China per Zug & Flug – Von Kaiserstädten zu spektakulären Naturwundern

About the destination: Situated in northern China, Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, the most populous country in the world. With a population of over 21million people, it is the nation's second-largest city after Shanghai. Beijing is a modern city of impressive new urban and commercial developments that looks towards the future but it is intrinsically linked to its imperial past. Beijing is renowned for its lavish palaces, ancient temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and important government and cultural institutions have long made the city a center of culture and art in China. The heart of the city and most important landmark is Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. The Tiananmen Gate separates the square from the Forbidden Palace, one of the city’s must-sees. The Forbidden Palace was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today it is known as the Palace museum and is one of the wonders of ancient China. Other Beijing’s main attractions are The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the ancient alleyway neighborhoods, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture, called Hutongs. Beijing is a good base to visit some of China’s major landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs. Some great world famous cultural and heritage sites, a thriving nightlife, great sporting facilities given as a legacy from the 2008 Olympic Games, great food such as Peking Duck, and good entertainment options like the Beijing Opera, make Beijing a fascinating city offering a lot to visitors.

About the destination: Xi’an, once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and ancient capital of 13 dynasties, is one of China’s most historically rich cities. At its heart stands the remarkably preserved City Wall, encircling the old town in a 14-kilometer rectangle. Rent a bicycle and ride along the top for sweeping views of tiled rooftops, bustling markets, and modern high-rises rising beyond the ramparts—a vivid reminder of how the city bridges past and present. No visit to Xi’an is complete without seeing the Terracotta Army, located about an hour outside the city. Discovered by farmers in 1974, thousands of life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots stand in vast pits guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Each soldier has unique facial features and expressions, and the sheer scale of the complex makes it one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. Within the old city, the Muslim Quarter buzzes with life, food, and color. Stroll its narrow lanes to sample cumin-scented lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, and Xi’an’s signature “roujiamo” (often described as a Chinese-style burger). Don’t miss the Great Mosque of Xi’an, an elegant blend of traditional Chinese architecture and Islamic design, tucked away amid lively street stalls selling spices, dried fruits, and souvenirs. For a quieter perspective, head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its surrounding park, especially beautiful in the evening when the fountains and pagoda are illuminated. The nearby Shaanxi History Museum provides essential context to what you see around the city, with exquisite bronzes, pottery, and murals from Xi’an’s long imperial past. Whether you’re here for ancient wonders, street food, or cultural exploration, Xi’an offers a compact yet endlessly fascinating introduction to China’s history.

About the destination: Zhangjiajie is located in central China, northwest Hunan Province, over 1,000 kilometers from both Shanghai and Beijing. Zhangjiajie is famous for its precarious peaks, limpid streams, dense forests, and large karst caves. Zhangjiajie was thrust into foreigner travelers' eyes after the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 1982, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park became China's first national forest park.

About the destination: Guilin is a city in North Guangxi and one of the best-known tourist destinations in China. Located on the west bank of the beautiful Li River, Guilin is a scenic town and a modern, organized, and very tourist oriented city. The city is encircled by green hills, rocky cliffs, clear waters, mysterious caves and rocks of various shapes. The city of Guilin has enjoyed the reputation of having the country's most beautiful scenery for hundreds of years. The Li River winds through the rising and falling hills and peaks like a colored silk ribbon. A cruise on the river is the perfect way to enjoy and explore the unique scenery around Guilin, which is considered to be a fine art gallery as natural scenic wonders unfold on both banks of the river. Guilin's unique scenery is considered by many as “the finest under heaven". In the city, make sure to visit the Central Square, the Jingjiang Prince City and the Moon and Sun Pagoda. Guilin is a fairly clean and modern Chinese city, with many pleasant diversions and spectacular and unique scenery.

About the destination: Yangshuo County (simplified Chinese: 阳朔县; traditional Chinese: 陽朔縣; pinyin: Yángshuò Xiàn) is a county under the jurisdiction of Guilin City, in the northeast of Guangxi Province, China. Its seat is located in Yangshuo Town. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River it is easily accessible by bus or by boat from nearby Guilin. In the 1980s, the town became popular with foreign backpackers, and by the late 1990s packaged tourists began arriving in greater numbers. At that time, domestic tourism represented only a small fraction of the tourists but by 2005 domestic tourists outnumbered foreign tourists by a great margin. Today, the town has become a resort destination for both domestic and foreign travelers. The history of West Street dates back to over 1400 years ago. At that time, there were only a few grocery stores in the street. Now, the street has become popular with locals and foreigners alike. There are signs written in both Chinese and English. Due to the relatively high number of foreign visitors to the area many locals in Yangshuo can speak some English, which is uncommon for a Chinese town of its size.

About the destination: Shanghai is modern city located just south of the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River and split in two by the Huangpu River. It is one of China's largest metropolis and it is considered the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated and progressive city in mainland China. Shanghai is a good place to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the future of China. A whole new city of skyscrapers has been built in its Pudong district, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become one of the city’s landmarks and is one of the tallest structures in Asia and the Shanghai World Financial Center, the third largest building in Asia and the world. At the west side of the Yangzi River is Puxi area, the older central part of the city. Puxi has very rich history and is here where you will encounter many of the city’s old buildings and attractions, such as the French Concession, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, the Jiu Qu Bridge, the Huxin Pavilion and the Temple. Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan hub of finance and culture. Shanghai has a special oriental charm and a fresh western style that appeal to everyone. And it is also a good base to explore the more rural and classical sights of nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.