Explore Guangzhou Highlights

Spending a whole day touring the Chen Clan Academy and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall  is an amazing and unforgettable experience.

In the morning, I leave the hotel for academic temple in Guangzhou: Chen Clan Academy which was built by the 72 Chen clans for their juniors' accommodation and preparation for the imperial examinations in 1894 in Qing Dynasty. It was changed to be the Chen Clan’s Industry College and then middle schools afterward. Now it becomes the house of the Guangdong Folk Art Museum and the complex consist of 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards.

Walking in the yard, facing south, the complex forms around a north-south axis. It exemplifies traditional Chinese architecture and decoration style and has influenced cultural and architectural developments worldwide. For the history, Chen Ruinan and Chen Zhaonan, Chinese-Americans who returned to Guangzhou proposed the idea to raise money from all the Chen clans to build a temple for worshiping of their ancestors and a place for their clansman to study for examination was finished in 1894 with the money donated by Chen families in 72 counties of Guangdong Province as well as some overseas family members. Go through on the main axis lie the Head-entrance the Gathering Hall and the Back Hall. These three main buildings are separated with courtyards.

After this traditional yard tour, I just go to explore the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is an octagon-shaped building in Guangzhou. The hall was designed by Lu Yanzhi and was built with funds raised by local and overseas Chinese people in memory of Sun Yat-sen. The construction work commenced in 1929 and completed in 1931. The hall is a large octagonal structure with a span of 71 meters without pillars, housing a large stage and seats 3,240 people.

Having been severely damaged it was repaired and improved several times. Until 1998, it was comprehensively upgraded to its present-day condition. A statue of Sun Yat-sen was erected in front of the main entrance which can give your very solemn feelings. It will refresh you after visiting the bustling commercial metropolis and provide you with a moment to touch this great man in Chinese history. He is our national hero and ends the Feudalism in China.

I always think Guangzhou is one of the most modern cities in China, however, after today’s unforgettable trip make me to start believe that this city is full of Chinese traditional culture and give you plenty imaginations for this lovely metropolis. 

Escape the hot summer in Gulangyu

The hot summer always drives people to escape from it and the seaside is certainly an ideal choice.

In the morning, we walked towards Gulangyu following our guide from Beijing China Holidays.

Alongside the road were flowers and trees. The taste of fleur and the solid fill the air. Sophia Yu, the guide told us how Gulangyu got its name. It was uninhabited island called Yuanzhouzai. Only some Egrets and sea gulls flied there and took a rest. At the end of Song dynasty, a fisherman met with storm and anchored on the Gulangyu. He found a rock higher than a man and would cause sound of honglonglong as drums. Since then he called the island Gulangyu.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, we boarded a cruise. White clouds floated on the sky. The wave lashed against the rocks，sending up pearly sprays.  The wide sea eased my mind.

Stepping into alleys of Gulangyu, I didn’t see noisy crowds and cars. There were many building of European style with nobody lived.

In the Crystal Cove, we got the opportunity to appreciate pianos from different countries, which were spared from the two world wars. The staff in the museum introduced the background of every piano and played a tune.

The beach was shinning with the sunshine. The white sea tide was washing the golden beach. Men rolled up their pants and women’s dresses danced with the wind.

I found a reef flat and warm. I lied down, enjoying the touch of the wind, bathing in the sun and listening to the sea tide. All these helped me forgot all sorrows and miseries. If you want to refresh yourself like me, you can find a beach tour by visiting http://www.chinaholidays.com/tours/xiamen-daytrip-gulangyu-island.html

    

Enjoy the picture gallery along by Lijiang Cruise

Li River is situated in Guilin, Guangxi Province. It is considered as the highlight of sightseeing in Guilin. The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of Li River, decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos which is just like enjoying a melodious symphony.

The crystal clear Li River is located amid precipitous peaks hung with waterfalls. Among poems singing the praise of its beauty are these tow lines: "He who travels in Guilin hills finds himself in a fairyland", and "He who sails along the Li River finds himself boating in a sweet dream."

You can breathe the fresh air, feel gentle breeze and appreciate the fabulous landscape on both sides of Li River. In spring, tourists may stand on the front of a boat and let the mizzle falls onto their faces. It is really a wonderful experience.

The most beautiful scenes of Guilin are found along the Li River. The hills beyond hills with their reflections in the crystal water are like fairy land, the green bamboo greets you all the way along the river in the breeze; the water buffaloes eating grass casually; the ducks swimming along the river; the fisherman fishing or catnapping on the bamboo rafts with his cormorants resting peacefully next to him, it's God dotted landscape. "Serenity" is a word poet tried to describe, "story-book-mountains" is kids say about the hills. Chinese traditional paintings are what Chinese artists have being trying to depict the scenery for thousands of years. But the natural beauty of the Li River is indeed beyond any descriptions, you have to be there to see with your own eyes and to feel with your own heart.

