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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Six most popular tourist attractions in Sichuan Province

Seated in the deep of southwest China and the upstream of Yangtze River, Sichuan Province enjoys preferable magnificent natural sceneries as well as a profound culture blended that of both the Chinese east and west nations. The magic Jiuzhaigou Valley, the famous Buddhist mountain of Emei, the base of cute Chinese pandas and the oldest dam of Dujiangyan are the most popular things in people’s mouths. Also, Sichuan is a popular destination for the exploration for the extended southwest ethnic culture along the Yunnan Province.

According to a recently released statistics, the number of tickets sold by 18 leading newspapers in China, there are six most popular tourist attractions in Sichuan that included in the list of the 100 Most-visited Tourist Attractions in China. The statistics shows that about 2.65 million people flock to Mount Emei annually.

1. Mount Emei

It is the Mount Emei (Chinese:峨眉山) that receiving the most visitors in Sichuan Province. This renowned attraction was listed into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996 for many natural and cultural heritages. It also belongs to the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, and is the highest one among the four with a height of 3099m. Mount Emei enjoys many reputations like “Vegetable Kingdom”, “Animal Paradise” and “Geological Museum”. Some people come to Emei for a religious culture because the mountain is originally a Taoist retreat that later converted to Buddhism with the patron Bodhisattva Puxian (普贤菩萨), or Samantabhadra; some come for beautiful landscapes and its various ecological environment with over 3000 species of plants; while some come to play with the naughty monkeys as the mountain is the home to many Tibetan macaques. No matter what is your interest, the scenery along the climbing in Mount Emei is just a delight for everyone.

2. Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha (Chinese:乐山大佛) is located in a small city of Leshan, which is just 20 kilometers from the gorgeous Mount Emei. Leshan Giant Buddha is a sitting Maitreya Buddha and famous as the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world. According to the records, the carving work started in 713 of Tang Dynasty (618-907) and ended in 803, lasting for 90 years. It is a large-scale masterpiece that had involved in several generations, and perhaps, some people had worked for it with their lifetime. The Giant Buddha is definitely amazing and awe-inspiring. It is 71m high, 28m long if measured by shoulders, and 14.7m long and 10m broad of the head. It is also a marvel that the big statue has undertaken many earthquakes without any moving or even a tiny damage. Besides, on the rocks and climbing paths of the two sides of the Buddha, there are also many preserved stone inscriptions and Buddhism statues made in same period.

3. Dujiangyan Dam

It is said that Dujiangyan Dam (Chinese:都江堰), which also called Dujiangyan Irrigation System was built by the chief executive of the present Chengdu of Qin State, Li Bing (李冰) around 256BC during the Warring States Period (475BC- 221BC). It is the oldest but the only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world under the national protection. More than a large scale world-famous ancient Chinese irrigation system, Dujiangyan Dam is a famed scenic spot that connected with the Mt. Qingcheng scenic spot with beautiful landscapes and a large number of cultural relics and historical sites, such as Yulei Path, Lidui Park, Fulong Temple, Yunv Mount, Cuiyue Lake, etc.

4. Jiuzhaigou Valley

Jiuzhaigou Valley (Chinese:九寨沟) is a part of the Jiuzhaigou County situated in the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of the Sichuan Province. It gets its name from the nine Tibetan villages (jiuzhao in Chinese) in the area. It is a key national natural reserve that listed into the world heritage sites with five wonders, namely, green waters, overlapping waterfalls, colorful forest, snow peaks and Tibetan customs. Jiuzhaigou is a high tourist destination as a primeval forest over 2000m above the sea level with 108 lakes. Enjoying the fame as a fairyland picture, every visit in Jiuzhaigou is sweet and the sceneries are always charming and marvelous in all seasons owing to the unique ecosystem and a temperate climate in the area. To many visitors, autumn is most beautiful season in Jiuzhaogou Valley with colorful leaves mirroring in the bright blue waters together with the blue sky and white clouds. The scenic spot consists of three different valleys: the Rize Valley, the Zechawa Valley flowing into the third Shuzheng Valley making a Y shape.

