Things to do in Lanzhou II

5. Lan Zhou City God's Temple
Lan Zhou City God's Temple locate at Zhang Ye Road built in Song Dynasty what was built for sacrificing Ji Xin, Gen. in Han Dynasty. So it also called Ji Xin Temple. After rebuildint in Ming Dynasty, it renamed Cheng Huang Miao (City God's Temple). Unfortunately, It was bad destroyed by fire in Qing Dynasty, then rebuilt as today we can see. Total area of the temple is 12000 centiares and building area is 4000 centiareas. Three gates are martyry, and seconde gate is theater, hall of roll roof is at the north and double eaves main hall is at the back. Wing-rooms and bell and drum towers are at both sides. These years, it become to be developed as a curio market. It is very busy special in the Spring's Festival.

6. White Pagoda Hill
Bai Ta hill locate at northern of Yellow River in Lanzhou (a part for Silk Road tour). For a white pagoda what is commemorate the Lama who went to call on the emperor Chengjisihan dies in Lanzhou, the hill began named Bai Ta (mean white pagoda).

The white pagoda we can see today was rebuilt by Liu Yongcheng who was manager of Gansu in Ming Dynesty in Jingtai term (A.D 1450-1456). After that, it was be extend built as a temple named Cien Temple in Qing Dynasty. The white pagoda is 7 floors and 8 flats, approximate 17 meters high, was built infrastructure at the substrate and green peak at the top. In addition, joss was caved on surface everywhere, and horse bells made by iron were hang under the corner of eaves.

In 1958, it was built Bai Ta Park on the hill, total area is more than 8000 centiares. There were coriaceous tambour, bronze bell and redbud tree called " Three Cimelia of Subjugating Hill", however, the redbud tree has died already. But crossing virescence in these many years, there are thickset trees on the hill, plus the Zhong Shan Bridge at the foot of the hill, this sight became to a must of travel in Lanzhou.
7. Zhong Shan Bridge
Lanzhou Zhong Shan Bridage is an old-line bridge in Lanzhou called "The First Bridge of Yellow River Under the Sun" and optional for China best tours. Zhongshan Iron Bridage root in the 5th year of Ming Hong (A.D.1372) what was built as a float bridge in 7 miles west of Lanzhou made by Feng Sheng who is lord of Song. Until the 9th year of Ming Hong (A.D.1376), lord of Wei, Deng Yu move the float bridge to 10 mileswest of the city called Zhen Yuan Bridge. In the 18th year of Ming Hong (A.D.1385), Yang Lian who is commander of defence army move the bridge to where the bridge is locate today. It leaves three piles to this day that is 10 tons weight and 5.8 meters long.

In Guang Xu 33th year (A.D.1907) in Qing Dynasty, under the help supplied by Sheng Yun who is satrap of Gansu and suggested by Ying Jia who is Daopeng of Lan zhou, the Qing government spend fund 306,690 tael to built the Bridge with Germany Shang Tai Lai foreign firm. American Manboben and German Delo preside over the technique. The first bridge of Yellow River was built in 233.33 meters long and 7.5 meters extent, and was first called "Lanzhou Yellow River Bridge". In 1942, it was renamed Zhong Shan Bridge. Later, Lanzhou Republic Government had refit and reinforce it and built more five arciform girder in 1954 what make the bridge looks solid and durable, grandiose as today we see.
8. Yellow River Mother
Yellow River Mother is a the most beautiful sculpture among the many works what experss the Chinese Nation and won a high praise and worth. It locate at south bank of Yellow River, middle part of Binhe Road and north of the Little West Lake.

The sculpture, created by sculptor Madam He E, is 6 meters long, 2.2 meters extent and 2.6 meters high that total weight are more than 40 tons. It's make up of Mother and a boy what respective indicate perseverant mother river feeding the Chinese Nation and son of Hua Xia (an ancient name for China) bringing up happy and healthy.
You can consider the above-mentioned in your packages of affordable China tours.

Things to Do in Lanzhou I

When visiting Lanzhou for Silk Road tours, you should kown the following.
1. Scale model of old Jincheng
The model of Old Jincheng on the ground floor of the Lanzhou Museum is fascinating, although only two structures survive – the Baiyuanguan temple and the Baiyisi. In the photograph, the Zhongshan Bridge is now where the pontoon bridge is on the model. The Baiyuanguan is just outside the city wall on the right.

2. Lanzhou Museum
With the closure of the Gansu Provincial Museum for a decade, one might have expected the best of its collections to be rehoused here in the Lanzhou Museum which is located alongside one of the two remaining old structures in Lanzhou, the Ming Dynasty Bayi temple. Sadly, this would be too much of a breakthrough in terms of joined-up thinking.
Despite this, the Lanzhou Museum is worth a visit for popular China tours. The ground floor has a nice model of old Lanzhou and a phtographic record of the city in Qing times, including the water wheels (although no explanation in English), but upstairs there is a small gallery showing mainly the neolithic cultures found in the area. There is a display panel in English and Chinese for each of them (Majjiajao, Banshan and Hecheng) but the individual labels are in English. As always there are no maps which might encourage visitors to go out and find the source of these old cultures.

The remaining rooms are devoted to the Yellow River Painted Stones and two rooms on calligraphy and painting, which are really all just showrooms.
A good way to spend half an hour or so, even if you don't really get to learn much - a sad reality at most Chinese musuems to be honest.
3. Baiyi Si
I cannot find out much information about this small temple and its associated stupa behind. The temple is long out of use, and is presently used as a hall exhibiting calligraphy and various forms of archives: the walls are whitewashed and although it is elegant, it is a pity that its religious nature has disappeared.
Behind the temple building is the towering pagoda, now terribly hemmed in by towerblocks, including one that is a shocking pink colour. The museum buildings are described separately, but this complex is also home to the newly formed Lanzhou Cultural Heritage Bureau.
4. Baiyuanguan Temple
This is a wonderfully peaceful place, an ancient Taoist temple, still very much an active one with monks in residence. Although it lies at a busy junction, facing the Yellow River, silence seems to pervade this temple as soon as you set foot inside the gateway. The temple, like many in this part of China, is entered underneath a large opera stage. Currently, this structure and other buildings in the complex, are being restored, so it is a little difficult to get a feel for the scale of it. The carved stonework inside the gateway is impressive, and there are similar large circular carvings on the sides of several buildings inside the compound. It should be considered for your China vacation packages.

Although this temple is very old, it has been extensively renovated, and the Jade Emperor in the main Shrine Hall dates only from the year 2000. The Jade Emperor is the highest spirit in the heavens, and the master of all the emperors. To the right, in a recenly restored hall, are the three officials of heaven, water and earth, flanked by the sovereign Wenchang and the immortal known as Perfect Man Zi Yang. Although only created in 2004, they are very well executed, and a symbol of how well modern religious sculptures can be done in China.
With restoration being conducted in June 2006, it was notable that the wall restoration at several points was being conducted using very traditional techniques and materials, including missing plant matter into the plaster to increase adherence to the inner layers.
The monks at Baiyuanguan are particularly friendly and enjoy showing people around the temple. Also, in contrast to many Buddhist temples in China, the majority of the monks seemed to be young.
For more via China tour operator

What to Buy when traveling Dunhuang?

