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Tiananmen Square Most people visit Tiananmen Square on their way to the Forbidden City, both can be done together in a morning or afternoon. Chinese citizens from around the country descend on Tiananmen to take their photos in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao. When there is a breeze you can buy a kite and fly it on the square.
Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world. It is a tourist site everyone tends to visit on their trip to Beijing. A vast desert of paving stones, the square can hold over one million people. It lies on the historical central axis going through the Forbidden City. Expect to go through airport level security when going onto the square, with metal detectors and x-ray machines. There is also a high level of police presence. Nonetheless people are very friendly and its on most Beijing itineraries.
GREAT WALL                 

The Great Wall is a must see on a trip to China. Our trips to the Great Wall have no hidden shopping stops so we maximize your time on the wall. There are several sections to visit, but we recommend the Mutianyu section if you are taking a day trip, as this will take about half your day. If you want to do a serious hiking trip, then Jinshanling to Simatai or Gubeikou is recommended. The Great Wall was key to protecting agriculture and resisting cavalry of the Huns and other warrior tribes from the north. The advantages of the enormous barrier diminished with the advancement of gunpowder and other weaponry.

The wall was originally built of stone, wood, grass and earth. In the Ming Dynasty bricks were produced in kilns set up along the wall. The bricks were transported by men carrying them on their backs, donkeys, mules and even goats had a brick tied to their head before being driven up a mountain.

The Great Wall of China was built over more than two thousand years. Construction on the first section began between the 7th and 6th century BC, and the last work on the wall was done between the 14th and 17th centuries.



  SHANGHAI

Shanghai is the largest city in China, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with over 20 million people. Shanghai is a modern city with a past linked to foreign occupation through World War II. The row of historic bank buildings on the Bund shows the architecture brought by foreigners when Shanghai was the banking capital of Asia. Now modern development in Pudong has changed the face of the city into a modern metropolis. Shanghai maintains some of its 1930's feel to it. Chinese people in Shanghai are more liberal and modern, being farther from Beijing. Foreigners living in Shanghai are there for business reasons, and thus Shanghai has more of a "New York" feel to it.

Shanghai experiences four distinct seasons, but temperature differences between the hottest part of summer and the depths of winter are extreme. In summer, temperatures can reach in the 90°F (mid-30°C) and the hottest months are July and August, with about 80% humidity. Most of Shanghai's rainfall occurs during this period. In winter, temperatures can drop below zero and conditions tend to be grey and dull, though no snowfall occurs. Springtime (March to June) is perhaps the best time to travel to Shanghai, with more moderate conditions than summer, although weather can be variable at this time of year. Autumn (September to November) also tends to be moderate, with sunny, dry weather, though the odd typhoon can occur between September and October. 
YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Cruising on the china river journeys made by many travelers. When added to a long China itinerary it is like a vacation in your trip. You get to nest in a nice room in a comfortable ship, walk to all your meals and watch the scenery go by as your ship cruises along. Our advice would be to choose the best ship you can afford, because much of the enjoyment comes just from being on a nice ship. As you travel along you will be shuttled ashore on various excisions, most of which are included in the price of your tour. Meals aside from the first night are also included.

Most rooms will include a small refrigerator. Its also nice to bring your own fruit to enjoy. but don't worry, if you don't there is plenty to eat and drinks to buy on board. You normally receive one bottle of drinking water per person per day. You can also buy drinks onshore when you make your excursions, there are vendors in most places.

  GIANT PANDAS AND CHENGDU

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (hereafter Chengdu Panda Base) is a non-profit organization engaged in wildlife research, captive breeding, conservation education, and educational tourism.

The Chengdu Panda Base was founded in 1987, with six giant pandas rescued from the wild. Today (2008) our captive population has increased to 83 individuals from that founding population of only six. Genetic diversity in the population is sustained by the exchange of preserved genetic material with other facilities. We are very proud that we have not taken any giant pandas from the wild for 20 years. This demonstrates our unique and uncompromising commitment to the conservation of the wild ( in situ ) population and the healthy growth of the captive ( ex situ ) population.

Due to our research and commitment to animal health and welfare, 124 giant panda cubs have been born to our Base in 85 litters, 88 survived and now we have 83. To assist other institutions holding giant pandas we provide technical support and send our experts to assist with care, rearing, and breeding. So that all giant panda researchers can share their knowledge, we host the Giant Panda Annual Technical Meeting, inviting researchers from all over the world to share information to improve captive management for the conservation of giant pandas.

The Chengdu Panda Base covers an area of 106 hectares and will be enlarged to 200 hectares during the third phase of our expansion. Red pandas, golden monkeys and other wild and/or endangered species live and breed here.

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"TO TRAVEL IS TO DISCOVER THAT EVERYONE IS WRONG ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES."
- ALDOUS HUXLEY-