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Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset=US-ASCII See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge Archive-name: travel/china-guide/part2 Url: http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china Posting-Frequency: quarterly CHINA - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide China is a superb tourist destination with a rich history and an enormous number of sights. Home to numerous different ethnic groups, it offers a cultural variety that is not found elsewhere. China's major cities Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guangzhou are all worth a trip alone. Check out these exciting China tour packages at http://www.chinahighlights.com/cgi-bin/a.pl?chinahi&1009&tours/index.htm or plan your own China trip at http://www.chinahighlights.com/cgi-bin/a.pl?chinahi&1009&forms/tripplanner.htm But China is not only a giant of tourism, it is in the middle of an economic boom that makes China one of the leading nations in the world. Places Beijing Chang Cheng (Great Wall) Chang Jiang (Yangtse) Changzhou Chengde Chengdu Chongqing Dali Dalian Dong Guan Dunhuang Emei Forbidden City Guangzhou (Canton) Guilin Haikou (Hainan Island) Hangzhou Hefei Hekou Huang Shan Jinan Jiuzhaigou Kashgar Khotan Kunming Lijiang Luoyang Nanjing Qingdao Shanghai Shaolin Monastery Shenzhen Suzhou Tianjin Urumqi Wuhan Xian Xiamen Yangshuo Zhengzhou General Information Border Crossing Climate Embassies Events Food Geographical Information Health History Hotels Internet Access Mail Money People Safety Telephone Visa Transportation Bicycle Boat Bus Flying Train ************************************************************************** CHINA - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide Copyright (c) 1995 - 2005, Peter M. Geiser http://www.pmgeiser.ch http://www.pmgeiser.com http://www.mineralwaters.org http://www.dussy.ch ************************************************************************** INTERNET HOTEL AND TRAVEL GUIDES New series by Peter M. Geiser and Sibylle Dussy, with many photos: HONG KONG http://www.pmgeiser.ch/hongkong JAPAN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/japan MACAU http://www.pmgeiser.ch/macau SWITZERLAND http://www.pmgeiser.ch/schweiz "Classics", FAQ of rec.travel.asia CAMBODIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/cambodia CHINA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china LAOS http://www.pmgeiser.ch/laos MYANMAR (BURMA) http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar TIBET http://www.pmgeiser.ch/tibet VIETNAM http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam Hotel guides INDIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/india INDONESIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/indonesia MALAYSIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/malaysia NEPAL http://www.pmgeiser.ch/nepal SINGAPORE http://www.pmgeiser.ch/singapore THAILAND http://www.pmgeiser.ch/thailand ************************************************************************** BOOKS For books, please have a look at the online version at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china ************************************************************************** SHANGHAI http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shanghai.htm Shanghai is the new rising star in the East. It is a gigantic bustling city with a lot of cunning entrepreneurs. Being the largest city in China, it hosts over 16 million inhabitants. It's famous Nanjing Lu is the best known shopping street in China. The center is dominated by colonial buildings, culminating in 'The Bund'. Shaghai is in the process of rebuilding itself. More than 15. million construction workers help to shape the city into one of the world's most modern cities with dozens of the latest-fasion high-rise glass and steel buidings of the same internationality found all over the world. To glimpse an excellent view into Shanghai's history, read Sights The Old City The old part of the city was the Chinese part during the occupation and during the daytime is transformed into a market selling everything that a tourist might want to buy. Recently, it has been renovated. Yu Yuan The Yu Yuan is probably the most beautiful and certainly the most famous of all the gardens in China. Address: 132 Anren Street in the heart of the old Chinese city. Opening hours: 8:30 - 17:00. In front of it is the famous tea house in the middle of a small, artificial lake. The Bund The Bund is the beautiful waterfront dominated by the huge buildings of the banks and former trading houses. Get a view of it in the evening when it is beautifully lighted and the river front bustles with live. Nanjing Lu This is the street where all the posh shops of Shanghai are. The road starts right at the bund, and runs on to the People's Park. Peace Hotel The Peace Hotel is at the beginning (or the end) of Nanjing Lu, right at the bund. You ask which side of the road? Well, on both sides of course ;-) The Peace Hotel is easily distinguishable by its tower with the pyramidal roof. Since the beginning of the century, it is the most distinguished place to be. During World War II, the partying