Xishan National Forest Park

Xishan National Forest Park is located in Small Western Hills in the western suburbs of Beijing about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Beijing City. It extends across the Haidian, Shijingshan and Mentougou Districts. The park is the nearest park of its kind to the capital city. Constructed began in 1984, and this park has now developed into five scenic sights (Changhua, Baiwang, Jingfu, Lingyun and Beiling with the first two having been opened to the public). It covers an area of 59.748 sq kilometers (about 14,764 acres) of which forest land occupies 51.968 sq kilometers (about 12,841 acres). The forest coverage has reached 87%.Located in a temperate zone and favored by a continental monsoon climate, Xishan National Forest Park is home to an abundance of wildlife. Over two hundred and fifty species of plants, 50 species of birds, and 10 different kinds of beasts, amphibians, reptiles and other creatures live in Xishan National Forest Park.In addition to the rich resources of plants and animals, Xishan National Forest Park also houses a great number of historic relics. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the gently sloping hillside of Western Hills was the royal burial site. The Tomb of Emperor Jing Tai (Zhu Qiyu, 1428-1457) and the tombs of Emperor Wan Li’s (Zhu Lijun, 1563-1620) concubines are famous. Many ancient temples, such as Fuhui Temple and Jingfu Temple, are also situated in Western Hill.As the seasons change, Xishan National Forest Park presents different scenery to tourists. The peach and apricot blossoms of spring, the red leaves of autumn, and the snow-covered hills in the sunshine of winter are the most well known.The beauty of the peach and apricot blossoms of Western Hills was recorded as early as the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, large areas of peach and apricot trees were planted on the mountain, making the scenery even more enchanting. In early spring, the peach and apricot trees blossom all over the hills of Xishan National Forest Park and the blossoming period can last over 20 days. It is also a good venue to enjoy the beauty of fall. The red leaves of the maples, oaks, and other trees are a feast to one's eyes.
Baiwangshan Forest Park is one of the two scenic areas that have been opened to the public in Xishan National Forest Park. It is a beautiful tourist destination combining unique cultural sights. In the park, Beijing Green Culture Tablet Forest should not be missed. It contains over 1,000 stone tablets inscribed by celebrities commemorating the achievement of re-foresting. It is an ideal place to conduct education in patriotism, environmental protection, countryside travel and physical education.The Changhua Area is also a beautiful tourist resort as well as a suitable venue to hold meetings. The wild animal cultivation zone, amusement zone and scenic zones in the area are now under construction.

Hainan coconut carvings

Hainan coconut carvings enjoy a long history. As early as the Tang Dynasty, people began to create wine cups using coconut shells. During the late Tang Dynasty, Lu Guimeng, a poet, wrote a famous poem concerning the coconut wine cup. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hainan Province sent yearly tributes of coconut carvings to Beijing.Hainan coconut carvings create craftwork from coconut shells by carving craftsmen in Hainan Island. The coconut carvings are of different patterns, are simple and elegant in color, and have a specific artistic style. As early as the end the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, coconut carving craftwork reached a high standard. In the following 300 years, craftsmen gradually developed the craftsmanship into perfection after their continuous hard work, and they finally formed their own specific style.The skills needed for Hainan coconut carvings are surface relief sculpturing, tri-dimensional relief sculpturing, reversible pattern relief sculpturing, as well as shell-beset carvings. There are more than 300 different kinds of coconut carving products, such as tableware, tea sets, wine sets, smoking sets, and vases, as well as various hanging and standing screens. These are practical with their fresh patterns, refined designs, simple styles, and good texture.Hainan coconut carvings also consist of displays for appreciation, hanging pieces, and daily items of both artistic quality and practicality. Recently, craftsmen developed coconut paintings with simple patterns, smart conceptions, and curious modeling, which added freshness to the traditional coconut carving techniques.

Bronze Dance

The time-honored Bronze Dance is the most widespread and most influential ancient dance, energetic and strong in rhythm, and popular among the Zhuang and Yi ethnic groups in Wenshan, Zhuang and Miao Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province.It originated from nature worship and the ancestral worship of the primitive Zhuang and Yi people.

The Yi people regards the bronze drum as the soul of everything, and the bronze drum dance is the way to send people's wishes to the gods and ancestors; while the Zhuang people consider the bronze drum auspicious with the ability to dispel evil and monsters and pray for peace.The bronze drum dance is a collective dance, with the dancers lining up in a circle and dancing counter-clockwise to the rhythmical drumbeats.

The traditional dance includes 12 sets of dance movements.The various kinds of extant bronze drums, produced over a thousand-year period from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), can be regarded not only as an encyclopedia on Chinese folk arts but also as a historical literature on the development of Chinese science and technology.The drums are all made of bronze with a pattern of sunrays slightly protruding in the center. In ancient times, the tribal chieftains beat the drum to call the people together to discuss public affairs or attend sacrificial ceremonies.

The drum was also presented as a tribute to the royal court and was given as a reward. It was a symbol of wealth and power.The bronze drum used to play an indispensable role in ancient Chinese wars; therefore, they were also called war drums. Thanks to its full and resonant sound, beating the war drum was considered an order for the army to move or stop.

Actually, as little as just over a thousand years ago, the bronze drum began to be used as the war drum by the ethnic groups in southern China. The war drum was usually beaten with specific beats conveying different orders from the leader. Meanwhile beating the war drum rhythmically was also helpful in synchronizing the movements of the army, so as to maintain the military formation of their troops and improve their fighting capability.In later contacts, the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) in the north borrowed the tradition of the southern ethnic people.

In their expeditions against the minority rivals in the southwest of China, they also regarded capturing the war drum as a military victory.Not merely confined to the functions of a cooking utensil, a musical instrument, or a war drum, the bronze drum was also deemed holy, symbolizing the divine power of the gods and the authority enjoyed by the tribal leaders. When ancient tribes held a ceremony marking their alliance, agreement, or so on, the bronze drum was worshiped as a divine witness to the covenant reached by the parties involved.

