Thursday, July 27, 2006

Chilling Shopping in Panjiayuan Weekend Market in Beijing, China

Porcelain Mao in Panjiayuan Weekend Market Beijing ChinaWhat you can shop here in Panjiayuan Weekend Market in Beijing?
  • Stone cups and bowls with silver laid around them are beautiful. Nor are they as expensive as they look so bargain hard.
  • Teapots in all shapes and sizes. You should be able to get a nice box too if you buy one. Most fragile items come with a box or case.
  • For those who love their Kung Fu Bruce Lee movies or are Lord of the Rings fans - swords and axes. Just don't try to carry them on the plane.
  • Stone statues and buddhas in the back of a truck ready for a road trip.
  • There are rows of Chinese paintings and scroll paintings. Some scroll paintings are in pairs or sets. They should come with nice boxes for safe travels. Realise these are generally handmade but mass produced and should not be too expensive
  • A poster of Mao leading the proletariat - lots of posters, calligraphy and Chinese books for sale.
  • Chairman Mao is a favorite. There is a shop entirely dedicated to him and his wares.
Crafts and Arts sold in Panjiayuan Weekend Market Beijing ChinaThe Panjiayuan Weekend Market is a super shopping market for all Chinese arts and crafts. It is made up of over three thousand individual stalls covering 48,500 square metres.

There really is something for everyone here. Even Hilary Clinton has shopped at Panjiayuan Weekend Market Beijing, China.

There is a little overlap between stalls so you can compare and bargain but the range of goods is excellent. Stall owners come from twenty-four provinces around China to sell their wares.

Panjiayuan Weekend Market is at its best on weekends. The Antique Zone is open every day and the Arts and Crafts Warehouse Zone is open on Saturday and Sunday only.

Source: thebeijingguide.com
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Monday, July 24, 2006

Cooler Yourself Through Eating in China

Fruit SaladThere are many ways to counter the summer heat. One of these ways, surprisingly, is eating! A vegetarian meal not only helps diners escape the worries of gaining weight, but helps to regain a peaceful heart previously strained by summer heat.

A vegan diet is beneficial to health in many aspects. Studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fiber vegetarian diet) often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer.

Besides, fruit consumption always has protective effect. Adequate intake of vitamins prevents wrinkled skin and promotes overall health.

Here we have a list of vegetarian eateries in Beijing and Shanghai, hoping to help you achieve a cooler summer by eating.

Jingsi Sushifang

Jingsi Sushifang improvises on traditional Buddhist dishes. Famous dishes include Puduzhongsheng (save all living creatures on earth) made from various mushrooms, Fokousanxiang (fragrance radiating Buddha mouth) pine nut braised together with fragrant mushrooms, Zaisujinshen (reincarnated golden body), fried bean curd rolls with vegetarian hams, fragrant mushrooms and bamboo shoot slices as stuffing.

Jingsi Sushifang is also famous for its various tea drinks.

Hetang Yuese (lotus pond moon view)

Fruit Salad DessertHetang Yuese features an eclectic variety of vegetarian dishes, based on temple dishes improved by integrating a folk vegetarian diet, a royal vegetarian diet and a foreign vegetarian diet.

As its name indicates, Hetang Yuese is a poetic dining place. Tableware is not of regular shape or color. Signature dishes include "Huangying Cuiliu" (yellow birds green willows) made out of baby cabbages and yellow pumpkin interspersed with mushrooms and "Picasso Sunshine" made with mushrooms and cauliflower.

New Age Veggie

Rising against the current vegetarian trend, New Age Veggie advocates creative vegetarian dishes. Recommended dishes include Heijiao Niuliu (black pepper beef slices), a tender dish arguably better than real steaks, and Yanjianrou (salt fried meat) made out of soybeans yet looking exactly like steak meat.

New Age Veggie also offers hot dishes as well as various desserts and ices. The lemon lotus root slices are recommended, although they may not appear too pleasing.

However, dishes are served in small quantities and the price is a little bit on the higher end.

Jujube Tree

Ice Cream Fruit SaladZaozishu is famous for its affordable vegetarian dishes catering to ordinary citizens. Simple decoration radiates an easygoing ambiance.

Fruits are served as appetizers. Recommended dishes are "Changxiangsi" (forever missing you) tasting something like sausage and "Wucaiboliqiu" (colorfull glass balls, RMB 32) featuring a beautiful appearance and a pleasing flavor.


