Impression Yunnan II: Tiger Leaping Gorge

In the last article, we have talked about Lijiang, one of the famous attractions in China. Maybe you have not heard another attraction in Yunnan, we will talk about in the chapter, Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the world famous grand canyon, and grotesque known to the world.

                                                        Chapter Two


        Tiger Leaping Gorge: Leaping tiger of water

Tiger Leaping Gorge locates about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Lijiang Old Town and lies between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain).--It is the longest, deepest, and narrowest gorge in the world.

                                          Sights of Tiger Leaping Gorge

From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.

Naturally divided into three sections, the first section, which is the narrowest and uppermost section, is the mouth of the fast flowing Jingsha River. In the midst of the river's mouth is a large rock that is positioned at the gorge's narrowest section-only 30 meters (33 yards) wide.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

An ancient legend says that a tiger used this rock as its stepping stone so it could leap across from one side of the gorge to the other, which is how the gorge got its name.

As the river enters the middle section, it drops another 100 meters (330 feet) and its flowing rate increases to an amazing speed. Here the thunderous rushing waters slam into sharp, large rocks and crash down into the river forming swirling whirlpools. Can it get more exciting? Yes, it can as the third and lowest section is acclaimed for being the wildest attraction of all!

The cliffs over-looking this section are even steeper and much more dangerous. Here, the river twists and turns and the river vigorously surges forward creating high waves and a frothy spew as it collides with the mountainsides. This is a view that inspires a sense of adventure and satisfies the deepest yearnings for magnificent scenery.

The gorge stretches about 15 kilometers (nine miles) and also affords people the possibility of rafting and drifting peacefully in its large quiet sections, for the gentler folks among us and an exciting rafting adventure for the more experienced. Do not want to raft?

Useful Tips: This is a great sightseeing stop with enormous photo opportunities. Bring your camera, wear skid-proof shoes, and be prepared to be astonished.

                                        Navigate Tiger Leaping Gorge

The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. Their primary subsistence comes from grain production and foreign hikers. The gorge is not considered navigable. In the early 1980s, four rafters attempted to go down the gorge and were never seen again. In 1986, the first known successful attempt to sail through the gorge was made by the first expedition to float down the entire length of the Yangtze, starting at the river's high source at the Gelandandong glacier lake.

The Hiking Path

The area of Tiger Leaping Gorge was officially opened to foreign tourists in 1993, but had attracted adventurous backpackers already in the 1980s. Officials plan to improve the existing trails and roads, bringing tour buses and more development. These plans arouse highly varied reactions among the local population, from strong opposition to strong support.

Moreover, the hiking path ("the high road") is well-maintained and marked, although sometimes narrow, and is used by the Naxi as part of everyday life. This trail is longer than the lower road, approximately 22 kilometers, but more varied. It features a variety of micro-ecosystems, waterfalls, and a fair number of guesthouses for trekkers. These guesthouses are not well heated, which combined with the unpredictable nature of high mountain weather makes this trek unadvisable during the rainy season, although in recent years the raining periods got shorter and it got possible to hike there again.

Horses

The lower road, stretching about 195 km from Qiaotou through the Gorge, is a stretch of pavement crossed by several waterfalls, and frequently beset by rockslides. Some portions of the road have been known to disappear into the river below. The road follows the Yangtze, so there are more views of the river, and a stronger sense of being in a gorge than on the upper trail. Where the high road descends to meet the lower road, one can climb down to the river near the Tiger Leaping Stone, the point at which the tiger is said to have leaped. 

However, some locals in Lijiang will insist that this hike is dangerous, especially in rainy season. You must not go when it is pouring, or if there has been a huge amount of recent rain due to the threat of landslides. But if it hasn't been that wet lately, and you find a couple of dry days and are reasonably experienced at hiking, the worst that will happen is that you will get muddy and have to ford a couple of swollen cascades. “Safety First” is what you should always keep in mind.

