Sunday, January 25, 2015

Must-sees for Tibet travel

If you never ever take the initial to go out for travel and adventure, you’ll never know how many surprises are waiting for you during the journey. Whatever you want from your travel, a trip to the remote yet sacred Tibet will surely meet all your needs. If you are in the right place at the right time, do take the chance to travel to the remarkable Tibet.
In Tibet (learn more about this place via Tibet tour), you will appreciate and get the most marvelous scenery ever. There are many spectacular Buddhist monasteries with devout pilgrims and sacred circuits. There are vast prairies dotted with crystal alpine lakes and decorated with magnificent mountains. There are mystical and generous Tibetan people with their unique culture. All these highlights from the spiritual and peaceful Tibet will bring you unforgettable experience and memories.
Here let’s get through a list of top spectacular tourist sites that you should not miss out when travel to Tibet.

Namtso Lake
The Namtso that means ‘Heavenly Lake’ in Tibetan is located in 240 kilometers north of Lhasa (must-see in Lhasa for China vacation deals). Being the highest saltwater lake in the world with an altitude of 4,700 meters and the second largest saltwater in China, Namtso is especially noted for its untouched beauty. Its integrated vista of the crystal blue water joined by the clear sky and the gorgeous Nyenchen Tanglha in the north is really captivating.

Ghading Valley
Ghading Valley is located in Baiyi Town of Nyinchi. The Ghading Valley is featured with typical valley landform that has precipitous mountains and steep cliffs. Because of its mild climate, the valley is covered with lush vegetation and wild flowers are scattered in the bottom of the valley. What’s exciting at Ghading Valley is the Heaven Buddha Waterfall hanging at the left cliff of the valley. The waterfall has a fall of 200 meters and its scenery is very impressive. What’s mystical is the flickering Buddha among the waterfall and this is how the Heaven Buddha Waterfall got its name. When looking up to the sky from the bottom among the intricate mountains, your imagination will be ignited. What amazing vista you will see, it depends on how far your imagination will go.

Ranwu Lake
The Ranwu Lake lying on the 318 National Highway has stunning beauty and it is a turquoise attracting numerous tourists there. The essence of Ranwu Lake lies in its crystal-blue water and tranquility. But the Ranwu Lake is also poetic. Extra colors and charms are provided by the surrounding green grassland and snow peaks. Also the forests, blue sky and soft clouds, the colorful prayer flags, and the dotted nomad’s tents and yaks, all these bring the awe-inspiring scenery.

Basum Lake
Basum Lake is a popular tourist site in Nyingchi. It is renowned for its lush vegetation and extreme clearness. The water in the lake is quite blue and you can see the bottom of the lake easily. You will see fishes swimming in the water, sand gulls, white cranes, and other water-birds flying across the lake. Together with the reflection of the encircled snow-covered mountains and virgin forests, especially the colorful flowers in spring and red leaves in autumn, Basum Lake gets its most highlighted scenery during your China Holidays.

Yanjing
Yanjing is a mystical destination in southeast Tibet. In ancient times, Yanjing was the road from Yunnan to Tibet. Now it is the only place in Tibet that has Catholics and Catholic Church. In Yanjing, Naxi people of Dongba, local Tibetans of Buddhism, and Catholics live a harmonious life. Besides the beautiful natural scenery and mysterious local culture, the unique landscape of salt pans in Yanjin is another attraction.

Midui Glacier
The Midui Glacier that is located in Bomi County of Nyingchi in Tibet is one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China. Being the lowest glacier in the world, Midui Glacier attracts tourists there for its giant and pure fascinating glaciers in different shapes. But it is not alone. Here natural features of grand canyons, snow mountains, forests, and lakes are found to add charms to the glaciers. Also villages and diversified biology of wild animals add some vigor to the striking scenery of Midui Glacier.
tags: China trips

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The brief introduction of Tibet festival - Saga Dawa Festival

The forth month of Tibetan Calendar is called Saga Dawa Festival. As legend depicts, Lord Sakyamuni was born in Lumbini in the Saga Dawa Mounth of iron monkey year of Tibetan calendar. On the fifteenth day of Saga Dawa month, Lord Sakyamuni facing east meditated on straw under a giant bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, subdued evil ghosts at nightfall and acquired enlightenment in dawn. On day fifteen of Saga Dawa month of iron dragon yaer, Lord Sakyamuni became the Buddha, the final words in Deer park of Benares city was that suffering is an inherent part of existence; that the origin of sufferign is ignorance and the main symptoms of that ignorance are attachment and craving; that attachment and craving can be ceased, and that following the Noble Eightfold Path will lead to the cessation of attachment and craving and therefore suffering. Tibetan folk takes this month as great creator, so massive people and monks will hold religious activities in the month. To follow this tradition, most people, not to mention monks are refrained from killing and are pious to prayer a half month ahead of Saga Dawa.

In Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Monastery and Paba Lakang of Potala Palace (must-see for Tibet Travel), thousands of offerings are respectively put and all main Buddha sculptures are coated with gold powder and offered butter lamps. On the morning of the fifteenth day, the first thing for pilgrims to do is to present hadas and fill lamp oil to Buddha Sakyamuni, and three compassionate Buddha of Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Monastery. Later, they will follow the ring of prayer. They will walk by Chapori, Norbulinka, Dyikyi Linka and Potala Palace before arriving at the dragon's pool in the noon. Pilgrims practise prayer during the way while burning incense on the mani stones paaed by. They follow traditions and give donation to beggars. Pilgrims who have carried tea and wine will take yak skin boat to enjoy boating in the noon. Langmas will perfom singing and dancing to increase the happy atmosphere. After boating, pilgrims continue to follow their prayer route.

tags: China trip

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Get to know Grand Summons and Lantern Festival in Tibet

Get to know Grand Summons and Lantern Festival in Tibet

Grand summons ceremony was established by Tsongkhaba of Gelugpa secct in the year of 1409. It originally was a prayer ceremony set for commemoration of Sakyamuni subdued evil ghosts.

During Grand Summons Festival, monks assemble in Lhasa. They chant scriptures for prayer and debate on scriptures, and obtain the title of Geshe Lharampa. Devout pilgrims will come to fill lamp oil, worship Buddha and give donation to monks.


On Jannuary, 15th, Sakyamuni finally "conquered", or converted six holy men of false religions at a place in Tibet near border with India. Living Buddha and the monks of the Three Great Monastery of Tibet hold a grand player ceremony pushing it to climax. By the nightfall, flower shelves are put up in Backhor streets of Lhasa. Some can reach three storey high, and the lowest is around two story high. Colorful sculptures of figures, flowers, birds and animals all made of butter, are display in the flower shelves, suspended in air while others are made with moving pans as three dimensional scroll. Ass these, and thousands of twitter butter lamps togethers make the streets splendid.

The artistic image characterizes mankind's pursuit for beauty. Urban people rush into the streets to appreciate the lighting of the "butter lamps", and farmers from the suburbs floct to the front of lamps. They dance and sing throughout the night.

tags: China Holidays and Tibet tour


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

What is Onkor Festival?

This is a festival when Tibetans celebrating harvest. "On" in Tibetan means fields, "kor" means circle around. Onkor means circle around fields. The festival is popular in all farming areas, no fixed date, generally it is celebrated when the crops ripen.

Onkor Festival, with a history over 1500 years was primitively popular in the middle and lower reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo valley. The activity of Onkor, at the beginning, was a sacrifice ritual to deity spirits for praying a bumper harvest. Usually it was organized in units of a village and headed by wizard of Bon religion who received spirits of earth to do a circle around its field. At the end of the eighth century, Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism was prevailing. Onkor Festival affected by Nyingmapa's ritual was imperative to have incantation to pray for a harvest. Since forteenth century, Gelugpa sect had dominated power in Tibet so Onkor Festival has adopted Gelugpa's ritual as they would hold Buddha sculptures and chant scriptures before parade. From then on, Onkor Festval became a fixed a Tibetan Festival. Horse racing, archery, and performance of Tibetan operas had been gradually added to the activities of the Festival. For the time being, men, women, young and old all dressed in their new clothes, carrying a harvest tower made of qingke barley and grain particles, playing drums and singing to circle around their fields to celebrate it. On this very day, besides horse racing, archery, singing and dancing, people also have picnics in suburbs.

