China Travel Blog

In 652 AD, Muslim traders and diplomats brought the religion of Islam to China. Today, China boasts a Muslim population of over 23 million and there are 35,000 mosques scattered throughout the vast country. Islamic influence can be found everywhere, from the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai to the wild western regions of Xinjiang.

Islamic architecture in China is as rich and varied as the country itself. In China’s desert region of Xinjiang, mosques are built in the more traditional Middle Eastern style, with towering domes and minarets. In China’s more populated east, however, mosques eschew domes in favor of a more traditional style of Chinese architecture. Symmetrically designed, eastern mosques more closely resemble buddhist Pagodas, in the hopes of blending in and winning acceptance from the native population.

From the Great Mosque in Xian through Urumqi and into remotest Xinjiang, this article will briefly introduce you to the style and varieties of Islamic architecture that await your discovery in China. On a AsiaTravel journey, you can customize your tour to swing by these fascinating relics of cultural fusion.

Xi’an – the Oldest Mosque

RELATED READING: 5 Best Dishes in Xi’an

Built during the Tang Dynasty in 742 AD, Xi’an’s Great Mosque is the oldest in China. Constructed in the Chinese style to blend in with existing places of worship, the Great Mosque is almost devoid of the traditional features of a Middle Eastern place of worship. It has no dome, nor traditional minarets, and, aside from some Arabic decorations, little to distinguish its faith of origin.

Today the Great Mosque remains a place of worship for Xi’an’s Chinese speaking Hui minority. Five times a day the Imam calls the local Muslim population to prayer and they travel from the far reaches of the city to gather on the mosque’s carpeted floors. Men and women are separated in accordance with Muslim tradition. 

On a WildChia tour to Xi’an, we’ll organize an exclusive audience with the Great Mosque’s Imam. You’ll be free to openly discuss and ask questions about this unique point in Xi’an’s cultural heritage. The Muslim Quarter in Xi’an will also be a highlight where you’ll discover fragrant food stalls and a lively minority culture that celebrates its Islamic heritage.

Already feeling tantalized by the idea of Muslim food? Check out our blog post about the Five Best Dishes in Xi’an. Learn more about our Xi’an tours and get started speaking with a travel designer today.

Urumqi – Where East and West Collide

Photo credit: Alexandra Boulton

Visit Xinjiang in Northwest China, and you’ll discover China’s largest Islamic population. The provincial capital, Urumqi, is the biggest city in the region and also the most Chinese in style. Many of the city’s mosques are built of wood and maintain the square, symmetrical structure of a pagoda. Others, like the Uighur Beytullah Mosque, are adorned with minarets and domes, not unlike those you would find further west in Saudi Arabia.

Your local AsiaTravel guide will show you around the city’s mosques, giving you insider information about their history and current uses. Today Urumqi is an important land and air travel hub. Before striking out along the Silk Road to Turpan or Kashgar, be sure to visit the legendary Tarim mummies in Urumqi Museum, perhaps jaunt out to the picturesque Heavenly Lake, and get your mutton fix at one of many Central Asian-style kebab vendors. Curious about the capital of Xinjiang? Learn more about the region in our blog post: 6 Things You Didn’t Know about Xinjiang. 

Turpan – The Tallest Minaret in China

Photo credit: Alexandra Boulton

RELATED READING: Turpan: 5 Things to Do in China’s Death Valley

Beside the Uighur mosque in Turpan, a township to the east of Urumqi, towers the Emin Minaret or Imin Ta. Standing at a dizzying 44 meters (144 feet) in height it is the tallest minaret in China. It was constructed in 1777, and although the emperor at the time didn’t live to see it completed, the Emin Minaret stands as a monument to cooperation between Han Chinese and the native Uyghur ethnic group.

The Emin Minaret is an eye-catching blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture. On a AsiaTravel tour of Turpan, we’ll arrange for you to travel by bicycle and get a real feel for the architecture, culture, and people. Get to know more about Turpan in our blog post.

Kashgar – The Largest Mosque in China

Photo credit: Alexandra Boulton

In the ancient city of Kashgar, you’ll find China’s biggest and busiest mosque. The Id Kah Mosque has room for as many as 20,000 worshippers. It was built in 1442 and has a long and storied history. During the Chinese civil war in the 1930s, for example, it was the site of two beheadings as various groups vied for power.

5 kilometers to the North East of Kashgar, you’ll find the Afāq Khoja Mausoleum, the holiest muslim site in Xinjiang. Built in 1640, the centerpiece of the mausoleum is a giant 17 meter doom bordered by four elaborately decorated minarets.

Photo credit: Alexandra Boulton

RELATED READING: 6 Things You Didn’t Know about Xinjiang

Around Kashgar’s vibrant streets, your AsiaTravel guide can lead you down alleyways and into private homes where you’ll be able to speak to locals directly. While there, witness the art of hand-pulled noodles and try making some for yourself. You’ll be surprised at the rich experiences that await just around the corner of these backroads. Get to know more about Kashgar in our Silk Road Tours: Our Insider’s Guide to the Top Destinations blog post. 

Learn more about Islamic architecture here: Mosques and Islamic Identities in China

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Many of China’s Islamic sites lie along the famous Silk Road, the ancient trading route that connected China to Europe. Explore this region and follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, as you discover some of the most storied and exotic sites in the country. Learn more about our Marco Polo’s Silk Road journey.

Inspired by the mythical land in James Hilton’s Lost Horizon, the city of Zhongdian officially renamed itself Shangri-La in 2001. And we agree that it’s a great name for this stunning region. Resting on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Shangri-La is famed for it’s unprecedented beauty and majesty.

Here at AsiaTravel we make sure your days are filled with authentic, luxury experiences and we don’t want your pleasure to end at your accommodation’s doorway. That’s why we work with the top hotels and resorts across the Middle Kingdom to ensure you’re bathed in the utmost splendor at every turn. 

We also understand that everyone has their own taste and style when it comes to lodgings and that’s why, in each destination we visit, we have a range of options for you to choose from. Let us introduce you to four of our preferred partners in Shangri-La.