continued, even when Shanghai was under siege. The Westerners did not believe that something could ever happen to them. This all changed, when a bomb was dropped on the hotel, whether by a Japanese or a Chinese plane was never really clear. During Communist times, the Peace Hotel remained the place for distinguisehed guests. When the stock market reopened in 1990, trading took place in one of its rooms. Probably the most famous feature of the Peace Hotel is its Jazz-Band playing in the beautiful English-style bar. Some of the band members have been playing for more than 60 years and have even witnessed the Japanese invasion. Jade Buddha Temple There are two reasons to visit this temple: its two white Buddha figures, and the active community of monks. There are two while Buddha figures, a small reclining one, and a large, 19 meters high, complete with robes and precious stones, and imported from Burma. During the Cultural Revolution, a clever abbot saved the temple by hanging pictures of Mao a the bolted gates. In order to enter, the Red Guards would have had to tear down the pictures, a political crime that would have been punished by death. Interestingly enough, except in the Jade Buddha's room, photography is permitted. There is a vegetarian restaurant. Address: 170 Anyuan Road, Opening Hours: 8:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 17:00. People's Park The People's Park started its carreer as the race course, before horse races were considered bourgeois. While the park itself is not exactly nice, you'll meet literally dozens of people wanting to practice their language skills on you at the English Corner. The Red Dream Mansion Located in the suburb of Shanghai, it is a theme park for the classical novel "The Red Dream Mansion". Characters, scenes, and buildings from the book are on display. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Former Residence The founder of the Repoublic of China lived with his wife in Shanghai from 1918 to 1924. In his home he has not only written many works that establish him as the father of modern China, but has initiated the first co-operation betwenn the Chinese Communist Party and the Guomindang. His house has been kept as it was and has been turned into a museum. It is open from 9:30 - 11:00 and 14:00 - 16:30. Address: 7 Xiangshan Road. Yangpu Bridge and Nanpu Bridge Only recently finished, they are the world's fourth longest and largest cable-stayed suspension bridges. Both of them have sidewalks and elevators for sightseers. Opening hours: Yangpu Bridge: 8:30 - 18:30, Nanpu Bridge: Jun - Sep: 8:30 - 22:00, Oct - May: 8:30 - 18:30. Pamela Yatsko describes the renaissance of Shanghai and its incredible change over the last few years. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air average C 3.5 4.9 8.2 13.7 18.6 23.4 28.0 27.6 23.5 17.8 12.5 6.5 F 38.3 40.8 46.8 56.7 65.5 74.1 82.4 81.7 74.3 64.0 54.5 43.7 min C -9.4 -7.9 -5.4 1.1 7.0 12.5 19.4 19.6 12.5 1.7 -3.8 -6.2 F 15.1 17.8 22.3 34.0 44.6 54.5 66.9 67.3 54.5 35.1 25.2 20.8 max C 19.8 22.9 27.6 31.7 33.1 36.9 38.3 38.9 37.3 29.3 28.0 23.3 F 67.6 73.2 81.7 89.1 91.6 98.4 101 102 99.1 84.7 82.4 73.9 Rain mm 44 63 81 111 129 157 142 116 146 47 54 39 in 1.7 2.5 3.2 4.4 5.1 6.2 5.6 4.6 5.7 1.8 2.1 1.5 Rainy days 9 11 13 13 15 14 12 10 12 8 8 8 Transportation On 1 October 1999, fitting for the 50th birthday of the People's Republic of China, the new PuDong airport went operational. It is located about 45 km East of the city center. It has a 4000 x 60 m runway. The old airport, the Hongqiao Airport is about 6 km West of Shanghai. Traffic in Shanghai is one enormous nightmare! Traffic jams are frequent, so reserve enough time to go to some place. There are two kinds of Taxis. The smaller version is not air-conditioned, and has anti-robbery partitions. The larger, more comfortables have air-conditioning. Prices range from USD 0.15-0.20 per kilometer. It definitely helps if you know where you want to go and can give the driver directions (use a map!) A taxi from the Hongqiao airport to Nanjinglu or the Bund costs about USD 5 (if you take a red mini-cab instead of a Volkswagen Sedan.) Shopping There are many shopping facilities in Shanghai, and the selection of available goods is nearly the same as that of any international city. Nanjing Lu, China's best known (and arguably most worthwile) shopping street cuts from East to West through Shanghai and offers everything imagineable. Many bookstores can be found parallel to Nanjing Lu, in Fuzhou Lu. If you are more into kitsch and souveniers, you definitely have to go into the old city, near Yu Yuan. Well worth a visit and often good for a bargain are the numerous department stores, and for more expensive products, there are also shopping centers, operated by international companies like Carrefour or Makro. However, the best place to buy the best and freshest food, or just to satisfy your curiosity, one should definitely visit the street markets. