Yellow Mountain

www.maps-of-china.net/tourism_map/h_touristmap2.html

Yellow Mountain is located in the north of HuangShan City, AnHui Province. It is named as ‘The most peculiar mountain all over the world’. Yellow is a holy land of Taoism, so the amount that historical remains are very much.  Someone said that in ancient time, Huang emperor had made medicine here. Many poets come here to tribute the beauty of Yellow Mountain.

http://image.baidu.com/huangshan

Yellow Mountain has 3-4 scenic districts. First one is  hot spring district. The hot spring district is one of the reception point. The average height is 650m. In addition to these hot springs, there are also many hotels for tourists to have a rest. The hot spring district is near the entrance of Yellow Mountain scenic spot. It only takes you 25 mins' walk from the entrance to the hot spring district. Also, there are many free buses can drive you there. The main scenic spot in hot spring district is ‘RenZi waterfall’. This waterfall is set between two peaks. The elevation of it is 660m. The length of the waterfall is 50m. The waterfall likes a white dragon dive from the peak. The momentum is very majestic.
The best place to appreciate the waterfall is a kiosk call ‘GuanPuLou’.

http://image.baidu.com/huangshan

The second scenic district is called ‘North Sea’ district. North Sea is a big 
open place which is 1600m high. It covers  over 1316 hectare.  This district is the traffic hinge of the Yellow Mountain. It connects the rest four districts. So, every time you pass this district, you will always see many tourists shopping or having rest there.
The third district is called ‘White Cloud’District. It covers over 1655 hecatare. The elevation of it is 610m high. In this district, you will see many
ancient temples and bridges there. The cloud, trees, rivers and stones combine together just like going to the fairyland.

http://image.baidu.com/huangshan

About Route：
In following introduction is to those who has never gone to Yellow mountain. Yellow Mountain is well known. But the local district names are very
chaos. Many tourists go to visit Yellow Mountain will miss the way because such complicated names. Firstly, according to those tourists who want to go to the mountain, the place you should go is ‘Yellow Mountain Scenic Spot -- TangKou’but not ‘Yellow Mountain’. Here ‘Yellow Mountain’ means Yellow Mountain City. The scenic spot is 60km away from the city. So, make sure the place you go is right. If you make the mistake like I concerned above. Do not need to worry too much, there is a scheduled bus driving between these two places in every 25 min. The ticket will cost you 16RMB per person. 


Hotel:
According to the accommodation, Apr.28 -- May.7 and Sept.28 -- Oct.7 will be hard to book hotel because of the international Labour Day and the National Day. In other time, if you decide to go there,please tell the travel agency or the hotel as early as possible or you may have no room to live. The hotels are divided into 4 levels. In 3 stars room cost from 640 - 1050RMB. In 4 stars  room cost from 750RMB -- 1480RMB. The standard room will cost 140RMB - 240RMB. In addition, the hotel rent the tent if you really cannot find a room. It will cost you 300RMB per tent.

Food:
The food that sold on the mountain is very expensive. So, you can buy everything you need and take it up to the mountain like cake,instant noodles, chocolate and etc. If you want to eat hot and warm lunch or dinner, there will be a restaurant on the mountain. Also, the price is very high because that all the things on the mountain is moved by porter. So, such high price is reasonable.

Tips:
1:If you want to climb the mountain on foot, you had better climb it from the back of the mountain.  It will save labour.
2:If you want to live one night, here recommend you to live in North Sea District hotel.
3:Do not take too many things via climbing the mountain
4:Remember to take your coat. The temperature on the mountain is really low. Especially morning and night.
5:Do not wear  leather shoes and rubber shoes.

