Guide to China Attractions

China Attractions

Vienna Cafe

This darling café feels so European to me that I hide away here when I need a break from China. The renovated lane house always feels particularly warm and cosy with dark wood paneling and rich striped wallpaper. The back of the restaurant is a historic atrium, which allows for plentiful natural light in an otherwise windowless space. The menu is small but appealing, with traditional Austrian dishes like Kaesespaetzle for 60 RMB (FYI: this dish is kind of like a grown-up macaroni and cheese, I’d call it the most amazing comfort food I’ve had in years). The breakfast menu is equally small, but offers eggs in every style conceivable, fruit and cereal. The indulgent dessert menu is includes temptations such as banana cake, cheesecake, and Sacher Cake (a famous Viennese chocolate cake). To make matters worse for you dieters out there, Vienna Cafe lures you in by baking cakes during the day, so it smells wonderful inside. The Viennese coffee, at 30RMB for a latte, is prepared by a gorgeous Gaggia espresso machine.

How to get there: Shaoxing Lu is close to the busy Huaihai Lu, but it still feels miles away. It’s on one of the quietest streets I’ve seen in the middle of the French Concession. Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Lu station. Exit onto Shanxi Lu, and head south for 4 blocks. Take a left on Shaoxing, Vienna Café is half way down the block on the right. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

Botanical Gardens and Wofosi Temple

The Wofosi Temple, also known as the Temple of the Sleeping or Reclining Buddha, is one of the more peaceful temples in Beijing. Nestled at the top end of the Botanical Gardens, the temple is quite similar to the Lama Temple, another of Beijing’s well-known Buddhist Temples. The Wofosi Temple contains 4 pavilions connected by interleading courtyards, culminating in a 54 ton bronze statue of the Buddha lying on his side, reclining and/or sleeping. A large number of benches scattered about the Temple’s grounds are perfect for enjoying some peace and quiet while marvelling at cypress trees and the hills in the background.

Plan to make this a day trip as you’ll also want to spend some time exploring and enjoying the tranquility of the Botanical Gardens. The entrance fee for the Botanical Gardens is 5 Yuan, however once inside you’ll pay an additional fee to visit some of the other attractions. The Wofosi Temple costs 5 Yuan and the huge indoor tropical garden will set you back 50 Yuan, so it makes more sense to get an all-inclusive ticket for 50 yuan. The grounds of the Botanical Gardens are big, 400 hectares, and whilst you may not have the time or energy to explore the entire area, some of the outdoor gardens well worth visiting include the peony tree garden, the rose garden, the ornamental peach garden, and the Japanese garden which has an impressive collection of bonsais.

The Botanical Gardens/Wofosi Temple is situated in the northwestern outskirts of the city near the Fragrant Hills. The area is about an hour drive from the city center. There are a number of other attractions in the area for nature lovers seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, namely Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan) and the Temple of the Azure Clouds.

How to get there:

Getting there by taxi will take close to an hour and cost anything between 60 and 90 Yuan.

The buses that stop at the Gardens are: 331, 904, 737, 714, 833, 733, 318, 360.

ake 331、904、737 or Yuntong 112 to Beijing Botanical Garden or Wofosi temple. Take 360、318、714、733 and 66 to Beijing Botanical Garden and walk toward north for 200 meters.

Indian Kitchen

This Indian restaurant is always busy, always a great sign and the reason we originally went to Indian Kitchen. Located just a few blocks away from my house, this spot regularly satisfies my Indian food cravings. The food is cheaper than nearby Vedas, and while I have heard complaints that Indian Kitchen is perhaps not as authentic as Vedas, I still find it pretty darn good.

Be sure to order:

Palak Paneer (spinach and Indian cheese)

Potato and Peas Masala

Butter Chicken

Mutton Madras (which is not on the menu anymore, but if you like spice, ask for this)

All dishes are around 40RMB.

Be sure to make reservations, especially on weekends!

How to get there: Take Subway line 1 to the Hengshan Road stop. Exit onto YongJia Lu and head east or left out of the subway. Walk one and a half blocks, and the restaurant is on the left side.

Jenny Lou's

Jenny Lou’s is bound to be mentioned in any conversation about where to find Western food items in Beijing. Jenny’s has capitalized on the ever increasing demand for foreign goods that are hard to come by in Chinese supermarkets. These goods include cereals, muesli, chocolates, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products. Although prices are not nearly as cheap as Chinese supermarkets, they are on par with other outlets selling foreign foodstuffs (and in fact more reasonable than supermarkets in malls or hotels where you often pay a very high premium for imported goods). You’ll be able to do a one-stop shop as Jenny’s stocks the above items as well as household items, toiletries, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Jenny’s is a lot smaller than the other expat favourite, Carrefour, which has a lot more variety (but also a lot more crowds).

