Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

01.24
10

Tips For Your Lhasa Travel And China Vacations

by moyang ·

This article is about the Lhasa travel and China vacations. You can find some helpful information in it if you are planning your Lhasa travel now.

Some tips for your Lhasa travel:
1. In the downtown of Lhasa, you may meet some kids asking for money. If you give money to a kid, you will be surrounded by these kids and your charity will only cause more trouble for yourself. In the entrance of Dazhao Temple or Potala Palace, there are a lot kids doing this job. In Lhasa, these kids do not go to school and they are making a living by this. You charity will only be the connivance for them. There are also some Tibetan monks asking for money in these areas. They claim to be the monks from the Shaga Temple but the real Shaga Temple monks will never do this kind of thing in my view.

2. Can I use my cell phone in Lhasa,Tibet? How is the cell phone signal?
In Lhasa and the big cities of Tibet, the cell phone services are available. You can use your cell phone in the Qingzang line(Qinghai to Tibet) and Chuanzang line (Sichuan to Tibet) too. But the signal is not so good sometimes becasue of the bad weather in Tibet. Currently, you can get the cell phone services if you are the customers of China Mobile(GSM), China Union(GSM,CDMA). Here is a list of the major tourist cities you can get the cell phone services in Tibet: Lhasa, Jiangzi,Rigeze,Shiquanhe,Lamu,Dingri,Zangmu,Zedang,Mozhugongka,Gongbujiangda,Linzhi,Bomi,Bashu,Bangda,Cangdu,Yangbajin,Dangxiong,Naqu,Ger. By the way, the CDMA services of China Union are available in the Qingzang line now.

3. Do I need to bring cash to Lhasa? Can I find the ATM to get some cash in Lhasa?
It is safe to carry cash to Lhasa and I will recommend you to carry enough cash for your Lhasa travel. In Lhasa, most places do not accept credit card or debit card and cash is always the first choice for the travellers to Lhasa. There are many bank branches in Lhasa(Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China). The debit cards of these banks are good to withdraw cash from the ATM. Currently, the debit cards from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China are not acceptable in the ATM of Lhasa,Tibet. Although you can cash using your debit cards in Lhasa, carrying enough cash is still the best choice for your Lhasa travel. Sometimes you are not able to get cash from the ATM or bank branch because of the bad telecom network of Tibet. Having cash in your hands is always more convinient for the travellers in Lhasa,Tibet.

4. Can I use U.S. dollars in Lhasa,Tibet?
No, dollars are not acceptable in Lhasa,Tibet. You will need to do the currency exchange first. The Bank of China and Lhasa Hotel can provide you this service.

5. About the flights to Lhasa:
Currently, there are non-stop flights to Lhasa from Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou,Hongkong,Chongqin,Chengdu,Xian,Xining,Cangdu,Kunming,Shangri-La,Jiademandu. The chance you get discounts on these airline tickets are pretty small.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about lhasa travel,beijing flights and china vacations from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

About the author:Shane Lee.More flights,airfares info at:cheap flights penticton to houston.And:Cheap flights from SFO to VPS.And:Cheapest flights from Las Vegas to JFK.

01.23
10

Tips for Your First Time Lhasa Travel or Tibet Travel-china Vacations Info

by moyang ·

This article is about the Lhasa travel and Tibet travel. You can find some helpful information in it if you are planning your trip to Tibet now.

 

Tibet is a mysterious land. It is called the “roof of the world” and there are many beautiful stories about this old-line place. You will not feel this unique attraction until you are really standing here in the land of Tibet.

 

Here are some tips for your first time travel to Tibet:
1. To get in Tibet by air is not a very good choice. The sudden transition of the altitude will possibly cause the severe altitude sickness, which is a big concern for your Lhasa travel or Tibet travel.

 

2. The Qinghai-Tibet train began to operate in July 2006. It took less than 48 hours to travel from Beijing to Tibet by train. The cheapest ticket is only 389 RMB .This kind of transportation is better than the air because you can slowly adapt to Tibet’s high altitude instead of a sudden transition of the altitude if you take the plane. The railways are now connected Tibet directly with Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. You can find more details about the train services to Tibet from our website: Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM (Lhasa travel, Tibet travel and China vacations Info)

 

3. You can bring some fruits and bread on your way to Tibet. For the first time travellers to Tibet,  the chance to get some altitude sickness is pretty big and you will not have the appetite for regular food because of this sickness. Most people vomitted after eating meats. Fruits are very good choice in this kind of situation.