tags: Tibet Tours and Trips to China

Monday, January 12, 2015

Wonderful Travel Experience to Ruins of St.Paul's in Macau

When it comes to traveling in Macau, you can tons of nice places to go. Normally you might want to come to a place that speaks for this amazing city the best, come to Ruins of St .Paul's and make your trip an unforgettable one. The name of Ruins of St. Paul, short for Ruinas da Antiga Catedral de S. Paulo, is originated from the Portuguese "São Paulo". Located in Paotai mountain of Macau, one of the two Special Administrative Regions of China.
I have heard people in Macau are kind, nice and hospitable. If you l were lost on the street during your China trip in Macau, feel free to ask someone from the local and they would always try their very best to help you. As the most renowned historical relics, the front gate of the Saint Paul cathedral firstly built in the year of 1580. It witnessed good and worse of the city. When Portuguese invaded Macau in 400 years ago, they also brought Catholicism. A missionary called Matteo Ricci presented a map of ten thousands countries to the Chinese government, with notes in Chinese.
Designed by a priest from Italia and built by exquisite Japanese architecture technique, the look of Ruins of St.Paul is a perfect mix of European Renaissance Period and Oriental architectural style.The Ruins of St. Paul is about 27 meters high, with 23.5 meters in width, and five layers in total. On the top stands a cross with bronze pigeon symbolizing the holy spirit, wrapped with the sun, the moon and stars. So don't miss it for your affordable China tours.
Under the pigeon, there is a holy child, with statue of the Eternal Fire on the top left and carvings of Tree of Life on the top right. When it comes to the third layer, a statue of Virgin Mary is sitting right in the middle, with peony and chrysanthemum around, one symbolizing for China, the other for Japan. It is such a great work of art, beautiful statues and carvings are all over it.The beauty of the Ruins of St. Paul is way beyond words, the perfect thing to do is stand in front of it, admiring it and taking it all in. Too bad we don't have a chance to see it's original look, the look before it was damaged by two huge fires. Must be awesome.
Walking along the Ruins of St.Paul during your holidays in China from the right, there is a small 50-meters long street with a romantic name-the Lovers Alley. The name is from Portuguese "Travessa da Paixão", "travessa" means encounter and "Paixão" means crush and affection. With a history of more than 80 years, it has become a popular hang-out place for lovers. It is also a great spot for movie-shooting. Rumors has it that whoever passes by the Lovers alley would fall in love very soon.The buildings on both sides are all built with European style, taking a walk inside the valley would give you this illusion you are in some small town in Europe.

Learn Tibetan Festival - Horse Race & Archery Festival

Horse race and archery competition are favored sports fo Tibetans, which has been popularized in large areas of agriculture and pasture. It has been a fixed festival for five hundred years, originated from Gyantse area. As Gyantse King Raodan Gongsang pa in his reign, he resumed the memorial ritual for his grandfather from April10 to 27 and gave a decree of beginning recreation from Arpil 28. Later in the year of 1447, Tashi Raodan Gongsang Pa began his reign. A recreation activity of archery on a horse back was added. And the Gyantse Dhama Festival was officially for med.

In the middle of 17th century, religious ceremony became symolic and contest of archery on horse back was important part of the Festival, which often lasted three days. From 15th century, archery on horse back has spreaded over the areas, of Lhasa, Qiangtang, Gongbu. In Lhasa, it started after the Grand Summon Ceremony at the beginning of the new year, which would last four days. Now the most famous one is horse race festval in Damshung in North Tibet which starts from the end of July to early Auguse. The moust famous is Dangmu jiren in Qiangtang grasslands, which lasts five to seven days. Like Gyantse Dhama Festival, it began with a simple religious ritual, then examing horses and followed by a contest of horse race and archery. People of the area is majority take advantage of the festival to do barter business, which composes an important part of the Festival.


tags: Tibet Tours and China Holidays

Sunday, January 11, 2015

What to see in China in Jan.

