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No china vacations could be complete without a visit to this former Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Beijing. Only a small portion of the collection has been unearthed, but those that have been are an amazing sight. The warriors are part of a funereal display for the first Emperor of Qin in 200 BC, around the time that the first part of the Great Wall was built. The Mongols finally breached the Wall in 1644, and quickly took Beijing afterwards. Today, it is more commonly known as the Palace Museum. It is called the Forbidden City because, during its time as a functioning walled city and imperial palace, no one could leave or enter without the approval of the Emperor himself. These clay warriors were discovered near Xi�an in the 1970s by a farmer who was drilling a new well. Originally built around 200 BC, there is very little that remains of the first Wall, but those that sprung up afterwards continue to stand to this day. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Out of all of the destinations on this planet, China vacations seem to be pretty low on the �gotta go� list of the average Western traveller. But someone who wants to see the beauty and wonder of this world really ought to consider going to China, if only to see these three wonders: The Great Wall of China. Today, it is an architectural highlight of any trip to China. The Xi�an Terracotta Warriors. The project was said to have taken the labors of over 700,000 men, and incredibly, each of the figures is completely original � no two warriors were allowed to be made the same. It was constructed in the 1400s, lasting more than 15 years and taking over a million men to build. The Forbidden City. Walls had been built at different times to keep out different groups, including the Xiongnu, Mongolian and Manchurian peoples. A common misconception is that the Great Wall can be seen from space � while the length of it would certainly be discernable, the width of less than thirty feet at its widest would mean that it would be impossible to see from space without a great amount of magnification. What are commonly referred to as a single wall are, in fact, several walls that have been built, rebuilt and maintained for centuries. In total, there are more than 8,000 figures in this collection, each featuring an amazing level of detail and craftsmanship. However, from the ground, the Great Wall is an imposing and impressive sight to behold. The combination of walls is nearly 4,000 miles long. Chinese Restaurants Shanghai China for Vacation Offers Serenity in Spades Fu 1039 is in an old villa. If you do, you and your mate will have to spend precious dumpling-eating time deciding just what kind of Chinese you’re in the mood for. Hot food. If you are looking for your next vacation destination, you might want to consider going to China for vacation. 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.In fact, forget it, don’t order anything else… Sichuanese South Beauty - Sichuan food is spicy. THE WORLD, I tell you. Guyi Hunan Order whatever you want on the menu but be sure to include at least three orders of the pork ribs. Don’t be frightened, the door gimmick isn’t nearly as bad as the bathroom trick (push on the opposite side of the door handle). Three words: fried goat’s cheese (yes, there is cheese in China!) Yangzhou Cuisine Nanling Restaurant is a low-key place with delicious food. I think the noodle soups taste better here. It's great for larger groups or intimate tête-à-tête as all tables come with a private, period-decorated room. It’s much quicker to say “I feel like dumplings, let’s eat Cantonese tonight.” There are so many amazing restaurants in Shanghai, this list just barely scratches the surface. If you can’t get to the province itself, try South Beauty in Shanghai. Yunnanese Lost Heaven has a cool,dark bar below and super-chic-Asian interior above. You can’t say “let’s go for Chinese tonight, honey,” in China. Cantonese Crystal Jade – Xintiandi. Sound scary? 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. The food purports to be Yunnanese but is a delicious eclectic mix of southern Chinese and Burmese. Southern Barbarian - unlike Lost Heaven, Southern Barbarian is anti-interior-design. Yangzhou cuisine, is known for the chef's amazing knife work. Other Hot Pot King - Winter food. They are all about the food. You can do typical dim sum for lunch or a selection of dumplings and dishes for dinner. Shanghainese 1221 is a favorite of local expats. It’s lively and the tea service is great to watch. DTF is a great lunch choice but don’t miss out if dinner is the only option. Crystal Jade has several outlets in Shanghai but I like the Xintiandi location best. Din Tai Fung – Dragon Gate Mall Din Tai Fung – Xintiandi You can read all about my devotional love for the xiao long bao and Din Tai Fung should you wish. Worth it for the sautéed spinach… Hunanese Yan Qing Road #132 A dive of a place with the BEST duck soup in the world. Comfort food. With a Yunnanese chef from a village on the southern border of Yunnan and Vietnam and ingredients that are flown up from Yunnan, the food is incredible. But, it’s a start. These are some of my favorites. People 7 Reserve first, you’ll get a password to get in the door and this saves the embarrassing wait as you try to crack the code to enter.

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It was built during 1400s in Ming Dynasty. The granary is as solid as new, the tour guide at the museum said. 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. 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 specialty here is roasted duck, believed to be made from the imperial recipe. However, the endless patrons to this establishment are not actually drawn by the food, but the Kunqu Opera that plays in this restaurant as entertainment. The walls are 1.3 to 1.5 meters thick and there are skylights on the roof and drain pipes underground to keep the place clear and dry. The museum reenacts the scene of transporting and storing up grains using human sized puppets and antique props such as bamboo baskets and grain scales. The most applauded piece is the "Peony Pavilion" a Tang Dynasty love drama. The restaurant also has several priceless antiques the owner uses as decorations; for example, the engraved board hanging on the top of the counter dates back to the 1700s. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19528868.htm www.china.org.cn Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. 2010-03-05 10:30:46.0 Imperial granaries welcome civilians China, Beijing, restaurant, museum,Nanxin storehouse Imperial granaries welcome civilians Imperial granaries welcome civilians 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. Buried in the cluster of ancient buildings, Minghuang storehouse is nothing in particular judging from its grey brick walls. Visitors will also be presented a small bag of grain as souvenir. The museum opens from 9:50 to 5:00 and is free of charge. If you want to take a vacation with a heavy sports theme, you could do worse than to take a China vacation. Nowadays, the many storehouses have scaled down to nine; inside two of them, we can still sense the faded history. One of the granaries, Nanxin storehouse, is said to be ten years older than the Forbidden City; it has been redecorated and welcomes customers as a restaurant. 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 restaurant promises to provide supreme service and charges equally high prices because it includes the entrance fee to the food bill. Another of the granaries in use today is Minghuang storehouse which is open to the public as a museum. Transaero to launch direct Moscow-Beijing route in June Vacationing In China Offers Everything 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. The museum that houses them is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and definitely worth a trip.There is almost 4000 miles of the Wall itself, but one of the most famous areas is the North Pass, which helped to defend the city of Beijing. The original Great Wall was constructed around 200 BC, but many other walls have been built since that time that are considered to be part of the Great Wall. 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. In China, there is history everywhere. The most famous examples include the Great Wall of China, and the Terracotta Warriors. The Terracotta Warriors were discovered near Xi�an in 1974, and includes over 8,000 figures. Yangtze River Cruises Bejing china vacations Great Wall of China

