalls and green springs connecting together create plentiful marvelous views. And the high peaks, colorful forests, sea of green trees, multi-level waterfalls and Tibetan flavor are known as the "five wonders" of the valley. All these are vivid interpretation of Jiuzhaigou beauty.
I have a number of packing lists and suggestions on the site for travel throughout China. I have done trips so often that I feel like I ought to be able to pack without thinking. But for my trip to Gansu Province Silk Road tour (including Lanzhou and Dunhuang), I needed to consider carefully.
My trip was not an ordinary one as far as my experience goes. Usually I fly into one place and travel from there by car to different sights, usually staying in a single hotel. This trip involved two overnight train rides, skipping meals (or not being sure we could get a decent meal), city sightseeing, camel riding, and desert trekking. Briefly, our itinerary went like this:
Day 1 - arrive in Lanzhou in the afternoon, have a bite to eat and transfer to the train for our overnight travel to Dunhuang.
Day 2 - dump our things at the hotel in Dunhuang and go sand dune trekking and camel riding in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Mogao Grottoes. In the evening, visit the Dunhuang Night Market.
Day 3 - depart hotel early for long drive to Yadan National Park in the Gobi Desert, visit park, and Han Dynasty Great Wall remnants all day. Arrive back to hotel for quick meal and then back to train station for 14-hour overnight train back to Lanzhou. (No time for a shower!)
Day 4 - spend morning at the Gansu Provincial Museum, lunch and then quick walk along the Yellow River Yangtze River tour before heading to airport to return to Shanghai.
Aside from the itinerary, there were other challenges:
Should I carry-on or check my suitcase?
If I planned to check my bag on the flight to Lanzhou, should I bring wine? How many bottles? (There were seven of us going, after all.)
The train compartments would have limited space.
When and where would we eat?
Would there be places to charge phone and camera batteries on the train considering we would spend 28 hours riding them?
How would I bathe on the train?
The weather would be variable - cool and damp in Lanzhou, hot and dry in Dunhuang.
Some of these questions might seem silly at first but, in the end, I was happy that I had considered them all. Thinking critically about every aspect of our China trip, especially our train travel, was a good thing because we planned accordingly. And considering the varying weather and terrains we encountered in four days, I packed light, but had everything along that I ultimately needed - including a bottle of wine!
So, without further ado, below I present my packing list. I think travelers to China might find this helpful, especially if you're planning an overnight journey or two. But even if you're not, it's perhaps a good exercise for you to consider your own itinerary and what you'll need to bring along.
Bags:
Small (regular-sized) backpack for use at daytime. Inside can hold my water/tea, camera, notebook, tissues, hand wipes, etc.
Very small over-the-shoulder pack to hold cash and phone.
Small carry-on size roller suitcase for clothing and shoes (and wine).
Shoes:
Trekking boots (not really heavy duty, more like high-powered sneakers with good treads)
Sandals - good comfortable ones that are good for walking but can slip on easily (especially on the train). My preferred brand is Birkenstock.
Clothing:
My idea was the everything I wore could be versatile with weather conditions, lightweight but sun-protective, could be layered if it got cool.
Lightweight walking pants (that can be rolled up)
Yoga pants/leggings
1 pair of shorts
2 t-shirts
2 long-sleeved linen shirts
A long-sleeved lightweight cardigan
A lightweight cotton/linen scarf (for warmth as well as keeping sun away)
A hat
Modest pajamas to wear to bathroom and other public parts of train at night
More than enough changes of underthings including socks
Various and Sundry:
Pillow case (nice to have in case the sheets aren't as nice on the train as you hope. In the end, I did not use it but some of my companions did.)
Tea + thermos as you can count on boiled water everywhere, including in the bathrooms of the museum! Plus, it's important to keep hydrated.
Phone, charger and extra battery (there was no place to charge things in the train so we all used our extra batteries)
iPad with all the books about the area I had pre-downloaded and did not read until after the trip
Camera + charger
Small first aid kit (allergy meds, cold meds, sleep meds)
Sunscreen
Sleeping mask - I was worried it would be too bright on the train to sleep but I did not need it
Towel + washcloth - this came in very handy on the train as there is nothing with which to bathe or dry your hands (there are sinks with running water)
Wet wipes + hand sanitizer
Kleenex
Shopping bag for extra purchases - I did not need this as everything ended up fitting into my suitcase but had I bought the very large stuffed camel I was eyeing in the Dunhuang market, I would have needed it!
Food and snacks:
I brought along a lot more than I actually needed. We stopped for a quick bowl of noodles several times and we could get dried nuts and fruits in Dunhuang so I'll list what we actually ate/used in lieu of proper dinners/breakfasts on some occasions during our trip.
Vacuum-packed tuna
Crackers
Pretzels
Dried fruit and nuts
Chocolate
Starbucks "via" brand instant coffee + take-along creamers. Their instant coffee is surprisingly good.
Copious amounts of tea - I get tired of drinking water but I can drink tea all day so I filled my thermos non-stop. There is hot boiled water on the train, at the hotels, in the museums.
Conclusions:
As over-thought as this might seem, it pays to be prepared and I really felt that I wanted for nothing. We shopped around a little bit in Dunhuang but I was glad I had brought plenty of sunscreen and toiletries I needed as I didn't see much available. Aside from being prepared for anything, I also had plenty of room for my purchases that included a small stuffed camel, several art books from the Mogao Caves China vacation deals and the Gansu Museum as well as a collection of rocks for my son from the Gobi Desert.
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Overlooking the Huangpu River Yangtze River tour, Shanghai is home to 16 million people and is one of China's largest, most cosmopolitan cities. It is a beautiful city mixing traditional Chinese and 21st century architecture. And at night, the city comes alive with lights which line highways, buildings and the Huangpu River. In the newly built rising Pudong, east of the Huangpu River, it has fast become home to multinational companies with operations in China and Asia.
The Bund
Stretching about a 1.6 km along the Huangpu River, once known as the Wall Street of Asia, China's most famous waterfront is lined with 1930's-era buildings. One of the most elegant and famous of these is the Peace Hotel, recently remodeled. It towers over the harbour and offers wonderful views. The waterfront park along the Bund last minute China travel deals is a popular meeting place for Chinese and foreign visitors, as well as occasional performers. Early morning visitors will see young and old practicing Tai Chi, martial arts, and ballroom dancing. Side streets in the area have charming 20's and 30's style shops and restaurants.
Nanjing Road
The ultimate shoppers' Mecca and Shanghai's "Fifth Avenue" offers China's greatest variety of retail stores, restaurants, sweets shops, gift boutiques, and cozy night clubs.
Temple of the Jade Buddha
Two of China's most famous jade Buddhas best tours of China are housed within these temple walls. Each figure is carved from a single piece of white jade, with one carved in a rarely found reclining position.
The Old Town
It is easy to lose yourself in the narrow, winding alleys of Shanghai's Old Town. Stroll through the local bazaar and shop for traditional handicrafts, crossover the pond for lunch and tea in Huxinting Teahouse and then rest in the Garden of the Purple Clouds of Autumn and enjoy its classical Chinese landscaping.
Yu Yuan Gardens
This 16th century garden is a maze of colourful pavilions, ponds, stone dragons, arching trees and flowers, surrounding the instantly recognizable zigzag bridge. It is one of China's finest examples of Ming Dynasty gardens and architecture.
tags: China tourism
1. Mt.Wawu(Tiled House Mountain)
Mount Wawu is located to the southwest of Sichuan Hongya County. It is only about 50 kilometers to the worldwide known Mt. Emei China vacation deals, and 60 kilometers to Leshan. Leshan, Mt. Emei and Wawu mountain compose a travel triangel in southwest Sichuan area which are easily to be accessed. Named for its flat summit, which resembles the tile roofed houses of ancient China, this mountain got its name figuratively Tiled House mountain. The mountain covers an area of more than 10 square kilometers. The summit is blanketed in primitive firs and dragon spruces. Several waterfalls can be found at Mount Wawu. Among these, the Lanxi cataract drops 1,040 meters and is the most famous. Dove trees and azaleas spread along the mountain crest, providing a spectacular backdrop to mountain views. The mountain is snow-capped in winter time for about? five months usually from late November. to early March, giving the mountain a unique northern appearance.
2. Beiji Village, Mohe
Mohe, which is in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, is only the width of the Heilongjiang River Yangtze River tour away from Russia and, as the nation’s most northerly point, is known as China’s North Pole. And located on the outskirts of Beiji, Mohe’s northernmost village some 88 kilometers from the county seat, the 1.2-square-kilometer park is the first of its kind in China. It features a Santa Claus House, a Christmas Post Office and snow buildings. Santa’s House is the headquarters of the village’s most important resident – a plump, white-bearded man in a red suit and cap who hands out presents to children. The two-floor wooden building is adorned with close to 100 Santa dolls. Decorations also hang from Christmas trees and there is a life-size model of a reindeer sleigh.
3. Hulunbuir
Hulunbuir Grassland, located in the northeast of Inner Mongolia, is known as the “most unsullied grassland” in China. Named after the Hulun and Buir lakes, the grassland features the beautiful scenery of vast grassland, forests, rivers and lakes, as well as the unique custom of the Mongolian ethnic group. The winter provides a totally different view. White vast land, clean blue sky, breathtaking scenery and various interesting activities – all of these make the place a world of beauty and fun.
4. Emei Mountain, Sichuan
Emei Mountain, standing in Emeishan City in the southwest part of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is renowned for its sacred Buddhist culture and amazing natural beauty. Different from other snowy mountains, Mount Emei has two distinct sceneries in the winter. Around foothills, flourishing leaves and gurgling creeks make it as green and beautiful as in the summer. While above the altitude of 2,000 meters, it is a world of snow and ice. The whole mountain is covered with white carpet, and the trees are decorated in rime. The area is in fine weather In February, making Mount Emei an ideal place to enjoy a quiet end of the winter.
5. Jiuzhai Valley, Sichuan
Jiuzhai Valley, situated on the northwestern Sichuan Plateau, is in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Renowned as a nature’s magical fairyland, the valley enchants tourists with mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls and teeming wildlife. Lakes around the valley vary in color according to their depths and angles, striking a lively contrast with the blue sky and snow-wrapped peaks. When winter comes, the mountains and trees are covered with snow. The colorful water contrasts against snow-white surroundings, making the area looks even more amazing.
6. Changbai Mountain, Jilin
Changbai Mountain, in the southeast part of Jilin Province, sits on the border between China and North Korea. Considered the most famous mountain in Northeast China, Mount Changbai is well known for its snowy scenery, cool summer and an abundance of mineral springs. Changbai Mountain International Natural Skiing Park is renowned as the largest ski resort in Asia with natural snow. Tourists can have fun skiing, make snow sculptures, and have snowball fights in the park. After a busy day trip, taking a bath in the hot spring around the foot of the mountain will relax your body and soul.
7. Tianchi Lake Xingjiang China
Heavenly Lake (Tianchi Lake) is located at the waist of Bogda Peak, which is at the center of Heavenly Mountain. In the middle of Bogda Peak, 110 km (68miles) east of Urumqi Silk Road travel, nestles Heavenly Lake.? It covers an area of 1.9 square miles surrounded by towering dragon spruces and snow-capped mountains. With a gentle breeze blowing most of the time, it is an ideal place for skating competitions.
8. Jilin Rime
In China’s northeast Jilin Province, there is an unfrozen river, even in cold winter, running through the province, called Songhua River, both of whose banks are decorated with beautiful rime, the natural wonder representative of Jilin. Jilin Rime is well-known for its fantastic fusion of ice flowers hanging on pine trees. It is regarded as one of China’s four natural wonders, together with the Stone Forest in Yunnan, Mountains and Waters in Guilin and as the Three Gorges in the Yangtze River.
9. Harbin
If you do not fear cold of winter, you can choose going to Harbin for a travel. It has glorious history, is a famous city integrated Chinese and foreign culture. Russia garden with Russia style and the Yabuli ski center is the tourist attraction which you must have a look.
tags: China tourism
With more than 1 billion residents, China is the most populous country in the world and the world’s fourth largest by land area. It has varying climates that range from subtropical to tropical, and the homes range from very basic homes with outdoor plumbing to exquisite and lavish homes with all the amenities. The variations often increase the potential of contracting disease and illness. Following a few simple tips will reduce your exposure to these potential threats and allow you to spend more time enjoying your travel to China.
Vaccinations
Schedule a visit with your physician prior to leaving for China. She will provide you with a series of vaccinations that will reduce the risk of preventable diseases. The vaccination schedule is greatly dependent upon your travel agenda through the areas of China. Provide your physician with as much information about your visit as possible and include any other countries that you intend to visit while traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you speak with your physician about malaria prevention, especially if your travels will take you to the rural provinces of Anhui, Yunnan last minute China travel deals or Hainan.
Packing
Protecting your health starts before you leave. Familiarize yourself with the region you will be visiting, and pack according to the climate. The cold climates of China can be extremely harsh, requiring coats and warm sweaters. China’s warm climates can be extremely hot and humid. Rather than pack a bag full of shorts and tank tops, however, pack cool cotton clothing with long sleeves and pant legs. These items will help protect you from disease-carrying, biting insects while allowing your skin to feel the cooling breeze.
Traveling
Make smart choices throughout your travels. Pay close attention to the places China best tours where you choose to dine. While mainstream restaurants are fairly regulated for sanitation, the roadside and rural area restaurants are not. Drink bottled water whenever possible to eliminate the potential of contracting illnesses from the water. WE also recommends that you avoid dairy products and pack anti-diarrhea medicine so you can treat any mild cases of stomach illness yourself. Keep your feet covered during your travels, even while on the beach, to reduce the potential for fungal and parasitic infections.
TAGS: China tourism
With more than 1 billion residents, China is the most populous country in the world and the world’s fourth largest by land area. It has varying climates that range from subtropical to tropical, and the homes range from very basic homes with outdoor plumbing to exquisite and lavish homes with all the amenities. The variations often increase the potential of contracting disease and illness. Following a few simple tips will reduce your exposure to these potential threats and allow you to spend more time enjoying your travel to China.
Vaccinations
Schedule a visit with your physician prior to leaving for China. She will provide you with a series of vaccinations that will reduce the risk of preventable diseases. The vaccination schedule is greatly dependent upon your travel agenda through the areas of China. Provide your physician with as much information about your visit as possible and include any other countries that you intend to visit while traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you speak with your physician about malaria prevention, especially if your travels will take you to the rural provinces of Anhui, Yunnan last minute China travel deals or Hainan.
Packing
Protecting your health starts before you leave. Familiarize yourself with the region you will be visiting, and pack according to the climate. The cold climates of China can be extremely harsh, requiring coats and warm sweaters. China’s warm climates can be extremely hot and humid. Rather than pack a bag full of shorts and tank tops, however, pack cool cotton clothing with long sleeves and pant legs. These items will help protect you from disease-carrying, biting insects while allowing your skin to feel the cooling breeze.
Traveling
Make smart choices throughout your travels. Pay close attention to the places China best tours where you choose to dine. While mainstream restaurants are fairly regulated for sanitation, the roadside and rural area restaurants are not. Drink bottled water whenever possible to eliminate the potential of contracting illnesses from the water. WE also recommends that you avoid dairy products and pack anti-diarrhea medicine so you can treat any mild cases of stomach illness yourself. Keep your feet covered during your travels, even while on the beach, to reduce the potential for fungal and parasitic infections.
TAGS: China tourism
With more than 1 billion residents, China is the most populous country in the world and the world’s fourth largest by land area. It has varying climates that range from subtropical to tropical, and the homes range from very basic homes with outdoor plumbing to exquisite and lavish homes with all the amenities. The variations often increase the potential of contracting disease and illness. Following a few simple tips will reduce your exposure to these potential threats and allow you to spend more time enjoying your travel to China.
Vaccinations
Schedule a visit with your physician prior to leaving for China. She will provide you with a series of vaccinations that will reduce the risk of preventable diseases. The vaccination schedule is greatly dependent upon your travel agenda through the areas of China. Provide your physician with as much information about your visit as possible and include any other countries that you intend to visit while traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you speak with your physician about malaria prevention, especially if your travels will take you to the rural provinces of Anhui, Yunnan last minute China travel deals or Hainan.
Packing
Protecting your health starts before you leave. Familiarize yourself with the region you will be visiting, and pack according to the climate. The cold climates of China can be extremely harsh, requiring coats and warm sweaters. China’s warm climates can be extremely hot and humid. Rather than pack a bag full of shorts and tank tops, however, pack cool cotton clothing with long sleeves and pant legs. These items will help protect you from disease-carrying, biting insects while allowing your skin to feel the cooling breeze.
Traveling
Make smart choices throughout your travels. Pay close attention to the places China best tours where you choose to dine. While mainstream restaurants are fairly regulated for sanitation, the roadside and rural area restaurants are not. Drink bottled water whenever possible to eliminate the potential of contracting illnesses from the water. WE also recommends that you avoid dairy products and pack anti-diarrhea medicine so you can treat any mild cases of stomach illness yourself. Keep your feet covered during your travels, even while on the beach, to reduce the potential for fungal and parasitic infections.
TAGS: China tourism
The Lesser Three Gorges (小三峡) is considered by many as a resplendent pearl of the Three Gorges area Yangtze River tour. Occupying an area of 3000 acres and next to Wu Gorge, Lesser Three Gorges is situated a 50 kilometers stretch of the lower reaches of the Daning River, which is one of the tributaries of the Yangtze River.
With magnificent natural attractions and distinct cultural and historical landscapes, the Lesser Three Gorges has five remarkable characteristics as follow:
- Majestic mountains and striking peaks, prosperous forests and colorful pebble beach;
- Turbulent rivers and treacherous shoals, flying waterfalls and clear springs;
- Omniform stalactites and fantastic stones;
- Mysterious cliffs and ancient caves, vivid natural sculptures;
- Frolicsome monkeys, singing birds, precious historical relics, hanging coffins and coffin ships etc.
Longmen Gorge (龙门峡)Feature: the Most Magnificent
Longmen Gorge is the starting point of the Lesser Three Gorges. With a distance of 3 km, it starts from the Narrows to Yinwo Beach China vacation deals. The majestic mountains on both sides are so steep as if they are cut from the center and therefore, it is always honored the most magnificent gorge in China. It is flanked by two towering peaks between which the water flows rapidly, which is known as the Lesser Kuimen Gate. Authentic experience here is that when the ship floats around the yinwo Beach, the water is very rushing and you will feel like the ship is flying.
Scenic spots include: The Longmen Bridge (龙门桥), Longmen Spring (龙门泉), Jiulong Column (九龙柱) and Lingzhi Peak (灵芝峰)and so on.
Lesser Three Gorges
Get Close to Longmen Gorge
Bawu Gorge (巴雾峡)Feature: Grotesque, Magic
With a distance of 10 km, Bawu Gorge is start from Tortoise Beach to Shuanglong. It is well known for its steep mountain, dense clouds and mists. There are stalactites hanging from the mountain and the hanging tombs of ancient Ba people can be found here. At every turn of the river, one could see different sceneries of the peaks top China tours and therefore, it is awarded the most magic gorge in China.
Scenic Spots include: Magui Mountain (马归山), Huilong Cave (回龙洞), Xiantao Peak (仙桃峰) and Hangjing Coffins (悬棺), etc.
Hanging Coffins in Bawu Gorge
Dicui Gorge (滴翠峡)Feature: Serene, the Most Beautiful & the Funniest
With a distance of 20 km, Dicui Gorge is the longest gorge from Shuanglong to Tujia Dam. And it is also the most beautiful gorge. It is famous for its steep cliffs, flying waterfalls, green forests, playing mandarin ducks, numerous monkeys and so on. Therefore, it is praised as the funniest gorge in China.
Scenic Spots include: Shuilian Cave (水帘洞), Moyan Buddha Statue (魔岩佛像), Mianyang Beach (绵羊滩), Mini Three Gorges (小小三峡), Dengtian Peak (登天峰), Pland Path (栈道), Coffin Ships(船棺), etc.
Incredible View in Dicui Gorge
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Return back to Nature in Lesser Three Gorges1. Seeing the Lesser Three Gorges is an experience of a lifetime, and as you travel down the River, it would be easy to gain a better understanding and feel how people used to live and the ways in which they relied on the land and water.
2. It is also a really exciting place, for having attractive drift areas where you can challenge yourself while appreciating the finest scenery and learning about the rich culture of ancient China.
3. In the well-deserved Natural Park, you can see the wildlife, such as the frolicsome monkeys, Mandarin ducks, and a variety of fish. Besides, the high above the cliffs are remnants of tribes that occupied the Daning River area, such as the suspended boat coffin.
4. In fact, some archaeologists have unearthed incredible findings such as armor, swords, and other valuable artifacts over the years, many dating back to the Bronze Age.
5. The best way to capture the true wonder of Lesser Three Gorges is to take a boat ride along the river. Visitors could take a big boat at first, and then when reaching Dicui Gorge popular China travel package, you’d better transfer to a small boat for the narrow waterway here.
Small Boat, Better View
Local Frolicsome Monkeys
Yili is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Xinjiang (Silk Road tour) due to its abundant scenery. If you visit during the right season you will be able to experience Yili in all its glory when the flowers are in full blossom and the grasslands are green is one of the most unforgettable memories you can have.
Best Time to Visit Yili
The best time to visit Yili is between June and October as this is the season when all is in full bloom. Apart from admiring the beautiful scenery tourists can taste the ripe fruits. June is also the season to see the Lavender fields that are filled with the scent of love.
What to Wear
Temperatures in Xinjiang have a big variation between night and day. From July to September the average temperature is approximately 23 degrees, the lowest is 16 degrees and the highest is about 30 degrees. Once October approaches temperatures plummet to below zero and it’s not until April and May that the temperatures rise above zero. So it’s best to bring warm clothing for your visit to Yili so you’re not caught out by the weather.
Expenses
Travelling in Yili China vacation deals is not extortionately expensive, accommodation and food is relatively cheap. You will find that most of your money will be spent on transportation. If you plan on staying and touring in Yili for 2-3 days about 1000-1500RMB should cover your expenses during your stay.
Attraction Highlights
Lavender Park
Each year when June approaches, Yili is covered with a sea of purple Lavender making the atmosphere all so romantic. Lavender originates from Provence in France and over hundreds of years has spread across the world. The meaning behind the fragrant purple blossom is “Waiting for Love” making the park the perfect place for romantic lovers. However, the Lavender bloom only lasts one week, once the flowers wither they are cut. Once the season is over the only way you can capture the essence of Lavenders is through essence oils. Visiting the Lavender park is a must as Xinjiang has the reputation as "Home to China's Lavender" China best tours.
Tips: One of the best places to see Lavender is the Princess Lavender Museum in Yili where there are also lots of Lavender souvenirs!
Nalati Grassland
The Nalati Grassland popular China travel package is listed as one of the top four largest grasslands in the world. The green pastures are beautiful and is filled with valleys, pure streams and thick forests. Between June and September the grasslands are alive with wild flowers and animals and you can witness nature in the purest form. Legend has it that the legendary Genghis Khan led his army from Tianshan to Yili, his army stricken with hunger and cold and unwilling to cross the snowy mountains seen the green meadows and headed to the green paradise. Arriving to this wonderland the army apparently happily shouted “Nalati” which means sunshine and hence this is how the grassland gained its name.
Tips: Peak Season - Entrance Fee 75RMB/Person, Off-peak Season – 60RMB/Person
The ancient water township originally known as Fushi occupies the eastern shor of Taihu Lake 18k outside of Suzhou (main city along Yangtze River Yangtze River tour).? More than 1,000 years of history are captured within the exquisitely preserved bridges and residences throughout the town.
Tongli is connected by a series of nearly 50 stone bridges crossing over fifteen rivers and five lakes China vacation deals.? The bridges were created in a variety of different styles and each is named, exemplifying the poetic nature of the town and its inhabitants.? Some of the bridges are regarded as symbols of good luck, holding a special meaning for the residents of the town. Local residents cross over the Ternate Bridges during weddings and birthday parties as a custom for wishing good luck. The bridges have stood steadfastly throughout the centuries creating a network of vital connections across a maze of sprawling waterways.
The majority of Tongli's architectural masterpieces date back to the Ming and Qing Dyansties China guide. The flying eaves, carved windows, figured clay bricks, and dapper gardens that line Tongli's waterfronts speak to an era of the past. Preserved in a timeless fashion, the residential structures throughout the town are considered to be museums within themselves.
Throughout history Tongli has been known for contributing profound cultural advancements to China's vast history. For centuries the town has been the home of poets, painters, scholars, and government officials.
You can learn more others China's cities via chinatourdotcom such as Beijing tour, Shanghai shopping, Hong Kong travel and so on...
Train Travel in China, facts and information from someone who is a train traveller in China.
Railway Travel in China is an adventure and can be a real grass-roots experience whether you are travelling between the major Chinese cities, or just from town to town... An adventure it will be.
Train Travel in China has varying levels of rail car standards as well as assorted levels of cleanliness; this is why I say it can be an adventure.
The network coverage is good; most cities and major towns within China are linked, as are the key metropolitan areas. The trains are fast and mostly on time.
Ok ! Lets start with the tickets.
Train Travel in China is designed to move the masses around the country. Remember, China is vast, huge...; so with enormous numbers of people travelling by train, getting tickets especially over holiday and festival periods can be tough.
Good systems are in place and you can even get the tickets delivered to your hotel or home. However very little or no English is spoken, and this is what makes catching a train difficult.
If you like best tours of China you can go and buy the ticket yourself; this takes a bit of time and you will get your ticket in the end. But the best way is to pay a little bit extra and get someone to do it for you; it actually only works out to be a dollar or two, (US) saving a lot of hassle.
On the city to city trains and the major lines a seat can be reserved; (however you may still have to move someone to claim it!)
Rail Travel or Train Travel in China has 4 travel classes.
Hard Seat - this is the most common and cheapest way to travel; the greatest numbers of Chinese travellers use this class. More tickets than seats are sold, so be very quick if you want a seat and be prepared to stand with the masses if you miss out. This class is not so comfortable; however it's cheap to move around the country.
Soft Seat - this is a better way to travel and most of the time you can reserve a seat. It most likely will be taken, however being a foreigner and insisting, helps to get it back. Stand your ground. The seats are comfortable and the trip can be pleasant and interesting; the people are friendly and the younger generation (sometimes very young) will try to talk to you and practice their English. This mode of transport is fun.
Hard Sleeper - this is tough way to do a long journey. However it is the cheapest method if you want a sleeping berth. Six bunks to a room, no doors, tight, cramped conditions, not so clean, noisy, not so nice. The bunk is ok, so you can put your head down to sleepif you can for the noise. A blanket and pillow is supplied. A food trolley comes around with the very basics, so it is best to take your own rations with you. This class is just bearable but very interesting.
I would only recommend this for the seasoned traveller who can cope with less-than-favourable conditions.
Soft Sleeper - this is the way to go, 4 to a room, and it has a door. The beds are comfortable, blanket and pillow are supplied. You will meet some interesting people; many will speak broken English and will wish to chat. A food trolley comes around with the very basics, so again, it is best to take your own rations.
Train Travel in Chinamy preferred class is definitely Soft Sleeper for a long journey and Soft Seat for a days travel.
Train Travel in China The Toilets
This can and will be the most difficult part of last minute China travel deals , on the trains and buses.
Hard Seat this is a hold-the-nose, come-and-get-me-if-Im-not-back-in-5-minutes experience. All are squat toilets and you must take you own toilet paper.
Soft Seat however as the journey progresses, hard seat conditions turn up; most are squat toilets; always bring your own paper.
Hard Sleeper about the same as for soft seat travelling; however you have to put up with it for a longer period of time.
Soft Sleeper this is better and will most likely have a seat-style toilet, still no paper!
A Final Note, Travel in China is Ok, cheap, and you can roam all over the country. The conditions are interesting to say the least; however, a lot of fun if you know what you are getting yourself in to.
Try it. You will have fun and a special adventure.
More: travel China guide
The average elevation of Qilian Mountain is between 4,000-5,000 meters. The large, wide glacial landforms made by the Alpine snow are magnificent and spectacular. The altitude at 4,000 meters is called the "snow line" for obvious reasons. Generally speaking, it is a world of ice and snow where all else disappears. Natural miracles abound in this winter wonderland. For instance, there is canzhui, mushrooms formed in the layer of shallow snow; and the precious medicinal material, Snow Lotus popular China tours, only found high in the mountains; and xueshancao which only grows under wind-carved rocks. Snow Lotus, canzhui and xueshancao are called the “Three Symbols of Winter”.
Damaying Grassland lies in the basin of Yanzhi Mountain and Qilian Mountain. Between July and August of every year, Qilian Mountain last minute China travel deals connects with the grassland in strips of green and white. Spacious green waves are covered with snow and interspersed horses, cattle and sheep all flock in the snow. When the gentle breeze blows, people get the sense they are recovering from a deep dream-filled slumber. Shandanjun Race Track, the Far East's number one track, with flat terrain, plenty of water and lush grass is built here.
The history of Qilian Grassland is cruel, but the nature of Qilian is absolutely warm and romantic. The name of Qilian Mountain comes from the ancient Hun Language and means “sky mountain”. The Yaoaoer, the direct descendants of nomadic Hun people, still call Qilian Mountain ”Tenggelidaban” which also means “sky mountain”.
At the foot of Qilian Mountain, there are grasslands, with the plumpest waves of grasses around, known as the Summer Tara (it is also called Huangchen Beach best tours of China, Imperial City Beach and Grant Grass Flat). These used to be the pastures of Attila, the pasture of the Uyghurs and the pasture of the King of the Mongols, Kuoduan Khan, in the Yuan Dynasty. Summer Tara is a grassland with four distinct seasons plus a season for crops. The geographical masterpiece Qinibianjinve, Summary of the Border of Qin written by Laing Fenin the Qing Dynasty China guide mentions the grassland: “the luxuriant grass only exists in the interior areas, not in the area north of the Great Wall.” The writer considered this area interior, for at that time the Nomaden and the farmers were fighting for control of the area. The Tibetan epic Geser described it as “Golden Lotus Grassland”. The Yaoaoer and the Mongols both call it “Summer Tara”, which means “golden pasture”.
To the east of Summer Tara Grassland is Damaying Beach which wraps around Yanzhi Mountain. The climate of Yanzhi Mountain is warm and heavily wooded, the hummock overgrows with silvery white Harigana Flowers and the Chuandi Grassland at the foot of Yanzhi Mountain stretches as far as our eyes can see. It is a lovely sight to see the Yaoaoer shepherds, carrying their white and black tents and driving their herds to wander amongst the golden sea of flowers all summer long.
The virgin forests of Qilian Mountain are even morecharming. After the beginning of summer, Qilian Mountain is like a boundless green sea. There are 157,000 hectares and 2,000,000 cubic meters of forest within. It is one of greater forest areas in the Qinghai Province and various trees grow here such as spruce, sabina, and poplar. There are shrubs too: Bianma, Lycium ruthenicum and Pentaclethra macrophylla. In addition to the thick forests and snow-capped peaks of Qilian Mountain, one can enjoy the many roaming deer frolicking about.
There is no "best time to visit" Qilianshan since their isn’t a very clear distinction between the four seasons. Spring does not look like spring, and summer does not look like the summer. It is the so-called "snow in June of the Qilian Mountain”, which truly reflects the majesty and allure of this magical place. July through August is traditionally the best time to visit though, since during this period there are many local activities and festivals.??
·Getting Around
?-- It takes a whole day to reach Qilian from Xining (an optional destination for Silk Road tour) by bus and the current price is 36 RMB. (The coach station is located at the north end of Jianguo Road which is about 600 meters from the southern railway station).
-- The cost of a chartered taxi is 2RMB per kilometer. If you wish to hire a taxi, you should charter a vehicle from Xining, because it is difficult to charter one after arriving in Qilian.
·Accommodation
-- The hotels in Qilian Mountain are very expensive.
-- In Qinghai Lake, there are numerous hotels with full range of facilities, as well as hotels of all styles.
-- In other major cities and towns in the north and south of Qinghai, hotels of all star classes can be found.
·Local Food
Mushrooms in Qilian are very famous and cooks in the many restaurants make use of this special local product. Tibetan, Mongolian and Hui people are all experts in the art of boiling tea with milk; this kind of tea is sweet, nutritious and delicious. Tibetan food here is all very unique. The most famous local treat is a pastry of sorts called “biscuit snack”" or “tuzi". It is sweet and savory – the perfect compliment to your warm tea.
A long time ago, a holy yak was locked by ice and snow on the Geladandong Snow Mountain. Several brave Tibetan men climbed to the summit and drew kindling from the sun. As the snow melted, the holy yak woke, and clear snowmelt flowed from its nose, forming streams and rivers. The sun and fire later became totems worshipped by the Tibetans. The Zhaxika people have since been called the Sun Tribe.
Before visiting Shiqu, home of the Sun Tribe, my knowledge of the place was pretty much limited. I knew it was the highest, largest, and most remote county in Sichuan Province, and the home of Zhaxika Grassland, the largest grassland in the Kangba Tibetan area China vacation deals. I knew "Zhaxika" was the Tibetan name of Shiqu, and that it meant "the riverside of Yalong." Located at the juncture of Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces and the Tibet Autonomous Region in the southeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it rises 4,000 meters above sea level and occupies an area of 25,141 square kilometers, 90 percent of which are covered by grass. It is 1,070 kilometers from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
All these concepts remained abstract in my mind, until the day arrived, and then I began to understand this place.
I had been to grasslands before, but when the boundless expanse of Zhaxika appeared in front of me, I was stunned. The imposing grassland is pure and vast, steeped in overwhelming charm. The sky is transparent, like a huge blue screen. The clouds, like wads of silk, move slowly and gently across the sky. The pristine Yalong River winds its way through flowered meadows, perfuming the wind. Enjoying myself in such an expansive space, so close to the sky and so far from the earth, I felt as if I was in a fairyland. The surrounding landscapes seemed veiled in the colors of dreams, which made me doubt my own existence. It seemed to me that at that moment I became a lighthearted herdsman, and what I was herding was neither cattle nor sheep, but my life and my soul.
It was summer, and the grassland was full of life. All of the flowers were in bloom. The mountains, rivers, pastures, and plants composed the music of nature. Zhaxika is also a paradise for wildlife. Here, you can find dark-neck cranes (Grus nigricollis) dancing in pairs on the waterside, white-lip deer (Cervusalbirostris) galloping among the mountains, bharals jumping nimbly on the cliffs, and strong eagles flying in the blue sky. Zhaxika is home to nine species of animals under state first-class protection, including the dark-neck crane, the white-lip deer, the Tibetan wild donkey and the wild yak, as well as 34 species under state second-class protection.
Summer and autumn are the best seasons for the grassland top China tours, during which "Shuabazi," or the carnival of the Kangba people, enjoys great popularity. The meadows are dotted with white, mushroom-shaped tents, and people in colorful ethnic costumes ride horses to the grassland to enjoy the sunshine, taking along yak meat, butter pastries and highland barley wine. With minds as broad as the grassland and passion as fierce as the sun, the local people are very hospitable. Any tent you enter, the host will offer you milk tea and wine. While presenting you a hada, a white scarf as a symbol of friendship, respect and good luck, the family will say "Zhaxidele" (meaning "good luck" in the Tibetan language) and sing for you, or invite you to dance with them.
Like many other Tibetan-inhabited areas, Zhaxika Grassland has a strong religious atmosphere. There are 46 temples in the county, and the oldest of them is Dumu Monastery, which was built during the reign of Emperor Taizong (627-649) of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Although it was partly damaged, it is still popular with Tibetan Buddhist followers. Different from other Tibetan-inhabited areas, where there are Mani piles (piles of stones inscribed with six-syllable mantra of Tibetan Buddhism), Zhaxika has Mani walls. The Bage Mall Wall near the First Turn of the Yalong River Yangtze River tour is like a long dyke or an ancient city wall meandering through the grassland. The wall is three meters in height at most and two to three meters in thickness. Stretching 1.6 kilometers, it is the longest Mani wall in the world. The wall is made of Mani stones, which are engraved with six-syllable mantra of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as Kanjur, Tanjur, and other Buddhist scriptures. In the 300 years since the first stone was laid, the Mani wall has witnessed tremendous changes in the world. Regarded as a "Great Wall" of ethnic faith, it is still being extended.
Today, a primitive nomadic tribe with a small population still exists on the Zhaxika Grassland, keeping its own cultural traditions. The tribes people are viewed as living fossils, from which humans can have an insight of their own history. They like to call themselves "Zhaxikawa," meaning "the tribe at the source of the Yalong River."
The natural environment on the grassland is tough, but more than 60,000 people still live here. While challenging themselves in an environment that is cold and short of oxygen, they are putting their efforts toward the future of Zhaxika. What spirit supports them? I wondered. I found the answer just before I left Shiqu.
It was an after-snow dawn, and we were camping on the bank of a lake about 4,700 meters above sea level. In order to shoot the sunrise from the horizon of the grassland, we had equipped ourselves with cameras and lenses before daybreak. The moment I stepped out of my tent, a scene captivated me: a huge, full moon lingered above a mountain summit, and the moonlit wilderness was completely tranquil. The horses that had carried us along the trek for several days stood still on the snow-carpeted ground. They were also dusted with snow, and with the gentle moonlight and the reflection of the snow, their outlines looked like unrivaled sculptures.
I was touched to tears. And I understood.
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Summer and autumn time has gone in China now, and it comes to the winter, earlier winter. If you still want to take your visit to China, you’d better take good preparation and tailor make your tour there as winter time in China will be cold and chill in most parts there. Here in this article is a wonderful itinerary for you to take your visit to China in the earlier time of winter from Shanghai to Sanya to Guangzhou and finally to Hong Kong – all of these cities are rather warm and have more sunshine compared with other parts of China. Keep reading this article deeply for more information in detail so as to make perfect plan to sightsee China as soon as possible! In your first day you will arrive in Shanghai (the city of 72-hour China visa), and after your good rest you will take your tour to enjoy the charm of The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Garden, the Bund, and Nanjing Road in your second day and then fly to Sanya in your third day to appreciate the beautiful The End of the Earth and Dadonghai Beach there; then your 4th day will be an free and enjoyable day as you can take a full day sunshine bath under the warm sun on the beach there and wandering around the city or the beach to buy some funny and unique souvenir for your family or friends in your 5th day will be a happy thing for you after you have enjoyed the sun and beach scene there in the former day; your flight to Guangzhou in your sixth day will be a full day with the activity of viewing the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, Shamian Island and Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall at your seventh day in China and next day (day 8) you will take your flight to Hong Kong for the sightseeing of Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and Victoria Peak in your ninth day and finally take your departure from Hong Kong (more via Hong Kong travel guide) at tenth day to finish your 10-day China tour.
What do you think about this tour? If you want to have a try to make your winter much more wonderful, just do it!
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The homegrown corn, wheat, buckwheat, beans and peas, potatoes and vegetables as well as the flour transported from western Sichuan Plain last minute China travel deals serve as the staple food of the Qiang people. They have three meals a day with staple food such as steamed rice, fried steamed bread, fried steamed bread slice, flour block, hominy, potato glutinous rice cake and distinctive food such as rice wine and red steamed bread. Most people smoke the homegrown Orchid Cigarette. The Qiang people prefer to mill the corn into fine particles and make steamed corn rice, which is also referred to as Mianzhengzheng, or add in some vegetables to make hominy, which is called corn soup.
The way the Qiang people cook is easy and simple. They often add vegetables in the hominy to make the so called “Mailazi”, or steam the half-cooked rice with corn flour. When corn flour is in the majority, they call it “silver in gold”, otherwise “gold in silver”. Fried noodle made of highland barley or wheat is for grazing or taking out. More: China guide
The Qiang people dislike eating fresh pork. When killing pigs, they prefer to cut pork into small pieces hide and hair and hang them on the beams of roof for smoke drying to make preserved pork pieces. The longer preserved and the more yellow the color is, the more delicious is the preserved pork is. Those having been preserved for years look bright yellow and translucent in color, and taste oily but not greasy. Besides, they can also be used as the flavoring for daily fried dishes as well as a wonderful gift for guests.
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The Yellow River is the cradle of Chinese Culture as well as one of the drainage areas for the Four Great Ancient Civilizations China tour deals, together with drainage areas of the Euphrates and Tigris River,the Nile River,and the Ganges River. Millennia ago the Chinese civilization emerged from the central region of this basin.
Tracing to a source high up the majestic the Bayankala Mountains in China's far west, the river is commonly divided into three stages. In the upper reaches, the river runs through mountainous and arid regions for 3,472 kilometers, ending at Hekouzhen of Inner Mongolia popular China travel package just before it makes a sharp turn to the south.
In the middle reaches, ending at Mengjin in Henan province best tours of China, the river flows south, draining a basin consisting largely of thick deposits of unmodified Aeolian loess which is eroded readily by rainfall and wind. After traversing a 1100-kilometer course from Hekouzhen to Mengjin, the river emerges from narrow mountainous constrictions onto a flat alluvial plain shortly following a sharp turn to the east.
The Yellow River, or Huanghe in Chinese, is the second longest river in China. It flows east for 5,464 kilometers, via provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong, until it empties into the Bohai Gulf, draining a basin of 752,000 square kilometers and boasting more than 30 branches. The thick deposits of unmodified Aeolian loess carried in the middle reaches accounts for over 90% of the sediment in the main channel downstream.
The Yellow River Basin is the cradle of Chinese nationality. As early as one million years ago, the Lantian Man had been living in the Yellow River Basin, and Dali Man Dingcun Man and Hetao Man ancestors one generation after another had been living and working along the Yellow River (another famous river in China is Yangtze on which you can have Yangtze River tour), and created magnificent ancient civilization. The remains of ancient culture like Yangshao Culture, Majiayao Culture, Dawenkou Culture and Longshan Culture can be found everywhere in the whole river basin from the upper reaches to the lower reaches.
Over 1,000 sites of Yangshao Culture have been discovered with large quantities of stoneware, bone ware and painted pottery, etc. Yin Ruins unearthed here is the best proof that Chinese oldest nation was first established in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.
The Terracotta Soldiers - Guardians of the First Emperor of China
The Terracotta Soldiers, all part of a great terracotta army, have been on the job for over 2000 years.
Some are worse for wear - others are looking magnificent!
The terracotta warriors are known by many different names such as the terra cotta army, the terra cotta warriors of Xian (starting point for Silk Road tours) or simply the terracotta warriors.
The role of the terra cotta warrior was simple - to guard the Emperor in his after life after his death on earth. Qin Shihuang was the Emperor of China from
221 BC to 206 BC.
I have visited the terra cotta warriors of Xian twice - in 2007 and 2009.
The first time I went not knowing about the history behind the terracotta warriors - just that it was one of the remarkable discoveries of the 20th century.
I certainly enjoyed it the first time viewing it as an important archaeological and historical find.
I returned in 2009 to take some friends there.
By this time, I had learnt some of the history behind it.
Also, I had the services of a wonderful Xian tourist guide who explained it all.
It made the visit so much more worthwhile!
I strongly recommend you take in some of the history behind the terracotta warriors and not treat it just as an interesting find of old statues.
You don't have to be a history buff (I'm not) to do this. But in many ways I found the story behind the terra cotta army (must-see for Xian tours) more interesting than the statues
themselves (interesting as they are!).
The story then - briefly.
Before 221 BC, China was not a country but a region of autonomous states with different tribes jealously guarding their patch and often at war with each
other.
In fact, the 250 years before Qin was known as the Warring States Period. Being a strong and aggressive character, Qin was able to conquer the others states
and bring together into one country - China.
Emperor Qin did several significant things for a new country.
He started work on the Great Wall of China which still attracts visitors from all over the world. Emperor Qin introduced a single currency and standardised
Chinese writing.
But he also was a cruel man and made many enemies.
Emperor Qin's tomb is on a hill near Xian.
Qin (as many did) believed in the after life and spent much of time as Emperor preparing for it.
Emperor Qin's preparation was to build a terra cotta army and the Terracotta Soldiers were placed in strategic positions around his burial place to guard and
protect him from grave robbers and other attackers.
The tomb itself is not open to the public although archaeologists are working to open the tomb sometime in the future.
There is a long set of steps up to the top of the hill and many people make Xian trip.
The Terracotta Army was buried in the countryside near that hill and were only recently discovered in 1974.
The Terra cotta army consists of foot soldiers, horsemen, archers, horses and carts. The face of each figure is different which leads people to think the
terracotta warrior is a replica of a real person.
Each terra cotta warrior (except for one) was found broken into many pieces. Chinese archaeologists have painstakingly restored these Chinese statues.
Why were these Chinese statues broken?
This is partly due to natural decay but the main reason was Terracotta Warriors were destroyed by people soon after Qin's death.
Remember he had many enemies and they came looking for him even after his death.
However, they ran into the terracotta army of Xian.
They smashed, destroyed and burnt the statues but apparently they never got to Emperor Qin's tomb - so it remains undisturbed to this day.
There is much more to see and know about the Terracotta Soldie
More: Xian attractions
It has been the middle November now and there is only one more months left in the year of 2013. And there are fewer destinations suitable for you to have a travel in this year unfortunately now as it has been winter days, so, if you want to take your travel somewhere to relax yourself, you can make your plan now for your 2014 tour with good preparation. Traveling in China may be a good choice for you in the upcoming year of 2014, especially in the time of later spring and summer when you can enjoy the pretty and wonderful scenery and take excellent photos with this charming scenery. So, here, what you need to do now is to know more about the suitable and best Photography Destinations in China for your 2014 China tour. For more useful information and tips, you just keep reading this article!
First of all it is of course the Yangshuo last minute China travel deals in Guilin where you can have fun by experiencing the Li River among the picturesque and charming scene of the water and mountain, and it will even just like wandering in a picture with the poet when meeting drizzling days – it is really amazing and unbelievable! Next will be the ancient water town in China among which the Xidi ancient water town, Hongcun water town and Zhujiajiao and Zhouzhuang water town are highly suggested to you where you can view the fantastic water scene in these quiet cities; the next one is Lijiang ancient town in Yunnan province, where you can appreciate the captivating scenery in this amazing city and also may get the chance to meet your partner if you are still single. If you take your tour in later summer, you can also consider the Tibet and Jiuzhaigou where you will feel like walking into a fairyland.
Just start to take good preparation for your 2014 China tour to take a plenty of wonderful photos, you will deeply love it!
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The spiritual center of Tibet can be found within the walls of Jokhang Temple (must-see in Tibet for last minute China travel deals ), Tibet's first Buddhist temple. Tens of thousands of pilgrims travel to the center of Lhasa annually to pray at the temple, which is regarded as the holiest site in Tibet. As part of the Potala Palace complex, Jokhang Temple occupies over 25,000sq meters.
King Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd King of Tibet (holy destination for your best tours of China), ruled during the Tang Dynasty, a period of great prosperity and progress both politically and economically. King Gampo actively promoted the spread of Buddhism during this period. In an effort to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, he married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal, as well as Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty. Each wife arrived in Tibet bearing the gift of a statue of Jowo Sakyamuni. In order to house the statures the king built two temples; Little Jokhang, and Jokhang, which were completed in 647. Although the original complex housed only 8 shrines, it underwent multiple renovations during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, expanding to the grand scale that it is today.
The temple was erected on the former site of a lake, and legend holds that numerous attempts to build the temple resulted in collapse prior to choosing the lake as the final site for Jokhang. In order to construct the temple upon the lake, legend says that Wen Cheng advised that the lake be filled and leveled using soil carried by 1,000 sheep from a far distant mountain. Upon its completion the temple became known as Ra Sa Vphurl Snang, meaning "sheep of the earth". As the city of Ra Sa grew to surround the temple over time, it became known as Lhasa, the holy land.
The temple itself was built from timber planks and rises four stories, capped with a golden top. Its architectural influences include Tibetan, Nepalese, and Tang Dynasty styles.
Learn more other China attractions via China tour guide such as Beijing attractions, Xian attractions, Shanghai attractions and Hong Kong attractions.
Shopping in Beijing after affordable China tours to find bargains and haggle for the best prices is an essential part of the experience of visiting the city.
Walking and bargaining in the countless markets in Xiu Shui Jie Shopping Mall or the Xiu Shui Market will no doubt build up an appetite, but luckily there is plenty of food at these stalls for shoppers to refuel. Popular buys include fake designer labels, clothing and bags. Bargaining is an essential skill and an expected part of the transaction, but remember to keep a smile.
The main shopping area is around Wangfujing Dajie, where a number of department stores can be found, including the Beijing Department Store. The Xidan area offers wonderful big department stores selling fixed-price goods including electronic equipment. The Hong Qiao Market is a popular indoor market in the south central area of Beijing (must-see for your top 10 China tours) where bargaining is expected. Here buyers can haggle for goods such as cheap no-name or fake brand electronics, sunglasses, batteries, watches and jewellery.
Panjiayuan Collectors Market is an outdoor market with a good array of arts and crafts from all over China, including popular Beijing souvenirs like jade bracelets, cloisonné and lacquerware, silk, calligraphy, porcelain, and vintage Cultural Revolution books and posters. Beijing Tea Street is the best place to find anything associated with tea, including tables, tea sets, and a wide variety of teas.
Liulichang in the south of Beijing is a great place for Chinese antiques. Buyers should be aware that authentic antiques over 100 years old display a red wax seal. An export licence must be issued in order to take these out of the country.
Avoid shopping trips on evenings and weekends, as the crowds can be overwhelming. Shops in Beijing are open daily from 9am to 8pm and there is no sales tax.
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1. Avoid border crossing at Luo Hu on weekends
I arrived Shenzhen from Hong Kong (learn more via guide of Hong Kong travel) via MTR on Friday. It was calm even though I was delayed slightly for the visa. The next day (Saturday) on my return to HK, things changed tremendously. Just remember that you need to pass through two immigration checks - Chinese and HK, and finally another que for the tickets. BTW, Chinese immigration separates the arrival and departure cards; so you'll have to fill up cards two times as compared to once in most countries.
2. Shekou district is being dug up! Update
The area called Taizi, Prince, Plaza was a nice little place where vendors could go to sell goods at night. Moms would take their kids to roller-blade. Now it is completely torn up and will be for 2 years. They are constructing new buildings to take the place of the plaza.
What does that mean for you? If you are planning to stay in a local hotel, you will experience construction site noise all day, and probably all night as the construction progresses.
Update - I was her during the first week in February. The construction seems to have slowed. The Plaza still exists, but the sunken area in front of the ship is gone. A new building is being put up between the plaza and the ship. Everything is open around the plaza, and it is business as usual. I expected the place to be a mess, so I got a hotel far from here, but there was not need to do that, it turns out.
3. Be careful with the pickpocketing
Shenzhen (an option for affordable China tours) has the highest crime rate in China therefore travelers should take some special precautions and extra care in order to have a safe trip.The main crime is pickpocketing that the foreigners face quite often.You should be careful on the crowded streets , shopping areas ans especially on the public transports like metro and buses.Metro is the most convinient way of city transport in Shenzhen so take extra care for your belongings while traveling.
I always carried by back bag on my chest and did not carry anything in my pockets.Even to take 1 picture i have taken my camera from my bag and replaced it when i am finished.Carrying any valuables in your hand even for a few minutes may encourage the skillful pickpocketers to follow you and wait for the right time for them to take their action.
Be confident when you are in such places and even it is your first trip make them believe that you are experienced in the city.This may discourage them to get close to you.
Don't forget that China is a safe country when you compare with many other countries inc. the ones in Europe so just pay little bit more attention than you usually do in order to prevent any unwanted events.
4. Watch fakers in fake paradise!
You will be warned, we got warned, I was warned ...
Walking around in Shenzhen somebody could try inviting you for a chat. A chat in Chinese? Nope, in broken English he is trying you to join him to one or another place. To buy a watch, a handbag, a painting ... "... best there is", ... ofcourse.
It does not matter if you are an elder person, a young unsuspecting tourist ...
They just want you to follow them.
DO NOT !!!
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Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is a professional museum hosted by Hong Kong (learn more via Hong Kong travel guide) City Council, which is also the worlds first museum with the theme of tea set. It began to open to the public from July, 1984. The museum is two storeys high, consisting of 9 exhibition rooms, displaying the treasure of Yixing tea sets in the Ming and Qing dynasties and introducing the productive process of tea sets.
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is a branch of Hong Kong Museum of Art (one of famous Hong Kong tourist attractions), whose basic collections are mainly donated by Doctor Luo Guixiang, including the 600 tea wares as well as the related cultural relics from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the 20th century. In 1994, 25 porcelains and more than 600 seals were donated by Luo Guixiang Bund. In 1995, K. S. Lo Gallery was established, which contributes to popularizing Chinese tea art and promoting Chinese ceramics and seals.
The exhibition is composed of two parts, including the exhibition of Yixing red stoneware and ancient Chinese tea culture. From the exhibition of ancient Chinese tea culture, via some diagrams, pictures, models and film slides, visitors can learn about the history of planting tea, making tea and drinking tea, exploring the habits and customs drinking tea in the past dynasties. From the exhibition of Yixing red stoneware, tourists can appreciate 123 purple earthen wares as well as various kinds of teapots and teacups in various dynasties and area, such as various kinds of red stoneware teapots and sculptures from late Ming Dynasty to the modern times.
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is located in Hong Kong Park (don't miss for Hong Kong tours) which is an unwonted venue for relaxation and rest. Hong Kong Park abounds with lush trees, various colorful flowers, conservatory garden and a garden for watching over 150 kinds of birds, which can be ranked as an ideal place for avoiding the hustles and bustles of cities. Thus, visitors can also feast their eyes by those natural scenery after appreciating the tea ware museum.
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Guangzhou: Look to the Money
This port at the mouth of the Pearl River has always been a lively center of trade and internationalism. Set apart by both its southern location as well as its distinctive Cantonese dialect, Guangzhou has a reputation for self-sufficiency.
It is from Guangzhou, and the surrounding province of Guandong, that many Chinese people emigrated to other countries in Asia as well as to Australia, the United States and Canada. Its proximity to Hong Kong (learn more via Hong Kong travel guide) has made it a center of manufacturing and a magnet for investment. While Guangzhou’s metropolitan population ranks third in China, its per capita wealth leads the nation.
Changsha: Springboard to Fame
Changsha has launched many to fame. Lady Dai was catapulted to international recognition in the 1970s when her Han dynasty tomb at Mawangdui in Changsha was discovered. The tomb not only yielded Lady Dai’s 2,200 year-old mummy, but also a silk banner depicting Lady Dai and her journey to the netherworld. The Mawangdui banner is one of the most beautiful and well-known examples of Han dynasty painting. Both mummy and banner are on view at the Hunan Provincial Museum in Changsha.
In this century, Changsha saw the start of the political career of Mao Zedong, the communist founder of the People’s Republic of China. The young Mao was born in a town 80 miles outside of Changsha and came to the city for his formative school years. Most recently, Changsha has become a center for television stations and programming. The most popular show in China, “Super Voice Girl,” in which fans vote for their favorite female crooner, is produced in Changsha. The city has become a popular weekend destination, known for its lively theater and entertainment. Perhaps it is not surprising: during the Warring States period (fifth to third centuries BCE) Changsha was in the state of Chu. Relics and legends from this period extol the people of Chu for their appreciation of lyric beauty, whether in poetry, song, or the arts. Perhaps this explains Mao Zedong’s considerable talent for writing classical poetry and calligraphy. From the Mawangdui banner, to Mao, to the modern day songstresses, Changsha has a touch for fame.
Chongqing: Gateway to the West
Chongqing (where you can embark the ship of Yangtze River tour) is hot. Not only is this city in the southwest province of Sichuan one of China’s famous sanlu (“three furnaces”), it is also a thriving industrial center, rich in minerals and natural gas fields. While it opened to international trade in 1890, the treacherous 1,400 mile trip up the Yangzi kept it relatively isolated. Now, foggy and mountainous Chongqing is China’s most populous municipality with over 30 million registered residents. Located in the western province of Sichuan, it is behind the reservoir created by the huge Three Gorges Dam and will be newly accessible by ocean-going vessels. The Chinese government is investing heavily in Chongqing’s development, hoping that this interior municipality will truly be the Gateway to the West.
Of course, there is a price to pay for progress: Chongqing has long been the jumping-off point for the three-day ship cruises that would take tourists downriver through the Yangzi’s spectacular Three Gorges. The steep cliffs, villages, and archaeological sites are being submerged as the water in the reservoir fills behind the dam. Entire towns are being moved up hillsides and over a million people are being forced to move. The fresh water dolphin, the Yangzi River baiji, succumbed to the pressures of progress and was declared extinct in 2006.
Chengdu: Savoring Life by the Cup
The teahouses of Chengdu (the city of 72-hour to visit without China visa application) embody the good life. Locals relax at establishments such as the century-old People’s Park Teahouse in downtown. Over tea they watch an opera performance, play Chinese chess, mahjong, discuss current events, conduct business, or just gossip. They can unwind with a traditional ear-cleaning, done with narrow metal files and tongs, small bamboo scrapers, and feathers.
Surrounded by a fertile plain known as the “Land of Abundance,” Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province in southwest China. Sichuan is known as one of the important birthplaces of tea cultivation and appreciation. While the frantic pace of life in other Chinese cities has resulted in the loss of local culture, Chengdu’s vibrant teahouse culture continues to thrive. Is tea a luxury easily supported by rising incomes? Or does Chengdu’s lack of sunshine spur people indoors (and the caffeine provides a shot of stimulation!)? Whatever the reason, Chengdu is dotted with thousands of tea houses and the saying goes: “Tea houses in Sichuan rank first in the world; tea houses in Chengdu rank first in Sichuan.”
Urumqi: Landlocked
You won’t see a surfboard in Urumqi. In all the world, it is located farthest from a coastline. Urumqi is the capital of China’s western province of Xinjiang and is located to the northeast of the Taklamakan Desert. One of the harshest desert environments on the planet, the name Taklamakan translates roughly to "Go-in-and-don’t-come-out.”
While 80% of Urumqi’s population is Han Chinese, this is a rather recent development that was engineered by China’s government. The biggest majority group in Urumqi, and in Xinjiang (must-see destination for Silk Road travel), are the Uighers. These Turkic-speaking people practice Islam and chafe under Chinese rule.
While Urumqi itself has few charms and sights, visitors can savor kebabs, noodles with mutton, flat pancakes of nan bread, and the ever-present watermelons, while plotting their next jump to Xinjiang’s natural and man-made wonders. In the mountains close by, Kazakh nomads live in yurts by the crystal blue waters of Heaven Lake. The charming town of Turfan is famous for its grape-vine shaded streets, the Flaming Mountains that turn red at sunset and the Bezelik Buddhist cave temples, that were built in the heyday of the network of trade routes known as the Silk Roads.
Hong Kong's Ocean Park is located on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island (learn more via Hong Kong city guide), just west of center, with Aberdeen Channel and Aberdeen Island (aka Ap Lei Chau) to the west, and with Deep Water Bay and Middle Island (aka Tong Fo Chau) to the east. Ocean Park, as the name itself suggests, is a theme park with a marine emphasis. It was established in 1977, during the period of British rule, though there have been several improvements since Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule, and there are new developments for the park on the drawing board, as it were. The theme park shares the peninsula on which it is situated with the industrial park area, Wong Chuk Hang, the latter of which is located in the northern part of this small island peninsula.
Ocean Park is a relatively large (870,000 square meters, or 87 hectares) amusement park. It is in fact Southeast Asia's largest amusement park, and - perhaps surprisingly - was ranked by Forbes Magazine in 2008 as the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the entire world, and the world's 7th most popular amusement park (to be fair, given its proximity to one of the most populous urban areas in the world, one can hardly be surprised at these rankings).
There are two entrances to the park: one in the north that is accessed via Nam Long Shan (literally "Southern Dragon Mountain", but more commonly known in English as Brick Hill) Road, which originates in Wong Chuk Hang industrial park immediately to the north and which skirts westward around Brick Hill; and the other in the west that is accessed via Tai Shue Wan bay, which is located on the western shore of the island peninsula, in the hilly valley that is sutuated south of Brick Hill. All of Ocean Park (one of must-see Hong Kong scenic spots) lies in this lush, hilly valley which slopes from north to south.
The park's main entrance is the Brick Hill Road entrance in the north. Very conveniently, the two entrances are connected via a cable car, making it easy to visit the entire expanse of the park from either entrance, then take the quick route back via cable car to one's point of origin (one can also take the Ocean Express, as will be explained below). The rides typical to most amusement parks are located in the northern, or Highlands, area of Ocean Park. Here are Highlands Rides and Adventure Land, the former of which comprises a large Ferris Wheel and a breathtakingly fast (77 km/h) rollercoaster called The Dragon - as well as 17 other exhilarating rides - while the latter includes a gentler rollercoaster called the Mine Train that runs through sections of tunnel. Adventure Land also includes the world's second-longest escalator, Ocean Park Escalator, at 225 meters in length. (Note that there is also a special ride area reserved for smaller children - see below.)
In the "lowland" area below this main ride area are located the rest of the park's various theme areas. These are Marine Land, Bird Paradise, Lowland Gardens, and a children's ride area, Whisker's Harbor (formerly called Kid's World). Marine Land consists of a number of aquariums displaying over 250 fish species, including many large sharks - over 2000 fish in all - called Atoll Reef; a special Chinese Sturgeon aquarium; an aquarium dedicated to the jelly fish, which, in spite of its name, is a rather gracious swimmer (Sea Jelly Spectacular); a museum devoted to seals and to the Californian sea lion (Pacific Pier), an observation deck offering fantastic views of the South China Sea (Ocean Park Tower), and Ocean Theatre, where one can observe performances several times daily involving sea lions and marine dolphins.
Bird Paradise consists of numerous aviaries as well as a pond where flamingoes wade, while Lowland Gardens houses a Giant Panda habitat and a venue highlighting birds (The Amazing Bird Show), as well as being the hub from which to connect to all of the park's other theme areas, via the Cable Cars (a system of gondolas). Finally, Whisker's Harbor has rides for kids as well as numerous other activities that appeal to, and are safe for, children.
The park also has observatories where those interested in science can learn about whales and dolphins, including China's freshwater dolphin, i.e., the Yangze River Dolphin. Here one can also learn about new breeds of the ubiquitous goldfish. Other attractions at Ocean Park include: the Butterfly House; the Kingdom Garden; two challenging, interactive exhibits: the Trip of Extreme Speed and the Ship Swinging to the Sky; and the Super Dynamic Cinema showing exciting, multimedia presentations on the life of acquatic mammals, fishes and other marine creatures and plant life.
There are several transportation options within the ocean park. These include: a 1 ? kilometer long cable car system; a shuttle bus; the aforementioned 225 meter escalator; and the Ocean Express, an electrical tramway which is a ride in itself, connecting the western waterfront area of Tai Shue Wan bay with the highland, or summit, area at the northern extremity of the park. The very rapid Ocean Express flies along a 1.3 kilometer long tunnel whose walls depict a realistic-looking marine environment, creating the illusion of an underwater ocean trip (part of Hong Kong tour packages), with certain marine life depictions that are designed to - and regularly do - elicit shrieks. The Ocean Express is a microcosm of the experience of a visit to Ocean Park, in the sense that here, there is never a dull moment - and some that will take you by surprise!
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The overland Silk Road route, whether it was connected to Kashgar via the Kyzyl Suu River Valley or via the Wakhan Corridor, stretched eastward to the ancient Chinese capital of Chang'an, present-day Xi'an (learn more via Xian travel guide), Shaanxi Province, where many of the Chinese trade items that would be transported westward via caravan were collected. Later, the capital - and thus the origin of the overland Silk Road trade route - moved to Luoyang in Henan Province. From Luoyang/ Chang'an, the westward route went to Lanzhou in Gansu Province, through the province's Hexi Corridor (which, in ancient times, was the only northerly entrance into China from the landward side), on through the province's Yu Men ("Jade Gate") Pass, from which pass the Silk Road split into two routes.
From Yumen (as it is commonly written today) Pass, the route split north and south around the great expanse of the Taklimakan Desert. The southerly route followed the northern contours of the Kunlun Mountains (i.e., it followed the southern rim of the Taklimakan Desert) first to the ancient city of Dunhuang, Gansu Province, then on to the city of Lop Nur (named after the lake of the same name), Xinjiang (main destination for Silk Road travel), then on through the province's famous Silk Road cities such as Loulan, now buried under the sand (to learn more about the ancient city of Loulan), Miran, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Loulan, Qarkilik, Qarqan ("Qiemo", in Chinese, "Qarqan" being the ancient Uyghur name), Niya, now also buried under the sand and apparently abandoned in great haste (to learn more about the ancient city of Niya, click here), Keriya, Khotan, yet another ancient Silk Road city that was buried under the sand (to learn more about the ancient city of Khotan, click here), Yarkand, an ancient Buddhist city and seat of a small Buddhist kingdom, though today Yarkand (also written "Yarkant") is populated by Muslim Uyghurs, the city also served as a hub for the Silk Road route that passed southward into India (Kashmir) via the Karakoram Pass, and finally, on to the city of Kashgar (to learn more about the ancient city of Kashgar).
The northerly route followed the southern contours of the Tian Mountains, or the northern rim of the Taklimakan Desert. From Yumen, the route crossed the eastern entrance, or neck, of the Taklimakan Desert, just west of the western extremity of the Gobi Desert, then on around in a northwesterly arc along the northern rim of the Taklimakan to the ancient city of Hami (aka Kumul today, historically considered the Eastern Gate of Xinjiang), and from there on to Turpan, Karashahr (alternatively written as Karaxahr, or "Yanqi" in Chinese), Kuqa (alternatively written as Kucha, or "Qiuci", in Chinese), Aksu, which was the hub, or junction between the northern Taklimakan route and the Silk Road route that branched off directly northward through the Muzart Pass (and up over the Tian Mountains and a hostile, frigid (glacial) landscape, then into present-day Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan), then on to Tumxuk before arriving at Kashgar.
The overland Silk Road route (it now becomes the famous travel route included in popular China tour package), especially, eventually developed a maze of alternate local and regional routes, for what reason is rarely given, though one can easily imagine that there might have been any number of reasons for this, including inclement weather a particular year (eg., a severely hard drought, drying up key water sources), forcing the caravans to find an alternate route; it might have been due to the presence of bandits along the usual route; or it might simply have been owing to a pioneering soul who decided to try a different route, just to see if it could be done, and the new route might or might not have proven to be easier, but in any case, it would have presented new opportunities for the sale of return goods from Arabia, Persia and India, not to speak of new markets for the sale of return goods from Rome.
Farther west, in Central Asia, and southward (toward India) and northward there were several alternate, early-period Silk Road routes, not unlike the Silk Road route development in China, where the natural contours of the local and regional terrain often determined the exact local route, with several alternate routes to choose from. At the western extremity of the westward overland Silk Road route, other routes branched north (into central and northern Europe) and south (into Arabia and eventually Africa). The traffic in goods along most of these routes was two-way, with many exotic animals from Arabia and Africa arriving in China. There was also a lively "trade" in ideas (cultural exchange) along the Silk Road, which is the subject of the next section.
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More than 1300 years ago, a poet wrote this poem to describe the landscape around Yumen (an destination for Silk Road tours). I am not a good translator, meanwhile, you know that the poem is always very difficult to show its feeling in a different language.
From the poem, we get the information that the land outside Yumen Gate was already barren and infertile. The Yellow River was flowing far away. The only town stood besides the barren mountains. Plants should not be blamed not living there, since the spring wind couldn’t get through the Yumen Gate. It seems that the Yumen Gate is the line between life and desert.
Back to the 21 century, the situation seems worse and worse. Not only the area outside the Yumen Gate is difficult for all creatures. In fact the Yumen Gate is standing in the desert.
We drove 90 km by motorcycle from Dunhuang (most-visited destination and an option for last minute China travel deals ) to get there. Motorcycle is the best vehicle in this area in my mind. The road has not been ready for little cars. Bike cyclists may suffer a lot heavy sunshine and a really bumpy ride. The only bad news for motorcycle is that no gasoline station on the road and the oil tank may be to small to manage a 180 km journey.
There are the other Hai relics called Hecang Town nearby. It was a busy town 2000 years ago. Caravans passed there one by one. They had high street, hotels, restaurants and many shops. But now there are just several yellow walls. Weeds are everywhere, winds blow with sands.
Thousands of beautiful or sad stories about this area are attractive for people to come here. When we think about Yumen, we are likely to get a picture that a General is standing on the gate, looking at the area outside, or a picture of millions soldier fighting in the blood, shouting into the sky.
This was an important fort to Han people who living inside the Yumen Gate. Once the group outside won the war and occupied their land, they didn’t know what would happen to them. On the other hand, the group outside the gate did want the good land to grow their population and to enjoy a better life conditions. You know that every war has a reason related to the land, never changes.
Any way, no matter what happened thousands years ago, the place has become a real desert. I don’t know whether the soil here still contains the blood, the winds blow with many spirits. I just see a lonely yellow mound stands here. History keeps its silence. But people will never forget what happened.
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On my last day in Dunhuang I got up early and I cycled to the edge of the city where the sand dunes can be seen. I also found a charming little youth hostel there, just at the foot of the desert. I dropped my bags and my bike there (40rmb a night) and went for a walk. I was surprised and annoyed that tourists were asked to pay 120 Yuan to “visit” the sand dunes. And the entire desert was surro..
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Warnings and Dangers You Should Avoid in Shanghai
Do eat food from the street vendors but use common sense. I lived in Shanghai (best destination for last minute China travel deals) for 13 months over a two year period and ate all kinds of things from the local street vendors. The only time I ever got sick in China was from a meal in a very clean looking Korean restaurant.
The street vendors have all kinds of tasty treats for very cheap prices. As mentioned above, use common sense. Foods that are served cold should be avoided. If it's deep fried or comes out of a super hot steamer, however, chances are its pretty safe. I always figured that even if it was crawling with nasty germs once it left the deep fryer it was good to go. Kind of like boiling your water when backpacking.
So, don't be afraid. Eating from the street vendors is a great way to try the local treats while spending only pennies. And remember, you can get sick anywhere. The worst food poisoning I ever got was from a Togo's sandwhich shop here in California.
2. Don't drive and stay alive !
I am fond of risky adventures and actually love driving in Italy, and Rome in particular. But I have been coming to Shanghai since 1999 and still cannot believe drivers in this city. Shanghai has the MOST AGGRESSIVE drivers I have ever witnessed. Period. End of story.
I don't know if it's that owning a vehicle is a relatively new phenomenon in China, but, even I still have not gotren the guts to drive in Shanghai.
That brings me to my DANGER TIP. Driving, in general, is something that should be completely AVOIDED unless you are a glutton for punishment. And if you do drive, beware of the local police, who stand on street corners, highways and busy intersections around the clock, blowing their whistles and motioning for you to pull over for no real reason other than to write you a ticket for something.
Take a cab everywhere you go (see picture), not that cabbies are any less aggressive - becuase they aren't. But taxi prices in Shanghai are very resonable (10 RMB,unit of China money, for a several km journey) and can be found by the seemingly thousands at any time, except when it rains.
Or even try the Metro - if you're in to MEATING new people (as in - welcome to the cattle car), but please do yourself a favor and don't even think of renting a car to see the city. And if you do, enjoy!
3. Tips At Bars
Although there is generally no tipping in Shanghai, it is wise to be careful of the tipping scam that happens in many bars.
When you go to a bar, girls in many will sit with you. They will ask you to buy them drinks. Of course, they are attractive, and you may be inclined for them to join you for a few drinks.
However, they will dance with you, rub up with you, and do their best to make sure you have a good time after popular China tours. When you are finished, they will demand a tip. Sometimes two or three hundred yuan.
Girls can make a pretty decent living from the tips of foreigners. Although these bars are technically breaking the law, they cover it up by not having a staff list and posting a sign that tips are not allowed. These are both just bogus ways to confuse the police into not shutting them down.
Be aware, if a girl sits with you at a bar, you could be in for an expensive evening. Bars (not the clubs, but the small bars) on Maoming Road, like Diablo and even more notoriously Nelly's are the highest risks. Best advice is to go there accompanied by someone and say you don't want company, or avoid these places altogether.
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Wonderful shopping experience after Shanghai travel
Most tourists to Shanghai for China tour deals don't get to Xujiahui, a prime residential and shopping district in Puxi just southwest of the city centre, unless they are staying at one of the mid-range hotels here. Five roads meet at the busy junction above Xujiahui metro station, at which five large shopping malls are found: Grand Gateway, Pacific, Number 6, Oriental and Meiluocheng. Xujiahui metro station itself has an underground mall with countless small shops. Unlike Nanjing and Huaihai roads, the shops here generally sell things that ordinary Shanghai residents want to buy!
What to buy: Everyday things.
What to pay: Prices are more reasonable compared to Huaihai or Nanjing roads.
2. Huaihai Middle Road: Is this Shanghai's Fifth Avenue?
The epicentre of today's shoppers' Shanghai (best travel destination for top 10 China tours) has moved west, to Huaihai Middle Road (Huaihai Zhong Lu), the old Avenue Joffre and main thoroughfare through the old French Concession. Broad and leafy, the road is perpetually busy, home to not just shops and shopping malls, but many restaurants, office towers and apartments. The main shopping section stretches two kilometres, roughly between Huangpi Nan Lu and Shaanxi Nan Lu metro stations. The shops are quite a mix here - malls, supermarkets, individual stores and some street-side stalls. Sadly, the old Xiangyang Market has been closed down forever.
What to buy: Almost anything is available, from designer brands to discount stores!
What to pay: How much can you afford?
3. 399 Lujiabang Lu - Old Dongjiadu Fabric Market: Fabrics, Silk, Clothing, Tailor Central
The old Dongjiadu Fabric Market is now at 399 Lujiabang Lu, just south from the original location. The vendors started to move in around April 1, 2006.
This is a new location, so everywhere is freshly cleaned, painted, and polished. All vendors and stalls are indoor. There are three large floors of fabrics. My wife, a seamstress from US, thought she had died and went to heaven. We spent at least 6 hours at this place during our last trip.
"Western" bathrooms are on 2nd and 3rd floors. Cost is 0.50RMB for a potty break.
What to buy: Fabrics, fabrics, fabrics. You can also find the fabrics and notions you like and have the store tailor make something for you.
What to pay: From our experience - Nice light 100% cotton 10-20RMB/meter. Silk/blend and heavy silk/blend brocade 20-30RMB/meter. 100% silk 35-45RMB/meter. These are bartered prices, so don't forget to haggle! And for 100% silk, don't forget to ask for the burn test. If they refuse, walk. There are always other vendors. Handmade frogs/claps for the "chipau"/oriental dress run around 10-20RMB for a package of 2 to 5, depending on size. Buttons are about 0.05-0.15RMB each. Handmade lace fabrics run a bit more expensive 50-80RMB/meter.
4. Yuyuan bazaar: Tourist Shopping Center
Yuyuan bazaar is located in the central business district of Shanghai. Together with the Yuyuan Garden (must-see in Shanghai for popular China tours), the Chenghuang Temple (the Temple of the Town God), and Chenxiang Pavilion nearby, it creates a distinctive feature that blends commerce with culture and folk customs.The buildings in the Chenghuang Temple are built before 1911 in the ancient Chinese architectural style.
What to buy: There are many small shops selling wide varieties of goods. The Chenghuang Temple is also well known as for their snacks selling various local-flavored snacks such as sweet pastries,eight-treasure rice pudding and fermented glutinous rice balls etc..
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Wonderful Shopping Experience on Nanjing Road Shanghai
Shanghai reputedly has the best shopping facilities on mainland China, and at least the most famous ones. Nanjing Road is *the* shopping street in China. It first became famous for its shops in the early part of the 1900s, and still retains the status. However, Nanjing Road is a fairly short stretch and prices may be a bit higher than elsewhere. I still like the Nanjing Road stretch for shopping as it is nice and compact and at the end of it, there is the Bund (the must-see for your China vacation deals) and the river :).
Huai hai Road is long and you will find almost anything on earth here. The eastern end features up-market shops and shopping centres, such as Lane Crawford housing Gucci, Boss, and Armani and further down, you can pop in to have a look at a Ferrari, should you like to buy one or just admire the sleek designs. Towards west, the prices go down, and the shopping centres cater for medium budget consumers.
For those of you who have heard of the huge Xiangyang market at the lower end of Huaihai Road, I am sorry to say that it closed at the end of June 2006 to give way for new developments.
2. Taking a Walk on Nanjing Road
This road is basically a shopping district, and is divided into 2 parts - Nanjing Road East and Nanjing Road West where you can buy after best tours of China. Me and hubby went to both parts. Nanjing Road East has more shops which cater for the masses, while its counterpart on the West seems slightly more upmarket. We prefer the East Road, as it is busier, bustling with activities and seems more "local".
Most of the shops in Nanjing Road East sell local brands, and the products include clothing, shoes, bags and luggages, etc. We bought some sweaters here (the prices of sweaters and winterwear are much cheaper than what we get in Singapore).
3. Nanjing Road
The 5.5-km long Nanjing Road is the most bustling and prosperous street in Shanghai (the famous city along the lowere Yantze River where you can have Yangtze River tour). It was first built in 1851.
Hundreds of big stores and famous shops were opened one after another. The colourful and brightly litted Nanjing Road became the most bustling commercial street in Shanghai and in the whole country. Nanjing Road has become the centre of Shanghai’s busy downtown.
You will find hundreds of modernised shops, famous old-brand stores and special product shops. It has become the largest collecting and distributing centre of retail goods and an information centre.
At night, lights glitter in blazing colours, especially at weekends, it becomes a pedestrian walkway for shopping and sightseeing.
4. Vegas of China
As the sun drops and the Neon lights are kicked on, you can be mistaken if you thought you where on the Vegas strip. Instead, you're in the middle of the frenzy that is Nanjing Road. Everywhereyou look there are people moving in every direction. everywhere you move there seems to be people moving in the complete direction to you.
There are shops, resturant and did I mention Neon lights. All the colours of the rainbow beaming down on you will 240 Voltages consistancy. Working around there I felt like a (tourist) moth to a (neon) flame - anytime, I'd be burnt by some retail rip off.
No doubt, the road should be walked, experience and photograpged, but keep your wallet buttoned up.
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The shopping tips and experience in Hong Kong
On our first stroll through Langham Place in Hong Kong (learn more via Hong Kong travel guide), I discovered a HUGE shop dedicated to Vans stuff, Charlie would have been in utter heaven!! So of course I bought him another pair of Vans shoes, making it a total of 3! These ones were blue and black and only $290HK which is about $40AUD - still less than half price youd pay in Australia! They also sold clothing, bags, sunnies and I guess all things Vans here, so if youre a big Vans fan, then this store is a definite MUST!!!!!
What to pay: Less than half price of stuff in Australia
2. Adidas Store TST: Genuine products
If you are after a HUGE selection of genuine Adidas products in central Hong Kong (houses some famous Hong Kong tourist attractions) you cannot go past the Adidas store in Hankow Road, TST. This store was less than a minute walk from where we were staying at Hop Inn so we passed it on a daily basis. I think I only bought some socks here for the boys, but at good prices, about $25HK each which is about less than $4AUD a pair, much much cheaper than in Australia.
3. Forrest Gump memorabilia: Bubba Gump Shop
Im a HUGE fan of Forrest Gump so it was special for me to eat at the restaurant, but also to check out the memorabilia shop! At the restaurant, I had a cocktail where you get to keep the cocktail glass, so that was awesome! At the shop, I bought a keyring, pack of playing cards and a coffee mug .... all for only $20AUD!!! The amount of stuff in this store to buy was amazing, and I could have easily spent more. Obviously you need to be a fan of the movie to appreciate this shop, and if you are .... I would highly recommend a visit for your Hong Kong tours!
What to buy: Coffee mug, key chain, cocktail glass and playing cards.
What to pay: Reasonable prices
4. Wan Chai Markets: Smaller Market on HK Island
This was an impromptu visit to Wan Chai Markets as it was the day we had planned to get the ferry to Macau, got all the way to the ferry port on HK Island and then realised we had forgotten our passports! So, while we were on HK Island, I suggested we visited Wan Chai markets as I had been told they were pretty good.
It took us a while to actually find them, asking lots of locals, who all looked very confused! And actually Im not even sure we did find them, as what we did find was small and not that good, and I therefore would not recommend them at all.
But anyway, an interesting morning was had, saw a horse tail hanging in an open air meat market, saw some beautiful flowers and bought my first piece of HK clothing!!!
What to pay: Cheap Market prices
Please contain Hong Kong for your China tour deals.
Some shopping places in Hong Kong
Festival Walk is a very pleasant shopping mall located north east of Mongkok in Kowloon Tong. Its just a couple of stops from Mongkok and the lower level of the mall is directly accessed from the Kowloon Tong MTR Station. Within the centre there are 200 shops, restaurants and a large cinema complex. Along with Elements shopping mall, Festival Walk also provides an indoor skating rink which always seems to be well utilised by very talented young skaters.
I always make a trip to Festival Walk when I'm in Hong Kong (learn more others via Hong Kong city guide) as I like the spacious layout and ambience. Plus there is a smallish Marks and Spencer and an H&M which are favourites of mine. You will also find Broadway and Fortress and Log-On and most of the same brands that are in every shopping centre in Hong Kong.
One that isnt so well known is Franc Franc, a Japanese chain which stocks homeware items suitable for small spaces. I always have a look there to see if there is anything I can fit in my suitcase.
2. 2IFC Mall in Central
The IFC mall is a stylish shopping complex located in the IFC2 building, which by the way is Hong Kongs second largest skyscraper. It is the home of the Lane Crawford Department Store and the first Apple store to be opened in Hong Kong.
The three-level complex houses more than 200 high-end shops and restaurants, as well as a five-screen cinema, a city super food store, and public open-air terraces with million dollar views of the harbour and Kowloon (houses some famous Hong Kong scenic spots). Its not nearly as large as other malls in Hong Kong but has an enviable location, being only a few minutes walk from the Central Ferry Piers. It has direct access to the Airport Express Hong Kong Station.
Shops are normally open by 11am and start to close around 8pm. On weekends the covered walkways linking 2IFC to the Star Ferry Terminal and Connaught Road are crowded with domestic workers enjoying their day off.
From 2IFC you can use any number of above road covered walkways to access various areas around Central (see my separate review)
For those interested in the history of Hong Kong currency see my review of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in my off the beaten path tips.
What to buy after Hong Kong tour packages: A gift for someone special from Lane Crawford.
3. Langham Place Mall in Mongkok
Mongkok in Kowloon is a massive shopping precinct and at its heart is the stylish Langham Place Mall. Its quite easy to locate what you are looking for as shops stocking particular items such as shoes/handbags are housed together in one area which makes browsing easy.
The style of the mall is unusual and quite trendy with little boutique shops being located within a spiral walkway. An amazing escalator connects some of the floors.
As with most shopping centres all the major brands are represented amoung the 200 stores. I particularly like the H&M store. There is also a popular food court.
By presenting a travel document to the Customer Service counter tourists receive a welcome gift and the "LP Card for Tourists" which can be used to get discounts of between 5% and 20% at participating retailers within Langham Place Mall.
Please read my "Getting out and about in Mongkok" travelogue for further information on Langham Place Mall.
What to buy: Loads of fashion and accessories for young people.
4. Island Beverley Centre - Causeway Bay
The Island Beverley Centre in George Street is always on my shopping agenda. I love wandering through the narrow corridors poking my head into shops not much bigger than a large cupboard.
Island Beverley contains three floors of mainly local independent fashion designers selling their own cutting edge fashion including one-off items. The centre attracts a mainly young clientele looking for something trendy and out of the ordinary but is great for the dedicated window shopper as well. Among the quirky styles are some really beautifully designed options.
So don't miss Hong Kong for your China vacation deals.
Strategy on Traveling to Fujian Province
You can take one day tour to Fuzhou, where you will see the highlights there include Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, West Lake Park, Xichan Temple and Mt. Gu. Then you just spend two days to have a visit to Xiamen for a romantic summer vacation to view the South Putuo Temple, Xiamen University as well as Hulishan Fort and the Gulangyu Island where you can appreciate the Sunshine Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and Piano Musuem; or you can take a 5 days to visit the Xiamen (famous travel city for affordable China tours) and Quanzhou at the same time, whose itinerary will be as follows: arrival upon Xiamen in your first day, visiting the Gulang Islet scenic at your second day, changing to Quanzhou City in your third day and viewing those historical sites including Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque and Holy Muslim Tombs in Mt. Lingshan, and being back Xiamen City and visit South Putuo Temple. After lunch, visit Xiamen University and Hulishan Fort at day 4 and finally departing from Xiamen at your fifth day to finish your amazing Fujian' popular China tours within 5 days.
If you want to extend your tour in China, you can also transfer to Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou to explore more beautiful scene in China to make your China tour more enjoyable and satisfied. Do not forget to get more tips and strategy about the China tour in the category of the “ travel tips” here.
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NEVER EVER GO FOR A "FREE" SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN HONG KONG
My 2nd trip to HK was with my family and the free & easy package that I had arranged comes with a "free" half day city tour. I had no intention of going for it as I know HK pretty well. Unfortunately, it rained one morning and I foolishly thought it would be easier to get around with in the rain with the Hong Kong tour.
Folks: the word here is FOOLISH.
The tour is a scam - we never made it up to Victoria Peak which is on the itinerary and houses some famous Hong Kong attractions. We stopped 3/4 way up at this road side pavilion and we were told this is it. Next their own photographer started taking photos of the group on the sly. I was very quick to notice him lurking around and after a round of heated bargaining, allowed him to take only 1 shot of my family, which cost me HK$50 for the photo and a stupid souvenir plate with our picture on it at the end of it. Some folks in my group had to pay more as the photographer took 3-4 photos for each family/couple.
Next, they start dropping us off at jewelry shops, dried seafood shops and Chinese medicinal shops. Yeah, see Hong Kong indeed!
To add insult on injury, we were driven to a restaurant for authentic Hongkie Dim Sum after Hong Kong travel. The food was good but we were then told to pay for our share at the end of the meal! (Nothing is free in life folks!)
And to add the cherry on top of the parfait, the guide started to collect "tips" from each of us in the group for their services - in the end I had to folk out another HK$50 for each person in my family.
I have never been so indignant and insulted in my life!!!
Unique Suggestions: Give them the full Hongkie treatment:
1) Sneer 2) Give snide remarks 3) give dirty looks 4) whine and complain 5) do all the above
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Silk Road Exploration from Beijing to Urumqi
If you are a challenger to take risk to travel somewhere, or at least so curious about exploring somewhere, this article will attract your attention I guess, as we are going to talk about the silk road tour from Beijing to Urumqi, a section of the whole Silk Road tour in China, which will spend you fewer days and fewer money but also offer you great excitement. So, let us talk more about it in detail here!
In your beginning of your silk road tour, you will firstly arrive in Beijing (the city of three-day China visa free) for the sightseeing.
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (must-see for last minute China travel deals) and Temple of Heaven in your second day, Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs in third day and then take your flight to Dunhuang at day 4 to visit the Crescent Spring and Sighing Sand Dune upon your arrival there at that day; of course the Mogao Grottoes visiting and train to Turpan will be your activity of your 5th day in China, then your itinerary in Turpan will include seeing the Jiaohe Ancient City and Karez Well at day 6 and Gaochang Ancient City, Astana Tombs, Flaming Mountain and Bezeklik Caves at 7th day and take your drive to Urumqi in your eighth day to appreciate the charm of the Tianchi Lake and Er Daoqiao Market. Finally you will fly to Shanghai for a easier departure from China to your next destination. If your time and money are enough and available, you can also pay a visit to the Yuyuan Garden, the Oriental Tower, and Nanjing Road and the Bund and of course the quiet and captivating Zhouzhuang water town to enjoy yourself. And do not forget to taste the delicious food in Shanghai if you are there!
Is this tour attractive and amazing to you? If you want to enjoy it, just make full preparation right now!
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St. John's Cathedral & Bird, Fish and Flower Markets in Hong Kong
St. John's Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral in Hong Kong and is also the Diocesan cathedral of Hong Kong. St. john’s is one of the five cathedrals located in the city and is the oldest surviving Anglican church in the east being built in 1849. in 1996 the Cathedral was declared a monument of Hong Kong (obtain more via Hong Kong city guide).
The Cathedral has seen some major upheavals especially during WWII. During WWII the cathedral was stripped of many of it’s ornamentation including the stained glass windows by the Japanese who were occupying Hong Kong. The Cathedral was used as a Japanese Club during the occupation.
Next to the cathedral stands a Memorial Cross that was dedicated to the soldiers killed in WWI; later the cross was redone to include those killed during WWII. By the base of the cross is a tombstone and the grave of Pte. R.D. Maxwell who was killed three days before the ceasefire with the Japanese.
The Church itself has beautiful stained glass windows and a mosaic floor at the front of the church dedicated to Dr. Arthur Woo. Across from the church is a gift shop that sells religious items, postcards and secondhand clothing.
I am glad my wife wanted to explore the grounds and cathedral as in my previous trips of Hong Kong tour packages I had not gotten many pictures or spent a lot of time here.
2. Bird, Fish and Flower Markets
These 3 markets were all within walking distance from Mongkok or Prince Edward MTR station or from our hotel at Langham Place and definitely worth a look, if only to see some very unusual things (especially at the fish markets!)
Bird Market is located just off Prince Edward Drive and directly behind the Flower Market (an option after visiting Hong Kong sightseeing) which isa on Flower Market Road, one street behing Prince Edward Drive. The Flower market was simply beautiful, the colours and the fragrance and the huge variety of fresh flowers was in abundance. The Bird Market was a bit unusual, just seemed like a lot of old men showing off their birds and it stunk like crazy! The Fish market was very unusual indeed, with lots of very strange things for sale, some of which we were not quite sure if they were for pets or for food - for either other pets or humans!!!!!
Overall though, if you are in the area, these 3 places are definitely worth a visit, we only spent a few hours wandering the street, but it was a nice way to while away the time.
You should consider Hong Kong in your packages of last minute China travel deals.
Symphony of Lights & Kowloon Walled City Park in Hong Kong
Every night large crowds gather on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to watch the Symphony of Lights, a laser and light display presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Commission. It is the worlds largest permanent Light and Sound Show which should not be miss for your Hong Kong tours.
The 15 minute display is projected over 45 skyscrapers around Central on Hong Kong Island together with buildings on the Kowloon side. All the major buildings participate including 2IFC, HSBC Building and the Bank of China Tower. Hong Kong's tallest building the International Commerce Centre joined the show on May 1 2012.
Coloured lights, lasers and searchlights perform sequences accompanied by narration and music. The narration is in English on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Putonghua on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday and Cantonese on Sunday, however the stars of the show are the lights themselves. It certainly wont spoil your enjoyment of the show if you cannot understand the narration (which adds little to the performance anyway).
The spectacle is particularly enjoyable during the Festive Season when many of the buildings are decorated with Christmas themes. Harbour cruises are available if you would like to see the show from the middle of the harbour.