Best Hotels in Shangri-La: Homely and Traditional

Songtsam Shangri-La Lodge

READ THE EXPERIENCE: My Perfect Day in Shangri-La

Neighboring the Songzanlin Monastery, the Songtsam Hotel brings you close to the Tibetan way of life. The décor is understated and traditional; helping you to connect with the surrounding village that the founder of the Songtsam Lodges grew up in. It’s evident that this property is close to the heart of the Songtsam brand through the small touches in every room and every stay.

This unpretentious yet deluxe accommodation won the Trip Advisor Travelers Choice award for 2017 and is set to stay at the top of our list for years to come. If you’d like to plan an itinerary similar to our Fabled Shangri-La journey, booking your tour and accommodation through AsiaTravel will make for a worry-free experience.

What not to miss:

Ride on horseback around the nearby mountains and valleys. The sense of freedom you’ll feel on the back of your mighty steed is ineffable.

Best Hotels in Shangri-La: Authentic Luxury

Songtsam Retreat

The sister lodging of the Songtsam Shangri-La, The Songtsam Retreat offers the perfect balance of authenticity and luxury. This boutique retreat is nestled in a local Tibetan village and is just a short journey from Diqing Airport. The hand-built hillside lodge is lovingly and thoughtfully merged with its surroundings.

RELATED READING: The Songtsam Lodges – Retreat into Fabled Shangri-La Valleys

With 75 rooms and a world-class spa, the 21 acres of this resort are enough to house a luxurious portion of this paradise on earth. Enjoy your pick of the Songtsam Lodges, on our AsiaTravel Songtsam Circuit. We work with not just one, but five of the reatreats to provide a unique sensory journey through the Shangri-La valleys.

What not to miss:

Get a Tibetan butter massage in the hotel spa. The health benefits of Tibetan butter are well known in the area and a Tibetan butter massage is said to help your blood circulation.

Best Hotels in Shangri-La: Hideaway Resort & Spa

Banyan Tree Ringha

This secluded spa and hideaway resort is a celebration of local customs. This resort is the perfect getaway for couples seeking an intimate and romantic haven in paradise.

Spa treatments are interwoven with local beliefs and hand carved river stones, from the nearby Kopan Monastery, are used in treatments. The Banyan Tree perfectly embodies the AsiaTravel philosophy: authentic flourishes embedded in modern luxury. This is why they’re one of our preferred partners in Shangri-La and we receive special rates when you book through us. Let the experts take this one.

What not to miss:

The “Wisdom Room” is a fully stocked library in the hotel. You’ll get to flick through Tibetan scriptures and try buttermilk tea and mountain walnuts served with organic honey.

Best Hotels in Shangri-La: Modern Magic

Hylandia by Shangri-La

A new addition to the Shangri-La brand, fittingly opened in the place of its inspiration. In the Hylandia, you will be welcomed to your room with a copy of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon. You’ll also be greeted with vistas of the magical and majestic landscapes described in the book.

RELATED READING: Venturing Off the Beaten Path in Tibet

Located in the new town but just a short walk from the Old Town, this hotel crafts a union between traditional and modern Tibetan lifestyles. Like the Hylandia, we believe in integrating local customs and modern experiences into a life-changing experiences. Let us do the heavy-lifting and find the hotels that best suit you.

What not to miss:

A Mushroom hunting trek where a local guide teaches you the difference between edible and inedible mushrooms. Afterwards the resort cooks your findings in a hotpot. 

Learn the history of Shangri-La from BBC.

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When you book a trip to Shangri-La with AsiaTravel, we make sure you’ll rest easy no matter where you stay. We take all the hassle out of booking your hotel and you’ll take advantage of our preferred partner rates. Get started planning your trip to Shangri-La by talking with one of our expert travel designers.

 

In the center of the breathtaking Tibetan Plateau sits Lhasa; a city blessed with all the mystery, spirituality and majesty of an ancient tale. Whether you traverse its resplendent landscape, reflect on ancient philosophies or spend your time seeking out a new favorite dish, Lhasa will provide you with a remarkable experience.

This post gives a sample of the rich offerings of Lhasa and is a great starting point to plan your own Tibetan Journey with our expert travel designers.

Lhasa Opens your Mind

Photo Taken by Director of Sales Jenny Zhao on her Recent Survey Trip of Tibet

Spirituality, religion and philosophy are interwoven into the very fabric of the city; both literally, in the prayer flags draped across temples and figuratively, in their deep roots in the local culture.

Find your spiritual path in Lhasa by joining pilgrims, present and past, on the Barkhor Street Pilgrimage route; stopping to engage in debate with nuns and philosophize with Buddhist monks. Arrive at the golden Jokhang Temple, revered as the most sacred place in Tibet, or find yourself at the infamous Potala Palace.

Taste Tibet in Lhasa

Photo taken by Mar Pages of Once in A Lifetime Journey on her recent trip with AsiaTravel to Tibet

Experience a sensory feast at one of Lhasa’s night markets. The largest, Tianhai Night Market will introduce you to some of the more adventurous local delicacies. Expect to find yak’s blood, the local staple food ‘Tsampa’ and filled ‘Momo.’

Barkhor Street also transforms from pilgrimage route to night market and is buzzing with activity until the early hours. This is the ideal spot to pick up trinkets and handicrafts to take home.

Both markets will offer you the chance to observe and engage with the Lhasa way of life. While you wander about, your AsiaTravel guide can help you communicate and barter with the locals.

Journey Back in Time in Lhasa

Photo Taken by Director of Sales Jenny Zhao on her Recent Survey Trip of Tibet

Lhasa is an ancient city so it’s fitting that it’s home to an abundance of Neolithic artifacts. On a AsiaTravel journey, you’ll visit the Tibet Museum just next to the Potala Palace and delve into the art, architecture, cultural and political history of the region.

You’ll learn about the ethnography of Tibet in the cultural exhibitions and try your hand at creating a traditional thangka painting.

Celebrate Lhasa’s Culture

Photo Taken by Director of Sales Jenny Zhao on her Recent Survey Trip of Tibet

As you weave your way through the night markets, you’ll be drawn in all directions by beautiful traditional clothing and the sounds of ethereal music coming from shops and stalls; don’t let your acquaintance with Tibetan music end here.

