A thousand years of peace and beauty in a small town in eastern China

Xiuning, on the boundary of three provinces in Anhui province, has a magnificent landscape dotted with its clean brooks, various flowers and delicate Hui-style buildings

Source: People’s Daily Online

Tumuyuan village in Jiangxi province

Photo taken May 12, 2014-Tumuyuan village in Duchang county, Jiangxi province. Sitting in the northern part of Jiangxi, Tumuyuan village features stone-made buildings and boasts of a long history

Photo taken May 12, 2014- Tumuyuan village in Duchang county, Jiangxi province

Wang Donghua (L), 89 years old, walks out of a stone building in Tumuyuan village in Duchang county, Jiangxi province

Wang Donghua (L), 89 years old, combs her granddaughter's hair in front of a stone building in Tumuyuan village in Duchang county, Jiangxi province

Children play in Tumuyuan in Duchang county, Jiangxi province, May 11, 2014

Children walk on a stone bridge in Tumuyuan in Duchang county, Jiangxi province, May 11, 2014


Source: china daily

A step back in time into the ancient town of Pingyao

Pingyao Ancient Town is located in the middle of Shanxi Province, about 715 kilometers from Beijing. It is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in China. The town was first founded during the reign of King Xuan (827-782 BC) of the Western Zhou Dynasty. After thousands of years, the ancient walls, streets, houses, shops and temples have been almost kept intact. In 1986, the State Council proclaimed Pingyao as a historical and cultural site. Also, it was listed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997

Source: china.org

Top attractions in Changchun, China

Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province and the former capital of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. It is a major city in northeast China, famous for its film and automotive industries.

The Puppet Manchurian Palace Museum, one of the three remaining great imperial palaces in China, is a must-see when in Changchun.

To learn about the history of the city's film industry in a playful way, you should visit the Changchun Film Theme Park, the first park of its kind in China that integrates film entertainment and tourism.

The national forest park, skiing resorts, historical buildings, a number of other parks and scenic spots are also worth a look.
Diaoshuihu Scenic Area

Located in Shanhe Town, Shuangyang District, at 91 kilometers (56.54 miles) from Changchun, the Diaoshuihu Scenic Area features mountains, waters, forests, peaks, caves and stones. The area was named after the Diaoshuihu Waterfall, which is 10 meters (32.8 feet) wide, with a drop of 7 meters (22.97 feet).

What is even more impressive about the area is a karst cave, measuring 386 meters (1266.4 feet) in length and 73 meters (239.5 feet) in height, which was formed 300 million years ago. Composed of two main halls, the cave is the largest karst attraction with the highest altitude in northeast China. It is a good place to visit in summer.

Admission:30 yuan (US$4.9) / person

Relics of the Puppet Manchurian Eight Ministries

The Puppet Manchurian Eight Ministries were the eight administrative machineries under the control of the Puppet Manchuria, i.e. Ministry of Public Security (Military Department), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of People's Livelihood.

Built in 1936, the relics of these eight ministries are located in the Xinmin Street in central Changchun. 

Despite their differences, all are built in Western architectural styles, featuring magnificent buildings and elegant gardens. Nowadays, they have been converted into colleges, schools and research institutes.

Admission:Free

Bo Re Temple

Built in the 1920s, the Bo Re Temple (Prajna Temple) is the biggest temple in the city of Changchun, covering an area of 10,000 square meters (1 hectare). The gate hall of the temple opens onto a compound flanked by bell and drum towers in a unique architectural style. Arrayed on the axial line are the Hall of Deva-kings, the Mahavira Hall and the Tripitaka Pavilion.

One prominent feature of this temple is that all its representations of Buddha, bodhisattvas and 18 arhats are cast in massive bronze statues. An exception is the likeness of Guanyin, made of porcelain. The statue of Sakyamuni inside the Mahavira Hall stands at more than three meters tall and the 18 arhats sitting beside him are one-meter-tall figures.

Admission:8 yuan (US$1.3) / person

Cultural Square

As the largest open area in Changchun's city center, the Cultural Square is the largest square in the city, taking up a total area of 20.5 hectares. Built in 1938, it used to be the Puppet national square of the Manchurian regime in history.