The Symphony of Lights begins every evening at 8pm. The best locations to watch are on the Kowloon side along the Avenue of Stars. If you are on Hong Kong Island (learn more via Hong Kong travel guide) the show is best viewed from the promenade outside Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. In my opinion its best to watch the show from ground level. I have watched it from the Ozone Bar in the ICC building but felt watching it from that high up (118 floors) was a waste of time. The lobby lounge of the Intercontinental Hotel is also a good place to watch the show (and have cocktails at the same time if you wish to).
In my experience I've found that most people love the spectacle but some are a little underwhelmed by it. If you are beside the harbour at 8pm check it out and judge for yourself.
2. Kowloon Walled City Park
Kowloon Walled City Park is one of Hong Kong tourist attractions to visit for its history alone.
Historically the area had been used for military purposes for many centuries, most recently as a garrison during the British occupation, After the troops vacated the site evolved into Hong Kong's most populous slum existing in varying forms from the beginning of the 20th century up until the late 1980's, when the residents of the overcrowded laneways, crumbling tenement buildings and brothels were relocated.
Today, many of the architectural remnants remain, including the original walls however the surroundings have been transformed into eight different landscaped areas to become a walled park within the largely residential Kowloon Bay district.
Inside the yamen (the restored former imperial government building) there is a small exhibition which describes the sordid history of the walled city and provides a snapshot of what life was like for its thousands of inhabitants.
In one room large pictures are projected onto the walls showing small children playing on the building rooves with the sounds of planes flying above representing the closeness of the former walled city to the airport at Kai Tak.
It is a decent 15 minute walk from the closest MTR station (Lok Fu) and so probably not on the top of most tourist itineraries but is a good place to spend half an hour or so if you are interested in Hong Kong's chequered past.
So please don't miss these two places for your last minute China travel deals in Hong Kong.
Best travel experience on beach of Lamma Island
From the many TVB dramas, Lamma Island has always been famous for their many seafood restaurants. Other than that, there are actually also many things to see and do on lamma island for your Hong Kong tour packages.
there are 2 ferries leaving for lamma island coz the island has 2 jetties. when we were there, we just took the first ferry leaving the central ferry station.
have a map in hand coz the fun part abt this island is the trekking! the 2 jetties are almost at the 2 ends of the island so most ppl will choose to just walk from one end to another. the starting parts of the walk u'll just pass through many houses, small shops etc.. on the way u'll also pass by a temple. (i think its a tin hau temple if i remember correctly). If u start from the yung shue wan jetty and follow the signs correctly, you will pass by this small makeshift stall selling beancurd. The beancurd is seriously good. Go for the cold one. Its so smooth and refreshing. And the thick sugar syrup has a distinctive ginger taste. The tiny stall has benches for you to sit and enjoy the dessert. apparently its quite a famous stall as we saw many newspaper articles featuring it. After the dessert, walk further on and u'll reach the beach. if you are visiting in summer, take a dip in the crystal clear waters at the beach! there's a small hotel there i think but its only open in the summer. after the beach, take a hike up the hill. whoa! the views are amazing. theres an irritating power station interferring with ur view but other than that, its totally blue skies, fresh air, green grass... a wonderful break from all the shopping and eating in hong kong city (learn more via Hong Kong city guide) area itself.
2. CRUISE TO LAMMA ISLAND
With a group of 20 people we cruised to Lamma Island with private yacht, leaving Hong Kong bay to the outlying island to visit other Hong Kong tourist attractions.
Lamma island is a pretty little island west of Hong Kong island, very peaceful and tranquil and unspoiled.
We visited one of the two villages in Lamma island. Along the narrow lanes, low-rise housing blocks, businesses and restaurant clustered together with stalls selling dried fish, shrimp paste, Chinese herbal medicines, incense and candles. The life here are more removed than bustling city life. Here we can find the "other face" of Hong Kong.
3. go hiking and eating in Lamma..
The temples on the island celebrate traditional festivals from March to June: Tin Hau Festival on 23.3 and 18.4 of the Lunar Calendar at Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan respectively with performances like Cantonese Operas, Lion Dances, Parades; Dragon Boat Festival on 1.5 of the Lunar Calendar. Green turtles will come to Sham Wan at the south side of the island for spawning during June to October. This photo was taken in Sok Kwu Wan which has the largest fish farm in HK and with lots of seafood restaurants along the shore. Remember to try the local specialty food: baked egg rolls which are freshly made and really delicious! Also try the sweet tofu custard at Yung Shue Wan where you would find home-made arts and crafts shops and many pubs. Make a reservation at Rainbow Seafood Restaurant to enjoy the free ferry service between the Queen's Pier at Central and Sok Kwu Wan.
My favourite route of hiking in Lamma starts at Yung Shue Wan and follow the concrete path to Hung Shing Ye Beach. When you see the big cave Sun Fung Dun in Sok Kwu Wan and before reaching the Tin Hau Temple, turn right and walk up the stairs until reaching a small village called Tung O, then walk along the coast to Shek Pai Wan and then Mo Tat Wan where you will find a western restaurant on the beach called Cococablana. Continue the walk to the west to catch up the sunset and end it at Sok Kwu Wan to enjoy the yummy seafood for my China vacation deals!
My food experience in Hong Kong
Before this reccent Hong Kong travel, my favourite street food was Egg Balls HK$10 (S$1.90). I would always buy one to eat while I walked from Causeway Bay to the Hong Kong Stadium. Also a great snack to have while you're shopping :)
But on this trip I discovered something new - Spicy Fishballs (Yu Dan, Lat) HK$6-7 (about S$1.30). For that price, you get one stick with about 6 fishballs. The best one I had was at the street stall near Rong Yuan (other post in Restaurants for directions) - the one here is so spicy that my mouth takes a good half hour to recover, but it's so good that I can't help but eat more of it despite the discomfort! My mouth is watering just thinking about it now...
Another one of my favourites is the Deep Fried Squid Tentacles HK$10 (S$1.90). Also a great snack to have while you're shopping :)
On this trip, I finally decided to give Smelly Tofu (chow dow fu) a try. The one from this stall used to be really smelly - approaching it, I would wonder if the smell was coming from a drain - but for some reason this time it wasn't that bad... and as expected it wasn't smelly when I bit into it. It was pretty much just normal deep fried tofu, a bit of a let-down really... but maybe I will change my mind when I try a really good one.
2. Eat to your heart's content !
One of the main Hong Kong tourist attractions is the wide variety of food that it offers. From roadside stalls, to smoke-filled Cha Can Ting (Tea Restaurants), to fast food, to full fledge restaurants.
Hongkongs eat 6 meals a day: breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper.
For breakfast and morning tea, try the traditional dim sum that consists of prawn dumplings, meat dumplings, glutinous rice with chicken etc. You will be spoilt for choice. The recommended one is at Shamrock Seafood Restaurant. Cheap, good and authentic.
For lunch and dinner after Hong Kong tours, you can try the Japanese Ramen (different from that found in Singapore), Roasted Meat Delight (Roast Chicken, Pork, Pigeon, Duck, Goose). Or you can try any of the themed restaurants (like Teochew food - braised duck and pig neck, fish meat noodles etc) or Hakka food (braised vegetables and meat)
For afternoon, head down to the Tea Restaurants for a Pineapple Bun (Bo Luo Bao) or an egg tart, with a traditional Coffee or milk tea. If you cannot decide whether tea or coffee, try the Yuan Yang - a mixture of Coffee and Tea.
For supper, try the steamboat, a unqiue asian dish of dipping raw food into a piping hot pot of soup to cook, then dip the food into a sauce mix before putting the food into your mouth. Hong Kong has a wider variety of food that can be cooked in the steamboat, as compared to Singapore. For example: Fish, Fish egg, Xiao Long Bao (Meat Dumpling), Shui Jing Bao with pork in it (Glutinous Rice Ball), Fried Fish Skin and others.
Hong Kongers love desserts too...hence always end your meal with either a sweet steamed egg custard or a mango dessert !
So you should consider the street food when you travel Hong Kong for your last minute China travel deals.
Where to spend your honeymoon in China
Honeymoon is the ultimate romantic vacation and just about any chosen destination can translate into a romantic escape for the newly married couples. If you are not looking for a weary honeymoon or going some primitive areas in China, Hong Kong and Macau are a great option. Different from other parts of China, Hong Kong and Macau have strong western colors with lots of western architectures and modern lifestyle. Hong Kong along with Macau is listed as one of the top 10 honeymoon destinations in China due to its dynamic and vibrant features. Here we provide some ideas about how to spend your honeymoon travel to Hong Kongand Macau and make it a unique experience that last a life time.
As you would expect, Hong Kong is the city of life. Whether you want to indulge in the history, see some culture and art, visiting temples and religious festivals and many others. You will get ample chances to do it all. Or soak up the atmosphere in the Chinese market, shop in the modern designer malls, dance the night away at a nightclub, indulge in one of a thousand cosmopolitan dining experiences, take a thrilling ride at Hong Kong’s own Disneyland, or go retro and catch a movie at an authentic 1950s drive-in. if you and your love want to get cozy away from the crowd, the tranquil and quaint fishing villages and sandy strips of beaches are ideal for love birds like you.
When enjoying your honeymoon tour in Hong Kong, make a day trip to its neighbor Macau. Despite its being mainly known as a gambling destination which rakes in even more revenue than Las Vegas, Macau also makes for one of the top honeymoon destinations in China. As a former Portuguese enclave for 300 years, Macau has a superb collection of historical architectures and ramshackle backstreets and retains the Southern European flair with Portuguese restaurants, quaint Portuguese names and the occasional palm tree. Don’t miss the beautiful Baroque churches, old fortresses and culturally-rich architecture. The historic relics stand proud among the newer high-rise hotels, wide highways, concrete bridges and elegant casinos, all of which contribute to the unique ambience of Macau.
2. Qingdao
Being one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, Qingdao is just like a pearl among the Top 10 Honeymoon destinations in China. Renowned as “Switzerland of East”, Qingdao has attracted lots of people to visit this seaside city for your China tour deals. The climate, environment, the cultural background and the tourism attractions in this one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China are fantastic. Chosen as the place for holding Olympic Sailing Regatta during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, this excellent environment and the cultural background of this city impress people from all around the world. In this one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, the charm of this city will take you different experience which you cannot get in other places.
Many couples who have been to Qingdao will praise the construction of this city in the northern China. In this one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, you can always feel the breeze even in the hot summer. The sky is always blue and you can feel less noise in this modern city. People in this one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China are enthusiasm and they always try their best to help you. Couples always like their honeymoon to be the one that will record the best in their lives. This one of the Top 10 Honeymoon destinations in China will satisfy you because here you will always get various surprises. You can enjoy your time on the beach, or you can see the beautiful sunset on the beach. If you want to have a shopping day, lots of malls are waiting for you, where are full of international brands and local ones. Want to experience the culture? Qingdao also will not disappoint you.
In this one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, there is an Immortal Mountain called Lao Shan (Mount Lao) where is a holy land for Taoist and said once many immortals living there. In Lao Shan, there is a famous tree located in the mountain, as it is said that three pats of the tree’s trunk will bring instant luck for those seeking money. Qingdao is also a city famous for its beer. The beer made in Qingdao is almost same as the one made in Germany. As one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, Qingdao stands on the top of these cities, for it has rich cultural background, lots of tourism attractions, lovely climate, comfortable environment and excellent constructions. Getting married in China, Qingdao, one of the Top 10 honeymoon destinations in China, is the city you must go for your best tours of China where your honeymoon will be perfect.
Any Inner Mongolia
This is a five days top China tours to Inner Mongolia to relax yourself:
First of all, how is your first day? Yes, you will arrive in Hohhot in your first day to start your popular China travel package, and just have a good rest before any further visiting there; then your second day’s itinerary in Inner Mongolia will include visiting Dazhao Lamasery, the Five Pagoda Monastery and Inner Mongolia Museum; then you will get the chance to view the grandest, largest and best preserved monastery in Inner Mongolia, Wudangzhou in your third day there; for your fourth day itinerary, it is also a full day with the sightseeing Resonant Sand Bay and the mausoleum of the Great Genghis Kahn near Hohhot. Then your Inner Mongolia will come to an end after your departure from Hohhot in the fifth day.
Just do not forget to visit the local people’s family during your trip there, and keep in mind to taste the cheeses and delicious beef. You will find it a great fun and worthy your visit for this 5-day Inner Mongolia travel to China.
Explore Victoria Harbour for your travel
This is a very pleasant thing to do on a warm, sunny and hopefully clear day
The Aqua Luna does 45 minute harbour crossings on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and evening cruises daily including a 7.30pm depature to watch the Symphony of Lights show, but I did one of the trips to/from Stanley which operate on weekends departing Central Pier 9 at noon and Pier 1 on the Kowloon side at 12.15pm. The 90 minute trip to Stanley is very relaxing and shows the Hong Kong (learn more via Hong Kong travel guide) skyline from a wonderful new perspective. The return voyage departs at 3.30pm
A one way trip is HK$210 and includes one drink (alcoholic if prefered)
2. Don't miss the wonderful symphony of lights!
The Symphony of Lights in the Victoria Harbor is a must see in Hong Kong.
The show is a display of lights and lasers with the background of symphony music which is really amazing! I took a ride of the star ferry just for fun while watching the show and for the experience. The star ferry fare is around HK$2… as far as I can remember. At that time, I don’t want to go far from Tsim Sha Tsui (since it’s where I stay) so I decided to have a ride just to the next pier (pier 5)… then back again to TST (Tsim Sha Tsui). I think that’s the effect of traveling alone…???
The show starts at 8pm having the display of lights and lasers that comes from the country's famous buildings in the Victoria Harbor (houses some famous Hong Kong attractions) like the HSBC tower, Bank of China, etc. It’s a very nice thing actually especially when all you want is to relax.
3. Sail on the Duk Ling
The Duk Ling is available for private tours and charters but a couple of times a week the Hong Kong Tourism Board gives tourists the opportunity to cruise the harbour on this beautifully restored Chinese Junk. It is a few years since I was onboard, but the Duk Ling is still giving visitors the chance to step back in time, though for a fully authentic experience you have to imagine the harbour without so many skyscrapers.
Bookings for rides must be made in advance at the HKTB Kowloon Visitor Centre in the Star Ferry Terminal Concourse. The one hour sailings are only on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Participation is on a first come first served basis and only 30 places are available for each ride. You are required to present your passport when registering at the TST Visitor Centre. If my memory serves me correctly rides on the Duk Ling used to be free of charge. Tickets are now HK$100 per person. So you should not miss this place for your Hong Kong tour.
4. Avenue of Stars
Most people congregate at the Avenue of Stars solely to watch The Symphony of Lights show held nightly at 8pm (see my separate review) and finding an uncrowded spot to view the show can sometimes be difficult. During the day however, this nicely laid out promenade can be enjoyed in a much more relaxed way.
The Avenue of Stars is part of the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade and was constructed by a private company with the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. At its opening in 2004 the promenade was handed over to the Hong Kong goverment . Today the Avenue is a public throughfare holding many musical performances throughout the year. Stars of the Hong Kong film industry are honoured in a similar way to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame with plaques bearing their names. Bruce Lee is honoured with a large bronze sculpture.
The Avenue of Stars is a great place to take panoramic photos of the Hong Kong Island Skyline
Please contain Hong Kong in your packages of affordable China tours.
How much do you know Stanley
Stanley is located on the outer boundaries of Hong Kong Island (houses many Hong Kong tourist attractions) and is the mecca of bargain shopping. There are street stalls which is much like an outdoor flea market type setting within the confines of this quaint town. There are also some restaurants, pubs, a Tin Hau Temple, (Tin Hau - God of the sea) and the maritime museum. The shops located within Stanley Market have everything from souvenirs, to jewelry, to clothing, artwork and anything else you can think of. More about the shopping in my shopping link. Below are pics of Stanley Bay and the Tin Hau Temple.
2. Stanley
Stanley is a village that many foreign tourists will include in their itineary to Hong Kong. There is a market that sells stuffs gear towards foreigners. I think the boardwalk along the harbour has been completed by now. (My photo showed that it was under construction).
You'll find the Murray House in Stanley. It is a historic colonial style building used by the British army for many years, which was originally located at where the Bank of China Building is now in Central. They took down the building piece by piece and reassembled it here. It now houses the maritime museum and restaurants. It's quite nice to have lunch or dinner here, especially in the balcony patio where you can have a good view of the sea and the village.
There is also a couple of beaches in Stanley. The annual dragon boat race is held here too.
The bus ride to scenery is very beautiful, passing through villas and mansions of the rich and famous. Owning a low-density property in Hong Kong (obtain more via Hong Kong travel guide) costs a good fortune, and many of them are located in the southtern part of Hong Kong Island, where it is less developed.
Tip: On the bus, be sure you sit on the upper level and sit on the left side. You'll pass by a dam and you can see the wall of the dam - a huge drop to below, with a nice harbour view.
3. Such a contrast
well after allthe malls and really expensive stores such as christian dior and co. The Stanley Market is such a difference for your Hong Kong tours. There you can find everything you can imaggine at the quarter of regular prices...but you really have to bargin till you die.
4. A short ride away... Charming Stanley Market
You have to take a train to HOng Kong Island, Admiralty MTR station, and from there, the minibus 40 to Stanley Market.
I found this small enclave of shops most charming as they are linked by walkways that make it into a covered bazaar.
You can find most of the touristy, kitschy shops there selling everything from bedlinens, souvenirs, jewellery, art reproductions to outlet shopping, and more...
The minibus ride costs something like 90 Hong Kong dollars and be sure to have exact change as you drop it into a box and the driver doesn't give you any change. The ride through a scenic coastal part of HOng Kong island on a slightly hilly and winding road is quite pleasant and should take you only about 30 mins or so to reach.
There's a seafront promenade of sorts with a number of small hotels and eateries for meals and is really lovely and relaxed.
So you can shop here for your Hong Kong's last minute China travel deals.
Discover the specials of Central District of Hong Kong
1. Reminicent atomosphere...
If you try to seek Hong Kong with her old-time charm for your Hong Kong tour packages, please pay a visit to hill near Central, where foreign bars and restaurant are still there. I have been to Hong Kong pratically every Sunday, this place still remain very exotic comparing to the rest part of the city. Take a walk from world famous escalator to the hill and take a short walk down, you will surely like it.
It is sad that my visit was too short to find a nice restaurant for me to taste the food, but basing on my observation, I think expats in Hong Kong like to come here to soothe their nostalgia, that could mean at least food here is autehntic.
2.CENTRAL DISTRICT: hustle & bustle
Known mainly as the commercial, banking, and government district. Full of energy and dynamism. Its modern landmark towers of steel and glass symbolize Hong Kong’s success. Central-Mid-Levels Escalator at 800-metres long, the world’s longest covered escalator. The escalator runs one-way downhill from 6am to 10am, then uphill from 10.20am to midnight. SOHO, lively dining district takes its name from its location, South of Hollywood Road. City Hall, is the pick-up point for a free shuttle bus to the lower terminus of the Peak Tram. St. John Cathedral was inaugurated in 1849 and is believed to be the oldest Anglican Church in the Far East. Hong Kong Park, Lan Kwai Fong is home to numerous chic restaurants.
3. Central old vs new
Hong Kong Island holds some of the most beautiful Hong Kong sightseeing destinations in the world. Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, just to name a few which you can view by going to my HK2005 page and viewing the slideshow. The island has many districts and central is the one in which I stayed during this trip. Central is full of narrow, steep streets and alleyways which can seem like a maze when you're trying to find something. Many a time I was lost in this maze. It is brimming with street stalls and a flea market atmosphere in many areas with a 24/7 nightclub area called Lan Kwai Fong which is much like North Beach here in SF only a smaller scale. It is literally a street party in this area at night. There is also the Soho district which boasts some great restaurants and haunts. The interesting thing is that you can be walking along a street and all of a sudden come upon a temple right along an alleyway. As you venture further down central you find yourself in the midst of skyscrapers and hoards of people. There are the mid-level escalators which is known to be the longest escalator in the world and can take you from the waterfront area of Hong Kong Island to the Northern most tip of central within a few minutes. It was a great idea since the hills are so steep on the island, you need the escalator. Hong Kong Island I found to be an interesting mix of old and new, so you should not miss it for your travel to Hong Kong. Unlike Kowloon it is much more quiet on the island yet has it's moments.
4. The Peak
The Peak is the best place in Hong Kong to see the sunset. If you take the MTR to Central, its about a 10 minute walk to the Tram that goes up to the Peak. It will cost you $33 for a return trip up. It’s a steep tram trip on the way up, and you have some great views of the skyscrapers, at about a 50 degree angle or so.
Once you get up to the top, there are 3 levels of shops and a couple of food courts. One of the best views I found out of the way was the seats outside Burger King (one of only 3 in HK lol). There’s not may people there, and the views are almost as good as the top level, but that is crowded. If you also go out the exit directly opposite Burger King, you go to another balcony that no one else goes on ;).
I went up the Peak about 5pm, stayed up and watched the sun set. Then I disappeared downstairs to shop for an hour and grab some food, and was back out around 7.30. I stayed up on the Peak to see the laser display, and while you can see some of the lasers, its certainly not as good as being in Kowloon. But the Peak at sunset is a great place to be.
Please don't miss Hong Kong for your 4. China best tours.
Shanghai to be 2nd duty-free region
"The city will explore tax rebates on departure in coordination with national-level administrations and select locations to set up duty-free shops," the guideline says.
China's southernmost Hainan Province (very hot travel destination for last minute China travel deals) piloted the plan on January 1, 2011, with visitors and local residents able to buy tax-free commodities from designated stores before flying to other destinations on the mainland.
The plan received a warm welcome initially, but its popularity has been declining because the products offered prove unattractive to travelers and there are also too few shops in the region, Xinhua news agency said.
Introducing tax rebates on departure in Shanghai will develop a sound shopping atmosphere that is crucial to the city's mission to become an international trade center, said Shanghai Vice Mayor Zhao Wen as she proposed the plan during a political advisory meeting in Beijing.
Shanghai currently has duty-free shops at airports and one in Jing'an District that allows individuals to buy duty-free products within 6 months of their last return from overseas.
The proposed new duty-free shops will extend tax benefits to travelers without the need to leave the country.
"The guideline specifies responsibilities of various government departments and sets a clearer path for Shanghai to become an international trade center on par with China's status in global trading," said Ai Baojun, another vice mayor.
The guideline urges government departments to encourage the establishment of trade companies, improve the layout and infrastructure of commercial and logistics facilities, simplify trade-related procedures, and maintain a healthy market and legal environment. So you can buy what you want freely after top China tours.
Other detailed measures will include offering preferential policies in terms of labor, capital and clearing for trade headquarters, providing greater support for local trade firms involved in international disputes, cutting paperwork for customs clearance, developing an exhibition industry, reducing administrative approval for trading projects, and promoting e-commerce and trade in services.
Authorities should specify the definition of trade headquarters and detail preferential policies, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai People's Congress said. Guidelines on the exhibition industry should also be updated, said Yang Dinghua, its vice chairwoman.
In 2009, the central government announced its plan to build Shanghai into an international trade center by the year 2020.
For more others via China guide.
Wonderful travel experience on Hong Kong Island
1. Take the Tram up Victoria Peak
At 552 metres, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and one of must-see Hong Kong attractions. It is also known as Mt Austin and referrred to by locals as 'The Peak'. There is a communications centre built on the actual summit and it is closed to the public. 'The Peak' actually refers to the area of expensive real estate and parks that are around the summit.
In the early 19th century the European residents of Hong Kong would build their homes on the mountainside because of both the spectacular view and the cooler climate that the peak afforded them. These residences were accessed by rickshaw or sedan chairs which kept the developement to a minimum until the Peak Tram funicular was opened in 1888.
Today there is also a winding road up to the Peak tower viewing site where visitors can see panaromic views of Kowloon, Victoria Harbour and even the outer islands. This of course depends on the weather!
The Peak tower is the site of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Hong Kong which is the must-see for Hong Kong tours.
The preferred way to ascend The Peak is still the Peak Tram or funicular. The lower terminus is at 33 Garden Road and can be reached by MTR to Central J2 exit and walk through Chater Garden, by taking a 15C bus from near the Star Ferry Pier 7 or by taxi.
2. Star Ferry
26 million passengers make use of the Star Ferry to cross Victoria Harbour every year. Although there are four different routes the one from Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon to Central, Hong Kong Island is the route most often associated with the Star Ferry.
Before 1870 people had to use sampans to cross the harbour. In that year a single steam ferry started to run an irregular service. In 1888 the Kowloon Ferry Service started with the original vessel and two more – the Morning Star and Evening Star. The service was so popular it soon had 4 ferries all of which had names ending in ‘Star’. The business became the Star Ferry Company Limited in 1898. After some changes in fortune and surviving WWII the service now operates 12 ferries. Until 1972, when the harbour tunnel was built, Star Ferries were the main way to cross the harbour.
The Star Ferry is now an icon of Hong Kong and remains popular with locals and tourists alike. One of the best views you can get of the harbour and the famous skyline is from the ferry. So you should contain it in your package of Hong Kong travel.
The trip from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central costs $2HK one way for the lower deck. Tokens can be purchased from vending machines at the piers.
3. Aberdeen Harbour
Aberdeen is an area on the south shore of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. In fact the name 'Hong Kong' was the original name of the area and foreigners who landed here in the 1800's mistook the name as for the whole island. Consquently, Aberdeen was named in 1845 after the then British Secretary of State for War and Colonies - George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
Today, as then, it is the harbour that is the drawcard. Aberdeen is famous for its floating village and giant seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. Many of the Tanka people, associated with the fishing industry, still live on the water
There are regular ferries across the harbour and to neighbouring Lamma Island. For locals to get to their boats the sampan service is the best. It is also the best way for visitors to get an ideal view of the harbour.
4. Aberdeen Fishing Village
Aberdeen was formerly a fishing village. Even though quite a few commercial towers and factories have been built in this district in recent years, Hong Kong Tsai still maintains the characteristics of a traditional fishing village. There are also boat-dwellers in the Aberdeen Bay, shuttling with sampan along the Bay, from which one can have a glimpse of the life of the boat-dwellers, The famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant (One was Moved and now is in Manila Bay in the Philippines!) and the Tai Bak (Tai Bei) Seafood Boat are located at the Aberdeen Habour. Visitors can enjoy a free-of-charge travel by ferry boat to the restaurants to have a taste of delicious seafood.
Aberdeen was named, in 1845, after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen. It is famous to tourists for the boat people living in the harbour and the floating seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. The boat people are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.
Conventional lifestyle still prevails in Aberdeen. Aberdeen harbour preserves the features of a fishing port. Fishing boats, equipped with traditional sampans, shuttle back and forth. Fishermen are busy arranging for their bread and butter. Visitors can cruise around the fishing port on a boat. However, they are advised to negotiate the price with the owner before boarding. People who have passed most of their life on dry lands would find fishing life of Aberdeen very intriguing.
Aberdeen harbor of today is a modern town with the population of about sixty thousand. Two centuries ago, it was a haunt of pirates. Later, it transformed into a simple fishing village. In recent years, it has evolved into a modern town, with high-rise buildings and entertainment facilities. Yet it maintains its old world charm which fascinates the tourists like me.
When you visit Hong Kong for your affordable China tours, you should not miss the above places.Please don't miss the following things in Lamma Island
1. O Tsai Fishing Village near YSW Ferry Pier
When you get off the ferry at Yung Shue Wan look to the left and you'll see O Tsai Fishing Village for your Hong Kong tour packages. Turn left towards the library and follow the signs to the Pavilion. You walk past the library and go up some steps and actually walk through a narrow passage way which cuts right through the fishing village. The locals don't seem to mind too much and it's interesting to look inside their homes (not too obviously though). Life must be hard for these families - the homes seem rather basic.
I've spent many hours painting watercolours of the houses and boats in the village and they recognise me now. Spot the difference in colours in one of the houses - it used to be a beautiful blue and now it's completely different! There's a small temple on the rocks opposite the village. The harbour is actually the typhoon shelter for Lamma and when it's a T8 the harbour fills up with boats very quickly.
They built a small pavilion about 18 months ago and you get spectacular views of Lantau and Cheung Chau when it's a clear day. It's great to sit and watch the sunset from there.
2. Weekday trip to Lamma Island
If you would like to see a different Hong Kong for your travel to Hong Kong, Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island is well worth visiting for the day but not at the weekends - the island seems to be overrun by locals who come over for a day's "hiking"! There are many restaurants as you walk along the Main Street - just a few minutes walk from the Ferry Pier. If you're coming over in the morning, have dim sum at the Sampan. Or try the Lancombe for fresh seafood. If you want good organic vegetarian food, try out the salads or breakfasts at the Bookworm Cafe. This is very close to the Tin Hau Temple.
There are no cars on Lamma and no high rises. It's quiet and such a contrast to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island which houses many famous Hong Kong scenic spots. Watch out for the village vehicles and the island ambulances and fire cars!
The main beach is about 20 minutes walk and it's quiet during the week. At the weekend it's very busy and full of families and young people having barbecues in the special areas. Carry on walking and you can enjoy beautiful views. You can walk to the other side of the island and then catch a ferry back to Central.
It's best to do the walk in spring when it's cooler. It gets very hot and humid in the summer. Make sure you're fit as there's quite a lot of uphill walking.
3. Hiking Lamma
One of the most popular activities on Lamma is hiking. If you go on a Sunday or holiday you are likely to pass by lots of locals as you make your way down the path. The hiking trails on Lamma are actually paved sidewalks. The main path has some gentle inclines but no strenuous climbs. If you are feeling energetic, you can go onto side trails and climb one or both of Lammas two peaks. But you don't have to go to the peak to get great views of the island and the South China Sea.
The walk between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan is an easy one, taking two hours or less if you go at a leisurely pace. This path is great for families, and is even stroller friendly. You can catch a ferry back to central from either city. As long as you are staying on the main path you can get by without a trail map, as there are signposts to help you navigate. If you are planning on going off the main path, a map is probably a good idea when you visit Hong Kong for your China travel deals.
Adventurous Tour to Taklimakan Desert
If you are challengeable enough and adventurous enough, you must be the one who hopes to travel somewhere unnormal to make your trip memorable and unforgettable, right? If so, you may show great interest on Xinjiang tour in China to explore the Taklimakan Desert – it’s really fantastic and worthy your China vacation deals!
Just start your amazing Taklimakan Desert tour with your arrival upon Beijing in your first day, and then your itinerary in Beijing will include visiting Great Wall (must-see for top 10 China tours) and the Ming Tomb in second day and taking your flight to Urumqi in your third day. In your 4th day, you will take your drive to Korla to visit the ancient beacon towers, desert, oasis, gobi, and customs of Uygur, Hui, Kazakh nationalities; next day to Kucha to explore the diversiform-leaved polar forest, oasis, ruins of Kusan ancient town, Zhaogul temple ruins, farmer home and apricot orchard; and to Aksu in your day 6 to view the Kezil Buddhist carve, strange stonesand mountains there; in your 7th day, you will take your drive to Taklimakan Desert to experience the charm of Yarkand River and Tarim River; then your eighth day you will drive along the Hotan river course to appreciate the diversiform-leaved poplar, reed, thorn bushes, sheep, wild boar, fox and hare. In your ninth day, you will get the chance to view the?Mazartagh Mountain, ancient beacon towers, uygur people’s tombs and sand dunes. Then comes to the tenth day, when you will keep driving from Mazartagh Mountain to Hotan city to visit the Hotan?silk factory, carpet factory, jade-carving factory and museum in your 11th day and you will flight back to Urumqi (main destination for Silk Road tours) from Hotan in 12th day and depart from Urumqi in you 12th day to finish your excellent tour in Xinjiang.
Just have a try to experience this adventurous Taklimakan Desert right now for your popular China travel package!
What is Impression Lijiang?
Impression Lijiang (which can be watched after Kunming tour) is the cultural show which demonstrates the lifestyle and traditions of local Naxi, Bai and Yi ethnics of the area. It is the second outdoor production after the impression Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo, Guilin of Zhang Yimou, the famous Chinese Director who was also the co-director of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, 2008. The open air performance takes place inside the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park at about 3500 meters in an outdoor theater which is specifically designed for showcasing the mountain which is used as the wonderful backdrop. Impression Lijiang is the magnificent outdoor dancing and singing performance which demonstrates the lifestyle and tradition of the local ethnic people.
As an outdoor performance in the full daylight, Impression Lijiang for which Zhang Yimou had spent two years for the preparation was staged in the morning innovatively. This show has been divided into parts- Ancient City Impression and Snow Mountain Impression so you should not miss it for your last minute China travel deals. The production, for these shows cost about 31 million US dollars for making, is staged at Dayan Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Snow, the tow famous scenic spot of Lijiang, which is a scenic city in the south west China. It aims at providing an insight into the live of the ethnic groups of religions and all the dances and song which includes within the show largely portray the daily life of the local people. About 500 local people from the 10 ethnic groups have been selected from about 16 towns and villages in Lijiang of Yunnan Province for performing daily folk dances, songs and rituals for the tourists. This show last for about one hour and represent the real ethnic atmosphere to the show. The people dress up in their ethnic accessories and costumes for performing the show. You will come to learn about their culture in the better way through Impression Lijiang.
Slow Down Your Pace by Visiting Those Lazy Cities in China!
You are the one who lives in the fast-developed cities? Or you shuttle back and forth in the bustling streets every day to catch the trend, the pace or the speed of that city there? You feel time flies fast in your city? You feel heavy stress every day? If you belong to any kind of these situations, you are highly recommended to have a travel to relax yourself in those lazy cities to slow down your pace of life. Here are some lazy cities in China highly suggested for you, just keep reading this articles to get useful information you need for your travel to China.
First of all, it is the Lijiang ancient town in Yunnan province (very famous travel destination for best tours of China)in China, where you will feel time stands still every day. It is a peaceful and quiet and beautiful city featuring a plenty of famous attractions including Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, Lugu Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baoshan Stone Village and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Next will be the Chengdu city in Sichuan province featuring a lot of World-Class Attractions for your leisure time there, such as Wide and Narrow Alleys, Jinli Old Street, Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, Giant Buddha in Leshan and Mount Emei and of course the fairyland Jiuzhaigou. The next one which is recommended to you is the Xiamen city in Fujian province, which is a romantically coastal city with low pace. Take a visit there, you will find the life will pass slowly and your day will full of enjoyment by visiting Gulangyu Island, Mount Wuyi, South Putuo Temple, and the Taining Danxia Landfors.
Have a travel to these beautiful cities with low-paced life in your vacation to relax yourself from time to time, and your life will become much more comfortable and enjoyable. Do not hesitate it anymore! Let’s go for popular China tours!
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Sit in Coach Tour with the Budget Price – Have Your Taken any Try Before?
If you want to take long affordable China tours outside, what you will consider the most may be the payment and what you hope is to travel in an enjoyable way and save more money in the same time, right? In that case, what I’d like to recommend to you is the sit in coach tour in China to make your summer holiday with the affordable price and enjoy yourself at the same time. It will make you unforgettable I guess! Okay, here comes our tour plan and itinerary in detail in the follows:
14-Day Seat-in-Coach Tour for your summer holiday when travel to China with the budget price which include Beijing, Lhasa and Shanghai you may like it:
In your first day you will undoubtedly arrive in Beijing which is the city of 72-hour China visa free, the capital of China and have a good rest after your long flight; then your Beijing itinerary will include the sightseeing of Great Wall Bus Tour and Ming Tombs in day 2 and Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace in your third day and later that day taking an overnight train from Beijing to Lhasa and you will arrive Lhasa at the forth day to continue your China tour by visiting the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Barkor Street at your fifth day of your China trip and Yamdrok Lake and Southern part of Tibet Plateau in day 6 and Tashilumpo Monastery and a drive tour from Shigatse to Shegar for your seventh day’s itinerary?and then experience the Everest Base Camp in eighth day and enjoy the Everest Sunrise and last peak at Everest? in day 9 and have a free day itinerary for your tenth day in China in Lhasa; and you will take a flight from Lhasa to Shanghai the next day to start your Shanghai tour which includes sightseeing of Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Grand Canal, Old City Gate, Silk Factory and Zhouzhuang Water Town in 12th day and Yu Garden, the Bund, Xintiandi and Former French Concession at your thirteenth day and departing Shanghai (best city for your top 10 China tours) at the last day-14th day to finish your wonderful sit-in-coach tour in China.
Just Wonder How to Plan a Tour to Huangshan?
Some of my friends have asked me for some times about the Huangshan tour as they wanted to take a visit there long before. Here I just want to share my Huangshan tour with all of you here, keep reading this article as it will be a great help for your China travel deals there before long.
I took a visit to the Huangshan Mountain in September last year for my summer vacation. It was really best tours of China as the scenery there were so beautiful and charming at that time, if time available, I will take a second time to pay a visit there again. It is really a good choice worth your visit.
I started my tour from the arrival at Beijing in my first day there. After arriving there, I took a good rest in my hotel as I was a long flight which made me feel tired; then my second day was full of the itinerary with the sightseeing of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven and the third day continued with the Badaling Great Wall visiting and Ming Tomb; the fourth day before taking my fight to Huangshan in the afternoon I took time to view the Summer Palace (must-see for your popular China tour package) and the Beijing Zoo.? For 5th day, it was really memorable as I eventually climbed the Huangshan Mountain that day and has caught so many captivate scenery along my way; my 6th day itinerary in Huangshan includes appreciating the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and the Xihai Grand Canyon and visiting the Tunxi Ancient Street. In the 7th day, I transferred my destination to the Yixian County and got the chance to take a visit to the Hongcun Village, later that day I took my car back Huangshan. As time limited, I departed Huangshan in nightfall that day to end this amazing Huangshan tour, part of Yangtze River tour.
Olympic Venues
The 2008 Olympic Venues are a very important site to Beijing (the must-see for last minute China travel deals) and to China, not only because they were the scene of last summer's XXIX Olympic Games, but because of how China has chosen to present themselves to the world with these venues. China has long since been a country shrouded in mystery and now has chosen to open their doors and share their culture happily with the world; the Olympic games was one of the first opportunities we get to see how China wants to present itself.
◇ What to know before you head to Olympic Park:
Beijing's Olympic park is easily accessed via the Green Line on the Subway.
Admission into the Bird's Nest is 50 RMB (unit for China money) and allows visitors to sit in the very seats spectators watched the Olympics. It isn't hard to imagine the excitement of the crowd and the enthusiasm hanging in the air from the games. Visitors can walk onto the field and look out into the "crowd" or simply have their picture taken with all of the larger than life Olympic mascots in the stands. These mascots (Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Nini) are favorites among visitors and there is often a long line to get pictures made with a favorite. Just above the stands is an Olympic gift shop that visitors can come to peruse for their favorite hard-to-get merchandise. Although there isn't much else to do inside the stadium, it remains a cultural icon for Beijing and visitors are in no short supply. This is currently the largest source of income for the venue and usually fairly crowded.
The best time to visit the park is night, when the venues seem to come alive in brilliant shades of soft reds and blues. The Bird's Nest is illuminated in red and stands in stark contrast to the architecture of Ai Weiwei. The skeleton of the building stands out and the "negative space" takes center stage at night. It seems to reflect the warm light of the Olympic torch, a testament that even though the games are over, the spirit of the Olympics will never be extinguished. The Water Cube however is illuminated in a bright brilliant blue shade, reminiscent of the aquatic interior. These two brilliant nightlights bring a paradox of fire and water onto the Olympic Park while kite flyers quietly soar long tailed kites into the night sky and people stroll along the illuminated park.
◇ What is in store for the venues now that the Games are over?
One of the most exciting things about the venues is that their uses have not been limited to the Olympic Games but have since converted into world class venues for top events. The sites of the Olympic make contribution to China tourism.
The Water Cube, still containing its diving platform and pools, has most recently converted into a water stage for the Imperial Russian Ballet. The world's first "sports edition" of the classic ballet Swan Lake was running through August 2, 2009 and showcased exciting divers and swimmers along with the classic ballerinas. Also the Olympic warm-up pool has been opened to the public and for 50 RMB, visitors can do laps in the same pool as Olympic greats like Michael Phelps.
The Bird's Nest has a lot of new and exciting activities lined up on the schedule. Most recently it was home to a summer concert series that included greats such as: Song Zuying, Jay Chou, Placido Domingo, and Lang Lang; all national favorites. It has been theorized that this could develop into an annual event for the venue and a great way to kick off summer. Other upcoming events include the opera Turandot, which, staged by Zhang Yimou (chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics), will begin on October 6. Additionally Beijing's first international car racing festival, the 2009 ROC Nations Cup, will be held on November 1, 2009.
Be sure to be on the lookout for other upcoming events. These are a great way to convert the venues into a new use and not let them slip into a dated era. Beijing anticipates using them for many years and is currently considering selling the naming rights. For more others via China guide.
Two New Years in Tibet
I arrived in Nyingchi prefecture of eastern Tibet autonomous region last November for China vacation deals. The Dongbitang village is near the town of Menri but is rarely visited and has kept the traditions of the Kongpo people, a branch of the Tibetans.
Village chief Nima Tsering told me the locals would celebrate New Year the next day. The Kongpo people have maintained their cultural traditions well. They wear cubic furry hats and a "waistcoat" that goes all the way down to the knee.
But the most striking difference is that the Kongpo New Year is celebrated on the first day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar, which is two months ahead of the traditional Tibetan New Year, which is Feb 25 this year.
"The Kongpo people are very happy - we enjoy two New Years," says Nima Tsering.
Legends say that invaders came to the area centuries ago and that the King of Kongpo led them in battle. It was close to the New Year and many soldiers were depressed that they might not make it home for the festival. A sage advised the king to celebrate the New Year ahead of time, which boosted morale and eventually won the war. To commemorate the warriors who died, Kongpo people offered sacrifices and kept vigils. In time, this tradition became the Kongpo New Year.
Real life is always more wonderful than legends attracting tourists for best tours of China. When I followed Nima Tsering home, I almost tripped on the floor. His wife had rubbed the floor with butter to make every inch shine and smell pleasant. With a small basin of zamba (roasted qingke barley flour), she put white dots on columns, the stove, door, wall and cupboards while chanting "tashi dele" - a Tibetan phrase for good luck.
As the family head, Nima Tsering busied himself with redecorating the Qema box, which is a perennial offering to the deities. He emptied the box and refilled it with newly ground qingke flour and butter shaped into flowers and other auspicious symbols. He also changed the peach branches and wheat straws for blessings of a bumper harvest.
As the sun set, the whole family gathered in the sitting room for the grand meal on the Eve of the New Year. The diligent housewife had spent the whole day preparing a pot of milky white soup with yak bones.
But I was more impressed with the cheese-like gyeta, which is highly valued, as a big pot of yak milk can only turn out a small piece of gyeta. In the past, locals only enjoyed the delicacy at New Year.
It's interesting how the gyeta is eaten. The hostess put a thin wooden stick through the hard cheese and showed me how to roast it over the fire. As the exterior melted, I could lick it and savor the mellow taste. It was the first time I had learned that cheese could be eaten this way.
Exhausted after my long trip of popular China travel package, I couldn't stay up long enough to see the New Year's first event, a sort of competition between the local women. With a water pail on her back, each woman leaves home at about 3 am to fetch the year's first bucket of spring water before the cock crows. They believe the woman who gets ahead of others will bring greatest fortune to the family.
I slept soundly and didn't wake up until the sitting room became boisterous with throngs of villagers coming to offer greetings.
Before I could find out if my hostess had succeeded in her adventure, I was offered bowls of qingke wine and became light-headed. I felt as if I were walking on cotton clouds as I joined the crowd to visit other families. Strong young men carried a big jar of wine and shared it with everyone to exchange good wishes.
A light snow during the night had turned the village into a silver fairyland. Compared to the quiet roads, each family's sitting room became full of merriment. People joined hands to form a circle, dancing and singing from dawn till late into the night.
The village's proximity to forests has enabled locals to use plenty of wood and build themselves two-story houses. As dozens of people stamp their feet and leap in uproarious joy, the entire building shakes and joins in the frenzy.
I found it hard to stand upright and caught glimpses of the cups, plates, pots and pans also dancing merrily with us.
"Tashi dele!" another bowl of wine appeared. There was no excuse for opting out of the New Year's greetings and I gulped down the fuel.
Feeling my brain running like an overheated engine, I threw myself into the chorus of throaty songs and foot-stomping ... and left behind concerns about the building collapsing.
For more others, you can check out China guide.
With the emergence of new buildings like the CCTV Tower, Bird's Nest and T3, Beijing is metamorphosing into a modern city at an unprecedented speed. At the same time, however, there is also a countercurrent of going back to old houses in the city. So it should not be missed for your affordable China travel packages.
Nowadays you can go to a concert of traditional folk music at the Mawood Theater or a Kunqu opera at the Imperial Granary, both converted from buildings of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). You can also see an art exhibition or enjoy dinner at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants at the Ch'ien Men 23, the United States Embassy in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), or go to a rock gig at the Yugong Yishan Club, which was part of government house in the 1920s.
"I like old buildings because they have more character and you can embrace history there," says Handel Lee, executive chairman of the Ch'ien Men 23 (www.legationquarter.com), which is to the southeast of the Tian'anmen Square, at 23 Qianmen East Street.
Today's Ch'ien Men 23 was built in 1903 as the former US Embassy. In the second half of the 20th century, it also served as the Dalai Lama's residence, foreign minister's office and the former Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Today, the five neo-classical buildings have been developed into a trendy compound for dining, shopping, art and entertainment, including six restaurants, an art gallery and a studio theater.
"The idea is to revitalize these historical buildings to provide a place for people to enjoy a combination of past and current Chinese lives, an experience one can only get in China," says Lee, an American-Chinese who was born in 1961 in the US and has been living in China since 1991.
Ch'ien Men 23 is the third project that Lee has developed in China, after the Courtyard Gallery, housed in a traditional Chinese courtyard just outside the Forbidden City, and Three on the Bund, a complex of restaurants, fashion stores and art gallery in a historical building on Shanghai's Bund.
"While trying our best to protect the historical buildings, we are also trying to make them come back to life," Lee says.
In order to bring back the original look of Ch'ien Men 23, Lee and his designer referred to old pictures of the former US Embassy, including photos from the Library of Congress in the US. They also rebuilt a demolished gate of the US Embassy on the street of Dongjiao Minxiang, which was the area for foreign embassies in Beijing (always contained in top 10 China tour packages) during the Qing Dynasty.
"Projects involving historical properties are very challenging. We spent four years on Three on the Bund and five years on Ch'ien Men 23 before they opened," says Lee. "It's not like developing new apartments, which can bring quick rewards, but I believe they can contribute to the urban culture by showing people the past with new dynamics."
If the Ch'ien Men 23 Quarter is reminiscent of a time when China began to open to the world, the Mawood Theater (www.mawood.com.cn) places one in a time further back in Chinese history.
Tucked in a small hutong near the Drum and Bell Towers of Beijing, the Mawood Theater was originally the worship hall of the Hong'en Taoist Temple, built in the Ming Dynasty. In the late Qing Dynasty, it became the home of a eunuch named Liu Suyun, who renovated the temple. After the overthrow of the Qing court, many eunuchs expelled from the Forbidden City also lived there.
After the founding of New China in 1949, the halls of Hong'en Temple became storage rooms and workshops of the Beijing No 2 Factory of Standardized Parts and Components, while the front courtyard became a market.
When Guo Yong, a musician from Guizhou province (which develop its economy via China tourism), saw the Hong'en Temple for the first time last year, he immediately fell in love with it, although it looked dusty and worn-out at that time.
"It seemed to me at once that there was a kind of vital energy in the place which could turn a musical performance into an unusual experience," says Guo. "The sound is excellent here, as the uneven surfaces of the wooden beams and columns from long-time wear and tear naturally absorb excess reverberations."
Guo didn't change the temple hall much, other than setting up sound and light equipment, and giving it the new name of "mawood", which comes from "mawu", a Guizhou dialect term that refers to a state of mind when one gets a little drunk.
"The main orientation of Mawood Theater is world music, which is appropriate here as both the music and venue are very old," he says.
On Christmas Eve last year, Mawood Theater held its first performance, a concert of Mongolian folk music by a band called Hanggai.
"I never knew this Taoist temple before this concert. There was a magical effect when music was played in this old building," says Yang Ran, a young woman who attended the first performance in Mawood Theater.
The theater has also held performances of traditional music by the Miao ethnic group from Guizhou, and a fusion of Chinese and European jazz. Now Guo is preparing to produce a musical in the venue and hopes to elevate Mawood Theater into a center of world music in Beijing.
"The experience of listening to music in this ancient venue cannot be reproduced. I think the place itself can attract people to come and enjoy the atmosphere," Guo says.
Lu Zhiqiang, director of the Yugong Yishan Club, believes that programs are more important than venues. Housed in the former government building of Duan Qirui, who was provisional chief executive of the Republic of China from 1924 to 1926, the club is a sub-culture venue that holds rock gigs, films, dramas and parties.
"We do anything interesting. It is a small cultural center. We even provide this place for senior people to sing Peking Opera for free every Sunday afternoon," says Lu.
Yugong Yishan Club moved to the present venue in 2007 after its former site near the Workers' Stadium was demolished. "We moved here mainly because this place is convenient and quiet. Without many neighbors, we don't have to worry about disturbing others," says Lu.
From the outside, not much sign of the history of the building can be found, except for two stone lions that stand to the east of the club, at the formal entrance of the former government house. However, inside the club, the chairs bear images of many historical figures who used to live or work here, reminding one of the destiny of the time-weathered place.
The name "Yugong Yishan", or "Foolish Man Removes the Mountains", refers to an ancient story about an old man who tried to remove two great mountains that obstructed the way. Ridiculed by some, the old man insisted that with his efforts and those of his descendents, the task would be realized in time.
Lu says that his idea is to do things bit by bit, like the foolish old man.
Xie Li, a program officer with ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) China, a non-government organization devoted to the protection and re-use of cultural relics, believes that proper reconstruction of historical buildings will help protect them.
"It is not meaningful if the work of protection is limited to people of the circle," she says. "Appropriate re-adaptation of historical buildings not only extends their vital force, but also promotes the consciousness of protection."
However, she points out that China still lacks detailed rules for the reconstruction of historical buildings, so that protection and design are still not well integrated.
"If we can readapt historical buildings on a more integrative level, we will be able to better protect them," she says.
For more others in China, you can check out China travel guide.
_16 hours in Guilin
Start your 16 hours in Guilin with a trip to Elephant Trunk Hill for your last minute China travel deals. Situated on the west bank of the River Li, this picturesque hill rises 55m above the surface level, and features a curving rock pillar that resembles a giant elephant's trunk. Take a bamboo raft out onto the water for the best view, then go into the park by Elephant Trunk Hill and walk along Water Moon Cave, read inscriptions dating back to the Tang Dynasty, and reach the Puxian Pagoda dedicated to the bodhisattva of universal benevolence.
Go northeast to the stunning karst landscape around Solitary Beauty Peak. Climb the "Sky-Supporting Pillar of the South" to get a panoramic view of Guilin which is the very best and famous travel city for top China tours and its surrounds. Back at the foot of the peak, explore the weird shaped rocks and stalactite-laden grottoes.
Then head back to town and find a good restaurant for lunch. Guilin cuisine is often said to be a blend of Hunan- and Cantonese-style cooking. Local specialties are as strangely-named as the city's sights - you can choose try some Thick Bamboo Tube Fish, Lipu Taro Buckle Meat or some Horse's Hoof Cake.
Spend the greater part of the afternoon wandering around the 120-hectare Seven Stars Park on the east bank of the Li. Walk its trails through graceful mountain and serene valleys, and explore its numerous cultural and historical spots. Not-to-be-missed spots are Putou Mountain, Seven Stars Cave, Camel Hill and the Guihai Stele Forest which are all very famous and make contribution to local China tourism.
For dinner, enjoy Guilin's best specialty dish. And this one is more recognizable to the Western eye, too. Roasted Suckling Pig can be sampled at many of the city's restaurants, but if you want to eliminate any chance of disappointment, try it in the Guilin Sheraton by the River Li. Then watch the sun go down over a cocktail or a jasmine tea in the lounge.
Visit the enchanting Dreamland Theater on Qixing Lu, venue for the Dreamland Li River drama, based on a local fairytale. Nightly performances start at 7 pm. Bring yourself back down to earth with some drinks and live music at Baidu Yu Le, a European-style bar on Binjiang Lu, before heading for heaven once again among the local clubbers at the Fire Phoenix Disco Club in Hotel Universal on Jiefang Donglu. So when you visit China, you should not miss Guilin for your popular China travel package.
Visit Hongcun Village in misty rain
Our first day in Hongcun Village, one of China's most beautiful ancient villages, was 'luckily bothered' by unyielding rainfall for the whole day.
This was because the white walls and black tiles, the typical elements of the Hui or Anhui-style architecture, turned into a clearer Chinese ink painting after being washed by the misty rain.
Hongcun, located at the foot of Mount Huangshan (a famous destination on the back of Yangtze River which you can have Yantze River tour) in east China's Anhui province, boasts well-preserved Hui-style buildings and beautiful surrounding green hills with clear streams winding through.
Established during the Southern Song Dynasty (obtain more via travel China guide) in 1131, Hongcun now has almost 150 Hui-style courtyard homes, family temples and schools that date back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties, making some of them 400 to 500 years old.
Walking through the cobbled lanes of the village which remain the same as they have been kept for centuries, you can easily be brought back to the ancient times, and feel so at ease as the locals.
Even when not in the peak tourism season, Hongcun still attracts flocks of visitors, mainly painters who are in love with poetry-inspiring local beauty.
Even on this rainy morning, we can see students sitting by the bank of the south lake in the village, sketching the bridge, lotus, and black-white buildings on the other side.
Since 2000 when the village was added to UNESCO'S World Cultural Heritage, tourists flocked to the village to enjoy the Hui culture every year which make contribution to China tourism. Previously I thought the influence of the outside world would have affected the life style of local people. But I found I was wrong when we returned to the village in the evening and saw very few lights. It seems that most villagers still observe the living rule of 'work as the sun rises, rest as the sun sets'.
Although not confident, we still expected to find people walking when we strolled out on the bluestone lanes. Finally, an elderly lady walked near us in the dim light, we readied our cameras and prepared to capture a special image of her. However, to our surprise, she displayed a strong disliking to our apparent intrusion, asking why we "played with her" as she was an old lady.
We could not placate the raging grandma even after we deleted the picture and explained what we were doing to her. We still don't know why she had responded the way she did. But maybe, I think, some residents think it is a disturbance to them when we come and enjoy their local culture and landscape for top China tours.
_Shanghai's visa-free policy lifts tourism
But business insiders said a lot more can be done to bring more transit passengers to the city amid an overall drop in inbound visitors this year.
According to figures provided by the border inspection departments at the city's Hongqiao and Pudong airports, the number of passengers benefiting from the policy has continued to rise since the beginning of this year, when tourists from countries including the United States, Japan, France and Australia were permitted a 72-hour visa-free stay if they hold third-country visas and plane tickets.
By Sept 1, around 8,300 foreigners had benefited from the policy, the inspection departments said.
In August alone, about 1,300 air passengers took advantage of the scheme — the most in a single month and a 95.2 percent rise from January.
US citizens made the most use of the policy, with 1,200 making three-day visa-free stays in Shanghai in the first eight months.
More than 670 tourists from European countries that have frequent exchanges with China, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom, also benefited from the policy during the period.
Shanghai is also trying to consolidate its status as a global hot spot for last minute China travel deals by allowing visitors arriving by passenger liners to spend three days in the city without a visa.
Pending approval from the central government, the city plans to extend the policy to cruise terminals, and set up duty-free stores and tax-refund outlets there.
But tourism experts said on Thursday that the rise in transit passengers is lower than they expected.
"There could be more (passengers attracted to the city by this policy)," said Zhao Huanyan, senior researcher at the Tourism Research Institute under the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
He said the number of transit passengers is dragged down by the overall drop of inbound tourists.
Although the specific figure for Shanghai is unavailable, Beijing tourism authorities say the number of overseas tourists across the nation fell by 4.2 percent year-on-year in the first six months of 2013, partly caused by a stronger yuan and a weak global economy.
Among them, the number of foreigners dropped 7.1 percent during the period.
Tourism authorities did not do their best to promote the 72-hour visa-free policy, Zhao said.
"An important job in many foreign countries tourism departments is to promote inbound tourism. But in our country, it is apparently not so, and there is much room for improvement," he added.
Some travel agencies in Shanghai also said they did not see their business increase through the policy.
"I have said many times that most of those who seek to benefit from the policy are business travelers, and they are not our target customers," Yuan Zukang, a manager in charge of inbound travel at the China International Travel Service in Shanghai, said on Thursday.
"Most of them are passengers staying for business purposes for a very short term," he said.
Some high-end hotels said they benefited from the surge of transit visitors, but their performance is overshadowed by a drop of occupancy rate caused by the ban on the lavish lifestyles of officials and the oversupply of hotel rooms.
A recent poll by Hotelsolution, a consulting company focusing on the hotel and real estate industries, shows that the occupancy rate at Shanghai's four- and five-star hotels dropped from 10 to 20 percent in the first half of this year, while their revenue from catering services shrank by up to 40 percent.
Beijing, another city that introduced the 72-hour visa-free policy without China visa application from Jan 1, has also not had the expected effect and vowed to step up its promotion.
The weak global economy has deterred many potential travelers from Japan and South Korea, with tourist arrivals from Japan falling by 54.5 percent and from South Korea by 22.3 percent in the first six months.
Now four cities, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu, employ the 72-hour visa-free policy.
Transit passengers arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport are allowed to stay in the Guangdong provincial capital for three days without a visa and to visit anywhere in the province during their trips.
Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, plans to be the fifth.
Yunnan Airport Group said last month that it and Yunnan's provincial tourism development commission planned to apply for 72-hour visa-free stays for international passengers at the Kunming (Kunming travel guide) Changshui International Airport in the second half of this year.
Travel ideas in China
Ride along the Karakoram highway
When to go: October
Few people brave the Karakoram Highway even during China’s peak tourist season. The highway, which is the highest paved international road in the world, cuts through incredible scenery to link China with Pakistan. Surrounded by mountains and glaciers, the road is easily accessible from Kashgar and numerous companies now organise tours and trips to the area for Silk Road tours. Increasing numbers of visitors attempt to do it themselves too, hiring or buying motorbikes in Kashgar and heading out on the road. Whether with or without a guide, you should be prepared for regular and very thorough border checks along the route, with the confiscation of camera memory cards a regular complaint (the area is also a sensitive military zone).
If you are able to smuggle your memory card through however, the scenery is some of the most photogenic in the country, and – the road aside – the region is still largely untouched by manmade structures. The few signs of civilisation you do pass are small Tajik villages or collections of yurts. Despite the desolate nature of the landscape, many of the occupants are willing to give travelers a hot meal and space on the floor for a night, for a small fee. For more official accommodation, Tashkurgan, the last town on the road before the Pakistan border and home to the ruins of a 14th century stone fort, also hosts the comfortable Crown Inn with rooms from 450RMB/night.
Scale the heights of Xiling XueShan
When to go: November
A three-hour drive from the buzzing Sichuan city of Chengdu (most famous for China tour deals) is Huashuiwan, an oddly endearing mock Alpine village, complete with Shetland ponies and fake wooden churches. Although it’s increasingly busy at weekends, an off-peak visit can give you near-exclusive access to the string of picturesque hot spring resorts here. It’s also 40 minutes from Xiling Xueshan, famed as one of China’s best ski resorts.Xiling itself covers an area of 482.8 sqkm. Its peak, Daxuetang, is 5,364 metres above sea level and perennially capped with snow. It was also home to Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, who famously lived in seclusion on its slopes in a thatched house.
Echoes of Narnia are everywhere, with prehistoric forests, sheer precipices and, in the foothills, rare birds and other animals. Visibility on the peaks can be an issue – from the disembarkation point of the first cable car you wade through an ever shifting sea of cloud – but the range of sports make it worth waiting for a clear day; snowboarding, skiing, motor skiing, hot air ballooning, and gliding are all available here.
To trek the mountain only (no skiing), there’s a mind-boggling array of pricing plans depending on how much you want to walk. For a pedestrian car to the highest point and back, expect to pay an expensive 230 RMB (unit for Chinese currency) but the views justify the steep price. In November it’s also worth getting up early to catch the sunrise.
Experience winter Naadam in Hulunbuir
When to go: DecemberOne of the largest and best-preserved grasslands in China, Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia makes for a less-tourist-infested alternative to the region’s capital Hohhot. In the summer months, you can stay in yurts on the pristine green plateau and admire the sight of herdsmen at work in a landscape that’s almost empty apart from the osbos – shamanistic shrines where locals leave daily offerings including sheep skulls and tinned food. For exploring this remote part of China, try one of the tours from the China Culture Center, who also take you to a ‘Russian’ village on the border. All of which is great in the spring or autumn, but why visit Hulunbuir during December, when temperatures are regularly 15-20 degrees below freezing?
This is when Hulunbuir hosts a winter Naadam festival, with camel races, sledding and archery taking place in thick snow. Many of the festivities mirror those that take place during the better-known summer Naadam, but against a dramatic backdrop of snow-covered plains. The winter activities are being pushed by a local government keen on upping tourist numbers during the region’s notoriously inhospitable winter months and thus feel somewhat manufactured. But if you can brave the cold, there can be few more unique sights in China than seeing camels tearing across the snow for popular China tours.
One-way ticket to Tibet
Tibetans had long believed that their country's Tanggula Pass, taller than Mont Blanc at 16,640 feet above sea level, was "insurmountable even by eagles" and that the KunLun mountains surrounding Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, was a barrier that would hold back one of China's most controversial latter-day engineering projects - the Beijing to Lhasa (the holy destination for best tours of China) railway.
They had figured without 30,000 Chinese workers toiling day and night, in temperatures as low as -40F and altitudes with 40 per cent less oxygen than at sea level, to build the world's highest railway. As of a month or so ago, for just £25 you can leave Beijing and arrive in Lhasa 48 hours and 2,500 miles later.
"The last tourist we sent on the train suffered headaches and nosebleeds but he was old - 39..," my guide reassures me, apparently oblivious of my own telltale grey locks. I've had altitude sickness before and it's horrible.
There's confusion about whether travellers have to produce health certificates before boarding. Minutes before our departure, I'm told I need to undergo a health check, right there on the platform. Instead I keep walking towards the train and somehow am waved on board.
The train is sleek, modern and scrupulously clean. My "soft" sleeper compartment accommodates four and we have our own automatic supply of oxygen-enriched air, as well as flat-screen TV at the foot of each bunk (programmes in Chinese only). Washing facilities are two basins down the corridor. Cheaper "hard" sleepers have six bunks, harder mattresses and oxygen available only on "manual". We leave Beijing (best and must-see travel city for last minute China travel deals) at 9.30pm in darkness.
I awake excitedly the following day to green fields and rocks suffused in a soft misty orange glow but the farther west we go, the more the colours fade. Much of the day is spent watching the parched pale earth under a nondescript grey sky. Every few hours there's an industrial-looking city and the train stops. But not for long. No one gets on or off, except to stretch their legs.
Even if you had the time, these aren't particularly inviting places. There's Xining (less-visited destination for Silk Road tour), with its military garrisons and gulags, and Lanzhou, a sprawling concrete mess which, according to my guidebook, has the dubious distinction of being the world's most polluted city (how does one measure that exactly?). En route apparently is the Nuclear Weapons Research and Design Academy, where China's first atomic and hydrogen bombs were developed.
Tomorrow comes and, except for some railway workers and their temporary accommodation, it is six hours before I see any sign of life. And then just a herd of yaks and sheep. The scenery is eerily repetitive and inordinately flat, as if it were steam-rollered by a giant groundsman: a stony and light brown treeless plateau, tinged occasionally with green or what looks like a muddy stream but is actually permafrost. A vast inhospitable wilderness that goes on for hours. Paul Theroux described it as "the last place on earth; like a polar ice-cap, but emptier".
I leave my comfortable "soft" sleeper, with its automatic supply of oxygen-enriched air and wander into the more austere, all-seat hard-class compartment. It feels voyeuristic, particularly on the second morning when any pretence of normality has evaporated and everyone is lying asleep on the floor. A young German couple aside, everyone is Tibetan.
Construction on the railway began in June 2001, nine months after Wembley Stadium was contracted to be built and completed three years ahead of schedule, at a cost of over £2.3 billion. To appreciate the scale, imagine the Russians extending a line between St Petersburg and Cologne line by laying another 700 miles of track to London - including 50 miles of tunnels and bridges - and throwing in the highest mountain range ever breached by a railway.
But cresting the mountains was only half the story. The route lies over 400 miles of unstable permafrost, thawing and dropping by inches, then refreezing and rising overnight. To combat this, 100 miles of track were built on an elevated surface, while elsewhere cooling agents are pumped into the ground, insulating the track from the top level of ice and preventing the rails from buckling. And then there's the fault line. Only five years ago, near the Kunlun Pass, an earthquake registered 8.1 on the Richter scale.
Perhaps my silent Chinese companion is pondering such matters as he sits and shaves on my bunk each morning. I have more joy from the engaging Catalan couple, with whom I cheerfully while away the hours. Even so, with no fresh air and only a corridor and restaurant car to escape to, the second day palls. We feel like restless patients convalescing in a mobile ward - until, that is, the altitude increases and the headaches begin.
That night there's a large bang. I awake startled. Apparently, we've hit 5,000 metres (16,405ft) and my "Portuguese-flavoured" meat-stew crisps have exploded. We've reached Tangu, the world's highest freshwater lake. According to a taped announcement, I should be "feeling sublime, my spirits soaring". Instead my head is throbbing. I lie down and contemplate an extra blast of oxygen.
As the sun sets, we hurtle across green plains, with herds of black shaggy haired yaks roaming and occasional Tibetan nomads standing in the distance. Spirits do soar this time, and the scenery is captivating. The sun has appeared after two days of grey skies, catching the distant mountains. We are approaching Lhasa.
The railway is China in a microcosm. A symbol of extraordinary economic and industrial development and unbridled ambition. Proof that anything is possible, yet simultaneously the fulfilment of Mao's "Tibetan dream".
Beijingers often tell you that China feels incomplete without Tibet but no one explains why - and let's face it, China has treated Tibet harshly. In 1950 alone, over 6,200 monasteries and convents were destroyed, leaving only eight standing. Miraculously, Tibet's enchanting spirit remains undiminished but how much longer will China allow this flame to flicker.
If you can, skip the first day. Instead fly to Golmod and join the train there for the last 15 hours. You'll still get the sense of drama as the train climbs up on to the roof of the world - the last four hours are the most beautiful - and a real feel for China's pioneering spirit and the desire to conquer the wilderness - a contemporary version of the railroad reaching out into the wild west. Whatever you do though, go soon, before Lhasa is filled with an anticipated 6,000 additional tourists a day.
For the record, we reached Lhasa an hour early, unlike my return home on the Heathrow Express, which was delayed due to "the train running on lines, some of which are normal and some of which are not". Go figure. By the way, you can check out China guide for more others in China.
Calls for volunteers to guard historic sites
Cultural heritage experts are urging managers of historic sites to recruit more volunteers to keep watch over China's priceless relics.
The call comes shortly after centuries-old stonemasonry at Beijing's Ming Tombs (most popular site in China for affordable China tours) was badly damaged by suspected would-be thieves.
Although many sites already have cameras and barriers, expert He Shuzhong warned that the general lack of awareness among the public and administrators about the importance of relics is a threat to their preservation.
The Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center founder said that protection through cameras and fences is easier than increasing public awareness. "But we can absorb more volunteers and form a positive atmosphere about relic protection."
With advanced technology, Chinese heritage protection has been improved, but this does not mean the preservation will rely only on such technical skills, he said. "Instead, many people are interest-driven, aiming to be rich by stealing and selling relics."
The center, an NGO providing activities for enhancing the protection awareness among the public, has more than 5,000 volunteers nationwide, but He said the number is far from enough.
Zeng Yizhi, a cultural-relics protection activist, said calling for more volunteers to participate in protection will be effective because the volunteers will learn the importance and value of relics from their work.
"Many residents have no respect for our heritage and don't think their damage or theft will be punished. What they want is just to get more money," she said.
On Tuesday, an engraved stone at the Ming Tombs, an important legacy of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was found severely damaged.
The Royal Ming Mausoleum is the 80-square-kilometer cemetery of the 13 emperors from the dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site which make contribution to China tourism, according to the Ming Tombs Special Administration, which manages the site in the capital's Changping district.
Cui Jinze, who called police after finding the damaged relic, said that when he visited the spot on Tuesday, he discovered that a sidestep, a precious heritage item with decorative patterns, and its protective footing stones, had been damaged.
"The stones around the heritage site were broken into pieces, while the surface also had obvious scars," he said.
A relic protection volunteer, Cui said many cameras at the spot did not work and there is no protection around the damaged steps.
If more residents enhance their knowledge and awareness of protection, such destruction will decrease, he added.
After the damage at the Ming Tombs, an employee with the administration's security department denied that all cameras in that area are out of order and said they had known about the damage before Cui.
However, a police officer in the district, who did not want to be identified, said: "We received a resident's report on that day and never received any information from the department."
The security department employee said authorities will set up more barriers and a monitoring system around the heritage site, adding that the case is still under investigation. If you want to know more others about Beijing, you can check out travel China guide.
Fuchun Resort, Shanghai: full review
There's another reason I'm glad to have left Shanghai after affordable China tours. My Mrs Smith is the genuine article: an illicit partner. It's tricky for me to be seen with her in the city, and Fuchun feels far away enough to be safe. It also feels solid, with dark-wood carvings and heavy grey stone that give an impression of depth and permanence. As we enter, the outdoor humidity is replaced by the kind of cool and peace that I associate with castles and monasteries. Citrus notes follow us through hushed corridors, wafting from oranges that line the walls, each one imprisoned in a small metal cage.
We're staying in Lake View, the hotel's best room. Light streams through the balcony doors over the white walls and dark carved wood. The furniture is substantial - a heavy trunk covered in cushions, a giant door leading to the bathroom, a complicated screen concealing the bed - but the room is large and light enough to take it. The slate-grey karate-style dressing gowns are inspired, making you feel like a warrior in your own bedroom. (I'm doing a slightly fey Chuck Norris in my white towelling slippers and purple sash.)
Fuchun Resort is fantastic to explore during your days of China best tours. It feels as though we have the entire place to ourselves. Coolly seductive, passageways stretch ahead of us, leading to yoga rooms, bars and lounges. Taking one turn, we arrive at the palatial swimming pool. It's square, which is surprisingly satisfying, with dark water, and heavy pillars stretching up to the bare rafters. The place encourages indolence, floating - nothing vigorous.
From the pool to one of the three outdoor granite Jacuzzis. We watch the stone lions protecting the garden, sip champagne and enjoy the solitude, until a professional-looking photographer sets up a tripod to take pictures of a father and son. It seems a lot of serious equipment for such a small family unit, and soon I'm telling myself a story that involves Mrs Smith's husband, a private detective and me getting hurt. We ditch the Jacuzzi and head over to the Club House. We're shown the golf course, and offered a round, but Woo Woos and tennis feels more like it, and soon we're smashing balls at each other, pausing only to take another chilled towel from the icebox.
Mrs Smith and I both suffer from a short attention span, and my initial suggestion of a two-hour spa treatment is met with ridicule. 'What? Lie still and do nothing for two hours?' is her natural response but, as she reads details of the Hangzhou Silk Cocoon, she gets into it. It has more options than a dim sum menu.
The spa is somewhere underground (I'm careful to scatter some of the omnipresent rose petals as we're led down deep, twisting corridors). In our private room, we begin with a footbath and scrub. Then it's over to the table for the main course. Gentle stroking commences and something warm and soft is placed on my eyes. Lavender and black rice, a voice tells me, and time dissolves into a stream of hands and fragrances, powders and liquids until somehow I'm floating in a bath among rose petals and orange slices, staring vaguely at Mrs Smith, who is drinking lemon hibiscus elixir after tired popular China tours.
Smiling, our two therapists assure me that we have experienced a jasmine and pearl scrub, had all kinds of essential oils rubbed into us, and benefited from a clay massage, as well as a silk cocoon body wrap with arrowroot powder and fresh roses. They show me some dusty red silk, so I believe them. Whatever they did to me, I feel fantastic.
Evening arrives too quickly. Out of habit, we throw on our favourite wigs before we make for the Asian Corner. It's another sexily subdued affair: the hanging red lanterns and intimate booths put us in a world of two. The menu is Hangzhou-inspired, and created by a local chef, Chen Peng. Our duck is crispy and succulent, the greens are garlicky and the gingko and pork stomach soup tasty. From dinner to the Lake Lounge, where we drink cocktails and Mrs Smith beats me repeatedly at some version of checkers or Chinese chess. Back in our room, we hang our wooden Do Not Disturb sign - a wise man putting his fingers to his lips - outside and doze off.
Breakfast is taken overlooking the lake; a junk crosses lazily as we sip on excellent fruit juices. A Frenchwoman provides our first conversation with another visitor. We agree that the place is beautiful and calm, and I remark casually that I haven't seen anyone else. 'Perhaps you see what you want to see,' she replies, before turning, Sphinx-like, back to her breakfast. As we're leaving, I mention to our host that for such a magnificent and luxurious setting, there seem to be very few people about. 'Most are in their villas,' she tells me, gesturing at a row of houses further up the hill. 'Each one has its own swimming pool.' So, that answers my curiosity about the feeling that we have Fuchun Resort all to ourselves, and I promise to return with more people and take control of a private villa.
Visiting mainland, you need to have China visa application.
Wild at heart: best animal adventures in China
These black-and-white beauties are battling extinction but you can help them out – and get close and friendly at the same time – by feeding them and cleaning their habitat every day in Lou Guan Tai village, a 1.5-hour drive from Xi’an, China (home of the famous terracotta warrior statues, one of famous Xian attractions). The cuteness factor of watching a cuddly, docile panda chow down on bamboo will make up for having to clean up after them – keeping them comfy is important as happy pandas are more likely to get on with breeding. You’ll also get to learn about the local Chinese culture and eat some delicious dumplings along the way.
Ride a camel on the Silk Road in Xinjiang, China
As your sit confidently on your camel for Silk Road travel, reins in hands, through the rise and fall of straw-coloured dunes in the Taklimakan Desert, the wind dries your perspiration and carries the tinkle of camel bells. This ship of the desert is what connected China, the Arabian Peninsula and Europe for thousands of years – a route known as the Silk Road, transporting not only silk and perfume but technology, religion and the sneaky bubonic plague. Camel tours take you across China’s deserts to attractions such as ancient Buddha statues and involve a few hours of riding per day.
See pandas in Chengdu
Spend your morning with the cutest, yet impressive, creatures in China! Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center (one of attractive spots in China for China vacation deals) and take a guided tour of the facility. Tour through the baby and adult panda areas and visit the red panda section to see these small adorable animals. Choose the baby panda holding option and you’ll travel to the Bifengxia Panda Base to enjoy a unique chance of holding this lovable creature!
Tim Ho Wan restaurant, Hong Kong: the hottest meal ticket in town
The three-hour queues at Tim Ho Wan which houses some famous Hong Kong scenic spots could make the most patient among us feel slightly crazed. Even the woman manning the counter is agitated; hastily scrawling a number on a yellow Post-it note and shoving it unceremoniously into my hand.
This is the moment I'm expected to leave, but I linger, timidly inquiring how long the wait will be. Big mistake.
"Two hours!" she barks, squawking something in Cantonese into a tiny microphone attached to the register.
I edge outside, mystified. It's hard to believe I've just made a reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant. It felt more like dropping off a shirt at the drycleaners.
The unseasonably chilly day in Hong Kong (where you can have Hong Kong travel) has shrouded the city with drizzle, and outside, some 40 people huddle around the entrance, clustered together like excited teenagers at the gates of a music festival, their chatter punctuated by the revving engines of motorcyclists and taxis.
Passers-by seem bemused as they weave past. From the outside, Tim Ho Wan looks like any other nondescript dim sum canteen in the city's traffic-choked Mong Kok district. But there is one marked difference: Michelin reviewers have awarded it a coveted one-star rating, netting it the auspicious title of cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.
Baskets of prawn dumplings and pork buns cost a mere 80p – a long way from the eye-watering £250 bills that can be clocked up at other Michelin-starred restaurants such as the Fat Duck or El Bulli. It's a rare chance for layfolk to sample cuisine usually reserved for the upper echelons of society.
The man behind Tim Ho Wan is Mak Pui Gor, the former dim sum master at Hong Kong's Four Seasons Hotel. Pui Gor worked at the hotel's three-starred restaurant Lung King Heen before going it alone, and despite the newly anointed star rating, he's not raising the prices, meaning Tim Ho Wan is now Hong Kong's hottest meal ticket. But if you want to eat here, take a number and stand in line. For a very long time.
I'd been waiting at least an hour already, with a distressingly numbered Post-it note of 252. The last number squawked out in Cantonese was 90. A young, bespectacled couple standing next to me giggled when they heard me groan. They'd been waiting an hour and a half already, the girl explained shyly, twirling her pink-and-white scarf with her fingers.
Half an hour later, gnawing hunger and obsessive thoughts of succulent pork buns turn into grumpiness. Is it worth it? It seems like idiocy to wait this long, but there's a wonton-sized shred of hope every 15 minutes: the shrill voice, the rustling sound of people checking their numbers and one lucky patron pushing their way through Heaven's Gates, leaving their hungry comrades behind. Hunger throws discretion out the window. Some of the queuers press their faces against the glass doors, ogling at poor diners trying to stuff slippery prawn dumplings into their mouths. Others give up hope. One Chinese man caused a minor sensation when he shuffled off, only to rejoin the queue minutes later, chewing on satay chicken skewers bought from a starless restaurant down the road. I eat what I waited in line for a long time after tired Hong Kong tours.
Counting the minutes together created a sense of camaraderie and we struck up conversations to pass the time. I chatted to Mr Leung, a robotics engineer who had been waiting more than an hour.
He had number 178, and graciously he invited me to tag along on his ticket. I felt like hugging him.
I was faint with hunger by the time our number was called 45 minutes later. We handed the waitress a paper menu with our dish choices circled in pen, and were seated elbow to elbow at a long table crammed with other diners, the clatter of the kitchen to our backs.
No one talked – we were all too hungry and fixated on the food, a steady stream of baskets served stacked atop each other, along with a constant flow of tea from China's Yunnan province, known as pu-erh.
The first dish served was Tim Ho Wan's pièce de résistance, Cha siu baau (pork buns), which sell like hot cakes here (around 750 a day). They are "worth dying for" according to one of our fellow diners. They're usually served steamed, but here they are fried: the ever-so-slightly crisp sugar glaze around the pastry bun yielding to a decadent mixture of diced pork and sauce. The succulent beef meatballs, infused with dried mandarin and spring onions, could also be worth dying for. As could the wobbly turnip cakes, the prawn dumplings wrapped in delicate, translucent pastry, or the dessert – a jasmine tea jelly suffused with a type of flower petal.
Our bellies full, it was time to leave. I insisted on paying for Mr Leung. Had it not been for him I would still have been outside, shivering, hungry – and grumpy.
By the way, Hong Kong is a very most popular destination which should included in packages of China vacation deals.
Rose valley of roses in China
Right on the outskirts of Beijing (must-see for affordable China travel packages) is a hidden valley where flowers are a way of life and have been for generations. Li Jing smells the roses on Miaofeng Mountain.
The term "rose valley?conjures up a secluded ravine festooned with countless blooms exuding a lingering floral perfume. Bearing this picturesque image in mind, we headed for Rose Valley at the foot of Miaofeng Mountain in Mengtougou district. As we wound our way into the valley, terraced fields of roses appeared on the towering slopes on both sides.
"The road will be packed with cars in a few days when the roses are in full bloom," said our taxi driver. Although the unseasonal drought and cold had pushed the flowering period later than usual, it is still a soothing ride up the mountainous road, with birdsong in the background, and interesting trees and outcrops dotting the way.
After an hour's drive from Pingguoyuan metro station, we finally arrived at Jiangou county, the only village at the foot of the Miaofeng Mountain (option for popular China tours)and nestled inside the valley of roses. It may be a favorite destination for flower lovers, but to the residents, the roses here are part of their daily lives. The scent of roses permeates every little detail of life here.
When we asked for water, we were promptly served a cup of rose tea - which the locals consider as common as drinking water.
Villager Wu Fenglin has managed a farmhouse hostel, Dasiheyuan or The Big Courtyard, since 2003. When the roses bloom in June, that's when his business peaks. He says reservations must be made at least two days in advance to get a room, and the same applies for the dozens of little hostels in the village.
Visitors stop for the roses, but they also come to savor the special cuisine -featuring a floral banquet - that uses rose petals.
There is rose pancake and stir-fried egg with roses. The signature dish is rose-petal fritters, where the rose petals are dipped into an egg and flour batter and then deep-fried till golden brown.
"We make this with fresh-picked rose petals taken from a flowers that have just blossomed," Wu said. When he was a little boy, Wu's mother also made rose jam by cooking the rose petals with sugar, "only for special festivals". These days, rose jam is on sale at every stall lining the valley which you can consider after best tours of China in Beijing.
I bought a few bottles at the top of the rose forest reserve at a shop run by 69-year-old florist Wang Shurui.
He assured me the jam is pure and natural and a "green" food without any additives.
"It is made according to our local tradition by brewing fresh rose petals and sugar in a ratio of 1:3. The longer it is kept, the more fragrant it becomes."
Wang also said we should come again when the purple roses are in bloom.
"The roses will be all over the mountains. It is really intoxicating."
He said the roses are big and fragrant, with intense color, thick velvety petals and high oil content.
"If you take a few in your hand, the fragrance will stay for as long as three days."
Miaofeng Mountain is known for its reputation as the "land of roses" in China, and the flowers here are recognized as "a wonder in North China."
The yearly yield amounts to tens of thousands of kilograms, and local farmers have to bring in migrant workers to harvest the roses in June.
The Sacred Golden Summit on Miaofeng Mountain is just next to the rose park, and it has a different appeal. It is popular among pilgrims who come in the thousands from all over China to worship some really ancient deities in its shrines. A century ago, the Empress Dowager Cixi was among them.
The faithful come to pray for good luck, prosperity and to the maternal goddesses who reside on the summit.
Travelers can now either follow a century-old pilgrim's trail to reach the summit or take the easy way up on a shuttle bus.
There had been no more monks at the temple since it was rebuilt in the 1980s, but the annual temple fair is among the largest in the northern part of the country, a tradition preserved since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is held on the first to 15th day of the fourth lunar month.
During the temple fairs, tea stalls sprout like spring grass along the pathways up the mountain, and at nightfall, their lamps shine like a string of fairy lights.
The main shrine at the summit houses Bixiayuanjun, also known as niangniang, or Royal Lady. She was the daughter of the god of Tai Shan and her many miracles on the sacred mountain have cemented her reputation.
Apart from the ancient rituals at the temple, some young people also go to Miaofeng Mountain for a very modern pursuit. We met 25-year-old Yang Tao, who had ridden his motorcycle from downtown Beijing with three friends. They were about to race up to the top.
"There are few people or trucks on the paved road. It is a great place for speed amid all the natural beauty."
For more others, you can check out travel China guide.
The Important Town along Silk Road - Kashgar
If you're standing within the city of Kashgar, you're about as close to the Mediterranean Sea as you are to Beijing (must-see for your affordable China tours)! Located in the extreme west of Xinjiang - China's westernmost province, Kashgar grew upon a lucrative crossroads: the junction of the northern and southern forks of the Silk Road. Virtually all westbound traffic in silk, spices, tea, jade and porcelain lumbered through Kashgar streets during the Silk Road's 1000-year run.???
As with most of China, Kashgar's history records cultural and religious swings of amazing breadth. Ruled by China in the early years of the first century AD, by the 9th century Kashgar was solidly Muslim, its cultural roots walking west with the Silk Road to Persia and beyond. Not until the 19th century did the region - today's Xinjiang Province - return to China's control.??
In recent decades Xinjiang - as with most other western and southwestern provinces of China - has witnessed a huge influx of Han Chinese, the country's major ethnic group. Yet despite the demographic changes, Kashgar's bustle and charm remain. Accordingly, your Silk Road tours include two days and nights here!??
Kashgar's major attractions include:
Kashgar Sunday Market: It's noisy, crowded, dusty and confusing - just as every respectable open-air market should be! Originally a livestock market - now separated to a nearby location and still the "E Ticket" event - the Kashgar Sunday Market pulls in what appears to be the province's entire population - and then some! Carpets, furniture, meat and produce can be had for a haggle but the most fun is at the livlier livestock section where you can test-ride a camel or scrutinize a yak's molars. The action begins at dawn and continues well into the night hours. (The market may recall scenes from the "Indiana Jones" movies - that's just like Kashgar!)?
Idkah Mosque: Most sources peg the original mosque on this site to the year 1442. The current mosque was built in 1798 and though it reflects the original's overall design, it's been greatly embellished and expanded. In fact, it's the largest mosque in the Xinjiang Province (less popular destination for top China tours), accommodating 7,000-plus worshippers. Some 140 highly-decorated green columns support the ornate roof. Within the mosque is a tree-shaded courtyard and pool, where worshippers may cleanse their bodies before prayer. Tourist access is limited to non-prayer hours.?
Abakh Khoja Tomb: The tomb is a few miles outside the city and well-worth the short journey. Construction began in 1640 and houses the remains of several generations from one family, beginning with an Islamic missionary, one Yusuf Hoja. The tomb is actually a series of tombs, ranging in style from elegantly simple to simply over-the-top elaborate.
For more others, you can check out travel China guide.
Shangri-la - paradise by any other name...
Many towns have different names in different languages - but the town of Shangri-la has three. It's known as Zhongdian in Mandarin; Gyalthang in Tibetan and Shangri-la (best destination for China tour deals) by the local tourist board. Confused? Allow ,e to enlighten you...
Shangri-la was a mythical place described in the novelist James Hilton's Lost Horizon. It's since come to describe any kind of earthly paradise, and in the 1990's the enterprising local tourist board decided to 'rebrand' Zhongdian/Gyalthang as Shangri-la, claiming that 'experts' had 'definitively shown' that the SHangri-la Hilton described in his novel was Zhongdian/Gyalthang.
Don't let this hyperbole put you off coming though. ?A visit to Zhongdian is a great way to experience Tibetan culture for your best tours of China, for it most certainly is a Tibetan town, whatever name you give it. Situated high on the Tibetan Plateau at 3000 metres, Tibet itself is a half day's drive away, the majority of the town's population is Tibetan, and the most important Tibetan Monastery in China, the Songzanlin Monastery is here. As the status of Zhongdian as being part of China is not disputed, in some senses Tibetans here have a little more freedom than in Tibet itself. In some of the smaller monasteries you might even find discrete pictures of the Dalai Lama on display.
As well as getting a taste of Tibetan culture, this region is also excellent for walking/trekking, and has some spectacular scenery with snowy peaks abounding for your popular China tours.
Kashgar Old Town for your Silk Road travel
Located opposite the Id Kah Mosque and city centre, the Kashgar Old Town District cover an area of 4.25 square kilometers with a population of 126. 8 thousands. With a a history of over 2,000 years, The old town district is the best place to see how the local Uyghur ethnic group has lived for centuries and must-see for your Silk Road tour.
The layout of old district is featured by a dense network of criss-cross streets and lanes, as well as distinctive Uyghur building. The building is made up of earth, wooden block and brick structure. Workshops can be found throughout the area. Artisans make pottery, metalwork, knives, clothing, Muslim hats, and traditional folk crafts. There especially Id Kah Mosque and Gaotai Ancient Homes, as the typical examples give the olk district a sense of Muslim culture maze.
Reviews from trip advisor:
Going but not gone - See what's left of the old quarter while you still can. There is still a decent sized chunk of old houses left, but a lot of them are crumbling apart and it seems few people actually still live there. The people who do live inside the old quarter are very friendly and we had several groups of people come out of their homes and chat with us, allowing us to take pictures (and no, they didn't charge us, unlike people in some other places!).
There were lots of little kids running around making mischief and we had to watch out for a pair of girls throwing water down from the roofs, but it was all in good fun (I think!).
It is uncertain how much, if any, of the old quarter of Kashgar (an option for your China vacation deals) will remain. For now it seems like a few residents have dug their heels in and are not giving up on this bit of land, but how long they can withstand local pressure remains to be seen. If you've thought at all about visiting Kashgar, do it before it is too late to see this part of ancient Silk Road history.
We visited the Gaotai Ancient Homes and found the Old enchanted Kashgar! I was a bit disappointed when I first arrived Kashi (well the new area) to see that it is modernized/standardized just every other major big cities in China. Anyhow, we had fun here and took photos with local kids! I strongly recommend a visit to Gaotai Ancient Homes
Travel Tips:
The warren-like old town is worth visiting for its winding streets, friendly if occasionally guarded residents and delightfully improvised architecture.
A $ 5 toll is levied at the main entrances to the residential district, but this can be evaded by finding a back entrance into the area through the multitudinous back alleys that exit onto the main roads. For more others, you can check out China travel guide.
Kunming & Its main attractions
Kunming, an ancient cultural city, is the capital of Yunnan Province. It is situated 6,213 feet above sea level, with an annual average temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is also known as “the City of Perpetual Spring.” Kunming has 3.5 million residents. It has 26 ethnic peoples including the Han, Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai, and Miao. Due to its advantageous geographical location, Kunming has become one of the major Southeast Asian transportation hubs. Kunming is known for its rich tourist resources, mild climate, beautiful plateau landscape, long history, and ethnic folklore. It is known as the Kingdom of Animals, Plants, and Non-Ferrous Metals. So that Kunming tour is a must for your travel in China.
The Stone Forest
The Stone Forest, located in Lunan County, is known as the “First Wonder of the World” for its natural landscape and one of must-see Kunming attractions. It is about 54 miles southeast of Kunming. The Stone Forest consists of exceptionally beautiful limestone formations. Residing in a 135 square mile area, it is dotted by oddly shaped peaks, waterfalls, caves, and lakes.
Dianchi Lake
Lying at the foot of the West Mountain in Kunming, Dianchi Lake covers an area of 123 square miles. With 144 feet in depth and 6,184 feet in altitude, it is the eighth largest lake in China and the largest in Yunnan Province. Its shores are scattered with scenic spots and places of folklore. Sailing on the lake, with the boat swaying gently on a vast expanse of liquid silver, proves to be a most enchanting experience.
The West Mountain
Rising on the western shore of Dianchi Lake, on the southwestern outskirts of Kunming (obtain more via Kunming travel guide), this mountain is a large nature reserve with many places of interest, such as the Longmen and Tiange grottoes.
Grand View Pavilion
The Grand View Pavilion, on the southern tip of the Grand View Park in western Kunming, was built in 1690 and rebuilt in 1866. The doorposts are inscribed with 180-word couplets in the handwriting of the popular Qing Dynasty poet, Sun Ranwong.
Village of Ethnic Culture
Located on the northern side of Dianchi Lake, this village serves as a window through which people learn about the life styles of the 26 ethnic peoples of Kunming.
Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Jiuxiang is a state class scenic spot located 56 miles from Kunming City and 13 miles north from the Stone Forest. Jiuxiang mainly features hundreds of karst caves, fused with natural landscapes and great viewing points. It has the greatest number of limestone caves of any scenic spot in China. It has a very stable karst cave system molded by land faults, years of erosion and etching. There are five major scenic areas open to public: the Yin Cui Xia (Shaded Jade Gorge), Bai Xiang Dong (White Elephant Cave), Shen Nu Gong (Goddess Palace), Wo Long Cave (Lying Dragon Cave), and Bian Fu Dong (Bat Cave). In addition, visitors can take the 3-hour, 3.7 mile journey along the Cableway.
Other Attractions
Yuantong Buddhist Temple, the Golden Hall, Cuihu Park, the Black Dragon Pool, and the Ancient Alu Caves
Kungming and its attractions are must-sees for your China tour deals.
Famous towns along Silk Road
If you are on Sunday you can also visit to the colourful and chaotic Kashgar’s Great Sunday Bazaar. In this bustling place you will have a great choice of local goods: such as livestock, jewellery, clothes, carpets. You will have a great opportunity to practise your negotiation skills, absolutely vital for your travel on the old trading route. Rub shoulders with the locals; try your art of bargaining, striking a deal and buying something not really essential!
Hotan - an important station on the southern branch of the historic Silk Road. The oasis of Hotan was strategically located at the junction of the southern (and most ancient) branch of the famous “Silk Route” joining China and the West with one of the main routes from ancient India and Tibet (famous travel destination for your China vacation deals) to Central Asia and distant China.
Hotan was well known for producing finest silk carpets in world. The carpet and silk factories are worth visiting as well as Jade factory (Hotan was also very famous for jade mines too)
Kucha is known for famous Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (5th and 6th century AD) which are located 75km (46miles) from Kucha and form one of the earliest treasure troves of Buddhist art in China as well as one of the four largest cave systems in China. There are presently 236 coded caves, divided into west and inner valley and rear mountain areas extending over 3 kilometres (1.86 miles). It takes about 2 hours to see the caves and learn about local Buddhist culture.
Kucha was in ancient times Buddhist kingdom located on the branch of the Silk Road that ran along the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin and south of the Muzat River. For a long time Kucha was the most populous oasis in the Tarim Basin. Other sites in Kucha - grand mosque which was built in 17th century which is the only mosque to have preserved the Shariya (Islamic Court) in China.
Turpan has long been an important trade centre and fertile oasis located along the Silk Road. Nearby Turpen are situated impressive ruins of Gaochang, an ancient city (approx. 47 km), built in the 2nd century BC, once the capital of the Kingdom of Gaochang under the Han dynasty. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (approx. 56 km) hidden on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains – a breathtaking site with 67 caves dating from 317 to 1368. Translated from the Uygur language as a “place of the paintings”, Bezeklik was an important centre for Buddhist worship. Sadly most of the cave paintings are now in a terrible state but nevertheless this place is definitely worth a visit. Tuyoq – a beautiful ancient village with the oldest in the Turpan area, Buddhist caves dating back to the 4th century.
In the early days of the Silk Road, Dunghuang was an important trading centre, with the Great Wall (must-see for your popular China travel package) extension. The city was fortified with a line of beacon towers stretching westward into the dessert and became the key support base for caravans.
Dunghuang is famous for Mogao Caves – the world’s richest treasure-trove of Buddhist manuscripts, wall paintings and statuary dating back to 4th up to 14th century; created during nine dynasties they mark the height of Buddhist art. Mingsha “rumbling” sand dunes, which indeed sound like thunder as the sand sweeps over them, overlooking small and mysterious Crescent Lake. This place offers arguably the best sunset view and the most stunning desert scenery that you will encounter along the entire length of the Silk Road which is the famous travel route for your best tours of China.
Your Own Art Tour
AUCTIONS
The auctions are held every spring and fall at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centrer (26 Harbour Road, Wan Chai). If you want to buy a rare articles after Hong Kong tour packages, you can go there.
Sotheby's Spring Exhibition and Auction will open for viewing on March 26, with auctions for Chinese classical works on April 4. Christie's Spring Exhibition and Auction will take place from April 24 to 30.
MUSEUMS
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (one of famous Hong Kong scenic spots) (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; 852-2721-0116; www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Arts).provides an energetic, accessible introduction to Chinese art. The classical galleries can be seen in a few hours, but taking in the modern exhibits and the sculpture garden as well can occupy the entire afternoon until closing time, 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
That's the right time to end up on the museum's spacious waterfront plaza facing Victoria Harbor, overlooking the towers of Hong Kong Island. The view is even better from the Lobby Lounge of the old Regent Hotel (now the InterContinental) next door. But after dusk it's best from the nearby Star Ferry , from Tsim Sha Tsui pier just west of the museum. To either pier, Wan Chai or Central, it costs up to 3 Hong Kong dollars (about 40 cents at 7.5 Hong Kong dollars to the United States dollar).
Other museums include: The Museum of Tea Ware (10 Cotton Tree Drive, Central; 852-2869- 0690; ); the Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shatin, New Territories; 852-3943-7416; ); and University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong (90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam; 852-2241-5500;).
GALLERIES
Among the Hollywood Road galleries, these are mentioned by Chinese antiquities experts as especially well-informed, welcoming and trustworthy: Joyce Gallery (123 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; 852-2545-1869;), and Tai Sing Fine Antiques (12 Wyndham Street, Central; 852-2525-9365).
RESTAURANTS
Jutting into the harbor, the convention center nudges up to a cluster of big-name, costly but somewhat generic hotel restaurants. To rub shoulders with a more lively crowd for artisanal cocktails, it's a short ride into Wan Chai to the Pawn (62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai; 852-2866-3444;). Take the unmarked, surreptitious-looking winding staircase set into a renovated pawnshop with generous balconies for watching over the night scene.
For more about others about Hong Kong, you can check out Hong Kong city guide.
What are the Top Must-sees in China?
Great Wall
Magnificent Great Wall has known as one of the must visit places in China and should be contained in your packages of China tour deals. It has long history and distance, more than thousand years old and covers over 8000 kilometers. Built from Ming Dynasty, today Great Wall offers the stunning and magnificent Wall to visitors.
Hiking the Wall will make you proud of yourself. Built along high mountains and deep cliffs, it has become the greatest and magical Wall! Walking through the Wall, create priceless experience and get the best chance to know about Chinese history and unbeatable project of ancient dynasties in China.
Terracotta Army
As a small part of Emperor Qin tomb complex, Terracotta Army,must-see Xian sightseeing, which located in Xian has offer mysterious and sacred atmosphere to each visitors who comes. See thousand warrior sculptures include soldiers, archers, cavalrymen, horses and chariots which arranged in the battle formation. Those life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses which created over thousand years ago are incredibly amazing. With different facial expression, they are looks ready to start their battle to protect their emperor.
Listed as the greatest findings in the archeology world, Terracotta Army will give visitors an incredible feeling about China.
Sichuan Panda Reserve
Sichuan Panda Reserve is the earliest, largest and best-known panda reserve in China. It is also a home for mostly panda species in the world. There provides the ideal natural live environment for pandas include mountains, rivers and bamboo forests. There, visitors could see many cute pandas in their natural habitat live happily and being taken care of. Closely view the habits and life style of panda will be fun and fresh experience of you.
Hold a panda, see their adorable face and capture those best moments with your kids, friends and family.
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park
Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in the Jiuzhaigou County in Sichuan Province. It gets name because the fact that the valley surround by nine village. "Jiu" which means nine and "Zhai" means village. The valley has also known for its gorgeous karsts form and spectacular waterfalls, springs and lakes, a place recognized as Heaven on earth.
Covering 62 square kilometers, visitors will capture many stunning photograph while visiting the incredibly beautiful Jiuzhaigou Valley in China. Has reputation as world of fairy land, fascinating and marvelous sceneries will be found there.
Yangshuo
Located not far from Guilin, Yangshuo offer the best nature karsts landscapes surround this small tourist town. Check out the beauty sceneries around the lake on the bamboo raft. In addition, explore this ancient town by bicycle past through rice paddies and limestone peaks will be a fabulous experience. Enjoy beauty nature landscape and old fashioned village in Yangshuo.
Provide wonderful cafes, restaurants, and hotels, Yangshuo have become a nice place to stop and explore the local countryside life style. Escape crowded and bustling big cities of China with visit Yangshuo vacation town.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is a famous tourist city in China, is one of the key tourist cities, and is famous for the first national forest park. Owing to the geography, stratum, structure and climate, it shapes colorful wonders of landform during the long history of almost 5,000 years, especially the Karst Landform. Also, it is the gathering place of Naxi Minority, attracts visitors to enjoy the Phoenix Ancient Town. In 1992, Wulingyuan Natural Scenic Spot including the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Scenic Spot and Tianzishan Scenic Spot was listed into the World Natural Heritage List by UNESCO which make contribution to China tourism.
Potala Palace
Potala Palace is famous as the Pearl of the Roof of the World, is the symbol of Lhasa and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and is the political power center. With long history of 1,300 years, Potala Palace is the highest and most majestic palace, collects the only one cultural heritage in snow area. It unlimitedly extends the bright Tibetan culture, is really the heritage belonging to world. As the outstanding symbol of Tibetan architectural art, this complex of buildings can be touched in-depth without any gloss.
Huangshan
Huangshan Mountain is one of the Ten Scenic Spots in China, is listed into the World Heritage List by UNESCO as the cultural heritage and natural heritage in 1990. Huangshan gathers all beautiful sceneries of famous mountains in China, especially the unique pine, strange stone, cloud-sea and spring. All of these are the wonders created by nature without any artificial trace. Huangshan Mountain is also famous for the holy land with rich resources, complete zoology, valuable view and the elegant environment.
Mogao Grottoes
Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand-Buddha Cave, sits at Dunhuang which is the important place in Silk Road, is rated to be the most valuable cultural discovery in 20th Century, is famous for the exquisite mural paintings and statues. It is the largest Buddhism artistic holy land with the richest contents, is also one of the Four Grottoes in China, and was listed into the World Cultural Heritage. What Mogao Grottoes collects appropriately are the treasure of communication between China and foreign countries, and people all regard it as a pearl of Gansu Province.
Yangtze River
Yangtze River, the largest river in Asia and the third in the world, ranks only?behind the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South American. Its drainage area, length and water yield are the first in Asia. It starts from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, through Sichuan Province, Chongqing, Hubei Province, etc, and flows into the East China Sea in Shanghai. Yangtze River on which you can have Yantze River tour is totally 6,397 kilometers, is called as the Mother River of Chinese nation with the Yellow River. As the cradle of Chinese nation, Yangtze River is the birth-land of ancient culture, and breeds the famous cultural systems.
Tax refund in China's sunny tourist island faces gloomy start
Two months after south China's tropical island province of Hainan inaugurated a tax refund program to woo foreign tourists, business at three designated shopping centers has not seen a big jump as expected.
"I didn't see many foreign buyers over the last two months," said Wu Xiuhua, a shop assistant at Shengsheng Department Store in the capital city of Haikou. "Instead, lots of native customers came to inquire about the rebate policy."
Shengsheng Department Store is one of three designated shopping centers carrying out the pilot refund scheme that took effect on January 1. The other two are Minsheng Department Store, also in Haikou, and Summer Day Department Store in Sanya, the southernmost city on the island, best known for its tropical climate and beaches.
According to the scheme, foreign tourists, or citizens from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have lived in China's mainland for no more than 183 days, are eligible for an 11 percent rebate of purchases.
Hainan put in place the scheme, the first of its kind nationwide, as part of a plan to build the tropical island into a top international China tourism destination by 2020.
However, the scheme might not be so attractive to foreign buyers, though Shan Rongsheng, general manger of Shengsheng Department Store, had projected a sales jump at his shopping center.
Haikou Customs received a total of 141 applications for tax rebates that totaled no more than 60,000 yuan (about 9,000 U.S. dollars) in the first two months of this year, figures from Haikou Customs officials showed.
Shan said the main reason behind the low tax refunds was that there were not many foreign tourists in Hainan.
"So far as I know, there are more native tourists than foreign tourists when the tourist peak season comes in Hainan, and when foreigners tried to get the rebate, they could hardly provide necessary documentation to verify their purchases," said Shan.
Zhao Xiuwen, marketing director at Shengsheng Department Store, said some popular commodity items were excluded from the rebate scheme, and that was also to blame for the program's low start.
The refund scheme covers 324 items that fall into 21 categories, such as clothing, cosmetics, watches and jewelry, but commodities of wide consumption like food, beverages, tobacco and alcohol are not included in the rebate program.
Also, the 11 percent tax refund on luxury items such as cosmetics, watches and jewelry, is not attractive enough when compared with Hong Kong (visitors always included Hong Kong in the Hong Kong tour packages), the shopping paradise that offers more discounts or rebates, Zhao said.
Further, strict rules deterred the tax refund for foreign tourists, said Wang Keqiang, deputy director with the Hainan Commerce Department.
Wang said the scheme demanded that tourists receive their refunded taxes at airports in Haikou and Sanya. However, a large number of foreign tourists would leave China from other cities, such as Guangzhou, Shanghai (very hot tourist city for top China tours) or Shenzhen, as there are few outbound international flights from Hainan.
Refund applications dropped to 12 in February from 129 in January, as flights from Russia to Sanya were cancelled. Russian tourists accounted for more than half of those who applied for the tax refund, according to the Haikou Customs.
Some experts pointed out that the government needed to further promote and advertise the refund scheme to make it known to more foreign tourists.
"I wasn't aware of the refund scheme before I came to Hainan," a Russian tourist for popular China travel package who did not give her name complained. She said she enjoyed traveling in Hainan, but knew nothing about the scheme.
In spite of these difficulties in the implementation of the refund scheme, it still has a bright future, said Wang Yiwu, director of the Institute of China's Modern Economic Theory of Hainan University.
But Wang said the government should further polish the scheme to make it more easily accessible to foreign tourists.
Further, more commodities should be added to the list of the scheme and more tax-refund stores should be opened, Wang noted.
12-Day China Delight Tour with Yangtze Cruise Discovery
Day 1 Arrive Beijing On arrival in Beijing, you will be met & transferred by our professional English speaking China tour guide to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 2 Beijing (B/L) Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day city excursion to Tiananmen Square-the largest square in the world, Forbidden City-imperial palace of Ming and Qing Dynasty, and the Summer Palace with Lunch at good local restaurants. You can choose the Chinese Kungfu show as optional in the evening. The Tian’anmen Square: The largest city square in the world. The Forbidden City: the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing with a history of around 600 years. The Summer Palace: the best-preserved imperial garden in China.
Day 3 Beijing (B/L/D) Buffet breakfast at hotel followed by full day trip to the Great Wall at Badaling, the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Way with lunch at local Chinese restaurant. Peking Roasted Duck Dinner.
The Great Wall: the symbol of China and Climbing the Great Wall you can pass visitors from all over the world, and hear conversations in almost every language The Ming Tombs: Consisting of mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors, is one of the largest imperial necropolises in China. The Sacred Way: The way stood on both sides with marvelous stone sculptures by which means the road leading to heaven.
Day 4 Beijing/Xian (B/L/D) Buffet breakfast at hotel, visit Temple of Heaven-here ancient emperors prayed for good harvest, then explore old town of Beijing(visit Hutong by rickshaw), lunch at the Hutong family followed by transfer to the airport for flight to Xian-the ancient capital of China, starting point for Silk Road tour. Upon arrival meet and transfer the hotel. Dumpling Dinner with dumplings making demonstration at a good dumpling restaurant.
Hutong: A hutong is a unique form of community that exists only in China. If you are fed up with high buildings and wide streets, enter Beijing’s hutongs then. Here, you will find "Hutong Culture". The Temple of Heaven: The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design which simply and graphically illustrates a cosmogony of great importance for the evolution of one of the world’s great civilizations.
Day 5 Xian (B/L) Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses with circle movie showed before returning to the city for visit of the big wild Goose Pagoda and the Grand Mosque. Lunch at good local restaurant. You can choose the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show as optional in the evening (highly recommended, as it is the best show in China).
The Terracotta Warriors and Horses: The most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, the army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin’s tomb. The Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show: The show that presents the palace dances and sings in the Tang Dynasty. The Big wild Goose Pagoda: It is one of the city’s most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xi’an today and one of must-see Xian attractions. The Great Mosque: It is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China
Day 6 Xi’an/Chongqing (B/L) Buffet breakfast at hotel. then visit Shaanxi Historical Museum, Ancient City Wall. Lunch at local good restaurant followed by transfer to the airport for flight to Chongqing . Arrive at Chongqing, you will be met at the airport & transferred to board your deluxe cruise ship for the Three Gorges river journey.
The Provincial Museum: Which is one of the best Museum in China and where you can learn a lot about the 5,000 year brilliant history of China. The Ancient City Wall: Xian City Wall was constructed in the early Ming Dynasty on the basis of the Imperial City of Chang An (Everlasting Peace) of the Tang Dynasty.
Day 7 Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D) Depart Chongqing 8:00am. Shore excursion at Fengdu.
Fengdu: known as the "Ghost City" and is a place for punishing the devil and awarding the good.
Day 8 Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D) Pass through the magnificent Qutang Gorge, and beautiful Wu Gorge a. Shore excursion to the Baidi City(optional tour). Transfer to a small sampan to cruise the Shennong Stream.
Qutang Gorge: the first of the three gorges of the Yangtze River on, and the one that is famous for its sheer and spectacular precipices. Wu Gorge: the most beautiful section of the Yangtze River, The gorge was also known to be as dangerous as it is beautiful. Shennong Stream: a tributary of the Yangtze River which you can have Yantze River tour, a sampan tour in Shennong Stream will allow you to experience a high speed adventure.
Day 9 Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai (B/L) Visit the Three Gorges Dam. Arrives in Yichang. Be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival meet and transfer to Hotel.
Three Gorges Dam: the largest water conservancy project ever under taken by human being is now being built at Sandouping in the middle of Xiling Gorge.
Day10 Shanghai (B/L) Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour with visit to the Yu Garden, the "Bund", Nanjing Road and the Jade Buddha Temple with lunch at local Chinese restaurant. You can choose the Acrobatic Show as optional in the evening.
Yu Garden: a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai, dates back to the fabled Ming Dynasty. The Jade Buddha Temple: The most famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai. The Bund: known as a miniature museum of international architecture with dozens of high buildings standing along the shore. Nanjing Road: the longest commercial street in China, lined with big department and specialty stores, upscale boutiques, and a variety of fine restaurants, enjoying the reputation of "China’s No.1 Street".
Day 11 Shanghai (B) Free for Shopping or You can choose the full day Suzhou Tour as optional in this day.
Itinerary Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai (B/L) Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day trip by coach or train to Suzhou where you will visit Garden of the Master of the Nets, Lingering Garden and Silk Factory with lunch at good local restaurants. Afternoon, boat trip on the ancient canal in Suzhou. Back to Shanghai in the evening.
Garden of the Master of the Nets: Suzhou is famous for its the Gardens. Garden of the Master of the Nets is an elaborate succession of small gardens. In the garden you would marvel at this unique architecture art. Lingering Garden: It is the best preserved among all the Suzhou gardens. Silk Factory: Suzhou is also famous for its silk production. In the factory you can see how the silk is processed from the silk worm to the final woven cloth. Ancient Canal: which is 1,764 km (about 1200 miles) in length, is the longest man-made waterway as well as being the greatest in ancient China.
Day 12 Shanghai/Departure(B) Buffet breakfast at hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for flight to the next destination. End of service.
Top Four Well-know Dishes in Hangzhou
Jiuzhaigou Valley
Fairytale World Jiuzhaigou Valley is a renowned fairy tale world with its original and mysterious scenery. Its water seems like silver chains and rainbows, giving the plain forests and valleys on the plateau its standout charm. With grass and flowers rarely seen changing with the season, it serves as a wonderful summer resort for your China tour deals.
Tips: see its water, waterfall and forest as well as spend a summer holiday.
Clear streams converge to create a quiet lake, with gentle breeze blowing over the shinning water surface and plants at the lake bottom swaying, offering a picturesque fairytale world.
Beidaihe
Seated in the southwest of Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, Beidaihe, with its long and zigzag beach and verdant trees, is a noted scenic spot for summer. Eagle Point Pavilion, alongside its seashore, is honored as one of the top nine places in China to enjoy the sunrise. Tips: enjoy the sunrise, play in the water and sand as well as spend a summer holiday.
Visitors who spend a summer holiday here are so attracted by the beautiful sunset that they all stop to enjoy or take photos.
Shangri-La
Situated in the triangle area of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, the northwestern part of Yunnan province, Shangri-La is a pure land that maintains its natural ecology and ethnic traditional culture intact, rarely seen on Earth and always contained in the China best tours. This is a true heaven where you can run after the wind, talk to the birds and see isolated scenery, an ideal place for listening to your heart, especially during July and August.
Tips: spend a summer holiday, take photos, see the snow-capped mountains and forests
Changbai Mountain
As the highest mountain in Northeast China, it is world renowned for its fascinating scenery. Due to the influence of vertical changes in mountainous terrain, there are four zones of landscapes, including the temperate zone and the frigid zone, from its foot to the top, which is rarely seen. It is one of must-see for your summer popular China tours.
Tips: climb the mountain, see the forest, Tianchi and unique landforms and creatures as well as spend a summer holiday.
Guilin
Located among karst geography, Guilin is noted for its clear waters, superb caves, unique stones and green mountains, which is integrated into Lijiang River and its surrounding rural landscape. There is some truth to the saying, “Guilin’s scenery is the best in the world.”
Shennongjia
There are natural wonders like tunnels of wind, thunder, lightning and fog in the “Ridge of Central China”. There are also icicles, ice arrows, icing and ice towers in various shapes showing dazzling and cool light in the mysterious ice caves. Nothing is better than feeling the cool air here in the scorching summer.
Tips: see rare landforms, ice caves and spend a summer holiday.
The above-mentioned attractions have made great contribution to China tourism.
Visit the quaint Datong Ancient Town for your best travel
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The Ancient Town of Datong is in the west of Chishui City, with convenient traffic lines to Chongqing (the starting point for Yantze River tour), Wuhan and Shanghai. In ancient China, it was a strategic point and a commercial center. Lots of heritages have been preserved till today, including the guild halls, elite housing, spectacular mansions, ancestral temples of rich families and survival sacrifice constructions. Together with the mountains, forests and water there, they compose a wonderful humanism ecologic environment, reflecting the historical appearance of the autarky eras.
Characterizations
There are lots of ancient constructions dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties (obtain more information on China's dynasties via China guide)including the ancient streets, yards, wells, residences, temples, guild halls, stone steles and memorial gateways. Most of them were built at the foot of mountains, with front hall, main hall, back hall and wooden house projecting over the water. All of the constructions have been well-proportioned with carved beams and painted rafters. Countless articles and handwritings on the ancient stone steles and gateways have been preserved. For its generous culture deposits, western people call it “a history written by stone”. The folk residences were well-ordered, with the ancient streets as their longitudinal axis and the lateral axis. From the constructions of figures, colors, materials to their golden sections, perspectivity effect and intersperse, traditional architecture art could be seen everywhere.
Customs
There are about 1000 ethnic festivals in Guizhou Province which develop its economy via tourism in China, all of which are full of various celebration activities including singing, dancing, reed-pipe wind instrument playing, copper drum beating, bullfight, horse racing, birdfighting, wrestling, dragon lantern playing, dragon boat race, and traditional opera playing. Miao and Bouyei are the main minorities in Guizhou.
Local Flavor Specialties
There are Wujiang fish, cured meat fried with rolling over ears, egg custard, Nanbai yellow cake, Shangji Skin of soya-bean milk, Yaxi beam jelly, mutton noodles, bean curd pudding noodles…
On your bike: Istanbul to Shanghai
Jean Marcotte is following a "crazy" idea to bicycle 15,000-km across Asia and said Beijing is an unforgettable city, with plenty of helpful locals willing to help a lost foreigner.
The 56 years old from Quebec said his experience in China's capital was the longest and happiest time he has spent in any city since starting out on his odyssey in Istanbul on May 18.
He expects to complete his epic journey in Shanghai before Oct 5.
Speaking to Metro in Beijing (must-see destination for China vacation deals), the married father-of-three and retired army lieutenant commander said he had visited the Badaling Great Wall, the Forbidden City and also enjoyed a Peking Opera performance at the Meilanfang Theater.
He watched the "magnificent" opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on television in Canada, and said he was amazed the city held in store even more beauty for him.
"Beijing has class, a city with majesty and a high culture, " he said.
"I'm impressed by the citizens of Beijing. So far, everybody I've met has been nice, helpful and generous, making every effort possible to try to comprehend a foreigner who does not speak a single word of Chinese or read street sign.
"People has taken the time to figure out what I needed, help me with the administration, or put me in the right direction when I asked them."
Starting in Istanbul, Marcotte followed the Silk Road route from Turkey and crossed into Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. On July 14, he flew into Urumqi (the main destination for Silk Road tours), capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where he began his journey in the Chinese mainland.
Marcotte, who has never before travelled through China, then bicycled through the Gobi desert, the grassland of Inner Mongolia, and Qinghai.
"This is the second most crazy thing I've done in my life," says Jean, who joined in the Canadian army at 17 and served for more than 30 years.
His said his most crazy idea was to travel to Iraq during the first Gulf war, and to former Yugoslavia and to Somalia as a UN peacekeeper.
"Though I was close to battles and death, I still believe human beings have a good nature. Most of us, no matter what color, wish to meet and know others, and to try to be helpful," he said.
"Travelling by bicycle enables me to meet ordinary people and see life in different countries, which have been my most delightful memories."
Marcotte began cycling six years ago in the hope of treating chronic back pain. It worked and it also unlocked a passion for cycling. In June 2007, Marcotte cycled 7,128 km across Canada to raise money for the families of Canadian soldiers.
During his journey through China, Marcotte recalled an extremely hot day in Xinjiang, when a watermelon bounced off an overloaded truck.
"The truck was like an angel," he said.
In Jiayuguan, Gansu province, he was invited by an art class to pose as a model for two hours.
After cycling through Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces, Jean arrived in Beijing on Sept 7 and began his journey to Tianjin (an optional destination for popular China travel package) on Monday.
What is Haba Snow Mountain?
The Haba Snow Mountain stands by the Jinsha River, 120km southeast of Zhongdian (Shangri-La), with its main peak of 5,396m. The attraction of the Sanba Tourist Area (make contribution to China tourism) is attributed to the towering peaks of the Haba Snow Mountain and its alpine moraine lake, endless tracks of azalea flowers and cluster of waterfalls cascading down snow-covered cliffs. The glacier on the Haba Snow Mountain is the southmost glacier in China.
Haba is an interesting township beneath the Haba Snow Mountain. The local minorities include Naxi, Hui (Muslim) and Yi peoples, as well as the odd Tibetan. It is primarily of interest to hikers and those who enjoy exploring remote and more traditional villages. The town along the road is inhabited by a small number of Han people plus a mix of local minorities, the area above the road towards the mountain is home to two Hui (Muslim) villages, each of which with its own mosque. Further up the mountain is an Yi village. Further down the valley, beneath the road is a lush agricultural area inhabited by Naxi people.
Opportunities abound for hiking in the surrounding forest and mountains. Keen hikers will be interested to hike to the summit of Haba Snow Mountain, which takes 2.5~3 days at pace for ascent and descent and requires spending nights on the mountain. A China tour guide is required and available in Haba town/villages.
Best Time to go: May, Sept ~Nov., try to avoid monsoon June~August
Getting In & Out
Buses run daily to/from both Lijiang and Zhongdian, and are rarely full. Bear in mind that these will stop at many points along the way to pick up locals from intermediate villages.
Bicycle
To the south, the road towards Tiger Leaping Gorge rises for 5km or so, offering a spectacular view of the valley before descending almost constantly for nearly 30km to the valley entrance. From there a slight climb will get you to Walnut Grove.
Heading north out of town a 2km climb sees you through a pass, after which a slight but near-constant descent brings you within a brief distance of Baishuitai.
Lodging
Accommodation is basic and similar throughout most of the Haba town. The most popular guesthouse in town is the Haba Jokul International Youth Hostel (previously "Haba Snow Mountain Inn") , budget beds from 25-35 RMB (unit for China money), Y180/std. rm.
Dining
Other than the impressive range of locally gathered wild mushrooms, there is a definite shortage of culinary variety in this town. Most places offering accommodation feature a limited variety of sorry-looking vegetables and a hunk of meat of two. The staple food is often baba or flatbread rather than rice, and you may be offered Tibetan-style butter tea, which is an acquired taste by all accounts. The saving grace is that all food available is locally produced and is completely free of agricultural chemicals. Also note that Muslim establishments will not serve pork.
Haba Snow Mt. Climbing
Recommend you start with a warm-up trekking from Tiger Leaping Gorge which can be considered to be considered in the packages of China vacation deals to Haba village first instead of arriving Haba town by bus.
Phase I - Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba Village
D1: Qiaotou-> Nuoyu Village-> 28 Turns-> Halfway Guesthouse
D2: Halfway Guesthouse ->Middle Rapids -> Tina's -> Walnut Grove (Woody)
D3: Walnut Grove -> Haba Village(2800m)
Phase II - Haba Village to Haba Snow Mt. (total around 14 hours trekking)
(Horse & guide can be hired in Haba Village, Y100~150/day)
D4: Haba Village(2626m)-> Base Camp (4115m) ,10.5km, 6-8hrs by foot or 5hrs by horse trekking
D5: Base Camp--Camp 1(6km, 4967m)--Summit(1.5km, 5396m)--Base Camp (7.5KM)
D6: Base Camp--Haba Village (10.5km), take a bus to Baishuitai
D7: Bus from Baishuitai back to Lijiang or further northern to Zhongdian(Shangri-La)
Top 4 Hottest Cities in China
Scientists use the number of days which have temperature above 35℃ to evaluate the city’s weather. And indeed, the numbers of Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanchang are more than other cities. Through analysis, the numbers of days above 35℃ are on average of 19.3 every year in these four cities. So you should avoid these four cities for your summer China vacation deals.
1 Wuhan
It may be the hottest city among the four. Wuhan is surrounded by lakes and every day there is a large amount of water evaporated. The heat air covering the whole city slows the outputting speed of heat on the ground and also makes people hard to radiate the heat, as if you are in sauna room. People have to be tolerant of the sultry weather.
2 Chongqing
The main reason for high temperature is its special location and landforms. It is a well-known high temperature zone in China, especially the time from July to October. This year, several rainy days relieve the hotness to some extent in June, while most Chongqing people are not very happy about that, for they know the really hottest days are on the way. Chongqing is also the place to start Yantze River tour.
3 Nanjing
It is said that if you are in Nanjing, do bring a fan with you. In the aspect of high temperature, Nanjing is the same as Shanghai, while at night, Shanghai is cooler than Nanjing because it is adjacent to the sea. So Nanjing people often admire the weather of Shanghai.
4 Nanchang
Nanchang is the fourth hottest city in China. In the summer of 2003, there were in all 22 days of temperature above 39.7℃, and the highest temperature of the land surface was over 60℃. People had to rush into the river to relieve the summer heat. In November of that year, the highest temperature reached 31.2℃, which was surprising many people in China.
You can obtaim more information on these four cities through China tour guide.
Explore Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and is owned and managed by the Hong Kong International Theme Parks, an incorporated company jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and the Government of Hong Kong.The fifth Disneyland style park, the park is located on reclaimed and in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. After years of negotiations and construction, the park opened to visitors on May 22, 2005, considered an auspicious date according to Chinese almanacs for the opening of a new business. Disney attempted to avoid problems of cultural backlash by attempting to incorporate Chinese culture, customs, and traditions when designing and building the resort, including adherence to the rules of Feng Shui.The park consists of four themed lands similar to other Disneyland parks: Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland),Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There is as yet no Frontierland, although it may be included in future expansion projects. The theme park's cast members use English and Chinese, including Cantonese and Mandarin dialects, to communicate verbally. Guide Maps are printed in both Traditional and Simplified characters, Japanese, and in English. It is one of must-see Hong Kong scenic spots.
As the newest Disneyland in the world, Hong
Kong Disneyland is a must-see because of its special attractions and the inimitable sense of Chinese culture. Walking into Hong Kong Disneyland, you feel you are in a wonderland. Accompanied by Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends, you start a fantastic and magical journey. With unique scenic spots and Disney Theme Hotels, you can go escape from the real world, and make your dreams come true. The availability of delicious Chinese and Asian food is also a lure for many visitors and Disney fans.
The first theme park you might come across is 'Main Street, U.S.A.'. Entering Main Street, you will be amazed by the delicate buildings, dim gas lamp and Paddy Wagon passing by. Antique taxicabs, Disneyland Railroad and the City Hall transports you back to America of the early 20th century. There are Chinese elements here too. Plaza Inn, the first Chinese restaurant in Main Street, complete with 19th Century Chinese table service. With the image of cartoon heroine Mulan everywhere, you come to the conclusion that Mulan is really at home now. Market House Bakery and Main Street Corner Cafe are also good places for you to enjoy. Lingering in Emporium and Main Street Mercantile, having a look in The Curiosity Shop and Silhouette Shop, you will surely find timeless treasures for your interesting China vacation deals.
If you feel courageous, try Adventureland. Guided by a brave captain, Jungle River Cruise will take you into the heart of hidden regions. Hippos, cobras, elephants, orangutans and startling jungle events are waiting for you. As an attraction originally conceived by Walt Disney fifty years ago, it has been given an entirely new appearance with exciting 21st century Disney magic especially for Hong Kong Disneyland! Festival of the Lion King will keep your eyes glued on the show. Adapted from Disney's animated classic 'The Lion King', this colorful pageant of music and dance is just like a classic music drama because of its consummate performers, costumes and exotic scenery. This is a show that will appeal to all ages. Traveling by raft in the Rivers of Adventure, you land at your destination: Tarzan Island. Exploring Tarzan Island and visiting Tarzan's Treehouse reminds you of the story of this human child raised by gorillas. After your travel to Tarzan Island, follow the rhythm of jungle drums to find the secret of Liki Tikis. Once you are in the circle, the refreshing blasts of water will surprise even the hardiest explorer. Tahitian Terrace Restaurant and River View Cafe here will make you feel satisfied to dine in the jungle. You can even buy a jungle leaf in Professor Porter's Trading Post as a keepsake.
Have you ever been touched by Cinderella's extraordinary story and Winnie the Pooh's adventures in the forest? Have you ever wanted to be a princess such as Snow White or Sleeping Beauty? Do you still remember the little Flying Elephant and Alice in Wonderland? Don't hesitate to come into Fantasyland. Cinderella Carrousel, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Sword in the Stone, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Snow White Grotto to make all your storybook dreams come true. You can also join Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many other friends at a dizzying 3-D attraction in Mickey's PhilharMagic. Wearing special glasses, you can lie on the magic carpet with Aladdin and smell the flavor of Donald Duck soup. Watch carefully and don't forget you are a part of the program; otherwise you might be sprinkled by the soup! The most fantastic place must be The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theater. Adapting all the Disney classics into a 25-minute musical drama, mixing acrobatics and special effects, this will make you stop blinking. In the theater, Tarzan swings quickly on the rigging, just like the fan on the ceiling. When The Little Mermaid Ariel appears, the whole theater is submerged by bubbles descending from the ceiling; you really feel that you are at sea. Mulan practicing martial arts and traditional flag dances show the combination of eastern and western culture.
Leave the fairytale wonderland perfectly contented; you can step into Tomorrowland. Screaming in Space Mountain, you will have no time to appreciate the sparkling stars because of the exciting roller coaster. In Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, you can fly in your space capsule and fight against the aliens with your space gun. If you are weary of the breathtaking attractions, Orbitron is a good choice for you to fly above Tomorrowland and take a rest. After space traveling, take a break at Starliner Diner and Comet Cafe to enjoy some 'earth' cuisine that you can not taste in outer space. Also, Space Traders and Star Command Suppliers will gives you a chance to do some space shopping. Don't forget to watch the Grand Parade and Firework Play after a whole day's play! It will color more to your best tours of China.
When night falls, you crash out at a choice of Disney Theme Hotels all with unparalleled accommodation. Whether you are at the Victorian style Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or being a big star in Disney Hollywood Hotel, the magic of Disneyland can never stop!
Come to Hong Kong Disneyland, you can find the golden past and the glorious future!
Transportation:
Hong Kong Disneyland has aPublic Transport Interchange; (a people-mover that sounds similar to Disney World's TTC Transportation Center.) Visitors can drive or take taxis or public buses to the TTC; a ferry service is planned. Meanwhile, Guests at a Disneyland Hong Kong resort can take a free shuttle to the Public Transport Interchange.
Opening Hours:
10.00 to 19.00 (weekdays)
10.00 to 21.00 (weekends and holidays)
Tickets Selling Hours: From 9.00 until the park closes
Children under 3 are free.
Peak days include weekends, Hong Kong public holidays, summer school holidays in July and August and the Golden Week holidays in May and October. Obtain more about Hong Kong through Hong Kong travel guide.
Another famous stone forest in China - Nidang
Nidang Stone Forest is located at the southern part of Xingyi City. It is 47 kilometers away from the urban area. The stone forest was naturally formed during the Paleozoic Era and always choose to visit for last minute China travel deals . It is 4 kilometers long from east to west, and 2 kilometers long from south to north, covering an area of more than 3000 mu.
Nidang Stone Forest can be divided into two parts, namely, the front part and the rear part. The front part is located in the region of Fengbowan and Daijiaba . The limestone peak, pillars, and shoots scatter here and there. Some of them are like running animals, some are like human. All of them are in different shapes. On the wall of the Lijiawan Cave , there is a stone dragon, opposite to the stone tiger in Daijiaba.
The back part of the Nidang Stone Forest is also called Longjia Stone Forest. It is greater and more wonderful than the front part. Various limestone peaks scatter on the 300-mu gentle slope, looking like a thick forest covering all the sky. The Qingtian Pillars tands tall and straight, the Jianfeng Stone is sharp and erect. There is one stone like an old man climbing the cliff with the cane, which is alike not only in shape but also in spirit. Some stones are like the monkey looking over the moon, some are like a group of elephants fighting over the water, some are like the baby tigers playing with each other, and some are like mushrooms. All of them are vivid and true to life. If you are fond of it, you can contain the stone forest in your popular China travel package.
In the stone forest, there is a valley called Yixiantian , located in front of the Hutiao Rock ). In the valley, you can just see a ray from the sky. The Bieyoudongtian in the stone forest can hole more than 10 people. The cool wind from the skylight will drive your exhaustion away. The most amazing scene is the two Chinese characters “山川; formed by six imestone peaks, which are more powerful and vigorous than that of the calligraphers from ancient to modern times.
Near the Nidang Stone Forest, there is a White Horse Cave , which is more than 500 meters deep. The stalactites in the cave are white and crystal and in various shapes. You can step to the Malu Slope , watch the sunrise and appreciate the changeable clouds.
Nidang Stone Forest
Location: 42 kilometers to Xingyi City
Admission fee: 5 RMB (unit for Chinese currency )
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take a minibus at the Xingyi Bus Station to Nidang Stone Forest
What to Eat in Xian
Besides many historical attractions in Xian, Xian is also a culinary city with much palatable Xian food. The most famous Xian food ranges from Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, Sheep Blood Soaked in Vermicelli Soup, Pork Sandwiched Between Pita Bread, to Cold Noodles and Qishan Noodles. These savory Xian cuisines are all must-eat along your Xian trip. Local-popular Xian restaurants and Xian food streets are travel to Xian offered below as well. Browse for details about the following famous Xian food.
Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup is a famous local dish in Xian, which enjoys time-honored history. The main ingredient in this mouth-watering dish is mutton and pita bread. First, boil the mutton with special seasonings and then break the pita bread into nail-sized pieces. Then soak the pita bread with the thick lamb soup. Accompanied with sugared garlic, spicy sauce and sesame oil, the Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup tastes more palatable. This dish is suitable for eating all year round, while the best time to taste it falls into winter, which could not only warm your stomach but enrich nutrition in your body. The dish is the must-try after paying a visit to Xian attractions.
Sheep Blood Soaked in Vermicelli Soup is another tasty dish in Xian, which is particularly popular among the old and the young. The main ingredients in this dish are sheep blood, pita bread broken off with hands, vermicelli and special seasonings. Accompanied with Chinese parsley, this dish tastes much more delicious. Seasonings in this dish are mainly stomachic medicines, which make itself highly favored by people with dyspepsia illness.
Pork Sanwiched Between Pita Bread, Rou Jia Mo in Chinese, is the most popular local snack in Xian, which is now widely consumed all over China. The meat is mostly common pork, stewed for hours in a soup consisting of over 20 kinds of spices and seasonings, so that the palatable flavor could be ensured. The pita bread in this snack is made in a frying pan baked repeatedly for a long period of time. The Rou Jia mo enjoys the reputation as "Chinese hamburger "and is highly favored by people home and abroad. A Rou jia mo usually charges 5-7 Rmb (Chinese currency converter) in Xian, but the flavor varies from vendor to vendor due to the different seasonings applied.
Cold noodle in Xian has diverse varieties because of different ingredients made. According ingredients, cool noodles could be classified into two types, rice-made cold noodles and flour-made cold noodles. Rice cold noodle is white, crystal, smooth, thin, chewy and tender, which would be a great feast to you. The rice cold noodles prepared in Qinzhen Town in Huxian County, Xian is the most popular among the locals because of its special ingredients and seasonings applied. Accompanied with red spicy pepper and green bean sprout, the cold noodles appear much luring, teasing your tasting bud greatly.
Qishan Noodles is another must-have along your Xian travel, which is known for its chewy noodles, sour soup and savory seasoning. Qishan Noodles enjoy a long history, which has been widely spread since Qing Dynasty. Qishan Noodles is originated from Qishan County, Xian, hence the name Qishan Noodles is given. Accompanied with other ingredients like pork shreds, day lily, egg, wood fungus and bean curd, the Qisha noodles tastes more mouth-watering.
When you visit Xian for your last minute China travel deals, any of the above-mentioned should be tasted.
Discovering new highs in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a picturesque and popular tourist destination for China vacation deals within easy reach of Shanghai residents - but there is much more to the place than just beautiful West Lake.
Many Shanghai people find Hangzhou a "cliched" tourist destination - close and easy. But it's hard to think of a better place to resign yourself to countryside pleasures.
Two weeks back my wife and I ventured into the mountains around Hangzhou that are low enough for a three-hour trek but still high enough to make you gasp.
That was exactly what we wanted: a healthy dose of weekend exercise - not too much, not too little - to cure the ills of a week's sedentary office work.
In this golden season of tourism (April and May), it is wise to avoid the crowds at Hangzhou's hugely popular West Lake, even though it is wondrous in many ways. If you have never been to Hangzhou, you should visit the lake, otherwise perhaps follow our footsteps along a largely unbeaten track deep into the mountains and to the discovery of a rich tea culture.
All you need is a bit of daring.
There are many bullet trains from Shanghai South Railway Station to Hangzhou each day. We booked tickets for a train that departed at 9:30am and arrived in Hangzhou at 10:46am on Saturday. Actually it takes more than two hours for many of my work colleagues to travel from home to the office in Shanghai every day.
If you take Metro Line 1 from People's Square, you will get to Shanghai South Railway Station in 20 minutes. Another hour and you will be in Hangzhou. Another 20 minutes by taxi will take you to Zhejiang Hotel, a state-run five-star hotel at the foot of Santai Mountain. The hotel is wedged between the famous Longjing Road that leads to the China Tea Museum and Santaishan Road, leading to Santai Mountain and Southern Peak.
Zhejiang Hotel was built in the 1970s, initially as a temporary dwelling for Marshal Lin Biao. Guests of the hotel can visit the old 1970s facilities for free.
When we arrived at the hotel around 11:30am, our room was not ready, so instead of checking in we went to nearby Maocaowu (Thatched House), a farmer's restaurant, for lunch.
Surrounded by mountains and fishing ponds, Maocaowu serves freshly picked tea and fresh wild bamboo shoots that only grow in Hangzhou (best destination included in packages of top 10 China tours). An additional bit of fun were the abundance of chattering fortune tellers, not to mention some very polite beggars.
No sooner had I given one yuan to an old beggar than another approached smiling broadly. I thought it was the same beggar and said: "Didn't I just give to you?"
He bowed: "Sorry, sir, I'm a newcomer." Politeness shone in his eyes. I smiled back. Naturally he got my money.
After lunch we relaxed a while enjoying the spring breeze before deciding to defer checking into the hotel and go mountain hiking with unloaded backpacks instead. It proved to be a rather bad decision as we had no drinking water for the next two hours.
We visited the China Tea Museum before climbing three mountains - Jiqing (lucky), Tianma (heavenly horse) and Qipan (chessboard).
In the museum, I learned for the first time in my life that black tea comes from green tea through fermentation. It made me feel quite foolish!
For anyone interested in tea sets from different Chinese dynasties, or how different teas cure different diseases, the museum is a must-go.
Having conquered three mountains - all scattered with tea gardens - we finally returned to our hotel at 5pm, checked in, had a bath, and went to the gracious dinning hall for dinner. Following dinner, we strolled east of the hotel along the Tortoise Bay, which is 10 times quieter than West Lake. The bay is about 20 minutes' walk from the West Lake (included in popular China travel package)and yet remains known to only a few tourists.
The following morning we rose at 7:30am, had breakfast in the hotel, and headed for Southern Peak. At 257.2 meters above sea level, it is not particularly high, but the steps are steep - almost 45 degrees all the way up.
What held me in awe that day was not the steepness of the steps, but the sight of a young man with a lame leg. As we were coming down we passed him making his way to the top, very slowly, but very determinedly, inch by inch.
After checking out of our hotel we headed for lunch in a gorgeous farmer's restaurant on Santaishan Road called Linghuju (House of Listening to the Lake). It is so popular that Hangzhou locals regularly frequent the place at weekends.
A cup of tea and a big bowl of boiled home-bred chicken make for a perfect afternoon. When you eat in the open, you see leaves falling from the trees into your dishes. But who cares? It's the flavor of nature.
As we booked tickets for a return train at 8:41pm - the last bullet train from Hangzhou to Shanghai (famous modern tourist city and make contribution to China tourism)- we had plenty of time to stroll along West Lake which was much quieter after the departure of most of the other visitors.
We had dinner at the famous Lou Wai Lou restaurant on the Bai Causeway at 5:30pm (you won't get a seat if you arrive after 6pm), then walked along the causeway to Beishan (Northern Mountain) Road where we took a taxi to the railway station and headed for home.
So ended our Hangzhou mountain adventure. But we enjoyed the trip so much that we went to walk in mountains for a whole day this past weekend - on yet another unbeaten track. This time though we took some drinking water.
Land of masculinity
Shaanxi, the seat of several dynasties in China’s history, is the epitome of the traditional patriarchal system, which prioritized men over women. As a result social life has been somewhat masculinized.
This is further heightened by the Loess Plateau, where Shaanxi was located. In daily life, men in Shaanxi to this day drink strong spirits, eat with big bowls, and scream the bold local opera.
Men in Shaanxi (where you can have China travel deals) prefer the strong alcoholic beverage Xi Feng. It numbs the tongue and the drinkers feel a thread of fire going down the throat at a sip.
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One of the top alcohol brands in China, Xi Feng has its origin in Fengxiang Country, Shaanxi. Traditionally, it has about 60 percent of alcoholic content. Tasty and aromatic as it is, Xi Feng is strong enough to ignite. People even joke it’s a time bomb if one is drinking and smoking at the same time.
But men in Shaanxi love it simply because of its high alcoholic content. They believe the beauty of spirits lies in alcoholicity, a sign of manliness. You can experience during your journey of Xian tour.
A saying goes as: Bowls from which Shaanxi people eat are as big as washbasins.
The “old bowls” produced in Yaozhou Country, Shaanxi, have for centuries won favor among Shaanxi people. The word “old” doesn’t refer to a long history, but the large size of the bowls. They are usually deep and about 33cm in diameter, reminding people of washbasins.
The admiration of big bowls may have its origin in the old-time belief that the strength of man is measured by how much he can consume at a meal. Nowadays, the big old bowls still have a secure place in restaurants.
Opera Qinqiang
Bold and unrestrained, this art has earned sweeping popularity in Shaanxi and is nicknamed “the soccer of Shaanxi people.”
Other than singing like the other operas being performed, the local opera Qinqiang (famous around Xian, Xian travel guide)is screamed.
The arias are rich and masculine, which are usually snarled and screamed out by the male roles. It’s joked that three “enoughs” are necessary for a performance: the stage must be solid enough so that it won’t collapse when the performers are singing; secondly, the performers must be strong enough so that they won’t tire out; and thirdly, the spectators must be audacious enough so that they won’t be too scared to enjoy the performance. Just imagine if all locals gather together to snarl or scream the bold opera! It will be, without exaggerating, as overwhelming as the World Cup.
You can get more via China tour guide
36 hours guide in Lijiang
Culture, history, beauty converge in an old city of Yunnan province.
The word "breathtaking" when applied to a Chinese city sometimes refers to respiratory-attack-inducing smog. But in the case of Lijiang (which should be visited after visiting Kunming sightseeing), population 1.2 million, in Southwest China's Yunnan province, the word takes on its slack-jaw-in-awe meaning. The horizon here is Himalayan, and the blue sky above the city's stone streets, willow-lined canals and black-tiled roofs is reliably visible. This unusual troika of culture, history and natural beauty is why Lijiang's Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a center of the Naxi people - is a top destination for Chinese tourists and a new favorite of the passport-carrying crowd.
Friday, 4 pm
Lijiang was built for commerce about 800 years ago, and a commercial city it remains. Once a crucial trading post on the ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road connecting Yunnan province and the Tibet autonomous region, it now caters, in large part, to tourists from Beijing and Hong Kong (who apparently really, really like dried yak meat).
The main thing to know about shopping in the pedestrian-only Old Town is that many stores, like those selling hammered silver jewelry and tea bricks, repeat themselves on nearly every street, like the scrolling background in a Tom and Jerry cartoon chase scene.
Browse a few hours through the Mao kitsch (like the canvas "Oba Mao" bags with US President Barack Obama in a Mao suit). You'll find there are many Donga Paper Workshops (you can buy something after tired best tours of China), a chain that sells paper lampshades and books of locally made paper, but head to the one at Lower Xinyuan Lane, Guangyi Street, where you can make your own sheet in the traditional way. Bunong Bells sells stylized bells (from 160 yuan, or $26) like those worn by horses on the caravan trail.
7 pm
In Square Market, Old Town's main plaza, visitors snake around horsemen trying to attract paying riders. Naxi dance (should be watched for your affordable China tours) groups bend, clap and spin. To take all this in, rise above it. The second-floor Bells Restaurant and Bar offers a fine selection of New Zealand red wines by the bottle in the 300-yuan range and a view of the action below.
8 pm
In the front window of 88 Snack, a woman slices strips of pea jelly made from black beans. Behind this unassuming facade is the best restaurant in town for Naxi fare. The Dongba spicy chicken lives up to its name, and the roasted eggplant salad is garlic heaven. The adventurous can try deep-fried dragonflies, which taste like especially crunchy seaweed. (Dinner, 110 yuan for two.)
10 pm
The antidote to "Bar Street" (aka Xinhua Street, popular for popular China tours), where nightclubs feature skull-thumping music and where boy bands with high hair dance in spotlights, is Freshnam Cafe, on a quiet strip across town. People come to Freshnam, run by a Korean impresario, Nam Ji-woo, for the simple setting (black bar and small stage), the international beers and the music, which runs toward the folk-rock vein, though with any luck you'll catch a belly-dance number.
Kunming Shopping Information & Guide
Kunming is multi-ethnic minorities inhabited and is home to diverse culture of ethnic group of China. As an important tourist city, Kunming boasts enchanting scenery, characteristic culture and time-honored history. Kunming also has much to offer for shopping-addict and shopping in Kunming is quite convent. As for Kunming shopping, specialties in Kunming are uncountable and diversified, ranging from precious jewels, fragrant Pu'er tea, delicate handicrafts for ethnic minorities, to nutritious mushroom and exquisite carvings. In the following, the must-haves in Kunming shopping are offered. So after your travel to Kunming, you should not forget buy something
Kunming is home to hundreds of companies specialized in gem and jewels. The jewels in Kunming are diversified, ranging from jade, ruby, sapphire, to amethyst, agate and the likes. As time goes by, the gem and jewelry industry is developed gradually in Kunming. Now Yunnan has been the world-known distribution center of gem and jewelry in China. Among the dazzling gem and jewelry in Yunnan, jade is the most famous, which is diverse in variety and is suitable to send to friends as gifts.
Yunnan is the one of the third largest tea-producing province after Fujian and Zhejiang. Tea produced in Yunnan boasts time-honored history, which is brimming with unique tea culture of Yunnan. Tea in Yunnan enjoys diverse varieties, among which Pu'er tea is the most famous. After fermented with special process, Pu'er tea is compressed into a variety of shapes, such as melon, brick and pillar. The older the tea is, the more fragrant it is. Pu'er tea taste mellow and sweet, which enjoys the reputation of "beauty tea". The tea is a good choice after paying a visit to Kunming tourist attractions
As is known, Yunnan is multi-ethnic inhabited, which is the home to the dazzling delicate handicrafts of ethnic minorities of China. Saddlebag is a traditional handcraft of Dai ethnic minority. It was originally weaved with ramie and cotton, while silk and cotton now. Hand-stitching work is a featured handcraft of Sani people of Yi ethnic minority inhabited in Yunnan. Hand-stitching is a type of embroidering, which is usually applied to decorate handbag, clothes and kerchief and so on, brimming with full-bodied local culture of Yi ethnic group of China.
Yunnan is perched on Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, which is endowed with lofty mountains, verdant trees, sufficient rain, and favorable climate. It sometimes rains in spring and summer, which offers the unparalleled living conditions for mushroom. Mushroom in Yunnan is diverse in variety and different in flavor, which is an essential ingredient in well-known dishes in Yunnan. Among the diverse mushrooms, Termitomyces albuminosus, matsutake and Bamboo Fungus are of highest economical value. Visitors should never miss buying some when traveling in Yunnan.
Carvings in Yunnan enjoy time-honored history, exquisite technical and diverse varieties. Among them, ivory and wooden carvings are the most famous. Ivory carvings are vivid in shapes, sophisticated in skills and delicate in design. As wooden carving, the ones produced in Jiangchuan County of Yunnan are the best-known. Wooden carvings are usually applied in decorating table, desk, furniture, tea sets and the likes. Patterns in the wooden carving vary from dragon, phoenix and peacock and so on, which makes the furniture more gorgeous and magnificent. It is no wonder that many travelers buy some ivory and wooden carvings in their Yunnan travel, which seems make sense now.
Shopping in Kunming (try to join Kunming tour packages) is easily available. In Kunming, shopping area is centered in downtown and shopping malls are quite near to each other, which bring much pleasure to the shopping-addicts. Shopping place, home to diversified goods and specialties, are ubiquitous in Kunming, ranging from luxurious department store, shopping plazas to standard shopping street. Whatever you want during your travel could be purchased in Kunming.
Flower and Bird Market Features: Not only flowers and birds but traditional handicrafts are available. Location: Jinxing Street, Zhengyi Road How to get to: Take No. 1, No.5, No.52, No.56 and No.100 to get there. Shangyi Flower Market Feature: Diverse flowers are flocked here, which is as cheap as vegetables. Location: Bailong Neighborhood, Bailong Road, Kunming How to get to: Take No. 47, No.49, and No.72 to get there.
Mal-Mart Features: Cheap in goods and enthusiastic in staff Location: Daguan Commercial City, Daguan Road, Kunming Phone: 0871-5383259 Jiadeli Supermarket Location: Chuanjin Road, Panlong District, Kunming Huamei Supermarket Location: Dongjiawan Road, Guandu District, Kunming Biafu Supermarket Location: News Road, Wuhua District
Meichen Department Store Features: Discounts are sometimes offered. Location: No.98, Fuchun Street, People Road, Wuhua District, Kunming Phone: 0871-3618633
Jinlong Department Store Features: decoration outside is fabulous and goods are in high quality. Location: No. 131, Baita Road, Panlong District, Kunming Phone: 0871-3103136
Baisheng Department Store Features: Discounted fashion clothes are often available. Location: Bailian Square, Sanshi Street Phone: 0871-3630186
The above should be considered for your China vacation deals.
Discover the beauty of China
An abandoned quarry in Shanghai (famous destination for affordable China tours) has been transformed into an award-winning park that celebrates its industrial past. Zhang Yue reveals the people and history behind the huge project.
Zhang Derong, 58, stands on the spot where his old home once stood, where he lived most of his life, and looks out over a quarry garden in Shanghai. "I don't recognize it at all," he says. The only remnant of the past is a 60-meter deep quarry that is now a landscaped feature of Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang district. "It's such a tranquil and beautiful place now," he says, "and it's fantastic that the years of noise and danger caused by mining have simply faded away."
The quarry garden is an approximately two-hour drive from downtown Shanghai and opened up to the public just before the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Over the past three years it has come to international attention, winning a British Association of Landscape Industries award in 2011. The following year the American Society of Landscape Architects honored the park for being innovative and "restoring the ecology of the quarry, creating a natural and cultural experience in an Oriental style".
"It was my most challenging project ever," says professor Zhu Yufan from the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, who led the design and reconstruction efforts, costing 32.84 million yuan ($5.3 million) over three years. "But I am so glad that we did it. It was totally worth the effort."
The quarry site on the south side of Chenshan Hill had been mined for decades and its igneous rock was used to build the foundations of Shanghai, its roads and buildings. The quarry was closed in the 1980s and the site lay barren, while the quarry itself filled with water.
Zhang Derong, who was born and raised in Chenshan village, just 100 meters from the quarry, recalls riding cows home after school, and rocks falling on his old house because of the quarrying.
"Soldiers and the mining company always helped repair the house, but the mining never stopped despite the dangers," he says. "It was an important source of income for the village."
Zhu, the designer, says incorporating the history of the mine was central to his plans for reconstruction to improve local China tourism.
"The site was formed as a result of industrialization. This is something that had a big impact on me when I first saw the quarry lake, and I wanted visitors to remember this," he says.
Zhu used iron and steel as the principal materials to create the project. "I wanted the place to have an industrial smell rather than mask it with something fragrant."
It was the first time Zhu, who specializes in urban garden design, landscaped a quarry.
"I didn't like the idea of creating a quarry hotel on the site because that would mean a higher density of visitors," Zhu says.
"Reconstructing a quarry was a new and interesting idea to me. It was originally suggested that we should fill in the quarry, which I thought was hilarious. I later learned that this is a common way of dealing with abandoned quarries, but it is too crude and not necessarily safe.
"I think it is wiser for people to think ahead when they exploit nature and think about future use."
He insisted on keeping the quarry lake, making it the centerpiece of the botanical garden.
In addition to creating a waterfall, with water pumped from the lake, Zhu and his design team conceived the idea of constructing a bridge that would allow visitors to walk from the top of the quarry down to the lakeside 30 meters below.
Safety issues were paramount, Zhu says. In the original plan the idea was to build a bridge alongside the hill, but since the rocks would require time to weather and stabilize, a floating bridge across the quarry lake was constructed instead, which also allows visitors to stroll across the water.
For the construction of the double-curved bridge that transports visitors from the viewing deck to the lake to color popular China travel package, the design team worked closely with Beijing's Zhong'ao Environmental Sculpture, which specializes in iron and steel.
It took five months to build the double-curved bridge, which has one side made of rusted iron and the other of burnished steel, says Zhu Yunlei, project manager of the sculpture company.
"It was really difficult for us to put the two sides of the bridge together at the quarry site," Zhu says.
Firstly, the two sides of the bridge were produced in sections, in Beijing, and then transported to the site. "Assembly was difficult and dangerous because the heavy machinery and materials caused rocks to fall."
Since Chenshan Botanical Garden opened in April 2010, it has proven to be a popular destination for sightseers, particularly photographers. In 2012 there were 700,000 visitors.
As for the 500 households of Chenshan village, they were relocated in 2006 to the residential area of Jiangqiu Xinyuan, about 1.5 km from the quarry.
For villagers like Zhang the park is now an inspiring memento of the area's industrial past.
For more via travel China guide.
Transportation for you to get around Kunming
Kunming (Kunming tours) has very bad traffic conditions and not only at peak times. It's worth planning ahead if you have somewhere to get to.
1. Bicycles can be rented at some hostels for about ¥20 a day. There are bike lanes along the edges of many major roads and traffic generally moves fairly slowly. In addition, a scheme launched 2012 in the Dianchi (lakeside) area of town provides bicycle rental as a public service, similar to schemes in Paris and London. However, registration is a prerequisite and it is unclear how accessible the system is to foreigners, particularly short-stay tourists.
2. City Buses are ¥1 apiece (¥2 for buses with aircon, around ¥5 for minibuses to the city's outskirts). They operate from about 6am until late evening 21:30/22:00!! (from first stop, which means, if you go from last stop, you can get bus also at 11 pm going back to first stop). They stop at every stop along their assigned route, but not all bus routes stop at all physical bus stops! Don't be surprised to see a bus driving right past a stop, as it may not be on their route. Stops are ususally 500m to 1km apart. Bus drivers are lead footed, and often race each other, especially on the ring roads. They tend to stop suddenly too, so get a good hand hold. Some of the bus stops are at the sides of the road but some bus stops are located in the middle of the road and appear to have been designed to provide maximum inconvenince and danger for passengers. There have been reports of pick-pocketing on crowded buses, especially just before the Spring Festival, when people need extra cash. It is possible to get a bus card, which reduces the cost per trip to 90%. The card itself costs ¥20 and is bought at bus stations, and can be recharged at some China Post offices. Bus routes are marked on some local maps (purchased from street venders or kiosks) but are not always accurate.
3. Taxis start at 8 RMB (Chinese currency converter ). Make sure the driver uses the meter to avoid being scammed. Sometimes, taxi drivers will ask for a flat fee, but you should avoid this, because usually such flat fees are much more expensive than using the meter for rides within the city. As usual, care should be taken when traveling at night or long distances. Larger taxis cost more than smaller taxis. Also be aware that taxis are zoned and cannot access all areas. Don't be surprised if a taxi driver cannot take you to your destination as it may be outside their zone. Only certain taxis are allowed into the central areas at certain times. This is to allow all taxis a chance at the lucrative business areas. It is especially difficult to get a taxi around 6:30pm, when taxi shifts switch and drivers need to return their cars.
4. A fuel tax of ¥3 has been added to fares and is explained on a small sign on the dashboards of all taxis. Thus for each ride you'll have to add ¥3 to the meter reading to calculate your real fare.
5. A subway system began construction in 2010 and the first lines are expected to be operational in late 2012 or 2013 For more via Kunming travel guide.
1. Store Forest
Situated in Lunan County, Stone Forest is 100 kilometers far from Kunming City (which you can choose to join Kunming tour packages). Being a well-reviewed scenic spot in China, Stone Forest is composed of 7 scenic districts and occupies more than 400 square kilometers in coverage, which is crowned as "the greatest world wonder" and "the stone forest museum". The favorable climate, neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer, makes it a great place to spend a holiday. It is one of the four greatest attractions in China, together with the Forbidden City in Beijing, Terracotta Army in Xian and the mesmerizing Guilin. No China trip is complete without visiting this great wonder.
Billions of years ago, the site of the Stone Forest used to be boundless sea, where plenty of limestone was accumulated. Because of geological evolution and tectonic movement, the grotesque Stone Forest is created under heaven. The stone forest area is packed with grotesque stones, which seem to break the earth simultaneously, standing solemnly and magnificently. Some stones are as high as 40 meters, while some are only several meters high. On sunny day, the stones forest is off-white, while brown-black on rainy days. Immersing in the stone forest, visitors would be rewarded with the authentic beauty of nature and profound custom of local flavor.
With its unparalleled beauty, the Stone Forest (must-see Kunming sightseeing) captivates multitudes of visitors domestic and abroad to pay a visit. Stone Forest is well known for its grotesque rocks, breathtaking lakes, deep silent cave and cascading waterfalls. These unbeatable features create an enticing picture, in which caves, waters, rocks, waterfalls blend with the surroundings harmoniously. When walking in this picture, visitors could drink in the off-the-world paradise with their infinite imagination.
Visitors are not only intoxicated by the jaw-dropping scenery of Stone Forest, but also by its unique folk custom. On the fertile land around Stone Forest lives the happiest group in the world-Sani People of Yi nationality China. They create the featured Ashima culture and characteristic dances, working and reveling on the out-of-the world land.
Sightseeing Tips
Admission Ticket: 140 Yuan
Opening Time: 7:30-18:30
Recommended Visiting Time: about 4 hours
Location: Yi Ethnic Minority Autonomous County, Yunnan Province
How to get to: Coaches shuttling between Kunming city and Stone Forest Scenic Area are easily available in Long Distance Bus Station near train station. Visitors could get there by coach from Kunming.
2. Kunming Horticultural Exposition Garden
Perched in the Golden Temple Scenic Area, Kunming Horticultural Exposition Garden is 4 kilometers far from downtown of Kunming City. The site of the exposition garden used to be a breathtaking place, while it was developed into a characteristic exhibiting garden since being chosen as site for 1999 International Horticultural Exposition China. The garden occupies 218 hectares in area, 76.7% of which is covered by vegetation and about 10% by water, magnificent in spectacular and inviting in scenery.
Taking the advantage of mountains surrounded, the garden is well-arranged. In the exposition garden, 94 countries and organizations built their themed pavilions respectively, displaying the characteristic horticultural art of their own. It can be said that the exposition garden is just a showcase of the diversified horticultural art of the world. Kunming Exposition Garden (an optional attraction for last minute China travel deals) is brimming with distinguishing Yunnan characteristics, profound traditional Chinese culture and world-classic features. No Kunming trip is complete without a visit to the Horticultural Exposition Garden.
The horticultural exposition garden is home to 5 big exhibition halls (China Hall, the Man and Nature Hall, the Green House, the Science and Technology Hall, and the International Hall), 6 theme gardens (the Tree Garden, the Tea Garden, the Bonsai Garden, the Medicinal Herb Garden, the Bamboo Garden, and the Vegetable and Fruit Garden), 3 outdoor showplaces (the International Outdoor Exhibition Area, the Domestic Outdoor Exhibition Area, and the Exhibition Area for Enterprises), and 2 big squares (Century Plaza, and the Performance Plaza), displaying the distinctive architectures worldwide and showing gardening development of the countries. Kunming exposition garden is the only intact-reserved horticultural exposition site in the world and appeals countless travelers to pay an annual visit.
Sightseeing Tips
Admission Ticket: 100 Yuan
Opening Time: 8:00-18:00
Phone: 0871-5012284
Location:Beside the Golden Temple Scenic Area, 6 kilometers from downtown of Kunming
How to get to: Take the bus No. 69 and 71 to get there.
For more via guide travel to Kunming.
Tourist traps for buy eletronic products
When you have Hong Kong travel and buying electronic products, you should know the following traps.
1. suggestions not to buy electronic goods in nathan
I have reached from China Canton fair to Hongkong for Tour. i have a plan to buy a Camera . I visited the Shop which was displaying ,the brands cannon , Nikon etc. After the Visit i started to check different models of the camera . The models what i supposed to chose had a great facilities but the sales person says why you are taking the lower version , and he offered me NIKOn cool Pix L310 model, which seems to be good. I agreed to take the camera. The shop keeper started to me to pay the amount as i sayed i will buy and he forced me with this trick ,that i got confused. At the night when i am back to hotel i checked in net that the price what i have paid him was 30% hike what is available in India . So dear friend my suggestion to you all who is going 2 come to Hongkong for visit , to never buy Electronics Goods in any shop of Nathan Road . The best option to buy the Electronis goods is to by in Fortees .
Go for shopping in Mongkok , the peoples there are good and They dont usually cheat the tourist.
Second thing should be good in bargain in Hongkong . Then should buy the good items in best Rates.
Unique Suggestions: Never sign any Tax Invoice or documents when you have bought any things from Nathan Road shops . In this form they get you agreed that you have read all the terms and conditions and the goods once sold wont be exchanged or return.
Fun Alternatives: better check website about the particular product what you want to buy in Hong Kong in Net or in the country you are coming from . In the Hong Kong market before buying check atleast 10 shops , compare the rates . take alteast one day to compare the prices what u have got from different shop , then next day decided any buy the goods.
2. electronic store at nathan road shop
i went to Hong Kong (Hong Kong city guide) for a few days, on my last day, i went for a walk and saw the store, got interested in a product they were selling. I didn't see the store nam, only large signages of brands. the displays did not have prices on them and the price i inquired was cheaper than all others i went to. but still i missed the "hints" that this was one of those traps i've read about. when i said i was going to buy the product the guy ordered one of his guys to get a stock. then went on to start writing a receipt, and asked for the money, i gave him the money and he started making small talks, then he offered me a newer product similar to what i was buying offering it cheap, i noticed that the box has no brand. when i noticed that he had put away the receipt he was writing, and that it was taking too long to get the stock, i realized that i'm being ripped off. I tried to squirm my way out and get my money back, when they realized that i've caught on to their scam, the guy i was talking to and another guy started to shout at me saying things like I'm a cheat, why I gave my money but not gonna buy, that was my money was fake etc.. I noticed that they were doing everything to anger me maybe hoping i'd walk out or give them a reason to toss me out of their store, i stayed seated and we were shouting at each other until a Japanese tourist walks in, saw us then walked out again, I then started shouting that they are cheating me just because I'm a tourist. this kinda stopped them both and the guy i was talking to just threw me back my money and told me to get out quick, probably afraid i'd scare off more tourists. i took my time to pick up and count my money before leaving the store, by then the two guys were nowhere to be found in the store. it was a really close call, and a reminder to pay more attention to warning signs.
Fun Alternatives: try Mongkok instead, bought a camera at wing shing, the service was good, the salesman showed me everything about the camera, whats included in the package, and took my money only after giving me the item and the receipt. Fortress seems like a good store too.
3.BEWARE OF WELLTIME AV CENTRE SHOP
Please take heed of these warnings about the shop called WELLTIME AV CENTRE. I wish I had known before I bought from them. I was guaranteed the Nintendo Wii I bought (at an inflated price) was compatible with Uk, it would play copy games and never have to buy a game again as they could be downloaded. It is a USA model and does not play copies. The receipt states "No Returns" so you have been stung. The salesmen are aware you are a tourist and will not be able to return and complain so they are nothing more than con men. Don't be one of their mugs - shop elsewhere and preferably not in Nathan Street where you can buy something after visiting Hong Kong scenic spots.
4. Chain Stores are always honest
Always heard of poor tourists buying overpriced electronic products. Well, as a smart consumer, one should at least check out the price at your home country if he plans for buying a DC or DigitalCam. But what if the shopping spirit suddendly glows? Don't worry. Remember, chain stores don't lie. Fortress, Boardway, Thai Lin, Chung Yuen and Gome are all reliable chain stores, where prices are listed clearly but there are often complimentary cartoon towel or memory cards. And more importantly, they are absolutely honest. Honest on stock availability, actual quality and prices. Moreover, staff speak good English.
And if you are buying cell phones, there is one more reason to go shop in chain stores. Second-hand cell phone trading is very active in Hong Kong and cell phones come in variants in the market--not only imported with or without license, but some might be "recombined"--with parts from different cell phones of the same model. You may expect mysterious accident that can draw from such cell phones...
Unique Suggestions: If you can read Chinese, buy an electronics goods magazine in any convienience stores to check the market prices of the latest products; Avoid any electronics store with no name of the shop; Follow the locals; Never give your credit card to the shopkeeper unless you see the actual operational product to be sold to you.
Fun Alternatives: Chain store and chain store. Smaller stores in major computer malls in Sham Shui Po and Wan Chai are often honest and cheaper than chain stores, though you might need more local knowledge to visit them.
Don't challenge the trap. And the language barrier.
You should consider the above for your affordable China tours in Hong Kong.
What to do for your travel in Haikou
When paying a visit to Haikou for China vacation deals, you can do the following.
1. Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden
Not a big collection of animals, in fact, quite a limited exhibition of regular beasts you probably see in any zoos around the world.
One thing they are boasting about is the "Liger" or "Tion", which is a hybrid of tiger and lion, names are depend on which sides they appears more resemble. I view it rather a disaster of human experiment.
The parks has 2 sections: 1) is an open field which must be accessed with vehicle, 2) is like a regular zoo.
This is one of the very few things you can do in Haikou, and not all that bad if you are with kids and old family members.
2. Visiting The Fort
Give it a miss as it is closed. We were wondering why the taxi driver gave us such a quizzical look when we told him we wanted to go there. After all several guidebooks had recommended the place.
When we got there it looked like Brighton in the middle of winter. The parking lot was completely empty, the obligatory hawkers selling overpriced souveniers were not where to be seen, and the ticket booth was shut.
We later found out that lack of business had forced the place to close.
3. Shishan Volcanic Craters
The area around the Leizhou Bandao peninsula and the northern part of Hainan Island (famous destination for top 10 China tours) has seen volcanic activity in geologically recent times. The area is one of four significant volcanic areas in China - the others being Changbeishan in the NorthEast, Wudalianchi in Heilongjiang and Tengchong in Yunnan. Changbeishan is considered a potential threat, being one of the world's largest stratovolcano. Wudlianchi was active in the 18th Century, and Tengchong a little earlier.
The Leishou Bandao's thirty six volcanoes are dormant, but still offer the opportunity to see a real volcano up close.
The reason for the presence of the volcanoes here is considered to be similar to those on Hawaii - it is a volcanic hotspot were the earth's mantle is thinner and the magma below is much closer to the surface. Wherever there are hotspots or deep faults there are hot springs and Hainan has many of them. (Actually there are a number in suburban Beijing as well, because of a huge fault that runs across the city - it doesn't figure much in the tourist literature!)
The Shishan craters are just outside Haikou, to the southwest, and the characteristic cone-shaped hills can be seen from a distance. A volcanic industry has grown around the base of one, with a fairly good museum and plenty of small restaurants.
The climb up to the volcano is marred somewhat by the creation of monumental steps and botanically insipid gardens. You can walk around the rim of the volcano and then down into the throat: right into base of the volcano. The volcano is smothered in tropical vegetation which, for once, is a bit irritating because it makes it difficult to actually see the rocks!
Another volcano can be seen a kilometre further south from the rim, and there are good views over the coastal plains of Haikou (an optional place for popular China travel package).
4. Mangrove Forest
The first mangrove forest protection zone in China, this has been the base for scientific studies by researchers from around the world and is a favourite tourist spot. The red trees found here account for 90 percent of the species in China. The area has another, more evocative name of "forest under the sea".
5. Five Officials Memorial Temple
Located on the edge of Haikou City and Qiongshan municipality, this complex of ancient buildings includes the Five Officials Memorial Temple and Su Dongpo's Memorial Temple. The Five Officials Memorial Temple is the principal building in the complex and is regarded as a cultural treasure on Hainan. This temple was built in honour of five famous officials - Li Deyu, Ligang, Zhao Ding, and Hu Quan - who were banished to Hainan in the Tang and Song Dynasties.
For more via China guide.
Things to do for travel in Shenzhen
When you have China vacation deals in Shenzhen, you can do the following things.
1. BiJiaShan - BiJia 'Mountain'
The name in Chinese implies a mountain, let's call it a mountain'ish' hill range. It's located in a huge park that caters the common entertainment facilities here in China - a lake with boats for physical exercise, playgrounds, small fishing area, small kiosks.... It even has a small museaum about urban development.
The hills can be climbed from different directions - on a path or stairs. I tend to walk the paths, since they guide you round the mountains. There is two major, publicly accessible hills. When walking the paths you will reach a lookout from where to climb them. I mean climb, as they can only be reached by stairs. Not many, but you will loose some breaths. From one hill you will have a nice view on the Shenzhen Stadium and Swimming Pool of Futian. Otherwise, the view is blocked by trees. On the other hill the view is much better - different directions. You will see the small lake of the park, which looks incredibly far and one wouldnt think so when being down there.
Climbing down all the way to the park can be done via stairs - it is fast, but you will feel the pain in your calves the next day - it's a lot of stairs and not all fit the DIN ;-)
2. Happy Valley
It's also at Nanshan Road, cross street from Window of the World and Chinese Culture Village.
It's a Disney like place. It has been expanded many times. I didn't visit it recently since I don't like to play those risky games at all. I heard some of my friends they really like it and they think it's better than the Disney park in Hong Kong (Hong Kong travel guide).
3. Window of the World
It was also 120 RMB (Chinese currency converter) for the ticket. It's not cheap but you can see different architectures in one day. There are Eiffel tower, Pyramid, White House, Niagara Fall and even a Manhattan Island! I think it's a good place to see and it may give you many surprise. There should also be a parade and firework show in the night, but I didn't see it for years since I'm always to tired to wait to the night.
4. Chinese Culture Village
Please see more photos in my travelogue. The ticket price was 120RMB, it's a little pricy however you will be able to see different types archetectures from different Chinese minorities. They also sing and dance in their traditional dressing. They may even ask you to dance with them. It's a good place to know about diversity in China. The park also merged with the other park, Splendid China. You need only one ticket you can visit both parks now. Splendid China is replica of some famous Chinese architectures in a small form. I don't really like that. I'll recommend you spend more time in the culture village.
For more via China guide.
Shopping traps in Hong Kong for your travel
Shopping is a must for your Hong Kong tour, but you should avoid the following shopping traps.
1. Be careful during shopping
There are some shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok and Causeway Bay. They are operated for the purpose of cheating tourists ! Usually, they sell cameras, electrical appliances and jewellery. Some of them sell goods with an extremely high price. They may not allow you to leave if you do not buy goods from them. Or they sell goods at an extremely low price in order to attract you to buy. But the goods are used, are broken or of not good quality. Some of them are even fake goods.
Don't just evaluate the shops by whether it is big in size or not, whether it is clean, well-operated. Most of them are like the most trustworthy shops in Hong Kong !
Unique Suggestions: If you are not allowed to leave from the shop (although it is rare in Hong Kong now), call the police by dialing 999. Most of them will be afraid and give you a way. But please report to the police for their reference.
If you buy goods that are not of a good quality, take the slip(don't throw it away until you are satisfied with your goods), go back to the shop and ask for an exchange of goods. Customers have the right to get the goods that are of good quality. Don't hasitate to argue with them if they refuse to exchange it with you. Some of the shops refuse to exchange the goods by saying that the goods are out of stock. You may simply ask for refund. Remember, you have the right to do so, unless it is specified in the slip that exchange and refund are not allowed.
Fun Alternatives: There is a logo for good shops in tourist sites. The logo should be shown outside the shop and near the cashier. It is gold in colour, issued by the tourism board of Hong Kong (Hong Kong travel guide). It is suggested to shop in those shops. Please pay more attention when the price of the goods are extermely low, like HKD$99 to get a PS3.
Be a smart shopper in Hong Kong !
2. The Shop you should Avoid In Tsim Sha Tsui!
During my Trip to hong Kong On the Chinese New year Time, I have been to Many Interesting Places and Shopping Malls. While we Was Shopping at Tsim Sha Tsui On the 19.02.2006 at "The Hilton Plaza". As We Walking along in the Plaza, we went Pass a Jewellery Trading Store Named the "Kitty Trading Co.". As I was Checking out the necklaces etc, A Old Saleswomen(Late 50's maybe) appear From No Where? and start Draging me into the Store, so me and My Friends went in and Sat down at the counter. The Old Saleswomen Start to introduce herself, She claims her name is Kitty the Owner of the Store.
After she Introducing herself she start to Convince us to buy the Jewellerys she bought out of the Counter. She Claims All her Jewewllerys areTrade-in(Used) and is has been Renew at the Factory. To Me All Those Jewellerys She Selling is nothing But Scrap, Because all the Jewellery in the Whole Store is very Dull and dirty. After 15mins of Convince, At the End I Told the old saleswomen, We Are No Interest to Buy and about to leave the store. The Salewomen said: STOP! Where are you going? I Reply: We're Leaving to continues Our Shopping. She Reply: After 15minutes Of ****** Bull***, you not Buying anything From Me? Me and My Friends were Shocked for what she Just Said to Us and we leave the Store. And Took an Photo of me outside This Jewellery Trading Store. Tourists Tips! If you not going to Buy at these Trading Store, avoid going into it, otherwise you will get nothing But Insult.
The Shop Located in Tsim Sha Tsui in Hilton Plaza at the End of Nathan Road, cross the Road of the New SOGO Shopping Mall and Tsim Tung KCR Train station enterance.
3. Ladies Street - All fake
Basically everything sold there is marked up in price. Lots of "Ck" underwear, and Ralph Lauren Polo shirts. All fakes of course, so Caveat Emptor. The people will lie to you without thinking twice. You'll hear that it was produced some place else (e.g. Korea) and that they are real (real fake...). Basic items like t-shirts pose no dangers. I bought a pair of shoes for $200 HKD and they broke in 2 days. Just check the quality over before you commit. Bargin, for most things you should be able to at least shave 30% off the price they ask for. You should avoid to buy here after your tired but popular China tour package.
Unique Suggestions: It place is worth seeing, and there are things worth buying. If you are okay with low quality fakes, then buy to your heart's content. Just remember to bargin.
Fun Alternatives: Additional markets like the night market near Jordan. There's another similar market up north closer to Prince Edward.
4. Li Yuen Street
I've been recommended to go to Li Yuen Street (off Central) several times, but when I finally checked it out, I found it to be grossly over-rated.
The street contains several export outlets, but they are not really the big-name stuff. I'm also not too sure about the authenticity of most of the goods, but if you're not particular, you just might find something here.
On weekends, the narrow street is chocked full with foreign workers on their day off, and it's a hassle to navigate through the street.
Unique Suggestions: You can still pick up some surf-y t-shirts at prices from about HKD 20-50 (USD 2.50 - USD 6). But sizes can be limited.
There's also the constant fear of pickpockets due to the heavy human traffic, so hang on to your handbags!
For more via travel China guide.
Things about the Mausoleum of Wang Zhaojun
9km south of Hohhot, is the site that all the China tour guides want you to see, and it is certainly worth seeing, but I would recommend understanding what you are seeing before you go: it helps set the historical context but also provides a bit of an understanding of patterns of migration and the relationship China has had (?) with its peripheries.
The mausoleum is a small garden complex, with a 30m high mound forming the mausoleum. Actually it is one of several in China for this princess of Chinese legends.
The story is simple and poetic, but read between those lines and remember it as you travel through Inner Mongolia.
Wang Qiang, as she was, from Zigui in Hubei, was a minor concubine of the Western Han emperor Yuandi. Successive emperors had been troubled by the migrations and serious atitude of the Xiongnu tribes, particularly in the Ordos area (inside the great northern lop of the Huanghe). In 51BC, Emperor Xiangdu invited the Xiongnu Khan to the capital Chang'an (near modern-day Xi'an, starting point for Silk Road travel, Shaanxi) and they got on well. In 33BC, the then Khan Huhanye Chuanyu (as he is constantly referred to in China) requested a Chinese princess. Needless to say, there was little enthusiasm among the court princesses, used to the luxury of Chang'an. Then young Wang Zhaojun steps forward and volunteers to be married to him. It was maybe a better bet than spending the rest of her days managing the court library. They were duly married at Chang'an and returned north to the Khan's homelands.
And then the legends kick in.
On reaching the Daheihe (Big Black River) on the Tumdchuan Plain, the land was frozen and deep snow lay everywhere. The young princess got her pipa out and began to play sweet music, whereupon the snow melted, grass sprouted and the area became hospitable. The Khan and his men were wel impressed with this display of musical talent, and decided to settle down in the area. This began the settlement of the area now occupied by Hohhot, and Wang Zhaojun's mausoleum is just three kilometres south of the bridge over the Daheihe.
The legends continue apace, usually involving the princess - Chinese remember - playing music and everything turning out wonderful. There is absolutely no mention of the - barbarian - Khan. Wang Zhaojun is credited with the "endless and boundless harmony between the Mongolian and Chinese people" (sic). There is a message here: I can understand it, and it reads as chronic and unnecessary insecurity.
The mausoleum provides great views over the plain for as far as the day's factory smoke output allows, but the most poignant view is of the Mongolian tomb lying just 500 metres away to the north-west. What story lies behind this unknown and unvisited ancestor?
You can consider the mausoleum for your affordable China tours.
Golden Whip Stream - Walk in Zhangjiajie
This is probably the most popular single attraction at Zhangjiajie (an optional destination for China travel deals), and it is simply a long walk - around 2 hours - along a path known as the Golden Whip Walk. The Golden Whip is a feature of the story of Qing Shihuang, and the stone column at the Zhangjiajie end of the walk does look the part. Just behind it is The Hawk, which looks as if it is watching over the whip. Most people seem to prefer the walk down the ravine from Zhangjiajie, but by walking uphill (and it's actually barely noticeable that you are going 'up') you save some of the nicest parts to the end. For the adventurous and those seeking more peaceful routes, it is possible at numerous points to head off to the north into valleys. Most are dead-ends but some make it possible to climb up to the plateau level. Remember that at Zhangjiajie there are basically two levels: the plateau and the valley floor.
The Golden Whip Walk has, sadly, got a rather bad reputation in the hallowed world of sustainable tourism for the damage to the environment. However, a study published in 2003 (Jinyang Deng, Shi Qiang, Gordon J. Walker and Yaoqi Zhang (2003) "Assessment on and Perception of Visitors' Environmental Impacts of Nature Tourism: A Case Study of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China" in Journal of Sustainable Tourism of China. 11 (6) 529-548.) suggests that the damage is not as bad as feared and that the damage is worse on trails in other countries (using various indices of environmental damage, including vegetation diversity, soil compaction and human-inflicted damage to trees among others). I hardly noticed scarring on trees (i.e. graffiti) at any part of the walk...and I was looking for it.
Most of the damage to Zhangjiajie is institutional rather than because of visitor behaviour: the real damage is the building and some of the infrastructure is of incredibly poor quality or extraordinarily insensitive design. Perhaps the biggest impact on the environment of the Golden Whip Walk is simply the noise: vendors sell loud bird-whistles that are snapped up by visitors and all that can be heard for much of the day is the irritating baubling call of these whistles.
The walk is around 5.5km. The lower part, at Four Streams Crossing, is noticeably more open and feels more northern, becoming more humid and sub-tropical as you head towards Zhangjiajie where the valley closes in dramatically. It is important to spend a lot of the time looking up at the cliffs, as much as the most dramatic columns and karst is way above you. I did the walk in the morning, but reckon that this walk would be better in the late afternoon when the sun is low in the western sky. In the middle of the day, the high sun and the height of the cliffs makes it difficult to appreciate the peaks and crags.
There are three or four rest areas en-route - each more packed than Disneyworld on a summer Sunday - but there is plenty of interesting activity. People-watching at Chinese tourist centres is, in its own right, an interesting and rewarding experience of best tours of China.
A good number of the trees are labelled, which is helpful, although I couldn't find a label for the beautiful columnar coniferous trees at the Zhangjiajie end of the walk: pencil thin, tall trees that look furry from a distance - really elegant. I’d love to know what they are.
What things you can do in Shenyang
When visiting Shenyang for your China tour deals, you can do the following things.
1. General's Abode and Bank Museum
You can visit the general's abode which housed the warlord and his wives - this was post Qing dynasty and pre-Communist period. To appreciate the visit, I think it's good to know a little history of the warlord and his family background. Of course, there are many romantic tales spinned about his marital life but what's most relevant was that one of his wife's room was situated in an outhouse that overlooked his study so that she could see him when he's at work.
The warlord (can't remember his name) was key to the abduction of Chiang Kai Shek to force a retaliation on the invading Japanese in the 1930s, and was subsequently exiled in Hawaii.
Couple the visit with the nearby bank that was previously owned by the warlord. It is now a converted wax museum with many realistic statues of the people during that era.
2.Home of the Qing Dynasty
This Imperial Palace was home to the powers that be of the Qing dynasty, before they succeeded in breaking through the Great Wall of China and moving into Han-controlled China (Ming dynasty), during Emperor Tongzhi's (the 3rd Qing dynasty emperor) reign.
It may sound strange, but although it's smaller and doesn't look as well-restored as the Forbidden City (best attraction for top 10 China tours), the feeling was more authentic. It also costs a little more, but it's much less crowded and the atmosphere is more dignified. Overall a much better experience. This's the main reason for my visiting Shenyang twice in 2 years!
There's a bronze model 1/10th of the size of the signature hall (called Da4 Zheng4 Dian4 = Great Administrative Hall) at the west part of the Imperial Palace, on display in a hall behind that one. Completed in December 2006 by a Shenyang craftsman, it weighs a whopping 3 tons! If you read Chinese, there's an interesting comparison between the architecture of Shenyang's Imperial Palace and Beijing's Forbidden City. Also, there's a leaflet that you can buy at the ticket office for 5 RMB (IIRC) that has detailed information about the history and architecture. Still 50 RMB for the Imperial Palace, no inflation since 2005. No student price available. In comparison, the (bigger) Forbidden City in Beijing costs 40 RMB (20 RMB for students). Maybe Grandpa costs more to upkeep?
3. The Red Wall of Beiling Park
Beiling park is the largest public recreation center in the city of Shenyang and also a huge green woods in the northern part of the city. Because it has been a royal tomb for the second emperor of Qing Dynasty, the style of the park always imitate the traditional constructure.
4. shenyang offland club
in the mountain of qi pan shan, a offland club SHENYANG UNION 20 setup there own campground. they welcome all the friends like jeep driving to enjoy the place for your popular China travel package and also have offland plans to the mountains and deserts.
5. 9.18 History Monument
There was a poet which written by Japanese woman poet, Akiko Yosano. Her poem which was written while she sensed escalating tensions a few days before the incident on 4th Jun 1928. " Field is beautiful green, northeast 3 provinces never go to ruin, Don't warry, good neighbor" and then the incident has happened. A famous chinese general died due to blasted train by Japanese Kanto army. After 3years next incident happened on 18th Sep 1931. The railroad about 2km north of Shenyang (Mukden at that time) station was blasted again by the Japanese Kanto army and then war has begun for 15 years between China and Japan.
Her forebodings proved true. There was no person who has like her forsight. It was a shame. Due to the first incident prime minister at that time Tanaka Gichi do the entire Cabinet resigned.
We visited here on 16th Aug 2006. It was a complicated feeling for us to come here. Because we are Japanese (and USA) citizens and we had heard the news that the Japanese prime minister at the time Koizumi Junichiro paid a visit to a Yasukuni shrine the day before. This shrine is dedicated to not only honor the memory of those ordinary Japanese who were killed in the war but also war A-class criminals. The news reported anti-Japanese sentiment is growing in China. Is it really alright to come here? The guide said "Do not speak Japanese inside of this building". Our tension increased a little. There are many policemen around this building.
We entered inside of this building. There were only few people walking inside. Many terrible war histories were displayed. I saw some pathetic sight and then I thought we never should not do the war again. The monument about the incident was built at the point where it happened in 1997. Japanese former prime minister Hashimoto Ryutaro visited here in 1997. He died in July 2006.
