When it comes to international renown and cuisine, Shanghai certainly lives up to its nickname as the ‘Paris of the East’. In Michelin’s 2018 Shanghai guide, the city was awarded a number of additional stars and two restaurants even received the coveted “3 Michelin stars” status.

We pride ourselves in always having first-hand information about China’s hottest travel gems to share with our clients so when we hear about exclusive dining experiences, we go straight there to check them out personally.

Here are a few of our favorite upscale restaurants in Shanghai:

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Best Upscale Restaurants in Shanghai – M on the Bund

The ambience of this restaurant is perfectly accented with its view overlooking the river from the 7th floor. Sit inside or out on the open-air terrace for a better look at the iconic city.

At M on the Bund, Foie gras, black truffles, and other local ingredients are used throughout the menu which includes European classics like crispy suckling pig, and salted leg of lamb. Make sure you save room for dessert too because the pavlova here is divine.

M on the bund has won several awards including “Shanghai’s Best Fusion Restaurant,” “Best Wine Selection,” and “One of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World” (Conde Nast Traveler). It combines tastes from several different continents to create a menu that is loved by visitors and locals alike.

RELATED READING: Top 3 Hotels on the Bund

Best Upscale Restaurants in Shanghai – Yi Long Ge

Just like M on the Bund, you’ll have a wonderful view of the river and Shanghai’s historic waterfront at Yi Long Ge. Unlike M though, Yi Long Ge focuses on creating modern adaptations of classic Chinese and Cantonese dishes.

This restaurant is located within The Peninsula Hotel and the decor is classically elegant and refined. The staff at Yi Long Ge is considerate and sensitive to even the most refined of needs, and will help with anything you need.

 

RELATED READING: 5 (Alternative) Must-Sees in Shanghai

Best Upscale Restaurants in Shanghai – T’ang Court

When you first walk into T’ang Court, you’ll be amazed at the massive windows that reveal the splendor of Shanghai, as well as the high ceilings and pristine floor layout.

This restaurant was the first in Mainland China to be awarded three Michelin stars and it’s not a surprise. The staff here are incredibly skilled at anticipating customer’s needs and the menu has a delectable Cantonese flair. You’ll be presented with a “tasting menu” so you can enjoy the variety of their fare and be sure to try the Peking duck – It’s as succulent as you’ll ever find it. No grease, packed with flavor, and fresh from the farm.

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Best Upscale Restaurants in Shanghai –Ultraviolet

In Michelin’s 2018 guide, Ultraviolet became the second restaurant in Mainland China to receive 3 Michelin stars.

With a name like Ultraviolet, you know you’re in for a different kind of dining experience. Self-proclaimed as “avant-garde”, the decor is highlighted by, as you might imagine, a purple-ish violet light. You’ll find ten chairs around one table and every guest is served the same 20-course set meal. Your meal will then be enhanced by a multimedia experience of sound, video, and light from both the table and the walls.

Due to Ultraviolet’s limited capacity of 10 diners per night, this restaurant books up months in advance. If you want to add an experience at Ultraviolet to your Shanghai trip, be sure to book ahead.

These restaurants are just a taster of the upscale dining options available to you in Shanghai and each will provide an experience you’ll remember for years to come. Talk to our Trip Designers about visiting Shanghai and they’ll carefully curate an itinerary full of restaurant experiences that’ll delight all of your senses.

Situated in southern China and famed for its vast karst landscape and expansive lakes connected by rivers, Guilin is an ideal destination for your adventurous family.

Guilin is the well-known name, but it’s actually a large city that is used as a springboard for activities around Guangxi province. Don’t spend too much time in the city of Guilin itself and instead, move into the surrounding landscapes. From rafting on the Li River to hiking the surreally beautiful Moon Hill, there’s an activity awaiting every member of your family in Guilin.

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Get to grips with traditional Chinese culture when your family tries fan-making in the small town of Fuli. Located just 8 kilometers from Yangshuo, Fuli has a 500-year history of making fans. Your family’s class will include a brief introduction to the history of fan-making, followed by a chance for you all to create your own delicate rice paper fan.

Another approach to experiencing local culture is with kung fu lessons. A particular delight for the children, we’ll arrange a knowledgeable, patient instructor at a beautiful site adjacent to the town.

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Would your family jump at the chance to go camping in Yangshuo with the priceless backdrop of the karst hills? Your AsiaTravel private guide will pitch your tent and make a sumptuous barbecue dinner over a roaring fire while you family enjoys all that nature has to offer. At sunrise, you can enjoy the views of limestone hills and crystal clear rivers.

For an incredibly unique Chinese experience, try oil tea making. Local mountain tribes living in mountainous areas of Guilin make and drink their own oil tea, which is strong and caffeinated. It is made by frying tea leaves with oil, garlic, salt and ginger. Water is later added and the tea is poured through a strainer before drinking.

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One would be remiss to visit Guilin and skip its famous tea fields. Your family can feel like a part of Chinese history while picking tea leaves on an organic farm. You will learn the step-by-step process of tea leaf picking from a local tea master, get your own bamboo bucket, and use your newfound knowledge to harvest tea leaves by hand.

