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China Attractions

Yellow Crane Tower (Huang He Lou)

The Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan was originally built during the Three Kingdoms Period for military purposes. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times in successive dynasties. The present tower consists of a five-storey building with a height of 50.4 meters (165.4 ft). Murals, statues of great po...
The Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan was originally built during the Three Kingdoms Period for military purposes. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times in successive dynasties. The present tower consists of a five-storey building with a height of 50.4 meters (165.4 ft). Murals, statues of great poets, poems, and paintings decorate the interior of the tower. Taking in the view from the top of the grand tower, one can enjoy the beauty of Wuhan City as well as the remarkable Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River passing by.
 
A legend goes that there was once a young man named Xin who ran a wine shop at the site of Yellow Crane Tower. A Taoist priest asked for wine one day, and Xin served the priest for free. The grateful Taoist priest painted a crane on the wall, which would dance whenever people clapped. People were amazed by the supernatural crane, so they swarmed to the wine shop. Ten years later the Taoist priest revisited the shop and rode the crane off into the sky. In memory of the immortal Taoist priest, Xin built a tower named Yellow Crane Tower.
 

Take tourist bus No. 401 or any bus going to Hankou or coming to Wuchang.

Green Lake Park

Green Lake Park (Cuihu gongyuan) is downtown Kunming’s nicest (and only) park.   Compared to lakes in other cities, like Xi Hu in Hangzhou, Green Lake Park is not all that special.  However, it is a nice place to take a sunny afternoon stroll and is conveniently located betwe...

Green Lake Park (Cuihu gongyuan) is downtown Kunming’s nicest (and only) park.   Compared to lakes in other cities, like Xi Hu in Hangzhou, Green Lake Park is not all that special.  However, it is a nice place to take a sunny afternoon stroll and is conveniently located between Yunnan University and the Bird and Flower Market

The entrance fee to the islands in the park is 2 RMB.  It is probably worth the entrance fee, but there is nothing inside that is so wonderful - mostly old people playing majiang and hanging out.  If desired, one could rent a paddle boat to take out on the lake. 

Green Lake is pleasant all year round, but the best time to visit is during the winter when red-beaked gulls from Siberia migrate south and make their home in Cuihu and Dian Chi for the coldest months of the year (Dec - Feb).  During that time it tends to get a bit chilly in Kunming, but the temperature rarely drops much below freezing (0 degrees C / 32 F).  The road bordering the park is lined with restaurants, cafes, tea houses, hotels, and bars.

How to get there
:  Green Lake Park is located in Downtown Kunming near Yunnan University.  There are many buses that will get you there, including the number 1, 101, and 133.  On the number 1 bus, get off at the Yunnan University stop and walk south.  The 133 circumnavigates the park, stopping in 3 places around Green Lake.   Take bus 101 from the train station, which will also circumnavigate the park. From Yunnan University walk south - Green Lake is located between Dong Feng Xi Lu and Hua Shan Xi lu, Wenlin Jie and Renmin Zhong Lu.  If you take a taxi, tell the driver "Cuihu gongyuan."

Find it on the map

The Peak

Back in the days before Disneyland and soaring cable cars, the Peak was the prime destination for visitors to Hong Kong. The timeless spot has alwa...

Back in the days before Disneyland and soaring cable cars, the Peak was the prime destination for visitors to Hong Kong. The timeless spot has always offered the best views of Hong Kong with the site taking in an average of six million visitors every year. With the Peak Tower having recently undergone a makeover, Hong Kong’s premier tourist destination has become sexy again. 

The Peak Tram   

For a classic Hong Kong experience, try viewing skyscrapers whilst traveling up an almost vertical gradient on a tram. The Peak Tram is a historic funicular railway operating since 1888. The tram ascends 373 meters from the Lower Peak Tram Terminus in Central to The Peak. The steepest inclination is 27 degrees at May Road. If you have the heart to stand up from your seat, gravity automatically kicks in and you will actually be standing at a 45 degree angle on the way up - a really unique experience which will have the rest of the passengers staring at you in awe. Measuring 1365 meters, the tram is the shortest, yet most beautiful route to The Peak. The Peak Tram is computer-controlled. All safety devices are checked automatically before each ascension begins, just in case you have any safety concerns about traveling up a 27 degree incline in a tram - not something you experience every day.

