What does “G train” mean?

‘G’ stands for ‘Gaotie’ in Chinese, and G trains refers to the high-speed railway trains.

In China, trains are divided into various classes according to their speed. From the slowest to the fastest, they are:
K Trains (Fast Trains with top speed of 120 km/h),
T Trains ( Express Train with the highest speed of 140 km/m),
Z Trains (Direct Express Train with the highest speed of 160 km/h),
D Trains (Electric Multiple Unites Train with the top speed of 250 km/h),
C Trains (Intercity EMU Trains with the average speed of 240 km/h)
G Trains (High-Speed EMU Trains, with the average speed of 300 km/h)

Click for more details about China Train Travel Guide.

Where can I get the trains to Shanghai?

Go to Beijing South Railway Station. There are totally five railway stations in Beijing city, but only Beijing South Railway Station operate high speed trains (both D Trains and G Trains) from Beijing to Shanghai.

The Gate of Beijing South Railway Station

Beijing South Railway Station, the largest railway station in Asia, is located in Yongdingmenwai Daijie, Chongwen District. You can take Subway Line 4 to Beijing South Railway Station.

Click to enlarge the map

Train Travel Tips:

• Because the Real-name System of purchasing Tickets for HSR trains, passport number is needed for foreign passengers who don’t have Chinese identity ID. Learn more about the Real-name ticket purchasing system.
• Hold onto your ticket because you’ll need it at the end of the train ride. Don’t throw your ticket randomly after the trip, because your personal information (like passport number) is on the name-based ticket. Either collect it or shred the QR code, your name and ID number after using. Pay attention to avoid a possible leak of personal information.
• When you arrive at the station you must first go through security control to departure area. Please notice these objects that are forbidden in the train, as following: animals, the toxic, flammable and explosive goods.
• Be on time! Tickets gates always close five minutes before departure.

After May 1, the temperature of Beijing city raises up to 30 centigrade quickly. Thought it is just early May, the heat is really coming!

However, nothing can stop a summer vacation. For you, who want to take a Beijing China tour this summer, there are some suggested places around Beijing where you can cool yourself off in this season. Tthe most popular destinations are Chengde and Beidaihe Beach Resort.

Chengde, Hebei Province

Escape the heat to the imeprial Chengde Summer Palace

Average temperature in Summer: 22℃ / 71.6 °F
Best Travel Time: from April to October
Suggested itinerary: 7 Days Beijing Royal Summer Vacation

Located about 250 km away from Beijing city, Chengde is the most famous Beijing side trip destination for its beautiful sceneries, historical sites. The average temperature in summer is 22 centigrade, much lower than that of Beijing. Because of the fine weather in summer, the ancient emperors of Qing Dynasty built the Chengde Summer Palace(Chengde Mountain Resort) to escape the heat in Beijing. Nowadays, the largest existing imperial garden, Chengde Summer Palace becomes a public attraction for travelers exploring the history and culture of the Qing Dynasty as well as escaping the hot summer in Beijing.

Beidaihe Beach Resort, Qinghuangdao City, Hebei Province

Enjoy a cool summer day in Beihaihe Beach

Average temperature in Summer: 24℃ / 75.2 °F
Best Travel Time: from June to October
Suggested itinerary: 5 Days Beijing Summer Escape to Beidaihe Beach

Located 288 km away from Beijing city, Beidaihe Beach Resort is the most famous beach in North China. For the average temperature in the hottest summer period is just about 24℃, it is the best beach to visit in summer time.

The beach is well serviced with many recreation facilities to cater for various needs. Also, there are some other natural spots for tourism in Qinghuangdao city, such as the Tiger Stone Marine Park, Pigeon Nest Park and Lotus Flower Rock Park and so on.

If you have more than 6 hours to spend, why not take a short day trip in Beijing of one or two “must-see” attractions?

Why more than 6 hours?

Check your timetable first while planning a layover tour in Beijing.

