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Han Dynasty Tombs

Even the slightest of Chinese history enthusiasts will be engaged at these remarkably well preserved 2,000 year old tombs. The once Han Dynasty regional emperor Guang Ling (the origin of Yangzhou’s former name) had these wooden tombs constructed for he and his wife. The tombs were uncovered...

Even the slightest of Chinese history enthusiasts will be engaged at these remarkably well preserved 2,000 year old tombs. The once Han Dynasty regional emperor Guang Ling (the origin of Yangzhou’s former name) had these wooden tombs constructed for he and his wife. The tombs were uncovered at an incredible 40 meters beneath the surface in the hills just north of Yangzhou. Discovered thirty years ago, the tombs were meticulously disassembled, moved to Yangzhou, and rebuilt within a museum.

Today, the museum sits on one of the few hills in Yangzhou and provides a rare elevated view of the city (on a smog-free day of course). The tombs themselves are composed of huge cuts of Chinese Nanmu wood, and include abundant displays explaining the symbolism behind their construction. Relics found with the tombs are also displayed here. A plus at this museum are the intelligible English captions alongside nearly every exhibit.

The tombs can be visited in about one hour, and as they are indoors, make for a worthwhile trip in any season. They are located around 1 km east of Da Ming Temple on Pingshan Tang road.  

Chunxi Lu

Chunxi Lu could be included in the shopping category, but because of the brand names, bright lights, and crowds of people it is likely better suited as a tourist stop. Filled with brand name shops from around the world, Chunxi Lu is an expensive place to go shopping. You could probably buy the sa...

Chunxi Lu could be included in the shopping category, but because of the brand names, bright lights, and crowds of people it is likely better suited as a tourist stop. Filled with brand name shops from around the world, Chunxi Lu is an expensive place to go shopping. You could probably buy the same goods in your home country for similar rates. However, make time to walk down Chunxi Lu and night and witness a scene reminscient of Times Square in New York or Trafalgar Square in London. Bright lights and enormous colorful advertisements make your head spin. It is a perfect microcosm of the new globalized capitalist economy of China. The Chinese love to shop here, simply so they can say they bought the item at Chunxi Lu. Adidas, Gucci, Kappa, Nike, Seiko, Ito Yokado are just a few stores on Chunxi Lu. Try to avoid a visit on a weekend, as you will likely be overwhelmed by throngs of shoppers shoving their way down the promenade. The street is free of cars and sidestreets are filled with street vendors selling yummy snacks filled with sugar to keep you in a shopping frenzy.

Directions: Simply walk in the direction of people with shopping bags, slightly east/southeast of Tianfu Square. When the stores begin to get fancier with more and more recognizable brand names, you know you are close. All taxi drivers will know Chunxi Lu. 

Tomb of Puhaddin (Hui Hui Tang)

Yangzhou saw an unprecedented amount of Arab traders during the Tang and Song Dynasties, and among them was the famous descendant of Muhammed named Puhaddin. While in Yangzhou he preached to fellow Islamic merchants, and he built the Xianhe (immortal crane) temple, which today is closed to non-Mu...

Yangzhou saw an unprecedented amount of Arab traders during the Tang and Song Dynasties, and among them was the famous descendant of Muhammed named Puhaddin. While in Yangzhou he preached to fellow Islamic merchants, and he built the Xianhe (immortal crane) temple, which today is closed to non-Muslims. His tomb lies in a peaceful garden on a hill along the east bank of the old Grand Canal. The tomb features a unique blend of Muslim and Chinese influence. The graves of twenty other important Chinese Muslims, inscribed in both Chinese and Arabic, can also be found alongside Puhaddin's tomb. The tomb of Puhaddin is yet another reminder of Yangzhou's long standing international importance, and makes for a peaceful visit as well.  

