What would Shanghai be without the Bund? It might be like a body without a backbone. The view from the top of the buildings along the banks of the River Huangpu is, in my eyes, a symbol of contemporary China. From the architecture to the way different cultures co-exist, it's like an open book on the city's history.
The Great Wall is so long (as its name suggests, with a total length of 20,000 kilometers!) that it is hard to know where you should visit it. In this case, there is nothing better than listening to the recommendations of the locals. They know their heritage better than anyone. It goes without saying that this incredible monument remains a source of great national pride!
If you love authentic experiences, you'll be bowled over by the ancient, narrow streets of Beijing known as hutongs. You'll be fascinated by their walls, which are often in a terrible state, yet which still retain their history. You'll love losing yourself as you wander around, discovering how the Chinese capital developed over time since the hutongs were detached from the rest of the city.
Sichuan's nickname, "four rivers," is well-suited for this province that I find poetic and inspiring. Its landscapes and heritage have what's needed to engage travellers.
The taxi dropped me off in the historic Xuanwu district, in South Beijing, and my eyes were caught by the majestic temple that stands very elegantly in the distance. Built in 1406, with architectural gracefulness as impressive as its arrangement, it's the Temple of Heaven.
Twilight is the perfect moment to admire the waterside village of Zhujiajiao. You could easily imagine that you're in Venice. The barges drift and bob up and down on the waves. I wander from bridge to bridge, enjoying as I ponder each detail. We are just 40 kilometers south west of Shanghai, and yet there is a real sense of getting away from it all.
The temples live in harmony with the prairies in the town of Xhiahe, at an altitude of 2,960 meters. During my first visit, I was surprised by how many pilgrims there were from the neighboring villages, both Han Chinese! For their part, travellers come to discover the surrounding nature or to attend the Labrang Festival to mark the Tibetan New Year.
The Gobi Desert extends between northern China and southern Mongolia. This vast region is covered mainly in stones and forms one of the largest deserts in the world. It was also one of the places passed through by the Silk Road.
Southeast of the oasis of Dunhuang, in Gansu province, you'll find the Mogao Caves. Created in 366 AD, they welcome visitors in the hollows of their cliffs. These beautiful gems of Buddhist art have been lying there since the 5th century.
