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AsiaTravel tour leader Nancy recently traveled with a group of Yew Chung Beijing students to Yunnan.  Focused on community service, the group spent a very memorable afternoon at a Tibetan orphanage in the middle of Shangri-La.

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Founded by Tendol Gyalzur who was an orphan herself, the Tendol-Gyalzur Orphanage in Shangri-La is one of three in China.  It is a colorful complex that serves as more than just a roof over the children’s heads; it’s a home and a family for about 40 kids between the ages of 6 and 26 (the older ones move on to work and build a life for themselves after graduation).

During our time in Shangri-La, we toured the campus, taking a peek into the classrooms and stealing a look at their modest but extremely tidy bunks.

Finally, we met the little ones themselves!  With their dirt-smeared faces and mischievous smiles, they melted our hearts as they dragged us onto the dance floor to learn the Tibetan moves.

When it was our turn to show them something, the group presented them with boxes of gifts bought with money collected from a Yew Chung fundraiser.  Crayons, basketballs, soccer balls, space hoppers – all popped out of the heap of toys, making way for some serious coloring (inside the lines unlike myself at that age), a lot of bouncing, and a multitude of smiles:

 

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Photos by Alex, AsiaTravel student traveler. Interested in traveling to Shangri-La yourself? If you have any questions about this trip or others don’t hesitate to be in touch at info@wildchina.com.

 

Traveling in China, in our opinion, is one of the best ways a person can spend their time. Whether you’re walking through the incense laden air of an ancient temple, touching the well worn steps of the Great Wall, or enjoying the sweetness of local tea in Yunnan, you’re sure to be learning something. However, in the midst of your adventures, you may suddenly realize you need to get in touch with a loved one back home. Maybe it’s business, maybe it’s a birthday, or maybe you just want to gush about the Peking Duck you had for lunch. Whatever the case, your first question will be: “Can I call home from here?”

As with any other aspect of a AsiaTravel trip, we can tailor your communication options according to your needs. In major cities, calling is easy, but for some very rural areas this isn’t the case. While the cost of having a satellite phone for a week can run over $700, it is something we are happy to provide if you need to remain in constant contact. If you need to make local calls while traveling in China, AsiaTravel can also arrange for you to have a temporary phone during your stay. This is significantly cheaper and will make getting around easier if you choose to go exploring on your own.

However we also realize that many of the best travel experiences come when one fully removes themselves from home and engages in the new environment they find themselves in. For many of our student trips, part of the fun is being out of contact with home and having a chance to be independent. Of course, parents need not fear, if they wish to contact our guides to check on their children they are only a phone call away.

Should the unexpected occur, do not worry, AsiaTravel will be there to assist you. We once had a client who lost his wallet when he was in China. Because this gentleman had lost all his money, he could not buy a calling card to cancel his credit cards back in the states. Our guide stepped in and let the man use the guide’s personal phone to call the U.S.

As we said before, we believe there is no finer use of time than traveling in China, and we hope you’ll come join us soon. After all, your next fall adventure could be just around the corner.

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In our opinion, enjoying a vacation means leaving all your worries behind. We hope this post will put any concerns you have about communication at rest but if you still have more don’t hesitate to be in touch at info@wildchina.com

 

When you are in Tibet, you know it. The wind whispers across the even green valleys of the mountains as if you are on a verdant moonscape. And then you look up. Silent and omniscient, the mountains rise around you with snow topped peaks and a jagged architecture of cliffs that seem impossible. When you make your way to Yamdrok Tso Lake, the water matches the blue of the sky. Far from the activity of Beijing and Shanghai, Tibet sets itself apart with a landscape like nothing else in the world.  After all, it is home to Mt. Everest (known by the locals as Chomolungma “Holy Mother” ), our planet’s highest summit.

But Tibet offers more then a beautiful background. It is also a land that is defined by the culture of its people. Potala Palace, the former home of the Dalai Lama, rises out of Lhasa a white washed castle and a mountain unto itself. Such a historical past has left its impact on Tibet, and Buddhism’s influence is all around you. You smell it in monasteries thick with the sweet smoke of incense, and you see it with young monks draped in red cloaks running and laughing through the plazas and courtyards of the cities. When you attend a morning prayer in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, and the droning chants build to a crescendo that washes over you, it is truly otherworldly. As Scott Olson who traveled to Tibet with AsiaTravel in May noted, Tibet “was a once in a life time experience and although we have traveled to many places we would say this trip was the best.”

Have you ever wondered what yak butter tea tastes like? Have ever wondered what is inside a Tibetan home? AsiaTravel will take you there, with access that takes you into a Tibetan family’s residence to discover what people talk about at dinner on the other side of the world. When your trip finally ends and you head home, your friends will not believe where you have gone, and when you look at your pictures, you may not believe it yourself.

