The?ideal summer resort

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CITYLIFE / Weekend & Holiday

The?ideal summer resort

(china.citw2008)
Updated: 2007-07-24 14:32

Chengde Summer Resort, also called Chengde Out Palace or Rehe Xanadu, is
situated north of Hebei Province's Chengde downtown, 230 kilometers away
from Beijing. First built in the 42nd year (1703) of Emperor Kangxi's
reign of the Qing Dynasty, the resort cost about 90 years to construct,
covering 564 hectares. It is the largest imperial garden in China. While
in terms of climate, it is an ideal summer resort with an average
temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius in the hottest part of July.

The resort is divided into two sections: the palace area and the scenic
area, the latter of which is subcategorized into Lake Zone, Plain Zone
and Mountain Zone.

Palace Area

Palaces in China conjure up pictures of majesty and splendor. Certainly
most palaces are just like that, but for sure you will have a different
view if you come to visit the palace in the Chengde Summer Resort. The
architectural style of the palace is very unique, and similar to the
residential houses in North China. Black bricks and gray tiles, rock
steps and the cute courtyard covered with old pine trees look peaceful
and elegant.

The area is located in the southern part of the resort, made up of the
Main Palace, Pine-Crane Hall, Pine Soughing Valley and East Palace. The
Main Palace is comprised of the Front Court and the Back Imperial
Bedroom. The main hall of the Front Court, all made of nanmu, was the
place where all important ceremonies were held during the Qing emperors'
stay in the summer resort. The Back Imperial Bedroom is comprised of
Yanbo Zhishuang Hall, where the emperors lived and dealt with state
affairs, and Yunshan Shengdi Tower, where the emperors and empresses
appreciated the beautiful scenery.

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Feature ?

Pilgrimage to Tibet If you want to get a detailed Travel Handbook to
Tibet and know more interesting tour routes leading to this divine place.
Please click here!

Yunnan New Film Project Ten female directors from China! Ten unique
sights from mysterious Yunnan Province!Yunnan New Film Project,Travel
with the film.Wanna know more? Please click here!

Editors' Picks ?

* Master storyteller has something to say
* Lookng after your skin naturally
* Evocative scents in a glass of wine
* Go on a shopping spree to discount stores
* Teatime!

Beijing Guide ?

Eating out: Mouth-watering magic
Bars&Cafes: Catch underground bands
Weekend&Holiday: An Oasis at Shichahai
Shopping: Ice up your world
What's on: Smoke society

Shanghai Guide ?

Eating out: An institution in the making
Bars&Cafes: The new money
Weekend&Holiday: Band of gypsies
Shopping: Chinese made delicacy
What's on: Teenage wasteland

20071123 Extracted From http://www.learnchinese.bj.cn

Retrieve the quietness

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CITYLIFE / Shopping

Retrieve the quietness

By Fei Lai (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-23 10:40

The customer is always right, says the "creative director" at AIAIA - it
is the fashion style she wants that matters most, not what the director
may think when on a buying expedition.

Not all fashion boutiques keep a high profile. AIAIA, taking its name
from an island in a Greek fairytale, is located quietly and neatly in a
tranquil two-story old house on Taiyuan Road.

"It is a kind of different atmosphere, unlike those in the center of town
which offer too much," says Miyuki Miyama, AIAIA's creative director.
"The private space here gives a 'private feeling' to every newcomer. It's
quieter, guests can pick up and try on clothes without being disturbed."

Purple walls, cozy sofa and warm lights, which in the Japanese owner's
eyes is good for creativity, give off a peaceful and elegant scent. With
a total of four showrooms, two on each floor, the store has a nice layout.

"On the first floor is the Tokyo-style zone, which is acceptable,
practical and easy to make, and a small room for discount clothes,"
Miyama says. "The upper floor displays unique designs from Europe, such
as England and France."

It is true that at the first step into the shop, the mostly
black-and-white series of Tokyo collection murmur the attractiveness that
these two fashionable colors always have. However, step upstairs, the
flavor of Europe swarms over the eyes. The diversity in colors and
designs brings guests into a world of sweet candy.

"Special items from each designer indicate different characters. The
unique clothes we sell are all works from international pioneering young
designers," Miyama says. "Big-name designers such as Anne Valerie Hash
and Matthew Williamson can be found among the European collections."

Although Hash is a young Paris designer, she has cooperated with many
luxurious brands. Wise, humorous and simple, her feminine designs do not
have so many colors but features smooth and fluent cuttings of lines.

Williamson is characterized by geographic patterns. "He is one of the
treasures for entertainment stars," Miyama commented.

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Feature ?

Pilgrimage to Tibet If you want to get a detailed Travel Handbook to
Tibet and know more interesting tour routes leading to this divine place.
Please click here!

Yunnan New Film Project Ten female directors from China! Ten unique
sights from mysterious Yunnan Province!Yunnan New Film Project,Travel
with the film.Wanna know more? Please click here!

Editors' Picks ?

* Master storyteller has something to say
* Lookng after your skin naturally
* Evocative scents in a glass of wine
* Go on a shopping spree to discount stores
* Teatime!

Beijing Guide ?

Eating out: Mouth-watering magic
Bars&Cafes: Catch underground bands
Weekend&Holiday: An Oasis at Shichahai
Shopping: Ice up your world
What's on: Smoke society

Shanghai Guide ?

Eating out: An institution in the making
Bars&Cafes: The new money
Weekend&Holiday: Band of gypsies
Shopping: Chinese made delicacy
What's on: Teenage wasteland

20071123 Extracted From http://www.learnchinese.bj.cn