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With a cool breeze heralding the beginning of fall, the stage was set for guests to enjoy a beautiful evening at Face Bar for yesterday’s Where the Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series with speaker Laurence Brahm. After having a chance to mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests headed inside as the light began to fade to hear Laurence discuss his experiences working in Asia.

Laurence’s presentation centered about his pursuit of social entrepreneurship in China. Whether it was training disabled Tibetan women to sew puppets and thereby giving them a sense of empowerment, or buying up land around the Great Wall to protect it from being turned into a tourist trap water park, Laurence has been a defender of local heritage. In addition to these projects Laurence also discussed his own hotel group Shambhala Serai. When one guest inquired what level of push-back he had received from the government for his private venture Laurence replied that it has been minimal. Laurence went on to explain that unlike an NGO, which can have financial backing that is harder to pin point, for profit organizations goals are simpler, and therefore less of a concern for the government. Helpful advice for those considering starting a business of their own in China.

We will definitely keep an eye on Laurence going forward to see what challenge he tackles next, whatever the issue though we see no reason why he won’t succeed.

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Our next Where The Wild Things Are: A AsiaTravel Series will feature food writer and cook Fuchsia Dunlop on October 12th. Stay tuned as full details will be coming out shortly.

 

 

 

Depending on what city you are in, New Year’s Eve can take on a lot of different shapes. You can watch the ball drop in New York City, join the New Year’s day parade in London, or watch a Tostito chip drop if you are in Tempe, Arizona. While all of these may be impressive, if not amusing, they are nothing like being in Hong Kong to ring in the New Year.

It is no coincidence that the city we recommend for popping champagne and watching fireworks is the same one The Economist recognized this year as the best city in the world.  Not only will fireworks never be the same (Hong Kong goes notoriously overboard when planning its celebratory explosive light shows) but Hong Kong truly has something for everyone.

For those who have come from the blustery cold of northern Europe and North America, Asia’s World City offers a relatively warm January 1st, with temperatures between 8-15ºC (46 to 59ºF). Hong Kong ‘s sun stay hot and tropical so this is perfect weather for families to explore hikes around the territory and take the tram up to Hong Kong’s Peak for a beautiful view of the metropolis below. If you are staying on the Island, the Dragon’s Back Hike is a 15-minute cab ride away, while for those staying in Kowloon, Sai Kung Country Park–a true escape from the bustling crowds–can be reached in under half an hour.

When evening rolls around there are many locations from which to enjoy the night’s festivities. Reserve a table for yourselves at one of the city’s many restaurants to stage your own party complete with Christmas crackers, confetti, and plenty of Moët & Chandon. An excellent venue for this is The Pawn, and one of our favorites. If you go, trust us on this one and try their fresh seafood–it’s fantastic.  Celebrating New Year’s Eve with the entire family? Rent out a junk to float around Victoria Harbour for a truly singular view when the fireworks burst over head. It will be a reunion to remember.  Of course there are those who celebrate the New Year by traipsing around until the wee hours of the morning, and in this regard Hong Kong never fails to disappoint. Unlike the rest of the year, the buses and subway will run all night long on New Year’s Eve.  The vibrant bar scenes of both Lan Kwai Fong and Wanchai offer places galore–bumping clubs, relaxed lounges, and comfy pubs–just be sure to get there early as lines can build as you close in on midnight.

Make a mid-year resolution to plan a trip to the fragrant harbor this December to start 2013 off right in the shimmering streets of Hong Kong.

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If you have questions about travel in Hong Kong, send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo of fireworks over northern Hong Kong Island by Voice of America.  Photo of Tailongwan (Big Wave Bay, Sai Kung) by AsiaTravel.

On China’s northern edge there is a province that combines the wonder of the desert and the beauty of the grasslands for an experience that will take your breath away; this province is called Inner Mongolia. Similar to the legendary landscape of neighboring Mongolia, Inner Mongolia’s open spaces maintain a feeling of timeless tranquility unlike anywhere in China.

In the desert, atop a sleepy-eyed camel, cross the terrain at the lazy pace of traders who walked these lands hundreds, even thousands of years ago. As the sands whisper and swirl at your feet, imagine that the shapes you see in the distance are pack animals carrying the spices and silks of a foreign land. After disembarking from your camel, head to the grasslands where the surroundings turn from yellow to gentle green.

The grasslands provide a similar feeling to the endless deserts of Inner Mongolia, however your view is unimpeded by undulating sand dunes. As your eyes sweep across the horizon, the only reason your field of vision ends is because of the curvature of the earth. Looking into the distance you can almost hear the faraway galloping of the armies of Genghis Khan. After exploring these beautiful surroundings and working up an appetite, turn to the specialty of Inner Mongolia–delightful selections of sizzling, juicy lamb. When the sun fades and the stars begin to shine, climb into the cozy bed of your own personal yurt. Set up amongst the grasses of the steppe, these charming felt tents are the perfect hideaway to retire to for the evening. Best of all is awakening to the sunrise across the endless horizon just on your doorstep.

