China Travel Guide

China (中国; Zhōngguó), officially known as the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国 Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) is a huge country in Eastern Asia (about the same size as the United States of America) with the world's largest population. With coasts on the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, in total it borders 14 nations. It borders Afghanistan, Pakistan (through the disputed territory of Kashmir), India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to the south; Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to the west; Russia and Mongolia to the north and North Korea to the east. This number of neighbouring states is equalled only by China's vast neighbour to the north, Russia.

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Posted in Guilin Attractions

Yangshuo

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Yangshuo is a very small and a scenic country surrounded by several karst mountains and has beautiful scenery near the city Guilin, Guangxi. This place is very much famous among the tourist from all over the world. Yangshuo has incredible scenery, rivers, beautiful mountains, temples and caves and is also laid back bars and cafes.

 

Yangshuo

Yangshuo

Yangshuo cannot be considered as a typical town of China and do not have look and feel of the most of the other cities of china. This means that it is free from air and noise pollution, very clean and away from massive traffic chaos. It is a perfect vacation town having wonderful restaurants and shops in accordance with the standards of mainland China. Yangshuo is reputed as the foreigners’ village in the southern China and is one of the major stops of many independent travelers. It is also good place for stopping and exploring the local countryside by bike or you can try the world class rock climbing sites.

This town has been laid out roughly like the ladder. Two of the main tourist streets run almost parallel from the river and end at one of the larger street of town. There are smaller streets or rungs which cross between two larger streets. The ladder vertical street on the left is clearly seen from the river is the West street called Xijie and is a famous and established tourist street and the real center of wide variety of things. The other famous tourist street is Diecuilu.

There is also a small creek running down from the center of the ladder having some prettiest restaurants and bars of the town. This street is called as the Geisha Lu and has recently undergone through the heavy rebuilding. It has many new shops, restaurants and bars.

Yangshou

Yangshou

At the foot of the ladder, there is an open area with a good number of vendors hawking all kinds of tourist stuffs, both the handcrafts and from shops. You can also find a good number of riverside hotels. There is a major street called pantao Rd which is having many hotels across the top of the ladder. The main bus station of the town meets street called Die Cui Lu which is at the corner. This has a large open are which becomes busy at night having dozens of restaurants with many diners. You can get only Chinese dish here.

 

Posted in Guilin Attractions

Li River

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Li River is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the Guilin city. It starts from Guilin to Yanshuo which is about 80 km long waterway and is the centerpiece of any of the trip to the northeastern province of Guangxi. This river resembles an artistic master piece which is painted with the featuring cliffs, mountains, comfortable boats and caves.

Li River

Li River

Karst peaks with its gorgeous looks will give you surprise at the bend of limpid river under blue sky. Water buffalo patrolling the fields, school kids, peasants reaping rice padding and fisherman boat on the bamboo raft. With its taste of life and breathtaking scenery of life and far from the metropolis, the beautiful scenery along this river has became one of the famous destinations for tourists.

The starting of the trip is from the dock south of Liberation Bridge at downtown area of Guilin. Some agencies also transport tourist taking bus ride for one hour to the Zhujiang Dock or the Bamboo River Dock or Millstone Hill Dock for starting the cruise from this essential part. The trip of the river is more than 80 kilometers and it takes approximate four to five hours. You can get the view of an eye feasting landscape view as well as country scenery which will delight you.

Li River

Li River

This river has been divided into three sections. Various attractions such as villages and peaks along this river has some interesting and descriptive name which call for very much imagination for seeing what is is actually like. You can listen to the legendary stories of these attractions from guide and you can get a good experience about these places. You will appreciate the beauty of these landscapes and most of them are filled with the mystical stories of fairy and love.

Posted in Travel Tips

3 Tips for You to Travel with Kids in China

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travel in China with kids

travel in China with kids

Want to travel to China with your kids? And also want to make your trip comfortable and enjoyable at the same time? Here are some tips for you to travel to China with your kids about how to plan, what to pack and how to do for easy traveling around China with your children.

