Learn Tibetan Customs - Drinking Tea

In common, family members should use one's own tea bowl to drink tea at home and not to take other's bowl freely. One can not have his tea bowl empty at his will while drinking tea. Instead, keep the tea bowl full after half tea time till and till last, however, one should also not drink it out but keep a littl tea to be seen as a symbol of the never drunk out tea and gorgeous wealth. A hostess will take out her treasured and lumiinous looking china bowl and put it before her guest. She then hold tea pot up and shake slightly for several times (bottom of the teapot is below a table). A tea bowl is filled with butter tea is then carried with both hands and bow to her guest. The guest cannot drink it at once as just getting it from host. One should blow the floating oil slowly, and take several sips till half of it left in the bowl. Put the bowl onto the table. The hostess is going to fill it up and guests cannot take it immediately but are requested to sip it slowly and keep talking with her.

After drinking in each time, bowl is to be filled u soon so as to keep it full. Guests, in common need to drink three bowls not just one. When drinking, don't make noise. Not even drink out, otherwise, it will be regarded as ill breeding.

tags: Tibet Travel and Trips to China

Learn something about Deqin in Shangri-la

3,480 meters above sea level, Deqin is the northenmost county of Yunnan. It has been functioning was gateway to Tibet (a best destination for Tibet Tours ) from Yunnan for centuries.

Bai Ma Snow Mountains is a nature reserve under national protection. With 188 thousand hectares of land, it is the biggest nature reserve with the highest altitude in Yunnan.

Dong Zhu Lin Lamasery, located in Benzilan of Deqin, or around 90 kilometers from Shangri-la, was initially built in 1667 and restored in 1985.

Fei Lai Temple near the Mei Li Snow Mountains is 8 kilometers in the east of Deqin. It houses the best-kept mural Buddhist paintings in the whole region. Fei Lai Temple is also a vantage point to take a panoramic view of the Mei Li Snow Mountains.

The Tibetans have been making pottery wares for hundreds of years. The pottery workhsop at Nixi village on the outskirts of Shangri-la boasts an excellent display of pottery boxes, vases, tea holders, and other daily necessities.
Mei Li Snow Mountains is a mountains is a mountain range of 13 peaks averaging over 6000 meters. Its main peak Mt kagebo at 6740 meters above sea level is the highest point in Yunnnan. For centuries, Mt Kagebo is considered a sacred mountain. Every year, thousands of Tibetans come from near and far to worhip it.

tags: China trip

Three destinations to enjoy Christmas day in Shenzhen

Three destinations to enjoy Christmas day in Shenzhen
Christmas day has passed in 2014, but the Christmas activities still going on. As a fast developing metropolis city, Shenzhen China has so much to offer, with various different themes activities, just start your shenzhen holiday, as we know, many of the activities lasts two weeks or even longer, so you have plenty of time to have fun.
China Tour Advisor recommends top three attractions to enjoy the Christmas day in Shenzhen, also, those places are must visit places, just enjoy the warm weather in Shenzhen and take part in those fun activities.


1. Happy Valley, Singing Carnival
Located in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, Happy Valley is a large modern theme park in China. It covers an area of 350,000 square meters and has large quantities of breathtaking and exciting amusements. It can satisfy anyone's desire for modern entertainments.

The Singing Carnival started from 6th Dec 2014 to 2nd Jan 2015, selecting the best singer in Shenzhen, the winning award is 100,000 RMB. The competition will be held inside of the Valley near the Maya water park.

2. Window of the World, Ice and Snow Festival
Located in the west of Shenzhen, Window of the World is a theme park. Cover an area of 48 hectares, the park has over 130 reproductions of some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. The 108 metre (354 ft) tall Eiffel Tower dominates the skyline and the sight of the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal all in proximity to each other are all part of the appeal of this theme park.
In 19th Dec, The Windows of the World opened the shoulder of the Ice and Snow Festival, the theme is dramatic ice and snow romantic night, colorful Christmas to welcome the New Year. It is rarely to see snow in warm Shenzhen. So during the festival, tourists can not only experience the frozen ice and gallop in the ice world, but also you can view the colorful lanterns, just feel free to enjoy yourself in the Ice World, the festival lasts from 19th Dec 2014 to Jan 2015

