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| ● PROJECTS ►► |
| GREAT ESCAPES 2007: ESCAPE TO CHINA |
 Actress Zoe Lucker travelled to China for GMTV's 2007 Great Escapes adventure. She visited Hainan Island, Hong Kong & Beijing. |
| PHOTOS |
        [roll over for image description and click to enlarge] |
| PRESS |
|
Zoe's China adventure was
also featured in 'The Mail On Sunday' special: 'Travel On Sunday', 14 January, 2007  [click to enlarge] |
| MORE ABOUT THE 'ESCAPE TO CHINA' DESTINATIONS: |
| BEIJING |
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+
Great Wall Of China
- It took more than a million people to build it, and since then
millions more have come to visit. Astronauts also claim they can see it
from space.
Stretching over 4 thousand miles from east to west, the Wall was built
over 2000 years ago, to defend different states. Zoe visited the
Badaling section, one of the busiest sections which is just outside of
Beijing.
+ Tiananmen Square - Every morning and every evening Chinese soldiers perform a flag ceremony in Tiananmen Sqaure which is at the centre of Beijing. + Even though the flag raising ceremony takes place at sunrise, thousands of people still turn up to watch. It's free to watch, but you need to get there early to get a good spot. + Mao's tomb is also there. Once again you have to queue up to get it. Zoe didn't have time to visit, but lots of people do. + Summer Palace - This covers a huge site just outside of Beijing. It's where the Chinese Royal family used to go to escape the Beijing heat in the Summer time. Now however its open to the public and you can easily spend a day there. + Highlights are the Marble boat, the Hall of Benovolence and Longevity and the paddle steamers that cross the lake. As Zoe discovered though it's a big sight so you want to make sure you wear some comfortable shoes.
+
Airtours Holidays
have taken inspiration from the East this year. Prices for China start
at £824. Call 0870 241 8984 for more information. |
| HONG KONG |
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+
Hong Kong is one
of the most densly populated areas on the planet.
+ Over seven million people live in the city. It used to be a British Colony but almost ten years ago it was handed back to the Chinese and since then it hasn't stopped growing. + If you're looking for the latest electronic gadgets or new technology, you will definately find them in the Mong Kok area. + If you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city visitors can pay 33 Hong Kong dollars or about £2.50 to take a tram to the summit of Victoria Peak. + If you don't like heights, you can see the harbour from the Star Ferry. Everyday it transports thousands of residents and tourists between Cow Luo and Hong Kong Island. + To get around the Island, trams are the one of the best modes of transport. Jump off at the Caseway District to pick up some traditional and unusual health remedies including birds nests for making your skin silky smooth! + Make sure when you're staying in Hong Kong that you head to the waterfront. Everynight the Symphony of Light Show illuminates the Hong Kong skyline - it really is a sight to see!
+
Airtours Holidays
have taken inspiration from the East this year. Prices for China start
at £824. Call 0870 241 8984 for more information. |
| HAINAN ISLAND |
|
+
Hainan Island is
a relatively new destination. The Chinese island in the South China sea
used to be where former Communist leaders sent people into exile, but it
the last ten years, the tourists have moved in.
+ Hainan island is often referred to as the Hawaii of the East, as it's on the same latitude as Hawaii and shares a similar climate. It's also got some amazing beaches- not something you usually associate with China. + The island is some two hundred kilometeres wide, but most tourism is centred in the South around the resorts of Sanya. One of the most popular is Yalong Bay. + In Yalong Bay there are lots of five star, four star and three star hotels springing up, the most recent is the 5* Marriott, but there's also a Hilton and Sheraton. + At the moment most of the tourists are Chinese and Russian, but the island is expecting an influx of Brits when the charter flights start in the summer. Airtours launch their programme this year, with Thomson following behind this winter.
+
Airtours Holidays
have taken inspiration from the East this year. Prices for China start
at £824. Call 0870 241 8984 for more information. |