Travel To China

Chris Chew asked:


When you said that you have been to China as a sight seeing tourist, invariably people will ask you whether you have you visited The Great Wall Of China.

Why are people so obsessed with this ancient fortress monument? Well, as someone who have taken a sightseeing tour of the Great Wall, I can sum it up in one word. The Great Wall of China is awesome!

I was awestruck by the spectacular scenery and its courageous history. This gigantic monument is considered by many people as one of the wonders of the world. Any tourist traveling to China must definitely make visit the Chinese tourist attraction.

The Great Wall of China is over 2,000 years old and it is a monument rich in history. It was first conceived and constructed by Qin Shi Huang or also known as Shi Huang Ti, who was the first emperor of China. The wall is called “Wan-Li Qang-Qeng” in Chinese when translated literally means 10,000 li long wall which is equivalent to about 5,000 km or 2,272 miles long.

The Great Wall Of China was constructed as a military fortification against intrusion by invading normadic ancient tribes. The Chinese people at that time called these tribes barbarians since the Chinese royalties were living in sprawling palaces and these tribes were living in tents.

After the emperor Qin unified China in 214 BC, he ordered the construction of the wall. It took more than a decade to construct and the great wall stretched from Lintao in the eastern part of Gansu province in the west to Liaodong in Jilin province in the east. The wall not only served as a defensive bastien against invaders in the northern parts of China, it is also a symbol of power for the proud emperor.

From the Qin Dynasty onwards, Xiongnu (translated from Chinese as fierce anger), which was an ancient tribe that roamed Northern China, frequently make incursions and plunder towns and villages along the northern border.

During the Han Dynasty in and around 121 BC, emperor Han Wu Di, ordered three military expeditions to repel and quash the Xiongnu tribe. The military expeditions successfully pushed the Xiongnu tribe into the far north of the Gobi desert, which is a tundra.

In order to secure the safety of the Hexi Corridor (now Gansu province), the emperor also ordered the construction of the extension of the Great Wall westward into the Hexi Corridor and Xinjiang region. The ruins of the tower beacons and debris of the Han Wall are still preserved in Dunhuang, Yumen and Yangguan districts and provinces. There is also a report that more ruins of the Han Wall have recently been discovered near Lopnur in Xinjiang province.

The present day Great Wall Of China in Beijing is mainly the remains from the Ming Dynasty era. During this golden era of Chinese culture, bricks and granite were used when the workers laid the foundation of the wall. Sophisticated designs and passes were also constructed in places of strategic military importance.

To further empower the military’s control of China’s northern frontiers, the Ming Dynasty government divided the Great Wall into nine zones and placed each zone under the command and control of a Zhen, which is a military garrison headquarter.

The Ming Wall begins at Yalujiang River in what is now in Heilongjiang province, through Liaoning, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia provinces, to Gansu reaching a length of about 12,700 li (about 5,200 km or 2,400 miles).

Although The Great Wall served succeeding dynasties very well for a few hundred years as a defence bastion against invading forces, the invaders from the north in the end were able to advance and conquer China in succeeding dynasties such as Mongolians (Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368) and the Manchus (Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911) did.

With such splendidly rich history and panoramic views, is it any wonder why the Great Wall Of China is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world?



Anastasia

Shane Lee asked:


This article is about the Peking roast duck and you can find some useful information in it if you are planning your China vacations now.

The history of the Peking roast duck can be traced back to as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) when it was listed among the imperial dishes in the Complete Recipes for Dishes and Beverages, written in 1330 by Hu Sihui, an inspector of the imperial kitchen. Details regarding the cooking process were also described in this early cookbook.

In the early 15th century, when the Ming Dynasty capital was shifted from Nanjing to Beijing, roast duck remained one of the famous dishes on imperial court menus. According to the local history, the earliest roast duck restaurant in Beijing was the old Bianyifang Restaurant, which opened during the Jiajing reign (1522-1566). ( info for your China travel and vacations ) Distinct from the method in which the duck is hung from a hook in the ceiling of the oven and roasted over and roasted over burning wood, the Old Bianyifang Restaurant roasted its ducks with radiant heat. The walls of the oven were first heated with sorghum stalks whereupon the duck was placed inside and cooked by the heat given off by the walls. A duck roasted in this manner is crisp to the touch and golden brown in appearance; its flesh is both tender and tasty.

