TRAVEL

TAN BEE HONG

Fields of mudan hua burst forth in full bloom in Luoyang, China every year in April and May. TAN BEE HONG is on cloud nine enjoying the full splendour of the peonies

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The artist from Beijing concentrates on her sketches of mudan hua" border="0"> The artist from Beijing concentrates on her sketches of mudan hua

A SUBTLE fragrance fills the air in Luoyang come every spring and summer as its official flower, the mudan hua (peony) bursts forth in vibrant shades and colours. No wonder poets like Li Bai were inspired to compose three verses on the spot about the beauty of the flower.

He also wrote one at the request of Emperor Xuan Zong, comparing the peony to concubine Yang Gui Fei, one of the Four Classic Beauties of Chinese history.

“The famous flower and the beautiful lady enjoy each other’s company. It is a scene that always brings a smile to the emperor’s face.”

April is the month of the peony and locals as well as thousands and thousands of visitors converge on Luoyang to admire the flower.

Long revered by the royalty, the peony has been cultivated for three thousand years. There are, today, over 1,000 varieties of peonies in Luoyang and some have single layer petals while others have multiple petals. As for the colours, these range from white and red to yellow, violet, pink, blue, green and even black though I didn’t get to see this variety. Some, I am told, bloom a certain colour and age into a secondary shade.

Royal Decree

There are many legends about the peony, and one of them tells of the peony’s defiance of the rich and powerful, and its refusal to yield to brute force.

One snowy day in 691AD, China’s only female Emperor Wu Zetian had this sudden whimsical desire to view her garden in full bloom, so she issued an edict ordering all the plants to bloom during the night for her to admire during her walk the next day. Sounds like King Canute ordering the tide to recede, doesn’t it?

Only, in this tale, all the plants in the garden, awed by the power of the Wu, began to bud and bloom that night, except the peony.

Humiliated, Wu flew into a rage and banished all the peonies in the Tang capital of Chang’an to Luoyang where the peonies produced even larger and more beautiful flowers. Since then, Luoyang has been called the Home Of The Peonies.

Where To Go

In Luoyang, you can admire the peony everywhere. But for a truly spectacular sight, go to Wangcheng Park, China National Flower Garden, International Peony Garden, Xiyuan Park, Shengzhou Peony Park and Luoyang Peony Garden.

Also known as King Of The Flower Kingdom, Queen Of Flowers and First Of 10,000 Flowers, the peony is China’s national flower and a symbol of happiness and prosperity.

At the International Peony Garden, I spot, sitting in the midst of peonies in full bloom, an artist patiently sketching the flower. She says she has come all the the way from Beijing by train just to catch the peony in bloom as Luoyang is where the most beautiful flowers can be found.

It’s not just the beauty of the peony that attracts. The flower was believed to have medicinal properties. According to the Shen Nong Classic of Materia Medica (Qin Dynasty, 221-206BC), the peony has cooling effects and boosts blood circulation. It is also used to scent pastries and other dishes.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, thousands of devotees throng the many temples around the country to pray for good health, wealth and longevity. But worshipping the deities aside, Chinese temples, with their ornate architecture and air of mysticism, make interesting places to do a spot of sight-seeing, writes ELIZABETH LEONG

WITH Chinese New Year just days away, most Chinese folks are making plans to visit a temple to usher in the Year of the Tiger. For some, the decision is easy. They will head for their neighbourhood temple or one that they have been frequenting in the past.

They will be praying for “longevity, prosperity and fortune” amidst white, spiralling smoke from joss sticks and smouldering fragrant incense.

But even if you’re a non-worshipper, the festive season is as good a time as any to do a little sightseeing at the temples as most of these places of worship will be decked with colourful lanterns, flowers and red banners with auspicious couplets.

Visitors can also observe the architecture of Chinese temples but first, a primer on its basics for better appreciation. For a start, symbolism plays an important role in the temples.

Red dominates as the choice of colour as it suggests prosperity and joy. The presence of dragons, phoenixes, tortoises and lions is also significant as such animals represent strength, justice and power.

Frequently, the swastika is prominently displayed, as the Chinese word for swastika is homonymous with “ten thousand”. In Buddhism, the symbol signifies auspiciousness and good fortune. (After World War II, the left-facing swastika was used in many newer temples as distinct from the right-facing swastika that branded Nazism.)

