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How to Plan a Trip to China
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For those who have seen the soaring mountains in Yunnan and the open-air Muslim markets in Xinjiang, the cosmopolitan streets of Shanghai and the traditional hutong, or alleyways, in Beijing, it's not surprising that China is the world's favorite new travel destination. It's not, however, the mesmerizing landscapes, cultural diversity, or unique urban neighborhoods that have constantly propelled China into the news cycle and onto everyone's mind.To get more news about Shanghai travel advice, you can visit shine news official website.
In recent years, the Chinese economy -- the fastest growing in the world -- has captured the attention of businesses all over the globe. Mandarin has become the language to learn, and the government in Beijing has begun to throw its weight around on the international stage. Indeed, China's reach and potential for growth often seems limitless, a stunning turn of events considering that just 40 years ago the country's doors were effectively closed.
But fast development has come at a price for this ambitious country. Despite a prosperous economy, the per capita income remains approximately one tenth that of developed countries, and core technologies are still heavily reliant on imports. With surging economic growth benefiting some and leaving many in the dust, Chinese society has become defined by its staggering contrasts and growing inequality gap.
Economics and business aside, observers increasingly want to know more: What is daily life here actually like? Does everyone still ride bicycles? Do old women still have small feet as a result of old binding customs? Do Chinese people ever use forks? How do ordinary people reconcile the clashing forces of China's long, proud history and its frenetic drive to become the world's newest superpower?
While sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Soldiers astound, it's everyday China that represents the country at its best. Watch couples waltzing in the park in the shade of the world's most innovative and striking buildings, while young businessmen pedal to work in suits. Witness sprawling metropolises boom further and further skyward, a world away from picturesque countryside villages home to minority cultures. Now is the time to see China, while ancient traditions still permeate everyday life, and modern influences creep in through the old city streets.
Once a mere backwater fishing village, the destiny and fortunes of Shanghai changed forever when the British opened their first concession here in 1842, followed soon after by the French and Japanese. By the 1930s, Shanghai had achieved international status as Asia's foremost commercial center and became known as the colonial "Paris of the East." Shanghai today retains those charms in the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession and iconic banking houses along the Bund; at the same time, the urban bustle and multitudes of skyscrapers are a testament to Shanghai's aspirations to be a major international metropolis. Now the worldly financial capital of China, Shanghai is a great place to check out the old, the new and the foreign.
Upon arriving in Shanghai and entering the arrival hall, you will be met by your WildChina Shanghai guide and private chauffeur, who will escort you to your hotel for check-in and freshening up.
Stroll through the Art Deco and Neoclassical office buildings and soak up the glamorous European style of old Shanghai. You can take a look inside some of these glamorous buildings, including the famous HSBC building with frescos on the ceiling, Astorhouse, home of Shanghai's first stock exchange, and the Peace hotel, with a springy floor you can actually bounce on.
Characterized by feats of strength and daring routines, the "ERA" Chinese acrobatics performance will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. "ERA: The Intersection of Space and Time" is a spellbinding performance that fuses Chinese acrobatic arts with modern technology. Just like Shanghai, ERA evolves through a constant collision between the past and future. The daring routines will have you contorting your own body in suspense at the thrilling energy of the show. Several acts, including "play dooly," "silk stripes," and "pyramid of chairs," are Gold Lion Award winners at the China National Acrobatic Competitions.
Located directly on the Bund, this five-star hotel is decorated in the 1930s old Shanghai style to honor it's past. The original hotel, originally closed down by the government, has made a glamorous return. With beautiful new accommodations and world-class service, this hotel is a complete package. The hotel offers good Western and Eastern style dining options, as well as luxurious comfortable rooms.