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Today, it is more commonly known as the Palace Museum. The warriors are part of a funereal display for the first Emperor of Qin in 200 BC, around the time that the first part of the Great Wall was built. However, from the ground, the Great Wall is an imposing and impressive sight to behold. The Xi�an Terracotta Warriors. But someone who wants to see the beauty and wonder of this world really ought to consider going to China, if only to see these three wonders: The Great Wall of China. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Out of all of the destinations on this planet, China vacations seem to be pretty low on the �gotta go� list of the average Western traveller. What are commonly referred to as a single wall are, in fact, several walls that have been built, rebuilt and maintained for centuries. It was constructed in the 1400s, lasting more than 15 years and taking over a million men to build. The Forbidden City. The combination of walls is nearly 4,000 miles long. Only a small portion of the collection has been unearthed, but those that have been are an amazing sight. No china vacations could be complete without a visit to this former Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Beijing. Today, it is an architectural highlight of any trip to China.Walls had been built at different times to keep out different groups, including the Xiongnu, Mongolian and Manchurian peoples. The project was said to have taken the labors of over 700,000 men, and incredibly, each of the figures is completely original � no two warriors were allowed to be made the same. It is called the Forbidden City because, during its time as a functioning walled city and imperial palace, no one could leave or enter without the approval of the Emperor himself. In total, there are more than 8,000 figures in this collection, each featuring an amazing level of detail and craftsmanship. These clay warriors were discovered near Xi�an in the 1970s by a farmer who was drilling a new well. The Mongols finally breached the Wall in 1644, and quickly took Beijing afterwards. A common misconception is that the Great Wall can be seen from space � while the length of it would certainly be discernable, the width of less than thirty feet at its widest would mean that it would be impossible to see from space without a great amount of magnification. Originally built around 200 BC, there is very little that remains of the first Wall, but those that sprung up afterwards continue to stand to this day. Duck ready for roasting, Shanghai street scene Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement If you have booked a tour in China, this can be problematic.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. ©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. China Packages vacation in China Bejing china vacations

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http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19529833.htm www.china.org.cn A group of 15 overseas reporters from ten media groups left Thursday after six days of visit in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 2010-03-05 10:48:56.0 Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' Overseas reporters,Tibet, visit ,China, tour, trip, Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> A group of 15 overseas reporters from ten media groups left Thursday after six days of visit in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The six-days-trip were described as "amazing" by some of the reporters. "I had prepared water, biscuits, chocolates when I started this trip, for I assumed that the trip would be difficult," said Christine Huang from CTI Television Incorporation. "But I was amazed by what I saw in Tibet. From China, you can travel the Silk Road to India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, and Iran, covering some 4000 miles. If that is the case, why not consider vacationing in China? You crave adventure, history, , culture and something completely original. Of course, unless you have a very extended vacation schedule, you won�t have time to travel the whole thing. In China, you will find adventure around every corner. The region was modern. But while you are in China, you can view some great parts of this ancient trade route that brought commerce and adventure from every corner of the known world.Where else on earth can you travel on the fabled Silk Road? I never thought their income would be this high," Huang said. The reporters were from media groups such as Macao Daily News , Asian Television, CTI Television Incorporation, Associated Press of Pakistan, Janpan's NHK, and APTN. They interviewed local residents and visited temples in Lhasa and Nyingchi regions. "I was mostly impressed by the culture here," said David Wivell from APTN. "I was lucky to have the chance to take pictures of local dancing as a way celebrating the Tibetan New Year," David said. Massod Sattar Khan from the Associated Press of Pakistan said he thought the visit was very meaningful as it was a way to introduce Tibet to the outside world. "I hope we will have more such visits," he said. When you are looking to take your next vacation, you might decide that the all-inclusive resorts and identical beach hotels of any given island resort are getting a little old. We even got wireless services," Huang said. Huang said she interviewed some Tibetans who run a hotel and was amazed by their high income. "They could earn 70,000 to 80,000 yuan (10,248 to 11,713 U.S. dollars) a year. Imperial granaries welcome civilians China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities The Xi�an Terracotta Warriors. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19528868.htm www.china.org.cn Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. 2010-03-05 10:30:46.0 Imperial granaries welcome civilians China, Beijing, restaurant, museum,Nanxin storehouse Imperial granaries welcome civilians Imperial granaries welcome civilians 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. The walls are 1.3 to 1.5 meters thick and there are skylights on the roof and drain pipes underground to keep the place clear and dry. The museum reenacts the scene of transporting and storing up grains using human sized puppets and antique props such as bamboo baskets and grain scales. These clay warriors were discovered near Xi�an in the 1970s by a farmer who was drilling a new well. The Forbidden City. Only a small portion of the collection has been unearthed, but those that have been are an amazing sight. The combination of walls is nearly 4,000 miles long. It was built during 1400s in Ming Dynasty. However, from the ground, the Great Wall is an imposing and impressive sight to behold. A common misconception is that the Great Wall can be seen from space � while the length of it would certainly be discernable, the width of less than thirty feet at its widest would mean that it would be impossible to see from space without a great amount of magnification. Visitors will also be presented a small bag of grain as souvenir. The museum opens from 9:50 to 5:00 and is free of charge. Out of all of the destinations on this planet, China vacations seem to be pretty low on the �gotta go� list of the average Western traveller. The specialty here is roasted duck, believed to be made from the imperial recipe. However, the endless patrons to this establishment are not actually drawn by the food, but the Kunqu Opera that plays in this restaurant as entertainment. No china vacations could be complete without a visit to this former Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Beijing. Nowadays, the many storehouses have scaled down to nine; inside two of them, we can still sense the faded history. One of the granaries, Nanxin storehouse, is said to be ten years older than the Forbidden City; it has been redecorated and welcomes customers as a restaurant. It was constructed in the 1400s, lasting more than 15 years and taking over a million men to build. In total, there are more than 8,000 figures in this collection, each featuring an amazing level of detail and craftsmanship. It is called the Forbidden City because, during its time as a functioning walled city and imperial palace, no one could leave or enter without the approval of the Emperor himself. The granary is as solid as new, the tour guide at the museum said. Today, it is more commonly known as the Palace Museum. Today, it is an architectural highlight of any trip to China.The most applauded piece is the "Peony Pavilion" a Tang Dynasty love drama. The restaurant also has several priceless antiques the owner uses as decorations; for example, the engraved board hanging on the top of the counter dates back to the 1700s. The project was said to have taken the labors of over 700,000 men, and incredibly, each of the figures is completely original � no two warriors were allowed to be made the same. Originally built around 200 BC, there is very little that remains of the first Wall, but those that sprung up afterwards continue to stand to this day. But someone who wants to see the beauty and wonder of this world really ought to consider going to China, if only to see these three wonders: The Great Wall of China. Buried in the cluster of ancient buildings, Minghuang storehouse is nothing in particular judging from its grey brick walls. What are commonly referred to as a single wall are, in fact, several walls that have been built, rebuilt and maintained for centuries. The warriors are part of a funereal display for the first Emperor of Qin in 200 BC, around the time that the first part of the Great Wall was built. Walls had been built at different times to keep out different groups, including the Xiongnu, Mongolian and Manchurian peoples. The Mongols finally breached the Wall in 1644, and quickly took Beijing afterwards. The restaurant promises to provide supreme service and charges equally high prices because it includes the entrance fee to the food bill. Another of the granaries in use today is Minghuang storehouse which is open to the public as a museum.