In terms of layout, a temple is always rectangular, and faces south in accordance with feng shui principles. A wall usually surrounds the structure, and the gates are guarded by statues of warrior deities or mythical animals to fend off evil spirits. In the courtyard stands a pagoda-like structure that serves as a furnace for the burning of paper offerings. Bigger temples have more than one courtyard.

There are variations in architectural elements between Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew and Hakka temples. A saddle-shaped roof is usually Hokkien, while a straight horizontal roof is typically Cantonese. The Hakka roof is similar to the Hokkien but has less adornment. The Teochew roof is less steep as compared to the Hokkien counterpart. Cantonese temples frequently favour square pillars instead of round. However, these elements have been diluted in newer temples due to cost of materials and construction.

Certain features are common to all Chinese temples. The chief deity is always installed in the main hall. Lesser deities are placed in the side halls. The main altar is often intricately carved and decorated with gold gilded characters. Interior decoration consists of wall paintings, wood carvings, carved stone pillars and ceramics.

Now, let’s go on a tour of some Chinese temples in the Klang Valley.

Fu Guang Shan Dong Zen Buddhist Centre

My top recommendation is the Fu Guang Shan Dong Zen Buddhist Centre in Jenjarom, 40kms from Kuala Lumpur that has its roots in Taiwan.

The temple consists of a main building with a shrine containing a relic of Lord Buddha.

Socks have to be worn to enter this area. For visitors, the main attraction lies in the landscaped garden with rows of Bodhisattva statues, neatly trimmed bushes, exotic bonsai, a well-stocked koi pond and gurgling fountains.

Every Chinese New Year, the temple is decorated with a different theme, but without doubt, you can expect to be drowned in a sea of dazzling lanterns with kaleidoscopic colours.

The temple is located on Jalan Sungai Buaya but for outstation visitors, it’s easier to ask the locals for the direction to the police station which is situated near the temple.

In recent years, Fu Guang Shan in this sleepy hollow has even upstaged the more well-known Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur in terms of visitor arrivals.

Thean Hou Temple

Next on my list is Thean Hou Temple, perched on Robson Hill and overlooking Jalan Syed Putra. Making up for the lack of floral and water attractions in its grounds, Thean Hou offers visitors stunning views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyscrapers.

After ascending the slope to the temple grounds, you will see the 12 animal statues of Chinese astrology and the Goddess Guan Yin as well as colourful dragons and other mythical animals sitting on the eaves of roofs.

Facilities are aplenty such as stores selling religious paraphernalia and Chinese macramè, a vegetarian canteen and a marriage registration office.

Climb up to the main shrine on the second floor via a side staircase to reach the main prayer hall housing Thean Hou or Goddess of the Sea.

To find out what the new year has in store for them, devotees use the kau chim (fortune-telling) sticks in the middle of the hall. At the back of the temple, tortoises fight for personal space in a small pond.

A side garden displays a small statue of Goddess Guan Yin holding a vase. Kneel on a platform and a mechanism triggers water to flow from the vase.

Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery

A Buddhist temple tucked in Kuala Lumpur city centre is the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery in Jalan Ampang.

The vegetarian restaurant here is worth a trip to the temple as it has received good reviews in food blogs. The plaster glass ceiling jazzed up with symmetrical floral motifs, calm spaces, purple-coloured lotus pond, potted bonsai and giant gilded statues that conjure a serene contemplative mood ideal for meditation. The shrine is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion.

As there is limited parking space in the temple area, visitors may park at the Corus Hotel across the road and walk over via an overhead pedestrian bridge.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

Worshippers seeking history and legends will appreciate the ambience and setting of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple at Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in Kuala Lumpur.

An unassuming structure tucked between old shophouses, it was founded by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy in 1864 to honour Kapitan Shin Kap of Sungai Ujung (now Seremban). According to popular belief, when Kapitan Ship Yap was killed in a battle in 1859, white blood gushed out from him. Later, he appeared in Yap Ah Loy’s dream, advising him to seek his fortune in Kuala Lumpur.

Thereafter, when Yap Ah Loy was embroiled in the Kuala Lumpur Civil War (1870-1873), Shin Yap again gave him invaluable advice by appearing in his dreams several times. When he emerged victorious in the war, Yap Ah Loy also installed an effigy of his general, Chong Piang, in the prayer hall. A statue of Yap Ah Loy was also erected in the temple when he died in 1844 at the age of 44.

