Hot-air balloon ride in TengChong, YunNan province

Metro systems The two largest metro systems in the world are in ShangHai and BeiJing. There are also metro systems in many other Chinese cities. These are all super modern, spacious, artistically appealing and easy to use for visitors with announcements in both Chinese and English, with signs both in Chinese and PinYin. Check out our videos on various Chinese metro systems. The Beijing metro system has over 600 miles of track and over 600 stations. It carries over 10 billion passengers annually, making it one of the busiest subway systems in the world. It operates one of the world's largest fleets of subway cars, with over 4,000 cars in service. The Beijing metro is also one of the most technologically advanced subway systems in the world, with many of its trains and stations equipped with advanced features such as automated train control, platform screen doors, and real-time passenger information systems. The Beijing metro is known for its distinctive architecture and design, with many stations featuring works of art, sculptures, and other design elements. It is also known for its efficient and fast service, with trains running at high frequencies and minimal delays. The Beijing metro is also very affordable and accessible, with fares starting from as low as CNY3 (about $0.4 / £0.35) for a single journey with discounts for frequent users. It has also been made more convenient for tourists by allowing the use of contactless payment methods such as WeChat Pay, Alipay and UnionPay. Taxis In China, taxis are easy to find and very affordable, unlike in the West; they are widely used by nearly everyone. For example, Beijing has approximately 66,000 registered taxi vehicles operating in the city as of 2021. The standard taxi fare in Beijing is around ¥13 (or about $2 / £1.40) for the first 3 kilometers (about 1.8 miles) plus an additional ¥2.3 (about $0.35 / £0.25) for each additional kilometer. There can be higher tariffs for night time (after midnight). High speed rail China has built one of the most extensive high-speed rail networks in the world, which is known for its speed, efficiency, and connectivity. China has the world's largest high-speed rail network, with over 22,000 miles of track and over 350 stations. The high-speed rail network operates at speeds of up to 217 mph, making it one of the fastest in the world. China's high-speed rail system carries over 3 billion passengers annually, making it the busiest high-speed rail networks in the world. China's high-speed rail system is also affordable and accessible, with fares starting from as low as CNY50 (about $7) for a single journey and discounts for frequent users. China has also been exporting its high-speed rail technology and know-how to other countries such as Indonesia, Turkey, Russia and more. Air travel Air travel is an important part of China's transportation system, with several major airports and a rapidly growing number of passengers. Here are some facts about air travel in China: China has over 220 commercial airports, making it the country with the second-largest number of airports in the world, behind the United States. China's three major airports are Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. These three airports handle a large number of passengers annually, with Beijing Capital International Airport handling over 100 million passengers in 2020. China's domestic air travel market is the second-largest in the world, behind the United States, with over 600 million passengers in 2020 and over 60 million international passengers. China's air travel market has been expanding rapidly in recent years, with several new airports and routes being added. China's major airlines, such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, are among the largest in the world, and they operate a large fleet of modern aircraft. It is also becoming more affordable, with the increasing competition between airlines leading to lower fares. China's air travel market is also becoming more convenient for travelers, with the increasing use of online booking and check-in, as well as the introduction of e-visas for some countries. It is also becoming more sustainable, with many airlines investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft and implementing more environmentally-friendly practices. China's air travel market is a modern, efficient, and highly-used transportation system that connects many of the country's major cities and helps to keep the country moving. It is constantly evolving to match the country's needs and to make the passenger experience more pleasant, but also to reduce its impact on the environment.

Last year, artist Hu JunJun was invited to make a six ton Reclining Buddha statue with twigs, which received much attention on exhibition in XiaMen. In her works, the Buddha often appears among colorful Chinese landscapes in a light and graceful style, rather than in the stereotypical manner of religious art works. Master architect Tadao Ando designed a museum for their collection of Buddha statues of the Northern Dynasties over the past decade. At the end of 2020, YIT visited Hu JunJun in her studio and collected the backstage story of her creation and collection of Buddha statues ... *** Find many more inspiring videos on our latest Chinese culture videos page ***

Bonus films - how to get to JinShanLing Great Wall, one of the most beautiful sections near BeiJing (well, about 3 hours away) by bus (cheaper than a coach tour) ... If you have 3 or 4 days spare, also check out ChengDe Imperial Summer Resort, a bit further in the same direction from BeiJing.

