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This will get you to the intersection. Please, don't be fooled by the offers of "antiques". A savvy shopper will check online first to see if dedicated Chinese providers can offer them a good deal. Shopkeepers are expert at making factory-fired porcelain look old: just rub some dirt on it!Dong Tai Road is just off Tibet or "Xizang" Road near the old part of town. In my experience, the best thing to do is make some snap decisions and then start the negotiations at the low end. Chinese purveyors are experts at making fakes look like ancient treasures dug up and on sale for a fraction of what you'd pay at Sotheby's. It cost a small fortune but the lady wouldn't budge and I went back to see if she put a replica out after I purchased it. Walk away. Sometimes it works... Decide if you really want it. It's hard to extract a real price so you'll have to bargain to get close. Decide how much you're willing to pay. How much is it worth to you? Treasure? The best thing to do is go with and open mind, a limited budget and a few ideas about what you'd like to have.Some say offer 10% of what the vendor is asking, some say 25% and work up from there. You can find just about anything from baskets to ceramics, Mao memorabilia, lanterns - junk or treasure - it's up to you. This is pronounced: "dong tie loo" and literally is the name of the street. If your taxi driver is still confused, you can say "Dong Tai Lu kaojin Xizang Lu", pronounced "dong tie loo cow jeen she zahng loo". I've had to ship several to friends and family who can't bear not to purchase but can't fit them in a suitcase. If you look hard enough, there are China vacation packages to be had. I had to walk away twice. We collect antique maps and after reading 1421 , I happened to find a really neat old map of Shanghai. If she did, she had the courtesy to wait until the next day. Let the buyer beware, unless you are a certified antiques dealer, don't think you'll come away with a Ming vase for a song. Compare the different prices you find from these options, and you are sure to find a deal that will enable you to visit the wonderful sights of China on your next vacation.Tibet/Xizang Road is a major north-south thoroughfare easy to locate on a map.Daily 9am-6pmIn Mandarin, the market is called Dong Tai Lu . During one bargaining session the lady told me it was Qing Dynasty (yeah yeah yeah) and I got from 1500rmb to 200rmb. The street is bisected by another smaller street and "antique" stores proliferate all over the small neighborhood. You could easily spend half a day wandering around the stalls of Dong Tai Road. You may find the item again, but you may not. Bargaining 101: Eight Rules and Two Myths About Shopping in China will give you more guidance to shopping and bargaining. Well, just because I'm rather proud of my purchases at Dong Tai Road so I'll share. If not, national online travel providers can usually be counted on to find a package for you. I've found lovely blue & white porcelain ginger jars (those pot-belly jars with lids). Other options include seeking out a local travel agent who specializes in overseas travel, or contacting the airlines directly to see if they have a partnership with a tour company in China. but be prepared when it doesn't. Who knows, but I love it. Old wooden rice buckets are always a favorite, as are reed-woven fishing baskets. Unless you are a dealer in Chinese artifacts and have years of experience, trust me, you won't be able to tell the difference, and even the dealers get fooled . Shopping for Him in Shanghai Chinas Vacation Hot Spots 2. In Jin's recent work, he takes mundane photos of the demolition of old lane houses, imposes bright backgrounds and vivid details on the black and white image. Cool Photography There are a lot of photographers doing some interesting things with Shanghai cityscapes. This �city within a city� is a wonderful place to get lost for an afternoon, soaking the beauty of the buildings and the exhibitions hosted there.Within its walls are a number of peaceful gardens and yards, hidden in a network of pathways. My husband has recently fallen for Jin Xuan Min's colorful depictions of Shanghai's old and new. The large formats are stunning but his smaller prints are both packable and affordable. This former Imperial Palace is now home to the Palace Museum. Where to buy it? Jin Xuan Min Photography Studio & Gallery, Moganshan Road #50, Building 7, Room 101, Shanghai Going through the Heavenly Gate, the Forbidden City is a truly peaceful and relaxing place.

Tags: dong, road, china, tai, shanghai

Wandering in these amazing places can give you hours or full days of sights to behold. Glam and then some. But M, as I said, remains. You won't regret it. If you are going to China for vacation but want to find some escapes from the business of your whirlwind trip, there are plenty of options for serenity seekers that make China a land of insight and quiet beauty. You can visit Tiananmen Square, and go through the Heavenly Gate to the Forbidden City, or go to the Imperial summer home. 5 on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Road, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai, 7 floor+86 (0)21 6350 9988Bund, Huang Pu River, ShanghaiWestern/Australian classicsExpensive Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm Afternoon Tea: Sun 3:30-5:30pm Dinner: Daily 6-10:30pm All cards. Reservations recommended, especially if you'd like to sit outside on a warm afternoon or evening. I will sound like an old expat in Shanghai: "when I first arrived, M on the Bund was the only nice restaurant in the entire neighborhood!" There, I've done it. My favorite time to go is about 5pm on a weekday after I've taken friends visiting Shanghai on a walk of the Bund promenade. 5 Building offers amazing views of the Huang Pu River, the Bund and Pudong.No. Pop over the Glamour Bar for a martini or three and soak up the Bund as the light gets low. I think there's something about the way the owner, Michelle Garnaut, and her staff are on hand ensuring that it is a truly great experience each and every time you return. I've shown my age. Famous first on the Bund, this gorgeous space on the seventh floor of Bund No. From there, find peace in beauty with the Treasure Houses, or some spiritual peace at one of the many beautiful Buddhist temples in Beijing and other parts of China. Now, there are lots of posh restaurants and expensive boutiques lining the Bund on the west side, but M remains, in my mind, the best. And I can honestly say I've tried to like the new ones better but I just can't. Many good and popular restaurants in Shanghai live off their popularity for 3-9 months, then go bad - portions get smaller, the menu gets more expensive (and never changes), service declines. But really, only five years ago, it was. Perfect for a sundowner, a pre-dinner drink or a post-dinner digestiv, the Glamour Bar oozes class. You know that if you book a client or anniversary dinner at M, no one will be disappointed. And let me just, for a wee moment, sing the praises of the Glamour Bar downstairs on 6. Tibet Attractions Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement Of course, you can do a search online for deals and packages going to China. But if you visit the usual online travel sites, you will find that many of them will offer flight and hotel packages to the larger cities like Beijing. Check with your favorite online travel site, and you might be pleasantly surprised.You will find that the results are not the same as when you search for a package to a Western destination � with China, you will likely find more dedicated tour operators who specialize only in trips in and around China. There are trips galore to New York, Paris or even Las Vegas � but how do you find China vacation packages? ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are considering a trip to Asia, you might be surprised at how hard it is to find a good package deal. These packages are less likely to be the ones you see in random ads online, but just because they are not published does not mean they are not offered. Bejing China Packages china vacations Yangtze River Cruises

