Tianjin Top Ten Attractions

Tianjin is a bright pearl in northern China. With excellent geographical location and traffic conditions, Tianjin has become an important hub for connecting both home and abroad. Tianjin Port is the largest bonded port area in China and the largest cruise homeport in Asia. Tianjin has a lot of European architecture, and the scenery is good, the huangya Pass Great Wall, Italian Style Street and Five Great Avenues are worth for a visit. The unique traditional food in Tianjin is also impressive.

Recommended Tianjin tour package: 3-day Tianjin Tour

1. Ferris wheel: Eye of Tianjin
Location: Haihe River side, Hongqiao District
The Eye of Tianjin is a ferris wheel across the Haihe River, like an eye on the bridge. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Tianjin. The ferris wheel is driven by electricity and has 48 passenger capsules. Each capsule is able to carry eight passengers for a half hour rotation. Every night the colorful lamps of the Eye of Tianjin will attract numerous visitors for sightseeing and photo shooting, enjoying a different kind of romance.
How to get here: Take bus No.1, 4, 12, 18, 34, 609, 610, 611, 619, 632, 641, 646, 659, 670, 671, 818, 878 and 904, get off at Jingang Bridge Stop; or take bus No. 5, 37, 161, 606, 635, 642, 653, 657, 658, 687, 801, 824, 836, 855 and 906, get off at Beidaguan Stop.

2. HuangYa Pass Great Wall
Location: Far north of Jizhou District
HuangYa Pass Great Wall is steep and spectacular. It is a good place for weekend vacations with many farmhouses nearby for food and accommodation. You can enjoy the farm dishes, breathe the fresh air, and can enjoy the authentic rural life.

3. Ancient Culture Street
Location: Northeast of Nankai District
Ancient Culture Street is the concentration of the most famous old shops and handicraft shops. You can find the Yangliuqing New Year Paintings, clay figurines, Wei’s Kite and many other handicraft shops, and you can enjoy the classic Goubuli buns, Chinese hamburgers, fried dough twists and other Tianjin cuisine. In addition, the annual Chinese lunar month March 23 is the birthday of the goddess of the sea. At the time, the Ancient Culture Street will hold the empire fair with cultural performances.
How to get here: Take bus No.52 to huanghedao Stop; or take bus No.856 to Dongmalu Stop.

4. Five Great Avenues
Location: Central District
Five Great Avenues is the combination of more than 20 distinctive streets. You can take a glimpse of more than 2000 garden-style European-style buildings, including more than 300 former residences of celebrities. You can take a map to guide your visit, and you can take a horse-drawn carriage or ride a bike.
How to get here: Take metro line No.1 to Xiaobailou Station; or take bus No.9, 13, 800, 831, 902, 904 and 906.

5. Porcelain House
Location: No.72, Chifeng Road, Heping District
Porcelain House is a French architecture decorated by countless ancient porcelain, white marble stone, crystal and agate. The wall, courtyard and rooms are all filled with exquisite ancient Chinese porcelain and antiques. If you are the first time visiting the Porcelain House, the overwhelming porcelain antiques will make you dazzle.
How to get here: Take metro line No.3 to Heping Road Station, go out through exit E, and walk south for 250m. If you want to go by bus, take bus No. 1, 4, 9, 20, 35, 50, 97, 611, 619, 650,693, 808, 831, 828, 845, 851, 860, 901, 902, 904, 951 and 962 to Bohai Building Stop or Shandong Road Stop.

6. Italian Style Street
Location: Hebei District
Italian Style Street has more than 200 elegant Mediterranean style buildings. Walking around as if you are in the romantic European town. At night, the restaurants, cafes and bars become lively, making a charming atmosphere on the Italian Style Street.
How to get here: Take metro line No.2 to Jianguo Avenue Station. Take bus No. 5, 8, 27, 324, 634, 635, 638, 639, 645, 663, 676, 802, 806, 832, 836, 905 and 961 to Italian Style Street Stop.

7. Xikai Church (Catholicism)
Location: Dushan Road, Binjiang Avenue, Heping District
Xikai Church is a Catholic Church founded in 1917. The church architectural style is solemn and the sculpture are complicated and beautifully. You can participate in the mass and Catholic festivals to feel a religious atmosphere.
How to get here: Take bus No.3, 35, 45, 50, 600, 643, 673, 800, 847,851 and 901.

