Ancient City Wall

Ancient City Wall is the first landmark that you will encounter in Xi’an which stretches all round the old city. The northern side of it runs to the parallel of the railway. Xi’an was called a walled city originally and even today, the ancient city wall is considered as a main landmark which divides the city into the inner and the outer part. This city wall is massive, long, tall and thick. The North Gate and the South Gate are the two main Gates for entering into the city and the city is very neatly arrange along this city wall.

Ancient City Wall

Ancient City Wall

Xi’an Ancient City Wall was erected in 14th century under the Ming Dynasty during the regime of the Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. When Huizhou was captured by Zhu Yuanzhang, before the establishment of Ming Dynasty, he was very much influenced by the hermit, Zhu Shen who told him to build the high walls. When the whole country was unified, the emperor sends order for building the city walls. The current wall in the city is the enhancement of the old structure of Tang Dynasty.

The city wall at first was built of earth which was rammed one layer upon another layer. Base of this layer was made up of earth, glutinous rice extracts and quick lime tamped together. This made the wall firm and strong. Later on, the wall was enclosed with the bricks totally. A moat, deep and wide ran around the city and over the moat, there was a huge drawbridge. It cut off the way out and in of the city when lifted.

After the enlargement of the Xian’s city wall in the Ming Dynasty it stands about 12 meters high. It was about 12-14 meters across the top, thickness of 15-18 meters at the bottom and about 14 kilometers in length. There was a rampart after every 120 meters. These ramparts are the towers which extend out from main wall. The ramparts allowed the soldiers to see their enemies who try to climb the wall and allowed soldiers to protect wall without being exposed to the enemy. These ramparts are total 98 in number and each one having sentry building on the top of it.

Ancient City Wall

Ancient City Wall

There are gates of the city wall which are the only way to get into or out of the town. There are four gates in each of the four directions and each has three towers. The gate tower is used to lower and lift the drawbridge. The narrow tower is in the middle which was used to shoot the arrow using the square window and the main tower forms the way for entrance to the city. It also has tunnels and watch towers which was used by the soldiers for the protection of the city from enemies.

 

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum is located in the southern suburbs of city Xi’an to the northwest side of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is tribute to the glamorous imperial past of Shaanxi. The design of this museum building is in the elegant ancient and China’s grand Tang Dynasty.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi was one of the important provinces of the imperial past of China. Xi’an was the capital of China for over 1000 years and 10 dynasties from 221 BC to 904 AD. It is also known as the first seat of imperial civilization of china. Xi’an is the place which held very much importance in the history of China and it is well endowed with the relics and historical sites. Most of these relics that have been scattered around this region have found way to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The building is built over seventy thousand square meters and house over 37 thousand historical relics which are excavated from the Shaanxi Province.This collection includes the bronze ware which is about three thousand years ago from the Western Zhou Dynasty, gold and silver ware, terracotta figures and mural that were discovered in Tang tombs.

This museum has main three sections namely the Local Theme Exhibition Hall, General Exhibition Hall and Temporary Exhibition Hall. If you are very much interested in the Chinese Culture, then you have an option to see tomb mural exhibition by paying extra 150 yuan.

General Exhibition hall is about six thousand square meter and have more than two thousand artifacts. This hall is further divided into three parts i.e. entrance hall, Main Room and the Shaanxi Local Historic Exhibition Room. The room of Shaanxi Local Historic Exhibition is further divided into seven smaller parts which have relics from seven different dynasty and focus in the social development of china.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum

The Local Themes Exhibition Hall reflects the local culture characteristics of Shaanxi and contains many items like Silk Road and Yaozhu Porcelain exhibition. The Temporary Exhibition Hall is used for the purpose of temporary exhibition from abroad and home. The most impressive being the murals of Tang Dynasty tombs. It depicts the grand culture and social life of Tang Dynasty. Then Tang Dynasty Tomb Mural Hall is another hall which contains many items of Tang Dynasty and murals.