--Splendid Tiger Leaping Gorge is a great place for you to experience the power of the nature. Don’t hesitate anymore, believe me, you’ll be shock and hardly find out an exact word to describe its natural brilliant!

Impression Yunnan I: Beauty of Lijiang

Zhang Yimou, who directed the Beijing Olympic in 2008, was the director of Impression Lijiang that a lot of tourists are familiar with Lijiang, Yunnan. The picturesque
scenic spots, mysterious folk custom and ancient culture are attract all the people from the whold world.We will talk about the main character of Impress Lijiang-Lijiang in the article.

                                                      Chapter One

                            Beauty of Lijiang

Lijiang, a popular destination in Yunnan, is considered a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. 

Lijiang Old Town

It is great to enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday in Lijiang Old Town which is graced by well-preserved ancient buildings and the Naxi culture.

While the geographical position of Lijiang City is remote, it has the advantage of ensuring a pleasant year round climate and a wide variety of tourist resources in the 20,600 square kilometers area. 

The earliest recorded history of Lijiang can be traced back to the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC) but with the advent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the local economy reached a peak with the development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road which made a great contribution to both commercial and cultural communication between Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

At present, Lijiang City is an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province that exercises jurisdiction over four counties and an Old Town District. Lijiang is the main region inhabited by Naxi Group, one of China's 55 minority ethnic groups. In its long history, the local residents have established their splendid Dongba Culture which has absorbed aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The various souvenirs marked with these Dongba hieroglyphs are very popular with visitors from home and abroad.

● Features of Lijiang

1. Old Naxi architecture and special water system are the outstanding features of Lijiang.

It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage List special preservation area.

Naxi Cuisine

3. Naxi Cuisine: The local Naxi cuisine features a lot of high-protein dairy and beef products like yogurt, yoghurt-honey-fruit blends, yak milk tea, yak cheese, warm yak milk, yak steak and yak butter. This is unusual in China. Yaks are related to cows and buffalos. Of course, there are many kinds of restaurants in the city.

4. About half an hour north is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with several scenic park areas, some hiking trails and a 4,680 meter (15,354) foot peak. People can climb to near the top of the peak on a stairway and pass by a glacier.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

5. The Leaping Tiger Gorge area has great hiking and scenic sights. If the road is open, there are many tour buses available.

6. The city gives access to other scenic and hiking areas include the First Bend of the Yangtze River and Lugu Lake.

7. Naxi beverages include various kinds of tea such as yak milk tea and traditional beer.

8. It was a trading town on the historic Chama Road (Southern Silk Road).

● Touring Activities

1. Visit the ancient districts, shop and dine.

2. Go on high country walks and see the scenery. Hike above the Yangtze River.

3. Take a bus tour in the Leaping Tiger Gorge area.

4. Enjoy some protein-rich Naxi cuisine.

5. Go to other nearby ancient areas such as Dali that is 3 hours south or to natural sites in the Three Parallel River UNESCO Heritage Site areas. The Leaping Tiger Gorge area is one of the UNESCO listed natural preserve sites.

● Travel Information

Black Dragon Pool

1. Best Time to Visit: The urban area of Lijiang has a fairly temperate climate. In the winter, the nightly low temperatures are just above freezing. Of course, the conditions on the mountains can be extreme. To hike in the mountains, the best times are the month of May or in the fall. These months are outside of the annual rainy season that extends from June to September, and the temperatures at the lower elevations are cool or warm.

2. Dayan Ancient City District is a pedestrian-only area.

3. Parks: Black Dragon Pool and Yuquan Park are just to the west of the Dayan Ancient City District. You can walk there.

4. Since there is less modern construction around the Baisha Quarter and Shuhe town, those might be places to better appreciate the traditional culture.

Naxi people

5. Clothing and Altitude: The altitude is about 2,400 meters or about 7,800 feet. Some people may get some altitude sickness. So take it easy the first day or two. In the winter, the low nightly temperatures are a little above freezing. So bring plenty of clothes. Bring rain gear for the rainy season between June and September.

