Search results for China

Yabuli International Ski Resort, the Biggest Ski Resort in China

By inPopular Spots

Yaburi international ski resort is the largest and best ski resort in China, located 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Harbin and 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of mudanjiang in shangzhi city, heilongjiang province. In the qing dynasty (1644-1911), it was a hunting ground for feudal lords.

Yabuli international ski resort is a good place for alpine skiing. Local skiers like high altitudes, and the snow is neither too hard nor too powdery. The lowest temperature is -47.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the high altitude, snow will continue to fall for about 170 days. November to late march is the best time to ski at yabuli.

Yabuli consists of two distinct areas: the competition area and the recreational ski area. The alpine skiing section is 1,374 meters above sea level. 4508 feet). Built to international standards, it provides a good environment for professional skiers. In the recreational skiing area, the highest elevation is only about 1000 meters. The area provides a relatively safe environment for recreational skiing. There is also a german-built slide that allows visitors to slide down from the top of a snowy mountain. Skiing on the slide is easy and safe, providing a thrilling experience.

Yabuli international ski resort is the largest alpine skiing training center in yabuli and the host of many professional skiing competitions. In 1996, the third winter Asian games was held here, along with many national winter games and other national and provincial competitions.

In addition to skiing, visitors can also take advantage of other recreational facilities at yabuli international ski resort, such as mini golf course, tennis court, grass court, hot air balloon, glider and so on. Combine activities, beautiful forests and comfortable facilities to provide visitors with a relaxing and fun holiday. Ski resorts are ideal for skiers in winter; In summer, visitors can escape the heat and enjoy interesting outdoor activities. The resort is pleasant all year round.

St. Sophia Cathedral, the Largest Eastern Orthodox Church in China

By inPopular Spots

St. Sophia Cathedral in Harbin is the largest orthodox church in the far east. It stands 53.3 meters (175 feet) tall and covers 721 square meters (0.18 acres). In November 1996, it was listed as a state key cultural relic protection unit. Six months later, the city government restored it and renamed it Harbin art museum. It is a respected landmark for the harpin people and the tourism industry.

St. Sophia Cathedral has a complicated history. Shortly after the boxer rebellion (1899-1901), the russians built the timber church in March 1907. Then, four years later, the russians rebuilt it with masonry and wood. On September 23, 1923, Russia began its second reconstruction and laid the foundation stone. On November 25, 1932, the masterpiece, which took nine years to complete, was hailed as an immortal work of art.

The Byzantine church is so beautiful that it is said to look like the hands of god. In fact, St. Sophia Cathedral means “the wisdom of god.” The church has the footprint of a Latin cross, which has retained its original shape during reconstruction. St. Sophia Cathedral has four floors, with a door on each side.

Until the 1960s, the Byzantine St. Sophia Cathedral had seven bells of various sizes and colors hanging from the bell tower at the entrance. During religious festivals, well-trained bell ringers would play musical marches and ring the bells with ropes tied to their hands and feet. The bell rang through the sky.

By the 1990s, St. Sophia Cathedral had experienced considerable decline. The St. Sophia Cathedral is no longer in use and is surrounded by residential apartments and office buildings. The magnificent Russian frescoes that adorn the vaulted walls of St. Sophia Cathedral have been destroyed beyond recognition. In 1997, local governments began to address decades of deterioration. But as the original Russian murals disappeared completely, they were replaced by new murals depicting the architectural history of the Harbin community. Crosses that had been removed in six places were replaced. Now, murals, chandeliers, domes and clock towers have been restored to their original glory.

China Panda, Giant Panda, Cute Panda, Panda Facts

By inOthers

Panda belongs to the family of bears. Pandas live in the bamboo forest of China, but loss of natural habitat and poaching pushed pandas to the brink of extinction. These beautiful animals are critically endangered with just 1000 pandas left in the wild.

Any animative movements of the giant panda will draw wide attention and generate happiness. They are cute and cuddly with cool eye patches and dopey gestures. There are many reasons why people love them and the most important one is that they are rare and endangered.

Endangered Panda

Giant pandas have become an endangered species in the world and many people wonder why. These creatures seem so benign, innocuous, and harmless that a great deal of curiosity arises as to how and why their numbers diminish. As is the case with scores upon scores of endangered and extinct animals, certain unexpected changes contributed to a decline in population.

