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Changsha Travel Guide

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:31:16 +0000

Situated in the river valley along the lower reaches of the Xiang River, Changsha is the capital city of Hunan Province. The recorded history of Changsha can be traced back 3,000 years. Tomb relics from the primitive periods witnessing the earliest human activities have been discovered in this region. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. – 476 B.C.), the area developed into an important town within the State of Chu, (one of the seven warring states that existed before China’s unification by Emperor Qin). After Emperor Qin (the first feudal emperor in China’s history) unified the country, the town was set up as a county and later became the capital city of a state in the early Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220). The tomb excavation site of Mawangdui found in the eastern suburb of the city is a family graveyard from that period. The most fantastic historical relic should be the well-preserved mummified remains of a Western Han Dynasty woman excavated from the tombs. Some of thousands of relics unearthed include silk products, paintings, lacquer works, potteries, bamboo slips used for writing, weapons and herbs, all of which are exhibited in Hunan Provincial Museum.

In the dynasties that followed, the city experienced several expansions and during China’s Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it has developed into the political, economic and cultural center of Hunan Province.

Although not as ancient a capital city as Beijing, Nanjing or Xian, Changsha also has rich historical heritages including old wall remains, tomb sites, religious temples and buildings. What earns the city its reputation among tourists are two things. One is a great man in China’s recent history, Chairman Mao Zedong and the other is Yuelu Academy, a time-honored academic school perched on the scenic Yuelu Mountain. Originally built in 976 during the Song Dynasty, the academy school survived through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and is considered to be the cradle of Huxiang Culture. (simply means the culture school in Hunan Province)

The village of Shaoshan, about 130 kilometers south-west of Changsha is the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong. Today, the village has become a memorial place for Chinese people to remember this extraordinary man. People erected a statue of the Chairman and have preserved the houses he lived as a tourist site. A museum and other memorial spots in the scenic area create a kind of solemn atmosphere. Many Chinese come to pay respect and visit here during the memorial days.

In addition, the city was home to other revolutionary leaders including Liu Shaoqi, Huyaobang and former Chinese prime minister, Zhu Rongji. Therefore, it acts as a good place to learn more about China’s recent history.

Changsha people boast to be the best gourmand of China and here people spend a lot of time eating.Xiang Cuisine is one of the Eight Cuisines in China and has a fine and delicate appearance and a hot & sour taste and the heavy and hot taste is an equal competitor to the spicy food of Sichuan. Street dining and restaurants in the city make every visitor’s mouth hot. No matter the featured snacks – ‘Stinky Tofu’ and ‘Sisters’Rice Balls’ in Huogongdian (Fire Palace) or the famous spicy shrimps at Nanmenkou, the many types of delicious local food will not disappoint any guests.

Changsha people are also renowned for their acting and have created various traditional folk art performances of their own including the local operas, storytelling, drum opera, acrobatics and other dramatic styles. Everyone can feel their hospitalities and enthusiasm by their vigorous dances. Today, most of the entertainment houses in the city present dynamic and entertaining performances featuring a blend of the traditional essence and the modern flare. The neon lights of KTV squares, disco parlors, clubs and dancing squares illuminate the city at night. Dotted with all sorts of bars and pubs, Jiefang Xilu, although not as prosperous as Sanlitun Pub Street in Beijing, has its own styles. Romantic and quiet bars, dynamic show bars, teahouses, western style restaurants…People of all ages can find their ideal place to spend their leisure time.

About Wulingyuan

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:58:28 +0000

WULINGYUAN
Often called Zhangjiajie, this 243-squaremile(391-sq-km) scenic preserve is a karst landscape of enormous beauty,with rocky pinnacles rising from a coverlet of dense sub-tropical vegetation. Wulingyuan covers three natural reserves – Zhangjiajie,Tianzi Shan, and Suoxi Yu –World Natural Heritage-World Geopark-The First National Forest Park of China.and contains well over 500 species of tree, including the dawn redwood It is also a haven for fauna, including giant salamanders,rhesus monkeys, and a wide variety of birds.The park is often cloaked in fog, adding atmosphere but obscuring most views. Summers are excessively humid.

