Adventure in fall

Source:Global Times Published: 2014-8-29 5:03:02

Some recommended destinations for the Mid-Autumn Festival


Wanfenglin in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province Photo: IC

A lake at the Shennongjia Forestry District Photo: CFP

Baotu Spring in Ji'nan Photo: IC



The holiday break for the Mid-Autumn Festival, lasting September 6-8 this year, is a rather short one. As such it's probably better if you didn't plan for a long trip abroad, as time is too precious to waste traveling to and from your destination. For those who work in China's busy cities, this is a good chance to take a short break somewhere not too far, but far enough so that it feels new.

Here we've selected some destinations located in the east, west and central part of China to help you figure out where you'd like to relax this holiday.

Shandong: treasure in the east

Located in East China right up against the sea, Shandong Province boasts a variety of tourist sites from mountains to coastal areas.

There are many places to go in Shandong, such as Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and Rizhao. But for a short three-day trip, I have to recommend Qingdao, Ji'nan, or Taishan Mountain. You can stay at one place for the whole holiday or select any two of them, as they are within 5 hours of each other by car or train.

Qingdao

A costal city, Qingdao can be divided into two parts: beaches and the old town.

Named after eight ancient military forts, Badaguan (Eight Great Passes) is the scenic area that best presents Qingdao's "red roofs, green trees, blue seas and clear sky." Formally a residential area for the Germans from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Badaguan has a great number of German-style villas as well as buildings with Russian, French, Japanese and Danish features.

 Often chosen as a place for couples to take wedding pictures, autumn is the most beautiful time to visit Badaguan, as the ginkgo trees all change into their golden clothes.

Autumn is also the best time for seafood lovers to enjoy a feast while enjoying the ocean scenery. There is a variety of choices from fish, crab, squid, to prawn to choose from, yet, clams are Qingdao's most representative seafood. Cheap - usually around 20 yuan ($3) a plate - but featuring many different types of clams, they are usually cooked with chili peppers for added spice.

It would truly be a pity if you went to Qingdao without having a taste of the local beer. The city has a long beer-making-history and there are a large number of options when it comes to taste and price. The most local way of enjoying beer is to sit at one of the outdoor beer houses which sit along the streets.

Ji'nan

When talking about Ji'nan, what comes first to the minds of most Chinese people are its numerous springs, which have earned it the title of "City of Springs."

Known as the "first spring under the heaven," Baotu Spring is the most famous spring in Ji'nan. Baotu in Chinese means jumping and leaping, and the spring is named thus because the water is often foaming and gushing, as if it was boiling.

Together with Daming Lake and Thousand-Buddha Mountain, the three are regarded as the must visit sites of Ji'nan. 

As springs are everywhere in the old town of Ji'nan, enjoying a cup of tea made from spring water is a must. Differing from the spicy clams of Qingdao, food in Ji'nan isn't as strong. 

Taishan Mountain

If you want to get some exercise during your holiday then Taishan Mountain is an ideal destination. Regarded as the foremost of China's "Five Great Mountains," Taishan Mountain has been worshiped by the Chinese for more than 3,000 years, while countless poems and essays have been written praising it.

There are several routes one can choose to hike to the top, and each route provides different sights along the way. For example, the route starting from Tianzhu Cliff has the most fantastic natural rocks and trees.

If you thought Taishan Mountain was only about natural scenery, you'd be wrong. As a tourist site visited since ancient times, there are numerous historical monuments such as temples, stone tablets and inscriptions everywhere you go.

Getting there: There are shuttle trains between Qingdao, Ji'nan and Tai'an (the city where Taishan Mountain is located). It's about two and a half hours to three hours between Qingdao and Ji'nan by D train and G train, less than an hour between Ji'nan and Tai'an, and three hours between Qingdao and Tai'an by G train. You need to take a bus or taxi to the foot of Taishan Mountain when you get off at the Tai'an train station.  

Where to stay: From five-star hotels to youth hostels, each city has a wide range of accommodations to meet your needs. Prices vary from more than 1,000 yuan to little more than 100 yuan per night. You can also choose to stay the night at the foot of Taishan Mountain or on the mountain itself. It's more convenient if you want to get up early to see the sunrise, but the accommodations won't be as nice as what you'd find in the city.