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How to get there: Tell your taxi driver “shahn shee loo, shao shing loo”. 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. 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. Where to start: Begin at the corner of Shaoxing (pronounced “shao shing”) and Shanxi Nan ("shahn shee nahn") Roads. Go east on Shaoxing Road from Shanxi Nan Road to begin your tour. Other: This walk is very stroller-friendly. When you are sitting down to debate your next getaway with the family, toss in the option of a China family vacation. This little walking tour takes you down two lovely quiet streets in Shanghai that are increasingly becoming full of great cafes and interesting shops. 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. How much time to set aside: That all depends on how much café/bar time you want. Shanghai street signs are well marked in both Chinese and English and conveniently give directions (north, south, east or west) as well. 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. For the kids, there is sports and culture all over the place. The best thing to do is go around meal-time. Stop for lunch on Shaoxing Road and then continue on to Taikang road to spend the better part of the afternoon shopping. 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. China really could be the best destination for you and your family.For the parents, amazing architecture and historical sites. 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. 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. Lu, “loo”, means road in Chinese. Metro: Shanxi Nan Lu on Metro Line 1 (15-20 minute walk from the station) When to go: Any time of year is fine. Games for sale Vacations to China Better Than Vegas You can pick up a new one. Sara Naumann 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. If you've got the kids along, and they're in need of a new game, not to worry.

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China is a world unlike anything in Western culture, and truly must be experienced to be believed.We even got wireless services," Huang said. Huang said she interviewed some Tibetans who run a hotel and was amazed by their high income. "They could earn 70,000 to 80,000 yuan (10,248 to 11,713 U.S. I never thought their income would be this high," Huang said. The reporters were from media groups such as Macao Daily News , Asian Television, CTI Television Incorporation, Associated Press of Pakistan, Janpan's NHK, and APTN. They interviewed local residents and visited temples in Lhasa and Nyingchi regions. "I was mostly impressed by the culture here," said David Wivell from APTN. "I was lucky to have the chance to take pictures of local dancing as a way celebrating the Tibetan New Year," David said. Massod Sattar Khan from the Associated Press of Pakistan said he thought the visit was very meaningful as it was a way to introduce Tibet to the outside world. "I hope we will have more such visits," he said. If you are looking for the ultimate trip for your next scheduled time away from work, vacationing in China might well fit the bill. 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. dollars) a year. The region was modern. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19529833.htm www.china.org.cn A group of 15 overseas reporters from ten media groups left Thursday after six days of visit in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. 2010-03-05 10:48:56.0 Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' Overseas reporters,Tibet, visit ,China, tour, trip, Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' Overseas reporters say Tibet visit 'amazing' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> A group of 15 overseas reporters from ten media groups left Thursday after six days of visit in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The six-days-trip were described as "amazing" by some of the reporters. "I had prepared water, biscuits, chocolates when I started this trip, for I assumed that the trip would be difficult," said Christine Huang from CTI Television Incorporation. "But I was amazed by what I saw in Tibet. 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. Imperial granaries welcome civilians Chinas Vacation Hot Spots The granary is as solid as new, the tour guide at the museum said. It was built during 1400s in Ming Dynasty. 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. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-03/05/content_19528868.htm www.china.org.cn Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. 2010-03-05 10:30:46.0 Imperial granaries welcome civilians China, Beijing, restaurant, museum,Nanxin storehouse Imperial granaries welcome civilians Imperial granaries welcome civilians 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Seated regally in Dongcheng district of Beijing about one thousand years ago were seventy-six imperial granaries that controlled the lifeline of the Chinese nation and its people. Buried in the cluster of ancient buildings, Minghuang storehouse is nothing in particular judging from its grey brick walls. The walls are 1.3 to 1.5 meters thick and there are skylights on the roof and drain pipes underground to keep the place clear and dry. The museum reenacts the scene of transporting and storing up grains using human sized puppets and antique props such as bamboo baskets and grain scales. The most applauded piece is the "Peony Pavilion" a Tang Dynasty love drama. The restaurant also has several priceless antiques the owner uses as decorations; for example, the engraved board hanging on the top of the counter dates back to the 1700s. Visitors will also be presented a small bag of grain as souvenir. The museum opens from 9:50 to 5:00 and is free of charge. Another tour-worthy site is China�s Treasure Houses. Many an hour can be spent pouring over these treasures, and marvelling at the vastness of the collection.The restaurant promises to provide supreme service and charges equally high prices because it includes the entrance fee to the food bill. Another of the granaries in use today is Minghuang storehouse which is open to the public as a museum. Nowadays, the many storehouses have scaled down to nine; inside two of them, we can still sense the faded history. One of the granaries, Nanxin storehouse, is said to be ten years older than the Forbidden City; it has been redecorated and welcomes customers as a restaurant. The specialty here is roasted duck, believed to be made from the imperial recipe. However, the endless patrons to this establishment are not actually drawn by the food, but the Kunqu Opera that plays in this restaurant as entertainment. china vacations Great Wall of China Bejing vacation in China

