China --Maps, Histroy, Attractions, Photos

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China Ancient times (from antiquity to A.D. 1840) From archaeological findings we know that about 500,000-1,000,000 years ago, there were primitive human beings such as Yuanmous Man, Lantian Man and Peking Man in the wide expanse know today as China. After the long perod of primitive existence, the Xia Dynasty, the first in Chinese history, was established in the 21st century B.C., heralding the beginning of a slave society in China. The following shang and Western Zhou dynasties saw further development of the slave society. They came the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (i.e., the Eastern Zhou Dynasty), periods of transition from slave to feudal society. In 221 B.C., Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, ended the rivalry among the independent principalities in the Warring States Period and established the first centralized, unified, multi-national state in Chinese history - the Qin Dynasty. Subsequently, one dynasty replaced another. They included the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing. China remained a feudal society until the Opium War in 1840. Ancient China was fairly well developed in both economy and culture. During the apex of the Chinese feudal society - the Han and Tang dynasties - agriculture, handicrafts, weaving and shipbuilding were advanced. Transportation both by land and water was convenient; extensive economic and cultural relations were established with Japan, Korea, India, Persia and Arabia. Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass, four major creations of ancient Chinese science and technology, are embodiments of the wisdom and power of the Chinese peole which have exerted an enormously profound influence on the history of mankind. Meanwhile, famous thinkers in ancient China such as Lao Zi and Confucius were influencing the traditional Chinese culture and even the world civilizations. Sun Zi's Art of War remains an invaluable reference for people of the military and economic circles; Cao Xueqin's Dream of Red Mansions is considered the representative work of Chinese classical literature and continues to inspire research and study both at home and abroad. Great achievements were also made in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, geography and medicines. The Gan Shi Xing Jing (Gan Shi Catalogues of Stars) of the Warring States Period is the earliest catalogue of fixed stars in the world. Zhang Heng of the Han Dynasty invented the armillary sphere and seismograph. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties Zu Chongzhi calculated the Northern Dynsties Zu Chongzhi calculated the value of (?) to be between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927. He was the first person in the world to have accurately calculated the value of (?)to seven decimal places. The Ben Cao Guang Mu ( Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen fo the 16the century, records more than 1,800 kinds of herbal medicines and over 10,000 prescriptions. Modern Period (1840-1919) The Opium War, which started in 1840, was a turning point in Chinese history. In the 17 th and 18 th centuries the major countries of Europe were looking around for markets for their merchandise and colonies. To protect its opium in trade, Britain launched the war of aggression against China in 1840. In 1842 the corrupt Qing court signed the humiliating Treaty of Nanking with Britain, bartering away China's national sovereignty. This marked the reduction of China to a semicolonial, semifeudal country. The Revolution of 1911, a bourgeois democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, ended the rule of the Qing Dynasty. Thus, the monarchy that had existed in China for 2,000years came to an end, and the provisional government fo the Republic of China was founded.

