Category: Uncategorized

Experiencing the authentic culture of the China’s ethnic minority groups is a trip highlight while in the Guizhou countryside. If you plan to visit during the Miao Festivals, you are in for a real treat; a trip around mid-November will land you in the middle of the celebrations. During this time, you will see women in black tunics patterned with bright reds and blues and shimmering silver headdresses rested atop their brows. They will laugh, smile, and dance, and even offer you a sip of their powerful rice wine.

 

The Miao New Year is celebrated from November 3^rd to the 7^th. At this time of the year, the whole village is gathered as one big family, visiting each other and joining feasts of tofu, pork sausages, and wine. Also, its common that young couples get married around this time of the year. These unions are celebrated with 9 days of singing and dancing. Compared to the New Year’s Eve celebration at Time Square, the Miao New Year is less crowded but the enthusiasm and cheering is none less than the New Yorkers’ countdown.

At the end of November another grand celebration takes place in Guizhou, the Grand Dong Minority Singing Festival in Congjiang. Dong minority resides in this remote yet diverse area along with other hidden minorities. Kam Grand Choirs from the Dong minority is very intriguing; its said that for years they passed down their culture without a written language, using singing to communicate. The Dong locals consider singing as a daily routine such as dining, and they cherish it as a passage of knowledge.

 

If you’ve already seen China’s cities or are simply looking for a trip that is on the road less traveled, Guizhou is the perfect answer. AsiaTravel’s rustic journey through Guizhou and Guangxi, recognized as one of National Geographic Traveler’s “Tours of a Lifetime,” will make you feel like you strolled into an old Chinese watercolor. This active trip keeps you moving with dancing and singing while you enjoy the hospitality of various cultures that simply can’t be depicted in documentaries. When your trip is over, you won’t feel like you are exiting a foreign museum, but as if you are leaving a foreign world.

Have we caught your interest? Schedule your next China journey around one of Guizhou’s festivals:

• The Dong Choral Festival, a time of song and celebration, will take place at the end of November.
• The beginning of May is when to visit to experience the The Sister’s Festival matchmaking ceremonies.
• The Lusheng Festival, with performances of the traditional bamboo pipe instrument, is in mid-November.
• The celebration of the Miao New Year happens in early November.

 

Come celebrate!

 

Editor: Kayla Paramore

 

We knew that this week’s APEC conference would bring leaders from the world over to Beijing to discuss important policy issues, but we didn’t expect an announcement that would directly affect AsiaTravel!

Last night, just before the official start of APEC, President Obama announced a reciprocal agreement with China to grant 10 year travel and business visas.

Others had made the connection that this was big news for AsiaTravel – and for our outbound travel department, Beshan – and sure enough, at 7am this morning, our CEO and founder, Mei Zhang received a call from NPR’s Morning Edition asking for her take on the new policy.

 

These new visas, effective tomorrow, mean that Chinese travelers will have an easier time visiting the US. They also mean that, for our US clients, after you come and fall in love with China for the first time, you’ll be able to return time and again to explore all the layers of this fascinating country – all without the hassle of reapplying for a new visa.

Those in the US tuning into NPR on your way to work, listen in for Mei at 6am Eastern Time. And if you miss it, just head on over to the Morning Edition site for the segment.

 

 

Last week, AsiaTravel staff member, Annika traveled to Guizhou for the first time. She writes here about what she discovered there.

The one overarching thought that remained with me throughout our Leisure team survey trip in Guizhou was how unexpectedly similar different parts of the world are.

Despite being familiar with our products in the area, I wasn’t sure what awaited me before embarking on our 5-day trip. The destination was rather unknown and the method of travel – private guide and driver – was one I had never experienced before.

And so, in the early hours of a January morning, I embarked on a journey into the unknown.

An unknown that turned out to be remarkably familiar.

A land where one can hike for hours through agrarian landscapes in complete silence and not encounter a soul.

A remote land where docile animals freely roam the countryside and vegetables are left hanging on the sides of houses to dry.

A place where people are connected to the meat they consume instead of first encountering it in sterile packaging.

A place where people preserve their own language and way of life.

 

I had been in such a place before, several years previously. Only this was the Faroe Islands, not Guizhou. Despite being worlds apart, the similarities struck me. In the areas surrounding the remote minority villages of Guizhou, goats and cows wander through the calm, bucolic landscapes. Inside the villages, villagers hang corn and radishes outside their houses to dry and eat locally-grown food and meat. In the Faroe Islands, I encountered countless sheep, Icelandic horses, cows, and geese in areas bereft of people. Locals hang whale meat from their roofs to dry and dry whole sheep in sheds. We drove through mountain tunnel after mountain tunnel in Guizhou. The first time I arrived in the Faroe Islands, sheep were sheltering from the rain in the numerous mountain tunnels.

