China Trip 2004

Beijing and Xian, July 21st – 30th

2004XIAN

BEIJING

China Trip 2004

Did you know?

The 3rd largest country on the planet

Bordered by 12 countries

Hosting the 2008 Olympic Games

55 recognised ethnic groups

Population of 1.2 billion – the largest in the world

Home of the Giant Panda and feng shui

Communist State since 1949

China Trip 2004

Beijing

Means “Northern Capital”Population: 12 million and rising

Tiananmen Square

The Forbidden CityThe Ming Tombs

The Temple of Heaven The Summer Palace

The Great Wall of China

China Trip 2004

Tiananmen Square• Largest Square in the WorldLargest Square in the World• Can hold up to 1 million peopleCan hold up to 1 million people• Mao announced Communist Mao announced Communist

Revolution from here in 1949Revolution from here in 1949• 1989 massacre of pro-democracy 1989 massacre of pro-democracy

students herestudents here

Ming Tombs • Built from 1409 by the Ming Built from 1409 by the Ming Emperor YongleEmperor Yongle

• Contains the tombs of 13 Ming Contains the tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty EmperorsDynasty Emperors

• Also contains tombs of 23 Also contains tombs of 23 Empresses, 8 concubines and 1 Empresses, 8 concubines and 1 Prince.Prince.

China Trip 2004

The Forbidden City

The Temple of Heaven

• Built by more than 200, 000 men Built by more than 200, 000 men in 1420 for the Emperor Yonglein 1420 for the Emperor Yongle

• Contains 800 buildings and Contains 800 buildings and thousands of chambersthousands of chambers

• For 500 years normal Chinese For 500 years normal Chinese Citizens forbidden from Citizens forbidden from

approaching its wallsapproaching its walls

• Emperors came here to pray for Emperors came here to pray for a good harvest in spring and a good harvest in spring and

rain in summerrain in summer• Centrepiece is the 38m high Centrepiece is the 38m high

Hall of Prayer for Good Hall of Prayer for Good HarvestsHarvests

China Trip 2004

The Summer Palace

The Great Wall of China

• The most magnificent of all The most magnificent of all China’s Royal GardensChina’s Royal Gardens

• Used by the Emperors as a Used by the Emperors as a retreat from the capital’s heat retreat from the capital’s heat for for 800 years800 years• The 700m long corridor gives The 700m long corridor gives

a superb view of the Kunming a superb view of the Kunming LakeLake

• One of China’s most One of China’s most magnificent sightsmagnificent sights• Built 2500 years agoBuilt 2500 years ago• Total length of 6500kmTotal length of 6500km

China Trip 2004

XIAN

Capital of the Shaanxi Province

One of the more pleasant and prosperous Chinese Cities

Wild Goose Pagoda and Huaqing Hot Springs

Between 1000BC and 1000AD the city was the Imperial Capital for 11 Chinese Dynasties

Terraccotta Army

Banpo Village

China Trip 2004

Terraccotta Army• Discovered in 1974 by Discovered in 1974 by

peasants sinking a peasants sinking a well near Xianwell near Xian• Dating back 2200 Dating back 2200 yearsyears• Built to guard the 1Built to guard the 1stst

Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang’s TombHuang’s Tomb

• More than 8000 More than 8000 soldiers and horses soldiers and horses excavated excavated so farso far• Each has an individual Each has an individual

facial expressionfacial expression

China Trip 2004

Wild Goose Pagoda and Huaqing Hot Springs

Banpo Village

• Gained its name from legend that Gained its name from legend that nearby temple was built to nearby temple was built to honour a sacred goose honour a sacred goose • Built in 652 AD, 7 storeys high Built in 652 AD, 7 storeys high

with 284 stepswith 284 steps• Hot Springs: favoured resort of Hot Springs: favoured resort of

the Emperorsthe Emperors

• Excavation site of a Neolithic Excavation site of a Neolithic VillageVillage

• Occupied between 4500 BC and Occupied between 4500 BC and 3750 BC3750 BC

• Remains of villagers’ huts and Remains of villagers’ huts and graves can be seengraves can be seen

China Trip 2004

Evening Leisure Activities

Chinese Acrobat ShowGymnastics, juggling, magic and animal tricks

Tang Dynasty ShowOriginated in the Tang Dynasty over 1000 years ago. Traditional music and dance

Peking OperaSinging, dialogue, mime, dancing and acrobatic fighting. Traditional Chinese costumes and stories

Pizza HutPeking Duck Banquet

China Trip 2004

HotelsCatic Plaza Hotel, Beijing Wan Nian Hotel, Xian

Plush eh !!!!!!

China Trip 2004

What To Bring

Yourselves (on time!) Suncream and sunglasses

Hat or cap (Blue) Insect repellent

Plug adaptor

Camera and spare film/batteries

Toilet roll

Comfortable shoesPlenty of shorts and T - shirts Umbrella/

waterproof

English money

Chinese Yuan/dollars travellers’ cheques

Suitcase and 1 piece of hand luggage

Smart clothes for the evenings Common sense !

Mobile phone