As a pearl on the ancient Silk Road, Kashgar has been a hot destination for a Xinjiang tour. However, due to the typical temperate continental climate, Kashgar weather is distinctive in four seasons and the temperature difference is quite significant. It is no doubt that the weather conditions will greatly influence the comfort level and travel…
Xi’an Top Travel Tips & Advice
Dedicatedly prepared travel tips, tricks, advice, culture and lifestyle articles, inspiration ideas, etc. to inspire your China vacation plan!What’s your impression of the typical Tibetans during your Tibet travel? Sincere smile, devout religious belief, swarthy skin, Tibetan clothes……among all those features, the colorful decoration on their body is definitely striking point in the impression to a Tibetan from people coming from other places. Yes, Tibetan people used to have lots of Jewelry and ornaments with…
Kanas is located in the middle of the Altai Mountains in Xinjiang and is the bright pearl of Xinjiang. You may have read many Kanas travel guides which say that the best time to visit Kanas is from June to October. Now I have to say Kanas is beautiful in summer, but it presents more surprising…
Also called the Miaojiang Great Wall, the Southern Great Wall of China is a military defense system built in the Ming and Qing dynasties of China. It stretches 190 kilometers long from Hunan to Guizhou with the largest part of it in Fenghuang County. As the only Great Wall in southern China, the Southern Great Wall…
When the ocean of blooming rape flowers appears in Luoping County, Erhai Lake, and Cangshan Mountain’s charms are bathed in warm sunshine, warm air crept into ancient towns in Dali and Lijiang, the flooded Yuanyang Rice Terraces create a reflecting pool effect, the grand Water-splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna brings new life to a tropical…
A “bright pearl” on the Silk Road, Dunhuang with Gobi desert, Mogao Grottoes, awe-inspiring desert landscapes, and millennium civilization along the Hexi Corridor is a highly recommended destination for all history and cultural fans, photography enthusiasts, and time-honored Buddhist treasures… What is special about Dunhuang? Dunhuang is not only a thousand-year-old city boasting…
Bingling Temple Grottoes, aka Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves, is located in the Xiaojishi Hill about 35 km (21.7 miles) southwest of Yongjing County, Gansu Province. Built in 420 during the Western Qin Dynasty (385-431), Bingling Temple has a history of more than 1,600 years. Being reconstructed and extended in subsequent dynasties including the Northern Wei (386-534), Northern Zhou (557-581), Sui (581-618),…
As a hiker’s paradise, Yunnan Province with a diverse topography is home to fantastic natural scenery, the spring-like climate in all seasons, and diverse ethnic customs, encompassing snow-covered peaks, alpine lakes, magnificent gorges, and glaciers, as well as picturesque terraced fields, etc. Many of the hiking tours in Yunnan have been rated as the…
The following tips and information may be helpful for you if you are planning a winter trip to Tibet. 1. Is Tibet closed to foreign travelers in winter? No. Tibet is still open in winter. Foreign tourists can now go to visit Tibet. Chianxiantour would be happy to help you create a worry-free Tibet…
Located in the the northern edge of the Loess Plateau, Shaanbei is a less-known travel destination that deserves a visit for those who keen on astonishing geographic landforms, profound history, distinct folk art and cultue, and spectacular nature scenes. Far more than the famous Hukou Waterfalls, and distinct folk art forms such as…
We would like to share with you some good news!Kanas Nature Reserve officially announced that people from low-risk areas in China are permitted to visit Kanas as long as they provide nucleic acid test certificates with a negative result within 7 days and have their health code and travel code checked. It means that…
After Tibet’s reopening to expats living in China, many travel agencies have tried hard to promote their Tibet tours. You may face the challenge to judge whether a travel agency is trustworthy, and which itinerary is more likely to guarantee your lifetime experience. Following are some points that make JoyTravel’s Tibet trip stand out…
In the most southwestern part of China, there is a diverse land that features a hugely varied mix of ethnic minorities, antique towns of profound history and a growing diversity of cultural customs. People here are enjoying the most colorful life given because of its pleasant climate and advantageous natural resources including snow-capped mountains,…
Endowed with sparkling blue water, clear blue sky, wide sandy beach and dense coconut forests, the city of Sanya in China’s Hainan Province is never short of picturesque seascape. It has been a popular and cherished resort for nature lovers, shell collectors and those who enjoy seafront amusements at home and abroad for a…
As summer comes, visitors are flocking to Guangxi to enjoy incredible natural wonders. The landscape of Guangxi is second to none. The vast and serene karst river among the green fields mirrors sublime peaks, creating a vivid landscape painting. Below are some of the iconic attractions in Guangxi. Longji Terraced Fields Built…
Many images may come to your mind when you close your eyes and think for a second about the autumn destinations. The colorful leaves and woods reflecting in sparkling lakes in Jiuzhai Valley, the gorgeous scenery of Kanas Lake in a riot of colors, the red maple leaves “blossoming” at Xiangshan Park in Beijing……
Located in the most northwest of China, Xinjiang is on the bucket list for many travelers, and it’s no mystery why! The tremendously diverse landscapes, exotic ethnic groups, and fascinating history traces left by the ancient Silk Road are already reasons enough to pack your bags to embark on a Xinjiang trip. Whether you’ve…
High rising on the Chinese-North Korea border, Changbai Mountain is a volcanic massif that is snow-covered all year round. Boasting a wealth of landscapes formed by volcanic eruptions hundreds of millions of years ago, cool weather, and a large amount of precious flora and fauna, it draws more and more visitors who are seeking…
In China, June marks the beginning of summer when the stunning natural beauties are paired with bulk festival activities. In some remote or mountainous areas, the weather will be comfortable enough for outdoor adventures. Just scroll down to get inspired by our list of best places to go in June in China. 1. Shangri-La…
The weather is getting warmer, and it’s a good time to go out for travelling! Plan your Spring trip before the upcoming 3 days Qingming holiday. If you don’t want to take off from work, you can explore your city’s surroundings. We have discovered a few good places, such as the ancient charm around Beijing, the ancient town life…
Is there anything more comfortable than wandering around in a small town during the warm Spring when flowers blossom? A small town with a quaint charm can always give people the feeling of traveling in time. Today, we have chosen 6 small towns suitable for visiting in spring for you. You may be able…
January to February The snowy area in winter is really cold from high places, but Lhasa with plenty of sunlight is not as cold as imagined. The Tibetan New Year is very lively, but if you are not good at playing with the locals, you will feel depressed and boring, because even shops that…
It’s time to plan the spring trip to China! The beautiful scenery of spring is just the right season to travel. Qingming Festival/May Day holiday is coming. Here we list 9 best scenic destinations in spring and select China tours in spring with the best prices. And the early birds also have a discount! Destination…
Tibet is a mystical place that draws numerous tourists because of its unmatched elevation, extensive historical and cultural legacy and unparalled natural wonders. For most visitors, traveling to Tibet means exploring the rich historical legacy and strong religious culture in addition to the breathtaking scenery of the lakes and mountains. In this article, we…
Wander the hills of flower blossoms in Nyingchi and Sichuan, soaking up the wonderfully “painted” Dongchuan Red Land in Yunnan, and relax in the ethnic minority villages of Guizhou, where time seems to stand still. Here we list the best places to travel to for your China tours in March. Appreciate the Time-limited Breathtaking…
Explore Xinjiang’s vast Taklimakan Desert. Drive on the deserted Duku Highway, surrounded by gobi desert and snow-capped mountains. Visit historic ancient city ruins of the Silk Road, such as Jiaohe and Gaochang. Admire the millennium-old poplar trees, and the majestic Muztagh Mountains from afar. In Xinjiang, you can experience thousands of years of Chinese…
Spring is coming! Why not make your China travel plan immediately to welcome the great 2025! We have sorted out several China tour itineraries suitable for travel from March to April. Enjoy the benefits of off-season travel, with fewer people and better price. 01 Southeast Guizhou This route passes through the essence of Southeast…