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shanghai.htm. Restaurants A good place to look for restaurants is in the small streets just north of Wusong River. Another place is Hankou Lu, just north of the Park Hotel. Generally recommended is the 50 Hankou Road Bar and Restaurant. It serves neoclassical continatal cuisine in a very unique ambience. Seafood is famous in Shanghai, so don't miss it. Try Fortuna Seafood Restaurant at 3F 111 Tian Mu Xi Lu, East China Hotel. Tel 6317 5999. The largest aquarium at Shanghai is to be seen at the Forum Palace Seafood Restaurant at 4F 188 Huai Hai Zhong Lu. Tel 6382 608, Fax 6358 5377. To sample Dim Sum, have a look at Fu Lin Xuan Restaurant at 37 Si Nan Lu. Tel 6358 3699, 6372 1777. Hot Pot is served in Meiqi Restaurant at 210 Wu Lu Mu Qi Zhong Lu. Tel 6433 5985. A real Chinese restaurant where you even have to order in Chinese (well, you could just point out the most beautiful characters) is the Lulu Restaurant at 69 Shi Men Lu. Tel 6258 5645. The Gap (Ground Floor, Jing Ming Building, 8 Zun Yi Nan Lu, Hongqiao, Tel 6278 2900, 6278 0248, 6278 0249) and the Gap II (127 Mao Ming Nan Lu, Tel 6433 9028) serve good Chinese food in nice surroundings. They feature live music on weekends. The first Indian restaurant in Shanghai, the Tandoor Restaurant serves authentic traditional Indian food. Adr: Jin Jiang Hotel, 59 Mao Ming Nan Lu. Tel 6258 2582-9301, 6472 5494. Favored by many foreign student of Fudan University is Mister Pizza at 260 Zheng Tong Lu. Tel 6549 2381. One of the best Italian restaurants (two in fact) with decent prices is the Pasta Fresca da Salvatore. There are two outlets, one at 115 Chang Shu Lu, Tel 6248 1705 and the other in the Hongqiao Friendship Shopping Center at No. 6 Zunyi Nan Lu, Tel 6270 4693. The Jurassic Pub features a Tepanaki grill. It also has a good bar. Address: 8 Mao Min Nan Lu. Tel 6258 3758. Germans might prefer Ch Euro's which serves German dishes. There are many special events. Inquire. Location: 1800 (S2) Zhng Shan Lu. Tel 6439 6010, Fax 6439 6285. The small, but nice Red Rhino is a French-style bistro, serving both, French and Chinese dishes. Adr: 1354 Yan'an Zhong Lu, Tel 6217 4021. For authentic Mexican snacks and decor, have a look at Ay Caramba, at 280 Cao Xi (N) Lu. Tel 6438 6700 ext 503. Another Mexican restaurant is the inexpensive Badlands, at 939 Yanan Zhong Lu. Tel 6273 9334. The Viva Elpopo also serves Mexican food. Adr: 12, Lane 19. Gubel New Area. An American Restaurant specializing in spare ribs is the Tony Roma's in the Shanghai Center at 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu. Of course there is also a Hard Rock Cafe in Shanghai. It serves dinner until 10 pm. There is also a bar and a disco. Address: Shanghai Center Retail Plaza, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu. Bars and Pubs The most famous place is the Old-Time Jazz Bar of the Peace Hotel, where the same band still plays after many decades! This place should not be missed. My favorite place is Sally's at 4 Xiang Shan Lu. The former English pub is now more of an American bar. You can play darts and pool and in the basement a life band is playing and there is a small dance floor. Drinks are not exactly cheap though, a small beer sells for CNY 35 and a large one for CNY 80. Tel 6327 1859. One of the first international bars, opened in 1994, is Malone's American Cafe at 257 Tong Ren Lu. It is very popular. Tel 6247 2400. For good live music go to Blues and Jazz at 44A Si Nan Lu. Tel 6327 2474, Fax 6358 9735. Open every Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 pm. The O'Malley's Irish Pub at 42 Tao Jiang Lu is typical Irish with a beer garden and daily live music. Rob, who runs the show, formerly operated Shanghai Sally's. Tel 6437 0667. Judy's Too, at 176 Mao Ming Nan Lu is a colonial style restaurant with music and dance on weekends. The Long Bar in the Shanghai Center is very American. A good place to start the evening, it features live Jazz music every Sunday afternoon. 1276 Nanjing Xi Lu. Rick's Cafe at 2F Yan An Xi Lu also serves curry dishes. Tel 6283 2638. The Manhatten Bar, at 231 Hua Shan Lu. is preferred by some to be visited before the Sunday Brunch in the Hilton... Tequila Mama, 24A Rui Jin Road, Tel 6433 5086. Penthouse Bar, top floor of Shanghai Hilton, Tel 6255 0000. Cotton Club, corner of Huaihai Lu and Fuxing Lu. There are several breweries in Shanghai that have their own restaurant and bar where you can taste their own fresh brew. The newest and most authentic is the Paulaner Brauhaus at 150 Fenyang Lu. It has three floors, with the upper two being galleries where you can look down onto the stage where a Phillippine band is performing. There is a small dance floor. The beer is brewed in traditional German style by a German brewmaster. It also serves German food and for a snack you should try the Bretzel. Tel 6474 5700. The Shanghai Bavaria Brauhaus Co. Ltd. is at No. 66-68 Xinhau Lu. Tel 6280 2364. The Babylon Fresh Beer City at 168-172 Yuyuan Lu also serves food and has a disco. Discos The most trendy disco in Shanghai is the New York Disco at 140 Hu Qiu Lu. Entrance is CNY 35 during the week and CNY 70 on weekends, when a drink is included. Tel 6321 6097. Another trendy disco is the L. A. Cafe at 5F, 188 Huai Hai (M) Lu. Tel 6358 097, Fax 6358 5377. Time Disco, 550 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, Tel 6327 5566, Fax 6327 9205. Ying Yang, Basement, 125 Nanchang Lu, Tel 6431 2668. A