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what is all about China
and the Magic of China
China is a country that seems destined to exert a deep fascination for Westerners. A fascination that reflects not only its merits, but our own desires and hopes. Despite the dramatic increase in the communications, the proliferation of cultural and artistic exchanges, and relationships between people who are turning our planet into a true global village, the name of China still seems to continue to partner epithets as "wonderful", "mysterious", "profound." All adjectives that reflect the profound misunderstanding that still separating countries and continents
Our image of China danced between fragments of an ancient culture whose wells still call us to reach many different ways: tai chi, the feng sui, Taoism and traditional medicine, and another image that we sell the press that makes this country paragon of injustice and lack of freedoms.
And although each of these images seems to contribute their bit to understand the reality of this vast country, nothing is certain at all. Only the personal experience of our trip will allow us to properly organize the scattered fragments of information to try to set this country. That's because travel is an experience that encompasses a multitude of situations, the composition of which in turn responds to a large number of factors related to the passenger and the place being visited. Always a different experience in China of a thousand faces that has become this country today.
China remains a country where any kind of wonder seems possible, a country always mysterious and unknown. Beyond the stereotypes and the slogans of the propaganda about contra propaganda and others, is a country with a long history with any human that can be desired.
In addition to this monumental China, the Chinese classic that every time one becomes more familiar to Western travelers, yet there are other Chinese, the Chinese border, inhabited by peoples still poorly known, they can find the remains of legendary kingdoms and cultures surprising that, despite having been incorporated into the Chinese world, now preserved in a number of special features.
China flourishes now as it has not done before, with good things and bad things with their miseries and tragedies, its inequalities, its wonders, its secrets revealed and those who stay on average. And the truth is that anyone who comes close to it will not be disappointed, because whatever their point of interest, you'll find a range of activities able to meet your expectations.
most interesting cities and Places in China
here is some of the most visited places in china with a short story and description a bout
with some historical tales
hope you like the tour
Beijing the imperial capital
Pekin
Beijing, China's capital city is enormous. With 12 million inhabitants and an area of 1500 km2 is one of the world's largest cities. A city flat and perfectly square. With a chaotic traffic and poorly developed public transport, the movement does not, however, be so slow as in other Asian capitals
It is easy to orient themselves in Beijing. At the heart of the city is the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Changan Avenue, with its more than 40 km long, crosses the city from east to west. The old part, which was surrounded by a wall up to 50 years, where she now runs the second belt. Beijing is a city full of attractions. Perhaps the only city in the world has so many monuments that are considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the Beijing Man Site, have earned that description.
Beijing is a city with long history, since, given its strategic position in the septendrional corner of the vast plain that stretches along the eastern part of China, has played a defensive role since ancient times.
In the Zhou Dynasty Beijing was part of the Marquis of Yan, which in the following centuries, developed wisely trade and military relations with nomadic peoples who lived beyond the mountains, was gaining in importance to become one of the most powerful kingdoms of China at the time of the call precisely Reinos Fighters.
That kingdom which fell before the Qin unified China and established the first dynasty in the year 221 BC, but this did not diminish the importance of Beijing, as the nomadic Xiongnu lurked on the other side of the mountains. In the mountains north of Beijing Great Wall went established by the Qin, who renovated by the Ming, which is now preserved.
For centuries, Beijing is a border town of secondary importance. In the tenth century is now becoming one of Asia's most important lasciudades as nomads Kitano, who established the Liao dynasty (which ruled northern China a split) established his capital there, called Yangjing. While the Song ruled the southern part of China, the Khurcha, exploiting the weakness of some Kitano too influenced by Chinese culture, they routed them seizing his kingdom, establishing the Jin Dynasty capital in Beijing.
Beijing 1215 is the year siege by the Mongol troops. The resisiten Khurcha in epic conditions. In the two short sides for months the victory is uncertain, until in May the governor of Beijing surrenders and the Mongols took the city in the midst of a bloodbath. Beijing marks the Mongol conquest of northern China in the year 1271 will also become the capital of the dynasty established by them, this time called Dadu (Great Capital). At this time when Marco Polo visited Beijing.
Tiananmen Square - TIEN AN MEN
TIEN AN MEN - CHINA
Tiananmen Square is the center of Beijing and China's political life. With 800 meters from north to south and 420 from east to west, is the largest square in the world. In over 40 hectares is estimated that could raise up to 5 million people, tight, of course, but not in the most crowded it has been a similar number. However, travelers who visit during the public holidays, especially on the anniversaries of the national holiday which falls on October 1, will have the sensation of being surrounded by millions of people, because during those days of thousands of visitors and beijineses nearby provinces, come to the square to admire the decor which is preparing for the feast. Summer evenings, a quiet crowd, takes the air to sweep the place to escape the heat of the city. Until 11 pm, when police evicted the visitors.
Tiananmen Square, enlarged from its original size, during the imperial era was a forbidden zone to the population, housed a number of ministerial departments. After the end of imperial China's Square was expanded and became the perfect setting for those bathrooms that enjoyed popularity Mao. In fact, the Tiananmen Square became the center were the most important events of the recent history of China. Since the May Fourth Movement, launched in 1919, the Proclamation of the People's Republic in 1949, launching the Cultural Revolution in 1966 or the student protests of 1989.
At the center of the square stands a square building, with columns, is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. His body, properly prepared, rests inside a crystal urn. You can visit, and in fact every morning thousands of Chinese people queuing to see it. Usually the tail is impressive by the number of people waiting to see him, but since no one can be stopped before the corpse of Mao, moving fairly quickly, and generally do not have to wait more than 20 or 30 minutes. Inside you can not take anything.
A little further north is the Monument to the People's Heroes, with its 38 meters high, was built in 1958. At its base are carved with bas-eight reasons alluding to the wars of liberation of China.
North of the square stands the imposing Tiananmen Gate, with the portrait of Mao that has become famous and part of the decor and the square and the door. To the west of Tiananmen Gate Park Zhongsan is in honor of Sun YATS, and east of the Palace of Culture Workers. To reach the door you have to cross Changan Avenue through two subways. You can climb the gate, going through an exhaustive control of weapons. Above are some commemorative items from the founding of the PRC, as it was from that place where Mao made the proclamation. Apart from that no other special interest.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City or Imperial Palace, north of Tiananmen Square, was the imperial residence during the last two dynasties (Ming and Qing). With 9999 rooms is the largest palace in the world. It is surrounded by a wall and a moat 50 meters wide. We will go according to the Gate of Supreme Harmony. To reach it you have to cross a small canal through one of its five bridges. From here you can enjoy the famous view of the Forbidden City: The Hall of Supreme Harmony, a triple high white marble terrace. Inside there is the throne. This is the largest pavilion of the palace and the building's tallest ancient Beijing. Following is the Hall of Medium Harmony and the Hall of Preserved Harmony, used for major ceremonies and imperial examinations. To the north is the private party. This area is where the major museums of the Forbidden City itself. The Paintings of the Imperial West, very interesting. The Museum of bronze and of ceramics, to the North. The clocks of the East, and the Imperial Jewels, also to the east, called the Qianlong Garden.
The most important building of the Forbidden City is, without doubt, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian called in Chinese). In fact, this large room with large patio around it from the Gate of Supreme Harmony, took most of the public part of the Forbidden City.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was the tallest building former Beijing. Was used for the most solemn ceremonies: the anniversary of the emperor, reading the candidates who passed the imperial examinations, and the general coming out during the campaign.
This large room is perched on a terrace of three white marble. This restrained by a big red column and roof has a double yellow color reserved for the emperor. Inside there is the imperial throne, with spectacular engravings of dragons, although there are doubts that the throne is authentic.
