Monday, December 31, 2012

Top Famous Attraction in Guangxi, China

Located in southeastern China, Jiangxi boasts a long history, amazing natural beauty and unparalleled porcelain. Jiangxi is known as the "Cradle of the Chinese Revolution", the "Birthplace of Taoism" and the "Porcelain Capital of China". It has numerous historical and natural attractions which are all worth a visit for last minute China travel deals. In addition to the well-known Lushan Mountain, there are many other impressive sights to see throughout the area.
1. Lushan Mountain

Lushan Mountain, towering over the southern bank of the Yangtze River, is situated to the south of Jiujiang City. It covers an area of 300 square kilometers, with Dahanyang Peak, the highest summit, rising 1,474 meters above sea level. With magnificent peaks, strange stone formations, unique waterfalls, flourishing trees and flowers, and many historical sites, the mountain is labeled as one of the most famous mountains around the country and was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1996. When spring arrives, the trees turn green and flowers begin to blossom. The mountain is the best place to feel the spring and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
Admission: 135 yuan (low season); 180 yuan (high season)
Best time to visit: Summer
2. Jinggang Mountain

Located in the Luoxiao Mountains, Jinggang Mountain is the "cradle of the Chinese revolution", and has become a hot attraction for natural travel as well as patriotic education. Covering an area of 213.5 square kilometers, Jinggang Mountain accounts for 32.4 percent of Jinggangshan City. It has dozens of residences and sites of the revolution, of which 10 are under the protection of the State Council. It also boasts more than 60 attractions, including hot springs, caves, waterfalls, mountains and precious animals and plants. When azaleas blossom in April and May, the mountain becomes a sea of flowers. If you want to have a student tour to China, Jianggang Mountain is your best choice to learn something about Chinese revolution.
Admission: 160 yuan (Nov 16 - Feb 15); 190 yuan (Feb 16 - Nov 15)
Best time to visit: April - October (especially April and May)
3. Sanqing Mountain

Dubbed as the "first fairy mountain of Jiangxi", Sanqing Mountain is situated at the border of Shangrao City and Dexing City in Jiangxi Province. It is a sacred place for Taoists and also famous for its granite forests, gorges and unique ecological scenes. With an area of 229 square kilometers, the mountain is made up of three main summits: Yujing, Yuhua and Yuxu, of which Yujing is the highest peak, standing at 1,816 meters above sea level. Sanqing Mountain contains about 1000 species of flora and 800 types of fauna, and features beautiful clouds and mist, unique rocks, and strangely-shaped pine trees. Every spring, 2,500 kinds of plants and colorful flowers cover the entire mountain, making the place an oasis to escape from the noisy city and relax your body and mind.
Admission: 130 yuan (Jan 1 - Jan 31); 150 yuan (Feb 1 - Dec 31)
Best time to visit: February to December
If you want tailor-made China tours, the above-mentioned attractions should be contained in your packages.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Top Famous Shopping Streets in China

1. Wangfujing Street, Beijing

Located in the Dongcheng district of Beijing, Wangfujing Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in Beijing and must-see for Beijing tour. It is home to approximately 280 famous Beijing brands, such as Tongshenghe shoe shop, Shengxifu hat store and Wuyutai tea house. A photo studio which took formal photos of the first Chinese leadership and the New China Woman and Children Department Store helped established by Soong Ching Ling (Madame Sun Yat-sen) are also located on the street.
2. Ximending, Taipei

Ximending has been called the "Harajuku of Taipei" and the "Shibuya of Taipei". It is the source of Taiwan's fashion, subculture, and Japanese culture. This area is in the northeastern part of Wanhua district in Taipei and it is also the most important consumer district in the Western district of Taipei. The well-known Ximending Pedestrian Area was the first pedestrian area built in Taipei and is the largest in Taiwan.
3. Muslim Street, Xian

The Muslim Quarter close to the Drum Tower is a vibrant area with many restaurants spilling out onto the street and mixing with the street sellers. If you're looking for snacks, this area is also full of people selling dried fruit (especially dates) and nuts/seeds (sunflower, melon, pumpkin, etc.) Prices are per Jin (500 g) and are pretty much standardized throughout the area, so you can't really bargain unless you're buying a lot (but who wants 1 kg of peanuts anyway?) Watch out for the pits in the dates! Muslim Street is one of must-see places for your Xian tours.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Qinghai Must-See Attractions in China

Named after Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt lake in China, Qinghai Province features colorful natural landscapes including snow-covered mountains, deserts, vast pastures and sparkling lakes, and is home to flocks of rare birds and animals. People of Han, Tibetan, Tu, Hui, Salar and Mongolian minority ethnic groups form unique cultures and folk traditions. When you have a plan to explore Silk Road, you may choose to visit the following attractions by the way.
1.Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake, "a blue sea" in Mongolian and Tibetan, is the largest inland salt lake in China, covering an area of 4,500 square kilometers (450,000 hectares). With an average depth of 20 meters, the lake is known for its vast expanse of misty and wavy blue water.
Around the lake is the an endless stretch of picturesque grasslands, rapes and wheat fields. Countless sheep, cattle and horses are grazinggraze under the white cloud-dotted blue sky.

The most fascinating attraction of Qinghai Lake is the Bird Island, a sanctuary for many kinds of birds, which is one of China's eight key bird nature reserves. Covering an area of 0.11 square kilometers (11 hectares), the island provides habitats for over 100,000 migrating birdsnts from south China and Southeast Asia. Such a density is rare in the world. If you want to join China tour packages to Qinghai, Qinghai Lake is a must-see attraction.
The splendid scenery of Qinghai Lake has attractedattracts millions of tourists. May, June, and July are the best months to go and see the birds.
Admission:270 yuan (US$42.38)/person
2. Kanbula National Forest Park
Located in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, 131 kilometers (81.4 miles) from Qinghai’s capital city Xining, the Kanbula National Forest Park is an ideal place for traveling, sightseeing, vacation, camping and scientific expeditions.