The differences can be said to be equally striking. The gap in development between the two is, of course, huge, as is the difference in culture and language. Guizhou is populated by several minority groups (we encountered the Miao and Dong minorities), all with their own traditional clothing, ways of life, and language. The foliage and landscape are different. The bowls of blood being sold in the local market root you firmly in China and yet the giant pig’s head leads you to recall how they eat sheep’s head in the Faroe Islands.

The unexpected similarities and differences are what the discovery of travel is all about.

Traveling with a local guide allowed us a level of access and understanding we would not have gained traveling independently. Without a guide in Guizhou, I would never have been welcomed to share a meal (and copious amounts of homemade rice wine) in a Miao villager’s home.

 

This was Guizhou. Where I made an unexpected discovery.

Even for the seasoned China traveler, the ancient Silk Road regions are a place of mystery and surprise. Past civilizations and modern countries have left layer upon layer of cultural influences in this crossroads of global trade. It’s a world that’s hard to define and hard to place.

It’s also a region gone dormant in the outside world’s eyes, that is until recent years. Since being in office, President Xi Jingping has taken a special interest in the area as a corridor for future development. And it’s recently been chosen by China’s National Tourism Board as a highlight travel destination for 2015.

A few years back, I visited Xinjiang – one of the main provinces along the Silk Road – and it was the kind of experience that shows you that you don’t know as much about the world as you think.

We flew into Urumqi, and found a city that was partly China, but mixed with elements of a distinctly different world. Parts of the city could have been transplanted straight out of any other big Chinese city, with large multi-story, nondescript apartments and office buildings. Even tiles on the sidewalks were the same as ones you find in Beijing.

But interwoven into the city are signs of central Asian and Islamic influences. From mosques in city squares to alcoves of Uyghur communities, culture, and halal restaurants.

Urumqi is China’s western frontier, from here on out west, nothing feels like China anymore. The next stop on my trip was Turpan, an important point on the ancient Silk Road.

Turpan is a great place to try Xinjiang’s famous melons and grapes. If you go to Xinjiang, you’ll hear a lot about their fruit. I wrote all this talk off until I actually tasted some. How could fruit taste this much better than any other fruit I’d had in my whole life?

Another place to visit while in Turpan is the karez irrigation system. The karez is a fascinating feat of ancient engineering that turned the desert into arable farmland. It was a system of vertical wells, linked by miles of underground tunnels. These tunnels tapped into the groundwater supply and drained it into the valley.

We went from Turpan on to Kashgar.

I was lucky enough to have visited the Old Town before most of it was destroyed. Still a third of it remains standing now and it is well worth seeing. The Old Town is an intricate network of streets, homes and lives that have been built up over centuries. Walking around and talking with the local families, you could be conversing with someone who’s ancestors once traded China’s porcelain or spices to merchants from far away Europe.

Kashgar is also the place to check out the local bazaar. Though the largest bazaar in the world is in Urumqi, Kashgar’s outdoor bazaar is a truly unique cultural experience.

Of course I also did what one must do in the desert and rode some camels! It was a fun, but slightly scary experience. You don’t realize just how tall a camel is until you’re riding high up on one along the desert sands.

My final stop in Xinjiang was even further west.

We drove for hours up a winding mountain highway towards the Pakistani border. The scenery along the drive was stunning. I’d grown up hiking in the Colorado Rockies, but this was like nothing I’d ever seen. When we arrived at our destination, Karakul Lake, it was hard to know what to do with myself. I was effectively stunned by the chill, by a palette of colors I’d never witnessed before and by the intense quietness of the whole area. It was an incredible end to a journey to China’s west.

Let AsiaTravel prepare a journey that will spark your imagination. Contact us at info@wildchina.com or check out our Silk Road journey.

This week, we’re introducing China to a group of travel professionals from Brazil. It’s the very first time to the Middle Kingdom for most of the group so we’ll be showing them the highlights of this fascinating country, the AsiaTravel way.

Their first three days were spent exploring Beijing. Take a look at all they’ve discovered around the city and check back soon for photos from their next stops:  Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai.