All the roofs of the halls of the Forbidden City is a fixture at its end with beasts, animals and mythological conducive to protecting the chamber, the number of these animals depends on the size of the room. The roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important, is the only one who has ten beasts protection. Andalusia front hall are a crane and a tortoise, symbols of longevity, as well as a sundial and a unit of capacity, as a symbol of the virtue of the emperor to maintain the regularity of the seasons and to unify the empire. In the three terraces which provide access to the living room there are many censers.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is one of the most original and impressive in Beijing. Situated in a large park that extends for 273 hectares in the south of the city. Built in the year 1420 by Emperor Yongle, who moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, to be used by the emperors of the last two dynasties, the Ming and Qing, who came to him twice a year. The first early spring, to pray for a good harvest, the second at the winter solstice, to thank Heaven for the harvest.
The Temple of Heaven was the most important religious building in the capital. The rituals that took place inside it, to legitimize the emperor's divine quality, which invested with the title Son of Heaven, was in communication with the gods in favor of the men who governed, connected with the first set by religions the kings of the Shang dynasty remote (XVI-XII century BC) and Zhou (VIII-XII century BC)
Should enter through the south gate, to follow the north-south axis ritual in which the temple is built. In this way, the first thing is the Altar of Heaven. A large round stepped platform of white marble balustrades, 360, surrounded by a square wall. It is a symbol of heaven (round) into the earth (square). At the center of this platform is an empty place, where was placed the throne for the Emperor of Heaven, whom the emperor worship and present offerings.
The Imperial Vault Celeste is surrounded by a circular wall, popularly known as the Echo Wall particular shape of the wall seems to be particularly suitable for the transmission of sound. This place was where the emperor presents his compliments to the Tablet of Heaven, a ritual similar to that done by the people worshiping the tablets of the ancestors, through which the ancestors are associated with the imperial heaven. Following the completion of these rites, was removed from the Palace of Abstinence is located next to the Celestial Gate West, where for three days fasting and refraining from sexual contact.
A long corridor of 360 meters linking the sky with the Imperial Hall of prayer for good harvests. This is the most majestic building of the enclosure, and for some, throughout Beijing. Designed to facilitate communication with the Emperor of Heaven, has a round base of 30 meters in diameter and a conical shape, which rises 38 meters high. Located in the center of a patio, raised on three circular terraces of white marble, each with a carved marble balustrade, in turn also has a triple roof of blue tiles that give it a special force.
This sober building from which the emperor called a good distribution of rain and sun, is so original that has been chosen, in fact, as a symbol of tourism in Beijing.
But his interest does not end with his appearance, capable by itself to please the most demanding. This room is built entirely with wood assembled without the use of even a single nail. On the inside, we see that the vault is secured by four wooden pillars, representing the four seasons of the year, around it there are twelve outer pillars, which symbolize the twelve months of the year. The way it was assembled wood brought from Yunnan province that holds the roof is a masterpiece of Chinese carpentry. The colors of the same variety is difficult to find in other ancient monuments, the manner in which the levels of timber rises, seen from the ground is overwhelming.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a huge garden at the Northwest of the city. Decadent, sensual, reflects the spirit of the last years of the Qing dynasty. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the current palace was built in the early twentieth century, a monument to the decay of the last years of this dynasty, and a labyrinth that reflects the complex personality of the Empress Cixi, its principal inhabitant. The palace has two main parts. Kunming Lake and Longevity Mountain.
At the lake are the main buildings, the rooms from which the government exercised Cixi, Teatro symbolizing their lifestyle, their private rooms, and especially the Long Corridor, decorated with thousands of paintings that show scenes history, mythology, poetry and popular novels of China. And at the end, the Marble Boat, reportedly built with funds to renovate the Navy.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a unique monument in the world. They say it is the only human work that is visible from the moon, and it is not surprising, since along its 6,000 km is like an open wound that runs the North Asia. The Great Wall is the site par excellence of China, the archetype of their culture and civilization. Began to build over 2500 years ago, some feudal lords who were trying to protect their domains from the threat of nomadic tribes from the North.
These feudal murallitas were unified for the first time in the third century BC, the first emperor Qinshihuang a heroic deed in which the entire Chinese people put their blood and their lives since then remained more or less its present form. But the reconstruction was being visited in the Ming dynasty.
The section runs from the main passage Shanghaiguan in the South China Sea, to Jiayuguan in the desert of Central Asia. Every little distance watchtowers, ramparts secondary ramifications, including them is if we can say that all the sections and branches, you can count on over 50,000 km of wall built. So in the North it is easy to find sections of wall with more or less preserved. Beijing is close to the most famous: Badaling.
Badaling is 70 km from the city. It is the most visited section. It's in a mountain pass which gives easy access and the ability to see both from above and from below, several kilometers of wall meandering through the mountains. There the wall is wide, and quite high.
Lama Temple - Temple of the Lamas
The traveler who travels in haste the city of Beijing is sometimes surprised by the silhouette of the tall buildings of ancient plant located in the vicinity of the arteries more popular. One of the most interesting, perhaps the most to call attention to its location on the northeast corner of the second belt is called the Temple of the Lamas. The largest Lamaist temples in the capital and also one of the most interesting religious buildings.
In the Hall of Eternal Protection tanka are two especially famous, because they said they were embroidered by the mother of Emperor Qianlong. After this room is a bronze sculpture representing Mount Meru, sacred to Buddhists and Lamaist.
Beyond is the Hall of the Tantric Arts. It is possibly the most beautiful room of this temple, and one of the most original buildings of ancient China. Skylights that open in the roof can not be seen in any other building. Here, let down the light from four walls decorated with their own tank, which gives a magical, shimmering. Sculpture Tsongkapa, the gelugpa founded the sect, dominant in Tibet, has a serene beauty hard to find in other temples. In the side walls there are paintings that elaborate on the nature of religion Lamaist magic. It should also look closely at this room from the outside, to get an idea of its beauty and originality.
The latter is the Hall of Diezmil happiness is the most majestic, with a colossal sculpture carved Buddha 18 meters in a single sandalwood trunk (the largest in the world) in its interior and a large library of Buddhist texts. The Hall was built after placing it in the huge statue, which evidently does not fit through the door
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Guangzhou city of business
Canton
Chengdu, with three million inhabitants and another three in the suburbs is the capital of Sichuan Province. Founded 2500 years ago by the King of Shu during the period of the Kingdoms Fighters, has since been the political, economic and cultural development of Sichuan and the entire southwestern China. During the Han dynasty in the city was a flourishing production of brocade, so it took the name "City of Brocade", during the Song dynasty were planted numerous hibiscus, which made it known as "City of Hibiscus." It is now a clean and green city, which surprises the modern traveler in their neighborhoods and was disappointed by the small number of old buildings that can be discovered between them.
Wenshu Monastery
Built during the Tang dynasty, is the best preserved Buddhist center in Chengdu and the only monument that is worth taking the trouble to go to visit him. A temple-centered worship rather than tourism, is always a good number of religious believers to carry out its activities. During the Buddhist festivals are lively. It also has some wards with very low interest. Because of its intense activity around them, creating a strange atmosphere of pilgrims, beggars and vendors.
Wuhou Temple
Its name is translated as Temple of military genius. And in fact it was built in the sixth century in honor of Zhuge Liang, a famous strategist who lived during the time of the Kingdoms Fighters, whose exploits were idolized in the famous novel "Story of the Three Kingdoms." Early in the Ming dynasty was annexed by the Han Zhaolie Temple, where the tomb of Emperor Liu Bei, who was lord of Zhuge Liang in the real story, and since then has become the main attraction of the site.
