Beyond China's gleaming, modern mega cities and Great Wall excursions is a range of smaller, quainter centres offering deeper insight into this complex country's rich traditions. SHARMILA MELISSA YOGALINGAM recommends some worthwhile excursions that explore culture and history against some magnificent landscapes.
WHY GO Also known as the Eternal City, Xian, one of Chinas oldest cities, is the capital of Shaanxi province. Once home to the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties, this ancient destination teems with history.
TO DO The Terracotta Warriors are a fabulous collection of warrior, chariot and horse sculptures of the Qin army. Located at three sites uncovered in 1974 during a careful excavation, the warriors are noted for their striking detail. Xian is also home to a plethora of temples including Da Yan Ta and Da Ci'en Si, each showcasing pagodas, halls, fountains and Buddha carvings, and Ba Xian An, popular for its Confucianism-inspired murals. Xian also has a sizable Muslim community. A walk through Da Qingzhensi mosque provides an enthralling insight into the influences of Middle Eastern and Chinese architecture, but take note -visitors are expected to respect prayer times.
STAY
$ Find clean, comfortable accommodation at Bestay Express Hotel (110 Jiefang Road, Xincheng District) and Kaibin Service Apartment Hotel (2-2-1015 Wanda Square, Yanta Road, Beilin District).
$$ Moderately priced accomodation include the Grand Noble Hotel (www.gnhotel.com), Citadines Apar' hotel (www2.citadines.com) and Mercure on Renmin Square (www.mercure.com).
$$$ Shangri-La Hotel (www.shangri-la.com) and Sofitel Xian (www.sofitel.com) offer modern luxury.
GETTING THERE Fly to either Beijing or Shanghai and take connecting flights to Xian.
QUFU
TO DO Visit the three historical Confucius-centric landmarks. Kong Miao, the Temple of Confucius, was originally the philosopher's home, but today stands as a temple characterised by complex pavilions, courtyards, carved stone pillars and statues. Kong Fu, the Confucian Mansion with its grey stone walls, black columns and secret passageways housed the philosopher's direct descendants for more than 77 generations. And Kong Lin, Confucius' burial ground and the oldest and largest cemetery in China, features more than 20,000 trees including maples and willows. Along with Confucius' magnificent tomb, there are 4,000 grave sites to explore, many dating back several centuries. For something out of the ordinary, visit the pyramid shaped tomb of Emperor Shao Hao and view antiques at the Kongzi Yanjiuyuan Museum. 
$ Jining Inn (7 Chunqiu Road) and Hanting Express Qufu (2 Building Traveller Terminal Market, Jingxuan East Road) are clean and affordable facilities.
$$ While Queli Binshe (No.1, Queli Street, Tel: 05374866523/4866818) promises a more comfy stay.
GETTING THERE Fly to Jinan Airport which is 90 kilometres from Qufu. From Jinan, take a two-hour train ride on the Beijing-Shanghai line, to Yanzhou train station (Tel: 341 5239) and a 15-kilometre taxi or bus ride to Qufu. Alternatively, take a two-hour bus ride directly to Qufu from Jinan.
YANDANGSHAN
WHY GO Yandangshan is famous for the spiritual Yandang Mountain Range, a majestic mountain park at Wenzhou city. Still relatively undiscovered by travellers and not yet popular with the locals, Yandangshan is a delight to visit and offers some respite from the tourist hordes.
TO DO The breathtaking Spiritual Peaks (Lingfeng Peaks) are located at the East gate of the Yandang mountains. Nearby, mist created by the Big Dragon waterfall creates an ethereal atmosphere you have to experience first-hand to appreciate. Heading to the summit, don't miss Wild Goose Lake and the stone arch Immortal Bridge. You can also ride a cable car to the Three Step waterfall and explore an extinct volcano. Admission to each of these sights is about S$2.
STAY Yandangshan offers a limited variety of hotels but you can still find affordable and clean rooms at:
$ Furong Hotel (2 Xiaoxia Road); Yinying Mountain Villa (7 Xiaoxia Road).
$$ The Yandangshan Mountain Villa (8 Xiaoxia Road (Xiaoxia Lu) is a comfortable hotel with old-world charm. Tian Yi Bie Ye (Xing Jie Xiang Yang Lu 36) is a guesthouse offering basic and clean amenities.
$$$ Try the four-star Huayuan Mountain Villa (5 Xiaoxia Road (Xiaoxia Lu) for something a little more up-market.
GETTING THERE Fly to Wenzhou and head 80 kilometres to North Yandangshan by bus or taxi.
TONGLI
TO DO Stone bridges over inter-weaving canals are the main attraction in this traditional water village. Rent a gondola from one of the many piers reaching out along the canals and watch Chinese villagers tend to their waterfront homes as they go about their daily lives. If you're feeling adventurous, head to the Museum of Ancient Chinese Sex Culture for a fascinating foray into the little-understood realm of Chinese sexuality and erotica dating from a time of general sexual oppression.
STAY Tongli is accessible from both Shanghai and Suzhou.
In Shanghai:
$ Try the Grand Mercure Shanghai (www.mercure.com), Holiday Inn Shanghai (www.holidayinn.com) or Radisson Hotel Shanghai (www.radisson.com).
$$ For a mid-range stay try Les Suites Orient Bund Shanghai (www.hotelsuitesorient.com), The PuLiHotel & Spa (www.thepuli.com), Fairmont Peace Hotel (www.fairmont.com) or Hotel Indigo Shanghai (www.shanghai.hotelindigo.com)
$$$ or live it up at The Park Hyatt (www.shanghai.park.hyatt.com), Waldorf Astoria (www.waldorfastoriashanghai.com) or The Portman Ritz-Carlton (www.ritzcarlton.com).
In Suzhou:
$ Garden View Hotel (66 Luoguaqiao, Lindun Road) and Holiday Inn Suzhou Jasmine (www.holidayinn.com) make a decent stay.
$$ Or try Scholars Hotel Dushu Lake (2699 Tongda Road) and New City Garden Hotel (www.ncghotel.com).
$$$ Spoil yourself at the Intercontinental Hotel (www.ichotelsgroup.com), Crowne Plaza (www.ichotelsgroup.com) and Renaissance Hotel (www.marriott.com).
GETTING THERE
Fly to Shanghai and take a two-hour bus ride to Tongli. Alternatively take a one-hour train ride from Shanghai to Suzhou and a 30-minute bus or cab ride to Tongli.
Know more about China
Read about China's other major destinations - Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau at
www.thefinder.com.sg. Click on Going Places/Travel Features/China.
Plan your China vacation today! Visit:
www.tourismchina.org
www.travelchinaguide.com
www.chinaembassy.org.sg
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*Singapore-Beijing flights commence 24 November 2011, subject to regulatory approval.
Posted Sept 2011
