Xi'an Back when Beijing was still a small-time barbarian-plagued northern outpost, the area around Xi'an was the site of successive dynastic capitals, including the first to unite China, the Qin, whose legendary founder, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the creation and burial of the astonishing Terracotta Army, now one of China's top historical attractions.   Today Xi'an is a modern Chinese city, though the impressive Ming-era Xi'an City Walls, the Tang-era Wild Goose Pagodas and numerous other ancient relics constantly remind one of China's vast history. When you've had your fill of the past, the city offers excellent modern dining, arts & entertainment and shopping. Xi'an hotels make a great base for further exploration of historical Wei River valley sites like the Terracotta Army, Imperial Tombs, pagodas, temples, museums, and the sacred mountain Hua Shan.

History

Some of China's earliest inhabitants lived in the Xi'an area over a million years ago, migrating along the Yellow River, which today forms the eastern border of Shaanxi. At least 500,000 years ago, proto-humanLantian Man was living in the vicinity of modern Xi'an; you can see the fossil evidence at the Shaanxi History Museum. The Banpo Museumpresents finding from a Stone Age village dating back to 4500 BC.  The Zhou (1055-771 BC) was the first dynasty to establish its capital in the area, ruling over northern China from Fenghao, just west of modern Xi'an. Among the relics recovered from this seminal period—the time of Confucious and Loazi—are chariots and bronzes. China's longest-lasting dynasty, the Zhou were followed in 221 BC by the short-lived but powerful Qin, which forged a united empire from a confusion of warring states. The ancient Qin capital, Xianyang, slightly west of Xi'an, the home of the Terracotta Warriors, is where China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ruled with legendary ruthlessness. He infamously attempted to destroy all remnants of the past by burying scholars alive and burning books; thankfully, copies of classic Confucian and Toaist texts survived his efforts. The Qin did not last long, falling to the Han shortly after Qin Shi Huang's death, but China's first emperor initiated many enduring elements of Chinese society: canals and roads; standardized writing, money and measures; and the Great Wall.  The Han expanded the empire, with Chang'an (today's Xi'an) as their capital. Trade flourished, and the city became the eastern terminus of theSilk Road, which reached all the way to the borders of the Roman Empire. Taoism flourished and, under the Emperor Wudi, Confucian principles were made the foundation of Chinese society. Chang'an was the center of the Chinese world at a time when only the Rome rivaled it in power, sophistication and glory. Today's dominant Chinese ethnicity, the Han, take their name from this dynasty.  Han triumph was followed by several centuries of decline, descending into a civil war that saw the capital move from Chang'an to Luoyang in 25 AD. It was not until 582 AD that the Sui Dynasty reunited the empire and restored the old capital. The Sui soon gave way to the Tang, and Chang'an reached new heights of glory. The Tang (618-907) laid out the city grid that exists to this day and Chang'an's population grew to over one million, making it the world's largest city. Buddhism spread throughout China and the arts thrived. Xi'an still boasts many reminders of Tang times, including Wild Goose Pagoda, built to hold translations of Buddhist texts brought from India. It was also during the Tang that Islam took root in China, as evidenced by Xi'an's Great Mosque.  After the Tang, Chang'an never regained its power and status, as the Song and Yuan Dynasties (960-1368 AD) moved their capitals east. Emperor Hong Wu of the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the city, renamed Xi'an, as a gift for his son in the late 12th century, but this did little for the city's overall fortunes. In 1899, Empress Dowager Cixi, de facto ruler of the Qing Dynasty, fled Beijing during the Boxer Rebellion, ruling from China's old imperial capital for two years until the anti-Western revolt ended in 1901. When the Manchu Qing finally fell in 1911, Xi'an Han Chinese massacred Manchu unfortunate enough to find themselves in the old Han and Tang capital.  The passing of empire lapsed into the chaos of the Sino-Japanese War and civil war between the Kuomintang under Chiang Kaishek and the Mao Zedong-led Communists. Xi'an was insulated from the worst fighting, suffering only a few light bombing raids by the Japanese. The city was, however, site of a curious episode known as the Xi'an Incident. In 1936, while staying at Huaqing Pool, Chiang Kaishek was arrested by his own troops and forced into a short-lived anti-Japanese alliance with the Communists. By 1949, Chiang had fled, the Communists were victorious, and the PRC was founded.  Xi'an became a key city in the effort to development western China, and continues to play the role of economic gateway to China's west. A discovery made in the last years of the Cultural Revolution would lay the ground for Xi'an's ascent to the top tier of China's tourist cities: In 1974, farmers digging in a field discovered the Qin Terracotta Army. Two years later, Mao, who found much to admire in Qin Shi Huang's ability to unite China centuries before, died, and during the 1980s Xi'an was opened to tourism. It hasn't looked back since.

Climate

Xi'an is situated in the Guanzhong Plain, bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north. The geographic location helps define the city's four distinct seasons. Summers are usually warm and humid with occasional heavy rains, though the average temperature rarely rises above 85 ˚F (30 ˚C). Winters tend to be dry and windy with average temperatures around 35 ˚F (2 ˚C). Spring (May) and Fall (September) have the most pleasant weather.