For more via China tour guide.
Things you can do in Changsha
Changsha is an option destination for affordable China travel packages. When visiting Changsha, you can do the following things
1. Yuelu Mountain
Changsha's Yuelu Mountain is a nice, low-stress day hike that's fun to do with friends. Entrance to the mountain park is now FREE, and it's only about an our walk to the top.
From the pavilion at the peak, you can enjoy a great bird's eye view of Changsha--both the "downtown" area on the east bank, and the developing Lu Valley as you look west.
After the hike, come on down to The Fifth Tone coffeeshop to chill out with your friends...and maybe make some new ones!
2. Shaoshan - Mao Zedong's birthplace
Shaoshan is famous for being the birthplace of Mao Zedong. He is said to have been born in this mud-brick thatched house in 1893, and therefore, it's one of China's most visited sights. He lived here with his family until 1910 and came back briefly in 1921. The rooms have been largely reproduced with items that would've been there during Mao's time.
3. Shaoshan - Museum of Comrade Mao
You'll probably have to wait in a queue for some time before finally getting inside but it's well worth it just to see the once great leader's underwear! Other items on display include more of his clothes, towels and face clothes, his car, desk, chair, bed, photos and hand-written documents.
4. Xiang River
The Xiang River is the largest river in Hunan and one of the largest tributaries of the Yangzi River (cruising on it always contained in popular China travel package) at 856km in length. It originates from the Haiyang Mountain and empties into Lake Dongting where it connects to the Yangzi River. There's a small park that is located along side the river near the Juzl Zhou Bridge.
5. Old City Walls
A small part of the old Ming dynasty walls can be found in the south-west of the city. The Tianxin Pavilion is the symbol of the ancient city and still remains along the remaining wall.
6. Hunan Martyr's Park
This park, located to the north-west of the train station and optional for China tours, was built in 1951 and opened in 1953. It is one of the ten largest parks in China, covering an area of 153.5 hectares, a key cultural relic under province protection and the base of patriotism education of the Hunan province. The park contains a couple of lakes, gardens, some nice pavilions and buildings, a fairground and a cenotaph.
7. Kai Fu Temple
This is a Buddhist temple. While I could see monks at the temple, it was mostly tourists. The statues were amazing, one room had 500 statues of Buddha in different poses. I was just sad we couldn't take pictures in most places. A lot of the signs were in English, but I was happy to have someone Chinese with me. It was 10 RMB to get in, and that also gives you a package of joss sticks to put in the fire. For 10 RMB (unit for Chinese currency ) you could also get your fortune read in the room with the 500 statues.
Warnings and Dangers for your Lhasa travel II
4. High Altitude Medical Advice for Travelers
Everyone if different. I had very little problems with high altitude. I think I was just lucky and also drank a lot of water. A China travel nurse recommended taking multiple vitamins with iron for at least 6 weeks before the trip. I don't know if it helped but I did what she recommended.
But my friend was like an altimeter and had problems every time we went over 4,000 meters. My friend got use it over time, I think going up and down in the car as we drove to Lhasa helped. We were touring so took about 2 weeks driving up and down at altitude.
Please rate this and my other tips when you find useful, interesting, or like the pictures.
5. Police and Military
Keep an eye out for the military that doesn't exist. At the time of writing, July 2008, foreigners had a 9:00 pm (2100) curfew. I don't know how well it's enforced, they didn't seem to mind us out a little later, but it's something to keep in mind. There are police under umbrellas at most street corners. By police, I mean police and military dressed as police. You know, the ones Beijing said aren't there or something... hehe... anyway, keep cool with them.
This is fun...
Anyway, the police don't seem to care too much about foreigners, and they don't have ill or mean expressions- more like the decent, jovial people they are doing their jobs... at least until there's a problem.
6. Using your ipod/laptop at your own risk
There has been incidences where high-capacity ipods and other hard drive based devices such as laptops fail to work at high altitude (above 10,000 feet or 3,048 meters). Some damages are permanant and irreversible, while some have reported that their device worked again after decending to lower altitude. See the link below for examples. Having said that, I have seen travellers using their laptop in Lhasa (3650 meters) and they didn't encounter any problems. But there is no doubt that the higher elevation you are at, the more likely your device will fail to work.
The scientific explanation has to do with the atmospheric pressures at high altitude as most disk drives are not made for usage at high altitude, unless it is specially made with a pressurized enclosure that creates a sealed space like inside an airplane cabin.
My suggestion is bring a flash-based mp3 player such as Ipod Nano for entertainment instead, especially if you are planning to go beyond Lhasa, which mostly likely will be on even higher grounds. eg. Everest Base Camp: over 5,000 meters; Shigatse: 4,000 meters; Namtso Lake: over 4,500 meters.
7. A Bad experience with Tibet FIT at the Kailash Hos
Our group of affordable China travel packages was organising one of the bog standard trips from Lhasa to the Nepal border and after shopping around we chose the FIT at the Kailash Hotel (on Beijing Donglu) as not only did they have a competitive price but we found the sales guy very helpful and informative.
We organised the itinerary, discussed lead times for permits and agreed on the next step, that we come back into the office a few days before we leave so they can copy our documents for the permits. So far all good.
3 days before departure we all went into the office to finalise the deal but our sales guy wasn't there, so we dealt with the manager, Migmar.
Migmar asks us how much we were quoted and when we tell him he says he cannot stand by that price - he now wants to charge 800RMB more.
We produce the previous written quote, he bangs away on his calculator and says "no I do not make enough profit at this price".
He did not care that we had agreed upon, and written down a price only 2 days earlier.
He was making a profit from our business but 'not enough' to honour the agreement.
He was very unprofessional and rude when we asked him to explain why he wont stand by his previous quote.
Overall we ended up with a very sour taste from our dealings with Migmar and took our business to the Banok Shol where the Manager was courteous, fair and friendly.
8. CLIMB HIGH, SLEEP LOW
if you want to avoid symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) during your stay in tibet even after you've followed my two previous warning/danger tips, all you need to do is follow this golden rule of high altitude trekking: "climb high, sleep low."
this simply means that you should spend the night at elevations lower than the highest elevation you reached while going around that day, significantly lower if possible. this way, your body won't be struggling to adjust anymore during your rest and sleep hours.
9. Acclimatisation
Ariving in Lhasa 2 days before Christmas is the arse end of the tourist season so to speak. Following a weeks trekking in China's Yunnan Province, starting in Lijiang (top destination for top 10 China tours), the trip to Tibet was a lucky one. 5 weeks of working and living at altitudes around 3000m, firstly near Kunming (2800m), then Zhaotong (3200m). A trek through Yunnan and Tiger Leaping Gorge around 3500m, then higher up to Zhongdian, with a highlight in that area of going to a natural hot spring at 3900m!
All of this culminated in acclimatisation up to 4000m. The river near Lhasa is at about 3950m, and any little venture out of the city means you’re heading easily towards 5000m. We both encountered a few hours feeling the effects of increased altitude, but fortuntaely short lived. We encountered a few individuals, who after flying directly from USA to Shanghai, Chengdu and straight to Lhasa looked like death incarnate. A grey complexion and tiredness had these folk almost bed bound for the duration of their trip. Its not worth it, so please take care and consideration to acclimatise somewhere else in China for example before you arrive in Tibet. When you get there, you cannot get lower, unless you start digging!
Do not take the effects of altitude (AMS – Acute Mountain Sickness) lightly, it can severely affect you, and you can’t pre-empt it. As in our case, re-acclimatisation to above 4000m was sudden, but fortunately limited to a few hours. You need to drink lots of water, and rest frequently. We found that we were getting back to either hotel or restaurants and drinking loads of soft drinks, but then we’d being doing that for a few weeks on our other treks. A can of sprite is remarkably refreshing at 4000m when the temperature is –20 degrees C! More often though, we were mainly drinking ginger and/or mint tea, having a similar revitalising effect. Carrying a flask at all times is a great option for hydrating on the go, and keeping it topped up with hot water is essential given the coldness of your surroundings.
Or you can take train from Xian (starting point for Silk Road tours) and slowly adapt to high altitude.
Warnings and Dangers for your Lhasa travel
The following is warnings and dangers from my travel experience. I start my journey in China from Xian (a starting city for Silk Road tours) then to Tibet.
1. Man Hole traps!
There is a lot of construction going on around Lhasa. However it is complete chaos to the average tourist, or anyone else that has worked construction in a developed country. In Tibet, there is somewhat of a disregard for safety of others. The workers know there's no man hole cover...why should they tell anyone else?
There are so many of these holes on sidewalks or in walking streets that locals accept them as a part of life. A total danger to the tourist looking around at the sights and not pay attention where they are stepping.
2. How to prevent Altitude Sickness when at Lhasa (destination for China vacation deals)
When you are in Tibet:
1> Go right back to your hotel and rest immediately after your arrival. Strenuous activities such as brisk walking and running should be avoided. In fact, try to follow the local old folks and walk slower.
2> Smoking and drinking alcohol is a no no. But the guides do tell us that you can get 'high' faster in high altitude. Test it at your risk.
3> Keep meals light. Do remember that the air in your body and the air outside of your body might be of different pressure. Involuntary gasing may occur.
4> It is normal to short of breath on the first few days. If it is not serious, do not use oxygen equipment so that you can acclimate to the high altitude as asap.
5> Do not take showers frequently especially on your first night in Tibet. This will help you avoid catching severe colds. Just use a wet towel and cleanse yourself.
6> Forget dieting and make sure you have a ready supply of sugar rich candies or chocolate bar. Take one immediately once you feel giddy.
7> Tell your guide immediately if you feel chilly or feel uncomfortable, they are well trained to arrange for doctors to come to the hotel.
3. Surviving Altitude Sickness at Tibet
Here's a list of reasons why one should visit Tibet at least once in their lifetime:
The absolute thrill of setting foot on the top of the world at over 5,000m above sea level.
One of the few places on planet earth where one get to enjoy crystal clear sky, beautiful sunshine, clean & fresh air, vast grassland and grand snow-capped peaks.
A culturally exotic state relatively untouched by globalization where one is free to explore the richness and beauty of the culture, lifestyle and architecture of the indigenous people for your popular China tours.
Shoppers can indulge in the exquisite handicrafts, jewelleries, murals drawings and other souvenirs at a very favorable currency exchange rate.
Last but not least, the beautiful landscape and architecture provides endless angles for great photography. You have to be really bad to snap a lousy photo.
Having said that, visiting Tibet is no mere feat and I have to learn it the hard way. The high altitude which gives Tibet its unique charms also gives its visitors Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) or commonly known as Altitude Sickness.
AMS is common at high altitudes and its impact is dependent on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from headache, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness, irritability and sleeping difficulties which will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days.
Here's what you can do to hopefully reduce the AMS impact:
At least 1 Week before flying over:
Being one who gives absolute trust in Western medication, I went to my company clinic to request for a prescription. The doctor recommended Acetazolamide also known as Diamox.
The doctor emphasized that acetazolamide is not an immediate fix for acute mountain sickness; it merely speeds up part of the acclimatization process which in turn helps to relieve symptoms.
Clinics usually do not carry it themselves as demand for it is generally low in Singapore. I have to made calls to different Guardian Pharmacy outlets before securing a week's dosage at the outlet in Citylink Mall.
Diamox was not really useful. On hindsight, I should have gone to Chinatown and purchase pills made from a tibetian herb called Hong Jin Tian. These pills really go along way in aiding my recovery in Tibet and tour members who have taken them a week before the trip were generally fine.
It helps to protect the heart muscle from damaged caused by lack of oxygen (less than 15% oxygen in air in Tibet) by increases the flow volume of oxygen carrying blood to the heart muscle.
prevents hypoxia-induced biological changes by either increasing intracellular oxygen diffusion and efficiency of oxygen utilization or reducing hypoxia-induced oxidative damage with its anti-oxidative ability hence making it extremely effective for height altitude prevention.
If you plan to contain Lhasa in your China travel packages, you should pay attention to the above.
Sanlongsha Yardan Geopark
Deserts play strange tricks on the mind, and deserts play strange tricks on geology as well. A quick glace at satellite images of many deserts and drylands shows weird and wonderful patterns; on the ground these disappear to be replaced by endless expanses whose detail is obscured by shimmering heat. But occasionally, spectacular features rise up out of the stones to fascinate the curious and stimulate endless discussions on why and how they were formed. One of these places is the 400 sq km Sanlongsha Yardan Geopark on the very western edge of Gansu (part of it for Silk Road tour),just 29km from theXinjiang border. Bright yellow sandstone erupts from the flat black Gobi, like a row of huge upturned fishing boats on a beach. The ridges stretch fro many kilometres, each one separated from its neighbour by a hundred metres of black pebbles. The starkness of the landscape is accentuated by the total absence of vegetation. The effect is most dramatic when seen from the air, but this is not an option for most tourists although the park authorities are investigating the use of hot-air ballooons.
Formed between 300 and 700,000 years ago, but continuing to be shaped today by both wind and water erosion, the yardan formations form a giant’s Japanese garden, with the flat plateau broken by perfectly aligned ridges.
"Yaredan" is a Uighur word meaning "steep sandy dunes" and there are more than 20,000 sq km of yardan in China, primarily on Qinghai’s Qaidam Plateau and around Lop Nur (famous destination for China travel deals).
The sandstone crags are several kilometres long, and just tens of metres wide, beautfully embossing the Kumtag Shamo. All around, isolated bluffs and ridges have been eroded into the most wonderful shapes. Many have been given names. Indeed it is absolutely necessary in China, as it would seem impossible to enjoy natural scenery unless it is either named or painted.Fortunately, at Sanlongsha they have not earned sufficient money yet to begin painting the names on the rocks, nor have sufficient politicians been out here yet to compose gushing poems that can be etched all over in huge letters. For now, Sanlongsha is all on it’s own, beautiful and undisturbed, with the nearest village 100km away.
For more via China tour agents.
Things visitors can do in Zhangye
1. Streets around the Dafosi
If you are going to see the Dafosi Temple, don't miss the atmosphere of the streets along the nothern and western edge of the temple. Old buildings have been "built", but the effect here is good, with the eatern street (behind the Zhangye Hotel) pedestrianised in Zhangye, a destination for Silk Road travel.
Many of the buildings are occupied by antique dealers and the usual purveyors of tourist souvenirs, but many are just used by ordinary businesses.
In the early morning, this is a pleasant place for a stroll (and remember that the Dafosi opens early) and to get some breakfast at one of the many food stalls. There is a tiny but lively flower market in a side alley halfway along the northern street, on the same side as the temple.
2. Tu Ta - The Earth Pagoda
At the front of the Dafosi (reviewed separately) is the Earth Pagoda, an elegant Ming-era 33m high structure.
Originally it was named the Amitabha Pagoda, and has eight small pagoda around the base, while each of the five sides of the main pagoda has niches with stone or bronze statues of Buddha at each level.
3. Gulou (Drum Tower)
Originally built in 1507 during the Ming Dynasty, the Drum Tower – or Gulou – is the biggest in the Hexi Corridor and must-see for China vacation deals. Until recently it was only protected at provincial level, so didn’t get the full landscaping and lighting treatment, and suffered the insult of having an advertising banner for a local baijiu brand; on 1st May, its status was raised to state-protection, so I wonder what will become of it now.
4. Matisi
Matisi is 70km southeast of Zhangye, reachable by taxi or by arranging a day trip with a travel agency in Zhangye. Unfortunately the only bus to Matisi from Zhangye leaves at 2pm and comes in to Zhangye in the morning. The tourism authorities have, in recent years, arranged a morning bus out to Matisi: ask at your hotel, but don't be surprised if they know nothing about it, as the ability for hotels in China to stay totally disengaged from the promotion of heritage and tourism attractions in their area is legendary.
IMPORTANT NOTE
The main temple and Matisi North Caves have been closed for restoration through much of 2005 and all summer 2006. If you are going to Matisi explicitly to see this, then you will be disappointed. of course, the tourism authorities should tell you this, but they don't. However, Matisi is definitely worth the popular China tours because of the Qilianshan Mountains behind, the beautiful scenery and the general spirit of the place.
Jiuzhaigou Things to Do
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When you visit Jiuzhaigou for your China travel deals, you can consider the following.
1. Peacock Riverbed
Peacock Riverbed is another lake with clear and colorful water. It is beside Five-coloured Lake. You can see old woods sink under the water.
From Peacock Riverbed, you will start seeing the water steam from all over,Pearl Shoals.
2. Panda Lake
Panda Lake was named due to its strategy location to grow pandas. The lake has great source of bamboos to feed the Pandas. It is surrounded by white stones with several rings of black floral forms scatter naturally underwater and beside the lake.
If you continue walking toward north, you will see Panda Lake Waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou (best destination for top 10 China tour packages).
3. Arrow Bamboo Lake
Arrow Bamboo Lake is a calm lake as it is located on higher level next to Panda lake. It is named "Arrow Bamboo Lake" because it is surrounded by densely growing verdant arrow bamboos. It has beautiful reflextion of surrounded mountains due to its crystal clear water. There were many broken bamboos sink under the water.
Beside this lake is Panda Lake.
4. Grass Lake
Grass Lake is located middle of Riza Valley, under mountain Wonuosemo. We began our walk here on Riza Valley. It has clear water and covered with grass.
Next to the lake is Swan Lake.
5. Shu Zheng Lake
Walking along path from Lying Dragon Lake to Shu Zheng Lake, we enjoyed the sound of the water running along the way to Shu Zheng Fall. We passed by a mill house with prayer wheels spin by running waters.
Shu Zheng Lake has an elevation of 2200 to 2290 meters, along water flowing 19 lakes of various sizes swirls between clumps of mosses and splashed down a series of natural dikes to spill in cascades down to willow-bordered pools.
6. Lying Dragon Lake
From the beautiful Sparkling Lake, you can continue walking to see the water flowing to Lying Dragon Lake. Lying Dragon Lake has beautiful falls from all different directions, with amazing color as well.
Then, you will start exploring Shu Zheng Lake with a series of water streams.
For more via China tour agents.
Things to do when climbing Mount Hua
If you visit Xian for your Silk Road tour, you should not miss Mount Hua.
1. The whole mountain
My tip is simply to go. Its great, be prepared, but it is great. See the North Peak, climb to the others, see the good luck locks, see a Taoist temple, see the stream, use the gondola if you must. But, in general, just go.
2. Route Planning
You should plan for at least 2-3 days to visit Huashan. Stay overnight in the mountain and watch the sunrise (this is popular among Chinese students travellers there).
Tour packages that start transporting you there from Xian in the morning and ushering you back down to the bottom in the late afternoon to have dinner in a few of the mountain resort's restaurant, or back to Xian, top destination for last minute China travel deals. You only get around 3 hours to explore mountain routes, which is unsatisfactory to me.
Sometimes routes on the mountain can be jammed with slow human traffic, because people can walk only in a single file.
3. Hua Shan Sword Fight
Not sure if this counts as local customs. When I visited Hua Shan last August, there were quite a few vendors selling toy swords to tourists. Once in a while, you may see tourists posing with the sword on the North Peak.
This is probably based on a series of Wu Xia (Martial Arts) novels written by Louis Cha (aka Jin Yong) that are widely popular amongst Chinese readers. (In fact, it seems like someone will film these books into movies and TV series every 3 years.) The story goes that there were 5 Wuxia masters who were trying to determine who is the number one swordsman in the world. They went to the North Peak of Hua Shan and duke it out. The tournament happened three times over a span of about 50 years.
So, many of us who have read the novels felt this urge to "reenact" the fight scene at the actual North Peak of Hua Shan. If you do see this while you're visiting the North Peak - join them!
For more via China travel agents.
What to do when visiting Lijiang
Lijiang is a very hot tourist destination always containing in the packages of China vacation deals. The following is the popular things you can to do in Lijiang.
1. Tiger leaping Gorge
I just spent the day at the gorge - no hiking for me. It is a beautiful place! Worth a visit for sure! We took a mini-bus (van) to Qiaotou (booked at our hostel) and were dropped off just outside Jane's Guesthouse. The van cost 35RMB one way and took about 1 1/2 hours. Jane was able to help us arrange a van to the Middle Falls for 150RMB per van each way. A van to the Upper Falls cost about 80RMB per van each way. Due to a rock slide we were only able to go to the Upper Falls anyway. To get back to Lijiang you have to walk into town and try to find a van labeled 'Lijiang'. That part was a bit tricky. While we were looking at the falls, we noticed the other side seemed to be more built up and a path to walk along the river. That seemed better. I think it was close to the hot springs. I don't know how to get there though. We were on north side of the river.
2. Visit to the First Bend of the Yangtse River
On the way to Tiger Leaping Gorge, do not miss this amazing part of the Yangtse River (China vacation deals). This is one of the three longest rivers in the world, behind the Nile (in Egypt) and the Amazon (in Africa).
I visited this scenic spot many times and it is a great place for photo opportunities as well. See the photos below to get a good idea! :-)
For a good English-speaking tour guide to bring you around Lijiang and its many scenic spots. you can approach Eric through the website (http://www.lijiang-pro.com).
See you in Lijiang!
3. Blue Moon Valley
Just a few kilometres north of the visitor's centre for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you'll find this lovely man-made water feature known as Blue Moon Valley. A river known as the White Water River, as the water is very clear as it comes straight off the mountain, flows through an area of artifical steps which look really beautiful. The river flows into four lakes called Jade Water Lake, Mirror Lake, Blue Moon Lake and Billowing Lake. Traditional clothes are available to wear whilst sitting on top of a yak for those perfect photo opportunities!
4. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Cable Car
When you arrive at the lower cable car, (at 3356m), you'll no doubt have to wait in another queue. The cable car costs Y170 which includes the bus journey from the visitor's centre. After buying my ticket at 11.22am, I finally got on the cable car at just before 2pm so expect a long wait. I reached the upper cable car station where the temperature is a bit chilly to say the least so bring warm clothing. A strong wind was really blowing a gale across from the highest peak which is about 5500m. I was at 4506m - the highest point I've ever been on land before. Chinese people were walking around in hired out thick jackets and carrying oxygen cans (like long squirty cream cans) around with them and taking big breathes out of them every now and again. I was told that there was no need for them as you only need oxygen if staying for half-a-day or overnight but not for 30-60 minutes.
5. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Visitors Centre
This is the nice Visitor's Centre inside the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park (top attractions for top 10 China tours). The centre has various souvenir shops and food shops/cafes plus toilets and is where you buy a ticket for the cable car (see next tip). Before you get in the cable car you'll have to take a bus to the lower cable car station. The bus is included in the Y170 cable car fee. You'll be assigned a number on your ticket which you'll have to listen out for inside the centre. Mine was M15. The announcements came and went - D then E so it appeared that I would have to wait quite some time but the alphabet was missing some letters as, to the Chinese, they sound similar and so could be misunderstood. You'll see the strange alphabet on signs around the centre (it seems to go A, C, D, E, F, H and so on, see one of the pictures). I had bought my ticket at 11.22am (as it was mentioned on the ticket) and was finally called to the bus at 12.30pm. I then had to wait in some kind of holding area before getting on the bus which took me up a short way to the lower cable car station at 3356m.
6. Naxi Orchestra
One of the must see (and for that matter hear), things to do in the evening whilst in Lijiang is to pay a visit to the Naxi Orchestra. This music shouts China and is the ancient music, the traditional Naxi classical music that is regarded as a 'living fossil of Chinese music.'
The orchestra is made up of 33 men and women - the men wearing silk clothes and the women wearing the local costume. A woman announcer, who spoke both Chinese and English, came on stage and introduced some of the eldest guys - about 6 of them are in their 80's with the eldest at 86. Above them over the top of the stage are black and white photos of previous players. The woman announcer also mentioned about some of their instruments - the oldest of which was 175 years old and, of course, these are nothing like we have back home. There was no conductor - the 86 year old guy was the conductor who played some kind a hanging chime thing which he struck in time and he also chanted the rest of the orchestra at the beginning of each piece of music. The music is traditional Naxi music and also features some singing by the women, a flute solo and 2 operatic songs. All-in-all it was great to both see and hear and it will stay with me for a long time, as music does that to your senses.
If you have a popular China tour package, you should consider the above-mentioned.
What to do when visiting Lijiang
Useful Information about Turpan
The following give you the general information for your China travel deals.
1. Climate
Favorite thing: Turpan is a hot city: very hot indeed! You have to expect about 40° Centigrade from June to September. It is a very continental dry climate. But from November till February temperatures drop until far below zero!
The heat and the location in this depression also are the reasons, tthat many storms appear in Turpan-Area. Between Urumqi and Turpan is one of the biggest windmills of the world. But this storms can also cause problems. Trains donot go in storms, Sandstorms are a big handicap for tourists: no sight and going out in a sandstorm is no fun.
Dispite of the storm and the heat it was nice to be in Turpan in June. It must have rained a bot before we arrived: the trees and plants were all green and blooming.
2. History
Favorite thing: Today's Turpan is the center of a big oasis on the north route of silk road (Silk Road tours). This fertile area has been attractive to merchants with their caravans and nomads with their herds. Since more than 2000 years have been settlements in this oasis. You'll find the remains of big cities and glorious past around modern Turpan: the ruins of Gaochang, which had been a prosperous city during the Tang-Dynasty, and of Jiaohe, and also the famous Thousand Buddha Caves of Beziklik. In an old graveyard near Gaochang archaeologists excavated hundreds of 2000 year old tomkbs. Some with nice frescoes, some with well preserved mummies.
Now Turpans has about 300000 inhabitants. It is a pleasant and quiet city with broad streets and not many highrise buildings.
3. Geographie
Favorite thing: Turpan is located in one of the deepest places of the earth. Nearby Aydinkol Lake is about 154m below sealevel. Turpan is an old oasis in the north of Taklamakan Desert. The water from Tianshan Mountains makes this area very fertile. In the heat of the desert grapes are grown for the production of raisins.
4. Strange stuff in the markets
Favorite thing: I have always loved those popular Asian street markets, where you can find unknown fragrant impossible things, roots, plants, dried animals...
Here in Turpan you have a mix of chinese stuff and muslim bazaars, as this area is a border between these 2 worlds.
5. Lost cities of the Silk Road
Favorite thing: Being an important stop on the Silk Road caravans trail and the last frontier against the "northern tribes", this part of China has always been of startegical importance and mant defensive and civil structures have been built here.
Most of them are gone forever, but you can still see the remains of some as Gaochang, Jiaohe... These ruins of cities become the hot tourist destination for China best tours.
6. Amazing landscapes
Favorite thing: If you like desertic landscapes, Turpan is one of the most amazing places I have visited. The Takla Makan desert offer a great variety of arid landscapes with the gorgeous background of the Flaming Mountains in the horizon line.
Turpan is the optional destination for popular China travel package.
The Useful Favorites in Kunming
1. Siberian gulls at Cuihu park
Favorite thing: Siberian gulls spend harsh winters of their homeland in Kunming (top destination for affordable China travel packages). We saw them every day at Cuihu park untill March or begining of April when they were about to fly back to Siberia.
Cuihu is admission free park in city centre near Yunnan University and it's one of the popular places to spot gulls, especially in the spring. It's amazing that birds draw so much admiration of locals who come there to take photos. Also this park is always full of people - visitor and local; local come to play traditional Yunnanese and Chinese music (communist songs included and popular), mahjong, chess, tai ji quan in front of the park by the water, dance and body excercise. Many of different kinds of entertainments here. Here are a few shots from my second visit to KM when I spent a day there. There aren't yet leaves on the trees and it's before peaches and plums would blossom. Gulls flied over heads in large masses, there were more of then than 4 years ago! I am glad they are so plenty.
Fondest memory: Birds at Cuihu park are amazing.
2. Springtime All Year Round
Favorite thing: Ever think of going on a holiday in China where the climate is always spring? Then, Kunming should be the answer. It’s a place where spring is all year round thus popularly dubbed as The City of Eternal Spring. It’s the pleasant climate and the colorful blooms that are in abundance in all parks and corners of the city that makes Kunming a lovely place to spend a holiday. But if you are still persistent about the details of the local weather, I would say January is relatively colder and July is a little hot. But the foliage is said to remain green all year round.
The areas in and around Kunming are rich with natural beauty spots - dotted with lakes, forest, hills and caves. An attraction within the city limit is the picturesque Cuihu Lake Park (an optional destination for China best tours). One can sit for hours at end by the beautiful lake garden enjoying the sights of lake gulls flying free, graceful and busy soaring high and diving low targeting fish and fry in the water and tidbits from the your hands.
Then just walk around the shady lakeside where willows weep in the breeze. It’s simply fascinating – and this is Kunming.
Fondest memory: Kunming is a city to relax and enjoy your holiday. If you stay at any of the hotels in the city center, try to be up early, have a good breakfast and take a walk to one of the major parks in the locality. I’m sure it’s a good place to start up the day – mass dancing (or mass drill if I should say) in the bright morning sun. It’s here where you can see a few hundred couples – mostly elderly folks doing the cha-chas and the rhumbas. Simply mingle in with the `troupe’. No problem as everyone is welcomed. If you don’t have a partner, try an `excuse me dance’. You may have a chance.
For those who are not easily attracted by the latino foot tapping cha chas but still want to give their leg muscles a stretch, move on to the other corner of the park and join the Taichi group. You don’t need a sword to do the Taichi in the park..
3. Wedding in Kunming
Favorite thing: I don't think, that you are going to be married, when next time you'll visit Kunming. BUT.......
you never know. Kunming is not like Las Vegas, where you can get married day and night, or New Caledonia, where many Japanese couples go to marry, nor Tahiti, the traditional wedding destination.
Anyway, everything for your wedding in Kunming is ready. Around Beijing Road, there are many establishments, who will organise everything for your wedding.
4. Getting good directions
Favorite thing: The best way is to make sure you know where you going before you set off, take the time to study your map. Once you leave the safety of your room/hotel/hostel, you kind of on your own. I have spent 1 whole day looking for a shop (there was a map the back of the business card..that was not correct) I was in the general vicinity, but every person I ask pointed me in the wrong direction ( even the police). It was not they were trying to steer me on the wrong direction, but they had no idea too. After walking about 10 miles I went home. found out the address, and then used a "correct map" To find out where it was. You can buy these maps just about any place for 3 RMB (China money's unit). There are Chinese/English and also have the bus routs. You will amazed, like you have some sort of magnetic power. By just standing in one spot looking at an open map, there will be many people who will stop and try to help you. Most people will come up out of curiosity, or some people see a foreigner and want to practice English, but for the most part it seems (in the city area at least) want to help you find your way. But becarful or you'll end up lost
Fondest memory: walking around for 6 hours looking for the place to fix my camera
5. 5 RMB Hair Cut
Favorite thing: I think I have beat hooiluangoh in the hair cut department, for just 5 RMB I got a hair cut. Sure I did not get a wash or blowe, but fot 5RMB....who cares. I was just happy to pay so little. I'm used to paying $20-30 back home. It was not the best cut I ever had, but it was ok.
Near the west gate of the Yunnan Normal University, there are 3-4 small barbers shops. The seem to get cheaper the farther from the school you get. I'm sure I could of got a cheaper cut if I went a little way more down the street.
Fondest memory: Having the lady just "Barrowed" the scissors form the next chair, cigarette in mouth...and just started cutting.
6. Fruit seasons in Kunming
Favorite thing: As a malaysian, I have always thought fruit season means Durian / Mangoesteen / Rambutan season.
In Kunming, you find
Winter (Oct to Jan) : strawberries, navel oranges, grapefruit.
Spring (March, April) : cherries, mulberries, chinese cherries.
Spring - summer (May onwards) : pipa, chinese peaches (yum yum), mangoes, yangmei (this is another yum yum found only in China), li (go for the green ones they are very sweet, absolutely fabulous).
Fondest memory: Try the yangmei (about RMB 1.50 per 100g). I have only eaten the preserved ones at home, but over here, the fresh ones are quite something to eat.
Note: you can't eat too much because it contains an acid that will make your teeth feel soft, and yangmei does not keep well even in the fridge.
You should pay more attention to these for your China vacation packages.
1.Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is wonderful and must-see for your last minute China travel deals. There are over 8,000 of them, although not all have been excavated yet. They were made to accompany the first Qin Emperor in the afterlife. The soldiers are hollow (so their spirits can enter, our guide said.) Each face is different, and they are all very realistic. There are footsoldiers, generals, horsemen and archers, all wearing the proper uniforms. They had real weapons, which are long gone.
They were discovered in 1974 by a poor farmer who was digging a well. He doesn’t farm any more—he now sits in the museum shop and signs copies of the book about the site. Somehow the discovery was kept secret from the Red Guards, and they didn’t have a chance to destroy them like they did so many other things.
The museum opened in 1979. Three pits are now open to the public. Pit 1 is the biggest, with about 6,000 warriors (only 2,000 excavated.) Pit 3 is the newest area uncovered. Restoration is like a giant puzzle, as some of the figures are badly damaged. We saw many figures that have been beautifully restored, as well as areas with a jumble of broken pieces at the bottom of a trench.
Open 8:30 to 5.
Admission: 150 yuan
2. Muslim Quarter
One of the unique characters of Muslim quarter is its diversity of buildings' architectural designs from various periods and influenced by various ethnicity from the East and West or the Middle East. For example, the Great Mosque has the Chinese architectural design with Muslim customs from the Middle East.
This neighborhood was the starting point of the silk road (Silk Road tours) in the 1st century of BC. Traders from all over the World would come to this city to trade their goods with each other. It was one of the biggest cities in the World back in the 1st century. That is the reason why many had settled their life here with cross cultural marriage with the local Han. So, they have adopted a different lifestyle than the non-Muslim Chinese.
Pork is prohibited to be served and consumed by Muslim. So, they can only sell and buy products that labeled with Qing Zhen, in other word free of pork. In Malaysia, we call it "Halah". So, this is a safe place for Muslim from all over the World to eat and buy food in this neighborhood. The women in my picture is making dumpling without pork meat because she is a "Hui" Chinese in Muslim Quarter.
3. Xian City Wall
Xi'an City Wall is the longest and oldest city wall that I have seen in China. It is very impressive the first time I saw it. It was a great day to walk around the wall during spring season. In fact, the color and structures of all the walls are the same, but I could see the city from different angles, from ancient architectural buildings or shop-lots to modern skyscrapers outside the wall. After walking for a while, I realized that It was impossible to walk the whole wall on foot within these few hours. So, I rented a bicycle to explore the wall from Changle Gate all the way back to Yongning Gate, passing Anyuan Gate and Anding Gate. The bicycle rental is Y20 for 90 minutes, which was just enough time for me to circle around the wall.
The City Wall's signboard was written as:
Xi'an City Wall was first built in 582, the 2nd year of the Emperor Kaihuang's reign of the Sui Dynasty. The current structure is an extension of both east and north of the old structure by Zhu Shuang, the Prince of Qin in 1370, the 3rd year of Emperor Hongwu's reign of the Ming Dynasty in accordance with the policy made by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang in the early Ming Dynasty of "building high city walls, storing abundant provisions and taking your time in proclaiming yourself emperor". With a circumference of 13.74 kilometers, the City Wall stands 12 meters high, 12-14 meters wide across the top, 16-18 meters thick at the bottom, covering 11.5 square kilometers interior area. It has moat suspension bridge, Zhalou (sluice gate), Jianlou (arrow tower), Chenglou (the main gate tower), corner towers, rampart towers, parapets and crenellations or battlements, which formed a strict and complicated system of city defense in an era of non-fired weapon. It is also one of the most famous ancient city walls in China, as well as the longest, the most intact and best-preserved, and the largest in scale of the ancient defense systems in the world. You can ride on the wall for your top 10 China tours.
Don't miss this, the entrance to the wall is through Nanmen (South gate).
4. Wild Goose Pagodas
This pagoda is a landmark not only a landmark of Xian but of China as well. Originally built in 652 AD during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the monk Xuanzang. Xuanzang started off from Chang'an (the ancient Xian), along the Silk Road and through deserts, finally arriving in India, the cradle of Buddhism. Enduring 17 years and traversing 100 countries, he obtained Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras, and several Buddha relics. Having got the permission of Emperor Gaozong (628-683), Xuanzang, as the first abbot of Da Cien Temple, supervised the building of the pagoda.
First built to a height of 60 meters (197 feet) with five stories, it was rebuilt to a height of 64.5 meters (211.6 feet) when an additional two storeys were built in 704. However, a massive earthquake in 1556 heavily damaged the pagoda and reduced it by three stories, to its current height of seven stories. It wasn't possible to ascend it when I visited in July 2008 due to it being maintained following the Wenchuan Earthquake, but now it's fine to climb!
As for the reason why it's called Big Wild Goose Pagoda, there is a legend. According to ancient stories of Buddhists, there were two branches, one of which eating meat was not a taboo. One day, they couldn't find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.' At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke its wings and fell to the ground. All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious. They established a pagoda where the wild goose fell and stopped eating meat. Hence it got the name 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda', which can be contained in your popular China tour package.
Open: 8am-6pm.
Admission: RMB25.
A garden on the sea in China
A visit to the man-made Beiji Island in northeast China brings to mind an ancient saying that states that time has the power to transform seas into farms. But what turned the coastal region into a sea of flowers was not the vicissitudes of time, but the power of human technology. If you are interested in it, you should include it in your affordable China travel packages.
Although reclamation is not a cutting-edge technology, turning salinized land into a garden is difficult, particularly for Beiji, which was designated as the site for the 13th World Landscape Art Exposition.
A day prior to the expo's opening on Friday, the tiny island is blooming with millions of flowers thanks to the application of new technologies that resist sea water erosion and coastal winds.
In one garden, thousands of tulips imported from Holland are in half or full bloom, forming scarlet, yellow and white belts that wind halfway across the island.
A total of 130,000 trees and 30 million flowers have been planted in the park to complement garden designs created by artists from across the world, the expo's organizers said.
Previously made up of foreshores and disused shrimp farms, the expo park came out of a massive reclamation project that has poured 20 million cubic meters of sand and soil into the sea since 2011.
"The expo required a large piece of land, but we decided not to occupy any farmlands. That's why we chose the barren saline-alkali foreshores," said Yi Xinyang, an official in charge of the construction and design of the expo for China tours.
But filling in the sea resulted in one problem: despite copious marine elements and a balmy oceanic climate, trees and flowers can barely survive on the island, as its foundation is full of seawater.
"If you dig 1.7 meters down, you' ll find the island's foundation is filled with seawater, which salinizes the upper layers of soil and causes the plants to wither," said Liu Yulan, a gardening expert who worked to green the island.
To solve the salinization problem, Liu and her colleagues introduced desalting technologies, including paving a layer of gravel and non-woven fabric beneath the soil to stop the upward movement of underground saline water.
Other technologies include "breathing" concrete ground, the loose structure of which allows rainwater to be absorbed quickly, thus helping to wash out the salt and desalinate the underground water.
The measures have ensured the survival of 95 percent of the 130,000 trees that became the first "settlers" on the island one year ago, Liu said.
Delicate flowers were the last to settle down. Horticulturists planted them mostly in low-lying inland areas, with surrounding hills hemmed by tougher trees to deflect strong gales.
Human labor still plays a big part in maintaining the fragile ecosystem. On windy days and during typhoon season, staff need to patrol the island to reinforce trees with support pillars while keeping an eye on the potential backflow of seawater.
Some of the island's rarer trees are even given "IV drips" that provide them with nutrients to sustain their growth, Liu said.
"When tourists appreciate the island's natural beauty, we hope they will also keep in mind that the scenery would not be there without the immense effort and devotion of many technicians and horticulturists," Liu said.
You can consider the island in your China vacation packages.
A touched travel story - The Middle Kingdom ride
Imagine travelling 11,600 miles. That’s more than twice the distance from Beijing (sure-fir city for China travel deals) to London as the crow flies – or the distance needed to circumnavigate China, as Canadian brothers Ryan and Colin Pyle found out on their epic journey motorcycling all the way round the country’s border roads.
The subject of their newly released book, The Middle Kingdom Ride, this odyssey earned them a Guinness World Record for ‘the longest continuous journey within a single country by motorcycle’. Taking just over two months to complete, the ride was one of extreme highs and lows – quite literally. The brothers battled altitude sickness along Highway 219, known as the ‘Road in the Sky’ because its average elevation is above 4,000m, and camped overnight in the Turpan Basin – the third lowest point on Earth. They faced temperatures ranging from 42°C to -15°C and, after subsisting on a diet of Oreos and whatever else they could forage at rest stops along the way, they each lost 9kg in weight.
Their trip, extraordinary by any account, is all the more remarkable because neither brother had travelled by motorbike for more than two days continuously before they determined on this marathon undertaking. ‘We’re not gearheads, we don’t make our own bikes, or even fix them,’ says Ryan, speaking from his home in Shanghai. ‘But we thought: Why wrap four doors around you when you can feel the open road on two wheels?’
The idea for this expedition first formed in New York in March 2010. Colin was working in a soulless finance job in Toronto, the kind, says Ryan, ‘where you earn good money but don’t really like yourself’. Ryan was frustrated too. Since 2001 he had built up a successful career in China as a freelance documentary photographer, collaborating with the likes of The New York Times on major stories such as the Sichuan Earthquake. Then the 2008 financial crisis hit newspapers hard, slashing his income in half – and the work he was able to get no longersatisfied him: ‘I wanted to show what China was really like, to show that there was more to the country than what the newspapers were willing to pay me to cover.’
As the brothers shared their gripes in New York’s Central Park, their complaints transmuted into a joint resolve to go on an adventure. At first they thought of hiking, then of driving through China’s varied landscapes. But ultimately, they couldn’t escape the lure of the motorbike. ‘It’s a beautiful tool,’ Ryan enthuses. ‘It allows you to fully connect with your environment in a way that a car can’t. You smell the smells. You feel every kilometre. It’s a holistic experience.’
But that same property almost caused the Pyle boys to hang up their riding gloves on their first day. Setting off from Shanghai (popular travel city included in top 10 China tours) on 15 August 2010, the pair faced bad traffic in Jiangsu province. ‘We had our full equipment on because we wanted to be safe, which meant ten hours of cooking in our suits,’ remembers Ryan. The cocktail of exhaust fumes and intense humidity left Colin with heatstroke.
When Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman motorcycled across Europe, Asia and North America for the TV series Long Way Round, they were accompanied by a security expert and a doctor, as well as an extended camera crew. By contrast, the Pyles left with one person in tow – Chad Ingraham, their friend and videographer, who followed them in an SUV, capturing their escapades on film (the DVD is released next month). They couldn’t rely on medical assistance on the road, and their day-one setback left Colin with doubts. ‘He began worrying what the whole trip would bring,’ says Ryan, before adding, with the obvious pride of an older brother, ‘but to his credit, he bounced back.’
The rest of the journey would be even more eventful. In Jilin, the brothers stayed overnight in a town that was off-limits to foreigners and were escorted out by police guards the next day. Elsewhere in northeast China, they narrowly avoided flash floods that left dozens dead. Having embarked on this epic journey in the hope of escaping his day-job covering breaking news, Ryan found newsworthy events following him wherever he went. On the road out from Beijing to Inner Mongolia, they became entangled in China’s worst-ever traffic jam, which stretched back over 60 miles on Highway 110 and eventually lasted more than ten days:‘We were heading west, the jam was in the other direction, but there were trucks on our side of the road trying to head east. It took six hours to go 30km. When we stopped to ask drivers how long they’d been there, some said three-to-four days. We didn’t believe them until we got to our hotel that night and switched on the TV.’
It wasn’t until they left crowded eastern China that the Pyles really began to enjoy themselves. They relished the wide, wild expanses of the west, tearing along near-empty roads through the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, over deserts of Xinjiang (destination for Silk Road travel), past Tibet’s mountain ranges and Yunnan’s dense forests. But these areas came with their own trials: dirt highways prevailed; the brothers shared the way with military vehicles and mineral-laden trucks, and battled clouds of dust or sinking pools of mud, depending on the weather. It was here that the off-road training course they had taken in Germany earlier that year came in handy. ‘On those aggressive roads, you’re bouncing all over the place,’ explains Ryan. ‘It’s not like sitting back on your fat Harley. You have to stand up to minimise the impact of the bumps, and in Tibet that meant standing for eight-to-ten hours a day, which really hits your arms and back.’
It’s lucky that aches and bruises were the only injuries they suffered. On the Karakorum Highway, Ryan fell badly during a freezing hailstorm. But his worst moment during the trip was watching Colin slide off the road at 30mph in the rain in Yunnan: ‘You can endure pain for yourself. But this was my little brother. I was meant to be taking him on this adventure, not getting him hurt.’ Fortunately, what looked like a nasty fall, turned out to have a relatively soft landing, as caught on camera by Chad. In one of the YouTube clips from The Middle Kingdom Ride, a muddied, shaken, but still smiling Colin turns to the screen and says, ‘The bike works, I work, so we’re carrying on.’
Live like a Miao people in Xijiang Miao Village
The Miao is an ethnic group known as keen on singing and dancing. Xijiang Miao Village is situated 37 kilometers northeast of Kaili which is popular destination for China tour deals, Guizhou Province. The village is known as the largest one in China, it is famous for profound ethnic culture, beautiful scenery and interesting tourism activities.
The village is located by the valley and surrounded by overlapping mountains, with terraced fields rising along the slopes to the clouds and blue sky. Baishui River (also called White Water River) flows through the village and cut it into two parts. In summer, green and thick bamboo groves decorate each house. In autumn beautiful maple leaves cover the village on the top and at the bottom of the mountain. The natural and beautiful scenery adds to its popularity as a holiday paradise in Kaili.
Xijiang Miao people have a long history, even could be dated back to Chiyou Tribe which existed 5000 years ago. Compare to the prosperity of ancient towns in Central China of feudal society, remote Xijiang Miao Village was poor and far away from rich area. Miao people are brave and hard-working to survive and continue their culture.
Like many other minorities in the world, Miao people sing songs to express their feelings and perform dances to celebrate their bumper harvests and to greet good luck. Singing and dancing gradually became their daily activities up to now and is part of local China tourism. That's why the village is called "a sea of songs and dances".
Tourists here could enjoy all kinds of local music, including high-pitched beautiful folk songs and touching love songs. Wine songs are surely interesting if you have a meal with local people. Dancing with locals could not be missed to experience their enthusiasm.
Xijiang Miao Village celebrates many festivals, if tourists are lucky enough to get there during local festivals they could experience how magnificent it could be. Once come to Xijiang, tourists are invited to live like a Miao people, sing Miao songs, dances, wear Miao traditional costumes and silver ornaments.
There are as many as 55 minor nationalities in China. Miao is just a glimpse of the colorful ethnic diversity in China. If time is enough, spending a visit to Buyi, Tujia or Yi village in Guizhou are all good choices to enjoy a memorable holiday which can be considered for your popular China tour package.
More than just a splash: Shenzhen's Dameisha Beach Park
Who doesn't enjoy the feeling of the sea wind in your hair, the sound of crashing waves and the joyful screams of tourists as they dance and prance through the sand? Dameisha Beach Park), located on the coast of the South China Sea, is idyllically surrounded by mountains and features a 1,800 meter-long stretch of beach. Shenzhou is an optional destination for affordable China tours.
Not enough for you? The park is divided into a leisure area, a sports area, an entertainment area and a barbecue area, as well as offering jet-skis, beach volleyball, water slides, motorboats and countless other attractions. Dameisha is the longest beach in Shenzhen and boasts clear blue waters and soft sand. Sound alluring? Read on to learn more about the many wonders and attractions of Dameisha Beach Park for your popular China tour package.
1) Sun Square
The Sun Square can be found in the middle of Dameisha Beach Park, and features structures designed by Australian architecture company Tension Membrane, which offer changing facilities and a place to have a shower and generally freshen up after a dip in the sea. The buildings are designed very much with nature in mind, and fit in perfectly with the surrounding palm trees and golden sands.
2) Moon Square
Situated in the western part of Dameisha, the Moon Square also features buildings designed by Tension Membrane and plays host to various shops selling handicrafts and local specialities. For the adventurous, there's also a place to go bungee jumping if you're feeling brave enough.
3) Sunlight Corridor
The Sunlight Corridor serves as a path between Moon Square and Sun Square, and features beautiful polished stones for visitors to relax on. The corridor is also home to a dense makeup of tropical plant bougainvillea, which throw up a whole palette of colors in the immediate area especially when the sun is at its highest, which, mixed with the natural fragrance of the surrounding flora, makes it a very romantic setting indeed.
4) Wishing Tower
On the right hand side is the Wishing Tower where you can face the endless sea, embrace the clouds above and peer around at the epic mountains that surround the area, and, of course, make a wish. The tower also has motorboats for rental, as well as a nearby barbecue stall and bar, so if you prefer making a wish over a beer or two with some friends, you can head there instead.
5) Barbecue Area
As mentioned before, the Wishing Tower has a nearby barbecue area just 200 meters away, which unsurprisingly gets pretty busy, especially during the summer months. You can rent a pot for 50 RMB for four hours, which also provides you with six chairs for friends to enjoy after your tired China travel. If you've got a bigger group however, you can spend a little more and get eight chairs for 85 RMB (plus the pot) and they'll even throw in a bag of coal, some forks, and a table.
Add: Dameisha Beach Park, 9 Yanmei Lu, Yantian District, Shenzhen
Opening hours: 06:00-01:00
Price: Free
Getting there: take bus 103b, 103, 308, 380a, 380b, 387, b703, j1, m207, or n21 to Haibinyuchang stop
You can obtain more via China travel agents.
Eyes on high
The natural world meets the divine on the Tianmu Mountains which is the popular destination included in packages of affordable China tours.
They're the skies' eyes. Or so ancient Chinese believed.
The two lakes that crown the Tianmu Mountains' Great Celestial Immortal Peak to the east and Celestial Immortal Peak to the west have bestowed the range with its name, which translates as "Heaven's Eyes Mountains".
The lakes are manifestations of nature, while their revered status as portals from which divinity gazes is of human fantasy.
But the Tianmu range is a place where supernatural stories permeate natural splendors.
For instance, the peaks get their names because they're each said to be inhabited by a theological being.
Biologically speaking, they're home to more than 2,000 plant species, including massive ancient Japanese cedars and the world's last wild gingko forest. They're also the dwelling place of dozens of fauna varieties, including such rare beasts as snow leopards and black muntjacs.
Every crumple of Tianmu's topography features natural splendors and mysticisms manifested as fables.
The Eye-Washing Well, for instance, takes its name from a folktale in which Liang Dynasty (AD 502-557) Prince Xiao Tong regained his eyesight after splashing his face at the small mountainside pool.
The Red Pool is said to be where Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) hermit Zhang Daoling, founder of the Way of Celestial Masters Taoist sect, conjured his pills of immortality.
Many of Tianmu's geological contortions have been named after the legends they've spawned - including the Immortal Sawing Board, Treasured Sword Stone and Drooping Rainbow Stone Bridge, which takes its appellation from its location at the impact point of sunrays and waterfall aerosol.
Some, such as Lion Cliff and Lotus Hanging Upside Down Peak, get their names from their shapes.
Stories sired by Tianmu's natural wonders have occasionally led to their demise and color the Tianmu making contribution to China tourism.
Take the case of the "King of the Trees", so named by Qing (1644-1911) Emperor Qianlong, after he measured its circumference with his jade belt.
The 27-meter-high tree fell victim to its own eminence, as pilgrims stripped its bark to conjure cure-alls, killing the millennia-old tree about 50 years ago.
The tree had already been named the "Tree of a Thousand Years" during the Song Dynasty (AD 420-479). It still stands, but as a corpse.
Many of Tianmu's trees are more than 1,000 years old, 2 meters in diameter and 40 meters high. Old, thick, tall trees create trellises fleeced with moss, strangled by vines, plumed with ferns and crested by a verdant canopy.
However, many of these botanical marvels were bombed to splinters during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).
Despite that onslaught, the Tianmu mountains' botanical and zoological marvels remain some of the world's best preserved.
Scientists hail it as a "biodiversity treasure chest". Many species are particular to the range. Consequently, 37 plants and 169 insects bear "Tianmu" in their names.
Part of the reason is that Tianmu is where latitude and altitude intersect to bring out the best of each other in terms of biodiversity. Lower latitudes and varied altitudes both expand biodiversity, as different species adapt to different tiers of the mountains.
Today, Tianmu's genetic and topographic kaleidoscopes offer divine sights and make its natural splendors magical in a modern sense - different but no less enchanting than when its lakes were considered God's eyes. Tianmu should not be missed for popular China travel package.
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The holy side of Qinghai
I can tell the cabbie is angry. I've already asked him to stop three times so I can photograph the breathtaking vistas outside. But when he kicks me out of the taxi it still comes as a surprise: 'I'm not going any more,' he barks. Having come all this way, though – from Xining, the provincial capital of Qinghai, via rickety bus to Huzhu, where I had chartered the taxi for the day – I am determined to get to my end destination: Youning Temple.I cajole the driver on, through villages burning wheat chaff and past rocky mountainside, and on arriving at Youning, I am richly rewarded for my efforts.
Most travellers who come to this province rush on to visit the very photogenic Qinghai Lake which is the top attraction for top China tours. Youning, by contrast, is firmly off the tourist map. A 17th-century monastery founded by the Mongolian fourth Dali Lama, it's the kind of place where there are no entrance tickets, camera-clad daytrippers are few, and most people visiting are local pilgrims. It's a little slice of what Qinghai is all about: here is where Han China ends. Sardine-tin urban centres are replaced by a hard-scrabble assortment of soaring peaks, yak butter-scented monasteries, villages populated by Tibetans and other ethnic minorities,and piercing blue skies with only you underneath them.
Like most monasteries in the province, Youning makes the most of Qinghai's great open spaces. It is a sprawling affair, with the main building set on the edge of a forested valley, and dozens of smaller temples and stupas perched on top of the surrounding mountains. After a brief visit to the principal prayer hall, I urge the driver onwards, along a winding, ribbon-like road, to reach a trailhead up to one of the mountainside shrines. From there, I ascend a series of stone steps on foot.
Boldly coloured prayer flags flutter overhead, increasing in density until I reach the end of the stone stairs, where a ladder protrudes through a trapdoor. At the top of the ladder is the prayer hall, musty and dark with a row of copper Buddha statues along the wall. But the real draw is the view: a rugged sunset that inspires the serenity and reflection appropriate to a holy place. Not a bad way to end my first day in Qinghai.
The rest of my trip is spent in Tongren, a town that is famous for producing vibrant devotional paintings known as thangka. The monasteries here are not so much the spartan cloisters you would associate with monastic living, but more like art schools, where boys as young or eight or nine trade in their secular lives for a chance to learn valued artistic skills. At Tongren's Wutong monastery, I am introduced to a balding monk – his crimson robe matching high-top sneakers; these and a deluxe watch demonstrate just how profitable thangka painting can be. He grabs a piece of chewy milk taffy, left as an offering to one of the colossal Buddha statues, and casually tosses it to me. 'Here,' he chuckles. 'Buddha candy!'
Slightly taken aback by this stunt, I follow him past the impressive collection of paintings, some dating back hundreds of years,and he points out a series that displays, in vivid, bursting detail, the China tours' journey towards enlightenment of Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism. One piece, I learn, was saved from destruction when a portrait of Mao was painted on its reverse and the original image was turned to face the wall.
We pass a group of teenagers, their eyes only a hand's length from the canvas, studiously rehearsing the painting technique with their retinas. Paintings can take months to produce, and the best ones are identified by their fine brushstrokes, softly graded colours and figures that are meticulously detailed down to the thin wrinkles on ageing faces. Some galleries give visitors a magnifying glass to appreciate the full detail.
The monk concludes my visit by showing a print of a painting he'd done for the Louvre. I briefly wonder whether he thinks I am a potential client. For a souvenir, his works area little out of my price range, but at least I am able to take away with me the memory of their vivid scenes.
Where to stay for your popular China tours.
Lete Youth Hostel has clean dorm rooms from 35RMB, and helpful, friendly staff. 15th Floor, Building 5, International Village Apartment, Xining. Qinghai Hotel is a good option for those looking for higher-end accommodation, with double rooms from 500RMB. 158 Huanghe Lu, Xining. Telecom Hotel in Tongren has twin rooms with clean bathrooms from 130RMB. 38 Zhongshan Lu, Tongren.
Getting there
Hainan Airlines flies to Xining from 1,540RMB return (including taxes, booked through www.ctrip.com). To go to Youning Temple, take the hourly public bus to Huzhu for 60RMB from Xining long-distance bus station, arriving in Huzhu around 90 minutes later. At Huzhu, grab a cab and negotiate a round trip to the temple for around 100RMB. Buses from Xining to Tongren (34RMB) leave every 30 minutes from the Jianguo Lu bus station and take four hours.
You can consider Qinghai to contain in your China tour packages.
Heights of fortune - Mount Putuo & Yulong Snow Mountain
Mount Putuo, Zhejiang
Mount Putuo is one of China's "four Buddhist mountains" and one of Zhejiang province's 1,390 Zhoushan islands.
Its religious significance dates to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). It became a Buddhist hub nourished by the flourishing Maritime Silk Road (Silk Road tour ) in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It gradually became a center for the development of the rites of the Bodhisattva Guanyin that drew influence from Southeast Asia and Japan.
By the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it hosted three grand temples, 88 halls, 128 thatched huts and several thousand monks.
The mountain remains a place of pilgrimage.
Non-religious visitors scale its slopes to enjoy its "natural oxygen bar", swim and watch sunrises over the sea.
The range's Buddhist history has produced a largely vegetarian cuisine. Pilgrims dine in Putuo's temples, especially its three largest - Puji, Fayu and Huiji. Putuo Buddha tea is also a must-try.
The Seafood Garden houses 52 seafood restaurants. Many hostels also prepare seafood.
IF YOU GO
During the Dragon Boat Festival, the mountain is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
Putuo Airport has many flights to such cities as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou (these three cities are famous travel cities for affordable China travel packages).
There's only one port in Mount Putuo. Ships sail to other coastal cities daily.
The No 1 and No 2 bus lines connect all scenic spots. Buses depart every 10-15 minutes.
Photography is prohibited inside the temples.
Yulong Snow Mountain, Yunnan
Yulong Snow Mountain is the Northern hemisphere's southernmost snow mountain.
The 5,596-meter-high main peak has never been ascended.
The local Naxi ethnic group believes the alpine range is the incarnation of their primary god, San Duo.
The mountain displays four seasons year-round.
Local ethnic groups give daily large-scale performances of the stage show Impression - Snow Mountain (a must-see in Yunnan for popular China tours). The show retells legends from local ethnic groups' histories.
IF YOU GO
The cableway operates from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
Down jackets and oxygen bags can be rented on the mountainsides.
It's advisable to bring sunglasses.
Blue Moon Valley is a must-see.
The mountain is 15 km from Lijiang Old Town. Special Bus Line No 7 connects the two.
You can obtain more via China tour agents.
Hami along Silk Road
◆Introduction
Hami Prefecture, the hometown of the world famous Hami Melon, is located in the eastern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region which is the must-see destination for Silk Road tour, bordering Gansu Province and Mongolia Republic. It covers an area of approximately 138,919 sq km. Its population was 0.6 million by the end of 2007.
Hami is divided by Tianshan Mountain from east to west. The northern part of Hami has a cool comfortable summer and a beautiful snowy winter, while the southern area of Hami is arid and gets plenty of sunshine, and has a large temperature difference between day and night, making it an important production base for cantaloupes and jujubes.
Hami is rich in mineral resources. Reserves of coal, oil, natural gas, iron, copper, nickel, stone, mirabilite and fulvic acid are abundant. In addition, Since Tianshan Mountain is located in Hami, there are a lot of glaciers and underground water resources.
Hami has a convenient transportation system. State Highway 312 (which runs from Shanghai to Yining) and the Lanzhou-Urumqi Double-track Railway run through the city. In addition, Hami Airport, which reopened on December, 16th, 2008, currently is operating daily flights to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province and historical destination for affordable China tours. It is also expected to offer flights to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province in 2009.
◆Cultural Highlights
As an important economic and cultural town on the Silk Road since ancient times, Hami’s culture is very typical of Xinjiang culture, which originated from a mix of Western culture and traditional Han ethnic culture.
Hami is a multi-ethnic living area, and is home to the Han, the Uygur, the Hui, and Mongols. Special folk customs and festivals make Hami an exotic and impressive place to travel of China.
◆Tourist Attraction
Tourist attractions in Hami include Barkol Lake, which is completely surrounded by mountains, scenes of herders and their tents and flocks, the Devil City, the Hill with Strange Rocks, and Singing Sand Mountain.
Devil City, located in the vast Hashun Gobi, boasts unique natural scenery of mounds, valleys, and grooves.
Hami melon, which grows in Hami’s fertile soil, abundant sunshine and cool nights, is good in taste and rich in nutrition. Its reputation has spread far and wide.
Hami is fantastic destination for popular China tours.
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To the Village of Snow
Hami along Silk Road
Harbin has always been the center of attention as far as winter tourism in China is concerned with its ice and snow festival every January. However, 300 miles outside the city; lies a small village said to be the ultimate winter destination.
Closed off by surrounding mountains, the village, aptly named Xuexiang, or "home of snow", has steadily build up its reputation among tourists over the last few years. It consists of around twenty wooden houses decorated with strings of golden corn and red chili hung to dry. In winter the snow here can reach up to two metres. This absorbs sound creating a winter wonderland.
There are two skiing resorts nearby. One is called Bayi, but this does not open to tourists for affordable China tours because it is the training ground for professional skiers. The other, Shuangfeng ski resort, southeast of the village, is where most tourists gather during daytime. The resort offers an extensive choice of winter sports including skiing, snowboarding, horse-sled, dog-sled, snow sculptures, a snow maze and a bar in a snow hut.
The snow here is natural and pristine. Normally snow begins to fall from October in Xuexiang, burying the village under a white blanket all winter.
In addition to outdoor fun, the village has a long list of local snacks. Some of the best include stewed chicken meat with mountain mushrooms, steamed river fish and home made tofu. And to add to the feast, locals serve various kinds of homemade wine.
However tourists are advised to dress up warm as the average temperature can drop to minus 18 degrees centigrade. Waterproof boots and sun glasses are also recommended. The sun sets around four in the afternoon so a torch can also come in handy. And be careful your camera doesn't freeze!
Entrance tickets to the village cost 60 yuan per person and the ski resort charges 120 yuan for two hours.
The best time to visit Xuexiang is between December and March. For more, you can contact with China travel agents.
Jinli Ancient Street: Delightfully commercial?
"Seen one ancient street, seen them all" might cross the mind of any seasoned China traveller. In a way, it's true.
However, what makes Chengdu's Jinli Ancient Street so popular with both travellers, as well as locals, is the extraordinary atmosphere, the unique architecture and, of course, the amazing Sichuan style street snacks. Jinli is an option for packages of affordable China tours.
For any first time visitor to Sichuan, a walk down Jinli Street in Chengdu's southern district is most definitely recommended. You'll get a real taste of China and the surroundings will surely meet your expectations of a traditional Chinese street.
Jinli Street is a delightful experience, both during the day and after dark.
Typical tourist attraction?
Dating all the way back to the Qin dynasty, Jinli Ancient Street has a long history. Where it was used as a trading street more than 2,000 years ago, the street of today has become one of China's many tourist attractions. Some even say it has become too commercial.
Having undergone heavy renovations and restorations, which were finished in 2004, the 350-metre long, cobbled-paved street has ancient buildings lining both sides.
There are tea houses, antique shops and souvenir stalls, where you can buy an assortment of local handicrafts. There are also countless restaurants and little eateries where you can find all the well-known and popular Sichuan spicy snacks.
Everything is wrapped in warm-coloured wood and capped by the oh-so typical curled rooftops. Red lanterns in all shapes and forms hang from every possible place, enhancing that Chinese look and feel.
Western influences
Even though it's fun to stroll down the street during the day, it's only after sunset that one will experience Jinli Ancient Street's real charm which make contribution to China tourism. The lanterns light up, transforming the street into an almost romantic setting, where no one seems to be in a hurry.
It becomes a place where people enjoy intimate dinners, where lovers wander hand in hand across the small bridges, and where tourists are treated to a real taste of what it's like to be in China.
Chinese culture has also been preserved. On traditional Chinese holidays and during festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festivalor the Mid Autumn celebrations, Jinli Street becomes the stage for many festive activities.
A soul forever lost
Let's not get carried away here. Most of the souvenirs sold in Jinli Ancient Street's many shops are overpriced. Some people believe that the renovation and restoration of the old street might have preserved the body, but its soul has been forever lost.
On top of that, the street has definitely been spoiled by Western influences. Home is never far away, as tourists can simply have a burger and fries instead of tasting the local snacks after your tired popular China tours.
Describing Jinli Ancient Street as too commercial is just a matter of personal opinion. Oh well, maybe it has something to do with that Starbucks on the corner...
Admission to Jinli Ancient Street is free and, although many buses will take you there, it's just as easy to take a taxi.
You can get more via China tour agents.
Something about Dragon Boat Festival
The 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar year is an important day for the Chinese people. The day is called Duan Wu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated everywhere in China. This festival dates back to about 2,000 years ago with a number of legends explaining its origin. The best-known story centers on a great patriotic poet named Qu Yuan. If you happen to visit China during the festival, you should know the following.
Qu Yuan and Dragon Boat Festival
In the Warring States Period (475-221BC), the State of Qin in the west was bent on annexing the other states, including the state of Chu, home of Qu Yuan. Holding the second highest office in the state, Qu Yuan urged that the Chu State should resist Qin and ally with the State of Qi to the east. This was opposed by Zhangyi, a minister of the State of Qin who was trying to disrupt any anti-Qin alliances. He seized upon an incident with a jealous court official in Chu to get rid of Qu Yuan.
Qu Yuan had refused to let Jin Shang, the chief minister in the State of Chu, have a look at a draft of a decree he had been asked to draw up. In anger Jin spread the rumor that Qu Yuan was leaking state secrets. He said that Qu Yuan had boasted that without his aid no decree could be drafted. This made the King of Chu feel that Qu Yuan was belittling him.
When the story reached the ears of Zhang Yi in Qin, he secretly sent a large amount of gold, silver and jewels to Chu to bribe Jin Shang and the king's favorite concubine to form an anti-Qu Yuan clique. The result was that the King of Chu finally banished Qu Yuan from the capital in 313 BC.
The next year, as relations between Qin and Chu worsened, Qu Yuan was called back and named to a high office, but the clique continued its machinations against him.
In 299 BC after several unsuccessful forays against Chu, Qin invited the King of Chu over, ostensibly for talks. Qu Yuan feared this was a trap and urged his king not to go. The latter would not listen and even accused Qu Yuan for interfering.
On the way, the King of Chu was seized by Qin troops. He died in captivity three years later. Chu came under the rule of the king's eldest son, later known as King Qing Xiang. Under him the state administration deteriorated.
Qu Yuan hoped to institute reforms and in poems satirized the corruption, selfishness and disregard for the people on the part of dubious characters who had achieved trusted positions. Neither this nor Qu Yuan's resolve to resist Qin set well with King Qing Xiang, who was in fact married to a daughter of the King of Qin, In 296 BC, Qu Yuan, then in his mid 50s, was banished for the second time. Grieving for the condition of his homeland, for years he wandered about south of the Yangtze River.
During this period he poured out his feelings of grief and concern for his homeland in the allegorical Li Sao, a long autobiographical poem in which he tells of his political ideal and the corruption and mismanagement of the court.
In 280 BC Qin launched an overall invasion of Chu, and captured the Chu capital in 278 BC. The news reached Qu Yuan while he was near the Miluo River in today's northeastern Hunan Province (a hot travel place included in packages of affordable China tours). In frustration at being unable to do anything to save his state, he clasped a big stone to his breast and leaped into the river to end his life.
Qu Yuan's sufferings had gained the sympathy of the people of Chu. In memory of him, every year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the day he drowned himself, dragon boat races, which are said to represent the search for his body, are held, and the Chinese people eat Zong Zi, little packets of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, which was originally thrown into the river to keep the fishes from eating the body of Qu Yuan. In addition, it is said that when hearing the news of Qu Yuan's suicide, some doctors poured realgar wine into the Miluo River to anaesthetize the fishes, hence preventing them from eating Qu Yuan's body.
Customs of the festival
The customs vary a lot in different areas of the country, but most of the families would hang the picture of Zhong Kui (a ghost that can exorcise), calamus and moxa in their houses. People have Dragon Boat Races, eat Zong Zi(dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) and carry a spice bag around with them.
Hanging Pictures of Zhong Kui
Zhong Kui is the exorcist par excellence. His picture, a fierce-looking male brandishing a magic sword, used to be hung up in Chinese houses in order to scare away evil spirits and demons, especially in the time of Dragon Boat Festival.
Hanging Calamus and Moxa
On this day, most of the families would also hang calamus and moxa (oriental plants) on the front door. This is also to ward off evil.
Dragon Boat Race
The main event of the festivities is the Dragon Boat Race. These boats are long and thin with dragon heads on the bow of the ships. The boat races are said to represent the search for Qu's body, with racing boats in a forward rowing motion, to the rhythm of beating drums. Many cities during the festival hold the race such as Shanghai, Chongqing where you start your Yangtze River cruise and Chengdu
Zong Zi
times, Chinese people threw into the water dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves on the day. Therefore the fish would eat the rice rather than the hero poet. This later on turned into the custom of eating Zong Zi.
Realgar Wine
It is a very popular practice to drink this kind of Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar at the Dragon Boat Festival. This is for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year.
Spice Bag
It's believed that if you carry the small spice bag around with you, it not only drives away evil spirits but also brings fortune and happiness to those who wear it. The small bags are hand-made by local craftsmen. They're made with red, yellow, green and blue silk, fine satin or cotton. Figures of animals, flowers and fruits are often embroidered onto the bags and inside are mixed Chinese herbal medicines.
You can obtain more via China travel agents.
China Travel Entry Regulations
Before travellling to China, it is quite necessary to gain some knowledge towards the documents you need to handle. Most of your puzzles can be solved in the following introductions, click each one to have more detailed answers. The following China travel entry regulations should be read before your journey to China.
Entry Regulations
·The entry regulations in China
What you should do when entering China is to fill in the Entry Registration Cards and have your passport and visa checked, including other procedures such as a quarantine check and frontier inspection. All your goods, luggage and packages should also be checked. People with VD, leprosy and infectious pulmonary are not allowed to entering China. Dangerous, harmful or toxic articles prescribed by Chinese law are prohibited into China and you must declare them to the Frontier Inspection Station. Usually the airline/ship will give each passenger an entry card and a customs declaration form to fill out prior to arrival.
·A limited quantity of duty-free goods which are allowed to carry into China for your China travel deals:
2 liters of alcoholic beverages
400 cigarettes
50g (2 ounces) of gold or silver
US$ less than 5,000
Chinese RMB with a total value less than 6000 yuan
Reasonable amount of perfume
1 still camera and reasonable amount of film
·What should be declared when entering China
· Animal and their products, plants, biological products, blood products and human organs;
· Cigarettes with the number of more than 400 pieces, cigars 100 pieces, tobacco500g and alcohol (above 12 degrees) 1,500ml
· (for Chinese residents) Items worth more than CNY 5,000;
· (for foreigners) Items reaching a value of CNY 2,000;
· Foreign currency worth more than US$ 5,000, or Chinese Currency exceeding CNY 2,000 (China money);
· Communication devices and transceivers;
· Separately transported luggage;
· Cargoes, advertising items and commodity samples;
·The procedures to declare at customs
For the convenience of inbound or outbound visitors, on February 1st, 2008, China made simplification of the custom declaration procedures. People who have nothing to declare can pass through the green channel directly. And people who carry articles that need to be declared must fill out a Chinese custom declaration form and pass through the red channel. However, for children under 16 and accompanied by their parents, there is no obligation to fill in the declaration form themselves. For those who hold diplomatic or courtesy visas should present the effective certificates or documents to get more efficient services from China Customs. When departing from China, travelers can choose either to complete the same declaration form listed with relevant items or to fill out a new one.
If you want to know more, you can contact with China tour operator.
A guide to Xiamen’s most bustling shopping districts
Zhongshan Lu, Xiamen
Xiamen not only has the beautiful scenery preparing for China travel deals; visitors are just as often attracted by the food and goods that are very much unique to the city. Bustling shopping centers in Xiamen are largely concentrated around Zhongshan Lu and around the railway station. There are various malls carrying name-brand items, including high-end fashion, jewelry and accessories. Aside from the high-end malls, specialty shops, gourmet streets and night bazaars also offer a completely different assortment of goods and shopping atmosphere for visitors. Here's a guide to Xiamen's main shopping areas.
Zhongshan Lu
Zhongshan Lu is one of the oldest shopping districts in Xiamen. The road has got a large selection of goods and attracts large crowds daily. Various architectural styles can by found lining the road, as well as numerous malls, restaurants, theaters and many better-known, older shops in the city. Popular local shops selling tea leaves cultivated in Fujian can also be found here – the taste of the tea cultivated in this region is known for its refreshing taste. Another local favourite is Gulanyu Pastry Shop – a must-visit store for any visitor that visits the area. Of course, Zhongshan Lu is never short of name-brand department stores and malls selling high-end fashion and the trendiest wears – Hualian Plaza and Bali Chuntian (Paris Spring) Department Store are two such venues.
Another shopping hotspot (can be roam after your tired China tours) is Jukou Jie, a small street nearby Zhongshan Lu that is a well-known "women's specialty shopping street". Jukou Jie features various retail stores that carry an eclectic mix of fashion, shoes, accessories and hair salons catering to women.
Add: Between South Siming Lu and Xinhua Lu, Siming District, Xiamen
Transportation: Take bus routes 2, 3, 4, 10, 12, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32 to the area
Shimao (World Trade) Commercial Plaza
Shimao Commercial Plaza is one of the most well-known shopping and entertainment centers in Xiamen. It is conveniently located near the train station, and therefore easily reached by public transportation. The plaza has five floors and features a supermarket, a department store, a cinema and a food court; it's also got an underground garage that offers free parking and an above ground parking lot that is also free for use to customers. American supermarket chain Wal-Mart is found in the building, as are numerous shops carrying nice collections of quality casual wear and clothes for women. The top floor is the food court – it's got all the famous street eats in Xiamen as well as snacks from other localities and cultures. After you've gotten tired of shopping, you can also opt to catch a movie at the Jinying Cinema; it's a small venue but very cozy and the tickets are one of the most reasonably priced in the city.
Add: 878 -888 Xiahe Lu (nearby the railway station), Siming District, Xiamen
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:30
Getting there: Take bus routes 1, 3, 16, 21, 42, 96, 102, 507, 508, 517, 534, 813 to Jinbang Park and walk around 100 m to venue If you want to know more, you can contact with China travel agents.
A close encounter with volcanoes in Tengchong, Yunnan
For domestic and foreign tourists alike, China's Yunnan Province offers a long list of destinations for your China tour deals among which Tengchong County is lesser known but can be a great delight once discovered, just as a team of CRI reporters recently found out.
The main sightseeing spot in the county is Tengchong National Geological Park nicknamed "a museum of geological features" for its diversified landforms created by frequent volcano eruptions hundreds of years ago.
As Tengchong County is located in an area where the Indian plate meets the Eurasian plate, a complicated fault belt creates occasional volcanic eruptions. There are as many as 99 volcanoes of various sizes in the area surrounding Tengchong, the last eruption of which occurred in 1639. According to scientific research, Tengchong's volcanoes are now dormant. The frequent movement of the tectonic plates also has created a large number of hot springs.
The local government has made full use of the area's geological resources and branded the county as a destination for both sightseeing and leisure. Besides tourists, the National Geological Park also receives students who come for field studies or outdoor camping trips of China and serves as a venue for company employee training.
Regular overnight trains connect Tengchong with Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province. It takes about nine hours by car to drive to Tengchong from Kunming. The county also has an airport with flights to and from major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing (a city which you start your Yangtze River cruises ) and Guangzhou.
Xi'an - The Weight of Ten Dynasties
- Step into China's ancient civilization while gazing into the eyes of the Terracotta Warriors that guard the tomb of the first emperor to unify China
- Explore Xi'an's central Asian influences at the end of the Silk Road (Silk Road tours) through a stroll in the city's vibrant Muslim Quarter
- Admire the Big Goose Pagoda, a reflection of Buddhism's development in China
Explore the original capital of the Chinese Kingdom, Xi'an (formerly known as Chang'an). The political center of numerous imperial dynasties, during its time Xi'an challenged the likes of Rome and Constantinople as the greatest city that ever lived. If Beijing is China's political center today, then Xi'an remains its historical center, with more than 300 sites designated as culturally important (including the renowned Terracotta Army) and countless relics uncovered. Add to this the city's historical status as the terminus of the Silk Road, and it is unsurprising to discover just how rich and deep Xi'an's heritage runs, to the extent that no trip to China is truly complete without a visit to this historic center.
From the world famous excavation site of the Terracotta Army which is the must-see included in affordable China tours, where we admire the craftsmanship and fine details of the more than 8,000 life-size figures on display, to a private taichi lesson on the Ancient City Wall, to the Han Dynasty Hanyang Tomb, on this journey we delve into China's ancient history and culture.
Featured Trip Plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Xi'an; visit Terracotta Army; traditional dumpling dinner; explore the Muslim Quarter.
Day 2: Private taichi lesson on the Ancient City Wall; calligraphy lesson at the Forest of Steles; vegetarian lunch; stroll around the Big Goose Pagoda Square; visit to the Shaanxi History Museum which is the best place to learn the ancient history and culture for your popular China travel package .
Day 3: Visit the Hanyang Tomb; transfer to the airport.
The 7 Most Impressive Pagodas in China
Probably the most popular structure associated with Buddhism, the pagoda is an important part of Asian culture. Its origin can be traced all the way back to the 3rd century BC, when the first Indian stupas were built. Early pagodas were built entirely out of wood, but as sturdier materials began being used, to protect them against fire and rot, this unique architectural style evolved, and more impressive pagodas appeared. Let’s take a look at the most amazing pagodas in China and include them in your last minute China travel deals, today:
Literally translated as “Six Harmonies Pagoda”, this architectural wonder is located at the foot of Yuelun Hill, in Hangzhou, China. Named after the six Buddhist ordinances, Liuhe Pagoda was originally built, during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), to stop the tidal bore of the Qiangtang River. The octagonal pagoda was built out of brick and wood, and is 196 feet high. Each of its seven floors feature paintings and carvings of flowers and animals, and can be accessed via an interior spiral case.
The oldest fully-wooden pagoda in China, the Sakayamuni Pagoda was originally a big temple, built during the Liao Dynasty. Throughout 900 years of existence, this 221 feet high structure suffered multiple reconstructions and withstood countless powerful earthquakes. The name of the pagoda comes from the giant statue of Sakayamuni Buddha, housed inside the first level.
Located in Xian (starting city for Silk Road travel), one of the four ancient capitals of China, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a symbol of Chinese culture and a holy place for Buddhists. It is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture, due to its simple but appealing style. The name of “Big Wild Goose Pagoda” comes from an old legend that says a wild goose broke its wing and fell in the place of the pagoda, right when a group of Buddhist monks were praying Bodhisattva would provide some food. The 211.6 feet high Big Wild Goose Pagoda is visible from pretty much all hotels in Xian, so you don’t have to worry about finding it.
Standing at 504.6 feet, the 13-story Tianning Pagoda is the tallest pagoda in the world. Very tough wood, brought in from Burma, and 75 tons of brass and gold were used in the construction of this incredible structure. Tianning pagoda is 7.2 meters taller than Khufu Pyramid, in Egypt, and has a 30,000 kilogram heavy bronze bell that can be heard from up to 5 kilometers away.
Known as “The First Scenery under Heaven”, Yellow Crane Pagoda is one of the most popular towers south of the Yangtze River (where you can have Yangtze River cruises), and a symbol of Wuhan City. Originally built during the Three Kingdoms Period, by Sun Quan, King of Wu, Yellow Crane Pagoda served as a watchtower for his armies. Over the centuries it lost its military function and became a popular picturesque location, praised in poems and songs. Although it was destroyed by fires, many times, its fame made the people rebuild it every time. The current structure dates back to 1985, and it copies the design of a Qing Dynasty picture.
Constructed in 975, by the King of Wuyue Kingdom, to celebrate the birth of his son, Leifeng Pagoda quickly became one of the most famous buildings in China. The octagonal, five-story pagoda was built out of brick and wood, which made it vulnerable to fire. Unfortunately, the structure suffered a lot of damage over the centuries, and in 1924, it suddenly collapsed. Because of its popularity, as a tourist attraction included in best tours of China, and historical value, Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt, and inaugurated in 2002.
Located on Banyu Lake, the Sun and Moon pagodas are one of the most popular attractions of Guilin. Sun Pagoda, the taller of the two, is the tallest copper pagoda in the world, at 41 meters. The nearby Moon Pagoda is only 35 meters tall. The two are connected by a tunnel, at the bottom of the lake. The best time to visit the Sun and Moon pagodas of Banyu Lake, is at night, when they both light up in gold and blue.
All the above-mentioned pagodas has made contribution to China tourism.
Explore Incredible Scenery in Tibet
You just have to turn your head to get another outstanding view in Tibet, a hot tourist destination for China vacation deals. Whether the rolling grasslands of the north, Mars-like deserts of the west, snowcapped Himalayan views to the south or the huge valleys and gigantic lakes of the center, everywhere you turn are amazing high-altitude colors.
Everest Base Camp
Jaw-dropping views of the north face that are so much better than from the Nepal side. Rising 5200 meters above sea level, the camp mainly provides travelers with accommodation. The “tourist Base Camp” is located about half-way between Rongbuk Monastery and the actual climbers Base Camp at the foot of Rongbuk glacier. Besides a couple of permanent structures and a small army base, the base is enclosed by many tents. The best time to climb the Everest is from early April to the end of May. Many famous climbers come here to prepare for climbing the summit of the Everest.
Most travelers spend a night or two at the tent camp. Owners of tents all charge the same per-bed fee (rmb 40) and offer very simple meals and drinks. At Rongbuk, you can stay at Monastery Guesthouses, located across the road from the monastery itself. Climbing Everest is a great challenge and many tourists are hard to choose for their popular China tours.
Northern Route, Western Tibet
Herds of antelope and wild ass graze by hug salt-water lakes in this empty end of the world.
The northern route is the longer of the two routes from Lhasa (a tourist destination for top China tours) to Ngari but it is the more spectacular route, passing the huge salt-water lakes and valleys of seminomadic herders, as well as marmots, blue sheep, wild asses and antelope. Although it is no free way, the dirt road is well maintained and driving condition is good.
Tashigang area
Sublime Swiss-style pine forests, green valley and jagged peaks feature the Tashigang area. Tashigang is a small village with a small number of residents. A couple of kilometers east of the small town of Lunang, Nyingchi, is for many travelers highlights of a trip to this part of eastern Tibet. Surrounded by deep green barley fields and bright yellow rapeseed, and framed by forested mountains, Tashigang with its pigs and chickens roaming free, is made up of a handful of large stone Tibetan block homes, six of which have been converted into fabulous family guesthouses. Staying in the family guesthouses, it is the best chance to experience the authentic Tibetan lifestyle.
For more, you can contact with China travel agents.
Source: http://www.basearticles.com/Art/1217930/53/Explore-Incredible-Scenery-in-Tibet.html
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Top 8 forgotten attractions in China
The following is the places where you may miss for your popular China tour package.
1. The Hidden Village of Guoliang in Henan Province
Years ago, local villagers could only descend the village’s mountain on a dangerous path. They tunneled a road through the mountain and named it Guoliang Cave, which was composed of exposed red shale. Guoliang Village is now an attractive spot because of its unique scenery and stone buildings.
2. Xianglu Temple in Shaanxi Province
The temple, which lies on the banks of the Yellow River in Jiaxian, Shaanxi Province, is supported by a stone column that is more than 20 meters high. It is indeed a marvel.
3. Bayanbulak Grassland in Xinjiang
Resting at the foot of Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang (a part of Silk Road tours), the Bayanbulak Grassland is the second-largest grassland in all of China. It is also home to the famous Swan Lake. Each year in April, swans and other rare birds return from the south to live and breed there. The Nadam Fair, held from June 4-6 of the lunar calendar, is another good time to visit the grassland.
4. Red Beach in Panjin, Liaoning Province
The beach’s red color comes from a kind of grass that grows in saline and alkaline soils. It is a wonderful scenic wetland tourist resort area. October is the best time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
5. Dalinor National Nature Reserve in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia
Dalinor, perched in Chifeng City of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is an important wetland ecosystem in Asia and a state-level nature reserve designated for the protection of rare species. About 160 species of rare birds live in the swamps and prairie there.
6. Zhuge Bagua Village in Zhejiang Province
Zhuge Bagua Village (bagua means “Eight Diagrams” in Chinese), was designed by Zhuge Liang, a remarkable Chinese politician, strategist, and diplomat during the period of the Three Kingdoms (A.D. 184 - 280). The village is located in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province which is the optional tourist destination for your top China tours.
7. Malinghe Valley in Guizhou Province
The valley around the Malinghe River is a national scenic spot in south western part of Guizhou. It was formed during the Yanshan movement of the earth. With fantastic views, precipices and waterfalls, the valley is absolutely fascinating. Boat rides down the river provide great views of the beautiful scenery.
8. Qiantong Town in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province
Qiantong is an ancient town in Ninghai County. Tong descendants have lived in the area for more than 760 years, maintaining the traditional architecture of their homes from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
If you want to know more, you can contact with China travel agents.
Graveyard at Astana in China
Introduction
Astana Ancient Tombs lie in San Pu and Er Pu Xiang 42 kilometers southeast of Turpan city. It had been the public graveyard of ancient Gaochang people with an area of about 10 square kilometers. Since 1959, 456 tombs have been excavated and thousands of cultural relics have been unearthed. Besides hundreds of dried up bodies, there are murals depicting figures, birds and flowers on display in the three tombs. Altogether 2,000 documents were unearthed, with content covering political, economic, cultural and military developments of Gaochang City, an ancient town in China and a part of Silk Road tours.
Painting on silk with Fu Xi and Nu Wa, two mythological figures in ancient China: (up, length 184 cm); Document written on paper: (bottom, length 76.5 cm)
The Ancient City of Gaochang
The Ancient City of Gaochang is located near the seat of the Flaming Mountains. The city walls are high and the crisscrossing streets and the city moat are still visible. The city walls, which are basically intact, divide the city into three parts: the inner city, the outer city and the palace city. The 5.4 kilometer-long wall of the square outer city is 11.5 meters high and 12 meters thick. The wall is built of tamped earth, with some section repaired with adobe. There are two gates on each side of the outer city and the two on the west side with defense enclosures outside the gates are the best preserved.
The inner city, which is located in the center of the outer city, has a three-kilometer long wall, most of the west and the east sections of which are well preserved and which is the indispensable for your China vacation deals, if you are interested in the Silk Road.
The rectangular palace city is in the northern part of the city of Gaochang, and it shares the north wall with the outer city and uses the north wall of the inner city as its south wall. There are still several three- to four- meter-high earthen platforms in the palace city where the court of Huigu Gaochang Kingdom was seated.
In the north-central part of the inner city, there is a high terrace on which stands a square pagoda built of adobe called Khan's castle which means Imperial Palace. Somewhat to its west there is a half-underground, two-story structure which was probably the ruins of a palace.
In the southwestern part of the outer city there is a temple which is 130 meters long from east to west, 85 meters wide from south to north and covers an area of 10,000 square meters. Murals remaining in the main hall are still visible. The renowned Buddhist monk Xuan Zang of the Tang Dynasty is said to have lectured in the temple for more than one month in the year 628 on his way to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. In the vicinity of the temple there are also ruins of workshops and market sites.
The construction of the city of Gaochang started in the first century BC. First called Gaochangbi, it was a key point on the ancient Silk Road, but after many changes in fortune over a period of 1,300 years, the city was burnt down in wars in the fourteenth century. Caochang should not be missed for your Silk Road travel.
It was classified as an important cultural unit protected by the state in 1961.
Tombs for the nobles in Gaochang City, from the Western Jin to the Tang Dynasty
Location: Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Period: mid of 3rd century-end of 8th century AD
Excavated from 1959 to the present
Significance: It has supplied important material objects to the study of the economic, cultural developments of Gaochang City from the Western Jin Dynasty (3rd century AD) to the Tang Dynasty (8th century AD), as well as the changes of folk customs. So you can consider it for your China vacation packages.
The Ming Tombs (Shisanling) in Beijing
Although Beijing (a destination for last minute China travel deals) has been the capital of China for five dynasties, the only imperial mausoleums in the immediate vicinity of the city today are those of the Liao and Qing emperors are in the northeast China and in Hebei Province respectively. The tombs from the Jin Dynasty were destroyed at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and since the Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty had no specific funeral rituals, there are no extant burial sites from this period.
The Ming tombs lie in a broad valley to the south of Tianshou (Longevity of Heaven) Mountain in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing proper. To the southwest of this valley, a branch of the Yanshan Range suddenly to breaks off and forms a natural gateway to the 40-quare-kilometer basin in which the tombs were built. This gateway is "defended" on each side by the Dragon and Tiger hills, which are said to protect this sacred area from winds carrying evil influences. Thirteen out of the 16 Ming emperors are buried in this peaceful valley.
Visitors first pass by an elegant, five-arched white marble memorial archway. Built in 1540, this 29-meter-wide and 14-meter-high structure, with its delicate bas-relief carvings of lions, dragons and lotuses, is still in near-perfect condition. About one kilometer to the northeast of this archway stands the Great Red Gate (Dahongmen), the outermost gate of the entire mortuary complex.
The Great Red Gate marks the beginning of the 7-kilometer-long Sacred Way (Shendao), which leads to the entrance of the Changling, the tomb of Emperor Yongle (reigned 1403-1424). Continuing on, one comes to a tall square stela pavilion, with four tall white stone ornamental columns (huabiao) set at each of its four corners, standing boldly in the center of the Sacred Way. The pavilion houses a huge stone tortoise by the famous Avenue of the Animals, where pairs of lions, elephants, camels. Horses and a number of mythological beasts line the road. There are 24 stone creatures in all. These beasts are followed in turn by a group of 12 stone human figures, which represent the funeral cortege of the deceased emperors. Carved in 1540, this group is made up of military, civil and meritorious officials. Immediately beyond these human figures are the Dragon and Phoenix Gate (Longfengmen), which are pierced with three archways.
Continuing north to the Changling, the Sacred Way passes over a river via two bridges of five and seven arches respectively. From here, all 13 tombs can be seen; the foothills and groves of trees dotted with golden yellow roofs stretch for 19 kilometers across this sacred valley. Ming Tombs is an option for your best tours of China.
