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The Best Western Eats in Beijing
After having my share of delicious Chinese dishes with noodles, dumplings, and plenty of rice, a Western girl like me was starting to crave some familiar foods during my travel in Beijing....
After having my share of delicious Chinese dishes with noodles, dumplings, and plenty of rice, a Western girl like me was starting to crave some familiar foods during my travel in Beijing. Fortunately, there are a number of wonderful restaurants in this city that offer all types of cuisine from Belgian, to Italian, to a good ole American-style cheeseburger. One of my favorite Beijing tours, I must confess, has been the ‘gourmet’ tour I have taken myself on, trying out various eateries in the area. So for any expats coming to Beijing, here are a few places I would like to recommend.
The Tree
For those looking for a mouthwatering pizza and pint of draught beer, make your way to The Tree. A regular stop for Beijing’s European community, this welcoming tavern in Sanlitun is best known for its Belgian whites and assorted stone oven baked pizzas. Decorated to resemble an authentic Belgian inn, it’s a favorite for families looking to grab a good meal come early in the evening, but it is also carries it usual crowd of drinkers who gather along the convivial brick-built bar.
If you have Italian on the mind, Annie’s is the ultimate must-do. The many awards and recognition it has received will not mislead you, this place is incredible. This gem of the Chaoyang district is a casual, cozy and tremendously welcoming bistro. It is a hands-down the best affordable Italian fare in Beijing. I recommend ordering a crisp pizza with thin dough bottom and rich stuffing. Save room for a delectable cannoli for dessert! These little devils are a tempting blend of cottage cheese and dried fruit with a touch of brandy in a fresh shell of fried dough. The staff here is super friendly, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling throughout your entire experience there.
I am the stereotypical American girl. My daily diet favorites center on meat, bread, and cheese, and if it’s fried that’s even better. When I heard about Steak and Eggs, it didn’t take long before my wallet and I were on our way out the door. Offering classic American diner fare, this restaurant is the perfect place to grab an inexpensive Sunday breakfast. It’s also a great place for families! As the regular crowds of expats will confirm, the food here is extremely authentic. In one bite I was transported back to my native roots with my taste buds serving as the vehicle. The menu is chock-full of hearty burgers, apple pie and bottomless cups of coffee. Any American expat feeling homesick can come here for a little taste of comfort.
Element Fresh
The last place on my list today is Element Fresh. After getting my juicy, greasy, cheesy cravings satisfied, it’s equally important to find a place where I can just get a healthy, substantial meal. At Element Fresh, this is exactly what you will find, tons of variety and all delicious. Originally started in Shanghai, this restaurant provides nutritious Western food including salads, smoothies and sandwiches. They have a popular weekend brunch as well as including reasonably priced fare and quality drinks. I hope you get the chance to visit one or all of these places during your Beijing travels. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Dumpling recipe
One of the most important things in the Chinese culture is the food. It would be a sin to travel to China and not try the gastronomy so during your Chinese tour make sure that you try all the foot that you can, you never know, maybe you’ll discover your favorite food!
...One of the most important things in the Chinese culture is the food. It would be a sin to travel to China and not try the gastronomy so during your Chinese tour make sure that you try all the foot that you can, you never know, maybe you’ll discover your favorite food!
Meanwhile why don’t you try to do your own dumplings at your house?
Obviously the best ones you’ll try will be at China, but if you try this recipe maybe you can bring a little bit of the Chinese gastronomy at your home!
The easiest way to start to cook dumplings is buying the mass already done, if you want to do it yourself it’ll take more than an hour so it’s more convenient if you just buy it.
The filling is easy to do but it has to rest for a long time so it is better if you prepare the dumplings with a lot of time in advance!
For more or less 30 dumplings you’ll need:
900gr of pork (or chicken) meat cut in small squares
5 big shiitake mushrooms
2 spoonful of minced spring onion
A spoonful and a half of sesame oil
A spoonful and a half of soy sauce
A spoonful of cornstarch
5gr of sugar
A bit of white pepper
A spoonful of freshly scratched ginger
5gr of salt.
Once you have all these ingredients you just have to mix them until they become a uniform mass and let it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
After that time you can put them in the dumplings mass and fold the mass in a half circle (although there are lots of different ways to fold the dumplings so let your imagination grow free!)
