0 China tourism surge: Your reactions

 We knew even while researching Tuesday's feature on the global impact of Chinese tourism that the story was likely to generate strong reactions among readers.

After all, in a matter of just a decade or so, Chinese tourists have gone from being relatively rare outside of Asia to becoming the most important market in global touris surpassing American and German travelers in 2012 as the world's top international spenders, with a record $102 billion shelled out on the road.

Chinese travelers the world's biggest spenders

But even we were taken aback by the intensity of the emotions -- often thoughtful, sometimes ugly, always illuminating -- the story elicited among our global readership. (Per CNN policy, we've been monitoring and removing the explicitly hateful and threatening comments from the site.)

Many readers focused on the individual habits of Chinese tourists, positive and negative.

All comments are at the bottom of this: Chinese tourism: The good, the bad and the backlash

Hoteliers cater for Chinese tourism

Politician throws computers at airport

Luxury shops cater to Chinese tourists

Ed Connolly summed up the feelings of the more outraged commenters: "Basically get ready for loud conversations, small tips, deceptive behavior and cutting in line. For anyone who has traveled to Asia, China in particular, you know all too well what I'm talking about. Chinese are rude and inconsiderate. Think I'm too opinionated? Spend a week in China and get back to me."

Weighing in from Thailand, Katy Khan voiced a similar sentiment: "Here in Thailand it's a big deal. They can't stand Chinese tourists and are complaining to the government about it. It's pretty bad. Chinese people are quite rude compared to any other culture I've ever experienced."

Readers such as Mi Jo, however, reported markedly different experiences with Chinese travelers: "I deal with lot of Chinese tourist every summer and I have to say that they are very kind. They leave impression of shyness. I do not know if they don't talk much anywhere or they are just shocked by cultural differences but they are very very [quiet], and most of them don't speak at all (even though they know English language)."

Added tigerlee: "Not only you guys but people in China feel uncomfortable with this group of people [rude travelers]. But most of Chinese are friendly and good mannered."

A number of readers compared the reputation of modern Chinese travelers with another frequently bashed group.

Wrote William Trudeau: "Anyone remember 'The Ugly American' and similar discussions about U.S. travelers not all that long ago?"

Apparently, not all of those conversations are from so long ago.

The article hits all the key notes and as other comments have noted, Americans had the same stigma/problems about 1-2 decades ago. The key issues are education and awareness of foreign cultures.
fattsman

Said britishpal: "I worked in hotels for a number of years, and time after time the thing that got staff all panicked and on edge were when American tourists were expected. Most of the rude behaviors described in this article could just as easily be attributed to American tourists; demanding services that aren't offered, expecting meal times to be extended far beyond reasonable hours, the expectation that their cash-flashing would give them extra entitlements, etc. And to be fair, I've heard British tourists are just as bad in European countries, even outside of World Cup events."

Wrote fattsmann: "I'm Chinese-American and I agree that mainland Chinese are horrible tourists based on my trips to Europe and the Middle East. The article hits all the key notes and as other comments have noted, Americans had the same stigma/problems about 1-2 decades ago. The key issues are education and awareness of foreign cultures (including learning the basics of a foreign language before travel), respect for foreign cultures and customs, and patience (including waiting in line, not making snap defensive judgments, etc.). Years ago, it was Americans that were rude and culturally insensitive tourists. Now it's the Chinese. Then it will be another group of people with money to travel."

Like fattsmann, a number of mainland Chinese and Chinese citizens of other countries were anxious to join the conversation.

Wrote ptran281: "As a Canadian born to Chinese parents.... I can say I can't stand Chinese tourists! There is such a thing called lining up and waiting your turn. I was called a fake Chinese when I reminded them we don't behave like this in Canada."

iamjustin provided an explanation for the perception of poor behavior abroad: "I am a Chinese in the mainland; as for the rudeness of Chinese visitors which raised a fire in the comments section, I have something to clarify... The reason why so many Chinese nowadays are so rude and impolite is originated from abolishing of Confucius philosophy and the wild interpersonal abuse in the notorious Cultural Revolution launched by Mao Zedong! ... So the conclusion is that Chinese people in the mainland are the victims of tradition loss, communist political chaos, and the rudeness and lack of self-cultivation are the consequences of the above."

CNN International's Facebook page garnered some even more passionate responses. Edith Duarte points out that Chinese have been global tourists for centuries: "Guys, thousands of years ago the Chinese have marveled the world. They are in seven continents all over the globe, Chinatowns are all over the U.S."

Meanwhile, Nicolas Serge suggests people on both sides of the tourism equation benefit from Chinese travel. "The U.S. is encouraging people at home to learn and speak Chinese. Furthermore, Many U.S. students are studying in China. Tourism is helping chinese to learn more about other cultures. We remain certain about an effective partnership U.S. and China could build in the future to face global challenges."

In the end, of course, the Chinese travel boom -- and perhaps some of the resentment of it -- is driven by the almighty dollar. Or, in a potential shift that seems to both worry and excite the world, the almighty yuan.

Summing up the "just because you've got money doesn't mean I have to respect you" contingent, THEGenuineOLiTWiST wrote: "In general, most mainland Chinese who are 40 or over are suffering from this money= respect syndrome. The younger ones are much better at 'fitting in' with their travel destination's social and cultural norms."

Perhaps in the end, JohnkinsBob makes the best argument by taking the pragmatic approach to the issue: "The article makes Chinese tourism sound like the yellow peril. If these people have the cash, bring em on! The U.S. is getting back at least part of the dollars that are being sent over there."

It's a fascinating and important discussion that will surely continue to engage us all in the years ahead.

If you've had experiences as a Chinese traveler or with Chinese travelers, feel free to add to the discussion in the comments section below.

Minor edits have been made to some of the comments above strictly in the interest of clarity.

Detail: China tourism surge: Your reactions

0 China opens disputed islands to tourism

Hong Kong (CNN) -- Sightseeing cruises to China's newest city, Sansha, located on a disputed island in the South China Sea, are set to commence this month, according to a Chinese official.

The move is certain to add to the dispute over sovereignty claims to the area.

Woody Island, known as Yongxing Island in Chinese, has a population of about a thousand, including military psonnel. It's located 300 kilometers southeast of Hainan and was established as China's latest prefecture in June 2012.

The city of Sansha has the smallest land area, but the largest sea area in China.

Sansha's government has been set up to administer the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands), the Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands) and the Paracel Islands (Xisha Islands), which include Woody Island.

The islands are partly claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan.

Shown in the map above are the islands. Closest to Sanya are the Paracel Islands. Further east is the Macclesfield Bank and south are the Spratlys.

Sightseeing only

Islands in dispute.

The cruise tour statement is a sign that China is bolstering its claim to the territory.

Visitors won't be allowed to stay on the island. Instead, cruise-goers will eat and sleep onboard and only sightsee on the island, said Hainan deputy governor Tan Li at press conference at the annual Boao Forum for Asia over the weekend.

