China cracks down on recycled cooking oil

China’s food safety watchdog, the State Food and Drug Administration,  has ordered inspections of cooking oil nationwide as reports said up to one-tenth of Chinese supplies were illegally made and contained cancer-causing agents.

The order came shortly after a professor and a group of students at Wuhan Polytechnic University announced that they had found widespread use of recycled oil in their region in an undercover investigation. The professor, He Dongping, asserted that recycled oil was being used to prepare 1 in 10 meals in China. According to Mr He, the swill oil business is extremely profitable as the cost of buying food waste and refining is low while edible oil prices were rising.

Regulators are now searching for illegal oil recycling mills, and some health bureaus have begun releasing the names of restaurants and food establishments that were found to be using questionable oil.

Last November, regulators in southern China raided several workshops for turning discarded waste — possibly even sewage — into cooking oil.

In the city of Chengdu, in southwestern China, food safety officials released the names of 13 restaurants that were found to be using illegal cooking oil. The restaurants specialized in hot pot, a popular simmered dish.

City residents voiced anger at Chengdu regulators for having delayed the release of some of the names of the implicated restaurants, according to the English-language newspaper China Daily.

In Shanghai, regulators have warned that illegal cooking oil could be a problem because a large portion of restaurant food grease goes unaccounted for.

The city of Shanghai produces about 40 tons of restaurant food grease every day. But only about 29 tons of that grease is legally collected, recycled and disposed of, the Shanghai Greenery and Sanitation Bureau told some city legislators yesterday. Officials said that the rest of the food grease from local restaurant kitchens remained unaccounted for.  Hence, they can’t exclude the possibility that some could be used for the notorious and highly harmful business of swill-oil production.

还要让地沟油泛滥到何时？

《中国青年报》最近有关“我国每年返回餐桌的地沟油有200万~300万吨”的报道，几乎让每一位中国人都毛骨悚然。武汉工业学院食品科学与工程学院教授何东平估计，我国一年的动、植物油消费总量约为2250万吨，而地沟油的数量已占到消费总量的十分之一，按此推算，消费者每吃的10顿饭中，可能就会有1顿是在使用地沟油！还要让地沟油泛滥到何时？

地沟油：

地沟油实际上是一个泛指的概念，是人们在生活中对于各类劣质油的通称。

通俗地讲，地沟油可分为以下几类：一是狭义的地沟油，即将下水道中的油腻漂浮物或者将宾馆、酒楼的剩饭、剩菜(通称泔水)经过简单加工、提炼出的油;二是劣质猪肉、猪内脏、猪皮加工以及提炼后产出的油;三是用于油炸食品的油使用次数超过规定要求后，再被重复使用或往其中添加一些新油后重新使用的油。

Visitor’s Guide to The Bund: Shanghai’s Newly Opened Waterfront Landmark

Children fly the balloons during the completion ceremony of bund renovation project to welcome the 2010 World Expoin Shanghai, March 28, 2010.

The Bund, Shanghai’s landmark waterfront district and once known as the “Wall Street of Asia”, reopens Sunday after a major facelift as Shanghai attempts to relaunch itself as one of the world’s great financial centers.

Its three-year $415 million restoration, including the building of a six-lane underground tunnel for through traffic, revamping the pedestrian riverfront promenade and adding green space, is a key part of the city’s $45 billion investment for the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the giant international trade fair that will open on the opposite side of the Huangpu River on May 1st.

The 1.8-kilometre, newly marbled walkway along the Huangpu River will offer the best views of the city of Shanghai – past and future. Turn one way to see Shanghai’s 21^st Century Bund – Pudong’s new skyscrapers and modern towers across the river. Turn the other, and the graceful neo-classical and art nouveau buildings along the Bund that once inspired people to call Shanghai the Paris of the East are at your feet.

The Peace Hotel, which once hosted Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, has had a full refurbishment, while the Peninsula hotel chain, which was founded in Shanghai in 1866 and once operated four hotels here, the last closing in 1949, has reopened.

The long bar of the Shanghai Club, once the watering hole of the city’s elite, is also to reopen next year, now managed by Waldorf Astoria.

• Highlights of the new Bund

Promenade

The famous 2,000-meter-long promenade is said by city planners to be “as charming and friendly to tourists as the Champs Elysee in Paris.?

The promenade was once a quite place for lovers to walk, hold hands or nuzzle along the banks of the Huangpu River. Today it’s wider, and still friendly to couples. Around 2,000 seats have been installed around the squares for tourists. Baby-changing rooms have been set up.

Parks and Squares

A 2,600-square-meter waterfront platform in the Huangpu Park Square is designed for viewing both sides of the Huangpu River.

A bronze bull sculpture, like the one on Wall Street, will be set in the Financial Square. Information screens will broadcast financial news. Two other squares are Chen Yi Square and Observatory Square, all connected by walkways, the riverside promenade and large areas of greenery.

Waibaidu Bridge

The bridge, which is known as Garden Bridge, at the north end of the Bund area was dismantled and moved away to make room for underground tunneling work. The restored Waibaidu Bridge made its return last year.

It offers a spectacular view of the Bund and Huangpu River.

Three levels

The new Bund has three levels ?the waterfront platform, squares and Zhongshan Road. Before the renovation, visitors had to use the tunnel or the overpass to cross Zhongshan Road.

Shiliupu Dock

The Shiliupu area at the southern end of the Bund has been transformed into a business venue, connected with a traffic hub, which is a terminal for four city bus routes and tourist buses.

The dock is also a cruise-ship terminal with 12 berths for river sightseeing vessels.

• Street smart: The Bund, Shanghai

Much of 1930s Shanghai has disappeared but here on the Bund you can still glimpse the pre-war decadence and sophistication at a host of reinvented glamour bars, restaurants and shops.

THREE ON THE BUND

Designed by American architect Michael Graves, Three on the Bund houses, inter alia, four of the city's top eateries, a spa with rivers of flowing Evian, and the city's flagship Armani store.

Start your exploring at Three on the Bund, a buzzy, multi-floor reincarnation of an elegant post-Renaissance building. Here you’ll find an exciting melting pot of art, culture, food, fashion, pampering and music. Four original restaurants cover most palates, including nouveau French by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Mod Oz by Greek-Australian David Laris. New Heights cafe on the top floor is less fancy (and less pricey) than the others, making it a popular spot for a drink under the stars. On the floors below you’ll find the impressive Shanghai Gallery of Art, the chi-chi Evian Spa and enough high-end stores to rattle the strongest of wills (Armani recently opened its China flagship store here, the first major fashion house to take up residence on the Bund).

No. 3 The Bund, entrance at 17 Guang Dong Road; +86 (21) 6323 3355; threeonthebund.com.

HUANGPU PARK

Monument to the People's Heroes at Huangpu Park, Shanghai

Greenis always gold in Shanghai, where high-rises and 24-7 construction are the norm. Huangpu Park is the oldest and smallest park in the city, sitting pretty at the northern end of the Bund. Here you’ll find the impressive Monument to the People’s Heroes, a 24-metre concrete monolith honoring those who helped to free China from foreign occupation. Drop by at dawn to witness legions of elderly Chinese practicing tai chi and qigong. Also in the park is the small but well-formed Bund Historical Museum, showing the history of the Bund in old black-and-white photographs.

The Bund, near the intersection with Beijing East Road.

THE HSBC BUILDING

The HSBC building completed in 1923, was the second largest bank building in the world at that time, after the Bank of Scotland building in UK

Architecture buffs won’t want to miss a peek into the vast lobby area of the renovated HSBC Building. Built in 1923, it’s one of the best examples of neo-classicism in China. In its heyday it was called “the most luxurious building from the Suez Canal to the Bering Strait”. It was renovated a decade ago, with the work revealing exquisite mosaic murals of world cities. A quick-thinking architect had the mosaics covered over in paint to save them from destruction by the Red Guards.

No. 12 the Bund.

M ON THE BUND

M's signature pavlova dessert

Australian Michelle Garnaut is a visionary. When she created her signature restaurants and bar on the Bund a dozen years ago, the area was derelict and unpopular. Today, the roll-call of guests who have eaten at M on the Bund includes Kevin Rudd, Henry Kissinger, Richard Branson, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Bette Midler and John Galliano. The adjoining Glamour Bar is the most popular bar in Shanghai, a luxe, grown-up establishment with excellent views where bankers from Paris mix with starlets from Hollywood. The epic cocktail list includes terrific martinis. Sunday afternoon tea is also a treat.

No. 5 the Bund (corner of Guangdong Lu); +86 (21) 6350 9988; m-restaurantgroup.com.

THE PEACE HOTEL

The Peace Hotel is also the former Sasson House, a 13-story building that was the tallest in Shanghai at that time.The Sasson family gained incredible wealth through opium smuggling.

If these walls could talk … the Peace Hotel (originally the Cathay) stands proud and legendary along the Bund, a keeper of glamorous secrets from the 1930s, old Shanghai’s most decadent period. Back then, every night was an excuse for diplomats and celebrities to dress up and play. On March 28, after a three-year renovation and millions of dollars spent, the fabled hotel reopens as the Fairmont Peace Hotel. The new owners have promised the art deco ambience won’t be lost in the swanky makeover.

The Bund (enter from Nanjing Road East); fairmont.com.

• The History of The Bund

1843

THE Bund opened as the Treaty of Nanjing went into effect, opening Shanghai for trade with the Western world.

1845

Shanghai Land Regulation was signed by Britain and Shanghai. It established the residential area for Britons in Shanghai as the region west of the Huangpu River and north of Yangjingbang River (today where Yan’an Road E. goes). It established the Lijiachang area (south of Beijing Road E.) where British businessmen could rent and build residences.

1848

Huangputan Road was open at the Bund area with foreign businessmen’s requests. The customs of the
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) moved to the Bund.

1856

Waiyangjingbang Bridge was built on the Yangjingbang River (today’s Yan’an Road E.) at the Bund. Wills Bridge was built at the north part of the Bund.

1857

The British concession area expanded continuously, overseas capital flooded in. More than 40 foreign fi rms were set up along the Bund.

1864

More than 61 foreign firms were operating on the Bund, which became the biggest finance and trade
center in the Far East.

1865

Gas street lamps were installed on the Bund. Foreign firms used gas lamps for lighting.

1868

The Municipal Committee built the Public Garden (now Huangpu Park) at the south Bund.

1882

Shanghai Electric Construction Co began operation. Arc lights replaced gas light on the Bund.

1924

The first public bus line opened at the Bund.

1937

The Bank of China, Shanghai Branch, opened on the Bund. There were 167 foreign- and China-invested banks and fi nancial institutions on the Bund. The Bund architectural complex was mostly complete.

1949

Shanghai was liberated. All of the Bund architectural complexes were nationalized.

1989

The lighting project for the Bund architectural complex began. Flood-lighting technology was used to perfect the Bund night scene.

1993

Two flood control retaining walls, one for Huangpu Park and one for the Bund, were completed.

1994

Monument to the People’s Heroes was unveiled. Renovated Bund featured a 1,820- meter-long viewing platform.

Some foreigninvested banks, foreign-invested insurance companies and domestic financial institutions returned to the Bund.

The city decided to illuminate the Bund every night. In 1995 the lighting for more than 40 buildings was remote-controlled.

2000

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel linking the Bund and Pudong New Area opened on National Day. The tunnel was 647 meters long and the distance could be traveled in a few minutes.

• What to See & Do

Top Ten Shanghai Must-See Attractions
Modern Architectural Wonders of Shanghai

• Where to Dine

Taste of Shanghai – A Guide to Shanghai’s Best Food

• Where to Shop

Shop ’til you drop – Shanghai Shopping Guide

• Where to Stay

Top Ten Ritziest Hotels in Shanghai

Giddy Times for Chinese Wines

A vineyard at Huadong-Parry winery, Shandong Province, China.

Open the suede-covered case and there’s another box inside, this one made of cork. That second box contains a black silk bag with gold decorations. Alongside is a rolled-up scroll, with the signature of the chairman of the board, telling you in both English and Chinese that the $586 you’ve just spent has bought you a “miracle.”

After all this, the bottle of wine inside the silk bag could only be an anticlimax. The label just says that it’s a Merlot from Dynasty, one of China’s three giant wine producers. There’s no information on the vineyard or its location. There’s no vintage date on the bottle. Asked about the pricing, He Rujun, Dynasty’s East China general manager, said: “Merlot is so hard to grow in China. Dynasty spent 20 years to successfully grow it. Also, it was personally developed by our chairman and the quantity is limited.”

Welcome to the unique world of Chinese wines.

Buying souvenirs at Chaeau Changyu, Miyun County, near Beijing.

After years of producing millions of bottles of cheap plonk for supermarket shelves, Chinese wine producers are invading the high end—no doubt noticing that increasingly affluent and sophisticated Chinese wine drinkers are turning to French wines. In fact, the Dynasty scroll claims that “this Merlot wine can compare with French Lafite class,” even though the predominant grape of Château Lafite Rothschild is Cabernet Sauvignon, not Merlot.

Statistics on Chinese wine production are as famously murky as the origin of the liquid that goes into the bottles. But it’s widely agreed that, although hardly a drop of Chinese wine gets exported beyond Hong Kong and Macau, China is about to become one of the world’s top 10 wine producers. The London-based International Wine & Spirit Research, which does world-wide market studies on the consumption of alcohol, says China is now the fastest-growing wine market in the world, with consumption of more than one billion bottles forecast for next year. The country already boasts more than 400 wineries, although the Big Three of Dynasty, Great Wall and Changyu account for the vast bulk of the production.

At Grace Vineyards in Shanxi province, workers collect baskets of picked grapes

“It’s the Wild East of winemaking, where there are no rules,” says Lisa Perrotti-Brown, an American who lives in Singapore and gives seminars on Asian wine markets. “In China you can take anything and import it from anywhere and call it Chinese wine,” she adds.

The many boutique Chinese vineyards are proving a tourist draw; a California tour packager called China Wine Tours offers trips that include visits to five or six wineries. “The first question someone asks when they see our name is, ‘There’s wine in China?’ ” says Marc Curtis, the agency’s president. “Wine has a 4,500-year history there.”

Several expensive Western restaurants and hotels in Shanghai feature a single Chinese-made wine, by Grace Vineyard. With their wet and humid summers, most areas of China aren’t suitable for grape growing, says Judy Leissner, Grace’s president and a Hong Kong Chinese married to a German investment banker. Grace’s four vineyards are in provinces to the west of Beijing, where the company has found conditions ideal for high-quality vineyards. (Like Dynasty, Grace has managed to grow Merlot and sells it at Grace’s retail store in Shanghai, for $28.)

China's seemingly unquenchable thirst for wine has ousted America as Bordeaux's number one client outside Europe

To satisfy Chinese wine drinkers’ growing sophistication, the large Shanghai First Food Store on Nanjing Road East walking street now has a separate wine room filled with high-end products from the Big Three displayed alongside French wines. Some wines are clearly aimed at the gift market. Great Wall sells a $72 red wine in an individual wooden case with a glass cover that slides open to reveal the wine, resting on a bed of straw, with the label showing nothing more than a painting of a vineyard. A potential buyer would have to open the case and twist the bottle around to learn that it’s a 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon.

If the store is any indication, wine sophistication in China has yet to keep pace with the rise in prices. My interpreter asked the saleslady how that $72 Great Wall Cabernet differed from another Great Wall Cabernet on display costing $7. In the expensive wine, she said, “the liquid is thicker.”

Stallholders interact with visitors

I visited the office of Dynasty’s Mr. He to ask about its products. Dynasty is majority-owned by the government of the city of Tianjin, with a minority stake held by Rémy Martin, the French producer of Cognacs. What about the absence of a vintage date on the $586 Merlot bottle? Mr. He says the wine is from 2003, but that Dynasty omits the vintage to save the cost of printing new labels each year. But soon, he promises, “with the maturity of the Chinese market, we’ll have the vintages, the grapes and the winemaking techniques on the label.”

“We’re in a period of transition,” the Dynasty executive said in the interview. That transition will include Dynasty’s popular “1992 dry red wine” where, according to Mr. He, the 1992 is a brand name rather than a vintage. “We’re getting rid of this,” he declares. “We’ll call it 92.

It’s unlikely that any of these bottles will pop up in an American wine store. But David Henderson, who ran a wine importing business in China before returning to the U.S., has a vineyard and winery in China that produces a wine called Dragon’s Hollow solely for sale in the U.S. “Nobody walks into a [U.S.] wine shop and asks, ‘Where is the Chinese section?’ ” he says. “But there are 44,000 licensed Chinese restaurants in America. The potential is huge.”

Tasting the Wines (Stan Sesser of WSJ)

A decade ago, most Chinese wines couldn’t be swallowed. Recently, I bought 10 wines in Shanghai and invited three wine experts—Andy Lau, the sales director of ASC Fine Wines, a big Shanghai-based wine importing firm, and Yang Lu and Diego Zhang, both sommeliers—to taste them with me. I included three Grace wines. The other seven were from the three largest Chinese wine producers, Changyu, Dynasty and Great Wall. The tasting surprised all of us: All but one of the wines were actually drinkable, a couple even enjoyable. Here are highlights from my notes:

Changyu nonvintage Cabernet, $5.40: The bad old times. An aroma that evoked dirty sweat socks and cleaning fluid and a foul chemical taste.

Great Wall ‘dry red wine,’ $2.87: Clean and pleasant if light and simple, reminding me of the Charles Shaw “Two Buck Chuck” wines in the U.S.

Grace 2008 Cabernet, $10: Thin, with no varietal character.

Grace 2001 Merlot, $28: An enticing smell that within a minute disappeared; the wine was too old and turning to vinegar when exposed to air.

Grace Deep Blue 2008, $42: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc showed good balance and attractive flavors, although I wished it had more depth.