6. Warning Tip: The cobblestones are slippery when they are wet, so please be careful when walking on them.

--The beauty of Lijiang is waiting for your own discovery. Go and explore and then you will find all the fantastic there.

Relaxation in Chengdu III: Giant Panda in Sichuan

Do you think what the symbol of China is? Dragon? Hey, I think the one we will talk about in the article, which is another leisure attraction in Chengdu, and also is another symbol of China, should be familiar to you.

                                                         Chapter Three


China's National Treasure--Giant Panda in Sichuan


The giant panda, regarded as one of China's National Treasures, is on the verge of extinction. Today there are fewer than 1,000 giant pandas living in the world. The giant panda is the symbol of eco-environmental conservation. Visitors to China can see this reclusive animal in Sichuan Province's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. We hope, with their cute faces, unusual beauty and grace, giant pandas can bring visitors to China pleasure and enjoyment.

Living Fossils

Lovely Panda

Paleontologists have discovered fossil remains that indicate that over 8 million years ago ancestors of the giant panda were living in China. That is the reason why the giant panda is has been called one of China's "living fossil" by historians.

The giant panda's lifespan in the wild is unknown, but in captivity they average more than 20 years. Due to the constant expansion of human activity, the habitat of giant panda has been gradually shrinking and they are now only found in the southern part of Gansu province and northwest part of the Sichuan basin.

Bears or Raccoons

The giant panda has lived for millennia in the dense bamboo woodlands on the eastern edge of the Qingzang Highland in western China, living a "hermit-like" existence. Due to its unique physical form, and peculiar characteristics, scientists have never been able to classify the giant panda as belonging to the bear or raccoon family, or whether it needs to have its own classification.

Plump and Lovely

Panda Cub

The giant panda looks quite plump. Its body length is about 160 to 180 centimeters, and weighs 80 to 125 kilograms. The giant panda's colorization is simple but elegant. Normally, the giant panda is very gentle and reclusive, like a shy lady. When the panda meets strangers, it often covers its face with its palm, or lowers its head to hide its face. After giving birth however, a female giant panda can be very aggressive using her teeth and claws to protect her infant.

Bamboo

Giant pandas are considered carnivores, but 99% of their food consists of bamboo. They prefer bamboo shoots. Since bamboo is low in nutrition, giant pandas attempt to reduce the sphere of their activities, to use less energy. These solitary animals spend most of their time eating. Giant pandas are excellent tree climbers, and are very fond of play.

Thick Hair

Frolic Panda

Giant pandas have developed a set of unique characteristics that have enabled them survive extreme cold and dampness. The hair on the body of a giant panda is exceptionally thick, and the giant panda's skin secretes an oily substance that coats their hair making it waterproof, which allows them to comfortably sleep in the snow, and consequently they do not hibernate during the winter. Due to these unique adaptations, the giant panda has no problem living in bamboo forests with an average humidity level of over 80 percent.

Recluse in the Bamboo Forest

Giant pandas live alone and scattered, rather than living in herds. Because of this, the giant panda is often called "the recluse in the bamboo forest". They do not move too far from their home base, and live their entire lives in a small area. The giant panda can eat at any time, and sleep in any place. They have a truly easygoing lifestyle.

Over 80% of the world's giant pandas live in Sichuan Province. The Chinese government now has established two large breeding bases to breed and save this precious species. One is the Wolong Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the other one is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Red Panda

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding covers an area of over 359,000 square meters and it is now under expanding for an area to over 1,999,000 square meters. As the first ex-situ conservation project for giant pandas, this base has not only dedicated itself to giant panda conservation, but has also endeavored to combine natural scenery and man-made landscapes to create wonderful and humane living areas for giant pandas, red pandas, and other Chinese endangered animals.

