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But you don't have to settle for tourist masses. The Great Wall is more than just a big long wall along the north of China. There are a number of sections to visit. A beautiful example can be seen in the stunning design of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which was once the Chinese Imperial Palace, and is now the Palace Museum, and like the Xi�an Warriors, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. All are driving distance from Beijing. Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski Red Capital Ranch The Schoolhouse - Mutianyu The Great Wall of China is easiest visited on a day-trip from Beijing, easily accessed from Beijing by tour bus, public bus or by hiring transport. The following profiles should help you decide what part of the Great Wall to visit. Jiangjun Pass Simatai Jinshanling Hiking between Jinshanling and Simatai Gubeikou Baimaguan Pass Beishicheng Mutianyu Jiankou Dazhenyu Hugnhuacheng Xishuiyu Juyongguan Pass Badaling In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. Read details of the long and interesting history of China's Great Wall.Questions abound about the Great Wall. The most popular spot for Chinese tour groups is the Badaling Section, as it is the closest to Beijing and has been open for the longest time to visitors (since 1957). Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. Here are some answers to some of the most common. How Long Did it Take to Build the Great Wall of China? How Long is the Great Wall of China? There are a number of great places to stay if you want to be in the vicinity of the Great Wall. Bargaining 101 China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look The races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries. Dragon boat racing. This holiday is a chance for Chinese citizens to enjoy the dragon boat races and other cultural activities, although the races are the focus of the day.Time is not on your side: the vendor has all the time in the world, he can sell his trinket tomorrow. There are many different styles of combat training that fall into this category, and public displays and competitions are common in China � not to mention, incredibly popular. The popular martial art of Kung Fu originated in China, although it is sometimes referred to in China by the original Mandarin term, wushu. You might find it cheaper elsewhere and you can use the price to drive the other vendor down. Martial arts. If the seller isn't coming down on the item you want, walk away and peruse other stalls. The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. If you can, take time and don't be rushed. Being in a rush is the bane of the bargainer's existence. Some fighting styles are based on the movements of predator animals, while some are meant to be used more purely as self defence, and others use the ancient movements of historical warrior training. What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. The festival begins on the �double fifth�, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. This means that, on the Western calendar, the date can fluctuate wildly, being as early as May and as late as June. The different styles are usually broken up into families or sects, depending on their influence. You are on a plane tomorrow morning and you've left yourself an hour to do your shopping.

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The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. The trees are distributed all around the village, guarding the gates of the locals' houses or in their backyards. The best season to visit Jiangdong Village is late October to mid-December when the gingko leaves turn golden. What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. The oldest ones are about 500 years old. At the moment, no entrance fee is required, and tourists can dine and live in local family hostels. Martial arts. This holiday is a chance for Chinese citizens to enjoy the dragon boat races and other cultural activities, although the races are the focus of the day.The festival begins on the �double fifth�, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. Dragon boat racing. The popular martial art of Kung Fu originated in China, although it is sometimes referred to in China by the original Mandarin term, wushu. Some fighting styles are based on the movements of predator animals, while some are meant to be used more purely as self defence, and others use the ancient movements of historical warrior training. The races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries. This means that, on the Western calendar, the date can fluctuate wildly, being as early as May and as late as June. There are many different styles of combat training that fall into this category, and public displays and competitions are common in China � not to mention, incredibly popular. The sky is blotted by the spreading golden umbrellas of the trees, and when the wind blows, it rains gold. The village has not yet been developed for tourism. With only 820 households, the village is better known as Gingko Village for its more than 3,000 ancient gingko trees. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/24/content_19468148.htm www.china.org.cn Among all the tourists who flock to Dali and Lijiang, the two most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan Province, few would care to take a detour to Tengchong, a county in western Yunnan that borders Myanmar. 2010-02-24 14:34:59.0 The golden village of Jiangdong  village,Jiangdong,China , Lijiang, Yunnan, trip, The golden village of Jiangdong The golden village of Jiangdong 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Among all the tourists who flock to Dali and Lijiang, the two most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan Province, few would care to take a detour to Tengchong, a county in western Yunnan that borders Myanmar. Even fewer would care to stop over at a small village called Jiangdong. The different styles are usually broken up into families or sects, depending on their influence. Pick a floral spring at Beijing's suburbs China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities 18 Mu Yan Road, Zhuangzi Village, Bei Wu Town, Shunyi District, Beijing. Tel: 010-61423651 When you visit a new country, the first thing many people do is research what the hot spots are, so they know what parts of the country they simply cannot afford to miss out on. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/24/content_19467655.htm www.china.org.cn Following the Spring Festival is the start of China's Lunar New Year, which marks the return of spring and the start of new life. 2010-02-24 13:59:55.0 Pick a floral spring at Beijing's suburbs floral spring ,Beijing,suburbs, China, tour, restaurant, New year, flowers Pick a floral spring at Beijing's suburbs Pick a floral spring at Beijing's suburbs 1007 7076141 Travel Talk /enpproperty--> Following the Spring Festival is the start of China's Lunar New Year, which marks the return of spring and the start of new life. Staying home sounds quite dull on a sunny day, so we recommend several places in Beijing's suburbs where you can pick some fresh flowers, even in this somewhat chilly early spring. 1. Chinas vacation hot spots range from the historical sites like the Great Wall of China, to the ultra-modern tech cities like Hong Kong, and the delicately balanced places in between, like the great city of Beijing. The key to enjoying your time in China is seeing as much of the country as possible, but these hot spots should be the top things on your list.Many of the flowers in the fields will stay fresh at least ten days, and fresh lilies can even last one month. Driving route: Take the Jing Ping Expressway from the East Sixth Ring Road or Airport Second Expressway, exit at Mu Yan Road (Bei Wu Town), and drive five minutes following the sign. Address: No. Fu Laoer Flower Garden Located in north Beijing's Shunyi District, Fu Laoer Flower Garden boasts dozens of greenhouses where you can find many different fresh flowers as well as vegetables and fruits. Bejing china vacations China Packages Yangtze River Cruises

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China is a world unlike anything in Western culture, and truly must be experienced to be believed.Nowhere else can offer the same combination of the excitement and history of the Silk Road; the ancient wonders of the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall; or the cultural influences of art, architecture and other cultural touchstones. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are looking for the ultimate trip for your next scheduled time away from work, vacationing in China might well fit the bill. A vacation in China will truly be a trip of a lifetime, and will become a story that your Vegas-bound friends will be envious of. Traditional Chinese paper cuttings Vacations to China Better Than Vegas ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are looking for your next vacation destination, you might want to consider going to China for vacation. While it might not be the location that naturally comes to mind when you think about getting away for some relaxation, there are some things in China that will make your trip a truly special and relaxing one. From state-sponsored open spaces, to ancient Imperial homes and even religious and spiritual sites, there is something for everyone who visits China with the aim of finding relaxation. china vacations vacation in China Bejing China Packages