 

4. Some medicines(Like flu medicine, antidiarrheal, woundplast, etc) are very helpful for your Lhasa travel or Tibet travel. Some people said that the flu would cause the severe altitude sickness and kill the first time Tibet travellers. Actually it is not that terrifying to get some cold in Tibet. You need to take some flu medicine immediatly when you have a cold or fever. This will help to alleviate the altitude sickness in Tibet.

 

5. If you arrive at Lhasa,Tibet on the midnight, the motels near the railway station is a good choice for you. Some people believe that it will consume too much oxygen if you have a shower in Tibet. This is a ridiculous theory from the travellers getting in Tibet by air. You don’t need to worry about this oxygen issue if you got here by train and your body is going to stink after the long time travel if you don’t have a shower.  :-)   The price for these motels is about 70 rmb for a two beds room with hot water.

 

6. If you don’t like the motels in Tibet, you can choose the Balang hostel, Jiri hostel or Xueyu hotel instead. The advantage is that you can find some friends with common interests there and share the costs for the Tibet trip. Balang hostel: 70 rmb for a two beds room, 90 rmb for a three beds room, 100 rmb for a four beds room. 24 hours hot water and laundry services are available in Balang hostel.

 

7. It is really cold in the morning and you will need to wear a sweater or jacket. Do not take the risk because you will be in big trouble if you get a cold in Tibet.

 

8. To get out of Tibet by air is a smart choice. You don’t need to worry about the altitude sickness anymore and there are airline services available every day in Lhasa. The cost is 1200 rmb from Lhasa to Chengdu and the taxi service from the downtown of Lhasa to Lhasa Gongga airport costs 120 rmb.

 

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about lhasa travel, tibet travel, china vacations from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

About the author: Shane Lee. More flights and airfares info at: Direct flight RDU to BWI. And: Flights from Cincinnati to Las Vegas , and: Airfares RDU Boston.

01.23
10

China: Explore & Discover, Travel Info & Tips

by moyang ·

China is compiled of a vast variety of extremely different landscapes, using mostly plateaus and mountains in the west, & lower lands on the east. As a effect, principal rivers flow From west to east, including the Yangtze (central), the Huang He (central-east), and the Amur (northeast), and every now and again toward the south (admitting the Pearl River, Mekong River, & Brahmaputra), by using most Chinese rivers emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

In the east, by the shores of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea there are extended and densely populated alluvial plains;. On the edges of the Inner Mongolian plateau in the northerly, grasslands may be seen. Southern China is dominated by hills & low mountain ranges. In the central-east are the deltas of China’s two major rivers, the Huang He & Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). to the highest degree of China’s arable lands lie by those rivers; they were the centers of China’s major ancient civilizations. Extra large rivers include the Pearl River, Mekong, Brahmaputra & Amur.

In the west, the northerly has a great alluvial plain, and the south has a vast calcareous tableland covered by hill ranges of moderate elevation, and the Himalayas, containing the highest point Mount Everest. The northwesterly also has high plateaus sustaining more arid desert landscapes such as the Takla-Makan and the Gobi Desert, which one has been expanding. During many dynasties, the southwestern border of China has been the high mounts and deep valleys of Yunnan, which one split modern China since Burma, Laos & Vietnam.

The Paleozoic formations of China, excepting only the upper separate of the Carboniferous system, are marine, when the Mesozoic and Tertiary deposits are estuarine and freshwater or even else of terrestrial origin. Groupings of volcanic cones occur in the awesome Plain of northerly China. In the Liaodong & Shandong Peninsulas, in that location are basaltic plateaus.

The climate of China varies greatly. The northern zone (containing Beijing) has winters of Arctic severity. The central zone (containing Shanghai) has a temperate clime. The southern zone (containing Guangzhou) has a subtropical climate.