If your family is adventurous and outdoorsy, you might want to try your hand at rock climbing. Guilin offers numerous opportunities for hikers and rock climbers of all ages and levels. The luxurious Alila Yangshuo has its own mountain dedicated to rock climbing and we’ll arrange for you to be accompanied by an expert at all times.

No matter what type of vacation your family enjoys, there is no doubt that a trip to Guilin will be the adventure of a lifetime for all of you.

 

The Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) is one of the more mysterious, spiritual areas of the world. It’s also a region of superlatives: the tallest mountains, largest plateaus, and highest-altitude cities. With all this in mind, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices when it comes to visiting.

That’s where AsiaTravel comes in. We’ve field tested all our experiences in Tibet to ensure our clients have life-changing experiences that are tailored made to suit their travel-style. Let’s take a look at some of the many options.

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Where You Should Go in Tibet -Yamdrok Tso Lake

Welcome to one of the largest sacred lakes in Tibet. Why is it on this list? Because the locals consider it one of the most beautiful places in all of Tibet! Not only is it significant for its beauty, but it is considered a holy location by Tibetan Buddhists. Surrounding the lake are four temples, each with its own significance. To understand why it is considered holy, you only have to stand on its banks and witness the deep blue water, encircled by snow-capped, cloud-crowned mountains. Bring your camera, and if you’d like, we can arrange a private picnic on the lake’s shores.

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Where You Should Go in Tibet – Jokhang Temple

When approaching Jokhang, you’ll first be struck by the combination of Tang Dynasty architectural design and the distinct Indian vihara and Nepalese elements that make the temple a comprehensive piece of art. This is the highest temple in the world for Tibetan Buddhism and it’s also the spiritual center. Jokhang Temple is considered to be the most important temple by Tibetans and should be on the ‘must-visit’ list of anyone who is interested in world religions, history, or art. Jokhang Temple is located in Barkhor Square in the center of Lhasa, not far from the river. This is a great place to do the “kora” – which is a short pilgrimage around the grounds along with locals. The local people will put tiny rocks on top of each other by the side of the road to keep track of how many times they’ve been around the temple. 

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Where You Should Go in Tibet – The Potala Palace

Not far from Lhasa city, the Potala Palace is a massive building complex that used to be home to the mighty Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo. In the 1600’s, it was reconstructed to be suitable for the Fifth Dalai Lama and if Jokhang is the spiritual center of the TAR, the Potala Palace is the political center. It is on UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites and houses countless works of art and archaeological treasures. A treasure trove for any history buff! In the back of the palace, you can find what used to be the lively lodgings of the Lamas.

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Where You Should Go in Tibet – Mt. Everest Base Camp

You’ve heard about Mount Everest plenty of times, and maybe you weren’t even entirely sure where it was. It’s one of those legendary locations that seems so far off and impossible to reach, but here’s your chance. You can stay at a base camp at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain. While the foot of the mountain is still quite high – several miles above the surrounding landscape – you’ll be treated to an amazing scene.

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Where You Should Go in Tibet – Tibetan Medical Expert

You may be familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Tibet has its own ancient medicine as well. In Lhasa, we’ll arrange a consultation between you and a Tibetan medical expert who can diagnose your ailments using traditional methods and prescribe special remedies just for you. 

On the wall, you can find traditional thangka paintings that show the whole medical system used by Tibetans. The expert will explain to you how it all works using the thangka painting as a visual aide.

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Where You Should Go in Tibet – Hiking 

If you want to go off the beaten path in Tibet, there are a number of monasteries that are away from the capital of Lhasa in more remote areas. On a AsiaTravel journey, you can converse with monks through your local Tibetan guide and at the Pabongka Monastery, you can take a leisurely hike of less than three hours from the monastery to a nunnery. The view will be spectacularly Tibetan: filled with prayer flags, rivers, yaks, and Tibetan dogs.

If you’re seeking a different way of living, spiritual insight, or simply to experience living history, then Tibet is not to be missed.

Feature Image Photo Credit: dotstone on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, sits high up on the Tibetan Plateau. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means ‘Holy Land’ and the city is a center of Tibetan Buddhist life and culture. 

Staying in Lhasa gives you a convenient lodging from which to view city sights like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. And from a Lhasa hotel base, out of city attractions including crystal-clear lakes and Tibetan monasteries are also easily accessible. 

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Best Hotels in Lhasa – Songtsam Hotel, Lhasa

China’s home-grown Songtsam brand offers luxury, boutique accommodation in the country’s Tibetan regions. The brand prides itself on being part of the local community and immerses guests in local culture. Songtsam’s newest venture in Lhasa opened in 2017 and is well located approximately 15 minutes by taxi from downtown – giving a tranquil environment to retreat to. The Songtsam Chokyi Lingka, to give its full name, oozes Tibetan culture with the same philosophy of architecture as found in Lhasa’s Potala Palace. This shows up in the use of stone, wood and local earth in the building.