STAR SIGHTS

1、Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Including：Huang Shi Zhai- Golden whip stream-Yaozizhai-Yuanjiajie(xianrenqiao-kongzhongtianyuan)
2、Tianzi Mountain(tianzishan)
3、Huanglongdong(Yellow Dragon Cave)
4、Baofenghu(Baofeng Lake)
5、Folk Custom Grand Theatre(Zhangjiajie Western charm Grand Theatre)

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Huang Shi Zhai

Golden whip stream

Yuanjiajie-xianrenqiao

Yuanjiajie-kongzhongtianyuan

Tianzi Mountain

Tianzishan

Tianzishan-Yubifeng

Huanglongdong

Yellow Dragon Cave

BAOFENGHU:Boat trips on Baofeng Hu’s pristine waters are included in the price of admission. Of course, you can sing love songs with Tujia girls.

Baofeng Lake

Western charm Grand Theatre, is a long history of theater in the Zhangjiajie Scenic Area.It was founded in March 2001, after eight years of development, has gradually become a world famous brand of cultural tourism.It can accommodate 1080 people in the performing arts field, located in Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Show various forms of ethnic culture and folk customs of Zhangjiajie:Singing love songs and Wedding crying and The traditional Hand-waving Dance and Xiangxi ganshi and Zhangjiajie Hard Qigong and so on..

Zhangjiajie Western charm Grand Theatre

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:42:15 +0000

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was established by the State Council in 1982 as the 1st National Forest Park of China. Covering 13 sq km, the park is known for its unique landscape with lush forests dominated by quartzite sandstone pillars. Bubbling brooks and charming lakes wind around the area and connect giant caves.

One of China’s most beautiful nature reserves, Zhangjiajie has wonderful hiking trails in a serene environment of staggering natural beauty.Highlights in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Huangshizhai(Yellow Stone Stronghold) Golden Whip Brook,Yaozizhai,Yuanjiajie.Zhangjiajie village is a part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.and also a hospitality center with a population of 500 local people, tourist facilities have been set up, there are one 4-star hotel(Xiangdian International Hotel), one government VIP reception hotel(Pipaxi Hotel), 3-star hotel(Honghegu Hotel, Minsu Hostel, Yalin Hotel),and some hostels like Transport hotel and Railway hotel, a post office, a China Mobile office, a bank of agriculture where ATM is for foreign credit card, internet cafe, shops for daily necessity and local Souvenirs, and local restaurants.Transport information: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is 32km away to Zhangjiajie city, 38km away to Zhangjiajie Train Station and Airport; it will take 40 minutes drive to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, public buses run between the city and the park.

Origin of the name,The new name of Zhangjiajie City was adopted in 1994, after the National Forest Park in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源) in order to give it more prominence and after this site had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The National Forest Park had been given the name of Zhangjiajie after the name of a small village located within its bounds, and now a popular tourist attraction within the park. The three-character name (张家界) can be interpreted as follows: Zhang (张) is a common surname in China; jia (家) can be translated as family; and jie (界) can be translated as homeland, giving the completed translation of Zhang family homeland. It has been reported that at least one tourist guide has said that the name may have been chosen to convey the idea or impression of Open the family door to welcome the world, but this is not the locally-accepted and directly translated meaning of the name.

Paradise Mountain

Memorable Views

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Scenery

Antique Mansion

Breathtaking Mountains

Awesome Views

Beautiful Scenery of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Mountain Stream

Sightseeing Lift

A Corner of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Huangshi Village

Fenghuang Town

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:16:54 +0000

Feng Huang is Chinese for Phoenix, the mythical bird of good omen and longevity that is consumed by fire to be re-born again from the flames. Feng Huang Cheng or Phoenix Town is so called as legend has it that two of these fabulous birds flew over it and found the town so beautiful that they hovered there, reluctant to leave.