Although its divinity gradually faded away, the bronze drum is still used as an important musical instrument to observe established festivals like the Spring Festival, and to celebrate such occasions as weddings and funerals in many ethnic groups in southern China.Yet, the bronze drum plays an even more important role in the life of those Zhuang people who inhabit the Red Water River delta in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as it is an indispensable feature of the widely popular Frog Festival there.Because the frog symbolizes the spring and a good harvest for the Zhuang people, in a tradition that still exists, they go out together into the fields on the first day of the Spring Festival, beating their bronze drums and looking for frogs. Whoever catches a frog will enjoy good luck throughout the year.The bronze drum dance contains the historical and cultural evolution of the Yi and Zhuang people, and provides traces of the nature and ancestor worship, and has a distinct ethnic flavor.emphasizes individual unique skill. Gaoqiao has now assumed strong local .

Cai Gao qiao

Cai Gao qiao, or walking on stilts, is another popular traditional performance of the Spring Festival, especially in Northern China. Cai means walking on, and Gaoqiao means stilts. According to the archives, the ancient Chinese began using stilts to help them gather fruits from trees.

This practical use of stilts gradually developed into a kind of folk dance.Scholars believe Gaoqiao originates from the totem worship of primitive clans and the fishermen's lives along the coast. Historians have proven that the Danzhu clan in the times of the Yao and Shun emperors (3000 B.C.-2100 B.C.), who took the crane as their totem, walked on stilts during sacrificial ceremonies and imitated the dance of the crane.

Archaeologists say some oracle-bone scriptures had images of people dancing on stilts.Gaoqiao performance requires a high degree of skill and has various forms. Usually performers tie two long stilts to their feet, making them higher than others when standing on stilts.Most stilts used are made from wood. There are "double stilts" and "single stilt" performances. The double stilts are usually tied to one's calf to fully demonstrate his skill; and the single stilt is held by the performer so that he can go up and down freely.The performance can be also divided into Wenqiao (civil) and Wuqiao (martial). The former stresses appearance and amusement, while the latter emphasizes individual unique skill. Gaoqiao has now assumed strong local flavor and national color.

Beasts on Gaoqiao

Declarer: Jishan County,Shanxi Province

The 'Beasts on Gaoqiao' is a popular performance attemple fairs in Yangcheng Village, Jishan County, Shanxi Province. It formed in the early Qing Dynasty(1644-1911) and has a history of more than 300 years.The 'Beasts on Gaoqiao' is made up of the beast head, beast body, and the performer. Usually two performers perform together, acting as if they are riding on the beast while standing on the stilts, with heavy load on the back, and dancing to the bright tune. The orchestra employs percussion instruments like gongs and drums. All the beast images still keep the original primitive appearance, their head made up of flax, jute paper, strings, bamboo strips, iron wire and cloth. They are colorfully painted and seem powerful and refined.The 'Beasts on Gaoqiao' performance is not only a popular entertainment for the masses, but also a way to pray for good weather and a bumper harvest in the next year.

Haicheng Gaoqiao

Declarer: Haicheng City, Liaoning Province

Haicheng Gaoqiao, a favored folk dance of the Haicheng people, took form in the Qing Dynasty. The performance, jubilant, bold, ardent, and humoristic, is a square activity for the mass entertainment, combining various art forms such as music, dance,acrobatics and opera, etc.

Western Liaoning Gaoqiao

Declarer: Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province

The Western Liaoning Gaoqiao has a history of more than 200 years. It features high stilts, with the lowest 90 cm and the highest about 240 cm. Hence, the performers have to constantly wave their arms to keep balance on so high stilts. It is unique compared with other Gaoqiao performances all over China, and reveals the bold and generous character of the people in western Liaoning Province.

Kushui High Gaoqiao

Declarer: Yongdeng County, Gansu Province

Kushui High Gaoqiao originated in the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1271-1644), with a history of about 700 years. It is a traditional repertoire of the Dragon-Head-Raising Festival in February 2nd of the lunar calendar. The stilts can be as high as 3 to 3.3 meters.

How to Make Fermented Sticky Rice Wine

Fermented sticky rice wine is a drink that merges two principal staples of many Asian cuisines. The ancient tradition of making it originates from the Chinese in the sub-provincial city of Xi-an, where it is produced as choujiu.Rice wine is an alcoholic beverage that is created from a fermentation process which converts rice starch into sugar. Because the drink is brewed from grain instead of fruit, it is more akin to beer than wine. Not surprisingly, rice wine is prevalent throughout East and Southeast Asia, and each culture has its own rendition of the beverage. To name a few specialties, there's Shaoxing wine from China, makgeolli from Korea and tapuy from the Philippines. But the most popular rice wine is probably Japanese sake, a drink that is recognized throughout the Western world.Like rice wine, sticky rice is another Asian food specialty. Also known as glutinous rice, sticky rice is a short-grain rice that develops a glue-like consistency when cooked. It is available in white- and rust-colored grains, and it serves as the basis for a range of sweet and savory dishes.Fermented sticky rice wine, or more formally choujiu, can be brewed at home in a few days. The thick, milky alcohol can be enjoyed with a meal or by itself.

Nine Connected Rings

Nine Connected Rings is a Chinese folk toy made by nine connected rings. It can be operated repeatedly in accordance with certain procedures, then 9 rings can be respectively released or unified. In Qing Dynasty, Nine Connected Rings were recorded in A Dream of Red Mansions. Zhou Bangyan also left the poem that "is he so intelligent to resolve the Nine Connected Rings?"Nine Connected Rings are widely popularized with a large variety and different specifications. It is made of nine medal rings linked on a horizontal bar or other frames.

The stalk of frames can have various shapes, such as sword, butterfly and plum blossom, and all rings are connect to it by copper pole. The game is to link all the nine rings to the copper ring in accordance with certain rules or release all the rings through pulling or linking. It has many solutions.

The player has to undergo 81 rounds before he link all the nine rings to one pole, as well as 81rounds to release all the rings. In addition, it can also form various shapes of flower basket, hydrangeas, palace lantern and other shapes.At the same time, Nine Connected Rings also confirm to one order. Playing Nine Connected Rings requires a considerable period of time, which can develop endurance.

Kongming lock

Kongming lock is a traditional Chinese intellectual toy. It is said that the toy was invented by Zhuge Kongming some 2,000 years ago based on the principles of the eight-diagram metaphysics. It was widely popular among the folks. The concave and convex parts inside the three-dimensional interpolation toy mesh perfectly. Kongming locks come in different shapes and sizes, with different internal structures. But they are usually easy to take apart and difficult to reassemble. In recent years, Kongming lock made a comeback and became a popular toy for all, thanks to its functions of mind-body relaxing, intelligence boosting and making fingers more flexible. The lock may look simple, but it contains lots of mysteries. If you don’t understand how it works, you can hardly put it together.