"We have started the planning and development of Sansha, including basic infrastructure, at full speed," Tan was quoted by state-run Xinhua News Agency (Chinese).

"Sansha's sightseeing routes, scenic spots and docking locations have been confirmed. We are hoping to begin [the cruise operation] before May 1."

Some 12 projects, including a berth for larger supply ship, freshwater supply, sewage and garbage treatment facilities are under development in Sansha.

The first phrase of Yongxing Pier has been completed and begun trial operation.

Sansha's first mayor, Xiao Jie, said last month the development and improvement of Sansha city will strengthen China's sovereignty of the islands.

Xiao said that the priority would be conservation of the natural habitat, according to the state's travel network, The Travel Channel.

Detail: China opens disputed islands to tourism

0 China Vimeos

I've read a few different times that vimeo.com is a much more "artist-friendly" video sharing website than YouTube. I assume that has to do with revenue sharing and the legal protections the video site provides. I know that I've found Vimeo videos to be uniformly excellent.

Below are a few China Vimeo videos that friends either sent to me or I found through Bill Bishop's Sinocism newsletter. They're all worth a view.

The first is a beautiful big-city time-lapse video montage from three of the largest cities in China - Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai (h/t to my friend, Donnie):


Guangzhou'2012/CHINA from zweizwei |motion timelapse| on Vimeo.

The second is surreal skateboarding in the empty ghost town of Ordos (h/t to @niubi, aka Bill Bishop):



ORDOS from Charles Lanceplaine on Vimeo.

The third is a quick two minute clip of the making of Crocs-like shoes (h/t to my friend, Timo):



Factory Video from Native Shoes on Vimeo.

And the fourth is a video about environmental activism in Yunnan Province from Jonah Kessel (h/t to @niubi, aka Bill Bishop):



HOPEFUL from Jonah Kessel on Vimeo.

Please feel free to send me any great China short videos you find on the internet. Especially if they're hipster Vimeo videos.

Detail: China Vimeos

0 Invisible China

Invisible China: A Journey Through Ethnic Borderlands by Colin Legerton and Jacob Rawson is a really pleasant book. I randomly found it on Amazon. I'd never heard about it from the Chinese blogosphere or anywhere else.



The two authors - Legerton and Rawson - went on two epic backpacking trips in the summer of 2006 and spring of 2007 that covered a ridiculously large swath of China's territory:



Legerton and Rawson, who were already proficient with Mandarin before their big trips, studied up on Korean and Uyghur before they embarked on their gargantuan journeys.

Their rigorous study of minority languages says a lot about the duo. They have immense respect for the cultures that they saw and made the most of their great opportunity to see cultures that, for many of them, are on the brink of extinction. The authors handled the people and situations they encountered with great care and painted very delicate pictures of the individuals and landscapes they witnessed.

Invisible China introduced me to a wide range of ethnic minorities in China I wasn't familiar with before: the rustic hunting cultures of the Ewenki, Oroqen, and Daur of the northeast, the fishermen Kinh of the southwest, and the central Asian-influenced Tajiks of the far west.

I particularly liked that two-thirds of the book is focused on China's southwest and far west. I've said it many times, but for me, China gets more interesting the further west one goes. The jungles and Himalayas of the southwest and the deserts and plateaus of the far west made for great settings.

My only real complaint about the book is that it is too short. There is so much covered in only about 230 pages. I wish that the authors had laid out more facts and history about each ethnic minority they were profiling. Brief histories of each group were given, but not much more than the basics and then the duo's experiences visiting their homelands. Seeing that they profiled fifteen different peoples and had thirteen different chapters, 230 pages felt squeezed. It easily could've been twice as long and I'd have been happy.

Invisible China is a great primer to the surprisingly diverse peoples on the fringes of the People's Republic.

Detail: Invisible China

0 Mr. China

The introduction page to the book, Mr. China: A Memoir by Tim Clissold, is one of the most captivating pages of text I've ever read:

My jaw dropped when I got to the end of that paragraph. I felt like Clissold had written this page just for me (with the Edgar Snow reference and all).

I can relate to the fantasizing of becoming "Mr. China" so deeply. China over the past few years has taken over my life. I lived there for a few years and even now living in the US read about it constantly. If I'm not keeping up with my China-watcher stream on Twitter, then I'm probably reading a book or a blog about China. Expanding my knowledge of China is my most time-intensive hobby. Whether I consciously pursue it or whether it's something going on beneath the surface, becoming a "China hand" is something that I'm really quite obsessed about.

After reading this ridiculously awesome introduction to Mr. China, I was so pumped to devour the book.



Mr. China is a memoir from a foreigner who participated in the first wave of foreign investment in China from after the country embraced Deng Xiaoping's liberalization policies in the early 1990s. Tim Clissold is an Englishman who was introduced to China for the first time through visiting Hong Kong as a young man.

China infiltrated Clissold's person almost immediately after arriving in the country. He quit his job in England to return to Beijing to study after a brief exposure to China. After a couple years of Chinese language study and getting to know the culture, he was re-hired by the firm he quit in England in the first place, Arthur Andersen, as a China specialist in 1992.

It's only a few pages in and is not an integral part of the book as a whole, but reading about Clissold's first experiences in China is another highlight of the book for me. He fell in love with China quickly like a lot of foreigners, including myself, do.

The following passage from pages 12-13 really struck me:

Just like with the introduction paragraph highlighted at the beginning of this post, I was completely taken with this passage. Reading Clissold's thoughts on "willful infatuation" really made me think about the nature of my obsession with China.

Mr. China, a business book, stopped me in my tracks twice by the time I had reached page 13. You really can't ask much more from a book than that, can you? Tim Clissold is a freakishly good writer.

There is a lot of good stuff in Mr. China after page 13 as well. There are a plethora of funny, maddening, and insightful business stories. China in the 1990s was in many ways more of a wild west-like frontier than the country is today.

Reading about corrupt factory owners, two-faced investment partners, and capricious government officials is often times comical. The stresses of working on multi-million deals with the uncertainty that underlines China's legal and business culture are intense.

There are several nail-biting scenes where Clissold and his partners appear to have been taken to the cleaners. I nearly got light-headed and butterflies in my stomach as I read of cleaned out multi-million dollar bank accounts and maniacal factory owners. The actual toll taken on Clissold is seen very prominently when, in his 30s, he has to leave China due to a stress-induced heart attack.

Everybody in the world today hears about "the Chinese economic miracle" and the robust year-after-year growth in China. Few have seen the inner workings of those processes as intimately as Clissold has, though. Getting to see such wheeling and dealing from almost twenty years ago is special.

Mr. China is a very good book. It took me on a much harder and more turbulent ride than I was expecting. It's ostensibly a book on business in China. It's much more than that, though. Few books cut to the heart of China's culture like Clissold's does. Clissold, a financier by trade, is a dazzling writer. Any starry-eyed dreamer thinking of becoming Mr. China needs to pick up Mr. China.

