With Seiu Travel ...
[video v=OJyNWpXBMC0]Harbin City Summer Visitor Guide - A Romantic Resort Destination
Introduction
Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, is often known for its ice and snow festival, but it is also a charming summer destination. With its mix of Russian architecture, lush parks, and romantic atmosphere, Harbin is perfect for couples seeking a summer getaway. This guide will help you explore the best of Harbin in the warmer months, focusing on its romantic appeal.
Key Attractions
1. Central Street (Zhongyang Dajie)
Central Street is Harbin's most famous pedestrian street, lined with European-style buildings, boutique shops, and cafes. A stroll down this street offers a glimpse into Harbin's rich cultural heritage and a romantic atmosphere with street performers and outdoor dining.
2. Harbin Sun Island Scenic Area
Located on the north bank of the Songhua River, Sun Island is a beautiful park ideal for picnics, leisurely walks, and enjoying nature. In summer, the island is filled with blooming flowers and greenery, making it a perfect spot for couples to relax and enjoy the scenery.
3. St. Sophia Cathedral
This stunning Russian Orthodox church is an architectural marvel and one of Harbin's most iconic landmarks. The cathedral, with its green onion-shaped domes, is a romantic backdrop for photos and offers a glimpse into Harbin's Russian past.
4. Songhua River Cruise
A cruise on the Songhua River is a must-do for couples visiting Harbin. The gentle breeze and scenic views of the city's skyline create a romantic ambiance. Evening cruises are especially popular, offering a chance to see the city lights reflecting on the water.
Romantic Activities
- Evening Walks: Take a stroll along the Songhua River or in Zhaolin Park. The soft glow of street lamps and the serene environment provide a perfect setting for romantic evening walks.
- Horse Carriage Rides: Central Street offers horse-drawn carriage rides, adding a touch of old-world romance as you ride through the historic parts of the city.
- Visit to Siberian Tiger Park: For couples who love wildlife, visiting the nearby Siberian Tiger Park can be an adventurous yet memorable experience.
- Café Hopping: Explore the numerous cafes along Central Street. Enjoy a quiet coffee break with pastries and soak in the atmosphere of Harbin's unique blend of Russian and Chinese culture.
- Boat Rides on Sun Island: Rent a boat on Sun Island and enjoy a peaceful ride on the lake, surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of nature.
Romantic Dining Options
Harbin offers a variety of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual eateries, catering to romantic outings. Here are some recommended spots:
- Huamei Restaurant: Known for its Russian-style architecture and dishes, Huamei offers an authentic experience. Try the borscht, Russian bread, and hearty meat dishes.
- Modern Hotel: A historic hotel with a famous bakery, offering delicious Russian and European pastries. It's a great place for afternoon tea or a sweet treat.
- Lucy's Café and Restaurant: Located on Central Street, Lucy's offers a cozy atmosphere with a mix of Chinese and Western cuisine. The outdoor seating is perfect for a summer evening.
- 1918 Coffee Shop: A quaint café located in a historic building, offering a charming ambiance and a range of coffee and light snacks. Ideal for a relaxed and romantic coffee break.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Best Time to Visit: Summer months (June to August) are ideal for enjoying Harbin's outdoor attractions and pleasant weather.
- What to Wear: Summer temperatures in Harbin are mild, but evenings can be cool. Bring light, comfortable clothing for daytime and a light jacket for the evening.
- Language: While Chinese is the main language, English is not widely spoken. Having a translation app or a phrasebook can be helpful.
- Currency: The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). It's advisable to carry some cash as not all places accept credit cards.
- Transportation: Harbin has a reliable public transport system, including buses and taxis. Central Street and many attractions are walkable.
Summer in the YunNan countryside – fabric dyeing with plants, and more …
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[video v=P8jV9QDORZk]Dancing in the park – YuYuanTan, BeiJing
By the West Gate. The TV tower, which one can ascend, is nearby, across the third ring road.
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[video v=pSXTWM-0blg]The awesomely beautiful Summer Palace in BeiJing
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Early summer cuisine in the YunNan countryside
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[video v=ALC2Qv-4sGg] Plus more videos ...
Summer in BeiJing
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[video v=-8M6A0AZK1w]ShangHai Summer – don’t miss it !
With Wei's Travel ...
[video v=MalZUkaii10]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.
China’s watermelon season begins …
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[video v=Vv7nJ3oF6z8]Bonus films - mandarin oranges ...
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The BeiJing Olympic Park in summer – lotuses and sunflowers
Just north of the Birds Nest lies a huge park.
Don't forget to visit here this coming summer ...
[video v=qfPVzANoB1o]ShangHai city summer walk
With Wei's Travel ...
[video v=M-NjudH-7Bc]
With Walk East ... Bonus film - with Xplore With Us ...
Nightlife in LiJiang 丽江, YunNan province
The beautiful, blue sky city of BeiJing 北京
Top videographers - bjKina, AnyuXu and DearNessie - take you on a tour of Beijing ... First song : Going Home by Faye Wong, from the album To Love, 2003. Note : highly addictive music straight ahead ... A fantastic video film by AnYu Xu ... Includes a great hyperlapse along Beijing's south-north axis, from [TianTan, the Temple of Heaven], QianMen, through Tian'AnMen, GuGong ('Old Palace', the 'Forbidden City' / Palace Museum), JingShan Park, the Drum and Bell Towers and onto the Olympic Park and Olympic Forest Park ... New (old) BeiJing - fashion, food and the vibe, with DearNessie. A vlogging masterclass - 'show don't tell'; plus deft editing and great music ...