There are literally dozens of restaurants that serve roast duck, but perhaps the best known are Quanjude and Bianyifang. Each of the two has a different method of preparation, but each produces a delicious result. Quanjude roasts their ducks over burning wood while Bianyifang roasts its ducks using radiant heat from the oven walls.

(1). Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant ( Since 1864 ) :

Nowadays, if you talk about the Peking roast duck, everyone will mention the Quanjude roast duck. It is like the representative of the Peking roast duck. Quanjude has several stores in Beijing and the most famous one is the Qianmen (Qian gate) Quanjude. The Qianmen Quanjude is not only a restaurant to eat roast ducks, but also a place of tourist attraction now. The furnitures here are very “Traditional Chinese” and you can feel the charm of the Chinese culture here. There are 30 VIP rooms and 1 president room in this restaurant. ( info for your China tours and vacations ) The president room is the place where the Chinese leaders accommodate the foreign leaders. Many famous people have been here. One interesting thing I found is that you can write some Chinese charaters in the body of the duck with a Chinese writing brush before it is roasted. These charaters will then appear in your finished roast duck. Pretty funny! :-)  There is an old shop in this Quanjude restaurant and you can find the look of the Quanjuede in 1930 there. Lots of people think this is the best place for the travellers to find the “Old Beijing feeling”. You can even find the map of the old Beijing Hutongs here. The roast ducks are very delicious in Quanjude for sure, but what attracts so many people here is the history and traditional Chinese culture of this old restaurant. Here is the address: 32 Qianmendajie Street, Beijing. Tel: 010 - 67011379.( Cost is about 110 rmb for one person ) To get here, you can take the Line 1 subway to the “Qianmen” station.

(2).  Bianyifang ( Since 1416) :

The history of Bianyifang is even longer than Quanjude ( more useful China vacations info at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) . The Chinese characters for Bianyifang has two meanings: one is “cheap restaurant” and the other is “convinient restaurant”. At first, I thought the name means cheap. :-)  Lots of people made the same mistake. Actually the “Bianyi” here means “convinient”, not “cheap”. The cost of Bianyifang restaurant is about 70 - 80 rmb for one person. Address: 87 Tiantanlu Street, Chongwen District, Beijing. Tel: 010 - 67014281.

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Summer

Naveen Marasinghe asked:


 

Established in 1990, Macau Maritime Museum is located in Mage Street in Macau region pretty close to the Mage Temple. This museum covers 800 square meters of the harbor in the southwest of Macau peninsula where the Portuguese landed for the first time in 1553 and it is an enclosed structure of three levels.

 

The museum is based on typical museum layouts of Europe and the exhibits of its collection of about 2000 pieces are placed according to the major themes relevant to the history of the maritime industry of china and Portugal. Mostly it exhibits traditional ships and marine equipments of China and a variety of boats by which the Portuguese arrived to Macau. The main structure of the museum has been designed in the shape of a marine boat in full sail which make the impression of a giant boat in the Macau port.

 

The museum is composed with five main sections such as Fishing industry, Technology, Transport, and Chinese and Portuguese discoveries. The first floor of the museum is dedicated for the traditional fish-cultivation technology of fishery industry of Macau. More over not only models of fishing boats and nets but also some tactics of catching fish are also demonstrated by some scenes. The explorations and geographical discoveries of China and Portuguese are illustrated in the second stage of the establishment. Thus this section is basically focused on the important historical episodes of Macau region. The top floor of the museum houses the display of technology in fish cultivation and navigation and dredging the sea world. Apart from that, a three-dimensional model of Macau region has been put on display in this section. Also the very first light house of China “Guia light house” can also been observed in this segment.

 

Furthermore, the museums aquarium consists of four containers which are devoted for different themes of marine life. The first tank exhibits a fresh water riverbed and the second one features the Macau harbor. Amazing coral reef can be seen in the third container while forth one displays the scene of a sunken boat in the sea water. The out side of the museum is the square from which the guests have the occasion to please their eyes with scenery of the harbor and the seashore and also the guests have the opportunity to even set sail on the sea with the wide range of sailing boats offered by the museum.

