Unwind in Jiezi Old Town – An Escape from Modern China

Forget the country’s fabulous yet stressful cosmopolitan city and the big-named but crowded places of interest – make yourself a relaxing approach to Jiezi Old Town (街子场), one of a dozen ancient towns around Chengdu.

Today, Jiezi Ancient Town in Chongzhou City is still unknown to the world. It is a good thing, since you can have it as your new, exotic destination of China.

At the foot of Fengqi Mountain and close to the famous Taoist Qingcheng Mountain, Jiezi Ancient Town can trace its history back to over 1000 years ago. It maintains, despite the historical movements, the vestiges of the past. The best way to explore Jiezi Town is simply strolling around. Visitors will find it in the layout of the "mountain and water" combination which is so appreciated in China, according to Chinese ‘Feng Shui’.

There is a wealth of relic sites scattered around Jiezi Town between the Ming-Qing Dynasty dwellings, including pagodas, bridges, caves, ancient trees, and 32 temples. Walk on the ancient paved streets to discover the old shops with old books, paintings, handmade straw sandals, antiques, old silver, old furniture… and simply enjoy a cup of tea in a quaint tea house to go back in time.

Visitors are also encouraged to make an excursion outside the town and take in the nature with primitive mountains. For those who’d like to hike, there is an easy walking trail along the town river, more than 5000m long. Then take a break by enjoying a boating on the river.

Must-visit sights include: Guangyan Buddhist Temple, built in Jin Dynasty (266-420) and one of the Buddhist sanctuaries in Sichuan, The Double River Site, part of Chengdu Plain prehistoric sites, with a history of over 4300 years, Yulong Bridge and Former Residence of Poet Tangqiu.

 

Jiezi Ancient Town is famed as the hometown of orchid. The fragrance of orchid can be smelt everywhere. If you visit Jiezi on the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, enjoy yourself by joining the local orchid festival.

How to get to Jiezi Old Town from Chengdu:

There are scheduled buses from Jinsha Bus Station to Jiezi Ancient Town with travel time of about 2 hours.

If taking a taxi, you’ll need about a 1.5 hour ride into town.

From Beijing to Yanqing: the Railway to Spring

It is on par with the most scenic high-speed railways in China - and with great views of Great Wall.

The train ride of S2 starts from Beijing North, with stops at Qinghe, Changping, Nankou, Badaling Great Wall, and finally reaches Yanqing. The highlight is Juyongguan Pass, one of the best-preserved and glamorous ‘Walls’ of Beijing, without the crowds.

For those looking for a day trip escaping from Beijing, you’re encouraged to take this train journey, priced at RMB 6 yuan.

In spring, the train twists its way through the cherry blossom and apricot blossom of Juyongguan Great Wall. Immerse yourself in the fresh air and warm sunlight of spring.

Travel in China by high-speed train

 

In summer, it is surrounded by a green world, through which the Great Wall traverses.

In autumn, marvel at the fall foliage…

While the winter makes it Snowpiercer.

How Do the Clay Sculpture Artisans work in China?

With around 3500 years of history, China’s ancient capital of Xian boasts a wealth of historical temples and monasteries that are the places to worship, pray and meditate.

Located in Chang’an District, Longhua Temple and the neighboring 13 Provinces’ God Temple have seen few prayers since late October, as they are having their old, dilapidated buildings renovated. A handful of skilled artisans coming all the way from Gansu to craft and restore the clay Buddha sculptures.

Recommended China Religious Tours

To create a clay Buddha sculpture, the artisans should first set the model – draw on the paper, magnify the picture to the wall, accordingly make a wood model fixed by iron wires and covered by straw, then model in clay.

Generally, it takes a year or two to complete a clay statue of Buddha.

“A clay sculpture artisan has to be very patient, hardworking, and master a variety of skills including painting, calligraphy, rendering, carving, wood-carving, etc.,” says Yulong Jia of 53 years old, the leader of the group.

"It usually takes more than ten years for a trainee to become a real master."