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If you are interested in traveling to Mongolia or Inner Mongolia, send us an email at info@wildchina.com.  We will be happy to assist you.

When we think of the places paparazzi flock to, we think of red carpet premieres, starlets in designer gowns, and events generally far removed from our day-to-day life. We definitely don’t think of rustic Guizhou province in southern China.  But that is exactly where the paparazzi was. Well, sort of…

This fall, renowned photographer, mountaineer, and AsiaTravel expert Stefen Chow led a high school photography trip down to China’s southwest. In addition to regular photo assignments from Stefen, the students were tasked with acting as the paparazzi at a traditional Miao wedding. Over the course of a week, the students honed a variety of photography skills, from capturing the story of a place, to selling a location, to interviewing their subjects to get the full story behind their shots.

Below is a selection of the students’ work:

(A villager caring for his ox)

(Student photo of a dog being fed at the table. This gentlemen has fed the dog for over 6 years.)

(Group photo following the wedding)

Working with a small, select group of 16 students, Stefen was able to give them personal, one-on-one attention throughout the workshop. Students came with varying levels of experience in photography: while some had bought their cameras just the day before the trip, others had been shooting for more than 2 years. But all of them were united in their assessment of the adventure: simply incredible.

What did Stefen take away from it? He says at the end of the journey, several students told him it had been “the most memorable and impactful experience” of their lives. That’s why he does what he does–being outdoors shows people who they really are, and that first time stays with you forever. We couldn’t agree more. Sounds like the regular paparazzi should think about heading down to Guizhou once in a while.

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If you have questions about travel in Guizhou send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Wan Chai is best known for its bars and exotic nightlife, made famous by Richard Mason’s novel and the subsequent film The World of Suzie Wong. While the occassional scantily-clad woman still beckons from doorways along Lockhart Road, the emergence of chic, new eateries have led a local reclamation of the forgotten parts of this engaging district.

Here are five reasons to visit Wan Chai:

Pak Tai Temple – Two gnarled trees stand guard at the entrance to this secluded and beautifully restored little temple, which is over a century old. Pak Tai is Cantonese for ‘Northern Emperor’ who, according to legend, defeated the Demon King and is worshipped for his courage and devotion. Though small, this quiet temple is a great, easily accessible spot to experience Hong Kong’s spiritual side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue House – One of the few remaining pre-war balconied tenements (or Tong Lau) in Hong Kong, this Grade I classified monument gives a glimpse of what Wan Chai once looked like. Just around the corner is the Wan Chai Visual Archives, a community art space that explores the implications of urban redevelopment for the community, through workshops, exhibitions and collaboration projects. The neighboring Tai Lung Fung is a quirky East-West fusion café decorated with old fashioned children’s toys, and is worth stopping by for a cheeky mid-exploration refreshment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street Markets – The lanes connecting Johnston Road and Queen’s Road East are packed full of vendors selling everything from fresh produce, goldfish and potted plants to iPhone cases and Halloween costumes. Wander along Spring Garden Lane and you may stumble upon an old barber shop, mahjong parlour or pawn shop tucked between ramshackle residential lowrises. If you’re feeling adventurous, sample the local delicacies like wonton noodles, fish balls or herbal tea at one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Gastronomy – The Pawn combines the iconic exterior of an old pawn shop with hearty British fare. Stop by for a Sunday roast, afternoon tea or sip one of their delicious signature cocktails on the outdoor terrace overlooking the tram line. Nearby French café Passion by Gerard Dubois has an incredible selection of delectable baked goods, sweet treats, and freshly made salads and sandwiches. Tapas bar 22 Ships, recently opened by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton, is also a great place for a quick bite. But if you’re looking for high-end Chinese cuisine, try the luxurious Fook Lam Moon, famous for its abalone and often frequented by Hong Kong celebrities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Ferry – Starting near Bauhinia Square, the site of the 1997 handover ceremony, this must-do Hong Kong experience lasts longer and is less touristy than the one that leaves from Central, affording more time to appreciate the distinctive cityscape on both sides of the harbor.

If you are in Hong Kong from 29 November – 16 December be sure to check out Detour 2012, a pop-up exhibition that showcases local artists and designers, which will be held in the former Wan Chai Police Station.

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If you have questions about traveling in Hong Kong feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Passion Cafe photo by Passion Cafe all other Photos by Samantha Woods

 

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to visit and review one of Swire Hotel‘s newest properties in Beijing, The East. In light of the attention we have given to that fine establishment we felt it would be remiss if we did not acknowledge The East’s older sister, and one of our longtime favorites, The Opposite House.