The Norbulingka Palace was used for design inspiration and the property even features handmade curtains from a local artisan. This is the perfect hotel for lovers of boutique touches in Tibetan style and, it even has oxygen supplies for those needing to adjust to Lhasa’s high altitude.

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Best Hotels in Lhasa – St Regis Lhasa

This Starwood Group luxury resort hotel is an alternative to Tibetan boutique style, offering what might be best regarded as “contemporary classic” western style. The St. Regis was the first international luxury brand hotel in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and it’s located in the heart of downtown, just minutes away from the Potala Palace.

In the St Regis, you’ll constantly find yourself transfixed by the surrounding mountains. The opulence reaches a harmonious, earth-toned crescendo in the dining spaces, of which there are three: visit Si Zi Kang for high-concept Tibetan plates, Yan Ting for a range of regional Chinese cuisines, and Social for the buffet. 

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Best Hotels in Lhasa – The Shangri-La Lhasa

Shangri-La Hotels are a well-known luxury brand with properties all around China. The Shangri-La Lhasa is in the city center on Lingkor Road and Norbulingka Road, near the historic Potala Palace. In each room, you’ll be greeted by a copy of James Hiltons’ Lost Horizon, a classic book about adventuring in the wonders of the Orient on the Tibetan Plateau.

The hotel covers a large area, and the grounds are lovely to walk around. Guests will find that rooms are decorated in Tibetan style and many overlook the magnificent mountains and the Potala Palace. Like other quality hotels, oxygen rooms and medical services are available to assist adjustment to altitude.

Whether you’re craving five-star luxury or are curious about Tibetan design, Lhasa’s hotel options are sure to delight visitors of all kinds. When you travel with AsiaTravel, we not only help you find the hotel that’s perfect for your travel style, we’ll organize a private guide and driver who will help create a truly life-changing trip.

Yunnan might not be a province in China you’re familiar with, so it might come as a surprise when we tell you it’s a destination that belongs on any China travel list. 

AsiaTravel Founder Mei Zhang hails from the region and it’s a place that has always held a special place in our hearts. In Yunnan, you’ll find spiritual and cultural sites, beautiful scenery, tasty dishes, and much more! And it’s inevitable really, that you’d find so much diversity in an area that’s larger than Germany.

Here are four facts about Yunnan that will inspire your China travel.

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Yunnan has some of China’s most breathtaking sights

You’ll find breathtaking landscapes all across Yunnan, from carefully tended rice terraces and serene lakes to sky-high mountain ranges. One such mountain range is Yulong, home to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This mountain range is a sanctuary for rare animals and plants and you’ll find a number of Yi ethnic minority villages in the area. On a AsiaTravel journey, we’ll help you to meet with a local shaman there who will bless your journey.

The Yuanyang rice terraces are also a must-see in the right season. Each terrace is meticulously cared for and you’ll notice that each small section will vary in color, sometimes dramatically, from those around it.

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You can experience Tibetan culture without the restrictions

Yunnan shares a border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) on its western side, and Tibetan culture has seeped through over time. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting a permit to visit the TAR then Yunnan might be a good option.

Dozens of temples are sprinkled across the land and in the western part of Shangri-La, you can find monks and Lamas chanting sutras at Gadan Dongshulin Temple. Songzanlin Monastery is also well-worth a visit to see Tibetan Buddhist culture. 

Abujee is another area of Yunnan where you can see Tibetan life in action. In this remote area, you’ll walk alongside Tibetan and Yi herders tending to their flocks and can even sit down with them for a cup of salty yak butter tea.

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Yunnan is home to 25 ethnic minorities

Yunnan is one of the most culturally diverse provinces in China and is home to more than 25 ethnic minority groups. Witness the song and dance of each, see their traditional clothes, and try their delectable dishes. Three of the most prominent groups you’ll find are the Bai, Naxi, and Mosuo, each with their own unique style and customs. If you’re into the social sciences, you’ll find the variety fascinating – many of the cultures are matriarchal!

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Photo Credit: Elizabeth Phung

Yunnan is home to its own unique cuisine

The flavors and techniques used in Yunnan cuisine are a blend of famously spicy Sichuan food in the north, light and seafood oriented cooking in eastern China, and fresh Thai flavors in the South. Farmers bring produce down from the mountains and locals visit the market at least once (sometimes twice) a day to ensure they get the freshest ingredients. 

One of the most well-known regional dishes is “Crossing the Bridge Noodles” and there are several stories explaining the name. If you’d like to learn more about Yunnan cuisine, AsiaTravel founder Mei Zhang’s first book, Travels through Dali: with a leg of ham, serves as a great introduction.

Yunnan is a province with a little bit of everything. Food, nature, and culture are all one of a kind in this area of China. Are you ready to embark on a journey through this incredible province?

Feature Image Photo credit: Wilson Loo on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

The city of Hangzhou is just a short train ride from Shanghai and makes an excellent extension to any tour. The city’s romantic scenery has inspired poetry throughout the ages and it’s a destination often referred to in China as “heaven” or “paradise” on Earth. Should you find yourself passing through with only a day to spare, here are a few ideas to help you make the most of just 24 hours in heaven, we mean – Hangzhou.