- Hours of Operation: Everyday, including all public holidays, from 7:00 am to midnight, departing every 15 minutes.
- Roundtrip fare: HK$30 for adults / HK$9 for children / HK$14 for seniors
- One way fare: HK$20 for adults / HK$6 for children / HK$7 for seniors

Tips: Adjacent to the Peak Tram, The Lion Pavillion offers some of the clearest views of the skyline. They are the just off the right on the start of a trail that goes round the Peak.

The Peak Hong Kong Nature Walk

Looking to share a romantic moment with a loved one or get the kids outdoors and produce an indelible memory for the family? Then take a leisurely stroll along one of the nature trails originating at The Peak Tower. While you relax amidst lush green vegetation you can savor the glorious panoramic views of Hong Kong. Choose among one of the following four routes:

(1) Mount Austin Playground (5 to 10 mins) - an ideal picnic area for families
(2) Victoria Peak Garden (30 to 40 mins) - located 554 meters above sea level, this excellent resting place offers a view of the whole of Hong Kong
(3) Hong Kong Trail, a circuit of The Peak (45 to 60 mins) - an easy, scenic trail for all ages.
(4) Pok Fu Lam Country Park (35 to 45 mins) - where you can find a stream cascading towards Pok Fu Lam Reservoir

Tips: If time allows, do the Hong Kong Trail during the daytime, so you can soak in the optimum vantage point from Lugard Road Lookout. At night choose one of the many themed restaurants providing the stunning view.

How to get there

The Peak
- Bus 15 - Exchange Square in Central (daily from 6:15 am to 12:15 am, HK$8.8)
- Green minibus no. 1: City Hall in Central (daily, HK$7.4)

The Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road
- Bus 15C: Star Ferry Pier in Central (daily 10:00 am to 11:45 pm, HK$3.2)
- On foot: from Central MTR station exit J2, walk about 10 minutes

Estimated duration

Sightseeing only: 3 hours
Sightseeing + dinner: 5 hours

Further info
The Peak Lookout Restaurant

Lan Kwai Fong

Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong is located on the south end of Queen’s Road Central and above the winding D’Aguilar and Wyndham Streets. It is definitely the place to party, with many famous bars and clubs concentrated up, down, and either side of the elongated hil...

Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong is located on the south end of Queen’s Road Central and above the winding D’Aguilar and Wyndham Streets. It is definitely the place to party, with many famous bars and clubs concentrated up, down, and either side of the elongated hilly stretch of tarmac. You will find a great mix of people and cultures, with locals and expatriates enjoying many liquidated happy hours in the area. The
Lan Kwai Fong restaurant group owns many bars in the area, but they most certainly do not have a monopoly, so check our list of top bars and nightlife entertainment to see some of our favorite specially selected watering holes (rigorously scientifically tested and proven to be so).

Tips
Holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, or New Year’s draw enormous crowds to Lan Kwai Fong.  Arrive early to snag a table on a balcony for your party. From these choice seats, you can most comfortably enjoy the festivities.

Tipping is not compulsory, but most restaurants will add 10% service charge onto the bill.

Ming Tomb, Plum Blossom Hill and Purple Cloud Lake

Lying on the west side of the southern foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan, 紫金山), the Ming Tomb Scenic Area contains the Ming Tomb as well as Purple Cloud Lake and Plum Blossom Hill.
 
Not...
Lying on the west side of the southern foot of Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan, 紫金山), the Ming Tomb Scenic Area contains the Ming Tomb as well as Purple Cloud Lake and Plum Blossom Hill.
 
Note: There are many different English translations of ’明孝陵’, including “Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum,” “Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty,” “Ming Xiaoling,” “Xiaoling Tomb,” and “Ming Tomb.”  We will call it the “Ming Tomb” to keep it simple, but keep in mind that you may come across the other translations.
 