Detail: Mr. China

0 What Does China Think? and The Beijing Consensus

I've purchased a number of cheap used books on Amazon.com over the past couple years. Access to low-priced titles on very niche topics - like Chinese politics - is one of the many wonderful benefits of the internet. I've found some really nice gems doing this. What I'm finding often times, though, is that there's a reason books are available for a dollar or two.

What Does China Think? by Mark Leonard and The Beijing Consensus: Legitimizing Authoritarianism in Our Time by Stefan Halper are a couple cheap books that were misses for me. They're not really about the same thing, but I'm going to discuss them together since I don't have much to say about either.



Leonard's What Does China Think?, published in 2008, is a survey of intellectuals spanning China's ideological spectrum. Leonard, the executive director of the European Council of Foreign Relations, thinking that the balance of power was moving east turned his attention towards China around the turn of the millennium. Over the course of several years, he developed an impressive rolodex of relationships with influential Chinese thinkers and profiled those thinkers' ideas in his book.

Halper's The Beijing Consensus, published in 2012, is about how China is creating a new world order that eschews traditional western notions of democracy. Halper, a Henry Kissinger acolyte, like Leonard, has an impressive resume that spans academia and government service.

Leonard and Halper both know their stuff. Their books are intelligent, well-researched, and full of information. I didn't enjoy reading them, though.

What Does China Think? and The Beijing Consensus are too wonky and theoretical for me. I took away little from them. All of the talk in them about the "new left," the "Washington/Beijing Consensus," think-tanks, soft power, etc. wore on me. I was simply bored as I read page-after-page and chapter-after-chapter. I struggled getting through both of these books (even though they aren't particularly long), was happy when I finally finished them, and couldn't remember much about either after having just finished them.

Detail: What Does China Think? and The Beijing Consensus

0 Wild China

I LOL'd a few weeks ago when I saw this video - China, China:



I didn't really think twice about the clip until I started the TV series Wild China on Netflix. After a few minutes of Wild China, I realized that it was the British-accented source of the viral China, China compilation.



Wild China is a six-part 2008 BBC documentary on the rugged geography and exotic peoples and animals of China. The series is broken in to six episodes:

1. Heart of the Dragon
2. Shangri-La
3. Tibet
4. Beyond the Great Wall
5. Land of the Panda
6. Tides of Change

Heart of the Dragon is mostly about the wondrous karst areas of Guangxi Province and southern China. Shangri-La is all about the intense diversity of Yunnan Province. Tibet takes place in Tibet. Beyond the Great Wall is all about the Inner Mongolian and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions. Land of the Panda focuses mostly on central China from the Qinling Mounatins to the east. And Tides of Change looks at the humongous coast line from North Korea to Vietnam through the prism of China's rapid development.

I liked this entire series. It is top-notch videography of the incredibly diverse wildlife and terrain of China. I repeatedly thought to myself, "I can't believe that still exists. I thought China had killed off every animal like that!" Wild China proves that there's still a whole lot of beauty to be found in China.

The best episodes are the first two - on the Guangxi Autonomous Region and Yunnan Provice. These two episodes will make you want to get on a plane, put on a backpack, and go explore remote parts of China. My personal favorites from this part are the features on monkeys, ethnic minorities crossing raging rivers using rope zip lines, and fly-over videography of karst mountains.

Here is a clip of the Nu Jiang rope crossing from the Shangri-La episode:



(There are several more clips from Wild China on YouTube if you search for "wild china")

The last four episodes were interesting to me, but a let down compared to the beginning of the series.

The episode on Tibet didn't feature as many towering, snow-covered Himalayan peaks as it did barren plateau. Vast lifeless expanses of land are certainly a big part of Tibet and its topography, but it didn't make for the most interesting viewing. The same is true of the grasslands of Inner Mongolia and the deserts of Xinjiang in episode four (and I say that as a huge Xinjiang nerd). Nothing really stands out from episodes five and six in my mind a few weeks after having watched it either.

I enjoyed Wild China a lot. I'd recommend it to someone wanting to learn a thing or two while killing time on Netflix.

Detail: Wild China

0 Travel destinations: The East Coast, Hainan Province, China

The East Coast of Hainan Province is a wonderful place to spend a week or two when you are travelling through China and are in need of some relaxing time. Picture palm lined beaches, bays that stretch as far as the eye can see, and beautiful headlands and you are at the East Coast. Although the towns are not as exciting as the beaches, they are still wonderful places to visit.

About 60km south of Wencheng, Qionghai is the famous place where the first Chinese communist cell was formed back in 1924. Carry on south for about 50km is Wanning and then another 23km to Xinglong. This is the home to more than 20,000 Chinese-Vietnamese and Chinese from overseas (especially from Indonesia or Malaysia) who established the Xinglong Overseas Chinese Farm (Xinglong Huaqiao Cun) where they have now settled. You will find these Chinese dressing up in Southeast Asia costumes and show visitors a range of different tropical agricultural techniques, including coffee – Xinglong coffee is famous throughout China as well as being the transsexual capital of China.

Shimei Bay (Shimei Wan) is the first place you should start when arriving in Hainan’s East Coast. This is a beautiful stretch of coast that still remains unscarred by commercialization that you get in the Sanya area. This beautiful beach is lined with palm trees and is mostly deserted so most of the time you have this gorgeous beach all to yourself.

Shimei town is largely undeveloped but this will not always be the case, so enjoy it while you can. Shimei Bay is also a great place to surf; you can see some local and expat surfers catching the waves but the chances are that you will only see fishermen. However, as surfing becomes more popular in China, Shimei Bay is set to become the best place to go.

Lingshui and Monkey Island are other great places on the East Coast. Lingshui itself is the oldest settlement on Hainan but visitors really come here to visit Monkey Island, the home of a number of Guangxi monkeys. There is a government wildlife research centre here to observe them and this is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself.

The monkeys here are very tame and will want you to feed them snacks of peanuts which you can buy. Just remember to keep your cameras and your valuables safe at all times – these monkeys think that they are photographers!

Detail: Travel destinations: The East Coast, Hainan Province, China

0 Travel destinations: Urumqi, China

The most land-locked city in the world: that’s Urumqi’s claim to fame. Urumqi’s remoteness discourages visitors to China who are short on time from visiting it. They stick to the well worn paths to Beijing, Xi’an and Guilin. But two days on the train from Beijing reward the determined tourist with a picture of China quite unlike other regions.

Urumqi is capital of Xinjiang province, China’s north west frontier, a harsh arid zone, scorching in summer and freezing in winter. China’s largest desert, the inhospitable Taklamakan, lies between Urumqi and Tibet. Camel trains and date palms are reminders that the northern Silk Road passed by here.

