Travel to the Middle State
Chinese civilization: she burned out from the rest of the world a living, but almost an impregnable barrier of thousands of hieroglyphs and sounds of a strange, but surprisingly musical language. It is more powerful than any great wall, even visible from space. And today, more and more of our compatriots choose China for travel, realizing that this country is famous not only for cheap goods, but also with colossal architectural ensembles, and stunning landscapes, and a unique peculiar culture.
Tourists go to China, as a rule, one circle of interests: watch antiquity monuments. These are mostly 35 years old, with higher education. The seriousness of their enthusiasm East is confirmed by the fact that a trip to China, especially a review tour of the country, is an order of magnitude more expensive than a standard bus tour in Europe.
Which route to choose? It all depends on how time you have. Best time for traveling in China – Spring and autumn. Summer here is roast and rainy, and the winter is cold in the north and drooping in the south (with the exception of the tropical paradise on the island of Hainan). If impossible "break out" China more than two weeks, you can use a standard tour covering the main attractions of China. True, many of China’s attractions lie away from the tourist routes developed by Europeans. This is the sacred Taoist Mountains (Taishan, Huangshan, Emeishan), the valleys of the rivers (especially impressive Valley of the River Lijiang), and the province of Yunnan with her lush tropical nature.
China – big country. But his cultural centers can be said, cultural "bunches" cities are limited to certain territories. They form a giant triangle that can rightfully be called gold. In one of it "corner" Beijing and Chande are located in another – Xi’an, Luoyang and Shaolin, in the third – Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Mount Huangshan.
Minimum cost of a two-week route (Beijing-Xian-Quifu-Taishan-Suzhou-Hangzhou Shanghai) – $ 1450, including flight. Possible less long options – by 10 and 12 days. Very popular routes, exciting South China, for example, Beijing-Suzhou-Shanghai Hangzhou Guilin (River Lijiang) -Nong Kong (from $ 1750). Tours with a visit to Tibet are more expensive, but recently there was a route that allows you to visit Beijing and Lhas for only $ 1300 (though, the duration of the tour is 8 days).
The popularity of Hainan island is growing. Usually rest on this island Tourists are combined with a visit to Hong Kong. From the same Hong Kong on the boat you can get to Macau (in Chinese his name sounds like aomyn), where the world’s largest casino is.
Traveling in China is more logical and naturally start from his capital – Beijing. Truly, Beijing has absorbed all the same. After him everything seems so small! Especially after visiting the Imperial Palace of the Googun in the heart of the Forbidden City. Gugun has 9999 premises. It is located on 72 hectares and offers a tourist’s eyes 1,000,000 exhibits. Gugun – the largest museum of the PRC. For inspection, only a quarter of its premises and half of the territory. And if everything was open? Then, probably, it would be possible to organize a special week tour "Moscow-Googun".
It is better to come here to the opening – o’clock to eight in the morning. By 10-11 hours, buses bring huge groups of tourists, so by noon here there is nowhere to fall here. Then the walk through the Imperial Palace turns into a swimming in a human stream, which himself carries you in the right direction. This flow is not very fast, so you need to highlight the googo. Describe all its treasures and architectural structures no need. For this, there are mountains of guidebooks. I want to advise one thing: do not hurry to leave the walls of the forbidden city to leave the walls (and otherwise why come to Beijing?). Gugun – Miracle of Miracles. Each of his corner keeps a lot of beautiful secrets, which will open for someone who is not in a hurry. Better come back here again to slowly visit museum exposures. Chinese – great and skillful masters. One work of art can be considered half an hour, and such masterpieces there – apparently invisible.
Another significant monument of Beijing is the temple of the sky. Undoubtedly, Tienan is one of the most grand temples of China. Another and not worth expecting from the main imperial temple of the Criminal Empire. Chinese religion from the times of the Shan State quietly did without concrete human-like gods. The cult of ancestors was combined with faith in the Absolut, and absolutely, as you know, the sky, which to everyone and hears. The Beijing Temple of the sky was built when the capital of China was transferred from Nanjing to Beijing, that is, at the very beginning of the XV century. After a century and a half, after numerous rearrangements and alterations, the temple found his real appearance. Initially, he was dedicated to the sky and the Earth at the same time, but then the Earth was dedicated to a separate sanctuary.
The church of the sky was intended to commit great sacrifices – the central rite of the Taoist religion. Three times a year, these rites performed the emperor himself, at which the maintenance of harmony between the heavenly spheres and the world of people.
The dimensions of this complex are striking, and earlier, according to historians, the territory of the temple was two times more. For a leisurely and thoughtful acquaintance with him you need at least three hours. The main structures are the actual altar of the sky – a round marble three-stage structure, on which the sacrifice of the sky was brought; Palace of Thajaigun, where the emperor was preparing for the ceremony, the round pagoda of the harvest prayer hall – the hall of the temple of the sky; as well as the famous Hall of the Heavenly Code. If you go inside into the courtyard of this hall, get closer to his round wall and say something even in a whisper, then at the other end of the yard, your words will be clearly audible. Now visitors from the wall itself separates low fence. It can be seen that the wall is not zamusolyli.
