Xidi and Hongcun , one of the most beautiful villages in China

Xidi village（西递） is located in the Huangshan Mountain scenic area, Yi County（黟县）, Anhui Province of east China. It is the best representatives of southern residences of Anhui province and inscribed on the World Cultural Heirtage List in 2000, as well as Hongcun village.

The traditional Chinese painting-style scenery in Xidi village


The classic Anhui-style folk residence in Xidi village

►The highlights of Xidi Village

Xidi is famous for their rurality of the natural countryside landscape, the well-preserved village structure, delicate and excellent Anhui-style folk residence and its deep and colorful culture and long history.

Xidi village is away from Yi County about 8 kilometers. Till now, it has experienced roughly one-thousand-year history. The whole village looks like a boat with 122 best-preserved ancient residential buildings. Now there are more than 300 families with the total population of more than 1000. It is entitled the exhibition of Chinese traditional culture and the museum of Chinese folk residential buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Xidi Village is surrounded by mountains in four directions. Two streams from the north and east gather together in Huiyuan Bridge of the southern countryside. The village is mainly comprised of the lengthways streets and two roads along two streams. It becomes the village and lane systems from east to west and meanwhile extends towards south and north. All the streets are paved by the bluestones of Yi County.


Source:  http://www.absolutechinatours.com/Huangshan-attractions/xidi-village-284.html

What to see in Fujian province: Taining World Geopark, Mount Wuyi , Tulou, Taimu Mountain

Number One: Taining World Geopark

In Fujian Province’s Northwest area sits a world renowned geopark: Taining World Geopark. UNESCO’s experts praise it as “the Sample of Chinese Geopark” while geologists label it as “the Museum of Valleys and Caves” and “Garden of Grand Mountains and Winding Rivers”. 

This 492.5 km2 geopark is composed of five scenic areas include Shiwang ( Stone Net) Scenic Area, Dajin Lake Scenic Area, Eight Fairies Cliff (Eight Fairies Cliff) Scenic Area, Mt Jinraoshan Scenic Area and Taining Ancient Town. Its magnetic charm is originated from the typical Danxia terrain complemented by ancient towns, profound local culture, fascinating customs and geological relics such as lava rocks, granite and structure terrain. The fantastic 270 km2’s Danxia terrain along water edge, the largest and the most diversified one in Southeast China, featuring deep and tranquil gorges, crooked streams, mysterious Danxia Caves, grotesque peaks, stone columns and precipitous granite rock landscape imbued with primitive flavor which make Taining World Geopark renowned worldwide. 

It is the indispensible component of Chinese Danxia Terrain’s evolution chain from primary to advanced stage. Scholars home and abroad deem it as “the place where the story of Chinese Danxia Terrain begins." In 2005, Taining World Geopark is honored as world geopark.

Number Two:   Mount Wuyi

Mount Wuyi is recognized as a UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage site. It is famous for Heavenly Tour Peak, Nine Bend River, Da Hong Pao Tea and Impression Dahongpao (a famous show directed by Zhang YImou).

Number Three Tulou



Crowned as the gem of world folk residential architectures, Fujian Tulou is mainly dispatched in the south of Fujian province, nearby Guangdong province. China has broad territory and time-honored history, the diversity of folk residential buildings, such as Siheyuan(Beijing folk living house), Weilongwu( in English: the encircling-dragon houses), Shikumen (literally "stone gate" is a style of housing in Shanghai, China, which blended features of east and west),cave house(a northern-style house, widely found in Shaanxi and Shanxi Province,

Related Tours: Mysterious Tulou Kingdom tour at Zhangzhou

Travel Tips of Huangshan

Travel advice of Huangshan 

 1 It is better to wear more than in Anhui City, for temperatures here is lower. For instance, do wear the thick coat or parka and the warmth-keeping hats in winter. 

 2 It rains or snows a lot in winter, so it is better to wear the travel shoes and the sport shoes to prevent slipping, in the meantime, don’t forget the walking-stick and gloves. Buy a raincoat rather than umbrella in case it is windy. 

 3 If you want to climb Huangshan on foot, you had better climb from Yungu Temple, which is less exhausting. If you choose to take a cable car, you can go to Ciguang Temple. It takes 10 minutes for you to reach Tai Hai( near Peak Guangmingding)


 4 If you choose to stay for one night in Huangshan, you can stay in Tian Hai, Bei Hai or Xi Hai Scenic site, if you plan to spend two nights, then you can spend in Bei Hai and Tian Hai Scenic Site.5 To save energy, do not bring too much baggage with you.6 Do not enjoy the scene while walking, it is pretty dangerous.7 Do not climb high mountains when there is thundering, do not touch the steel chains and shut off your cell phone to avoid lightening hit.

