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China Attractions

Heptachord Terrace (Gu Qin Tai)

Heptachord Terrace is located on the west side of Tortoise Hill. The terrace is also named Boya Terrace after a popular story about friendship that took place here during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 B.C.). A famous musician named Yu Boya was once stranded here by a sudden heavy...
Heptachord Terrace is located on the west side of Tortoise Hill. The terrace is also named Boya Terrace after a popular story about friendship that took place here during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 B.C.). A famous musician named Yu Boya was once stranded here by a sudden heavy rain. He played a song named “High Mountains and Flowing Steams” on his boat. Another musician named Zhong Ziqi heard the music. Yu Boya discovered that Zhong Ziqi deeply understood his music, so Yu Boya invited him to come into the boat, and the two discussed the music for the whole night. The following day, they made an appointment to meet at the exact same place a year later. Unfortunately, Yu Boya only saw the grave of his friend one year later. He was so depressed that he played the same bit of music in front of the grave and then smashed his heptachord. After that, he never played music again.  The legendary story about their friendship touched many people, so Heptachord Terrace was built to memorize their friendship.
 

A visitor can easily get to Heptachord Terrace by any bus going to Hankou or coming to Wuchang. You can also take bus No.1.

 

The Westin Brunch

Numerous great hotels in Shanghai offer fantastically elaborate Sunday brunches and meals on special holidays.  The Westin’s brunch is particularly noteworthy – and for good reason.  My first experience at the Westin was on the Sunday of New Year’s weekend, and it was ...

Numerous great hotels in Shanghai offer fantastically elaborate Sunday brunches and meals on special holidays.  The Westin’s brunch is particularly noteworthy – and for good reason.  My first experience at the Westin was on the Sunday of New Year’s weekend, and it was heaven.  The food was fantastic, waiters attentive, champagne constantly flowing, and the entertainment was… well, entertaining (I have been told that on normal weekends the entertainment is a lovely opera singer, making the experience all the more amazing).  Overall, it was a fantastic 3 hours of eating, drinking and relaxing.  There is only one seating per brunch, so there was no rush.  We ate slowly in an effort to manage at least a bite of everything that was served . This proved to be an impossible task as I got stuck on the sashimi and crab legs – YUM. 

 
The price is 430RMB per person including a 15% service charge. Indeed it may be hard to imagine that anything in Shanghai could be worth so much, but not once did I question that the Westin was worth every Jiao.  The waitress watched so closely that every sip of Champagne was immediately replaced.  For those that do not enjoy Champagne, there is free flowing liquor bar as well.  Those seated downstairs must also be sure not to miss the “Italian” food area upstairs – the risotto prepared in a huge wheel of parmesan is unbelievable.  The Peking duck on the first floor is the best I have had in Shanghai. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert!
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 2 to the Henan Rd Stop. Exit onto Henan Rd, and walk south.  The Bund Center looks like a giant lotus flower – look up!

Dong Men

Dong Men 东门

Dong Men is a shopping district consisting of department stores, supermarkets, shops and stalls. It is centred on two parallel pedestrian streets with several smaller streets and alleys traversing it, creating a labyrinth in which every available space is used to sell som...

Dong Men 东门

Dong Men is a shopping district consisting of department stores, supermarkets, shops and stalls. It is centred on two parallel pedestrian streets with several smaller streets and alleys traversing it, creating a labyrinth in which every available space is used to sell something. Shops range from holes-in-the-wall to retail chains like Baleno, Giordano and the odd foreign brand shop, such as Addidas. Fashion wear, sports wear, jewellery, shoes, handbags, toys, CDs, DVDs, video games, traditional medicine...the list goes on and on. Touts guide punters to massage houses, nail salons and tattoo parlours. Occasionally, monks offer palm readings. Except for retail chain stores with prices clearly displayed, bargaining will be required.

 
If you do nothing else in Shenzhen, fit in a visit to Dong Men. It’s a wonderfully vibrant area to explore and a lot of the city’s young go there to stroll around, hang out and eat from its snack stalls and restaurants. It can be crowded at any time of the week but on weekends and holidays it seems like the whole population of the city is trying to squeeze into a few small streets.
 
