Shijiazhuang (石家庄) is the capital city of Hebei Province, located 280km (174 miles) southwest of Beijing in central Hebei. It is a major hub of the national railway network and is a fast-growing, prosperous city.
Shijiazhuang is the intersection of the Beijing-Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang -Dezhou, and Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan railway lines and one of the centers of communications in China. It is also known for its flourishing textile industry.
Shijiazhuang actually is a small village, No one could have predicted that this small, unknown village would have developed rapidly into the modern capital city of Hebei Province.
Nowadays it is the capital and main economic center of Hebei and a relatively important city in China. Shijiazhuang is the largest pharmarceutical base in China and is as well an important center in the textile, IT, manufacturing and chemical industries. In 2007, it was listed as one of the top 15 economic powers in China.
According to the latest census figures, Shijiazhuang has a population of 2.19 million in the city proper, with a further 7.4 million people living in its 20 affiliated counties.
Shijiazhuang Tourism and attractions
Shijiazhung is a young city in China. Although it’s considered relatively young by Chinese standards, it has already made its mark in Chinese history. Xibaipo Village, located 80 kms outside of Shijiazhuang, was the northern base for Chairman Mao Zedong, the Red Army and the Communist Party.
Though it is a relatively young city, it is located on fertile land that boasts splendid cultural history. As such, Shijiazhuang is home to many significant cultural relics, such as the oldest stone-arch bridge in China, Zhaozhou Bridge, and one of China’s three hanging temples Qiaoloudian Hall (Bridge-Tower Hall). Moreover, the grand Taihang Mountain, which lies to the west, provide charming natural scenery. Mt. Cangyan Scenic Area and Zhangshiyan Scenic Area also attract visitors from all over China and the world.
Approximately 50 kms. southwest of Shijiazhuang lies Cangyan Mountain with its beautiful scenery and rich Buddhist history dating back to the Sui Dynasty. The Longxing Monastery is another attraction that is located outside of the city (18 kms. north). Built during the Sui Dynasty, this large-scale monastery is considered one of the greatest Buddhist monuments of its time. Historically, the Monastery was visited by emperors and Buddhists still make pilgrimages to the temple. While in the area, visitors often check out Rongguo Mansion, known for its beautiful Qing Dynasty style architecture and décor.
Some of best Shijiazhuang attractions and sightseeing are listed here :
1. The Mausoleum of Martyrs in the North China Military Area.
This mausoleum is situated in the western suburbs of Shijiazhuang. The area, covering more than 200,000 square meters, is dotted with pine and cypress trees. More than seven hundred martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of the liberation of China were buried here.
2. Zhaozhou Bridge
This bridge was built on the Jiaohe River about 2.5 kilometers south of Zhaoxian County, which was called Zhaozhou in ancient times. The bridge was constructed in A.D. 605 – 616. Designed by a well-known Chinese mason, Li Chun, it is made of stone, 50.82 meters long and 10 meters wide, with an unusual arch that is 7.23 meters high with a span of 37.35 meters. The stone railing and columns on the bridge were carved with beautiful dragon and phoenix designs. One of the earliest Chinese arch bridges with a long open-spandrel arch in the middle and two smaller arches on each side, this bridge occupies an important place in the history of Chinese bridge building and has been of interest to tourists and engineers alike.
3. Cangyan Mountain.
This mountain is situated 78 kilometers southwest of the city. With its pleasant weather and towering ancient trees, it is a popular mountain resort.
Dating from the Sui Dynasty more than 1,400 years ago, Cangyan resort boasts magnificent pavilions and monasteries, as well as an architecturally ingenious palace constructed between two sheer rocks high above a gorge.
4. Great Prosperity Monastery (Longxingsi).
This monastery, situated in Zhengding County of Hebei Province, dated from A.D 586 in the sixth year of the rule of emperor Kai of the Sui Dynasty. Its three-storied main building, the Great Benevolence Pavilion (Dabeige) has five eaves and contains a twenty-two-meter-high bronze statue of a Goddess of Mercy with forty-two arms. A collection of historical monuments, tablets, statues, and other relics of the Shijiazhuang area can also be found here.
Shijiazhuang Nightlife
Shijiazhuang is still a new and under development city in China. No really glamour nightlife can be found there. However, more and more leisure facilities such as bars, cafes and teahouses are being opened here one by one.
The downside to Shijiazhuang is the limited selection of international nightlife and dining options. If traditional northeastern food does not appeal to you, Shijiazhuang is probably not the best place to put down roots – you will likely run through the list of available international restaurants very quickly; but those who enjoy affordable, savory jiaozi, hotpot, and local dishes will find themselves awash in starch and veggies. Interestingly enough, there is a wider range of clubs and pubs than restaurants in Shijiazhuang. Sunflower Bar is home ground to the city’s art scene, regularly hosting literature events, open mic poetry readings and cocktail hours. Swing by 70s’ Bar for loud, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll fun.
You can go to the theater for Hebei Bangzi Opera, or go to the art center for a concert, or go to bars, clubs, KTVs, or cafes, or go shopping at department stores, or try some Shijiazhuang snacks on the food street, or just stroll around the city to appreciate the beautiful night view of Shijiazhuang. All in all, the nightlife in Shijiazhuang will be absolutely diversified.
Some of recommended Bars, Clubs, Coffee Shop and Nightlife entertainment in Shijiazhuang are :
1. Scotland Bar
About 150 meters east of the crossroads at Zhongshan Road (East) and Guang’an Dajie, this is the most dazzling bar in Shijiazhuang city. The atmosphere here always incites a feeling of excitement among visitors.
Average cost per person: CNY120~130
2. Huayang Nianhua
Various wines and juices are served here in an elegant environment.
Admission fee: CNY10~20
Address: Chang’an Square, No.289, Zhongshan Road (East), Shijiazhuang City
3. Logo Club
A lively bar for those who enjoy energetic dancing and live bands
Address: 91 Mansion, Heping Road (East), Chang’an District, Shijiazhuang City
4. Fine Hour Tea & Coffee
A great place for intimate conversation since it boasts a relaxed and elegant environment. It is also convenient to use a waiting room for the railway station which lies very nearby.
Average cost per person: CNY20
Opening hours: 10:00~22:00
Address: Nanhuayuan Pedestrian Street, Zhongshan Road (West), Qiaoxi District, Shijiazhuang City
5. SPR Coffee
Delicious coffee and numerous desserts are served here in a quiet and relaxing environment.
Average cost per person: CNY25~30
Address: 1st Floor of White International Shopping Mall
6. 70s’ Bar
70s’ Bar is kind of a Beijing bar, which is quiet a lot. Most of the guests are 30 years old or older. They gather with their old friends and sing the old songs of Teresa Teng, Lotayu, and Tsai Chin.Those people who were born in the 1970s will be shocked by those old songs.