Compared to the other 12 tombs the Changling is the largest and best preserved. Built on a south-facing slope, the Changling‘ s three courtyards are entirely surrounded by walls. The first courtyard extends from the massive three-arched entrance gate to the Gate of Eminent Favor (Long‘ enmen); on the east of this courtyard stands a pavilion, which contains a stone tablet, a stone camel and a stone dragon. Inside the second courtyard stands the Hall of Eminent Favor. The central portion of the stairway, which leads up to this great hall is carved with designs of sea beats and dragons. To the east and west of the hall stand two ritual stoves where bolts of silk and inscribed scrolls were set aflame as offerings to the emperor‘s ancestors. The dimensions of the Hall of Eminent Favor (67 x 29 meters) closely match the dimensions of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) in the Forbidden City (a must-see in Beijing for your popular China tour package), which makes it one of the largest wooden buildings in China. Four giant wooden columns and 28 smaller pillars support this structure, The four large columns are 14.3 meters high and 1.17 meters in diameter, and are extraordinary for the fact that they are each a single trunk of Phoebe nanmu.
Chinese style beach outing
Though thousands of miles from the familiar beaches in the United States, Beidaihe is very much like a beach town that I would see in America. The shops sold bathing suits and cheesy souvenirs, and most restaurants served seafood.
It was barely 7am when we arrived at the Beijing (a hot tourist city for China travel deals) train station. We followed the signs as best we could to find where to buy tickets. I bought sleeper car tickets for 133 yuan (US$16) and enjoyed the two-hour train ride with a relaxing nap, but I could have bought soft seats for about 70 yuan (about US$8).
When we arrived, we still had to take a taxi to the beach. This was just a 15-minute drive, and because the roads weren't paved, we had to roll up the windows to avoid the dust.
We stayed in the Beidaihe Guesthouse for Diplomatic Missions and it was beautiful. The resort overlooked its own private beach. This Chinese-style Martha's Vineyard is where Communist officials used to stay and have big meetings. I was impressed to be where Chairman Mao used to swim.
The rooms were comfortable with two beds and private balconies. The cost was 250 yuan for two beds and air conditioning. It also had restaurants, tennis courts and meetings rooms.
One could also jog or take a stroll along many secluded paths in the area. For the more adventurous, you can rent speedboats and other sports equipment to play with in the ocean.
The seawater was too cold, for me at least, though some brave souls did take a dip. I enjoyed lying out under the umbrella, listening to the ocean waves and watching Chinese families and tourists pose for pictures by the ocean. The scenery was beautiful and the water crashing on the rocks is a good spot for photography and popular China tours.
But at the same time, I think they enjoyed watching us even more. We were all sitting and lying on towels right below a tourist boardwalk. It didn't take long for us to feel like animals on display in a zoo. People would stare, point and take pictures of us half naked.
When we ate at one of the many seafood restaurants, we picked out our dinner from the tanks, but were shocked to see the staff quickly stun the fish by quickly slamming them on the sidewalk in front of us.
The food was delicious - but we paid dearly for it. Our bill was 1,592 yuan.
We tried to bargain and communicate that the price was too high with our hands. But the staff insisted we pay. But we shook our heads furiously to show our displeasure.
We grew tired of arguing and finally agreed to pay 1,200 yuan, but it was an expensive learning experience. Now I will always ask how much things are before sitting down to eat.
Not being able to speak Chinese can be frustrating at times and makes simple tasks like buying train tickets, asking for directions and ordering food very difficult.
Not wanting our night to be ruined by this unfortunate incident, we bought snacks and ice cream and sat on some huge rocks by the ocean. It seemed to be a popular spot. Families and teenagers were also hanging out and playing games.
The peak tourist season starts in June so there were not as many people when I was there in May. But as the water warms up, the beaches fill with more tourists and swimming.
The next day we returned to Beijing on the train and I was convinced that Beidaihe was the ideal place for relaxation and fun for a weekend or longer. So you can consider it for your China travel packages.
Facts of Traditional Chinese Weddings
Traditional Chinese wedding customs are considered as the foundation of rites in traditional Chinese culture. A wedding is usually a grand occasion with overly-elaborate formalities. There are eight major procedures of a wedding, including proposal making, birthday matching, marriage divination, betrothal gifts presenting, wedding date fixing, dowry urging, welcoming the bride to the wedding and performing the formal wedding ceremony. So if you are interested in the tradition elements about wedding, you can watch it when you have China travel deals and come across the Chinese wedding.
The procedure of birthday matching was the process in which the boy's family asked the matchmaker to go to the girl's family to enquire about her name and date of birth. Then, the boy's parents would send the girl's and their son's names and birthdates to a sorcerer or fortune teller for divining to see if the marriage between the two would be appropriate. The foretelling of the luck of the marriage was what was called "marriage divination".
If according to Chinese astrology the couple was compatible and both families agreed to the marriage, the boy's family would then send betrothal gifts to the girl's family. The betrothal gifts mainly included clothes, jewelries, gold, silver and cash etc. In addition, a gilded silver coin bearing the word "qiu" (meaning "proposal") was among the gifts. The girl's family would send back another coin bearing the word "yun" (meaning "agreed") among their gifts presented in return. Thus, the marriage was confirmed.
Then, the two families would make arrangements for the wedding. When everything was ready, the boy's family would invite a fortune teller to choose a wedding date believed to bring the most luck to the couple based on the Chinese calendar mythology. After the date was fixed, the boy's family would send someone to inform the girl's family of it, which was part of the procedure of fixing the wedding date.
During the period between the wedding date settlement and welcoming the bride, the boy's family would customarily urge the girl's family to send her dowry in for bridal chamber decoration, otherwise the wedding could not be held on schedule. After being urged, the girl's family would begin to prepare the dowry, which would be sent to the boy's family on a chosen date. The amount and quality of the dowry would determine the girl's future status in her husband's family.
Welcoming the bride to the wedding and performing the formal wedding ceremony would be conducted on the same day, which was the climax of the whole wedding procedures. On the wedding day, the bridegroom's family would welcome the bride to the wedding in a bridal sedan accompanied by a wedding procession. With firecrackers exploding and band playing, the precession was a noisy and joyous show. As soon as the bride arrived at the groom's home, the couple would perform formal bows. The rituals were also called "bowing to Heaven and Earth", which were conducted to gain approval of the marriage from gods, divinities, ancestors as well as from parents, older generations, relatives and neighbors in the mortal world.
After the bowing rituals, the couple would enter the bridal chamber, followed by rituals like sitting on the bed, throwing happiness-embodying nuts and drinking the nuptial cup etc. After that, relatives and friends to the wedding would be treated to a wedding feast. Then, wedding guests, old and young, would play bridal chamber pranks and wouldn't leave till the dead of night. Thus, the wedding ceremony was finished.
Traditional Chinese wedding customs have been around for thousands of years. They may vary from place to place and time to time, but have been holding an important position in the lives of Chinese people, causing a far-reaching impact on the way the Chinese lead their lives.
You can get more via China tour agents.
Mountain Calls: Time to Take A Hike
China is a paradise for hikers, trekkers and mountain climbers of all skill levels. And as the weather warms, it's time for hiking.
North, south, east and west, China has mountains to match the expectations and test the skills of beginning, intermediate and expert climbers.There are many delightful hikes that stop short of being real climbs. The scenery is breathtaking and there's lots of culture along the way.
China Travel Tips:
1. Choose a climb appropriate to your skill level.
2. Do not climb alone, always with a partner or group.
3. Check the weather before and during the climb.
4. Dress appropriately, wear comfortable boots and a hat.
5. Pack a water-proof coat, fresh water, food, first-aid kit, flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses, change of clothes, maps and other items.
Here are some springtime climbs.
Mt Putuo
Zhejiang Province
Only six hours' journey from Shanghai (a hot tourist destination for China vacation deals), Mt Putuo on an island in the East China Sea is one of China's four Buddhist mountains along with Mt Wutai in Shanxi Province, Mt Emei in Sichuan Province and Mt Jiuhua in Anhui Province.
The mountain in Zhejiang Province is part of a scenic archipelago. Its highest peak is only around 290 meters above sea level and Mt Putuo is really just a stroll.
The area features lush greenery, strange rock formations and interesting temples. The view from the summit over the Zhoushan Archipelago is breathtaking.
At its peak period, Mt Putuo had 82 temples with more than 4,000 monks and nuns. Tourists walking along mountain paths encounter many monks, who sometimes share their wisdom with visitors. Most temples are sacred to Guanyin, the goddess of Mercy.
There are three major temples on Mt Putuo today: Puji, Fayu and Huiji temples.
The most famous is Puji Temple covering 11,000 square meters and featuring a giant statue of Guanyin in the middle of the main hall, surrounded by 32 smaller statues of the goddess. There are nine halls in the temple.
Fayu Temple was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and incorporates the topography. Tall and ancient trees give it an atmosphere of tranquillity.
Huiji Temple, also built in the Ming Dynasty, is atop the mountain.
A night market on the island sells souvenirs of Mt Putuo and nearby eateries specialize in local snacks and seafood. There are many vegetarian restaurants.
In the main square near Puji Temple, guidebooks and maps in English are available.
Mt Wuyi
Fujian Province
A more challenging but not difficult climb is Mt Wuyi, averaging 350 meters above sea level in coastal Fujian Province (a province for top China tours) where the climate is warm and mild. It has a reputation as the most charming mountain in southeastern China. There are spectacular cliffs, waterfalls and vistas as well as temples and relics.
It is also famous for Wuyi Oolong rock tea, so called because tea bushes grow in rocky areas and are nurtured by the mists and perfect temperature.
The name Wuyi comes from an legend about Wu and Yi, the sons of an 800-year-old hermit who lived on magical ganoderma mushroom. In ancient times flooding caused great suffering to people and damage to crops, so the two cut through the mountain and tamed the raging river by channeling it into nine branches. A palace was built in their name.
The area has one of the world's largest intact mid subtropical ecosystems. More than 90 percent of the area is covered by forest; more than 3,000 species of trees and plants grow there, and it is home to more than 400 species of animals.
A major attraction is Dawang Peak and Yunu Peak, which face each other, like a couple in love. The area is one of cliffs and luxuriant vegetation.
Legend has it that long ago a king fell in love with a commoner but she did not accept him because she knew their different rank would spell misfortune. The king would not give up; he asked a witch to turn the girl into Yunu peak so she would be there forever. He stood enthralled and finally he too became a mountain, Dawang Peak.
Jiuqu River, also known as Nine-Bend River, is popular for boating and riding a bamboo raft for sightseeing along its 9-kilometer length. The water is so pure and clear that pebbles and fish are clear visible.
Mt Emei
Sichuan Province
Another sacred Buddhist peak, Mt Emei in Sichuan Province, is a world heritage site dotted with beautiful temples and called by poets "the greatest beauty under heaven" and the "mountain of brightness." So it should be contained in your popular China travel package.
It is said that the first Buddhist temple in China was built on Mt Emei, which is 3,099 meters above sea level, the highest of the four sacred Buddhist mountains.
It is famous for sunrises and the "Buddhist Light," a halo or rainbow created by perfect conditions of mist, clouds, light and landforms. Tourists and pilgrims can stay in a lodge at the summit.
Many temples and shrines are to be found along the way through luxuriant vegetation. Monkeys, birds and butterflies can be seen. Monkeys can be quite demanding of food from tourists.
Mt Emei (meaning a beauty's eyebrow) is so called because two of its facing peaks resemble the eyebrows of a traditional Chinese beauty.
In spring, the mountain is green, pink and white with blossoming trees. In autumn the leaves turn red, amber and gold. In winter it's beautiful and covered with snow, but too dangerous for climbing.
Standing in the mountains, one can often see swirling white clouds that obscure and then reveal mountains and vistas.
The major attraction, Baoguo Temple, is in the center of the Buddhist area of temples and shrines filled with relics. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and has been reconstructed. The temple's name was inscribed by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Wannian Temple, literally 10,000 years' temple, is awe-inspiring in autumn because people can enjoy two different climates as they climb from the bottom to the top of the site, temple after temple on the mountainside.
A visit to Jiulao Cave, meaning nine seniors' cave, is popular because it is said to bring luck and a long and healthy life.
Legend has it that an emperor traveled to the site and saw an old man with silver hair practicing tai chi in front of the cave - obviously he had found the secret of youth and long life.
Yellow Mountain
Anhui Province
It's said that everyone should climb Yellow Mountain (Huangshan) once in their life because it is one of the greatest symbols of China. It is memorialized in paintings, poetry, music and martial arts films. The world heritage site in Anhui Province is 30 kilometers from east to west and 40 kilometers from north to south. The highest peak is 1,864 meters above sea level. And Yellow Mountain has made great contribution to China tourism .
It is famous for bizarre rock formations and ancient pine trees, often growing from rocks at seemingly impossible angles. And of course the seas of clouds and mists. And waterfalls, streams and hot springs. The seasons are distinct. In spring it's green, blossoming and fragrant; in autumn, it's a blaze of color and in winter, it's a snow maiden.
Mountains and rocks bear colorful names. The Lion Peak looks like a lion and atop it is a huge stone named Monkey Watching the Sea. From Lotus Peak the view of the cloud seas is breathtaking.
Like Mt Emei, Yellow Mountain is famous for sunrise, ideally seen on Bright Peak.
Visitors should check the weather frequently since some peaks may be closed for safety reasons, such as heavy rain and ice.
How to get there
Mt Emei: Take a flight from Shanghai to Chengdu (about three hours), then a bus to the mountain (about two hours).
Yellow Mountain: Expressway bus takes 4 1/2hours from Shanghai to Tunxi, a town at the foot of the mountain, then another 40 minutes' bus ride to the mountain area.
Yulong Snow Mountain
Yunnan Province
On the southeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Yulong, or Jade Dragon, Snow Mountain in Yunnan Province is for professional climbers only. But much of the mountain area is popular all year for hiking and covers several climate zones.
It has 13 peaks, the highest being Shanzidou at 5,596 meters above sea level. Shanzidou came to the world's notice during World War II when US pilots could clearly see it as one silver color signal while flying hundreds of miles away along one enormous mountain.
It is said that viewed from Lijiang ancient town, a destination for China tour packages, 25km away from Yulong, the mountain looks like a flying dragon playing with snow and clouds. Legend has it that from day to night, the jade dragon keeps on fighting and protecting their homeland with 13 swords, finally the devil gone in the dust and jade dragon disappeared.
The mountain area, which covers different climate zones, is home to more than 30 types of rare protected animal, including the snow leopard, scaly ant eater, Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, forest musk deer and spotted civet cat.
There is a saying that Yulong has 12 faces for 12 months. In spring it's famous for blooming azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons and in autumn the sunset colors seem to move in the wind.
Journey to the wild, wild West
The most celebrated place of interest on Mt Xumi in Guyuan City is the Giant Sitting Buddha Maitreya in Grotto No. 2, measuring 26 meters in height.
Drawn by the romance of the far west, Liu Qi ventures into the vast desert in Ningxia where she makes friends with a camel before heading south on other adventures near the Silk Road (Silk Road tour).
Stretches and stretches of sand dunes extending as far as eye can see, a train of camels trudging against the skyline, turbaned trekkers braving the searing heat and dust ... I was so haunted by this vision that I realized it was time to go west.
I flipped a coin and decided on the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, land of the little-explored Western Xia State (1038-1227), exotic Chinese Muslim culture, and of course, the desert where kingdoms rose and fell and ruins are buried.
The minute I stepped out of the Yinchuan airport (a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Shanghai), I found a somewhat cliched capital city: well-constructed roads and modern buildings. My disappointment at the mundane, however, was soon be replaced by pleasure with the novelty of back streets navigated by my taxi driver.
The various mosques, the unique dress of the Hui minority people, the all-pervasive small of mutton - all reminded me that I had stepped out of my Shanghai (a hot tourist city for top China tours) routines and was right in the middle of my dream of the wild, wild west.
Ningxia is a raw landscape of stark mountains and dusty plains sliced in two by the Yellow River. This was clear when I traversed the Yellow River on a sheep-skin raft. The sparse and boring industrial landscape gave way to fascinating mountains cape that suddenly emerged from nowhere. I passed flocks of sheep at the foot of a severely weathered section of the Great Wall as I traveled toward the edge of the 42,000-square-kilometer Tengger Desert, China's fourth-largest desert.
To get there, I traveled 150km from Yinchuan to Zhongwei City near the sands.
Unlike some of the arid places I've been to, the Tengger is classic desert: The endless waves of sand dunes stunned me as soon as I entered the Tonghu side of it.
This was where my desert daze began: For a whole day, I shrieked my guts out as I was catapulted up and down and tossed back and forth on daredevil jeep rides on sand dunes that seemed to transform and shift by the minute. I climbed up the sand dunes (barefooted for a while), hung out on their highest ridge, dug my toes into the sand and then slid back down the slope on my bottom.
I was lucky because the sun was not a big enemy in this season (the temperatures in May and June are very tolerable), but I still constantly fought persistent sandstorms that seemed to accompany my every step and sometimes sent sand lashing painfully against my cheeks.
This was my first "sand experience" and I was so excited that I took off my shoes and let the feet reach deep into the fine yellowish sands, feeling it and touching it.
At first the desert might seem devoid of life - just sand, sand, sand and nothing else - but here and there were hardy green plants, withered wood and insects that added color. I was lucky to spot an owl that probably preyed on rodents (hidden in holes during the day) and large beetles and desert cicadas that run around on the dunes.
Before this transformative trip, there were two animals I had no affection for or interest in whatsoever - camels and horses. I told myself from the beginning that I would not get close to a camel, let alone sit on one.
But I soon broke my vow about avoiding nasty camels after I saw them sitting quietly and peacefully in the sands. As I approached, they greeted me with a friendly nod.
At that moment I decided I'd like to take my maiden camel ride. My camel was cute, clean and very obedient. I patted him and he replied with a "grin."
When the guide and I tried to ascend a particularly tricky high dune, a strong wind gust blinded me for a moment (my camel with double rows of extra-long thick lashes was okay), I got nervous. The camels were tackling the dune and I was fighting the sand in my eyes while tightly gripping the rocking saddle. When the blow was over, we shared a sand-filled, slightly worried laugh about the adventure that I won't forget for a long time.
In the process of my camel encounter, I finally reconciled with the peculiar but admirable creature that never complained and was so perfectly suited for the environment so harsh on man and beast - a true desert hovercraft and indeed, a quite endearing creature.
I kept my vow about horses and steered clear.
Since the narrowest part of the Tengger is only a little over 20km, it's possible to hike across the sands.
It takes around six hours on camelback to get to the other side of Shapotou, a highly touristy place for China travel deals, from Tonghu, which is somewhat less commercial. A walk takes eight to 10 hours. When the weather is nice, you can appreciate the gorgeous desert sunset and many fantastic desert landscapes.
If you're adventurous enough or want more fun, take a detour into the desert - riding a camel across all those rolling dunes, the desert is all yours, no traffic jam.
Although Tonghu resort provides accommodation, camping outside on the sand dunes in the Tengger is a fun alternative. It's pretty safe to camp on the desert near the resort; there are no wild animals and seldom a dangerous sandstorm.
This is right on the border with the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so at night, you can join guests from everywhere inside a yurt for a typical Mongolian dinner party. Singing, drinking, and Mongolian barbecue are basic. Definitely ask locals to sing Mongolian folk songs from their hometowns, all of them are great singers.
Go south
To get a real taste of Ningxia, the awesome desert tour is only part of the adventure. Leaving behind the modern Yinchuan, I headed deep south to Guyuan, which is famous for mountains, grottoes, gorges and Danxia landforms which is very specific here for your popular China travel package.
My first stop in Guyuan, one-hour flight from Yinchuan, was Xumi Grottoes at the eastern foot of Mt Xumi, 55km northwest of the city.
This is a gateway on the ancient Silk Road and part of the magnificent Liupan Mountains. The grotto carving began in the late Northern Wei Kingdom (AD 386-534).
Twenty-two grottoes are well preserved, with a rich collection of high-quality carvings of the Northern Wei, the Northern Zhou (AD 557-551), the Sui (AD 581-518) and the Tang (AD 618-907) dynasties.
This area used to be a key passage on the Silk Road between the East and the West and a thoroughfare for exchanges between the Han Chinese and minority ethnic groups.
The most celebrated place of interest in the mountain is the Giant Sitting Buddha Maitreya in Grotto No. 2. The Maitreya measures 26 meters high, with its ears the length of two adults put together. The Buddha with a benign look is considered a representative masterpiece of the grotto on the mountain.
Grotto No. 5 is the biggest of its kind. Made of a hollowed-out mound, it is called the "Haloes of Xumi" and contains seven well-preserved Buddhist statues, each 6 meters in height, and seven Bodhisattva statues. These figures look mysterious and fascinating under a few rays of light that enter the grotto through a hold in the roof of the mound.
Due to devastation by earthquakes and windstorms in its 1,400-year history, half of the grotto was caved-in, but it has recently been restored.
Another an hour from the grottoes, I reached my last but arguably the most impressive stop in the south - Yanzhi Canyon. In Chinese, yanzhi means rouge, and legend has it that a fairy came down from heaven one day and washed her faced in the Huanghua River (running through the canyon). And then rouge on her face dyed the river red.
The canyon neighbors Mt Kongdong to the east, Mt Liupan on the west and Old Dragon Pool on the south. Formed in the Ordovician Period of about 800 million years ago, it was named after the minority Yanzhi Clan of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). The clan evolved from the Yanzhi Tribe, and then lived near the canyon during that period.
The river runs joyously through the steep canyon and transforms into waterfalls in various sizes and forms. Everywhere in the central area of the canyon, you can see strangely shaped pines and weird rock formations, flowers and rare vegetation.
There are several views of natural tableaux, such as "Kwan-yin Appreciating Music" and "Taoists Worshipping the Moon." The lower reaches of Yanzhi Canyon connect Mt Kongdong in Gansu Province which is one destination for Silk Road tours.
With mountains reflecting on the surface of the river and clouds and mist forming wreaths in the sky, it's quite a spectacular fairyland.
About Ningxia
The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, established in 1958, is bordered by Shaanxi Province to the east, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the west and north and Gansu Province to the south. The Yellow River runs across 12 cities and counties in the region.
Chinese Muslims, the Hui people, make up 33.4 percent of the total population of 6 million people in 35 ethnic groups. In ancient times, the Tangut kingdom of Western Xia, was locked in confrontations with the Song, Liao and Jin dynasties for 189 years.
There are six major tourist zones: Shahu Lake, the Western Xia Mausoleums, Jinshui River, Qingtongxia Gorge, Shapotou Oasis and Liupan Mountains. If you visit there, you can consider to contain them in your China travel packages.
Top 10 desserts to beat the Shanghai heat
As it is very hot in Shanghai in summer, you should avoid this season to have affordable China tours in Shanghai. But if you do come to Shanghai in summer, you should try the following cole dessert to shave off the heat.
1. Sweet soups
A dessert soup in Shanghai doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as a bowl of freshly squeezed watermelon juice with sago pearls or sweet, chilled mung bean soup (an all-time local favorite, mung bean is believed in traditional Chinese medicine to cool the body). Any Taiwanese/Hong Kong dessert place worth its salt will offer page-long variations on the magical trinity of chilled fruit, beans and jelly. We like the experimental snow white sago at Honeymoon Dessert -- a creamy, white 'soup' with chunks of banana, mango and dried longan topped with sago and basil seeds.
Honeymoon Dessert, multiple locations, 72 Wanhangdu Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu
2. Iced coffee Shanghai-style
Iced coffee offers the dual benefits of leaving you refreshed and wired to work. As a consequence, legions of Shanghai workaholics love a good, iced coffee to beat the heat. If you like creamy, try the sea salt coffee at 85 Degrees -- a milky coffee drink with a rim of foamed, savory cream. The savory and sweet blend nicely together in each sip, but this is more of a coffee-flavored pick-me-up rather than a real cup of java. For serious caffeine, try the slow-drip iced coffee at Carmo, which comes in a small pitcher and a highball glass filled with ice. Milk and simple syrup are served on the side so you can customize. It is should be have a try during your Shanghai journey, a part of popular China tour package.
3. Alcoholic tipples
Sometimes, it takes a cold, spiked drink to make the heat bearable. Enter the boozy shakes from Gourmet Cafe. They're creamy, with an almost undetectable alcohol taste, but guzzle a few too quickly, and you might get a case of the spins with your ice-cream headache. We like The Dude, a milkshake made with vodka, kahlua, cream and vanilla ice cream. Gourmet Cafe, 1/F, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu
4. Salt water ice lollies
Before the first ice cream ("zhong bing zhuan," middle ice cube) and way before Magnum bars came to Shanghai (a destinaton for top China tours), local kids went crazy for salt water lollipops -- they were rare summer treats in a time of great scarcity. This generation is now entering its golden years, but is still reaching for these RMB 1 icy lollies, a taste of childhood. The next time you're at a convenience store or your local supermarket, pick up a few of these opaque, sweet-savory, icy old-school treats. They're sublime.
Available at local convenience stores, TESCOs and Carrefours
5. Shaved ice
One of the few joys in these humid Shanghai heatwaves: you'll be able to devour a Mt. Everest of shaved ice without turning into an icicle. Shaved ice is on our list because... well, what could be more cooling than pouring ice with nubs of pudding, swirls of condensed milk and the mother lode of red beans down your throat?
For a different take on shaved ice, try Charmant's antique brown sugar chuan bin. It's an enormous crystal goblet of rough-shaved ice with a deliciously smoky, caramelized brown sugar syrup, yuanzi (glutinous rice balls), grass jelly, mung beans and tapioca pearls. Or, for those looking for classic versions of this dessert, Bellagio never fails.
6. Douhua (tofu pudding)
Locals love a big, chilled bowl of sweet douhua. It's healthier than custard (so you can eat more), and you'll hardly notice the soybean flavor in these clouds of delicate, sweet tofu. Try Bellagio's douhua -- a big bowl of fresh tofu suspended in amber, spicy ginger syrup and sprinkled with peanuts. Bellagio, multiple locations, 68 Taicang Lu, near Songshan Lu.
7. More than ice cream
A scoop of ice cream is not always enough. Sometimes you just want the drama of a sundae -- but in China, sundaes tend to be either overpriced or look better than they taste (or both). For times like these, head to InPoint Mall on Wujiang Lu. Bon Matin bakery will do you a hot bread pudding topped with a swirl of vanilla soft-serve ice cream (RMB 13). Alternatively, grab a Krispy Kreme from three storefronts down and bring it back to Bon Matin. They'll add ice cream for just RMB 5. Viola! Krispy ice cream. But bring your own chocolate sauce.
8. Mango 'smoothies'
Chunks of flavorful mango, a touch of condensed milk, soft, velvety texture. Mango puddings are summer must-haves, and we'll never get tired of them. For the best mango "smoothie" (it's so thick it borders on sorbet) in town, check out Hong Kong import Hui Lao Shan, a dessert shop with an extensive selection of mango-based desserts.
9. Gelato
No other Chinese city boasts the extensive options for gourmet gelato we see in Shanghai. This denser, more flavor-packed cousin of ice cream, gelato is popular with locals and expats alike for summer heat relief. There are many quality gelato shops around town, but we tend to turn to the people from Le Crème Milano for affordable priced gelatos and their changing fridge of seasonal flavors. Don't miss the chocolate flavor. If you're in the Fumin Lu/Xinle Lu/Donghu Lu triangle of good food and drink Voila! Bistro also serves up Le Crème Milano delicious icy treats alongside their crepes and WiFi. Le Crème Milano, 434 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Yongjia Lu
10. Young coconuts
In the summer, young, green coconuts start peeking out from among the watermelons, bananas and peaches in fruit displays. And since there are fruit sellers at almost every corner, it's hard not to be tempted by these sweet, juice-laden fruits. Buy one from your local fruit guy, stick in a straw and you'll have a healthy, natural fruit drink.
Available at fruit vendor stalls.
You can get more about the above-mentioned via China tour agents.
Hainan Riyuewan: The best surf beach in China
Surf buffs take note: you’ve got two weeks to pack for Surfing Hainan Open, China’s biggest annual surf competition held on Hainan Island which should be considered for your China vacation deals.
Known as “China’s Hawaii” (or “Russia’s Florida” depending on whom you ask), Hainan Island is probably China’s best-known tropical resort destination.
Golf, tennis, swimming and dining at hotel buffets appear to be the most popular tourist activities, but more and more visitors are also coming to ride waves.
Surfing Hainan Open’s venue Riyuewan is a 90-minute drive from the resort enclave of Sanya and is China’s top surfing destination.
Brendan Sheridan, owner of local surf shop Surfing Hainan and the organizer of the surfing competition, explains why surf riders should come hang ten on the southeast part of the island this winter.
1. Best winter getaway
Hainan is a popular winter retreat for those from colder climes, particularly mainland China and Russia.
Although in summer the south swells do provide ride-able waves, the water is a bit too calm for experienced surfers (though a great time for stand-up paddleboarding or surfing beginners).
The best time to surf Riyuewan is from October to March when the northeast swells deliver the best waves of the year.
The Surfing Hainan Open has been held in the autumn and winter for the past four years and the first Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) event tour in China was also held this past October -- the Swatch Girls Pro China Women's World Longboard Championship, won by Australian Chelsea Williams.
2. Great spot to learn surfing
You don’t need to be a world champion like Chelsea Williams to enjoy Riyuewan’s surf break.
Waves do occasionally reach overhead but are usually comfortably waist-high.
And Riyuewan’s location away from the crowds at Dadonghai , another main beach resort in Hainan for your top China tours, means you don’t have to surf in constant fear of crashing into innocent bathers, as Russian transplant (and novice surfrider) Oxana Solovyeva notes.
3. Easy paddle and fun waves
Born in Taiwan and raised in Hawaii, Sam Lawn knows his way around the waves. He’s competed in the Surfing Hainan Open on several occasions.
Today, as a busy Beijing-based executive at a social media company, he doesn’t get to ride his board as often as he likes.
“I don’t get to surf as often as I’d like to, and when I do, I don’t want to spend all day paddling out,” says Lawn.
“Riyuewan offers an easy paddle that’s good for beginners, but waves that are fun for more experienced riders, too.”
4. Accommodation for all budgets
If you’ve got the desire (and the budget) to be pampered in the lap of luxury after a long day of chasing sets, Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa is one of the finest hotels on Hainan Island.
For more moderate budgets, the 21 Hotel offers clean and reasonable accommodation for surfers just 200 meters from Riyuewan -- be sure to ask for the special rate for contestants and spectators of Surfing Hainan Open. (This year’s rate is yet to be announced, but it is usually much lower than the official rate.)
But for true beach bums, there’s only one option -- camping on the beach.
5. Beautiful scenery
Of course we wouldn’t be talking about Riyuewan at all if it weren’t a beautiful destination for popular China travel package.
As Sheridan puts it: “Nature designed the perfect surf spot with Riyuewan -- a tropical surf spot framed by a lush green headland and plenty of coconut trees, with year-round waves suitable for all surfers."
Beyond Sun and Moon Bay
Riyuewan, like much of Hainan, has undergone fairly rapid development in recent years, which included the controversial tearing down of Mama’s Restaurant, a casual open-air dining spot popular with surfers.
The beach’s evolution has its detractors.
“What was once a pristine surf spot offering a tropical island feeling, is now hundreds of square meters of asphalt parking lot, mixed with numerous multi-story cement buildings and apartment blocks,” laments Christian Ras Hafeez, CEO of Gravity Cartel.
“The true origins of this surf spot have been washed away by Chinese commercialization,” Hafeez adds.
In spite of potential shortcomings, with the best amenities for surfers and as the only Hainan beach to hold an international (or any) surf competition, Riyuewan is secure as the top destination for surfriders in China.
For more, you can contact with China travel agents.
Longjing Village: Hangzhou's ultimate green tea experience
If Marco Polo had traipsed through Hangzhou in a single day, he probably would've left the city remembering three things -- West Lake, beautiful women, and dragon well tea. Fast forward about 800 odd years and that still holds true.
One of the most prized and expensive teas in China, dragon well green tea has a light yet unmistakable fragrance and calming taste.
Known locally as Longjing, the best harvests are traditionally reserved for government officials and the wealthy elite.
And the best way to laugh in their faces and cop free samples of the stuff is to skip the storefronts and teahouses and head straight to the source -- Hangzhou’s Longjing Village for your affordable China travel packages.
Longjing Imperial Tea Garden
The most famous tea garden in the village is Longjing Imperial.
Located at the rear of the village, the tea garden is surrounded by incredibly idyllic terraces roamed by straw-hatted harvesters who pick each leaf by hand.
The grandiosely named garden is something of an out-of-the-way tourist spot, but that in no way diminishes the sheer beauty and tranquility of the place.
The compound covers a tranquil Jiangnan-style (south of Yangtze River) garden, a restaurant serving dishes cooked with Longjing tea leaves, indoor and outdoor teahouses, and a namesake well.
Great tea, even better garden
Upon entering the garden, you'll find yourself at the foot of the hill into which the entire garden has been landscaped. When visit Longjing Village, Longjing Imperial Tea Garden is a must-see for your China tours in Hangzhou.
The outdoor space is flanked by a giant teapot and a pair of traditional-style buildings looming overhead, stone stairways crisscrossing upwards and beckoning the visitor to ascend further.
Once inside, you'll find the grounds very thoughtfully laid-out, with narrow stone paths twisting alongside creeks and under traditional wooden walkways. All of these are amidst heavily forested environs that make visitors feel as if they're wandering through somebody's private hideaway.
The origin of Longjing tea's name, the dragon well, is near the entrance. Although this is not the exact well the green tea was named after -- the tea took the name of the whole village -- the resort uses the spring water from the well to irrigate its renowned tea leaves.
Grassy terraces set with tea tables made of lacquered tree trunks sit adjacent to small teahouses and the garden's tiny museum, which displays photos showing the company receiving high-ranking officials.
Follow the paths back as they wind up steps and into bucolic tea plantations that just simply scream to get lost in.
My first visit to the garden was actually in the late evening, with the trees, narrow stairways, and secluded tombs and pavilions subtly illuminated by carefully placed nighttime lighting.
A walk throughout the garden takes about 30 minutes.
Picking tea leaves at Longjing Village
To head home with some fine green leaves, you can buy Longjing tea directly from any of the villagers, who will try their best to lure you into their homes.
Prime tea harvest season is generally from late March to end of summer, with the March/April harvest fetching upwards of RMB 6,000 per kilo.
The other option is simply plucking the tea leaves yourself.
There are two ways to do this: either join a tour of Longjing with tea-picking included (the cost for an English-speaking private tour guide is around RMB 800 per day) or simply climb up into one of the surrounding plantations and politely ask one of the tea farmers if you can pick alongside them.
If you're lucky enough, you may even be invited back to the plantation owner's home to watch how the tea leaves are prepared by hand, a practice that takes years to perfect.
Getting there from downtown Hangzhou:
By bus: from the bus stop on Tiyuchang Lu in front of the post office just east of Wulin Square, take No. 28 bus to Qu Yuan Feng He stop; walk south a few meters to the Yu Quan stop; transfer to No. 27 bus and ride to Longjing Cha Shi stop; walk west to the last fork in road, turn right and go to the end to find the tea garden.
By taxi: fares from downtown should be about RMB 35-45.
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit for your popular China tours.
From Shanghai: catch the high-speed train to Hangzhou from Hongqiao Railway Station, take taxi or B2 bus to Wulin Square, then follow previous directions
China's latest boom: Museums
When it comes to number of museums, Beijing, a hot destination for popular China tours, now ranks second in the world, surpassed only by London,
London is at the top of the list with more than 300 museums, while Beijing is home to 159.
With 3,020 museums, China is well ahead of the United Kingdom, which has around 2,500 museums.
Since 2008, the Chinese government has poured money into the country's museums and memorial halls, allocating around RMB 5.2 billion ($803.9 million). More than 1,700 Chinese museums do not charge admission, representing about 58 percent of the total.
Beijing, Shanghai and Xian (a destintion for Silk Road tour) share the most interesting and exciting museums in the country from both a historical and cultural perspective. Beijing has 159 registered museums, Shanghai around 100 and Xian 47.
Of these, the following three are considered premier museums, not to be missed by visitors.
The National Museum of China, Beijing
The National Museum of China (NMC) bills itself as the largest museum in the world. Its 48 galleries house more than 1 million exhibits featuring 5,000 years of Chinese art and culture.
Shanghai Museum of Glass, Shanghai
Located in a former glass factory, the 6,250-square-meter Shanghai Museum of Glass has shifted this industrial space’s function from production to art, education and exhibition, all centered around the theme, “Glass is a language of art and science.”
A favorite area is a demonstration space for live glass-blowing shows.
685 Changjiang Xi Lu, near Gangsi Lu, Baoshan district, Shanghai (a city for China best tours )
Terracotta Warrior Museum, Xian
Visitors view the famed terracotta army in three exhibition pits, arranged in battle formation. Approximately 8,000 clay warriors and horses, and more than 10,000 bronze weapons, have been found in the pits here.
The museum -- a UNESCO World Heritage site -- is a treasure house of China’s first dynasty, Qin military affairs, science and technology and art and culture. The musueum is a must-see for those who have China tours.
East of Lintong City, Lintong District Xian, March 16-November 14, 8:30a.m.-5:30 p.m., November 15-March 15, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., December–February, RMB 120 March–November, RMB150
Old Jiading: A Shanghai day trip without the crowds
During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), a time when historic Shanghai barely existed, Jiading was already a flourishing town. Today Jiading District, located in northwestern Shanghai, is well-known as an industrial zone and also for China tourism. But the picturesque ancient town, with canals, stone bridges and a pagoda, remains a relative secret Shanghai day trip to both tourists and city dwellers.
Conveniently located at the end of Line 11, it is a tranquil spot to spend an afternoon before the weather cools down too much.
Jiading is home to one of the best-preserved Confucian temples in the country. Built in 1219, Jiading Confucius Temple shares a space with the old Confucian academy.
Three bridges adorned with small stone lions lead into the garden where the main hall is situated.
In the center of the hall sits a large statue of Confucius, flanked by displays of writings and musical instruments.
On either side of the hall are racks containing letters to Confucius, which are handwritten by students (and occasionally an anxious parent) asking for his blessing during the exam period.
The Shanghai Chinese Imperial Examinations Museum next door traces in detail the history of the imperial examinations system, which was used to select government officials and played a profound part in Chinese life and culture during its 1,300 years of existence. So you can choose it for your last minute China travel deals.
Adjacent to the temple grounds is the 400-year-old Huilongtan Pond (literally “pond where dragons meet”), which is connected to a quiet park featuring stone hills, pavilions, and even a working opera stage.
Entrance to the park is RMB 5, but the pond’s peaceful environment can be enjoyed for free just outside.
A block away from the temple, you’ll find Suzhou-esque bridges and canals lined with houses sporting traditional black-tiled roofs and wooden shutters, with only air-conditioning units to spoil the view.
Squeeze your way up the narrow steps and ladders to the top of the seven-story Fahua Pagoda for a view of the ancient town and beyond.
Built in the center of town between 1205 and 1207 and reconstructed many times since, it is now a government-protected cultural relic (a place for popular China travel package).
Mind your head: the doorways, too, were designed 800 years ago, when people were apparently much shorter.
If all that climbing and ducking leaves you in a huff, stop for a meal at one of the restaurants that overlook the canal.
Then take a leisurely stroll along the Old Street, several pedestrian-only blocks of shops and eateries.
Despite the obligatory red lanterns, the area has much less of a touristy feel than Shanghai day tips to other old towns of Qibao and Zhujiajiao.
If you are interested in this place, you can consider it to include in your China vacation packages.
The successful lift-off and docking of spacecraft Shenzhou-9 is inspiring Chinese tourists to trek deep into the Gobi desert to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the "Cape Canaveral of China."
Located in China’s northwest Gansu Province which is a destination for Silk Road travel, Jiuquan -- home to around 1 million residents -- is witnessing a tourism boom, reported by Chinese media.
Curious aerospace fans swamped the city during the launch last week, and more families are planning an “educational tour” with their children for the upcoming summer school holiday.
“I originally planned to take [my son] to Qingdao and Weihai [during the summer vacation,]” a man surnamed Zhu from Lanzhou told Lanzhou Evenning News.
“Now he wants to see the space city [in Jiuquan] and we’ll grant his wish.”
Wu, a marketing officer from Jiuquan Tourism Bureau, said that the success of Shenzhou-9 will mean a “substantial increase in tourism” for the city this summer.
Satellite center tour of China
Built in 1958, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, aka Dong Feng Space City, is the main draw of Jiuquan city.
The 2,800-square-kilometer Dong Feng is home to 30,000 scientists, soldiers and their families, and is China’s oldest and largest space launch center. It's the breeding ground and launch pad of many vital space projects, including the nation’s first man-made satellite Dongfanghong and all the Shenzhou-series spacecraft.
Part of the space city is open to domestic tourists, which includes the satellite launch site, command center, and Wentiange, where the astronauts live.
According to Jiuquan International Travel Agency, mainland Chinese tourists can tour the center after submitting their ID for permission. The space city doesn’t admit foreign travelers, but they can visit Jiuquan’s other attractions, such as a 2,000-year-old Han-style garden, Xihan Jiuquan. Space city’s last tourism craze
Industry experts said that previous spacecraft launches, such as Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8, have also increased Jiuquan’s tourism numbers, but the boost is particularly obvious with Shenzhou-9.
Chen, a local hotel owner, told the Chongqing Economic Times that the Jiuquan was enjoying its "last tourism craze" for your last minute China travel deals.
“This has been the busiest and most atmospheric spacecraft launch,” said Chen. “Jiuquan will return to peace after the Shenzhou-10 takes off.”
The newspaper reported that China is planning to shift its aerospace industry to Hainan, where the country already has a launch center near the city of Wenchang .
Jiuquan received 6.16 million domestic and international tourists in 2011. The city is aiming to raise the number to more than 8 million this year.
The space city should be contained in your China travel packages.
In 15 years of shooting and producing films in China, Noah Weinzweig has traveled throughout the country and gained access to some of its most restricted locations.
As founder of Teneighty, a production-services company, the 39-year-old Canadian helps foreign filmmakers navigate China’s tricky terrain -- scouting locations, obtaining permits and pulling guanxi for the likes of George Lucas and photographer Edward Burtynsky.
So how does this rogue traveler manage to get the impossible done? By following these simple tips for you to have an easy China tour.
Tip 1: Take the bus to nowhere
"I really don’t care about people dressed up in a bunch of embroidered clothing, you know, I live in the 21st century. I want to know about pollution, I want to know about the effects of a sprawling industrial landscape on the surrounding social politics of the area.
"When I first got to Beijing in the mid-1990s, we used to go to the end of the subway line, just to see what was there. Or a lot of the time, I would just take the bus to nowhere, because if something is in the guidebook, the original spirit of the place is already gone.
"Tourists who go off the beaten path should think of it as 'investigative journalism-lite' … while trying not to get arrested, of course. "
Destination: Take the Shanghai subway to some ridiculously beautiful sights."
Tip 2: Everything is negotiable, even fines
"I’d rather get arrested than go see some woman with bangles on her head.
"I got on the wrong bus in Vietnam once, in 1992, and ended up being arrested by the military and spending the night in jail. My French girlfriend and I spent three hours negotiating with the military.
"They wanted US$20 each, but we got them down to six bucks each, which actually ended up being cheaper than a hotel room."
Tip 3: Figure out what’s in it for them
"We state very clearly what we’re going to give people in return (for help) -- images for their own internal use, maybe a print for the CEO’s office, that kind of thing. We do give back a little bit, but we don’t give money, and I never bribe.
"Industrial tourism is growing in China, but if you’re an individual, you have to do a lot of preliminary work. You could start by contacting the upper management of the company, and say that you’re just a tourist, but you’d love to come see the process of creating this and that. And you might be successful."
Destination: Yiwu, Zhejiang. A more DIY industrial tourism destination, this city is known for its markets and for pumping out billions of pairs of socks each year. Take the train from Shanghai to New Railway Station of Yiwu.
Tip 4: A little dirt never hurt anyone
"When I was studying Chinese in 1995, there was a one-week break and I went to Datong, because I heard it was the filthiest, dirtiest place in China, or one of them.
"So I got on a train by myself, and I spent two or three days in Datong, walking around seeing a centimeter of coal dust on everything.
"We went into the coal mine areas and watched all these people come out of the mines with coal dust all over their faces, and washing up on the street.
"I just picked a dirty place on purpose, and it was fascinating"
Destination: Datong, Shanxi which is a hot destination for China vacation deals. China Eastern offers direct flights from Hongqiao to Datong Airport.
Tip 5: Mandatory guides might not be
"I took my girlfriend to Darjeeling a couple of years ago, and we needed a mandatory guide. I go trekking in the mountains for the solitude.
"I live in a city of 18 million people or whatever -- I don’t want to be stuck with some guy I don’t know, I want to be alone with my girlfriend. So we spent three hours sneaking around the border of the national park past the checkpoint, and got into the national park.
"All sorts of other groups met us on the way, with guides, and we were constantly asked where our guide was. We said we told our guide to get the hell back half an hour behind us because we want to be alone, and they all accepted that, so we got away with it for five days."
Tip 6: Follow your nose
"When I was working with the photographer Edward Burtynsky, we were detained by the police three times in one year in the same area. We were trying to shoot electronic waste -- computers and circuit boards and stuff. We found it in piles everywhere.
"We actually used our nose at certain points to track down the e-waste, because we could smell the circuit boards melting.
"It was one of the only times I’ve ever been able to use my nose in that way -- in the 21st century you don’t often have to use your primal instincts any more to find something, but it helps sometimes in China.
"Tourists may find that intuition leads them to more interesting places than they’re likely to find with Google or a guidebook."
Destination: China’s only Cultural Revolution museum in Shantou, Guangdong which is a destination for popular China tours. Close to the politically and environmentally hazardous town of Guiyu, known for its electronic waste. Fly from Hongqiao to Shantou airport.
Tip 7: Play dumb
"There are certain situations where it sometimes pays just to be ignorant and speak only English.
"When I tried to get into factories, I would call and speak Chinese first, and they wouldn’t really get me the right people to talk to, so I would call them back and start speaking English.
"All of a sudden, I’d get the senior manager of this and that who was educated at Yale, who’s very sophisticated and cosmopolitan.
"So my language strategy would change depending on how I felt about it. Tourists should also think about the context, and adjust their language strategy accordingly."
Tip 8: 'No' is just the first answer
"I’m an alchemist who turns 'no' into 'yes.' Because the first response of anyone, especially in China, when you ask them if you can bring an international artist or a filmmaker into their industrial apocalypse, they’re gonna say 'no'.
"If you’ve got a project, and it’s an interesting project for them, scouting is a good way to establish contact with a location.
"You say, 'You don’t have to say yes or no, just let me come over and see if it’s going to work for us.'
"I give them all the supporting documents. I say, this is Edward Burtynsky, this is all his awards, this is a letter from the government of Canada, this is a letter from National Geographic, this is a letter from God that says this guy is amazing.
"I build those relationships based on truth and honesty and the merits of my request. Even regular tourists should remember that persistence pays off, and it never hurts to carry official-looking documents."
Destination: Tsingtao Brewery Museum, Qingdao, Shandong. No negotiations are necessary for this entry-level industrial tour destination. Fly into Qingdao Liuting International Airport or take a long ride to Qingdao Railway Station.
The above-mentioned tips can help you to have a happy China vacation packages.
All guide to Chinese dumplings
Rice is nice, noodles are great, but if an online poll were to solicit votes for China's most rational national food, dumplings would come out way ahead.
Dumplings great and small enjoy unique names, traditions and areas where they're scarfed by the bucket-load.
Here's a thoughtfully chosen buffet of the most iconic dumplings China has to offer. And you should taste them for your China tour deals.
Shui jiao
Shui jiao, or boiled dumpling, is a staple food, especially in northern China.
During Lunar New Year, families in the north turn into super-efficient dumpling production lines -- granny rolls out the dumpling skin, mom mixes minced pork and vegetables for the filling, and the rest of the family pinching dumplings into crescent-like shapes.
Zealous cooks will hide a lucky coin inside a dumpling for a fortunate eater to find.
Laobian Jiaozi Guan in Shenyang has specialized in making shui jiao for more than 150 years. Fish shui jiao is the regional specialty.
Laobian Jiaozi Gun, 208 Zhong Jie Lu, across from Rose Hotel, Shenyang; +86 24 2486 5369; open daily, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Tang tuan or yuan xiao
Tang tuans are round, gooey soup dumplings made by enclosing a sweet or savory filling in a glutinous rice flour ball.
Popular fillings include sesame paste, powdered peanuts and sugar for sweet tang tuan, or pork with green onion for the savory kind.
Tang tuans are eaten during the Lantern Festival which are favored by some foreign tourists for their China travel packages , the last day of Lunar New Year celebrations. Their shape emphasizes a unified family.
The tang tuan shops in the Qibao Old Town boil some of the most traditional round dumplings.
Old Street Tang Tuan shops, 14 and 26 Qi Bao Lao Jie Nan Da Jie; +86 21 6459 2917; open daily 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Xiaolongbao
Cubes of meat aspic (gelatinized broth) and pork filling are carefully hand-pleated into thin Xiaolongbao wrappers and steamed.
Within that dumpling skin is a bomb of rich soup and a filling of tender pork, or pork with hairy crab meat and roe.
The fame of xiaolongbao is such that you can find the name slapped onto dubious menus throughout China.
Even in the city of its origin (xiaolongbao were invented in Nanxiang, a suburb of Shanghai), there are many takes.
Spend the day eating the various incarnations and find out your favorite or hit these xiaolongbao eateries that serve the best of those soupy pockets in Shanghai which is one must-see destination for your top 10 China tour packages.
Zheng jiao
Zheng jiaos are usually filled with a combination of minced meat and vegetables, and steamed to doneness in a bamboo round to retain the fresh flavors of the ingredients.
There are many variations -- har gow is one that's gained its own celebrity.
Zheng Jiao is often more delicate than their boiled and pan-fried counterparts.
Another well-known variety comes from Shaxian in Fujian Province. They are filled with pork or beef and hand-pleated to look like little mice.
Find these specialty zhen jiao at Shaxian Xiao Chi (沙县小吃), one of the biggest restaurant chains in China. They are everywhere, just look around the corner.
Hun tun
Hun tun, aka wonton, can be served dozens of different ways.
There are two classic types: carefully folded large wonton filled with bokchoy or wild watercress and minced pork, and “xiao wonton,” tiny dumplings floating in a fresh cilantro and sesame oil broth.
The Cantonese rendition features plump segments of shrimp in the filling and a side of egg noodles in the soup.
Sichuan cuisine offers chao shou (抄手) -- poached wontons drizzled in toasty chili oil, pepper corns, and green onion. The best is at Chen Ma Po Sichuan Restaurant (陈麻婆川菜馆) in Chengdu.
Har gow
Translucent har gow filled with chubby shrimp are the darlings of the dim sum cart.
For many, this pretty pink crescent is the gateway to a lifelong obsession with Chinese dumplings.
A top-notch har gow wrapping should be just thick enough to wedge between chopsticks without breakage -- never chewy or too sticky.
Dab them in red vinegar to bring out the flavors.
The best shrimp dumplings are in Guangdong Province, where they were first invented, or Hong Kong, where sub-par har gow aren’t tolerated. Luk Yu Teahouse in Central serves the best.
Luk Yu Teahouse, G/F-3/F, 24 Stanley St.; open daily, 7 am-10 pm; +852 2523 5464; dim sum is available until 4 p.m.
Sheng jian
The image of sheng jian is often associated with the cook at a breakfast stall taking a heavy wooden lid off of a giant black pan.
Inside, there are rows and rows of sesame and green onion studded dumplings, their bottoms searing to crispness.
Sheng jian is a Shanghainese breakfast dumpling that is fried to crustiness on the bottom, steamed to perfection on top, and eaten with vinegar.
Once you bite into the soft, mantou-like skin, there’s a meatball of seasoned pork and a flood of broth.
Xiao Yang Sheng Jian is one of the most popular in Shanghai.
Xiao Yang Sheng Jian (小杨生煎), 2/F, 269 Wujiang Lu, near Taixing Lu; +86 21 61361391; open daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Guo tie (锅贴)
Potstickers, or guo tie, are the crusty, thicker-skinned cousins of the shui jiao.
These ingot-shaped dumplings are pan-fried for a crispy bottom and steamed to doneness on top. Each one is a two-fold texture experience. They are usually made with a pork-based filling with bokchoy, leeks or cabbage.
Overseas Dragon is a chained restaurant specialized in potstickers. The guo ties at Shanghainese restaurant Xiao Nan Guo are juicy and are an ideal comfort food.
Overseas Dragon (Huaihai Dong Lu chain), 70 Huaihai Dong Lu, near Yunnan Nan Lu, Shanghai; open daily 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Xiao Nan Guo, 4/F, 9 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai; +86 400 820 9777; open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Momo
Topping off the list of Tibetan comfort foods, momo are larger, hearty dumplings that exist somewhere between a jiao zi and a samosa.
The combinations of filling are many and always spiced. Potato and minced vegetables, and ground chicken, yak, and beef flavored with ginger, coriander and garlic are popular variations.
Momo can be round or crescent-shaped. Usually they are steamed or fried, and served with a fiery homemade chili sauce (sepen) and a bowl of soothing broth.
The real deal can be found at the Snow Deity Palace Tibetan Restaurant in Lhasa.
Snow Deity Palace Tibetan Restaurant, 4 Zanyiyuan Road, west of the Potala Palace Plaza, Lhasa which should be consided to include in your China vacation packages; +86 891 633 7323; Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Shao mai
Originating from Inner Mongolia, these are money bag-shaped dumplings which gush steam from the fillings exposed on top.
In the southern Yangtze River region, the hefty shao mai are made with glutinous rice, pork, mushrooms.
There is also a smaller but visually stunning version called fei cui shao mai. Its wrappers resemble pieces of jade and are clear on top and deep green in color on the bottom.
Our favorite shao mai come from Duyichu Shaomai in Beijing, a specialty restaurant patronized by the Emperor Qianlong himself in the 1750s.
These dumplings have frilly, paper-thin flour wrappers enclosing a range of fillings that vary with the seasons.
Duyichu Shaomai, 38 Qianmen Da Jie, Beijing; +86 10 6702 1555, +86 10 6702 1671; open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Manti
Manti is the most underappreciated dumpling on this list, but the Xinjiang-style mutton dumplings are absolutely delectable and deserving of much more attention.
They are straightforward, deeply satisfying and always have that essential taste of home.
They are straightforward, deeply satisfying and always have that essential taste of home.
The best manti come from some road-side shack in Xinjiang but we have never tasted bad mantis from any Uyghur establishment.
Check out Tiyuguan Lu (体育馆路) in downtown Urumqi (which is destination for Silk Road travel) for a variety of Muslim restaurants and roadside eateries.
Zhanjiang seafood haven to satisfy foodies
You may not find the name of the city in the latest edition of Lonely Planet China, but there is no question what the main attraction in Zhanjiang is — its seafood. So you can consider it for your China vacation deals.
Fringed by the sea on three sides and with five islands just off shore, Zhanjiang has many fishing ports which supply fresh and plentiful seafood that is cheap but of high quality.
Among the many offerings are all manner of fish, shrimps and crabs, and exotic shellfish, sandworms, seaweed, abalones and sea cucumbers.
Fortunate locals love their seafood lightly cooked, usually quickly boiled to retain all the natural sweetness.
As a famous prawn-fishing area, the annual production of prawns in Zhanjiang is about 2,000 metric tons.
Most Zhanjiang chefs dry-boil the prawns, turning them bright red while retaining their flavorful taste and texture.
Dry-boiling is simply cooking the food over medium heat without adding any water, but only condiments such as garlic.
The city's famous prawns are well-known at home and abroad and have won it a huge reputation. Some believe that out of every eight prawns eaten in the country, at least one comes from Zhanjiang.
Most seafood in the city is freshly caught and is carefully kept alive until they are set on the table and feasted upon. Much of its excellence is due to the unpolluted environment.
Zhanjiang's air quality ranks among the top five in the country.
Fresh seafood is one of the best offerings of Zhanjiang. Provided to China Daily
Apart from its famous prawns, sandworm and spiral whelks are the two other famous local seafood dishes. These are often cooked in soup or porridge.
Sandworms, which look like fat earthworms, are hard to catch as they dig deep into the sand, and that makes them relatively more expensive.
They taste delicious. As you chew on the meat, the natural sweetness of the juices floods the mouth.
Other favorite food for the locals includes crabs, both the green mud crabs and the spotted sea crabs. The better quality mud crabs are also known as roe crabs, famous for its thin shell, yellow cream, delicate flesh and delectable taste.
Compared to the green mud crab, spotted sea crab is less expensive but equally good. A well-known recipe is also to dry-boil the crab, by which its flavor can be fully preserved.
Both species of crabs are a bit different from those in other places, being unique to Zhanjiang.
But, beyond all doubt, it is the oyster that Zhanjiang is most known for. In the right season, visitors who have China tours will chance upon vendors selling neatly arranged rows of oysters cooking on charcoal burners in street side shanties for midnight snacks.
The secret behind the famous oysters of Zhanjiang is not in the size but more in the simple cooking method, often using nothing but a little garlic.
It is little wonder then that there is a popular saying here: "If you want to eat really fresh seafood, don't let the fish come to you, go to Zhanjiang."
Seafood sold in Guangzhou, the provincial city of Guangdong, cannot be considered fresh, in the eyes of Zhanjiang residents. To them, it must be just out of the sea.
Apart from seafood, Zhan-jiang sliced boiled chicken is so famous that the dish is simply known as "Zhanjiang Chicken". Even in the days of bird flu spreading in other places, Guangdong people say, "No problem with Zhanjiang Chicken".
There is a missing chapter on the best seafood in Lonely Planet China, and perhaps you may want to contribute after experiencing Zhanjiang's excellent harvests from the sea, especially the oysters in summer.
If you want to know more about this place, you can contact with China tour agents
Must-see attractions in Lijiang
Lijiang is a dreamlike peaceful ancient town and one of must-see China vacation deals located in northwest of Yunnan plateau and Lijiang travel has much to offer for visitors. Along your travel to Lijiang, you would be mesmerized by the enchanting Jade Dragon Mountain, well-known Lijiang Old Town, beguiling Lugu Lake, time-weathered Shuhe Old Town, majestic Tiger Leaping Gorge, breathtaking Black Dragon Pool, ancient Baisha Village and gorgeous Basha Murals.
Besides the must-visit attractions in Lijiang, Lijiang travel also has something to offer for gourmets. The palatable Sanwen fish, savory chickpeas bean jelly, delicious Lijiang stuffed buns, mouth-watering salted pork ribs hot pot would be a great feast to your taste bud along your Lijiang travel. Stroll along the ancient street to experience the peaceful atmosphere, stand on the arched bridges to appreciate the distinctive layout of this old town, listen to the mavelous Naxi music at night to explore the profound Bongba culture. These are all what cannot be missed along your travel to Lijiang.
Lijiang travel guide offers the most essential information about Lijiang travel, such as Lijiang attractions, Lijiang tours, Lijiang food, Dongba culture, Lijiang shopping and the like. This Lijiang travel guide would be helpful for planning your travel to Lijiang.
Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town, also known as Dayan Town and always contained in top 10 China tours, is located in the central part of Lijiang City, with Elephant Hill and Jinhong Hill in north, Lion Hill in west, and boundless farmland in southeast. Lijiang Old Town is a town without city walls, which is characterized with timber-made houses, clean stone-paved paths, ubiquitous bridges and unceasing streams, brimming with laid-back and peaceful atmosphere everywhere. Lijiang is one of historical and cultural old towns in China. Lijiang Old Town including Dayan Town, Baisha Town, and Shuhe Town, was listed into UNESCO World Heritage on December 4, 1997.From that on, the local government pays much attention on development and protection of the old city. Now, with its unbeatable charm, Lijiang Old Town appeals numerous travel addicts home and abroad to pay a visit annually.
Located in Yunnan-Guilin Plateau, Lijiang Old Town has the latitude of more than 2400 meters and covers an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It was started to build in Southern Song Dynasty and boasts the history of more than 800 years, which has been an important town in east of Yunnan province since ancient times. Now more than 25000 people have resided here and most of them are Nanxi people. 30% residents still deal in traditional handcrafts, such as bronze-ware, fur, leather, spinning and brewing and the like.
Jade Dragon Mountain
The Jade Snow Mountain is the sacred mountain of Naxi ethnic minority in Yunnan, and the patron saint of Nanxi people named Sanduo is the incarnation of Jade Dragon Mountain. Every year on February 8th in Chinese lunar calendar, Naxi people would celebrate Sanduo Festival greatly to show their admiration of Jade Snow Mountain and Sanduo Saint. Because of its high latitude of 5596 meters, Jade Dragon Mountain has not been conquered by now, which makes the mysterious legends about it particularly fascinating.
The Jade Dragon Mountain is the main attraction in the Big Jade Dragon Scenic Area and should not be missed for your popular China travel package, and there are still other attractions, such as Big Ropeway Area, Maoniuping Area, Yunshanping Area, Blue Moon Valley, Ganhai Lake, Dongba Valley, Yushui Village, Dongbafang Garden, impression of Lijiang performance and the like.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
The world-renowned Tiger Leaping Gorge is located 60 kilometres north of Lijiang City of Yunnan province, which is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site. Tiger Leaping Gorge is a scenic canyon on the Jinsha River, which is the canyon with largest falls in the world. As a primary tributary of the upper Yangtze River, the Tiger Leaping Gorge is 17 kilometers in length, 1800 meters in altitude and 200 meter in drops. It is home to 18 dangerous shoals, with precipitous cliff standing on both sides solemnly.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge consists of three sections, upper gorges, middle gorger and lower gorge, which stretches totally 25 kilometers in length. The upper gorges is the narrowest section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge and in the center of it crouches a enormous rock, which cuts the tottering water into two streams and creates the deafening sound. About the name of this rock, here comes the story. As the story goes, it is across this rock that a fierce tiger jumped onto the Haba Snow Mountain and survived, hence the name "Tiger Leaping Rock". Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of best trekking and hiking route in China which attracts many adventure lovers for their China tours.
Lugu Lake
Reputed as "Pearl on Highland", Lugu Lake, also referred as Bright Lake, is located in the northwest Yunnan plateau in the centre of Ningliang Yi Autonomous County in China, 200 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town. It was listed in to 4A Scenic Area by National Tourism Beaura in November 2009. With an altitude of 2690.75 meters, it covers 48.45 square kilometers in area and 93 meters in maximum depth. Water in the lake is so azure blue that even water 11 meters beneath the surface is visible.
The Lugu Lake is the highest lake in Yunnan province, and also one of the deepest fresh-water lake in China. Surrounded by lofty mountains, Lugu Lake is home to five islands, four peninsulas, fourteen bays and seventeen beaches., which is just like a sparkling jade embedded in Yunnan Province. Some algal blooms dot the surface of the lake, Zhucao Boat, the only vehicle on the lake, float slowly and Mosuo ballad echoes around, which makes Lugu Lake a great getaway for escaping from the bustling world. Immersing yourself into this enchanting scene would never fail to be a fantastic experience. Many ethnic minority group are resided along the lake, the Mosuo, Norzu, Yi, Pumi and Tibetan for example, among which Mosuo People inhibited most. The Mosuo People still keeps the wedding custom of matriarchy, so that you can learn more customs of ethnic group to color your China vacation packages.
Things related with Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Overview
6397 kilometers long, Yangtze River, the mother river of China, ranks the largest river in Asia and third longest river in the world. Qutang gorge, Wu gorges and Xiling gorge, namely Three Gorges, are the three biggest gorges that Yangtze River flows through from Chonqing City to Yichang City. On both sides of the gorges stands lofty peaks, precipitous cliffs and towering trees, which makes Yangtze River the most spectacular attraction in China.
Cruising along Yangtze River and indulging yourself in the breathtaking scenery would never fail to be an unforgettable experience to travelers. No china trip is complete without experiencing the terrific Yangtze river cruise! Chinatour.com offers fantastic Yangtze River tours with different ships and routes, such as Victoria Cruise, Yangtze Cruise, President Cruise and New Century Cruise. About Yangtze River cruises, no matter what your preference is, Chinatour.com has something for you! Join the terrific Yangtze River cruise and enjoy your China tour!
As the China's longest and most scenically impressive river, Yangtze River offer the breathtaking scenery, breathtaking historical relics and touched stories. You can choose to embark cruise ship from either Shanghai or Chongqing to start your Yangtze River cruises. Besides destinations along the River, most of our Yangtze River tour packages also contain other hot tourist cities like golden triangle, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Pick up the right itinerary of Yangtze River cruise or cutomize a Yangtze River tour to discover the beauty of China.
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All above Yangtze River Itineraries are very inexpensive but the service can be guaranteed so that you will satisfy your China travel deals along Yangtze River.
There are many Yangtze cruise ships available on the Yangtze River, such as Victoria Cruises, President Cruises, New Century Cruises, Yangtze Cruises and the likes. Operated by different cruise companies, different ships have different routes, size, decoration, layouts, appearance, facilities and so on. Please view the flowing Yangtze cruise ships and choose your favorite. Join us and enjoy your trip!
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General Intro of Beijing Local Culture
Beijing enjoys the reputation of time-honored historical and cultural city in China and is one of must-see destination included in AFFORDABLE China travel packages. As the capital of five dynasties, Beijing preserves a large number of imperial palace, imperial gardens, temples and ancient tombs which are symbols of a cultural city. Undoubtedly, Beijing is the culture hub of China. Forbidden City, the imperial palace of Ming and Qing dynasties, well displays the traditional Chinese styles in architecture. Temple of Heaven is world-famous for its logical layout and delicate structure. Ming Tombs including 13 tombs is the biggest imperial mausoleum in Beijing. Beijing culture can also be represented by other elements such as its dialects, opera and cuisine besides the ancient buildings.
Beijing Temples and Churches
China is a country with the religious freedom and respect. As the capital of China, Beijing has many temples including Taoism, Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Islam temples, and Christian and Catholic churches. The famous Buddhist temples like Tanzhe Temple have become the hot tourist destinations. As for Taoist temples, Baiyun Temple is the best representative which is the popular destination for pilgrim not very touristy. Yonghe Lama Temple, one of popular China tours, is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in the world. One of Catholic churches is located in the area of Wangfujing. Some Christian churches can also be found in Beijing.
Beijing Dialect
Beijing dialect, is a dialect of Mandarin spoken in the area of Beijing and then became the basis of Standard Chinese, the official language of China. Beijing dialect is very similar with standard Chinese, but it is very easy to distinguish whether an individual is a native of Beijing speaking or an individual of standard Chinese.
Beijing Opera
Beijing Opera or Peking opera is very favored by Beijing locals and always watched by foreign tourists who have their best tours of China. It is a form of traditional Chinese theatre. Beijing Opera can originate from the several ancient operas in China. In 1790, 'Four Great Anhui Troupes' brought Anhui Opera to Beijing. The performance of Anhui Opera make a hit and 'Four Great Anhui Troupes' performed with Hubei troupes in 1826. The combination gradually formed into Beijing Opera. Now Beijing Opera is the national theatre style.
Beijing Cuisine
Beijing Cuisine is characterized by cooking different muttony and porky dishes. In Ming and Qing dynasties, the most imperial cooks were from Shangdong province so that some elements of Shandong cuisine integrated into Beijing cuisine. It was also combined with flavors of other cuisines like Tanjia cuisine, Islamic food and Manchu style. Beijing Duck is an iconic Beijing dish which is tasted by almost every tourist when they visit Beijing for their China tours.
Beijing Hutong
Hutongs are a kind of narrow alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard dwellings. Hutongs originated from Yuan Dynasty. According to investigation, the oldest Hutong is Sanmiaojie Hutong with history of 900 years. Dongxi Jiaomin Hutong is the longest with length of 3,250 meters. The shortest one is Qianshi Hutong only with length of 0.7 meter.
If you want to know more about Beijing culture, you can contact with China tour operator.
Article Source: http://www.chinatour.com/beijing/beijing-culture.htm
Timeless Jonang Thangkas in Tibet
More than 60 exquisite thangka paintings were exhibited in Beijing (one destination for China tour deals) at the end of 2011. Audiences were deeply impressed by their fine painting techniques and professional yet traditional craftsmanship.
These artworks were from Rangtang, a township bordering the southeastern rim of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The town has been shielded from the outside by tall mountains and precipitous paths, so it remains economically underdeveloped, yet is home to a sacred shrine of the Jonang sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the later half of the 14th century, an eminent lama of Tibetan Buddhism settled there after completing his studies in Lhasa and touring the country. His decision to stay in Rangtang made a home for the millennium-old Jonang sect and unique Jonang art which can be seen in the big monasteries in Tibet (one destination for top China tours).
Jonang thangka paintings feature vivid imagery, fine delineation, rich color, and gorgeous yet sublime style. They are very decorative, but they can also exert strong religious influence. The 47th generation doctrine-holder of the Jonang sect is a painting master himself, especially portraits. Figures in his paintings are depicted vividly with a fine and smooth style, conveying a sense of profound emptiness and peace of mind of the religion through symbolization and other expression methods. His paintings have not only shown the modern development of concepts in Buddhist art, but also the philosophy of the religion. It’s fitting that he is celebrated as a representative inheritor of the Jonang painting school.
Founded 1,027 years ago, the Jonang painting school has never stopped communicating profound Buddhist thought through thangka paintings and frescos. They have focused their brushes and colored lines on religious themes, yet also record aspects of social life in this region during particular periods.
In terms of technique, Jonang thangka paintings are divided into two categories: fine brush works in rich and heavy colors, and line drawings. Before starting to draw, a Jonang painter decides the composition of the whole picture, on basis of the size of each part of the figure he is going to paint and the ratio between them. Then, rich colors are applied to emphasize sharp contrasts with magnificent effects. Gold hues are used to highlight and harmonize the entire picture. The outline is the final touch. Gentle or sharp, thick or thin, it is important to keep the lines smooth. This is the process of how a rich-colored, fine, and elegant painting with religious influence and power is produced. In Lhasa (contained in popular China tours), you can buy small thangka as souvenir.
It should be mentioned that this art was only passed along orally by lamas in monasteries. Lamas were not willing to teach lay people the art, and secular folk were willing to pay for paintings to use in shrines for worship. This characteristic has ensured that the precious art’s purity has been preserved for over 1,000 years.
For its long history and multi-cultural identity, the Jonang painting school is recognized by the fine arts community as a “living fossil of the history of Chinese Buddhist fine arts” with a high academic research value. Therefore, preserving and passing it down have become common concerns.
According to organizers of the exhibition - the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, Aba Prefecture Cultural Bureau of Sichuan Province which is hot tourist destination to see giant pandas for your China tour, and the China Intangible Heritage Protection Center - their aim was to familiarize the public with the art in hopes of better protection of the intangible cultural heritage.
Resting in Peace - Qingyuan Town
I first experienced ancient Qingyan Town on a sunny summer afternoon. As the sun slowly slipped over the horizon, bathing the town in a glowing orange, everyone I met seemed slightly sluggish, and I started feeling a bit in slow-motion myself. While roaming aimlessly amidst the archaic stone houses, my focus was pulled to sunflowers frequently emerging from walls along with weeds peeking out of cracks. The drowsy silence was only interrupted by chirps of sparrows gliding through the pristine sky.
Qingyan is less than 30 kilometers from Guiyang, capital of China’s southwestern Guizhou Province which is always a destination of China travel deals, and modern transportation from Guiyang is convenient. Travelers often make a stop in Huaxi to try their famous rice noodles, and from there Qingyan is only 10 minutes by car. Centuries ago, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Qingyan was only a border fort, and its residents were only a few dozen soldiers. When the men gazed longingly toward their hometowns to the north, their view was blocked by the steep green cliffs of Dajiang Hill. The fort’s name became Qingyan, which literally means “green cliff.”
Over the years, the fort transformed into a bustling town populated by a variety of transient merchants, stationed soldiers, and immigrants from other inland areas. Before long, many were settling down permanently in the town, some because they fell in love with the land, and others because they sought a better life. These people became the ancestors of those who now call Qingyan home.
Guizhou’s first ever zhuangyuan (meaning “Top Scholar,” a title conferred to the highest scorer on the imperial examination), Zhao Yijiong, was born in Qingyan during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). At 29, Zhao traveled the long distance to the capital for the highest imperial examination, which led to impressing Emperor Guangxu with his distinguished literary abilities enough to earn the title of zhuangyuan. Despite his unprecedented fame in literary circles nationwide and especially in Guizhou, Zhao was not quite so successful in his official career. After retiring, he returned to his hometown and served as a teacher until his death at the age of 49. Today, his former residence is still well-preserved in Qingyan. Surrounded by courtyards shaded by laurel trees and filled with stone stairs covered with moss, the once-private mansion has been converted into a tourist destination where visitors can tour the house and even stay the night for their top China tours.
An important commercial hub of Guizhou, Qingyan attracted a considerable population of foreign missionaries by the mid-19th century. Nowadays, a stroll in the town can lead visitors past many religious structures, including not only Buddhist and Taoist temples, but also Christian cathedrals.
The town retains its original layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Lining its stone-paved streets are countless shops, many of which preserved authentic wood or stone counters to display local products, crafts, and ethnic costumes and accessories. Typically, teahouses and restaurants are decorated with traditional wood signs, which fuel the nostalgic aura. They are complemented by plentiful memorial archways, of which the most famous is for Zhao Lilun, a villager who is thought to have lived for 102 years. Its stone-carved lions were highly praised by Liu Haisu, a prominent Chinese artist.
Qingyan features many tofu workshops that still use manpowered stone mills. In one workshop, an elderly woman was pushing a stone mill, as white soybean juice dripped from it. The hospitable shopkeeper treated me to a bowl of fresh tofu. The delicious treat stimulated my appetite, so I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around town tasting local snacks such as rose candy, pear wine, rose wine, and salted pork.
Visitors to the ancient town will encounter dogs sleeping in streets, roadside fortune tellers eager to reveal the future, elderly artisans crafting wood barrels, and local women embroidering butterflies, as they haggle with peddlers about the prices of never-before-seen foods and vegetables or crash a local wedding (strangers are often welcomed to take part in the feast). Most tourists who have China tour packages feel lucky enough to visit leave with a spiritual comfort from experiencing a completely different way of life.
At dusk, I turned back from outside the ancient town’s south gate to marvel at the gate tower glowing magnificently in the rays of the setting sun. A stone wall stretched from the tower and disappeared below the horizon. A plaque on the gate tower reading “Guang Ding Gate” gradually disappeared into the encroaching darkness.
As black settled over the land, frogs in paddy fields began to sing. On their way home, farmers passed through the gate with hands clasped behind their backs. A shepherd led his flock with a flute, and the melodic whistle inspired birds to hover over the woods.
Qingyan was just one stop on my journey across southwestern China. Throughout my life, I have visited many other ancient towns, but in my memory, none rival the peacefulness and tranquility of Qingyan.
China Travel Tips
How to Get There:
The ancient town of Qingyan is about 29 kilometers south of urban Guiyang. A bus leaves downtown Guiyang for Qingyan every five minutes, and a single-trip ticket is only 10 yuan. Tourists can also take a taxi, which costs about 100 yuan.
Where to Stay:
Visitors are recommended to spend a couple of days traveling around Qingyan. The town’s plentiful hotels are affordable, with a standard room rates at about
20-30 yuan per night.
What to Eat:
Qingyan is particularly notable for its local foods. Traditional snacks feature no exotic ingredients, but rather only locally grown grains and household livestock. Thanks to the superb cooking techniques developed by of local chefs, the native snacks are popular with both locals and tourists. Along with famous local snacks such as fried tofu balls and sticky rice porridge, Qingyan is also noted for sugared pork and fish in sour soup. Additionally, wild vegetable dishes are often seen on local dining tables.
By comparision with the towns along Silk Road tour, you will feel a great difference.
Chakpori: Faith Shines in the Dark
In Lhasa, west of the famous Potala Palace (one of destination of top 10 China tours) is another historic landmark, although this one is more natural than man-made. Chakpori Mountain is considered sacred by many, and once served as home to one of Tibet’s best-known medical schools. At Mentsikhang, as it was known, one could find the best local doctors around. Over the years, the school evolved into a hospital, and now the location remains a renowned medical hub and a traditional Tibetan hospital just west of Jokhang Monastery.
Locals recommend waking up early to scale Chakpori to get the best view of Potala Palace. Under the bright morning sun, the magnificent structure appears more terrestrial. Compared to other mountains, Chakpori offers an unparalleled fusion of faith, human achievement, and natural beauty. Monasteries, stone carvings, and pious worshippers are all common pieces of the wealth of scenery along the road leading to the mountain. Additionally, the mountain lies along one of Lhasa’s most well-trodden paths of circumambulation (a religious activity of circling a sacred shrine). On the 15th day of the fourth month of each Tibetan calendar year, throngs of pilgrims congregate at the mountain to celebrate the Saga Dawa Festival.
Chalalupu Monastery
A well-preserved monastery on the eastern side of Chakpori is known as Chalalupa which is attractive for China tour visitors. Also called the Chalalupu Grottoes, the structure covers a compact area of only 27 square meters. A stone pillar at the entrance marks the start of a narrow lane used for circumambulation. The wall is decorated with 69 stone sculptures depicting figures such as King Songtsen Gampo and his wife, Princess Wencheng.
Songtsen Gampo (617-650) was the reigning king of Tibet when the tiny monastery was constructed over 1,300 years ago. After enduring unimaginable ups and downs over the centuries, the hardy monastery remains in good shape. According to historical records, one of Gampo’s concubines contracted artists to carve Buddha statues on the cliffs of Chalalupu. For each pound of rock they chipped away, craftsmen would receive a pound of salt, a commodity in short supply at that time. The savvy move considerably enhanced the efficiency of the project compared with similar endeavors of the time.
In years past, worshippers could be found at any time on any of the many circumambulation roads in Lhasa. Over its course of development, however, Lhasa changed considerably, and many such roads have disappeared. Only the road circling Chakpori remains unchanged, so its presence tends to move many Tibetan Buddhists and first-time visitors. Under the bright, high-altitude rays of sunshine, worshippers carefully and solemnly prostrate using their entire body. Even from afar, the sound of their kowtows can be heard echoing through the air.
Stone Carving
Chakpori’s stone carvings have enjoyed a lengthy history, with the oldest traced back to the King Songtsen Gampo era. Over the centuries, stone sculptures have covered a length of nearly 1,000 meters. Combined with sutras and colorful Buddha statues gracing the cliffs, the whole mountain becomes quite spectacular so many tourists contain it on their list of China tour packages.
The responsible craftsmen, whose painstaking efforts to illustrate their faith on the mountain, are worth noting. Most contemporary artists are able to make a living by carving, and many talented craftsmen from a wide area relocate to the mountain once they are hired. A craftsman’s daily routine normally involves inscribing sutras and Buddha images on flat slates. Most of their time is spent on the sutra Kangyur, an epic and perennial project. Additionally, they will take freelance projects from locals, most often involving inscribing other sutras used in praying for happiness or health.
One such craftsman is named Yugya. The perpetually grinning man moved to Lhasa ten years ago and has been employed as a stone engraver ever since. Now, his second daughter is three years old and often plays at the foot of Chakpori. Yugya spends most of his time engraving, making it an indispensable facet of his life. When speaking of his work, the man can hardly conceal his passion and devotion.
Still, engraving is a tedious process with monotony only broken by various noises. Those employed in the discipline, however, consider it a blessing to be able to make a living in such a position. For them, every shrill noise is easy on the ear.
Story of a Stupa
In Chakpori, tourists will find a slate stupa, a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics. On each piece of slate is an inscription of Kangyur. Worshippers from near and far make pilgrimages to Lhasa to visit the stupa and find spiritual comfort. Daten Dawa, who constructed the stupa years ago, has devoted his life to his faith.
Years ago, when he was 40, Dawa set off for Lhasa from his hometown of Yushu in Qinghai Province which is less-visited by tourists for China vacation deals. During the entire trip, he continuously made full-body prostrations. At the time, his daughter was 20 years old. Like many other pilgrims, he moved cautiously and counted his footsteps carefully. Every night before sleeping, he would use a stone to mark the ground to make sure he never missed a step or two. Along the way, Dawa’s daughter became a mother, making him a new grandfather. Two years later, his entire family arrived in Lhasa. After visiting every monastery they could find, the group decided to stay permanently. “I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” he recalls.“I just wanted to stay in Lhasa and build a stupa for Chakpori.” Dawaspent the next ten years raising funds for the stupa and building the structure. Over the years, even in the foulest weather, Dawa could always be found at the foot of Chakpori ready to welcome any who were willing to donate money to help his project become a reality.A decade later, the stupa, with every slate inscribed with sutra, was completed for all to enjoy.
Tips:
Transportation: Chakpori faces the Potala Palace, and is only a short walk from the palace.
Tickets: Visiting Chakpori is free of charge.
Suggestions: Leave the high heels at home, because tourists will need to do some hiking to get to the top. Be wary of altitude sickness and avoid excessiveexercise or walking during a visit.
Chapori is always packed with people in the morning, as manyphotographers like to shoot Potala Palace at dawn. Still, those desiring to witness or capture the most beautiful images are recommended to visit early in the day.
If you are interested in Chakpori, you can consider the China travel group perchase which save you more money.
Back to the Stone Age-Baoshan Stone Village
Discovered by European backpackers a few years ago, Baoshan Village soon became a hot tourist destination for adventurous visitors to Yunnan which are always contained in China vacation deals. To enter from the south, one must scale stairs that end at a narrow lane leading into the village before the town’s narrow crisscrossing alleys and neat rows of buildings are visible. The village is home to about one hundred Naxi households, who use the rough narrow stone roads to reach every corner of the village. Erected against stones, most of the village’s homes are vintage two-story abodes representing typical Naxi architectural style. Propped up by several wood pillars, the first story is walled with stones unearthed from the foundation. The second floor is composed entirely of wood and roofed with black tiles.
One of the older homes in the village serves as a stone museum. Many of the artifacts collected in the house were carved from stone, vividly depicting the rich stone culture of Baoshan. Natural cliffs serve as three of the house’s walls, only slightly polished by the owner. In the kitchen, a water tank measuring 50 centimeters in diameter was carved from a huge stone. Atop another massive hollowed-out rock that serves as an oven rest several stone bowls. In another room, two beds are made of stone. It seems that time was frozen in the Stone Age. Dozens of years ago, every family in town utilized stone tanks, ovens, bowls, and beds, but in recent years, those items were replaced by more modern amenities such as ceramic bowls and gas-powered ovens. The modern appliances brought great convenience to village natives.
Residents are savvy farmers. Even though their houses sit atop a rock, they still manage to tame the land around it. Every arable slope in the village is cultivated into terraced fields. Baoshan’s terraces are nourished by an innovative irrigation system. Normally, gravity causes water to flow downward only after the upper fields are irrigated. In Baoshan, however, the fields are linked to hidden canal networks. After the upper fields receive substantial irrigation, that particular outlet can be closed and all of the water can be funneled straight to the lower fields. The design prevents fertilizer fights between patches and embodies the ancient wisdom of the Naxi. The fields primarily produce rice, wheat, and other grains. When wheat and rice mature in May and October, respectively, the village appears like a giant vessel floating on golden waves of crops. These are the best times to take a visit to Baoshan Stone Village and you can list it as your best tours of China.
China Travel Tips
Transportation
From Lijiang, travelers must pass Ganhaizi, Mingyin, and Baoshan townships before arriving in the stone village, 110 kilometers away. The road linking Lijiang to Mingyin is asphalt, but the section between Mingyin and Baoshan Township is currently under construction to expand the narrow passage. From Baoshan Township, a gravel road finally leads to the stone village. At Sifangjie Station of Lijiang, travelers can rent vehicles to take them to Baoshan Township. Rental fees are 250 yuan a day for a small van and 300 yuan a day for a car. The rate will increase during peak seasons.
Accommodation and Food
The village’s five family hotels include an inner village inn and charge about 50 yuan per night during non-peak periods. Meals are available there. Many small village shops can provide other goods and services.
Communication
Mobile phones operated by China Mobile get reception. Landlines cannot be used.
You can contain this village in your China travel packages.
Rongbuk Monastery
In the Hollywood blockbuster, 2012, a global mega-disaster predicted by the Mayans brings the end of the world. A worldwide flood reaches as high as the snow-capped mountains of Tibet, submerging Rongbuk Monastery, the highest temple on earth. Cho Ming, mankind’s final refuge in the film, is only fictional, but Rongbuk Monastery is the real deal. But Rongbuk Monastery is not a top China tours destination.
At an elevation of 5,154 meters, Rongbuk Monastery grips the slope of the Himalayas, facing Mount Everest. The sky-high monastery sheltered by the world’s tallest mountain didn’t see many visitors until a decade ago. As increasing numbers of pilgrims start making the trek to reach it, the once-tranquil monastery has become more and more bustling.
The earliest outsiders to visit were mountain climbers, both from China and abroad, who took advantage of its convenience as a base camp before embarking up the hill to Everest. As the mountain became a hotter tourist destination, great numbers of visitors from every corner of the world could be found there. Some came to pay homage, some sought adventure, and others were lured by curiosity for a mysterious land. Whatever their reasons for making the journey, all of them took refuge in Rongbuk. In July and August, peak months for Everest tours of China, the monastery accommodates more than 100 tourists at a time. Pilgrims leave piles of mani stones under a white pagoda just outside the monastery, along with a few Christian crosses and stones etched with a wide variety of languages including English, Japanese, and Italian.
I visited Rongbuk last October. At the foot of the snowy peaks, the monastery gave off a particularly peaceful and serene aura. Although the temperature had already dropped, the sun remained generous. The moment I entered the courtyard of the monastery, my eyes met several lamas and nuns enjoying the afternoon sun, chatting with each other in their dark red robes. Although their language was totally unintelligible to me, their peaceful smiles communicated plenty. Dozing off under the sharp rays, a puppy leisurely rested at their feet. A moment later, a flock of pilgrims streamed into the monastery, and I guessed that they finally concluded an epic journey from the excitement and piety in their eyes.
Erected in 1899, Rongbuk Monastery was founded by the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. When measured against Tibet’s other famous temples, its history is comparatively modest. The five floors of its primary structure grace the north slope of Everest, but only two levels remain in use. In its heydays, the temple was a labyrinthine complex with more than 20 halls, housing 300 monks and 300 nuns. Now, only 20 permanent residents live there.
After scaling a stone staircase, I reached the Prayer Hall. Murals flanking its gate stunned me with striking colors and realism. As I entered the hall, however, the murals became even more vivid, covering all of the interior walls. In 1983, the murals were touched up to ensure the colors remain vibrant. Their most eye-catching figure must have been the god of wealth. Virtually every Chinese visitor, either Tibetan or Han, is compelled to bow to the god to pray for blessings.
To the right of the Prayer Hall, a stairway leads to another hall that houses a golden statue of Padmasambhava, the founder of the Nyingma sect. Rays of sun knifed through the windows, lighting up the entire hall. When I entered, a lama was carefully adding fuel to ghee lamps in front of the statue.
Adjacent to the Prayer Hall is the Sutra Library. Its layout is similar to that of the Prayer Hall and its walls are also decorated with murals. A row of bookcases containing Buddhist sutras rests in the front. When I arrived, a lama was studying sutras wrapped with yellow cloth.
The fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar marks the birthday of Buddha Sakyamuni. On that day, Rongbuk Monastery becomes packed with people ready to celebrate. Nearby Tibetans arrive a day in advance. They bring zanba (roasted barley flour, a Tibetan staple) and butter tea, set up tents outside the monastery, and decorate them with colorful banners and prayer flags that flutter in the wind.
Lamas celebrate Buddha’s birthday by performing the traditional Cham Dance. The dance begins with long trumpets played by monks wearing yellow, cockscomb-shaped hats. The lama who appears first wears a huge red mask and plays the majestic Buddha. When he reaches the center of the monastery’s courtyard, he stands and begins beating a gong. Then, ordered by age, other lamas enrobed in beautiful gowns emerge. As they dance around a tall pole decorated with prayer flags of yellow, red, and blue, the audience bursts into thunderous applause. Accompanied by trumpets, horns, and gongs, every lama immerses himself in the movements.
A rumor holds that an older monastery also called Rongbuk is hidden higher in the mountains. Only if that rumor were true could such a high place exist with greater peace and tranquility. The monastery is right for your hiking and trekking included in your China travel packages.
Travel Tips
Mount Everest is strikingly visible near Rongbuk Monastery. In fact, many professional mountaineers consider the monastery the best place to view Everest, especially at dawn and dusk. A two-hour walk or 15-minute drive will get you from the monastery to Everest Base Camp.
In addition to a nearby hostel run by local Tibetans, the monastery (although not suitable for China travel deals) also offers accommodations for tourists. Each bed costs 30-40 yuan, but tourists are suggested to make reservations in advance during the peak season from May to August. Renting a car is the best way to reach Rongbuk.
The Ear-Shaped Lake in Yunnan
Located northwest of downtown Dali City in southwestern China’s Yunnan Province which is always contained in AFFORDABLE China tours sits an expanse of crystal clear water. Since its shape is similar to a human ear (the word “ear” is pronounced “er” in Chinese), it was named Erhai Lake. Every year, flocks of visitors come to explore ancient towns, villages, caves, crags, marshes, shoals, and woods scattered along its 18-mile shoreline.
Ancient Xizhou Town
One such ancient town worth visiting is Xizhou. Situated on the south bank of the lake, Xizhou is a tourist favorite for its distinctive dwellings in the architectural style of the local Bai ethnic group. More than 80 different Bai dwellings can be found altogether. Except for the residences of the Yan, Dong and Yang families which charge admission, most others allow free entry if the manager is informed in advance and visitors promise not to disturb residents’ lives. Each complex features its own distinct characteristics, illuminating the respective mindset of each builder.
Sifang Street, the center of the town, features a high concentration of eateries, the majority of which serve “Xizhou Momo,” a local snack in the shape of a bun. Down nearby lanes, visitors can find a few antique shops and crude pottery workshops. The workshops produce ceramic jars with elegant decorative patterns which locals use to make pickled vegetables, and which many bars in the Ancient Town of Dali use as vases or ash trays. The jars sell for only three to five yuan each.
During harvest season, visitors to have China tour will find the town, also known for delicious rice, surrounded by a sea of golden waves.
Small Shuanglang Village
Across the lake from Xizhou, on the northeastern bank, rests Shuanglang. The single road that provides access to the village also serves every circular tour of the lake. All farmhouses of the village pop up near the road.
Shuanglang is probably the most attractive stop on a tour of the entire lake. Its simple waterfront tranquility is the stuff that dreams are made of. Its long cultural tradition is evident in many of its farmhouses. Most homes dotting the shoreline feature a vegetable garden in the front and a cattle shed in the back. Some houses have been named, and one farmer even hung a plaque with the name of the house and a short poem.
Complementing the cottages, the village’s many elegant villas function as private clubs. Standing high atop solid rocks in the dense green woods facing Erhai Lake, most villas provide a wide view of the lake. However, the rocks, trees, bushes, and even wild flowers surrounding the villas remain in their natural state for your popular China tours.