Great Wall Cabernet 1998, $72: Real wine—deep colored, full bodied, tannic but with a lot of fruit—that could have held its own with Cabernets from other countries. The surprise consensus winner.

Worst drought in a century hits southwestern China

The worst drought in a century has been ravaging China’s southwest provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou and the region of Guangxi, leaving 20.5 million residents and 12.6 million heads of livestock with insufficient drinking water.

A farmer carries pails to transport water from a partially dried-up pond at the outskirts of Yingtan, Jiangxi province.

Since 1517, when records began in the small Chinese village of Xiazha, there has always been water in its three wells.

This spring, however, the wells dried up.

“I’m 83 years old, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Yang Kuanren, a villager in Xiazha, in Guangxi province. “Not a single drop of water can be seen in our wells. For hundreds of years, we have relied on those wells for irrigation and drinking water and we do not know what to do.

“It is time to start planting the fields, but the earth is so dry we cannot even plough it.”

Three enormous water reservoirs that normally feed the village, and its neighbours, which usually hold enough water to irrigate 5,000 acres of land, have also run dry.

A local farmer looks at dying crop in the field in Shihuitang village of Shiping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 24, 2010

Nearby villages have started drilling new wells, but there is little water to be found, even several hundred feet below ground.

In Guizhou province, many distillers of Maotai – the national alcohol drunk at banquets – have stopped production due to a shortage of spring and tap water.

Huangguoshu falls_China’s most famous waterfall

Asia’s biggest waterfall, Huangguoshu, has been reduced to a trickle. More than 90% of the rivers and reservoirs downstream have dried up.

In Yunnan province, some villagers are traveling for up to three hours to try to find water in valleys.

The normally sub-tropical south of China saw its rainy season evaporate this year, with the average temperature in Yunnan two degrees higher than normal, and rainfall at only half the usual level.

Children wait to collect water distributed by local government in drought-hit Dazhuyuan village, on the outskirts of Kunming, Yunnan Province

Yunnan is the source of several of Asia’s biggest rivers, including the Yangtze and the Mekong and almost a billion people living downstream could be affected as they dry up. The Mekong is at its lowest level for 20 years. Over five million hectares of forests have withered or been ravaged by fires.

As the drought continues to grip, ethnic minority groups preparing for a water-splashing festival in April are now considering alternatives.

Boats are seen stranding on crackled bed of the Chirui Lake in Shiping County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 24, 2010

北京六家最新奇刺激的创意餐厅

创意餐厅不仅进行口味创新，更是对视觉与神经的多重刺激!从黑灯瞎火来吃饭、武林人士聚会再到坐着马桶吃“便便”， 京城的“新奇”餐厅越来越多，越 来越强劲!当然，这其中也不乏哗众取宠，宣传造势之嫌。不管如何，凡是新鲜的，都有必要去尝试一番！

●新奇餐厅之——木马童话黑暗主题餐厅

新奇之处——伸手不见五指吃饭

创意来源——全球第一家黑暗餐厅于 1999年在瑞士苏黎世开业。这家以帮助盲人为宗旨的公益餐厅，后来逐渐演变成了欧洲著名的旅游时尚餐厅。

闭上眼睛，打开心灵，体会黑暗中的奇妙。“木马童话”餐厅的名字取自西方的著名传说《特洛伊木马》，来此的食客彷佛化身为骁勇的古希腊勇士，置身幽 暗而巨大的木马腹中，开始一场神秘、奇妙的美食旅程。餐厅的大门处，一幅色彩浓烈的巨幅壁画迎面而来，这是老板的朋友为餐厅特别创作的。

推荐菜——特洛伊小牛排

天然食材烹制以西餐和日餐为主的无国界美食，其中美国安格斯牛排、蔬菜沙拉、大理石芝士蛋糕、养颜花果茶的套餐组合点击率颇高。最重磅的当属主菜牛 排。随着服务生穿越黑暗、脚步越来越近时，肉香味越来越浓，牛排发出隐隐的“滋滋”声显得格外动听，摸索着刀叉或是直接上手，接着是满口柔嫩的鲜美滋味。

地址：北京市西城区西单北大街109婚庆大楼8楼

●新奇餐厅之——便便满屋饭堂

新奇之处——马桶里面装着鸡饭

创意来源——日本解压餐厅

即使您想破了天也不会把美食与便便联系起来，因为几千年传统文化形成的定性思维就是，即便是在吃饭时谈论这些都是有失大雅，更何况用餐之时随处可 见？不过这餐厅却是源自日本，经台湾流入京城。其用途很大程度是给年轻的都市白领缓解忙碌的工作和生活带来的压力。餐厅的所有装饰，都是按照卫生间的样式 设计，椅子是货真价实的马桶，餐具也是小号的马桶和便盆，当作桌子的木澡盆里养着活乌龟，处处透着新奇和可爱。再搭配上老板巧妙的灯光设计，坐在位子上总 觉得自己神秘兮兮，有点儿隐私的感觉。真正挑战人们承受能力的，是写在一张大便形状菜单上的菜品名称。用马桶装着的咖喱鸡饭、用蹲坑盛满的冰激凌，每个都 是形象逼真，在菜单的名称上也都是用“招牌便秘黑干屎”之类的特色称谓。

推荐菜——马桶咖喱鸡饭、招牌便秘黑干屎、黄金便便条、便便冰激凌

地址：北京市西城区地安门外大街91号(地安门商场南)

●新奇餐厅之——玖食龙虾主题餐厅

新奇之处——让您在龙虾的海洋中尽情享受美味

创意来源——将纯正的美国创意料理、深海波士顿大龙虾带入北京

“龙虾主题餐厅”这个头衔绝对令人振奋。走进餐厅给人强烈的淡雅、舒适感觉，淡紫色丝绒座椅、精致的水晶吊灯，尽情展现浪漫、小资情调。

奶油黑胡椒焗龙虾

推荐菜——奶油黑胡椒焗龙虾

深海波士顿龙虾料理后入口肉质香滑甘甜，当地人着实“迷恋”，奶油黑胡椒焗龙虾、泰式酸汤龙虾、法式焗龙虾、蜀香泡椒龙虾等十几种吃龙虾的方法任食 客挑选，龙虾瞬间被赋予了更多的时尚元素，创意一触即发。餐厅内创意菜品更是不走寻常路，当美食可以带给人惊喜时，也许它早已超出了词汇本身原有的涵义。

地址：北京市朝阳区朝阳公园路好运街1-14号

●新奇餐厅之——风波庄武侠主题餐厅

新奇之处——男顾客叫大侠、女顾客称女侠

创意来源——金庸武侠小说

“有人就有江湖,有江湖就有风波庄”。风波庄是把武侠与美食文化结合在一起的极具特色的餐饮酒家。不用说，店主一定是个金庸迷，最起码也是武侠小说 的爱好者。凡来店光顾的男顾客都被尊称为大侠,女顾客都被尊称为女侠。武林音乐的背景，小二穿堂的声音，各种门派的巧妙构思，让每一桌的客人拿着筷子比比 划划，好似在论剑。 整个餐厅共两层，以竹子、木头和茅草为主要的视觉元素，加上各种类似于武侠片中的道具、场景设置，整个饭馆呈现出一个十足的古代武林店铺模样。颇有《武林 外传》的感觉。门口还摆放着一只铜盆，进店的侠客可在此“金盆洗手”。

推荐菜——紫霞神功、九阳神功、玉女心经

叫花鸭、玉龙戏珠、九阳神功、一桶江湖、玉女心经、紫霞神功、化骨绵掌……菜名带有明显的武林特征，听来真是很过瘾。“九阳神功”即木桶羊肉，羊肉 要的就是个“膻”字，肉切得极细因而很入味，底下铺陈的豆皮更加浓香；从安徽空运来的黄山豆干香辣可口，用竹筒炮制而成，故而被称为“一桶江湖”；“玉女 心经”则是茅草根炒肉丝；茄子烧油条被戏称为“紫霞神功”；健康菜式红枣银耳蒸南瓜，则对应阴森森的“化骨绵掌”。

地址：北京市西城区赵登禹路44号

●新奇餐厅之——惠爱营养主题餐厅

新奇之处——专门给孕妇做饭

与那些唯恐不让消费者掉眼球的餐厅相比，这家营养主题餐厅要人性化和小众化。随着现代家庭对宝宝的健康要求越来越“苛刻”，这样专门针对孕妇营养餐 厅也应运而生。整个餐厅以紫色为主，紫色的灯饰、紫色的座椅、紫色的壁纸、紫色的插花。因为紫色给人以宁静、高贵的感觉，这对在怀孕期间容易产生烦躁不安 情绪的准妈妈来说，有很好的镇定作用。餐厅一切从准妈妈的角度出发，布置装修可谓精益求精，如桌椅的高度设计都是严格测量过的，便于准妈妈搀扶起坐；每个 沙发座椅上都有靠垫，准妈妈靠在上面可以消除孕吐；餐厅还专门设有哺乳室，给需要喂宝宝的妈妈们营造一个安全、隐私的环境……

推荐菜——讲究低盐、低糖、低脂的孕妇餐

在孕妇餐厅的所有菜品，一律不含味精、鸡精类的调味品；并且保证低盐、低糖、低脂，充分保存了食品的营养价值。餐厅根据孕早期、孕中期、孕晚期三个 不同时期内准妈妈的营养需求，精心配置的各种套餐。每个套餐都包含凉菜、主菜、副菜、主食、汤及防孕吐的营养果汁，菜单上还明确标明了每道菜含的营养成分 和功效，满足了不同体质不同孕期准妈妈的特殊需求。

地址：北京市朝阳区团结湖东里12号D座2F

●新奇餐厅之——乐道音乐主题西餐厅

新奇之处——国歌作者田汉故居

这里西临伟大的词作家中华人民共和国国歌词作者田汉先生故居，文化底蕴深厚，艺术氛围浓聚，环境幽寂典雅。 会所内设音乐专业视听室；VIP私人影院；书吧；品茗议事厅；蒙古风情屋；蓝色星光厅；彼得堡风格餐厅。二楼为西餐、咖啡、酒吧、演艺多功能厅，每周都有 不同风格的专业音乐表演，满足各阶层食客与乐迷的期待。喜欢情调的朋友，可以到这里来体会一下。

推荐菜——意大利海鲜宽面、梦幻牛排 、罗勒腌南非金枪鱼

梦幻牛排

很少见餐厅将牛排切成这般摸样，上面撒的一层沾满了紫苏酱的面包屑更是增添了食客的好奇心，厚厚的“方块”猛一看仿佛觉得有些不知如何下刀。其实，这些考虑完全多余，您只需放松的切上一块放入口中，便立刻会被它的与秘制调料完美融合的香嫩至极的肉所牢牢吸引，只想专心的享用这大餐了。

这梦幻牛排之所以能成为如此梦幻的美味主要原因有二：一是这牛肉本身便是从澳洲进口的上等牛小排，堪称世界上最顶级的牛肉；二是因为在牛肉烤制之前，厨师 早已将其在调料中腌制了24个小时，让调料的香味完全进入牛肉的每一个细胞当中。

这里还要提醒您的是，来乐·道吃这梦幻牛排要点六成或七成熟的，因为这火候的牛肉与调料的融合达到最佳程度，少一分则入味不够，多一份则又稍有些过了。只 有这六、七成熟，才能带给您梦幻般的感觉。

意大利海鲜宽面

地址：东城区东四北大街细管天海商务大厦H座细管胡同内30米

全国各地春季赏花踏青地大盘点

2010年的春天已来到，严冬逐渐褪去，花儿酝酿了好久的笑颜已经逐渐绽放。“最好时光三月半，满城儿女试新衣”。寒冬退却，百花待命。油菜花、梨花、桃 花芬芳，这是一年中最鲜艳的时节。好的东西是需要有人一起分享的，朋友们快来感受一下春天吧！

• 油菜花赏花攻略

黄金圣地之一：罗平

2010年2月3日上午，2010年中国云南罗平国际油菜花文化旅游节在曲靖市罗平县隆重开节

云南省曲靖的罗平县独特的气候，造就了罗平独特的生态农业。每年2至3月，连片的20万亩油菜花在罗平坝子竞相怒放、流金溢彩，绵延数十里，好 似金浪滔滔的海洋，凡驻足这个最大的天然油菜花海，无不感叹罗平是“金玉满堂之乡”。324国道、南昆铁路从花海中横贯而过，有“中国吉普赛人”之称的养 蜂人，聚在花海之中，放蜂追花采蜜。

赏花时期：罗平油菜花旅游节一般每年1月左右开始，通常春节后油菜花就开了。要注意油菜花的时机，一年开花最盛就那10天。去之前要打听清楚再 出发，天早暖的话花就开得早，到了三月肯定过了，迟暖的话花期就晚些，没有特定的日子，年年都不同，要多注意网上的消息。一般在2月中旬的样子，是最佳赏 花季节。

最佳拍摄地点：一般的游客或者摄影师来这里都是为了拍到广阔的油菜花海，他们只拍景致，一般都会聚集在罗平县城东北方向的金鸡峰，很多罗平花海 的经典照片都是这里拍的。

如果来拍婚纱，不仅要拍景物，更重要的是拍花海中的人。推荐两个地方，一个是由县城沿大水井去多伊河风景村的途中，这里的花海随山坡梯田种植， 拍出来的照片，背景层次极好；二是城北牛街乡，这里的梯田上除了油菜花，还有小麦等其他作物，各种色块交织，色彩特别丰富。

拍照、赏花的最佳景点：一般推荐地是县城东北方向的金鸡峰。登上金鸡峰，看油菜花田平坦，而稍远处有些孤峰拔起，很壮阔的感觉。很多罗平花海的 照片都是这里拍的；其次是由县城沿大水井去多伊河（位于滇黔桂三省区交界处云南省罗平县境内，与贵州兴义市马岭河峡谷国家重点风景名胜区山水相连。经十万 大山峰丛至多依寨子进入景区。）风景村的途中。这里地形起伏较大，花田随地形梯田种植，富于变化；第三是城北的牛街乡。这里有梯田，梯田上油菜、小麦等， 各种色块交织，与金鸡的花海韵味不同；第四处是九龙瀑布（位于罗平县城东北22公里，是罗平古十景之一的“三峡悬流”所在地。）上游，如果只在下游是看不 到的。另外，值得一提的是从昆明快到罗平时，火车上看到的菜花，很有层次。

黄金圣地之二：英德菜花峪

清远的英德菜花峪是广东唯一的，面积最大的，离深圳最近的的油菜花主题旅游景区，位于广东省英德市沙口镇英曲公路旁，地处英德国家森林公园—— 滑水山自然保护区内。这片上千亩的油菜花分布面积之大在整个广东省是罕见的，这里是油菜花的海洋。盛开的油菜花沐浴着和熙的春风，犹如亭亭玉立的少女，迎 风舞动，馨香扑鼻，绽开的花苞带着晶莹的露珠，绚丽、圣洁得摄人心魂。

赏花时期：观赏时间为每年2月初－4月末，2月盛开最旺。油菜花盛开的时间相对较长，一般在5月中旬才凋谢。

黄金圣地之三：龙宫

油菜花全国很多地方都有，但贵州油菜花景自以“立体多层，起伏跌宕”的油菜花景观著称，尤其以安顺龙宫风景区的喀斯特山地油菜花景为最。安顺油 菜花随着暖春的到来，已是含苞欲放。

贵州油菜花随着当地的喀斯特地貌来分布，层层叠叠，顺着地势蜿蜒伸延，构成了奇异的画面，犹如每个山头都披上了一件挂毯，十分好看。从贵阳出发 经关岭、安顺到普定，一直到夜郎湖一带，都种上了油菜。每年的2月到4月上旬，丘陵梯田里都是一望无际的油菜花，映黄了天际，满山遍野美不胜收。

观赏地点：安顺最为知名的油菜花观赏地，就是龙宫风景区，每年3月这里都会举行油菜花节，漫山遍野的金黄色花海令人难以忘怀。当然，除了油菜花 外，还有桃花、梨花等也在春风的吹拂下竞相开放，争奇斗妍，蔚为壮观。欣赏美妙风景之余，还有当地精彩的民族风情，步入龙宫，可以领略许多从未有过的惊 喜，绝美的风景加上独特的人文，如此的搭配，才构成了一幅完美的春色画卷。

赏花时期：贵州油菜花在3月左右盛开，1个月左右的花期行程了一条条赏花精品线路，成为极具魅力的贵州春游产品之一。

其他拍摄地点：参观、拍摄可以开阳为油菜花观赏核心地点，凯里的郎德苗寨和西江苗寨为民族采风点，此外还可以考虑贵阳的青岩古镇和镇山石板寨。 以贵阳和安顺为目的地。除了贵阳的油菜花，由贵阳到安顺一路上均有油菜花景色，还有屯堡（位于安顺市七眼桥镇云鹫山峡谷中的云山屯，人是600年前屯田戍 守安顺的江南军队后裔，其村落依山而建，街巷纵横交错。）老汉族风情和天台山。此外有黄果树瀑布（位于安顺市西南面，距贵阳137公里，距安顺45公里， 有着中国第一大瀑布之称，高77.8米，宽101米，也是世界上最壮观的瀑布之一。）等景点。

贵州的油菜花不容易拍摄，主要是天气晴朗的机会不易掌握，为此一定要事先了解当地的天气资料。要带上滤镜，贵州的天气即使晴朗时也常常伴有雾 霭，缺乏通透度。

黄金圣地之四：婺源

婺源号称是中国最美丽的乡村，她最美丽的季节是三月中下旬。棵棵粉红的桃花、洁白的梨花点缀在漫山遍野金黄色的油菜花中，掩映着白墙灰瓦的徽派 建筑，使得每一个逃离纷繁城市的人都能找到归宿。夜宿农家，煮一壶醇香的米酒，炒两个平常的小菜，十几元钱就能把你带到人生最高的境界。

