A trip to Emei Shan, Sichuan province

Day Trips from Beijing, China Tianjin 天津 (Tiānjīn): Explore this coastal city known for its European-style architecture, the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, and the Ancient Culture Street. Take a leisurely stroll along the Haihe River, visit the Porcelain House, and sample local delicacies such as Goubuli Baozi (steamed stuffed buns) and mahua (fried dough twists). Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the UNESCO-listed Mountain Resort and its outlying temples, including the Puning Temple and the Eight Outer Temples. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the Mountain Resort, explore the intricately designed temples, and marvel at the towering statue of Guanyin at the Puning Temple. Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡 (Lóngqìng Xiá): Experience the stunning natural beauty of Longqing Gorge, with its emerald green waters, towering cliffs, and scenic boat rides. Take a cruise along the gorge, ride the cable car for panoramic views, and enjoy outdoor activities such as rock climbing and bungee jumping. Simatai Great Wall 司马台长城 (Sīmǎtái Chángchéng): Explore the Simatai section of the Great Wall, known for its steep terrain, rugged beauty, and well-preserved watchtowers. Hike along the ancient wall, admire the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and experience the thrill of walking on one of China's most iconic landmarks. Qinhuangdao 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Relax on the beaches of Beidaihe or explore the Shanhaiguan Pass, where the Great Wall meets the sea. Spend a day soaking up the sun on the sandy shores, indulge in fresh seafood at beachside restaurants, and visit historical landmarks such as the First Pass Under Heaven. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the "Little Potala Palace," and the nearby Puning Temple with its giant statue of Guanyin. Explore the vast complex of palaces, temples, and gardens at the Mountain Resort, and marvel at the intricate architecture and religious artifacts at the Puning Temple. Qinghuang Island 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Take a boat trip to Qinghuang Island to visit the Old Dragon's Head, where the Great Wall meets the Bohai Sea. Explore the ancient watchtowers and fortifications, stroll along the beach, and enjoy panoramic views of the sea and surrounding coastline. Shanxi Pingyao 山西平遥 (Shānxī Píngyáo): Explore the ancient city of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, visit historic buildings such as the City Wall and Rishengchang Draft Bank, and learn about the city's rich history and cultural heritage. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Discover the temples of Chengde, including the Putuo Zongcheng Temple, modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and the Temple of Universal Peace. Marvel at the grandeur of the imperial temples, explore the intricately carved halls and pavilions, and learn about the religious practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Langfang 廊坊 (Lángfáng): Visit the Nanhu Peach Blossom Village in Langfang during the spring to enjoy the beautiful peach blossoms in bloom. Take a leisurely stroll through the orchards, admire the colorful blooms, and participate in traditional activities such as peach blossom viewing and folk performances. Shijiazhuang 石家庄 (Shíjiāzhuāng): Explore the Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area and its ancient Buddhist grottoes, temples, and scenic landscapes. Hike along the mountain trails, visit the renowned Cangyan Mountain Grottoes, and admire the natural beauty of the surrounding valleys and waterfalls. Tianjin 天津 (Tiānjīn): Take a stroll along the Haihe River and explore the Italian Style Town, a neighborhood with European-style architecture and cobblestone streets. Visit historical landmarks such as the Tianjin Railway Station and the Former Residence of Liang Qichao, and sample Italian cuisine at local restaurants and cafes. Qinhuangdao 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Relax on the beaches of Nandaihe and enjoy seafood delicacies at local restaurants overlooking the sea. Swim in the clear waters, sunbathe on the sandy shores, and savor fresh seafood dishes such as steamed crabs, grilled fish, and fried squid. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the Qingchui Mountain, known for its stunning autumn foliage and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Take a scenic drive through the mountains, hike along the forest trails, and enjoy panoramic views of the colorful autumn leaves and distant peaks. Tangshan 唐山 (Tángshān): Explore the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1976. Visit the memorial hall, view exhibits on earthquake science and disaster prevention, and pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake at the memorial square. Jietai Temple 戒台寺 (Jiètái Sì): Discover the ancient Jietai Temple, known for its beautiful Buddhist architecture and serene surroundings. Explore the temple complex, admire the intricate carvings and statues, and participate in Buddhist rituals such as meditation and prayer. Badachu 八大处 (Bādàchù): Explore the scenic area of Badachu, home to eight ancient Buddhist temples nestled in the hills of Western Beijing. Climb the stone steps to each temple, admire the ancient architecture and religious artifacts, and enjoy panoramic views of Beijing from the hilltops. Xiangshan Park 香山公园 (Xiāngshān Gōngyuán): Enjoy hiking and panoramic views of Beijing from Xiangshan Park, also known as Fragrant Hills Park, especially beautiful during autumn. Take a leisurely stroll through the forested hills, climb to the mountain peak for panoramic views of the city, and admire the vibrant colors of the autumn foliage. Shilinxia Glass Platform 石林峡玻璃栈道 (Shílíngxiá Bōlí Zhàndào): Experience the thrill of walking on the glass platform suspended over the Shilinxia scenic area, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Walk along the transparent walkway, peer over the edge to see the valley below, and take in the breathtaking scenery of the rugged cliffs and rock formations. Wuling Mountain 武陵山 (Wǔlíng Shān): Escape to the tranquility of Wuling Mountain, known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Explore the mountain paths, discover hidden waterfalls and streams, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching.

XiaMen is a beautiful coastal city in FuJian province, south east China ...