There are six outlets conveniently located in areas where expats tend to live or work:

West Gate of Chaoyang Park (tel: +86 (0)10 6501 6249)
No. 6 Beixiao Street, Sanlitun (tel: +86 (0)10 6462 1395)
No. 4 Ritan Bei Road (tel: +86 (0)10 8563 0626)
LaiGuang Ying Dong Road (next to Lane Bridge Villa) (tel: +86 (0)10 8470 1557)
West Gate of Soho (tel: +86 (0)10 8589 8299)
0413 of No.39 Jian Wai Soho (tel: +86 (0)10 5869 2253, 5869 2326)

The Beijing Bookworm

The Beijing Bookworm is something of a treat in a city where English books are hard to come by. In this large, 3 roomed open-plan establishment, you can buy books, loan books from the library, use the internet, or have something to eat or drink as you while away the hours browsing books and magazines. The Bookworm also hosts regular events such as book talks and guest speakers, which are well-advertised in any of the local expat rags or the Bookworm website.

There are a wide range of books to choose from including a China section, travel books, fiction and non-fiction as well as a handful of magazine favourites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Vanity Fair. If the book you’re looking for is not available the Bookworm will happily order it for you. If it’s language books you are after (for example Chinese books or text books for teaching English) you’re better off going to the Foreign Languages Bookstore in Wangfujing which has a wide selection of each.

Only Beijing Bookworm members can use the library facility and attend the special events such as book talks. However, you don’t need to be a member to browse, buy books or eat.

Membership fees per year are as follows:

Individual one year: 300 yuan (membership extension thereafter is 250 yuan)

Individual half year: 200 yuan (extension 150 yuan)

Family membership: 500 yuan (extension 500 yuan)

The menu is Western style including mainly sandwiches and soups. Although it is a little pricy, it is tasty nonetheless.

www.beijingbookworm.com

Alameda

Alameda is a Brazilian restaurant hidden away down a side street off Sanlitun’s Bar Street. The restaurant is well worth finding, especially for their lunch special, which is only 60 yuan for a starter and main dish. The lunch menu changes daily and there is usually a meat, fish or vegetarian option for both the starter and the main. The menu may be a bit limited, but the food is healthy, very fresh, and beautifully presented, which more than makes up for the lack of selection.

The glass walls make the restaurant feel light and summery. However, customers may experience a bit of noise fatigue when it gets busy as the sound seems to reverberate (rumour has it they are moving to new premises in the future so check back here for an update).

Alameda is nestled amongst a number of interesting clothing shops (in the Nali Mall), which makes for fun shopping or browsing after lunch.

Making a reservation in advance is recommended, especially for lunch.

Ya Xiu Market

There is no shortage of markets in Beijing, however, Ya Xiu is one of the bigger and better known markets geared towards tourists. Like Xiushui Jie Market (Silk Alley) 秀水街, this indoor market contains row upon row of designer knock offs at dirt cheap prices, provided you have good bargaining skills. Bargaining is a prerequisite and all the standard bargaining rules apply: the seller will name their price (which will be 3, 5, or even 10 times the final price), you’ll walk away after they refuse your price, and the seller will call you back saying ‘okay okay’. It’s all quite predictable, but well worth it if you get a kick out of cheap buys. The environment is not conducive to trying on garments, so you’ll have to estimate whether or not the article will fit. Also, do not be too disappointed if your purchases last you only one or two seasons as you shouldn’t expect too much from the cheapish goods you’ve purchased. Custom made suits can also be made by the many tailors who have shops in Ya Xiu.

Whilst the market does seem a bit chaotic there is some semblance of order: shoes and bags are in the basement, jewellery is on the top floor, and clothes galore fill the floors in between. The top floor is also a good place to get a cheap (30 yuan) manicure.

Ya Xiu is located in the trendy Sanlitun area, so a visit here can easily be combined with lunch at the Pink Loft, a visit to the Beijing Bookworm, the Bar Street, or just a stroll around to enjoy the embassy district.

