Things to see and do China

The second museum of contemporary art does not fail to compete with the MOCA. Its assets? An Art Deco building of 1932 magnificent, a interior design renovated by the English architect David Chipperfield in 2007, and exhibitions and educational programmes always powerful. As a background, the desire "to encourage discussions on topical subjects and social issues".

This small private travel agency will better meet the expectations of the individual traveler. It offers regular flight booking services, trains and boats, and tailor-made circuits.

Numerous excursions around and around Shanghai: visit of Shanghai ($ 57), Suzhou by car ($ 100), Hangzhou (2 days hotel and meals for $ 150).

This body also sells any transportation (plane, train, boat, bus). The agency is located in the west of the city.

From the Huangpu Park turn the Bank of Indochina (built in 1914), the Glen Line Building (1922), the Matheson Garden (the first to settle in Shanghai in 1848, the Neoclassical building dates back to 1920), the Yangtze Building (a building building built in 1916), the old Yokohama Bank in a neoclassical style enhanced by details of the Banque. Asian art built in 1924. Separated by an alley of the famous Peace Hotel, at No. 23 of the Zhongshan Dongyilu, the Bank of China, built in 1937 by a famous Chinese architect on the site of the Baroque building of the ancient German Club, requisitioned as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, reflected by its intriguing modernity.

The Peace Hotel, a landmark of the skyline skyline, was the seat of the Sassoon family. Victor Sassoon, one of the richest foreigners in Shanghai at the time, the Iraqi Jewish tycoon, had made fortune in opium and weapons.

Founded in 1929 by the famous design firm of Hong Kong, Palmer & Turner, the building included offices and commercial agencies on the ground floor, a hotel with extravagant rooms on the floors, and relaxation and leisure spaces in the upper floors (restaurants, bars, terrace). The businessman housed in the last three floors and had a balcony with a magnificent view of the Huangpu. Today, the Peace Hotel is in full renovation and closed to the public for some time. The exterior of the building with pollution needs good cosmetic. The interior, however, still retains very beautiful Art Deco ornaments: hopefully they will be kept by the new owners of the places, allegedly Saudi investors.

If you pass Nanjing Lu, the former Palace Hotel (now the South Wing of Peace), designed by two British architects in 1906, is one of the oldest Bund buildings. To build it, we used modern methods (steel structure), we installed the first elevator of the city (20 years later, when Shanghai fell under the onslaught of Communist troops, it stir the curiosity of the troops who had never seen it, no more than toilets). Further afield, the fortified building of two turrets was the former headquarters of Shanghai's first foreign newspaper, the North China Daily News.

The Customs House (Customs House), characterized by its Clock Tower, reflects a massive Art Deco architecture dating back to 1927. On the left, the famous Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, a stately structure culminating in a central dome, was Asia's largest banking building at the time. The building, along with all the Bund buildings, was the work of the famous Palmer & Turner firm (already cited above).

To the south, in the centre of the Quai de France, is the Maritime courier building, a Art Deco structure, where the flow of the company's luxurious ships was managed. A raised walk replaces the ground where eye, croisant rickshaws, went back between commercial warehouses and ships at dockside. The latter, moored along the Bund until the early 1990 s, were displaced. A dike was built to control the waters of the river. The mythical British public gardens were installed in the present Huangpu Park.

Excellent museum depicting Shanghai's history through the nature-long reconstructions of villages, models of Shanghai and main shops, evoking daily life at the time of concessions. Interesting collection of vintage photos and objects. Maps of successive enlargements of the metropolis, local folklore (gastronomic habits, clothing, ceremonial and funeral traditions, history of emigrants). A privileged place to discover the true Shanghai. The museum also holds numerous temporary exhibitions.

This small museum is housed in a th century villa at the bottom of an impasse on Changle Lu: the beautiful garden is often filled with blue fabrics. Kubomasa, a Japanese lover of this craft, devoted her life to gathering the oldest, used to print these blue motifs on a woven cloth canvas. This production originates in the mountainous regions of Jiangsu and Jiangxi. Dye-based dye is applied on a canvas previously coated with a wax film in negative. The wax is then removed showing the pattern. Instruments, motifs, ancient woven fabrics, the entire manufacturing process is explained. This ancient tradition has been successful with the Branchés young Shanghaiens. Dyeing has medicinal qualities: Your clothes will protect you!

Located in a villa of the French concession. In 1950, Chen Yi, the first mayor of Shanghai, elected his home. Established in 1956 with a view to maintaining the traditional tradition, the Institute conducts research on local and national heritage. It oversees the creation of new models, the development of artistic treaties, is responsible for research on materials and techniques. We visit various workshops where craftsmen, sorted on the strand, manufacture embroidery, sculptures, jade work, lacquer, or painting. An interesting visit to better perceive regional crafts. Large shop of objects made on site and in workshops in the region.