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This period was the most intense building period and the longest stretch of wall ever built.During this period, from A.D. The Great Wall is one of the country's most enduring symbols but the history of the Great Wall of China is more convoluted than most people realize.It is commonly thought that the Great Wall is one long wall that runs along the mountains north of Beijing. He sent one million soldiers and laborers to work on the project that would last nine years. to A.D. The Northern Qi (550-577) dynasty saw the longest extension of the wall since Qin and Han times, about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles). This part of the wall resides in modern-day Henan province. 24), China saw battle with the Huns and the wall was extended using an existing network of older walls another 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) into western China, modern Gansu province. The Great Wall for the Ming was ultimately a way to keep raiding Mongols from the north from invading and ransacking Beijing. 386-581, four dynasties built and added to the Great Wall. There is not much to see in the last 500 kilometers (310 miles) as nothing remains but broken stones and rubble. If you look hard enough, there are China vacation packages to be had. If not, national online travel providers can usually be counted on to find a package for you. The Northern Wei (386-534) added about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of wall in Shanxi province. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang began renovations at the outset of his reign. This early wall actually connected small cities along the border of the Chu state. Other states continued the practice of building walls on their borders to protect themselves from unwanted intruders until about 221 B.C when during the Qin Dynasty , the Great Wall, as we know it now, began to take its shape. Qin Shi Huang unified China into a centralized feudal state. To protect his newly established state, Qin decided a large defense barricade was needed. A savvy shopper will check online first to see if dedicated Chinese providers can offer them a good deal. Other options include seeking out a local travel agent who specializes in overseas travel, or contacting the airlines directly to see if they have a partnership with a tour company in China. The Great Wall that we think of is the Ming wall, constructed after 1368 but the "Great Wall" refers to the many sections of wall that were built over 2,000 years.In c656 B.C., the Chu State wall, called "The Rectangle Wall" was built to protect the Chus from strong neighbors to the north. For the next 200 years the wall was fortified ultimately covering 7,300 kilometers (4,536 miles).The Ming wall construction is what remains today. He assigned his son Zhu Di and one of his generals to repair the existing wall and build forts and watchtowers. The Eastern Wei (534-550) only added an additional 75 kilometers (47 miles). It begins at Shanhai Pass in Hebei province and ends in the west at Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province at the edge of the Gobi Desert. The new, Great Wall, spanned northern China starting in modern-day Inner Mongolia. And the Northern Zhou (557-581) dynastic ruler Emperor Jingdi renovated the Great Wall in 579.During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall became an important line of defense again. Little of this wall remains and was located much further north than the present-day (Ming era) wall.During the subsequent Han Dynasty , 206 B.C. The new wall utilized existing walls built since the Chu State wall. Compare the different prices you find from these options, and you are sure to find a deal that will enable you to visit the wonderful sights of China on your next vacation.In fact, the Great Wall winds its way across China covering over 5,500 miles (8,850km) and is made up of a number of interconnecting walls spanning China that different dynasties and warlords constructed over the years. SH Best-Located Budget Hotels China Family Vacation Offers Plenty to Work With 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. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are looking for your next vacation destination, you might want to consider going to China for vacation. 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.

Tags: wall, china, great, state, miles

"I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. The sun is low and it's been a hard day. Today, it is a major tourist attraction in Beijing, drawing people freely through its gates to admire the architecture, the parks and green spaces, and the narrow passages between them. It was known as the Forbidden City, because during its heyday, permission to enter or leave its walls had to be granted by the Emperor himself. Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. "People come over as families and farm together. This building complex was once the Imperial Palace, and now houses the Palace Museum. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." The Forbidden City complex in Beijing is another must on any sight-seer�s list of amazing Chinese places. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. There are other wonderful sights to see in China, but these three are ones that simply cannot be missed when you visit the country.It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? The answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. Chinese vacation goers are often overwhelmed by this site, and have been known to spend hours, wandering the length and breadth of it. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad China for Vacation Offers Serenity in Spades http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. While it might not be the location that naturally comes to mind when you think about getting away for some relaxation, there are some things in China that will make your trip a truly special and relaxing one. From state-sponsored open spaces, to ancient Imperial homes and even religious and spiritual sites, there is something for everyone who visits China with the aim of finding relaxation.Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand. Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. If you are looking for your next vacation destination, you might want to consider going to China for vacation. A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time. I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. china vacations Bejing vacation in China China Packages

Tags: chinese, tourist, china, farm, million

"You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. The answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." China vacations might not have the popular appeal of some destinations, but there are some truly wonderful sights to behold in China. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? Among the many things to see are the Great Wall, a series of structures that have survived for centuries and long ago, kept marauding invaders from attacking Chinese cities; the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, discovered less than fifty years ago by a farmer trying to drill a new water well, and featuring over eight thousand individual figures; and the Forbidden City, a former Imperial Palace that got its name from the days when no one could leave or enter it without the approval of the Emperor."People come over as families and farm together. The sun is low and it's been a hard day. "I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Vacations to China Better Than Vegas Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand. Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. If you are a fan of sports, there is no greater trip than a China vacation. They play their home games in Lucheng, just south of Beijing. 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.Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. The Chinese Baseball League began operation in 2002, and has enjoyed a lot of success since its inception. 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. 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. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. 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. A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time.

Tags: farm, china, happy, day, li

Treasure? You may find the item again, but you may not. Bargaining 101: Eight Rules and Two Myths About Shopping in China will give you more guidance to shopping and bargaining. Well, just because I'm rather proud of my purchases at Dong Tai Road so I'll share. In my experience, the best thing to do is make some snap decisions and then start the negotiations at the low end. The best thing to do is go with and open mind, a limited budget and a few ideas about what you'd like to have.Some say offer 10% of what the vendor is asking, some say 25% and work up from there. I had to walk away twice. We collect antique maps and after reading 1421 , I happened to find a really neat old map of Shanghai. 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.The street is bisected by another smaller street and "antique" stores proliferate all over the small neighborhood. It cost a small fortune but the lady wouldn't budge and I went back to see if she put a replica out after I purchased it. Unless you are a dealer in Chinese artifacts and have years of experience, trust me, you won't be able to tell the difference, and even the dealers get fooled . Chinese purveyors are experts at making fakes look like ancient treasures dug up and on sale for a fraction of what you'd pay at Sotheby's. Who knows, but I love it. Old wooden rice buckets are always a favorite, as are reed-woven fishing baskets. This will get you to the intersection. Please, don't be fooled by the offers of "antiques". I've had to ship several to friends and family who can't bear not to purchase but can't fit them in a suitcase. In the end, finding China vacation packages means doing some legwork and some research. I've found lovely blue & white porcelain ginger jars (those pot-belly jars with lids). This is pronounced: "dong tie loo" and literally is the name of the street. If your taxi driver is still confused, you can say "Dong Tai Lu kaojin Xizang Lu", pronounced "dong tie loo cow jeen she zahng loo". Tibet/Xizang Road is a major north-south thoroughfare easy to locate on a map.Daily 9am-6pmIn Mandarin, the market is called Dong Tai Lu . Let the buyer beware, unless you are a certified antiques dealer, don't think you'll come away with a Ming vase for a song. If she did, she had the courtesy to wait until the next day. You could easily spend half a day wandering around the stalls of Dong Tai Road. You can find just about anything from baskets to ceramics, Mao memorabilia, lanterns - junk or treasure - it's up to you. Shopkeepers are expert at making factory-fired porcelain look old: just rub some dirt on it!Dong Tai Road is just off Tibet or "Xizang" Road near the old part of town. but be prepared when it doesn't. Decide if you really want it. It's hard to extract a real price so you'll have to bargain to get close. Decide how much you're willing to pay. How much is it worth to you? Walk away. Sometimes it works...During one bargaining session the lady told me it was Qing Dynasty (yeah yeah yeah) and I got from 1500rmb to 200rmb. Shopping for Him in Shanghai Vacations to China Better Than Vegas Cool Photography There are a lot of photographers doing some interesting things with Shanghai cityscapes. Where to buy it? Jin Xuan Min Photography Studio & Gallery, Moganshan Road #50, Building 7, Room 101, Shanghai 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. 2. In Jin's recent work, he takes mundane photos of the demolition of old lane houses, imposes bright backgrounds and vivid details on the black and white image. My husband has recently fallen for Jin Xuan Min's colorful depictions of Shanghai's old and new. 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. The large formats are stunning but his smaller prints are both packable and affordable.

