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China is a paradise for hikers, trekkers and mountain climbers of all skill levels. And as the weather warms, it's time for hiking. .

North, south, east and west, China has mountains to match the expectations and test the skills of beginning China vacation deals, intermediate and expert climbers.There are many delightful hikes that stop short of being real climbs. The scenery is breathtaking and there's lots of culture along the way.

Tips:

1. Choose a climb appropriate to your skill level.

2. Do not climb alone, always with a partner or group.

3. Check the weather before and during the climb.

4. Dress appropriately, wear comfortable boots and a hat.

5. Pack a water-proof coat, fresh water, food, first-aid kit, flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses, change of clothes, maps and other items.

Here are some springtime climbs.

Mt Putuo

Zhejiang Province

Only six hours' jouey from Shanghai top 10 China tours, Mt Putuo on an island in the East China Sea is one of China's four Buddhist mountains along with Mt Wutai in Shanxi Province, Mt Emei in Sichuan Province and Mt Jiuhua in Anhui Province.

The mountain in Zhejiang Province is part of a scenic archipelago. Its highest peak is only around 290 meters above sea level and Mt Putuo is really just a stroll.

The area features lush greenery, strange rock formations and interesting temples. The view from the summit over the Zhoushan Archipelago is breathtaking.

At its peak period, Mt Putuo had 82 temples with more than 4,000 monks and nuns. Tourists walking along mountain paths encounter many monks, who sometimes share their wisdom with visitors. Most temples are sacred to Guanyin, the goddess of Mercy.

There are three major temples on Mt Putuo today: Puji, Fayu and Huiji temples.

The most famous is Puji Temple covering 11,000 square meters and featuring a giant statue of Guanyin in the middle of the main hall, surrounded by 32 smaller statues of the goddess. There are nine halls in the temple.

Fayu Temple was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and incorporates the topography. Tall and ancient trees give it an atmosphere of tranquillity.

Huiji Temple, also built in the Ming Dynasty, is atop the mountain.

A night market on the island sells souvenirs of Mt Putuo and nearby eateries specialize in local snacks and seafood. There are many vegetarian restaurants.

In the main square near Puji Temple popular China tour package, guidebooks and maps in English are available.

Mt Wuyi

Fujian Province

A more challenging but not difficult climb is Mt Wuyi, averaging 350 meters above sea level in coastal Fujian Province where the climate is warm and mild. It has a reputation as the most charming mountain in southeaste China. There are spectacular cliffs, waterfalls and vistas as well as temples and relics.

It is also famous for Wuyi Oolong rock tea, so called because tea bushes grow in rocky areas and are nurtured by the mists and perfect temperature.

The name Wuyi comes from an legend about Wu and Yi, the sons of an 800-year-old hermit who lived on magical ganoderma mushroom. In ancient times flooding caused great suffering to people and damage to crops, so the two cut through the mountain and tamed the raging river by channeling it into nine branches. A palace was built in their name.

The area has one of the world's largest intact mid subtropical ecosystems. More than 90 percent of the area is covered by forest; more than 3,000 species of trees and plants grow there, and it is home to more than 400 species of animals.

A major attraction is Dawang Peak and Yunu Peak, which face each other, like a couple in love. The area is one of cliffs and luxuriant vegetation.

Legend has it that long ago a king fell in love with a commoner but she did not accept him because she knew their different rank would spell misfortune. The king would not give up; he asked a witch to tu the girl into Yunu peak so she would be there forever. He stood enthralled and finally he too became a mountain, Dawang Peak.

Jiuqu River, also known as Nine-Bend River, is popular for boating and riding a bamboo raft for sightseeing along its 9-kilometer length. The water is so pure and clear that pebbles and fish are clear visible.

How to get there

Mt Putuo:

By boat - Take a 1 1/2 hour bus from Shanghai Nanpu Bridge Long-Distance Bus Station (1588 Waima Rd) to Luchao Port. Then it's a three-hour boat ride.

By bus - From Shanghai South Passenger Transport Terminal (289 Laohumin Rd), luxury buses regularly go to Zhoushan (five hours) where a fast boat takes another one hour to Mt Putuo.

Mt Wuyi: A 10-hour train goes directly from Shanghai South Railway Station to the mountain area. Through April 29, special weekend trains leave Shanghai at 8:35pm Friday and retu at 6:40am Monday.

