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China kept itself to itself for thousands of years, and foreigners
still find it difficult to penetrate the inner depths of this fascinating
and enigmatic country. There is a great deal to discover in this,
the world's most populated country, with more than 1.3 billion
citizens, and the third largest in the world territorially. What
makes it attractive as a destination for Western tourists is its
fascinating culture and valuable antiquities. Ruins and relics
from Neolithic settlements and the dynastic reigns of the mighty
emperors are there to behold, along with adventures along the legendary
ancient trade routes, such as the Silk Road. The Forbidden Palace,
Great Wall, and X'ian's Terracotta Army, are just some of the incredible
attractions to be seen in this ancient Eastern empire.
The People's Republic of China has been under communist government
since 1949, but is currently undergoing social and economic development.
Emphasis is being placed on tourist facilities and infrastructure.
China is opening the doors to its wealth of historical and cultural
treasures and visitors are flooding in to be amazed and awed.
Organised tours are still the favoured way to explore China,
but independent travel is slowly becoming easier. The major cities,
like Beijing and Shanghai, are modern metropolises offering fast
food and glitzy stores alongside centuries-old historical buildings
and traditional eating houses. Archaeological wonders vie with
amazing architecture in the interior, while majestic mountains
and remote monasteries crown the northern areas.
Essentials:
Time:Local
time is GMT +8.
Electricity: Electrical
current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types vary but the two-
narrow-pin types are most common. Adapters are generally
required.
Language: The
official language is Mandarin Chinese,
but there are hundreds of local
dialects.
Communications: The
Chinese have three names, the first
of which is their surname, or family
name. As a result visitors should
be prepared for hotels mistakenly
reserving rooms under their first
names. For clarity surnames may
be underlined. When addressing
Chinese people the surname should
come first and official titles
should be used. Chinese handshakes
last longer than those in western
countries, and in conversation
it is customary to stand close
together. Politeness in Western
terms is foreign to them, and they
rarely bother with pleasantries.
China Climate :China
covers extensive territory and has a complex topography, therefore
the weather differs from region to region. The south east,
below the Nanling Mountains, tends to be very wet with high
temperatures all year round. In the central Yangtze and Huaihe
river valleys there are four distinct seasons with very hot
summers and extremely cold winters, and rain all year round.
The dry north experiences a short but sunny summer, with long
bitterly cold winters. The coast is humid and experiences monsoons
during summer.
BEIJING
The capital of the People's Republic of China,
Beijing (formerly Peking) is a very modern and exceedingly busy city
(nearly 14 million people call it home) with high-rise buildings,
international hotels and sprawling suburbs. The city is abuzz and
bristling with cranes on the skyline as construction projects give
rise to new skyscrapers and modernisation proceeds apace. However,
Beijing also encompasses numerous attractions of cultural and historical
interest, of which some, such as the Great Wall, former Imperial
palace (known as the Forbidden City), the Temple of Heaven, Summer
Palace and the remains of Peking Man at Zhoukoudian, are UNESCO-endorsed
World Cultural Heritage Sites. Chinese history and culture fascinates
Western visitors, and Beijing is the place to start exploring it.
The city abounds in imperial palaces, temples, mansions, gardens
and tombs that epitomise classical Chinese architecture. It has 120
museums and more than 100 public gardens.
The first port of call for most visitors is the Forbidden City,
which lies at the heart of Beijing with the rest of the city
radiating out from it in a grid pattern. For five centuries this
massive palace complex with 9,999 rooms functioned as the administrative
centre of the country and home to a succession of emperors, who
lived in luxurious isolation, surrounded by courtiers and retainers.
The Palace overlooks the famous Tiananmen Square, site of so
much political drama and dissent, the epitome of this capital
city.
ATTRACTIONS IN BEIJING
Forbidden City
Lying at the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese,
was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the biggest
and best preserved complex of ancient buildings in China, and the largest palace
complex in the world. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407 and
for 500 years this inner sanctum was off-limits to most of the world as the
emperors lived in luxury, secluded from the masses, surrounded by their families,
court officials, servants, eunuchs, concubines and other members of court.
The Forbidden City and its centrepiece, the magnificent palace, have a permanent
restoration squad, which continually works to keep the 800 buildings and 9,999
rooms inside the Forbidden City complex in top repair. The once Forbidden City
is now open to all visitors.