Lijiang Nestled in a high mountain valley, Lijiang's charming Old Town has long been a center of Naxi culture and in recent years has become a major tourist attraction. Declared a UN World Heritage site after a 1996 earthquake and developed in the years since with tourism in mind, Lijiang, once a remote backpacker getaway, now attracts some three million tourists a year. Of course, the tourism boom has changed the city and it's now common to find traditional wooden Naxi houses converted into shops run by Han Chinese who cater to the needs of tour groups. This has changed Lijiang's character, replacing much of its authentic (if occasionally dilapidated) charm with the convenience and relative luxury that the tourism industry requires, but it is still possible to find areas of the Old Town free of the theme-park feel that dominates elsewhere. The New City, whose flimsy modern buildings fared worse in the earthquake than the old city's Naxi wood and stone houses, is not worth too much time, though hotels tend to be cheaper than in the Old City. Beyond Lijiang, the beautiful countryside beckons. Not far from the city you'll find the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, monasteries, Naxi villages and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Lijiang is also an excellent spot for a few days of relaxation before or after treks in Tibet or eastern Yunnan.

History

Lijiang was established in the early Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 AD) after Kublai Khan conquered the nearby city of Dali. Soon thereafter it became an important stop along the southern Silk Road, connecting Kunming with Tibet and India and making Lijiang a central meeting point for traders and a distribution point for merchandise from all over China and beyond. The Lijiang area has been home to the Naxi minority for over 1,400 years. The Naxi descend from the Tibetan Qiang people, who migrated down the Yangtze from Northern Tibet. Most of the 300,000-strong Naxi community lives in and around Lijiang, while smaller groups are scattered throughout southwestern Sichuan and southeastern Tibet. Naxi culture is traditionally matriarchal, with women inheriting all property and mediating tribal conflicts; the matriarchy, however, has broken down somewhat in recent years with increased exposure to the decidedly patriarchal Han. In traditional Naxi culture, men and women did not live together but within their respective parents' homes. Many Naxi families kept inns to serve Silk Road travelers. Proving that matriarchy has nothing to do with emasculation, Naxi men were fierce fighters and often provided mercenary protection to Tibetan and Bai traders along perilous routes through Tibet, Yunnan, India and Burma. The Naxi are a people of culture and art, too. Their written language, Dongba, is the world's only pictographic language still in use. "Dongba" refers to Naxi elders knowledgeable in astronomy, geography and agriculture as well as folk medicine and handicrafts, and to this day the language nourishes a rich literature that preserves unique Naxi works on religion, philosophy, art, astronomy and history as well as music, dance and painting. The traditional Dongba religion combined elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. You can learn more at Lijiang's Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture. Like other regions in Yunnan Province, Lijiang is home to many minority groups. Among Lijiang's 22 minorities are Bai, Pumi, Yi, Tibetan, Miao and Lisu peoples. All minority populations together, Naxi included, account for 59% of the city's population.

Climate

Situated in a valley surrounded by high mountains, Lijiang enjoys a temperate climate year around despite its altitude (1,609 meters or 5,280 feet above sea level), with warm days and cool nights. Daytime temperatures average 15 ºC (59 ºF) in the winter and 3 ºC (37 ºF) at night. Summer temperatures can reach 30 ºC (80 ºF) during the day and drop to 15 ºC (59 ºF) at night. Summer months (June-September) bring daily rainstorms. The best seasons to visit Lijiang are spring and fall when the days are warm, there's little rain and the local alpine wildflowers and grasses are at their best. Whatever time of year, Lijiang is said to experience "four seasons in one day", so be sure to pack accordingly.

Xishuangbanna   "Twelve thousand rice fields" is the literal meaning of Xishuangbanna, an area covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers of paddy fields, hills, woods and tropical rain forest.    Its natural—and cultivated—beauty is its draw, along with its remote location in southern Yunnan Province, nestled against the borders with Burma (Myanmar) and Laos. Home to smoky pu'er tea, a number of minority ethnic groups, numerous festivals and some of China's most striking wildlife, including elephants, peacocks, monkeys, tigers and leopards (though you're exceedingly unlikely to glimpse a rare jungle cat in their natural habitat).     In many ways, Xishuangbanna has much more in common with Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Laos and Burma  than with Han-dominated China, and in recent years has seen a strong upsurge in tourism as foreigners and Chinese tourists alike flock to this lush corner of the People's Republic. The Dai, Hani, Lisu and Yao minorities and a passle of other hill-tribe peoples   Nature reserves occupy a total of 2,065 square kilometers. Xishuangbanna is famed for its wild herds of elephants, looking auspicious in an awesome fashion, and its swarms of peacocks. There is little to recommend in most of the towns, so you need to visit the surrounding small temples and villages to see the best side of Xishuangbanna. Aside from Mengla, most main centres can be reached on day trips from the capital Jinghong

History

In ancient times, Xishuangbanna was legendary for farming by elephants and the practice of tattooing. The region was known as "the land that rides on the back of elephants." Xishuangbanna got its name in Ming Dynasty (1570). While there is little written history to go on, Xishuangbanna has long been a place where the Dai, Hani, Yao, Bulang and Jinuo minorities live in compact communities and practicing their cultures, traditional arts and customs. In the history, the chiefs of Xishuangbanna all submitted to the rule of dynasties and would pay feudal leaders with presents of tamed elephants and trunks. Xishuangbanna is unique in that, even today, many of the minorities are dependant on the rain forests for all their daily needs.

Climate

Min. 10 C (in Jan)  The region sits at a lower altitude than most of Yunnan, and has a tropical climate with minimum temperatures around 10 C and maximum hovering around 26 C.The best season to visit is spring, between January and March. The rainy seas runs from May to August. The Max. 20 C (in Jul)

Xiamen

Xiamen (a.k.a. Amoy or E-mng to the locals) is one Fujian province's most beautiful coastal cities. Situated at the mouth of Jiulong River, the city of Xiamen encompasses Xiamen Island, Gulangyu Islet and Tong'an County (mainland). Being one of China's first special economic zones, it is well developed in infrastructure and diverse in culture.