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Pandas sometimes over-drink and act drunk making it even more beloved by the Chinese people as legends surround why the panda does this.Pandas are playful and not the least bit aggressive. After mating, pandas retreat to their homes.Pandas love water and make their homes near a water source. Pandas look like big cuddly bears, but they are actually shy reclusive bamboo eaters who would like to be left alone.Pandas are loners. Mountain dwellers have reported them mischievously getting into their homes and playing with kitchen pots and pans and then discarding them in the woods later on. They’ve also been known to befriend domestic animals such as a sheep or pig and sleep and eat together with them.Chinese people nickname the Panda “Miss Panda” since they often exhibit shy, even coy, behavior such as covering its face with a paw or ducking its head when confronted by a stranger.Notably, mother pandas protect their young as you’d expect so just like any other bear, don’t come between a mama panda and her baby. Source: The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: www.panda.org.cn . In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. Although they appear to have been carnivorous at some point in their evolution, they adapted to eating only plants – and only bamboo – but retain a solitary nature unlike other herbivores. The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base points out, however, that over 50% of a panda’s day is spent eating, over 40% is spent sleeping, so whatever is left over is devoted to play.In the spring, for a mere three months, older pandas of at least 7 years, search each other out for the mating season. Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. They keep a small territory and don’t wander too far. 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.Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. They also don’t have rigid schedules, eating, sleeping and playing whenever and wherever the mood strikes them. Chinese Restaurants Shanghai Vacationing In China Offers Everything In fact, forget it, don’t order anything else… Sichuanese South Beauty - Sichuan food is spicy. If you do, you and your mate will have to spend precious dumpling-eating time deciding just what kind of Chinese you’re in the mood for. You can do typical dim sum for lunch or a selection of dumplings and dishes for dinner. Shanghainese 1221 is a favorite of local expats. Din Tai Fung – Dragon Gate Mall Din Tai Fung – Xintiandi You can read all about my devotional love for the xiao long bao and Din Tai Fung should you wish. THE WORLD, I tell you. Guyi Hunan Order whatever you want on the menu but be sure to include at least three orders of the pork ribs. Hot food. In China, you will have the most original vacation out of all of your friends. Sound scary? It’s lively and the tea service is great to watch. Three words: fried goat’s cheese (yes, there is cheese in China!) Yangzhou Cuisine Nanling Restaurant is a low-key place with delicious food. Don’t be frightened, the door gimmick isn’t nearly as bad as the bathroom trick (push on the opposite side of the door handle). It’s much quicker to say “I feel like dumplings, let’s eat Cantonese tonight.” There are so many amazing restaurants in Shanghai, this list just barely scratches the surface. It's great for larger groups or intimate tête-à-tête as all tables come with a private, period-decorated room. DTF is a great lunch choice but don’t miss out if dinner is the only option. These are some of my favorites. Crystal Jade has several outlets in Shanghai but I like the Xintiandi location best. They are all about the food. Fu 1039 is in an old villa. The food purports to be Yunnanese but is a delicious eclectic mix of southern Chinese and Burmese. Southern Barbarian - unlike Lost Heaven, Southern Barbarian is anti-interior-design. With a Yunnanese chef from a village on the southern border of Yunnan and Vietnam and ingredients that are flown up from Yunnan, the food is incredible. But, it’s a start. Cantonese Crystal Jade – Xintiandi. Comfort food. Yangzhou cuisine, is known for the chef's amazing knife work. Other Hot Pot King - Winter food. People 7 Reserve first, you’ll get a password to get in the door and this saves the embarrassing wait as you try to crack the code to enter. If you can’t get to the province itself, try South Beauty in Shanghai. Yunnanese Lost Heaven has a cool,dark bar below and super-chic-Asian interior above. I think the noodle soups taste better here. You will see great sights, sample new cuisines, experience a vastly different and vibrant culture, and open your eyes to the world outside of your own country. You can’t say “let’s go for Chinese tonight, honey,” in China. Worth it for the sautéed spinach… Hunanese Yan Qing Road #132 A dive of a place with the BEST duck soup in the world. While they go to Vegas to gamble or New York to shop, you will be halfway across the world, broadening your horizons and seeing sights that they have only ever heard about in glossy travel magazines. Vacationing in China offers you the best use of your vacation time. china vacations China Packages vacation in China Great Wall of China

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Many an hour can be spent pouring over these treasures, and marvelling at the vastness of the collection.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. How to get there: Tell your taxi driver “shahn shee loo, shao shing loo”. The best thing to do is go around meal-time. This little walking tour takes you down two lovely quiet streets in Shanghai that are increasingly becoming full of great cafes and interesting shops. 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. Shanghai street signs are well marked in both Chinese and English and conveniently give directions (north, south, east or west) as well. 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. 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. Where to start: Begin at the corner of Shaoxing (pronounced “shao shing”) and Shanxi Nan ("shahn shee nahn") Roads. How much time to set aside: That all depends on how much café/bar time you want. 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. 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. Other: This walk is very stroller-friendly. Another tour-worthy site is China�s Treasure Houses. Go east on Shaoxing Road from Shanxi Nan Road to begin your tour. Metro: Shanxi Nan Lu on Metro Line 1 (15-20 minute walk from the station) When to go: Any time of year is fine. Stop for lunch on Shaoxing Road and then continue on to Taikang road to spend the better part of the afternoon shopping. Lu, “loo”, means road in Chinese. Games for sale China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look You can pick up a new one. Sara Naumann 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. If you've got the kids along, and they're in need of a new game, not to worry. Coming home without having experienced all three would be a terrible waste, and would require a return ticket as soon as possible!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.

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Positioned strategically in central coastal China, the city's port is one of the busiest in the world. 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. Overview: Shanghai is the commercial capital of China. And, you're less likely to get rained on. Tips: Bring rain gear, you will probably see at least one wet day in Shanghai. If you're a history buff, find accommodation in the French Concession area. It can rain at all times of the year but mid-summer (July) and autumn (late September through early November) are the driest. Recommended time for visit : 4-5 days. Best time of year to visit : Autumn is probably your best bet in Shanghai. If you have booked a tour in China, this can be problematic.However, autumn usually sees clearer skies, still-warm temperatures without the overbearing humidity. Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces border Shanghai to the west and the East China Sea and the Hangzhou Bay border it to the west and south. A coastal city on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is mostly flat and low. Look at Puxi from Pudong, and you're looking into Shanghai's past: the grand edifices on the Bund in what was the International Concession stand guard over the city sprawl to the west. Shanghai is China's second most-populous city after Chongqing, farther up on the Yangtze. Spend a week ducking down Shanghai's laneways full of trendy shops and restaurants, or a few days kicking back and taking it all in. It is not yet terribly hot, flowers are blooming and the trees are starting to leaf out, so there's an air of freshness. Currently estimated at 17 million, Shanghai's population fluctuates with several million migrant laborers seeking employment in the city. Getting There & Getting Around: Shanghai is a gateway into China with many international flights arriving and departing every day. Pudong , or east of the river, is the area that stretches to the sea and is full of new developments and skyscrapers. You'll really enjoy taking some walks and seeing the old lane houses and villas that still stand in the area. Where to Stay: Best-located budget lodgings in Shanghai Luxury hotels in Shanghai Other Shanghai hotel listings Maps: Shanghai area, city and street maps Metro Map More Maps If you prefer not to deal with a travel agent, you can contact the airlines directly. However, you will seldom see snow and temperatures may never reach freezing. Shanghai literally means "on the sea" in Chinese. History: While China may have a 5,000+ year-old history, Shanghai's is very short. Spring can be difficult with an occasional long winter or early wet season, although mid-April through mid-May are usually very nice. The moisture in the air makes you feel the cold right to the bone. Winters in central China feel colder than they look on the thermometer. It is also relatively easy to get around. However long you spend in Shanghai, your days will be full. Location: Shanghai sits on the Huang Pu River that feeds into the Yangtze in the central-eastern part of China. Puxi , meaning west of the river, is larger and home to the older districts of Shanghai including the former foreign concessions. Read a brief History of Shanghai to understand its dynamic, if short, past. Features: Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River and thus has two main parts. 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. Its short history means that there aren't as many cultural sights to see, compared to Beijing or even nearby Hangzhou . However, there is plenty to do and see in Shanghai. View Shanghai from the Puxi side, on the Bund, and you'll see a vision of Shanghai's future including the Jin Mao Tower, currently the tallest building in Shanghai, and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Happily, winters are short, starting in January in earnest and usually finishing up by the end of March. Summers are long, hot and humid, lasting from April through September/October. Read more about Getting To and Getting Around Shanghai . Essentials: Weather : Shanghai's climate is Central China climate. October in China Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement 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 festival begins on the �double fifth�, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. The races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries. What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. 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 different styles are usually broken up into families or sects, depending on their influence. The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. 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. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Martial arts. This means that, on the Western calendar, the date can fluctuate wildly, being as early as May and as late as June. 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.