How to get there
This area can be reached by bus no 102, 113,103, and 203. Head down one of the pedestrian streets that run perpendicular to Dong Men Zhong Lu (Dong Men Central Road) near the Dong Men footbridge. (There are more shops on the opposite side of Dong Men Zhong Lu). From there just wander and follow the crowd. By Metro, get off at Lao Jie station and leave from exit A. Turn left and you’ll soon be in the thick of it.

Coconut Grove Bistro

I try to write about restaurants that I like, because generally the locales that do not impress me much, I quickly forget.  That is unless they are so bad that I can’t stop thinking about them! I found the need to write about Coconut Grove Bistro for two reasons. First, it is located i...

I try to write about restaurants that I like, because generally the locales that do not impress me much, I quickly forget.  That is unless they are so bad that I can’t stop thinking about them! I found the need to write about Coconut Grove Bistro for two reasons. First, it is located in a spot where visitors and locals alike will often find themselves quite hungry. Second, despite the assumption that Plaza 66 – probably the most upscale mall in Shanghai - would and does include some trustworthy restaurants, Coconut Grove Bistro is not one of them.

 
It was not the service or atmosphere that made this an unpleasant experience (although they weren’t great either), the food was simply disgusting.  The "spring rolls", which the menu labels as Vietnamese, were stale rice paper rolls covered in fish sauce, and stuffed with week-old, sautéed vegetables. The string beans were also covered in a fish sauce so strong it made the dish taste plain rotten.  Amazingly there was no Pad Thai on the menu, but there was stir-fried noodles with shrimp that, simply put, tasted wrong.  The green curry was just about the only edible dish, and one can certainly find better in Shanghai.
 
There are several great options for Thai cuisine in Shanghai (see Simply Thai, Lan Na Thai). If you should find yourself in Plaza 66 and starving, check out the Red Door, right next to Coconut Grove Bistro, it is 100% better.
 
How to get there:  If you don’t know where it is, hopefully you will never come across it…

Peking Roast Duck Restaurant

Peking Roast Duck Restaurant offers an excellent special; buy one roasted duck for 38 yuan, and receive a coupon for a free duck which can be used upon your next visit.  Besides the duck itself, it is an extra 8 yuan for each order of wraps, sauce and onions.  Two orders should b...

Peking Roast Duck Restaurant offers an excellent special; buy one roasted duck for 38 yuan, and receive a coupon for a free duck which can be used upon your next visit.  Besides the duck itself, it is an extra 8 yuan for each order of wraps, sauce and onions.  Two orders should be enough.  Guests can actually stand beside the chef to witness exactly how the duck is prepared.  When you are about to finish the dish, the attendant will assist you by cooking the duck a second time with a different method.  Have duck soup made for free or you can choose to pay an extra 5 yuan to have the remainder of the duck fried with salt and pepper.  A variety of cold dishes and hot dishes are also available.

There is an English menu available but it is strangely much shorter than the Chinese menu.  Nevertheless, the servers are sure to know you are there for the duck.

During supper hours consider yourself lucky if you can get a table without a wait.

Note: According to Peking Roast Duck Restaurant employees, some of the restaurants below are owned by different owners so prices may vary a bit.  All locations have the "buy 1 now, get 1 free next time" deal but the coupon must be used at that same location.

Some of the Other Locations in Nanjing

No. 41 Youfu Xi Jie (游府西街42号)
+86 (0)25 8454 9348

No. 216 West Phoenix Street (Fenghuang Xi Jie, 凤凰西街216号)
+86 (0)25 8656 1012

No. 101 Hanzhongmen Dajie (汉中门大街101号)
+86 (0)25 8655 0888

No. 6 South Da Qiao Road (大桥南路6号) (Bus routes 31, 34, 100,1 6)
+86 (0)25 8342 2878

No. 113 Yudao Jie 113, Baixia District (百下区御道街113号)
+86 (0)25 8459 2982

Garden Books

This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community.  The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
 
The book selection, however, is ...