Add some more excitement to your journey with a visit to the Langma Opera Halls and take in a show of music, singing, poetry and dance once reserved for only the elite.

Or, if you’re more interested in learning about Tibet’s rural way of life, your AsiaTravel guide can arrange a visit to a local village home. Here you’ll be served sweets, snacks, butter tea, and barley wine. Your guide will introduce you to the Tibetan daily routine and teach you why Tibetan houses are roofed with yak dung.

Embark on an Adventure around Lhasa

Photo taken by Mar Pages of Once in A Lifetime Journey on her recent trip with AsiaTravel to Tibet

It’s virtually impossible to contemplate Tibet without mental images of majestic mountains and glaciers decorated with colorful prayer flags dancing in the wind. Lhasa is the perfect entry point to the Himalayas with some of it’s most popular as well as challenging trails choosing this elevated city as their base camp.

No matter your hiking experience, there’s a trail that will suit you, and if you prefer a slower pace there are many stationary vantage points for picturesque views.

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If this snapshot of Lhasa inspires the adventurer in you, take a deeper look and journey further into Tibet on our Soul of Tibet or our Escape to Lhasa journeys.

Travelers to China have probably noticed Xinjiang as the huge northwestern area on the country’s map. Yet despite its size, few know that much about it. The region is wrapped in a fascinating history and is home to a wealth of landscapes and diverse peoples.

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Officially known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Xinjiang boasts some of the country’s most stunning mountains and deserts. It’s one of the few places where you can glimpse what Marco Polo would have seen on his epic Silk Road travels and the region remains very ethnically diverse. Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uyghurs make up almost half the population.

We’ve rounded up some other things you might not know about Xinjiang.

There is a 2-hour Time Difference

While Urumqi, the provincial capital of Xinjiang may be 2,400 kilometers and two time zones west of Beijing, people (officially) live by Beijing time. This causes some problems when you want to be up during the day and asleep at night. To combat this issue, people in Xinjiang start work at 11am and eat lunch at 2pm, then return home at 7pm. Everything is done 2 hours later.

Han Chinese work on Beijing time, yet many Uyghurs across the region work on Xinjiang time.

Xinjiang TV stations adopt different time zones, using Beijing time for their Mandarin-speaking channels, and Xinjiang time for their Uyghur-language broadcasts.

If you travel with AsiaTravel, we’ll make sure you’re on time to every appointment, whether it be dancing with a Uyghur family in a traditional home or eating a delicious Muslim feast you learned to cook with a local chef. We suggest that travelers to Xinjiang stick to Beijing time, as all transportation across the region use this.

Mao Zedong Designed the Jiang Character in Xinjiang (新疆)

It represents the landscape. The lines are mountains and the boxes are farmland. Xinjiang is home to a wealth of landscapes, from evergreen forests and central Asian steppe to snowcapped peaks and scorching deserts.

Mao was right to recognize the region’s awesome geographic features. These include K2, the world’s second-highest peak, as well as the Turpan Depression, which is one of the lowest and driest places on earth.

Despite the inhospitably arid climate around the Taklamakan Desert, rich vineyards and fruit orchards flourish at Turpan, home to China’s most famous melon and grape harvests. On a AsiaTravel journey you’ll get to join in on the action, helping to pick grapes and enjoying the fruits of your labor as you go.

Kuqa was Home to China’s Last Royal Family

Kuqa is a thriving Silk Road oasis on the northern edge of the Taklamakan desert, and it was also home to China’s last feudal king.

Dawud Mahsut became king at the age of 14, during the region’s anarchic 1940s. After the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, he was dethroned and eventually became a senior party official in the local area, having been converted to the communist cause.

Today, visitors to Kuqa can learn all about the fascinating king and his ancestors in his former home, the Qiuci Palace.

The Lakes are Full of Legends

Northern Xinjiang is an unspoiled mosaic of placid lakes, Siberian forests and rolling grasslands. Kanas Lake is the area’s stunning centerpiece, and is said to be home to China’s own Loch Ness Monster.

This lake monster is said to drag livestock into its watery lair, and its appearance every few years helps to keep conspiracy theorists excited, and visitors equally fascinated.

The lake also has a 2-kilometer-long natural dam made of dead trees. It’s uncertain why the trees didn’t float away after dying, yet locals offer a convenient solution: the trees don’t want to leave their beautiful lake.

The Food is Fantastic

Xinjiang’s cuisine is one of its most pleasant surprises. Lamb kebabs can be found on most street corners, and make a delicious snack when exploring the region’s bustling bazaars and night markets.

Hearty dishes like “big plate chicken”, a mountain of chicken chunks with potatoes, vegetables, are combined with baked bread that softens and melts in your mouth.

Echoing its Silk Road history, locals have put their own spin on China’s pulled noodles, as well as pilau rice, a popular central Asian dish. Xinjiang’s hearty and easily spoonable dishes are a delicious world away from other Chinese fare.

On a AsiaTravel journey, you’ll learn how to cook in the house of a real, local family.

It’s Been Featured in Famous Movies

Kashgar’s Old City is one of central Asia’s best examples of traditional Islamic architecture, and because of this “The Kite Runner” was filmed here. Kashgar was used to depict 1970s Kabul, since Afghanistan itself was too unsafe. Filmmakers remarked when it came to shooting the movie, all that needed changing were the street signs.

Northern Xinjiang’s “ghost city” near Karamay was also used in the filming of martial arts blockbuster “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” – the name comes from the sound of the wind whistling through the park’s rock formations.

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On our Marco Polo’s Silk Road tour you’ll relive one of history’s greatest journeys across Xinjiang. Through vast deserts and the ruins of lost cities, you’ll glimpse vanishing Kashgar, enjoy Uygur hospitality in Turpan, marvel at mummies in Urumqi, and find enlightenment in Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves. Let’s get started planning your Xinjiang adventure today.

The region around the city of Guilin, in Guangxi Province, is chock full of beautiful scenery, things to do, and rare treats to eat. In fact, the area is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and you might be hard-pressed to find a slice of authentic China.

