Dunhuang desert to bring record high tourism

Tourists travel on camels along the desert near Crescent Moon Lake, a well-known scenic spot in Dunhuang, Gansu province, Sept 26, 2012. The city has attracted 2.15 million tourists as of the end of August, generating 1.85 billion yuan ($293.3 million) in revenue, up more than 40 percent from a year earlier. The number of tourists is projected to hit a record high of 3.1 million by the end of this year, according to the Dunhuang Travel Agency. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Sacred Taoist Mountain: Kongtong Mountain

Kongtong Mountains  is one of the sacred mountains of Taoism. It is located in Pingliang City, Gansu Province. It is the mythical meeting site between the Huangdi (also known as Yellow Emperor) and Guangchengzi. It is said that an immortal named Guangchengzi once lived in a stone cave in the mountain, and the Yellow Emperor once came here to hear his preaching. So it is said to be one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China. Kongtong Mountain boasts dozens of grotesque peaks. It is covered with dense forests rolling from one steep peak to the other.

Tourists can enjoy the wonderful landscapes, the beautiful trees and flowers, the interesting caves, strange rocks and the running clouds. With precipitous scenery of natural beauty and ancient cultural leftovers in collection, this mountain is worth for both landscape appreciation and cultural relics review.

As one of the most famous Taoist Fairyland well known for its wonderful scenes, Kongtong has its name“Kongtong”meaning “emptiness, lustration and naturalness” in the doctrine of Taoism religion. Kongtong Mountain is also highlighted as one of important places for health maintenance. (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)

5 places to travel with nomads in China

Most of China’s dwindling nomadic groups -- the Tibetans, Mongols, Kazakhs and Kyrgyzs -- live on the vast grasslands in the north and northwest.

Yes, they use mobile phones, watch satellite TV and, for part of the year, live in concrete buildings, but that’s that's what makes hanging out with them a precious experience -- the pure nomadic lifestyle is disappearing quickly.

And here is where you can find it in China.

Kyrgyzs, Lake Karakul, Xinjiang

Who they are: The Kyrgyzs (柯尔克孜族) are Turkic people from Kyrgyzstan but some 140,000 live in China.

In summer they live in yurts by the stunning glacier lake Karakul (拉库勒湖) on the Karakoram Highway.

They graze yak, horses and sheep. In the winter they live in brick houses also by the side of the lake across the grasslands.

What to expect: Accommodation is in the families' own yurts and you can take part in herding yak, making food and collecting yak dung fuel. These nomads can organize tours or treks of the countryside by camel, horse or motorbike.

Life has a yurt-like pace. As my host Abiti Kudush repeatedly said, “Karakul is a long way from Beijing.”

Expect plenty of chay (tea), a good fire, friendly conversation, bedding and three meals -- tea and bread for breakfast, homemade noodles for lunch and dinner.

How to travel with them: Book a yurt through a tour company in Kashgar or just show up -- local men will meet the bus with hand-written recommendations from other travelers. I paid RMB 20-30 for accommodation and three meals, other travelers have recently reported paying RMB 40-50.

Contacts: Abiti Kudush lives about a kilometer from the Lake Karakul bus stop in a small clump of yurts by the lake. He can be reached via +86 137 7903 0302.

Tour companies and hotels in Kashgar, in West Xinjiang, organize small groups and customized trips to Lake Karakul. China Southern and Hainan Air operate daily flights between Kashgar and Urumqi.

Kazakhs, Tian Chi lake, Xinjiang


Who they are: Kazakhs (哈萨克族) are one of 47 ethnic groups in Xinjiang and account for approximately seven percent of the local population. Many live in yurts along the shores, hills and valleys of

Tian Chi lake (天池), which is 110 kilometers east of Urumqi.

These Kazakhs are semi-nomadic, relying on animals, tourism and horse shows for their income.

What to expect: Days with Kazakhs can be spent reading, trekking, horse riding or relaxing around the yurt base. Kazakh families are easygoing and happy to oblige with plenty of fuel in the stove, noodles on the table and hot tea.

At night, sit back and enjoy the campfire, the stars and the comfort of the yurt.

How to travel with them: Some tours to Tian Chi (mostly from Urumqi) include a yurt stay, but no pre-booking is required. Dawanzi (大湾子) is a settlement of four to five yurts open to tourists by the southwest lake shore.