The town is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. Upon entering the town the visitor will be impressed by its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. This is a world that is dominated by the colour green. The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings. This is particularly true when mist pervades the scene in the early morning or after rain. It soon becomes apparent that the claim to being one of the two most beautiful towns in the whole of China is more than justified; the other town is Chang Ting in Fujian Province.

Feng Huang Cheng is a wonderful example of what villages were like prior to the onset of modernization. Here dozens of alleys paved with flagstones run between the houses, each showing wear caused by the feet of generations of local people who have used them when going about their daily business. For the visitor, these alleys are the way to see the typical high gabled wooden houses built on stilts along the banks of the Tuo Jiang River at close quarters.

Stretching diagonally from the northwest to southeast of the town, Tuo Jiang River is a life force of the local people. Here in its waters women wash their clothes and the men fish with their nets, while on the bank food is prepared in much the same way as it has for centuries. The river also provides a means for boatmen to support their families by ferrying tourists up and down stream so that they may admire the many splendours of the town.

The Miao ethnic minority is predominantly settled here and a visit to a Miao village is a must when going to Feng Huang Cheng. The Miao women have a natural beauty that renders the use of cosmetics quite unnecessary. They love to dress in traditional blue garments set off with a white scarf. They love also their silver jewellery especially during festivals. Visitors will find a large array of hand made items of silver ornaments for sale in the local shops. Home made tie-dyes, printed and batik cloths are other local specialities that make wonderful souvenirs. The Miao are friendly and hospitable and like nothing more than to interact with visitors with a variety of traditional entertainments and activities. Food here also is different from that found elsewhere in China. Pickled red peppers are a particular local delicacy and their appetizing smell wafts from the many small family run restaurants..

Feng Huang Cheng was home to the versatile writer Shen Congwen (1902-88) who contributed greatly to the development of modern Chinese literature. Venerated by the local residents, the one time home and the tomb of this famous writer have become tourist attractions.

There are two other notable people from the town worthy of mention. The first is Xiong Xiling the famous philanthropist who was the first premier of the Republic of China (1921-49) following the fall of the Manchu. The other famous citizen is Huang Yongyu, an outstanding contemporary painter in the traditional Chinese style. His frescoes illustrating Buddhist stories in the Zhunti Nunnery are a major tourist attraction..

Feng Huang Cheng does not rely entirely upon natural beauty to attract the visitor for this ancient town with a history spanning 1300 years has a number of remarkable old gardens as well as distinctive residential buildings, elegant bridges and mysterious towers and pagodas. These architectural delights date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Those of special interest are the Wengchen Pavilion, Huang Si Qiao Castle, Tian Wang Temple, Da Cheng Hall, Chao Yang Palace, and the tomb of Shen Congwen and the residence of Xiong Xiling. Here too there are the North Gate and South Great Wall both excellent examples of municipal fortification.

In many ways, life has not changed here for centuries and this is typified by the tough, hard working yet simple-hearted people. Feng Huang Cheng offers the visitor from both home and abroad a view of a quite different China from anything experienced in the modern cities and large conurbations that are more widely known. We are sure that the opportunity to travel in such a picturesque region will be remembered as an experience of a lifetime.

Hunan Travel Guide

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:12:07 +0000

Located in the south central part of the Chinese mainland, Hunan has long been known for its natural beauty. Hunan is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south, and by the Yangtze River on the north. Hunan’s mixture of mountains and water makes it among the most beautiful provinces in China. For thousands of years, Hunan has been a major center of Chinese agriculture, growing rice, tea, and oranges.

When to Go

Hunan has a humid, subtropical climate. The monsoon rain falls mostly in April, May, and June. July and August are uncomfortably hot and humid. The best time to visit is in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and the rainfall lighter. For persons who live in cold northern climate, traveling to Hunan in the winter can be pleasant. After all, any place that grows oranges can’t be all that cold. Low temperatures in winter are usually above freezing, with daily highs around 10C. Annual rainfall is around 1,250 – 1,750 millimeters (49.2 to 68.9 inches). Northern Hunan has more climate extremes than southern Hunan. It can get colder in the winter and hotter in the summer.