Pandas, as is the case with other animals, must live in a very specific environment in order to survive. These creatures, which are cousins to the raccoon and not bears as commonly thought, must live in a forested area. The forest offers them the right climate and food source in which to survive. The intrusion of humans into their environment has had a devastating effect. Namely, humans have cut down the forests in which these creatures live. Specifically, the bamboo plants the panda relies upon for food are cut down.

During the early years of human intrusion, pandas could move to another section of the forest where a food supply exists. Over time, as more and more forests are cut down, there is far less food for the remaining population of pandas. The result here is that the pandas end up starving to death.

Many pandas were also slaughtered over the years by hunters who once killed them just for sport. However, such a practice is no longer commonplace today.

Habitat

Throughout history, most regions of China were home to giant pandas, including Zhoukoudian in Beijing, the site of the prehistoric Peking Man; Guangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan provinces; and nearby regions in Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

In China, most giant pandas live in the mountains of Qinling, Minshan, Qionglai, Daxiangling and Xiaoxiangling. Their habitation area covers about 2.3 million hectares. Among them, 80 percent live in Sichuan province. The rest reside in Shaanxi and Gansu province.

Generally speaking, wild pandas live on mountains at an altitude above 2,500 meters.

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan. It is the world’s most famous agency for giant panda migration research and protection. It is also the world’s best place to watch giant pandas.

Food

More than 20 kinds of alpine bamboo (especially young fleshy stems and buds, bamboo shoots). An adult panda eats about 40kg (88 pounds) fresh bamboo shoot a day, 14kg (about 31 pounds) bamboo stalks, or 20kg (about 44 pounds) bamboo leaves. It has a greater appetite in summer than winter. In the wild, they may eat other plants and occasionally dead or small animals. Their ancestors were true carnivores. About one million years ago, they began to eat bamboo.

Breeders usually provide giant pandas with corn bread and fruit for nutrition supplementation. Pandas favor kiwifruit, aquatic plants, weeds, shrubs and trees.

Growing Process

A giant panda’s pregnancy lasts from 83 to 200 days. The body of a newborn giant panda is pink and spans 10 centimeters, which makes its tail seem particularly long. An average newborn giant panda weighs between 51 grams and 225 grams, less than one-thousandth of its mother’s weight.

Four to five days after its birth, a giant panda’s ears and eye sockets begin to gradually grow darker. After 30 to 38 days, it begins to have the characteristic appearance of other giant pandas. A mother panda has four nipples for babies to drink nutrient-rich milk. Panda breast milk also contains various substances that help newborns resist disease.

Baby pandas begin to walk at around 90 to 120 days old. Wild juvenile giant pandas leave their mother and live independently when they are 1.5 to 2 years old.

A wild juvenile giant panda usually leaves its mother and lives independently at 1.5 to 2 years old. A human-fed giant panda is weaned about five months to 1.5 years after birth, or sometimes at the age of two. A female giant panda sexually matures when it is about 5 years old, a male matures at around 7 years old.

5 Great Lakes in China, Taihu Lake, Poyang Lake, West Lake, Chaohu Lake, Dongting Lake

By inPopular Spots

China is a multi-lake country, with lakes all over the country, forming part of the country’s beautiful scenery.

Taihu Lake

Located on the south of Yangtze Delta plain, Taihu Lake is also on the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. It is be renowned at home and abroad for the pretty landscape of lakes and mountains as well as magnificent human landscape. Therefore, a large number of tourists are attracted by its fame like swarm.

Tai Lake is fed by Shao Creek and Jing Creek, and then divided into more than 70 rivers flowing into Yangtze River, among which Huangpu River in Shanghai is the main watercourse for draining.The whole water system of Tai Lake includes more than 180 big or small lakes and forms a spider-web through all watercourses. The main stream of Tai Lake water system is Jiangnan Canal which is a part of the famous canal, Jinghang Grand Canal.

For thousands of years, Taihu Lake remains a lot of deserved highlights for traveling. In Suzhou, there are the classical gardens, Yonghui Temple, Tongyi Garden, Xuanyang Cave, Biyun Cave, Yuwang Temple, Baima Temple, Luohan Temple, Suzhou Taihu Lake Wetland Park and Taihu Lake National Resort.

