Things to see and do China

A visit that is worth a visit. Set in a traditional village, the 500-year-old temple was founded by the Tang family. Nowadays, every member of the village still bears the same name. It is one of the most important clans in the New Territories. There are tablets dedicated to every ancestor, including that of Wong Kuwu, a princess of the Song Dynasty fleeing Mongolian troops in the th century. One of Tang's ancestors passed the mandarinal exam and was designated as an official at the Imperial Court. The site still hosts meetings (one pays tribute to the ancestors) according to Confucian morality. Once only men were accepted on the premises.

Very popular in summer, Praia de Hác Sá is supervised by nageurs during the season. Rental of windsurfing boards and BBQ facilities.

A beautiful monastery founded in the th century by taoist monks.

200 km north-west, the Bingyu Valley is a natural reserve that was able to compare to the famous Poétiques landscape. Located in the mountains, the Ice Valley is covered by pristine forests spread over 5 000 ha. There are clear waters, green hills, many caves and valleys. The sites include ceremonial names such as the Alouette Mountains (Yunque), Xiaoyu Vallon, Ying Na River, Longhua Mountains, Flower and Fruit Mountains (Huaguo).

This new tourism development area was set up 70 km north of Dalian. Rock formations, «fente rocks», make up a particular landscape that Chinese describe as «divine inspiration» for the millions of years of their lives. It is now one of the most important seaside resorts on the coast.

This beautiful tourist site is located 45 km southwest of the city. On the road you can see the Sun Valley, the White Jade Mount, the Snakes Island and the islands of the sea cats. The Jiguan Mountains (the Monts Mountains) were the scene of many battles during the Japanese-Russian war at the beginning of the century. In January 1905, a furious Japanese charge against the Russians (who at that time were the masters of Dalian) killed 12 000 people on the Japanese side and 6 000 on the Russian side. This bloody memory is perpetuated by the tower of Triumph of Lushun, a 45 m high granite monument.

In the southwest direction 5 km from the centre, the gravel beach of the Xinghai park (the Starfish park) is the most popular of the region. Always crowded, it is an interesting place to observe the Chinese during their free time. The park, east of the bay, includes hotels, a golf course and a seaside resort.

At the back of the square you can admire a beautiful Bavarian style Castle!

Beach of Laohutan Park (the Parc aux Tigres) located at the bottom of a bay, 7 km south of the centre. This pebble beach is framed from hills to the east and west. Its adjoining park occupies a promontory where the Hundred Tigers Hall and Seal Pond are located. From a small pier, you can take a boat tour to admire the landscapes of the island of Bangchui and the coastline.

Located north of Huiquan Bay, the park stretches over 1 km along the ridges overlooking the sea. A beautiful walk to enjoy the view.

The largest and oldest park in Qingdao. He is particularly famous for his 20 000 cherry tree in Japan, the pretext of a spring festival at the time of flowering.

Henan was one of the main North China porcelain producing regions, with the neighbouring province of Hebei. Today, it is possible to visit these high places of Song porcelain, (beginning of the second millennium): ruins of the Jun De porcelain ovens in Yuzhou (south of Zhengzhou), ruins of the ovens and museum of famous Ru pottery in Ruzhou (south-west of Zhengzhou), ruins of Fours pottery ovens, furnaces and the Imperial Porcelain research Institute in Kaifeng.

Beautiful beach, packed in summer. The interest lies in the fact that it is a large sandy beach and that it is also a fishing market with boats, nets and fishing of the day offered for sale.

You can also swim all year round - even in winter if you are very brave - in a seawater swimming pool (haishui youyongchi 海水游泳池).

Located in the southern part of the city, close to the TV tower, this is Tianjin's most beautiful park. As its name suggests, more than half of its surface is water. Extending over 200 hectares, the park consists of three lakes and nine islets linked to each other by ponts bridges and willow willow digues.

This lake landscape looks like the famous water gardens at Hangzhou. From the pavilion of Contemplation, you can embrace the entire expanse of the park. In the southern part of the park is the zoo with some species of animals, including many birds.

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these tombstones located on the Lingyun mountain near the bridge leading to Wuyou date from the Han period. The graves in themselves do not show great interest in the present state of their presentation, but we are still seeing some beautiful murals. A small but interesting museum, and with explanations in English, presents the objects most representative of the funeral rites of the Han.