Many foreign vegetarian recipes have come into China. Zaozishu also offers rather worthwhile business lunch at RMB 18. All dishes are served in large quantities.

Tianran Jiankang Shushi (natural healthy vegetarian dishes)

Recommended dishes include "Shengcai Shula" (RMB 32), green vegetable rolls with fake pork grains, beef grains, carrots and peanuts as stuffing and "Supin Nanguazhong" (crispy husk pumpkin cup, RMB 10), thick corn soup.

Freshly pressed fruit juices are served with labels indicating their health benefits in simple words, such as tomato juice labelled as "detoxifying and improving the digestive system".

Menus are presented in three languages: Chinese, English and Japanese.

Original Info:chinadaily.com.cn
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Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Shopping in Shenzhen - Great Time Ever!

Shoppingmall in Shenzhen, ChinaThe economies in Shenzhen are very blooms in these recent years. You may see a lot foreigner in shopping centers such as Luohu; so many foreigners can speak Chinese very well while they were negotiating the price with venders.

Actually food in China is very cheap but not in Shenzhen; foods are quite expensive, Shenzhen in China is the city that got highest standard cost – living in China.

There’re so many tour group come to Shenzhen just for shopping so I would like to recommend the shopping places below.

The Luohu Plaza – Shopping Place

Luohu Plaza in China is a place that every tourists must visit every products you want, you can find here with negotiable price but also have to be careful.

All the price that the venders tell you they already multiply by 5 or 6 times so negotiation is necessary and you have to check everything well before you leave the store because the venders may replace your bought products by other things.

There’s so many Thai tourists from Thailand often come to visit Luohu you can easily see because a lot of vender there can speak Thai.

Dongmen Lu – Famous Shopping Street

Dongmen - Shopping area in Shenzhen, ChinaDongmen Lu takes only two underground stations from Luohu, this is a very famous street with so many shops you may spend 2 or 3 days to visit every part of this street.

Almost the goods in this street are fashion products such as clothes, shoes, bags, ETC.

The important thing is be careful of your bag and other valuable things, there’s a lot of pickpocket.

Enjoy shopping in Shenzhen, China

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Thursday, July 13, 2006

Romance in Beijing

Chinese Couple in BeijingTo hunt for marriage partners, single white collars in Beijing have begun to change their focus from at a range of the whole city to smaller units-their own work places.

"We work from morning to evening. We have no chance to meet other boys/girls except our colleagues.

We don't want to be single, but there is no chance for us to change our situation," shrugged Li Yan, an office worker at Beijing Fenglian Plaza.

It is learned that finding a boyfriend or girlfriend has become a headache for many white collars.

Recently, Beijing Fenglian Plaza becomes a sea of lilies when a special matchmaking activity is in full swing.

Holding lilies, single office workers all from the same office building are organized together to seek their would-be boyfriend or girlfriend here, most of them being from well-known companies, such as Coca-cola and Dell.

Romance in Beijing SummerAlthough they work in the same building every day, they don't know each other until now when the chance is presented for them.

They also get access to their internal websites or mobiles to get to know each other in the same office building.

Meanwhile, similar office romances are also staged at several other famous office buildings in Beijing, such as Shangdu International Center, Jianwei Building, and Jing'an Center.

It is learned that sponsored by a biggest matchmaking website in China, the activity will cover 50 thousand single white collars.

It is the first time in Beijing for educated single youths to look for their marriage partners on a large scale among office employees in the same office buildings sharing similar backgrounds and status.

Info:chinadaily.com.cn
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Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Where to Escape in China in Summer?

As the heat of the summer looms over most Chinese cities, a challenging task faces many city dwellers: keeping cool. Instead of pumping up the air conditioner and gaining weight from ice cream, why not follow citylife's escape maps?

Chengde: Hide in China's Largest Classic Imperial Garden

Chengde ChinaClose to Beijing, Chengde has China's largest classical imperial garden, Summer Retreat Hill and a group of eight temples called Waibamiao.

There are over 120 groups of ancient architectural structures hidden between blue mountains and green rivers, complemented bylakes and islands, forming an enchanting landscape.

Another famous scenic spot is the Wulingshan Forest Garden, with its precious plants and animals, as well as amazing natural scenery.

Local specialties include hawthorn, chestnut, nut, Rose Cake (royal snack) and Bazhen Imperial Wine (brewed following a secret recipe from the court).

