Apr 23
Pingery LinChina Advantage, China, chinese, Chinese Culture, Chinese Friend, Chinese Language, Chinese Learning, Chinese Software, Conclusive Evidence, Discover, education, Flexibility, language, language learning, Language System, Learn Chinese, Learning Software, Learning Tools, Lot, Matter Of Fact, Native Speaker, online course, online lesson, Reading Books, self learning, Surprise, Truth, Tutor, university
Do you want to discover Chinese now? Without any surprise, you’ll surely have your own factors to learn the language. You may want to communicate better with your Chinese friend. It’s also possible to wish to work or study in China in order that you will need to understand it.
To that end, do you know how to discover the language? In fact, you will find at least two methods for you to do so. You are able to take into account learning it yourself. Conversely, you may also try to learn from the others. This is a must so that you can think about your own situation when you begin finding out.
As a matter of fact, you will find folks who discover it hard to understand the language. The truth here would be that the Chinese language system is completely various from English. That is why some people discover it difficult to understand. Yet, you may still find some methods to learn it simpler.
It is possible to surely consider a course so that you can understand Chinese. The advantage is that one could ask the teacher when you have questions. Yet, getting a course can be pricey. An additional point right here is you will want to spend some time to attend the classes. This can be inflexible to many of us.
Generally, you will end up reading books when you are attending the classes. Besides, you’ll learn by listening to some understanding CDs. It’ll be perfect if the tutor is often a native speaker. It is possible to discover a lot faster and less difficult.
An issue you might take into account is the fees of the courses. This is conclusive evidence that you might find the course expensive. Cash is only 1 issue you’ll consider. Time is an additional issue you may look after. There are individuals who do not have time to attend the classes.
Therefore, it’ll be a better thought for you to locate some learning tools so that you can have the flexibility when you discover. As a result, you may want to go for some Chinese learning software. Typically, the expense of such software program will not be high.
You will get many materials whenever you learn with the software. Obviously you will definitely get some texts. This would be the same as reading the books. You will probably get lots of multimedia materials. For instance, you are able to learn from the videos and it ought to enable you to understand easier.
You should read more about Learn Chinese Language. Be sure to read Conversational Chinese.
Apr 08
Craven PublishingChina accessible, China, Disability, disabled, diseases, Illnesses, paraolmypics
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As China gears up to welcome the world to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Welsh ex-pat Christian Saunders – who now lives in Beijing – gives us the lowdown on this vibrant and bustling city.
Some half a million foreign visitors are expected to descend upon China’s vibrant capital city between 8 and 24 August to witness the 2008 Olympic Games. But since China is still classified as a developing country, there has been some concern about the standard of facilities on offer in Beijing – not least for the many disabled people who will travel to the city to participate in and support the following Paralympic Games, which take place from 6 to 17 September.
To its credit, the Chinese government has addressed the issue with aplomb, ploughing vast resources into making much-needed improvements in many areas. By the time the games kick off, it’s anticipated that every major pavement in the city will boast not only a central raised path for blind people, but also ramps to enable wheelchair users to move around freely. More than 2,000 such ramps have already been installed.
Beijing has also opened a centre to train 30,000 volunteers to help international visitors and, when the Olympics are over, the training centre will be transformed into a school to develop vocational skills amongst Beijing’s sizeable disabled population. There are almost 800,000 registered disabled people in China’s capital, with an estimated 81 million – roughly the population of Germany – distributed throughout the rest of the country. Living conditions for disabled people in China have been described by an official as “less than ideal”, with many facing discrimination and employment problems. For instance, largely due to the prohibitive costs involved, only 2% of people in rural areas who need equipment like hearing aids and false limbs actually receive it.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE However, Tang Xiaoquan of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) recently told a news conference: “We believe that the Paralympics will enhance the international influence of China’s disabled people and give them more self-esteem, as well as make them more confident and self-sufficient.” In fact, BOCOG’s executive vice president said that the preparations for the Paralympics have helped to accelerate the improvement of conditions for China’s disabled population.
Many disabled people in China will certainly benefit from the government-funded improvements, and they see the Olympics and Paralympics as the ideal stage to highlight their plight. A campaign to raise public awareness has been in place for some months, resulting in a regular “barrier-free day” in Beijing, during which people are actively encouraged to be more sensitive to the problems that people with mobility impairments face.