Built at the top of the turtle Hill in Hanyang. It was the first TV tower built in China, it was inaugurated in 1986. Magnificent view of the tower over the three districts of the city. A must when the rising mist of the river does not hinder visibility!

This ancient fortified town of the time Yin and Shang (1500-1027 BC) is the first to have been discovered on the shores of the Blue river (the cradle of the Chinese civilization being the Yellow river). The ruins uncovered testify to a flourishing civilization: 7 m (20 m at the base) of 1 120 m thick in clay walls in the north-east of the city, the palace comprising three buildings on a north-south axis: on the front, the reception room and, on the back, the residential quarters. Around the city was the habitat of the small people scattered over an area of 10 000 km ². More than 2 000 objects were excavated among them many weapons.

Panlong was indeed an important political and military centre of the Shang.

Opened by a Sichuanais father's The, the centre aims to initiate the techniques of the Sichuan traditional arts and crafts: bamboo objects engraved and worked, production of paper, tools and machines of traditional production workshops, demonstrations of local artisans… House of tea, exhibition-sale in one of the buildings of this pau complex. Certainly one of the best places in Chongqing to buy objects of local manufacture.

Established more than 30 years ago, it brings together the main artists of the region. Exhibition and sale of paintings and works of art.

It is a natural lake known as "Lake of the Nine Carp". Legend tells us that 2000 years ago nine brothers would have tried to prepare a nectar to become immortal. They would have succeeded and became immortal on the backs of the lake's carp… hence the name.

On the other side of the lake compared to Dali, this market is the most authentic of the lake, because the least frequented by tourists. The inhabitants of the surrounding mountains «garent» their horses at the entrance to the market, the hens and pigs run between the legs of the traders, and the general agitation becomes a festival of colors when the different ethnic minorities mix in mid-morning. Most of the guest houses organize departures to Wase, including boat crossing, for 50 RMB.

This famous hill, at the confluence of the Lijiang and Yangjiang rivers, evokes an elephant plunging its cheater into water: It is the symbol of the city. A circular cave called «the Cave of Water and Moon» was formed between the cheating and the hill. On the full moon days, we can go by boat contemplating the reflection of the moon in the water. On the inner and outer walls, 50 sculptures in the stone of different dynasties. A small trail leads to the top of the hill where the Puxian pagoda stands, built under the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The Longrui reserve is a completely wild place where you can discover a monkey species endemic to the karst regions of southern Guangxi: the langour langour. The reserve brings together about 400 individuals, timid but charming with their long white ring marking their face. The reserve also has a very rare species of camellia: Camellia with golden flowers. The amateurs can admire them in full bloom between October and November. The walk in the reserve is worth a detour. The location is feasible and takes you away from the large Chinese cities. Possibility to spend the night on site: contact your guide or the village of Panlong.

This site covers 110 km ². The landscapes are sublime. It is one of the largest karst pitons forests. We recommend you take a minibus to visit the site. The most courageous will do it on foot (it takes 4 hours of walking). Xu Xiake, a famous Chinese writer and geographer, describes the forest landscapes at the ten thousand summits in his notes. He was particularly fascinated by the sunset of the sun on limestone peaks.

You can walk long hours in the mountains and on the arpentés paths of this reserve. On your road, you may be aware of some insects, spiders and butterflies. Take your bathing suit, bathing is possible in some places.

The main site starts from Zhaoqing in a few minutes by taxi from the city center. The charm of the place enchants visitors. The road runs along karst breads in the shadow of the banians around a lake free of any urbanization. The summit of some peaks offers a magnificent view of the rice fields surrounding blue rocks. The panorama decomposes into various light games depending on the hours of the day. The River View View Pavilion (Yuejiang Lou), a beautiful traditional building restored in 1959, with gold and carmin carmin, added to the rock, adds to this atmosphere. The light is particularly beautiful at sunset. Another path crosses the lake, shaded by kapokiers. We love a lot!

This 12 km ² resort has beautiful mountain scenery and a natural park. You can enjoy beautiful walks in the heart of a beautiful panorama through temples, pools and waterfalls. Among the pavilions, you can discover the Middle Mountain pavilion (Banshan Ting), the Crane (Wanghe Ting) and the White cloud (Baiyun Shan).