The acrobatic art

The acrobatic art is a traditional Chinese performing art with a long history. Broadly speaking, the art includes all special performances and was called “miscellaneous art” and “varied skills and music” in ancient times.Acrobatics are a form of art extracted from skills in daily life, work and martial arts, originated from primitive man’s hunting activities. In the early stages of the development of Chinese art, the acrobatic art was not separated from music and dance. In the Han Dynasty, acrobatics enjoyed booming development. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty loved the art very much and would hold grand shows featuring acrobatics, music and dance. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, a new type of performing art with acrobatics at the center was formed. It was called the “hundred play”. In the Tang Dynasty, acrobatics became a popular art in the imperial court and among ordinary people. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, unique acrobatic skills were widely spread. In late Qing Dynasty and the early days of the Republic of China, Chinese acrobatics were introduced abroad.Currently, based on the inheritance of tradition, continuing innovations have been made to modern Chinese acrobatics and created distinctive characteristics, bringing a special charm to the Chinese performing art. Even today, in the famous “home of Chinese acrobatics”- Wuqiao County of Hebei Province, there are generations of young people devoting themselves to the art, adding youthful luster to the age-old art and bringing it to the global stage.

Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve

Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve,located in the northern part of Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Hunan Province, is one of the four beauty spots in Wulingyuan.It covers an area of 67 square kilometers, and its highest summit is 1,262 meters (about 4,140 feet) above sea level.Tianzi Mountain provides stunning views of peaks, which rise one after another. It is known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'.

At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Beautiful scenes of the mountain greet visitors in different seasons. There are four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter.

Tianzi Mountain takes its name from a man, Xiang Dakun. He was the leader of the Tu ethnic group during the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 -1279). Xiang Dakun led a revolution and avowed himself as Tianzi (Son of Heaven). Visiting the Tianzi Mountain Area, visitors can see many sites about his story, the most impressive being: the Yu Bi Peaks, the Xian Nü San Hua, and the Shen Bing Ju Hui.With pine trees on the top, the Yu Bi (imperial brushes) Peaks rise upward into the sky.

Legend goes that they are brushes the Tianzi-Xiang Dakun used that became stone peaks after his martyrdom. The Xian Nv San Hua (floral tributes by fairies) is slightly opposite the Yu Bi Peaks. A legend goes that Xiang Dakun and his army were defeated to fall back on the Tianzi Mountain. He fought to the finish, but finally jumped off the cliff. A girl in love with him went across the mountain to search for him. She strewed flowers over the cliffs and turned into a stone statue.

Shen Bing Ju Hui is a forest of soldier-like peaks arrayed for a review.Visitors can take a cable car to see these charming peaks. With 692 meters' (about 2,270 feet) difference in elevation, the aerial tramway is 2,084 meters (about 2,279 yards) in length. The minimum running time is six minutes and twenty-two seconds for a single trip during which visitors can keep the wonderful scenery of the Tianzi Mountain in view.

The annual average temperature and rainfall in Tianzi Mountain is 12 degrees centigrade and 1,800 millimeters respectively.The suitable month for Tianzi Mountain is April,May,September or October.Welcome to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.

International perception of Chinese calligraphy

The main difference between Western calligraphy and Chinese calligraphy is that Western calligraphy uses diffusing ink blots and dry brush strokes which are considered as a natural spontaneous expression instead of an error. In addition, Western calligraphy often uses an uniform homogeneity of characters in one size, which is seen as a craft. While on the other hand, Chinese calligraphers think of it as a highly disciplined mental exercise that coordinates body and soul, not only in order to choose the best possible way to express the content, but also for one’s physical and spiritual well being. Prominent Western artists who openly declared to be influenced by Chinese calligraphy are for instance Picasso and Matisse.
Besides Chinese and Western, also the Koreans and the Japanese love brush calligraphy as it is an important treasures of their cultural heritage. “Calligraphic” contests are still held on many Japanese schools as a tradition. Japan also rewards its best calligraphic artist with the national Wang Xi Zhi award. Until recently, Korean officials were expected to excel in calligraphy.

Chinese Fu

When it comes to the Chinese lunar New Year big, red Chinese characters of fu (which means happiness and blessings) are posted outside each house whether in the bustling cities or remote villages. So what is fu? Several interpretations can be given.

Fu is being affluent

People look forward to being affluent and loathe being poor and this has been the case from of old. Liu Xi of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) explained in the book Shiming (explanation of terms) that fu is being rich. The character fu was once regarded as a family's amulet to keep clear of the god of poverty in folklore. It is said Jiang Taigong (Lu Wang) who had the power to apotheosize people had been snubbed and abandoned by his wife for being poor. She then came back to him after Jiang ascended to power not for reunion but for a place among the deities. Jiang made her the god of poverty and forbade her from visiting houses posted with the character fu. Learning this on the eve of New Year people posted fu outside each house to keep her from entering the house. In more recent times people tried to derive the meaning of affluence from the structure of the character. A breakdown of the character into several parts can mean well clothed, well housed, employed, not worried by clothing and food, which together make for affluence or happiness. In this sense, the standard of fu (happiness) is that those wishing for shelter have the house, those wishing to cultivate have the field; that people have enough clothing and food, living a well-off life. Now that people have basically reached or surpassed the well-off level and can be said to have fu.

Fu is being able to avoid misfortunes

Another intention of posting the character fu is to ward off misfortunes. This custom can be traced back to the first emperor of Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang. When traveling incognito in plain clothes one day Zhu spotted a crowd surrounding a painting. Looking at the painting closely he saw a bare-feet woman holding a big watermelon. For some reason he suspected people in the town were mocking his empress Ma and ordered a town-wide investigation on returning to his palace. The painter as well as those watching the painting must be registered and were to be arrested for execution. To distinguish them he ordered "fu" be posted on the houses of those who did not watch and laugh at the painting. The kind-hearted empress Ma learned of this and let all households in the town post fu on the door. A massacre was thus avoided. From then on people began to post fu when it is the lunar New Year not only on the door but also on the windows, trees and barns for luck.

Fu is health

The custom of posting "fu" has much to do with wishing for the arrival of "wu fu" (five kinds of fu). According to the Book of History fu means longevity, wealth, health and safety, belief in virtue and good end of life. So the so-called "wu fu", in the final analysis, is health. The saying that health is not all, but the loss of health is the loss of all is absolutely right. Without health anything else, no matter how many one has them, is meaningless. Only those with a healthy body and mind can have a good start and good end of life.