Poyang Lake

Located in the north of Jiangxi Province, at the southern bank of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, Poyang Lake is regarded the largest fresh water lake in China. It is an overflow lake with a characteristic of taking in and sending out water in the light of seasonal variations. Poyang Lake shows a unique picture that it is a lake when inflowing water is adequate

Poyang Lake is abundant in biological resources. There are more than 90 kinds of fishes. 10 kinds of fishes are of greater industrial value,such as carp, crucian carp, chub, bighead carp, herring, grass carp, Elopichthys bambusa and white fish. Besides,there are 102 species of aquatic plant and 280 species of birds.

Every November, thousands of birds fly in from Siberia, Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, and the northeastern and northwestern regions of China. Poyang Lake is considered by many to be the largest bird sanctuary in the world. Poyang Lake Bird Protection Area is a sanctuary for many rare species of birds. These migratory birds spend the long winter in Poyang Lake together with the native widgeons, egrets, and mandarin ducks, leaving gradually as the weather starts to warm in March.

West Lake

Hangzhou West Lake is a manmade freshwater lake which is separated into five sections by three causeways. It occupies 60 square kilometers in which locates over 60 state cultural relics. The West Lake was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

The best of West Lake’s scenery is the 10 Classic Poetically Name Scenic Areas. Each of the 10 scenic areas are named using four Chinese characters and the names were first established in the Song Dynasty and continued into the Qing Dynasty.

Measuring 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) in length, 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) in width, and 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) in average depth, the lake spreads itself in an area totaling 6.5 square kilometers (2.5 square miles). Embraced by mountains on three sides, the West Lake knits itself into the North Inner Lake, the Yuehu Lake, the West Inner Lake, the South Lake and the West Outer Lake by the fabric of the Bai Causeway, the Su Causeway and the Yang Causeway. Between the North Inner Lake and the West Outer Lake lies the largest natural island called the Solitary Hill. In addition, three man-made islands stand in the West Outer Lake: the Lesser Paradise Island, the Mid-lake Pavilion, and the Ruangong Islet; and two famous pagodas by the lake: the Leifeng Pagoda to the south and the Baochu Pagoda to the north.

Chaohu Lake

Covering a circumference of 400 kilometers, the Chaohu Lake is located in the middle of Anhui Province.It is famous for its bird-nest-like profile.,hence the name Chaohu Lake (Nest Lake). Chaohu Lake belongs to the Yangtze River water system. The water of Chaohu Lake flows out from Chao County to Yangtze River via Yuxi River.

Cover an area of 820 square kilometers,it is the fifth largest fresh-water lake in China . It is reputed as the Oriental Geneva for its location in the Golden Triangle of Anhui. It is the perfect rice production area for its good water system.

The Chaohu Lake is famous for its landscape. The two main islands are the Gushan Island and the Laoshan Island.They are like two jewels which embedded into the middle of the lake.

When touring on the island, it feels like stepping into a fairyland. There are three hot springs surround the lake, namely Bantang Spring, Fragrant Spring, and Tangchi Spring. Bantang, Tang Pool and Fragrant Spring are the three most celebrated hot springs around the lake. Bathing in the hot springs is good for your health. It can cure several kinds of diseases, for example, skin disease.

Dongting Lake

Dongting Lake is located in the northern part of Hunan Province and the south of Jingjiang River. It covers a land area of 2,820 square kilometers and is the second largest freshwater lake in China. The name of Hunan and Hubei Provinces are derived from their location to this lake. Dongting Lake has been a famous hot tourism attraction in Hunan Province by its magnificent view, clear water, surrounded picturesque scenery and historic sites.

The beautiful scenery of Dongting Lake has attracted many people visiting there. This lake is in a vast size and in the far side the lake and the sky merges as one color. It is surrounded by green mountains in three sides and opens a huge mouth in the north. Under the glow of the sunshine, a breeze comes across; you see green waves shine near to the far side. You can enjoy different unique views at the four seasons. Within the Dongting Lake Scenic Area, there are many attractive and famous scenic spots such as the grand Yueyang Tower, the charming Junshan Island, Chenglingji, Du Fu’s Tomb, Qu Yuan Temple and so on.

The Essential Phrases for Tourists in China, What You Can Say

By inOthers Tag , , , , ,

Tourists in China usually speak Chinese for three things: being cordial, buying something, and asking directions. So here are 10 essential expressions that will allow you do these essential things.

How are you?