Hours: 19:00-01:00
Address: No. 38, South Jianshe Street, Qiaodong District
Phone: 0311-86979898
7. Manabe Café
It is a professional coffee house with a cozy environment. Its quality coffee beans, marvelous coffee roasting tech, abundant coffee knowledge, and good service bring itself a large amount of customers. If you want a private chat with your friend, try this.
Address: No. 47, North Jianshe Street, Chang’an District
Phone: 86065999
8. Seven Club
Seven Club is characterized by its Ming and Qing-style outside. However, the inside is the most fashionable and passionate soft rock bar. It emphasizes the ancient decoration and comfortable atmosphere. The attendants there will provide you quality service.
Hours: 20:30-03:00
Address: Building F, South Garden walking Street, Qiaoxi District
Phone: 0311-87817777 85180007
9. Allen Club
It is a club with good environment. Allen, the founder of the club, wants everybody in the club to feel comfortable just like they are at home. You can make friends there easily. And the performance and games provided by the club will refresh you.
Hours: 18:00－02:00
Address: 50 meters north of crossing of Tannan Road and Guang’an Street, Chang’an District
Phone: 0311-89618933
10. Seaside Scenery Coffee
Seaside Scenery Coffee is a Western food and coffee chain. As of June 2008, it has had 35 branches in Beijing, Tianjin, and Taiyuan. It is a good combination of the elegant tradition and modern management model.
Address: No. 1, District 6, Dingjia Fudi, Dajing Street, Qiaodong District
Phone: 0311- 86966638
Photos of Shijiazhuang here :
Zhengding is located about 15km (9 miles) north of Shijiazhuang and has been an important religious centre for more than 1,000 years, from – at least – the times of the Sui Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. It is the founding place of several major schools of Zen Buddhism and the noted temple of the Longxing Monastery and also home to four nice pagodas. It’s easy to reach by taking a bus (No.201) from opposite Shijiazhuang Train Station.
Tomb of Norman Bethune .Norman Bethune (1890-1939) was born in Ontario, Canada and in 1938 travelled to Yan’an in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China. There he joined the Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong in their struggle against the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War. Bethune performed emergency battlefield surgical operations on war casualties and established training for doctors, nurses and orderlies.
Railway station square at Shijiazhuang. Shijiazhuang is a transportation hub: it is at the intersection point of the Beijing-Guangzhou, Taiyuan-Dezhou, and Shuozhou-Huanghua railroads and many expressways, including the Beijing-Shenzhen and Taiyuan-Cangzhou Expressways.
The Revolutionary Martyrs’ Mausoleum is located along the main east-west road called Zhongshan Xilu, to the west of the city centre. In its grounds is the tomb of Dr Norman Bethune who joined the Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong in their struggle against the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War. There’s also a memorial hall and an exhibition hall on Bethune and an Indian doctor called Basu.
Mao Zedong Statue. It’s located on the main east-west road called Zhongshan Donglu, just south of Chang’an Park.
Hebei Provincial Museum. This vast museum was closed when I visited in July 2008 which was a real shame as it’s about the only thing worth visiting in the city. There were some new buildings being built behind the exisiting main museum building and the whole museum is set to re-open in 2010.
Chang’an Park. This large park is located in the city centre on the corner of Zhongshan Donglu and Jianshe Beidajie. The park features a large lake, bridges and pavilions. I came here in the afternoon after visiting Zhengding and sat by the lakes bank and a group of Chinese students came over to me and practiced their English with me.
Shijiazhuang is the perfect place for the small-city urbanite. Those who choose to live in Shijiazhuang reap the benefits of being a 3-hour train ride from Beijing while avoiding all the extortionist prices, crowding and traffic congestion of a megalopolis. Property and housing rentals are also markedly cheaper. If you choose to go through a rental agency, you can easily find large, 100sqm and above flats for as little as RMB2, 000 per month.
Shijiazhuang Nightlife. Shijiazhuang still a young city, so not so many nigthlife entertainment at the city.
Watch Travelogue Summer Special presents Shijiazhuang City, China video here
Taiyuan (太原) is the capital city of Shanxi Province, a city of rich in political, military, and religious history. Taiyuan is where the Qing Dynasty was birthed in 1644. It’s 2000 year lifespan can be traced back to 476 B.C. and the Warring States Period.
Spelling Shanxi, don’t be confused with another China Old province “Shaanxi”. Shanxi province usually bundled together with neighbour province like Hebei, Tianjin, and Beijing.
Taiyuan, is the biggest city in Northeastern China, and is a part of the Liaoning Province. In fact, it is central to the province’s economy, culture and politics. Located in the middle of the Province, the city enjoys a dry climate with lots of rain in the summer and very cold winters.
The central Shanxi region is rich in Buddhist and Taoist sites, including the famous Mt. Wutai and the Taoist Palace of Eternal Joy. Taiyuan is now a major industrial city in northern China, close to major iron and coal reserves.
Taiyuan city emphasis is upon to heavy industry like steel. Many a big scale of steel companya are in Taiyuan, such as Taiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd.
A company named Taiyuan Steel (Group) Corporation in north China’s Shanxi Province is striving to become one of the world’s largest stainless steel producer in 2006, a company sourcesaid on Jan.20. Founded in 1934, Taiyuan Steel has become one of China’s principal steel companies and China’s largest stainless steel producer.
Taiyuan Tourism
Taiyuan is an old city, a history of religion. Therefore, tourism in Taiyuan can not be seperated with Temples and Museum.
Several tourist attractions in and around Taiyuan include the Liu Xiang Lane, which contains ancient Chinese houses of important heritage, and several temples, such as the Chongshan Monastery, the Jinci Temple, the Twin Pagoda Temple, and the Shaunglin Monastery Longtan Park and Yinze Park are also popular tourist destinations.
This is the city’s most attractive temple although the Shuangta Si (Twin-Pagoda Temple) has become a symbol of Taiyuan on account of its unique architecture. Another major attraction is the Tianlong Shan Stone Caves where magnificent sculptures dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) may be seen.
Taiyuan is also known for its Liuxiang shopping district and the construction of parks and recreational areas that are praised by the UN Environmental Programme for their role in the improvement of the environmental condition of Taiyuan. Taiyuan’s environmental improvement project is being copied in many other Chinese cities and urban areas around the world.
Taiyuan Shopping
Taiyuan Street is the commercial shopping area in Shenyang, it has department stores and restaurants, also other shops around it. People like to go there shopping or have a friend gathering lunch or dinner together, especially young people.
Taiyuan Street is one of Shenyang’s main commercial centers. During the day you have to swim through enormous crowds of people (although i suppose that won’t come as a surprise). Taiyuan Street itself is “pedestrian only” in its central section. Taiyuan Street, as well as the other streets in the area, are lined with both small shops and gigantic shopping malls. Here you can find just about every kind of product imaginable…cell phones, clothing, shoes, artwork, etc.
Recommended: Go to Pizza Hut or Europaer if you’re starving for authentic Western food after a long day of pushing through crowds and haggling prices.