赏花时期：婺源油菜花盛开一般在每年的三、四月份,但有早、有晚，不同的年份，时间有时相差半个月。游客一般都想在油菜花开得最好的时候前来， 所以，对花开的情况十分的关心。总的来看，每年婺源的油菜花开情况是这样的：地势低平一些的地方的本地油菜花开得最早，然后是这些地方（如严田，长滩，樟 村一带）的“胜利油菜” 大面积开花，再就是江岭、庆源一带的油菜花开。一般在花开最盛的时候，一场大风、大雨，油菜花就谢了。前前后后花开有一个月左右，但最适合观赏的时间约二 十多天。而今年，婺源县油菜受到暖春影响，提前在二月份就开放得黄灿灿的，把婺源的田野装扮成一片片花海，与粉墙黛瓦的民居构成一幅幅秀美的田园风光图 画。

婺源景点分布在三条路线上，旅友大都推荐东线：李坑，汪口，晓起，江岭。这是婺源目前最热，开发最完善的一条线。包括三个古村落，一处自然田园 风光。其中的亮点应当是江岭，这是婺源看油菜花最美的地方，而且不收门票。

赏花路线：一是由南昌市出发，上南昌西外环高速经沪昆高速到弋阳下高速，经德兴市至婺源；二是由南昌市出发，经福银高速至九江，后转至杭瑞高速 到婺源；三是由南昌市出发，经瑶湖大桥走昌万公路至万年，后转206国道抵达景德镇，后经省道至婺源。

最佳拍摄地点：除去油菜花，婺源其他的美丽景致同样很多，比如小桥流水，比如吊角楼，还比如古朴民居，所以，想要拍出一张有婺源特色的油菜花婚 纱照，需要景物之间的配合。还有几个典型画面值得拍摄。婺源廊桥，这是特色，其中最著名的便是清华镇上的彩虹桥，可以以它为远景，从不远处的郊野油菜花田 里拍过去。李坑的小桥流水，一条小河从村子中间潺潺流过，几个小桥默默横架其上，拍这里的油菜花田和小桥流水。著名的大水车，从彩虹桥往下游走，会有一个 很著名的大水车，用它和油菜花相配合做背景，虽然有点俗套，但是却不得不承认，相当好看。

在婺源拍摄油菜花海婚纱照的最佳时间是细雨初停时，油菜花上挂着水珠，色彩最为鲜艳明润。

黄金圣地之五：百万亩油菜花田

陕西南部的汉中地区是传统的油菜种植生产基地，每年的3、4月份，成片的油菜花同时开放，置身于其中，会感受到色彩给人的震撼和陶醉。随着近几 年交通的改善以及信息传播的方便，春天踏青到陕南去看油菜花，已经成了西安及关中地区人们的一条热线。

赏花时期：每年的3、4月份为最佳时期。

油菜花田地在汉中城郊和农村到处都可见。

黄金圣地之六：门源

在北方，提起油菜花，稍有点儿旅游经验的人都会想起青海省门源县，这里是北方小油菜生产基地。

赏花时期：从每年的七月初开始，这里就进入了油菜花盛开的季节，开花时间是7月5日至25日，最佳花期是7月10日至20日。

就全国来讲，最大气的油菜花在青海，游览过国内一些油菜花风景地，感觉青海门源的油菜花景色甚为壮观，十足的西部风味，近百万亩油菜花形成的百 里油菜花海成就了博大壮阔的特有奇观。整个浩门川峰是豪放的一片花海。

七月初，门源的油菜花现在还不是最盛的季节，但是此时却色彩非常丰富，田野抹上了一片翠绿、其间点点滴滴地透出了一丝丝的淡黄——那是一种精力 旺盛、生机勃勃的浪漫宣言。七月中旬，整个浩门川将是一片的金黄，在高原深蓝的天空下，油菜花镶嵌浩门河两岸，浓艳的黄花，北依祁连山，南邻大坂山，西起 永安城，东到玉隆滩，绵延近百公里，繁花一片，无际无边，宛如金黄的大海。这里的油菜花与江西罗平多丘陵所沟画出画面有所不同，完全表现出了北方地区油菜 花在蓝天、白云和雪山下铺天盖地的霸气。

拍摄油菜花照的最佳时间是细雨初停时，油菜花上挂着水珠，色彩最为鲜艳明润。拍照不仅要拍景物，更重要的是拍花海中的人。

最佳拍摄地点：推荐两个地方，一个是青石嘴镇的元山观花台和县水泥厂对面的南山上，这里能全观浩门川的油菜花和常年积雪不化的冷龙岭及岗石卡雪 峰，拍出来的照片将有春夏秋冬四季景色，背景层次极好；二是东部仙米林区，这里的不仅有漂亮的油菜花，还有原始森林，仙米峡谷，各种色块交织，色彩特别丰 富。

注意油菜花都是一丛一丛的，很矮，在油菜花海里面拍照，比较适合坐下，或者躺下，假如穿着白色婚纱拍照，将白色婚纱铺散在花丛中，很能突出女性 的妩媚气质。拍照时挑选几套有动感的衣服，更加搭配周围的环境。有条件的朋友也可带一辆自行车或从当地朋友处借一辆，在花海中可以骑上一段，也可以作为道 具。

• 樱花观赏攻略

樱花胜地之昆明

有“春城”之称的中国昆明,每年春天,到处是各色各样的鲜花盛开怒放,灿若云霞的樱花桃花,更让人惊喜。说起看樱花,人们脑中浮现的必定是日 本。其实,樱花已不再是日本的注册商标！在中国有“春城”之称的昆明,每年春天,各色各样的鲜花盛开怒放,繁花似锦,构成一幅天然大花园的瑰丽画卷。

这个时候,气温只有10多度,走在凉凉爽爽的路上,夹道的花儿一路陪伴,感觉非常写意 。清早踏着薄雾,随赶早操集会、扭秧歌的硬朗老人上圆通山,满山遍野尽是粉红的花潮,有桃花,还有樱花……一路追寻,发现昆明的樱花树真不少。比较起旅 费、酒店住宿等旅游开销,到昆明看樱花,比到日本经济多了。

昆明的樱花比日本早了两至三个星期盛开,因昆明纬度较日本低,暖得早,花也开得早。

圆通山是昆明市区内看樱花的最佳地点,她连接圆通动物园,隔邻是历史悠久的圆通寺,游客来到这里就可以耗上一天。

出了昆明到郊外乡村小镇,樱花树总不经意出现在眼前,比起昆明市区、比起日本,郊外的樱花树即使满树风华,也不会有蜂拥的人潮,傲立风中的花 枝,令人怜爱之情油然而生。

前往宜良尝烤鸭的路上,便见樱花桃树三三两两散布田野中,小餐馆后面的那株粉红樱花,仿似村姑脸颊上一抹红晕,清新纯朴的气质,是万人争看的姹 紫嫣红所欠缺的。

在九乡溶洞的入口处,看见一丛白色的樱花树,枯黑的枝桠与乳白色的花串,点缀出幽静淡雅的气氛,把天空点染得几分萧索；后来乘船游翠荫峡,便一 直盼望山谷中石缝间能长出一丛丛的樱花或桃树,让自己暂时化身为陶渊明笔下的武陵渔人,顺水而下或逆流而上,寻找心中的桃花源。

旅游贴士：

圆通山位于昆明市区东北角,占地26公顷。因山色葱翠,巨石盘亘,古称螺峰山。据说元延佑年间,云南行省左丞阿者思在螺峰南麓的南诏补陀罗寺旧 址创建圆通寺,故改名圆通山。圆通山因林木葱茏,古时有“螺峰叠翠”之誉,为昆明老八景之一,历来为登高赏景胜地。解放后,这里遍植樱花、海棠和奇树异 木,景色更为壮丽。特别是每到阳春三月,海棠,樱花红白交映,花团锦簇,绚丽多姿,游客如云,“圆通樱潮”成为昆明新十六景之一。

樱花观赏胜地之青岛

说起樱花,据称青岛是除日本之外,樱花种植最密集的一个地方,有两万多株。

中山公园至今已有90余年的历史。原址为会前村村址,有村民360余户,多以渔业为主。其中最富特色的是从日本移植的2万株樱花,形成了此园特 有的景色,并逐渐成为以树林、果园、花木为主的公园,后取名为“森林公园”。为纪念中国民主革命先驱孙中山先生,于1929年5月更名为“中山公园”,沿 用至今。

青岛的樱花会始于本世纪三十年代,被称为“东园花海”的中山公园樱花,早已被列入青岛十大胜景之一。樱花会一般自四月中旬的第一个星期日开始, 至五月上旬的第一个星期日结束,大约与樱花花期相同。

中山公园内最著名的还是1914年后日本人来青广为栽植的樱花。现在已有四十余年树龄的单樱树,排列于公园南北主干道两侧,形成一里半长的樱花 路。

青岛市民历来把樱花开放视为冬去春来的契机。但逢樱花盛开,男女老少换上春装,不约而同地涌向中山公园。“出门俱是看花人”成为青岛樱花会的生 动写照。

樱花观赏胜地之旅顺

应该是跟那段不堪回首的殖民历史有关系罢,旅顺是我国栽植樱花最早最多的地方,现有樱花3万多株,品种有中国樱、日本早樱、八重樱、山樱等,主 要分布于二零三国家森林公园、太阳沟风景区(那里有长达1.5公里的樱花一条街)、龙王塘水库(20年代栽制的樱花和星玉兰)、及庭院村舍等处。

所谓“好花不常开”,一般樱花的花期每年只有7-16天。早春时节当地各处花团锦簇,夹天蔽日 ,就规模而言比北京玉渊潭公园的樱花园还要盛大。

旅顺“樱花之旅”活动始于1998年,每年4月到5月的一个月时间举行,期间赏花盛会自是不可少的——在樱花树下流连漫步或在万花丛中休憩会 餐,自有一种清新的雅致——此外春季海鲜节、龙舟赛、飞车特技表演等相关活动安排也很热闹。

樱花胜地之武汉

去武汉大学看1938年日军占领武汉时种下的樱花,已成为百万江城人的春天盛事。想真正领略樱花的神韵,还是初暮夜色里,看樱花如云；月下漫步 樱花大道,任落花如雨。

清晨时分,我们徜徉在名声在外的武大樱花大道。不经意间,刮起了一阵风。一瞬间,美景降临人间,我见到了难以忘怀的场面———满天花雨,彻底的 满天花雨……天空变成了无数红白的小点,“花非花”,忽然想到这三个字。空中飞舞的似乎不是花瓣,而是有着短暂生命的精灵,它们的生命在起飞之时诞生,落 地之时结束。

乱花渐欲迷人眼,我看到的樱花是红色的,但漫天飞舞时更近于一种不纯粹的白。那一刻,我彻底地沉醉了。

樱花之美

樱花的花期很短,大概只有10来天。听人说晚上的樱花别有一番情致,于是临别前夜探樱花。

但看过后我有一点失望了,在我眼中,晚上的樱花是没有颜色的,准确地说是没有鲜活的颜色。在昏黄的路灯照射下,樱花树儿不如白天美丽了。我想, 也许属于樱花的夜晚,是不应有光的。

但走在武大校园里,风让樱花分外美丽,在樱花大道,可能由于一边是树一边是楼,真有一种乱花飞天的感觉。

武大攻略

交通：早上8时前进入校园是免费的,选择广州下午4~5时去武汉的火车,12小时到武昌。

到达后打辆出租车(10元左右)直奔武大樱园,在天快亮未亮时第一次看到盛开的樱花的感觉是很美妙的。

住宿：最好住学生宿舍,武大的校舍古色古香,依山而建。武大也有招待所,若在节日期间最好预定。

特别建议：周五下午从广州坐火车去武汉,周日下午再从武汉返回。只需一个周末便可。

美食：可在校园里野餐,田螺、虾球、烧烤、冰镇啤酒……在学生饭堂、招待所餐厅或校门口的大排档都可搞掂。

到武汉,名满天下的武昌鱼不可不尝,最负盛名的是由安徽人创办于1933年,以擅长烹庄武昌鱼著的武昌大中华酒楼。

更多看点：重温学生时代,参加周末校园舞会,黄昏去东湖看日落、钓鱼。

此外,与武大很近的磨山,建有湖北最大的盆景园、杜鹃园、全国四大梅园之一的东湖梅园以及蔷薇园、水生花卉园、樱花园、桂花园等植物观赏园。

• 牡丹观赏攻略

牡丹观赏胜地之洛阳

洛阳春日最繁花,红绿荫中十万家。谁道群花如锦绣,人将锦绣学群花。———司马光《洛阳看花》

一入4月,洛阳便迎来了一年中最美丽的时刻,一年一度的“洛阳牡丹花会”即将上演。

每年到了这个时候,“花开花落二十日,一城之人皆若狂”,不仅洛阳人为了牡丹之美而如痴如醉,而且“唯有牡丹真国色,花开时节动京城”,所有爱 美的国人也为了这国色天香的“花中之王”而心潮澎湃。

花会期间,一路上植于街旁绿地中的牡丹花开了,形成一条红色缎带源源不绝而去。全园面积25亩,品种有300多个近3万株,难怪是赏花胜地。放 眼望去,红一片、紫一群、粉一簇,还有黑色的牡丹最是霸气十足。

洛阳盛产牡丹,民间有个极有趣的传说。说是在隆冬一个大雪纷飞的日子,武则天饮酒作诗,乘酒兴醉笔写下诏书：“明朝游上苑,火速报春知,花须连 夜发,莫待晓风吹。”百花慑于此命,一夜之间绽开齐放,惟有牡丹抗旨不开。武则天勃然大怒,遂将牡丹贬至洛阳。刚强不屈的牡丹一到洛阳就昂首怒放,这更激 怒了武后,便又下令烧死牡丹。谁知道牡丹枝干虽被烧焦,到第二年春,反而开得更盛。人们对牡丹更有偏爱,赞之为“劲骨刚身”、“焦骨牡丹”。宋代欧阳修曾 把中国各地的牡丹加以对比,得出了牡丹“出洛阳者,今为天下第一”的结论。自此,“洛阳牡丹甲天下”一说便流传下来了。

牡丹在洛阳栽培的历史已经超过了1500年。现在在洛阳种植的牡丹有900多个品种,其中“姚黄”为王、“魏紫”为后。

牡丹胜地之彭州

推荐理由：彭州,中国3大牡丹观赏基地之一,中国西部唯一的牡丹基地,有1500年的牡丹栽培历史。四月的成都因为有了彭州娇艳欲滴、雍容华丽 的牡丹而有了更多“花重锦官城”的意境。

细节看点：彭州早就有“花州”美名,牡丹更是称誉蜀中。早在宋代,著名诗人陆游在《天彭牡丹谱》中就提出“牡丹在中州,洛阳为第一；在蜀,天彭 为第一”。彭州牡丹又以丹景山最为有名。

风春雨浸润后的丹景山在阳光的照射下,更显妩媚：山坡上、小道边、古埂旁,丛丛牡丹,含着苞儿,打着朵儿,或笑或颦,把整个丹景山装点得风姿绰 约,楚楚动入。丹景山现有牡丹300余万株,260多个品种,十二大牡丹园群芳争艳：野趣横生的纱帽园、历史悠久的大千园、艳冠西川的蜀绣园,以及粉波似 海的丹霞园、天香园、牡丹坪、金华园、国色园等,各展芳华,各具特色。为方便游客,今年的牡丹花会期间,丹景山景区还将对游客自驾车过路费实行单项收费。

相关链接：

丹景山座落在沱江之源—湔江南岸,为龙门山八脉,相对高度不大,但是山峦迭翠,风光秀丽,自古就是“灵秀独钟”的“西蜀名山”,享有“丹岳岱 宗”之称。汉时即为道家先哲静修炼丹处,佛都东渐后又为佛道其处之山,寺观特盛。“崇峦架殿,叠嶂营楼,鹤林圣迹,龙泉佛影”,就是其真实写照。然而,令 古今人向往留恋的还是丹景山的牡丹。

丹景山自古就是著名的牡丹观赏地,肇源无端,唐时即盛,历五代至大宋盛。洛阳沦陷于金,丹景山为全国唯一著名牡丹观赏基地,但绝非仅因洛、曹陷 落而彰名,最主要的是丹景牡丹盛开于山野崖间,花时倒垂,极具野趣而闻名遐迩。

丹景山和牡丹不仅为历代名流学者、文人向往、钟爱的折服,平民百姓更是如此,每年四月花期,人们蜂拥而至,朝山、拜佛、赏花,热闹非凡,不亚洛 阳。以诗为证：“不让中州独得艳,倾城千古自流芳。马龙车水观丹景,山下形成闹市场。”

• 桃花观赏攻略

桃花胜地之千岛湖

“在合适的时间出现在合适的场景里,而且,手中有台可靠的相机。”这是《国家地理杂志》摄影师总能获得卓尔不群的影像的秘诀。当然,这也适用于 广大摄影爱好者,适用于摄友们对于去千岛湖这样如雷贯耳的景点而想得到具有新鲜感的作品的拍摄计划。我们提供关于这个计划的两个关键词：田园和桃花。

无论是胶片还是储存卡,这个季节的千岛湖总不会让你失望,但前提是你必须选对地方。对那些早已开发且游人如鲫的岛屿大可不去。你需要做的是雇一 条快艇,去一些人迹罕至的小岛。在那里,大面积粉红色的桃花、雪白的梨花在小山坡上错落有致地盛开,你很容易就能找到极具美感的线条、色块和构成。一汪碧 绿的湖水是它们最好的背景。运气好的话,还能有一叶扁舟静静划进你的取景器,你唯一要做的是：拿稳手中的相机,屏住呼吸,迅速按下快门。