Covering an area of 152 square kilometers (15,200 hectares), the park is famous for its unique landform of red gravel rocks, and features forest vegetation, lofty mountains, soaring peaks crystal water and Tibetan culture. With an altitude of 2,100 to 4,000 meters above sea level, it borders on the Yellow River in the north and is close to Lijiaxia Hydropower Station.
The weather amid the mountains can change very frequently.
Admission:87 yuan (US$13.66)/person
3. Ta'er Lamasery
Located 25 kilometers (15.53 miles) southwest to Xining City, the Ta'er Monastery is one of six famous monasteries in the Gelugpa Sect (also called Yellow Hat Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. It is said to be the birthplace of Zongkaba (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelugpa Sect.

Founded in 1379, the lamasery has a history of more than 600 years. It sits on the slopes of a mountain, covering an area of 600 mu (40 hectares). With a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, it is a complex that embraces 9,300 structures, including scripture halls, Buddha halls, lamas' residences, and Buddhist pagodas. If you want to know something about Tibetan Buddhism, you can visit Ta'er Lamasery instead of Tibet travel Butter sculptures, mural paintings and embroidery are three spectaculars specialties of the Ta'er Lamasery.

Admission: 80 yuan (US$12.56)/person

Monday, December 24, 2012

The most expensive sightseeings in China

With people's living standards improving all the time, travel has become a top priority for people when off-duty. China's admission rates are often simply too high to still be acceptable. Tourist attractions in foreign countries mostly depend on the surrounding tourism infrastructure for additional revenue rather than on admission fees. However, most Chinese attractions have to rely on entrance fees for income. The following attractions is the most expensive for your China travel.
1. Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios, Asia's largest film studio, is located in Hengdian village, Dongyang County in Zhejiang Province. The studio finds itself some 380 kilometers from Shanghai. It was dubbed "Chinese Hollywood" by U.S. Hollywood magazine.

It consists of 13 shooting areas, with additional building areas of 495,995 square meters. The studio also holds several records, including: Largest indoor Buddha figure in China, largest indoor studio and biggest tourist attraction.
Admission: 390 yuan (US$62) (through ticket);
350 yuan (US$55.7) (reserve online);
650 yuan (US$103.4) (through ticket + Dreams Ville);
490 yuan (US$78) (reserve online);
2. Potala Palace
The palace stands perched on top of Hongshan Mountain in the center of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, 3,600 meters above sea level. Potala Palace was first constructed in 641 by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in order to welcome his bride, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). After it was renovated by the Fifth Dalai Lama between 1645 and 1693, it went on to become the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. The Potala Palace is a must-see attraction for your Tibet tours.

Admission: 200 yuan (US$31.6) (May 1 - Oct 31); 100 yuan (US$) (Nov 1 - Apr 30);
3. Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area
The Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area is located in Zhangjiajie City, about 265 kilometers (164.66 miles) from the provincial capital of Changsha, Hunan Province.

Covering an area of more than 26,000 hectares, Wulingyuan is composed of the world-famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Tianzishan mountain range and the Suoxi Valley, which all combined offer visitors a vast array of spectacular scenic sights. It is known for its beautiful forests, odd-shaped rock formations, exquisite canyons, limestone caves and jaw-dropping panoramic views. The area is also home to a wide number of endangered plant and animal species. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Admission: 248 yuan (US$39.22)
The above-mentioned attractions are expensive but they are always contained in the popular China tour package.

Friday, December 21, 2012

What Special Geological Parks to See in China

If you want to experience the natural beauty for your China travel, you should not miss the following geological parks.
1. Wulingyuan Geological Park in Hunan
Wulingyuan Geopark is of scenic and historic interest. Located in Zhangjiajie City, about 270km away from the provincial capital of Changsha, in Hunan Province, this geopark is famous for its numerous quartzite sandstone pillars. Some of the over 3,100 pillars in this karst formation reach for the sky at over 800 meters tall.

The Wulinyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area is made up of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Tianzishan mountain ranges, Bao Feng Hu and the Suoxi Valley. It is a popular filming location and tourist destination.

Inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992, Wulingyuan forms part of the Wuling Range.
Travel Tips:
Pro-Tips: The best time to visit is in April or October.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Addmission: 245 yuan
Getting There:
By Bus: Buses rides departing from Zhangjiajie Bus Station bound for Wulingyuan Scenic Area last about 45 minutes and cost 10 yuan per person.
2. Cuihua Mountain Geological Park in Shaanxi
Cuihua Mountain National Geopark, located some 20 kilometers away from Xi'an, is park of the Qin Mountain Range. Formed of an array of metamorphic rocks from the Middle Geological Epoch, it is said that this mountain was raised because of an earthquake in the three valleys in mid-Shaanxi in the second year of King You of Western Zhou's reign.

Cuihua Mountain can be divided into two areas, the Landslide area and the Developed area. The former covers about 5 square kilometers of 300 million collapsed rocks. The latter is made up of three parts; surviving peaks and cliffs, a stone sea and a lake formed from the landslide. The view of Yangtze River tours will be higher if you compare with Cuihua Mountain Geological Park in Shaanxi.
Travel Tips:
Pro-Tips: The Hui nationality is in the majority in this area lending to the extensive and unique Xi'an food culture which is extremely famous and historically important. Visitors must respect Hui customs while traveling here. Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Admission: 70 yuan (high season); 45 yuan (low season);
Tel: +86-029-85892176;
Getting There:
By Bus: Travelers can take one of two buses: Travel Bus 905 departs from Xi'an. Tavel Bus 4-01 departs from Chengnan Station at the Mingde Gate.
For further busing information call: +86-029-85892176.
By Car: Drive around Xi'an until the crossroads of High-Speed Qujiand, enter onto High-Speed Baomao then stop at the crossroads of Taiyi Palace.
Another route: Drive from Ziwu Main Road, along Qinling Round-Mountain Travel Road, head east. This drive should take about 30 minutes.
If you want to know more info about the above-mentioned attractions, you can contact with China tour agents.