JiuZhaiGou

http://chinatour.net/the-map-of-jiuzhaigou-i-33.html

JiuZhaiGou is located at ZhangZha Town, Aba Autonomous Prefecture, SiChuan Province. It is the branch of White River. Due to there are several tribes near the river called JiuZhai, as a result, the river named JiuZhaiGou. The average height of JiuZhaiGou is over 2000m. The ancient forest is spread everywhere. In JiuZhaiGou, there are over 108 lakes. Someone call them ‘the world of fairy tale’. JiuZhaiGou was recorded in ‘World Heritage List’. In 8 of May,2007, JiuZhaiGou was considered as Rank 5A Scenic Spot.

image.baidu.com/jiuzhaigou

JiuZhaiGou combine blue sky, white cloud, Snow Mountain and forest to waterfall and rivers. Shaped a series of views like the pearl fall from the sky. The bonfire and the roasted lamb show the enthusiasm and the ethnic customs of local people. JiuZhaiGou is really a colorful, original and amazing fairyland on earth.



Festival:
International Ice Water Festival
China JiuZhaiGou International Ice Water Festival attracts many tourists travel to JiuZhaiGou. The festival starts from 18.Jan to 28. Feb. Tourists will see the snow view, ice waterfall, Tibetan house and several traditional works there. Also, during the festival time, there will be a second venue which set at DaGu glacier. The thesis is ‘Ice World and Mysterious River’. The activities content including the professional forum of Eco-tourism, the press conference of travelling, the photo contest and etc.

The Landscape in for seasons:
Spring:
When spring comes, all the ice melts. As a result, the water level goes up, promote the growing of the plants. The ice on the mountain is still freezing like a fairy world. The soft sunshine illuminate the impassive river makes people very comfortable.

Summer:
In summer, all the plants grow up. The wind is warm, the plants help you to keep the sunshine out. The waterweeds and fishes cross in the water. This view makes your heart smooth like water.

Autumn:
Autumn is the most beautiful time in JiuZhaiGou. You will see all the leaves become red. The colourful leaves invert to the river. The most pretty view which made by natural present just before your eyes.

image.baidu.com/jiuzhaigou

Winter:
The winter in JiuZhaiGou is very quiet. It is full of poetic. All the mountain and forest are white. Waterfall and rivers are frozen. When the sunset or sunrise coming, the ice surface reflect colourful light. Appreciating such beautiful view, tourists' hearts are also become quiet with the view.

Climate change:
Due to the average elevation of JiuZhaiGou is 1900 to 3100m high. It belongs to
highland humid climate. In spring, the temperature is between 9 - 18 degree. If you want to go to JiuZhaiGou in spring and winter, you had better take your coat. In summer and autumn, the climate is quite good. The temperature is from 19 - 22 degree. It is stable. However, the night in JiuZhaiGou is very cold. The temperature in winter is always under 0 degree. Whenever you go to JiuZhaiGou is OK, especially autumn. It is the most beautiful time to go there, winter is not bad too.

Route:
1>Bus Route:
  Route 1: ChengDu -- DuJiangYan City -- WenChuan -- Mao Town -- SongFan -- JiuZhaiGou (440km)
  Route 2: ChengDu -- WenChuan -- Li Town -- MiYaLuo -- HongYuan -- WaQie -- ChuanZhu Temple (702km)
  Route 3: BaoChen Train -- Wen Town(in GanSu Province) -- JiuZhaiGou Town(308km)
  Route 4: Zhaohua(or GuangYuan) -- Wen Town(in GanSu Province) -- JiuZhaiGou Town(308km)
  Route 5: LueYang State -- Cheng Town -- WuDu -- Wen Town -- JiuZhaiGou Town (441km)
  Route 6: LanZhou -- GanNan -- ChuanXi -- JiuZhaiGou

2>Plane Route: ChengDu -- ChuanZhu Temple -- JiuZhaiGou -- HuangLong -- ChengDu


Food Culture:
Due to most of the goods come from other cities. So, the price will be very high. So,tourists had better to not consider too much about the food. In local restaurant, you can see JiuZhai persimmon cake，sauerkraut and soba there. In addition, the ethnical food is better and more attractive like roasted whole lamb, stake and highland barley wine. If you do not want to regret, please taste them.


