china culture , china tour guide

Three Big Gorge in the Yangtze River China

The Yangtze River is the third-longest in the world, and the largest and longest river in China. The source of the Yangtze River lies to the west of Geladandong Mountain, the principal peak of the Tanggula Mountain chain in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau China. The river flows from west to east through provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu as well as the city of Shanghai, finally emptying into the East China Sea. With plenty of rainfall all year round, the Yangtze River is named the golden watercourse.The most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge;

1.Qutang Gorge    
 Qutang Gorge ,also known  as the Wind Box Gorge, is the first point that visitors traveling eastward reach in the Three Gorges,the gorge’s widest point is only 150 metres (500 feet), some nearly 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) high. This gorge was a particularly dangerous stretch during high-water seasons and has been known to rise to 50 metres (165 feet). An upper Yangtze steamboat captain recalled how in September l929 the level of water was 75 metres (246 feet), and likened the passage to a trough, with the water banked up on both sides. Two mountains–Red Passage Mountain (Chijia Shan) to the north, once compared to a celestial peach, and White Salt Mountain (Baiyan Shan) to the south form the Kui Men entrance.

2.Wuxia Gorge  
Below Wushan the river approaches the entrance to the 40-kilometre (25–mile) long Wu Gorge, the middle Yangtze gorge which straddles Sichuan and Hubei Provinces. So sheer are the cliffs that it is said the sun rarely penetrates. The boat passes, on the south side, the Golden Helmet and Silver Armour Gorge0inkuang Yinjia Xia) shaped, it is said, like an ancient warrior’s silver coat of arms crowned by a round golden helmet. Ahead are the l2 peaks of Wu Gorge, famed frothier dark and somber grace. Poets have attempted to evoke both their bleakness and beauty.

The Daning River, at the western entrance to Wu Xia, is flanked by continuous strange peaks, and some of them rising into the clouds and presenting an unusual scene. The section of the river becomes known as the Three Little Gorges. Its extraordinary beauty has been praised by more and more tourists.Just above the north-bank town of Guandukou–marking the end of WuGorge—-was the site of the Flint Rapid (Huoyan Shi), which was very violent at high water, with limestone rocks jutting into the river like huge stone gates beckoning helpless craft.

3.Xiling Gorge     
The longest among the Yangtze Gorges, Xiling Gorge stretches west to east for 76 kilometers from the mouth of the Xiangxi River at Zigui in Hubei Province to Nanjing Pass near the city of Yichang in Hubei. It is divided into two sections –  the Military Book and Sword Gorge, otherwise known as Yichang Gorge.

Xiling Gorge is known for dangerous rapids and numerous shoals, the latter including the Qingtan, Kongling and Xietan shoals. These shoals were formed out of fallen and rock from banks, boulders and sands washed down from the upper reaches, veins protruding from the riverbanks, or reefs jutting out of the riverbed. At some points there are treacherous whirlpools and the waters are extraordinarily turbulent.
 

Food Streets in Downtown Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a “City of Food’ with interesting and warm tradition of Xiao Ye (casual and relaxing dine-out late at night, normally for friends, family, lovers and close workmates) and many food streets.

You will experience the spice of locals’ life and wonderful delicacies of various styles, Chinese and others.

Just walk out for a try for your gourmet taste and exploration into the stylish city,  when you are itching for something before sleep.
Central Downtown

Huifu Dong — Yushan St. to Huifu Dong St:
It is the south part of the rush Beijing Shopping Street, featuring Chaozhou and Guangzhou food. Basic and popular.

Panfu and Liuhua Area — Panfu Rd., Renmin Bei Rd. and Liuhua Rd.:
The matrix centers around the famous Liuhua Expo Centre with quite a few recommendable medium and high profile Cantonese restaurants.
Recommendations: Nanhai Yucun, Xintaile, Huacheng, Liuhua Porridge Circle, Dakeyi.

