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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.

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.

 

This morning when Beijing residents opened their windows, we were in for a real surprise. After days of 50 and 60 degree-weather (F), snow blanketed the city overnight. To celebrate the end of winter, here are some shots that the AsiaTravel team took while making our way into the office.

 

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If you’re interested in traveling to Beijing–even in the winter!–send us an email at info@wildchina.com. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

 

 

In December of 2012, AsiaTravel announced a new philanthropic partnership with Teach for China.

We took on the sponsorship of second-year Teach for China fellow, David Li, who had spent the summer of 2012 working as an intern at the AsiaTravel offices. Now a year and a half into his tenure at Xiben Elementary School in Yunnan province, David has figured out the teaching methods that work best for him and his young students.

When we got in touch with David recently to see how he was doing, he sent us an enlightening breakdown of his day to give us a better idea of what he does out there.

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A Typical Tuesday Morning at Xiben Elementary School: Part One

7:00 AM- Wake up
As I wake up to the school bell, students are already in the hallways of the two teachers’ dormitories, sweeping and dusting. I live on the 3rd floor of a yellow building. To my left is Ben, an American fellow, and to my left is Minglong, a Chinese fellow. The three of us 2nd-year Fellows complete the Teach For China team here at Xiben Elementary.

As I walk to the school building, I see students carrying large bowls of eggs and cases of carton milk from the cafeteria to their respective classrooms–breakfast. The whole campus is noisy as those students lucky enough to not be on cleaning duty sit in their classrooms reciting their Chinese lessons.

7:30 AM- Teach First Class (3rd grade)
After getting all my teaching materials from the office I share with Ben, I walk down to the 3rd grade classroom.

As I enter, there is a flurry of activity. Some students are cleaning, some are eating their breakfast, some are reciting Chinese lessons or doing homework, and others still are playing. A number of students gather around as I fire up the newly installed whiteboard projectors, which many local teachers are still learning to use. Students are eagerly asking about what I’m doing and what we’re going to do during class.

When the bell rings to start class, I wait for everyone to be seated with all their materials out on their desks. We’ve practiced this routine so many times that the students are remarkably fast! A volunteer comes up to the front to introduce himself in English, and the class responds.

Class is conducted at a brisk pace as we review material we learned last week. When we move onto new material, students are flipping back and forth between their textbook and their English notebook, copying notes, but also simultaneously repeating words aloud. We first work with new sentences frames together as a class, then move onto partner work.

My forty-one 3rd graders are divided into eight groups so that I can award points to groups whose members raise their hands to participate and answer questions. The winning group from last week gets to pass out the plastic folders and whiteboard pens we use to answer questions. As I ask each question, students collaborate with their desk mates to come up with answer to write on their mini-whiteboard, raising it up when they have an answer.

I can be rather dramatic as I reveal the correct answer, and students cheer when they get the answer right. Having worked with the material as a class, then partners, I finally have everyone prepare their desks for a short quiz, just to see what how well the students learned today’s material. Students are silent and concentrated as the quiz is administered. I dismiss class after the quiz. If the class got fewer than 4 warnings in that period, I let them watch a short video during their break on the whiteboard, often of extreme sports highlights.

 

9:00 AM- Breakfast
While other teachers go to the cafeteria at 7:30am for rice noodles and eggs, I choose to wait until after my first period to have breakfast; I usually have oatmeal with a banana and a couple hard-boiled eggs.

9:30 AM- Morning Exercises
The bell rings and the whole school assembles out on the basketball court, where we do our morning exercise routine to music.

Unlike other schools, teachers here also perform the routine along with students, so I’ve learned it as well. Afterwards, students form lines as announcements are made by the principal and the local teacher on “duty” for this week.

10:00 AM- Nap
I usually like to take a nap before lunch to recharge for the afternoon…

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10AM sounds like the perfect time for a nap! Check back in April for the second half of a typical day in David’s life as a Teach for China fellow.

