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 Hangzhou Attractions

West Lake

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West Lake

West Lake

The West Lake, located in Hangzhou of Zhejiang province, is one of the romantic place for travelers especially those lovers to visit and have a date. It is a famous scenic spot for travelers from home and aboard for its beautiful lakes and mountains and a plenty of places of interest and enjoys the reputation of “ Human Paradise”. Being a AAAAA level national key scenic spot and one of the top ten scenic spots in China and even one of a handful of free open to the public scenic spot, the West Lake possesses its unique charm of Jiangnan style and a large number of outstanding cultural landscape for its historical sedimentary deposits of thousand years, which deserves being listed in the World Cultural Heritage. It plays an important and special role in the scenic spots of China as its landscape “ Three Pools Mirroring the Moon” has been printed in the back of the one Yuan RMB.

West Lake

West Lake

The West Lake is a cultural relics and historic sites with beautiful elegant beauty of lakes and mountains and bright abundant aggregate, it is also a national scenic area combination of the culture and art. Covering an area of 60 square kilometers and among which 5.68 kilometers for lake surface, the West Lake sets itself as the center and its three sides are surrounded by cloud mountains with schemes in water. It is a great place featuring green mountains, painting bridges, smoke willows, cloud trees and steamed yarns, which are meandering among the hills, from where you can appreciate the beautiful spring and forest and the deep and serene stream. There are more than 90 parks and scenic spots with unique feature to decorate the West Lake into a colorful garland, making its spring, summer, autumn and winter characterized by particular scenery. Walking under the beautiful sunset while holding hands with your lovers along the West Lake, and breathing the taste form the human paradise, how wonderful and fantastic it will be!

West Lake

West Lake

Travel information：1) Opening time: all day; 2) Ticket price: free; 3) Duration: 3 hours; 4) Ways to go there: take the K300/K210/K211 from the south railway station to the city railway station terminus; 5) Best time to go there: spring time during March to May; September and October of Autumn time; 6) Special activities in West Lake: Rhododendron Festival from 20th April to 20th May in ManLongGuiYu Park; Lotus Festival during July and August; Sweet Osmanthus Festival from late September to early October; The International Osmanthus Festival from 16th September to 31st October; The International Fireworks Conference in the middle October.

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Posted in Suzhou Attractions

The Master-of-Nets Garden

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The Master-of-Nets Garden

The Master-of-Nets Garden

The Master-of-Nets Garden, a representative of the middle size classical water home garden in Suzhou featuring artistic characteristics and cultural value is built in 1174, and it is the national key relics protection unit and the world culture heritage.

Covering an area of about 10 hectares, among which the garden and forest 8 hectares and inner garden 5 hectares, the Master-of-Nets Garden is an ideal choice for you to have a visit as you can experience the plain and neat elegant breath, quiet and beautiful atmosphere here. The total area is less than 1/6 of that of The Humble Administrator’s Garden, but you will view the clear and rigorous distribution of it as there are gardens inside gardens and scenery outside scenery, exquisite, deep and quiet. Though there are a plenty of architectures there, you won’t feel crowded, and the mountain pools are small, you will also not have the feeling of narrow.  The exquisite overall arrangement, the compact construction, and the coordinate space scale ratio of the Master-of-Nets Garden make it famous and a best place worthy your visit.

The Master-of-Nets Garden

The Master-of-Nets Garden

The Master-of-Nets Garden is divided into three parts: east part which is residences, middle part which is main garden and the west part which is inner garden. When visiting here, you can appreciate the pretty mould of those architectures, small and exquisite, especially those small, low and penetrating pavilions around the pool. Being pure and fresh and appealing, the Master-of-Nets Garden is a famous and successful scenic spots for its outstanding theme, compact layout, dedicated elegance and artistic effect.

Information for travel: 1) Opening time: 8:00a.m.-17:00p.m. and 17:00 p.m.-22:00 p.m. 2) Ticket price: 20 RMB/adult in the slack season and 30 RMB/adult in the peak season. 3) Best time to visit: Spring time as all plant are waking up at that time. 4) Suggestion duration: 2 hours. 5) Ways to go there: Take the city buses No. 2, 202 and 529.

Posted in Suzhou Attractions

Lion Grove Garden

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Lion Grove Garden, with a history of more than 650 years, is one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou. Located in the northeast of the downtown in Suzhou, the Lion Grove Garden covers an area of 1.1 hectares, of which 0.88 hectare is for opening area. It was listed as the relics protection unit in Suzhou in 1982.