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These human-powered wagons offer a great view of the cities you visit, and often take you down routes that a cab or bus would never go. If your birthday falls in these months, and you're not sure where you land, use this website to find your zodiac sign. Hard-working Shrewd Bold Boastful Correct Snake, Oxen Rabbits Restaurant owner Publicist World traveler Confucius, Catherine the Great, Amelia Earhart, Rudyard Kipling, Groucho Marx 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 Dog Year of the Boar If you are itching to do some travelling, but do not know where to begin, perhaps you ought to look into some China vacation tours. Another big appeal to the tour groups are the restaurants you will visit. These rickshaw rides are often combined with a traditional tour, to give you a chance to pick up some local flavour. For every great tour of an unknown but intense site, there are dozens more that will do little aside from dropping you off for an afternoon at a Great Wall tourist trap. Of course, you are limited by the speed of your rickshaw runner, and the distance he can go before he tires out. Today, the temple is a popular tourist destination, both for the wonders of the temple itself, and for the grounds that surround it. These conveyances should be used more for their odd appeal than their ability to get you around. The thing to remember with China vacation tours is that they are not all created equal. Do your research before you buy.That can include narrow passages that will be much more visually interesting that the usual freeways. And there are some routes that are simply not rickshaw friendly. However, since we're talking about the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year can be any time between January and February. This temple, built in the 1400s, was a place for prayers for plentiful harvest for the Chinese people. Tour groups love to stop at sites like these, and often offer group tours through some of the buildings and parkways. It is a massive set of buildings and green spaces, covering nearly three million square meters of land. A great way to see the sights in between the sites is to hire a rickshaw. One of the great sights that you might be able to view in China includes the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. These grounds tend to attract those looking to get some exercise outdoors, including everything from sparring martial artists to slow but steady joggers. Everything from Chinese tea rooms to fancy full-course restaurants can be experienced this way. These tours take you to places in China that you normally would never get a chance to see. The tour guides know the best places to eat, and will lead you to small, unknown little restaurants that will serve food so good, you will want to leave a trail of breadcrumbs back to the hotel. 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 *For the sake of simplicity, I have noted the years per the Gregorian calendar. Habits of the Giant Panda China Vacation Sports Lots of Fun After mating, pandas retreat to their homes.Pandas love water and make their homes near a water source. They keep a small territory and don’t wander too far. For any baseball fan, this is a great chance to see players that you would normally never get a chance to watch, and see a ball park that most people will only ever hear about.The Beijing Tigers actually predate the league by many years, and have been the most successful team in the CBL, winning the championships three times. Mountain dwellers have reported them mischievously getting into their homes and playing with kitchen pots and pans and then discarding them in the woods later on. The CBL is now partnered with the more established Nippon Professional Baseball league of Japan, allowing for transfers between the two countries to better grow the sport. Pandas sometimes over-drink and act drunk making it even more beloved by the Chinese people as legends surround why the panda does this.Pandas are playful and not the least bit aggressive. They play their home games in Lucheng, just south of Beijing. Pandas look like big cuddly bears, but they are actually shy reclusive bamboo eaters who would like to be left alone.Pandas are loners. They’ve also been known to befriend domestic animals such as a sheep or pig and sleep and eat together with them.Chinese people nickname the Panda “Miss Panda” since they often exhibit shy, even coy, behavior such as covering its face with a paw or ducking its head when confronted by a stranger.Notably, mother pandas protect their young as you’d expect so just like any other bear, don’t come between a mama panda and her baby. Source: The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: www.panda.org.cn . If you are a fan of sports, there is no greater trip than a China vacation. The Chinese Baseball League began operation in 2002, and has enjoyed a lot of success since its inception. The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base points out, however, that over 50% of a panda’s day is spent eating, over 40% is spent sleeping, so whatever is left over is devoted to play.In the spring, for a mere three months, older pandas of at least 7 years, search each other out for the mating season. They also don’t have rigid schedules, eating, sleeping and playing whenever and wherever the mood strikes them. While in China, you will see many wonderful sights, but there are three that will rival anything you can see anywhere else in the sporting world: Baseball. Although they appear to have been carnivorous at some point in their evolution, they adapted to eating only plants – and only bamboo – but retain a solitary nature unlike other herbivores. china vacations Bejing Yangtze River Cruises China Packages