What to See

The headspring of life, Dongting Lake, is frequently mist-covered in the early morning. It is the second largest lake in China. Yueyang City, located on the shore of Dongting Lake, is home to one of China’s three famous towers. Yueyang Pavilion was originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The present pavilion is of recent reconstruction, built in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

In 1982, China established its first national forest park. Zhangjaijie National Forest Park was established in a particular scenic area in northwest Hunan. The park is especially known for its quartz-sandstone rock formations, bare stone sculpted by nature and set among green trees and frequent clouds.

The high and steep Mt. Hengshan is frequently snow-capped in the winter, contrasting with the subtropical fields that one sees below it. It is one of the five most famous mountains in China. Known for its precarious cliffs, it is a holy mountain for both Taoists and Buddhists.

The region along the Yuanjiang River is especially well known for its serene beauty. It takes its name, the Peach Blossom Fountainhead, from a work of Chinese literature from

the Jin Dynasty (265-420). Tao Yuanming wrote about an isolated Utopia-like paradise where generations of people had escaped from the difficulties that others had experienced. The Yuanjiang River region has been a travel destination since ancient times.

Historic Changsha, one of China’s famous cultural centers, is the capital of Hunan Province. It is also a tourism center, offering its visitors many historical sites and other places of interest.

Highlights

Hunan’s cuisine has its unique flavor. In Hunan, nearly every dish tastes hot, and delicious. The people of Hunan like eating peppery foods.

Hunan’s products include Xiang embroidery, one of China’s four famous embroideries. It has high artistic value. With 200 years of history behind them, the chrysanthemum stone carvings of Liuyang are vivid and exquisite. Liuyang City is known for its firecrackers, which are popular all over China.

Many great people have come from Hunan Province. In ancient times, Quyuan, a patriotic poet, committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River. The story of his death and the search for his body started the tradition of Dragon Boat Festival. Chairman Mao,

idol of the Chinese people, was born in Shaoshan. Zhu Rongji, one of the important leaders in the country, also comes from Hunan Province. Such famous people show that Hunan is a place that has cultivated talent as well as being a destination for tourists.

With abundant natural resources, Hunan covers 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles). It is adjacent to Jiangxi Province in the east, Chongqing Municipality and Guizhou Province in the west, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region in the south, and Hubei Province in the north. Hunan has a total population of 64,400,700. It is multiethnic, with Maio, Dong, and Yao being the most numerous minorities. Their unique cultures and ethnic customs attract numerous tourists.

Zhangjiajie Overview

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:08:21 +0000

Zhangjiajie is a newly developed international tourist city, which lies on the border of Hunan Province. It is rich in water resources despite of being not a coastal city. The region covers an area of 91,563 square kilometers and has a large population of 1.68 million, 60% of whom belong to the Tujia, Bai and Miao minorities.

Zhangjiajie city is situated on the semitropical monsoon humid climate zone with a modest climate, plentiful sunshine, flush rainfalls, fertile land and rich tourist resources.

Zhangjiajie is famous worldwide for its pristine national scenery and the government’s potent policy on tourist infrastructure construction in recent year has boosted the region’s tourist industry and made it one of the new-rising popular tourist destinations in China.

Zhangjiajie’s main tourist draw is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list for its lush vegetation, unique sandstone pillars, pristine waters and a wide variety of species of flora and fauna. It contains three major sights including the Zhangjiajie Forest Park, Suoxi Vale, and Tianzi Mountain with total coverage is 396 square kilometers.

Zhangjiajie city is an energetic tourist city. Nine Percent of the city, about 500 square kilometers, has been zoned as provincial national scenic spot, and natural protection zone. Featuring scenic spots and historical sites such as Puguang Temple, Yuhuang Dong Rock Cave, together with the former residence of renowned Helong and Duxin’s. The area has become an attractive cultural tour destination. The local minority flavor and folk Wushu are popular both home and abroad.