If you ask me where is the life I desired to live? My answer must be “Yunnan”. Located far south of the clouds, Yunnan is just like a dream attracting our hearts. Wind, flowers, snow, moon, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, rivers… God has an unconcealable bias towards Yunnan. You can almost satisfy all your imagination…
A city walk is prepared for those tourists who like taking photos, enjoying splendid culture and exploring breathtaking landscapes. Content Preview Route 1: Explore the History of Harbin on Foot Route 2: Church Tour Route 3: Baroque Buildings Exploration Tour Route 4: Ice and Snow Route. Tips for a Smooth Walking Tour in Harbin Explore Harbin…
Last time, we have discussed the landscapes along Fujian Coastline, today, Joy China Tour is excited to share the second self-driving travel routes in National Holiday besides Xinjiang: Western Sichuan Circuit. Follow us to check out more! That’s a bad underestimate to take the Western Sichuan circuit as only a supplement to the Tibetan…
Located in the plateau, Yunnan boasts the breath-taking scenery and unparalleled ancient towns & villages, and splendid local ethnic cultures. Human settlements could be found in many flatlands hidden in pleasant environments, which have gradually grown into those beautiful towns. Due to the lack of transportation and later development, many ancient towns there, fortunately,…
The admission tickets are too expensive for you? Have not had a good exploration of China? Get blocked in China due to the COVID-19? Then it’s the best time to discover China! Free, Half Price, the attractions all over China are introducing the favorable policies on the admission tickets, most of which keep available…
While those awe-inspiring man-made attractions — from the Great Wall to the Forbidden City— capture much of the spotlight, nothing is as creative and awe-inspiring as China’s natural wonders. China is a noble destination around the globe boasting a vast range of bizarre, otherworldly, and absolutely unique geological formations shaped by time, erosion, and…
The Silk Road played an important role in Chinese history. Anyone who claims to understand Chinese history must know that the Silk Road was also a significant factor behind the flourishing periods of the Han and Tang Dynasties. It covers plenty of historical sites that will give you lots of information about China’s history.…
The famed Silk Road stretched for more than 7,000 kilometers from Xian (known as Chang’an in ancient times) to Rome. Over 2,000 years have passed since Zhang Qian, an envoy of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC — 8 BC), pioneered this ancient route. Now the Silk Road attracts countless people…
Although Hami is the eastern gate of Xinjiang and also a part of the Silk Road, it flies under the radar of ordinary travelers. Most travelers just rush to Urumqi or Turpan. And few Silk Road itineraries include Hami. But maybe they should. Do you know how important Hami was in history? Do you…
The Xining city has an antiquated and long-lasting religious culture, a rare stone culture that was unique in the Sanjiangyuan area, and a splendid natural forest park. Moreover, it is a natural summer resort that integrates snow-capped mountains, canyons, and Danxia landforms. Also, it is the meeting point of the cultures of various ethnic…
Many foreigners fall in love with China for various delicious foods. Do you know that the people in the northern part of China like food made of flour and the people in the southern part prefer food made of rice? Wonder why? Actually, rice is grown in the south of China, while wheat is…
2000-Year Bronze Chariots and Horses – More Valuable Than Terracotta Warriors, Honored as the “King of the Bronzes” In Xian Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum scenic area, there are two world-famous bronze chariots and horses whose sizes are about a half of that of real chariots and horses. The chariots, horses, and drivers were…
So we are already halfway through 2020 (yes, hard to believe). Hope you all stay happy, stay healthy, and stay safe. During this difficult time as the whole world deals with COVID-19, what things bring you comfort? For many people, food can be a source of comfort. We are curious: what kind of food…
Do you know how large the terracotta army is? After this huge underground army was accidentally discovered by several farmers while they were drilling a well in March 1974, no one knew it can be so big. Four months after this great discovery (You may wonder why it took so long. It’s because the…
China is a fascinating destionation around the world boasting its splendid history and culture as well as a variety of landscapes. There are so many interesting things to do in China and we have collected the top 10 popular cycling places in the vast land which would be a perfect guide for travel to…
Binglingsi Grottoes is located about 40 kilometers southwest to Yongjing County of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, on the west-side cliff of Dasigou Valley. The grottoes were first dug in the early years of the Western Jin Dynasty (around the third century A.D.) as Buddhism spread eastward across China. Over more than…
Located to the north of Qilian Mountain, south of Heli Mountain, west of Wushaoling Ridge, east of the border between Xinjiang and Gansu, the 1,000 kilometers long Hexi Corridor has been a place of abundance since ancient times. Speaking of the corridor, most people simply remember it as the must-pass route along the Silk…
Gansu Province is also a destination along ancient Silk Road greatly loved by the travelers who are interested in Chinese history and culture. Among the plenty of cultural relics and historical sites, the most famous one certainly is Mogao Grottoes which is regarded as the world’s treasure house of grotto art. Actually, there are…
Southern Xinjiang is an amazing place on many travelers’ bucket list. Who wouldn’t like it? It has stunning natural scenery to see and fascinating history and culture to explore. If you are planning a visit and want to know all the highlights, here are 10 classic destinations in Southern Xinjiang we picked specially for…
If you are looking for a Northern Xinjiang tour to Ili River Valley and Tianshan Mountains in summer, there’s no need to waste time endlessly browsing. Here is an itinerary to take you return to mother nature and get the unspoiled scenery of the picturesque Ili River Valley and magnificent Tianshan Mountains. If you…
There is an abundance of culture to be found in Xi’an, China. Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi province and the historic site of China’s first unification under the Qin dynasty. Here, you can gaze at incredible Terracotta Warriors, visit culturally rich museums, learn historic Chinese calligraphy, eat traditional Shaanxi foods, and bike around…
Xian made its name in the world because of the over 2000-year-old terracotta warriors and horses buried with the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Numerous travelers came to Xian for this world-class historical relic site every year. However, not many of them know that there is an amazing place full of stories…
Jiuhua Mountain is well known as one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, along with Wutai Mountain in Shanxi Province, Putuo Mountain in Zhejiang Province, and Emei Mountain in Sichuan Province. It was formerly called Jiuzi Mountain and later changed to the current Jiuhua Mountain after the celebrated Chinese poet Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.)…
Dunhuang, an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, holds a splendid treasure of Buddhist art, Mogao Grottoes. You may have seen many pictures and read lots of introductions about the place, but believe it or not, its magnificence will blow your mind when you see it in person. You will just stand there…
Chengdu was named City of Gastronomy by UNESCO as early as 2010. The city definitely lives up to its reputation. Speaking of Chengdu cuisine, you may think of the mind blowing spicy hot pot first. It’s on most domestic and foreign visitors’ list. There are also numerous delicious snacks hidden in small lanes. It’s…
Qiao Family Compound is located in Qiaojiabao Village, Qi County, Shanxi Province, and is about 54 km away from Taiyuan and 40 km away from Pingyao Ancient Town. It is also called “Zaizhongtang”. It’s the former residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a nationally renowned financier of the Qing Dynasty. It was originally built in the…
National Health Commision of the Peopple’s Republic of China published the latest situation of NCP (Novel coronavirus pneumonia) through its official website in the Beijing time morning of Feb. 11, 2020. The statistics shows the new confirmed NCP cases keep dropping in the last 7 days. On Feb. 10 (0-24 o’clock), the 31 provinces…
Novel coronavirus hit China in 2019 year's Spring Festival travel rush. When the country fight against the disaster, many other countries also offer support material volunteerly. We sincerely appreciate each one's contribution in this battle. When the battle is over, China will be ready to welcome you!
Locating about 100 kilometers southwest of Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake attracts numerous pilgrims and visitors each year. It is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet with an area of more than 700 square kilometers and average depth of over 30 meters.