Though Beijing Capital International Airport is roughly 20 miles from the city center (about 40 minutes’ drive to the downtown), you should figure out the time to exit the airport and go through customs(usually more than 1 hour) and leave enough time to return and go through security again. Also remember, you have to get back around 2 hours prior to the departing flight. So if you’d like take a Beijing city tour during your layover, you’d better have more than 6 hours so that you will not rush to visit the city.

After calculating the time of your layout, now let’s move on to the nest question.

What to do during those hours?

Enjoy a quick view about the cultural-rich city during your layover in Beijing.

For the short time of layover (always 8-15 hours), it is impossible to see all the “Top 10” attractions. But visiting the “Top 1” must see sight in your mind is absolutely no problem!

According to thousands of customers’ reviews, we suggested the Best 5 things to do on a Beijing Layover as a reference for you:

• Tiananmen Square

  The world’s largest square in the heart of Beijing is opened whole day for free. You can visit there in day time and as a gate to the Forbidden City. Also, if your layover is too early to visit other attractions, you can go to the square viewing the national-flag-raising ceremony in the early morning. The start of time depends on the time of sunrise.

• Forbidden City

  The world’s largest palace complex is the most visited sight for any Beijing tour. As the home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Forbidden City is the best place for you to explore and experience the long history, the imperial culture and ancient architectural arts in one go.

  Travel Time: 2 hours
  Open Hours:
  April – October: 8:30-16:10
  Time of finishing selling ticket: 16:00
  November – March: 8:30 – 15:40
  Time of Finishing selling ticket: 15:30

• Hiking The Great Wall

  Located in the northern of Beijing, the Great Wall is 600 km long with 8 sections. Mutianyu and Badaling sections will be the good choice for your short Beijing tour. It usually takes one and a half hours from the airport to the each of the great wall section, and the Great Wall hiking always takes 2 hours.

  Badaling Great Wall

  Opening hours: 6:40-18:30
  Hiking time: 2 hours
  How to Get there?

  Mutianyu Great Wall

  Opening hours: 7:30-17:30
  Hiking time: 2.5 hours
  How to Get there?

• Imperial Gardens

  As one of the imperial capitals, Beijing is full of luxurious and magnificent imperial gardens, which opened as parks for the public. The most famous one is the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in the world. It shows the classical Chinese garden architecture to travelers around the world. Beside, the Jinshan Park, near the back gate of the Forbidden City where you can enjoy the panorama of the Forbidden City, as well as the nearby Beihai Park are also a wonderful place for a walk.

• Beijing Hutongs

  If you are keen on experience the local life, then taking a Beijing hutong tour is a great way to see the daily life and sights of REAL Beijing. You can have a walk, ride a bike or just take a rickshaw through the old Beijing’s alleys and lanes to explore how the locals’ life is like. There are also many interesting sights and stories hidden in the hutongs waiting for you.

  For time limit, you can choose to go Gulou hutong area or Shichahai area. There are many hutongs gathering together so you can travel them all in one go. The famous Houhai Bar Street is in Shichahai area, where there are many bars and restaurants for you to spend a leisure time there. The bars are opened till the early morning.

Now, there may be a list of things to do in your Beijing layover. Let’s solve the last but not least question.

How to Get There?

The Airport Express Train is connecting the airport and the downtown Beijing.

Beijing Capital International Airport is served by Airport Express Train and Capital Shuttle Buses which transfer between the airport and downtown Beijing. To save much time and keep from the crowds, you can take a taxi from the airport to your downtown hotel. For detailed transportation guide, please click here.

For most convenience, you can take a VIP private tour with private guide and vehicle. Everything will be handled according to your needs and all you have to is just tell us what you want and then enjoy it.

No matter you are keen on blossoms viewing , want to go for outside activities, or interested in hunting eggs with your kids on easter day, here are sevral kinds of activities you can choose in this spring. Just go outside to enjoy your spring break in Beijing.