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The first is via Nepal . If this is the case, you may have a better time on the train (see above). The other Imperial holdover that will aid in your search for relaxing but stimulating sites is the Summer Palace. Tickets can be purchased abroad, but you can also get to Nepal or China and then book from there. From outside China, it is only possible from Kathmandu, Nepal. This former summer home features beautifully manicured gardens and green spaces, surrounding natural bodies of water. You can take the train all the way from Beijing to Lhasa with a stop in Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors . Read more about the Qinghai-Tibet Railway . While there are a number of routes into Tibet, officially only two allow foreign travelers. The 920km (570 miles) trip is spectacular although don't expect a shower along the way. It takes three to five days with stops at sights along the way. All tickets must be purchased through a travel agency. There are restrictions on travelling to Tibet. A traveler can get to Lhasa, Tibet, by three routes from China. From within China, most travelers fly to Lhasa (Tibet's only airport) from Chengdu but it is also possible from Kunming and a few other Chinese cities. 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. The second option is via Golmud in Qinghai province. Read more about getting permits and general information in Traveling to Tibet . The Qinghai-Tibet railway was completed in July 2006 and is expected to bring in hoards of Chinese tourists. If traveling to Lhasa from within China, this is a great option as it might help you acclimatize to the altitude a bit better. Many travelers book overland tours via the Friendship Highway that runs from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The terrain is desolate so it's not recommended unless you happen to find yourself in Golmud, wishing to be in Lhasa. Made in China Restaurant China Vacations Offer Three �Must See� Places You're likely only in Beijing for a short time and you are probably a teeny weeny bit freaked out about the food. It ain't gonna happen. It was gone too quickly and left us all wanting more. After the duck came beef, vegetables, rice and other very tasty dishes - but it was the duck that couldn't be topped. Put away this fantasy of walking into this no-name restaurant and praising God as you sit down to find you, on your one-week trip to Beijing, have discovered the quintessential Duck. Teapots and ceramics line the walls between glass-enclosed kitchen stations where you can peek into the roaring ovens where the ducks roast or watch dumpling masters rolling dough. The first piece was built around 200 BC to protect a relatively small area. 3608 (if dialing from within China dial 010-8518-1234 ext. Ever since that time, and until the 1600s, the Chinese have added, maintained, lengthened and fortified the walls that guard their lands. But let's stick to reality. 3608) Lay aside, for the moment, your dreams of discovering some fantastic little dive restaurant where the ducks are hung like dry cleaning and spinning around a warm lamp "roasting". So I'm telling you: book a table at Made in China now. Made in China is beautifully decorated and relatively small. At its height, the wall stood nearly four thousand miles long. Go for the duck. (If it does, write me, send me the address and I'll join you for dinner.) Now that our fantasies are behind us - yes, we all dream of finding some tiny place that serves up revelation. I thought my Peking Duck days were over. I was on my own, staying in a decent hotel and thought, "I gotta do it." It was fatty, greasy and well, disgusting. I tried Peking duck for the first time in 1997. In fact, I'd consider moving up to Beijing just to be near Made in China, the place, in my humble opinion, that is serving up the juiciest, most succulent duck this side of the Pacific Ocean. Delicious Peking Duck, and you've got to try Peking Duck when you're in Beijing! Lovely atmosphere - great design, comfortable and relaxing as well as intimate. Open kitchens where you can watch a lot going on from roasting ducks to hand-making dumplings. Dessert bar as you walk in may make you skip the main course (but don't!) Book an early table to eat with your kids - they'll love watching what's happening in the kitchens. You'll need to book a table, and a duck, in advance. Made in China at the Grand Hyatt Beijing 1 East Chang An Avenue Beijing, 100738 Tel: +86 10 8518 1234 ext. After all, most of us arrive for the first time in Beijing or Shanghai and some of us are a wee bit on the careful side when it comes to eating in a strange locale. A chef comes to the table and carves the crispy duck skin off which you start to enjoy immediately with your pancake and accoutrements. The food: gorgeous starters from honey-soaked lettuce to sesame spinach..and then, the duck. We had a large table overlooking ancient tile roofs of the building next door. But enough about that. Made in China is the perfect place to enjoy this Beijing delicacy. The Great Wall of China should really be known as the Great Walls of China. While its width means that no, it is not the only man-made structure that would be visible from the moon, the sheer size and skill of the wall is still something that draws tourists from around the world, and even features a marathon along part of the wall itself.Now, ten years later, I have found that my Peking Duck days are not over in the least. Even if you're one person, order it and enjoy it all. China Packages Great Wall of China china vacations Bejing

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The whole of Las Vegas is intended to empty your pockets with a quick flourish at the card tables. In the Chinese opera style known as Beijing Opera, the actors display great skills in dance and other movements, song and other spoken word pieces, and physical acting. How to get there: Tell your taxi driver “shahn shee loo, shao shing loo”. 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. Other: This walk is very stroller-friendly. You will see plenty of advertisements in the newspaper for vacations to all corners of the world, but most of ad space seems to be dedicated to the crass and tacky. In China, gambling is illegal, but you can wager on spending a lot of time visiting the historic sights of China � the Great Wall, for instance. Of course, part of the fun of staying in Las Vegas is the immense and elaborate hotels. 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. In China, drinking is far from illegal � you will soon learn the phrase �Gan bei!� means literally, bottoms up. But rather than filling your stomach with cheap, bottom shelf booze, China will offer you Bai Jiu, and makes drinking into almost a social ritual meant to bring people closer together. 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. 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. While we can agree that there are some interesting acts in Vegas, it can be argued that not even the popular Cirque du Solais shows can hold a candle to a good Chinese opera. Stop for lunch on Shaoxing Road and then continue on to Taikang road to spend the better part of the afternoon shopping. How much time to set aside: That all depends on how much café/bar time you want. Go east on Shaoxing Road from Shanxi Nan Road to begin your tour. Metro: Shanxi Nan Lu on Metro Line 1 (15-20 minute walk from the station) When to go: Any time of year is fine. The entire town reeks of booze, and you will find people with open containers of alcohol stumbling along the main drag at all hours of the day. But that is no knock on the Vegas operations � China has been practicing the art of the opera for centuries. Vacations to China are less likely to be shown in those ad spaces, but they ought to be. This little walking tour takes you down two lovely quiet streets in Shanghai that are increasingly becoming full of great cafes and interesting shops. Really, it is the entire reason for the existence of the city in the first place. In Las Vegas, gambling may be the favorite sport, but drinking is a close second. If Las Vegas is not your cup of tea, here is why a trip to China might be the perfect anti-Vegas vacation: In Las Vegas, you gamble. There are thousands of offers to get you to Vegas � but what if you crave something different? Lu, “loo”, means road in Chinese. 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. These theme resorts may cover the spectrum from fun and hokey to glittery and elaborate, but none could hold a candle to the Wangfujing Grand Hotel in Beijing. Vacations to China take on a whole new meaning when you spend your time at this luxury accommodation, which is walking distance from the Forbidden City. Where to start: Begin at the corner of Shaoxing (pronounced “shao shing”) and Shanxi Nan ("shahn shee nahn") Roads. Built in sections and pieces for centuries to keep out invaders, these sites will not empty your wallet, but they will fill your mind with true wonder. The best thing to do is go around meal-time. Shanghai street signs are well marked in both Chinese and English and conveniently give directions (north, south, east or west) as well. In Las Vegas, one of the few popular non-gambling activities is going to see the shows. Games for sale China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look You can pick up a new one. Sara Naumann If you are looking for the ultimate trip for your next scheduled time away from work, vacationing in China might well fit the bill. If you've got the kids along, and they're in need of a new game, not to worry. 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. 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.