Huanshi Dong — Huanshi Dong Rd, Jianshe liu Rd. and Taojin Rd.:
This hotel-packing CBD gives you lots of places for gourmet in various cuisines with relatively high pricing and profile, suitable for business dinner. Taojin Rd., a side drive to Huanshi Dong Rd., is a traditional food and bar street with many western-style and Hunanese restaurants. Jianshe Liu Rd. features peaceful blocks of stylish cafés, bars and small restaurants on its west.
Recommendations: Macau Street, Peach Blossom, Liyuan, Ah-li-shan, Banana Leaves.

Western Downtown

Shang Xia Jiu Streets:
Paradise of traditional Cantonese dishes, dimsums, snacks and desserts with attractive pricing.
Recommendations: Xiguan Renjia (at Liwan Plaza), Liwan Famous Food (in Xiajiu St.), Nanxin Canteen, Oucheng Ji, Qingping Restaurant.

Shamian:
Island of typical Cantonese and South-east Asian food.
Recommendations: Restaurants in White Swan Hotel, Xinlizhi Wan, Kiumei and Victory Restaurant (top-notched Cantonese delicacies); Lan-Kwai-Fong (Thai and Indonesian epicures).

Bantang St. and nearby:
It is a place for traditional and local Xiguan food.
Recommendation: Guangzhou Meishi Yuan (Gourmet Circle)

Huadi — Hualei Rd. and Nearby,Fangcun:
Local Cantonese flavor with low pricing.
Recommendation: Haka King

Forest sightseeing cable car - Tianmen Mountain

In order that tourists may enjoy the scenery on the summit at a higher angle and with a broader vision and numerous Buddhists may reach Tian Men Mountain Temple in the north of the summit faster with ease, Tian Men Mountain scenic area has built a summit sightseeing hanging chair cableway starting from Yunmeng Fairy Summit and ending at the Cherry Bay with a whole length of 800 m. Both the design of the car and adjustment speed render the tourists with full time and space for touring the summit and one feels as if he is walking on the garden in the air with absolute satisfaction.
read more  info about: heavens gate china

Heaven-Linking Avenue Zhangjiajie

Heaven-Linking Avenue has 99 turns symbolizing that the Heaven has nine palaces.the avenue runs upward with the postture of the mountain like the soarings of great dragon and also hangs like a jade belt with zigzag turns circling the hills. It is worth the titlewonder of highway in the world. Through Heaven-linking Avenue,one reaches directly the Tianti-celestial ladder. The grand celestial-like scene came into view.
read more  info about: heaven’s gate china

Historical and Cultural Sites Attractions in Tianjing

1.Ancient Culture Street
Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street is located in the Nankai District of the Tianjin Municipality and was formally opened in 1986.Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street begins at Gongbei Avenue in the north, and ends at Gongnan Avenue in the south, being 0.36 miles long and 16 feet wide. Although essentially a business street, Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street attracts tourists who come to see its special architectural styles, admire its classic cultural features, buy various folk crafts, and sample the delicious local Tianjin snacks.

2.Dule Temple
Dule Temple of Tianjin also called Solitary Joy Temple was built in the early reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty (618-907).. In Dule Temple you can see the oldest multi-storied wooden pavilion in China and The Kwan-yin statue, one of the biggest clay sculptures preserved in China.Dule Temple is comprised of east, west and central parts, with monks’ rooms and Xanadus in the east and west parts, and the temple gate and the Kwan-yin Pavilion in the central part.

3.Dagu Kou Emplacement
Dagu Kou Emplacement is situated on the south and north bank of the Haihe River estuary in Tianjin. It is the strategic ingress point for Beijing and acts as a barrier for Tianjin, playing a vital role in the defense system of northern China. Dagu Kou Emplacement witnessed China’s resistance to Western colonial forces at the end of the 19th century. It is regarded as a heroic symbol of China’s fight against foreign invasion. It is regarded as a place of pilgrimage to inspire patriotism and nationalism.