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The Summer Palace is virtually a museum of traditional Chinese gardening that uses rocks, plants, pavilions, ponds, cobble paths and other garden styles to create a poetic effect between different scenes. The Summer Palace is virtually a museum of traditional Chinese gardening that uses rocks, plants, pavilions, ponds, cobble paths and other garden styles to create a poetic effect between different scenes. [Photo by Zhang Xiaobo] " width="188"/> http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19474170.htm www.china.org.cn The Summer Palace is located on the western edge of Beijing, between the fourth and fifth ring roads, close to the western hills, 12km from central Beijing. 2010-02-25 14:53:40.0 Human landscape from Summer palace Human landscape,Summer palace,China, tour, Beijing, Human landscape from Summer palace Human landscape from Summer palace 1007 7082651 High Definition Photos /enpproperty-->   In China, there is history everywhere. The Summer Palace is virtually a museum of traditional Chinese gardening that uses rocks, plants, pavilions, ponds, cobble paths and other garden styles to create a poetic effect between different scenes. [Photo by Zhang Xiaobo] " width="188"/> Tourism bureau applies for transit visa extension On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights If you want something that the average Western sports fan is only beginning to catch on to, you can find many great martial arts competitions. As many as 4.5 million international travelers are expected to be affected, the tourism administration said. Statistics on spending among travelers said the local tourism industry should benefit from an extra $4.5 billion due to the extension, according to the Beijing News yesterday. Wang Meng, a travel agent for China Wonderful Tour, which receives about 300,000 international travelers annually, said a longer TWOV would attract more international travelers. However, he is not optimistic of a high quantity. "Most of our customers are from the US, Australia, Canada and the UK. Seven days is not enough," Wang said, from his 10 years of experience in the field. He added that his clients usually stay 10 to 15 days in China to visit the three must-go cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an. "I think a seven-day TWOV will only attract 10 to 15 percent more international travelers," he said. Kempinski Hotel Beijing welcomed the proposal, believing it would benefit the hotel business and local economy. "We had 170,000 customers last year and 60 percent of them were international visitors," said Li Bo, Kempinski's regional manager of China. Li said a seven-day TWOV could save travelers a mountain of paperwork. However, a police officer from the exit and entry administration of the Beijing public security bureau, who asked not to be named, expressed concern. They seldom have the chance to travel to China because of the long distance, so they always enjoy themselves when they do. If your tastes run to sports that you will be familiar with as a Western sports fan, you will be able to find an elite level of baseball being played in China. The goal set by the Beijing Tourism Administration in 2010 is 4.25 million trips and $4.8 billion. If you want to take a vacation with a heavy sports theme, you could do worse than to take a China vacation. And if you want to see something that you likely won�t see outside of Asia, the dragon boat race festival in China is something to behold."This plan will put a lot of pressure on national security," he said, stating that many countries have tighter TWOV rules than in Beijing. In 2009, Beijing received 4.12 million inbound travelers, contributing $4.35 billion. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471855.htm www.china.org.cn The tourism administration has joined Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) to apply to extend the current 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy to seven days, after the head of the airport raised the proposal in the municipal people's congress in late January. 2010-02-25 10:38:27.0 Tourism bureau applies for transit visa extension Tourism ,bureau ,transit visa , China, beijing, Hotel,airport Tourism bureau applies for transit visa extension Tourism bureau applies for transit visa extension 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The tourism administration has joined Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) to apply to extend the current 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy to seven days, after the head of the airport raised the proposal in the municipal people's congress in late January.

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It is not as simple as booking a travel deal for a more common Western destination � but your hard work will pay off once you land in China, and begin your dream vacation.You have an unlocked phone. With an unlocked phone you can simply buy a pre-paid SIM card (often available from shops within the airport, metro stations or nearby hotels at stalls and convenience stores). But if you’re planning on using your phone a lot (which can be very convenient from making reservations to allowing the tailor to get in touch with you as soon as your new garments are ready for their first fitting), I’d think about looking at #2. 2. Your phone contract provides international roaming services. Keep in mind, roaming can be very expensive. If you just want to have your phone for emergencies, then this is probably OK. Rates are very reasonable and the menu for recharging your phone is available in English and Mandarin. Mobile phone vocabulary list You can use this vocabulary listing to help you purchase a new SIM card, re-charge cards and other accessories during your stay. But use must fall under two conditions: 1. Answer: Yes, you can use your own mobile phone during your trip to China. You can top-up your minutes buy buying phone cards (available from convenience stores and stalls) in amounts up to 100rmb. The cost for a SIM card is anywhere between 100-200rmb and will have minutes already included. In the end, finding China vacation packages means doing some legwork and some research. Peninsula China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. When you go to China on vacation, there are three cities that you absolutely must visit. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Xi�an has an amazing history that no traveller should skip seeing.This city features some amazing historical sites, and now has some great modern wonders, thanks to their hosting of the latest Olympic Games. Primarily, you should see Beijing � but you will not have much choice in the matter, as you will likely be flying in through this capital city. Hong Kong should also be on your list of cities to see, as it is unlike any other city in China. Hong Kong is perhaps the most futuristic cities in the country. china vacations China Packages Bejing Yangtze River Cruises

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But a travel agent will have access to a system that will allow them to look up information for you about other departure areas, available tours, and can give you some information about the prices for the different trips that are on the market. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If that avenue fails to turn up the travel plans that you are looking for, you can enlist the services of a local travel agent. Again, the trip you are looking to take is not one that many people take, so your selections may be somewhat limited. National Day China Family Vacation Offers Plenty to Work With However, if you are in China, you'll find the weather is usually very nice, and after October 1, almost everything from shops and restaurants to the post office will be open for business. If you want to take a vacation with a heavy sports theme, you could do worse than to take a China vacation. And if you want to see something that you likely won�t see outside of Asia, the dragon boat race festival in China is something to behold. "The People's Central Government of PRC is the only legal government to stand for all people of PRC. If your tastes run to sports that you will be familiar with as a Western sports fan, you will be able to find an elite level of baseball being played in China. Our government is willing to establish diplomatic relationship with any foreign government that agrees to abide by the principles of equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect for territorial integrity...The latest statistics released publicly are from 2000 but according to these, 59.82 million people traveled during National Day holidays that year. Traveling during National Holidays With a week off, many Chinese travel domestically and internationally. Since 2000, as China's economy developed, the national holiday lasts seven days and most workers are given time off to visit relatives and take time for traveling. Hoards of tour groups flock to the major tourist destinations of China, so you can forget having a quite moment to ponder how the Great Wall was built. Travel fares double and triple and advance bookings must be made weeks, even months ahead for international travel. If you can avoid it, it's advisable not to travel domestically during the week around October 1st. " -Chairman Mao Zedong from the Announcement of the People's Central Government of PRC The PRC's National Day was declared at three o'clock on October 1, 1949, in front of 300,000 people during a ceremony in Tian'anmen Squeare. If you want something that the average Western sports fan is only beginning to catch on to, you can find many great martial arts competitions. Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic and waved the first five-star PRC flag. In past times, the day was marked by large political gatherings and speeches, military parades, state banquets and the like. Over two-thirds of all hotel beds were booked in major tourist destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai .

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The differences mean that visiting Hong Kong is unlike any other trip within China. Address: Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China Tel: +86 21 6279 8888 Fax: +86 21 6279 8800 Profile: Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Where should you go in China on vacation? The capital city of China, it is the best known of the four Great Ancient Capitals of China. A colony of Great Britain since the first Opium Wars of the 1800s, it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. But despite being the second largest, it was still the first choice for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. It is one of the most densely populated areas of China, cramming seven million people onto an island of less than 500 square miles. Hong Kong sits on the south coastal area of China, and is famous for its Western-style buildings and culture, despite a majority of the population being Chinese. Beautifully appointed rooms with traditional Chinese silk accents and the availability of in-room massage make worrisome jetlag a non-issue. Beijing is the obvious choice, as it will likely be the city that you fly into when you arrive in China. With over 13 million people within its borders and more than 17 million if you take into account the surrounding municipalities, Beijing is the second largest city in China, after Shanghai. Xi�an is less of a modern city than Beijing or Hong Kong, but it has important contributions to China that make it a worthy destination on your China trip. 1. The city has an ancient history, and the many palaces, religious temples and old tenements give you a taste of what Beijing was like in the past. There are fossil records that show that this area has been populated as long as six thousand years ago. The Portman Ritz-Carlton The Portman, as it's locally called, is located centrally on Shanghai's Nanjing Xi (West) Road, one of the main arteries of downtown Shanghai. Hong Kong is among the world�s most important shipping and commerce centers. The city is unique in China, and runs on a completely different system than the rest of the country. Xi�an was also the first capital city of what we now know as the country of China. This is beginning of the legendary Silk Road that was the main route for commerce and trade for centuries in Asia. Hong Kong is unlike any other city in China. If you are going to China, there are three cities you must visit while you are there. When you go to China on vacation, Xi�an must be on the itinerary � if not for the above-listed reasons, then for the infamous Terracotta Warriors that were found nearby.There's also a shopping complex right outside with Starbucks, Chaterhouse (English books), CitySupermarket (import food), California Pizza Kitchen and a lot more so if you want to make a really s-l-o-w entry, grab a latte and the FT and you can pretend like you never left. This has traditionally been the seat of power in China, and the Imperial Palace is still standing in the city, and now serves as a popular tourist attraction and museum. Shanghai for Kids On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights Other options include seeking out a local travel agent who specializes in overseas travel, or contacting the airlines directly to see if they have a partnership with a tour company in China. A savvy shopper will check online first to see if dedicated Chinese providers can offer them a good deal. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you look hard enough, there are China vacation packages to be had. If not, national online travel providers can usually be counted on to find a package for you. Compare the different prices you find from these options, and you are sure to find a deal that will enable you to visit the wonderful sights of China on your next vacation. Bejing china vacations Great Wall of China China Packages

