China a Land of Enchantment and Rich History

China is much more than just a country, when you visit China it’s like being in a whole different world. The heritage and history of this beautiful country that spans back over 5,000 years, virtually makes it a wonderland for millions of tourists each year!

China offers over 15,000 attractions that range from man made and natural, to spiritual and cultural. With it’s desert lands, dramatic mountains and natural rivers and amazing shore lines, China is one of the most popular destinations in East Asia.

There are a vast number of different escorted tours of China available, including several once in a lifetime opportunities. The Great Wall of China stretches from east to west covering about 4,163 miles, winding through valleys and across mountains! The construction began around 600-700 BC and continued for over 2000 years and through 20 dynasties!

The wall is as much as 25 feet high in some areas and is one of the world’s largest building projects ever completed. The wall began as a series of sections built by individual states for protection, but was joined together as one wall during the Qin Dynasty.

Many different companies offer a range of tours of China, but it is important to book with one that offers experience as well as local knowledge, which is why Kuoni are one of the most popular companies with UK travellers.

Uncovered in 1974, the Terracotta Warriors are a breathtaking example of the talent of China’s artisans! These amazing warriors are over 2000 years old and form a complete life size army along with chariots and horses!

With the painstaking attention given to even the smallest of details, every statue in this extraordinary army is different and unique. Each on has it’s own personality that displays a deep sense of pride in China’s artisans.

You won’t want to miss China’s Forbidden City, home to the world’s largest palace. Construction of The Forbidden City was begun in 1406 and it served as the home to 24 emperors from the Qing and Ming Dynasties.

Setting in the heart of Beijing, the Palace was erected as a replica of the Purple Palace in Heaven where God lived. The complex holds 90 palaces and courtyards, there are 980 buildings that have 8,704 rooms!

The magnificent architecture is an attraction in itself, but now called the Palace Museum, it contains thousands of historical treasures. There are hundreds of thousands items on display from ceramics, paintings, bronze ware, jade, porcelain and much more!

The mystical paradise of Shangri-La became a reality in 2002, when the Chinese government granted Zhongdian County the permission to officially change it’s name! This picturesque little township emits the harmonious tranquility that became so famous in the novel.

Shangri-La’s snow capped mountains, beautiful natural lakes and forests have captivated tourists and locals for many years. It was also honoured by becoming the first national park in China.

There are numerous natural rivers, lakes and waterfalls and its vast shoreline is populated with over 5,000 islands! There’s something for everyone from bike trails, hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding and cave exploration!

With all the different China Toursto choose from, you can truly discover this land of enchantment and experience some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. No one could visit this wonderful country without being affected by its proud sense of history and culture!

China – Beijing, Ancient City Of Hopes

Home to 15 million, Beijing has for centuries been one of the world’s centers of culture. The land here has been occupied for over 3,000 years. As a result, visitors face the well-known traveler’s dilemma – too much to see with too little time – amplified many times over.

Here are just some highlights…

One of the most famous attractions is not even in the city itself, but about 60-125km (35-75 mi) outside it – the Great Wall. (The distance varies depending on the desired viewing location.)

To see one of the best preserved sections, visit Mutianyu. Though the wall was under construction for over 2,000 years, this 6th-century section was used as the northern barrier to defend the capital.

Not as old, but just as impressive a man-made achievement is the Imperial Palace, often referred to as the Forbidden City. So named because for centuries the common people were not allowed to freely enter. And sometimes wished they hadn’t gone when invited!

More than 9,000 rooms spread over 250 acres, it was first built in the 15th century and later renovated during the Qing dynasty in the 18th.

To get an excellent high view of the city itself, take a trip to Jingshan Park, built in 1179 AD. It looks out over the Forbidden City and features spectacular views of Beijing and the surroundings.

Constructed near the same time, in 1420 AD, the Temple of Heaven covers 270 acres and is the largest religious building in China. Today, thanks to the relaxing of religious repression, visitors can see this magnificent work of architecture and envision the train of emperors who have used it over the centuries.