 

  Salty sea breezes and sunny days abound, making the city a popular tourist destination. During the summer months temperatures frequent the high thirties (around 100 ºF) driving sweaty locals and holidaymakers to the swimming beach to cool off. Although surrounded by beaches, some of Xiamen's shores tend not to be patrolled or a little grubby. Swimmers are advised to join the masses at the official swimming beaches.

 

  Aside from its generous tax-cuts for foreign investors, Xiamen is probably best known for Gulangyu, an islet accessible only by ferry located off Xiamen Island's south-western coast. Cars are forbidden on Gulangyu and foot traffic prevails, although there is a small armada of electric powered golf buggy-style vehicles on hand to whisk leg-weary or less budget conscious tourists between scenic spots.

 

  History

  Xiamen, blessed with a deep water ice and silt free port, has a long history of foreign trade. Trade with Europe first began in the mid 15th century where tea leaves were the primary export. The increase in trade relations and exposure to foreign cultures over the centuries has left its mark on Xiamen—evident today in the city's unique "Sino-Mediterranean" style architecture, local attitudes and hospitality.

 

  In the early 1980's, under the direction of Deng Xiaoping, Xiamen was designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and began a new wave of foreign trade and growth. Substantial tax cuts and other incentives lead to an influx of foreign companies and the establishment of a multitude of factories.

 

  In 1999, Xiamen "lost face" on the world stage as the largest corruption scandal in Chinese history was uncovered. Some 200 government officials and members of the local Public Security Bureau were implicated, accused of running a huge smuggling operation whose proceeds were used to fund the building of a film studio and various other constructions, finance the local football team, and invested in a brothel.

 

  Climate

  There's basically no bad time to visit Xiamen, but if you plan a dip in the South China Sea, late spring to early autumn would be the best time to visit. The climate is sub-tropical monsoon, so expect summer rains. Average annual temperature is a comfortable 21 ºC(70 ºF) with highs peaking at just a bit over 38 ºC(100 ºF) and lows at 2 ºC(36 ºF).

Kunming

Gateway to China's captivating and wild Yunnan Province, Kunming is best explored at a leisurely pace. Wander the markets for local handicrafts and herbs, sip fragrant Yunnan tea in a relaxed teahouse, fill up on delicious snacks, and bike through the city and surrounding countryside. Visit temples, lakes (the deep blue Dian Chi is worth at least a day alone) and nearby mountains and forests (including the Shilin "stone forest" rock formation).

  Kunming and the surrounding countryside can keep you busy, but the city's also a great place to simply hang out, relax and experience something of China's cultural diversity: Significant populations of ethnic minority Yi, Hui, Bai and Miao peoples live in and around the city. When you're ready to move on, Kunming makes a great jumping-off point for further explorations of Yunnan and beyond—Tibet, Sichuan, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam are all within striking distance. 

 

  History

  Early settlements in the area date back to Neolithic times but it wasn't until the eighth century AD that the Dian Kingdom city of Tuodong took shape on the site of present-day Kunming. The Han Dynasty (205 BC - 220 AD), seeking control over the Southern Silk Road running to Burma and India, brought much of Yunnan into China's orbit, though subsequent dynasties could do little to tame what was then a remote and wild borderland.

  Kublai Khan and the Mongol Yuan Dynasty changed that in 1252, overthrowing the Dali Kingdom and renaming the city Kunming in 1276. As China's borders and influence expanded, Kunming became a strategic Western outpost, playing a key role in China's military history. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) defeated the Mongols in Kunming in the fourteenth century and officials constructed the city wall, part of which exists to this day. Ming General Wu Sangui defeated Manchu invaders 300 years later and held the city until his death in 1678, long after the rest of China had fallen under Manchu rule.

  Kunming also played an important part in the fight against the Japanese during the 1940s, serving as a base for defending the legendary Burma Road and hosting Chinese and American military detachments, including the famous Flying Tigers. The war also brought a number of urban Chinese fleeing the Japanese to the east, which helped lead to the development of Kunming's industrial capacity. After 1949, the city's fortunes rose and fell with those of China at large. The Cultural Revolution saw the destruction of many religiously and culturally significant buildings and an influx of residents "sent down" from eastern China, many of whom chose to stay because of the pleasant climate and way of life. During the 1979 war between China and Vietnam and subsequent tensions in the 1980s, Kunming experienced another round of conflict-fueled growth. This was slowly supplemented and then replaced by growth in tourism.

  Today, Kunming is a thoroughly modern Chinese city with large retail and residential blocks dominating downtown. Nonetheless, despite the scars and erasures of history, the provincial capital retains its laid-back atmosphere, cultural diversity and much of its natural beauty.

 

  Climate

  Known as "the City of Eternal Spring," Kunming experiences sunny dry summers and temperate winters. Annual temperatures average 15º C (59º F), peaking at 20º C (68º F) during the summer and 7.5º C (45.5º F) in the winter. The rainy season lasts from May to October, delivering daily cloudbursts. At 1,890 meters (about 6,000 feet) above sea level, the area's strong sunlight can come as a surprise, so remember to pack sunscreen. Despite the temperate weather, you should also pack a sweater or jacket; nights can cool down significantly, especially in the summer.