Every year, remembrance ceremonies for Shin Kap, Chong Piang and Yap Ah Loy are held on the 15th day of the third lunar month.

The temple is built at an odd angle in a narrow alley but its position was decided after consultation with a Taoist deity through a medium, and was considered auspicious.

Chan She Shu Yuen Association Building

Though not a temple, Chan She Shu Yuen Association is an institution in KL’s Jalan Petaling and attracts the older generations and tourists. Built in 1897, it showcases hundreds of clay terracotta figurines on its wall-ledges and eaves of its roofs.

The gable walls at the end of the main hall roof and the ends of the side halls symbolise the separation of the spiritual and mortal world. They are built in a wavy pattern.

Two ferocious-looking stone lions are stationed at the entrance. A corner inside the temple retails clay teapots plus an interesting selection of Chinese tea such as oolong, white, green, black, scented and others.

The association’s building is only five minutes’ walk from the Jalan Maharajalela KLM monorail station.

Guan Yin Temple

Take a short walk from the Chan She Shu Yuen Association building and climb up a stairway up a hillock to reach the Guan Yin Temple, facing the monorail station.

Small and compact, the temple is simple but has an air of mysticism with its garish colours and weeping willows.

Kwan Ti Temple

In the same league as the Chan She Shu Yuen Association is the Kwan Ti Temple housed in the premises of the Kwong Siew Association at Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

Evil spirits are frightened away by two stone lions at the entrance, while a fish atop the arched gateway signifies abundance.

The temple was erected in 1888 to honour the Taoist God of War, Kwan Ti. Of all the temples described here, this is a favourite haunt of beggars during Chinese New Year.

Ziying's Brush

Humen stands as a reminder of the ruthless mercantilism of the East India Company in the 19th century heyday of British imperialism.

THERE is a place in Guangdong province’s Pearl River (Zhujiang) estuary whose serenity belies the fact that one of the most wrenching episodes of China’s modern history played out on its shores. Perhaps only its ominous name – Humen or Tiger’s Gate, provides a clue to the fury and exasperation that 170 years ago inspired the Qing dynasty’s Imperial Commissioner Lin Zexu, famed for his incorruptibility, to take on the rapacious British East India Company.

Humen resides in Dongguan city to the east of Guangzhou. A short distance from the lazy waters of the Zhujiang sits a Naval Battle Museum (Hai Zhan Bowuguan), also known as the Humen Lin Zexu Memorial Hall (Humen Lin Zexu Jinianguan).

Although the museum’s layout is somewhat confusing, it offers an in-depth account of the two Opium Wars which resulted in China’s “hundred years of humiliation”, supported by artefacts, maps, statistics, photos, illustrations, reconstructions and copies of manuscripts from the period.

Particularly interesting is the section on the Imperial Commissioner from Fujian, Lin Zexu, whose integrity and rectitude contrasted dramatically with the duplicity and lack of moral conscience of the British East India Company.

He wrote manuals and treatises like “7 Methods of Encouraging Soldiers to Suppress Foreign Invaders” with diagrams of naval battle formations and is considered a hero who led what can justly be called the first outright war against drug smuggling in history.

The British had attempted to trade with China since the 1600s, offering manufactured items like woollens in exchange for Chinese porcelain, silk and most of all, tea. However, as British products were of little interest to the Middle Kingdom, they had to pay for Chinese goods in silver; further, the Qing court restricted such trade to Guangzhou.

The explosive demand for tea led to a trade deficit for the British, and since there was no market for their products, they turned to drugs, or rather, drug smuggling.

Their poison of choice was opium which they produced in India and sold at inflated prices in China. This highly addictive substance had for decades been imported into China in small quantities for medicinal purposes, but in league with corrupt local officials and collaborators, the British East India Company created a new demand, a “market” for its recreational use.

The flow of British silver into China thus rapidly reversed while the moribund Qing dynasty could do little to stem the burgeoning drug trade. When the imperial government outlawed the narcotic, the East India Company resorted to smuggling through intermediaries.

In 1839, the distinguished Commissioner Lin arrived in Guangzhou with full discretionary powers to do battle against opium but failed to make any headway with the recalcitrant British. Consequently in June the same year, he ordered 20,000 chests and 2,000 bags of opium (a total of 1.1 million kilos), which represented roughly half of annual imports, destroyed on Humen beach. A year later in 1840, British gunboats arrived and blockaded the Zhujiang estuary in retaliation, precipitating the first Opium War which saw similar British attacks on Fujian and Zhejiang.