Map of China - Continent View   Map of China - Country View   Photo Album of China Gallery Great Wall Three Gorges Three Gorges Dam Giant Panda Tiger Terra-cotta Warriors Li River Shangri-la Ethnic Minorities Mysterious Tibet Silk Road Zhouzhuang Snub-nosed Monkey Chinese Painting Yellow River   Photo Album of Main Cities Main Attractions Badaling Great Wall Great Wall, one of the most remarkable feat of mankind, whose segments were built as long ago as 500 B.C. Archaeologists estimate that the Wall once ran 6200 miles; today it is still impressive at 3,750 miles. Serious work began in 220 B.C, when China's first emperor Qin Shihuang, conscripted millions of soldiers and peasants to participate in this dangerous undertaking. Constructions continued over the centuries, with the most impressive portions built during the 14th century Ming Dynasty. Badaling portion is one of the best preserved segments and the highest point of the Great Wall. Walk along the wall overlooking splendid mountainous scenery. Tiananmen Square Tiananmen Square is the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the largest public square in the world, which can hold one million people. Having a free walk there, imagining the great historic events of the 20th century took place there. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125 foot granite obelisk, Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution. Forbidden City Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9999 and 1/2-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past. Tour the palace and imagine the mystery, intrigue and incredible power that reigned here The Forbidden City, now called the Palace Museum, is located in the center of Beijing. Starting in 1420, the Forbidden City was the home to 24 Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Now, it has developed into the Palace Museum, which displays art treasures of the past dynasties and is the richest treasury of cultures and arts in China. Lofty and magnificent, the Forbidden City is acclaimed to be one of the world five great palaces, parallel with Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in Britain, White House in the United States and Kremlin in Russia, and was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. Extending 750 meters east-west and 960 meters north-south, The Forbidden City covers 720,000 square meters, and is the largest palatial complex in the world and the most complete ancient architectural group extant in China. It has 9,999 buildings, and is called the Ocean of Palaces. Be it in terms of plain layout, three-dimensional effect or magnificent appearance, the complex is really an unparalleled masterpiece in the world. A central axis runs through the whole palace and the axis happens to be on the central axis of Beijing City. The Forbidden City is divided into southern and northern parts by the axis: The former served as the emperor's work area and the latter as his living quarters. The main structures are arranged along the central axis, and the buildings on both sides of it are symmetrical. The main structures in the work area that cannot be missed are the Taihe Dian (the Hall of Supreme Harmony), Zhonghe Dian (the Hall of Central Harmony) and Baohe Dian (the Hall of Preserved Harmony). All the three main halls are built on an eight-meter-high platform covering a total area of about 85,000 square meters. The Taihe Dian is the largest and most imposing hall. It is 60.1 meters wide, 33.33 meters deep and 35.05 meters high. Here the most important ceremonies of the feudal dynasties were held, such as the emperor's enthronement, his marriage and his conferring of titles and issuing orders on expeditions. On these occasions, thousands of people chanted "long life, long life, and long, long life" to his majesty, and hundreds of musical instruments and bells and drums sounded in unison. Behind the Taihe Dian is the Zhonghe Dian, where the emperor used to rest and receive officials before attending major ceremonies. The northernmost structure is the Baohe Dian, in which the emperor threw banquets and interviewed successful candidates for imperial examinations. The living quarters include the Qianqing, Jiaotai and Kunning halls and the six lesser halls on the east and west sides, which together are called "three main halls and six lesser halls", where the emperor and his concubines lived. North of the living quarters is a small but exquisite imperial garden. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), all the emperors lived in the Qianqing Gong (the Palace of Heavenly Purity), while empresses lived in the Kunning Gong (the Palace of Earthly Tranquility). The Jiaotai Dian (the Hall of Union) was a place for the activities of the empresses. But in the middle and late periods of the Qing Dynasty, the emperors and empresses all moved to the six lesser halls on the west side. The most famous is the Yangxin Dian (the Hall of Mind Cultivation). It became the place where most Qing emperors, starting from Emperor Yongzheng, lived and handled state affairs. It is also the place where Empress Dowager Cixi attended to state affairs behind the scenes for as long as 40 years. The whole complex is tightly guarded by two defense lines. One is the moat, which is 52 meters wide and six meters deep, surrounding the city wall; and the other is the city wall, which is 3,400 meters long, 10 meters high and 8.62 meters wide at the bottom. There are four gates: Wumen Gate to the south, Shenwu Gate to the north, Donghua Gate to the east and Xihua Gate to the west. On the four corners stand four turret towers, each with three layers of eaves and 72 ridges. They are masterpieces of the ancient architectural art. Some halls in the Palace Museum have developed into the Hall of Historical Arts, the Hall of Jewelry, the Hall of Watches and Clocks, the Hall of Paintings, the Hall of