10 authentic China trips for 2012(1)
Although China's modernizing by the second, there are still places to experience the country's long history and diverse culture
We’ve all heard of Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu -- but there is more to China than tourist hot spots.
With a population of 1.3 billion (and growing), China’s geographic locations are extremely diverse and often overlooked.
Here are 10 top destinations to visit in 2012. No panda-watching is involved -- but there will be tigers, camels and yaks.
The list is ordered from north to south to showcase the dramatic landscape changes within a country that's spread over 9,600,000 square kilometers.
1. Harbin, Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省哈尔滨市)
The capital of China’s northeastern province, Harbin, is a frigid city with rich Russian influences that permeate everything from architecture to food.
Bone-chilling winters average at minus 16 C.
Harbin is home to the International Ice and Snow Festival, one of the world’s largest snow festivals. The massive ice sculptures are carved throughout December and last until mid-February.
More details on 2012 Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.
For anyone unwilling to brave the winter chill, warm summers do exist in the “city of ice.”
Top attraction is the Harbin Beer Festival in August. It’s a massive drunken beer party in the city square with great tunes and tons of alcohol.
Foodies can make their way to Harbin’s best barbecue joint, Daquan BBQ (大全烧烤). They serve unconventional items like mutton kidneys as well as conservative choices like pork or eggplant skewers.
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Siberian Tiger Park, 88 Songbei Jie, Songbei District, Harbin 哈尔滨市松北区松北街88号, +86 451 8808 0098, RMB 90 (adults), RMB 45 (children), free for children no taller than 1.2 meters, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., www.dongbeihu.net.cn
Daquan BBQ, 86 Donglai Jie, near Caoshi Jie 东莱街86号, 近草市街, +86 451 8834 8888, 10 a.m.-midnight
2. Dunhuang, Gansu Province (甘肃省敦煌市)
Escape to this Gobi desert oasis which provides clean air, historic treasures and the chance to ride a camel.
Book your flight early -- only a handful of planes fly to Dunhuang each day.
Take advantage of the tourist activities at Mingsha Sand Dunes (敦煌鸣沙山). You can paraglide over the sand dunes, race dune buggies, and pretend you’re in a massive sandbox while sliding down the dunes and screaming at the top of your lungs.
Ride a camel. They’re adorable creatures, even though getting on them is a bit terrifying at first.
Dunhuang is the home of the Mogao Grottoes (敦煌莫高窟), a treasure chest of Buddhist paintings and currently the site of a major international excavation.
The city is also a former trading hub on the Silk Road, so make sure you do some serious modern trading at Shazhou Night Market (沙洲夜市), which carries a wide selection of local crafts and souvenirs.
Next to Shazhou vendors sell heaps of dried fruit and nuts, which make good desert day-trip snacks.
If you want something with more substance, Dunhuang cuisine revolves around wheat noodles and meat. Some staples include saozi noodles, stuffed bread with meat and mutton kebabs. The food pavilion next to the night market is the best place to sample a little bit of everything.
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Shazhou Night Market, Shazhou Lu, Dunhuang. The night market runs from around 6 p.m. till midnight every day.
3. Pingyao, Shanxi Province (山西省平遥县)
The economic capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Pingyao’s most defining feature is its city wall.
The outline of Pingyao's city wall is said to resemble a tortoise and it encloses one of the most well-preserved historic cities in China. More importantly, you can walk along the top of the 600-year-old wall (accessible from the north and south gates).
Mostly off-limits to cars, the 14th-century trading town is lined with cobblestone streets.
True to Pingyao’s economic history, one of the most popular attractions is its historical bank -- the Rishengchang Draft Bank (日升昌旧址).
The earliest bank in China, Rishengchang opened in 1824 and symbolizes the beginning of modern China’s financial growth. At one time, Shanxi province's banks constituted more than half of the banks in the country.
Rishengchang closed down in 1914, and its original structure now houses the China Draft Bank Museum (中国票号博物馆).
The town is also known for its beef jerky, which tastes like corned beef. Get the Pingyao beef in soup at Yunjincheng Restaurant (云锦成). Average price per person is RMB 40-50.
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China Draft Bank Museum, 373 Xian Dao, Pingyao 平遥县373县道, RMB 120 (adults), RMB 60 (kids), +86 354 568 3261, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Yunjincheng Restaurant, 56 Xi Da Jie, Pingyao, +86 354 568 0944, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., www.pibc.cn
4. Huangshan, Anhui Province (安徽省黄山市)
One of the best-known mountains in China, Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is the site of breath-taking scenery and, at more than 1,000 meters high, a heck of a view.
Huangshan’s peaks are frequently shrouded in mist, which makes it look like they’re floating (very Avatar-esque).
A six- to- seven-hour hike leads to the summit; the route is completely paved with stones. It’s great for those looking to tone the thighs but horrible for the more sedentary.
Thankfully, there is also a cable car (RMB65-80 one-way, depending on the season).
Opt to stay in a hostel or hotel at the top or camp if the weather allows.
Bring your own snacks for the trek but remember to pack lightly. It’s a long way up, but for those famished after an entire day of climbing, a well-deserved buffet is available at the 1,630-meter high Beihai Hotel (北海宾馆), which is located at the top of the mountain.
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Beihai Hotel, Beihai Scenic Area, Huangshan 黄山北海景区
5. Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province (四川省都江堰市)
Most people come here to pay homage to the world’s oldest functional irrigation system. It’s massive, ancient, and cost a whooping 100,000 taels of silver to make.
The project controlled flooding in the area and has, to the pride of the Chinese, weathered the past 2,000 years.
The water system irrigated the landscape so successfully that the Chengdu plain is to this day known throughout China for its agricultural abundance.
The engineering feat dates back to the Qin Dynasty and draws water from the Minjiang River (岷江), a major branch of the Yangtze River originating in Sichuan.
At the irrigation site, a rope bridge makes for great photo opportunities and a guaranteed adrenaline rush.
Of course, you can’t go to a Sichuan town without trying the fragrantly spicy food. Dujiangyan has its fair selection of spicy hot pot that will either make your tongue go numb or eyes water. Or both.
Check out Xiao Tian'e Hot Pot Mall (小天鹅), a popular hot pot restaurant with locations throughout Sichuan.
The bus ride from Chengdu takes about 50 minutes.
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Xiao Tian’e, No. 215, Building. 23 Yufu Jie, Yutang Town, Dujiangyan 都江堰玉堂镇玉府街23栋215号, +86 28 8718 2698, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