Due to a prolonged drought & poor agricultural practices, dust storms have get usual in the spring in China. Dust has blown to southern China & Taiwan, and has even reached the West Coast of the United States. Water, erosion, & pollution control keep close at hand get crucial issues in China’s dealings by owning Other areas.

Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout virtually of Imperial China’s history, & mastery of Confucian texts was the main criterion for entry into the majestic bureaucracy. The literary emphasis of the exams impacted the general perception of cultural refinement in China, e.g. the look at that calligraphy was a higher art form than painting or drama. China’s traditional measures were derived Derived from various versions of Confucianism and conservatism. A number of further authoritarian strains of believed have as well been influential, such as Legalism.

There was typically dispute betwixt the philosophies, such as the individualistic Song Dynasty neo-Confucians, that thought Legalism departed since the original spirit of Confucianism. Examinations & a culture of merit stay greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of New Confucians use at times advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite well-matched by having traditional Confucian “Asian values”

Using the rise of Western economic and military power beginning in the mid-19th century, non-Chinese systems of social and political organization gained adherents in China. Some of those would-be reformers totally rejected China’s cultural legacy, whilst others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese & Western cultures. In center, the history of 20th century China is one of experimentation By using new systems of social, political, and economic administration that would permit for the reintegration of the country in the wake of dynastic collapse.

The first leaders of the PRC were born in the old society but were determined by the May Fourth Movement and reformist ideals. They sought to change A few traditional aspects of Chinese culture, such as rural land tenure, sexism, & Confucian education, while keeping others, such as the family structure & obedience to the state. numbers of observers think that the period following 1949 is a continuation of traditional Chinese dynastic history, while others say that the CPC’s rule has damaged the foundations of Chinese culture, especially through political movements such as the Cultural Revolution, where Several aspects of traditional culture were labeled “regressive & harmful” or “vestiges of feudalism” by the regime.

They further argue that Many crucial aspects of traditional Chinese morals and culture, like Confucianism, Chinese art, literature, & playing arts like Beijing opera house, were altered to conform to regime policies and communist propaganda. The institution of the Simplified Chinese orthography reform is controversial too. Today, the PRC authorities has accepted much of traditional Chinese culture as an integral part of Chinese society, lauding it as an crucial accomplishment of the Chinese civilization and emphasizing it as existence vital to the formation of a Chinese interior identity.

Fine art, scholarship, and literature

Chinese characters have had Many variants & styles throughout Chinese history. Tens of thousands of ancient compose documents are still extant, from Oracle bones to Qing edicts. Calligraphy is a major art variety in China, further extremely regarded than painting & music. Manuscripts of the Classics and religious texts (mainly Confucian, Taoist, & Buddhist) were handwritten by ink brush. Calligraphy later became commercialized, & works by famous artists became prized ownerships.

Printmaking was evolved During the Song Dynasty. Academies of scholars sponsored by the empire were organized to comment on the classics in two printed and handwritten form. Royalty frequently took part in these discussions.

For centuries, economic & social advancement in China could be supplied by high up performance on the majestic examinations. This headed to a meritocracy, although it was available only to males who could afford test readying. imperial examinations expected applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the Confucian classics. Those that passed the top level of the exam turned elite scholar-officials known as jinshi, a extremely esteemed socio-economic status.

Chinese philosophers, writers, and poets were extremely respected, and played key roles in preserving & advancing the culture of the empire. A few classical scholars, however, were noted for their daring depictions of the lives of the most common people, often to the displeasure of authorities.

Sports and recreation

At that place is grounds to believe that a variety of football (i.e. soccer) was first played in China around 1000 CE, leading Numerous historians to suppose that it originated there.Besides football, the most mainstream sports are martial Arts, table tennis, badminton, basketball, U.S. football, & extra lately, golf. Basketball is especially mainstream By owning the young, in urban centers where space is limited. The NBA has a great following & Many idolize Yao Ming.

There are also Several traditional sports. Chinese dragon boat racing occurs during the Duan Wu festival. In Inner Mongolia, Mongolian-style grappling & horse racing are popular. In Tibet, archery & equestrian athleticses are part of traditional festivals.

