Travel to China

For tourists in China to a great variety in the choice of a possible relaxation. In the autumn-winter season land in Heilongjiang province is covered with a thick layer of snow, which allows to ski and skate, play hockey, as well as take part in sailing races on the ice zhgi festival of ice sculptures. For fans, there is an opportunity to hunt for animals. At the same time, in the south of the city of Sanya (Hainan Island) is a warm, open beaches. Here, almost all year round you can swim in the sea, enjoying the sun and beautiful coconut palms growing along the coast.

Among the amazing natural phenomena should be mentioned the biggest waterfall in China - Huangoshu, a group of 18 ground and 4 underground falls. Here the average temperature in summer is 23 degrees Celsius, never hot. Particularly superb is Huangoshu in late spring - early summer, when river water enters and starts a waterfall roar with such force that its roar is heard for 5 miles, and a spray of the waterfall is a whitish mist.

Ancient Chinese civilization has existed for more than 7 thousand years and to date, according to official data, China has more than 5 thousand of different historical and cultural monuments, many of whom are of amazement and admiration from foreigners.

Lifestyle

Of course, foreigners are attracted to China not only attractions like the Great Wall and Forbidden City, and not only guylinskie landscapes, but also a way of life for the people. In Beijing, arranged trips for tourists in old urban neighborhoods. For such trips equipped whole cavalcade rickshaw in wheelchairs who sit on one or two tourist. For the rickshaw available to very uzenkie streets "Hutongs", which does not drive a car. And in these "Hutongs", you can watch the elderly, the heating in the sun, and discusses domestic news, children, jumping through the strings, in the summer you can hear cicadas chirr, hides in dense foliage of trees or the cries of vendors zazyvnye watermelons. At the request of the tourists can visit the residential ensemble syheyuan ", which is one of the sights of the ancient capital, to drink tea, which you prepare mistress, or even take part in cooking Chinese dumplings - the traditional national dish.

The biggest holiday in China is a new year for the agricultural calendar, which is also called the Spring festival, as the Chinese year starts with spring. In the Spring Festival, which usually occur in January and February generally accepted Gregorian calendar, the whole family gathered together, which returned to those family members who work and live in another city. On the night before New Year in the North agreed to submit to a table dumplings, in the south - with a variety of rice dishes. Usually, watching a concert on the Central Television channels, some of which still run custom snaps and party poppers and make fireworks. At the Spring Festival made to go to visit relatives and friends, children's wear in all new and pre-buying dresses, shoes and hats. In various locations to prepare a colorful Spring Festival events: parades of masks and costumes for theater battle gongs and drums, dance on stilts, dancing lions. In Beijing and other cities used for "temple fair" and the people parade, during which are the traditional music, are food stalls, shops selling traditional New Year odd objects and crafts. To participate in these events and invite foreign tourists.

Tibet

One of the five autonomous regions of China's Tibet "roof of peace" - a wonderful place, much of whose territory is situated at an altitude of more than 4000 meters above sea level. Tibet - an ancient, yet not so long ago, the former independent state with its own history, culture, national traditions. The tourists are mostly attracted by southern Tibet, close to the Himalayas, where the city of Lhasa - the capital of Lamaism - until recently, the former is almost completely closed to all but the Tibetans, and today is one of the most mysterious cities in the world. In Lhasa, you can get in several ways: by air or on the two highways leading from the central regions of China: from the east - from the city of Chengdu (Sichuan Province) and from the north - from the city of Golmud (Qinghai Province). Lhasa was founded in the VII century and has long been one of the most important development centers of northern branch of Buddhism, and later there was the residence of the Dalai Lama. Potala - the huge palace-monastery complex - the largest Buddhist monastery in the world, and it is located on the hillside Mabuzhi towering over Lhasa. This is the highest and most grandiose of the lamasery. It was built in 7 th century and covers an area of 41 hectares. Its exterior walls are made of granite, at the height it has 13 floors, where one thousand rooms. "Red Palace" - a central part of the complex, there are apartments Dalai Lama, the main sanctuary and the Tomb Lama. In "White Palace" located court room, many stores, etc.