Famous Cities Destinations in China

If you have a plan to have China tours, the following two cities should not be missed.
1. Lhasa
Lhasa is a city that rightly captures the imagination of the world, not just for its remoteness and exceedingly high altitude (3,650 meters), but also for its impressive heritage that spans over a thousand years of cultural and spiritual history that has helped to create the romantic and mysterious Tibetan religion.

Differing from elsewhere in Tibet, Lhasa is unique and has an allure of its own. In Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the "Land of the Gods." It is the heart of Tibet's politics, economy and culture. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remains a world-famous symbol of Tibet.
Non-Chinese nationals are required to obtain a special permit before visiting Tibet.
Generally the best time to visit the city is between March and October. Since Lhasa is situated at such a high altitude, visitors need careful preparations before hitting the road. Taking the train, the highest railway system in the world, is a fabulous option which allows you to view amazing mountain views and adjust for altitude sickness.
Lhasa has plenty of attractions but here are some of the must-go highlights; the Potala Palace, Jokhong Monastery, Sera Monastery, Drepung Temple and Norbulinka Palace. Lhasa's original look and old lifestyle are largely kept intact at Barhkor Street in Old Lhasa, where pilgrims walk around Jokhang Temple while turning prayer wheels in their hands. Here you can also enjoy bargaining with local Tibetan vendors for the handicrafts which are rarely seen elsewhere in the world. Lhasa is a must-see destination for your Tibet travel.
2. Hangzhou
As the old Chinese saying goes: "Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou and Hangzhou." Millions of tourists visit Hangzhou each year, mainly attracted by the famous West Lake (Xi Hu) area.
Founded 2,200 years ago, Hangzhou is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. The city began to prosper and flourish in the Tang Dynasty, and had its political heyday in the Southern Song Dynasty when it was China's capital.

There are many famous historical and cultural sites around West Lake, including Solitary Hill, Six Harmonies Pagoda and Lin Yin Temple. Hangzhou is also well known for its silk and tea. Additionally a trip to the city can be easily combined with a visit to a tea plantation in the hills near the West Lake.
The above-mentioned tourist cities should not be missed for your China travel packages if you are interested in Chinese ancient history and something about Tibet.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Favorite Tourist Cities for Tourists in China - Beijing & Guilin

If you are planning a China tour, you can consider the following tourist cities.
1. Beijing-北京
Beijing is the capital and also the political, religious, cultural and educational center of China. As a modern city with a long history, Beijing is an ideal city for people who want to know about the country's history, learn about traditional culture and discover the modern side of China.
The best time to travel to Beijing is between May and October as the weather is best.

In addition to the world-famous Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square, Beijing hosts many more scenic spots that are worth seeing during your visit. The Forbidden City, called the Palace Museum, is a must-see for any tourist and is one of the most comprehensive Chinese museums, offering a visual feast of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese art, specializing in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Summer Palace provides a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures. Fragrant Hills Park comprises of a natural pine-cypress forest, hills with maple trees, smoke trees and persimmon trees, offering spectacular natural beauty.
For people who want to experience the rapid growth of modern China, Beijing's Central Business District (CBD), and Beijing's Financial Street will give you a full experience. The Beijing CBD has attracted 117 Fortune 500 businesses in the financial, media, information technology, consulting and service industries, which has become the landmark of Beijing's economic prowess.
If you want to experience the traditional culture of Beijing, it is suggested that you visit an old alley (Hutong) in downtown Beijing, which is one of the most distinctive features of Beijing.
Beijing is also world-famous for its food. The capital's cuisine plays host to a long list of local favorites including filled sausage, fried liver, mungbean milk, rolling donkey, pancake and quickly-boiled tripe. Of all the dishes found in Beijing, Peking roast duck is the most well-known. Now considered to be one of China's National Foods, Peking roast duck is prized for its eloquent taste and presentation. Renowned restaurants to taste Peking Roast duck are Quanjude, Bianyifang, Changan Yihao, Beijing Xiaowangfu and Dadong Tuanjiehu Kaoyadian.
Beijing's Sanlitun Bar Street is a great place to enjoy a dynamic nightlife in the city, which is an extremely popular hangout site for the city expatriates and white collars of all ages. All these attractions are must-sees for your Beijing tour.
2. Guilin
Guilin is a beautiful city. The town center is surrounded by two rivers and four lakes and studded with sheer sided karst mountains. Outside the city center, the buildings are less well kept. The main industry in the city is tourism so the city is much cleaner than other Chinese cities.
Guilin itself is like most other medium size Chinese cities, other than that it has a large number of western-style hotels, tourists and is relatively free of air pollution. Many Chinese domestic tourists also flock to this area. What makes it special is its proximity to many picturesque limestone mountains and formations.

Separated from the center of China and the Yangtze River basin by the Nan Mountains, Guangxi has always been distinct from the rest of China. The Han Chinese empire first expanded into Guangxi in the 3rd century BC. The Ling Canal was cut around the time, allowing small boats to transit from the Yangtze to the south flowing Xi River via the Xiang River.
Trade grew along the canal and river routes. Guilin was founded as a trading post in the 1st century BC on the West bank of the Kuei River. During the Ming dynasty, a garrison was set up in Guilin and the surrounding area gradually civilised with the development of farmland. The city had a population of over two million at the time of the Second World War, but was utterly destroyed during the war. The population slowly recovered with post-war construction of several factories for the production of paper, chemicals and agricultural equipment. However, market forces have caused several of these industries to relocate out of Guilin. Guilin tour is an indispensable destination for many travel-lovers.

