New York

New York, United States

Many long for the "Big Apple" not because of its affluence and extravagance, but because of their dreams. Dramatic stories of success and failure unfold everyday. A verse from a Chinese movie "Beijingers in New York" hits the nail on the head: If you love someone, bring him to New York because it's heaven; if you hate someone, bring him to New York because it's hell.

New York is a world of mixed feelings.

But one thing is certain: There's an important edge to the city that always brings hopes, confidence, energy and creativity.

Getting around

• Times Square

  Massive millboards flicker. Hectic pedestrian traffic flows in all directions. Money sloshes around. If you happen to be there on New Year's Eve, don't miss the ball drop which attracts huge crowds every year.

• Empire State Building

  Manhattan is peppered with skyscrapers, but the 102-story, 400-meter-plus-high legendary bulk leads the pack and looms over Manhattan's skyline as New York's permanent landmark, having stood witness to many transformations of the country.

• The Statue of Liberty

  It's an icon of freedom, an icon of the United States. The colossal 151-meter-high statue was donated by France in 1876 as a gift to mark the 100th anniversary of the United States’ independence, and is a welcoming sight to all immigrants arriving from around the world.

• Broadway

  A humble village has inspired countless writers, artists and composers and has become the world's most respected stage for musicals.

• Central Park

  Tree-lined walkways, rolling meadows, well manicured gardens - in downtown Manhattan, it ranks among the world's best known parklands. The showpiece is the vast Sheep Meadow where many people lounge on warm days.

  
  
  
• Wall Street

  The 500-meter-long, 11-meter-wide street is almost synonymous with the capital market. An ox bronze statue stands as its symbol. Visitors touch the ox horn hoping they would be favored by fortune.