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Some of China's most spectacular scenery lies in this vast and varied
region. While
most itineraries include one or more of the best-known cities -Guilin,
Kunming,
Chongqing-, a tour of Southwest China merits a trip on its own.
CHENGDU:
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province, which lies 948 miles
southwest of Beijing.
Chengdu is an important economic, commercial and cultural center of
China's southwest
region. Visitors can easily bicycle across this enchanting, tree-lined
city and visit the
River View pavilion, the Sichuan Provincial Museum, and numerous shops
selling Chendu's
justly famous silk embroidery, bamboo goods, lacquerware and many other
products native to
this region. Of course, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy authentic
Sichuan cuisine.
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DU
FU'S THATCHED COTTAGE - The famous Tang Dynasty poet Du
Fu lived here
from 712 to 720 AD. During the Song Dynasty -960-1279-, a shrine was
built here to his
memory.
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BAOGUANGSI
- Divine Light Monastery - This ancient, but still active monastery was
founded during the
Tang Dynasty -618-907 AD-. Prominent in this complex is Lohan Hall, with
500 Buddhist
statues dating from the 17th century.
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DUJIANGYAN WATER CONSERVANCY PROJECT
- This ancient but still functioning irrigation system can be traced as
far back as 256
BC. Today it irrigates 1.8 million acres of land. Visitors get a
first-hand view of the
ingenious engineering that still drives the system.
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DAZU:
Situated 127 miles northwest of Chongqing, Dazu is viewed as the most
colorful and best
preserved of China's great Buddhist grottoes. Isolated and virtually
undiscovered for
centuries, Dazu dazzled the eye and mind with more than 50,000
larger-than-life statues.
Each carving depicts a legend or scene from ancient life. Among the most
famous carvings
are the Thousand-Arm Goddess of Mercy, the Sleeping Buddha and the
magnificent Wheel of
the Universe.
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MT.
EMEI:
Mt. Emei, also called Emeishan, is 139 miles south of Chengdu. One of
China's four Holy
Buddhist Mountains, Mt Emei is famous the world over for its deep
forests, dancing
waterfalls, and snow-capped Golden Summit, reaching more than 10,000
feet into the sky.
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LESHAN:
Best known for its Grand Buddha, Leshan is 105 miles southwest of
Chengdu, near Mt Emei.
Carved in 713 AD into the hillside of an islet between three converging
rivers, the
world's largest Buddha -called Dafo- rises a full 229 feet above the
waters that swirl
feverishly at his feet.
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NANNING:
This is the capital of Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is 233 miles
southwest of
Guilin. The city affords a fascinating opportunity to meet the Zhuang
people, members of
China's largest minority nationality. The Nanning Arts Institute
displays some of China's
most exotic folk crafts. As China's southernmost gateway to Vietnam,
Nanning serves as a
convenient stepping-stone for a visit to the country on the other side
of the border as
well as to other points in Southeast Asia.
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KUNMING:
Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province. It is 403 miles southwest of
Chongqing.
Accessible by air from Bangkok, Singapore and Vietnam, as well as from
many Chinese
cities. Kunming, the -City of Eternal Spring-, draws visitors to its
bamboo-covered
mountains and crystal-blue Lake Dianchi. Now the city has built a
National Tourist Resort
at Dianchi with colorful minority villages, and the world-renowned Stone
Forest at nearby
Lushan. Fantastic limestone formations, dating back 200 million years,
create a fairyland
-forest- that is not to be missed. Tourists may visit the Yunnan
Nationality Institute to
see representatives of each of the 25 ethnic minorities inhabiting the
province. The newly
established Kunming Folklore Village shows how the ethnics live, work
and enjoy their
recreative activities. The Provincial Museum boasts a good collection of
bronzes unique to
this area.
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DALI:
The -Pearl of the Yun-Gui Plateau-. It lies 267 miles west of Kunming.
Historically and
scenically, Dali occupies an intriguing place just off the famous Burma
Road, with Lake
Erhai touching its western edge and the Cagnshan Mountains providing a
spectacular
backdrop. Dali was already a thriving center of trade in 2nd century BC,
and today is home
to the Bai nationality.
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XISHUANGBANNA:
At the far southwestern corner of Yunnan Province, 211 miles southwest
of Kunming, lies
one of China's most exotic and unspoiled regions, Xishuangbanna. Here is
found a dense
tropical paradise, with elephants, golden-hair monkeys, leopards,
peacocks and wild boar
inhabiting its mountains and jungles. Every April, the local Dai people
celebrate with
their joyous Water-Splashing Festival. Come join the happy chaos - but
bring your
umbrella.
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