Welcome to China, a country that's really fascinating to me because it's a mix of so many different time periods. For example, you can be on a bullet train going 250 miles an hour one day and the next in an ancient fishing village that hasn't changed much in a thousand years. You know, here in China, you don't just see places, you experience cultures. China-- where a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. A collection of historical sites, colorful cities, and fascinating cultures. A country where fishing villages and rice paddies give way to skyscrapers and bullet trains. The landscape here is as diverse and beautiful as the people, from the mountains of Xian to the harbor of Hong Kong. Historically, China was ruled by a succession of dynasties--families who passed power down through generations. But in the early part of the 20th century, civil war and Japanese invasion ravished China. The Chinese Communist Party took control in 1949, and still rules today. With all this history and culture, a visit to China is certainly an eye-opening experience--So get ready for a whirlwind tour of this amazing country. Beijing, Hong Kong, Xian, and the country's showpiece-- Shanghai. Only recently open to visitors, it's truly a fascinating country. Another Chinese proverb says "To know the road ahead, ask those returning." This is one experience I'll always remember, come see China.
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