(The Opposite House lobby)

Designed to be unlike anything you have ever seen, the interior of The Opposite House will leave you spellbound. Entering the open, cavernous lobby, friendly staffers pop up to help you check-in or direct you if needed. Spotlights direct your attention to the fantastic contemporary art on display that has been featured in galleries as far away as Paris.

(One of the lovely rooms)

As with any worthy hotel, the rooms are where the magic truly happens–no less exquisite than the hotel entrance, each chambre has its own minimalist design of elegant lines and bamboo closets. With glass walls and ethereal curtains, it feels like you’ve really stepped through the looking glass to wonderland. Relaxing in these surroundings isn’t something you need to attempt, it’s something that washes over you the second your door closes behind you.

(The fitness zone)

For the health conscious, fear not. Deep in the heart of The Opposite House, there is a full gym, lap pool, and spa facilities–all traditional luxury amenities but offered in the same atypical fashion that surely inspired the hotel’s name.

(The dining scene at Bei)

As for the food? You most definitely have your pick of delights here. Sureño, with it’s delectable Mediterranean fare, Bei, a Chinese restaurant offering a panoply of Northern oriental flavors, and Village Café, for a more laid back approach towards international favorites. Sureño’s pizza’s have been reviewed by AsiaTravel travelers “as some of the best thin crust the world over.” Grab a drink pre or post dinner at the ever trendy in-house bar Mesh. Our only word of caution when you stay at The Opposite House: Don’t forget there is an entire city to explore beyond its front door!

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If you are interested in staying at Opposite House during your next journey to Beijing send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photos by Opposite House

 

If you’re still trying to figure out which corner of this wonderful world you should head to in 2013 then look no further than this post by travel blogger Ellen Barone. Ellen is an accomplished independent writer-photographer who specializes in global travel. She has journeyed to six continents in search of compelling travel tales and evocative images, using her experiences to help people travel smarter as well as keep them up to date on the latest travel trends and gadgets. AsiaTravel was honored to have our trip Soul of Tibet featured on Ellen’s list of Extraordinary Experiences for 2013.

Although Tibet is closed at the moment to foreigners, we are hopeful it will be reopened in April–we’ll keep you updated via Twitter and Facebook. As Ellen notes, “Tibet is one of those epic destinations so enticing, so enchanting and so compelling that it tends to get put on the back-burner, saved for another day (or decade) when the time and money for such an expedition will be possible. But guess what. There’s never enough time or money. And, while those easier, more accessible, places are fulfilling, Tibet still beckons.” We couldn’t agree more. Is Tibet beckoning to you?

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If you have questions about travel in China or Tibet send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo of Ellen Barone courtesy of careerbreaksecrets.com all other photos by AsiaTravel

With Chinese New Year here ‘tis the season to throw caution (and weight-watching) to the wind and get caught up in the feasting and festivities! But when you’ve satisfied your craving for heavy Chinese dishes, we suggest heading to Grassroots Pantry for feel-good food that is delicious, nutritious and supports Hong Kong’s local farmers.

A flourish of verdant foliage and a small painted sign are the only hint of the cozy café located in this hidden corner of Sai Ying Pun. From the moment you step inside, owner Peggy Chan’s passion for her work is apparent in every detail – from the hand drawn menus to the antique chairs and personal photographs collected on her travels.

AsiaTravel sat down for a quick chat with Peggy to learn more about what makes Grassroots Pantry so special.

AsiaTravel Travel: Give us a little background on yourself…Have you always been in the food business?
Peggy Chan: I began working in this industry aged 16, brewing espressos at Hong Kong’s very first Starbucks, but my family are all serious foodies and I learned to cook and bake from my mother. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute in Ottawa, Canada, and later obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a double concentration in Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management in Switzerland. I’ve spent the last decade working at outstanding restaurants and hotels including Brunoise in Montreal, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, and The Peninsula Tokyo.

WCT: How did you come to start Grassroots Pantry?
Peggy: I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant, and after many years in the corporate world, I took some time off to travel and was inspired by all the different local vegetarian dishes other countries had to offer. Upon returning to Hong Kong, I was resolved to create a space for the community to enjoy clean, healthy plant-based foods.

WCT: Tell us about GP’s food philosophy. What is ‘conscious eating’ and why is it important?
Peggy: Grassroots Pantry is a boutique café dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community through serving nutritious, homemade, plant-based world dishes. Conscious eating is to source unprocessed, local, sustainable and organic ingredients as often as possible, and is important because it helps to create a more sustainable world. Grassroots Pantry also aims to educate the community about the farm-to-table and slow food movement by hosting educational culinary classes and environmental workshops.

