Chinatodo
Beyond the Bund and Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s quieter corners reveal nostalgic lanes, avant-garde art spaces, and untold urban legends. Fuxing Park (复兴公园 fù xīng gōng yuán) A Parisian-style garden built during the French Concession era (1909). Elderly locals dance tango under plane trees, play mahjong on stone tables, or practice water calligraphy on sunlit pavements.Why Visit: Witness Shanghai’s jazz-age elegance—weekend tea dances revive 1930s glamour with live brass bands and vintage cheongsam dresses. 1933 Old Millfun (老场坊 lǎo chǎng fāng) A labyrinth of Art Deco concrete ramps, spiral staircases, and…
Beyond the Great Wall and Forbidden City, Beijing hides centuries-old temples, artsy hutong enclaves, and culinary treasures untouched by mass tourism. Fahai Temple (法海寺 fǎ hǎi sì) A 15th-century Ming Dynasty temple famed for its exquisitely preserved Buddhist murals, rivaling Mogao Cave artworks. The dimly lit halls glow with gold-leafed deities.Why Visit: Only 20 visitors allowed daily—book ahead for an intimate glimpse of China’s forgotten Renaissance-era art. Zhihua Temple (智化寺 zhì huà sì) A serene 1443 temple with original black-glazed roof tiles and daily performances of imperial-era “jing music” by…
Discover lesser-known wonders in this coastal city, where European heritage meets local charm. Textile Valley (纺织谷 fǎng zhī gǔ) A post-industrial art zone transformed from a 1930s Japanese textile factory. Graffiti-covered warehouses host indie galleries, vintage markets, and craft coffee roasters.Why Visit: Snap photos of retro machinery repurposed into sculptures and attend weekend vinyl record fairs. Xiao Maidao Park (小麦岛公园 xiǎo mài dǎo gōng yuán) A grassy islet with wildflower meadows, rocky tide pools, and panoramic sea views. Locals fly kites here while fishermen cast lines off the cliffs.Why Visit:…
Nestled along the Grand Canal in Shandong Province, Linqing (临清 lín qīng) flourished as a bustling trade hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, its legacy lives on through well-preserved waterways, multicultural landmarks, and unique local flavors. Grand Canal Relics (大运河遗址 dà yùn hé yí zhǐ) Walk along ancient stone wharves where grain, silk, and porcelain once flowed to Beijing. The Aotouji Watergate (鳌头矶 áo tóu jī), a 15th-century hydraulic marvel, showcases ingenious engineering from China’s canal golden age.Why Visit: Touch the stones that built empires—this UNESCO World Heritage Site…
Explore the lesser-known wonders of Jinan’s Southern Mountains, where ancient history, serene temples, and breathtaking nature converge. Perfect for travelers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences in China. Lingyan Temple (灵岩寺 líng yán sì)A 1,600-year-old Buddhist temple complex nestled in pine forests. Don’t miss the vivid Song Dynasty clay sculptures in the Thousand Buddha Hall.Why Visit: Witness UNESCO-tentative “Oriental Sculpture Masterpieces” and wander among ancient stupas. A spiritual retreat blending art, history, and misty mountain vistas. Simen Pagoda (四门塔 sì mén tǎ)One of China’s oldest stone pagodas, built in the Sui Dynasty…
When casino neon lights still glow faintly, while tourist crowds remain asleep – 6 AM in Macau belongs to the "commando travelers"!
