Chinatodo
You might be surprised to learn that China has an ancient county town built 2,000 years earlier than the Forbidden City, with a scale comparable to the imperial palace yet still perfectly preserved today. For over a millennium, 42,000 residents have continued living inside its walls. From above, the dense clusters of traditional courtyard houses create a breathtaking panorama. The 6,163-meter-long city walls (about 12 meters high) stretch unbroken, with South Street forming the central axis, flanked by four main avenues and eight smaller lanes. The crisscrossing Youyan Alley and other pathways function like veins, connecting every corner of…
At 7am on Mingsha Mountain, the sand whispers underfoot, your footprints the only marks on the dunes. Mogao Cave guides linger an extra ten minutes, letting you trace the fluttering ribbons of celestial apsaras. By noon at Yang Pass, the wind drowns all other voices - standing beside the beacon tower, you suddenly understand that ancient lament of "no old friends beyond the frontier". Reeds by Crescent Spring turn gold in afternoon light, camel caravans cresting dunes so slowly their bells echo across emptiness. When sunset gilds the Sanwei Mountains,…
Have you always dreamed of a desert expedition? Then Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain must be on your list! Located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, this stunning desert landscape is just a short trip from the city center, with convenient transportation options like taxis or buses. Transport Guide:By Taxi: From downtown Dunhuang, it takes about 20 minutes by taxi, costing around 30 RMB—quick and hassle-free.By Bus: Take Bus No. 3 from the city center directly to Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake Scenic Area for just 1 RMB—budget-friendly with scenic views along the way!
In the heart of Hohhot's old town, Dazhao Temple (Yikezhao) stands as Inner Mongolia's most revered Gelug school Tibetan Buddhist monastery, radiating spiritual grandeur since 1580. Must-See Highlights✔ Silver Buddha: The gleaming Sakyamuni silver statue - the temple's sacred centerpiece✔ Three Masterpieces: Famous for its murals, silver Buddha & dragon carvings✔ Prayer Wheel Path: Join pilgrims circling the temple with spinning prayer wheels ℹ Visitor Info▸ Entry: ¥35▸ Hours: 8AM-6PM▸ Nearby: Explore Sai Shang Old Street & local food alleys More vibrant than Wuta Temple's serenity, Dazhao immerses you in Mongolia's Buddhist legacy through chanting monks and intricate artistry.
Tucked away in downtown Hohhot, Wuta Temple (Five-Pagoda Temple) is a photogenic secret most travelers miss. Unlike the crowded Dazhao Temple, this free-entry (scan ID card) site offers serene beauty with its iconic red-walled Tibetan-style pagodas under blue skies. Why Visit?✔ Striking Architecture: Five intricately carved Buddhist pagodas stand on a diamond throne, adorned with 1,563 Buddha statues and multilingual scriptures (Mongolian, Tibetan, Sanskrit).✔ Perfect for Photography: Vibrant red walls contrast dramatically with clear skies — no crowds to photobomb!✔ Hidden History: Features the world’s only surviving Mongolian astronomical carving on its north wall. Practical Info▸ Entry: Free (bring ID card)▸ Transport: Metro…
After the rain clears, Xi'an's most popular photo spot comes alive again. The elevator fills with strangers capturing time-lapses, exchanging knowing smiles. In the frame, the Qinling Mountains stand like ink wash, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda glows in sunset hues, the TV Tower lights up at dusk, and fountains scatter neon across the water. Everyone adjusts their angles, chasing the perfect shot—but in this city, even a random snapshot holds the soul of Chang'an.
When the Danfeng Gate of Daming Palace lit up for Dragon Boat Festival, magic happened. Through my lens, the 1,300-year-old Tang Dynasty monument stood proudly against Xi'an's glowing Hi-Tech CBD skyline, with the silhouette of Qinling's Guifeng Mountain completing this extraordinary triptych. This single frame encapsulates Xi'an's soul — where imperial legacy, cutting-edge progress, and eternal nature converge under the same starry sky.
Xi'an's central axis stretches from the Bell Tower to the TV Tower, extending all the way to the Qinling Mountains. The Bell Tower guards centuries of history, the TV Tower flickers with modern lights, while the Qinling Mountains lie like a silent dragon, connecting the past and the future. Along this line, ancient charm meets urban vibrancy, and humanity encounters nature.
