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Shànghǎi Astronomical Museum
The Former Shěshān Observatory is right alongside the Shěshān Basilica on West Hill, founded by the Jesuits in 1900. The museum contains exhibitions on the history of observatories and astronomical research in China, as well as a collection of ancient telescopes.
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Diéshuǐ Waterfall
In the western suburbs of town, beside the Xiānlè Temple (仙乐寺; Xiānlè Sì), this is a good place for a picnic. The area makes a nice destination for a bike ride and you could easily combine it with a trip to Héshùn (和顺), a picturesque village 4km outside Téngchōng.
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Deyang College
The smallest of Drepung’s colleges, this one can safely be missed if you’ve had enough. The principal image in the main hall is Jampa, flanked by Jampelyang, Drölma, the fifth Dalai Lama and others. Upstairs are some fine puppet-like standing protector deities.
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Clearwater Bay Beaches
From Tai Au Mun, Tai Au Mun Rd leads south to two fine, sandy beaches: Clearwater Bay First Beach (清水灣一灘) and, a bit further southwest, Clearwater Bay Second Beach (清水灣二灘). In summer try to go during the week, as both beaches get very crowded on the weekend.
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Iron Pagoda Park
Rising up within Iron Pagoda Park is a magnificent 55m, 11th-century pagoda, a gorgeous, slender brick edifice wrapped in glazed rust-coloured tiles (hence the name); it’s narrow stairs are climbable for ¥30. Take bus 1 from Zhongshan Lu or a taxi will cost ¥10.
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Hong Kong Arts Centre
Along with theatres, including the agnès b. Cinema , the Hong Kong Arts Centre contains the two-floor Pao Sui Loong & Pao Yue Kong Galleries , which hosts retrospectives and group shows in all visual media, several boutiques, an art bookstore, and a cafe.
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Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
The most visually-striking structure in the Temple of Heaven complex, this magnificent hall mounted on a three-tiered marble terrace is supported by pillars made of pine wood imported from Oregon, USA. Amazingly, they hold up the ceiling without either nails or cement.
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Lumbung Kangtsang
Lumbung Kangtsang is also known as the Amdo Kangtsang. Tsongkhapa himself was from Amdo (modern-day Qīnghǎi), and many monks came from the province to study here. Look for the rangjung (self- arisen) and sumjung (with the power of speech) stone representation of Drölma.
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Húlǐ Shān Fortress
Across Daxue Lu, south of the university, is this gigantic German gun artillery built in 1894. You can rent binoculars to peer over the water to the Taiwanese-occupied island of Kinmen (金门; Jīnmén), formerly known as Quemoy and claimed by both mainland China and Taiwan.
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Chángjiào
Between the Héguì and Huáiyuǎn tǔlóu in the Yúnshuǐyáo Tǔlóu Cluster is this beautiful village (now also called Yúnshuǐyáo) where you can sip tea under the big banyan trees and watch water buffalo in the river. The village has a few guesthouses that offer rooms from ¥100.
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Dragon King Temple
This temple was used by the royal family when they needed to pray for rain in times of drought. At sunset, the nearby east shore is popular with photographers looking for a spectacular shot of the sun disappearing behind the hills. You can also get here by boat (¥15).
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Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, southwest of Ng Tung Chai, is primarily a conservation and teaching centre, but the gardens are especially lovely, with many indigenous birds, animals, insects and plants in residence. You can reach the farm most easily on bus 64K.
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Carpet Factory
On the eastern bank of the Jade Dragon Kashgar River is this large factory (gilim karakhana in Uighur). It’s primarily set up for group visits but you can look around the various halls when open. Even with up to 10 weavers, 1 sq m of wool carpet takes 20 days to complete.
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Hànkǒu Bund
A stroll along Hànkǒu Bund is a popular way to spend the early evening. It’s essentially an elongated park, running along the western bank of the Yangzi, and is where locals come to exercise, chat and fly kites. It’s not quite Shànghǎi but it’s in a similar ballpark.
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Tiānpíng Shān
Tiānpíng Shān is a low, forested hill about 13km west of Sūzhōu. It’s a wonderful place for hiking or just meandering along one of its many wooded trails. It’s also famous for its medicinal spring waters. Tourist bus 4 goes to Tiānpíng Shān from Sūzhōu’s train station.
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Peacock Lake Park
The artificial lake in the centre of town isn’t much, but the small park next to it is pleasant. The English Language Corner takes place here every Sunday evening, so this is a great opportunity to exchange views or to engage with the locals practising their English.
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Twin Pagodas
Beautifully enhanced with flowering magnolias in spring, this delightful courtyard and former temple contains a pair of sublime pagodas. Its one of the more relaxing, peaceful and composed parts of town. Its also home to the small Sūzhōu Ancient Stone Carving Art Museum .
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Guǎngzhōu Museum of Art
This massive museum has an extensive collection of Chinese art that ranges from the ancient to the contemporary. The emphasis is on calligraphic works and paintings, especially those created in the Lĭngnán area. Rare Tibetan tapestries are displayed on the top floor.
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Gònggā Shān
The trailhead for the nine-day pilgrims’ circuit of holy Gònggā Shān (7556m) is a half-hour drive from Kāngdìng. Many hostel staff can advise you on how to approach the trek, and rent out camping equipment. We recommend finding a guide with horses through Zhilam Hostel .
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Húnán Provincial Museum
This first-rate, not-to-be-missed museum is closed for renovations through the end of 2015. Until then, select pieces, including some from the astounding collection of relics uncovered from the 2100-year-old Western Han tombs of Mǎwángduī, will tour national museums.
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