Adventurous travelers, curious to see China but chasing the clock, now have an enticing new option – 144 hours of visa-free travel in Beijing and neighboring Hebei Province. The visa-free system has many guidelines, but in general the rule is as follows: If you have a layover in Beijing, Tianjin, or Hebei, you’re allowed to travel within this area for 6 days without a visa. To qualify for visa exemption, you must be in transit from the point of origin to another country besides China. In other words, it must be a layover and you have to have the documents to prove your onward travel.

 

RELATED READING: How to Spend 72 Hours or Less in Beijing

 

So, now the Chinese Government has taken the stress out of getting a visa, why not let AsiaTravel take the stress out of your trip. Arrange your Beijing tour with one of our experienced trip designers and all you’ll have to do is look for your AsiaTravel guide in the airport arrival hall – we’ll have taken care of the rest. We’ll provide a VIP pick-up service from the airport and will have booked you into one of Beijing’s most luxurious hotels. Your local AsiaTravel guide will then take you on a voyage of a lifetime in a cushy 144 hours. All AsiaTravel guides are local experts who know the city, its people, and its sights like the back of their hand. 

Here’s are just a few of the experiences we could arrange for your visa free trip in Beijing:

Visa Free Travel in Beijing – Peking Duck

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After your flight, why not begin your Beijing journey in style and sample the city’s famous duck dish. There are dozens of options for indulging in Peking duck and one of our favorites is Jing Yaa Tang at the chic boutique hotel The Opposite House. Once you’ve eaten your fill, ask your guide to take you on a stroll around the neighboring Sanlitun district where the finest foreign designers have their premier boutiques.

Visa Free Travel in Beijing – Local Hutong Neighborhoods

RELATED READING: 5 (Alternative) Must-sees in Beijing

After enjoying lunch in one of the city’s upscale neighborhoods, it’s time to come back down to earth and visit the local hutong neighborhoods – where Old Beijing culture still thrives.

In these courtyard homes, AsiaTravel can arrange for you to meet people whose families have been living there for centuries. You’ll join a calligraphy master for a private lesson and have an energetic encounter with a 70-year-old cricket fighter.

Visa Free Travel in Beijing – 798 Art District

 

RELATED READING: Meet Our AsiaTravel Art Expert Wai Wai

After your hutong tour, your personal driver can take you to 798, a locale displaying all manner of art, from art-deco films and murals to sculptures and friendly street artists. AsiaTravel works with a contemporary art expert who is an insider among gallery owners. She can show you the best of what 798 has to offer.

We encourage you to wander among the small side streets, all packed with artistic odds and ends for any type of art enthusiast. Bring some small gifts home for friends and family, supporting local artists and keeping your carry-on luggage below the weight limit at the same time.

Visa Free Travel in Beijing – Great Wall

RELATED READING: How to Make the Most of a Trip to the Great Wall

On day two, take a tour to the Great Wall. Visiting a rural section of the Great Wall offers views typically uncompromised by massive crowds, though if you travel with AsiaTravel, you’ll be in luck on any section of the famous architectural marvel.

Take your time walking up its famed, and at places crumbling, steps, and take solace in the fact that you have the option of sliding your way down. That’s right, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers a toboggan for the weary masses who prefer a fast and fun way to return to normal elevation. To make your visit to the Great Wall truly special, we can arrange activities such as a private champagne picnic, helicopter ride, or a tour with William Lindesay – the leading expert on Great Wall conservation.

Visa Free Travel in Beijing – Imperial History

RELATED READING: Everything You Can Do at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven

Beyond the Great Wall, Beijing is home to a vast array of buildings that evoke the imperial history of the city. The chief among these sights is the Forbidden City, the official abode of the emperor. The Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace are also impressive in their own right. We will arrange for you to take a tai chi class at the Temple of Heaven and relax at an afternoon tea at the Aman Summer Palace.

As with most new places, it’s best to see them with and through the eyes of a local, like a AsiaTravel guide. Take the stress out of your visa-free stay and make the most of your time by customizing your perfect tour with AsiaTravel.

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Visit Pandas in China – Chengdu Panda Research Center

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Visit Pandas in China – Dujiangyan Panda Reserve

We’ve teamed up with Patricia Schultz, travel journalist and author of the NYT #1 best-selling 1000 Places To See Before You Die, to bring you her ultimate China adventure.

In late October 2018, Patricia will host a AsiaTravel trip with a focus on Yunnan Province that she helped curate along with our award-winning trip design team. Patricia has dedicated her life to helping her readers discover the best destinations around the world. We recently caught up with her to find out why she keeps China at the top of her ‘must-visit’ list.

Hi Patricia, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Your AsiaTravel hosted tour in 2018 won’t be your first visit to China. What do you think the country offers travelers and why are you making a return visit this year?

That’s a big question about a big country. China is an ancient civilization with a rich culture and history that date back thousands of years and deserves to be experienced by non-Chinese, western travelers, and sooner rather than later. It promises so much more beyond a Chinatown, a movie, a mention in the headlines. Together those experiences represent the tip of the iceberg – but they are a superficial notion of what the country is.