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Hangzhou Day Tour – West Lake

Morning to Lunchtime

Hangzhou lies at the end of the Grand Canal which starts in Beijing and flows all the way to West Lake, a placid body of water located in the center of the city. 

In a city that embodies the lake’s traits: calming, peaceful, beautiful, and mellow, it wouldn’t be right to spend your morning rushing around sights and traversing great distances. Slow down to the local pace and let AsiaTravel arrange a private boat with a traditional Chinese musician to accompany you as you drift around and look at the scenery.

From mid-morning until lunchtime, we’ll arrange an excellent insight into daily life when we spend time with the locals who gather each day at the park. As you stroll around the lake, passing by a plethora of activities including people singing, dancing, playing around with Chinese yo-yos, and betting money on games of mahjong, your AsiaTravel guide will help to translate your questions and facilitate conversations.

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Hangzhou Day Tour – Lingyin Temple

Afternoon

One of the most sacred spots in Hangzhou is Lingyin Temple. The temple has been revered by scholars and artists throughout the ages and, during your afternoon in Hangzhou, we’ll arrange a walking tour around the Lingyin’s serene spiritual sights.

One of China’s most significant Buddhist temples, Lingyin is home to stunning grottoes and cave carvings. It has stood between Feilai and Beigao Mountain since 326AD and is hailed as one of the first Zen Buddhist Temples to exist in China. The afternoon is also the perfect time to relax at a teahouse. It won’t be your average afternoon tea, though. Hangzhou’s specialty is Longjing Green Tea. Originating from Longjing Village (right outside Hangzhou), this tea was a firm favorite of Chinese emperors.

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Hangzhou Day Tour – Jiangnan Cuisine

Evening

South of the Yangtze River in the Jiangnan area (which includes Hangzhou, Shanghai, and parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang) there is a dish that can only be described as a mouthful of flavor and delight – Xiao Long Bao (小笼包). Although there is uncertainty about whether these little dumplings filled with tender meat and delicious soup hail from Hangzhou, they are certainly not to be missed in this region. Longjing tea isn’t just for drinking either; the dried tea leaves beautifully compliment lightly fried shrimp.

Should you stay into the evening and are looking for a little romance, come back to the water at the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and take an evening cruise along the river. The Four Seasons and Hyatt Regency are two five-star hotel options situated by West Lake that can make for a luxurious overnight too.

 

Even with only 24 hours in Hangzhou, you’ll learn why the city was declared by Marco Polo as “the finest, most splendid city of the world.” Our Gastronomic Tour of China gives two whole days to the exploration of the delicate and fresh local Hangzhou cuisine – from market to satisfied stomach.

As early as the 1st century BCE, traders made the epic journey between China and Europe along the Silk Road. This legendary trade route snaked through China’s northwest and promoted incredible diversity in the region’s language, culture, and cuisine. From the ancient capital of Xi’an to the desert landscapes of Gansu and Xinjiang, a journey along the Silk Road will help you gain a whole new perspective on the Middle Kingdom.

Here are four things you must do while exploring the ancient Silk Road in China.

Photo credit: rule37 on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND

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Silk Road in China- Kashgar Bazaar

The quickly disappearing historic town of Kashgar is a must visit, if only for the fact that it may no longer exist in a few years due to rapid economic development. This town is a homage to the bustling section of the Silk Road it once was. It still retains some grandeur in its Id Kah Mosque and the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum, but the vibrant culture of the Silk Road is best preserved in the nooks and crannies of the city’s Grand Bazaar. On a Sunday, see the town transformed to its former glory in the bustling market where you can find rare trinkets side by side with livestock and produce.

Dig even deeper: A three-hour drive from Kashgar is the stunning Karakul Lake. After a day or two spent haggling with the help of your AsiaTravel local guide, the pristine scenery of the lake will offer a tranquil complement to the hubbub of the bazaar.

 

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Silk Road in China – Turpan’s Vineyards

The majority of Xinjiang’s population are Uyghur, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority group. The Uyghur’s religious beliefs affect many aspects of Xinjiang local life including philosophy, architecture and food. In Turpan, try popular dishes such as Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken) or one of the many mutton based delicacies. They pair excellently with the traditional flatbread you are sure to have spotted along your journey. The local wineries are also not to be missed. A distinct rarity in China, this fertile basin in the desert is truly remarkable. AsiaTravel will arrange for you to stop by a local family home and enjoy a picnic in their vineyard.

Dig even deeper: Travel west of Turpan and you will find the ancient ruins of Jiaohe, a stunning archaeological site in the Yarnaz Valley. Jiaohe is the remains of a fortress that is at least 2000 years old.

 

Photo credit: emperornie on Visual Hunt / CC BY-SA

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Silk Road in China – Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves

In the fourth century, hermit monks began visiting the Mogao Caves for meditation, worship and to store texts. The monks would carve intricate murals into the walls and as time progressed, they became a religious site of great importance. At the pinnacle of their use, the caves contained tens of thousands of frescoes, paintings, sculptures and terracotta statues.

