Forbidden City of china

What strikes one first in a bird's -eye view of Beijing proper is a vast tract of golden roofs flashing brilliantly in the sun with purple walls occasionally emerging amid them and a stretch of luxuriant tree leaves flanking on each side. That is the former Imperial Palace, popularly known as the Forbidden City, from which twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled China for some 500 years——from1420 to 1911. The Ming Emperor Yong Le, who usurped the throne from his nephew and made Beijing the capital, ordered its construction, on which approximately 10,000 artists and a million workmen toiled for 14 years from 1406 to 1420. At present, the Palace is an elaborate museum that presents the largest and most complete ensemble of traditional architecture complex and more than 900,000 pieces of court treasures in all dynasties in China.

　Located in the center of Beijing, the entire palace area, rectangular in shape and 72 hectares in size, is surrounded by walls ten meters high and a moat 52 meters wide. At each corner of the wall stands a watchtower with a double-eave roof covered with yellow glazed tiles.

The main buildings, the six great halls, one following the other, are set facing south along the central north-south axis from the Meridian Gate, the south entrance, to Shenwumen, the great gate piercing in the north wall. On either side of the palace are many comparatively small buildings. Symmetrically in the northeastern section lie the six Eastern Palaces and in the northwestern section the six Western Palaces. The Palace area is divided into two parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Palace. The former consists of the first three main halls, where the emperor received his courtiers and conducted grand ceremonies, while the latter was the living quarters for the imperial residence. At the rear of the Inner Palace is the Imperial Garden where the emperor and his family sought recreation.

　　The main entrance to the Palace is the Meridian Gate(1), which was so named because the emperor considered himself the "Son of the Heaven" and the Palace the center of the universe, hence the north-south axis as the Meridian line going right through the Palace. The gate is crowned with five towers, commonly known as the Five-Phoenix Towers(2), which were installed with drums and bells. When the emperor went to the Temple of Heaven, bells were struck to mark this important occasion. When he went to the Ancestral Temple, it was the drums that were beaten to publicize the event.

Beyond the Meridian Gate unfolds a vast courtyard across which the Inner Golden Water River runs from east to west. The river is spanned by five bridges, which were supposed to be symbols of the five virtues preached by Confucius——benevolence, righteousness, rites, intelligence, and fidelity(3).

At the north end of the courtyard is a three-tiered white marble terrace, seven meters above the ground, on which, one after another, stand three majestic halls; the Hall of Supreme Harmony(4), the Hall of Complete Harmony(5), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony(6).

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, rectangular in shape, 27 meters in height, 2,300 square meters in area, is the grandest and most important hall in the Palace complex. It is also China's largest existing palace of wood structure and an outstanding example of brilliant color combinations. This hall used to be the throne hall for ceremonies which marked great occasions: the Winter Solstice, the Spring Festival, the emperor's birthday and enthronement, and the dispatch of generals to battles, etc. On such occasions there would be an imperial guard of honor standing in front of the Hall that extended all the way to the Meridian gate.

　On the north face of the hall in the center of four coiled-golden dragon columns is the "Golden Throne", which was carved out of sandalwood. The throne rests on a two-meter-high platform with a screen behind it. In front of it, to the left and right, stand ornamental cranes, incense burners and other ornaments. The dragon columns entwined with golden dragons measure one meter in diameter. The throne itself, the platform and the screen are all carved with dragon designs. High above the throne is a color-painted coffered ceiling which changes in shape from square to octagonal to circular as it ascends layer upon layer. The utmost central vault is carved with the gilded design of a dragon toying with pearls. when the Emperor mounted the throne, gold bells and jade chimes sounded from the gallery, and clouds of incense rose from the bronze cranes and tortoises and tripods outside the hall on the terrace. The aura of majesty created by the imposing architecture and solemn ritual were designed to keep the subjects of the "Son of the Heaven" in awe and reverence.

The Hall of Complete Harmony is smaller and square with windows on all sides. Here the emperor rehearsed for ceremonies. It is followed by the Hall of Preserving Harmony in which banquets and imperial examinations were held.

　Behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony lies a huge marble ramp with intertwining clouds and dragons carved in relief. The slab, about 6.5 meters long, 3 meters wide and 250 tons in weight, is placed between two flights of marble steps along which the emperor's sedan was carried up or down the terrace. It is the largest piece of stone carving in the Imperial Palace. Quarried in the mountains scores of kilometers southwest of Beijing, this gigantic stone was moved to the city by sliding it over a specially paved ice road in winter. To provide enough water to build the ice road, wells were sunk at very 500 meters along the way.

　The three halls of the Inner Palace are replicas of the three halls in the front, but smaller in size. They are the Palace of Heavenly Purity(7), the Hall of Union(8), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility(9).

　The Palace of Heavenly Purity was once the residence of the Ming emperors and the first two of the Qing emperors. Then the Qing Emperor Yong Zheng moved his residence to the Palace of Mental Cultivation and turned it into an audience hall to receive foreign envoys and handled the state affairs. The promotion and demotion of officials were also decided in this hall. After the emperor's death his coffin was placed here for a 49-day period of mourning.

　The Palace of Union was the empress's throne room and the Hall of Earthly Tranquility, once a private living room for the empress, was partitioned. The west chamber served religious purposes and the east one was the bridal chamber where the newly married emperor and empress spent their first two nights after their wedding.

The Imperial Garden was laid out during the early Ming dynasty. Hundreds of pines and cypresses offer shade while various flowers give colors to the garden all year round and fill the air with their fragrance. In he center of the garden is the Hall of Imperial Peace, a Daoist temple, with a flat roof slightly sloping down to the four eaves. This type of roof was rare in ancient Chinese architecture. In he northeastern corner of the garden is a rock hill, known as the Hill of the Piled-up Wonders, which is topped with a pavilion. At the foot of the hill are two fountains which jet two columns of water high into the air. It is said that on the ninth night of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the empress would mound the hill to enjoy the autumn scene. It is also believed that climbing to a high place on that day would keep people safe from contagious diseases.

　The six Western Palaces were residences for empresses and concubines. They are kept in their original way for show. The six Eastern Palaces were the residences for them too. But now they serve as special museums: the Museum of Bronze, the Museum of Porcelain and the Museum of Arts and Crafts of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the northeastern-most section of the Inner Palace are the Museum of Traditional Chinese Paintings and the Museum of Jewelry and Treasures where rare pieces of imperial collections are on display.

　Now the Forbidden City is no longer forbidding, but inviting. A visit to the Palace Museum will enrich the visitors' knowledge of history, economy, politics, arts as well as architecture in ancient China.