8. Tianjin Water Park
Location: Southwest of Tianjin City
The Water Park is the largest comprehensive park in Tianjin. The park consists of three large lakes and eleven islands, with trees, pond, and Japanese and Chinese style landscapes. It also has cruise ship, ferris wheel, roller coaster and other entertainments for you to explore.
How to get here: Take metro line No.3 to Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao Memonal Hall Station. Take bus No. 12, 35, 52, 643, 705 west line, 608, 668, 685, 835, 857, 871, 872, 879, 901, 963.

9. Tianjin Former Residence of Puyi (Jingyuan)
Location: No.70 Anshan Road, Heping District
Tianjin Former Residence of Puyi was built in 1921, covers an area of about 3000 square meters. From July 1929 to November 1931, Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, used to live here with his Queen, and he named the garden as “Jingyuan”, which means “Quiet Garden”. The buildings in the garden combine Spanish and Japanese style. The garden also has the Pu Yi Exhibition Hall, exhibiting hundreds of precious pictures on Pu Yi. If you are a fan of the famous movie “The Last Emperor”, this site will be highly recommended.
How to get here: Take bus No. 3, 50, 600, 606, 631, 632, 643, 657, 673, 840, 850, 851, 865, 867, 870 and 906 to Anshan Road Stop.

10. Tianjin Museum
Location: No.31, Youyi Road, Hexi District
Tianjin Museum collects Chinese ancient works of art and modern history literature. Until now, the museum has nearly 200,000 objects, including ancient bronze wares, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, jade wares, royal seals, stationery accessories, oracle bones, currency, stamps, Dunhuang literature, local folk crafts, historical literature, etc.
How to get here: Take bus No. 47, 662, 668, 686, 800, 835, 868 and 912 to Tianjin Museum Stop.

China Cultural tour: Exotic Silk Road by Train

Easy Tour China’s general manager Wei led a team, including a historian and linguist, and seven travelers interested in Silk Road and Chinese culture, and ventured into the heartland of Xinjiang. The tour is not only about Xinjiang highlights but also about the haunting background cultural clues, historical mysteries and the changeless local life.

After the exploration on Silk Road, Wei updated below Information on Silk Road and shared us the tips about Silk Road Train Tour on November, 2016

High speed train connects Xinjiang and mainland China

In 1962, railway was introduced to Xinjiang section of the Silk Road for the first time in history. Steam engines roared into Urumqi from eastern part of China. From there the railway went further to Kuqa, Kashgar, Hotan, reducing the transportation time greatly. Before that time, local people from smaller oasis villages would ride camel for 1-2 weeks before they could arrive at a big bazaar to trade their merchandise and buy stuff.

In 2014, high speed train was introduce to Xinjiang and is running daily between Lanzhou and Urumqi, reducing the previous 24 hours to 11hours for the 1950km ride. In 2017, railway project between Hotan and Ruoqiang (Qarkilik) will start. Upon finishing, it will reduce the train ride out to the eastern part of China for the southern regions of Xinjiang by 1000km.

As modern transportation makes it easier for the local people, it is also easier for travelers to visit these fascinating western regions where the eastern Chinese are not yet quite familiar.

Train lovers from Easy Tour China would like to present you with an option to visit this mythical Silk Road to help you experience the culture and the people.

Silk Road Train Trip ideas:

Let us begin with Xi’an, the once greatest city in the world, and the China end/start point of the Silk Road. Xi’an is endowed with rich historical records & monuments, depicting the grandeur of the Silk Road trading and Chinese culture.

 

Then we go west by train, along the Hexi Corridor, to the western end of the Great Wall. Hexi Corridor has been a constantly fought for regions since 2000 years ago, as it controls the Silk Road trading routes. Numerous kingdoms controlled this area. Beacon Towers went from Xi’an via Zhangye, all the way to the vast territory of Xinjiang, all the way to the western border regions. Today, there are still military horse ranches there, though the number is dwindling.

Zhangye City, one of the four important oasis strongholds of the Hexi Corridor, offers a terrific landscape of the colorful rock formations – Danxia Landform (Zhangye National Geopark). Here we can stay for one night or two to take in the history and scenery.

Jiayuguan is the western end of the Great Wall and is close to Dunhuang, the western frontier of the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago. Dunhang has the world famous Mogao Grottoes with rich Buddhist murals and documents accumulated over 1500 years. The Great Wall built in the Han Dynasty can still be found together with the beacon towers.