The poorly-equipped Qing army with their antiquated weapons was defeated and in 1842, China was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing which ceded Hongkong and opened five “treaty ports” – Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo and Shanghai – to British trade. China had to pay reparations, give the British extra-territorial rights as well as refrain from intervening in the opium trade which flourished.

This first of several lopsided treaties was the beginning of what many consider the darkest period in the history of the Middle Kingdom. Similar humiliating unequal treaties were signed with the Americans and French, while other western powers as well as Japan soon joined in the feeding frenzy, attacking China at will on flimsy pretexts and carving out spheres of influence.

Still not satisfied despite the many concessions exacted from the Qing government, the British East India Company set about to break China’s dominance in the tea trade. In perhaps one of the earliest instances of industrial espionage, a botanist named Robert Fortune was sent to spy on Chinese tea production processes and steal plants for cultivation in India.

The thief travelled disguised as a local Chinese, and flouting Chinese laws, pilfered specimens from key tea-growing regions which he smuggled to Darjeeling, India, together with skilled Chinese tea workers. Fortune’s “success” weaned the British off a dependence on Chinese tea and led to a rapid decline in China’s tea exports.

With Fortune’s theft of Chinese tea plants, the British East India Company decimated the very industry for which they had destroyed innumerable lives with opium, leaving China with not only a much-reduced tea sector but even more damaging, a large population of enfeebled drug-users.

Today, the debauched mercantilism of the British East India Company is often obscured by romantic myths and nostalgia for the days of the “Raj”. In the face of clever marketing and watered down accounts of history, it would do us well to spare a thought for the millions of lives ruined by the Company’s unbridled lust for profit.

- 15 Itineraries- memorable china

Our ready-made tour itineraries can take you to all of China's classic cities. We feature the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in capital Beijing, let you compare the old and modern metropolis of Shanghai, wonder at the Terracotta Warriors in ancient Xian and the scenic Li River in Guilin, marvel at the shoppers' paradise that is vibrant Hong Kong. These and many more highlight attractions can be included in our wonderful tours.

Yangtze River Cruises -- 28 Itineraries

• 10 Itineraries - 2009 Yangtze cruise
  
• 18 Itineraries - 2010 yangtze cruise
  

Our splendid Yangtze River Cruises allow you to savor the majestic beauty of the world renowned Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges, experience an exciting pea-boat ride along the fantastic Shennong Stream and see first-hand the world-amazing Three Gorges Dam Project. These and other sights will definitely catch your eye as you enjoy the shipboard comfort of the cruise tour.

52 Itineraries- tibet tours

A land steeped in mysticism and spirituality, Tibet has many superlatives, Mt. Everest, the Potala Palace and now the Tibet railway. With its vibrantly colored prayer flags, chanting monks, elaborately crafted prayer wheels and magnificent temples and palaces. The Roof of the World has never been more accessible so why not let us fulfill your dreams and enlighten you by whisking you away to this awe inspiring land of mystery.

27 Itineraries- beijing tour

Beijing, the capital city of China and also the venue of the 2008 Olympic Games, is endowed with many splendid tourist attractions including Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the new ultra-modern and stunning Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium). Our comprehensive Beijing packages enable you to enjoy every corner of Beijing and will transport you from twenty-first century city life back through time to the wonders of ancient dynasties.

31 Itineraries- xian tour

As the ancient capital spanning thirteen imperial dynasties, Xian is virtually a living history book recording great events from China's past. The city has an abundance of cultural and historical relics. These include the amazing Terracotta Warriors as well as the nation's best preserved fortified City Wall. Together with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist shrine, these are truly highlights of your wonderful tour. Enjoy our a la carte meals in Xian!

29 Itineraries- shanghai tour

Shanghai is an international metropolis with a blend of rich history and fashionable modernity. From Shanghai Museum, to Yuyuan Garden, then to the thriving Bund area and lively Nanjing Road, one may get a sense of the vigor and prosperity of this city. A short cruise trip on the Huangpu River is a fantastic addition and the famous water towns near Shanghai are unique and well worth a visit to round off your experience of the city.