Top Attractions in Xinjiang

Known as the home of singing and dancing, the land of fruits, and the place of gold and jade stones, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China boasts for its vast expanse, beautiful landscape and unique folk customs. There are in total over 1,100 registered scenic areas in Xinjiang, ranking first in the country.
In a selection of the best scenic areas in Xinjiang by Tourism Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,a destination of Silk Road tours the following attractions won the highest scores in public appraisal and professional evaluation.
1. Sayram Lake
Sayram Lake, renowned as a pearl on the Silk Road, is the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang. With an altitude of 2,073 meters, it is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Botala Prefecture, Urumqi. The lake has quite a few nicknames. In ancient China, it was called the "clean sea." In Mongolian language, Sayram means 'a lake on the ridge'. In Kazakh language, it means 'blessing'. Because it is the last place that the warm and humid air current of the Atlantic Ocean reaches, it is also known as the "Atlantic Ocean's last teardrop."

The oval-shaped lake is about 30 kilometers long and, 25 kilometers, covering an area of 455 to 460 square kilometers. The deepest point of the lake measures 92 meters. The main source of the lake is rainwater and ground water, in addition to some water flows from a few small rivers.
The water in the lake is pure, clear and peaceful, attracting flocks of ducks and swans. Flourishing cypress and cedar trees cover the whole mountain range. Herds of horses and sheep graze on the pastures. The best seasons to visit Sayram Lake are summer and autumn.
Sayram Lake is an attractive spot for tourists who join China tour packages in Xinjiang.
2. Turpan Scenic Spot (Grape Valley and Flaming Mountain)
Turpan has long been the center of a fertile oasis at a basin of the central Xinjiang. The extreme heat and dryness of the summer allow the land to produce great amounts of high-quality fruit. There is a well-known folk song: "Turpan's grapes are ripe; Anarhan's heart is ecstatic…" Turpan is famous for its fruits, especially grapes, and the best place to enjoy the grapes is the Grape Valley.

Located in the western part of Flaming Mountain, the Grape Valley is a zone of vineyards of 8 kilometers long and 0.5 kilometers wide. The grapes here are crystal and watery: some as green as emeralds; some as red as agates, some as small as pearls, while others look like olives. Its annual production of a dozen types of fresh grapes surpasses 6,000 tons. Creeks, small rivers, springs and various plants and fruits, including peaches, apricots, apples, pears and melons, make the valley even more beautiful and productive. Visitors can take a rest under the grape trees, taste the juicy grapes, or have a stroll in the valley. The best season to visit the valley is summer, when it is cool and ideal to escape from the heat. It has long been a tourist destination attracting visitors from home and abroad.

The Flaming Mountain, the most famous attraction of Turpan, is a barren, eroded, red granite mountain in the north of the Turpan Basin. Nicknamed the "red mountain", it extends over 1,000 km long and is about 500 meters high, with its main peak at an altitude of 831.7 meters. The mountain is the hottest place in China. In the strong summer sun, the sandstones shine and the scorching air flows up, creating a flaming appearance at the mountain at certain times of the day. Because of the unique features of the mountain, there are gullies and trenches growing with green plants, small rivers and fruit trees. The mountain was mentioned in the classic novel Journey to the West, making it even more attractive to visitors.
If you are a student and interested in the history of Silk Road, you can join educational China tours which will make you have a happy journey.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

What to Eat for Foreign Visitors

China tourism develop rapidly in recent years. Many foreign tourists come to China, but some of them are not suitable for Chinese food. The following popular Chinese dishes on foreigners' tables can be your choice.
1. Peking Duck
Now considered to be one of China's National Foods, the Peking Duck is prized for its eloquent taste and stunning presentation. This famous dish can be found at restaurants all around Beijing. Upscale restaurants take this dish so seriously that some even have their own duck farms and use only a special kind of duck for their specific Peking Duck dish.

The Quanjude Restaurant, one of the largest roast duck restaurants in Beijing, if not the world, opened its door in 1979. Filled to capacity, Quanjude can serve as many as 5,000 meals a day. Peking Duck is famous for its thin, crispy skin, and its delectable and aromatic meat, which is highly popular among all foreigners, including foreign celebrities and leaders.
Main Ingredients: duck, pancake and onion.
Peking Duck is a must-try for your Beijing tour.
2. Chow Mein
Chow Mein is a rich source of nutrition and has many health benefits including improving digestion, anemia and immunity. Extremely popular in China and all over the world, this stir-fried noodle dish comes in many varieties. Cantonese Chow Mein is the most famous in Western countries.

In American Chinese cuisine, Chow Mein consists of noodles, meat, onions and celery. It is served as a specific dish at westernized Chinese restaurants. The East and West Coasts of the United States do have some differences in preparation of this dish. On the East Coast, Chow Mein is almost always prepared in the "Hong Kong" style and crispy. On the West Coast, Chow Mein is almost always steamed and soft.
Most restaurants in China cook this dish by deep frying the noodles; the fastest way to obtain the beautiful golden yellow noodles associated with this aromatic dish.
Main Ingredients: noodles and oil.
3. Fried Shrimps with Cashews
Compared with the heavy tastes of Spicy Tofu, this dish is relatively light. Known for being nutritious, good-looking and tasty. Fried Shrimp and Cashews is said to protect the cardio-cerebral-vascular system and prevent cardiovascular disease. The shrimp is usually soft and easily digestible and accented by the cashews.

The dish is easy to cook at home. There are two very important tips that you should follow. First, if the shrimp is a bit too hard, one can put flour inside of them to soften them up. Second, one knows when the cashews have been in long enough once they start to sink in the hot water. They should then be fried until golden yellow.
Main Ingredients: shrimp, cashews and celery.
These dishes are the right choice for your popular China tours.