late night place (after midnight) is D.D's Club at 298 Xing Fu Lu. Tel 6280 8670. ************************************************************************** SHAOLIN MONASTERY http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shaolin.htm The Shaolin monastery is said to have been the home of monks that developed the Shaolin Kung Fu. Nowadays it is one of the big tourist attractions with Chinese spurred on by recent movies set in this monastery. Nowadays, there is a school for martial arts in the surrounding buildings. When I was there, I was astonished at the huge number of classes full of eager students learning martial arts. There must be several hundreds, if not thousands, at any one time. The easiest way to go to this monastery is to use one of the many tour busses from Zhengzhou. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shaolin.htm. ************************************************************************** SHENZHEN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shenzhen.htm Shenzhen is Chinas boomtown with a growth rate of over 40%. While it had only 30'000 people a few years ago, it boasts of a population of over 2 million! It is the fastest changin city in China and the Chinese have even coined the phrase "Shenzhen Speed" to replace "speed of lightning"! The most famous building of Shenzhen is the Diwang Building with about 80 floors. It contains some exclusive shopping arcades. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/shenzhen.htm. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C 13 14 18 22 26 27 28 28 27 24 20 15 F 55 57 64 71 78 81 83 83 81 75 68 59 Rain mm 152 203 254 279 381 508 457 406 330 203 152 127 in 6 8 10 11 15 20 18 16 13 8 6 5 Transportation If you use a taxi, make sure the meter is turned on. If you leave the town, however, you must negotiate the price. A taxi to Guangzhou costs about CNY 300 and takes about 2 hours. In the evening, many taxis from Guangzhou will return home, so you can bargain quite a bit. These taxis gather on Nanhu Lau, near Jiabin Lu. There are many coaches between Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Departure is next to the train station. ************************************************************************** SUZHOU http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/suzhou.htm Also called 'The Venice of China', this town of 2500 years indeed resembles its counterpart in Italy. There are many canals laid out in checkerboard style throughout the city. Suzhous main attraction are its many beautiful gardens. Some of the biggest and best known are: Zhouzheng Yuan (a humble administrator's garden), Shizilin (Lion's Grove), Changlangting (Surging Wave Pavilion), Yiyuan (Garden of Harmony), Hanshan Si (Cold Mountain North Temple Located in the north of the old part of Suzhou is the North Temple with its nine story pagoda. There is also a museum of traditional handicraft. Silk Factory Suzhou is famous for its silk production. It is possible to visit a factory and see how the silk is processed from the silk worm to the final woven cloth. At the end of the tour you'll be able to buy the final products in the factory shop. Make sure you check the prices, they indeed have special prices as announced, but especially high for foreigners. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/suzhou.htm. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C -1 2 8 14 19 25 27 26 19 14 7 1 F 30 35 47 56 67 77 80 78 66 56 44 33 Rain mm 76 76 76 102 152 203 305 254 178 152 102 76 in 3 3 3 4 6 8 12 10 7 6 4 3 ************************************************************************** TIANJIN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/tianjin.htm Tianjin is a huge coastal city with a lot of industry. It is located some two hundred kilometers souht-east of Beijing. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/tianjin.htm. ************************************************************************** URUMQI http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/urumqi.htm Urumqi is a boom town profiting from the railway. There are no big sights, but the city itself has a unique atmosphere. Apart from the Han Chinese, Urumqi is also home to the Uygurs. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C -15 -12 1 11 19 23 26 24 17 8 -3 -12 F 5 10 33 51 66 74 78 75 63 47 27 10 Rain mm 15 8 13 38 28 38 18 25 15 43 41 10 in .6 .3 .5 1.5 1.1 1.5 .7 1.0 .6 1.7 1.6 .4 Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/urumqi.htm. ************************************************************************** WUHAN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/wuhan.htm The capital of Hubei province, this city actually composes of three former cities, Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang, divided by the Chang Jiang and the Han rivers and linked by the big Yangtse Bridge in 1957. Sun Yatsen Park (Zhongshan Yuan) Opened from 5:00 to 19:30, this park offers relaxation as well as entertainment. There are several small lakes and a public swimming pool. The small zoo is home to more than 60 rare species, including the giant panda. Guiyuan Buddhist Temple Dating from late Ming, this temple has a large 105-ton Buddha sculptured of white stone. The Buddha was a gift from Burma in 1935. Gui Shan (Tortoise Hill) This hill offers a good view over the Yangtse. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/wuhan.htm. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C 3 5 10 16 21 26 29 28 24 18 11 6 F 37 41 50 61 70 80 84 83 75 64 53 42 Rain mm 152 152 203 279 305 381 254 203 178 178 152 127 in 6 6 8 11 12 15 10 8 7 7 6 5 ************************************************************************** XIAN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/xian.htm The region of Xian has been inhabited as far back as 6000 years. At that time the now rather barren plains were much greener and ideally suited for farming. The first emperor of the unified China, Qin Shihuang founded the capital of Xianyang, which is a bit west of Xian. Following the Qin was the Han dynasty that moved the capital further east, to the plain where Xian now is. In 528 the Sui built the new capital of Changan that was to ecome the greatest city in the world at that time, with about 2 million people. It was enclosed by a wall stretching 8 km north-south, and nearly 10 km east-west. Nowadays it is only a small part of its former self. As a reminder of the old importance as a center of commerce with many trading partners as far west as Persia and the Arabian world, there are still many Muslim. Sights Bell Tower Originally from the 14th century, this huge tower was relocated in 1739. It is possible to go to the top. Drum Tower Smaller than the Bell Tower, it is just near the Great Mosque and marks the entrance to the Muslim quarter. Great Mosque One of the largest mosques in China, this building dates back to the 18th century. The mosque is still regularly used, with several prayer services each day. City Walls Built on the remains of the Tang's Forbidden City during the Ming dynasty, the wall has a total length of 14 km. It is about 12 m high, and about the same width at the top. Big Goose Pagoda A bit south of the city wall is the Big Goose Pagoda. It was built in 652 after the holy monk Xuan Zhang returned from his journey to India where he fetched the holy scriptures. This journey has found its way into the great Chine classic 'The Journey to the West'. Xuan Zhang translated the whole scriptures into 1335 volumes of Chinese text. It is 64 m high and built out of wood and brick. It is possible to climb to the top. Little Goose Pagoda With 43 m high smaller than it's big brother, the Little Goose Pagoda is not far away. It was built in 707, also to hold holy scriptures brought back by another monk. Although its top has been destroyed by an earthquake in the 16th century, it is still possible to climb to the top. Banpo Neolithic Viallage Discovered in 1953, the remains of a village inhabited at the time of about 4500 BC to 3750 BC by the earliest settlers in the area are beautifully displayed with labels in both, Chinese and English. A trip to this village is often combined with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors. Terracotta Warriors In 1974, some peasants digging a well by chance uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. During his reign (from 247 BC until July 210 BC), Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China built himself a mausoleum with more than 8000 terracotta warriors guarding his dead body, not two of them looking the same. There were two walls around the mausoleum, the inner was 1355 m long and 850 m wide, with a circumference of 3870 m. Originally a hill of 150 m, the mausoleum itself is now (2200 years after it has been built) still 50 m high. It covered an area of no less than 350 x 345 m². There are three main pits with terracotta warriors inside. Pit 1 is 230 m long and 62 m wide, and is the main battle formation. Pit 2 is in the shape of an L, 96 long east-west and 84 m long north-south, making up another battle formation of mixed arms. Pit 3 is U-shaped. It is generally believed that pit 3 is the commando post for the battle formations of pit 1 and 2. A fourth pit has been found during June and July 1978. It is shaped in the fashion of the Chinese character zhong (middle). In December 1980 two bronze chariots with four horses has been found. They are half life size, with one chariot being 3.17 m long and 1.06 m high. It weighs 1241 kg and is made of 3462 components, of which 1742 are of bronze, 988 of silver and 732 of gold, and is beautifully painted. The horses are 91 and 93 cm tall and 110 to 115 cm long. There are four main category of figures, chariot warriors, infantry men, cavalrymen, and horses. There are generals, middle ranking officers, lower ranking officers, ordinary soldiers and armoured warriors. The latter can be further divided, according to their headgear into warriors with a square scarf, a cylindrical bun, a flat bun and kneeling warriors (crossbowmen). All in all, there are over 130 battle chariots, more than 500 chariot horses and some 116 cavalry horses. The horses are 2 m long and 1.72 m high. The entrance fee is exorbitantly high (for Chinese prices), but still worth it. It is possible to buy small replica of the figures for a couple of Yuan. Remember to barter. There are several good articles with beautiful photographs in magazines of the National Geographic Society, the latest October 1996. Order your free issue from Magazine Outlet. See also the section on Literature. Tours Many hotels offer tours to the Terracotta Warriors and other sights around Xian. However, prices differ considerably, as does quality. Ask if the entrance tickets to the sights are included or not. Also, be careful if the guide offers to buy tickets for you, since some try to charge you more than what you would pay at the ticket booth. Of course, you may be lucky, and the guide buying you Chinese tickets saves you some money. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C -1 2 8 14 19 25 27 26 19 14 7 1 F 30 35 47 56 67 77 80 78 66 56 44 33 Rain mm 76 76 76 102 152 203 305 254 178 152 102 76 in 3 3 3 4 6 8 12 10 7 6 4 3 days rain 3 5 7 8 8 8 11 11 12 8 6 4 Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/xian.htm. Restaurants One of Xian's specialities are the excellent dumplings. There is a famous restaurant at Jiefang Road. Or then, of course, you could try the food stalls located at Dong Shi Er Dao Xiang (the 12th Lane East.) ************************************************************************** XIAMEN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/xiamen.htm Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/xiamen.htm. ************************************************************************** YANGSHUO http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/yangshuo.htm Yangshuo is located some 90 km south of Guilin. It is a small town located in the midst of one of the world's most stunning landscapes. Whereas Guilin is a big expensive city, Yangshuo is the backpacker hangout, with a Western orientation and few rip-offs (people there know that most travellers know the prices and wouldn't buy at their place anymore.) Moon Hill Some km south of the town is a strange mountain with a big hole right through its middle. This shape gave it its name, Moon Hill. There is a footpath to the top, and the view from the top is breathtaking. When I was there, an old woman was selling drinks. Of course, I was thirsty. As soon as I had taken the first couple of gulps, I noticed the sweat pouring out of my pores. I was so occupied by the view that I simply forgot that I was dehydrating. Climate Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Air C 9 10 13 19 24 24 28 28 27 22 16 11 F 49 49 56 66 75 75 83 82 80 72 60 52 Rain mm 33 56 97 160 206 193 160 178 84 43 38 38 in 1.3 2.2 3.8 6.3 8.1 7.6 6.3 7.0 3.3 1.7 1.5 1.5 ************************************************************************** ZHENGZHOU http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/zhengzhou.htm Zhengzhou is located quite centrally in China. Consequently, most of China's major railways pass through it. It is conveniently located for a daytrip to the famous Shaolin Monastery. Hotels Reserve your hotel online at http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/places/zhengzhou.htm. ************************************************************************** BORDER CROSSING http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/border.htm Local and foreign currency up to the equivalent of USD 5000 may be imported or exported. It is advised (or sometimes even enforced) to declare your valuable goods, like cameras, video recorders, money, etc. Hong Kong An easy way to cross into China is by way of Hong Kong. There are several possibilities: by plane, by train, by bus of by boat. There are four planes daily that take 35 minutes and cost HKD 500. The trains take some 2.5 hours, while the bus need 4.5 hours. Between Shenzhen and the border is the KCRC, a kind of subway. It costs HKD 35. Get off at Lo Wu and walk 5 minutes to Shenzhen. There are several boats between Hong Kong and the mainland. Two boats to Gunagzho are available, a jetfoil (3 hours), and an overnight ferry (about HKD 300.) There is a boat between Shanghai and Hong Kong. It takes three days and provides relaxation between two bustling cities. Korea There is a ferry between Inchon and Tianjin. It runs on the 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 th every month from Inchon and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 th from Tianjin. It costs one way about USD 115-220 for second class and USD 250 for first. Between Inchon and Weihai the ferry takes 17 hours. It departs every Wednesday and Saturday on 16:00 from Inchon and on 17:00 every Monday and Thursday. Prices are USD 90 economy, USD 110 for second class, and USD 130 for first. Japan There is a ferry service between Nagasaki and Shanghai. The ferry doesn't run every day. Leave Nagasaki 10:00 Arrive Shanghai 16:00 Next Day Leave Shanghai 11:00 Arrive Nagasaki 9:00 Two Days Later The fares for one way and one person are per berth: Special A class JPY 41000 Special B class JPY 37000 1A class JPY 30600 1B class JPY 25200 2B class JPY 20700 Another ferry service runs from Kobe to Tianjin. It leaves every noon and arrives at 2 pm two days later. The cheapest berths cost USD 200. There is also a ferry between Kobe and Osaka and Shanghai. Vietnam It is possible to cross from Vietnam at Ping Xiang. The railway doesn't run through, however, so you have to walk or take a short ride on a