Look for Mr. Rachit, a Kazakh nomad who has hosted travelers for years. His family runs a visitor yurt. I paid RMB 50 for accommodation and meals, but more recent travelers put the price closer to RMB 100.
Rachit’s brother Mokhyat operates superb horse treks and may throw in free Kazakh horse-riding lessons en route.

Contacts: Mr. Rachit can be reached via +86 994 831 500 or +86 138 9964 1550.

Tour companies and hotels in Urumqi organize various trips to Tian Chi. 

Mongols, Zhaohe / Hailar / Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia

Who they are: Semi-nomadic Mongolians (蒙古族) occupy the grasslands in northern China around Hohhot (呼和浩特) and Hailar (海拉尔), although most live in the Republic of Mongolia.

Traditionally they raised horses, cows/yaks, sheep, goats and camels, but today many live in townships in the winter. However they still take to the grasslands in summer and keep up their traditional arts, cuisine and horse riding.

What to expect: Organized grassland tours from Hohhot and Hailar often include food, entertainment, traditional dress shows and singing, but travelers are crammed in one ger (Mongol for yurt) on enormous sites at night.

Hosts served mutton, yogurt, dried yak cheese (aaruul), fermented mare’s milk (in season) and possibly baijiu (distilled liquor).

How to travel with them: Take a bus from Hohhot to Zhaohe (昭和) on the Xilamuren Grassland where families will invite you to stay. Alternatively rent a taxi and ask the driver to make arrangements. Food and accommodation cost about RMB 60 per day.

The Hulunbuir grasslands near Hailar and Xilingol grasslands in Xilinhot (锡林浩特) are less visited and here tours (RMB 100-300) and independent travel is possible.

Contacts: Book tours through Tongda Hotel (+86 471 692 6676) and Anda Guesthouse (+86 471 691 8039) in Hohhot or use an online agent such as China International Travel Service.

Hohhot's Baita Airport links to many major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.

Kham Tibetans, Tagong grassland, Sichuan

Who they are: The Kham (康区藏族) are a branch of Tibetans inhabiting the scenic high-altitude grasslands in eastern Tibet, southern Qinghai and western Sichuan.

The semi-nomadic group spends the day moving herds to new pastures on horseback and they dress the part with cowboy hats, swords or knives and braids.

From late spring until fall they live in black yak wool tents on the grasslands but go into town for festivals and casual employment.

What to expect: Travelers hang out with them in various ways, from horse riding and trekking to assisting with animal husbandry, milking, cheese-making or herding.

The nomads serve Tibetan food like yak yogurt and tsampa -- a hard bread made from roasted barley flour -- butter tea and water/beer. They serve copious amounts of butter tea, which is an acquired taste at first but may grow on you after a long day.

How to travel with them: Horse and trekking tours are available in Tagong (塔公) with nomad accommodation. Prices vary as many are custom designed.

Contacts: Sally’s Kham Restaurant and Bar (+86 139 9045 4752) in Tagong organizes tours. Definitelynomadic.com (+86 136 8449 3301) also runs various treks around the region as well as local art workshops.

The nearest traffic hub to Tagong is Kangding (康定). China Eastern flies between the Kangding and provincial capital Chengdu every day.

Tibetans, Langmusi, Amdo, northern Sichuan and southern Gansu

Who they are: Some 25 percent of Tibetans live in Amdo (安多), an area covering northern Sichuan and southern Gansu.

Along with the Kham and Lhasa people, they make up the three main sub-groups of Tibetans.

What to expect: Guide Losang from Plateau Photo Tours says, “Amdo remains the best region to see traditional nomadic life,” but many are being resettled in towns.

Langmusi (郎木寺) is a small village standing 3,800 meters above sea level on the Sichuan and Gansu border. Nomads come into town by horse or motorbike for provisions.
In the rugged valley outside town or on the nearby fertile grasslands, they serve travelers with yak meat, vegetables and yak yogurt with honey on an overnight stay.

How to travel with them: Losang says it’s possible to go solo into Amdo but as nomads live some distance from town he recommends a tour for the greatest ease. Many tours are customized so prices vary.