10 Itineraries- silk road adventure

Take an adventurous journey along the world's oldest and most historically important trade route - the ancient Silk Road. Travel from Xian heading for Xinjiang, where the cultures of East and West meet, enjoying the imposing desert scenery while taking a camel ride, appreciating the ancient and well-preserved Mogao Grottoes and souvenir hunting in the famous Sunday Bazaar. Truly, the journey of a lifetime!

5 Itineraries- guizhoe ethnic minority

As a primary region where several ethnic minority groups coexist, Guizhou has many unique things to offer. The traditional architecture of the wooden houses in the minority villages will be first to capture your attention as you wonder how the people live there. The various folk customs, the exotic costumes and dazzling ornaments are fascinating while the breath-taking natural scenery is certain to enthrall you.

4 Itineraries- yunnan discovery

Come to Yunnan and find a place to celebrate life! Yunnan, an idyllic paradise for living, is destined to be a highlight for travelers. Cities with their year round spring-like climate include Kunming, a tranquil old town and the Bai minority tribal area of Dali, the romantic atmosphere and natural wonderland of Lijiang, and Shangri-La - 'heaven on earth', all will captivate you during your visit.

Tibet (Xizang), the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world until the beginning of the 20th century. The massive, snowy land has exerted an awesome draw on travelers and adventurers ever since. Its majestic scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and wonderful people, reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory!

Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region, TAR for short) borders Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan internally while India, Burma, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal meet its external borders. It covers a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers (470,920 square miles), which is about 12.8 % of the whole of China. With an average height of 4,000 meters above sea level, Tibet is encompassed by some of the world's highest mountains. The Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram to the west, and the Kunlun to the north are the dream lands of all adventurers and mountaineers.

The vast land is also the cradle of several great rivers such as the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Nu River (Salween), the Lancang River (Mekong), the Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Indus, and the Ganges. Tibet also offers awe-inspiring scenery of beautiful lakes and valleys. Over 1,500 lakes including Heavenly Lake Namtso and the holy Lake Manasarova make Tibet the plateau with largest amount of lakes. Without irrigation and nurturance of these rivers and lakes, the surrounding lands may not flourish.

The long history and exotic religion allures more and more tourists every year. Tibetan Buddhism inhabits most Tibetans' hearts. Thus, a great deal of splendid monasteries, vivid murals and sculptures, and solemn stupas were built to worship the unparalleled Buddha. Lhasa and Shigatse, the most important cities of Tibet, feature most of the religious monuments including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ramoche Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery and Sakya Monastery. Besides the monasteries, sacred mountains and holy lakes are also great places to show the Tibetan peoples' devotion to Buddha.

Western Tibet, Ngari, is a vast barren plateau and renowned as the Roof of Tibet. As the place where the Holy Lake (Lake Manasarova) joins the Sacred Mountain (Mt.Kailash), Ngari is a holy pilgrimage destination of both Tibetans and Hindus, as well as a popular challenge to trekkers. The ancient Shang Shung Kingdom and Guge Kingdom also exert a pull. As the climate is so inclement few people live in this region. Therefore, Ngari is also the home of wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and many other rare wild animals.

In Tibet, five mountains exceed the altitudes of 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) and many of the mountains exceed the altitudes of 7,000 meters (22,960 feet). Hence, southwestern Tibet has been a popular destination for mountaineers. Mt. Everest towers over the region. Besides, more than 40 snow capped peaks are open to mountain climbing enthusiasts. Each year, thousands of adventurers and mountaineers come to Tibet to challenge both nature and themselves. Southern Tibet also offers primeval forests, running waters, and a relatively mild climate. Yarlong Tsangpo Canyon, the largest canyon in the world, is the home of rare plants and animals, and remains unknown to anyone other than the local people.

Tibetan people are warm and hospitable. Tourists can visit local families and experience the daily life of Tibetan people. Holidays and festivals are the most important days in Tibet. Enjoying the local food and dancing with beautiful Tibetan girls are the most excellent ways to celebrate these joyful times. Buying some typical handicrafts in Barkhor Street or from other authentic vendors may add extra happiness to your visit.

Beside white snow capped mountains, verdant virgin forests, clean running rivers and tranquil beautiful lakes, the devotional pilgrim progress toward their places of worship by prostrating themselves under the sky and along the roads, making people humble and modest. Tibet, the lost paradise under the sky, is undoubtedly a place where the spirit lives!

The already famous Tibet Railway that was completed last October has been officially set for operation from July 1, 2006. This miraculous engineering achievement will make Tibet, the mysterious and amazing sacred land with a thousand-year history, witness many changes leading to prosperity.

