Joanna James
Being one of the largest countries in the world, it is little surprise that China is a place with numerous attractions and activities for the curious traveller.
Constructed during the Ming dynasty, during the year 1598, the Jiaxiu tower commemorates ancient Chinese scholars. It has three stories and is located adjacent to the Nanming River, amidst numerous major hotel chains in China. As the sun sets, and the tower lights up, it makes for a breathtaking sight - a true symbol of the rich culture of the Chinese that houses calligraphy and paintings of an era gone by.
Qinyang is an ancient town in the province of Guizhou which is believed to have been built in 1378. It is of substantial size and is a great place to catch a glimpse of what life would have been like once upon a time. Within the city walls are remnants of monasteries, temples, shrines, pavilions, palaces, and courtyards. You might want to take an organized tour of the place if you are to truly appreciate the architecture and the slight differences between the buildings constructed during Qing dynasty and Ming dynasty. There are private tours organized by agents as well as tours for guests organized by hotel chains like Minor Hotels.
If you are fascinated with the experience at Qingyan, you must visit Xinjiang Mao, a modern village that is still inhabited by the local population. It is the largest Mao village to be found in all of China and has over a thousand houses within its boundaries. Keeping with the traditional layout of a village, the houses run in rows across the hilly landscape. The people of the village are accustomed to visitors. This means you will be able to have a chat with them, get to know them better, and even be invited to their houses and see the customs of a rural village in China.
Visiting a waterfall may not have been on your list of things to do in China, but it definitely should be. Huangguoshu Waterfall is the biggest waterfall not just in China, but in all of South East Asia. Make your way to the waterfall and you will be greeted with panoramic views of the valley below. Tucked between the folds of cascading water are forests, caves, and hidden valleys that will have the nature lover in you enthralled for days.
If you have been entranced by the caves found at Huangguoshu Waterfall, you must visit the Longgong cave. It is one of the more impressive works of nature found in China and makes for an ideal day trip. The cave has an astounding collection of stalagmites and stalactites which make for dramatic interior decoration. Make sure you carry a camera and a strong light with you as you go exploring. While the chances of you getting lost in the cave are almost impossible, you could easily trip and meet with an accident.
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