Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.
In recent years, the city of Urumqi has continuously developed its economy, industry, culture as well as tourism and transportation. More choices for accommodation and dining, ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels and from western restaurants to the local food street have been established. Nightlife in Urumqi provides multiple-range of choices such as watching the ethnic sing-and-dance show, tasting native delicacies in the night market, or simply hanging out in bars. Coming to Urumqi will not let you return to your country empty-handed. Shopping in the International Grand Bazaar is a pleasant experience. Bargain hunting for handicraft souvenirs such as rugs, carpets, Uygur-style hats, knitted sweaters, ethnic costumes, hand-made embroideries and jade carvings, will definitely draw your intense interest.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, lies to the west of the Yellow River and to the east of Helan Mountain. The landform is divided into two main parts, the mountainous region in the west and south and the plains in the north and east. The average altitude of Yinchuan is 1,100 meters (about 3,609 feet). Lying in the central section of Ningxia Plain which is irrigated by the Yellow River, Yinchuan holds abundant water resources and enjoys the reputation of 'a land of fish and rice in the frontier'.
The city that has a history of more than 1,300 years was originally founded in 678. It was called Western Xia from the establishment in 1038 by the leader of Dangxiang ethnic group and had created splendid culture as well as gorgeous architecture.
Yinchuan is a multi-nationality city including Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian, and Chaoxian peoples. Among them, the Hui people account for 26.3 percent of the total population and they have maintained the traditional folk customs and life style that are unique to other ethnic group.
A brilliant culture has contributed to Yinchuan being a famous tourist city. There are over 60 historical sites including mosques, pagodas, pavilions, temples, and imperial tombs as well as natural scenery such as Helan Mountain, Sand Lake Scenic Resort (Sha Hu) and Shapotou, etc.
A transportation system of highway, railway and airlines in Yinchuan provides speed and convenience. There are several national highways leading to all parts of the country and more than 125 kilometers (about 78 miles) of expressways within the boundaries of the city. Baolan Railway (Baotou in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to Lanzhou in Gansu Province) and Zhongbao Railway (Zhongwei in Yinchuan Province to Baoji in Shaanxi Province) connect with all railway lines to every destination. In addition, flights from Yinchuan Hedong Airport take you to all the major cities of China.
Here you can taste the local dishes or snacks of rich Islamic flavor, such as Yangrou Paomo and Shouzhua Yangrou. Hotels of different grades are available to visitors, providing you warm and comfortable places to relax yourself.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Lanzhou is a prefecture-level city and capital of Gansu province in northwestern China.
With mountains in the south and north of the city and the Yellow River flowing from the east to the west, Lanzhou is a beautiful modern city with both the grand beauty of northern cities and the prettiness of southern cities.
The Landscape along the Yellow River should not be missed, as Lanzhou is the only provincial city through which the Mother River runs. Whether you choose to roam along the River, to cross the First Bridge over the Yellow River, or to have a cup of eight auspicious teas at the Watermill Park, you will be impressed by Lanzhou with its harmonious combination of the modern and the old.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Qingdao, a beautiful seaside city, is located in the southeast part of Shandong Province. The geography of the city is relatively flat while mountains spur up nearby. The highest elevation in the area is 1133 m above sea level. The city has a 730.64-kilometre coastline. Five significant rivers that flow for more than 50 km can be found in the region. It was recently named China's 9th-most livable city by China Daily.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Taiyuan is the capital city of Shanxi Province. It has a long history and in ancient times was an important military town. At present, Taiyuan is one of China's heavy industrial cities and account for more than half the national coal mining output.
Taiyuan is an ancient capital, constructed by Zhaojianzi in ca. 500 BC, named Jinyang. It was renamed Taiyuan in the Qin Dynasty. Several Emperors came from this city, therefore the other name of the city is "Dragon City". The most famous emperor is Li Shiming during Tang Dynasty. Many ancient Chinese poets were also from Taiyuan. In Tang Dynasty, Taiyuan was a secondary capital of China and a cultural center.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, is located in the mid west of Shandong.
Jinan is a historical city with a history of some 2000 years and is famed for its numerous relics. It is the cradle of the Longshan Relics Culture, the reputed prehistoric culture of China and is found in Longshan Town of Jinan, hence the name. In the area of Jinan, you will find far more than you would expect, the ancient Great Wall of the Qi State (a state of the Zhou Dynasty (770B.C. – 221B.C.)), the colored sculptures of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in the Lingyan Temple and so on.
Jinan is known as the "Spring City" because of the large number of springs in the city. The majority of springs, known historically as the "72 Famous Springs" are concentrated in the downtown district and flow north to converge in Daming Lake. High on the must-see list is the Baotu Spring Park, where the Baotu Spring and many other smaller springs nearby have been a major attraction for tourists for many years.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei Province. Shijiazhuang is China's first big city that allows the immigrant population to settle in it without paying any fees.
It has 6 districts, 12 counties, 5 county-level cities and 1 national-level new and high-tech development zone under its prefecture. Shijiazhuang has a population of 9.395 million, 2.313 million of whom live in the urban area.
Shijiazhuang is a relatively new city, whose main growth began in the 1950s, but really dates to the 1920s. What was a tiny village of little more than ninety families found itself at the junction of three major rail lines and thereafter its growth soared. Once it became so large, but the name still retains the character for "village" (zhuang). English speakers are known to have a notorious bad pronunciation of the city's name, therefore most people refer to Shijiazhuang as "Shi-City" or the "S-City".
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Categories:
Major Cities.
Author: Smith
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.