1. China Post: For Postcard-Collectors & Philatelists
There's a China Post at Mogao Grottoes. Main "value" is the unique commemorative chops available.
What to buy: You can get a commemorative chop on your Mogao Grottoes (best destination for China vacation deals) entry ticket and postcards. Make sure the date is correct, because mine wasn't...! :(
What to pay: Free for the Mogao Grottoes entry tickets and postcards bought from this China Post; 1 RMB is charged per chop for postcards bought elsewhere.
2. Clothing and other supplies: Clothing and other supplies
Other than food and souvenirs in the nearby night market, there is a wholesale market handy in the eastern part of town behind the small foodcourt.

It's partly under cover and is a useful place for additional clothing in winter or a spare T-shirt or two in the summer. It is also the place to buy camping essentials, such as knives, pans, water bottles, etc.
3. Night market
The night market in Dunhuang is where Dunhuang comes out to play at night, with several hundred shops open until after midnight; in the pedestrianised street outside vendors sell fruit, vegetables, nuts, antiques, souvenirs, books, maps, curios and anything else you can imagine.
Here it's not the bargian that counts but the friendly chat from the seller. It's a great place to be on a balmy summer evening on the Silk Road (Silk Road travel).

4. Souvenirs, books and tat: Souvenirs, books and tat
Shopping for souvenirs is easier in Dunhuang than in many Chinese towns. There are many streets along the main road leadng to the Dunhuang Hotel, and there is the night market just off the same road.
The souvenir market out at the Mogaoku is the best priced location - because of the competition - and because the products shift quickly stuff from their has less 'dust quotient'. There is also a far wider range of products at Mogaoku.
What to buy: There are a wide range of books on Mogaoku, naturally enough, but do check that the book has what you want, because there is an equally wide range of quality of content as well.
The 'slate paintings' are a new addition to the line of souvenirs. These have photographic film ainted onto slate and then images of statues and frescos from Mogaoku and elsewhere printed onto them. You either love them or hate them..personally I love them. Do note that some of the images on the slates are actually from Maijishan so make sure you check or know where the original is located if you really want a souvenir of the place you have visited.
Obviously there are plenty of souvenirs of the apsaras. However, there are better handmade apsara designs including some wonderful pottery statues made at the Yangguan Visitor Centre for travelers for China travel.
5. Tea

If U like tea (not the little bags, the REAL one), in China you will find endless varieties ans antique shops where they serve all kind of teas. The packagings are great too!
You can obtain more via China travel agents.

Things to do in Kuqa

Kuqu, is an optional destination for Silk Road travel, the following is the things you can do in Kuqa.
1. More Grottoes
Even though I have not seen them, I do not want to forget to mention, that there are many ancient Buddhist grottoes in the mountains near Kucha. Kucha has been a flourishing center of early Buddhism from 3rd century till the end of Tang-Dynasty (around 900). As Kucha is located at the big karavan route from India (via today's Pakistan or Kashmir) to China, Buddhists monchs had to pass through Kucha on their way to China. The famous monchs, who brought Buddhism to China, are all mentioned in the tales about early Kucha.

Some of the grottoes around Kucha:
Kumtura, 30km south of Kucha
Simsim, 45km northeast of Kucha
Ar Yi, 60km north of Kucha
2. Subashi
About 20km north of Kucha are the ruins of a big city: Subashi. The ruins cover a big area on both banks of Kucha River. Two very big Buddhist monasteries have been here and mainly monchs lived in this city from early 4th to 12th century AD. With some fantasy you can see big stupas and halls. And if you are lucky (I was not, but one of my travelcompagnions was) you can watch big Iguanas in the sun.

3. Old Town
On the east bank of Kucha River is the Old Town located. There are two bridges to this part of the town. One which leads directly to the main square and one, which is on the highway to Kashgar. The first one was under construction in June 2007. So we had to drive an interesting detour on mudroads with old adobe houses.

Directly at the bridge is the big square, where a daily bazaar is held.
The old town has many small roads. Some of them cannot be used by cars. It is a nice and quiet expience of China travel to explore all those little ways. Sometime the beautiful doors are open and you can get a glimpse into courtyards with colorful flowers and friendly people, who may invite you to come in and admire the wonderful and clean house.
4. New Town

Kucha has two parts: the modern Chinese town and the Old Uygur Town. They are located on both sides of the Kucha River: New Townon the Eastern side and the Old Town on the Western. New Town consists mainly of drab Chinese buildings from the 1970s and 1980s and some modern highrise buildings. Today Kucha has about 100.000 inhabitants.
Kuqa is an optional destination for affordable China tours.

Local customs in Korla

1. Billiard on the streets
What to do on Sundays when you live in Korla (an optional destination for Silk Road travel)? Play billiard of course! On several places of the city, early morning or late afternoon, you can watch people playing billiard; there are all sorts of people playing billiard, ethnic Chinese, Uygurs, others, men and women. . . . It seems there are competitions, and all take it very seriously; local champions are watched with great attention. I like billiard, but I felt a bit shy (? Well, shy in the sense, they looked much better than me!)to ask to play with some of them. What are these people doing when weather is rainy or in winter? It seems a very good idea to play billiard outside and it should be promoted in other parts of the planet!

2.Other physical activities
Other people play with some sorts of “rackets” and a ball and make movements to keep the ball on their “pan”. Other have swords and play with the sword. I can imagine that in that sort of society and mentality collectivism (not necessarily in a bad sense) has a better chance to find interested people rather than in anarchist-individualist educated groups like in western Europe (not anarchists of course!!) .Well all this looks interesting, may be it is well developed in Korla or other remote places where you do not have a lot to do, but to me it appears strange to try to go in a group, to try to be part of it. . . . to see all these people doing the same thing; are they happy? Does it contribute to happiness, to wellness? I have no answer.

3. Fly kites
This is a nice activity, you can practice from the day you can walk till the day your legs do not want anymore. . . Flying kites! It is a very popular activity here in Korla (which you can also see in other cities of China like Shanghai, a must-see for last minute China travel deals), and it is nice to watch the kites in the sky and very interesting to watch the people who “play” with he kites. The elder people seem to like a lot playing kite and I never have seen big reels like the ones they use here.

4. Morning gymnastics
8:00 morning, I hear music from my hotel room; it comes from the big square in front. A short walk before breakfast. Lots of people are making collective gymnastics; several groups of 5 to 50 or more persons with or without music are keeping fit!! It is always strange for me, as a westerner (and a almost pathologic individualist) to see groups performing together. Here in Korla, there are young groups with “leaders” on a stage, other groups wearing the same uniform, smaller groups, making not exactly gymnastic, but rather something which looks like “kata” (the Karate movements), but in a slow decomposed way. . . .
This behaviour is interesting to watch at but I do not understand this mentality to do things same time, same day, same place, with same persons, . . . . well other places other behaviours, usages, cultures. . .
Although the local China tourism is not developed, it is worth to a visit.

Favorites When travel to Nanjing

1. Peaches - fruit of the Season
Favorite thing: These are called peaches. There are really delicious!. It is seasonal. You can eat it with its skin, so it's a convenient fruit to take along when travelling China in Nanjing- Just wash it and eat it!. Eating one of these could really fill up your stomach. Some are soft and juicy and some are hard and crunchy - ask for the type you like.