In the March of 2019, the construction group of Xian subway line 5 happened to unearth the ruins of tomb again, which is not an ordinary site, but the capital of high-ranking Zhanghan, one of three rulers in the middle of The Warring States. The ruins of the capital has a history about 2000…
In Xian, there are many restaurants serving Shaanxi cuisine. Despite the hard-to-find location of some, foodies will always be attracted by its flavor. Here are some sought-after restaurants of Shannxi cuisine. Master Chef and Small Eatery (大厨小馆) The biggest characteristic of the dishes lies in the home-cooking style. Steamed buns are own-made instead of…
As early as in the Song dynasty in 1000 years ago, “take-out” services were already available. People from emperors to citizens were sometimes too lazy to cook, or bored of eating at home. In Zhang Zeduan’s popular painting “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” of the northern Song dynasty, it depicted a restaurant boy who…
Xian is the ancient capital for 13 Chinese dynasties, among which Qin, Han and Tang dynasties have the most interesting history, leaving profound cultural deposits. For an in-depth understanding of the Qin history, it is inevitable to start with the Terracotta Warriors (Terracotta Army), which is the most famous scenic spot in Xian. In September…
For all tourists, visiting highlight tourist attractions in each destination is the must-do thing. For a few tourists, exploring local market in their destination cities is one more exciting thing because they can really get close to local people’s life. Except for the common trading market and vegetable market, in many destinations in China,…
Among the tourist attractions nearby Xian, Mt. Hua is full of domestic and international visitors due to its fame – One of the top 5 mountains in China. Actually, there is an ancient building complex – Xiyue Temple – lies 8km from Mt. Hua, is also worthy of visiting. It’s history can be dated…
Jade culture is an important branch of traditional Chinese culture. What is jade? Ancient Chinese people call the beautiful stone as Jade. In ancient times, the most precious and valuable jewels in China were nothing about gold or diamond, they were all about jade. In Chinese people’s mind, top-grade jade is more valuable than…
The rice cultural relics and tons of delicious snacks are the top two attractions to travelers. When you travel to Xian, please do not just learn about the city with your eye and ear, let your taste buds also join in your Xian tour! In the tourist restaurants, you will meet the dishes specially…
In the pas three days, all Chinese people had the 3-day public holiday for Dragon Boat Festival, one of the most important traditional festival of Chinese nation. Many visitors to Tang Paradise found something special and interesting on June 7, the day of Dragon Boat Festival. Let’s see what were special on that day?…
Cold Rice Noodles is a very popular food in Xian, especially in hot summer days. Taking a walk in street or in the valleys, you will meet Cold Rice Noodles here and there. In the summer days, when people lack of appetite, a bowl of cold rice noodles with a tin of Ice…
In Chinese history, there are four world-known great inventions – Papermaking, Commercial Printing, Gunpowder, and Compass. The invention of paper-making contributed greatly to Chinese culture’s succession. In earlier ages, people carved characters on bamboo slips which functioned as “books”, which were very burdensome and inconvenient to carry in luggage. But since paper appeared in…
In the joint part of Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan, there is an ancient town survived from the Yuan Dynasty in about 800 years ago. Till today it remains the old looking. And here is hometown of Sima Qiao, a great historian in history of China. Though it is less known as a tourist destination,…
During ones China tour, taking a train from one city to another is preferred by most tourists. Compared with flight, train has many benefits.
During each March and April, South Shaanxi will turn to its most beautiful time – Flower blooms, trees turn to green, even the breeze becomes more gentle. With Spring’s coming, the terrace field in Hanyin County, Southern Shaanxi will covers with gold rape flowers. In brace of the spring breeze, the small gold flowers…
Content Preview Can I Buy A Real Terracotta Warrior? How and Where Can I Buy A Terracotta Warrior? Terracotta Warriors Statue Replicas For Sale How Were the Terracotta Warriors Made? FAQs about Buying Terracotta Warrior Replicas Travel with China Xian Tour to Make a Terracotta Warrior Yourself Can I Buy A Real Terracotta Warrior?…
Located in the east of Xian City (about 45min-1hour drive from the downtown area), the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a must-visit for any Xian tour, especially for those who are visiting Xian for the first time. Since the site is indoors, visitors can visit the Terracotta Army year-round without being affected by the weather…
Chinese Terracotta Soldiers in Xian is known to world wide tourists. It was made in 2000 years ago in the Qin Dynasty. And the discovery of it in 1970s shocked the global archaeologists. What was special about the Terracotta Warriors? It is said in Terracotta Army Museum, each people would find a soldier figure…
People looking for a China Silk Road tour are not only for the grand nature views of those mysterious land but also for tracing the ever great stories. When talking about famous Silk Road travelers, most people may think of Zhang Qian, the best known diplomat of the West Han Dynasty (202BC-8AD). But Ban Chao – a strategist and diplomat from…
When winter comes, snow skating and hot spring become two top popular amusement activities. Xian with rich skiing resources provide you opportunity to enjoy yourslef at great skiing resorts. Have a look here you will get clue for your Xian skiing tour!
Departure from Xian and drive all the way north for about 4 hours, you will meet Ansai District which lies in north part of Yanan City. When a huge waist drum comes onto your sight, you will be here! Most area has its local opera, but North Shaanxi is different, it has its both…
Shaanxi’s food culture is profound and rich. And among all the specialties, the Crystal Cake, a distinctive local dessert, has never failed to win the hearts of residents and visitors. Different from many other traditional pastry, crystal cake has more delicate and translucent layers while just gently sweetened. With its perfect combination of flavor, texture, and aroma, every bite can give people…
Every year from late October to mid-November, from the mountain to the plain, all the layers of forests are dyed. In some places, the picturesque ginkgo rain has started, and ginkgo leaves like a golden carpet under the tree.
In late autumn, nearly all kinds of plants begin to perish but it’s just best time to enjoy ginkgo. There’s a ginkgo tree, planted by Li Shimin, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. The tree incarnates time into a golden carpet.
Chinese dragon is an imaginary animal in ancient China and one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. No one can prove that it exists in reality. It usually appears in legends and myths. Therefore, Chinese dragon is endowed with a special image by Chinese.
Confucianism, one of the hundred schools of thought in the Spring and Autumn Period (one of the most turbulent periods in Chinese history), is an academic school founded by Confucius. Then it is developed by Mencius and collected by Xunzi. These three are the most important figures of Confucianism. Confucianism takes “Ren (humanity)”, “Yi…
Empress Wu Zetian, the only one female monarch in Chinese history. She reigned the country as an imperator in the Tang dynasty for 15 years. If taken into account the actual time when she manipulated the government, it’s almost 50 years.
Embroidery is the general name for all kinds of decorative patterns embroidered on fabrics. It is a traditional Chinese folk handicraft art with a history of at least two or three thousand years in China.
There are always inextricable emotions when people mention the name of Xian. Touching the ancient city Wall, through the door of time and space, you may seem to catch a sight of blooming and prosperous period in Tang Dynasty.
This wonderful street dance cosplay has been held in the Terracotta Museum, which just made this 8th world wonder exploded again on the internet, attracting increasing travelers from the world for pilgrimage trip to Terracotta Warriors. Culture will always be isolated, they just meet sometimes, connected with other each and bring people a surprising feast incredibly.
According to the Report of China Urban Tourism Brand Development Index, which was released by National Academy of Economic Strategy and China Social Sciences Press, Xi’an has been one of the shortlisted level top 10 city for tourism brand overall development.
With the approaching of 2018 Chinese Spring Festival, Xian treats citizens and visitors with increasing beauty each day. Many public parks were already decorated by the government.
Shaanxi Fuzhuan Tea is produced in Jingyang County. It is a welcomed goods along the ancient Silk Road. And is especially loved by people living in the inland area of China like Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
The cave house group we’d like to share today is Dang Family Manor in Suide County on northern Shaanxi Province. The cave house group was built in 1814 of the late Qing Dynasty. The present inhabitant of the manor is the 11th generation of the manor’s founder.
Snow scenery is the most highlight scenery in winter days. But it is not easy to see the thick snow in downtown area. So many people choose to drive out of the city to look for the snow scenery. There are 8 places we’d like to recommend for snow scenery appreciating.
On Jan 3rd, Xian welcomed its first snow in 2018. Among local people, there is the saying “When the snow falls, Xi’an would become Chang’an” because the snow hides the otiose colors brought by the bustling commerce. The silver snow makes the ancient buildings in Xian more elegant and pure. Tourists who are visiting…
Once winter comes outdoor activity lovers will miss skiing. Especially for people who are from tropical area where receive no snow throughout the year. Spending one day to get lost in the world of snow is dream for many people who seldom see snows.
In north part of Shaanxi Province there is a place that present different beauty in four seasons. In Spring the ice layer breaks and ice bars fall down. In summer the soaring waterfall shock visitors heart. In autumn the land here is covered by red autumn leaves. And in winter glacier fall takes the…
When talking about Buddhist Grottoes, most people will think of the Four Great Grottoes. In fact, there are also many historic Buddhist grottoes in Shaanxi Province. At present there are 350 Buddhist cave groups discovered in Shaanxi. In this blog we’d like to share 8 of them.
