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China Attractions

City SuperMarket

City SuperMarket is an international foods grocery at the base of a department store on Huai Hai Road. This branch is a larger version of the perhaps more well known (but smaller) location at the Portman Ritz Carlton complex on Nanjing Road.  I prefer this branch of City SuperMarket for a few reasons. This locale is a much larger space, so while it has a bigger selection, it also does not feel as claustrophobic as the branch at the Portman.  The larger space also means that it is much easier to find and see less visible products, as they are not stacked on top of each other. I also think the prices are better at this location.  
  
I like the produce, deli products, and meats that are offered here.  Western cuts of pork, great fresh salmon, well chosen veggies (although not a huge selection), and a pretty generous selection of imported cheeses and salamis help me feel at home. City SuperMarket also boasts an enormous selection of western dry goods: countless cereals, crackers, cookies, and other snacks. The fresh bread selection is small, but varied and reliably tasty. We love the pita (from HaYa’s Mediterranean Cuisine) and whole wheat bread. The candy selection is mouth-watering for those longing for a sweet treat from back home. I can actually find “Red Vines” here, a candy I have only ever seen on the west coast of the United States.
 
Prices here are certainly higher than those of a Chinese grocer, but that is to be expected when intending to buy American, Swiss or French products in China.  The prices are not out of control in the grand scheme of things. There are quite a few items that I find completely worth paying an extra 10-20RMB for here than I would in the States. For example, good, hearty, crackers that might cost $2 in the States may cost $3.50 here. Still, I make up the difference by purchasing fresh cherry tomatoes which cost about a quarter of what they do at Whole Foods in America.  Pick a few items that are simply craving, and spoil yourself with a little taste of home in China!
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station.  From the subway follow signs for the Hong Kong New World Department Store and take the escalators up one level. The supermarket is hidden behind the second level of escalators near the Watson’s Pharmacy.
 
The Other Location of City SuperMarket:
Shanghai Center, No.1376 Nanjing Xilu, Shanghai
+86 (0)21 6279 8018

Bella Napoli - Italian

Bella Napoli is the most authentic Italian cusine option in Nanjing.

Once inside, patrons often feel as if they have been transported out of China.  Bella Napoli serves  real Italian style pizza and pasta and the atmosphere is quiet...

Bella Napoli is the most authentic Italian cusine option in Nanjing.

Once inside, patrons often feel as if they have been transported out of China.  Bella Napoli serves  real Italian style pizza and pasta and the atmosphere is quiet and welcoming.  The ’generously proportioned’ Italian head chef is often seen roaming about the restaurant making sure guests are enjoying their meal.

The complimentary buns and toast are always fresh, sometimes so fresh that the inside of the buns are still moist and warm, the way they should be.

Dishes include pizza, pasta, steak, prawns, and the chef’s special Mezza-luna which is a half pizza half calzone.

For those in Nanjing craving some authentic Italian food, this author recommends Bella Napoli hands down. 

Bella Napoli is usually not completely crowded. However, if you desire a prime seat or plan on dining with more than 4 guests, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.

How to Get There

Bella Napoli is on the corner of Zhongshan Dong Lu (中山东路) and Hongwu Bei Lu (洪武北路).  From the subway, get off at the Xinjiekou station and exit from the #7 exit.  Then walk one block to the east along Zhongshan Dong Lu.

Beijing Sport University

Website:            www.bsu.edu.cn

Brief Introduction:
Beijing Sport University is located near the famous ancient

Website:            www.bsu.edu.cn

Brief Introduction:
Beijing Sport University is located near the famous ancient Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan), northwest of Beijing. It is one of the major education establishments in China. Its aim is to train highly qualified education teachers, coaches, sport science researchers and other physical education personnel. Students and other physical education personnel enjoy the services given by their respective departments. They include the department of Human Kinesiology and Science, Sports Administration, Wushu, Sports Training, Physical Education, Science Research, Correspondence, Section and the Graduate Studies.

Putuo Shan (Mount Putuo)

Legend or fact, myth or reality? None can truly be sure, but whether you are religious or not, a trip to Putuo Shan (Shan is Chinese for mountain) is a worthwhile experience for visitors of all ages. Putuo Shan is one of China’s four Buddhis...
Legend or fact, myth or reality? None can truly be sure, but whether you are religious or not, a trip to Putuo Shan (Shan is Chinese for mountain) is a worthwhile experience for visitors of all ages. Putuo Shan is one of China’s four Buddhist Sacred Mountains, and it is a must-visit place for Buddhists in and around Zhejiang Province. Mount Putuo is a small island off the coast, and it’s entirely dedicated to Guanyin Buddha. The trip takes around two hours from Ningbo by bus and vehicular ferry.
 