Potteries, the Hall of Toys and so on. The museum has a collection of 1,052,653 pieces of ancient art treasures, accounting for one sixth of the total cultural relics in China. It is the museum with the richest collection of cultural relics in China, and also a world-famous museum of ancient cultural arts. Many cultural relics preserved in it are unique in the world. Temple of Heaven Temple of Heaven was built in the 15th century, a sacred site for ancient Beijing, where the emperor and his 1000 member entourage would retreat twice a year for religious ritual. Surrounded by enormous grounds designed in accordance with fengshshui, the Temple complex consists of the Celebrated Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail. It is considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. Summer Palace Summer Palace built in 1888, was once a summer retreat and the imperial park for emperors. Have a lakeside cruise on the lovely Kunming Lake, enjoy the magical views of the hills, bridges and pagodas that grace the Palace grounds. Beihai Park Located in the center of Beijing City, construction of Beihai Park began in the 11th century. It has a history of 800 years. It is the imperial garden with the longest history in China. It has an area of 68 hectares that consists of Beihai Lake and Jade Flowery Islet and is built to represent the wonderland of ancient Chinese fairy tales. Beijing Zoo Beijing Zoo is located in the northwest area of Beijing city. It is the oldest and largest zoo in the Asia Pacific area and the world-famous home of the giant pandas. Originally it was an imperial manor during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Plants were cultivated and animals were raised here during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).Now it contains more than 7000 animals, including golden monkeys from Sichuan, yaks from Tibet, sea turtles from the Chinese sea, Manchurian tigers, and snow leopards. The Beijing Zoo is also famous for being the home of zoological research and for housing many rare birds and animals. Lama Temple Lama Temple Beijing (Yonghegong), or Palace of Peace and Harmony Lama Temple or Yonghegong Lamsery, a renowned lama temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism, is situated in the northeast part of Beijing city. Lama Temple, or Yanghegong, has a long and varied history. It was originally built in 1694 and originally used as official residence for court eunuchs of the Ming dynasty and was converted to the royal court of Prince Yongzheng(Yin Zhen) a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. Before he ascended the throne, during the 33rd year (1693) of Kangxi's reign of the Qing dynasty, it was remained Yonghegong. After the prince came to the throne in 1723, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery, a monastery for Mongolian and Buddhist Monks as it remains today. Lama Temple is now a typical Tibetan Monastery. Having been closed for many years during the Cultural Revolution it was refurbished and reopened in 1980. Hutong Tour Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane that is typical in Beijing. Most of them are found around the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people. Tricycles hold two people and peddled by an experienced bicyclist. Stops are made to visit a local family and see first-hand how the people of Beijing live. Ming Tombs Ming Tombs are the general names for the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), located 50 kilometers north from Beijing City. They were buried in elaborate complexes in the valley. Tomb constructions began here in 1409 and continued for 2 centuries. The valley was sealed off by a red gate at its only entrance, guards were posted to keep out the people, and no one, not even the emperor, could ride a horse on these grounds. The site of this huge cemetery was chosen by the emperor, Yongle, who oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City. The tombs reflect a similar conception of Imperial architecture, consisting of walls, gates, courtyards, stairways, and elaborate pavilions with roofs of yellow tiles (yellow being the color of emperors). The actual burial chamber (a tumulus) is underground. The emperor, his wife, and his favored concubines were the only people buried there, along with enough royal treasure to stuff a small museum. The entrance to the Ming Tombs, a long and celebrated Spirit Way, is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. The most particular one is the Changling, the tomb of emperor Yongle and the Dingling, featuring an underground palace. This "Forbidden Valley" of dead kings covers about 15 square miles. Mutianyu Great Wall Great Wall, one of the most remarkable feat of mankind, whose segments were built as long ago as 500 B.C. Archaeologists estimate that the Wall once ran 6200 miles; today it is still impressive at 3,750 miles. Serious work began in 220 B.C, the first emperor Qin Shihuang in China, conscripted millions of soldiers and peasants to participate in this dangerous undertaking. Constructions continued over the centuries. Located in Huairou County 70km northeast of Beijing, Mutianyu section of Great Wall is connected with Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Gateway in the east. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Mutianyu section of Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. First built in the mid-6th during the Northern Qi dynasty, Mutianyu Great Wall is older than Badaling Great Wall. In the Ming dynasty, under the supervision of General Xu Da, construction of the present wall began on the foundation of the wall of Northern Qi. In 1404, a pass was built in the wall. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt and till today most parts of it are well preserved. The Mutianyu Great Wall has the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall.