　Notes:　1. the Meridian Gate 午门
2. the Five-Phoenix Towers 五凤楼
3. benevolence, righteousness, rites, intelligence, and fidelity 仁、义、礼、智、信
4. the Hall of Supreme Harmony 太和殿
　5. the Hall of Complete Harmony 中和
　6. the Hall of Preserving Harmony 保和殿
　7. the Palace of Heavenly Purity 乾清宫
　8. the Hall of Union 交泰殿
　9. the Palace of Earthly Tranquility 坤宁宫

Shangri-La

In the year 1893, James Hilton described an eternally peaceful and quiet place among mountains in the East—— "Shangri-La" in one of his novels for the first time. In the novel "Lost Horizon", an English diplomat Conway and his brother Gorge scattered the English citizens and helped them leave the dangerous region. On their way home, their plane was hijacked　and fell down into the mountain in the Tibetan region. Some lucky survivors were taken to Shangri-la where Conway found lots of fantastic things in such a state founded nearly 200 years ago, in which the local people lived up to more than one hundred years old and lived peacefully and harmoniously with the other people, animals and everything here. The place was called "Shangri-La" by the local folks.
　　James Hilton located "Shangri-La" in a mysterious valley which was surrounded by snowcapped mountains; near where there were snow-clad peaks, blue lakes, broad grassy marshlands, and lamaseries, Buddhist nunneries, mosques, Catholic Church, the human beings and the nature were in perfect harmony, several religions and varies of nationalities exited at the same time; the temples looked splendid in green and golden; though people contacted the outer world by caravan for a long time, many foreign experts and scholars had come here to investigate and remained much relics……

　　Obviously, that is not only a beautiful scenery, but also a kind of artistic conception.
　　With the novel and the film coming out, Shangri-La became very famous in western countries. Later, a Chinese named Guo Huonian used the name of this place and set up "Shangri-La" Hotel Group which has become one of the most successful hotel group in the world.
　　At the same time, people didn't give up looking for the legendary Shangri-La. Up to the end of this century, they finally have found——
　　After inspecting and proving on many aspects, people found that Diqing Prefecture, the only Tibetan region in Yunnan, China, has striking similarity with what's described in the tale regarding either on natural scenery or people's way of living. Therefore, the name of "Diqing Shangri-La" spreads worldwide.

general information of China

Fast Facts

Each year China welcomes thousands of English-speaking students, teachers, scientists, artists, business men and women, and tourists who come to China to study, teach, perform, exchange ideas, engage in trade and business or just to sightsee.

The following offers a fast and ready reference of basic China facts as a guide for visitors and others. Formal name: People’s Republic of China (PRC) Capital: Beijing Head of State: President Hu Jintao elected March 15, 2003. National flag: Red flag with five stars. National emblem: Tiananmen Gatetower under five stars, encircled by ears of grain and with a gear wheel below. Other symbols: Animal: The giant panda is considered a Chinese national treasure. Just over 1,000 survive in the wild, most of them to be found in Sichuan Province. Flower: China does not have an “official” national flower, but the tree peony can be regarded as a national favorite. The tree peony (mudan) received the most votes in an unofficial survey conducted in 1994 in every district in China asking people to select a national flower. Bird: More bird species live in China than any other place in the world. Shaanxi Province’s red ibis is also a national treasure. Only some 1,500 of this highly endangered bird species exist. Other cranes found in China include the

Siberian white, common, black-necked, sarus, hooded, white-naped, and demoiselle. Tree: The oldest tree in the world is China’s gingko, which first appeared during the Jurassic Age some 160 million years ago. National anthem: March of the Volunteers, written in 1935, with lyrics by the poet Tian Han and music by the composer Nie Er, honoring those who went to the front to fight the Japanese invaders in northeast China in the 1930s. Decided upon as the provisional national anthem of the new China on September 27, 1949, at the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the song was officially adopted as the national anthem of the PRC on December 4, 1982, by the National People’s Congress (NPC). National Day: Chinese celebrate October 1 as National Day in honor of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Other national holidays: Spring Festival (the celebration of Chinese New Year, generally between the last 10-day period of January and mid-February) and International Labor Day (May 1). Major holidays in China are occasions for family reunions and traveling. Starting in October 1999, China’s three official holidays became “Golden Weeks” each with seven days vacation made possible by working four extra days before the

commencement of the holiday and afterwards. Land size: China has a landmass of 9,600,000 sq km, and is the third-largest country in the world, next only to Russia and Canada. Cultivated land is 130.04 million ha. Location: In the east of the Asian continent, on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean. Border countries: Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Climate: Extremely diverse; tropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Geography: Mountains, high plateaus, and deserts in the west; plains, deltas, and hills in the east. The highest mountain in China is the highest mountain in the world: Mount Qomolangma. The mountain towers above all others at 29,035 feet or 8,848 m. Population: China is the world’s most populous country with 1.28453 billion at the end of 2002, one-fifth of the world’s total. This figure does not include the Chinese living in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and Taiwan Province. Population density: The population density is 134 people per sq km, roughly four times greater than that of the U.S. Population ethnicity: 91.6 percent of Chinese people are Han. The non-Han population includes 55 ethnic minorities, of which the major groups are the Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uygur, Yi, Tujia, Mongolian, and Tibetan. Population distribution: Most of the population of China lives in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, Yangtze River and Pearl River valleys, and the Northeast Plain. In 2000 a “go-west” campaign was launched by the government to help its relatively backward western and central areas catch up with more affluent eastern China. Religions: The number of religious worshippers in China is estimated at well over 100 million, most of whom follow Buddhism. Other major religions are Taoism, Islam and Christianity in both its Catholic and Protestant forms. Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, and Hakka dialects, as well as minority languages. In 1958, the First National People’s Congress approved, at its Fifth Session, the adoption of the Pinyin (Scheme for the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet) for spelling Chinese names and places in

Roman letters, but the Pinyin system was not popularly used until the late 1970s. Pinyin is now widely seen in China, and it replaces earlier Romanization spelling systems. Health: China provides wide access to primary health care and child immunizations. Average life expectancy was 71.8 years in 2002, having risen from 35 years on the eve of Liberation in 1949. Economy: China’s economy has boomed since 1978, as a result of sweeping economic reforms. GNP grew from $128 billion in 1980 to $745 billion in 1998. China’s economy continues to grow rapidly, with a GDP real growth rate of 8 percent in 2002, and an annual industrial production growth rate of 11.6 percent between 1979 and 2000. The Constitution: After the founding of the PRC, four Constitutions have been formulated successively in 1954, 1975, 1978 and 1982. The first Constitution was adopted by the First Session of the First National People’s Congress, the chief legislative branch, on September 20, 1954. The present Constitution was promulgated in 1982 and amended several times thereafter, in 1988, 1993 and 1999. Political parties: The Communist Party of China (CPC) is the country’s sole political party in power. Hu Jintao became general secretary of the CPC at its 16th National Congress in November 2002. Founded in July 1921, the CPC today has more than 66 million members and over 3.5 million basic organizations. Besides the CPC, there are eight political parties. Administrative divisions: China is made up of 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. The 23 provinces are Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; the five autonomous regions are Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Tibet; the four municipalities are Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Currency: Renminbi (RMB)/yuan Military: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Second Artillery Force. Jiang Zemin is chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, the country’s top military organ and commander of its armed forces. International organization participation: The African Development Bank Group, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), ASEAN Regional Forum, Asian Development Bank, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bank for International Settlement, China Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Chamber of Commerce, International Development Association, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Finance Corporation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Hydrographic Organization, International Labor Organization, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organization, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), International Olympic Committee, International Standardization Organization (ISO), International Telecommunication Union, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, United Nations, UN Security Council, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission, UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, UN Truce Supervision Organization, United Nations University, World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Meteorological Organization, World Tourism Organization, and World Trade Organization.

The Summer Palace Of Beijing China

        Situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central Beijing. Having the largest royal park and being well preserved, it was designated, in 1960 by the State Council, as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Site of China. Containing examples of the ancient arts, it also has graceful landscapes and magnificent constructions.

