China Travel Guide

‘Paris of the East,’ ‘Queen of the Orient;’ Shanghai is situated on the mouth of the Yangtze River. China’s largest, and unquestionably most international city, Shanghai is home to the world’s busiest port. The city’s development over the past few decades has made it one of the most important economic, commercial, financial and communications centres of China. Though its beginnings are now a distant memory, Shanghai started off as a small seaside fishing village, gaining county status in 1291 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD).
Sightseeing, shopping, business, and superb nightlife are a short list of Shanghai’s many attractions. A popular route for tourists starts off in the shopping areas surrounding People’s Square and along the Huangpu River . A trek across the river to Pudong New Area will bring you face to face with The Oriental Pearl Tower .

Continue reading ‘Shanghai Highlights’ »

Name: Shanghai Huangpu River(Huangpu Jiang)
City: Shanghai
Address: No.153，219-239 Zhongshan Road
Admission: CNY100
Hours: 09:00 am-10:00 pm
Tel: 0086-21-63744461
   

Qiantong, in Ninghai County of Ningbo, is an ancient town with distinct features of traditional towns in the south of the Yangtze River. It is easy to reach the town, for it is only approximately 10 kilometers from the city and is very near to the Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou Expressway. Of the over 2,000 families living in the town, 80 percent of the people are Tong by name. As a town with a history of 760 years, many of the houses that were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties are well preserved.

Name: Ningbo Qiantong Ancient Town (Qiantong Guzhen)
City: Ningbo
Address: Qingtong Guzhen, Ningbo City
Admission: CNY40
Hours: 07:00 am -06:00 pm
Tel: 0086-574-65370300    

Hangzhou is the capital of east China’s Zhejiang province, and is just 180 kilometers from the country’s financial hub of Shanghai. An old saying that goes, ‘In heaven there is paradise, on earth there are Hangzhou and Suzhou,’ aptly describes the place. The city’s history dates back to the start of the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), and by the time Marco Polo had visited Hangzhou in the 13th century, it had developed into what he described as ‘One of the world’s most splendid cities.’

Hangzhou is the southern terminus of one of the world’s longest – and oldest – canals, China’s Grand Canal. Work on the oldest section started 2,500 years ago, and by the time it was completed in 610 AD, it had sparked off a period of unprecedented prosperity and commerce in the city.

As one of China’s seven old cities, Hangzhou is infused with history and culture. There are ten popular places of interest in the city, and the tranquil West Lake is probably the most famous one. Poets both ancient and contemporary have sought inspiration at the banks of the serene lake, one capturing the mood perfectly with: ‘The warm and gentle breeze makes the people feel drunken’.

Another of Hangzhou’s hotspots is the Lingyin Temple . Originally constructed in 326 AD, it has been destroyed and rebuilt no fewer than 16 times. The Hall of the Four Heavenly Guardians is one of its main two structures. Then there is the Thousand-island Lake in Chun’an County. Its islands are a natural habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife, including birds, monkey and deer.

The International Tide-Watching Festival on the Qiantang River – one of China’s most amazing natural phenomena – takes place every autumn in Yanguan, just outside Hangzhou. At this time of the year, lunar motions cause a wall of water with 3.5-meter-high crest to surge through the narrow mouth of the Qiantang River from Hangzhou Bay.

Famous foods in Hangzhou are Dongpo Pork, Jiaohua Chicken and Vinegar Fish – the fish is served fresh from the West Lake . Some of the local eateries have intriguing names, like Louwailou (Building outside the building), Tianwaitian (Heaven above the heaven), and Shanwaishan (Mountain behind the mountain).

The best places for bargains are Yan’an Road and Jiefang Road , both located near the West Lake . Of the many souvenirs on offer, don’t leave the shops without buying some silk – Hangzhou silk is regarded as the best in the country. There are all kinds of silken products ranging from clothes to umbrellas to handkerchiefs – a silken gift will give those back home a genuine feeling of China.
Name: Hangzhou Hangzhou
City: Hangzhou
Address:
Admission:

Name: Hangzhou Three Senses Studio(Sanwei Shuwu)
City: Hangzhou
Address: Shaoxing, 164km southwest from Hangzhou
Admission: Free
   

Yantai, lying at the northwest tip of Shandong Peninsula, is a beautiful coastal city. In 1398, in order to defend itself against enemies from the sea, the government of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD) built the beacon tower here, from which the city derived its name ‘Yantai’ (meaning – the place where smoke is produced to give warning). The biggest gold producing area in China, Yantai is also one of the top three most prosperous port cities in Shandong (along with Qingdao and Weihai). In recent years, the town has seen a steady stream of visitors heading for its sunny beaches and great seafood. Penglai is a famous coastal tourist area near Yantai, home to the Penglai Pavilion . Optical illusions have been seen on several occasions on the sea near Penglai. There are numerous small islands, beautiful gulfs and fine beaches along Yantai’s 900-kilometre-long coastline. The fairyland scenery of Yuhuangding Park and architecture and the exhibits of the Yantai museum are well worth a visit.
As the earliest wine-production-center in Asia, the Zhangyu Wine Culture Museum in Yantai has on exhibit the world’s three biggest wine barrels, which exude their fragrance all year round. Yantai cuisine was said to be an important part of the Chinese imperial banquet. Famous dishes are braised abalone with shells (Payuanke baoyu) and fried sea cucumber with onion (Congshao haishen). Fushan noodles are another popular local food. Good wholesome meals at modest prices can be found in small restaurants around the railway station.
Yantai’s Tuoji inkstone made of Tuoji stone found on Long Islands has gained its reputation in the Song dynasty (960-1127AD) and was given in tribute to Emperors in the Qing dynasty (1368-1644AD). The main commercial streets of Yantai are the fashionable Nan Dajie and Bei Dajie. After dark the International Seaman’s Club opposite the railway station bursts into life, or try the nearby Friendship Store for evening cocktails.