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Tibet is an area you cannot always go to. Presently Tibet is open, and if the country has been on your radar, we urge you take advantage of this opportunity. If you are traveling with your family, AsiaTravel would recommend “Escape to Lhasa.” If you have a hankering for adventure, you may want to take a look at “Expedition to Tibet’s West.” Or if you have something else in mind, get in touch with AsiaTravel at info@wildchina.com and we can customize a journey you can call your own.

 

When she is not occupied with journeying around the world or updating her Weibo with the captivating sights she encounters on her travels, AsiaTravel’s founder, Mei, thoroughly enjoys exploring the outskirts of greater China, whether it means running a marathon in Inner Mongolia or trekking up the boding hillsides of Guizhou. Traveling luxuriously is one thing, but traveling luxuriously in style is another. For us at AsiaTravel, it is no surprise that Mei has effortlessly mastered both.

Whether she is racing along the Erhai Lake in Dali or simply on a treadmill at her local gym, Mei’s iPod nano is always by her side. Lightweight, durable, and reliable, this pink gadget has been her loyal companion on the most memorable runs through some of the most remarkable backdrops. So what are a few of the top hits on Mei’s track list? Not the predictable Mozart or Bach. As an avid fan of the latest chart-toppers, Mei’s eclectic taste in music ranges from Propellerhead’s jazzy beats to Adele’s crisp voice. Who says Lady Gaga is only for teenagers? Mei will be the first to admit that the country rock twist added to “Born This Way (Country Road Version),” along with the pop star’s strong vocals, are indispensable when running through nature’s most beguiling wonders. Besides, for those of you worried about getting lost amongst the monumental mountains of Abujee, the refrain will reassure you that you are in fact “on the right track.”

Not only does Mei have the perfect ‘pump-up’ track list for her run, she also looks très chic while doing so. From running shorts to racerback tanks and even socks, Mei is an avid fan of Lulu Lemon, an athletic apparel company whose lush lightweight fabrics ace the founder’s tests for functionality and durability. The racer back’s body-skimming fit is flattering and the top is so comfortable that you won’t ever want to take it off, even in exchange for your pajamas. With its loose fit, the featherweight “Light as Air” running shorts will help you “fly without taking off from the ground.” For the perfect amount of sun protection, Mei recommends the Adidas Adizero Sequence Hat, which, with its ClimaCool ventilation, will keep you cool, dry, and stylish all-in-one. For the winter months, check out a brightly-colored North Face Goretex Jacket to keep warm. Windproof and waterproof, nothing will ever get in your way from exploring Mother Nature ever again. Whoever said workout gear wasn’t fashionable?

An ardent runner, Mei knows from personal experience that the key to a great run is all in the sneakers. She loves the functionality of her Adidas Adistar Salvaation 3 , which helped her spring to the finish line in a recent marathon in Inner Mongolia. With its reliable support and cushioning, these sneakers are comfort and durability at their finest. With such a great pair of shoes, you are bound to get compliments while running in style. For hiking, Mei recommends Asolo’s indestructible hiking boots, which are perfect for trekking along the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan in either rain or shine.

Want to give your lips a whole lot of love? Mei recommends Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm, which will hydrate and revitalize your thirsty lips with antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil. Best of all, it smells absolutely delicious! L’Occitane’s best-selling crème is a classic, one of Mei’s go-to items. Even after an adventurous day exploring the high mountaintops of Gaoligong in Yunnan, this buttery cream makes her hands feel soft and luxurious.

What are some other necessities that Mei always keeps in her bright red, versatile REI Flash 18 Pack? Weighing in at almost nothing, this affordable and durable daypack is ideal for short hikes away from camp. It comfortably fits all of Mei’s essentials, from her impact resistant Camelbak water bottle to her handy dandy travel-size Purell Hand Sanitizer, which Mei admits, has collected as many mileage points as she has. Regardless of whether or not she is traveling by herself or with her kids, sunscreen is a must on Mei’s checklist. She loves the one from Shisedo, which not only boasts an SPF of 60+, but is also non-greasy and odor-free. To reenergize, Mei recently discovered the Dali Bar at Salvadore’s Cafe in Kunming, each and every one hand-made by locals. Consisting of a mixture of sunflower seeds, honey dates, oats, and walnuts, this bar is not only delectable, but also, full of nutrients. Who ever said healthy couldn’t taste good?

Whether it be luxury travel in China, chart-topping music, or the latest fashions, AsiaTravel’s founder Mei is on top of it all. How does she pamper herself post-travel? Mei loves to relax while taking a bath using some aromatic Hongjintian Bath Salt with a cup of her favorite Longjing Green Tea by her side. With a fashionista as its founder, AsiaTravel is not only a front-runner in simply luxury travel, but rather, luxury travel in style. Even Harper’s Bazaar is impressed!