The modern city that is Urumqi today took its name from a word in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people meaning beautiful pasture. It is distinguished from other cities in China by the large number of ethnic Uighur people who live here. Historically, they were an overwhelming majority in the province as a whole, but a tidal wave of Han immigration since 1949 now threatens their traditional culture. So much so that this led to the worst ethnic violence in recent years, leaving around 200 dead. If planning a trip to Urumqi, you would be well advised to check the current situation, and if tense, postpone your visit until a safer time.

There is not too much to see in Urumqi itself. The single most important place to visit is the Grand Bazaar, supposedly the largest of its kind in the world. An enormous indoor market selling everything from Persian carpets, ethnic crafts, and daggers to several different types of raisins, you can browse for hours. Perhaps the real highlight of Urumqi is its food. Very different from eastern China, here the Uighur people grill lamb kebabs and eat them with large round naan bread; there are also freshly made noodles, and delicious watermelon to munch on, or pomegranate juice served in glasses beside the road.

For travelers used to other Chinese cities, it can be disconcerting in Urumqi to be addressed in Russian or Uighur before Mandarin. The local population sometimes have blue eyes, and often speak Russian. When encountering a Western looking tourist, they are uncertain what language to use. While culturally and ethnically Turkish, they are Muslim by faith, and you will find hundreds of mosques throughout the city.

Urumqi is over 2000 kilometers west of Beijing, and yet the whole of China runs on Beijing time. Given that this is somewhat impractical, Urumqi chooses to organise itself on an informal local time which is two hours ahead of Beijing time. Shops tend to open between 10 and 12, then 3.30 to 7.30. You need to adjust your body clock to run on this time while you are here, but don’t forget that air, train and bus schedules continue to run on Beijing time.

There are many other interesting places to visit in Xinjiang province, and Urumqi is often a stepping stone to get there. Visit the fascinating Silk Road town of Kashgar, or Yining, where the Xibe minority group live, not far from the Kazakhstan border. Take a bus 320 km north of Urumqi and you can say you have visited the Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility, the point in Eurasia which is furthest from any ocean.

With regular flights, and a high speed rail link under construction, this remote destination is becoming easier than ever to visit. Urumqi is starting to get on the map.

Detail: Travel destinations: Urumqi, China

0 Travel destinations: Wuzhishan, Hainan Island, China

Wuzhishan is located in the hills of Hainan Island, the smallest of China’s provinces. Surrounded by lush green vegetation, Wuzhishan is one of the most prettiest and genuine of Hainan’s cities since most others are designed primarily for tourists.

Until recently, Wuzhishan was called Tongshi or Tongzha but was renamed Wuzhishan after the nearby famous mountain, Wuzhi Shan. Wuzhishan is the smallest city on the island, the capital of the Li and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in the 1980s. The government believed that it would give the Li and the Miao ethnic groups (two of the official 56 ethnicities in China) more control over themselves. However, this did not work and most local politicians became more corrupt than the Han Chinese politicians in the area!

Wuzhishan was established in the curve of the Nansheng River. You get into the city by the main road, Haiyu Lu, over a bridge and then turning west after the bus station. Be well aware that there is no Bank of China here, only the China Construction Bank but there are ATMs here so you can get money out.

The cultural sights here are relatively few here. Pay a visit to the National Museum of Hainan (Minzu Bowuguan) where you can admire and learn more about the Li and Miao ethnic groups from the island. There are also some interesting Cultural Revolution propaganda objects here but there are no English captions. This can be a little frustrating if you can’t read Chinese, but if you take a trip over to the university nearby, you can ask one of the students studying English if they would like a job as a guide. They can then improve their English and show you around Wuzhishan.

They might even take you to Jia Jia Shao Kao Yuan, a vibrant place to go to in the evenings, as well as the market to pick up some souvenirs and Jiefang Lu. If you do consider asking an English student as a guide, make sure that you know where you are going and clarify if any payment is to be made – you should at least pay for their travel costs, transport, food and drink.

There is not much here to do but relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of China’s busy cities. This lack of things to do is one of Wuzhishan’s charms. There are a number of smaller communities in the area that you can visit and explore to your heart’s delight. This is a place where you can learn more about the different ethnic groups in the area and their rich and valuable heritage.

Detail: Travel destinations: Wuzhishan, Hainan Island, China

0 Travel destinations: Zhongwei, China

Nestled between the sand dunes of the Tengger Desert (Tenggeli Shamo) and the Yellow River, lives the little city of Zhongwei in Ningxia Province. Although not a destination most travellers have in mind, Zhongwei is much more relaxed than other Chinese cities, something much appreciated after exploring the busier cities China is known for.

Zhongwei may not have much to offer in the way of cultural attractions, but the ones it does offer are beautiful and the surrounding area is beautiful. Why not start your trip to Zhongwei with a visit to Gao Temple. This is the main attraction in Zhongwei; it is a diverse and multipurpose temple which once served as the place of worship for Taoists, Buddhists and Confucianists. It has been restored in recent years and because of this, much of the original Taoist features have been replaced by Buddhist and Confucian elements.

One very interesting detail to this temple is the fact that during the Cultural Revolution a bomb shelter was built underneath. Later, it was converted into a Buddhist haunted house. This is a great place to visit, as once you descend into the underground tunnels, you are ‘haunted’ by the screams of the damned! Simply wonderful!

As mentioned, Zhongwei doesn’t have much in the way of cultural attractions in the city herself; you will need to go outside her borders to experience more sites. A trip to the desert playground, Shapotou, is not to be missed. It lies about 10km west of Zhongwei, where the desert dunes, the Yellow River and farmlands all meet. It was based on the Shapotou Desert Centre, founded in 1956, to find new ways to battle desertification in the north-west of China.

Coming here allows you to experience a desert amusement park; you can take camel rides, boat rides, zip lines, bungy jumps, sand sleds and climbing walls. Despite the fact that the scenery has been somewhat commercialized for tourists, it is still absolutely beautiful.

As well as the desert amusement park, you can also take a boat ride up to Shuangshishan and then raft back downstream in a traditional yangpi fazi (a raft made of leather).

Another great place to visit is the Sikou Scenic Area (Sikou Fengjingqu). This is a beautifully spectacular sandstone area. It is full of temples, caves and gorges for you to visit. The only way to get here, however, is by hiring a taxi for the day.

Zhongwei is a beautiful place in the north west of China; although it doesn’t offer much in the way of historic sites, it does offer some amazing experiences and scenery that should not be missed.

Detail: Travel destinations: Zhongwei, China

0 what to eat when traveling in China

I have heard it said that in China, one eats everything with four legs except a table....

This advice comes from someone who has been to China twice so consider the source. First, from my experience, do not eat in hotel dining rooms if you have better options. I recently returned from a trip to Hong Kong, Guilin and Shanghai. In Guilin, I traveled on a group tour. The hotel itself was fine but the problem is that we were only taken to the hotel restaurant to eat. The food was served in typical lazy Susan style but it was basic and bland. It was not even as good as the food at my local hometown Chinese restaurant. When I questioned one of our (American) trip leaders about this, I was told that the typical Chinese restaurant food was too "different" for Americans to tolerate hence the "safer" restaurant tourist fare.