Beijing has much more than religious temples, however, in which to find a peaceful atmosphere. The park at Yiheyuan is a 290-acre retreat, where visitors can wander through pavilions and over bridges near the enormous lake. Sit a while and sip tea at one of the many tea-houses there or stroll along one of the many tree-lined paths.

Most will want to visit the now-infamous Tiananmen Square, the largest open square in the world. It can easily accommodate over one million people, provided they don’t have to share space with tanks.

Be sure to take at least half a day and visit the equally famous Beijing Zoo. Home to nearly 600 species, the pandas may be the most well known, but they’re far from the most exotic. The over 6,000 animals housed there are drawn from all over the country and many parts of the world.

Spring or Fall is probably the best time to visit – Beijing can be quite cold in the winter and summers are often uncomfortably hot. But anytime of year you visit, there will be sites and sights galore worth seeing.

Vacation Planning for Travel to China.

As you start making plans for your summer vacation, make sure you include China in the list. I’ll tell you why.
First of all, we all know China as a beautiful country with a unique culture that is hard to understand; however, you may want to find the answers this summer by taking a trip to China. If you are worried about the language barrier, there is always the option of choosing a reliable tour operator to assist you in planning your tour itinerary. They arrange everything from hotel accommodations, tour guides and transportation within China so you don’t have to worry about any problems during your vacation. With their experience in the Chinese tourism industry and the 25 Chinese heritage sites listed on the UNESCO list, reliable China tour operators have travel packages specially designed for your visiting pleasure in China’s most beautiful cities.
Popular destinations in China have different attractions and sightseeing, so planning your China tour is essential. A common tour package purchased by many tourists is the Beijing-Xian-Shanghai tour. This tour package allows you to discover and see the historical city of Beijing and its famous monuments; you also get to see the Terracotta Army and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian and finally explore the shopping streets of cosmopolitan Shanghai.
Beijing, the country’s capital is famous for its historical sightseeing and monuments which include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall (china’s travel icon), the Temple of Heaven and the National Museum. This museum has all the materials you need, in order to know about China’s history and culture. During your spare time, you can have the opportunity to sample Beijing’s special delicacy – “roast duck” and witness a typical Beijing Opera. The Beijing Opera is an arts and cultural show which showcases a combination of singing, recitals, acrobatics, dancing and martial arts in order to narrate a story. This is a show you have to witness if you travel to Beijing.
If you have been to New York, then you can imagine what Shanghai looks like. This city is one of China’s oldest cities combining a blend of modernity and old styled buildings. Being the financial hub of China, it boasts of attractive sky scrapers on the North Eastern section in Pudong, while Puxi has some old styled architecture; this contrast is what adds to the beauty of Shanghai. It’s like an old town in a new town.
Things to do in Shanghai include shopping on the famous Nanjing Road, visiting the Oriental Pearl tower and talking a stroll along the streets of the French Concession area.
Xian is the ancient Imperial city of China. This is the site of the Terracotta Warriors and Army considered to be the Eighth wonder of the world. One of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, these warriors is a representation of China’s creativity and craftsmanship.
Yunnan is one of China’s provinces very much inclined to tourists and foreigners; this is because of the mild climate and peaceful environment it always have. Known for its wonderful landscape with unspoiled natural
resources, rugged terrains and a rich cultural history, the ethnic minorities of Yunnan are one of her greatest treasures. This province is the melting pot of different cultures and ethnic tribes from across China.
It has often been said that China is the backpacking destination of the world; apart from trekking in Tibets
plains, Yangshuo and Guilin is the backpacking capital of China. With highlands, plateaus, caves and the beautiful Lijiang River, adventure lovers are guaranteed to have a wonderful time discovering the natural wonders in Guilin
and Yangshuo.
There is so much to do, so much to eat and so much to experience during your China tour; it’s not enough to describe in words, so experiencing China firsthand is recommended.