THE GREAT WALL Most of the government’s expenditure has gone towards making 60 of the city’s most famous tourist attractions more accessible to disabled people. Some 600 million RMB (42.6 million) has been spent on renovating the Great Wall at Badaling where, until now, anyone who visited in a wheelchair would have had to rely on other people to lift them up the many steps and other obstructions. Badaling, the section of the wall that lies just an hour outside Beijing, has been dubbed “the mother of all tourist sites” and the revamp means that – for the first time – wheelchair users can enjoy the experience of the Great Wall essentially unaided.
Local tourism official Wang Fengbin says that ramps, lifts and a range of other access solutions have been introduced on the Great Wall at Badaling, with many more changes to come: “A sloping path will be built into the wall to allow wheelchairs to reach the platform of the first beacon tower.” Signage will also be improved, one of the ticket office windows will be lowered and a voice guidance system is set to be installed allowing easier access for all.
THE FORBIDDEN CITY Another famous tourist attraction to benefit from the recent funding boost is the Forbidden City. So called because commoners were not allowed to enter it, this sprawling Ming dynasty masterpiece was built as the political centrepiece of the Celestial Empire. The impressive Wumen Gate, the southern entrance to the Forbidden City, is now accessible via a wheelchair lift. Once inside the 72 hectare Forbidden City, disabled visitors can enjoy this spectacular walled palace complex thanks to a kilometre-long accessible avenue and a series of lifts. This links all the major halls and palaces of the inner and outer courts, from which China’s emperors exercised their supreme power over the nation for almost five centuries. Yan Hongbin of the Beijing Disabled Persons Federation explains: “The barrier-free avenue starts from the south gate and ends in the north, permitting disabled tourists to enjoy a truly barrier-free tour.” What’s more, the impressive Palace Museum – home to thousands of ancient artefacts from the Ming and Qing imperial courts – has been fitted with wheelchair-friendly pathways, while a specially designed map highlighting accessible facilities and routes will soon be available.
WORTH SEEING Nearby Tiananmen Square – the site of the infamous 1989 student demonstration – is also fully accessible. Head out before sunrise to watch the daily flag-raising ceremony at this, the world’s largest open urban square. Just north of Beijing, the Ming Tombs are certainly worth a visit. 13 of the 16 Ming emperors were laid to rest here, although only three of the mausoleums are actually open to the public. Another site of note is the luxurious Summer Palace in Haidian district, where disabled visitors can enjoy half-price entry. With scenic lakes, imperial gardens and classic buildings, it’s a popular destination on the tourist trail.
GETTING AROUND Several companies now run specialised tours which include visits to the traditional tourist hot spots as well as trips geared towards exploring forms of traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture. But for those determined to make their own way around, the government has also invested heavily in improving Beijing’s transport network. An accessible bus service runs from Tiananmen in central Beijing to Xizhimen in the west of the city, offering a low boarding platform and wheelchair-friendly layout. The service runs from 6.30am to 8.30pm, while the fare – a very reasonable 2 RMB (28p) for a single journey – is the same as the city’s standard buses.
Beijing’s subway system has also seen a dramatic improvement, with 55 subway stations already classed “barrier-free”. Trains on the new line five are wider and taller than those on older routes, and carriages are equipped with a wireless communication network so that passengers can use laptops and mobile phones without fear of losing their signal. Construction of the new line began in 2002 and eventually cost 12 billion RMB (about 800 million).
According to the Xinhua News Agency, renovations are nearly complete in more than 120 hotels set aside for the Olympic Games. The renovations have an emphasis on accommodating disabled guests and, according to the Beijing Tourism Bureau, member hotels in the city can now offer a total of 168 accessible rooms, while more than 390 three-star hotels have undergone renovation to improve accessibility. The Beijing New Plaza Hotel offers specially designed rooms, private parking spaces and accessible ramps along with large capacity toilets.
WHEN YOU’VE GOT TO GO An area of particular concern for tourists in Beijing is public toilet facilities – to the extent that, at one time, a third of all complaints received by the Beijing Tourism Administration involved public conveniences. Much to the horror of foreign visitors, traditional Chinese toilets amount to little more than open troughs over which the user is expected to squat. Thankfully, many toilets – especially at popular tourist destinations – have been drastically upgraded. Facilities must now provide at least one cubicle suitable for wheelchair users, as well as emergency call buttons. In addition, a rating system has been introduced to indicate the quality of the toilets, with four-star facilities providing luxuries such as lotions and hot towels. At present a small fee must be paid to use them to cover costs, but the ultimate aim is to provide free access to all. In total, 747 toilets at 168 attractions are involved in the scheme.