This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community.  The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
 
The book selection, however, is what truly makes Garden Books quite special.  The collection is small, yet varied with mystery novels, non-fiction titles, and Chinese themed cultural novels.  The selection will satisfy both tourists and locals seeking some new pleasure reading. In addition Garden Books also features an excellent selection of Chinese learning materials.  I found a great ’Intro to Chinese’ book that has made learning Chinese far less overwhelming for me.
 
Garden Books also contains a considerable collection of cookbooks, art and interior design books. Many titles are courtesy of the publisher Phaidon, whose beautifully designed books on a number of topics from art history to fashion make perfect gifts.  The section of books on Shanghai is naturally quite helpful as well (and also makes great holiday gifts).  My particular favorites are the Shanghai Architectural Guide and the small photograph book with pictures of old and new Shanghai placed side by side (only 68 RMB!).
 
In an effort to support the environment, no plastic or paper bags are given with your purchase. The option of buying a cloth tote bag for 10 RMB is far more useful anyway!
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd Station.  Exit onto Shanxi Rd and head north for two blocks to Changle Rd. Take a left on Changle Rd.  Garden Books is about 50 meters down the street.

Cotton Club

For those who prefer to listen to jazz in a notably relaxed atmosphere, Cotton Club is the place to be. The music is a bit more blues and soul than rival CJW, and the lighting is low and unpretentious. Musicians are foreigners, established within their own right and of an exceptionally high quality. The jazz is authentic and boy, it is loud. Don’t sit near the stage if you want to keep your ear drums intact.

Cocktails cost around 50RMB with bottles of beer around 30-40RMB. Cotton Club features a real wooden bar with delightfully stereotypical moody bartenders. I will honestly buy anyone a drink who can coax a smile out of the gal with glasses!! Cotton also has wooden booths.

Cotton Club emits the feeling that it’s totally cool to stop by wearing a jeans and a T-shirt and just enjoy some jazz. Those with tastes that are marginally more high brow than that should probably stick with CJW.

One the weekends be sure to reserve a table in advance, as the music commonly goes on well after 1am.

Chinese Department Store

If you want to purchase Chinese arts and crafts as souvenirs or as part of your collection, then here are the major Chinese department stores that you should visit.  

Chinese Arts & Crafts &n...

If you want to purchase Chinese arts and crafts as souvenirs or as part of your collection, then here are the major Chinese department stores that you should visit.  

Chinese Arts & Crafts  中国艺术工艺品

As you can guess from their name, this mainland-owned store has a wide collection of fine quality Chinese arts and crafts. There are five branches in Hong Kong.
 
Admiralty Branch 金钟店
Address: Shop 230, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2523-3933
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:30am – 7:30pm
 
Central Branch 中环店
Address: G/F, Asia Standard Tower, 59 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Tel:(852)2901-0338  Hours of Operation: Daily 10:30am – 7:30pm

Wan Chai Branch 湾仔店
Address: Lower Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Tel: (822) 2827-6667
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:30am – 7:30pm
 
Tsim Sha Tsui Branch 尖沙咀店
Address: 1/F, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Tel: (852) 2735-4061
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:30am – 9:30pm
 
Yau Ma Tei Branch 油麻地店
Address: G/F, 378 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2730-0061
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:30am – 9:30pm
 
CRC Department Store 华润百货公司

This large Chinese emporium offers both cheaper products and a wider selection. Apart from arts and crafts, the store also sells daily use items and Chinese herbal medicine.
 
Central Branch
中环店Address: Chiao Shang Building, 92-104 Queen's Road Central, Central
Tel: (852) 2524-1051
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:00am-7:15pm
 
Mong Kok Branch 旺角店
Address: Argyle Centre P1, 65 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
Tel: (852) 2395-3191
Hours of Operation: Daily 10:00am-10:00pm 
 
Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium 裕华国货

Yue Hwa sells a wide range of products such as furniture, clothing and ceramics. It is good place to quickly pick up a decent souvenir or two.

Branch Information: Please see the official website of Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium

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