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Guilin, famous for its picturesque scenery, has attracted a plenty of tourists coming there to enjoy the beautiful landscape, especially to enjoy the charm of the Li River. Your tour to Guilin will not be complete without experiencing the wonderful Li River cruise (can compared with cruise of Yangtze River tour) along the alluring scenery there. You will forget your unhappiness and annoyance when walking and enjoying your tour in this peaceful and quiet city, and you will also slow your pace when exploring the unique charm in the countryside of the Yangshuo city. In a word, this is an amazing city in China, and even in the world which worth your visit there. Here, just read this article for more strategy on touring in this beautiful city. Here we go!

Before stepping into this great city for China travel deals, you need to deal with your hotels there for a good rest upon your arrival there, and favorable hotels there highly recommended to you will include the three star hotels of Guilin Fubo Hotel and Guilin Osmanthus Hotel, and four star hotels of Hotel Universal Guilin, Guilin Plaza Hotel, Guilin Bravo Hotel and Guilin Park Hotel and five star hotels of Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin Royal Garden Hotel and Lijiang Waterfall Hotel.

When traveling there, just pay your visit to the attractions there including the Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Seven Star Park, Fubo Hill, Li River and Yangshuo and the West Street. Nightlife there will be wonderful if you enjoy the Impression Liu Sanjie , Yangshuo West Street, A nighttime along the Li River, Performance of Dreamlike Li River popular China tour package and The show of Longji Soul. Do not forget to taste the Guilin Rice Noodles, Beer fish, Lipu Taro Pork and Oil Tea and Different Snacks Made of Glutinous Rice in the Guilin Food Streets.

Take your visit to this fantastic city in the summer time, you will enjoy yourself!
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As one of the traditional folk arts in China, lion dancing with a history of over 1,000 years has been and still is a popular recreation for Chinese to celebrate the coming of new year and other big occasions. Also named "Peaceful Melody" in ancient China, lion dancing was fully developed in the Tang Dynasty. It has two traditions, the Northe and Southe styles affordable China tours.

The Northe style of Chinese lion dancing appeared much earlier. It is said that Emperor Wu in the Beiwei Dynasty (386-534) ordered his captives to dance for recreation. Pleased with their dance, the Emperor Wu named it as "Beiwei Lion" and set the captives free. From then on lion dancing spread widely in the north.

In terms of the Northe top China tours style, it is not unusual to have a small lion performed by one person and a larger one performed by two people. Another person standing in front of the lions tries to entice them to jump, spring, leap up, or step on a rolling ball.

There are many different tales about the origin of the Southe style, but none has historical records. One of the tales says it was Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) that made the order to dance in the form of lions.

The Southe style is different with the Northe one in that it is much more gentle. A lot of actions like titillation, shaking, and licking hair showcase the gentleness. The Chinese consider the lion dance to be a vehicle for dispensing all the good blessings of heaven to the whole community. It represents the hopes and aspirations of the Chinese people for all the good things life holds.

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Several thousand years ago, when the silk trade first reached Europe via the Silk Road, it brought with it not only gorgeous silk apparel and decorative items, but also the ancient and resplendent culture of the Far East. From then on, silk was regarded as the emissary and symbol of Easte civilization. The earliest silk article discovered to date is approximately 4700 years old, unearthed from a tomb dating from China's Liangzhu Culture (c. 3300-2200 BC).

According to an ancient Chinese legend, the Silkworm Goddess appeared to the Yellow Emperor, the legendary ancestor of the Chinese people, after he vanquished his adversary Chi You. She presented him with silk fibers spun from her own mouth as a sign of respect. The Yellow Emperor ordered the fibers woven into cloth and made into silk apparel, which he found exceedingly soft and comfortable. His wife, Lei Zu of the Xiling clan, searched until she found a type of caterpillar capable of spinning silk Silk Road travel fibers from its mouth. She raised these silkworms by feeding them mulberry leaves she picked herself. Later generations came to worship Lei Zu as the Silkworm Goddess, and the Yellow Emperor as the God of Weaving. Sericulture, including cultivating the mulberry plant, raising silkworms, and producing silk fabric, has been an essential form of labor in China throughout the millennia.