Chinese: Nǐ hǎo ma? (Nee-haoww-mah?) 你好吗

Wèi (/way/ 喂), mostly used on the ‘phone, is the closest Chinese to “hello” or “hi ” Nowadays most Chinese speakers know the English word “hello” and might use it even when meeting Chinese people. It has become an English loanword in the Chinese language, written 哈啰, and pronounced hāluo (haa-lwor), so it may sound odd when Chinese-speakers try to say “hello”.

“Nǐ hǎo ma?” literally means “You good?” (nǐ = you, hǎo = good, ma = ?). Similar to “How are you?”, it can mean “Are you ok?”

“Nǐhǎo” is said frequently. It might mean “Nǐ hǎo ma?”, but it typically means something like ‘It’s you — good.” or “Nice to see you.” It’s the most basic and standard Chinese greeting.

Good or bad?

Chinese: Hǎobùhǎo? (haoww-boo-haoww) 好不好

Hǎo means ‘good’. Hǎo also means “ok”.

Bùhǎo means ‘not good’. (“Bu” means ‘no’ or ‘not’.) Chinese speakers use “hǎo” and “buhao” to say something is good or bad, and to signal agreement or disagreement.

Combining “hǎo” and “bùhǎo” gives “Hǎobùhǎo?”, which is a question. It means ‘Good or not good?’ or ‘Is it ok?’ After this or “Nǐ hǎo ma?” you can reply “hǎo” or “bùhǎo”.

Thank you

Chinese: Xièxie. (sshyeah-sshyeah) 谢 谢

This is the basic and simple way to say thank you.

I’m sorry

Chinese: Duìbuqǐ. (dway-boo-chee) 对不起

This phrase can be used both to apologize and to ask for repetition. It literally means “I didn’t begin correctly.” or “You’re right, that isn’t upright.”

“Duì” means ‘correct’. It is often repeated two or three times to indicate agreement (Duì duì duì).

Asking What Something Is

Chinese: Zhè shì shénme? (Jer shrr shnn-muh?) 这是什么?

Here is a good way to both indicate your interest in an item and to learn a lot of new words.

The three important words are: Zhè (this), shì (is), and shénme (what). Combined with pointing, “Zhè shì shénme?” can be used to find out what things are called.

Shì (all forms of the verb “to be”) is also used to mean “yes”, like “duì” and “hǎo”, and can also be combined with bù for “it’s not” (bùshì).

Do you have …?

Chinese: Yǒuméiyǒu …? (Yoh-may-yoh …?) 有没有 …?

Yǒu means ‘have’, and méiyǒu means “to not have”. The word méi means lack. So the phrase “yǒuméiyǒu …” literally means “have or not have …?”

How much money?

Chinese: Duōshao qián? 多少钱 (Dwor-sshaoww chyen?)

The phrase “duōshao?” is composed of the words duō (much) and shǎo (few), and means “how much?” or “how many?” Qián means ‘money’.

Where is …?

Chinese: … zài nǎlǐ? (… dzeye naa-lee?) …在哪里

The three words are: zài (on or in), nǎ (where or which), and lǐ (inside or very roughly the word “place”). Put the name of the place or object you want to find before zài nǎlǐ.

I want to go to …

Chinese: Wǒ xiǎng qù… (Wor sshyang chyoo …) 我想去 …

The three words are: wǒ (I), xiǎng (want), and qù (to go). Then add the name of the place. This is useful for buying train tickets, taking a taxi, etc.

Toilet

Chinese: Cèsuǒ. (tser-swor) 厕所

As in English, there are several words and phrases used to mean bathroom. The most common word for public toilets, or a room with a toilet in, is “cèsuǒ.” “Cè” means ‘toilet’. “Suǒ” means ‘place’.

Teahouse Culture in China, History of Tea Culture

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As is known to all, China is one of the oldest countries in the world. Through the long river of the history, a lot of majestic traditional culture has been passed on, and the tea culture is among that.

History

The teahouse culture has gone through a complicated process of development. The teahouse first appeared during Tang dynasty. At that time, people mainly go there to exchange their views about poem. But soon on, as the spread of the teahouses, more ordinary people formed the habit of going to the teahouse. Then the teahouses was developed largely in Song Dynasty. By Qing Dynasty, there has been several kinds of teahouses aiming at customers from different class of society. For instance, some special teahouses were for people to play Chinese chess, and some teahouses became popular among businessmen. Also, some teahouses were especially for scholars, which could be much more quiet. Besides serving tea, the teahouses also served snacks, and some teahouses provided musical performances.