Lhasa (in "Country celestial") located in the valley of the Chew Kee at an altitude of 3650 meters. From the north and south valley edge mountains, the climate is more benign than in other areas. Lhasa is suffering from the summer rains, but in autumn and spring are dry, warm, and most importantly - very nice.

In the middle of XX century in Tibet, there were more than 3 thousands of monasteries, and many men became monks, but during the Chinese invasion and occupation of many ancient monasteries were destroyed. Today the most popular and also the Greater Zhu monasteries located in the center of Lhasa, and Braybun located 8 kilometers west of Lhasa. Of particular interest is the Monastery Sir, buildings that seem as if against the huge mountain.

Nepal

From the town of Lhasa, you can move to the jeeps to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal - the mysterious and enigmatic country situated in the Himalayas. There is a high-pole world - the mountain gods Chomolungma, or Everest, or Sagarmatha (depending on what language a name is pronounced). Here in the sixth century BC, Buddha was born. About 80% of the population of Nepal - Hindu, but the majority of Nepalese worship to two gods: Buddha, and Shive - and true, that while generally there was no conflict.

In Nepal for the birthplace of Buddha, pilgrims come from all over the world. One of the most important places of worship - the temple Svayambunath in Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Ali Buddha - Original Buddha. According to legend, Ali Buddha appeared in Kathmandu even when the valley is one huge lake, and he grew up here in the form of a lotus flower. Now a huge stupa, the temple, as if hovering over Kathmandu, is highlighted by spotlights, why it seems that it hovers in the air, where painted on a mortar following the Buddha's eye for people.

The influence of India left their mark on the social structure of Nepal, and is about creating a strong caste system. The most upper castes, tagadhari, or "twice born" - are those who after the death of newly born human beings. There are also caste Brahmins (priests), chetris (warriors), and is the lowest caste - the so-called "untouchables." The latter are not allowed to even use the same water sources as the upper castes. Brahman never take food from the hands of untouchables, but because during the ritual of holidays all the food they prepare themselves. Interestingly, the entrances of houses belonging to upper castes, should be rotated from the foot part, in order to hide the inside of the house from the outside view. Generally speaking, the relations between castes in Nepal - it is a very complicated system that requires special consideration.

The capital of Nepal - Kathmandu city - was founded in the X century. The population of Kathmandu is approximately 300 thousand people. It is a city of churches, religious statues and ashlars - as a Hindu or Buddhist. There are so many that, in any yard can be a wonderful monument of art and culture, and ancient sculpture can stand on the pavement.

Until the mid 50's, Nepal was closed to foreigners because it preserved, and their identity. This is a poor country, whose people do not consider themselves poor. It has its own values and live by their rules. Visiting Nepal forces to adapt to their way of life, because tourists do not look alien body. A porter behind trash, tourists - a backpack and wearing it can be in no less exotic clothing. But tourism, a separate conversation.

October-November - April-May - the time in Nepal. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to this amazing country, to spend the best months of Hindu temples and Buddhist pagodas, the mountain paths of the Himalayas and the Nepalese porozhistyh rivers. Spring and autumn are the most "golden" season. Travel on the rivers of the Himalayas (rafting), and hiking are very popular in the West. Warm, dry weather, the lack of mosquitoes and reptiles, exotic eastern cities - all this attracts the tourists. Usually no restrictions on such travel is not, they are available to any healthy person without any special training, and only meet with the country better way than to invent.

Currently, the Russian market of tourism are numerous tours to China, Tibet and Nepal, can satisfy the most varied and unexpected demands. Since 1992, in Moscow is the travel company "Astravel (Association of Travel"), organize trips to these mysterious country, until recently inaccessible for Russian tourists. You will no doubt lead to the admiration of unusual landscapes, majestic cliffs and the big mountain rivers. You will get acquainted with the history and culture of ancient civilizations, will be able to see all the wonders that are still heard in childhood. Visit China, Tibet and Nepal, and in your life will remain wonderful memories of this beautiful country.