China has turn into a athleticses power in the Asian region & around the world. China finished 1st in medal counts in each of the Asian Games as 1982,& in the top four in medal numbers in each of the Summer Olympic Games as 1992. The 2008 Summer Olympics, formally acknowledge as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be carried in Beijing, China.

Physical good condition is extremely regarded. Morning exercisings are a most common activity & the elderly are often seen practicing qigong in parks.

Board games such as International Chess, Go (Weiqi), and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) are also mutual and have organised formal rivalries.

01.22
10

Tips for Your Travel in China

by moyang ·

Nowadays, more and more foreigners come to China, and many of them are the first time to travel in China. Here are some suggestions for them to prepare the trip.

For many business travelers to Shanghai, I would suggest to take a weekend to visit Beijing. Shanghai is the largest commercial city in China, but it is not a typical city that represents China. If you want to claim you’ve really been to China, you should plan a short trip to Beijing, and visit the Forbidden City, visit the Great Wall, and visit some Royal Gardens. Even you don’t go to these famous places,it is also a good idea to experience the wide streets and the narrow Hutong.

If you know some simple Chinese words, it will make you look better and friendlier to local people, which make your trip more enjoyable.

If foreigners wish to directly use the phone numbers assigned by their domestic telecommunication operators, they should initialize international roaming service with their local provider before their entry to China. Foreigners shall initialize international roaming services of their mobile phone numbers with their domestic mobile telecommunication operators. Additionally, your domestic mobile telecommunication operator shall sign the agreement on international roaming services with China Mobile. Your international roaming service charges will be collected according to the applicable charging rates as specified by your domestic mobile telecommunication operator. If foreigners enter China with their domestic mobile phones, they can buy SIM phone cards and pre-paid phone cards in Shanghai or Beijing to enjoy all the businesses and services provided by China Mobile. If your domestic operator and China Mobile haven’t signed the roaming agreement, the international roaming service will be unavailable through your domestic phone number.

There are many differences between cities in China and the western cities. You may find the traffic rule different (at least the way people follow the rules), the language is different, and many aspects of everyday life are different. Don’t worry. Just relax. It is not necessary to always figure out which way is right and which way is wrong. Just relax, and enjoy the difference. It is just because of the difference that you travel, isn’t it?

01.18
10

Hong Kong – Getting Around in Hong Kong – Here Are the Top 10 Travel Tips

by moyang ·

Traveling in Hong Kong is really a fun experience for many.

Here are some useful tips one must consider when planning to travel to Hong Kong:

1.     Must always have Hong Kong dollars at hand. Other shops only accepts local currencies so it is advisable for one to exchange their money into HK$ so there would be no difficulty in shopping among the many stores in Hong Kong.

2.     Visitors should have a list of the local emergency telephone numbers always with them to avoid getting lost in the city. The telephone numbers that should include in the list are emergency numbers like ambulance, fire departments, and police departments. One must also have the number for the local’s directory assistance just in case of emergencies. Like many say, it’s always better to be ready than be sorry.

3.     Electricity is in its standard power of 220 volts. U.S and Japanese appliances might get burned when used in Hong Kong outlets. It is better if visitors use the available appliances that they have in Hong Kong rather than using the ones that they took with them from their country.

4.     When dining in restaurants, there are no 10% additional for service charges, but may require 2% tip for the serving staffs. Same as with the hotels where the bell boys and servers requires tips after serving their guests.

5.     Restrooms in Hong Kong are pretty sanitized and it is for everyone to maintain the cleanliness of the place. These restrooms are complete with toiletries that can be used by visitors provided they take care of them and not detach them.

6.     Rains are always expected in Hong Kong and everyone is advised to carry with them rain gears whenever they go outdoors.

7.     There are stalls that sell cooked foods along the streets but it is pretty advisable for everyone to buy only the ones that are sold in clean shops that are thoroughly cooked for everyone’s safety.

8.     Keep an eye on your belongings at every moment. There are unexpected things that might happen somewhere and thieves might just pop out and take your belongings. So it is better to hold your bags tightly at all times.

9.     Always check how much taxi drivers charges you. There are some taxi drivers that charges much more than is what the real fee, especially for others who is not yet familiar with the place.