 

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum is located at the Changyang Road in the district of Hongkou. It was built in the memory of the jewish refugees who sought sanctuary from massacre during the world War II. It is placed in the former Ohel Mosche Synagogue. It is the place where the Jewish refugees gathered for the religious activities. This museum has many scorlls as well as other cultural relics.

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

The prototype of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue was built in 1927 It was previously the headquarters of the Jewish Youth Organization in the from year 1937 to 1941. Shanghai has over 25 thousand Jewish refugees and it is the only metropolic in the world who have welcomed Jews as refugee. The number of Jewish refugees that is taken by this city equals the number in total taken by New Zeland, Australia, India, Canada and South Africa. Ohel Moshe Synagogue has now become a synonym for refuge or rescue.

The jews enjoyed a peaceful and free life at the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue. In between the end of World War II and 1960 most of them left china and migrated to the other parts of the world. But, their life in shanghai has been memorable and that is why they consider this city as their second hometown and thus call themselves “Shanghai Jews”.

The Jews lived a free and peaceful life around the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue. Between the end of the Second World War II and 1960’s, many left China and emigrated to all parts of the world one after another. But the life in Shanghai was so memorable, and they considered the city as their second hometown and called themselves “Shanghai Jews”.

In 1986’s autumn, a group of Jews revisited this place who had taken refuge earlier in Shanghai. After feeling the immense gratitude for the local people’s help, they have presented a plaque to the Hongkou District’s people’s Government inscribed that twenty thousand Jewish refugees have been survived in Shanghai during the World War II. They have dedicated this plaque to the all the survives and the friendly Chinese people.

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum

Since then the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue has been approved for becoming the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. It has been visited by many distinguished personalities. It has been declared as the historical building and protected cultural relic site by the Government of Shanghai. It has been re-innovated with beautiful decorations and furnishings.

Jade Buddha Temple

Jade Buddha Temple is one of the famous and venerable Buddhist temples, which is situated in the western part of Shanghai which is a very flourishing and modern city. This temple was built in the year 1882 and has two statues of jade Buddha which has been brought by the monk Huigen from Burma. This temple was however destroyed during overthrew revolution during the Qing Dynasty. The statues were fortunately saved and this new temple was again built at the same site in the year 1928 and known as the Jade Buddha Temple.

Jade Buddha Temple

Jade Buddha Temple

These two statues of jade Buddha are precious and work of porcelain artwork. They are rare cultural relics. Both of these Recumbent Buddha and Sitting Buddha are carved using whole white jade. The crystal clear and sparkling white jade gives the statue of Buddha the beauty and make them vivid. The statue of sitting Buddha is about 1.9 meters in height and is encrusted by the emerald and agate. This statue depicts the moment of the enlightenment and meditation of Buddha.

The Recumbent Buddha is about one meter long and lies on the right side. It has the right hand supporting head and left hand placed on the left leg. This pose is known as lucky repose. The sedate face depicts the peaceful mood of Sakyamuni while he has left this world. This temple also has the another statue of Recumbent Buddha which is about four meters long and was brought here from Singapore in the year 1989 by tenth abbot of this temple. You can also found many ancient paintings and scriptures related to Buddhism at different places in this hall.

The history of Jade Buddha temple is not so long but the classical architecture styles of old-time make it inimitable and unique in the modern town of Shanghai. Mavavira Hall, Devajara Hall and the Tower of Jade Buddha make the main structure of this temple. The Amitabha Dian Hall, Kwan-yin Hall, Recumbent Buddha Hall and the Dining-Room are at the sides. There are more than seven thousand Dazang sutras which are kept in the Tower of Jade Buddha are inestimable culture relics.

Jade Buddha Temple

Statue of Buddha

This is the best place to visit also if you are not a Buddhist. The transcendent and peaceful atmosphere adds the richness to this temple from the busy and modern society.