Website: www.dpm.org.cn/english/default.asp; Opening time: Daily 8.30am to 4.30pm (16 October to 15 April); 8.30pm to
5pm (16 April to 15 October); Admission: ¥60
(April to October); ¥40 (November to March)
Tiananmen Square
The famous square at the heart of Beijing, recently renovated, is still not
much to look at, but it attracts curious tourists simply because it was the
scene of so many historic events and is the largest city square in the world.
In the ancient imperial days it was a gathering place and the site of government
offices, but more modern history, particularly the 1989 massacre of pro-democracy
demonstrators, has made it a site of great political significance. Major rallies
took place in the square during the Cultural Revolution when Mao Tse Tung reviewed
military parades up to a million strong. The square is surrounded by several
monuments, some ancient and some modern, including the former gates to the
Forbidden City, the Gate of Heavenly Peace and Qianmen (the front gate); the
Chinese Revolution Museum; and the Mao Mausoleum where China's former leader
lays preserved in state.
The Summer Palace
The magnificent Summer Palace in northwest Beijing at Kunming Lake was built
in 1750 by the Emperor Qianlong, and continued to be an imperial residence
until the Empress Dowager Cixi died in 1908. The palace and stunning gardens
are open to visitors, who enter through the East Palace gate, pass through
a grand courtyard into the Hall of Benevolent Longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples,
and the Hall of Joyful Longevity. Empress Cixi's private theatre in the Garden
of Moral Harmony is a must-see, as is the long corridor that skirts Kunming
Lake's northern shoreline to reach the marble boat, an elaborate two-storey
structure of finely carved stone and stained glass.
Transport: Buses 907, 375, 801,
808, 732, 394 or 718; Opening time: Daily 7am to 5pm (November to March),
6.30am to 6pm (April to October); Admission: ¥25
(November to March), ¥35 (April to October)
SHANGHAI
Shanghai, home to almost 12-million people, is China's largest city and is
situated in the centre of the coastline where the Yangtze River flows through
its delta into the East China Sea. The name of the city means 'on the sea',
and most of the city (including Chongming Island) is only a few metres above
sea level, criss-crossed by a maze of natural waterways of the Taihu drainage
basin.
Shanghai is China's industrial and commercial capital. It is a busy seaport,
and a science and technology centre, and has a vibrant business community.
Visitors come to Shanghai not for its scenic beauty or history (the city is
too young to have cultivated a classical heritage), but those who arrive on
business can find plenty of off-duty entertainment and relaxation. Just walking
the busy streets and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere is worthwhile, and there
are some temples and gardens to visit along with an excellent museum.
This great cosmopolitan metropolis has a colourful colonial background which
had the edge rubbed off of it during half a century of Communist rule. It was
the first Chinese coastal port to be opened to Western trade in 1843, resulting
in an influx of British, French and American diplomats and business interests,
each of which established their own independent enclaves. In the 1920s and
30s Shanghai was regarded as a glamorous and rather decadent 'in' place to
visit. It all ended with World War II and the coming to power of the Communist
party, but now, since the early 1990s a dramatic re-building programme has
been underway which is aimed at putting Shanghai back on the map as a major
international finance and trade centre - the planned World Financial Centre
will be the world's tallest building when it is completed in 2007.
ATTRACTIONS IN SHANGHAI
The Bund
The picturesque Bund, Shanghai's waterfront promenade stretching for one mile
(2km) along the bank of the Huangpu River, was once the most famous street
in Asia, and is still renowned for its strip of Art Deco buildings. One of
the grandest of these buildings, formerly the City Communist Party headquarters,
is now the home of the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. The wide riverfront
promenade on the east bank of the river provides a captivating view of Shanghai,
particularly at night. From the Bund visitors can take a river trip down the
Huangpu to the mouth of the Yangtse. Boats leave regularly from the Shiliupu
Pier south of the Bund and the trip takes about three hours.
Shanghai Museum
The new Shanghai Museum is situated on the People's Square,
the political and cultural centre of Shanghai. The square itself boasts a giant
musical fountain
and some attractive green recreational areas where locals dance and fly kites.
It is surrounded by the City Hall, an underground shopping centre and the Grand
Shanghai Theatre. It is the Shanghai Museum, opened in 1996, however, that
draws the most interest. The building is shaped like a giant bronze urn, and
the museum contains a collection of 123,000 cultural artefacts in 21 categories.
Chief among the museum's collections are bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy
and art works.