除了千岛湖的桃花,从淳安进入皖南,走千岛湖—临沂—唐村—三阳坑这一线,也是非常棒的行摄路线。这条路线相对冷僻,游客极少,车行至山顶,极 目远眺,碧水翠竹的山坳里,零星散落几栋古居,屋前错落有致的梯田开满金黄的油菜花,像是给本来清雅隽秀的水墨画添上一笔重彩……

出行指数★★★★

自驾者从杭州出发,上３２０国道,经富阳、桐庐、建德进入淳安。全程路况不错,但有限速要求,切记不可超速行驶。

特别提示

千岛湖的桃花林多生长于一些不知名的小岛上,为了方便拍摄,建议在码头包租摩托艇前往。另一方面,摩托艇的老板对地理位置很熟悉,会给拍摄带来 许多有用的信息。

在器材方面,１７ｍｍ—３５ｍｍ、７０ｍｍ—２００ｍｍ这样的镜头配置基本能满足大多数场景的需要,带上一个２倍增倍镜会派上用场,可以方便地 拍摄局部。如果条件允许的话,使用中、大画幅相机和专业反转片,将会使影像质量大大提高。

其他

至于千岛湖—临沂—唐村—三阳坑这条路线个人强烈推荐,行走方式是到达淳安后,往文昌方向开约２０分钟,按指示牌箭头方向拐弯进入临歧,沿“潭 唐线”一路行进。到唐村后,转入“唐三线”,进入安徽三阳坑。沿途风光无限,景色绝佳。但路程较长,且后半程多为山路,路况复杂,比较吃力。但无论对于有 一定驾驶基础的朋友或是摄影发烧友来说,这条路线都具有相当的诱惑力。但只要控制好车速,基本属于有惊无险的。而对于四驱爱好者来说绝对是个“游戏天 堂”,泥地、碎石路面、陡坡、急转,且沿途有绝佳的风光相伴。但要切记,观景不开车,开车不观景。

桃花胜地之常德

桃花源位于常德桃源县境内,前为滔滔不绝的沅水,背倚绵延起伏的武陵群峰。整个旅游景区内,古树参天、修竹婷婷,长藤缠绕、花草芬芳。每年三 月,桃花盛开,粉浪翻江,落英缤纷,宛若仙境。

桃花源在历史上就是中国古代道教圣地之一,有第三十五洞天、第四十六福地的美誉。千百年来,桃花源咸集文人墨客,乐煞古今游人。陶渊明、孟浩 然、王昌龄、王维、李白、杜牧、刘禹锡、韩愈、陆游、苏轼等都留下珍贵的墨迹。

桃花源旅游区,分桃花山、桃仙岭、桃源山、秦人村四大部分。寻访桃花源,一般乘车至桃花山牌坊下车。桃花山牌坊在公路南侧,始建于1943年, 后倾塌,1973年按原貌修复,坊上石刻介绍了桃花山的概况。牌坊横额上,饰有色彩斑澜的花和“桃花源”三个遒劲大字。牌坊两边的大柱上,有一幅对联, “红树青山斜阳古道,桃花流水福地洞天”,概括了桃花源的主要景致。

过牌坊,上桃花山,迎面有一条水流不断的小溪,就是桃花溪。溪的右侧,长着一片茂密的桃林,穷林桥便隐藏在这桃林的深处。桃花溪一带的景致,有 如《桃花源记》中的描述：“忽逢桃树林,夹岸数百步,中无杂树,芳草鲜美,落英缤纷。”若在桃花盛开之时来到这里,可见桃树盖头,浓淡相间,有的鲜红如碧 血,有的艳丽如胭脂。千树万树,如织的云锦,令人陶醉。

如果近距离看桃花觉得晕眩迷离,不妨移步到夷望溪,这里碧波涟漪,两岸群山起伏,青松翠竹郁郁葱葱。在此远眺桃花,有种朦胧的美感。或者从夷望 溪进入沅水,游客可观赏到桃花源的“外八景”,潼舫洲夕照、浔阴古寺钟罄、梅溪烟雨帘幕、漳江阁琼楼玉宇等。

旅游贴士

拍照、赏花的最佳景点：在刘禹锡草堂、踞桃花山主峰天尊崖上或位于桃花山顶,可体会树脂喷芳,桃香清心爽神,这些都是游人拍照留影的最佳位置。

食：常德菜口味浓厚,一般取材于常德本地的土特产品,辣是常德菜的一大特色。常德的米粉味道不错。

住：桃源县的住宿比较便宜,可考虑住在紫东阁。高中低档价钱都有,60元一晚的单人房已经十分舒服。

行：从广州可先到常德,火车约十个小时便可到达。从常德市再坐车前往桃源县北站,票价6．5元,约1个小时车程。到站后可坐面的进入县城,只需 1元钱。

桃花胜地之西樵山：

主打花品：桃花、茶花

观赏方式：闲庭信步

观赏期：二月到三八妇女节期间

每年的春节，西樵山上的几大花园都会吸引各地游客前来观赏，桃花、茶花、桂花……满园的花香，感觉春天的气息扑面而来，深深地吸一口气，一鼻子 的清香，一衣裳的花瓣。

西樵山几百亩的桃花园、茶花园、桂花园紧紧相依，连为一体。金花色的花朵开得漫山遍野，交织在绿色的原野，淡淡的花香扑鼻而来。桃花园里，淡红 的碧桃、深红的降桃、粉红的寸桃、晶莹如雪的白桃，漫山遍野，灿若红云，娇似彩霞。红树青山，斜阳古道，袅袅炊烟，坎坎阡陌， “桃花仙人种桃树,又摘桃花换酒钱”，此景恍若置于陶渊明隐居的桃花仙境。200多亩茶花在这个早春里，也开得如火如荼。超级花仙子、普佗紫光、苏杭金 丝、金华玉盘、蝶恋香妃等茶花中的极品都开了。油光碧绿的叶子中间托着千百个重瓣的茶花，那样红艳，每朵花都像一团燃烧得正旺的火焰。

其他玩法：赏完花后，游客还可以参加西樵山民俗文化节，与李连杰主演的电影《黄飞鸿之——狮王争霸》一模一样的狮王抢青争霸，调皮的小猴子，诙 谐的大头佛，当然别忘了向观音菩萨祈福来年一切顺利。云海莲台景区，高61.9米的观音铜像是世界上最高的观音坐像。祈福后，游客还可以到宝峰寺参加祈福 法会。西樵山首届国家级非物质文化遗产节在天湖公园举行，湛江《舞鹰雄》、连南《瑶族耍歌堂》、狮王抢青争霸、龙凤呈祥、大头佛等一批国家级非物质文化遗 产在天湖水上擂台尽情上演。

资讯加油站

交通：广州自驾车可走佛开高速-南海沙头出口-西樵山环山路-山南路-西樵山。东莞、深圳、广州游客可走西二环-西樵出口-黄飞鸿狮艺武术馆- 环山路-西樵山。

住宿：有星级宾馆也有青年旅馆，住西樵山顶可以看日出，如一家大小或朋友结伴而游，可以住山顶的乡村别墅。

美食：西樵山特色菜肴佛手瓜、紫贝菜、走地鸡、大头鱼。

• 梅花观赏攻略

2010中国南京国际梅花节2月22日在中山陵景区梅花谷广场拉开帷幕

看看家里盛开的年花、窗户流出的一抹“汗”,才惊觉已经立春,春天到了！踏入初春,神州大地早已花开处处,尤以梅花最灿烂,由南京到云南,整个 南部的春天,都是粉红的。

每年早春,梅花都会抢闸率先盛放,有些地方冰雪还未融化,已见寒梅傲雪而开,踏雪寻梅自古已是既诗意又有趣的活动。不过现在赏梅就方便得多,而 且愈搞愈似嘉年华。

梅花观赏胜地之南京

梅花是南京的市花,南京的梅花山,也号称是内地的头号梅花基地。去年梅花山进行了拓展工程,种植的梅花数量由一万五千株,倍增至三万多株,品种 也由二百余个增至三百五十多种。早春二三月,在特寒的年份如今年,南京的霜雪还未完全融化,但也不影响赏梅的人潮,每年上山赏花的人都以十万计。

从1996年起,南京每年均配合花期举行国际梅花节、花车巡游,还有借题发挥的歌舞杂技表演、化装舞会等。十年前开始,同期又举行长江三角洲南 京旅游交易会,参加团体来自世界各地,令梅花节人气更旺盛,名副其实国际化。

昆明西南梅乡

四季如春的昆明,以花卉闻名中外,年前的花卉博览会更是代表作。昆明也是中国西南部的最大赏梅胜地兼研究基地,位于黑龙潭公园的梅园,地栽、盆 栽的梅树合共约一万四千株左右,共有一百三十七个品种,总面积达六百多亩。黑龙潭公园的梅花花期又比较早,一般一月初已开花,一直至二月下旬左右均是赏花 的好时节。

西湖梅开二处

四季均可观赏不同鲜花的杭州西湖,春天便以赏梅为主,位于西湖北面桃源领的杭州植物园内,可找到二百四十亩的青芝坞灵峰探梅景区,有梅树逾五千 株。这梅林由清道光年间便开始种植,经过百多年的经营,已有四十多个品种的梅花,梅林风景峰回路转,花海中又有水池、楼阁,增添赏梅趣味。

西湖北面的孤山,又是另一赏梅胜地。孤山虽曰山,但实则是湖中的小岛,亦是西湖中最大的岛屿。孤山梅花自宋代起便名扬天下,皆因一代名士林逋隐 居于岛上,终生不娶,整日沉醉于栽梅及养鹤的生活,现时岛上的放鹤亭便因此而来；而放鹤亭亦是孤山梅林的起点,一直伸延至西泠桥为止。

杭州每年的梅开季节,也吸引不少人到来赏花猎影。

出门小锦囊

天气：二月份气温南京约0℃-4℃；昆明约3℃-16℃；杭州约2℃-7℃。

• 杜鹃花观赏攻略

春天是赏花的好季节，四五月份正是杜鹃花开放的时节，国内几个盛产杜鹃的地方，每年都会吸引大批游客前去欣赏。杜鹃花有“花中西施”之称，连白 居易也曾赞它“回看桃李都无色，映得芙蓉不是花。”花开时节，漫山遍野花团锦簇，暗香绵延直叫人“沉醉不知归路”。

天台云锦杜鹃

天台华顶的云锦杜鹃知名度越来越高了，每年五月正是云锦杜鹃盛开的时节，朵朵杜鹃在高高的枝头绽放。有兴趣的市民朋友不妨前去看看。

■出游小贴士：

云锦杜鹃节的举办地在天台华顶国家森林公园，杜鹃节期间景区交通非常拥挤，私家车估计要停在山脚的停车场了。

井岗山看杜鹃

杜鹃花是井冈山的市花，目前已查明的品种有32种，主要有开白花的江西杜鹃、开红花的映山红、开粉红色的鹿角杜鹃、云锦杜鹃、开粉红至白花的猴 头杜鹃、开淡红紫色花的红毛杜鹃，还有井冈山所特有的珍稀树种——开淡紫红色花、具有香味的井冈山杜鹃等。

井冈山的杜鹃花期是从4月中旬至6月中旬，山上的杜鹃与别处不同，别处的杜鹃是灌木型的，而井冈山的杜鹃却是乔木型的，每棵都高达十五米以上， 干围一米左右，开出的花朵呈五角形，大的如碗口，小的像钮扣，有的一棵树上竟开着几种颜色的花。

春季到井冈山，一定要到笔架山一睹“十里杜鹃花长廊”的壮观。“十里杜鹃花长廊”绵亘在笔架山17峰的峰脊上，沿着悬崖陡峭的山脊，在七八米高 的虬曲盘错的枝干上，各色盛开的杜鹃，一组组，一丛丛，密密匝匝地伸向蓝天。在井冈山随处都可目睹杜鹃花的风采，不过最美的应该在五指峰下的水口景区。那 里有一座名叫“彩虹”的瀑布，贴崖飞下八十米。围绕这座瀑布四周的景观，诸如鹃岛、鹃苑、鹃壑、鹃池，皆以杜鹃命名。

■出游小贴士：

各大旅行社都有去井冈山的线路，价格也不贵，井冈山市区很小，星级酒店不多，但是各种宾馆、招待所还是不少，价格在60~150元/房不等；招 待所一般在30元/房左右。

峨眉山杜鹃争奇斗艳

峨眉山佛家称杜鹃为“桫椤”，从海拔500米的报国寺到海拔3099米的万佛顶都有生长，各类杜鹃次第开放，争奇斗艳，因此有杜鹃王国之称。目 前，峨眉山已经发现的杜鹃花种类多达30种，其中“峨眉光亮杜鹃”、“波叶杜鹃”、“无腺波叶杜鹃”、“峨眉银叶杜鹃”为峨眉山独有。

到峨眉山观赏杜鹃，4月至6月是最佳季节，一坡坡，一片片，路旁谷边，高低远近，从山顶一泻而下，纵目眺望，花海荡漾，香气浮动。峨眉山杜鹃花 品种繁多，色彩各异，千姿百态。最先盛开的是九老洞、华严顶一带的“大钟杜鹃”，以早开、花大、色丽而蜚声国内外。每年阳春三月，冰雪渐消融，它就抢先独 放于华严顶下。盛开在大乘寺、雷洞坪、弓背山一带的“美容杜鹃”，俗称“美人红”，以叶大花繁色艳而冠压群芳，有“杜鹃皇后”之誉。最摄人心魄的是开在云 海之上悬崖边的“艳丽杜鹃”，祥云在脚下忽聚忽散，杜鹃在身边灿烂地绽放，游人会觉得自己仿佛置身于神仙的后花园。

■出游小贴士：

峨眉山距离成都双流国际机场大约一个半小时的车程。峨眉山上的清音阁和金顶都有住宿的地方，8元到几十元都有。如果想夜晚泡温泉，报国寺内的峨 眉山大酒店是最佳选择，如果想看日出，可以住在金顶大酒店。

长白山金达莱开

长白山区有野生杜鹃花种类9种，其中，最为人熟知的就是高山杜鹃，又称牛皮杜鹃、长白杜鹃，是当地所独有。高山杜鹃不仅是长白山海拔最高的高山 花卉，而且它们开放时间最早，生命力最顽强。这里的杜鹃花在4月中旬到5月中旬开放，在长白山欣赏杜鹃花最佳地点就是西坡，那里又有“高山花园”的美誉。

4月，山上的冰雪尚未融化，天池仍在冰封之中，山顶依然白雪皑皑，高山杜鹃却顶风破雪，傲然开放，成坡谷、成群落地绽放在冰雪之上。茎横卧、枝 斜伸，花色乳白到淡黄，娇嫩艳丽，晶莹欲滴，在冰雪和寒风中坚实挺立，显示出勃勃生机。高山杜鹃与山巅的银色世界连为一体，成为早春最为壮丽的花海景观。 等到四月末五月初，冰雪基本完全融化，此时杜鹃花也是盛开得最灿烂时，浅黄色、乳白色、淡红色……让人仿佛进入了花的世界。

■出游小贴士：

长白山周边城市如长春、通化、吉林、延吉都有机场，其中延吉机场为最近住宿，山下山上都有旅社，平时客房一般不会紧张。选择住在二道白河镇比较 便宜，标准间200元左右

• 禾雀花观赏攻略

禾雀花在广东的江门、肇庆、清远、广州、韶关等地均有分布。“禾雀花”花季为3月至5月份，花期为两星期。禾雀花的外形奇特，花穗呈簇串状，花 开四五瓣，花托似禾雀头；两旁各有一粒似眼睛的小黑点；正中的一瓣，弯弓似雀背；两侧的花瓣似雀翼；底瓣后伸，是为尾巴；花内还有一撮细长略弯的花蕊，花 形宛如一只只吊挂在藤蔓上的禾雀。

禾雀花观赏之清远牛鱼嘴

推荐理由:禾雀不是日常的家居观赏花，所以要欣赏它的美丽，就要走到山林当中。清远牛鱼嘴的原始生态森林，便是离广州最近的禾雀花王国。每到3 月，那里的几百株古藤便盛开了“禾雀花”，风情万种、十分迷人。

花期:三四月份。

赏“雀”地点:清远牛鱼嘴原始生态风景区。

赏“雀”指引:三月，花的季节，此时，牛鱼嘴满山形似雀鸟的古藤“禾雀花”早已按捺不住“花”窦初开的心情，争相盛放，有似百鸟归巢、有似窃窃 私语、有似比翼双飞、有似展翅啄食、有似欣喜雀跃……

俗话说独木不成林，百年古藤上尽带俏丽禾雀花，禾雀花开遍野，一片花的世界。

特别提醒

1.美食:景区内有一家农家菜馆，店家做的蒸鱼，味道鲜美。还有清远著名的白切清远鸡、刀切糍、全菇宴、全羊宴、全鹿宴等。

2.游玩:要游一遍整个风景区大概需要一天时间，可以早上出发登山，有些山路较崎岖，需要穿运动鞋登山。当天下午即可返回广州。

3.交通:从广州驱车前往清远方向，约45分钟到达清远市区，再往附城方向行约10公里可达景区。

禾雀花观赏胜地之新会

推荐理由:禾雀花多以黄色为主，如果想看看奇特的品种，那就非要到新会现代农业基地不可。

赏“雀”地点:新会现代农业基地。

赏“雀”指引:那里培育出来的紫白双色禾雀花，就像花枝招展的小鸟，在卖弄自己漂亮的衣裳。赏花之余，还可在农庄里品味五邑地区正宗的新会陈皮 宴，犒劳自己。

花开之时，外形如小鸟般娇柔的“禾雀花”便聚集在藤枝之上，一群群，一串串，十分热闹。禾雀花还是植物界会哭泣的花儿。只要受到伤害，留下伤 痕，便会流出血色一般的“眼泪”。禾雀花的花期很短，只有两个星期左右；因其无根无叶，只能依附于藤上，它的绚丽又总带有一丝幽怨和凄美。