A little further than the Lotus Flower, built on a platform at mid-height of the hill, it is the largest structure of Longmen, it represents Buddhist art at its peak. Wooden structures, including the roof, no longer exist today, exposing the wind and rain statues even though the authorities put forward the roofs on the edge of the cliff. Built in 672, the temple was commissioned by Empress Wu Zetian to increase his aura. She would have invested the budget for a year of beauty products to build this place. The Losana Buddha, in the centre, with its 17,14 m height, is the largest statue of Longmen: His head is 4 m long and his ears 1,90 m. Despite its enormous proportions, sweetness and inner beauty come from, producing a sense of kindness and rare humanity in the Buddhist style. The artist would have made a Buddha with a feminine delicacy in homage to Empress Wu Zetian. On each side of the Buddha Losana, two disciples, two bodhisattvas, two heavenly kings, two warriors and two apsaras, this estate formed in some way a replica of the Imperial courtyard of the Tang.

Just after Guyang, these are actually three caves (south, central and north), the most important of which is that of the centre. Built under the reign of Emperor Xuanwu (500-516), in honour of his father (Emperor Xiaowen) and his mother (Empress douairière Wenzhao), they were designed on the model of the temple Lingyan in Yungang (Datong).

The ensemble asked for more than twenty-four years of work carried out by more than 800 000 workers. At the entrance to the centre's cave, two Buddhism guards protect the three Buddhas: that of the Past (Mahakasyapa), the Present (Sakyamuni, the centre) and the Future (Maitreya). In the middle of the ceiling, you can see a lotus flower around which ten apsaras (heavenly dancers assimilated to the girls of joy) fly.

The walls of the cave also contain four banner of bas-reliefs, which are now largely deteriorated. The third, which represents two scenes of Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhao performing Buddhist rituals, is currently at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and at the Kansas Nelson Art Gallery. Still visible, the first bandeau describes scenes of the Buddha's life, the second of the representations of Buddhist philosophy and the fourth ten-sculptées Buddhist deities and flanked of two disciples and bodhisattvas. Between the central cave of Binyang and the south, the Yique niche containing a 1,90 m high stele commemorates the construction of the caves of Binyang.

In contrast, the cave dates back to the century. She is famous for her 140 medical formulas that adorn the entrance of the cave: an incomparable document for the history of Chinese medicine. More than of them correspond to herbal recipes and the rest to acupuncture methods.

These remedies allowed for the treatment of all types of diseases including certain cancers.

The high relief of the lotus flower that is flourishing at the center of the ceiling finally gave its name to the cave. Its provision is similar to the other structures of Longmen: Buddha in the center flanked by two disciples and bodhisattvas. His particularity lies in the treatment of the disciples, who are the bas-reliefs and not the high reliefs. The walls of the cave are covered with Buddha representations, the smallest of Longmen (not more than 2 cm).

Below, it is the oldest ensemble of Longmen. The work began prior to the transfer of the capital from Datong to Luoyang, but its development, commanded by Emperor Xiaowen, began in 494. The beauty of Guyang is the result of an impressive imperial patronage: Following Emperor Xiaowen, his mother and brothers, as well as his uncles, aunts and cousins, and succeeding generations became important benefactors of Longmen. This natural, horseshoe-shaped cave houses a Sakyamuni statue of 4,80 m high, sitting on a stage, the legs crossed and dressed in the traditional kasaya (monk clothing). Buddha is surrounded by two bodhisattvas preceded by a statue of lion whose body appears incomplete. From all the caves of Longmen, Guyang is the one with the greatest number of jatakas (bas-reliefs depicting the life of Buddha). Nineteen of the more beautiful calligraphy of Longmen accompany the sculptures of the cave of Guyang.

A little further than Binyang, this cubic structure 5,90 m wide, 6,50 m deep and 5,80 m high, built in the 15 000 th century, has more than Buddhist statues. In the centre, the main statue is a 4 m high Amitabha sitting on a pedestal shaped with eight petals (Sumeru), behind which there is a bas-relief representing 54 bodhisattvas seated on lotus leaves. On each side of Buddha, there are four imposing warriors. The walls are covered by miniature representations of the main Buddha. The ceiling is decorated with a lotus flower around which an inscription indicates that the cave would have been completed in 680. The cave at the Ten Thousand Buddhas is the only structure of Longmen with the date of construction, the destination, the names of the benefactors and the masters of work. The cave was once flanked by two "keepers" lions that were stolen.