1. Spring-only Flowers’ Viewing Day Trips in Beijing

Since it is a flower’s blooming season (from later March to early May), there are kinds of flower festival being hold in sevral parks in Beijing. You can either pay a day trip to those parks, or add your favorite one into your Beijing city tour.

Cherry Blossoms Festival in Beijing

The popular Beijing Flower Shows:

• Cherry Blossom Festival: The annual festival is hold in Yuyuantan Park from late March to late Aprial, and famous for about 2,000 Oriental Cherry plants of 20 different species.
• Chinese Flowering Crabapple Festival: It is hold in Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park every year.
• Peach Blossom Festival: Starts from March 29 to May 13, this year’s Peach Blossom Festival will not show you the Blooming Peach blossoms, but also 1,000 varieties of other flowers.

2. Taking Outside Activities & Enjoying the Fresh Air

In China, there is a traditional activity called “踏青 ” (Tàqīng), which means go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime. And in Beijing, the best palce for you to do some excersise while enjoy the spring landscape is the Great Wall. Hiking Great Wall in spring, taking a deep breath of the fresh air, and viewing the green landscape around…Just enjoy the power of life!

Hiking the Great Wall in a Shiny Spring Day

In fact, going outside does not just mean go far away. Even in Beijing city, you can also experience the lovely spring days in some places, especially the traditional hutong areas. Cycling through the local hutongs, or just wander through those traditional narrow streets, you can spend a leisure afternoon enjoying the sunshine there.

3. Enjoying a Family Day with Kids

With the fine weather (neither too hot nor too clod), spring is a good time for a family tour with kids. Various outdoor activities, such as great wall hiking, flying kites and picking strawberries are interesting for kids.

Go Easter Egg Hunt with Whole Family!

Also, while the Easter is coming, some hotels offer Easter banquets and Easter egg hunt for families with kids. The annual Easter egg hunt in Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Financial Street is one of Beijing’s biggest and best Easter egg hunts with 1,500 eggs to be found.

Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Address: No. 83A Jian Guo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Click here to see more details.

If you want more deals about your spring break in Beijing, or want to add your interests in your Beijing trip, please contact us and our Beijing local ‘insiders’ will arrange it for you.

Compare and choose your favorite section to hike.

Badaling Great Wall-the most popular and crowded section

According to our experience and former customers’ reviews, Badaling Section is absolutely the most popular spot the Great Wall, as it is the closest one to Beijing and has been opened for the longest time to visitors (since 1957). At the same time, this means you may have to fight hoards of bussed-in tourists. If you’re looking for a less crowded experience, try the Mutianyu Section.

The most beautiful view of foliage changing in Autumn at Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Great Wall, always combined with a visit to the Ming Tombs, is less crowded with tourists for it’s a little farther away than other sections of the Great Wall. For the over 90% forest coverage, Mutianyu Section offers the most beautiful views in four seasons, and it is the best place to enjoy the changing foliage. So Mutianyu is becoming more and more popular during these years. Alway for the moderate hiking level on this wall, it is a wonderful trekking places for most visitors, especially for families with kids or the old.

Adventure Hiking on Wild Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai

However, for the real hikers, it is not a real adventure to hike either Badaling or Mutianyu Great Wall. A hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai will gives you a truly “authentic” great wall hiking experience. Most parts from Jinshanling to Simatai are called wild great wall and they are very steepy and rocky with loose stones at times.

It is better to start at Jinshanling (about 2 hours’ drive from Beijing), and trekking 4-5 hours to Simatai. For it’s less crowded in Jinshanling and easier to find a way back to Beijing from Simatai.

NOTE:

Simatai Great Wall has been closed for renovation from June 17, 2010 to 2013 (the exact open date is still unknown). So for Jinshanling – Simatai Great Wall hiking, you need to turn round at the meddle way back to Jinshanling.

Read more Great Wall Hiking Tips

Here are the brief introduction about the Top 10 recommended hutongs in Beijing.

