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As things stand now, property investing remains strong, while interest rates remain inviting, but that is not likely to last too long as the government must continue trying to tighten the collective belt of free spenders living large off easily attainable bank loans and try to maneuver the economy through to the soft landing frequently spoken of, while avoiding the hard one often feared. In terms of foreign investing, it has gotten easier in terms of banking flexibility,

It should be noted, however, that my discounted rate was due to the fact that I booked five days in advance of my arrival. There's the trick. The price is still cheap by U.S. standards, and many can run as high as $100 or more depending on brand and location, still a bargain, but it's best to book online, and join one of their card carrying clubs while you're at it. You can pile up membership points in no time at those rates and be on your way to some free stays for next time.

The train is specially built to face the difficult environment of high altitude and provide oxygen supply for each passenger to prevent the altitude sickness. UV-protection systems make the journey even more pleasant. There are a couple of options to be accommodated on the train. You can choose to stay in soft sleeper beds cabin which are designed for business men from commercial cities of China and tourists from all over the world or to experience the hard sleeper beds and thus travel with Chinese and Tibetan locals. The last option is a complete immersion into the Chinese customs and way of life. On the last section from Golmud to Lhasa, you can expect to travel with yak herdsmen on hard sleeper cabins.

Beijing is the one of the birthplaces of Chinese Civilization and one of the six ancient capital cities in China. During the last 3,000 years it served as a capital for several dynasties. It is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the PRC, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. It is a modern city with high-rise buildings, shopping malls and vast international hotels connected by an intricate freeway system crisscrossing the city.

I did, however, take advantage of the business center on more than one occasion since I've yet to replace my dearly departed laptop. One catch about this though, if you plan to use the internet on a frequent basis, the hotel business centers are far from economical. Get one of the staff members to direct you to the nearest internet café in town - there are plenty of them and at a fraction of the cost. Still in all, it was difficult to get used to being in what equated to a 4-5 star facility where the same price will get you four channels and fleas in the states, and live in the lap of luxury for the better part of a week.

Guided tours of China's Ming dynasty palace will inform you about the protocols that ruled the daily lives of the courtiers in the Forbidden City. Find out about who could drink from which well, and how to spot the gender of the golden lion statues by what they hold under their giant paws.From Beijing, most China holidays will travel to see the Great Wall. Mutianyu is a good place to see a stretch of this giant bastion as it undulates and curves through the green countryside.

Popular tours include the Yangtze River that is truly one of the world's most amazing natural wonders. The gorges of this famous river climb thousands of feet on both sides, and it is truly breathtaking to witness. While cruising along the river, you will look at life in places like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou and Chongqing. This tour offers shore excursions including ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream and exploring the historic temples of Shibaozhai.

China is the homeland of Chinese tea. Tea from China, along with silk and porcelain, became known to the world over a thousand years ago and is today one of China's most valuable exports. The Japanese adopted the habit of drinking tea in the 6th century, but it was not introduced to Europe and America until the 17th and 18th centuries.

Trekking along the magnificent terraced rice fields in Longsheng County, cruising down the Li River are other recreational things you could do in picturesque Guilin.Yunnan: Cycling along the Remote Backcountry Trails in Southwestern ChinaYunnan, a mysterious and beautiful land in southwestern China, boosts its multi-culture, various minorities and stunning scenery.

Ever-present hawkers, selling everything from t-shirts and cans of beer, to sausages and postcards are inevitable, but then again so is Starbucks. If this sounds like your hit, than catch the No. 919 bus from DeSheng Men on Second Ring Road, or just arrange a bus or driver from your hotel. Tickets in are RMB 45.The Great Wall at Juyongguan: A Cloud Platform with a View

Xian was our second stop after Beijing. Xian is a city with time-honored history. It is the city can bring you back in time to ancient Chinese civilization. Anyone comes to Xian, the 6,000 life-size painted terracotta warriors and horses flash into your mind first. A highlight sightseeing to Xian is definitely a visit to the amazing archeological relics of the terracotta Warriors and Horses.

Though there are hawkers holed up in many of the towers, gone is the congestion of site closer to Beijing, and you'll likely be glad to purchase a seriously marked-up bottle of water after doing time in the scorching sun. Important information for anyone considering embarking on the hike: SAVE YOUR TICKET STUBS. There are guards posted at several towers who check receipts, denying passage without proof of purchase. Additionally, to complete the hike, you'll need to purchase entrance to Simatai (RMB 40), and throw down an extra RMB 5 to cross the narrow chain bridge linking the two.

I did not leave there convinced that investing in Beijing made perfect sense; it's expensive, but my feeling is that it will be one to watch as we move closer toward the 2008 Olympic Games and infrastructural renovations and development begin to take shape. In fact the city will get a major overhaul in preparation for the games. There will be massive amounts of monies, both foreign and domestic, flowing through there in preparation for the historic event. When the games arrive there in another four years, they will be hugely popular and there will not be any empty seats.