I rarely shoot nightscapes, but this time I chose to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda after dark. The moment the pagoda and the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City lit up, I finally understood what "the golden age of Chang'an" truly meant. This might be the easiest ground-level spot to capture a stunning aerial-like view of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda—no drone needed! Location: Hou Cun Jia Yuan, Building 1 (10-minute walk from the North Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)Access: No keycard required—easy entryNote: Be respectful of residents while shooting
Top Attractions in Xi'an Terracotta Warriors – Marvel at the life-sized clay army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda – A Tang Dynasty Buddhist landmark with panoramic city views. Xi'an City Wall – Cycle along the best-preserved ancient fortification in China. Muslim Quarter – A bustling food street offering authentic local flavors.
The Yongzuo Temple Twin Pagodas (Lingxiao Twin Pagodas) are the tallest surviving ancient structures in Taiyuan, renowned as the "Twin Peaks of the Writing Brush" and considered the finest twin pagodas in China. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the nearly identical twin pagodas consist of the earlier Wenfeng Pagoda and the later Relic Pagoda, both 13-story octagonal structures standing just 2 cm apart in height.
As dusk bleeds into the ancient city's silhouette—made famous by blockbuster films—the real awakening begins. Buy your 20 RMB wall pass by 5:30pm to witness three transformative acts: ACT I: 6:00-6:30pm — BLUE HOUR THEATERThe southwest watchtower becomes nature's proscenium. Capture the cobalt sky wrestling with amber LEDs using a tripod (30+ sec exposure). This is where Zhang Yimou's cinematography dreams are born. ACT II: Post-7:00pm — LIGHTSTRIKEThe "Full River Red" lantern array ignites along Cross Street. Shoot upward with 24-70mm—the collision of vermillion paper globes against indigo darkness will…
Route Overview Start: Tianjin StationEnd: Eye of Tianjin (Ferris Wheel)Distance: ~5 km (2-3 hours at a relaxed pace)Highlights: 6 bridges, 8 major attractions, stunning riverside vie Walking Route & Key Stops Tianjin Station Capture the famous "Most Beautiful Exit" (best at night) Night river cruises depart nearby Century Clock Iconic 21st-century landmark with hourly chimes Best photo spot: Frame it with Liberation Bridge Liberation Bridge A steel-truss drawbridge with historic charm Top photo angle: Stand on the Jinwan Square side Jinwan Square Stunning Art Deco buildings lit up at night Best view: From Tianjin…
The Porcelain House, located in Tianjin’s Heping District, was originally a French-style villa built in the 1920s and once home to Huang Rongliang, a diplomat of the Beiyang Government. In 2000, antique collector Zhang Lianzhi purchased the building and spent years transforming it into a stunning "ceramic art museum" using over 10,000 antique porcelain pieces and 700 million ceramic fragments. The entire structure is adorned with blue-and-white porcelain tones, with walls, roof, and courtyard fences embedded with ceramic plates, vases, and shards. Its curvy, dreamlike design has earned Zhang Lianzhi the nickname “China’s Gaudí.” The word “China” on the rooftop symbolizes both ceramics and Chinese…
Because it's really, really, really, really shocking!!! It's completely stunning!Different from its solemn and magnificent appearance during the day, it looks even more classically beautiful at night. The Temple of Heaven （天坛）is a model of ancient Chinese architectural art. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests（祈年殿） is the main building of the Temple of Heaven, also known as the Hall of Prayer for Abundant Grain（祈谷殿）. The hall is round, symbolizing the roundness of the sky, and the tiles are blue, symbolizing the blue sky.It is full of oriental aesthetics and…
The Palace Museum is framed together with the CBD building complex. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests （天坛祈年殿）in the Temple of Heaven is framed together with Tiananmen Square. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests （天坛祈年殿）in the Temple of Heaven is framed together with the CBD. The Relics Park of the Ming City Wall（明城墙遗址） is framed together with the CBD. The high-speed railway is framed together with the CBD. The Zhengyangmen City Gate is framed together with the CBD.
In addition to the crowded Forbidden City, you can also see the Forbidden City here. There is no need to make a reservation. Just spend 2 yuan, and you can overlook the entire Forbidden City without any obstacles. You can also admire the magnificent Central Axis of Beijing and fully experience the top-notch aesthetics of our ancestors! Scenic Spot: Jingshan Park, No. 44, Jingshan West Street, Xicheng DistrictTicket Price: 2 yuan (Half price, 1 yuan for children)Shooting Time: Be sure to wait for the sunrise or sunset. The Fastest Route…