Following the opening of the Tibet Railway, 3,000 - 4,000 tourists are expected to travel to Tibet every day. It is anticipated that the railway will enhance tourism to both Qinghai Province as well as the Tibet Autonomous Region, thus bringing prosperity to that part of West China that until now has not enjoyed all the benefits attributable to the tourist industry. The new rail link provides the traveler with a more convenient, comfortable, safer and economical way to go to Tibet. In turn the railway will alleviate the pressure on exiting passenger transport during the peak period of the high season. The Tibet Railway offers the tourist the opportunity to see more of the wonderful landscape that is unique to the 'roof of the world'. By opening up the connection between Lhasa and Qinghai, the railway will not only give outsiders the opportunity to take Tibet tours but will also facilitate economical freight transport for the benefit of the Tibetan people as a whole.

The miraculous railway now closely connects mainland China and remote Tibet, which will speed up economic development. The Tibet Railway will not only bring about a significant change of the mystical view of the outside world to Tibet, but will also create a better cognition of the Tibetan people by the outside world. There is a strong belief that Tibet will welcome a better tomorrow thanks to this widely hailed sa

Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, with a history of more than 2400 years, owes its importance to the fact that it was the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. Today the city is the political, economical and cultural center of Yunnan and the provincial center for transport, science and technology and consequently has become the most popular center for tourism in Southwest China.

Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and does its best to live up to its title of 'the City of Eternal Spring'. Whenever you are planning to go, the temperature is always pleasant. With its convenient transport links in and out of the city, Kunming welcomes and sees off tens of thousands of tourists every day.

For first-time tourists Kunming city center is an attraction with its two squares and five interlaced roads - Jinma Biji Square, Dongfeng Square, Dongfeng Lu, Jinbi Lu, Zhengyi Lu, Renmin Lu and Qingnian Lu, among which Jinbi Square has the most eye-catching architecture. Qingnian Lu, Zhengyi Lu, and Renmin Lu are the main commercial areas in Kunming; the most popular pedestrian streets are Nanping Jie, Jingxing Huaniao Shichang, and Jinma Biji Fang.

Kunming is the focal point of Yunnan minority culture. Some 26 ethnic minorities such as Yi, Bai, Miao, Dai, Hani and more inhabit the region. Each group has its own featured festivals such as the Torch festival of Yi people, the Golden Temple Fair and so on. The hugely successful 1999 International Horticultural Exposition enhanced Kunming's influence in the world resulting in a snowball effect upon tourism as more and more foreigners come to discover this enchanting part of China.

Its alluring highland scenery, bewitching karst landform, varied and exotic habitats and customs and places of historical interest can be found at major scenic spots such as Dianchi Lake, Stone Forest , the Village of Ethnic Culture, Grand View Pavilion, etc.

Kunming has more than one hundred star rated hotels and a variety of a thousand or so guest houses. These provide tourists a wide choice of somewhere to relax after whole day's tour.

Kunming is also renowned for many delicious local dishes; the most famous ones are Across Bridge Rice Noodle and Xuanwei Ham. You can enjoy them both at local famous restaurants or the night market. In the night markets you will find many pubs, bars and cafes that serve good quality meals.

Lastly, do not forget to buy some locally produced souvenirs for your friends or family when you visit Kunming, such as ivory or wood carvings, minority tie dyings. You will find a variety of stores to meet your specified requirements.

Beijing:

1. For Beijing Roast Duck Dinner you are taken to a famous restaurant, where you can be certain of a real treat.
2. As the Great Wall is far from the downtown area, a good restaurant is hard to find, but we have made great endeavour to discover one. Rather than use one or other of the cheap Friendship Store restaurants with pushy sales persons, we will drive you to a nice and decent local Sichuan Cuisine restaurant. This arrangement can effectively avoid mass-produced cheap food and has added advantage that you will not be distracted by being expected to tour some attached shops or showrooms, even though we pay high cost for the food and transfer.
3. For Peking Opera at Liyuan Theatre, premium-ticket row arrangement (different from those back theatre seats) with tea, fruits and cookies enables you to appreciate the fascinating Chinese Peking Opera performance of "civil" pieces characterized by singing, and "martial" ones featuring acrobatics and stunts.
4. For Luxury Series Tours: In Beijing, we would schedule you a perfect chance to dine at the most famous Cantonese cuisine restaurant which is thought to be the biggest and the best one to serve Cantonese cuisine in entire Beijing. It is located on the Wangfujing Street, after the dinner, wandering around the world famous pedestrian street and perhaps picking something on the way to surprise yourselves and your families.

