Beijing - Beijing is situated near China's east cost on the northernmost edge of the great North China Plain. It is flanked to the north and west by mountain ranges. Besides being the national capital, it is the historic and cultural capital of China. It is a municipality under the direct control of the central government and occupies an area of some 6,486 square miles. It has a total population of over 12 million people. Winters in Beijing are cool and dry, and summers are hot and humid. Beijing is an ancient city, having evidence of settlements on or near the present site that date back to3000 B.C., and has served intermittently as the capital of China since the fourteenth century. For the traveler of today, Beijing has an abundance of parks, museums, art galleries, theaters, temples and palaces, all open to the public.
A few of the wondrous sights that Beijing has to offer are the massive construction of the Great Wall, the ancient mystery of the Ming Tombs, the majestic beauty of the Forbidden City, and the architectural wonder of the Temple of Heaven.
Shanghai - Shanghai is one of China's three municipalities and is a major port and trading center. It is also one of the greatest commercial and industrial cities in China. The port of Shanghai handles more than a third of China's annual cargo, and ships travel from it to more than 300 ports worldwide. Shanghai has a population of over 13 million people, and the weather ranges from warm and humid in the summer to cool and humid in the winter. Shanghai has long been a city where East meets West. Today's traveler can find an abundance of modern amenities and entertainment, such as exotic restaurants, exciting night clubs, upscale lounges and premier shopping.
Some of the adventures travelers can enjoy while in Shanghai include the elegant waterfront area of the Bund, the ultimate shopping paradise along the Nanjing Road, and the tranquil splendor of the Yuyuan Garden.
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Xi'an - Xi'an is a provincial capital in China, and has a long and prosperous history. Since it was the official starting point of the Silk Road, it has been an important city for international exchange between China and various other trading countries. Xi'an was a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., and the capital city for 11 dynasties up to the 9th century. Today Xi'an has a population of over 6 million people, and is known as one of the biggest industrial centers in China. The weather in Xi'an is temperate and continental, cold in dry in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. Xi'an boasts an abundance of architectural and historical wonders.
Xi'an offers tourists a glimpse of the wondrous and ancient Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, the famous Buddhist Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the fascinating ruins of the ancient Banpo Village, and the wondrous artifacts contained in the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum.
Nanjing - Nanjing, or "South Capital," was China's ancient capital and home to eight dynasties from the third to the fourteenth centuries. Today, it is a provincial capital, and it is located on the southern bank in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Nanjing is an important industrial city, as well as one of the most important learning centers in China. The population of Nanjing is over 5 million people, and the weather is mild and cool in the winter and warm and humid in the summer. Travelers can take advantage of the many interesting museums and cultural and learning centers around the city.
Of the many sights Nanjing has to offer, travelers prefer the awe-inspiring Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, and the compelling, mysterious Confucious Temple.
Chongquing - Chongquing is located in a picturesque mountainous area overlooking the Yangtze River. The city's origins date back more than 3,000 years, and it has long been an important port city. It is also a huge industrial city, and the biggest urban center in southwest China. Chongquing is the most populated city in China, with over 33 million people. Due to the high humidity in the winter, Chongquing is well-known as the "City of Fog." Summer months bring high humidity and temperatures. Travelers of today marvel at the city's location perched on steep cliffs, and the abundance of people that make up its huge population.
The mysterious Luchan Temple, the historic Red Cliff Village and the beautiful Chongquing Theater are just a few of the popular attractions in Chongquing.
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Kunming - Kunming, the beautiful, green capital city of Yunnan Province, is known as China's "Spring City" because of its year-round, pleasant, warm climate. Kunming also known as the industrial center of Yunnan Province and is noted for its continued production of various types of tools and instruments. Kunming is located in the center of Yunnan Province, in the very southwest of China. Yunnan Province, with its temperate climate, yields abundant flora and thriving crops. The terrain in the area is ruggedly beautiful, a mixture of high plateaus, basins, and narrow valleys.
There are many sights to see in and around Kunming, and travelers prefer the awe-inspiring Stone Forest, and the beautiful Lake Dian, which surrounds the Western Hills containing mysterious temples and Dragon Gate Grotto.
Guilin - Guilin is located in the Guangxi Province in southern China. The landscape is resplendent with the scenery of the Li River and the fascinating necklace of karst hills that surround the entire city of Guilin. The region is covered in lush green hills and highlands, and much of it is located in subtropical zones. The climate in the south is humid, with warm, wet summers and mild, dry winters. Much of the area around Guilin is mountainous, but there are gentler limestone hills and plains.
The beautiful scenery of the Li River and the karst hills, and the fascinating Reed Flute Cave and Wind Cave are just a few of the popular attractions in and around Guilin.
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