If you are also interested in supporting this great organization, take a look at our AsiaTravel Philanthropy page to make your own donation!

 

 

With just a two-an-a-half hour long car ride, you can travel back in time from modern Beijing to the days when emperors ruled China.

Step out into the crisp fresh-aired haven of ancient China’s Ming Dynasty. Walk up the Wall, making your way past lines of street vendors shouting out prices, all of them salesmen in the making.

Just one more step to the top.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Look up at the immense overlapping mountains and touch the vast clear sky with your fingertips as you imagine yourself standing on the top of the world.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu is a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Besides its characteristic watchtowers, lush beautiful scenery, and rugged brick stone, this fully-restored and distinct section of the Wall is filled with fresh air and rich history.

The air is colder on the Wall due to high altitudes and exposure to the wind, so remember to pack some extra layers. Once you have explored all of the Wall’s picturesque views, embrace your inner adrenaline junkie and ride the toboggan down the mountain.

Now that’s a roller-coaster ride!

 

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To explore the Great Wall at it’s restored and unrestored sections, send us an email at info@wildchina.com!

 

Tibet is located in the heart of the Himalayas, and is one of the world’s most hidden and valuable treasures.

Traveling to Tibet can take you back in time to the Guge Kingdom’s ancient civilization, give you the chance to hike up the remote, arduous, and scenic black peaks of sacred Mt. Kailash and amble along the towering, fortress-like crisp white walls of the Potala Palace.

Northern Yunnan is also home to many Tibetans–some of whom have made the spectacular panoramas of Abujee their home.

Khunu, a yak wool clothing company that sources its material from Tibet, was founded on the combination of an audacious spirit, the appreciation for far off cultures, and the desire to develop functional and fashionable products of the highest quality while facilitating direct and equitable market access for isolated Tibetan villages.

The word “Khunu” represents the name given to the first true Mongolian dynasty a thousand years prior to the rise of the legendary Ghengis Khan in the 13th century. Vast, majestic scenery populated by a hardy people who respect and live in harmony with their environment embodies what this brand is about.

For us at AsiaTravel, Tibet is a must-see for any adventurous spirit.

Here are few ways to venture off the beaten path and delve into the spirit of Tibet:

1) Guge Kingdom –

For the history-loving explorer with the desire to go above and beyond the typical itinerary, AsiaTravel recommends an expedition to the remarkable Lost Kingdom of Tibet. This is an opportunity to see unforgettable sights that are as far away from coastal eastern China as you can get.

Immerse yourself in the far western area’s mysticism and beauty to unearth the hidden sites and artifacts of Tibet’s ancient civilization.

Walk in the shade of the pyramid-shaped Tholing Monastery and breathe in the crisp fresh air in front of an uninterrupted view of the Himalayan border stretching between India, Tibet, and Nepal. Head past Lake Mansarovar to the Ruins of the Guge Kingdom for a historic site steeped in mystery.

2) Abujee –

 

Meaning “delight” and “wonder”, the name Abujee perfectly embodies the beautifully serene, uncluttered landscape of this mountainous Tibetan region of northwestern Yunnan.

Known to few, the picturesque scenery of Abujee offers snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and deep, clear lakes. An area sacred to the nomadic Yi and Naxi ethnic minorities in the area, travelers to this remote region are treated to a private experience away from the prying eyes and jostling crowds of coastal China.

Make your way past sacred temples, mountainous terrain, nomadic settlements, and above the tree line towards breathtaking views.

3) Mt. Kailash –

 

Situated in a far western corner of one of the most remote plateaus in Asia, Mt. Kailash (at a height of at 6,638 meters/21,778 feet) is a striking peak in the Himalayan mountains of western Tibet.

It has long been a sacred pilgrimage destination for no fewer than four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön.