In 916 AD a Japanese monk tried to take a statue of the Mercy Buddha Guanyin from mainland back to Japan. The expedition only got as far as Putuo Shan where fierce storms prevented the ship from going any further. Guanyin came to the monk in a dream and told him that if he would leave her here on Putuo Shan, she would let him return home. The monk agreed, the weather cleared up, and Putuo Shan became her eternal home. There are now more than 500 monks and nuns living on the mountain island and serving in the myriad of temples.
The whole island contains numerous temples, beaches, sand carvings and offers pleasant walks for the fit and healthy. For those not inclined to hiking, there are minibuses to transport guests around the island. Entry to the island costs 100RMB, and food, accommodation and souvenirs are all available on the island.

 
While you could tour the island in a day by arriving early enough, it is probably wiser to allow for 2 days to properly explore and enjoy the entire island. There are several hotels on the island, ranging from four stars to ordinary standard rooms. Regardless, many of the accommodation options can be quite expensive. Many hotels send representatives to the dock as you disembark from the ferry, so be sure to bargain with them in order to acquire a good deal. However, those planning to visit during peak season or on a weekend should make a reservation in advance, as the hotels often fill up. Weekday guests should expect to get a 30-50% discount off the stated price. As a price example, the four star Putuo Shan Hotel has standard room for around $70 US a night.
 
In April 2006 a helicopter service began operation from nearby Zhoushan. The air route connects Zhoushan Airport on Zhujiajian Island and five other major islands. All of these islands and 1,300-plus others, make up the city of Zhoushan. The service is run by the Harbin-based China Flying Dragon Special Aviation Corporation. It is a novel, albeit a bit expensive (around 500RMB for a flight)
way to see the islands in and around Putuo Shan.

Ling Shan Buddha

As a tourist in China, there are a plenty of Buddhist temples and Buddha statues to marvel at. Wuxi boasts the Giant Ling Shan Buddha (or ’Ling Shan Da Fo’).

This one you must see. Not only is it very, very big, but the whole attrac...

As a tourist in China, there are a plenty of Buddhist temples and Buddha statues to marvel at. Wuxi boasts the Giant Ling Shan Buddha (or ’Ling Shan Da Fo’).

This one you must see. Not only is it very, very big, but the whole attraction is meticulously planned and very well presented with something of interest for everyone. Here are some of the treats in store:

  • The Fountain Show: This is a water show choreographed to music with commentary (in Chinese). Even if you don’t understand the commentary, the show is quite spectacular. There are shows at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm - though the showtimes be altered or even cancelled during quieter times. The first show can be hard to get to on time if you catch a bus from Wuxi, so it's usually best to aim for the 11.30 show. It is also worth checking on the wind direction before choosing a spot to stand, especially if you'd like to protect your camera, as you can get quite damp on the down-wind side.

washing baby buddha

  • The happy Fat Buddha with a hundred playful Buddha babies climbing all over him.

  • The Hand.

  • The big Buddha himself. Ascending the steps to the feet of the giant standing Buddha is no easy climb.

Entrance fees

These have a way of changing with the season. Recently it cost 80 yuan to enter the grounds. This ticket will give you access to almost everything. Upon last check an extra 15 yuan gets visitors into the museum at the base of the Buddha and right up to touch his feet.

Getting There

The number 88 bus goes from outside the railway station to Ma Shan (马山) where the Buddha is located. Unlike other buses the no. 88 bus allows passengers to pay according to how far they travel. There is a conductor who sells tiny paper tickets. The ride to Ma Shan costs 4 yuan. It is possible to catch the bus at other stops along the route, which goes along the Grand Canal and across the LiangXi bridge. However, the trip is quite long (about an hour, and fairly bumpy), so it's worth trying to get on the beginning in order to get a seat.

As you arrive at the number 88 bus station you will be beset by a number of operators with mini-vans hoping to take you on a guided tour. They usually ask for about 100 yuan. It's your choice. The bus is good value, and you probably don’t really need them to show you around. When you return from your visit, the operators will still be there. You may decide take a ride back with one of them if you can bargain the price down. This return scenario might end up being a little faster and comfortable in exchange for the higher cost.

