Old town of Lijiang

Old town of Lijiang, also called Dayan town, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. It is a national historical and cultural city and was regarded as one of the four well-preserved ancient cities. In 1997, it was listed as the world cultural heritage.

Lijiang is a beautiful shining jewel in the Northwest Yunnan. It had a history of more than 800 years. It is home to the Naxi people, descendants of the Tibetan Qiang tribes, as well as the Dongba culture which is regarded as one of the few living fossils of ancient culture exist in the modern world. Scriptures, paintings, music, dances, everything here is expressing the beauty of the unique culture.

Besides its brilliant history, it is also known for its wonderful scenery. Its name Dayan literally means a “great inkstab”, which gives a vivid description of the town’s location. As its name implies, it is on a piece of rich flatland fed by a river and surrounded by green mountains. Here, houses are made of wood and have their own unique characteristics. Most of them consist of a living area and a yard. The town, surrounded by green mountains and facing a river, has no high walls. The old style and prosperous street will take you back to in history for hundreds of years. When you are tired, the bars near the river will be your best choice to have a daydream.

If you want to a place of harmonious combination of tradition and fashion, Make a trip to Lijiang and it will never disappoint you.

Notes:
1. The best time for traveling in the old town of Lijiang is autumn (September or October)
2. How to get to the town: cars are not allowed in old town, walking or cycling is a better choice.

Summer Resort Mt Lushan

Mt Lushan, situated in the northern of Jiangxi Province, is a popular resort area in China. Standing inside the Mt Lushan, you cannot see the true face of it. That is the beauty of it. It changes its appearance in seasons. In spring, it is covered with colorful vegetation. While in winter, it is covered with white snow everywhere, which seems stately and solemn.

Mt Lushan is famous for its mighty peaks, roaring waterfalls, mysterious clouds and mists, cragged cliffs, etc. However, it is particularly well-known as one of the most famous summer resorts in the world.

In Mt Lushan, most of the peaks are from 1200 to 1400 meters above sea level. Among them, Hanyang Peak, the highest peak, stands an impressive 1,474 meters above sea level and is shrouded in clouds almost throughout the year.

You will never find a more confortable place than Mt Lushan to espace the summer heat as the average temperature here is 22.6 Celsius thermometers in summer. And the clouds and mists around the peaks also create an atmosphere of mystery. Just close your eyes, forget the outside world and relax your mind, body and soul here.

More than a shelter from the unbearable summer heat, it is also a ideal place to appreciate natural wonders and cultural feasts. There are twelve main scenic areas together with thirty seven attractions. Not enough? Ok, also more than nine hundred cliff inscriptions and over three hundred steles. Major spots include Lulin Lake, Flower Path, Ruqin Lake, Wulao Feng, Sandie Spring, Jinxiu Valley, Xianren Dong and Donglin Temple, etc.

Can not bear the hot weather anymore? Come on! Mt Lushan, the paradise in summer is waiting for you!

Best Travel Time:
Summer (July to September): ideal shelter from the unbearable summer heat
Winter (December to the next February): ideal photographic studio

Tea eggs

Tea egg, which is boiled with tea and marinade, is one of the most famous snacks in China, especially in Nan Jing (the capital of Jangsu Province). However, tea eggs’ exact origin is not clear.

Tea eggs are fresh-brewed and sold and it can be easily found in streets and alleys, so you can eat the tea eggs at any time. It will never disappoint you. Tea eggs taste really delicious due to the marinade with various seasonings, such as cinnamon, tangerine peel, star anise, etc.

The time of boiling has a strong influence on the flavor. Ancient Chinese believed that “the time for burning four sticks of incense”, which means four hours today, would be the perfect time to make the most delicious tea eggs. However, there are no such rules today as there are more changeable factors today.

During the Spring Festival, some families will prepare a lot of tea eggs. At this time, these tea eggs are called “Ingot eggs” by old people. When we visit relatives and friends in during the festival, each of us will be given two tea eggs, which means “Wish you a prosperous new year”.

Nongtang

The Nongtang is a term used to describe the old residential alleyways in Shanghai. A traditional Nongtangs has a shikumen (stone gate), a north-facing loft, a small yard and a staircase.

The Nongtang is a unique form of architecture with a good combination of Chinese and Western style. It is a kind of city pattern which can best reflects the residential culture of old Shanghai. Here, each resident has their own story to tell.

Tens of thousands of Shanghai people still have sentimental attachments to the Nongtang. They were attracted by its harmonious atmosphere and established good relationships with people in the Nongtangs. It is very common to see that in the evenings of summer, people are talking, laughing and sharing their stories here.

If you want to experience the real life in old Shanghai, you’d better to visit the Fuxing West Road and Xinzha Road in Shanghai.

The best preserved Nongtangs could not be easily found nowadays. So my dear friend, what are you waiting for?

Tibetan Naqu Horse Racing Festival

Nagchu Horse Racing Festival, also called Qangtang Horse Racing Festival is held on 10th August at Naqu Town in northern Tibet. The festival is scheduled to last five to fifteen days. It is the golden time of Northern Tibet grassland.

Horse-racing is an important tradition on the prairie. Tibetan people even value it more than the Tibetan New Year. Before horse racing festival, tens of thousands herdsmen dressing gorgeous clothes will have a happy reunion. They will bring highland barley liquor, yogurt, tents with beautiful patterns and racing horses. Horse racing has been divided into long term race, short term race, shooting on the horseback and equestrianism, etc. Before the race, herdsmen will give their blessing to all the riders. After that, they will try their best to win the race.

Various activities will be held during the horse racing festival. Such as tug of war, carrying rocks, shooting and yak racing. A large-scale goods and material exchange will also take place at that time.

There is a direct link between Tibetan horse racing and their faith. To a great extent, Tibetan Buddhism ethic notion influences Tibetan history, culture, daily life, etc. Horse racing culture also contains the worship of hero, who ever resisted external invasion, defended their homeland. Horses are Tibetan people’s intimate friend. They will ride their beloved horses, whether travel or marry.

Tips:
1.Travel time: August (Nagchu Horse Racing Festival is held on 10th August)
2.Transportation: You may take minibuses or taxis for a good view of the town. Minibus tickets are usually CNY 2 while taxis cost CNY 10 regardless of the destination, as long as it is inside the town.
3.Useful Numbers:
Regional Code: (0)896
Tourist Complaints: 0896-3820677
Fire: 119
Police: 110
Ambulance: 120

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