1) How to plan your itinerary: Do remember that your tour in China should involve more interesting places and avoid changeable places as kids are often too young to enjoy those museums, historical sites or steep mountains which will make your tour tired and make your kids feel bored. Try to plan your tour containing as many as interesting sites such as zoos and amusement parks such as the Disney in Hong Kong, Changlong Amusement Park in Guangzhou or Seven Star Park in Guilin, and Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu to see the giant panda. Just take into consideration the attention span and interests of your kids when you plan your tour to China.

travel in China with kids

travel in China with kids

2) What to pack for your tour: Though most of the baby supplies such as baby formula, children’ medication, toys and so on can be bought in China, you’d better to take your own supply if you want to make your child comfortable and your tour enjoyable. What you should pack is listed in the follows: Infant formula firstly, diapers cream, first-aid kit which includes children’ fever suspension medicine, children’ antihistamine, children’ rehydration powder or liquid, disinfectant gel and other medication your child uses regularly. Do remember that the medicine you pack can be set in the pharmacy-dispensed bottle so as you can take them conveniently. In addiction, take a plenty of various toys, books, computer games, drawing supplies etc. to make the plane trips of your kids busy and wonderful as it is always a long trip of more than 10 hours from US and UK to China. And take as much as snacks along with you as Chinese food for most of the foreigners are unsavory.

travel in China with kids

travel in China with kids

3) During your tour in China. Do remember that don’t make your kids nervous. Most of the parents can’t stop worrying about everything what will happen to their kids, which makes their kids nervous wrecks and feel worse by the time they reach China. Just take it easy as China is a country of hospitality, and the Chinese people are friendly to foreigners and even show love to fair-haired kids. There is no need to make you and your kids so nervous and just make sure they know how to speak to strangers. Besides, if your kids cannot get used to the Chinese food, you can take them to fast food places like McDonalds and KFC, which can be easily find in big cities in China.

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

The terracotta Army

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The terracotta Army is a famous attraction of China because of its uniqueness and Historical significance. It is significant as the hundreds of models of detailed life-size representing the army that has triumphed over all the other Chinese army and who have been the decisive factor in the formation of united China.

The terracotta Army

The terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army Museum is situated at the two kilometer east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, who is known as the first Emperor unifying China about 2,200 years ago. Emperor Qin, from whom country China has got its name, ordered for the creation of this model army. UNESCO has selected the Tomb of the First Emperor including the Terracotta Army Vaults as the World Cultural Heritage Site.

The statue of the army of terracotta was made for burying with the first Emperor Qin Shihuang as show of his glory and to remember that army which has got triumphed over the other Warring states for uniting the china and also because it was believed that the objects like the statues can be animated in afterlife and Qin Shihuang required the after death army.

Terracotta army has been discovered in month of the year 1974 by a farmer. The Terracotta Army has been found near the tomb of the Emperor Qin Shihuang which took almost 38 years and thousands of builders to complete. This Terracotta Army was buried for about two thousand years. So far, about 2000 terracotta warriors and chariots have been unearthed.

The excavation of the Terracotta Army figure is regarded as the one of greatest discoveries of the 20th century. It had lain underground for the more than two thousand years before the farmers digging the well in the year 1974 uncovered which is now considered as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

The terracotta Army

The terracotta Army

Thousands of vivid terracotta warriors were found in the course of the excavation and the sight will take you back in the ancient period of warring states. The longbow bearers, horseman, archers and senior officers and the generals were position in the grand ancient army formation in the strict accordance which depicts the ancient art of war. This place is great for seeing the history of the Terracotta Army which was buried long ago.

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

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Big Wild Goose Pagoda is situated in the Da Ci’En or Great Kindness and Grace Temple which is about four kilometers from Urban center and is one of the most renowned Buddhist pagodas in China. This pagoda was build during the Tang Dynasty for studying the Buddhist Scriptures. It has been attacked by the war, weather and earthquake destroying its most of the original structure, the pagoda still exist on the site.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

In 589 AD, during the Sui Dynasty a pagoda was built on the site. It was known as Wu Lou Temple. But, in 648 AD, Li Zhi, a crown prince at that time build the present temple in the memory of his mother which suffered an early death. This temple was since then known as Great kindness and Grace. He paid the homage to his mother by looking towards the temple twice a day from his Hanyan palace when he became the Tang Emperor.