 

Sushi Tei

Sushi Tei is an excellent choice for either novice sushi fans or sushi veterans seeking a quality, reliable, and cheap place to fill up on a protein filled meal. The sushi bar itself features a conveyor belt serving mechanism for those in a rush or those who simply enjoy the novelty of it. Otherw...

Sushi Tei is an excellent choice for either novice sushi fans or sushi veterans seeking a quality, reliable, and cheap place to fill up on a protein filled meal. The sushi bar itself features a conveyor belt serving mechanism for those in a rush or those who simply enjoy the novelty of it. Otherwise, Sushi Tei has comfortable table seating, and an extensive menu to order from. 

 
From the conveyer belt, I recommend the salmon sushi. Depending on your preference, either lean or fatty salmon is Y8 or Y10 respectively for two generous pieces of fish. I also adore the California roll and the Inari, both priced at Y8.  From the menu, I always prefer the hand rolls; an impressive range of varieties cost from Y10-15.  The salmon roe is particularly fresh as well. Salmon roes fans will love it – if you’ve never tried it, Sushi Tei is a good spot to experiment. The only fish I haven’t been really impressed with yet in China is the Tuna, so I’d pass on it unless you cannot live without it. The miso soup is hearty and a classic starter.  If you’re overcome with hunger, check out the set meals, which offer a number of more standard Japanese dishes such as tempura or pork cutlet.
 
Expect to pay about Y50 at the sushi bar to stuff yourself with sushi – maybe a little more if you add in tempura and the like from the menu.  I also recommend going during standard meal times – the sushi is best from 11am – 2pm for lunch and 5:30pm – 7:30pm
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to the XuJiaHui stop. Take the mall exit.  Sushi Tei sits behind the mall (called Mei Luo Cheng in Chinese – it looks like a giant glass golf ball). I couldn’t find the restaurant at first, so I asked at the information desk on floor 1 of the mall and they pointed me in the right direction. 

Element Fresh

Element Fresh is a fantastic western style health food restaurant, focusing on inventive recipes that capitalize on the restaurant’s fresh ingredients.  The original location, which opened in 2001, is on Nanjing Road next to the Portman.  The indoor space is limited, but the patio...

Element Fresh is a fantastic western style health food restaurant, focusing on inventive recipes that capitalize on the restaurant’s fresh ingredients.  The original location, which opened in 2001, is on Nanjing Road next to the Portman.  The indoor space is limited, but the patio is wonderful for the warm months in Shanghai.  The newest location, which just opened in 2006, is on Huai Hai Road near Xiang Yang Market.  This much larger space is set on the 4th floor with a great view of the city. 

 
Guests at Element Fresh simply can’t go wrong with any of the selections on the menu, but I especially adore the huge Laffa bread salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken slices, a miso yoghurt dressing, and layer of yummy bread on the bottom (60RMB).  I also love the hummus appetizer (49RMB), bacon and bleu  cheese sandwich (55RMB), and the turkey and bacon with goat cheese sandwich (68RMB).  The smoothies and juice are wonderfully fresh, and Element Fresh also serves impressive lattes.
 
I also really enjoy the music played at Element Fresh. To sum it up, Element Fresh is a great place, not to be missed!
 
How to get there:  Take Metro Line 1 to the Shanxi Rd. stop. Exit onto Huai Hai Rd, and walk west. After crossing Xiang Yang Rd Element Fresh will be on the right side of the street next to a very tall office building. 
 
Other locations:

No.1376, Nanjing Xilu, Shanghai. (上海市南京西路1376号上海商城112号)
Tel:+86 (0)21 6279 8682
Fax:+86 (0)21 6279 8687
Time: 7:00- 23:00, Friday & Sta. 7:00- 24:00

 
 
 
 
 
 

Ground Floor, Northwest Corner, Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui Xilu & Fucheng Lu, Shanghai(上海市陆家嘴富城路正大广场一层西北角)
Tel: +86 (0)21 5047 2060
Fax: +86 (0)21 5047 2070
Time: 7:00-23:00, Friday & Sta.: 7:00- 24:00

1F,No.279 Wuxing Lu (near ZhaoJiabang Lu) (上海市吴兴路279号)
Tel: +86 (0)21 5116 9897
Time: 8am -10pm
 
 
 