On the other bank, nestled along the slopes of the East Hill, there are some interesting structures: the Temple of the Reading of Buddhist Scriptures (Kanjing), which dates from the end of the th and early th centuries, the great cave of the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas (Dawanwu Dong), built at the same time as the temple of Adoration of ancestors.

Proposes the booking of train tickets with a commission of 10 RMB. Most hotels also have agencies that can sell tickets.

It is advisable to reserve long distance train tickets at least two days in advance, especially for hard berths.

It is now possible to take a return ticket to Shanghai. There is a choice between two categories: hard seats (ying zuo 硬座, no reserved spaces) and soft seats (ruan zuo 软座). To the extent that sleeping trains for Beijing are very coveted, it is recommended to book one week in advance to have a comfortable berth.

This temple, founded in the th century, is located minutes walk west of the Tambour tower, next to the Hotel Xijing. There is a carved wooden portico, surmounted by Chinese characters in red. Two courses must be crossed before accessing the sanctuary. The original temple was built in 1376 and completely renovated in 1852. It is one of the best preserved Ming and Qing buildings in the province.

On the road to the Qin tomb, near the small town of Lintong, the hot springs of Huaqing. Known from the earliest Antiquity, the old Huaqing thermal baths served as a resort to the emperors and «warlords» residing in Xi 'an.

In the time of the West Zhou (1111-771 B.C.) who were masters in the art of bronze at a time corresponding to the construction of Jerusalem, the emperors had their summer palace in Huaqing, at "the Étang of Nine Dragons". They were going to take the waters, accompanied by their concubines.

In 771, the last emperor Zhou had a little melancholy concubine. To make her laugh, he lit up hoops on the top of the hills, signal to bring all the vassals in case of war. After a while, this game ended up lagging farmers who preferred to throw their work in the fields. And when there was really an attack, they came to defend the kingdom. It is the origin of the Chinese proverb that says: " Drop a kingdom for a laugh. " " "

The pleasure palaces, built around this hot mineral mineral source that came out of the mountain at 43 ° C, also served the following imperial courses of Qin, Han and Tang. The pavilions drawn up that composed the palace had names such as the hall of the Frostbite and the dragon pavilion which murmurs… The palace itself was named from the source, the palace of glorious Purity (Hua Qing Gong). The artificial pond is decorated with a marble boat.

In 644, Emperor Tai Zong built a palace that Emperor Xuan Zong enlarged in 747. The most famous characters associated with Huaqing were emperor Xuan Zong and his very beautiful concubine, the unfortunate Yang Guifei, whose badinages with the emperor greatly helped the decline of the brilliant Tang dynasty.

The site was then taken up by Taoists who built temples such as the one on Mount Lishan dedicated to Nu Wa, the mother of the human race.

In 1936, the famous «incident of Xi 'an» is happening here. Chang Kai-chek was captured by the Communists and released on his promise of collaboration against the common enemy, the Japanese who had invaded China at the time. Another version says he escaped to take refuge in a nearby cave that is shown today.

Following the establishment of Communist China, the government had established a thermal resort (which still exists) with water cures for the workers of the nation. Other recent buildings have been built to protect the ruins of the Tang imperial basins that have been released by Chinese archeologists.

Manufacture of clay figurines from the Huishan hills. Traditional traditional crafts dating from the Ming River and reached its apogee under the Qing when more than 150 workshops were in operation. These grotesque characters, old man dodu or child kissing a fish, the respective symbols of wealth and good fortune, were produced for the faithful who went to the temple Huishan on the weekend as a souvenir of their stay. Visit of the museum to the Research Institute on Niren, art and Local crafts (Niren Yansuo, Gongyimeishu Yanjiusuo).

It's nothing less than one of China's five largest freshwater lakes!

This vast expanse of shallow water (less than two meters), 500 times greater than that of Xihu Lake in Hangzhou (2,400 km ²) is the central element of regional culture. To the northeast, fish and freshwater crabs are stretched inseparable from the mulberry plantations. Boiled chrysalides serve as food for fish whose feces produce rich fertilizers. To the north, the nine peaks of the Huishan hills overlook the lake. This landscape, evoking a dragon seeping along the banks is a sign of good Shui feng, Chinese geometry…

At the end of May 2007, severe pollution caused the sudden onset of algae on Taihu Lake, leading to the interruption of the water supply for over one million Wuxi inhabitants and triggering the start of national reflection on environmental issues…

Located at the foot of Nandu Hill, on the edge of Lake Taihu, approximately 8 km from Wuxi, this peninsula is the shape of a turtle head moving in the waters of the lake. Yuantouzhu offers an excellent perspective of the lake.