Great Wall

The Great Wall
The Great Wall is a symbol of the ancient Chinese civilization. Stretching 3,950 miles, The Great Wall was built as a defensive structure. It is listed in the United Nation's Education, Science and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 1987. The best preserved and most imposing section of the wall is at Badaling, 50 miles north of Beijing and over 2,625 feet above sea level, but the magnitude and beauty of the wall can also be seen at Jinshanling, Mutianyu, and Simatai.

The Construction of the Great Wall first began during the warring period of 476 - 221 B.C. In the beginning walls were built at some strategic points by different kingdoms to protect their own territories. After the first Emperor Qin Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty unified China in 221 B.C., he decided to have the individual walls joined together creating one Great Wall. It took more than 1 million people and more than 10 years to finish the work.

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In 1974, three large pits of terra-cotta figures were found about 1 mile east of the mausoleum. The excavation revealed more than 7,000 pieces of pottery figurines, bronze chariots and horses and weapons. Three burial pits were found. The No. 1 pit contains a rectangular formation of chariots and army troops; the No. 2 pit holds a winding formation of chariots, army troops and cavalries; and the No. 3 pit designed to symbolize a command headquarters. The Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Tomb Figures of Soldiers and Horses is one of the 10 most famous places in China, and was announced as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. For 1,062 years beginning in the 11th century B.C., Xi'an was the capital of 13 dynasties including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Eastern Han, Sui, and Tang. The continuous dynastic occupation kept the city beautiful and magnificent. More than two hundred and seventy palaces and temples were built during its heyday, such as the "Three Han Palaces" in the Han dynasty, namely Changle, Weiyang, Jianzhang Palaces, and numerous other palaces and watch towers. The most well known among these is the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, with the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Xi'an is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. 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When Marco Polo came to Hangzhou in the 13th century, he acclaimed that "It is the most beautiful and elegant city in the world". There is also a popular saying: "Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou." Hangzhou attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Besides its natural beauties, Hangzhou is also famous for silk and tea. Main Attractions West Lake West Lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in China. For centuries, the West Lake has been well known both for its picturesque landscape and for cultural heritage surviving yet illustrating the past dynasties. The landscape area of the West Lake includes the surrounding hills and nearby historical sites as well as the lake itself. The lake area covers around 60 square kilometers consisting of 5.68 square kilometers of water area. Lingyin Temple Aside from the West Lake, Lingyin Temple (Temple of Inspired Seclusion) is one of the biggest and most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. It was first built by an Indian monk named Huili in 326A.D. The temple was named Lingyin Temple (Temple of Inspired Seclusion) for its environment is very beautiful and serene and suitable for "gods rest in seclusion". Melting Snow at Broken Bridge The snow scene of the west lake enjoys very high praise by people, especially the view of "Belting Snow at Broken Bridge". There are different sayings about the name. One of them is that it snows almost every winter in Hangzhou and when the sun comes out after snowfall, the snow on the sunny side of the bridge melts first, while the snow on the shady side still lingers. Looked at a distance or from a nearby hill, the bridge appears to be broken. It is a favorite stopover for you. Especially on fine winter days after a snow, you may stand on the bridge to feast your eyes on the snow scene far and near. Distant hills, clad in white, grow more enchanting. The famous Chinese folk story "The Tale of White Snake" brings the broken bridge some romance. Yue Fei's Temple Yue Fei's Temple was built in honor of Yue Fei, a general of the Southern Song dynasty when the capital of China was in Hangzhou. He was falsely accused and executed at the behest of the Prime Minister, Qin Hui, in 1141. Twenty years later the emperor recognized the general's loyalty and had this tomb and temple complex built to honor him. At one time the temple was an active center of worship, under the direction of the state cult, with semi annual sacrifices. Today