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Check out Mei’s Weibo (@yunnanzhangmei) and Twitter for some more travel trips from the best of the best and like us on Facebook for constant updates on the latest travels news in China.

 

Have you ever woken up on a plane to discover that your flight has been rerouted mid-air? Or arrived at your destination only to discover every single bag is missing? Everyone has at least one story, that nightmare travel experience where a series of disasters have conspired to wreck a vacation. Sometimes it is a storm, sometimes it is a mechanical problem, sometimes its another thing entirely. Whatever the problem, you know you are going to spend a long time standing in line, or on the phone, while your wait for “the next available customer service representative.” Cue annoying music.

This past weekend, China was hit with a particularly aggressive weather system. A record rain storm in Beijing and a typhoon that passed over Hong Kong wreaked havoc on flight plans all over the country. While AsiaTravel could not keep the storm from coming, we were able to act as advocates for those who had booked travel with us. For those who wanted to let their families know they were alright, even in remote regions, we used their emergency numbers and called home on their behalf. For those who had children scared of the storm, our guides provided laughs. And for those whose flight plans were headed for a snarl, we provided a way out. This past weekend we had a group flying from Guilin to Lijiang via Kunming that had missed their connection as a result of delays. While these travelers were in the air, AsiaTravel arranged for a guide to meet them at their connecting airport free of charge. Our booking department then reached out to the airlines to get our guests on the next available flight, and when that did not work, we turned to our network of contacts to find seats. In the end, the group was able to make it to Lijiang only a few hours later then originally planned.

Our goal when we plan a trip for you is for it to be as smooth as possible, from start to finish. Whether you are exploring the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, watching the sun rise on Mount Meili, or going on a trip to Pabongka Monastery in Tibet, we always prepare for the unexpected.

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Interested in joining us for a journey through China? Email us at info@wildchina.com and we will start working with you to create your perfect itinerary.

Photo of flight screen by Eye on Spain. Photo of fisherman by Michael Deng.

AsiaTravel’s latest installment of Where the Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series is going to feature Asian renaissance man Laurence Brahm. Laurence has made a career out of activism and engagement in Asia for over twenty years. In addition to serving as an economic advisor for Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, and China over the last two decades, Laurence is also the author of over thirty books on Asian topics ranging from Art, to intellectual property, to business. Laurence is the founder and CEO of Shambhala Serai, a sustainable cultural and eco-tourism boutique hotel group based in Tibet and Beijing. Join us for a drink when Laurence discusses the implications and future of two of his favorite topics: Global Activism and Sustainable Tourism.

DETAILS:

When -Wednesday, September 5th at 6:30pm

Where– Face Bar  at No. 26 Dong Cao Yuan, Gong Ti Nan Street, Chao Yang District, Beijing, China.

How-The cost for the talk is RMB 80 and includes one drink and light appetizers. Reservations are required. To reserve tickets, please call 6465-6602 ext. 341

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To learn more about our Where the Wild Things are Series please see our past events here.

Photo by China Whisper

With a cool breeze heralding the beginning of fall, the stage was set for guests to enjoy a beautiful evening at Face Bar for yesterday’s Where the Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series with speaker Laurence Brahm. After having a chance to mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests headed inside as the light began to fade to hear Laurence discuss his experiences working in Asia.

Laurence’s presentation centered about his pursuit of social entrepreneurship in China. Whether it was training disabled Tibetan women to sew puppets and thereby giving them a sense of empowerment, or buying up land around the Great Wall to protect it from being turned into a tourist trap water park, Laurence has been a defender of local heritage. In addition to these projects Laurence also discussed his own hotel group Shambhala Serai. When one guest inquired what level of push-back he had received from the government for his private venture Laurence replied that it has been minimal. Laurence went on to explain that unlike an NGO, which can have financial backing that is harder to pin point, for profit organizations goals are simpler, and therefore less of a concern for the government. Helpful advice for those considering starting a business of their own in China.

We will definitely keep an eye on Laurence going forward to see what challenge he tackles next, whatever the issue though we see no reason why he won’t succeed.

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Our next Where The Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series will feature food writer and cook Fuchsia Dunlop on October 12th. Stay tuned as full details will be coming out shortly.

 

 

 

Depending on what city you are in, New Year’s Eve can take on a lot of different shapes. You can watch the ball drop in New York City, join the New Year’s day parade in London, or watch a Tostito chip drop if you are in Tempe, Arizona. While all of these may be impressive, if not amusing, they are nothing like being in Hong Kong to ring in the New Year.

It is no coincidence that the city we recommend for popping champagne and watching fireworks is the same one The Economist recognized this year as the best city in the world.  Not only will fireworks never be the same (Hong Kong goes notoriously overboard when planning its celebratory explosive light shows) but Hong Kong truly has something for everyone.