Sanya

Sandy white beaches, lush jungle and swaying palm trees—Hainan Island has them all in abundance, and Sanya, on the southern coast, is the best place to base yourself for swimming, water sports and sun bathing. Stay at one of the new luxury hotels along Sanya's gorgeous coastline, find budget accommodations in town or hobnob with the backpacking set at one of a number of pleasant hostels (see hotels for more). Wherever you stay, you're never far from the water. You can join the crowds on the popular beaches of Yalong Bay, visit Buddhist temples, linger in tropical gardens and see rare Macaque monkeys on Monkey Island. 

  If you're after a little privacy and a more pristine beach experience, hire a driver, ride a bicycle or take a taxi to one of the island's more remote spots. Today, what was quite recently a quiet fishing port has become home to luxury resort hotels like the Marriot, Resort Horizon, Resort Golden Palm and Kempinski, just to name a few. Although a bit sleepy and sparsely populated by Chinese standards, there's plenty to do in Sanya when you're not lounging by the surf—the bustling night markets are a must and there are a growing number of restaurants, bars and clubs to help you relax after a hard day at the beach.

 

  History

  It might be hard to believe, but balmy Hainan Island was once place of exile and imprisonment. For hundreds of years, during the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties (618-1644), outlaws and outcasts were shipped from the mainland to do time in the heat of what is today, with the benefit of air conditioning and modern medicine, quite a pleasant place to spend, rather than do, time.

  During the 1920s and 1930s, Communists who escaped Guomindang forces on the mainland made Hainan a base of operations, later fighting the Japanese, who occupied the island during World War II. After the Communist victory in 1949, Hainan remained largely undeveloped. In 1988, that all began to change, as it was declared a Special Economic Zone. Since then, tourism and industry have invigorated the economy of this tropical enclave. Sanya's fascinating mix of traditional Han Chinese and ethnic minority cultures—the Li people make up roughly 16% of the population, with Zhuang and Miao communities adding to the mix—creates a city teeming with rich art and dance traditions. Buddhism, which reached Hainan shores during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), remains the dominant influence in the province's culture and folk art.

 

 Climate

 Sharing  the same latitude as Hawaii, Sanya has a tropical monsoon climate with warm weather throughout the year. Temperatures rise in March through November, with monthly averages ranging between 25-28ºC (77-80ºF). May through October, monsoon season brings short daily rains. The best time to visit Sanya is from March to May or October to November when the Chinese New Year and Christmas crowds are gone and rain becomes less frequent.

  

Huang Shan

  The craggy rock faces, hanging mists and clustered pines of Huang Shan (the Yellow Mountains) create a lovely and distinctly Chinese landscape, one instantly recognizable from countless images on silk, paper and porcelain. The mountain range, consisting of some 70 peaks over 1,000 m (3,300 ft), spills across the southern province of Anhui in an exquisite jumble of scenic highlights—twisted lone pines clinging to stony spires, seas of clouds filling rugged valleys, and crystalline mountain spring-fed pools.

 Depending on your stamina and tolerance for crowds, there are several ways to tackle Huang Shan. Three cable car lines connect peaks also linked by well maintained trails. It can take a lot of walking to escape the throngs of tourists, but it can be done. Regardless, Huang Shan's natural scenery, punctuated by classical temples and pavilions, is virtually guaranteed to be a major high point of any tour of China.

 

  Although strenuous, hiking is not a backwoods experience by any stretch: Foot paths along are generally paved with stone steps, all hand-laid over the centuries. In the more trafficked areas, the trails are often lined with vendors selling water, ice cream and souvenirs; you'll also find plenty of shaded areas to stop and rest. Take the hike slowly (the humidity combined with altitude can sneak up on the hardiest hiker) and remember to drink lots of water.

  Hikers have two basic choices of paths: Eastern and Western Steps. The former is the easier of the two; the latter the more scenic and rugged. The area in the north of the mountain range is connected to the two paths by aPeak Circuit trail (often the area is referred to as the "Summit," though it is comprised of a number of peaks) which affords glorious views of the "cloud seas" and even offers a measure of privacy as one gets further from the cable car terminals.

Regardless of which path you find yourself on, you'll come across scores of whimsically named rocks, trees, and scenic outlooks. They're usually named after some creature or figure they resemble ("Magpie in a Plum Tree", "Embroidering Goddess," "Immortal Drying His Boot," "Monkey Transfixed by the Sea" and the like). One notable example is Welcoming Pine (Yingke Song), a lone tree near the Jade Screen Pavilion reputed to be some 800 years old. The pine stands by the Western Steps with branches outspread like arms, greeting all comers. Perhaps the most famous tree in China, its likeness has graced everything from cigarette packages to the five yuan note.

  You'll also notice a lot of stone inscriptions. These carved characters, often dating back many centuries, hold special meaning for the Chinese, often having to do with famous literary figures, poems and legends. One inscription, for example, is found on the "intoxicated rock." The two characters refer to a story about Li Bai (701-762), the great Tang poet. Apparently, Li Bai was so enraptured by the Huang Shan scenery (not to mention full of his beloved wine) that he seranaded the lucky stone and, naturally enough, it joined in and got drunk as well.

 

Though we do not recommend you either drink to excess on the trail or carve your inspiration into the mountainside no matter how overcome by Huang Shan's beauty you may be (you're not Li Bai and grafitti is punishable by law), we do recommend you join the masses in viewing the sunrise from one of the peaks (the area overlooking Beihai, or the "Northern Sea," is especially lovely). It's well worth braving the morning chill.

  Note that admission to Huang Shan is RMB 130 and that one-way cable car tickets are RMB 65 (RMB 55 in the off season). For more information on specific Huang Shan sights, visit our Huang Shan Attractions page.

