Eagerly assuming its place among the world’s top travel destinations, even more so since Beijing took centre stage at the 2008 Olympics, China is an epic adventure. From the wide open and empty panoramas of Tibet to the push and shove of Shànghǎi, from the volcanic dishes of Sìchuān to beer by the bag in seaside Qīngdǎo, a journey through this colossus of a country is a mesmerising encounter with the most populous, perhaps most culturally idiosyncratic nation on earth.
The sheer diversity of China’s terrain takes you from noisy cities fizzing with energy to isolated mountain-top Ming-Dynasty villages where you can hear a pin drop. Pǔdōng’s ambitious skyline is a triumphant statement, but it couldn’t be further from the worldly renunciation acted out in Tibet’s distant monasteries.
Curator of the world’s oldest continuous civilisation, China will have you bumping into history at every turn. But it’s not just a museum of imperial relics: the frisson of development that has left China’s coastline glittering with some of the world’s most up-to-the-minute cities propels the land on with a forward-thinking dynamism.
And it’s the people – unavoidable in their immense numbers – who provide the ceaseless drama and entertainment. Loud, garrulous and quick thinking, you’ll see the Chinese squeezing onto dangerous-looking buses, walking in pyjamas around Shànghǎi or inviting each other to sit down to some of the most varied cuisine in the world. Animated by a palpable sense of pride, the Chinese are revelling in their country’s ascendency. Everyone is talking about China, so why not find out what all the fuss is about?
most culturally idiosyncratic nation on earth
welcome to Xi’an
Xian is the capital of Shaanxi Province, home to the Terracotta Warriors, the famed life-sized tomb guards of Emperor Qin Shiguang. Responsible for unifying China more than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin’s magnificent collection of hand-made soldiers is recognised as one of the greatest cultural heritages in the world.
The ancient capital of 13 dynasties is home to thousands of historical sites, including the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the Bell Tower, Shaanxi Provincial Museum and many more. To sum up, Xian is steeped in history and full of relics.
welcome to ShangHai
Shanghai is China’s major commercial and financial centre. Similar to Hong Kong, Shanghai is also a bustling city where East blends with West. The Bund, also called Zhongshan Road, is an attractive waterfront acclaimed as Shanghai’s symbol for hundreds of years. A cruise on Huangpu river, the most important shipping artery of Shanghai, shows you two distinctive sides of Shanghai, the east side being filled with modern architecture while the west side is a former Shanghai International Settlement.
After touring landmark attractions, visit the bustling Nanjing Road, a popular place among youngsters, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden, Old Shanghai Bazaar and Shanghai Museum.
Other than appreciating the beautiful urban scenery, shopping in Shanghai is also a must. There are specialty streets, department stores, famous shopping streets and centers, specialized stores, stores for arts and crafts and many more. Among them, Nanjing Road is a famous shopping district in China. Another commercial street that draws youngsters is Huaihai Road.
welcome to BeiJing
After visiting the spectacular buildups, visit some Hutongs, (or narrow streets) to understand the living environment of Old Beijing. Other popular attractions in Beijing include: Tiantan, Tian’an men Square, Ming Tomb, Chang Ling Exhibition Museum.
Avatar in China? Zhangjiajie national forest park launches “Avatar tourist trips”; Yellow Mountain launched “Experiencing the Real Green Hills in Avatar.”
–Zhangjiajie National Park, Hunan, China
The movie “Avatar” has become extremely popular, and the dispute on the original model for “HallelujahMountain” has also become fiercer.
James Cameron, the director of “Avatar,” once said that his inspiration for the “Hallelujah Mountain” came from the Yellow Mountain. However, the dispute on whether the Yellow Mountain or Zhangjiajie was the original model for “Hallelujah Mountain” has never stopped.
–Yellow Mountain, Anhui, China
While being interviewed by local media, an official from the Promotion Center under the Yellow Mountain Tourism Commission said January 1, that the Yellow Mountain was once visited by a photographer from the “Avatar” camera crew who shot a lot of pictures which then became the original model for the “Hallelujah Mountain” in the movie. “Avatar” has become extremely popular, and the Yellow Mountain has also launched many tourist activities such as “Experiencing the Real Green Hills in Avatar.”
On the morning of January 4, Ding Yunyong, the director general of Zhangjiajie Municipal Tourism Bureau, said that although Cameron did not say that they had visited Zhangjiajie, the pictures were indeed of the hills in Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie has established the “General Official for Avatar-themed Tourist Trips” (“Avatar Office” for short) and has launched “Avatar tourist trips.” Deng Daoli, director of the office, declared that the office will offer a 100,000 yuan reward worldwide for the person who can find the second original mountain of the “Hallelujah Mountain” in “Avatar”
The “Avatar tourist trips” are connected with 15 scenes in the movie and cover several tourist packages, including the “Avatar-Pandora, the Fantastic Trip,” “Avatar-Hallelujah, the Exotic Trip” and “Avatar-Floating Mountain, the Mysterious Trip.” The scenic spots include the Yellow Stone Village, the Gold Whip Stream, the Yuanjiajie, and other places in Zhangjiajie.
Text By People’s Daily Online, Pic By Nexus Holidays.
Contact us for a tour to Zhangjiajie or Yellow Mountain.
Nexusholidays’s website has Successfully upgraded.
Nexusholidays ‘s website has Successfully upgraded.
We will continue our efforts to meticulous and thorough service for new and existing customers.