Wuzhizhou Island, located in Haitang Bay—the "National Coast" of Sanya City, Hainan Province, China, is also known as Lovers' Island. When viewed from above, its natural heart-shaped outline resembles a dazzling gem on the South China Sea coast. It is China's first integrated island resort, offering marine entertainment, specialty diving, luxury hotels, gourmet dining, and leisure tourism. The island is home to over 2,700 species of native plants, with vegetation coverage exceeding 90%. The surrounding seawater boasts visibility of up to 27 meters, and the coral reefs in the area…
The Xisha Islands in the South China Sea are a hidden paradise where nature paints its most vibrant colors. The crystal-clear waters shift from emerald green to deep sapphire, as if God spilled a palette across the ocean. Walk on powdery white sands, softer than clouds, under swaying coconut palms—pure tropical bliss. Dive beneath the waves, and you’ll enter a magical underwater kingdom: coral reefs bloom like flowers, while tropical fish dance through them like guests at a grand ball. At sunrise and sunset, the sky and sea ignite in fiery oranges and golds, casting a…
Perched on the Tibetan Plateau's edge, Xining is often reduced to a pit stop—yet those who pause discover a city where modern dynamism and highland heritage converge. More than just the launchpad for epic Northwest circuits, this provincial capital pulses with an energy all its own. The downtown skyline rises with determined ambition, mirrored in the Huangshui River's steady flow that stitches together urban reflections and endless blue skies. When night descends, the city reveals its magic: neon-lit arteries throb with life against the silent vigil of mountain shadows—a living…
Who says cyberpunk cities only exist in movies? Lanzhou, the often-overlooked capital of Gansu Province, is taking the internet by storm with its jaw-dropping "Lanhattan" skyline. Locals joke that their city transforms from "daytime Afghanistan to nighttime Manhattan" - but you'll only understand this surreal contrast when witnessing it from Lanshan Mountain's Three-Terrace Pavilion: Golden Hour MagicAs dusk falls, the entire city basks in warm hues. Tower clusters nestle between mountain ridges like carefully arranged building blocks, while the Yellow River snakes through downtown like a glowing ribbon. This otherworldly northwest aesthetic looks…
Getting There High-speed rail to Shijiazhuang Station + 30min taxi to Zhengding Perfect 2-Day ItineraryDay 1: Hebei Museum → Pilu Temple → Zhengding Ancient TownDay 2: Bailin Temple → Hebei Academy of Fine Arts Must-See HighlightsZhengding Ancient Town Longxing Temple: Song Dynasty marvel with the famed "Eastern Mona Lisa" Guanyin statue Four Iconic Pagodas: Don't miss Huagui Pagoda (architectural unicorn) & Tang-era bell tower Night Views: Watch the illuminated pagodas from South City Gate Pilu TempleMing Dynasty murals rivaling Dunhuang's artistry Hidden Gems Hebei Museum: Home to the legendary Changxin…
I walked until my step counter hit 20,000, and finally - the Hu Tuo River came alive after dark. Street lamps and neon signs shimmered across the water's surface. On the bridge above, car lights streaked like comets. The distant city skyline floated like a constellation against the night. A cool breeze carried murmurs from evening strollers, while occasional cyclists cut through the shadows with their blinking lights. Here, the river softened Shijiazhuang's urban clamor into something quieter - just ripples and reflections trading secrets. No fancy camera, just my…
"Half the city is mountains, half is lakes," the Jinan depicted by poets is as picturesque as a Jiangnan garden. If you missed the greenery of spring and summer, winter in Jinan still holds its charm. Lao She once wrote in his essay, "God gave the art of summer to Switzerland, the art of spring to West Lake, and all of autumn and winter to Jinan." Indeed, after the snow, Wulongtan in Jinan, bathed in faint, scattered sunlight, presents a delicate scene. Without heavy strokes of color, it sketches a…
1. Must-Visit Classic Landmarks | The Soul of Shanghai is Here! The Bund Night View is UnbeatableDuring the day, admire the historic architecture, and at night, watch as the lights turn it into a "city that never sleeps"! It’s recommended to visit in the evening to enjoy both the sunset and the night view. Street performers along the river add to the atmosphere. Photo Tips: Don’t miss the iconic movie-like view from Waibaidu Bridge! With the Lujiazui "Three Pieces" in the background, you’ll get stunning photos in no time! 2.…