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China Attractions

Pasti

The owners of Pasti have a great concept – a friendly atmosphere, big menu, home made pasta, and great prices.  While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Pasti, I have to admit that the atmosphere was a little lacking.  It was definitely “friendly,” but in a corporate wa...
The owners of Pasti have a great concept – a friendly atmosphere, big menu, home made pasta, and great prices.  While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Pasti, I have to admit that the atmosphere was a little lacking.  It was definitely “friendly,” but in a corporate way. I’m left to wonder if they don’t have plans to make Pasti a chain… as that’s what it already feels like.
 
Despite the fact that Pasti didn’t quite feel like a typically charming Italian trattoria, the food was great. Furthermore, the wait staff was accommodating and at the end of the night the bill was surprisingly low. For a starter we were given a free plate of tapenade bruschetta – who doesn’t love it when a restaurant gives you free stuff! We each had pasta for our main course, and were all satisfied with our choices.  The pesto gnocchi (46RMB) and the mushroom and bacon fusilli (46RMB) were particularly popular.  We each had a drink and were given delicious almond biscotti (free) after our meal.  The total, for four, was 250RMB , not too shabby.
 
Pasti is near Nanjing Lu, but far enough off the main pedestrian strip to make the prices a deal compared to everything else on Nanjing Lu. Give it a shot after a day of shopping at Plaza 66!
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 2 to Shi Men Road Station.  Exit Nanjing Lu and head west, away from the Bund. Take a right on Xikang Lu.  Walk up two blocks to Beijing Xilu, take a right. Pasti is on the left about 20 meters down the street.

Iiiit!

Iiiit is an excellent locale whose healthy conscious menu focuses on western style gourmet salads, sandwiches and pizzas.  Iiiit is the kind of restaurant which always leaves guests happy no matter what they are in the mood for! The sandwiches feature amazingly fresh and creative breads alon...

Iiiit is an excellent locale whose healthy conscious menu focuses on western style gourmet salads, sandwiches and pizzas.  Iiiit is the kind of restaurant which always leaves guests happy no matter what they are in the mood for! The sandwiches feature amazingly fresh and creative breads along with some very tasty dips. I love the sun dried tomato hummus (18RMB).    

 
The menu is not too big, but anyone can certainly find at least a dozen choices on it that sound great.  The Barbeque Pulled Pork Panini (48RMB) and the Provencal Vegetarian Panini (38RMB) are great standbys. If I can’t make up my mind, I always go for one of those.  For something a little more unsual, try the Louisiana Muffalata Sandwich (38RMB) or the Curried Tuna Sandwich (38RMB).  For a fresh and healthy drink I highly recommend a smoothie or fresh squeezed juice. Iiiit also makes awesome chocolate chip cookies – easy to get addicted to.
 
Located within the compound of the snazzy Summit Club apartment complex, Iiiit is easy to miss, so pay attention to addresses on your way!  There is great outdoor seating and spacious indoor seating.
 
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Changshu Lu station.  Exit onto Changshu Lu., and then take a left onto Wuyuan Lu after one block.  Take a right on Wulumuqi Lu, and head north about two blocks.  Iiiit and the Summit Club will be on the right. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

Azul and Viva

To be completely honest I am a little unclear about the difference between Azul and Viva. They appear to be the same restaurant, and share the same business card, but they are listed separately in directories. They do say that the downstairs is a tapas bar and the upstairs is the restaurant, bu...
To be completely honest I am a little unclear about the difference between Azul and Viva. They appear to be the same restaurant, and share the same business card, but they are listed separately in directories. They do say that the downstairs is a tapas bar and the upstairs is the restaurant, but I have eaten on both floors and the menu has been the same.  Either way, the atmosphere is cool and the food is great. Call it Azul, call it Viva, this is a wonderful place to have a fine meal and choose from a wide array of items on the menu. 
 
I love tapas, because they give me the opportunity to sample a lot of different things. However, after eating tapas I often leave a little unsatisfied, a little hungry, and missing my main course. Fortunately Azul and Viva has mastered the perfect serving size, and I never leave feeling hungry! Do not miss the Seared Tuna Carpaccio with Spicy Soba Noodle Salad & Wasabi Aioli (78RMB), the Calamari (38RMB) or the Sesame Prawns (98RMB).  The restaurant also offers larger plates, but the tapas are always what I remember the next time I go back.  Last, but not least, be sure to taste their sangria wine – I like the original the best.
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Lu Station.  Exit onto Henghsan Lu, and then head north. Take a left onto Dongping Lu about 8 minutes walk from the subway stop. The restaurant is on the right side.

Top China Tours

$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

 

$310 Per Day

3- Day Popular Tour In Zhangjiajie

Day 1    Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Full day trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park,take Bailong Elevator up Yuanjiajie,Bailong Elevator is the said to be the worlds tallest full-exposure outdoor lift,double-deck sightseeing elevator.Yuanjiajie is the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in AVATAR , Where you will also find the aptly named First Bridge under Heaven, Lover Peaks and so on.

Continuing to Tianzi Mountain, it takes you 40 minuts from Yuanjiajie to Tianzi Mountain by public bus, after arriving in Tianzi Mountain, you will have a bird’s-eye view of all the mountains and valleys of the Wuling Mountains. Visit Western Sea, Helong Park, Viewing Terrace etc.Take Tianzi cablecar down and check in hotel for a rest.
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown

Day 2    Baofeng Lake & Glass Bridge

After breaking in the hotel, we head to Baofeng Lake where is the masterpiece of nature and human beings’wisdom. Baofeng Lake is pure just like a big crystal among Bao feng mountain Range.When you cruise, you can hear authentic song from Tujia minority people,you can fully understand the harmony and peace between human beings and nature.

Transfer to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, have a walking on the Glass Bridge, Glass Bridge is the highlight of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is the highest and longest transparent glass bridge with a length 430 meters and a width 6 meters. It is 300 meters above the ground level and it can bear 800 persons standing on it at the same time. (need to book the tickets in advance)
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown

Day 3    Tianmen Mountain

Full day to explore Tianmen Mountain,take the longest cablecar in the world up Tianmen Mountain,have a walk on the mountain plank road built along the face of cliffs. You will feel like walking in a fairy land when the mist is still heavy.The must-visit scenic spots are: Tianmen Cave, Glass Road, Tianme Temple.

See you off in the airport and looking forward to seeing you again in Zhangjiajie.