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Living in Shanghai offers an amazing experience that shall remain deep in the memory. This article serves as a guide to those wishing to visit Shanghai or other parts of China for the first time and are unsure as to what they can expect from such a visit.

Shanghai serves as a great city for a foreigner to live and breathe China, but without feeling too isolated. It is set up for western tastes to cater for the needs of both the thousands of foreigners who live in the city, but also many of the Chinese residents who have started to appreciate the same luxuries themselves.

China is an expanding, developing country, more than any other in fact, and Shanghai best represents the rise of rich young Chinese who are driving the economy skyward. With the added bonus of foreign investment from tourism and foreign business the city has become quite an expensive place to live, indeed at the same level as the likes of London and Paris in its central areas. The huge push of China’s population also adds pressure to the overheating economy and demand for land and accommodation. Companies in China can greatly benefit from the huge pool of labor, and foreign companies are now starting to get a wider choice of English-speaking Chinese workers, who are learning the language from an earlier age.

Life or travel outside of Shanghai and other big cities can be a much harder experience with few signs offered in anything other than Chinese and few local people able to communicate. For this an interpreter or some basic Chinese skills is advisable for those wishing to visit the more remote areas of this huge country.

Some of the best places to visit outside of the big cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou include the western independent provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang, plus the southern region of Yunnan.

Many foreigners seek to marry Chinese in China during their stay and require a lot of paperwork to do so. Different provinces have different requirements and Chinese blogs are normally the best way to find out what is required from those who have already been successful. Obtaining passports for Chinese nationals can also be a tiring effort and the advice applies to this process too. Whenever entering Chinese bureaucracy it is strongly advised to make use of local friends or family to communicate and negotiate over applications for certificates and even the odd bribe has certainly been known to speed things up.

Overall, a short trip or longer working period in China is well recommended to foreigners who are wishing to experience some interesting culture and friendly people.

Appropriately close to Shangri-La, Lijiang is described as “a fairyland beneath the colorful clouds of southern China. A place blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains, and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people”. You will find this unspoilt idyll where Tibet meets the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, in southern of China. The local Dongba culture has influences from all these neighbors which include the famous Dongba hieroglyphs, a pictographic writing system used by the Bon priests of the Naxi people in this region for around a thousand years.

Blessed with a pleasant climate all year round, this seemingly remote area was part of the Ancient Tea-Horse Route. The Old Town of Lijiang is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, mercifully preserving the typical groups of houses and the original lifestyle found here.

Visitors will find there is plenty to see and do in and around the area of Lijiang. For those who like spectacular natural scenery, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is an awe-inspiring backdrop to the Moon-Embracing Pavilion at Black Dragon Pond (aren’t these great names?) Although the town can be explored by bus, taxi or bicycle, the best way to see the local charm in intimate detail is on foot. Browse the local shops, taste the local snacks and stop at every curious sight for a photograph. The Naxi music and murals are not to be missed, and after dark you can enjoy some of the charming local bars in the Old Town.

The nearby valley of Ringha is more Tibetan than Chinese. Visitors will delight in this peaceful, unspoilt area with its delightful golden-roofed Buddhist monasteries, faded prayer flags and slow-moving yaks which frequently hold up the traffic. The area is well known for its luxury accommodation in lodges, built in local village style with a wooden pole structure, exposed ceiling rafters and beautiful natural wood floors littered with colorful handmade rugs. The local restaurants also serve Tibetan-style cuisine including stews of yak and other local meats (delicious, by the way!).

The area is at an altitude of well over 10,000 feet, almost as high as Macchu Piccu in Peru which is 11,150 feet above sea level. The altitude and low air pressure may leave you panting at the hilly inclines, but it is a small price to pay for the splendid views of the snow-capped Hengduan Shan Mountains nearby. Local trips into the mountains are usually in jeeps and 4×4s and include an exhilarating ride to the Songzanlin Temple with its 700 earnest monks.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, locally named Hutiao Xia, is a strenuous walk but trekkers will be rewarded with fabulous gorge, river and canyon views. The total route takes over 2 days to complete with accommodation in guest houses along the way, but shorter parts of this high trail can be enjoyed by those with stout walking shoes and strong legs! There are also coach tours which follow the lower road through remote villages with the same breathtaking scenery. Alternatively walkers can rent a horse to ride some stages, or even be carried up some of the steps in a Mandarin Chair! Truly a Chinese experience for those who want to see the area at its natural best, but you need to hurry as there are plans to dam the gorge.