Terracotta Warriors is famous all over the world. Toursits who have been to the Terracotta Warriors must know it is the sacrificial subjects of the Emperor Qin Shihuang. And the Emperor's mausoleum is not far from the Terracotta Warriors. Then why the Terracotta Warriors was excavated in as early as in 1970s and the…
No one traveling to Xian skip Terracotta Warriors and Horses. When you doing the Terracotta Warriors tour, have you ever asked why these terracotta soldiers don’t wear helmet? Actually these soldier figures not only don’t wear helmet but also wear very plain loricae. The main force of the troop – infantrymen wear loricae that…
Terracotta Warriors pits is the accompanying pits of the mausoleum. The scale of these accompanying pits is acknowledged as the number 1 in Chinese history. As the 8th world wonder, Terracotta Warriors attracts millions of tourists each year. And Terracotta Warriors is the top reason for most of international tourists’ Xian tour.
Shaanxi History Museum has large quantities of collections that range from remote antiquity (when human society was in initial stage) till 1840 (when modern history of China began).
Terracotta Warriors and Horses is the most magnificent archeological discoveries of the 20th century. The large numbers of the terracotta figures and its firing technology shocked experts home and abroad.
There is a mountain called Louguantai Mountain, also named as “Small Wudang Mountain”, about 200 kilometers far from Xi’an, and it boasts beautiful natural sceneries. Louguantai Mountain, located in Fenghuang Mountain of Ankang City, is a famous Taoist Shrine in the south of the Shaanxi province. It is 1886 meters high (about 6187.664 feet).…
Imagine that you were a rich person in Rome in 4AD or 5AD, or a talking traveler who was passionate about talking and making friends with some well-educated people. And on this kind of occasion, a Sundial must be a good choice if you want to show something to your friends, and the Sundial…
Lots of people are dreaming of a tour to Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai. The dreamlike scenery of the salt lake is honored as Mirror of Heaven. Just a few people know that in northern Shaanxi there is also a salt lake of amazing beautiful scenery that is no less attractive than Chaka Salt…
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is one of the best things to do for almost all tourists during their travel to Xian. It is also one of the top attractions in the world. Many international tourists don’t know how to get to Terracotta Warriors from Xian. Actually, it is very convenient to take a…
In the afternoon of September 19th, Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum called a press conference to announce new ticket purchasing policy which will be applied from October 1st, 2017.
In the beginning Terracotta Warriors and Horses figures are all painted with several different colors to make them more vivid. Since the colored drawing tends to fade easily, unearthed colored Terracotta figures are seldom exhibited. So it is difficult for normal tourists to see a Terracotta figure with remained color. Now China Xian Tour…
In early August 2017, Zhengguo Canal was selected as the World Irrigation Project Heritage. In 2016, 48 ancient irrigation projects applied in the activity and 12 were selected. And the 12 selected irrigation projects three are in China. They are: Zhengguo Canal in Shaanxi, Chatanpo in Jian, Jiangxi, and Lougang of Taihu Lake in…
Xiangji Temple in south skirt of Xian is one of the best known Buddhism temples in local area. It was built in the Tang Dynasty and used to be the important place where overseas students from Japan study Buddhism and Chinese civilization. The 1400 years old temple is the proof of sino-Japan friendship in…
Wubu Ancient City is also known as Wubu Stone City. The ancient city locates on the mountain range on bank of Yellow River. It is the most completely preserved county level township in northwestern China. That 1000 + years old stone city is honored as No. 1 Stone China in China.
If you traveled to Xian 8 years ago, you may have only two choice to arrive the city: train and flight. The train takes quite long time on the way while the flight fare is usually quite expensive. In the past several years, with the construction of bullet train, Xian becomes more accessible. And…
The largest artificial lake in Chinese history is the Kunming Lake lying to southwest of Changan City. The lake was dug in the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD) in Emperor Wudi’s Era (141AD-87AD)and covered an area of 16.6km2, which triples the area of West Lake in Hangzhou. The better known Kunming Lake in Beijing Summer Palace…
When talking about Temple of Heaven, most of people will bethink of Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Actually in Xian there exists a Temple of Heaven which is older and grander. The Temple of Heaven of the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907) locating in nowadays Shaanxi Normal Universi…
Train is the 2nd most used vehicle for long distance transportation. Meeting a nice train station will add more sweet memories to one’s tour. In northern part of China there are 4 acknowledged beautiful train stations. Let’s see which ones are them? And have you ever b…
Accommodation is important part of one’s travel to a city. It will impact tourist’s touring experience and tour cost. In recent years more and more people looking for some characteristic hostels or home stay. To help tourists with a special Beijing Tour, China Xian Tour collects some best evaluated taverns hidden in Beijing Hutongs…
In the burning summer days, most people refuse outdoor activities in day time. Only when the evening comes they go out. Then what to do to make the evening time happy and interesting? Lots of tourists and local people living nearby Bell Tower choose the food tour to Muslim Quarter. These days the street…
Qinqiang has been one of oldest opera in ancient northwest China, derived from West Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) and popular in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang.
Swimming is the favorite exercise for many people. It is even part of their life in summer days. Due to the inland location and traditional living habit, swimming is not a common exercise in this city and it is not so easy to find the swimming pool info. So people from seaside will miss…
In the early afternoon of June 27th, temperature in South Gate of City Wall reached 46℃. It is indeed terrible for outdoor activities. But staying at home all the day can be boring. Then what to do to kill time and search for coolness? Water park wins the champion!
Compare with other major tourist cities like Beijing and Shanghai, Airbnb accommodation is less chosen by tourists, especially by international travelers. The sanitary condition, Safety, and the language barrier are some of the biggest concerns. While if you stay in a nice Airbnb…
China Xian Tour would like to share one more good place to go – Fuzhou Ancient City in north tip of Shaanxi Province. It takes about 8.5 hours from Xian. The ancient city locates on the tor bridge at northeast of Fugu County Town.
In the cold winter days, taking a hot spring bath is such an enjoyable and relax thing. Besides, there are also many advantages for taking the hot spring bath. We list some best welcomed hot springs information nearby Xian. If you like to include one in your Xian tour, we are glad to help…
Bai Luyuan Skiing Resort is the nearest one which is about 18 kilo meters away from the city center. With the trail of 300 meters in length and 60 meters in width, this ski field is the only one which runs day and night and it is an excellent exercise place for the primary…
Chinese people believe people that travels far knows much. And reading is another way of traveling. Some of our past tourist asked us to recommend bookstore to them. They either do readings here or just killing their free time and feel atmosphere there.
Trekking is deeply loved by out door activity lovers. Nearby Xian there is a trekking itinerary that may help one with some preparation for the Mt. Everest Trekking. That trekking itinerary is Aotai Traversing.