Our understanding of China is, at best, very limited. You can start with a focus on the contemporary face of China, but it is just one facet. You can’t pretend to know much after a whirlwind stopover in Beijing or a brief trip that touches upon a handful of highlights. In a country of this size and potential, the experience changes greatly from city to city. And although I have visited a number of times, I always leave feeling like there is so much more to see. It keeps me humble. That’s why it remains on my shortlist. 

Along with Beijing and Shanghai, you’ve added Yunnan Province to this journey you are hosting. What is it about this region, in China’s Southwest, that made it one of your 1000 Places?

Amazingly, few Westerners have heard of Yunnan Province. There are no large crowds of American tourists and it rarely gets the press or attention it deserves. It is easier to get there today, but for the most part it remains off most people’s radar – and that to me makes it all the more fascinating.

 

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I visited Myanmar, Vietnam and other areas in the northern reaches of Southeast Asia years ago where I learned about the many ethnic minorities who lived there – many of them had migrated from southern China over time, descendants of those still living and flourishing in China’s Yunnan Province. As an American, my sense of world culture and geography was pretty limited – a map helped illustrate the situation better.

I started researching more about Yunnan, known for its surprising number of minority groups and trade routes such as the Ancient Tea Horse Road (thanks in part to Jeff Fuchs), and I found it all fascinating. And the dramatic topography and scenery against which all of this culture and history is still happening today is the stuff of legends.

 

RELATED READING: Yunnan Food According to Mei Zhang

Is there one experience on this trip that you are particularly excited about?

I’m very excited about the cuisine – and I don’t have a very adventurous palate! I’ve always found Chinese cuisine so complex, nuanced and delicious. Even if you experience the finest Chinese cuisine in the US or abroad, it is commonly a limited sampling and invariably altered. Experiencing and experimenting with the local cuisine when visiting a destination lends insight and is an integral part of the journey.

Traditional specialties are sometimes not found 10 miles beyond a particular town, let alone on the other side of the world. And it doesn’t need to be a fancy or expensive meal to impress me. Tasting the street food or a dish prepared in someone’s home – that is what I find exhilarating.

 

RELATED READING: 5 Reasons to Visit China

The colors, dress, customs, and music of Yunnan’s ethnic minority communities are carefully passed down from generation to generation. We are steadily losing such respected ethnic traditions in America. Young people in Yunnan may have iPhones and computers but they still embrace their roots and heritage with a unique respect and admiration for past generations in a way not commonly found elsewhere.

This trip to me is a perfect mix of arriving – and immersing yourself – in 21st century China, followed by a giant step back in time in an attempt to understand something of the country’s early chapters of history in a corner of the country not well known to Western tourism. We’ll visit mountaintop villages and meet people whose ways and traditions have remained unchanged over time – something impossible to find in the big and busy cities of China.

It’s a fascinating mix and I’m counting the days! 

Nestled between the high-altitude Tibetan and Loess plateaus, China’s Gansu Province has been making international headlines as one of Lonely Planet’s Best Destinations in Asia for 2017.

This region of China, West of Beijing, was an important desert outpost along the Silk Road. During imperial times, Gansu’s rough and wild hinterlands were filled with nomadic tribes and traveling merchants praying for safe passage through the desert. Today, however, this once distant province is now well within reach. Gansu is a mere two and a half hour plane ride from Beijing, and there is a high-speed train between Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, and Xi’an that takes about the same amount of time. 

We love to visit Gansu on our tours and here are some of our favorite things to do there:

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Visit the Danxia Landforms

The Danxia Landforms are well-regarded for their other-worldly colors – they were even added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010. 

On a AsiaTravel journey into the ‘Rainbow Mountains’ you’ll be able to hike through five different “platforms” of height. The higher you climb, the more beautiful the landscape becomes. On any platform the view is different, and the best time to go there is at sunset – we’ll even arrange a picnic for you to enjoy whilst you watch the sun go down.

 

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Mogao Grottoes

Dug out of the western cliffs of the Mingsha Mountains, this complex of 492 grottoes represents the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art. Used by travelers for meditation, worship and to store texts, these temple caves contained tens of thousands of frescoes, paintings, sculptures and terracotta statues. They also housed innumerable manuscripts, including the earliest dated and printed book yet found. 

The caves were created over the course of 1,000 years and were a central religious and cultural crossroads along the ancient Silk Road. The Mogao Grottoes were rediscovered in the early 20th century and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. On a AsiaTravel journey, we’ll arrange a private tour of caves normally off limit to the public with the director of the Dunhuang museum.

 

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Lanzhou Beef Noodles Cooking Class

We love a bowl of beef noodles on a cold day and there’s no place better than Gansu to learn the history and procedure of cooking the dish.

Your guide will help you join the locals in an authentic beef noodle restaurant and on a AsiaTravel journey you’ll even learn the art of hand-pulling the noodle for yourself. The noodles in this dish should be as thin as thread and the beef should be soaked in water for several hours before being served. The noodles are usually quite spicy, but if you would like less heat, you can ask for less red pepper spice.