Beidaihe, Hebei: a Natural Bathing Beach Close to Beijing

Beidaihe ChinaNicknamed an international summer retreat during the Qing dynasty Beidaihe, surrounded by two mountains, has long been the first summer retreat choice of ancient Chinese rulers as well as current top officials.

There is a lot for visitors to do and see, including a lotus flower rock park, Kwan-yin Temple and a graveyard with impressive tombs. There are also many parks dedicated to literary celebrities.

Jiuzhaigou (nine villages valley), Sichuan: A Mystic Valley

Jiuzhaigou ChinaAs the name suggests, Jiuzhaigou has nine villages, full of Tibetan flavor and beautiful natural scenery. Over half of Jiuzhaigou is covered by virgin forest and the rest by lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Mobile phones are functional in the main scenic spots inside the valley and at the entrance to the valley there are several IC card phones. At Jiuzhaigou, visitors also have access to ATMs.

Shangri-La (meaning moon and sun in Tibetan, referring to an idyllic and beautiful place), Yunan: Dream City

Ever since its mention in British writer James Hilton's Lost Horizon, Shangri-La has been a city of people's dreams.

Shangri-La Yunnan ChinaThe shining snow-capped mountain, boundless meadows, changing clouds and glittering smiles on the faces of local people seem to be the same as they were thousands of years ago.

Shangri-La's serenity and tranquility is hard to describe with words. The only way to truly know about it is to experience it in person.

Visitors can also experience local Tibetan celebrations such as horse races, the Gedong Festival and the Xianzi (a local instrument) Festival.

Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit Shangri-La.

Wutaishan (five platform mountain), Shanxi Province: Appreciate Buddhist Culture

Wutaishan ChinaWutaishan is famous for its magnificent temples and history. In ancient china, it was often chosen as the preferred monastic training venue by emperors and aristocrats. In modern times, its doors are open to visitors from around the world.

Each of the five main peaks of Wutaishan boasts a beautiful and unique view and history.
Summer in Wutaishan is always rainy, so visitors better carry umbrellas or rain coats.

If they want to watch the sunrise on top of the Eastern platform, it is a good idea to bring a cotton coat to keep warm.

Qinghaihu (blue sea lake), Qinghai Province: Lake Water and Lama Culture

Qinghaihu has two main attractions: the fishing grounds and Bird Island. Qinghaihu is rich in huangyu, a kind of fish exclusive to Qinghaihu.

Qinghaihu ChinaFrozen huangyu is available above RMB 40 per piece.

Bird Island is also known as the Kingdom of the Birds because every spring a great number of birds fly from India and Nepal to the island to breed then fly back with their new families when autumn arrives.

There is also a wealth of Lama temples in the area and visitors can participate in a variety of activities including yachting. All prices are negotiable here, so try your hand at bargaining.

Shennongjia, Hubei: Get to Labyrinth

Shennongjia ChinaShennongjia has a well-preserved primitive forest that hides many modern-day mysteries, such as the Yeren (also known as the Abominable Snowman or Big Foot).

There is a constant stream of Yeren sightings, although none have been confirmed.

Shennongjia boasts another wonder, a unique white animal kingdom, where there are white vultures, white monkeys, white deer and white bears.

Changbaishan (forever white mountain), Jilin: Holy Mountain

Changbaishan ChinaChangbaishan is a volcano and boasts many unique, beautiful landscapes. On top of Changbaishan's main peak Baitoushan (white head mountain), there are many white fushi, (magma rocks) and snow throughout the year.

The most famous scenic spot is Tianshan Tianchi, a lake at the mouth of this volcano. The lake water is superbly clear and as blue as sapphire.

Changbaishan is also a natural museum for rare plants and animals, rich in ginseng, mink skin and deer (the three are sometimes referred to as the three treasures of Northeast China).

Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province: a Perfect Model for Painting Chinese Landscapes

Zhangjiajie ChinaRocks pop out of the ground and thousands of rivers wind through the landscape, making Zhangjiajie a perfect model for painting Chinese landscapes.

Visitors can take a cable car to Huangshizhai where they can appreciate the daunting rock columns. Other famous scenic spots include Mount Tianmen (heaven gate), Jiutian (highest sky) cave, Puguang Temple, Mount Wulei (five thunders), as well as many spots commemorating the Chinese revolution.

There is also a wealth of ethnic minorities in Zhangjiajie, and visitors can see them celebrate their unique cultures in dance and song.