禾雀花观赏胜地之肇庆

推荐理由:这里能赏到少见的七彩禾雀花。

赏“雀”地点:肇庆七星岩北侧的盘王庙。

赏“雀”指引:每年三四月，正是盘王庙禾雀花盛开的时节，连片的禾雀花像长蛇般的藤蔓飞架于山涧间，盘绕在古树上，枝条上垂下成串的禾雀花，每 一朵小花的花萼、花瓣、花蕊都活像是一只小鸟的头、翅膀和长长的尾巴，酷似一群禾雀栖息在一块，栩栩如生。花色有黄、红、粉红、紫色等，五彩缤纷，仿佛万 只彩雀空中飞舞，令人称绝。

盘古山在七星岩北面，景区内特有的原始森林景观，藤蔓缠绕，秀丽神秘。沿途还可欣赏到世界上四大古果之“野生无花果”、缠绵共生的“欢喜树”、 与桫椤同样名贵的活化石“锡叶藤”、漫山遍野的“野杜鹃”。

特别提醒

1.美食:在盘古山旁边有一条北岭美食街，位于七星岩度假区内，能吃到正宗的肇庆农家菜和野味。喜欢吃河鲜、海鲜的游客可以到江滨路、西江路、 前进路一带，能尝到肇庆最出名的屷鲤和麦溪鲤。

2.交通:七星岩、盘古山等景区距离广州100公里，车程约2小时。在肇庆市内有多路公交车可达景区。

• 梨花观赏攻略

梨花观赏胜地之四川

梨花在印象中是一种安静的花，总是静静地开放在一角，花期与桃花、杏花相同，在桃花、杏花的灿烂中，很容易被忽视。然而仔细品味，却觉得颇为不 俗，花色洁白如雪，亭亭玉立，幽雅高洁。自古以来，映照着无数诗人文人的心境。像是“忽如一夜春风来，千树万树梨花开”的宏大气势，也有“砌下梨花一堆 雪，明年谁此凭栏杆”的意境。一树梨花，一段风月，每一处客栈，每一座庭院，每一条小溪，每一缕春风，都有一段故事，都有一颗心灵，就那么静静地凝固在春 天的意境里。

小时候去踏青春游，最爱看乡村里的桃花、杏花、油菜花。艳丽的事物总是容易抓住人们的心，我的手里总是折了一两枝桃花杏花，想着和小伙伴们比， 看看谁的桃花更艳，谁的杏花更香。梨花往往羞涩地躲在某个农家小院，从来不是张扬的个性，也总是得不到我的关心。然而待到暮春时节，油菜花杏花桃花差不多 花期结束了，一树梨花突然出现在人们的视线里，伴着小桥流水，白墙黛瓦，才发觉原来它是那么的洁白，那么的芳香。花静静的开放，人静静的欣赏。它不像桃花 那样妩媚，不像杏花那样单调，更不像樱花那样娇贵，与她们同时争艳，梨花只是一如的素白、一如的清纯、一如的静美。

也去过家乡有名的产梨胜地百里洲，那是长江中的一个岛，一个乡镇的面积。正是春分时节，梨花盛开，一大片梨花聚集在一起，如漫天飞雪，有着花团 锦蔟、花深似海、洁白如雪的壮观。春风微抚，花浪起伏，置身梨园，被馥郁的花香拥抱着，熏陶着，不觉心旷神怡，悠然自得。好一番铺天盖地，好一片梨花春 雪！一树又一树的梨花，沐浴着温暖的阳光，静听潺潺溪水，象亭亭玉立的仙女，笑容可掬，姿态可亲。在那一刻，春风扑面，而我们完全被这片梨花的气势所震 撼。赏花人恰好穿着白衣，没入茫茫花海中，一时分不清哪些是花，哪些是人。回来了，带着满脚的花瓣，和满脸的灿烂。

赏花路线：

因为中国产梨区的广泛分布，梨花的观赏地点也很多。

近年来比较有名气、形成规模的是四川新津的梨花溪。

新津梨花溪每年二三月份举办新津梨花节，届时，整个梨花沟都将成为一片花海。交通： 新津距成都28公里，自驾从成都出发走成雅高速，或走牧山大道（大件路）半小时即到新津。乘车由成都城北客运中心、红牌楼汽车站乘车至新津，转车即到景 区。

二是彭州梨花坪。位于彭州北部红岩镇的梨花坪，梨花面积上千亩，有大小梨树数十万余株及丰富的竹树资源。每到阳春三月，梨花绽放，满园一片洁 白，形成一个银色世界，放眼望去，分外娇艳，映衬着梨花坪下辽阔田野里金黄的菜花、青青的麦苗，显得生机盎然，令人心旷神怡，流连忘返。

他山花影：

四川甲居：甲居的藏寨一年四季都可以前往参观，不少人认为，其中最有味道的季节当属阳春三月，也就是金川两岸千万朵梨花盛开的时节。新年来到， 藏民习惯将房子粉刷一新，家家户户房前屋后的桃树梨树竞相开花，田地里是还没有收割的冬小麦，在一片嫩绿的底色之下，藏寨就掩映在灿烂的梨花林中，偶尔一 枝艳丽的桃花喷薄而出，更添了几分世外桃源的感觉。

贵州音寨：位于黔南布依族苗族自治州的贵定县盘江镇音寨村，花期2月初到3月中旬。每逢春来，油菜花灿烂、李花缤纷，“金海”与“雪山”相映成 趣。家家户户都在房前屋后种植李树，每至春分，到处绽开雪白纯洁的李花，与河两岸的金黄色油菜花形成鲜明对比，白色、黄色交相辉映。音寨的沿河上下游是看 “金海雪山”的最佳处，蜂飞蝶舞的热闹场面，让摄影发烧友带着“长枪短炮”不惜千里前来这里拍摄让人醉心的一刻。3月，当地还会举办“金海雪山文化旅游 节”，吸引来自全国各地的爱花人士来共享盛事。你可以听布依情歌、品云雾春茶、尝盘江狗肉、欣赏原生态民族大型歌舞展演和异域风情歌舞表演，观看山歌擂台 赛等，领略“中华布依第一寨”的风采。交通：音寨距贵定县城15公里,从贵阳走贵新高等级公路,盘江下高速,仅需45分钟。

四川绵竹：每年3-4月举办梨花节。漫步于梨园之中，铺天盖地的梨花置游人于洁白的花海之中，令你目不暇接，仿佛进入了童话世界。

成都双流：双流县大林镇万亩梨生产基地的梨花开始绽放，三月举办成都市梨花节。

四川广元地区苍溪县：雪梨之乡，三月份举办梨花节。

石家庄市赵县：雪花梨之乡，每年4月中旬左右举办梨花节。赵县素有“名桥、古寺、梨园风光”的美名。赵州桥是我国而且也是世界上现存最早，保存 最完整的石拱桥。

安徽砀山：著名的砀山梨产地，每年3-4月举办砀山梨花旅游节。

山东枣庄市山亭区：黄梨产地，每年的农历3月12日举办梨花节。

• 李花观赏攻略

李花观赏胜地之福州永泰

春节期间，有“李子之乡”美称的永泰县变得更加热闹起来，嵩口镇满山遍野的李花竞相开放，吸引众多周边游客前来观赏。

18日，一位来自福州台江的李先说，他小孩已10岁了，非常喜欢吃李子，但从来没有看到过李花。这次春节，李先生夫妇特地带上小孩一起来观赏李 花，也顺便告诉小孩永泰“李子之乡”的来源。

据了解，这几天，来永泰县观李花的市民还真不少。一株株李树枝头都挂满了如雪绽放的李花，弥漫着醉人的芳香，让人仿佛置身于正待融化的雪世界 里。当地农民说，李花喜寒，今年开得特别欢，如果今后几天天气正常的话，可望有好收成。

小提示： 李子花、梨花，就像姐妹花，都是白色的，但有一点梨花是输给李子花了，那就是李子花追赶春天的步伐早早吐艳李子花开才二月，梨花开放清明到，两种花相差好 几个节气。李子花和梨花的花期差不多，都在10天左右。其实，只要从外观上就能一眼辨出李子花和梨花。李子花花朵小，梨花大。

• 马蹄莲观赏攻略

马蹄莲观赏胜地：台湾阳明山

马蹄莲花朵白皙细致。

推荐花种：马蹄莲

花期：2月底~4月中下旬

赏花秘笈：2月底3月初到我国台湾地区的阳明山，当然少不了去欣赏久负盛名的海芋花。海芋别名也叫马蹄莲，洁白淡雅。竹子湖地区种植有高达13 公顷的海芋花田，可以说是全台湾最美的海芋花花园。

沿着阳金公路来到竹子湖山谷，云雾缭绕的景致加上整片白色海芋花美景映入眼帘。到竹子湖的最大乐趣是下田采花，自己动手把海芋花束带回家。海芋 花花朵白皙细致，自有一番雅致。沿着海芋花田旁的溪畔步道，听着淙淙流水缓步而行，看眼前一片白色的“海洋”，赏景散步，极为悠闲。

竹子湖海芋季是阳明山公园一年一度的盛事之一，游客参加完阳明山竹子湖盛大的海芋季，还能体验田园景观写生、摄影比赛等。

其他玩法：阳明山泡温泉；台北士林夜市品尝地道台湾美食；台北参观“故宫博物院”；前往嘉义阿里山游览，走走这里独有的天长地久桥。

资讯加油站

交通：目前，广州直飞台湾的航班较多，旅行社多选择中午或下午航班，飞行时间2小时左右。从台北市区乘坐大巴，前往阳明山只需半个小时，沿线还 有不少景点能欣赏到不同的山景。

住宿：阳明山上多以温泉和民宿居多，房间量有限，无法接待大量团队，因此旅行社团队多选择返回台北市区住宿。

美食：阳明山有不少露天的小摊，供应山上的野菜。欣赏满山花海，再品尝新鲜的野菜，真是惬意无比。

Blowing in the wind: Sandstorms blanket Beijing in yellow dust

Beijing residents awakened Monday to skies the eerie yellow color of a street lamp. It was the second time in three days that the Chinese capital had been scoured by sandstorms that have hit 16 provinces across west, central and north China, with winds carrying the pollution outside the mainland as far as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Hazy Shade of Spring: Springtime sandstorms are common in China, as Siberian winds blow dust and sand off the Gobi desert across east Asia

Sand from China's northern deserts blew into the capital city, giving Beijing an eerie saffron glow

Tiananmen Square is seen amid a sandstorm: Spring sandstorms have been exacerbated by desertification. Agricultural expansion, overgrazing and population growth starting in the 1950s strained already dry regions in western China.

Pedestrians muffled their faces as the sandstorm blew through Beijing's Tiananmen Square

New CCTV Building on a clear day in Beijing last week (left) before a sandstorm covered the capital city in yellow dust yesterday.

The hazardous haze didn't stop Beijingers from picking up their scheduled softball game

寻找春的身影 北京十大踏青景点

• 北京植物园

北京植物园是国家级AAAA旅游景区、全国林业科普基地、全国野生植物保护科普教育基 地、全国青少年科技教育基地、中央国家机关思想教育基地、北京市科普教育基地、北京市首批精品公园。隶属于中国科学院植物研究所。 北京植物园位于京西香山脚下。距市中心23公里。有多条公交可达。

1956年经国务院批准建园，规划面积400万平方米。北京植物园主要任务是收集保存国内外野生和栽培植物资源；重点开展中国野生植物引种驯 化、珍稀濒危植物迁地保护、种子生物学和种质资源长期保存、重要经济植物资源引种利用与新品种培育等方面的研究；并结合华北地区地域特色及科研成果，建设 具有丰富的科学内涵、强大的科普功能和优美的园林景观的专类植物展览园区。是集科学研究、科学科普、游览休闲、植物种质资源保护和利用为一体的综合性园 林。

目前，北京植物园已建成开放区200余万平方米，由植物展区、人文古迹区、自然保护区和科研区组成。园内引种栽培植物10000余种 （含品种）62万余株，铺草100万余平方米。植物展区划分为专类园、温室花卉区、盆景园和树木园。专类园位于中轴路两侧，已建成月季园、绚秋苑、碧桃 园、丁香园、牡丹园、芍药园、海棠园、竹园、梅园等11个植物专类园。树木园包括银杏松柏区、椴树杨柳区、木兰小檗区、槭树蔷薇区等6个展区。人文古迹包 括：始建于唐代贞观年间的国家级重点文物保护单位–十方普觉寺（卧佛寺）、曹雪芹晚年写作《红楼梦》的地方—黄叶村曹雪芹纪念馆、环境清幽的樱桃沟、 “一二九”运动纪念亭、清末维新运动的代表人物梁启超先生的墓地等。

2000年建成开放的热带植物展览温室，建筑面积17000平方米，含6000平方米试验温室，室内分为热带雨林室、沙漠植物室、兰花 凤梨及食虫植物室和四季花园等4个展区，展示热带、亚热带植物4100余种（含品种）6万余株。还有2000平方米的低温温室和1350平方米的盆景展 室，共计20350平方米，是亚洲面积最大的植物展览温室群。被评为北京市九十年代十大建筑。

北京植物园必赏景观

樱桃沟：樱桃沟位于寿安山西麓，又称退谷、水尽头、水源头、周家花园。它上起疯僧洞，下至北沟村口，是一条长约750米的自然溪谷。查 看樱桃沟详细信息　　卧佛寺：卧佛寺，正名十方普觉寺，为清代雍正皇帝赐名。卧佛寺占地5公顷，分中、东、西三路院落，院落占地2.8公顷。查看卧佛寺详 细信息

大温室：北京植物园新建展览温室位于植物园中轴路西侧，投资2亿元，总占地面积5.5公顷。

景区服务

特色项目：热带植物展。

固定陈列：科普馆内植物起源、功能、奥秘与人类生活展，热带植物展。

开放时间：

植物园：7:00-17:00；温室：8:30-16:30；科普馆：9:00-16:00

卧佛寺：8:30-16:30；曹雪芹纪念馆：8:30-16:30

设施服务：有收费停车位及快餐厅。

踏青旅游的好去处，可观赏月季园、绚秋苑、碧桃园、丁香园、牡丹园、芍药园、海棠园、竹园、梅园、樱桃沟等多个植物专类园。

• 百望山森林公园
  

国家AA级旅游景点，北京市科普教育基地。位于颐和园北3公里处，是距北京城最 近的森林公园。距市中心15公里。现已经形成了春花、夏荫、秋红、冬绿的独特景观。百望山森林公园的红叶尤其有名。这里的红叶已形成了大面积的纯林，初霜 过后，千亩红叶竞相争艳，漫山红遍，层林尽染，是京城人民赏红叶、摄影、拍照的最佳场所之一。
这里交通便捷，距五环肖家河桥不足两公里，公园门口有多辆公交车辆直达，公园东门和北门均有大量停车位，泊完车后可径直检票上山。

百望山是太行山延伸到华北平原最东端的山峰，主峰海拔210米，素有“太行前哨第一峰”的美称。公园面积200万平方米，森林茂密，空气中含有丰富的负 氧离子，是京郊小西山风景区之一。公园始建于1992年，是以宣传环保，开展绿色文化教育为主的园林，具有爱国主义教育、环保教育、郊野旅游、体育运动等 多种功能

主要景点有首都绿色文化碑林、“铁血忠魂”纪念馆、“黑山扈抗日战斗”纪念碑、游击队之林纪念碑、佘太君庙、友谊亭、望乡 亭等。
首都绿色文化碑林，依山顺势在林中置景，景中设碑。分别建有碑亭、碑廊及碑刻艺术墙，镶嵌着党和国家领导人、社会知名人士题词及书画艺 术家的作品碑刻1000余通。“铁血忠魂”纪念馆，馆内介绍了200多位牺牲于新民主主义革命时期的革命先烈的事迹，还收藏有80多份珍贵的文物级的烈士 照片、家书和诗抄，是一处爱国主义教育和革命传统教育的场所。“黑山扈抗日战斗”纪念碑，纪念的是1937年爆发于百望山麓黑山扈抗日战斗。由我党领导的 国民抗日军与日军英勇搏斗，击落敌机一架，打死日军多人。为了纪念此次战役，杨成武将军题写“黑山扈战斗纪念碑”，勒石成碑，镶嵌在百望山顶望京楼内。友 谊亭，是日本友好人士田栗荣太郎先生随日本林业访华团来到百望山参观后决定建亭立碑，表达了中日两国人民世代友好的愿望。

百望山森林公园必赏景观
在山的顶峰，原庙内有石像一尊。据说，此像是金山寺一个叫李三的和尚雕刻。北宋年间，杨六郎和 韩昌在山下鏖战，佘太君在山上观战，不到一个时辰，山下辽兵大败，只见六郎催马，紧追不舍，一直逼追辽兵溃退关外，佘太君惟恐韩昌有诡，心急无奈，为保佑 六郎平安无恙，佘太君翻山越岭到金山寺求神拜佛，天大黑才走到。扣门后，寺内老方丈知道佘太君到来，连忙起身迎接，让到西厢房休息。第二天，佘太君做完佛 事要回府，老方丈再三挽留，太君只好答应再住一天。说来也巧，寺内有个叫李三的和尚，老家住在边关一带，有一次辽兵闯进他家杀人放火，多亏杨六郎率兵赶 到，杀退辽兵，李三才幸免遇难。后来他出家当了和尚，今儿遇见太君，悲喜万分，他跪在太君面前叙说了当前遭遇。李三从小学过石匠，又时刻不忘杨家救命之 恩，他执意要为太君刻一石像，刻好了，太君看后惬意的笑了笑。李三把太君像供在西厢房，因为杨家报国尽忠有功，前来金山寺进香的人每次也给佘太君像烧香叩 拜。后来人们在望儿山山顶修了了座佘太君庙，李三和尚就把这尊石像搬到望儿山山顶，放在庙内让人长期供仰。从此有了佘太君庙，前来朝拜进香的人络绎不绝。 清末年间，庙毁于战乱，石像也不知去向，现今庙内有佘太君、杨八姐、杨六郎三尊石像，是以后重新刻置的。

