Spring has sprung and holidays are just around the corner. Hence the announcement of a slew of new or expanded schedules for flight destinations from Nanjing is more than welcome, offering for many their first chance of a proper holiday in almost 2 years.
The Summer 2021 season schedule at Nanjing Lukou International Airport was officially launched on 28 March. Recommended destinations this year include Lijiang, Liuzhou, Harbin and Zhuhai. Snap up a ticket at a rock-bottom price while you can.
At 2,400 metres and with its unpredictable clouds, many might say the most beautiful thing in Lijiang is the sky. Under it is the ancient city of Lijiang where the experience of smooth, clean and narrow stone roads awaits. Hand-built wooden houses, ubiquitous bridges and flowing waters complete the rich cultural atmosphere.
Elsewhere in Yunnan Province, not far away is Shuhe, a well-preserved town along the ancient Tea Horse Road, where buildings exhibit the traditional architectural style of the Naxi ethnic minority.
Not enough? Lugu Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lashihai Wetland Park are also unmissable locales where nature and humanity complement each other.
Tickets on China Eastern Airlines flight MU2735 from Nanjing to Lijiang start at ¥600.
Also in southern China, Liuzhou is home to the famed Crouching Tiger Mountain, one of 24 peaks in the vast Dalongtan Scenic Area. In addition to affording the chance to get up close with some serious, large-scale scenery, the park also integrates subtropical karst plant scientific research with the ethnic customs and cultures of southern China.
And adventurous foodies will not want to miss the snail noodles. With their unique characteristics that make them sour, spicy, fresh, refreshing and hot, snail noodles rank first among the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region city’s flavourful snacks. How do they do it? Fungus, peanuts, fried yuba, day lily and fresh green vegetables plus sour bamboo shoots, all blended with the soup of boiled snails and Liuzhou’s unique soft and refreshing rice noodles.
Next, salivate too at the price; tickets on China Eastern Airlines flight MU2713 from Nanjing to Liuzhou are going for as little as ¥400.
A little further norther, Zhuhai in Guangdong Province is the gateway to Macao. “Couple’s Road” is Zhuhai’s business card and popular attractions along the way include Jiuzhou Port, Seaside Swimming Pool, Zhuhai Fisher Girl, Xianglu Bay. See them all with Macao as backdrop, the nearest you’ll get to international travel for a while.
With a forest coverage rate of 80 percent, Dongao Island is lush to say the least, offering a complete preservation of the original natural ecological environment. Unique natural features and charming scenery complete the picture.
Tickets valid between 28 March and 30 June for flights from Nanjing to Zhuhai are going for as little as ¥310.
And now for something completely different; Ha’erbin without the ice. And that’s when the city’s architecture really comes alive.
The Saint Sophia Cathedral, built in 1907, is a landmark building in Ha’erbin, with its green onion-head dome. After being converted into an art museum, it reflects the history and future of Harbin by displaying nearly a thousand pictures and the city’s vision for its urban plan.
Other classical European-style architecture is to be found on Central Avenue, the Heilongjiang Province capital’s most prosperous area. Over 100 years old, the whole street is rendered radiant by lights every night. Try out the authentic Russian food, as well as the famous Madele popsicles.
Fly Nanjing-Harbin from ¥560, between 28 March and 30 June.
With Tomb Sweeping Day upon us next week, offering a 3-day break, it will be just a tad more than 3 weeks until the May Day holiday. They’re the prime times to get away from Nanjing to sample the abundance of beauty that China has to offer.