Lushan, Jiangxi: Summer Retreat

Lushan ChinaLushan has villas of various styles and famous scenic spots including the Lushan botanical gardens and a fanciful hill town called Nianling. Nianling has Lushan's second largest man-made lake, Xihu.

As a Buddhist holy place, Lushan hosts a number of temples once owned by ancient Chinese emperors and eminent writers. There are also many famous works of calligraphy and steel carvings in various places around the mountain.

Enjoy your summer vacation in China!

Info:chinadaily.com.cn
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Monday, July 10, 2006

Wangfujing Shopping Street in Beijing, China

Wangfujing Shopping Street in Beijing, China

Beijing, the capital city of China mainland

Beijing, the capital city of China, is located in the North part of country with the area 16,808 square metres. Beijing is a very big city with the long history more than 700 thousand years.

The average temperature is about 11.7 celcius, the best time to go is in Spring season not so cold or hot.

Wangfujing Street, Old Commercial Street

Wangfujing Street is located in the heart of Beijing Capital City in east of Tian An Men Square, there're a lot of big department store, foreign book store, shops, boutiques and restaurants with the varieties of goods and the price are reasonable.

Wangfujing Shopping Street in Beijing, ChinaWangfujing Street is a very beautiful street, in the night time maybe a little bit crowded but mostly in weekend is very crowded but anyway so fun there. The shops in Wangfujing Street are decorated in Ming and Qing Style.

What to Shop in Wangfujing Street?

There're wide varieties of goods in Wangfujing Street such as clothes, shoes, caps, silk, scissors, Chinese brushes and ink-stick, books, jade articles, souvenirs photoes, tea, desserts, pickled vegetables, roast ducks and so on. You may find local goods of Beijing in Wangfujing Street.Have a wonderful trip!
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Friday, July 07, 2006

Nightlife and Entertainment in Beijing Today

Hang out in Beijing China at NightNightlife was unknown to many people in Beijing 20 years ago, and the word wasn't even used. But nowadays it is very common, especially for young people, to go out in the evenings and spend their time at cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, song and dance halls, Karaoke clubs, restaurants or bars.

Compared to people in south of China, Beijing people are more conservative. Most of them, married people in particular, like to stay at home watching TV or chatting with friends, which is why the streets are quite deserted after nine o'clock at night, when most of the stores are closed.

Don't despair, you can always find places to spend your evenings if you are not tired after the day's sightseeing. Almost every four-or five-star hotels have facilities for entertainment.

Pub in Hotel, Beijing, ChinaBesides hotels, nightlife venues are mostly in the city center. You can see the Peking Opera, acrobatics, dramas, local ballad singing, song and dance performances, or attend a music concert, or drop in at a roadside disco.

It's best to stick to places that have been recommended by other tourists or Chinese friends.

Now, the city has witnessed a mushrooming of foreign theme pubs, new exotic bars and locally run clubs. Foreign pubs, bars, cafes and disco clubs attract foreign residents and tourists as well as young Chinese.

The admission fee is usually about 50-80 yuan and beer is 15-20 yuan.

Info:World66.com
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Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Things You Must Shop in China!

Chinese SilkThere are many exotic and unusual things to buy in China which make wonderful souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends back home.

The following is a sample of the amazing range of goods available.

Silk: Chinese silk is famous all over the world for its magnificent quality, color and variety. Silk products from Hangzhou, Sichuan, Suzhou and Dandong are particularly good.

Tea: There are hundreds of varieties of Chinese tea. They can be classified into five categories - green tea, black tea, brick tea, scented tea, and oolong tea. Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, Junshan Silver Needle, Qimen Black Tea, Liuan Guapian, Xinyang Maojian, Duyun Maojian, Wuyi Rock Tea and Tieguanyin are top ten teas that you should bring home.

Wines and Spirits: Alcoholic drinks, in ancient China, were regarded as sacred and were used only in sacrifices. Today, however, wines and spirits are becoming popular as accompaniments to Chinese food.

Chinese LiquorYanghe Daqu and Shuanggou Daqu, Gujing Tribute Liquor, Maotai and Dong Liquor, Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhou Laojiao, Fenjiu Liquor are wines and spirits that have won many international awards

Antiques: If you're an antique enthusiast, China is the place for you! Fascinating antique and curio shops and market stalls are to be found in most cities and country towns. Care is needed, however, when buying expensive items to ensure, for example, that the item carries the official red seal of the shop and the sale documents are in order. Chinese law forbids the export of antiques dated earlier than 1795.