China is the birthplace of sericulture. Raising silkworms and reeling the silk from their cocoons was ancient China's greatest achievement in the utilization of natural fibers. As long ago as the Neolithic Age (c. 12,000-2000 BC, China guide), the Chinese ancestors had invented flat-weaving and figured-weaving techniques, and were tinting cloth using natural vermilion dye.

With improvements in loom construction and printing and dying methods, more varieties of silk were developed and a comprehensive system of cloth dying evolved. China possessed the most advanced silk dying and weaving techniques of the ancient world.

Coming to Know China through Silk

Chinese silk first made its way to Rome sometime during the 1st century BC, where it was known as "serice" Silk, like other precious fabrics, had to pass through many hands before reaching Rome. It is possible that the term "serice" was derived from the Chinese word si (silk), the original pronunciation having been corrupted by successive relays of merchants traveling west. The Romans had never seen anything like "serice" before, and believed that it was made by some distant people they called "Sericians". It was also rumored that beyond the "Silk Kingdom" of the Sericians was an even more distant and mysterious land, known as "Chine."

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Tachuan Village, which is also named Tashang, is situated at the foot of Yellow Mountain and is only 2 kilometers away from Hongcun Village of Anhui Province China travel deals in China. Tachuan is a glamorous intermontane village and has been celebrated as one of the most picturesque villages in China. Besides, Tachuan Village in Anhui, Fragrant Hill in Beijing, Kanas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Miyaluo in Sichuan Province become known as the four marvelous scenic spots with the most beautiful autumn scenery in China. As Tachuan Village is located at the foot of the mountain and pervaded by local residences with uptued eaves, seen from afar, it is just like a tower( pronounce Ta in Chinese), which is standing highly in the mountain valley. This is the origin of “Ta”. Besides, there is a clear stream that flows through the village, bringing the village infinite nimbus. This is the origin of “Chuan”. So the village is named Tachuan.

Tachuan Village is situated at the foot of a towering mountain and near a rippling river. When you arrive at the entrance to the Tachuan Village, a large number of huge ancient trees will come into view. The trees are so huge and towering that they even blot out the sky and cover the sun with luxuriant foliage. There is a great variety of trees there, such as camphor trees, Chinese torreya trees and maple trees. The old towing trees with a long history of hundreds of years seem to tell people the vicissitudes of history of Tachuan. Coming in to the midst of the ancient forest, people can feel the simplicity, harmony, beauty and freshness of Tachuan Village. Due to the unique natural environment and a variety of trees, these ancient trees at the entrance of the village are in an infinite variety of forms. Going through the ancient forest, you can see Tachuan Village with lots of ancient local residences in front of you.

The best time to visit Tachuan is from October to November when the mountains are pervaded by colorful leaves. As a large number of towering trees abound in this area, the red leaves of the trees are the most charming autumn scenery in Tachuan when antumn comes. The leaves of Tachuan tu green, yellow and red in different times, providing a wonderful place for aficionados of photography. Especially in late autumn, the leaves of the trees in Tachuan tu dark purple gradually and then tu deep red. You will feel that you are surrounded by color and beauty. In the early moing, when Tachuan top 10 China tours is enshrouded in moing mist, it’s a good opportunity for people to take a unique striking photograph of the whole village.

Tchuan is a photography resort for people because they can take a perfect and marvelous photo from any angle here, enjoying the resplendent colors of the autumn in Tachuan. So Tachuan Village is really an ideal tourist attraction for photographers and amateur photographers from all over the world. What’s more, the tourist photography festival popular China tours is held in the middle of November every year. Besides, the vast stretches of fields, the lovely and undisturbed village and the trees of gorgeous colors make autumn in Tachuan Village uniquely spectacular.

Recommend a four-day tour

On the first day, pay a visit to the Old Street of the Song Dynasty and spend the night in Huangshan City. On the second day, go sightseeing on Huangshan Scenic Area. On the third day, go to Tachuan to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery there. On the fourth day, pay a visit to Hong Village and Xidi Village. And then get back to Huangshan City in the afteoon.

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Typically, when China's weeklong National Day holiday rolls around on October 1, I cringe at the thought of traveling anywhere outside of Beijing (best travel destination for affordable China travel packages). Doing so requires battling crowds of unimaginable scale, when seemingly everyone in the capital, all 20 million, packs up a few suitcases with clothes and instant noodles and makes a mad dash for a train or bus station.