1. Nanluoguxiang: The most popular Hutong in Beijing

In the northern part of the Dongcheng District, Nanluoguxiang is located just a few kilometers north of the Forbidden City, near Houhai and Gulou area. It is filled with cages, bars, and shops all designed in classic Chinese Hutong Style.

Nanluoguxiang, the most popular hutong in Beijing

This Hutong has been designated by Beijing government as a historical site for preservation and showcase for Chinese culture while many old Beijing traditional Hutong neighborhoods was pull down in recent years. Intersected by eight East-West hutongs, Nanluoguxiang is a favorite spot for local hipsters, musicians, freelancers, and tourists as there are many stories and cultural experience to be found.

Surrounding attractions: Houhai Lake, Shichahai Lake, Gongwangfu Garden

Getting there: Bus 5, 60, 82, 107, 124 to Gulou, or bus 13, 118, 612, 823 to Luoguxiang

2. Yandaixiejie: One of the most age-old streets in Beijing

History: Yandanxiejie, with 800 years’ history dating back to Ming dynasty, was named as Dayuting East Street at first. It is said that because there were many shopf of China Tobacco pipe (Yandai), the street gradually changed its name as Yandaixiejie ( literallly meaning “Skewed Tobacco Pounch Street”). The peculiar name is not only from the numerous sellers of long stemmed pipe in the past, but also from the Hutong’s shape—a huge tobacco pouch.

Tabacco shops in Yandaixiejie Hutong

Location: between Drum Tower and Houhai, extending from Di’anmen Avenue in the east to Shichahai Lake in the west of 300 metres.

Surrounding attractions: Drum Tower, former residence of Guo Moruo

Getting there: Bus 5, 60, 82, 107, 124 to Gulou.

3. Mao’er Hutong: The home to many Relics, Celebrities and Stories

It contains many traditional private gardens and famous former residences which are identified as cultural relics, none of which are officially open to the public.

A small shop in Mao'er Hutong for years

Location: in the Dongcheng District, running west to east from Di’anmenwai Avenue to Nanluoguoxiang.

Surrounding attractions: South Lougu Lane, Drum Tower, former residence of Mao Dun

Getting there: Bus 13, 42, 118, 612, 623, 701 to Di’anmendong

4. Guozijian: The Famous “Scholarly” Hutong in Beijing

Located around the corner from the Lama Temple, Guozijian Hutong contains relics of some of Beijing’s most fascinating historical episodes and enclosed by four ancient decorated archways.

Guozijian, the Famous "Scholarly" Hutong in Beijing

History: Guozijian Hutong gets its name from Guozijian House, an impressive building located at the western end of the lane. This housed the Imperial College, the most esteemed of all educational institutions during the Yuan, Ming(1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911)dynasties. It was the dream destination for ancient China’s aspiring scholars.

Surrounding attractions: Yonghegong Lama Temple, Guozijian House

Getting there: subway line 2 to Yonghegong; bus no. 13, 684 to Guozijian.

5. Liulichang: the most Cultural Hutong in Beijing

Liulichang Street is one of the largest antique markets in China and a great place to go for the traditional “four treasures of the study”(calligraphy brushes, ink, paper and ink stones).

Traditional Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Shops in Liulichang Hutong

Changing and reforming gradually, the factory has developed to a bazaar of antiques, calligraphy works, Chinese paintings, handicrafts and Chinese featured items, where lots of artists and scholars would like to come.

Today’s Liulichang was renovated in early 1980s. Shops and vendors link with each other and sell, exchange, exhibit traditional Chinese antiques, and the scene makes the street fit for its origins.

Location: near the Peace Gate (Hepingmen Wai) of Xicheng District

Renowned shops in Liulichang:
Rongbaozhai: with hundreds of years, it is famous for traditional Chinese painting and calligrapy.
China Bookshop: it is specialized in ancient Chinese books, which cannot be easily found elsewhere.

Getting there: Bus 6, 102, 106, 109, 603 to Liulichang; Subway Line 2 to Hepingmen, Exit D1 or D2.

