A journey of beauty and discovery: a special summer between Beijing and Shanghai
Now that the new year has begun, we start to think...what will be the journey that will organize next summer?
And what choice could be better than China, the cradle of a thriving civilization that for millennia has passed down through generations a culture that has always fascinated visitors from all over the world.
The starting point of our ideal trip would surely be Beijing, the capital of the country with a thousand-year history. Originally designed according to the dictates of Chinese geomancy, the ancient divinatory art, Bejiin (the original name) has been embellished over the centuries by palaces, temples and gardens with fairytale charm, witnessing the sensational majesty of the imperial dynasties that have guided it. In a city where modernity and tradition combine, places full of history are flanked by skyscrapers and avant-garde infrastructures, in a fantastic imagination-proof scenario.
The heart of this open-air museum is Tiananmen Square, known throughout the world, as well as for its enormous size, for having been the scene of important events related to the history of the country.
A particular place full of meaning, it represents the symbolic center of the Chinese universe thanks to its orientation along an axis that leads directly to the Gate of Heavenly Peace, a magical gateway to the Forbidden City. Called Gugong in Chinese, the Forbidden City is the largest complex of imperial palaces in the world, home to some of the country's most important dynasties.
For centuries interdued to ordinary citizens - this is the reason for its mysterious name - this marvelous complex of sumptuous palaces, squares and gardens is one of the greatest examples of architecture based on the continuous search for that harmonious balance typical of Chinese culture.
The Hall of Perfect Harmony was in fact the place where the emperor dedicated himself to prayer before going to the Temple of Heaven, a sacred place of ceremonial rituals, which, conceived according to the cosmic laws inspired by the balance between heaven and earth, is structured according to a particular divine order, where the square shapes represent the earth, while the circular ones reproduce the sky. Not far away there is the sumptuous Summer Palace, an idyllic place, lying on the banks of a lake, where the Emperor took refuge to find refreshment during the summer.
But it is only eighty kilometers from here that stands the Great Wall, rightly considered among the seven wonders of the world. Symbol of national unity, the most impressive of Chinese works was built to contain the numerous barbarian invasions that continually threatened to invade the country. The wonderful discovery of the Land of the Dragon can continue on the way to Shanghai, a must for anyone who wants to be overwhelmed by the vitality and modernity of a metropolis now in open competition with the major Western cities.
An old colonial city, Shanghai is today the symbol of the economic growth of the entire country, witnessed by a shivering skyline. Contemplated by the Bund, the riverbank which has become a symbol of elegance and commerce, the city appears in all its wonder, between lights and colors that make it unforgettable. And a few steps away, the show continues in the Yuyuan Garden, literally translated as the Garden of Happiness, where the Exquisite Jade Stone is preserved, a majestic rock found, according to a legend, more than a thousand years ago.
The extraordinary meeting with the adorable pandas, the country's national treasure, is unmissable, as you stroll along the streets of the Animal Park, the natural habitat of some of the most characteristic animals on the planet. Moving only a hundred kilometers away we find Hangzhou, the final stage of our journey. Rich in history thanks to its strategic position on the Great Canal, the city represents, according to an ancient Chinese saying, the terrestrial equivalent of Paradise. Known throughout the world thanks to the Pagoda of the Six Harmonies, a masterpiece of Chinese architecture built as a beacon to facilitate navigation of sailors along the Qiantang River, the city is also known for its local products, such as silk and green tea.
With its extraordinary historical and cultural riches, China is therefore an excellent destination to spend a summer full of charm of discovery. And the opportunities are multiplied for kids, thanks to the summer camps designed and organized just according to their particular needs. In a special setting where peers from all over the world meet, summer camps represent an essential opportunity for growth through which to get in touch with new realities, concretely expanding their boundaries and improving their language skills in a practical and dynamic way.
Learning to live in a context so different, sharing the joy of a precious experience, discovering a civilization so full of history, culture and traditions, can only be the winning card for our kids, winning citizens of a future now at the door.