5. Mount Qingcheng

Mount Qngcheng (Chinese:青城山) or Qingchengshan is a famous Taoism mountain, one of the places where Taoism originated. It is located in Dujiangyan City, just 10 km southwest of Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and 68 km east of Chengdu City. Mt. Qingcheng is originally named as Old Man Mountain, and the highest peak is 1600m high, and its present name qingcheng (green city) comes from the evergreen plants in the mountain. From the narrative records by ancient people, there are totally 36 peaks, 8 big caves, 72 small caves and 108 sites in the mountain. The spot is divided into two sightseeing parts, the main part of anterior mountain and the posterior mountain. The anterior part of the mountain is natural beautiful with many cultural and historic sites such as Shangqing Palace, Jianfu Palace, and the Tianshi Cave; and the posterior part is famous for primitive scenery that is more gorgeous and marvelous.

6. Bamboo Sea in southern Sichuan

Bamboo Sea in southern Sichuan (Chinese:蜀南竹海) is located in a southern city of Yibin. Covering an area of 120 square km, there are totally 10 scenic areas including 134 scenic sites in the attraction. With a vegetation rate of 87 percent, the Bamboo Sea is just a natural oxygen bar within the most anions in China. About 58 species of bamboo can be found here making an emerald green forest with mountains, caves, lakes and waterfalls, attracting visitors and nearby residents everyday especially in summer. The attraction is the location of the famed film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Chinese:卧虎藏龙).

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VisitOurChina team outing in Guilin Maojia village lotus pond

Last weekend, VisitOurChina’s team gathered to spend an amazing day strolling about Guilin vicinity to the village of MaoJia Cun where lies a hidden lotus pond and a gorgeous preserved nature. Regarding this wonderful day we had there all together, we cannot help but sharing it with you because we are also your friends in China and that is so much fun!

On Saturday morning, our team met near to Guilin Lianda Commercial Plaza to pick up a bus stopping on the way to the village in the south-east of Guilin city. Known by locals as an idyllic place to enjoy some of the best sceneries of Guilin and typical farmers’ lifestyle, Maojia Cun is also where locates a little stream where taking a small boat to a lotus pond. The program was exciting to everyone! Getting off the bus, we joined some of us who came by ridding bicycle – for they are pure bicycle lovers – and continued our way to the village located between hundreds of rice fields, half of us using a tuk-tuk, half ridding bicycle. The way to the village was of pure beauty.

 Summer in South China is the time for harvest and when rice fields and terraces take on their yellow-golden jacket. We had the immense chance to see farmers harvesting their rice fields and making the rice drying on the big and large plan of the road, the exact same people are using for transportation. Our tuk-tuk was driving on the rice for it couldn’t do in a different way and that is exactly how people do there. Just the way to that pond was a pure highlight to me, I keep it in my mind for ever now.

 We arrived at the border of the stream and embarked for a gentle cruise using a small boat on which 5 people could sit on small chairs for kids. Once departed, the feeling was amazing. There we were, comfortably sat with our boat driver, discovering an amazing stream where luxuriant vegetation was developing away from any pollution and big tourist groups. With the hot weather that started to burn our heads by the end of the morning, some of us started to put hands or feet in the water to get cooler. The journey on the stream was calm and peaceful, looking at the many flowers, small fish, birds, waterlilies and other types of vegetations growing there.

 After a 15 minutes journey on a tiny stream, our boat reached the entrance of the lotus pond kept by a local farmer reminding the few (Chinese) tourists visiting the place to do not touch the flowers or so ever and keep in mind the preservation of the gorgeous nature flowering there. How could it be possible to destroy such a place? By the moment we entered, everyone started to have some astonishing exclamation sounds. Indeed, the pond was amazing! There, we finally started to stand up in order to see the landscape and not being jutted out by the lotus and waterlilies. They were so huge, of a human height! Waterlilies of the size of a bicycle wheel and lotus flowers the same size of a human head! We had so much fun there, taking lots of pictures and enjoying our time all together.

Our small boats continued their way farther into the countryside. On our way we crossed other boats of Chinese tourists, one of which was composed of men singing traditional Chinese songs. With the grandiose landscape displayed in front of our eyes, and the karstic mountains of Guilin in the background, we were really like in a travel book, like in a dream that was actually true and so beautiful! Finally, we reached the foot of a mountain: the Dragon Head Mountain (long tou shan), the nest step of our boat and hiking day!

Discovering Guilin is also discovering its mountains and their importance into the region’s symbolism and importance. Just like that, we climbed the mountain under the summer heat of 35 degrees that was heating Guilin and first stopped half way taking memorable team pictures that speak for themselves. Guilin landscapes are the best under the Heaven and that is definitely true! The most courageous of us climbed to the top of the mountain, onto the China flag that had been driven in there years ago. Happy to stand at one of the best tops providing a 360’ view of the surrounding of Guilin, they kept the scenery into their mind. Mixing different types of green, yellow, blue and reflections of the light, the landscape in front of us was magic, a landscape that no one can get bored of even after a lifetime living in Guilin.

