The Charm of Chinese Culture: China Icons in the Eyes of Foreigners

What China impresses you most? Probably it is Great Wall or Terra-Cotta Warriors. But many consider the traditional forms of Chinese culture and art or the very little cultural souvenirs and handicrafts are the icons of China.

Chinese knot

Ever since its invention in the Old Stone Age, Chinese knot has been an important part of Chinese lucky culture and folks arts. The different kinds of knots imply unity, peace and happiness.

Abacus

A humble yet convenient computing tool, abacus is usually equated with the four great inventions of ancient China, and has been listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage.

Yin and yang

An important concept of the ancient Chinese philosophy, “yin & yang describes how apparently opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another”.

Chinese calligraphy

Calligraphy is an art form unique to China, gradually evolved from Oracle, stone-drum inscriptions, Dazhuan and Xiaozhuan to today’s cursive script and regular script.

Shadow puppet

A handful of folk artists keep shadow puppet still alive today, by making the traditional silhouette figures and performing in the wonderful shadow plays.

Panda

When people think of China, they think panda. World’s cutest creature has been served as a "peace ambassador” for many times.

Dragon

We Chinese always say that we are descendants of the dragon. You can see dragon patterns here and there on the ancient Chinese buildings (e.g. Forbidden City) or pseudo-classic architectures, which symbolizes holiness, dignity, auspiciousness and sovereign power.

Kung Fu

You may have watched several Chinese or Hong Kong Kung Fu movies, and are fascinated with the mysterious wushu world. Come and visit China that has the real martial arts! 

Tea

One of the original birthplaces of tea, China’s tea culture was formed over 1200 years ago with the accomplishment of the Book of Tea by Lu Yu. Today, many tea production areas in China still keep the traditional tea making procedures.

Confucius

Confucius is probably most familiar to Westerners. The Confucianism was introduced into Europe during the 17-18 centuries. With the founding of 140 Confucius Institutes in 52 countries and regions, Confucius has been the symbol of Chinese culture.

Visiting Danba in Sichuan: Ancient Tibetan Villages and Beautiful Girls

In the wide west of Sichuan Province, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is justifiably known for its nature beauty. On this primitive land sits 7,556-m-high Minya Konka, magnificent Hailuogou Glacier Park, and Daocheng Yading where the deities live in… Penetrate into Danba, and you’ll find the most beautiful and greatest concentration of Tibetan villages in China with authentic Tibetan cultures and distinctive Tibetan dwellings.

We were awe-struck by the spectacular and gorgeously embossed Potala Palace before, but it is for the nobles after fall. What do ordinary Tibetan people’s dwellings look like?

There are buses from Chengdu and Kangding to Danba, where people of 15 minority groups live together and share the wonderland with snow mountains, virgin forests, hot springs, alpine lakes and meadows. Mysteriously, most girls here are born beauties, especially in the Qiongshan Village, which has been widely known as the ‘beauty valley’.

However, the greatest thing about Danba is the Tibetan Villages.

Jiaju Tibetan Village

Thanks to the relatively convenient transportation and being connected by regular buses from Danba Town, Jiaju Tibetan Village can be reached with little difficulty. About 140 Gyarong Tibetan style houses are scattered on the terraced fields and all distinctive with their crown-shaped roofs. Autumn between late September and early November is the best time to visit Jiaju.

Dangling Tibetan Village

It remains underexploited - one cannot fail to appreciate its pristine and intoxicating atmosphere. The main attractions include Heaven Valley, Hulu Sea, Big Hot Spring, etc. that are 3000~4000 above sea level and still accessible only by hiking and horse trekking.

Zhonglu Tibetan Village

There are Neolithic remains, typical Tibetan villages and ancient watchtowers. Travelers can enjoy their view from Zhonglu looking out the holy Moerduo Mountain.

Danba Gyarong Tibetan watchtower clusters

Different from the Tibetan dwellings, the watchtowers built 1000 years ago purely for defensive purposes and make Danba ‘the kingdom of ancient watchtowers’. There are totally 84 watchtowers and scattered mainly in Suopo Viilage and Zhonglu Village. Twilight Time is the optimal timing for photography, when the weather-beaten fortifications glitter in the sunset…

Recommended China Sichuan tours to Danba:

7-day Oriental Alps Adventure

8-day Sichuan Photography Tour

9-day Wild West Sichuan

Easy Tour China’s Raft Race: Who Are Going to Win?

We fled to Yangshuo last Tuesday, again!

The place is renowned for the amazing natural scenery and Laid-back countryside lifestyle, as well as being suitable for various types of outdoor sports, such as hiking, biking, rock climbing, Tai Chi practicing, bamboo-rafting, and also the raft race.

This time in Yangshuo, the active and energetic staff of Easy Tour China was allocated randomly into three groups and would complete in the raft race on Yulong River – it was for fun and also the team building by performing as one great team. None of us wanted to lose.

 

Upon arrival, we cooled off with the unexpected shower, and began the exciting raft race! Team I was led by Wei and Ricky, Team II by Thomas and Zhao, while Team III by Charlie and Kyle.

 

First of all, we should build the raft according to our own ideas with some tires and plastic pipes. When all the three teams had finished, we strove to drive the raft for 30km across Yulong River and captured a flag, then drove back. It was also our own choice to decide how to push the raft forward, by swimming or paddling by hands. Of course the first team to return to the start line was the final winner.

