Top Selection of China Travel Attractions

This Yangtze River city, along with Chongqing, is a starting point for travelers taking a cruise down the great river, particularly those interested in seeing the famous Three Gorges and massive Three Gorges Dam downstream from the city.

Russian, Japanese, and Korean influences come together in the beautiful coastal city of Dalian, which is consistently ranked as one of China’s most livable cities. Beaches, mountains, historic European-style architecture and its pleasant summer climate bring visitors to this northern city that’s managed to develop without losing what made it great.

The distinctly Russian feel of this northern city comes from onion domes and facades of old buildings and boulevards and even the hearty Northeastern Chinese and Russian cuisines served up in Harbin’s most popular restaurants. Harbin may be best known for its Siberian tiger reserve and the yearly Harbin Ice Festival, when sites around the city become winter wonderlands of neon-lit ice castles and reproductions of world monuments.

This former German colony gains world-wide fame from the horribly mangled name of Tsingtao Beer (pronounced the same as the city)—although not every China traveler knows its origins, they’re almost certainly familiar with the beer. Qingdao is renowned for both lovely sandy beaches and its historic German architecture, reflected even in some of this northern seaside town’s newer buildings.

Business was booming in the 18th century for the city known as China’s Wall Street. Travel back in time to Imperial China among centuries-old banks, businesses and private homes protected within the great city walls that still surround Pingyao today.

The coastal city once known as “Amoy” is among southeastern Fujian Province’s most beautiful locales. Former foreign concession Gulangyu, an island off the coast of Xiamen, is lined with European-style architecture among cobblestoned streets. From Xiamen, explore the amazing tulou, the round, fortress-like village-sized dwellings of the Hakka people.

The city once known as Canton still offers the realization of business dreams at today’s massive trade show the Canton Fair just as it did for 18th and 19th century Western merchants looking to crack the Chinese market. Many built their still-standing homes and businesses on Guangzhou’s beautiful Shamian Island.

One of Asia’s greatest financial hubs, Hong Kong is a world of its own where ancient Chinese tradition exists among one of its most imposing modern skylines. Whether you’re looking to hike the trails of the New Territories, lay out on the white sands of the islands’ beaches, shop for the hottest brands or the cheapest electronics, have fun for the whole family at Hong Kong Disneyland or to nosh on delicious Cantonese cuisine, your Hong Kong trip is sure to be a memorable one.

“China’s Las Vegas” is well known as the only place to gamble in China (legally, anyway). More than that, the former Portuguese colony offers the bright lights of modern entertainment alongside beautifully-preserved historic boulevards, squares and churches along with some of China’s most exotic cuisine. Mixing the diverse influences of this port city, Macanese cuisine brings together Chinese and European dishes with flavors from Africa, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Known as China’s “Spring City,” Kunming’s year-round mild climate and laid-back culture make it a popular destination. The gateway to Yunnan Province, the city is a great starting place for traveling in Southwest China but has plenty to offer in its own right from the natural, surreal beauty of the Stone Forest and serene Dian Lake to the historic halls of Yuantong Buddhist Temple and the botanical wonders of the Expo Garden.

Backpackers and travelers looking to escape the hubbub of China’s great cities have long made their way to Dali. While it’s no longer the off-the-beaten-path secret it may or may not have once been, it remains one of Yunnan’s most popular destinations for the beauty of nearby Er Lake and Cang Mountain as well as the local Bai minority culture.

The mystic fictional land of Shangri-La may or may not have been inspired by this mostly Tibetan county, known until recently as Zhongdian, but the cobblestone streets and Tibetan architecture of Yunnan’s celebrated mountain towns reflect the charm of the legend. Outside of Tibet proper, visitors to Shangri-La don’t need a Tibet Travel Permit.

Welcome to the land of the Mongols! Endless blue skies stretch out above undulating grasslands that go on towards the horizon around the capital of Inner Mongolia. Proud Mongolian people still celebrate their culture with horse racing and celebrations year-round, but especially during Nadaam Festival in late summer. The transmission of cultures that occurred during the height of Mongolian power is still evident in the city’s Tibetan Buddhist temples and historic mosque.