Tips:
1: remenber to take suncream(protect you from ultraviolet rays)
2: remember to take raincoat, sunglasses, cap
3: conventional medicines such as band-aid, cold cure or antidiarrheal drugs. Besides, vitamin and Rhodiola rosea are also good choice. They are effctive to cure altitude sickness.

image.baidu.com/jiuzhaigou

SuZhou Gardens

http://wenku.baidu.com/view/7bb90e75f46527d3240ce050.html

SuZhou Gardens refer to the landscape architecture in SuZhou City. Most of the gardens are private. SuZhou Gardens were started in BC.514, shaped in Song Dynasty and became mature in Ming Dynasty, finally prosperous in Qing Dynasty. At the end of Qing Dynasty, there were over 170 gardens in SuZhou City. Nowadays，the number of preserved gardens is 60. Among these 60 gardens, only 19 gardens are available to tourists. Although the proportion is not big, the significance is deep. Ancient architect used special method to make full use of the limit room to decorate the garden. Once you move your step, you will find another totally different view. SuZhou Garden is a pride of China. In 1997, it was recorded to ‘World Heritage List' .

http://wenku.baidu.com/view/7bb90e75f46527d3240ce050.html

SuZhou Garden collects variable function as one. It can be visited, lived and appreciated. The reason why ancient people build SuZhou Garden was because SuZhou Gardens were built in the place which lack of natural view and with high population density. People there were still pursued the harmony with the nature. As a result, many rich man contribute the capital and started to build SuZhou Gardens to satisfy their aspirations. No matter the excogitation, conception, distribution,or the appreciation of the beauty, even the building technology showed the art achievement at that moment.

http://wenku.baidu.com/view/7bb90e75f46527d3240ce050.html

One of the most important features is that it is not only a product of ancient culture, but also a media which contained the traditional ideology. When you visit in SuZhou Gardens, you will see many works of art. They contains huge amount of history, culture and ideology information. Besides, these art works reflect philosophy, Confucianism and Taoism perceptions. Many poets and calligraphers stayed here, combined the view and the atmosphere, they created many art works. Many of the works were still kept in SuZhou Gardens.

Recommend Route:
Go to HangZhou Tourist Distribution Centre at 6:40am, take in the sightseeing bus -- Museum of ZheJiang Province change bus -- Lion Forest(30RMB) -- PanMen Scenic Spot(48RMB) -- Lotus Root Garden(35RMB including lunch) -- Gusu river visiting(45RMB) -- HanShan Temple(20RMB) -- Tiget hill(60RMB) -- Go back to HangZhou City

Tips:
1.Child under 1.2m is free. Old man over 70 can get half price ticket via passport or other credentials.
2.The scenic spots will change if the traffic, climate or the amount of reception involve the tour.
3.Safety first, taking care of old man and children.
4.Tourists can change the order of the scenic spots.
5.If tourists give up the tour in mid-way, the travel agency will not refund.






 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6o9CO6wGPnw

West Lake

http://baike.baidu.com/albums/1598/5868323/0/0.html

West Lake is located at the west of HangZhou, ZheJiang Province. It is famous for its beauteous lake and mountain and historical remains in global scale. Also, it is one of the most popular scenic spot in China. In China, it is named as an earthly paradise. In June,2011, West was listed into ‘World Heritage List’. This is the only cultural heritage in lake class which listed in 'World Heritage List'.

West Lake is in centre of HangZhou City. It is surrounded by three mountains. The West Lake covers about 6.5 square kilometres. The length from north to south is about 3.2 km, 2.8km from east to west. The circumference of the lake is 15km. The depth of the lake on average is 2.27 meters. The water capacity is about 14.27 million cubic meters.

http://baike.baidu.com/albums/1598/5868323/0/0.html

West Lakes can be induced as one montain,two dams, three islands and 10 views.
One mountain refers to Single Mountain. It is located in the north of West Lake. The elevation of it is 35m high. On the Single Mountain, there are ZhongShan Park, Museum of ZheJiang Province, XiLing Seal Association，Crane Kiosk and QiuJin' grave who was a hero in China. ZhongShan Park is former imperial garden in Qing Dynasty palace.In the year 1972, in order to commemorate MR.SunZhongShan, so the Park named ‘ZhongShan Park’. The Museum of ZheJiang Province is at the southern foot of Single Mountain. Now, there are over 100 thousand historical relics in it, it opens to visitors for free. In this mountain, there is an old restaurant which is famous the West Lake vinegar fish. Due to the fish grows in West Lake, the quality and the tasty is first class.

