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 Shanghai Attractions

oriental Pearl TV Tower shanghai

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The Tower of oriental Pearl TV is located in the Pudong Park at Ljuiazui in Shanghai. This tower is surrounded by Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and Nanpu Bridge in the southwest side creating a picture like the twin dragons playing with the pearls. This place has photographic jewels of excitement and imagination which attracts hundreds of visitors.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

It is about 470 meters in height and third tallest TV and radio tower of the world surpassed in height only by the towers of Toronto, Moscow and Canada. It is not only the height but the unique architectural design makes it one of the most attractive places to see. It is supported by the three seven meter wide base slanting stanchions. It surrounds the eleven steel spheres which are strung vertically to the center of the tower and there are three nine meters wide columns. This tower also has three sphere including a top sphere which is called space module. Five smaller spheres and three decorative spheres are also there on the base of the tower. This entire structure is build on the green grassland giving it a appearance like the pearls shining on the jade plate.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

You can travel up and down in the tower using double decor elevator which can hold up to fifty people. The attendant in elevator will recite the introduction to TV tower in English and Chinese during the ascent. You will be amazed to see the various activities available on the various columns and spheres which house of recreation, interest and commerce, once you reach the destination. The inner tower is the recreational palace and the Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located at the pedestal of the tower. There is futuristic space city in the large lower sphere and a fabulous sightseeing hall. You can also get a view of the way to the Yangtze River on a clear day. The base of this tower is the home to science fantasy city. The five smaller spheres are the hotel which contains 25 elegant lounges and rooms. The pears at the top contain restaurants including a rotating one, shops and a floor for sightseeing. You can also take a view of the Shanghai from this height and it will fill you with the wonders of beauty.

This tower is an amazing ultra modern tower which combines the ancient concept of spherical pearls and technology, recreation education, commerce and conference facilities of 21st century. The TV and radio tower provides the services in the Shanghai area having nine TV channels and ten FM radio channels.

 

 

Posted in Beijing Attractions

Beihai Park

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Beihai Park

Beihai Park

Located in the city center of the Beijing city with its northwest near the Forbidden City, the Beihai Park covers an area of 71 hectares . It is once the emperor hall of the Liao Dynasty, King Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty and it is one of the completely-preserved emperor gardens with long history in China. It has been an AAAA level scenic area and listed as the key-protected relics unite in China.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park

Featuring a long history of more than 1,000 years, the Beihai Park is made up of four parts: Jionghua Islet, Northwestern Shore Scenic Area, Tuancheng (Circulate City), and Eastern Shore Scenic Area. Among which the Jionghua Islet is its center part which is connected with other parts by a stone bridge and ferry boats, and you’ll find the island covered with luxuriant trees and decorated with a lot of exquisite and elegant pavilions stew in random; besides, the  white pagoda is the symbol of the Beihai Park which stands conspicuously there. The Beihai Park follows the Chinese traditional architectural ideas and artistry and feature its unique gardening art, which makes it the essence and the precious cultural heritage of the classical gardens in China. All kinds of the boating recreational activities and exhibitions in Beihai Park also makes it a best place for travelers from home and abroad to visit. You will surely enjoy yourself here.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park

Travel information: 1) Opening time: 6:30 a.m. to 20:00p.m. during November to March and 6:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m. in April, May, September and October; 6:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. from June to August; 8:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. for the Qionghua Island. 2) Ticket price: 20 Yuan/adult and 15 Yuan/ Child; 3) Best time to visit: Middle July to end of August as the lotus at that time is the most beautiful. 4) Ways to go there: Take the city bus No. 101, 103, 109, 685, 614 and 619 to the south gate of the Beihai Park; take the city bus line 107, 111, 118, 701 and 623 to the north gate of the Beihai Park or take the No. 5 bus to the its east gate. 5) For the Boat Tour on Houhai Lake: 1 hour duration.

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Huashan (Flower Mountain)

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Huashan (Flower Mountain)

Huashan (Flower Mountain)

Huashan is made from the combination of two words. Hua means Chinese, brilliant or flowery and shan means mountain. Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains of Taooist in China. Huashan has a lot of other religious sites: pavilions, Taoist Temples and engraved scriptures which are scattered over the mountain
Hou mountain is famous for its plunging ravines and sheer cliffs. It is also considered as the most precipitous mountain under the heaven and probably the most dangerous mountain of the world freqented by the hikers.