 Here is the whole group, ready for a day of exploring Beijing with their AsiaTravel guide.

 

Special transport for our special guests!

 

Standing in Tiananmen Square, with the Forbidden City behind.

 

Exploring and discussing the Forbidden City – now an official museum, but once closed to the public for nearly half a millennia.

 

Learning about the intricate details of a Chinese tea ceremony.

 

First time to China. First time on the Great Wall!

 

The iconic Long Corridor at the Summer Palace.

 

Just in time for cherry blossoms that have just bloomed all over the city! These were along the Kunming lake inside the Summer Palace.

 

 The travel companions enjoying a surprise afternoon tea at the Aman Summer Palace.

As you can tell, this group is simply delightful and we are having a wonderful time running around China with them. Check back soon for updates from their trip!

 Want to go on your own adventure in China’s capital? Take a look at one of our Beijing itineraries or contact a AsiaTravel travel designer.

Updated: March 26, 2019

A trip to Sichuan is not complete without seeing China’s cuddly national icon, the giant panda. There are three main options for panda viewing in Chengdu, each with its unique draws. Read on and find out which panda reserve is the best choice for your trip.

Pandas relaxing at the Chengdu Panda Base. Photo by Jessica Clifton.

RELATED READING: The 4 Most Romantic Places in China

Wherever you decide to go, remember that the best time to visit pandas is in the morning – before 9am if you can manage it. This is when pandas are most active and playful.

A quick comparison of Chengdu’s panda centers

 

1. Chengdu Panda Base

Just minutes from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Panda Base attracts thousands of visitors every year. This is the best option if you only have an afternoon to spare for your panda visit.

The base began with 6 giant pandas rescued from the wild and after years of successful breeding programs, they now have more than 150 pandas. Visitors will find large, outdoor enclosures which make the center feel a bit less like a zoo. Admittedly, the pandas near the entrance seem a little gloomy under the constant gaze of large groups of tourists, but walk further into the park away from the crowds and you will find contented looking pandas enjoying in their favorite pastimes: sleeping, eating, and occasionally exerting some energy to cheekily push their brother or sister off the branch of a tree.

A rainy afternoon at the Chengdu Panda Base. Photo by M. Perdix

RELATED READING: What to Do in Chengdu: Pandas, Hot Pot, and Lazy Days in the Park

The animals here are well looked after, and once you have taken more than enough pictures of giant pandas doing cute things, you can also visit some of the other endangered animals that the base cares for including red pandas, golden monkeys, and many species of birds. The center promotes the importance of educational tourism, so as you wander around the base and enjoy the on-site museum, you will learn hundreds of interesting panda facts to amuse your with friends when you get home. You can even taste the special, high-protein cakes that the pandas are fed each day.

2. Bifengxia Giant Panda Base 

The Bifengxia Giant Panda Base opened in 2003 and is a two-hour drive outside of Chengdu. You will need to leave a whole day free to make this trip, but it is one of the best places in the world to see this beautiful animal. What awaits you at Bifengxia is a reserve of natural forest coverage and beautiful waterfalls. The pandas are relaxed and happy – getting to chew on bamboo, undisturbed and safe in their own habitat.

A giant panda at the Bifengxia Base. Photo by M. Jong-Lantink

Many of the Wolong Reserve pandas were relocated here after the 2008 earthquake, so Bifengxia now has the largest collection of giant pandas in the world. This site’s main focus is on research. As such, there is much more going on behind the scenes at this base to learn about and care for the pandas. If you enjoy hiking and want to find out more about efforts to reintroduce pandas into the wild then this is panda reserve is an excellent choice. There is also an adorable panda kindergarten where visitors can spend hours enjoying the young panda’s mischievous antics.

Map of Chengdu’s Panda Centers:

3. Dujiangyan Panda Center

Dujiangyan is the newest panda center in the area and is located about 1.5 hours outside of Chengdu city at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain. The base is smaller than the other two, but its natural environment is similar to the Bifengxia reserve, making it a great location to see giant pandas enjoying their day. The site is closer to Chengdu city than Bifengxia too, so it is a good alternative if you are on a tighter schedule.

Dujiangyan has restarted its volunteer program and visitors over the age of six can now pay to become a Panda Keeper for the day. Participants get to prepare food for the pandas, help clean out their cages, and learn more about these furry friends up close.

Panda snacks at Dujiangyan. Photo by L.W. Yang.

RELATED READING: Why Are China’s Giant Pandas So Lazy?