  History

Known as Yishan in ancient texts, the mountain range took on its present name during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), most likely in honor of Huang Di, the "Yellow Emperor" and purported father of the Han Chinese people. The first reference to Huang Shan comes, unsurprisingly, in a poem (by China's beloved poet, Li Bai). The mountains have long provided inspiration to China's poets and painters, as well as legions of pilgrims who come to visit a site sacred to both Taoists and Buddhists.

  Over time, Huang Shan's trails have come to be furnished with stone stairways, temples have been built and the area has been made increasingly accessible. Since the late 1980s, tourism—both domestic and international—has increased greatly. In 1999, Huang Shan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  Climate

  The area around Huang Shan enjoys a mild climate with four distinct seasons: cool falls, snowy winters, pleasant springs and humid summers. It rains a lot, mostly from May to September. As you ascend, the temperature may drop significantly. Winter brings very cold winds to the region and average temperatures around -3 ºC (26 ºF). The best time to visit is spring or fall when the weather is moderate and the humidity and heat drop off.

Guilin

   Guilin

   As far as endorsements go, "number one under heaven" isn't bad. And no, it's not Dashan or Yao Ming selling Chinese microwaves, it's the considered judgment of centuries of Chinese culture regarding the "rivers and mountains" of Guilin. If you're at all familiar with classical Chinese landscape painting, you've seen the landscape around this Li River town and its downriver neighbor, Yangshuo: fantastic limestone formations towering above placid waters and green rice paddies.

  Guilin is also number one on a lot of tour itineraries, and the town and surrounding countryside are often quite crowded. So, if you're hoping to experience the area's magnificent scenery as something other than a backdrop for giddy shutterbug tour groups, you might need to get out of town and into more remote countryside. On the other hand, if you don't mind a traditionally Chinese "hot and noisy" crowd, there are numerous boat tours down river to Yangshuo.

  In Guilin itself you'll find ample accommodation and dining options; pleasant paths along the river or the city's twin lakes, Rong Hu and Shan Hu; grottoes in Fubo Shan (Wave Subduing Hill) adorned with ancient Buddhist carvings; the Ming-era Jinjiang Prince's Palace and a slew of other attractions, including the 800-year-old carved inscription on the karst peak Duxiu Feng (Solitary Beauty Peak), attributed to Guilin's original booster, governor Wan Zhengong: "Guilin's rivers and mountains are number one under heaven." Do believe the hype.

  History

  First settled in 314 BC, Guilin was a self-governed community until 111 BC. City establishment began during the Han Dynasty under the Emperor Wu (140 BC-87 BC).

  From the 7th to 13th centuries under the Tang and Song Dynasties the city acted as buffer zone between the Chinese heartlands and the southwestern border regions. Successive rulers garrisoned armies in the area and developed a network of canals to facilitate the distribution of food and supplies to the area below the Yangzi River.

  In subsequent years, Guilin's relative remoteness gave it a measure of autonomy in its role as capital of Guangxi. As China began to industrialize in the twentieth century, Guilin found economic success in the manufacture of chemicals, paper and agricultural equipment. In 1925 Chinese nationalist hero Sun Yatsen launched the "Northern Expedition" from Guilin; in subsequent years, the city became home to more than one million refugees as the Japanese advanced against Chinese troops. Tragically, Guilin was not safe from Japanese air power and was nearly leveled in a series of bombing raids.

  Guilin was rebuilt following the Communist victory in 1949, albeit along bluntly utilitarian lines, resulting in a rather unattractive cityscape. Still, the city's many parks and bridges keep it beautiful, and recent decades have seen an increased interest in preservation and rehabilitation of traditional architecture—in 1981 China named Guilin as one of four cities (alongside Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou) whose cultural history, heritage and environment would be preserved and protected by the government.

  Climate

  The best time of year to be in Guilin is between April and October. The subtropical climate makes for rain and humidity year round; summers are generally the wettest and lushest. Summers are also usually quite hot (averaging 28 ˚C (83 ˚F)). Expect frequent afternoon showers. Winter brings moderate temperatures (8 ˚C (46 ˚F)) and rain. Towards the end of the spring, through summer and into early fall are when Guilin is at its greenest and when the Li River waters run their highest and clearest. Keep in mind when exploring the area that heavy rains can fall at any time, causing flash flooding and loosening soil, making things slippery and unstable.

Hong Kong

In the shadows of mountains and towers, Hong Kong goes about its business, with crowds thronging street markets and luxury malls, dining in steamy dim sum eateries and elegant world-class restaurants and otherwise enjoying a city renowned for its independent spirit, wealth and industriousness.

Hong Kong's unique mix of East and West makes for an exciting, modern metropolis full of surprises. Comprised of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outer Islands, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) is unlike any other place in the world. On Hong Kong Island, skyscrapers soar against a backdrop of lush peaks and ridges, with Victoria Peak providing a stunning counterpoint to architectural landmarks such as I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower, the modular HSBC Building and the elegant International Finance Centre.

Across Victoria Harbor, Kowloon appears to be entering into competition with its glamorous opposite number (though it has a long way to go), constructing its own phalanx of new high rises—including the International Commerce Centre, which will be the tallest building in the SAR upon completion in 2010—and tempting consumers with brands and bargains galore in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Beyond Kowloon stretch the surprisingly expansive New Territories, including large areas of undeveloped land perfect for getting away from the crowds for a day at the beach or visit to a village with the feel of an older China. To the west, Lantau Island is home to fishing villages and trail-laced parks as well as Hong Kong's top-rated international airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.