The Great Wall of China, one of the most awe-inspiring man-made projects in the world, lies across the northern part of China like a great sleeping dragon, winding its way through China’s vast northern territory. With a history of over 2,500 years, the Wall attracts visitors from all over the world. In 1987, Great Wall was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and selected as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a global poll announced on July 7, 2007. It is often said that “If you haven’t climbed the Great Wall, you haven’t seen China.” Most people in the world have seen photos of the amazing construction, but photos are poor imitations of the beauty and grandeur. No China tour is complete without seeing the Great Wall. Visiting it is the experience of lifetime.

The construction of the Great Wall began during 770-476 BC. During that period Ducal states built walls to defend their territories. In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang conquered the six kingdoms and unified China to become its first emperor. To consolidate the country and ward off invasion by the ethnic minority tribes in the north, he had the separate walls joined together and extended to form a united defensive system. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), when the Wall became the world’s largest military structure. The current measurement of Great Wall, which stretches from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, is 7300 kilometers (4300 miles). Its thickness ranges from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet), and at its highest point is 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall. Most of the walls we see today were built during the Ming Dynasty. The watchtowers are built at intervals of 1,500 feet except where the terrain is more complicated, and then they are even closer. In ancient time, everyday thousands of soldiers were stationed there to make sure the whole nation was safe. At night, they slept inside the towers.

Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance. It is constructed of locally available materials – stone, rammed earth, large blocks of granite and bricks. The Great Wall is comprised of not only the walls, but also gates, beacon towers, watchtowers, castles and fortresses. Along the 7300 kilometers (4300 miles) long wall, there are countless beacon towers that were used as signal tower to deliver messages from one place to another. When the enemy invaded in the daytime, heavy smoke was used as a signal; while at night, a large fire would be lit, because fire was easy to see at great distances. The scale of the smoke and fire signals could reveal the number of invading enemies. The beacon towers were set at regular intervals along the Great Wall, and each tower upon seeing a signal from the previous one would light their signal to signal the next tower. A signal could be sent from one end of the Wall to the other, a distance of 7300 kilometers (4300 miles) in just over one hour.

The Great Wall was constructed using the Chinese people’s sweat, blood, and muscle. Ancient records show that at least one million slaves and prisoners of war were conscripted to build the great wall which followed the contour of the land, taking advantage of the natural landscape. As many died from exhaustion and starvation while working on this colossal task, the Wall was also known as “the longest cemetery in the world.” The bricks, rocks and lime used to build the wall had to be carried up the mountains on bare backs. Those who succeeded in climbing the wall today are often regarded as “real heroes”, but as visitors realize the difficulty in climbing the wall, they should try to imagine how difficult it must have been to build the Great Wall without any modern machinery.

China is the second most populated in the world. There are various cultures and traditions which is replete with innate loyalty and satisfaction by providing you with an exceptional milieu for inviting various honeymooners to enjoy the best locales of China in comfort and splendor. Atmosphere in China charismatic as well as enigmatic by enchanting you with its embracing hands for the purposes of driving the growth and the advantages of various charters as well as star cruises.

There have been plenty of movies from Hollywood, starring red belt Bruce Lee who is famous for martial arts and entertainment for thrilling packed masses for the purposes of ensuring successes. These are for making honeymooners enjoy these thrilling sights without losing track of their innate pleasure and enjoyment. All these efforts will be backed by multiplicities of star cruises as well as chartered aircrafts and cruises for enthralling myriads of honeymooners for making them enjoy the exotic locales of China and its warmth and pleasure of cultural ensemble.

In this manner, there are plenty of travel packages brought to honeymooners by varieties of hotels as well as travel agents for the purposes of making them enjoy the private lives without disturbances from anybody. There are plenty of luxury hotels such as Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, as well as Shangri-La Hotels to name a few which bring you various packages which are worthwhile for consideration for providing the honeymooners with warmth, kindness and pleasure. They will have an innate satisfaction of ensuring a proper regime of enjoyment as per a planned protocol and itinerary for the purposes of making you enjoy the pleasures of privacy as well as picturesque surroundings.

