China
Guiyang & beyond MINORITIES AND MORE
Sandwiched between Yunnan, Sichuan
and Guangxi, Guizhou is a revelation to many visitors. From Yao to Zhuang, Bai to Miao, this southwestern Chinese province boasts a colorful kaleidoscope of minority groups, who together account for more than a third of the region’s population. In addition to the beautiful karst topography, the rich culture of these diverse ethnic groups — which manifests itself most notably in a wonderful array of cuisine — is what makes Guizhou so appealing to tourists. While the capital Guiyang makes for a
gentle introduction to the varied charms of Guizhou, the main attractions are to be found in the province’s rural hinterland. Of these, Huangguoshu (Yellow Fruit tree) Waterfall is the headline attraction. From May to October, when the Baihe River plunges 245ft into Rhinoceros Pool, this thundering cascade is an awe-inspiring sight, throwing up huge clouds of spray.
Hangzhou
POLO’S PARADISE Dynamic Hangzhou, the
capital of Zhejiang Province, is still one of China’s most important cultural centers — it was actually capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 until the Mongol invasion of 1276. It was at this time that the great Marco Polo stopped by, describing Hangzhou as “the City of Heaven, the most beautiful and magnificent in the world”. The centrally located West Lake is Hangzhou’s most
famous feature, immortalized by countless Chinese wordsmiths and artists, and the source of the city’s most famous dish — Xihu cuyu (West Lake vinegar fish). The lake’s ‘10 Prospects’ have been specially selected to give visitors outstanding views of water, mountain and highly
prized dynastic architecture, and are easily explored by bike or on foot. Widely regarded as the
cradle of Chinese silk production, Hangzhou is also home to some of the finest silkworms in China — learn more at the fascinating China National Silk Museum.
Clockwise: Chinese bride in Hangzhou silks; Nan Dajie, main street in old town; (Huangguoshu) waterfall
ASTAnetwork | Summer 2017 | 77
Pingyao A WALLED WONDER
UNESCO World Heritage site Pingyao
dates back to the Western Zhou dynasty (1054-771BC) and offers a unique view of the architectural styles and town planning of imperial China. After a wander through the temples, courtyards and thoroughfares here, travelers are transported back to the days of ancient China. Te current city wall, around four miles in circumference, is over 600 years old, and is the only undamaged Ming Dynasty city wall remaining in China. ▶
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