教子台
在山基， 淹没于苍松翠柏林中的教子台是一块大的岩石，石上有摩崖石刻“教子台”三个字。此石传说是佘太君登山时到此谢绝了儿子杨六郎的送行，站在石头上督促六郎赶 快下山迎战辽兵，为国尽忠，亦对母尽子孝道的教诲。

回头石
顺山而上，于半山腰有一座四角亭–回头石，是继续登山的一个 导游点，有承上启下的作用，实有”稍息回首俯城廓仰望山岭催步行之感。亭东有一巨石，石上刻着“回头石”三个字，传说是佘太君到此稍息回首望儿的地方。

老龙头
沿山脊拾阶而上，不远处有一象龙头的巨石，似渴欲饮。传说古时太行山久旱无雨，万物生灵危在旦夕，为救众生灵，老龙昂首跃进东饮取东 海水浇注众生灵，救活了四方百姓，从此太行山风调雨顺、树木茂盛，到处是奇花异果，生机盎然。据说佘太君的龙头拐杖就是在这里拔取的一株花犁木削制而成 的。

望儿台
当你沿太君岭石板路登临山顶，公路东北向山脊处一方形台子上有石雕一尊“佘太君望儿像”，就是传说佘太君望儿 的地方。原来的望儿台久经失修，破乱不堪，丙子年阳春季节按原形修复。

景区服务
2009年春季文化活动：
百望山山花节
时间：3月-5月
票价：6元

• 北海公园

国家4A级景区、全国重点文物保护单位。位于市中心，东南面与故宫相邻，有多条公交车可达。原为辽、金、元、明、清五个封建朝代的帝王 及皇室成员游幸驻跸、处理政务及祭祀的御用宫室，是现存世界上建园最早、保存最完整的皇城御苑，迄今已有八百余年的历史。北海在辽代称为“瑶屿”。 金大定六年（1166），金又在辽的基础上建成规模宏伟的太宁宫，并堆山建岛将北宋汴梁艮岳御园中的太湖石移置于琼华岛上。元至元四年（1267年），世 祖忽必烈以太宁宫琼华岛为中心营建大都，琼华岛及其所在的湖泊被划入皇城，赐名万寿山、太液池。明永乐十八年（1420年）明朝正式迁都北京，万寿山、太 液池成为与紫禁城一体的皇城御苑，统称为西苑。清朝承袭明代的西苑，在顺治、乾隆时期对北海进行大规模的扩建，奠定了今日北海的规模和格局。辛亥革命 后，1925年北海辟为公园对外开放。新中国成立后，党和政府对北海公园的保护极为重视，拨巨资予以修葺。

北海沿袭中国传统的建筑理念和技艺，具有独特的造园艺术，是我国古典园林的精华和珍贵的文化遗产。占地面积68.2万平方米，其中水面38.9 万平方米。北海从规划理念上遵循的是中国传统的“一池三山”的神话传说，琼岛象征“蓬莱”，团城象征“瀛洲”，中南海里的犀山台象征“方丈”，北海的水面 是”太液池”。整体布局上体现了自然山水和人文园林的艺术融合，有燕京八景之中的两景“琼岛春阴”和“太液秋风”。主要景观由琼华岛、团城、北岸景区组 成。琼华岛上白塔耸立，成为北海的标志。环湖垂柳掩映着濠濮间、静心斋、天王殿、快雪堂、九龙壁、五龙亭、阐福寺、小西天等众多著名景点。“让我们荡起双 桨，小船儿推开波浪，水面上倒映着美丽的白塔,四周围绕着绿树红墙……”，这首优美动听的歌曲正是描绘北海仙境般的景色。公园内有各种游船娱乐项目，常年 举办各种展览，成为中外游客游览的最佳场所。

北海公园必赏景观

白塔：白塔位于琼岛之巅，它始建于1651年，后因地震破坏而重建。塔高35.9米，下承折角式须弥座，座上为覆钵式塔身，正面有壶门 式眼光门，门内刻藏文咒语。

琼岛春阴：琼岛春阴在北海白塔山东、倚晴楼南。”燕京八景”之一。清乾隆十六年（1751年）立。碑首盘 顶，四方形。

九龙壁：建于乾隆二十一年（1756年），壁高5米，厚1.2米，长27米，整壁用彩色琉璃瓦镶砌而成，壁两面各有蟠龙9条，飞腾戏珠 于波涛云际之中。

北海植物园：园内种植了多种既有观赏价值又有经济价值的园林植物。这里还经常举办各种花卉和书法展，供游人欣赏。

景区服务

游船服务

水面面积（平方米）：389000

船种：手划船、脚踏船、电瓶船、大型游船

游船数量（条）：400

无障碍设施与服务：

公园主要门区无障碍，主要游览干线无障碍，公交卫生间无障碍，无障碍标识准确、规范。

坡道、无障碍卫生间、升降机、轮椅服务、手语服务。

北海公园各月花卉品种：

3月始花种类：腊梅、山桃、迎春、连翘。

4月始花种类：牡丹、丁香、西府海棠、水枸子、黄刺玫、金银木、紫藤、洋槐。

5月始花种类：玫瑰、芍药、月季、蔷薇。

6月始花种类：石榴、合欢、玉簪、珍珠梅。

7月始花种类：荷花、紫薇。

8月始花种类：早小菊。

• 玉渊潭公园

国家3A级旅游景区，位于市区西部，西三环中路东侧，与钓鱼台国宾馆、中华世纪坛毗邻。面积136.7万平方米，其中水域面积61.5 万平方米。地域广阔，历史悠久，水阔林丰，风光秀丽。

早在800多年前，这一带有泉水自地涌出，冬夏不竭。其间有封建士大夫追求隐逸的“养尊林泉”、“钓鱼河曲”等名胜，曾为金中都有名的游览胜 地。清乾隆38年（1773），香山引河治水工程将水池扩大成湖。

来到玉渊潭，游客可以在林中漫步、休闲健身，泛舟湖上，愉悦身心，回归自然，感受绿色，尽享都市里的自然风光。

·每年3月下旬–4月中旬可赏樱花

玉渊潭公园必赏景观

樱花园：樱花园位于公园的西北部，紧邻繁华的西三环，有一片山脉贯穿东西，园路蜿蜒四通，水岸翠绿拥绕的园林，她就是1989年和相邻 的电视塔一同开始建设的。

留春园：留春园于1983年建成，位于玉渊潭公园东部， 占地面积16300平方米。它以中心开阔的草坪，环绕的亭廊和高大树木，以及遍植的4季可赏的花木为主。

中山岛：中山岛位于公园西南，是八一湖和西湖之间的狭长的山坡地，长800米，宽约80米，是贯穿东西的一道高低起伏、宽窄不一的山 梁。

引水湖：在公园东北部，有一幽静湖区，原来为林木囤养区，植被繁茂。随着公园环路的建设，这个占地9.5公顷，地势低洼的林区，在 1997、1998年被大规模回填改造。

景区服务

商店

玉渊潭公园综合商店分设在西门、东门、东西湖游船码头、南门、留春园等处。

目前主要经营冷饮和包装小食品、胶卷电池和儿童玩意儿等。

樱花节期间，许多临时性的摊棚商品车会解决游客随时随地的玩意和餐饮需要。

咖啡茶座

好喜吧座落在玉渊潭湖畔。

游船服务

水面面积（平方米）：610000

船种：手划船、脚踏船、电瓶船

游船数量（条）：400

脚踏船分为普通和豪华脚踏船两种，因为有篷有桌，适合游客在水上长久娱乐和简单餐饮。电瓶船也分为普通型和豪华型电瓶船，比较节省力 气，船速快一些。2007年公园新增加双人飞碟船、水上双轮车、6人棋牌船等船种。

• 小汤山特菜大观园

特菜基地坐落在著名的小汤山镇，位于北京城的正北龙脉上，可谓上风上水。小汤山的温泉更是名扬天下，受到历代帝王的喜爱。

上下六车道的立汤路从培训中心门前南北穿过；南面有东西方向北六环；北面有东西方向的顺沙路。距北四环路约二十公里，进入市区车程半小 时，交通极为便利。

特菜基地建筑面积5千平米，大、中、小型会议室四个；按三星级标准装修的客房70多间，新装修的餐厅300平米，可同时接待150人食宿。中心 建有网球场、歌舞厅、棋牌室等娱乐设施，还有40亩的垂钓园，供客人休闲娱乐。农业观光采摘和展示更是特菜基地的一大亮点，有各种温室大棚100多个，常 年种植无公害、绿色蔬菜和水果100多种。在这里，客人不但可看到普通的蔬菜，更可看到多种南方热带水果作物（番木瓜、番石榴、西番莲、台湾青枣……）一 年四季都可采摘。餐厅以粤菜、川菜为主，满足不同宾客需求。而最具特色的是我们的特种蔬菜、药用蔬菜和花卉蔬菜。农业试验、示范、研究的展示为北京市农业 科技人员培训提供了一个现场操作的场所，同时也为北京农业今后的发展提供技术支撑。

特菜基地集农业技术培训、住宿、餐饮、娱乐、观光采摘、旅游渡假为一体。

农业观光采摘和展示更是本中心的一大亮点，有各种温室大棚100多个，常年种植无公害、绿色蔬菜和水果100多种。在这里，客人不但可 看到普通的蔬菜，更可看到多种南方热带水果作物（番木瓜、番石榴、西番莲、台湾青枣……）一年四季都可采摘。

特菜大观园中心建有网球场、歌舞厅、棋牌室等娱乐设施，还有40亩的垂钓园，供客人休闲娱乐。

这里有名胜古迹清宫浴池遗扯，乾隆御笔“九华兮秀”文物博览，有亚洲第一的航空博物馆，见证中国航空工业及人民空军发展的历史，从国产 第一批第一架亚音速喷气式歼击机，到我国自行设计、制造的超音速喷气式歼击机，从强击机、轰炸机到运输机、直升机…，国产各种型号的飞机琳琅满目。

常兴垂钓中心有千亩鱼塘，片片葡萄园、桃园，建有大小垂钓池十余个，能够组织各种大小型比赛。为您提供一个冬季垂钓的舒适环境。讲礼民 俗村有有特色餐厅10余家，总餐位1500个，形成了美食文化一条街，让您一饱口福。

• 南宫世界地热博览园

国家4A级景区，全国首批工农业旅游示范点。位于丰台区王佐镇中心，京石高速公路至赵辛店出口向西行即可到达，距北京市中心约20公 里。是以地热资源为主导产业的生态旅游景区。2002年，以北京市旅游局在南宫村举办的“新北京、新形象、新感觉一日游”启动仪式为契机，正式对外接待游 人。

南宫旅游景区以高温水取暖，中温水洗浴，低温水养殖，冷水灌溉的地热综合应用展示当今国际地热应用的新理念。国内外专家普遍认为南宫的 地热开发和应用达到世界先进水平。南宫地热井（京热96号）2980米，日出水量2700吨，出水温度高达摄氏72度，富含多种对人体有益的微量元素，按 国标检测为硅质氟水。南宫利用这一资源建成中国首家地热科普展览中心。

南宫世界地热博览园必赏景观

景区内主要景观有温泉养殖中心、温泉垂钓中心、地热科普展览中心、温泉养生中心、温室公园、温泉水世界、温泉浴疗等项目。其中，地热科 普展览中心占地1000平方米，通过地热应用沙盘、地热知识触摸屏、地热奇观、地热区域分布演示灯箱等形式全方位了解地热综合知识。温室公园占地23万平 方米，展现了地热温泉水的一级和四级利用技术，是目前北京西南最大的农业观光基地。温室公园主要应用现代农业生产技术，进行无土栽培的蔬果生产及观光，融 入了生态农业、精品农业、观光农业、旅游农业的现代理念。北方罕见的香蕉树，在这里已是硕果累累。温泉水世界设有标准游泳池、造浪池、儿童乐园、温泉按摩 池、水上漂流和大型戏水滑道，还有木板浴、石板浴、桑拿等设施。与泳区比邻的服务大楼设有餐厅、酒吧、客房、美容保健等功能。

• 北京欢乐谷

文化创意产业基地–北京欢乐谷是华侨城集团以20年的专业积累，用四年时间倾心打造的新一代文化娱乐公园，位于北京市朝阳区东四环四 方桥东南角，占地面积56万平方米，于2006年7月落成开放，是目前国内投资最高、面积最大、最为国际化现代化的主题公园，是一处为了满足大众多样化休 闲娱乐需求而建造的一种具有独特创意的文化体验和时尚旅游项目，它以“动感、时尚、欢乐、梦幻”的娱乐个性，集海、陆、空三栖游乐于一身，融日、夜两重娱 乐于一体，是北京体验旅游的重要标志。

北京欢乐谷精选世界经典文明和创意智慧，精心设置了50余项主题景观、10余项主题表演、30多项主题游乐设施、20余项主题游戏及商业辅助设 施，营造了一个神秘、梦幻的世界。全园共分六大主题区：峡湾森林、亚特兰蒂斯、爱琴港、失落玛雅、香格里拉、蚂蚁王国。其中，爱琴港主题区及奥林匹亚体验 展馆，是呼应2008年北京奥运专门规划建设的，届时，北京欢乐谷将成为北京人文奥运的重要组成部分，成为展示新北京、新奥运的重要窗口和名片。

北京欢乐谷是家庭旅游的首选之地，是学生名副其实的开心课堂，是青年人娱乐的开心地，是企业文化活动的绝好场所，是所有人的欢乐王国。

拥有30多万平方米的绿化、8万平方米的湖面赋予欢乐谷良好的生态环境；六大主题区域赋予欢乐谷独特的人文气质；国际国内双重标准的安 全检测、人性化的服务配套和智能化的全园信息系统赋予欢乐谷世界一流的品质；国际顶尖的游乐设施、国际金奖的演艺实力赋予欢乐谷领先世界的高度！

在这里，你可以乘上亚洲唯一的“水晶神翼”，体验翱翔的快乐；在这里，你可以踏上世界最高落差的“奥德赛之旅”，释放青春激情；在这 里，你可以登上世界最高的“聚能飞船”，眺望绚丽美景;在这里，你可以观赏中国第一部自主创新的四维电影，犹如身临其境；在这里，你可以观赏到巅峰的娱乐 表演和美轮美奂的迷幻夜景，沉醉于全新的视觉盛宴……

一次次惊心动魄的历程，一个个扑朔迷离的故事，带你进入缤纷的欢乐旅程！

北京欢乐谷必赏景观

欢乐谷的峡湾森林主题区，在公园的入口区，为游客提供入园服务。可以为游客提供环园小火车、电瓶车、老爷车等交通工具。亚特兰蒂斯主题 区，是公园的核心区域。围绕亚特兰蒂斯人如何开采、制作和使用水晶的故事而展开，传达超越想象的远古文明气息。主要有70米高的亚洲第一塑山“水晶圣城” 以及水晶神翼、聚能飞船、能量风暴、魔幻剧场等项目。爱琴港主题区，以爱琴文明为背景，感受古希腊故事，展开奥运的画卷。体验“奥德赛之旅”，参观“特洛 伊木马”，参与“奥林匹亚”的展馆体验，观看极限运动的竞技表演。失落玛雅主题区，以失落的玛雅文明为背景，重新发现玛雅王国遗迹，探索玛雅文明失落秘 密。太阳神车、丛林飞车、大草帽、玛雅天灾、地穴来音以及墨西哥风情等项目和表演，带给游客趣味昂然的刺激体验。香格里拉主题区，讲述中国的主题故事。在 这里，游人可以感受世外桃源的梦幻、雪域金翅的惊心动魄，天地双雄直上云霄的壮观，花境漂流的神秘，异域魔窟的毛骨悚然。还有野峰渡客栈的影视拍摄表演， 让游客过一把明星瘾！蚂蚁王国主题区，是谷中最为独特有趣的区域。超大尺度的形象景观，二十多个娱乐项目，热烈盛大的狂欢巡游，给孩子们提供了一个快乐的 梦想园，在欢笑中学习了生态与环保的知识。

景区服务

代步工具：环园小火车、老爷车、电瓶车。

行李寄存：公园检票口右侧。

特殊服务：闸口配备婴儿车、残疾人车，免费提供给游客租用。租车需凭有效证件（身份证等），婴儿车交300元/辆押金，残疾车交400 元/辆押金，车子完好归还时，退回押金。

• 红螺寺

国家4A级景区、北京市重点文物保护单位。位于北京市怀柔城北4公里的红螺山南麓。由北京东直门乘坐936路红螺寺公交车直达。距北京 市区约55公里，是一处集人文景观与自然景观于一体旅游景区。始建于东晋咸康四年（338），扩建于盛唐，原名“大明寺”，明正统年间易名为“护国资福禅 寺”，因红螺仙女的传说，俗称“红螺寺”，是我国北方佛教的发祥地，也是京北第一大古刹。在历史上，历届主持多由皇家命派，金代的佛觉禅师和元代的云山禅 师都曾主持过红螺寺。我国佛教净土宗的最后两代祖师（第十二代祖师际醒大师和十三代祖师印光大师）均与本寺有缘。世有“南有普陀，北有红螺” 之说。