How to get there: Taiyuan Street runs north-south between bei liu ma lu (北六马路) and nan wu ma lu (南五马路). Its a few blocks east of the south train station. The following bus routes will take you to the area: 203, 501, 207, 263, 4240, 220, 103, 240, 237, 129
Taiyuan Nightlife
Nightlife in Taiyuan has become more colourful and live since its fast growing economy. Taiyuan now has a good number of discotheques and nightclubs. Chinatown at 49 Bingzhou Beilu is reccommended by foreigners.
For nightlife in Taiyuan, try the Chinatown Disco (daily 8-12pm; 30 RMB) at 49 Bingzhou Bei Lu, not far from the intersection with Yingze Dajie. Don’t let the unfortunate spelling mistake on the sign (”pisco”) put you off, as this huge place is surprisingly slick for a provincial city, with western DJs and an impressive interior including a laser, a giant bat and a spacecraft hanging from the ceiling. The high entrance charge means the chic clientele is generally too cool to pay much attention to foreigners on the dance floor.
Recommended Bars and Coffee shop in Taiyuan :
1. Tribes People Bar
Friendly and fashionable pub in the city centre
Address: No. 63, Mianhua Xiang, Taiyuan,
2. Ba’er Bar
Taiyaun’s longest established bar hang out.
Address: No. 100, Qinxian Bei Jie, Taiyuan
4. Chinatown Disco: Expansive and modern dancehall with chic clientele.
Address: 49 Bingzhou Bei Lu, Taiyuan
Coffee Shops
1. UBC Coffee
Location: 100 meters (328 feet) west of the Huayu Shopping Mall, Yifen Jie, Taiyuan City
2. Xianggen Coffee
Location: No. 251, Qinxian Bei Jie, Taiyuan
East of Parkson Department Store
3. Manabe Coffee
Location: Middle of Changfeng Jie, Taiyuan
Some Photos and pictures of Taiyuan :
Taiyuan is an ancient city once known as “the Dragon City.” It is the ancestral home of the Wang lineage (one of China’s most common names). Settlements in the Taiyuan region date back to Neolithic times. The town, then known as Jinyang, was founded some 2,400 years ago. Its location in a valley near the Fen River put it near the invasion routes from the nomadic regions in the north to the agricultural heartland near the Yellow River.
Jin Temple (Jinci), Taiyuan. Jinci Temple, an ancient ancestral temple, was founded about 1400 years ago and was expanded during the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, resulting in a variety of architecutural styles.
Taiyuan Nightlife in Chinatown Disco
Taiyuan nightlife is colorful and landing many skycrapers
Shanxi World Trade Hotel (山西国贸大饭店(太原）) is the first hotel in Shanxi Province designed to the standards of a 5-star hotel. Under the Management of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Corporation, World Trade Hotel supplies the best of service to their guests.
Taiyuan Food Street (太原食品街)
Taiyuan Street is one of Shenyang’s main commercial centers.
Watch Taiyuan Video : Wenmiao Temple in Shanxi Taiyuan here :
Chongqing (重庆) is the biggest city and most populated municipality of the People’s Republic of China’s four provincial-level municipalities, besides Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Chongqing, the southwestern China’s dynamo, is the most economically important city in West China and is certainly the biggest inland city of the country.
Chongqing was separated from Sichuan province and made into a municipality in its own right in March 1997. As a modern city now, population of the urban area of Chongqing proper was 5.09 million.
Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, Chongqing City is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. It contains Daba Shan in the north, Wu Shan in the east, Wuling Shan in the southeast, and Dalou Mountain to the south. Chongqing is notorious for its hot and humid weather. The air quality in the warmer months can be challenging to people with respiratory problems.
Chongqing is the largest commercial center and land and water communication hub in South-West China. The port of Chongqing is the biggest in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Known as a “Mountain City”, Chongqing was constructed on the mountain slopes and along the riversides. It has a long history and numerous scenic spots and historical sites. It’s renowned in particular for gardens with unique beauty.
Chongqing tourist attractions :
Chongqing attracts visitors from home and abroad for its cultural heritage and other tourist attractions. The city is the starting point for the Yangtze River Cruise, which explores the stunning scenery of the Three Gorges. Other attractions include the Dazu Rock Carvings , valuable works of art carved during the Ninth Century, Gold Buddhist Mountain, a rich repository of diverse animals and plants; and Fishing Town, one of three ancient battlefields in China. Ancient Ci Qi Kou village lures tourists to linger in its streets to buy handicraft souvenirs.
Chongqing Nightlife
As another China modern city, Chongqing has a dynamic vibrant nightlife. Start from boasting bars, movie theatres and dance clubs which bring the city alive in the evening hours.
Not only the fancy new skyscrapers are growing into the sky – also the nightlife of Chongqing grows up, making it a little bit comparable to Shanghai, the head of the ChangJiang and idol of Chongqing.
Chongqing has many western style of Nightclubs, Bars, and Karaoke in its nightlife entertainment. No doubt as Chongqing is one of the most rapid growing city in China. SO many western and expatriat comes to Chongqing.
The Jiangfangbei area is the district where most of the best bars are located. JJ’s House Disco on Bayi Street is the pick of the moment. Close by, the Silver Rock and the Rainbow are also good choices.
2. Yangtze International Club. Jiangbei District New World Entertainment Club. Minzu Road
3. Chongqing Ball King International Club. Near the Nanping West Road Post Office. Friendly Nation Entertainment. 2 Zhongshan Road
4. Kaiser Night Club. The Pedestrian Street, Sha District
5. Shapingba Wudu Club. Xiaolongkan New Street
6. Jiangbei District New World Entertainment Club. Yeshuigou Guanyinqiao
7. China City Night Club. Zhonghua Road
8. Ba Nanqu Kuan Huan Club. Yudong, Ba South District
9. International Country Club. Qiaoping, Ba South District,Chongqing
Chongqing Bars
1. Dee Dee’s Bar. Address: 86 Nanping Xinjie, Nan An District. Located beside the Holiday Inn apartment block.
2. The Fifth Season Book Pub. The first book pub in the city, set up to encourage reading and relaxation. Good coffee. Address: 6th floor, Metropolitan Plaza, Jie Fang Bei
3. Newcastle Arms. A Western-style bar with good beer and great music. Address: 3rd floor, 168 Ba Yi Road, Jie Fang Bei, Yu Zhong District
4. Romantic Bar Street. A terrace area, stretching out to the Jialing River, with Chinese-style buildings housing an array of bars and pubs, with outdoor seating. Ma Bar, A Street Car Named Desire Movie Bar, Ready Made Bar, Hot Sea Bar, and Philadelphia Bar are just some of the venues you’ll find.
Add: located near the Modern Book Center
5. Reunion Club. A pleasant and popular bar offering live jazz music. Address: Level 8, Yu Tian Mansion, Ba Yi Road, Jie Fang Bei (next to McDonalds)
6. 023 Bar. Big music club, modern decor, reasonable prices for a good time out. Address: 1st floor underground, Deyi World, Jiaochang Koum, Yuzhong District
7. Sohu. European-style music club. Very popular, good music, good chance that you’ll meet local beauties. Address: A1-6 Deyi World, Jiaochang Kou, Yuzhong District
8. A@ACLUB. Located on the second floor of Di Yi World in Jiaozhangkou Jiefangbei, five minutes away from the Liberation Monument. NIce atomosphere, good music, and pretty dancers.