Terracotta Warriors tour usually is the top thing to do for tourits. And some people travel to Xian to look for some specail local things. They usually choose to do a Xian country tour. Nearby Xian a good place to see country scenery is Huxian County. Today China Xian Tour would like to introduce…
Each year from Mid April to Early May Luoyang holds Peony Festival. Peonies in Luoyang are indeed much attractive. While for visitors from other cities the cost for peony appreciating in Luoyang can be a little high because the hotel rate will be higher than normal days. If you have limited time and plan…
If comparing China as a tree, Beijing will be the tree crown, Xian will be the root system of the tree. The deposit of Chinese culture continues in Xian from thousands of years ago till now. Xian is best known for hometown of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Now with the rising of Silk Road…
Planning to spend 4 days in Xian? Here, we have prepared the perfect 4-day Xian itineraries and helpful guide and tips for you. The itinerary is complete with things to do, see, eat, along with important details you need to know – like how to escape the crowds of the Terracotta Warriors, and where to stay…
If some one ask me: What things could I do in Xian to make the ancient city tour more memorable? My answer will be like this: Climbing the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the evening to overlook night view of city center and recall the vicissitudes of the city’s destiny; Satisfying your taste…
Baxianan Temple (Eight Immortal Temple) is the best known Taoist temple in Xian. While inside the South gate of City Wall there is another Taoist temple – Xiangzimiao Taoist Temple. Spending a morning or an afternoon to visit it after your Terracotta Warrior Tour or City Sightseeing Tour you may fall on love with…
Giant panda is loved by lots of people due to its lovely appearance and rarity. Only in China one can see pandas living in natural environment. To have a glimpse of the lovely creatures, many tourist take a flight or train to Chengdu because here is the best developed panda rescue and breeding base.…
The Orient Silk Road Express is specially set as a sightseeing train for a Silk Road tour, which usually covers more than half the territory of China and lasts 10-15 days. With this express train, you will enjoy a much more relaxing, interesting, and comfortable tour of the Silk Road. Though it was voted top of the 25…
Throughout feudal dynasties in Chinese history, lots of emperors led the luxury life and after they died, their mausoleums can even be more luxury than the palace they lived during their lifetime. Bury with full honors and large quantity of mortuary objects were a distinct feature of Chinese burial culture. It was a rule…
With the sunlight becomes increasingly warm, Spring is coming and every thing will be awake from their winter sleep. The most eyeable ones would be tender green plants and colorful flowers. Every spring rape flower appreciating tour would be one of the most welcomed tour for Chinese people. Getting away from the crowded city…
In traditional aesthetics, peony is the king of flowers. Hence the peony is honored as national flower of China. In ancient capital city Luoyang, from early April to early May the yearly Peony Festival draws attention of thousands of attention of domestic tourists and many international visitors. And the festival becomes the top attraction…
Nowadays Silk Road is an arising tourist route, but actually in 2000 years ago it was opened as a trading route. And when mentioning Silk Road Cities in China, Dunhuang, Kashgar, Turpan, and Urumqi may come to one’s mind first. So when planning a Silk Road tour, these cities are considered as the must…
Though winter is the low season of Mt. Huashan visiting, during the Chinese Spring Festival the Mt receipts triple amounts of visitors than other winter days. Considering the low temperature and safety, we usually do not recommend Mt. Huashan tour in winter. But nothing can stop encouraging ones climbing this arduous and attractive mountain.…
The fame of Xian food is as great as Xian tourist attractions, not to be missed. Xian gourmets has occupied an important place in Chinese food, which attracts a large number of people from all the country every year. There are some good restaurants for reference to people who are planning a Xian tour according…
It is still 6 days to the end of Chinese Spring Festival. Walking in street and even corners of Xian City one will easily find the Chinese new year atmosphere. But it is not enough for tourist, and even for local people, to feel the richest festival taste. To make one’s Xian tour more…
Have a hot spring bath in the cold winter is really a good way to relax yourself. The good news is that there are many good hot springs around Xian to fit your expectation regarding the relaxing hot spring tour. The collecting details about these hot springs are as below, read it, pick out…
Each child holds his or her expectation for the Christmas. They would dream that they could find surprising gifts they wanted as long as they put a big sock on their beds. As Christmas has been more and more popular across the whole world, more Chinese people would like to celebrate this significant foreign…
Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China and earns the greatest expectation from each Chinese. People will do a lot of things to pray happiness, health and safety for the next year. There is great quantity of folk stories regarding Spring Festival spreading among Chinese, which has posed mythological color to…
As people from home and abroad has paid more and more attentions and focus on Chinese ancient history, some important or famous ancient architectures got further research to reflect the history truth of that ancient time. Daming Palace of the Tang Dynasty, located in today’s Xian, is a typical example of the researches. Here…
In the hustle and bustle of urban life, finding a peaceful place with rich cultural experiences has become the aspiration of many. Huxian County (now known as Huyi District), located in the southwest of Xi’an City, is right where you are looking for. With the magnificent Qinling Mountains, abundant rural scenery, unique folk arts…
When talking about ancient city or rural town, the places arises in one’s mind are often Qingmuchuan Ancient Town and Yuanjiacun Village. Because they don’t know that in east of Shaanxi province there is an ancient city which are more worthy of visit, Hancheng. Hancheng keeps the oldest and best preserved ancient city in…
Though the Muslim Quarter is still the most popular food street in Xian, an increasing number of local Xian people and tourists go to Yongxingfang Food Street for a typical Xian food tour. If you want to see the bustling scenery, Muslim Quarter will be the first choice. If you want to try some Shaanxi Food, we will recommend Yongxingfang…
Bell towers and drum-towers were important common buildings in a city, there were some bells or drums in them, these gave the correct time or gave an alarm to government officials and common people, etc. Excepting lot capital city, all states and counties were with them. The bell tower or drum-tower were all on…
In Shaanxi Foping National Nature Reserve, there are a group of snub-nosed monkey living here. Thanks to the superior ecological environment and because of being carefully nurtured by the people here, the group are growing up to almost 80 monkeys from the original 30 ones. Except the snub-nosed monkey, Foping National Nature Reserve is…
There is a unique way of traveling called “off-season travel”. It means that during the off-season, when most people choose to stay at home, you embark on a journey to explore destinations that are breathtakingly beautiful. When you’re planning China tours, you might want to try a off season travel to China. This guide will…
From Dec 08 to Dec 15, the North Peak cable car of Mt. Huashan doesn’t work due to maintenance. But the West Peak cable car runs smoothly. Thus, clients will have to choose the West Peak cable car during this period.
On Dec 06, the Cuihua Mountain Skiing Resorts began to open this year. This skiing resort with the width of 70 meters and longth of 800 meters, locates near the Heaven Lake of the Cuihua Mountain and it is treated as“the First Skiing Resorts of Shaanxi Province”.
On Nov 24, it is raining in Xian city. While the Qinling mountain welcomes the snow. Hereunder are the beautiful photoe taken from the Qinling mountain. It looks like a snow kingdom of the fairy tale, doesn’t it?
The Forbidden City in Beijing is a royal palace of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, located in the center of Beijing’s central axis. It is a crystallization of ancient Chinese architecture, art and history and culture, attracting countless tourists to visit. During your Beijing tours, you can’t miss the beautiful Forbidden City souvenirs. There are some…
Xi’an has been attracting tourists from all over the world with its rich tourism resources over these years. Is it bothering you having to purchase tickets wherever you go, which can be quite costly? And sometimes, the views may not live up to your expectations. There are also times when you just want to…
Xi’an, a city with charming history and culture, attracts countless tourists with its rich historical relics and profound cultural heritage. And Qujiang, as a focus of night tourism of Xi’an, has turned out to be a paradise for night tour. Tourists can enjoy the night here with special night views, abundant cultural performances, delicious food,…
Every year, a few days before or after the Mid-autumn Day, thousands of people will go to Qiantang River to see the tide. It seems that watching the tide of the Qiantang River has been the highlights in the eyes of most of the tourists from China or abroad.