 

Macau is truly a paradise for tourists and a heaven for comfort and luxury, the large number of Macau luxury hotels such as Venetian Macau is an obvious testament to this fact.



Chance

Lola Adewoyin asked:


The Great Wall of China is not just an ordinary travel icon; besides the role it plays in China’s tourism, it has led to the development of China’s long history and culture. People are curious to understand the facts of how the great wall came about; however, it is not until one visits this majestic structure, you can truly understand the significance of the great wall to China and the rest of the world.

The origin of story of the great wall is unknown, but history shows that the construction of the wall began in the early seventh century B.C and was made out of stone, wood, grass and earth. This was when the earliest regional kingdom was built for the defensive military needs. The purpose was to protect the farming lands from the invasion of the tribes from the north and to hold the natives from vacating the lands. Used as a military demarcation, there were various watchtowers which stood at varying distances from each other; these towers substituted the time warning system used during the ancient times. The fire and smoke signaled the day and night time respectively. Many of these watch towers still remain in their original position where they stood while some have been destroyed during the revolution.

Over the years, parts of the great wall was destroyed and rebuilt and more sections were added. Due to this construction, it stretched so wide from the east to the west bordering almost the entire country. At present, they say it measures about 7300km from one end to the other.

There are different sections to travel the wall, all of which have different attractions and features. The sections also represent the roles played during the construction of the great wall. For adventure lovers, it would be a challenging task to travel the entire length of the wall. The Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon is an annual marathon race which takes place every year in China. For runners and adventures, this marathon is one of the experiences of a lifetime as they run through 7km of the incredible wall passing through beautiful countryside villages and mountain trails.

For tourists on short stays in China, climbing the great wall from almost any part of northern china is possible, although, many travelers prefer to climb the wall from Beijing because the sections of this part of the wall are very good for sightseeing and have great features. Besides that, it affords them the opportunity to see other historical attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square etc.

The most popular sections to visit and climb the great wall in Beijing are the Badaling, Simatai, and Mutianyu sections.

Badaling section of the great wall is located 70 km away from the center of Beijing and is the most popular section to climb the wall in Beijing. It was the first part of the wall to be opened to tourists. History has it that Badaling section was built to protect the Juyongguan Pass, along which the Guan’gou gorge and several interesting sites of interest are located. This section of the Great Wall was made by huge bar stones and paved with square bricks making the wall pavement smoothly ordered. The Badaling section became a national cultural relic and a world heritage listing by United Nations in 1987.

Simatai section in Beijing is a very remote and quiet section on the great wall. The ruins and untouched parts of this section is what helped Simatai section earn its reputation of being the unique section of the wall. There are features retained from over the years which were untouched and looks like what it used to be like over 500 years ago. This section of the wall has about twelve watch towers at different intervals and takes about 2hours to reach the twelfth tower. Simatai section is great for adventure hikers and trekkers.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located on Huairou County northeast of Beijing. This section of the wall is known for its unique quality of construction and features compared to other sections of the wall. It is known as the main essence of the great wall because of the style which it was built.

In Summary, traveling the great wall is one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime and it is difficult to understand its history until it is visited. It is assumed to be one of the top 100 things to do in this lifetime.

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



Jocelyn

Jeremy Lazenga asked:


With the Olympics right around the corner, many in the global community will be making their way to China in order to be a part of this historical event. In order for citizens of other countries to get into the country, visas for China are a vital requirement. It may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually a pretty simple procedure.

There are a number of websites that will allow you to get visas for China from the comfort of your living room. We here at http://www.visas-4-china.co.uk/ have much of the information you will need. The fees will vary and you will need some specific documentation in order to expedite your visa.

For some websites you may be asked to register. This will enable you to check on the status of your visa in real time online. It will allow you to receive updates by email as to the current status of your visas for China. You can add as many applicants as you would like and you can view your order history any time it is convenient for you.

Getting your visa online is simple, fast and easy. You will not have to wait on long lines nor deal with disgruntled personnel. Ordering your visas when you want to visit China is as simple as a few clicks and a current credit card. Many of the sites are dedicated to protecting your identity and ensuring your security when you order your visa.