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The cat slept in and missed the gathering, and since then, the two have been enemies.Here is an index of the twelve animal signs and their associated characteristics: Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar Back to the Chinese New Year Article Index If you would like to see China, and I mean really see it, and not just like the typical tourist, you might want to consider China vacation tours. The second component is the terrestrial branch being one of the twelve animal (zodiac) signs. What you take from your time in China will be vastly different, depending on which tour you take.The beginning of each lunar month is marked by the New Moon on a Western calendar. The Chinese calendar counts years in cycles of sixty years. The elements are further associated with the animal zodiac signs. Each year has a label consisting of two parts. These groups can range from tiny to massive, and can either bore you with simple visits to typical sites, or wow you with unexpected treats and unknown wonders. Before all this, the rat and the cat were good friends. But on the morning of the meeting, the rat, in her excitement, forgot to wake up the cat and through various means of trickery (or cleverness, as this rat interprets) got to the gods first and was thus chosen first. The elements were associated with five planets in ancient times, Jupiter=Wood, Mars=Fire, Saturn=Earth, Venus=Metal, Mercury=Water. Astrologers read the planets' positioning to understand what influences would be dominant in a person's life. The elements are also associated with colors: Green (Wood), Red (Fire), Brown (Earth), White (Metal) and Black (Water). Every two and a half months an additional month is added creating a lunar leap year. A lunar year is made up of twelve months with twenty-nine and a half days in each month. Some use the Chinese gods, some use Buddha, but the essence of the story is that a higher being called all animals to a meeting and the first to arrive would be chosen. The first component is the celestial stem being one of the five elements. The equation becomes five multiplied by twelve equaling sixty, or one cycle in the Chinese calendar. There are five universal elements in Chinese philosophy: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The sort of trip you end up with depends on you � you will need to do your research before you book a package deal, and make sure you are getting what you paid for. Every twelve-year sequence, the animal takes on one of the elements, until all five have been used. There are various stories about the origins of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Year of the Dog Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement If your tastes run to sports that you will be familiar with as a Western sports fan, you will be able to find an elite level of baseball being played in China. If your birthday falls in these months, and you're not sure where you land, use this website to find your zodiac sign. Honest Faithful Loyal Trust-worthy Worrisome Sharp-tongued Horses, Tigers Dragons Leader Secret agent Teacher Business people Cher, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Dorothea Dix, Benjamin Franklin, George Gershwin, Jane Goodall, Golda Meir, Socrates Year of the Rat Year of the Ox Year of the Tiger Year of the Rabbit Year of the Dragon Year of the Snake Year of the Horse Year of the Sheep Year of the Monkey Year of the Rooster Year of the Dog Year of the Boar If you want to take a vacation with a heavy sports theme, you could do worse than to take a China vacation. However, since we're talking about the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year can be any time between January and February. And if you want to see something that you likely won�t see outside of Asia, the dragon boat race festival in China is something to behold. 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 *For the sake of simplicity, I have noted the years per the Gregorian calendar. If you want something that the average Western sports fan is only beginning to catch on to, you can find many great martial arts competitions.

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Within its walls are a number of peaceful gardens and yards, hidden in a network of pathways. This former Imperial Palace is now home to the Palace Museum. This �city within a city� is a wonderful place to get lost for an afternoon, soaking the beauty of the buildings and the exhibitions hosted there. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Going through the Heavenly Gate, the Forbidden City is a truly peaceful and relaxing place. Chinese Zodiac in jade Chinas Vacation Hot Spots If you have booked a tour in China, this can be problematic. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you prefer not to deal with a travel agent, you can contact the airlines directly. Many airlines have partnerships with hotel providers and tour operators, and can either book you directly for the entirety of your package, or can at least direct you to their partner for more information. You can also enquire with the airline about the availability of last minute saver fares to China, which would be substantially less expensive, but would require you to be on standby for a flight that you might not end up taking.

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Either that, or go gamble your money away over cheap margaritas and flashy decor with the other party animals. See the historical sites, lose yourself in the local culture, fill up on the arts, and stay at the most beautiful hotels you could possibly imagine. China offers so much more in a vacation.Really, there is no comparison between the two. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. When you compare a junket to Las Vegas to vacations to China, there is really no comparison. If you are sick of the phoniness of the neon and craziness of Vegas, China can offer you serenity, wonder, and an amazing adventure. Water Towns On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights While quaint and a lovely break from big-city China, they are not so different from each other. The houses, usually not more than three stories, butt up against each other in an ancient jumble. Stone bridges, each with a story making it “the most famous stone bridge” in that particular village, link the streets that are divided by canals. Getting there: Lu Zhi is located just east of Suzhou and can be reached from Shanghai and Suzhou by tourist bus. Weekends and Holidays mean crowds. It is noted for its gardens and, similar to Suzhou, many have been restored, maintained and open to the public. Getting there: Visit Mudu as part of a trip to Suzhou. It takes about 1.5 hours from Shanghai, less from Suzhou. Mudu (“moo doo”) is a water town located in Suzhou ’s eastern suburbs. Its most famous sight is the Tuisi Garden. If you can, visit during the week and arrive around lunchtime (noon) when the crowds of tour groups will be eating lunch in big tour group restaurants and you’ll be able to see the town in relative peace for an hour. If you are looking for the ultimate trip for your next scheduled time away from work, vacationing in China might well fit the bill. Its most famous sight is the Bao Shen Buddhist temple. Tourist buses go to Zhouzhuang from both cities multiple times daily. There’s no reason, really, to go to more than one of these “Venice of the East”s. China is a world unlike anything in Western culture, and truly must be experienced to be believed.While modern architecture and infrastructure have all but made canals obsolete, these villages have centers that haven’t changed for hundreds of years. Visiting one of these towns lets you have a look back in time. Happily only pedestrians are allowed in so you won’t be dodging cars (just touts and souvenir salesmen). Getting there: You can easily visit Zhouzhuang as part of a few days in Suzhou or as a day’s excursion from Shanghai . There is a charge to get into the old town but this ticket lets you in various attractions. Tourists are let off in a main visitor parking lot and you make your way by foot into the old town. A vacation in China will truly be a trip of a lifetime, and will become a story that your Vegas-bound friends will be envious of. Thus many villages are built around a canal system. Located on the Yangtze River Delta, many villages and towns ( Suzhou and Shanghai included) used the abundant water for irrigation and transportation. And old ladies will hound you for a donation after serenading you with traditional songs. Getting there: Tong Li is located just southeast of Suzhou and can be reached from Shanghai and Suzhou by tourist bus. Lu Zhi (“loo jeh”) is also well-preserved town with Ming and Qing architecture. Go by bus or taxi. Tong Li (“tong lee”) is a well-preserved town with Ming and Qing architecture. Nowhere else can offer the same combination of the excitement and history of the Silk Road; the ancient wonders of the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall; or the cultural influences of art, architecture and other cultural touchstones. One of the most pleasant things to do is to take a boat ride, offered to every tourist by a number of touts, down through the canals or have lunch at one of the restaurants that open out onto the river. Pronounced “joh joo-ahng”, this little village is easy to spend an hour or two in.