Measuring 429 meters (1407.48 feet) in length, the square has a large sunbird sculpture in its center and an open-air music forum in the north. The east-west main road is laid with granite stones, creating a natural, solemn and steady picture.

Admission: Free

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Changchun Lianhuashan Ski Slope

Located 38 kilometers (23.61 miles) from Changchun, the Lianhuashan Ski Slope is the biggest slope in the city, which is the nearest ski slope from a city center in all of China. Covering 6 square kilometers, it features six primary, secondary and advanced ski runs.

Apart from skiing, people also can skate or go snowmobiling. During the summer season, tourists can still go "grass skating," golfing, hang gliding and so on.

Admission:20 yuan (US$3.27) / person

Changchun World Sculpture Park

Built in 2003, the Changchun World Sculpture Park is located in Changchun's city center. Covering an area of 92 hectares, it is the largest urban sculpture park in the world.

It boasts more than 320 pieces by 270 sculptors from over 110 countries, featuring the Eskimo, Maya, Maori, Indian and various modern cultures. It also combines the sculptures with Western gardening theory and the principles of modern landscaping. An 11-hectare lake gives the park that little extra something.

Admission:30 yuan (US$4.9) / person

South Lake Park

Located in the southwest of Changchun City, the South Lake Park is the largest urban park in northeast China and the second largest in China at large -- second only to the famous Summer Palace in Beijing

Built in 1933, the park covers an area of 220 hectares, composing of a lake and surrounding parklands. 

The pavilions and bridges are well combined with the lake and trees, rivaling the parks found in southern China. It is an ideal place for boating and fishing in summer, skiing and skating in winter, and getting involved in various festivals and events all year round.

Admission:Free

Changchun Film Theme Park

Located in Changchun, capital of Jilin Province, the Changchun Film Theme Park is the first park of its kind in China that integrates film entertainment and tourism. It was designed after Hollywood's Universal Studios and Disney World in the U.S.

Built in 2003, the park covers an area of 1 million square meters (100 hectares). It features a film technology exhibition, Chinese and Western architecture, an ethnic group scenic area and an entertainment area. Visitors may enjoy 4D movies in one of the luxury theaters, observe the process of shooting a movie from up-close, go on rides to experience the history of cinema, meet their favorite film stars and even get involved in a film shoot.

Changchun is a city famous for its film industry. Changchun Film Studio, known as "the cradle of New China's film industry," was the first film factoryestablished after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is considered the cornerstone of the Chinese film industry.

Admission:240 yuan (US$39.22) / person

Jingyuetan National Forest Park

Located 12 kilometers (7.46 miles) southeast of central Changchun, Jilin Province, Jingyuetan National Forest Park is regarded as "a pure land in a big city." It features a forest, water and mountains, and its natural beauty and fresh air attract a large number of tourists year after year. It is called a "natural oxygen bar."

Jingyuetan, or Pure Moon Lake, is named after its crescent-shaped lake. Covering an area of 430 hectares, the lake is 7 kilometers (4.35 miles) in length and 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) in width. Its water is crystal clear and the small fish swimming in the lake can be seen clearly from the water's banks.

The park also features the largest artificial forest in Asia, with an area of 100 square kilometers (10,000 hectares). A complete ecosystem has formed, containing 30 types of trees.

The park is an ideal place to go hiking in spring and skiing in winter.

Admission:30 yuan (US$4.9) / person

Puppet Manchurian Palace Museum

Located in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin Province, the Puppet Manchurian Palace Museum is a palace-relic museum built on the remains of the palace of Aisin Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when he served as the puppet emperor of the Manchurian regime. It is one of the three great imperial palaces still existing in China.

Because the regime was established by Japan in a bid to pursue colonial domination in northeast China, it was not recognized by the Chinese government. This was why the word "puppet" was used.

The palace was divided into two parts: an office area and a living area. The architecture in the palace combines both Western and Chinese styles. There are also a few gardens and a race-course. After the breakup of the regime in 1945, the buildings were initially destroyed, but later restored to their original appearance. The palace was opened to the public in 1984.

Admission:80 yuan (US$13.07) / person

Source: china.org

Water town sits at foot of Great Wall

Gubei Water Town, billed as the Wuzhen county of the North, is located at Gubeikou in Beijing’s suburban Miyun district, at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. With a history of more than a thousand years, the water town, which covers an area of 9 square kilometers, has been revitalized with new attractions. Boutique shops selling local delicacies and souvenirs line the flagstone roads.

