Pingyao Ancient City
Located in the central part of Shanxi Province, Pingyao City has a very long history. Ruins of the Yangshao and Longshan cultures prove that people lived there some five or six thousand years ago. Of Pingyao's many cultural relics and ancient buildings, the city walls, Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple are under state protection. The city walls were skillfully designed and constructed and the buildings are laid out symmetrically.

Zhouzhuang,a land of water
Ancient Waterside Towns in the Region South of the Yangtze River
Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, south of the Yangtze River, have been noted for their charm since ancient times. Here, rivers and lakes crisscross, small bridges span flowing streams, ancient towns and small cities slumber near the fields and villages, presenting a picturesque scene. Among the ancient towns, six are known far and near, three of which are in Zhejiang Province and the other three in Jiangsu Province. Most of them have a history of nearly 1,000 years. The three ancient towns in Zhejiang are Nanxun, Xitang and Wuzhen; the three in Jiangsu are Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Luzhi. The distinctive local customs and ancient houses in these six towns are alluring for visitors and are a special treat for photographers.

The ancient city of Lijiang
The Ancient City of Lijiang
Also known as Dayan Town, Lijiang was built in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It is located in Lijiangba, Yunnan Province. It is the center of the Dongba Culture of the Naxi ethnic group and a meeting place of the Han, Tibetan, Bai and other ethnic groups' cultures. It is rich in sites of historical and cultural interest. The Yuquan River splits into three at the city gate, and the clear water flows past every house. Many stone bridges and stone memorial arches built during the Ming and Qing dynasties still survive. Most residential houses are built into an old-style compound with rooms on three sides and a screen wall facing the gate. The unique Dongba Culture and superb murals in Lijiang are known worldwide.

Ancient villages
Ancient Xidi and Hongcun Villages
The old houses in Xidi and Hongcun villages, in Yixian County in the south of Anhui Province, were included in Unesco's World Cultural heritage list in November 2000. These houses provide valuable materials for the study of the history of Chinese civilian residential housing, living environment, architecture, local history and customs. Viewed from above, the two villages look like a black buffalo reclining by the stream at the foot of the hills. The pond between them is called the "stomach of the buffalo," in which the water neither overflows nor runs dry.

Ancient Yangliuqing Town near Tianjin
The Shi Mansion, located in the 1,000-year-old town of Yangliuqing, which is famous for its New Year pictures, was the old residence of the Shi family, one of the eight prominent families in Tianjin in the Qing Dynasty, and was called the "No.1 Mansion in North China." It covers an area of 6,080 sq m and has four rows of buildings of antique flavor boasting exquisite brick, wood and stone carvings. The mansion has been opened as Yangliuqing Folk Customs Museum. The street will be 300m long, and cover an area of 20,000 sq m, on both sides of which will stand houses in Ming and Qing styles, with a total floor space of 10,000 sq m. it will be opened to the public at the end of 2001.

Ancient Gyangze City
Ancient Gyangze City
Located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Gyangze has a history of more than 700 years, and is one of the nation's famous historic and cultural cities. It is a perfect example of the city layout of old Tibet, and a stroll through its streets is like going back in time. Gyangze boasts the well-known Baiju Temple and the best-preserved ancient castle in Tibet.

Jinan Old City
Also known as Jiying, Jinan Old City is located five km north of the Jiangling District of Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, and south of Mount Ji. Hence the name (Ji refers to Mount Ji, and nan means south). It was the capital of the State of Chu (689-287 B.C.) during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Now it is on the list of cultural relics under state protection. In 689 B.C., the first year of his reign, King Wenwang of the State of Chu made Jiying his capital. In 278 B.C., the 21st year of the reign of King Qingxiang, Jiying was conquered by General Bai Qi of the State of Qin. For more than 400 years, Jiying had been the capital of Chu and had seen 20 kings ascend the throne. Jiying was the center of Chu's politics, economy and culture, and was the biggest capital among the states in the region south of the Yangtze River. The earthen city walls constructed at that time still remain, some parts of them reaching 6-7 m high. The old city is 4.5 km from east to west and 3.5 km from south to north.

Mosuo girls by Lugu Lake
The Capital of Porcelain-Jingdezhen
Located in northeastern Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen is one of the famous historic and cultural cities in China. It has a 1,000-year history of making porcelain, and has long been known as the "capital of porcelain." During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the white-glazed porcelain produced in Jingdezhen was called "artificial jadeware." The major tourist spots include the Hutian Ancient Porcelain Kiln, Ancient Porcelain Factory and kiln, Exhibition Hall of Folk Architecture and Ceramics of the Ming Dynasty, Porcelain Sculptured Factory and the Research institute of Ceramics.

The Matriarchal Mosuo People

Jingdezhen porcelain
In the northeast part of Lijiang Prefecture, southwest China, lies Lugu Lake, around which live 30,000 members of the Mosuo ethnic group. Their society is matriarchal. The beautiful Mosuo girls, together with the group's songs heard everywhere are called the "Three Matchless Things of the Lake." With the construction of the Lijiang-Ninglang Highway, to be finished this year, Lugu Lake is expected to welcome more visitors in the peak tourist year of 2002.

See more about Folk Arts-China 2002

About Folk Arts-China 2002

. January- . November- . October- . September- . August- . July- . June- . May- . December- . March- . China Folk Theatrical Atr- . Owns and Villages- . Chinese Folk Art Festivals . Chinese Religious Folk Art-

	For payment, trip cancellation, please refer to the Terms & Conditions
	For more information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to us at info@chinacustomtours.com