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The Great Wall is one of the country's most enduring symbols but the history of the Great Wall of China is more convoluted than most people realize.It is commonly thought that the Great Wall is one long wall that runs along the mountains north of Beijing. This part of the wall resides in modern-day Henan province. To protect his newly established state, Qin decided a large defense barricade was needed. The Northern Qi (550-577) dynasty saw the longest extension of the wall since Qin and Han times, about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles). There are trips galore to New York, Paris or even Las Vegas � but how do you find China vacation packages? In fact, the Great Wall winds its way across China covering over 5,500 miles (8,850km) and is made up of a number of interconnecting walls spanning China that different dynasties and warlords constructed over the years. The new wall utilized existing walls built since the Chu State wall. You will find that the results are not the same as when you search for a package to a Western destination � with China, you will likely find more dedicated tour operators who specialize only in trips in and around China. For the next 200 years the wall was fortified ultimately covering 7,300 kilometers (4,536 miles).The Ming wall construction is what remains today. Check with your favorite online travel site, and you might be pleasantly surprised.The Great Wall for the Ming was ultimately a way to keep raiding Mongols from the north from invading and ransacking Beijing. He sent one million soldiers and laborers to work on the project that would last nine years. This early wall actually connected small cities along the border of the Chu state. Other states continued the practice of building walls on their borders to protect themselves from unwanted intruders until about 221 B.C when during the Qin Dynasty , the Great Wall, as we know it now, began to take its shape. Qin Shi Huang unified China into a centralized feudal state. He assigned his son Zhu Di and one of his generals to repair the existing wall and build forts and watchtowers. The Great Wall that we think of is the Ming wall, constructed after 1368 but the "Great Wall" refers to the many sections of wall that were built over 2,000 years.In c656 B.C., the Chu State wall, called "The Rectangle Wall" was built to protect the Chus from strong neighbors to the north. There is not much to see in the last 500 kilometers (310 miles) as nothing remains but broken stones and rubble. If you are considering a trip to Asia, you might be surprised at how hard it is to find a good package deal. Little of this wall remains and was located much further north than the present-day (Ming era) wall.During the subsequent Han Dynasty , 206 B.C. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang began renovations at the outset of his reign. These packages are less likely to be the ones you see in random ads online, but just because they are not published does not mean they are not offered. The Eastern Wei (534-550) only added an additional 75 kilometers (47 miles). The new, Great Wall, spanned northern China starting in modern-day Inner Mongolia. It begins at Shanhai Pass in Hebei province and ends in the west at Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Of course, you can do a search online for deals and packages going to China. to A.D. This period was the most intense building period and the longest stretch of wall ever built.During this period, from A.D. But if you visit the usual online travel sites, you will find that many of them will offer flight and hotel packages to the larger cities like Beijing. And the Northern Zhou (557-581) dynastic ruler Emperor Jingdi renovated the Great Wall in 579.During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall became an important line of defense again. 24), China saw battle with the Huns and the wall was extended using an existing network of older walls another 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) into western China, modern Gansu province. 386-581, four dynasties built and added to the Great Wall. The Northern Wei (386-534) added about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of wall in Shanxi province. SH Best-Located Budget Hotels China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. 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.

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You can find just about anything from baskets to ceramics, Mao memorabilia, lanterns - junk or treasure - it's up to you. Many an hour can be spent pouring over these treasures, and marvelling at the vastness of the collection. Walk away. Sometimes it works...Shopkeepers are expert at making factory-fired porcelain look old: just rub some dirt on it!Dong Tai Road is just off Tibet or "Xizang" Road near the old part of town. but be prepared when it doesn't. 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. Chinese purveyors are experts at making fakes look like ancient treasures dug up and on sale for a fraction of what you'd pay at Sotheby's. This will get you to the intersection. Please, don't be fooled by the offers of "antiques". Decide if you really want it. It's hard to extract a real price so you'll have to bargain to get close. Decide how much you're willing to pay. How much is it worth to you? Unless you are a dealer in Chinese artifacts and have years of experience, trust me, you won't be able to tell the difference, and even the dealers get fooled . It cost a small fortune but the lady wouldn't budge and I went back to see if she put a replica out after I purchased it. You may find the item again, but you may not. Bargaining 101: Eight Rules and Two Myths About Shopping in China will give you more guidance to shopping and bargaining. Well, just because I'm rather proud of my purchases at Dong Tai Road so I'll share. During one bargaining session the lady told me it was Qing Dynasty (yeah yeah yeah) and I got from 1500rmb to 200rmb. If she did, she had the courtesy to wait until the next day. This is pronounced: "dong tie loo" and literally is the name of the street. If your taxi driver is still confused, you can say "Dong Tai Lu kaojin Xizang Lu", pronounced "dong tie loo cow jeen she zahng loo". The street is bisected by another smaller street and "antique" stores proliferate all over the small neighborhood. Treasure? I've had to ship several to friends and family who can't bear not to purchase but can't fit them in a suitcase. Another tour-worthy site is China�s Treasure Houses. I've found lovely blue & white porcelain ginger jars (those pot-belly jars with lids). In my experience, the best thing to do is make some snap decisions and then start the negotiations at the low end. Let the buyer beware, unless you are a certified antiques dealer, don't think you'll come away with a Ming vase for a song. I had to walk away twice. We collect antique maps and after reading 1421 , I happened to find a really neat old map of Shanghai. Who knows, but I love it. Old wooden rice buckets are always a favorite, as are reed-woven fishing baskets. Tibet/Xizang Road is a major north-south thoroughfare easy to locate on a map.Daily 9am-6pmIn Mandarin, the market is called Dong Tai Lu . The best thing to do is go with and open mind, a limited budget and a few ideas about what you'd like to have.Some say offer 10% of what the vendor is asking, some say 25% and work up from there. You could easily spend half a day wandering around the stalls of Dong Tai Road. Shopping for Him in Shanghai China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities 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. Where to buy it? Jin Xuan Min Photography Studio & Gallery, Moganshan Road #50, Building 7, Room 101, Shanghai 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. Cool Photography There are a lot of photographers doing some interesting things with Shanghai cityscapes. The large formats are stunning but his smaller prints are both packable and affordable. In Jin's recent work, he takes mundane photos of the demolition of old lane houses, imposes bright backgrounds and vivid details on the black and white image. 2. My husband has recently fallen for Jin Xuan Min's colorful depictions of Shanghai's old and new. Great Wall of China China Packages china vacations Bejing

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From its ancient past, which is on display in its many temples and other older buildings, to its more modern trappings, like the beautiful hotels and bustling business districts, Beijing offers sights and sounds that you can find nowhere else in China, let alone the world. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." If you are headed to China for your next vacation, you might be wondering what Chinas vacation hot spots are. Many people quickly forget who has hosted the previous edition of the Games, but the infrastructure build for those sporting events lasts much longer. Take your time to see as much of this city as you can. Long a British protectorate, it reverted to Chinese rule many years ago. The answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. The surprise might be the remnants of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. The culture, architecture and people of Beijing make it an amazing center that you will need a long time to properly explore. The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? The sun is low and it's been a hard day. If you love to shop, you must go to the high end districts in Hong Kong, and check out the massive stores. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. As a result, Hong Kong is a thriving center of commerce and shipping. Number one has got to be a tie among some of the great historical buildings, statues and of course, walls. "I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. But despite having Chinese rulers again, Hong Kong enjoys certain protections that the rest of China does not. All of the venues are still intact in Beijing, and many of them have guided tours. Here are three places in China that you really must see, and one place that no one thinks of, but really ought to get out to! The other hot spot in China � and it is not fair to say it ranks below either of the other two listed choices here � could be the city of Beijing. Long the capital city of China, it is amazing how much of the country is represented here in the big city. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. "People come over as families and farm together. These masterpieces and marvels are the sorts of things that you simply cannot miss out on when you visit China. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. The Great Wall of China, the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City all stand head and shoulders above any other hot spot in China. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. You can wander the buildings, see the sights, and capture a little bit of the Olympic spirit, one of Chinas vacation hot spots that few people will remember to look for.Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. Number two might be the city of Hong Kong. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. China vacations might not have the popular appeal of some destinations, but there are some truly wonderful sights to behold in China. Among the many things to see are the Great Wall, a series of structures that have survived for centuries and long ago, kept marauding invaders from attacking Chinese cities; the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, discovered less than fifty years ago by a farmer trying to drill a new water well, and featuring over eight thousand individual figures; and the Forbidden City, a former Imperial Palace that got its name from the days when no one could leave or enter it without the approval of the Emperor. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time. Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand.