DIFFERENCES CAN BE ONLY MADE BY COMPARISON. Travel China Guide is eager to offer top level services for our valued guests. It is the special attention paid to details that make one tour preferable to another and we suggest you consider the extra benefits and values we offer over and above those on tours available from other operators. We welcome suggestions and comparison as to ways in which we can further improve our tours. Meeting your need is our top priority. Thank you for considering Travel China Guide and we warmly invite you to join us for a truly unforgettable experience!

In China there is a saying that 'Xian has witnessed 2,000 years of history, Beijing has witnessed 1,000 years of history while Shanghai bears witness to the last 100 years.' For anyone who is interested in the history of modern China, Shanghai serves as an ideal starting point. Regarded as the 'Oriental Pearl', the city has a unique and important place in modern China and its rich heritage is worthy of exploration.

Yesterday's Shanghai

Shanghai, Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, a position that led to frequently unwelcome intervention from foreigners seeking to impose their exports on the Empire during the nineteenth century. However, in the 1920s and the 1930s, Shanghai became an important international trade center. With its advantaged natural conditions, rapid development and splendid oriental culture, Shanghai was famed as the 'Oriental Paris' and attracted many entrepreneurs and established businesses. In addition, many foreign scientists, literary figures and artists chose to live, give lectures or just experience the Chinese charm in Shanghai. They included Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Bernard Shaw and the poet RabindranathTagore, to name but a few. However, by the middle of the 20th century, the glory of the city was in decline.

Today's Shanghai

Having suffered the ravages of war, turmoil and economic crisis, the fortunes of Shanghai have been revived thanks to the great Reform and Opening Up since 1978. A favorable national policy, efficient administration, regular market mechanism and a large number of talents have come together to enhance by leaps and bounds the city's economic development in recent years.

Now over 300 of the world's top 500 enterprises have opened branches in Shanghai, while many have their research and development centers or headquarters there. Pudong New Area has developed in just five years, and Lujiazui in Pudong has become one of the foremost world class financial and trade zones in Asia. Skyscrapers such as Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Global Financial Center dominate the skyline, while landmark constructions like Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Pudong International Airport and Shanghai International Convention Center offer the finest and best of modern facilities.

These economic achievements are due to Shanghai's progress in the fields of politics, finance, trade, culture, science and technology. Various important international events have held in Shanghai, including political conventions, commercial conferences, academic forums, sports events, cultural exhibitions, film festivals and fashion shows.

Shanghai's rapid development has come as a great surprise to many in China and has international recognition. Shanghai has grown from a provincial city into an international metropolis on par with New York and Paris in just ten years. No other city in the world has done this - it is unique!

Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world throng to Shanghai to see for themselves its great economic impulse, distinctive attractions and to savor its blend of Eastern and Western cultures. In the eyes of westerners, Shanghai has special oriental charm; while in the eyes of Chinese, Shanghai has a fresh western style. The old say that Shanghai is modern and fashionable, while the young say that Shanghai is old and reminiscent. Wherever you come from and whoever you are, you will find Shanghai an ideal tour destination.

Shanghai has many attractions in the downtown area, including Huangpu River, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Xin Tian Di and the special old streets and lanes. Besides, there are places well worth a visit in the suburbs such as Qibao Ancient Town, Zhujajiao Water Town and Chongming Island for in addition to its modern facets, the city has a wealth of more ancient Chinese traditions. Dining will be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your Shanghai trip. In addition to Shanghai dishes, restaurants in the city offer a wide variety of foods from other parts of China as well as a number of foreign countries.

Shanghai is a shopper's paradise. There are various bustling commercial streets and shopping centers waiting for you. These include Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road, North Sichuan Road, Xujiahui Shopping Center, Yuyuan Shopping City and Jiali Sleepless City.

The convenient transportation, comfortable accommodation and colorful places of entertainment will enhance your stay in this fascinating city.

Tomorrow's Shanghai

Shanghai continues to develop at an amazing speed. It will host the football preliminary of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the World Expo in 2010, both of which offer the means to introduce Shanghai to yet more people worldwide. There is every reason to expect Shanghai to continue to surprise the world.