9. Celtic Man Irish Pub. The Celtic man Irish Pub is Located in De Yi World Square downstairs at Nos. 7-2, B1 the first bar next to the skytrain station across from the Marriott Hotel. There are live bands, a pool table, and darts. Variety of music is played with the exception of loud disco music. Cheap beers and drink specials. The Celtic Man is pretty much the only expat hangout bar in Chongqing. A nice place to meet other foreigners, a home away from home.
10. Falling Club. Not only are fancy new skyscrapers rising into the sky – the nightlife of Chongqing nightlife is on the rise as well, making it comparable to Shanghai. A favorite is the Falling Club, close to Jiefangbei Monument. It is one of the few houseclubs in China that is acceptable.
Chongqing Karaoke (KTVs)
1. Story City. Address: 6F B Zone, Deyi World, Jiaochang Kou
Phone: (23) 63797146/63797148
Price: CNY 50-300
Comment: local old-style KTV
2. The Milky Way Palace. Address: Floors 1 – 3, Zone A, Deyi World, Jiaochang Kou
Phone: (23) 63798200/63798201/63798202
Price: CNY 20-200
Comment: first choice in KTV, relaxing and friendly
3. Star Box. Address: 5th Floor, A Zone, Deyi World, Jiaochang Kou
Phone: (23) 63798307/63798095
Price: CNY 50-200
Comment: good quality environment
4. Zuka. Address: Haiyi Garden, 9 Yanghe Highway
Price: CNY 40-60
Comment: Chongqing’s first multifunctional leisure square, including hotel, show bar, card bar, and KTV.
Chongqing has a lot of skylines, situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in southwest China.
A night view of the People’s Grand Hall in Chongqing, China
Land mark of Chongqing, People’s Liberation Monument(Anti-Japanese War Victory Monument) in the city center area.
Chongqing is arguably the most economically important city in West China and is certainly the biggest inland city of the country.
The Jiangfangbei area in Chongqing is the district where most of the best bars are located.
Zhenghzou (鄭州), or formerly called Zhengxian, is the capital city of Henan Province, China. Zhengzhou is located in the middle of China, about 760 km (about 472 miles) south of Beijing and 480 kilometers (about 298 miles) east of Xian.
Zhengzhou city now is so prosperous, as it will become a vital transportation hub, after the Longhai Railway (Lanzhou to Lianyungang) and Jingjiu Railway (Beijing to Kowloon) were completed.
zhenghou is not a tourism city, thought it is a industrial city, an example of a remarkably fast-changing city in China (without minor tourism clutter). The best known tourist attraction is the Shaolin Temple (少林寺), which is more than 50 miles southwest of Zhengzhou. Shaolin Temple is not only known as one of China’s important Buddhist shrines, but also as the ancient center of Chinese kung-fu.
Zhenghou main attractions :
Points of interest include cultural sites like the Ancient Ruins of Dahe Village, Central Holy Temple, Northern Song Dynasty Imperial Tombs, North Wei Grotto Temple, the birthplace of China’s forefather Emperor Huangdi, and the birthplace of the poet Dufu.
Scenic nature spots like Fuxi Mountain, Songshan Park, and Huancui Valley are also great places to get some fresh air and exercise while taking in the beauty and serenity of China’s landscape.
Zhenghou has a lot of cultural and historical museum, as Zhengzhou was once the capital city of the Shang Dynasty, dating back to 16th century B.C.
Some historical places to visit are listed here :
1. Erqi (February 7) Memorial Tower. Museum inside a rather garish double pagoda that looms over February 7 Square. Inside there are exhibits explaining the city’s development. edit
2. Henan Provincial Museum, Nongye Road (农业路; Nóngyèlù) (In the north part of the city). This monolithic pyramid-shaped museum is worth a visit. Learn about ancient civilizations in the area (most of which were not based in Zhengzhou, but nearby cities such as Kaifeng and Luoyang), and even see a dinosaur bone or two in the area. The museum is one of the three key museums in China along with one in Beijing. If you are into modern art, this is not the place for you. It generally has acceptable squat toilets on the first floor. There is an English audio tour you can rent, and there are cheapish lockers to store your stuff. Come to see old pottery from the Song dynasty, old bells, bronzes, things like that, but anything more recent does not have English captions. Across the street is a coffee house that makes ok tea and coffee for about ¥30 and has comfortable chairs. Free. edit
3. Henan Museum of Science and Technology. Fascinating insight into Chinese children’s education. Play on crumbling science exhibits, gawk at the garish space tributes and meet local families. ¥5. edit
4. Shang Dynasty Wall. You can see remants of the wall in the east side of town. Be warned: these mounds are not terribly impressive. edit
5. Zhengzhou Zoo. More depressing than it is impressive in any way. Some of their imported animals include turkeys and coyotes which might be interesting for a local but hardly for a foreigner. If you generally enjoy zoos, you may very well walk away sad at how the animals are cared for, or not in this case. edit
6. Renmin Park (人民公园; Rénmíngōngyuán), Erqi Road. Has a theme park inside with a quaint Ferris Wheel that is worth riding, if only to forget, for a moment, that you are in Zhengzhou. edit
7. Century Park (Shirchiquanleyuan), (20-30 minutes away from the Erqi square). Another park worth going to. It is quite a huge amusement park
Zhengzhou Nightlife
Zhengzhou is a industry city, so the entertainment are suitable for workers and businessmen.The night view of the city is a sparkling one. You can hear the singing of the city at Er’ qi Square with a music fountain and learn more about Chinese surname culture at Guangda Square as here is a hexahedral column standing 10 meters (about 33 feet) high upon which 114 Chinese surnames are carved.
The Lvcheng Square located in the Zhongyuan Lu is recommended where you can see the water screen film. In addition, discos, bars, clubs, cinemas and other entertainment venues will offer you plenty of enjoyment. There is a growing popularity for gyms and fitness centers among the people of Zhengzhou and more interesting is the fact that most locals like to participate in these healthy pursuits night.
Some of Zhengzhou Nightlife Bars, cafe, Nightclub which are recommended are listed here :
1. Baby Body Club
Address: Jingsan Road
2. Minglang Baoshi Guan (the best choice for those who are interested in climbing)
Address: 50 meters (about 55 yards) east of the intersection of Jiankang Road and Renzhai Beijie
3. Ziyou Ren Bar
Address: 30 meters (about 33 yards) south of the junction of Wenhua Road and Huanghe Road
Taichung (台中市 or Tai Zhong Shi) is the third largest city in Taiwan after Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taichung is located in west-central Taiwan with a population of just over one million people.