Fu is having wine

According to some textual research the character fu is an associative compound. The oracle inscription form of the character fu is that of a man holding a vessel of wine with two hands. It is perhaps hard nowadays for people to understand why fu is having wine. However, in ancient times wine was very precious that only the high officials could afford to drink it. Moreover, wine is closely related to festivals and celebrations, something festive. So when was the wine invented? Archeologists discovered 4,000-year-old raw material and vessels for brewing beer in the Egyptian pyramid. China's Book of Songs records the ancestors brewing rice wine and drinking in celebration of harvest and longevity. Therefore, wine has taken a very important place in people's life and it makes sense that having wine is regarded as happiness.

My Tour of Beijing-Xi’an-Shanghai

I was fortunate to take a long planned 10 day trip to the ancient land of China. On this trip I witnessed a history dating back to almost 5000 years. I visited the imperial palaces, tombs marking 500 years of the Ming & Qin dynasties, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, and the Terra cotta warriors' museum. I’ve always dreamt of visiting the Far East and in 2010 this dream has become a realization. Beijing was the first city on my itinerary and it is also the capital city of china with a population of 18 million; it hosted the Olympic Games in 2008. My second stop was Xi'an, an industrial and medium sized city with important archeological treasures, and the last stop was Shanghai, the modern city with the skyline, the “Paris of the East”. The tour make me know China and Chinese profound , I am surprising to the great of Chinese history and culture. Then I will show my wonderful trip in China.

Important landmarks and historic places visited

Beijing

Day 1 - Great wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from the moon. The Great Wall stretches at least 3750 miles. Construction of Great Wall which spanned more than 2000 years began between the 5th and 6th century BC and continued through the Ming dynasty. The wall was originally built of stone, wood, grass and earth, but during the Ming dynasty; bricks were produced in kilns set up along the wall. The bricks were transported by men carrying them on their backs or by donkeys, mules and even goats, which had bricks tied to their heads before being driven up a mountain. It is believed that one million Chinese men took part of the wall construction and it served to protect the Chinese people from Mongolian and other invaders.

Day 2 - Forbidden CityForbidden City is located at the ancient city of Beijing, north of Tiananmen Square, it served as the imperial palace during the mid-Ming and Qin dynasties and is known as the palace museum today. Its extensive grounds cover 720,000 square meters, 800 buildings and more than 8,000 rooms. The Forbidden City is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structure in the world and was declared a World Heritage site in 1987.

Day 3 -The Temple of HeavenThe Temple of Heaven, the most holy of Beijing's imperial temples, is the place where the Chinese emperors came to worship heaven and to pray for a good harvest, since a bad harvest could be interpreted as the Emperor's fall from heavenly favor and threaten the stability of his reign. The 6-meter high walls surrounding the temple take a square shape to the south and a semi-circular one to the north. The main building in the temple is circularly shaped. The pattern represents an ancient belief that heaven was round while earth square, and this pattern is quite architecturally unique. The whole complex, gorgeously painted and set off by thousands of pine and cypress trees, expressing a harmonious atmosphere as if heaven and earth are integrated into one.

Xi'an

Day 4 -Terra cotta MuseumTerra Cotta Museum is the site of 2,200 year-old Terra cotta army, among the most important archeological discoveries of modern times. More than 8,000 life-size ceramic soldiers, chariots and horses have been uncovered by a farmer digging a well for irrigations in 1974 -- I met that farmer when I visited Terra Cotta in a book signing ceremony. This discovery is only a fraction of the total buried there to protect the tomb of the first Qin emperor. Each soldier is based on an actual person of the time and all segments of Chinese society are represented and all are in battle formation. It is estimated that 250,000 men built the army.

Shanghai

Day 5 – Yu GardenI spent four days in Shanghai, China's most modern city, often called “the Paris of the East." I visited one of Shanghai’s oldest attractions, the Yu Garden—it resembles a paradise on earth. It is a prosperous area of Shanghai with many visitors and citizens , Shanghai snacks are very delicious.

Day 6 - Oriental Pearl TowerI also visited Shanghai's most famous landmark, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a unique architectural addition to the Shanghai cityscape and one of the largest radio and TV towers in the world.

Day 7 – HuangPu River boat I took a boat tour around the Huangpu River and enjoyed a near perfect view of the city's skyscrapers. The evening scenery is brilliant ,I think.

Day 8– Shanghai MuseumI went to the Shanghai Museum of ancient Chinese art, which possess a collection of 120,000 precious works. Its rich and high quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is known throughout the world.

Day 9– Maglev TrainI took a ride on the world's fastest train, the Maglev train that travels about 240 mph. The high technology of China let foreign countries amazed.

This is the end of my incredible journey and I waved the final goodbye to China. This is an unforgettable tour in China for me, and at last ,I love China very much . There are abundant history and culture heritage of China, the tour I have this time is small one of it . I will come back to visit China when I have the chance. Exploring more about China is my dream when I was a child , so , see you-China.

Skin Protection While Traveling

With traveling to different environments — from very hot to humid —you should pay attention to the importance of taking care of your skin. Your skin is sensitive, and changes in the environment with free radicals and toxins can do damage to your skin. You must consider the fluctuating air quality from airplanes to hotel rooms.

It’s vital to take extra good care of your skin while you’re traveling. Just because you are away from home, it’s not an excuse to ignore your skin!

Here are some tips to keep in mind while traveling to help you take care of your skin:

1. Clean your face daily, washing off toxins and free radicals from your journey. The skin can absorb other toxins in new environments, and you want to make sure your face stays clean. Do not use soap on your face. Bring a cleanser that is gentle for your skin and good for your skin type. (Please see my recent post on how to determine your skin type.)

2. Use a toner replenishing solution that restores the PH balance to your skin, prepping the skin for your moisturizer.

3. Use plenty of moisturizer that is rich in natural exfoliaters such as papain enzymes and AHA’s along with antioxidants. This combination will remove unwanted skin cells while helping to nourish and contribute to the building block of the healthy cells. New environments can cause dehydration, which is bad for your skin. In a hot environment, make sure you use a light moisturizer, so it does not get sticky.