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Lugu Lake Travel Guide

Lugu Lake is located 280 km north Lijiang of Yunnan Province, which equals to five-hour ride from the ctiy. Groups of  minorities inhabit around the lake, among which the matrilineal Mosuo are the most numerous one. Known as the Kingdom of Women, they still follow the ancient custom of male-leaving marriage. No such hustle and bustle as in Lijiang thanks to its isolation and the stunning scenery really makes the long ride nothing.

How to get there:

Usually take the bus from Lijiang—two shifts per day departing at Lijiang Bus Terminal.  Or you can ask the hotel to book the ticket for you, but don’t take the private bus services of hotel,  if any.

Prepare for the following:

Everything is more expensive and prices double in Chinese holidays. Food may not be so hygiene as that in the city. Hardly anyone speaks English there, so you may want to find a guide in Lijiang.

Duration:

Some may recommend a day trip, but two days are perfect for an immerse experience in the  area. Stay overnight to appreciate the shimmering lake under the setting sun.

Things to do:

Discover the natural beauty by trekking along the lakeside and boating in the lake.

Explore the matriarchal society by visiting typical Mosuo families and participate in the Musuo youths’ campfire party to witness how they express love to the beloved ones.

Enjoy the Yongning hotspring.

Tips:

Buy the returning bus ticket when you get off at Luoshui Village. You’d better book the hotel in advance in case that all rooms are taken.

For cultural reasons, don’t ask the locals about their opinions on marriage and sex, or their fathers.

Comments on Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Tour

If you want to cover the most popular attractions within several hours, then Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Tour is the way to go. With a 24-hour ticket worth 27 RMB, you are ready to discover Shanghai aboard an open-top, double-decker sightseeing tour bus giving you the freedom to hop on and hop off at the stops of your choice.  An advantage is that the routes connect places for shopping and sightseeing, which means you can have your different needs meet while saving your energy and expense on transportation. Personal digital audio guides in eight languages is a plus.

There are two routes provided: the red line covers the east side of the Huangpu River and the green one the west.  Though the bus stops at many famous spots, the routes don’t stretch out a lot—basically in the heartland around the Huangpu River. So if you want to visit places scattering in other parts of Shanghai, perhaps Bus Tour  is not your optimal choice. Besides, since the stops are quite dense, you don’t really need to wait for the next bus if you are heading for the next stop within walking distance.

 (map provided by chinatravel.net)

Definitely take the spots on the upper level, where allows you to take in the many tree-lined street, eye-catching colonial-style buildings, and towering skyscrapers.If you take the tour in summer, star off in the morning or at dusk to avoid the burning sun. After all, one of the best ways to enjoy Night Shanghai is taking a evening Bus Tour. Also, it is a good idea to take the tour and get off at the dock to take a cruise. Keep in mind that some spots may be closed in the evening.

For the routes, schedules or other details of Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Tour, please visit: http://english.ctrip.com/tours/56942/

A Bite of Xiamen

Welcome to the heaven for foodies! Thanks to its optimal location, Xiamen cuisine is composed of a rich collection of specialities. In this city, you will probably think of “what should I start with” instead of “where can I stop for food”. All you need is curiosity. The following are those you cannot miss!

What do you expect from a coastal city? Seafood, of course! The first recommendation is sea worm jelly (土笋冻). Actually it can be also counted as snack which can be easily reached on the street. It is made of a kind of sea worm taking shape of dried bamboo. Despite its scary name, the taste is quite refreshing.

Fried oyster is another  popular cuisine. In Xiamen, oyster is usually fried with eggs and served with sour sauce. It doesn’t look attractive, with a look of wet flour, but it smells so good that you cannot help having a try.

Noodle with satay sauce is cooked with shrimp and several spices, so expect a rich flavor.

When it come to drinks, Taiwanese bubble tea is one of the most popular drinks on the street. Among hundreds of bubblle tea shops in Xiamen, the most famous ones are on Gulangyu Island which is always crowded with visitors. Sometimes it tastes no difference, plus the prices are much higher than else wehre, so juice is the other heathier choice in a city plentiful of tropical fruits, but remember to choose pure ones. Compared with the plain taste of bubble tea, the stylish shops per se in Xiamen are more attractive, especially those on Gulangyu islands.

 

It is impossible to name every speciality worth trying or give the most tasty one, so come and find your favorite!

A Ride on Melody and Poetry

Guests are flooding into Xiamen with summer coming, but it doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the journey in the peak season. If you get tired of the crowd, a ride along Huandao Road (环岛路) invites you to the stunning coastal scenery of the city. The road is also used for Xiamen International Marathon. Green belt and golden beach spread over 43 kilometers presents a poetric moving picture with breeze whispering in your ear.