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Yellow River Cruise

The Yellow River is the second longest river in China and is widely considered to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. Cruises along the Gansu section can be taken by motorboat but goat skin rafts were the traditional transportation for people who lived along the banks. It’s by far the most authentic way to float down the river.

To make the rafts, the goat skins are made into balloons which are then fastened on wood frames to build up a simple and powerful form of aquatic transport. It’ll feel like floating back in time to the historic era when the Yellow River was a key byway for trade between China and Central Asia. Of course, you’ll be provided with life jackets. Safety first!

Filled with surreal landscapes and Indiana Jones-worthy archaeological sites, Gansu is not to be missed. Why not see this hot new destination the AsiaTravel way? Let’s plan your trip to Gansu.

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!

RELATED READING: Yunnan Food According to Mei Zhang

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

Kunming is the latest city to join the ranks of visa-free travel in China. A scheme that has been rolled out to a number of major cities in recent years, the visa-free permit gives the budding adventurer 144 hours (6 days) to touch down in, and explore, a city and its nearby environs. To qualify for visa exemption, you must be in transit from your point of origin to another country besides China. In other words, it must be a layover and you have to have the documents to prove your onward travel.

When you check in for your flight to Kunming, you’ll need to let the airline know that you’re planning to stay visa-free. Then, when you arrive, follow the “visa-free stay” signs in immigration. You’ll fill out a slightly longer entry card than normal, and your 144 hours will begin at 00:00 hours the next day.

Here’s all you need to know to get the most out of visa-free travel in Kunming.

 

Kunming: Visa-Free Travel

Often referred to as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ for its temperate climate year-round, Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan province, a lush and culturally diverse region in China’s southwest. A major metropolis by any standards, Kunming is markedly more cosmopolitan than the rest of Yunnan province. The city has evolved a bohemian, artsy vibe, with a growing number of independent galleries, cultural centers, and cafés. 

Kunming is also a pretty well-connected city, making travel to and from the area easy. In fact, many AsiaTravel travelers use Kunming as a jumping off point for other parts of Yunnan, as well as a welcome addition to travels through Southeast Asia.

 

Photo by Fuchsia Dunlop

 

Kunming Visa-Free Travel: Where to Eat?

As you’ll be staying within the city limits for the duration of the 144-hour visa, we’re sure you’ll be dying to know all the best eateries and hangouts that show off the best of what the region has to offer. Making its way onto Fuchsia Dunlop’s Yunnan Gastronomic Tour for very good reason, Kunming boasts a burgeoning culinary scene, combining Chinese tradition with the spices and exoticism of Southeast Asia. While mushroom hotpot is something of a specialty in Kunming, you’ll find delicacies at every turn with restaurants to match. A firm favorite of ours is the ancient Shiping Hall (石屏会馆), where you can enjoy chili fish in a beautiful traditional courtyard – the restaurant itself is 300 years old. Alternatively, head over to the 1910 South Train Station (1910 火车南站) to sample a more modern twist on Yunnan cuisine.

Top tip: Yunnan is China’s center of coffee cultivation, and many of Kunming’s cafes use local beans. Be sure to try a cup (or two) as you explore the city.

 

 

Kunming Visa-Free Travel: What to Do?

With bellies satiated, what should you do in Kunming? Well, when you’re not filling up on tasty treats or enjoying the natural feel of the city, why not jump on the cable car and head up Sleeping Beauty Mountain where you will be rewarded with stunning views and the chance to see Dragon Gate, a collection of beautiful temples jutting out of the cliff face.

Sticking with the rocky theme, Kunming’s Stone Forest is well worth a visit too, boasting impressive limestone formations. But, be warned, the early bird catches the worm with this one, as it is a firm favorite amongst domestic tourists.

 

 

Kunming Visa-Free Travel: Where to Stay?

And finally, where to rest our weary traveler heads? A city that is laced with the beauty of nature throughout, there are plenty of choices when it comes to finding a room with a view in Kunming. Our personal favorite is the Green Lake Hotel. While the clue is in the name, this hotel boasts great views over Green Lake Park, as well as enjoying a prime location within walking distance of Kunming Old Town, and more restaurants and cafés than you can shake a stick at. It has all the modern conveniences and services you’d want, including a swimming pool to relax in after a long day of soaking up the sights.

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So, if it’s a lengthy layover you’ve found yourself with, or you are on the hunt for a trip extension with a bit of a twist, consider Kunming – a vibrant destination with none of the visa hassles.

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. 

RELATED READING: Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lhasa

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.

RELATED READING: Where Can I Visit Tibetan Buddhist Monks?

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. 

RELATED READING: Do I Need a Permit to Visit Tibet?

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.

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.

RELATED READING: Best Hotels in Lhasa

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.

RELATED READING: Do I Need a Permit to Visit Tibet?

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. 

RELATED READING: Where Can I Visit Tibetan Buddhist Monks in China?

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.

RELATED READING: Top 5 Reasons You Should Visit Lhasa

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.

RELATED READING: Why Tibetan Camping is the Perfect Holiday for Whole Body Wellness

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

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.

RELATED READING: 3 Best Hotels in Guilin

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.

 

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.

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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.