In order to test this theory , I went out one night to a night market. Fortunately, my husband and I sat down next to a group of Shanghai businesspeople on holiday for the Ching Ming Festival. We started a conversation and soon enough, they were helping us to order from the menu. I decided on a vegetarian noodle soup type dish after one of the businessmen remarked that, "I just got the noodles with horse meat. I don't mind that, but I won't eat dog since I have a pet dog at home." So, maybe our tour guide did have a point.

But, traveling to different cultures is about experiencing them, correct? Food is an integral part of that experience. In my two trips to China, the only time I became ill was eating at a Pizza Hut in Hong Kong, of all places. Mind you, I traveled all over China and not only did I eat at many local restaurants I had the good fortune to eat in peoples' homes.

That said, it isn't easy dining at local restaurants (or homes) unless you have a trusted local person to help. I was fortunate to be with a group that traveled all over China, with excellent Chinese guides. We ate the famous Beijing duck-thin sliced with pancakes and plum sauce as well as noodle dishes, dumplings, and the like. It was all good but it was all ordered for us by our Chinese hosts. Venturing out on my own or with a small group of friends led to a variety of experiences. In Beijing, these were mostly favorable.

During a very memorable lunch in Beijing, a small group of women and I were able to successfully order (and cook, with the servers' help) hot pot at a restaurant in Wangfuji, the ultra modern mega shopping complex. We also had a great time on a hutong tour in Beijing where we stopped for lunch with a Chinese family who lived in a traditional courtyard home. Our entire group of 18 helped Mrs. Wang prepare lunch. Delicious and well worth it, even if was a tourist stop.

But in Shanghai, ordering hotpot at a local restaurant near Nanjing Road was a comedy of errors with a lot of pointing, miscues and frustration. Later, walking through back alleyways and sides streets, we also saw the infamous "wet market"-live creatures getting ready to beocme someone's dinner. Maybe some of their cousins had been on our plates! "M on the Bund" in Shanghai, however, as some have noted, is a top rated Western restaurant with a great view. If frustration overtakes you, go there for some relief!

In terms of home cooking, In Western China I spent a night with a Tibetan family in a traditional courtyard home. The specialty there is "yak butter tea." Refusing it would have been considered very rude. Barley wine is also another local favorite. It tastes a lot like Japanese sake. But beware-it isn't difficult to get inebriated on this potent stuff. One of my traveling companions was so overcome by this spirit that he shared a rooster head with the local party leader at a local banquet. We were told that rooster head is a rare delicacy and is only given to honored guests!

Speaking of honored guests, dining with a family at home is something very special. Most Chinese people will go all out for guests, often using a few months worth of groceries in preparing and serving food. So, don't accept such an invitation if you think you may have "reservations" about local cuisine.

During a home stay in Beijing, my host family and I made "gyoza" (dumplings) together. My gyoza making skills were deficient as I was told. Nonetheless, the final product was delicious. We also shared hot pot, cooked on a flame type appliance on the tabletop with lots of fresh vegetables and unidentifiable meats. When I asked my hosts what one of the rubbery type meats I had just swallowed was, a quick translation came back. through my host's teenage son. "Bull's throat," I was told. This taught me NOT to ask. You shouldn't either, If it tastes good, eat it is my advice! Or, stick to Mc Donald's!

Detail: what to eat when traveling in China

0 What to know about traveling in China

China is a vast country and it's a challenge to get from one city to the next. While travelling in the cities and the countryside the behaviour of the locals will shock and may even irritate you, like smoking in elevators and spitting and/or littering in public places. It's a different culture after all and you will be a guest in their country. Losing your cool will accomplish nothing whatsoever, so remember to smile. Saving face is of paramount importance to the Chinese.

It's likely you'll begin your trip in Beijing or Shanghai, both of which have embraced consumerism. Beijing's boulevards are wide and for good reason. Thousands upon thousands of bicycles, not to mention a large complement of cars, clog every inch of available space. For a nice taste of recent Chinese history a good place to begin is Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. The father of modern China, Mao Zedong, is encased inside a mausoleum on the southern end of the square. Look to the north and you'll see a big portrait of him, watching over locals and foreigners alike even long after his death in 1976.

Ordering a meal in a restaurant will be an adventure in itself. Chinese to English translations will amuse and confuse visitors. How about some rurality salad or some cowboy legs? Or, try some fragrant bones in a strange flavour. Disabled visitors might take offense however to the English signs on some of the bathrooms, as they will read "Deformed Men/Women." You'd be surprised how many KFC and McDonald's there are over here. In the bigger cities they are on every street corner. Teenagers and adults alike seem to spend more of their money in these western fast food outlets than in local restaurants.

The eastern half of the country is more prosperous than the western provinces, and you'll see this if you travel by train across China. The further west you go, the more rustic the towns and villages become. One advantage of exploring the rural areas is breathing fresh air. The levels of pollution are blissfully lower than in the urban centres. You will see pedestrians with white masks over their noses and mouths on city streets; maybe this is something you can bring along if the poor air quality is going to affect your stay.

Learn some Chinese before you arrive, because it will make communication easier. Don't expect English to be spoken at all outside the larger cities. Mandarin is tricky at first but once you get the hang of the tonal system it's a snap. There are no less than fifty-five ethnic minorities in China, and they each speak their own unique dialect of Chinese. Some of the more prominent groups are the Miao, Naxi, Yi, Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Although the country is modernizing at an astonishing pace, behind the tall, gleaming office towers and fashionably dressed teenagers things are still quite traditional. In other words, China is westernized but not western. Elderly men and women still walk the streets wearing the dark blue and gray Mao suits which were the norm back in the 1970s. Elements of the Cultural Revolution still remain, such as the disdain of cultural relics and the absence of any major religions. Be prepared to pay high prices for basic necessities in Beijing and Shanghai. The further west one goes, the cheaper things will be

Detail: What to know about traveling in China

0 What to take on a backpacking holiday to southwest China

South West China is a diverse and beautiful area which is particularly popular with backpackers, who hope to experience different cultures and enjoy breathtaking scenery that is found, for example, at the Yangshuo River, Guizhou Waterfall, Tiger Leaping Gorge and in the tropical rainforests.

A trip to South West China in summer months tends to bring humidity, possible heavy monsoon rains and temperatures as high as 38 degrees centigrade; autumn and spring months are cooler although subject to bouts of rain and drizzle. Winter is cold but not as cold as the North of China.

Clearly backpackers who are travelling to South West China need to pack according to the time of year and what areas are being explored. However there are items which need to be included whatever the temperature and area.

Of importance to all backpackers is to remember that their rucksack will be with them most of the time and therefore should not be filled with unnecessary items.  An overfilled rucksack can be cumbersome, tiring to carry and make it awkward when travelling on buses and trains. Many a traveller has arrived at their destination only to revise their possessions and give away unnecessary items to locals.