6. Jinyu Hutong: the most modern Hutong in Beijing

Situated at the Dongcheng district, Jinyu Hutong (Goldfish Alley) is about 567 meters long, starting from North Dongdan treet in the east, connecting the Donghua Men (Donghua Gate) of the Forbidden City in west, adjacent to Xitangzi Hutong in the north.

Chinese Stone Lion in front of the door of a Siheyuan in Jinyu Hutong

After strolling along Wangfujing, Jinyu Hutong will be an ideal alternative for you. Meanwhile, local people usually like to exercise or just take a walking along the high walls of Forbidden City, including the echoing vendors’ cries.

Surrounding attractions: Wangfujing Avenue, St. Joseph’s Wangfujing Church

Getting there: bus 103, 104, 108, 111, 420, 614 to Dengshixikou; subway Line 5 to Dengshikou, Exit C.

7. Dongjiaomingxiang: the longest hutong in Beijing

Located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, Dongjiaominxiang Hutong starts from Tiananmen Square E. Rd in the west and gets connected to Chongwenmennei Avenue in the east, extending for nearly 3 kilometers as the longest hutong in old Beijing.

St. Michael's Church in Dongjiaominxiang which was built in 1901

Surrounding Attractions: The Beijing Police Museum, Tian’anmen Square, Dongjiaominxiang Church, Laoshe Tea House

Getting there: Bus 9, 673, 692, 723, 729 to Chongwenmenxi; Subway Line 2 to Qianmen, Exit A.

8. Xijiaominxiang Hutong: the Original Financial Street

Located in the southern part of Xicheng District, Xijiaominxiang is next to Tian’anmen and Qianmen. Winding about 1,000 meters long and 10 meters wide, this Hutong is larger than the average hutongs and has unique history.

Xijiaomingxiang, the original financial street in Old Beijing

Some architectures of old banks are still there, including the former sites of the Central Bank, China Agriculture and Industry Bank and Mainland Bank.

In the Xijiaominxiang Hutong, there is China Numismatic Museum. This intriguing three-floor museum traces the development of money production in China, from the spade-shaped coins of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.) to coinage and paper currency in the modern era.

Surrounding attractions: Tian’anmen Square, Qianmen Street, China Numismatic Museum

Getting there: Bus 9, 44, 67, 301, 608, 673, 901 to Qianmenxi; Subway Line 2 to Hepingmen, Exit B1.

9. Ju’er Hutong: a Hutong with Historical Change

Located in northwest Dongcheng district, Ju’er Hutong, extending 400-meter long, is bordered by Jiaodaokou South Road to the east and Nanluoguxiang to the west, and many other lanes are around this area.

Taste the delicious food in a local restaurant in Ju'er Hutong

Surrounding attractions: Nanluoguxiang (South Lougu Lane), Yonghegong (Lama Temple)

Getting there: Bus 104, 108, 113, 612, 758 to Jiaodaokou South

10. Bada Hutong: “Red Light District” of Old Beijing

Bada Hutong, literally means the “eight great ” hutongs, is located in the Xicheng District. It is mainly consisted of eight alleys, namely Shaaxi Alley, Baishun Hutong, Shitou Hutong, Hanjiatan Alley, Wangguangfu Street, Rouge Hutong, Waikuoying Hutong (or Zhujia Hutong) and Pimp Hutong (or Li Gauzecap Hutong).

An old hotel in Bada Hutong

With varied brothels different from ordinary houses, the structure of each brothel has each own style. After 1949, many brothels were turned into hotels or residences. However, even though most of the area has been rebuilt, you can still feel much about the old Beijing there.