During the past Golden Week, at least 100 million Chinese took to the rails, roads, and sky for travel. The resulting traffic jams, queues, and general chaos in all public arenas is enough to crush the travel plans (soul) of even the most intrepid explorer. If you get caught up in the crowds, it doesn't take long for a relaxing vacation to morph into a nightmare.

So, this year, when my girlfriend suggested we travel somewhere during our Golden Holiday, just a week or so before it began, I reacted like she'd asked for the moon. "Impossible," I told her. "You've seen the crowds, we'll be waiting for ages. Plus the tickets are sold out." She persisted, reminding me that we don't have many holidays away from work and that we'd be wasting a perfectly fine break by staying in Beijing, drinking tea and scratching ourselves.

I'd leaed my lesson from previous disagreements. Arguing served no purpose. We were going somewhere. The only question was where. I wanted to stay close to Beijing; she wasn't opposed to a longer jouey.

In the end, we chose to venture less than 100 km away from Beijing, to stay in a villager's restored guesthouse courtyard home near an unrestored section of the Great Wall (must-see for your top 10 China tours) in north China's Hebei Province. We'd heard about the place from a friend who'd enjoyed staying there, eating platters of locally-sourced meat and vegetables, and hiking the ragged Great Wall nearby. With the help of a South African expat who has befriended the owners, the guesthouse, called Great Wall Fresh, has even established a website. Imagining blue skies, long hikes, and starry nights, I'd warmed up to the idea of traveling, albeit close to the city, during the holiday.

On paper, getting there was simple enough. We'd go to Deshengmen Bus Station, one of Beijing's busiest hubs, catch a bus in the direction of the Badaling Great Wall, and get off in a far-flung suburb. Someone would meet us there and drive us to the guesthouse, where cold beers and freshly roasted almonds awaited. But, when we got to Deshengmen, at about 9:00 a.m. on October 2, the line for our bus was unreal. Like the biggest Apple product launch of all time, it stretched hundreds of meters, snaking across metal holding rails, onto a street, over a bridge, and then down the stone-steps of the same bridge. It moved at a grinding pace, as the impatient and entitled-feeling jumped the barricades and cut the cue, as the more honest of us (me and my girlfriend included) jeered at them. But finally, after three-plus hours of waiting, in addition to a four-hour bus ride on a traffic choked highway, we arrived at the stop where our host's car was waiting.

Immediately after leaving the main highway and hitting a barely-paved path with heavy construction on either side, the stress of the day's many inconveniences melted away. Before long, we could see the Great Wall cresting the top of a mountain on the horizon.

After about 20 minutes, we'd reached the small village, populated by about 400 people, almost all suamed Chen. Our driver, the courtyard's owner, Mr. Chen, led us to our room, which was centered around a vegetable garden packed with heads of lettuce, tomatoes, fat cucumbers, and budding rose bushes. In the distance, the Great Wall crowned a mountain peak, before twisting away, out of view.

For the next two days, we took long, mostly solitary hikes on the Great Wall, so wo down at points that it was hard to even trace, and retued in the evening to meals cooked in the Chen family kitchen. At night, we sat around a bonfire with a group of German expats and English teachers, and walked out into the dark village road to gape at the starry sky. With the exception of a few loud, beer-fueled conversations, it was beautifully quiet. Twice on our hikes we scared off pheasants that shot out of the tall prairie grass like flapping rockets.

When it was time to retu to Beijing, I wished we could stay longer. From dreading the idea of traveling during the Golden Week, I'd begun to cherish it. The key to traveling at peak times in China, I'd leaed, is avoiding the typical tourist sights—Tiananmen, Forbidden City (famous attraction for popular China travel package), Huangshan Mountain...—and thinking a little more outside the box. For me, a few days of quiet, an escape from the city, was exactly what I was looking for.

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In an exhaustive effort to preserve and enrich China's cherished yet diminishing Giant Panda population, the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center (must-see for affordable China tours) was established in 1993. The center is world renound as a research facility and protective environment for numerous endangered species including lesser pandas and black-necked cranes. It has also been regarded as a global leader in green science and environmental protection, and has become an educational epicenter for the popularization of environmental sciences in the country.

The center is located in the northe suburbs of Chengdu (the city of 72-hour Chinese visa free), an area once rich in natural resources, lush forests, clear lakes, and numerous species of now rare plants and animals. The rapidly deteriorating state of the natural environment led researchers to entirely recreate the natural ecosystem in a man-made facility that is now a home and breeding ground for the area’s endangered species.