Famous and luxury tourist cities in China

If you want to have a luxury China travel, the following destinations will be your best choice.
1.Shanghai
Sitting on the estuary of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is a renowned international metropolis as well as a popular tourist destination. Tourists will marvel at the views on this vibrant land, which perfectly blends traditional and modern elements, and eastern and western cultures. The famous historical landmarks, including the Bund, the City God Temple and the Yuyuan Garden should not be missed when touring this city. The Bund, a 1.5-kilometer long waterfront area, is noted for dozens of splendid historical buildings in various styles including the Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Renaissance, and Neo-Classical.

Another stunning attraction is the Pudong Skyline, which features a number of mega skyscrapers including the symbolic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the presently-under-construction 632-meter Shanghai Tower. Tourists will also be enthralled to go to the Memorial Site for the First National Congress of the CPC, Shanghai Xintiandi(New Heaven and Earth), and the premier shopping street-Nanjing Road. These attractions should not be missed for your Shanghai tour.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: March to May
Local snacks: Fried stuffed bun, Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun, pork ribs with sticky rice cake, Crab-Yellow Pastry
2. Qingdao
Also known as the Switzerland of the Orient, Qingdao is a beautiful port city located in the southeastern part of Shandong province. Embraced by the sea on three sides, Qingdao boasts the biggest beach in Asia. One may stroll around the old town of this garden city to view stunning historical western architecture, or walk along the winding fine sandy beach to enjoy the sunshine and gentle sea breeze.

Qingdao is also home to the mellow Tsingtao beer, with the Qingdao International Beer Festival held every year attracting beer lovers from around the world. The most famous sights include the Zhanqiao Pier, Little Qingdao Isle, Badaguan Scenic Area, St. Michael's Cathedral, Flower-floor, Jiaozhou Governor's Hall and Mt. Laoshan.
Travel Tips:
Best time to visit: Summer and autumn
Local snacks: fresh seafood, Chinese mackerel dumplings, roast squid
These two cities are always contained in popular China tours. So you can consider them.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Magnifient Modern Architectures in Beijing

If you are a student to China and want to learn something about China, the following attraction should not be missed
1. National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
The National Stadium, as the main track and field stadium for the 2008 Olympics Games, is dubbed the "bird's nest" because of its innovative grid formation. The twig-like structural elements and the bowl-shaped roof are the masterpiece of the project, yet they posed great challenges for technicians and workers during construction. The stadium was begun in March 2004 and finished in March 2008. It was built with 36 kilometers of unwrapped steel, with a combined weight of 45,000 tonnes. Covering over 258,000 square meters, the stadium has at least 100,000 seats.

Travel tips:
Open Hours: 9:00 to 18:00
Admission: 50 yuan; 25 yuan for students
Getting there: Bus 386, 656, 660, 689, 696, 740, 753, 939, 944 or 983 to Yayuncun Stop; or take subway Line 8 to Olympic Sports Center Station, Exit B2.
2. National Center for Performing Arts
Situated in the heart of the capital, next to Tian'anmen Square, the National Center for Performing Arts is Beijing's foremost cultural center. Designed by architect Paul Andreu, the theater has been one of the most talked-about architectural projects for years, because of Andreu's audacious and innovative design and the project's grand scope. The curved building features a titanium shell and emerges like an island at the center of a lake. The theater houses three performance auditoria - a 2,416-seat opera house, a 2,017-seat concert hall and a 1,040-seat theater - as well as art and exhibition spaces.

Travel tips:
Open Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Monday)
Admission: 30 yuan for adults; 15 yuan for children
Tel: +86-010-6655 0989; +86-010-6655 0000 (ticket reservation)
Getting there: Bus 1, 4, 10, 20, 37, 52, 726, 728 and 802 to Tian'anmen West; or take subway Line 1 to Tian’anmen West Station, Exit C.
If you have a China business travel, these two attractions are worthwhile to visit.

Top ancient towns in China you should not miss

Many tourists are very interested in the ancient Chinese culture. The ancient towns are best places to feel the ancient culture. Here lists you the top and famous ancient towns for your China travel.
1. Fengdu Ghost City
Located on the northern banks of the Yangtze River in Chongqing City, Fengdu is an ancient county with a long history and rich culture. To many Chinese people, Fengdu is well known as the "the Ghost City", where the spirits of the dead go to rest.

Fengdu County offers many popular attractions for tourists; natural scenes like forests, mountains, everglade, grassland, canyons and karst caves are abundant here. The famous "Ghost City" however is on Mingshan Mountain, where visitors can learn more about Chinese ghost culture.
There are many unique buildings in this "Ghost City", such as Hengha Temple, Baoen Hall, Caishen Palace, Naihe Bridge, Liaoyang Hall, Tianzi Palace, and so on. The "damned king stone" inscription is the largest rock-side stone carving statue in the world. With the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, much of the old city is submerged and the town was relocated to the southern banks of the Yangtze River. When you have Yangtze River cruises, you can land for visiting Fengdu Ghost City.
Travel Tips:
Admission: 80 yuan (including Fengdu Mountain, Shuanggui Mountain and Ghost Country Palace)
Tel: +86-23-70613323
2. Lijiang Ancient Town
Lijiang Ancient Town is located northwest of Yunnan Province and was added to the world cultural heritage list in 1997. This town is famous for its unique architectural style of blending different elements from several cultures. Moreover, Lijiang possesses an ancient water-supply system of a great complexity and ingenuity that still functions effectively today.