it is a memorial to the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, which General Yue displayed, but has no religious significance. The buildings are all in excellent condition and constitute a museum of sorts. They have obviously undergone major renovation in recent years. The tombs and the tomb sculptures date from the 12th century, and have been meticulously restored. Tiger Spring Situated at the foot of Daci Hill southwest to the West Lake, Tiger spring ranks the third best in China. "Dragon Well Tea" and "Tiger Spring water" are rated as two uniqueness of the West Lake. According to the experts, the mineralization of the spring water is as low as 0.02 - 0.15 gram in every liter because the water is seeping through quartzite contains little dissolved matters. Therefore, its water is pure and clear. Tests show that the water is contributive to people's health. This attraction is featuring the springs. Along the foot of the hill, there is a streamlet meandering. It is a pleasant experience to listen the spring there. Walking along the path, you will see a tiger status at the foot of the Luxuriant Green Cliff. From the left side of the cliff is the source of the spring. This place gives you a very happiness to watch the spring. Then, you can have a seat in a tea house near the cliff to enjoy a cup of Dragon Well green tea brewed in Tiger Spring water. You will find the spring water can bring out the best in each. It is called " Spring Taste" Haining Tide There are two gushing tides nature phenomena in the world. One is in the mouth of the Amazon River in South America; another is Haining Tide, which is in the north bank of the Qiantang River. The topography is narrow inner and wide outside from Hangzhou Bay to the mouth of the Qiantang River, just like a bugle. At the same time, the tides of the river push toward in a high speed which is 10 meters each second. The water will be suddenly gush and pile up. The height of the tides will develop very fast, so the head of the tides stands up as a great wall, flying to the sky. Watching such tides can be really an experience. China Silk Museum Located at the foot of the Jade Emperor Hill to the south of West Lake, China Silk Museum, open to the public on February 26, 1992, is a national theme museum. It covers a floor space of more than 10,000 square meters. The museum is composed of 8 exhibition halls, including those of General Introduction, Silk Cultural Relics, National Customs and Practice, Silkworm Raising and Cocoons, Silk Reeling, Silk Weaving, Silk Dyeing and Modern Achievements. Silk cultural relics of different times in Chinese history are on display, ranging from the New Stone Age to the present days. In the museum visitors can also see the silk production tools of the ancient times in China like silkworm raising tools, silk reeling, weaving and dyeing machines and the silk production line as well as the scenes of production activities of the early laboring people. In addition, visitors can also appreciate the rich and varied silk culture and local customs and practice related to silkworm raising and silk production, including folk tales about silkworm god, sacrificial ceremony for silkworm raising, silkworm raising ground, and silkworm cocoon harvesting festival. In the hall of modern achievements, famous silk products are on display, showing the achievements that have been made since the founding of New China. China Silk Museum has also become one of the tourist destinations in Hangzhou. China Tea Museum Located in the Dragon Well Village of the West Lake District in Hangzhou, China Tea Museum was completed and began to be open to the public in April 1991. It covers an area of 3500 square meters with a green area of 22,644 square meters. The museum consists of four separated buildings, namely, those of exhibition, tea sipping and tasting, tea service ceremony, and multi-function. The exhibition building is again divided into 6 exhibition zones, including history of tea-growing, famous teas, events related to tea, friendship, tea sets and tea service customs. Visitors can also learn about tea-growing and tea-drinking in different countries throughout the world. Dragon Well Tea Plantation Dragon Well Tea is well known worldwide, the water of dragon well is sweet and nice. The green tea here enjoys very high reputation since Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D) for its four special features: green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and smooth even appearance. The Pagoda of Six Harmonies Located on the northern bank of the Qiantang River, south of Hangzhou's city, the Pagoda of Six Harmonies first built in 970 A.D but destroyed in war. What we see today is a brick and wooden structure rebuilt in 1153 A.D. With 59.89 meters high, the pagoda is the best place to have a bird-eyes-view of the scenery around Qiantang River. Rafting on Double Stream along Bamboo Sea