All these efforts can be emboldened with the spirits of various cost structures to suit lifestyles of many honeymoon travelers which are important for consummation of successes in honeymooning pursuits. All these facilities are brought to you to suit the budgets of various honeymooners for bringing about successes in these ventures. Flower bedecked star cruises as well as steamers can be organized from various travel agencies for making you enjoy the pleasures of honeymooning.

To conclude, you can also plan to invite all your friends and colleagues to through marriage reception parties or honeymoon warming ceremonies. This enables enjoying a privacy luxury suite for making you enjoy the ultimate warmth of privacy as also the warmth of your friends and colleagues to propagate how to plan a honeymoon in China.

Overview

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an ancient building that was built during the Tang Dynasty Period in Chang’an, which is presently known as Xi’an. This pagoda is well-preserved and is considered a holy place for Buddhists. There are millions of visitors to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian each year, both Buddhists and tourists alike. This structure is rated as a National Cultural Relic Preserve and also as an AAAA Tourist Attraction. Those who are tourists to this area should make sure that they visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda as well as the other two structures that are associated, which are the Da Ci’en Temple and the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

History

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the year of 652 A.D. during the rule of the Chinese Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In ancient times, this structure functioned to collect Buddhist materials taken from India by hierarch Xuanzang. When the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was originally constructed, it was sixty meters tall and included five stores.

The modern pagoda is now nearly five meters taller than it once was with an additional two stories. From the outside, this building looks squarish and cone-like, a structure type that is simple, but amazing all the same. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda can be considered a masterpiece of Buddhist construction style. The pagoda was built with brick, which can help to explain why it is one of the most well preserved ancient buildings in the world. Once inside this pagoda, you will find a staircase that will lead to an overlook in which you can see much of Xi’an city. Statues of Buddha are finely engraved on the walls throughout this structure. These engravings were done by the famous artist Yan Liben, who was part of the Tang Dynasty.

Legend

The name of this pagoda also comes from ancient times, of course. Stories of Buddhists tell that there is a legend behind the name ‘Big Wild Goose Pagoda’. At one point, there were two branches of Buddhists and in one branch, eating meat was not a concern. A time came when the Buddhists who did not find it taboo to eat meat could not find any meat for consumption. After searching for meat for their dinners and having no luck, these Buddhists saw a group of big wild geese flying by them. As the Buddhists were watching the geese fly over, one had silently prayed to the Bodhisattva to be merciful and allow them to have meat for their dinner. At the moment this prayer was finished, the leading goose of the flock broke his wings and fell to the ground. The Buddhists who were witness to this saw it as a sign from the Bodhisattva to be more pious. These Buddhists then built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at the site of the fallen goose.

The history behind this landmark structure is one of great interest to Buddhists and others as well. If you find yourself visiting the great city of Xi’an, you should not miss the opportunity to view this ancient structure. You will find that is nothing less than breathtaking, even in its simplicity.

Tips

1. There is a daily music fountain show at the North Square of the Big Pagoda which is the largest in Asia. In generally runs every 2 hours from 12.00pm though times do vary according to season. Its free

2. Entrance to the Pagoda itself is from the Southern Square

3. There is a plethora of quality restaurants at both the South and West squares.

4. The Pagoda is part of the new Qujiang Culture district and is nearby the both the Shaanxi History Museum and Tang Paradise

5. It is located south of Xian City and will cost around 15-20rmb in a taxi depending on traffic

China is a kind of treasure box that hides one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It is a multi-religious and multi-racial country. Having a deep history and heritage place the country among the world’s greatest travel destinations. It is the third largest country of the world in which there are lots of touristic attractions to visit and lots of things to do. It offers endless cultural treasures with lots of memories that are unforgettable for a lifetime.