Once folded you can close them applying pressure with your fingers to the corners so the mass won’t go out when you cook it.
The next part is cooking the dumplings, there are lots of ways to do it, you can either fry them in the pan with oil (they taste delicious but they are not very healthy), you can boil them in water (they will be done when they float in the surface, don’t let them a long time in the water because they’ll open very easily) or you have a third option, steam them.
For steaming it’s necessary to have an object to put on the pot with boiling water to allow the dumplings to be cooked in the steam. It may take a bit longer than the other two options but they’ll taste delicious!
While you wait to go to your first (or your next) China trip why don’t you cook some dumplings and try if you can make as delicious as in a restaurant.
Being a senior in China
In my first travel, ten years ago, I went to Southern China, near Guangzhou. I didn’t imagine that I would meet that many elderly people hanging out in the streets....
In my first travel, ten years ago, I went to Southern China, near Guangzhou. I didn’t imagine that I would meet that many elderly people hanging out in the streets. Since I’ve never been to Northern China, I thought that it was something typical from the South, since weather is quite warm and because it wasn’t a very big city, so seniors could enjoy the tranquility of the city with their friends. But when I came back in China few months ago, taking a flight to Beijing more precisely was quite surprised to notice the same phenomena here. Seniors are especially active in China; I think that there is a huge gap between seniors in western countries and eastern ones.
In other counties, the Elderly are quite alone, I mean they spend their day at home, reading the newspaper, watching TV, going out sometimes to shop at the supermarket or at the market, and see their family members once a week. They have plenty of time but don’t have the opportunity to meet other a lot of people, or do some regular activities. I think that seniors in China are much happier than in France, they are surprisingly active. Furthermore, most of the times they live in the same place than their children with the whole family or just at the house/apartment next door, they are never very far from their children and grandchildren.
Here is a typical day of a senior in China:
They wake up quite early in the morning drink a cup of tea, have a breakfast and read the newspaper. As they’re up before the whole family they prepare the breakfast for everyone and have it together. Then, while the weather is still fresh, they go to some parks, in the streets, or just down the building to have a walk, gather with the old people in the neighborhood, do some exercise with some punchy music and dance. At midday they go back home to have lunch with the grandchildren they took at school, and then they take a nap because the weather is too hot to go out. And when they wake up they usually spend the rest of the afternoon with their friends chatting outside or play games like mahjong or cards.
Indeed when I go to the parks or when I walk out from my building I like to chat with the Elderly. They are very nice, funny and are happy to speak and meet with a foreigner. They might invite you for a cup of tea in the afternoon and eat some fruits if they like you. Or better, you can spend the afternoon playing with them at Chinese chess, mahjong or cards. I still don’t know how to play Chinese chess, but they already taught me how to play mahjong and cards. First, the rules of mahjong were quite difficult to assimilate, but after few games, I felt like I’ve been playing this game my whole life! I must confess that this is now my favorite game; it requires skill, strategy, calculation and involves a certain degree of chance. Now I can easily “Pung, Kong, Chi” with the 136 tiles.
No surprise that Chinese people are known to have the longest life in the world if they are as happy. I wish I could live like them when I grow old and spend my day taking things easy. So, next time you will see a group of seniors in a park or in the street, don’t hesitate to discuss with them even if they can’t speak English, I’m sure that you will spend a great time and live an amazing human experience. What make your China tour different from others would be the people you met and the experience you’ve shared not only the place you’ve visited.
Top Beijing Tours
$300 Per Day
Tour to the Most Beautiful Ancient Villages in China
1. Tuvas Village in Kanas, Xinjiang
Kanas Tuvas Village is near mysterious Lake Kanas. The small village is located in a valley, and only has about 80 houses. These Swiss-style wooden houses are all surrounded by wooden fences, scattered among pine trees and birch trees.
Tuvas is an ancient minority group. They traditionally lived as hunter-gathers. It is said that the Tuvas people are the descendants of one group of Genghis Khan’s troops. Kumiss, yogurt, milk tea, and butter are special snacks there.