To avoid disappointment before the adventure begins it is essential to check that passports are up to date, appropriate inoculations have been administered, insurance is bought and visas obtained. These documents are important items and the backpacker needs to make sure that they have a safe and secure compartment in their rucksack or a money bag to store paperwork and money during their travels. Travellers also need to think about what, if any, medication they need to pack, particularly if they are exploring remote areas where there are mosquitoes and if caution is not taken, when drinking water or eating some foods, diarrhoea may be a problem.

Prior to embarking on the journey to China it is also important to plan the holiday and rather than taking a heavy guide book backpackers are advised to use plastic covered paper copies of their itinerary, routes,  places of interests and contact numbers.  It is also helpful to print pictures of attractions to be visited which can be shown when travelling, if not able to speak Chinese.

Bedding

Depending on the type of holiday planned the backpacker may need to think about packing lightweight bed linen or a sleeping bag, particularly if travelling to remote areas where nights may be spent in poor conditions. However there is no need to pack a pillow, which will take a lot of space, because a rolled fleece can be used. Towels may also need to be taken if not planning to stay in hotels.

Clothing

Bearing in mind the limited space available to backpackers serious consideration has to be given to what clothing is required and also consideration given to the fact that clothes may need to be worn for more than a day and washed and dried without the use of modern laundry facilities. Depending upon how long the backpacker plans to be away the number of the following  will vary, however, on any list should include at least one of the following, cotton tee shirts, long sleeved shirt,  lightweight trousers with pockets, inexpensive jeans, swim wear, shorts, light weight fleece, waterproof jacket, protective head wear, cotton socks and underwear.  Females may prefer to pack skirts but they should also ensure that at least one pair of cotton trousers is available.

Additional items are toiletries, camera, notepad and pen, torch and batteries and a good book.

A backpacking holiday to South West China is an experience that will not be forgotten. However, it is important to pack sensibly otherwise the adventure can result in frustration carrying a very heavy rucksack and expensive when items are discarded or bought during the trip.

Detail: What to take on a backpacking holiday to southwest China

0 Xijiao Hotel, Beijing, China

Located in the popular Haidian district not far from the centre of Beijing, the Xijiao Hotel is a good comfortable choice if you are trying to avoid the extremely high prices in the capital. Do not expect world class luxury; think of class, casual sophistication and a warm atmosphere.

Set in pleasant gardens, the Xijiao Hotel is a good place to stay whilst enjoying a tour of the city or even if you are here on business. Not far from the Olympic Building, the shopping centre, the Beijing Language University and the subway station, it is perfect as a base to get around Beijing.

The exterior has a distinctive Asian-meets-20th-century look to it and inside it is much the same. The reception staff are very friendly and look presentable (although management itself could take a leaf out of their books and smile once in a while), and the design continues.

The Xijiao Hotel offers 475 guest rooms and suites, all overlooking the lush blooming courtyard (in spring and summer, in winter it is a landscape of hauntingly beautiful snow and ice). Standard rooms are quite spacious for Beijing hotels, decorated in warm buttery tones and Pan-Asian mahogany furniture. They are located in the heart of the courtyard and while there are no balconies, they do have fantastic views.

The Executive Luxury Rooms are by far the best here. With top-of-the-range bathrooms with tubs you can just sink into, welcome baskets of fruit and flowers, a separate seating srea, these rooms get a big thumbs up.

The Xijiao Hotel has a restaurant to suit any craving you might have – the Xiyuan Seafood restaurant serves up anything that can be found in the sea; the Ginkgo Western brings American and Continental breakfasts to life in this sun drenched restaurant; the Dongyuan is the height of traditional Chinese cuisine; the Shanyuan is casual dining at its very best and you can relax after a hard day’s tour of the city by relaxing in the Yiyuan Coffee bar with either a coffee or a special drink.

If you don’t fancy the crowds in the city, explore what the Xijiao Hotel has to offer; you won’t be disappointed. The swimming pool is fantastic, the bowling alleys fun, the tennis courts professional and the spa facilities some of the best in the city. With both traditional Chinese and Thai treatments, you may never want to explore Beijing.

With meeting rooms that can hold up to 400 people, a banquet hall and top of the line equipment, the Xijiao Hotel certainly delivers all business expectations.

Detail: Xijiao Hotel, Beijing, China

0 Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel, China

"Hotel reviews: Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel, China"

In a fairly convenient location in Dongcheng District, the Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel is a comfortable if not bland choice of accommodation in the capital of this colourful country.  A good point about this particular hotel is the fact that it is not far from the brilliant night food street - Dongzhimen Street – famous for being the place where every style of Chinese cuisine can be found.

There are 202 rooms and suites placed in different categories – executive suites, deluxe rooms, business rooms as well as standard rooms. At £45 per night for a standard room and much higher rates the further up you go on the upscale ladder, you would expect the rooms to be much better. Sadly, not the case.

Not to say that the rooms are hideously ugly or worse, uncomfortable, but they are fairly featureless.  Pale colours on the walls, relatively comfortable bedding, and dim lighting – décor is not the Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel’s strong point. In the smarter rooms and suites, there are more amenities and larger windows which make stays more enjoyable.

Do not expect fine dining at the Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel, but what it does serve is very good. The restaurant is located on the third floor and provides guests with a selection of Western and Chinese meals. The menu may be as boring as the décor, but the food is tasty and after all, that’s what you want from a restaurant.

It is a good thing that the Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel receives marks for its good location otherwise travellers would be disappointed with it. Leisure activities fall a little short in this regards – there is a souvenir shop in the hotel, plus a hair salon and a tour desk, but that’s it. If you are looking for a hotel with a gym, sauna, spa facilities or swimming pool to pamper yourself with after a hard day’s exploration of the city, you won’t find them here.

The tour desk, on the other hand, is fairly decent. The staff here, although who could certainly do with learning how to smile a bit more, provided good information about the various tours in and around Beijing.

As a hotel catering primarily to business travellers, this is the area where the hotel shines more brightly than any other aspect of it as a whole. The business centre is comfortable and practical and the equipment just as good.

Detail: Beijing Qianyuan International Business Hotel, China

0 Beijing Sha Tan Hotel, China

Yeah, Very few hotels in Beijing can offer such a fantastic location as the Beijing Sha Tan; with the Forbidden City literally just around the corner and Tiananmen Square not far, this hotel is extremely popular with independent and business travellers from around the globe.

A solid three star hotel funded by CNPC Petroleum, the Beijing Sha Tan is a blend of traditional Chinese features with modern designs, a mixture that works wonderfully well. The lobby has incorporated the traditional red lanterns into a fantastic lighting system, a tall Ming vase stands next to a modern Asian mural and potted plants makes it feel unique.

Rooms at the Beijing Sha Tan are decorated in simple and tasteful ways. Rooms are quite spacious for Beijing and come in a range of different categories. The triple rooms are perfect if you are bringing the family along with you and need more space; the deluxe double, standard and suites also have ample space for a comfortable stay here.

