Thursday 31 July 2014

The Hotspots on your Hangzhou Tour

The oft visited capital city of Zhèjiang, Hangzhou is a treasure trove of art , culture, traditions the much acclaimed “Chinatown” appeal. Tourists looking for character laden architecture are often left disappointed in Hangzhou, as there is very that differentiates this tourist destination from the other places on their Hangzhou--shanghai guilin tour. However, situated in the southern precincts the Grand Canal and surrounded by lush farmlands, this city has retained its position as the cultural centre of the region; for hundreds of years.

Along with the legendary and popular West Lake (Xi Hú) that acts as an oasis in this concrete jungle and lures travelers with its ancient pagodas, willow-lined banks, mist-covered hills and classical Chinese water color like ambience, there are many other hotspots that are worthy of a look too. Read on for a quick peep into their main draws.

Green Tea Restaurant

This benchmarked Hangzhou restaurant caters to the gastronomist in you and attracts with its superb food, bare brick finish, rattan utensils, colorful flower-patterned cushions and a longish paper menu where you get to tick what you want. A must visit indeed!

West Lake

The serene terrains of draws exaggerated comments in travel brochures and the writings of those who have the fortune to visit it. This stunning Lake’s many accolades are truly justified and work as a balm for traveler’s weary after their Shanghai Guilin tour and/ or exploration of the many other places worth seeing in China. Do remember to out some time for a boat ride.

Língyin Temple

Your well conceived Hangzhou tour will soon bring you closer to Língyin Temple, Hangzhou ’s famous Buddhist temple that was founded way back in 326 AD. This hotspot has been destroyed and restored no less than 16 times and reflects the many ravages inflicted on its precincts by natural calamities and wars. It is believed that more than 3000 monks had resided within this saffron-walled temple during the reign of the Five Dynasties (907–60). The restored structures of the Língyin Temple are attributed to the Qing-dynasty and lure visitors from near and far.

China Tea Museum

The setting/backdrop of the China Tea Museum is indeed exquisite—it consists of long undulating rows of tea bushes extending far into the hills. Sprawling across 3.7 hectares of land that is totally committed to the cultivation , art and tasting of tea; this much frequented hotspot ranks high on the list of tour operators and tourists alike.

Jìngcí Temple

The tranquil Chan (Zen) Jìngcí Temple was first commissioned in 954 AD and has undergone quite a few restoration processes ever since. While the spectacular first hall is home to the foreboding Heavenly Kings and encapsulates Weituo and Milefo (the future Buddha); the Great Treasure Hall is comparatively simpler in nature and attracts with its seated effigy of the much revered deity Sakyamuni.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Savoring the Charismatic Delights of China –the Right Way!

Savor the delights of modern and ancient China, trek along its Great Wall, enjoy the nightlife of Shanghai or simply stroll alongside a historic canal of Suzhou—there is a lot to do and see in this Asian country. However, regardless of its many attractive features., China can prove to be intimidating. Be it the Forbidden City or the army of Terracotta Warriors; you need an expert tour operator to lead the way and help you enjoy an eclectic mix of the old and new, its cultural extravaganza, colorful festivals and more.

These professionals go a long way in aiding your movements on alien soils; helping you understand what’s been said or narrated with the help of translators and bilingual guides; and enjoying its multifarious cuisines, art forms, cultural events and festivals –the cost-effective way. Along with them, affordable and value oriented shanghai car rent service providers go a long way in making tourists enjoy Suzhou’s many offerings to the hilt—the right way!

If you would like to go by the words of Marco Polo—who had declared that the city was among the prettiest in China; then do look forward to the many bounties of Suzhou. Comparable to Hangzhou in many of its natural and manmade attractions, modern day Suzhou is far removed from Polo’s charming merchant town that spoke volumes of tree-lined canals, whitewashed houses and sumptuous gardens. Today, a Suzhou tour brings visitors closer to a bustling metropolis dominated by high rises, factories and yes, its underlying charm that’s sometimes evident from deep within the city’s glossy veneer.

The main draw of this much loved tourist destination is its many gardens. Their pleasant environs are a symphonic combination of water, tree, rocks and buildings and succeed in reflecting the Chinese appreciation of harmony and balance. The other attractions of a private Suzhou tour include an inspiring look at the many exhibits of the Silk Museum; exploration of some of the surviving pagodas, canals and humpbacked bridges or a night out in the pulsating karaoke bars of the city.

Boasting of the distinction of being the modern center of Yangtze delta, Shanghai is quite different from Suzhou –the capital of Wu culture as well as a leading historical city of China. Fast developing alongside the Grand Canal (that has been responsible for forging a greater percentage of China's traditional commerce scene); Suzhou inspires tourists to consider its series of canals to be akin to those in Venice.

Known more for its UNESCO world heritage sites of some of the best Chinese gardens in the country, Suzhou lures visitors with its enthralling Chinese performances that come packaged with folk singing, ancient costumes, traditional instruments and dancing. While in the city, do ask your Shanghai car rent to help you visit the Master of the Nets which comprises of a delicately landscaped garden and residential quarters illuminated by lanterns at night!

Savoring the Delights of Guilin--in Just a Day

Are you looking ahead to exploring China’s beautiful waterways, mountains and landscapes on an interesting one day trip to Guilin? Once booked, your shanghai guilin tour operator will ensure that you get to savor the many delights of the region: natural scenery, flourishing art , culture scene and delectable regional cuisines. The natural bounties of Guilin have been a source of inspiration for many Chinese brush paintings and offer the perfect alternative for breaking free from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Shanghai.

So, along with planning a well conceived Hangzhou tour, you may like to get more information about that much awaited Shanghai Guilin tour from your travel company. Read on for a quick look at some of the exciting experiences in store in Guilin.

While enjoying your trip in Shanghai, you will surely like to take off for a day and discover the charming precincts of Guilin. Oft referred by experts as being the “most spectacular on Earth”, the tantalizing terrains of Guilin help you enjoy the beauty of stunning Karst Mountains towering high into the sky; haze and mist enshrouding the lush valleys below and plenty of exquisite geographical features that leave you gaping. Here, you get to witness manifold stalactite formations, intricate limestone carvings and rejuvenating waterways that make you want to come back for more.

Along with helping you plan a Hangzhou tour and trips to several other historic as well as modern destinations in China, your tour operator goes a long way in making your trip from Shanghai to Guilin all the more memorable. After landing in the city, you can surely not wait to see the attractive Elephant Hill that’s situated on the western bank of River Li. Boasting of the shape of an elephant drinking through its trunk; this sightseeing attraction offers a panoramic view of Guilin beyond.

The next spot worth seeing is Fubo Hill, which stands stoic in the midst of Li River. Soaring up to a height of 203 feet (62 meters), this majestic land formation lies 700 feet above the sea level. Resembling a vertical rock eruption, Fubo Hill affords some breathtaking views of the green country sides beyond. You will also get to lay your eyes on some fine etchings of Buddha at the Thousand Buddha Cave and the Returned Pearl Cave –these tourist spots date back to the Song and Tang Dynasties and belong to the period 618 – 1279 AD.

Your trip is incomplete without a visit to the Reed Flute Cave. This must-see natural limestone cave is illuminated with multicolored lighting and introduces to an intriguing world of stalagmites, stalactites, and rock formations. And yes, as it goes back 180 million years in time, you can have your fair share of history before heading back to the airport—for a flight back to Shanghai!