The Tiaoxi Stream near the Double Stream Town of Yuhang district is a paradise for rafting. And Rafting on Double Stream along Bamboo Sea is really an exciting experience. This section of the stream attracts merry-making visitors with its three major features. The stream is uniquely clear. Floating on a raft on the stream, which empties into the Taihu Lake, enables one to see fish swimming in the water in some sections of the stream. The brook has many rapids. Rafting on the stream, one can fall down some falls, the highest of which is 3 meters in height. In big splashes and thundering noise, the raft surges down the stream, bringing adventurous and thrilling moments. The stream is flanked by bamboo groves heavily and thickly. For ten kilometers along the Tiaoxi Stream are bamboo groves. Moving among the fresh greens, one feels as if it were a paradise. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is also named as "Lesser Yingzhou" which means the "Fairy Islet". Among the three islet in the lake, the Lesser Yingzhou is the biggest and finest one. And it is recommended as "The best scenic spot in West Lake". The islet covers an area of 7 hectares including the water surface and features a lake within an island and an island within a lake. This island was built in 1607 with dredges from the lake to create a lake within a lake initially. Afterwards, three small gourd- shaped pagodas were built in the south lake of the islet called three pools. At the beginning of Qing Dynasty, a general named Peng Yulin, after retiring from his official post, built for himself a garden villa on the island and then zigzag bridges, pavilions were added. After you go ashore at the- port located on the north of the islet, two buildings will meet your eye firstly. Then, you will walk along the zigzag bridge which is better known as the Nine Turn Bridge. There are total four pavilions along this bridge including the Open Net Pavilion, Tingting Pavilion, Emperor Kangxi Stele Pavilion and "Heart linking to - Heart ". ------------------------------------------------- Brief Introduction of Suzhou Located on the shore of Taihu Lake in southeast Jiangsu Province, Suzhou, known as a" paradise on earth," is a renowned historical and cultural city with a history of more than 2,500 years. Suzhou is known primarily as the Venice of the East and the City of Gardens. It has remains of the city wall (including land and water gates), old-style houses (with tile roofs and white-washed walls) lining the canals, as well as temples, pagodas, and gardens of special historical interest. Main Attractions Humble Administrator's Garden Located in the northeast Suzhou city of Suzhou, the Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest classical garden in Suzhou and one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. It was originally built in 1513 A.D by Wang Xianchen, an imperial censor who had just been demoted and sent back to his hometown. The garden consists of three parts with different types buildings around streams and ponds. Hanshan Temple Located in Fengqiao Town, west of Suzhou City, with its history of more than 1400 years, the Hanshan Temple used to be one of the top ten ancient temples in China. The temple has become so famous because of the poem " Stay Overnight at Feng Qiao" written by the Tang-dynasty poet Zhang Ji. The bell in Hanshan Temple rings on the eve of Chinese New Year, bringing good luck to all people nearby.. Lingering Garden The Lingering Garden was first built in 1522, one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. The garden is separated into the middle, eastern, northern and western parts connecting with beautiful corridors of 700 meters long. The whole garden features with artificial mountains, unique limestone, beautiful pavilions and a number of attractive buildings. Lion Grove Garden As one of the best classical gardens in Suzhou city and known as a "kingdom of artificial mountains", the Lion Grove Garden was built by the disciples of the famous Buddhist monk Tian Ru, in 1342the second year of the Zhizheng Reign of the Yuan Dynasty. It was a temple garden in its early days. The entire garden is laid out according to a compact design, with artificial mountains piled up in the southeast and a water surface the northwest. The Lion Grove Garden is famous for its many rocks grotesque in shapes resembling lions. Zhouzhuang Town Located 40 kilometers southeast of Suzhou city, Zhouzhuang Town has a history of 900 years. Most of the buildings in the town were constructed in the Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911 AD) and all are well preserved. Zhouzhuang Town is regarded as the best representative of the Chinese traditional ancient water town. Tiger Hill Tiger Hill (Huqiu) is the most famous sight in Suzhou city, enjoying the reputation of "the first scenic spot in Wu area" by its imposing beauty, including Leisure Spring, Testing Sword