Address: 2 Ren Min Da
Dao; Telephone: (0)21 6372 3500; Transport: Bus 46, 71,
123, 574; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm, until 7pm
on Saturdays; Admission: ¥45 includes admission to the museum and theatre; ¥5
extra also allows entrance to the art gallery
The Yuyuan Gardens
The Yuyuan Gardens date back to 1559 to the Ming Dynasty,
and are the best example of Chinese classical gardens in Shanghai. The relatively
small gardens
are laid out in an intricate design with pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a
traditional theatre arranged in an ornate maze. The gardens are on Yuyuan Street
in downtown Shanghai and can be reached via the Town God Temple Market, a warren
of shops and stalls that is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist bazaar.
TIBET
This is the land of majestic mountains, exotic culture and gentle people.
Tibet, 'the roof of the world', lay largely undiscovered by the rest of the
world until the beginning of the 20th century, but has since fascinated travellers
seeking the unspoilt and more remote corners of the globe.
China invaded and annexed Tibet in 1950, since when the country has officially
been known as the Tibet Autonomous Region. Unless travelling on an organised
tour, anyone wishing to visit Tibet must obtain a permit in advance from the
Tibet Tourist Authority. This vast territory in the southwest of China consists
of a massive plateau surrounded by towering mountain ranges. The Himalayas
ring it in the south, the Karakoram Range is to the west, the Kunlun to the
north, and smaller ranges fringe the east forming a barrier between Tibet and
China's internal provinces. Most of Tibet is several thousand feet above sea
level, meaning that the air is thin. The region is a Mecca for mountaineers,
containing some of the world's highest mountain peaks, capped by Mount Everest
at 29,029ft (8,848m), sited in the middle section of the Himalayas in Tibet's
Tingri Country.
Tibet is scenically rich with snow-covered peaks, glaciated high passes, aquamarine
lakes, primeval forests and almost continual bright-blue skies. Despite its
altitude and thick snow covering the mountains, Tibet actually has snowfalls
only a few times a year with plenty of sunshine the rest of the time. Tibet's
major cities and towns are congregated mainly in the southern part of the region.
Here, in the agricultural sector, are the capital Lhasa and the other major
city of Shigatse, which offer the region's most important tourist attractions.
ATTRACTIONS IN TIBET
Jokhang Temple
The Jokhang Temple lies in the heart of old Lhasa. It was built
nearly 1,300 years ago but remains the spiritual centre of Tibet, drawing pilgrims
from
all over the region who come to demonstrate piety to Buddha. The original structure
was enlarged under the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama and it now stands as the
product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural design. The temple contains
numerous valuable cultural relics and sacred sculptures, and features some
magnificent murals in the main hall. An annual prayer festival is held in the
temple, which is also the venue for the initiation of the Dalai Lamas.
Address: Lhasa; Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm; Admission: ¥70
Mount Everest
The Shigatse prefecture is the gateway for climbers to the
North Col climbing route of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest,
towering 29,028ft (8,848m)
on the border between Tibet and Nepal. The Tibetan name for the peak is Mount
Quomolangma, which means 'The third goddess'. Access to the Everest Base Camp
is via the town of Tinggri. About 20 miles (30km) from the town tracks take
climbers on a 48-mile (78km) trek to the camp. About six miles (10km) from
the base camp is the highest monastery on earth, Rongbuk Monastery at an altitude
of 16,728ft (5,099m). The monastery is being restored and offers hostel accommodation.
Just south of the monastery is the world-renowned Rongbuk Glacier.
Palkhor Monastery
This unique monastery is sited about 143 miles (230km)
south of Lhasa and 62 miles (100km) east of Shigatse, at the foot of Dzong
Hill. It has an unusual
structural style and houses a collection of pure silk costumes worn in Tibetan
opera, all richly embroidered, that date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The monastery is also unique in that it is the only one known to accommodate
monks from three different orders: the Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa monks
all get along famously.
Opening time: Daily 9am to 4pm; Admission: ¥40
Potala Palace
The vast Potala Palace stands on a clifftop above Lhasa, considered
the greatest achievement of Tibetan architecture. The palace was originally
built in the
7th century by the then emperor for his bride. It was later partially destroyed
by lightning, but restored and extended in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama when
he became political and religious leader of Tibet. The Fifth Dalai Lama took
up residence in the palace in 1653, and it remained the Dalai Lamas' official
residence until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. The palace is renowned
for its interior splendour. It consists of two main sections: The White Palace
is the secular section containing offices, dormitories, a Buddhist seminary
and printing house. The Red Palace is the ornate sacred sanctuary containing
chapels where mummified remains of three Dalai Lamas lay, and the Great West
Hall, with its fine rich murals.