China has famous cities that are also important travel destinations. Beijing is the capital of China and has always been among the famous cultural and historic cities. It is China’s most popular city for tourists. It owns number of temples, ancient houses, museums, parks. The top attractions of Beijing are The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and Ming Tombs. The Great Wall with its worldwide fame is a historical place and for sure must-see place. The wonderful scenery also pleases the visitors. The Forbidden City also known as the Imperial Palace is a city-within-a-city that owns ancient buildings. The Summer Palace is the largest Royal Park. Summer Place contains structures which are included by towers, temples, pavilions, bridges, and corridors. Ming Tombs is the burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Also, Tian’anmen Square and The Temple of Heaven are among touristic destinations of Beijing.

Shanghai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of China. It is also popular with its nightlife. Nanjing Road, The Old Town, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, The Bund, Grand View Garden, Shanghai Wildlife Zoo are the popular attractions of the city.

Guilin located on the Li River, is a small town; however, a popular place due to its beautiful scenery. Its geographic formations and breathtaking beauty attract travellers. Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Longji Terraced Field, Green Lotus Peak and Yangshuo are popular sightseeings. Kknmíng is also one of the cosmopolitan Chinese cities. The city owns beautiful attractions such as Stone Forest, Xishan, Jiuxiang and Yunnan Nationalities Village.

Xi’an city is home of the world-famous Terra Cotta Army. Xian is a must-see and world famous tourist city. Qin Terra Cotta Army Museum is a site museum housing the continuing excavation of an army of 6,000 terra-cotta soldiers and horses. Museum of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses , Shaanxi History Museum, The Xi’an City Wall, Huaqing Hot Springs are some of the attractions of Xi’an.

A trip to Tibet is a memorable experience. It offers stunning views. There are countless attractions in Tibet which makes it a very popular tourist destination. Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarova, Mount Everest, Yarlong Tsangpo River, Sera Monastery and Lake Namco are places to visit in Tibet.

Dunhuang attracts people with its numerous historic sites. Mogao Grottoes (Mogao Caves), Yang and Yumen Passes are among sightseeings of the city. The Silk Road is also one of the must-see places of China. It is known all around the world and a travel to China is incomplete if it is not visited. Also, Hainan, Dali, Dao, Hong Kong, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, Reed Flute Cave, Tai Shan, Macau, Hainan, Yunan are among popular places.

Rock climbing, cycling and river cruising are activities available in China. Acrobatic Arts is a definite must-see activity to add to any visitors list. Do not forget to see Giant Pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. China offers entertainments and colorful nightlife, too.

Bright Filial Piety Temple located on Guangxiao Road is a monumental tribute to the grandeur of Ancient Chinese architecture. A religious centre of the highest importance in Ancient China, the holy premises offer the visitor a comprehensive view to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Chinese Buddhism.

The temple traces its origins over 1700 years back to the Western Han Dynasty. It was initially built to serve as a royal palace and was later used as a centre to conduct lectures before the establishment of a Zen Buddhist temple in the course of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279). Thus the Bright Filial Piety Temple has the double distinction of being not only the most ancient temple in the Guangdong Province but also of preceding the inception of the Guangzhou City. The temple was a place of abode for many imminent monks who contributed greatly towards translating sutras and spreading Buddhism. The greatest among them was Hui Neng, considered the 6th master of Zen Buddhism.

The premises contain many notable buildings of which the Sixth Ancestor Hall was built in remembrance of Hui Neng. An octagonal pagoda enshrining his hair is also extant. The design Mahavihara Hall has influenced the architecture of numerous other Chinese temples.

The oldest iron towers in China are also to be found in the Bright Filial Piety Temple. The West tower built in 963 antedated the East tower by four years. Only the latter has survived completely. This tower is called the Thousand-Buddha Tower as it is decorated by approximately 1000 shrines carved on the outside, each containing a delicately made Buddha statue.

Another architectural splendor is the Dharani Pillar which is distinguished by its unusual mushroom shape. Constructed with bluestone in 826 the Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra is inscribed on this novel structure.

Beihai Park is a masterpiece of imperial garden design. Originally designed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on the ruins of a Yuan Dynasty Imperial Garden at Beijing, China. The current park has a history of over 800 years. It was built in what is known as a “one pool and three hills”design. The design comes from a Taoist legend that says that somewhere in the East Sea there are three islands which were home to the immortals. The emperors wanted to be immortal so they built gardens in this fashion in the hopes of becoming immortals.