Turpan

Out of Dunhuang, the high speed train ride will take us further west to Turpan, an oasis town first built 2000 years ago at the current site of Jiaohe Ruins. The first settlers are Indo-Europeans, evolved possibly from the clans that lived here from 3000-4000 years ago. At that time horticulture was well developed and some early travelers thru this region claimed “possibly the best raisin in the world”. From 2000 years ago, Turpan changed hands many times between the super powers of Eastern Chinese, Xiongnus (Huns, nomadic tribe roaming the steppes further north), Turkic and Mongols, primarily due to its strategic location on the Silk Road.

Both the Jiaohe Ruins (108BC – 450AD) and Gaochang (460BC – 15th Century) Ruins are now UNESCO heritage site of the Silk Road. Jiaohe was once the world largest & oldest rammed earth city and is the only ruins of Han Dynasty city in China. Sections of religion, government, markets and local people dwellings were well preserved due to the dry climate. It offers a rare opportunity of history study of the Silk Road. Gaochang Kingdom (Gaochang Ruins) is the place where the famous monk Xuanzang stopped for one month (on his way along the Silk Road to India) and preached for the local people (7th century) and the preaching square is still there.

The Buddhist Grottos, though heavily destroyed by Muslim presence in the history, offers a good look at the gradual influence from India, Europe and Central Asia. And do not forget the raisins, another commodity brought to this region from central Asia earlier than 500BC, which flourished till today (some claimed 1/3 of Chinese raisins are from Turpan).

From Turpan, we will take the normal train (speed around 80km/hr), via the strong wind belt of some 30km. Strong wind in the winter time can sweep the train off its track and it happened a few times in the past 50 years. And a few trains halted today because of the wind (Nov.05, 2016).

Kuqa or Kusen in Uighur language

8hrs of train ride takes us to Kuqa from Turpan. Some of the tunnels on the old rail line are permafrost layers and took tremendous labor to finish.

Famous in history for Iron smelting, Kuqa was once a flourishing Kingdom. As early as 272BC, King Ashoka of India (one of the greatest Kings in Indian history), exerted his influence here. The close link with India contributed to the numerous Buddhist Grottos and temples around Kuqa. The Buddhist Grottos in Kuqa are the earlier Grottos in China.

Buddhism was carried here from the high mountains of Pamir to here in the 1st century and reached a peak in the 3rd century. In 627, as per the records of Monk Xuanzang, “there are more than 100 temples with more than 5000 monks studying the Buddhist scripts”. In his debate with the Kingdom’s Buddhist leader, Xuanzang won in every aspect. From here, Buddhism made its way to China.

Music in Kuqa, under a strong Indian influence, went along the Silk Road to China and became the Royal court music and dance. It was named “Music and Dance from the heaven”.

Ancestor of Kuqa spoke Tocharian language, a dialect of Indo-European language, similar to Germanic language, and the written form took from Brahmi of India. It was replaced by Uighur language in the 8th century AD.

Our trip focus Kuqa will be the Buddhist heritage, the mural paintings (strong influence of Ghandara and Persian art), sculptures and the ruins of once flourishing temples. Lamb, prunes and Naans are the local specialties.

Kashgar

From Kuqa, around 7 hours on the train, we will be riding along the Tian Shan (Heavenly) Mountains. The highest peak reaches 7439m (24,406ft) above sea. Many of the mountain passes rise above 3000m above sea near the snow line, thus we can imagine the difficulty met by the caravans traveling along the Silk Road. The Tian Shan Mountain has been inscribed on the natural heritage of UNESCO.

We will arrive at Kashgar, a dynamic trading city linking China with the central Asian countries, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. All three Silk Road routes out of Dunhuang and Hami converge at Kashgar. Out of Kashgar, the caravans will continue thru the Pamirs out to the west, splitting again into different routes, into Europe.

As early as 10th century BC, legend has it the King of Zhou Dynasty went on a western expedition and took part in a large scale trading in Kashgar. In the following years, Kashgar went between the rule of Xiong Nu, Turks, other nomadic groups in the north steppes, and the Eastern Chinese kingdoms with independence for some duration. It adopted Buddhism in the 2nd century.

After Islam was adopted by the local King in 915, religious war was fought 80 years against Khotan Kingdom dominated by Buddhists. Scripts from the famous Mahamud Kashgari, the royal writer (author of the first comprehensive dictionary of Turkic language), “We came down on them like a flood, We went out among their cities, We tore down the idol-temples, We shat on the Buddha’s head!”