4.Dabei Buddhist Temple (Great Compassion Buddhist Temple)
The Dabie Buddhist Monastery is made up of two parts: the old monastery and the new monastery. The old monastery refers to the three great halls in the western yard. The construction of the old monastery started in the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, and it was renovated in the eighth ruling year of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. Memorials for Xuanzang Master and Hongyi Master sit in the eastern yard, while the western yard holds an office for the Cultural Relic Palace, the Abbot Palace and the Chinese Buddhism Association, Tianjin Branch.

5.Confucius Temple
A 574-year old Confucius Temple has been re-opened in north China’s Tianjin Municipality after three years of restoration, according to the local cultural relics authorities.
A 90-meter-long wall with inscriptions of the 16,000-character ” Analects of Confucius” was built inside the Tianjin Confucius Temple during the restoration. This was the first time that “The Analects of Confucius” was carved on an outdoor wall in a Confucius Temple in China.

6.Tianjin Great Mosque
Situated in the Hongqiao District of Tianjin City, the Tianjin Great Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in China and is also the best-preserved Islamic architectural complex in Tianjin. This brilliant and magnificent building consists of the Screen Wall, the Entrance Hall, the Prayer Hall and the Preaching Hall. Among them, the Prayer Hall is the most used and revered, and is the focal point for worship among Tianjin’s Muslim population.  In the mosque, 60 tablets and couplets written in Arabic and Chinese characters are hung in the main hall and most of them are the works of masters’ craftsmen and artists.

7.Huangyaguan Great Wall
The entire section of Huangyaguan Great Wall is built on an abrupt yellow cliff, so it was so named. Huangyaguan Great Wall is located 28km north of Ji County, Tianjin.On the mountains with peaks rising one higher than another, the Great wall jumps its way up and down as a linkage between the cliff and crags. Since the mountain is sloppy, the steps are very high. In some sections, it looks like that the wall is running straight up or down. When you look down, you will feel dizzy at the sight.

8.Former Residence and Mausoleum of Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia (1869-1909) was a world-wide renowned patriotic martial artist and was also the founder of the Jingwumen Martial Arts School in Shanghai. He is regarded as a national hero in China for defeating foreign fighters at a time when Chinese sovereignty was being eroded by Western powers. The Former Residence of Huo Yanjia is located in Xiaonan Village in Jinghai County in Tianjin, first built in Emperor Tongzhi’s reign during the Qing Dynasty. Huo’s tomb is on the south side of the residence. At this, his former former residence, visitors can see a variety of Huo Yuanjia’s possessions, such as his weapons, furniture, and daily items.

Top 10 charming towns and villages in China

1. Wuyuan (婺源) in east China’s Jiangxi ProvinceWuyuan Ancient County is known as the “the most beautiful countryside in China’’ and “a green pearl inlaid in the intersection of Jiangxi Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province”. Located in the north of Shangrao city, northeast of

Top 10 destinations of China in the autumn - tracing the most colorful sceneries of the season

1. Fragrant Hill (香山) of Beijing- red maple leaves

When speak of the autumn, the beautiful red maple leaves of Fragrant Hill in Beijing could not be missed, which is one of the “top 16 new attractions” of the city. During every late autumn, striking red leaves are all over the mountains and except the red maple trees in the hill, there are also Cotinus coggygrias, lacquer trees, sapium discolors…dyed in different shades of red color, as well, beautiful yellow gongko leaves, all of these color together with green pines make the Xiangshan Hill a gorgeous world.
 
Tips:
1. Amazing full view of red maple leaves can be enjoyed in a distance, and the best sightseeing site should be the Senyuhu Pavilion (森玉笏峰小亭).
2. The best time to enjoy the maple leaves is the late autumn from mid October to mid November, which is also the most crowded period for tourists; if possible, ordinary days should be chose to avoid the crowds on national vacations and weekends.

2. Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城)- red leaves plus the majestic of the site

To enjoy red leaves, Badaling Great Wall is another great option. In autumn, all the mountains and valleys here show up for the most impressive sights ever seen. After the China’s National Day holiday, some red and orange colors of the surrounding vegetation start to take on. At the top of this section, a broad view of a colorful autumn of dye on both sides of the Great wall just enhances the majestic and magnificent view of this site. Hiking on the Great Wall in the colors in a cooler temperature is definitely a rather pleasant experience of the season.
 
