72 hours in Thousand Islands Lake
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, September 10, 2013
Day 3
8am-9am
The third day in Thousand Islands Lake is a good time for history and culture. Qinchuan Village is about an hour from downtown Thousand Islands Lake, and you can rent a car or take a taxi to get there on the 45-kilometer-long, charming Qianfen Road.
The road goes along the northwest side of the lake and connects with Fenkou Town in the south and Thousand Islands Lake Bridge in the north.
It also is ideal for bicycling. A yearly bike race along the road attracts hundreds of riders from around the world. There are old post houses where riders can rest and replenish their energy. And there are also dozens of “happy farmhouses” for savoring authentic cuisine or staying overnight. Stalls sell freshly picked fruit in season.
9am-11:30am
A covered bridge with traditional upturned eaves welcomes you at Qinchuan Village. It is Jinde Bridge, built in the Tongzhi Period of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
The village is separated into two parts by a creek that is so clean that you can see tiny fish swimming in it. You may wade barefoot.
Stone bridges cross the creek, and thriving willows and camphor trees grow nearby. The oldest camphor tree is 800 years old. Local residents sit in the shade, washing clothes and vegetables in the creek. Some 60 percent of the buildings have upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters in the style of Hui buildings erected in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
12pm-1:30pm
The Shicheng Museum is a good place to learn about the area’s history. Present-day Jiangjia Town is not far from the site of Shicheng, a county-level city that, up until 54 years ago, had been inhabited for nearly 2,000 years. Built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Shicheng and its cultural and historic relics are now underwater. In 1959, in order to build Xin’anjiang Dam, the ancient city was submerged and locals left for other places.
The place is intact at the lake bottom. The museum built a detailed model showing how Shicheng looked. Using underwater studies, Shicheng’s city wall, streets, residential buildings, ancestral temples, memorial archways and pagoda were reproduced. Old photos from former residents are hung on walls. Other customs, legends and cultural details are explained at the museum. Afterwards, grab a bite in Jiangjia Town.
2pm-5pm
If visiting from May to September, you shouldn’t miss the whitewater rafting. The Longmen Rafting of Zuokou Town attracts tons of tourists with its pollution-free whitewater and different degrees of difficulty. Each inflatable boat accommodates two persons. The cost is 100 yuan (US$16.3) per person.
7pm-8pm
Downtown in Thousand Islands Lake Square, watch outdoor line dancing on a large scale. The square accommodates around 1,000 people Ñ most of whom are middle-aged women.9am-11am
The last hours in Thousand Islands Lake are relaxing — the destination is a kayak at the downtown Lakers Kayak Club.
The club trainer will give you professional guidance, including the use of life jacket and paddle, the fundamental knowledge of the kayak, and how to launch, pull up and navigate.
The kayak may seem unsteady and tips from side to side if you move your body. Once you sit in the kayak you may be afraid that it will turn over.
But take it easy, the trainer will follow you and show you how to manipulate the kayak when you feel unsteady.
After a few minutes of adapting, you might be accustomed to the movement of the kayak and begin to enjoy the sport.
The lake is as calm as a mirror, and fish jump out of the water occasionally. You can paddle the kayak to your heart’s content, navigating toward the hundreds of islands in the distance. Hilton Hangzhou Qiandao Lake Resort
The Hilton resort at Qiandao (Thousand Islands) Lake has a total of 348 rooms and suites, all with good views of Qiandao Lake or the mountains, and wireless Internet access. Most have a private balcony, and they offer 24-hour room service. Food ranging from Asian and Western cuisine to Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shaoxing specialties are available. The fitness center is well-equipped and there are four swimming pools. Located near the Hangxinjing Expressway exit, it’s a little over an hour from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and about three hours from Shanghai.
Tel: (0571) 6508-6666
Address: 600 Huanhu Rd N., Qiandao Lake, Chun’an
Website: http://www.hilton.com.cn/HGHLR/Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort
Located by the beautiful shores of Qiandao Lake and mountains, the Sheraton resort offers 249 guest rooms and suites, all with Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, 37-inch LCD televisions with satellite TV and high speed Internet access. There are four outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center.
Tel: (0571) 6488-8888
Address: Xin’an Rd N., Qiandao Lake, Chun’anAirfare special to Malaysia
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s formation and the Visit Malaysia 2014 campaign, Malaysia Airlines invites tourists to experience all of Malaysia’s charms with an irresistible offer.ÊAll-inclusive economy class fares start from as low as 2,350 yuan (US$379) while business class fares are as low as 4,650 yuan. The promotional sales period is from August 21 to September 11. The travel period is from August 24 to September 24 and October 7 to October 31. For details, kindly visit www.malaysiaairlines.com.
Biggest jumbo flying from Pudong
Air France began using Airbus 380 to fly between Shanghai and Paris starting yesterday to become the first European carrier to operate the world’s biggest jumbo jet at Pudong International Airport. The airline will open three weekly services between Paris and Pudong. Chinese interpreters are present on all Air France flights to and from China, while onboard broadcasts are in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
SAS upgrading China fleet
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) began upgrading its fleet flying to China to better serve travelers. The largest carrier in the Nordic area will upgrade cabin facilities of all its fleet by 2015. The carrier has also ordered eight new Airbus 350 and four A330-300E aircraft for long-haul flights.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)