motorcycle until you reach the train station at Ping Xiang. From Kunming there is a train to Hekou where you can cross the bridge (by foot) to Lao Cai. The train leaves at 14:45 and arrives the next morning at 7:00 in Hekou. There you will have to wait until the customs office opens at 8:00. Another open border station is DongXing / Mong Cai. To enter Vietnam, you will have an international vaccination book or pay a small surcharge. You will have to get off the train, cross the border, and get on again. Myanmar (Burma) The border from/to Myanmar is open for travellers, but you'll probably still have to convince the officials to let you through. Presumably it should be possible to enter Myanmar without having your passport stamped by both the Chinese and the Burmese. Of course, this means that you'll have to return to China again (and only need one visa). Of course, this is completely illegal, and I'm not sure how the officials might react. Kasachstan The border from /to Kasachstan is open for travellers. Kirgistan The border from /to Kirgistan is open for travellers. Pakistan It is possible to enter China by way of the Khunjerab Pass. Take a local bus and be at the border before 6 pm. ************************************************************************** CLIMATE http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/climate.htm China is a huge country with a big variety of local climates. There is not really a 'best' time to visit. The north is rather dry, and quite cold in the winter. In the south, the summers are hot and humid. The rainy season is between July and September. There are even occasionally typhoons. For average temperatures and rainfall, see in the section for the appropriate destinations. Temperature and rainfall charts are available for the following cities: Beijing Chengde Chengdu Chongqing Dali Emei Shan Guangzhou Guilin Hangzhou Huang Shan Kashgar Kunming Luoyang Nanjing Shanghai Shenzhen Suzhou Urumqi Wuhan Xian Yangshuo ************************************************************************** EMBASSIES http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/_embassy.htm For technical reasons, this has not been converted into text format. ************************************************************************** EVENTS http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/events.htm Below I have listed several events, some traditional and held since thousands of years, and others that are quite new. The list of events is by no means complete, but the most important ones are listed. Although they are generally ordered according to their place in the Western calendar, there may be some deviations from this rule since many festivals follow the lunar Chinese calendar. Guangzhou Flower Market This colourful market is held each year during the last three days of the Chinese year (i.e. three days before Chinese New Year). Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) occurs according to the old Chinese calender which follows the lunar year. It usually is held at the end of January or the beginning of February (see blow). New Year is the most important of all Chinese festivals and has a very old tradition. The origin date back to at least the Xia-dynasty (21st to 16th centruy BC). It officially lasts for three days, but many people take off the whole week. Preparations to the festival include memorials for the ancestors and displaying new-years-pictures and -scrolls. Main activities during the New Year celebrations are frightening away the ghosts with as many firecrackers as possible and visits of relatives and friends. Dragon and lion dances and Yangge dances are performed and there are lantern exhibitions. The traditional food are Jiaozi (Chinese Ravioli) and moon cakes, together with New Year's wine. Hotel rooms will get very scarce and expensive. The last few and the next Chinese New Years will be: 5 February 2000 Saturday Dragon Geng-Chen 24 January 2001 Wednesday Snake Xin-Si 12 February 2002 Tuesday Horse Ren-Wu 1 February 2003 Saturday Goat Gui-Wei 22 January 2004 Thursday Monkey Jia-Shen 9 February 2005 Wednesday Cock Yi-You 29 January 2006 Sunday Dog Bing-Xu 18 February 2007 Sunday Pig Ding-Hai 7 February 2008 Thursday Mouse Wu-Zi 26 January 2009 Monday Ox Ji-Chou 14 February 2010 Sunday Tiger Geng-Yin 3 February 2011 Thursday Rabbit Xin-Mao 23 January 2012 Monday Dragon Ren-Chen 10 February 2013 Sunday Snake Gui-Si 31 January 2014 Friday Horse Jia-Wu 19 February 2015 Thursday Goat Yi-Wei 8 February 2016 Monday Monkey Bing-Shen http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/calendar.htm Lantern Festival Held two weeks after New Year. Although not a public holiday, it is celebrated all over China. It marks the end of the New Year's celebrations. Since the time of the Song dynasty, Yuanxiao (cakes made of sticky rice with sweet stuffing) are eaten. Hainan Coconut Festival Held in the first decade of April on Hainan. This festival was held the first time in 1992 to promote Hainan's coconuts. Guanyin's Birthday Moon based Buddhist festival, late March to late April. Boat Meeting in Qintong 4 - 6 April, in Yangzhou in Jiangsu province. During the festival, boats meet on Qinghu lake. People dress in traditional