Yuanyang Terraced Fields

Many regard The Great Wall as a symbol of China. The terraced-field scenery pictured left is another. The terraced fields of Yuanyang in southwest China's Yunnan Province have been inscribed as a World Heritage since January 2002.

Now is the best time for photographers and those intrigued by ethnic culture to visit.

The terraced fields of the Hani ethnic group in Yuanyang County are spectacular. The fields stretch from the foot of the mountain to the summit, like thousands of silver stairs.

The smaller plots are only several square meters in size, while the larger ones are half a hectare.

The terraced fields total hundreds of hectares.

The best place to view the terraced fields is in the south of Yuanyang County, where the mountains are covered with terraces extending 2,000 meters, from the mountain top down to the valley.

To get there, first go to Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan Province. The air ticket is about 1,400 yuan (US$168) leaving from Beijing and the train costs 450 yuan (US$54) for a sleeping berth.

Bus routes run daily between Kunming and Yuanyang County. It costs 50 yuan (US$6) to 60 yuan (US$7) each way.

After getting to Yuanyang, rent a taxi for a day for about 120 yuan (US$14). Wear low-heeled shoes. All the roads to the fields are zigzag muddy lanes. Take food with you as there's nowhere offering dining services in the mountain.

Fairytale Landscape of Guilin

Guilin has established itself as one of the most popular places with tourists across the world thanks to its breathtaking landscapes. Foreign visitors make up almost a quarter of the total every year.

Famous for its wonderful, lush scenery, rivers and karst peaks, Guilin is widely regarded as the most beautiful place in China.

Guilin is situated along the Lijiang River in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, itself a popular travel attraction.

While Guilin is a very beautiful place, many travelers simply pass though on the way to their true destination, Yangshuo. Yangshuo is 83 kilometers further down the Lijiang River, settled amongst the most beautiful section of the river's karst scenery.

Flying is the most convenient way to get there. The city is directly connected to most major domestic cities and even to Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

From Beijing, expect to pay around 1,300 yuan (US$156). There is no chance of a discount during the holiday, even if you book the ticket now.

Guilin's new international airport is 30 kilometers west of the city (about a 40-minute taxi ride). Most large hotels have shuttles available (with prior notice).

Guilin is also directly linked to Beijing by train (30 hours). A sleeping berth costs about 400 yuan (US$48.)

Train tickets can be hard to come by as this is the most visited tourist destination in China. It is best to buy your tickets several days before you plan to leave the city.

We strongly suggest joining a local travel agency. You can find many such agencies' offices or telephone numbers in hotels in Beijing. It is usually cheaper to buy a package trip.

Pingyao: Countryside Palace

While many imperial palaces, temples, pagodas and walls are well known, there is also a wealth of ancient villages and noteworthy houses built long ago by wealthy merchants and businessmen.

Typical of these are houses found in Shanxi Province, many representative of the wealth attained by Shanxi merchants in times gone by.

Pingyao Ancient City is the only one of its kind inscribed into the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Chinese traditional architecture, city walls, battlements and watchtowers are well-preserved here.

It is easy to get to Pingyao. Trains are the most convenient way to get there. It takes 8 hours and trains usually leave Beijing West Railway Station 11 pm and arrive at Pingyao 6 am next day. It costs 150 yuan (US$18) for a sleeping berth.

Pinggu Flower Festival

The annual International Festival of Peach Blossoms and Fireworks is underway in Beijing's north suburban district of Pinggu. It will last until May 10.

Some local travel agencies have prepared special lines for visitors to check out the 10,666 hectares of peach trees, widely described as a "flower sea."

Bus routes for a one-day trip leave out at 8 am from Dongzhimen in Beijing. The bus arrives at Xiaoyuzi peach orchard in Dahuashan at 10 am. The bus will stay one hour to allow visitors to look at the blossoms.

The bus then goes to a local hotel in the town of Pinggu at 11:30 am for lunch.

The bus leaves Pinggu at 1 pm for Jingdong Valley, which boasts waterfalls, mysterious mountain peaks and a vast area of pine trees.