You buy peaches in weight. Two of these huge ones cost 10.80yuan
Attached another pic on the types of delicious fruits sold in Nanning.
2. Nanning's Main Train Station
Favorite thing: Nanning's Main Train Station is located along the main road of Zhonghua Road. It is a big station and lots of trains go to the various provinces of China. Around this area there are many hotels, motels and guesthouses. You can also find lots of eateries here. Many of the intercity buses stop around here. Good place to base yourself in this vicinity especially if you are a backpacker.
3. Jiangnan Bus Station in Nanning
Favorite thing: If you happened to arrive in Nanning's south bus station called the Jiangnan Bus Station which is away from the city centre, you can board an intercity bus to the town centre which is more convenient and accessible to places of interests. Go across the main road which is opposite this bus station and catch the following buses :-
1) Bus route no. 41 which is a 25mins ride will take you to near the Main Train Station - along Chaoyang road (Fare is 2yuan, unit for Chinese currency)
2) Bus route no. 407 which is 20mins ride will take you to town centre's bus station (Fare is 1.20yuan)
4. Monkeys in Yi Ling Ya
Favorite thing: After your tour in the Yi Ling Cave which is about 45minutes to an hour, you will arrive at the exit where most of the visitors will be waiting for their photos to be ready (those that were captured by the photographer inside the cave). Right outside this counter, there are lots of monkeys, big and small waiting for you to feed them. You can buy from the vendors, small packets of groundnuts, costing 1yuan to give the monkeys a meal.
Becareful when feeding the monkeys - they could be greedy and notorious and come snatching your packet of nuts.
Another pic attached on the caged monkeys
You should know the above for your affordable China travel packages.

Information of Gaochang & Flaming Mountains

1. Gaochang was built in the 1st century BC. It was an important city along the Silk Road (Silk Road tours).
Gao Chang (Pronounced Qara-hoja in Uyghur, also called Chotscho or Kojo) is located 30km from Turpan. It played a key role as a transportation hub in western China. There is not much documented history surviving today, only stories passed on through oral tradition exist to detail the history.


Specially important became Gaochnag during the Tang-Dynasty. The ruins of 11m high citywalls and some mayor palaces and temples can still be seen.
In the ninth century, the Uigur established the Kharakhoja Kingdom here and Manicheamism flourished. The city was burnt down around the 14th century, during a period of warfare that lasted 40 years.
Gaochang consisted of 3 parts: the inner and outer cities, and a palace complex. The outer city extended 5.4 kilometers long with 11.5-meter high and 12-meter thick enclosure walls. Some section of the tamped earth were reinforced with adobe. Nine city gates were built at cardinal points; three in the south and two in each other three directions. Visitors are usually suggested to enter the best preserved gate in the west to the core.
The inner city is a 3-kilometer (1.86 miles) long rectangle, of which the western and eastern sections are well preserved. Sharing its southern wall with the inner city, the Palace City is in the northern part of the inner walls. A square adobe pagoda called 'Khan's castle', which means 'Imperial Palace', stands on a high terrace in the very north. Somewhat to its west, a half-underground, two-storied structure is supposed to be the palace ruins. Several earthen platforms are still visible.
A. von LeCoq found many wellpreserved ancient handwritings in the Beginning of 20th century in Gaochang. The languages and scripts used were mainly Uygur, Chinese, Manichean. Her found even old christian paintings. You can consider Gaochang for your China vacation deals.
2. Flaming Mountains

Flaming Mountains is a very popular sightseeing spot for Chinese tourists thanks to a classical novel, The Journey to the West by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) writer, Wu Cheng'en .
There is an old Uygur fairy tale explaining the origination of this beautiful red mountains:
Once upon a time a vicious dragon lived in deep Tianshan Mountain and ate little children. A Uigur hero fought against the dragon for three days and three nights and cut the dragon into eight parts. The remains of the dragon turned to a scarlet mountain colored by its blood. The eight scars turned into the eight valleys in the Flaming Mountain, including the famous Grape Valley.

Scientific explanation cites tectonic plate movement on the earth's surface during the formation of the Himalayas 50 Million years ago. The mountain is extremely hot in summer. During the trek approaching the mountain, visitors will find the soles of their shoes soften in the intense heat. With the red sun overhead, the red mountain looks like a fiery dragon.
You'll see this mountains on the way to the Thousand Buddha Grottoes of Beziklik. A Chinese business man has now turned the best spot for taking fotos into a main attraction for China travel, where visitors have to pay entrance fee for taking pics.

Off The Beaten Path in Kunming

1. The Western Hills

The Western Hills, about 15 km from Kunming city, lie along the western shore of Dianchi Lake. It stretches from north to south for about 40 km. the Western Hills is a forested and lovely park which is perfect for hiking. Some of the major sites include: Huating Temple (Huating Si), an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler; Taihua Temple (Taihua Si), with its charming orchard courtyard; Sanqing Pavilion (Sanqingge), a Daoist temple dedicated to that religion's three major deities; and Dragon Gate (Longmen), a collection of Daoist caves and sculptures.



We recommend taking at least half a day to climb the Hills and explore the various sites along the way.
The Western Hills Park is located 16km southwest of Kunming city (must-see destination for affordable China tours) on the shores of Dianchi Lake. Bus No. 51 and No.6 both reach the the park. A taxi costs around RMB50 and takes 40 minutes from the city center. There is a cable car linking the Dragon gate and the Yunnan Nationalities Village. Two way tickets cost RMB60 and a one way ticket costs RMB40.
2. The big mushroom rock!

If you intend to spend a long day in the Stone Forest, you can slowly make your way to the 10,000 yr old lingzhi rock. Along the way, you will come across farms and old tracks. It's definitely worth it!



3. Old lost Kunming

There is no place called “old Kunming”, only scattered small streets to discover by yourself. If you walk around, East and South of Green Lake Park, try the narrow paths bordered by small houses used as workshops for craftsmen.
I do not know how long these houses will survive, it does not look like there is any will of preserving this memory of the past history of the city.



Muslim streets:
It has been destroyed but if there are still a few restaurants opened, taste the nice meals there. Maybe it will be too late, this old street is diing. Take the last chance to feel is atmosphere.
4. The old road from Kunming to Beijing (best city included in top 10 China tours packages)
Built in the Yuan dynastry (1300's to 1400's), I was thrilled to see it. The horses trotted on the stone slabs all the way, over many hills and mountains before they get to Beijing. Apparently in the Qing Dynasty, the copper needed to make the coins came from Yunnan. So imagine it being transported on this road all the way to the capital.
This was in the compound of a resort. Kunmingnites love to spend their weekends here. The compound includes a small hill, plenty of fruit trees (yang mei especially), so people can do a little walking and fruit picking (when in season).
The facilities include a swimming pool, pingpong tables, basketball courts etc, two restaurants, and a cafe for the lovers of card games.
Kunmingnites love to play cards. A pot of tea, titbits and cards. That's all they need for the whole afternoon.
This place is about 45 min away from the city. You go through a tunnel and everything changes to the country scenery. This is amazing.
It's called Ming2 Xi1 Yuan1 holiday resort.
5. Visit the local market

Now in June, Chinese peaches (shui jing tao) RMB 2 per KG are in available abundance.
Especially in April.
Mulberries(about RMB 10 per KG), Kunming cherries (RMB 12 per KG) and pineapples (skin peeled, eyes taken out, about RMB 0.50 to RMB 1 each) are in abundance.
And some pancakes they stick to the wall of a big urn. Much like the indian "naan", the urn that is. Very tasty. You can choose between savoury ones or sweet ones. 50C each.
You will also find locals eat all kinds of veges including: the pumpkin flowers, the young leaves of pumpkin, pumpkin flowers (yellow), and some white flowers which I can't figure out.
It's an experience, and offers plenty of insights to the local cuisines for your popular China tour package.