This temple had 13 courtyards and about two thousand magnificent looking rooms and was a place of the grand dimension in the Dynasty of Tang. It gradually decayed after the downfall of this dynasty. The rooms and the halls that exist today are the structures that have been built during the Ming Dynasty. Xuanzang, the Buddhist monk who traveled to India developed theories related to consciousness, translated Sanskrit scriptures, rebirth and karma which were adopted later by the popular schools of Buddhism.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was finished completely in the year 652 AD. It is having five storeys and each having 60 meters height. The decay of the pagoda made it necessity to construct a new ten storey pagoda during 701 to 704 AD. Due to the massive earthquake of 1556, it has lead to the construction of only seven storey and about 60 meters tall structure in the later period of Ming Dynasty which stands till date.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

This pagoda is an example of marvelous architectural design. It was built using layers of bricks and without any use of cement. The bracket style which is used in the traditional architecture of Chinese is also used for the construction of this pagoda. The body of the pagoda has a solemn appearance having a simple style with high structure depicting the traditional Chinese architecture.

 

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

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Small Wild Goose Pagoda is one for the two popular as well as important Buddhist pagodas which was built in the Tang dynasty, 1300 years ago. It is situated at the 72 Youyi West Road.  It is located inside the Jianfu Temple which is about a kilometer south of the Xi’an City proper. Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the large neighbor which is Big Wild Goose Pagoda are the tow important site for Buddhist. These tow pagodas were the symbol of Chang’an or Constant Peace city. Xi’an was called as the Chang’an until the period of Ming Dynasty, when Beijing became the capital of china. Chang’an served as the capital for almost ten dynasties.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The construction of Jianfu Temple took place in the year 684 AD in the honor of second emperor Lizhi, of the Tang Dynasty on the 100th day after his death. It was called as Xianfu Temple at that time but, later renamed as Jianfu temple by the Empress Wu Xetian. Yijing a famous pilgrim and a great Buddhism translator once lived in the Jianfu temple for translating the Buddhist scripture which he had brought back from India.

Small wild Goose Pagoda was constructed during the period 707 to 709 AD and it was named after its predecessor, Big wild Goose Pagoda which is only five kilometers away. It was originally square brick and 45 meter tall structure, multi-eave having 15 storey. In the year 1556, due to a big earthquake it was reduced to its present 13 storey. After that it has suffered various other earthquakes but it is still well preserved. You can access to the top of this pagoda through a staircase which is inside this pagoda.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Small Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the part of Xi’an Museum. This museum has about 130 thousand pieces of precious relics which shows the splendid culture and history of Xi’an as well as china. These relics include jade articles, Buddhist statues, seals, porcelains, stone carvings, paintings and calligraphy  The small exhibition hall which is beside the museum displays some of the paintings of Huxian County farmers which is famous for portraying the aspects of the country life on newspaper and blackboards and in the large murals as well as the collections which are gathered from the folks.

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Xi’an Drum tower

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Xi’an Drum tower is built across the Bell tower and the Drum Tower square. It is situated to the northwest of the Bell tower and has structure which is similar to Bell Tower. Drum Tower was erected in the year 1380 during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. The Name of the Drum Tower is derived from the huge drum which is hung within it. This bell was stuck at the dawn time and drum was beaten at the sunset time to indicate the end of that day.

Xi'an Drum Tower

Xi’an Drum Tower

 

There are many large drum, which are hang at the ground level on the outside of the Drum Tower. Each of these drum is decorated with many beautiful Chinese writing invoking good fortune. You can enjoy the impressive arrays of drums which are only for show and it is not allowed to any visitor to beat any of them. There is one drum which is near the front entrance and you can try a pose for picture for which you have to pay a little amount.

 

There is a drum museum which is inside the Drum tower. There are wide varieties of drums for display there. Some of these drums are about thousand years old. A drum show is also performed here everyday. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the city of Xi’an from the top of the tower. It is situated very close to the Bell tower and almost similar to it with some differences.

Xi'an Drum Tower

Xi’an Drum Tower

 

Posted in Shanghai Attractions

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

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If you are stunned by the look of Shanghai today, you can go and see how it will be looking like in 2020. The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is at a short walk across the Renmin Square and it is a worth place to visit and more interesting than what its name suggests.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

The centerpiece is the enormous scale model of city centre which takes up the upper floor entirely. Showing the future as well as current development and it is mind blowing. There are also raised walkways to view the model from different angles. The details are fascinating and it shows clearly that what is planned and what already exists. It is also considered to be a good introduction to Shanghai city and will give you a good perspective as well as introduction to the city. This building is attractive and has space for the temporary exhibitions.