The peak has a recognizable deep black tint and symmetrical diamond-like shape. With a surrounding landscape that is rugged and dry, Mt. Kailash overlaps the crystalline streams of several lakes, including the vast Lake Manasarovar.

Stop by isolated monasteries and take the time to savor the endless horizon and staggering snow-capped peaks. Camp out each night under the stars in the company of annual pious pilgrims who walk around the mountain for good fortune.

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Is your interest piqued? Send us an email at info@wildchina.com for more information on traveling to Tibet!

This past weekend, we sat down with journalist and photographer Jojje Olsson to talk about a bit of Beijing’s heritage.

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In 2007, Jojje Olsson came to China. He’d just won a university competition, and his prize covered the flight. He planned to study Chinese in Beijing for one semester. He ended up staying for good.

It was a coincidence, he says, and it was another coincidence that led him to the path he walks now. While looking for housing in 2010, he visited almost 30 potential residences around Beijing before finding an apartment in Langjia hutong. Before, he hadn’t know much about hutongs (胡同) – Beijing’s traditional living quarters that date back to the 13^th century, comprised of narrow grey-bricked alleyways, slanting tile roofs, and square siheyuan courtyards – but after moving in, he became fascinated. “It has really, really cool surroundings, nice neighbors, nice environment… people living life in the street.”

He met Hou Lei, a Beijing native, back in 2007, and they have been close friends ever since. Hou Lei lived in a hutong when he was young, but his family was eventually forced to move out. Their hutong home was destroyed.

Curious, Jojje wanted to learn more. His research found surprisingly few accurate sources on the historical landmarks, but what he did uncover is nothing short of horrifying.

Of the 7000-8000 hutongs that originally existed in Beijing, about 90% have been destroyed. Even as late as the 1980’s, the winding lanes filled the city, but now, they only exist within the 2^nd Ring Road.

There, in the heart of Beijing, is where the land is worth the most. In a cruel twist of irony, it’s also where the residents are the poorest.

Many take advantage of that, razing the hutongs to build towering residential complexes and expensive restaurants. Those who are forced out are compensated very little – not nearly enough to find housing within the city. Instead, the families who have lived together for generations are scattered, typically outside the fifth or sixth ring roads, or out of Beijing altogether.

China’s tourism boom in recent years have also impacted the hutongs.

Before the 2008 Olympics, the city accelerated the destruction of hutongs to make room for the necessary sports venues and other infrastructure. Even today, there are plans to tear down the hutongs around the Drum Tower to make a large square capable of accommodating a larger tourist flow. Some of the hutongs being demolished are considered protected areas, and yet the violation fines are low and the regulations are not strictly enforced. Alternatively, the hutongs themselves are being turned into attractions, like Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷). In these case, the structures are preserved; authenticity is not.

This is yet another complication: most hutongs lack modern amenities such as central heating, fast internet, and toilets. Truly authentic hutongs are not ideal living spaces by today’s standards. Jojje knows Beijing residents who consider the alleyways “slums” not worth protecting, and though surveys show that a significant majority of hutong residents wish to continue living there, most of the youth would rather move elsewhere. They don’t have the emotional attachments that the elderly do – the last generation who truly knows what it was like before.

After all, the hutongs are so much more than buildings; they’re communities, and they represent a community-based lifestyle that has existed for centuries.

“It’s more about the social fabric,” Jojje emphasizes again and again, “Neighbors who know each other, playing mah-jongg on the streets. It’s about the people and it’s about the atmosphere.”

And yet, if the buildings are destroyed, that culture, the atmosphere, and the people must go, as well.

 

Jojje and Hou know that there is no simple solution to this conundrum, but they do have a plan. They want to extensively document the remaining hutongs – selecting 8 to focus on – in photos and interviews, in a book, along with maps, histories, and other facts, to remedy the lack of information out there. They call their project “The last hutongs of Beijing,” and have set up a page on indiegogo for funding.  If they reach their goal of $3,000 by 11:59 PT on June 21^st, they will also create a website about the hutongs, including updates on each street’s demolition/reconstruction status – they’re being destroyed so rapidly that it’s hard to keep track.