Excavation of the caves took place over ten centuries – through changing dynasties, economic conditions and even religious views. In this complex of 492 grottoes, you can witness the amazing progression of Buddhism in China through art. The Mogao Grottoes were rediscovered in the 20th century and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. On a AsiaTravel tour, we’ll arrange an expert in medieval Buddhist art to give you an insiders’ view of the caves.

Dig even deeper: Discover a particularly surreal side of Chinese landscapes by visiting the Danxia Rainbow Mountains. They’re located just a few hours from Dunhuang.

 

Photo credit: Laika ac on Visualhunt / CC BY-SA

RELATED READING: Silk Road Tours: Our Insider’s Guide to the Top Destinations

Silk Road in China – Crescent Moon Lake

Crescent Moon Lake is a beautiful oasis nestled in the Gobi Desert. It has provided relief for travelers along the Silk Road for thousands of years. On a camel ride around the aptly named lake, you can get a feel for the terrain. You can then find your own oasis here when we arrange a private champagne barbecue nearby.

As you enjoy dinner under the stars, you’ll notice the sand dunes make an interesting whistling sound when the wind blows. During his travels in the region, Marco Polo even nicknamed them, “The Singing Dunes.”

Choosing just four things to represent the immense offerings of the Silk Road in China is a near impossible task. When you travel with AsiaTravel, we’ll perfectly customize your journey to fit your own tastes and interests. Click one of the related trip links below to see what else could await you on your adventure.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Laruse Junior on Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Here at AsiaTravel, we are passionate about helping clients to deep dive into an area of interest. To do this, we work with a number of experts in their fields to create specialized trips and guided lectures. One such expert is Dvir Bar-Gal, the leading authority on Shanghai Jewish history.

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Jewish History Tour, a project Dvir has been guiding the growth of for the past 15 years. We caught up with him to learn more about how he became involved with Shanghai Jewish history and what he hopes to share with visitors to Shanghai in the future.

Dvir Bar-Gal 

RELATED READING: The 4 Best Cities for Jewish History in China

China Jewish History Tour – Dvir Bar-Gal

What made you want to take part in this project?

I actually came to Shanghai hoping to be a freelance television journalist. Before working here, I used to work in Israeli television as a cameraman and then director. From about 2000, 2001, there was no representative of electronic media for Israel in China, and I already realized then what was going to become of China in the coming decades. I was interested in the untold stories of the people who live here.

Unfortunately, the time I came was around September 11th. After September 11th, 2001, there wasn’t much interest in stories from China, so I started doing a lot of other things.

One of the things I started was a big research project, finding the lost Jewish cemeteries of Shanghai. I was working with the woman who gave the tours before me. She actually brought me the story about the cemeteries that had disappeared and the news that people were looking for them. We found a lead from a teacher who saw some Jewish gravestones and from there we started our research. This was my first involvement with Jewish research and I learned so much. The story is pretty much unknown so I learned a lot by doing the historical research and looking at it from a journalistic point of view. It was about a year and a half later that the previous person in charge went back to Israel and she asked me if I would like to help out with the tours. I have been doing it ever since.

 

Sculpture Commemorating Shanghai’s Jewish Community

RELATED READING: 5 (Alternative) Must-Sees in Shanghai

China Jewish History Tour – Dvir Bar-Gal

How many tombstones have you been able to locate up to now?

I located about 105 out of over 3000 that used to be in Shanghai in the past. Most of them I collected, and all of them I documented on video and film. I’m still hoping to do a long documentary about the whole story. Still photography, text, and so on. Currently, there are about 90 that I know the whereabouts of and most of them are in my possession. Many others we have lost forever, unfortunately.

 

 

Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

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China Jewish History Tour – Dvir Bar-Gal

What can people expect on a Jewish tour of Shanghai?

The tour is a half-day tour, and it’s different from many other tours that one can think about. We mostly learn and hears stories that nobody else can provide.

We explore mysteries that are infrequently seen in daily life today, as many were destroyed or the people left, and so on. But the stories that they left behind and the legacy are what I’m trying to revive through images and the stories that I tell to people. My tours are almost a four-hour long lecture that happens in different places around the city.

We normally begin with the first Jewish community, the Baghdadi Jews, who came to Shanghai in the 19th century. Although they were a very small group of people, they became so influential and wealthy that, basically, one can not underestimate their influence on the development of the city of Shanghai and the legacy that they left behind. Almost an hour into my tour I’ll still be talking about the Baghdadi Jews. That happens mostly on the Bund, the Shanghai riverfront. Many of the landmark buildings from the past were built by the Baghdadi Jews.

Street View of Old Jewish Ghetto

Then we often travel to the area called the Hongkou District. At this point, I’m talking about going from luxury and wealth to the poorer neighborhoods of the city. These neighborhoods hosted two different Jewish communities. The first, in the early 20th century, were Russian Jews who escaped persecution in Russia and made it to Shanghai. They were a bigger group than the Baghdadi Jews and since they were running from persecution, they settled in the cheaper areas of the city.