With the five stores there is, and of course a great deal seeing than vast scale model. As you have expected, it is very much high tech and have some great displays, walk through, interactive exhibits, sound light and visual effects and illustrate the various aspects of the urban planning of Shanghai. These exhibits are thorough and detailed providing you the information on the urban planning of Shanghai city in future.

You will find a small model of the inner Shanghai at entrance. You will also find shop shops restaurants, tea houses in the basement which is presented as the reproduction of Shanghai Street of the 1930s The other floor house displays hands-on and passive that how planner look at the airport development, all kinds of transport, port, subway and light trains are going to change the face of this city, leisure activities, greening the city, managing waterways, etc. There are photographs of contemporary and colonial Shanghai on mezzanine demonstrating the development of the city in this short time.  There is an art gallery and a café on the fifth floor.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

This city is themed as the Human, environment, city and Development and the planning of this city is one of the hot topics all over the world and attracts tourist from all over the world. The glimpse of future and present Shanghai provide very much elements for thinking, enjoyment and overview of this overwhelming city.

 

Posted in Shanghai Attractions

Xintiandi

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Xin Tian Di is the former old city area of French Quarter of Shanghai. It has been transformed by the American architect Benjamin T. Woodand and Japanese Company Nikken Sekkai during the last decade. Shui On Group, the Hong Kong developer has revolutionized the urban planning and development in China. They have turned the old Chinese as well as foreign style buildings into the residential and a ritzy entertainment area for wealthy and expats people.

XIn TIan DI

XIn TIan Di

They have also preserved the charm of the old style buildings. This has allowed the space for open air and environment that is friendly in opposition to the noisy urban areas of most of the cities. IT is a pedestrian area having a  ready transportation through the nearby metro shops. It has now became the model for the urban redevelopment in the inner city areas of china. It is also one of the favorite entertainment areas in Shanghai despite its small area.

Xintiandi has basically tow city blocks and covers about 128 acres in Shanghai’s center  It has one favorable location between the residence of former president Sun Yat Sen and a small park with pond. This area has been once a part of the wealthy International Settlement. Each of the building in this area exhibits its own unique and mix of international styles. Most of them are mix of Chinese and western styles.

XIn TIan DI

XIn TIan DI

More than 170 million US dollar was spent by the Shui On group for the re innovation of this whole area. They have preserved many of the 19th century style of Shikumen in the buildings of the northern part of Xin Tian DI and modern buildings were constructed in the southern part. Most of the luxury brand companies have set up their restaurants and boutiques in side these buildings. You will be amazed to see the interior decors that depicts the lot of detail, wealth and energy.

 

Posted in Shanghai Attractions

Jin Mao Tower Shanghai

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The Jin Mao Tower symbolizes the emerging of Shanghai into the 21st century. It is the tallest building China and the third tallest building of the world. It also has the tallest hotel build ever. Having the design of east meeting west and signifies the shanghai emerging as a modern global city. Jin Mao follows the paradigm of multi-use and offer retail shopping at its base and the offices above. The Grand Hyatt is the world’s highest hotel which occupies the upper 38 floors.

Xin Tian Di

Xin Tian Di

Jin Mao tower was designed by the architectural firm of US Owings and Merrill and was built by the Jian Gong Group of Shanghai which is the first ever Chinese national construction group tackling such a large as well as magnificent project. The Jin Mao Building is a very luxurious complex which combines office space with the shopping mall, commercial space and the entertainment hubs. Three basement levels house service facilities, electric facilities, food court and parking spaces.
The building of Jin Mao has superb design which combines the elements of Chinese traditional architecture as well as Gothic influence for producing the amazing and modern building. Architects have designed the building keeping the Chinese pagoda theme and the number 8 as the number 8 is considered very lucky number by the Chinese people. The lower segment of this tower is 16 stories high and each of these segments is one-eighth smaller than its preceding segment.

Xin Tian Di

Xin Tian Di

There are two elevator has speed of about 9.1m/sec and it is used for the transportation of visitors from the first basement towards the sightseeing floor. At this level of height you can get a full 360 degrees view of the shanghai city. This building also houses the Cloud 9 Bar which is the world’s tallest bar. You can also get the beautiful view of sunset and the splendid landscapes of the Shanghai City.