Name: Yantai Yantai
City: Yantai
Address:
Admission:

Zhangyu Karst Wine Villa is a joint venture between the Chinese grape and wine Zhangyu Company and the French Grape and Wine Karst Company. Located on Penglai’s gold traveling coast in Yantai, this project occupies 2100 Chinese-acres of land, of which one 500 Chinese-acre vineyard is devoted for brewing alcohol. Not only is traveling, sightseeing, and leisure available here, it is also the base for brewing upscale grape-wine. Liquor Village construction is in the western garden style. The vineyard features many well-known grapes, but primarily grows the non-toxic grapes of Shelongzhu, Chexiazhu, meiluzhe, Guirenxiang and other Chinese areas.

Name: Yantai Zhangyu Karst Wine Villa (Zhangyu Karst Jiuzhuang)
City: Yantai
Address: North of Guxian Town, Yantai
Admission: CNY10
8:00–17:00    

Jiuhua Mountain’s original name is Jiuzishan. The great poet Li Bai praised its lotus blooms-like peaks of Mt. Jiuhua Mountain scenery the verse of “the intelligential pea open Jiuhua Mountain “, hence the name. Mt. Jiuhua, Mt. Emeishan, Mt. Wutaishan and Mt. Putuoshan became four great Buddhist Mountains in China. It has “lotus flower Buddhist country” reputation. It has already opened five big scenic areas such as Shanqian, Jiuhua Street, MinYuan Garden, Tantaii and the flower platform. The circle path is 30 kilometers and the scenic spot total area is about 120 square kilometers. There are 94 extant temples, with almost 700 Buddhist monks and nuns.
The Jiuhua Buddhism history is glorious. It spreads into china in Jin Dynasty and was popular for a period in Tang Dynasty. Famous monk Jin Qiaojue practiced Buddhism here during the Tang rein Kaiyuan and the Xinluo Country (now known as North Korea). Jin Qiaojue was respected as the Earth Buddha by the locals; hence Mt. Jiuhua became the place where religious rituals were held to worship the God of Earth.
Jiuhua Mountain is famous with the reputation of “incense and candle is the best in the world” and “First mountain of Southeast”. The Buddhism believers worship the Holy Land.
Jiuhua Mountain’s scenery is very famous; the old record says “Jiuhua ten sceneries”: Tiantai dawn , Huacheng night clock, sitting on the east cliff, high pole with immortal trace, peach crag waterfall, lotus peak cloud sea, flat hillock with snow, Shutan against moon, Jiusishan springs sound and five brooks mountain color. In addition, there is the Longchi Waterfall, MinYuan garden and bamboos, the manna is attractive, skyscraper palace, the gathering of beautiful flowers, the lion peak forest, the clear ditch, fish and dragon cave, phoenix ancient pine and so on.

Name: Huangshan Jiuhua Mountain (Jiuhua Shan)
City: Huangshan
Address: Chizhou,240km from Huangshan
Admission: CNY140
Hours: 24hours
Tel: 0086-0566-5011237

Spanning on Lian River, Yuliang Dam (Yuliangba) is the oldest and largest-scale dam on the upper Xin’an River. The dam holds up Lian River. The river is calm on one side while it flows fast on the other side.

The Dragon Well Mountain lies to the south and an old street to its north. The narrow old street is paved with bluestone and the constructions along the street are built in typical Amhui’s style houses. There are many paths leading to the river. Stepping down the stone steps, you can reach Yuliang Dam.

Name: Huangshan Yuliangba Scenic Area
City: Huangshan
Address: 50km She County
Admission: Free

Zhangshan Grand Canyon is located on the Dazhang Mountain, east of the Jixi County in Anhui. Dazhang Mountain is the United Nations ecology model district. The forest bestows rate reaches 97%. It was known by the name of Santianzi capital, SanWang Shan and the Zhang Peak during the ancient time. The Zhang County was established during the Chun and Qiu Period when Wu and Yue Kingdom divided line by this and in was named after the mountain during the Qin Dynasty.
The Zhangshan Grand Canyon scenic area geography climate is special. It is one of the few in number in the united nation plant gene banks and has 43 types of rare and precious species. The canyon water is limpid and clear. More than 50 scenic areas have their own characteristics and legends in the scenic area. It reflects the Huizhou scenery unique spiritualism and the Hui culture strong story inside. The mysterious nature causes it to become the natural back park of Suzhou Province, Zhengjiang Province and Shanghai.

Name: Huangshan Zhangshan Grand Canyon (Zhangshan Daxiagu)
City: Huangshan
Address: Yellow Mountains
Admission: Free