Tip: For hiking this section of Great Wall, comfortable clothes and shoes are necessary; sun protection is also needed.

3. Jiuzhaigou Valley (九寨沟)- a fairyland in autumn

Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan Province is a key national natural reserve that listed into the world heritage sites with five wonders, colorful forest is one of which. Owing to the unique ecosystem and a temperate climate in the area, autumn is Jiuzhaigou Valley’s most intoxicate season with a riots of colors mirroring in the bright blue waters reflecting the clear blue sky and bright white clouds. Cordially crowned as a fairyland on earth, the valley is an authentic enormous color kingdom with its highlight- the Wuhua Lake (五花海, colorful lake), which is the proud and essence of the valley that blended light yellow, blackish green, mazarine, dark blue … into a single water area.

4. Kanas Lake (喀纳斯)- a wonderland of the heaven

Some people say that only in Kanas of Altay that an authentic autumn scenery can be attainable. Implies by its name kanas in Mongolian, it is a “lake in the valley”; surrounded by the Altai Mountains forest zones, it is a paradise for spending vacations. Kanas Lake in the autumn is just like a wandering viridis jade belt zigzagging in mountain ridges or optionally stretching by the grasslands dotted with blocks of log cabins and local traditional houses. It is amazing that thick white birchs and cathay poplars covered the lakeside turn from green to the yellow, and then to the red by the gentle autumn winds. At dusk, everything here is shrouded in golden and smoke is spiralling up from kitchen chimneys make the lake tenderer waiting for the returned shepherd Kazaks. Such beautiful sceneries of Kanas are labeled as “Oriental Switzerland Scenery”.

5. Bashang Grassland (坝上草原)- scenery within many beautiful things

If the red maple leaves is the sole view of autumn in your mind, then the Bashang Grassland in Hebei Province will offer you more. Enjoy a laudatory title as Imperial Hunting Ground and a Magnolia Paddock, the Bashang Grassland is a part of Mongolian prairie. Spring here is simply gorgeous, summer is full of vitality, winter is a little desolation, and autumn, absolutely, is its prettiest season, presenting a profound landscape painting with blue sky, long white clouds, and the colorful ground floor of cattle and sheep. Tranquility and satisfaction are just the two words for the grassland.

6. Miyaluo of Sichuan (米亚罗红叶景区)- the largest red autumn leaves beauty spot

Miyaluo is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, northwest of Sichuan Province (just near the Jiuzhaigou Valley and Four Sisters Mountain Scenic Spot). It is a red leaves parkland with largest area (about 180 times larger than that in Fragrant Hill) and most spectacular view in China at present, attracting a multitude of shutterbugs every autumn. The splendid of Miyaluo is embodied in its palette within red, orange, golden yellow discharged from maples, birches… against the background of green pines, cypresses, oriental white oaks …

7. Qixia Mountain (栖霞山) of Nanjing- just gorgeous and brilliant

Qixia Mountain, a rather popular destination with Nanjing families, is located in Qixia Town, 22km northeast of Nanjing City. The mountain resounded in regions south of the Yangtze River by a Qixia Temple, a Buddhist Cave of Southern Dynasty (420-589), a stupa of Sui Dynasty (581-618), as well as its landscape sceneries, especially the maple forest in the late autumn. Entitled as the “first delicate hill of Nanjing” by Emperor Qianlong (1735-1795) of Qing Dynasty (1636-1911), the main peak of the mountain is 286 meters high above sea level. And maples at the mountain gate all covered with red leaves scattered amidst the flowers belts are small and exquisite just like the beaming children in red in the featured Chinese New Year Paintings.