Taichung is a city with pleasant climate on the west coast of central Taiwan. The city is home to many manufacturers and in recent years has undergone a rapid growth of various cultural venues. Traffic in Taichung is better than in Kaohsiung or Taipei, though parking a car is still tricky.
Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: the world-class science museum and hiking in the nearby hills. There are also many famous night markets that provide night-time excitement.
In Taichung you you can enjoy delicious food and drink, and find cheap and interesting items for sale. These include the ChungHwa night market (中華夜市), the Feng-Chia university night market (逢甲夜市), the Tung-Hai university night market (東海夜市), and the Chung-Shiao night market (忠孝夜市)).
Taichung has so many temples, as any other cities in Taiwan. But temples in Taichung are extremely widely spreading, such as Confucius Temple, Martyr’s Shrine, Pao Hueh Temple, Cheng Huang Temple, Wan Chun Temple, Li Ancestral Shrine, Wen Chang Temple, Le Cheng Temple, and Wan He Temple.
How to access Taichung :
Arrive by air. Taichung does not have an international airport. However, it is only a short flight from all of Taiwan’s major cities. The airport is conveniently located a short taxi ride away from downtown.
Arrive by train. Taichung is a short ride from Taipei and is connected by high-speed and regular rail to all of Taiwan’s major cities.
Arrive by bus. Taichung is connected by both luxury and regular bus to all of Taiwan’s major cities. Taichung’s bus routes terminate both in the west end of the city and close to the train station. Visitors should pay attention to which station is indicated on their ticket.
Taichung Nightlife
Taichung has a huge KTVs where you can sing old classics, hip lounge bars, modern night clubs, beer houses and places that specialize in live music.
Some people may not too impressed by the night spots, but Taichung has many good restaurants. The best so far has been Smooth, which is the sister property of Fatty’s. Both are owned and operated by a nice fellow named Hendrik Frijling and his wife. The address is No.1 Ching-Cheng Road, Lane 50, in Little Europe, which is directly across the street from the Evergreen Hotel. Phone number is 04-2319-4898.
There are places that can kept you awake are the Pig Pen in Chi Chi, and a place called Coyote Ugly in the Tiger City Mall. You will enjoy the live music joint called 99, and another one that was okay called Animal House, both on Hsiang Shang Road. Everything else was a flop.
Taichung bars, and Nightclub :
Pubs and restaurants are often two or three stories and the discos frequently large enough to conduct military maneuvers in. Even better, the prices make us up here in Taipei recall the 1980’s – which goes a long way towards covering the cost of a hotel.
Like to start the evening at a quieter place with style or unique character? One great place to get started is La Bodega (3, JingCheng 2nd St; 04-2310-7006), a Spanish-run bar that is cozy and specialises in great snacks (Spanish Tapas) mixed with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. If you like to sit outside, you can’t go wrong with PJ’s Cafe (23 DaYe Rd; 04- 2325-2457), with their pleasant indoor pub and a nice outdoor bistro area that is good for people-watching. Taichung even has an Irish bar in O’Chang’s (Closed).
If you’re feeling dressy or simply like a nice sofa, be sure to check out one of the many lounge bars in the city. Crystal (120-3 ZhongHua Rd Sec 2, B1; 04-2208-6206) and Escape (45-2, TaiZhongGang Rd Sec 2; 04-2328-0768) are both small, cozy and high-end establishments perfect for a date or meeting with friends. Liquid Lounge (98, ZhongMing S. Rd; 04-3601-9980) is classy and comfortable during the week, but frequently hosts the hottest parties in town during the weekend. Also, be sure to check out J&J Jeay & Jazz Bar (91, DaYe Rd; 04-2310-0136).
No night out is complete without some dancing. Taichung’s answer to MoS is Mint 27 (Taichung Central Dept. Store, 10F – 186, FuXing Rd, Sec 4; 04-3608-0599), a hotspot that features the best local DJs and performers (like Wu Bai and Power Station) as well as many international acts. A popular night spot for the over-25 set is the Pig Pen (41, DaGuan Rd; 04- 2383-4456), with a British-themed pub downstairs and a disco upstairs.
To wind down at a late night spot, and if burgers in a friendly attractive bar sounds good then be sure to drop by Peggy’s Circle Bar (16-1, JingCheng 1st St; 04-2329-3998). Another spot which always retains a party atmosphere well into the late evening is 89K (89, ZhongMing S Rd; 04-2320-7010), a place where motorcycle enthusiasts mix with late night revellers for some high octane fun.
Taichung Bars/Pubs
1. 117 Music Restaurant. Address : 17, Gongjeng Rd. phone : (04) 2302-7175
2. 52nd St. Bar. Address : 371-1 Dushing Rd. Phone : (04) 2203-7872
3. 89K Music Pub. Address : 7, Huamei W St. Sec 1. Phone : (04) 2320-7010
4. 99 Musical House. Address : 22, Shiangshang Rd, Sec 1. Phone : (04) 2301-9181
5. Ala Saxophone Pub. Address : 1, Chunghsing 4th Lane. Phone : (04) 2325-2996
6. Big Rose Bang. Address : 155, Chungchi Rd Shalu. Phone : (04) 2631-9793
7. Bu Bu Disco Pub. Address : 6-5 Wenhsin Rd, Sec 3. Phone : (04) 2325-4247
8. Chubby’s. Address : 11, Jingming Rd. Phone : (04) 2329-3327
9. City Lounge 78-2. Address : 78-2, Taichunggang Rd, Sec 2. Phone : (04) 2311-2298
10. Concession. Address : 170, Wuchiuan W 4th St. Phone : (04) 2378-3576
11. Denver Pub. Address : 4, Kuanchien Rd. Phone : (04) 2327-2287
12. The Drunken Duck Beer Garden Square. Address : 266, Kungyi Rd, Sec 2. Phone : (04) 2251-3966
13. fM Restaurant & Bar. Address : 185, Boguan Rd. Phone : (04) 2329-6400
14. HI House. Address : 52, Huijung Rd, Sec 1. Phone : (04) 2258-8855
15. Lounge Bar. Address : 15, Hua Mei W Rd, 1. Phone : (04) 2319-6027
Kaohsiung (高雄 or Gao Xiong in Hanyu Pinyin) is the second largest city in Taiwan after Taipei, and located in southwestern Taiwan. It is enclosed by Kaohsiung County, and faces the Taiwan Strait on the west.
An international airport, the terminal of Sun Yat-sen Freeway, and the railway stations of Western Line and Taiwan High Speed Rail, are also located in Kaohsiung. The city is also home to Taiwan’s navy.
Kaohsiung was the host city of the 2009 World Games, a multisport event primarily composed of sports not featured in the Olympic Games.
Going to Kaohsiung, don’t miss this spot and main attractions :
1. The Cijin District (旗津). Located on a slender island in Kaohsiung harbor which serves as a natural breakwater for the harbor. The district is filled with seafood restaurants selling freshly caught seafood which can be prepared right after you pick it out. Cijin is connected to the rest of Kaohsiung City by underwater tunnels, but the transporation of choice is one of the many ferries that traverse the harbor. Fare for the ferry ride is NT$15 per person. The area is especially crowded on weekends with many visitors bringing their entire family along.