10.     Avoid buying products that does not have price tags. Sometimes, vendors offer their sold items in much higher price than its original cost. So it is advisable not to trust these vendors especially when you noticed that the price they tell you is pretty high.

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01.15
10

Badaling Great Wall travel tips – China vacations info

by moyang ·

This article is about the China vacations and Great Wall travel. You can find some useful information in it if you are planning your Great Wall travel now.

Badaling Great Wall is the site of the most visited part of the Great Wall, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Beijing in Yanjing County, which is within the Beijing municipality. The portion of the wall running through the site was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with a military outpost reflecting the location’s strategic importance.The highest point of Badaling is Beibalou, approximately 1015 meters above sea level.

The portion of the wall at Badaling has undergone heavy restoration, and in 1957 it was the first section of the wall to open to travellers. Now visited annually by millions, the immediate area has seen significant development, including hotels, restaurants, a cable car, etc. The recently completed Badaling Expressway connects Badaling with Beijing.

Badaling and the expressway were the site of the finishing circuit of the Urban Road Cycling Course in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Laps of the circuit passed through gates in the wall.

It was here that President Richard Nixon and his wife visited on 02/24/1972, during his historic journey to P. R. China. ( From Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM, you can get more info about China vacations)

Travel tips for your Badaling Great Wall tour:

1. To get here, you can take the Line 919 city bus in Deshengmen (Desheng Gate) of Beijing. This is the cheapest way to get to the Badaling Great Wall. The Line 919 bus is available at 6:30 – 17:00 and the bus station is right there under the Deshengmen (Desheng Gate). The cost is 12 rmb ( for the bus goes through the Badaling express way and with air condition in it ) for one person. It takes about 1 hour to get to Badaling Great Wall. One thing I have to mention is that there is another type of Line 919 bus here. It is cheaper (only 5 rmb) and also heads to the Badaling Great Wall. But this bus doesn’t have air condition and takes 2 hours to get to the Badaling Great Wall because it choose another road, not the Badaling expressway. The Line You 1, You 2, You 3, You 4, You 5 bus is another option for you (“You” is the meaning for travel in Chinese). These buses can take you to the Badaling Great Wall, The Ming Tombs, etc. The disadvantage is that you will not have enough time for each scenic spot. If you wanna spend more time in the Badaling Great Wall. This Line You bus is not your best choice.

2. To get back, you can take the Line 919 bus or the Line You 1 – You 5 buses. Some friends told me that the Line 919 was very crowded and it was not easy to find a seat in Lin 919 bus. But it is in a totally different situation now. There is a starting station in Badaling now and you will be able to find a good seat in this place. I once made a mistake there. I found a Line 919 bus with many people in it. I thought it was goting back to Deshengmen and when I got on the bus I was told that this bus was the free bus for the Badaling Zoo. I had to take the same bus to get back when I arrived this Badaling Zoo. If you don’t want to make the same mistake, you’d better ask the driver about their destination before you get on the bus.

3. The train is also a good choice for your Badaling Great Wall travel. You can take the train to Badaling at the Wudaokou station. There are trains heading to Badaling every morning and they will get back in the afternoon.

4. If you wanna rent a sedan or minivan to Badaling, the cost is about 300 rmb for a whole day.

4. If you do not want to have lunch in Badaling (a little bit expensive and not delicious in my point of view), you can bring some food with you.

5. There is a big toilet in the entrance of the Badaling Great Wall. It is clean and free. In other toilets of Badaling, you will need to pay for it and will not be able to find some water to wash your hands.  :-(

6. The sourth part and north part of the Badaling Great Wall are different and you’d better see both.

7. The ticket price is 45 rmb for the entrance of the Badaling Great Wall. This includes the entrance fees for a Bear Garden and a Great Wall Museum.

8. Again, leave nothing but prints, take nothing but photos.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about china vacations, lhasa travel guide and travel tips from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

About the author:Shane Lee.More flights,airfares info at:Flights from Phoenix to JFK.And:Cheap flights Chicago to Las Vegas .And:Direct flight RDU to BWI.

