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Two weeks ago, AsiaTravel tour leader Nancy accompanied a group of high school students from Yew Chung International School of Beijing on a journey to Yunnan.  Here are a few reflections from the road:

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Yunnan, the province in southwest China that we rave about so much, won me over almost as soon as I stepped off the plane.  We were greeted with breezy, spring weather, and the sky was filled with patches of blue that I miss so much living in Beijing.

Like Aila Malik mentioned in a previous post, Yunnan just doesn’t really feel like a part of China one typically imagines. I Don’t know why this popped into my mind, but I felt like I had been transported back to the days of Laura Ingalls Wilder except all the characters had changed:  The open prairies were replaced with mountains that shot up into the sky; mud homes were replaced with villages of white-washed houses in green valleys; bonnets and calico were replaced by hot pink hair-wraps and plain brown vests of the Tibetan people. Yet the visible pride of the people and their satisfaction in the hard work of their daily routines seemed the same.

One lady that stood out in particular was the owner of a home that had been a special project for The Nature Conservancy.  The lady, or Ayi as we called her (Ayi literally means “Auntie,” a respectful term in Chinese), graciously invited us in to see how she used bio-gas to fuel her home.  She explained that tanks underneath her home gathered and routed bio-gas from the fields to her kitchen stove.

Setting this up has saved her and her family countless hours of traveling out of the valley, up the mountain and into the forrest to gather wood for fuel.  With the extra time Ayi is able to tend to her gardens thereby creating another source of income.  “Look at all of our grapes!” she exclaimed with a big grin on her face, “I think they’re the best in the market – much better than the expensive ones that are imported.”

I smiled back and walked away thinking, “This is the real China.”  In the media and in the city where cranes line the skies as skyscrapers are being built left and right, it’s easy to buy into the idea that China is a global superpower.  Looking back at the modest garden and thinking about all of Ayi & her family’s hard work of creating it reminded me of how far the country still has to go before that’s true.  I guess one could say that China is still living in its Laura Ingalls Wilder days…

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Photos by Alex & Cherry, AsiaTravel student travelers

 

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.

Although AsiaTravel is proud of all its itineraries, it is not every one that has a National Geographic award. One such lucky trip is AsiaTravel’s Tea and Horse Caravan. Recognized in 2012 by National Geographic Traveler as one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime, the Tea and Horse route is truly spectacular. Led by intrepid explorer and AsiaTravel expert Jeff Fuchs (pictured below), the trip’s course takes an uninhibited look at Yunnan province. Year in and year out, Jeff returns to lead this trip so we sat down with him to find out why. He gave us three reasons:

Unparalleled Access: The path that Jeff takes through Yunnan is one he is intimately familiar with. All along the route, Jeff has cultivated relationships, not only with the locals who live there now, but also with the remaining elders who he notes once “traveled, traded, and gave the ancient journey life.” Jeff has tailored this adventure to cross paths with these individuals, every one of whom is ready to share the oral traditions of their past. Guide books often discuss tired elements of a trip that have long since lost their bite, but Jeff’s ability to speak Tibetan, Mandarin, and Hani open the door for you to enjoy your own original experience. One of Jeff’s favorite aspects of this trip  “is that there is still so much more to dig into, both from a physical sense and from a cultural perspective.”

Historical significance: The Tea and Horse Caravan route is not simply a trip to China’s countryside–it is a journey through living history. Jeff explains that, “The Tea and Horse Road opens up not only Yunnan’s minority regions, but specifically how those minorities are related to tea, the trade route itself, and how they relate to each other. The route follows a path that has been an ancient pilgrimage, trade, and migration route for over a millennium. As each of the layers of the story of this trade route are uncovered, we see one of the most daunting expeditions on the planet, linking Asia’s eternal green commodity, tea, across a huge width of the Himalayas and beyond.”

One of a kind landscape: As you are conversing with locals and and studying the history that surrounds you, what will the surroundings be like? Simply stunning. Jeff reveals a slight smile, and his eyes light up, when he tells us he “would happily wither away in a tea swoon in the tea forests of Xishuangbanna. It is there that a sub-tropical and mystical quality creates a slightly calmer pace that puts one in a pleasant state of bliss.” The mood changes considerably as you move into the Himalayas where “the air clears and becomes sharper, the winds start to buzz and thump, and there is a really tangible sense that one is leaving one sanctum and entering into the mountains’ playgrounds.” Lush forest followed by austere mountains set the scene for getting those “WOW” photos to share with friends and family back home.