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With Shanghai's Irish residents swelling to over 300, there's a critical mass for a parade that will swing through the local neighborhood around Xintiandi. Chinese vacation goers are often overwhelmed by this site, and have been known to spend hours, wandering the length and breadth of it. Today, it is a major tourist attraction in Beijing, drawing people freely through its gates to admire the architecture, the parks and green spaces, and the narrow passages between them. There are other wonderful sights to see in China, but these three are ones that simply cannot be missed when you visit the country.Ask a regular man on the street and he probably wouldn't know what you were talking about. It was known as the Forbidden City, because during its heyday, permission to enter or leave its walls had to be granted by the Emperor himself. The Chinese have no history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. That said, what started in 2007 has become an annual event and this year, Irish Week (March 13-17) is bigger than ever. Patrick’s Day Parade & Carnival, Fuxing Park South Gate (Fuxing Road and Chongching Road) Event Website: for full details click on www.lecheileshanghai.com The Forbidden City complex in Beijing is another must on any sight-seer�s list of amazing Chinese places. This building complex was once the Imperial Palace, and now houses the Palace Museum. It should be fun for the whole family. Where: Various When: Friday - Tuesday, March 13-17, 2009 Event Website: for full details click on www.lecheileshanghai.com March 13 , from 8:00pm, live Irish music at O'Malley's Irish Pub, 42 Taojiang Road. March 14 , from 10:30am, St. Visa for Hong Kong Chinas Vacation Hot Spots Answer: Hong Kong has a visa free period for residents of many countries: United Kingdom - 180 days USA - 90 days Australia - 90 days Canada - 90 days Singapore - 90 days New Zealand - 90 days India - 14 days Germany - 90 days For a full list of countries and the visa free period in Hong Kong, see Hong Kong Immigration's website . If you are planning to stay outside the visa free period, then you will need a Hong Kong visa . If you are traveling on to mainland China, you will need a Chinese visa . If you started your trip in mainland China and plan to go back to China after your visit to Hong Kong, you will need a China re-entry visa . Going through the Heavenly Gate, the Forbidden City is a truly peaceful and relaxing place. This former Imperial Palace is now home to the Palace Museum. Within its walls are a number of peaceful gardens and yards, hidden in a network of pathways. This �city within a city� is a wonderful place to get lost for an afternoon, soaking the beauty of the buildings and the exhibitions hosted there. Bejing China Packages china vacations Yangtze River Cruises

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In Las Vegas, one of the few popular non-gambling activities is going to see the shows. 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. Really, it is the entire reason for the existence of the city in the first place. The whole of Las Vegas is intended to empty your pockets with a quick flourish at the card tables. You know that if you book a client or anniversary dinner at M, no one will be disappointed. And let me just, for a wee moment, sing the praises of the Glamour Bar downstairs on 6. My favorite time to go is about 5pm on a weekday after I've taken friends visiting Shanghai on a walk of the Bund promenade. 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. I've shown my age. There are thousands of offers to get you to Vegas � but what if you crave something different? 5 on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Road, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai, 7 floor+86 (0)21 6350 9988Bund, Huang Pu River, ShanghaiWestern/Australian classicsExpensive Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm Afternoon Tea: Sun 3:30-5:30pm Dinner: Daily 6-10:30pm All cards. Reservations recommended, especially if you'd like to sit outside on a warm afternoon or evening. I will sound like an old expat in Shanghai: "when I first arrived, M on the Bund was the only nice restaurant in the entire neighborhood!" There, I've done it. In China, drinking is far from illegal � you will soon learn the phrase �Gan bei!� means literally, bottoms up. Many good and popular restaurants in Shanghai live off their popularity for 3-9 months, then go bad - portions get smaller, the menu gets more expensive (and never changes), service declines. 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. Glam and then some. I think there's something about the way the owner, Michelle Garnaut, and her staff are on hand ensuring that it is a truly great experience each and every time you return. You won't regret it. 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. Vacations to China are less likely to be shown in those ad spaces, but they ought to be. In Las Vegas, gambling may be the favorite sport, but drinking is a close second. Now, there are lots of posh restaurants and expensive boutiques lining the Bund on the west side, but M remains, in my mind, the best. 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.But M, as I said, remains. But really, only five years ago, it was. Famous first on the Bund, this gorgeous space on the seventh floor of Bund No. 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. And I can honestly say I've tried to like the new ones better but I just can't. 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. Pop over the Glamour Bar for a martini or three and soak up the Bund as the light gets low. 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. Perfect for a sundowner, a pre-dinner drink or a post-dinner digestiv, the Glamour Bar oozes class. 5 Building offers amazing views of the Huang Pu River, the Bund and Pudong.No. 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. 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. But that is no knock on the Vegas operations � China has been practicing the art of the opera for centuries. Of course, part of the fun of staying in Las Vegas is the immense and elaborate hotels. Tibet Attractions Chinas Vacation Hot Spots What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. The popular martial art of Kung Fu originated in China, although it is sometimes referred to in China by the original Mandarin term, wushu. Some fighting styles are based on the movements of predator animals, while some are meant to be used more purely as self defence, and others use the ancient movements of historical warrior training. Dragon boat racing. 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. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Martial arts. The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. The festival begins on the �double fifth�, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. 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 races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries.

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More than you can imagine, really. From the temples to the simplest buildings, Chinese architecture is so different and so beautiful that visitors cannot help but stop and stare. For the parents, the architecture of China can be a very strong draw. A China family vacation might not be the most popular choice going in, but if you can convince your family to give it a shot, it will likely become the best vacation you have ever taken as a family, and one that you will talk about for the rest of your lives. My favorite time to go is about 5pm on a weekday after I've taken friends visiting Shanghai on a walk of the Bund promenade. You won't regret it. When most people consider a family vacation, they think of theme parks, camping trips, and long hours in the car. Here, the intricate and detailed planning that went into the design of a city within a city will astound even moderate fans of good design, and completely overwhelm those who understand the intricacies of architectural design. From pro-level baseball and basketball games featuring home-grown Chinese talent, to the elegant and graceful Chinese ballets, there are visual wonders everywhere. Glam and then some. Pop over the Glamour Bar for a martini or three and soak up the Bund as the light gets low. China offers something for every member of the family, no matter what their interests are.Many good and popular restaurants in Shanghai live off their popularity for 3-9 months, then go bad - portions get smaller, the menu gets more expensive (and never changes), service declines. But M, as I said, remains. Children will also likely be amazed by the spectacle of the dragon boat race festivals, which include exciting boat races, unique cultural displays, and many other visually impressive and culturally meaningful events. You know that if you book a client or anniversary dinner at M, no one will be disappointed. And let me just, for a wee moment, sing the praises of the Glamour Bar downstairs on 6. 5 Building offers amazing views of the Huang Pu River, the Bund and Pudong.No. 5 on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Road, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai, 7 floor+86 (0)21 6350 9988Bund, Huang Pu River, ShanghaiWestern/Australian classicsExpensive Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm Afternoon Tea: Sun 3:30-5:30pm Dinner: Daily 6-10:30pm All cards. Reservations recommended, especially if you'd like to sit outside on a warm afternoon or evening. I will sound like an old expat in Shanghai: "when I first arrived, M on the Bund was the only nice restaurant in the entire neighborhood!" There, I've done it. While they may not understand the language or the cultural significance of the differences, children will enjoy the leisure activities offered in China. Famous first on the Bund, this gorgeous space on the seventh floor of Bund No. I've shown my age. Perfect for a sundowner, a pre-dinner drink or a post-dinner digestiv, the Glamour Bar oozes class. I think there's something about the way the owner, Michelle Garnaut, and her staff are on hand ensuring that it is a truly great experience each and every time you return. And I can honestly say I've tried to like the new ones better but I just can't. But if you want to expose your children to something that will leave a lasting impact and widen their horizons, a China family vacation might be just the ticket. While Western architecture tends to build their structures tall and narrow, Chinese buildings are shorter and wider, and usually, much more ornate than visitors are accustomed to. Now, there are lots of posh restaurants and expensive boutiques lining the Bund on the west side, but M remains, in my mind, the best. But what is there for the family to do in China? For the kids, there is plenty to do in China. For the whole family, there are plenty of amazing and educational sights to discover together, like the Great Wall of China; amazing restaurants to try, for the bold and for those who crave something simple; markets and shopping that are at once comfortably similar to home and wildly different than anything ever experienced before; the remaining buildings from the Olympics Games to inspire and awe; and so much more. But really, only five years ago, it was. No better example of this exists than the Forbidden City complex in the heart of Beijing. Tibet Attractions On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. When you visit a new country, the first thing many people do is research what the hot spots are, so they know what parts of the country they simply cannot afford to miss out on. Chinas vacation hot spots range from the historical sites like the Great Wall of China, to the ultra-modern tech cities like Hong Kong, and the delicately balanced places in between, like the great city of Beijing. The key to enjoying your time in China is seeing as much of the country as possible, but these hot spots should be the top things on your list.