8. West Lake (西湖)- on its most appropriate in good autumn 

The beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou goes without saying. “The white lake is flat as a mirror, and it on its most appropriate in good autumn” (万顷湖平长似镜，四时月好最宜秋) is a famous description about the view “the autumn moon over the calm lake” (平湖秋月), one of the top 10 views of West Lake. Hence, autumn is the best season in West Lake to enjoy this view, which is more literary and romantic compare to other views. It is utmost comfort to be seated in a teahouse or liquor shop by the river leisurely watching the moon in the lake, or rafting by the ancient waterways and through arched bridges. The blow gently breeze of this season just make you fresh and relaxed.

9. Lijiang (丽江)- time is lost there

People likes to use lonely to describe the autumn, while Lijiang Ancient Town is the best option to drive away the loneliness as the time is often lost here. People say that it is easy to be absent-minded and slow down your steps in Lijiang. Here, no matter who you are, your will always in a good mood and only think about simple things; everybody is friendly, no quarrels, no fights, just amiable smiles and greetings. Travel in Lijiang, autumn of course is a good choice. Some people come for encountering, some for a romantic story, and some for an inner self, but all of them will leave with some regrets because of their lost time here- a moment that you may wish back again some day.

10. Guilin (桂林)- places of interest everywhere

Thought Guilin in autumn is not that colorful, its elegant waters and hills are beautiful all the seasons, and that in the cool temperature of this season is more delightful. Hills pluck up in diverse poses, clear and green waters of Li River is twists and turns, numerous odd caves houses fantastic rock peaks, all compose the Four Greatest of Guilin. In this cultural city of a over 2000-year history, places of interest are everywhere due to its particular karst landform, changeable Li River and the charming paddy fields by the riverside. In addition, autumn is also the best season to Longsheng for the marvelous Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces as the rice are ripe in this season and the golden color travels continuously along the mountain slope is making a rather grand sight.

China travel guide

China tours: Last minute discount highlight China tours.

How to avoid from getting cheated when traveling in China.

Traveling is a wish to relax, to experience more and to look for fun. However, many people complained their trip after back home. Here are some suggestions that makes it less possible to happen to you.

 Travel tips to avoid cheating and unhappiness during your vacation in China:

1. Choosing a reliable China travel agency: Try to get to know a company and the travel consultants who are offering qutations and service to you. Trust the people who offers you the most patient and professional travel advices. They won’t pay too much attention on you if they only cares about your money. The most believable people will give you the most accurate travel information, they will correct your supposed itinerary if it is wrong or not so convenient for both of the two partys, as they know, you will feel unhappy if they can not fullfill their tour promises. So sometimes, tour price doesn’t mean too much beause the travel rules in China is fixed, one can not get free lunch without paying anything, ask them to explain their prices if you find one company’s price is much higher than others, maybe the more expensive one will offer you the real tour you want, but the cheaper ones will spend most of your valued time in China in endless shops and extra boring attractions.

 2. Lower your expectations about China travels: According to a long time experiences, some people may expect too much on the travel agent they have booked or they expect too much on their budget and on the country itself. Some customer from middle Asia, southeast Aisa may complain all day long during their trip for too much details (e.g no coffee in the morning, the room condition is not so good in mountain areas, the tour guide can not explain the details like when somebody born or died at attractions, etc. ). China is not a develped country so please lower your expectation on it, actually you are enjoy the best level of service during the whole tour, there are millions of people who could only live in mountain area, keep living poorly, or they will never travel outside their hometown all life long.

 3. Get away from the unlicensed guide or people who leads you to extra attractions with a promise of cheap prices. You can possibly visit some extra places of little interests but they will surely take you to some shops or go back on their words on prices, services, etc. Try to collect more information about one place online or from the trusted tour guide, friends or travel advisors, them have a rough impression of the interesting things, food, or anything may attracts you before getting there.  

Traveling in China brings you memorable time together and also the challenges, we will have more suggestions for you based on your wishes. Have a nice trip/Feliz viaje/Bon voyage!