 

That’s the goal, in the end, “to try to get people… not necessarily engaged in protecting the hutongs” – efforts to do so are scarce; perhaps that’s too much to ask for – “but enlightened.” Awareness is the first step, and hopefully dialogue will follow.

Jojje ­­recalls a relatable situation from his homeland, Sweden; many of the city’s old quarters were razed in the 1950’s during an extensive urban renewal project. “Back then, no one saw the value in protecting the old buildings, but then in the 80’s and 90’s, people were having big regrets, like why did we destroy our city? So I think it would be good if Beijing can learn a lesson from that.”

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If you would like to learn more or donate to “The last hutongs of Beijing,” visit their webpage here. Their fundraising campaign ends on June 21st!

For more literature on the destruction of the hutongs, Jojje recommends The Last Days of Old Beijing by Michael Meyer.

Interested in seeing the hutongs for yourself? Send us an email at info@wildchina.com!

All photos credited to Jojje Olsson.

What is more important – national security, or people’s right to be informed?

The screenplay, “Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers”, further explores the themes of freedom of press, government secrets, and the role of the judiciary with its inside look at the Washington Post’s decision to publish a study labeled “top secret” that documents the history of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The following epic legal battle contended the public’s right to know against the government’s need for secrecy, eventually going on to arguably become one of the most important cases in Supreme Court history.

We had the chance to talk with Alison Friedman, founder of Ping Pong Productions, a company fashioned around the mission of promoting cultural diplomacy through the performing arts. As a longtime resident of Beijing, Alison has witnessed first-hand the changes in the Chinese mindset regarding censorship, especially amongst the younger generations.

According to Alison, the main reason the screenplay returned to the Middle Kingdom was because although there were some difficulties the first time around, the show was overall a huge success, receiving positive, but more importantly, engaged reactions.

 

When “Top Secret” came to China a little less than two years ago, they were playing mostly to student audiences in small venue. This time around, with more financial support, especially from the U.S. Embassy, the cast was able to perform in grand theaters in every city they visited, the highlight obviously being the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, the most prestigious venue of its kind in China. Quick fun fact: LA Theater Works is the first American theater company to perform at the NCPA!

Another major difference is the audience – this time around, their viewers are much more mainstream, not simply theatre or journalism-focused spectators. In terms of the reactions that the screen play has received, there has been just as much enthusiasm because the issues discussed are both timeless and universal.

 “[It] is in essence, not simply about the story behind the publishing of the Pentagon Papers… but rather revealing the multi-facets of this complicated subject, forcing its viewers, Chinese and American alike, to raise questions about censorship and the public’s right to know.”

What interested Alison was the demographic of Chinese audiences compared to that of their American counterparts. The show’s popularity amongst younger audiences in China reflects the country’s vibrant theater-attending community, which avidly frequents both domestic and international performances. This highly contrasts the much older demographic (50+) of American audiences, most of whom attended the screenplay because they had lived through this period of U.S. history.

 

The organized interaction between the cast and the audience included coordinated discussions in every city, a master class in Suzhou, and a variety of theater workshops in Chongqing. What impressed Alison the most was the level of sophistication and the amount of nuance that the discussions reached. Rather than asking Margaret Colin about her favorite scene in the the popular drama, “Gossip Girl”, the participants were genuinely interested in the substance of the play, often asking the cast about their personal opinions regarding the characters they were playing.

“Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers” is in essence, not simply about the story behind the publishing of the Pentagon Papers or being “pro-” one thing, or “anti-” another, but rather, revealing the multi-facets of this complicated subject, forcing its viewers, Chinese and American alike, to raise questions about censorship and the public’s right to know, both in terms of current and future issues.

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First and last photos by Matt Petit, third photo by John Vickery, second and fourth photos by Darren Richardson