Gubeikou has long been a town of military significance and an important pass to Beijing. The Yanshan Range winds from east to west and is cut off at Gubeikou, forming a natural narrow pass here. To the west of the pass are the Chaohe River and the Wohu Mountain, and to the east is the Panlong Mountain. From ancient times, Gubeikou has served as a route of strategic importance, linking the southern and northern areas of the Yanshan Range. As early as 2,500 years ago, a fortification was built here and repeatedly reinforced throughout the following dynasties.

The main part of today's Gubeikou Wall was constructed under the supervision of Xu Da, a well-known general in the Ming Dynasty. This part of the Great Wall runs for more than 20 km and consists of four sections: Wohushan, Panlongshan, Jinshanling and Simatai. It has 143 beacon towers, each positioned at an average interval of 156 meters. The nearest two are only 30 meters apart. The inside of these towers varies in design. While some have a flat ceiling, others either have an arched ceiling and a domed ceiling, or an octagonal, painted ceiling. Each tower has two floors, six archways and ten arched doors, allowing garrisoned soldiers to advance and retreat freely. The towers are also different in size. The largest one can accommodate a garrison of 100 soldiers and the smallest one a garrison of 10 soldiers. The towers commonly have one to six portholes.

Features:

Gubeikou Great Wall was built along the precipitous mountain ranges, rising and falling at various sections. Simatai, built on a cliff, is extremely steep. A famous Great Wall specialist said: "The Great Wall is the best of Chinese architecture and Simatai is the best of the Great Wall."

There are plenty of legends about the Gubeikou Wall, especially the Simatai section, as well as historical relics. At night, from the Beijing Watchtower, 986 meters above sea level, one can see the lights shimmering in downtown Beijing. The west of this tower is the steeply situated Fairy Tower that looks like a slim fairy standing among shrubs and wild flowers.

Wohu Mountain: “Wohu” means “Crouching Tiger” in English, because the mountain looks like two tigers, one lying on its back while the other lies on its stomach. Located in the western section of the Gubeikou Great Wall, its highest peak measures about 665 meters (2,181 feet). A watch tower is erected every 150 meters (492 feet) of the wall, overlooking a deep valley or mounted on a strategically important hilltop. A professor from Peking University compares the wall to a huge cursive script work with the watch towers providing the pausing or transitional strokes. It retains its fascination today as its raw condition is still evident.

Panlong Mountain: West of Wohushan, it is located in the middle section of Gubeikou, where most of the historical wars took place. In ancient times, both warring parties placed emphasis on securing the Panlongshan Great Wall, because each knew that once the wall was captured, the Gubeikou Great Wall would be readily occupied. The whole wall measures about 13 kilometers (3.1 miles). Of its over 40 watch towers, the General Tower is the most famous. It is located at the commanding elevation of Panlongshan Mountain, from where wars were directed. There are four arrow windows on the north and south sides respectively, while each of the east and west sides has three arrow windows. This section is of unique construction: it is made up of earth, stone and brick walls. It is also preserved in its original state.

Owned and operated by the same people behind the Schoolhouse at Mutianyu, The Brickyard is self described as a "a run-down, smoke-belching glazed tile factory

without a blade of grass [that] has been transformed into a lush and private eco-retreat at the Great Wall," The premises features 25 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces facing the Great Wall, as well as nine rental homes. Landscaped grounds contain a lodge with a fireplace and cafe, public rooms in the Old Kiln, and a fully-equipped conference center, as well as the Xiaolumian (see restaurants directory under 'Dumplings') restaurant located in a stone farmhouse. Rooms can be booked online, and there are seasonal packages and promotions available year-round. There's also a spa with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, tennis court, fitness center and treatment rooms.

Imagine a Beijing utopia where cafés are spacious, with cement walls, antique-style armchairs and desk lamps that evoke the hushed feel of a Victorian library. Where by day you lounge about under glass skylights, while evening fills the room with warm light from Moroccan lamps, glass-crystal chandeliers and lanterns dangling from tree branches. Where each table is outfitted with sockets, inviting you to blog until midnight, and the palatial space is topped with a roof terrace. Amazingly, it exists in Gongti’s MAAN Coffee. Clearly the city’s in love with the franchise – this is the thirteenth branch – which is appropriate, since MAAN – 漫– a homonym meaning both slow and romantic – redefines café culture in China, and possibly the world.

After opening the chic Korean restaurant chain Ai Jiang Shan, the owners decided to extend their flair for design and service to cafés fit for upmarket Shire dwellers. But it’s not all appearance: MAAN Coffee baristas attend training in Maan’s Roasting Factory and Coffee School in Jiangfu; clearly, friendly customer service and espresso expertise are a priority of the company, and the education does not go unnoticed.