Today, trading is still a large part of the economy. Neighboring countries’ traders come in to sell and buy, just like what their ancestors did for the past few thousand years. In 1980, Pakistan traders came in painted trucks along the Silk Road and traded with local people in kinds. Silk was still the most popular goods from China. Today, one of the most intriguing bazaars is the livestock market on Sundays, where horses, yaks, camels, sheep, horses, and cows are on full display.

Arts and crafts thrive here. Handmade bronze wares and potteries are local specialties. Education, especially Islamic, had made Kashgar a major center in Central Asia. Music, especially the Muqam, spread all over Xinjiang province.

Great architectures are another cultural heritage. The Apak Khoja family tomb and largest Mosque in China – Id Kah mosque (1442) are magnificent monuments and symbols of Kashgar.

China is now planning/constructing railways to link with Pakistan, Kirgizstan and Uzbekistan. Hopefully the modern transportation will help the countries along the old Silk Road with faster trading and cultural exchange.

Hotan, Khotan

From Kashgar, we will take the 6hr overland train journey to the east.

Khotan, an intriguing city, was influenced by cultures from Greek, Egypt, central Asia, India and Eastern China. The earliest language used here is a sub group of east Iranian language. Then for some time in history, a few languages were used at the same time in Hotan.

One of the earliest traded merchandise in Hotan is the famous Hotan Jade. As early as 3500 years ago, Hotan jade was traded along the Taklimakan Desert all the way to the Eastern part of China.

 

Paper making in Hotan is said to start more than 2000 years ago. In an excavated accounting book in the Tang Dynasty (1400 years ago), it records the trading of paper in Hotan. Starting from the 3rd Century AD, Hotan paper was exported to the other parts of Central Asia and to Europe. In Qing Dynasty, paper notes were printed on this mulberry paper.

Hotan woolen carpet has a history of more than 2000 years. Wool weaving here went earlier to 3500 years ago. Dyeing materials in the beginning come primarily from the nature, including plants & minerals. As Silk Road official trading pushed commerce to a unprecedented high, Hotan carpets were exported to Eastern China for royal families and to Europe via Central Asia. Today, museums in London, Washington and Frankfurt all have exquisite Hotan carpets on display.

Hotan Silk: the most popular story is about the princess stealing silk worm from eastern China and carried to Hotan, as secrets of silk was well kept by the Dynasties in the Eastern part of China. Also called Etles or Atlas, meaning tie-dye in local Uighur language, the Hotan silk is a must for each Uighur woman in southern part of Xinjiang. The history goes back to more than 2000 years ago and the Silk Road trading made it a hot item for the ladies in the 10th century in Eastern China and Europe. The traditional colors of Etles/Atlas Silk is black and white.

As Hotan is one of the least touched by modern commerce, our trip here focus on the history and original lifestyle of the locals. Our visits will include the jade market, old city area, bazaars, paper making, carpet or Silk making, the museum, and a camel ride into the desert.

Urumqi and return trip

From Hotan, we will fly to Urumqi – oops, the train ride is too long and repeated. Our grand finale is Urumqi. Like many cities in China now, the city is quickly expanding with modern high-rises. However, the capital status means we will see the best things excavated from all over the province, thus enabling us a general picture of the trips we have made so far. The provincial museum is a must, followed by visits to the local bazaars and good food. And we will be rewarded with choices of hotels of modern comfort, both good to relax and to keep up on the diary.

From Urumqi, there are many choices of flights to connect with your home bound flights, be it Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu.

72 Hours in Guilin: Top 10 things to do

Thanks to the 72-hour visa free transit policy, Guilin now allows international travellers from 51 countries to stay for up to 3 days without a visa. With its incredibly beautiful natural scenery and the laid-back atmosphere, you’ll find a Guilin vacation enjoyable and memorable. So let’s find out the ten best things to do in Guilin and its countryside Yangshuo for your 3-day Guilin Yangshuo vacation!

#1 Li River bamboo-rafting or cruise trip

You can choose either the cruise trip from Guilin to Yangshuo or the bamboo-rafting from Yangdi to Xingping to flow through the picturesque green pinnacles.

#2 the enchanting caves

It is a magic world in the caves with strange and beautiful formations illuminated by colorful lights. The most famous ones are Reed Flute Cave and Silver Cave.

