This is a famous polychrome clay statue of the GONGDE TIAN(Great Auspicious Merit Heaven) from the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234). Located in the Shanhua Temple in Datong, China, it is celebrated as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese Buddhist art. The statue is renowned for its lifelike, serene expression and exquisite drapery, often earning it the nickname the 'Oriental Mona Lisa.'

What can you read on her face?

Got back a while ago from the big loop, Beijing down to Shanghai over 20 days with friends. Still sorting photos, here's some.

Honestly the thing I keep telling people is the trains. We flew once, Guilin to Shanghai at the very end, everything else was high speed rail. Even Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, which is 2h direct now. Older posts still say you have to fly that leg, you don't.

Chengdu was the surprise. We gave it 4 days thinking that was too many and it wasn't, we mostly sat in teahouses and ate. Zhangjiajie looks fake in the best way. The 8h train day down to Yangshuo after it, less fun.

Can share the day by day if anyone's planning something similar. :)

Welcome to Hangzhou Zhejiang China

ChinSensWorld

We recently took some visitors to Longhua Temple (龙华寺), and it reminded me why I like this place so much.

Among foreign tourists, Jing’an Temple (静安寺) and Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛寺) seem to be much better known. Longhua is less famous, but I actually think it offers a more interesting experience. And it’s free to visit, which is another plus.

One thing people often come for is the vegetarian food. The vegetarian noodles here are quite well known, and there can be a pretty long queue. There’s also a tradition of providing food for people who genuinely can’t afford it, so it’s not just a tourist food stop. Longhua Temple mooncakes should also start appearing around this time of year, they are really delicious!

What I particularly like is that you can do more than just burn incense and pray. The temple provides traditional brushes and paper for copying Buddhist scriptures. Sitting there and slowly writing character by character is genuinely calming, it feels a lot like meditation.

And then there are the cats.

There are quite a few cats around the temple, and you’ll often see them lying in front of every main hall, completely relaxed while people walk around or pet them. They seem to have fully adapted to temple life.

If you’re interested in seeing a different side of Shanghai, I’d definitely recommend spending some time at Longhua Temple. It feels less like ticking off a famous attraction and more like actually spending some quiet time in a working temple.

It’s been 3 months since I visited Tibet, and I think the most special part of the land is its people. Tibetans are some of the kindest people I’ve met. ❤️ I feel very lucky to have walked with pilgrims on such a meaningful journey.

Took a little ride through Shenzhen Bay Park and filmed this along the way.

The breeze, the water, the distant mountains, and all the greenery made it such a peaceful little moment.

Shenzhen can feel like such a busy, futuristic city, so I really enjoyed slowing down and just watching the scenery go by. 🌿🌊

📍Shenzhen Bay Park, Shenzhen, China

We rode horses up to a lake in the Tangbula Scenic Area that barely has any English coverage online, we searched before the trip and found almost nothing written about it. Fairy Lake (仙女湖) sits at around 2,500m, no road in, you either hike or ride. We went with the horses, single file behind a guide, no helmets but it felt genuinely safe and well run. 200¥ each for the round trip, plus a separate 10¥ to actually get down to the water. Went a bit past wildflower season in late August so the grassland wasn't at its best, but the ride up alone was worth it.

Wrote up the full pricing, distance and permit situation if anyone's planning the same route :)

https://traveldayztravel.com/fairy-lake-xinjiang/

Hello,

Going to be taking the high speed train from Shenzhen to Chongqing and was wondering if there were any stops on the way you guys recommend getting out at and spending a few hours in.

Looking for cool temples or beautiful countryside villages.

Thanks!

What time is the rush hour in the morning? Also how easy is to find Didi in the morning?

What time do the subway start working as well?

Trying to figure out the train pattern.

Thanks

On the precipice of booking 17 nights. Flying in and out of Beijing as that is the cheapest option by far. Will spend the first 3 nights in Beijing, then go to Shanghai for 4 nights, then Zhangjiajie for 4 nights, then to chengdu for 3 nights, then Xi’an for 2 nights with the final night in Beijing before flying home. Out of all these are there any that need another night/could lose a night? In Xi’an I’m only really interested in the Terracotta warriors so debating only staying there 1 night and putting an extra night on chengdu.