The small fishing port of Nan'ao (南澳) is famous for its excellent seafood, the best in Shenzhen. The ancient fortress of Dapeng, a fortified town built during the Ming Dynasty (1394), was a strategic military site. Its four doors remain, as are some sections of its ramparts. The architecture of the city follows a veritable maze of streets, so typical of the medieval Chinese cities and where there are still some temples still active.

Located west of Tian 'anmen, adjacent to the Forbidden City, is Sun Yat-sen Park (or Zhongshan Park). Formerly, under the Jin, space was occupied by the country's Renaissance Temple, which became under the Yuan the Temple of Longevity and Renaissance of the country, and eventually hosted under the Ming's Altar and Moissons (which can always be visited), before ending as a public garden dedicated to Sun's memory. Yat-sen.

It is in this park that it makes its feet tired by a thorough visit to the Imperial Palace, in the shadow of the great cypress… You will cross as many tourists in this case as Chinese walking walking.

The entrance is made by a large pai-lou, a white marble portico decorated with blue ceramics honoring the memory of German Baron Von Ketteler, murdered during the Boxers revolt in 1900. There will be a beautiful calligraphy of the poet Guo Moruo meaning «Defending peace». A stroll along decorative and cyclose rocks will take you to the center of the park, in front of the altar of the altar of the god of the Earth and the Moissons. Another way leads to the altar, a large square terrace with white stone to symbolize the surface of the earth on which the son of heaven reigns. The terrace itself is divided into five parts each symbolizing a cardinal point (and a season) plus the center associated with the emperor. Each party shall be filled with a different color; red for the south (summer), white for the west (autumn), black for the north (winter), and green for east (spring). The center carries the color of the emperor, yellow. The wall wall of the altar is decorated with glazed tiles that echo the same colors harmoniously.

The emperor made sacrifices twice a year: in the spring, for good crops, and in the fall after thanks.

To the north of the altar is the Prières Hall, which is still used for the funeral ceremonies of important members of the party, and, to the north of this hall, the Hallebardes Hall, which served as a surrender for instruments and objects used during the sacrificial ceremonies.

Do not miss to visit the southwestern part of the park where small pavilions will be admired, including a greenhouse that still serves flower exhibitions and a small lake with its island.

Located in the north of Beijing, near the Olympic Centre, this park is a testament to the life and culture of the 56 different ethnic groups that make up China.

The park is divided into two parts to the north and to the south, followed by a map of streets and neighbourhoods of traditional villages, where both local handicraft shops and restaurants offer typical regional specialities. You can also attend traditional costumes that will allow you to discover the culture of these different ethnic groups. If this park lifts the veil over these remote areas of China, it remains very tourist and artificial…

About kilometres from Shanghai, Sheshan is a little bit of the Shanghai leisure Centre. The surrounding area of Sheshan has many tourist facilities, allowing the Shanghaiens to enjoy the greenery and mountains. Nevertheless, some cultural sites deserve to be mentioned, including its cathedral.

The latter passes to be the largest cathedral in Asia. It was built by the Company of Jesus between 1863 and 1866 and was completed in the 1930 s by a basilica. Above all, the outdoor show is worth a detour; perched on a hill, the cathedral dominates the region. The interior is not of particular interest.

This small village has a quiet atmosphere and a little over time. A number of interesting sights can be found in the alleys of the village.

This 125 km long Shanghai cut from east to west, from Taihu Lake to Suzhou, to throw into Huang Pu. At the beginning of the th century, it marked the separation between British, American and Japanese concessions. But the river has played an important role in the trade and transport of goods. Throughout the banks, industrial zones have been established, with factories, warehouses of all kinds: textiles, steel, electronic materials or flour. In the 1990 s, the Shanghai government ordered the relocation of all these plants outside the city. The buildings were abandoned, some demolished, others invested as artists'squatter (one closer to Moganshan Lu). Today, some of the wharves have been redone, so they can walk freely.

The main city of the district is a pretty small town of canals lined with traditional roof roof houses overhanging walls of pristine white. A multitude of small round bridges cross the canals. Besides walking in the streets, the city offers tourists an interesting garden: the Qushui garden (曲水园).

Read: State travel agencies (CITS) simply sell airline tickets, train tickets or boats or circuits.

