Essential guide to China: what to see and what to know

Beijing, Evolution of a City

A City of Contrasts: Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Beijing Beijing, with its three thousand years of history, still represents an extraordinary center of attraction … Read more

Turpan: The Death Valley of China

Turpan images

Turpan is the hottest place in China and it’s known also as Huo Zhou (a place as hot as fire).

The area around Turpan, the Turpan Depression is the lowest point in China and the second-lowest on Earth (after the Dead Sea) at 154 meters below sea level. In July and August temperatures soar to 40 ° C.

Turpan ( 吐鲁番, Tǔlǔfān ) is located in the east of Xinjiang. Turpan has long been the center of a fertile oasis (with water provided by the karez canal system) and an important trade center. It was historically located along the Silk Road, at which time it was adjacent to the kingdoms of Kroran and Yanqi. The name Turfan itself however was not used until the end of the Middle Ages – its use became widespread only in the post-Mongol period.

Turpan is located about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Ürümqi, Xinjiang’s capital, in a mountain basin, on the northern side of the Turpan Depression, at an elevation of 30 m (98 ft) above sea level. Outside of Turpan is a small volcanic cone, the Turfan volcano, that is said to have erupted in 1120 as described in the Song Dynasty.

Source: Wikipedia, Turpan Travel Guide, Baidu Travel

20 fascinating photos of Yangshuo, China

Yangshuo images

Yangshuo (阳朔) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China among both foreign and domestic travelers for a reason.

If you are looking for an exotic and colorful place surrounded by nature and history, this is the place.

Yangshuo County (阳朔,Yángshuò) is located in Guangxi, China, not far from Guilin City. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River it is easily accessible by bus or by boat from nearby Guilin. Today, the town has become a resort destination for both domestic and foreign travelers. [Wikipedia]

Originating in the Mao’er Mountains in Xing’an County, the Lijiang River flows southeast through Guilin City and Yangshuo to the Gongcheng Estuary in Pingle County. With 437 kilometers of scenic beauty, the Lijiang River is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. An attractive hiking route is from Yangdi wharf in Yangshuo to Xingping County. The walk is only about 10 kilometers but you can spend the whole day strolling along the riverbank and experiencing the local culture. (Source:China.org.cn)

Yangshuo map

Yangshuo Images

Photos: Baidu Travel via Viaggio a Yangshuo

topics: Yangshuo images,Yangshuo County Photos,Yangshuo pictures,Yangshuo China

15 inspiring images of Kanas Lake, Xinjiang

Kanas Lake is a very popular photography tour destination for Chinese amateur photographers.

Kanas Lake (喀纳斯湖; Kānàsī Hú) is a lake in Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, China. The lake is located in a valley in the Altai Mountains, near the very northern tip of Xinjiang, and the province’s borders with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia.

There is a large population of ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs in the Kanas valley.

Map of Kanas Lake

Images of Kanas Lake, Xinjiang, China

Kanas Lake and surroinding area photos

Please check more images on the Mafengwo site here.

Source [Wikipedia]

Beijing Underground City

The Underground City (Chinese: 地下城; pinyin: Dìxià Chéng), also known as Dixia Cheng, is a bomb shelter comprising a network of tunnels located beneath Beijing, China, which has since been transformed into a tourist attraction.

It has been called the Underground Great Wall because it was built for the purpose of military defense. (Wikipedia)
Video: editing and shooting: abelvideo/dmsl.co
music: Felix L’Amour

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7k9CMlPjcI[/embedyt]

Rice paddy art in China

Last July 2014 in Shenyang, Liaoning province, rice field paintings attracted great attention.

453,000 square meters of fields are embodied and feature simple and abstract patterns, characters, human figures, animals, and plants. Nezha Conquers the Dragon King is one of the most attractive pictures featured; Nezha is a deity from ancient Chinese mythology and literature.

Shenyang started creating rice field art in 2012 and hosted it annually. “Qixinglongteng”, “Seven stars and one dragon” created in 2012, created in Shenbei New Area, is considered one of the largest rice paddy artwork in the world. The city because of its 100000 square meters of rice paddy art, received the certification of the biggest rice field painting in the world from WRA.

World Record Association (abbreviated as WRA) formally registered in 2010, was established through approval from the Hong Kong Government and is a commercial record organization to list non-sports civilian world records.
Now northeast China’s Shenyang city is becoming a hot tourist attraction thanks to its rice fields.

Rice paddy art is an art form originating in Japan in 1993. The people of Inakadate, Aomori were looking for a way to revitalize their village. To honor the 2000 years of growing rice area, they decided to use the paddy as a canvas and cultivate four different types and colors of rice to create giant pictures. To allow viewing of the whole picture, they erected a high castle tower.

Rice paddy art in China images

Sources: chinadaily.com.cn , www.1wra.org/index.php/Worldrecord/detail/id/940

The Rich History and Significance of Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen

Modern-day significance and continued religious importance. Nanputuo (南普陀寺) is a Buddhist temple of vast proportions not far from the University of Xiamen. Nanputuo Temple, also … Read more

Gulangyu: A Journey Through China's Fascinating Colonial Past

Exploring the Colonial Heritage of Gulangyu Island through its Architecture

Gulangyu Island’s Colonial Era Architecture: A Journey into the Past

Xiamen, also known as Amoy, is a small but bustling city located in southern China that overlooks the Straits of Taiwan. With a population of over two and a half million people, Xiamen is considered small by Chinese standards but has always been an important trading port due to its advantageous geographical position.

Related articles: Images of Xiamen, The Ancient Earthen Castles in Tulou

Despite its modest size, Xiamen is a cosmopolitan city that has retained its multi-ethnic past. Visitors can observe the particular mix of European, Chinese, and Japanese architecture that is present throughout the city. A must-visit spot is the nearby small island of Gulangyu, which is known for its varied colonial architecture and Mediterranean climate.

Gulangyu has an interesting history that dates back to the mid-1800s when the British established their first concession on the island. Later on, the Japanese and Americans also took an interest in the island as a possible naval base. However, after the conquest of the Philippines in 1899, they abandoned the idea. Despite this, foreign powers continued to open consulates and trade offices in Xiamen. In 1902, a city council was elected, consisting of six representatives from both foreign and Chinese backgrounds. Fourteen nations opened representative offices, including Germany, France, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and the Philippines.

Today, Gulangyu is a tranquil island that bans cars and bikes, which helps to create a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can hear only the sounds of the wind, trees, and the many pianos and organs that can be found on the island. In fact, Gulangyu holds a special record for having the most number of pianos per capita.

Xiamen and Gulangyu are unique destinations that offer a mix of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy the bustling city life in Xiamen and then take a short ferry ride to the peaceful island of Gulangyu to escape the hustle and bustle.

The photographs depict the intricate designs of Western-style structures prevalent on Gulangyu Island. These buildings, ranging from large mansions to simpler residences, reflect the impact of various foreign entities that have influenced the island’s architectural landscape over time.