Guo Moruo (1892-1978), the famous contemporary Chinese writer, says «The beauty of the Lake is revealed in Yuantouzhu». A few steps away, the terrace of an old tea house offers a pleasant stopover. The clarity pavilion at the top of the hill offers an exceptional view of the lake and 72 peaks.

The Temple of Universal Happiness (Guangfu Si, 光复寺), built in 1924 on the ruins of a temple of the Southern Kingdoms, is still active today.

A boat trip between Yuantouzhe and the islands in the Three Mountains (Sanshan, 三山) allows a nice walk. The pier is located on the side of the Arche ark and the bridge of the Spring spring.

Tonglu is a city of water. There are boats along the very animated docks. The city centre is characterized by small streets lined with traditional houses with black tiles and white walls. The city is a fairly large river port. Many fishing boats, jonques and boats are covered by the site. Many boatmen live and work on these rudimentary boats.

You can take a boat from Tonglu to Meicheng. On this section, we saw the bank where Yan Ziling was fishing, a senior official of the Han dynasty who decided to pursue a hermit existence there. His descendants made a temple in his honour. The river gradually narrows, draped between bare rocky hillsides in dark grey color. The currents are still very strong.

This former small village dates back to the days of the Fighters (453-221 BC). Under the Ming River (1368-1644), Meicheng provided itself with ramparts and five main doors: The village has preserved its charm and a very picturesque typical architecture.

This lake has an area equivalent to 3 000 lakes in the West! Qiandao has 1 078 islands, the best known being: Longshan island, De, Xianshan, Jhongjhiguan Guangyu, De. Take one or two days of visit.

The valley of the river Qiantang or Zhijiang is the longest in the province, 410 km with a watershed covering approximately 420 000 km ². The river takes its source in Huangshan Mountains, in the Anhui. It is known as the Xin'an river, before joining the river Fuchun, then the river Qiantang which flows into the East Sea, some tens of kilometres north of Hangzhou. The valley of the south-west is a marvel. Little known to tourists, it remains very wild in the extreme variety of its successive sections: walk through richly wooded hills, the plains of rice, then massive massifs planted to get and reach the lake to the Thousand Islands (Count 1 078 to be exact), point of rallying of tourists. The lake is artificial, this is the result of the construction of a dam in 1959.

For some years, design studios, fashion shops and workshops of renowned artists have invested an old factory of candy and then a whole neighbourhood around. ChinArtBuilding 5, Lane 200, Tai Kang Lu Tel (021) 6472 9896 is one of these galleries. It hosts a new exhibition of Chinese or international artists every month (sculpture, painting or photos). In the same place, the Music Pavilion, is also visiting. A complex of recording studios and a music school where traditional Chinese instruments can be taken.

Built in 1993 following the description of the famous Chinese classic novel Le Dream in the red pavilion. Together interesting, well arranged, which is unanimous in Chinese tourists. A great deal of air for locals on the weekend in this 107 hectare area with numerous pavilions, buildings, pagodas, rockeries and other caves.

Created between 1522 and 1619 by Zhu Sansong, a craftsman specialising in bamboo engraving, this garden was destroyed during the war against the Japanese in 1937-1945. The current package is a reconstruction of the late 1950 s: the garden is now 6 hectares against only 1,8 hectares.

Located in the temple of Confucius, the "Mare de reunion des dragons" (named because of its winding shape) was dug in 1588, under the Ming, and then integrated into a traditional garden. At the centre of the water plan emerges a small island, Yingkui hill (symbolizing five dragons playing with a jade pearl) built in 1660. The garden underwent a significant expansion in the late 1970 s a Qing theatre Scene (1888) from Shanghai installed there: a finely decorated artwork, the main attraction of the site.

Founded on November 18, 1989, the traditional Tai Chi-chuans Federation was born of the intention to combine styles Tai chi chuan and Chinese arts and energy arts called "internal" to preserve their wealth and diversity.

The official French site of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The northern moraine of the Rongphu glacier is two small hours of walking, without difficulty if it is altitude. You don't have to cross the torrent that's going on because it's extremely dangerous. To approach the glacier is, then you climb on the left along a path. After an hour and a half we see the traces of Camp 1 (5 460 m) and the rediscovery of the glacier is set in the distance.

To reach the other camps, you must cross the bed of the torrent almost dry and continue to climb on the other side. The advanced base camp (6 340 m) is still a day's walk. Expeditions climb through the northeast edge.