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The answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." In the end, finding China vacation packages means doing some legwork and some research. "I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. 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.Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. "People come over as families and farm together. The sun is low and it's been a hard day. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Vacationing In China Offers Everything Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. They play their home games in Lucheng, just south of Beijing. I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand. Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. 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. Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. 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. For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. 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.A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time. 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. 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. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. Bejing China Packages china vacations Great Wall of China

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Famous first on the Bund, this gorgeous space on the seventh floor of Bund No. Vacations to China are less likely to be shown in those ad spaces, but they ought to be. I've shown my age. Pop over the Glamour Bar for a martini or three and soak up the Bund as the light gets low. You won't regret it. 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. But really, only five years ago, it was. There are thousands of offers to get you to Vegas � but what if you crave something different? Many good and popular restaurants in Shanghai live off their popularity for 3-9 months, then go bad - portions get smaller, the menu gets more expensive (and never changes), service declines. But that is no knock on the Vegas operations � China has been practicing the art of the opera for centuries. 5 on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Road, by Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai, 7 floor+86 (0)21 6350 9988Bund, Huang Pu River, ShanghaiWestern/Australian classicsExpensive Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm Afternoon Tea: Sun 3:30-5:30pm Dinner: Daily 6-10:30pm All cards. Reservations recommended, especially if you'd like to sit outside on a warm afternoon or evening. I will sound like an old expat in Shanghai: "when I first arrived, M on the Bund was the only nice restaurant in the entire neighborhood!" There, I've done it. The whole of Las Vegas is intended to empty your pockets with a quick flourish at the card tables. Of course, part of the fun of staying in Las Vegas is the immense and elaborate hotels. Really, it is the entire reason for the existence of the city in the first place. 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.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. In Las Vegas, one of the few popular non-gambling activities is going to see the shows. And I can honestly say I've tried to like the new ones better but I just can't. Now, there are lots of posh restaurants and expensive boutiques lining the Bund on the west side, but M remains, in my mind, the best. In Las Vegas, gambling may be the favorite sport, but drinking is a close second. 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. 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. In China, drinking is far from illegal � you will soon learn the phrase �Gan bei!� means literally, bottoms up. Perfect for a sundowner, a pre-dinner drink or a post-dinner digestiv, the Glamour Bar oozes class. 5 Building offers amazing views of the Huang Pu River, the Bund and Pudong.No. But M, as I said, remains. I think there's something about the way the owner, Michelle Garnaut, and her staff are on hand ensuring that it is a truly great experience each and every time you return. 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. 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. Glam and then some. 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. 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. 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. You know that if you book a client or anniversary dinner at M, no one will be disappointed. And let me just, for a wee moment, sing the praises of the Glamour Bar downstairs on 6. My favorite time to go is about 5pm on a weekday after I've taken friends visiting Shanghai on a walk of the Bund promenade. Tibet Attractions China Vacation Packages worth a Hard Look It was closed down and abandoned during the Cultural Revolution and following Communist rise to power, but it was kept in good condition. The horse that bore the messengers from India was white, and so when the temple was constructed, it was named for the animal that carried the message of Buddhism into China. It was built in the eight century, under the Emperorship of the Tang Dynasty. 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. The White Horse Temple is one of the most important Buddhist structures in China. Built around 70 AD, the White Horse Temple would be the first Buddhist temple in the country. There, you will find an amazing history of religion that you could easily lose yourself in study of. 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. Today, it once again operates as a Taoist temple, and inspires those who visit it. 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. The Temple of Heaven was commissioned around the same time as the Forbidden City � both were completed at the bequest of the Yongle Emperor. While you are on vacation to China, you should take the time to visit these sites. But if you are on a tight time frame, here are three sights that a religious study of China must include. ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. If you are interested in history and religion, you should go on vacation to China. The site was renovated and overhauled in the 18th century, and again just prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. 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. Despite its Taoist roots, it was originally used as a site to make prayers to Heaven, asking for a plentiful harvest season in China. 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. After the construction was completed, the building changed hands many times, being used by different groups and religions over the centuries.

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With Shanghai's Irish residents swelling to over 300, there's a critical mass for a parade that will swing through the local neighborhood around Xintiandi. The Chinese Baseball League began operation in 2002, and has enjoyed a lot of success since its inception. 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. That said, what started in 2007 has become an annual event and this year, Irish Week (March 13-17) is bigger than ever. It should be fun for the whole family. Where: Various When: Friday - Tuesday, March 13-17, 2009 Event Website: for full details click on www.lecheileshanghai.com March 13 , from 8:00pm, live Irish music at O'Malley's Irish Pub, 42 Taojiang Road. March 14 , from 10:30am, St. They play their home games in Lucheng, just south of Beijing. Patrick's Day. Ask a regular man on the street and he probably wouldn't know what you were talking about. 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 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. The Chinese have no history of celebrating St. 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. Patrick’s Day Parade & Carnival, Fuxing Park South Gate (Fuxing Road and Chongching Road) Event Website: for full details click on www.lecheileshanghai.com If you are a fan of sports, there is no greater trip than a China vacation. Visa for Hong Kong China on Vacation Means Three Must-See Cities Answer: Hong Kong has a visa free period for residents of many countries: United Kingdom - 180 days USA - 90 days Australia - 90 days Canada - 90 days Singapore - 90 days New Zealand - 90 days India - 14 days Germany - 90 days For a full list of countries and the visa free period in Hong Kong, see Hong Kong Immigration's website . If you are planning to stay outside the visa free period, then you will need a Hong Kong visa . If you are traveling on to mainland China, you will need a Chinese visa . If you started your trip in mainland China and plan to go back to China after your visit to Hong Kong, you will need a China re-entry visa . A China vacation, timed properly, could allow you to view all three of these popular Chinese sporting events within one trip, and show you the sporting side to this rich culture.