Busy Wase Market
With rich produce and convenient water and land transportation, Wase has traditionally served as the distribution and trade hub on the east bank of the lake. Today, its vitality is as strong as ever, with various shops and vendors crowding the small streets to sell every conceivable commodity from clothes to metals and needles.
Wase is a prosperous area. Unlike neighbors on the west bank, Wase residents not only grow rice on their stretch of fertile land, but also tobacco. When the rice turns golden, it also heralds harvest season for tobacco. Tobacco leaves can be seen everywhere: stacked tall on carts creeping down country roads or densely piled on bamboo shelves to dry.
Known as a town of “rice and fish,” Wase also produces aquatic products. According to local fishermen, the larger fish they catch are sent to Kunming for better prices, while small fish and shrimp are sold to local restaurants or snack booth owners at Dali’s night food market. Erhai shrimp is a local signature dish. Some small fish and shrimp are sold in the marketplace, where businessmen often opt to dry them or make fish paste for easier delivery to more distant domestic and international markets. Strolling along the lakeshore, visitors can see fishermen harvesting their catches and drying their nets in the sun. And they all seem organized, clad in the same water-proof gear and equipped with modern tools.
To urbanites, the circular lake tour is impressive. Many return in a couple of years due to a lingering longing for the shimmering lake, smoke swirling over lakeside cottages, fragrance of rice, and villages full of life and cultural ambience.
You will have a different travel experience here from that of Silk Road tours.
Rainforest Sanctuary in China
Morning arrives late in Mekong Villa. Around 9:00 a.m., long after sunshine begins penetrating the thick layers of trees to caress forest roads, the new day begins. Ten years ago, Dr. Josef Margraf and his wife, Li Minguo, built a villa amidst a rubber plantation. Now, the former plantation is home to more than 600 varieties of plants. Actually, the place looks like more of a poetic model for human living, with various trees, flowers, and other creatures living together harmoniously. Here you can have a China tour.
Josef Margraf was born in Munich, Germany, in 1953. He passed away in China in 2010 after a heart attack. Greatly influenced by German environmentalism, Margraf’s passion for biodiversity and the environment began at an early age. He received a master’s degree in ecology and a doctorate in tropical agriculture from the University of Hohenheim. In 1989, as a trained biologist, Margraf created a new way to recover and renew rainforests on Leyte Island in the Philippines. His work is highly regarded by European Union and became a model for biodiversity and rainforest restoration. In 1997, he was assigned by the German government to lead a panel on rainforest protection in China.
In China, Margraf married Li Minguo, a woman from the Naxi Ethnic Group. They met at a reception for the Peruvian ambassador ten years ago. “I just knew this man was precious,” recalls Li. She adds that Margraf possessed true inner strength, and after they got together, the couple rarely parted. “Rather than promises of wealth, my husband brought me countless surprises and possibilities.”
Away from the chaos of metropolis, Margraf and Li settled in Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna(listed as top China tours), and established their home, Mekong Villa, on the Lancang River. The area was formerly a rubber plantation. Little by little, the couple transformed the land into a private garden with more than 600 varieties of plants.
Now, with visuals dominated by greenery, serenaded by birds singing, it is hard to imagine that once only rubber trees could be found there. The couple chopped down the rubber trees with help from family and hired workers, leaving only a handful to commemorate the past. Margraf conceived the idea of restoring the rainforest through interplanting.
Except for the rubber trees, every plant at Mekong Villa was brought from outside by the couple. Li explains that the species were once familiar to the area, and finally came home. Lands ruled by rubber trees are usually barren, so extra care was taken when the flora was planted.
Through painstaking efforts over several years, a self-supporting ecosystem was established and the forest became fertile. Saplings sprouted up, bore fruit, and gradually multiplied. Greater numbers of squirrels, birds, and butterflies settled there, which enhanced pollination. The couple’s relationship with nature grew closer as the empty space in the forest disappeared. Their patience was rewarded with gifts from nature.
Located on mountain slope, Mekong Villa was designed after the local fence style. A fence-style structure is supported on poles. Li, as a native to the area, knows well the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional architecture and improved the structure based on her life experience and inspiration. Chinese screens, long tables, stools, and decorations in Margraf and Li’s home were built with unfinished wood or tree roots. The couple believed that work of human hands can never compete with natural beauty. A long wooden table in the house measures more than a meter wide and more than two meters long, and serves as an ideal location for guests and friends to enjoy wine, chat, and work. The table has never been polished, and retains easily spotted wear evidencing its long-term service to the family. Margraf believed these marks to be the memories of wood.
After spending a few days in the villa and strolling around, visitors will be moved by the hosts’ passion for nature. About every 10 meters, a large stone vat or ceramic jar full of water is found, with beautiful aquatic plants floating on the surface. The water is provided for animals, and squirrels can often be found sipping from the container. A corridor shielding wind and rain connects the kitchen to the main house. Tiles on the corridor were produced at a low temperature in furnace. Although few use this kind of tile today, such corridors are ideal for flowers. Every April and May, orchids bloom up and down the corridor. In the forest, a small pavilion can be found, with a ceramic plaque showing the villa’s name. Full of children’s toys, the pavilion was built by Li for her two daughters.
In 2008, the couple traveled to Xishuangbanna’s Bulang Mountain (where you can have popular China tours) to investigate ancient tea gardens and the local ecosystem. The mountain had become barren due to frequent forest fires. However, the couple happened upon a well-preserved virgin rainforest deep in a valley that protected it from fires. The couple became determined not only to protect the forest in the valley, but also to transform the wasted land on Bulang Mountain into rainforest using verdant trees from the valley. After negotiating with the local government, the couple was granted permission to establish a conservation zone. Full of excitement, the pair soon leased six square kilometers of land from Laobanzhang Village to establish their sanctuary.
At first, even Li herself thought the idea was crazy. With forest coverage at only 16 percent, the land they leased stood at an altitude of 1,600 meters and covered an area 500 times larger than Mekong Villa. A drive from their home to the new land took six hours. When rainy season arrived, the rugged mountain road became nearly impassible. Even a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle was frequently stuck in the mud. Despite the difficulties, the couple remained committed to the work. Long-term workers were not easy to hire, so veteran gardeners of Mekong Villa were dispatched to care for the land. Saplings were moved from the mountain’s foot to top and replanted. Seeds from existing trees and native saplings were carefully collected and moved. Since beginning of rainy season served as a good time to plant tress, the couple hired more than 30 seasonal workers, all of whom were villagers from near Bulang Mountain, to do the work. During the process, Margraf suddenly suffered a heart attack and died soon thereafter. Convinced that her husband wouldn’t want their forest dreams to die with him, Li stayed committed to the cause. A large fire followed, which made the whole process even more daunting.
Li exhibited a strong will. Overriding objections, the new widow used every tool at her disposal to keep the conservation zone alive. Today, with forest restored, a totally independent vibrant ecosystem has been established on the mountain. Water from a river flowing through the valley provides ample power to nurture the entire conservation zone. Hot water is provided by a solar heating system. Various vegetables are planted in the fields and picked from forests, all organic and natural. Chickens, ducks, and pigs are also raised here, which are not only enjoyed by those near the conservation area, but any surplus is transported to Mekong Villa.
For the future, Li has already developed a blueprint in her mind. She and her colleagues want to make the conservation zone the best reproduceable rainforest model in the world, and promote Margraf’s forestation methods to every Chinese botanical garden. Combining family and work, Li is preparing to make a film with her two daughters. While friends and relatives advise her not to put too much pressure on herself, Li believes that aiming high produces a better harvest. For a forest, even a century is not long. Like planting trees and building homes, the first step is the hardest. Things become easier after everything is set on the right track.
If you want to know more, you can contact with China tour agents
The Fortress Village in China
Customs related with Qingming Festival.
Many tourists have a China tour for some traditional customs and culture. The following give the customs during Qingming Festival.
The earliest Chinese kites were made of wood and called Mu Yuan. Mu means wood and Yuan means sparrow hawk, a type of bird. So Mu Yuan means wooden sparrow hawk.The invention of paper did not escape the attention of kite makers and soon the kite was called Zhi Yuan. Zhi means paper, so Zhi Yuan means paper sparrow hawk. Kites were not just used for fun. They were also used for military purposes. There are historical records describing enormous kites, some of which are large enough to hife a man high in the air to observe enemy movements.
About 1,500 years ago, Emperor Wudi was surrounded in Nanjing (listed in top 10 China tour packages) by the rebel troops. He used a kite to send out an SOS for outside help. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), people began to attach thin bamboo strips to kites. When the kite was high in the air, the wind would make these strips vibrate, producing a low-pitched twanging noise, very like that of the Zheng, a Chinese stringed instrument. Thereafter, another popular Chinese name for kite was Feng Zheng, which means “wind Zheng”.
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), people would fly their kites as high as possible,then let go of the string. Off went the kite, taking with it bad luck and illness. Conversely, to pick up a kite lost or released by someone else could bring bad luck.
Some enthusiasts enjoy flying kites at night. They hang small colored lanterns on the string with candles burning inside. With dozens of kites up together, arc lines of flickering multicolored lights decorate the night sky.
Visitors should go to Tian'anmen Square (a must-see for AFFORDABLE china tours) to see kites of all shapes and sizes. The biggest could be a hundred meters long, made of a hundred sections to form a dragon or even a centipede. The Weifang Kite Festival held every April in East China's Shandong Province has become a major event, attracting thousands of tourists and kite flying competitors all over the world.
Chengdu: The Performing Arts
Visitors to Chengdu will undoubtedly see and hear Sichuan folkore, dance, and music after a trip to nightclubs or temples . However, the Sichuan Opera is an especially brilliant art form in Chengdu and must be watched for your China tours.
The Sichuan opera originates from the Qing Dynasty (1650-1910). During the latter part of the Dynasty, immigrants brought several dramatic arts with them to Chengdu. Native Sichuans quickly united their own dialect and traditions with foreign, artistic customs.
Local masters have perfected the dramatic techniques of Chinese opera over the years. The changing faces (bianlin) technique is the most well known and a very complicated gesture. It gains its inspiration from ancient Sichuan dwellers who used face paint to frighten wild animals. This technique attracts so many tourists from China vacation packages.
It traditionally entails a hidden mechanization of lightweight, silk masks or instaneously blowing powdered makeup onto the actor's face. Theaterical lighting designers can now introduce laser and light effects to enhance the changing faces. Still, a significant component of the bianlin technique relies upon the actual actor.
Contemporary professional troupes entertain audiences in variety of settings. Outdoors, formal theaters, and tea houses are some of the more common places visitors can watch the Sichuan Opera. Sichuan Opera Theater, Shunxing Tea House, and Shufeng Yayun Garden regularly host operatic performances for China vacation deals.
Sisters’ Meal Festival: a guide to rice courtship in China
If you happen to visit China in April, you should consider Sister's Meal Festival
Location: Shīdòng, China
Dates: Begins on the 15th day of the third lunar month (usually mid- to late April)
Level of participation: 1 – watch love weave its spell
Love is in the air in this courtship ritual in eastern Guìzhōu(always contained in private tour of China), when young Miao (or Hmong) women and men set about finding themselves partners through the medium of sticky rice. To a soundtrack of music from the lusheng (a reed instrument), and amid dancing, paperdragon fights and buffalo fighting, the young Miao women dress in exquisite embroidery and kilograms of silver jewellery (the Miao believe that silver can dispel evil spirits).
Their suitors come like Don Juans, serenading the women and presenting a parcel of dyed rice to the ladies who have taken their fancy. The women hand back different parcels of rice. Inside, like a fortune cookie, are a variety of unspoken messages. If there are two chopsticks in the rice, it’s an acceptance of the proposal, while a single chopstick is a polite refusal. A chilli is the most definite of rebukes.
Essentials: To reach Shīdòng travel through Táijiāng. Minibuses between the two take around two hours.
Local attractions: Shīdòng is a good place to buy inexpensive embroidery and silver after your tired China vacation packages here. There’s also a local market held every six days.
Facts of Ali Mountain in China
Alishan (Ali Mountain) is the most famous scenic spot for China travel packages which is formed by Dawu Mountain range, Jian Mountain, Zhu Mountain and Ta Mountain. 18 large mountains, stretching from Nantou to Jiayi in two counties. It takes 4 hours by mountaineering train from Jiayi County to reach Alishan scenic spot. There are connected mountain peaks low and high, streams and ponds. Vertical and horizontal in the area, which have not only utter danger of sheer precipices and overhanging rocks, but also the elegance of flying waterfall in deep valleys. The highest peak is 2663 meters above sea level. The mountain is well known to the whole world for its four beautiful scenes of mystical tree, oriental cherry, a sea of clouds and sunrise, thus goes the saying; "Those who haven't been to Alishan can not know the beauty of Taiwan."
The railway leading to Alishan is 72 km in total. It starts from the space 30 meters above sea level and rises up to 2450 meters above sea level, the gradient of which is so big that is rare in the world. From the mountain foot to the peak, train ascends as if it were travelling spirally along "winding staircase". Circling mountain and warming itself into tunnels, striding valley, with birds hovering below the train wheels. Along the route of ascending in a few hours, one can enjoy the scenery of vegetation of four categories in tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and frigid zones. Those rare and grotesque trees form the "green sea" on the Alishan. When the mountain wind blows hard, the mountain forest, like terrifying waves, makes big loud thunder, which is the famous soughing in the forest trees of vast area in Alishan.
Every tourist who have joined AFFORDABLE China travel packages for Alishan is interested in witnessing the majestic view of "Mystical Tree of Alishan". On the east side of the Mystical Tree Railway Station of the main Peak of Alishan, there stands a sturdy towering tree slightly slant. Although the main trunk is broken, yet the branches on the top are green and verdant. The tree is about 52 meters high and the diameter is about 23 meters, which needs ten more people to jointly embrace it. It is estimated that its high age is 3000 odd years, a king tree in Asia.
The oriental cherry all over the slopes of Alishan is also a wonder. During spring, red and white oriental cherry blossoms up hill and down dale, crowding together gorgeously. They mingles with the verdant forest, as if the peaks of Alishan had been splendidly attired in green clothes dotted with red flowers, making one intoxicated.
In the evening, there appears often the magnificent sea of clouds in Alishan. Reaching the terrace at the peak, when one looks far into the distance, he can see the white clouds emerging form valleys and hovering with wind. Sometimes it looks like a vast expense of water drowning mountains and peaks, making pinnacles and tops of trees above turn out like floating islets. Sometimes it looks like waves breaking and foaming with tides high and low. Sometimes it looks like earth covered with cotton, and you feel a vast expanse of whiteness under you feet. When it is fine day, the verdant sunset-bathed sea of cloud glitters in different colors, dark-brown, apricot pink, sapphire blue, bright red and dark green, all changeable without end, it appears more mystical and attractive. The view is very splendid and attracts so many tourists to have private China tours here.
There is a beautiful sun observation tower on the terrace of the famous Zhu Mountain peak of Alishan. At the crack of dawn, if you ascend the tower in the midst of freshness of air, you can see the grey outline of Yu Mountain far away would suddenly be edged with golden glow when radiance, increases all of a sudden. At the very moment, the sun as if jumps out off the top of Yu Mountain, shining with boundless radiance to all sides, myriads of golden rays burst one after another from blue mountain and verdant valley, a scene majestic in all its variety.
If you want to know more info about Ali mountaion, you can contact with local China travel agency.
General Knowledge about China Travel Law
Before your China tours, you should know related China travel law.
Enter Regulations
A valid visa, passport, as well as other necessary credentials and documents are essentially required for an individual to enter China. The visa should be approved prior to entering China. For any travelers visiting Tibet, the Tibet Travel Permit is required, which must be obtained 15 days before entering Tibet.
Health check is required when entering China. For foreigners coming from yellow-fever infected areas, the valid vaccination certificates should be shown when entering China. People suffering from infectious disease like leprosy, AIDS, HIV, VD and tuberculosis are prohibited from entry.
A foreigner staying in China with tourist visa is not allowed to engage in activities unfitted to his position, such as employment, study, and illegal journalist interviewing. Foreigners staying in China must abide by Chinese law and respect Chinese habits and customs.
Foreigners traveling with their own transport vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, cars, boats, and aircraft, are allowed to enter China, but the approval should be obtained before entering China. If your private China tour only covers Hong Kong, no China visa is required to apply.
Articles Not Allowed for Entering China
The following articles are prohibited from carrying when entering China. Various weapons such as imitation weapons, ammunition, and explosives ones; Counterfeit money and forged securities; Printed matters like negatives, records, films, audio and video recordings, laser optical video-discs, computer storage media and other articles containing materials deemed harmful to China politically, economically, culturally, or ethically; Deadly poisons like opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other narcotics; Dangerous bacteria, harmful insects, and other harmful animals, plants, and their products; Food, drugs, and other articles from epidemic-stricken areas if such articles may be harmful to human beings and animals. These articles are not allowed to enter for your popular China tours.
If inbound passengers want to carry the cultural relics including works of died famous contemporary calligraphers and painters out of the territory, a clear declaration to the customs should be made. Once the appraisal by the Chinese administrative departments for cultural relics is made, the relics could be carried out of China.
Articles That May Not Be Taken Out of China
The articles prohibited from entry Manuscripts, printed matter, negatives, photos, records, films, audio and video recordings, laser optical video disc, computer storage medium and similar articles if they contain state secrets; Cultural relics and relics not permitted to exit; Endangered and protected animals and plants (including specimens), materials as well as their seeds and breeding
If you want to know other info about China tour law, you can contact with China travel agents.
Source: http://www.chinatour.com/newpage/China-Travel-Laws.phpGeneral Ideas of Money and Banks in China
When you plan to travel China, one of things you should know is China's money and banks
The currency of China is the renminbi (RMB) or yuan (or colloquially known as 'kwai') though you will probably see Hong Kong dollars floating around southern China. ATMs are abundant in most areas of China, and credit cards are widely accepted in metropolitan areas like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.
While ATMs have become increasingly common and are generally very convenient, traveller's checks remain a viable option in China. They can be exchanged at airports, banks, some large department stores, and many hotels at a rate slightly better than cash. Exchange rates are regulated, so rates are generally about the same anywhere.
When exchanging money in China, it is important to retain exchange receipts. These are needed to convert Renminbi back into foreign currency when leaving China after your popular China tours. You may convert up to half of the amount of Renminbi shown on your receipts. Alternatively you can take currency out of China and convert abroad though exchange rates will mean losses! Note that this only relate to cash exchange receipts. Withdrawal receipts from ATM's will not allow you to convert your RMB's back to foreign currency in China. Exchange your money at any of the larger branches of a major bank. Make sure you have your passport with you when doing so. There will be people outside the bank that will approach you and ask you if you want to exchange money with them. Avoid them. Not only is it illegal, you may get ripped off or worse. The bank does charge a small fee for currency exchange, much smaller than the fee you would pay to exchange your currency at the airport. Right now the exchange rate is about $1.00 to 6.31 kwai, which means you will be able to buy/bargain a lot with your money.
Although it is said that credit cards are becoming increasingly popular, other than in hotels, or govenment sponsored gift shops, it is rare to non-existent to find a shop, restaurant or supermarket that takes credit cards. Cash is definitely king in China. Try to have a decent amount of small bills, as you will need them to pay cab drivers, etc.
A helpful hint is before you leave to have wonderful China vacation packages, open up a separate checking account at your local bank and deposit into that account about the amount of money you plan on bringing or using in China. Get an ATM card from your bank for this account, making sure the ATM card has a MC/Visa logo. You can tap into this account while in China, using any ATM machine., and your other accounts at home will remain safe. All the ATM machines have instructions in English, just look for the right buttons to press. This is easier than carrying a lot of cash with you at all times, but you will need cash for everything exceot for paying your hotel bill.
Guide of Xian
Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China and the first city of the Silk Road as Marco Polo wrote. It used to be 12 imperial capitals for more than 1100 years. Located in the middle of China's mainland, it has a pleasing climate with typical four seasons, and has always been taking a principal role in politics, economy, transportation, technology and education. Above all, it's famous for being an epitome of Chinese histroy and for the fantastic culture it holds, along with numerous historical sites such as the Army of Terracotta Warriors which is understandably one of China's major tourist attractions. Xian has a great deal of Islamic infulence with mosques and marketplaces in the centre of the town.
Xi'an has been a bright pearl along the Silk Road for 2000 years so that it is always the starting point of Silk Road travel. Emperors of thirteen dynasties chose here as their political, cultural and economic center. Nowadays, travellers arriving at the airport are welcomed by eleven tall earthen mounds, built around the 1st century---(The tomb of emperors in Western Han dynasty ). This is a place of history . A twenty minute drive west of the airport , are the miniature Warriors--- The Han Dynasty Yangling underground museum.
From 841.B.C on, the ruler of the Western Zhou began to keep annals. Henceforth, China had historical records of each year. Thus the year of 841 B.C marked the beginning of conscious and systematic record keeping The Western Zhou Dynasty set up their capital here in 1066.B.C, followed by the Qin, Han, Tang and another 9 dynasties who all made here the location for their royal palace. The beacon tower above the Lishan mountain ( where Huaqing hot spring are located ) is an eternal reminder of the story of "the most expensive smile'' that caused the disappearance of the dynasty.
As dynasty after dynasty added their own mark to Xi'an, the relics of old palaces, temples and tombs abounded throughout the city and surrounding countryside. So Xian is always contained in the popular China tours.
All the territory under the heaven belonged to the emperor himself. So, he had the power to built a grandiose mausoleum with the expense of the treasury reserves. The first Qin emperor of the Qin Dynasty started to build his resting place when he was only 13. The Terra Cotta Warriors are just a part of tomb complex of Qin ShiHuang. The emperors in Han dynasty were more practical, prefering the small figurines to the full sized ones to be buried with them. The valiant and mighty soldiers were replaced with the graceful, peaceful and kind smaller ones.
The influence of those emperors is everywhere, though no emperors lived here after the Tang dynasty. The strategic position and its potential threat of the so-called imperial descendants forced the Ming emperors to build the Bell Tower , Drum Tower and City Wall to supress those dragon spirits. For tourists wanting to get all the historical fragments together and enjoy them in one place, the Shaanxi History Museum is the place to visit. This is a treasure trove of the cultural relics found within the province. It exhibits over 3000 historical antiques, the main attraction being the bronze ware, ceramics and beautiful murals from the Tang dynasty tombs. All of these can help you learn more the history background for your China travel.
Wonderful Dalongtan Park
Dalongtan Park is located in the southern Liuzhou City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Covering an area of about 544 hectares, the park is a unit of the natural karst scenery, the culture of minority and the tropical sight together. If you travel to China in Guangxi, Dalongtan Park should not be missed.
Dalongtan Park is surrounded by mountains, with luxurious vegetations. Wohu Mountain , Beauty Peak Peacock Mountain and the other 22 peaks are standing among the Mirror Lake, Dragon Pool and the Thunder Pool. At the foot of the Thunder Mountain, there is a spring flowing, form the Dragon Pool in the area between the Thunder Mountain and Dragon Mountain. The clean water pours in to the Mirror Lake, goes through the whole park like a dragon.
The water in Dragon Pool and Thunder Pool is with constant temperature. In winter, the water evaporates and forms the frog, which makes the pool like fairyland. It is said that God of Thund and Dragon God once took charge of the thunder and rain. Thus people call it Leilong Wonderland. Here you can not only witness the beautiful scenery but also hear the wonderful lengend to add more color to your China vacation packages.
Liu Zongyuan, the famous litterateur in Tang Dynasty prayed for rain for Liuzhou people here, and wrote an artical Pray for Rain in Thunder Pool. People constructed a pavillion housing the tablet, on which there carved the essay written by Liu Zongyuan and sacrificial altar and Leitang Temple so as to commemorate Liu Zongyuan.
Upon the Mirror Lake, there spanning the Fengyu Bridge, which is a bridge with roofed bridge. The flying eaves on the bridge make it unique. Beside the lake, there is a nine-storey Drum Tower, which is quadrangle. The colored glaze, the calabash-shaped roof and the double eaves make the tower dignified and solemn. Inside the tower, there is a spiral corridor leading to the top of the tower, where there hanging a Kuan Drum.
In Dalongtan Park, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery as well as appreciate the art of civilian architecture and know more about the customs and traditional culture of the ethnic groups.
Address: Longtan Road, Liuzhou City
Admission fee: CNY 30
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take bus No. 6, 36 in Liuzhou City, and get off at Dalongtan Park
If you are not keen for an independent tour, you can contact with local China travel agency which will arrange for everything beforehand.
Beautiful Dragon Pavilion Park in Henan
As the main scenic site of Kaifeng, Henan, Dragon Pavilion Park totals more than 80 hectares, half of which is water area. The park consists primarily of two lakes - Family Pan Lake and Family Yang Lake. For some strange reason, the Family Pan Lake is muddy while the latter is clear, which people have likened to the characters of two officials who served during the Northern Song (AD 960-1127) Dynasty: Pan Renmei, a treacherous official; and Yang Jiye, an honest one. It is one of tourist destinations for student tour to China.
Overview
Over a thousand years ago, the area of the present-day Dragon Pavilion Park in Kaifeng, Henan Province, was the Office of the Border General of the Xuanwu Army of the Tang (AD 618-907) Dynasty. During the Later Liang (AD 907-923) Dynasty of the Five Dynasties (AD 907-960) period, the site was reconstructed into the imperial palace and named Jiangchang Palace. During the Later Jin (AD 936-946), Later Han (AD 947-950) and Later Zhou (AD 951-960) Dynasties, the site was still the imperial palace, but under a different name: Daning Palace. During the Northern Song (AD 960-1127) Dynasty, a forbidden imperial palace was built here, and thus the area became inaccessible and declined in importance.
During the later years of the Jin (AD 1115-1234) Dynasty, the area became a regular, open-access imperial palace again. During the Ming (AD 1368-1644) Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's fifth son, Zhu Di, constructed his own house, called Prince Zhou's Mansion, in the vicinity, increasing the area's prime importance. However, due to flooding caused by the nearby Yellow River, the imperial palace, which in the meantime had become a repository for memorial tablets dedicated to former emperors – to which government officials were required to make regular visits – was no longer suitable as a repository for the memorial tablets, due to its low-lying locality, and therefore a new repository, Wanshou ("Longevity") Palace, was constructed to house the memorial tablets. This explains the peculiar form of Longevity Palace, i.e., a pavilion atop a 13-meter high, flood-proof stone structure. It was at about this same time that Longevity Palace began to be called Dragon Pavilion.
The architectural highlights of Dragon Pavilion Park include Wu ("Noon") Gate, Yudai ("Jade Belt") Bridge, the Chao ("Wise, Benevolent Spirit") Houses on either side of Imperial Road, Dragon Pavilion, Chaomen Gate, the ruins of the Northern Song Dynasty Imperial Palace, Monument Pavilion, North Gate, and East Gate. Dragon Pavilion is an immense hall built atop an imposing, 13-meter high, flood-proof stone structure that has a moderately-sloped, 72-step stone staircase leading up to the entrance. In the center of the hall stands a large dragon carving. The hall's ceiling is decorated with yellow glazed tiles, reinforcing the link to China's imperial past, as yellow was the favorite color of emperors. On either side of Dragon Pavilion are placed eight Chao Rooms, which, together with the palatial courtyard, form an impressive whole. The pavilion also houses a Waxwork Hall that exhibits vivid waxwork likenesses of prominent personages.
Scenic Spots for your private China tour.
Dragon Pavilion
Dragon Pavilion is a typical representative of the cultural and historical heritages of Kaifeng City. It is the main part of the constructions in Dragon Pavilion Park. In fact, Dragon Pavilion is a grand hall built on a 13-meter (43 feet) blue brick terrace with 72 steps.
This hall, a wooden structure built facing south, is 26.7 meters (88 feet) in height, covering 19.10 meters (63 feet) from east to west and 11.90 meters (39 feet) from south to north. It holds many rare cultural relics, and dragons playing with pearls are carved on the ceilings and walls. Dragon Pavilion is also a favorable place to overlook all the sceneries of Kaifeng City. In a word, travelers can have a visual feast here.
Lake of Family Pan and Lake of Family Yang
In front of the Dragon Pavilion is a straight road. On the east side of the road is the Lake of Family Pan, and on the west side is the Lake of Family Yang. Can you believe that Yang Lake is always clean and smooth while Pan Lake is dirty? There is an interesting story about this. Both the Pan and Yang families are renowned from the Song Dynasty. The Yang Family is famous for their loyalty, so the lake of their family is clear, while the Lake of the Pan Family is feculent due to their treachery.
Waxwork Hall
To the west of Dragon Pavilion is the Waxwork Hall, which exhibits nine groups of vivid waxworks reflecting the important events under the rules of nine emperors of the Song Dynasty. All clothing of the historic characters, even the color and style of their hats and ribbons were carefully investigated and are historically accurate. What's more, the sculptors display superior skills. The skin, hair and expressions of the waxworks are so vivid that they look like real persons. This hall certainly deserves a China visit there.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden (zhí wù yuán 植物园), which backs to Dragon Pavilion, is a masterpiece in such kind of gardens. Junipers, arborvitaes and other plants are tied into various vivid animal shapes, plane and train models, and models of many famous scenic spots in China, such as the Iron Pagoda in Kaifeng. Visitors will be impressed by the superb pruning techniques and wisdom of the gardeners. To its west is another garden featuring various kinds of bonsai.
Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Show
Beginning every October 18, Kaifeng celebrates the month-long Chrysanthemum festival (jú huā jiē 菊花节) at the Dragon Pavilion Park. At that time it becomes a carnival of flowers and the best place for visitors to spend the festive season. Though it can get little chilly, it is a beautiful time to soak in the atmosphere and join in the festivities and take at the gorgeous flowers.
Location: North Section of Zhongshan Road, Longting District, Kaifeng City
Tel: 0378-5660142
Transportation: Take Bus No. 1 at the railway station and get off at the Dragon Pavilion. Bus No. 20 can go to the Dragon Pavilion directly as well.
Opening Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Admission Fee: CNY45
Tips: The famous Chrysanthemum Exhibition is held in Kaifeng every year from October to November. This exhibition has been held for twenty-three consecutive years. As the main venue for the exhibition, the Dragon Pavilion will become a sea of colorful chrysanthemums, and the city of Kaifeng looks its very best.
Come to visit here to add more color for your China tour packages.
Travel tips from travel buddy
We always love to hear your best travel tips. The following is some travel tips from real travellors. These tips are suitable for not only China tours but also tours to other countries. The useful travel tips from travel buddy
*Call your bank before you leave to let them know you will be using your credit card overseas, that way they won't suspect credit card fraud and freeze your account while you're travelling.
*Take local public transport, sit next to a lcoal and have a chat. You learn more from them than a book.
*Make an effort to say 'hello' and 'thank you' in the local language (even if embarrassed about pronunciation). This little gesture goes a long way.
*Don't be afraid to try somewhere or something new just because no one has recommended it to you. You might discover something better for China custom tours!
*Prepare a meal to leave in the freezer for when you get home. Easy done even with jetlag and post holiday blues.
*Zip-sealed sandwich bags have lots of uses. From keeping wallets and cameras safe around water to holding the cake you just couldn't finish.
*It's important that your government knows where you are in the world.
*A printed list of hotels where one is staying to show to taxi drivers etc is very helpful to avoid language & pronunciation difficulties.
*Be prepared, but if travelling with children, be prepared for them to throw your preparation out the window!
*Instead of carrying many balms and ointments, just bring a tube of pawpaw ointment. You can use it for cuts, sunburns, as a lip balm, insect bites and as hair gel.
*If using your own mobile phone on your trip overseas, turn off cellular data and roaming - you will be very sorry with your phone bill if you forget.
*Take a photo of a map on your phone so you look less like a gullible lost tourist when you're trying to navigate - saves you being hassled!
*Aussie mobile phones don't work in all countries but you can often pre-book a rental phone for airport or hotel pick-up - so convenient!
* Some travel measures and policy in the country you plan to travel should be known such as 72-Hour visa free travel to Beijing and Shanghai.
Learn China customs in China Folk Cultural Village
China Folk Cultural Village is located adjacent to the Splendid China theme park, it displays the daily life and architecture of China's 56 ethnic groups. It was opened to the public in October 1991. China Folk Cultural Village covers an area of 200 thousand square meters, including 25 villages, houses and streets which were built according to the ratio of 1:1. It should not be missed for your educational China tours.
Distinctive Architecture
When coming to the Mosuo people's yard, you will find that the prototype of modern flats are originated from the Mosuo people's living structures. They pile the solid wooden stocks crossways into a square or rectangular house which is quakeproof. What really makes you interested is that this group is the world's only matriarchal community in existence today. The Dai ethnic group inhabits Yunnan Province, where there is an abundance of bamboo, because of this, all the girders, tiles and roofs in their homes are made entirely of bamboo, you may call it a “bamboo garden”. Actually, this kind of building is a two-storied attic in the air, dozens of wooden stocks support the whole attic and the floor is tiled with flakes of bamboo. The Mongol ethnic group is generally known as “a group on horseback” because of their nomadic living habits. Mongols live in the yurts which are not only cool in summer and warm in winter but also easy to set up or dismantle. The stone village of the Buyi ethnic group which is distributed mainly in Sichuan and Guizhou Provinces(these two are always contained in popular China tour package), is a wonderful stone world. The simple furniture such as tables, stoves and basins are made of stone as well as the stone-paved path. No matter which group you are visiting, people there will welcome your arrival warmly.
Brilliant Festivals
At here, you can also experience some unique festivals of the minorities, including the Water-splashing Festival of Dai ethnic group, Torch Festival of Yi ethnic group, Lusheng Festival of Miao ethnic group and Great Temple Fairs of Han nationality are celebrated in a magnificent manner. In the Water-Splashing Festival, water is splashed on each other, so come prepared to get thoroughly soaked. The Torch Festival is the most traditional event of the Yi ethnic group and held in the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Tourists will see the Yi people in bright garments carrying torches as they walk around their houses and farmlands. The dragon-boat contest each spring, maintains the most important event in Dai people's lunar calendar. They hope to get rid of evil and misfortune from the last year and anticipate blessings in the coming year. Usually, chickens or ducks will be sacrificed to pay homage to ancestors. Maybe you will be invited to take part in the performance when the villagers happily sing and dance around their bonfires. If you are lucky to visit when the festival is on, your China tours will become more interesting.
In China Folk Culture Village, you can also enjoy Yunnan Stone forest, Hainan Coconut trees, Avalokitesvara, Huizhou Memorial Archway Group etc.. Apart from these, there are local snacks and handicrafts. You can choose various souvenirs from diverse designs and taste lots of snacks and delicious foods. In a word, you will have a better understanding of the Chinese culture after visiting China Folk Culture Village.
Address: Shen Nan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Admission fee: CNY 120 (including the ticket for Splendid China)
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. closing for Splendid China)
Transportation:
Bus: No. 26, 101, 105, 113, 204, 209, 21
Subway: Line 1 - Hua Qiao Cheng Station
If you want to know more info about this village, you can get some knowledge from China tour agents.
The Guide of Jiefangbei in Chongqing
Jiefangbei, which stands in the most prosperous downtown of Chongqing where Yangtze River cruises start is not only the symbol of civilization but also the evidence for history of half a century. It is referred to as Chongqing’s mother town, which is backed up by plentiful cultural gatherings, vibrant streets and enthusiastic people, representing a city in the eyes of the local people and serving as a pronoun for Chongqing in the eyes of peoples outside of Chongqing.
Liberation Monument (Jiefangbei)
Jiefangbei, or the People’ s Liberation Monument, formerly known as the Monument of Victory in the War of Resistance, is a 27.5 meter highs structure. It is one of the symbolic constructions in Chongqing City, southwest China. The image of it can be easily found in many types of Chinese merchandise.
The stele was originally of wooden structure, called as "The Soul Castle" and opened to the public in March 12, 1940, which was the date commemorating the death of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (sūn zhōng shān 孙中山), the founding father of modern China. The stele was then rebuilt after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, christened as "The War Victory Stele". In 1950, General Liu Bocheng(1892 - 1986) inscribed "Chongqing People's Liberation Stele". This drab clock tower is for the celebration of the Communists’ liberation of the city from seventy years of colonial and right-wing occupation. Historically speaking, the reality is that we Chongqing's development and changes of a witness, also the most prosperous business in one place, on behalf of Chongqing. There is a saying that there will be no less than Jiefangbei to Chongqing.
"First Street West "
10 years ago December 27, the first commercial pedestrian street in China built, Jiefangbei Street opened. In the past 10 years, in the pedestrian street, driven by rapid economic development of Jiefangbei shopping, taken on business, trade dual function, it is the very core of Chongqing CBD area, become a well-deserved "First Street West".
Today, it is the center of the city marked as Chongqing’s commercial heart, isolated by broad, paved pedestrian square and glassy offices. The shopping square, completed at the end of 1997, is 400 meters from east to west, and 350 meters from north to south, covering an area of 24,400 square meters.
Bayi Street
As the catering business is thriving in Chongqing, many food streets are forming gradually and naturally. The area around Jiefangbei, Bayi Street teems with street vendors and restaurants. Many local snacks are worth tasting, but only if you are adventurous with hot and spicy experiences of China tours! The street is full of small stalls and restaurants offering dishes from the entire country. Traditional hotpot, Wangyazi , Hot and Sour Rice Noodles, and the Vegetarian restaurant at the Nengren Temple are great places to try.
Beauty
One of Chongqing’s well-known name cards is beauty. It’s famous that Chongqing produces beauties. There is a popular saying that only when you come to Chongqing, you understand you marry too early. Though it may be a joke, you can see the effect of Chongqing girls in all over the country. Chongqing girls enjoy catching fanshion, so as the most prosperous area in Chongqing, Jiefangbei is the best place for you to experience the beauty of Chongqing. Just Stand under the People’ s Liberation Monument, you will have too much to observe.
Address : Centre of Chongqing, Chongqing Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, The Yuzhong peninsular.
Transportation : Bus 401, 402, 405, 413, 418, 481, 301, 303, 251, 215, 103, 104, 105, 111, 112, 122.
Admission : Free.
Opening hour : Anytime.
For your free China vacation deals in Chongqing, Jiefangbei should be listed on your plan sheet.
Walking Marriage of Mosuo People
The customs of wedding marriage are very different from minority nationalities. If you travel to China in Luogu Lake, Yunnan Province, you should know something about special walking marriage of Mosuo People.
The walking marriage widely adopted by the Mosuo people of China is a unique marriage custom that is deeply related to its social and cultural traditions of the matrilineal family system. In a walking marriage, the couples do not marry to each other and both stay in their own matrilineal family for their whole life. The marriage and propagation of offspring is realized through "walking" by male. The women open their doors to their lovers every evening, and the men walk home to work in their mother's household every morning. Neither of them is a member of each other's family. The woman and man in this relationship call each other A-xia, which means lovers in the sense of husband and wife.
An ancient ceremony called "Cang Ba La" is held for the walking marriage of Mosuo people, which means worshiping the Kitchen God Bodhisattva and ancestors. The ceremony is held in the bride's house, often at midnight, without feasting, receiving gifts or attendance of friends. The bridegroom's family should invite a voucher to bring the proposing man to the woman's home. Then the man should introduce himself to the woman's mother and uncles and obtain acknowledgement. He needs to send reasonable gifts to the family, with one for each elder and junior. After that, the man should bow down to the Kitchen God, ancestors and elders of the family and receive the blessings from the elders and sisters. The A-xia should dress up all over according to Mosuo customs, while the man will receive the characteristic colorful Mosuo linen belt meticulously knitted by the woman. When the voucher finishes clarification of certain issues to A-xia's mother and uncles, the relationship between the man and woman will be open.
The Mosuo people in a walking marriage maintain their marriage only by their affection without involving in material or interest factors. Today, over 90% of Mosuo people still perform the walking marriage.
Lugu Lake is the main place of Mosuo people. If you are interested in walking marriage, you can partake private China tour to learn more.
Introduction of Site of Zunyi Conference
If you want to have a student tour to China, the Site of Zunyi Conference should not be missed.
Site of Zunyi Conference is located at Hongqi Road in the old town of Zunyi City, Guizhou Province. It is a two-storied wood-and-brick building, with grey tiles put on the roof. The building was originally the private house of Bai Huizhang, the division commander of Qian Army. It is 25.75 meters long, 16.95 meters wide and 12 meters high, covering an area of 528 square meters. In the 1930s, this building was the grandest architecture within Zunyi City.
On the two sides of the door, there were eight shops which belonged to Bai Huizhang. In the center of the eight shops, there hangs a black stele, on which there are the “遵义会议会址" written by Mao Zedong . Enter the door and going through the hall, there is a huge brick archway, on the top of which there are four Chinese characters, which are inlaid by pieces of decorative porcelain. Then there is the courtyard, in the south of which there is a door leading to the courtyard. Although it is not a very popular attraction in China, the journey there is very meaningful and significant for your China tours.
In early January of 1935, the First Army of the Red Army arrived in Zunyi after the Long March. From January 15 to 17, the Central Government held the Extended Conference of the Political Bureau, also called Zunyi Conference, here. It put right the Left opportunism in the Fifth Anti Encirclement Campaign and at the beginning of the Long March. It confirmed the military principles of Mao Zedong, and elected him a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau. It replaced the top commanding right of Bo Gu and Li De with the Central Commanding Group consisting of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Wang Jiaxiang. Zunyi Conference is an important event in the history of the Communist Party of China. It saved the party, the Red Army and the revolution. It is a vital turning point in the history.
The meeting room of Zunyi Conference is on the second floor, which was originally the small sitting room of the house-owner. It is rectangular and covers an area of 36 square meters. In the center of the ceiling, there is a light. On the east wall, there is a clock and two cabinets. On the west wall, there are the windows. In the center of the room there exhibits a rectangular brown table surrounded by a circle of foldable chairs.
Site of Zunyi Conference
Location: No. 80, Hongqi Road, Honghuagang District, Zunyi City
Admission fee: CNY 40
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take bus No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 18, 20 and get off at Hongqilu Stop
As an option, you can choose to visit Site of Zunyi Conference for your China tour deals.
Chedun: Where China's best films are made
Every year, thousands of young Chinese migrants flock to Chedun (车墩镇) -- either hoping to get a foothold in Shanghai,a hot destination of China tourism, with a job on an assembly line or pursuing their dream of becoming the next Jackie Chan (成龙).
In addition to housing a 40-square-kilometer industrial zone, Chedun is also home to Shanghai Film Park (上海影视乐园), one of China's biggest movie studios. Fake Shanghai, ghost town and a great green space.
The film park lies only a couple of blocks away from a dusty, noisy and truck-loaded highway and down a side lane filled with noodle restaurants, massage parlours, Internet cafés and short-stay apartments -- an unassuming place to launch some of Asia's best films.
Opened in 1998, the 400,000-square-meter compound witnesses the production of more than 100 films and TV series every year, with headlining titles like "Lust, Caution," "Perhaps Love" and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor."
A walk through the park is an eerie experience.
The expansive space is mostly occupied by reproductions of landmarks (only the facades) from the colonial Shanghai period, such as Nanjing Lu, Moller Villa and the former Peace Plaza on the Bund.
A diverting collection of Western style buildings and props jump into horizon now and then, including a Tudor-style winery and a Titanic-like ferry made with cardboard (erected on a deserted patch of grass).
The recommended stops for Chinese movie mavens are the Moller Villa complex, Nanjing Lu and the iron bridge, where you are likely to catch film crews in action or, if you are lucky, get autographs from film stars like Gong Li (巩俐) and Andy Lau (刘德华).
For adventurous travelers, walk behind the facades for a view of abandoned buildings and props, which is almost as ghostly as the deserted Wonderland in Beijing.
Surprisingly, the functioning film studio also houses a pleasant green space. Walk past the "Suzhou Creek," turn right and keep walking till the end, you'll find a small scenic spot with a tranquil lake, weeping willows, pebble-paved paths and a forested island. Hilarious Kung Fu Show which become must-see for China travel packages.
There are very few benches in the film park for visitors to rest, but a hilarious kung fu performance (in studio no.5) provides a quick way to refuel.
Staged twice a day (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.), the budget stage show borrows its plot from a popular Chinese TV series "Shanghai Tan" and is set in 1920s Shanghai.
Prepare to see a very limited cast presenting a montage of jazz dance, a love triangle scene and (fake) kung fu fight in the 20-minute show, which is dubbed with pre-recorded dialogue in Shanghainese and Mandarin, together with combat sound effects and, amusingly, periodical sounds of mouse clicks.
A tour around Shanghai Film Park takes about two hours. Family visitors are advised to pay extra attention to children while touring as some of the movie sets are not properly maintained. For example, several safety barrels on stairs and along the creek were missing during our trip. Traffic directions
Visitors can reach Shanghai Film Park from downtown in three ways:
1. Shanghai Tourism Distribution Center has shuttle buses (leaving at 9 a.m.) to Shanghai Film Park every weekend. Shanghai Tourism Distribution Center (上海旅游集散中心), 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, below Platform 5 of Shanghai Stadium, 天钥桥路666号,上海体育场5号扶梯下, + 86 21 6426 5555, 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
2. Take Metro Line 1 to Lianhua Lu Station (莲花路站), then switch to bus Lianshi (莲石专线), Lianjin (莲金专线) or Lianfeng (莲枫专线) to Chedun. The film park is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.
3. Take Metro Line 9 to the last stop at Songjiang Xincheng (松江新城), and then take a RMB-30 taxi ride.
Shanghai Film Park now become option for your popular China tours in Shanghai.
Yangzhou, of gardens and gourmets
Yangzhou is acclaimed for its manicured scenery but deserves equal recognition for its cuisine and contained in private China tours.
Jiangsu province's Yangzhou is best known for its lakes and gardens. But this city of beautifully arranged swathes of water and flora has also sired an idyllic cuisine that makes it a foodie's paradise.
Yangzhou's food is healthy and light but tasty. It's known for its elaborate preparation and abundance of seafood.
A prime specimen of Yangzhou's fare is the shizitou - a pork meatball known as a "lion's head" because of its appearance.
Yangzhou's residents start their days with "morning tea" - that is, local breakfast staples.
One of the most popular places for the first meal of the day is Ye Chun. It serves typical fare - boiled bean curd slices in soy sauce, marinated tender pork slices, salted mustard leaf with bamboo shoots and marinated vegetables.
I dug into breakfast with dim sum master Chen Ende, whose students serve as Ye Chun's head chefs.
I was surprised to discover the "plain noodles" - yangchunmian - are anything but They come without any other ingredients aside from seasonings - shrimp roe soy sauce, sesame oil, pork fat, white pepper, shallots and boiled water.
But yangchunmian offers just one case study of how, when it comes to noodles, Yangzhou's chefs make simple super.
I was astonished to discover the low-end Jiangjiaqiao Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant's stir-fried noodles, which cost a paltry 3.5 yuan (56 US cents), were among the most delicious I've ever tasted. And if you plan to join China tour packages to Yangzhou, you can conider to eat there.
After sunset, we head to Yangzhou's ancient Grand Canal, which is illuminated by a dazzling array of lights. The 1,700 km waterway was built about 2,400 years ago as one of the country's major trade routes, stretching from Hangzhou, capital of today's Zhejiang province, to Beijing.
Then we turn down Dongguan Street - a 1 km stretch of trendy shops, bars and restaurants in traditional buildings. It's a great place to swill sweet rice wine and nibble baked sesame cakes with turnip slices.
Many high-end eateries here are converted from old manors, such as Jienan Shuwu, which occupies a salt dealer's former residence, and Hu Zhonghan Hall, the ancient abode of a powerful bank owner.
We take the local gourmands' advice and head to another famous traditional eatery, Fuchun Chashe. Next, I hit up Luyang Hotel, which was a hub for ancient scholars and celebrities. From there, I stroll to Xiao Pan Gu - the former residence of Zhou Fu, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official that has been reincarnated as a luxurious hotel and club.
Yangzhou enjoyed prosperity during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-49).
At its peak, it had more than 200 houses belonging to wealthy businesspeople - many of them salt dealers and court officials. About 30 of these luxurious dwellings still stand, Yangzhou tourism bureau deputy director Wang Minghong says.
Many ancient gardens have also survived the test of time, and many house top-end restaurants, clubs and hotels.
The grounds are typically laden with wooden structures, yards, ponds and rockeries arranged in designs that reflect Chinese reverence for harmony between humans and nature.
This is best seen in He Yuan. While its beautifully manicured terrain lures visitors, few realize its best-kept secret - an eatery proffering traditional Yangzhou cuisine tucked in a corner of the grounds.
If you plan gourmet China tours, Yangzhou should be included.
Facts of Liangzhu Culture
If you plan to have an educational China tours in southeast China, you should learn something about Liangzhu culture.
The Liangzhu culture, dated to 3310 – 2250 BC, is a late Neolithic (or Chalcolithic) culture located in Southeast China. Well known for its high quality and number of jade artifacts, it succeeded the Majiabang culture and later became part of the Shang Dynasty. The Liangzhu culture is roughly contemporary with the Longshan and Hongshan cultures to the north.
The Liangzhu culture consists of over 100 sites, of which 30 have been excavated, residing south and east of Lake Tai on a peninsula formed by the Yangzi River and Hangzhou Bay. This peninsula, named Tai Hu Peninsula, has played an important role in China throughout its history. Shanghai lies on the east seashore and to the southwest, the city of Hangzhou was the capital of several dynasties in China’s past. Hangzhou was a small town during the Chalcolithic Liangzhu culture and was originally named “Liangzhu”. The small town was renamed many times and eventually became a very important city and one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization.
The Liangzhu culture, growing rice and making black-based and black-burnished pottery, represents the earliest Chalcolithic Culture in southeast China. They also left significant evidence to reveal some of their social practices. The evidence shows a pronounced social structure, a reckless consumption labor, extensive human sacrifice, and the iconography of power.
Near Shanghai where you can have 72-hour visa free China travel, in qingpu lies a great mound raised exclusively for Liangzhu burials named Fuquanshan. The mound contains massive numbers of sacrificially burned slaves, as well as tombs of the more opulent people of the culture. In the center of the mound lies a tomb, Tomb 144, which was surmounted by three levels that had been scorched by fire. This tomb encased an inner and outer coffin. The Inner coffin held a skeleton surrounded by many fine jades. On top of the outer coffin lied the remains of a sacrificial victim.
The most remarkable part of the Liangzhu culture is their large number and high quality of green jade artifacts, and their religious importance. Many other cultures that were contemporary to the Liangzhu culture also had jades, but none could compare to those of the Liangzhu culture. Unlike the later dynastic periods, the Neolithic jades are easily distinguishable by style, quality, and the technique used to make them. The Liangzhu jades are set far apart from those from other cultures.
There were two kinds of jades that were prominent for their ritual use during this time. These are called bi and cong jades. The bi is a circular ring used to worship heaven, and the cong is an elongated square tube used to worship earth. Over 5,000 jades have been collected so far. These jades, especially the congs, also have the earliest taotie mask designs as a part of their inscriptions. The taotie mask is an image formed when the elaborate carvings on a jade are arranged in such a way that the image of a face can be seen in the macro image. These taotie designs were later used and stylized by the peoples of Shang and Zhou cultures.
The sites of Liangzhu is not right for China business tours.
Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit
Located near the Zhangjiapo Village in Mawang Town of Chang'an District in Xian City (a place for China tours for students) and on the west bank of the Fenghe River, the Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit is a typical sacrificial tomb of slave society. Archeologists have confirmed that the system of burying living people with the dead began in the Shang Dynasty (16th - 11th century BC). At that time, many alive slaves were buried with the dead, killed or after committing a suicide for the slave owner and nobles believed that the tombs were their residence in the spiritual world after their death.
The rectangular pit is 5.6 meters (6 yards) long and 2 meters (2 yards) deep. Two 0.68 meter-long, 1.38 meter-wide wooden chariots standing over 0.45 meters tall (1.5 feet) are arranged side by side in the pit with their wheels facing east. Doors with a width measuring about 0.4 meters wide (1.3 feet) are located at the rear of the chariots. Railings made of small battens, with a width of 0.32 meters (1 foot) stand beside each door.
At that time, the chariot decorated in bronze was used in battle and hauled by four horses, while the chariot hauled by two horses and adorned in seashells was used mainly for transport. In the pit, six dead horses crouch directly opposite the chariots. These horses were obviously killed prior to the burial and arranged in this position. Heads of the horses are covered with silver beast-face ornaments. Under the chariot lies a skeleton, supposedly the wheeler of the tomb owner.
Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit was unearthed in 1955. Besides, the research work has provided valuable information both in economic life and metal industry, woodworking and leather production in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC).
The most tourists who visit China in Xian nearly don't know Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit.
Adventure Destination - Shennongjia Scenic Spot
Shennongjia is located in Hubei Province where Yangtze River cruise ship passes through.
With heavily forested mountains of fir, pine and hemlock -including something rare in China, old-growth stands -the area is known as a treasure trove of more than 1300 species of medicinal plants. Indeed, the name for the area roughly translates as 'Shennong's Ladder' to commemorate a legendary emperor, Shennong, believed to be the founder of herbal medicine and agriculture. According to the legend, he heard about some special plants growing up high on a precipice, so he cut down a great tree and used it to climb to the site and reach the plants, which he added to his medical collection.
As Silk Road adventure, Shennongjia is liked by adventure-lovers. As part of a more modern legend, Shennongjia is also famous for the sightings of wild, ape-like creatures - a Chinese equivalent of the Himalayan Yeti or the North. American Bigfoot. The stories are interesting, but the creatures seem to be able to distinguish between peasants and scientists -molesting the former and evading the latter. Nevertheless, there is a small base station set up in the reserve with displays of 'evidence' of sightings. More real, but just as elusive perhaps, are species of leopard, bear, wild boar and monkey (including the endangered Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey) that reportedly inhabit the area.
Foreigners are only allowed into the area of the Shennongjia district near the town of Muyuping, 200km northwest of Yichang. There are two high peaks in the area, Shennongjiashan at 3105m and Laojunshan at 2936m. It's a 10-hour bus ride to Muyuping from Yichang, or you can take a boat to Xiangxi (five hours) on the Three Gorges and from there it's a 90km ride to Muyuping. From Muyuping you will have to hire a car to get into the reserve.
If you are a adventure-lover and plan trekking tours in China, you should consider Shennongjia Scenic Spot.
What do you know Chinese Zodiac?
It is important to learn the culture beforehand if you plan to visit this country or place. With the development of China tourism, many tourists choose to visit China and many of them confused with the Chinese zodiac. The following give you the general info about it.
Chinese zodiac is a scheme that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year cycle. It has wide currency in several East Asian countries besides mainland China and Taiwan.
Identifying this scheme using the term "zodiac" reflects several similarities to the Western zodiac: both have time cycles divided into 12 parts, each labels at least the majority of those parts with names of animals, and each is widely associated with a culture of attributing influence of a person's relationship to the cycle upon their personality and/or events in their life. Nevertheless, there are major differences: the "Chinese" 12-part cycle is divided into years rather than months; contrary to the association with animals implied in the Greek etymology of "zodiac", actually four of the Western "signs" or "houses" are represented by humans (one such sign being the twins "Gemini") and one is the inanimate balance scale "Libra"; the animals of the Chinese zodiac are not associated with constellations, let alone those spanned by the ecliptic plane.
Chinese zodiac signs represent twelve different types of personalities. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, and there are many stories about the origins of the Chinese Zodiac which explain why this is so (see below). The following are the twelve zodiac signs in order and their characteristics.
Rat – 鼠 (子) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water): Forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, artistic, shrewd. Can be manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, envious, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, scheming.
Ox – 牛 (丑) (Water buffalo in Vietnam) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Water): Dependable, ambitious, calm, methodical, born leader, patient, hardworking, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. Can be stubborn, dogmatic, hot-tempered, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.
Tiger – 虎 (寅) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, generous. Can be restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, moody.
Hare – 兔 or 兎 (卯) (Cat in Vietnam) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Gracious, good friend, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, astute, compassionate, lucky, flexible. Can be moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, stubborn.
Dragon – 龍 / 龙 (辰) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash.
Snake – 蛇 (巳) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, purposeful. Can be loner, bad communicator, possessive, hedonistic, self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, suffocating, cold.
Horse – 馬 / 马 (午) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile—mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded. Can be fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, stubborn.
Ram – 羊 (未) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, shy, artistic, creative, gentle, compassionate, understanding, mothering, peaceful, generous, seeks security. Can be moody, indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, over-sensitive, complainer, weak-willed.
Monkey – 猴 (申) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, artistic, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, factual, intellectual. Can be egotistical, vain, arrogant, selfish, reckless, snobbish, deceptive, manipulative, cunning, jealous, suspicious.
Rooster – 雞 / 鸡 (酉) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible. Can be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, proud, opinionated, given to empty bravado.
Dog – 狗 / 犬 (戌) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, sensitive, easy going. Can be cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome.
Pig – 豬 / 猪 (亥) (Boar in Japan and Elephant in Northern Thailand) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water): Honest, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, trusting, sincere, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, intelligent. Can be na?ve, over-reliant, self-indulgent, gullible, fatalistic, materialistic.
In Chinese astrology the animal signs assigned by year represent what others perceive you as being or how you present yourself. It is a common misconception that the animals assigned by year are the only signs, and many western descriptions of Chinese astrology draw solely on this system. In fact, there are also animal signs assigned by month (called inner animals) and hours of the day (called secret animals).
After learn the knowledge about Chinese zodiac, you can begin to plan your China custom tour.
Traditional Chinese Painting - Guo Hua
Many tourists who travel to China choose to buy duplicate of Guo Hua as a souvenir. The following give the history of Guo Hua.
An important part of the country's cultural heritage, the traditional Chinese painting (or Guo Hua) is distinguished from Western art in that it is executed on xuan paper (or silk) with the Chinese brush, Chinese ink and mineral and vegetable pigments.
To attain proficiency in this branch of art calls for assiduous exercise, a good control of die brush, and a feel and knowledge of the qualities of xuan paper and Chinese ink.
Before setting a brush to paper, the painter must conceive a well-composed draft in his mind, drawing on his imagination and store of experience. Once he starts to paint, he will normally have to complete the work at one go, denied the possibility of any alteration of wrong strokes.
Xuan paper is most suitable for Chinese painting. It is of the right texture to allow the writing brush, wet with Chinese ink and held in a trained hand, to move freely on it, making strokes varying from dark to light, from solid to hollow. These soon turn out to be human figures, plants and flowers, birds, fish and insects, full of interest and life.
Many a Chinese painter is at the same time a poet and calligrapher. He will often add a poem in his own hand on the painting, which invariably carries an impression of his seal. The resulting piece of work is usually an integrated whole of four branches of Chinese art -- poetry, calligraphy, painting and seal-cutting.
Chinese paintings are divided into two major categories: free hand brushwork (xieyi) and detailed brushwork (gongbi). The former is characterized by simple and bold strokes intended to represent the exaggerated likenesses of the objects, while the latter by fine brushwork and close attention to detail. Employing different techniques, the two schools try to achieve the same end, the creation of beauty.
It is difficult to tell how long the art of painting has existed in China. Pots of 5,000-6,000 years ago were painted in color with patterns of plants, fabrics, and animals, reflecting various aspects of the life of primitive clan communities. These may be considered the beginnings of Chinese painting.
China entered the slave society about 2,000 B.C. Though no paintings of that period have ever come to light, that society witnessed the emergence of a magnificent bronze culture, and bronzes can only be taken as a composite art of painting and sculpture.
In 1949 from a tomb of the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) was unearthed a painting on silk of human figures, dragons and phoenixes. The earliest work on silk ever discovered in China, it measures about 30 cm long by 20 cm wide.
From this and other early paintings on silk it may be easily seen that the ancients were already familiar with the art of the brush writing or painting, for the strokes show vigor or elegance whichever was desired. Paintings of this period are strongly religious or mythological in themes.
Paintings on paper appeared much later than those on silk for the simple reason that the invention of silk preceded that of paper by a long historical period.
In 1964, when a tomb dating to the Jin Dynasty (265-420 A.D.) was excavated at Astana in Tinpan, Xinjiang, a colored painting on paper was discovered. It shows, on top, the sun, the moon and the Big Dipper and, below, the owner of the tomb sitting cross-legged on a couch and leisurely holding a fan in his hand. A portrayal in vivid lines of the life of a feudal land-owner, measuring 106.5 cm long by 47 cm high, it is the only known painting on paper of such antiquity in China.
The Guo Hua painted by the famous painters is very expensive. But the copy of them can be bought in most cities. So If you have China business tours, you can consider to buy one.
General Idea of Maijishan Grottoes and Kizil Grottoes
There are five great grottoes in China. Many tourists are very familiar with Yungang, Dunhuang and Datong grottoes for their China education tours but seldom visit Maijishan AND Kizil grottoes.
Maijishan Grottoes
Maijishan is a famous Buddhist grotto just south of Tianshui, the hometown of Fuxi, one of the legendary founders of China. From 384AD to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), ancient artists built scaffolds along the cliffs and chiseled hundreds of caves out of the 142-m tall mountain. There are 194 caves with 7,200 sculptures and 1,300 sq m of murals.
The clay sculptures here display Chinese features, which are quite different from the diversified foreign styles in Dunhuang.
Legends say when the highest cave was completed, Sakyamuni arrived here to preach Buddhism and his 28 asparas (attendants) threw flower petals onto the pilgrims below. If a petal fell on someone, it meant he or she did not truly believe in Buddhism but to everyone's joy, all the petals scattered upwards toward the sky.
It is 290 km by highway from Lanzhou, provincial capital of Gansu, to Tianshui, where there are a number of hotels and also an attraction of Silk Road travel.
Kizil Grottoes
These were created as Buddhism thrived between the 3rd and 8th centuries and were the first major grottoes created as Buddhism spread to China.
The Kizil Grottoes' 235 caves are 60 km southeast of Baicheng county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. They contain murals and written documents in many ancient languages, although many were pillaged by foreign explorers early last century.
The grottoes are 70 km from Baicheng or Kucha and are best reached by taxi.
If you want to know more information about these two grottoes for your China tours, you can consult the detailed information from China travel agents.
Meaning of Snakes in China and Other Countries
The Snake's Spring Festival ended. Many foreign tourists begin to plan their China tours. Many tourists don't know what meaning the snake stand for in China.
The snake’s spiritual and cultural include evil, auspicious, and honorable meanings. It is the devil incarnate, an ancient totem, a protector of kings, an omen of good fortune and health, and a symbol of wisdom and strength. Overall, the snake has rich cultural and mysterious connotation.
Snake, a symbol of auspice and honor in China
Ancient Chinese thought that the snake could prolong life, and considered it to be a symbol of good luck, great harvest, and reproduction. Snake-themed cultural relics were often found in southwestern and southern China. There are vivid patterns of two snakes fighting with frogs on a bronze jug dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period unearthed in Gongcheng, Guangxi province.
Ancient people living in southwestern China considered the snake as a symbol of good harvest and the earth. The image of the snake often appears on bronze cultural relics used for worshiping and praying for good harvest. The handle of a gold seal that the central government of the Western Han dynasty granted to the ruler of Yunnan province has the shape of a gold snake, which symbolizes the ruler’s high status and authority.
In ancient Chinese mythology, the snake also has close relations with gods. Fu Xi and Nv Wa were pictured as having snake bodies and tails in Han Dynasty stone and brick paintings, with their hands holding the sun and moon since certain people considered them as sun god and moon goddess. There are also paintings of them holding the gauge and square and having dragon bodies and tails. In a silk painting unearthed from the Astana Graves in Turpan, Xinjiang, Fu Xi and Nv Wa are surrounded by stars, and hold each other tight with their snake bodies and tails interlocked, reflecting the grave owners’ wish for more descendants.
The Legend of the White Snake is a popular ancient Chinese story about loyal love, and has been performed in a large number of operas, films, dances, New Year paintings, and shadow plays. And the background of the story was set in Hangzhou, a hot tourist site included in China tour packages.
Snake, a symbol of divinity and eternity in Egypt and India
Unlike the Bible, ancient Egyptian and Indian mythology has depicted the snake as a symbol of divinity rather than the devil incarnate.
The snake was the first animal to reappear after the Nile flood receded. It was considered to be an underworld creature that had the power to create the world. In Egyptian mythology, four goddesses with snake heads and four gods with frog heads created the world. They formed four pairs representing the reproduction nature of the primeval sea. Sun god Amun is sometimes represented as a snake devouring its own tail all the time, which signifies eternity and perpetual cycles of renewal.
Indians call a group of serpent deities “Naga.” Ancient Indian Buddhists and Hinduists often drew Naga as having human heads and snake tails as well as five or seven cobra heads like a marquee. A typical example is the relief of serpent gods and goddesses swimming in the Ganges on the Descent of the Ganges dating back to 670 at Mahabalipuram in southern India. In Indian mythology, the snake is also a symbol of eternity, especially when it bites its own tail.
General Knowledge of Peking Opera
Watching Peking Opera become a indispensible part of China tours in Beijing. Learn something about Peking Opera.
Posture
Chinese traditional opera is considered one of the world's three ancient operas, together with Greek tragedy and comedy, and Indian Sanskrit opera. Among the more than 360 ancient local operas in China, Peking Opera is known as China’s national opera, despite its comparatively young 200-year history.
Although it is called Peking Opera, the origins of Peking Opera are not in Beijing but in the provinces of Anhui (East China) and Hubei (South-central China). Its rise is due in great part to the favorable eyes and patronage of the imperial royalties.
Peking Opera is a purely Chinese opera form dating back to the year 1790, when the famous Four Anhui Opera Troupes first came to Beijing in celebration of the 80th birthday of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The tour was a hit and the troupes stayed. In 1828, some famous Hubei Opera Troupe players came to Beijing.
The artists of Hubei and Anhui troupes often jointly performed on the stage and absorbed repertoires, music, arias and performing techniques of each other and from other operas like Kun Qu, Qin Qiang and Bang Zi, as well as the local dialect and customs of Beijing. Its repertoires mainly depict fairy tales of preceding dynasties and important historical events.
It was after 1840 that Peking Opera formally took shape, growing even faster during the reign of the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), who was an opera aficionado. Classic Peking Opera repertoires and the names of the first-generation masters were on the lips of the people in Beijing (always contained in last minute China travel deals), and eventually prevalent around the country.
Peking Opera Roles include sheng (male role), dan (female role), jing (painted-face male role), and chou (comedic male role), distinguished on the basis of sex, age, and personality.
Costume
Unlike European operas, which concentrate on usually one kind of performance in one stage representation, Peking Opera integrates music, singing, dance, costume art, makeup, acting and acrobatics into a unique whole.
Facial Make-up (Lianpu) in Peking Opera is mostly applied to the male roles of jing and chou, with particular styles to symbolize the different personalities, characteristics, and fates of the roles. Some people argue that the facial make-up is similar to the mask. Nevertheless, there are great differences between the two in that masks are separate from the face. Different make-up colors symbolize different personalities:
Red -- brave, faithful and wise men, with utter devotion
Purple -- wise, brave and steadfast men
Black – upright, outspoken, and never stooping to flattery
Blue -- brave, upright and outspoken men, but obstinate and unruly
Green -- hero of the bush, chivalrous but with a testy temper
Yellow -- valiant but ferocious military men or crafty civil officers
White – insidious and treacherous
Gold & silver -- mysterious monsters or gods
Peking Opera Costumes, mainly made of satin, crepe and silk and decorated with various meticulously embroidered patterns, tell a character’s sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects.
Peking Opera Basic Skills include dance movements and special acrobatic movements while singing or reciting, a necessary requirements mastered by all actors and actresses.
Ater reading this article, you may have a general idea about Peking Opera. If you are from English-speaking countries and don't know Chinese, it is also very interesting to watch the posture and costume which add colors for your private tour of China.
Silk Road History under Sand
Taklimakan is the largest desert in the country. Measuring 330,000 square kilometers, it's a scene of endless sand. But buried under this vast desert are relics of the Silk Road, one of the greatest commercial routes in history that linked the east and west. Before your Silk Road tour, you should learn some facts of the road.
117 years ago, in 1896, Swedish explorer Sven Hedin made a surprising discovery at the oasis town of Dandan Oilik, in the heart of the Taklimakan Desert.
Zhang Yuzhong, former deputy director of Xinjiang Archeology Research Institute, said, “In the past, experts in China and abroad had believed there was no trace of humans in the desert. But Sven Hedin found many remains of houses. Then Aurel Stein, another explorer known as a pioneer of the Silk Road, stayed there for two weeks, and found the remains of another 18 residential houses and identified some temples. He also found documents from the Tang and Han dynasties.
In 1900, Hedin once again visited the Taklimakan. In this expedition, he found the ruins of the ancient city Loulan, buried under the sand.
Zhang said, “The ancient city of Loulan is the capital of the Loulan kingdom, which dates back even further than Dandan Oilik. These two discoveries, Dandan Oilik and Loulan, are signature archeological events in Xinjiang.”
In 1910, ten years after Loulan was found, a local hunter discovered a tomb near a creek 175 kilometers away from Loulan. It was named the "creek tomb". Built using more than 100 wooden poles erected on a sand dune, the tomb is regarded as one of the most intriguing mysteries in ancient Asian civilization.
Zhang said, “It belongs to the early bronze age, whose history in Xinjiang stretches back to 4,000 years ago.
Half a century later, in 1979, a female corpse dating back nearly 4,000 years was discovered in Loulan. The corpse was well preserved, and nicknamed the "Beauty of Loulan".
In 1995, an ancient brocade appraised as made in Sichuan province during the Han dynasty, was found at Niya ruin in the south of the Taklimakan Desert. It became one of the top archeological finds that year.
In 2003, during a dig at the "creek tomb", another well-kept female corpse was found. Also estimated at over 4,000 years old, the corpse still had beautiful facial features, thick eyelashes, and a visible smile. Her beauty once again stunned the world, 24 years after the discovery of Loulan beauty. A funeral system involving "reproduction worship" was also revealed.
The discoveries at the Taklimakan Desert tell us a prosperous history is buried under the biggest desert of China. Who knows what other revealing discoveries can be expected there next. If you want to know more about it, you can contact with a China tour operator.
Ways to applying for Tibet travel permit
Tibet Permits (or Tibet visa) are another documents required for a Tibet travel except China visa. There are three Tibet permits: Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (or Tibet Entry Permit), Travel Permit or Aliens' Travel Permit and Military Permit.
Due to Tibet's unique ethnic traditions, cultural heritage, tourist service facilities, reception capacity, ecological environmental protection needs, as well as the traffic situation, the National Tourism Administration prescribed that foreign tourists, Taiwan and overseas Chinese tourists (except Hong Kong, Macao residents holding Chinese passports or return certificates) have to get a Tibet Permit to Tibet, otherwise they may get into great trouble. At the same time, all the people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who have to travel to Tibet under the arrangement of the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office.
However, Tibet Tourism Bureau issued a new policy on issuing Tibet permits in May, 2012. The new policy stated that Tibet permits would only be issued for a tour group with minimum FOUR toursits with the same nationality, which makes it hard for individual travellers to get Tibet permits.
Please keep in mind that there are generally four documents required for foreign tourists who want to travel freely in Tibet.
- One is the Chinese Visa, which you can apply in the Chinese Embassy in your country (When you want to go to Tibet via the mainland of China).
- One is Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB), also called Tibet Entry Permit, which you have to obtain in order to enter into Tibet by plane or train.
- One is the Aliens' Travel Permit (PSB), also called Travel Permit, when you are planning to travel to the 'unopened' areas of Tibet.
- The other is the Military Permit, which you have to obtain if you are planning to travel to some military sensitive areas in Tibet.
Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit (Tibet Entry Permit)
Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit which is necessary for entering into Lhasa or any other parts of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, is obtained through tour operators. When you take a flight or train to Lhasa, you will be asked to show this permit during the process of check-in. Furthermore, TTB permits are also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by the travel agency organizing the trip.
Important Issues About Tibet Travel Permit
1. After having a permit, a travel agency could buy air tickets for you, and you can pass the check-in at the airport and get on board of your plane.
2. You are not allowed to bring along with the TTB permit to travel to anywhere outside of Lhasa city. If you want to go out of Lhasa area, you have to apply for another permit, Aliens' Permit.
3. Generally it needs three working days to get the TTB permit if you supply all the necessary documents in time.
Aliens' Travel Permits (PSB)
Aliens' Travel Permit is required to visit 'unopened' areas. Which is issued by the police (Public Security Bureau, "PSB"). Usually you can apply for it once you arrive at Lhasa. For tour groups, our guide will ask you for the passport and TTB permit and submit it to the Foreign Affairs Section of PSB for the Travel Permit. It normally takes several hours and the cost is 50 CNY/person. If you are an individual traveler, you need to join local tours to 'unopened' areas, and the local travel agencies will arrange the PSB for you as well. Pay attention, there is no travel agency can provide 'PSB permit-only' service.
Notice:If you want to do a Tibet overland tour from Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai or Xinjiang province (these are always contained in popular China travel package) to Tibet, you must got the PSB permit before your tour starts.
Tibet Permit Application Procedure
Notice: Any Visa card issued by associations like APEC does not equal to Chinese Visa for Tibet permit application.
(1). If you visit China for travel, and your visa type is "L", Please email us the photo copy of your passport and China Visa 20-30 days before you arrive in China, we will set out to apply for your Tibet Permit upon we receive it. Please be sure that the photos are in large size and clear enough.
(2). If you visit China for business purpose, and your visa type is "F" or "Z", please offer a business visiting certificate paper from the company or association in China, which you pay a visit to and can provide your accurate purpose. This certificate paper should include two parts:
Firstly, your personal information: your full name, passport number, the purpose of visit, the duration of your visit.
Secondly, the company information: the company's full name, address, telephone number, fax number.
Besides, this certificate paper must be stamped by this company.
(3). If you live in China and hold a resident permit, please offer your working permit issued by China government or a certificate from your company to prove you are working there. The certificate should include:
Firstly, your personal information: your full name, passport number, the purpose of visit, how long have you been working there, your position in this company;
Secondly, the company information: the company's full name, address, telephone number, fax number.
Besides, this certificate paper must be stamped by this company.
Sample of Certificate Paper
Confirmation your full name, Passport Number, is working at your company name since the date you join in this company to work as your position. (for visiting)
Visit our company for your purpose , from the date you star visiting to the date you end visiting.If you have any question concerning with your full name, please feel free to contact the telephone number and fax number of your company
Company Name:
Company Seal:
Date:
4. Your Tibet Permitwill be issued 2-5 working days since we pass your documents to Tibet Tourism Bureau. The Original Tibet Permit will be posted to the city from which you depart to Tibet, please let us know the address, telephone number, the hotel name of your accommodation in that city 15 days before you arrive in China. If you are asked to go to our branch office in that city you depart to pick up documents in person, we will mention it in the contract.
5. Travelers need to offer unfeigned, effective and related credential, license or certificate through which CITS Tibet Travel Org will apply for necessary permits. Once any counterfeit credential, license or certificate from travelers is confirmed, CITS Tibet Travel Org reserves the right to cancel the corresponding trip, without any refund. Necessary compensation from travelers also occurs when any counterfeit made by the travelers induces loss to CITS Tibet Travel Org .
Please pay attention: Tibet occasionally sees political tension and social unrest. When there are important political events or any indication of such political or social unrest, the government may not issue Tibet permits during some special periods. Although, the conflicts are defused day by day, it is still a problem out of our control. Therefore, we cannot entirely certain that you will get the Tibet permit in these cases. Moreover, we cannot predict when it will happen. Please make a full understanding of it and take it into consideration when planning your trip to Tibet. However, it is not necessary to worry too much about it because it rarely happens. And any unofficial information you find on the Internet or hear from other people, even from travel agencies, can be considered as rumour. Please do not believe it unless you get an announcement from the government.
If you enter Tibet from Nepal, you need get Chinese Visa and Tibet Permit under the guidance of Enter Tibet From Nepal.
Hope that the above-mentioned info can help you have a easy and happy China vacation deals in Tibet.
Independent travel or join a tour grour in China
Of course, it depends on many factors, including your travel experience, personality, and budget. You’ll have to balance the trade offs and decide which is more appropriate for you specifically.
In general, going with an all-inclusive China tour deals in China is more suitable for travelers with little to no overseas travel experience. Or those who really dislike the hassles of deciding where to go, how to get there, choosing a hotel and restaurant, and so on.
Cost-wise, it depends. For the serious budget traveler, going solo is cheaper (but you’ll likely won’t be traveling as comfortably). But because tour groups can get volume discounts and share transportation, they aren’t necessarily more expensive than independent travel and can be a good value.
Organized tours in China: Pros & Cons
Although there are differences, an “organized tour” in China usually refers to a full-package with a tour guide who handles virtually every detail of your itinerary, including which attractions you’ll see (and stops along the way), where’ll you’ll stay and eat, and so on.
PROS:
Hassle-free: You just show up and do what they tell you. You won’t have to figure out how to buy tickets or negotiate with taxi drivers or look for a hotel. It also means that you and your friends won’t have to bicker endlessly about where, when, and how to go to your next destination.
Join a tour group or independent travel in China? You’ll have a Chinese tour guide, who (should) have specialized information about the sites as well as serve as a translator for your group.
Safety in numbers as well as a tour guide who can help steer you clear of trouble and annoyances.
New friends: You’ll have the opportunity to socialize and share experiences with other travelers in your group.
More variety of foods: You’ll be eating Chinese family-style for most meals (shared by entire table) so you’ll be able to sample a wider range of foods that you might not otherwise try.
CONS:
Join a tour group or independent travel in China?Lack of flexibility: You might feel as if you’re back in summer camp since someone else will be dictating all the details of your day (such as when to wake up, etc). Want to take a detour to check out something interesting? Have a craving for some non-Chinese food for a change? Sorry, the bus is leaving in 10 minutes.
You”ll have a more “watered down” travel experience. Being part of a large tour group — which largely go to the same popular tourist spots — means fewer opportunities to have genuine interactions with locals and appreciate the subtleties of daily life in the back streets.
If your tour guide is unpleasant (or just annoying), you’re out of luck since you’re stuck with him/her for the rest of your trip. The quality of your tour guide is critical in other respects — some can barely speak English and are not as knowledgeable as they should be so do your homework first.
If other people in your group are unpleasant or annoying,it can be harder to appreciate the majesty of the Li River whose view can be compared with that of Yangtze River cruises as you listen to Bubba loudly tell the story of how he once caught a 20 pound catfish with his bare hands….for the fifth time.
Waste valuable time in attractions and pit stops that are thinly disguised tourist-trap gift shops. Since tours typically get some sort of commission or kickback for bringing in a bus load of rich tourists, you might get annoyed at all of the pit stops as well as the mediocre restaurants that cater to tourist groups.
Come on A Tasty Tour of China
Like a huge range of inspiring landscapes lied within the vast territory, China also is the home of diversity of peoples. The Han People is the dominant force, but there also are more than 50 ethnic groups with different customs, traditions, languages and ways of life living on this large area. Despite these differences existing, one thing that binds all Chinese people together is the passion on food.
Now let’s begin our food China tours
Chinese food enjoys a reputation in the world. One of the best known is Beijing Roast Duck which can be eaten in other countries, but the authentic Beijing roast duck can be found in Beijing. The Beijing roasted duck can be dated back to 1,500 years. Why Beijing roast duck got so famous is the breed of the duck, i.e. Beijing duck. According to the legend, the superb taste of the roast dick comes from the rare-breed Beijing duck. The most famous Beijing roast duck restaurant that offers the most tasting roast is Quanjude restaurant.
Snack stalls and markets abound are perfect to taste delicious food. You can spend little money to get you stomach full with delectable snacks. The night markets and snack stalls can be found in most China cities.
Do you like spicy food? If you like, you should head to Sichuan Province and Chongqing City which are place to start Yangtze River cruise, home to the spiciest dishes on the planet. Chillies are used as the fixings along with the unique Sichuan pepper. The signature dish in Sichuan is hotpot. Although hotpot can be eaten in other places of China, Sichuan is the hometown of hotpot.
Hongshao Rou (braised pork belly) is a popular dish among Chinese. Hunan Province, the birthplace of Mao Zedong, is the home to this dish. But this dish is too fatty for some western. Taste because it is really delicious.
Speaking of Guangxi, people always think of the enchanting landscapes in Guilin. But Guangxi is also famous for its dog-meat hotpot. If you think eating dog meat violate your morals, you can try beer fish, a mouth-watering specialty of village of Yangshuo.
Wow, the food trip is very marvelous. Besides tasting the delicious food, we can also have some wonderful private tour of China.
The Trace of Chinese History - Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi History Museum is a national comprehensive history museum in Xi’an city of Shaanxi Province which is a terminus of Silk Road travel. The museum began to build in 1983 and was opened to the public in June 20 1991. The museum is renowned for its abundant cultural relic objects which make it a treasure house to display the history and culture of Shaanxi Province and the Chinese ancient civilization. Therefore it is praised as “Pearl in Xi’an, Treasure House in China”.
Shaanxi area is one of important places where Chinese people live and multiply and also one of birthplaces of the Chinese civilization. The thirteen dynasties made Xi’an as their capital. Its rich cultural heritage and profound cultural accumulation form a unique history and culture of Shaanxi style. So Shaanxi History Museum is a real place to show Shaanxi history and culture and the Chinese ancient civilization. It occupies the area of 70,000 square meters, building area reach 55,600 square meters and the exhibition hall is 11,000 square meters. The exterior of the museum highlights the style of Tang Dynasty. The cultural and historical relic pieces in Shaanxi History Museum reach 370,000 with a range from simple stone tools to the kinds of the ancient artifacts before 1840. These rare and precious ancient articles make Shaanxi History Museum a most visited place which make great contribution for China tourism.
The museum was constructed according to Premier Zhou’s will. The exhibition of painting wall from Tang tomb is the most striking for visitors which were excavated from the tomb of the crown prince Li Xian (the son of Empress Wuzetian) and Li Xianhui (granddaughter of Wuzetian) in 1950s,1970s and 1980s. The museum are separated into two parts: one is to display the objects related to Shaanxi local history and the other one reflected the Shaanxi long history and rich culture is subdivided according to the sequence of dynasties in ancient China.
The Shaanxi History Museum has been approved as the 4A tourist attraction. Stepping into the museum, we can feel the broadness and steadiness of the Chinese history. Now, the museum is opened to the public free of charge by use of valid credentials and is also the must-see destination included in popular China travel package.
Source of Article: http://www.articlestars.com/articles/1290777_The-Trace-of-Chinese-History---Shaanxi-History-Museum.html
Answer for China Visa and entry requirements
Do I need a visa before entering China?
China visa & entry requirements"
Yes. All foreign visitors to China need to apply for a visa in advance, available from Chinese embassies and consulates, as well as through visa agents and tour operators. Most embassies and consulates don’t allow you to mail in your visa application so you’ll either have to visit one or use a visa/China travel agent.
The exceptions are Hong Kong and Macau, which have own tourist guidelines (citizens from the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand don’t need a visa and can stay up to 90 days).
1. Visas must be used within 3 months of ISSUE date
2. Best to apply for your visa about 1-2 months before departure date. It supposedly only takes 4 business days but I’d give yourself 2 weeks lead time just in case.
3. The visa application asks to list your occupation. If you’re a journalist, photographer, filmmaker, or writer….it’s probably safer to write in something like, “professional dog groomer” or “subway bucket drummer.”
China visa & entry requirementsVisa regulations are subject to change, especially during times of political unrest when it’s possible (but unlikely) that you’ll be asked to show additional documentation such as your airline tickets or hotel reservations.
If you’re traveling on a China tour package, you probably won’t need to apply for an individual visa since your tour leader will apply for a group visa (after getting your details).
VISA TYPES:
1. Single-entry tourist visas (L) are most common and easiest to get. They’re almost always good for 30 days from date of entry (but they’ll also grant 2-3 month visa if requested). Multiple-entry L visas are also available and are typically valid for one year. COSTS: non-US citizen= $30. US citizens= $130 (in response to higher US visa fees)
2. Business visas (F) require an invitation from government-recognized Chinese organization and are valid between 3 months to 2 years.
3. Work visas (Z) also require invitation, plus additional documentation like a clean bill of health.
4. Student visas (X) less than 6 moths need letter of acceptance. If longer, you’ll also need health certificate (typically valid for a year but renewable annually).
The above-mentioned information about China visa can help your customize China tours.
Dunhuang - A City along Silk Road
Today's settlement in China's remote, northwestern Gansu Province belies the once-bustling hub of Silk Road merchants, suppliers, and entrepreneurs who once populated this desert oasis. Plundered by some unsavory, late 19th century "archeologists," Dunhuang and other Silk Road towns lost a good deal of their riches - now displayed on museum shelves throughout the world. But Silk Road adventures still attracts tourists at home and abroad.
Much as today's Egyptian archeologists and curators rightfully curse the foreign "archeologists" (and the corrupted local officials) who permitted a wholesale removal of national treasures, controversy remains in China as how best to arrange a return of those treasures. Outsiders may cite China's past rollercoaster record on antiquity preservation, but it's ironic that Chinese citizens often need to travel to London, Paris or New York to view some of their nation's finest Silk Road artistry!
Not all was lost to the west, however. In fact, a good deal remains, saved not by the Chinese, removed not by Westerners, but hidden by nature. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when maritime shipping displaced the overland Silk Road routes, entire desert towns were abandoned. Over the years, shifting sands covered them, hiding their riches from even the most enterprising excavators.
Dunhuang's major sights and attractions include:
Mogao Caves: Over a period of about 700 years, from the 4th to the 11th century AD, Buddhist monks - often supported by rich patrons - excavated and executed astonishing works of art in caves outside of Dunhuang. The arrival of Islam in the 12th century ended the cave creations and their virtual abandonment (and the soon-to-follow economic downturn of Silk Road communities) actually helped secure their preservation. "Discovered" in 1907, the caves are Dunhuang's top attraction which make great contribution to China tourism.
Yueya Quan: Literally, "Crescent Moon Lake," this oasis sits just a few miles outside of town. Countless Silk Road travelers, nomads, merchants and now, tourists - have quenched their thirsts here!
"Singing Sand Dunes": The sand storms are said to create almost melodic sounds as millions of minute particles bounce and rub. You're unlikely to hear them, as tours don't head for the dunes during sand storms! But you'll cherish the views of the surrounding Taklamakan Desert. For the energetic, parasailing, tobogganing - and now - "sandboarding," are fun activities available here.
If you want to know more information about Dunhuang, you can contact with a China travel agency.
Rooftop of the World - Tibet
Treking on the mountain is a very challenging activities for your Tibet travel.
The high Tibetan plateau is the rooftop of Asia, hidden from the Indian subcontinent behind the ramparts of the Great Himalaya. Despite Chinese-led modernisation, Tibet’s great monasteries still hum with murmured mantras and the flicker of yak butter lamps. Sublime landscapes, ranging from rolling grasslands to high-altitude turquoise lakes, a vibrant Buddhist culture and the friendly and resilient Tibetan people are the highlights here, as are the views of Everest’s North Face – miles better than anything you’ll see in Nepal. When to go mid-May to September Getting there Flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu, Chengdu, Beijing and many other cities in China, or take the world’s highest train from China to Lhasa. Suggested itinerary Join a requisite tour for the ten-day overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, stopping at the incredible multistorey stupa (structure containing Buddhist relics) at Gyantse and the spectacular medieval monastery at Sakya. Off the beaten track alternativeComplete a rugged three-day trek around Asia’s most sacred peak, Mt Kailash, in remote Western Tibet, and then visit the incredible Kashmiri-influenced art of Tsaparang and the Guge Kingdom, hidden deep in the weirdly eroded desert gorges of the Sutlej Valley. Freshly paved roads and a new airport outside Ali make the two-week trip much less arduous than just two years ago, though you still have to hire transport and a guide through an agency in Lhasa or Kathmandu.
If you need more info about trekking in Tibet, you can consult from China travel agents.
Introduction of Latern Festival in China
After Spring Festival, another tradition and big festival is Latern Festival. If you have China tours on this day, you can enjoy the various types of traditional latern in China.
The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance.
This day's important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha's body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.
Till today, the lantern festival is still held each year around the country. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in the streets, attracting countless visitors. Children will hold self-made or bought lanterns to stroll with on the streets, extremely excited. And foreign tourists if you are lucky can witness the show of Dragon Dance in cities, which will make your China custom tour colorful and more interesting.
"Guessing lantern riddles"is an essential part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have solutions to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answer. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity emerged during people's enjoyment of lanterns in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all social strata.
People will eat yuanxiao, or rice dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the "Yuanxiao Festival."Yuanxiao also has another name, tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried fruit, sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes sweet and delicious. What's more, tangyuan in Chinese has a similar pronunciation with "tuanyuan”, meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote union, harmony and happiness for the family.
In the daytime of the Festival, performances such as a dragon lantern dance, a lion dance, a land boat dance, a yangge dance, walking on stilts and beating drums while dancing will be staged. On the night, except for magnificent lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people become really intoxicated by the imposing fireworks and bright moon in the sky.
All in all, Latern Festival is a good time to have China tour deals and you will have more fun and save more money because the fare of fligts and accommodation will be discounted.
The Splendid View of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan
If you want to choose a place for trekking in China, the area of Three Parallel Rivers may be your good choice for your China tours.
In the high mountains of southwest China's Yunnan Province, three rivers – the Jinsha, Nujiang and Lancang – all originated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, run roughly parallel, north to south for some 170 km. As the crow flies, the distance between the Jinsha and Lancang rivers is 66 km while that between the Lancang and Nujiang rivers is less than 19 km.
Sanjiang is a veritable museum displaying the geological history of the last 40-50 million years associated with the collision of the Indian and Eurasian Plate and the lifting of the Himalaya Range and Tibetan Plateau.
The Three Parallel Rivers site covers land of some 1.7 million hectares. With it come nine nature reserves and 10 scenic spots variously belonging to Lijiang City (always contained in the popular China tour package), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. Located where the three geological regions of East Asia, South Asia and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau meet, it is representative of rare alpine landforms and their evolution, and one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.
Every kind of landscape to be found in the northern Hemisphere other than desert and ocean can be found here including magnificent snow-capped mountains and glaciers, precipitous Danxia cliffs and wonderful Karst formations.
The region has 118 snow-capped mountains over 5,000 meters above sea level, varying widely in form. With them come many hectares of untouched forest and several hundred glacial lakes.
Highest among them at 6,740 meters is the snow-capped Meili Mountain with its 10,000-year-old glaciers. Crystal-clear and sparkling, the ice makes its way very slowly from high on the peak down to the Mingyongcun Forest at 2,700 meters. It is considered to be the world's finest monsoon glacier and remarkable for its descent to such a low altitude. For thousands of years, Tibetan people have regarded the Meili as a holy mountain. To this day they respect the need to obtain permission before going on the mountain.
The Danxia landforms in the Laojun Mountains in the Lijiang Area, picturesque in their forest setting, are both the biggest and the best-formed examples of this geomorphology in China. In places, the red cliffs have weathered away to leave formations said to look like tortoises. On the aptly named thousand tortoise mountain, one can imagine at first a single large tortoise and then on closer inspection see it to be made up of the regular ranks of thousands of small tortoises.