That’s where we come in. On a Guilin tour with AsiaTravel, you’ll be whisked out of the city and away from the cookie cutter itinerary to take part in special, exclusive, and life-changing experiences.

What wonders await you on a Guilin tour like Guilin: Into the Scroll? Here are some of the highlights:

What to See Around Guilin

Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces

The mesmerizing manmade tiers of the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces undulate across the landscape a short way’s drive from Guilin. These classically Chinese terraces were built over 700 years ago and took about 400 years to complete.

On a AsiaTravel Guilin tour, you can witness the wisdom and ingenuity of the Zhuang minority people who’ve made these terraces home for centuries. We love to guide you at your own pace on a hike along the landscape and while you take in the luscious natural scenery, you’ll also get to know the ethnic minority people you meet along the way. 

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Family Visit in Xiaozhai Village

In the remote village of Xiaozhai, the Yao ethnic minority people maintain their traditional ways of life. The Yao are widely known for their brightly colored textiles and their musical traditions. You may watch as artisanal crafts are taught to the local children or witness groups of women singing and dancing together. Music is a key component of Yao religious ceremonies and storytelling, and you’ll witness this festive magic in the making.

With all the fun working up your appetite, AsiaTravel will arrange for you to visit a family’s home for an informal cooking demonstration and a lunch of typical Yao dishes.

The women of the village will also demonstrate their complicated “flower hair” hairstyles. Traditionally, Yao women only cut their hair once as teenagers and once after they marry.

Dong Ethnic Minority Village

Another rare encounter you can have on a AsiaTravel Guilin tour is with the Dong ethnic minority people. From traditional architecture to intricate jewelry and textiles, the villages of the Dong people are well worth a stop over.

In the center of each village, the Dong have built a drum tower using pillars and supporting beams made out of fir tree logs. Mythical beasts such as dragons and phoenixes have been carved atop the pillars to symbolize good luck for the local people.

Where to Stay Around Guilin

Li-An Lodge

Li-An lodge is perfectly situated to make the most out of your Guilin tour and is one of our preferred partners for Guangxi Province. Overlooking the magnificent Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, the lodge sits atop a mountain and borders a local ethnic minority village. Li’an lodge was built entirely of wood without using a single nail. The traditional Chinese technique of tongue and groove building was used to create this effect.

The lodge itself was created by Keren Su, a renowned photographer, painter and adventurous world traveler, who hoped to build a retreat where Chinese traditions meet modern luxury. Su built artistry into every detail of Li’an Lodge and nature returned the favor with the views. Year-round, the lodge witnesses the rice terraces change from verdant green, to snow-covered white, to shining yellow with the seasons.

What to Eat in Guilin

Guilin Rice Noodles

These noodles are beloved by locals and visitors alike. They are mild, fragrant, and inexpensive, coming round like spaghetti, or flat like ribbons. Accompanying the noodles are the delicious gravy, scallions, fried peanuts or soybeans, and finely sliced pieces of meat. Each chef has their own secret recipe, so the gravy will vary from shop to shop. Locals eat these noodles for any meal of the day. Throw a stone, and you’re likely to hit a rice noodle stand! On a AsiaTravel tour we’ll recommend our favorite rice noodle shop and can even arrange for you to hone your cooking skills in a private cooking lesson.

Beer Fish

If you like fish, but not the smell, this dish is for you. This fish is locally caught and then fried in tea seed oil and braised in beer. There are three factors that make this dish really special: first, the carp must be between 1-1.5kg, and have been recently caught in a pristine location; second, it must be cooked in water from the Li River; third, the fish must be cut without scraping any of the scales. Be warned: beer fish is spicy but the flavor is well worth the burn. It is also best enjoyed in the home of a local fisherman. AsiaTravel can arrange this intimate meal for you during your stay.

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When considering the scenic locations of China, a Guilin tour should be high on your list of options. The experiences we’ve mentioned above is just a sample of what you will discover. Customize our Essence of China tour to enjoy Guilin as part of a longer China journey or, if you are looking for a shorter trip, check out our Guilin: Into the Scroll tour.

The Chinese regard Yangshuo’s postcard-perfect scenery as “the finest under heaven” rivalling that of even the Great Wall or Terracotta Army – it’s even been emblazoned on the 20 RMB note.

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While Yangshuo’s spectacular scenery may be famous, and popular with tourists, the local area remains rich with old world charm. Visiting the region feels like stepping into an ancient Chinese ink painting, a canvas rich with dreamy hues, characterized by towering jade green mountains, sleepy villages and fishermen upon winding rivers. Put simply, this is the wild heart of China.

Here’s 7 things you should see and do in Yangshuo.

Biking and Hiking

Visitors can easily leave behind the bussed-in tourist crowds and get closer to Yangshuo’s villages on two wheels. Out in the rural areas cars are few and roads are smooth, so biking about guarantees a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Visitors can pedal between the sleepy villages near Liugong, as the Zhuang people, Yangshuo’s prominent ethnic minority, move to the peaceful rhythms of the countryside.

To hike up onto the back of Yangshuo’s karst peaks offers a unique perspective, as most only gaze in awe from below. At first these forested giants appear impossible to climb, but get closer and you’ll see ancient stone steps that lead to jaw dropping panoramas over mist-shrouded peaks and winding rivers.

When you travel with AsiaTravel, you’ll be led through the most off-the-beaten path trails as you bike or hike through the enchanting scenery on our Essence of China tour.

Chinese Cooking Class

Cuisine in this region of China balances the flavors of its two-world famous neighbors – Sichuan’s volcanic cuisine and the fresh tones of Guangdong. A popular local breakfast staple is rice noodles, which provide just enough kick for a long day of sightseeing.

In Daxu, a 2,000 year-old town famous for its ancient crafts, visitors can stop by a local’s home and learn the art of making soymilk with nothing more than a stone wheel.

Classic dishes taught in Yangshuo cooking classes feature chicken, pork and a variety of seasonal vegetables. One of our favorites is  jiandan jiao, a simple but mouth-watering dish of steaming dumplings fried in egg.

Aspiring foodies can give their taste buds something to remember in a traditional cooking class taught by local chefs, and using only local ingredients. While you may be taking a break from the outdoors, this zesty cuisine is guaranteed to keep things hot. This one-of-a-kind experience is one of the many cherished moments you can get while traveling with AsiaTravel.  