Water Cube

Water Cube

Water Cube

The National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube, is located on Olympic park and it is one of the symbolic architectures covering a capacity of 17, 000 seats including 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary for the Olympics Games. Built at December 2003 and finished at January 2008, the Water Cube is the main natatorium for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 where the swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo sport events were held at that time and where Michael Phelps—the great champion of swimmer got eight medals then. It has been known as one of the Games’ iconic structures after the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games.

water cube

water cube

The competition hall of the Cubic Water is its key area with its length 116 meters, width 70 meters, height 30 meters and area 8,120 square meters. There are two swimming pool inside it, whose standard is 25 meters * 50 meters, depth of water 3 meters; jumpping pool 25 meters * 30 meters with about 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters water depth. The good-quality air, natural light, excellent sound effect together with the graceful architectural design make the atmosphere of the inner Cubic Water comfortable, enjoyable and excited. It is now a multi-functional center for sports, recreation and fitness. The amusement water park inside it is the one of the large-size water parks in China featuring world-standard facility, where you will surely enjoy yourself there.

Water Cube

Water Cube

Tips: 1) Opening time:  Swimming Pool: 12:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. for the normal days and 9:00 a.m. to 20:30 p.m. For the weekends ; The Amusement Water Park: 10:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.; 2) Ticket price: 30 Yuan/ adult for the Water Cube visit only; 50 yuan/ adult for swimming only 200 yuan/ adult including water amusement park; 3) Ways to go there: type 1—subway: take Line 10 to Beitucheng Stop and then transfer to Line 8 to get off at Olympic Green Stop. Use Exit A and walk southwards for 5 to 8 minutes to the entrance of the Southeast Gate of Water Cube; type2—city public buses: take the No. 696, 689, 658, 753, 660, 839, 944, 983, 939, 407, 386, 611, 82, 538, 81, 86 to the Olympic Green Stop.

The Summer Palace

Located in the Haiding District with a distance about 15 kilometers away from the Beijing City center and an area of 290 hectares, the the Summer Palace is the biggest and the best-preserved imperial garden in China nowadays, and it is one of the four famous gardens in China also. It is a large-scale mountain and water garden and also a completely-preserved imperial palace garden which sets the Kunming Lake and the Longevity Hill as the base address, and uses the scenery of the West Lake in Hangzhou as the blueprint, and absorbs some design methods and atmosphere. It has been honored as the ” Royal Garden Museum.”

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, also called Yiheyuan and The Garden of Harmonious Unity,  is an outstanding example of imperial parks and private gardens characteriezd by both northern and southern China and it is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, where you can view the beautiful and natural landscape inluding hills, pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges with fantastic charm. Famous both for its general design and its individual structures, the Summer Palace shows its unique beauty and do not forget to view its official sector in its  eastern part and its Long Corridor, which is one of the longest of its kind in Chinese history. The Palace Theatre and the Marble Boat should not be missed also during your visit to the Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace

Travel Tips: 1) Opening time and ticket price: 6:30 a.m. – 18:00 p.m. for the entrance in the peak season from 1st, April to 31st, October with the ticket price of 30 RMB/ adult;  7:00 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.for the entrance in the slack season from 1st November to 31st March with the ticket price of 20 RMB/ adult. 2)Best time to visit: summer is the best time to visit the Summer Palace as the weather is temperate at that time. Winter is not recommended time for you to visit there as the lake is frozen and the cruise is not available then. 3) How to get there: Take the no.4 subway line to the North Palace Gate or the West Garden and then walk in the west direction for 500 meters from the Tongqing Street to the East Palace Gate of the Summer Palace. 4) Do not forget wear those shoes which are suitable for long walk.