They do not correspond to the western concept of the National Tourism Office, since they do not provide any practical information about the country. For long distance journeys, book at least three days in advance.

Shanghai Tourism Offices distribute city plans, a fairly comprehensive tourist documentation: sites to visit, bus excursions, useful addresses, underground plans, list of hotels and restaurants. These information centres are spread across the city. In addition to Shanghai Station (No. 1 south exit), Renmin Square metro station, and the Arrivée and Pudong airports, districts also have their own antenna.

Situated in the south-west of the city, Caohai's "Herbue sea" is named because of the forest of reeds which covers nearly 70% of its surface. Shallow (about 2 metres), the place is often compared to a swamp. The lake is among the natural jewels in Guizhou province. Bordered by rice fields, it covers about 20 km ² and was classified as a national natural reserve by the Chinese government in 1992. This reserve hosts many bird species that can be observed throughout the year, including the black-collar crane, which is in the process of extinction.

Water is at a natural temperature of 60 ° C. According to specialists, Longsheng's spring water would have many virtues: fighting cancer, ageing and helping to get blood moving. The decor is paradise. A hotel (Longsheng Hot Spring Hotel, 龙胜温泉度假中心酒店) offers several formulas including treatments and baths. A little pleasure that has a cost: from 500 RMB the double room, not counting the care.

In a sumptuous setting, the hot springs of land as by magic. A little diving? You would be wrong to deprive you of it. Some sources are too hot so you can put a foot on it. A place where you can relax! Accommodation opportunities on site.

The park offers a beautiful walk in the middle of pines and ginkgos, far from urban turmoil. It houses the temple of Laifeng, a small Buddhist building to discover.

A village located 8 km north of Lijiang, where many frescoes were painted by artists Naxi and Tibetan during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A Naxi orchestra occurs in the first Glazed tile temple building (琉璃殿, liuli convex). In front of the entrance, the main fresco represents the unity of the different religions: the group of characters from the top is Tibetan Buddhism, that of the middle embodied Taoism and the bottom, Han Buddhism. The whole is centered around a representation of Sakyamuni.

The part of the village located in the immediate vicinity of the temple is overrun by the merchants of souvenirs. There is also a cultural centre (entrance: 10 RMB) to the very limited interest if it is the pleasure of a cup of tea in the yard. On the other hand, the rest of the village remained very authentic by its architecture and atmosphere.

It opened its doors in 1999. The park has in fact just made it possible to pay access to ancient villages and temples, whose poor inhabitants certainly did not expect to become tourist attractions!

Just under 10 km south of Luxi, the thermal Springs of Fapa attract many visitors every year. The opportunity to allow a relaxing afternoon around a relaxing bath!

In the south of Kunming, the Dian Lake covers a surface area of 340 km ². By its size, it is the 6 ^th freshwater lake in China. As it is located in a plain surrounded by mountains, the Chinese say it's the "bright pearl of the plateau." Surrounded by hills covered with pines, bushes, bamboo and peach, the lake is a pleasant walk. When it is fine, water is crystal clear, when it makes the wind, waves to the white foam rise. In the vicinity of the lake there are different monuments such as:

the Contemplation of Contemplation (Daguan Lou),

the temple of the Majestic Pavilion (Huating Si),

The Temple of Supreme Splendour (Taihua If).

The ascent of the West Mountains offers superb views over the Dian lake and Kunming city. Unfortunately, the region bordering the south-west of the lake is highly industrialized and the clarity of the water is beginning to feel it.

In this slightly tristounet garden, some pavilions and a taoist monastery dominate the pond. There is also a tea house. A 5-minute walk is the Kunming Botanical Garden, where you can admire more than 40 species of camellias in the province of Yunnan.

Erhai Lake stretches over 250 km ² and is one of the largest lakes in the country. You can take a cruise on the lake, take 3 to 4 hours of walking. The walk is an opportunity to learn more about the lives of fishermen on the shores of the lake or on the islands of Jinsuo and Bustling. The lucky ones may have the opportunity to see some fishing for cormorants, an ancestral tradition that is gradually losing. Beware, the place is sometimes caught by hordes of tourists…

It is larger than that of Wase, but is also the best known tourist, which takes a little of its charm. The curious ones will be happy to see that everything is found on this market.