Li River Cruise

In this lush land of blue and emerald greens, one must-do activity is taking the world-famous cruise down the Li River.

Visitors here are spoiled for choice, as they can enjoy the river from deck of a luxurious cruiser, or take a bamboo raft guided by a local raftsman.

While the latter may be slower, it does allow you to slip into the lazy pace of local life. Either way, spellbinding karst mountain scenery awaits visitors on both sides of the river – it’s no surprise that Yangshuo is one of China’s top destinations for newlyweds.

Add a signature AsiaTravel touch and continue your cruise down to the untouched, bucolic countryside around remote Xingping. This is especially beautiful at dusk when locals can be seen fishing with the help of cormorant birds.

Traditional Chinese Medicine House

Another AsiaTravel treat is a visit to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) house that is normally only open to the local Yangshuo people. The house’s owner is a licensed TCM doctor who has mastered the treatment of illness using traditional Chinese medicine techniques. 

We’ll arrange a consultation that is normally off limits to visitors. The doctor will feel your pulse, observe your face, check the coats of the tongue and use other TCM strategies for diagnoses. After your consultation, the doctor will suggest Chinese medicines to you from his drawers full of herbs and roots. Your AsiaTravel Guide will be with you every step of the way so you can ask questions to the doctor.

Tai Chi and Kung Fu Classes 

Channeling the natural surroundings into elegant movements, taichi and kungfu are the perfect activities to accompany the landscapes of Yangshuo.

On a AsiaTravel journey, you’ll be expertly led through the movements of kungfu or taichi by masters from a local school. These classes take place right next to either the Li or Yuelong Rivers where you can breathe the fresh local air and appreciate the majesty of Yangshuo’s mountains and rivers.

Landscape Painting Classes

With all the inspiring scenery, rediscovering your artistic side is a breeze, thanks to landscape painting classes taught by local professional artists that AsiaTravel will arrange for you. Use traditional Chinese horse or rabbit hair brushes and mo, Chinese ink, to paint the surrounding mountains and rivers onto delicate rice paper.

Yangshuo’s unique geological forms inspired countless poets and artists, embodying an artistic principle of lǜshuǐ qīngshān, meaning “Green hills and blue waters”.

Local calligraphy masters help visitors learn all about China’s intricate and mysterious written language with an introductory class to painting Chinese characters. Even if your work isn’t a masterpiece, you’ll leave with a newfound respect for Chinese students all across the country.

Impressions Liusanjie

Humans and nature come together each evening with the mesmerizing “Impressions Liusanjie”, a choreographed masterpiece taken from Yangshuo folklore.  

Also known as “Liu’s Third Daughter”, the production features a six-hundred strong cast, and is directed by Zhang Yimou, the mastermind behind the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

It focuses on the fairytale of a simple peasant girl who used the power of music to defeat tyranny and discover true love. 

Rather than using an enclosed space, the performance takes place on the Li River. The misty karst peaks and the heavens form the world’s largest natural amphitheater, ensuring a unique experience according to the weather and season. Whatever the weather, its theme of man and nature living in harmony provide the perfect way to wrap up a day of marveling at China’s most dreamlike scenery. Don’t worry about booking your own VIP tickets. AsiaTravel will take care of all the details for you.

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Get to the heart of China of our Essence of China tour, a unique highlights edit for first-time visitors. From the poetic karst peaks of Yangshuo to the glass and steel towers of cosmopolitan Shanghai, you’ll marvel at the many faces of contemporary China on this multi-sensory adventure.

Want to make like Marco Polo and explore some of the Silk Road? To help you start planning your voyage along this ancient trade route, we’ve compiled a list of our top destinations.

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Despite its name, the Silk Road was in fact a network of countless roads, transporting different goods, ideas and people all across Asia. It’s no exaggeration that it helped lay the foundations for the modern world, by connecting China, Central Asia and Europe.

From its eastern terminus in the ancient Chinese capital of Chang’an – modern-day Xi’an – a mighty ribbon of routes coursed westward, through inhospitable desert, over snowbound mountain passes and vast central Asian steppe land, before reaching the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.

This is the route that Marco Polo took on his epic voyages across Eurasia, and now it’s your turn. Luckily it’s the 21st century and you don’t have to go it alone. On our Silk Road journeys, a local AsiaTravel guide will be with every step of the way, helping you connect with real people and experiences in an authentic and unforgettable way. Here’s how we help you make the most of your journey along this ancient trading route.

Silk Road Tours

Xi’an: Gateway to the Silk Road

This was where it all began, the capital of Chinese civilization for its first millennia. The city’s ancient walls and narrow streets hark back to a time when it was a hub of cultural, religious, and economic interaction between East and West.

The Muslim Quarter is at the heart of the city’s Chinese-Muslim fusion, and Middle Eastern aromas waft throughout its tightly knit alleyways. Must-tries include lamb kebabs, mutton and bread stew as well as rou jiamo – China’s answer to the hamburger. All of our AsiaTravel Xi’an guides grew up locally so they will know where is best to stop and what delectable dishes to try.

Source: Batiste Pannetier via Wikimedia Commons

At nighttime, the Muslim Quarter becomes a melting pot of exciting colors, sounds and sights. Visitors can put their bargaining skills to the test with local Hui Muslim merchants and then grab some sizzling local snacks.

After you’ve filled up on local cuisine, escape to an oasis of calm at the Grand Mosque, which sports a fascinating blend of Arab influences alongside Chinese characteristics. Time permitting, AsiaTravel will arrange for you to join in on the daily prayers of the local people and meet with the imam, the leader of the prayers.

If you want to be led by an experienced local guide on a trip that is customized to fit your needs, consider planning a Xi’an Warriors and Emperors tour.

Dunhuang: Blazing Beacon

Dunhuang is a prosperous oasis town on the edge of the Gobi Desert. Its name literally means ‘blazing beacon’ because it was once situated at a crossroads between Chinese civilization and the perilous, ungoverned lands that lay beyond.