That happened at the beginning of the century and lasted until around the time of the communist revolution. The Hongkou area was basically immigration neighborhoods like the Lower East Side in New York or the East End in London. A place that saw immigrants coming to begin their new life. When they were able to make it, they moved to the French Concession, most of them. You can see it clearly there like it happened in those other places. People coming and starting their lives, many times at the bottom, and working their way up.

A third group of Jewish people then came and flooded the area, who were the Jews escaping the holocaust. They were a massive group of people, about 20,000 of them. During the tour, people often ask why Shanghai was the one city in the world that remained an open port for people throughout most of the Second World War. In that area of the city, there is a monument that the government directed to have built; we walk through the old lanes where the people used to live, and we go to the museum. It’s a government museum; it’s not run by Jewish people, but the Hongkou district is in charge it.

I take them inside one of the dwelling houses that used to be owned by Jewish refugees – now a Chinese family is living there. We’ll see the poverty in which the Jews used to live, and also see the Chinese experience today. For many people, it is a very powerful, emotional kind of visit to see how people actually live in those kinds of places. So, you can say that the tour is going from ultra luxury to deep poverty.

There must be a lot of interesting stories along that tour. Is the clientele mostly Jewish?

The nature of the tour is Jewish, so naturally most would be Jews, but probably between 25-30% are non-Jewish. That group are usually history buffs. Many times the most heartwarming feedback I’ve received is from non-Jews. I heard maybe 3 years ago, a lawyer from America said that she thought the greatest things she did in China was take the Jewish tour.

Replica of White Horse Inn 

On your tours, what is something you hope travelers will leave with?

A sense that there was a great story into the unknown, and that they’ve discovered something that they will not get anywhere else. We try to show and to tell something that one might otherwise miss if they were not looking for the story.

What is your vision for the tour? Where do you want to take it?

I would like to keep going with more people. I hope that more students come along for the story, and maybe also locals who can’t speak English. The world is very big and has a lot of people. More and more people come, learn the story, and appreciate the historical connection between Jewish people and Chinese people, and the fact that this city has a marked lack of anti-semitism that others can learn from. I am hoping that people will learn from that and remember the day that they had this experience in Shanghai.

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Thanks, Dvir! If you’re interested in taking a Jewish history tour of Shanghai with Dvir, AsiaTravel can arrange it for you. You can dive deep into the Jewish history of all of China on our Jewish History Tour.

We also work with a number of other experts in Shanghai. Jade Ma can guide you through the city’s contemporary art exhibitions and Shanghai history expert Patrick Cranley can take you on a walk down one of China’s most historic riversides. No matter what your interest, we’ll find the best experts to help you make the most out of your trip.

Originally posted on Caixin Global

 

The end of the year is nearing, and before that, the great migration of Golden Week. If you are like me, you bought flights months ago for your winter, if not also summer, travel. Now you can no longer delay planning what to do with your kids once you land. Having done this a few times — and many more times for my clients — here is my hard-learned advice for traveling China with your family. 

 

1. Don’t try to cover all of China in one trip

A typical family itinerary includes Beijing for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, Xi’an for the Terracotta Army, Chengdu for the pandas, and Shanghai for Disney. Don’t do this if you know you can afford another trip to China later on. Yes, these are all important cities with classic sites, but in the summer all these locations are hot, hot, hot — nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s miserable enough just to walk straight through the Forbidden City, a mere kilometer walk. But with all the side visits inside the palace, that walk can stretch into four hours under the sun. You are guaranteed a whiny child — who will possibly turn into a thirty-pound weight for you to carry — in no time. When visiting all these classic sights day after day, your China trip can turn into drudgery for everyone involved in no time. The best thing to do is to visit one major city like Beijing, and then fly off to Yunnan or Tibet to spend the second half of the trip cooling off, where temperatures are likely to be closer to 25 degrees Celsius during the day.

 

Image by Chastagner Thierry via Unsplash

 

2. Don’t wait until July or August to travel

China’s school year generally finishes in mid-July, a full month after schools in the US. Take advantage of this window and go to China in mid- or late-June, and leave China by mid-July. Most Chinese students only get to travel in the summer as well, so train tickets, plane tickets, and even entrance tickets to sights like the Forbidden City can sell out quickly. If you can, go to China early rather than late. Then plan to send your kids to summer camps later in July and August.

 

3. Don’t cover too many sights in one day

I have three kids: one 16-year-old boy and two girls aged 13 and 10. The 16-year-old is on a completely different schedule, so I often take my two girls to travel together. Anytime we go anywhere, they ask me to promise one thing beforehand: Not to do too many touristy things. When we were in Rome, we agreed to do one two- to three-hour tour every day, but after that, be free to roam. It was the best decision, as we took the touring part as a daily lesson in history or art, and dedicated the rest of our time to vacationing. Even in China, where we lived for many years, I am ashamed to say that we haven’t visited that many must-see sights.

 

Image by Ray Rui via Unsplash

 

So on this trip, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, and maybe the Forbidden City – but that’s it. In our free time, I will install WeChat on their phones and link their WeChat Pay to my bank card, so that they can walk around the neighborhood and buy ice cream or chips with their phones. I will also install a bike-sharing app so that we can all ride bikes around to shop or to go to the movies.