01.8
10

Enjoy Your Trip To Hong Kong By Following All The Tips Of This Travel Article

by moyang ·

Do you know there is a place in Asia called ” Pearl of the East”?If your answer is Hong Kong,then you are right.Although Hong Kong is only a small island ,it is also a place for great food and shopping.This is a place where you will find 95% of the population are Chinese and it is also a place where you will find travellers from all over the world. It is also a place that serve as a gateway to mainland China where you will find many other different kinds of travel experiences .

 There are 10 places that I will recommend to all the tourist of Hong Kong :              1. Gondola  of Victoria Peak                                                                                  (where you will see the whole view of Hong Kong and  night time is  excellent.) 2.Ocean ParK                                                                                                        (where you will enjoy your times with differnt kinds of  animals shows)                 3.The Disneyland                                                                                                  ( where you will enjoy the Disney experiences in Hong Kong style)                   4. Shopping in Harbour City                                                                                   (where you can find good products with a fair price)                                           5.  Ferry Experiences                                                                                            (across the harbour from Tsim Tsa Tsui Ferry Terminal )                                     6. Buffet of International Metropolis Plaza Hotel ( where you will enjoy one of the best dinner buffet with international stlyle of Hong Kong.)                                   7.Local Wan Ton noodles                                                                                          (you can find this any where in Hong Kong,just ask someone where you can find a plcae for won ton,people will show you the way nearby all the streets. )             8.Take the tram in Hong Kong Island (Travel across the Hong Kong Island from west to east with the cheapest tickets of 2-3 $HKD and with one of the oldest transportation vehicle of Hong Kong.Trust me,it is fun.)                                  9.Shopping at Time Square (where you will find different kinds of products from all over the world.)                                                                                                 10.Peking Duck of Peking Restaurant in East TsimShaTsui (you will enjoy this famous Peking Duck with differnet kinds of Chinese food as your dinner)  

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01.1
10

Guide and Tips for Visitors in Hong Kong

by moyang ·

You know that you’re in Hong Kong when:

..Your mobile phone rings while you’re shopping for dried seafoods and ginseng at a cluttered stall shadowed by a gleaming sky scraper.

..You’re eating bird’s nest soup next to a woman wearing a fashionable anti-pollution face mask matching her make-up.

..You’re heading upstairs with a stomach full of tea & dimsum when the person behind you glides up to say “m-goi” meaning “excuse me” and you will notice that everybody is standing on the right handside of the escalator except you.

..You’re on the busy street jampacked with bustling crowd holding cellphones and mp3’s dangling on their neck, group of tourists holding shopping bags, and a man in coat and tie holding a leather suitcase and eating a stick of hot sauced fishballs!

This is Hong Kong! A city of life, full of suprises, cultures, delicious foods, shopping, night life, beaches, lots of things to do and much more to be discovered!

For Tourists guide, info, resources and useful tips about Hong Kong, visit:

Guide and Tips for Visitors in Hong Kong!

http://www.hongkong-tourist.com/

12.31
09

Yoyoor China Travel Tips: The Art of Giving Gifts in China

by moyang ·

There are hundreds of articles online about giving gifts to hosts and associates in China, and yet visitors to China are always asking what they should bring as gifts. This means that in China, the art of giving is just as complex as dining out and shopping. Giving and accepting gifts is an important part of Chinese culture, and is something all visitors to China are probably going to have to deal with before they return home. I am not expert on the subject, but below are some important notes that I have remembered based on my experience.

1) Bring something from your hometown
This is the most popular guideline and I agree with it. Something from your hometown will make for an important ice breaker and will help the recipient remember you long after you leave. These gifts include books about your hometown (mainly pictures of course), special local products, and items that display your hometown’s characteristics.
This rule often gets confused wit the “do not bring anything ‘made in China’” rule, which I agree with slightly less. There are plenty of “made in China” items, such as board games and trendy products from your home country, that are either for export only or simply not available in China. Therefore, do not let the “made in China” rule necessarily disqualify potentially great gifts.

2) Bring gifts that show abundance
It is better to bring a bunch of small gifts and mementoes rather than one large gift. By showing up with your hands full of bags of presents, you show abundance and a willingness to share this abundance with your hosts. Similarly, it is best to bring gifts in pairs for the same reasons.