Hubei: China's wild center

For those living in Central China, another great destination is Hubei Province. The province is decorated with many lakes and mountains, which has led it to be dubbed  "the province with thousands of lakes." 

The taste of local Hubei cuisine is mostly mild, but since it's surrounded by spicy loving provinces such as Hunan and Jiangxi, those that fancy a stronger flavor can also find something to satisfy their hunger.

Shennongjia

Located in the western part of Hubei Province, the Shennongjia Forestry District has tall peaceful mountains and is filled with the sights and sounds of nature. Although a popular tourist destination, it never seems too crowded, even during the holidays.

As scenic spots are a little far away from each other, the best way to travel around Shennongjia is by car so you can easily go wherever you want without waiting for shuttles, which might take a long time if you decide to wait for them.

If you are a natural science fan, The Natural Museum of Shennongjia is definitely worth a visit. For an entrance ticket of only 15 yuan, you can see some rare specimens of albino animals.

Three Gorges

The Three Gorges consist of the Yangtze River's Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge. Famous for the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, the area has magnificent natural and man-made landscapes.

Starting from Yichang, a short trip can focus on going to Xiling Gorge. About 30 kilometers from Yichang, the Sanxia Renjia scenic area is qualified as an AAAAA scenic area by the National Tourism Administration. Tourists can float along bamboo rafts to enjoy this green world, and admire how well the water and plant life merge together.

Many people choose to travel through the Three Gorges by cruise ship, so they can enjoy the scenery along the Yangtze River while feeling undulating waves beneath their feet. The views of the hills move past slowly and as the river twists and turns the mountain peaks take on different shapes. When the ship passes by the Gezhou Dam, which acts as a lock between the upper and lower reaches of the river, the experience of waiting for the water level to change is really something special.

Getting there: Take a train to Yichang, Hubei Province. There are shuttle buses from Yichang to Shennongjia and the Three Gorges every morning. 

Where to stay: Most people choose to stay in Muyu Town during their trips. Besides hotels, home-stays can be arranged.

Guizhou: the mysterious southwest

Located in Southwest China, Guizhou Province is well-known for its mountainous areas and numerous big and small waterfalls. From big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, a short two- to three-hour flight can take you to this beautiful province. At the top of the list of places to go are the provincial capital city of Guiyang, Libo, Qiandongnan and Huangguoshu Waterfall. These places have been frequently visited and must-see by group travelers. However, if you want to see something different, then the western part of the province is worth your time. Located in this area, the city of Xingyi is just right for a two- to three-day trip.  

Maling River Gorge

Originating from the Wumeng Mountains, the Maling River Gorge is over 100 kilometers in length and is known as the "gorge of a hundred waterfalls." While the name may make you think of a museum, the Tianxing Gallery is actually a huge natural scenic spot that contains the best part of the Maling River Gorge and is a must-visit for travelers. Not only famous for its gorgeous mountains, waterfalls and forests, it is also known for being the best place for river rafting in Southwest China, due to its fast-flowing and rocky narrow channels. There are two main river rafting routes, one to the west and one to the east. The western route is the better choice as it takes two hours for the entire trip.

Wanfenglin 

Numerous peaks rising one after another, rice fields and farming families… This is the scene that can be seen at Wanfenglin, or the Forest of a Thousand Peaks. Once crowned as the most beautiful peak forests in China by Chinese National Geography magazine, the spot actually has roughly 20,000 peaks, which look like a forest of peaks covering an area of over 2,000 square kilometers.

Getting there: There are direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai to Xingyi city. But if there are no direct flights from your city, then fly to Guiyang, the capital city. Free shuttles to Xingyi are available at the city center if you purchase admission tickets through China CITS. However, make sure you check the shuttle schedules in advance. From the Xingyi airport you can take a ten-minute taxi ride to the gorge, or take a one-hour bus ride to Wanfenglin from the city center.

Where to stay: Hotels can be found in the city, but the scenic spots themselves only have cheap accommodations.



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