Ming Tomb
 
Nanjing became the capital of China when Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368.  During his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang built the great city walls of Nanjing, the imperial palace, and his future tomb - the Ming Tomb in Nanjing.  The Ming Tomb is a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for travellers to Nanjing.
 
 
Leading up to the impressive Ming Tower is the long, winding “sacred path”. You will also pass other impressive structures including Square City (built in 1413), Imperial Tablet Hall (1699), and the Sacrificial Palace (1383). The first two legs of the path are lined with pairs of stone statues of lions, camels, elephants, unicorns, xiezhi, and kylin as well as four pairs of ministers and generals who have accompanied the buried majesty in perpetuity.
 
Zhu Yuanzhang and his wife are actually not buried in the tower (which is why it is called a tower and not a mausoleum). Instead they are buried behind it in the treasure mound – a forested hill that is surrounded by a 7 meter high, 1000 meter long circular wall of bricks.
 
Plum Blossom Hill
 
Plum Blossom Hill takes its name from the pink plum blossoms that blanket the hill when they are in bloom. To the south of Plum Blossom Hill across the sacred avenue are Plum Blossom Valley and a youth hostel.
 
Purple Cloud Lake
 
Purple Cloud Lake is an ideal spot to spend an afternoon relaxing outdoors. Not suprisingly, “No Swim” signs lining the edge of the lake are no deterrence to many locals that enjoy the waters.  That being said, it should be known that many people have drowned in the lake’s deep waters.
 
 
How To Get There
 
The Ming Tomb area is quite easy to locate. It is a good starting place from which to move on towards the hiking trails further up the mountain and to other tourist attractions located along the south face of Purple Mountain.
 
Bus #20, 游1 (travel 1, you 1), 游2 and 游3 all stop at several locations bordering the Ming Tomb scenic area.  The Square City bus stop is the best place to start a scenic walk up the sacred path towards the Ming Tower.  The bus stations on the east of the scenic area are convenient for leaving the area or for reaching other sections of Purple Mountain.
 
Unknown to most, there is actually a way to get to Ming Tomb area from a path above.  This path splits off from the hiking trail that connects the observatory with the mountain top.  See the Purple Mountain article for more info.
 
On the final leg of the path up to the Ming Tower there is a shop that sells excellent detailed maps of the entire Ming Tomb area.

China Articles

Top China Tours

$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.

$200 Per Day

CHENGDU, A PANDA CITY, A GOURMET CITY, A TEA CITY, LOOKING FOWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL

Chengdu, with an area of 12,400 square kilometers and a polulation of about 14,170,000 is not just the biggest provincial capital in west China, but also the only city in the history of China whose name has reminded the same for 3,000 years since its establishment. In Chinese, "Cheng" means "success or successful" and "Du" means "big city or capital". This "Successful City" boasts a long history. It is believed that everything about Chengdu has their origin from "Sanxingdui Ruins", from where you can deeply discover the history story of Chengdu.

Giant pandas definitely are the best calling card and trademark of Chengdu. Every year, million of people are attracted by giant pandas to spend their holidays here, go sightseeing here, make investment here and even settle here permanently. The reason is that for people around the world, the charm of giant pandas cannot be replaced by anything else. 

Various kinds of wonderful food shall be another reason attracting you to visit Chengdu. Of the four most famous schools of culinery art in China (Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Guangdong cuisine), Sichuan cuisine boasts tongue-numbing, hot, delicate and fresh taste and a variety of flavors, as "each dish has its unique taste and no two dishes have the same flavor." Such spcial flavors as fish-flavored, gongbao (with peanuts), and water-boiled are incomparable at home and abroad.

"The teahouses in Sichuan top the world, and those in Chengdu Top Sichuan." This widespread saying not only points out the status of Chengdu's teahouses but also the inseverable ties between Chengdu culture and tea. Like bars in Paris and cafes in Vienna, teahouse add a touch of refinement and leisureliness to Chengdu, an ancient yet modern metropolis. The practice of driking tea prevailed in Sichuan as earlt as prior to the Qin and Han Dynasties.

Wish you can have a nice trip in Chengdu. You will love it.