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Currently estimated at 17 million, Shanghai's population fluctuates with several million migrant laborers seeking employment in the city. Getting There & Getting Around: Shanghai is a gateway into China with many international flights arriving and departing every day. This means that, on the Western calendar, the date can fluctuate wildly, being as early as May and as late as June. Overview: Shanghai is the commercial capital of China. You'll really enjoy taking some walks and seeing the old lane houses and villas that still stand in the area. Where to Stay: Best-located budget lodgings in Shanghai Luxury hotels in Shanghai Other Shanghai hotel listings Maps: Shanghai area, city and street maps Metro Map More Maps Martial arts. Positioned strategically in central coastal China, the city's port is one of the busiest in the world. The moisture in the air makes you feel the cold right to the bone. Read a brief History of Shanghai to understand its dynamic, if short, past. Features: Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River and thus has two main parts. Pudong , or east of the river, is the area that stretches to the sea and is full of new developments and skyscrapers. 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. And, you're less likely to get rained on. Tips: Bring rain gear, you will probably see at least one wet day in Shanghai. Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces border Shanghai to the west and the East China Sea and the Hangzhou Bay border it to the west and south. The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. Dragon boat racing. Look at Puxi from Pudong, and you're looking into Shanghai's past: the grand edifices on the Bund in what was the International Concession stand guard over the city sprawl to the west. Shanghai is China's second most-populous city after Chongqing, farther up on the Yangtze. Puxi , meaning west of the river, is larger and home to the older districts of Shanghai including the former foreign concessions. However, you will seldom see snow and temperatures may never reach freezing. A coastal city on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is mostly flat and low. Happily, winters are short, starting in January in earnest and usually finishing up by the end of March. However, autumn usually sees clearer skies, still-warm temperatures without the overbearing humidity. Its short history means that there aren't as many cultural sights to see, compared to Beijing or even nearby Hangzhou . 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. Read more about Getting To and Getting Around Shanghai . Essentials: Weather : Shanghai's climate is Central China climate. The popular martial art of Kung Fu originated in China, although it is sometimes referred to in China by the original Mandarin term, wushu. Shanghai literally means "on the sea" in Chinese. History: While China may have a 5,000+ year-old history, Shanghai's is very short. However long you spend in Shanghai, your days will be full. Location: Shanghai sits on the Huang Pu River that feeds into the Yangtze in the central-eastern part of China. The races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries. Summers are long, hot and humid, lasting from April through September/October. The different styles are usually broken up into families or sects, depending on their influence. 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. Spring can be difficult with an occasional long winter or early wet season, although mid-April through mid-May are usually very nice. View Shanghai from the Puxi side, on the Bund, and you'll see a vision of Shanghai's future including the Jin Mao Tower, currently the tallest building in Shanghai, and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Spend a week ducking down Shanghai's laneways full of trendy shops and restaurants, or a few days kicking back and taking it all in. What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. It is not yet terribly hot, flowers are blooming and the trees are starting to leaf out, so there's an air of freshness. Winters in central China feel colder than they look on the thermometer. It can rain at all times of the year but mid-summer (July) and autumn (late September through early November) are the driest. Recommended time for visit : 4-5 days. Best time of year to visit : Autumn is probably your best bet in Shanghai. It is also relatively easy to get around. If you're a history buff, find accommodation in the French Concession area. However, there is plenty to do and see in Shanghai. October in China China Family Vacation Offers Plenty to Work With ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are a history buff, Chinese vacations can offer you sights that you will find nowhere else on Earth. Not all of the warriors have been excavated, but the ones that have been are miraculously well maintained. 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. 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. You can visit the excavation site, and see those warriors that have been uncovered.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. The Terracotta Warriors of Xi�an are an amazing sight.

Tags: shanghai, china, day, history, city

Where to start: Begin at the corner of Shaoxing (pronounced “shao shing”) and Shanxi Nan ("shahn shee nahn") Roads. 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. The best thing to do is go around meal-time. Stop for lunch on Shaoxing Road and then continue on to Taikang road to spend the better part of the afternoon shopping. This little walking tour takes you down two lovely quiet streets in Shanghai that are increasingly becoming full of great cafes and interesting shops. Shanghai street signs are well marked in both Chinese and English and conveniently give directions (north, south, east or west) as well. 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. Lu, “loo”, means road in Chinese. 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. How much time to set aside: That all depends on how much café/bar time you want. 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. 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. Other: This walk is very stroller-friendly. In the end, finding China vacation packages means doing some legwork and some research. Go east on Shaoxing Road from Shanxi Nan Road to begin your tour. How to get there: Tell your taxi driver “shahn shee loo, shao shing loo”. Metro: Shanxi Nan Lu on Metro Line 1 (15-20 minute walk from the station) When to go: Any time of year is fine. 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. Games for sale China for Vacation Offers Serenity in Spades There, you will find an amazing history of religion that you could easily lose yourself in study of. Today, it once again operates as a Taoist temple, and inspires those who visit it. You can pick up a new one. Sara Naumann If you are interested in history and religion, you should go on vacation to 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. While you are on vacation to China, you should take the time to visit these sites. 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 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. Despite its Taoist roots, it was originally used as a site to make prayers to Heaven, asking for a plentiful harvest season in China. After the construction was completed, the building changed hands many times, being used by different groups and religions over the centuries. 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.Built around 70 AD, the White Horse Temple would be the first Buddhist temple in the country. 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. It was closed down and abandoned during the Cultural Revolution and following Communist rise to power, but it was kept in good condition. If you've got the kids along, and they're in need of a new game, not to worry. 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. The White Horse Temple is one of the most important Buddhist structures in China. It was built in the eight century, under the Emperorship of the Tang Dynasty. 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 site was renovated and overhauled in the 18th century, and again just prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. But if you are on a tight time frame, here are three sights that a religious study of China must include. china vacations Bejing China Packages Great Wall of China

Tags: china, road, temple, time, vacation

Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. 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.Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. Duck ready for roasting, Shanghai street scene China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. 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. Even those who are not Taoist or Buddhist will be fascinated by these buildings and their surrounding grounds.And while China is ripe with temples, shrines and holy buildings for a number of faiths and religions, there are three specific sites that every visitor to China should take the time to visit, no matter their faith or beliefs � the White Cloud Temple, The Temple of Heaven, and the White Horse Temple.