Facilities include a delivery room, fodder rooms, sleeping quarters, sporting rounds for the animals, and a medical station. Due to its large number of annual panda births, the center has become home to the largest population of bred pandas anywhere in the world.

The spectacular display of rare cranes, swans, and peacocks basking in the sun around tranquil lakes is accompanied by fascinating museums housing exhibits of over 1,200 specimens pertaining to Giant Pandas, butterflies, vertebrates, rare animals, endangered species, and an extensive library of books documenting animals from all over the world.

 

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4. Ngong Ping 360

The Ngong Ping Cable Car is a spectacular four-mile (6km) ropeway that affords panoramic views over the bay and surrounding area on its 25-minute jouey to the Ngong Ping Village. You can consider it for your Kunming tour packages. As visitors approach the cable car terminal on top of the plateau views will include the huge Tian Tan Buddha Statue and the Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping Village is situated right next to the cable car terminal, which features attractions such as 'Walking with Buddha', the 'Monkey's Tale Theatre', and the 'Ngong Ping Teahouse', as well as an assortment of shopping and dining options. Walking with Buddha plunges visitors into a multimedia presentation that follows the life of Siddhartha Gautama (the man who became Buddha) and his path to enlightenment, while the Teahouse provides demonstrations of traditional Chinese tea ceremonies. The 'Monkey's Tale Theatre' presents a charming and comical show inspired by famous Buddhist Jataka stories that will enchant both old and young alike. The cable car is an incredible experience and there are a variety of options, or packages to choose from; for instance, you can choose between the more expensive Crystal Cabin - which has a transparent floor - and a regular one. Note that queues for this attraction can get very long.

5. Statue Square

Statue Square is an amalgamation of Hong Kong's contemporary architecture that reaches its most spectacular manifestation in the designs of the Hong Kong and Shanghai (the city of 72-hour China visa free) Banking Corporation and the Bank of China Tower. The most significant feature of the HSBC building is that it has been designed without a central core, a feat of structural engineering blended with the ultimate in aesthetic principles. There is also a statue of Sir Thomas Jackson outside the building. The Bank of China Tower became a much-debated conversation piece following its construction, largely because of the asymmetrically-designed pinnacle that acquires differing perspectives depending on one's vantage point. The square also contains the Cenotaph, a memorial to those who lost their lives in the two world wars. It is a popular gathering place for locals who meet to share meals and socialise; there is a fountain and seating areas. Over Winterfest there are usually Christmas displays, trees and lights put up in the square, although visitors have reported that the displays have become less impressive recently and other squares and malls have better Christmas arrangements. For those interested in architecture Statue Square is a treat, and the attraction is almost always included in walking tours of the city.

6. Lantau

Lantau is the largest of the 235 outlying islands in Hong Kong (obtain more via Hong Kong city guide), being almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. It is better known for its walking trails and beaches and provides a pleasant respite from crowds and shopping. The main arrival point to the island by ferry is at Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay). The finest beaches are located along the west coast, most notably Cheung Sha. Besides beaches, Weste Lantau is the location of the Po Lin Monastery, the largest temple in Hong Kong. Beyond the doorstep of this vast temple is one of the world's largest outdoor Buddha statues. Aptly named Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), the bronze statue sits contemplatively looking over the reaches of Ngong Ping Plateau.

From the monastery buses will transport one to the quaint fishing village of Tai O. Here little wooden houses perch on stilts and much of life flows from the fishing industry that sustains it. Lantau's north shore is predominantly a farming region. The main attraction here, however, is the historical Tung Chung Fort, which was built in the early 19th century as part of a short-lived attempt to suppress the opium trade and defend the coastal area from pirates. Six old Qing Dynasty cannons dating back to 1832 stand on the ramparts. Development has changed the landscape of the Northeaste stretches of Lantau, known as Discovery Bay. Here upmarket housing complexes, shopping malls, yacht clubs and golf courses promise to provide the ultimate designer lifestyle at a price.

