Known in Rosuto-Shima as the City of the Arts, Chinan is the home to the most prestigious educational institutions of the island, some of which have a history as long as our own established universities. The entire city is built to heighten learning, and many artists and craftsmen come here to practice their trade, as they are certain to be appreciated by other likeminded individuals.
Along with the native Rosuto-Shimans, two other races are commonplace in Chinan, the Juunishi-p'o, a child-like race with animalistic features, and the Keshou, savage looking men, small of stature, who seem to have a knack for mechanics. Foreign travellers are less common here than in Shangti, but the people of Chinan are eager to learn about the ways of the outside world, and foreigners are invited to speak about their home nations.
Though not the most popular city in terms of foreign tourism, Chinan is the city where most tourists from other areas of Rosuto-Shima visit on their vacations. Many of the more forward-thinking families have sent their children to attend the growing educational institutions of Chinan and come on visits during festivals (which happen several times a year). Others come to see the galleries and museums that can be found on nearly every street corner.
Getting to Chinan
Chinan is easily accessible along the Rosuto-Shima Steam Rail Authority's Coast Line, which connects Chinan to the ports of Shangti and Talu. People interested in slower travel may also choose to rent a long-range horse-drawn coach from either of those cities.
Getting around Chinan
Though Chinan has steam-powered rickshaws, many in the city prefer to walk wherever they go. The streets are laid out intuitively, based on the cardinal directions, and once one orients oneself, it is nearly impossible to get lost.
In the unlikely event that a traveller would find himself in unfamiliar territory, the Samurai of Lord Yuu, the ruler of Chinan, are typically willing to help lost souls find their way. The people of Chinan tend to be friendly as well, though many of them have not yet learned one of the civilised tongues, and may offer directions to someone out of place.
Where to Stay and What to See
Unlike Shangti, Chinan is one of the safest cities in all of Rosuto-Shima (though tourists are encouraged to keep track of their belongings, as pickpockets are eager to make money through stealth and slippery fingers!). For those hoping to be located close to the arenas, where the best martial competitions across Rosuto-Shima are held, the northern district of Chinan has a few select inns of quality and comfort: Plang House, run by the Srisati family, often houses athletes as well as tourists, while the Red Lion, run by Jacob Andrews from abroad, specialises in providing the comforts of home to foreign travellers. The games themselves are no mere fisticuffs; while the sportsmen certainly do not follow the rules of Duke Arlington's Etiquette, their athleticism is unmatched, and the savage arts of their combat combine martial skill, both in swordplay and unarmed, with the grace of dance.
The most popular inns in the city are found in the University District, near the educational institutions. While these accommodations tend to be fairly priced, they are often filled with not only tourists but prospective students, or young travellers seeking the experience of life at a university without responsibilities. Thus, the night life in this district tends to be very active for the young, and fairly noisy for the ears of the old. During the day, however, it is nearly impossible to walk ten feet without seeing the entrance to a museum or gallery, and street performers are plentiful. The Gakufu Sangyoukikai, a school of industry, is also located in this district, and many of the inventions of the students are placed on display, some of these even challenging the ingenuity found in the Civilised Nations.