Daily visitors should restrict themselves to just coffee, unless the latest trendy diets allow all-day breakfasting. The menu features waffles and toast dressed like a Nutcracker fantasy. Try the plain waffle (28RMB): four batter cakes, griddled golden, garnished with jams, syrups, whipped cream, and confectioner’s sugar. Or dive deep into indulgence with the chocolate waffle (38RMB), four quarters of chewy, cocoa-flavoured deliciousness served with berry compote, a scoop of dark-chocolate ice cream, and a mini-minaret of whipped cream, garnished with a chocolate-cream- filled Oreo cookie and chocolate-roll biscuit. You shouldn’t finish it, but you will. 

The honey toast (28RMB) is bathed in salted butter and nestled within a crust that comes with three dipping sauces of maple syrup, condensed milk and berry compote. Sweet and savoury, this understated dessert earns every mouthful.

On the savoury side, the ‘bulgogi burger’ (45RMB) is actually two burgers of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet Korean barbecue sauce, each with tomato, lettuce and processed cheddar, all sandwiched in a satisfying English muffin. It sates a single starving appetite, or two laptop-bearing diners with no intention to leave their seat and burn off a second helping.

Drinks are equally substantial. The café mocha (32RMB) is a rich hot-chocolate variety with a notion of espresso, topped by a minaret of heavy whipped cream. All coffees are served with four sweet, buttery sticks of toast – great for dipping. The menu has the usual espresso standbys, as well as inventive concoctions such as the velvety sweet-potato latte (33RMB), and the roasted grain shake (30RMB), a chilled milk-barley tea. The mixed-berry bingsu (53RMB) is a deep bowl of shaved ice, topped with a crimson brigade of maraschino cherries, tart currants, dried cranberries, strawberry slices, cubes of watermelon and a scoop of hearty strawberry ice-cream.

MAAN Coffee is a great cafe-date spot. Sweet-toothed romantics can rendezvous or lounge with a laptop, feeling hopeful. But whatever happens, you will undoubtedly find something to make you swoon.

  Yubeng, the Tibetan village locates at the foot of the Meili Snow Mountain, and it has been hailed as the real Shangri-La.

  From antient time, Meili Snow Mountain has been popular for Tibetan people to pay pilgrimage to, as the mountain is considered to be the incarnation of one of thier Gods. Every year before winter comes, the Tibetan people either travel with their families members, or monks with their fellows, pay homage to the Holy Ice Lake and the Holy Waterfall at the foot of the mountain. And Yubeng village is the only place they can stay overnight.

  Surrounded by mountains, Yubeng Village is sparsely populated because of its unique geographical situation. Since ancient times, there has only been one path that leads Yubeng Village to the outside world; therefore, only around 20 families have settled there. Yubeng Village is divided into Upper Yubeng and Lower Yubeng. From Upper Yubeng, trekkers have access to the Sino-Japanese Base Camp in Kawakarpo of Meili Snow Mountain. From Lower Yubeng, yon can find the paths to the Sacred Waterfall.

  Yubeng Village lies at the foot of the Wuzi Peak under the Niancimu Peak of Meilii Snow Mountain. With beautiful scenery and simple and honest people, Yubeng Village is a land of idyllic beauty, which attracts lots of trekkers rushing to this little village, from May to November, despite the long streneous trek people have to cover by foot, or by horses.

From Shangrila there are daily buses going to Deqin County town, and from the bus station, people have to hire minivan to Xidan village, where people can start hiking, 219 kms later, you're there.

In Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, the plunging waterfalls, the dense trees, the fresh air, and the mist on the stream make you feel like you are in an otherworldly sort of place. A spring meanders in the canyon, along which are trails built with planks. On the way, you can see the longest and highest glass bridge in the world as well as the karst landform in the north temperate zone. You have to walk for over two hours to visit the canyon, so remember to wear sports shoes and bring some food. You are recommended to start at the top of the canyon and move downhill, the following attractions coming into view successively.

A Strip of Sky & Sky Ladder Plank Road
‘A Strip of Sky’ is a narrow valley through which only one person can pass at a time. The valley is over 765 yards (700 meters) long with a drop of 985 feet (300 meters) from the beginning to the end. After passing through the valley, you will see Sky Ladder Plank Road. This road is very steep and the planks are narrow, making it look like a sky ladder. Walking along it for three minutes, you come to the best place to see the entire ‘A Strip of Sky’.

Southern Red Flag Canal
The canal is 3 feet (1 meter) deep and 3 feet wide, but over 6 miles (10 kilometers) long. It directs the spring from the lofty cliffs. The excavation took local people seven years, and many of them sacrificed their life for it. Thanks to the canal, residents of eight nearby villages have water to drink and irrigate the rice fields.

Tip: There is a skidway made of granite slates among the A Strip of Sky, the Sky Ladder Plank Road, and the Southern Red Flag Canal. It takes you only 3-5 minutes, 20 minutes shorter than walking.

Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, built with 99 sheets of glass, is 470 yards (430 meters) long, 6.6 yards (6 meters) wide and 985 feet (300 meters) high, the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. Unlike the Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Glass Bridge, which is inserted on the mountain side with a height of 4,690 feet (1,430 meters), Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge hangs over a valley. It provides a superb panorama of the entire grand canyon. Standing on it is like floating in the air. Come and have a try if you are brave enough. There is also a rope line nearby, which surely excites your nerves.