Intact Ancient Royal Garden

Beihai Park is the most intact ancient royal garden in China. Beihai Park seamlessly integrates architecture and nature. It is filled with temples, pavilions, and carvings and each are made of the highest quality. This was the private garden of the emperor and being such, money was no object. Beihai Park, once the sole property of the emperor now thousands of tourists to Beijing visit it every day. There are dozens of amazing sites in this beautiful park, make it an irresistible place for any one taking a tour to Beijing.

Major Attracts

Yong An Bridge

Yong An Bridge was built in the thirteenth century. It is a long, multiple-arch stone bridge that connects Qiong Island with the bank on the other side of Beihai Lake. At the north and south ends of Yong An Bridge, there are two colorful memorial stone archways whose names are Ji Cui and Dui Yun. There is one pair of stone lions in front of each stone archway. Against the green water, the blue sky, and the White Dagoba, Yong An Bridge presents a splendid sight.

Qiong Hua Island

Qiong Island is the short name of Qiong Hua Island. There is the White Dagoba on top of the mountain on the island that can be seen for miles. The hill is often called White Dagoba Hill. The hill is 32 meters tall and has a perimeter of 913 meters. Qiong Hua means gorgeous gem, so the name of the island means that the island is a gorgeous gem located in the center of Beijing. Standing on the top of the hill, tourists will have a wonderful bird’s eye view of Beijing.

Nine-Dragon Screen

The Nine-Dragon Screen is symbolic to Beijing. It is made of colored glazed tiles is the most splendid of the three imperial nine dragon screens. Built in 1756, the screen is 25.78 meters long, 6.65 meters tall and 1.42 meters thick. What makes this screen unique amongst the three is that there are designs on both sides of the screen. Each side of the Nine-Dragon Screen has nine large dragons and dozens of small ones on the roof and border details. They are playing pearls in the clouds and waves. The reason the screen has nine main dragons is because nine was considered to be the number of the emperor. In Taoist philosophy men are odd numbers while women are even numbers. Since the highest odd single digit number is nine, it was the emperors. Beihai Park’s Nine Dragon Screen is one of the four well-preserved Nine Dragon Screens in China, which are precious example of the artistry of ancient Chinese. Another Nine Dragon Screen in Beijing is sited in the Forbidden City. Almost all Beijing tour packages will comprise a visit to at least one of them.

Beihai Park has numerous places of interest such as the Tian Wang Palace Hall, Yue Xin, Palace Hall, Beihai Lake, and the Alter to the Goddess of Silkworms. One visit to Beihai Park is usually never enough with so many wonderful places to explore that it often leaves visitors wanting more and pledging to someday return.

China is a magnet for tourists, students and businessmen. The Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 showed the world that China is prominently on the world stage. Millions from all over the world visit China every year. It offers an unparallelled adventure in the eastern hemisphere. In China, ancient treasures are juxtaposed against modern skylines and architecture. There are world class hotels and cuisine in the same country where ancient Chinese medicine is practiced. It is a very safe destination with a low crime rate.

China is no longer an enigma. Americans are traveling there in increasing numbers. Business ties between the countries are strengthening. Many American high school students are studying the Chinese language. Study abroad programs in China are flourishing.

Travelers to China face health risks. Many of these illnesses can be prevented or effectively treated, if the traveler is prepared and has received essential travel vaccinations. Tourists, businessmen and travelers returning to China to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) should consult with a travel doctor several weeks before departure for travel vaccinations and travel safety tips. VFRs returning to their birth countries often wrongly believe that they are still immune to local diseases, but this is not the case. If they travel without travel

Travelers to China Need:

Routine Vaccinations:

Seasonal Influenza (routine ‘flu shot’)
Chicken pox MMR (measles/mumps/rubella)
DPT (Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus)
Rotovirus (for children)
Poliomyelitis (if unvaccinated)

Required Vaccinations:

Yellow fever (if you are traveling from certain countries)

Recommended Vaccinations:

Typhoid
Hepatitis
Rabies (depending upon your itinerary)
Japanese encephalitis (for rural travelers)
Poliomyelitis (adults may need a booster)
Some diseases present in China have no available travel vaccines, such as malaria, dengue and schistosomiasis. Your travel doctor can give you important tips on minimizing your risk of contracting these diseases.

Your adventure in China is waiting. Travel safe.