Du Fu Cottage
Riverside Wenhua. This famous poet of Tang Dynasty possibly lived there, but certainly not in the hut you visit. Built in the Song dynasty is primarily a memorial hall, though some of the most ardent admirers of the poet, see a temple.
Pavilion overlooking the River
On the right bank of the Jinjiang River, was built in late Ming Dynasty. And highlight their different varieties of bamboo and small towers in the form of pagodas. Have a good exhibition of bonsai.
Tomb of General Wang Jian
Jian Wang was the general who proclaimed the last independent kingdom of Sichuan in the year 907. It was the aforementioned Kingdom of Shu. In this compound exhibits a good collection of objects unearthed in the tomb.
Most interesting, however, are 24 statues of musicians playing different instruments around the main building. It's the best description of the music of the Tang dynasty that has survived until today.
Museum of the University of Sichuan
It is the most important museum in the province. With major collections on Tibet and on the ethnology of the national minorities in the province of Sichuan.
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Dali capital of the Bai
Dali is one of the oldest cities in Yunnan. Located on the shores of Lake Erhai is believed that it was inhabited by the Bai from 3000 years ago. His glory came when he was named capital of the Kingdom Nanzhao established there during the Tang Dynasty and later the Kingdom of Dali, his successor, who ruled the region during the Song dynasty. Since those ancient times was the main Dali City of Yunnan, until relatively recent times in Kunming he snatched the lead. Dali has managed to keep its streets and houses in an original flavor and a somewhat lordly calm, happy for the color of its inhabitants and their traditional festivities.
Dali has been, since the opening of China, one of the first destinations for individual travelers, who "discovered" an almost completely preserved ancient city, inhabited by friendly people in a paradisiacal landscape, where everyone seemed to give welcome. Local people have managed to harness the pull of fame, despite the presence of numerous Chinese and foreign, that Dali still somewhat timeless atmosphere of the places where, over time, travelers have stopped to recover forces in the midst of their hard journey.
and if someone takes a stroll through the nearby The presence of the ubiquitous Bai is in his city. Not only do the tour guides you will see everywhere dressed in their traditional dresses, most people will find one on the street are Baivillages were totally immersed in the worldBai . The Bai are a minority of older Chinese were thought to be descendants of the original inhabitants of this region of Yunnan. Its long history is full of episodes that show a sweet and peaceful, to dump their beliefs and traditions and the laborious cultivation of its fertile land. Still retain many volumes of ancient history of the Bai. As for his religion, despite having embraced Buddhism during the Tang dynasty and have created some of the most important works of this religion in southern China, still very much alive the traditions that arose in their traditional religion. The worship of ancestors and the forces of nature is reflected today in many aspects of their existence.
The old town of Dali is a network of alleyways little traffic, which are still treasures of traditional architecture bai. Many of them feel almost sacred to that of the ancient objects filled with meaning, which were much more interesting than the ubiquitous modern buildings, which is repeated nonsense style bai who seem not to understand. In fact, this ancient city has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
The Three Pagodas and the Temple Chongshengsi the monument are more charismatic Dali. Built in the ninth century, at the height of the Nanzhao Kingdom, have become the symbol of the city. The Temple is a typical construction of Yunnan and although it has been destroyed several times, the reconstructions have maintained their originality. The Three Pagodas are not equal. The couple has fifteen floors and the other two, only nine.
We must not miss the beautiful stone buildings typical of the Bai just south of the entrance to the temple, nor the environment of rural villages that are in the vicinity dela city. Despite being so close to a monument well visited, people rarely go beyond. In the first village is small temple to the Mother of the Dragon King, whose figures tell you in detail how she became pregnant by eating a magical peach and the boy who eventually gave birth to become the dragon king.
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Datong and the Yungang Grottoes
The Yungang Caves are one of the main complex of Buddhist sculptures in China. Located sixteen kilometers from the city of Datong itself, were the first to be built.
Construction of the grottoes began in 460. For 65 years, it was digging in the mountain continuously until the 53 caves that make up this complex. During those years, China was divided into several states, completely separate from the south in a north almost continuous war. One of the most powerful states of the north is founded by nomads tube, which on the capital city of Datong proclaimed the Northern Wei Dynasty.
The tube were not only ardent Buddhist, but felt that the expansion of this religion on their domains, it would be useful for integrating population and the original Chinese invaders in a single tube system of beliefs. In fact, when their empire became more powerful, and extending to the south established their new capital at Luoyang, immediately began the construction of the Longmen caves, near the new capital.
The Yungang Caves are carved into the mountainside, all oriented to the south. Although they say that during the years preceding the Revolution of 1949 more than 1500 sculptures were stolen, there are still over 51,000 sculptures of all sizes, large and small, will be sufficient to satisfy the most demanding traveler. Some were missing arms or head, but it is not a high proportion.
When it comes to entering the central part of the complex, just where the caves are more interesting. Each cave is numbered. To the right of the entrance there are four caves (1 to 4) that do not have much interest. In the cave number 5 we find one of the largest statues of the complex: a Buddha 17 meters tall. The number 6 cave called Cave of Sakyamuni, is a major pillar 15 meters in whose faces more than 20 sculptures describing scenes from the life of Sakyamuni. The walls of this cave are covered with sculptures of Buddha, Boddhisattvas and geniecillos. The roof of the cave number 12 is particularly interesting because they are covered by sculptures of fairies dancing. In the north there is a group of Chinese musicians playing different instruments.
Daxu .. haven of peace
Daxu is a small village situated on the banks of the Li River, not far from Guilin. Over the centuries, before the railroad was built, was one of the four most important ports in the Li River. Most of its inhabitants were engaged in trade and the market was famous throughout southern China. Then with the construction of railways, river transport was becoming more and more scarce, pushing Daxu decadent in a nap. As is the only village located east of the river has so far been spared a massive tourism.
In Daxu, whose central area is still remarkably well preserved, a careful visit will provide us many details of everyday life in the region during the first half of the twentieth century, there are still many traces of its prosperous past. Discolored by the continuous moisture of the tropics, the houses and their rooms, often displayed by residents for their kind, the hidden treasures of craftsmanship and traditional Chinese decor.
In Daxu still held frequent fairs and markets in which its streets are filled with brown life, peasants from nearby villages who arrived full of colors sober city, including a brief reminiscence of the activity of the past.
If visiting a market day, people are quiet. With its narrow streets, well paved, its wooden houses lined on both sides, each with its own patio and its traditional structure. At the door of its inhabitants are the same: simple people who work combines traditional with modern activities. Some of them have become casual guides of their own homes or businesses craft, and it is not uncommon to find a carpenter at work, the pharmacist, dentist or Andalusia andalusia that smoked fish.
Overall Daxu breathe peace, and his visit is always a good chance to see rural China that always seems to escape
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Emeishan the sacred mountain
Mount Emei
Emei Mountain known in Chinese as Emeishan is one of the four sacred mountains of China to Buddhism. Just 150 kilometers from Chengdu, mountains are covered with varied vegetation, where they grow abundant medicinal plants and tea. Many wild animals live there, as the red panda, the golden pheasant, and several species of monkeys. One such virgin nature arise numerous temples and pavilions built by the monks and hermits who chose this place, where the bodhisattva Puxi had happened to his retirement.
Mount Emei is also not in a hurry can go. Perhaps that is the reason why these mountains are so little visited by foreigners. While few years ago that have paved the road up to the vicinity of Jieyin, from the foot of the mountain yet it takes two hours by bus. Jieyin since you can take a cable car to Golden Summit at 3077 meters altitude.
That is reduced to visit Emei Mountain because the more purist proposed to increase the foot, as pilgrims, to what to think at least three days to devote to this mountain: two to one to raise and lower, overnight stays in the humble quarters of the monasteries. Whoever decided on this route should know that struggled walk in total about sixty kilometers, with sometimes slippery terrain, abundant rainfall and significant differences in temperature of the base to the top. So, which is not very fit, follow the road more comfortable.
