From the spectacular view from the Peak at night, you can truly appreciate Hong Kong's uniqueness. Hong Kong is Know for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. A perfect example of a modern Asian city where East meets West.
Nowhere in the world has seen the growth and rise to economic prominence quite like Southern China. Traditionally the richest province in China, Guangdong, with its major cities and Special Economic Zones, has quite literally been transformed into the most important global manufacturing centre.
The city of Beijing with its 15 million residents reflects modern day China; one foot firmly in the future and one foot respectfully in the past. Some of the country's best known buildings still stand proudly in and around the city drawing millions of visitors every year: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace are but a few familiar names. Don't forget that Beijing is also a popular starting place to make a trip to the most gargantuan of all manmade creations, the Great wall.
As one of the most attractive cities in north China, Dalian lies at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong peninsula. Due to its economic success, it is known to many as the'Hong KOng of the North'. The main impression of Dalian is of a busy port with broad streets and large squares planted with greenery. The city is also renowned for its extensive beaches, mild climate and excellent seafood. Because of its mild climate, many sandy beaches and a lodo make it a most popular summer holiday resort.
Hangzhou is one of China's historical capital cities. Records show it was already settled (as Qiantang) in 221 BC. When Marco Polo visited Hangzhou in the 13th century, he was immediately capitivated by this "Heavenly City" and described it as the most beautiful in the world. Products of note in this speciality area are silk, brocade, precious Longjing tea ( Dragon Well ), and scissors made by Zhang Xiaoquan. Apart from tea, antiquity and fine embroidery, it is remarkable for its natural scenic beauty.
Nanjing is the political and economic centre of Jiangsu province famous for its fine brocades, velvets and silks, and agricultural products for centuries. Massive changes took place in the 1990's which have transformed Nanjing's skyline architecturally. Now super-modern tower blocks line the long straight lines of multi-lane highways. This huge metropolis was once the capital, and still retains its important characteristics. With great foresight, the city planners have retained the old quarter of Fuzimiao Quarter intact; leafy lanes with canopies of shading trees surrounding pretty low-lying building - just as elegant and graceful as before.
Located on the extreme south of Hainan Island overlooking the South China Sea, Sanya is a well-liked holiday destination. A modern city lying at the same latitude as Hawaii, it has clear blue waters and white sand beaches along its south edge, lush green mountains to the north and palm trees just about everywhere. It is teuly a tropical paradise with seemingly endless sun, fun and exciting activities for visitors of all nationalities, ages and interests.
Although not the provincial capital of Fujian, Xiamen's importance as a port in the south-eastern corner of China cannot be underestimated. The city is nicknamed the "Garden on the Sea" and is as picturesque as its name suggests. Just miles from Taiwan, which sits across the narrow straits, the port has enjoyed sucess over the centuries as a trading post. Merchants from different parts of the world settled on the off-shore enclave of Gulangyu during the mid-19th century and there is still plenty of well-preserved evidence of their time on the island. Temples and historic halls are dotted around the city and make it a must-see location for travellers to this part of China.
Lying in an important rice and wheat growing region in the centre of Sichuan, Chengdu was already the political, economic nad cultural centre of southwest China by 200 BC. Even at that time the breeding of silkworms and weaving of brocade were already highly developed industries. As a result of its history Chengdu is still often known as Brocade City.
In the northeast of Guangxi Autonomous Region, the uniquely natural experience of Guilin lies in a splendiferous collection of historic treasures and the sheer splendour of this distinctive and very ancient landscape. The strangely shaped hills (karsts) were formed over 200 million years ago by layers of mussel chalk becoming stratified and subsequently forming into a vast number of caves. Enhanced by oddly beautiful stones the unique caves are set amidst verdant green mountains and crystal clear waters.
The cultural capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming is a moder city celebrated as 'The City of Eternal Spring' because of its attractively mild climate and an abundance of richly verdant trees and masses of flowering plants. With mountains on three sides and facing Lake Dianchi, it is a handsome city with unusual karsts landform. There is evidence of ancient settlements harking back over 2000 years around Lake Dianchi and a number of Buddhist and Taoist temples tucked away in the mountains along the lake's western shore.
Qingdao is perhaps most famously know for the Tsingtao Brewery which produces Tsingtao beer, now the most famous beer in China and known worldwide. A sweeping bay heralds Qingdao, a major port on the Yellow Sea. The port is free of ice all the year round, making it one of the chief tourist and industrial centres of Shandong province. With charming beaches and a benign climate, national and foreign tourists find it an enticing holiday destination. The city is also appealing for its relics of the German presence in the 1900's. Today many of the original German-style buildings in the old town are stil well preserved.
As China's largest city, Shanghai's burgeoning skyline is almost unrecognisable from a decade ago. Skyscrapers housing five-star hotels, multinational companies and luxury apartments have shot up making it the most sophisticated city in Mainland China. Shanghai's energy and sophistication is almost tangible. Construction work is incessant, the pace of life relentless and stylish residents glide along the city's long streets shopping for high-end fashion brands, quality restaurants, world-class museums and entertainment.
capital of Shaanxi Province, Xian is considered by many to represent the country's cultural past. Pasitioned in the hills of the central part of western China,the city has in factserved as capital for more than a millennium, a status that lasted many imperial dynasties. During the tang Dynasty ( AD618-907), Xian's significance was probably at its height and was considered the largest city in the world.