4. Try to exfoliate upon arrival to your destination. Then exfoliate your skin every 48 hours, turning over dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones. Look for a scrub combination with AHA, BHA and vitamin A to help with collagen building.

5. Don’t apply too much makeup. Wear something that is light and works perfectly for your skin type.

6. Drink plenty of water with electrolytes. It is important to stay hydrated.

7. Wear plenty of sunscreen. Remember the sun is the number one reason why we age. If you’re traveling with your family, make sure everyone wears sunscreen daily. Remember to reapply throughout the day!

8. For the person on the go, use cucumber water and ice cubes under the eyes to waken them up, so you don’t look tired.

Wherever you’re traveling, try to have fun, enjoy your new experiences and protect your skin! Then your traveling can become more wonderful.

What to eat before traveling

Since you’ll be stuck in a seat for a while, you may not be able to keep foods fresh, so nonperishable foods are a good starting place if you are going to eat on the road. If you are flying, avoid eating right before taking off, because it is harder to digest food when flying. It is also a good idea to carry some herbal teas (for both car and plane trips). Camomile helps to relieve stress and anxiety and also helps you to relax, ginger is good for circulation and peppermint can help trapped gas.

To make things easier to read, here is a list of recommended foods for travel:

• Fruit juices which have high levels of polyphenols. Jeya Henry, professor of nutrition at Oxford Brookes University says that the “supernutrients found in cranberry, pomegranate and cloudy apples juice help reduce risk of blood clots while the fluid in them improves hydration.”

• Fish. It is rich in beneficial oils that help to reduce the tendency for blood to clot. Salmon is a good option. • Reduced-fat hummus with some pita bread (if you eat it within a few hours of boarding, you will be safe). Hummus is rich in sesame seeds and chickpeas, the former being a source of good oils and the latter rich in soluble fibers which help to lower blood cholesterol.

• Drink plenty of water. It will keep your body active by regularly have to go to the toilet (if you’re on a plane), you will be well hydrated and have thinner blood.

• Eat grapes and crudities such as carrot and celery sticks. They also give you extra water.

• Eat yogurts.

• Have a protein bar with about 15 grams of protein if you are going on a short flight. • Prepare a trail mix made with whole-grain cereal, nuts, and dried fruit if you are going on a long road trip.

And of course there are some things to avoid while traveling:

• Don’t drink alcohol. It has been demonstrated that one alcoholic drink in the air has the effect of two on the ground, and while initially it can promote sleep, within several hours of consumption it can cause insomnia and dehydration. (source: Aviation Health)

• Don’t eat a diet high in fat in general day-to-day life.

• Don’t eat foods that produce intestinal gases. Onions, cauliflower, cabbage and pulses like baked beans are the main offenders of the category.

• Don’t drink carbonated drinks, they also cause bloating.

• Avoid pastries such as croissants, Danish pastries and muffins which have a good 10g of saturated fat each. Saturated fats raise the levels of blood fats after eating which activates a substance called Factor 7, a central component of the blood-clotting mechanism.

The good start is half of the success, thus what you eat before traveling seems more important . Please remember the tips mentioned above.

Liuli Chang Cultural Street

If you have a favor with curios, calligraphy, painting or other artwork in China, Liuli Chang Street of Chinese Culture is a must when you travel in Beijing. The cultural street will display you the old culture of China.Origin of the NameEarly in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), the original place of today's Liu li chang ( Liú lí chǎng 琉璃厂 ) was called Haiwang Village, an 800-meter-long street was located in the suburban area of Beijing. Up until the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), a court porcelain kiln was built here to produce Liu li wa (glazed tiles). When the inner city of Beijing was being built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the scale of the court porcelain kiln was largely extended, becoming one of the five major factories of the Ming government. When the outer city of Beijing was built in the 32nd year of the Jiajing Reign, or 1554 in the Gregorian Calendar, the site of the factory became part of the downtown area. The glazed tiles ceased to be produced in the area and the factory was moved to the Liuliqu Village in the Mentougou District, but the name Liu li chang remained. Rongbaozhai and China BookshopThe most famous shop in the Liulichang Street of Chinese Culture is Rongbaozhai ( Róngbǎozhaī 荣宝斋 ) Bookshop. Built in the early years of Qing Dynasty, it now particularly sells authentic calligraphy and paintings of both ancient and modern authors in China. It is also well-known for an expert copy technique; the products from this method cannot be easily distiguished from the original. Another also reputed across the country is the China Bookshop, where you can buy block-printed editions and hand-copied books of the ancient times.Yide Ge : Chinese Ink"Yi De Ge" ( Yi De Ge 一得阁 ) is famous for producing ink and it already has a history of over 100 years. During the reign of Emperor Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty, a literator named Xie Songdai from Anhui province went to Beijing to take the imperial examinations but failed. In his opinion, it took him too much time in rubbing the ink stick, which made him have fewer time to finish the examinations. At that time, Xie Songdai thought that it would be so convenient if a kind of ink with which to write directly could be produced. The whole world would benefit from it. After lots of experiments, he finally made a kind of ink with the same writing results as ink stick with lampblack and other auxiliary materials. The ink won great popularity among poets and literary men instantly after its launch. In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty, Xie Songdai set up the first Chinese ink production store with the name of "Yi De Ge" in Beijing in No. 44, Liu Li Chang. The tablet hung on the front door of the store was written by Xie Songdai himself. This is the history of "Yi De Ge" ink.
Seal cuttingAs an art form born out of the combination of calligraphy (mainly seal script) and carving, Chinese seal cutting ( Zhuàn Kè 篆刻 )was once listed -- along with calligraphy, painting and poetry -- as one of the four essential skills required of an ancient scholar. A seal in red on a calligraphic work or a painting represents not only a signature, but also an indispensable touch to liven it up. The materials for seals vary with different types of owners. Average persons normally have wood, stone or horn seals, whereas noted public figures would probably prefer seals made of red stained Changhua stone, jade, agate, crystal, ivory and other more valuable materials. Monarchs in the old days used gold or the most precious stones to make their imperial or royal seals. Today, Chinese government offices at lower levels still use wood seals. Seals cut asartworks should excel in three aspects-- calligraphy ( Shū Fǎ 书法 ), composition and the engraver's handwork. The artist must be good at writing various styles of the Chinese script. He should know how to arrange within a limited space a number of characters -- some compact with many strokes and others sketchy with very few -- to achieve a vigorous or graceful effect. He should also be familiar with the various materials -- stone, brass or ivory -- so that he may apply the cutting knife with the right exertion, technique and even rhythm. To watch a master engraver at work is like to see a delightful stage performance. Guyi Zhai ( Gǔ yì Zhaī 古艺斋 ) Brushes and InkstoneThe Beijing Municipal government has planned to invest much capital in the repair of the Liulichang Street of Chinese Culture. It is expected to be the earliest, largest and most aesthetic collection place of artware and a good tourist choice for the appreciation of the ancient Beijing.