The ascent should start from the Monastery Baoguosi, the most important part of this sacred mountain. Founded in the sixth century, which features a large statue of Amita Buddha made of porcelain. One kilometer later, between shady pine forests is the Monastery Fuhusi with three halls for Buddhist worship. After a difficult part of the road appears Qingyin Pavilion surrounded by verdant cliffs, between the two streams called Black Dragon and White Dragon. Later we will find the Grotto Bailongtong and after half hour of walking andalusia Wannian Monastery, which was the first temple was built on this mountain. This temple is a celebrated image of the golden bodhissatva Broce Puxi. With a weight of some seventy tons, was cast in the year 960.
Ten miles separate Wanniansi of Huayanting, but you can make a brief stop in Xixinsi, both with magnificent views. Four miles and arrive at the pool or bath Xixiangchi the Elephants. After spending Dachengsi or the Monastery of the Great Vehicle and Baiyunsi of White Cloud, you will reach Jieyin. They can take the chairlift and tired as you will, it is best to enjoy the same view that you provide. The end point of it is in the vicinity of the Golden Summit
what is all about China
and the Magic of ChinaChina is a country that seems destined to exert a deep fascination for Westerners. A fascination that reflects not only its merits, but our own desires and hopes. Despite the dramatic increase in the communications, the proliferation of cultural and artistic exchanges, and relationships between people who are turning our planet into a true global village, the name of China still seems to continue to partner epithets as "wonderful", "mysterious", "profound." All adjectives that reflect the profound misunderstanding that still separating countries and continents
And although each of these images seems to contribute their bit to understand the reality of this vast country, nothing is certain at all. Only the personal experience of our trip will allow us to properly organize the scattered fragments of information to try to set this country. That's because travel is an experience that encompasses a multitude of situations, the composition of which in turn responds to a large number of factors related to the passenger and the place being visited. Always a different experience in China of a thousand faces that has become this country today.
China remains a country where any kind of wonder seems possible, a country always mysterious and unknown. Beyond the stereotypes and the slogans of the propaganda about contra propaganda and others, is a country with a long history with any human that can be desired.
In addition to this monumental China, the Chinese classic that every time one becomes more familiar to Western travelers, yet there are other Chinese, the Chinese border, inhabited by peoples still poorly known, they can find the remains of legendary kingdoms and cultures surprising that, despite having been incorporated into the Chinese world, now preserved in a number of special features.
China flourishes now as it has not done before, with good things and bad things with their miseries and tragedies, its inequalities, its wonders, its secrets revealed and those who stay on average. And the truth is that anyone who comes close to it will not be disappointed, because whatever their point of interest, you'll find a range of activities able to meet your expectations.
most interesting cities and Places in China
here is some of the most visited places in china with a short story and description a bout
with some historical tales
hope you like the tour
Beijing the imperial capital
Pekin
Beijing, China's capital city is enormous. With 12 million inhabitants and an area of 1500 km2 is one of the world's largest cities. A city flat and perfectly square. With a chaotic traffic and poorly developed public transport, the movement does not, however, be so slow as in other Asian capitals
It is easy to orient themselves in Beijing. At the heart of the city is the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Changan Avenue, with its more than 40 km long, crosses the city from east to west. The old part, which was surrounded by a wall up to 50 years, where she now runs the second belt. Beijing is a city full of attractions. Perhaps the only city in the world has so many monuments that are considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the Beijing Man Site, have earned that description.
Beijing is a city with long history, since, given its strategic position in the septendrional corner of the vast plain that stretches along the eastern part of China, has played a defensive role since ancient times.
In the Zhou Dynasty Beijing was part of the Marquis of Yan, which in the following centuries, developed wisely trade and military relations with nomadic peoples who lived beyond the mountains, was gaining in importance to become one of the most powerful kingdoms of China at the time of the call precisely Reinos Fighters.
That kingdom which fell before the Qin unified China and established the first dynasty in the year 221 BC, but this did not diminish the importance of Beijing, as the nomadic Xiongnu lurked on the other side of the mountains. In the mountains north of Beijing Great Wall went established by the Qin, who renovated by the Ming, which is now preserved.
For centuries, Beijing is a border town of secondary importance. In the tenth century is now becoming one of Asia's most important lasciudades as nomads Kitano, who established the Liao dynasty (which ruled northern China a split) established his capital there, called Yangjing. While the Song ruled the southern part of China, the Khurcha, exploiting the weakness of some Kitano too influenced by Chinese culture, they routed them seizing his kingdom, establishing the Jin Dynasty capital in Beijing.
Beijing 1215 is the year siege by the Mongol troops. The resisiten Khurcha in epic conditions. In the two short sides for months the victory is uncertain, until in May the governor of Beijing surrenders and the Mongols took the city in the midst of a bloodbath. Beijing marks the Mongol conquest of northern China in the year 1271 will also become the capital of the dynasty established by them, this time called Dadu (Great Capital). At this time when Marco Polo visited Beijing.
Tiananmen Square - TIEN AN MEN
TIEN AN MEN - CHINA
Tiananmen Square is the center of Beijing and China's political life. With 800 meters from north to south and 420 from east to west, is the largest square in the world. In over 40 hectares is estimated that could raise up to 5 million people, tight, of course, but not in the most crowded it has been a similar number. However, travelers who visit during the public holidays, especially on the anniversaries of the national holiday which falls on October 1, will have the sensation of being surrounded by millions of people, because during those days of thousands of visitors and beijineses nearby provinces, come to the square to admire the decor which is preparing for the feast. Summer evenings, a quiet crowd, takes the air to sweep the place to escape the heat of the city. Until 11 pm, when police evicted the visitors.Tiananmen Square, enlarged from its original size, during the imperial era was a forbidden zone to the population, housed a number of ministerial departments. After the end of imperial China's Square was expanded and became the perfect setting for those bathrooms that enjoyed popularity Mao. In fact, the Tiananmen Square became the center were the most important events of the recent history of China. Since the May Fourth Movement, launched in 1919, the Proclamation of the People's Republic in 1949, launching the Cultural Revolution in 1966 or the student protests of 1989.
At the center of the square stands a square building, with columns, is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. His body, properly prepared, rests inside a crystal urn. You can visit, and in fact every morning thousands of Chinese people queuing to see it. Usually the tail is impressive by the number of people waiting to see him, but since no one can be stopped before the corpse of Mao, moving fairly quickly, and generally do not have to wait more than 20 or 30 minutes. Inside you can not take anything.
A little further north is the Monument to the People's Heroes, with its 38 meters high, was built in 1958. At its base are carved with bas-eight reasons alluding to the wars of liberation of China.
North of the square stands the imposing Tiananmen Gate, with the portrait of Mao that has become famous and part of the decor and the square and the door. To the west of Tiananmen Gate Park Zhongsan is in honor of Sun YATS, and east of the Palace of Culture Workers. To reach the door you have to cross Changan Avenue through two subways. You can climb the gate, going through an exhaustive control of weapons. Above are some commemorative items from the founding of the PRC, as it was from that place where Mao made the proclamation. Apart from that no other special interest.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City or Imperial Palace, north of Tiananmen Square, was the imperial residence during the last two dynasties (Ming and Qing). With 9999 rooms is the largest palace in the world. It is surrounded by a wall and a moat 50 meters wide. We will go according to the Gate of Supreme Harmony. To reach it you have to cross a small canal through one of its five bridges. From here you can enjoy the famous view of the Forbidden City: The Hall of Supreme Harmony, a triple high white marble terrace. Inside there is the throne. This is the largest pavilion of the palace and the building's tallest ancient Beijing. Following is the Hall of Medium Harmony and the Hall of Preserved Harmony, used for major ceremonies and imperial examinations. To the north is the private party. This area is where the major museums of the Forbidden City itself. The Paintings of the Imperial West, very interesting. The Museum of bronze and of ceramics, to the North. The clocks of the East, and the Imperial Jewels, also to the east, called the Qianlong Garden.