Surrounding attractions: Dashila, Qianmen Street, Liulichang

Yabuli Ski Resort

Yabuli Ski Resort, located halfway between Harbin and Mudanjiang River in China’s northernmost province Heilongjiang (formerly known as Manchuria), is the home of China’s first destination resort and has expanded into China’s first ski town with multiple resorts on 3 mountains with a selection of 2 to 5 star hotels along a main access road. The two large areas are Yabuli Sun Mountain and Yabuli Ski Resort. A third small ski area, Avaunce, offers beginners terrain on a smaller hill. A final third large mountain is still only used by the Chinese National Ski Team but is slated for future development into a 3rd large ski area with advanced terrain.

The higher mountains next to Sun Mountain have been open to the public with new resorts. Yabuli Ski Resort is the biggest training centre for alpine skiers and has hosted many professional skiing competitions. In 1996 the 3rd Winter Asian Games was held here along with numerous National Winter Games and other national and provincial competitions.

Accommodation:
Avaunce (Yabuli) International Convention & Exhibition Center Hotel, 5 star
Sun Mountain Yabuli, 3 star

Transportation:
1. By tour bus: Visitors can take tour bus to Yabuli Town at Harbin Longyun Passenger Station which takes about three hours. After getting off at Yabuli Town, visitors can take a mini-bus to Yabuli Ski Resort which takes about 20 minutes
2. By train: Visitors can take the following trains to Yabuli Ski Resort.

No.2 Beijing Huaibei Ski Resort — the Longest Ski Trail in Beijing

Beijing Huaibei Ski Resort

Huaibei Ski Resort has a distance of 70km from Beijing downtown with the longest ski trail of all Beijing’s ski resorts. It is located at the Jiugukou Natural Scenic Spot in Huairou Area, which enjoys another name “Beijing’s Back Garden”.

Ski terrain in Huaibei Ski Resort is surrounded by mountains topped with the ancient Ming Great Wall.  Huaibei Ski Resort covers the largest area among the Beijing Ski Resorts with 100, 000 square meters of snow area,which allows as many as 5,000 people to ski at the same time.

The equipment is the most completed in Beijing. There are all kinds of ski tools, luxury VIP rooms, and imported stoving equipment. And there are convenient e-charge systems. Built in 2000, it is one of the oldest and the most secure ski resorts in Beijing. The guidance system is the European Signals. Besides, there are workers offering optimal service every 50 meters.

Accommodation:
There are many kinds of hotels around, from 3-star to 5-star, clean and comfortable. If you are looking for something different, the farm house may be a good choice.
Beijing Tangyun Conference Resort, 5 star

Transportation:
1. Bus Line: Bus No.936 Branch
2. Skiing Direct Bus:
Starting at 8:10 from Dongzhi Men to Huaibei Ski Resort
Returning at 16:40 from Huaibei Ski Resort to Dongzhi Men (Reservation is needed)

No.3 Beijing Nanshan Skiing Resort — Largest Skiing Resort of Beijing

Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort

Beijing Nanshan Skiing Resort is situated in Miyun County, the suburb of Beijing, about 60km away from downtown. It can be reachable along the Beijing-Chengde Highway, with the combination of a series of recreational activities such as skiing, sliding and so on. As a peculiar resort for winter season in Beijing and the North China, Nanshan Skiing Resort can receive 5,000 persons every day. It possesses more than 2,500 parking spots. With the location of North Slope of Nanshan Mountain, the resort enjoys a good snow condition, magnificent and beautiful landscape as well as agreeable climate.

After ten years of development, Nanshan Skiing Resort has already built 21 trails, including the skiing trails for primary, medium and high level skiers, as well as the trails for teaching, learning and amusement. It also boasts the first Half-pipe with international standard and the first Mogul’s advanced trail in China, as well as the first snow football ground for 6 players. Besides, there is a Quiksilver Nanshan Mellow Park, which is the favorite practice ground for China’s top-competition snowboarders.

Accommodation:
Nanshan Ski Resort provides 2 kinds of accommodations for options.
The Shirton Inn and Norway Villa

Transportation:

Public transportation:
Bus No.980, the Dongmi Special Railway line, stop at West Bridge.

Taxi: about $50 each direction. A one-way trip by taxi takes about 1 hour and a half.