Chinese Medicinal Materials
: Traditional Chinese Medicine is an integral part of Chinese life and culture. With its unique diagnostic methods, systematic approach, abundant historical literature and materials, Traditional Chinese Medicine has found many adherents in Western countries.

Chinese AntiquesThe use of traditional herbs and potions lies at the core of Chinese medicine. Mostly made from animal and plant materials, these medicines have proved effective for treating a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Tonics based on herbs are also popular. Examples of the materials used in the preparation of medicines and tonics are ginseng, antler, rhubarb horse-tails, bezoars, angelica, Tianqi, licorice root, apricot kernel and the root of balloon flower.

In recent years, for the sake of protecting endangered animals, the preparation of medicinal materials from rare animals, such as musk, antler, leopard and tiger bone, rhinoceros horn and elephant skin, has been restricted. Such medicines cannot be exported from China; however, tourists can export Chinese herbs with a total value of less than 300 RMB (per person).

Arts and Crafts: Arts and crafts products make ideal souvenirs and gifts. These include bronze ware, cloisonne, folk toys, jade, kites, lacquer wares, paper-cutting, porcelain, pottery, seal, prints and scrolls, silk, embroidery and printed and dyed fabrics.

Chinese ArtsCloisonné made in Beijing, porcelain made in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, embroidery from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichhuan, Tang tri-color pottery horses and camels, and batik from Guizhou and Yunnan are all highly recommended.

The "four treasures of study" - namely writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, paper - play an important part in Chinese culture. You may want a set for your own study or to give as a unique gift to your friends. The best writing materials are said to be Xuan paper and Hui ink stick from Anhui, Duan ink slab from Guangdong and Hu writing brush from Zhejiang.

Info: goingtochina.com
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Monday, July 03, 2006

Bamboo Temple Kunming China : Qiongzhu Si

Bamboo Temple Kunming China Entrance GateBamboo Temple Kunming China is situated on the Yu'an Mountain, about 15 km from the center of Kunming. On each side of the temple gate stand four ancient Cypress trees, planted during the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago.

Entering the temple, the first thing visitors notice is the carefully designed courtyard, spread over four layers, one on top of another.

The Main Hall contains a trinity of enormous gilded Buddha statues seated on lotus thrones.

About the temple

Bamboo Temple Kunming China Beautiful ViewBamboo Temple Kunming China is a Tang Dynasty temple known for its Arhat statues, is arguably the most famous of Kunming's temples. Arhats are famous monks and "saints" of Chinese Buddhism, usually displayed in large groups of 500 or more.

Bamboo Temple Kunming China Bamboo Roof
The Arhats of the Bamboo Temple were made over a period of seven years by a famous craftsman from Sichuan called Li Guangxiu. His masterpieces are extremely realistic and lifelike, even if some of the statues are a bit surreal.
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Terra Cotta Warriors Horses China : World Cultural Herritages

Terra Cotta Warriors And HorsesTerra Cotta Warriors and Horses China are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, Lintong County, Shaanxi province.
It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

Terra Cotta Warriors And Horses ChinaLife size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.

Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses In The MuseumAltogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur. Terracotta Warriors and Horses China is a sensational archeological find of all times.

It has put Xian on the map for tourists. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.
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Saturday, July 01, 2006

Tianjin China : Bohai Gulf’s Diamond

Tianjin China MapTianjin China is one of the 4 municipalities directly under the Central Government in China.
Tianjin China is located in the northeast of the North China Plain and this is the city which closest seaport to Beijing. Tianjin China is one of the biggest industrial and port cities in China.

The best time to travel in Tianjin China

Tianjin China Day MarketTianjin China enjoys 4 distinct seasons a year and the best time I advise you to travel are spring and autumn.

What to see in Tianjin China

Tianjin China Sunset In TownThere are many beautiful travel attractions in Tianjin that you wont’ miss to visit

- Huangyaguan Great Wall
- Dagukou Emplacement
- Dule Temple
- Panshan Mountain Scenic Area
- Haihe Park
- Water Park
- Central Line Scenic Area
- Culture and Food Streets

Tianjin China Night TimeAlso you should enjoy several and variety of foods that is quite different from other regions in China. The famous Tianjing-style braised creamed cabbage ( steamed stuff buns called “goubuli” ). Fist and seafood are also very common.

Tianjin China is one province which you shouldn’t miss to travel. You will see the local style, people, travel attractions and foods, It is easy to fall in love in this beautiful province.
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