West Lake

West Lake in Chinese is Xī Hú. It is a famous for the fresh water and beautiful scenery. The lake is located in the historic center of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. The lake is divided by Su courseway, Bai courseway, and Yanggong Courseway.

The lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The distance from north to south is about 3.2 kilometers, and east to west, 2.8 kilometers. The circumference is around 15 kilometers. The area is about 6.5 square kilometers. The average depth of West Lake is 2.27 meters.

The lake is divided by Gu Shan, Bai, Su and Yanggong Causeways into five areas. Ordered by their areas, they are Outer West Lake, West Inner Lake, North Inner Lake, Little South Lak and Yue Lake. "Outer West Lake" is the largest. "Gu Shan" or Gu Hill is the largest natural island in the lake. Su & Bai Causeways run cross the lake. Three small man-made islands, "Xiao Ying Zhou", "Huxing Pavilion", "Ruangong Stone", lie in the center of Outer West Lake. Thus, the basic layout is "one hill, two causeways, three islands, and five lakes".

There are ten famous scenes of West Lake, they all have very beautiful names.

Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring (Sudi Chunxiao)

Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer (Quyuan Fenghe) 

Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn (Pinghu Qiuyue)

Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter (Duanqiao Canxue)

Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset (Leifeng Xizhao)

Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds (Shuangfeng Chayun)

Orioles Singing in the Willows (Liu'an Wenying)

Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond (Huagang Guanyu)

Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (Santan Yinyue)

Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill (Nanping Wanzhong)

West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, and it is therefore plays an important role in many aspects of Chinese culture. In addition there are many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas and among them are some of the most cherished national treasures of China.

Due to its prominent historical and cultural status among Chinese scenic resorts, West Lake was chosen as a National Key Scenic Resort in 1982, named one of Ten Scenic Resorts in 1985, and selected as a national 5A tourist resort in 2006. In addition, a picture of the lake, "Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon," was printed on the backs of both the foreign exchange certificate one yuan bill issued by the government in 1979 and the fifth version of RMB one yuan bill issued in 2004.

Charming Wuzhen Town Wether Havy or Light Make-up

I have been longing for Wuzhen Town since I read an article about Wuzhen Town written by San Mao. I am from the north of China, the Yangtze River Delta appears in my dream for many times. In this Summer, I decided to see those watery towns and touch the humid land in person.
Wuzhen Town is roughly divided into two parts, the east and the west. Compared to the grace of the West, the East preserves more time trace. It’s similar to a plain elder always in peace, looking at travelers from a distance. In the alleys, we can see some half-open doors. Looking into the yard, old couples sit on cane chairs quietly. They want to open the door for fresh air but tired of noises, so they only keep the door half-open. We can scarcely meet young people there, because they are not used to living under others’ watch. There are also elders who enjoy crowds. They transformed their house into shops and barging with the young.
The crafting shops are mostly operated by the old. The young are not willing to learn those traditional handicrafts. The theater was playing Son GokuBull fight against the Demon King, I slipped into the backstage, there were five old crafters.
The west is more like a fantasy land rather than a watertown. It’s dressed up like a young lady. It’s integration of Chinese and western culture.
It was at night when we reached the West. It was gleaming in lights. I was lost in the pavilions and murmuring water for a while. Many tourists were attracted and stopped for photos. If you like watertowns, you can visit http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/

Qingdao, a paradise for people keen on freedom and warmness

QIngdao is surrounded by water on three sides and thanks to its unique geographical setting, Qingdao is endowed with favorable sceneries. I visited Qingdao this spring.  It was a foggy day when we got there. The buildings in the distance gleamed in the fog. Linda, the guide from Chinaholidays said buildings in Qingdao were of more than 26 styles. But I couldn’t count due to the fog.

Qingdao City is built on  terrain of mountains and hills. The road is winding but clean. We expected fine view at every turn. And Qingdao has never let us down. Following Linda’s explanation, we saw Qingdao botanical garden, Huibin Square, German prison camps…..flashing before our eyes and falling behind the car. Out of the window, a man in sport suit was running. Only after I looked at my watch did I find that It was already afternoon. The fog made me insensitive to the time.

Qingdao is not only a travelling paradise but also a fairyland of entertainment, food

and shopping. Regardless you are a gourmet, a shopaholic or a perfectionist, Qingdao is an ideal

choice. In Qingdao, you can experience exotic customs without going abroad.

Among all the scenery sites, I love the Shaoguan Road best. It’s a plain road compared to those modern streets and avenues. However, the cherry blossoms

aside the road impressed me a lot. Several new couples were taking wedding

dress photos standing against red gates. Their smile lighted the whole road.

If you are keen on freedom and warm, you can visit http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/qingdao.html

The Summer Palace Is Carpeted with Petals

I am interested in Chinese ancient history. I have been dreaming about an opportunity to visit emperors’ palace. Last month, I had a visit to the Summer Palace with one of my best friend, Miranda, Zhang, who came from Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

It was really amazing experience for me because I never expected that the Summer Palace was full of flower trees. It was like magic that we walked on a road carpeted with petals. The historical buildings in it were fabulous and splendid with fine carving. The guide Linda from chinaholidays introduced the history of the Summer Palace and told every historical anecdote to us. It is firstly built for the roayal’s short stay from the imperial palace in Qing Dynasty and now has been protected as one of the most important attractions and UNESCO sites in Beijing. We had a good time walking through the historical buildings, enjoying the fresh air, blue sky, green water and pink flowers.