3. Chinese Folk Cultural Village, Dating Culture Festival
Chinese Folk Cultural Village is a theme park. It reflects the history, culture, art, ancient architecture, customs and habits of various nationalities. It is one of the world's largest scenery parks in the amount of scenarios reproduced.
From 12th Dec to 25th Dec. there was a dating culture festival held in the Splendid China & Chinese Folk Cultural Village. You can experience the different wedding customs in different nationalities. If you are single, this would be a great chance for you to find out your dream date. Just enjoy your time in the village and immersed in the unique Chinese culture.
tags: China tour deals and trip to china

Some new sites for Xian travel

Insect Museum

Lovated inside the exhibition garden of the Northwest University of Agriculture, the insect museum is the largest of its kind in Asia. It consists of three parts: exhibition, collection and science. 

Artifical Rainfall Simulation Hall 

Located inside the water and conservancy institute at Xinong Road of Yangling District, it is a key laboratory of the Institute of Wter & Soil Conservancy under China Academy of Science, Specializing in soil erosion and draft agriculture on the Loess Plateau. Here artificial rainfall can be simulated with scale ranked No.2 in the world


Xi'an Hi-tech Industrial Development Xone
It is categorized as the national hi-tech industrial development zone. After more than ten years of reconstruction and development, the Hi-tech Zone has become one of the best in northwest China for tis best pool of talents, excellent environment and development, winning the reputation of "No.9 Scenic Spot" in central Shaanxi.

tags: China vacation deals and China trips

A wonderful gifts of Christmas - travelling

Are you tired of the traditional ways of celebrating Christmas? Do you want to try a new, and impressive way to make your Christmas days unforgettable and meaning? Go traveling. Many countries are the best choice like Russia, Finland, France, Canada, etc. But some other countries like China may be nice to experience the different culture and learn their ways of life. So ChinaTour.com designs a “Crack the lucky egg, get your Christmas award” celebration activity specially for you and your family.

Activity Rules: 

*Duration: From 0:00 Dec 22, 2014 to 24:00 Jan 05, 2015
*Each participant has only one Lucky Egg Cracking Chance
*Products for promotion: Our Small Group Tours
*All the awards will be discount coupons, which will be sent to the email you provided right after. Please check your email for the discount coupons. You can also send the coupons to your friends as Christmas gift.
*Please note that each discount coupon will be used only once, and stay valid before Mar 05, 2015.
*The Panda Toy will be given to you during your visit in China by our tour guide.
*ChinaTour.com reserves the rights of the final explanation to this activity.

tags: trip to china

An optional destination for Yunnan travel - Luxi Chengzi Ancient Village

Situated on 2 200 meter-long mountain slop, Chengzi Ancient Village is composed of nearly 1,000 Yi minority's households. With a history of more than 500 years, the village houses are of typical Yi minority's Tuzhang house.

Yi People's Tuzhuang house is a flat roof house builg with soil and wood at the foot of a hill. The structure is: wooden poles are errected as posts, and walls of the four sides are rammed by earth, or are piled with slab stones or adobe. Slab stone is laid as eaves around the roof, which is 2-3 centimeters thick. This makes the house warm in winter and cool in summer, and has very strong function of resisting fire. So it is also called "fire banking house". People live in the house. While the flat roof functions as a good place for drying crops and for enjoying the cool in summer. 
 

tags: China trips and China Holidays









 

7 safety tips for solo travelers

Travelling alone can be exciting, but since you won't have the support of a group, it is important to be aware of any potential dangers and make personal safety a priority. Here are a few safety tips for solo travelers.

1. Stay connected. Before you leave home, find out whether your mobile phone has roaming capabilities in your destination. If not, get a phone once you arrive or buy international SIM cards so you have a lifeline.

2. Tell others about your daily itinerary When traveling alone in parkland or wilderness, always tell someone your exact route and when you expect to return, and then stick to your plan.


3. Stash money, credit cards and passport in separate places On travel days, carry your passport separately from your money and credit cards. When sightseeing, carry only a copy of your passport's data page and keep your passport locked in your hotel safe.

4. Study up on your destination Be aware of safety concerns as well as of local customs and etiquette, especially in regards to dress. Dress appropriately and don't wear your valuables. Talk to locals about neighborhoods to avoid, especially after dark. Know the local number to call for emergencies.