The most important building of the Forbidden City is, without doubt, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian called in Chinese). In fact, this large room with large patio around it from the Gate of Supreme Harmony, took most of the public part of the Forbidden City.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was the tallest building former Beijing. Was used for the most solemn ceremonies: the anniversary of the emperor, reading the candidates who passed the imperial examinations, and the general coming out during the campaign.
This large room is perched on a terrace of three white marble. This restrained by a big red column and roof has a double yellow color reserved for the emperor. Inside there is the imperial throne, with spectacular engravings of dragons, although there are doubts that the throne is authentic.
All the roofs of the halls of the Forbidden City is a fixture at its end with beasts, animals and mythological conducive to protecting the chamber, the number of these animals depends on the size of the room. The roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important, is the only one who has ten beasts protection. Andalusia front hall are a crane and a tortoise, symbols of longevity, as well as a sundial and a unit of capacity, as a symbol of the virtue of the emperor to maintain the regularity of the seasons and to unify the empire. In the three terraces which provide access to the living room there are many censers.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is one of the most original and impressive in Beijing. Situated in a large park that extends for 273 hectares in the south of the city. Built in the year 1420 by Emperor Yongle, who moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, to be used by the emperors of the last two dynasties, the Ming and Qing, who came to him twice a year. The first early spring, to pray for a good harvest, the second at the winter solstice, to thank Heaven for the harvest.
The Temple of Heaven was the most important religious building in the capital. The rituals that took place inside it, to legitimize the emperor's divine quality, which invested with the title Son of Heaven, was in communication with the gods in favor of the men who governed, connected with the first set by religions the kings of the Shang dynasty remote (XVI-XII century BC) and Zhou (VIII-XII century BC)
Should enter through the south gate, to follow the north-south axis ritual in which the temple is built. In this way, the first thing is the Altar of Heaven. A large round stepped platform of white marble balustrades, 360, surrounded by a square wall. It is a symbol of heaven (round) into the earth (square). At the center of this platform is an empty place, where was placed the throne for the Emperor of Heaven, whom the emperor worship and present offerings.
The Imperial Vault Celeste is surrounded by a circular wall, popularly known as the Echo Wall particular shape of the wall seems to be particularly suitable for the transmission of sound. This place was where the emperor presents his compliments to the Tablet of Heaven, a ritual similar to that done by the people worshiping the tablets of the ancestors, through which the ancestors are associated with the imperial heaven. Following the completion of these rites, was removed from the Palace of Abstinence is located next to the Celestial Gate West, where for three days fasting and refraining from sexual contact.
A long corridor of 360 meters linking the sky with the Imperial Hall of prayer for good harvests. This is the most majestic building of the enclosure, and for some, throughout Beijing. Designed to facilitate communication with the Emperor of Heaven, has a round base of 30 meters in diameter and a conical shape, which rises 38 meters high. Located in the center of a patio, raised on three circular terraces of white marble, each with a carved marble balustrade, in turn also has a triple roof of blue tiles that give it a special force.
This sober building from which the emperor called a good distribution of rain and sun, is so original that has been chosen, in fact, as a symbol of tourism in Beijing.
But his interest does not end with his appearance, capable by itself to please the most demanding. This room is built entirely with wood assembled without the use of even a single nail. On the inside, we see that the vault is secured by four wooden pillars, representing the four seasons of the year, around it there are twelve outer pillars, which symbolize the twelve months of the year. The way it was assembled wood brought from Yunnan province that holds the roof is a masterpiece of Chinese carpentry. The colors of the same variety is difficult to find in other ancient monuments, the manner in which the levels of timber rises, seen from the ground is overwhelming.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a huge garden at the Northwest of the city. Decadent, sensual, reflects the spirit of the last years of the Qing dynasty. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the current palace was built in the early twentieth century, a monument to the decay of the last years of this dynasty, and a labyrinth that reflects the complex personality of the Empress Cixi, its principal inhabitant. The palace has two main parts. Kunming Lake and Longevity Mountain.
At the lake are the main buildings, the rooms from which the government exercised Cixi, Teatro symbolizing their lifestyle, their private rooms, and especially the Long Corridor, decorated with thousands of paintings that show scenes history, mythology, poetry and popular novels of China. And at the end, the Marble Boat, reportedly built with funds to renovate the Navy.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a unique monument in the world. They say it is the only human work that is visible from the moon, and it is not surprising, since along its 6,000 km is like an open wound that runs the North Asia. The Great Wall is the site par excellence of China, the archetype of their culture and civilization. Began to build over 2500 years ago, some feudal lords who were trying to protect their domains from the threat of nomadic tribes from the North.
These feudal murallitas were unified for the first time in the third century BC, the first emperor Qinshihuang a heroic deed in which the entire Chinese people put their blood and their lives since then remained more or less its present form. But the reconstruction was being visited in the Ming dynasty.
The section runs from the main passage Shanghaiguan in the South China Sea, to Jiayuguan in the desert of Central Asia. Every little distance watchtowers, ramparts secondary ramifications, including them is if we can say that all the sections and branches, you can count on over 50,000 km of wall built. So in the North it is easy to find sections of wall with more or less preserved. Beijing is close to the most famous: Badaling.
Badaling is 70 km from the city. It is the most visited section. It's in a mountain pass which gives easy access and the ability to see both from above and from below, several kilometers of wall meandering through the mountains. There the wall is wide, and quite high.
Lama Temple - Temple of the Lamas
The traveler who travels in haste the city of Beijing is sometimes surprised by the silhouette of the tall buildings of ancient plant located in the vicinity of the arteries more popular. One of the most interesting, perhaps the most to call attention to its location on the northeast corner of the second belt is called the Temple of the Lamas. The largest Lamaist temples in the capital and also one of the most interesting religious buildings.
In the Hall of Eternal Protection tanka are two especially famous, because they said they were embroidered by the mother of Emperor Qianlong. After this room is a bronze sculpture representing Mount Meru, sacred to Buddhists and Lamaist.
Beyond is the Hall of the Tantric Arts. It is possibly the most beautiful room of this temple, and one of the most original buildings of ancient China. Skylights that open in the roof can not be seen in any other building. Here, let down the light from four walls decorated with their own tank, which gives a magical, shimmering. Sculpture Tsongkapa, the gelugpa founded the sect, dominant in Tibet, has a serene beauty hard to find in other temples. In the side walls there are paintings that elaborate on the nature of religion Lamaist magic. It should also look closely at this room from the outside, to get an idea of its beauty and originality.
The latter is the Hall of Diezmil happiness is the most majestic, with a colossal sculpture carved Buddha 18 meters in a single sandalwood trunk (the largest in the world) in its interior and a large library of Buddhist texts. The Hall was built after placing it in the huge statue, which evidently does not fit through the door
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Guangzhou city of business
Canton
Guangzhou is the largest city in South China, and one of the country's main ports. On the banks of the Pearl River (Zhujiang), has become a few years in a modern and cosmopolitan city. With an area of 1,500 square miles is home to a population of 4 million (2 million and a half in the suburbs). Located in the tropics, its climate is mild in winter and hot and humid in summer.
Capital of Guangdong Province, a province populated by 65 million people, has a close relationship with Hong Kong, where people with shared language, customs, cuisine and even place of origin.