It was 10 o’clock am that we arrived and until 5 o’ clock when we left. I could even feel my legs shaking. So you have to prepare enough energy for it. If you are interested in historical buildings or you want to learn about the Royal’s lifestyle, you can visit http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/beijing.html for more information.

Significant Yangtze River in China

Yangtze River

Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and third longest river in the world only after Nile in Africa and Amazon in South America. Rising high from the Tanggula range in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it flows for 6,418 kilometers eastward across most southern part of China.

Before it empties itself into East Sea in Shanghai, Yangtze River traverses 11 provinces and cities including Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. Along with the Yellow River, Yangtze River is considered the most important river in China and the cradle of Chinese civilization.

Yangtze River is blessed with many beautiful gorges, big or small. Some gorges are remarkably magnificent, some are intimidatingly precipitous and some are just amazingly beautiful. Most attractive part of the river is the Three Gorges: the Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge. The three Gorges is a 400 mile (650km) stretch of the river starting from Chongqing down to Yichang, Hubei province. Among this stretch, the Yangtze River winds its way through the limestone cliffs and high mountains above raging rapids.

If you would like to have a tour on Yangtze River, you could find more in Beijing Chinaholidays Yangtze Cruises http://www.chinaholidays.com/yangtze-cruises/. For more information on Chinese Culture and China Tour Packages, you could find more in Beijing Chinaholidays http://www.chinaholidays.com/.

Wonderful Sichuan in April

Panda Base

Panda and changing-face opera are what I always dreamed to see since I knew them in me senior high school. I have chosen travel agency, amend itinerary and finally confirmed the tour package of Yangtze cruise and Chengdu in late April with Beijing Chinaholidays.

In my heart, panda is absolutely the love symbol of Chengdu. So the first time I arrive Chengdu, my guide Anson brought me to the Panda Institute. In the natural and wide base, I saw the adorable animal closely and learnt some knowledge on them. Luckily, I even had the chance to do volunteer work for this endangered species, carrying bamboo, wash fruit and feed them! It is such precious experience for me and I will never forget it!

Sichuan opera is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, distinguished by face-changing, fire-spitting and other stunts. Regionally Chengdu remains to be the main home of Sichuan opera, while other influential locales include Yunnan, Guizhou and other provinces in southwest China.

Changing-face Opera

The second night, I have the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic changing-face opera with my friends and guide. The theater is a traditional Chinese architecture and the decorations in it are charming. Four of us had a table and ate some snacks before the performance. When the performance started, we were immediately caught by each movement of these actors. They changed the face so fast that I could not tell the skill or technique they used. All the singing, dancing and changing-face are so amazing for me even though I could not understand what they say.

If you would like to get more information on Sichuan Tour Packages and Sichuan Culture, you could find more in Beijing Chinaholidays http://www.chinaholidays.com. If you also would like to have a relaxing vacation in Chendu, you could find what you like Panda and Yangtze Break http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/panda-yangtze-april-break.html, China Panda Holidays http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/china-panda-tours.html and Yangtze Cruises http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/yangtze-cruises.html.

Dating back 630 years, Xi'an's city wall offers visitors a fine vantage point as they zoom around its ramparts on bicycles. And as a proud civic symbol, it's a favorite spot for lovers to take a stroll, while children play in its shadow.

Bathed in glorious spring sunshine - much welcome after a long winter - our full circle around the Xi'an city walls was an unforgettable experience.

Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province in northwestern China, boasts a history of more than 3,100 years. Named Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), it is one of the world's four great ancient capitals. And with all due respect to Athens, Rome and Cairo - all I cared about right now was this center of the origins of Chinese ancient civilization, situated by the Yellow River estuary in the mid-western region of the country.

Or rather, its city wall was at the center of my attention.

These days, according to a friend of mine from Xi'an, people who live just under the city wall are all very proud of it. Children grow up playing around it, and the city wall garden is where you can sense the real local life of Xi'an people. In the morning, they exercise in the gardens around the city wall, some practicing taichi, some playing diabolo or kongzhu in Chinese. You can also hear the authentic qinqiang, the local opera performed by Shaanxi people. It is also a good place for lovers to have a walk. "You can see the lichen after rainy days, and kind of sense the vitality of the ancient wall," my friend said.

Along the city walls there are several gates, with the main ones being Changle - or Eternal Joy - in the east, Anding - or Harmony Peace - in the west, Anyuan - or Forever Harmony - in the north and in the south, Yongning - or Eternal Peace. All the main gates have three towers, positioned to serve different purposes in defending.

The South Gate is the eastern starting and finishing point of the Silk Road, and hence the most beautifully decorated and famous one.

In ancient times Xi'an, or Chang'an, was the oriental cultural center of the Silk Road, and a vibrant and cosmopolitan city before any other in the Middle Kingdom.

These days, the South Gate square is often used by the provincial government for important official events and greetings, and there are regular performances, like the daily Gate Opening Ceremony, the Warrior Parade and acrobatics shows.

For more information on Chinese Culture, China Tours and Xi’an Tour Packages, you could find more in BeijingChinaholidays http://www.chinaholidays.com. If you would like to experience the rich history and interesting stories of Xi’an, you could find what you like in ChineseCulture Travel http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/beijing-datong-xian-dunhuang.html, 3 Days Cultural Xian Package http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/3-days-culture-xina.html and 10 days Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/beijing-xian-guilin-shanghai.html.