CHINA PALACE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE - TOUR PROGRAMS

CHINA PALACE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE'S TOURS ~ DESTINATIONS

NORTH CHINA

Beijing

Beijing, also known as Peking, is the capital of China. It was the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for 500 years. Beijing is the political, educational and cultural centre of the country and as such it is rich in historical sites and important government and cultural institutions.

Datong & Pingyao

Datong has some marvelous ancient sites, remnants of the city's glory days as the capital city of two non-Han Chinese dynasties. Yungang Grottos was listed in World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2000. Huayang Temple has a wonderful collection of Buddha sculptures.

Pingyao Ancient City has maintained all its features from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), showing an unusual complete picture for changes and developments of society, culture, economy and religion in the past 500 years. It is no the World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Luoyang

Luoyang is 322km (200 miles) east to Xi'an, 150km (93 miles) wset to Zhengzhou. Yellow River, the second longest river in China after Yangtze River, goes by the city and has been breeding the area for thousands of years. Luoyang is one of the seven ancient capital cities in China's history. It served as the capital city for 13 dynasties of nearly 1600 years.

Peony, the national flower of China, Longmen Grottoes, and Shaolin Temple & Shaolin Martial Arts, are the name cards of Luoyang. Longmen Grottoes is a must-see for anyone interested in Buddhist art and sculpture. A visit in April will allow you to take in Luoyang's famous Peony Festival as well.

WEST CHINA

Xian, Hua Mountain

Located in central China, Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province, with Qinling Mountains to the north and the Weihe River to the south, which is a favorable geographical location surrounded by water and hills. Xi'an belongs to temperate and continental climate with four distinct seasons; cold and dry in winter and hot in summer and rainy season comes in July, August and September. With many rivers and man made canals in this area, the fertile land on the plain has easy access to irrigation facilities and an abundant yield of farm produce. The population is 7 million, with an area of 10,000 square kilometers. During Xian's 3,100 years of development, 13 dynasties held it as their capitals, and many historical relics are maintained.

Inner Mongolia

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering to the north with both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia, is the widest province in China (by its latitude). It is the third largest Chinese province (a little bigger than Egypt) but not very populated. Many ethnic groups are living in this area including Mongolian, Daur, Oroqen, Ewenki, Hui, Han, Korea and Manchu. It is about 500 kilometers from Beijing, and the over night train or one hour flight will bring us there. It is the home of Genghis Khan and his descendants, who united most part of Asia in 13 century. 

Silk Road

The Silk Road was also called "Silu" in Chinese. It was a general name for the ancient strategic transportation channel which started from China and passed through Central Asia, West Asia, Africa and Europe. In the 19th century, when the name of Silk Road was first used by a German geographer, it just included the land road from China's Xinjiang to central Asia. 

Entering Tibet you feel as if you've entered an entirely different world. Located in the southwest frontier of China, Tibet Autonomous Region has an area of over 1.2 million sq. km., and a population of 2.3 million. With the average elevation of over 4,700 meters, Tibet is dubbed "the World Ridge" and "the Third Pole on the Globe". Famous for peculiar geological features, magnificent natural scenery, splendid ethnic culture and characteristic local customs and practices, Tibet has become the Holy Land for numerous Chinese and overseas travelers and mountain explorers.

EAST CHINA 

Shanghai is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River of China. It is the largest industrial city in China, covering an area of 5,800 square kilometers (2,239 square miles), with a population of 20 million

Suzhou is the capital of Jiangsu province on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake. The city is renowned for its beautiful stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens which have contributed to its status as a great tourist attraction. Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Suzhou has also been an important centre for China's silk industry and continues to hold that prominent position today

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province. With enchanting natural beauty and abundant cultural heritages, Hangzhou is known as “Heaven on Earth”. The City, the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and only 180 kilometers from Shanghai. West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Dragon Well Tea are the names cards of this city

Yellow Mountain is the World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. In China there is a famous saying that you won't want to visit any other mountains after seeing Wuyue (5 most famous mountains in China), but you need not to see even Wuyue after returning from Yellow Mountain. It indicates the supreme beauty and uniqueness of Yellow Mountain.

SOUTH CHINA 

The old saying goes "If you haven't traveled up Chang Jiang, you haven't been anywhere" because the river winds through some of China's most spectacular scenery. In the western Wu Shan (Witch Mountains) it meets the world-famous Three Great Gorges, renowned for their dramatic beauty, cultural treasures, religious and historical sites, and now for the world-biggest Three Gorges Dam

There is a saying in China: the scenery of Guilin hills and rivers is the best in China. Formed more than 200 million years ago when the oceans receded from this area, the towers sprout from a patchwork of paddy fields and flowing streams, creating a dreamy, seductive landscape that leaves few souls unstirred. Time and space meet here to produce a masterpiece of nature's handiwork.

The small town of Yangshuo has long been a backpackers' mecca. It is featured with its rural scenery of peasant villages, small bridges and endless farming fields. In town, West Street (also called Foreigners' Street), is flanked with shops, bazaars, restaurants and cafes. Some of the most impressive karst scenery in Guangxi can be found just a short bike ride outside town. It remains a lovely and relaxing place to break a journey and to soak up some of China's most beautiful scenery.

The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo remains one of top river journeys in the world

Yunnan, a province in southwest China, literally means south of the clouds. Home of 40 million people, its area is 400,000 sq km, with an average height of 2000 meters above sea level. Yunnan is the home for 25 different tribes, making it the country's highest concentration of ethnic groups. Each of these groups maintains distinctive life style and splendid culture. The tribal people, winding ranges of mountains, tranquil monasteries and subtropical jungles make Yunnan very different from other destinations

Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan

Wulingyuan Scenic Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Often called Zhangjiajie, this 630  sq km (243 sq mi) park is full of stunning karst pillars of sandstone, covered with sub-tropical rainforest. The park covers 3 natural reserves: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(known as China's first national forest park), Suoxiyu Natural Reserve, and Tianzishan Natural Reserve. There are over 500 tree species, including dawn redwood, believed extinct until it was re-identified in 1948. There are also giant salamanders, rhesus monkeys, and many bird types. This wonderland is covered with dense forests and is considered Mother Nature's Oxygen Bar.