The Chinese New Year is coming soon in February, January is the coldest month in Northern of China, if you are interested in ice and snow, Beijing, Harbin and Jilin Tourist Destinations is the first choice. You can experience great winter scenery and ski resorts in northern China, If you are looking for warm destination in china, Hot cities: Hong Kong, ShenZhen, Guangzhou...etc.
1: Harbin - Yabuli International Ski Resort
January is the best time to travel to Harbin due to the cold weather, Yabuli International Ski Resort Yabuli Ski Resort is situated in Harbin of Heilongjiang Province and has the reputation for being the best ski resort in China. Changbaishan Wanda International Resort Within Wanda International Resort is Asia’s best facilitated ski resort, Skiing is another popular activity. There are several ski resorts around Harbin, and the top three are Yabuli Ski Center, Erlongshan Ski Resort, and Jihua Ski Resort. You can consider these destination during your Harbin Vacation
If you are interested in skiing, Harbin destinations is an ideal place. There are several ski resorts around Harbin: Ice and Snow World, Stalin Park, and Yabuli Ski Resort. But our recommendations are skiing at and enjoying hot springs at Badaling, and Shijinglong Ski Resort (one of the best ski resorts in China), and having fun on the frozen lake in Xiadu Park.
2: Beijing - Nanshan Ski Resort
Nanshan Ski Resort The Nanshan Ski Resort first opened its doors to ski lovers in 2001 and has since been one of the largest ski resorts in northern China. The ski resort currently has 21 trails suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers.
The best period to visit the rice terraces lasts from December to March (when the rice terraces are irrigated but without crops), and January is the best month. In January the weather is stable, with bright sunshine in the daytime and thick fog in the early morning. Seas of clouds on the terraces are most likely to be seen in January. And you can see the special red rice terraces due to the red duckweed in the water.
3: Lijiang - Jade Dragon Mountain Ski Resort
Jade Dragon Mountain Ski Resort The Jade Dragon Mountain Ski Resort is the highest ski resort situated 4,700 meters above sea level. Although the mountains are covered in snow all year round the prime season is from November until May. The scenery from the mountain is absolutely amazing and you can have a complete view of Lijiang from the resort’s ski slopes and not to mention after the skiing is done you can make time to explore the magical and ancient Lijiang.
Different from many famous Ski Resort, the Jade Dragon Mountain Ski Resort has breathtaking views of a pure white world. The famous scene "the seas of cloud" is more likely to be seen in winter. And the sunrises and sunsets on the mountains are very splendid. You can enjoy the scenery by yourself most of the time, unlike in the overcrowded summer.
4: Chengdu - Xiling Snow Mountain Resort
Xiling Snow Mountain Resort in Chengdu (must-see for China Sichuan Tours) is famed for its alpine ski slopes and opens for the ski season in December. The resort has gained the name “The Oriental Alps” and remains one of the most popular destinations for skiing. Xiling resort has 7 international ski trails for skiers who love a challenge and attracts visitors from across the globe with its ideal scenery.
Skiing is another main tourist theme in Chengdu City, and the best ski resorts are Xiling Snow Mountain Resort. You can also discover ethnic culture in Chengdu as it's one of the key cities of the Manchu minority.
5: Warm Destinations in January Hongkong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou...
In these modern cities, the sales promotions last from December to January due to Christmas Day and Chinese New Year. You can travel to Hong Kong or Shenzhen with your shopping list and enjoy a bountiful and delightful shopping tour in January, Top 10 Hong Kong tours Packages, pls check our Hong Kong Tours page, For a great experience of the city its best to check out our Hong Kong travel guide section or check out some of our best Hong Kong tours packages.
tags: China trips

Thursday, January 8, 2015

What is Linka Festival of Tibet?

Tibetan is fond of nature. In appliance with plateau climate, environment and living conditions, they've developed a nationwide custom, namely Linka Festivals, family members all gather together for a picnic and joy in wide open meadows with river and elegant environment. From May 1st to May 15th of Tibetan calendar, Tibetans leave the residence for a link with dense shrub. They put up tents, fully enjoy the benediction of nature. On May 15th of Tibetan Calendar in the day of burning incense worldwide which named zenlingisang as a memorial to all deities.

It is said that in May of monkey year, Padmasambbava subdued all devils in Tibet and this is the origin of that day. Another legend described sesong Dhezan (from 754AD TO 797AD, the fifth king of Tubo Kingdom) failed to build Samye Monastery again and again due to bad lucks. Padmasamb therefore created rituals of burning incense and chant scriptures, then all the evils gradually dispeared. And, the Samye Monastery was then built successfully. Afterwards, people choose an auspicious day of full moon in May to hold grand ritual of burning incense as a memorial of the custom. In addition, May 15th of Tibetan calendar is the peak of Linka Festival in which Tibetans all dressed up bringing butter tea, qingke barley wine and all sorts of delicious foods to enjoy Linka Festival.

tags: Tibet Tours and China Holidays

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

An optional destinations for Lijiang travel

Yuhu Village and the Former Residence of Dr. Joseph Rock
In the neighborhood of Jade Peak Monastery, we find this simple Naxi village. Dr. Joseph Rock (1884-1962), an Ausro-America botanist and explorer who lived here off and on from 1922 to 1949, is the best remembered for the introduction of innimerable plant species to the West and his rigorous works on Naxi ethnology.

Yak Meadow and Spruce Meadow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Both are plateau meadows in the Jade Snow Mountains that are surrounded by spruce and pines. Chair lifts provide transportation to each meadow, where a panoramic view of the snow-clad mountains is gorgeous for your China trip.

Lashi Lake & Wetland
At an elevation of 2,500 meters, the Lashi Lake & Wetland is not only the primary water supply to a large downstream population, but also the habitat for 198 bird species, 77 of which are migratory shorebirds inclusive of the endangered black-necked crane. Horse riding, boating and winter bird watching from late Nov to Feb are the major activities here.