The Summer Palace is the archetypal Chinese garden, and is ranked amongst the most noted and classical gardens of the world. In 1998, it was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by Constructed in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), during the succeeding reign of feudal emperors; it was extended continuously. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it had become a luxurious royal garden providing royal families with rest and entertainment. Originally called "Qingyi Garden" (Garden of Clear Ripples), it was know as one of the famous "three hills and five gardens" (Longevity Hill, Jade Spring Mountain, and Fragrant Hill; Garden of Clear Ripples, Garden of Everlasting Spring, Garden of Perfection and Brightness, Garden of Tranquility and Brightness, and Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure). Like most of the gardens of Beijing, it could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French allied force and was destroyed by fire. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it for her own benefit, changing its name to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). She spent most of her later years there, dealing with state affairs and entertaining. In 1900, it suffered again, being ransacked by the Eight-Power Allied Force. After the success of the 1911 Revolution, it was opened to the public。

Composed mainly of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Guided by nature, artists designed the gardens exquisitely so that visitors would see marvelous views and be amazed by perfect examples of refined craftwork using the finest materials.

　Centered on the Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) the Summer Palace consists of over 3,000 structures including pavilions, towers, bridges, and corridors. The Summer Palace can be divided into four parts: the court area, front-hill area, front-lake area, and rear-hill and back-lake area.

　　Front-Hill Area: this area is the most magnificent area in the Summer Palace with the most constructions. Its layout is quite distinctive because of the central axis from the yard of Kunming Lake to the hilltop, on which important buildings are positioned including Gate of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom, etc.

　Rear-Hill and Back-Lake Area: although the constructions are fewer here, it has a unique landscape, with dense green trees, and winding paths. Visitors can feel a rare tranquility, and elegance. This area includes scenic spots such as Garden of Harmonious Interest and Suzhou Market Street.

　　Court Area: this is where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu met officials, conducted state affairs and rested. Entering the East Palace Gate, visitors may see the main palace buildings: the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity served as the office of the Emperor, the Hall of Jade Ripples where Guangxu lived, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, Cixi‘s residence, the Hall of Virtue and Harmony where Cixi was entertained.

　　Front Lake Area: covering a larger part of the Summer Palace, opens up the vista of the lake. A breeze fluttering, waves gleam and willows kiss the ripples of the vast water. In this comfortable area there are the Eastern and Western Banks, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Nanhu Island, and so on. On the western bank float six distinct bridges amongst which the Jade-Belt Bridge is the most beautiful.

Terra Cotta Warriors

Terra Cotta Warriors it is a great discovery in human history and one of the eight wonders in the world. The site is highly ranked just next to the Pyramids in Egypt and the ancient sculptures in Greece, they are all invaluable treasures.

   
The discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors was in Xi'an in 1974 by a local resident. It triggered the interest of Chinese archeologists who excavated the 7,000 earth-made soldier and horse figures from the ground. The most interesting thing is that their face expressions and the "hair styles" of these soldier figures are all different from each other. It took about 38 years with many craftsmen to complete this historical project.

In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty established the first centralized dynasty in China. After his death, his people buried him at the north of Lishan Hill in Lintong County. The tomb is a rammed-soil mound with a height of 47m. In 1974, three large pits of terra-cotta figures were discovered about 1.5km east of the mausoleum. Among those three, the largest one is Pit No.1, covering almost 14,260 square meters. The pit is divided into eleven corridors arraying 38 columns of clay warriors, chariots and horses.
Over 6,000 clay warriors would have been recovered from the pit if they could be completely excavated. This will be an artistic reappearance of hundreds of Qin's warriors. The figures, life-like shaped and colorfully painted, are of high artistic value. Now, a big arch-roofed exhibition hall is set up over Pit No.1 where the restored terra-cotta warriors and horses are on display. There are thousands of tourists from all around the world visit Xi'an each year.

Map of China

Hutong Beijing of China

        First of all，I would like to start with the term"Hutong"，H-U-T-O-N-G what does Hutong mean？
　　According to experts，the word Hutong originated from Mongolian language meaning"Well".In ancient times，people tended to gather and live around wells. So the original meaning of Hutong should be"a place where people gather and live."Another explanation says that during the Yuan Dynasty，about 13th century，residential areas in the city were divided into many divisions. Between the smaller divisions were

passageways for people to travel through. And those passageways also functioned as isolation belts against fire risks. In Mongolian language，passageways of this kind were called Hutong. But no matter what Hutong exactly means，one thing is for sure，that is，Hutong first appeared in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty. In the early 13th century，a Mongolian tribe from the north became very strong. Led by Genghis Khan，the Mongolian occupied Beijing，the capital of the Jin Dynasty. In the year 1271，Kubla Khan，the grandson of Genghis Khan，ounded Yuan Dynasty and set Beijing as the capital city in the following year. Unfortunately，the old city was completely destroyed during the war. So they had to rebuild it. In old China，all the structures and roads were required to be symmetrical. So the city was well designed. First，they had to find a center，and then built a regular square city. The layout of the city was very much like a

chessboard. About 50 residential areas were constructed，with straight roads and Hutongs in between. At the time，there was a clear definition for avenue，street and Hutong. A 37-metre-wide road was called an avenue，an 18-metre-wide one was called a street，and a 9-metre-wide lane was called a Hutong. Most of today's Hutong were formed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties that followed. Nobody knows exactly how many Hutongs there are in nowadays Beijing. But one thing is for sure，if we connected all the Hutongs together，their total length would even be longer than the famous Great wall，which is about 4000 miles longer. Or to make it clear，it could build a highway from Seattle to Boston，all across America！
　　Today you can find various Hutongs with different shapes，lengths or directions.The shortest one is only 40 centimeters wide，which means a person like me has to walk sideways to get through. And some Hutongs have more than 20 turns. With the growth of the population，many old Hutongs have disappeared to make way for high-rise apartments. Today I'm very happy to show you some well-preserved Hutongs，and to let you experience the typical Chinese life. Are you ready？Let's go！

　　
As we walk through the Hutongs，you may find most of them look almost the same with gray-colored walls and bricks. Actually inside those walls are the courtyard houses，where people live. In Chinese we call them"siheyuan"."Si"literally means four,"he"means to surround，and"yuan"refers to the courtyard. So a rectangular wall enclosing four houses，one built on each side facing into the center，is called a Siheyuan. When they were first built，usually one Siheyuan was owned by only one family，but nowadays，with the growth of the population，most Siheyuans are shared by 4 to 10 families.
　　The gate building of each Siheyuan is the only thing that we can see along the Hutongs. Chinese people used to try to protect their privacy from being intruded by strangers. So the gate building，in old times，was a symbol to show the position of each house owner. You don't have to go inside the courtyard. Just look at the gate building，you can already tell whether it's an influential family or not.
　　Look at this one，the gate building is big and tall. The head and eave of the gate are well decorated with brick carvings. See the design？Plum blossoms and bamboos. It indicated that the original owner of this courtyard must have been an official serving in the emperor's court. But look at that one nest door，it has the lion design，because that owner used to be a military officer. Interesting？
　　Now let's see the doorway. Almost every doorway has a threshold，that high step over there. Remember we saw some yesterday in the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace？For what reason they put a big step at the door？
　　You know Chinese people believe all the evil spirits are short. They can not jump over high steps. So the threshold is actually for warding off evil spirits. These two pieces of stone by the threshold are also decorations for the gate building. Like these two，shaped like drums. They are called drum stones. On the top are carved reclining lions，and on the front，right and left sides are carved a bat holding an ancient coin in its mouth. You know Chinese people like bats very much，because bat in our language shares the same pronunciation with"fortune".So this pattern means good fortune is right before you. Some gate pillows are rectangular in shape，which means they are younger than the drum stones. They were only built in the recent 100 years，mainly for small-and-medium-scale courtyards. And their patterns are usually flowers and mascots.
　　In old times，transportation was not as convenient as today，so street vendors played a very important role in Hutong life. They wandered from lane to lane selling various goods or providing all kind of services. People could judge the goods or services from their peddling or the sounds of their special instruments. The food they sold usually include baked pancakes，seasoned millet mush，or Youzhaguo，a kind of deep-fried twisted dough sticks，and all kinds of vegetables.

