The taxi dropped me off in the historic Xuanwu district, <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">in South Beijing</a>, 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. ﻿

The Temple of Heaven: a wonderful open-air paradise

It's not easy to be a responsible tourist in China! The environment here suffers like nowhere else; historic buildings are destroyed to make way for pale, concrete imitations; and the Chinese love the kind of guided tours that involve large groups of tourists being dragged from one point to another by a guide yelling into a microphone. Oh dear! Adopt a sensible approach, and make yourselves ambassadors for a different kind of tourism!

Yunnan, for sustainable travel in China

Welcome to the biggest and highest plateau in the world. At an average height of 4,200 meters, it is so high that you have trouble breathing. On it you will find the highest mountains in the world, including Everest and Lhotse , which is 8,516 meters high. It's not surprising that very few people live here, but the countryside is magnificent. ﻿

The Tibetan plateau: a harsh life with mountains!

Witness to a long vanished working class architecture, the hutongs are an area of narrow passages and intertwined alleys that remind you what towns used to be like in <a data-destination-id="85" data-internal-link="destination">China</a>.

Beijing's hutongs: fragile pearls of Chinese tradition

Lijiang

Shanghai

Lhasa

Chengde

This small, historical village, located 170 km from Xiamen and lying halfway between Nanjing and Yongding, contains a number of architectural treasures.

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Formerly known as 'Amoy', Xiamen comprises of the island that takes it name, the little island of Gulangyu and the northern banks of the Jiulongjiang River. It has lots of pluses...a pleasant climate, an interesting cultural heritage, parks and hills, lively streets and a remarkable standard of living. Indeed, Xiamen is considered to be one of the cleanest cities in China - a great place to live, study and take a vacation. If you're passing through Xiamen, make sure you take a trip to Gulangyu Island - it's touristy but you'll soon understand why it's one of the most popular places in the region! Breathtaking scenery, calm (traffic is forbidden!), beautiful, pastel-colored houses and the only sound is of waves gently breaking on the shore. In short, it's the perfect break !

Situated on China's southeast coast, in Fujian Province and facing Taiwan, Xiamen is a an attractive town loved by Chinese and foreign visitors alike.

The <a href="/china/">south Fujian</a> region is famous for its Hakka communal architecture and, more particularly, for the fortress-like houses referred to as Tulous. Constructed between the 12th and 20th centuries, tulous are large, enclosed and fortified buildings, rectangular or circular in shape, with thick, rammed-earth walls. These three to five-storey communal dwellings could house up to 80 families. They are generally comprised of a courtyard, living areas, a water well and a kitchen, and resemble little fortified villages. Take a look at the circular tulou, Huaiyuan Lou, located in Meilin. The village of Heguilou, close by, contains the largest, square-shaped Hakka house in China; the building dates from the Qing dynasty.

This small, historical village, located 170 km from Xiamen and lying halfway between Nanjing and Yongding, contains a number of architectural treasures.

Xiamen Vacations

Xiamen: What to see in the surroundings?

China: our articles for your vacation