Founded 2000 years ago under the name of Yancheng (city of goats), Guangzhou since the Han dynasty was the most important city in Southern China. In fact, it was capital of the Southern Yue kingdom established in the area following the collapse of the first Qin Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was one of the principal ports of Asia, who came to the Malay traders, Indians, Persians and Arabs. There was a secessionist attempts fall of the Tang Dynasty, was the capital during 55 years of a new kingdom by Yue Liu Yan, and Ming dynasty, one of whose princes tried to save the city from the Manchu conquest.
Through Guangzhou was the first where there were contacts between the Chinese and Westerners. The early Portuguese and Spanish missionaries came to China through its port, and not many years passed before the Portuguese took over control of Macau. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Guangzhou was the only port in which the emperor allowed trade with the West and was also in Guangzhou where they began to penetrate the China opium English. Protagonist of the history between China and the West. Water Guangzhou witnessed the destruction of opium by the British commissioner Lin, in 1841, and the fighting of the so-called Opium War. After the British victory and the Treaty of Nanking, which opened other ports to foreign trade of China, which was Shanghai, Guangzhou in the importance of external relations will diminish.
House of Chen Family
It is undoubtedly the most important monument of Guangzhou and one of the most original to be found in China. Completed in 1894 through the efforts of 72 of the most powerful members of the prestigious Chen clan, was designed to ancestor worship, as well as for students of the clan to prepare for exams officers.
Built in the style of traditional Chinese homes, the highlight of the temple is the magnificent decorations of its roofs, its really colorful and impressive skill.
Pagoda of Six Banyanos
Founded in the year 537, was one of the most important temples of the Zen School is said that the sixth patriarch, Hui Nengo lived here. Suffered a fire in the tenth century that it completely destroyed. It was rebuilt again in the year 989, except the Pagoda of Flowers are not finished until a century later. Before it was called the Beautiful Feast of the Temple, but the famous poet His Dongpo visited him in the year 1100 and gave him that name. You can climb the Pagoda, 57 meters from where there is a good view of the city. His most important flag is the Mahavira Hall, 3 bronze statues cast in Foshan in 1663. Each weighs 10 tons and measures 6 meters in height. They represent the Buddha of the past (Amithaba) to the Present (Tathagata) and future (Maitreya).
Chengdu capital of SichuanCapital of Guangdong Province, a province populated by 65 million people, has a close relationship with Hong Kong, where people with shared language, customs, cuisine and even place of origin.
Founded 2000 years ago under the name of Yancheng (city of goats), Guangzhou since the Han dynasty was the most important city in Southern China. In fact, it was capital of the Southern Yue kingdom established in the area following the collapse of the first Qin Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was one of the principal ports of Asia, who came to the Malay traders, Indians, Persians and Arabs. There was a secessionist attempts fall of the Tang Dynasty, was the capital during 55 years of a new kingdom by Yue Liu Yan, and Ming dynasty, one of whose princes tried to save the city from the Manchu conquest.
Through Guangzhou was the first where there were contacts between the Chinese and Westerners. The early Portuguese and Spanish missionaries came to China through its port, and not many years passed before the Portuguese took over control of Macau. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Guangzhou was the only port in which the emperor allowed trade with the West and was also in Guangzhou where they began to penetrate the China opium English. Protagonist of the history between China and the West. Water Guangzhou witnessed the destruction of opium by the British commissioner Lin, in 1841, and the fighting of the so-called Opium War. After the British victory and the Treaty of Nanking, which opened other ports to foreign trade of China, which was Shanghai, Guangzhou in the importance of external relations will diminish.
House of Chen Family
It is undoubtedly the most important monument of Guangzhou and one of the most original to be found in China. Completed in 1894 through the efforts of 72 of the most powerful members of the prestigious Chen clan, was designed to ancestor worship, as well as for students of the clan to prepare for exams officers.
Built in the style of traditional Chinese homes, the highlight of the temple is the magnificent decorations of its roofs, its really colorful and impressive skill.
Pagoda of Six Banyanos
Founded in the year 537, was one of the most important temples of the Zen School is said that the sixth patriarch, Hui Nengo lived here. Suffered a fire in the tenth century that it completely destroyed. It was rebuilt again in the year 989, except the Pagoda of Flowers are not finished until a century later. Before it was called the Beautiful Feast of the Temple, but the famous poet His Dongpo visited him in the year 1100 and gave him that name. You can climb the Pagoda, 57 meters from where there is a good view of the city. His most important flag is the Mahavira Hall, 3 bronze statues cast in Foshan in 1663. Each weighs 10 tons and measures 6 meters in height. They represent the Buddha of the past (Amithaba) to the Present (Tathagata) and future (Maitreya).
Chengde an imperial summer residence
Chengde is a town located just over 200 kilometers from Beijing that concentrates around an unparalleled number of buildings of the Qing dynasty. Chengde is possibly, after the Beijing historic city in northern China, it is because, since 1703, when Emperor Kangxi was built in around the famous Summer Village was the place chosen by many for emperors to escape the oppressive summer heat of Beijing.
Chengde, Jehol known before 1949, is located north of the Great Wall. It was once a small village located in the middle of the country Manchu. Surrounded by thick forests and gentle mountains, met all the requirements for the enlightened emperor Kangxi, who rightly feared that the culture of its people were eventually fused Manchu culture among the many Chinese chose to lift his summer residence. In the days when Kangxi chose to spend their summers, Chengde was famous for the abundance of hunting, especially deer, and Manchu nomads who roamed the area. He soon became so much a place of rest and a kind of spiritual retreat, where the emperors were held near where the outbreaks are still preserved the ancient culture of the Manchu. But its construction activity was transforming idyllic landscape that they wanted to keep. Around the Villa Summer Residence of Kangxi, temples were built of different beliefs and religions, in honor of the dignitaries of the allies and vassals that he visited, and have reached up to eleven temples, which are located at the foot of the hills surrounding the town of Summer, are called common foreign Temples.
There are temples in honor of the Tibetans, the kalmucos, the Kazakhs and the oiratos. Each with a shape and characteristics. The Temples of Chengde is an outdoor museum of religious ideas and trends of the Qing dynasty, because they mix religion with the established beliefs of the villages. Currently the city of Chengde still a reasonable size, and given that a significant portion of the area of the city is occupied by historical monuments. Since its most interesting sites are concentrated in a relatively near future is a good opportunity to walk and enjoy the city.
Chengde is a town located just over 200 kilometers from Beijing that concentrates around an unparalleled number of buildings of the Qing dynasty. Chengde is possibly, after the Beijing historic city in northern China, it is because, since 1703, when Emperor Kangxi was built in around the famous Summer Village was the place chosen by many for emperors to escape the oppressive summer heat of Beijing.
Chengde, Jehol known before 1949, is located north of the Great Wall. It was once a small village located in the middle of the country Manchu. Surrounded by thick forests and gentle mountains, met all the requirements for the enlightened emperor Kangxi, who rightly feared that the culture of its people were eventually fused Manchu culture among the many Chinese chose to lift his summer residence. In the days when Kangxi chose to spend their summers, Chengde was famous for the abundance of hunting, especially deer, and Manchu nomads who roamed the area. He soon became so much a place of rest and a kind of spiritual retreat, where the emperors were held near where the outbreaks are still preserved the ancient culture of the Manchu. But its construction activity was transforming idyllic landscape that they wanted to keep. Around the Villa Summer Residence of Kangxi, temples were built of different beliefs and religions, in honor of the dignitaries of the allies and vassals that he visited, and have reached up to eleven temples, which are located at the foot of the hills surrounding the town of Summer, are called common foreign Temples.