Our Journey from Forbidden City to Great Wall

We had 3,5 days to see Beijing. But there is so much to see and to do in Beijing without which your affordable China tours will be incomplete, that you really need to select, and that is not as easy as there are so many highlights.
But anyway that is already one reason to come back to Beijing for a next visit.
The first day we started at the big Tiananmen Square and of course tourist attraction number One: the Forbidden City. When we left the Forbidden City at the rear side, it started to rain, in no time the streets were flooded, so we had to wait for a few hours before we could return to our hotel. Beijing opera - Beijing

The second day I visited the beautiful Lama temple at the other side of the city, and also the Confucius temple which was nearby. That morning the weather was not so good: rain, rain, rain . . . .
After lunch I took a taxi towards the Drum and Bell tower. From the Drum tower you had a splendid view over the Huttongs. We ended our day with a visit at a Chinese Acrobatic Show.
The third day we wanted to start with a visit at the Tiantan Park (a must-see for your popular China travel package), but the taxi driver had not really understood where we wanted to go, so he did drive to the other side of the city, soon we noticed the mistake and then we changed our plans and went for a visit of the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace was very crowded with . . . . Chinese of course. But it was well worth to visit. That evening we did go to a performance of the Beijing Opera. We did not really understand the story but it was great to see and . . . . to hear.

The last morning we did drive to Mutianyu, in order to climb the Great Wall. It was quite a climb in order to reach the Great Wall (a must-see in Beijing for best tours of China). But it was worth the effort, as we were lucky, it was sunny so we had a splendid view over the Great Wall, and we could see the Great Wall as a twisting snake over the green hills.
After the visit of the Great Wall, we returned to Beijing in order to catch a domestic flight that would bring us to Lanzhou.

Songs of the world open in Shanghai

During the rush hour of a recent afternoon in the busy Xujiahui area of Shanghai (popular destination for last minute China travel deals), passengers stopped by an outdoor stage to listen to the performance of exotic Indian music. Many were surprised to learn that the performer was Bombay Jayashri, singer of Pi's Lullaby from the film Life of Pi.
"The story of Life of Pi seems so far away, but now I can see the performance of Jayashri just outside my office building. It's great," says Xu Yan, a young woman in the audience.
Jayashri gave another performance in Shanghai at the square of Jinqiao International Plaza.
Because of the popularity of Life of Pi in China, she was the headliner of 2013 World Music Shanghai and attracted a large number of people.
"I had been worried if Chinese audiences will enjoy Indian classical music, but I am glad to see that they really like it," Jayashri says.
This year's World Music Shanghai was held from April 29 to May 5 at seven venues across the city and presented 11 acts. They came from China, Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, United States, India, Reunion Island, France and Mauritius.

Traditional Tuvan folk songs by Huun Huur Tu, American old-time music by Toubab Krewe, a cappella by Bulgaria's Eva Female Vocal Quartet, Grand Songs of China's Dong ethnic group, and a collaboration between rocker Song Yuzhe and Uygur folk musician Ubulhasan Mamat were among the lineup.
The musicians not only performed at the festival individually, but also jammed together.
"Although I cannot understand the lyrics of the Chinese musicians, I enjoy their performance very much," says H. N. Bhaskar, Jayashri's violinist. "I hope they will come to India to perform, and we will learn from them."
At a festival party, musicians from different countries played together and created a musical language that has never been heard before.
"We were listening to each other and trying to catch each other's ideas," says Song, who played guitar and banjo in the jam session.
"I hope this kind of exchange will continue. It is even more important than music itself."
Chinese musicians from different regions also played together at the festival.
Four years ago, Song traveled to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (an essential destination for Silk Road tours) and met folk musician Ubulhasan. Song was inspired by the traditional Uygur music of Ubulhasan and decided to work with him in his new project.
In the show titled A Magic Musical Encounter at the festival, Song and Ubulhasan blended their music and lyrics, and the result was refreshing. Their performance also appealed to different audiences.
"The best thing about World Music Shanghai is that we provide a platform for different musical cultures from around the world to meet," says Yang Lei, director of the festival.
"I hope Chinese music will become a more and more important part of world music through our festival."
World Music Shanghai started in 2008 as part of Shanghai's events to welcome the World Expo 2010. During the World Expo, the World Music Shanghai went on for 184 days - the entire duration of the World Expo - showcasing music from all over the world, as well as from various regions of China.
After the World Expo, the festival continued to be held, and last year it was broken into the spring and autumn editions. This year, the autumn edition will be held in October.
The performances of this year's World Music Shanghai were held in both downtown areas and some suburb towns, like Sanlin in the Pudong New Area (which should not be missed in Shanghai for popular China tours). All the shows were free of charge.
"I hope the festival will attract more people to appreciate world music, so that world music will have a bigger market in China," Yang says.

The Most Beautiful Scenery in 13 Cities of Jiangsu Province II

Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang, also called Runzhou, is a historical city with charming lakes and mountains. Some historical and legendary stories were set in the city. Flooding the Jinshan Temple is one of the most captivating plots in the Tale of the White Snake, which is backgrounded with Jinshan Temple. In Xijindu, visitors can roam along the old street built in Tang and Song dynsties, witness stone pagoda in Yuan and Ming dynasties and pavilions of late Qing dynasty. Life here is very enjoyable especially in teahouses which provides tranquil and cozy time.

Yangzhou
Yangzhou, a city near the junction of the Grand Canal and Yangtze River (Yangtze River cruise), was once the economic and cultural center of south China. The city prospered on the salt trade and attracted merchants and artisans who established residences and gardens. Yangzhou’s scenery is mainly concentrated around the Grand Canal in the west parts of the city where you can find Slender West Lake, Daming Temple. The main shopping area radiates out from Wenchang Ge, an old bell tower in the center of city.
Suqian
Located in northern Jiangsu, Suqian is appointed as the “capital of China’s liquor”. It is the hometown of Xiangyu who was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty and his comcubine, Consort Yu. Emperor Qianlong once stopped here for six time when travelling in south China so Qianlong Temporary Palace is a must-see in Suqian. The main spots in Suqian include Zhang Mountain, Luoma Lake, Nanda Temple, Yellow River Park and the old Chu Street.

Yangcheng
Yangcheng is the birthplace of Huai Opera. Located in the eastern Jiangsu (a mecca for affordable China tours), it borders Lianyungang to the north, Huai’an to the west, Yangzhou and Taizhou to the southwest, Nantong to the south and looks out to the Yellow Sea to the east. The main attractions in the city contains Dazong Lake, Yongning Temple, free Yandu Temple and Anfeng Old Street. It is an optional place for packages of China vacation deals.
Huai’an
Huai’an, aka Chuzhou, is renowned as the “capital of China’s Grand Canal” and the birthplace of Huaiyang Cuisine. In Huai’an, you can pay a visit to Lie Mountain, Hongze Lake, Ciyun Temple, free Shaohu Lake and ancient Shangban Street.

Lianyungang
Located in the northeastern Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang is a slow city. At first you can be hard to adopt to the slow life here. But if you are used to the life here, you will feel sad to leave the city. You can rent a bike and ride around this seaport city. Besides riding in the city, you can visit Huaguo Mountain, Qiangwei Lake, Bixia Temple, free Cangwu Park and Nancheng Old Street.
Nantong
Nantong is an optional tourist destination for your popular China travel package. The attractions in the city include Langshan Mountain, Haohe Lake, Langshan Temple, free Binjiang Park and Shili Street.