Li River cruise ends in Yangshuo. Yangshuo is a small town, where the clear water, verdant mountain peaks and hillocks, and spectacular caverns compose a captivating picture. Green Lotus Peak, Schoolboy Hill and Snow Lion Ridge surround this beautiful town. Many people would like to do countryside tour programs in Yangshuo, including bamboo rafting on Yulong River, cormorant fishing show and cycling tour in Yangshuo.

China’s Guoliang, Kunshan tunnel and Xiyagou hanging wall highway

It is the world's ninth largest miracle of artificial digging. It’s rather difficult to find these tunnel roads. They are located in a very remote region deep into China. If you want to get there, you should start your trip in Xinxiang, a city in the Henan province.

Guoliang tunnel located in the Taihang Mountains of China. It is a natural village of Taihang mountain. Guoliang village is located on guoliang cliff. In the past, people walk through a valley surrounded by steep cliffs is the only way down the mountain, and then climb a series of cut out stone steps. Cut off from the rest of the world, unless a road could be constructed trough the cliffs.

This all changed in 1971. The villagers decided to dig the tunnel road themselves. It was their only hope to get connected to the rest of the world. Without any training, the construction of the tunnel was very dangerous. Farmers were working with explosives on the steep cliffs. Some of them died in fatal accidents, but the others kept on digging. Finally, known as “Cliff promenade” the tunnel was opened to traffic. The tunnel is about 5 meters high (15 ft) and 4 meters (12 ft) wide. It is wide enough for two vehicles to pass.

Xiyagou hanging wall highway and Kunshan Tunnel

Not so far away from Guoliang, but located deeper into the Taihang mountains, there are two other villages who connected themselves to the world by means of a Kunshan tunnel  and Xiyagou hanging wall highway. Kunshan is very little is known about it, but just as the other tunnels it was constructed by farmers to create an easy access to their village. The pictures speak for themselves. The road would spiral across the surface of a cliff with windows along the way to remove the crushed rocks, just like the villagers in the nearby Guoliang had done it.

Travel Tips for the Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival with more than 2000-year history, which started from the Warring States Period.

There are many folk stories about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. One version is to memorize the great poet Qu Yuan. One version goes that it’s for Cao E, a dutiful daughter in Chinese history. Whatever the truth is, the Dragon Boat Festival has been a important day in Chinese culture.

How to spend the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday? Well, there are some suggestions.

The First Destination: Ruyuan Grand Canyon.

According to Geologists, the Ruyuan Grand Canyon belongs to quartz sandstone landform. Thousands of years of weathering and erosion form the Ruyuan Grand Canyon magnificent, peculiar, beautiful landscape. The Ruyuan Grand Canyon boasts waterfalls, fresh air and various plants. The Tenglong Waterfall falls down from the 200-meter high cliff and bring you a breath-taking view.

The Second Destination: Shawan Ancient Town

Shawan Ancient Town, with a history of more than 800 years, is located in the center of Pearl River Delta. With an air of traditional Guangzhou, prosperous commerce, Shawan Ancient Town is renowned for its name of Sanjie Liushi (Three Streets and Six Markets). It ‘s a concentration area of stylish constructions in Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The Third Destination: Dashatou Wharf

If you have never traveled through the cultural heritages along the Pearl River, you cannot say you really came to Guangzhou. The attractions along the Pearl River go with you no matter in day or at night. It’s a perfect place to date with your love.

The Fourth Destination: Shimen National Forest Park

With the green peaks, turbulent clouds, stylish valleys, various flowers and birds, the Shimen National Forest Park stands out in all seasons. It’s an ideal place for family tour.

The Fifth Destination: Baoqu Roses World 

Baoqu Roses World is the first roses-themed park in China. It imported over 300 kinds of roses seaside.

The Sixth Destination: Panlong Gorge

It seems that the sky of the Panlong Gorge during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday is painted with purple and leads you into a fairy world with an ocean of lavender, European style wooden houses and white Holland windmills.

Tibetan New Year

Tibetan New Year is the most important festival there. On that day, Tibetan families will get together and pray for a better year. The traditional Tibetan New Year is known as Losar, which starts from the first to the third day of the first Tibetan month.

Preparations for the happy event are manifested by special offerings to family shrine deities, painted doors with religious symbols, and other painstaking jobs. People eat Guthuk (barley crumb food with filling) on New Year's Eve with their families. As a convention, there will be a Guthuk stuffed with a different filling to fool someone in the family.

After dinner, they will watch the Festival of Banishing Evil Spirits. When we see the lit torches, people running and yelling to get rid of evil spirits from their houses, we know that the New Year comes.

