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Mansion of Prince Gong

Prince Gong's Mansion is located near Shichahai Lake, to the northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The private residence of He Shen, a favorite minister of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was built in 1777. In 1851, the mansion was bestowed upon Prince Gong by Emperor Xian...

Prince Gong's Mansion is located near Shichahai Lake, to the northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The private residence of He Shen, a favorite minister of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was built in 1777. In 1851, the mansion was bestowed upon Prince Gong by Emperor Xianfeng (1851-1862), hence the name. It is the sole prince's mansion open to the public, and is the most well preserved mansion in Beijing.

Two stone lions guard the main gate, and magnificent buildings stand to the fore of the mansion, with an elegant garden at the rear. On the wall of the main hall hangs a plaque inscribed with three characters "Bao Guang Shi" in the calligraphy of Emperor Xianfeng. The buildings at the forefront of the mansion are on three axes, and apart from a two-story building consisting of ninety-nine and half rooms, all are in the traditional style. Duofu Study is on the eastern axis, and its structure is in the Ming style. On each of the two side axes are four courtyards, the second courtyard on the western axis being strikingly spacious. In the third courtyard, called Xijin Studio, there is a seven-roomed, exquisitely furnished hall. All the beams and pillars are made of nanmu, and its sandalwood partitions are reminiscent of those found in Ningshou Palace in the Forbidden City. Between the buildings and the rear garden there stands a 165-meter-long two-story building.

The garden in Prince Gong's Mansion is named Cuijin, meaning concentrated cream of the most beautiful flowers, and to this day it lives up to its name. The garden covers 28,000 square meters, and is surrounded by man-made hills on four sides. The main peak, constructed from Taihu rocks, is in the north. The garden has an arched stone gate in typical Western architectural style, and upon entering the garden, one can see the five-meter high Dule Peak, which is a rock procured from Lake Tai in southern China. Behind it is the Bat Pond (Bat is a homonym of happiness in Chinese). Beyond the pond stands the Anshan Hall and opposite, at the center of the garden, is a hill bearing a stone tablet inscribed with the Chinese character "fu" (happiness) in the calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1723). Behind the hill are masterpieces of garden architecture, with more than 20 scenic spots. In addition to its artificial hill, trees, flowers, pavilions and terraces, the garden also contains the unique feature of its own theater. This theater is lofty and spacious, with subtle lighting, and on its walls Chinese wisteria and green leaves are painted, giving the audience the feeling they are sitting beneath trellises. The floor is paved in pseudo-gold brick, and the seats consist of old-fashioned wooden armchairs furnished with square tables. The performers and the audience are in close proximity, so there is no need for audio amplifying equipment. Here, people can enjoy kunqu, Peking Opera and imperial music, a unique experience full of Qing historical significance.

Featured Attractions: The Peking opera house inside the mansion not only stages Beijing opera performances, but also other prominent forms of Chinese opera as well. In August 2008, the Kunqu performance group from the "Jiangsu Kunqu House" performed at the Prince Gong Mansion for a week's run with their program Floating Dreams.

Haituo Mountain

Most people traveling to Beijing must be hoping to experience the profound historical wonders of Beijing. That’s correct! However, traveling to Beijing can also be a wonderful experience of mountain camping. But where can you camp in Beijing? As far as I know, the perfect site is nothing more tha...

Most people traveling to Beijing must be hoping to experience the profound historical wonders of Beijing. That’s correct! However, traveling to Beijing can also be a wonderful experience of mountain camping. But where can you camp in Beijing? As far as I know, the perfect site is nothing more than Haituo Mountain, an area between Yanqing, Beijing and Hebei province.

Haituo Mountain is about 18 km away from the seat of Yanqing district and about 130 km away from downtown Beijing. The highest peak of the mountain is 2,241 meters, the second highest peak in Beijing. Why is it the perfect place for outdoor camping? The secret is the top of the mountain is a relatively large flat area, where nearly hundreds of tents can be set up. 

In summer, this area is about 10℃ cooler than the seat of Yanqing district and about 1,700 meters higher than the district seat, which has formed the various species of the plants all over the mountain. Areas above 1,800 meters are places where you can find high plateau grasslands. This is another reason why this is the perfect place for outdoor camping. In summer, parts of the mountain rain a lot and so the beautiful rain scenery can appear if you have the will to climb the mountain.

For people living and lodging in Beijing, this mountain also serves as a windbreak for Beijing, preventing the sandstorm from the north encroaching in Beijing. These days people visit the mountain frequently on weekends and spend cool summer nights on top of it. Our South Korean editor climbed the mountain on a weekend and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of it by camping there to spend a cool summer night.