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Sun is revered as the founder of modern China. By the 200 AD, Indians and Romans were coming to Guangzhou and in the next five-hundred years, trade grew with many neighbors far and near from the Middle East and Southeast Asia...There is a gallery displaying pictures and letters of Dr. Many travelers might find themselves there on business trips or en route to Hong Kong. Location Guangzhou is just three hours (by bus, 40 minutes by plane) from Hong Kong. Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. Shamian Dao , Island This is probably the most interesting area of Guangzhou as the original buildings are in a varying degree of decay and it provides a welcome and quiet respite from the street-activity in the rest of the city. Guangdong, the province, hugs China's southern edge and is bordered by Guangxi province to the west, Hunan province to the northwest, Jiangxi province to the northeast and Fujian province to the east. History Always a center of trade to foreigners, Guangzhou was established during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). It appears to have only nine stories but in fact, there are seventeen. Within the Pearl River at its southwest bend sits Shamian Island, the original site of the foreign concession. 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.continue reading a History of Guangzhou . Features & Attractions The Huanshi Lu , or circle road, and the Zhu Jiang , Pearl River are the boundaries for central Guangzhou, where most places of interest are located. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel - a restored French Catholic chapel on Shamian Island. Bright Filial Piety Temple, Guangxiao Si - a large and influential Buddhist temple complex, one of the most interesting in Guangzhou. Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (or Chen Clan Academy), Chenjia Ci - an interesting compound with nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings all enclosed within its own complex. Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. It sits on the on the Pearl River that empties into the South China Sea to the south. Great for anyone interested in traditional Chinese architecture. Parks White Cloud Mountain, Baiyun Shan - A half-day respite from Guangzhou city, the mountain sits in Guangzhou's northeastern suburbs. It is also well connected by bus, rail and boat transport, especially to other cities along the Pearl River Delta such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Read all about travel to and from Hong Kong to China from Hong Kong Guide, Rory Boland. Essentials Population: 7 million Telephone Code: 020 (when calling from overseas, drop the first 0) Average rain days in Guangzhou per month. Average temperatures in Guangzhou per month. In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. Known in the West as Canton (both the province and the city) for years, Guangzhou has a long history of trade and business. Sun. Getting There Guangzhou has one of the largest international airports in China and there are numerous connections to major domestic cities. You can wander around, take a cable car to the top (locals favor the evening views) visit the Mingchun Valley Aviary and the Nengren Temple. Yuexiu Park - the largest park in downtown Guangzhou with manmade lakes and hills. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Dr. Overview Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in China's southeast, is known more for its economy and proximity to Hong Kong than for being a major tourist destination. Gentrification is happening and you'll find sidewalk cafes and boutiques occupying the sites where French and British traders once operated. Temples & Churches There are several temples and churches of interest in Guangzhou and are worth a peek in if you're so inclined. Temple of Six Banyan Trees, Liurongsi Huata - the Banyans are unfortunately long gone but the pagoda dating from 1097 is a popular attraction that can be climbed. Yangshuo On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights The karst mountain scenery in southern China is famous here and abroad. It was populated during the Jin Dynasty (265-420AD). In recent times, it has been traditionally a backpackers' haven, but Yangshuo now sees its fair share of domestic tourists as well as foreign package tourists. No longer the site of only sandals and long hair, it is still a relatively laidback town and is a wonderful change from big-city-China. Watch noodles being stetched by hand and soak up some local flavors. Li River Green Lotus peak Visiting the countryside and ancient smaller villages Boat tours Air : Most travelers arrive via Guilin, the largest city in Guangxi province with an airport connecting many larger cities. The limestone peaks poke out of the Li valley as if a child had drawn them. It takes about one hour to drive from Guilin to Yangshuo. Many Yangshuo hotels can organize a pick up at the airport. Boat : It is also possible to book a river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. This small town, by Chinese standards, only has about 300,000 people so feels like a village. West Street: Xi Jie (pronounced "shee jee-ay") is the backpacker/tourist street, full of cafes, souvenir stalls, tourist touts, hostels and hotels. Night Food Market: When you get tired of sub-par pancakes and fried rice, head to the night market at the junction of West Street (Xi Jie) and Pantao Road ("pan-tah-oh loo"). Most are package tours but you could negotiate being left off in Yangshuo. Mountain scenery from the Li River even graces the twenty Renminbi (Chinese yuan) note. The trip is about 5 hours. Yangers.com has comprehensive information on numerous routes to Guilin/Yangshuo. Weather : Yangshuo's climate is subtropical. Taking in the views of verdant mountains while meandering down the Li River in a tour boat is a wonderful way to kick back and see a part of China that is very different from sprawling metropolis life in Beijing or Shanghai . Yangshuo is about 40 miles (65km) south of Guilin, a major city in Guangxi province in southern China. Chinese operas are a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. Yangshuo is situated right at the Li River (Li Jiang, prounounced "Lee Jee-ahng") so it is easy to stroll along the river from the town and catch glimpses of traditional fishermen with cormorants . Yangshuo is ancient, over 1,000 years old. Prepare for warm and wet weather in the summer, cold and wet weather in the evening. 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.Go late spring, or early fall to avoid the heat and humidity of summer and the cold damp of winter. Bring rain gear, you will probably see at least one day of rain. Book a bike tour, the best way to see the surrounding area is a slow meandering bike ride through the valley. Be careful: there are many pickpockets and cheats since Yangshuo is such a big tourist destination. Keep your wallet safe and bargain hard, and you'll have a great time. Find accomodation in Yangshuo. In China, culture is an important part of everyday life. Architecture in China is also an important part of their culture, with an emphasis on symmetry and width in their designs. See rain and temperature charts for Guilin (Yangshuo). Recommended time for visit : three full days is plenty, if you have the time, allow 4 to 5 days to visit Guilin and the surrounding area. Best time of year to visit : As stated above, it's wet all year round. Bejing china vacations Yangtze River Cruises China Packages

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These clay warriors were discovered near Xi�an in the 1970s by a farmer who was drilling a new well. The new wall utilized existing walls built since the Chu State wall. Today, it is more commonly known as the Palace Museum. There is not much to see in the last 500 kilometers (310 miles) as nothing remains but broken stones and rubble. 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. 24), China saw battle with the Huns and the wall was extended using an existing network of older walls another 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) into western China, modern Gansu province. In fact, the Great Wall winds its way across China covering over 5,500 miles (8,850km) and is made up of a number of interconnecting walls spanning China that different dynasties and warlords constructed over the years. The Great Wall for the Ming was ultimately a way to keep raiding Mongols from the north from invading and ransacking Beijing. This early wall actually connected small cities along the border of the Chu state. Other states continued the practice of building walls on their borders to protect themselves from unwanted intruders until about 221 B.C when during the Qin Dynasty , the Great Wall, as we know it now, began to take its shape. Qin Shi Huang unified China into a centralized feudal state. to A.D. What are commonly referred to as a single wall are, in fact, several walls that have been built, rebuilt and maintained for centuries. This period was the most intense building period and the longest stretch of wall ever built.During this period, from A.D. The combination of walls is nearly 4,000 miles long. No china vacations could be complete without a visit to this former Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Beijing. And the Northern Zhou (557-581) dynastic ruler Emperor Jingdi renovated the Great Wall in 579.During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall became an important line of defense again. Today, it is an architectural highlight of any trip to China.However, from the ground, the Great Wall is an imposing and impressive sight to behold. Walls had been built at different times to keep out different groups, including the Xiongnu, Mongolian and Manchurian peoples. 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 Mongols finally breached the Wall in 1644, and quickly took Beijing afterwards. The Great Wall that we think of is the Ming wall, constructed after 1368 but the "Great Wall" refers to the many sections of wall that were built over 2,000 years.In c656 B.C., the Chu State wall, called "The Rectangle Wall" was built to protect the Chus from strong neighbors to the north. 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. The new, Great Wall, spanned northern China starting in modern-day Inner Mongolia. It was constructed in the 1400s, lasting more than 15 years and taking over a million men to build. For the next 200 years the wall was fortified ultimately covering 7,300 kilometers (4,536 miles).The Ming wall construction is what remains today. The Xi�an Terracotta Warriors. He sent one million soldiers and laborers to work on the project that would last nine years. The Northern Qi (550-577) dynasty saw the longest extension of the wall since Qin and Han times, about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles). In total, there are more than 8,000 figures in this collection, each featuring an amazing level of detail and craftsmanship. The Forbidden City. 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. Only a small portion of the collection has been unearthed, but those that have been are an amazing sight. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang began renovations at the outset of his reign. The Great Wall is one of the country's most enduring symbols but the history of the Great Wall of China is more convoluted than most people realize.It is commonly thought that the Great Wall is one long wall that runs along the mountains north of Beijing. 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. Little of this wall remains and was located much further north than the present-day (Ming era) wall.During the subsequent Han Dynasty , 206 B.C. 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. He assigned his son Zhu Di and one of his generals to repair the existing wall and build forts and watchtowers. The Northern Wei (386-534) added about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of wall in Shanxi province. To protect his newly established state, Qin decided a large defense barricade was needed. 386-581, four dynasties built and added to the Great Wall. It begins at Shanhai Pass in Hebei province and ends in the west at Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province at the edge of the Gobi Desert. The Eastern Wei (534-550) only added an additional 75 kilometers (47 miles). 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. This part of the wall resides in modern-day Henan province. SH Best-Located Budget Hotels Vacations to China Better Than Vegas ©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. When you are sitting down to debate your next getaway with the family, toss in the option of a China family vacation. For the parents, amazing architecture and historical sites. For the kids, there is sports and culture all over the place. 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. 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. China really could be the best destination for you and your family. Bejing vacation in China Yangtze River Cruises china vacations