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After living there for over four years, I consider myself quite particular about my Japanese food, especially when it comes to sushi. Itadakimasu! When you are sitting down to debate your next getaway with the family, toss in the option of a China family vacation. For the parents, amazing architecture and historical sites. For the kids, there is sports and culture all over the place. Anyway, if you’re craving some sushi, a tonkatsu or a bowl of miso soup, here are some excellent choices for you while in Shanghai. But I’ve found authentic California-Japanese, authentic Chinese-Japanese and authentic cheap after-work salaryman Japanese. I was thrilled to come to Shanghai because there’s a large population of Japanese expats and so, I figured, some darn good eating. While this might sound like an odd choice next to the theme parks and all-inclusive resorts as an option for an ideal family getaway, it could be the best vacation your family has ever gone on. China really could be the best destination for you and your family.I was right. OK, I have yet to find a replica of my favorite izakaya or Tokyo sushi bar. For the family as a whole, there is no end to the excitement that can be found in China, from food to events, and from sights to actions. Tibet Guide On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights Long the capital city of China, it is amazing how much of the country is represented here in the big city. The northern tip of India borders Tibet's western side and Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar snuggle up to its southern border. This itinerary details how to spend Ten Glorious Days in Tibet . Read on to find out How to Get to Lhasa . Essentials: Population: 2.7 million Weather: The winter in Tibet can be very fierce. Tibetans have survived for thousands of years in the harshest environments - physical and political. Here are three places in China that you really must see, and one place that no one thinks of, but really ought to get out to! A visit to Tibet is not a walk in the park, but proper preparation combined with a healthy attitude for the rustic will make any visitor to Tibet fall in love with the place. Location: Tibet is officially called the Tibetan Autonomous Region by the Chinese, or Xizang , pronounced "she-zhang" which means Treasure House of the West. These masterpieces and marvels are the sorts of things that you simply cannot miss out on when you visit China. Number two might be the city of Hong Kong. Many people quickly forget who has hosted the previous edition of the Games, but the infrastructure build for those sporting events lasts much longer. Overview: Tibet , nestled between the Himalayas in the south and the Kunlun Shan in the north, conjures images of blue skies, flapping prayer flags and red-cheeked Tibetan monks. The other hot spot in China � and it is not fair to say it ranks below either of the other two listed choices here � could be the city of Beijing. Over 1,500 lakes are scattered throughout Tibet and the mountain waters give way to several major river systems in Asia: the Brahmaputra ( Yarlung Tsangpo ), the Indus and the Mekong ( Lancang Jiang ). Features & Attractions: With over 1,500 lakes, eight peaks over 7,000m (21,000 feet) and a rich cultural heritage, there are countless things to see in Tibet. You can wander the buildings, see the sights, and capture a little bit of the Olympic spirit, one of Chinas vacation hot spots that few people will remember to look for. Number one has got to be a tie among some of the great historical buildings, statues and of course, walls. Or take a look at this itinerary showing you how to spend Ten Glorious Days in Tibet . Travel Permits & Restrictions: Traveling individually to Tibet is officially not allowed. But despite having Chinese rulers again, Hong Kong enjoys certain protections that the rest of China does not. All of the venues are still intact in Beijing, and many of them have guided tours. If you love to shop, you must go to the high end districts in Hong Kong, and check out the massive stores. The Great Wall of China, the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City all stand head and shoulders above any other hot spot in China. The culture, architecture and people of Beijing make it an amazing center that you will need a long time to properly explore. From its ancient past, which is on display in its many temples and other older buildings, to its more modern trappings, like the beautiful hotels and bustling business districts, Beijing offers sights and sounds that you can find nowhere else in China, let alone the world. Aside from visas for China , travelers to Tibet must also obtain permits from the Tibetan Tourism Bureau. Five days is probably the minimum to take your time and see the most important sights. Winds whipping across the plateau coupled with plunging temperatures make a visit in winter months to Tibet the stuff of the hearty traveler. It sits at the far west of China, just south of Xinjiang Autonomous Region. To the northeast lies Qinghai province and to the east lie Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The Tibetan plateau averages about 4,000m (12,000 feet) above sea level. The surprise might be the remnants of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. Long a British protectorate, it reverted to Chinese rule many years ago. Tibet Travel Permits are easily organized by the travel agencies working on your other travel arrangements for getting to Tibet. Getting There: There are three ways to get to Tibet: by air to Lhasa, or by rail and car - both routes ending in Lhasa. Temperatures are much more varied in the summer months: it can be at freezing before sunrise and hit 100F by noon. Remember, with the altitude, even the fittest traveler will find himself moving very slowly. If you are headed to China for your next vacation, you might be wondering what Chinas vacation hot spots are. Some of the world's highest mountains surround Tibet: the Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram in the west and the Kunlun in the north. As a result, Hong Kong is a thriving center of commerce and shipping. Take your time to see as much of this city as you can. Ideal time to visit Tibet: The spring and autumn when temperatures are milder and less extreme. Recommended time for visit: As long as you can afford. Read a short article highlighting What to See in Tibet .