First Bend of the Yangtze River
The Stone Drum Town stands at the First Bend of the Yangtze River (the view along the banks is very fantastic and you can enjoy it during your Yangtze River tour), some 70 kilometers west of Lijiang. Approaching to Stone Drum offers a dramatic view of the Yangtze's near-180-degree turn, where the wide, swift waters perform a miraculous about-face. For nearly 20 kilometers, the river, first flowing south, the north, runs parallel to itself. Locals say if it were not for their village standing guard at the bend, China would lose the water of the Yangtze to Southeast Asia, like that of the adjacent Mekong and Salween Rivers.

tags: China Holidays






Sunday, January 4, 2015

Top Recommended Destinations in China for 2015

As you know, China is an old country with 5,000 years of civilization/history,also is a large tourist country, there have many boast numerous attractions, historical sites: beijing and xi'an, cultural sites: shanghai, shenzhen, guangdong, From the overwhelming Forbidden City and world-renowned Great Wall in Beijing, impressive Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian, Drepung Monastery in lhasa, prosperous Bund in metropolitan Shanghai, majestic Yangtze River (along the banks you can witness the fantastic view during your Yangtze River tour), to captivating water-town in Suzhou, Hong Kong Disneyland, ancient Lijiang Old Town and mysterious Tibet. Such top attractions in China are all what you can not miss in a fantastic Browse the following popular China tourist attractions and click for information.

Here are five destinations we think will be particularly popular in 2015

Beijing’s Great Wall - historical sites




Beijing is referred to as China’s top city for tourism in many pass years, and the Great Wall of China is the greatest attraction in internationally, here,we recommend some popular tourist route about Great Wall, you can enjoy fresh air, exercise, and world-class sightseeing at once.

Shanghai's Wai Tan — The Bund - Most modern city


Shanghai is one of China's most famous cities, it offere a souring skyline, and the cream of China's modern marvels. The Bund destinations is one of the symbols of Shanghai (learn more about it via Shanghai travel guide) which located along the Huangpu River. It usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road.

Terracotta Warriors (Xi'An) - china's ancient city 

Xi'an city is the ancient city, and which is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, if you want to touch the amazing ancient Chinese glorious history and brilliant culture, Xi'an Tours is top Things to Do.

Lhasa - Tibet - Land Closest to Heaven
Tibet is one of the most fascinating destinations in China and for many tourists visiting, Lhasa (must-see for Tibet Travel) is the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region. In Tibetan language the name means "the land of the gods". It is a holy religious place with an altitude at about 3,000 meters


Guilin - The most beautiful place in china
Guilin is a first tourist destination when traveling to China, it is a true tourist city With its unique natural landscape featured by green mountains, crystal-clear rivers, bewitching caves, and fascinating rocks, Guilin has many natural wonders to enjoy and explore during your Guilin tour.












Saturday, January 3, 2015

Helpful Tibetan Customs for Tibet Travel - Drinking Wine & Dining

Drinking Wine
With enriched ceremonies and eiquettes of drinking in Tibet (learn more Tibet via Tibet Travel), new wine should be firstly toasted to Buddha in fresh. After it, should to toast to the elders in the family as the elders priority in tradition before other family members drink it. When drinking in festivals, wedding ceremony or public gathering, people usually toast to prestigious elders before toast to others in clockwise. One who proposes a toast should carry wine cup with both hands to whom he toasts to particular to the elders. People who accept the wine cup use both hands too, the right way is to hold it by right hand first, dip the ring finger of left into wine and flick it up three times before drinking. Flick wine up three times is praying for Tritatna, namely Buddha.


Don't drink it out at once while drinking, however follow the rule of three sips and one cup. Guests flick wine to toast for Buddha first before taking sip and then the cup is going to be refilled up. People accepting the toast should drink wine out when wine cup refilled up for the third time. It shows the ultimate sincerity to the person who proposes the toast.

Dining
Dining custom in Tibet is quite perculiar too. As the host and guests are seated in certain positions, they pick up food from the table placed in front of them and eat separately. Tibetan cuisine includes dried meat, cheese cake, cake, ginseng fruit cake, dried yak meat, spicy oxtrip, sausage, stewed mutton stew, lamb's head stew and so on. Staple food includes: butter, zanba, steamed cake with cheese, Tibetan steamed cake, Tibetan dumplings, noodles and deep fried refreshments. With tastes of mild and light, Tibetan food culture features a sense of nature.


There are many Tibetan restautants of different levels in cities and towns through Tibet. Decorations of these ones, are more or less in Tibetan style. Wooden tables shaped as dog hoop, steel stoves, china bowls, with a pattern of bkra-shis-rtags-brgyad, Tibetan carpet, auspicious figures and frescoes are all embodiments of spiritual pursuits of Tibetan.

tags: China Holidays