Happy to have climbed this mountain and full of everlasting memories of such a place, we climbed down and get back to our boat waiting for us. Lunch time arriving (and some people were – believe me – really hungry, Sissi will recognize herself here ;)), we finally decided to come back to Guilin downtown for having lunch all together and relax after such a day in the middle of Guilin scenery.

I keep a wonderful memory of that day we spent all together, all happy to share such a friendly moment in Guilin and having the opportunity to have other experiences all together in what we love: tourism! This team outing is by far the best that I had, one that I will remember for years and that I am thankful to everyone. This is also that the VisitOurChina team spirit!

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10 things to avoid in China with respect to Chinese Culture

For many western countries, China is the extreme representation of otherness. Starting from this idea, many of our unconscious cultural behaviors can pop up when living or traveling in the country, sometimes irritating or even offending Chinese people without willing to. In order to avoid such embarrassing situations and experience the best moments in China sharing with the locals, here are the 10 most important things to pay attention not to do with respect to Chinese culture, all coming from personal experiences during my one year and a half living in China as a French student, teacher and Website English Editor in Visitourchina.com.

1 - Do not buy something without first bargaining (except in big stores).

If there is a rule in China, this one is the most famous! When doing some shopping in the market, try to keep in mind that Chinese people love bargaining, this is like a way of life here. A way to exchange! So when buying fruits, presents, clothes or whatever keep in mind that you should try to get a cheaper price than the first offered to you. Otherwise you will look like easy and without daring. For presents and clothes bought in the street, start bargaining at the half price first given to you.

2 - Do not mind if he/she doesn’t open your present immediately.

When you want to offer a present to one of your Chinese friend, host or tour guide, a rule regarding the time you offer your present should be noticed. In our western countries, one will immediately open the present and say “Thank you!”. But for Chinese people, this is not a way to behave even though rules are changing progressively! Chinese think opening the present in front of you would be impolite, so they would tend to put it aside and only open it after you have left. Don’t push him to open the present and don’t take it personally! This is just cultural!

3 - Never accept a compliment graciously and without denying it.

The day you receive a compliment from a person, the appropriate thing in China is to deny it with modestness and never ever say “Oh, Thank you!” though it can be the first answer coming to your mind when in that situation. According to traditional Chinese culture, agreeing with the compliment will make you look too proud of yourself. However, today more and more Chinese people would accept it and express their gratitude in the western way with the globalization of cultures.

4 - Avoid blowing your nose publicly.

In winter time, if there is something a little bit annoying when traveling or just not at home, is to have a cold and have to blow your nose. The action seems to be insignificant for you, but when in China this is something so impolite and inappropriate to do publicly. So when in that situation, make sure to hide yourself, go to the toilet or at least make the less noise you can for not catching the attention!

5 - Do not leave your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice!

In China and in many other Asian countries as well, this is something totally inappropriate that we, as westerners, will not even pay attention to for this is just the most convenient way we fond to put our chopsticks when eating. Watch out! This manipulation has a deeper meaning in China as it symbolizes funerals and death. The bowl of rice (or other food) suggests the tombs (round in China), chopsticks put vertically on it the incense sticks put all around the tomb for honoring the deceased. A Chinese seeing you doing this will just directly take off your chopstick or warn you immediately.

6 - Never deny offers of restaurant, drinking or meeting (if possible).

When living or meeting some hosts in China, accepting offers to go to the restaurants or else should be something that shouldn’t be denied as the Chinese person asking you this may feel uncomfortable after. The same thing happen at the restaurant when someone is asked to have a drink or try some food: taste it! Generally this is impossible to say no, but you can announce it if you do not like it! Anyways, Chinese just do it in their traditional hospitable way. Accepting it can be a lot of fun, so have a try!

7 - Never let someone pay the bill without fighting.

When invited at the restaurant, the usual manner when time comes to pay the bill is to enter in a “fight” for being the one to pay, or not letting one person pay everything. Not fighting will make you look selfish. This is just the way to do, and believe me we get used to it very quickly!

8 - Do not use just one hand giving or receiving something directly from another person.