One of the best ways to feel the essence of the Silk Road is by riding its main vehicle – the camel train – into the Gobi desert. On camelback, visitors can scale 300-meter sand dunes named the “rumbling sands”, and listen to them roar in the wind. Then watch the sun set over Crescent Moon Lake, a fresh water oasis thought to have existed for over 2,000 years.

 

Located just 25km from Dunhuang city, the countless frescoes, sculptures and terracotta statues that fill the Mogao Caves make up the world’s biggest collection of Buddhist art. What remains today is outstanding, and history lovers can trace the development of the Silk Road from 400AD as they move between the caves.

As always, when you travel with AsiaTravel you’ll do Dunhuang the VIP way. Enjoy private access to caves normally closed to the public accompanied by AsiaTravel Expert Director Wang, the director of the Dunhuang Academy. This experience is sure to sing to the archaeologist and adventurer in you.

Turpan: China’s Death Valley

Turpan is located in one of the driest places on earth, however, the city’s ideal position along the Silk Road turned it into a thriving desert outpost, and today it is peppered with fascinating historical relics.

The Flaming Mountains are a range of scorched peaks on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert. Here temperatures can climb to a blistering 160 degrees Farhenheit during summer time, giving the region the “death valley” title it is famous for.

Source: Colegota

In Turpan you can discover the Karez System, an ingenious method of irrigation that locals used to bring water and prosperity to this once-barren region. Through deep underground canals, the downward flow of groundwater into the Turpan depression could be harnessed, which was then used to create the city’s famed fruit orchards. It quite literally made the desert bloom and a lot of the system is still in use today.

This region is the heartland of the Uighurs, a 10-million-strong group of ethnically Turkic people, many of whom follow Islam, and continue to follow their unique cultural traditions.

If you travel with AsiaTravel, we’ll invite you into a local Uighur household where you can taste the region’s signature juicy grapes. That’ll be sure to quench your thirst after a long day out in China’s Death Valley. Get to know more about Turpan with our guide, Five Things to do in Turpan.

Kashgar: the Silk Road Lives On

Kashgar is China’s westernmost city, and with a look and feel so similar to central Asia that you may wonder if you’re in China at all. It was even used as a stand-in for Kabul during the filming of “The Kite Runner”.

Here visitors can get lost in the fast-disappearing Old Town, a maze of tight alleyways, chancing upon Uighur workshops and 500-year-old mud brick dwellings. 

Source: AsiaTravel

A riot of sounds and smells can be found at the Sunday Market, which sees hordes of traders descend upon the town, to haggle over seemingly anything with four legs – camels, donkeys, sheep, cows or horses.

Our expert, local guides are the perfect companion as you wander down these ancient alleyways. They’ll be able to introduce you to the local people, strike up spontaneous conversations, and barter for rare Xinjiang carpets.

Trade continues to thrive in Kashgar today, as it has in centuries past, and visiting here feels as if the Silk Road lives on.

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Feel the weight of history as you follow in the footsteps of that legendary European adventurer, exploring the multicultural mosaic of people and awe-inspiring landscapes along Marco Polo’s Silk Road tour.

Labeled as China’s very own Death Valley for its scorching heat and dry landscape, Turpan is actually very much alive with a vibrant ethnic minority culture, China’s equivalent to Mecca, and deserts that bloom.

Located in western China’s Xinjiang Province, Turpan lies around 150 meters below sea level and receives just 4 centimeters of rainfall each year – making it one of the lowest and driest places on the earth’s surface.

Despite this, the city’s ideal position on the ancient Silk Road made it a thriving outpost and melting pot of peoples from all across Asia. Islam has had a strong influence on the region and the ethnic minority Uighur people have inflected the land with their unique blend of Muslim and Chinese influences. This legacy has blessed Turpan with abundant historical relics.

We’ve picked out five attractions that every visitor to the region must see.

What to Do in Turpan

Emin Minaret

The cone-shape of Emin minaret, or Émǐn tǎ in Mandarin, makes a striking addition to Turpan’s skyline. First built in 1777 during the time of the Qing Dynasty, the minaret was created in honor of Emin Khoja, who with the help of Qing forces wrestled back Turpan from the Dzungar Mongols.

Source: Ian Burt

While he never lived to see it complete, it stands today as a (rare) 44-meter monument to cooperation between Han Chinese and the native Uyghur ethnic group. Emin Minaret continues to attract scores of visitors and worshippers each day, with an eye-catching blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture.

Being on the outskirts of the city, it is a short 3km trip by taxi, by bike or on foot. While traveling with AsiaTravel, we can help you to organize a two-wheeler so you can get a real feel for the architecture, culture, and people of Turpan.

Jiaohe Ruins

Also known as Jiāohé gùchéng, these ruins are undoubtedly one of the world’s oldest and best-preserved ancient cities, and now an important UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Source: Colegota

This lost city has witnessed the ebb and flow of different empires and religions, and at one point housed some 7,000 people. Yet when Genghis Khan and his Mongol army reduced the city to rubble sometime after 1209, it was quickly abandoned.

The ruins are home to a “Stupa Grove” of 100 or so Buddhist pagodas, offering a reminder of Buddhism’s earlier influence in Xinjiang. Starkly beautiful, the ruins have a haunting quality, with all life drawn from them by the ravages of time and the scouring winds of central Asia.

Toyuq Village

Set in a lush valley that cuts a green path through the bone-dry peaks of the flaming mountains, Toyuq, or Tǔ yù gōu, is a key site of pilgrimage for Xinjiang’s Uyghurs. Nearby tombs contain the remains of – reputedly – the first Uyghur to convert to Islam. Seven trips here are said to equal one trip to Mecca.

Source: Allen Grey

A sandblasted mosque, simple sandstone houses and cave dwellings possess a timeless quality, and the village’s very hospitable locals ensure ample opportunities to immerse yourself in authentic Uighur culture.

If you travel with AsiaTravel, you’ll even have the opportunity to lodge in a local Uighur household. Be sure to sample the village’s famous grape harvest where a bumper crop of succulent grapes will quench your thirst after a long day in the sun.