5. Be aware of your surroundings Take note of street signs, business names and the routes you take when exploring. Leave the headphones in your luggage. Listening to music can distract you from what's going on around you (whether it be potential danger or local culture).

6. Stay Healthy Is the water safe to drink? Are poisonous snakes or spiders a problem? Are mosquitoes a health issue? Does your dive operator have a stellar safety record? Be sure to find the answers to all these questions, and bring an extra supply of prescription medications just in case.

7. Keep your wits about you Try to arrive in and explore destinations during the day. Be confident - people are less likely to bother you if you're confident and controlled. Always keep your bag, purse or wallet on you or in sight. Don't leave your common sense at home.
tags: Trips to China and Holidays in China

Explore the natural views around Xian II

Hukou Waterfall of Yellow River



Located in the valley between between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces along the middle reaches of the Yellow River, Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall after Huangguoshu Waterfall in China. As the Yellow River (another longest river in China together with Yangtze River which you can have Yangtze River tour) reaches Hukou, its riverbed shrinks adruptly from more than 300 meters to over 50 meters and the contracted water falls down with a drop of over 30 meters and flows turbulently along the channel. The valley is shaped like the mouth of a pot, thus comes the name of the waterfall. Due to its spectacular sight and the splendid scenery in the neighborhood, Hukou Waterfall has been categorized as the national scenic spot.

Shaanxi Foping National Natural Reserve


Situated in Foping County, Shaanxi Province, the natural reserve covers an area of 29240 hectares. The establishment thereof was approved by the State Council in 1978 to mainly protect gaint pandas and the ecological system in the forest. It is located on the south slope of the middle section of Qinling Mounatin with its highest peak 2,904 meters above sea level and relative height difference being over 1900 meters. The reserve had numerous mountains, moderate climate, primitive and unsophisticated landscape and extremely abundant resources of animals and plants. Plants amount to 1580 species and animals 256 kinds in total.

tags: trip to china

Explore the natural views around Xian I

Shaanxi boasts gorgeous landscape and beautiful nature and scenery. Huashan Mountain, Hukou Waterfall of Yellow River, Qinling Mountain, Taibai Mountain and Lishan Mountain record the golden era of the past and witness the vicissitudes in history. Now, they come to show their magnificence and grandiosity. 

Huashan Mountain

Bordering on Wei River (a tributary of Yellow River) in the north, Huashan Mountain used to be called Western Mountain and has been announced as one of the key scenic spots in the first batch.
Huashan Mountain has been reputed at home and abroad as peerless steep and dangerous mountain in China. It is made up of five distinctively different peaks, i.e.the east peak named Rising Sun, the west peak named Lotus Flower, the middle peak named Fair Maiden, the south peak named Falling Wild Goose and the north peak named Cloud Platform.
Qinling Mountain
Qinling Mountain serves to be the natural barrier between the north and the south of China, and also the watershed between the Yangtze River (along the both banks you can witnes the wonderful view during your Yangtze River tour) and the Yellow River. The orth slope is short and steep with water flowing rapidly and many deep valleys known as seventy valleys of Qinling Mountain. And the south slope is long and gentle with the feature of high mountains and deep valleys. Peaks rising one higher than another and mist prevailing, the river valleys and basins make up the exceptional scenery.

Taibai Mountain
As the highest peak in Qinling Mountain, Taibai Mountain is situated at the juncture of Meixian County, Taibai County and Zhouzhi County. Its highest peak, Baixiantai is 3767 meters above sea level. It is covered with snow throughout the year due to its high elevation, thin air and cold climate. The white snow stays even in the sweltering summer, thus the scenery of Taibai with snow has been rankes as one of the eight scenic spots on the central Shannxi Plain.
tags: Trips to China

Get to know the folk custom in Shaanxi before your travel

Enriched by history and ancient culture for years, the fertile and beautiful land has reproduced and cultivated the unique folk customs. The waist-drum dance, clay figurines, paper cutting, farmers' paintings, the dragon dance and local festival acitivities enable you to experience and comprehend the power and sentiments of life. Here you can come to touch on the profound and ancient national culture of China and appreciate longstanding and remote local customs.


