Land of poets and stunning landscapes
Print Edition
EDITOR’S note:
Foreign diplomats based in Shanghai are naturally proud of their homelands and are keen to share their enthusiasm. In this series, members of the diplomatic community offer insiders’ guides to their countries, with expert tips on where to go and what to do.
Chile is the long and narrow country located in the southwest of South America. This location and its geography have molded and defined the character of the Chilean people, surrounding by the Atacama Desert in the North, the Andes Mountains to the East, the Pacific Ocean to the West and Glaciers, Fiords and the Antarctica to the South.
We have an open society and a very homogeneous population, more than 17 million, with a strong indigenous heritage and cultural presence in some regions in the north and south of the country. It is said that Chile is a land of poets and writers. Two Chileans poets have been awarded with the Nobel Prize of Literature, Gabriela Mistral in 1945 (the only South American woman that have received this award), and Pablo Neruda in 1971. Others like Nicanor Parra, Isabel Allende or Roberto Bolano have been translated and are read all over the world.
Visitors to Chile can enjoy and contemplate the clearest skies in the world. Many international astronomical observatories have been built in the north and scientists from different countries, including China, visit them regularly.
After the completion of new projects — like the Giant Magellan Telescope, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope — by 2020, Chile will be home of the 70 percent of the world’s astronomical observation.
Easter Island — Rapa Nui — located almost 4,000 kilometers from Santiago, is the most isolated place in the world and an important part of Chilean territory. The Rapa Nui people have a rich cultural heritage and visitors can contemplate its ceremonial sites and the magnificent volcanic stone statues that protect the island — the Moais.
Chile has a privileged mixture of contrasting landscapes, climates and natural wonders, which begin with the world’s driest desert and end in glaciers and straits that merge in the Pacific Ocean. Many of its national parks have been declared biosphere reserves.
In the north, San Pedro de Atacama, a small old town linked with the ancient cultures of the Andes, is surrounded by exceptional landscapes, flora, fauna and moon-like valleys.
Santiago, the capital founded by the Spaniards in 1541, has a Mediterranean climate, neoclassical and modern architecture, vibrant night life and top-notch restaurants. It is ranked among the highest cities of Latin America in terms of quality of life.
The central south part of Chile is rich in tradition and an important part of the fruit and wine that Chile produces and exports comes from this region.
The Andes form Chile’s backbone, with thousand of volcanos, many actives, combined with hot springs and many of the best skiing resorts in South America.
Chile’s Patagonia was the first part of Chile viewed by the European explorers, in the early 16th century. Visitors to this southernmost part of continental Chile may enjoy visiting Torres del Paine national park. Its broken coast, fjords, islands and deep-blue glaciers create one of the most haunting landscapes at the end of the world.
If planning a trip, visit the Consulate General of Chile in Shanghai for information on tourist visas congechile.shanghai@minrel.gov.cl
To learn more about Chile, visit chiletravel.com; imagendechile.com for news, videos and events.
1756chile.com is a bilingual online magazine published in Shanghai (English-Chinese) on Chile and Chilean wine.
In June and July, Chile will host the Copa America, with soccer players like Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Neymar, Colombia’s James Rodriguez and Chileans Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal taking part in this regional competition.
Musts in Chile
Must See: Patagonia and Easter Island
You must visit Patagonia and the Torres del Paine National Park. This amazing park was named the 8th Wonder of the world by TripAdvisor in 2013. Also, Easter Island — Rapa Nui — “the center of the world,” is a unique place renowned for its gigantic Moai volcanic rock statues.
Must Do: Visit a winery
Chile is well-known in China for its excellent wines. Visit a winery near Santiago or in the Central Valley, the wine district near Santa Cruz (Colchagua Valley). There you will be able to taste the best wines, accompanied by good food and magnificent scenery.
Must Eat: Seafood
Chile with its long coastline is rich in seafood. Among the best choices are king crabs, abalone, sea urchin and salmon. You can have a good seafood meal at most local places near the coast. If you are in Santiago, go to the “Mercado Central,” dating back to the 19th century, a good place to get a taste of Chilean food and culture.
Must Buy: Wine and pisco
Chilean wine has become very popular among young and sophisticated Chinese and international consumers. In Chile you can try and buy new varieties and premium labels from wineries. For reds, I suggest you try Carmenere. For something stronger, try Pisco brandy and a glass or two of Pisco sour, Chile’s most popular aperitif.
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