2. Dream Mall (夢時代購物中心). The largest shopping mall in Taiwan and 2nd largest in Asia (07/2008). The mall is a bit out of the way, but worth it to visit the Hello Kitty Ferris Wheel on the roof.
3. British old Embassy. A beautiful view of Kaohsiung city.
Kaohsiung Nightlife
Like other big cities in the world, nightlife in Kaoshiung has an excellent night spots. You could enjoy the nightlife begin with Liouhe Night Market, and then perhaps a taxi ride to the Han-Hsien International Hotel for drinks at the Skyline Bar. Situated on the 42nd floor of one of the city’s tallest buildings, this cozy little watering hole (open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.) offers tremendous views over downtown Kaohsiung and the harbor. The hotel is located at 33 Sihwei 3rd Road.
Wufu 4th Road remains the heart of Kaohsiung’s nightlife scene, but there’s no shortage of places in other parts of the city. One notable establishment is Roof Lounge (15F, 165 Linsen 1st Road), which has an enticing menu of Southeast Asian dishes, a dance floor (completely sound-insulated from the spiffy lounge area), and an outside balcony ideal for a romantic rendezvous.
If you want to savor an intimate night-out experience in Kaohsiung, there can be no better place than Chijin Park. The Chijin Resort Beach is located nearby. You can also gorge on delicious seafood delicacies. With exquisite seafood delicacies, the Chijin Park is a big hit amongst locals and tourists alike. You can also enjoy lazy strolls near the beach. There is a bridge which looks lovely at night. Reaching the destination is quite easy. You have to just take a boat to sail across the Kao-hsiung harbor to the long island. You can also avail of bus services to the Yanchang District.
Popular Nightlife Bars and Club by Lonelyplanet.com
1. Lighthouse Bar & Grill. Address : 239 Fuguo-1st Rd, Tsoying District. Phone : 559 2614
Lighthouse Bar & Grill is a popular hang-out in the Tsoying District with good service, seasonal activities and live sports.
2. Liuhe Night Market.
The train-station area, especially as you head down Jhongshan Rd, is filled with inexpensive cafés and restaurants. Nearby Liuhe Night Market is famous islandwide for its hundred-plus food stalls. You can eat well here for around NT$100 to around NT$200 . (It’s also very clean, as there is literally one rubbish can every 10m.) Other places to try traditional foods include the Lotus Pond area, especially on Shengli Rd.
3. Vie Show Cinemas. Address : FE21′ Mega Department Store, 13-14F, 21 Sanduo-4th Rd, E of Love River Area. Phone : 337 1234
In the FE21′ Mega Department Store. You can book tickets online in English.
Kaoshiung Nightlife Clubs, Clubs, bars, and Music House, as taken from “Kaohsiung Nightlife Pages”
http://friendpages.com/p/pages/cover.cgi?pageid=laowai
1. 1/2Alices:五福西路65號 Wufu Lu. You can drink or dance. Mixed bag in terms of music and atmosphere (you may need to bring your own crowd!). Note the Alices 2 near the Hanshen department store seems to have closed down.
2. ATT:建国路原东百货店对面 Jianguo Lu, opposite the Far Eastern department store near the train station. I have only been there once and I was turned off the place because some drunk decided that it would be fun for him and his mates to prove how tough they were by attacking the biggest foreign guy they saw (i.e. me). The place has a dance floora and sometimes had bands but last time I went near there it appeared to have closed down.
3. Blue Fantasy:五福二路47號 When I went there I was the only foreigner there but the singers mostly insisted on talking to the crowd in poor English and singing equally poorly in English. Their is a word for this in Chinese- “congyang”. They serve OK Chinese food. It is no cheaper than most of the bars in spite of the low quality. Had a surprisingly big crowd (for the quality of the entertainment) when I went there. It is somewhere on Wufu 2nd road.
4. Cheap/Cheaky Charlies:新樂街75號 Basic simple bars run by an Australian called Raice and his local wife, Qiqi. Good for talking. Cheakies is the place to be late after everything else has finished. Located on the small road directly behind the Caves bookstore on Wufu road. Cheaper than some of the other bars. Most of the customers are foreign buxiban teachers.
5. Dew Drop Inn:新樂街39號 Good suroundings, good place for talking. Does not seem to go on till very late. Foreigner run. Located on the same road as Cheap/Cheeky Charlies.
6. Green Jungle:中二路200號 On Zhongzheng Lu. I have only been there when foreigner organised events were happening and they were very good but I suspect that it may be a different on other nights.
7. 1/2High Bar/DNA:民生一路77號4樓 This place is OK but in spite of what I keep hearing every time I go there it seems empty. It is a “disco pub”. It is about the same size as the Alices on Wufu Road. It is on the 4th floor of 77, Minsheng 1st road. Run by “Dermo” who also owns the Dew Drop Inn.
8. Key Largo 五福西路88號 One of the numerous small bars on the section of Wufu Road just past the Love river bridge.
9. 1/2Jasmine’s Place¡R五福西路39¸¹ Another of the numerous small bars on the section of Wufu Road just past the Love river bridge. It is known for getting foreign guys who have been here for decades, but I personally can not see the attraction.
10. Jurasic:中華路 / 西維路口 This place is very big and perhaps worth a look on account of the bizzare decor. When I have been there it was empty but I have heard that it gets a big part of the local young wanabe gangster, binlang chewing scooter racing crowd on Fri/Sat. Sun night is foreigners night (free entry). I was told that you can expect more Philipinos than westerners then. It is on the Corner of Zhonghua and Siwei roads.
11. Rainbows End: I have not been there for a long time so this report is out of date but it is a slightly seedy late night bar which got some foreigners before Cheek Charlies opened. It is on Xintian (Hsintien) road between Zhonghua (ChunHua) and ZhongShan (ChungShan) roads.
12. Rolling Stone:五福三路152號 Can be a bit mixed according to when you go there. Another not too big bar but has a good selection of music. Just off Wufu Road near the love river bridge.
13. Rock 22:漢神百貨店22樓﹐成功路 On the 22nd floor of the Hanlai hotel/ Hanshen department store. Expensive. Good dance music. Not many foreigners who live here go there much. Often has an African American band.
14. The Pig and Whistle:西維西路199號 Gets a big part of the foreigner crowd who feel like dancing. The bands can be pretty lame and the DJ is a pratt but it is an OK place to go dancing. More SPGs (a Singapore phrase meaning an Asian girl who prefers white guys) than any other bar in Gaoxiong if that is your scene. Foreigners tend to go there later mostly from about midnight on weekends. Not cheap but not quite as expensive as Rock 22.
