China & the Yangtze

Where were you half a million years ago?

Well, if you were Peking Man, you were right here, in what is now known as Beijing. For literally thousands upon
thousands of years, this has been the heart of commerce and political power in China. So when the folks here talk about having a sense of history, you can be sure they know that of which they speak.

You will be able to taste just a bit of that history-but oh, how rich the sample will be. There is Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palace, the Great Hall of the People, and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, just to mention a few. An excellent way to see the city is to do as the locals do get on a bicycle and wend your way through the Beijing most tourists miss. It’ll be an unforgettable experience.

Chengdu, located in the center of the Sichuan Basin, is known as the “Land in Heaven” because of its agricultural wealth.

Chengdu is a city of broad streets and inviting parks. Points of interests include Du Fu Cottage, a shrine built in honor of the famous Tang Dynasty poet; Wu Hou Shrine, a shrine built for the Chinese military strategist of the third century, Zhug Liang; and the River View Pavilion (Wangjiang Lou) where 120 varieties of bamboo can be found.

Northwest of Chengdu are the Dujiangyan Dam, built in 150 B.C. and Green City Mountain which is famous for its Taoist and Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city (this due to the influence of the port, which brings a steady stream of international visitors). Many of the buildings are European in design, as is the layout of the wide boulevard known as the Bund. In the mornings, you will see the locals performing their tai-chi movements here. Be sure also to visit the Number One Department Store, your best bet for bargains in this region.

Behind the Bund you will find another Shanghai, this one filled with low houses, winding alleys and mysterious looking courtyards. It’s worth exploring if you have the time.