So from toilets to transport, ancient palaces to public awareness days, it appears that the ‘new’ China is determined to make a good impression on the rest of the world when the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive in Beijing. All things considered, it looks like doing just that. INTERESTING FACTS
TOP FIVE ACCESSIBLE TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BEIJING:
1: The Great Wall at Badaling 2: The Forbidden City 3: Summer Palace 4: Beijing Museum of Natural History 5: The Ming Tombs
GETTING THERE You can fly direct from London Heathrow to Beijing Capital International Airport with BA (return prices in September starting from 706), Air China (about 900) or connect with flights from most European airlines including Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, SAS and Finnair. It pays to look around, though; book through Expedia.co.uk (0871 222 9483) and you could fly with United Arab Emirates (including a stopover in Dubai) for just 437.20 return.
AIRPORT Beijing Capital International Airport is located about 12 miles (20km) northeast of the city. Most international flights now use the new 1 billion, Norman Foster-designed Terminal 3, which came into operation during February and March 2008. Currently the best way to travel between airport and city is by taxi (fares around 90 Chinese Yuan/about 6-7) or airport shuttle bus (CNY16/about 1.15), but a new direct metro line is set to open before the Games.
BEIJING WEATHER Hot, humid and wet summers (up to 30C) are balanced by cold, dry and windy winters (down to -8C). Good for the Games, autumns are dry and clement.
TRAVEL TIPS: CHINA
* Have a full medical check-up before you leave the UK and take your doctor’s name and contact details with you in case of emergency.
* Plan ahead; inform the airline you are travelling with and the hotel where you are staying of your needs, and gather information on your destination from guidebooks and the internet.
* Ensure you have the correct documentation (a standard tourist visa will usually suffice).
* Make sure you have adequate medical insurance.
* On arrival at your hotel, ask a member of staff to write down the establishment’s address in Chinese and keep it with you at all times. Most taxi drivers don’t speak English.
* Allow plenty of time for journeys. Airports and stations in Beijing are efficient but notoriously crowded, and at peak times the roads are often gridlocked.
Published by Able Magazine The UKs largest disability equipment
Apr 07
Mei LiuChina Accommodation In China, apartment in xian, Apartment Rent, Apartment To Rent, apartments in xi'an, architecture, Best Deals, China, China Travel, Comforts Of Home, Cramped Hotel, Fun Things, Groups Of People, Large Families, Large Groups, leisure, Magical Gardens, No Doubt, Ordeal, Outrageous Prices, Places To Visit In China, Short Term Apartment, Small Apartments, Small Spaces, travel, Xian, Xian Apartment, Xian Apartments, Xian China
It is often a huge ordeal to take a vacation with loved ones in tow. Getting all of the arrangements made and finding a place to stay is the hardest part of all. Luckily, there are homes and apartments in Xian – accommodation in China for the whole family. They offer all of the comforts of home and save everyone from feeling stuck in a cramped hotel.
Traveling in large groups of people is the most difficult thing to do. There are many plans that have to be made before the trip can even begin. The task becomes especially difficult when it comes to finding a place that can accommodate everyone. Hotels offer very small spaces at outrageous prices and several rooms have to be used to hold large families.
There is no doubt that Xian is one of the most incredible places to visit in China. There are a wide number of fun things to see and do. In fact, most people often extend their stay just to see everything. This can be done easily by simply finding a nice home or apartment to rent during the trip.
The homes and apartments in the region are truly amazing. They offer stylish architecture and magical gardens that are common in the area. It should not be surprising that the decision on a place to stay is often difficult. No worries, the choice is really not hard. All of the places will provide that cozy feeling that usually only comes from home.
Finding a place to stay
China has many rentals to choose from and it may seem impossible to decide. There are large houses that can hold bigger groups and small apartments that will accommodate one or two people or even an average family. Explore all of the options that are available in order to get the best deals.
The internet offers many resources for planning the perfect trip. These sites provide a lot of help when it comes to finding a place to stay. There is usually a search engine that have filtering options and they will search through the many price listings until a good deal is found. Be sure to think about what everyone needs when using these websites.
Another great aspect of these sources of information is that many of them have blogs and reviews. They are written by families that stayed in the area and often contain some very vital information. The people often post photos of the places that they stayed to help others make informed decisions.
Consider how many people will be staying with the group. It is always best to allow each person to have their own space. Apartments allow two to four bedrooms and houses have several more.
If there is a pet included in the travels be certain to inquire about the policies regarding such issues. China is very welcoming to travelers and it is likely that animals will not be a problem. However, it is always good business to ask about your beloved friend. Include a question about children as well.
