Comfier trips to China now available

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

China is a big country, very big.

The importance of air travel in the nation cannot be underestimated.

Air China has announced a deal with Honeywell Aerospace that will see its new fleet of state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER carriers utilise the latest avionic suite, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable flight for those on the holiday of a lifetime.

Those who are embarking on trips to China will most likely be getting on more than the traditional outbound and return flights that many far more boring holidaymakers make do with, so this news will come as a little added bonus.

After all, who could arrive in Beijing and enjoy all the city has to offer such as Tiananmen Square, the Palace of Heaven and the Forbidden City without supplementing that with a few days stay in area like Macau or Hong Kong – as different to Beijing as apples and oranges, or sweet and sour if you prefer.

And that sort of trip can only be made by air.

Once a holidaymaker has touched down (after experiencing newly improved in-flight comfort) in Hong Kong they will not find themselves short of things to do.

The Peak is the island’s most popular attraction. It offers the most stunning views of the area’s harmonic balance between large-scale commercialisation and even larger-scale mountains and seascapes.

A short stay on the Peak Tram to get to the summit is exciting enough. The climb is so steep that as you dodge past Hong Kong’s numerous skyscrapers, they actually look as though they are leaning towards you.

The attraction is not all about the unique views and even those without a head for heights will find that the combination of the Peak Tower, Galleria and Sky Terrace will keep their eyes pealed.

Other highlights in Hong Kong include Victoria Harbour, the giant Buddha on Lantua Island and Global Geopark of China.

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Tailor made tours of China could include Fuzhou

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

The Chinese tourist attractions of Fuzhou are proving to be popular with tourists so far this year.

Those on tailor made tours to the country often have a list of special sites they want to see, be it the Great Wall or the spectacular Hong Kong harbour, but the Fuzhou Province on the east coast of China has many must-see destinations.

Drum Hill is just a short trip for those who stay in the capital city and gives tourists the change to see a unique natural phenomenon. The mountain is shaped like the percussion instrument it takes its name from and curiously, it also manages to produce a sound.

The hill reverberates loudly whenever the weather conditions are right, covering the whole region with the sound of a drum.

Those who prefer their natural features less loud could check out Yu Hill. The attraction is located in the main city of Fuzhou just beneath a colossal statue of Mao Zedong and looked at from below the hill resembles a huge turtle.

Anyone after a bit of Chinese culture on their tailor made tour will want to see the White Pagoda. The temple is situated near the equally awe-inspiring Song Dynasty tomb and is one of the most famous Buddhist venues in the region.

These attractions may be the reason more than 1.77 million visitors swelled into the region over the past 12 months – an increase of 6.57 per cent when compared to 2010′s figures, according to the Information Statistics and Monitoring Center of Fuzhou Municipal Tourism Administration.

The recent Spring Festival was a particularly high point.

All the urban areas in the region put on special celebration for Chinese New Year and the festivals that are associated with it.

The parks in Fuzhou received 811,400 tourists in total, including 200,000 by West Lake Park, 328,000 by Zuohai Park, 52,800 by Minjiang Park and 33,000 by Fuzhou Zoo.

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Lugu Lake could be part of a China tour

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Those thinking about organising a bespoke China tour this year will need to think long and hard about their itinerary.

Perhaps more than any other country on the face of the earth, China has a plethora of must-see locations.

World-famous cultural attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall will provide the focus of many trips to the country, but tourists may also want to see some of the natural wonders that China has to offer.

One such sight is Lugu Lake.

Found in a beautiful locale spread across both the Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, the lake is more than a body of water. The fertile lands surrounding the lake are the historic home of the Mosuo tribes who settled in the area during the Warring States period.

Now the region is invaded by tourists.

More than 20,000 sought the tranquil destination out during China’s recent spring Festival – a figure that was 60 per cent higher than 12 months earlier.

Holidaymakers may scarcely believe that they are in the same country as huge, bustling conurbations such as Hong Kong of Beijing, as they breathe in the crisp alpine air.

The deep blue waters are enchanting and vast – covering an area of 187 square kilometres.

Lugu Lake is surrounded by 17 beaches and several hot springs and numerous temples that pay homage to the area’s spiritual heritage.

People who decide that the Yunnan Province should be part of their China tour may also want to see the hot spring known as the Boiling Pot.

The naturally-occurring geyser generates temperatures of 97 degrees C and although that is far too hot for the human body, the locals have adapted the spring to boil their meals.

Tourists can see the wonder for themselves by travelling to the Rehai area of the province.

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Scenic sights becoming more popular in China

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

China is often viewed as a very mystical country and those on a China tour will have many world-famous attractions on their itinerary.

Well-known wonders such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City are often right at the top of that list, but a new report from the National Holiday Tourism Office has revealed that scenic spots are becoming more popular with overseas tourists.

The report found that on the fifth day of the week-long Spring Festival, 251,300 sightseers visited 37 major scenic resorts across the Shanxi Province – a figure which is 20 per cent higher than the corresponding number for last year.

