South Africa

Singapore & Malaysia

Japan

Hong Kong & Macau

:: China

Tibet & Nepal

Myanmar

Australia

New-Zealand

Tahiti

Easter Island

Chile

Bolivia & Peru

Argentina

Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern, pulsing and seductive city, a mix between a recent architecture and the old houses inherited from the times when the city was divided into French, British, American and Japanese concessions.

Shanghai is a western invention, with a cosmopolite atmosphere: pedestrian streets, a waterfront, a great panorama on the buildings from the riverfront…

 

Shanghai is shinning, thanks to the government, which started throwing money at the municipality in order to help the city become one of China's major financial and business places.

A challenge that seems obvious: swinging the attention from Hong Kong's successful ex-colony to a home-grown success story.The surprising oriental Pearl Tower is a perfect symbol of this aim : to make the "Paris of the East" become a unique place in China, the other capital city.

Shanghai is a superficial city, clearly, but it doesn't look as rude as Beijing: life is easy here, and they are entertainment opportunities everywhere.

Pingyao and Lijiang

Far from modern cities, far from aggressive cityscapes are well-kept secrets: preserved villages hidden behind their enclosing walls.

Both Pingyao and Lijiang are well preserved villages with pedestrian ways and ancient architecture. The houses here shelter museums, and all what you want to do here is to wander around, stroll, rest, enjoy the terraces for a cup of tea.

Even quite touristy, these unique jewels are really worth visiting. Entering the city gives the impression to go back to ancient times : the picture becomes black and white, a charming cliché from a delightful past.