WCT: How has GP been received by local Hong Kong-ers?
Peggy: More and more people are seeking healthy food, and are more conscious with what they are eating. Hong Kong is a food mecca, and because there is so much to choose from, local residents are always looking for something different and not your typical cookie-cutter restaurant. We are very happy to be a part of the local community and being the go-to cafe for real homemade vegetarian food.

WCT: Where does the inspiration for your dishes come from? Do you have a favourite dish?
Peggy: My inspiration comes from memories. Sometimes I reminisce about tastes and smells from my childhood, and am always eager to recapture those memories.
Favourite dish on the Grassroots Pantry menu is Palak Paneer! We make a healthy version using soy milk. Also, you can substitute the paneer with hedgehog mushrooms in case you want an even healthier option.

WCT: In your opinion, what makes GP special and unique to Hong Kong?
Peggy: Grassroots Pantry is one of the few western-style cafes that really offer unprocessed plant-based dishes. A lot of vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong use mock meats, and an excess of oil. Also, Grassroots Pantry serves as community space for those who want to learn more about holistic health, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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If you have any questions about travel in China feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photos by Grassroots Pantry

This past week, The New York Times did a feature with travel expert Kurt Kutay. Kurt has made a name for himself in the travel world having worked both with the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and The International Ecotourism Society, in addition to currently serving as the president of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, CEO of Wildland Adventures, and director of the Travelers Conservation Trust. The focus of The New York Times article was Kurt answering questions posed to him by the baby boomer generation about travel today. Baby boomers, due to their numbers, have always had an outsized impact on the travel industry.

AsiaTravel’s name came up in the discussion when Kurt was asked the following questions by Mr. Mitenbuler of Chicago: “Are there people that want to visit remote locations in China? Do you think there is an awareness of ‘wild China,’and if so, is it a destination that will see increases in travelers?”

Mr. Mitenbuler was so close to the right answer! If he had just combined “wild” and “China” he would have had our name-sake and an organization deeply devoted to showing travelers the less traveled parts of China. As it was though, AsiaTravel was at the fore of Kurt’s mind when he responded due to his friendship with AsiaTravel founder Zhang Mei. Kurt reached out to Mei before answering the question and she replied that she feels there is indeed a growing number of people interested in exploring off the beaten path in China. Mei said that business men and women who have traveled to China’s major cities for work have acquired a curiosity to visit the more rural areas of the Middle Kingdom with their families.

Kurt noted several other examples of the burgeoning number of travelers interested in taking the road less traveled before closing his answer to the question with remarks from Mei that Tibet is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for travelers. So at this point it’s clear there are people who want to visit remote locations in China, the real question is, are you one?

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If you have questions about travel in China, feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo of Kurt Kutay by The New York Times

Stories of pollution in China are all over the news. In the midst of this flurry of information, you probably have a lot of questions about what exactly it all means.

To start, what is the cause of all the pollution?

(Beijing on a clearer day and on a more polluted day)

Although car exhaust does contribute, the majority of the pollution arises from China’s heavy industry–in particular its steel production. Although the tools exist in these plants to limit their emissions, the issue is complicated by the conflict of private and public industry.  While it is difficult to say what steps China will be taking the future, it is definitely not an issue that has escaped the notice, or the ire, of the country’s population which is putting more pressure on the government to figure it all out.

For now though, you are probably wondering–what does this mean for me and my family when traveling to China?  Right off the bat, the best person to give you answers is your doctor. Not only do they know your individual medical history, but they are also trained health professionals who know the ins and outs of the possible effects of air pollution–the rest of us decided long ago that 5+ years of graduate school wasn’t in the cards.

All of China isn’t polluted all of the time.

If you are on a AsiaTravel adventure, chances are you won’t be spending your time where the pollution is at its worst: in China’s 2nd and 3rd-tiered cities (these are cities smaller than Beijing and Shanghai but larger than Shangri-La). The rural provinces such as Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou all boast air clean enough to rival that of the Rockies. In the main cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, it’s true that we’ve had those rare, “crazy bad” days that attracted so much attention, but those are few and far between. Both Beijing and Shanghai have large communities of expats from all over the world who have yet to be turned away by bad air. In fact, most days, Beijing has the capacity to look like the picture below–which is #nofilter and completely unedited.

(Blue skies over the Forbidden City in Beijing)

If you’re planning a trip to China, feel free to contact us for the latest updates on the current environmental situation. We monitor both the current and projected pollution levels and can advise you accordingly. For clients who are interested, we can also provide face masks that cover the nose and mouth in case you hit a bad day during your time here–just let us know in advance so we can have them ready for you when you arrive. Traveling to new places always means new conditions we are not familiar with. We feel the most important thing on any journey is to be informed on your destination before you set out. Our hope is that this post has provided you with useful information.

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If you have any other questions about pollution or travel in China, feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

pollution comparison photo by BBC News, Forbidden City photo by Minnie Kim