The view of Three Parallel Rivers are so splendid which attracts numerious tourists every year. But it is not the place for your China business travel.
TMLHow to take original Shanghai photos
With rapid development of China tourism, Shanghai is a very hot destination for many foreign tourists. Taking photos is one of important things during your journey. The following give you clues of how to take original Shanghai photos.
We’re not saying you should dodge all those touristy Shanghai spots -- leaving here without one photo on the Bund might just look odd -- but roaming downtown and getting lost with your camera in the real Shanghai may be the best thing to happen to you and your Flickr album. That is, if you’re well prepared.
1. The Bike Photo
Xujiahui, Puxi’s bustling southern hub, caters to a constant wave of fashionistas, foodies and tekkies, leaving no lack of stories in their wake.
Although ultra-modern in every sense of the word, a juxtaposition of old and new can still be found among a rare pocket of calm, quietly housing hints of an endless commercial buzz, as here via the reflection of a 1920 vintage bicycle.
Keep it simple, use a hand-held (never use a tripod as it greatly reduces the freedom of your composition and slows down the creative answer to your visual feelings), keep your ISO low and most importantly, learn how to lock your body to shoot.
2. 1,001 Shanghai Nights
An everyday pedestrian bridge is rendered sci-fi funky thanks to the dazzling blue rays of the towering Yan'an Lu freeway.
One of the city’s, if not Asia’s brightest thoroughfares, this flashy freeway has been made even brighter.
Surely no fun to its next-door neighbors, but inspiration and lighting galore for the city’s nocturnal shutterbugs.
A nighttime photo-enthusiast, Péret encourages photographers to hit the evening streets where -- thanks to Shanghai’s many illuminated landmarks -- that perfect night lighting is never too far away. Shanghai nights view is a must for popular China travel package.
Whether day or night, taking a picture is like making orange juice. If you only squeeze a bit, you’re wasting precious juice, but if you are truly inspired, you squeeze and squeeze until not a drop is left and your fingers are raw.
3. The Shanghai Metro
There’s never a dull moment to be found with the non-stop hum of cars and credit card machines in one of Shanghai’s main shopping locales -- Huaihai Zhong Lu.
Just steps away, many note the temporary walls while hardly breaking stride. Only a few will brave the dust, concrete and debris for a better look. A pity.
Like cities inside the city, they’re a great way to witness Shanghai’s many microcosms and are constantly changing and evolving -- a lot like Shanghai itself.
Nighttime is always more discreet allowing you to enter the intimacy of the 24/7 construction microcosm.
If you want to know more info about Shanghai, you can contact with China travel agents.
When is the Best Time to Visit China
China is a very hot tourist destination. When to have China tours.
The best times to visit China are the spring (March-May) and the autumn (September to early November). During these times, there’s less rain and clearer skies.
But with the exception of the north during the winter, you can still see China comfortably year-round. Summers see the heaviest rain and can be uncomfortably hot, especially in the south near Hong Kong, which has notoriously hot and humid summers.
Most first-time travelers to China will travel up and down the eastern provinces (the most developed and richest provinces containing most tourist highlights). For example, from the north in Beijing all the way south to Hong Kong. So plan accordingly: if you’re arriving during the spring, start in the south (before the hot & sticky summers start up) and finish in Beijing. Or if you’re arriving in the autumn, start in Beijing — before the brunt of winter moves in — and make your way south.
While the national holidays also should be avoided such as May Day, National Day and Chinese New Year, which are "golden weeks" in China, the streets and famous site will be very crowded.
If you have plan to take part in a China vacation packages, you tour guide will give you the information about which time should be avoided and others.
Lhasa City Guide
Lhasa is a one of must-see destination for Tibet tours.
The spiritual allure of Tibet has had a magnetic pull over travelers as one of the world’s great travel adventures since opening for tourism in the 1980s. From adventure-seeking backpackers to luxury jet-setters, travelers everywhere have added the fabled “Roof of the World,” and the capital city of Lhasa, on their places-to-see-before-I-die Bucket Lists.
And for good reason too. Tibet—long isolated and guarded behind the world’s highest mountains—infects you with an almost dreamlike otherworldly sensation. Whether it’s due to the high-altitude making the air sparkle with intoxicating clarity or depriving your brain of oxygen is up to you to decide.
Either way, you’ll no doubt agree that Tibet’s majestic mountain vistas—combined with the beauty of the Tibetan people and their Buddhist practices—will cast a sublimely hypnotic spell on you that will linger for a lifetime. As a destination of popular China tours, Lhasa must be visited by every travel-lover.
The administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and the only sizeable city of the region, Lhasa is your base for exploring the rest of the Tibet. Lhasa (“Ground of the Gods”) is the center of Tibetan Buddhism with plenty of sights in and around to keep you engrossed for at least a week.
While the erosion of traditional Tibetan culture may leave some depressed, it doesn’t mean you should avoid visiting. Many Tibetans—including the Dalai Lama himself—encourage as many people to visit in order to learn firsthand about Tibet culture and its gentle people.
And while you may have to trek a considerable distance to add Lhasa, Tibet to your itinerary, can you really live with the regret of missing out on one of the planet’s most unique and unforgettable adventures. But Lhasa is not right for China business tour.
Four Types of Chinese Train Tickets
If you want a different China tours, you can try a train tour. The following give you the information about four types of seats in Chinese train.
Instead of having “first” or “second” class tickets, the Chinese has four classes: Hard Seat, Soft Seat, Hard Sleeper, and Soft Sleeper.
Note that “hard” and “soft” doesn’t literally describe the softness since these days all seats and bunks have padding. Also, not every class is available for every train (for instance, short distance trains won’t have sleeper classes while many super-long distance ones will have only sleeper classes).
HARD SEAT (硬座 = “ing zwoh”): Unless you’re (1) dirt poor, (2) going a very short distance, or (3) want to “keep it real” and experiencing life with the masses, I’d recommend avoiding Hard Seat class. As you can imagine in a country with a large, poor population, the cheapest classes are typically crowded and uncomfortable. With no assigned seating, you’ll start by being out-elbowed by hundreds of Chinese locals as everyone squeezes shoulder to shoulder on benches. On longer trips, the floor fills up with trash, watermelon rinds, cigarette butts, seeds, etc. Similarly, the toilets get gross quickly since there are a lot more people using them (Tip: you can also sneak over and use the cleaner soft sleeper toilets, which include western-style toilets).
SOFT SEAT (软座 = “rwon zuo”): A considerable improvement in comfort and elbow room, but only available on a limited number of trains (mostly shorter trains between major cities). In addition to having an actual assigned seat, you’ll usually find cleaner toilets (and a choice of Western or squat).
HARD SLEEPER (硬卧 = “ing woh”): The best value for what you get in China, Hard Sleeper is about 2/3 the price of the more expensive Soft Sleeper class. Each carriage is divided into open compartments with 6 sleeping berths (lower, middle, and upper bunk). Pricing is based on bunk position: For some reason, the bottom bunk is the most expensive (I suppose because you have under-bed storage and don’t need to climb up).
SOFT SLEEPER (软卧 = “rwon woh”): Is available as either a 2 or 4 bunk private compartment with a locking door (good for a small group traveling together). Considerably more comfortable and roomier than Hard Sleeper, newer trains even have individual TV screens and outlets for your laptop. Toilets are also cleaner with choice of Western or squat.
If you want last minute China travel deals and different travel experience, you can try to consider train travel in China.
Do you need to tip in China
For those who join China tour packages, is it necessary to tip in China?
Tipping is not an established practice in China. You’re not expected to tip anyone, including taxi drivers, waiters/waitresses, or hair stylists. In higher end restaurants in Hong Kong (and increasingly in Shanghai and Beijing), you might see a 10% service charge added to your bill.
Having said that, the practice has been catching on (enthusiastically I might add) — the expectation of getting a tip has increased in tourist services that cater to foreigners. For example, it’s a good idea to leave a tip (or group tip) to your tour leader (depending, of course, on the number of days and quality of service). But don’t feel as if you’re obligated to do so (especially if the service was sub-par or mediocre) — domestic Chinese (and most Asian) tourists typically don’t tip anyone while in China.
Also, bell hops in upscale hotels that see a lot of foreigners are more than happy to get a small tip (again, don’t feel at all obligated to do so).
[ Side rant: Personally, the practice tipping in hotels has always seemed unfair to me. Why is it that the maids, reception, and kitchen staff rarely get tipped....but the bellhop expects a nice tip for wheeling my luggage (which has wheels) into an elevator? Or worse, the doorman who expects a tip after spending all of 10 seconds whistling a taxi over and moving my bag 5 feet into the trunk? ]
If you want to know more information about tip, you can contact with a China travel agency.
Drinking Tips in China
If you take part in the China vacation packages and are arranged to visit the local families and have dinner with them, you should know the following drinking tips.
Like in Western cultures, alcohol is a big part of the dining experience. I personally think that China — like many Asian cultures — go a bit overboard. There’s an almost college mentality at work: The more your guests drink, the better (and if they don’t want to, we’ll gang peer pressure them!). I think a big reason is that Asian cultures tend to be less expressive and more formal–getting wasted with your new friend is not only a bonding experience, but is the only way that some feel comfortable enough to let their hair down and just relax.
Wait for host to make the first toast before drinking. But pace yourself, because afterwards, everyone takes turns making toasts (a seemingly never-ending round of toasts). You’ll notice that every time your glass is getting close to being empty, someone will have already filled it up.
It’s also considered rude to not raise your glass and join in a toast. The result is that you can find yourself completely bombed quickly. If you’re not a big drinker or not in the mood, you can claim that you’re allergic to alcohol (if anyone can empathize, it’s the red-faced Asians). But join in the toasts by raising your tea or water cup.
Be forewarned that if you’re talked into a first alcoholic drink (“C’mon, just one!”), you can be sure it’ll be followed by more peer pressure than a fraternity pledge week (and also complete with drinking games). There was a case that made headlines some years back about a low-level government official who attended too many of these drunken banquets and literally drank himself to death.
To avoid getting totally plastered, use an old Chinese trick: Just take tiny sips or pretend to drink by raising your glass to your closed lips (I don’t think that trick would’ve worked in college with beer bongs though).
But in some places where ethnic groups lives, these tips may not be right. If you have a Shangri-La tour in Zhongdian, they may have other drinking tips you should obey.
Must-See Sightseeings in Hainan
Hainan is a hot destination included popular China tours. The following attractions are well sorted out for you.
1. Monkey Island
Located on the Nanwan peninsula, 14 kilometers south of Lingshui County, Monkey Island is a state-protected and only nature reserve for macaque monkeys in the world. Established in 1965, the island has become a popular tourist destination. More than 400 kinds of plants and fruits, 100 animals and numerous grottos make the island a perfect paradise for monkeys. It is now home to approximately 2,500 monkeys among 21 species. It also has the longest over-water cable car in China, spanning 2,138 meters, providing convenient transportation to the island. Free guides advise visitors how to play with the monkeys and experience the harmony between humans and nature.
Admission: 138 yuan
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden in Xinglong Hot Spring Tourist Zone is a splendid natural region in Hainan and always included in China tour packages, famous for tropical cash crops, wild plants and rare species. Built in 1957, it covers 400,000 square meters and is one of four national eco-environment education centers and gene pools of species in China. Called the "tropical plants encyclopedia," the garden consists of five areas: Plants Area, Experiment and Demonstration Area, Technology Innovation Area, Stereo Effect Planting Area and Ecological Leisure Area. The garden also plays an important role in agricultural cultivation and research.
Admission: 28 yuan
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. Coconut trees in Wenchang
The Wenchang coconut trees form the largest group of coconut trees in China and is one of the most popular scenic areas in Hainan. There are more than 500,000 trees. Coconut juice is called "holy water" by local residents and is said to help people who drink it regain their youthful vigor.
Local farmers can climb 20 meters coconut trees very fast to give visitors fresh coconut juice. Get there: Buses from Haikou and Sanya go to Wenchang.
But these attractions are not right for China business tours.
Top Spring Destination in China
Spring is a hot sea for China tourism. The following two is the hot destinations for tourists in spring.
1. Zhangjiajie, Hunan (湖南张家界)
Zhangjiajie, located in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, is about 265 kilometers to Changsha, the provincial capital. Most scenic spots in the area are situated in the northern part of the city, including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, Huanglong Cave, Baofeng Lake, and Suoxi Valley. They are known for their beautiful forests, odd-shaped rocks, exquisite canyons, limestone caves, and jaw-dropping panoramic views. The hills present different views to visitors with the changing of the seasons. In October, colorful leaves, sheer cliffs and secluded valleys wow visitors.
Travel tips:
Best time to visit: April to October
Admission:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: 245 yuan
Wulingyuan: 245 yuan
Tianmen Mountain: 260 yuan
Getting there: travel bus from Zhangjiajie to all the scenic spots.
2. Nyingchi
Nyingchi, or Linzhi in Chinese, lies in the southeast part of Tibet Autonomous Region and is a must for Tibet tours. Located near the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, it is blessed with a semi-humid climate and fascinating scenery. With a large number of river valleys and alpine gorges, Nyingchi is also called the "Switzerland of Tibet". When travelling there, you will be amazed by the lofty snow-capped mountain peaks, well-preserved original forests, cypresses that can grow up to thirty meters, and numerous colorful grasses. Travelers can also take part in various activities, such as mountain hiking, rock climbing and white water rafting, and experience the unique local customs of the Menba and Luoba people.
Travel tips:
Best time to visit: May and October
Admission:
Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon: 150 yuan for adults; 70 yuan for kids
Giant Cypress Forest: 10 yuan
Gangxiang Nature Reserve: free
Basongcuo Lake: 100 yuan
Getting there: You can take a plane to Linzhi Airport, or take coach or train to Linzhi from Lhasa or Chengdu.
But these two places are not right for China business travel.
The Guide of Pingyao Ancient Town and Bashang Grasslands
I have visited Pingyao Ancient Town for two times and have a great experience which make my China travel very knowledgeable.
1. Pingyao Ancient Town, Shanxi
Pingyao Ancient Town is located in the middle of Shanxi Province, about 715 kilometers from Beijing. It is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in China. The town was first founded during the reign of King Xuan (827-782 BC) of the Western Zhou Dynasty. After thousands of years, the ancient walls, streets, houses, shops and temples have been almost kept intact. In 1986, the State Council proclaimed Pingyao as a historical and cultural site. Also, it was listed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Travel tips:
Admission: 120 yuan (60 yuan for students)
Telephone: +86-0354-5690075
Getting there: You can take a train from Taiyuan Railway Station. It will take you one and a half hour to get there; or you can take tourist buses from Jiannan Bus Station in Taiyuan.
2. Bashang Grasslands, Hebei
Although Bashang Grasslands is not known by many tourists, the view there is splendid and worth you joining a China tour packages.
The climate and location at the junction of the North China Plains and the Inner Mongolia Grasslands give Bashang its unique natural landscapes and make it a popular destination for tourists and photographers. Mulan Weichang in Weichang Bashang, 450 kilometers northeast of Beijing, is perhaps the most beautiful part. Travelers can ride horses, camp, watch local wrestling competitions, or stay in Mongolian yurts.
Travel tips:
Admission: 110 yuan
Getting there: Take a train from Beijing to Siheyong Railway Station, then transfer to a bus to Bashang; or take a long-distance bus from Dongzhimen, Zhaogongkou, Xizhimen or Muxiyuan bus stations in Beijing.
But the above-mentioned attractions are not right for China business tours.
Top February destinations in China
The Year of the Snake is arrivomg! Want to start the Year of the Snake by witnessing the amazing changing of the season with both winter sceneries and the coming of the spring? The following show you top February destinations in China for your China tours.
1. Emei Mountain, Sichuan (峨眉山)
Emei Mountain, standing in Emeishan City in the southwest part of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is renowned for its sacred Buddhist culture and amazing natural beauty. Different from other snowy mountains, Mount Emei has two distinct sceneries in the winter. Around foothills, flourishing leaves and gurgling creeks make it as green and beautiful as in the summer. While above the altitude of 2,000 meters, it is a world of snow and ice. The whole mountain is covered with white carpet, and the trees are decorated in rime. The area is in fine weather In February, making Mount Emei an ideal place to enjoy a quiet end of the winter.
Travel tips:
Admission: 90 yuan from February to November; 150 yuan from December to January.
Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. in winter and spring (Oct. 8 to Apr. 30); 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in summer and autumn (May 1 to Oct. 7)
Directions: Take the tourist bus from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (2 hours ride) or the long-distance bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station (about 3.5 hours ride) from downtown Chengdu.
You will have a different travel experience by comparison with that of Yangtze River cruises.
2. Hulunbuir Grassland, Inner Mongolia
Hulunbuir Grassland, located in the northeast of Inner Mongolia, is known as the "most unsullied grassland" in China. Named after the Hulun and Buir lakes, the grassland features the beautiful scenery of vast grassland, forests, rivers and lakes, as well as the unique custom of the Mongolian ethnic group. In the summer, the green grassland is dotted with colorful flowers, with cattle and sheep scattered among the fields. The winter provides a totally different view. White vast land, clean blue sky, breathtaking scenery and various interesting activities – all of these make the place a world of beauty and fun.
Travel tips: Admission: free Opening hours: all day Directions: Take train to Hailar District of Hulun Buir City, and then transfer to travel bus to Hunlunbuir Grassland.
If you have plan to visit China in Feb., you should consider these two attractions where have a different view from Shangri-La tours.
What to See in Jilin, China
If you want to have educational China tours in Jilin, the following two attractions are the best choice to learn about geology in China.
1. Xianghai National Nature Reserve
Xianghai National Nature Reserve is a major habitat for migratory birds in northeast China's Jilin Province. Located in the Horqin Grassland, the reserve covers an area of 106,700 hectares, and 39 percent of its area is covered with marshland, water, reeds, or a secondary forest growth.
It features more than 20 types of trees and 200 types of plants, with three major rivers flowing through. As a paradise for birds, it is the home of 293 species of rare birds, including six breeds of cranes. It earned the reputation of "the hometown of cranes", due to the large groups of cranes and the number of crane species. There are also some other wild animals living in the area including roes, Mongolian rabbits, wolves, and fishes.
The reserve was listed as an A-class wetland by the World Wildlife Fund International (World Wide Fund for Nature) in 1992 and was included in the People and Bio-sphere Protection Network in 1993. If you want to customize China tours in Jilin, the reserve should not be missed.
Admission:Birds Park: 30 yuan (US$4.72)/person; Crane Island: 40 yuan (US$6.29)/person
2. Chagan Lake
Chagan Lake is located in Songyuan City, northwest of Jilin Province. The name "Chagan" comes from Mongolian, which means sacred, pure or white, so the lake is often referred to as Sacred Lake or Holy Water Lake by the locals.
Covering a total area of 420 square kilometers (42,000 hectares), the lake is one of the 10 largest fresh water lakes in China, the biggest in Jilin.
The lake is well-known for its traditional Mongolian-style winter fishing that dates back to prehistoric times. The annual Winter Fishing Festival is held to remember the old winter fishing tradition. It has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. The lake set a Guinness World Record of a single net that yielded 104,500 kg fish in 2005, and broke its own record by 168,000 kg of fish in 2008.
The lake is also a paradise for more than 20 kinds of wild animals and 80 kinds of birds. Admission:Free
But these attractions are not right for the tour agency which provide China business travel service.
Guide of North Pole Village and Khanka Lake in Heilongjiang
The following introduce you the two attractions in Heilongjiang which are different from that of Tibet travel.
1. North Pole Village
North Pole Village can be found at the utmost northern part of China in Mohe County, Heilongjiang Province. Neighboring Russia with only a river between the two, North Pole Village is the only place to enjoy aurora borealis and polar day phenomenon in the country.
Covering an area of 100.06 hectares, the village is the first village in China styled after Northern Europe. The place is also called the "Home of Santa Claus", the "World of Children's Stories" and the "World Above Snow."
The Summer Solstice is the busiest time each year, with fascinating fire parties beside the river all night long.
Admission: 60 yuan (US$9.47)/person
2. Khanka Lake
Khanka Lake, or Xingkai Lake, located on the border of Russia and China's Heilongjiang Province, is the largest water body of northeast China. Covering an area of 4,380 square kilometers (438,000 hectares), the lake empties into China's eastern-most river, the Wusuli. The view of this lake is very splendid which can be matched with that of West Lake in Hangzhou for China tour.
The area around the lake is an important wetland habitat for animal and plant species and forms nature reserves of both countries. A paradise of migrant birds, the lake attracts hundreds of thousands of birds every spring, and is known internationally as an excellent place to go bird watching. Its wonderful scenery in all seasons also makes it an ideal place for photography and filming.
The lake has been included in the list of "World Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO.
Admission: 40 yuan (US$6.32)/person
If you want to know more info about these two attractions, you can contact with China travel agents.
Guide of Fortaleza do Monte and Macao Jockey Club
If you want to customize China tours in Macao, the following two are considered as the top attractions which should not be missed.
1. Fortaleza do Monte
As a historical military center in Macao, Fortaleza do Monte is part of the "Historic Centre of Macao", inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Located immediately to the east of the Ruins of St Paul's, the fort was initially built in the 16th century for protecting the church from the pirates. Later it became solely a military fort. The fort blends well with the surrounding landscape. From the fortress, visitors get a excellent panoramic view of Macao.
Travel tips:
How to get there: Take Bus No.8A, 17, 18, 19, 26 Hours: 06:00-19:00 (May - Sep.); 07:00-18:00 (Oct. - the next Apr.)2. Macao Jockey Club
Macao is well-known for gambling. For betting on horses, head to the Macao Jockey Club on Taipa Island, where Horse-racing meetings mainly takes place most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the race-course.
Providing horse racing and gambling entertainment, Macao Jockey Club attracts numerous gamblers from nearby areas. The club began in 1979. Its stables are home to about 1,000 horses. With a race-course area of 450,000 square meters, 18,000 seats are available for gamblers, and the club is open only for people over 18 years of age.
If you need more info about attractions in Macao, you can contact with China tour agents.
What to See in Inner Mongolia, China
Inner Mongolia is the located in the south China. The view of grassland and horses and sheeps is very impressive. The scenery here give you a different travel experience from that of Yangtze River tours.
1. The Rock Paintings of Yinshan Mountains
The Rock Paintings of Yinshan Mountains is the largest rock painting and carving treasury in China, scattered over the central and west part of Inner Mongolia. The themes of the carvings mainly are daily life and hunting activities of prehistoric nomads. Among the rock paintings, the most numerous drawn ones are pictures of animals, including goats, sheep, argali, rabbits and foxes. The vivid engravings exude the rich flavor of the lives of ancient peoples.
Admission: NA
Best time to visit: May to October
2. Hexigten Global Geopark
Located in Hexigten Banner, 400 km north of Beijing, the park covers an area of 5,000 square kilometers, featuring 10 types of geological and morphological landscapes, including glacier landforms, granite landforms, volcanic landforms, grasslands, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Besides, among the various kinds of grasslands in Inner Mongolia, it is the nearest grassland to Beijing. When the spring comes, the blooming flowers make for charming views which are similiar with that of Shangri-La travel.
Admission: 100 yuan (Arshihaty granite forest park), 120 yuan (Qingshan granite mortars), 25 yuan (Dali Nur volcanic landscape, including 15 yuan for the museum)
Best time to visit: May to October
3. Dazhao Temple
Located in Yuquan District of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, Dazhao Temple, also known as Hongci Temple and Wuliang Temple, was built in the 7th year of Wanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1579). It features a rare silver statue of Sakyamuni that measures 2.5 meters high. It is now a well-known attraction for its impressive buildings, splendid statues, delicate frescoes and fine collection of Buddhist scriptures, providing precious information for studying the society, economy and culture of ancient Inner Mongolia.
Admission: 30 yuan
Best time to visit: June to September
If you want tailor-made China tours, you can consider to list these attractions in your travel resolution.
Amazing Dwelling Cave in China - Guyaju Scenic Area
There are many theories about the caves bored out in the cliffs of Zhangshanying, reports Erik Nilsson, but they are certainly worth a visit for your China tour.
While a hole in a wall is undesirable real estate today, it was ideal accommodation for a mysterious people who settled north of Beijing about 1,000 years ago. No written record mentions the population who bored the caverns of the country's largest cliff-dwelling settlement in today's Zhangshanying town, Yanqing county, about 90 km northwest from the downtown capital.
But they carved in stone a lasting legacy that reveals little except they existed and were erudite at digging and defense, before vanishing into thin air. One point archeologists agree on is that "China's biggest maze" - as the site is colloquially known - would have been virtually impenetrable.
The 350 chambers whittled inside 117 caves were hacked into the cliff sides in a valley fewer than 10 meters across. They pock a 5-km span. These perforations in the crag are labyrinthine in arrangement.Some are connected vertically, while others are linked horizontally and a few are adjoined both ways. Some are single rooms, while others are clusters. A plexus of stone steps and ladders enable access to the 3-20-square-meter stone chambers.
They still house beds, ovens, tables and feed troughs sculpted into the rock. These ancient engineers also designed ventilation and drainage systems for their hive. Generally speaking, the bottom cavities housed livestock, while the "middle class" dwelled in the center tier of burrows. But the function of the "King's Palace" - the spacious top-floor penthouse, if you will - remains an enigma. Most experts believe the name is a misnomer and are skeptical this was the chieftain's abode.
The two-story structure with six side chambers and decorative pillars (none of the structures required beams to support their ceilings) was likely used for community meetings, sacrifices and religious ceremonies. A massive stone table in the center suggests it might have been a banquet hall. But the "palace's" function is as cryptic as that of Guyaju itself. Some believe the compound is a bunker beneath a lost beacon tower of the Han Great Wall. Others contend it was a bandit lair or a military outpost during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).
The most popular theory is that Guyaju was a haven for the ethnic Xi, a tribe that fled bondage or war under the Liao Dynasty (AD 916-1125). Be they outlaws, war refugees, soldiers, or someone else altogether, it's almost certain they had little inkling they would literally shape curiosity about their lives a millennia later.But that's exactly what these ancient people did when they chiseled the cliff-side dwellings that would become a heritage site for modern visitors to wonder at - and about. The mystery of the cave is something like Bo people's suspending coffin along Yangtze River cruise.
m HTMLTop Must-See Attractions in Guangxi
Located in Southern China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is known for its gorgeous natural scenery as well as residences of a wide variety of ethnic folk groups. There is an old saying: "East or west, Guilin landscape is best."
Whether you visit the verdurous waters of Lijiang River on a boat or see lofty mountains while riding a bike, you would have the most amazing experience! The crystal Lijiang River and the spectacular Longji Terrace are natural wanders that will give you memories to last a lifetime for your Guilin tours.
Among the region's spectacular attractions, here picked out the Top sites known either for their long histories, great sceneries, or unique local customs and cultures.
1. Lijiang River
Originating in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County, the Lijiang River flows southeast through Guilin City and Yangshuo to the Gongcheng Estuary in Pingle County. With 437 kilometers of scenic beauty the Lijiang River is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. An attractive hiking route is from Yangdi wharf in Yangshuo to Xingping County. The walk is only about 10 kilometers but you can spend the whole day strolling along the riverbank and experiencing the local culture.
Travel tips: Hours: all day long Admission: free How to get there: take bus No.57 and 58
Cruising on Li River will give you an eye feast of karst landscapes which are different from that of Yangtze River cruise.
2. Huashan Cliff Paintings
Located under a large cliff along the Mingjiang River, 25 kilometers southwest of Ningming County, Huashan Cliff Paintings has more than 2,500 years of history since it was first constructed in Spring and Autumn Period, featuring flamboyant colors and vivid pictures. It now has 172 meters in length and 50 meters in height, covering 8,000 square meters. Over 1,900 pictures were carved, including human figures, animals, metal instruments, boats and roads. It has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative List.
Travel tips: Hours: all day long Admission: free How to get there: take boat from Tuolongqiaotou at Tuolong Township
3. Lingqu Canal
Located in Xing'an County, near Guilin City, Lingqu Canal is one of the oldest canals in the world. First built in 214 BC, it has a history of 2217 years. The canal is 30 kilometers long and 5 meters wide and connects the Xiang River with the Li River, and thus is part of a historical waterway between the Yangtze and the Pearl River Delta. There is an old saying that "North is Great Wall and South is Lingqu Canal." However, unlike the spectacular and solemn Great Wall, Lingqu Canal is quiet and tranquil. In addition, it has many scenic spots around the canal, including Meiling Pavilion, the Square of Qin Culture and Zhuangyuan Bridge (Number One Scholar Bridge). The canal has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative List.
Travel tips:
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. (May 1 to Oct. 31); 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Nov. 1 - April 30); Admission: 40 yuan How to get there: take bus from Guilin to Xing'an County and then transfer tricycle
You will enjoy a different travel experience in Guangxi by comparison with that of Beijing tours.
Which temples in China to pray in Spring Festival
1. Wannian Temple, Sichuan
Established in the fifth year (401) of the Long’an reign of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Wannian Temple is the oldest temple on Emei Mountain. The temple’s nation-wide renown stems from its remarkable statue of Samantabhadra Buddha, or Puxian Bodhisattva in Chinese, as well as the precious artifacts it houses. The statue, featuring the Bodhisattva Puxian riding a white elephant, is 7.3 meters high and weighs 62 tons. In China, Samantabhadra Buddha is associated with action, so the temple is considered an ideal place for confession and prayer. If you are stuck for the idea where to go after visit Emei Mountain, you can choose Yangtze River cruises. The place where embark Yangtze River ships is not far from Chengdu.
Travel tips:
Admission: 10 yuan
Opening hours: 9:00 –17:00
Getting there: Take bus No. 5 from Mingshan Road, downtown Emei to Emei Mountain; or take a coach from Chengdu to Emei Mountain, and then transfer to a tour bus to Wannian Temple.
2. Putuo Mountain, Zhejiang
Putuo Mountain, sitting on a small island of Zhoushan Archipelago, is one of the greatest Buddhist mountains in China. As it is a sacred place of Avalokitesvara, or Bodhisattva Guanyin, travelers can easily absorb the unique culture through the sculpture, books, drawings, stone carvings and architecture style which can be found there. There are more than 200 temples on the mountain, with Puji, Fayu and Huiji being the largest and most famous. Every year on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth months (believed to be the Birthday, Bodhi Day and Leaving Home Day of Guanyin) in the traditional Chinese calendar, thousands of believers and visitors go to Putuo to celebrate and pray.
Travel tips:
Admission:
Putuo Mountain: 60 yuan
Puji Temple: 5 yuan
Fayu Temple: 5 yuan
Huiji Temple: 5 yuan
Opening hours: 6:00 –17:00
Getting there: Take ferry from Ningbo, Zhoushan to Putuo Mountain.
If you want to know more information about these two destinations, you can contact with China tour agents.
What to See in Guangdong Province
Located in south China, Guangdong is the southern gate of the Chinese mainland, bordering Hong Kong which is always organised as Hong Kong tours, Macao and is geographically close to ASEAN countries. The province boasts abundant travel resources and is extremely popular with travelers.
The region has seven national famous historical cities, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Chaozhou, Meizhou, Zhaoqing, Leizhou and Zhongshan. Each of these cities has its own unique characteristics. Either the ancient architecture or modern scenery, natural beauty or folklore, these destinations will leave visitors surprised and amazed during their travel.
In addition to the famous Danxia Mountain, there are many other impressive scenic and historic attractions located throughout the area.
1. Danxia Mountain
Located in Renhua County of Shaoguan City, Danxia Mountain is called the "Red Stone Park of China". It has been listed as a world natural heritage as Danxia Mountain surpasses more than 1200 places in the world found to have the Danxia landform. It has developed many scenic areas, including Zhanglao Peak scenic area, Xianglong Lake scenic area, Yangyuan Mountain scenic area and Jingjiang River scenic area, providing numerous travel and entertainment options for tourists. Danxia Mountain always contained in China business tours.
Admission: 100 yuan
Best time to visit: April to October
2. Seven Star Crags 七星岩
Located in Zhaoqing City, Seven Star Crags consists of seven limestone hillocks, namely, Langfeng Rock, Jade Screen Rock, Stone Chamber Rock, Heavenly Pillar Rock, Toad Rock, Immortal Palm Rock and Apo Rock. Standing in a lake 600 hectares in area, their layout resembles the constellation Big Dipper.
In late 1997, local authorities installed 560 road lamps with 1,000-watt bulbs, 250 colored floodlights and 3,000 meters of neon tubing around the six islets and seven crags, and along the eight-kilometer-long embankment in the Seven Star Crags scenic area, making the night at the Seven Star Crags even more gorgeous.
Admission: 60 yuan
Best time to visit: July to September
The above-mentioned attractions is must-sees for your China vacation packages.
Famous Spa Destinations in China
With the winter freeze well and truly upon us, why not melt the ice away by luxuriating in a steaming spa? China, with its more than 2,300 hot springs, is a haven for spa lovers in search of a blissful, relaxing spa to transport them away from the stresses and strains of the everyday, freezing winter world.
Here released the top spa destinations in China for your China tour, all of which are endowed with unparalleled high quality hot springs and tantalizing spa environments to provide visitors with a unique and simply stunning experience.
1. Sinan County, Guizhou Province
Sinan County is located in western Tongren Prefecture of Guizhou Province, 375 kilometers from the provincial capital city of Guiyang. The county, rich in geothermal resources, boasts 11 hot spring sites in Yingwuxi Town, Xinglong Township, Sandaoshui Township and Tianqiao Township, which produce 12,000 tons of spring water per day. The water is rich in various minerals and ranges in temperature from 40°C to 58°C. There are presently four spa resorts under development: Yingwuxi Spa Resort, Luowantuo Spa Resort, Xinglong Spa Resort and Tianqiao Spa Resort. AS well as enjoying a relaxing spa experience there, you can also marvel at the gorgeous views of both the Sinan Stone Forest and Wujiang River.
2. Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province
Located southeast of Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, Xianyang is a historical city and tourist Mecca thanks to its status as the first imperial capital of China during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.). If you are a spa enthusiast and foot massage lover, this is a must-go destination. In the city, which is abundant with hot springs, you will find more than 340 foot massage centers, and more than ten hot spring facilities, including swimming pools, spa resorts, and hot spring therapy centers. The most famous spa resort here is Xianyang Ocean Hot Spring World, which lies about four kilometers from the city center. It features amenities including different styles of spas, a sauna bath center, fitness and surfing facilities and a steam bath, to name a few. Xianyang City is not far away from Xian. If you are stuck for the idea where to go after Xian tours, you can choose Xianyang City.
3. Xiaotangshan District, Beijing
Located in Changping District, north of Beijing and 30 kilometers from the downtown area, Xiaotangshan Town is famous for its hot springs which are mainly clustered at the foot of Datang Mountain and Xiaotang Mountain. The local people began to utilize the steamy mineral water for bathing, health and therapeutic purposes early in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420 – 589). In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the imperial families and senior officials went there for relaxation. It's a must-visit spa destination for those who want to relax away from the stresses and strains of life and work, or heal skin diseases, arthritis and other ailments.
The most popular hot spring facilities and resorts in the town are the Xiaotangshan Longmai Hot Spring Resort, Jiuhua Spa & Resort, Yiquan Spa Club, and Xiaotangshan Wendu Water Resort. At the Xiaotangshan Longmai Hot Spring Resort, there are open-air hot spring pools surrounded by green bamboo fences, tranquil and private spa rooms, a large indoor swimming pool and luxurious spa suites fashioned after the ancient architectural style.
There are some other spa destinations in Hong Kong. If you are planning to have a Hong Kong tour, you can relax yourself.
Top Must-See Attractions in Sichuan
Looking at a tourist map of Sichuan, you may find a lot of places to your liking. Don't know which one to choose? Then the following give you top Sichuan attractions for your China tour.
1. Jiuzhaigou Valley
Jiuzhaigou Valley is a nature reserve and national park located in the northern part of Sichuan Province. It is part of the Minshan Mountain range on the edge of the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau, extending over 72,000 hectares.
A branch of the Baihe River, the upper stream of Baishuigou Valley, Jiuzhaigou Valley was named after the nine Tibetan villages located along its length. With an elevation ranging from 2,000 m to 4,500 m, the valley is covered by primary forests and 108 lakes. It is known for its crystal lakes, multi-level waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks and Tibetan culture. Over 140 types of birds can be found in the valley, together with many other kinds of endangered animals and plants, including pandas and Sichuan Takins.
Thanks to its beautiful landscape, Jiuzhaigou Valley has been branded a "fairytale world" and a "fairyland on earth." In 1992, UNESCO put the area on its World Heritage Site List and in 1997 named it a World Biosphere Reserve. Sichuan is not far way from Yangtze River. If you are stuck for the idea where to go after visiting Jiuzhaigou Valley, you can choose to have a Yangtze River tour.
Admission: 220 yuan (US$34.77)/person (summer); 80 yuan (US$12.64)/person (winter)
2. Mount Emei
Sitting on the western rim of the Sichuan Basin, Mount Emei is a scenic area in Emei City, stretching over 15,400 hectares. Its highest peak is Wanfo Peak, with an elevation of 3,099 meters.
Mt. Emei has a steep terrain and boasts some great natural scenery. It is covered by more than 3,000 kinds of plants, including a number of rare trees. Groups of monkeys are often seen by the mountain roads, looking to get some food from the travelers.
As one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, Mt. Emei features some 26 temples, including 8 major ones, which frequently hold Buddhist ceremonies. Mt. Emei was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Admission: 150 yuan (US$23.7)/person (summer); 90 yuan (US$14.22)/person (winter)
Sichuan is always contained China tour packages which will make you have a different travel experience.
The Must-See Attractions in Hangzhou
If you want a China travel service in Zhejiang, the following attractions should not be missed.
1.Nanxun Ancient Town
Located 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) east of Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, the Ancient Town of Nanxun is a historically and culturally well-known town, boasting a history that dates back 760 years. It was founded in 1252, towards the the end of Emperor Chunyou's reign during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
Thanks to the development of the town's silk market and industry, it has long been an important commercial town. As one of the most well-preserved old towns in the region, Nanxun Ancient Town is now among the top six ancient towns situated in southern China.
From a bird's- eye view, the town looks like a cross, covering a total area of 68 hectares. Two waterways intersect at the town: the Shihe River that runs from north to south and the ancient Grand Canal running from east to west. The waterways span a total length of 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles). 15 ancient bridges that were constructed during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1127-1911), have remained until today. The style and features of the original architecture used to build the town, have also been preserved.
Admission: 100 yuan (US$15.69)/person
2. Qiantang River
Qiantang River is the largest river in Zhejiang Province, running along a total length of 688 kilometers (427.5 miles). The river serves as a hinge, playing an important role in the water-transportation between East and West.
The extraordinary surging soaring tide of the Qiantang River is an absolutely spectacular sight and it is said that only the Amazon River's tide can rival it! As a world-renowned wonder of nature, the tide is created by the gravitational pull of the stars and planets.
The turn of the tide takes place on the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month (also around Mid-Autumn Day). At that time the water can rise up to 9 meters (30 feet) and travel at up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) per hour and the roaring of the river's rushing water may sound like thunder. Every year, millions of spectators flock here to watch this phenomenon created by Mother Nature herself. Every year a Tidal Bore Watching Festival, along with various activities, takes place in celebration of the soaring tide.
Admission: Free
3. Orchid Pavilion
Located in the southwest suburbs of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the Orchid Pavilion is famed for both its history and stylish garden views.
In the beginning, the Orchid Pavilion was the site where Gou Jian, King of the Yue State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), planted his orchids.
The location later became famous for inspiring the works of Wang Xizhi (303-361), a renowned calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), who is traditionally referred to as the Sage of Calligraphy. His 353 "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" turned the Orchid Pavilion into a Mecca of calligraphy. The work describes a get-together of 42 literati at the pavilion during the Spring and Brightness Festival. The goal of that meeting was to compose poems and enjoy wine.
The location of the pavilion has been moved a number of times and the current pavilion was restored on the site where it had been placed during the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Its gardening design still reflects that of the Ming-and-Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). The pools, pavilions and bridges around the pavilion are also worth taking a look at.
Admission: 40 yuan (US$6.28)/person
If you plan to join China vacation packages in Hangzhou, the above-mentioned attractions should not be missed.
Eating Rules in China
When you have a China travel and eating with the locals, the following rules should be obeyed.
“A Chinese dinner host will not expect a visitor to know all the traditions associated with a Chinese meal. But the visitor who knows some of them will gain 'face' and give 'face' to his host!” Here are some basic rules that we suggest you follow:
1. First of all- Where to sit? No you cannot randomly go pick the best seat, right next to a friend of your host. There is a specific order to where you can sit.
2. The host sits nearest to the door. The guest of honor sits opposite. Other honorary guests sit to the left of the guest of honor.
3. In China, people tend to eat together. And sometimes the Chinese host uses their chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The appropriate thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite thank you and leave the food there.
4. Don’t eat a whole course; just sample everything on your plate. There will be a lot of courses.
5. Don’t eat everything on your plate, or your host may misunderstand that you haven’t have enough food. Instead leave a little bit of food on your plate.
6. Never pour your own drink first. Instead make a toast, about business or friendship. Pour everyone a drink, leave no one out, or it will seem as if you forgot them.
7. Don’t take the last piece of food on the platter, as it will seem as you’re greedy.
8. It is impolite if the index finger points to others while holding chopsticks.
9. Don’t take your chopstick and turn them into forks by poking into the food. You must use the chopstick to pick up the piece.
10. If you pick up a piece with a chopstick and drop it, don’t attempt to pick up another piece instead, keep on trying.
11. Don’t start playing drum with your chopsticks by tapping on your bowl with them. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite.
12. Don’t use the chopsticks as tooth picks, or suck on them.
13. Never stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl, since that usually is done at a funeral and is deemed extremely impolite to the host and seniors present.
14. Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.
15. Never try to turn a fish over and de-bone it yourself, since the separation of the fish skeleton from the lower half of the flesh will usually be performed by the host or a waiter. Superstitious people think bad luck will ensue and a fishing boat will capsize if you do so.
These rules are suitable for Han Nationality rules. But when you have Silk Road tour and visit the ethnic group along Silk Road, you have to obey their rules.
What attractions to see in Qinghai, China
China tourism developed rapidly in recent years. In northwest China, the most famous tourist destinations include Xian, Qinghai, Shanxi,etc. The following introduce you the most must-see attractions iin Qinghai.
1. Huzhu Tu Ethnic Tourist Area
The Huzhu Tu Ethnic Tourist Area is located at the fringe zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Loess Plateau, in the northeast part of Qinghai Province. It is the only autonomous county dominated by people of Tu Ethnic group in China.
The Tu people are good at singing and dancing. During some folk festivals held on specific days throughout the year, the “Hua’er Concert” is mostly held as a major activity.
The picturesque Beishan National Forest Park is also located in this area. Covering a total area of 113,000 hectares, the park features amazing natural landscapes including the odd-shaped pines, grotesque rocks, immense forest, fountains and waterfalls. It is also the home to rare birds and animals.
Admission:60 yuan (US$9.42)/person
2. Golmud Diversifolious Poplar Forest
Located 60 kilometers (37.28 miles) away from Golmud downtown area, the Golmud Diversifolious Poplar Forest is the only forest of the its kind in Qinghai Province, as well as the one with the highest altitude in the world.
The diversifolious poplar is the only type of tree that can grow naturally in deserts and sandy lands. It appeared 60 million years ago. It is a heat-and-cold-resistant plant, whose root can reach 13 meters underground to absorb water in an extremely drought environment.
Facing Kunlun Mountains in the south and Gobi and salt flats in the north, the forest sits in the desertification area, with a seasonal river flowing by. Desert plants including reed, Kalidium and Chionese tamarisk, and wild animals such as pheasants, foxes and wolves, form a special ecological system here. you will have a very different view of golmud diversifolious poplar forest by comparison with that of Beijing tours.
Admission:50 yuan (US$7.85)/person
3. Dongguan Grand Mosque
Dongguan Grand Mosque, located at the south side of Dongguan Street in Qinghai’s capital city Xining, is the largest mosque in the province and one of the largest in northwest China, covering an area of 11,940 square meters (1.194 hectares). It is also the best-protected ancient building in the city.
The style of the mosque combines both traditional Chinese design and Islamic architectural features, with grand appearance and delicate, dazzlingly inside ornaments interior appointments. Its prayer hall can hold up to 3,000 people.
With a history of more than 600 years, the mosque is not only well known for its magnificent architecture but also for its role as a religious education center and an Islamic institute of higher learning. When Islam’s important holidays come around, tens of thousands of worshippers come to participate in ceremonies and religious activities.
Admission:25 yuan (US$3.92)/person
If you want to know more information about Qinghai attractions, you can contact with China tour operator.
The Charming Attractions with High Admission Fee
How to pick up AFFORDABLE china packages? If you want a cheap China tour package, you should avoid the following expensive attractions.
1. Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon
The Yarlung Zangbo River cleaves a straight niche from west to east before reaching the juncture of Mainling and Medog counties, where it swerves around towering Namjagbarwa (7,782 meters), the highest peak in the eastern section of the Himalayas, creating the largest, U-shaped canyon in the world. In 1994, some Chinese scientists made an expedition trip along the canyon. Data published by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping following the expedition shows that the canyon starts from the Daduka Village, Mainling County in the north to Parcoka Village, Medog in the south. Stretching 504.6 km, the canyon is 2,268 meters deep on average, with the deepest point being 6,009 meters. In September 1998, the State Council officially approved the name of the canyon as "Yarlung Zangbo Daxiagu" (Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon).
Admission: 240 yuan (US$38.2) (including 90 yuan for tourist bus fee)
2. Wudang Mountain
Located in Danjiangkou City, in the northwestern part of Hubei Province, Wudang Mountain, also known as Taihe Mountain, is both a famous scenic spot as well asa holy site in Taoism, China's indigenous religion.
Ever since the Tand Dynasty (618-907), the area is considered to be the birthplace of Taoism and therefore features a large number of well-preserved Taoist buildings. Besides, it has the well-known Golden Hall, which is the first batch of immovable cultural relics under state protection. Located on the top of the Tianzhu Peak, the main peak of Wudang Mountain, Hubei Province, the Golden Hall was built in the 14th year of Yongle reign (1416) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The view of Wudang Mountain is very different from that of Beijing tour.
Admission: 240 yuan (US$38.2) (including tourist bus fee)
20 yuan (US$3.2) (Zixiao Palace)
15 yuan (US$2.4) (Golden Hall)
3. Jinggang Mountain
Located in the Luoxiao Mountains, Jinggang Mountain is called the "cradle of the the Chinese Revolution" and has become a hot attraction for nature tours as well as patriotic education. Covering an area of 213.5 square kilometers, Jinggang Mountain accounts for 32.4 percent of Jinggangshan City. It features dozens of residences and revolutionary sites, 10 of which are under the protection of the State Council. It also boasts more than 60 attractions, including hot springs, caves, waterfalls, mountains, and showcases a wide diversity in animals and plants. When the area's azaleas blossom in April and May, the mountain becomes a sea of flowers.
Admission: 260 yuan (US$41.4) (including 70 yuan for tourist bus fee)
But if you are a student to China, these attractions may be your good choice.
The most famous Hutongs in Beijing
The Hutong, an old-style city alley or lane, is one of the most distinctive features and must-see attractions in Beijing. There are thousands of hutongs in the city, many of which were built during the Yuan (1206-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The following lists the top most famous hutongs all travelers to the capital city shouldn't miss in order to get a better experience of the unique culture of ancient Beijing. The following Hutongs are must-sees for your Beijing tours.
1. Nanluoguxiang
Between Di'anmendong Avenue and Gulou Avenue, this north-south street is located in the northern part of the Dongcheng District. Next to the Forbidden City and Houhai, Nanluoguxiang is the most famous and popular hutong in Beijing.
The hutong, first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), has a history of more than 700 years. It extends over 1000 meters and boasts different kinds of courtyard houses (Si he yuan) and shops, selling unique and elaborate knickknacks. There are also many restaurants, cafes and bars around the hutong, attracting thousands of visitors and locals everyday.
Travel tips:
Surrounding attractions: Houhai Lake, Shichahai Lake, Gongwangfu Garden
Getting there: Bus 5, 60, 82, 107, 124 to Gulou, or bus 13, 118, 612, 823 to Luoguxiang.
2.Yandaixie Street
Yandaixie Street, literally meaning "Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street", is located in the north of Xicheng District. About 300 meters long, the street starts from Di'anmen Avenue in the east and ends at Shichahai Lake in the west.
The street originally got its name due to its shape, which resembles a huge tobacco pouch. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), many tobacco stores opened there. Today, visitors wandering along the street still can find many stores selling tobacco pouches, antiques and all kinds of souvenirs.
Travel tips:
Surrounding attractions: Drum Tower, former residence of Guo Moruo
Getting there: Bus 5, 60, 82, 107, 124 to Gulou.
3. Mao'er Hutong
Running west to east from Di'anmenwai Avenue to Nanluoguxiang, Mao'er Hutong is situated in the Dongcheng District. First built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the hutong contains many traditional private gardens and famous former residences.
Mao'er Hutong Nos. 7, 9 and 11 are the former house of Wen Yu, a civilian officer of the Qing Dynasty; the No.13 courtyard house is the former residence of Feng Guozhang, one of the major Chinese warlords in the early 20th century, and No. 35 and 37 are the former residence of Wan Rong, the empress of the last Qing Emperor, Pu Yi.
Travel tips:
Surrounding attractions: Nanluoguxiang, former residence of Mao Dun
Getting there: Bus 13, 42, 118, 612, 623, 701 to Di’anmendong.
If you want to know more information about Hutongs, you can contact with China travel agents.
What Ancient Towns Should Visit in China
China's vast territory is dotted with many picturesque towns and villages, which boast cultural relics, distinctive architectures and rustic pleasures. If are interested in the following top towns and villages, China travel service will help.
1. Wuyuan, Jiangxi
Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, lies in the center of the "golden travel triangle," formed by Huangshan Mountain (Anhui Province), Lushan Mountain and Jingdezhen (Jiangxi Province). Having a long history of over 1,200 years, Wuyuan County is one of the most important cradles of China's centuries-old Huizhou culture. It has at least 50 old villages that have remained almost unchanged over the past few centuries, including many former residences of some of China's top scholars, such as Zhu Xi, a Confucian master in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and Zhan Tianyou, China's first railway engineer. Besides antique buildings, the most popular scenery in Wuyuan is rapeseed flowers. When the flowers blossom in March, the county becomes a sea of golden flowers.
Travel tips:
Admission: 180 yuan (including 12 scenic spots)
Getting there: You can take travel bus from Jingdezhen City or Huangshan City.
Related reading: China's Classic Rural Retreats
You will have a different travel experience by comparison with Shanghai tours.
2. Wuzhen, Zhejiang
About one hour's drive from Hangzhou, Wuzhen is situated in Tongxiang City, north of Zhejiang Province. With more than 1,200 years in its history, the town has a residential area, traditional workshop area, culture area, dining area, shopping area, and even a scenic area, featuring local traditions and customs. It is well-known for the ancient town layout, antique houses, quiet waterways, stone bridges, peaceful lifestyle and traditional culture, presenting a picture of primitive simplicity, brightness, orderliness, peace and seclusion.
Travel tips:
Admission: 150 yuan for whole town; 120 yuan for only east part; 100 yuan for only west part; 80 yuan for boat ticket
Getting there: You can take coach bus from Shanghai or Hangzhou to Tongxiang, and then transfer minibus to Wuzhen, which leaves every 15 minutes from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
If you want to visit these two places, you can China travel deals at affordable price.
Hot Tourist Cities in 2013 - Beijing & Dalian
1. Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China, is a great city with a history of more than 3,000 years. It's the center of politics, economy, culture and art of the country. As one of the ancient capitals in China, Beijing is home to a great number of cultural and historical sites, which make it a huge magnet for numerous tourists all over the world. The top attraction must be the solemn Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city square and an icon of China. On the north side of the Square is the 600-year-old magnificent Forbidden City, the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace on the planet.
Also, do not miss the Summer Palace, the largest, the most marvelous and the best-preserved royal garden in China. Top attractions also include the breathtaking Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Earth, National Stadium and Beijing 798 Art Zone, etc. You can also tour the various traditional hutongs and courtyards to experience the glamour of local life. All these attractions are contained in Beijing tour package.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
Local snacks: Roast Duck, Noodles with Fried Soybean Paste (Zha Jiang Mian), Douzhir(fermented bean drink), Fried Chop Rice Cake (Lvdagunr)
2. Dalian
The port of Dalian is famous for its agreeable climate, clean air, exquisite beaches, sea breezes and fresh seafood. A coastline stretching 1,906 kilometers offers a huge choice of beaches and beautiful scenic spots. It's neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer, making it an ideal destination.
Not to be missed are Bangchui Island, Dalian National Coast Geopark, Bingyu Valley Scenic Area, Tiger Beach Ocean Park and the Natural History Museum. The city is also well known for the numerous varieties of Sophora trees that can be seen all round the city. In late May, Sophora blooms fill the air with an enchanting fragrance.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: May to September
Local snacks: fresh sea food
If you want to know more information about these two places, you can contact with China tour operator.
The Top Luxury Tourists' Destinations in China.
1. Hong Kong
Located on the southeast coast of China, Hong Kong is also known as the Oriental Pearl or Shopping Paradise. It consists of the Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and 262 outlying islands. Being a famous center for international finance and trade, this vibrant metropolitan city aesthetically combines different cultures with Chinese traditions.
The top attraction of Hong Kong is Victoria Harbor, a world-famous natural harbor situated between the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. The Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Island's highest peak, offers a magnificent view of the harbor and the mega skyscrapers along its shores, especially in the night when all buildings are lit up. The other not-to-be-missed attractions include the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Repulse Bay, Ladies' Street (Ladies' Market), the Ocean Park and Disneyland. Join in Hong Kong tour package. You will have a comfortable and happy journey.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: October to March
Local snacks: Spicy fish ball, egg tart, steamed rice rolls, steamed pudding cake, chicken cookie
2. Tibet
Lying on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet is dubbed the "Roof of the World" with an average elevation of more than 4,000 meters. This wonderland is a world-famous and dreamed-about destination for its spectacular ever-changing landscapes and mysterious historical and cultural relics.
Tibet's capital city Lhasa is surely the top attraction for tourists' Tibet tours. As an ancient city dating back 1,300 years, Lhasa is home to the magnificent Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple Monastery and Norbulingka (Garden of Treasures), all listed as world heritage sites. Tibet boasts 11 mountain peaks towering over 8,000 meters, of which, the 8,848-meter Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, offers the most breathtaking views. Other must-see attractions include the Heavenly Lake Namtso, Yarlong Tsangpo River and Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: June to September
Transportation: Fly to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Kunming. Travelers can also take the train from Beijing to Lhasa.
Local snacks: tsampa (roasted barley flour), Tibetan butter tea, yak meat and yoghurt
3. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is the capital city of southeast China's Zhejiang province. Dubbed the "Paradise under the Heaven", the city is well-known in the world for its splendid natural scenery and numerous historical relics. The West Lake is undoubtedly the most renowned attraction in Hangzhou. Surrounded by rolling mountains on three sides, the lake is like a glittering pearl under the blue sky, enthralling tourists with its stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Near the lake is a scenic area which comprises many notable spots, including the Solitary Hill (Gushan); Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, a hero in the Song Dynasty (960-1279); and the Ling Yin Temple, one of China's largest Buddhist temples. Tourists can also pay a visit to the Hefang Old Street for various kinds of souvenirs, silk, and renowned Longjing Tea.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
Local snacks: Beggar's Chicken (chicken stuffed and wrapped with layers of lotus leaf, and roasted in clay), West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Dongpo Pork (braised pork created 900 years ago by a famous Chinese poet Su Dongpo), and West Lake Water Shield Soup.
All these luxury destinations off you a very different travel experience by comparison with Silk Road adventure.
The top but beautiful universities in China
If you have plan to have China vacation deals, the following universities should not be missed due to its most beautiful scenery.
1. Nanjing Normal University
Formerly Jinling women's college, Nanjing Normal University is a comprehensive normal university with a long history of postgraduate education. It was one the first higher education institutions in China to resume graduate programs after the Cultural Revolution.
The campus of Nanjing Normal University features woods, lawns and traditional Chinese-style buildings built in the early twentieth century. The university was also one of the sites of the international protection zone set up by foreign residents of Nanjing in an attempt to shield civilians from Japanese attacks during the infamous Nanjing Massacre.
2. Tsinghua University
Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University is considered by many to be the best university in China. Covering 356 hectares, it is also one of the largest universities in China. Many celebrities have graduated from or worked at Tsinghua, including Nobel Laureates Tsung-Dao Lee and Yang Zhenning, China's current president Hu Jintao and writer Wen Yiduo.
Located on the site of a Qing Dynasty royal garden, the campus retains Chinese-style landscaping and buildings, as well as Western-style buildings that reflect the American influence in its history. The campus was named one of the most beautiful in the world by Forbes in 2010.
Tsinghua University should not be missed to visit for your Beijing tours.
3. Ocean University of China
Established in 1924, Ocean University of China is located in the coastal city of Qingdao. It is famous for the study of marine sciences and fisheries.
Ocean University has one of the most beautiful campuses in China, entirely composed of Western-style buildings. In summer, the buildings are surrounded by the trees and flowers of the university gardens. In winter, a dusting of snow adds a feeling of mystery and solemnity to the scene. The campus sits on a hill overlooking the sea and the old European-style town of Qingdao. Students can often been seen sitting outdoors reading in the sea breeze.
If you want to know more info about these universities and visit them, you can contact with a China travel agency.
Top ancient mausoleums in China
Here list you top 10 royal mausoleums in China for your China travel.
1. Ming Tombs
The Ming Tombs are located on the southern hill of Tianshou Mountain (about 50 km northwest of Beijing). The place was chosen by the third Ming Dynasty emperor, Yongle (1402–1424), who moved the national capital from Nanjing to Beijing, the current capital of China. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (the Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his own burial site and created his own mausoleum.
Ming Tombs are located on the southern slope of Tianshou Mountain.
Buried in this place are 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The entire mausoleum covers over 40 square kilometers, with the Chaozong River winding around it. In August 2003, The Ming Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel Tips:
Admission:
Dingling Tombs: 60 yuan for busy season (March - November), 40 yuan for dull season
Changling Tombs: 45 yuan for busy season, 30 yuan for dull season
Zhaoling Tombs: 30 yuan for busy season, 20 yuan for dull season
Shendao Road: 30 yuan for busy season, 20 yuan for dull season
Tel: +86-029-83912542
Getting There: You can take No. 5 tourism bus from Xi'an railway station.
2.Mausoleum of First Emperor of Qin Dynasty
The Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), a must-see for Xian tour is located about 5km east of Lintong County, Shaanxi Province. According to the Records of the Great Historian, Qin Shihuang began building his mausoleum just after he became the king of the Qin State in 246BC. In 221BC, the Qin State unified other six states of northeast China and established the Qin Dynasty. Then he drove over 70,000 criminal slaves from all over the place to continue the construction. It took 36 years to complete the project.
The mausoleum is famous for the Terra-cotta Warriors. It is about 1.8m high. The Terra-cotta Warriors and the Mausoleum of First Emperor of Qin Dynasty are called the Eighth Miracle in the World, and have been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel Tips:
Admission: 40 yuan for busy season (March - November), 20 yuan for dull season
Tel: +86-029-83912542
Getting There: You can take No. 5 tourism bus from Xi'an railway station.
3. Genghis Khan Mausoleum
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum is located in Erdos City of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was built by Chinese government from 1954 to 1956. Featuring the traditional Mongolian style, the mausoleum is not the real burial place of the Khan because his burial site remains a mystery. It is just a cenotaph, where the coffin contains no body, but there are only headdresses and accessories as decorations.
Travel Tips:
Admission: 110 yuan
Tel: +86-0477-8961222
Getting There: You can take a bus from Ordos bus station.
The above-mentioned mausoleums are your best choice to learn something about buried rules and customs in ancient China for your educational China tour.
Must-See Attractions in Tibet
The view of Silk Road tours is very different with that of Tibet. If you want to visit Tibet, you should not miss the following attractions.
1.Namtso Lake
Namtso, or Lake Nam, is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet Autonomous Region and should not be missed by any traveler to Tibet. In Tibetan, Namtso means "Heavenly Lake." It is famous for its high altitude and imposing scenery. The second largest salt lake in China, Namtso covers 1,920 square kilometers and is also the second-highest salt lake in altitude in the world at an elevation of 4,718 meters above sea level.
Admission: 120 yuan (50 yuan in the winter)
Travel tips: An organized tour of the lake is recommended.
2. Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon
The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is one of the deepest and longest canyons in the world. The Yarlung Zangpo River starts at Mount Kailash before reaching the juncture of Mainling and Medog counties, where it swerves around towering Namjagbarwa, the highest peak in the eastern section of the Himalayas, carving a U-shaped gorge. The canyon is home to many animals and plants barely explored and affected by human influence, while its climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic.
Admission: 150 yuan (April 21-Oct.19); 75 yuan (Oct 20- April 20)
Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is a must-see attration but it is not suitable for China business tours.
3. Former site of Guge
Now in present-day Zanda County in western Tibet, Guge was an ancient kingdom founded by a branch of descendents of the last king of a unified Tibet in the 10th century. It flourished for more than 700 years before encountering civil strife and foreign attacks and falling into disrepair. Now, visitors can see its ruins of temples and palaces, whose inscriptions, statues and murals still remain intact. The city wall with fortresses at each corner is also still standing.
Admission: 105 yuan
If you want China custom tours, the above-mentioned attractions should be listed on your travel wish.
Gourment Cities in China
Food is one part of Chinese culture. Many tourists to China should not miss the delicious food in China. If you have China vacation deals in the following cities, you should have a taste of local food and snacks.
1.Hangzhou
When people think of Hangzhou, the first thing that comes to mind is the picturesque West Lake. Typical of southern Chinese cuisine, many of Hangzhou's dishes have their names inspired by scenic spots around the West Lake, such as the West Lake Assorted Feast or any number of dishes named after the ten world famous spots around the lake.
Hangzhou's cuisine mainly uses freshwater fish as its main ingredient and implements a host of cooking methods including frying and stewing which render fish to be tender and refreshingly crispy. About half the dishes on Hangzhou's menus contain bamboo shoots which add a tender element to the food. One famous dish from this city is Dongpo Pork, which is very popular in China and is aromatically wonderful with oil. If you visit Hangzhou, a hot destination included in popular China travel package, you should taste these food.
2. Foshan
Foshan is a "Delicious Food Hometown" in the Pearl River Delta. Featuring a wide range of ingredients, Foshan cuisine lays its emphasis on deep frying, stewing, and baking.
Foshan has a large number of restaurants, that cater to both Chinese and Western palates. Since the people of Foshan enjoy drinking tea in the morning and the afternoon, visitors will see many people drinking tea in restaurants. The regularity with which people of Foshan drink tea has become a unique aspect in the food culture of Foshan.
According to different regions and tastes, Foshan cuisine has many delicious foods and tends to be very popular with tourists. Some famous dishes include Yingji Yuntun Noodle, Crystal Ravioli, Number One Scholar's Porridge and Foshan Nine-layer Cake.
3. Tianjin
Tianjin's dining culture, which dates back over 300 years ago, is renowned throughout China and even the world. While famous for its traditional snacks, cuisines from regions all over China can also be found in Tianjin. Tianjin offers a host of over 1,000 dishes, most of which lean towards being slightly more salty than other cuisines.
Tianjin has several food streets where one can sample varieties of food from all over China. The traditional and famous snacks on food streets are not to be missed if one finds themselves in this charming municipality. Famous food streets in Tianjin include Nanshi Food Street, Heping District Food Street and Shiyue Food Street.
Tianjin's deliciously unique dishes include; Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Bun, Ear-Hole Fried Cake, Fried Dough Twist, Chatang, Guobacai and Tangdui. Customers can find many traditional of Tianjin's traditional dishes in the city's older restaurants including, Guishun Zhai, Xiangde Zhai, Zhengxing De Tea House, Yipin Xiang Cake Store, Siyuan Xiang Cake Store, Du Chengqi Steamed Store and En Defa Mutton Steamed Bun Restaurant.
If you want to know more information about food in these cities, you can contact with China travel agents.
What to Eat in Hong Kong
If you once have had a Hong Kong and Beijing tour, you should taste the local foods there. And you may difference of the foods between these two places.
1. 1000- Year Old Eggs
If you can brave a thousand-year old egg, you can consider yourself an honorary Hong Konger – these things are potent. Made from duck or quail eggs, the eggs are buried in a clay, sand and salt mixture for a couple of months, melting their insides to jelly. The shell of the egg turns a browny, black, but it's the inside where the real surprise awaits. The yolk turns a dark green and boasts a powerful smell of, well, eggs that have sat around for a couple of months. The eggs can be picked up whole from street vendors around the city, or found sliced up in noodle dishes.
2. Snake Soup
A favourite winter warmer in Hong Kong, snake soup is considered somewhat of a gourmet dish. Most of the city's snake meat is now delivered chilled or frozen from China, but to try the meat and the soup at its best you need to have it fresh, which means braving the handful of live snake restaurants that still exist in Kowloon. Here, you pluck your favourite python or cobra from behind a cage and watch him slither to the chopping block, with more unusual snakes attracting heavier price tags. The soup comes with the snake shredded inside, although, if you're braver, you can try sliced snake in a host of other dishes. As it seems with almost all exotic meats, many say it tastes like chicken. If you are a student to China tour and interested in snake, you can try this dish.
3. Chicken Feet
Your biggest obstacle here is the appearance, these wrinkled, claw like chicken feet look like something from a witches cauldron. Luckily, they taste better than anything else the wicked witch could cook up, if a little crunchy.
4. Birds Nest Soup
One of Hong Kong's most prized delicacies, Bird's Nest Soup is a gelatinous mix of chicken broth and swiftlet's (a type of bird) saliva. That's right, you're eating swiftlet's spit. Swiftlets make their nests from saliva and each year, after the bird has left the nest, it's harvested and added to the soup, which, like many things in the city, is famed for its health benefits.
If you want to know more information about Hong Kong food, you can contact with China tour operator.
The Ancient Streets in China
For hundreds of years, China's ancient streets have recorded the country's history and culture against a backdrop of change and development. The streets have retained the layout, architecture, and even the lifestyles of ancient times. If you want a happier and easier China tour, you should know something about them.
1. Qilou Old Street in Haikou
Located in Haikou, Hainan Province, Qilou Old Street features a stylish fusion of European and Asian architecture, as well as Indian and Arabic influences. Qilou, or Chinese arcade houses form the city's most exotic landscapes, and they can principally be found on Bo'ai Street, Zhongshan Street, Xinhua North Street, Deshengsha Street and Jiefang Street.
With its origins dating back around 2,000 years to ancient Greece, arcade architecture was introduced to Haikou by overseas Chinese merchants from 1820-1840. Standing between two and four stories in height, a Qilou has its ground floor set back halfway into the building so that it can be used as a storefront to take shelter from rain and sunlight. The upper floors serve as the living quarters, and extend over the pavement supported by columns. The exquisite carvings and decorations on the handrails, door frames and window frames are in the Baroque style.
In total, there are more than 200 Qilou buildings in the street, including 39 by Zhongshan Street. The oldest building, Sipai Building, dates back some 600 years to the Southern Song Dynasty.
Historically, the street has housed consulates, churches post offices, banks and chambers of commerce belonging to 13 different countries. Today, it remains Haikou's business center whilst also giving visitors a taste of traditional Haikou life.
2. Barkhor Street in Lhasa
Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a well-preserved circular street area surrounding Jokhang Temple. Its religious and cultural flavor means that it is a popular destination for both pilgrims and locals. The area is also a business center. Strolling Barkhor is an indispensable thing for your China Tibet tour.
With a history of over 1,300 years, the street was built and developed in concert with Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple was built in 647 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (617 - 650), and it quickly attracted thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. The large number of pilgrims gradually wore a path, which was the origin of Barkhor Street. To this day, many pilgrims can be seen there holding prayer wheels and walking clockwise around the temple from dawn to dusk.
Composed of 35 major or small streets, the street has a circumference of roughly 1,000 meters. It is paved with hand-polished stone boards, and traditional Tibetan buildings stand on both sides, giving a traditional flavor of Lhasa. Despite its relative narrowness, the street accommodates thousands of tourists every day and has become a symbol of Lhasa.
Numerous shops stand on both sides of the street and thousands of vendors can be found on every corner, selling religious articles, traditional Tibetan clothes, Tibetan knives, 'Thangka' (Tibetan scroll painting) and other souvenirs.
If you once have a Yangtze River tour and land in Chongqing, you may have visit Ciqikou Ancient town which are also very attractive for tourists.
Eating Customs during Chinese traditional festivals
If you are interested in Chinese food culture, you should learn the following knowledge about food for your China travel.
1.Zhongyuan (Hungry Ghost) Festival foods
July 15 of the lunar calendar is the Zhongyuan (Hungry Ghost) Festival observed by Taoists, and the Ullambana Festival celebrated by Buddhists as well. It is a day to honor the departed spirits of ancestors as well as a festival to pray for safety and show filial piety to parents.
A sacrificial altar and a chair is built for the Buddhist priest either at street entrances or in front of villages. In front of the chair is set the statue of the King of Hell Di Zang. Under it are plates of flour-made rice and peaches. On the sacrificial altar are three spirit tablets and three funeral banners. After noon, pigs, sheep, chicken, geese and cakes, fruits of all kinds donated by households are displayed on the altar. On every sacrificial object the Buddhist priest will put a triangular paper banner of three colors with special characters. After the rite gets started in solemn music, the priest will strike the bell to call back the souls, other monks singing chimes of incantations. Then, he will throw the rice and peaches into the air in all directions to distribute them to the souls.
2. Mid-Autumn Festival foods
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in October in Gregorian calendar. The festival is an evening celebration when families stay together to light lanterns, eat moon cakes and appreciate the round moon. On that night, the moon appears to be at its roundest and brightest. The full moon is a symbol for family reunion, which is why that day is also known as the Festival of Reunion.
A moon cake is a delicately-stuffed round cake that is delicious and nice to look at. The cake is often given as a gift between family and friends during the festival to show greetings. A small cake is a carrier of good wishes between family members, the eagerness to join family reunion of those away from home and people's praying for happiness.
Besides mooncakes, lotus root foods, taro, grapefruit, peanut and crabs are often served during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is also the custom for the Chinese Dai ethnic group living in Yunnan Province to sit around a table drinking and having dinner together during the festival. It is very popular throughout China. If you want to experience the atmosphere in China, you should have a tailor-made China tours to local families which will make your itinerary flexible.
3. Double Ninth Festival foods
The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the traditional Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival. It usually falls in October in the Gregorian calendar.
Since "nine" is the highest odd digit, people take two of them together to signify longevity. Therefore, the ninth day of the ninth month has become a special day for people to pay their respects to the elderly and a day for the elderly to enjoy themselves. It has also been declared China's Day for the Elderly.
On that day, people will eat Double-Ninth Gao (or Cake), which is also called rice cake with bean paste, chrysanthemum cake, or five-color cake. In Chinese, gao (cake) has the same pronunciation with gao (height). It tastes soft and delicious. If being daintier, people will make the Double-Ninth cake into the shape of a nine-layer pagoda, and some will further insert one piece of red paper flag or candle on the cake.
If you want to know more about Chinese food customs, you can contact with China tour operator who will give you the details.
Where to travel in China in cold winter
Want to escape from the freezing weather? Here list you top five most suitable destinations to warm up this winter for your China travel.
1. Kunming, Yunnan (云南昆明)
Kunming, capital city of southwest Yunnan Province, is known as the "city of perpetual spring" for its pleasant year-round spring climate. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, Kunming has many must-see attractions, such as Dianchi Lake, Heilong Pond, Shilin (Stone Forest), Guandu Ancient Town, Cuihu Lake, Xishan Mountain, Ethnic Culture Village and the Horticultural Expo Garden. With a history of more than 2,400 years, the city is home to many ethnic groups, including Yi, Hui, Bai, Miao, Zhuang, Dulong and De'ang, which give the area a colorful and unique culture. Kuming is a warm respite from the country's wintery regions.
Kunming is not far way from Zhong Dian which are considered as Shangri-la. You can also have a Shangri-La tour during your journey to Yunnan.
2. Lushan Mountain, Jiangxi
Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River south of Jiujiang City in northern Jiangxi Province, the Lushan Mountain whole scenic area covers an area of 302 square kilometers, with the 1,474-meter Hanyang Peak as its highest summit. Featuring magnificent peaks, strange stone formations, unique waterfalls, flourishing trees, and many historical sites, the mountain is labeled as one of the most famous sites in the country and was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1996. When winter comes, especially after snow falls, the mountain will be wrapped with a white carpet, making it an ideal place to capture the winter beauty this season.
3. Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
Xishuangbanna is an autonomous prefecture located in southwest Yunnan Province. With its mysterious rainforests, rare plants, wild animals and tropical fruits, it is unquestionably one of the most beloved destinations for travelers all year round. Besides amazing natural beauty, the place is also a home to 13 different minorities, including the Dai, Hani, Bulang, Layu and Jinuo, which make it an ideal place to discover unique culture and experience interesting customs. In December, the weather there becomes dry and warm; it's the best time to escape winter and enjoy the scenery.
If you are students to China tour in December, you should contain these places in your list.
Selected Attractions in China
Here list the top attractions for your China travel.
1. Wudang Mountain
Located in Danjiangkou City, in the northwestern part of Hubei Province, Wudang Mountain, also known as Taihe Mountain, is both a famous scenic spot as well asa holy site in Taoism, China's indigenous religion.
Ever since the Tand Dynasty (618-907), the area is considered to be the birthplace of Taoism and therefore features a large number of well-preserved Taoist buildings. Besides, it has the well-known Golden Hall, which is the first batch of immovable cultural relics under state protection. Located on the top of the Tianzhu Peak, the main peak of Wudang Mountain, Hubei Province, the Golden Hall was built in the 14th year of Yongle reign (1416) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Admission: 240 yuan (US$38.2) (including tourist bus fee) 20 yuan (US$3.2) (Zixiao Palace) 15 yuan (US$2.4) (Golden Hall)
2. Xixiakou
Xixiakou is a scenic resort area located in Weihai, the eastern part of Shandong Province. It mainly consists of six scenic spots, including Chengshantou Scenic Area, Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Nature Preserve, Motian Peak Scenic Area, Hailv Island Scenic Area, Furudonghai Scenic Area and Futongtianhe Park. Covering a buiding area of 300,000 square meters, it offers superb entertainment, including folk culture, restaurants located above the water and so-called water movie screenings. ned on the water.
Admission: 230 yuan (US$36.6) (including Chengshantou Scenic Area, Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Nature Preserve and Motian Peak Scenic Area)
3.Huangshan Mountain
Located in southern Anhui Province, Huangshan Mountain covers an area of 1,200 square kilometers, 154 square kilometers of which are scenic attractions. Its landscape features the so-called scenic four wonders of imposing peaks, spectacular rocks, odd-shaped pines and oceans of clouds. Huangshan Mountain boasts 72 peaks, and its three main peaks rise up over 1,000 meters above sea level. It has more than 400 famous scenic attractions, 140 of which have been developed and opened up to tourists. In 1990, Huangshan Mountain was included in both the world cultural and natural heritage listings.
Admission: 230 yuan (US$36.6) (Mar 1 - Nov 30);
150 yuan (US$23.9) (Dec 1 - Feb 28);
If you want to know more info above-mentioned attractions, you can contact with China tour operator.
Drinking Game in China
Chinese food culture is very various and also has some games during dining time. If you have a China tour and eat with Chinese, you should know the following.
Drinking games, popularly known as Jiuling in Chinese, are a popular pastime with a long tradition in China. The games may include contest games like archery, arrow pitching, chess playing, dicing, finger guessing and animal betting, and the more elegant literal games for beaux-esprit and cultured ladies where players do their best to produce fine literal pieces, such as asking riddles, connecting idioms, composing couplets or verses, telling stories or jokes, and so on. The following are some examples of jiuling.
1. Finger Guessing
Two people sit at the same table. Using one hand, they simultaneously stretch out fingers (several fingers stick out, while the others are close to the palm) and shout out a number between one and 10. If a player guesses right, and says the total number of fingers extended by both players, he/she wins. The loser then has to take a drink. If both players guess right or if both guess wrong, the game continues. If a person accidentally shouts a number that is less than the number of fingers he/she has stretched, he/she has to take a drink.
2. “A Little Bee” Game
Chinese have their own version of the “rock, paper, scissors” game. It is a game for two. First, the players sing a little verse: "Liangzhi xiao mifeng ya, fei dao huacong zhong ya, fei ya" (two little bees fly to the flowers, and fly). After singing, each player imitates either a rock, paper or scissors with his/her hand. The winner (the one who shows a sign that beats the other player's sign’) must pretend to slap the other player, while saying "Pya Pya." The loser must pretend to be slapped while saying "Ah Ah.” If both people show the same sign, they pretend to kiss, while saying “Mua Mua.” Of course, this has to be done as quickly as possible. The first to say the wrong sentence or does the wrong action must take a drink.
3. Seven
The principle is to avoid saying the “bad” number, which is seven. People sitting around the table, in succession, say numbers. The first player says "one,” the second says “two,” and so on. The person who is supposed to say “seven” must move directly to “eight.” The players go on counting, avoiding the number “seven,” all of its multiples (14, 21 etc.) and all the numbers including “seven,” such as 17, 27, 37 etc. Of course, this gets harder and harder. The person who accidentally says a forbidden number has to be punished by taking a drink.
4. Dicing
Dice are rolled and contestants have to guess the number of spots. Those who make an incorrect guess pay a forfeit by drinking a cup.
5. Gong Show
With one person beating a drum or gong, the others sitting around the table will quickly pass a flower from one to another. When the drummer stops, whoever has the flower will drink and even give a simple performance.
Chinese drinking tables won’t bore people. These games do not require a great deal of acumen and are thus easy to learn and play.
But in ethnic group, they may haven't these games. If you have a Shangri-La tour and eat with locals, you may obey other rules.
What to Eat in Shanghai - Shanghai Famous Snacks
Having a taste of local snacks are very great thing for foodies. If you have Shanghai tours, you should taste the below-mentioned snacks:
Pork ribs with fried New Year cake 排骨年糕
The pork ribs with fried New Year cake is a specialty snack from Shanghai and has a history of over 50 years. Pork ribs are coated with flour, five-spicy powders and eggs, soaked with soy sauce, sugar, cooking wine, chopped spring onion and ginger, then wrapped with New Year cake strips. Lastly, it is deep fried until the surface becoming golden brown. The New Year cake is made of glutinous Songjiang rice flour after pounding and kneading. It tastes tender, sticky and has high nutritional value. The two famous snack restaurants in Shanghai serving this specialty are called Xiaochangzhou and Xiandelai.
Leisha dumpling 擂沙圆
Leisha dumpling is one of the signature snacks of Shanghai’s Qiaojiashan Restaurant with a history of over 70 years. It was said that in the late Qing Dynasty, an old lady surnamed Lei sold sweet dumplings with soup for a living. In order to sell more dumplings, she tried to find ways to keep the dumplings fresh longer and make them easier to carry. She tried to coat the dumplings with dry glutinous rice flour, and she discovered that red bean flour was the best choice. Therefore, the dumplings are called Leisha dumpling after her.
The round-shaped dumpling, filled with sweetened bean paste, pork or sesame, is boiled, then drained of water, and finally rolled in dry red bean flour. The dumplings have a color of purplish red and have the refreshing flavor of red beans.
Crab shell cake 蟹壳黄
Crab shell cake is a kind of shortbread baked from ferment flour with oil, sesame seeds and salty or sweet fillings. The name comes from its color of brown yellow, which looks like a cooked crab shell. There are many options for the cake’s fillings: spring onion, pork, crab meat, shrimp, sugar, rose pedals, bean paste and jujube paste. The cake is crispy with a sesame flavor. The crab shell cakes, along with the pan-fried buns stuffed with pork, was the most popular snacks in many most Shanghai tea houses over the years.
If you have a China business tour in Shanghai, you will have great chance to taste the Shanghai Local snacks.
A traditional day to memorize the dead beloved one - Tomb Sweeping Day
If you plan to have a China travel during Tomb Sweeping Day, you should know something about it.
Tomb Sweeping Day, also called "Cold Food Day", is the most important day for people to offer sacrifice to ancestors. It started from the Zhou Dynasty, with a history of over 2500 years. Qingming is one of the 24 solar terms in China, indicating the coming of late spring, thus the best plowing and growing time, while "Cold Food Day" is a day when folks sweep the ancestors' tombs and eat cold food. Qingming was adjacent to Cold Food Day, so later on they gradually became one festival, and thus "Cold Food" became another name for Qingming, and dusting the tomb and eating cold food turned into the customs of Qing Ming. Qing Ming has evolved into a culture-rich and meaning-deep remembrance day.
Since people with weak constitutions might get hurt by eating cold raw food on Qingming, when the weather is still cold, various activities were invented for body-building, like stepping-the-green outgoing, swing, Chinese football, polo, willow-planting, tug-of-war, and rooster-fighting, etc. Since the ancient times, there have been a lot of works of art and poems about Qingming, manifesting the emphasis and passing-on of the Chinese people on Qingming. Of these, Tomb Sweeping Day by Du Mu in the Tang Dynasty is a poem of household fame.
Tomb Sweeping Day is a very traditional festival to memorize the dead beloved among Han nationality. But as for ethnic groups in China, there is no Tomb Sweeping Day. If you have had a Shangri-La tour, you may know the different customs and tradtions between different nationalities in China.
Pottery art and culture in China
If you have a China tour to Jingde Town in Jiangxi, you should visit the factory of ceramic ware.
Chinese Ceramics is a predominant section of Chinese culture early and widely known in the world. In accordance with the world archeology, Chinese ceramics have been explored and discovered in many areas and countries. Especially in Europe, Chinese ceramics used to be considered as rare treasures. It was even served as the standard or evidence to judge a person’s social status and family background. Especially in France, a nationwide infatuation to Chinese ceramics brought the large-scale collection and show-off of Chinese ceramics, including their aristocrats and authorities of government. This is the large influence from hurricane of Chinese culture.
History of Chinese Ceramics
The origin of Chinese ceramics is green porcelain, which is the transitional object from pottery time to ceramic time. the real Chinese ceramics came forth in East Han Dynasty(23-220). Originally it was firstly found and used in Zhejiang province, Southeast China. During the time from 220 to 581, the ceramics of Zhejiang province kept ahead in south China. A lot of ceramic kilns were built in Shaoxing, Yuhang and other zones. Generally the ceramics in Zhejiang province is academically or formally called Yue Yao(越窑),and most of ceramic productions belong to green ceramics.
In north China, the appeared time of ceramics was shorter than that in southern area. The outstanding representative ceramics of North China is the white ceramics. And in Tang Dynasty, except the two types of ceramics, there was another kind of rare and treasured ceramics named Sancaici or Three-Color Ceramics, besides The ceramics produced in Changsha formed its own style and made a dramatic progress both in making and design. Changsha Ceramics later was found in 13 countries in Asia and Africa. In Song Dynasty, on the basis of ceramics in Tang Dynasty, five world-renowned ceramic kilns appeared: Ceramics of Ding Kiln, Ceramics of Ru Kiln, Ceramics of Guan Kiln, Ceramics of Ge Kiln and Ceramics of Jun Kiln. In Yuan Dynasty, the most prominent ceramics was white-green porcelain. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, China experienced the most flourishing time of ceramic production. Both of the quality and quantity were up to the summit. During this period, Jingdezhen as the Ceramic Capital was finally fixed.
Cultural Exchange and Ceramic Road
Since Han Dynasty, Silk Road served as the channel for Sino-foreign cultural and business exchange, and China used to be impressed as Silk Kingdom. Entering the Middle Ages, China was world famous as Ceramic Kingdom when Chinese ceramics were largely welcomed in other countries.
The Route of Silk Road
Dated from the end of the 8th century, Chinese ceramics begun the overseas business. The major ceramic products were Three-Color Ceramics, White Ceramics and Green Ceramics. Another important channel was called Oceanic Silk Road. In the light of the historic record and archeologist’s latest discovery, a large number of ceramics were transported via seaway started from Yangzhou, Ningbo, Quanzhou and Guangzhou. Additionally Zheng He’s Occidental Trip by fleet was also a big historic event to the world spread of Chinese ceramics. If you have oceanic Silk Road tours, you should visit these historic sites.
The ancient Chinese hairpin
Hairpin is very common ornament in the ancient China. In recent years, the retro stuffs like clothes and ornaments are very popular among Chinese women. If you have a China travel to the most big cities, you will find that some women use hairpin to bind their hair which looks beautiful.
Hairpin is a long needle used by ancient people to fix wispy bun or fasten a hat with the hair. It was later exclusively applied to refer to an ornament of women for fixing wispy buns. As shown in Historical Records?The Jesters, “there are sinking earrings in the front and hairpins at the back.” Du Fu also left us a line in Spring View that “I stroke my white hair.It has grown too thin To hold the hairpins any more.”
China’s ethnic minorities have the tradition of using hairpins to fix up hair and make hairdressing. Their hairpins are of diversified varieties, with long histories and rich national features and cultural implications.
In the Tang, Song and later dynasties, hairpins became increasingly popular. Women in the Dunhuang frescoes of the Tang Dynasty were decorated with all kinds of charming hairpins. Paintings of the Tang Dynasty were also permeated with women wearing hairpins. Chronicles of the Song Dynasty.Records of Traveling presents that “At the sixth year under the reign of Emperor Yuanjia of Song Dynasty, women in the society would knot their hair…. Their heads are decorated with pattern-based hairpins.” Lu You, a poet of the Song Dynasty, wrote in Story about Going to Sichuan that women of Southwest China bore headwear comprising “six silver hairpins, backed with elephant tooth comb as large as hand.”
During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) periods, hairpins presented multiple styles, featuring great many changes at the tip of hairpins. The most popular forms included flowers, birds, fish, insects and beasts. The frequently borrowed flowers were plum blossoms, lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, peonies and lotuses.
Hairpins were favorites of men when they present gifts to their lovers. Women often took them as tokens of love for their boyfriends. Many miserable love stories took place, simply because of one hairpin. The currently popular hairpins almost fully duplicate the ancient ones in external looks and materials. Gold and silver hairpins remain the best loved for women these days.
The retro hairpin can be found in the most tourist cities. Even you have a Hong Kong tour, you can also find desirable hairpin for your friends or wife or daughter.
How Beautiful Chinese Ancient Earrings Are!
The ancient Chinese earrings were very beautiful and various patterns. Here will tell you some knowledge of ancient earring for your China travel .
Chinese women began to dress themselves with all sorts of earrings long ago. The earliest record of this tradition appeared in the Mountain and Sea Bible, in which “A pleasant maiden from Qingyi Mountain, with thin waist and white teeth, has her ears pierced for earrings.” Zhuge Ke said in The Records of Three Kingdoms that “it is a fashion since ancient times to pierce earlobe for pearl decorations.” It shows wearing earrings was a fashion since the three ancient Chinese dynasties——Hsia, Shang and Chou. Earrings comprise earbob, ear-ornaments, and ear drops. Li Liweng, a scholar of early Qing Dynasty, called small and exquisite earrings “clove”, and heavy and gorgeous earrings Luosuo in his Idle Feelings Randomly Recorded. He said “one hairpin and earrings would accompany women all her life.” It shows how important earrings were in the aesthetic concepts of ancient people.
Zhang Ji, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote in his poem Reply of a Chaste Wife that “So I know return your tow shining pearls with a tear on each, Regretting that we did not meet while I was still unwed.” The “shining pearls” exactly refer to earrings. Isn’t it true that earrings pass through sadness as tokens of love? Zhang Huilian, of late Yuan Dynasty, mourned for her deceased husband in a Bamboo Branch Gamut poem, highly likely a result of seeing a thing and thinking of the person, “I recall you bought me shining pearls, I got up combing hair and darkening eyebrows. Where are you my love, I sit lonely dread to see twin butterflies.”
After the Jinkang Crisis of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong sent Cao Xun, an official, to flee back to the area under the Southern Song regime, in the hope that Zhao Gou, his son who succeeded the throne, would save his life with troops. Cao Xun brought along personal belongings of some close kin of Zhao Gou, as evidences. One of them was an earring of Zhao Gou’s wife. When Zhao Gou was Prince Kang, he was in deep love with his wife. The earring might evoke passions of Zhao Gou, seeking momentary ease, to save his kinsfolk out of tribulation. However, the country and family had experienced radical changes. Emotions would change along with actual situations. Zhao could not take back half of his country, not to mention a wife “having lost her chastity”. The piteous princess had to keep the other earring and live the rest of her life hopelessly in tears.
If you have a Guilin tours to some places of ethnic places, you will find that their earrings are very different from that of north China.
The origin of Chinese knots and its types
Buying a local souvenir is an indispensable things for popular China tour. Chinese knot may be your best choice because it is cheap and convinient to carry. The following introduce you the original of Chinese knots.
The much-discussed topic of making records by the knots of the rope demonstrated the important role of the knots in the development of the human being. According to the historical literature of Book of Changes, and the Annotations of The Book of Changes by Zheng Xuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty, knots are endued with the legal meaning of contract and agreement and meanwhile it functions as a tool to record historical events. Therefore, knots are much respected by the Chinese. With the passing of time, the recording method changes from the rope, the oracle bone, paper and brush, lead and fire up to fire and electric. Nowadays, the tiny colorful rope is no longer used as a recording method; however, tangling it into all kinds of knots revives a string of beautiful ancient legendary stories.
It can be bought in the most cities of China. Even you have Hong Kong tours, you can also buy it in a boutique.
The Must Eat Food in China
Chinese cuisine has uncountable number of culinary delights. Eating in China is often considered one of the greatest joys of China travel for foreign tourists. Below are three dishes you will want to make sure you try while in China.
Peking Duck
Also known as Beijing duck, this dish is one of China’s most famous delicacies. A specially-raised duck is slaughtered and covered in a syrup glaze, giving it the shiny characteristic of the dish. The duck is then left to dry for 24 hours. On the second day the duck is slowly oven roasted and a chef separates the meat from the skin and serves them on separate plates.
Peking duck is usually served with thin steamed pancakes. A sweet sauce is smeared on the pancake and scallions and cucumbers are placed on the pancake along with one piece of duck skin or meat. The pancake is then wrapped up and eaten. Many duck restaurants will use every part of the duck to make side dishes, including soup, duck hearts and even bones cooked with vegetables.
Hotpot
Hotpot is one of China’s most widespread dishes. It is said to originally have been brought to China from Mongolia in the Tang Dynasty (7th to 10th centuries AD), and afterwards developed various regional specialties. Hotpot consists of one large pot filling with a boiling soup. Everyone around a table places raw meat and vegetables into the soup to cook it and eats from the same bowl.
A huge variety of ingredients can go into hotpot; lamb, chicken, beef, pork and any other meat imaginable can be added. Lettuce, mushrooms, tofu and bean sprouts are just a few of the non-meat ingredients that can be added. The soup in many types of hotpot is extremely spicy – Sichuan hotpot is famous for this. In other types of hotpot, the bowl is divided into two sections, one with a spicy soup and the other with a mild, non-spicy broth.
