For this post we head to China- the world's largest country and we're talking World Heritage Sites! But not the obvious ones such as the Forbidden Palace and the Terracotta Warriors. Here we cover a few of the more unusual and rare Chinese World Heritage Sites, been to them all recently to get a good detailed look at the more "off the beaten track" parts of China!
1. The Fujian Tulou Buildings in Fujian Province, CHINA - These are scattered all over the central Fujian region and are amazing old style buildings, once used to house entire clans and large families. Keeping the enemy at bay, these houses are round, square and very insular and self sufficient. I toured around lots of them and have written extensively about them - a real world heritage gem in Fujian if truth be told. Worth seeing! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Yongding in Fujian Province. Once you're there you will realise that there are many bus tours out to these buildings and numerous drivers offering them. If you're a foreign tourist, they will probably come to you. However be aware of rip offs and drivers cutting special buildings off your trip.
2. Danxiashan Mountains, Guangdong Province, CHINA: Hidden shyly in the north of Guangdong Province, this range of mountains, hills and odd rock formations lets your mind wander into a real unknown part of China, at least for the non-Chinese amongst us. It's not a guided tour or anything like the buildings in Fujian, this is very much a Do It Yourself style hiking and climbing opportunity. The views at sunset are amazing, as is the tough ascent for sunrise the following morning.
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Shaoguan and find the main bus station (which is also next to Shaoguan train station (the older one). From there get a bus out to a mountain resort by the name of Jin Jiang village, also known as Yao Tang village. From there get an entrance pass and walk through the various hikes and climbs at your own pace. BUT don't miss sunset and sunrise. It's amazing. Oh and Penis rock: The Climb to Penis Rock!
3. Kaiping Dialou, Guangdong Province, CHINA: It's amazing that in a country so vast as China, that a scattered array of almost 2,000 impressive tower style buildings almost goes un-noticed! Well it's easy to get lost in China, luckily these buildings have outlasted their builders and as recently as 2007 they were declared a World Heritage Site, and deservedly so! This was actually my MOST recent venture into China, just a couple of weeks ago, so you'll hear a lot more about it. []
Easy Guide - Arrive firstly into the city of Kaiping and stay in one of the hotels in the city centre - try the Milan Hotel as they organise trips out to the Dialou. There should be some leaflets and brochures on the Dialou. You can also hire a local driver to take you out there!
So there you have it - 3 fascinating World Heritage Sites to see in China! Love the travel lifestyle!
1. The Fujian Tulou Buildings in Fujian Province, CHINA - These are scattered all over the central Fujian region and are amazing old style buildings, once used to house entire clans and large families. Keeping the enemy at bay, these houses are round, square and very insular and self sufficient. I toured around lots of them and have written extensively about them - a real world heritage gem in Fujian if truth be told. Worth seeing! []
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Yongding in Fujian Province. Once you're there you will realise that there are many bus tours out to these buildings and numerous drivers offering them. If you're a foreign tourist, they will probably come to you. However be aware of rip offs and drivers cutting special buildings off your trip.
2. Danxiashan Mountains, Guangdong Province, CHINA: Hidden shyly in the north of Guangdong Province, this range of mountains, hills and odd rock formations lets your mind wander into a real unknown part of China, at least for the non-Chinese amongst us. It's not a guided tour or anything like the buildings in Fujian, this is very much a Do It Yourself style hiking and climbing opportunity. The views at sunset are amazing, as is the tough ascent for sunrise the following morning.
Quick Guide - Get to the city of Shaoguan and find the main bus station (which is also next to Shaoguan train station (the older one). From there get a bus out to a mountain resort by the name of Jin Jiang village, also known as Yao Tang village. From there get an entrance pass and walk through the various hikes and climbs at your own pace. BUT don't miss sunset and sunrise. It's amazing. Oh and Penis rock: The Climb to Penis Rock!
3. Kaiping Dialou, Guangdong Province, CHINA: It's amazing that in a country so vast as China, that a scattered array of almost 2,000 impressive tower style buildings almost goes un-noticed! Well it's easy to get lost in China, luckily these buildings have outlasted their builders and as recently as 2007 they were declared a World Heritage Site, and deservedly so! This was actually my MOST recent venture into China, just a couple of weeks ago, so you'll hear a lot more about it. []
Easy Guide - Arrive firstly into the city of Kaiping and stay in one of the hotels in the city centre - try the Milan Hotel as they organise trips out to the Dialou. There should be some leaflets and brochures on the Dialou. You can also hire a local driver to take you out there!
So there you have it - 3 fascinating World Heritage Sites to see in China! Love the travel lifestyle!
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