Flaming Mountains

The Flaming Mountains are a range of bright red sandstone peaks known by locals as huǒyàn shān. True to form, the peaks can reach temperatures of 70 degrees Celsius during summer time, making it one of the hottest places on earth and living up to the “death valley” title the region is famous for.

Source: Colegota

With heavily scarred slopes, the mountains give off the look of dancing flames. They were thrust into popular imagination by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, in which the monkey king uses a magic fan to extinguish a fire upon the mountains and safely continue his voyage westwards.

China’s largest thermometer presses home how brutal the heat can be here – the soles of your shoes may soften, and you can even try frying an egg in the scorching sands.

Karez System

The Karez system, or Kǎn’erjǐng, is an ingenious underground irrigation system that brought water and prosperity to this parched region. It quite literally made the desert bloom.

By harnessing the flow of groundwater from the nearby Tianshan Mountains into the Turpan depression, water could be gravity-fed through a network of deep canals. Once stored in underground reservoirs it could then be distributed to locals, ensuring a year-round supply for agricultural settlements.

It’s regarded as one of the three great projects of ancient China, alongside the Great Wall and Grand Canal. Testament to their ingenuity, many of the canals are still in use to this day, and the local museum lets you explore this fascinating feat of engineering that made Turpan what it is today.

Regardless of its moniker, Turpan continues to live on, with a multicultural mosaic of people and awe-inspiring landscapes that await your arrival.

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Interested in the many sights of China’s Death Valley, Turpan? Take your curiosity a step further on our Marco Polo’s Silk Road tour where you’ll be able to eat a home-cooked meal with an Uighur family and travel through the desert on camelback.

Europe may have been the birthplace of Surrealism but China boasts more fantastical landscapes than the likes of surreal artist Salvador Dali could shake a paintbrush at.

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A gravity-defying landscape that inspired the creation of an alien world, glistening rice terraces that form a stairway to heaven or a place that appears as if it’s been lifted straight from the canvas. Welcome to China, a country home to scenery that will push the limits of your imagination.

Zhangjiajie

Blue skinned aliens, living in harmony with nature among floating mist-wreathed pillars of rock – this is (reputedly) what the director of blockbuster movie Avatar imagined when he first saw Zhangjiajie in central China’s Hunan Province.

Daybreak offers the most wondrous scenes, as morning mists play about the park’s 3,000 sandstone pillars, giving them a gravity-defying appeal.

Hiking through canyons brings visitors close to the park’s macaques, deer and leopards. Rafting and exploring its many caves gives visitors a sense of just how wonderfully unique this place really is.

No stranger to superlatives, Zhangjiajie hosts the highest outdoor elevator in the world, alongside the world’s highest and longest glass bridge, strung a whopping 360 meters over a gorge.

Easily enjoyed in two days, consider China’s Avatar Mountains for an otherworldly weekend adventure.

Danxia, Gansu

The unique pork-stripe ridges of Danxia in northwest China’s Gansu are guaranteed to mesmerize, cooked to perfection under the cloudless skies of Gansu province.

Made from layers of sandstone that once lay upon an ocean floor, several million years of geological upheaval and exposure to Gansu’s arid climate have carved out what the Guardian calls “China’s rainbow mountains”.

Source: via Wikimedia Commons

Visiting during summertime is recommended, as the geo-park’s rich hues stand out against yellow fields of rapeseed, green mountains and blue skies.

A visit before sunrise or sunset sees the peaks burst into flame, a dazzling kaleidoscope of color, texture and tone.

Contact us about arranging a trip to China’s rainbow mountains.

Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan

We’re not blaming you if you mistake Jiuzhaigou for the European Alps or American Rockies – the likeness is uncanny.

Here you can find rushing falls emptying into crystal-clear turquoise lakes, backed by hillsides coated in tall, proud evergreens and framed by snowcapped peaks. Jiuzhaigou offers untouched, natural China at its very best.

 

Unsurprisingly, these hills and mountains are home to China’s richest spread of flora and fauna, from snub-nosed monkeys to the recently reintroduced giant panda, making this a relative Garden of Eden for David Attenborough types.

During autumn, the park’s evergreen trees burn bright orange in their last dance to the summer sun. Hiking trails, horse treks and camping offer ample opportunities to enjoy the season’s greatest spectacle.

Now that the Ritz Carlton hotel chain has opened up a new location in the park, China’s answer to the Alps can be enjoyed in luxury. Join us on our Sichuan’s Natural Wonders tour.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Yunnan

Situated in remote southwest China, Yuanyang may be off the beaten path, but it should be on everybody’s itinerary. Here’s why.

During winter, the region’s thousands of rice paddies fill up with water, creating awe-inspiring reflections; resembling a shimmering stairway to heaven.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

This spellbinding landscape can be explored easily on foot, where wallowing water buffalo and rice farmers still go about business in time-forgotten fashion.

Visitors can stay the night in a local minority village, before getting up to see the sunrise and mists dance over this unmistakably Chinese vista.

What’s more, Yunnan Province is now better-connected to the rest of China, thanks to a new high-speed rail link from Shanghai, which has reduced journeys to just ten hours.

Let’s get planning your trip to Yuanyang!

Li River, Guilin

We challenge you not to fall in love with Guilin’s postcard-perfect scenery; regarded in China as “the finest under heaven”.

Meandering down the Li River aboard a bamboo raft, past dreamy jade green peaks or seeing locals fish at dusk near Xingping offer some of the most idyllic and romantic scenes in all of China.

 

Source: Carlos Adampol Galindo via Flickr

Riding a bike is the perfect way to get into gear with Guilin’s laid-back tempo, while hiking up onto the backs of the region’s green giants provides a unique perspective from above, rather than below – as most visitors see them.

Furthermore, nearby Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces offers sublime trekking through China’s agrarian past.

See for yourself with our Old Country Living tour, ranked by National Geographic Travel as “Tour of a Lifetime”. You won’t be able to keep your hands off your camera.

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Want to see these surreal landscapes come to life? Speak to us to start planning an unforgettable trip into China’s most surreal landscapes.

Jingdezhen was the world’s undisputed capital of porcelain for nearly 2,000 years, yet it lay forgotten until the late twentieth century. Now, thanks to redevelopments and a new generation of artists, new life is being breathed into the very place that gave China its name.