This is maybe something that you have already noticed when traveling in China: most of Chinese people at the restaurant, shop or elsewhere will give your money back using their two hands. This is just a way to show their care in the transaction that is occurring between two people. Not doing it is making people look as if they were not taking care at all at the person they are speaking too. Though Chinese people do this less and less, this is a polite way to communicate unconsciously with the locals!

9 - Do not make someone lose face!

This is a universally rule in every matters but that is much more evident when you’re in China. Making someone lose his/her face is the worth thing that can happen to him, and something that he cannot accept, especially in public. To make fun of someone, tell him in a hard way he is wrong, did something bad, etc…just keep being polite and avoid such embarrassing situation. Don’t do to people what you would not like they do to you!

10 - Avoid speaking about politics and other sensitive subjects.

Last but not least, though this is again something that can be advised in every single country: do not engage in conversations around the topics of politics, government of Taiwan. These matters are reputed the most embarrassing and quarreling one so in order to have a great experience of China, let these kind of subjects aside. Life is not all about it, please!

Of course there are lots of other ones, but these are for me the most important in China. From now on, you do not have any excuses to get into trouble in such situations. Keep them in mind and make sure not to offend the people you are visiting in China. Travel and life can be better with a mutual understanding!

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Interesting Places in Qingdao

-Lao Shan Sanctuary: 40 km from Qingdao, it is located in Laoshan Mountain  and is considered the sacred and a eternal center of Taoist peregrination.

-The Temple of Zhanshan: a temple Buddhist placed in the city.

-The ‘ Cathedral of San Miguel ‘: designed by the Germans in a Gothic style - Romanesque, one stopped constructing in 1934.

-Plaza of May 4th: a square close to the sea.

–Ba Da Guan: the name of that zone of the city former colonized by the Germans. The zone is composed by eight streets in which there buildings of European style constructed during the German periodcan be seen .

- Zhong Shan Park:  famous park for its night life and the animals.

-Zhanqiao: The logo of the city famous for Tsingtao beer .

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Destinos de Luna de miel de 10 primeros en 2011

Los recién casados para reforzar la obligación de amor emprenden las vacaciones de luna de miel, y la luna de miel es un momento querido(abrigado) en la vida de parejas. Como una pareja de recién casado, si usted planifica durante las vacaciones de luna de miel,los rasgos fundamentales que influyen en sus vacaciones de luna de miel son los mejores destinos de luna de miel así

Allí atontan posiciones(ubicaciones) y sitios exóticos alrededor del globo que proporcionan vacaciones de luna de miel memorables, y ayudarle escogen el destino de luna de miel ideal, aquí está una lista de destinos de luna de miel de 10 primeros en 2011, que hace su tarea más fácil como mientras usted se reduce sus opciones seleccionando el destino de luna de miel ideal.

Hawai

Hawai, como el destino de luna de miel muy buscado en 2011, posee a habitantes del país amistosos, la línea de la costa exótica y los recursos de muesca superiores que hacen sus vacaciones de luna de miel una maravillosa experiencia.Como un destino de luna de miel idílico, Hawai con las tradiciones ricas, la cultura, bailes, playas, las palmeras balanceadoras y haciendo surf sobre las ondas(olas) enriquecen sus vacaciones de luna de miel, como esto revela la diversión de luna de miel potencial de todos los tipos.El clima caliente, las playas magníficas, la cocina de azotaina de labio y los volcanes increíbles hacen Hawai un destino de luna de miel reverenciado en 2011.

México

México como un destino de luna de miel superior en 2011 tiene muchos sitios que ofrecen el pasando las vacaciones(el de vacaciones) de luna de miel rico, y Cancun en México es en particular un destino de luna de miel buscado.Cancun con las playas calientes meteorológicas y hermosas apoyan las vacaciones de luna de miel de las parejas, como las parejas de recién casado durante sus vacaciones de luna de miel también pueden optar para visitar más ciudades en México para disfrutar de los vecinos vistosos y la cocina tradicional.Sus vacaciones de luna de miel en México se hacen más lejos cultas por las distracciones(desviaciones) variadas culturales y recreacionales.México satisface el gusto variado de las parejas de luna de miel, como usted puede optar por el ajuste de luna de miel de playa, explorar la herencia colonial durante las vacaciones de luna de miel o aún puede absorber el zumbido y alborotarse de la vida urbana mientras usted disfruta de sus vacaciones de luna de miel en México.