#3 practicing Tai Chi in Yangshuo

The stunning landscape makes Yangshuo an ideal place to practice Tai Chi. There are Tai Chi schools in Yangshuo available to international visitors.

#4 Yulong River bamboo-rafting

Simply enjoy the relaxing hours and have fun with the water!

#5 various outdoor sports

Yangshuo, together with its nearby Longji Rice Terraced Fields is a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts – enjoy yourself by swimming, hiking, biking, climbing, rock climbing, or even taking a helicopter ride…

#6 cooking school in Yangshuo

You don’t have much time, yet you are still able to learn some authentic Chinese dishes.

#7 the performance of Cormorant Fishing

#8 West Street

Noisy, bustling, the West Street in Yangshuo is lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, guesthouses, snack shops and souvenir shops.

#9 Impression Liu Sanjie night show

Don’t know what to do at night? Go watch the magnificent outdoor performance of Impression Liu Sanjie on water.

#10 Guilin downtown lakes

It is free and ideal for walking and enjoying the delightful night scene.

Top 6 Ski Resorts in China

Yabuli International Ski Resort

China’s largest and best ski resort so far, Yabuli Ski Resort has advanced trail, intermediate trail and primary trail, with complete supporting facilities.

Season: Early November – April

Location: Shangzhi City, 198km away from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province in northeast China

Floor space: 22.55 square kilometers

Trail vertical drop: From 200m to 1200m with the average drop of 700m

Idea for: all including the beginners and experienced skiers

Recommended tour to Yabuli Harbin: 5-day Harbin Tour

Beijing Huaibei International Ski Resort

The earliest ski resort in Beijing, it is considered the most beautiful ski resort in China, as the ski glade is connected and surrounded by the Great Wall of Mutianyu Section.

Season: December to March

Location: 70km from downtown Beijing, in the Jiugukou (Nine Valleys Pass) Natural Scenic Area

Floor space: 9.6 square kilometers

Trail: 1 advanced trail, 3 intermediate trails and 4 primary trails, with average vertical drop of 238m

Idea for: beginners

Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort

The best and largest ski resort in Beijing, it is a comprehensive leisure resort, also with skating rink, water ski and grass skiing facilities.

Season: Mid December to March

Location: in Miyun District, 62km away from the city center

Trails: 21

Ski Board: Yes

Idea for: all including the beginners and experienced skiers

Xiling Ski Resort

Situated on Xiling Snow Mountain, the highest mountain in Chengdu, it is the largest and best alpine ski resort in China.

Season: Mid December to March

Location: 120km away from Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Trail: 7, 1km in length

Idea for: all including the beginners and experienced skiers

Jilin Beidahu Ski Resort

Beidahu Ski Resort has successfully held national Winter Games for twice and Asian Winter Games for once.

Season: Early November – April

Location: Beidahu Development Zone, Jilin, 53km away from the city center

Trails: 19, with the average drop of 930m (the biggest drop among China ski resorts)

Ski Board: Yes

Idea for: all including the beginners and experienced skiers

Changbaishan Ski Resort

It is an ideal alpine ski resort, with perfect natural condition. Ever since its completion in 1959, numerous professional athletes have been here for snow skiing training.

Season: late November till middle March

Location: at the foot of Changbaishan Mountain, 220km away from Yanqing City, Jilin Province

Idea for: all including the beginners and experienced skiers

Nearby scenic spots: Tianchi Lake, Erdaobai River, hot springs

China Winter Trip Ideas: Top Places to Enjoy Blooming Plum Flowers

Plum flower, in traditional Chinese culture, is the symbol of grace and nobility, and always inspired ancient writers, poets and calligraphers. In this cold winter, instead of moping around the house all day, why not go out and enjoy the blooming plum flowers.

In Beijing

Lingfeng Plum Flower Forests – It’s said local monks have planted plum trees since Qing Dynasty. Today, there are over 5000 plum trees of tens of varieties.

Beijing Botanical Garden – Many people visit the park to make pilgrimage to the Reclining Buddha Temple and the two plum trees in front of it.

Xiangshan Mountain – Access the park through the east gate, and head for the Liuli Tower, and you’ll find the plum trees valley.

In Hangzhou

Lingfeng Peak – the most popular place to enjoy plum blossom in Hangzhou, it is home to more than 5000 plum trees of over 50 varieties and a dozen of historic sites.

Xixi National Wetland Park – the first and only national wetland park in China, it possesses some of the best plum tree variety.