Taizhou
Taizhou, aka Phoenix City, is one of historical and cultural city in Jiangsu with history of 2100 years. Over 700 years ago, Marco Polo travelled here and praised “the city is not great but all happiness of the world”. The attractions in the city include Gu Hill, Qin Lake, Guangxiao Temple, free Taishan Park and Old Street.
You can obtain more via China tour operator.
Source: http://goarticles.com/article/The-Most-Beautiful-Scenery-In-13-Cities-Of-Jiangsu-Province-II/7683840/

The Most Beautiful Scenery in 13 Cities of Jiangsu Province I

Since ancient times of China, Jiangsu was the “Land of Fish and Rice”. With rich China tourism resource, Jiangsu houses quaint old towns, famous temples with thousands of years, elegant classic gardens, captivating mountains and lakes and magnificent imperial tombs. So it has become the famous tourist destination since the ancient China. Tourists can experience the best that China offers in Suzhou from famous attractions like Nanjing City Wall and classic gardens to the delicate and fresh Huaiyuang cuisine. The following will introduce you the beautiful cities in Jiangsu Provice to guide your tour in Jiangsu.
Wuxi
Wuxi, also called Huishan, is a famous historical and cultural city with history of 3500 years in south China. Wuxi is a major tourist area of the Lower Yangtze Delta. It owns both natural and man-made scenery. The city was built on the shore of Taihu Lake. As an historical city, you can pay a visit to Nanchan Temple, Nanchang Street (an old street), Donglin Academy, Garden of Ecstacy and Grand Buddha at Lingshan.

Xuzhou
Known as Pengcheng in ancient China, Xuzhou owns such attractions as Yunlong Mountain and nearby Yunlong Lake, Baolian Temple, ancient Hubu Street and free Yunlong Park. Besides, the relics of Han Dynasty which including Terracotta Army of Han and Mausoleum of the Emperors of Han and the art of stone graving should not be missed. It is an optional destination for your last minute China travel deals
Nanjing

Nanjing, called Jinling in ancient China, is the capital city of Jiangsu Province. Largely enclosed within a magnificent Ming-dynasty city wall, Nanjing lies on the lower reach of Yangtze River (Yangtze River cruises ) and is one of China’s more pleasant and prosperous city in China. Set among a beautiful landscape of lakes, forested parks and rivers, the city offers you the oppurtunity to explore the ancient history of part of China in Qixia Temple, Nanjing Museum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, Presidential Palace, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, etc.
Suzhou
Suzhou’s fame was immortalized in the proverb ‘In heaven, there is a paradise, on earth Suzhou and Hangzhou’ - a line still very much plugged in the tourist complains. Suzhou is famous for its traditional classic gardens which is a symphonic combination of rocks, water, trees, buildings, reflect the Chinese apprecitation of balance and harmony. You can easily spend several enjoyable days to roam in the gardens. You can also visit Hanshan Temple, ancient Shantang Street and explore Suzhou’s surviving canal scene.

Changzhou
Many visitors pay a visit to Changzhou on their way to Suzhou (which attracts tourists for their popular China tour package with classic gardens) or Nanjing, but they can spend a pleasant day to explore the carm of city. Changzhou, also called Long City, owns a ancient temple -Tianning Temple, free park - Hongmei Park, an old street - Qing Guo Alley, a beautiful lake - West Taihu Lake.

Source:http://goarticles.com/article/The-Most-Beautiful-Scenery-in-13-Cities-of-Jiangsu-Province-I/7683829/

Leave winter behind

Using Guangzhou as a springboard, escape the chill that's gripped most of China and explore Hakka culture in Fujian province or the tropical delights of Hainan island for your packages of last minute China travel deals.
While the frigid wind and icy roads in northern China may keep people from taking a short road trip during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday, the warm seaside cities in the country's south are embracing tourists with open arms.

Passenger cars with fewer than seven seats are exempt from highway tolls during the holiday from Feb 9 to 15, so it's also cost-effective to set out from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and drive to tourist spots in neighboring Fujian and Hainan provinces.
Here are two suggested routes, one exposing you to Hakka culture and the tranquility of lakes and mountains, while the other includes lots of sunshine and takes you to the tropical sea.
Route 1: Explore Hakka culture during the weeklong holiday.
Having arrived in Meizhou, Guangdong province, go to the eastern suburbs to appreciate the stone carving art on the Thousand-Buddha Pagoda and stroll through the former residence of Huang Zunxian, a poet during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Lingnan-style garden.
Spend the night at the Yearning Tea Plantation Tourist Attraction or Yanming Lake Holiday Resort. It will be refreshing to wake up to the sight of green tea fields or a mirror-like lake.
Get some exercise by climbing Yinna Mountain nearby, and then drive to Fujian to spend the night at tulou, the circular communal buildings built by local Hakka people.

Yongding and Nanjing counties are two must-see places to explore tulou. The local people's knowledge of building environmentally friendly houses that keep residents in close communication will amaze you. Tour around tulou and experience local customs together with hospitable tulou residents.
Drive to Xiamen to embrace the sea. Park your car and take the ferry to the car-free Gulangyu Island (popular destination for popular China tour package).
There are so many attractions on the island that it's worth spending two days here. You can climb to the top of Sunlight Rock for an overlook of Xiamen. You can visit China's only and the world's first-class treasure house of pianos, with more than 40 precious ancient pianos on display.

The piano museum is located in Shuzhuang Garden and has an intriguing layout. The sea view is hidden by a high wall until you pass through a gate.
Before you return to Guangzhou, spend some time walking across Xiamen University, one of the most beautiful universities in China.
IF YOU GO: Guangzhou visitors can drive to Meizhou following the route from Guangzhou-Huizhou highway onto Huizhou-Heyuan highway and then onto Meizhou-Heyuan highway.
Leave Yinna Mountain and take provincial road 224, then turn right onto country road 383. Go straight onto provincial road 223, then turn left onto county road 025. Then turn right on provincial road 332.
Turn onto provincial road 203 at Xiayang town, then turn right onto provincial road 309, which will take you to the tulou folk culture village in Yongding.
Drive west on county road 562 for about 30 minutes, and you will arrive at a museum about tulou in Nanjing.
To get to Xiamen, take county road 562 and turn onto Shanjiu line. Take Shanjiu to national road 319. Take the Nanjinghutong exit to enter Xiamen-Chengdu highway.
Route 2: Soak up some sunlight and dive into the tropical sea.
The plantain, sugar cane and eucalyptus in Leizhou Peninsula of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, will ease your fatigue during the six-hour ride to the wharf in Hai'an town, where you will be shipped to the provincial capital Haikou by ferry.
Drive to Bo'ao to see the Yudai Beach, the world's narrowest and longest stretch of beach that separates the sea from fresh water. It looks like a white ribbon floating on the tumbling waves.
Head for Sanya (hot beach destination for your top 10 China tours) after lunch. Besides paddling at the beach, you can also venture into Yalongwan Tropical Forest Park for a look at an eco-system that you can't find anywhere else in China, except for Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province.
Take a boat to Wuzhizhou Island for water activities. Here you can explore the sea by snorkeling or diving. Adventure seekers can try water-skiing or parasailing.
Those who prefer relaxing can take a yacht out to the sea to fish.
Spend a night at a seaside villa, where you can fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Go to Nantian Hot Spring Resort nearby to wind down. There are 34 pools of different shapes and medical functions. You can also order spa services.
Head back to Sanya and go west for a tour of Hainan. You can stop at Shihua Water Tunnel in Danzhou city and take a boat into the long, narrow caves to see nature's craftsmanship. The stones have been shaped by water drops, and some look like flowers, waterfalls and elephants.
The Yangpu Ancient Salt Field is another site you should not miss. You can learn about the amazing methods invented hundreds of years ago that people still use today to evaporate seawater and produce salt.
If you spend the night in Haikou, stop at Chengmai Fushan Coffee Culture Gallery and try a local blend from Fushan town, whose coffee plantation has the longest history in Hainan. Then embark on the journey back to Guangzhou.
IF YOU GO: Enter the Guangzhou siding of Shenyang-Haikou highway via Guangzhou Huancheng Expressway. You will enter the highway by driving about 43 km down the siding. Go down Shenyang-Haikou highway for about 480 km and take the Xuwen exit onto national road 207.
Take the road to Hai'an port.
Take the one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride to Haikou.
Go along the Hainan Ring Expressway, or national road 98. It will take you from Haikou to Bo'ao, Sanya and Danzhou and then back to Haikou included in your China travel packages.