To see more information about China Travels and China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to China.

Your China Travel Guide: How to Discover the Wonders of China

Planning a tour to China, the largest and oldest country in the world is truly a must for anyone who wants to experience a unique travel adventure. China is known to have an ancient civilization which dates back to some thousand years ago and this is one of the reasons why China has a rich and unique culture full of historical values.

As a popular tourist destination in the Far East, China has a lot of wonderful attractions, sightseeing and historical wonders for the enthusiastic travelers who want to discover the true beauty of China. The best times to visit China is usually during May and September as these periods offer good weather conditions for visiting.

In order to enjoy your travel plans in China, it is advisable to consult the services of a reputable China tour agency. They are responsible for planning your entire trip from the moment you arrive in the airport till the day you depart. They also provide the hotel accommodations and other transportation facilities throughout your stay in China. To make your stay a successful one, they assign a bilingual local tourist guide to assist and guide you through your tours around the country. A fascinating thing about the travel wonders of China is that for every sightseeing and attraction, there is a historical or cultural origin behind it.

Beijing, the country’s capital boasts of over 30 sightseeing and attractions out of which include the famous Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs and a variety of others. Beijing is usually the first city tourists visit due to their excitement to see the great wall. In general, Beijing is known to be a historical city because of the many monuments and attractions which played a great role in China’s civilization and still remains as it was since over five hundred years.

Yunnan, the international tourist destination is a province in China favorable to many international tourists because of its pleasant climate. Apart from the climatic conditions, Yunnan boasts of a number of cities with scenic and beautiful landscapes which makes for a great place for nature lovers on a getaway from the bustling streets of city. From the spring city of Kunming, to the old town of Lijiang and Dali, Yunnan is the perfect getaway for tourists who want to appreciate the natural endowments of China’s sceneries and landscapes.

A tour to Tibet, the pilgrimage destination of Buddhists can also be included in your tour itinerary during your travel in China. Tibet is considered to be the rooftops of the world because of the high elevation of its geographical location. The tourism of this region has flourished in recent years due to the opening of the Tibet-Qinghai high speed rail which connects Beijing to Lhasa. Amateur fanatics of mythical train journeys can finally have their dreams come true as they speed on top of the world to experience some peace in the Tibetan Kingdom.

Guilin and Yangshuo is the backpacking capital of China. With its special breath taking sceneries and caves, this town has opened the opportunity to mountaineers and backpackers who want to discover the hidden wonders of China.

Shanghai is one of China’s cosmopolitan cities which showcase a blend of modernity and history. The first class skyscrapers and Ming styled architecture of Shanghai buildings is what attract visitors to this bustling city. Shanghai also known as the “Oriental Paris” is the best place to shop for all kinds of branded shoes, clothes, jewelries and gifts from first class to low quality in almost any type of store.

Harbin is the magical ice world of China. Located in the north of China, this region is synonymous for the annual celebration of the Harbin Ice Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world to participate in the magnificent showcase of legendary ice sculptures and carvings.

Xian is one of China’s ancient cities where civilization started. It has grown to become an industrial and tourist destination which proudly boasts of the site of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terracotta Army and Warriors.

China is known to house twenty four heritage sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These cultural treasures are a part of what contributes to China’s history.

To get more information about China Travel,China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to China.

What to visit in Beijing, China – Part 6

A trip to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City is a key day in almost every visitor’s Beijing itinerary. Here is how I would recommend you do it.

Start the night before. Shop for picnic snacks. You will want to pack a lot into tomorrow and there won’t be restaurants when you get lunchtime hunger pangs.

Start at Qianmen literally Front Gate’- on the South side of the square. Conveniently you can get there by metro. I like to start under the arch of, the southernmost gate. Look South, and what do you see? Nothing nothing at all – and that’s the point. Beijing was designed to be on a meridian line with the Emperor at the North end looking South. His view of the empire was supposed to be uninterrupted. It still is, from here though the emperors are all long gone.