Tags: china, temple, part, time, chinese

While sites like MyPetChicken and BackyardChickens are great resources for figuring out how chickens work in a general sense, there's nothing like having someone from your neighborhood to chat with about local sources of supplies, the effects of weather on the flock, and how to keep local predators at bay. With urban chicken owners popping up all over the place, it's getting easier to find someone in your neighborhood who's got chickens in their backyard: Search Yahoo! groups or Google Groups (each of these links drops you on the results for "chicken") to see who's already talking about chickens near you. Join the group and have the discussions emailed to you in a daily digest so you can scan the topics to see what interests you. Listen first, then jump in and ask or offer advice once you're comfortable. Join a Meetup of fellow chicken enthusiasts. There are at least 835 urban chicken meetups happening across the country each month! The best thing about meetups: you get to mingle with fellow chicken owners face-to-face and swap tips and tales in real time. If there's no meetup already existing around you, you can sign up to be notified when one does get started (or start one yourself!) Find the 4-H nearest you and ask about their poultry program. Do a google search on 4-H and your town name to get the contact coordinates for the local program. Unfortunately the National 4-H program is a complete mess when it comes to helping you find a local poultry program, so you're best off just using google to find what you need. For those of us in the Bay Area, here's just a short list of sources for connecting with fellow urban chicken farmers: Silicon Valley Chickens on Yahoo San Mateo Chickens on Yahoo Santa Cruz County Chickens on Yahoo Alameda Backyard Chickens on Yahoo East Bay Backyard Chickens on Google Fairfax Chickens on Google SF Pet Chicken Meetup Santa Cruz Pet Chicken, Duck, Poultry Meetup Know of others here in the Bay Area? let me know, and I'll be happy to add them to the list. Got a list of local resources of your own? Please share it in the comments below! Photo credit: Daniel Miller/My Standard Break from Life on Flickr simply put: get your urban chickens now Caught this nice summary of why you'd want to raise your own chickens over on the FriendsEAT blog: It’s a way to save money on grocery bills, it allows families to take control of their food supply by practicing “eating local,” it encourages sustainability and reduces the carbon footprint of industrial agriculture. Plus the eggs, which are an excellent source of protein, will be fresh, flavorful and plentiful, depending on how many hens are in your harem. Lots more goodness in the rest of the post , but I haven't seen the "why urban chickens?" put so succinctly well before. What are you waiting for? Photo credit: ztephen on Flickr

Tags: chicken, local, urban, meetup, google

©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Made in China Restaurant I tried Peking duck for the first time in 1997. I was on my own, staying in a decent hotel and thought, "I gotta do it." It was fatty, greasy and well, disgusting. I thought my Peking Duck days were over. Now, ten years later, I have found that my Peking Duck days are not over in the least. In fact, I'd consider moving up to Beijing just to be near Made in China, the place, in my humble opinion, that is serving up the juiciest, most succulent duck this side of the Pacific Ocean. Delicious Peking Duck, and you've got to try Peking Duck when you're in Beijing! Lovely atmosphere - great design, comfortable and relaxing as well as intimate. Open kitchens where you can watch a lot going on from roasting ducks to hand-making dumplings. Dessert bar as you walk in may make you skip the main course (but don't!) Book an early table to eat with your kids - they'll love watching what's happening in the kitchens. You'll need to book a table, and a duck, in advance. Made in China at the Grand Hyatt Beijing 1 East Chang An Avenue Beijing, 100738 Tel: +86 10 8518 1234 ext. 3608 (if dialing from within China dial 010-8518-1234 ext. 3608) Lay aside, for the moment, your dreams of discovering some fantastic little dive restaurant where the ducks are hung like dry cleaning and spinning around a warm lamp "roasting". Put away this fantasy of walking into this no-name restaurant and praising God as you sit down to find you, on your one-week trip to Beijing, have discovered the quintessential Duck. It ain't gonna happen. (If it does, write me, send me the address and I'll join you for dinner.) Now that our fantasies are behind us - yes, we all dream of finding some tiny place that serves up revelation. But let's stick to reality. You're likely only in Beijing for a short time and you are probably a teeny weeny bit freaked out about the food. After all, most of us arrive for the first time in Beijing or Shanghai and some of us are a wee bit on the careful side when it comes to eating in a strange locale. So I'm telling you: book a table at Made in China now. Made in China is beautifully decorated and relatively small. Teapots and ceramics line the walls between glass-enclosed kitchen stations where you can peek into the roaring ovens where the ducks roast or watch dumpling masters rolling dough. We had a large table overlooking ancient tile roofs of the building next door. But enough about that. The food: gorgeous starters from honey-soaked lettuce to sesame spinach..and then, the duck. A chef comes to the table and carves the crispy duck skin off which you start to enjoy immediately with your pancake and accoutrements. It was gone too quickly and left us all wanting more. After the duck came beef, vegetables, rice and other very tasty dishes - but it was the duck that couldn't be topped. Go for the duck. Even if you're one person, order it and enjoy it all. Made in China is the perfect place to enjoy this Beijing delicacy.

Tags: duck, beijing, china, made, table

Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

You can’t say “let’s go for Chinese tonight, honey,” in China. If you do, you and your mate will have to spend precious dumpling-eating time deciding just what kind of Chinese you’re in the mood for. It’s much quicker to say “I feel like dumplings, let’s eat Cantonese tonight.” There are so many amazing restaurants in Shanghai, this list just barely scratches the surface. But, it’s a start. These are some of my favorites. Cantonese Crystal Jade – Xintiandi. Crystal Jade has several outlets in Shanghai but I like the Xintiandi location best. I think the noodle soups taste better here. You can do typical dim sum for lunch or a selection of dumplings and dishes for dinner. Shanghainese 1221 is a favorite of local expats. It’s lively and the tea service is great to watch. Fu 1039 is in an old villa. It's great for larger groups or intimate tête-à-tête as all tables come with a private, period-decorated room. Din Tai Fung – Dragon Gate Mall Din Tai Fung – Xintiandi You can read all about my devotional love for the xiao long bao and Din Tai Fung should you wish. DTF is a great lunch choice but don’t miss out if dinner is the only option. People 7 Reserve first, you’ll get a password to get in the door and this saves the embarrassing wait as you try to crack the code to enter. Sound scary? Don’t be frightened, the door gimmick isn’t nearly as bad as the bathroom trick (push on the opposite side of the door handle). Worth it for the sautéed spinach… Hunanese Yan Qing Road #132 A dive of a place with the BEST duck soup in the world. THE WORLD, I tell you. Guyi Hunan Order whatever you want on the menu but be sure to include at least three orders of the pork ribs. In fact, forget it, don’t order anything else… Sichuanese South Beauty - Sichuan food is spicy. If you can’t get to the province itself, try South Beauty in Shanghai. Yunnanese Lost Heaven has a cool,dark bar below and super-chic-Asian interior above. The food purports to be Yunnanese but is a delicious eclectic mix of southern Chinese and Burmese. Southern Barbarian - unlike Lost Heaven, Southern Barbarian is anti-interior-design. They are all about the food. With a Yunnanese chef from a village on the southern border of Yunnan and Vietnam and ingredients that are flown up from Yunnan, the food is incredible. Three words: fried goat’s cheese (yes, there is cheese in China!) Yangzhou Cuisine Nanling Restaurant is a low-key place with delicious food. Yangzhou cuisine, is known for the chef's amazing knife work. Other Hot Pot King - Winter food. Comfort food. Hot food. Boutique Hotels in Shanghai ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved.

Tags: food, shanghai, southern, chinese, tai