When choosing a fabulous place to stay, keep things in a good price range. Breaking the budget on such things will lead to low funds for sightseeing and shopping. That fact would ruin anyone’s trip.
It is easy to find apartments in Xian – accommodation in China for the whole family are only a few clicks away. There are many beautiful places to consider and all of them offer much more than a hotel. It is the best way to achieve the feel of home while on holiday.
Mei Liu is the owner of xi’an apartmentswhich provides families with an Apartment in Xian . Located in the city center, the guesthouse is perfect for families who want long or short term stays in Xian China.
Apr 03
Pingery LinChina China, chinese, Chinese Culture, education, language, language learning, Learn Chinese, online course, online lesson, self learning, university
More folk are endeavoring to learn Chinese language nowadays. This is because it is less complicated for us to meet Chinese folks nowadays. In fact , it’s not hard to learn this language if you know the ways to do so.
It usually takes time to learn a new language. This is true also when you’re learning Chinese language. One thing you need to know is that you need to make your decision and begin to do so. This will be the only way for you to achieve success in learning the language.
You may ask what you must do when you learn Chinese. One of the less complicated methods is to buy an audio CD to learn. Listening to the CDs will help you to learn fast. Besides, you may get a DVD so as to do so. You can learn from the videos easily.
If you have some Chinese friend, it will be good for you to learn from this pal. It is always good to benefit from a native speaker. Yet, you may wonder what you can do if you do not have such pals. In this example, you can try to gain from a personal mentor.
Besides the above idea, you can also consider learning yourself. There are universities which offer free materials for you to learn Chinese. It will be simple for you to search for such materials on the internet.
With the web materials, you can begin to learn the language. Usually, you can find some videos and audio files. Be sure to watch and hear them so you can learn simply. Naturally there will also be some texts which you should read.
You may additionally want to purchase a compendium. Yet, this is often quite inconvenient. It will not be a good idea for you to bring the compendium each day. Instead, you need to try to see if there is any compendium you can download to your iPhone. It’s going to be more convenient.
You may also spend some cash to buy some software for you to learn Chinese. There are quite a number of good programs you’ll find on the internet. Usually, you can get either a downloadable version a group of physical discs. Both will be good for you to learn Chinese.
The author writes articles about How to Learn Chinese. You should also check Chinese Learning Software.
Mar 12
Mei LiuChina China, Xian, Xian China, Xian Travel
Xian travel gives you a destination that is rich with over 3000 years of history. It was the capital for 13 dynasties, including the Tang and was the home of 73 emperors during its reign. Today, it is a site that gives you a glimpse into this noble past and offers modern amenities for a truly breathtaking experience.
There are many ways that you can get an affordable trip to here. You can look at online travel sites or speak to a travel agent. If you plan on coming and have several months before you leave, then book as soon as you can to take advantage of early bird rates. Conversely, you can book these last minute and use the discounts for last minute travel and get a trip here within a budget. You should also look at packages, since they include a hotel and can save you a considerable amount of money as well.
You should always pay for your trips with a credit card since they offer a protection plan that suing a debit card does not. This will ensure that if something happens and the trip is not delivered or cancelled, you can get your money back easily and with no troubles.
The attractions are called according to being inside or outside the City Wall. For those that are called inside, they are typically easy to walk to, and the ones that lie outside the Wall are a short bus trip away. Buses run regularly and they have a large system, which makes traveling in the city easy.
Along the exterior of the City Wall and a short bus ride way is one of china’s most sacred mountains. The Hua Mountain features a set of steep, stone stairs to climb to the top and one of the mos picturesque places to enjoy the natural beauty.
Inside the City Wall, you can also see the Forest of Steles, which is a collection of 2300 stone tablets depicting the history of China. Included in these is the Nestorian Stele, which transcribes the coming of Christianity to China, and is one of the most looked for tablets here.
Outside of the City Wall, you can take a small trip to see one of China’s sacred mountains. The Hua Mountain has stairs that you can climb to the top, and it has been widely photographed. This famous mountain offers a large waterfall and many natural places of beauty which makes it a serene trip.
The most famous of all Chinese attractions is in Xian, and it is the Army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The on site museum is over 20K square feet and features 100 vehicles, about 8000 figures and 30K weapons. Once a tomb, you can walk through and see the detail of the figures, in what is called the “8th Wonder of the World” and a 1987 World Culture Heritage Site, an award given tot hem by UNSECO.
Xian travel lets you see some of the most unusual and beautiful places in the world. This holiday will let you experience history and wonders that will give you memories to last forever.
Xian Travel Service is highly regarded in the China Travel sector.
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