　　
A barber never peddles. With his instrument being a big pair of scissors and an ironing stick，he couldn't lose focus and make a wrong cut. But now，with modern life all around，including of course Michael Jackson's songs，it's hard for people to hear the traditional melodious hawking. Look at the crowd sitting over there！What do you think they are doing？Talking about Vic Tanny？
　　Oprah's？Or just gossiping？Any ideas？Let's go and see！
　　Oh，they are building a new Great Wall. But their bricks are Chinese Mahjong！A very popular pastime among the Hutong people，especially among the senior citizens who have retired. You probably wonder why some senior citizens over there are wearing red-colored armbands. They are actually the voluntary neighborhood watch. And their armbands say“On Duty”。If you think they are too old to be a professional security guard，you are wrong. Believe me，just because of these lovely Grandmas，this area has been a peaceful and safe place for many years. And if you don't believe it，you'd better not test them！
　　The main attraction of Hutong life is friendly and interpersonal communication. Children living in one courtyard play together and grow up together like one big family. So now our government is trying to preserve such Hutong area in Beijing. Without permission，nobody is allowed to tear down old houses to build high-rise apartments. We want to save it as a treasure to show our later generations what Beijing used to be like.
　　OK. Time files. It's almost the end of the tour. Today，through our Hutong tour，you have learnt a lot about our traditional Chinese houses and way of life.
　　

Wu Yuan

Most Beautiful Countyside in China
　　Wuyuan County is located at the northeast of Jiangxi Province. Ziyang,in the county's central town, is 140 km away from Quzhou of Zhejiang to its east,180km from shangrao to its south,80km away from Jindezhen to its west and 114km away from Huangshan to its north;it is like a bright pearl embedded in the Huangshan-Wuyuan-Lushan golden tour line and is honoured as the "Most Beautiful Countyside in China" by the media at home and abroad.
　　With an 81.5% tree cover of woods,Wuyuan is one of the sixteen most ecologically advanced agriculture counties is China.Like a large park the county is praised as the "Last shangri La". Wengong Hill,Yuanyan Lake （the Mandarin Duck Lake） and Linyan Cave are known as ecological wonders.
　　There are also many well-preserved ancient villages like Jiangwan,likeng,Wangkou,Yan village,Sixi and Likeng.The Hui-style ancient Buildings with pink walls and black tiles,which are faintly visible amid the green hills and blue waters, make up a picturesque landscape depicting the symbiosis of man and nature.Wuyuan is the hometown of Philosopher Zhuxi （朱熹）and Zhan Tianyou（詹天佑）,the Father of Railroads in China.There were 550 successful candidates all together from Wuyuan who had taken the highest imperial examinations in the past.hui Opera（徽剧）, the origin of Beijing Opera,the Luo Dance known as the "Dance Live Fossil",the folk garret-lifting art reputed for "A Unique in China（中华一绝）"and the charming tea performance all make Wuyuan an attractive scenic

Qiandao Lake

The Fuchun River-Xin'an River-Qiandao Lake scenic area is a picturesque waterway. As long as 300 kilometers, it covers more than 1100 square kilometers. With numerous tourist attractions, its scenery is especially enchanting.
　　The Xin'an River is in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, flowing through cities like Chun'an and Jiande. Flanked by a thick forest of trees, the clear river, with many shoals and rapids, winds its way through hilly areas. It is blocked by a big dam within Jiande —— the dam for the Xin'an River reservoir and power station. The reservoir boasts 1078 islets; hence the name 1000-Islet （Qiandao） Lake. This 573-square-kilometer lake, over 100 meters in depth, is 109 times the size of the West Lake in Hangzhou. It has a storage capacity of 17.8 billion cubic meters. Surrounded by verdant mountains, the crystal-clear lake is dotted by islets with luxuriant vegetation, like plenty of jadeite in a big mirror.
　　While going boating on the lake, one finds “a lake within hills and a hill within lakes”. One can not only enjoy the boundlessness of Taihu Lake （one of China's 4 biggest lakes） but also appreciate the gracefulness of West Lake. The water temperature remains about 14°C, pleasant both in summer and winter. Qiandao Lake is known for its numerous attractions, featuring green hills, beautiful waters, unusual caves, and fantastic rocks.
　　More appealing among them are such islets as Longshan, Laoshan, Xianshan, Guihua, and Mishan. Besides, various kinds of animal are raised on many islets, including Monkey Islet, Bird Islet, and Snake Islet. The Fuchun River in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River traverses Tonglu, Fuyang, and Xiaoshan. Along the river are seen many sandbanks and rolling green hills. The current is slow moving and meandering. Stork Mountain, Yan Ziling's Angling Terrace, Sailing on Qili Rapids, and Gourd Waterfalls are among the scenic spots downstream.

suzhou

The long history of Suzhou City has left behind many attractive scenic spots and historical sites with beautiful and interesting legends. The elegant classical gardens, the old - fashioned houses and delicate bridges hanging over flowing waters in the drizzling rain, the beautiful lakes with undulating hills in lush green, the numerous scenic spots and historical sites, and the exquisite arts and crafts, etc. have made Suzhou a renowned historical and cultural city full of eternal and poetic charm.
　　Suzhou was the capital of the Wu State during the Spring and Autumn Period. In 514 BC, by the command of King He Lu of Wu, his senior minister Wu Zixu built the Great City of He Lu, and its wall measured 23.5 kilometres in circumsference with 8 pairs of land - and - water gates. The city began to take the name of Suzhou and Gusu City during the Sui Dynasty. Numerous changes have taken place in Suzhou through its vast history. Yet, in spite of repeated devastation, the city is still seated exactly on the original site as it was 2500 years ago, which is indeed an instance rarely found in the world.
　　Suzhou is best known for its gardens: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, the Surging Wave Pavilion, and the Master of Nets Garden. These gardens weave together the best of traditional Chinese architecture, painting and arts.
　　Shown in the picture above is the famous "Cold Mountain Temple" where bells are rang on New Year's morning as a tradition.
　　Suzhou is also known as the "Venice of the East". The city is sandwiched between Taihu Lake and Grand Canal. Network of cannels, criss-crossed with hump-backed bridges, give Suzhou an image of City on the water.