Two dams refer to White dam and Su dam. White damconnect to the Single Mountain, it is over 1km long. It is the best place to explore the whole view of West Lake. Su dam is at the north foot of  NanPing Mountain. Su dam is 2797 meters long, 30-40 meters wide. There are 6 arch bridges on the Su dam, they are very interest.

Three islands are located at the middle of West Lake. There are several kiosks on the islands. Most of the people carry out activities there such as free captive animals or appreciating the moon on mid autumn festival on the island.

In addition, the natural resource of West Lake is very rich. Most water area in West Lake is full of nutrition. The water temperature on average is 17.6 degree. Due to the environment is so suitable for growing fish. As a result, there are 51 kinds of fishes in West Lakes, also, fish become the most popular dish in ZheJiang Province.

Special activities - West Lake Lantern Show
On every Lantern Festival, many people gather together. Tourists can see many people sitting on the boat and floating on the river and looking at the shows such as Martial art show, lantern puzzles, night view and Lotus Lanterns.




Visiting Route：
YongJin Door -- LiuLangWenYin Park -- Roma Plaza -- TangYun Art Gallery -- Leifeng Tower -- Su dam -- Yue Temple -- WuSong Grave --XiLing Bridge -- The Children's Palace -- YongJin Door
If you see the sightseeing bus, just wave your hands, the bus will stop. You can buy the ticket on the bus.

The price of the ticket is 40RMB(4 pound) per person for the whole tour, 10RMB(1 pound) for people who do not get the whole tour. If you want to charter the bus, it will cost you 390RMB (39 pound) per hour.

There are many hotel near West Lake. The price is from 200 - 500RMB (20 - 50pound) per night. Here offer you a website to booking the hotel.

http://hotel.qunar.com/city/hangzhou/q-%E8%A5%BF%E6%B9%96%E9%A3%8E%E6%99%AF%E5%8C%BA?kwid=3747056&cooperate=baidu52


Specialty:

image.baidu.com/dragonwell

West Lake Dragon Well Tea
Dragon Well tea is the best tea in China. It is green tea. Dragon Well tea has many functions. It can help digestion, lose weight, reduce fatigue，prevent cavities and etc.

http://image.baidu.com/i?tn=baiduimage&ct=201326592&cl=2&fm=detail&lm=-1&st=-1&sf=2&fmq=&pv=&ic=0&nc=1&z=&se=1&showtab=0&fb=0&width=&height=&face=0&istype=2&word=%CE%F7%BA%FE%B4%D7%D3%E3

West Lake Vinegar Fish
West Lake vinegar fish is a local traditional dish. Before cooking it, the fish will stay in the cage for one or two days to let the fish excrete the sundries and remove its mud smell. After that, while cooking, the requirement is very strict, especial the degree of heating. The duration is 3-4 minutes. After cooking, poor the vinegar sauce on it. It is really delicious.

Tenglong Mountain

http://www.maps-of-china.net/
p_hebeimaps.html

Tenglong Mountain scenic spot is located at the North of PingShan County Town, which is in HeBei Province. It is 25KM away from the PingShan County Town, and 50Km away from Province capital ShiJiaZhuang City. The traffic is very convenient. Tenglong Mountain is a comprehensive scenic spot. It is consist of geological landscape, forest zoology and cultural historical landscape. In addition, it is one of the rarest surface land nucleus scenic spot in global scale. It covers 8 square kilometers. Among all the scenic spots in Tenglong Mountain, the red canyon, green air grassland, TengHai forest and the cloud sea are the most beautiful. Due to the such complicated structure, in the second world war, they were called ‘HeBei Fortress’ and ‘Entrenchment’. In this area, there are 3 canyon, 8 rivers, 32 pools, 13 peaks. 59 bizarre stones, with the sunrise, sunset and the evening glow, it becomes much attractive.