Beijing Teahouses

There is a great variety of teahouses in Beijing, including Big Teahouse, Qing Teahouse, Storytelling Teahouse and Wild Teahouse. In the ancient times in Beijing, there were a number of storytelling teahouses, where listening to the storytelling is the main purpose. The famed teahouses in Beijing are arranged and decorated fastidiously, creating the atmosphere for listening to storytelling.

In Qing teahouses of Beijing, pergolas are built outside the gate, where customers can chat and enjoy tea in every season except winter. Qing teahouses are deeply fond of by the old. In addition, in Beijing, there are also Chess Teahouses suitable for playing chess.

Hangzhou Teahouses

The teahouse culture in Hangzhou originated from the Southern Song Dynasty. Though there are not so many teahouses in Hangzhou as that of Sichuan, the culture atmosphere of teahouses in Hangzhou is full-bodied. Hangzhou teahouses are particular about culture, environment, internationalization and marketization. People in Hangzhou mainly drink West Lake Longjing Tea. According to the present condition, Hangzhou is universally acknowledged as the city managing teahouses best. Every year, during the National Tea Expo Fair and The West Lake International Tea Party held in Hangzhou, participants from everywhere speak highly of Hangzhou teahouses.

According to statistics, there are more than 700 teahouses in Hangzhou at present. Some boast tea ceremony, such as Tai Chi Teahouse; some feature tea cakes and relaxation, such as Qingteng Teahouse; some boast ecological environment; some integrate aesthetic enjoyment and tea-tasting, such as Ziyige Teahouse and Heji Teahouse.

Tianjin Teahouses

The teahouses of Tianjin are just like the teahouse of Beijing, containing tea, snacks, singing opera arias (without makeup and acting) and storytelling. However, its culture atmosphere is not outstanding. In China, the famous cross talk, which is deeply loved by many Chinese people, was originated from teahouses of Tianjin. These years, listening to a cross talk in a teahouse of Tianjin has become a fashion and unmissable experience. Audiences burst their sides with laughter at the cross talk. A number of audiences from other areas flock to Tianjin to listening to teahouse cross talk, spending a day of relaxation in peals of laughter.

Guangdong Teahouses

The teahouses of Guangdong feature magnificent appearance and they are decorated gorgeously, with rich cultural atmosphere. There are thousands of teahouses in Guangzhou, including professional teahouses and hotel teahouses. Guangdong teahouses are also served as the restaurants for having meals. There are over 60 varieties of delicate refreshments. In Guangzhou, people having a date, holding family reunion parties and having business negotiations are all usually held in teahouses.

Chengdu Teahouses

People of Sichuan Province have been keeping the habit of drinking tea. Drinking tea in teahouses is the typical tea activity of Sichuan. In Chengdu, teahouses and tearooms of different sizes spread all over cities. Some are decorated with calligraphy, painting, flowers and miniascape, creating a beautiful and quiet environment.

Discoveryland Theme Park, the Second Largest Theme Park in Northeast China

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Discovery theme park is located in Dalian city, Liaoning province, Jinshitan scenic area (also known as Jinshitan national tourism resort) gold coast. Covering about 47 hectares (116 acres), it is the second largest theme park in northeast China, with a variety of advanced entertainment facilities.

Discovery park consists of seven themed entertainment areas scattered around a large lake. In a counterclockwise direction, there are: crazy town, mysterious desert, metal factory, magic forest, legendary castle, wedding palace and avenue of America.

Upon entering the discovery park theme park, visitors will first see a beautiful european-style fountain in a large square called discovery plaza. They can take pictures with cartoon characters here. By exploring the plaza, visitors can begin their exploration by walking counterclockwise along the lake.

There are many recreational facilities in this town. Visitors should not miss the “gyro ride,” which literally means “turning over a river.” Imagine what summer would be like if you were thrown into the air. In addition, there are some wonderful performances, such as “robbed treasure” in the crazy theater and “Caribbean carnival” on the water stage.

Children’s favorite pirate ships and railroad cars can be found in this area of discovery park. Visitors can also experience crazy go-kart racing, enjoy unique middle eastern style belly dancing and an evening fireworks display.

The highlight at the metal factory is the roller coaster called “crazy cobra”. Visitors can have a unique experience of acceleration due to the use of linear induction motors; It only takes three seconds to go from 0 to 50 MPH (0 to 80 km/h). The orbit kept spinning and twisting, even spinning 360 degrees in some places. This is particularly exciting.