Santa Lucía

Una mezcla ecléctica de Gran Bretaña y Francia, Santa Lucía, es un destino de luna de miel superior en 2011, y si usted es una naturaleza gustando la pareja usted se cae perdidamente enamorado de este lugar bendito con placeres naturales. Esta gema diminuta, lozana tropical es un paraíso inexplorado, como la gama de actividades disponibles en Santa Lucía ofrece una experiencia de luna de miel inolvidable, como las parejas durante sus vacaciones de luna de miel pueden dejar a sus instintos aventureros explorar el buceo con botellas de oxígeno apasionante y sesiones que bucean con tubo de respiración.Las parejas durante vacaciones de luna de miel también pueden explorar las conservas de selva tropical que pertenecen a los interiores montañosos de Santa Lucía, como ellos pueden complacerse de alguna observación de los pájaros y excursión, y otras búsquedas de ocio como la navegación, el golf y el tenis están también disponibles en Santa Lucía para hacer sus vacaciones de luna de miel una experiencia que rememora.

República Dominicana

República Dominicana ofrece la verdadera aventura de isla durante sus vacaciones de luna de miel, y la Isla Saona hace su sueño realizarse

Tahití

A menudo llamado ‘ el paraíso último ‘, esta belleza natural es un competidor superior en los destinos de luna de miel en 2011, como las parejas son aseguradas

Fiji con la línea de la costa pintoresca es un destino de luna de miel exótico, como este destino de luna de miel superior en 2011 revela palmeras, playas hermosas, montañas así como recursos que trabajan juntos para mejorársele encima de durante sus vacaciones de luna de miel. Usted puede encontrar por casualidad delfines que toman un salto en el aire, la naranja se zambulle volándose en los horizontes, como usted también puede adquirir la onda(ola) de seis metros que es manchada(descubierta) a cierta distancia de la costa en Tavura, como Fiji con la plétora de posibilidades es un destino de luna de miel de cuadros perfecto.

Venecia

Aclamado

París

También saben(conocen) París

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How Does the Lunch and Restaurant Like in the Sheraton Hotels in China?

Sheraton, a world famous brand attracts people during their travels, is it worth to choose a Sheraton hotel to live when having a tour outside? How is the service and rooms there? How about the meals? Today we will talk about the lunch in Sheraton hotel, we took Sheraton in Guilin as an example.

 Sheraton Guilin Hotel, one of the best 5-star hotels in Guilin, is the hotel we always recommend this hotel to our clients, and I myself have also been there for meals for several times. The hotel is located on the bank of the Li River in the heart of the enchanting city of Guilin, and different restaurants in the hotel provide different tastes of food.

 Invited by the sales manager of the hotel for the business lunch last week, I had one more chance to try the Cantonese and Sichuan dishes and local specialties at Cathay Chinese Restaurant of the hotel. The lunch would start from 11:30 to 14:00, so we went to the hotel by taxi after our work in the morning.

That was a buffet lunch with 10 starters, 27 main courses, 13 desserts, Chinese tea and live cooking. So many different dishes in the dinning room, I was attracted by the Cantonese food, so fresh and a little sweet, the typical food are Dim Sum and soup. My hometown is close to Guangdong, so I always prefer the Cantonese food. When I stood by the table, I tried the soup first. In my hometown, people always have soup before the staple food, as people consider that it can warm your stomach and make your stomach wake up to prepare for the meal.

Of all the soups at the buffet, I love the fresh wild mushroom soup best. This soup is stewed with different mushrooms with pork ribs without too much oil or spicy chilli, so fresh and tasted so good, I strongly recommend it! Another one I like is the barbecued pork buns, one of traditional Cantonese dim sum, the taste is sweet and salty, good!

I have also tried some other dishes like the spicy beef with onion, fried chicken leg, sweet and sauced flied fish, and I found the fresh grapefruit juice is very good, it is a little sour but you will find your throat feels good after swallowing it. I like the special taste very much and could not help asking the waitress whether the juice is available every day, it is a pity that she told me the fruit juice the restaurant offers is not fixed but is changed every day depending on the market supplements, and that happens to the dishes! Besides staple food, the fruits and desserts were also available. The delicious cakes and ice creams, tasty and fresh season fruits made me enjoy the lunch very much!

Two hours was not enough to try all of the food one by one as my stomach could not store so many delicacies in such short time, and is not enough to introduce the Chinese food culture, so don’t miss our delicious and elegant dishes when you travel to China. The prices for a lunch like this is only $10, isn’t it a good deal?

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