Source: 
http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/huangshan/

Where to see Temple Fairs in Beijing in 2014/5/6

Name/religion/lunar calendar	Festivities/Address	2014	2015	2016	Rating
Baiyunguan Temple (White Cloud Temple) Taoism Jan 1--19 Jun 23-24	Celebrate the Celestrial God's Descent Day (Jan8th), Jade Emperor's Birthday (Jan 9th), Lantern Fair, Scripture-sunning Fair in Jun 18th-19th Add: Baiyun Lu(white cloud road), west of Xibianmen(western gate),Xicheng District	Dec31,2013 to Feb 18,2014 Aug 18-19,2014	Feb19--Mar9 sep30-oct 1	Feb 8-26 Jul26-27	★★★★★
Ditan Temple Fair Dec 29-Jan7	As the oldest, most famous and biggest  Temple Fair in Beijing, Ditan Temple Fair features the Qing Dynasty-style heaven worship ritual, flower exhibition and folklore performances Add: Ditan Park, Anding Gate, Beijing(城区安定门外大街地坛公园) Fee: 10RMB	Jan 29, to Feb 8	Feb 17--25	Feb 7-14	★★★★★
Longtan Park Temple Fair Dec 29-Jan7	Highlight:Longtan Park Temple Fair attracts  the biggest number of performances. This  culture-laden event is characterized by Intangible heritage display and flower exhibition. Add: Longtan Park, No 8. Longtan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing Fee: 10RMB	Jan 29, to Feb 8	Feb 17--25	Feb 7-14	★★★★★
Beijing Taoran Pavilion Temple Fair Dec29-Jan 5	its predecessor is Chuangdian Temple Fair, the biggest, most famous and authentic temple fair in Beijing and one of the top four in China. Add: Taoran Pavilion, 19,Taiping Street,Xicheng District,Beijing Fee: 10RMB Highlight: intangible heritage and folklore performances This festival was in Changdian once, later, it was moved into this park. Feature: food, crafts and folk performances	Jan 29, to Feb 6	Feb 17--23	Feb 7-12	★★★★
Beijing Daguanyuan Temple Fair Jan 1-5	The parade of actors in traditional royal costumes, folk performances it is the perfect blend of popular culture and refined elite culture Add: No 12, Nancaiyuan Street, Xicheng District, Beijing(北京市西城区南菜园街12号) Fee: 40RMB	Feb 2-6	Feb 19-23	Feb8-12	★★★★★
Beijing Shijingshan Mountain International Temple Fair Jan 1-7	carnival parade it is a carnival applauded fervently by the young people Add: No 25, Shijingshan Road(石景山路25号) Fee: 10RMB	Dec31,2013 to Feb 8,2014	Feb19-25	Feb 8-12	★★★★★
Beijing Fenghuangling Longquan Monastery Temple Fair Time: Feb 9—15, 2013	ask for blessing, observe religious ritual and enjoy noodles and vegetarian food Feature: the perfect mix of religious and secular celebration Add: the outskirt area northwest of Haidian District, Beijing Fee: 10RMB				★★★★★
Temple of Heaven Culture Week Festival 10：00、15：00 of Jan 1-5	The highest standard temple fair displays Imperial Heaven Worship Ceremony & Dance Add: Dongcheng District, Tiantan Road, Beijing (北京市东城区天坛路天桥东侧) Fee: 10RMB	Feb 2-6	Feb 19-23	Feb8-12	★★★★★

Source: http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/where-beijing-top-temple-fairs.html

Things to see in Shanghai

Shanghahi is an exceptionally absorbing city, with walkable

downtown and a range of attractions that, in their variety and magnificent, can seem overwhelming. from its hyper modern towers to its early modern heritage architecture, and from tis glistering nightspots to its galleries and museums, it offers almost too much of everything, to visitors of every imaginable taste and interest.

For the Shanghainese, the Huangpu is the "mother river" upon whose western bank their city as born. The city's principal division, between Puxi (west of the river) and pudong (to the east) is decided by reference to the huangpu. The Old City is situated on the western side of the river, where shanghai's center of gravity existed from ancient times until the beginning of its recent opening in the early 1990s and the rise of Pudong. 

The Old City was defined by a substantial wall from 1553 to 1911 and its contour is still quiet distinct. Although its Old City has been quiete comprehensively constructed, it still provides the most concentrate taste of SHanghai's pre-modern life. It remains a very popular destination for both locals and tourists, who are drawn by its shooping and dining attractions, by its classic  Yu Garden and lively City God Temple.

Occupying an irregular quadrangle between Fuyou Lu to th enorth, Anren Jie to the East, Fangbang Lu to the South and Jiujiaochang Lu to the West, the Old City of today is an attractive amalgam of historical theme-park and genuine heritage., where large malls constructed in traditional big roof Chinese style wrap themselves around cluster of important historical sites and structures. 

These include the Nine Bend Bridge,, whose zigzag course is designated to disorient malign spirits, as it crosses an ornamental pond ot connect Yu Garden with the ancient Huxinting Tea House (a favorite among the visiting dignitaries). Traditional performing arts can be enjoyed at the nearby Yu Yuan Stage and attached Layang Shadow Picture Theater.

The streets in teh immediate vicinity of the Old City are maong the city's best antique hunting grounds, as well as snack-food heaven, with Fangbang Middle Road and Sipailou Rd as top spots for this. The area is also rich in religious heritage, from an extraordinary variety of traditions, from teh Chengxiang, White Could and Wenmiao Temples, the Spanish-baroque Dongjiadu Cathedral built in 1853 and two mosques: the Xiao Fuyou Mosque built in 1870 and the Hui Hui Peach Orchard Mosque.