Visitors to the city’s Pingle Ancient Town increased 22.5 per cent year-on-year, while more than 10,000 tourists visited the resort of Mount Qingcheng – an increase of 54.41 per cent.

The office added that around 774,660 passengers boarded flights to travel to different regions of the country on the same day.

One scenic attraction that is gaining year-round popularity is the Lingqu Canal.

Sometime before 210 BC, the first Qin emperor ordered one of his legions to construct a waterway that would allow his army to travel via boat all the way to the deep south of China.

The canal was built to join China’s two great rivers, the Yangtze and the Pearl, and allowed China to expand its territory more than 2,000 years ago.

“Of the three big building projects of the Qin Dynasty, the Great Wall was purely military and Dujiangyan in Sichuan province was for civilian use, but Lingqu was built for military purposes and evolved into a civilian waterway,” states Liu Jianxin, chairman of the Lingqu Historical Cultural Research Society.

A seven-metre high black stone runs alongside the waterway, which is emblazoned with mystical inscriptions and its origins have so far remained a mystery to modern science.

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Experience camellia picking in the Songyang county

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Those looking to experience a real taste of oriental life on their holiday to China may want to consider seeing a custom which dates back centuries.

In a small village called Zhangshan situated in the Songyang county of the Zhejiang province, families come together to begin the process of extracting the oils from the region’s main crop.

Camellia is an evergreen shrub, that looks beautiful with its shiny leaves and rose-like blossoms, but the locals farm the plant for the oil, which contains 90 per cent of the unsaturated fats that are essential to diets in the area.

Ye Ping, branch secretary for the local Village Party, told China Daily: “Camellia seeds that are scattered on the ground bake in the sunshine for nearly a month before we start shucking off the rinds and grind them in the stone mill.”

As well as nourishment, the oils have become a major source of income for the mountain communities.

Hundreds of years ago, their predecessors travelled a route that was to become known as the Camellia Oil Path. Laden with produce, they would negotiate the tricky mountain roads in the hope of trading the oil for food and other necessities with bazaars camped on the plains.

“The ancient path connects the village with the outside world. We can reach Jinhua, Lishui and Wenzhou through this path,” Ye said.

He stated that it was important to keep the area’s traditions alive and after a long hard day in the field he often liked to lean on the trunks of the trees, just as his grandfather would have done before him.

Camellia oil could make the perfect memento of a holiday to China and is sold in 400 year-old stalls to tourists who have made the journey to Zhangshan.

Holidaymakers may even wish to cultivate their own camellia plants, as the Daily Mail recently said they could give a winter garden a much-needed dash of colour.

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Spring festival ‘brings out Chinese hospitality’

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Now could be the ideal time to book a China tour.

The country is currently celebrating the Spring Festival after it ushered in the Year of the Dragon on Chinese New Year, which this time fell on January 23rd.

China has many stunning and unique attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall that will be unforgettable at any time of the year, but the People’s Daily Online is reporting that those tourists who are currently in the country are having the time of their lives.

Authorities in China are keen to put on a show for travellers during the festival and, as a result, the ancient cultural traditions of the Chinese people come to the fore.

Pazhani Raja, a student from India who experienced the Lunar New Year celebrations, said he was so impressed by the spirit of the natives that he had to honour the Spring Festival.

He commented: “The dinner on New Year’s Eve is so sumptuous that I had been waiting for the treat all year.”

“The essence of the dinner gathering is reunion, which is deep in the Chinese culture. After working hard for a year, the family dinner makes everyone feel soulful happiness.”

People’s Daily Online reports that the Chinese hospitality is not the only joy to be seen at this time of year.

The news agency said that visitors were flocking to the Ice Festival in Harbin, the Bund in Shanghai, the panda-breeding base in Sichuan and many other often overlooked villages in the country in search of the perfect new year memories.

China is so vast it offers something for everyone. The country’s meteorological authority said that the south of the country will continue to see snow, while the northern provinces will experience warm sunny weather for the next week.

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Shanghai favourite gets refurbishment

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Trips to China are often associated with fantastic natural landscapes such as those seen in the Hainan province, or impressive feats of human perseverance like the Great Wall of China, but the country is becoming a byword for luxury.

As many economies in Europe falter, China has made huge commercial improvements during the past decade or so and now its cities have some of the best amenities and infrastructure on the planet.

The latest world-class site to open its doors to the country’s growing amount of overseas visitors is the Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel.

Situated in the lavish business district of the city, the accommodation has been a favourite of executives for over two decades and the hotel has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment so it now offers tourists even more facilities.

“I would call this hotel almost like an institution, since the hotel has been well-regarded in the city for more than 20 years. This is a big plus for its property,” said Juergen Sterkau, general manager of the building.

Rooms now feature many high-tech gadgets including a plug-in iPod connection, which will enable guests to use the speakers in the room to play their own music.