History

Hong Kong has known human habitation since the Paleolithic era. The Qin Dynasty (221 BC -206 BC) brought it under its rule when it first unified China, and by the time of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) Hong Kong had become a significant trading and military outpost, benefiting from its strategic position near the Pearl River Delta and proximity to Guangzhou (Canton), where the British and European traders established a presence in the late seventeenth century. In 1841, the growing port of Hong Kong and its valuable deep-water harbor were handed over to the British as a result of concessions wrested from the Qing Dynasty after the First Opium War. After the Second Opium War in 1860, Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to Britain and in 1898 the New Territories were leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years.

By the time of the Second World War, Hong Kong had grown wealthy, though the European colonists and Chinese residents lived in very different worlds. The colonists, known as tai pan ("big shots") to the locals, had built railroads, schools and clubs, effectively isolating themselves from the native culture around them. Many Chinese lived near the harbor, while the tai pan largely lived further up Victoria Peak, away from the heat and bustle of the waterfront. Kowloon's famous Walled City, which had remained under nominal Chinese control under the treaty, became an infamous ghetto and one of the most densely populated spots on earth (the city was razed in 1993 and replaced by today's Kowloon Walled City Park).

All of this radically changed on December 8, 1941, when just eight hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese bombs rained on Hong Kong. Commonwealth troops and Chinese volunteers held off the Japanese for 17 days until Christmas Day when Japan took the city. They would hold it until the end of the war, though Chinese guerrillas conducted raids and sabotage throughout. After the Japanese surrendered in 1945, Britain resumed control with 52 years remaining on its lease and a big question mark hanging over Hong Kong's future.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the economy boomed in the 1950s, fueled in large part by a flood of mainland Chinese who sought refuge from China's civil war. Many were wealthy Shanghainese who brought their businesses with them. With the matter of Hong Kong's return to China looming ever larger, uncertainty grew until 1984, when the Chinese and British Governments signed the Joint Declaration that would return the territory to China effective July 1, 1997. Under the Chinese slogan "One Country, Two Systems," Hong Kong largely retains its own economic and social systems, as well as a good deal of its colonial British character. It hasn't always been easy—Hong Kong has recently weathered the SARS epidemic and the Asian Financial Crisis—but despite rocky times the city is thriving, resilient as ever.

Climate

Spring is cool and pleasant with average temperatures running between about 17 ºC and 23 ºC. Summer is hot and very humid, with average high temperatures from June through September running to 30 ºC (91ºF) and humidity that hovers around 90%. Typhoon season lasts May to September with frequent downpours. Fall brings mild weather with averages between the low to mid 20sºC (70s ºF) and clear skies. Winter is dry and can get chilly, averaging 17 ºC (62 ºF) with temperatures occasionally dipping into the mid-teens Centigrade (mid-50s ºF). The best time to visit Hong Kong is in the spring and fall, when the weather is pleasant and the rain less frequent.

Beijing

The Forbidden City's red walls and golden roof tiles, labyrinthine lanes running through low-slung grey brick hutong neighborhoods, futuristic skyscrapers punctuating the horizon in all directions, broad avenues and the expanse of Tian'anmen Square, traffic jams and dust storms, ancient imperial gardens, bustling markets.... Beijing holds astonishing sights and countless adventures for the curious.Steeped in the past even as it focuses with all its might on the future, today's Beijing steps confidently onto the global stage, marking China's emergence as a world power as host of the 2008 Olympic Games. It's a fascinating time to visit. Vast areas of the city are being transformed overnight as new high-rise complexes displace old hutong warrens, yet Old Beijing holds fast in surprising ways and places.Our guide to Beijing gives you the latest information on what to do and see in this amazing city. Help us improve the guide by sharing your thoughts in our comments section, sharing your Beijing tips and stories in the China Travel Forum or adding reviews of Beijing attractions, hotels and restaurants.

History

Though it lies north of the traditional Han Chinese heartland, Beijing has been at the center of China's cultural and political life for the better part of seven centuries. The city gained its prominence in the 13th century AD when it was established by Mongol ruler Kublai Khan as capital of the Yuan Dynasty under the names Khanbaliq (Mongolian for "grand home of the Khan") and Dadu ("great capital"). It was this metropolis that impressed Marco Polo, whose tales of his time in the court of the Khan inspired generations of European explorers to seek better trade routes to the East.

The archeological record shows human settlement in the Beijing area long before Kublai Khan—as early as the 11th century BC. By the 8th century AD, the Yan Kingdom established its capital of Yanjing in the area, giving way after the Warring States Period to the Qin Dynasty, which united China in 221 BC. The Qin, whose capital was Xiangyang near today's Xian, demoted the Yan capital to a regional seat of government. For centuries after, the city, then known as Jicheng, remained a center of trade and governance and a military outpost defending China from aggressive northern tribes. In 938 AD the northern Liao Dynasty established a second capital in Beijing, which they called Nanjing (Southern Capital). The Liao built the first city walls, which were expanded by the Jurchen Jin Dynasty, who made it their capital in 1153, calling it Zhongdu (Middle Capital).

After Genghis Khan's Mongols destroyed the Jin, razing their capital, his son, Kublai, established Dadu, whose basic layout remains in present-day Beijing. From his capital Kublai ruled the largest empire the world has ever seen. However, it wasn't until Ming Dynasty ruler Yongle (1403-1425) showed up that the prominent landmarks of today's Beijing made the scene. Yongle, an ethnic Han Chinese, leveled all Yuan Dynasty buildings, determined to erase all traces of Mongol rule over China, and initiated construction of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Yongle also gave the city a new name: Beijing (Northern Capital).