No matter which type of room you choose, your rooms are decorated in creams and muted gold tones with good quality red textiles. The triple and deluxe rooms have wall to wall windows where you can bask in the beauty of this ancient city.

When it comes to dining at the Beijing Sha Tan, the only way to describe the restaurant is ‘ancient China in the 21st century’. The tables and chairs are set in rows down two lines on either side of the room, with wooden and glass floors and innovative lighting on the ceilings and walls.

The restaurant serves good quality food from the southern regions of the country, mainly Fujian, Hunan and Sichuan. The menu is solid, but for a treat order the Purple Dragon – a Hong Kong seafood dish that is so fresh it’s almost still swimming on your plate.

In addition to the restaurant, the hotel also has a bar-cum-pub where guests can relax with a drink after a hard day’s exploration or meeting.

The Beijing Sha Tan is a good solid choice if you want a hotel with leisure facilities. With a casino to gamble away a few yuan, a few souvenir stores to purchase some gifts for family back home, a tour desk to arrange different excursions in and around Beijing, plus a beauty salon to pamper yourself in, the Beijing Sha Tan has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

The Beijing Sha Tan offers a choice of three conference rooms, all elegantly and practically designed, making any business meeting a pleasure. Each room has all the necessary equipment you will need. We give top marks for the reliable and informative business staff here.

Detail: Beijing Sha Tan Hotel, China

0 Best China travel websites

China offers a fusion of ancient culture and modern development that is fascinating to people and draws many tourists to visit each year. The country is one of the oldest continuous civilizations with a history that dates back thousands of years. It is a huge country with the largest population on Earth and its sheer size means it has a host of attractions to offer tourists. This ranges from the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors to more modern cities. If you are planning to visit China there are many options with regard to where to go and what to see. There are a number of good websites that can help with planning a trip and some of these include the following.

China National Tourist Office

This is a good website which has a lot of information that will help you plan and be prepared for a trip to China. The About China page is split into a number of sub-sections that will inform you of some of the basic details such as the history, climate, religion and language of the country. If you are looking for some travel tips there is a section that covers this and it includes practical information such as the best time to go, some of the best places to visit, useful telephone numbers such as police and emergency and also details on applying for a visa to visit the country. If you know the city or area you are planning to visit then there is a simple feature that lists the cities. Click on the one you want and it will give you information about it such as some of the attractions you will be able to see and also a list of the local hotels and restaurants with contact details. The China National Tourist Office (CNTO) is basically an overseas office of the China National Tourism Authority whose role is to promote China Tourism. Both New York and Los Angeles have offices and this website gives plenty of straightforward advice which can be used by those planning a trip to China. This makes it worth checking out.

For details check out http://www.cnto.org/

China Online Travel

This website is split into a few different sections which are designed to provide the potential traveler to China with a host of information that will help them plan their trip to and around the country. It has a section on the cities and attractions and this shows details of many of the major cities in China. If you know where you are going you can find out some information about the city, or if you are looking for ideas of where to go it can help you with this. There is also a section on China visa application which provides all the information you need to know about applying for and securing a visa. The sections on China Travel Tips and Other Useful Information also provide a range of practical guidance on travelling to and staying in the country and these are likely to answer many of the questions you may have. If you are planning to travel around in China there is also a useful section on China Domestic Air Schedule which can show you some of the flight schedules between major cities. This can help you plan your trip a little more thoroughly. Overall this is a decent website to check out if you are planning a vacation in China.

Details can be found at http://www.chinaonlinetravel.com/

Tourism China

This is the official website of the China National Tourist Office in Toronto and as such has a lot of good information for Canadian citizens. However it is not only for Canadians and can be used by anyone to find out useful information about China. There are a few different sections shown on the home page and some of these include Places to Go, Things to Do and Things to Know. The Things to Do page shows details of activities such as shopping, golfing, hiking and museums to visit. Some of these have e-books available which you can download and read at your leisure. This is a decent site which can show you many of the options for places to visit and activities you can participate in while you are in China.

The site can be found at http://www.tourismchina.org/

Travel China Guide

Travel China Guide is basically an online tour operator and on this site they provide a host of information about the country. There is a city guide where you can search for the city of your choice or there is also an A-Z list. This making finding details of a city straightforward and each guide gives extensive details of the attractions the city has to offer plus other information such as transportation, shopping, dining and nightlife. If you are looking for details of a city in China this is one of the best places to find it. Other sections on the website provide information on the tours you can take, details of hotels and also information about flights and trains in the country. The site has a lot of good information to offer and is worth checking out if you are thinking about travelling to China.

For further information visit http://www.travelchinaguide.com/

The Beijing Page

Many people who travel to China will want to spend a little time in the capital city, Beijing. If you are one of these then checking out the Beijing Page is something worth doing. This site has a number of sections covering all aspects of Beijing life from some of the facts about the city to the food you can eat and the shopping you can do. It also has information about some of the entertainment available in the city and the transportation you can use to get around. The website has extensive information on Beijing and no matter what you need to know there is a good chance you will be able to find it. It is definitely worth checking out if you are planning to spend some time in Beijing when you are in China.

Further information can be found at http://www.beijingpage.com/

China is a huge country and the choice of where you can go and the things you can see is vast. The websites shown above can help you narrow down the options and assist you in planning the vacation of a lifetime. This makes them worth checking out and if you do intend to visit this fascinating country, enjoy yourself and have a great vacation.

Detail: Best China travel websites

0 Best places to travel with children in China

With a rule about having only one child, China holds children in high-esteem. Traveling with your children to China will be a memorable journey and may even give you the image of a celebrity dealing with paparazzi. However, when you travel with children, you need to find activities that will hold their interest. There are several cities in China that will grab your children's attention.

The most popular city is the capital of Beijing. Tourists love to experience the Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. However, children can easily tire of museum and history overload. Since children are often indulged, there are plenty of activities to keep your children entertained and willing to accompany you to attractions of your choice.

Beijing World Park is only 10.6 miles from Tian'anmen Square and the layout is modeled after the continents and oceans. It is a global village that offers reproductions of world famous man-made and natural attractions from nearly fifty countries. New items are added every year. If you are traveling between May and October, be on the lookout for cultural activities from various countries to be held. It is only 65 Yuan for adults and 24 Yuan for children.

For a green oasis within the city, head to Bei Hai Park. With a history of more than 1,000 years, your children will love renting paddle boats on the lake. If you go early in the morning, they will enjoy watching locals perform tai chi and sword fighting. In the afternoon, you can play games like Chinese checkers and Mahjong with the locals. You will all marvel at the White Dagoba on Qinghu Island and the Five-Dragon Pavilions.

Fundazzle is a great reward for children who have seen one too many temples. It used to be a swimming pool, but was transformed into an indoor playground. Your children will enjoy two hours of playtime for 30 Yuan per child.