You will not want to miss out on the excitement of the Olympic Games and see history being made. Seeing the winners take the gold medal is a heady experience, and in the exotic land of China it will be even more so.

You may be thinking of your trip to China to watch the Olympics as a way to become part of the global community, but you won’t want to miss out on many of the historic sites that are in China. A visit there would not be complete without a visit to the Great Wall of China. You can immerse yourself in the excitement of the Games as well as the ancient history and Oriental culture you will find when you set foot in this very old part of the world.



Nicholas

Lola Adewoyin asked:


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.



Sam

Rakesh Gaikwad asked:


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!



Edward

Deidre Bissonette asked:


Tea comes from the plant “Camellia Sinensis.” Tea is made from one type of leaf or a blend of leaves. Black tea and green tea both come from the Camellia Sinensis. Red Tea is originally from South Africa is caffeine free and also has some antioxidant properties. Herbal tea comes from roots and berries and is called a “Tisane.” Herbal Tea is not considered a true tea however, and does not have the antioxidants that black, green, oolong and red teas have. Tea comes from China originally and is picked now all over the world, such as Siam, South China, Burma, Assam, Kenya, South Africa and other countries.

The T’ang Dynasty was in 618-906 AD, and during this time Taoist and Buddhist monks used tea for spiritual reasons. The origin of tea can also be found in the “cha ching” wrote by Lu Yu. “The Jade Queen” was also a name for tea and symbolized the mysteries of the universe. People of this time would drink teas made of things such as orange blossoms, onions, peppermint and lotus. Tea, however, was prepared in which to experience peace and serenity, and to drink and meditate with.

During the Sung Dynasty of 960-1279 tea bricks were thrown away while the tea leaves were ground into a fine powder to make a whipped frothy tea. The cups used were wide brimmed and were brown, blue, and purple in color. During the Ming Dynasty of 1358-1644 the west was introduced to tea. Tea cups used were white in order to enhance the color of the tea.

In modern times tea became popular between the east and west. The 1800s saw England becoming addicted to tea. Tea and Opium smugglers were the head of trade. The opium war from 1839-1842 was between England and China, and China had to sign a free treaty. Soon, however, England would create tea production in India, and China became less popular for tea cultivation.

Tea consumption really began in the east and was introduced to the west through trade. In 1618 Russia was introduced to tea, but tea was difficult to obtain, because they could not trade with China. In the eighteenth century Russia formed a caravan route of camels that would journey for many months. They would meet at a neutral zone between Russia and China, and than take the tea back to the aristocrats of Russia. Russian peasants would use a “Samovar,” an urn that stores hot water, and was used for tea.

England at one time thought tea was unhealthy and so tea became a controversial issue. Tea was also taxed very highly. Queen Elizabeth I thought tea to be a valuable investment, and in 1600 she formed a pact of trade in the East with the East India Company. The company was involved with the rise and fall of the British Colonial Empire for over 250 years. Tea became an afternoon affair in England in the 1700s. Cakes, pastries and sandwiches accompanied the precious pot of tea. Tea gardens flourished all over England. In America, colonists tried to copy England by having tea gardens similar to those in London. Tea was still misunderstood and unfavorable among Americans, but by the American Revolution tea was being drunk by trappers, early settlers and soldiers. People in high society traded tea for liquor.

Tea became a political issue when Westminster Parliament decided to tax tea. Britain’s East India Company was not doing well financially and in order to help the company, Britain decided to tax the tea. The company would not have the regular duties and tariffs, and this would cause American merchants to be undersold. The American colonists wanted representation with the taxation, and thus the famous Boston tea party occurred. This happened when three ships carrying tea were sent by the East India Company, but were turned away by all ports except for Boston. Men dressed as Indian Mohawks stormed the ships and destroyed them using hatchets and axes, and all of the tea was dumped into the ocean.

Sri Lanka and India now provide 70% of the world’s tea. Kenya is also producing tea, and America is now the second biggest importer of tea.

Deidre R. Bissonette



Adrienne

jackyluo asked:


 

Is it possible to walk the length and breadth of China within a single day?

One place you could do just that is at the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, south of the Bird’s Nest and within the Olympic Green.

The huge park has been a labor of love and precisely re-creates life in all 56 of China’s ethnic groups.