Tibet Overview

Tibet lies on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the southwest border of China. The average height of the whole region is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, for which Tibet is known as "Roof of the World". The highest peak of Tibet, also the highest in Himalayas and in the whole world, is Everest Peak, which is as high as 8,846.27 meters above sea level.
　　Although a part of China, Tibet has a unique culture of all there own. It is mainly inhabited by Tibetans, a minority nationality of old and mysterious people. Tourist attractions include the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Jokhang Temple, and a number of Buddhist sacred places.
　　Tibet （Xi Zang in Chinese） is to the south of Xin Jiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qing Hai Province, to the west of Sichuan, to the northwest of Yunnan and to the north of India and Nepal. Its population of 2.3 million people come from a variety of ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han, Monba and Lhota. Its capital city is Lhasa.
　　Northwest Tibet, mainly Qing Hai plateau, is home to a variety of unusual and unique animals. Across the northern expanse of Tibet, you can see vast grasslands where horses, yak and sheep roam freely. The world's lowest valley, the Grand Yarlun-tzanpo River Valley lies in east Tibet.
　　Nearly all Tibetans follow Tibetan Buddhism, known as Lamaism, with the exception of approximately 2,000 followers of Islam and 600 of Catholicism. Tibetan Buddhism was greatly influenced by Indian Buddhism in its early time, but after years of evolution, Tibetan Buddhism has developed its own distinctive qualities and practices. A well-known example is the belief that there is a Living Buddha, who is the reincarnation of the first, a belief alien to Chinese Buddhism.
　　It is freezing cold in most time of the year. Most tourists come to visit Tibet only in the warmest seasons, June, July, August and early September.

HunLunbeier Grassland

Lady and Genlenmen:
　　Welcome to HunLunbeier Grassland! First of all, I'd like to tell you why People call this bdautiful grassland Hulunbeier grassland. There is a moving legend behind it. A long, long time ago there lived a couple of lovers on the grassland. The girl was a Hu lun. The boy was Bei Er. One day a demon chief called Mang Gusi abducted HuLun and dried up the grassland. The grass withered and yellowed and domestic animals died one after another.In order to save the grassland and Hu Lun, BeiEr traved a great distance on foot, chasing after Mang Gasi day and night. Finally, he fainted from exhaustion. In his weakened state, he dreamt that the demon chief had magically turned Hu Lu,Bei Er traveled a great distance on foot, chasing after Mang Gasi day and night. Finally, he fainted from exhaustion.In his weakened state, he dreamt that the demon chief had magically turned Hu Lun into a flower which was and suffering from the windy dream in front of him. He immediately watered the flower and broke the spell. Hu Lun changed back into her former self. But the demon chief would not give up. He immediately watered the flower and broke the spell. Hu Lun changed back in to her former self. But the demon chief would not give up. He seized Hu Lun and took her away again. Hu Lun racked her brain for a way to escape. She succeeded in getting hold of the magic pearl on the demon chief`s head. On swallowing the pearl Hu Lun turned into a lake. In the meantime BeiEr had killed all of the other demons, but failed to find Hu Lun. Heartbroken, Bei Er jumped in to a lake to kill himself.All of a sudden the earth split open and formed two lakes, Hu Lun lake and Bei Er Lake, with the Wilson River closely connecting them. Later,people living on the grassland named the land hulunbeier Grassland in momory of them.
　　HuLunbeier covers an area of 250.557 square kilometers,with a totel population of 2.66 million. The Mongolian natiality is the dominant ethic group, and 35 other nationlities,such as Dawoer, Ewenke, Elunchun, Han, Manchu, Russian, etc. live in harmony with them on the grassland. Hunlunbeier is called “green and clean land” because it is relatively free of pollution.
　　（Entering the grassland）
　　Now we're setting foot on Hunlunbeier Grassland. All of us have escaped from the city and its clamour and entered a place like a dreamland,Look! The grassland looks like asoft, green cerpet, Nowyou can enjoy the beautiful scenery in the distance; numeros kinds of wild flowers are in bloom, and wisps of smoke are rising continuously from the yurta scattered on the grassland. When the gentle breeze brushes against the grass, herds of horses and cattle and flock of sheep seem to be drifting from here ro there. What a beautiful picture!
　　（Visiting a yurt）
　　This is the yurt we saw from the bus just now. Look!The host and his family have come out of the to greet us. Of couse, this is not an arranged reception, to be sure. But before we enter the yurt, I'dlike to make a brief introduction on the folk costoms here. No matter which yurt you happen to visit, you will finethat on hesring your footsteps the Mongolian people will extend a warm welcome outsite the yurt, to do justice to their reputed hospitality. When greeting you, they will put their hands against their chests and bow slightly. With a “how do you do,” They invite their guestsin. Male guests are invited to sit on the left and female on the right, while host sits in midle. The moment you take your seats, your host will have milk tea and various kinds of milk products pleaced in front of you. After a white, you will most probably probabyly be asked to help yourself to a special course called “shouba lamd.” As a way of showing respct to his distinguished guest, your hast will prsent you with a “hada”（ a piece of silk used as a greeting gift）, Together with a cup of lacal wine. Mongolians are well known for theirtalent in singing and dancing.Their beautiful songs are as entertaining and pleasant as the blue sky, white clouds, greengrass and fresh flowers, In folk culture, there is a saying that a feast is not a true feast without the company of songs. Every person in the grassland, man or woman, old or young, can sing folk songs. When proposing toasts to their guests, they will show their hospitality by singing folksongs and playing special fiddles. The Mongolian people have lived on the vast grassland for a long time, and they have refined their talent for sing and dancing. You can not only please your eyes with their traditional ethnic dancing but also with their mondern ones featuring merry rhythms and vigorous steps.Now let`s enter the yurt and take advantage of this opportunity to be guests in a Mongolian herdsman`s home.
　　（Stepping out of the yurt）
　　Under the blue sky and white clouds, you will see a vivid picture of flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, galloping horses and skillful herdsen on horseback brandishing horsewhips. Do you want to go for a ride ? If you are skilled at riding, why not ride a Mongolian horse for a while or wander about on camelback?If you are afraid of riding horses or camels,never mind. You still can enjoy the nomandic life by taking a special Mongolian vehicle called a “Lele”.
　　（Briefing on the physique of Mongolians）
　　Now you have had a look at the grassland with your own eyes, but did you noticed that the Mongolian girls are graceful,elegant and vigorous, and the young fellow are robust, heroic and muscular? It is said that this has much to do with their life styles which are connected with horse sports,running and pursuing.Further,the important role played by milk tea and milk products in developing their muscles and bones canot be underestimated.
　　（Briefing on the dietary habit of Mongolians）
　　Let's start with milk tea,The host minces the tea and put it in a kettle to boil it. When the kettle starts boiling with a gurgling sound, the host pours the fresh milk into it. Thus the herdsman coming in from a snowstorm will warm up immediately after having such a cup of milk tea. A bowl of milk tea, stir-fried rice, several piece of a dry milk product and some lamb is regarded as a delicious meal by the ordinary Mongolian herdsman. Milk products include the skin of boiled milk, milk curd, milk wine, cheese, butter and so on. The formal meal may be served with meat and a flour-base product.
　　While you are here on the grassland, it will be a great pity if you do not try “Shouba Lamb”（boil meat which is eaten using a knife and your hands）.The lamb is first cut into big slices and then put into boiling water to cook.When it is half done, you cut it into smaller pieces with the Mongolian knife and eat it. TheMongolian people think that half-done meat contains more nutrients.
　　（Briefing on Mongolian clothing）
　　The Mongolian robe is unique to this ethnic group. The robe is often matched with a belt and head decorations.With its high collar and long sleeves, the robe protects people from mosquitoes. The middle part of the robe is made loose for the convenience of riding horses and is long enough to keep the knees warm. You can find all kinds of clothes here today, but the robe is the cultural heritage of the Mongolians and has become a symbol of their national conscience and identity.
　　（Briefing on Mongolian yurta）
　　You can see mongolian yurta here and there on grassland.But do you know the history and structure of the mongolian yurta?According to the historical records of the Xiongnu,an ancient ethnic group, their ancestors lived in the Northland long ago. Their living quarters were called yurta. In this sense Mongolians, as a ethnic group, can date to 4,000 years ago. So the Mongolian yurta are a symbol of the history of this ethnic group. Now let`s talk about the construction of a yurt are a symbol of the history of this ethnic group, Now let`s talk about the construction of a yurt. Herdsmen first build a round foundation with pieces of stones, Then they set up the structure with wodden wods and beams linked together with wollen or fur ropes,Lastly, they cover the structure with animal skins or felt blankets.The ceiling of the yurt is round. With such a structure, the yurt can withstand snowstorms and heavy rainfalls. The door of the yurt is small and down to the ground. The yurt can be easily moved and this is suitable for nomadic life.This accounts for the reason why the structure of the yurt remains unchanged till today. If the Mongolian yurt is seen as the home of the herdsmen, then the “lele”carts can be viewed as their mobile homes. “lele”carts move slowly with big noise. It is hard to tell when the history of “lele”carts began. All the carts are made of birch, so they will reain in good condition even in wet weather. The wheels of the carts are tall and can easily roll across the uneven roads, lush bushes, thick snow and marshes. “lele”carts are indispensable for herdsmen when they move cross snow-covered areas.
　　（Briefing on Mongolian festivals）
　　There are a lot of Mogolian festivals held every year on the grassland, but the most famous one is Nadam,the carnival the grassland. “Nadam”in the Mongolian language means recreation or entertainment. When it comes, there will be a lot of performances,such as horse racing, wrestling, archery and some other special ethnic performances. The Nadam fair is a time-honored festival and was known world wide for 700years, Nowadays the Nadam fair is often held during the harvest season of the grassland, either in June or July.During that period, herdsmen often take the opportunity to sell domestic animals and livestock products and purchasse daily necessilties and livelihood-related goods.Acturally, the herdsmen have few chances to get together on such a vast grassland, so Nadam also plays the role of a big trade fair for them, When we talk about Nadam, we should also talk about offering sacrifice at “Aobao”.“Aobao ”in Mogolian means a pile of rocks or earth. On the vast and endless grassland, it is hard to tell directions, so people thought of pilling rocks or earth to mark them, In its long historical development Aobao has become the shrine to offer scrifices to the God of the Mountain and the God of the Road.During the sacrifice –offering ceremony,people insert tree branches into the Aobao and put pieces of colorful cloth or paper flags with written scripture on the branches There are four types of memorial ceremonies, namely blood,wine,fire and jade. No matter what type it is, a lama will be invited to butn incenses, chant scriptures and pray for the blessing of the people and their livestock. Participants will walk around the Aobao clockwise three times.After the ceremony, the herdmen will not only enjoy horse races,wrestling and archery, but also singing, dancing and drinking to their heart`s content. Around that time, young lovers will probably leave the crowd to be in a world of their own.
　　Dear,distinguished guests,after this tour of this grassland I believe you must have a general idea of how the Mongolian pelple live here and may een feel reluctant to leave the beautiful hulunbeier Grassland. I belive the grassland and its people enjoyed your visit as much as you did and look forward to your next one.
　　Ladies and Gentlemen,I hope to have another chance to meet you again on this very land, the Hulunbeier Grassland. Goodbye and good luck.