Lion Grove Garden

Lion Grove Garden

The Lion Grove Garden is characterized by all kinds of cultural landscape including classic garden pavilions, platforms, towers, halls and corridors. It is also famous for lakes, mountains, strange stones and deep cave gully. It even has been honored as the “Rockery Kingdom.”

Lion Grove Garden

Lion Grove Garden

The artificial hills in the Lion Grove Garden are undulate for their peaks and the momentum are strong and grand. They look dainty and exquisite. There are 9 paths for the rockery group and 21 cave entrances, whose lateral part are winding and vertical side ups and downs. When you pass through the caves, you will feel it hovers right and left and get to the peak at this moment and the next munite will go to the valley bottom—so challenging. You will have great fun there.

Lion Grove Garden

Lion Grove Garden

Walking in the Lion Grove Garden, appreciating the unique architectures, the bamboo in the forest, the strange stones under the bamboo which look like the lions, you will have a relaxable mood when climbing the artificial hill here.

Travel information: 1) Ticket price: 30 RMB/adult in peak season from 16th April-30th October and 20 RMB/adult in slack season from 31st October -15th April. 2) Opening time: 9:00 a.m.-17:00 p.m. 3) Duration: 1-2 hours. 4) Best time to go there: Spring time. 5) How to get there: type one: take the No.5 or No.2 city bus from bus station or railway station and get off in the Lion Grove Garden stop; type two: take the No.1, 101, 102 public buses in the south railway station stop to the Guanqian Street and then change to the No.3 or No.5 bus to the Lion Grove Garden. 6) Delicious food nearby: Guanqian Street just 20 minutes walk away.

Posted in Suzhou Attractions

Lingering Garden

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Lingering Garden

Lingering Garden

Lingering Garden, located in the Jiangnan ancient town Suzhou, is a famous Chinese classical garden for its exquisite arrangement of the inner garden construction and numerous astonishing stone. Together with Suzhou Humble Administrator’s Garden, Chengde Summer Resort and Beijing Sumer Palace, they are named “the Four Famous Gardens in China”. The Lingering Garden was listed as one of the national key relics protection units in 1961, and the World Cultural Heritage in 1997, and even AAAAA level scenic spots in 2001 together with the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Tiger Hill in Suzhou.

The Lingering Garden is divided into four parts, where you can experience four kinds of different scenery of mountain and water, fields and gardens, mountain forest and courtyards. Its middle part is decorated with the water view which is the essence of the whole garden. Its east part, however, will attract your attention by its winding yards and corridors, where you can view several pavilions, and there are three rocky crags standing in the back of the water pool in the yard, among which the middle one is called the Guanyun Capped Peak, others called the Ruiyun Capped Peak and Xiuyun Capped Peak. Its north part is characterized by the countryside scenery and new built bonsai garden. Its west part is the highest among the whole garden, where you will enjoy the wild field fun, spectacular artificial hills, reciprocally separated stones and earth, which look so natural.

Lingering Garden

Lingering Garden

When you have a travel here, you will find the constructions of the gardens divide it into several sections, and there are various types of windows for each building, and each window is different which can connect with the view from other windows so as to enable you to have a birds’ eyes view of all pictutes consisting of mountain, water, flower and trees when you are enjoying the scenery from the indoor windows.

Travel tips: 1) Opening time: 7:30a.m.-17:00p.m. 2)Ticket price: 40RMB/adult in the peak season from 16th April to 30th October and 30 RMB/adult in the slack season from 31st October to 15th April. 3) Best time to visit: Spring time when you will appreciate the scroll painting of the poetic scenery there. 4) Suggestion for visiting duration: 3 hours.

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Po Lin Monastery

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The Po Lin Monastery is located at the Ngong Ping on the Island of Lantau in Hong Kong. This Buddhist monastery was originally built by the three monks and initially called as the Da Maopeng. It was renamed in the Year 1924 as Po Lin Monastery. It has now become one of the most popular and renowned tourist destinations in Hong Kong.

This monastery has Da Xiong Bao Dian or the Great Hall of Treaseure, the Hall of Ti-tsang Bodhisttva, the Maitreya hall, the Banruo Hall, the Weituo hall and The Sutra Collection Hall. The Da Xiong Bao Dian are enshrined there Buddhas i.e. Sakyamuni, Dipamkarara and Maitreya. There is a bronze statue of Ti-tsang Bodhisattva in the Hall of Ti-tsand Bodhisattva which weighs about 200 Kilograms and there is a bronze well which weigh about 1000 kilogram.