http://www.55tuan.com/goods-48cc970c63cf3d6c.html?from=daohang-hao123-tgny

Here recommend visitors 2 routes.
  1. Humanity visiting route: Emerald Canyon -- Saddle Ridge -- West Peak
  2. Road Trip : Shijiazhuang City -- ShiYan Highway -- Iron Highway -- Nandian Village -- Wanzi Village

Opening time: 7:00 - 18:00
Ticker price: 50RMB (5 Pound)
Special policy: Children under 1.2m or old man over 70 are free

Hotel: Tourists can find hotel in the scenic spot, the service and it is quite cheap. Each person cost 64RMB for a normal room. Tourists can also choose to live in village. The price will be 25RMB - 35RMB. (Not including board wages) The village will offer local food all day. There are fried dumping, hotchpotch, bacon noodle, flapjack and etc.


Specialty：

image.baidu.com/zaozi

Big Jujube：Big Jujube is sweet and crisp. The sugar content is very high, it is over 62% -70%. Every 100g Big Jujube contain 300 - 600mg vitamin, the vitamin is 140 times much than pears and 69 times much than apples.

image.baidu.com/pidan

HeBei preserved egg: The method that produce Hebei preserved egg has 100 years history.  It is one of the most popular traditional food in China. If you peel the shell, you will find that the egg like an amber. The yolk is dark green or multicolour. It is tasty and helps your digestion.




Tips: 1.Remember to take sun cream and raincoat or umbrella.
      2.Wear sportsware will let you have a better experience.
      3.Tourists can sequencing the order of the scenic spot.

The Lijiang River

image.google.com/guilinlijiang

GuiLin Lijiang scenic spot is the biggest, the most beautiful karst area. In thousands of years, it attracted uncountable poets. Guilin scenic spot is famous for its great mountain, river and cave. Due to Guilin has too much place to visit, so in a short time, visitors had better choose its main scenic spots to visit. Among these main scenic spot, ‘one mountain(The Lijiang River), two caves(The Ludi cave& The Qixing cave) and three mountains(The Duxiu mountain, The Fubo Mountain and Diecai Mountain)’ are the elites. Here mainly introduce ‘The Lijiang River.

image.google.com/guilinlijiang

The Lijing River is located in the east of Guangxi Province. It is belonging to Zhujiang River system. The Lijiang River passes over 5 cities. Finally flowing into The West River. The whole length of The Lijiang River is 437 kilometers.

The best timing to Guilin is April to October. During this time, the climate in Guilin will be very good. However, tourists had better not go there at early May and October. Due to all the people in Chinese are in vocation on that time, it will  be very hard to book the hotel. In addition, the price will be raised up because of too much customers.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb1e_veurBA

According to the hotel, the condition of the hotel is excellent. From two-star-hotel to five-star-hotel, non-star hotel or home style hotel. You can choose the kind you like. The service is good, you can book a room via travel agency or phone them directly. This is really convenient for normal customers. The price is also vary fair, from 50-500 RMB(5 to 50 pound) per night.

Here design a easy route for you:

image.google.com/guilinlijiang

Geting on a bus to Lijiang shipside, take a ship to visit the Lijiang River ‘gallery’. After the ship arrive the shore side, follow the guide continue visiting the West Street, and finally get back by the free bus. If you have more time, you can stay in Guilin and visit other scenic spot in following days. When shipping, what tourists need to know is ,firstly, sometimes in December to March, the water level of Lijiang river is very low, it may cause the ship can not shipping in the river. Secondly, when the ship leaves the shipside, it cannot stop until arrived. Finally, remember to paste sun scream because of the shining sun.