In the remote past, Lijiang Old Town was inhabited by the ethnic minority group. In 1253, Kublai Khan, the Mongol chief, marched with his troops here to conquer the State of Dali. As a result, in the next 500 years until the early days of the Qing Dynasty, the place was ruled by a hereditary succession of chieftains from the Mu clan of the Naxi people.
The town, surrounded by a mountain and a river running along, has no high walls. The town is crisscrossed by ancient streets and lanes paved with colored stones, and lined with residential houses of wood-stone-mud structure. Small streams run parallel with Sifang Street in the center of the town.
Travel Tips:
Admission: 80 yuan
Tel: +86-888-5123432
How to Get There: Cars are not allowed in Old Town, walking or cycling is a better choice.
If you are stuck for idea where to visit after Lijiang, you can consider travel to Shangri-La in Zhongdian.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Guide of Tang Paradise in China

Tang Paradise (大唐芙蓉园) or Lotus Garden, is located next to Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, a destination of popular China tours. It is China's first large-scale royal garden that presents the styles and features during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
It covers a total area of 1,000 mu (66.7 hectares), among which 300 mu is water, and is the largest theme park in the northwestern region of China. The park is one of several modern reconstructions of ancient sites in Shaanxi, which features numerous magnificent buildings, wide squares, and elegant gardens.

Tang Paradise consists of 12 theme culture zones which include emperor, poetry, food, tea culture, religion, dance, imperial examinations and science, demonstration of the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty.

This ancient Tang style architectural park is not only the largest in China, but also the largest architectural park in the world. One of the main attractions of the Tang Paradise is the water screen that plays movies. This creates a special kind of optical effect which makes the frame tridimensional. As you watch the movie, you can enjoy the beautiful night scene and the fan-like water surface becoming an ingenious integration.
Travel Tips:
1. There are many dances during festivals.
2. The food zone features from classic Tang Dynasty Emperor Dishes, local foods to buffet which can satisfy different people's taste.
Hours: 9 am - 9 pm
Admission: 90 yuan (Mar 1 to Nov 30)
45 yuan (Dec 1 to Feb 28/29)
Tel: +86-29-85511888
Add: No.99, Furong Xi Road, Qujiang New District, Xi'an City
How to get there: take bus No.21, 22, 23, 24, 601, 610, 609, 237, 715 and 907 and get off at the Tang Paradise West Gate (Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan Xi Men) Station;
Tang Paradise should not be missed for your Xian tour.

Top Waterfalls in China

China tourism has developed rapidly in recent years. Many tourists at home and abroad choose to visit the hot destinations in China. The following lists ou the top waterfalls in China.
1. Huangguoshu Waterfall
The Huangguoshu Waterfall, located on the Baihe River in Anshun City of Guizhou Province, is the largest waterfall in China and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

It is 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide. The main waterfall is 67 meters high and 83.3 meters wide. There are water-curtain caves naturally formed in the back of the waterfall.
Around the main waterfall are 18 minor waterfalls, composing a huge waterfall group, which was added to the Guinness book of world records as the world's largest waterfall cluster.
Tips
·Best time to go: summer and autumn, the rainy season
·Admission: 90 yuan/person in peak season and 70 yuan/person in off season
2.Chishui Waterfall
The Chishui Waterfall, lying to the south of Chishui City of Guizhou Province, is one of the best waterfall wonders in China. It nears the height of the Huangguoshu Waterfall, at 76 meters high and 80 meters wide. The site is rated as an AAAA tourist attraction.

Tips
·Best time to go: April-October
·Admission: 40 yuan/person
3. Jiulong Waterfalls
The Jiulong Waterfalls was voted one of the top six most beautiful Chinese waterfalls in a poll by "Chinese National Geography" magazine in 2005. It is a group of wide waterfalls at ten levels in Luopan County of Yunnan Province. The view of the falls varies level by level and they are connected with each other by shoals or pools, creating a fantasy world of water.

Yunnan is dubbed the "Red Earth Plateau" because more than half of its land is covered with red earth. During rainy season, the Jiulong Waterfalls is dyed red by the red earth it carries, making it popular with tourists throughout China.
Tips
·Best time to go: summer and autumn, especially June and July
·Admission: 10 yuan/person
If you are stuck for idea to where to go next, you can choose Shangri-La tours, for these two places are not far.
4. Hukou Waterfall
Located at the intersection of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province, the Hukou Waterfall is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and the second largest waterfall in China after the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guzhou Province.

The Hukou Waterfall is naturally formed when water in the middle reaches of the Yellow River flows through the Jinxia Grand Canyon. The width of the waterfall changes with the season. It usually stretches 30 meters wide but can increase to 50 meters during the rainy season.
Tips
·Best time to go: April-May; September-November
·Admission: 81yuan/person
If you decide to customize China tours, you can consider these waterfulls.

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Magnificent Historical Attraction in China

If you are pick up attractions for your China vacation deals, you can consider the following attractions.
1. Huaqing Hot Spring
Located at the northern foot of Lishan Mountain in Lintong County, 30 kilometers from Xi'an City, Huaqing Hot Spring is a famous resort in China. Not only famous for its exquisite scenery, but also for the romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his consort Yang Yuhuan in the Tang Dynasty.
Huaqing Hot Spring has four springs and the temperature of each hovers around 43 degrees centigrade at all times. The springs contain a variety of minerals and organic substances, such as lime, sodium carbonate, silica, aluminum oxide, sodium oxide, sulfur, sodium and other minerals, all of which have therapeutic benefits for those with arthritis and skin disease.

