Shanghai | Furong | Chongqing | Guangzhou

About the destination: Shanghai is modern city located just south of the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River and split in two by the Huangpu River. It is one of China's largest metropolis and it is considered the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated and progressive city in mainland China. Shanghai is a good place to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the future of China. A whole new city of skyscrapers has been built in its Pudong district, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become one of the city’s landmarks and is one of the tallest structures in Asia and the Shanghai World Financial Center, the third largest building in Asia and the world. At the west side of the Yangzi River is Puxi area, the older central part of the city. Puxi has very rich history and is here where you will encounter many of the city’s old buildings and attractions, such as the French Concession, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, the Jiu Qu Bridge, the Huxin Pavilion and the Temple. Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan hub of finance and culture. Shanghai has a special oriental charm and a fresh western style that appeal to everyone. And it is also a good base to explore the more rural and classical sights of nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

About the destination: Perched dramatically on a cliff above the meandering You River in western Hunan, Furong — often called Furong Ancient Town or Hibiscus Town — blends cinematic charm with centuries-old traditions. Stone alleyways wind between stilted wooden houses, lanterns glow at dusk, and the constant murmur of the majestic Furong Waterfall provides a striking backdrop. The town gained fame after the 1980s film “Hibiscus Town,” and it has preserved much of the sleepy, riverfront atmosphere that captivated audiences. A stroll through Furong’s old streets reveals Miao and Tujia minority culture at every turn. Local women in embroidered garments sell handwoven textiles and silver jewelry, while wooden homes display intricate carvings under their overhanging eaves. Small museums and traditional residences, such as the Wang Family Courtyard, offer a glimpse into the area’s feudal past and the daily life of wealthy landowning families, contrasting with the simpler riverside dwellings nearby. The highlight for most visitors is the waterfall itself, which dramatically drops from the edge of town into the river below. Walkways and viewing platforms allow you to admire it from multiple angles, including from behind the curtain of water — especially atmospheric in the evening when the falls are illuminated. Boat rides along the You River provide another perspective, as you glide beneath wooden stilt houses that seem to hover over the water and look back at the town clinging to the cliff. Furong is easily combined with other Hunan attractions such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Fenghuang Ancient Town, making it a convenient stop on a wider regional itinerary. Plan to stay at least one night to experience the town after the day-trippers have left, when the streets quieten, the lanterns reflect on the river, and the sound of the falls becomes the town’s gentle soundtrack.

About the destination: Chongqing is set to become the most economically important city in West China and is the biggest inland city of the country. Chongqing is a richly historical city, with a plethora of natural and man-made landscapes. As a fantastically scenic 'mountain city', it has enjoyed a surge in tourism. Chongqing Dock is an ideal starting place for the Yangtze River Cruise, a memorable sightseeing experience taking in some of China’s most beautiful rivers and mountains. For instance, in Chongqing the Three Gorges region is a scenic area along the Yangtze River in China with a total length of approximately 200 km. Although it is primarily famous for its scenery, the Three Gorges region is historically and culturally an important region in China, including Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge.

About the destination: Guangzhou or Canton, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the third biggest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai with a population of more than 12 million. Founded in 214 BC, the city has been a springboard for trading, cultural exchanges, many revolutions and reforms, making it an unavoidable stopover to understand what shapes the modern China. Guangzhou is one of the twenty-four famous historical and cultural cities in China. It does not, however, have the amount of cultural attractions found in some cities such as Beijing and Xian. The Pearl River flows through Guangzhou City. At evening, taking a boat tour on the river to admire the breathtaking night view of the city is a great enjoyment. Stretching one's eyesight, visitors can see the gorgeous Canton Tower under dazzling lights reaching up to the sky. There are more sites to visit than those just listed. Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, having a long history of about 1,400 years, is one of the four best Buddhist temples in the city; Huaisheng Mosque (Remember the Sage Mosque) was built in 7th century in memory of the ancestor of Islam, Mohammed; Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum is the oldest and largest Han tomb with the most funerary objects in Lingnan Area.