In the town center, an ancient stage comes to life with regular performances with traditional features. 

There are hotels and guesthouses for those who want to stay and experience the town’s night views. 

The water town, built on the site of five sub-villages of Simatai village, consists of six areas including Minguo Street and the water street area.

The water street area is one of the town’s highlights and vividly brings to life the water towns of Jiangnan by reproducing winding rivers, waterfront houses, arched stone bridges, cobblestone and stone slab paths, old buildings and folk culture. As part of the tourist destination, Simatai Great Wall has reopened to the public after more than three years’ closure. Visitors can walk along the ancient wonder, which is decorated with lights at night. Gubei water town has seen a rapid increase in visitors since its soft opening in January and is due to open officially in October.

If you go:

Gubei water town: 80 yuan ($12.80) from Jan 1 to Sept 30 8 am to 5 pm (tickets on sale until 4:30 pm)

Simatai Great Wall: 40 yuan from Jan 1 to Sept 30 (Reservations needed) 010-8100-9999

Source: By Li Jing (chinadaily.com.cn)

Hong Kong Visitor Curbs May Weigh on Mall Owners’ Profits

(Bloomberg) Hong Kong may lose as much as HK$25 billion ($3.2 billion) in retail sales if the government goes ahead with a proposal to cut Chinese tourist arrivals, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

The proposal, under consideration by Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, will put pressure on the earnings and asset values of landlords and retailers, analysts including Macquarie Group Ltd. and Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch & Co. unit said.

Public discontent over mainland visitors’ purchases of homes, designer handbags and daily necessities prompted street protests in Hong Kong this year that demanded the government limit arrivals. Curbs on visitors in response may crimp the city’s retail sales, about a third of which were to Chinese tourists in 2013.

“Leung’s words should serve as prelude for some upcoming measures to curb the surging number of Chinese visitors, which should help ease both the burden on public infrastructure and the growing tensions between the mainland Chinese and local residents,” Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Christiaan Tuntono wrote in a report today.

Hysan Development Co. (14), operator of its name-sake mall, is among companies with the most earnings at risk, Macquarie analysts wrote. Merrill Lynch downgraded Wharf Holdings Ltd. (4), a commercial landlord, to neutral from buy. UBS AG today removed Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd. (1212) and Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd. (178) from its Hong Kong most-preferred list and added Wharf to the least-preferred list.

Average rents in Hong Kong’s main shopping districts may decline 5 percent in the next 12 months, property broker Colliers International said earlier this month.

Chinese Shoppers

Visitors from the mainland accounted for 75 percent of Hong Kong’s 54.3 million arrivals in 2013, according to the Tourism Commission. Total arrivals jumped 12 percent last year, the fourth consecutive year of double-digit gains.

Hong Kong may take steps to slow gains in tourist arrivals as an influx of Chinese visitors stokes discontent, Leung said yesterday after the Hong Kong Economic Times reported he sought advice about a proposal to cut mainland visitors by 20 percent. The government is conducting studies and will seek public feedback, he said.

A 20 percent cut in the individual visit visa granted to the Chinese will trim retail sales in Hong Kong by 3 percent to 5 percent, according to Goldman Sachs. Chinese tourists spent HK$217 billion last year, Goldman Sachs said.

Wharf Malls

Wharf and Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust (435) will suffer the most on their net asset values from falling Chinese tourist spending, Macquarie said.

Mainland visitors account for about 50 percent of spending at Wharf’s Harbour City mall, and about 35 percent to 40 percent at Times Square, Merrill Lynch analyst Karl Choi wrote in a note yesterday. A worst-case scenario would see an 8 percent to 10 percent drop in sales if visitors’ spending were cut by 20 percent, reducing Wharf’s turnover rent, it said.

It will be “difficult for Wharf shares to outperform until any policy change is implemented and the impact on retail sales clarified -- a process that may take some time,” Choi wrote. “Once the dust settles after the next few months, we think investors may be willing to reassess.”

The city’s Causeway Bay district was ranked the world’s most expensive shopping location for rents in 2013, ahead of New York’s Fifth Avenue, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It cost retailers $3,017 a square foot in the district, data shows.