Huaqing Hot Spring is also famous for its pink peach blossoms, green willows, beautiful pavilions and terraces, magnificent halls, winding corridors and long verandas. Huaqing used to be a bathing site for exclusive use by Imperial families. Lotus Hot Spring looks like a stone lotus and was the bathing place of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. Guifei pool was where Yang Yuhuan, the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, used to take bath.
Travel Tips:
1) The best time to visit is in spring (from March to May) or in autumn (from September to November);
2) Students, soldiers, people with disabilities can get discount when you show your certificate;
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission: 70 yuan (from April 1 – November 31)
40 yuan (from December 1 – March 31)
Getting There:
1) By Bus: Take bus No.914, 915, tourism bus No.5, 306 at the Railway Station Eastern Plaza and get off at the Huaqing Hot Spring stop;
2) By Car: You can drive from Xi'an to Huaqing Hot Spring via Xilin expressway, which will take only 30 minutes. If you visit Terracatta Army for your Xian tours , you can choose Huaqing Hot Spring. Because these two are close.
2. Sanxingdui Museum
Sanxingdui is located 4 km northeast of Nanxing Town, Guanghan County, Shichuan Province. This archaeological site was found in 1980. Sanxingdui Archaeological Site displays Baodun Culture from Ancient Shu and Jinsha Cultures, the earliest cultures recorded in the history of China. This vividly showing historical site of 3,000 to 5,000 years ago covers an area of 12 square kilometers.
Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) is situated in the northeastern part of Sanxingdui Site and is 40 kilometers to the north of Chengdu and 26 kilometers to the south of Deyang. Sanxingdui Museum is a modern theme museum with an exhibition space of 12,000 square meters. It consists of two pavilions: first one is the comprehensive pavilion and the second one is the bronze pavilion. Comprehensive pavilion includes various kinds of gold, bronze, jade, stone and pottery artifacts.

Sanxingdui has many precious bronze and gold artifacts which include the world's oldest life-size standing human statue of 260 cm of height, the world's oldest gold cane of 142 cm, and a bronze tree with birds, flowers, and ornaments.
Travel Tips:
Admission: 80 yuan (gallery ticket), 5 yuan (Garden ticket)
Getting There:
1. Take a bus at Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu, it runs twice a day, respectively 8:30 am and 3 pm (Tel: +86-28-85433609)
2. Take a bus at Chengbei Bus Station, the bus leaves every 15 minutes.
Hours: 8:30 am - 6 pm (first pavilion or comprehensive pavilion)
8:30 am - 6:30 pm (Second pavilion or bronze pavilion)
Tel: +86-838-5651550/5510349
If you want a China custom tour, you should consider these two attractions.

Where to eat Beijing Duck in Beijing

Peking roast duck is a must-try for your Beijing tours. With a history of more than 600 years, Peking roast duck is the most famous gourmet cuisine of Beijing and one of the most popular foods in China. It has also received worldwide recognition for its tempting shining color, crispy skin and tender meat.
The secret of the delicacy lies in that ducks of a peculiar kind are raised to specific weight, slaughtered, dressed, syrup-coated, hung dry, and then roasted either in a closed oven or an open oven. The roast duck will be sliced by the chef and placed beautifully on a plate before the diners, who then eat the meat with pancakes, cucumber, spring onion and a sweet bean sauce. Here lists you top restaurants to taste Beijing Duck.
1.Quanjude

Specialties: Mustard duck web, boiled duck liver, seasoned duck gizzard, hot and spicy shredded duck wing, crystal duck delicacy, quick-fried duck heart, dry-fried four delicacies
Whole duck price: 288 yuan (includes condiments)
Founded in 1864 during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi during the Qing Dynasty, Quanjude is the most well-established Peking roast duck restaurant brand in China. It has now gained worldwide recognition for its gourmet roast duck, as well as its unique all-duck banquet and more than 400 special dishes. Quanjude has been visited by government leaders and officials from nearly 200 countries and regions. The name Quanjude means "perfection, union and benevolence". Founder Yang Quanren invented the hung-oven duck roasting method. In such a culinary technique, ducks are roasted inside an open oven with non-smoky fruitwood fuel, such as Chinese date or pear trees, to create a fruit fragrance.
2. Bianyifang
Specialties: Closed-oven roast duck, mustard duck web, salted duck liver, duck heart cooked in wine, and dry-fried four delicacies

Whole duck price: 188 yuan (includes condiments)
Originally founded in 1416 during the Ming Dynasty, Bianyifang is the oldest Peking roast duck restaurant in Beijing. The time-honored brand specializes in roast duck, duck delicacies and Shandong-style cuisine. The name itself means "to greatly facilitate customers". Different from Quanjude's open-oven roasting style, ducks here are roasted in a closed oven, making the skin crispier and juicier. Bianyifang has still retained this roasting technique, though most roast duck restaurants now prepare ducks in an open oven. Bianyifang presents trademark ducks in different flavors, such as flower scent (tea, lotus and date flavors), garlic scent and vegetable scent, which are de-greased and worthy of a try.
3. Made in China
Specialties: Northern Chinese cuisine, desserts

Whole duck price: 268 yuan (includes condiments), plus 15 percent service charge
Made in China is a new-concept restaurant located at the Grand Hyatt Beijing on Chang'an Avenue. The restaurant features the fantastic Peking roast duck, authentic northern Chinese cuisine and an excellent wine cellar. Diners can enjoy the whole process of duck roasting in the stylish open kitchen. The whole duck is thinly sliced into a precise number of 100 pieces on the scene, and the delicate pancakes here are softer than at other restaurants, better offsetting the tenderness of the duck meat.
Beijing is a hot destination of China travel packages, and eating Beijing duck is an indispensable thing.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

What 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.

Where is the most beautiful ancient towns in China

There are many ancient towns in China and those ancient towns can best display the Chinese culture. If you have plan to join China travel service, you should not miss these old towns.
1. Yanshan County, Jiangxi
Yanshan County, located in northeast Jiangxi Province, was built in 953 AD, in the Southern Tang (937 AD-975 AD), one of the Ten Kingdoms following the Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD).

Hekou Town of Yanshan County used to be an important distribution center of the nearby eight provinces when water transportation was frequently used. It was also one of the four famous towns in Jiangxi during ancient times along with Jingde Town, Zhangshu Town and Wucheng Town. The ancient street paved with bluestone and granite slabs, the Ming-and-Qing-style architecture, and the stone bridges across the rivers mirror the beautiful scenery of the ancient water town.