This panda research breeding base has state of the art facilities. It appears to be a beautiful landscaped park. Luxuriant bamboo grow everywhere around the base. Here 15 pandas live a protected life, where visitors can view them eating, sleeping or playing. Visitors can also learn more about this precious species in the giant panda museum. The panda hospital can also be visited, where there is a 7,000 square meter educational space for the foreign and domestic visitors. In these learning areas, visitors will come to know more about the work being done to preserve this lovely animal.

Relaxation in Chengdu II: Mount Emei

As we know, Buddhism is one of the popular religions in China. Mt. Emei, is one of the four most sacred Buddhist Mountains. In the last article, we have talked about the general situation of Chengdu city. For better know the leisure place, today we will talk about a famous tourist attraction-Mt. Emei.

                                                        Chapter Two


                                Mount Emei

Mt. Emei is located in Leshan City, Sichuan Province. It is the highest of China's four holy Buddhist mountains, rising 3,099m above sea level about 170km from Chengdu, Buddhists believe the mountain is home to Samantabbadra-patron of the Lotus Sutra and Bodhisattva of Pervading Goodness.

Mt. Emei

Geological processes going back over hundreds of millions of years have created the unique topography of Mt. Emei, and cultivated its rich plant and wildlife. Over 3,000 species of wild plant grow on the mountain, including the Chinese dove tree, which has already become extinct in other parts of the world. 

The flower of the Chinese dove tree takes the shape of a pigeon, and when in full bloom, gives the impression of a flock of pigeons flying in and around the tree. The lesser panda and the gnu are just two of the rare animal species that live on the mountain.

It is towering, beautiful, old and mysterious. Mt. Emei is like a huge green screen standing in the southwest of the Chengdu Plain. Looking its winding and beautiful figure, you will find that it resembles very much an eyebrow of a girl. It is the highest one among all the famous sight-seeing mountains in China.

Mt. Emei is a sacred Buddhist site, and has a Buddhist history of over 1,500 years. It is said that during the 15th century, there were as many as 1,000 monks living on Mt. Emei. According to the records inscribed on a number of stone tablets, an eminent Indian monk came to spread the Buddhist doctrine as early as the 4th century. Later, Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty ordered that Puguang Hall on the mountain be expanded into a temple, setting a precedent for the imperial court to construct temples on Mt. Emei. 

From that time onwards, emperors of succeeding dynasties all endowed celebrated temples and eminent monks on the mountain with their gifts. Today, it still houses numerous relics of poems, couplets (written on scrolls and hung on the pillars of a hall), and inscriptions bestowed by emperors and scholars of ancient times.
In Mt. Emei there are four scenic regions: Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion and Golden Summit. Its main peak, the Golden Summit, is 3079.3 meters (10,103 feet) above the sea level, seemingly reaching the sky. Standing on the top of it, you can enjoy the snowy mountains in the west and the vast plain in the east. 

In addition in Golden Summit there are four spectacles: clouds sea, sunrise, Buddha rays and saint lamps. In 1996 Mt. Emei was enlisted in the world natural and cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

★ Must-seeing Sights 

1. Samantbhadra

Samantbhadra

Samantbhadra, God of Universal Benevolence and disciple of Sakyamuni, was said to have lectured here. Most of the temples on Mount Emei have a statue of Samantbhadra at the shrine. 

There were once more than a hundred temples and monasteries on the mountain, but only about twenty remain today, including the following better-known ones: Devotion to the Country Temple (Baoguosi), Ten-Thousand-Year Temple (Wanniansi), and Immortal Peak Temple (Xianfengsi), and the temple at Elephant Bath Pond (Xixiangchi)

2. Golden peak

Golden peak

The summit of Mount Emei commands a grand view of rolling mountainpeaks, sometimes visible, sometimes emerging from the clouds like small islands in an enormous ocean. This is the famous "sea of clouds" view of mount Emei. Walking downhill from the summit for about three hours, you will come across Elephant Bath Pond.