Area：9563square kilometers

Telephone code：0744
Zip code：427000
Nationalities：Tujia, Bai, Miao, Han and so on.

China to see slow power consumption growth

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:20:58 +0000

BEIJING - China’s electricity consumption growth will slow in 2012, as the world’s second-largesteconomy is expected to decelerate this year amid uncertainty in Europe and other developedeconomies, according to a report by the China Electricity Council (CEC).

Total electricity consumption is expected to top 5.14 trillion kilowatt-hours (kwh) this year, withthe growth rate slowing from 11.7 percent in 2011 to between 8.5 and 10.5 percent, the CECsaid in an annual industrial report posted on its website.

The report said that the country is still facing tight power demand and supply this year with atotal electricity shortage of 30 million and 40 million kilowatts, due to uncertainties in thermalcoal supplies and reduced supplies of hydropower ahead of flood season.

According to the CEC report, China’s electricity consumption rose 11.7 percent year-on-year to4.69 trillion kwh in 2011, with 24 provincial-level power grids reporting electricity shortages.

The CEC projected China’s installed power generating capacity to reach 1.14 billion kilowattsby the end of 2012, adding 85 million kilowatts of capacity.

The country needs to increase coal supplies to at least 300 million tonnes to account for anestimated 150-million-tonne increase in thermal coal demand, according to the CEC.

Last year, China’s investment in the power sector totaled 739.3 billion yuan ($117.11 billion),according to the report.

6,900 ticket scalpers arrested in travel rush

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:17:06 +0000

Chinese police have arrested 6,900 train ticket scalpers during the Spring Festivaltravel rush beginning January 8,and confiscated 65,000 tickets, according to a statement bythe Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Tuesday.

The Spring Festival travel season is expected to last till February 16 this year, with hundreds ofmillions of people, mainly migrant workers and college students, traveling home for thecountry’s most important traditional holiday, according to the Ministry of Railways.

Police have cracked 5,600-odd ticket scalping cases to date, according to the statement thatreviewed public security work during the Spring Festival, or Chinese lunar new year.

No stampede or fatal accidents occurred during over 3,600 public gatherings held during thefestival, including religious rituals and entertainment activities, according to the statement.

And no major fire accidents happened, as the police across the country worked hard to screenout fire hazards and beefed up monitoring ahead of and during the festival, said the statement.

The public security authorities, working with security and quality watchdogs, inspected 440,000firework producers, found 6,200 safety hazards and confiscated 4.98 billion units of fireworks.

The MPS also reported a significant year-on-year decrease in traffic accidents as well asrelated deaths and economic losses during the festival, but did not give specific figures.

Hainan purges ‘fewer kids, more pigs’ image

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:11:25 +0000

Harsh family planning advertisements with sharp tones and scrawl characters on outdoor wallswill be erased in Hainan province this year, according to the provincial population and familyplanning commission, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

The commission will wipe away old outdoor family-planning adverts like ”fewer kids, more pigs”and ”big punches on violation without mercy” from the walls and publicity billboards in cities,counties and villages.

Instead, warmer slogans such as ”fewer and better births, happier life” will be painted.

The provincial commission said the project aims to make family planning slogans more humaneand in line with correct language.

100 new school buses roll out

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:44:20 +0000

Students look at their new school buses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China’s Jiangsuprovince, Feb 6, 2012. Altogether 100 new school buses for 32 primary schools in the city’s Liuhedistrict will roll into operation. The bus, with the chassis extending out from the front of the vehicle overthe wheels, is said to have the highest safety rating of all school buses in China. In December last year,a school bus overturned and fell into a ditch in Jiangsu province, killing 15. Another school bus accidentin the western Gansu province killed 21 people in November. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students of a local primary school take a ride on their new school bus, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students wave goodbye as they take a ride on their new school bus, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

A fleet of new school buses park in rows at a primary school in Nanjing, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students look at their new school buses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China’s Jiangsuprovince, Feb 6, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]