Putting war to rest

Contrary to popular belief, Suzhou's exquisite scenery embodies discordant principles and pursuits. It is the uncanny ability to blend them into harmony that created a town mellow to the extreme. And Suzhou became a famous travel place for affordable China tours.
On a first visit to Tiger Hill, one may well be disappointed and jump to the conclusion that Chinese poets are prone to hyperbole. "You will regret visiting Suzhou without touring Tiger Hill," wrote Su Shi, who sang the praises of so many wonderlands across China. What's there to miss? The park, at 20 hectares or 50 acres, is not much larger than some urban recreation areas. New York's Central Park is 17 times the size. True, the pagoda on Tiger Hill is showcased on many postcards, but it stands only 48 meters high, and the hill is 30 meters at the highest, so how tall can it be all together?

Suffice to say, Tiger Hill is not known for size or height. But as a microcosm of this historical city, it embodies its quirks and charms.
Some 2,500 years ago, the local king built the biggest city in Southeast China. Well, there was no unified China then. The kingdom was named Wu, after the belligerent king who conquered places as faraway as current Hubei province. But when King He Lu led an army into modern-day central Zhejiang province, just to its south, Wu was ambushed.
He died shortly afterward from the injury. Legend says he was buried under the Sword Pond, a narrow pool of water lined with steep cliffs. This is no Grand Canyon, but rather, a movie-set-like miniature ravine complete with hanging twigs and a stone archway on top.
It is rumored that as many as 3,000 swords were buried with him. For thousands of years, it has been the fascination of tomb raiders. But they have failed to locate the exact spot.
Not far from the pond lies the reason: a circular rocky platform called the Thousand Men's Rock.
When workers finished construction of the tomb, the king regaled them with food and drink. He brought the occasion to a climax by staging a crane dance.
However, the long-necked animal, a symbol of longevity, failed to appear. Instead, the audience members held out their necks like cranes, waiting impatiently, at which point a phalanx of soldiers jumped out and cut off their heads, thus sealing the secrecy of the tomb's location for posterity.
Another origin story is more benign. It claims that a monk some 800 years later used to preach here and the stony podium could hold 1,000 listeners. Modern science explains away the brownish rock as containing iron, not remnants of blood.
That He Lu guy must have been crazy about swords. Next to the steps along the path is a boulder with a neat crevice in the middle. Not surprisingly, it was supposed to be the place where the king tested his newly forged sword. He had ordered a husband-and-wife team of blacksmiths to make a pair of the weapons, and this was what they delivered - a sword that could cut a rock in half. No wonder the names of the couple are nowadays better known to ordinary people than the king's, for example, Mogan Mountain in Zhejiang province which also rely on local tourism in China to develop economy.

This reminds me of Notung, the sword Siegmund withdraws from the giant tree in the Ring of the Niebelung. Like the Nordic tale, much of the storied past about Tiger Hill, at least the part that's 2,000 years old, is shrouded in mythology. The verses and couplets we see today are mostly from the past millennium, through which more ancient history is refracted and romanticized.
Over the years, Suzhou evolved from a military power into a hub of gentle manners and sophisticated tastes.
Taoist monks and Buddhist priests arrived to search for immortality, leaving behind a 1,600-year-old monastery (the current architecture is 140 years old), a 1,050-year-old pagoda and numerous artifacts. Literary luminaries used to hang out here as recluses, leaving behind poems, pavilions and meditations on life and nature.
There is a well in memory of Lu Yu (AD 755-804), whose Tea Bible is the epitome of the art of Chinese tea-drinking.
Suzhou produces a fine tea called Biluochun - literally, Green Snail Spring. One sip and you'll understand why this canal-strewn town has given rise to a pervasively mild disposition and why so many of its literary and artistic talents eschew bacchanalian pursuits for subtlety and refinement. You can simply imagine a group of them partaking of tea at one of the hilltop terraces or pavilions, playing chess or singing Kunqu Opera while overlooking waves of curved roof-tiles. You can drink it in a teahouse after tired popular China tours
However, long spells of peace and tranquility were punctuated with war and revolution.
Some of the tombs are for those who rebelled against local tyranny or, in one case, one who led an uprising against exorbitant taxation. And around the time of the despotic King He Lu, a native son excelled with his wisdom about military action into The Art of War. His name was Sun Tzu and there is a pavilion in his honor.
How did a Sparta-like culture advance into quiet benevolence and subdued refinement? History books do not tell. Nor do the birds and brooks on Tiger Hill. But one saga may shed some light.
Before King He Lu died, he told his son to avenge him. The young king, Fuchai, invaded the Kingdom of Yue and captured its king and made him a slave. After showing sufficient submission, the Yue King was released. Upon returning home, he sent a femme fatale as a gift to King Fuchai, who promptly fell in love.
It turns out the beauty was a Mata Hari, who used the king's trust to alienate him from his advisers and generals. In the end, the kingdom was conquered by Yue while King Fuchai, who reigned 495-473 BC, was driven to suicide, though not on Tiger Hill.
It should be a cautionary tale for blind love, but it seems local people were set on a path for love, not war, as most of the relics in this small patch of nature show their love for a good and peaceful life.
You can obtain more via China tour operator.

Put the HK in hike! Hong Kong treks

You might think that Hong Kong is just a morass of skyscrapers, luxury shopping malls and sweaty tourists, but you'd be wrong – there are many picturesque hikes for visitors to sample. And while most head to Dragon's Back and Lamma Island, hike-happy locals go straight for the New Territories, and in particular the 100km MacLehose trail, named after Sir Crawford Murray MacLehose, the longest-reigning governor of Hong Kong, a popular destination for last minute China travel deals.
A rambling enthusiast, he was also responsible for the establishment of Hong Kong's ubiquitous Country Parks, protected areas that surprisingly comprise 40 percent of the total land in the special administrative region. It's pretty much impossible to complete in one go, so we've created a series of recommended chunks, based on the already established 'Phases'.