costumes. A dragen boat race is held as well. Water-Splashing Festival Helad annually during 13 - 15 April, this Buddhist festival is held in Jinghong, Xishuangbana, Yunnan. It is the new year celebration of the Dai minority. According to the legend, a long time ago a fire demon wanted to force seven Dai girls to be his wives. Being a fire demon, everything he touched cought fire. So the seven girls extinguished the fire with water, killing the demon. Ching Ming The Tomb Sweeping Day is held in April. Chinese families tend the graves of their ancestors. International Labour Day 1 May Mazu's Birthday Moon based Buddhist festival, May or June Dragon Boat Festival Observed primarily in the south-west of China, the Dragon Boat Festvals are staged usually at the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (June). Particularly colourful is the one in Hong Kong. Anniversary of the Communist Party 1 July Anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army 1 August Ghost Month Buddhist festival held around late August to late September. Birthday of Confucius 28 September. In Qufu, the birth place of Confucius, there is a large Confucius festival held from 26 September to 10 October. The great philisopher and pedagoge was born in 551 B.C. and has made an impact that lasts until today. National Day 1 October. The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Buddhist festival held in October ************************************************************************** FOOD http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/food.htm China has a variety of different local cuisines. It can be categorized into the following main areas: Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan and Cantonese. Shanghaiese and Cantonese are dominated by sea food, whereas the northern Beijing style is leaning more towards noodles. Sichuan is very spicy. Huo Guo The Mongolian Firepot is available in Sichuan and in the north. It is really hot (spicy), and certainly worth the experience. Yoghurt China has some of the best yoghurt I ever had. They are sold on the street in glasses and you drink (!) them with a straw. Make sure to return the glass. Don't drink tap water. Even in the smallest guest houses in the remotest villages there are thermos bottles with boiled water. It is used to drink tea. Instead drink tea, mineral water, or soft drinks. Apart from the well known American products like Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, etc. there are many local versions of sweet lemonade. They are much cheaper and cause no health problems. Beer There are numerous local brands available, the most famous being Tsingdao. They are not only cheaper than the foreign ones, but most of the time even better. Some brands I liked most: Yanqing, Nanqing, Emei. Avoid 'Pacific Ocean'; personally, I would prefer the real thing (i.e. the Pacific Ocean water). ************************************************************************** GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china/general/geography.htm Area 9'596'960 km² Capital Beijing Borders Afghanistan (76 km), Bhutan (470 km), Hong Kong (30 km), India (3380 km), Kazakhstan (1533 km), North Korea (1416 km), Kyrgyzstan (858 km), Laos (423 km), Macao (0.34 km), Mongolia (4673 km), Myanmar (2185 km), Nepal (1236 km), Pakistan (523 km), Russia (northeast) (3605 km), Russia (northwest) (40 km), Tadshikistan (414 km), Vietnam (1281 km) coastline 14500 km Islands over 5000, the largest Hainan in the south. Highest point Zhumulamafeng (Mt. Everest), 8848 m Rivers over 1500, Changjiang 6300 km, Huanghe 5464 km Time GMT plus eight hours Measures Metric Electricity 220 V, 50 Hz In the Web-version of the Internet Travel Guide at http://www.pmgeiser.ch there would be a map right here. There is another map of China, much larger (1062 x 1054, 323 kB) and in colours. ************************************************************************** CHINA - Peter M. Geiser's Hotel and Travel Guide Copyright (c) 1995 - 2005, Peter M. Geiser http://www.pmgeiser.ch http://www.pmgeiser.com http://www.mineralwaters.org http://www.dussy.ch ************************************************************************** INTERNET HOTEL AND TRAVEL GUIDES New series by Peter M. Geiser and Sibylle Dussy, with many photos: HONG KONG http://www.pmgeiser.ch/hongkong JAPAN http://www.pmgeiser.ch/japan MACAU http://www.pmgeiser.ch/macau SWITZERLAND http://www.pmgeiser.ch/schweiz "Classics", FAQ of rec.travel.asia CAMBODIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/cambodia CHINA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/china LAOS http://www.pmgeiser.ch/laos MYANMAR (BURMA) http://www.pmgeiser.ch/myanmar TIBET http://www.pmgeiser.ch/tibet VIETNAM http://www.pmgeiser.ch/vietnam Hotel guides INDIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/india INDONESIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/indonesia MALAYSIA http://www.pmgeiser.ch/malaysia NEPAL http://www.pmgeiser.ch/nepal SINGAPORE http://www.pmgeiser.ch/singapore THAILAND http://www.pmgeiser.ch/thailand ************************************************************************** User Contributions: |
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