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Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. 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 different styles are usually broken up into families or sects, depending on their influence. What is usually seen as a fun little event in Western culture is a much bigger deal in China. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." Martial arts. This holiday is a chance for Chinese citizens to enjoy the dragon boat races and other cultural activities, although the races are the focus of the day.The popular martial art of Kung Fu originated in China, although it is sometimes referred to in China by the original Mandarin term, wushu. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. "People come over as families and farm together. Dragon boat racing. 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 answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. The sun is low and it's been a hard day. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. The festival begins on the �double fifth�, or the fifth day of the fifth lunar month on the Chinese calendar. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. "I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. The annual Duanwu Festival for dragon boat racing is a regular and popular holiday in China. This means that, on the Western calendar, the date can fluctuate wildly, being as early as May and as late as June. The races are so popular, that the influence has bled over into other Asian cultures and countries. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad On Vacation to China? Pray For Great Insights I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. Other options include seeking out a local travel agent who specializes in overseas travel, or contacting the airlines directly to see if they have a partnership with a tour company in China. Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. Compare the different prices you find from these options, and you are sure to find a deal that will enable you to visit the wonderful sights of China on your next vacation.Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. A savvy shopper will check online first to see if dedicated Chinese providers can offer them a good deal. If not, national online travel providers can usually be counted on to find a package for you. Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. If you look hard enough, there are China vacation packages to be had. A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time. Great Wall of China china vacations Bejing China Packages

Tags: chinese, farm, china, happy, day

Suzhou is a famous city throughout China for its gardens. The most famous examples include the Great Wall of China, and the Terracotta Warriors. Here’s a directory of the famous gardens of Suzhou. Suzhou gardens differ from the imperial parks in like the Summer Palace in a single essential: they were built for the enjoyment of a private family. The Terracotta Warriors were discovered near Xi�an in 1974, and includes over 8,000 figures. 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. Owners invited guests and extended family for special parties, such as moon-viewing during the Moon Festival . If you can, visit during the week and arrive around lunchtime (noon) when the crowds of tour groups will be eating lunch in big tour group restaurants and you’ll be able to see the garden in relative peace for an hour. In China, there is history everywhere. It is listed as one of Suzhou’s four most famous gardens. Probably the most famous garden in Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is adjacent to the newly housed . The museum that houses them is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and definitely worth a trip.Built in 1509, also an example of Ming garden landscaping, the garden is centered around a large water feature. Historically a wealthy city, due in part for its large silk industry, many of its residents built classical gardens that are preserved and open to the public today. Nine of the gardens are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site list. Its most famous feature is the Cloud-Crowned Peak. They are intimate and simple compared to the grandeur of the gardens for the imperial family. The gardens were meant to be lived in and were adjacent to family houses and compounds. August is a great time to visit the garden to see the lotus blooming. The Lion Grove Garden is particularly famous for its rockeries – bizarre (seemingly to my untrained eye) man-made formations of hand-picked rocks by the designers of the garden. While small, the gardens are designed so that a visitor receives a new perspective at every turn – a pavilion surrounded by lotus becomes apparent where before it was hidden. Built in 1566, the Lingering Garden is a classic example of Ming Dynasty private garden style. Built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty , it is counted as one of Suzhou’s four most famous gardens. Built in 1180 during the Southern Song Dynasty , the Master-of-Nets Garden is small but a beautiful example of Suzhou’s private gardens. Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty The Surging Wave Pavilion The Couple's Garden Retreat The Garden of Cultivation The Retreat and Reflection Garden Weekends and holidays mean crowds. 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. Hongkou Walking Tour Chinese Vacations Offer Historical Amazement If you love to shop, you must go to the high end districts in Hong Kong, and check out the massive stores. You can wander the buildings, see the sights, and capture a little bit of the Olympic spirit, one of Chinas vacation hot spots that few people will remember to look for.But it’s just a taste. Dvir Bar-Gal’s Jewish Heritage walking tours through the former Ghetto. What had once been called “Little Vienna” for it’s thriving community became known as the Jewish Ghetto. Bar-Gal’s intimate knowledge of Shanghai’s Jewish history makes a tour with him a must-do. I recently took one of Mr. Number two might be the city of Hong Kong. In the beginning of the twentieth century Russian Jews fled anti-semitism, founding new working-class communities in Harbin and further south in Shanghai. These masterpieces and marvels are the sorts of things that you simply cannot miss out on when you visit China. The other hot spot in China � and it is not fair to say it ranks below either of the other two listed choices here � could be the city of Beijing. Contact him at his website Shanghai Jews to inquire about booking a tour. If you are headed to China for your next vacation, you might be wondering what Chinas vacation hot spots are. Many people quickly forget who has hosted the previous edition of the Games, but the infrastructure build for those sporting events lasts much longer. From its ancient past, which is on display in its many temples and other older buildings, to its more modern trappings, like the beautiful hotels and bustling business districts, Beijing offers sights and sounds that you can find nowhere else in China, let alone the world. In the 1840s, Iraqi Jews who’d made fortunes in India increased them in Shanghai and laid a foundation that catapulted the sleepy Huangpu River town to the forefront of trade. In my mind, doing a walking tour during a visit to Shanghai is essential. Here are three places in China that you really must see, and one place that no one thinks of, but really ought to get out to! Long the capital city of China, it is amazing how much of the country is represented here in the big city. During this period, more Jews found sanctuary in China than in any other country in the world. You miss too much if you’re riding around on a bus and unless you have a guide, you’ll probably walk by a historic building and not even know it, due to the noodle shop that’s blocking the view to its Art Deco façade. The surprise might be the remnants of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. It was in Shanghai’s Hongkou district that many of the Russian Jews already lived and it was here that the Japanese, under pressure from their Nazi alliance, interned the newly arrived “stateless refugees” from Europe. The Great Wall of China, the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City all stand head and shoulders above any other hot spot in China. Take your time to see as much of this city as you can. But despite having Chinese rulers again, Hong Kong enjoys certain protections that the rest of China does not. All of the venues are still intact in Beijing, and many of them have guided tours. The culture, architecture and people of Beijing make it an amazing center that you will need a long time to properly explore. Mr. What follows is a brief description of where we went and what we saw. One of the most interesting chapters of Shanghai’s short but fascinating history is the Jewish story. While not imprisoned, over 20,000 men, women and children were thrust into an already over-crowded neighborhood and blocked from leaving without proper papers. Number one has got to be a tie among some of the great historical buildings, statues and of course, walls. As a result, Hong Kong is a thriving center of commerce and shipping. Finally, between 1937 and 1941, Shanghai’s open-port allowed over 20,000 European Jews seeking refuge from Nazi Germany. Long a British protectorate, it reverted to Chinese rule many years ago.