Source: Bloomberg News by Billy Chan

China Tourist Sites Beat Cities in Accor Expansion Focus

(Bloomberg) Accor SA (AC) will build about a third of its 100 planned Chinese hotels in tourist destinations as rising wealth in the country leads to growing leisure travel and oversupply in cities depresses room tariffs.

Domestic tourism in the country is “growing at a rate of knots,” Michael Issenberg, chairman of Accor Asia-Pacific region, said in a May 22 interview in Sydney. That’s making tourist spots more attractive than many urban sites, he said.

“If people acquire wealth, they want to travel,” Issenberg said. “That’s been the big change. Even five years ago, it was all cities.”

Europe’s largest hotel operator has already opened sites on ski slopes near the North Korean border, a beach resort on tropical Hainan island, and a central Chinese forest park among its 128 hotels in the country. That’ll help it capitalize on domestic tourist trips that are forecast to grow by about 11 percent a year between 2013 and 2018, according to data from Euromonitor International.

Other international leisure companies are also targeting China’s domestic tourist market. Carnival Corp. (CCL) will dispatch a fourth cruise ship for the country next April and Walt Disney Co. (DIS) plans to open a $5.5 billion theme park resort in Shanghai during 2015.

Hennes & Mauritz AB (HMB), the Swedish fashion chain, has opened a store in Zhangjiajie, which serves central Hunan province’s scenic Wulingyuan national park. The town is also home to an Accor Pullman hotel.

Largest Market

China overtook Germany in 2012 to become the largest outbound tourism market, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. International spending by Chinese travelers rose 26 percent during 2013 to $129 billion, the agency said May 14.

Expansion by domestic and international companies in China has slowed some hotel operators’ ability to increase room rates.

At InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) revenue per available room in Greater China rose just 0.7 percent from a year earlier in the third quarter of 2013, according to company filings.

Hotels in the densely populated east of China filled about 64 percent of rooms during April. That compares with occupancy rates of about 70 percent in Accor’s economy hotels globally and 68 percent in its upper- and mid-market locations during 2013, according to a company presentation in January.

‘Chronic’ Oversupply

“The oversupply can be chronic if things keep getting built, but if the supply even starts to moderate, demand will catch up,” Issenberg said. “If you ask anybody, ‘‘If you had more time or money what would you do?’’ almost everybody says travel.”

The chain is also building six new hotels in Myanmar amid rising foreign investment in the country, he said. A first site will open next month in the capital Naypidaw with others to follow in Yangon and the scenic Inle Lake.

Setting up credit-card payment networks, getting insurance and training workers in hygiene is still a challenge in a country that has little experience with tourism, he said.

Myanmar had about 36,177 tourist arrivals during August 2013, the most recent month for which data compiled by Bloomberg is available, compared with 2.4 million during the same month in neighboring Thailand.

“I went in December, and a hotel we were visiting had an ATM machine and was really excited” about it, Issenberg said referring to Myanmar. “That tells you the state of the country, that this is big news that you can actually get cash.”

Source: Bloomberg News by David Fickling

Top attractions in Urumqi, China

Urumqi, which actually means "beautiful pasture" in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people, is the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China. It used to be a major hub on the Silk Road during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), and developed its reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain

At an altitude of 1,928 meters, the Heavenly Lake is located at the base of Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the eastern side of the Tianshan Mountains, located 110 kilometer east of Urumqi. Covering a total area of 380.69 square kilometers, the scenic spot includes the lake and its surrounding mountains.

Forged in a semi-circular shape, the lake is 3,400 meters long, 1,500 meters wide at its widest point, and 105 meters deep at its deepest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. The water, sourced from mountain snow, is crystal clear. It has been given the beautiful name of "Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains." In 1990, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot was included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program.

In summer, the Heavenly Lake is an ideal place to escape the season's heat; in winter, the frozen lake surrounded by the snow-capped mountains becomes a ski resort.

Admission: 100 yuan (US$16.07) / person (April 1-Oct. 31); 40 yuan (US$6.43) / person (Nov. 1–March 31)

International Grand Bazaar

The International Grand Bazaar, the central business district in Urumqi City, is renowned for being the biggest dry fruit, jade article and ethnic carpet trade center in the world of its kind. The construction of the bazaar was completed in late 2002, and it was opened to the public in 2003. Built in traditional Muslim style, the buildings here possess that very distinctive ethnic cultural feel and are visited by streams of customers every day.

Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, it features an 80-meter sight-seeing tower, an open mosque, an opera theater and a noshery. In addition, there are 3,000 stalls and individual shops, an underground parking lot and a Carrefour grocery store. It is now one of most famous landmarks in the entire city.

Admission: Free

Red Mountain Park

Located in the Urumqi city center, the Red Mountain Park was named after the reddish-brown mountain in the park. Formed about 250 million years ago, the mountain is situated along the Urumqi River, resembling a giant dragon just lying down there, stretching out its neck towards the river. Its abrupt cliff and particular location has earned itself the nickname of "Sacred Mountain." Measuring 910 meters in height, the mountain is 1.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. There is a nine-level brick tower sitting on the top of the mountain. Built in 1788, the tower has been well protected throughout the past 200 years. The Red Mountain is nowadays regarded as a symbol of the city.

Admission: Free

Shuimogou Park

Located 5 kilometers northeast of Urumqi City, Shuimogou Park is a famous scenic area inside a 1-kilometer-long canyon formed by a previous earthquake rupture. Surrounded by Qingquan Mountain, Shuita Mountain, Hongqiao Mountain and Wenquan Mountain, the park boasts green forests, colorful flowers, lakes and rivers, as well as temples and pavilions. Its most appealing feature are the hot springs scattered across the mountain. With an average temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius all year round, the springs are good helpers to relieve any skin conditions or arthritis.

Admission: 5 yuan (80 US cents)/ person

Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area

The Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area is located at the northern side of the Tianshan Mountains to the south of Urumqi. The area boasts snow-capped mountain peaks, vast grasslands, green forests, running waterfalls and massive rocks in various shapes and sizes. The major attractions include Miaor Gully, Shuixi Gully, Zhaobi Hill, Banfang Gully, Eastern and Western Baiyang Gullies, Daxi Gully and Gangou Gully. It is cool here in summertime and therefore makes a good place to get away from the usual summer heat.

Admission (pasture area): 20 yuan (US$3.21)/ person

Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum

he Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum was established in 1953 and opened to the public in 1963. It is the largest center of relics collection, protection, research and education within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The museum boasts a collection of 32,000 cultural relics. The articles on display highlight archaeological finds from the Silk Road and local cultural relics, including silk, ceramics, clay figures, coins, documents, books, weapons and appliances. There are also exhibitions on local folk customs such as traditional costumes, living habits, festival celebrations, food and etiquette.

Admission: Free

Glacier No.1

Located about 120 kilometers southwest of Urumqi city, Glacier No. 1 is the headstream of Urumqi River. It was formed some 4.8 million years ago during the third Ice Age. Among the five glaciers found around Urumqi, Glacier No.1 is the largest and claims the name of the one glacier closest to any metropolis in the world. Its height ranges from 3,800 meters to 4,000 meters, with a length of about 2.4 kilometers and average width of 500 meters. The glacier has been well-preserved and its landforms are very typical. The Glacier No.1 is referred to by geologists as "a living fossil," as it is the best place in China for both observing and researching modern and ancient glaciers.

Admission: 15 yuan (US$2.41) / person

Wulabo Ancient Town

Wulabo Ancient Town is located by Wulabo Lake, about 10 kilometers away from the southwestern suburbs of Urumqi City. It is an ancient site which can be traced back to the Tang and Yuan dynasties (618-1207). At an altitude of 1,100 above sea level, the town is shaped like a square, measuring 550 meters from south to north and 450 meters from east to west. Although it was built more than 1,000 years ago, the town has been well preserved. A great number of cultural relics, including pottery, bricks, gold earrings, copper mirrors, coins and jade wares, were found here.

Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.21) /person

Silk Road International Ski Resort

Located inside a national forest park in the Tianshan Mountains, 38 kilometers from the south of Urumqi City, the Silk Road International Ski Resort is the biggest in all of the northwest and one of the best in China. The altitude here goes from 1,800 meters to 2,500 meters and the average temperature in winter is around minus 10 degrees. It is a perfect place for skiing in winter and enjoying some cool air in summer.