Dumplings
Chinese dumplings, or jiaozi, are made by wrapping a meat, egg or vegetable filling into a small piece of dough and steaming or boiling them. They can be dipped in vinegar or soy sauce to add more flavour. Dumplings are traditionally eaten during the Chinese New Year but nowadays they are enjoyed throughout the year and are a popular breakfast food.
Another variety of dumplings are called guotie. In English these are often called potstickers and are a type of fried jiaozi. Cantonese-style dumplings often includes shrimp and scallop filling.
But if you cruise on Yangtze River, you may not have a taste of the above-mentioned food.
The ancestor of Chinese Buddhist Caves - Kizil Caves
Many tourists are very familiar with the four Great Caves in China which include Yungang Cave, Dunhuang Cave, Longmen Cave and Maijishan Cave. But few tourists know something about Kizil Caves which was earlier than other three. If you know the ancient history of China, you should know that artisans and designers of Kizil Caves were moved to Shanxi and Henan provinces in the wars and conflicts between sixteen kingdoms of five ethnic groups. If you have a Silk Road tour, you should pay a visit to this caves.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl) are a set of Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡, Kèzī'ěr Xiāng) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 65 kilometres (75 km by road) west of Kucha.[1][2] This area was a commercial hub of the The Silk Road.[3] The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China,[3] with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries.
All the statues and frescoes in the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves were engraved and painted in the Zhiti Grotto. Although most of the statues have been damaged, about 5,000 square meters of frescoes are preserved till now, whose themes are mainly about the legends of Buddha, principles and subsidiary causes and natural stories. There are two types of legends of Buddha: one is the biography of Buddha, mostly distributed around the four walls of the quadrate cave. The paintings on the wall were drawn in the continuous squares, which narrate the whole life of the Buddha. The other is the picture of expounding the Buddhist doctrines, mostly distributed on the flank walls of the main room of the Central Pillar Grotto. Every picture is independent and has its own theme, that is, no direct relationship with each other.
The stories on the principle and subsidiary cause manifest the enshrinement and worship offered by all flesh to the Buddha, and displayed the infinite power of the Buddha. However the natural stories narrate all the hardships and ascetic practices that the Buddha has endured when he practiced the Bodhisattva Tao during his previous existence. Except for a few were drawn on the four walls of the Square Grotto, these two kinds of story pictures are mainly distributed in the main room of the Central Pillar Grotto and the top of the Square Grotto, in the form of single picture, which means that the top of the Square Grotto is divided into many rhombic grilles, each having a picture. Because of the small space of a rhombic grille, only a few figures and scenes appear in a picture, and the most typical plots that could best generalize the story are selected to be in the picture, which therefore make the picture concise and sprightly. Only the top of the No. 17 grotto is painted with 38 natural stories. In addition, some frescoes also reflect the conditions of production, living styles and folk customs. For instance, in the painting of a happy professional singer in the No.38 grotto, some of the musicians are playing the pipa (a plucked string instrument with a fretted fingerboard), some are playing konghou (ancient plucked stringed instrument with five to twenty-five strings), and some are playing the flute, which are not only of a great variety of shapes and postures, but also full of wits and interests. The paintings of plowing lands and making potteries in the No.175 grotto show the scenes of production and working at that time, and therefore it is the precious material for the research into the history of Xinjiang and its culture and art. The Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves holds a certain position in the grotto art in China, which is of great significance for the research into the culture of Buddhism and the cultural exchange between China and western countries.
This cave will give you a different experience compared with theat of Beijing tour.
A Tibetan County in Sichuan - Batang
By comparison with Hong Kong tours, Batang will give you a different traveling experience in China
Batang County (Simplified Chinese: 巴塘县; Pinyin: Bātáng Xiàn) is a county located in western Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Government address: Xiaqiong Town, Batang County, Ganzi, Sichuan 627650. Area code: 0836.[1] The main administrative centre is known as Batang Town or Xiaqiong Town.
The name Batang is a transliteration from Tibetan meaning a vast grassland where sheep can be heard everywhere (from ba - the sound made by the sheep + Tibetan tang which means a plain or steppe).
1990 statistics give its population as 47,256, with 42,044 living in rural areas and 5,212 living in urban areas. The nationalities mainly consist of Tibetans, Hans, and Yis, Hui, and Qiang. By far the most numerous group are the Tibetans whose population is given as 44,601. It is 260 km from north to south and 45 km west to east and has an area of 8,186 km.
It borders on Xiangcheng County and Litang County in the east. Derong County to the south, Mangkang, Yanqing, and Gonju counties of Tibet and Deqing County[disambiguation needed] of Yunnan Province in the west, across the Jinsha or "Golden Sands" River (the upper course of the Yangtze). It borders Baiyu County to the north.
The low-lying Batang Valley (altitude about 2,740 m) was one of the few regions of Tibet with a Chinese settlement before 1950. There were American Protestant and French Catholic missions here focussed on medical and educational projects. "Many Bapa (natives of Batang) acquired high bureaucratic positions following the Chinese occupation in consequence of their familiarity with the Chinese language and modern education."[4] The American medical missionary, Dr Albert Shelton, was particularly reverenced by the Tibetans. He spent more than 20 years in Kham but was shot, apparently by a bandit, on a high mountain pass in 1922 at the age of 46.
If you want to know more about Batang, you can get the information by contacting with China tour operator.
Things to do for Sanya travel
If you have a China tour to Sanya, the following things you should know.
1. Taste Seafood on Fish Raft
On fish raft, there is a small pool enclosed by stripe waterproof canvas. The pool is packed with crabs, shrimps, and so on. You can pick your favorite seafood which can be cooked on the raft. The seafood on raft is very authentic and cheap.
3. Have Baoluofen for Breakfast
Baoluofen is the most favorite food for breakfast. The most restaurants of Baoluofen are operated by local people. Remember to eat Baoluofen when traveling around Sanya. The best but small restaurant to sell Baolufen is located on Hexi Road. The deliciousness of Baoluofen lies in its soup which is made of various ingredients such as charqui, peanut kernel, bamboo shoots, etc.
4. Overlooking night scene by standing in Luhuitou
Luhuitou, literally, “A Deer Turning its Head”, is situated at the 3 kilometers south of Sanya City. It is surrounded by sea on three sides. Rising 275 meters above the sea level, Luhuitou hill extends in the shape of a deer looking back. Standing at the top of the hill, you can get a panorama of Sanya City.
5. Pick shells on Coconut Dream Corridor
Coconut Dream Corridor, praised as the top one avenue in Asia, is famous for its excellent beach. The corridor extends 20 kilometers with a tropical botanical garden facing the sea. Here, young parents take their little kids to build sand castles, look for crab or pick shells.
6. Drink fresh coconut milk
Coconut trees are ubiquitous in Sanya. Most visitors like to drink fresh coconut milk, especially those coconuts picked directly from trees.
Sanya is very best place to enjoy the beach view and taste seafood. By comprison with Yangtze River cruise , relaxing yourself on the beach and enjoying the sunbath is very attractive.
Tracing the marks of Hong Kong film stars on Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars was designed to recognize the film industry's contribution in promoting Hong Kong as a destination worldwide. The Avenue of Stars is an indispensable for your Hong Kong tours.
This attraction goes a few steps further than Hollywood's popular Walk of Fame. Along Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars, visitors will find not only plaques
A star on the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong emblazoned with the names of famous Hong Kong actors and actresses, but will also be treated to a video about the local movie industry, sculptures of particularly notable stars, souvenir kiosks, and interesting tidbits about Hong Kong's more than 100-year film history.
One of the most recent additions to the Avenue of Stars is a 2-meter-high bronze statue of the world's most famous martial arts actor, Bruce Lee. Dedicated in 2005, Avenue of Stars at night the statue marked the 65th anniversary of Lee's birth.
Some actors whose names are included on the Avenue of Stars are recognizable only to the Hong Kong community or aficionados of Hong Kong films. Others may be recognized by film fans the world over, such as Jet Li and Sammo Hung, considered the king of the Hong Kong action film.
Initially, 100 actors - both living and dead - were honored along the Avenue of Stars. The local film board notes that they hope to add more stars to their walkway each October.
Visiting Avenue of Stars
Avenue of Stars is a free attraction that can be visited any time of the day or night. It's especially lovely in the evening when it's illuminated with tons of twinkling lights.
The promenade at Tsim Sha Tsui also provides a stunning view of the harbor and is an especially good place from which to watch the nighttime Symphony of Lights, a must-see for visitors to Hong Kong.
Many peope have their business China tour in Hong Kong. The time for travelling is not very enough so that you can only visit the most-visited places.
Hong Kong is always contained in the itineraries of popular China tours for tourists.
The Useful Facts of Beijing Opera
It is indispensable to watch Beijing opera. But many Chinese don't know what the performers are singing, let alone foreign tourists. If you really wanna watch Beijing opera during your Beijing tour, the following elements will be very helpful.
*Facial Painting
This special art derived from Chinese opera with different origins. But no matter what its origin, facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value. The paintings are representations of the characters' roles. For example, a red face usually depicts heroic bravery, uprightness and loyalty; a white face symbolizes a sinister, treacherous and guile character and a green face connotes surly stubbornness, impetuosity and lack of self-restraint. In addition, facial painting patterns reveal information about a character, as well. Essentially, the unique makeup allows characters on stage to reveal them voicelessly.
*Changing Faces
Peking Opera performers mainly have two types of facial decorations: masks and facial painting. The frequent on-stage changing of masks or facial makeup (without the audience noticing) is a special technique known as changing faces.
Changing faces is a difficult technique in operatic performance. It is considered to be a stunt that can only be mastered after extensive training. Face changing is also a special technique used to exaggerate inner feelings of characters, portray their dispositions, set off the atmosphere and improve effects. Facial changes expressing sudden changes in a character's feelings are done in four ways:
Blowing dust: The actor blows black dust hidden in his palm or close to his eyes, nose or beard, so that it blows back into his face.
Manipulating beard: Beard colors can be changed while the beard is being manipulated -- from black to gray and finally to white -- expressing anger or excitement.
Pulling-down masks: The actor can pull down a mask that has previously been hidden on top of his head, leaving his face red, green, blue or black to communicate happiness, hate, anger or sadness respectively.
Mop: The actor mops out the greasepaint hidden in his sideburns or eyebrows, around his eyes and nose, to change his facial appearance.
*Xingtou
Peking Opera costumes are called Xingtou or, more popularly, Xifu in Chinese. The origins of Peking Opera costumes can be traced back to the mid-14th century when operatic precursors first began to experiment with large, ornate articles of clothing.
Since each dynasty in Chinese history had its own unique operatic costume, the number of costumes was too great for performers to master. Hence, artists and costume designers worked together to create costumes that would be unwieldy on stage and acceptable no matter when or where the action was supposed to take place. The stage image of some well-known historical figures, such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhang Liang, were already fixed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Lavish costumes include:
1.Toukui, or opera headdress: crown, helmet, hat and scarf
2.Costume (about 20 kinds): the ceremonial robe, or Mang; the informal robe, or Pei; and the armor, or Kao, for soldiers
3.Opera shoes and boots, or Xue in Chinese
Audiences can distinguish a character's sex and status at the first glance by the type of headdress, robes, shoes and baldrics associated with the role.
*Main Roles in Peking Opera
1. Male Role (Sheng): civil, military; Lao Sheng (old man with a beard: dignified, polished, official, scholar); Xiao Sheng (young man, shrill voice, young warrior, young man of society, stature, elaborate dress), Wu Sheng (acrobatic male, extremely agile and physically skilled).
2. Female Role (Dan): Qing Yi (modest, virtuous), Hua Dan (flirtatious, playful), Gui Men Dan (young, married girl), Dao Ma Dan (strong woman, female general), Wu Dan (female acrobat), Lao Dan (old woman).
3. Painted Face Male (Jing): Spectators are usually startled by the appearance of the Jing. His facial colors symbolize the type of character: red = good, white = treacherous, etc.
4. Comedy Actor or Clown (Chou): dim-witted, amusing, rascal, occasionally slightly wicked.
There are many local operas in China. If you have Tibet tours, you can hear Tibetan Opera. If you are in Xian, it is Qingqiang Opera. Huangmeixi, Kun Opera, Anhui Opera and other local operas make China culture very colorful.
The Exquisite Lacquer in China
Lacquer is a natural substance obtained from the lacquer tree which has its home in China, a country still leading the world in lacquer resources. Much of the country is suitable for growing the tree, but most of the output comes from five provinces-Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. If you have Xian tours in Shaanxi, you can buy lacquer ware.
Raw lacquer is the sap of the lacquer tree, which hardens in contact with air. A tree becomes productive 3-5 years after planting, and entails hard work on the part of the tapper. He can only get the latex in June and July each year and must tap it in the predawn hours before the cock's crow and sunrise. For the sun would reduce the moisture in the air, stopping the flow of the latex.
Lacquerware has a long history which extends back to the remote ages in China. From the neolithic remains at Tuanjie Village and Meiyan Township (both in Wujiang County, Jiangsu Province) were unearthed in 1955 a number of lacquer-painted black pottery objects, two of which, a cup and a pot, were discovered intact and found to bear patterns painted in lacquer after the objects had been fired. They are the earliest lacquered articles ever discovered in China and are now kept in the Museum of Nanjing.
Before the invention of the Chinese ink, lacquer had been used for writing. Twenty-eight bamboo clips found in a Warring States (475-221 B. C. ) tomb at Changtaiguan, Xinyang, Henan Province, bear a list of the burial objects with the characters written in lacquer.
Lacquerware is moisture-proof, resistant to heat, acid and alkali, and its colour and lustre are highly durable, adding beauty to its practical use. Beijing, Fuzhou and Yangzhou are the cities leading in the production of Chinese lacquerware.
The making of Beijing lacquerware starts with a brass or wooden body. After preparation and polishing, it is coated with several dozen up to hundreds of layers of lacquer, reaching a total thickness of 5 to 18 millimetres. Then, gravers will cut into the hardened lacquer, creating "carved paintings" of landscapes, human figures, flowers and birds. It is then finished by drying and polishing. Traditional Beijing lacquer objects are in the forms of chairs, screens, tea tables, vases, etc. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, an enthusiast for lacquerware, had his coffin decorated with carved lacquer.
Yangzhou lacquer articles are distinguished not only by carvings in relief but by exquisite patterns inlaid with gems, gold, ivory and mother of pearl. The products are normally screens, cabinets, tables, chairs, vases, trays, cups, boxes and ashtrays.
Fuzhou is well-known for the "bodiless lacquerware", one of the "Three Treasures" of Chinese arts and crafts (the other two being Beijing cloisonne and Jingdezhen porcelain).
The bodiless lacquerware starts with a body of clay, plaster or wood. Grass linen or silk is pasted onto it, layer after layer, with lacquer as the binder. The original body is removed after the outer cloth shell has dried in the shade. This is then smoothed with putty, polished, and coated with layers of lacquer. After being carved with colourful patterns, it becomes the bodiless lacquerware of extremely light weight and exquisite finish.
Yunnan is the place to produce lacquer ware and it is also the hot tourist destination included in Shangri-La tour.
Beijing Temple Fair Guide
Temple fairs have been a part of daily life in Beijing for hundreds of years becoming especially popular during the Qing dynasty. If you are interested in the temple fairs and want a Beijing tour, you should know the following information.
Scattered all over the city so residents could easily make their way to the nearest, some fairs were held as regularly as every fortnight. Between stalls perhaps hawking the kind of tat we all find so difficult to resist (especially during the holiday season) were opera and acrobatic troupes, puppet shows and cross-talk (the Qing equivalent of a stand-up comedy act).
The Spring Festival fairs were, of course, a much bigger deal. Back in the day, it was the Changdian fair that raked in the crowds, with long sticks of sweetened hawthorn fruits and visiting opera stars guaranteed. To get a real taste of the Chinese New Year or just to get outside, we've picked out a whole range of outdoor festivities for today's fair-goer.
Dongyue Miao (东岳庙)
Housing the Beijing Folk Customs Museum, this temple (originally built in 1319) is host to one of Beijing's most traditional Spring Festival fairs. The most recent version of its temple fair kicked off in 1999.
Themed this year 'soaring golden dragon', like any good old fair it will feature drum troops, Chinese opera, acrobatics and cross-talk shows will provide plenty of noise and entertainment.
The fair will also feature an exhibition of antique Chinese boxes. Not necessarily one for thrill-seekers out there, this should be pretty fascinating with genuine pieces dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 'But why an exhibition on boxes?' You may well ask. Since the Chinese word for box (he) sounds like the word for harmony, the exhibition is all part of the plan to ring in an auspicious New Year. There will also be an exhibition of the Chinese zodiac beasties in various guises, with no prizes for guessing which animal will be taking top spot.
Wooden puppets, block puzzles and a whole bunch of old-time games will keep the little ones busy and you'll also be able to choose from a host of Chinese snacks such as lvdagun (a kind of bean flour roll) and wandouhuang (yellow pea flour cakes).
The temple will be giving out couplets written on the spot by local calligraphers and holding talks on traditional Chinese etiquette.
Dongyue Temple, 8.30am-midday on Monday 16 and 8.30am-4.30pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Chaoyang International Fengqing festival (朝阳国际风情节)
Principally catering to the laowai crowd, the fair is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this year. Not actually held in a temple, you'll find it inside Chaoyang park. The entertainers will also be of international stock, including dance troupes from Holland, the UK, France, Greece and Russia. Look out for Grecian trikala dance and the Russian tryn-trava.
Various embassy representatives will also introduce some of their country's customs, with plenty of international dishes available. If that's not enough, you can even get in on some karaoke while you're there.
Chaoyang Park, 9.00am-5.00pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Beijing is always contained in the itineraries of popular China tours. Beijing temple fair will give you a different experience.
Chinese Tattoos and its tradition in Chinese ethnic group
It is seem to be a fashion to get a tattoo. When you have a China travel deals to the Guizhou Province, you will find some ethnic group are used to have tattoos.
Chinese tattoos have become a raging phenomenon among tattoo enthusiasts of the western world. Chinese tattoos offer beautiful characters with a sense of the exotic and often much deeper meaning than that which lies on the surface.
Ci Shen - Chinese Tattoos
The art of tattooing has been known in China for thousands of years. Tattooing in China is called Ci Shen (Or Wen Shen), a term that means literally “puncture the body.” Although the art has been known in China for ages, it has for the most part been an uncommon practice. Throughout Chinese history tattooing has been seen as a defamation of the body, something undesirable.
Water Margin, one of the four classical novels of Chinese literature, does reference tattooing. Water Margin tells the stories of bandits of Mount Liang area of China during the early 12th century. The novel talks about the 108 companions of the historical bandit Song Jiang. Three of these characters are referenced as having tattoos covering their entire bodies.
The most famous tattoo in Chinese history comes from the legend of the Chinese general Yueh Fei. Yueh Fei served the South Song Dynasty. During battle with northern enemies the Field Marshall under whom Yueh Fei served betrayed the South Song and went over to the enemy.
In protest Yueh Fei resigned and returned home. His mother grew angry with him, telling him that his duty was first and foremost to his country, despite all else. To remind him of this fact she tattooed four characters on his back with her sewing needle. These characters, jin zhong bao guo, are difficult to translate but mean something like “Serve his country with ultimate loyalty.”
At some points in Chinese history Chinese tattoos were also used to mark criminals. Criminals convicted of a severe crime would be ordered to have a tattoo printed on their face and exiled into a faraway land. Even should the criminal ever return the tattoo would mark them forever as a criminal? This form of punishment was known as Ci Pei (Tattoo/Exile).
In modern China Chinese tattoos have grown somewhat of a stigma as being affiliated with organized crime and the criminal underworld.
Chinese Tattoos among Chinese Minorities
Although tattooing does not have a strong tradition among mainstream Chinese, many Chinese minority groups have much stronger tattooing traditions. Strongest among these are the Dulong and Dai tribes, along with the Li people of Hainan Island.
*Dulong Tattoos
Tattooing among women of the Dulong group, who live along the Dulong River, dates back to the Ming Dynasty some 350 years ago. During this time the Dulong were under attack from many of their neighbors, and the women would often be taken as slaves.
The Dulong women began tattooing their faces in reaction. It was thought that the tattoos would make them uglier and less likely to be raped. This tradition has continued into modern times despite the fact that the Dulong are no longer under attack from neighboring tribes.
At the age of 12 or 13 all Dulong girls are tattooed on their faces. This is a rite of passage among Dulong women and is seen as a sign of maturity.
*Dai Tattoos
The Dai people of China have an ancient tattooing tradition. Both men and women among the Dai are tattooed. Dai women are generally tattooed on the backs of their hands, their arms or have a small dot tattooed between their eyebrows.
Among Dai men tattoos are seen as a sign of strength and virility. Generally tattoos will be made in such a way as to accentuate and draw attention to their muscles. Although there are no fixed traditional designs among the Dai people, most commonly the tattoos will be of a ferocious beast such as a dragon or a tiger.
In ancient times Dai tattoos were given to young children of the ages of 5 or 6, however it grew to be more common to be given about the ages of 14 or 15, sort of a rite of passage into adulthood. Tattooing among the Dai is still practiced to this day.
*Li Tattoos
Tattooing also has a long standing tradition among the Li people of Hainan Island. Most commonly tattooing among the Li people, like those of the Du Long, are practiced among the women. Men have been known to have three blue circular rings tattooed on their wrists for medicinal purposes, but other than that the tattooing is among women.
Like both the Du Long and the Dai, the art of tattooing among the Li is seen as a rite of passage into maturity and adulthood. A Li girl is tattooed sometime during the ages of 13 or 14. The girl would first be tattooed on the nape of the neck, the throat and on the face. This process would take about four or five days.
Over the next three years, the girl would then have her arms and legs tattooed. Her hands were not tattooed. Among the Li only married women could have their hands tattooed, it was not appropriate for single women to wear them.
Li tattoos differed greatly among the different Li tribes, and could be easily used to differentiate between a woman of one tribe and another.
During the 1930's a German ethnologist Hans Stubel studied the Li people, and wrote extensively of their tattooing practices. It is mostly from his work that our understandings of their tattooing customs come from. During his day few still wore facial tattoos, tattooing was primarily of the arms and legs. Today hardly anyone in Hainan sports the traditional tattoos of the Li people save a few elderly women.
*Chinese Tattoos in the West
The west's fascination with Chinese tattoos has little to do with the history of Chinese tattoos and Chinese tattooing traditions, however. It is not an outgrowth of any strong Chinese tattooing tradition but is rather a testament to just how perfectly Chinese characters mesh with the art of tattoos. It is for the most part a recent phenomenon, but one that continues to grow.
If you are planning on getting a Chinese tattoo, or even multiple Chinese tattoos, you should make sure that your tattoo is what you think it is. Too often there are stories of people getting Chinese tattoos that say something completely different from what they thought it would say. There is the story of a young man in England who thought he was having the Mandarin characters for “Love, honor and obey” tattooed on his arm. He later found out from a Chinese woman that what he actually had tattooed on his arm said “At the end of the day, this is an ugly boy.”
Chinese tattoos can be beautiful and powerful tattoos, but you should do thorough research before getting any Chinese tattoo put on your body. It is, after all, going to be with you the rest of your life.
But if you have Silk Road tours, you will find people there didn't have tattoos.
What to See in Guilin - Impressive Liu Sanjie
When you have a Guilin tour, Impressive Liu Sanjie should not be missed.
This is a major production with a cast of 500 singers, dancers, bamboo boats and cormorants (the same birds as used for fishing locally - see Cormorant Fishing). However, the stand out performer is definitely the background scenery. The lighting of the karst peaks is truly amazing and was our highlight.
The show was designed and directed by Zhang Yimao, who has been awarded to task of directing the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
The performance is based on a Chinese musical movie made in 1961.
The story is about a lady called Liu SanJie who lived in the city of Liuzhou (2 hours from Guilin) where she worked in the fields. Liu Sanjie was well known in Liuzhou for her great singing voice. She would always sing while she worked in the fields. One day she left Liuzhou and came to Yangshuo on a bamboo raft and settled here.
Then under the Big Banyan tree, Liu Sanjie tossed her love ball to her loved one, which he accepted and they lived happily ever after.
The show itself tries to show how the local people live. There are some people from different minorities wearing their tradition costumes singing their festival songs. You will also see a display of bamboo rafts. In the backdrop are the spectacular karst peaks all lit up in the background.
Compared with Yangtze River cruise, you will have a different experience on Li River.
A Famous Spicy Food in Chongqing - Hotpot
Hotpot is the most famous and favorite dish in Chongqing. Chongqing local people consider the hotpot a local specialty, which is noted for its peppery and hot taste, scalding yet fresh and tender. Nowadays, as a matter of fact, Chongqing hotpot is famous and popular all over the country. Most Chinese are fond of specy food so that Chongqing hotpot is featured by spiciness. For tourists for China travel, they are not used to eating spicy hotpot so that you can choose other hotpot without peppers.
Chongqing hotpot was first eaten by poor boatmen of the Yangtze River in Chongqing area and then spread westwards to the rest of Sichuan Province. Now it is a very popular local flavor and can be found at every corner of the city.
People gather around a small pot filled with flavorful and nutritious soup base. The pot may be boiled by various means, such as charcoal, electric or gas. You have a choice of spicy, pure or combo for the soup. There are a great variety of hotpots, including Yuanyang (Double Tastes) hotpot, four tastes hotpot, fish head hotpot, tonic hotpot, entire sheep hotpot, etc. Chongqing hotpot is characterized by its spiciness, but to suit customers of different preference, salty, sweet or sour flavors of hotpot are available. As long as you can stand the spiciness, you are advised to try the spiciest one to ensure an authentic experience.
Thin sliced raw variety meat, fish, various bean curd products and all kinds of vegetables are the main ingredients for this cuisine. All of these are boiled in the soup, and then you can dip them in a little bowl of special sauce.
Chongqing people love their hotpot, especially when the weather is steamy. The fire dances under the pot, the heavily oiled and spiced soup boils with hazy steam, and the people are bathed in sweat. Chongqing hotpot can be found wherever there are street vendors or small restaurants, it has the greatest variety and is known for its delicious soup base and dipping sauce. Tasting this traditional dish will be the first choice of tourists who come here.
The most representative and famous types of hotpots are as follows:
Cattle-gut Hotpot
Hotpots are the traditional famous course of Sichuan, of which Chongqing hotpot is specially noted, characterized by hotness, heavy flavors and dense soup. The traditional Chongqing hotpot's materials include cattle guts, cattle waists, beef and other vegetables, being a real self-help course. Hotpot enjoys an age-old history in China.
Yuanyang Hotpot
Yuanyang hotpot is characterized by its unique flavor. In fact, Yuanyang hotpot is a mixture of the hot soup of traditional cattle-gut hotpot and the bree of mum hotpot. Thus it is honored Sichuan Innovative Hotpot. The pot is divided into two parts by a copper slice in the middle. One side is the container of hot soup, the other side is bree. The option of hotpot's materials is decided at your will.
Time-honored "Qiaotou" Hotpot
Chongqing hotpot is well known throughout China as a unique local eating culture, and the Qiaotou hotpot is said to be among the top ones, and it has been enjoying a high reputation in generations of Chongqing natives. The staff of Qiaotou has created Yuanyang hotpot, hotpot banquet and various nourishing series stockpot on the basis of hot-soup hotpot.
The other famous local food is hot and spicyMa La Tang, which is similar to hotpot in some way. Literally, "ma" means numbness in the mouth, "la" is chili hot and "tang" means piping hot.Ma La Tang, with various raw ingredients cooked in a communal pot of steaming stock blended with spices, originated in Sichuan's largest city, Chongqing. The double-sided soup pot, placed on a central table burner, is the focal point of the meal. Ingredients include fresh sliced abalone, sea cucumber, hog tendon, Beijing cabbage and beef dumpling, prawns, carp fish fillet, bean curd, chicken fillet and vegetables. The excellent dipping mixture of sesame oil, chili sauce, peanut sauce, chopped chilies and garlic combine to make magic. Savory titbits are appetizingly tasty -- egg coated glutinous square, crispy spring roll, fried buns, eight treasure black rice and water chestnut jelly. Diners cook their food right at the table in steamingMa La Tang, a savory broth blended with the spices found in abundance in Sichuan.
Hotpot can be found in the most places in China. But in some cities of south China, it is not easy to find hotpot. If you have Shanghai tours, the hotpot may not be very authentic compared with that of Chongqing.
Hong Kong Travel Information
As a travel-lover, I am interested in many famous tourist cities and destinations. So I like to look for some inforamtion about tourist destination. The following is the Hong Kong Guide to help you have a easy Hong Kong tour.
Hong Kong, (香港 Heūng góng in Cantonese, Xiāng gǎng in Mandarin, either way meaning "fragrant harbour") the Oriental Pearl, is simply amazing!It would be hard to find a more exciting city than Hong Kong. Set among beautiful natural surroundings it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Here you can find the delights of modern living alongside an abundance of reminders of its historic past. Whether you visit the better known highlights like the stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic viewpoint of Victoria Peak or the beautiful Repulse Bay, Hong Kong is certain to exceed your expectations.
Do you know HongKong?
Name: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR)
Population: 6.8 million. 95% are Chinese, the rest are foreigners.
Language: Mostly in Traditional Chinese and English. But Simplified Chinese are increasingly popular as there are more mainland Chinese visitors visiting Hong Kong.
Geography: Hong Kong Island + Kowloon (Kowloon Peninsula) + New Territories (including Lantau Island and 200 other outlying islands).
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar, pegged with the US Dollar at around HKD$7.8 to USD$1.
Timezone: GMT+8, same as Mainland China, Taiwan or Singapore.
Voltage: 220 Volt, 50 Hertz.
Taxes: Hong Kong does not have sales tax / GST / VAT.
When to visit?
Weather— For those who are seeking warm, dry and sunny weather, the ideal time is October to December.Those who are wanting to escape the humidity of tropical climates will appreciate the cooler months of January to March. The temperature ranges from 9°C to 24°C during winter, and from 26°C to 33°C during summer. The humidity is typically high in the spring and worse in the summer, when high temperatures (usual maximum of 32-34°C) are often recorded.
Events — During Chinese New Year, whilst there are some extra celebratory events such as a lion dances, fireworks, and parades, many shops and restaurants are closed for three to five days. The official public holiday lasts three days.Culture lovers will be able to feast on a multitude of culturalactivities from February to April. The Hong Kong Arts Festival, a month-long festival of international performances, is held in February and March. The Man Literary Festival, a two-week English language festival with international writers as guests, is held in March. The Hong Kong International film festival, a three-week event, is held in late March to early April.Rugby fans, and those wishing to party, should come during the weekend of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. There is a second round of cultural activities in the autumn lasting till the end of the year. Christmas is also a nice time to visit as many stores and shopping centres are nicely decorated and the festive mood is apparent across the city.
Shopping
streetHong Kong is the perfect place to pick up a unique bargain or indulge in an unexpected extravagance, if you know exactly where to look. The map below shows the major shopping areas throughout Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a lot of street markets. Some of them just selling regular groceries, others clothes, bags or even electronics. Many stores in Hong Kong (even some chain stores) are willing to negotiate on price, particularly for goods such as consumer electronics. Always feel free to ask "is there any discount?" and "do I get any free gift?" when buying anything in the territory. You can often get an additional discount if you pay cash (since the store can avoid paying the credit card charges).
Theme parks
Hong Kong Disneyland opened on September 12, 2005. It is on Lantau Island, about 12 kilometers east of the Hong Kong International Airport, and may be reached via the MTR Disneyland Resort Line from Sunny Bay Station (note that to get to Disneyland from the airport, you must make two connections, the first at Tsing Yi and the second at Sunny Bay; in this case it probably would make more sense to take a taxi). Though significantly smaller in size than other Disney parks elsewhere, it does offer some great attractions ("Festival of the Lion King" stage show, "Golden Mickey's" stage show, "Mickey's PhilharMagic 4D" show) and very short queues most of the year (except the week of Chinese New Year). Disneyland has not been as successful as anticipated and reports in the South China News indicate that it has failed to reach its visitor numbers by as much as one million people. It's not all bad, though - a second theme park should open next door in the near future.
Ocean Park is on the southern side of Hong Kong island. With roller coasters and large aquariums altogether, it's still packed on weekends with families and tourists after opening to the public for 30 years. The cablecar is an icon and an essential link between the two parts of the park. The views of the South China Sea from the cable car is always terrific. It would be fair to say that many local people would choose Ocean Park if they had to pick a single theme park to attend. For many, the chance to see Hong Kong's pandas would be a deciding factor. Young adults will be attracted to the wider range of rides. You can get to Ocean Park by a direct bus ride from Admiralty MTR station; it will be the first stop after you clear the Aberdeen Tunnel.
Victoria PeakVictoria Harbor
Get a stunning view of Hong Kong Island on Victoria Peak with the giant, wok shaped Peak Tower. Within the building are shops, restaurants, museums, and viewing points. The Peak Tram runs from Central to the bottom of the Peak Tower. Although the view of Kowloon and Victoria Harbour can be good, be prepared for the view to be spoilt by air pollution. There is no point in spending the extra money to visit the observation deck of the Peak Tower. There are a number of nice walks around the peak that quickly leave the tourist area behind and offer nice views of all sides of the island. You will be able to catch a laser show at 8pm every day.
Beaches
You are never far from the sea in Hong Kong and going to a good beach is only a bus-ride away. However, if you want a really good beach, then it is worth making the effort to travel, possibly on foot, and seek out the beaches of the New Territories. Hong Kong's urban beaches are usually well maintained and have services such as showers and changing rooms. Where beaches are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Dept. shark nets and life guards are present. Dogs and smoking are not permitted on these beaches.
Eating
Perhaps the number one highlight of Hong Kong is the cuisine. Not only is it a showcase of traditional and modern Cantonese cuisine, the various regional cuisines from around China, such as northern Chinese, Chaozhou and Sichuan are all well represented. There are also excellent foodAsian and some fairly good Western restaurants as well. Residents tend to eat out a lot more than in other countries. Because of this, eating out can be fairly cheap, as long as you stick to local restaurants, and avoid the often overpriced Western counterparts. While dining out, it is easy to find places offering mains for well under $80 offering both local and international food. Fastfood chains such as McDonald's and Café de Coral offer meals in the vicinity of $20. Mid-range restaurants generally charge in excess of $100 for mains, whilst at the top end the city's best restaurants can easily see you leave with a bill in excess of $1200 (including entrées (appetizers), mains, desserts and drinks). Above all, Hong Kong is known for its dim sum (点心), delicately prepared morsels of Cantonese cuisine served from a never ending procession of carts and eaten with tea. Dim sum is usually eaten for breakfast or lunch and is often the focus of family get-togethers on Sundays. An excellent place to go for dim sum is City Hall in Central - just be sure to ask for the dim sum restaurant. If you go to some restaurants in the more local areas ask if they have an English menu. In such restaurants customers are often required to write their requirements on a tick-box sheet and hand them to the waiter.
If you have any other questions about Hong Kong travel, you can contact a China tour operator.One Thing to do in Beijing - Drink in Beijing teahouses
The tea is very best known in China. If you join a Beijing tour package, you should try to have a relax in teahouses in Beijing.
Chinese tea culture is among the best of Chinese culture. The tea ceremony is a very profound and complex thing, and it seems that only with a pure heart and few worldly desires can a man get its quintessence.
However, for the common people, at least those in Beijing, such a state free from vulgarity can never be attained. Therefore, the teahouses in Beijing, different from those in other places, have never been places of peace and quiet. Instead, they are always hustling and bustling. Perhaps this has something with the Beijingers' disposition: fearful of quiet, and fond of communication, especially that of group chatting. Hence, the teahouses provide perfect venues for them to gather together and talk of everything under the sun with great gusto.
Teahouses in Old Beijing
The Beijing teahouse came into vogue in late years of the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), with a great variety, such as green-tea, book-telling, wild, and wine teahouses.
Green-tea Teahouse
The green-tea teahouses, which were among the best in old Beijing, served as resting places for the aged people and rich spoiled children after walking their birds in the morning, and for merchants to discuss business matters over a meal at noon.
Teahouses of this type were usually simply yet elegantly furnished, with square tables and wooden chairs, focusing their business on selling tea, which was usually served in a covered tea bowl. In spring, summer, and autumn, shelter would be set up outdoors or in the courtyard. As a rule, those regular customers sat inside the teahouse, while the infrequent guests sat under the shelter. Private seats were available in the courtyard. Only top quality Chinese green tea, such as the brands of Mao Jian, Yuqian (Before the Rain), and Queshe (the tongue of a sparrow), was served in this type of teahouses.
In the morning, most of the frequenters to these teahouses were aged people, who got up very early for morning exercise. After that, they would pay a visit to the teahouse, and have a small talk with other teahouse-goers. From time to time, the teahouse owners would come up with some creative ideas to attract customers. For example, some of them would organize the so-called "Meeting of Birds," and send invitations to those bird-raisers, who would often be willing to come and talk about their bird-raising experience.
By the noon, when the aged people had gone home for a rest, another group of customers, mostly business people, visited the teahouse, and talked about their business over a cup of tea.
Book-reading Teahouse
In old Beijing, book-reading teahouses were also very popular. In such teahouses, drinking tea was only a sideline, while listening to the storyteller (or book reading) or watching the Quyi(a traditional Chinese art form combining storytelling with music and performances) performances was the main event.
There were usually two performing periods: daytime and nighttime. During the day, the book reading or Quyi performance began at 3:00 - 4:00 pm, lasting for three to four hours until 6:00 - 7:00 pm. An hour later, the night shift started, which would last until midnight. Sometimes, there might be a mid-day performance between 1:00-3:00 pm.
Tea was sold prior to the beginning of the book reading or Quyi performances, but not after. Besides, it took money to listen to the reading, usually one copper coin for a chapter on average.
Acting as a link between tea and literature, the book-reading teahouses were most proper for the aged people, who could not only gain historical knowledge, but also achieve the purpose of entertainment and relaxation.
Tea can be found in the whole China. But there is difference between south and north China. If you have a Shangri-La tour, you may drink the totally different tea by comparison with that of other places.
Dajue Temple and Its Golden Gingko Tree
There are many Buddhist temple in China. Dajue Temple is one of them. Dajue Temple is popular not only for its long history and ancient construction but also for its distinctive but charming view in the four seasons. The following depict its beautiful view in autumn for your Beijing tour.
In fall, people flock out to the western Beijing temple to see the 1000+ year old gingko tree. Situated in the courtyard between the Amitabha and Mahavira Halls, it towers over them, reaching its ancient arms up toward the heavens, frozen mid-prostration. An explosion of glowing leaves shimmer in the air, clinging to the branches for a short while longer. For the moment, this tree is the star of the show, and shutterbugs flock to her before her beauty momentarily flutters away.
Hobby photographer Wang Xin was excited to shoot such an ancient and beautiful tree. "It's really hard to find a gingko tree like this one," he said in wonderment. "The tree has grown for a thousand years, so it's amazing to see it. And I'm happy to take pictures of it. Taking photos can be like a religious practice. Religious practice isn't just reading texts; it can be every day, every second of your life."
Wang noted how Dajue Si Temple miraculously escaped the last two days of snowfall. "It shows that the leaves don't want to leave; they want people to see their beauty."
Sun Jingwen was visiting the temple grounds for the first time, and was particularly impressed with the gingko tree, which he likened to a giant bonsai. "It's better than I expected," he admitted, noting that his timing to see this tree was just right. "I thought, 'If I don't come, I'll have to wait until the next year.'"
The temple grounds also include a wonderful park area toward the back, filled with trees, rugged stone walkways, and a red pagoda. Rust and sunshine colored leaves hesitate over whether to join their friends resting on the ground.
And of course, the temples themselves are lovely, dating back to the 15th century and housing a large number of centuries old Buddhas. Although the temple is centuries old, it stays current with its Weibo (microblog) account, where periodically uploaded photos show the current state of leaves or flowers.
If you have last minute China travel deals, Dajue Temple may be one of your choice.
The Facts of Blood Red Porcelain
For most tourists for China tour, what interests them is the all the ancient things like ancient towns, ancient and traditional handicrafts. I visit Pingyao Ancient Town last week and buy some articles of traditional handworks like blood red porcelain. The following will introduce the blood red porcelain which I got information from the internet.
Porcelain with red under glaze is distinctively different from other Chinese ceramic styles, with very flamboyant, lively, and intense colors. In traditional Chinese culture, the color red represents joy, happiness, and auspiciousness. This combination of form and meaning has made red under glaze porcelain very popular and demand has always been greater than supply.
"If you want to go broke, make red glaze porcelain" is a popular saying among porcelain makers, because making this kind of porcelain is very complicated and costly. The expensive materials needed and the complicated technique used to glaze the base are the two major obstacles to making red under glaze porcelain. When the porcelain is fired, temperature and time control is also essential to prevent the glaze from changing color or breaking.
Because of the extreme difficulties in producing this kind of porcelain, the skills were once lost, and were only revived very recently with the help of modern technology.
The origins of red under glaze porcelain
Red-glazed porcelain was invented as the result of a happy accident. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), bronze was widely used in Changsha kilns to make porcelain green, and it was discovered that different firing temperatures made some porcelain red.
The technique was improved in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), when large quantities of porcelain with red under glaze were produced in Jun kiln in Henan Province. However, the craftsmen's skills were not yet very advanced and there were usually some other colors in the red under glaze.
In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), craftsmen began to intentionally make porcelain with red under glaze in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, known as the capital of ceramics. In the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the craftsmanship was very much improved, and the red color became more brilliant.
Later, Jihong porcelain began to be produced for sacrificial ceremonies. Ji means to sacrifice and hong means red. Jihong porcelain produced in Jingdezhen surpassed previous porcelain both in luster and in color. Precious gems like coral, agate, jade, pearls, and gold were sometimes added.
It was extremely hard to produce this kind of porcelain, and the success rate was quite low. The successful production of red porcelain demonstrates the intelligence and dedication of the Jingdezhen people.
A popular local legend says even their blood was sacrificed for their craft. According to the story, Emperor Xuanzong in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) wanted to use red porcelain to worship the sun god, and issued an imperial decree ordering the Jingdezhen kiln to produce it. After many attempts, the craftsmen failed to produce satisfactory porcelain and were whipped, thrown into prison, and threatened with death if they didn't produce what the emperor desired.
The blood red porcelain can be bought in the most famous tourist destinations like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai. If you have Hong Kong tours, it also can be bought.
Top Things to Do in Macau
Many tourists are very familiar with Hong Kong and they may have several Hong Kong tours, but as regarding Macai, the first thing that comes into mind is gambling. Actually, the sights in Macau are very attractive.
The former Portuguese colony makes more money from gambling than anywhere else in the world (US$6 billion a year), it’s the most densely populated place around (18,000 folk per sq km) and it’s home to the world’s largest casino, The Venetian.
It’s also a place where bling is king and high-rollers are driven around in Bentleys and Jags. Yet even if you don’t win big and your chips are down, it’s still possible to experience all of Macau’s history and culture.
Here are our top five tips on how to get things for free in this former Portuguese colony, which is marking its 10th anniversary of Chinese rule this December.
1 The Bubble
A dazzling visual show of lasers, lights and fire displayed in a giant dome. The legend of the Jade Emperor and four ocean-dwelling dragons is projected on to the dome and brought to life in dramatic fashion. ‘The Dragon’s Treasure’ is shown nightly, for free, at The Bubble, inside the City of Dreams casino.
2 Transport
To get around town you can use taxis, which are cheap but are driven by the world’s grumpiest drivers. A great alternative is the buses, and with signs in Portuguese it’s relatively easy to figure out routes. Better still are the free casino buses that ferry people around. They’re supposed to be for gamblers, but nobody checks where you’re heading. It is possible to go from The Venetian and City of Dreams in the southern island of Taipa to The Sands casino in Macau. Casino buses also run to the Chinese border to bring in hoards of gamblers.
3 Eating
Macau food is a fabulous fusion of Portuguese and Chinese, but many of its restaurants are expensive. If you head to Senado Square and wander towards the ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral you’ll be greeted by a line of vendors who are more than happy to give their food away. From just-baked cookies to crispy slices of super-sweet fried pork, it’s a great way to fill up and sample Macau’s snacks.
4 Sightseeing
The centre of Macau is a World Heritage Site teeming with churches, temples and forts, nearly all of which have no entrance fee.
At the ruins of St Paul’s only the façade remains of what was once a spectacular Jesuit cathedral. The rest was destroyed by fire, but today it’s still possible to climb up and see the ruins from close quarters. Be sure to visit the Museum of Sacred Art and crypt to the rear of the site. Other free attractions include the pavilions at A-Ma Temple, the Guia Fort with its fancy frescoes and the neoclassical buildings around Senado Square.
5 Coloane Village
Coloane is the farthest point from modern Macau, both geographically and culturally. Here it’s possible to see how Macau once was, with its old fishing boats, deserted cobbled streets and wizened locals.
Admittedly, you need to pay to get here (the 21a bus costs 50p), but once you’ve arrived you’re free to explore the range of religious buildings, from the matchbox-sized Chapel of St Francis Xavier to Tin Hau Temple and its Christmas-tree-like golden amulets. Be sure to sample the magnificent egg tarts at Lord Stow’s Bakery before strolling down to Hac Sa Beach, famed for its black sands.
If you want to know more information about Macau, you can contact with China tour operator.
An Special Art in China - Sugar Paintings
In and around China’s southwestern Sichuan Province, it is usual to see some folk artists producing sugar paintings with liquid sugar along the streets, in the parks, and around the schools. These sugar painting can be found in the most places of the northwest China. If you have a China business tours, you can watch the process of make a sugar painting.
The artists normally sit before a wooden stand where there is a polished slab of marble in the middle. On the side of the stand is a revolvable bamboo arrow and a wooden plate painted with various patterns in a circle such as a loong (Chinese dragon), bird, dog, flower basket and so forth.
After paying about 5 jiao, or 1 to 2 yuan, the customer, normally kids, turn the arrow and wait till it stops. The pattern the still arrow points at is the one the artist is supposed to make with sugar.
Some rich kids or adults who do not want to gamble could order any pattern the artist could do by paying a higher price.
The painter uses the brown sugar or white sugar as the raw material, the bronze spoon and a shovel as the tool, and the slab of marble as the “paper”. To acquire liquid sugar, he/she has to cook the solid sugar in a pot before painting. The liquid sugar falls down as a thin thread onto the “paper” from the slanting spoon. After a short while, a plane animal is created, or even a solid bike and a flower basket. Then the painter separates the painting from the marble with a shovel, puts a wooden prod on the painting or wraps it with a transparent plastic bag, and gives it to the kid. In the sunshine, holding the shining sugar painting when walking along the street, the child is proud and happy.
As a unique art for producing artistic pieces entirely composed of sugar, sugar painting is very different from normal painting. First, since the hot liquid sugar could freeze solid if it cools, the painter has to produce his/her work very quickly. Second, the painter has to follow some orders of strokes and draw a continuous line into a picture of an animal or other pattern. To get familiar with the whole process, the painter has to do some practice of normal painting in the first place.
These impressionist-style paintings fall into two main categories: plane painting and solid painting. It is comparatively easier to do the former. When producing the latter, the painter needs more knowledge and techniques of sugar painting. For example, to produce a flower basket, he/she has to do a round sugar pancake first, and then make a smaller sugar circle on the pancake. Due to the difference of the two parts in temperature, it is easy to pull up the whole smaller and resilient sugar circle with some tool and form a solid basket. Later on, the artist adds a lifting beam and flowers to the basket, making a vivid flower basket.
According to some academic studies, sugar painting originated from the Ming Dynasty when sugar animals and figures were made in molds as part of a sacrifice in religious rituals. In the Qing Dynasty, sugar painting gained more popularity. The production techniques were upgraded and the patterns became more various, most of which were auspicious such as fish, loong and monkey. Afterward, the folk artists in Sichuan developed this art by incorporating techniques of Chinese shadow puppet and Chinese paper cutting. The molds were also replaced with a small bronze spoon. As time passed by, the contemporary form of sugar painting has gradually evolved.
Although the number of sugar painters has decreased, due to its unique charm, a certain number of artists are making sustained efforts to preserve it by offering classes, holding relevant activities such as sugar painting contests and applying for the National Non-material Cultural Heritage.
Nowadays, this art is garnering support again, from both the general public and the government. It has already been listed as Provincial Non-Material Culture Heritage by the Sichuan Government. Moreover, the sugar painting artists have gained increasing recognition.
But now the making the sugar paintings is seldomly seen. But I once see in some area like Muslim Quarter Street. If you have a Xian tours, you may come across the making sugar painting.
Those sin-cleaning capabilities are just a sample of the magic of western Tibet. It’s a place of endless vistas, forgotten cities and people whose beliefs seem to merge with the landscape. The final magic comes when my travels end and I turn east for the drive to Lhasa. How many places in the world can you end up a solid week’s drive from the nearest airport? The Tibetan Plateau is such a destination. If you have a Tibet tour, you will find it is a holy and splendid place.
The Tibetan Plateau is surrounded by massive mountain ranges. The plateau is bordered to the south by the Himalayan range, to the north by the Kunlun Range which separates it from the Tarim Basin, and to the northeast by the Qilian Range which separates the plateau from the Hexi Corridor and Gobi Desert. To the east and southeast the plateau gives way to the forested gorge and ridge geography of the mountainous headwaters of the Salween, Mekong, and Yangtze rivers in western Sichuan (the Hengduan Mountains) and southwest Qinghai. In the west the curve of the rugged Karakoram range of northern Kashmir embraces it.
The Tibetan Plateau is bounded on the north by a broad escarpment where the altitude drops from around 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in less than 150 kilometres (93 mi). Along the escarpment is a range of mountains. In the west the Kunlun Mountains separate the plateau from the Tarim Basin. About half way across the Tarim the bounding range becomes the Altyn-Tagh and the Kunluns, by convention, continue somewhat to the south. In the 'V' formed by this split is the western part of the Qaidam Basin. The Altyn-Tagh ends near the Dangjin pass on the Dunhuang-Golmud road. To the west are short ranges called the Danghe, Yema, Shule and Tulai Nanshans. The eastenmost range is the Qilian Mountains. The line of mountains continues east of the plateau as the Qin Mountains which separate the Ordos Region from Sichuan. North of the mountains runs the Gansu or Hexi Corridor which was the main silk-road route from China proper to the west.
Still want to experience the miracle of God, the scenes along the Yangtze River may be another this destination if you have a Yangtze River tour.
Xi'an Travel Information
Xi'an is an ancient city with a long-standing history and is known for being the capital city for 13 dynasties. Now, this city harmoniously combines its ancient charm with a modern atmosphere. It is also the jumping off point of the famous ancient Silk Road. As the most important city in northwest China, Xi'an attracts millions of visitors from all over the world with its historical relics, unique landscapes as well as its unique local cuisine. And the city can be your China customized tour.
Hereafter is a comprehensive index of Xi'an City Guide:
How to get Xi'an
By air
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is the major airport serving the city and is the largest airport in the northwest region of China. The airport is located to the northwest of the city, between Xi'an and Xianyang(咸阳). There are direct flights from Xi'an to many major cities in China.
There are shuttle busses between the airport and the urban area with a 25 Yuan admission fee per person. Alternatively, at a price of 100 - 120 Yuan the journey can be made by taxi.
Here we will offer some information on shuttle bus in detail.
1. Line 1-between airport and Melody Hotel(西安美伦酒店) near the Bell Tower Tourists can reach many luxurious hotels in the city center by this line, like Hyatt Regency(西安凯悦饭店), Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel(金花豪生国际大酒店), Bell Tower Hotel(西安钟楼饭店), Prince International Hotel(王子国际酒店)and City Hotel(西安城市酒店), etc.
2. Line 2-between airport and railway station, passes by Qinfeng Hotel(西安秦丰大酒店)and Jiefang Hotel(解放饭店), passengers can take this line to get to the Diamond International Hotel(西安钻石国际大酒店).
3. Line 3-between airport and Huoju Dasha(火炬大厦) in Xi'an Hi-tech zone
4. Line 4-between airport and Guomao Dasha(国贸大厦)in southern suburb, passes by Tangcheng Hotel(西安唐城宾馆)and Orient Hotel(东方大酒店).
5. Line 5-between airport and Jianguo Hotel(建国饭店) in eastern suburb, passes by Empress Hotel.
6. Line 6- is between airport and downtown Xianyang, which passes Caihong Hotel of Xianyang City.
Tips:
Though shuttle bus departing at downtown area leaves hourly from 6:00 to 18:00 for airport, the line 2 to 5 may be not in service after 15:00 or 16:00 except Line 1. While the departing time of bus from airport to downtown be according to the arrival time of flights. Even passengers of late arrivals can catch the service, but it will take passengers to Melody Hotel (near the Bell Tower) possibly not on to other destinations of lines above. So if your hotel is not in the lime, you’d better first get to the Bell Tower, which is the center of Xi’an, and then transfer a bus or taxi to get to your hotel.
By Train
With a reputation as 'the Gateway to the West', Xi'an Railway Station is one of the most pivotal terminals of the domestic railway system. You can take a direct train to Xi’an from almost cities in China.The station lies in the north urban area, so it will take you about half an hour by car from the downtown area. Buses traveling to the railway station can be found on every main street, and will only cost you 1 or 2 Yuan. If you choose to travel by taxi, the fare should be less than 10 Yuan (from the city center).Purchasing train tickets can be troublesome for foreigners, as the ticket windows are usually crowded and have few English-speaking staff. One solution to such a problem is to ask for the ticket-booking service at any star rated hotel, who will offer their assistance for a nominal service charge. You are better off buying train tickets one week in advance of travel, especially during the peak travel seasons.
Attractions in Xi’an
City Wall(古城墙)
Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xi'an City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. After the extension, the wall now stands 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide at the top and 15-18 meters thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it.
Bell Tower(钟楼)
The Bell Tower, is a stately traditional building, that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. The tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers. Now the wooden tower, is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔)
As the symbol of the old-line Xi'an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xi'an City, about 4 kilometers from the downtown of the city.Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.
Surrounding Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the scenery is also quite charming, especially the square north of the Da Ci'en Temple. Till now, it holds many records: in Asia, it is the biggest Tang-culture square, the biggest fountain and waterscape square, and the largest-scale sculptures area. In the world, it has the most benches, the longest light-belt, and the largest-scale acoustic complex.
Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses(秦始皇兵马俑)
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It is Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China, had begun to work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life.
Shaanxi History Museum(西安历史博物馆)
Shaanxi Province is the birthplace of the ancient Chinese civilization. Xi'an City was the capital city in thirteen dynasties which in total lasted over 1100 years. Consequently, the ancient history of Shaanxi is to some degree the ancient history of China. The Shaanxi History Museum considers it an obligation to be a showcase of ancient civilizations. It is situated in the southern suburb of Xi'an City, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Since it was opened to the public in 1991, its architectural buildings, internal apparatus, and exhibits have made it famous as a first-class museum in China.Xian tours should be indispensable when you have a China tour.
Top Five Museum in Shanghai
A time-lapse movie of the Shanghai skyline would be a fascinating study in urban development, but how do you come to grips with a city that swaps faces faster than a Sichuanese opera performer? Head to these five museums to help gain a foothold in a place where the only constant is constant change for Shanghai tours.Shanghai Museum
This is the only place in Shanghai where the city’s future-now mantra need not apply. One of the top museums in the country, the Shanghai Museum houses masterpieces of Chinese art that date back as far as the Neolithic period, providing an impressive but manageable overview of the path of beauty within the Middle Kingdom. Even if you do not know Su Shi’s brushwork from a Jingdezhen piece, fret not – you do not need to speak Mandarin to appreciate the artwork here. From the shamanistic origins revealed in the Bronze Gallery to the minimalist landscape paintings of the 14th-century master Ni Zan, the Shanghai Museum walks you through more than 6,000 years of traditional artwork in various media, including bronzes, ceramics, sculpture, ink painting, calligraphy and furniture making.
Shanghai History Museum
Incongruously hidden in the basement of Shanghai’s landmark Oriental Pearl Tower is this surprisingly fun and clever history museum. Shanghai has had many pasts, but these exhibits take you back to before the opium traders and gangsters conspired to give Shanghai a bad name (though it does cover the juicy bits too). Yes, once upon a time Shanghai was an honest little port that traded in nothing more than cotton, fish, silk and tea, and its biggest worry was being raided by Japanese pirates. Waxwork figures and old artefacts embellish displays, and the interactive presentations will be a hit if you have children in tow.
Rockbund Art Museum
Opened in 2010 as part of the Back Bund renovation project, the Rockbund is one of the city’s premier modern art museums. And as far the heritage of local architectural goes, the museum’s Art Deco home is a feel-good story – it was originally built for the Royal Asiatic Society in 1932, one of the first modern museums in China. Exhibitions focus on contemporary Chinese artists and explore themes that pertain to life in a fast-changing society.
Propaganda Poster Art Centre
Chinese communism was certainly no friend to the arts, denying any form of expression that was not socialist in nature. But from a historical perspective, some of the mass-produced propaganda issued in the 1950s and ’60s is fascinating, particularly now that the horrors of the Cultural Revolution stand in such sharp contrast to present-day China. Stop by this underground gallery to enter the bizarre world of cheerful peasants, cherubic children, heroic soldiers, revolutionary Red Guards, and, of course, innumerable depictions of the Great Helmsman himself.
Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Shanghai’s quest to unseat Hong Kong as China’s leading financial centre has been officially underway for some time now. At times, it seems as though Shanghai has light years to go before it can truly compete with Hong Kong’s sophistication and first-rate business services, but drop in at the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and you will realize just how far Shanghai has come in the past two decades. Start with historic photos and maps of old Shanghai before moving on to the highlights, an enormous scale model of the future city (circa 2020) and a 3D virtual tour.
If you want to know more information about other tour information on Shanghai, you can contact with China tour operator.
A time-lapse movie of the Shanghai skyline would be a fascinating study in urban development, but how do you come to grips with a city that swaps faces faster than a Sichuanese opera performer? Head to these five museums to help gain a foothold in a place where the only constant is constant change for Shanghai tours.Shanghai Museum
This is the only place in Shanghai where the city’s future-now mantra need not apply. One of the top museums in the country, the Shanghai Museum houses masterpieces of Chinese art that date back as far as the Neolithic period, providing an impressive but manageable overview of the path of beauty within the Middle Kingdom. Even if you do not know Su Shi’s brushwork from a Jingdezhen piece, fret not – you do not need to speak Mandarin to appreciate the artwork here. From the shamanistic origins revealed in the Bronze Gallery to the minimalist landscape paintings of the 14th-century master Ni Zan, the Shanghai Museum walks you through more than 6,000 years of traditional artwork in various media, including bronzes, ceramics, sculpture, ink painting, calligraphy and furniture making.
Shanghai History Museum
Incongruously hidden in the basement of Shanghai’s landmark Oriental Pearl Tower is this surprisingly fun and clever history museum. Shanghai has had many pasts, but these exhibits take you back to before the opium traders and gangsters conspired to give Shanghai a bad name (though it does cover the juicy bits too). Yes, once upon a time Shanghai was an honest little port that traded in nothing more than cotton, fish, silk and tea, and its biggest worry was being raided by Japanese pirates. Waxwork figures and old artefacts embellish displays, and the interactive presentations will be a hit if you have children in tow.
Rockbund Art Museum
Opened in 2010 as part of the Back Bund renovation project, the Rockbund is one of the city’s premier modern art museums. And as far the heritage of local architectural goes, the museum’s Art Deco home is a feel-good story – it was originally built for the Royal Asiatic Society in 1932, one of the first modern museums in China. Exhibitions focus on contemporary Chinese artists and explore themes that pertain to life in a fast-changing society.
Propaganda Poster Art Centre
Chinese communism was certainly no friend to the arts, denying any form of expression that was not socialist in nature. But from a historical perspective, some of the mass-produced propaganda issued in the 1950s and ’60s is fascinating, particularly now that the horrors of the Cultural Revolution stand in such sharp contrast to present-day China. Stop by this underground gallery to enter the bizarre world of cheerful peasants, cherubic children, heroic soldiers, revolutionary Red Guards, and, of course, innumerable depictions of the Great Helmsman himself.
Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Shanghai’s quest to unseat Hong Kong as China’s leading financial centre has been officially underway for some time now. At times, it seems as though Shanghai has light years to go before it can truly compete with Hong Kong’s sophistication and first-rate business services, but drop in at the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and you will realize just how far Shanghai has come in the past two decades. Start with historic photos and maps of old Shanghai before moving on to the highlights, an enormous scale model of the future city (circa 2020) and a 3D virtual tour.
If you want to know more information about other tour information on Shanghai, you can contact with China tour operator.
What is Mahjong and its history
Before visiting a new place, know the culture of this place is very necessary. The following will give you some information of Mahjong when you China tours.
Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game, played by four people around a square table. The game is played with tiles rather than playing cards. The aim is to be the first player to get a complete hand-four sets of three and a pair. The rules for playing and scoring vary drastically between different parts of China. This article will introduce you to the basic rules for playing. The scoring rules can be learned later, depending on which rules you choose to follow. Use of the "flower tiles" will not be included.
Mahjong is rumored to have originated in the court of the king of Wu. This was roughly the time period in which Confucius lived, about 500 years before the Christian era. A beauty lived in seclusion in the court. To keep herself from utter boredom, she invented a game. She began to carve domino-shaped pieces of ivory and bamboo. When she was finished, she invited three of her maids to play her newly invented game.
It is a very popular game throughout China. Even when you visit the cities of Silk Road adventure, you can also see people play Mahjong.
Method for Seeing doctors in China
When you travel to China and fall sick, how do you see a doctor?
It is never nice to fall sick or ill in a strange country. What happens if you do and need to seek medical help? Let us provide you with some useful
medical advize and tips and how to seek medical help or assistance in China.
The Chinese medical system comprises mostly of public and private hospitals. Small and personalized clinics are still uncommon.Big cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai have hospitals,clinics and dentists established for foreigners.
Many of them are a part of local hospitals.Most hospitals in China practize the Western medical treatment system while a good percentage practizes Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Increasingly, a large percentage of hospitals also practize a mixture of Western and Chinese medicine. Some can offer a full range of medical services such as operations, check-ups and in-patient facilities while other smaller clinics may simply be able to diagnose the symptoms of minor ailments.
Many tourist would like Yangtze River Cruise. When you have a cruise, you should pay more attention to avoiding cold.
The following will give you some informtion about Hong Kong tours. It is summarized from the travel-lovers so that I think it is very useful and helpful.
For years, Hong Kong, a British colony until 1997, was the West’s window onto China, a place where Americans and Europeans could capture a tantalizing glimpse of Chinese culture. But now this teeming city-state — the financial hub of Asia — has been transformed into China’s window on the West. Luxury stores like Louis Vuitton are so mobbed with mainland Chinese customers that velvet ropes are installed on the sidewalk for crowd control. Outposts of Tiffany, Starbucks and other Western companies have pushed egg tart vendors, florists and silk shops out of gracious stone buildings, which have been replaced with opulent shopping malls and high-rises connected by aerial walkways. Stanley Market, where snakes lurked in apothecary jars and pigs were slaughtered in the alleys during my boyhood in Hong Kong in the early 1970s, is now a warren of touristy stalls selling cheap paintings and T-shirts.
While downtown Hong Kong feels like a more frenzied and costlier version of Midtown Manhattan, this metropolis of 7 million inhabitants — one of the most densely populated places in the world — still has much to offer visitors, especially those who know when and where to look. The secret is to visit as many places as possible in the morning, before the tides of Chinese visitors — 28.1 million of them last year, compared with 1.8 million visitors from the Americas and a similar number from Europe — flood tourist sites and stores. Then have an afternoon nap to cope with jet lag before heading out to dinner, with reservations made well in advance.
And, whatever you do, avoid visiting on or close to Chinese holidays, like National Day on Oct. 1, when even larger crowds of mainland visitors come. Culture Situated close to where the Pearl River pours its muddy waters into the island-dotted expanses of the South China Sea, Hong Kong is justifiably famous for its harbor, but the city has a colorful background as well. For great views and an introduction to Hong Kong’s history — from the British conquest in the early 1840s to the Japanese attack hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor — try the Museum of Coastal Defense, which stands at the eastern entrance to Victoria Harbor, where craggy bluffs plunge into the sea. Largely undiscovered by tourists, the museum is actually a series of half-ruined British fortifications. With exhibits ranging from a wire-guided torpedo concealed in man-made caves to a gun battery at the crest of the hill, it is a great destination for children. The museum has a simple cafe with a balcony overlooking the South China Sea, and sells delicious grilled cheese sandwiches for 19 Hong Kong dollars (about $2.50).
To get there, take a taxi or catch the Island subway line to the Shau Kei Wan stop. Right outside the subway stop is one of the oldest sites for the worship of Tin Hau, a local sea goddess who protects sailors and fishermen. The current temple dates from the 1870s; inside, it is black with soot from decades of incense burning. On the three-block walk to the museum, you’ll pass Hong Kong’s oldest temple to Tam Kung, a fishing god believed to have power over the weather.
Can’t Miss Arriving early is especially important for what is justifiably one of Hong Kong’s top attractions, the Peak Tram, a funicular railway to Victoria Peak that offers stunning panoramas of Hong Kong Island and the surrounding area. Long lines form by 10 a.m. and last into the night. To avoid the crowds, get there soon after the tram starts running at 7 a.m. After reaching the terminus, take a hard right onto Lugard Road for a stroll around Victoria Peak. Lugard changes its name to Harlech three-fifths of the way around the mountain, and the two roads form a fairly flat two-mile circuit with magnificent views of downtown, the bustling harbor and the South China Sea. The path is seldom crowded except on Sundays, as most mainland tourists are met by tour buses after reaching the top of the Peak Tram.
If you want to know some other information on Hong Kong, you can contact with China tour agents.
Journeys down the China’s longest river-Yangtze River
Yangtze River Cruise is one of the most memorable water-borne journeys on earth. When the river threads through the superlative Three Gorges, it’s nothing less than magical. The Three Gorges are among China’s most magnificent scenic wonders: few river panoramas are as awe-inspiring as these vast chasms of rock, sculpted over the ages by the Yangtze’s ceaseless flow. Commencing just east of Fèngjié in Chóngqìng and levelling out west of Yichang in Hubei province, they cover an incredible 200km and cruising them by riverboat is all the more memorable.
The 6300km river begins its reign as melting snow in southwestern Qinghai. It then spills from Tibet, before swelling through seven Chinese provinces. It surges past some of China’s greatest cities: Chóngqìng, Wuhan and Nanjing.
The journey today has the attendant, noisy hype of a marketing machine operating at fever pitch, but no one with a pulse can fail to be moved by the gorgeous panorama unfolding in real time. The Three Gorges also host China’s biggest engineering project since the construction of the Great Wall: the controversial Three Gorges Dam.
Shortcut
The fastest route through the gorges, hydrofoil journeys take around 11 hours: three hours for the bus trip from Chóngqìng to Wanzhou, seven hours for the hydrofoil journey from Wanzhou to Yichang and an hour by bus from the Yichang hydrofoil terminal into town. Remember: hydrofoils are passenger vessels so there’s no outside seating. Stand by the door for the best views.
Distance: 6300km
Ideal time commitment: 3 nights and 4 days
Best time of year: In the off-season, away from the crowds, when the trip is serene and you’re able to observe life on the river from a relaxed perspective
Essential tip: Bring a good pair of binoculars.
If you want to know more information about Yangtze River, you can contact with China tour operator.
A Traditional Chinese Delicacy - Fo Tiao Qiang(佛跳墙)
Many tourists would like popular China tours. When you travel to a new place, what food should you choose to eat? The following give you the information of Fo Tiao Qiang, a Chinese cuisine.
This is a kind of superior dish, whose original name is “Fu Shou Quan”. It was first created by eminent Juchunyuan Restaurant of Fuzhou during the region of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. Fo Tiaoqiang is made of 28 kinds of fresh ingredients such as, abalone, sea cucumber, shark’s fin, fish maw, shark's lip, tendons, hams, dried scallop, dried mushroom and Shaoxing Wine etc. Put them into an earthen jar and seal up with mud. It takes more than 10 hours to stew with slow fire. The flavor is delicious and the sweet perfumes are diffused all around. It is a delicacy in autumn and winter. No wonder that one skillful writer in Qing Dynasty recite poems to praise “The fragrance float in the air even to the neighbor house when open up. The Buddha leap the wall as soon as smell the scent.” Fo Tiao Qiang(Steamed Abalone with Shark's Fin and Fish Maw) is thus named.
Ingredients
Sea,cucumber,Shark Scallops,Fish Maw,Ham,Mushrooms,Winter bamboo shoots,Duck gizzard,Gedan,Fat hen,Water-fat pig tendons,Pig meat Feibiao,Sheep elbow,Duck
Condiment:
Ginger,Onion,Cinnamon,Shao liquor,MSG,Crystal sugar,Soy sauce,Pig soup
Methods:
1. Water will be made to the sand shark, tick row of bamboo in the grate, the boiling water into the pot Congduan plus 30 grams, 15 grams of ginger, 100 grams Shaojiu cook for 10 minutes, remove the smell of their support, to pick onions, ginger , No juice, grate out into the bowl, placed on shark Feibiao pig meat, wine Jiashao 50 grams, on Long Ti Wanghuo with steamed out 2 hours, to pick Feibiao meat, steamed to Decanter juice.
2. Yu Chun cut growth of 2 centimeters, 4.5 centimeters wide of the block, into the boiling pot, add 30 grams Congduan, Shaojiu 100 grams, 15 grams ginger cook for 10 minutes remove Qu Xing, picking onions to ginger.
3. Bao money into the Long Ti, Wang Huo take steam out rotten, washed after each piece into 2, Ji crosswise on the knife, into the Sheng Xiao Pen, plus soup 250 grams, 15 grams Shaojiu, Wang put Longti Remove the steamer for 30 minutes, steaming to Decanter juice. Gedan cooked, peeled.
4. Chickens, ducks, respectively Duoqu head, neck, feet. Pig carcasses sharp tick, net pulled hair, wash. Sheep scratch elbow cleaned. Four more than the expected cut 12, with the net duck gizzard together under the pot boil for a short time like boiling water, remove the blood salvage. Zhu Du-ri valgus washed with boiling water and boil for a short time twice a muddy flavor removed, cut into 12, hack, plus soup with the boiling of 250 grams, 85 grams of wine Jiashao boil for a short time you picked up, Tom Khan Do not have to.
5. Sea water will be cleaned, each cut in two pieces. Wash water pig tendons, cut into 2-inch-long paragraph. Net tendon ham meat plus 150 grams of water, on Long Ti Wanghuo with steam 30 minutes out, steaming to Decanter juice, cut into 1 cm thick film. Winter bamboo shoots release remove cooked in boiling water pot boil for a short time, each cut into four straight, flat shot softly force. Wang Huo buy pot, pot Shuzhu You put 70 very badly burned hot, it will Gedan, hack-fried pieces of winter bamboo shoots about 2 minutes to salvage. Subsequently, the fish will be hack-high fish maw, Zhazhi can be broken hand, poured oil to Loushao Lek, and then out into soak in water, cut growth of 4.5 centimeters, 2.5 centimeters wide of the block.
6. Pot to stay more than 50 grams of oil, heat 70 Wanghuo very badly, it will Congduan 35 grams, 45 grams ginger flavor hack-Chao Chu, into chickens, ducks, sheep elbow, a sharp Pig, duck gizzard, Zhu Du speculation for several blocks, adding 75 grams of soy sauce, MSG 10 grams, 75 grams crystal sugar, Shaojiu 2150 grams, 500 grams soup, cinnamon, and cook for 20 minutes after the stamp, to pick onions, ginger, cinnamon, fishing Qiguo Liu Sheng out in the basin, soup stand-by.
7. Shaoxing rice wine altar get a wash, adding 500 grams of water, Wei Huo on the Heat, was a net altar in water, put an altar at the end of Grate Kotake, the first of cooked chickens, ducks, goats, elbow, a sharp Pig, Duck gizzard, Zhu Du block and took black mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots into pieces, then shark's fin, ham, scallops, abalone film into a rectangular bag with gauze and put in chickens, ducks, and other material, and then poured into Zhuji, ducks, and other material The soup, lotus leaf altar in the mouth on the cover and back on to withhold a small bowl. Good equipment, altar wine will be placed on the charcoal stove, simmer low heat 2 hours after al Kai, will speed japonicus, tendons, Yuchun, and fish belly Add the high altar, I immediately closed a good altar, and then a simmer An hour out, serve, I will be altar dish and pour it into the large basin Hu, gauze bag is opened, Gedan on top. At the same time, I am similar to keep up with a dish of radish, bean sprouts mixed with a plate of ham, the latter a dish of fried mushrooms, hot mustard oil, as well as a silver disc volumes and file Fresh fried sesame.
Do you want to have a taste of it through the description. It can be tasted in south China, such as Fujian. If you have a Shanghai tour, it can also be found.
A Traditional Chinese Delicacy - Fo Tiao Qiang(佛跳墙)
Many tourists would like popular China tours. When you travel to a new place, what food should you choose to eat? The following give you the information of Fo Tiao Qiang, a Chinese cuisine.
This is a kind of superior dish, whose original name is “Fu Shou Quan”. It was first created by eminent Juchunyuan Restaurant of Fuzhou during the region of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. Fo Tiaoqiang is made of 28 kinds of fresh ingredients such as, abalone, sea cucumber, shark’s fin, fish maw, shark's lip, tendons, hams, dried scallop, dried mushroom and Shaoxing Wine etc. Put them into an earthen jar and seal up with mud. It takes more than 10 hours to stew with slow fire. The flavor is delicious and the sweet perfumes are diffused all around. It is a delicacy in autumn and winter. No wonder that one skillful writer in Qing Dynasty recite poems to praise “The fragrance float in the air even to the neighbor house when open up. The Buddha leap the wall as soon as smell the scent.” Fo Tiao Qiang(Steamed Abalone with Shark's Fin and Fish Maw) is thus named.
Ingredients
Sea,cucumber,Shark Scallops,Fish Maw,Ham,Mushrooms,Winter bamboo shoots,Duck gizzard,Gedan,Fat hen,Water-fat pig tendons,Pig meat Feibiao,Sheep elbow,Duck
Condiment:
Ginger,Onion,Cinnamon,Shao liquor,MSG,Crystal sugar,Soy sauce,Pig soup
Methods:
1. Water will be made to the sand shark, tick row of bamboo in the grate, the boiling water into the pot Congduan plus 30 grams, 15 grams of ginger, 100 grams Shaojiu cook for 10 minutes, remove the smell of their support, to pick onions, ginger , No juice, grate out into the bowl, placed on shark Feibiao pig meat, wine Jiashao 50 grams, on Long Ti Wanghuo with steamed out 2 hours, to pick Feibiao meat, steamed to Decanter juice.
2. Yu Chun cut growth of 2 centimeters, 4.5 centimeters wide of the block, into the boiling pot, add 30 grams Congduan, Shaojiu 100 grams, 15 grams ginger cook for 10 minutes remove Qu Xing, picking onions to ginger.
3. Bao money into the Long Ti, Wang Huo take steam out rotten, washed after each piece into 2, Ji crosswise on the knife, into the Sheng Xiao Pen, plus soup 250 grams, 15 grams Shaojiu, Wang put Longti Remove the steamer for 30 minutes, steaming to Decanter juice. Gedan cooked, peeled.
4. Chickens, ducks, respectively Duoqu head, neck, feet. Pig carcasses sharp tick, net pulled hair, wash. Sheep scratch elbow cleaned. Four more than the expected cut 12, with the net duck gizzard together under the pot boil for a short time like boiling water, remove the blood salvage. Zhu Du-ri valgus washed with boiling water and boil for a short time twice a muddy flavor removed, cut into 12, hack, plus soup with the boiling of 250 grams, 85 grams of wine Jiashao boil for a short time you picked up, Tom Khan Do not have to.
5. Sea water will be cleaned, each cut in two pieces. Wash water pig tendons, cut into 2-inch-long paragraph. Net tendon ham meat plus 150 grams of water, on Long Ti Wanghuo with steam 30 minutes out, steaming to Decanter juice, cut into 1 cm thick film. Winter bamboo shoots release remove cooked in boiling water pot boil for a short time, each cut into four straight, flat shot softly force. Wang Huo buy pot, pot Shuzhu You put 70 very badly burned hot, it will Gedan, hack-fried pieces of winter bamboo shoots about 2 minutes to salvage. Subsequently, the fish will be hack-high fish maw, Zhazhi can be broken hand, poured oil to Loushao Lek, and then out into soak in water, cut growth of 4.5 centimeters, 2.5 centimeters wide of the block.
6. Pot to stay more than 50 grams of oil, heat 70 Wanghuo very badly, it will Congduan 35 grams, 45 grams ginger flavor hack-Chao Chu, into chickens, ducks, sheep elbow, a sharp Pig, duck gizzard, Zhu Du speculation for several blocks, adding 75 grams of soy sauce, MSG 10 grams, 75 grams crystal sugar, Shaojiu 2150 grams, 500 grams soup, cinnamon, and cook for 20 minutes after the stamp, to pick onions, ginger, cinnamon, fishing Qiguo Liu Sheng out in the basin, soup stand-by.
7. Shaoxing rice wine altar get a wash, adding 500 grams of water, Wei Huo on the Heat, was a net altar in water, put an altar at the end of Grate Kotake, the first of cooked chickens, ducks, goats, elbow, a sharp Pig, Duck gizzard, Zhu Du block and took black mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots into pieces, then shark's fin, ham, scallops, abalone film into a rectangular bag with gauze and put in chickens, ducks, and other material, and then poured into Zhuji, ducks, and other material The soup, lotus leaf altar in the mouth on the cover and back on to withhold a small bowl. Good equipment, altar wine will be placed on the charcoal stove, simmer low heat 2 hours after al Kai, will speed japonicus, tendons, Yuchun, and fish belly Add the high altar, I immediately closed a good altar, and then a simmer An hour out, serve, I will be altar dish and pour it into the large basin Hu, gauze bag is opened, Gedan on top. At the same time, I am similar to keep up with a dish of radish, bean sprouts mixed with a plate of ham, the latter a dish of fried mushrooms, hot mustard oil, as well as a silver disc volumes and file Fresh fried sesame.
Do you want to have a taste of it through the description. It can be tasted in south China, such as Fujian. If you have a Shanghai tour, it can also be found.
The Kanbula National Forest Park with Danxia Landform
There are many splendid and fantastic tourist attractions in China. But many tourists are just familiar most famous and the attraction in east of China. The following will introduce another tourist attraction for your China vacation deals.
The Kanbula National Forest Park is more than 200 kilometers away from Xining. It’s located in Kanbula Town, Jianzha County, and the Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (huáng nán zàng zú zì zhì zhōu 黄南藏族自治州). It’s 2,100 to 400 meters above sea level, covering an area of about 4,774 hectares. It borders on the Yellow River in the north, abutting against the famous Lijiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station. It’s the red conglomerate landscape. The surface of the rock mass is as red as the red glow. The mountains take on various shapes. They look like columns, towers, walls, forts, human beings or animals. They are very lifelike, such as, the Scissors Rock, the Waiting-For-Husband Cliff, the Stone Bamboo Shoot, the Fairies Get-Together, etc. There are eighteen perilous peaks in the Kanbula Region. Two of them, the A’qiongnanzong (ā qióng nán zōng 阿琼南宗) and the Neibaozong, are the most famous. In addition, the religious culture in Kanbula has a long history. Kanbula is the regeneration place of the Tibetan Buddhist. There are four temples in it. It is the only Buddhist resort where monks and nuns coexist.
History
The religious cultures have a long history in the area of Kanbula, which is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism in its later period. Here is the home of A’qiongnanzong Temple, Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery (nán zōng ní gū sì 南宗尼姑寺), Nanzongzha Temple (nán zōng zhā sì 南宗扎寺) and Gabu Temple (gǎ bù sì 尕布寺), all of which have a history more than 1,100 years. Nanzong Temple and Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery are the only religious Buddhist places with monks and nuns coexist with each other in Qinghai Province China.
Geography
With a total area of 4,774 hectares, Kanbula National Forest Park is located in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in rural Kanbula Jianzha County, 200 km from Xining in Qinghai Province. With an altitude of 2,100 to 4,000 meters above sea level, it borders on the Yellow River in the north, abutting against the famous Lijiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station. Lofty mountains extend far away with trees covered resembling a forest sea. The weather amid the mountains can change very frequently.
There are deflated hills formed in the northwest of Qaidam Basin for the long-term erosion of wind and sand, which are called red-cloud landforms. The unique Kanbula red-cloud landforms are mainly featured by wonderful peaks, high mountains, caves, precipitous cliffs and many rock peaks, stone columns and stone walls in shapes. The large mountains look like grand and vertical column, tower or castle; the small hills look like giant and strange animal of odd shapes. Meeting of Fairies (xiān nǚ jù huì 仙女聚会), “Qiangqi Hill” and “Nanzong Valley” are the most representatives of the landforms in various appreciable shapes.
Kanbula National Forest ParkThere are eighteen perilous peaks in the Kanbula Region. Two of them, the A’qiongnanzong and the Neibaozong, are the most famous. The A’qiongnanzong is surrounded by steep cliffs. There is only one path with stone steps, through which people can get to the top of the peak. The major portion of the path is cut out of the cliffs. At the top of the peak stand an ancient Buddhist temple and several small caves. Many Buddha statues are displayed in the caves. A great number of people come to here all the year around. The Neibaozong is a square separated peak. There are a lot rare plants on the peak. At the top of it, there are the Sky Pond and spring. Birds sing and flowers bloom on tree-covered slope. Gurgling streams flow along the valley accompanying the tranquil hollow. In a word, it's an enchanting landscape.
Attractions
A’qiongnanzong Temple
The A’qiongnanzong Peak is surrounded by steep cliffs. There is only one path with stone steps, through which people can get to the top of the peak. The major portion of the path is cut out of the cliffs. At the top of the peak stand A’qiongnanzong Temple and several small caves. Many Buddha statues are displayed in the caves. A great number of people come to here all the year around. A’qiongnanzong Temple is the largest nunnery of Ningma sect of Tibetan Buddhism with more than 1,100 years of history. It is a historic site where three eminent monks from Tibet coming here to practice Buddhism and do missionary work have inhabited. In the period of Zangpulangdamamie Buddha, Tubo, the middle period of the 9th century, the three eminent monks come here. It is more than 1100 years up to now. Here, the sticking up peaks, the peculiar terrain of mountains, verdant woods, and the prattling spring water form magnificent scenery.Tel: 0973-8728181
Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
Admission Fee: CNY35
Danxia Landform
Danxia LandformKanbula is well-known around the world for its Danxia karsts or hills. These land formations feature extraordinarily steep cliffs, elevated caves and archways and special ‘mesa’ or table tops. The mountains come in diverse shapes and sizes, likened to giants, castles, pillars and so on. The land formations are a record of the forces of gravity that have shaped this area, marking the transition from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Loess Plateau.
Compare with attractions of Shanghai tour, you will have a totally different travel experience.
Space Travel in China - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, China
There are some space tourists attraction in world. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is one of them for your
China tour.
This gargantuan launch facility, 1500km from Beijing in the remote Gansu province, is where most Chinese space vehicles leave Earth. The centre’s huge – about 3000 sq km – and, China being China, is strictly off-limits to nonrocket types. Still, you can visit Jiuquan, the small town it takes its name from. It’s in the desert, but because of the whole space infrastructure, it’s not as primitive as other isolated Chinese towns. And it boasts thoroughfares with names like ‘Space Road’, so you know you’re in the right place.
China on Screen
China has a rich history going back thousands of years, its heritage serves to inspire and drive modernity… but you know what else? China looks great on film. It’s one huge country with desert, mountains, rivers, huge cities, long walls and a roll-call of other cool things. Plus, with a population of more than one billion, movies are big business and more and more Hollywood outfits head there to make films. If you’re visiting China as a movie buff, here’s quick primer on what to look out for and where it was shot for your China tours.
Beijing
Beijing captured the world’s attention when it hosted the Olympics in 2008. The event’s iconic sites were showcased in the Will and Jada Smith–produced Karate Kid remake (shot entirely in China). Their son, Jaden Smith, was filmed against the famous Bird’s Nest and there were cutaways to the then-new CCTV building as well. Several scenes were also shot at the Beijing Shaolin Wushu School – remember the sequence with several hundred students doing their morning training routine?
Of course, the city’s crowning glory is the Forbidden Palace. True to its name, no other film since Bernado Bertolucci’s epic The Last Emperor (shot in 1987) has been allowed to shoot inside this grand compound. Yet the Karate Kid managed to pack in a wildly unrealistic sequence where a bunch of school kids walked through the Tiananmen Doors into an empty palace. Real-life visitors today will generally have to battle with thousands of other tourists for their Beijing tour!
The Great Wall of China
No, you can’t see the Wall from space, but you can visit the Mutianyu section where Jackie Chan taught the Karate Kid some moves. Robert Downey Jr will also be seen flying over sections of the Great Wall in a tin suit in Iron Man 3. Also in the pipeline, Edward Zwick (of The Last Samurai fame) will be directing The Great Wall, a film about the origins and construction of this iconic structure. So, pay a pilgrimage to the various remaining sections, they’re all within day-trip striking distance from Beijing.
Shanghai
Speaking of Iron Man 3, filming will be set in various as-yet-undisclosed parts of the city. We’re going out on a limb to suggest that you visit the Bund, the lovely French Concession and the gleaming skyscrapers in Pudong (including the 492m-high Shanghai World Financial Centre) where we’re guessing that scenes from the movie will be shot.
This picturesque 900-year-old village was notably the set for The Painted Veil, a tragi-drama starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. Wander on cobblestone paths past stone houses and along the stream to recreate scenes from the film (minus the cholera). Since you’re in the Guangxi province, don’t forget to visit Yangshuo where you’ll find the gorgeous karst-mountain backdrop that set the bucolic tone of the film.
Anhui Province
The perfectly preserved Unesco-heritage-listed villages of Xidi and Hongcun were the subject of several scenes in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The villages, with their moody cobblestoned streets, aged white-walled houses and bodies of water instantly set the mood for classic martial arts action. Don’t forget to hike through the rustling bamboo forest, Mukeng Zhuhai, where the breathtaking sword-fighting scenes from the movie were shot. For Chinese-film buffs, famed director Zhang Yimou filmed Judou in the less-visited village of Nanping. In all these places, stills from the movies have been put up to help jog your memory.
Remember Avatar? James Cameron’s epic featuring blue-skinned aliens may have been set on a fictional world of Pandora but its landscape wasn’t entirely fictional. Pandora’s floating mist-wreathed mountains were based on similar formations in the Hunan’s Wulingyuan scenic area. The popularity of the film in China (top-grossing film ever!) probably had something to do with the government’s decision to rename the Southern Sky Column as the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.
Hong Kong
Push, a 2009 thriller starring Chris Evans, Djimon Hounsou and Dakota Fanning might have been forgettable, but the bustling Mongkok and Hong Kong city streets and buildings were used to great visual effect. The manic energy of the city is best experienced at street level as you push through the throngs in neon-lit Mongkok in search of your next dim sum fix. The brilliant Hong Kong sequence (filmed in IMAX too) of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Returns saw Batman decking baddies in the International Finance Centre, the second tallest building in the city. You can check out the cityscape (sans baddies) from the top of the Peak.
It seems that there is no movie about Yangtze River cruises.
A Historic Chinese Village - Zhuge Bagua Village
Many ancient villages and town exists in China, which some very old and traditional customs and lifestyle are well preserved. The following will give you such a village for your China tours.
Zhuge Bagua Village is located in the west of Lanxi of Jinhua City, in Zhejiang Province, China.
So far, it is the biggest settlement for Zhu Geliang's descendants. Zhu Geliang is known as a remarkable politician, strategist, diplomatist, and militarist in the period of Three Kingdoms (184 A.D.-280 A.D.). It is he who invented Eight Diagrams and Kongming Lantern. Eight Diagrams is a sort of military strategy which functions by skillfully arranging the battle array of troops. And Kongming Lantern works on the same principle as fire balloons. It is made of paper. Hence, Zhu Geliang is the first one to discover the principle that hot air weighs less than air of normal temperature.
Lanxi Zhuge Bagua Village shelters the main stream of Zhu Geliang's descendants. They have lived here for generations. And the village was constructed according to the Eight Diagrams. In the village, you may come across a picture of Eight Diagram easily. The aerial view of the village appears to be a big three-dimensional Eight Diagrams. And Zhong Pond, the center of the village, is the basic point. Eight roads start from the pond and stretch respectively towards eight hills outside the town. These roads connect numerous alleyways which circle the village. And the alleyways are lined with ancient houses originated from Ming and Qing Dynasty. All the houses and alleyways make a maze out of the village. You will find it is easy to enter but difficult to exit. You may get lost somewhere, for the houses and alleyways are much alike. Interestingly, the villagers didn’t realize their village was shaped like the Eight Diagrams until in recent years someone found records of that in an old book. Now as long as you climb up one of the eight hills outside the town, you can take an aerial view of the entire village and you will certainly find that it looks like the Eight Diagrams.
Compared with the well-known Shangri-la tour, Zhuge Bagua Village is not so famous that many tourists never heard of it. But if you have read the Chinese history of Three Kingdoms, you should visit this place.
A Tradition Chinese Dish - Dongpo Meat
When you deal with China travel, you should have taste of the famous Chinese dish. Dongpo Meat is a very famous and traditional dish in China.
Many famous Chinese dishes have stories attached to them that are as enter-taining to diners as the dishes themselves are satisfying to the taste buds. Most of the stories involve noted figures in Chinese history.
In Hangzhou in East china’s Zhejiang Province, there is a well-known dish called Dongpo Meat. It is named after su Dongpo, a literary giant who lived about 900 years ago.The story is that when he was the prefectural governor of Hang zhou,he had a dam built across the West Lake.The lake was dredged and became a rich source of irrigation for the farmland,thus making it possible for the local people to have a bumper harvest each year. The dam is now known as the sudi Dam.
When the spring Festival arrived, many folks went to Su Dongpo’s home to wish him Happy New Year. They took along pork and wine to show their thanks. Su Dongpo accepted the gifts. But then he and the meat cooked in a special way and sent it on to the families of the people who had worked on the West Lake dredging project.The local people greatly praised su dongpo for this good deed and named the dish Dongpo Meat. One restaurant manager was very quick to capitalize on the name. When he saw how popular the dish proved, he asked his cook to prepare the meat in the same way. His business soon jflourished. Of course, other restaurants began to copy him. Before long, Dongpo Meat was available in every restaurant in Hangzhou. Soon, Dongpo Meat ranked first on the list of local dishes. Even today, when people there hold a feast,Dongpo Meat is still often featured.
Dongpo Meat is famous thoughrout China. Even you have a Silk Road tour in northwest China, you can also find this dish.