Transport: Ferry services are provided by New World First Ferry between Mui Wo and Central. Transportation time is about 30-50 minutes, depending on the vessel. There are also several smaller inter-island ferry services linking neighbouring islands and the mainland. One can also travel by a tradtional water taxi, usually from nearby Cheung Chau Island

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The attractions of Hong Kong (more through Hong Kong travel guide) are often thought to revolve exclusively around the brightly lit, energetic metropolis of the city. What is forgotten is that the area known under the cumbersome name of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, extends beyond the vibrant streets of Kowloon into pleasant island areas of great aesthetic and cultural interest.

In all likelihood, however, your Hong Kong jouey will begin in the urban part of the region, which is readily accessed from the airport. This is a city where east meets west: the architecture is either a curious mix of weste building with oriental trimmings or an out-and-out juxtaposition which sees a temple structure stand opposite a lofty skyscraper. You could visit the Science Museum or the Museum of History, and moments later take in the banking district of Statue Square or the Wong Tai Sin Temple. Such is the mismatched wonder of Hong Kong.

Getting around is relatively easy. Tourists are advised to pick up an Octopus Card, which stores credit that can be used on any form of transport, including ferries, as well as at restaurants and stores.

Out of town, Hong Kong offers numerous underrated natural charms. The Dragon's Back Ridge just behind the city (and to the south) offers exciting views of more than 200 Hong Kong islands. You can visit waterfalls and old towns along the route. Over the ridge, the Shek O Beach provides respite from the city atmosphere. The Ping Shan Heritage Trail, to the northwest, tracks past old face brick homes and forts, abandoned towns from the agricultural age of the region, and up into the impressive heights.

1. Hong Kong Disneyland

The fifth Disneyland Resort (one of must-see Hong Kong tourist attractions) in the world, but also the smallest, Hong Kong Disneyland offers a magical adventure in four themed lands similar to other parks, namely Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Two additional areas, designed exclusively for Hong Kong, are The Grizzly Gulch, and Toy Story Land. In Toy Story Land kids can enjoy a number of new attractions, including the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and the scary RC Racer. In the Grizzly Gulch area the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars will draw shrieks of delight. Classic rides like Space Mountain can also be enjoyed, and kids can explore Cindarella's Castle, Tarzan's Treehouse and the world of Winnie the Pooh, among other things. Mickey Mouse and many other famous Disney characters welcome visitors of all ages to the happiest place on Earth. Particular care has been taken to incorporate Chinese culture into the design, such as a feng shui layout, and the omission of the number four in the numbering of floors in each of the two hotels. In addition to the numerous rides and various events and attractions, shops sell Disney souvenirs and restaurants offer a variety of food throughout the park.

2. Aberdeen

Some 200 years ago, Hong Kong's Aberdeen district was a haven for pirates. Located on the southe shore of Hong Kong Island, it is home to the Tanka boat people and has become a popular tourist destination where visitors can experience on hand the traditional lifestyle of boat dwellers and sample fresh seafood. Aberdeen is a lively marina crammed with junks, sampans, water taxis (kai do), cruisers and yachts. The fishing harbour is a wonderful way to experience the activity of life on water. Tours along Aberdeen's watery stretches can be enjoyed onboard one of the many sampans offering half-hour trips around the harbour and the sensory delights of Hong Kong cuisine can be sampled within the unique environment of the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant, which is oately decorated and quite an experience.

Recently some tourists have complained that this attraction is not as compelling as it once was, partly because the population of people living on the water seems to be decreasing and witnessing this traditional lifestyle was one of the primary draws of the area. If you are a lover of boats and harbours you will no doubt still find much to interest you in Aberdeen, but if you are going solely to experience the living conditions of local fishermen you may be disappointed.

3. Big Buddha

The Big Buddha, or Tian Tan Buddha, is one of the tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statues in the world, and can be found near Po Lin Monastery. Don't miss it for your Hong Kong tours. The giant Buddha is a popular tourist destination and a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong. The 112-foot (34m) high statue sits on a lotus throne on top of a three-platform altar and is surrounded by eight smaller statues of gods. Inside the three floors beneath the Buddha visitors can access the Hall of the Universe, the Hall of Benevolent Merit and the Hall of Remembrance. Visitors can also climb the 268 steps to reach the platform where the impressive figure is seated, and admire the view from the top. The Tian Tan Buddha is a lovely excursion from the city and the short trip is a great break from the crowds and noise of Hong Kong. You can take the cable car either one way or both - some people prefer to either hike down through the hills after taking the cable car to the site, or to get there on the ferry and buses before taking the scenic cable car route back down into the city. There are many places to get refreshments at the site with traditional meals and inteational fare like Starbucks on offer. Try to visit the Buddha on a clear day, when the views are at their best.