Interesting Facts of China

China is a great country with a fantastic variety of landscapes, wildlife and people. It is the most populous nation on earth. The east coast region is lined with bustling megacities and ports. Jungles and tropical lowlands lie in southeast, while the Plateau of Tibet, which meets the Himalayas lies in the southwest. Two mighty rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, cut across China and provide vital transport links. For the last 4,000 years China has been the oldest continuous civilization on Earth. China's early warloards often fought each other and the country was not united as a single empire until 221 BCE with the birth of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE).China's imperial system lasted until 1912, when China became a republic. After the defeat of Japan in 1945, the People's Republic of China was established in 1949 by the Communist leader Mao Zedong. He began a "cultural revolution" that banned religion and private wealth and reformed farming, business and education.

The Chinese Flag

Today's Chinese flag was adopted in 1949 after the revolution in which the Communist party gained power. The red background of the Chinese flag symbolizes the blood shed throughout the revolution and it's also the traditional color of the Chinese people.The large gold star stands for leadership and the four smaller stars represent different classes of the society peasants, workers, bourgeoisie, and capitalists, all united under the Communist Party.

Chinese Inventions

Many everyday objects and useful technologies were invented by the Chinese long before they were introduced to other countries.Early Chinese inventions include paper, printing, silk, kites, umbrellas, the abacus, porcelain and gunpowder.

The Invention of Paper

Paper was invented in China in the second century BCE. People started to use plants,such as hemp, to make thin paper. Before this time, people wrote on pottery, bones, stone silk wood and bamboo. Cai Lun, an official of the Han court improved the technology of paper making and his name has been associated with paper making ever since. Eight centuries later, papermaking spread to the Arab world and from there in Europe.

Printing

Before printing was invented, every book had to be copied by hand. In the 17th century, the Chinese invented wood block printing. The text was first written on a piece of thin paper, then glued face down on to a wooden plate. The characters, letters or words were carved out to make a wood block printing plate, which was used to print the text.

Gunpower

Gunpowder is a mixture of salpetre, sulphur and charcoal. In the 10th century, weapon-makers in China discovered that if they combined gunpowder and arrows they could create a new weapon. This new explosive crossbow destroyed their enemies. Thousand of workers produced several thousands of this weapons evey day in the Song capital. In the middle of 13th century, the Arabs learned how to make gunpowder from the Chinese and called it "China Snow" Europeans eventually found out about gunpowder from the Arabs. In the 20th century, China earned a reputation as a workshop for mass-produced cheap goods. Today, some Chinese companies are becoming global brands, especially in chemicals, computers and manufacturing. Food and Drink

China has one of the world's oldest and most varied cooking traditions. Every region, town and ethnic group has its own specialty dishes and different mealtime customs. Food plays an important part of every festival, family gathering and business meeting. Much of the basic diet in China is based on rice and noodles and the usual drink is tea.People eat using chopsticks made of wood, bamboo or plastic and did you know that 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks are used in China each year.

Tea- Dozens of different varieties of tea (cha) are grown in China, where tea drinking is part of healthy lifestyle. In ancient China, tea was used as a medicine. Today people drink tea to relax and chat with friends.

Dim Sum- Dim sum is Cantonese for "touch the heart". These light tasty Chinese snacks are traditionaly served to accompany a bowl of tea.

Dumplings- Cantonese cooking is famous for its dumplings, which are always a part of dim sum. These are made from rice flour and contain various fillings such as prawns, pork, chicken or vegetables. They are presented hot in a steamer.

Rice- Rice is a vital dietary staple in China and bowls of rice accompany almost every meal.

China's Icon

Panda- Giant pandas are probably China's best loved animal and are regarded as a national treasure. They roam the remote forests of the mountains in southwest China, eating almost nothing but bamboo. They are endangered in the wild but scientists have bred captive pandas successfully .And the panda will take part in the 2010 Asian Games of Guangzhou , taking the unexpected surprising to the visitors from Asia.

Great Wall of China- During the third century BCE, the Qin emperors started to build a huge wall to stop smuggling. Later dynasties built walls against Mongolian tribes to the north. The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth.During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added. “No man can be regarded as a real man unless he stands on the Great Wall.”Thus ,it becomes the must-see while traveling in Beijing.

Beijing

Forbidden City- The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia. It is north of Tiananmen Square. Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

The Terracotta Army

In 1974, a peasant digging for water accidentally discovered an army made of terracotta a few miles away from the First Emperor of Qin's tomb. Thousands of clay soldiers, horses and chariots have now been excavated. They are all life-sized and have different faces, hairstyles and expressions. Several pits containing clay soldiers surround the emperor's tomb because he believed that his terracotta army would protect his soul in the afterlife. Today nearly million people visit this site annually. The Terracotta Army now serves as both a phenomenal archaeological discovery as well as an icon of China's distant past recognizable the world over.

What should pay attention to your international travel

When you’re planning to have one international travel , you’ll want to make sure protecting your health. Find out if the countries you’ll visit require specific risks of diseases. If your international travel will take you mostly to third world countries for instance, you need to not only have some extra immunizations, but you also will want to make sure you observe practices that will keep from getting parasitic infections. It can be very important to know things like whether you should only drink bottled water in another country.Another good thing to find out is what kind of currency the countries you visit use. It may be helpful to research currency exchange rates and find out where and how to exchange currency. Since prices vary around the world, it’s valuable to figure out about how much money you will need to bring for each day’s spending and what access you’ll have to use of things like credit cards or ATM machines. International travel can teach you that basic rules and laws vary by country. Don’t wait to learn this lesson on your travels. If you plan to drive on trips, find out how driving rules may differ. Read up on countries you visit to find out if they have any unusual rules or laws that you might break unintentionally. Pay particular attention to things like quarantine laws, which may prohibit transporting certain foods from one country to another.Cultural differences abound from one country to the next. It can help to know about how residents of a country regard people from your home country. You should also be aware of any typical behaviors you have that might be construed as rude or insulting in a foreign place. It doesn’t hurt to pay attention when you plan on international travel to things like basic words and phrases in other languages, too. If you can’t remember them, bring a good portable dictionary so you can ask people simple questions.Any type of international travel should probably involve some research on what to visit and what to avoid. Many countries have high crime areas or places you shouldn’t visit after dark. Investigate what crime is like in the countries you visit, and whether the way you are traveling (for instance a female traveling alone) may put you at greater risk for certain crimes. There are a few other things you should know about international travel and these include whether you need travelers’ or health insurance. Be sure to find out where to go if you need help (policy, embassy, etc) and the types of documents you need to keep with you when traveling. It can also prove of assistance to find out the typical weather patterns of foreign countries so you know what to pack. A few other things you may want to know is if you need to bring special adapters for electrical plugs and what kind of charges you can expect to pay on cellphone calls that originate from a foreign country.