Po Lin Monastery

Po Lin Monastery

Tan Big Buddha is located on the peak of the Muyu Mountain and it is the most famous. It depicts Sakyamuni, sitting on a lotus pedestal in the position of meditation. It covers an area of about 2,340 square meters and the Buddha with its pedestal is about 112 feet or 34 meters high.

The pedestal has three storied exhibition hall which includes the Fajie Hall, the Gongde hall and the Shakyamuni Memorial Hall. The Fajie Hall displays the wooden book which has records of about 160 bodhisattvas gathering together for discussing the sutras. There is a statue of Ti-Tsang Bodhisattva enshrined in the Gongde Hall standing on lotus pedestal with a cane in his hand. In the Sakyamuni Memorial Hall, the relics of the Sakyamuni are worshipped and it was received from Sri Lanka in the year 1992. This temple is very famous place for the Buddhist and Buddhist disciples from all over the world visit here making this place a must for any Buddhism follower.

Po Lin Monastery

Po Lin Monastery

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Convention and Exhibition Centre

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The Convention and Exhibition Centre of Hong Kong is one of the two major convention and exhibition centre of Hong Kong, the other one being AsiaWorld Expo. It is located in the Wan Chai North of the Hong Kong Island. It is build along the Victoria harbor and is linked by the covered walkways to the nearby commercial buildings and hotels. This venue was designed by Skidmore, Owing and Merrill LLP in association with the Wong and Ouyang (HK) Limited.

Convention and Exhibition Centre

Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has vast curtain of glass and forty thousand square meter of aluminum roof sculpted for echoing a seabird soaring in flight and is a major landmark on the skyline of Hong Kong. Also known as HKCEC worldwide, this harbor has front expansion used top-down construction techniques for meeting the challenges of limited land supply. It has highly innovative methods and therefore has won many industry accolades.

The fans of Jackie Chan might remember this building as the setting for the dramatic grand finale of New Police story and it was also the backdrop for a drama of very significance- the Handover Ceremony on 30th June in the year 1997. This is when the former Colony of British Crown was returned to the People’s Republic of China and the Region of Hong Kong Special Administrative was established.

Convention and Exhibition Centre

Convention and Exhibition Centre

The HKCEC is known as the world-class convention and exhibition centre internationally and it was also voted as the Best Convention and Exhibition Centre of Asian for the ninth time by the industry awards in the year 2012.  The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre should not be confused with the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre which is another exhibition centre in Wan Chai North.  This Convention and Exhibition Centre offers you a great view and you can enjoy this spectacular and world famous design.

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Victoria Bay

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Victoria Bay is situated between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. It is the largest harbor in China and third largest in the world after the San Francisco of United States and Re de Janerio in Brazil. It is the home to the most of the ports of Hong Kong and making this port one of the busiest ports of the world. This harbor is busy all the day and night with all kinds of watercrafts like from historic star Ferries to the cruise liner, wooden fishing vessels and cargo ships.

Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay

Victoria harbor was named after the British Queen Victoria, who was on throne for 63 years during the period of 1837 to 1901 which is the longest in the history of the Great Britain. During her reign the Great Britain enjoyed the economic prosperity and unprecedented culture. In the year 1860 after the Second Opium War, China was forced for signing the Peking Treaty and Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to Britain. In April of the same year, the bay between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island was named as Victoria Harbor.

The harbor is famous for its stunning panoramic view and is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. The myriad of lights twinkling at night from the skyscrapers in on the Island of Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula make the Hong Kong as three best night scenes of the world after the Hakodate in Japan and Naples in Italy.

Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay

In the year 2004, the Hong Kong Tourism board has introduced the show A Symphony of Light which features nightly more than 40 Skyscrapers in stunning multimedia extravaganza. In the year 2005m this show was listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest permanent light and sound show of the world. Victoria peak, at the height of 554 meters is the highest mountain in Hong Kong and Victoria Tower on it is the best place for viewing the enchanting night views.

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Hong Kong Disneyland

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Hong Kong Disneyland is must see for everyone coming to Hong Kong as it has some special attractions and inimitable sense of Chinese Culture. You will feel that you are in a wonderland while walking into Hong Kong Disneyland. You will be accompanied by the Mickey Mouse and other Disney and you can start your magical and fantastic journey. With the Disney Theme Hotels and unique scenic spots, you can escape from the real world. You can also enjoy the delicious Chinese and Asian food in this Disneyland.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland

Main Street U.S.A is the first theme park that you will come across. After entering the main street you will be amazed by seeing the delicate buildings, paddy wagon and dim gas lamp passing by. Disneyland Railroad, Antique taxicabs and the City hall transports you back to the USA in the early 20th century. There are some Chinese elements here too. Plaza Inn is the first Chinese restaurant in the Main Street which is complete with the Chinese table service of 19th Century.  Main Street Corner Café and Market House bakery are some of the good places for you to enjoy. You can also look at Silhouette Shop, The Curiosity Shop, Emporium and Main Street Mercantile and find some timeless treasures.