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Xicheng police is investigating the case. "It is quite possible that the trip was arranged by an unlicensed travel agency," Song Jun, a press officer from the Beijing tourism administration, told METRO yesterday. He said unlicensed travel agencies are a big problem for the Beijing tourism market. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/24/content_19468251.htm www.china.org.cn A family was attacked after quarreling with a tour guide on a trip to Badaling Great Wall over the recent Chinese New Year holiday, a time when 7.65 million visitors flocked through the city's gates. 2010-02-24 14:46:48.0 Tourist family assaulted by guide during golden week Tourist family ,guide,golden week,China, tour, New year, holiday, Great wall, Tourist family assaulted by guide during golden week Tourist family assaulted by guide during golden week 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> A family was attacked after quarreling with a tour guide on a trip to Badaling Great Wall over the recent Chinese New Year holiday, a time when 7.65 million visitors flocked through the city's gates. Cui Jianguo and his family, from Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, were handed a flyer last Sunday outside the National Stadium for a one-day-tour to the wall, Beijing Times reported yesterday. The Hebei family was picked up by a minibus near Guanzhuang at 4 am on Monday morning and taken to Xicheng district, then transferred onto a coach. A female tour guide on the bus told Cui and his wife to seat their 9-year-old twin sons on their laps. "She spoke us in a very impolite way, so we complained. We strongly suggest all travelers go to licensed agencies and not fall for random adverts," he said. The recent Chinese New Year holiday saw a rise of more than 5 percent in visitors to Beijing, compared with last year. The administration is trying to regulate the market, but said it cannot do it alone. "We are cooperating with Beijing police, urban administration and many other government agencies. The company dodged questions about who had rented their vehicle. But a travel agent will have access to a system that will allow them to look up information for you about other departure areas, available tours, and can give you some information about the prices for the different trips that are on the market.Again, the trip you are looking to take is not one that many people take, so your selections may be somewhat limited. We never thought she would get so mad at us," Hu Lin, Cui's brother-in-law, was quoted as saying. Hu said the tour guide asked them to get off the vehicle but they refused. "The woman rounded up seven or eight guys from the area who beat us up," Hu said. According to medical records from Beijing No.2 hospital, Cui received a skull fracture and a wound behind his left ear, the newspaper reported. Hu's hands were also injured, and the clothing of both men was damaged Local police said they have detained two people, who claimed they were licensed tour guides trying to stop the fight. The rented coach belongs to the Beijing Automotive Group. The tourism income hit almost 3 billion yuan and an 11.8 percent growth. According to Ctrip.com, the biggest online travel agency in China, Beijing has taken over Shanghai as the most popular city. If that avenue fails to turn up the travel plans that you are looking for, you can enlist the services of a local travel agent. Cold season heats up travel market China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities I would rather not call this a nice trip, even if it costs less this time," said Yang Yizhong, 63, a retired State-owned corporation worker in Beijing. If you are a history buff, Chinese vacations can offer you sights that you will find nowhere else on Earth. The Terracotta Warriors of Xi�an are an amazing sight. The trip, nearly 15,000 yuan per person during peak season, has dropped to about 12,500 yuan now. Yang Shichao, a travel consultant with the Caissa travel service in Beijing, said travel agencies need to apply for off-season prices as they are "hungry for clients" right after the busy Spring Festival period. "Not a single outbound tour group will set off from Beijing at our company in the rest of February, which is the normal situation after a peak season each year," Yang said. Not all of the warriors have been excavated, but the ones that have been are miraculously well maintained. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/24/content_19468222.htm www.china.org.cn Holiday-goers in Beijing now have an abundant choice of bargains on the tourism market as travel expenses drop by more than half for the upcoming cold season. 2010-02-24 14:45:13.0 Cold season heats up travel market Cold season,travel market,China, tour, tickets, flight,Beijing, Spring Festival, Cold season heats up travel market Cold season heats up travel market 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Travelers could have much more room to get good bargains next month Holiday-goers in Beijing now have an abundant choice of bargains on the tourism market as travel expenses drop by more than half for the upcoming cold season. Reduced domestic flight tickets to holiday destinations and their accommodation fees have pulled down overall prices for both March and April by up to 70 percent after the Chinese New Year break, one of the two travel peaks of the year. This year, the weeklong holiday saw nearly 50,000 tourists use agencies to journey to and from the capital each day, a year-to-year increase of more than 10 percent. METRO also found yesterday that tour group expenses to popular destinations in Asia, Europe and other regions have also seen a cut of 15 percent after the level of tourists dropped to only half compared to the peak time last week. The big cuts have appealed to mainly retired residents and newly-weds in Beijing who are eager to use their delayed vacations in the following two months, METRO discovered. It is estimated that it took nearly a million men to create this army of clay statues, and it is also said that the terracotta warriors are like snowflakes, in that no two are identical. You can visit the excavation site, and see those warriors that have been uncovered.In 1974, a local farmer tried to drill a well, and instead, discovered the first of more than eight thousand clay warrior statues that were buried with the first Emperor of Qin around 200 BC. "The next time we see groups heading out will be March." Wu Shaohua, a retail department manager with the State-owned China International Travel Service in Chongwenmen area, said dozens of elderly Beijingers visited his branch since last Saturday to get cheaper tour packages to domestic destinations including Taiwan and other coastal resorts, as well as overseas regions like Japan and World Cup host South Africa. "Elderly residents are free to take off anytime and the off-season is definitely for them," said Wu. Caissa service, which specializes in overseas trips, said they have received more calls from white-collar workers wanting to book European holidays for their parents in the next two months. However, not everyone is eager to take advantage of the yearly discounts. Some residents still consider tour group trips by local travel agencies to be a "tiresome marathon". "Air-conditioned tour buses take us from one place to another and we are briefly released every few hours. In particular, there are three pieces of history that, should you make your way to China, you absolutely must see � the Terracotta Warriors of Xi�an, the Great Wall of China, and d the Forbidden City in Beijing. Office workers, on the other hand, are pinned down to work during the off season, travel specialists said. "We got married during Spring Festival, so we set our honeymoon trip to Europe in March," said Cheng Feng, 28, a government employee in Beijing. "We didn't exactly plan for a cheaper trip, but my wife and I are both happy we can spend 2,000 yuan less than usual." Cheng told METRO yesterday he is about to book his 12-day honeymoon trip to France, Italy and Switzerland next month through a major travel agent chain in the capital.

Tags: travel, beijing, trip, season, year

[Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367843" md5="" relativeid="12367844" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56ca203.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56ca202.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367858" md5="" relativeid="12367859" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cbe17.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cbe16.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. Really, there is no comparison between the two. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " width="188"/> http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/01/content_19494098.htm www.china.org.cn Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. 2010-03-01 10:46:32.0 Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay China, Hainan, Dahuajiao Bay, Wanning, beach, tour Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay 1007 7082651 High Definition Photos /enpproperty--> When you compare a junket to Las Vegas to vacations to China, there is really no comparison. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " width="188"/> 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int'l Tourism Forum Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement The key to enjoying your time in China is seeing as much of the country as possible, but these hot spots should be the top things on your list.About a dozen athletes, coaches, sports experts and officials involved in The Vancouver Olympic Winter Games have been invited to the forum; the date is likely to be confirmed after the games. Most of the guests who have confirmed their presence are representatives and elite members of tourism-related industries, domestic and foreign politicians or former politicians, or executives of the world's top 500 companies. There have been more applications than expected. Chinas vacation hot spots range from the historical sites like the Great Wall of China, to the ultra-modern tech cities like Hong Kong, and the delicately balanced places in between, like the great city of Beijing. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/26/content_19482694.htm www.china.org.cn More than 500 guests have been confirmed to attend the Boao International Tourism Forum almost a month before the forum opens on March 20. 2010-02-26 15:59:51.0 By Wang Yanfang 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int'l Tourism Forum Boao International Tourism Forum, Boao, tourism 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int’l Tourism Forum 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int’l Tourism Forum 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> More than 500 guests have been confirmed to attend the Boao International Tourism Forum almost a month before the forum opens on March 20. Statistics from the Preparatory Committee for the Boao International Tourism Forum show that more than 500 guests have confirmed their presence at the forum, many of whom actively applied for attendance. The deadline for registrations is the end of the month. The business community and media are especially interested in obtaining information from the forum, while, many high-level guests are eager to be guest speakers and express their views. When you visit a new country, the first thing many people do is research what the hot spots are, so they know what parts of the country they simply cannot afford to miss out on. An official from the Preparatory Committee for the forum said that the number of confirmed guests is far greater than expected. China Packages Bejing china vacations vacation in China