This mountain is located at about 120 kilometers east from Xi’ans and it takes about three hours from city centre to reach there. There are total five peaks which make up the mountain namely Cloud Terrace Peak or North Peak, Jade Maiden Peak or Middle Peak, Sunrise Peak or East Peak, Lotus Peak or West Peak and the Landing Wild Goose Peak or South Peak. North Peak, being lowest of all these peaks is the starting point. There are three ways to go there. The six kilometer winding track from the Huashan village, cable car or the path beneath it.
Jade Maiden peak is next on this route. There is a story that the jade maiden was seen once riding a white horse among these mountains and hence it was named. You can choose to take left for seeing the Sunrise peak which is the best place to enjoy the view of the sunrise in the morning.

Huashan (Flower Mountain)

Huashan (Flower Mountain)

Alternatively you can also take to the right to the Lotus peak. Huashan means the Flower mountain and its name has been derived from the Lotus Peak which has the resemblance to the beatiful blooming flower of lotus. There is a gondola which can take you to the steep valley to the Landing Wild Goose peak which is the highest among these summits. The path there is characterised by the steep rock faces having a wide plack walkway which is fixed to the sheer rock face and there si a chain along the rock for support. The route has the foot hold in the rocks and chain for holding. After that you will get a vertical ladder in the cleft of the rock. The South Peak is very dangeours in winter however the view from this Peak is spectacular. This mountain is worth to see for anybody.

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Banpo Museum

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Banpo Museum is located at the eastern outskirts of the Xi’an city. It is the first prehistoric excavation museum site of China. Banpo (half slope) was one of the typical villages of Neolithic Matriarchal community of Yangshao culture in 5000-3000 BC which is around 6000 years ago. The culture of Yangshao was named after the discovery of the first civilization in Yangshao of Henan Province. More than 400 sites of this type around the Basin of the Yellow River have been discovered till now and the Banpo site being the largest among all of them.

Banpo Museum

Banpo Museum

This site was discovered in the year 1953 where the construction of a power plant was going in that area. Since after then, the work of excavation was started and it took almost four years. The Banpo site was then opened to the public in the year 1958. More than two million people have visited this site since then.

The Banpo site have occupied an area of about 50 thousand square meters and it has been divided into three major parts which are the pottery making area, the living area and the cemetery area. There are about 46 dwellings, over 200 storage pits, two domestic animal pens, 73 burial jars for the kids, 174 adult tombs, six kilns for pottery making and many domestic as well as production tools. This site provides the clear picture of the life styles of the primitive people of Banpo long ago.

Banpo Museum

Banpo Museum

 

Banpo Museum has two exhibition halls and one excavation site hall. In the first exhibition hall, the tools like stone knives, fishhooks, sickles, specula, etc are displayed which were used by the people of Banpo. These exhibits are the examples for the visitors to see the activities of the Banpo people. The second exhibition hall contains the showpieces which are the art items and major inventions reflecting the social life and fork culture of that time. Few artifacts present in this hall include a pointed bottom bottle, fish-and-human-face design pottery, pottery steamer and burial jars of children.

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Forest of Stele Museum

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Forest of Stele Museum of Xi’an is located at the three school (15 Sanxue) street which is near the south gate of magnificent City Wall. It was established in the year 1090 during the period of northern Song Dynasty. The Stele Forest Museum of Xi’an is famous nationally for the fine and large collection of over one thousand inscribed stones which was engraved during the 2000 year period of the Han Dynasty to Qing Dynasty. It is one of the best places for getting closer to the history and culture of China.

Forest of Stele Museum

Forest of Stele Museum

This museum is spread over the area of more than 30,000 square meters and is divided into seven main exhibition halls displaying historical records, stone carvings and ancient work of calligraphy.

The Exhibition Hall displays the text of the twelve confucian classic carved on the 14 steles The 12 works include the Book of Changes, Analects of Confucius, the Book of Songs and some others. All of these twelve classics are very much intersting to read for intellectuals to know about the feudal society o china. The stones were engraved about two thousnad years ago and at that time printing was not invented. For preserving these works and the pass them to the later generation, the rulers vave carved them on to these stones.

Hall two has the calligraphy steles which were written by some of the prominent calligraphers of the China’s Tanag Dynasty. The Dynasty of Tang has witenessed the wide creativity in various fields. The classic calligraphy of China has reached in the gloden age during this period. You can find many works of Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Xu, Ouyang Xun and many other ancient calligraphers in this hall.

Third Hall also exhihits excellent works of calligraphy. The steles inscribed have five different varieties of calligraphy i.e. seal characters, regular script, official script, cursive hand and running hand. These steles will give you the clear idea about the development of the Chinese writing. These calligraphy of China are very much important part of magnificent culture of China and these stone tablets have become an important way to explore the long and magical ancient culture of China.