3) Try to give something with meaning
Besides finding an item that represents your hometown, region or culture, you also want to give gifts that represent your personality. For example, if you are a basketball fan, bringing an NBA jersey or poster would be a great choice. If you like art, an illustrated book about your favorite artist would be ideal. This gives the recipient both an inside look into your personality and a look into your culture, and will strengthen your friendship.

4) Remember the children
If the recipient has a family, do not forget to include them in the gift exchange. A patriarch would be much happier to receive several gifts for his children rather than items for himself. This is a situation where I think the “no made in China” rule is especially inapplicable, as there are several great gifts (Lego, Playdough, etc.) that may be made in China but are still hard to come by in China.

5) Other things to remember
Reciprocate gifts you have received by sending gifts of your own, not thank-you letters.
While giving consumable items (food, etc.) is fine, it is best to also give some more permanent items, to demonstrate a long-lasting relationship.
Do not give items in group of 4, do not give clocks, and avoid white gift wrap— all of these have a connotation of “death”.
Most Chinese will politely refuse a gift at first and only accept after your insistence.
It is standard for the recipient not to open the gifts in front of you.

If anyone has any great gift ideas or has recently given impressive gifts to their Chinese hosts, I’d love to read what they were, as I am always trying to be on the good side of the face-giving equation. Please leave your ideas in the comments section to share with others.

12.28
09

China Travel Tips – Olympics Update And New Beijing & Shanghai

by moyang ·

China is set to register the world’s largest online population in 2008, according to a recent survey by the China Internet Network Information Center. With 73 million new net users in 2007, taking the total pool to 210 million, China is only 5 million Internet users behind the US, which leads the world in terms of connectivity. And there’s room for growth, as China’s current Internet penetration ratio of 16 percent is well below the world average of 19.1 percent.


China News

Golden Down – Previously one of China’s “Golden Week” national public holiday periods, the May Day break is no more. New regulations have reduced the holiday from three days to one day, while four traditional Chinese festivals – Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year’s Eve – have become one-day national holidays. In addition, the fairer sex are now also permitted a half-day public holiday on International Women’s Day (March 8), children younger than 14 can take a break on Children’s Day (June 1), and active-duty soldiers get a half-day off on August 1. Tough luck if you’re a male office worker over the age of 14.


A Bicycle Built For Two – The Beijing government is pedaling pretty fast to encourage locals to forget the car and get back on a bike. In recent months, a number of new bike hire ventures have started appearing all over town. Located in the vicinity of subway stations and shopping precincts, the bike stations allow patrons to pay a deposit, pick up a bike, and drop it off at one of dozens of other bike stations when done.

Tourism Trillions


For the first time ever, China’s tourism revenue broke the one trillion mark in 2007, reaching RMB1.09 trillion (US$137.92 billion), according to the China National Tourism Administration. The number of inbound travelers topped 132 million, up 5.5 percent on 2006 figures, and over 54 million people stayed overnight, up 9.6 percent. The influx created an estimated 500,000 job opportunities in the tourism sector.


Olympic Update

Beijing’s National Aquatics Centre, a.k.a. the Water Cube, was officially unveiled on January 28 and an Olympic test event in the facility will be staged on February 5. Taking four years to build, the US$130 million building is comprised of a series of blue membranes, creating a distinctive “double bubble” appearance. Come August 2008, over 42 gold medals will be given away inside the Centre, which houses 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats for spectators.


The Beijing Capital Airport Express Line – the express rail line connecting Beijing with its airport – will begin test runs on April 1 and is due to be fully operational by July 1. Extending from the central transportation hub of Dongzhimen to Beijing Capital Airport, stopping at Sanyuanqiao Station, Airport Terminal T3 Station, and Terminal T2 Station, the 28.1-kilometer (17.4-mile) line will soar above the traffic, whipping passengers to the airport in a speedy 17 minutes. Needless to say, taxi drivers are not happy that their most lucrative route may be compromised.