Fengxi'and Colored Clay Figurines
With a history of one thousand years, the traditional folk artifacts are made through ten demanding process. The colored clay figurines are made true to life by exaggerated style, simplification and rich imagination.

Ansai Waist-drum Dance

This longstanding and unique drum dance has combined dance with song and martial arts harmoniously. Changeable procession, vigor, enthusiasm and sprightly rhythm have made it suitable for performances both onstage and outdoors.

Paper-cutting

Paper cutting is intended for decorating window, ceiling of cave dwellings, surroundings of kang, pillows, tablecloth, shoes, wedding, clothes and shrines. Such paper cuttings are featured by simplicity, uncontraint and lucidity, carrying strong rural flavors and ancient folk customs.

Dragon Dance
Dragon dance is a kind of folk dances. The dancers are moving in synchronous steps with each other and perform to the loud rings of gongs and drums as well as the cheers. The outstanding performance on stage gets all the more colorful and imposing feature as per the designed program.

tags: Holidays in China and China shopping

Travel Guide - Quyang Lake-Beautiful High-land Getaway

Quyang Lake is a giant high-land karst lake, located in the northwest of Jingxi county, Guangxi Zhuang People Autonomous Region. As the second large artificial  lake in the Baise city, Quyang Lake is about 15 kilometers in length, and 1 kilometer in its widest. Its heavenly scenery and the local colorful Zhuang people culture has made it an ideal tourist site when travel to Guangxi.

Quayng lake is so huge, it approximately takes 4 or 5 hours to sail around. It is amazing to see such huge lake on such height. Crystal clear water decorated with small hills and islands, it’s a whole green world. Each hill is unique in its own manner, for me some looks like vivid animals,  awaken lion, jumping fish, running rabbit, racing horse, almost like a zoo made of rocks. Everything feels so refreshing and soothing. On some small islands, you can see fishing lovers sitting there contently and enjoying their hours. Fishing in such stunning atmosphere is such a pure joy.

Along the Quyang lake stands majestic Baxing mountain with over 1000 meters above the sea level. Not only that, plenty Zhuang villages are scattered among the water and mountains.  We come her at the off season so it is not jammed with tourists, which is a good thing. The sailor of our boat is a nice local guy full of hospitality. From his face and words, I can tell he’s very proud of the place where he was born and raised. He also tells us an interesting local folk story.

In old times, every March 16 in lunar calendar, there were snakes coming out during the singing festival from the Qumeng spring under the Eagle mountain. Once the snakes were out, they would turn into beautiful girls and sing love songs with the guys from the Zhuang people village. Just when those guys were completely attracted by their pretty face and lovely voice, the girls vanished into the lake. As we pass by the Rabbit Island, the sailor says there lives a 10 meters long snake. Rumor has it that it is the very snake in the story.

Sometime it takes efforts to see good things, like seeing the Quyang lake. Taking the tour bus from the downtown of Jingxi county, it needs about 20 or so kilometers mountain roads to reach the destination. To tell the truth, it is such a tiresome trip but the very moment you get off, the weariness is all gone. Smooth lake water stretch to the horizon, humid yet refreshing air, white swans and wild ducks swimming leisurely on the lake, no wonder people like to call him as the Little Heaven.

When it comes to travelling, there are many kinds. Some are only sight-seeing, some are experiencing the culture different, and some are both. No doubt Quyang lake falls into the last category. After seeing enough of the amazing views, take a tour randomly at the Zhuang people village is exciting as well.

tags: China trips and Public China Holidays

Learn something about Tengchong before your travelling to Yunnan

Culture and History

The Old Town of Heshun, Tengcheng is one of China's Top 10 Attractive Towns. In Heshun, the classic villages integrating the elements of Huizou buildings of China, western buildings and South Asian buildings situated among fields. Besides, eight village ancestral halls with classic Chinese culture are well preserved. Sitwell Road built in 1944 is the most convenient way connecting China and India, presently two countries in the world with the largest population and the rapidest economic development. National Martyrs Cemetery, built in 1945 in memory of the officers and soldiers sacrificed for capturing Tengchong during the Anti-Japanese War, is preserntly the largest and best preserved memorial cemetery in China for officers and soldiers who died on the frontline battlefields during the Anti-Japanese War.