[May 15th 2017] Heat-wave ahead ! Summer is hotting up in BeiJing this week - into the high 30s C (90s F in old money). Keep cool (keep hydrated), be cool (sensible, giving and creative), keep in touch (we love your feedback and input), and above all - love life (live more; BE love) ... Like our site ? - help us with a donation. Something to share ? - your own film or something you like - let us know ! To have and to be - huh ? The two big verbs - to have and to be ... Thinking through this seemingly abstract concept could change your life, for the better. Two very different ways to live; or rather - really live or not really live. To have is good, to a point; but can be a holding onto more than we really need, and a baggage of the past dragged into the future that prevents us living in the real now. For what we 'have' is not just physical stuff - it is also the clutter and beliefs in our mind. To be, is to live, free of the past and all that we 'have' (and 'know'). Live more ... be more ... Listen less (to others and beliefs), and look more (and think more, based on what is, not on what you have heard). Someone once said that to love is much better than to be loved; to give so much better than to receive (have); and so it is with to have and to be ... To be is the way. Everything taken, comes to an end. Everything given ripples through time for an eternity. To ask for nothing, and give all - that is love. To be, not to have. ~~~ You might like to read Erich Fromm's To Have or To Be, and The Art of Love, which also explore this concept, and is essentially what the Buddha told us. Easy read; concise and potent. Also good reading : Jiddhu Krishnamurthi - for example, Commentaries on Living (three easy read volumes), and Alan Watts - for example, The Way of Zen.
A guide to BeiJing 北京 through the seasons ...
A video treat ! Four films, starting with 'summer'. Welcome, to the blue sky city of Beijing ...
* University cultural festival; afternoon ... * QianHai and HouHai lakes and hutongs area, central Beijing; early evening ...
Despite its northern location, Beijing, the blue sky city, is one of the sunniest places in China and, in summer, also one of the hottest. Although around 1,000 miles north of Shanghai, and some 2,000 miles north of Hong Kong and tropical Hainan, Beijing is hotter through the summer months (mid-may to mid-September). Generally a dry heat, tropical thunderstorms can appear on occasion, and with night time temperatures in the 70s you'll be dancing in the rain ;) Excursion ideas : the in-the-mountains Buddhist temples of JieTaiSi and TanZheSi (bus, from the western end of metro line 1), the coastal city of TianJin (train), the beach at BeiDaiHe (train) and the nearby eastern end of the Great Wall (QinHuangDao), the imperial summer resort of ChengDe (combine with a visit to Simatai / JinShanLing Great Wall; coach or train), LongQing Gorge (LongQing Xia), the Spirit Way and general countryside at the Ming Tombs. TianJin can be a day trip as it is connected by high-speed rail, but two days would be great too. For ChengDe or BeiDaiHe, two or three days is best. Remember to take your passport in order to check in to a hotel. Or (more locally) visit the beach / pool at ChaoYang Park. Also, consider the Summer Palace (YiHeYuan), YuanMingYuan (the 'old' / original Summer Palace), BeiHai and JingShan Parks, the Ethic Culture Park (MinZu), the Olympic Forest Park, and these places in the Western Hills: XiangShan Park, Beijing Botanical Garden, BaDaChu (Eight Great (Buddhist) Sites area).
Memories of summer in BeiJing 北京
The blue sky city ... Filmed by : * Summer Palace - pavdb092 * Birds Nest National Stadium - Christopher Covington * QianHai Lake - linditlife * Temple of Heaven - Wen Gui Claassen Remastered by : bjkina Birds Nest music from the Beijing 2008 Paralympics Opening Ceremony - 'Letter to the Future'.
Summer scenes from BeiJing 北京 (2)
The 26th Summer Universiade in ShenZhen 深圳 - Opening Ceremony
August 12th, 2011.
Cooling down at the People's Square, ShangHai 上海 - video
Summer 2012.
ShenZhen 深圳 Summer Universiade 2011 highlights
August 2011.
A summer's evening in BeiJing 北京 - video
May / June 2012.
The ShenZhen Summer Universiade 2011 : highlights - video
The 26th Summer Universiade, in beautiful GuangDong province ...
The opening of the 26th Universiade in ShenZhen - video
Friday 12th August 2011. Highlights of the spectacular opening of the Summer Universiade, the world student Olympics. The cultural performances start just before halfway through the second video. The third shows the torch ceremony and innovative lighting of the flame.
Filmed in 2009. Students from Emory College in the US on an exchange program visit the sights ...
Summer in BeiJing 北京 (2) - video
A nicely compiled video; charming and shows quite a lot of Beijing too ... A group of students study and travel in Beijing (May - July '09); at Beijing Normal University (LiYun apartotel - I've stayed there too :) Part 2 : A different group staying at ZheJiang University (HangZhou and ShangHai area) :