Water-Splashing Festival

Water-Splashing Festival is the most ceremonious traditional festival of the Dai minority. It usually takes place in mid-April of the solar calendar, often ten days before or after the Tomb-sweeping Day, and lasts three to seven days. Water-Splashing Festival is the New Year in the Dai calendar, and also a festival with the largest influence and maximum participating population among lots of minority festivals in Yunnan Province. In this festival, the Dai People without reference to age and sex will get dressed up and shoulder clean water to the Buddhist Temple. They will first bathe the Buddha and then begin to splash water with one another for wishing luck, happiness and health. The more water one person is sprinkled, the more luck he/she receives, and the happier he/she will be. Dai People will also invite people from other ethnic minorities and tourists coming from afar to splash water to celebrate the festival. The scene of water splashing and spraying is really jollifying, and when getting excited, people will burst out the hurrah like "shui (water), shui and shui".Besides water splashing, there are a lot of other conventions in the Water-splashing Festival. Children will cut down bamboos to make squirt gun and play water game. People without reference to age and sex are all dressed up and climb up the mountain in groups to pick up wild flowers to make flower house. Young people who are not married throw specially-made bags to pay court to each other. And people let off Gaosheng fireworks and Kongming Lamp to memorialize the wisdom of Zhuge Liang in the ancient Three Kingdoms Period. Additionally, there are some other conventions such as Dragon Boat Race, Release of Paper-made River Boat, Peacock Dancing and Cockfighting. In the festival, people will decorate their own residence ceremoniously so that the doorframe and window of every household are pasted with various paper cutting. Decorated archways, whose top stands a golden peacock that symbolizes happiness and good luck, are also put up at the main streets in the town. Water-Splashing Festival was once a religious ceremony in Indian Brahmanism and then absorbed by Buddhism and passed to the Dai region in Yunnan Province via Burma. It has enjoyed a history of seven hundred years up to now. At present, the convention of water splashing has actually become a form of mutual wishing between one another. In the eye of the Dai People, water is a symbol of sanctity, beauty and brightness. Only water can help everything on the earth grow, so water is the god of life.

Savoring tea

The Chinese people, in their drinking of tea, place much significance on the act of "savoring." "Savoring tea" is not only a way to discern good tea from mediocre tea, but also how people take delight in their reverie and in tea-drinking itself. Snatching a bit of leisure from a busy schedule, making a kettle of strong tea, securing a serene space, and serving and drinking tea by yourself can help banish fatigue and frustration, improve your thinking ability and inspire you with enthusiasm. You may also imbibe it slowly in small sips to appreciate the subtle allure of tea-drinking, until your spirits soar up and up into a sublime aesthetic realm. Buildings, gardens, ornaments and tea sets are the elements that form the ambience for savoring tea. A tranquil, refreshing, comfortable and neat locale is certainly desirable for drinking tea. Chinese gardens are well known in the world and beautiful Chinese landscapes are too numerous to count. Teahouses tucked away in gardens and nestled beside the natural beauty of mountains and rivers are enchanting places of repose for people to rest and recreate themselves.China is a country with a time-honored civilization and a land of ceremony and decorum. Whenever guests visit, it is necessary to make and serve tea to them. Before serving tea, you may ask them for their preferences as to what kind of tea they fancy and serve them the tea in the most appropriate teacups. In the course of serving tea, the host should take careful note of how much water is remaining in the cups and in the kettle. Usually, if the tea is made in a teacup, boiling water should be added after half of the cup has been consumed; and thus the cup is kept filled so that the tea retains the same bouquet and remains pleasantly warm throughout the entire course of tea-drinking. Snacks, sweets and other dishes may be served at tea time to complement the fragrance of the tea and to allay one's hunger.

Danxiashan Geopark

Danxiashan Geopark, which covers 292 square kilometers ,is located in Guangdong Province of China. The world-wide landforms formed by red terrestrial sandstone and conglomerate and characterized by red rock walls and cliffs are all known as Danxia landform, and Danxia Mountain is the very location where this special landform was named. Danxia Mountain is situated in an intermountain basin in the south of the Nanling mountain range. The whole mountain has red-bed peak forest type of structure with 380 (big or small) rock peaks, rock forts, rock wall and sand rock. Its main peak is 618m above the sea level, and most of the rests stand between 300-400m. They are different in height and shape , and show all-encapsulating scene of sublimity. Danxia Mountain is formed by red sandstone and conglomerate and characterized by red cock walls and cliffs. It is named for Danxia (means red rosy clouds)because it appears like multi-layer red rosy clouds. Danxia Mountain is also called China’s "Red Stone Park", and has been the first peculiar mountain in Nanling mountain range since ancient times. The pieces of rock on Danxia Mountain look like man, animal or bird, etc., which seem to be some masterpieces created by sculptors, but none of them is not arrived from the uncanny workmanship of the nature.

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest lies about 80 miles to the southeast of Kunming. A geological phenomenon, the Stone Forest was a vast expanse of sea during the Paleozoic era--some 270 million years ago. Later, the movement of tectonic plates altered the earth''s crust, causing the sea to recede and its limestone bottom to appear, thereby forming land. Due to the constant seeping of rain through the cracks in the limestone, some of the stone formation dissolved and the fissures broadened, producing a group of great sculptures of different shapes, all molded by nature.