From middle August to September, it is a season of harvest and many of the fruits will be ripe in China. One kind of the fruits that must to say during this stage is grape. In Xian,there is a famous kind of grape named as “Hutai No. 08”. Its fruits are big, round and…
Located at the south piedmont of Qinling Mountain and with an average altitude of 1700 meters, Huayang Ancient Town is really a land of idyllic beauty. Most of the buildings there are built in Ming and Qing dynasties. In this place, you could feel the changeable climate in one day and have a chance…
May day comes and it is time that cherry ripes. At this time of each year, families and friends groups would drive out of the city and immerse themselves in a piece of Cherry Orchard. The bright cherries look like little red lanterns, shinning under the sun. We have selected some of the best…
The City God Temple is located in the east side of the Da Xue Xi Lane, West Avenue, Xian City. Built in the 20th year(1387 A.D.) of Hongwu Reign of Ming Dynasty and originally situated at Jiuyao Street inside of the West gate of the City Wall, it was moved to the present site…
The origin of the Shehuo Festival dates back 2,500 years. “She” refers to the god of land and “huo”refers to the god of fire. So this festival was originally held to worship the two gods. The festival hit a peak during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Shehuo Carnival is also…
If you are tired of the hustles and bustles of the big cities, then why not drive to these ancient towns and relax yourself, have a taste of rustic folk custom and enjoy the beautiful sceneries? Today I will recommend the top five ancient towns in Shaanxi Province to you. Content Preview 1. Dangjia…
In the cold wintertime, there is nothing better to immerse yourself in hot springs, which could not only moisture your body but also can keep your health. Why not come to the nearby hot springs in Xian and have a close contact withe the spring water? Speak of which, there are five famous hot…
As one of the most important cities in northwestern China, Xian’s economy developed rapidly in recent years. With the ever-accelerated development of commerce, shopping is quite convenient. Xi’an where a major shopping district is characterized by a high concentration, so for tourists, shopping can be much more convenient. Whether to buy life necessities or…
Chairman and the CEO of Hawaiian Airlines Inc Mark Dunkerley detailed the issue about the direct flight from Beijing to Honolulu which will be opened in April of next year on November 4th. In recent years, with the increasing of outbound travelers, Chinese visitors in Hawaii reached to an unprecedented scale. In the last…
While planning your Hangzhou tours, you can also experience different landscapes in other parts of Zhejiang Province. Located in Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, Shenxianju Scenic Area was founded in 1998 with a total area of 22.32 square kilometers. With precipitous mountains, fresh breeze, and dense forests, the Shenxianju Scenic Area is the…
Shaanxi Opera is a kind of opera that cannot be beard by ordinary man. It always go through the great sorrow with great rejoicing. But, you are very likely to be feeling an absence of virile beauty if you don’t experience the roaring Shaanxi Opera in person when you come to Xian. In Xian,…
Reporters learned from travel agencies in Huizhou that the 2013 Spring Festival outbound travel has entered the finishing touches. What citizens heard most from the travel agencies is that “flight seats are in shortage and you’d better be quick to make decision” in the consultation. In addition, under the premise there is no big…
Called formally Randeng Sarira (Burning Lamp Buddhist Relic) Pagoda, it stands on the hank of the Baihe River northwest of the town of Tongxian; it is also known as Tongzhou Pagoda. Acccording to the historic document, the time of building the pagoda date to the 2nd year of reign of Taiping of of Liang…
We learn from our tour guide that there wasn’t wall in Gubeikou at an earlier time in the history. But in the Warring State Period and Qin, Han dynasties, at the places which were in the north and far from of Gubeikou there was the Great Wall, which is known as the most famous…
The braiding in the photo used to be Dunluobu Rongyuan’s mansion, located at No. 37, Maoer hutong, South Luogu Lane, Dongcheng District. Dunluobu Rongyuan was a fourth-rank governmental official and father of the Empress Wanrong (1906-1946), China’s last empress. Wanrong was of the same age as Emperor Puyi. They never met with each other…
Hutong has always been a must-see tourist attraction in one’s Beijing Xian tour. Many of Beijing’s hutongs had been the dwelling place for the eunuches of the past dynasties, such as Silijian (office of ceremonies) hutong, Zhonggusi (office of bell and drum) hutong, Ciqiku (chinaware storehouses) hutong, Zhiranju (bureau of darning and dying) hutong,…
Instead of visiting the Grewat Wall, Hutong, I visit the Broadsword Wang Wu’s Yuanshun Escort Firm in my Beijing Xian tour. The Site of the Broadsword Wang Wu’s Yuanshun Escort Firm was at the No. 13, west Banbi Street, Zhushikou (the pearl market intersection). The firm office was divided into three courtyards — the…
Juyong Pass is a great site to visit in Beijing-Xian tours. It is about 50 km to Beijing, built in the Guangou which is 15 km long from the Datong and Xuanhua to Beijing. Mountain Taihang from Shanxi Province to Hebei has several hundred miles long, from and it very steep. The eight roads were called Taihang eight roads. In…
The building in the photo is Lu Xun’s last Residence in Beijing at the No. 21 West Santiao in Fucheng Gate. Lu Xu (1881-1936), the short-story writer, essayist, critic, and literary theorist, was considered one of the greatest figures in the 20th century Chinese literature. Luxun had reaved many places, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing…
Mainly distributed in the Dongcheng District and Xicheng District in Beijing, hutongs have witnessed Beijing’s long history. Being the beating heart of Beijing’s cultural and social life, Beijing hutongs stand as timeless guardians of the city’s rich heritage and must be included in your Beijing tours. Wandering through the narrow alleyways, you’ll discover the hidden…
On February 4, 1403, Zhu Di, Chengzu Emperor of Ming Dynasty re- named Beipingfu as Beijing, thus the name of Beijing was formally came into being. Hutong is a word borrowed from the Mongolian word-Huttong, which means well. Therefore, Beijing has nearly 100 hutong named after well, (in Chinese well is jing): Qianjing, Houjng,…
Lao She (1899-1966), styled Sheyu, original name Shu Qingchun, was Chinese play wright and author of humorous. He has a tremendous influence upon my life in many aspects. It was my third time to visit his house in my Beijing Xian tour. Descent in NO. 8, Xiaoyangjia hutong at the western intersection of the…
In my Beijing Xian tour, I find that most the Beijing’s hutong goes from east to the west. However hutong outside Chaoyang Gate mainly goes from south to the east irregularly. Beijing’s siheyuan are mainly square residences Yard in Shaanxi and shanxi provinces are usually rectangular-wider on the east and west. The relationship between…
The Sanbulao Hutong in Xicheng district was known as the Sanbao Old Man’s hutong in the Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, the hutong was gradully renamed Sanbulao and finally Sanbulao. The Qing’s Dijing Suishi Ji (the annals of the capital city) says: Sanbulao brought all kinds of articles and treasures from the western…
Yang Jisheng was a metropolitan graduate in the Ming’s Jiajing reign (1522-1566), and the vice director of Bureau of Military Personnel. At that time, Yan Song was the most notorious corrupted official of the Ming Dynasty During his 15-years-long domination, he framed many loyal officials, purged his dissidents, took bribes and perverted the law.…
The deputy head of Chun’an County, Hangzhou City, Wang Jun revealed that the Thousand Island Lake is turning from the simple sightseeing model to the combination of sightseeing, rural tourism and leisure and holiday travel, striding ahead to a comprehensive tourist destination. The present construction aims at forging the fist high quality lake-round greenway…
Tongrentang is a time-honored traditional Chinese medicine enterprise which is famous both at home and broad. The meaning of its name is “the unity of hearts and minds, benevolence spreading across the world”. Since 1723, it became an imperial pharmacy for a total of 188 years because of its superb quality of drugs. Through…
Having revolutionized areas like warfare, mining, construction, and even entertainment across the globe, gunpowder proudly stands as one of the most transformative and significant inventions in human history. While many people associate its origins with medieval Europe, the invention of gunpowder, in fact, traces back to ancient China, where it emerged not from a…
Kites were invented by the Chinese people over 2,000 years ago. In the 12th century, Chinese kite spread to the West. Oriental and western kite cultures were formed after years of development. The traditional Chinese culture integrated legends and auspiciousness with the kite craft and finally formed Chinese kite culture with unique characteristics. 1…
Known as “mother of civilization”, the art of printing is the technology of producing printed images according to the original script or picture. In 1900 a scroll of Diamond Sutra was discovered in Dunhuang grottos, which was printed at the 9th year of Xiantong in the reign of Emperor Yi (868) in the Tang…
The Yueyang Tower standing on the west gate of the Yueyang city wall, looking down at the Dongting Lake, facing the Junshan Island in the distance, and linking the Yangtze River to the north and the Xiangjiang River to the south, is listed as one of the Three Great Towers in the south of…
For thousands of years, Chinese people have kept surprising the world with their infinite creativity and wisdom. The inventions and masterpieces born on China’s vast land had greatly shaped world history. Among the Four Great Inventions – the compass, papermaking, printing, and gunpowder – the Chinese compass greatly reflects the nation’s deep intellect and pursuit of harmony between humanity and…
Paper-cutting is one of the most popular forms of Chinese traditional folk art. Its materials arc easy to get and low in cost. Paper-cuttings not only reflect the aesthetic interest of the folk artists, but also represent the national mentality of Chinese people. 1 ) History of Paper cutting Paper-cuts are patterns cut on…