If becoming a panda keeper isn’t enough reason to visit, Dujiangyan is now the home to some movie stars too. Fans of Kung Fu Panda may get the chance to see the panda behind the animated hero.

This reserve is only a leisurely bicycle ride away from the brand new Six Senses Resort and Spa. You could spend your days feeding the pandas and then relax in the evenings with a lovely massage in the spa. Qingcheng Mountain is a beautiful place to do some hiking and the small ancient town of Jiezi is close by. It might be worth spending a couple of days exploring the area and enjoying some time away from the city.

Whichever base you choose to visit, the best tip is to make sure your camera has a fully charged battery. Even people who think they have no interest at all in giant pandas will have changed their minds once they have seen this cheeky creature up close. Also, remember that the main objective of these reserves is to protect these beautiful creatures from extinction. Getting the chance to see a giant panda looking happy and relaxed in its natural environment really is an honor and a memory you will treasure.

A panda turns to go. Photo by M. Jong-Lantink

RELATED READING: China’s Hidden Gems for Rest and Relaxation

Last Updated: March 26, 2019

A journey to Tibet, one of the most remote regions in the world, can be an incredible experience, but you have to be ready to counter the unique atmospheric conditions that characterize the Tibetan plateau. Tibet has an average elevation of 4500 meters, and if you don’t regularly live at high altitude, you altitude sickness could put a real damper on your trip. Here are some things to remember before and during your trip to make your high-altitude Tibet travels more comfortable.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air because the “air is thinner” at high altitude. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and weariness.

Who’s at risk?

Contrary to popular belief, risk is not affected by training or fitness. Children and adults are both equally susceptible to altitude sickness although travelers over the age of 50 are at slightly lower risk according to the CDC. Note that travelers with heart or lung problems should first consult with their doctor before traveling to Tibet.

5 tips for staying safe

1. Don’t be a hero, get medication

Acetazolamide is a particularly effective treatment for altitude sickness because it does not simply mask the symptoms, but accelerates the body’s acclimatization to high altitude, but it is difficult to obtain in China so we recommend that you visit your doctor in your home country before you travel. There are other medications such as dexamethasone and nifedipine available, but they are usually only recommended by doctors if the patient is allergic to sulfa, a primary ingredient in Acetazolamide. All-natural alternatives such as Ginkgo biloba and Rhodiola rosea do exist but research on their effectiveness is conflicting. For more information on high-altitude medications, visit the CDC or NHS websites.

2. Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills

Don’t do things to make altitude sickness worse. Alcohol and sleeping pills are prime culprits. These are both are respiratory depressants and can make it more difficult for your body to acclimatize. Furthermore, alcohol can dehydrate you and leave you even more vulnerable to the altitude. On that note…

3. Drink lots of water!

Getting dehydrated is probably the worst thing you can do when trying to adjust to a higher altitude, and Tibet’s dry climate makes that an even bigger possibility.  Don’t make altitude symptoms worse – drink up! (and we water!)

4. Don’t forget to eat

Even though altitude sickness can make you loose your appetite, it’s important to keep eating and get your body the energy it needs. Carbohydrates are especially important, as they are a more efficient source of energy than fats or protein and can improve blood oxygenation.

5. Take it easy

This is perhaps the most difficult piece of advice for visitors to follow as there is so much to see and do in Tibet, but on your first couple of days in town, relax. Give your body time to acclimate to its new altitude.

If you have any other questions on traveling to Tibet, contact a AsiaTravel travel designer, and we’ll be happy to help. To begin your journey, view our award-winning Tibet tour.

Over the weekend, The Opposite House played host to AsiaTravel’s inaugural Beshan Gāi bazaar, where artisans converged from around the country to showcase the finest of artisan China. In the lead-up to the event, we met with The Opposite House’s chief host, Area General Manager for Swire Hotels Peter Wynne, to talk art, food, Beijing and strangely…pearl diving.

Let’s start by talking about The Opposite House. What was the inspiration behind the architectural design? It is not your usual, run of the mill hotel.

It was built at a time, before the 2008 Olympics, when hotels were opening all the time and they all looked the same. The architecture was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his brief was to design something different, unlike any other hotel.

There are so many elements to The Opposite House. It’s a glass jewelry box that opens up into beautifully designed compartmental rooms. The spaces are engaging and intriguing, aesthetically pleasing but not cliché.

The decor is timeless and not too ‘modern’ that it will become obsolete in a few years. And there are also many Chinese elements that are very much part of the architectural design. I think the idea to use both wood and plexiglass for the medicine drawers was ingenious.