I've been reading and I feel like I know the answer but I am a worrier. It looks like we will be going to China mid October (and don't live anywhere close to a consulate - in Colorado ours is LA) the late notice is because it is for Track Cycling World Championships which as of today my husband qualified for (was up in the air until literally today if he would I am usually much more of a planner!).

We would be in Shanghai Chongming Island - and I would probably make my trip about 7 days so within the visa exemption rules. Question is it as "easy" as the itinerary is say coming from the US - Hong Kong - Shanghai - US? I just add another country either on my way in or out of Shanghai (China)?

Are there any ways to get denied the 240 hour visa free transit (outside of itinerary plans not being valid for use?) it's obviously a long way to go for something to happen!

Which is the most reliable weather site for China? We are travelling to China for 2 weeks and big weather sites show rain everywhere we are going.

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Lost in this labyrinth‑like city?

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Custom itineraries, hidden local spots, food recommendations & travel tips.

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I'm planning to start a business providing inbound medical services to foreigners who want to come to China for medical treatment, checkups, and tourism. Does this demand really exist? Would you be willing to travel thousands of kilometers for medical treatment?

Hey Reddit!

I (25M) will be visiting China for the first time in March of next year. My route will take me along the corridor between Hong Kong and Chongqing/Chengdu. On the way I have been considering stopping at Zhangjiajie, but the weather worries me. I have heard March can be hit-or-miss, and that the El Niño conditions might translate into heavy rain or total whiteout fog. I only have limited time in China and don’t want to burn too many days on a gamble, and if the weather is unlikely to cooperate I’d rather just save Zhangjiajie for the future.

Obviously don’t expect anyone to know anything about the El Niño stuff, but wondering if anyone has any experience with Zhangjiajie in March? How has the weather been in your experience? What was your visibility like? Are we talking clear skies, poetic whisky mist, or straight up wall of impenetrable clouds/fog?

(For context, plan A was to head from HK to Chongqing via Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie and maybe Furong, and then plan B would be to instead snake my way through Yunnan from HK to Chengdu, with a focus on the 2-day Tiger Leaping Gorge trek)

Hello, I am planning to travel to Yunnan for a week solo and the flight to Kunming arrives at 2am.

I would like to ask whether there's facilities inside the airport to wait/rest until the first train in the morning to continue to Lijiang? Has anyone done this before?

And As I only have total 8 days/7 nights in Yunnan, is it worth doing an overnight in Kunming?

🇨🇳** Help me finalize our China itinerary! ✈️🏮
We originally planned to visit Zhangjiajie, but decided to take it out because we’re traveling with an elderly family member who may not be able to keep up with all the walking, stairs, and uphill sections.

Now we’re thinking of replacing it with Fenghuang and Furong Ancient Town. But I’m wondering if that’s actually the best use of our time or if we’re traveling too far just to see two ancient towns.

What would you recommend?

Is Fenghuang and Furong worth the extra travel time?

Would you choose a different destination that’s easier for an elderly traveler but still beautiful, memorable, and Instagrammable?

Is 3 nights in Chongqing too much, or is there enough to keep us busy?

Does this overall route make sense, or would you rearrange the cities?

🗓️Current itinerary
Oct 27 - Shanghai 🇨🇳✈️ Arrive PVG @ 13:30

Oct 28 - Shanghai 🐼Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Oct 29 - Shanghai → Day Trip 🚄🏮* *Suzhou or Zhujiajiao

Oct 30 - Shanghai 🛍️

Oct 31 - Shanghai → Fenghuang 🚄

Nov 1 - Fenghuang + Furong 🏮Fenghuang in the morning → Furong Ancient Town from noon until night → back to Fenghuang
Nov 2 - Fenghuang → Chengdu 🚄

Nov 3 - Chengdu 🐼

Nov 4 - Chengdu 🏥 Executive health checkup

Nov 5 - Chengdu → Chongqing 🚄Depart around 12:00 noon

Nov 6 - Chongqing 🌃

Nov 7 - Chongqing 🌃

Nov 8 - Chongqing → Seoul ✈️