China travel agency 

China tour packages

Four most famed ancient towns in Guangxi

1. Daxu Ancient Town (大圩古镇), Guilin

Daxu Ancient Town is the first to be mentioned as one of the four most famed ancient towns in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Due to its preferable location on the northern bank of Li River, some 23 km southeast of Guilin, Daxu Ancient Town enjoys a humid subtropical climate with beautiful sceneries. Originally built in 200AD with a history over 1800 years, the town already got its fame as one of the four fair towns in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The preserved residences and alleyways we can see today in the village are mostly in the styles of Ming and Qing (1636-1911) dynasties with aged black bricks and grey tiles, standing on the old stone-paved streets. Nowadays, there are still some traditional manual workshops to be discovered making straw sandals, bamboo weaving, traditional funeral articles and clinic using traditional herbal medicine and the old style barbershop. The Wanshou Bridge (万寿桥, Longevity Bridge), a single arched stone bridge, built in Ming Dynasty is the largest highlights in this ancient town. Today, a stop at Daxu Ancient Town is an experience for a deeper knowledge about the life of local people and the historical, cultural atmosphere, as well as a wonderful exploration for the nature in Maozhou Island-the biggest island on Li River, to pick fruits and vegetables and taste typical countryside snacks and delicacies.

2. Huangyao Ancient Town (黄姚古镇), Hezhou
The history of Huangyao Ancient Town can be traced back to Song Dynasty (960-1279). The present layout of the town was built during the Wanli Period (1573-1620) of Ming Dynasty and the town reached its heyday during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1763-1795) of Qing Dynasty. The town mainly houses the Huang family and Yao family, hence the name. Owing to its isolated location surrounded by hills, 70 km away from Hezhou city, the town developed a unique culture of its own which is well preserved with aged residences and precious cultural relics. Once the base area behind enemy lines during the anti-Japanese war (1937-1945), the town is still preserving the sites of the offices and dwellings of the notables. Enjoy the title as “Dreamland Hometown” and “Little Guilin”, Huangyao Ancient town also enjoys the typical karst landform with gorgeous hills and waters, attracting visitors home and abroad, as well as the TV crew. It is the location for teleplays Country Spirit(酒是故乡醇) and Plain Love Ⅱ (茶是故乡浓) shot by TVB of Hong Kong. The story of the Plain Love Ⅱ mainly happened in a tea workshop, which is a authentic traditional one in Huangyao that still making the tea in taditional ways of Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties.

3. Xing’an Ancient Town (兴安古镇), Guilin
Xing’an Ancient Town, one of the Ten Most Charming Ancient Towns sponsored by CCTV, refers to present Xing’an County, some 63 km north of Guilin. It is a veritable ancient town with a history over 2000 years established by the first feudal Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang (259BC- 210BC) in Qin Dynasty (221BC- 207BC). The biggest highlight of the town is the aged project-the Lingqu Canal (灵渠) which echoed the Great Wall in north China and both were constructed by Qin Shi Huang. Together with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Chengdu and Zhengguo Canal in Shaanxi, Lingqu canal is the most complete existing ancient canal in the world, which connects the Xiang River and the Li River with the Yangtze and the Pearl River in Guangzhou, playing an extremely important role in the aspect of water conservancy since it was finished. Shuijie (水街, or Water Street), a featured street along the canal in the county, is amazing and charming by the retained idiomatical buildings in styles of Qin and Han dynasties, a numbers of ancient stone bridges, sculptures, tea-houses, and marketplaces. In addition, Xing’an is also the home of the highest mountain in southern China- the Mao’er Mountain (猫儿山), as well as an important historical site where the Red Army broke through the Xiang River during the Long March.