According to the old legend, Samantbhadra, Sakyamuni's disciple, once bathed his elephant in this pool before continuing his ascent of Mount Emei or, as others say, before flying to heaven on the elephant's back. Monkeys live in the vicinity; they often approach visitors to beg for food.

3. Immortal Peak Temple

Immortal Peak Temple

Immortal Peak Temple was built 1,700 meters above sea level on the slope of Mount Emei. Next to the temple is a big cave where, as the legend goes, the Yellow Emperor who was visiting the place met a white-haired old man who had a young face. The emperor asked him if he had any company, and the old man replied, yes, there are eight others in the cave. Since then, the cave has been called the Nine Elders Cave (Jiulaodong).
Five kilometers downhill from Immortal Peak Temple, there stands the Clear Sound Pavilion (Qingyinge), another well-known scenic site on Mount Emei. Below Clear Sound Pavilion, there are Double Flying Pavilion (Shuangfeige) and Double Flying Bridge (Shuangfeiqiao). 

The nearby White Dragon Cave (Bailongdong) is said to have been the place where Lady Bai Suzhen, a legendary nymph who was originally a white snake but later became a beautiful girl, cultivated her magic skills.

Relaxation in Chengdu I: Chengdu Overview

If you are bored with your work, if you are stressed, where do you want to go? What will you do? Come on, we will talk about a leisurely city to you in the article.

                                                       Chapter One


            Chengdu—Leisure Beyond your Imagination

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province which is located in the southeast of the Sichuan basin, and known as the "Heavenly State". It’s magnificent and modern with age-old colorful traditions of both religious and civil significance for the past 2,500 years in Chinese history.

Chunxi Road

Moreover, Chengdu is depicted in a poem as "Chengdu Landscape, as if endowed by the Ninth Heaven, is shared in the creations of many a master artist." --It’s also known as the hibiscus city or the brocade city as with the coming of the spring, peach blossoms abound on the plain and rape-seed flowers tinge the landscape golden while the wafting cooking smoke curls up from the farm huts amidst bamboo groves. All this makes the city and its suburbs truly poetic.

Besides, benefiting from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which was constructed in 256 B.C., Sichuan Province is reputed as "Tian Fu Zhi Guo", literally a place richly endowed with natural resources. Chengdu, as the capital, is extremely productive. 

--General information about Chengdu as above has mentioned and the following will show you the real way to experience the real Chengdu and as you get close to it, the relax lifestyle of Chengdu people will beyond your imagination. 

If you wander on the streets of Chengdu, you’ll find all the city is filled with the atmosphere of leisure: people are gathering by the street sides, gossiping around the table and playing Mahjong. Old people are playing chess or cards with little children playing games by their sides. Times just pass by in these kinds of harmonious. Their cozy life style will let you forget all the things except eager to be one of them to enjoy those exciting activities. 

                                                        Relaxation in Chengdu

Sichuan Opera Mask

The best way to get a good feel for Chengdu is to find a spot in the shade at a teahouse and relax. Teahouses and the local cuisine vie for the top spot as the defining characteristic of Chengdu. There are few places in China where traditional teahouses can still be found—this is the place to sit back, order a cup of tea and forget about your troubles. Mahjong, a domino-tape game, is played everywhere. The click-clack of the mahjong pieces being shuffled fill the air with the whistles from songbirds that old men carry in bamboo cages. 

As it is known to all, Sichuan opera with the Chengdu brand as representative is one of the principal genres of regional drama. It is particularly famous for its sense of humor and its unique skills in "Changing one's countenance". --In some teahouses you can enjoy your tea with a live performance of Sichuan opera or acrobatics while getting a head massage or your ears cleaned with long metal picks. 

                                                         Food Feast in Chengdu

Sichuan hot pot

Sichuan Cuisine wins universal praise for its hotness, sourness and numbness it produces, which are rare in other regional cuisines. All of these together sum up the unique flavor of Chuan Cuisine, which enjoys a good reputation as a cuisine that is "one dish with one flavor and one hundred dishes with one hundred flavors".