Self-driving.

No.4 Alshan Ski Resort — China Alps Skiing Resort

Alshan Skin Resort

Alshan Ski Resort, on the border of Inner Mongolia (Province) of China and the State of Mongolia, is surrounded by primitive forests. The resort covers some 10 Square Kilometers. Snowing periods last about 180 days, from Nov. to Apr. with soft wind. Surrounded by tree-clad mountains, it is one of the best ski resorts in China and one of the training bases for the Chinese Olympic Skiing Team.
The ski resort contains two parts: the West Hill Ski Terrain for ski racing and training and East Hill Terrain for fun. The West Hill Terrain is built in accordance with the standard of international ski racing, suitable for competition and training. This part covers around 5.5 square kilometers with a great many alpine and cross country trails. The East Hill Terrain has alpine drops, runs for middle-level skiers and beginners trails. It always has something for skiers of different levels. Ski machines have been set up to help the novices to improve their skills and enjoy the excitement. Alshan Skiing Resort has many great advanced facilities.

Features of Alshan Ski Resort:
1. Snow trails that lead to downtown are unique in China.
2. Unsophisticated settings of glades, forest, various peaks help deliver an unpretentious, natural, mind-friendly experience.
3. Multitude of snowfall, long snow-covered period makes skiing time last from Nov- Apr.
4. Great varieties of activities contain playing with snow, football on snow, adventure trip on snow fields, ski race, ski training, etc.
5. You may have watched the Mongolian horse-racing, wrestling, archery and hunting on a grassland. Alshan Skiing Resort will carry out these activities on the snow ground to give you a complete different spectacle and feeling.

Accommodation:
Fashion Travel Hotel in Alshan City, located close to Alshan Ski Resort. No.4 Hotspring Street in Alshan city, Inner Mongolia.

Transportation:
Board a bus or train bound for Alshan Alpine Resort

No.5 Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort — the Largest Ski Resort in China

Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort

Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort, also called “the Oriental Alps”, China’s largest ski resort, is located in Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Field, Xiling Town, Dayi County, about 100km west-southwest of Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
Its remarkable climate during winter months is the biggest highlight, since the ski resort’s high altitude, clear and sunny weather, as well as the relatively warm temperature is extremely suitable for all ski lovers.
Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort has 7 world-class Alpine ski pistes, totaling in all 10 kilometers and ranging from beginner to advanced levels, so there is always something for every member, regardless of skill levels.
The resort has a full range of ropeways servicing all the pistes. In addition to the most popular winter activity, skiing, the resort offers several other snowmobile trails as well.

Accommodation:
There are lots of small hotels around the mountain.
Xuehua hotel，about CNY200 per room per night.

Transportation:
Express bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station. It takes about 2 hours, and costs around around CNY30 per person.

Here are some taboos of which foreigners may be unaware.

Good manners:

1. To hold a rice bowl politely  rather than let it remain on the table as in Western dining etiquette. Your thumb should rest on the rim of the bowl while the bottom of the bowl is supported by your index, middle, and ring fingers.

2. When helping yourself to food placed on the table (on platters, etc.), always take from the side nearest you. It is considered ill-mannered to take food from the side of the platter facing others, and it is considered outright uncouth to “dig for treasures” as the Chinese put it, or to “cherry pick” for choice morsels as one would say in English.

3. Don’t tap your chopsticks on your bowl. It is not only an impolite sign of impatience, it is also done by beggars in the street to attract attention.

4. Don’t plant your chopsticks into your rice bowl pointing straight upward, unless you want your fellow diners to think you wish them dead. Because pairs of incense sticks are placed like this next to graves.

5. Some Chinese are conservative and don’t go in for hugging. So you’d better shake hands when greeting at the first time to avoid giving offence.

Language and color taboos:

1.The Chinese word for “8″(ba) sounds similar to a word “发 fa” for prosperity, whilst the numver “4″ (si) shares the same sound as “死 si” for death. This is why people are willing to pay more for every kind of numbers containing a lot of 8s and avoide 4s as far as possible.