Downstairs, the hotel has been improved by the addition of new banquet facilities and an extra ballroom.

Mr Sterkau said the philosophy to a good stay was simple.

“Take good care of your associates. They will take good care of the customers and the customers will return again and again,” he explained.

Those on a trip to China who decide to use the Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel as their base will be perfectly situated to enjoy a wide range of attractions.

Most stays in the city involve a trip to see the Bund. The area is a famous waterfront and has been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. Buildings exhibiting Gothic, Baroque, Classicism and Renaissance architecture can all be found on the banks for the Huangpu River.

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Spring festival ‘brings out Chinese hospitality’

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Now could be the ideal time to book a China tour.

The country is currently celebrating the Spring Festival after it ushered in the Year of the Dragon on Chinese New Year, which this time fell on January 23rd.

China has many stunning and unique attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall that will be unforgettable at any time of the year, but the People’s Daily Online is reporting that those tourists who are currently in the country are having the time of their lives.

Authorities in China are keen to put on a show for travellers during the festival and, as a result, the ancient cultural traditions of the Chinese people come to the fore.

Pazhani Raja, a student from India who experienced the Lunar New Year celebrations, said he was so impressed by the spirit of the natives that he had to honour the Spring Festival.

He commented: “The dinner on New Year’s Eve is so sumptuous that I had been waiting for the treat all year.”

“The essence of the dinner gathering is reunion, which is deep in the Chinese culture. After working hard for a year, the family dinner makes everyone feel soulful happiness.”

People’s Daily Online reports that the Chinese hospitality is not the only joy to be seen at this time of year.

The news agency said that visitors were flocking to the Ice Festival in Harbin, the Bund in Shanghai, the panda-breeding base in Sichuan and many other often overlooked villages in the country in search of the perfect new year memories.

China is so vast it offers something for everyone. The country’s meteorological authority said that the south of the country will continue to see snow, while the northern provinces will experience warm sunny weather for the next week.

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Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in China

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

Many people will book tables in Chinese restaurants or plan trips to the local China town over the next month.

This is because the Chinese New Year celebrations will be in full swing from January 23rd, but splitting fortune cookies and fiddling with chopsticks seems a fairly tame way to commemorate the Year of the Dragon.

What better way of honouring this important landmark than ditching the local fried seaweed and travelling to China to see how a new year is welcomed in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong?

And it seems more people are becoming inclined to think this, as the number of holidays to China continues to increase.

According to the People’s Daily, the country’s tourism revenue saw double-digit growth in 2011, despite wider pressures caused by the global economy.

The figures released by the China Tourism Academy (CTA) show that the industry generated $364.21 billion (£239.63 billion) last year – 18 per cent higher than in 2010.

Dai Bin, director of the CTA, told the newspaper the strong economic growth in the country was making it more appealing to travellers.

This growth is expected to continue this year, as more people become aware of what China has to offer.

The CTA expects the revenue will increase by a further nine per cent in 2012, as the number of overseas tourists is expected to rise.

People who book now for a China tour later this year can anticipate further improvements to be made. Zhao Huanyan, chief consultant at SAO Hotel Solution Consulting, said he expected the quality of accommodation in key tourism destinations to improve, as more brands looked to acquire property in these areas.

This comes after the State Forestry Administration of China announced that the country will add to its repertoire of natural wonders by creating 68 new national wetlands to sustain the land’s ecosystems.

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Hyatt opens up in Ningbo

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Helen Li| Leave a comment

More and more travel firms and accommodation operators are finding that China is the place to be this year.

Hyatt Hotels has become the latest company to decide it wants to be part of China’s booming tourist trade and has announced the opening of its first resort in the country.

This means that those on trips to China now have the option of scaling the Great Wall, staying up all night to watch the sun rise over Hong Kong harbour or just getting some quality rest and relaxation at the Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa.

The hotelier chose the eastern coastal city of Ningbo for its new development for a good reason. The area is reminiscent of the kind of scenes usually seen in classical Chinese paintings and artwork.

British holidaymakers who choose to include the Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa as part of their bespoke tour itinerary will find themselves situated on the banks of the tranquil Dong Qain Lake in the midst of working Chinese tea plantations and fishing villages.

Those who can pull themselves away from their luxury accommodation will unearth the Baogua Temple just 13 kilometres away from the city centre. The sacred site is one of the oldest buildings in southern China and dates back to the East Han Dynasty.

Once tourists have explored all the local area has to offer, they can retire to the Park Hyatt. The hotel has 236 contemporary guestrooms, which are all created in the style of a traditional Chinese water village. Beautiful courtyards and ponds hidden across the resort mean travellers will find themselves on a constant stay of discovery.

“Our team has worked incredibly hard to create a unique ambiance and environment at Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa, and we look forward to inviting guests to experience the contemporary luxury and personalised service of a Park Hyatt, while discovering some of the lesser known delights of this beautiful area,” said the resort’s general manager Ivan Leung.

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