Tags: garden, china, city, famous, suzhou

"You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. 2010-02-25 10:27:27.0 By Michele Scrimenti Down on the 'happy farm' farm, China, holiday, Shanghai, pie, Guizhou, cuisine, tourism Down on the 'happy farm' Down on the 'happy farm' 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. If you are sick of the phoniness of the neon and craziness of Vegas, China can offer you serenity, wonder, and an amazing adventure. Even today, the importance of farming is obvious in Chinese society. Either that, or go gamble your money away over cheap margaritas and flashy decor with the other party animals. Li finishes off plant-ing the last of the seeds and gets ready to head home. "This has been a really relaxing day," he says. Really, there is no comparison between the two. The game's creator, Five Minutes, claims there are more than 15 million active users. "Everyone has been excited about this game "Happy Farm" for a while, so we thought we'd open up a real-life version to let kids and adults from the city experience farming first-hand," the owner of a farm said to a local newspaper in Luzhou, Sichuan last month. "People come over as families and farm together. Many Chinese don't even know when their birthday is according to the Gregorian calendar, despite widespread use for several decades. But it has never been easy to be a farmer here. The sun is low and it's been a hard day. Around one-fourth of China's cultivated land is used for growing rice. Planting for fun So with growing crops as difficult as it is, what's making city folk like Li Yan rush off to the nearby farmland every weekend to plant their own vegetables? China offers so much more in a vacation.The date of the Spring Festival, still far more widely celebrated than holidays like National Day and International Workers' Day, changes in accordance with the lunar calendar. It is also the most cognitively demanding form of agriculture," Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker magazine wrote in his 2008 book Outliers. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471642.htm www.china.org.cn Li Yan stoops down over a field of cabbage plants with a small spade in his hand. "It's much better to experience it in person than online." When you compare a junket to Las Vegas to vacations to China, there is really no comparison. "I have such a sense of accomplishment." While planting crops for several hours is perfectly normal for China's 800 million farmers, for Li, an accountant in his mid-twenties, it's become something of a hobby, an escape from long hours at a multinational firm in Shanghai. Farm country Agriculture dates back at least nine millennia in the region now known as China. See the historical sites, lose yourself in the local culture, fill up on the arts, and stay at the most beautiful hotels you could possibly imagine. "Rice farming is the most labor-intensive form of agriculture known to man. Eating what you've planted yourself is a great experience." "I started out with 'Happy Farm', but then thought it got boring and I was stuck inside all day," Li the accountant says. "You have to dig deep enough that they'll put down solid roots, but not too deep so the sprout can easily break through the earth," he says. The answer may have as much to do with a video game as it does with nostalgia for an idyllic existence. In the game "Happy Farm", players run their own farms, plant crops, raise livestock and steal from their neighbors across social networking sites similar to Facebook. Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Vacations to China Better Than Vegas Many Chinese tourists bought everything they thought is cheaper than at home," he said. If you are headed to China for your next vacation, you might be wondering what Chinas vacation hot spots are. Many people quickly forget who has hosted the previous edition of the Games, but the infrastructure build for those sporting events lasts much longer. You can wander the buildings, see the sights, and capture a little bit of the Olympic spirit, one of Chinas vacation hot spots that few people will remember to look for.All of the venues are still intact in Beijing, and many of them have guided tours. If you love to shop, you must go to the high end districts in Hong Kong, and check out the massive stores. Long a British protectorate, it reverted to Chinese rule many years ago. As a result, Hong Kong is a thriving center of commerce and shipping. Number two might be the city of Hong Kong. Another Chinese tourist bought 20 rice cookers at one shot. In Berlin, half of eight counters selling luxury watches in KaDeWe department store on Feb 15 were receiving Chinese tourists, Xiao Yun, a tourist who just came back from Europe told Beijing Youth Daily. He also saw the counters of top cosmetic brands crowded by Chinese tourists at the Munich airport, and one of them bought five bottles of a toning lotion priced at 2,000 yuan each. Chinese consumers have become the No 1 spender in more and more countries, studies and experts said. The latest report by Global Refund, a company specializing in tax-free shopping for tourists, said Chinese tourists outspent the Russians in France last year. The surprise might be the remnants of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. From its ancient past, which is on display in its many temples and other older buildings, to its more modern trappings, like the beautiful hotels and bustling business districts, Beijing offers sights and sounds that you can find nowhere else in China, let alone the world. http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2010-02/25/content_19471605.htm www.china.org.cn The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. 2010-02-25 10:21:41.0 Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists ,money, abroad,China, tourism, New year,United States,   Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad Chinese tourists spend lots of money abroad 1007 7074061 Highlights /enpproperty--> The Chinese Lunar New Year is not only a gala for domestic retail sales, but a feast for overseas retailers, too. Some 1,200 Chinese tourists celebrated the lunar New Year in New York between Feb 14 and 20, spending an estimated $6 million in the United States, said Zheng Wenqing, a public relations manager for New York Tourism Board's China office. Japanese retailers also reaped gains from Chinese tourists during the week. For me, I buy luxury brands because they offer quality. Number one has got to be a tie among some of the great historical buildings, statues and of course, walls. Take your time to see as much of this city as you can. The Great Wall of China, the Xi�an Terracotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City all stand head and shoulders above any other hot spot in China. Here are three places in China that you really must see, and one place that no one thinks of, but really ought to get out to! A local home appliance retailer, Bic Camera, reported that its store in Akihabara, Tokyo, saw its sales increase by 20 to 30 percent thanks to Chinese tourists, Japan-based Chinese language newspaper Jnocnews reported. The newspaper quoted a salesman as saying that a Chinese tourist pointed to and bought cameras and lenses worth more than 70,000 yuan ($10,500) at one time. The other hot spot in China � and it is not fair to say it ranks below either of the other two listed choices here � could be the city of Beijing. Long the capital city of China, it is amazing how much of the country is represented here in the big city. I traveled to France a decade ago, and I didn't buy any luxury goods simply because I couldn't afford them," said Cui Xiaoping, in his 50s, who traveled around Europe, including France, with his wife in January. But during the January trip, he bought so many things, including designer handbags and clothes, that he needed to buy an extra suitcase to carry them home. "Chinese people these days are more informed about the luxury brands. Chinese tourists spent 155 million euros ($220.2 million) in 2009, followed by the Russians who spent 112 million euros and the Japanese who spent 99 million euros, the report said. The Galleries Lafayette in Paris reported that a typical Chinese tourist spent 1,000 euro in two hours last year, topping tourists from other countries. Some 87 percent of the Chinese's average total bill was on fashion items, including shoes and handbags, and 93 percent of their shopping was done in and around the French capital. Purchases made by the Chinese represented 15 percent of total spending by tourists in France in 2009 and their total bill rose 47 percent from 2008, it said. Chinese tourists are also among the top five spenders in countries like Singapore and South Korea, reports said. Insiders said the shopping craze is mainly due to two reasons - a booming economy in China, and a price gap caused by a high tax levied on luxury goods. "People have more spare money to spend now. These masterpieces and marvels are the sorts of things that you simply cannot miss out on when you visit China. Buying them in Europe is a lot cheaper than in China due to the competitive exchange rate between euros and renminbi, plus there is no import tax," he said. In addition, Chinese tourists are impulsive shoppers, said Li Meng, deputy general manager of the outbound department with the China International Travel Service head office. "Chinese tourists are different from the Japanese tourists, who would make shopping lists beforehand. But despite having Chinese rulers again, Hong Kong enjoys certain protections that the rest of China does not. The culture, architecture and people of Beijing make it an amazing center that you will need a long time to properly explore. china vacations Bejing China Packages Yangtze River Cruises

Tags: china, chinese, tourist, farm, city