Gushan Mountain – the plum blossom has been famous ever since Tang Dynasty, thanks to moist soil and ample sunlight.

In Nanjing

Meihua Mountain (Plum Blossom Mountain) and Gulin Park are the best places: there’re festivals with many activities about plum blossom. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery with blooming flowers, taking awesome photos, and simply have fun.

In Chengdu

Happiness Plum Tree Forest – the primitive village is embraced by hundreds of thousands of plum trees. Enjoy the free winter days with the farm food, tea, sunshine and plum blossom.

Du Fu Thatched Cottage – one of the famous cultural sites in Chengdu, the place becomes a classical garden in winter with rows of blooming plum trees, lovely pond, humble cottage, ancient bridge, temple…

In Kunming

Black Dragon Pool Park – The Spring City Kunming is known for the colorful flower markets available all year round. But if you want to see the plum blossom, go visit the Black Dragon Pool Park. Tens of thousands of plum trees of over 100 varieties have been blooming since early January.

In Libo Guizhou

Libo Maolan Karst Primitive Forest – about 20,000 wild plum trees grow here, including100 over 200-year-old ones, with the surreal limestone peaks as the background.

In Shanghai

Shanghai Grand view Garden – It’s the biggest Plum tree garden in Shanghai, with stunning colors from red to pink and green to white, and match perfectly with the ancient bridges, river, pavilions and paths.

Qingpu Plum Tree Garden – You’ll see houses and structures of antique Jiangnan architectural style, over 5000 plum trees and many other kinds of flowers and plants.

Impressive Images of the Most Beautiful Railways in China

Let your imaginations run wild with the amazing photos of China’s running trains – the seemingly infinitely extending railways take you into the rarely seen landscapes, and some mysterious untouched land.

1. Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway – it covers the world’s most stunning Karst landscape, and features countless surreal peaks and exotic, vanishing mountain tribe villages.

2. Qinghai-Tibet Railway – deep inside, everyone of us has a Tibet dream – we’ll touch its mysterious land someday. This railway is a mortal attraction for world travelers and railway fans.

 

3. Chengdu-Kunming Railway – one of China’s most difficult and challengeable railways, 42 of the 122 stations are built on the bridges or inside the tunnels.

 

4. The Southern Xinjiang Railway – another extreme railway in China with a total of 33 meters of tunnels on 3000m above sea level, and runs through desert, oasis, snow mountain and valleys.

5. Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway – stretching 1903 km, it lies between grasslands and deserts, newly-emerging industrialized cities and enchanting ancient towns.

 

6. Lhasa-Shigatse Railway: the closest railway to the sky…

7. Hunan-Guizhou Railway: it lies in the mountains and valleys, and offers a panorama view of Zhenyuan Old Town

8．Neijiang-Kunming Railway: a major railway in Southwest China in 20th century, it traverses through Sichuan Basin to Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. 66 people died for this huge construction…

Recommended China train tours:

11-day China In-depth Culture Tour by High Speed Trains

11-day East China Exploration by Bullet Train

12-day Silk Road Adventure by China Orient Express (Beijing to Urumqi) 

16-day China Speed Train Discovery

A Cultural Trip through Chongqing City: 6 Must-visit Sights

China’s biggest “mountain city” Chongqing is one of the three starting cities of Yangtze River Cruise, thus many travelers would like to have a one day Chongqing tour before embark on the luxury ships and begin China’s most legendary voyage.

There are many to explore in Chongqing: the profound, enticing culture, the well-arranged streets and houses melting into the fog (the city is also renowned for heavy fog), the beautiful mountain landscape stretching charmingly, and the excellent spicy foods

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Built in Song Dynasty, Ciqikou is over 1000 years old, and was an important commercial dock by land and water. Here you can experience the ancient Bayu Culture, local religious life, discover some historical sites of WWII, and many interesting folk activities.

 

Highlights: East-Sichuan architecture, wood or bamboo-made dwellings, temple fair during Spring Festival, Sichuan Opera, teahouses, traditional craft like dough figure, oil manufacture, sugar refinery

Zhongshan Four Road

The 800-meter-long street is jammed with historical building and museums, mainly of Anti-Japanese War period during WWII.

Highlights: The museum of Chinese democratic parties, Gui Garden, Zhou Residence, Dai Residence.