For Phase 1, take the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) to Choi Hung station; exit at C2 and board the green minibus A1 to Sai Kung Town. From here, take bus 94 and alight at the Pak Tam Chung terminus, which is a 400m walk from the starting point. Phases 1 and 2 begin easy enough: a walk along the paved Sai Kung Man Yee Road. After 400m of limited views, the mountains give way to a panorama of the two massive High Island Reservoir dams. Get some snapshots done now, before the more demanding half of the walk makes you unphotogenically red and sweaty, and top up water bottles at the fountain – there is absolutely nowhere to do so for the next five hours, nor are there water bottles on sale. A little inconvenient, but a great reminder that the trail is not overrun with tourists.
From here it's a gradual climb into verdant hills. Trails are clearly marked, but pretty soon it feels distanced from human life, let alone the bustle of Hong Kong. At the end of the two-hour hike is one of the loveliest secluded bays on the island. Long Ke is a pristine crescent of white sand, jammed during the summer but nearly empty during the early months of the year. It's worth waking up early to begin this hike, if only to lounge for a few hours on what is arguably Hong Kong's best bay. The gentle waves and sun-warmed sand may tempt you to stay a while, but the second half of the walk is taxing, and it doesn't serve to relax for too long.
Leaving Long Ke, Phase 2 winds up a stretch of seemingly endless steps, with only brief respites to admire the contrast between the red soil and the jungle-like vegetation bordering the reservoirs. The volcanic rocks here are jagged and unforgiving, but it's worth risking a stumble or two to admire the view, especially of Tai Long Wan Bay, which is dimpled by four different beaches, and tiny coves and inlets. The end of Phase 2 is also the entrance point for the coastal hike of Tai Long Sai Wan (a must-see in Hong Kong for popular China tours).
To access Phase 3 of our trip, you can take bus 94 from Sai Kung and alight at Pak Tam Au, which is only 20 metres away from the opening of the trail. Measuring 10.2km, Phase 3 is less visited and even more demanding than Phase 2, kicking off with a straight uphill climb of uneven rock steps. Taking around four hours, the strenuous hike begins by passing the 451m peak of Ngam Tau Shan, then traverses abandoned Hakka farming villages from the early part of the 20th century.

According to the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, this area was the very last part of rural Hong Kong to be settled, with tea and indigo planted in the rugged hills where South China tigers and wild boars roamed. Nowadays, such beasts are long gone, replaced instead by the odd dead-eyed cow. Still, think back to the cramped conditions of HK's bustling Central MTR station when you're out here and the feeling of freedom is unbeatable.
There is a different vista to be found every way you look – on one side, the ocean; another, the mountains; then another turns back into the thick of the wilderness. The first half of the trail seems easy in comparison to the second, which is interrupted by a deep valley before climbing back up the peaks of Wa Mei Shan, Lui Ta Shek and Kai Kung Shan. These climbs require stamina. Yet this stretch is not the hardest part of our trek to color our China best tours . That honour is reserved for Phases 4 and 5, in the heart of the MacLehose Trail.
In fact, Phase 4 alone is incredibly difficult and, as there is no public transport at the end of it, it either needs to be done in conjunction with Phase 5 or walked backwards. This is an all-day hike that will take upwards of nine hours, and is the most difficult to access by public transport. The hike starts from Kei Ling Ha, which eventually leads you into the thick of the woods and another set of stone steps. An hour and a half in, there's a fork to decide whether or not you will continue to climb Ma On Shan.
Whichever route you pick, there are magnificent views on all sides. Along the way, look out for colourful butterflies and colossal spiderwebs; this part of the MacLehose trail has the most diverse flora and fauna. Finally arriving at the mountain peak of Tate's Cairn, those wanting to stay overnight will find a campsite at Gilwell.
Phase 5 has some of the most dramatic views, and is best known for containing all of the famous Kowloon peaks, including Lion Rock and Amah Rock – Hong Kong's answers to the Mainland's Huangshan. Skipping to the end of the trail, Phases 9 and 10 are easy walks that take two-and-a-half and five hours, respectively. Typically, these treks are less spectacular than the others, though they have the advantage of being somewhat easier to tackle.
Essential info
How to get there
Return flights to Hong Kong with Hong Kong Airlines (www.hongkongairlines.com) from 1,210RMB (including taxes and surcharges).
Where to stay
Camping is available at Long Ke between Phase 1 and 2 and at Gilwell at the end of Phase 4. At Long Ke, there is space for around six large tents, though you'll need to bring your own. At Gilwell, tents are 16RMB (call +852 2377 3300 for details).
You can obtain more via China tour operator.

China's top five museums

"Give me a museum and I'll fill it", said Spanish Artist and Painter Pablo Picasso. Museums are three-dimensional encyclopedia. Visiting China museums is a great way to learn about China's history and culture for China vacation deals. Here are handpicked China's top 5 museums for your reference.
Top 1: The Forbidden City (Beijing Palace Museum)
The Forbidden City (UNESCO), situated north of the Tian'anmen Square, is historically and artistically one of the most comprehensive museum in China, and is world's largest imperial palace complex. The yellow-glazed tiles and ancient relics in the Forbidden City make it easy to feel like you're being transported back in time, when the city existed in all its imperial glory.

The Palace Museum in the Forbidden City has the country's largest collection of ancient art works, some of which are invaluable national treasures. Art works in the museum's collection total 1,052,653, including paintings, pottery, bronze wares, inscribed wares, toys, clocks and court documents. The Forbidden City is a must-see for your China best tours.
Top 2: Taipei Palace Museum
The Taipei Palace Museum and the famous Forbidden City in Beijing are derived from the same institution. The splendid architecture of the structure is modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and incorporates elements of traditional Chinese royal design in feudal society.

The Taipei Palace Museum houses large collection of priceless Chinese artifacts and artwork, including ancient bronze castings, calligraphy, scroll paintings, porcelain, jade, and rare books, many of which were possessions of the former imperial family. The full collection, which consists of some 650,000 pieces, spans many dynasties. Each exhibit, however, puts on display only about 1,700 pieces at a time. At this rate, assuming a duration of three months for each exhibit, it will take 100 years to cycle through the entire collection.
Top 3: The National Museum of China
The National Museum of China, a four-storeyed main building with two symmetrical wings, runs more than 300 meters north and south along the eastern side of Tian'anmen Square. The predecessors of the National Museum are two museums: the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of Chinese Revolution, which shared the same building complex. The building was one of ten famous architectures built in 1959 to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. The Museum of Chinese History was in the South Wing while the North Wing housed the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. They were both opened to the public in 1961.

Many of the items on display are national treasures and precious rarities.
Top 4: Shaanxi History Museum
Built in traditional Tang architectural style, Shaanxi History Museum is a much modernized national history museum in China. The museum is free and a must-see for Silk Road tours.

The museum treasures more than 370,000 cultural relics, all of which are unearthed in Shaanxi province, including relics made of stone, bone, bronze, terra-cotta, china, jade, gold, silver and also murals, seals, calligraphy and paintings, etc. These relics can be traced back from over 1 million years ago to the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and they reflect the history and people life in many aspects from culture, art to science etc. Most of the relics are rare old treasures in the world.
Top 5: Shandong Provincial Museum
At the foot of the Thousand Buddha Hill (Qian Fo Shan), Shandong Provincial Museum covers the nature and history of the ancient Qi and Lu States.

From intricate bronze wares, tourists can learn the customs of various dynasties, such as the worship of Shang Dynasty gods, ancestor worship in the Zhou Dynasty, and Han Dynasty human relationships. In the natural collections, specimens cover 200 species. Among them, fossils of trilobite, the Taishan swallow, the dinosaur, and so on, influence knowledge in ancient biologic and geographic fields.
You can obtain more via China travel agents.

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

The Three Gorges are grand canyons situated in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River (Yangtze River cruise). At the place where the river reaches the eastern Sichuan Basin, it makes its way deep into and through the Wushan Mountains, forming the most spectacular and absorbing gorges. The Three Gorges, namely Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, with breath-taking sceneries, extend 192 km from Baidi City of Fengjie in the west to Nanjin Pass of Yichang in the east.