Shop 163, Ground Floor, Walking Street, Grand Gateway Mall,No.1 Hongqiao Lu, Shanghai (上海市虹桥路1号港汇广场内街1楼163室)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6407 5992
Fax: +86 (0)21 6407 5972
Time: 11:00- 15:00, Weekend: 10:00-16:00
Non-smoke

 
 
 

Unit 2, 2F, Headquarters Building,No.168,  Xizang Zhonglu, Shanghai (上海市西藏中路168号都市总部大厦2楼2单元)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6361 6556
Fax: +86 (0)21 6361 6556
Time: 8:00- 21:00 (Monday- Friday)

Shop 17, 2F, Building 2, Corporate Avenue, No.202 Hubin Lu, Shanghai (上海市湖滨路202号企业天地商业中心2号楼2层17号店铺)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6340 6966
Time: 7:00- 22:30, Friday & Sta.: 9:30-20:00

Fashion Lady

Fashion Lady has what its name implies – fashionable clothing and accessories for ladies.  Inside this underground mall is two floors of very long hallways lined with small stores each about 10-20 square meters large.  Since these stores are owned and operated privately it seems...
Fashion Lady has what its name implies – fashionable clothing and accessories for ladies.  Inside this underground mall is two floors of very long hallways lined with small stores each about 10-20 square meters large.  Since these stores are owned and operated privately it seems they each give off the unique style of the owner. 
 
At Fashion Lady you can find all sorts of clothing as well as shoes, photo sticker machines, jewelry, photo finishing and framing services and some other surprises.
 
Main Entrance to Fashion Lady
 
How to Get There

 

If you are coming via subway, get off at the Xinjiekou Station and walk straight to Fashion Lady through exit #12.  Exit #12 splits off into two.  Just follow the bright light tunnel.
 
If you are coming from anywhere above street level, walk right into the pedestrian center of Xinjiekou and look for the giant glowing glass pyramid.  You shouldn’t have to look very hard.  The pedestrian center is just south of Zhongshan Dong Lu (中山东路), just east of Zhongshan Nan Lu (中山南路) and just west of Hongwu Bei Lu (洪武北路).
 
There are also several other entrances above ground that are scattered around the pedestrian center of Xinjiekou.
 
One of several very long hallways in Fashion Lady
 
Also See
 
- If you have a partner with you that is not so thrilled about looking at girls clothing for too long just send them up above.  Behind the McDonalds is one of the best arcades in Nanjing.
- Huaxin market also has a diverse selection of clothing and shoes.

Yinshi Jizhi Tangbao - Soup Dumplings

There is a great little place that is locally famous, but seems practically unknown to visitors.  It has no English name, but in Chinese it is called 尹氏鸡汁汤包 (Yinshi Jizhi Tangbao). There are only two things on the menu: yaxue fensi tang” (duck blood soup, 鸭血粉丝汤) and “tangbao”(soup dumplings, 汤包).
 
 
This place is newly renovated and remarkably clean.  The staff do not speak English, so if you don’t speak Chinese just follow these 2 steps.
 
1 – Go to the front counter and order what you want, “yaxue fensi tang” or “tangbao”.  Since there are only 2 options, they should be able to figure out what you are asking for.
2 – They will give you a small token. Take the token to the adjacent window and give it to the cooks.
 
Tangbao
 
Tangbaos are a unique snack.  It is strongly recommended that anyone who has not tried them before and does eat pork, try them at least once.  What makes a tangbao special is the small amount of chicken soup contained within. Tangbaos are similar to "xiaolongbao", which are found in other parts of China.
 
How do you eat a tangbao?
 
Tangbaos are served in one of those round straw trays that are generally used for steaming dim sum or baozi. The tangbaos and the tray itself should be steaming hot, so be careful when placing it in the table.  The small dish in the middle is meant to be used for vinegar. 
 
When picking up a tangbao be careful not to rip it.  Lift it gently with your chopsticks and dip it in vinegar.  Take a small, delicate bite of the outside.  If you are not careful, you will end up shooting or spraying hot “tang” (soup) all over yourself or your friend.  After you take a small bite, dip it in the vinegar again to let some vinegar flow inside the tangbao and mix with the soup.
 
How to get there:
 
 
Other locations in Nanjing include:

396 Mochou Road (莫愁路396号)
West side of Hunan Lu

China Articles

Top China Tours

$238 Per Day

Private Hangzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train

Take in the highlights of beautiful Hangzhou on a private full-day tour from Shanghai. After hotel pickup and transfer by high-speed train to Hangzhou, your private guide takes you to see some city attractions, such as Faxi temple. Moreover, enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Longjing village. There, learn about the process of farming and producing dragonwell tea, the region’s most famous product. Finally, enjoy a scenic boat cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Lake before returning to Shanghai.