The resort is equipped with six trails, two sets of sightseeing cable cars to an ancient forest, five sets of ropeways, a skateboarding field, a professional skating rink and many other entertainment facilities. 

Covering 12 square kilometers, the resort bears a skiing capacity of 10,000 people.

Average day spending: 300 yuan (US$48.16) /person

Shaanxi Grand Mosque

Located at Yonghezheng lane of Hepin Road in Urumqi, the Shaanxi Grand Mosque is estimated to have been built during the reigns of Qianlong (1735-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820), and again rebuilt in 1906 -- in the 32nd year of the Emperor Guangxu reign (1875-1908). Covering an area of 5,186 square meters, the mosque is the biggest mosque of the Hui Ethnic Group in Urumqi City.

The mosque is a quadrangle complex facing east. Its most prominent feature is the brick-timber construction with the glazed tile roof, in line with the style of construction in central China which is in fact rarely seen in Xinjiang. As a result it enjoys a high reputation with the Muslims of Urumqi and is of great historic and architectural value.

Admission: Free

Source: china.org

Fewer visit Hong Kong during holiday as more opt for Taiwan

(China Daily) The number of travelers from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan rose during the May Day break and visits to Hong Kong fell.

The tourism authority of Taiwan said 32,000 individual trips were made from the mainland to Taiwan, a 33 percent year-on-year rise. There were 9,864 visitors who were not part of tours.

That's more than double compared with the same period last year.

The number of mainland travelers to Hong Kong fell for the first time since the special administrative region opened self-guided tours to mainland residents in 2003.

"The decline of Hong Kong is not the only reason for the rise of Taiwan," Jiang Zhiduan, director of the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association's Beijing's office, said.

It is a market choice, he added.

Because of demand, Taiwan increased its quota for independent mainland tourists to the island from 3,000 to 4,000 a day from April 16.

A rise to 5,000 will be considered.

Mainland travel agencies also see business opportunities and are investing more into the market.

"It is expected that almost 100,000 self-guided travelers will visit Taiwan through Ctrip.com this year," said Xu Zhiyun, general manager of the outbound tourism department of Ctrip.com International Ltd, a Chinese online travel agent.

During the May Day holiday, Ctrip's sales of products to Taiwan grew 100 percent compared with the same period last year, he said.

"Taiwan is already one of the most popular destinations among mainland travelers," Xu said.

Some other travel agencies forecast the next peak period to Taiwan will come during the Dragon Boat Festival in June. Seasonally the price is relatively low.

The attraction of Hong Kong, the traditional destination for mainland travelers, is fading.

Statistics from the Immigration department of Hong Kong show that in the first day of the holiday in May, the number of mainland travelers was only 142,505 individual trips, down 11.88 percent compared with the same day last year.

During the whole three-day holiday, 388,070 mainland travelers visited Hong Kong, down from 394,476 the previous year. That may be due to an online video of a fight between several Hong Kong residents and a mainland couple whose child urinated in public at a crowded commercial area on April 15.

Some Hong Kong residents complained about travelers from the mainland taking over tourism areas in the city. Some mainlanders said they would boycott Hong Kong.

Hong Kong remains an important destination for mainland outbound tourism because of the convenient visa process and transport.

"Among the destinations in greater China, Hong Kong is still top," a manager from a domestic travel agency, who declined to be named, said.

The absolute number visiting Hong Kong remains much higher than other regions, he said.

Hong Kong is still one of the most popular destinations during May Day, the National Tourism Administration said.

Source: By Wang Wen (China Daily)

Ancient town of Fenghuang

Located on the western edge of Hunan Province next to Guizhou, Fenghuang Ancient Town, also known as Phoenix Ancient Town, is one of the most beautiful towns in China

With a l history of 1,300 years, the town features distinct residential buildings, elegant bridges plus several mysterious towers and pagodas. Upon entering the town, the visitor will immediately get a sense of the area's mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. When an early morning mist sets in around the bridges over the water and stilted houses, the area simply becomes a mirror of traditional Chinese paintings.

Visiting a Miao village is a must when traveling in Fenghuang. Visitors will find a large array of silver ornaments, homemade tie-dyes, and unique local snacks

Source: china.org