The Bird’s Nest—Main Architecture of the China’s National Stadium

The Bird’s Nest

The Bird’s Nest

Being the main architecture of the China’s National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest is located in the south of the central area of the Beijing Olympic Park. It is the main stadium of the 29th Olympic Games in 2008. Covering a floor area of 21 hectares with the architecture area of 158,000 square meters, the Bird’s Nest offers a capacity of 91,000 seats for the audience inside and 11,000 seats for temporary

Audiences. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and the Paralympics, the track and field events and the Football final competition are all held here. It has been the large-scale professional site where Beijing citizens wildly take part in and enjoy Sports and Entertainment after the finish of the Olympic Games in 2008. Moreover, it has been the Olympics heritage and the Sports Architecture with the Landmarks character.

The Bird’s Nest

The Bird’s Nest

Being the world’s largest steel structure and the most complex stadium ever constructed, the construction of the Bird’s Nest began on December 24, 2003, and was completed in March, 2008, whose cost totals more than 423 million dollars, a tiny fraction of the 40 billion USD spent on Beijing in preparation for the Olympics. In order to make it much more magnificent and majestic, it’s built on the city’s north-south axis, which also includes the Forbidden City, Tian’an men Square and the Temple of Heaven.The main feature of the Bird’s Nest is that its eastern and western stands are higher than northern and southern stands in order to improve sightlines. Viewing in outside, you’ll find it unbelievable and unspeakable.

Then significance of the Bird’s Nest, most professors in the area of the architecture think is that is it not only set up a symbolic building with the unique history character for the Olympic games in 2008, it also has creative effect on the history of the world architecture, and provides great historical witness to the development of the architectures for both China and the whole world in 21 century.

Fengjing Ancient town Shanghai

Fengjing Ancient town is situated at the southwest part of Shanghai. It is about 57 Km from Shanghai City. It has been known for very long time as the ancient water town and it is one of the four most famous towns of south China. Fengjing Ancient town has history over 15 hundred years. It is demarcated by the boundary river in center and it is separated from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the year 1430 during the reign of Ming Dynasty.

Fengjing Ancient town Shanghai

Fengjing Ancient town Shanghai

You will find many building of the town resembling the style of Ming and Qing. You will find two-story structures mainly of timber and brick with black-tile-covered roofs and white washed walls. Each of this having dooryard, wing-rooms and walkway. The total area covered by the old residences of the four main streets is about 12 acres and unmovable cultural relics of Shanghai are included among these nine locations.

This town is boasted with 52 bridges which surround the water network. Zhihe Bridge which has lichen in the crevices of stones was build during the Yuan Dynasty. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the old houses and tress by standing on this bridge. You can also enjoy the beautiful view of red lantern which hangs under the back eaves during the night adding the beauty to the bridge. Another famous bridge is the Rainbow Bridge which is also distinct.

Fengjing Ancient town is full of old customs and culture of china and it is attracting a great number of foreign as well as domestic travelers. You can view the life of local people here and enjoy the tea sips at local tea shops. You can also get a chance to listen the local operas when there is a performance.

Fengjing Ancient town Shanghai

Fengjing Ancient town Shanghai

Paintings of Jinshan Peasant also flourished and originated in Fengjing Ancient town. It has a unique style of art and influenced a lot at abroad and home. It also favors the Fengjing home of the Chinese folk painting. You can also find many other folk crafts like furniture-carving, blue allover, Festival lanterns, kitchen mural, embroidery and paper-cuts. This town is also famous for the cotton textile and the cloths produced here are considered to be a good brand of China. You can also try to make your own handicraft in person. This place if full of diversity in religion as you can find different religion temples likes Buddhism, Taoism, catholic as well as other Christian Churches.

Qibao Ancient Town

Qibao Ancient Town is located in the center of the Minhang District, Shanghai. It is situated at a distance of about 20 kilometers from the downtown area of Qibao Ancient Town. It can easily satisfy your curiosity regarding ancient water township and you need not bother about the rush of crowds or long distance.