Contacts: Plateau Photo Tours organizes photography tours in Amdo. It can be reached via info@plateauphototours.com. Other recommended tour companies include Snow Lion Tours (+86 971 816 3350) and Jimpa Travel, which provides tours in English and French (+86 131 9575 9602).

One option to get to Langmusi is via Lanzhou (兰州), provincial capital of Gansu. Take a long-distance bus to Hezuo (合作) from Lanzhou South Bus Terminal, then switch to a second long-distance bus from Hezuo Bus Terminal to Langmusi town.

Source: CNN Go By Joanne Lane

Guatai Mountain in Tianshui, Gansu province

A trip to Northwest China offers fresh air and a connection to the roots of Chinese philosophy, Li Yang reports from Tianshui, Gansu province.

My three-day trip to Tianshui in Gansu province is a refreshing getaway from Beijing's lingering smoggy air - not only for my lungs but also my mind. With its crystal-clear blue sky and fresh clean air, this remote city seems to me more suitable for living than the country's capital.

Many places in Gansu are named for their military purposes in history, as for centuries the area bordered frontier territories.

But Tianshui, which means "sky water", is an exception.

Located in the southeast end of Gansu, Tianshui has prospered for about 2,700 years as an agricultural center nestled in the fertile valley of the Weihe River, the largest branch of the Yellow River.

More importantly, it is one of the cradles of the country's civilization.

Also known as Longcheng, or Dragon City, Tianshui is the hometown of Fu Xi, one of the earliest and most important rulers in Chinese lore. Unearthed relics in Tianshui show that Fu Xi was a real-life tribal leader living about 7,800 years ago.

There is a big temple for Fu Xi built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in the city center. Guatai Mountain, where he was born and worked, is now a tourist attraction located near the Weihe River in the north of the city.

Source: By Li Yang (China Daily)

China's top 7 Danxia landforms

Mount Danxia (Guangdong)

Mount Danxia is a noted scenic area near Shaoguan in the northern part of Guangdong province. The Danxia mountain is formed from a reddish sandstone that has eroded over time forming a range of mountains surrounded by curvaceous cliffs and unusual rock formations (Danxia Landform). It is described by the local signage as a "world famous UNESCO geopark of China." There are a number of temples located on the mountain range and visitor can enjoy many scenic walks in the area. There is also a river that winds through the mountain area and boat trips along the river are offered to visitors.

Danxia Mountain also has a few unique stones such as the Yang Yuan Stone, Yin Yuan Stone, Breasts stone, Sleeping Beauty and other attractions which make Danxia Mountain a "natural sex culture museum." Particularly noted are two formations: a stone pillar called the Yangyuan ("male/father stone") that bears a remarkable resemblance to a phallus and the Yinyuan hole, which somewhat resembles the female labia.

In the 2010 UNESCO list of world heritage sites, Mount Danxia was listed as a natural World Heritage Site as part of China's Danxia landform

Best travel time: All year around

Wuyi Mountains (Fujian)

The Wuyi Mountains are a mountain range located in the prefecture of Nanping, in northern Fujian province near the border of Jiangxi province. The mountains were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for cultural, scenic, and biodiversity values in 1999.

The Wuyi Mountains are located between Wuyishan City, Nanping prefecture in Fujian province and Wuyishan,in the city of Shangrao in Jiangxi province. The world heritage site has a total area of 99.975 hectares that is divided into four core parts: the Nine-Bend Stream Ecological Protection Area (36,400 ha) in the center, flanked by the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve (56,527 ha) to the west and the Wuyishan National Scenic Area (7,000 ha) to the east. The fourth part, the Protection Area for the Remains of Ancient Han Dynasty (48 ha) is located in a separate area about 15km to the south-east of the other lcoations. The core parts are surrounded by an additional buffer zone of 27,888 ha.

Best travel time: summer, although it's very hot then but everything is exuberant.

The golden lake (Fujian)

The golden lake is located in Taining County in the northwest of Fujian province. A man-made lake sits at the upper reach and is about 60 kilometers long, and has a capacity of 8.7 hundred million cubic meters. The Golden Lake is surrounded by mountains and verdant forest. Stone bamboo shoots stand tall with springs flowing through them. There are more than 1,000 historic sites, such as the Baishuiji waterfall, Canglu Temple, the lover's peak, great Chibi, above the water, the five-kilometer-long calm lake, to name a few. These features make up the unique scenic spot. The Golden Lake is also regarded as "Lake of Gold" by tourists at home and abroad.