Please note that visitors need to book a ticket for the Glass Bridge on its official website at least one day before the visit. Only those who qualify for ticket discounts can buy the ticket on spot. Valid ID certificate like passport is required for purchasing the ticket.

 Some Tips for Walking along the Glass Bridge:
1. The bridge may be closed if the weather is bad.
2. High heels are not allowed on the bridge. One can only bring a cell phone with cover and purse while walking on the bridge.
3. Do not run on the bridge or stand against the rail.
4. Those who have heart disease, high blood pressure and acrophobia are not recommended to set feet on the bridge.

Barrel Cliff & Flying Fox Rushing Downhill
The cylindrical cliff is neither chiseled by human nor eroded by waterfalls, and only grasses grow on it with no trees.  Geologists and botanists cannot explain why. Keep moving 10 yards (10 meters), you can see the Flying Fox Rushing Downhill. On the cliff, a big rock gets in the running waterfall’s way and the water forms a rock cover, which looks like a fox rushing downhill.

Pearl Wall & Waterfall of Butterfly Spring
The spring flows slowly downward along the cliff on which lots of plants grow. Then it forms many pearlescent crystal droplets on those plants. Thus the cliff is called Pearl Wall. After two minutes’ walk, the Waterfall of Butterfly Spring comes into view. It flows past trees and lawns, and butterflies dance there every day, giving it its name.

Swallow Cliff
There are thousands of swallow nests on Swallow Cliff. These rock swallows are smaller than ordinary ones and do not nest in houses. Their nests can be cooked and eaten.
At the end of the canyon, there is a reservoir where you need to take a boat. Ducks play on the reservoir, you may also see egrets flying past.

1. You can take the shuttle bus from Wulingyuan Bus Station to Cili and get off at Grand Canyon, taking about 20 minutes and costing CNY 12.
2. You can take the long-distance bus from Guanghe Mall in Zhangjiajie to Jiangya Hot Spring and get off at the canyon. The bus departs every 60 minutes with a duration of 1 hour and a ticket price of CNY 20.
3. You can also take the direct bus from Zhangjiajie Center Bus Station to the canyon with a duration of 1.5 hours

the way of Cooking  hot pot still is an old skill in Sichuan, a popular choice for the dinner when evening comes in Chengdu.
Eating hot pot is different from that of traditional Chinese food, which means you dont need take the cooked food on the table,

covering 300000 square meters and more than 250 seafood shops,huangsha aquatic market is the largest aquatic market in the southern china.with the favorable geography,the sea side by the market allow ship stop there as a temporary shop.the value for transaction here everyday can reach 10 million RMB.they are all sold every conor of the china or even overseas.the value of transaction make it as the most valuable market among other in china.with the development of the marketing and favorable geography,it also became a idea place for sea food tasting place.here you can buy varieties of seafood from everywhere then take them to the nearby to cook immedately for you.it is one of feature of this market.

qingping herbal market is the earliest herbal market which opened in china also the only one urban herbal market.it is located qingping road by the peal river side.coverying an area of 11000 square meters,there are more than 1500 shops.everyday,the herbs was sold to every places of the country or even guangzhou family.here you can find varieties of herbs for your demand for either soup or medicine.beside selling herbs,it is also a home pets market attracting the youth come here to find their pets.you will see the tiny turtle,colorful small fish,little birds ect......

For Coach Tour:

• coach tour i picked up from different hotels.
• Suitable for tourists who have limited budget and would like to travel with others from different countries.
• Two shopping stops for group tour:1. jade museum at lunch time, 2. tea or silk shop in the end of the tour.

 Badaling Great Wall is one of the most magnificent sections of the Great Wall. Since the Great Wall has become a national icon of China, whoever come to China would visit it. It is one of the 7 wonders of the world. 

 Changling Tomb is the tomb of the  Emperor Zhudi , known as Yongle (1360-1420), and his empress Xu.  was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Construction of his tomb start to built  since 1409 and was completed in 1427. Changling Tomb, built the earliest among the 13 Ming Mausoleums, is the largest and most magnificent one.

driver and guide pick up from your hote (inside 5 ring road hotels of Beijin)

Good to know

• Modern Chengjiang hotel with private beach
• Panoramic lake view from your balcony
• Easy access to Kunming Changshui International Airport
• Event facilities, including a Mediterranean-style outdoor chapel
• Spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and kids’ playground
• The hotel is located on the north-eastern coast of the beautiful Fuxian Lakea, Chengjiang county,a dynamic tourist destination.The hotel is about one hour from downtown Kunming and just over an hour from Kunming Changshui International Airport.

Hilton Yuxi Fuxian Lake, set on the northeast edge of one of the deepest freshwater lakes in China, is the first Hilton hotel in Yunnan province. Our hotel features white sandy beach, green lawn, a spa, two pools, mahjong rooms, a children's playground and private balconies in all the guest rooms. Plan an outdoor wedding in our chapel or host a business meeting for 800 people. The view is inspirational from our restaurants and bars.