Animals (live or dead), antiques, local crafts and a few stalls that propose you to nibble local specialities! The advertised prices are very high, divide them by two or three and negotiate firmly!

It contains the largest artificial lake in the city, on which a white marble palace worthy of all fairy tales was built. Some good restaurants in the park. Several hotels are located on the banks of the park: The hotel was very close to the city centre.

The village of Lei Yue Mun is a former lair of pirates and smugglers, partly built on piles. Situated on the seafront, this village has become a must for fish and seafood lovers. Here you can stroll between the stalls of the market, choose fish and seafood and bring them to a restaurant for cooking at its convenience. Lei Yue Mun has been able to preserve the atmosphere a little villains of the small fisherman villages of Hong Kong's past.

This tiny village of a few hundred souls is situated in the heart of a fabulous karst landscape. La Montagne Fleurie, or Huashan, is the site that attracts the most tourists in the south of Guangxi. You are advised to go there when it is beautiful (light will help you better collect the frescoes). If you have the possibility to purchase binoculars, do not hesitate.

From Pingxiang: We recommend you take a bus to the village of Ningming. Once you arrive in Ningming, take the boat at the port of Tuolongqiao (about 1 hour and a half). By private boat, 80 RMB per person. Let us prefer ship companies: 35 RMB per person.

From Nanning: buses leave early in the morning and take you to Ningming. From here take the boat to go to the Mountain Fleurie.

Accommodation. The village of Panlong has a small and comfortable hotel (Tel: (0771) 8628195, about 150 RMB at night). You can sleep in the traditional wooden houses of the Dong, Miao and Zhuang minorities.

The mural frescoes are worth a visit. This enormous pyramid limestone is located on the east bank of the Mingjiang River. The cliff has magnificent frescoes for several hundred metres. The paintings span 125 m wide and close to 44 m high! The red paint that dominates the cliff has not lost its vitality. It seems, however, that it is more than 2 000 years old, but it does not seem to change over time. Scientists studied the substance, they would have to be red (mineral) hematite. On these magnificent frescoes, the visitor can distinguish about 1 300 figures. Most of them are active human beings (dancing, jumping, or an animal), some with objects like shields or knives.

Legend. The precise date of these paintings remains a mystery to historians. However, a legend Zhuang tells that a young man from the Zhuang minority would have wanted to rebel against the king of the time. He began drawing on sheets of paper from soldiers and horses. The story wanted once in a safe, the drawings turn into a real army after 100 days. Only on the 99 th day, the young man's mother opened the chest in which the drawings were hidden. When the woman saw the sheets of paper, it was too late and they flew away. The drawings were drawn by the cliff and remained stuck on the walls of this mountain. Later, these drawings would have become the frescoes that can now be seen on the site. If one refers to legend, it would appear that the paintings were performed between 770 and 476 BC.

How could the frescoes be painted? The walls of the limestone mountain are difficult to reach. His ascent is dangerous or almost impossible. Historians therefore questioned how the artists of the time were able to paint on the rock. Several theories clash with each other. Some think that the men at the time had designed a bamboo scaffolding (very resistant material) to access the most difficult parts. Others believe that the level of water should vary more. Thus, according to floods and assèchement, some parties were more feasible. But these two theories were very quickly refuted. Historians today think that painters would have served small wooden planks set in the wall (there would remain traces). These small boards would have created some sort of staircase that would have facilitated access to less practicable areas. This theory seems to be the most likely for experts.

The contents of the frescoes. The frescoes are about 1 300 characters varying between 50 cm and 3,50 m. No one knows what the use and the recipient of these works were. Several theories still fight the origin of these frescoes. Some think it would be a work to pay tribute to the god of water. Others think that these drawings might serve to inspire warriors before they go to battle. At the moment, no conclusion could be reached. The frescoes represent several series of episodes. The first represents a procession of warriors, the second shows the selection of combatants, and then breaks different scenes of war. At the end, we can see an episode describing young women dancing in the face of warriors'triumph. During your trip, you will also discover representations of dogs, drums and weapons.

A long 3 km long, these two white sandy beaches are among the Most Beautiful in Hong Kong. Although isolated, they are supervised by maîtres from April to October and equipped with toilets and cabins. To recover, there are several options nearby or the nearby Tong Fuk village.