Other activities for your children in Beijing include flying a kite in Tian'anmen Square, taking a rickshaw ride through Beijing's Hutongs, or traditional alleys, or head to the zoo or aquarium.

Shanghai is another city that is filled with kid-friendly activities. Large cities may cater to those looking for the tourist attraction, but there is an understanding that children should be entertained as well.

Fuxing Park is a popular park for everyone today. Two Yuan will gain you entrance and your children will want to head straight for the children's playground. They have the option to ride the carousel or bumper cars. It's a great place to cut loose and have some fun.

Take a ride on the world's fastest train, the MagLev, or enjoy sightseeing from a double-decker bus. If these attempts at continuing your own sightseeing tour don't work, then a stop at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium will do the trick.

Children also enjoy traveling to Xi'an. China's ancient capital is home to the Terracotta Warriors. Even your children will admire these ancient silent warriors. For a little excitement, rent some bikes and ride along the ancient City Wall. It is a great way to sightsee as well as people watch. There are few vendors up on the wall, so be sure to bring plenty to drink with you. Spend some time shopping in the Xi'an markets. It is a perfect opportunity for your children to work on their bargaining skills.

If you still have some time left in the evening, head to the Xi'an Musical Fountain near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Not only is it free, but there is a light-water-music performance every night.

For those children who love adventure, Guilin has a lot to offer. Exploring the caves and taking a boat trip down the Li River are just some of the opportunities that exist. There is a magic to Guilin that draws you in, young or old, and gives you a sense of peace.

There are a number of parks to explore. If you need a break and want to head indoors, Guilin Ocean World is a great option. Explore the underwater tunnel, a waterfall area, and a touching pool. Children look in awe at the 100-year old giant salamanders and sharks.

Although introducing your children to the extensive history of China, it is important to consider their needs too. Looking at sculpture after sculpture or temple after temple can become a little mundane. Offering exciting side trips with your children in mind will keep them coming back for more.

Detail: Best places to travel with children in China

0 First time traveler's guide to China

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On your first trip to China, be prepared for a totally fascinating but different culture. And be warned, they will be equally fascinated by you. I like to think that I'm a pretty normal kind of guy and fit into society nicely. I was not prepared to be stared at in the way that I was. I soon learned that it was fascination by the Chinese seeing round blue eyes. I'm sure their fascination will fade as more and more round blue eyes appear in their country.

When you decide to go, the first thing to do is contact the Chinese Embassy or visit their website to get the appropriate forms for your visa. This will give you all the information you will need of what to bring with you to the Embassy when applying for your visa, and the costs.

My wife and I had to go to London (England) for our visas. Get there early and be prepared for a long wait. They will take your passports and then mail them to you in due course. It's scary leaving your passport in the hands of communists, but that is the norm and we had no trouble. They have a pretty no nonsense approach at the embassy in London so don't expect any chit chat. They did bark at us like drill instructors.

You cannot buy Chinese Yuan, or RMB as the Chinese refer to it, currency outside of China. So be prepared to change up some currency at the airport. The current exchange rate is
14 Yuan to the British pound or 7 to the U.S. dollar. That hasn't changed much over the past few years and is unlikely to have any dramatic changes as the Chinese government controls the rate of exchange. Three years ago, it was 15 and 8, respectively. So you needn't shop around for the best rate of exchange. It is the same everywhere.

I was a bit nervous going through customs and immigration. Not because I have criminal tendencies - but because I had never been to a communist country before. It was uneventful. The officer looked at my, and my wife's passports and visas, stamped it and we were away without a word spoken. We cashed up about 50 pounds at the airport and then outside to catch a taxi.

One should always try to travel around China with your destination written in Chinese characters. Believe me, you will find very little English spoken. The concierge at the hotel will be your best bet. Tell him where you want to go, have him write it out in Chinese characters, and then you can show it to the taxi driver. We always carried a card with the name of the hotel with us in Chinese just so we could always hop in a taxi and show the card to the driver.

Before we went, I tried, but failed, to get our hotel name converted into Chinese characters. But I did run off a picture of our hotel. We were staying at the J. W. Marriott at Tomorrow Square. I might add that it was one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at in my life. Fortunately, it is a very unusual looking building. We got into the taxi at the airport and I showed the taxi driver the picture. We sat there for ages while our driver studied the picture intently letting out the odd "Uhmmmm". And then it began.



If you have ever wondered what the term "bat out of hell" would feel like, get in the back of a Shanghai taxi. For the next 45 minutes we got to know what it would be like to be a passenger in a formula one car. Charging at 90 miles per hour into the back of a parked bus, three inches from impact, phew, our driver would then swerve into the next lane while avoiding the 50 cyclists by millimeters. We traveled so close to the cars next to us I would have struggled to get a cigarette paper between the cars. Shanghai taxis are not for the faint hearted; but they are cheap and a good way to get around. Just make sure you have used the facilities before you climb aboard for the ride of your life.

Because we were touring on our own, I did plenty of research on the internet before we went. I stumbled upon an article describing how there were different colored taxis in Shanghai. This article recommended the turquoise taxis. I can't comment on any of the other colored taxis because we always managed to get a turquoise one. Even at our hotel, turquoise were the only color they used.

In addition to changing money for RMB at the hotel, I took $500 cash. They did come in handy as I used them to bargain at the market and I bought a set of golf clubs in Shanghai as well. I told the concierge that I wanted a set of golf clubs. He wrote down an address in Chinese and said "They give you good deal". We went there and when it came time to pay, the lady said "No VISA and no RMB. U. S. dollars only". Luckily I had them. The clubs cost $200. Of course they were fakes. But I got the bag, airport bag and shoe bag. The clubs lasted about a year but I am still using the carry bag, the shoe bag and four of the clubs. Well worth two hundred dollars.

Virtually anything you buy in the market will be a knock off so don't expect it to last. And be prepared to haggle. Hard. The Chinese will start very high, so you must start very low. The calculator will come out and you take turns punching in numbers. When I bought a two "Rolex" watches for 300 RMB, I punched in 250 about 10 times in a row while he would slowly come down. He knew I was coming up much more. When you're close to your top, keep putting in the same number time and again.

The alternative to the market is the designer shops. There are plenty of them but they are very expensive. Gucci in Shanghai is more expensive than Gucci in London.

When we looked up the weather before we went in April, the forecast was 50F and rainy. When we got there it was 80F and dry. Take your own clothes for varied weather conditions and don't think, as we did, that you will just buy clothes there. Chinese sizes do not fit western women. My wife was not impressed when she wanted a size ten outfit for the heat but had to by XX Large. The Chinese are not big people hence small clothes. It does nothing for a woman's ego to buy XXL, so bring your own clothes.

The food is very good in the hotels and the western restaurants, but not particularly cheap. The food in the local restaurants is cheap but it is not good. We tried to go local but the food was not to our taste at all. In fact, it was dire.

All in all, China was a wonderful experience and well worth the trip. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants a vastly different holiday.

Detail: First time traveler's guide to China