There are temples in honor of the Tibetans, the kalmucos, the Kazakhs and the oiratos. Each with a shape and characteristics. The Temples of Chengde is an outdoor museum of religious ideas and trends of the Qing dynasty, because they mix religion with the established beliefs of the villages. Currently the city of Chengde still a reasonable size, and given that a significant portion of the area of the city is occupied by historical monuments. Since its most interesting sites are concentrated in a relatively near future is a good opportunity to walk and enjoy the city.
Chengdu, with three million inhabitants and another three in the suburbs is the capital of Sichuan Province. Founded 2500 years ago by the King of Shu during the period of the Kingdoms Fighters, has since been the political, economic and cultural development of Sichuan and the entire southwestern China. During the Han dynasty in the city was a flourishing production of brocade, so it took the name "City of Brocade", during the Song dynasty were planted numerous hibiscus, which made it known as "City of Hibiscus." It is now a clean and green city, which surprises the modern traveler in their neighborhoods and was disappointed by the small number of old buildings that can be discovered between them.
Wenshu Monastery
Built during the Tang dynasty, is the best preserved Buddhist center in Chengdu and the only monument that is worth taking the trouble to go to visit him. A temple-centered worship rather than tourism, is always a good number of religious believers to carry out its activities. During the Buddhist festivals are lively. It also has some wards with very low interest. Because of its intense activity around them, creating a strange atmosphere of pilgrims, beggars and vendors.
Wuhou Temple
Its name is translated as Temple of military genius. And in fact it was built in the sixth century in honor of Zhuge Liang, a famous strategist who lived during the time of the Kingdoms Fighters, whose exploits were idolized in the famous novel "Story of the Three Kingdoms." Early in the Ming dynasty was annexed by the Han Zhaolie Temple, where the tomb of Emperor Liu Bei, who was lord of Zhuge Liang in the real story, and since then has become the main attraction of the site.
Du Fu Cottage
Riverside Wenhua. This famous poet of Tang Dynasty possibly lived there, but certainly not in the hut you visit. Built in the Song dynasty is primarily a memorial hall, though some of the most ardent admirers of the poet, see a temple.
Pavilion overlooking the River
On the right bank of the Jinjiang River, was built in late Ming Dynasty. And highlight their different varieties of bamboo and small towers in the form of pagodas. Have a good exhibition of bonsai.
Tomb of General Wang Jian
Jian Wang was the general who proclaimed the last independent kingdom of Sichuan in the year 907. It was the aforementioned Kingdom of Shu. In this compound exhibits a good collection of objects unearthed in the tomb.
Most interesting, however, are 24 statues of musicians playing different instruments around the main building. It's the best description of the music of the Tang dynasty that has survived until today.
Museum of the University of Sichuan
It is the most important museum in the province. With major collections on Tibet and on the ethnology of the national minorities in the province of Sichuan.
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Dali capital of the Bai
Dali is one of the oldest cities in Yunnan. Located on the shores of Lake Erhai is believed that it was inhabited by the Bai from 3000 years ago. His glory came when he was named capital of the Kingdom Nanzhao established there during the Tang Dynasty and later the Kingdom of Dali, his successor, who ruled the region during the Song dynasty. Since those ancient times was the main Dali City of Yunnan, until relatively recent times in Kunming he snatched the lead. Dali has managed to keep its streets and houses in an original flavor and a somewhat lordly calm, happy for the color of its inhabitants and their traditional festivities.
Dali has been, since the opening of China, one of the first destinations for individual travelers, who "discovered" an almost completely preserved ancient city, inhabited by friendly people in a paradisiacal landscape, where everyone seemed to give welcome. Local people have managed to harness the pull of fame, despite the presence of numerous Chinese and foreign, that Dali still somewhat timeless atmosphere of the places where, over time, travelers have stopped to recover forces in the midst of their hard journey.
and if someone takes a stroll through the nearby The presence of the ubiquitous Bai is in his city. Not only do the tour guides you will see everywhere dressed in their traditional dresses, most people will find one on the street are Baivillages were totally immersed in the worldBai . The Bai are a minority of older Chinese were thought to be descendants of the original inhabitants of this region of Yunnan. Its long history is full of episodes that show a sweet and peaceful, to dump their beliefs and traditions and the laborious cultivation of its fertile land. Still retain many volumes of ancient history of the Bai. As for his religion, despite having embraced Buddhism during the Tang dynasty and have created some of the most important works of this religion in southern China, still very much alive the traditions that arose in their traditional religion. The worship of ancestors and the forces of nature is reflected today in many aspects of their existence.
The old town of Dali is a network of alleyways little traffic, which are still treasures of traditional architecture bai. Many of them feel almost sacred to that of the ancient objects filled with meaning, which were much more interesting than the ubiquitous modern buildings, which is repeated nonsense style bai who seem not to understand. In fact, this ancient city has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
The Three Pagodas and the Temple Chongshengsi the monument are more charismatic Dali. Built in the ninth century, at the height of the Nanzhao Kingdom, have become the symbol of the city. The Temple is a typical construction of Yunnan and although it has been destroyed several times, the reconstructions have maintained their originality. The Three Pagodas are not equal. The couple has fifteen floors and the other two, only nine.
We must not miss the beautiful stone buildings typical of the Bai just south of the entrance to the temple, nor the environment of rural villages that are in the vicinity dela city. Despite being so close to a monument well visited, people rarely go beyond. In the first village is small temple to the Mother of the Dragon King, whose figures tell you in detail how she became pregnant by eating a magical peach and the boy who eventually gave birth to become the dragon king.
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Datong and the Yungang Grottoes
The Yungang Caves are one of the main complex of Buddhist sculptures in China. Located sixteen kilometers from the city of Datong itself, were the first to be built.
Construction of the grottoes began in 460. For 65 years, it was digging in the mountain continuously until the 53 caves that make up this complex. During those years, China was divided into several states, completely separate from the south in a north almost continuous war. One of the most powerful states of the north is founded by nomads tube, which on the capital city of Datong proclaimed the Northern Wei Dynasty.
The tube were not only ardent Buddhist, but felt that the expansion of this religion on their domains, it would be useful for integrating population and the original Chinese invaders in a single tube system of beliefs. In fact, when their empire became more powerful, and extending to the south established their new capital at Luoyang, immediately began the construction of the Longmen caves, near the new capital.
The Yungang Caves are carved into the mountainside, all oriented to the south. Although they say that during the years preceding the Revolution of 1949 more than 1500 sculptures were stolen, there are still over 51,000 sculptures of all sizes, large and small, will be sufficient to satisfy the most demanding traveler. Some were missing arms or head, but it is not a high proportion.
When it comes to entering the central part of the complex, just where the caves are more interesting. Each cave is numbered. To the right of the entrance there are four caves (1 to 4) that do not have much interest. In the cave number 5 we find one of the largest statues of the complex: a Buddha 17 meters tall. The number 6 cave called Cave of Sakyamuni, is a major pillar 15 meters in whose faces more than 20 sculptures describing scenes from the life of Sakyamuni. The walls of this cave are covered with sculptures of Buddha, Boddhisattvas and geniecillos. The roof of the cave number 12 is particularly interesting because they are covered by sculptures of fairies dancing. In the north there is a group of Chinese musicians playing different instruments.
Daxu .. haven of peace
Daxu is a small village situated on the banks of the Li River, not far from Guilin. Over the centuries, before the railroad was built, was one of the four most important ports in the Li River. Most of its inhabitants were engaged in trade and the market was famous throughout southern China. Then with the construction of railways, river transport was becoming more and more scarce, pushing Daxu decadent in a nap. As is the only village located east of the river has so far been spared a massive tourism.
In Daxu, whose central area is still remarkably well preserved, a careful visit will provide us many details of everyday life in the region during the first half of the twentieth century, there are still many traces of its prosperous past. Discolored by the continuous moisture of the tropics, the houses and their rooms, often displayed by residents for their kind, the hidden treasures of craftsmanship and traditional Chinese decor.