Qibao Ancient Town

Qibao Ancient Town

It is the only ancient town which forms the greater part of Shanghai. It has history over thousand years and Qiabo is much more than the ancient Chinese conurbation and the urban planning. This town was built during the Northern Song Dynasty and became a prosperous business center during Qing and Ming Dynasties. Qibao means seven treasures in Chinese and there are two theories about its derivation. The most reliable says that this name originates from Qibao Temple, which is famous for good reputation. This is very much responsible for the development of culture and business which was unknown previously. The other theory is popular among local people who have some folk tales about the seven treasures. These are the iron Buddha which was made by Ming Dynasty, Bronze bell also from the same Dynasty but they have appeared from nowhere. Other treasures include Jade axe, catalpa tree, gold cockerel and a pair of jade Chopsticks. Out of these seven treasures, only four can be verified and only the bell and the scripture are existence till date.

It has been dating for the period of five dynasties and Ten states. It is mainly extended and renovated during the period of Ming Dynasty. This temple has held the high regard by the local people as not only due to its seven treasures but due to its splendid appearance as well as its significance to the development of Qibao Town. This temple covered the area more than 140 acres and excluding the area of 22 acres by the surrounding rivers which blossomed in the Ming Dynasty. The revered monk called Jing used to interpret and study the scriptures here and it was recorded in the inscriptions which is carved in the bronze bell. This temple was rebuilt in the year 2002 which later covered area more than 150 acres and it was opened for public in the following year. The new Qibao Temple has new designs with buildings and gardens having unique architectural styles of Han and Tang Dynasty.

Qibao Ancient Town

Qibao Ancient Town

In late spring, when the peaches in Longhua Park are in full blossom and the temple fair (on the 3rd March, lunar calendar) is under way, large numbers of visitors and pilgrims will come and the Longhua will become a place of great hustle and bustle.

 

Longhua Pagoda & Longhua Temple

Located on the Longhua Road at the south of the city, Longhua Park is famous for the ancient Longhua Temple, Longhua Pagoda, the Evening Bell-Striking Ceremony and the peach blossoms.

First built in 242 AD, which is during the period of the Three Kingdoms, Longhua Temple is the oldest temple in Shanghai for its long history of over 1700 years. Because of the several destructions by the wars, most of the buildings here were reconstructed during the reign of the Emperor Tongzhi and Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty.

Longhua Pagoda

Besides its long history, Longhua Temple is the largest temple in Shanghai. It occupies an area of over 20,000 square meters (five acres) and the architectural proportion is about 5,000 square meters (one point two acres). Along the 194 meters long (637 feet) axis are the Maitreya Hall (Miledian), Devajara Hall (Tianwangdian), Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), Three Sages Hall (Sanshengdian), Abbot’s Hall (Fangzhangshi) and the Sutras Keeping Hall (Cangjinglou) which keeps the three treasures of the temple including the Dazang sutras, the gold seals and the Buddhist statues. Accessory halls on the two sides are the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, both of them are furnished with the same hexagonal windows and the curved eaves. The whole courtyard was built strictly in the style of traditional Buddhist symmetry and it’s in accordance with the Chinese concept of beauty.

A venerable copper bell which is two meters in height, one point three meters in diameter and weighs five tons (11,023 pounds) is placed on the three-storied Bell Tower. The Evening Bell-Striking Ceremony on 31st December is regarded as one of the eight great attractions of Shanghai. Welcoming the New Year in the melodious, heavenly sound of the bell is an interesting and memorable experience.

The seven-storied, 40.4 meters high Longhua Pagoda stands in front of the Longhua Temple, the brick body and the wooden staircases make up its main structure. Each storey is smaller than the storey below, and all the levels are encircled by balconies and banisters. Bells on each corner of the octagonal eaves make cheerful and lively sounds as the wind passes by. The pagoda has been rebuilt several times, but the style of the Song Dynasty still remains to today.

Longhua Pagoda & Longhua Temple

Longhua Pagoda & Longhua Temple

In late spring, when the peaches in Longhua Park are in full blossom and the temple fair (on the 3rd March, lunar calendar) is under way, large numbers of visitors and pilgrims will come and the Longhua will become a place of great hustle and bustle.