Discover China

Northern China has been experiencing unusually heavy snowfalls for November. See the grandeur of the Forbidden City in snow.

Today China marked 60 years since the founding of New China in which it has become the world’s third largest economy – congratulations China!

A military parade was followed by a civilian procession that featured six massive performing groups and 36 formations, comprising 100,000 people. In addition, 60 floats represented everything from China’s geographic areas to the Beijing Olympics. As the parade passed Tian’anmen Square, 80,000 school children created a sea of color, forming an intricate, often changing backdrop. After the parade was an evening gala featuring 60,000 people dancing and performing in Tian’anmen Square. To find out more see the China Daily special feature.

Our August 2009 trip to Henan, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces was fantastic – amazing ancient villages, stunning mountain scenery, beautiful lakes, excellent shopping and dining, and of course the friendly Chinese people.

Our trip began in Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan province. There we visited the nearby Shaolin Temple and the Yellow River Scenic Area. After that we travelled to Anhui province to visit capital city Hefei, the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun, beautiful Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and the Yangze River city of Wuhu. We also briefly visited Qiandao lake and Hangzhou city in Zhejiang province, and finished the trip with a return visit to Xiangcheng Henan.

For the story of the trip see My China Trips – Henan, Anhui, Zhejiang 2009 and photos see the Galleries.

In less than a week I will be back in China again. I can’t wait—the last few days before the flight seem like an eternity! We will again visit Shenzhen briefly, then fly to Zhengzhou, capital of Henan. There we plan to visit the nearby Shaolin Temple, and also Yuntai Mountain. After that we travel to Anhui province to visit capital Hefei, the Yangze River city of Wuhu, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and nearby historic villages. We will finish the trip with visit to Xiangcheng Henan. Look for the story and photos here.

I’ve just finished reading the second issue of the new international edition of Chinese National Geography magazine from cover to cover—a fascinating read complemented by stunning photography!

The theme for this second issue is ‘Extreme China’. It showcases the incredible range of climatic zones and geographic features in the world’s third-largest country, such as the world’s deepest (and longest) canyon, the largest loess landscape, and the most sediment-laden river on earth.

Launched in May this year (2009), the Chinese National Geography International (CNGi) English Edition has the mission of bridging the gap between China and the world, helping non-Chinese to unveil the mystery that is the Middle Kingdom and overseas Chinese reconnect with their roots in China. Chinese National Geography is China’s leading magazine on geography and culture since 1949.

The English edition is CNGi’s first step towards internationalisation, with the magazine soon to be published in other major foreign languages. I stumbled across the second issue of CNGi in my local newsagency in western Sydney, Australia. Sadly I missed issue one, the launch issue, but look forward to receiving it with my subscription. The launch issue has the theme “Where China Began”, and includes the feature “Henan: Heartland of the Middle Kingdom”. I had the pleasure of visiting Henan in 2008 as a guest of close Chinese friends. We celebrated Lunar New Year in their home town of Xiangcheng and visited historic sites in Kaifeng and Luoyang, including the incredible Longmen Grottoes which are featured in the CNGi launch issue. Xiangcheng is the friendliest town I have ever visited, and experiencing Lunar New Year in regional China is one of the best experiences of my life.

In 2007 I started my exploration of China with a visit to Shenzhen, described as the “window of China’s opening up policy”. To read about my trips see My China Trips and find photos from the trips in the Galleries.