4. Yangmei Ancient Town (杨美古镇), Nanning

Located some 30 km west of Nanning, Yangmei Ancient Town was founded in Song Dynasty and reached its prime in Qing Dynasty, the time it became a key port on the Yong River; but it later become quiet because of the decline of water transport in the region. Underwent for over 1000 years, the town has retained to be primitive in customs, gracious in virtues and profound in culture. It is a place endowed with spirits of the universe that has given birth to many notables and scholars, including numerous successful candidates in the highest imperial exams in Ming and Qing dynasties and revolutionaries of the Revolution of 1911 (辛亥革命) in modern history, which ended imperial rule in China. The aged streets, old houses and courtyards, antiquated window lattices, and exquisite carved cornices are all the history of this ancient town. The highlights in the town is the Eight Ancient Scenes of Yangmei and two famous historical sites, one of which is the former residence of revolutionaries of the Revolution of 1911, a site once held secret meetings for the Zhennanguan Uprising leaded by Sun Yat-sen; and the other is the Kuixing Pavilion (魁星楼), built in 1736 and shaped like the imperial seal, within three wooden gods of scholars enshrined separately on three floors.

China travel guide
China city tours

My one-day trip in Hangzhou: a paradise on the erath

There is a popular saying goes: “there is a paradise above, so are there Hangzhou and Suzhou below”. In the 13th century, Marco Polo came to Hangzhou and declared it to be “the finest, most splendid city in the world…where so many pleasures may be found that one fancies oneself to be in the paradise.” Hangzhou is a city with beautiful scenery and friendly people, I have been there at last week for my business trip with my clients who came from Canada and USA, thanks for this chance for letting me feel the real paradise on the earth.

At 8:30AM on August 8th, we drove from Shanghai to Hangzhou, on the way, our local guide Lily told us some information about Hangzhou and let us know the famous tale of Lady White Snake, which is a famous love story happened by the West Lake. This was the very place where the lady and her beloved Xu Xian met, fell in love, separated, and finally got reunited after many hardships and difficulties. Normally, clients will be told about the story in advance, because the night show “Impression West Lake” is performed based on this story. After 2.5 hours’ drive, we arrived in Hangzhou and headed to West Lake first.

 West Lake is the one of most famous highlights in Hangzhou, 15 km in circumference and 4.37 square km in area, with many temples, pavilions, gardens, arched bridges and causeways. The two man-made causeways, Su causeway (Sudi) and Bai causeway (Baidi), divide West Lake into three parts. The causeways are named after Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi, two of the most renowned poets in ancient China, who fell into disfavour in the capital, demoted to here to serve as a governor and organized to build the causeways. And other famous attractions in West Lake area are Broken Bridge (it looks broken in distance when snow covers it in winter, hence the name), autumn moon on the Clam Lake (which is a island for the emperor to watch the sunrise and moonlight.), and the most famous attractions in the west lake area is three pools mirroring the moon. There are three water pagodas about 6-feet-high, with five openings. When full moon shines on the lake at night, there are four moons reflecting on the lake which effects by the three opening of the three floating pagodas. If you have the note of RMB 1 Yuan, you will find that it is the scenery of “the three pools mirroring the moon” on its backside. We had a boat trip to the small island amidst the lake and took many pictures, viewing the lotuses and fed the big golden carps. Among the three islands on the west lake, this is the only one opened to the public.

After one hour’s leisurely time on the West Lake, we go to the dragon well tea plantation in Meijiawu Village. It took about half an hour to drive from West Lake to this area by bus. Arriving there, mountains covered with green tea trees came into our sight and we could feel that the air is very fresh! Because now it is hot summer time, we could not see the people picking the tea, so we just go to the tea house directly to enjoy the famous dragon well green tea! Of cause we got some high quality dragon well tea after drinking and the price is not cheap.

 Because of the bad weather, we did not visit Lingyin Temple after visiting Meijiawu tea village and went back to hotel for rest and waiting the night show “Impression West Lake” directed by Zhang Yimou, who is the chief director of Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony. It is a must-see show when you are in Hangzhou.

 Happy time is always short, my one-day Hangzhou tour finished soon. I remember the famous Chinese poet Su Dongpo had written such a poem: “water shimmering on the shiny day, mountains clothed in the misty rain, West Lake is forever charming like Xizi, whether dressed gaily and plain.” West Lake and Hangzhou, I will be back in the future!

China Travel Agency:China is a worth seeing place, follow the tour guide and find a city for your vacation.
Private China Tours: Find a priavate China tour or design your own tour packages to China.