In Daxu still held frequent fairs and markets in which its streets are filled with brown life, peasants from nearby villages who arrived full of colors sober city, including a brief reminiscence of the activity of the past.
If visiting a market day, people are quiet. With its narrow streets, well paved, its wooden houses lined on both sides, each with its own patio and its traditional structure. At the door of its inhabitants are the same: simple people who work combines traditional with modern activities. Some of them have become casual guides of their own homes or businesses craft, and it is not uncommon to find a carpenter at work, the pharmacist, dentist or Andalusia andalusia that smoked fish.
Overall Daxu breathe peace, and his visit is always a good chance to see rural China that always seems to escape
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Dazu .. the Buddhist splendor
Dazu Rock Carvings
Dazu is a small town 164 kilometers from Chongqing who has retained many of the customs and traditions of ancient Sichuan. With its wooden houses, their shops open to foreign and especially the slow pace of small towns that are fast disappearing in China.
Despite the good qualities of Dazu, nobody is going to visit the city but to visit the caves in the vicinity where he is one of the greatest treasures of Buddhist sculptures in China. An estimated 50,000 are Dazu reliefs and sculptures spread over 40 sites. Currently visiting Baodingshan of the most important, 14 kilometers from the city and the Beishan, just two kilometers from the town. Each has about 10,000 sculptures from the Tang dynasty and Song dynasty. Among its religious themes, there are descriptions of daily life in which the artist works with great freedom and scenes of little-known Buddhist schools in the West. Baodingshan is the most important centers of sculptures near Dazu. It is located fifteen kilometers northeast of the city. Dazu buses from leaving every twenty minutes and the road not only has a dreamy landscape, but surprises us with a single sculpture. Upon arrival, we find an impressive spectacle. In a horseshoe-shaped mountain has carved a series of sculptures of great skill. Many of them have taken the very structure of the mountain. The most important of them is the number eleven: The Buddha's Nirvana. It is a composition of a huge Buddha yaciente of 31 meters long and five high. Around it there are many other caves and sculptures of interest. Eight in number, for example, Guanyin, the goddess of mercy has a thousand hands thousand eyes. At number 29 is shown the way for the state of budeidad Some caves described scenes concerning the life of Sakyamuni, the filial love, the birth of the School Mizong, tantric type, founded by Buddha Pilu, andalusia paradise (18) and hell (21 and 22).
Beishan is the second sculpture of Dazu. Just two kilometers from the city. There are a series of 290 niches spread over 250 meters. Many of them are smaller than those of Baodingsan, less developed and less conserved. The classic themes of Buddhism mixed with some clearly Confucian in nature, such as filial piety. The most beautiful in this set are: Grotto 136. Known as Mill Stone, carved in the Song dynasty, displays a serene and elegant in the two representations of Guanyin, the Buddha of Mercy, with feminine traits, an elephant and a lion. Grotto 245. Called Paradise in the West, involved in this scene from the classic Buddhist art to a good number of characters
--Dazu Rock Carvings
Dazu is a small town 164 kilometers from Chongqing who has retained many of the customs and traditions of ancient Sichuan. With its wooden houses, their shops open to foreign and especially the slow pace of small towns that are fast disappearing in China.
Despite the good qualities of Dazu, nobody is going to visit the city but to visit the caves in the vicinity where he is one of the greatest treasures of Buddhist sculptures in China. An estimated 50,000 are Dazu reliefs and sculptures spread over 40 sites. Currently visiting Baodingshan of the most important, 14 kilometers from the city and the Beishan, just two kilometers from the town. Each has about 10,000 sculptures from the Tang dynasty and Song dynasty. Among its religious themes, there are descriptions of daily life in which the artist works with great freedom and scenes of little-known Buddhist schools in the West. Baodingshan is the most important centers of sculptures near Dazu. It is located fifteen kilometers northeast of the city. Dazu buses from leaving every twenty minutes and the road not only has a dreamy landscape, but surprises us with a single sculpture. Upon arrival, we find an impressive spectacle. In a horseshoe-shaped mountain has carved a series of sculptures of great skill. Many of them have taken the very structure of the mountain. The most important of them is the number eleven: The Buddha's Nirvana. It is a composition of a huge Buddha yaciente of 31 meters long and five high. Around it there are many other caves and sculptures of interest. Eight in number, for example, Guanyin, the goddess of mercy has a thousand hands thousand eyes. At number 29 is shown the way for the state of budeidad Some caves described scenes concerning the life of Sakyamuni, the filial love, the birth of the School Mizong, tantric type, founded by Buddha Pilu, andalusia paradise (18) and hell (21 and 22).
Beishan is the second sculpture of Dazu. Just two kilometers from the city. There are a series of 290 niches spread over 250 meters. Many of them are smaller than those of Baodingsan, less developed and less conserved. The classic themes of Buddhism mixed with some clearly Confucian in nature, such as filial piety. The most beautiful in this set are: Grotto 136. Known as Mill Stone, carved in the Song dynasty, displays a serene and elegant in the two representations of Guanyin, the Buddha of Mercy, with feminine traits, an elephant and a lion. Grotto 245. Called Paradise in the West, involved in this scene from the classic Buddhist art to a good number of characters
Emeishan the sacred mountain
Mount Emei
Emei Mountain known in Chinese as Emeishan is one of the four sacred mountains of China to Buddhism. Just 150 kilometers from Chengdu, mountains are covered with varied vegetation, where they grow abundant medicinal plants and tea. Many wild animals live there, as the red panda, the golden pheasant, and several species of monkeys. One such virgin nature arise numerous temples and pavilions built by the monks and hermits who chose this place, where the bodhisattva Puxi had happened to his retirement.
Mount Emei is also not in a hurry can go. Perhaps that is the reason why these mountains are so little visited by foreigners. While few years ago that have paved the road up to the vicinity of Jieyin, from the foot of the mountain yet it takes two hours by bus. Jieyin since you can take a cable car to Golden Summit at 3077 meters altitude.
That is reduced to visit Emei Mountain because the more purist proposed to increase the foot, as pilgrims, to what to think at least three days to devote to this mountain: two to one to raise and lower, overnight stays in the humble quarters of the monasteries. Whoever decided on this route should know that struggled walk in total about sixty kilometers, with sometimes slippery terrain, abundant rainfall and significant differences in temperature of the base to the top. So, which is not very fit, follow the road more comfortable.
The ascent should start from the Monastery Baoguosi, the most important part of this sacred mountain. Founded in the sixth century, which features a large statue of Amita Buddha made of porcelain. One kilometer later, between shady pine forests is the Monastery Fuhusi with three halls for Buddhist worship. After a difficult part of the road appears Qingyin Pavilion surrounded by verdant cliffs, between the two streams called Black Dragon and White Dragon. Later we will find the Grotto Bailongtong and after half hour of walking andalusia Wannian Monastery, which was the first temple was built on this mountain. This temple is a celebrated image of the golden bodhissatva Broce Puxi. With a weight of some seventy tons, was cast in the year 960.Ten miles separate Wanniansi of Huayanting, but you can make a brief stop in Xixinsi, both with magnificent views. Four miles and arrive at the pool or bath Xixiangchi the Elephants. After spending Dachengsi or the Monastery of the Great Vehicle and Baiyunsi of White Cloud, you will reach Jieyin. They can take the chairlift and tired as you will, it is best to enjoy the same view that you provide. The end point of it is in the vicinity of the Golden Summit
Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play vital role in popularizing a tourist destination. Hotel industries these days provide each and every kind of amenities, to make you feel comfortable.
Tamborine Mountain