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Located in the middle of the island, the park will cover an area of 10 natural reserves and 11 forest parks. 2010-03-02 11:26:16.0 By Chen Chen Hainan to build China's first rainforest park Hainan, rainforest, tropical forest Hainan to build China’s first rainforest park Hainan to build China’s first rainforest park 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Hainan is planning to build China's first tropical rainforest park. This city features some amazing historical sites, and now has some great modern wonders, thanks to their hosting of the latest Olympic Games. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Xi�an has an amazing history that no traveller should skip seeing.Located in the middle of the island, the park will cover an area of 10 natural reserves and 11 forest parks. Hainan officials hope the park will attract tourists from all around the world. Primarily, you should see Beijing � but you will not have much choice in the matter, as you will likely be flying in through this capital city. It includes mountains, hot springs, waterfalls and pastures. Tourism based on Hainan's ethnic rainforest culture has been on the rise in recent years. Hong Kong should also be on your list of cities to see, as it is unlike any other city in China. Hainan is currently trying to boost its travel during the rest of the year by increasing its rainforest attractions, which provide a cooler escape during warmer seasons. When you go to China on vacation, there are three cities that you absolutely must visit. Hong Kong is perhaps the most futuristic cities in the country. According to an official at Hainan Forest Bureau, the middle area of Hainan is home to the most complete and complicated natural ecological system in the province. It has 56 percent forest coverage, about 17 percent of which is natural rainforest. It is part of a larger plan to integrate the island's cultural and ecological resources in order to better preserve the island's environment while also becoming a top tourist destination. Hainan Island is located at the north edge of the tropical zone and is considered a gene database of tropical species. Parks showcasing how the people used to live in the rainforest receive about 5,000 tourists a day. Hainan's peak travel season is in the winter, when the island's warm weather and tropical beaches serve as a great getaway for tourists. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/02/content_19502390.htm www.china.org.cn Hainan is planning to build China's first tropical rainforest park. Hainan Airlines to open Shanghai to Brussels route Chinas Vacation Hot Spots Flights will leave from Shanghai at 00:10 and will arrive at Brussels at 06:55 local time; return flights will depart at 13:50 local time and arrive Shanghai at 07:00 the following day. This new route will enable Chinese travelers to take direct flights to Brussels from either Beijing or Shanghai, and to get to 45 cities in European countries and 13 cities in 12 African countries via Brussels. The first direct flight between China and Belgium, the Beijing to Brussels route, was launched in 2006 and is also operated by Hainan Airlines. China vacations might not have the popular appeal of some destinations, but there are some truly wonderful sights to behold in China. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/03/content_19509052.htm www.china.org.cn Hainan Airlines will open its first intercontinental air route from east China, the Shanghai to Brussels route, from May 28, 2010. 2010-03-03 09:07:39.0 Hainan Airlines to open Shanghai to Brussels route Hainan Airlines ,Shanghai,Brussels route,flight, Beijing, Hainan Airlines to open Shanghai to Brussels route Hainan Airlines to open Shanghai to Brussels route 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Hainan Airlines will open its first intercontinental air route from east China, the Shanghai to Brussels route, from May 28, 2010. This route will be operated using Airbus A330 and will have three flights each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Among the many things to see are the Great Wall, a series of structures that have survived for centuries and long ago, kept marauding invaders from attacking Chinese cities; the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, discovered less than fifty years ago by a farmer trying to drill a new water well, and featuring over eight thousand individual figures; and the Forbidden City, a former Imperial Palace that got its name from the days when no one could leave or enter it without the approval of the Emperor.

Tags: hainan, park, rainforest, china, island

Wandering in these amazing places can give you hours or full days of sights to behold. How much time to set aside: That all depends on how much café/bar time you want. Stop at any of the bars or cafes on Taikang Road for a sundowner and snack before returning to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. You’ll see a lot of colorful local life, glean a bit of history and enjoy a leisurely stroll that will keep you off the high-traffic roads. There are so many great cafes along these streets, it’s a good idea to walk a little, then duck in for a coffee, walk a little, then stop for a glass of wine or a snack. Shaoxing Road is a small street that runs between Shanxi Nan Road and Ruijin Er Road (“ray jin ahr”) Road – so it’s only about two blocks long. Where to start: Begin at the corner of Shaoxing (pronounced “shao shing”) and Shanxi Nan ("shahn shee nahn") Roads. You can visit Tiananmen Square, and go through the Heavenly Gate to the Forbidden City, or go to the Imperial summer home. Other: This walk is very stroller-friendly. If you are going to China for vacation but want to find some escapes from the business of your whirlwind trip, there are plenty of options for serenity seekers that make China a land of insight and quiet beauty. Located in the French Concession, this tour can be combined, or you can do each street separately to ensure you see everything at a leisurely pace. Shanghai street signs are well marked in both Chinese and English and conveniently give directions (north, south, east or west) as well. Lu, “loo”, means road in Chinese. Go east on Shaoxing Road from Shanxi Nan Road to begin your tour. This little walking tour takes you down two lovely quiet streets in Shanghai that are increasingly becoming full of great cafes and interesting shops. From there, find peace in beauty with the Treasure Houses, or some spiritual peace at one of the many beautiful Buddhist temples in Beijing and other parts of China. Stop for lunch on Shaoxing Road and then continue on to Taikang road to spend the better part of the afternoon shopping. How to get there: Tell your taxi driver “shahn shee loo, shao shing loo”. The best thing to do is go around meal-time. Metro: Shanxi Nan Lu on Metro Line 1 (15-20 minute walk from the station) When to go: Any time of year is fine. Chinese Tea Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement This is a display of the treasures that were owned by royalty in the Qing era, and the beauty and value of their royal items can dazzle. Many an hour can be spent pouring over these treasures, and marvelling at the vastness of the collection. ...Tea is a wonderful buy in China and you should take your time when buying. Sit, drink and chat with the tea shop workers, decide what tea you like best. Sara Naumann Another tour-worthy site is China�s Treasure Houses. for all the tea in China...

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They also offer disabled parking spaces and accessible bathrooms. Occupying more than 130,000 square meters, Junzhiyu Ecological Garden is an economic entity integrating planting, ecological sightseeing and tourist picking with food processing. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/02/content_19504540.htm www.china.org.cn Lifestyle has mentioned our unabashed love of greenhouses for winter fruit picking escapes; now, this activity has become even more accessible, with Junzhiyu Ecological Garden's disabled-access-friendly facility. 2010-03-02 16:18:51.0 By Zhang Hui Pick your own accessible to all in Changping Changping, Beijing, greenhouses, winter, China, trip Pick your own accessible to all in Changping Pick your own accessible to all in Changping 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Lifestyle has mentioned our unabashed love of greenhouses for winter fruit picking escapes; now, this activity has become even more accessible, with Junzhiyu Ecological Garden's disabled-access-friendly facility. "At the entrance of each greenhouse, there is an iron railing to support the disabled. Another sweet arrangement is that the disabled can enjoy a 20 percent discount for the fruit, vegetables or flowers they pick. Tan has been involved with working with the disabled for over four years. She also runs a career rehabilitation center for the disabled to train them in vocational skills and works with a factory where the disabled constitute the majority of the employees. One ingenious design in the greenhouse is a set of drawer-shelves for potted fruits like strawberries. In Beijing there are about one million disabled people, and they have been unable to have access to many amusing activities. We hope they can enjoy these fruit-picking pleasures like everyone else," Tan told the Global Times. The strawberries, popular during the festival season, are sold at 30 to 100 yuan, depending on variety. Address: Junzhiyu Ecological Garden, North Xiguanzhuang Village, Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District 君知雨生态园 昌平区小汤山镇西官庄村北 Tel: 6171-4220 In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. Tan has invested 1 million yuan in the special arrangements for disabled access, the services of which came into operation in October 2009, providing convenient access to the vegetable, fruit and flower greenhouses. "We mainly intend to show our care for this special group by providing disabled-person-friendly facilities. A beautiful example can be seen in the stunning design of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which was once the Chinese Imperial Palace, and is now the Palace Museum, and like the Xi�an Warriors, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site."There are several shelves at different heights, all convenient for the disabled in wheelchairs to access," Tan said. Already, since the facilities were installed, the garden has received 400 disabled visitors out of a total of 3,000, according to Tan. Most vegetables here are sold at about 20 yuan per kilogram. Inside the greenhouse, the lanes are smooth and one-meter wide, ideal for people in wheelchairs, with no thresholds and no stairs," Tan Yali, owner of the garden told the Global Times. Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. Family-run hotels make Tibetans in Sichuan prosperous China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/02/content_19501974.htm www.china.org.cn Dhondup, owner of a Tibetan-style family-run hotel in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, western Sichuan Province, got up early in the morning together with his family to prepare breakfast for his customers. 2010-03-02 10:58:33.0 Family-run hotels make Tibetans in Sichuan prosperous Family-run hotels,Tibetans,Sichuan,China, tour,Qinghai ,tibet,   Family-run hotels make Tibetans in Sichuan prosperous Family-run hotels make Tibetans in Sichuan prosperous 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Dhondup, owner of a Tibetan-style family-run hotel in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, western Sichuan Province, got up early in the morning together with his family to prepare breakfast for his customers. A group of tourists from Hong Kong were preparing to leave his hotel. However, due to the harsh weather conditions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, his family could only harvest 1,000 kg of highland barley a year, barely enough to meet the needs of their daily life. With the support of the local government, Dhondup got a loan from a bank and began to engage in tourism. Many airlines have partnerships with hotel providers and tour operators, and can either book you directly for the entirety of your package, or can at least direct you to their partner for more information. He also received free training from the local tourism bureau on how to receive tourists and learned spoken Mandarin and surfing the Internet. Dhondup's house has been built into a three-storey Tibetan-style one with 108 beds, with some rooms equipped with Internet cables. 318 National Route has been finished, I'm sure my hotel will have more business," he said. Dhondup's family used to plant highland barley. With the money they make from tourism, his family has also bought a SUV. A female tourist, who got to Garze for a second time with a tour group, was quite satisfied with the living conditions and praised the hotel for its unique features. As the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year and Tibetan New Year were over, Tibetan-inhabited areas in Sichuan began to see a slack tourist season. "My hotel is always fully booked when the International Labor Day or the National Day holiday comes," said Dhondup. According to Dhondup, his hotel can have more than 100 clients on the busiest day of a year and even in the slack tourist season it can still have about ten customers. If you have booked a tour in China, this can be problematic.Some of them are from inland Chinese cities, others from China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and still others from other countries such as Janpan, Singapore, Germany and the United States. "As the Kading Airport is only 40 km away from my home and the upgrading of No. "My hotel has enabled my family to lead a happy life," said Dhondup with a smile. The Garze Prefectural Government has been providing aid to local farmers and herders in expanding featured tourism by making full use of rich tourist resources and ecology resources on the plateau. In 2009, the prefecture reported a revenue of 1.78 billion yuan from tourism services and received 2.7 million domestic and foreign tourists, up 129 percent and 132 percent over the same period of 2008, respectively. If you prefer not to deal with a travel agent, you can contact the airlines directly. You can also enquire with the airline about the availability of last minute saver fares to China, which would be substantially less expensive, but would require you to be on standby for a flight that you might not end up taking.