Visitors can take a hovercraft to start their trip to the amazon. Later, they can experience floating roller coasters and watch an exotic program called “indians worship the sun.”

Visitors should spend some time admiring the wonderful buildings in the castle. Besides, they can challenge themselves in the haunted house. For the children, there was a little train passing through the fairy tale kingdom. The famous European band “King Jocks” regularly performs their best at knight’s square.

It is the most beautiful and peaceful place in the theme park of discover park. It is the ideal place for fairy-tale wedding.

Top 10 Universities in China, What You Should Know

By inOthers

With a large territory extended over Eastern Asia, China possesses the world oldest civilization. After years of development, some universities in China have won great reputation among Chinese people and oversea students for their comprehensive strength. Every year, these famous universities are the hot choices for high school seniors. And people from all over the world also come to china to complete higher education.

  1. Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University has now retained its position as the highest ranked university in the BRICS countries for three years in a row, and is also the top performing Chinese university in the University Rankings: Asia 2016, at 5th place (up from 11th last year). Tsinghua University was founded in 1911 and now has 46,200 students enrolled in 20 schools. Located in capital city Beijing, it’s a member of the prestigious C9 League (the Chinese equivalent of the US Ivy League).

Tsinghua University also fares well in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016, appearing among the world’s best for 33 out of a possible 42 subjects, and claiming top 50 positions for architecture, every branch of engineering (including the new mineral and mining engineering ranking), chemistry, computer science, law, art and design, politics, mathematics, modern languages and more.

  1. Peking University

Peking University is also located in Beijing and retains its position at second place among the top universities in China and in the BRICS ranking. Also ranked 9th in the Asia ranking, Peking University was originally founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking, and has since gained a reputation as one of the most prominent research universities in China. It has maintained a partnership with Germany’s Freie Universität Berlin since 1981 and welcomes a high number of international students every year. Peking University’s campus, known as “Yan Yuan” (the garden of Yan) is celebrated for its beauty and traditional Chinese architecture.

Ranked as one of the world’s best in 36 subjects in the 2016 subject rankings, Peking claims 26 top 50 positions, including modern languages, chemistry, dentistry, mineral and mining engineering, law, computer science, mechanical engineering, art and design, and mathematics.

  1. Fudan University

Retaining its position at 3rd in the BRICS ranking, Fudan University also features at 11th in the Asia ranking (climbing from 16th last year). It’s a member of the C9 League and Universitas 21, an international network of research universities, and is located in Shanghai, China’s largest city.  Fudan University was founded in 1905 as Fudan Public School and now has around 31,000 students enrolled in 17 schools. The university has 77 research institutes and 10 teaching hospitals, and is also associated with the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art (an independent subsidiary).

Internationally ranked for 26 subjects, Fudan University is featured within the top 50 for politics, chemistry, modern languages and materials sciences.

  1. University of Science and Technology of China

Having shared 6th place with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in last year’s BRICS ranking, the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) climbs two places to rank 4th this year. Placed 25th in the Asia rankings, USTC is led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was founded in 1958 to meet the science and technology needs of the country and increase its global competitiveness. Located in the city of Hefei, its campuses span 360 acres, and the university was the first in China to establish a graduate school.

The University of Science and Technology of China is featured among the world’s best for 12 subjects in 2016, most of which are (unsurprisingly) science subjects. It achieves its highest positions for chemistry and materials sciences.

  1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University

The next of our top universities in China is Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which concludes the set of five continuous Chinese universities in the top five of the BRICS ranking, and also places 22nd in the latest Asia ranking. It was founded in 1896 and now teaches around 37,500 students, of which 1,700 come from outside China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University offers 63 undergraduate programs, 250 master’s programs and 28 postdoctoral programs.

It boasts 25 positions in the 2016 subject rankings, including places within the global top 50 for computer science, chemical engineering, civil and structural engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, materials sciences, art and design and business and management.

  1. Nanjing University

Retaining its position at 8th in the BRICS ranking, Nanjing University is also ranked 23rd in Asia this year. It was founded in 1902 but can trace its early establishments back as far as 258 AD, and now has about 30,000 students enrolled across two campuses, which each span nearly 600 acres. A member of the prestigious Yangtze Delta Universities Alliance, it’s located in Nanjing in eastern China, the ancient capital of the country for various periods, which holds a significant place in Chinese history and culture.