15. Virus:三多西路110號 This is a relitively new place but apparently it was previously known by a few other names. It is quite big, good. It does not get going well until LATE (about 3:30 last Sat. night). It did not really have enough people when I went there but it definately had a much cooler atmosphere than anything else between Taichung and the Phillipines. It sort of reminds me of some clubs in China in a positive way! Someting like Rojam or the old JJ’s in Shanghai. Virus is at 110 Sandou 4th Road. It is between TziChiang (Ziqiang in pinyin) and ChengKung (Chenggong) roads. It is down stairs. The Energy there on party on Sat August 7 was OK but actually I thought the last one at the green Jungle was better.
Kaoshiung Nightlife Photos and Pictures
Kaoshiung, a harbor city in Taiwan
Kaoshiung Nightlife
Nightclub at Kaohsiung, many bars, and nightclubs.
Tuntex Sky Tower (in Kaohsiung) at night
Liu He market at Jhongshan Rd, is filled with inexpensive cafés and restaurants.
Liu He Night Market at Kaoshiung City
Chijin Park, has a various sea food to chose.You also can let resturent to cook you favorite food in there.
There have a CHINJIN PARK where you can take a walk nearside the beach.There also have a bridge that you will look all the night shot on it.Beatiful park and street lights.
The Love River flows through the heart of Kaohsiung.
Wuhan is the capital city of Hubei, is an amalgamation of three smaller cities—Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang—each separated from the other by a river. The Yangtze and Hanjing Rivers separate the three parts. Wuchang is the cultural and educational area, boasting several colleges and universities. Hankou is the commercial district and Hanyang is where a lot of major development is happening.
Wuhan is the place to find both history and natural wonders. Hubei Provincial Museum and Yellow Crane Tower are two places to appreciate ancient Chinese history and culture. Even one of the most famous battle in Chinese History and a central event in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms — the Battle of Red Cliffs — took place in the vicinity of the cliffs near Wuhan.
Wuhan Main Attractions :
1. Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼 Huanghelou)
The single largest tourist attraction in Wuhan, the tower is a modern construction built on the site of five previous incarnations. It is considered one of the four great towers in China. The tower sits atop Snake Hill near the Number One Chang (Yangtze) River Bridge and affords a commanding view of the Chang River as well as the mouth of the Han River where it connects.
2. Guiyuan Temple (归元寺)
Guiyuan Temple is known as the first zen temple to be built in Hubei Province. The most famous and impressive building in the complex is the Arhats Hall, which contains 500 arhat (Buddhist saints) statues.
3. Memorial Hall of Wuchang Uprising in 1911 Revolution
On October 10, 1911 the infamous Wuchang Uprising that later led to the election of Sun Yat-Sen as the provisional president and inspired uprisings all over China. This event is one of the biggest events shaping modern China, making it a must-see for anyone interested in historical travel.
4. Hubei Provincial Museum (湖北省博物馆)
A large museum includes many artifacts excavated from ancient tombs, including a concert bell set (bianzhong).
Wuhan Nightlife
Nightlife in Wuhan is very active and attractive, mainly conccerning to pubs, bars and cafes, enchanting places to relax. If you’d like to improve your health, there are golf courses, tennis courts and bowling clubs.
There are a few western style bars in Wuhan. One of the busiest areas of the city is Hankou. The area around Wuhan University (Wuhan Da Xue) has some small and relaxing places to have a drink. The streets around Ba Lu are especially good and the Festival Bar is currently popular with foreign students in the city. A similar spot is the Sunshine Bar near the Shangri La Hotel. This place has live music and an entertaining “floor show.” The Primeval Forest and the long established Jo Jo’s are also popular hangouts. Many hotels have decent bars also. The Shangri La has a rather upscale American Sports Bar, which is popular with the ex- pat crowd, and both the Holiday Inn Hotels here have pleasant nightspots.
Wuhan Bars, Cafe and KTV :
You can find many popular bars in the area near Xinhua Road and Taibei Road and there are also many bars along the Jianshe Dadao in Hankou. Jazz, blues, Latin-American music, and exotic dance performances distinguish these bars from noisy popular bars. During Happy Hour, waiters dress in costumes adapting to show themes. Patron comfort is stressed.
Some of famous Wuhan Bars, Cafe are listed here :
1. Gunshi Music
Address: 1 Qiuchang Street, Hankou
Phone: (27) 8278 9526(7)
Good quality performances. Also has many private rooms for karaoke.
2. Taipei New Vision
Address: Taipei Road, Hankou
Karaoke, KTV, and Western buffet.
3. Blue Sky Cafe
Address: 735 Construction Avenue, Hankou
Phone: (27) 85807466 / 85759937
Wuchang, 572 Wuluo Road
Phone: 87895342
Blue SKy is one of the most popular bars for foreigners. The perfect mix between locals and foreigners. Western food, Western music, and daily happy hour at midnight!
4. Club Cafe
Address :26 Yunlin Street, Taibei Road, Hankou
Phone: (27) 85804017
Good atmosphere with good music and great Western snacks.
5. Rose Bar Zur Hans
Address: 4 Jucai Nanyuan, 3rd gate.
(between Jianshe avenue and Tangcai Road)
6. Wuhan Xingkong bar
Address: 520 Luoshi Northroad Wuchang Street
Phone: 13971128919
7. Wuhan No.7 bar
Address: 128 Gaoxong Road, Jiang’an district
Phone: (27) 85788787
8. Aomali Music coffee bar
Address: 248 Hong Kong Road, Hankou
Phone: (27) 82654490
9. Jiujiu Castle Music bar
Address: 1 gymnasium Road
Phone：(27) 87818183
Wuhan’s main shopping district can be found in Hankou along Zhongshan Dadao and the pedestrianised street of Jianghan Lu. Here you can find many western style shops plus a Wal-Mart and the ubiquitous McDonalds and KFC.
As you approach the main entrance into the Yellow Crane Tower Park, you’ll walk along this street known as the Yellow Crane Promenade which is lined with ancient-style shops selling souvenirs, snacks and such like for tourists.
Yellow Crane Tower first built in approximately 220 AD with view to to Snake Hill Park
Wuhan Modern city downtown
Wuhan modern shopping centre
A photo of Jianghan Road in Hubei, Wuhan taken on Christmas Eve.
Zhouzhuang (周庄) is a town in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within Kunshan county-level city, 30 km southeast of Suzhou. Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs.
Zhouzhuang favourite sightseeing and tourist attractions :
1. Twin Bridges (Shuang qiao)
Zhouzhuang is surrounded and divided by lakes and rivers. 14 stone bridges cross the rivers, showing distinctive views of the water-town. The Twin Bridges, which comprise of Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge, are the most famous and are considered the symbol of Zhouzhuang. Built in the Wanli era (1573-1619) of the Ming Dynasty, the Twin Bridges are located in the northeast of the town.
2. Fuan Bridge.
Located at the eastern end of Zhongshi Jie, Fuan Bridge was built in 1355 during the Yuan Dynasty. The unique trait of the Fuan is the consummate combination of the single-arch bridge and the bridge towers which have , are used as tearooms, restaurants and stores, and are good places to appreciate the views while taking a rest.