Capital of Jade:

Tengchong, China's Top City of Jadeite, has jadeite processing history of 600 years. Close to the original of jadeite in Myanmar, it is a jewelry distribution center of Southeast Asia. In Longling, "Huanglong Jade Sculpture" is an emerging type of jade in China and Huanglong Jade is only produced in Longling and a small area nearby. In Ruili, there are large-scale trading markets.

Ethnic Festivals:
Popular in the habitat of Jingpo people in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Munaozongge Festival of Jingpo People is the most important traditional festival. And in May every year, Sino- Myanmar Brethrens' International Cultural Tourism Festival.

tags: China trips and China Holidays

Learn the culture and history of Dali before your travel

With history of 1200 years since built, the Old Town of Dali is a famous historical and cultural city in China. With plain citizens and prosperous business, the town has a great number of Chinese and western restaurants, cafe, teahouses and art ware shops. Attracting many foreign tourists, it has developed the well-known "street of foreigners". Nearby the Old Town are such famous sceneries as Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and TV city of the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils and the fold event March Street of Bai People in Daili is held here in the third lunar month every year. Weishan Mountain in the south of Dali still preserves the Old Town of Nanzhao Kingdom, an ancient kingdom.

The Tea-Horse Ancient Road is an ancient tea trade channel in the world, while Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la are necessary passes on the road. This Ancient Road has created the prosperity in Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la as well as such small towns as Xizhou of Dali, Shaxi of Jianchuan, Dukezong of Shangri-la and Adunzi of Deqing. Well-preserved, all these small towns are the best tourist destinations to trace back to history and seek human culture.

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Explore Mysterious and Secluded Nujiang in Yunnan

Nujiang (which literally means Rage River) originates from Jiregepa Summit of the south part of Tanggula Mountains. From the very beginning, the river appears to be mysterious and unique. Local Tibetans call it Naqu, meaning the ‘black river’. In summer the river rolls on with great raging torrents, whereas in winter the green water ripples peacefully. Nujiang slashes open the Hengduan Mountain Range like a knife.

Is Nujiang really going to get outrageous? If not, why call it Rage River? Every day exactly at 7 o’clock in the morning, the clock of the old church in the Pihe village starts to toll. The sound is clear and melodious, echoing through the valley for a long time. Eventually the sun rises from behind the snowy Biluo Mountain. The sunlight turns the snow on the opposite Gaoligong mountain into a beautiful golden color. Then the quietness of the valley disappears. The church, which appears extraordinarily calm and peaceful, is facing Nujiang, as if looking down at the water rolling nonstop into the distance.

The history of the people along Nujiang is a legend of migration. The Dulong ethnic group, which as yet remains secluded, were once the first group of immigrants on the ancient Yunnan-Tibet road. Those who now live in the Pihe village are called the Nusu people, which is a branch of the Nu ethnic group. They began to migrate into this area since the Su and Tang dynasties from Liangshan of Sichuan province and Lijiang of Yunnan province westwards to settle down along Lancang River. They finally settled in Nujiang area. Now more than half of the population living in Nujiang district are of the Lisu ethnic minority, which is also an migrant ethnic group.

Dulong Girls have their faces tattooed at the beginning of adolescence. First the tattooist pricks the girl’s face by a thorn and then rubs the wounds repeatedly with a kind of black substance which is obtained by scrubbing the bottom of a pot or with dark grass sap until the color permeates the skin and allows the color to remain permanently.

However, this custom has been banned since 1949. Now there are only about thirty women who have such tattoos on the face.

In Nujiang area, the mountains are high and valleys are deep with gullies and ravines crossing each other. These characterized features form a natural barrier that helps to preserve the local culture characteristics from spoiled, but at the same time made it very difficult for the local people to keep in touch with the outside world.

Comparison with the outside world, life here is changing at a much slower pace, especially in villages where no road reaches. And even, it may take a whole day if going to a market. For those young people who live in such villages they badly need change from their too peaceful lives. Thus, they learn the outside world by adventurous tourists coming here, or few of them would go outside to see what’s new at the other side of the mountain.

Yet mysterious and unique, the secluded Nujiang and the people living there remain secrets to most people. If you have time, trek there and see the original and untouched Nujiang by yourself. I’m sure you will be surprised by its beauty and uniqueness.

tags: Yangtze River tour and China travel service