This is the new China I want them to experience, the one that’s modern and changing fast. While my Apple Pay is often refused in the US, you can walk around China for an entire two weeks with just a phone. WeChat Pay requires the app to be tied to a Chinese bank account, but it’s worth the trouble to open an account at a local bank in Beijing, even if it’s just for 10 days. The formerly cash-only society is now completely cashless, and that’s what I want my kids to be exposed to – not just the touristy sites.

 

4. Don’t ban social media

If I could ban Instagram and Snapchat from my kids’ phones, I would. But in China, I install a VPN to help them stay on their favorite platforms. A few things won’t work in China: Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. As for Facebook and Twitter, my kids couldn’t care less – those are old-fashioned anyway. But Instagram and Snapchat are their lifelines to friends at home. The grim prospect of losing touch dampens their enthusiasm for China, so I promise them a VPN to sweeten the deal. A VPN is an app you can download to your phone that helps you access sites that are unavailable in China, and they cost around $15 a month (although if you’re in China for a shorter trip, most apps have a free trial period). It sounds complicated, but once it’s installed, it’s fairly simple to use. I want to encourage my girls to post and share what surprises them or what entertains them in China. This way, they tend to be more observant of their surroundings.

 

5. Don’t be frugal

Every time I return to China, I am amazed by what a bargain Chinese luxury hotels are. In New York, $250 will get me a room at the Residence Inn in Jersey City. But in China, I can stay at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Shanghai for the same price, where there is a nice pool to splash around in to cool off. 

 

Image by Rosewood Beijing

 

There is a Chinese saying that goes: “Be frugal at home, but spend generously on the road.” I abide by this completely. When at home, and you have a nice kitchen and fresh produce from the farmers’ market, there is no need to eat out unless it’s a special occasion. But when you’re on the road, spending a few nights at a luxurious hotel with amazing breakfast buffet, and a gorgeous pool, your kids will love their China trip. It costs a little more, but the experience is worth a lot more. So why not?

 

Mei Zhang is the founder of AsiaTravel and author of Travels Through Dali With a Leg of Ham, out via Penguin Books. Follow Mei’s travels on Instagram at @wildchinamei.

For anyone curious about one of the world’s oldest civilizations and those who love learning about and experiencing history, we developed one of our new expert-led adventures through the living museum that is China just for you. Aptly titled History Unearthed: An Archaeological Journey Through China with Dr. Ye Wa, this antiquity-steeped odyssey will have the more creative among us imagining what Indiana Jones might feel like were he exploring Asia today. For the rest, you’ll enjoy a firsthand experience of how the Middle Kingdom’s most storied and significant historical locations exist today, receive expert insight into what life was like during each site’s heyday, and learn how the two are inextricably linked.

Introducing The Expert: Dr. Ye Wa

Dr. Ye Wa is an expert in archaeology, the co-director of the International Field School of Archaeology at Yangguanzhai in Shaanxi, China since 2010, and the perfect guide for your archaeological tour through the Middle Kingdom. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Xi’an, China, Dr.Ye Wa crossed the Pacific to continue her studies in the United States, where she earned a Master of Anthropology from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Archaeology from UCLA. Specializing in the Neolithic Period and Tang Dynasty mortuary practices, she is the ideal guide to accompany you on your journey through the tombs, ancient dwellings, grottoes, and other timeworn treasures along the Silk Road. Currently, Dr. Ye Wa is focusing her efforts on understanding ethnoarchaeological approaches, Neolithic settlement patterns, and the relationship between patterns and specialized pottery production.

Dr. Ye Wa | Image by AsiaTravel

What You’ll Uncover: Journey Rundown

For the first three days, you will delve into the culturally and historically significant region in and around modern-day Xi’an. From the unflinching Terracotta Warriors to Yangguanzhai (one of the most consequential archaeological discoveries in China over the past decade), this ancient capital city is filled to the brim with millennia-old cultural traditions and an enthralling collection of mausoleums and settlements still being unearthed. Luckily for all the history buffs along for the adventure, you’ll get to do a deep dive into your fair share, enjoying a mix of curator-led tours and enlightening conversations. For more present-day delights, you’ll hear the call for sunset prayers as you wander through the Muslim Quarter on the way to the Grand Mosque, tasting local delicacies along the way. During your explorations, you’ll also have the privilege of sitting down for meals with the director of Yangguanzhai, the former chief archaeologist of the Terracotta Army, and another leading archaeologist in the area.