The Qutang Gorge, known for its magnificence, is the shortest and most marvelous one among the three gorges. Its magnificence lies in mountains and waters. The precipitous peaks, steep cliffs and roaring currents present a splendid sight. The Wu Gorge is famed for its deep valley and quiet beauty. On the banks of the Wu Gorge are exquisite sceneries. To cruise here is like wandering in a natural art gallery. The most absorbing scene here is the twelve peaks, like a string of emerald jades dotted on the banks, among which the Goddess Peak is the most exquisite and famous. The Xiling Gorge, full of turbulent currents and whirlpools as well as rising cliffs and rugged rocks, is one of the most dangerous shoals. Notable tourist attractions in the Three Gorges area include Baidi City, Fengdu City, General Zhang Fei’s Temple, Shibao Fortified Village, and Baiheliang Hydrological Inscriptions and Carvings. The Yangtze River is always contained in the packages of China vacation deals.

At the two ends of the Three Gorges locate two plains—the Chengdu Plain in the west and Jianghan Plain in the east. The two plains are homes to two different but equally brilliant ancient civilizations - Shu and Chu. The Three Gorges area can be compared to a book of Chinese culture and history with cultural relics and historic sites (always listed as the destinations for best tours of China) reserved from the Paleolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty.

Featured Travel Itinerary in Urumqi & Turpan

Day 1 Arrival Urumqi
Arrival at Urumqi in Xinjiang which is the part of Silk Road tours, an area of the unparalleled scenery and cultural diversity.
-Urumqi is an isolated out-posts of the ancient Silk Road. The city once was an important transportation hub on the Silk Road, and now serves as the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, the city is on the northern slope of Mt. Tianshan and at the southern edge of Jungar Basin. With unique natural beauty and rich folk customs, Urumqi is an ideal tourist destination in China.
Day 2 Urumqi
Take a driving for 120km northeast to visit the holy Heavenly Lake (Tianchi). The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with clear melting waters reflecting the surrounding of snow capped mount Bogeda. After the tour you will be transferred back to downtown, you can then take a short visit to Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in town.
-Heavenly Lake is located half way up Bogda Peak in Fukang County, 110km east of Urumqi City. As a natural alpine lake, it has an elevation of 1,980 meters. In the shape of a half moon, the lake is 3,400 meters long, about 1,500 meters wide, and 105 meters at the deepest point. With limpid water, the lake shines like a sapphire under the sun and is surrounded by green mountains. At the southeast end of the lake is the magnificent Bogda Peak, meaning "Sacred Mountain" in the Mongolian language.
-Erdaoqiao is situated at the Erdaoqiao Block of South Jiefang Road in Urumqi, where you'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and many antique items. The market has special space for grand ethnic songs and dances performances, and the folk street is furnished with a miniature landscape of Xinjiang's attractions. On Sunday, there are more stalls and more goods than any other days.

Day 3 Urumqi,Turpan
Today, you will take hours driving to Turpan, on the way, you will pass Urumqi Wind Power Mill, which was built for producing electrical power in the area. After cross the valley of Tianshan we will arrive in the lowest depression of China-Turpan City. Upon arrival, visit the mysterious death city, the Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1,600 years ago and an optional attraction for last minute China travel deals. And then visit Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda) - the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country and ancient Karez Well, the underground water supply and irrigation system.
-Turpan, an oasis city, is located at the southern foot of Bogda Peak and in the center of Turpan Depression. Because of the drastic 5,000-meter difference in height between the mountain tops and the bottom of the depression, the scenery too, varies greatly at different altitudes from perpetual snow at the summits to green oasis at the foot of the mountains. After a long journey from the desert, tourists are always fascinated by the extraordinary beauty of the depression with its snow-capped mountains, salt lake, and particularly the Flaming Mountains.
-Jiaohe meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet was once the most forward outpost in the West for ages. Historical records and excavation reveal evidence of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold from 1,600 years ago. Owing to the arid climate and remote location, Jiaohe remains relatively intact, leaving us a rare example of an earthen castle, the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world.
-Emin Minaret is the largest extant ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang. Standing 2 km (1.24 miles) east of Turpan, Emin Minaret was built in 1777 in honor of a heroic Turpan general named Emin Khoja. This 44-meter (144 feet) high minaret tapers to an Islamic dome without stories inside. In the center of the minaret is a brick-piled pillar with 72 steps around it spiraling to the top. The whole construction was made of grey bricks which were formed 15 different patterns such as waves, flowers or rhombuses, by smart Uygur architects.
-Karez Well is reputed as one of the three major construction projects in ancient China, together with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. The history of this unique underground irrigation system can be traced back over more than 2,000 years: The combined lengths of the underground Karez channels in Xinjiang amounts to 5,000 meters. It provided an innovative and elegant resolution to several problems, capturing melting snow and ice from mountains, and channeling it underground to where it was employed for irrigation, overcoming the interruptions to flow caused by sandstorms, wind and huge losses from evaporation that plague a ground-level, open canal system.
Day 4 Turpan
Have another day excursion in Turpan that including the visit to Gaochang Ancient City, which was an important garrison town on the Silk Road, Grape Valley, FlamingMountain and Bezeklik Caves. After the tour, be transferred back to Urumqi after visits.
-Gaochang Ancient City located at the east of Turpan, the city-state that ruled the area from the 9th century to the 13th. The city was actually founded a few hundred years earlier than that, and gradually became known as a trading post on the Silk Road. Most of the ruins are gone, but enough remain to give a feeling of the true size and majesty of this Silk Road city. The city was divided into an outer city, an inner city, and a palace compound. The best-preserved structures in the ruins are two temples in the southwest and southeast corners of the outer city section.

-The Grape Valley is located in Flaming Mountain which is famous for the Journey to the West and many consider it for popular China travel package. From ancient times, this place has been famous for the cultivation of the sweetest, tastiest grapes. Be enticed by the sight of bunches of green pearl-like grapes hanging from the vines in splendid profusion. It’s a great relief to recline in the shade of the green leaves and delight in the fresh juicy fruit, appreciating the coolness after the heat outside.

-The Flaming Mountains are so named because in the evenings the red clay mountains reflect the heat and glow of the desert and seem to burn. Situated on the northern edge of the Turpan Basin, and stretching over 100 km long and 10 km wide, this is an intensely hot part of the desert without a single blade of grass to be seen for miles. In the severe heat of July, the mountains seem to be on fire in the burning sun and become a purplish-brown color. Hot steam rises upwards from the burning cliffs and it is no surprise that this is where the hottest temperatures in China ever, were recorded.

-Bezeklik Caves is located in a gorgeous valley of the Flaming Mountains. More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below. They were abandoned at about the same time as Gaochang Ancient City and Jiaohe Ancient City after the Muslim take over of the region in the late 14th century.

-Astana was the public cemetery of the ancient Gaochang residents, both aristocrats and commoners. However, among 456 excavated tombs, no King of Gaochang has been found. The dead were placed on an earthen or wooden bed in the back of the chamber; they had wood in both hands and wore cotton, linen or silk clothes. Around them were arranged miniature pavilions, carts and horses, parades, musical instruments, chess sets, pens and ink, grapes, melons, dumplings and pancakes. In the ancient Chinese people's mind, these were to be used by the dead in another world. Owing to the arid climate, the relics are very well preserved. The relics along silk road make contribution to the local China tourism.
Day 5 Departure Urumqi
Say goodbye to beautiful Xinjiang. Be transferred to the airport for your flight to next stop