Eighteen ladder Road (Shiba Ti)

The best place to see the old Chongqing, it used to be the main street of the city. Its prosperity is far gone, but turns to be a charming cultural street, where you can find stone-slab streets, traditional noodle stalls, the old barber’s shops…

Eling Park (Goose Neck Park)

A rich businessman Lee Yaoting built it in 1909 as a private garden, now it becomes a popular public park among locals. Sited in the highest place of the Yuzhong Peninsula, Eling Park is famed for the grandness, steepness, and elegance. Here you can have the best view of the mountainous city Chongqing and the majestic Yangtze.

Liberation Monument Shopping Area

Around the Liberation Monument, the most important landmark of Chongqing, the city government built China’s first commercial pedestrian street – Jiefangbei Pedestrian Commercial Street. It is ideal for shopping, entertaining and dining. 300 meters away, Chongqing’s most famous food street offers all kinds of local specialty foods and snacks.

Chongqing Night Scene

Enjoy the wonderful Chongqing night life and the beautiful night scene as the neon is lighted. Best places for the night view include Eling Park, One Tree Observation Deck on Nanshan Mountain, the night cruise, Hongya Cave

A Romantic Approach to Dali for Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain

For years, the peaceful, romantic town of Dali has been a popular destination for honeymooners, photographers and world travelers. However, a few days’ cursory sightseeing tour will not reward you the real unique beauty of Dali. Why not take an in-depth Dali tour with unexpected cultural and spiritual experience?

Embraced by Erhai Lake and Mount Cangshan, small Dali is a place of self-exile. Numerous people from big cities like Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou come and stay here to relax the mind and find peace. They cycle around Erhai Lake to find the primitive villages of Bai people, take a boat cruise in Erhai Lake to watch the cormorant fishing, and take a cable car up Cangshan Mountain to find the ancient Buddhist temples and the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (at the foot of the mountain), and enjoy the splendor of sunset and the wonderful panoramic view of Erhai Lake.

You’re encouraged to reserve a hotel or guesthouse by Erhai Lake in Shuanglang, Longkan, Taoyuan or Caicu Village with a lake-view room. Stay several days for the sunrise on Erhai Lake, the dramatic scene when it is sparkled in the sunshine, and absolutely clear after the rain.

 

 

For some spare time, you can stroll through Dali Old Town to feel and perceive its profound culture and folk art. Stop on the Renmin Road (People Road), you will find some special shops with special stories. For example, here is a watchmaker’s shop, which is a mess, with a beaten-up shopkeeper. His wife left him in 2006, so the time of all the clocks and watches stops in 2006. Sounds like a movie script, right?

 

Recommended China Yunnan tours to Dali:

9-day Colorful Yunnan

12-day Yunnan Tour to Dali Lijiang Shangri-La 

Travel through Hutong by Rickshaw: Where to Find the Real Beijing

Take a look beyond the gaudily ornate buildings and some oddly-shaped modern structures, and you will find more history, atmosphere and hospitality, as well as the real Beijing in the humble hutongs.

Recommended China tour and Beijing tour with hutong travel experience:

1-day day Beijing Walking Tour

8-Day Super-value China Golden Triangle Tour

There’s no better way to experience the unique charm of hutongs than by rickshaws. Rent yourself a rickshaw and listen to the driver’s stories and folktales about the over 700-year-old hutongs – overseas Chinese often feel lost in time, not least for foreign travellers.

There were thousands of hutongs surrounding Forbidden City (Palace Museum) in Beijing. Many of them have been torn down and replaced by the striking modern architectures, however, hutongs still occupy one-third of Beijing’s land and are home to almost half of Beijing ordinary people.

It is surprising that the people, especially the elderly are so friendly and enthusiastic when showing visitors the way. Most of the time, they run a small business, play chess, play with the birds, or simply enjoy the free time.

On first glance, Old Beijing’s hutongs look the same, long and narrow, and all with gray walls and gray tiles. But the drivers tell us each of them has its own story and the different types of courtyards (siheyuan dwellings) belonged to different people. For example, if there are round stone piers in front of the gates, the original owner must be military officers, while the square stone piers went to civil officials. A lion on the pier implied a royal family.

Some hutongs are quiet and somehow deserted, while some are very lively and popular, such as  Nanluogu Xiang, Yandai Xiejie, Mao’er Hutong and Liulichang Cultural Street, where there are many bars, cafes, boutiques, street vendors, traditional restaurants and markets.