3. Shen House
Built in 1742 and located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge, Shen House was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan, the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Ming Dynasty. The whole architectural complex is of the Qing’s style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre).
4. Zhang House
Built by Xu’s family in the Zhengtong era (1436-1449) of the Ming Dynasty and bought by Zhang’s family in the early Qing Dynasty. Located to the south of the Twin Bridges, Zhang House has more than 70 rooms and takes up about 1,800 square meters (less than half an acre).
5. Milou Tower
Once called the De’s Tavern, Milou Tower perches next to Zhenfeng Bridge which is at the southwest corner of Zhouzhuang. It is famous for being a rallying place of the literators in old times. Numerous poets, songs and stories about Milou Tower are wide spread and make it more charming.
6. Chengxu Taoist Temple
Standing on Zhongshi Street which is opposite to Puqing Bridge, Chengxu Taoist Temple was built during 1086-1093 of the Song Dynasty and also known as Sanctity Hall (Shengtang Hall). After several periods of expansion, it is one of the most famous Taoist temples in Wuzhong Region. In an area of 1,500 square meters (1,800 square yards), simple but majestic Shengdi and Doumu halls, Yuhuang, Wenchang and Shengdi pavilions are really elaborate works and masterpieces of Taoist architectures.
Zhouzhuang Nightlife
Nightlife in Zhouzhuang is a tranquil and colorful affair. You will not find many nightclubs or bars here, but the nights can be enjoyed in an array of thoroughly satisfactory ways. The Venice of the East, as Zhouzhuang is called, is full of rivers and canals. They provide for a delightful way to enjoy the nightlife in Zhouzhuang.
Zhouzhuang is home to a number of colorful folk festivals and events, from frequent long boat races held on holidays and to celebrate marriages (teams consisting of some dozen scullers are driven by drums and gongs). Lantern races are also popular, with lantern-bedecked boats presenting a charming spectacle. During the Lantern Festival, held two weeks after the Chinese New Year, poles with “golden lanterns” are erected in Niulang Temple Square.
Zhouzhuang nightlife does not involve bars and nightclubs. Bars are few in the quaint town, and nightclubs almost nil. The nearby Shanghai has a throbbing nightlife. Nightlife in Zhouzhuang can be enjoyed most by those who are romantic at heart. Imagine sailing on the canals in the evenings as a mild wind blows on your face.
Nights at Zhouzhuang are a tranquil and pleasant experience. Colorful lights and lanterns are hung in front of all the houses. The cool nights are ideal for sitting on the riversides and having a drink of the local specialty, gra ndma’s tea, with friends. You may also sit next to the waterways and engage in chitchats with the local people.
Zhouzhuang Photos :
Zhouzhuang city, a famous water townships in China.
Yinchuan (银川) is the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China. It is located in the middle of the Yinchuan or Ningxia Plain. It is sheltered from the deserts of Mongolia by the high ranges of the Helan Mountain to its west.
Ethnic minorities in Yinchuan include Hui, Han, Manchu and Mongolian peoples. Being one of a very few parts of China where an ethnic minority (Hui people) hold the power of governance, it is a treasure of Chinese-Muslim culture.
The city’s attractions include the Sand-lake and the Western Xia tombs. There are two pagodas in Yinchuan that are part of the ‘Eight Famous Scenery of Ningxia’: one is the Haibao Pagoda in the northern suburb and the other is the Chengtiansi Pagoda in the west.
Yinchuan Nightlife
Yinchuan’s people still holding their traditional folk customs. The Muslim culture is still strongly maintained, while Halal Food is easily found across the city. Though the nightlife in Yinchuan is very colorful. There are some pubs, net cafes and gymnasiums. At night, they are filled with young people. In the pubs, some people especially young girls are dancing freely, while some middle-aged white collars choose to sit quietly and look at the scenery out of the window.
Singing and Music in Hui Nationality Style, Yinchuan
When traveling in Yinchuan, you can enjoy the “Hui Nationality Flower” and “Kouxian” which deeply reflect folk style. Circulating around the northwest area in china “Hui Nationality Flower”, a folk song, is sonorous and mellifluous in melody, simple and fresh in lyric. Deeply enjoyed by Hui women “Kouxian” (Kou’er) is a mini plucked instrument.
Yinchuan bars, pubs and cafe and nightlife activities :
1. Lian Yuan Bar. Located a couple blocks South of the XiXia district commercial center (look for the KFC sign) is a well decorated bar, and the best in ‘New Town’.
2. Fall in Love Bar & Marry Bar. Located on Hubin Dong Jie near all the main hotels. Boasting comfortable seating and a younger crowd, Xixia Beer is locally produced and is comparable to a decent Canadian brew.
3. Yinchuan South Gate Square. Yinchuan South Gate Square is a good place to watch performances. Yinchuan South Gate Square has held a great number of large-scale art and cultural activities.
Yinchuan Ethnic Hui, singing in Hui Nationality style
Yinchuan largest mosque. Islam is the common religion in Yinchuan.
Yinchuan south Gate Square, has held a great number of large-scale art and cultural activities.
Yinchuan Jade Emperor Pavilion was built during the reign of Emperor Hongwu in Ming Dynasty, with a history of 600 years.
Yinchuan city, has a population of around 750,000.
Lijiang City (丽江市) is a city in Yunnan Province China. The city has a 800 year history from as early as the late Song Dynasty. Lijiang has the best preserved ancient town in China – the Old Town which has been listed in the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1997. The Old Town was once the center of Lijiang and continues to maintain the original flavor of the local lifestyle, the typical groups of buildings and the profound cultural heritage of the region.
Lijiang Nightlife
Lijiang at night maybe limited if we compare to other China cities. Xinhua Street, which runs along the water in the Old Town, is famous for its bars. Among the popular watering holes here are Mama Fu Bar, Sangji Langmu Tibetan Bar, Naxi Pavilion Bar and Jing Zhuo Bar. Some of these are run by westerners. If you are interested in traditional music and dance, try the Naxi Concert Hall. Melodious Naxi music is performed every night from 20:00 to 21:30 by a group of local senior musicians who are typically more than 60 years old. The Hall is located at No.11 Jishan Valley, Xinyi Street in the Old Town.
Lijiang Main nightlife attractions including the live music :
1. Dongba Music Mountain&River Show
The Dongba Palace is also a famous place for Naxi traditional music. The newly built palace is decorated with typical Naxi religious symbols and ornaments which add a lot of character to the solemn cultural atmosphere.
The Don gba palace is located just opposite the Naxi Ancient Music Institute. There is a daily performance at 19:30. Besides Naxi music, the Dongba palace hosts various cultural activities on an irregular basis.
2. Lijiang International Ethnic Cultural Exchange Centre
The Mountain and River Show played in this centre attracts a great number of visitors every night.
This show is a comprehensive living theatre, including not only Naxi ancient music but also the traditional customs of other ethnic minorities living in Lijiang.
Lijiang Old Town, the only Chinese city listed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list with a history of 1,300 years.