Plum Blossom Festival (Mei Hua Jie)

From late February to early March each year, the Plum Blossom Festival is held at the scenic East Lake. The plum blossom is also the city flower of Wuhan.  Over 200 varieties of plum blossoms from different regions of China are exhibited. Activities such as Chinese calligraphy and pai...
From late February to early March each year, the Plum Blossom Festival is held at the scenic East Lake. The plum blossom is also the city flower of Wuhan.  Over 200 varieties of plum blossoms from different regions of China are exhibited. Activities such as Chinese calligraphy and paintings, plum mini-garden design contests, music and dance performances take place during the festival. Citizens whose names have the Chinese character of plum (梅) may visit the whole East Lake scenic area for free.
 
 
 
Date:  February – March (18th February to the first week of March, 2006).


East Lake, Wuchang. take bus No.1 or No. 401.

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.

 

Dong Quan Men Alley

Running parallel to the busy Wenchang Road is a quiet ancient back alley that contains a host of sites well worth visiting. The alley's main gate/entrance dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Small restaurants and craft shopss line the alley, yet it thankfully lacks any sense of commercialization. Oth...

Running parallel to the busy Wenchang Road is a quiet ancient back alley that contains a host of sites well worth visiting. The alley's main gate/entrance dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Small restaurants and craft shopss line the alley, yet it thankfully lacks any sense of commercialization. Other small alleys jet off to the sides, and wooden doors representing multiple eras of China's lengthy history serve as a backdrop to residents sitting on stools, smiling at passersby. Former Chinese president, and Yangzhou native, Jiang Zemin even has a residence in this alley.

 

Further down the alley lies one of the best preserved ancient residences in Yangzhou, that of the salt merchant Wang Shi (汪氏小苑). This residence and its nearby offshooting alleys allow for a unique opportunity to look into China's past and observe what has already been demolished in most other Chinese cities. The maze-like residence is a bit dusty and less renovated than other sights, which likely assist in making it feel as if you are walking on a piece of history.

 

Just east of this area is the Qiong Hua Temple (琼花观) and garden. The former temple, fronted by two 300 year old Gingko trees, is now an art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions of calligraphy and paintings by local artists. Behind the gallery is the quiet Qiong Hua garden which contains an abundance of Yangzhou’s city flower, the qiong hua. This flower was actually part of what drew emperors to Yangzhou for their spring tours.

 

Twenty-Four Histories Academy – A Fancy Place Full of Chinese Culture and Great for Photos

If you’re into Chinese culture or just love to take beautiful pictures, you should check out the Twenty-Four Histories Academy (二十四史书院) in Shenzhen. It’s inside the north part o...

If you’re into Chinese culture or just love to take beautiful pictures, you should check out the Twenty-Four Histories Academy (二十四史书院) in Shenzhen. It’s inside the north part of Gankeng Ancient Town (甘坑古镇), in Longgang District.

The place covers around 30,000 square meters—not super huge like a theme park, but big enough to walk around slowly and enjoy the traditional vibe. It’s beautifully designed with classic Chinese architecture—red walls, wooden halls, curved roofs, and peaceful gardens. You’ll often see people wearing Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) and taking amazing photos here.

It’s a peaceful and elegant place, very different from the busy city outside. If you’re already planning to visit Gankeng Ancient Town, don’t miss this lovely cultural spot!

huitengxile grassland

        Huitengxile means "cold high plateau." The grasslands are located in the south-central part of Chahar Right Middle Banner in Ulanqab to the north of Yinshan Mountains. With the colors and styles of the northern pastures, this vibrant place also possesses the bright and...

        Huitengxile means "cold high plateau." The grasslands are located in the south-central part of Chahar Right Middle Banner in Ulanqab to the north of Yinshan Mountains. With the colors and styles of the northern pastures, this vibrant place also possesses the bright and beautiful colors of a Jiangnan water town. Huitengxile Grasslands are cool and comfortable in the summer and cold in the winter. Ever since ancient times, it has been a popular summer destination. The best time to visit is between May and September. With many lakes and vast meadows of flowers rolling for miles and miles, it is one of the few high-altitude alpine meadows in the country.