Forest of Stele Museum

Forest of Stele Museum

Hall four have various sculpture of stones and these are the works of Han Dynaty to the Tang Dynasty. These sculpture inclueds various portraits of Buddha and confucius. Hall five displayes some of the historical records engraved in steles and many poems are displayed in the Hall Six and Seven.

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Bell Tower

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The Bell Tower stands at the crossing of East, West, North and South avenues in the city proper is a well known symbol of Xi’an. This tower was originally built in the year 1348 at the end of the Yuan dynasty. It was moved to its present site in the year 1552 during the period of the Ming Dynasty.

Bell Tower

Bell Tower

It was enlarged and rebuilt during the period of Ming Dynasty. There was a huge iron bell which was hung in the tower and used for striking the hours. It is very grand ancient building and has the features of traditional Chinese architecture. This Tower is very beautifully lit at the night. The tourists can get the bird’s eye view from the top of this town of the areas surrounding and the brightly decorated eaves of the building.

The Bell Tower acts as central landmark of this city and four prosperous commercial streets stretch towards in each direction. A must see to Ming city, the Drum Tower is located nearby in the west direction of the Bell tower. They are the outstanding example of ancient architecture. While entering to the old gate of Drum tower, you will be warmly welcome by the old street having bluestone pavement and it is full of the Muslim restaurants which are decorated in the Ming and Qing Dynasty style.

Bell Tower

Bell Tower

There is Beiyuanmen Muslim Market, where you can get the taste of local snacks. The Great mosque is only a block away from the Drum Tower and is the spiritual root of more than 60 thousand Muslims mainly of Hui minority working and living here. If you wish to know the city wall earlier than Ming then Hanguan Gate Site Museum provides you the perfect description of the ancient wall of about 1,400 years ago at Zenith of the Xian history. There are many attractive ancient and historical sites around the Bell Tower and a worth to watch.

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Xi’an Great Mosque

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Xi’an Great Mosque is located at Change feeling (30 Huajue) lane, which is in the center of the city. It is one of the largest and most important Islamic places for worship in China.

This mosque was constructed in the year 724 ad, Which was the 1st year of the Tianbao Era of Xuanrong reign in the Dynasty of Tang. The additions were made in the Dynasties of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing which makes this mosque an ancient architectural complex and representative of a long period of time and history.

Xi’an Great Mosque

Xi’an Great Mosque

During the period of Tang Dynasty, The Islam was introduced in china by several Arabian merchants. During that time, many Muslims settled in China and married to Han people. Then, at that time, this Great Mosque was constructed honoring the founders of Islamic religion in China. After then several other mosques have been constructed all across this country.

This Great Mosque covers an area of approx 6000 square meters. The whole complex has been divided into the four courtyards. First courtyard has the wooden arch in it. This arch is nine meters in height and covered with glazed tiles which can be traced back to seventeenth century. There are three chambers which stand on the either side of the arch. This displays some furniture which is preserved from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. There is a steel arch having two steels on the both side of it at the center of the second yard. There are popular calligraphic writings on the steels from the prominent ancient calligraphers. Fourth of the courtyard contains the big prayer hall which can easily accommodate over thousand people.

Xi’an Great Mosque

Inside view of Xi’an Great Mosque

This mosque is the combination of traditional Chinese architecture as well as Islamic art. In the style of Chinese thee are series of the pavilions and the four courtyards having mosque between them. However, the wall is decorated with the Islamic art. It is the only mosque which is open to visitors in china. But, non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to visit the main prayer hall. This mosque was added I the list of UNESCO Islamic Heritage in the year 1985.

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Ancient City Wall

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Ancient City Wall is the first landmark that you will encounter in Xi’an which stretches all round the old city. The northern side of it runs to the parallel of the railway. Xi’an was called a walled city originally and even today, the ancient city wall is considered as a main landmark which divides the city into the inner and the outer part. This city wall is massive, long, tall and thick. The North Gate and the South Gate are the two main Gates for entering into the city and the city is very neatly arrange along this city wall.

Ancient City Wall

Ancient City Wall

Xi’an Ancient City Wall was erected in 14th century under the Ming Dynasty during the regime of the Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. When Huizhou was captured by Zhu Yuanzhang, before the establishment of Ming Dynasty, he was very much influenced by the hermit, Zhu Shen who told him to build the high walls. When the whole country was unified, the emperor sends order for building the city walls. The current wall in the city is the enhancement of the old structure of Tang Dynasty.

The city wall at first was built of earth which was rammed one layer upon another layer. Base of this layer was made up of earth, glutinous rice extracts and quick lime tamped together. This made the wall firm and strong. Later on, the wall was enclosed with the bricks totally. A moat, deep and wide ran around the city and over the moat, there was a huge drawbridge. It cut off the way out and in of the city when lifted.