Best travel time: all year around

Mount Longhu (Jiangxi)

Mount Longhu is located in Jiangxi province. It is famous for being one of the birthplaces of Taoism, as many Taoist temples were originally built upon the mountainside. It is particularly important to the Zhengyi Dao as the Shangqing Temple and the Mansion of the Taoist Master are located here. It is known as one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Taoism.

Two of the temples are of Immortal City and Zheng Yi, all founded by Zhang Daoling, the Han Dynasty founder of the religion. There are more Taoist temples in nearby Shangqing. One of the temples in Shangqing is mentioned in the beginning of the famous Chinese novel "Outlaws of the Marsh." Mount Longhu also carries great cultural significance as it is a historical burial site of the Guyue people, who placed their dead in hanging coffins on the mountain cliffs.

In August 2010 UNESCO inscribed Mount Longhu on the World Heritage List as part of the six sites that make up the China Danxia landforms.

Best travel time: all year around

Langshan Mountain (Hunan)

Langshan Mountain is one of China's National Geological Parks famous for its unique Danxia landform and literally means "Crimson Glow." It is a rare topographic feature in world geography. 

Huge rocks of dark red color with grotesque shapes give tourists a marvelous sight. It is located in Xinning County, about 500 km away from Changsha, capital of Hunan province. In the south, Langshan Mountain is connected with Guilin, and in the north it echoes Zhangjiajie. Covering an area of 108 square kilometers, Langshan Mountain is filled with a rich natural scenery and abundant tourism resources. There are more than 500 scenic spots in Langshan Mountain. Among which the most famous are Tianyi Lane, Chili Peak, Zixia Cave, Fuyi River, Innate Bridge, Octagonal Castle, Emperor Xun Forest Park and the Xicun Ancient Dwelling.

In 2008, Langshan Mountain was nominated as a World Nature Heritage. In august, 2009, some experts from the World Nature Heritage visited the site for inspection, and the mountain is expected to become a World Nature Heritage site next July. If this happens, it will be the second World Nature Heritage in Hunan after Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie. The name of Langshan comes from an ancient legend. It is said that when Shun, a legendary monarch in ancient China, passed by the mountain, he felt the mountains and rivers here were so wonderful, so he entitled the mountain with a Chinese character - Lang, meaning "good mountains."

Langshan Danxia landform and the evolution of its climate and features are representatives of Earth's historical evolution in Southeast Asia since the Cretaceous, and also represents the crust evolution process and the ancient environmental change of southeast China over 100 million years. It is considered to be an excellent example of the main stage of geo-evolution history.

Best travel time: all year around

Zhangye (Gansu)

Zhangye Danxia is located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province's Zhangye city. 

Zhangye Danxia landforms cover one hundred square mountain hills, with unique shapes and colors.

Zhangye Danxia landforms offer a wide and magnificent scene, peculiar shapes, bright colors, and is the most typical arid region in China and the largest area of Danxia landscape. It has a very high scientific and tourism value. Zhangye Danxia landform mainly covers the territory of Linze, Sunan 

County with an area of 300 square kilometers. Hierarchical areas are scattered and feature steep rock walls and rich, color classes and colorful screen tower gorges and lakes,

Best travel time: June-September

Chuishui (Guizhou)

The Chishui Danxia inherited from the synergy of the strong and intermittent Cenozoic uplifts of the Himalayan Orogeny and the heat-moisture matched Asian Monsoon, and it has not been damaged from the scouting process of the last glaciations.

Chishui Danxia demonstrates the richness of the Danxia landform diversity. Positive and negative Danxia landforms are not only of high value in explaining Danxia landform evolution, but also show high aesthetic significance.

The Chishui Danxia is big and has tall forests where ancient vegetation and modern vegetation stemming from many species co-exist, revealing an important and on-going process of biology and ecology. Chishui Danxia has a high-level of biodiversity and provides refuge and habitats for many rare and endangered species.

Best travel time: all year around

Source: China Daily

Moon Crescent Spring in Dunhuang

Moon Crescent Spring, a unique tourist attraction in the desert of Dunhuang, Gansu Province.