Nanjing University is ranked internationally for 23 subjects, including a place in the global top 100 for chemistry, Earth and marine sciences, materials sciences and architecture.

  1. Zhejiang University

Zhejiang University is the final of these top universities in China to make the top 10 in the BRICS ranking, climbing two places this year to be ranked 9th in BRICS. Also ranked 24th in Asia, Zhejiang (sometimes known as Zheda) is another member of the C9 League and the Yangtze Delta Alliance. It was founded in 1897 in the city of Hangzhou and now has one of the largest academic libraries amongst Chinese universities, as well as a total enrolment of 47,339 students, over 5,800 of which come from outside China.

Zhejiang University is ranked among the world’s best for 24 subjects, placing in the world’s top 50 for chemical engineering and the top 100 for nine other subjects.

  1. Beijing Normal University

Heading back to Beijing for the next of our top universities in China, Beijing Normal University is ranked 11th in BRICS and 40th in Asia this year. Colloquially known as Beishida, the university’s name reflects its legacy as a former unit of the Imperial University of Peking which was devoted to training schoolteachers. It’s home to a wide range of research centers and laboratories, as well a six-hectare ‘Science Park’, and currently has about 22,000 students enrolled, including 1,800 international students.

Beijing Normal University is included in 16 of the 2016 subject rankings, appearing in the top 100 for education and training, linguistics, modern languages, and social policy and administration.

  1. Wuhan University

Climbing one place from last year, Wuhan University is ranked 16th in the BRICS ranking this year, and 44th in Asia. Located in the city of Wuhan, capital of the Hubei province and the most populous city in central China, the university is administered by the Ministry of Education in China and was founded in 1893. Wuhan University’s elegant and palatial architecture and blend of Eastern and Western styles has led to the campus being called the most beautiful in China.

Not just a pretty sight, Wuhan University is also one of the most prestigious Chinese universities, appearing 15 times in the latest rankings by subject, with a position in the top 100 for philosophy.

  1. Tongji University

The final of our 10 top universities in China is Tongji University, which made a leap from 26th to 17th in the BRICS ranking and is also 53rd in the Asia ranking. Tongji University was originally established as Tongji German Medical School in 1907, becoming a state university 20 years later. It now teaches around 36,600 students, of which 2,200 are from outside China.

An engineering-intensive university, Tongji University is especially renowned for its architecture and engineering programs, and this is reflected in the subject rankings. Of the nine subjects in which it’s internationally ranked, Tongji is in the global top 50 for architecture, civil and structural engineering, and art and design.

Datong Soil Forest, the Only Soil Forest Attraction in North China

By inPopular Spots

Tulin, located in Duzhuang Township, Datong County, consists of hundreds of soil pillars and walls tens to more than ten meters high. It is called Shibangou by local people. Under different illuminations, they show wonderful changes: sometimes they shine with gold, sometimes they are red like fire, sometimes they are abyss, sometimes they are white like frost fields. Like Yuanmou in Yunnan and Alizada in Tibet, precious geological relics and magical workmanship show the desolate and solemn beauty of the Loess Plateau.The “soil forest” refers to the landscape consisting of protrusive loess and grit sediment due to crustal movement as well as wind and water erosion.

When visitors enter this place, it is difficult to understand that they are still on the Mars and still in the magic field. This is the Datong Soil Forest. The locals are called “Stone Trench” and it is the only known soil forest attraction in North China. Looking at it, the strangeness of the forest is dazzling, like an old castle rather than an old castle, like a sculpture and not a sculpture. Under different sunlight, the forest has different styles, or glittering, or red like a flame, and it is magnificent, which is favored by many photographers. Different from the stone forest, the earth forest changes with time and under the shape of wind and rain. However, the charm of the whole earth forest still does not affect its aesthetic sense. The local people call the earth forest “Shibangou”.

Nature’s ingenuity has created a strange and fascinating landscape of the soil forest. When visitors enter this place, it is difficult to understand that they are still on the Mars and still in the magic field. This is the Datong Soil Forest. The locals are called “Stone Trench” and it is the only known soil forest attraction in North China. Looking at it, the strangeness of the forest is dazzling, like an old castle rather than an old castle, like a sculpture and not a sculpture. Under different sunlight, the forest has different styles, or glittering, or red like a flame, and it is magnificent, which is favored by many photographers.