The Pink Loft

This Thai restaurant, with its bright pink cushions, huge pink lampshades, and waiters clad in pink, is aptly named. Although the mainly concrete interior makes the restaurant feel quite industrial, it still maintains a warm (and colourful) atmosphere. The ground floor serves as the reception while the dining area is on the second and third floors. The service here is very good and the menu is impressively extensive. However, if you are feeling daunted by the prospect of ordering on your own, feel free to ask the manager for suggestions or even to order for you. There is an assortment of different kinds of prawns on the menu, be sure to try at least one as they’re delicious.

The restaurant is located in the trendy Sanlitun （三里屯） area，and is just a stone’s throw from the popular Ya Show market.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s selection of imported products is similar to that of Auchan. There is a quality selection of meat and produce.

Some brand name products have more expensive foreign-produced versions&...

Carrefour’s selection of imported products is similar to that of Auchan. There is a quality selection of meat and produce.

Some brand name products have more expensive foreign-produced versions in the imported products aisle and less expensive domestically produced versions spread throughout Carrefour.

How To Get There

A bit out of the way, it would be simplest to take a cab.

Second Location - Close to Xinjiekou
Daxinggong Carrefour (大行宫家乐福)
+86 (0)25 8465 8588 13675126677

The second location is in the Da Xinggong (大行宫) People’s square two storeys underground. This is next to the new Nanjing Library (南京图书馆) and on Zhongshan Dong Lu (中山东路). It’s all underground so look for the entrance in the picture to the right.

Also See

Carrefour China’s website

Exotic Foods

"Exotic Foods" is very conveniently located for students of Nanjing University and other nearby universities. However, the prices are accordingly higher than those of the large grocery stores.

Exotic...

"Exotic Foods" is very conveniently located for students of Nanjing University and other nearby universities. However, the prices are accordingly higher than those of the large grocery stores.

Exotic Foods sells Western food products including:

- cereal.
- pasta.
- alcohol - Hard liquor including Canadian Whisky as well as coolers and beer.
- olives and pickles
- sauces
- chocolate

How To Get There

This store is located on Hankou Xi Lu right next to a large Suguo convenience store and across the street from Skyways Bakery & Deli (It moved to No. 160 Shanghai Road). These stores in combination with a few DVD shops, Korean restaurants, and a McDonalds make this locale a hot-spot for foreign students.

China Articles

Xiangshui Lake Scenic AreaⅡ

There are sheer cliffs and steep mountains with diverse rocks and unique peaks at both sides of the valley. The Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) winds up and down the green mountains, looking like a gigantic dragon flying into the sky. The Moshikou Pass was an important pass of the Great Wall and was built in 1404 of the Ming Dynasty. Walking along the Great Wall, visitors see the natural Lianyun Cave and Totem Pavilion halfway up the wall adding mystery to the ancient pass. The Moya Inscription carved in the Ming Dynasty make the pass even more majestic. The most stunning scenery in this scenic area is the grand waterfall. The impetuous springs rush down the mountain and form a compelling waterfall, 24 meters (78.7 feet) wide, 50 meters (164 feet) long. In winter, the waterfall becomes an 'Ice Curtain' hanging over the cave.

Xiangshui Lake Scenic AreaⅠ

The Xiangshui Lake Scenic Area is located to the west of Mutianyu Great Wall, Dazhenyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, about 78 kilometers (48.5 miles) from downtown Beijing. It occupies an area of 18 square kilometers (4,448 acres). The scenic area is a splendid natural valley with a section of the Great Wall, an ancient cave, beautiful mountains, clear springs and ponds, and a spectacular waterfall.

In fact, Xiangshui Lake isn't a lake but rather a gash of water from a head of a spring in the valley. It is possible to hear the sound of the running water from afar, so it is named 'Xiangshui Lake'. The spring is the biggest one in Huairou District and the water is sweet, tasty and refreshing.

Pearl LakeⅢ

The scenic area is delightfully cool in summer. Either rowing or splashing in the water will entrance you in this beautiful scenery. Numerous fish and shrimp in the lake afford a splendid opportunity to fishing lovers to fully display their skills....

Fees:
Entrance Charge
CNY 20
The fees for boating vary between CNY 30 to 50 per person according to the types of boats.
Opening Hours:
08:00-17:30
Bus Route:
929 Zhi (929支) from the west of Pingguoyuan Subway Staytion (地铁苹果园西), and get off at Zhenzhuhu Lukou (珍珠湖路口), and then you could walk to the Pearl Lake (珍珠湖).

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 1 Arrive in Guangzhou

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.

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.

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