After the enlargement of the Xian’s city wall in the Ming Dynasty it stands about 12 meters high. It was about 12-14 meters across the top, thickness of 15-18 meters at the bottom and about 14 kilometers in length. There was a rampart after every 120 meters. These ramparts are the towers which extend out from main wall. The ramparts allowed the soldiers to see their enemies who try to climb the wall and allowed soldiers to protect wall without being exposed to the enemy. These ramparts are total 98 in number and each one having sentry building on the top of it.

Ancient City Wall

Ancient City Wall

There are gates of the city wall which are the only way to get into or out of the town. There are four gates in each of the four directions and each has three towers. The gate tower is used to lower and lift the drawbridge. The narrow tower is in the middle which was used to shoot the arrow using the square window and the main tower forms the way for entrance to the city. It also has tunnels and watch towers which was used by the soldiers for the protection of the city from enemies.

 

Posted in Xi'an Attractions

Shaanxi History Museum

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Shaanxi History Museum is located in the southern suburbs of city Xi’an to the northwest side of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is tribute to the glamorous imperial past of Shaanxi. The design of this museum building is in the elegant ancient and China’s grand Tang Dynasty.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi was one of the important provinces of the imperial past of China. Xi’an was the capital of China for over 1000 years and 10 dynasties from 221 BC to 904 AD. It is also known as the first seat of imperial civilization of china. Xi’an is the place which held very much importance in the history of China and it is well endowed with the relics and historical sites. Most of these relics that have been scattered around this region have found way to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The building is built over seventy thousand square meters and house over 37 thousand historical relics which are excavated from the Shaanxi Province.This collection includes the bronze ware which is about three thousand years ago from the Western Zhou Dynasty, gold and silver ware, terracotta figures and mural that were discovered in Tang tombs.

This museum has main three sections namely the Local Theme Exhibition Hall, General Exhibition Hall and Temporary Exhibition Hall. If you are very much interested in the Chinese Culture, then you have an option to see tomb mural exhibition by paying extra 150 yuan.

General Exhibition hall is about six thousand square meter and have more than two thousand artifacts. This hall is further divided into three parts i.e. entrance hall, Main Room and the Shaanxi Local Historic Exhibition Room. The room of Shaanxi Local Historic Exhibition is further divided into seven smaller parts which have relics from seven different dynasty and focus in the social development of china.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum

The Local Themes Exhibition Hall reflects the local culture characteristics of Shaanxi and contains many items like Silk Road and Yaozhu Porcelain exhibition. The Temporary Exhibition Hall is used for the purpose of temporary exhibition from abroad and home. The most impressive being the murals of Tang Dynasty tombs. It depicts the grand culture and social life of Tang Dynasty. Then Tang Dynasty Tomb Mural Hall is another hall which contains many items of Tang Dynasty and murals.

 

Posted in Shanghai Attractions

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

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Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum is located at the Changyang Road in the district of Hongkou. It was built in the memory of the jewish refugees who sought sanctuary from massacre during the world War II. It is placed in the former Ohel Mosche Synagogue. It is the place where the Jewish refugees gathered for the religious activities. This museum has many scorlls as well as other cultural relics.

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

The prototype of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue was built in 1927 It was previously the headquarters of the Jewish Youth Organization in the from year 1937 to 1941. Shanghai has over 25 thousand Jewish refugees and it is the only metropolic in the world who have welcomed Jews as refugee. The number of Jewish refugees that is taken by this city equals the number in total taken by New Zeland, Australia, India, Canada and South Africa. Ohel Moshe Synagogue has now become a synonym for refuge or rescue.

The jews enjoyed a peaceful and free life at the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue. In between the end of World War II and 1960 most of them left china and migrated to the other parts of the world. But, their life in shanghai has been memorable and that is why they consider this city as their second hometown and thus call themselves “Shanghai Jews”.

The Jews lived a free and peaceful life around the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue. Between the end of the Second World War II and 1960’s, many left China and emigrated to all parts of the world one after another. But the life in Shanghai was so memorable, and they considered the city as their second hometown and called themselves “Shanghai Jews”.

In 1986’s autumn, a group of Jews revisited this place who had taken refuge earlier in Shanghai. After feeling the immense gratitude for the local people’s help, they have presented a plaque to the Hongkou District’s people’s Government inscribed that twenty thousand Jewish refugees have been survived in Shanghai during the World War II. They have dedicated this plaque to the all the survives and the friendly Chinese people.

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Since then the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue has been approved for becoming the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. It has been visited by many distinguished personalities. It has been declared as the historical building and protected cultural relic site by the Government of Shanghai. It has been re-innovated with beautiful decorations and furnishings.