Jiddu Krishnamurti talks about how we are enslaved, and how to be free; clear sight, without prejudice, reveals the truth / what is - that is the true knowing / now. "Distortion will inevitably come into being when there is fragmentation, when one part of you condones or condemns what you observe. We are the result of propaganda, what we have been told from childhood to believe and not to believe. Knowledge is the past; there is no knowledge in the present. To be aware without choice is to observe without the observer, which is the past, the image-maker." BB says : truth begins when belief ends ... To be free, to be eternal, is to be here, right now, not chained to the past (baggage that blinds us), or forever focused on the future (in fear). This, is it. Until we realise it, the past controls us - both own own experience (in those chains), and all that we have believed. The past gives rise to fear. Love is the absence of fear.

Top 30 places to visit in and around HangZhou : West Lake (西湖, Xī Hú): Explore the scenic beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with boat rides and leisurely strolls around the lake. Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺, Língyǐn Sì): Visit one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China, known for its ancient architecture and serene surroundings. Qinghefang Ancient Street (清河坊古街, Qīnghéfāng Gǔjiē): Wander through this historic street lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and street food vendors. Longjing Tea Plantation (龙井茶园, Lóngjǐng Cháyuán): Experience tea culture and enjoy a scenic hike through the picturesque tea fields. Hefang Street (河坊街, Héfāng Jiē): Discover a lively pedestrian street filled with shops selling local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆, Zhōngguó Cháyè Bówùguǎn): Learn about the history and culture of tea in China through interactive exhibits and demonstrations. Xixi Wetland Park (西溪湿地, Xīxī Shīdì): Enjoy nature walks, boat rides, and birdwatching in this scenic wetland park. Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum (胡庆余堂药店博物馆, Húqìngyútáng Yàodiàn Bówùguǎn): Explore the history of traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies. Song Dynasty Town (宋城, Sòng Chéng): Step back in time to the Song Dynasty era and experience traditional architecture, performances, and cultural activities. National Silk Museum (中国丝绸博物馆, Zhōngguó Sīchóu Bówùguǎn): Learn about the ancient art of silk production and admire exquisite silk artifacts. Hangzhou Zoo (杭州动物园, Hángzhōu Dòngwùyuán): Spend a day with the family exploring the diverse animal exhibits and enjoying fun activities. Thousand Island Lake (千岛湖, Qiāndǎo Hú): Take a scenic boat cruise on this vast reservoir surrounded by lush green mountains. Six Harmonies Pagoda (六和塔, Liùhé Tǎ): Climb to the top of this ancient pagoda for panoramic views of the Qiantang River and surrounding landscapes. China Academy of Art (中国美术学院, Zhōngguó Měishù Xuéyuàn): Visit the campus and galleries of one of China's leading art institutions. Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园, Hángzhōu Zhíwùyuán): Explore the diverse plant collections and scenic landscapes of this botanical garden. Grand Canal (大运河, Dà Yùnhé): Take a boat tour or stroll along the historic Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back over 1,000 years. China National Silk Museum (中国丝绸博物馆, Zhōngguó Sīchóu Bówùguǎn): Learn about the ancient art of silk production and admire exquisite silk artifacts. Hangzhou Paradise (杭州乐园, Hángzhōu Lèyuán): Have a thrilling day of fun and excitement with rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. Xiling Seal Engravers Society (西泠印社, Xī Líng Yìn Shè): Discover the art of seal engraving and calligraphy at this historic society and museum. Hangzhou Safari Park (杭州野生动物世界, Hángzhōu Yěshēng Dòngwù Shìjiè): Get up close and personal with exotic animals from around the world in this sprawling safari park. Hangzhou Wetland Science Museum (杭州湿地科技馆, Hángzhōu Shīdì Kējìguǎn): Learn about wetland ecosystems and environmental conservation through interactive exhibits and educational programs.

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A reconstruction of the original Summer Palace totally destroyed by imperialist forces (robbed and burnt down by Anglo-French troops in the 2nd Opium War in 1860). With Walk East ...