2. Jiaju Tibetan Village, Danba, Sichuan Province
...Read more1. Tuvas Village in Kanas, Xinjiang
Kanas Tuvas Village is near mysterious Lake Kanas. The small village is located in a valley, and only has about 80 houses. These Swiss-style wooden houses are all surrounded by wooden fences, scattered among pine trees and birch trees.
Tuvas is an ancient minority group. They traditionally lived as hunter-gathers. It is said that the Tuvas people are the descendants of one group of Genghis Khan’s troops. Kumiss, yogurt, milk tea, and butter are special snacks there.
2. Jiaju Tibetan Village, Danba, Sichuan Province
Jiaju Tibetan Village is known as the "Tibetan fairyland". Jiaju Tibetan Village is on a slight hill slope, and consists of about 140 houses. These unique houses are all built with crown-shaped roofs, red eaves, and white walls, which make the houses look like little castles among the forest.
3. Baoshan Stone City, an Naxi Ancient Village Built on a Huge Rock
Baoshao Stone City was built on a huge mushroom-shaped rock, and only has about one hundred houses. The houses are laid out in and orderly way, built on the rock, and linked by stone steps. The locals often chisel the local rock into stone tables, stone benches, stone hearths, and stone water vats.
The Naxi people have cut rice terraces and planted crops (such as rice, wheat, and corn) on the hills around the mushroom rock. The Naxi people there still lead an original life; you can experience the colorful Naxi culture there.
4. Hongcun and Xidi, Two Ancient Villages Near the Yellow Mountains
These two ancient villages have been included in the list of World Cultural Heritage. Both of these villages have a history of more than 900 years. They are renowned for their peaceful rural scenery, well-kept ancient buildings: unique Anhui style dwellings, and profound culture. The mountains, the rivers, and the ancient dwellings, make two highly picturesque landscapes.
Location: Only about 40 kilometers from the Yellow Mountains, you can take a bus from Yellow Mountain Scenic Area to Xidi or Hongcun. The distance between Hongcun and Xidi is about 25 kilometers. You can hire a bike after you arrive at one of them, and then cycle to the other village.
For artists: When visiting these ancient villages, you might want to bring your sketch pad and join the art students and artists, who go out there to capture their beauty on paper.
5. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: the Largest Miao Village in China
If you are interested in the Miao Minority, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village can be a great destination for deepening your understanding of Miao history and culture.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village consists of more than ten natural hamlets (including the famous Silversmith Hamlet), which are all built on hills. The Miao people are keen on silver ornaments, and their unique silver ornaments are all made exquisitely.
The Miao Minority has many festivals, and the most famous two are: Miao New Year and Guzang Festival (牯藏节, an ancestor-worship celebration based on Miao culture).
Transportation: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is about 210 kilometers from Guiyang City (the capital city of Guizhou Province), which is equivalent to a 3.5-hour drive.
6. Wuyuan in Jiangxi: the Most Beautiful Villages in China
Wuyuan is noted for having "the most beautiful villages in China". In fact, Wuyuan is a county, with many ancient Ming and Qing style architectural features, including 113 ancient ancestral halls, 28 ancient mansions, 36 ancient dwellings, and 187 ancient bridges.
Every village in Wuyuan is built with a river in front, and mountains behind. These villages with elegant buildings are all peacefully harmonious with the natural scenery. Hiking in the surrounding countryside is a popular activity there.
Transportation: Wuyuan is only about 90 kilometers from the Yellow Mountains, and buses linking these two attractions are available every day.
7. Ancient Hakka Villages with Unique Earthen Buildings
You might think these large round or square buildings are fortifications, not dwellings. In fact, they are the Hakka people’s houses: earthen buildings, which are mainly built in flying-saucer-like shapes.
These ancient earthen buildings are mainly located in Fujian Province, especially in Nanjing Prefecture (南靖县) and Yongding Prefecture (永定县). Some of them have hundreds of years of history. If you want to have a visit, two ancient villages are recommended: Hongkeng Village (洪坑村) and Chuxi Village (初溪村) in Yongding Prefecture.
Both of these two villages have a history of hundreds of years, and are built among hills and by rivers. There, you can learn about the construction of earthen buildings, the history of the Hakka, and enjoy the peace brought by the natural scenery.
Transport: Yongding is about 307 kilometers (a 4-hour drive) from Xiamen (check out the transport between Xiamen and Yongding).