As the capital of imperial China for the next 586 years, Beijing witnessed wars, corrupt Emperors and Empresses, foreign attacks (the British and French in 1860) and rebellions (the Boxers in 1900, for one). It also presided over prosperous times and the cultivation of arts, scholarship, philosophy and religion. As the Qing (1644-1911) decayed at the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth, ceding territory to Western colonial powers and Japan, Beijing became a center of political agitation as nationalist students demonstrated against Qing corruption and in favor of modernizing China. The city fell into turmoil after the fall of the Qing, changing hands repeatedly during 1911 and 1912.

From 1912 to 1927, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hankou alternated as centers of government. Students and other reform-minded nationalist Chinese continued to work for a modernized China, with the May Fourth Movement emerging from 1919 protests against the transference of Germany's Chinese concessions to the Japanese in the wake of World War I. This dissent would continue, feeding into the Communist movement and, eventually, the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

The end of World War II brought the abolition of all foreign concessions in the city and the the end of the Japanese occupation that began in 1937, and Beijing was restored to Chinese sovereignty. After four more years of civil war the Communists emerged victorious, and on October 1, 1949 in Tian'anmen Square Mao Zedong proclaimed Beijing the capital of the People's Republic of China. As previous rulers had often done, Mao made a symbolic break with the previous order by reinventing the capital. Between 1965 and 1969, the old city wall was torn down. Hundreds of temples and monuments were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), and old neighborhoods were leveled to broaden boulevards and enlarge Tian'anmen Square.

The upheaval of the Cultural Revolution ended with Mao's death in 1976, and in the transitional years that followed, China began opening its economy under Deng Xiaoping. Along with economic changes, many Chinese began to look for increased freedom of expression and broader political reform. Beijing students took the lead, challenging the status quo with the Democracy Wall in 1978-1979 and a decade later with the protests that culminated in the tragic 1989 Tian'anmen Square face-off between the People's Liberation Army and demonstrators. Deng's economic reforms have continued under subsequent leadership, fueling China's epic economic boom.

Climate

The best times to visit Beijing are spring (April and May are nicest) and fall (September and October can be beautiful). Beijing experiences cold, dry and windy winters, with average low January temperatures falling to -8ºC (17ºF). By July, the city's average highs reach a steamy 30ºC (86ºF) as Southeast Asia's monsoon system pushes hot and humid air northward, bringing with it regular rains. Spring and summer also see occasional sandstorms as sand and dust from the Gobi Desert blow into the city. Air pollution often combines with humidity and dust to create a thick smog that blankets the city. However, the city's cleanup efforts in advance of the Olympics will, hopefully, lead to cleaner air in the future.

Shanghai

China's economic showpiece never fails to surprise and rarely fails to delight. Walking Shanghai's streets can give you glimpses into a unique and layered past that includes foreign settlements, jazz-age decadence, political intrigue and, more recently, an entrepreneurial spirit that's returning this legendary port to the ranks of the world's great metropolises.Discover the Art Deco architecture of the Bund and former French Concession, take in Pudong's futuristic skyline from a sophisticated Bund restaurant with a cool drink in hand, sample tasty local specialties, dance till dawn, shop till you drop and mingle with the intrepid and forward-thinking Shanghainese. The city's energy is contagious and there's something in Shanghai for everyone.

History

Established as a tiny fishing community in the Warring States Period (453-221 BC), Shanghai slowly grew into a regional trade center, taking advantage of its access to the Yangzi River and nearby canals. The city stepped onto the global stage in 1842 when the British established a settlement just outside the walled Old City after defeating the Qing in the First Opium War. Concessions to the French, American, and Japanese soon followed, and Shanghai's economy began to boom as foreign investment poured in.

As the city grew in importance and wealth during the 1920s and '30s, it gave rise to an often disreputable mix of gangs, corrupt concession cops, fat-cat factory owners, sailors and rich expatriate families. It was during this period that most of the Bund's signature buildings were constructed and when Nanjing Lu, Huaihai Lu and the French Concession took the shapes that they largely retain today.

Political intrigue ran high, as the ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) struggled to maintain control in a city full of Japanese spies, Western agents and Communist organizers. In 1922, the Chinese Communist Party held its first meeting in a French Concession lane house. It continued to organize in the city thereafter, briefly allying itself with the Nationalists against Japan, but the alliance was short lived. The Nationalists, working with Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng and his Green Gang, massacred Communists and striking workers in 1927, driving opposition underground. Despite such turmoil, Shanghai continued to thrive economically, solidifying its reputation as one of the world's most exciting, prosperous and decadent cities.

That all ended in 1937, when Japan seized the city, taking control of the foreign concessions in 1941 on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following the end of World War II in 1945, Nationalist rule returned to Shanghai. It wasn't long, however, before the Communists ousted the Kuomintang in 1949.

During the Mao years, Shanghai's role as a center of global finance and trade was displaced by the need to serve as a source of industrial production and revenue in support of national revolutionary development schemes. Despite the sometimes violent tumult of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution (the latter saw many urban Shanghainese subjected to various reeducation and self-criticism programs), Shanghai remained a vital economic center, though the glamor was gone—for a while, at least.

Since the economic reforms initiated in the 1990s under Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping, the city has reappeared on the world stage—in a big way. The government's decision to open and develop Shanghai has helped fuel China's recent breakneck growth and has brought streams of foreigners back—for both business and pleasure—to a city that once again commands global attention.