For those who have come from the blustery cold of northern Europe and North America, Asia’s World City offers a relatively warm January 1st, with temperatures between 8-15ºC (46 to 59ºF). Hong Kong ‘s sun stay hot and tropical so this is perfect weather for families to explore hikes around the territory and take the tram up to Hong Kong’s Peak for a beautiful view of the metropolis below. If you are staying on the Island, the Dragon’s Back Hike is a 15-minute cab ride away, while for those staying in Kowloon, Sai Kung Country Park–a true escape from the bustling crowds–can be reached in under half an hour.

When evening rolls around there are many locations from which to enjoy the night’s festivities. Reserve a table for yourselves at one of the city’s many restaurants to stage your own party complete with Christmas crackers, confetti, and plenty of Moët & Chandon. An excellent venue for this is The Pawn, and one of our favorites. If you go, trust us on this one and try their fresh seafood–it’s fantastic.  Celebrating New Year’s Eve with the entire family? Rent out a junk to float around Victoria Harbour for a truly singular view when the fireworks burst over head. It will be a reunion to remember.  Of course there are those who celebrate the New Year by traipsing around until the wee hours of the morning, and in this regard Hong Kong never fails to disappoint. Unlike the rest of the year, the buses and subway will run all night long on New Year’s Eve.  The vibrant bar scenes of both Lan Kwai Fong and Wanchai offer places galore–bumping clubs, relaxed lounges, and comfy pubs–just be sure to get there early as lines can build as you close in on midnight.

Make a mid-year resolution to plan a trip to the fragrant harbor this December to start 2013 off right in the shimmering streets of Hong Kong.

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If you have questions about travel in Hong Kong, send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo of fireworks over northern Hong Kong Island by Voice of America.  Photo of Tailongwan (Big Wave Bay, Sai Kung) by AsiaTravel.

On China’s northern edge there is a province that combines the wonder of the desert and the beauty of the grasslands for an experience that will take your breath away; this province is called Inner Mongolia. Similar to the legendary landscape of neighboring Mongolia, Inner Mongolia’s open spaces maintain a feeling of timeless tranquility unlike anywhere in China.

In the desert, atop a sleepy-eyed camel, cross the terrain at the lazy pace of traders who walked these lands hundreds, even thousands of years ago. As the sands whisper and swirl at your feet, imagine that the shapes you see in the distance are pack animals carrying the spices and silks of a foreign land. After disembarking from your camel, head to the grasslands where the surroundings turn from yellow to gentle green.

The grasslands provide a similar feeling to the endless deserts of Inner Mongolia, however your view is unimpeded by undulating sand dunes. As your eyes sweep across the horizon, the only reason your field of vision ends is because of the curvature of the earth. Looking into the distance you can almost hear the faraway galloping of the armies of Genghis Khan. After exploring these beautiful surroundings and working up an appetite, turn to the specialty of Inner Mongolia–delightful selections of sizzling, juicy lamb. When the sun fades and the stars begin to shine, climb into the cozy bed of your own personal yurt. Set up amongst the grasses of the steppe, these charming felt tents are the perfect hideaway to retire to for the evening. Best of all is awakening to the sunrise across the endless horizon just on your doorstep.

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If you are interested in traveling to Mongolia or Inner Mongolia, send us an email at info@wildchina.com.  We will be happy to assist you.

When we think of the places paparazzi flock to, we think of red carpet premieres, starlets in designer gowns, and events generally far removed from our day-to-day life. We definitely don’t think of rustic Guizhou province in southern China.  But that is exactly where the paparazzi was. Well, sort of…

This fall, renowned photographer, mountaineer, and AsiaTravel expert Stefen Chow led a high school photography trip down to China’s southwest. In addition to regular photo assignments from Stefen, the students were tasked with acting as the paparazzi at a traditional Miao wedding. Over the course of a week, the students honed a variety of photography skills, from capturing the story of a place, to selling a location, to interviewing their subjects to get the full story behind their shots.

Below is a selection of the students’ work:

(A villager caring for his ox)

(Student photo of a dog being fed at the table. This gentlemen has fed the dog for over 6 years.)

(Group photo following the wedding)

Working with a small, select group of 16 students, Stefen was able to give them personal, one-on-one attention throughout the workshop. Students came with varying levels of experience in photography: while some had bought their cameras just the day before the trip, others had been shooting for more than 2 years. But all of them were united in their assessment of the adventure: simply incredible.

What did Stefen take away from it? He says at the end of the journey, several students told him it had been “the most memorable and impactful experience” of their lives. That’s why he does what he does–being outdoors shows people who they really are, and that first time stays with you forever. We couldn’t agree more. Sounds like the regular paparazzi should think about heading down to Guizhou once in a while.

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If you have questions about travel in Guizhou send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.