$500 Per Day
Beijing One - Day Tour
Great Wall - A La Carte Lunch - Summer Palace - Chinese Kung Fu Show or the Acrobatic Show as you like
...Read moreGreat Wall - A La Carte Lunch - Summer Palace - Chinese Kung Fu Show or the Acrobatic Show as you like
Pick tourists up at your hotel (between 8:30 am. to 9:00 am.)
Morning
We advise you to have a hearty breakfast at the hotel as you will need it for today's high-energy output. Our first stop is Mutianyu Great Wall, which is about 90 kilometres away from downtown area. Connecting Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east, Mutianyu with numerous watch towers and dangerous passes has been acclaimed as the quintessential section of the entire Great Wall. You will be amazed by the delightful view whatever the season.
This is a one of the most famous and ideal sections of the Great Wall. You will have your choice of taking the cable car or chair lift up the breathtaking wall and spend a leisurely 1 to 2 hours hiking up and down the various sections exploring the Watch Towers and marveling at the construction and beauty of the renown and legendary Wall. You then have the option of an exhilarating toboggan ride back down or simply return the way you came.
Lunch
To avoid the mass-produced food at the cheap tourist eateries arranged by most agencies, we will serve you an a la carte lunch at a noted local restaurant, where you could taste the authentic Chinese food.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, We will go to visit the Summer Palace, a fantastic imperial resort. With its perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, the Summer Palace is also reputed as the most splendid classical garden in China. The most attractive sites are the enchanting Kunming Lake and the well-known Long Gallery. The Long Gallery, 728 meters (796.2 yards) in length, is the longest gallery of China's gardens. Beginning from the Yaoyue (Inviting-Moon) Gate and ending at Shizhang Pavilion, the Long Gallery ingeniously links Longevity Hill with Kunming Lake.
Night
To round off a memorable start to your trip, we will arrange a Cost price 280 yuan per person wonderful and exciting Chinese Kung Fu Show for you at the Red Theater tonight or a Cost price 280 yuan per person wonderful and exciting Chinese Acrobatic Show for you at the Chaoyang Theater tonight as you like.
Prices ( Prices are in Chinese Yuan and based on per person)
Include
1. English tour guide service fee
2. Air-conditioned vehicle with Driver' wage
3. Petrol, Toll fee, All the Parking fee
4. Delicious Lunch in a local Chinese restaurant
5. All entrance tickets to the sights listed above
6. Round trip Cable car or Round trip Chair lift or Chair lift up and toboggan down the wall
Excluded
1. Accommodation
2. Dinner
3. Entrance ticket to the Bird Nest and Water Cube
4. Gratuity to the guide and driver
5. Personal Costs
$300 Per Day
10 Days Cuisine Feast Tour with All the Major China Cuisines
Day 1 Arrival Beijing (D)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
Dinner: Tonight the spectacular Peking duck banquet at Qianmen Quanjude Beijing Duck Restaurant- the most famous Beijing duck restaurant in the world. With a history of 137 years, it will give you an enthusiastic welcome.
Day 2 Beijing (B, L, D)
Day 1 Arrival Beijing (D)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
Dinner: Tonight the spectacular Peking duck banquet at Qianmen Quanjude Beijing Duck Restaurant- the most famous Beijing duck restaurant in the world. With a history of 137 years, it will give you an enthusiastic welcome.
Day 2 Beijing (B, L, D)
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.
From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
Dinner: Fujian cuisine
Fujian cuisine is noted for its light touch, sweet and sour flavor. The cooking puts great attention in choosing the choicest ingredients, and is thus particularly apt in preparing seafood dishes. The dishes mostly marinated in wine, are souring sweet, specialize in all kinds of seafood, stir-fired, quick-fried and shallow oil-fried; simmered, with stress on flavor soup.
Restaurant: BaMinShiFu
Tel: 86-010- 64428833-5855
Address: No. 11, 3section AnZhenXiLi Chaoyang District, Beijing
Day 3 Beijing (B, L, D)
Sightseeing: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way
After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Badaling Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!
In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors. In addition, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors.
On the way back to hotel, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube'),feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.
Dinner: Anhui cuisine
Anhui cuisine follows strict rules in the use of heat and salt; stewed in brown sauce with stress on heavy oil and sauce.