Paper making stemmed from the necessity of cultural development and exchange. Prior to its invention, the Europeans wrote on sheep skin (and it is said that the copy of the Bible needed 30 or more pieces of sheep skin), the Egyptians wrote on thin barks of stalks of papyri, and the Chinese resorted to…
Bordering on the Yangtze River and crouching on the top of the Snake Hill, the Yellow Crane Tower enjoys the fame of“The First Scenery under Heaven”and is listed as one of the three most famous towers on the south bank of the Yangtze River Its cultural significance led to its being made the symbol…
We use many abbreviations in our daily life, but do we really know what they stand for? Imagine you will visit Xian this December and decide to book an airport pick-up service online. You provided the travel agency with the arrival time of your flight like 8:30 am on December 25. So the question…
The ancient pagodas of Beijing have been built before Sui and Tang Dynasty accompanied spreading of Buddhism. The existents are mostly after Tang Dynasty, especially outstanding pagodas of Liao and Jin period. The period of Ming, Yuan and Qing also have its distinguished works. Different from what I saw in my trip to Xian…
Friendship Store. The easiest way to shop is to visit the Friendship Store, but it does not convey a Chinese atmosphere. It is located on China’An Jie near the International Club, and stocks a substantial range of goods: food (caviar is excellent and cheap), wine, clothing, leather coats, furs, silks, jade, jewelry, expensive): and…
Visitors to Guangzhou who are traveling outside the fair period will probably first choose to visit the Friendship Store set aside for for eign visitors. It is located in the four-story building to the left of the Bai Yun Hotel. There you may purchase a wide range of goods; foodstuffs, wines, teas, candy, dried…
The Huaisheng Mosque is located at 56 Guangta Lu(south of Zhong Shan Lu) and is reputed to be the longest-established mosque in China. Iron gates bar the entrance, but inside the archway high up on the right-hand side is a button which the visitor should press to gain entry. You will be ushered through…
Guangzhou’s best-known park is Yue Xiu, located a few minutes’ walk to the east from the Done Fang Hotel. There is a five-story tower on a hilltop in the park known as the Zhen Hai Lou, or “Tower Overlooking the Sea.” The tower dates from the fourteenth century the Ming Dynasty period and is…
In the north China city of Chengde is a scenic spot called by the quaint name: “Mountain Hamlet for Escaping the Heat.” This was the summer resort of the Qing dynasty(1644-1911)imperial family. Located in northern Hebei(Hopei) Province 250 kilometers from Beijing(Peking), Chengde occupies a small basin some 350 meters above sea level. The summer…
The Memorial Temple of Jin in Shanxi Province is located at the fountain-bead of the Jin River in the foothills of the Suspending Jar Hill, 25 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital city of Taiyuan. About ten kilometers to the southwest are the Tianlong Hill Grottoes, another famous spot. The Memorial Temple of Jin…
The Yangtze River Delta boasts global hard-power cultural appeal. It is not only a major economic engine in China but also a favorite destination known for the excellent transport links for travelers. As self-driving travel in China has become more and more popular, the region has issued the Self-Driving Tour Guideline in response. By…
There is an ancient Chinese myth about a fathomless pit east of Beihai where the waters of all the rivers on earth are supposed to converge. Rising above them fire three mountains where the gods live. Seeking immortality, many emperors in Chinese history built lakes and islet-hills behind their pa!aces where they hoped to…
The Western Hills(Xishan), outside Beijing(Peking), offer five major attractions-the Fragrant Hills(Xiangshan), Temple of Azure Clouds(Biyunsi), Cherry Dale(Yingtaogou), Temple of the Sleeping Buddha (Wofosi) and the site of the Eight Temples(Badachu). An excursion to Western Hills offers relief from the hubbub of the city and from man—made landscapes such as are seen at Beihai and…
China has more than 2,000 museums at the national, provincal and city levels. In the past few years many private museums have opened in various parts of the country. The museums are of great varieties and their sponsors are from different social strata. Even the 12 provinces and autonomous regions in comparatively poor west…
It is over the Dadu River to the west of Luding County in Sichuan Province in southwest China. The construction of this suspended cable bridge started in 1705 or the 44th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty and was completed five years later. The bridge is 101 meters long and three…
At 201 People’s Road and at the southern end of the People’s Square, Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. It was opened in 1952 and moved here in 1994. The new museum has a floor space of 38,000 saquare meters and has five stories above the ground and two stories…
Also known as the Wind and Rain Bridge, the Yongji Bridge is in Chengyang Village, 20 kilometers north of Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China. It was built in 1916 and was rebuilt twice after being destroyed by floods. The current bridge was rebuilt two years after it…
Painted pottery Chinese traditional painting dates back to the Neolithic Age about 6,000 years ago. The excavated colored pottery with painted human faces, fish, animal and plants reflect various aspects of the life of primitive clan communities. The line patterns on unearthed pottery ware resemble ripples, fishing nets, teeth. The animal and human figures,…
Playing Kongzhu Kongzhu (meaning empty bamboo), known abroad as diabolo or Chinese yo-yo outside of China, is originally a Chinese folk toy in which a round wooden box, dotted with several holes, is set at one end of a bamboo cylinder(single-domed)or both ends of it (double-domed) and when played with using a string, the…
Lion Dance and Dragon Dance Lions live in Africa and South America. After the han Dynasty, it was introduced into China. It is generally accepted that Lion Dance came into being as long ago as in the Three Kingdom, which was initially prevalent in the army and spread among the ordinary people afterwards. Lion…
In China, students are always assigned with excessive amount of homework. I remember when I was in my primary school years, I was always tied with the homework. Once the homework is not finished, I will be punished seriously — writing the same passage for ten or even hundred times. For thousand years, China…
Swinging Swing, as a traditional sport and program on festive occasions, is very popular among the Hans and other minorities such as the Korean nationality and the Lahu nationality. In the Han and Wei Dynasties, swing already evolved from a military training program into an entertainment enjoyed by both the imperial palace and the…
A. Painter of Northern and Southern Dynasties Northern and Southern Dynasties were an important period in the history of painting. China plunged into a situation of divided states from the third to the sixth century, where incessant wars and successions of dynasties sharpened the thinking of Chinese artists which, in turn, promoted the development…
The “writing” of Chinese characters first requires a medium. As today’s writings are mostly on paper, one may wonder: What came before that? In the Shang Dynasty, characters were carved on oracle bones or bronze wares. The Spring and Autumn Period was a time when the amount of writings and characters increased in great…
The Eight-Trigrarn Boxing is characterized by changing positions of the palms and changing paces. Its fighting principle is the “combination of attack and defense”. It stresses the stratagem: “1 move before my opponent moves, halt before my opponent halts; when my opponent attacks, 1 defend; when my opponent exhausts himself, I keep energetic; when…
Gu Kaizhi, a painter of Eastern Jin Dynasty, was bern into an official family in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province and served as a government officer at a young age. Having toured many beautiful places, Gu was proficient in writing poetry and essay, Chinese art history abounds in anecdotes about him with the following being one…
In Chinese ancient art history, three people are revered as sages: the calligrapher Wang XJzhi of the Eestern Jin Dynasty, the poet Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty and the painter Wu Daozi, also of the Tang Dynasty. Wu’s most prolific period was during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras (713-755) in the Tang Dynasty.…
The Third World Mahjong Championship held in Chongqing on Oct 28, 2012. The photo shows the players compete in the tournament on Tuesday, the third day of competition. This Championship is organized by south China’s Chongqing Municipality. As a centuries-old Chinese board game, how can it maintain its international flavor? Let’s just go to…
The Wanning Bridge was built during the Yuan Dynasty in 1285. It is on the base point of the east-west axis line running through the old city. It has many other names such as Houmen Bridge. Haizi Bridge. Jinshui Bridge, Guan Bridge and Di Bridge. During the restoration work in 2000, six dragon-like stone-carved…
The white tower in the Miaoying Temple lies on the north side of the Fuchengmen Nei Street in Xicheng District. It faces the white tower in the Beihai Park in the east west direction The tower was designed and built in the 8th year (1271) of the Zhiyuan reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)…
Panjiayuan Antiques and Flea Market, or the “dirt market,” is the biggest antique and flea market in Beijing today. It had three sections—small booth, the curio street and the open air market of second-hand furniture Panjiayuan is a relatively regular market. Two miles away to its east is the Shuanglong Flea Market, a much…
This group of ancient buildings is located in Wuyuan County in northeastern part of Jiangxi Province in central China. The county covers an area of 2,947 square kilometers and has a population of 330,000. It has 18 townships or towns under its jurisdiction. Forests cover up to 82 percent of its total areas. The…
These blockhouses are located in Kaiping, south of Guangzhou in southeast China. They were first built in early years of the Qing Dynasty ( 1644-1911 ). The construction of such houses came to its climax in the 1920s and 1930s. Then many people from the southeast coastal areas left their hometown for other countries…