The Beijing Olympic Village – apartments for 205 athlete delegations – is preparing for a July opening. Located less than three kilometers (1.86 miles) from the Bird’s Nest, the village is also equipped with indoor fitness and training centers, a jogging path, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, recreational facilities such as Internet cafes, games and DVD rooms, worship and meditation rooms, and a comprehensive outpatient clinic providing emergency and doping detection services.


Protecting Its Young – The Forbidden City and Great Wall are, like, sooo yesterday. The Beijing Municipal Government recently announced that it’s now focusing on the protection of modern architectural monoliths previously overlooked in favor of ancient historical structures. A total of 188 buildings built within the past 160 years are to be given government protection, including the 50-year-old Great Hall of the People, schools built by missionaries in the 19th century; and the city’s first water works.


New Restaurant And Bars In China

A Gourmet Revolution – A chic new warehouse space – 1949 – The Hidden City – will open this Spring in Beijing. The 6,000-square-meter (64,590-square-feet) space features Gallery 49, showcasing modern art, as well as seven restaurants and bars. Located in a glass house, Sugar Bar is dedicated to coffee and chocolate sweet things; Duck de Chine is an innovative duck restaurant with an exclusive Bollinger Champagne Bar; 1/5taverna has digs in a rustic warehouse and features a made-to-share menu and live mariachi music; Noodle Bar dishes up fresh noodles in a contemporary setting; 1/5 is a chill-out lounge, situated in a loft space; for the summer months, outdoor Well Bar serves ice cold beer around an abandoned well; and Club 49 is a private club devoted to good food, good wine, and good art.


Global Sounds – A nightclub partnership between Hong Kong’s Love Da Records and local DJs, Globe Music Bank is the newest mega-club to grace the nightlife scene in Guangzhou. Spread over four different rooms, the club debuted in January with sounds from legendary DJ Meat Katie, alongside wild pyrotechnic displays and bar antics that put Tom Cruise to shame.


In Da House – Throwing open its doors in Shanghai just before Christmas, the sleek, sexy Hamilton House is located in a 1930s art deco building, featuring high ceilings, quirky loveseats and art deco knickknacks above the bar. Within spitting distance of the Bund, the restaurant dishes up modern international cuisine, and some of the best desserts around.


Not A Silly Sausage – The cold weather may be over for now, but the comfort food has just begun. A newcomer in 2008, the German Sausage Corner in Suzhou sells (you guessed it) German sausages, beer and not too much else. The succulent Bratwurst and Currywurst platters are a treat with a freshly brewed beer in the cozy restaurant, tucked down Bar Street.


For Sure Faurs Chou – The newest gallery on Beijing’s Dashanzi 798 Art District block, Faurschou, is the brainchild of notable Danish collectors Luise and Jens Faurschou, who opened their acclaimed Galleri Faurschou in Copenhagen in 1986. Their 1,000-square-meter (10,765-square-feet) space in Beijing is dedicated to showcasing the best in modern international art to the Chinese community, with an opening exhibition from renowned American artist Robert Rauschenberg and planned shows from the likes of Michael Kvium, Andy Warhol and even Pablo Picasso.


Upcoming China Events

It Really Is a Great Wall – To be run on May 17 this year, the Great Wall Marathon is regarded as one of the most extraordinary races in the world. Held on a spectacular section in Tianjin of China’s most famous landmark, the marathon is for the truly hardy. It includes 3,700 steps, many of which are irregularly shaped or spaced; exhausting ascents; slippery stones; and unfinished paths.


Ghostly – Also known as Tomb Sweeping or Ghost Festival, Qingming is a traditional Chinese holiday marked to remember and honor ancestors by visiting their graves with family, offering food, wine, tea, chopsticks and incense. Falling on April 4 in 2008, the festival is also considered a good time to make a fresh start – it’s a popular time for first dates, and sees fallen-out friends and relatives mend bridges.


Midi Me – From humble roots, the Midi Music Festival has grown the biggest outdoor music festival in China, held over four days in Beijing every May (May 1 to 4, 2008). The festival attracts an eclectic mix of local and international bands – from folk, rock, punk and metal to electronica and even a spot of rap – and a crowd just as diverse. This year will see one stage sponsored by Sutasi, which has promised to up the international cred of the festival and bring out a couple of big name bands.

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