红螺寺景区总面积为8平方公里，已形成红螺寺、观音寺、五百罗汉园三个佛教文化区和红螺山、青龙山两个自然观景区的景观格局，具有“春看花、夏 避暑、秋观叶、冬赏岁寒三友”的观光特色。该寺依山势而建，北依红螺山，南照红螺湖，山环水抱，古树参天，藏风聚气，又有“红螺三绝景”点缀其间。古寺处 于南北中轴线上的殿堂共四进，依次是三门殿、天王殿、大雄宝殿、三圣殿。三圣殿西耳房为方丈院，东耳房为监院。东厢配殿由里向外依次为千手观音殿、伽兰 殿；西厢配殿由里向外依次为达摩殿、净土宗祖师殿。中轴院外有东西跨院，西跨院原是一个三进套院，是高僧掩关及养老的退居寮。东跨院也是一个三进套院，是 接待来访高僧贵宾的客堂。在这组建筑的东下坎，另有一个独立的三进院落，为老僧养老的延寿堂。西跨院的西墙外是供养去世僧众遗骨的普同堂。三门殿的前面是 一溜长五丈的条石坡道，俗名礓礤子，佛教中的正名为广长舌。红螺寺别院——红螺慧缘谷位于红螺山西麓，距红螺寺3公里。有元代文物遗址21处，现已修复了 放生池、山西庵、朝阳寺、天溪庵、三皇庙等人文景观，并融入了“三皇”、儒、道等中国文化内涵，使佛教文化得到了补充和延伸。两座寺院背依的红螺山属燕山 余脉，一山双峰，西峰海拔812.9米，东峰海拔811.9米，是红螺寺的一道天然屏障，使寺院周围形成了一个冬暖夏凉、空气湿润的小气候环境，在每年的 春夏秋三季，这里始终雨量充沛，潮湿温润，有利于各种植物的生长。因此，许多极难在北方存活的南方植物，都能在这里落地生根，繁衍生息。独特的地貌，充足 的雨量，也造就了这里树林丰茂，动植物种类繁多，林中许多鸟类和多种野生小动物随处可见。

红螺山南麓红螺寺，山上植有山杏、黄栌、五角枫、火炬等彩叶树种，彩叶覆盖面积达4000余亩。深秋的红螺山，漫山红叶，其间还有黄色 的白蜡和墨绿的油松，形成一幅色彩艳丽、层次分明的风景画。

红螺寺必赏景观

御竹林：红螺三绝景之一，元代云山禅师栽植，距今已有600多年的历史，清康熙帝曾来此赏竹。百万杆翠竹四季长青，竹林曲经宛如江南， 是红螺寺苑林的第一胜景 。

雌雄银杏：红螺三绝景之一，位于大雄宝殿月台两侧。东雌西雄，树高约30米，树龄已逾千年。雄树从根部生有一主杆十枝杆，有独木成林之 势。雌雄银杏四季观赏皆有深趣，而以秋景最胜。

紫藤寄松：红螺三绝景之一，位于三圣殿前。两口古藤绕松而上，松棚遮荫面积已达400平方米，每年5.1节前后藤萝花花开繁盛，松藤默 契之美，令人叹为观止。元代《红螺山大明寺碑》中就有“微风夜听金琅铛，诸天卫法藤萝傍”的记述，可见此景至少已有八百年的历史。

五百罗汉园：坐落在寺院东千亩古松林中，占地20公顷，500尊罗汉雕像分10组，围绕着中央的弥勒大佛。他们相貌、神态各异，与松林 的幽雅苍古互相衬托，共同营造出一种深邃神秘的文化氛围。

观音寺：位于红螺山半山腰橡树林中，位置高耸隐蔽，环境清静幽爽。依山就势建有山门殿、观音殿、会乘殿三层殿宇，主供观世音菩萨。

景区服务

每年活动：

4月-6月牡丹紫藤花节。

7月-9月避暑休闲游。

10月-11月观菊赏叶。

正月初一至初六红螺寺庙会。

• 幽谷神潭

国家3A级景区。位于北京市怀柔区怀北镇椴树岭村北，云蒙山南麓，距市区75公里。111国道从景区门前通过，从北京东直门乘936路 公交车,转至丰宁的长途车或在前门北京旅游集散中心乘旅游专线车都可到达。属山岳型自然风景区。1994年8月向游人开放。

幽谷神潭自然风景区总面积约6平方公里，谷长5公里。集“奇、幽、秀、美”于一体。景区大门有“幽谷神潭”4个大字，为著名书法家启功先生所 书。由于奇特的山体构造，并经过多年的风雨侵蚀，景区内形成了通天门、雷劈石、映月潭、子母龟、石人峰、蘑菇崖等景观。在景区入口处有一方巨石，横卧于两 块直立的青石之上，这就是通天门。在距通天门约一公里处有一块高约3米，周长10余米的白褐色巨石，巨石顶部有一道由石顶直通石底的裂缝，宽约8公分，这 就是景区一大奇观——雷劈石。解放前此地曾建有龙王庙。传说古代大旱时，农民抬着整猪、整羊到龙王庙求雨。有一年大旱，龙王命雷公电母兴云造雨，雷劈石就 是雷公电母在和旱魃作战时，用利剑劈倒旱魃，也同时把这块巨石劈成两半。在南侧山峰的一处僻静地带，溪流汇成一处深情潭，石壁上刻有“深情似水”四个大 字。再经过闻泉知鱼潭、鹰嘴峰、映月潭等地，又有一块巨石壁立于路旁，刻有篆书“洞天胜境”四字，此石为飞瀑的天然屏障。飞瀑由40余米高的山谷上飞泻而 下，在底部形成水面约100平方米、水深8米的深潭，相传有一神龟镇于潭底沙石之中，专司阴晴雨雪之事，早年间，方圆数百里百姓皆来求雨，每求必应，故曰 “神潭”。这也是景区名字的来历之一。每年4月份举办“植树游园”活动；7-9月份举办“幽谷穿越”活动；10月份举办“金秋采摘”活动。

幽谷神潭必赏景观

通天门、雷劈石、映月潭、子母龟、石人峰、蘑菇崖等景观。

• 灵山

国家2A级景区。位于北京市门头沟区清水镇，109国道可达。距北京市区约122公里。是集自然保护区与自然景观于一体的山岳型自然风 景旅游景区。1994年开发，1997年正式成立景区管理处。

游览区面积25平方公里，四面环山，沟壑纵横。北部主峰海拔2303米，是北京市第一高峰。登上灵山之巅可观云海、赏日出、闻花香、听 林涛，分外惬意。气候独特，呈垂直分带，从低至高依次为暖温带、温带、寒温带，冬季雪谷挂冰，春季繁花草荣，夏季碧野葱葱，秋季野果盈盈。植被垂直分布明 显，从下到上分别为人工林、山地落叶灌丛、山地常绿针叶林、山地落叶阔叶林和亚高山草甸带。区内植物资源丰富，在2平方公里草甸、3.3平方公里森林中生 长着500多种乔木、灌木和草本植物。如国家重点保护的金莲花、翠雀、黄芩等。灵山野生动物有1000余种，其中哺乳类26种，鸟类100余种。其中有保 护动物牦牛、褐马鸡、野山羊、山鸡、狍子、狐狸。由于高海拔，灵山景区温度比北京市区低12℃左右，是消夏避暑的胜地。1997年灵山景区修建了高空索 道，全长1548米，落差430米，只需25分钟便可到达山顶。灵山景区主要特产有黄芩茶、野山榛、山蘑等。

灵山必赏景观

景点有六郎山、白石门、石人看宝、断帽岩、猴子观山等。此外，有“小西藏”之称的灵山景区每年7~9月举行“西藏风情节”。在此期间， 可以领略到藏族文化，观看藏族歌舞，品味地道的藏族美食。

牦牛：由于灵山景区独特的高原气候，现有北京地区唯一一处牦牛群，共有牦牛200头。

西藏风情节：每年7~9月举办“西藏风情节”活动。在此期间，有藏族歌舞表演，西藏艺术品展览，煨桑仪式，锅庄舞会、篝火晚会活动。

Top Ten Ritziest Hotels in Shanghai

For the past decade, Shanghai’s upscale hotels have mostly targeted corporate travelers, but leisure visitors now enjoy a broader array of large luxury and small boutique options. The upcoming Shanghai World Expo is expected to bring in an estimated 70 million visitors and ambitious plans for long-term tourism growth are bringing names like Park Hyatt, Conrad, Jumeirah, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, W, Banyan Tree, and Fairmont through 2010, while a small portfolio of design-led hotels is slated to grow and flourish. Location remains the key to which one you choose. Hotels in the French Concession and near the Bund offer the most convenience for tourists. Despite the lofty views, staying east of the river in one of the Pudong’s high-rise hotels can mean taxi rides and inconvenience.

• Le Royal Méridien Shanghai
  

The gorgeous view of Shanghai skyline is only the start of the royal treatment at Le Royal Méridien, the tallest hotel in Puxi, West of Shanghai

With considerable panache, Le Royal Méridien executes its Art Deco–inspired design throughout its 770 rooms, high above People’s Park on central Nanjing Road. Above the eleventh-floor lobby, black lacquer–framed mirrors line hallways, and airy guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. Chic marble bathrooms, plush velvet couches and club chairs, and beds with down duvets and oversized square pillows round out the stylish accommodations. Ai Mei, the Chinese restaurant already known for its dim sum, is entered through a door frame of glass tanks filled with goldfish; the menu at Allure—roasted lobster with risotto, beef tenderloin with goose liver—is worth the culinary detour. Even the spa here caters to a late-night clientele, staying open until 11 p.m., for those who can’t sleep without a signature egg-white, vodka, and cucumber facial.

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai (Shanghai Shimao Huangjia Aimei Jiudian, 上海世茂皇家艾美酒店)

Address: 789 Nanjing Dong Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Chinese Address:  上海市黄浦区南京东路789号
Phone: 021-3318-9999
Website: Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

• JIA Shanghai

Best Boutique Hotel: JIA Shanghai serves as your stylish home away from home.

Housed in a renovated 1920s townhouse on hip Nanjing Road, this is wunderkind Singaporean hotelier and restaurateur Yenn Wong’s follow-up to the original Jia in Hong Kong, designed by Philippe Starck. The 55 rooms combine luxe comforts—think plush beds, blackout curtains, plasma TVs, iPod docks, and ceiling-mounted Bose speakers—with trendsetting boutique styling, including artwork by photographer Russel Wong, outsize tubs in gold Bisazza-tile bathrooms, and furnishings by Minotti, Moroso, and Hans Wegner. Each room has a small kitchenette with a microwave oven, cookware, and serving dishes. The two stunning penthouse suites have extra theatrical flourishes, including contemporary art, a sunken circular Jacuzzi, and a shower that converts into a steam room. The chic lobby lounge, where you’ll be served complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon tea, is dressed with giant Chinese bird cages and lacquer tableware. Shanghai’s shaker-makers reserve dinner tables at Issimo, a modern Italian eatery created by Japan-based restaurateur Salvatore Cuomo. This is the place to stay for sophisticated small hotel chic.

The lounge of Issimo restaurant at JIA Shanghai

JIA Shanghai (上海JIA精品酒店)

Address: 931 West Nanjing Road, Jiangan District, Shanghai 200041
Chinese Address: 上海市静安区南京西路931号（近泰兴路）
Opening Date: August 2007
Number of Rooms: 55 rooms and suites, including two penthouse suites
Rate per Night: 2,000 to 10,000RMB
Phone: 021-6217-9000
Website: www.jiashanghai.com

• URBN Hotel

Serene little URBN is China's first carbon-neutral hotel, implementing eco-friendly elements such as solar shades and water-based A/C, and allowing patrons to buy carbon credits.

Tucked away on a side street north of Jing’An Temple, this 26-room design hotel is built around an enclosed slate and bamboo courtyard with calming water fountains. Constructed using reclaimed local materials —such as gray factory bricks, mahogany, and slate—Urbn wears its eco-conscious credentials on its sleeve; the hotel also tracks its ecological footprint and matches it in carbon credits. The rooms, in five categories, are all relatively small but make good use of space with low-level beds and a sunken “lounge” area, complete with hemp cushions on the broad benches and a wall-hung flat-screen TV. Neat in-room design touches include mahogany floors and wall paneling, desk chairs made from compressed cardboard, and under-floor bathroom heating, plus free Wi-Fi and iPod docks. Contemporary Australian-Asian cuisine is served in the ground-floor restaurant, Roomtwentyeight.

This modestly luxe, environmentally-friendly suite was built with recycled materials drawn from dilapidated French Concession villas.

URBN Hotel  (Yayue Jiudian, 上海雅悦酒店)

Address: 183 Jiaozhou Road, Jingan District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市静安区胶州路183号
Phone: 021-5153-4600
Website: www.urbnhotels.com/urbn-shanghai

• Park Hyatt Shanghai

Park Hyatt Shanghai, world's most vertiginous hotel, is on floors 79 through 93 of the Shanghai World Financial Center, in the Pudong district.

Shanghai hotels are rising ever higher—and top of the pile is this deluxe cloud buster on the 79th through 93rd floors of the 101-story, 1,615-foot Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong. The Park Hyatt Shanghai can now claim the twin titles of world’s highest hotel and world’s highest restaurant. New York City–based Tony Chi created the interiors to resemble a sophisticated modern Chinese residence, hence the series of gates, halls, and chambers. The lobby itself is on the 87th floor and the spa and fitness center have prime city views from the 85th level. The 174 rooms are an impressive size (an average room is 645 square feet), plus there is 24-hour butler service, a technology concierge, and a walk-in dressing room and flat-screen TV in the bathroom and bedroom. The hotel’s highest highlight is 100 Century Avenue, an integrated three-level fine-dining restaurant (serving Western, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine) and lounge bar on the 91st to 93rd floors.

The hotel's highest highlight is 100 Century Avenue, an integrated three-level fine-dining restaurant and lounge bar on the 91st to 93rd floors.

Park Hyatt Shanghai  (Shanghai Baiyue Jiudian, 上海柏悦酒店)

Address: 100 Century Avenue, 79th–93rd Floors, Shanghai World Financial Center, Pudong District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市浦东新区浦东世纪大道100号上海环球金融中心79-93楼
Phone: 021-6888-1234
Website: www.parkhyattshanghai.com

• The Portman Ritz-Carlton

Despite some heavy competition, this is still a favorite for many business travelers and world leaders (George W. Bush stayed here during the APEC Conference in 2001).

The Portman Ritz-Carlton was the city’s first luxury hotel when it opened in 1998, on the major shopping thoroughfare Nanjing Lu. The hotel  completed a multimillion-dollar, top-to-bottom face-lift of the guest rooms, bars, restaurants, and facilities in 2008. The circular pale-marble lobby gives way to 610 rooms—request one of the newly renovated ones, which feature gleaming dark-wood traditional furniture, accents of gold and brown, and sliding doors that lend an Oriental air. Guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining: There are four house restaurants to choose from, including Palladio, which serves modern Italian dishes in a formal setting. Luxury-brand lovers will delight in the neighboring upscale Plaza 66 mall. Though the hotel is centrally located at the Shanghai Center, surrounding office buildings mean that finding a cab during rush hour can be difficult—hotel guests do get preference in the taxi line, but the queue lengthens noticeably during peak times, from 4 pm until 8 pm.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton  (Shanghai Boteman Lijia Dajiudian,上海波特曼丽嘉酒店)

Address: 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Jingan District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市上海市静安区南京西路1376号
Phone: 021-6279-8888
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com

• St. Regis Shanghai

In the lobby of St. Regis Shanghai, an elaborate alabaster light fixture echoes the tobacco-leaf pattern of the inlaid marble.

Every guest is a VIP at the St. Regis. The amphitheaterlike lobby sets the stage for the most indulgent hotel experience in Shanghai. The 318 rooms in this 40-story red-granite tower—its design lauded by Architectural Digest—spare no expense, with Bose wave radios, Herman Miller Aeron chairs, and rain-forest showers that give you the feeling of being under a waterfall. At 500 square feet (152 sq. m), standard rooms compare to other hotels’ suites. The two women’s-only floors are unique in Shanghai. Butlers address all your needs 24/7 (you can even contact them by e-mail) from in-room check-in to room service, and as part of a new program, they can arrange to escort guests personally to visit local artist studios. The hotel’s location—15 minutes from the riverfront—is a drawback, but the fitness center and 24-hour gym, along with the remarkable Danieli’s Italian restaurant add to this pampering property’s appeal.

Spacious and elegant double-height living room of The Imperial Suite at St. Regis Shanghai

St. Regis Shanghai (Shanghai Ruiji Hongta Dajiudian, 上海瑞吉红塔大酒店)

Address: 889 Dongfang Lu, South central Pudong, Pudong District, Shanghai
Chinese Address:上海市浦东新区东方路889号
Phone: 021-50504567
Prices ¥3,313-¥3,478 ($473-$497/£237-£249) standard; from ¥6,378 ($911/£456) suite (up to 60% discounts)
Website: www.stregis.com/shanghai

• The Peninsula Shanghai

The 14-story luxury Peninsula Shanghai hotel, with 235 rooms and suites, is the first new structure on the storied riverfront Bund since the Bank of China in 1927.

