China Travel Blog

Earlier this week, The New York Times posted “The 45 Places to Go in 2012.” Everyone at AsiaTravel was excited to see that Lhasa, Tibet (#9) and Moganshan, a village outside of Shanghai (#18),  made the list!

Even if you have not yet traveled to Lhasa (which you should), mental images of dramatic Himalayan peaks, devout Buddhist worshipers and piercing blue skies immediately spring to mind.  If you have traveled to this wild part of the world, I am sure you can remember your first savory bite of a yak dumpling, known in Tibetan as momo. Yum.

In recent years, large luxury hotel players such as St. Regis Lhasa have entered the Tibetan landscape and the InterContinental Resort Lhasa Paradise and the 284-room Shangri-La are set to follow in 2013. We will make sure to keep you posted on who has the best breakfast…

Those less familiar with China may scrunch up their eyebrows and say, “Moganshan? What’s that like?”

 

A quick three hour zip out of Shanghai, Monganshan is a fantastic getaway from city living.  For guests who are already in the area, we often suggest including a restorative and romantic stay in Moganshan– especially while on AsiaTravel’s Chinese Classical Gardens, a trip that winds through Suzhou, Wuzhen and other beautiful water towns along the Grand Canal.

Whether your 2012 travel plans include Lhasa or Moganshan, you cannot go wrong!

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For more information on traveling to Moganshan and/or Lhasa, please contact info@wildchina.com

Photo credit: (2nd) myALN, (3rd) Naked Stables

 

Whether your goals for the Year of the Dragon are to eat your way through China through China for Foodies or to take the most memorable family vacation yet, AsiaTravel can help plan your journey. Highlights for the new year include new small group programs that feature intimate groups of just 16 travelers, with a dedicated AsiaTravel Tour Director throughout the journey.

AsiaTravel will shortly be launching some exciting cross-border trips. Stay tuned for a trip that travels from Guizhou in southern China into lush northern Vietnam as well as a trip that travels overland from Mongolia’s grasslands into China’s capital city.

 

Everyone at AsiaTravel is anticipating that Yunnan will be one of our most sought after travel destinations.  What we like about Yunnan is that there a bit of something for everyone. You are an avid hiker looking for a change of pace and a challenge? Take a look at Yunnan: South of the Clouds. Looking to travel on an ancient trade route to deepen your knowledge of tea? You will definitely drool over Ancient Tea and Horse Road. And our friends over at Travel + Leisure agree that Xishuangbanna is definitely one of the Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012.

 

We look forward to sharing another exciting year with you.  From everyone at AsiaTravel, hope 2012 is off to a great start!

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Photo credit (for 2nd photo): iLearn Culture

A couple of weekends ago, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in town co-chairing the third U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) alongside China’s State Councilor Liu Yandong.  They discussed and presented plans for increased collaboration and exchange between the two countries over a huge variety of areas.  A couple of topics that really grabbed AsiaTravel’s attention were education and women.

 

 

On education, Secretary Clinton stated, “American students…are yearning to learn more about China, and you cannot learn that from a textbook. You learn it from sitting across a table, having a discussion, sharing a meal, learning a language. There is nothing that substitutes for being in each other’s countries.”  We could not agree more.  When students on our educational programs return from trip, the focus is typically on how much they appreciated the homestays with local families or giving lessons in English, art, basketball or the hokey-pokey to a group of Chinese students.

 

 

Concerning women, the story of women entrepreneurship in China certainly hits close to home, and it’s empowering to hear that conversations about the ways to improve opportunities for girls and women in both nations (and around the world) will continue.  After all, as mentioned in this inspiring microblog:

 

 

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Photos by AsiaTravel & Michael Gross, U.S. Department of State & textsfromhillaryclinton.tumblr.com

 

Last week, Shanghua Zhang, one of the 2012 AsiaTravel Explorer Grant winners, began his trek in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture. Along his journey, he will spend time in The Chaqingsongduo Nature Reserve which houses two-thirds of the world’s population of white-lipped deer or Thorold’s deer, the second largest glacier in the prefecture, and the sources of numerous streams and rivers, and the peak of the mighty Mount Gongga.

AsiaTravel spoke with him days before his trip to learn more about how he was preparing for his travels.

AsiaTravel Travel (WCT):  How have you been preparing for your adventure?

Shanghua Zhang (SZ):  First things first, travel insurance! As I am traveling for 30 days, travel insurance is important. In addition, I also purchased an SLR camera so I will leave the trip with memorable photos.  Of course, since the camera is relatively heavy, I may not always have the engery to take photos!

Additionally, I have extensively researched my route, looking at online information and speaking with local contacts.  There has not been a huge amount that I have found online– this area is quite remote– but I always have the attitude that I can figure it out as long as I have the right clothing and enough food.

WCT:  What are you most looking forward to seeing?

SZ:  During the trip, I am most looking forward to seeing is to see the wild white-lipped deer.  They are exceptionally hard to find and a real national treasure– only a few thousand survive, even in the Tibetan areas.

WCT:  Is there one item that you cannot travel without?

SZ:  Of course. I always carry a  local handmade knife that I received as a present several years ago. I now collect traditional knives when I travel– I find them beautiful.

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If you are interested in learning more about the AsiaTravel Explorer Grant, please do not hesitate to get in touch at info@wildchina.com. 

 

AsiaTravel was recently featured n the May/June 2012 edition of Action Asia for our current summer offerings in Tibet.

This summer, AsiaTravel has many exciting trips traveling to Tibet.  The first is Family Adventures in Tibet: On the Roof of the World. This journey specially designed for families offers an adventurous and interactive look at Tibet: you’ll sip yak butter tea with a local Tibetan family; witness monks debate sacred texts in one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most revered monasteries; and even print your own prayer flags. Join us on an unforgettable vacation as you embark on your dream trip to Tibet with your family.

Since 2001, AsiaTravel has been the leader in cultural immersion and adventure expeditions for student travel in China.  This year, AsiaTravel is thrilled to be leading a select group of 2012 AsiaTravel Student Expedition Explorers to Beijing, Yunnan and Tibet to experience elements of community service, physical challenge and cultural immersion.

On the 26-day journey, students begin in Beijing, where Imperial history collides with hyper-modernity.  In addition to exploring the not-to-be-missed sights of China’s capital, they will climb an unrestored section of the Great Wall and spend the night barbequing and camping out alongside one of the wonders of the world. In the southwestern province of Yunnan, we’ll trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge, a spectacular natural wonder where we meet local residents caught in the midst of China’s struggle to balance environmental concerns with economic demands.  Finally, spend three days trekking in Tibet, the former home of the Dalai Lama and one of the most spiritual places in the world.

And last but not least, Journey to Base Camp is a lifelong dream for many adventure travelers. Beginning with the early British expeditions in the 1920s, Everest has held a magical allure with its imposing snow caps and stunning panoramic views. Yet, given the physical endurance required to approach Everest from the south side in Nepal, this dream is often unattainable. We invite you to live the dream in an adventure unlike any other: exploring Mt. Everest Base Camp from the north side, in Tibet, the Roof of the World.

This program is specially designed for adventure seekers looking to explore Tibet’s breathtaking natural landscapes as well as its deep spirituality and rich culture. We visit the major monasteries, temples and sacred Tibetan Buddhist sites of Lhasa before embarking on the incredible overland drive through central Tibet to Nepal. Approaching Everest Base Camp by car, we set up tented camps on the north side and hike further up to explore the majestic mountain. Our journey ends at a trading post between Tibet and Nepal, allowing travelers to continue to Kathmandu.