Can you guess who the winner was? It was Team II with team members including Silvia, Peicy, Lydia and Yuri. They were just so fast. And the second and third place went to Team III and Team I separately. Sorry to Wei and Ricky :P

Hefei-Fuzhou High-speed Rail Offers China’s Most Scenic Train Trip

It isn’t China’s best known high-speed train, but since it deputed in late June 2015, Hefei-Fuzhou bullet train has gained great attention as it traverses through some of the country’s most beautiful destinations, making it ‘the most beautiful train ride in China’.

Thanks to the world’s largest and most complicated high-speed rail network, travelling China by rail is a joy, not least for international tourists. The newly opened Hefei-Fuzhou bullet train runs at the speed of up to 300 km per hour, and finishes the 850-km journey in 3.5~4.5 hours.

High-speed Train tours in China 

From Fuzhou in the south to Hefei in the north, the high speed train stops at scenic or cultural destinations like Wuyishan Mountain, Wuyuan Town, Yellow Mountain, Shexian Country, etc. Just get off from the strain, and make yourself an East China adventure with very distinctive activities.

Experience Huizhou Culture

The old Huizhou Culture is one of the four great regional cultures in China, and introduces a new perspective to mysterious orient - the ancient society, haunting culture and awe-inspiring folk arts. 

You should not miss: Chengkan Village, Huizhou old towns, Tunxi Old Streets, Huizhou Carving Art Museum, Number One Scholar Cultural Museum, Hongcun and Xidi Villages

Yellow Mountain photography trip

China’s most hauntingly scenic mountain, Yellow Mountain is now accessible by high-speed train! You can take bullet trains barreling directly to Yellow Mountain from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou. The mountain lures travelers and photographers for both the all year round’s breathtaking views and its nearby quint towns and villages dating back to the old times.   

The primitive birthplaces of top Chinese tea

On Yellow Mountain and Wuyishan Mountain, there are hidden corners with century-old tea trees and misty tea farms for a tea discovery experience. Savor Huangshan Maofeng green tea and rock oolong tea there! 
You should not miss: Beidamen Yanghu Lake Tea Garden Base, Xieyuda Tea Culture Museum, Tianyou Mountain, Dahongpao’s mother bush Area, Water Curtain Cave, Royal Tea Garden

20-day China Tea Discovery: http://www.easytourchina.com/tour-v238-20-day-china-tea-discovery

Train to the prettiest countryside of China

The seas of canola flowers and traditional dwellings are part of the experience of getting into the beautiful countryside of Wuyuan.

China’s Top 8 Family-friendly Winter Activities

China in winter isn’t all about coldness and darkness, instead, it turns to be one of world’ best countries for travelling with children. The various winter activities in China will keep both the parents and kids occupied and happy during the ‘gloomy’ season.

1. Shanghai Ice Town 

One of the country’s most popular destinations, dynamic Shanghai seldom sees the snowfall, yet it boasts a fantastic artificial ice town offering fun-filled winter activities such as making snowman, joining the snowball fights and other winter games, experiencing the life at the poles, watching the cartoon characters parade and dining at the snow and ice restaurant. Address: Italian Center, the Shanghai Expo Mart, Pudong District

2. Hello Kitty Theme Park in Anji

Open in early 2015, it is the world’s biggest Hello Kitty Park, and consists of six theme lands, with 11 themed facilities, including performance venues, amusement rides, a luxury castle resort and Asia’s first giant skywheel with slides. Anji Hello Kitty Park is easily accessible from Hangzhou and Shanghai. 

3. Chimelong Safari Park

Guangzhou enjoys a warm and short winter. 

The Safari Park of Chimelong is known as the best safari park in China, and the biggest safari park with the largest number of species throughout the world. Here children will have the chances of getting very close to many rare animals and even touch them. 

Chimelong Paradise and Chimelong International Circus are also available in winter. 

4. Snow and ice tour in Harbin

Harbin has its most beautiful and happiest time in winter. Have fun with kids in the magic world made up of all kinds of ice and snow sculptures and ice lanterns during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. 190km southeast of Harbin, Yabuli International Ski Resort is ideal for family skiing.  

5. Snow Town

Approximately 280km away from Harbin, Snow Town has a snow-covered period lasting for seven months. The snow is as high as one meter and decorates the folk houses into the different shapes of mushrooms and various animals 

6. Sea beaches in Sanya

Get some winter sun in China’s biggest tropical island Hainan, with a beach-fringed playground. Enjoy a stress-free family holiday by lying on the sunny beach, basking in the sunshine, and playing with the kids, as well as having a relaxing time at some hot springs.  

 

7. Sightseeing tour in the warm Yunnan

For families fascinated with beautiful natural scenery, travel with your kids to the Spring City Kunming to explore the colorful flower markets and then have a relaxed, fun-filled boat trip in heavenly Bamei or Puzhehei.

8. Yellow Mountain 

If the children are not pleased with hiking, take the cable car up to the top, then enjoy the snow fairyland. Go further to the nearby Hongcun or Xidi Village for the old streets, old Huizhou style dwellings and experiencing the unique local life.