This is a private, full-day trip from Shanghai to Hangzhou. After you are picked up in your hotel lobby in the early morning, you will take a bullet train to Hangzhou. This is the fastest way to Hangzhou and you can experience train speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. Your tour begins at one of Hangzhou's signature sites, the West Lake. Enjoy a lake cruise to see the top ten West Lake scenic views. You will then be taken to experience the wonderful cuisine of Hangzhou at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will visit Faxi temple, a well-known Temple dating back to the Jin Dynasty. See its famous wooden Buddha. Here, you will see fewer tourists and more locals. Finally, enjoy a cup of green tea when you visit the famous Longjing village to see wild fields of Longjing tea bushes where the locals produce the world famous green tea- Longjing Tea. In the village, all locals are tea farmers and you will see the entire procedure of making the famous tea and will get the chance to taste the best quality emperor tea. Afterwards, you will take the bullet train back to Shanghai and you will be returned to your hotel.


$150 Per Day

Guangzhou

Day 1 Arrive in Guangzhou

Arrive in Guangzhou in the morning, you will be met and transferred to hotel, then visit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The Memorial Hall is a very famous historical scenic spot. It is in memory of Sun Yat-sen, the great revolutionary forerunner. After that proceed to visit the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family. It is a unique site for offering up sacrifices to worship ancestors of 72 Chen families in Guangdong. This ancestral temple is also the largest, best preserved and best decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong province.

Day 2 Guanzhou Tour 

After breakfast, you will go to Yuexiu Park first, the largest and the most famous park in downtown Guangzhou. There are three artificial lakes and seven hills of Yuexiu Mountain. Then you will visit Temple of Six Banyan Trees, which is one of the four best Buddhist temples in Guangzhou and located on the Liurong Road (meaning the Six Banyan Trees Road). The Nanyue King Tomb Museum is a must-see Guangzhou attraction, which dates back to 2,000 years ago, is the earliest large scale painted stone chamber tomb ever found south of the Five Ridges. Buried with the tomb owner in a jade shroud are a gold seal and a lot of exquisite jade adornments. It has become a world famous museum. After the day tour you will be transferred to airport for your next destination.

$53 Per Day

Pingyao Highlights Walking Tour

Pingyao Highlights Walking Day Tour

With our guide to know the Ancient Pingyao better!

Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the ticket office to get the ticket for the museums we will visit later.

First we will visit the 700 years old City wall, We will climb up from south gate and have a walk on the wall. We are not sure how many km we can walk, because of the renovating of the wall. Normally we will walk from south gate to the Yunlu Exit.

Then visit the Confucius temple, there is a old building named Dacheng Hall which is over 840 years old. From outside, we can see the big wood joints to lift the big roof around the building which is named Dougong. Due to this design, there are less columns inside the hall for giving the big space for the statues and the prayer. We have chance to see the Confucius statue and learn the philosophy of Confucius. If you like, you can pray for you and your children to get better study.

There is the Paper Cutting master named Wentao nearby the exit of Confucius temple. She is very smart and create the new style paper cutting with much more details and good wishes on it. Her products are made by hanks. It is worth to visit and buy as a souvenir from Pingyao. From the table standing and wall hangings. Please remember, take the red one because of red is the traditional and happy color. But the white one is the best. It is really difficult to choose, because of all of them are really nice.

Then you can have coffee break or tea break if you need at Chummy coffee, after this, visit the City god temple (ChenghuangMiao) which is most beautiful temple inside the wall. Because of the roof is covered by the colorful glazed tiles. There is not only city god and also the three money gods, Now you know why pingyao was the financial center.

Next we will visit the Ancient government building, to see the pingyao politics center in the ancient time. It is the complete building with officials bed room, kitchen and private garden. Follow the guide to look the official’s life from the 250km far away from the hometown.

Have a stroll in the alley to the Rishengchang exchange bank, which is the first bank all of china.You can not miss it.

After lunch, walk to the Ming and Qing street, this is the shopping street full of the stores on the both side of street. You can find alot things here , from post card to lacquered boxes, and wall panels. One more place to see, it is the Armed escort agency also named security and transport service for the business man before the bank founded.

Inlcusions

1.private english speaking tour guide servcie

2.bottle water for the tour