From some of the “mountains” or “plateaus,” you can see Beijing’s main Olympic venues, as well as the Three Towers of Dali in Yunnan province, vivid replicas of the Jokhang Temple and many other ethnically significant buildings.

The park covers 45 hectares of land within the North Fourth Ring Road and a leisurely stroll throughout will take six or seven hours. It is also an anthropological museum, the China Nationalities Museum.

When construction started in 1992, it was part of China’s plan to bid for the 2000 Olympics. China lost the bid in 1993, only to win it eight years later for the 2008 Games.

“It is actually a good thing for us, for we had eight more years to do research work for the museum and collect cultural relics from various ethnic groups,” says museum curator Wang Ping.

It took three to five years for the park and museum to prepare the construction of each ethnic group’s area. Although the first phase of the park opened back in 1994, work has been going on non-stop ever since.

“I have done fieldwork in all the ethnic minority regions in China - I have never been to some tourist attractions like the Huangshan Mountain or Taishan Mountain but I have been to many villages around the Himalayan Mountains,” Wang says.

Every ethnic group has a “village” in the park to display its architecture, religion, lifestyle and cultural relics. Various crops are also planted in accordance with different ethnic groups, including paddy rice for the Dong people, highland barley for the Tibetans and buckwheat for the Yi.

“We hope to encourage visitors to enter the lives of different ethnic groups,” says Wang.

Some buildings in the park are original, taken apart at their original spots and then transported to, and reassembled in, Beijing. Others were prepared in the original place and assembled in Beijing.

For example, the symbol of the village of the Salar, a Muslim ethnic group in Northwestern China, is a minaret from the Shangbaizhuang village, Baizhuang township, Xunhua Salar autonomous county, Qinghai province. The minaret was built around 300 years ago, and was moved to the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in 2003.

In the southern part of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, one can visit a replica of the Ermin Tower, an ancient tower in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Standing a towering 44 m, it is exactly the same size as the original. The grey-yellow bricks were all made manually in Xinjiang and assembled in Beijing by Uygur craftsmen from Xinjiang.

In the northernmost part of the park, a drum tower, opera stage and “rain and wind bridge” represent the surroundings of a village of the Dong people. A field of paddy rice and ducks and fish in the lake further add to the idyllic atmosphere of the environment.

The park also features live cultural performances. Every morning real lamas from the Tar Monastery of Qinghai province chant Tibetan Buddhist sutras to pray for peace at the Tibetan monastery, while a dongba priest burns incense and says his prayers at the Naxi village.

Then performers of the Miao minority put on a show of “walking on blades”, a traditional Miao stunt, while singers and dancers of other ethnic groups such as the Va, Jingpo and Tu entertain visitors with their program in each village.

Throughout the year, festivals of various ethnic groups are celebrated, including the Tibetan Shotan Festival, the Water-sprinkling Festival of the Dai people and the Torches Festival of the Yi.

“Most minority people are very good at singing and dancing. Participating in their activities helps us understand and respect their cultures more,” says Lei Feng, a 47-year-old visitor to the park.

Liu Li, a 29-year-old visitor, took part in the “bamboo-pole dance” of the Dai people and found in it a long-lost joy like that of the “skipping elastic band” game in her childhood.

“In the past, I had to travel a long way to experience minority people’s lives but now I’ve found it in Beijing,” she says. “Separated only by a wall from the hustle and bustle of the North Fourth Ring Road, it is a totally different world here.”

Wang says that after the outer construction of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park and China Nationalities Museum is complete, they will still have a lot of work to do, especially in improving the presentation of ethnic culture and enriching collections.

The China Nationalities Museum has so far collected about 100,000 cultural relics of various ethnic groups. Especially valuable among them are 5,000 cultural relics of the Qiang people, housed in a typical watch tower. In the recent earthquake in Sichuan, the Beichuan Qiang autonomous county was badly hit and many cultural relics were ruined.

“Had we not collected these cultural relics, they would probably have been lost forever,” says Wang.

As an anthropological museum, China Nationalities Museum mainly collects items that reflect ordinary people’s lives and on July 15, the museum will open a new exhibition titled Ordinary People’s Exhibition - Our History and Our Root, displaying items such as needles, bowls and pouches.

