Air China Spring Outing Recommendation: A Pursuit of Dreams in Ancient Cities

China is a nation with a long history, a vast territory, dozens of ethnic minorities and Han Chinese, and many different dynasties. The locations and construction of the many ancient capitals during different dynasties vary from one another. Therefore, China has accumulated a variety of rich and unique ancient city cultures, and these palaces, temples, classical gardens, stone statues... all reflect the splendors or sad tales of the past.

Spring arrives again, everything begins to wake up, and flowers are blooming. Now is the best time for going on outings. Let’s look at the ancient cities what they are like during spring time.

Xi’an

Xi’an, once called Chang’an and Haojing, is among the world’s top four ancient cities, along with other three international cities: Athens, Rome, and Cairo. It is the east origin of the Silk Road. Between the 11th century B.C. and the 10th century A. D. or so, 13 dynasties or regimes built their capitals or thrones in Xi’an, spanning about 1,100 years. The most powerful dynasties in the history of China including Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang rose up from the Guanzhong Plain (central part of Shaanxi province) and officially built their capitals in Xi’an.

Xi’an, a fashionable modern metropolis, has rich culture, such as the spectacular Terracotta Army, the magnificent ancient city, the well-preserved Ming city wall, the snack street behind the Bell and Drum Towers... and that’s why you must come to visit Xi’an.

Recommended Flights:

Direct flights from Beijing to Xi’an:

CA1231/CA1289/CA1209/CA1223/CA1201/CA1225/CA1235/CA1205

Luoyang

Luoyang was named Luoyang because it is located in the “yang” (opposite of yin; referring to the south) side of the river Luoshui, and is one of the main sources of Chinese civilization. It is a city where a capital was built for the first time in China; it has witnessed the rise and fall of the most dynasties; it has been a city that has been inhabited the longest, and is the longest of its kind in terms of area span. Since King Ping of Zhou moved the Zhou capital east to Luoyang, rulers of 13 dynasties had built their capitals in this location for more than 1,500 years.

Literati have been gathering here since the ancient times, and it has been known as “Capital of Poems”; also because of the fragrant peonies, the city is also reputed as “Capital of Flowers”. Historical relics such as the Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, and ancient tombs will stun your heart and soul; peonies flourish in the city in April, giving off wafts of fragrance and intoxicating attraction.

Recommended Flight: Directly fly from Beijing to Zhengzhou, transfer to the coach bus, subway or other means of transportation.

Nanjing

Since the Three Kingdoms’ Wu Kingdom period, the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Southern Dynasty’s Song, Qi, Liang and Chen Kingdoms had built their capitals in the city. Therefore, Nanjing enjoys the reputation of “Ancient Capitals of Six Dynasties”. The relics of the City of Jiankang has been preserved in today’s Nanjing Library and Oriental Metropolitan Museum. The City of Jiankang during the Six Dynasties was once the largest city in the world, with its population reaching one million.

There are numerous cultural relics in Nanjing. For example, you can travel around the city to learn its history, view the spotlighted attractions of the Ming Dynasty, look for the steps of Zheng He (court eunuch and navigator), the culture of the Republic of China, and feel the style of the Qinhuai River... All of them will make you want to stay. You cannot miss the delicacies of Nanjing, either. In addition to the top four dishes of the City of Jinling (a former name of Nanjing): Songshuyu, Danshaomai, Meirengan, and Phoenix Tail Shrimps, other delicacies also include Nanjing Salt Water Duck, Beef Guotie, Yaxuefensi Soup, and so on.

Recommended Flights:

Flights from Beijing to Nanjing: CA1817/CA1847/CA1561/CA1503/CA1819

Kaifeng

Kingdom Wei of the Warring States period, Houliang, Houjin, Houhai, and Houzhou of the Five Dynasties period, the Northern Song Dynasty, and the Jin Dynasty all built their capitals in Kaifeng, and that’s why Kaifeng is also called “Capital of Seven Kingdoms”.

Kaifeng features cultural relics, with its antique building groups exposing unique styles; Kaifeng is home to Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese operas; four calligraphic schools with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and Cai Rang as their representatives also came into being in the city. Kaifeng is also the birthplace of Henan Yu opera’s branches Xiangfudiao and Henan Zhuizi. If you come to Kaifeng to take a look at its cultural relics, you might as well pay a visit to the local calligraphy and painting academies, and the small theaters, for you might get surprises.

Recommended Flight: Directly fly from Beijing to Zhengzhou, transfer to the coach bus, high-speed train, or other means of transportation.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou was once was the capital of the Kingdom Wuyue during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and the Southern Song Dynasty once built its capital in Hangzhou, which was then called Lin’anfu.

“Up in heaven, there is paradise; down on earth, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” The emerald water of the West Lake, the dense woods of Longjing (Dragon Well) and Lingyin Tea Gardens, the quiet and beautiful Nine Water Channels and 18 Hill Streams, the quiet Xixi Wetland in the bustling city, and the carefree Xiling Printing House will please everyone who comes to visit the city. Hangzhou exposes different colors in different seasons. Flowers bloom in spring, and this is the most beautiful season of Hangzhou.

Recommended Flights:

Directly fly from Beijing to Hangzhou:

CA1565/CA1509/CA1595/CA1702/CA1704/CA1712/CA1716/CA1563/CA1718/CA1706/CA1710/CA1714/CA1708/CA1740