Grab your walking boots and climb up over night (there are lights) to be ready for sunrise. Also featured is the famous 'Plank Walk'. HuaShan is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains; it lies in ShaanXi province, about two hours from the city of Xi'An, in central China. Hike above the clouds (at over 2,000 meters). Sometimes people talk about 'things to do before you die' - a trip to HuaShan (or HuangShan, EmeiShan, CangShan, WuDang or TaiShan) should be one of those ...

With Rafa Goes Around! ...

A fascinating, hour plus documentary by CCTV's Travelogue (from the English language CCTV9 channel). Dali is a four and a half hours drive from KunMing, the provincial capital of YunNan in south China, or forty minutes by air. By rail it is also connected to nearby LiJiang. We haven't posted a Travelogue for a couple of years, but are very happy to say that it is back to its best - intelligent presenter and beautiful cinematography. Highly recommended. Inhabited predominantly by the Bai and Yi ethnic groups. 1 : Dali Old Town 1/1 In this segment, presenter Katrina Yu tours the artistic cobblestone streets of the Old Town, meeting adventurous travelers along the way -- and shows where you can party with musical locals at night. 1/2 Katrina sails across the serenely beautiful ErHai Lake, enjoying a taste of ethnic Bai culture along the way. She also gets a lesson in an ancient handcraft and peeks inside a luxurious lakeside guesthouse. 1/3 Katrina strolls through the surrounding grounds of Dali's iconic Three Pagodas, and shows audiences the breath-taking view from the top of the soaring CangShan Mountains. 2 : The outskirts of Dali 2/1 Katrina hikes the holy paths of JiZu Mountain, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in China, and discovers the historic temples which have given the area the nickname of "scented wonderland" 2/2 Katrina visits the traditional ethnic Bai village of XinHua. Join her as she is treated to a colorful 'Eight bowl' Bai banquet and gets a lesson in an age-old handicraft from a master silver maker. 2/3 Katrina wanders through the ancient town of ShaXi. Join her as she savors the sights and tastes of the bustling weekly market, and finds out how this age-old center has succeeded in becoming a modern tourist destination while maintaining its old-world charm. 3 : The 'thousand year old' village of NuoDeng, deep in rural Dali 3/1 Katrina and the crew arrive at the hillside village. They get a taste of Nuodeng's famous salted ham and meet a local man whose character is just as interesting as the temple he guards. 3/2 Katrina visits a unique family museum, and has her pulse checked at a guesthouse where the owners offer holistic health treatments as well as accommodation. 3/3 Katrina plays teacher and student for a day, getting a lesson in local culture at Nuodeng's lively primary school.

With JacobysJourneys ... Bonus film with BeijingBuzzz ...

With Walk For You ...

With Wei's Travel ... ShangHai can be considered a 'garden city' due to its extensive green spaces, parks, and efforts to integrate nature within its urban environment. Here are some key aspects that contribute to this : ### Extensive Green Spaces and Parks 1. **Large Urban Parks**: Shanghai is home to numerous large parks such as Century Park, Gongqing Forest Park, and Shanghai Botanical Garden. These parks provide significant green spaces within the city and offer residents and visitors places to relax and enjoy nature. 2. **Green Belt**: The city has developed green belts and corridors that integrate natural elements into the urban landscape, helping to connect different green spaces and providing continuous natural areas for walking, cycling, and leisure. ### Historical and Traditional Gardens 3. **Traditional Chinese Gardens**: Shanghai boasts several well-preserved traditional Chinese gardens, such as Yu Garden (YuYuan), which exemplify classical Chinese garden design with ponds, rockeries, pavilions, and intricate landscaping. These gardens reflect the city's historical commitment to integrating nature with urban living. ### Urban Greening Initiatives 4. **Street Landscaping**: Many of Shanghai's streets are lined with trees, flowers, and shrubs, contributing to a greener urban environment. The city has invested in extensive landscaping to enhance the aesthetic appeal and environmental quality of its streets and boulevards. 5. **Vertical Gardens and Green Roofs**: Shanghai has embraced innovative urban greening techniques such as vertical gardens and green roofs on buildings. These initiatives help to increase the amount of greenery in densely populated urban areas and contribute to better air quality and urban biodiversity. ### Green Urban Planning 6. **Sustainable Development**: Shanghai's urban planning policies emphasize sustainable development and the creation of eco-friendly urban spaces. This includes the development of eco-districts and the incorporation of green spaces into new residential and commercial developments. 7. **Waterfront Revitalization**: The revitalization of waterfront areas along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek has included the creation of green promenades, parks, and recreational areas that provide residents with access to nature and enhance the city's overall green infrastructure. ### Community and Public Engagement 8. **Public Involvement**: The city encourages public participation in maintaining and developing green spaces through community gardens and public involvement initiatives. This engagement helps to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the city's natural environments. ### Environmental Conservation 9. **Biodiversity Conservation**: Efforts to preserve and enhance biodiversity within the city, such as the creation of urban wildlife habitats and conservation areas, contribute to Shanghai's identity as a garden city. ### Seasonal Flower Displays 10. **Flower Festivals and Displays**: Shanghai hosts various flower festivals and seasonal floral displays that enhance the city's visual appeal and celebrate its botanical diversity. These events attract tourists and residents alike, further emphasizing the city's green character. ### Conclusion Shanghai's commitment to integrating green spaces and nature into its urban environment through parks, traditional gardens, innovative greening techniques, and sustainable urban planning practices helps to position it as a 'garden city.' These efforts not only enhance the city's aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the well-being of its residents and the sustainability of its urban ecosystem.

The Canton Tower in GuangDong province is the world's tallest TV tower.Not only does it offer excellent features for visitors, it also unusual in being distinctly feminine - curvacious and sleek, very unusual for a skyscraper. The SpiderWalk runs from 170 meters to 350 meters in height.