Restaurant: Huangshan Hui Restaurant
Tel: 86- 010-63031467
Address: TianQiaoLiuXue Road ChongWen District, Beijing
Day 4 Beijing / Shanghai (B, L, D)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Hutongs, Summer Palace
We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw this morning. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people.
We will continue by visiting the Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden.
Then you will take the flight to Shanghai. Arriving in Shanghai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide. Together, you will take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai.
Dinner: Zhejiang cuisine
Zhejiang food is represented by Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Shaoxing styles. Zhejiang cuisine is tender, mild and fresh.
Restaurant: FeiHuangRenWen Restaurant
Tel: 86- 021-63249533
Address: No.330 Tiantong Road Hongkou District, Shanghai
Day 5 Shanghai (B, L, D)
Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden
Today we will start the day with a visit of Shanghai Museum which is the biggest museum of China. It incorporates a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics and is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy.
Then we head to the Jade Buddha Temple. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city. Both, the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.
After lunch, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, the highest TV Tower in Asia, which creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors all year-round.
Then we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.
Dinner: Shandong cuisine
Shandong food consists of Jinan and Fushan food. Jinan food makes good use of soup seasoning, frying in deep oil and steaming. Shandong roast chicken is especially good with wine and the chicken is and tender. Tasting it is guaranteed to make the diner believe. Shandong cuisine is known for its light seasoning, qualities of freshness, clear colors and delicate fragrance and pure tastes.
Restaurant: Luwei Restaurant
Tel: 86-021-63738270
Address: No.18 Yunnan Nan Road Huangpu District, Shanghai
Day 6 Shanghai / Suzhou (B, L, D)
Transfer via: soft seat train arranged by us
Sightseeing: Humble Administrator's Garden, Zhouzhuang.
In the morning we'll depart from your hotel and take the express train to Suzhou. Suzhou is praised as the "Oriental Venice" and called 'paradise on earth' along with Hangzhou.
Upon your arrival in Suzhou, our guide will meet you and escort you to a local restaurant for lunch. Then you will visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, the largest classical garden in Suzhou and one of the four most famous ones in China. Originally built in 1513 AD, the garden consists of three parts with different types buildings around streams and ponds.
We will spend the afternoon in Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China. Situated in Kunshan City, which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou, it is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. Let us explore this town with a history of more than 2500 years and get to know about the architecture, lifestyle and inhabitants there.
Afterwards you will be transferred back to Suzhou to spend the rest of your day on your own.
Dinner: Jiangsu cuisine
The origin of Jiangsu cuisine can be traced to pre-Christian times. Jiangsu cuisine specialties are lightly flavored, whether they combine sweet-and-salty tastes. Soya sauce and spices are mild and used sparingly, although the use of rich-flavored broth is extensive.
Restaurant: BaoFangYuan Restaurant
Tel: 86- 0512-67206597
Address: No. 207 Pishi Street Pinjiang District Suzhou.
Day 7 Suzhou / Hangzhou (B, L, D)
Transfer via: soft seat train arranged by us
Sightseeing: West Lake, Meijiawu Tea Plantation
Our guide and driver will escort you from Hotel to train station (Suzhou). Upon your arrival in Hangzhou, our local guide will meet you and escort you to beautiful West Lake. We will take a cruise boat across the lake to see the 3 pagodas in the lake. The West Lake is the most famous tourist spot of Hangzhou. Graceful mountains surround it on three sides. It has a charming scenery and many cultural relics and historic sites. Then you will visit the Meijiawu Tea Plantation. Tea village is seated at the hinterland of West Lake Park and it is famous for its tea production. Everybody will feel relax in such a natural environment; enjoy the special tea culture and the beauty there.
Dinner:Hunan cuisine
Hunan cuisine takes curing, simmering, steaming and stewing as the main cooking methods. It is fragrant and fresh, sour and peppery, yet soft and tender.
Restaurant: DingXianFang Restaurant
Tel: 0571-87823878
Address: No.456 Qingtai Road Shangcheng district, Hangzhou.