China has amazed the world time to time with its incredible man-made wonders. And among all the miracle-like creations, the Grand Canal of China, also known as the Jinghang Waterway, is another shinning star that significantly changed people’s life and even the history. It stretches for nearly 1,800 kilometers (1,115 miles) is still the…
China is a country with more rivers, mountains and canyons. Bridges in various parts are of great numbers and great varieties. For the materials used, the bridges can be divided into wood, bamboo, stone or brick, glazed, iron and steel, glass and reinforced concrete. For shapes, they can be divided into pontoon, cable, boat,…
At dusk on December 2th, 1929, a well-preserved skull of a primitive man was excavated on Dragon Bone Hill near the town of Zhoukoudian in the suburbs of Beijing (Peking). The discovery was made by the well known Chinese anthropologist Pei Wenzhong and his excavation team. Scientific identification showed that it belonged to a…
Laoshan, one of China’s scenic mountains, is located some thirty kilometers east of the coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong (Shantung)Province. While only 1,200 meters high, it towers on the coast in unique surroundings not found with the better known mountains Taishan and Huangshan. In fact since ancient times, Laoshan has been known to…
The birthplace of Confucius, founder of the Confucian school of thought, Qufu is a famous historical and cultural city that is rich in cultural heritage. Located in Shandong Province of China, it occupies a special status in Chinese culture as one of the major cultural craddles. The Confucianism originated here has had a significant…
Hundred Families Banquet, originally an old and unique custom of celebrating the Lantern Festival in ancient times, now has become a way of entertaining guests in some places in China. Today, this activity can be mostly seen in China’s southeast provinces Zhejiang and Jiangxi. The pictures shows the one hundred families banquet in Sanjiang…
Changsha, an energetic city that has shined through over 3000 years on the shore of the Xiang River, has now become more energetic than ever. To many foreign travelers, you may have never heard about this city’s name before, but in fact, its cultural and historical heritages are in no way less bright than other…
Yixing, a city on the shores of Lake Taihu, is best known for the famous red pottery teapots made there. However, it is becoming more and more well known for the two wondrous karst caverns found here. Among the finest in the county, they are the Shanjuan and Zhanggong Caverns. The Shanjuan Cavern are…
Speak of Chinese people, one specific word usually occurs in my mind—friendly. For the past 21 years, that is the most common and usual word used in books to describe Chinese people. Then when coming to the reality, is it really so in every case? The following is the true feeling of a foreigner.…
Now what you see in the picture is the house where the Empress Dowager lived as a girl before she married into the Forbidden Palace. But now it is home to just memories and fine cuisine. Ci Xi (29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908), who was a member of the Manchu Yehenara clan…
Here are list of the top restaurants of Guangzhou. You will not usually have the time to try them all, but any of them will prepare a meat or banquet that you will long remember. Bei Yuan. The Bei Yuan, or North Garden Restaurant, is in an old teahouse surrounded by ornamental pools connected…
Saihanba is situated in Hebei Province’s Chengde City. Known as the “Green Oasis in the North,” it is a well-known highland grassland and artificial forest farm in northern China. Here, the ecology is rich and the scenery is breathtaking. Looking for interesting activities like summer vacation, photography, horseback riding, and bird and flower watching?…
After receiving the news that he won the Nobel Prize for Literature, Mo Yan expressed his excitement at a news conference in his hometown Gao-mi in east China’s Shandong Province. He said, “It is really a big surprise for me to win the Nobel Prize in literature, for there are so many excellent writers…
Since the days of ancient China, the fascinating beauty of Lake Taihu and the east China city of Wuxi have attracted poets, painters, men of letters and eminent personages. It is only a three-hour train ride from Shanghai. One of China’s five major fresh water lakes, Taihu covers an area of 2,400 square kilometers.…
Naniing(Nanking), located Hear the mouth of the Changjiang (Yangtze)River, is one of China’s oldest and largest cities. It is the capital of Jiangsu(Kiangsu)Province as well as its Economic and cultural center. The city began to take shape more than 2,400 years ago and was the capital of six different dynasties from 229 to 589,…
A four-hour train ride from Shanghai brings you to Zhenjiang, a beautiful old city steeped in legend and history. Once in ‘Zhenjiang, you must visit the three hills: Jinshan, Jiaoshan and Beigu. As the train pulis into the station, you will see Jinshan in tile distance topped by an exquisite tower. Sixty meters high,…
The decision-making process within the Chinese-bureaucracy place considerable emphasis on achieving a consensus among all the interested parties. A deal may of the be discussed at national, provincial and local levels before a consensus is achieved. The Chinese “end-user” is the key to the foreign firm’s success. The end-user must first be convinced of…
Known as Renmin Wen ]iua Gong to the Chinese, the site of this park is the “twin’” of the Sun Yatsen Park, lying on the eastern side of the Tian An Men Gate. Again the main access is through a gateway in the wall a few hundred yards or so east of Tian An…
Fragrant Hills Park Beijing China, also called Xiangshan Park Beijing, is located in Haidian District of Beijing. It is a famous tourist attraction integrating natural scenery, history and culture, and leisure. With its beautiful natural landscape and deep cultural heritage, Fragrant Hills Park has become a popular attraction during Beijing tours. Travel Information of…
Changsha, the capital of Hunan province , has a population approaching one million living in a municipality of about 100 square miles. Located on the lower reaches of the Xiang Jiang River, a major tributrary of the Yangzi, the city has a history of over 3,000 years and has been a leading trade center…
Beijing has some fine parks to explore, these Often providing a welcome relief from the hectic pace of a busy tour program. Although some are located on the outskirts of Beijing there are many quite near the centra hotels. The main entrance to Sun Yatsen Park, or Zhong Shan Gong Yuan, is through a…
Shanghai is a city that allows you to experience the complete shopping experience in one day. Wondering what Shanghai is best known for shopping? Shanghai shopping is known for luxury and fashion stores. In the morning, you may select the luxuries in a top shopping mall. In the afternoon, you already try to find the uniquely…
Shanghai has hundreds of restaurants preparing dishes in all the varying styles of cuisine found in China. The best banquet restaurants are those located in the hotels, particularly those at the Peace, Jinjiang, the Jin An, and the International. They are all first-class and are frequently used by Chinese officials to entertain foreign delegations.…
The Yangtze River is an ancient river that has witnessed the changes of China’s civilization for thousands of years. The Yangtze River cruises cover the 1,200 kilometers of water from Chongqing to Wuhan, perfectly blending natural scenery with human history. The downstream cruise route on the Yangzi River is one of the most classic and popular routes…
The former Meeting Place of Hunan Communist Party Committee is at a site known as Clear Water Pool, or Qing Shui Tang. The original pool became overgrown and eventually disappeared but has since been restored. The entrance to the grounds is through heavy iron gates. Immediately ahead, on a 15-foot pedestal, is a 40-foot…
Content Preview Brief Introduction to Mount Emei Fast Facts about Mount Emei What to See at Mt. Emei ? (Main Attractions) Things to Do at Mount Emei What Hotels Are Near Mount Emei? – Accommodation How Can I Get to Mount Emei? – Transportation What’s the Best Viewing Time of Mount Emei? How Can…
Changsha is the capital of Hunan Province, with beautiful scenery and pleasant climate. Changsha attracts more and more foreign tourists to explore with its unique charm. Here, you can experience diverse culture, admire beautiful scenery and immerse in lively nightlife during your China tours. This guide will provide you with comprehensive Changsha travel tips.…
Luoyang and other parts of Henan Province were heavily populated during the neolithic era. However, little is known of the history of Luoyang between that period and the eleventh century B.C. When the Zhou King Wu established a temporary capital called Luo Ye near Luoyang. From the sixth century B.C. Luoyang suffered under the…
There are regular flights out of Beijing(fastest flight two hours); other flights service Lanzhou from Xining 1 hour 40 minutes, Yinchuan 1 hour 15 minutes, Xian 1 hour 20 minutes, Taiyuan 2.5 hours, Baotou via Yinchuan 3 hours 20 minutes, Urumqi 2 hour 25 minute, Zhengzhou 2 hours 10 minutes, chengdu 2 hours 15…
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, lies close to the mouth of the Qian Tang River at the western extremity of the huge estuary of the Gulf of Hangzhou. Two thousand years ago there was nothing there but a sandbar built up by the silt carried downstream by the river. It collected between two…
Yong Le was the first Ming emperor to be buried in the sacred area (1424). His remains along with those of his wife lie within the huge unexcavated tumulus. “Chang” was the burial name of Yong Le. Entry to the sacred area is through three huge doorways set into a vast gate which is…
The largest ethnic group in China is of Han Chinese origin, representing 93.3 percent of entire population. The name comes from the Han Dynasty which ruled China from 206 B.C. to A.D. 220. The Hun Chinese lived originally in the Grit Yellow Plain area and in the mountain and plateau land surrounding it. As…
Now it is time to talk about the art of Chinese chess in the Xian city. Xi’an Chinese chess is always more valued and popular than before. As northerners love gold and southerners like jewelry, Chinese chess fits the character of the people from Xi’an fir its straight forwardness, intense conflict and simplicity. Players…
China has several major traditional festivals, including the Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. Among them, the Qingming Festival is an important day for honoring ancestors. Qingming is one of China’s 24 solar terms, which objectively reflect seasonal changes in temperature, rainfall, and phenology. Ancient farmers used…