Here is some free bus lane to get to the scenic sopt (from 9:00 to 17:00)

51 – Flower&Bird Market – Northpole plaza – Fengbei RD – Central plaza – Guilin station

52 – Donghuan Parking field – Longyin RD – Sevenstar Park

53 – Bus controlling Station – West Huancheng RD – Northpole plaza

54 South Guilin station – Shanghai RD – Anxin district – Chuanshan park – Sanlidian Plaza – Gaoxin District

55 – Ping Mountain – Nanhuan RD – JingPingShan Bridge – Cheguansuo

56 – Ping Mountain – Nanhuan –Shanghai Bridge – Xiangjiang restaurant – Jiangjun RD – Bazhong RD – Ping Mountain

57 – Xifeng RD – Education center – Shaoniangong – Ximen Bridge- Nanmen Bridge – Xiangshan Park – Jiefang Bridge – Shizi Street – Art center – Xifeng RD

(All these route are free)

Finally introduce you special local product. The sweet osmanthus flower wine is the most famous special local product in Guilin province. It is a kind of sweet wine. This wine use wild grapes and local sweet osmanthus flower as raw material. Then after soaking, distilling, adjusting and filtering, the wine finished. The degree of the wine is 15°to 20°.  Once you drink it, you will smell the potpourri. If you drink it for a long time, it can help you to digest.

Qinghai Lake

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/china/

Qinghai Lake is not only the biggest interior lake in China, but also the largest lagoon. It likes a big mirror and lie down on Qinghai-Tibet plateau which is known as the ‘world ridge’.

Qinghai Lake, in ancient time people called it West Sea because of its location. In English called blue lake. Qinghai Lake covered over 4456 square kilometers. The circumference is over 360 kilometers. The shape of it is an oval. The average depth of the water is 19m deep. The deepest place is 28 meters deep. The gross sorage capacity is as high as 105 billion stere. The elevation of the lake is 3260 meter. It is higher than most of the mountain in China. Due to the terrain is very high, the climate is always very cool. Even in summer, the average temperature of a day is just 15 degree, so it is really a desired place to avoid summer heat.

Qinghai Lake is located on north-east of Qinghai-Tibet plateau, it is a vast plateau. There are many rivers on the plateau, grass is lush and the environment is very grace. There are four mountains around Qinghai Lake. The elevations of these mountains are from 3600 to 5000 meters high.

According to the scenic spot, it is opened whole day. For adult, the ticket is 100RMB(10 pound) per person. For kids, child who is under 1.2m is free, 1.2m to 1.4m is 50RMB(5 pound) for a ticket. The ticket is valid for three days. That is to say tourists can book the tickets via phone and go to the scenic spot in three days.

Here recommend you some routes. You can go to the scenic spot via bus from Xi'ning.  You can buy the bus ticket at ChangJiang RD and XiGuanDaJia RD. In addition, Qinghai travel agency also have bus to the scenic spot. It cost you 130RMB (10 pound) per person(not including lunch and scenic spot ticket fees).  You can set out at 7:00am and go back at 10:00pm. Of course, you can rent a van. It will cost you 1200RMB (120 pound for one day including a local driver). On the way to Qinghai Lake, you will see some religious tower and some pretty mountains. The restaurant around Qinghai Lake is really good. However, the hotel condition is not good as the restaurant. Fifty minutes away from the HeiMaHe town, there is a hotel called 'Bird Island Hotel'. The hotel is specialized for the traveller so the price is really cheap. It is only 40RMB (4 pound) per person for one night. If you want a better hotel, you can call the reception desk and ask for a better room. It will cost you 168RMB(almost 17pound) per night.

For the local specialty, here recommend you a traditional breakfast in local place called 'ZengGao'. It is a kind of sweet cake which is made by sticky rice and red dates. It is a tonic food and really does well to people's body. Besides, you can also see 'Kebab' which you may familiar with. It was import from Turkey and local people made some improvement become Qinghai unique Kabab. You can have a try, it tastes really good.

Tips: Due to Qinghai Lake is in a very high altitude, remember to take sunscreen and woollen sweater. These things can protect you from the sunburn or getting a cold. Have a good journey~