The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an 

RELATED READING: Xi’an Tours: More Than Terracotta Warriors

Comfortably early on the fourth day, you will jump on a speeding bullet train to head to your next major destination: Tianshui. Crossing into Gansu Province, you’ll enter the heart of China’s Silk Road history. As the stretch of land connecting the illustrious trade route to the west, the far western province is a treasure trove littered with the remnants of civilizations past. Along with ivory and precious metals, Silk Road caravans brought Buddhism to China For the rest of your journey, you’ll be delving deep into the mysteries that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Before heading to your accommodations, however, you’ll first be whisked off to the mysterious, impressive, and unquestionably beautiful Maijishan Grottoes. Here, a stunning collection of over 7,000 Buddhist statues and murals have been boldly inscribed precariously high up on a hillside rockface resting just a few miles south of the ancient merchant route. To fully marvel at the craftsmanship that went into creating the relics, you’ll muster up your courage and mount a set of walkways that cling to the side of the cliffs. For your bravery, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of an astounding array of sculptures of every shape and size (some with the original pigment still intact) as well as of the valley below. And don’t fret – the pathways, though a bit intimidating, are newly built and your luggage will be watched over the entire time so you can enjoy the Buddhist wonders unencumbered. Then, after soaking up the history, you will have the evening to explore or relax at your leisure.

The Maijishan Grottoes |  Image by kahumphrey via Flickr

On the following day, you and your fellow history-loving travel companions will set out by train for Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. There, you’ll uncover the traces of cultures dating back more than 5,000 years at the Gansu Provincial Museum before sitting down to dinner with the curator. Before continuing on in your journey west, a day trip to gaze upon the Maitreya Buddha, which towers to almost 100 feet tall, will leave you feeling humbled by both time and the steadfast commitment of the bygone disciples. 

Finally, you will voyage to the desert sanctuary of Dunhuang for the remainder of your archaeological adventure. Against the backdrop of unforgiving, rolling dunes, you can almost imagine the Silk Road caravans, overflowing with camels, textiles, spices, and gold as they plod across the sand. Like the traders of old, you’ll pass by Yangguan, a major landmark along the merchant route and one of the Great Wall’s most crucial western strongholds, and visit the ancient city of Suoyang, both of which now lie in ruins. At the Mogao Grottoes, you’ll enjoy behind-the-scenes access and stand in awe of what is considered the pinnacle of Buddhist art which is housed across a mind-boggling 492 grottoes, the fruits of a millennium of labor.

To deepen your understanding of Buddhism’s influence here and the area’s rich history, you’ll also meet with Neil Schmid (one of the leading authorities on medieval Buddhism’s visual culture), dine with Dunhuang scholars, sit down with the Getty Museum team to discuss Mogao conservation effort, and examine the Buddhist frescoes and statues of the Yulin Caves.  Lastly, before you wrap up your Silk Road journey, you’ll take to the sands, exploring the oasis of Crescent Moon Lake and following in the footsteps of Marco Polo at the rumbling, whistling Mingsha Sand Dunes.

Mogao Grottoes

RELATED READING: 4 Must-Sees Along the Silk Road in China

Conversations With The Past: An Expert Discussion Series

Throughout your 10-day journey, you will be treated to three meals with Dr. Ye Wa and a variety of other experts you will meet along the way. These interactive, enlightening conversations will help to deepen your understanding of and give context for sites you encounter during your Silk Road explorations. 

The Silk Road Before the Silk Trade: Communications Between the East and West Prior to the 4th Century A.D.

Join Dr. Ye Wa and the director of Yangguanzhai for lunch to discuss how the eastern and western worlds communicated prior to the Silk Road’s heyday and the role it played in establishing and nurturing relations and commerce between the two during its early days (relatively speaking, of course – the trade route was established in 130 B.C. and used until 1453 A.D.). This conversation will center around one of the largest Neolithic archaeological dig sites in China: Yangguanzhai. Covering an area of over 800,000 square meters, the site has been selected twice (2013 and 2017) as one of China’s top ten most significant archaeological discoveries. 

Crescent Moon Lake in Dunhuang’s Mingsha Sand Dunes

Monks and Merchants: Buddhist Grottoes Along the Silk Road

Sit down for dinner with Dr. Ye Wa and the curator of the Gansu Provincial Museum to talk about how Buddhism found its way into China the same way ivory, gold, and silver did: with the merchants, traders, and caravans on the Great Silk Road. Its influence can be found in the Buddhist grottoes that are littered along the ancient route and the enduring art that lies within. 

Conservation of Silk Road Treasures

Dine with Dr. Ye Wa, local scholars from the Dunhuang Research Academy, and members of the Getty Museum team to discuss their joint conservation and sustainable tourism efforts to protect the splendor of the Mogao Grottoes and promote them as a destination for years to come. 

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So, if watching Indiana Jones ever gave you a serious case of archaeologist envy or if anthropology was your favorite class in school, this is definitely the AsiaTravel adventure for you. Not only will you go home with a suitcase full of curios, a headful of unforgettable memories, and some new friends who are fellow history buffs, but you’ll get to learn about one of the world’s oldest and longest civilizations through the eyes of not just your renowned expert and trip guide, but also the experts you meet throughout your journey. 

History Unearthed: An Archaeological Journey Through China with Dr. Ye Wa departs Sunday, May 10, 2020. If this you’re ready to uncover China’s mysteries and travel to the sites of some of the Middle Kingdom’s most illustrious histories on this archaeology small group tour, please reach out to learn more. We can’t wait to see you along the ancient Silk Road.