Climate

Shanghai's most comfortable weather occurs from March to early June and September to November. Frequent rain interrupts the days from mid-June to early July. July and August bring hot and humid weather, with daily temperatures regularly soaring well above 30 ºC (86 ºF). The warm days continue through September as the nights begin to cool. Winter is damp and chill, with average temperatures lingering around 0 ºC (32 ºF), though it rarely snows or freezes. Spring and fall see a number of blue-sky days, but air pollution in Shanghai can be a problem. It's not as bad as some other cities in China, but those with sensitive lungs should take appropriate precautions, especially in the summer when the smog gets its thickest.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou casts an enchanting spell. Marco Polo marveled that it was "the most beautiful and elegant place in the world" and a popular Chinese saying boasts "above there is heaven, below there is Hangzhou." The serene loveliness of Hangzhou's West Lake (Xi Hu) and the surrounding hills remain spellbinding, even if realities of modern life—such as massive crowds of camera-happy tourists—occasionally intrude. Millions of tourists visit every year to admire Hangzhou's graceful willows, tranquil waters and expansive gardens. If you can, shoot for a weekday visit to avoid the inevitable weekend crowds.

History

Hangzhou has known centuries of wealth and high culture, profiting from the region's famous silks and teas. Hangzhou grew in political importance during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD) after Jurchen invaders from present-day Mongolia ransacked the Song capital Kaifeng. Emperor Gaozong (1107-1187 AD) fled to Hangzhou, where he set up his new capital. The imperial court's patronage boosted Hangzhou's importance as a commercial hub and brought China's best scholars, artists and poets to the city.
The healthy silk and tea trade expanded during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). The 1,000 km Grand Canal linked the city to distant Beijing and to ocean trade routes to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The city's population grew in number and wealth. Merchants and officials led lives of leisure, building extravagant homes and pleasure boats for West Lake. The city's fame brought curious visitors throughout the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and Emperors Kangxi (1662-1722) and Qianlong (1711-1799) held court in Hangzhou, the latter building a palace on Solitary Island (Gu Shan) and an imperial library.
Hangzhou suffered greatly during the Taiping Rebellion and was largely reduced to rubble after being taken by the rebels in 1861 and retaken imperial armies two years later. A little over a century later, many remaining monuments were lost during the upheaval of the Cultural Revolution, requiring major reconstruction to return the city to something like its former glory. Today, much of the city has been restored and it's easily one of the most popular tourist spots in the country.

Climate

Hangzhou experiences four distinct seasons with cold winters (average temperature of 3º C (37º F)) and hot summers (average of 29º C (84º F)). Summers are rainy through May-July and can grow exceedingly humid. Whatever the weather, Hangzhou paints a pretty picture. In the winter, light snow blankets stone brides and walkways and spring and summer bring blooms of flowers. The best time to visit Hangzhou is in the fall, when the weather cools and the rains decrease.

GuangZhou

Even if you've never been to China but you have been to Chinatown, Guangzhou should strike a familiar chord. That's because so much overseas Chinese culture is the legacy of immigrants from Guangzhou—formerly known as Canton—and the surrounding Guangdong Province countryside.

Located at the apex of the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou forms a golden triangle with financial powerhouse Hong Kong and upstart Shenzhen. The Delta has become the world's factory floor and recent years have been prosperous. The city has experienced its share of growing pains—namely pollution and congestion—but today is settling into a new phase of its life as a 21st-century Chinese metropolis complete with a well-manicured riverfront, renovated colonial buildings and flashy high-tech skyscrapers.

Beneath the ranks of new glass and steel towers, the famed port retains its soul, and it isn't hard to find the pulse of traditional Cantonese culture in steamy dim sum eateries, bustling markets and ancient streets.

History

Setting aside the story of the five immortals who long ago descended upon the site of Guangzhou on rams and planted sheaves of grain in the name of peace, the city's history begins some time in the 3rd century B.C.

Originally known as Panyu, the city quickly became a key trading center, with visiting merchants arriving from distant lands as far-flung as Rome showing up in the historical record as early as the 2nd century A.D.

By the 8th century, Middle Eastern traders had established themselves in Guangzhou, and by 1511 the Portuguese were a major factor, though they would soon be displaced to nearby Macau, where their influence is still strongly felt.

Ships from around the world followed and throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Dutch, English, French, American, Danish, Swedish and Australian flags could be seen flying above trading vessels in the harbor.

Foreign influence helped make Guangzhou a focal point of change in Qing Dynasty China, as commercial, social and political pressures from abroad combined with the imposition of military force to wrest one concession after another from a weakening Beijing.

Things came to a boil with the Opium Wars, which officially began after Qing Commisioner Lin Zexu ordered the seizure of all opium in the possission or British traders in Guangzhou and then destroyed over a year's worth of shipments. The British responded with military force, forcing the cession of Guangzhou and other "treaty ports," including long-term rights to Hong Kong, to the Crown in 1843 with the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing.

In the 20th century as in Lin Zexu's day, Guangzhou was key to the assertion of China's soveriegn rights, as the locally born and raised revolutionary Sun Yatsen organized resistance to both the feeble Qing and the predations of foreign powers in Guangzhou, which also attracted its share of communist revolutionaries in the years leading up to the 1949 victory of Mao Zedong and his comrades.

Today, capitalism has returned to this city of savvy entrepreneurs and traders in a major way, sheparding a healthy portion of the world's consumable goods out of Guangdong's factories and down the Pearl River to the sea.

Climate

Guangzhou has a subtropical climate, is warm year 'round and experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons. May through August is very wet with daily rains and temperatures in the lower 30sºC (upper 80sºF). Fall and spring are drier and quite pleasant. The coldest temperatures bottom out in January and February around 10ºC at night (low 50sºF).