A very strong impression on the guests of the Chinese capital produces the summer palace of emperors, located in the Park Mayeuan (prosperity park and harmony).
Googun and Eyeuan – two halves of one whole; one is inseparable from another. The summer palace was the same closed for a simple Luda, like winter. In it, the emperors of the Qing dynasty conducted hot and sorthair months.
The summer palace has a relatively short story in Chinese standards. It begins in the XVIII century, when the Emperor Zoundlun unfolds the construction of new park residences and the reconstruction of old. Eyauan, who was called Cingiauan (Pure Ryabi Park on Water), was the most beloved residence of Zencenun, and later – Empress Tsyshi. For a familiarity with this, at the present Paradise beauty, the place is required to be a light day, unless, of course, not to hurry and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Like all parks in China, Iyyunan half "consists of water". Mount Vanshuban (Mount of longevity) rises above the lake Kunming (Mountain), at the top of which is the Lamisian temple of the sea of wisdom and kindness. Many charming pavilions and arbors are built on the slopes of the Mountain of Longevia, from which great views are opening. Along the lake and Mount Vanshubshan stretches a long Gallery (Chanlan) a length of 728 meters long, which leads to another famous sightseeing Parki Eyeuan – Stone Ship.
In summer, emperors lived in the so-called Eastern palaces located near the eastern gate of the Parki Eyeuan Park. Previously, only the emperor and the empress could be held through them, and all other courtiers had to enter through the side doors. Now here – the main entrance to the park. A peculiar guard of the entrances of the Emperor was the awesome unicorn of Cylin, in an embrace with which you can take a picture.
For lake Kunming, walking boats, stylized under the antiquity. Swimming can be very interesting because there are islands on the lake and very peculiar bridges on architecture. The most significant of them connects Nanhudao Island (Island of the Southern Seas) with a big land. In this island of whole seventeen spans! He is so called – the seventeen-year-old bridge.
In Beijing, many interesting monuments have been preserved. Among them should not be noted by UNHEGUN – the monastery of Tibet Lamaism, founded by Emperor Zancy in 1746. According to legend, in the estate, which stood on the site of the future monastery, in 1706 the emperor Zancy himself was born. He built on the spot of his appearance one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries. Before it is easy to walk from the metro station with the same name. True, it will have to be made through the fragrances that expire from numerous lavages selling incenses and objects of cult. Monastery acting, so here are always full of praying people, fiercing fragrant sticks in front of the altars. The main shrine of UNHEGUNA is the 18-meter statue of the Buddha Maitrey, made in the XVIII century from the solid stem of sandalwood. This trunk was specifically brought from India, and we were lucky, as the legend says, as many as three years. Near the special pavilion is the hall of Bodhisatv.The view of them, of course, is awesome, but they perform a positive function, helping simple mortals to find a way to Nirvana.
In addition to UNHEGUN, in Beijing, you can visit other Buddhist temples: the temple of the Sleeping Buddha (Valios), the Temple of the Big Bell (Dachzhux), the Temple of the Azure Clouds (Biunsi). The temple of Confucius (Kunmyo), founded in the XIII century and the Taoist Temple of White Clouds (Bayunguan), relating to the same time.
In Beijing, you can spend a week for a week, looking at the sights, but it’s time to go to others "Corners" Big triangle.
Xian. It lies in the middle of the River Juanhe – the cradle of the Chinese civilization. Real China is born here. This, you can say Chinese Ellad, Chinese Rome, if you want, Chinese Kievan Rus. In short, the origins. From his former majestity left a little. But the huge 14-meter urban wall with its 13th gates is perfectly preserved. Within its limits, in the heart of the old city, stands the bell tower, built in 1384. In Xi’an, there is even his mosque, built, however, quite in Chinese style. Outside the city wall stand Datanta and Xiaont (big and small pagodas of wild geese). Daanta was built in the VII century, in the first years of the reality of the dynasty of Tan. I must say that both pagodas both inside and outside are very modest. With the past, Xiane is best to meet in his museums, the most interesting of which is the Museum of Shaanxi Province, revealing the entire history of China since Shan and Zhou.
In the vicinity of Siana, it is waiting for you, perhaps the strongest impression of the whole trip – Binmayun (Terracotta Armor of Emperor Qing Shihandi). Discovered this fantastic army recently. In 1974, a local peasant, a decent well, discovered an ancient burial consisting of 7,000 clay soldiers and horses in full size. So the world was revealed by the part of the funeral complex of Emperor Qing Shihuandi, who glorified Xi’an to the whole world. Each figure has its own unique appearance. Some of them fell, but the majority stands in full fighting, defending the emperor, whose grave is nearby. The terracotta army is not completely excavated, but also the fragment that is open is striking imagination.