Opposite House Lobby. Photo credit: nicelymadeinchina.com

What is your favorite space in the hotel?

I like them all but I guess the swimming pool is one of my favorite spaces. Shards of light come down through the building to the pool. It’s actually part of the architectural scheme that sunlight lights up the swimming pool even though it’s in the basement. When you stand on the top floor and look down you can see all the way to the pool in the basement. You look down 8 or 9 stories and it’s a masterpiece – Not that I get the chance to go in there very often.

Swimming pool with natural light from above. Photo credit: nicelymadeinchina.com

Why do many high profile guests choose to stay at The Opposite House rather than the many other 5 star hotels in the area?

The hotel has its own personality and that personality comes from the people that live and breathe the hotel – from the staff in the restaurants to the people who greet you at front desk.

We’re very clear about our people philosophy – we always pick people for their particular personality and the things that make them tick rather than their qualifications and work experience. Personality shines through and gets into the wider market place and that’s what these kinds of celebrities really want.

We are also always striving to keep it current. We always have new ideas and propositions and try to make it fun. It’s got to be fun for the customers but also fun for someone who works here. You have to get up in the morning and look forward to coming to work – even if it is Monday!

The Opposite House is well known for going the extra mile and paying attention to the small details. Can you think of a particular example of this?

There are lots of little tricks. I think one good example is when you normally register at a hotel in China you have to fill in a registration form and then you have to hand your passport over to be scanned. It’s a long, laborious task. What we did in the early days was we had an iPad with a camera so the check in process was made so much easier.

Modern comfort of an TOH hotel room

There are other details too. Our mini bar is all complimentary. Why hotels would want to charge $5 for a coke is beyond me. The actual base cost of a can of coke is very low but the goodwill you get from it is almost priceless. The same with wifi. We have the highest possible speed, complimentary for guests because that’s what the modern traveler wants. Charging for slow internet is an easy way to annoy customers and ensure that they don’t come back.

Where do you source the art pieces that define The Opposite House?

Some of the permanent pieces have been here since we first opened. We worked with a number of art consultants who purchased art for the hotel. They did a great job because this was pre-2008 and they managed to find a number of pieces that have become synonymous with The Opposite House.

We also do a quarterly installation that can be found in the foyer and the criteria for these installations are very simple – they are all contemporary Chinese art. We are a contemporary hotel, in China so those are the only two limitations. We have been approached by overseas artists and galleries and although we will always entertain ideas, we wish to keep the space for the local art community.

We’ve done video art, sculpture, and installation art. We are not limited to any one gallery or curator. We work with a number of people who know the art scene very well (much better than we do). Our current installation is one of the edgier that we have featured.

TOH’s latest exhibit, with AsiaTravel Beshan Gāi as the backdrop

How do you think the art installations affect the stay of the guests?

I think it has really been part of our branding. People have grown up in past 8 years with The Opposite House knowing that every time they come back there will be something else to engage them. A whole new visual engagement to have and that’s our DNA.

It happened almost by accident actually. Where those installations are, in the original design are meant to be reflecting ponds. Waterproofing wasn’t great in 2007/2008 so they didn’t hold the water very well. Also, in a residential area where there are kids around they can be a liability – they didn’t work practically. So the idea was to level it out, put some art in its place and keep that revolving. People love it.

TOH’s latest art exhibit, from the Red Gate Gallery

Can you tell us what brought you to Beijing and what keeps you here?

I’ve lived in some pretty remote places. I ran Necker Island for Richard Branson for a couple of years, I’ve worked in the Maldives and in lots of remote, beautiful, idyllic places. These places are perfect for a spending a 2-week honeymoon but it becomes a little more challenging to live there.

In 2004 I got the opportunity to come to Beijing. At the time it seemed like the toughest decision in the world to leave this idyllic island and go to a big city like Beijing, but it was for a hotel that was going to be the host hotel for the Olympics so I couldn’t really say no.

I really enjoy the changes throughout the year in Beijing. You have seasonality here. The city is very creative too and that is something that resonates with the hotel. There has been big progress in art but also technology, fashion and design.

We have a great family life here too. We’ve got three boys and they’re busy, active and love being outside. Beijing is a great place to get that outdoor activity. Beijing is extremely modern, well provided and a great destination. We have a long way to go to get people to engage with the destination – not just the hotels here.

If you weren’t managing The Opposite House what would you be doing and where would you be?