In the midst of the forest, there is a huge rock screen on which two words--Stone Forest--are engrxdyed in official script (in a calligraphic style typical of the Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.-220 A.D.). Among the scenic sights is the "Sword Peak Pond" with jadeite-colored water so clear that one can see the bottom of the pond. Other astonishing sights include "Figure of Ashima," "Shi Ba Xiang Song" (its name originating in the Chinese love story, "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai"), and "Lotus Peak."

The splendor of the Stone Forest is enhanced by the local customs of the native Sani people (who are part of the Yi minority). Sani people are industrious and hospitable--and unconstrained. Sani women are expert at spinning, wexdying, and embroidering. They like to wear rainbow-colored headgear and bright-colored dresses. The young people especially are very good singers and dancers. Every day at sunset, under the moonlight, boys and girls gather at the village platform. While the boys play the three-stringed plucked instruments, the girls clap their hands and dance the strong-rhythmed traditional "A''Xi (Ah-shi) Dance in the Moon" with great enthusiasm. If you happen to witness the event, you will be invited to join in the festivity. Note that every lunar year, on June 24th, the Sani people celebrate their national festival--the Torch Festival. On that day, the entire Stone Forest is permeated with a celebratory atmosphere. There are traditional performances of wrestling and bull-fighting. Finally, when the land is enveloped in the curtain of night, the young men (holding torches in their hands) run after the young women to propose marriage in the light of colored lanterns.

People of China

China is a unified nation consisting of many different ethnic groups. Fifty-six different ethnic groups make up the great Chinese national family. Because the Han people accounts for more than ninety percent of China's population, the remaining fifty-five groups are generally referred to as "ethnic minorities." Next to the majority Han, the Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, and Uygur peoples comprise the largest ethnic groups. Although China's ethnic minorities do not account for a large portion of the population, they are distributed over a vast area, residing in every corner of China.

Particularly since the implementation of China's opening and reform policy, the central government has increased investment in minority areas and accelerated their opening to the outside world. This has resulted in an upsurge of economic development in these areas. Each of China's ethnic minority groups possesses a distinctive culture. The Chinese government respects minority customs, and works to preserve, study, and collate the cultural artifacts of China's ethnic minority groups. The government vigorously supports the development of minority culture and the training of minority cultural workers, and fosters the development of traditional minority medicine.

The relation among China's ethnic groups can be described as "overall integration, local concentration, mutual interaction." Concentrations of ethnic minorities reside within predominantly Han areas, and the Han people also reside in minority areas, indicating that there has been extensive exchanges among China's ethnic groups since ancient times. With the development of the market economy, interaction among ethnic groups has become even more active in the areas of government, economics, culture, daily life, and marriage. Linked by interdependence, mutual assistance, and joint development, their common goals and interests creating a deep sense of solidarity, China's ethnic groups resemble a great national family, together building Chinese civilization.

the Wudalianchi Scenic Spot

The Wudalianchi scenic spot is situated on a bank of the Namor River, being considered a “natural museum” due to its unique volcanic scenery. It is a barrier lake formed in the years between 1719 and 1721 when a volcano erupted and basaltic lava flowed into the Bai River, a tributary of the Namor River. The First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth ponds are lined up from south to north like pearls inlaid on the 14 volcanic lava terraces. It is the only “volcanic park” in China. At the top of the volcano, one may see the different colors of the lakes. It is said that the lakes have yellow, orange, green, and blue colors because of the different mineral ores that were produced by the lava. The five ponds are the most intact, most typical, and most recent results of volcanic activity in China, boasting 14 regularly spread-out volcanoes and well-preserved volcano craters. It is only one of hometowns of mineral water in China,as the firstin Asia and the second in the world.The mineral spring town owns rich resources in tourist and there are several scenic zones.

Top free tourist attractions in China

It has been said that admission fees to tourist attractions in China are the highest in the world but it's worth noting that some hotspots are free of charge, including West Lake, Jinji Lake, Juzizhou Islet, Phoenix city and North Sea Silver Beach.

1.West Lake, Hangzhou

This well-known scenic spot has been admission-free except for some temples since 2002. This year, eight more attractions have been added to the free list. If you are looking for a natural setting of peaks, serene forests, dense foliage and various blossoms, West Lake is a must-see retreat.

2. Jinji Lake Scenic Spot, Suzhou

Situated close to Suzhou Industrial District, Jinji Lake is a beautiful scenic spot, featuring a maple forest, music fountain, water screen movies all amid other natural and cultural settings. It is a good illustration of urban ecological preservation and leisure tourism.

3.Juzizhou Islet, Changzhou

Located in the central part of Xiangjiang River in south China, Juzizhou Islet is known all over China because of Mao Zedong's poem 'Qin Yuan Chun Changsha'. The islet is a picturesque park with beautiful pavilions and corridors. It has had free admission since April 2009.

4.The Old City of Phoenix

The old town of Phoenix is like an impressive community living on the banks of the Tuojiang River. The unique lifestyle has long fascinated visitors, as has the town's enchanting scenery and peaceful atmosphere. It's free to enter the old town but some cultural relic buildings and notable residents' homes still have admission charges.

5.Silver Beach ,Beihai

There are two things you must never miss in China's south Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. One is Guilin's riverside scenery and the other is Beihai Silver Beach. Boasting one of the best stretches of white sand in the world, it is also a natural bathing spot. Whether enjoying the sunshine and waves or just playing in the sand, Beihai is an ideal getaway from the daily grind of life. Admission has been free since 2003.

the Li River

Li river, the highlight of Guilin's attractions, is one of the most famous places in China for tourists. This section, the most beautiful of the entire river, is 83km long and flows from Guilin to Yangshuo. Its banks have hills, cliffs and caves that can be enjoyed from a bamboo boat ride down the river. The Li River was described by famous poet Hanyu as "a blue silk ribbon and the mountains resemble emerald hairpins". The Li River flows from the Cat Mountain at Xinan county in northeast guilin past Guili, Yangshuo and empties into Gongchen River in Pingle County.

You will find true serenity when you see the beautiful scenes the Li river has to offer from rollings hills reflected like a dream landscape in the river to green bamboo forests with water buffalos grazing nearby to lazy ducks wading in the river. The beauty of this river can only be experience to be understood.The Li River is famous for its four sources of beauty: verdant mountains, fragrant waters, mysterious grottoes, and exquisite rocks. When journeying down the river, you can see waterfalls crashing down on rocks. A boat trip on the peaceful Li River will be the most enjoyable part of a trip to Guilin.