On the first day of the New Year, housewives will get up very early and prepare the first buckets of water and breakfast before the dawn. After breakfast, people dress up to go to monasteries and offer their prayers. People visit their neighborhoods and exchange their Tashi Delek blessings on the first two days. Feast is the theme during the two days. On the third day, old prayer flags are replaced with new ones. Other folk activities may be held in some areas to celebrate the events.

Day Tour to the Grand View Garden

I am the kind of guy who likes peaceful places. I think that explains why I haven’t paid a visit to the Forbidden City in the 4-year stay in Beijing.

When I was about ten years old, I happened to read several pages of A Dream of Red Mansions. I was too young to really understand the story but I have been curious about the complicated relationship among the figures in the novel since then. When I knew that the Grand View Garden was designed according to the novel A Dream of Red Mansions, I planned a tour.

We, as senior students have nothing but free time. On a weekday, we started off.

It was a rainy spring day. The trees looked brightly-green with the rain shower. The red gate gave out an air of nobleness and dignity, as though telling the people its once glorious days.

As is the Alice stepping into the wonderland, I began to search the little knowledge I knew about the novel with excitement full with my heart.

The Lost Stone by the goddess Nvwa(Bu Tian Yi Shi in Chinese)

It was located outside the Grand View Garden with the height of 9m and the weight of 60t. Another name of A Dream of Red Mansions, The Story of the Stone originated from this stone.

The Front Entrance Gate

Winding Path Leading to A Secluded Place

Aromatic Pavilion (Qin Fang Ting in Chinese)

It was built on the axis. The white-stone carved handrail surrounds the pond. The glistening lights of waves and beauties in the novel bring you a false sense of the fairyland.

The Naiad's House (Xiao Xiang Guan in Chinese)

It is the residence of the soul figure, Lin Daiyu. And the death of her player Chen Xiaoxu added sorrow to this place.

Winter Tour in Harbin

Due to the work, I went to Harbin in summer for several times. I appreciate its broad streets, glorious constructions and straightforward residents. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival always stirs my heart, so this winter I started off.

I packaged my fur hat, ear pads, scarf, woolen sweater, down coat, down pants, snow jogging shoes and gloves. When I arrived there, I found that the local people, especially the young never look like this. Our dress stood out in the crowd. A man stared at me and say” You are from the South, right?” Fortunately, he didn’t ask whether I was from the Mars.

Walking for several minutes, my breath froze on the scarf. Now you can understand its coldness.

Passing by two streets, I stood before the Saint Sophia Cathedral. In summer, there were new couples taking wedding photos.

The Central Street is Harbin’s most famous street. In the early morning, the sunlight cast shadows on the paved road. It’s the most beautiful time during a day. There are rows of store standing beside the street, selling local products.

Harbin Ice Festival is a great opportunity for those ice sculpture artists to show their amazing talents. During the Harbin Ice Festival, numbers of ice sculpture artists gather here and like the ice magicians make their imagination and brilliance into fantastic ice sculptures. In the day, you can see the ice magicians take the ice away and create their works. In the night, hundreds of thousands of tourists crowd here and enjoy the splendid lights give off from the ice sculptures.

The Harbin Snow World was like a fairytale world. Every ice castle varies with colors. The carriage carried tourists moving through the ice sculptures.

Guide for Chinese Spring Festival

I am Michelle and I am an American. As many other foreigners, I wonder why Chinese call their traditional new year some animals. For example, in Chinese lunar calendar, the 2014 is the year of Horse. I think it’s so cute. Maybe they truly love animals? And I also have other questions about the Chinese Spring Festival. Why they hang red lanterns above the gate? Why there are lion dances in the streets? Why they like firing fireworks during the Spring Festival?

Bearing these questions in my mind, I want to learn more about the Chinese New Year and the Chinese Spring Festival. I found some interesting information summarized as below and hope it will help.

During the Chinese Spring Festival, Chinese around the world will hang red lanterns, burn censers, eat dumplings, and perform lion dances and fire fireworks.

By convention, Chinese will stick on couplets on the doors one day or two before the Spring Festival.

Usually, on the New Year’s Eve, a family would sit together and eat New Year’s Eve dinner while watching the annual Spring Festival Gala. After the dinner, they will make dumplings for the the first day of the Spring Festival. They stay up very late on the Eve. Some even stay up the whole night. At the midnight, the wife of a family will burn the censer in the yard and the husband will fire fireworks to welcome the new year.

On the first day of the Spring Festival, Chinese get up very early. They will wear new clothes and visit relatives and friends.

On the second day of the Spring Festival, they will visit the maternal grandmother and grandfather.

And their relatives-and-friends-visit activities can continue until the Lantern Festival. On the Lantern Festival, they will eat rice glue balls and watch lion dances.

The above is how Chinese spend their Spring Festival and hope it will help.