Ehu Academy, 15 kilometers southeast of Hekou Town, was an academy where the Southern Song philosopher Zhu Xi (1130 AD-1200 AD) did his scholarly research. As famous as Bailudong Academy in Lushan Mountain, Ehu Academy is one of the most well-preserved academies in China, with its original look of 800 years ago.
Dayi Bridge and Dengbo Bridge are two famous bridges in Yanshan County built during the Tang Dynasty. The former, nearly 200 meters long, was originally a wooden and stone structure, but later was reconstructed with bluestones. The latter is a 50-meter-long wooden bridge with nine shops on the bridge.
Yanshan County is also famous for its production of Lianshi paper, a kind of high-quality paper used to print books, draw paintings and write calligraphic works. With a history of over 600 years, it is even more precious than rice paper.
Other local products of Yanshan County include willow products, bamboo weaving and silk fans. Although many China travel packages don't include Yanshan County, it is worthwhile to visit.
2. Zhaojiabao, Fujian
Zhaojiabao was built in 1600 during the Ming Dynasty by descendants of the Zhao imperial family of the Song Dynasty (960AD-1279AD), a copy of the structure of Bianjing City, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Surrounded by two city walls, Zhaojiabao has four gates facing four different directions. The city is divided into three sections: living section, etiquette section and garden section, with temples, pavilions, ponds, bridges and other public buildings inside.
There are five mansion houses at the center of the city, with 150 rooms in total. The three-story Wanbi House is the main architecture of Zhaojiabao, covering an area of over 400 square meters. It is now the Museum of Song History, exhibiting the portraits of 18 emperors from the Song Dynasty and related materials from the period.
With the nickname of “an imperial city without emperor,” Zhaojiabao maintains its original look. Zhao family's descendants, 600 people from 100 families, are still living in Zhaojiabao, which is a miracle in the history of humankind.
If you want to know more information about these two towns, you can contact with China tour agents.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Duty-free haven - Beijing Street

Beijing is considering making a city neighborhood often called "Russia Town" its first downtown duty-free shopping area, following the announcement last week of a 72-hour visa exemption policy for foreign tourists from Jan 1. You can buy some souvenirs for your Beijing tour.

The city authorities have revealed plans are afoot to turn Yabao Road - a retail hub that attracts many foreign traders, especially Russians - into a pilot area for outlets offering tax refunds and duty-free shopping.

"Detailed plans will be made early next year regarding the size of shops and how many brands will be covered," said Hong Guangxin, deputy director of the Beijing Chaoyang municipal commission of commerce.

The traditional center of trade in goods from Russia and other eastern European countries is located near the Second Ring Road, alongside an area famous for fur trading.

Hong said the city authority signed a strategic cooperation letter with China Duty Free Group in May during the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, which mapped out joint plans to set up duty-free shops in the capital's CBD area.

Under the agreement, foreign tourists will be able to receive tax refunds and shop for duty-free products in the city center, instead of only at the airport.
The duty-free shopping will mainly cater to foreign tourists, and it remains uncertain whether it will be open to local residents who plan to leave the country, it said.

On Yabao Road on Monday, vendors knew little of the plans, and some voiced concern over the possible impact of large-scale duty-free outlets in what is already a fiercely competitive shopping area.

Stall and shop owners said business at Yabao Market has been sluggish since the beginning of the year, and they blamed the strengthening of the yuan against foreign currencies.

"It is increasingly difficult to do business right now, and foreign travelers have been less willing to spend as their currency devalues against the yuan." said Fang Yingqiao, a Chinese tea dealer. "Previously, they were generous with their spending. Now they are increasingly shrewd in their bargaining," she added.
Qiao Yongfang, who runs a wholesale business selling tablecloths at the market, said she hoped the new duty-free zone would bring more expatriate shoppers.
"The duty-free mall could have more impact on retail shops. I only hope more wholesalers will be included," she added.

Alyona Belousova, a 30-year-old from the Russian city of Novosibirsk, said she was looking forward to the duty-free zone.

"I like Yabao Road because the goods here are so cheap. I hope the duty-free area will maintain its price advantages," she said.

Beijing officials announced last week that visitors from 45 countries who hold a ticket to a third country can remain for three days in the city without a visa.
Under the policy, the foreign tourists must remain in Beijing, and anyone traveling to other cities without permission could face prosecution, according to Gao Huada, deputy director of the exit-entry administration of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The Chaoyang municipal commission expects the visa exemption will attract another 600,000 to 800,000 transit tourists next year.

Lu Yong, director of the Beijing Tourism Development Committee, said that setting up an international standard, duty-free zone in the city will improve tourism levels.

The new visa rules will apply to citizens of 45 countries, including the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Japan and Singapore, according to the committee.
If you have a China travel in Beijing, you can free to choose stuffs you like.

The place to enjoy beautiful ice sculpture

Winter is low season for tourists in China. But in some places, tourists may be the best places to enjoy the beauty of winter. Harbin is a popular China tour place in winter to enjoy the ice sculpture.
Harbin Ice and Snow World, located in the provincial capital of Harbin, will cover 600,000 square meters, according to the park owner Modern Group.

A total of 180,000 cubic meters of ice and 150,000 cubic meters of snow will be used for the carving of sculptures this year, the group said.
A 48-meter high "ice palace", carved with over 20,000 cubic meters of ice, will become the landmark artwork of the park.
The theme park is scheduled to open to the public on Dec. 24.
First open to the public in 1999, the theme park has so far attracted about 600,000 tourists from home and abroad.

The theme park, along with a snow expo and an ice lantern show, will herald the opening of the 29th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on Jan. 5, 2013.
If you want to have China travel in winter, you can choose Harbin.