Halfway from Binmayun to Xiana there is a wonderful place of Huacinchi. This complex of hot sources was appreciated by the emperors of the Tang Dynasty. Now there are many hotels here, so not to find a better place to sleep. Si’an also has a canned Neolithic village of Banpo, which will be extremely interesting for Paraory lovers.
The night in the train separates Xi’an from Luoyang, the city is no less famous, but fully lost the old metropolitan glitter. Now "Capital 10 dynasties" – Pretty big and random city. The reflections of his greatness lie on the walls of the monastery of Baimasa (white horse) and Longman’s cliffs (Dragon Gate). According to the legend, the Baimasi was founded in 68 by two Buddhist monks who came on the White Horse. He is considered the oldest in China by the Buddhist monastery. Sacred texts were kept here. The history of the founding of the monastery is reminded the statues of the founding monks themselves and the horse itself.
Lunmen produces even stronger impression: 1300 grottoes, 700 niches, 100,000 sculptures and bas-reliefs Buddha and Bodhisatv, from very miniature to gigantic. Monks earned good merits by taking these images, tapping chisel and a hammer. Cave temples are in many places in China, but Longman, so to speak, most "Caught" tourists.
In three hours of east of Luoyang, the famous Monastery Shaolin, Shot in hundreds of cinoboevikov. Film industry made Shaolin stunning advertising. Shaolin monk and Japanese Ninja – the most popular oriental film. They speculate all who are not too lazy. Spiritual life in Shaolin itself has long stopped. Martial arts teach secular mentors in specialized centers outside the monastery. The monastery itself, founded in 527 by the monk Bodidharma from India, is filled with hordes of tourists. Sometimes you can still find living monks. Traces of their centuries-old training sessions can be seen on the stone floor of the main temple hall of thousands of Buddhas (Qianfodian) – there are visible dents left by the legs of the monks who have honed their art. Not far from the monastery itself is the so-called Forest Pagoda – Talin, in which more than 200 pagodas will come over the burials of Shaolin monks.
The average ride of Huanghe usually ends in Zhengzhou. From here you can go to the lowering of the Yangtze River and visit Suzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Suzhou presented the world amazing gardens. This city arose at the end of the VI century to N.NS. Was the capital of the kingdom. Suzhou waited for his starry 2,000 years. And by the XVII-XVIII centuries got 150 gardens (while the creation of harmony gardens themselves began in the XI century). Small Tolika these gardens lived to this day. But what kind of! I will not delve into the philosophy and the principles of creating gardens of Suzhou, as well as to describe their advantages. We stayed in Suzhou a day and a half day. Do not be lazy, come for three – you will not regret. Buy in Moscow the sensible guide and walk on health. Here are the main gardens of Suzhou: the garden of a fair official (in other translations – a modest official or stupid policy, which, if you think about it, does not exclude one other) – Zhochuhenguan; Garden for walking – Luyan; Grove Lion – Schizilin; Network host – Wanshiuan; Garden harmony – Jiyuan; Pavilion raised waves – Tsanlantin and others.
Shanghai is waiting for us. This city in which 14 million inhabitants lives, is considered the largest metropolis of Asia. This is a worthy answer of the Communist China capitalist Hong Kong. Skyscraulic and ultramodern area Pudong – Socialism showcase with diagonal Chinese eyes. Many believe that there is nothing in Shanghai. I do not argue, the city is mostly modern. Perhaps the oldest "Inclusion of antiquity" is the garden of joy (Yuan) XVI century. It leads to his bridge through Lake, in the middle of which there is a gazebo-tea Husintin. All this – in the midst of the quarters of the old Shanghai, carefully restored and adorable by tourists.
The second value of Shanghai’s landmark is the temple of Jade Buddha, whose statues were brought here in 1918. In the temple there are two statues – Sleeping Buddha and Sitting Buddha, and the last generously decorated with precious stones.
Hangzhou is completely different. This is China in pure, refined form. Can say chinese classics. Silent church of the lake. Hills around with soft outlines. On them – Pagoda and gazebo. On the lake – Islands with the same arbors. Around the city, starting with the most outskirts – tea plantations that distribute stunning fragrance. There is a tea museum, a museum of silverhood and the Museum of Chinese Pharmacology.
Hangzhou lies at the beginning of the Great Channel (in China almost everything is great, and this is not an exaggeration). His marco polo. And not in vain, because once he was the most populated city in the world. In the time of the Tang and Sun dynasties, 360 Buddhist temples operated here. Tourists amazes one of the largest Buddhist monasteries – the temple of the Soul Privacy (Lynints). Opposite him – Failafen’s rock (brought by the wind). Something laughs cheerful bodhisatatva cut down in a rock.
Maybe above us – funny foreigners, stubbornly seeking to understand China.