Beijing Nangong Tourist Attractions

Nangong Tourist Attraction is known as China’s first geothermal village. It comprises of the construction of the new socialist village, scientific development and research, modern geothermal scientific education, spa fitness health, leisure and holiday entertainment, eco-contryside leisure, train...

Nangong Tourist Attraction is known as China’s first geothermal village. It comprises of the construction of the new socialist village, scientific development and research, modern geothermal scientific education, spa fitness health, leisure and holiday entertainment, eco-contryside leisure, training, exhibitions and meetings, introducing a special sightseeing style within mountains, lakes, springs and village. It is as beautiful as a poem, a painting and a dream.

Featured Attractions:

Outdoor sports

There are a thrilling slide, wide lakes and the elegant ‘Hawaiian landscape’. Different kinds of outdoor sports are provided there, including football, basketball, beach volleyball, extreme sports and canoeing. TA north American style golf course is also available.

Hot spring

The hot well Nangong is located in the largest geothermal field in Beijing and there are almost 2,700 tons of hot water coming out from the well each day. It is good place for you to enjoy the hot spring.

Fitness health

Access to different kinds of hot springs is provided in the hot spring center. These include the meditation bath area, hydrotherapy area, moving hot spring area, and huolong bath area etc. you will not feel disappointed if you come and bathe at a hot spring.

Yanqing Landscape Scenic Area of Beijing

Beijng Yanqing Landscape Scenic Area is located in Qianjiadian Town, just north of Yanqing District. It is a core region of the Yanqing Ecological Area. In 2007, it was named the best area for touring Beijing by car. The whole scenic area is divided into six parts: The Wulong Gorge area, the Wate...

Beijng Yanqing Landscape Scenic Area is located in Qianjiadian Town, just north of Yanqing District. It is a core region of the Yanqing Ecological Area. In 2007, it was named the best area for touring Beijing by car. The whole scenic area is divided into six parts: The Wulong Gorge area, the Water Drop Kettle area, the Woodstone area, the Chaoyang temple, the Longwang Temple and the Guanyu Temple. The Wulong Gorge Area is comprised of Mesozoic lava and is scenically typical of a Mountain View or river valley landscape. In the middle part of the Yanqing Landscape Scenic Area and the Wood stone area, some trees and numerous stones can be found. It is reported that the trees date back to the Jurassic Period. Most of the trees are cypresses and pines. The Wood stone area is the biggest historic area of its kind in Hebei Province. Welcome everyone to this scenic area and enjoy your tour!

Featured Attractions: Petrified Wood National Geologic Park lies at the banks of Bai River, Yanqing District. Covering about 226 square kilometers (about 87 sq mi), the park has about 780 species of plants and 180 species of vertebrates. The geologic park is characterized by its Jurassic petrified wood of 0.14-0.18 billion years. The park is divided into five scenic areas: Fossil Wood Area, Dropping-Water Pot Scenic Area (Dishuihu Scenic Area), Wulong Gorge, Yanshan Heavenly Pool and Yunlong Mountain, which includes 25 scenic spots. Badaling Wild Animal Zoo is located at the foot of the well-known Badaling Great Wall. Covering an area of over 1.54 sq mi, this zoo has nearly 10,000 wild animals, including African lions, white tigers, Siberian tigers, brown bears, sun bears and kangaroos. The park has five functional zones: animal visiting zone, mountain forest sightseeing zone, environmental reserve zone and entertainment zone. Here, tourists can not only watch the wild animals, but sometimes, may even have their pictures taken with the animals.

Annual Festivals Yanqing Apricot Blossom Festival: April 1st - middle May Planting Festival: later March - later May Mountain Climbing Festival: April 1st - later May Summer Escape Festival: June 18th - September 18th Golden Spring Picking Festival: September - November Ice & Snow Tourism Festival: January 1st - later February

Badaling Water Pass (Shuiguan) Great Wall

Badaling Shuiguan Great Wall is located in the Yanqing District of Beijing, just 1.24 miles away from the Badaling Great Wall. The Shuiguan Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is the most complete and strongest section of the ten thousand li Great Wall and famous for it...

Badaling Shuiguan Great Wall is located in the Yanqing District of Beijing, just 1.24 miles away from the Badaling Great Wall. The Shuiguan Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It is the most complete and strongest section of the ten thousand li Great Wall and famous for its precipitous cliffs.