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This is an enormous site that can easily take up the better part of a day, should you wish to take your time and soak in the ambiance and quiet beauty.Flights will leave Moscow's Domodedovo Airport at 11:10 Moscow time and arrive in Beijing Capital Airport at 22:10 local time; return flights will depart from Beijing at 0:40 local time and get back to Moscow at 04:20. Transaero says that the flights will have Chinese-speakers on their cabin crew and meals will cater to both Chinese and Russian tastes. Transaero first began to operate scheduled flights to China in 2005, and it carries the largest number of passengers on air routes between Russia and Hainan Island. The other Imperial holdover that will aid in your search for relaxing but stimulating sites is the Summer Palace. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19527844.htm www.china.org.cn Russian Transaero Airlines has announced that plans launch a direct air route from Moscow to Beijing starting from June 4, 2010. 2010-03-05 09:20:51.0 Transaero to launch direct Moscow-Beijing route in June airlines,direct flight, Moscow,Beijing ,route , China, Transaero to launch direct Moscow-Beijing route in June Transaero to launch direct Moscow-Beijing route in June 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Russian Transaero Airlines has announced that plans launch a direct air route from Moscow to Beijing starting from June 4, 2010. Flights UN865/866 will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays. This former summer home features beautifully manicured gardens and green spaces, surrounding natural bodies of water. Haikou's yachting industry set to boom Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/04/content_19523848.htm www.china.org.cn Haikou started late in the yachting business but the industry’s rapid growth could be a turning point in the development of tourism on Hainan island according to local officials. 2010-03-04 16:33:57.0 By Wang Yanfang Haikou's yachting industry set to boom Haikou, yachting industry,China, tour, club, Haikou Municipal Committee Haikou's yachting industry set to boom Haikou's yachting industry set to boom 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Haikou started late in the yachting business but the industry’s rapid growth could be a turning point in the development of tourism on Hainan island according to local officials. Haikou lies in a beautiful tropical setting in Hainan, and its windy but calm waters are ideal for yachting, making the city uniquely placed to develop as China’s major yachting center. Chen Ci, Party Secretary of the Haikou Municipal Committee, said Hainan had been recognized by the State Council as the leading edge of China’s yacht economy. “And we will be offering tax incentives for the industry.” 600 yachting berths are to be built in Haikou, of which 400 will be completed by the end of 2010. There will also be a yacht sales and exhibition center, a yacht club, dry docks for yacht repair and maintenance, and a ship-to-shore command center. If you are looking for something more spiritual, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the Da Ci�en Temple offers a beautiful example of the Buddhist influence on Chinese culture in the 7th century. There is a variety of statuaries and pieces of art on display here, and the natural serenity makes this a must see for peace and relaxation seekers who are in China for vacation.He said the city will establish a steering group in March to develop national standards for the construction of yachts and marinas. The city is extremely yacht-friendly with simple formalities and customs clearance procedures, Chen Ci said, adding that it is an ideal location for buying and selling yachts: “Haikou’s yacht economy is currently based on yacht trading but in the near future we will be producing yachts in Haikou”, Chen Ci said.

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http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/03/content_19511200.htm www.china.org.cn The Second Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival kicked off at Chaoshan Scenic Spot in Yuhang district of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on February 25. 2010-03-03 10:40:47.0 The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens second, Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival,China, Zhejiang, scenic spot, West lake, expo, The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Second Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival kicked off at Chaoshan Scenic Spot in Yuhang district of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on February 25. As the first serial activities of the annual West Lake Expo, this year's Plum Blossom Festival will last until March 15. In addition to enjoying blooming flowers, tourists can take part in various activities including buying commemorative stamps and postcards, and enjoying a bonsai exhibition with more than 200 plants. Another highlight of this year's event is the launching ceremony of Xingguang Yuan – the Hall of Fame for the winners of China Opera Plum Blossom Awards. This is an enormous site that can easily take up the better part of a day, should you wish to take your time and soak in the ambiance and quiet beauty.Xingguang Yuan will become the exhibition center for traditional Chinese opera research in the future. Yuhang district also recommends two new travel routes during the plum blossom festival, one of which will bring you to the famous historical town Tangxi. Tangxi is an ancient water town located at Yuhang district in the northern suburb of Hangzhou. The relic sites include the largest stele of Qianlong, an emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 AD), and many old houses and streets of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Admission for Chaoshan Scenic Spot: 40 yuan per person The other Imperial holdover that will aid in your search for relaxing but stimulating sites is the Summer Palace. This former summer home features beautifully manicured gardens and green spaces, surrounding natural bodies of water. It is the only one of its kind in China. Till now, Yuhang district has collected more than 300 hand prints of China Opera Plum Blossom Award winners, 70 of which are going to be exhibited here during this festival. A snapshot of Chengkan village China Vacation Sports Lots of Fun [Photo by Sala]" width="188"/> While you are on vacation to China, you may want to find out more about the religions that have helped to shape China into the country it is today. Baolun Hall in the Ancestral Temple of Luo's, built during the Jiaqing's reign, is a representative collection of typical Huizhou architecture. [Photo by Sala]" border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12382247" md5="" relativeid="12382249" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf8003a46.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf8003a45.jpg" title="Chengkan village in Huizhou District, Anhui province is famous for the residential architecture of the Ming and Qing style. [Photo by Sala]" border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12382286" md5="" relativeid="12382287" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf8004716.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf8004715.jpg" title="Chengkan village in Huizhou District, Anhui province is famous for the residential architecture of the Ming and Qing style. [Photo by Sala]" border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12382313" md5="" relativeid="12382314" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf800691a.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100303/000d87ad3cdd0cf8006919.jpg" title="Chengkan village in Huizhou District, Anhui province is famous for the residential architecture of the Ming and Qing style. [Photo by Sala]" width="188"/> http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/03/content_19509555.htm www.china.org.cn Chengkan village in Huizhou District, Anhui province is famous for the residential architecture of the Ming and Qing style. 2010-03-03 09:29:10.0 A snapshot of Chengkan village Chengkan village, China, Anhui, temple, Baolun Hall,Huizhou,architecture A snapshot of Chengkan village A snapshot of Chengkan village 1007 7082651 High Definition Photos /enpproperty--> China Packages china vacations Bejing Yangtze River Cruises