Hmm… I‘ve got about 10 answers to this question.

I would probably be a marine biologist somewhere on a boat. I was a pearl diver in my younger days in Australia and I probably enjoyed that 12 months of pearl diving as much as any other time in my life.

Living on a boat and out to sea for literally months on end. What you experience is completely different to what you see in big cities like Beijing. I don’t get to dive often now but whenever I am near the sea I like to be in the water.

Ah, so that’s why the swimming pool is your favorite space in The Opposite House!

Yep I’m a water guy. I grew up sailing and surfing and later diving so that’s what I like to do. I started traveling when I was 21 with a hospitality degree under my belt and I haven’t really been back since.

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Discover Beijing on a private Beijing tour and check out the latest art exhibit at The Opposite House.

 

Discover the best of Dunhuang with our guide to this ancient Silk Road trading city. Here are our picks for must-see attractions, best things to eat, as well as some AsiaTravel flourishes to make your journey even more memorable.
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For monks, merchants, and artists traveling along the legendary Silk Road, the sight of the small and unimposing city of Dunhuang in northern Gansu, hailed a significant crossroads. For those traveling from the East, Dunhuang was their last rest-stop before venturing into the vast and inhospitable Taklaman desert. For those who had already made the treacherous journey, the city marked a return (for the time being) to safer paths. The traditions, temples and Buddhist art that these travelers left behind make Dunhuang one of China’s most culturally rich travel destinations. Here are our tips for getting the most out of your trip:

Must Visit Sites

The Mogao Grottoes

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987

The tens of thousands of paintings and carvings that fill these caves document hundreds of years of life along the Silk Road. You can trace the development of artistic style over the course of time as you move through the caves, and follow the changing forms of Buddhism practiced in the region. The Mogao Grottoes are home to some of the best preserved cave murals in China along with endless intricately detailed frescoes, sculptures and terracotta statues that date back as early as 400AD.

Why visit with AsiaTravel? Enjoy private access to caves normally closed to the public accompanied by AsiaTravel Expert Director Wang, the director of the Dunhuang Academy.

The Taklaman Desert and the Mingsha Dunes

Marco Polo made the trip so, so should you

Taklamakan translates literally as “Once you go in, you won’t come out!” and for the Silk Road traders, the path they took through the desert was one the most hazardous parts of their journey. Stand upon the 300m sand dunes that Polo dubbed as the ‘Rumbling sands’ and listen to them ‘roar’ as the wind blows.

Barter with one of the local camel herders for a ride to the Crescent Moon Lake, a small oasis amid the sand. Known to locals as the ‘First Lake under heaven’ the natural fresh water lake is believed the have existed for over 2,000 years.

Why travel with AsiaTravel? Watch the sun go down over Marco Polo’s ‘Rumbling sands’ with a glass of champagne in your hand as your AsiaTravel hosts prepare a delicious private BBQ dinner for you in the desert.

The Yumenguan pass (The Jade Gate)

The ancient gateway to Dunhuang

The Yumenguan Pass was located in the westernmost extension of the Great Wall. The wall was built as an ancient stronghold during the Han Dynasty to protect against Hun invasion but the gate came into its own as an important trading post. Every caravan, merchant, trader and their horses traveling to Dunhuang were required to pass through. Today only the small square fortress remains but remnants of the Great Wall can be spotted far into the distance.

Why travel with AsiaTravel? Learn more about the area with AsiaTravel Expert William Lindesay, author of “Alone on the Great Wall” and a leader in efforts to preserve the Great Wall.

Must Eat Food

Langzhou Lamian (Hand-pulled noodles)

The province’s most famous cuisine

You can slurp a bowl full at Dunhuang’s night market which serves them up alongside an engaging slice of local life. Get an insider’s look at Dunhuang culture and breathe in the thick aroma of barbecued lamb kebabs before picking up some local wares – many of which will be hand-made right in front of your eyes.

More time in Gansu?

• • Head south to the Danxia Landform in Zhangye where tectonic activity has created a unique, multi-colored topography
• • Get off the beaten track and visit the Horse’s hoof temple 马蹄寺. These Tibetan style hanging grottoes offer fewer murals than Mogao Caves but also fewer tourists.
• • Make your way down to the south of Gansu province, where you can spend a weekend at the luxury camping site, Norden Camps, for a taste of nomadic life on the plains.

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Join our August 2016 Silk Road Small Group Tour or venture off on your own tailor made tour of the Silk Road.