An outstanding facet of Sichuan dishes is the delicate use of pepper or chili. The ingredients used are great in variety, including poultry, pork, beef, fish, vegetables and tofu. If you travel to Chengdu, then you can eat Sichuan dishes at every corner of the city. The most famous dishes are Sichuan hot pot, slices of kidney, chicken breast, beef tripe, goose intestines, spring onion, soy bean sprouts, mushrooms, duck and sea cucumber are the usual meats used in the dish. 

                                                     Sight-seeing in Chengdu

With Chengdu’s profound historical and cultural background, it features historic places of interest such as the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, Martial Marquis Memorial Temple and Wenshu Monastery, etc. Natural beauty abounds in surrounding areas such as in the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huanglong Valley (Yellow Dragon Valley). The natural habitat of giant pandas, Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, supports the world's only giant panda breeding and research base.

In addition, what can’t be missed when coming to Chengdu is a visit to see the pandas.--Sichuan Province is the home of these celebrated creatures. These are only an estimated 500-1000pandas left in the wild and most of them live in northwestern Sichuan.

Being the hometown of Giant Pandas, Chengdu is where the Panda Breeding and Research Center is located. There visitors can see the cuddly giant pandas, and learn about giant pandas through displays of panda habitats, pictures and breeding and conservation efforts.

                                                   Chengdu on the Wheels

Jinli Street

Built on flat ground, Chengdu can easily be explored on foot or by bicycle. It has almost a southern aspect, with colorful old streets lined by scores of small restaurants and walkways that remain crowded until late with traders, buyers, and people out for a stroll. 

Nowadays, more and more people choose to experience Chengdu in the way of cycling as it is so convenient for them to take a glimpse of Chengdu and get close to the lifestyle of Chengdu people. If they see something interesting, they can easily park the bike by the road then take part in the activities of local people. 

--If you’re bored with your work, come to play mahjong games over cups of tea with Chengdu people;
--If you’re stressed, come to Chengdu to let the optimistic Chengdu people to give you happy mood;
--Are you ready to relax yourself in the coziest Chengdu city?

Memory of Shanghai VIII: Shanghai French Concession

Remembered as the famous ladies of old shanghai, shanghai french concession is one of the impressive memories of Chinese. What was it and what is it now? We will talk about it in the chapter.

                                                       Chapter Eight


                                       Paris of the East --Shanghai French Concession

The French Concession was the earliest, biggest and most prosperous Concession in Shanghai. It’s also known as French town which was a former foreign concession in Shanghai during the period of 1849 to 1946.

Shanghai French Concession is in old-Shanghai romance with the convenience of downtown living which stretching from Yanan Lu (road) in the north, Zhaojiabang Lu in the south, Huashan Lu in the west and Xizang Nan Lu to the east. With its peaceful, picturesque, tree-lined streets, this area retains an air of the "Paris of the East". At the same time, many of the small backstreets still have a very local feel. 

                                 Yesterday of Shanghai French Concession

The history of the French Concession is the history of foreign involvement in modern China. After the Chinese loss of the Opium Wars in 1842, Shanghai, among other cities, were forced to open themselves as international “ports of call.”

Old Shanghai

In the mid 19th century after the first Opium War, Shanghai became a large center for foreign trade and in 1849 the French Consul to China, Charles de Montigny signed an agreement with a senior local official to create a French Concession for French businessmen and traders to live. Over the next hundred years the area became home to many nationalities such as British, American, Russian and Chinese. 

Like the International Settlement, The French Settlement had its own code of laws and enforcement and was a de facto sovereign nation. Entrance by local Chinese was strictly limited to the affluent and influential and, in fact, many Chinese leftist artists and intellectuals made the French Concession their home. Nevertheless, the French ran their own municipal counsel and named all the streets after French generals, martyred soldiers, and other famous personalities. 