Day 8 Hangzhou (B, L, D)
Sightseeing: Six Harmonies Pagoda, Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng (also named Ling JiuFeng)
Today you will also visit Lingyin Temple including the Feilai Feng. The Feilai Feng is situated in the east of Ling Yin Temple. Isolated from others, its stone quality is totally different from that of surrounding mountain groups. It is 167 meters high, on the peak there are many grotesque stones in the shapes of charming dragon, prostrate tiger, walking elephant and scared ape. The main hall of Lingyin Temple is about 34 meters (111 feet) tall - incredibly high for a one-storey building. In the center of the hall you'll find the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which was carved from 24 pieces of camphor wood. The temple was named Lingyin Temple for its extremely beautiful environment which is serene and suitable for "Soul's Retreat".
After that, we will drive to the Six Harmonies Pagoda, highly erected next to Qiantang River and in the south of the West Lake. It is a perfect example of brick-and-wood structure built in ancient China and was built in 970 AD in the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) to press down the evil of the river tidal bore in Qiantang River.
After lunch, our guide and driver will escort you to the bus station (Hangzhou), upon your arrival in Huangshan; our local guide will meet you and escort you to hotel by a private air-conditioned car. Then you will spend the rest of day on your leisure.
Dinner: Sichuan cuisine
Distinct features of Sichuan style: they prefer steaming, simmering, and smoking. The cooking is elaborate and meticulous and the flavoring highly varied and mixed. The taste of each dish is very distinct. A common Chinese saying about Sichuan cuisine is that each meal has its own unique taste, and no two dishes have the same flavor. Sichuan cuisine is world-famous for its diverse hot and spicy flavor.
Restaurant: ChuanLiuBuXi Restaurant
Tel: 86-0571-86069777 87172577
Address: No.246 Jiefang Road Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
Day 9 Hangzhou-Guangzhou (B, L, D)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
Upon your arrival at the airport you will be met by your local guide. Then you will start your sightseeing tour by visiting Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. It is a magnificent building in the shape of octagon and an important place for large scale meeting and performance. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in order to commemorate the contributions of Sun Zhongshan, the great predecessor of Chinese revolution for democracy. It is a memorial construction donated by the people in Guangzhou and the overseas Chinese and is listed as one of the first class cultural relics in Guangdong Province.
Afterwards you will visit the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family which is also called Chen Clan Academy. It is a place both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Now the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Guangzhou City, the Ancestors' Temple in Foshan City, the former Residence of Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan City and the Opium War Memorial Hall in Dongguan City are regarded as the four major cultural tourist sites in Guangdong Province.
Dinner: Guangdong cuisine
In preparing the Guangdong cuisine, dozens of varieties of ingredients are often involved and more than 30 different kinds of cooking methods such as frying, grilling, stewing, simmering, deep-frying, roasting, and braising, etc. Freshness is everything to the Guangdong cuisine.
Restaurant: ALiuShiJia Restaurant
Tel: 86- 020-83516761
Address: No.302 Huanshizhong Road Yuexiu District, Guangzhou.
Day 10 Guangzhou (B, L)
Sightseeing: Yuexiu Park, Temple of Six Banyan Trees, Western Han Nanyue King Tomb Museum
In the morning we will start off to Yuexiu Park, the biggest comprehensive sight-seeing park. Yuexiu Park consists of seven hummocks and three artificial lakes. Yuexiu Park is well-known for beautiful hills and waters and plenty of antiques which you can enjoy at ease in the park. There are verdant grasses and trees, birds' singing, and fragrant flowers all through the year. Travelers will lose themselves in the elaborately engraved and Lingnan-styled pavilions, platforms, towers, and corridors; and the rippling water of the lakes.
Then you will head to the Temple of Six Banyan Trees. It has a long history in Guangzhou and is an ancient monastery famous at home and abroad. There are majestic towers, dense trees, plenty of antiques and valuable heritage from those famous people in the history. It is one of the four Buddhism temple complexes in Guangzhou is an important unit for the preservation of antiques.
Finally you will visit Western Han Nanyue King Tomb Museum, which is the oldest and largest Han tomb with the most funerary objects in Lingnan (South of the Nanling Mountain) Area. As one of the 80 famous museums in the world, the museum covers 14,000 square meters (150, 699.6 square feet) with 10 exhibition halls.
In the evening you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to the next destination.