Urumqi (Wulumuqi), located in a green oasis between the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak, the vast Salt Lake in the east, the rolling pine-covered Southern hill and the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest, is most famous for holding the Guinness Book of Records as the most remote city from any sea in the world at a distance of about 1,400 miles (2500 km) from the nearest coastline. A relatively new city (founded in 1763), the most land locked area in the world. Previously known as Dihua, meaning “Enlightening and Civilizing”, the Chinese renamed the city in 1884 to its present day tag, Wulumuqi. On February 1,1954, the city was renamed Ürümqi, meaning “Beautiful Pasture” in the Mongolian language of the Junggar tribe.

Taiyuan is an ancient city once known as “the Dragon City.” It is the ancestral home of the Wang lineage (one of China’s most common names). Settlements in the Taiyuan region date back to Neolithic times. The town, then known as Jinyang, was founded some 2,400 years ago. Its location in a valley near the Fen River put it near the invasion routes from the nomadic regions in the north to the agricultural heartland near the Yellow River.

Shijiazhuang was originally set up in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and used to be the collecting and distributing center for goods to Yan, Zhao and San Jin. It was renowned as ‘the thoroughfare between the north and south, the throat of Yan (Shandong Province) and Jin (Shanxi Province).

Shenzhen is a sub-provincial city of Guangdong, China situated north of HongKong. Considered as one of the fastest growing cities in the world since 1970’s. Situated in the subtropical part of China, Shenzhen’s weather is generally pleasant, temperate and mild in the autumn; winters are mild, relatively dry at spring, and hot and wet summer. Shenzhen is occasionally hit by typhoons from the east, but the temperature rarely reaches over 35 degrees Celsius. Shenzhen has been elected as “Garden City of State” and “The model city in environment protection”. In Nov 2000, it was elected as “International Garden City” in Washington, the capital of the US.

Sanya is known as the “End of the Earth” due to its remoteness in relation to the nation’s capital. Situated at the southern-most tip of Hainan Island, Sanya lies in the southern valley of the Wuzhi Mountain range. Located at the same latitude as Hawaii, Sanya enjoys a tropical oceanic monsoon climate with average temperatures of about 25º C in July and 28º C in January. Average annual rainfall is 1,279 mm. Expect temperate conditions and fresh spring-like weather most of the year. Sanya enjoys 12 hours of daylight every day and averages over 300 sunny days a year. It covers about 210 km of coastline highlighted by natural beaches, fresh sea breezes and crystal-clear waters no wonder it is the most popular tourist destination in China.

Qingdao: The character 青 (qīng) in Chinese means “green” or “lush,” while the character 岛 (dǎo) means “island.” The city is lying at the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula and borders the three prefecture-level cities of Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west, and Rizhao to the southwest while facing out to the Yellow Sea on the east and south. The city has a 730.64-kilometre coastline attracting many tourists due to its seaside setting and a humid, warm temperate climate, with four distinct seasons. Parks, beaches, sculpture and some unique architecture line the shore.
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Panzhihua is a prefecture-level city located in Sichuan Province, south central China, on the confluence of the Jinsha and Yalong Rivers. Panzhihua is a treasure of natural resources, but remained a wasteland until 1960. It was founded on a remote headwater of the Yangtze River in 1966 as a steel production center. It grew rapidly as it remained relatively prosperous while the rest of the country was undergoing the Cultural Revolution.

Ningbo boasts a long history. It is the birthplace of the “Neolithic Hemudu Culture” dating back more than7,000 years. Ningbo has been a well-known key port for foreign trade ever since ancient time. In 738 of tang dynasty, it became a province called Ming province. The capital was in Xiaoxi. (now it is Jinjiang Bridge of Jin Province). In 821, the capital moved from Xiaoxi to Sanjiangkou (now it is Ningbo City). In 1381, Ming province changed its name into Ningbo, because Ningbo means if the sea is stable, the waves will be peaceful. And from then on, the name Ningbo began to be used.

Nanning is known as the “Green City” because of its abundance of lush tropical foliage. Nanning’s climate is sub-tropical and monsoonal and it is sometimes warm in winters as well as summers. Average temperature is 21.7°C. It is often windy or breezy and very rainy, with more than 1300 mm of precipitation annually. It is also frost-free for all but 3 or 4 days a year and very rarely snows.

Nanning is located in the southern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 160 km from the border with Vietnam. It is the intersection for three tributaries of the Yong River, itself a tributary of the Xi River: the Yu River, You River, and Zuo River. The Yong River bisects the actual “city” of Nanning. It is in a hilly basin with elevations between 70 and 500 meters above sea-level. Population in Nanning is 6.48 million.

In 472 B. C., under Goujian (King of State Yue)’s order, a city historically called “Yue City” was built on the site of Rain Flower Terrace. That is the earliest record of city construction in Nanjing area, and by now it has a history of 2,470 years. During the Three Kingdoms Period, Dongwu (Eastern Wu) moved its capital to Nanjing – called “Jianye” then, in 229 A. D.

Nanjing, located in the monsoon climate area (north subtropical zone) enjoys four distinct seasons. Its annual average temperature is 17.8?/64°F. Late June, early July is commonly referred to as “Rainy Plum Season”. Quality air is enjoyed over 280 days/year. Optimal time for traveling to Nanjing is September – November. Nanjing’s winter begins late November and ends in March. Its lowest temperature is often below 0?/32°F.Pack sweaters, winter or rain coats and dress warmly. Spring is short with rainy weather leading into very hot summers. Nanjing’s summer lasts from May to September. It is very hot with the highest temperature over 35?/95°F this time of year. Pack loose-fitting summer clothes (cotton t-shirts, shorts, etc.). Pack clothes that breathe easily for high humidity. Don’t forget to also include sunglasses, UV protection and mosquito repellant. Autumn is short in Nanjing (Nanjing’s best weather).