Beijing, Jing for short, is the nation's political, economic, cultural and educational center as well as China's most important center for international trade and communications. Together with Xian, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou, Beijing is one of the six ancient cities in China. It has been the heart and soul of politics and society throughout its long history and consequently there is an unparalleled wealth of discovery to delight and intrigue travelers as they explore Beijing's ancient past and enjoy its exciting modern development.

As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is located in northern China, close to Tianjin Municipality and partially surrounded by Hebei Province. The city covers an area of more than 16,410 square kilometers (6,336 square miles) and has a population of 14.93 million people.

Beijing is a city with four distinct seasons. Its best is late spring and autumn. But autumn is taken as the golden tourist season of the year since there is sometimes in the spring of recent years, a yellow wind. We suggest tourists visit Beijing during the months of May, September, and October when people can enjoy bright sunshine and blue skies. An abundance of international class performances are presented in May. If you like winter, you will have other chances to appreciate another landscape of Beijing. After skiing in Beihai and viewing the snowy sights on West Hill, enjoying the steaming hotpot is the best choice, which is really the fun of tour in Beijing. Please keep warm and remember to bring your down garments and sweaters when you visit Beijing in the winter.

How can one city boast so many phenomenal places? Beijing's long and illustrious history started some 500,000 years ago. It is here that the ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, Peking men, lived in caves. Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three thousand years and has endured invasions by warlords and foreign powers, devastating fires, the rise and fall of powerful imperial dynasties and has emerged each time as a strong and vibrant city. For more than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city - from the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) to the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days.

Although now Beijing is a modern and fashionable city complete with a full 21st Century vitality, you can experience authentic Beijing life and become acquainted with 'old Beijing' by exploring its many teahouses, temple fairs, Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard and enjoy the Peking Opera. Add any or all of these to your Beijing tour and you will leave with a feeling of special appreciation in your heart for this ancient city that has truly seen it all and tells its story with matchless grace, charm and vigor.

With the biggest central square in the world - Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City that is the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex, a superbly preserved section of the Great Wall,as well as the largest sacrificial complex in the world - the Temple of Heaven, Beijing attracts both domestic and foreign visitors who all come to wonder at its century-old history and unique cultural relics.

Dwelling too much on the historical past of Beijing may give tourists the false impression that it is little more than an ancient city in style but this is definitely not so! Strolling around Beijing, you'll find it has much in common with any other great metropolis elsewhere in today's world. There are towering skyscrapers; busy shopping malls and an endless stream of traffic that makes the city much the same as others. The most famous and popular commercial circles and commercial pedestrian streets are predominantly located near the Yansha Shopping Mall, Tiananmen and Wangfujing Street, Guomao Shopping Mall, Qianmen Street and Xidan Street, etc. However, although you will find multinational chains with their own brands to offer, nowhere else on earth will you find such a variety of gourmet Chinese restaurants offering the very best of the eight different styles of Chinese cuisine as well as western style dishes. Modern hotels abound, each offering the highest standards of service and convenience.

After a day's Beijing tours, nighttime can hold other surprises for you. These can vary from traditional performances such as the Beijing Opera, acrobatics and martial arts to modern ones including concerts, ballroom dancing, pubs and clubs. Each and every one has its individual enchantment for the tourist. No description of our capital city is complete without mention of the friendly people who throng the streets. Everywhere you will encounter smiling faces and a warm welcome, especially from the children who love to say 'Hello!' All these things add up to truly make your visit a cultural experience of a lifetime.

China, one of the countries that can boast of an ancient civilization, has a long and mysterious history - almost 5,000 years of it! Like most other great civilizations of the world, China can trace her culture back to a blend of small original tribes which have expanded till they became the great country we have today.

It is recorded that Yuanmou man is the oldest hominoid in China and the oldest dynasty is Xia Dynasty. From the long history of China, there emerge many eminent people that have contributed a lot to the development of the whole country and to the enrichment of her history. Among them, there are emperors like Li Shimin (emperor Taizong of the Tang), philosophers like Confucius, great patriotic poets like Qu Yuan and so on.

Chinese society has progressed through five major stages - Primitive Society, Slave Society, Feudal Society, Semi-feudal and Semi-colonial Society, and Socialist Society. The rise and fall of the great dynasties forms a thread that runs through Chinese history, almost from the beginning. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949, China has become a socialist society and become stronger and stronger.