2. The Chinese word “钟 zhong”(clock) has the same pronunciation as the word “终zhong” (end). And giving a clock as a gift (送钟 song zhong) sounds like being present at the bedside when a person takes his last breath (送终 song zhong). So don’t ever give a Chinese a clock, even if it’s a really nice one.

3.Don’t offer to share your pear, especially with your friend, family or lovers. “分梨 fen li”(share pear) sounds the same as “分离 fen li”(parting), a sad occurrence to be avoided as much as possible.

4. In China, “green hat” often refers to a man whose wife is cheating on him. In the unlikely event of you wanting to give your Chinese friend a hat, steer clear of green.

The Summer Palace on Summer Solstice

 After the summer solstice, temperature rises in north China and there’s plenty of sunshine and rainfalls, which is good for the growth of crops. While areas in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are in rainy season, during which persistent and heavy rains are common. The hottest days of summer begin after the summer solstice. They come in three stages – the first, second and third period of the hot season, with each period lasting for ten days.

How to avoid heat stroke

1. Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day. Dehydration can set in and we don’t even realize it until we begin to feel thirsty!

2. Pace yourself when working outdoors, exercising or just having fun. Those who participate in regular exercise over time, allowing their bodies to adjust to hot conditions, may better tolerate exercise on hot days.

3. Replace salts and minerals with electrolytes or other power drinks that have potassium. Avoid drinks with large amounts of sugar. Dehydration can stress the heart and impair the kidneys’ ability to maintain the correct level of fluids and balance of electrolyte. Electrolytes are charged elements-like potassium, sodium, phosphorous and chloride-essential for the normal function of every cell in the body.

4. Wear lightweight clothing the lighter the colored clothing (white, being ideal) the more sunlight is reflected away from you. Darker colors absorb the light and heat.

5. Use common sense Schedule your outdoor activities to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and use a buddy system if necessary to keep watch on those at high risk.

For you, the movie lovers, here is a wonderful place to get lose to Chinese Movie industry. That is Shanghai Film Shooting Base. 

 Invested by Shanghai Film Group Corpration, Shanghai Film Shooting Base ( aka Shanghai Film Park ) is Built as an ideal place for shooting, sightseeing and culture communication.    

Shanghai Traditional Houses

 You will find many different scenes in the park, such as “Nanjing Road in the 30′s”,”Shanghai traditional houses”, “Downtown Shanghai in old times”, “European style architecture”, “Suzhou Creek”, “Church”, “Peace Plaza”, “Old Shanghai bridge”, “Lake and mountain area”, large soundstages, costume and prop ware-house, film library, screening rooms. 

Tourists can take traditional carriage in Shanghai Film Shooting Base

In addition, there are many attractions here, such as trolley, Exhibition of SFS Costumes & Props Selection, racecourse, old Shanghai street show, to name just a few. Shanghai Film Shooting Base is not only a best choice for production crews and tourists, but a perfect educational place for teenagers as well.   

Tourists may have the changce meet film production teams here

With its distinctive Old Shanghai sceneries, solid culture background and quality facilities, Shanghai Film Shooting Base very much appreciate the presence of all the filmmakers and tourists.   

Map of Shanghai Film Shooting Base

Location: 4915 Beisong Rd, Songjiang District,Shanghai 201611
Ticket: 50 RMB per person  

How to get there?

You can go to Shanghai Gymnasium and take the travelingh line to Shanghai Film Shooting Base.  

Monday to Friday:
8:50 a.m.                Shanghai Gymnasium to Shanghai Film Shooting Base
13:30 p.m.             Shanghai Film Shooting Base to Shanghai Gymnasium  

Saturday to Sunday:
8:50 a.m./10:00 a.m.           Shanghai Gymnasium to Shanghai Film Shooting Base
13:30 p.m./15:00p.m.         Shanghai Film Shooting Base to Shanghai Gymnasium