丽江 Lijiang

Lijiang is a beautiful shining jewel on the Northwest Yunnan Plateau neighboring the southeast side of the Tibetan Plateau which is considered to be the Roof of the World. It is impressive because of its scenery and lush vegetation.
　　Lijiang boasts of breath-taking wonderful sights such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and its modern maritime glacier, the only one of its kind in the southern end of the Northern Hemisphere; Tiger Leaping Gorge; the world - famous grand canyon; Lugu Lake, the cultural cradle of the Matriarchy of the Yongning Mosuo people in Ninglang.
　　Lijiang Town is officially called Dayan Town—— Dayan literally means a great inkstab, a graphic description of the town's location on a piece of rich flatland fed by a river and surrounded by green mountains. There is no other town in China like Dayan which incorporates the folkways of so many people and the architectural styles of both north and south China.
　　The people of Naxi, while developing their land of snow-clad mountains and turbulent rivers since ancient times, have to their credit the Dong Ba Culture seen as one of the world wonders, a culture all-embracing while unique.
　　All these natural sceneries and these cultural treasures of the minority peoples have been continuously drawing tourists from all over the world and have recently vote Lijiang as one of the favorite destinations in China.

Macau Travel Guide

The name of Macau is derived from the word Magao （A-Ma Temple）, which were shrines dedicated to Mazu, a sacred sea goddess respected by Macau people. It was said that in the middle of sixteenth century when the Portuguese first set foot there, one of the officers asked a fisherman the name of the land. The man misunderstanding the officer's meaning, answered 'Magao' - the name of A-Ma Temple in front them. The word became the Portuguese name for the land and for nearly 400 years, the Portuguese ruled here prior to Macau's official return to the People's Republic of China on December 20, 1999 as a special administrative region.
　　The land of Macau when compared with other Chinese metropolises unlike Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou is quite small covering an area of just 27.5 square kilometers. The total population Macau is 469,800 of which 95% are Chinese, the remainder being Portuguese and other westerners. The majority resides on the Macau Peninsular where you can find a variety of both Oriental and Western cultural and historical places of interest and all sorts of old buildings that are either European baroque or traditional Chinese in style. The blend of people, culture and history has influences on every aspect of life in the city. A wander around the Macau Peninsular will bring you into a world of antiques and fashion, traditional and modern, as well as tranquility and glitz.
　　Most travelers who have been to Macau conclude that it is a location suited to both tourism and living as it is a beautiful city with clean streets, gardens and picturesque hilly landscapes. Sunshine, clear air, green lands and all sorts of delicious food all contribute to its many attractions.
　　Wandering around is the best way to explore the city's numerous historical and cultural heritages. Popular sightseeing places that form part of a traveler's itinerary are spread all over the Macau Peninsular. Largo do Senado, the splendid main square with surrounding simple, elegant Portuguese and baroque style buildings is the busiest downtown area of the city. Clothing shops, curio markets, pharmacies, snack stalls and jewelry shops housed in the narrow alleyways that radiate from the square sell dazzling items.
　　A northerly walk leads tourists to the featured attractions of the city Ruins of St. Paul's, a former screen wall of St. Paul's Church and the Monte Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Macau. The Museum of Macau, to the right of the ruins, tells all stories on the city's past. Situated at the base of Penha Peninsula in the southwest part of the city is A-Ma Temple, built in the Ming Dynasty （1368 - 1644）, which is dedicated to the sacred goddess A-Ma. During the festival seasons, thousands of devout prayers come to visit the temple.
　　In the southern part of the Peninsular, the New Reclaimed Area and the Outer Harbor Area, compared with the more traditional central and western areas, is the newly-developed region on which the modern aspect of the city can be found. There are many luxurious hotels housing various gambling casinos and these venues are packed with people from all over the world when the night comes. Numerous museums in these two areas present the essence of Macau's culture and history including Macau Wine Museum, Grand Prix Museum，Macau Art Museum, etc.
　　The two outlying islands of Taipa and Coloane, connected to the Macau Peninsular by two bridges feature tranquil natural and beach sceneries and are good choice for a short break away from the bustling Macau Peninsular. Macau Jockey Club's horse racing attracts numerous gamblers from the nearby areas and Hac Sa Bay and Bamboo Bay are two breathtaking natural scenic areas with the best seaside bathing places in Macau.
　　Macau is the paradise for gourmands with a wide range of delicious cuisines from all over the world including unparalleled Macau-style Portuguese cuisine, traditional Cantonese cuisine, exotic food from Italy, France, Brazil, India, Japan, and Korea…… Everyone can find his own favorite! Moreover, the well-known Macau dim sum delicacies should never be missed. The Pastéis de Nata （a Portuguese-style egg tart） that originated on the outlying island of Coloane is the featured snack of the city and Margaret's Café & Nata offer the best. All kinds of dim sum ranging from almond cake, chicken cakes, cashew cookies, sesame crackers, egg and cheese rolls are served in the many Portuguese café and they are good choices for gifts of families or friends.
　　Known as 'Oriental Las Vegas', the gambling industry in Macau is booming and has already become an important feature of Macau's economy. Surprisingly, tourists do not find the kind of razzmatazz in Macau's casinos as elsewhere; by contrast you can feel the expectations of gamblers from their polite manners and the peaceful atmosphere.
　　Macau, a famous destination with prosperity and peace, fashion and history, oriental and western cultures, is deserving of a visit and a stay here is sure to revitalize the weary traveler.