In the 1930s, Shanghai and the French Concession were at the height of their glamour and also decadence. Then it was also well known as center for brothels, gambling, and opium. During the second world war in 1943, a deal was made with the Chinese government to give control back to China along with French concessions in other Chinese cities, ending all French control in China. 

The occupation by western culture has given the area a wonderful mixture of both European and Chinese architecture. It may cause surprise to see old large European buildings in the middle of China's biggest city. 

                                    Today of Shanghai French Concession

Besides its historical and religious factors, today the area is still the most graceful part of Shanghai and a fantastic place for spending leisure time-- the most rewarding district for walks and bike rides. You can spend hours wandering the narrow alleyways, dining and one of the million cafes or restaurants, or browsing through the endless art galleries and photographic studios.

Today of Shanghai French Concession

Actually, the French Concession today is one of the most popular places in Shanghai to visit. Especially popular with Shanghai's middle and upper class residents, a wealth of cafes, restaurants and shops will have you wandering the area for an entire day with ease. The most famous and wealthy area in the French Concession is Xintiandi, which is known for its Shanghai architecture, its art galleries, designer boutiques, cafes and eateries. The large choice of pubs and clubs at night will provide an entertaining time for all. 

Characterized by an intriguing mix of low-rise, architectural styles dating from the colonial-era, this area boasts quaint boutiques and galleries, an endless supply of stylish bars and restaurants, plus easy access to metro stations and Huaihai Lu, ' the hub of Shanghai' s shopping scene. To the south-west of the area are Xujiahui's mega-shopping and leisure malls. All these factors combine to make Xuhui and Luwan, the two areas proper that make up the French Concession, an extremely desirable, world-class lifestyle package.

                                    Sites in Shanghai French Concession

1. Site of the 1st national congress of the CCP: On 23 July 1921 the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in this French Concession building, propelling this unassuming shikumen block into one of Chinese communism's holiest shrines.

Sun Yat-sen drew up plans for a modern unified China and Mao Zedong helped to found the Chinese Communist Party. The site of the First National Congress of CPC is at east side of Xintiandi, Xingye Lu.

There is plenty of Marxist spin in the museum commentary, just in case you had forgotten that Shanghai is actually part of the world's largest communist country. There's not all that much to see here, but historians will appreciate the site as a defining moment in modern Chinese history.

Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence

2. Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence: at 7 Xiangshan Rd. The house was the Shanghai residence of Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching-ling from 1918-1937. It’s now a museum which tells the story of the revolutionary father of China's republic. 

3. Zhou Enlai's Former Residence: at 73 Sinan Rd, Luwan District. It was the former Shanghai Office of the Delegation of the Communist Party in China from June 1946. It is now a museum telling the story of the Communist revolution in China and particularly Shanghai. 

--Are you ready to walking or cycling in Shanghai French Concession now? This “Paris of the East” is waiting for your discovery!

Memory of Shanghai VI: Nightlife in Shanghai

As a major financial center in the world, the nightlife in Shanghai is both notable and notorious. Besides walking on the Nanjing Road, there are many wonderful enjoyments at Shanghai's night. We will talk about the nightlife in Shanghai in this chapter.

                                                          Chapter Six

           Paris of the East—Nightlife in Shanghai

The nightlife in Shanghai is both notable and notorious. The "Paris of the East" is the bustling capitalist center of China's booming economy and the nightlife of the city offers every level of enjoyment from the sophisticated to the seamy. Shanghai is the most exciting city in China, and the nightlife in Shanghai shines as brightly as its skyline. 

Shanghai has been a city vigorous in colorful night life since 1930’s. At that time night life was upper-class people's privilege. Only the rich merchants and officials can go to night clubs to enjoy night life. Lots of rickshaws were waiting outside the clubs. Once performances in the clubs ended the owners of the rickshaws began to rush to their goals - the rich people who just ended their night activities. 