Rock, Third Spring, Broken-Pillar-Hall and Mountain Villa Wrapped in Emerald Green etc. With only 36 meters high and an area of 20hectares, you might think it is an an artificial hill, but its history can be traced back to 2500 years ago. The Tiger Hill Pagoda in the park is the landmark of Suzhou city. North Temple Pagoda Situated in the Northern Temple( also called Baoensi), the North Temple Pagoda was first built in 502-557 AD, and rebuilt in 1153 AD. The pagoda as well as a tower with nine stories and 76 meters high, is a great place to get a fantastic view of the entire city. Panmen City Gate Panmen City Gate is the oldest city gate in existence in Suzhou city. It used to be one of the eight city gates during the Spring & Autumn Annals (770-476 BC) when Suzhou was the capital of the Wu Kindom. The current gate was reconstructed in 1351. It consists of Water and Land Gates, city gate tower and city walls at both sides. The Garden of the Master of Nets The Garden of the Master of Nets is the smallest residential garden but most impressive one in Suzhou city. It was first built in the Song Dynasty (960-1280 AD), featuring with effective use of space. The small space is its greatest charm as it encompasses all the elements of a classic Chinese garden within close boundaries. -------------------------------------------- Brief Introduction of Nanjing As the capital city of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing (formerly known in the West as Nanking) is the political, economic, and cultural center. It is one of the ancient capitals and an outstanding tourist city. Nanjing was made the capital of ten feudal dynasties in China. It is a wealthy, prosperous city, benefiting both from its proximity to Shanghai, and from its gateway position on the Yangzi River , which stretches away west deep into China interior. Main Attractions Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge was the first double deck and double track highway and railway bridge designed and constructed by Chinese themselves. The upper highway bridge is 4589 meters long and the lower railway bridge is 6772 meters long. Each arch of the main bridge spans 160 meters. Having turned the deep chasm into a thoroughfare, the bridge stands grand and magnificent. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was built for Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Sun has been respected as Father of Modern China since he fought unyieldingly against the corrupt Qing government and led the 1911 revolution to end feudal system and found Republic of China, leading Chinese people into a new era. He was born in 1866 in Xiangshan County (Now belongs to Zhongshan City), Guangdong Province and died on March 12, 1925, in Beijing. The mausoleum is situated at the foot of the second peak of Mount Zijin. Construction of the tomb started in 1926, taking three years. He was buried here on June 1, 1929. Reclining on mountain slope, the mausoleum looks majesty and sublime. It has become a must for all visitors to Nanjing. The Confucius Temple Situated on the north bank of the Qinhuai River, consisting of 3 architectural complexes, the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) was originally built in 1034. It has been the center of culture, commerce and life for the citizens of the city since then. Today, the entire area around the temple consists of a series of tourist shops, snack bars, restaurants and entertainment arcades all done up in "Ming" and "Qing" style architecture. The area is great fun and a very pleasant part of the city to walk around. It is particularly interesting in the evenings when a lively street market sets up in the district, and locals and tourists take part in the bargain hunting! Mount Qixia The name of Mount Qixia means the mountain where rosy clouds perch. In autumn, the mountain wears red when maples go red. It lies 22 kilometers northeast of Nanjing. Three peaks of the mountain are called Mount Tiger, Mount Dragon and Peak of Flying Phoenix. The last one is the highest peak. The Natural beauty and historic sites of the mountain win it a great reputation. Xuanwu Lake Xuanwu Lake lies northeast of Nanjing near the railway station, out of the city wall. It used to be the drilling camp of the imperial navy and recreation center of aristocrats. The lake is surrounded by mountains. In the lake, there are five isles which are connected by bridges or mounds, each of them having a very attractive and unique flavor. Huan Isle is famous for its willow trees in the mist in spring, while Ying Isle is popular for its cherry blossom; Liang Isle is noted for its chrysanthemums in autumn; Cui Isle wins fame for its varieties of trees and quietness; Ling Isle attracts people for its purple and golden clouds. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Set on the southern slope of the Zhongshan Mountain of Nanjing,Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum ,the mausoleum of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhu Yuanzhang, and the empress, is the largest among the mausoleums of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Although most of the ground buildings were destroyed during wars, the former splendor can still be seen from the existing wide approach, 800-meter-long, that leads to the mausoleum, flanked on both sides by giant stone statues of warriors and animals. Zhonghua City Gate Zhonghua City Gate, means Chinese gate, is the best preserved Chinese ancient castle, and the biggest and most splendid city gate of Nanjing city wall. The gate was built from 1366 to 1386.The whole structure was built with huge bricks and special cement which is extraordinarily strong. The delicately designed gate has four archways, and three trap cities which were the enclosed vacant lots between the archways. ----------------------------------------------- Brief Introduction of Shanghai Once known as the "Paris of the East", Shanghai is now a city with the population of more than 13 million, the largest economic and trade center, as well as a famous historical and cultural city in China. It is also a famous tourist destination with many beautiful tourist attractions, such as The Bund, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple. The city is an intriguing mix- along the riverside are grand streets with European-style buildings and the old Chinese Quarter nearby. It is said that shopping in Shanghai is the most varied and rewarding in China. Main Attractions Shanghai Museum As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower With its 468 meters high (1,536 feet), the tower is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world as well as the tallest structure in Asia. It is the best place to have a birds-eye-view of Shanghai City. With its unique and amazing design, it has become the new landmark of Shanghai and a big magnet for tourists.?The viewing area is half-way up and offers a splendid unparalleled view of the Bund, the emerging new modern Shangha. The view of Shanghai from this height fills you with wonder at the beauty that surrounds you. The Yu Garden (Yuyuan) This delightfully restored labyrinth of tiny specialty shops, tea and snack houses centered around a Ming -dynasty mandarin Suzhou-style garden is a fascinating spot to people-watch over a pot of tea, to shop for unique souvenirs and to get a feel for Old Shanghai. It is well worth a meander through the Yu Garden, which has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools and flora, all connected by corridors and passageways. The Bund No visit to Shanghai is complete without a stroll along the waterfront to experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street" in Shanghai. Banks, trading houses, residences, hotels and clubs all had a view of bustling Huangpu River traffic as they shared in the city's rising and falling fortunes. Many of old buildings, such as the Customs House, Bank of China, Peace Hotel and Shanghai Mansions still stand and are very much in use. Chenghuang Temple Chenghuang Temple was returned in 1997. Now just the temple and the palace are under religious administration. (Note: The rest of the buildings are stores.) Most of the buildings in the Chenghuang Temple were built before 1911 in the ancient Chinese architectural style. The Chenghuang Temple was known as the Kingdom of Snacks. It has become a must for domestic and foreign visitors to Shanghai. Shanghai Botanic Garden Shanghai Botanic Garden is founded at a site for tree cultivation in1974, and now serves as one of the most tree planted areas in Shanghai. At this area of 81 ha there are more than 3000 species of plants peculiar to this region, including 108 sorts of rare plants or plants on the verge of extinction. Each summer, the garden stages a lotus flower exhibition, which has become popular among locals and tourists alike. Children's Palace Shanghai Children's Palace is the former home of one of old Shanghai's most prominent Jewish families - the Kadoories. It was built mainly of marble and was called the Marble Hall. Its delicate inner decorations are imitations of the European royal style of the 18th century. Now it is a "happy world" for children to carry out extracurricular activities. Jade Buddha Temple (Yufosi) It is the most famous and one of the most active Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Built in 1911, this saffron walled complex is the seat of the Shanghai Buddhist Association. Named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha, one is 1000kg, 1.9 meter-high figure carved from Burmese jade brought to China in 1882, and a smaller reclining Buddha, the temple receives thousands of visitors and worshipers daily. Although Chinese New Year and the Buddha's birthday are the most popular time to visit the temple for the faithful, it is possible to witness ceremonies at other times.