What you see during the ride is by no means unchangeable, monotonous costal view. An edge of the ride is the route covers a couple of spots where you definitely want to pop off and enjoy for a while.

The first one is the Baicheng area of Xiamen University, where is frequented by students of the university and residents. It is one of the best beaches for swimming and strolling. Jelous of the students there? But it is extremely crowed in summer-just imagine a picture of “a bowl of dumpling”.

 

Another stop is Zencuoan (曾厝垵), a village in the city. After walking out of the Baicheng area, you will reach the small village within fifteen minutes imbued with the original local culture: traditional buidlings of red bricks and rural paths surrounding the community.

It is also a good idea to take a walk or jog on the plank road alongside in the morning or the evening.

The only downside of the ride is it is hardly possible to finish the route due to limited energy. Nevertheless, I believe you will get an eyeful within one and a half hours. It is suggested to begin in the late afternoon and admire the sunset during the ride.

Single bike/tandem can be borrowed at several spots along Huandao Road charging for RMB10-20  (negotiable) per hour. Safety deposit of around RMB 600 or a pledge of ID is required but the latter not suggested. Remember to check the bike before departure and have an eye on the time when enjoying the scenes.

Xiamen(Amoy)–More Than “Oriental Hawaii”

Year-around sunshine, salty sea breezes, leisure lifestyle…what do these words remind you of? You would probably think of Hawaii, but another answer matching the description is a city of China–Xiamen (Amoy), which is ususally praised as “Oriental Hawaii” by vistors home and abroad. Apart from mild climate and clean sea air, impressive colonial architecture and a remarkable cuisine culture contribute to the uniqueness of Xiamen.

Due to the Western colonial history and the costal location, Xiamen embraces a mixing culture of the West and the East, mainland China and Taiwan. Legacy of the history-the extensive concession-era villas, townhouses and consulates of Gulangyu-testify to that past. Maybe foreigners find a building of western-style, say Portugal, nothing new, but the architecture is localized on this soil, adding a stroke on the particularity of the city. Besides, the close tie to Taiwan has left a great influence on every aspects of it. You can cruise to reach the closest point to Taiwan-the nearby area of an island belongign to Taiwan and sense the subtle political ambience of the Strait. 

Xiamen wil be one of your best destinations for every foodie. If you are in a mood for seafood,  seafood booths can be found eveywhere – the more the closer to the dock. Not all of them are worth going, but you can definitely find someplace where food is served sanitarily and at a reasonable price. One recommendation is Dayanjing Seafood Booth (大眼睛大排档). It is actually a restaurant but the price is reasonable and its food is yummy. Long line is usual but it won’t take a long time to wait. Wanna have a nibble on local snacks? Taiwan Snacks Street across the dock is your best coice. If you have no idea where to start, Zhong Shan Road (中山路) is an ideal place to seek for a surprise, where you can find almost any typical local dishes and drinks.

Some of the local cuisine may take a Bear-Grylls gut to try, especially for foreigners…but I bet all of these worth it!

Among an array of interesting spots, Gulangyu Island (鼓浪屿) is a must visit. The journey begins from taking a 10-minute ferry with the crowd to the island. The relics of colonization and tradtional Chinese traditional gardens are scattered on the island. Also known as the “Piano Island”, it’s an adorable place to stroll and spend a whole day. The island is getting increasingly crowded with its bigger reputation, but peaceful places hidden in lanes behind the mainstreet are waiting for you to explore. Also, it is home to the most yummy meat products and local pies.

Xiamen also makes a fun weekend getaway. Almost all things to do in Xiamen can be easily achieved by walk and public trasportation. A ride around the island is also a good choice. If you are on a business trip around but have one-day spare time, come visit the city and just do a whole lot of relaxing and enjoy a laid back vibe!

Another tip for accomodation. There are plentiful places to stay of all types for every kind of tourists, but if you look for something different, special inns transformed from personal residences run by local residents come to your choice. These places have mushroomed espcially on Gulangyu Island. Isn’t it lovely to have a chat with local inn-keeper and encounter friends all over the world

Oriental Hawaii, Little Taiwan or Another Macou…whatever you call it, any tags only touch a part of Xiamen but never tell you about its whole story.