Shenzhen Travel Guide

Shenzhen is located in the southern portion of the Guangdong Province, on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta. Neighboring the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong （located just south of Shenzhen）, Shenzhen's location gives it a geographical advantage for economic development. In 1980, the first Special Economic Zone of China was built in Shenzhen. From then on, Shenzhen become a highlighted city of China, one known for its rapid economic growth.
　　More than twenty years ago, Shenzhen just was a small fishing village called Baoan County. In 1979, it was renamed Shenzhen City. When the Special Economic Zone was built, the city was divided into six zones, four of which are located in the Special Economic Zone.
　　While Shenzhen City does not have as many historical attractions as other famous cities in China, it has created a number of excellent theme parks which entertain while teaching visitors about China and the world. Splendid China and China Folk Culture Villages introduce visitors to China's long history and varied cultures, while Window of the World will take you to every corner of the world in one day. Additionally, if you want to make your stay even more luxurious, visit Happy Valley, the largest of Shenzhen City's theme parks, situated on a picturesque coastline. Come enjoy the coastal view, the theme parks, the city, and especially the people of Shenzhen City.
　　Each year, more and more people come to Shenzhen to try to find employment. As a result, the city has become increasingly crowded. The local government has recently made city-wide environmental improvements in an effort to combat problems caused by overpopulation. In recognition for these improvements, Shenzhen was awarded the Garden City Award in 2000.
　　While Shenzhen has had to overcome a number of obstacles resulting from this population swell, the city has also benefited from the increased diversity. Workers come to Shenzhen from almost every part of china, bringing with them their local traditions and cuisines. Visitors are able to sample foods from each of China's famous eight cuisines. Local dishes are also worth trying - Kejia is one of the many dishes that should not be missed.
　　Thanks to its developed economy, it is easy to get to Shenzhen quickly and comfortably by air, train or ship. What's more, Shenzhen is the only city in China that provides three modes of transportations for simultaneous comings and goings. Unfortunately local transportation is not equally convenient; transportation in the city is hit-or-miss due to the large population. However, the number of transportation options available helps to counteract the problems caused by crowding. In contrast, lodging in Shenzhen is very easy to do, as there are a number of hotels which frequently host businessmen and visitors from all over the world. Finally, when you visit Shenzhen, make sure that you plan a day trip to Hong Kong, where you can enjoy the sites and attractions of the famous international metropolis.

Guilin Travel Guide

Just as Xian is a must when you travel to China, so is Guilin. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers together with wonderful caves make Guilin such an attraction for tourists.
　　Located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Covering an area of about 27,800 square kilometers （10,734 square miles）, the city is rather compact when compared with other leading cities in the country. However, situated within this area one may find green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and beautiful stones. Major attractions include Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, Reed Flute Cave and Seven-Star Park that boasts a Stone Museum where amazing geological finds are displayed. Believe that each of these places and many other attractions will leave you the lasting memories.
　　Guilin is also an important cultural city with a history encompassing more than 2000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty （960-1127）. Solitary Beauty Peak is considered to be the oldest place of interest and has been so since the far off days of the Southern Song Dynasty （1127-1279）. The prosperity enjoyed by the city during the Ming Dynasty （1368-1644） is epitomized by the Tomb of Prince Jingjiang.
　　The many ethnic minorities represented here that include the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong enrich the cultural life of the city. Each minority has its own unique customs and festivals and this means that they are much more abundant here than in many other places elsewhere in China. Travelers can enjoy these pageants at the Li River Folk Customs Center.
　　Guilin is a well-developed tourist center with convenient transportation, communication and accommodation facilities. You can enter Guilin by air, by train or by bus and get around on free buses. From luxury hotels to hostels, from splendid restaurants to local snacks, you are sure to find that your needs will be met beyond your expectations.

Xian Travel Guide

Xian, the eternal city, records the great changes of the Chinese nation just like a living history book. Called Chang'an in ancient times, Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. During Xian's 3,100 year development, 13 dynasties such as Western Zhou （11th century BC - 771 BC）, Qin （221 BC - 206 BC）, Western Han （206 BC - 24 AD） and Tang （618 - 907） placed their capitals here. So far, Xian enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals.
　　Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north, it is in a favorable geographical location surrounded by water and hills. It has a semi-moist monsoon climate and there is a clear distinction between the four seasons. Except the colder winter, any season is relatively suitable for traveling.
　　The cultural and historical significance of Xian, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help Shaanxi enjoy the laudatory title of 'Natural History Museum'. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle of the world', Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is listed on the World Heritage List, and the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty （1368 - 1644） is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world. In the city, there is the 3,000 years old Banpo Village Remains from the Neolithic Age （approximately from 8000 BC to 5000 BC）, and the Forest of Stone Steles that holds 3,000 stone steles of different periods from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Around Xian, the Famen Temple enjoys the reputation of being the 'forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi,' because it holds the finger bones of Sakyamuni —— the founder of Buddhism. The natural landscape around Xian is also marvelous Mt.Huashan one of the five best-known mountains in China, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and its unique characteristics.
　　Traditional downtown Xian refers to the area encircled by the city wall, this has now been expanded to encompass the area within the second ring road （Er' huan Lu）. The Bell Tower is the geographical center of Xian and the four main streets are respectively Dong Dajie, Xi Dajie, Nan Dajie and Bei Dajie which are also the main commercial streets. Xiao Zhai, the busiest commercial area is in the southern part of the city and is popular with both youths and students since many universities are located here. Shuyuan Men and the still under construction Luoma Shi are must-visit pedestrian streets in the city. Xian is also famous for its quantity of colleges throughout China. The old campuses of many colleges and universities are massed in the southern suburb of Xian, but most have established new campuses in far southern suburb - Chang'an District due to the lack of space within the city.
　　As tourist development grows in Xian, the hotel industry flourishes more and more. It is very easy to find a hotel in Xian, ranging from 5 star hotels to youth hostels. Of course, it will be any traveler's first choice to stay in the city center due to the superior geographical location and the convenient transportation.
　　Praised as 'the capital of table delicacies', Xian has been rich in the delicious Shaanxi snack, delicate Guangdong Cuisine, various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and popular Sichuan Cuisine such as the hot pot. Among all the delicacies, the most famous and popular one is the Muslim Snack Street.
　　Xian is the most important city in northwest China, and so there are a lot of shopping outlets for locals and tourists alike. There are many big shopping centers, department stores and supermarkets in and around Xian city - the biggest and most comprehensive being Kai Yuan Shopping Mall and Century Ginwa Shopping Mall.
　　The night life in Xian has a unique glamour. Traditional ways include enjoying the night scenery around the Bell Tower, taking part in a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, strolling on the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and watching the music fountain performance. More modern and fashionable ways include singing in the KTV, hanging out in a bar, or dancing in a Disco. All in all, any experience in this ancient city will bring you fun and possibly a little surprise!
　　It is no exaggeration that Xian is the first choice if you are willing to find the longest history of China. This region is one of the vital birthplaces of the profound Chinese civilization. Benefiting from the fertile land and comfortable climate in ancient time, the rulers of 13 dynasties have set up their capitals in Xian successively. Thus, Xian is one of the cities which preserve a wealth of historical heritages in China.