Now look North. Your view is blocked; blocked by a fairly ugly soviet style block. That’s Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall. Do a little research and see if you can find out why it sits here, in the way.

Although you may be tempted to go in and see his preserved body, think about the queues. If the line extends beyond one side of the square you will have a long wait and, unless you have a deep desire to pay your respects, your time could be better spent continuing on.

As you do don’t forget to look around you. The locals you see will all be in holiday spirits and open to a friendly smile. Get your photo taken as many times as you want. Some will speak English and be eager to practice. Go with the flow but not to any Art Galleries to see their current exhibition. This is a commission ruse. Look out for ethnic minorities. There are often quite a few Mongolians down for a shopping trip, and many wear their traditional Dell. These stand out in any crowd.

Continue up the East side of the square, so that you can stop at the magnificent Museum of Chinese History. It contains some of the best exhibits from all over China, presented in first rate displays. Make sure you get one of the handset guides as you enter. The extra charge is well worth it. These contain explanations of the more popular exhibits inside. Look out for a number on a display case and dial it in. Better than following a set route, and easier than digging through a book. To the right hand site of the main entrance is an exhibition hall. This often has an extra display on a particular theme. Check it out as these are often very informative.

Now you can pass beneath Chang’An Avenue by one of the subways and enter the Palace

Guests Going Home With Lasting Memories

For Briton Larry Teague, the past two weeks of the Olympics was all about the world converging in Beijing to celebrate as one.

Watching the closing ceremony of the Games on the big screen in a bar in the capital’s embassy area last night, the 62-year-old retiree said Beijing had done “a really good job” in hosting the Games.

“I am more lucky than most of my compatriots back home because they didn’t have the chance to see the Games from this close,” Teague said.

The Briton paid 5,000 pounds ($9,300) to enjoy the Games in the capital with his wife and said it was worth every penny.

Teague and his wife arrived in Beijing on Aug 7 on a tour group made up of about 100 people from the United Kingdom.

It was “lovely” to have people from all over the world, including fellow travelers from Uganda and South Africa, celebrating the event together during their stay, Teague said.

Other than watching the Olympic events, the Teagues also took the opportunity to visit Beijing’s attractions, including the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, and the Great Wall.

“Beijing is a lovely place,” Teague said.

The success of this Games also meant that London would be under a lot of pressure for the 2012 Olympics, Teague said.

“I hope London can do it as well as Beijing,” Teague said, as he watched London mayor Boris Johnson receive the Olympic flag from his Beijing counterpart, Guo Jinlong.

For Briton Larry Teague, the past two weeks of the Olympics was all about the world converging in Beijing to celebrate as one.

Watching the closing ceremony of the Games on the big screen in a bar in the capital’s embassy area last night, the 62-year-old retiree said Beijing had done “a really good job” in hosting the Games.

“I am more lucky than most of my compatriots back home because they didn’t have the chance to see the Games from this close,” Teague said.

The Briton paid 5,000 pounds ($9,300) to enjoy the Games in the capital with his wife and said it was worth every penny.

Teague and his wife arrived in Beijing on Aug 7 on a tour group made up of about 100 people from the United Kingdom.

It was “lovely” to have people from all over the world, including fellow travelers from Uganda and South Africa, celebrating the event together during their stay, Teague said.

Other than watching the Olympic events, the Teagues also took the opportunity to visit Beijing’s attractions, including the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, and the Great Wall.

“Beijing is a lovely place,” Teague said.

The success of this Games also meant that London would be under a lot of pressure for the 2012 Olympics, Teague said.

“I hope London can do it as well as Beijing,” Teague said, as he watched London mayor Boris Johnson receive the Olympic flag from his Beijing counterpart, Guo Jinlong.

for more information please visit http://www.ishoesclub.com/olympic/show.php?itemid=298

Count Down to the Olympics Beijing 2008

Vibrant Beijing … the Capital of China and a Treasure Room of Sights