In the park behind the Palace, on the dragon lake, there is an island often hidden by the vegetation and accessible by a small Chinese bridge. This is where the little temple of the Naga stands in this haven of peace. From 1986 to 1990, he sheltered a school where very young children learned to write Tibetan.

The dragon lake was made artificially to fill the hole left after the Palace construction (the mortar needed a lot of land). The 6 ^th Dalai Lama decided to build a sanctuary dedicated to the king of the Naga where he used to retire to meditate. It is a small three storey square building in a mandala style.

This small temple has exceptional murals that were unfortunately coated and coated. They represent the postures of the six Yogas yogas, and the energy channels (nadis). On the other wall, we recognize the peaceful and other divinités deities of the Members. The last wall includes the representations of the 80 Mahasiddhas and 25 Guru Rinpoche disciples, as well as the stages of construction of Samyé (the oldest Tibetan monastery). The first floor is devoted to the main image of Luwang Gyalpo, the king of the Naga on the coiffe of snakes, who spent his life to teach them.

The village of Yerpa Da, on the left, next to a small, rudimentary bridge, marks the end of the runway. If you want camping, it's the ideal place. The foot of the caves (2 hours walk) can be reached on the ground. No local buses serve Yerpa. Yerpa was once the main hermitage in Lhasa. The greatest sages have pondered this, especially Songtsen Gampo, Guru Rinpoche, Atisha. Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje came to find refuge after killing Langdarma. Yerpa is considered one of Tibet's most important sacred sites. Maitreya Temple was ransacked during the Cultural Revolution, but the caves did not change and the site kept all its natural serenity. It has a magnificent view over the valley below and the mountain chain in the background.

The site visit takes place following the ritual course of kora, i. e. by turning on the left. It takes at least three hours if you make the big tour that passes through the "nonnerie". The path fills the juniper that one can burn in offering in the ovens provided for this use. The most famous caves are closed and kept by monks who live next door. Search for the person who has the key (le). No money will be asked, but it is recommended to leave offerings in each cave. The small "nonnerie" is particularly pleasant.

Virtual information magazine on the classic arts of Tao, the Far East, Asia through various articles and reports. It also makes it possible to link contact, connections and dialogue with enthusiasts and professionals.

The site of the China Wall (Mandarin only).

To know Chinese stars of the moment, be it in song, cinema or even sport.

News Agency China News.

Website of China magazine in the present.

This 40 000-seat stadium will host the racing and equestrian events of the modern pentathlon.

They will host the games tennis games. They were inaugurated by a test tournament in October 2007.

He will host handball matches.

Completely renovated for the occasion, he will host some of the football matches.

He will host the weightlifting tests.

He will host some of the volleyball games.

Located south of the fragrant Hills, this site will host the shooting tests (skeet). Field planning was completed in August 2007.

He will host the ATV tests.

She will host water polo and the swimming tests of the modern pentathlon.

He will host the softball matches.

We join this country Park 44 km ² by a beautiful road that follows the coastline. Be careful about twenty minutes to arrive at Pak Tam Chung at the Visitors' Center, at the entrance to the park entrance. Only minibuses, some taxis and park residents are allowed to cross it. We go to the Country Park of Sai Kung, because it is also the departure of the famous maclehose trail, 100 km long. Follow the paved road practically to the end, then take the trail after the dam. At each start of the trail, a map indicates the gradient, the level of difficulty and the layout. In the village of Hoi Ha at the beginning of the national park, you can rent a seamless boat on the seafront to see a very clear sea floor that is much clearer than the Hong Kong side. At the end of this road, the Long Harbor Pier has a local ferries service linking this fjord to the waters of a very pure blue to Tap Mun, a small island inhabited by a few fishermen where traffic is prohibited. The ferries that serve the port of Tolo also go to Long Harbor and Tap Mun. They allow access to the High Island Dam Lake with various sections of the Mac Lehose hiking trail. The beautiful bays with fine sand seem to invite you to swim. However, we have to observe some caution, and tides are extremely strong.

To the north-west, near the Chinese border, is an ideal observation point for amateur ornithologists. They will be able to study some 300 species of birds that call each year in these marshes, placed under high protection. The 300 ha of May Po Marshes consist of shallow ponds and dwarf mangrove. In addition to birds, some reptiles were elected on the reserve: the common snake, the Bennett's water snake and Chinese cobra, 1,50 m long, usually nocturnal animals, but it is not impossible to see them during the day. The venom of Chinese cobra is fatal to man.

To access the reserve, contact WWF (Tel (852)) 25264473) to obtain a permit. WWF organises visits on Saturday afternoon and has an office (May Po Marshes can be reached by bus or taxi departing from Sheung Shui on the KCR line).