  

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Shanghai to Kunming High-speed Railway Links Tourist Destinations

Scheduled to go into operation in June 2016, the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway (沪昆高铁) is part of China’s system of passenger dedicated lines, and made up of three sections: the Shanghai-Hangzhou high-speed railway, the Hangzhou-Changsha high-speed railway and the Changsha-Kunming high-speed railway.

Recommended China High Speed Train Tours by Easy Tour China

Travelling 2,080 kilometers from East China to Southwest China, this high speed rail connects a dozen tourist destinations, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Guiyang and Kunming. Running at an average speed of around 300 kilometers per hour, the new line has shortened the train journey between Shanghai and Kunming from over forty hours to eight hours.

High speed trains not only runs much faster than ordinary trains, but also provides better train services and more comfortable passenger carriages, with lager seats, a socket below each seat, a clean modern toilet at each carriage, and special glass window offering slow-motion views outside the windows.

Six major stops on Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway

Shanghai

Distinctive yet diverse; traditional yet freewheeling: Shanghai is a unique metropolis in the East. Many international travelers have their first stop in Shanghai for the visit to China. From here, they travel further to Yellow Mountain, Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu and other parts of China, or take the cruise trip on Yangtze River to Chongqing.

The recommended cultural attractions in Shanghai include The Bund, Yu Garden, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Zhujiajiao Water Town and many historical streets. Allow yourself at least two days to discover the old buildings of Shikumen, the distinctive dwellings of long tang, the interesting food streets, the bustling shopping centers, and enjoy the dramatic contrast between the old and new.Shanghai cultural day tour

Hangzhou

The capital city of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou has a history of more than 2200 years, and boasts a lot to offer. West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou, and can be explored by boating, hiking and cycling. There are many temples, gardens and man-made islands that tell folktales and the city’s charming arts and history.

Other top Hangzhou attractions include Lingyin Temple, Six Harmony Pagoda, Grand Cannal, Longjing Tea Plantation Village and Qinghefang Ancient Street. Scenic and cultural destinations around Hangzhou include Xitang Water Town, Wuzhen Water Town, and Lishui, a photographer’s heaven.

 

Nanchang

The historical city Nanchang is the capital of Jianggxi Province, where many rivers and lakes crisscross. First built in 675 during Tang Dynasty, Tengwang Pavilion is the most famous historical site in Nanchang and has been rebuilt for 29 times, but still a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture.

If you travel around Nanchang, don’t miss scenic Dragon and Tiger Mountain that is one of the important cradles of Taoism, Wugong Mountain (Wushu Mountain) that is ideal for hiking, mountain trekking, camping and other outdoor adventures, or China’s most beautiful countryside Wuyuan.

Changsha

The over 3000-year-old Changsha is famous for the spicy Xiang foods and Hunan TV creating many famous TV shows and attracting numerous singers and movie stars to join the shows. Changsha’s famous attractions and cultural sites include Windows of the World, Moon Lake Park, Aiwan Pavilian, Yuelu Mountain Park, Tianxinge Park, and Orange Island Park.

Visitors can travel from Changsha to Zhangjiajie for with about one hour air journey or about five hours train journey, and go further to Fenghuang Town for the pristine and intoxicating atmosphere.

  

Guiyang

Never cold in winter, Guilyang is cool in summer, thus has been an ideal summer destination. Jiaxiu Tower is the famous landmark of Guiyang and one of the must-visit places. Popular Guiyang foods include Spicy diced chicken with peanuts, Griddle Cooked Chicken with Pepper, Fish in sour soup, Si wa wa and Beef rice noodles.

Visitors are suggested to travel to Guiyang between February and October and plan an in-depth Guizhou tour to go to Kaili and the nearby Miao and Dong Villages, as there will be many ethnic minority festivals celebrated by local Miao, Dong, Yao, and the other 45 minority groups. Immerse yourself in the beautiful natural scenery and experience the mountainous tribe lifestyle.

 

Kunming

The final stop is the Spring City Kunming, where it is neither very cold in winter nor very hot in summer. The No.1 attraction in Kunming is Stone Forest. Formed 200 million years ago due to the earth’s movement, it is one of world’s geological wonders. Other should-not-missed sites include Yuantong Temple, Dianchi Lake and Western Hill &Dragon Gate.

Travel from Kunming to Dongchuan for the Red Lands or Yuanyang for the amazing terraced fields, and further to Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La… – there are much more to explore in Yunnan.