Persuasive Essays

Persuasive Essays

Class: Written Communication DAS 177, Fall 2008; Teacher: Natalie Schiedler

Author: Patrizia De Cillis

Traveling is one of the most valuable and enriching experiences in our lives increasing our knowledge, opening our minds, enriching our spirits, extending new moral values; and you can find many destinations in the world that would fulfill your desires. But, if what you are looking for is a unique and memorable experience that will give you the opportunity to learn about another culture through art, cultural events, historical cites, and archeological treasures, a place to visit is certainly Italy. Among many places in the world where you can relive the past, Italy is certainly the most charming place. This little country in the middle of the Mediterranean represents the cradle of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, and offers an incredible number of opportunities for people eager to learn about an ancient civilization that shaped the history of many cultures. Moreover, “according to UNESCO” (“United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization”), Italy is the place where you can find 66% of the “world‟s historical artistic heritage”, which is an incredible number if you consider that Italy is only “116,346.5 sq mi” (“Art Cities”) (“Italy”). Although every little corner of this country will be unforgettable to you because all of its towns and cities are “...veritable living museums” (“Art Cities”), there are two cities that you cannot miss because of their beauty and their historic, cultural, and artistic value, and these cities are Rome and Venice. Rome is a large city in the middle of the Country and historically was the center of the Roman Empire and of Christianity; today the center of the Catholic Church of the entire world is in the Vatican City, which although it is considered a separate state, is located in the center of Rome (“Rome”). Rome is also the capital of Italy and has “two and a half thousand

Cited: Jetsun Holidays. ”Antalya Holidays.” 18 November 2008 “Independent Travel.” Tourism. 8 October 2008. Amsterdam News. ” Amsterdam Best Town To Live In Despite Top Crime Rate” April 23, 2007 Author: Xiaoshi Li China is famous for its long history and mysterious culture. Therefore, it‟s a great choice for people who are interested in different cultural experiences, or cultural visitors. Cultural visitors are people who have special interests in cultural activities, for example, different styles of artistic works, mysterious ethnic habits, and traditional food or interesting celebrations. („cultural Visitor Profile”). China can satisfy a variety of demands culture travelers have. China offers a chance to experience both diverse minority cultural and old Chinese civilization. Yunnan province, located in southern China, has the most minorities in number in China(“25 Minorities Of Yunnan”). So you can experience a lot of cultures in one place. One of the most interesting things is their traditional clothes. All the clothes of these minorities are closely related with their culture. Take Bai nationality, as an example, love white colors which is the same as meaning of their name in Chinese, white. They believe white color can bring good luck. Their clothes are colorful, but white is always the main color. Every Women in the Bai nationality has a beautiful “headdress”, they tell others whether they are married with different type of “headdress” (“The Bai nationality”). Traditional clothes are also an important art form of every minority cultural. For example, many minorities like to have many silver things on the clothes; it‟s not only for beauty, but also a convenience method to carry wealth. Moreover, travelers can rent or buy those clothes at a low price which will be a precious memory and gift. Another great experience is festival events in different seasons. As Yunnan has so many cultures here, it has many celebrations here too. The “Water-Splashing Festival” of the Dai nationality is a famous and funny festival in China. It happens in spring time and lasts for several days. People splash water on others on that day because they think water can bring good luck (“Water-Splashing Festival”). However, it looks like a water fight which makes it a fun festival. Furthermore, you should never miss traditional food wherever you travel in China. Minorities here are good at using tools and materials around them to make delicious food, including some special fruit and meat here. Your trip in Yunnan will be a great cultural experience with so many different cultures. Pingyao is an amazing place for cultural visitors because it has completely remained the “Old City” (“Attractions”). When you walk on the street in Pingyao Old City, you will feel like you are in the ancient time. Everything looks like it did hundreds of years ago, including the outside and inside of the buildings. It‟s like “a huge historical museum”. Some important landmarks, for example bank, temple and government office, offers a good sample for historical education (“Attractions”). These buildings show people what a bank looks like and how government worked hundreds of years ago, which is quite different from today. There is so much information waiting for you to discover in those old buildings. The wonderful paintings on the wall and windows still keep colorful. People designed houses according to the natural environment and religion. For example there‟s always a second door after the entering door here. The second door is not use for a door. People here believe wind blow into the door can take away their wealth, so they built another door to stop wind. Those houses also show the condition of people‟s life, poor or rich. There‟re small houses for normal citizens, and big houses, as large as a palace, for wealthy people. You can not only visit those old houses, but also live in them! Because all the buildings here are old ones, hotels are built in those old houses too. Living in the classical old buildings in northern China, and trying traditional food in northern China, will make you feel like part of the life in this fantastic place. In addition, as a famous travel destination in China, Pingyao offers good travel guide services. Visitors can hire a professional guide who can speak English for a low price. Pingyao gives people a great chance to go back into the mysterious history and experience traditional Chinese cultural. China is always an ideal location for cultural visitors because it has diverse cultures and long history. It offers everything cultural visitors want. And you will have a great time experiencing Chinese cultures. “Cultural Visitor Profile” National Assemble of State Arts Agencies Jan.7,2004 “25 Minorities of Yunnan” Great Wall Tours “The Bai nationality” Great Wall Tours “Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai People” Cultural China “Attractions‟ Travel China Guide Oct.29,2008