The trip then moves on to some local farmer's peach greenhouses for peach picking at 3:30 pm. The bus returns from Pinggu at 4 pm, getting back to Beijing by 5:30 pm.

For individual trips, take bus 918 at Dongzhimen to the town of Pinggu and then change to a minibus to Dahuashan Town. You can also drive along Jingshun (Beijing-Shunyi) Road and then along the Shunping (Shunyi-Pinggu) Road.

After getting to Pinggu, ask locals where the peach blossoms can be found.

Crescent-moon Spring

Located in northwest China's Gansu Province, the spring takes its name from its resemblance to the crescent moon. It is surrounded by sand dunes, and local people every year during the Dragon Boat Festival climb the dunes to enjoy the scenery.

It is hidden in Mingsha Hill, which is six kilometers south of Dunhuang City.

The hill itself is mysterious and has become a popular place.

It is several dozen meters high and very steep. Visitors can hear a roaring sound of the moving sand when they slide down from the top of the hill. Crescent-moon Spring is near the northern foot of Mingsha Hill in the southern suburbs of Dunhuang City.

Flights from Beijing to Dunhuang are available daily. It costs 900 yuan (US$108). After arriving at Dunhuang City, you can take a bus to the spring, or take a taxi (20 yuan/US$2.5).

Ever-white Mountain

Changbaishan, or Ever-white Mountain as it is translated into English, is generally acknowledged as the most famous mountain in northeast China.

The mountain rises in the northern part of Jilin's Antu County, and gradually extends southwards towards the North Korean border.

This area was formerly considered a holy land by the imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The region has long been considered the cradle of the Manchu Minority people.

The mountain itself is a dormant volcano that has erupted three times since the 16th century. Attractions here are mostly related to these geological movements.

The climate in the reserve ranges from temperate to frigid zones. In a quick movement up the slopes, the weather can change dramatically. There is a variety of rare animal species here including the black bear, the leopard, the lynx and the Siberian tiger. The Heavenly Lake is the deepest alpine lake in China. For ordinary travelers, the only viable time to pay Changbaishan a visit is sometime between late June and September, when the roads and railway lines are clear of snow and ice.

Nearby cities like Jilin, Changchun and Dandong are three popular starting points for travelers into Changbaishan.

Flights from Beijing to Changchun are available daily and cost 800 yuan (US$96).

Of the above three cities, the trip from Jilin involves the least trouble. From the city, take a bus directly to Baihe (7 hours and 50 yuan/US$6).

Tongli: The Venice of the East

Originally named Fushi, Tongli is an age-old but very well preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years.

Located on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake, just 18 kilometers from the city of Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province, Tongli spans 63 square kilometers and has a population of over 33,000.

True to its reputation, Tongli is a wonderful travel destination where you can spend a marvelous holiday or experience traditional Chinese culture.

Bridges here are the vital links between the different parts of town. Forty-nine stone bridges in a variety of styles join the seven islands created by 15 rivers and five lakes upon which Tongli stands.

Tongli deserves its reputation as a "museum of ancient architecture" as there are many houses and temples dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). Built along the riversides and decorated with flying eaves, carved windows, porcelain furniture, figured clay bricks, dapper gardens and small stairs leading down to the water make Tongli a shining pearl among the water towns south of the Yangtze River.

Tongli boasts a profound cultural background. From ancient times, it has been teeming with poets, painters, Confucian scholars and government officials. Their abilities have made great contributions to progress in many areas of the country.

Dozens of stone tablets from different periods are preserved in Tongli and many of the streets are named after their official titles.

To get to Tongli, it's best to go first to Shanghai by air. Some travel agencies offer air tickets at around 300 yuan (US$36) from Beijing to Shanghai. But it will return to the normal price of around 1,200 yuan (US$144) around the holiday. After getting to Shanghai, take the bus to Tongli. The 80-kilometre road trip costs around 10 yuan (US$1.2).

Tel: 0512-63335558; 0512-63331140

(Beijing Weekend April 16, 2004)