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East Asia | |
Shanghai | |
Excursions |
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Shanghai,
Excursions Songjiang: About 30km (19 miles) from the southern outskirts of Shanghai, Songjiang has much to see that is of interest. A Square Pagoda dates to the Song Dynasty (AD960‐1126) and the oldest Buddhist structure in Shanghai, the Toroni Sutra Stela, dates from AD859 and is now incorporated within the grounds of a school. Yet another ancient attraction is the 14th‐century mosque. There are also picturesque old streets away from the centre. Shanghai Transportation Bureau (tel: (21) 6426 3555; ) sightseeing 1A Bus Line leaves from Shanghai Stadium to the Square Pagoda, every 30 minutes, daily 0730‐1730. For a Whole Day Suzhou: A famously picturesque silk town, Suzhou is located 70km (43 miles) due west of Shangai. Some 2500 years old, the town is far older than Shanghai and a hot contender for the title of ‘Venice of the East’ – many of its gardens and canals have not yet fallen victim to redevelopment. Among countless sights of interest are the towering North Temple, the Taoist Temple of Mystery and the leaning Yunyan Pagoda on Tiger Hill. Celebrated gardens are the Garden of the Master of the Nets, the Garden for Lingering In, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Lion Grove and the Blue Wave Pavilion. There is also the Suzhou Silk Museum and the Suzhou Museum. Bus routes to Suzhou from Shanghai include hourly services, 0715‐1615, from Hutai Lu, Zhongshan Bei Lu or Xujiahui bus stations and sightseeing buses leaving from Shanghai Stadium at 0800 on the weekend. The China International Travel Service office, Zhongguo Gouji Luxingshe (tel: (21) 522 2223) and other branches at the station and in Nanling Hotel, provides information on the city’s many museums and attractions. Zhouzhuang: This is another delightful water town, located 30km (19 miles) south of Suzhou, with canals and cobbled streets that draw hordes of local tourists. Yet Zhouzhuang still preserves an oases of quiet tranquillity. It is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town has official residences, temples and gardens and is completely pedestrianised. A single RMB60 ticket covers admission to all the major sights of the Old Town. Buses to Zhouzhuang from Shanghai include four services daily at 0700, 0900, 1210 and 1400 from the western end of Shanghai Stadium, as well as slower services from other stops. Zhouzhuang Ancient Town Tourism Corp of Suzhou, Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang (tel: (0520) 721 1654 or 1655; fax: (0520) 721 1029; ) can provide further information. Hangzhou: This destination, located on the Qiantang river in southeast China, 180 km (112 miles) from Shanghai, is almost ridiculously popular. Some 2200 years old, the town plays host to hordes of tourists to earn its tag as the ‘tourist capital of China’. Hangzhou’s West Lake has been immortalised in paintings and poetry by countless brushes, while its Lingyin Temple, with a 20m (66ft) wooden Buddha, is a place of pilgrimage for innumerable tour groups. Other sights include the mausoleum of the heroic Song Dynasty commander, General Yue Fe, and the Six Harmonies Pagoda, once a lighthouse for river traffic (reached by bus 308 from Pinghai Lu). Buses to Hangzhou leave from several stations. The long‐distance terminals at Hutai Lu and Zhongshan Bei Lu (costing RMB54) and the tourist bus terminal outside Shanghai Stadium (costing RMB50), as well as Hongqiao Airport (costing RMB70). Journey times to Hangzhou are about two hours. Trains also leave Shanghai’s main station for Hangzhou, with journey times also about two hours and fares starting from RMB33. The local China Travel Service office (tel: (571) 8708 0888; fax: (571) 8708 9224) is one of the best local sources for information and tickets. |