However, today almost every young adult can enjoy night life with their friends or lovers in bars, parks or cinemas and so on.--Because in the day, most Shanghainese lead a somewhat dull and conventional way of life, they rush to all kinds of innovative parties in the night. In a word, night life has become an indispensable part to people who live in Shanghai. Generally speaking, night life in Shanghai is rich, gentle and elegant.

The ways to enjoying nightlife in Shanghai are variable. Follow my steps of introduction to showing you wonderful enjoyments at Shanghai’s night.

1. Walking along the Bund: leisure & great sight-seeing

The Bund

Finish off the night with a walk along Shanghai's world-famous Bund area. Thousands of people come down to the river area to marvel at the European style architecture and contrast it with the spectacular views of the ultra-modern Pudong area across the river, which rises like a glowing neon science fiction cityscape. --Looking across the Huangpu River to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower is a magical sight and a night-time Huangpu River cruise presents a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the night life on the Bund.

2. Taste Shanghai Snacks: delicious & mouth-watering

Shanghai snacks

No matter what type of cuisine you're in the mood for, there's undoubtedly a restaurant that caters your taste in Shanghai. Being the largest city in China, Shanghai obviously has much to offer in terms of Chinese cuisine. Anything from Cantonese cooking to Sichuan cuisine to local Shanghainese delicacies can be found just around the corner of any street in Shanghai. They are also incredibly cheap eats.

3. Shopping at Nanjing Road & Xintiandi: modern & one-stop 

Xiantiandi

Start a great night in Shanghai by visiting the fantastic Nanjing Shopping Street. The energy of the bustling pedestrian-only street wakes up the senses. There are over 600 shops with great deals all around. The charm and glamour of Nanjing Road at night will be your ideal place to experience metropolitan and world-class fashion.

Another ideal shopping area is the Xintiandi. In Xitiandi you will find it is a commercial center as well as an attractive spot. When you walk into Xintiandi, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920 and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century. In here, you can not only appreciate Shanghai architecture, the nightlife of Shanghai citizens also lies in its lanes.

4. High Passions in Shanghai Night bars

Babyface

Bars play an important role in night life in Shanghai. Looking to dance the night away? Shanghai has you covered. Enjoy bar hopping in Shanghai. The city has hundreds of bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs. 

Check out Babyface on Huai Hai Rd. or Park 97 and Guandi in the middle of Fu Xing Park. These are all considered top notch nightclubs in Shanghai. The music is better than you will find anywhere else in Shanghai; everything is played from old school hip-hop to contemporary remixes to local favorites.

If you're looking for a place that's a feast for the eyes, check out Bar Rouge on the bund. This is hands down the most up-scale bar in Shanghai. Located on the 7th floor of Bund 18, it has one of the most spectacular views of the Huang Pu River.

5. Old entertainment ways of Shanghai Shine in new forms

The leisure and recreational activities in Shanghai feature rich content and new forms. There are not only traditional activities with the Town God's Temple as the center such as the Town God Fair and Lantern Fair, but also recreational activities with the combination of Chinese and Western styles such as Flower Drum Opera, circus show and horse racing.

Circus Show

There are not only modern Karaoke, dance halls, bars and so on, but also elegant bowling, tennis, golf, fitness and entertainment centers and so on. There are not only ceramic bars, painting bars, weaving bars, toy bars and other highly participatory featured bars, but also all kinds of art galleries. As for operas, dance, music, acrobatics and films, they are the most important leisure and recreational activities for Shanghai people and tourists.

All these varied ways of entertainment can be find and enjoy at Shanghai’s night. Choose your own ways and no doubt you can spend wonderful nightlife in Shanghai. 

--Have you ever thought to experience the Shanghai nightlife when you plan to Shanghai? Have you ever known where to see the real nightlife in Shanghai? Have you ever got touch with the old and modern Shanghai at the same time? Just plan for a night wander in Shanghai as above recommended now!