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With a history of more than 800 years, Hongcun is a beautiful ancient village located to the southwest of Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan), 11 kilometers away from the downtown of Yixian County of Anhui Province. Adoing with peaceful Chinese countryside sights, Hongcun Ancient Village is hailed as "a village in Chinese painting", but what makes it special is the village's interesting ox-like architectural composition.

On November 30th of 2000, Hongcun Ancient Village was added to the List of World Culture Heritage to make a contribution to China tourism and was selected as one of the Twelve Historic and Cultural Villages of China in December of 2003.

What to see in Hongcun Ancient Village?

1. Exquisite Three Carvings Wood Carving, Stone Carving, Tile Caving

Wood carvings in Hongcun (best travel destination for China tour deals ) are carved out of good materials that are apt to be carved and have clear textures, e.g. pine, China fir and maidenhair tree; rosewood and nanmu are usually used to carve to be the decoration of top-grade fuiture.

Stone carvings in Hongcun have been generally used in architectural decoration since Ming Dynasty. Most of them are used to decorate doors, windows, pillars, dolmens, bridge railings and steles. Among all of stone carvings in Hongcun, the Memorial Archway of Goveor Hu Wenguang, the tracery at the West Garden and the stone-carving decoration inside the Chengzhi Hall are the most excellent ones.

Tile carvings are also widely used in Hongcun on roves, doors, memorial archways, together with stone carvings adding traditional Chinese art element to the local buildings.

2. Classical Anhui-style Buildings

Today there are over 140 Anhui-style folk houses that were built during Ming and Qing dynasties in Hongcun Ancient Village. Anhui-style folk houses feature grey-tiled rooves and white-painted walls, the "Chengzhi Hall" in Hongcun with exquisite hand-made "three carvings" (wood carving, stone carving and tile carving) is considered as the most excellent one and is hailed as "Folk Palace".

3. Smart Architectural Composition

In Southe Song Dynasty (the early of 12 Century), the villagers of Hongcun had mastered the bionics and built their village in an ox-like architectural layout: with towering old tress being the hos, the water channels being the intestines, the "Yuezhao" Pool being the stomach, the South Lake being the tripe, and the houses being other parts of the "ox". Based on the bionics, the village has also successfully put it into architecture for fireproofing and field irrigation, which created a marvelous man-made river system. All of this makes Hongcun Ancient Village a cultural wonder of the world. Until this day, the water channels running through Hongcun still work well, providing water for life for every family and also making Hongcun a "mini water town".

In and around Hongcun Ancient Village there are also many else to see and touch: the Jingxiu Hall, the Dongxian Hall, the Sanli Hall, the Xvren Hall, the Lexv Hall, the Shuren Hall, the South Lake, the South Lake Ancient School, spring dawn-watching by the Yuezao Pool, sunset-watching at Leigang, the wood-carving building, etc.So if you are interested in ancient Chinese architecture, don't miss Hongcun for your China best tours.

Best time to visit Hongcun Ancient Village

1. Late March early April: the blossom time of rape flower (rape flower sea).

2. The first 10 days of November: the frame of red autumnal leaves at Tachuan near Hongcun is as beautiful as the autumn scene at Xiangshan Mountain of Beijing.

3. For watching sea of green bamboo, avoiding April and May when it is time for bamboo to frondesce.

How to get to Hongcun Ancient Village?

1. Shanghai Hongcun

Tourists can take a bus to Huangshan (Tunxi) Bus Station at the Shanghai Coach Station, the jouey takes about 5 hours. After arriving at Huangshan (Tunxi) Bus Station, tourist buses from Tunxi to Hongcun are available at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, and it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Hongcun.

If you fail to catch up with the tourist buses in Tunxi, you can transfer to Yixian County first (about 70 minutes' drive). After arriving at the Yixian Bus Station, get to Hongcun by taking the buses at the right side of the bus station (about 100 meter away). It takes about 20 minutes to get to Hongcun.

2. Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan) Hongcun

Express buses from Yellow Mountain to Hongcun are available at the South Gate of Yellow Mountain Scenic Area at 07:20, 09:40, 13:20, 15:40.

Tags: travel to China

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