In sum, China travelers are confronted with a question similar to the one that confronted northern barbarians eager to penetrate the Wall's defenses all those years ago: Where in the Wall's 6,400 km length is the best place to stage your assault? For convenience's sake, we'll concentrate our effort of Beijing-area sites today, saving for another time exploration of intriguing spots running between the Wall's eastern extreme at seaside Shanhaiguan, near Qingdao all the way to its desert-bound terminus at Jiayuguan in Gansu.

My first trip to China occurred nearly ten months earlier. It was the furthest I had ever traveled outside the U.S. This time I was more at ease in preparing for my recent departure. No longer did I need to be reminded of the long flight time, language barriers, or potential visa issues that are well documented in the records of many a foreign student visiting the U.S. I was already an experienced traveler to the Far East having logged some 18,000 miles and nearly a week's worth of tourism.

Yong An Bridge was built in the thirteenth century. It is a long, multiple-arch stone bridge that connects Qiong Island with the bank on the other side of Beihai Lake. At the north and south ends of Yong An Bridge, there are two colorful memorial stone archways whose names are Ji Cui and Dui Yun. There is one pair of stone lions in front of each stone archway. Against the green water, the blue sky, and the White Dagoba, Yong An Bridge presents a splendid sight.

Beijing, the No.1 tourist destination of China, is a modern cosmopolitan metropolis, and a major transportation hub that welcomes visitors with gracious hospitality. As the capital of China, Beijing plays an important role in the world nowadays. It is an ancient city with all of the modern amenities a visitor could want. This city has some unique cultural aspects that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Visitors to Beijing inevitably feel overwhelmed and upon leaving Beijing always feel like there was so much more they did not have time to explore.

They are playing pearls in the clouds and waves. The reason the screen has nine main dragons is because nine was considered to be the number of the emperor. In Taoist philosophy men are odd numbers while women are even numbers. Since the highest odd single digit number is nine, it was the emperors. Beihai Park's Nine Dragon Screen is one of the four well-preserved Nine Dragon Screens in China, which are precious example of the artistry of ancient Chinese. Another Nine Dragon Screen in Beijing is sited in the Forbidden City. Almost all Beijing tour packages will comprise a visit to at least one of them.

Riding on the ancient city walls of Xian makes your cycling trip perfect. The wall is spectacular and cyclists can have a birds' eye view of the city. The road on the top of the ancient city walls is wide and flat. Lower the speed and you will get the real "history" feeling from the armed soldiers, red lanterns and old walls around. Taking an overlook to the Bell Tower, it is more grand and splendid with busy traffic coming and going. Or just stay your bike aside, talk with local people and listen to their singing of Shaanxi Opera. Xi'an is surrounded by the 14-kilometer-long ancient city walls. Cycling on the commodious wall, the city is all under your eyes and you will imagine about one thousand years ago, lined soldiers standing here guarding the ancient capital.

My first trip to China occurred nearly ten months earlier. It was the furthest I had ever traveled outside the U.S. This time I was more at ease in preparing for my recent departure. No longer did I need to be reminded of the long flight time, language barriers, or potential visa issues that are well documented in the records of many a foreign student visiting the U.S. I was already an experienced traveler to the Far East having logged some 18,000 miles and nearly a week's worth of tourism.

Beijing, the No.1 tourist destination of China, is a modern cosmopolitan metropolis, and a major transportation hub that welcomes visitors with gracious hospitality. As the capital of China, Beijing plays an important role in the world nowadays. It is an ancient city with all of the modern amenities a visitor could want. This city has some unique cultural aspects that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Visitors to Beijing inevitably feel overwhelmed and upon leaving Beijing always feel like there was so much more they did not have time to explore.

Everyone I came in contact with in Beijing recommended the capital city as the sensible place to pour investment funds. While I was not there long enough to view any significant investment opportunities first hand, I did come away with a better understanding about real estate investing. Initial views of China and foreign investment are quite grim, and rightfully so. This is, after all, a nation in great transition, and though gradual change is taking place, it is an old Communist guard at the helm that is attempting to overhaul a long standing tradition in the face of youthful exuberance, and uncertainty. Nonetheless, given China's booming economy and their acceptance into the WTO, this has to happen, one way or another.

In sum, China travelers are confronted with a question similar to the one that confronted northern barbarians eager to penetrate the Wall's defenses all those years ago: Where in the Wall's 6,400 km length is the best place to stage your assault? For convenience's sake, we'll concentrate our effort of Beijing-area sites today, saving for another time exploration of intriguing spots running between the Wall's eastern extreme at seaside Shanhaiguan, near Qingdao all the way to its desert-bound terminus at Jiayuguan in Gansu.

I'm always boasting about how great it is to know people in foreign lands so there's no worry about inter-city travel, lodging, communicating, and so forth. And while this is absolutely true - as meeting with my friend outside of Beijing's Capital International Airport and knowing I had my own personal tour guide to carry me from place to place was a welcome relief - setting up shop for the next few days at the Beijing Holiday Inn Central Plaza was not the worst thing in the world.