Hong Kong Disneyland Park

Hong Kong Disneyland Park

If you are courageous then you should try Adventure land. It is guided by Jungle River Cruise, brave captain which will take you into the heart of the hidden regions. Cobras, Hippos, elephants, Orangutans and startling jungle events are there waiting for you. You can enjoy the colorful music and dance which is like classical music drama of its consummate performers, exotic scenery and costumes. This show is appealing to all age group people. You can also enjoy the River of adventure by traveling by raft in the Tarzan Island. You can explore the Tarzan Island and visit Treehouse of Tarzan which will remind you the story of the human child raised by the gorillas. You can enjoy your whole day in this park and explore the endless opportunities.

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Ocean Park

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Ocean Park is one of the major attractions in Hong Kong and the luminous pearl of Oriental and world financial center in the South-east China. The coastal scenery and mild climate of Hong Kong attracts many visitors from all over the world throughout the year. Any visit to Hong Kong should include the famous Ocean Park.

Hong Kong Ocean Park is located at the southern end of the Hong Kong Island. The larger section among the two sections is situated on the headlands of Nam Lang Shan Mountain. The smaller section is in the lowlands of Wong Chuk Hang Valley. Having an area of about 170 acres, it is one of the largest ocean parks of the world.

Ocean park Entrance

Ocean park Entrance

This park is also famous for many thrilling rides on its headland. The Abyss Turbo drops vertically on 185 foot tower. As the platform slowly ascends, you can get a overall view of the ocean park. The platform stops briefly at the top before dropping down abruptly and surprises you even if you are prepared. The thrills are hard to express. Flying Swing is another ride where you can swing in the chairs as high as 23 feet or seven meters through a gyrating wave. When it begins the swinging you will seem to be thrown off. Another visceral side is on the Roller Coaster which is one of the longest in Hong Kong. It swoops and twists with a speed of 77 kilometers or about 48 miles per hour. You can hear the screams of the riders when the trilled rider is suspended upside down. You can feel the thrill even after your ride is over.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park

The trill Mountain was open in December 2011 and is a place full of shrieks and screams of excitement in the carnival atmosphere. There are many roller coaster, exciting rides, flash, whirly bird, Rev Rooster, Bumper Blaster. You can test your bravery with every turn, twist and drop of the roller coaster. Hong Kong Ocean Park will fill your day with pleasure, excitement, wonder and reward you with the satisfying memories of your visit there.

 

Posted in Hong Kong Attractions

Causeway Bay

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If you are looking for shopping and entertainment in Hong Kong then you should not miss the Causeway bay. It was a shoal about more than one hundred years ago. It became the commercial area after its reclamation and now it has well interconnecting road system. It also serves as a very famous center for dining, shopping and nightlife in Hong Kong.

Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay

The popular destinations for shopping here are the ultra-modern Times Square, fashion boutiques and the Japanese departmental stores. Times Square is the symbol of Causeway Bay and it is the biggest emporium of this area and one of the top ten scenic sites in the City of Hong Kong. You can find many well-known brands of clothes here. It is also a perfect place for holding large scale activities. Every year, on the Eve of New Year, The New Year Countdown ceremony is held here and thousands of locals participate. Lee Garden in another shop which is renowned for its luxury brand clothing. This place is also frequently visited by the celebrities.  The City Trade Center is favorite shopping place for the office workers.

Although Causeway bay is known mainly for the stock of luxury brands, you can also get the items at reasonable price here. The stalls in the Jardine’s bazaar are very popular where the accessories and fashionable costumes are sold at very cheap price.

Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay

You can also enjoy the Hong Kong style of seafood and snacks in the Causeway Bay. Most of the restaurants and shops are open until late when the area becomes colorful world with the flash of neon and crowded. You can take a boat or sampan and sail all in the harbor and enjoy the beautiful evening with the delicious foods.

On the eastern part of Causeway Bay, lies famous Victoria Park which is the biggest park in Hong Kong. It has tennis courts, modern swimming pool, football field and other facilities for playing sports. The statue of Queen Victoria is located at the entrance of the park. Lantern Festival is also held here every year and you can enjoy the perfect sight of the moon at during the Mid-autumn Festival.