If these three reasons are not enough, consider the reviews of two 2011 AsiaTravel travelers Rob and Lynne. Following the expedition they stated, “Getting off the beaten track was number one for us. Jeff and the guides had a unique skill at getting local folk to open up and to share their world with complete strangers.” By the time you finish this trip you won’t feel like strangers, you will feel like you have been walking this route all your life, shoulder to shoulder with those you have met on your journey.

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Interested in joining Jeff Fuchs on his next trip to Yunnan? Looking for something else? Send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will start working on the perfect itinerary for your adventure.

Photos by Jeff Fuchs and Paul Mooney.

 

AsiaTravel featured blogger Chelin Miller catches us up on her recent trip to Yunnan:

The Millers (mum, dad and three daughters) spent a week in Yunnan’s Shangri-La, on a relaxing tour of the ‘Kingdom South of the Clouds’. We stayed at the wonderful Songtsam Lodges. It was a perfect trip to visit a part of China that still has not been spoiled by mass tourism, is off the beaten-track, and yet remains very comfortable. We were surrounded by amazing landscape, easily found activities to keep everyone entertained, and enjoyed friendly people and delicious food. Here are each family member’s favorite moments:

Dad: Turning up to a lodge and being welcomed by smiling, friendly faces – every time! Walking through the rain up the mountains to see the golden monkeys in Baima Nature Reserve.

Hannah (17): Hunting mushrooms in the mountainous forests near Benzilan and then BBQ-ing the mushrooms under the stars.

Eli (13): Making moon cakes in Tacheng – and eating them!

Nina (8): Horse riding in Shangri-La and chanting prayers with our guide, Dolma, who also taught me how to turn the prayer wheel in Tibetan temples.

Mum: Getting caught by the rain after picking up watermelons and stopping for shelter at a Naxi household. While waiting for the rain to stop, we sang songs with girls in the lodge, and ate fresh fruit. The best aspect though, was taking wonderful landscape photographs at dawn –in my pajamas, from my bedroom balcony! If you have a chance to come to Yunnan, we can assure you will not regret it.

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If you are interested in travel to Yunnan, we would recommend AsiaTravel’s Cultural Family Vacation, or if you are looking for a little more adventure, check out our Tea and Horse Caravan. If you have something else in mind, send an email at info@wildchina.com and we can begin building the perfect adventure for you.

To read more of Chelin’s blogs click here.

Photos by Chelin Miller.

When was the last time you took a picture that could change the world? If your name is Sean Gallagher, then the answer could be “yesterday”. In addition to being a AsiaTravel expert, Sean is also an award winning photographer and videographer. Sean’s work has appeared in publications including TIME Magazine, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, Der Spiegel and National Geographic China. At present, Sean has turned his talents to reporting on the environmental degradation of the Tibetan Plateau for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

Recently, China has decided to pour considerable energy into the development of its hyrdo-power infrastructure, to the tune of 25,000 dams across the country. With camera in hand, and pen at the ready, Sean has tackled the task of reporting on the effects of this situation. Paragraph by paragraph, snapshot by snapshot Sean is sharing the story he is uncovering with the world. And it is a tragic story. In the midst of the zeal with which China has pursued hydro-power, the effect on the local population has been ignored. Houses, schools, and hospitals have all been completely submerged necessitating the complete reconstruction of some villages to other parts of the country. As communities have been destroyed, the local infrastructure has been crippled forcing young people to depart for the cities looking for work.

There are no easy solutions to the problems caused by China’s energy needs, but if it weren’t for Sean’s work few would even know what was happening. Would you like to get a taste of looking at the real side of China? This fall, Sean will be heading back to Beijing to lead his Silk Road Photography Trip with AsiaTravel. His journey will traverse the Silk Road’s wind swept planes as he instructs participants on landscape, portrait, and time-lapse photography. Come join Sean in Xinjinag this fall and who knows, tomorrow your pictures may be changing the world.

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Do you have questions about environmental travel in China? Interested in something else? Send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

 

On September 5th, join AsiaTravel for our latest installment of Where the Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series which will feature Asian renaissance man Laurence Brahm. In addition to his many academic and business pursuits in Asia, Laurence is also the founder and CEO of Shambhala Serai, a sustainable cultural and eco-tourism boutique hotel group based in Tibet and Beijing. Stop by Beijing’s Face Bar for drink as 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 or email wherethewildthingsare@wildchina.com

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

Photo by courtesy of www.laurencebrahm.com