Address: Lhasa; Opening time: Daily 9am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm; Admission: ¥100
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo is one of Tibet's most revered and influential
monasteries, lying about a mile (2km) to the west of Shigatse at the base
of Drolmari Mountain.
It dates from 1477, having been founded by the first Dalai Lama, and became
the seat of the Panchen Lama in 1713. The monastery today houses about 800
monks in its 3,229 square foot (300 sq m) buildings. The oldest section of
the monastery is the main chanting hall that houses the throne of the Panchen
Lama. The tallest section is the Maitreya Chapel, which contains the world's
largest brass statue of Maitreya. The seated figure is 86ft (26m) high and
contains extraordinary amounts of gold, brass and about 1,400 precious gems.
Address: Shigatse; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm (closed between 12pm and
2pm); Admission: ¥55
CONTACTS:
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should you require
consular help - here are the details
+86 (0)10 6520 1114 or www.cnta.gov.cn/lyen/index.asp
Chinese Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 328 2500.
Chinese Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7299 4049.
Chinese Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 3434.
Chinese Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 4780.
Chinese Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 341 6500.
Chinese Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 260 1119.
Chinese Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 472 1382.
United States Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 3831.
British Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 5192 4000.
Canadian Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 3536.
Australian Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 5140 4111.
South African Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 0171.
Irish Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 2691.
New Zealand Embassy, Beijing: +86 (0)10 6532 2731.
Emergencies: 110 (police); 120 (ambulance - Beijing)
AIRPORTS:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Location: The airport is situated
17 miles (28km) north of Beijing. Time: Local time is GMT +8. Contacts:
Tel: +86 (0)10 6457 1666. Transfer between
terminals: A shuttle bus service runs between the two terminals. Transfer to
the city: Beijing's transport system is being improved ahead of the 2008 Olympic
Games. Shuttle buses run regularly to the city centre (about 45 minutes), Beijing
Railway Station and major hotels. Metered taxis are also available, but it
is recommended that passengers have their destination written in Chinese to
avoid confusion. Travelling time to the city is about an hour. Car rental:
Car rental is available at the airport. Facilities: There are several bureaux
de change, a bank and ATMs, as well as telephones, tourist information, numerous
shops and duty free, and a business centre with Internet access. A food corridor
provides a range of eating and drinking options, while an entertainment centre
offers everything from films to Chinese massage. Facilities for the disabled
are good, but passengers should contact their airlines in advance for more
information. Parking: There is a multi-storey car park with ample capacity.
Departure tax: ¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic). Website:
www.bcia.com.cn
Shanghai Hong Qiao International Airport (SHA)
Location: The airport is situated
eight miles (13km) southwest of central Shanghai. Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Contacts: Tel: +86 (0)21 6268 8899. Transfer
to the city: Taxis are available outside the airport but finding the right
one can be confusing without assistance. Taxi drivers usually do not speak
English so it is best to indicate your destination on a map, or have it written
down in Chinese. Public buses serve the airport linking to People's Square
and the main railway stations. The bigger hotels offer shuttle bus services
to and from the airport. Car rental: Car rental is available. Facilities: There
are ATMs and currency exchange facilities, a post office, and duty-free shops.
There is a shopping mall just outside the entrance to the airport. There are
also a variety of food outlets, bars, an information counter and business centre.
Departure tax: ¥90 (international flights), ¥50 (domestic). Website:
www.shairport.com
Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Location: The airport is situated 19 miles
(30km) from central Shanghai. Time: Local time is GMT +8. Contacts: Tel: +86
(0)21 6834 1000. Transfer to the city:
The airport is linked to Shanghai's metro with a new magnetic levitation train,
the Maglev; the journey takes only eight minutes and costs ¥50. Taxis are
available and usually the most convenient way to the city, but they are more
expensive. Journeys take an hour to most downtown areas. Public buses are also
available, but are only advised for hardened travellers. Many hotels meet their
guests at the airport. Car rental: There is a self-drive car hire service available
during business hours, and Avis and Hertz have desks in Arrivals. Facilities:
Facilities at the airport include banks, ATMs and currency exchange, a post
office, luggage storage, Business Centre and an Internet cafe. There are also
several restaurants and shops, including duty free. Departure tax: ¥90
(international flights), ¥50 (domestic). Website: www.shairport.com
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