For the past 30 years, Jia has travelled to many parts of China, and crafted tens of thousands of clay sculptures, including Buddha statues, statues of Tao and modem sculptures.

“Clay sculpture is an artistic form of traditional Chinese craft, and part of traditional Chinese culture, and will be legacy for future generations,” says Hongwen Shi, abbot of Longhua Temple.

Gallery: Celebrate Spring Festival in China with New Year Paintings

China’s most important traditional festival, Spring Festival is round the corner. Celebrate it in the Old Way, and have an ultimate Chinese culture experience.  

New Year painting is definitely one of the most important parts of the celebration.  

Recommended China New Year Holidays

Chinese New Year painting was created around Tang Dynasty (618-907) as a unique art form of folk culture, and later in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1366-1912) was posted on the door or wall during the Spring Festival holiday (Chinese Lunar New Year) for decoration, symbolizing the health, wealth, joy and good luck for the coming year. 

To understand the main subjects of New Year painting, we will learn more about the folk daily life of China, the festival custom, people’s religious beliefs, the interesting folktales, mythology and legends. As decorative paintings for the New Year, most of the paintings feature auspicious and joyous subjects, and are themed at money tree, treasure bowl, lovely baby, gods, auspicious animals like lion, tiger, deer, and phoenix, and auspicious flowers like lotus and peony.  

For visitors who would like to have a Chinese New Year painting as souvenir, please note thatChina's four great production locations of New Year paintings are Yangliuqing of Tianjin,Yangjiabu of Weifang in Shandong, Taohuawu of Suzhou in Jiangsu and Mianshu of Sichuan. If you travel there, you can witness the traditional printing methods of New Year paintings, including woodblock printing, stone block printing, offset printing, traditional Chinese painting, watercolor painting and sketch etc. 

Where to Enjoy the Best Panorama View of Beijing

From above, one can take in the spectacular view of Beijing’s long-standing historical sites and magnificent ancient architectural complexes, as well as the newly built landmarks of jaw-dropping design and gaudy facades.  

The CCTV tower (CCTV Headquarters) 

Panoramic views of the city skyline will be available on the CCTV tower, 386.5m above the streets of Beijing, and overlooking Forbidden City, Bird's Nest, China's National Grand Theater, Summer Palace, etc. Inside the tower, there is a hanging revolving restaurant that is one of Beijing’s most distinctive restaurants and one of the city’s most romantic places. 

Location: 32 E 3rd Ring Rd Middle, Chaoyang, Beijing 

Jingshan Park

Right behind the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the park was built over 1000 years ago and was the royal garden during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and still keeps the ancient hills, gates and walls. On the top, one can have the full picture of Forbidden City and marvel at its magnificent size and perfect layout. Look afar to enjoy the unique scenery of the imperial city. 

Location: 44 Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 

Dingdu Peak

The 680-meter-high Dingdu Peak is another viewing platform for the panoramic 360 degree views of Beijing. Hidden in the stretches of mountains, Dingdu Pavilion is of quaint ancient Chinese structure and offers a great view of Yongding River and Chang’an Street from afar.  

Location: Sangyu Village, Tanzhe Temple Town, Mentougou District, Beijing 

Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hills Park)

Famed for the red fall foliage, Xiangshan Park is also one of the best places for Beijing panorama views. Xianglu Peak (香炉峰), the main peak of the hill, is 557 meter high, where you can see the entire city in a clear day.

Location: eastern side of the Western Hills, approximately 10 kilometers to the west of Beijing 

Atmosphere at China World Summit Wing - The Highest Bar in Beijing

Despite its haunting nostalgic aura, Beijing is also an exciting metropolis with wonderful night life. Have a trip to the top of China World Trade Centre Tower III (80th floor), the tallest building in Beijing, and enjoy the romantic hours at Atmosphere, with 360-degree panoramic views of the city (especially beautiful by night). 

Location: 1 Jianguomen Outer St, Chaoyang, Beijing