About over 100 meters long and 25 meters wide, the Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by the Mingsha Mountain.

Source: china.org

Silk Road, China's Grand Canal listed as World Heritage Sites

Photo taken on June 21, 2014 shows a general view of Gongchen Bridge on China's Grand Canal, in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. China's Grand Canal, the longest artificial waterway in the world, was inscribed on the World Heritage list on June 22, 2014. The Grand Canal with a history of more than 2,400 years was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Committee which convened its 38th session in the Qatari capital. The 1,794-km canal runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province


Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2011 shows a horse team passing by the ruins of Hanyuan Hall, once an integral part of the Daming Palace which was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2009 shows tourists visiting the museum of ancient ruined site of Dingding Gate, the South Gate of the outer city of ancient Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. The Dingding Gate is the city gate that has been in use for the longest time among all ancient capitals in Chinese history.

Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2010 shows the ruins of the Subax buddhist temple in Kuqa County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Subax buddhist temple was once an influential temple in the ancient Qiuci State.

Photo taken on July 17, 2013 shows the Bingling Temple Grottoes in northwest China's Gansu Province. Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with Buddhist statues, stupas and murals, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries

Photo taken on June 28, 2012 shows the Dayan Pagoda under maintenance in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Built in 652, the Dayan Pagoda is a masterpiece of China's Buddhist architecture.

Photo taken on Oct. 3, 2013 shows the ruins of Weiyang Palace in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2013 shows local citizens visiting a temple fair near Xiaoyan Pagoda in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Aug. 25, 2013 shows the Gaochang Ancient City Ruins in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Photo taken on Oct. 6, 2005 shows people visiting the Kizil Grotto in Baicheng County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Baicheng is the place where the ancient Qiuci State once located

Photo taken on July 15, 2013 shows sculptures at the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. The Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the fourth largest grottoes in China and known as the "Oriental Sculpture Museum"

Photo taken on July 22, 2013 shows people visiting the ruins of Suoyang City in Guazhou County, northwest China's Gansu Province. Suoyang, which dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), was an ancient city on the Silk Road

Photo taken on June 11, 2014 shows tourists visiting the Jiaohe Relic in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The famous ancient Silk Road and China's Grand Canal, the world's longest artificial waterway, were inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites here on Sunday.

Jointly submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the application for adding part of the Silk Road, which served as a corridor for trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe dating back to 2,000 years ago, to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list was approved by the World Heritage Committee at a session in the Qatari capital.

The application consists of 33 historical sites along the millennium-old trade route, including 22 in China, eight in Kazakhstan and three in Kyrgyzstan. They range from palaces and pagoda sites in cities to ruins in remote, inaccessible deserts.

It is the first time China has cooperated with foreign countries for a World Heritage nomination.

Du Yue, secretary general of the Chinese delegation at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, said the approval of the application would strengthen cultural exchanges between China and the two Central Asian nations.

He called for the three countries' close coordination to jointly protect and pass on the Silk Road heritage from generation to generation.

At Sunday's session, UNESCO also included the Grand Canal, with a history of more than 2,400 years, in the World Heritage list.

Participants at the meeting said the 1,794-km canal, which runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province, is a valuable fruit of the Chinese people's diligence and wisdom, adding that its inclusion has enriched the content of the World Heritage.

The Paris-based UNESCO oversees the system of granting World Heritage status to important cultural and natural sites around the globe.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee opened on June 15 and will continue through Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua

The endless dry spells of Dunhuang

Dunhuang is located in Gansu province. In ancient times, it was a major stop and trade center on the Silk Road stretching between China and western countries. Today, it is still a renowned tourist destination, famous for its Mogao Grottoes, Buddhist statues, frescoes and scriptures.

Since the late 1990s, Dunhuang has been threatened by a manmade ecological crisis.
The overexploitation of natural resources and wetland vegetation degradation now see desertification approaching at a more rapid pace every year. Those people living in the central areas of the province, like Dingxi City, have thus far already experienced several rounds of immigration.

A local government report said that, if the problem cannot be solved soon, Dunhuang will face a severe ecological imbalance which subsequently may lead the city to become the second Loulan Kingdom, also known as Kroraina in history. The ruins of Loulan Kingdom near Lop Nur in northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region are now completely surrounded by deserts.

Source: china.org