The Peninsula Shanghai, an Art-Deco inspired hotel on Shanghai’s historic Bund, is dressed to impress, from its stepped, faux Deco facade to the grand pillared lobby decorated in cool celadon tones (a string quartet plays on a theatrical balcony in the afternoons) to the restored 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II for airport transfers. This is a hotel that makes the most of its outlook over the future-scape Pudong skyline, the Peninsula Spa by Espa features a skylit indoor swimming pool and a layered crème marble terrace, while the terrace of the 14th-floor Sir Elly’s Restaurant has panoramic river views. The pick of the hotel’s five restaurants is Yi Long Court, serving classic Cantonese cuisine in a luxurious chocolate and dark-blue Shanghai Deco dining room with Qing dynasty furnishings. The hotel’s 235 guest rooms, styled in a pale gray-green or cerulean blue, start at a spacious 600 square feet and go up to the 4,300-square-foot Presidential Suite. All have 1920s Shanghai mahogany and ebony furniture. The in-room technology is best in class, with thoughtful additions such as a Nespresso machine positioned at shoulder level, a desktop iPod dock, a 1,000-channel Internet radio, and an in-bath phone system that filters out the sound of the water. Another flick of a switch dims the bathroom lights and turns on relaxing spa music.

The Peninsula Shanghai features 235 generously large guestrooms (44 of which are suites). Ipod docks, free wireles

The Peninsula Shanghai (Shanghai Bandao Jiudian, 上海半岛酒店)

Address： 32 Zhongshang Dong Yi Lu, The Bund, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Chinese Address:上海市黄浦区中山东一路32号
Phone: 021-2327-2888
Website: www.peninsula.com/Shanghai

• Pudong Shangri-La

The Shangri-La Pudong occupies one of the most prized locations in Shanghai: overlooking the Huangpu River, opposite the Bund, near the Pearl Tower in Lujiazui.

With its new 36-floor glass tower, the Shangri-La is set to give its Pudong competitors a run for their money. It may not tower as high as the Grand Hyatt, but this hotel’s gorgeous views stretch across the Huangpu River to the stately Bund and rival those of its taller (and sometimes more fogged-in) neighbor. All of the 950 modern rooms are unfussy, accented with Asian touches such as raw silk throws and pillows. Rooms also have broadband Internet, and satellite TV—just be sure to request accommodation that overlooks the water. Not one but two indoor pools and full-service gymnasiums satisfy the sporty, while those hoping to unwind can enjoy a massage in the Oriental opulence of the Chi spa. Eleven restaurants offer options to suit every taste, but there is no better place for a drink and nibble than Jade on 36, an eclectic fusion restaurant perched on the 36th floor. Though the Pudong location means that during rush hour (4 p.m.-9 p.m.) it can take 45 minutes to get downtown by car, taxis are cheap and plentiful, and those in a hurry can hop on the metro, which is only a five-minute walk from the hotel.

The Pudong Shangri-La boasts a slew of trendy designer restaurants including the luxurious Nadaman Restaurant and Sushi Bar, designed by Super Potato

Pudong Shangri-La Hotel (Pudong Xianggelila Fandian, 上海浦东香格里拉大酒店)

Address: 33 Fucheng Lu, Southwest of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, adjacent to Riverside Ave/Binjiang Da Dao, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Chinese Address:上海浦东新区富城路33号
Phone: 021-6882-8888; 800-942-5050
Prices ¥3,050-¥3,300 ($436-$471/£218-£236) standard; ¥3,550-¥3,750 ($507-$536/£254-£268) executive level; from ¥5,150 ($736/£368) suite
Website: www.shangri-la.com

• The Grand Hyatt Shanghai

From its perch on the upper floors of the Jin Mao Tower, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai With Art Deco furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows has splendid views of the Bund and Pudong

The Grand Hyatt Shanghai takes up the top 34 floors of the monolithic 88-story Jin Mao Tower—the fifth-tallest building in the world—so you can imagine the views: vertigo-inducing panoramas over the city’s skyscrapers and streets, abetted by the ubiquitous floor-to-ceiling windows. (Request a west-facing room for views of the Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the rest of the Shanghai skyline’s kitschy excess.) If you can tear your gaze from the neon spectacle outside, you’ll find the hotel’s interiors are pretty sumptuous: All 555 rooms have contemporary furniture (lots of glass, lacquered wood, and velvety neutral-toned upholstery) accented by traditional Eastern artwork. The marble baths have multiple-head “shower towers” that engulf you in water and mist; if these aren’t enough of a full-body experience, you can head to the steam baths and hot tubs at the on-site spa. The hotel’s dozen restaurants, bars, and clubs include the Patio, a 33-story atrium where you can listen to live jazz; Cloud 9, on the 87th floor, where the views will make you dizzier than any cocktail; and Club Jin Mao, where you can sample local specialties, such as deep-fried eel with honey soy sauce and braised bean curd with hairy crab roe. While the Pudong location is oriented more for business than pleasure, the Line 2 Metro station is just a five-minute walk away, and a horde of cheap cabs waits outside to whisk you across the Huangpu River to the Old City.

Grand Hyatt Shanghai (Shanghai Jin Mao Junyue Dajiudian, 上海金茂君悦大酒店)

Address: 88 Century Boulevard, Jin Mao Tower, Pudong District, Shanghai
Chinese Address:上海市浦东新区世纪大道88号
Phone: 021-5049-1234
Prices: ¥3,800-¥4,100 ($543-$586/£272-£293) standard; ¥4,450-¥4,800 ($636-$686/£318-£343) executive level; from ¥5,700 ($814/£407) suite
Website: www.shanghai.grand.hyatt.com

• The Westin Shanghai

Perched between the Bund and People's Square, Wesin Bund Center hotel attracts a mixed clientele

Popular with travelers on an expense account, this centrally located hotel—part of the office-heavy Bund Center—is just a short walk from the swish restaurants and nightlife of the Bund. The glitzy atrium lobby features a neon-lit glass staircase and artificial palm trees, while the 570 rooms are kitted out in earth tones, with polished wood paneling and rain forest showerheads in the dark granite bathrooms. A new wing, the Grand Tower, opened in 2007; formerly serviced apartments, rooms here are more spacious, albeit pricier, than in the main building. With so many business travelers passing through the halls, service can feel a bit impersonal and corporate—front desk clerks eagerly push upgrades at check-in. There are three restaurants—we liked the wood-fired pizzas at Prego better than The Stage’s buffet—as well as a fitness center, swimming pool, and branch of the Banyan Tree spa.

The Westin Shanghai (Shanghai Weisiting Dafandian, 上海外滩中心威斯汀大饭店)

Address: 88 Henan Central Road, 3 blocks west of the Huangpu River, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市黄浦区河南中路88号
Phone: 021-6335-1888
Prices: ¥3,245 ($464/£232) standard; ¥3,970 ($567/£284) executive level; from ¥9,730 ($1,390/£695) suite
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com/westin

• Travel Deals: World Expo in Shanghai

With an expected attendance of 70 million, this year’s World Expo in Shanghai – which runs May 1 to Oct. 31 — will  most likely mean  higher hotel rates in the city. But good deals can still be found.

For the duration of the Expo, Marriott is offering 20 percent off staysof two nights or more, and the package includes two single-day admission tickets. Rates start at 1,120  renminbi (or about $161 a night at 7  renminbi to the dollar). Book by March 31 at marriott.com or (800) 228-9290. Use the promotional code ADP.

Hilton is offering the same discount for any reservation made 21 days in advance at the Hilton Shanghai, through Oct. 1. There’s no minimum stay, but rates start at about $216 a night.

For a cheaper option, the Shanghai Metropole Hotel, a 141-room hotel near the Bund, has rooms from $80 a night. And ChinaHotels.org, a hotel booking site based in China, has rooms for as little as $25 a night.

• What to See & Do

Top Ten Shanghai Must-See Attractions
Modern Architectural Wonders of Shanghai

• Where to Dine

Taste of Shanghai – A Guide to Shanghai’s Best Food

In Search of the Perfect Dumpling (Xiaolongbao) in Shanghai

The soup dumpling, or xiaolong bao (Chinese:小笼包）, is to Shanghai what the chicken wing is to Buffalo

A sleek upscale shopping mall was the last place I expected to find the most delectable little soup dumplings in Shanghai.

The unwritten canon of Asia food travel decrees that the best, most authentic things to eat are found only in funky street dives – what one Shanghai friend of mine calls “flip-flop” places. Cramped formica-top tables shared with strangers, and surly waiters? Terrific. Folding tables on the sidewalk, communal plastic chopsticks stuffed in a glass, no napkins? Give me that address.

My serendipitous shopping mall moment came during a recent trip to Shanghai, on a three-day quest to find the best xiao long bao (little basket dumplings) in the city that invented them. The xiao long bao is famous with foodies worldwide, and thanks to Internet food sites and blogs I was well-equipped with a list of on and off-the-track suggestions. I also had a good supply of every Asia food traveler’s must-have accessory: mini-packages of Kleenex tissues, for wiping away unexpected spurts of the intensely rich broth that’s the occupational hazard for a Shanghai soup-dumpling fanatic.

A delicate dumpling skin is wrapped around a juicy pork filling (or, in luxe versions, crab), and like magic, the dumpling also contains a shot of tasty broth.

The Shanghai dumpling, an elegant culinary achievement masquerading as a humble snack, consists of a ball of minced pork (sometimes with an added dollop of crab or crab roe), wrapped in a pleated flour dough skin, which is then steamed. But every xiao lung bao also holds a delightful surprise: there’s a spoonful of hot soup, made from chicken or pork, sometimes both, inside.

The invention is attributed to cooks at the original Nanxiang restaurant in Shanghai’s Jiading district, who figured out how to mix small chunks of cooled, soldified broth gelée into the minced pork filling. (When the dumplings are steamed, the gelatin liquefies back to soup.) Successful execution involves a labor-intensive balancing act of timing, texture and temperature. There is a lot that can go wrong. The dumpling must be assembled on the spot (aficionados insist it must be prepared and steamed only after you order it), or it will be starchy. The flour wrapper, in the wrong hands, can turn out doughy and thick, or thin and breakable, the meatballs too rubbery, the soup too abundant or greasy.

But when the dumpling is right, it’s golden – literally. Last June, the Shanghai government put the xiao long bao alongside 83 other folk arts on a list of the city’s “protected traditional treasures.”

The Shanghai branch of Taiwanese restaurant chain: Din Tai Fung is beautifully designed, with glass walls etched with its name in Chinese characters, and a lively mural featuring caricatures of Chinese stars who have eaten there

Din Tai Fung restaurant, located in a mall that’s part of Shanghai’s trendy Xintiandi complex, was my first stop.

I’d read and heard a lot about Din Tai Fung, for many online dumpling fans think the chain, with three branches in Shanghai and several more in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries, produces the world’s best and most consistent xiao long bao. But I was skeptical – first, because of Din Tai Fung’s upscale airs (the Shanghai branch is beautifully designed, with glass walls etched with its name in Chinese characters, and a lively mural featuring caricatures of Chinese stars who have eaten there), and secondly because this restaurant specializing in the Shanghai dumpling isn’t a hometown operation – it’s a Taiwan-based chain.

October is peak season for Da Zha Xie(Chinese:大闸蟹): famous hairy crabs found in the Yangcheng Lake near Shanghai

Those doubts evaporated in a fog of hot steam, as the waitress lifted the lid – unveiled is a better word – from the first round bamboo basket. Because this was October, the peak season for da zha xie, Shanghai’s famous hairy crabs. I’d ordered the special dumplings, which come garnished with sweet crab roe. As the steam cleared, I could see the bright orange lumps of hairy crab roe peeking out from the twisted nipples of dough at the peak of each dumpling. A single dumpling fit exactly into the bowl of my porcelain spoon without flopping over the edge – a perfect size. If need be, you can pop a whole one comfortably into the mouth (that’s my preferred method for avoiding those pesky soup squirts–best to wait five minutes, though, until the soup cools).

I searched hard for something to dislike about Din Tai Fung’s xiao long bao. But everything about the dumpling eating ritual here reflected an obsessiveness with detail that one normally associates with the Japanese table. The ratio of dough to meat to soup was spot on. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the minced pork was good quality, with not a trace of gristle or bone. The service was cheerfully efficient (afterward I was handed a questionnaire that asked me to rate the smile of my server). The bamboo container was lined with white cotton, and the ginger, a traditional side accompaniment, had been slivered into fine threads and laid out on little white saucers like combed angel hair.

Perfection, perhaps. But I didn’t trust it. After all, these were my first dumplings of the trip, and I was not sitting in an alley at a folding table. So, the following morning, I left my friend behind to nurse his jet lag and I headed out to explore some of the storefront shops I had found in my research.

Shanghai dumplings fall into the food category called, in Chinese, “little eats” – snacks at breakfast, lunch, supper and anytime in between. An enthusiastic food traveler can eat xiao long bao from morning until night. I planned my dumpling trail so that I could walk off my meals by exploring different neighborhoods in Shanghai’s fast-changing landscape. On a 30-minute meander from my French Concession hotel to the Fu Chun dumpling shop on Yu Yuan road, I passed by the Jingan temple, then by accident, found myself standing in front of the apartment building where the late author Eileen Chang lived when she was writing “Lust, Caution,” the short story on which the recent Ang Lee film was based.

The unexpected discovery – and the lovely, tree-lined residential neighborhood – compensated for Fu Chun’s disappointing dumplings, which contained a bit too much greasy soup, had a slightly rubbery feel to the meatball and an odd aftertaste, as if they’d been made with less than prime pork. (Which makes sense, considering that pork dumplings cost 8 RMB a basket here, compared to $45 at Din Tai Fung).

I headed in a taxi for the Shanghai Museum, which has two attractions for pilgrims on the dumpling grail: you can walk off breakfast exploring a terrific collection of calligraphy and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture. When you have finished, you’re only a 10-minute walk from the Jia Jia Tang Bao soup dumpling shop.

Jia Jia, in a former location, had received raves from several online xiao long bao reviewers, including the notoriously fussy eaters at the U.S. website chowhound.com. But the new Jia Jia is a fast-food type diner on a side street filled with other noodle and dumpling joints that cater to office workers on lunch rush. Service was basic and businesslike: I ordered my xiao long bao, paid the clerk at the cash register, took my paper ticket, and sat down in an empty seat next to a stranger. Then I waited. A long-ish wait is a good sign at a xiao long bao restaurant, because it means your dumplings are being stuffed and wrapped to order. While I waited, I enjoyed watching the staff, in aprons, assembling the little bao by hand, rapidly pinching and twisting the tops in one deft wrist motion.

Jia Jia’s dumplings arrived fresh and hot as promised, but seemed undersized. The soup inside tasted too sweet, and lacked the porky intensity of Din Tai Fung’s. Although they were tasty, they didn’t convert me.

On previous trips to Shanghai, I’d fallen for the xiao long bao at Nanxiang, the multi-story, pagoda-style emporium in the grounds of Yu Yuan Gardens, the giddy tourist carnival and park that takes up several blocks of in Shanghai’s old city. Nanxiang is a branch of the original Shanghai shop that invented soup dumplings, a pedigree that ensures that it is always packed. But several years ago, I discovered that if you ignore the queue and boldly march upstairs to the third floor, you can easily get a seat at a quiet and comfortable linen-covered table – you’ll just have to pay a few dollars more for the atmosphere.

The following morning, I got a table at Nanxiang with no trouble. The upstairs seating area has expanded to three rooms, all filled with diners even at 10:30 a.m. Perhaps that’s why the dumplings, which arrived hot and fragrant with good quality meat, nevertheless seemed bland – the wrapping had a starchy taste and the broth had a bland character that suggested it was being made in huge batches.

The final dumpling shop on my list, Fu De, had all the earmarks of an Asia food traveler’s classic. Obscure and small, it is located in the as yet unfashionable Hongkou district, across the river from the Bund in Shanghai’s “Brooklyn.” Fu De had earned a 23 out of 25 rating and rave reviews from readers of the Chinese-language food Web site, www.dianping.com.

Fu De got more enticing as I approached, mainly because my taxi driver couldn’t find it. At last, she discovered why – the shop sits on a stretch of Wuchang Road that’s tucked underneath an overpass, next to a couple of auto repair shops.

I slipped inside, weaving around towers of giant bamboo dumpling baskets that appeared to pre-date the Chinese revolution, and found a seat at a communal table next to some autoworkers on their lunch break. One of them handed me a set of chopsticks, and showed me how to rinse them off with a cup of tea.

On the scale of funky authenticity, Fu De was leaving its competition in the dust. And the dumplings were absolutely wonderful. They weren’t as beautiful and multi-pleated as the upscale Din Tai Fung product. And the skin was a shade too thick. But the wrapper had an earthy, wheaty flavor, which balanced the warm explosion of comfort-broth within. It was like eating matzoh-ball soup, inside out.

Fu De’s xiao long bao were homely, but had personality. Din Tai Fung’s uptown xiao long bao were perfect treasures. Which is the more desirable quality in a Shanghai dumpling?

I couldn’t decide, but I had two hours left before my flight. I raced back to the shopping mall at Xintiandi to meditate on bite-sized soupy perfection a few times more.

• Din Tai Fung  (鼎泰丰(新天地店))

Address: Building 6, Floor 2, Shop 11a, Xintiandi South Block,Luwan District,Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市卢湾区兴业路123弄新天地南里6号楼2楼
Phone: 021-6385-8378
Prices: Meal for 2 ¥120-¥180 ($17-$26/£8.50-£13)

• Fu Chun dumpling shop (富春小笼(愚园路店))

Address: 650 Yu Yuan Road, Jinan District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市静安区愚园路650号
Phone: 021-6252-5117

• Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包(黄河路店))

Address: 90 Huanghe Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市黄浦区黄河路90号(近凤阳路)
Phone: 021-6327-6878

• Nanxiang Mantou Dian (南翔馒头店)

Address: 85 Yuyuan Lu, west shore of teahouse lake, Yuyuan Garden, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市黄浦区豫园路85号
Phone: 021-6355-4206
Transportation: Subway Line 2 at Nanjing Dong Lu (1 mile away)

• Fu De Xiao Long (福德小笼)

Address: 862 Dong Yu Hang Lu, Hongkou District, Shanghai
Chinese Address: 上海市虹口区东余杭路862号(近海门路) 福德小笼