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[Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367905" md5="" relativeid="12367906" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cf303.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cf302.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367862" md5="" relativeid="12367863" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cc320.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cc31f.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " width="188"/> http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/01/content_19494098.htm www.china.org.cn Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. 2010-03-01 10:46:32.0 Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay China, Hainan, Dahuajiao Bay, Wanning, beach, tour Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay Amazing scenery of Dahuajiao Bay 1007 7082651 High Definition Photos /enpproperty--> In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367917" md5="" relativeid="12367918" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56d090a.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56d0909.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367843" md5="" relativeid="12367844" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56ca203.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56ca202.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367913" md5="" relativeid="12367914" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56d024d.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56d024c.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367877" md5="" relativeid="12367878" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cd347.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cd346.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " border="" height="141" hspace="" id="12367873" md5="" relativeid="12367874" relativepic="/data/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cce38.jpg" sourcedescription="编辑提供的本地文件" sourcename="本地文件" src="http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100301/000d87ad3cdd0cf56cce37.jpg" title="Located in Wanning, Hainan Province, Dahuajiao Bay is well-known for pebbles spreading all over the beach. [Photo by Zhou Yunjie] " width="188"/> 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int'l Tourism Forum China Vacations Offer Three �Must See� Places It was built in the eight century, under the Emperorship of the Tang Dynasty. The business community and media are especially interested in obtaining information from the forum, while, many high-level guests are eager to be guest speakers and express their views. If you are interested in history and religion, you should go on vacation to China. After the construction was completed, the building changed hands many times, being used by different groups and religions over the centuries. There have been more applications than expected. The Temple of Heaven was commissioned around the same time as the Forbidden City � both were completed at the bequest of the Yongle Emperor. The White Cloud Temple is a Taoist temple that is located in Beijing, and it is one of the great Ancestral Courts in the study of Taoism. The deadline for registrations is the end of the month. Most of the guests who have confirmed their presence are representatives and elite members of tourism-related industries, domestic and foreign politicians or former politicians, or executives of the world's top 500 companies. There, you will find an amazing history of religion that you could easily lose yourself in study of. The White Horse Temple is one of the most important Buddhist structures in China. Today, it stands as a major tourist attraction and main Taoist prayer site, and the surrounding parks are popular spots for Tai Chi practitioners and joggers. But if you are on a tight time frame, here are three sights that a religious study of China must include. Despite its Taoist roots, it was originally used as a site to make prayers to Heaven, asking for a plentiful harvest season in China. Buddhism was introduced to China in this time by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who sent emissaries to India to learn about their religion. Today, it once again operates as a Taoist temple, and inspires those who visit it. The Temple of Heaven is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and consists of a group of buildings used by Taoists throughout the years, and constructed in the 1400s. While you are on vacation to China, you should take the time to visit these sites. Even if you are not among the faithful of these religions, there is much beauty to be found in the buildings and surrounding grounds, and a fascinating history as well.About a dozen athletes, coaches, sports experts and officials involved in The Vancouver Olympic Winter Games have been invited to the forum; the date is likely to be confirmed after the games. Built around 70 AD, the White Horse Temple would be the first Buddhist temple in the country. An official from the Preparatory Committee for the forum said that the number of confirmed guests is far greater than expected. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/26/content_19482694.htm www.china.org.cn More than 500 guests have been confirmed to attend the Boao International Tourism Forum almost a month before the forum opens on March 20. 2010-02-26 15:59:51.0 By Wang Yanfang 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int'l Tourism Forum Boao International Tourism Forum, Boao, tourism 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int’l Tourism Forum 500 guests confirmed to attend Boao Int’l Tourism Forum 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> More than 500 guests have been confirmed to attend the Boao International Tourism Forum almost a month before the forum opens on March 20. Statistics from the Preparatory Committee for the Boao International Tourism Forum show that more than 500 guests have confirmed their presence at the forum, many of whom actively applied for attendance. It was closed down and abandoned during the Cultural Revolution and following Communist rise to power, but it was kept in good condition. The horse that bore the messengers from India was white, and so when the temple was constructed, it was named for the animal that carried the message of Buddhism into China. The site was renovated and overhauled in the 18th century, and again just prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. china vacations China Packages Bejing Great Wall of China

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But if you are a history fan, or you want to experience something uniquely Chinese, there are three main sights in China that you simply cannot miss out on � the Terracotta Warriors of Xi�an, the Great Wall of China, and the Forbidden City in Beijing. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/04/content_19519343.htm www.china.org.cn Baise - the city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is noted as a place of history - from both a very long time ago and modern China. 2010-03-04 09:50:37.0 Baise: a place of history, modernity Baise, history, modernity ,China, Guangxi Zhuang, tour, Yongjiang river, Baise: a place of history, modernity Baise: a place of history, modernity 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Baise - the city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is noted as a place of history - from both a very long time ago and modern China. Discovery of a Paleolithic Age hand ax in some 800,000 years ago in Baise in 1970s surprised anthropologists and rewrote the history of human civilization in Asia. About 80 years ago, the Chinese Seventh Army was establishing a revolutionary base and Soviet regime in Baise along the Youjiang River. On Dec 11, 1929, Deng Xiaoping and other revolutionaries launched the Baise Uprising, among the earliest battles in the fight against the ruling Kuomintang. A Baise Uprising Memorial Hall commemorating the event that opened in 1999 is now listed as a national key "revolution scenic spot". The city has since pioneered "red tourism" to become a famed resort through a program called "footprints of Deng Xiaoping". Baise now is the key city among the 12 national "red tourism" scenery areas. In 2009, the city held events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Baise Uprising and set off a new surge in red tourism, hosting 10.3 million visitors that year who generated 4.4 billion yuan in revenues in city tourism, increases of 59 percent and 46 percent respectively. Any Chinese vacations are going to be busy � once you get there, you will find that there is so much culture, art, architecture, history, sports and other amazing things to see, do, taste and experience. Coming home without having experienced all three would be a terrible waste, and would require a return ticket as soon as possible! The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens Chinas Vacation Hot Spots This is an enormous site that can easily take up the better part of a day, should you wish to take your time and soak in the ambiance and quiet beauty.Xingguang Yuan will become the exhibition center for traditional Chinese opera research in the future. Yuhang district also recommends two new travel routes during the plum blossom festival, one of which will bring you to the famous historical town Tangxi. Tangxi is an ancient water town located at Yuhang district in the northern suburb of Hangzhou. It is the only one of its kind in China. Till now, Yuhang district has collected more than 300 hand prints of China Opera Plum Blossom Award winners, 70 of which are going to be exhibited here during this festival. This former summer home features beautifully manicured gardens and green spaces, surrounding natural bodies of water. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/03/content_19511200.htm www.china.org.cn The Second Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival kicked off at Chaoshan Scenic Spot in Yuhang district of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on February 25. 2010-03-03 10:40:47.0 The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens second, Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival,China, Zhejiang, scenic spot, West lake, expo, The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens The Second Hangzhou Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival opens 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Second Chaoshan Plum Blossom Festival kicked off at Chaoshan Scenic Spot in Yuhang district of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on February 25. As the first serial activities of the annual West Lake Expo, this year's Plum Blossom Festival will last until March 15. In addition to enjoying blooming flowers, tourists can take part in various activities including buying commemorative stamps and postcards, and enjoying a bonsai exhibition with more than 200 plants. Another highlight of this year's event is the launching ceremony of Xingguang Yuan – the Hall of Fame for the winners of China Opera Plum Blossom Awards. The relic sites include the largest stele of Qianlong, an emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 AD), and many old houses and streets of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Admission for Chaoshan Scenic Spot: 40 yuan per person The other Imperial holdover that will aid in your search for relaxing but stimulating sites is the Summer Palace.

Tags: baise, china, city, history, chinese