The preface of the exhibition states: “Most of the production tools and daily utensils of the common people arelost without any trace in history. However, it is these articles that give us a vivid picture of our life and culture they tell us about our history and help us find our roots.”

“What should we present to the world during the Olympic Games? It’s our culture and our people, I believe,” says Wang.



Crystal

Nancy Eben asked:


The third largest country in the world after Russia and Canada, China is located in the Eastern Asia. It is not a country but a different world all together and one needs to visit it to experience it. Importantly, travelers come here for many reasons as the country gives many reasons. If the Chinese history, culture, and the beautiful landscapes interest you then this is the place. Looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an exciting time trying out adventurous activities to vibrating nightlife, China has it all and no reason the Chinese tourism is on a rise.

Finding hotels in china is not difficult with a wide-ranging accommodation available throughout the country. One can conveniently find china hotels, which matches the taste and budget of one’s choice. Touring the country on business or leisure, there are choices from five star hotels, cheap hotels in China to inexpensive hostels, inns and guesthouses. Not all the accommodation in the country accommodates the needs of the foreign visitors but with the international run hotels and domestic China hotels in the major cities of the country cater to the tourists. Visit China and travel to the wonderful cities, staying at the comfortable typical style hotels in China, or the modern hotels. Below listed cities are some of the many beautiful and alluring cities of China that one must undertake, while visiting the country.

Beijing

Explore the wealth of Beijing’s ancient past and the modern metropolis, on your travel to the city. One of the six ancient cities of China, Beijing is not only the political center of China but the cultural and economical center too. Beijing has a very long history starting about 500,000 years back. It was ruled by many dynasties, invaded many times, and today it has grown into a lively, modern and vibrant city. Travel through the city’s past with a city tour but do not take in that Beijing is only a historical city, be ready for surprises in the form of shooing malls, skyrocketing skyscrapers, city traffic and what not.

Shanghai -Of what started as a fishing village has today developed in to a modern metropolis with the time. Shanghai China’s industrial city, business and commercial center, is catching the attention from all over the world. The manes like ‘Oriental Paris’, ‘Paris of the Oriental’ have become associated with Shanghai, as it beautifully fits the bill of a modern and traditional Chinese heritage and traditions. With the numerous historical sites and modern entertainment, the city sees millions visiting it.

Guilin- The natural beauty and ancient treasures of the Guilin city has made the city a gem of China’s tourism industry. The city has a unique charm of it’s own that the spectacular landscape lends, makes it an important destination when travelling to China. An important historical city, Shanghai has a past behind it of about 2000 years. The lush green mountains, striking caves, crystal clear waters and much more all make Guilin a popular tourist place. Today, it is a well-developed tourist center, with excellent accommodation and transportation facilities.

Xian- The city of Xian has historical and cultural importance in the country, getting it the title of ‘Natural History of Museum’. Moreover, it is an eternal city that has witnessed the country’s changes in history. It is more of a history book where you will find many sites and museums showing the ancient records. It is very place where the ancient civilization in the Yellow river basin flourished. All through the 3,100 years of development many dynasties ruled here and is one of the four important ancient civilizations, the others being Rome, Athens and Cairo. A favorable geographical location helps in a pleasant weather and any time is perfect for travelling here except the winters.

Guangzhou- The Guangzhou city is fast developing a reputation for being a city of overseas Chinese people as it was the first city to open its doors to outside world, leading to economic development. The flourishing city of Guangzhou is a metropolis, lively and exciting place. Enjoying an ideal location in the center of Guangzhou province, on the Pearl River and very close to the North Sea, Hong Kong and Macau, the city is often called as the South Gate of China. This famous tourist destination is a historical and an ancient town, which remained the capital for three dynasties.

Lhasa – Lhasa as the capital of the Tibet region is beautiful, different and with a charm of its own, making it a unique place. The name of the city means the holy land or the land of Buddha and so it is as it is the center of all Tibet activities. Home to the world famous Potala palace, the city has found a place in the list of Chinese cultural and historical cities. Located at a very altitude, the best period to visit is from March to October. The splendor and the grandeur of the city’s heritage and culture make it worth visiting.



David