Lhasa Travel Guide

Lhasa is rightly one of the most featured and dreamt-about cities in the world. This is not only because of its remoteness, its high altitude at 3,650 meters （11,975 feet） means limited accessibility, but also because of its impressive heritage of over a thousand years of cultural and spiritual history that has helped to create the romantic and mysterious Tibetan religion.
　　Differing from the inland cities and other places in Tibet, Lhasa is unique with an allure all of its own. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. It is the center of Tibet's politics, economy and culture. The city has also been appointed as one of the 24 historical and cultural cities of China. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remains a world-famous symbol of the enigmatic power of politics and religion in this region.
　　As the beautiful capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region （TAR）, Lhasa is situated in the South Central part of the region, on the North bank of the Kyichu River （Lhasa River） in a mountain-fringed valley. This ancient sprawling city, settled 1,300 years ago, covers 30,000 square kilometers （11,583 square miles）, with a population of 400,000, of which 87 percent are Tibetans. The urban population is 180,000.
　　Generally the period from March to October is the best time to visit Tibet. Since Lhasa is located at such a high altitude it is wise to be prepared before starting your journey. Generally speaking, due to the large temperature differences during any given day in Tibet, warm clothes should be taken to keep away the cold. However, because it also receives a great deal of sunshine, sunglasses, suntan oil, and a sun hat are indispensable items if you're traveling anywhere in Tibet.
　　Currently there are three options for travel to Tibet, by plane, by road and by train.
　　1. Taking the plane is a comfortable and timesaving option, but offers little time for you to acclimatise to the altitude; this may cause sickness.
　　2. Taking the bus along one of five highways that have been opened-up for tourists' use. This will take longer but will enable you to see the amazing scenery en route. Furthermore, taking extra time allows for a more gradual acclimatization to the altitude.
　　3. Taking the train, is a fabulous new option, giving the opportunity to see hitherto unseen mountain scenery. With the operation of Tibet Railway from July 1st, 2006, more and more tourist have swarmed into Tibet via the great Tibet train.'
　　One word of warning: although there is a gradually increasing tourism industry in Lhasa, it is a city with many difficulties yet to be overcome due to its unique location and geography. Please bear in mind that traveling in Lhasa, as well as in Tibet on the whole, is more challenging than in any other part of China.
　　Despite this more and more people from every corner of the world are being attracted towards this vibrant city with its mysterious culture. Its unique scenery, long history, exotic culture, mystical religion and spectacular monuments will ensure your stay is unforgettable.

Guangzhou Travel Guide

Guangzhou, the South Gate of China, is a prosperous metropolis full of vigor.
　　Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong, and the center of its political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural life. Sui （Ears of Rice） is short for Guangzhou and the City of Ram （Yang Cheng） is also an alias of Guangzhou. The kapok is the city flower and the kapok tree is the city tree of Guangzhou.
　　Guangzhou is located in the middle south of Guangdong Province, north of the Pearl River Delta. It lies close to the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Macau. Zhujiang （The Pearl River）, the third largest river of China, runs through Guangzhou and is navigable to the South China Sea. Situated in such an excellent geographical region, Guangzhou is called China's South Gate.
　　Covering an area of 7434.4 square kilometers （2870 square miles）, Guangzhou is home to more than 11 million people, including a 3.7 million transitory population. With the opening of China to the outside world, a large number of people from other regions of China swarmed into Guangzhou, one of the first 'open' cities in China. This has accelerated its economic development.
　　Guangzhou is a famous historical city. In ancient days, Guangzhou was the capital city for three Chinese dynasties: the Nan Yue （South Yue）, the Nan Han （South Han） and the Nanming （South Ming）. Thus it was put in the list of the 24 most famous historical cultural cities and became a tourist destination. You can not understand most Chinese cities deeply until you know their history. This is true of Guangzhou. Many historic sights: the Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum, the Zhenhai Tower and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall tell us the 2,000-year history of Guangzhou.
　　Today, Guangzhou retains its ancient customs, but is also a large city full of vigor and current fashions. You can find something worth taking home in Shangxia Jiu Lu, Beijing Lu and Di Shi Fu Lu.
　　Trying Yue Cai （Cantonese Cuisine）, one of eight Chinese famous cuisines, is definitely a must in Guangzhou! Eat delicious food with ingredients you have never heard of.
　　Hotel facilities and service in Guangzhou are fine. A word of warning: Do make a reservation beforehand if you decide to visit Guangzhou during the Canton Fair. For visitors, especially those plan to attend the Canton Fair, transportation in Guangzhou is more and more convenient. You can choose plane, train, ship or bus.
　　Guangzhou is famous as a hometown for overseas Chinese. It boasts the largest population of overseas Chinese people. These overseas Chinese do a great deal of good for Guangzhou: opening international markets, bridging Guangzhou and the rest of the world, and establishing many schools, hospitals, nurseries, kindergartens and rest homes in Guangzhou.

Anhui

Anhui, with a population of over 59 million, is an inland province in Southeast China. It stretches over the Yangtze River and Huai River, and is adjacent to six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Henan and Shandong. Hefei City, the capital of the province, has many attractions as a result of its 2,000 years of history.
　　What to see
　　Covering an area of 130,000 square kilometers （50,200 square miles）, Anhui boasts of abundant tourism resources, and is a top tourist attraction among many in the Southeast, such as: the amazing Mount Huangshan, famous for its towering pines, precipitous stones, wonderland cloud-sea and hot springs; Mount Jiuhua, one of the four famous Buddhist Mountains in China; Mount Tian Zhu, also a well-known scenic spot. The magnificence of these peaks is simply stupendous. Standing on top of any one of these peaks would overwhelm most trekkers with a sight to behold. In addition to the beautiful mountain scenery, the well-preserved ancient villages in Southern Anhui are derived from the Ming and Qing Dynasties （1368 - 1911）. The most impressive ones are in Xidi and Hongcun in Yixian County near Mount Huangshan. It is really a sight worth seeing and a must for visitors who are keen to learn more about life during those years. Shexian County, reputed as Town of Arches, is also a must for each visitor who wants to experience fine examples of residential architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the unique Tangyue Memorial Archway.
　　When to go
　　Anhui intrigues and astonishes tourists with its marvelous scenery and centuries-old cultural relics. Annual average temperature is between
　　14C and 17C. The best time to visit these scenic areas is in autumn （September, October, and November） and spring （April, May and June）. However, the snow scenery of Huangshan is absolutely fascinating so if you enjoy the snow, it's best to come during the winter.
　　Anhui is also well known for its various craftworks, such as rice paper, ink stone and Chinese ink. Together, they form the precious Chinese four treasures of literary pursuits.