Originally, the wall was part of an ancient military defensive work. The water system was employed to defend against enemies and formed a pass, hence the name 'Shuiguan', when translated is the 'Water Pass'. The wall was built along the mountain contours with stone blocks and grey bricks. There are seven watch towers and one arrow tower. The arrow tower measures 15.63 meters (51 feet) high with an average width of 12 meters (13 yards). The wall was open to the public in 1995 after repair. Besides climbing the wall, you can also visit the Genghis Khan Palace, the Stone Buddha Temple, Luotuo Peak (Camel Peak) and the Great Wall Stele Forest nearby.

Featured Attractions:

Golden Fish Pool: The old site of Golden Fish Pool is located below the roadbed about 50m (55 yards) to the southern mouth of Tanqin Gorge Tunnel. There was once a pond where a big golden fish lived in. According to the folk tale, during the drought days, when the locals stirred the water in the pond, it would immediately begin to rain. It was highly efficacious. At last, the pool was dried and the golden fish was disappeared. In the 1980s, in order to reproduce this beautiful pool, people built a square pool on the old site of it, and moved the stone carvings of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the front of the pool.

Changyu Wine Chateau

Located in Jugezhuang Town in Miyun District of Beijing, the Changyu Wine Chateau is a resort that offers numerous amenities to choose from while on vacation. Established in 2005, it is a holiday resort that is perhaps best known for its wine, culture, ecological tourism, and for its amenities wh...

Located in Jugezhuang Town in Miyun District of Beijing, the Changyu Wine Chateau is a resort that offers numerous amenities to choose from while on vacation. Established in 2005, it is a holiday resort that is perhaps best known for its wine, culture, ecological tourism, and for its amenities which offer relaxation.

Grapes and wine making are the specialty of this chateau. Upon a visit to the Chateau, one may learn the art of grape picking for wine making and will be able to experience how to make wine from scratch. You will gain the knowledge of a different culture all together, so the experience will not only be fun, but will also be an educational one. The Changyu Wine Chateau is a resort that offers many activities for guests to choose from. Have fun while you are there, whether swimming or relaxing at the spa. You may even want to extend your stay while you visit for the first time.

Featured Attractions: The AFIP Castle is a three-story building with one basement for the cellar. The first floor is designed for showcasing the Chang Yu Wines and Changyu wine production line. The second floor is for the museum introducing the history and development of Yantai Changyu Group co., Ltd. The third floor is for wine tasting and features meeting rooms.

Long Tan Park

Long Tan Park occupies a total area of 49.2 hectares. Approximately 19.47 hectares of this land mass is covered by water. The scenic spots alternate with each other along the lake and the lake from the water is well known as one of the freshest areas to find water in the city.

The park is a...

Long Tan Park occupies a total area of 49.2 hectares. Approximately 19.47 hectares of this land mass is covered by water. The scenic spots alternate with each other along the lake and the lake from the water is well known as one of the freshest areas to find water in the city.

The park is also divided into six scenic areas. Long Yin Pavilion Scenic Area is the unique pavilion in the Northern parks. Long Tan Scenic Area is composed of fourteen hillside areas. Letter-Dragon and Stone Forest Scenic Area is teeming with natural scenic spots and notable fixtures made of stone. The area's uniqueness comes from a history of famous calligraphers who penned many letters here and deliberated over their meanings. The story entitled Dragon written by famous calligraphers of the Qin and Han Dynasties, suggests that the area will always be a significant part of that time period and Dynasty. One can easily find a pond full of Lotus afloat across the lake from July to August of every year. Behind the Lotus Pond lies a Flower Island Scenic Area. Another area, the Dragon Gate Scenic Area, actually shares the starting point with the water-entrance of the Park. Upon entering, Dragon heads, made from stone, make an immediate impression upon those entering. It is easy to admire these fixtures as each structure allows fresh lake water to flow from the mouths of the dragon’s facade. Surrounding the lake are rare stones that add a rare and unique essence to the area. It is truly an area that integrates culture and history together with beautiful artwork.

Featured Attractions: Longtan Park is home to a number of minor features, most of which bear a recurring dragon motif. It is said that there are as many as 100 carved dragons scattered around the park, including the Dragon Gate, Green Dragon Bridge, and the Flying Dragon Pavilion, to name but a few. There are a series of simple maps dotted around the lake, indicating the locations of the various things to see. Each year in early February, the park will hold a Spring Festival Temple Fair. This large-scale event offers snack stalls, a range of interactive activities such as arm wrestling and chess playing, as well as amusements for children.

China Articles

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.