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Jingdezhen rose to prominence during the Han Dynasty (221–206 BC), crafting fine porcelain ware for China’s emperor and imperial court. Despite their efforts to keep the place secret, fine porcelain found its way onto the Silk Road, and became treasured across the world – at one point, fine china was valued over gold.

In the last decade, Jingdezhen has risen from the ashes, with renewed interest and increasing numbers of artisans learning the fine craft of porcelain making. These include American ceramic artist Ryan LaBar, who has set up a workshop in Taoxichuan, a bustling arts community at the heart of Jingdezhen’s rebirth. Ryan LaBar is a Pékin Fine Arts represented artist.

Source: Ryan LaBar

Ryan gave us the lowdown on his work and the city’s contemporary arts scene.

Could you tell us about yourself and your work?

I came here in October 2015, as Taoxichuan was being built and I was invited to work at the International Studio. I then saw the scope of the project, as it was developing for the two months that I was initially here for. I decided to build a studio here because the project was really strong, and the cost of living in Jingdezhen is incredibly cheap compared to Portland, Oregon where I was coming from.

I went to school as an undergraduate to be a doctor, but I realized that wasn’t my passion. So I set out redefine myself by doing something that I truly liked: throwing pots. I slowly developed my work through a series of investigations, experiments and failures.

My work comes from a somewhat reductionist way of thinking, which is a way that many biologists look at the world, as they look at the complex systems they break them down into understandable parts. So my work is somewhat like that, I create seemingly complex pieces of work that I consider compositions, more like structural compositions. They’re based on putting small parts together to create a whole.

Source: Ryan LaBar

What drew you to Jingdezhen?

Part of the reason I’m here is to create a new dialog and open up a fresh perspective in the international ceramics scene. I’m coming to Jingdezhen to show what is possible using traditional materials and techniques, within the mother city of tradition and porcelain; I’m being met with open arms. People are excited to see new work and potential.

Everyone within the field of ceramics knows that China was named after the fine china that was created in Jingdezhen. So I feel like a son returning home to his mother. The history of china and porcelain is very important to me. It attracted me to Jingdezhen, to feel the history, and I’m very much attracted to places that have a creative energy. I consider Taoxichuan a dry riverbed that now water is flowing through again. I feel that energy and flow, and that inspires me everyday at work. So Jingdezhen from a historical perspective and the creative potential that exists, and the fact that it’s economically feasible, all of that drove me here.

As a foreign artist, how do you incorporate Jingdezhen into your work?

I’m working on west meets east, so I’m taking these traditional Chinese vases, that are kind of tchotchke (kitschy souvenirs), so they look like old vases from the Ming Dynasty era, but they’re slip casted and manufactured in quantity, and are very cheap, like 30RMB. I use that as one of the elements in the sculpture, and so my sculpture is wrapping around this old Chinese object that represents the history of ceramics and where it’s come to in the modern time. My work is literally strangling it, embracing it, or just melting and working with it.

Source: Ryan LaBar

How has Jingdezhen’s history as the porcelain capital of China impacted the contemporary art scene?

That’s an investigation that I’ll be pursuing forty years from now. I don’t think there is very much contemporary art here. But there’s always a sense of marketability here that’s getting in the way of progressive, contemporary ideas. People keep asking me “How can you make this work here?” because no one sees this of value. Their value structure is based on centuries of tradition, which is the quality of glaze.

I haven’t really been moved by contemporary art here, and I hope to be part of creating a contemporary dialog in Jingdezhen. I’m also aware that in order to attract people that are interested in porcelain you have to adhere to some of those traditional value structures. I still value that sort of pristine glaze surface, the technicality of throwing and stuff like that. So for me to use that familiar tchotchke vase, that Ming Dynasty rip-off presents something familiar, and traditional. I think that that is to recognize the existing language and then bring your own language into it, somehow reconciling the two.

I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t potential for revitalization. I think that the market for contemporary ceramic ware embracing the dialog of traditional ware, has an opportunity here.

How can you see the local scene evolving?

Jingdezhen is a very special place. Right now there is so much outside interest, and the government is helping create all these building projects. They’re putting a lot of attention into Jingdezhen because of its history and China’s namesake is in this city.

Jingdezhen’s getting a facelift, and a lot of people are aware of it. It seems like Jingdezhen is attracting a lot of outside money, and I’m witnessing it, being at the heart of this huge project at Taoxichuan, that I think is at the pinnacle of Jingdezhen’s revitalization. The level of quality that’s gone into this factory area is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, it’s done well. If this is the standard for projects in Jingdezhen then I can’t imagine what Jingdezhen will be like in ten years’ time.

What does the future hold for you?

It depends on what I love doing, which is to sit down at the potter’s wheel. My studio practice is my main drive, and so hopefully I can continue doing this. The more that I can use these projects to populate a dialog, the better. I also show my work in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and do talks and workshops around East Asia.

I hope that as I continue my practice, I get more interested parties, and projects that will push me beyond my comfort zone. That will push my work to areas that are beyond what I can think of right now.

Why would you recommend that people visit Jingdezhen?

To me in Jingdezhen there is a place that’s more “China” than the larger cities. It’s like backcountry China. So as far as attracting tourists here, not only because of its ceramic history, there’s a real China here, and the landscape is beautiful. There’s Sanbao Valley here that’s exquisite, and you’re minutes away from beautiful scenery.

You’re steeped in this juxtaposition of old and new China, so I think it’s a really valuable time for people to visit Jingdezhen to see how it’s changing. Here in Taoxichuan they have strict rules about preservation, somehow keeping the integrity of the old, and to me this is a good sign of the value that’s being placed on the history of China and keeping the culture alive and memorable, but at the same time giving it new breath. So when I say it’s a dry riverbed, they’re not creating a new river, they’re just filling it back up with new water. The old riverbed and beaches are still there, the stratifications that the river has created throughout the years are still visible.

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Watch skilled craftsmen sculpt, paint, and fire delicate porcelain wares once fit only for emperors on our Jingdezhen: the Art of Porcelain tour. You’ll also hike into the mountains that once provided the precious clay for the workshops and visit Tao Xi Chuan District yourself.