The Rice Terraces of Longji

Rice terraces have a beauty of their own and the Longji Rice Terraces near Guilin are some of the most beautiful and accessible in China.  Just about 2 hours by car and you will be able to visit villages of the Yeo, Dong and Zhrung minority peoples with their colorful dress.  The Yeo women only cut their hair once in their lifetime and for a few yuan, they will unwind their hair for you to take photos.   If you are a hiker, you can hike the Dragon's Back Ridge above the Rice Terraces.  There is a wonderful family hotel where you can have lunch which overlooks the rice terraces too.   If you want to stay overnight and enjoy a sun set or sun rise the Longji-Pingan Hotel is a nice clean 3 star hotel with excellent food.  With a longer stay you can visit the Silverwater Dong Stockade and the Longsheng Hot Spring Hotel.  For more information contact us at interlak@eskimo.com     Click on the photos for a full screen view.

One Day Walking Tour.....Beijing Insight Out!

In case you are in Beijing on Sunday Apr 21st, read this event poster.......

 

BEIJING INSIGHT OUT

The first fundraising Beijing sightseeing walking tour for queers and allies!

So you’ve been in Beijing for a while but all you’ve seen so far is the Forbidden City and just because you thought it was some kind of red light district?

 

And then again you’re persuaded there’s not much queer life beyond dinners, drinks and dances?

Well it is time to finally broaden the horizons and enjoy the warm Spring days ahead with something different. Join us for the very first fundraising Beijing sightseeing walking tour for queers and allies, a chance to explore known and less known places in the big city and share a day out with a lively bunch of queer folks for a good cause! A professional English speaking guide will lead us along routes old and new, letting us discover some still *closeted* corners of our capital.

The itinerary will be as follows:
 

Visit Dongbianmen Tower, the last remaining Ming dynasty watchtower

 Brief tour of Red Gate Gallery [see July 2011 blog] , for some fusion culture mixing oil on canvas, ink on rice paper

 Walk along Ming Wall remains

 Dongdan Park (self catered lunch break), no lingering in the infamous cruising area J

 

 Walk along Dong Jiao Min Xiang (old legation quarter– buildings and St. Michael’s church)

 

 

 Police Museum (entrance not included: 5 RMB) for those who like uniforms, weapons, torture and crime

Qian Men 

Dashilar old commercial street: stories about Chinese arts and crafts (no, there won’t be any “encouraged” shopping!), se. Jun 2012 blog.

Xianyu Kou Food Street: stories about all those weird Chinese bites (no, there won’t be any “encouraged” eating!)

ALL THE BASIC INFOs

When: Sunday, April 21^st. Meeting at 10.45, leaving at 11.00am (plenty of time to recover from that Saturday hangover)

Where: Jianguomen subway station, lines 1 and 2, exit C (south west)

What if: very bad weather/rain/Mongolian sand tornados are expected? Then we’ll reschedule and if the date does not suit you, you will have your money back. But if the sky is gray that won’t count, you know that is just the standard Beijing colour.

How long and how far: we expect to be done by 6.30 ish in the evening. The itinerary is about 5 -6 km long, but you know it’s all flat and it’s all good for your body and soul. And you’ll get some rest during the lunch break at Dongdan Park !

How many: our nice little bunch won’t count more than 20 people, queers and allies both welcome.

How much: ticket is 100 RMB per person. It includes a professional English speaking guide who’ll provide explanations, stories and answers for each stop. It does not include the entrance to the Police Museum , but that one is very cheap. And it’s all for good: all the revenues will go to the Beijing LGBT center. That’s why it’s not refundable, once you did the good deed why would you want to take it back? Anyway, if anything comes up, you can still re-sell or give it out as a nice gift (if so, please let me know).

To reserve your ticket or if you have still some more questions you can email me at leery78@hotmail.com . Better not wait, tickets are limited!

Don’t forget: a self catered lunch, a pair of comfy shoes and your sunshine smile. Then, it’s all set for some good fun in good company.

 

Beijing LGBT Centre

 

If interested, please write direct to the organisers, mentioning ChinaMango. No prizes for guessing who the professional English speaking guide will be. If you want a personalised individual walking tour, do let me know!

What to Wear when Touring China

As a tour operator to China, my clients often ask me what they should wear and what is not acceptable in China while touring.  I have a complete set of information on preparation for touring for my customers but here is just a rough idea.  For more information contact me at  interlak@eskimo.com     Shorts are o.k. but perhaps not short-shorts especially in the countryside.  China is casual everywhere and jeans, cotton slacks, knit shirts for men are quite acceptable for every occasion including nice restaurants.  Sport coat and tie only in very formal occasions or  business meetings.  For women, slacks are just fine or skirts if you prefer with blouses or knit tops.  Good walking shoes are very important especially for uneven sidewalks at sights or in the rural areas.  High heels are not recommend but low heals are o.k.  A light jacket, sweater or layers is best for the different areas of China that you might be visiting especially during spring and fall months.  Summers are very hot and humid in most areas so warm weather clothing is best.  The months of April through July is also monsoon season so be sure to have light rain gear with you which can be bought inexpensively in China.  In the fall it starts getting cold in most northern areas in early November.   Mountain travel should be between July and early October before the snow flies.  For more information and questions just email us.
Click on the photos for full screen views.

A "legendary" hotel in Beijing- European style with Chinese characteristics

From the outside, you might think this was a street in Paris or London.

 However, if you look closer, you'll see it's all a copy of 19th century European architecture.

It is a grand 5-star hotel in Beijing which opened 5 yrs ago, and worth taking a look inside, if only to get an idea of what rich Chinese think is good taste.

As one tripadvisor reviewer said "...This hotel reminds me of the old time world charm palaces. The entrance is spectacular and the atrium lobby is simply breathtaking. The spa was unbelievable...beautiful Roman marble columns with glamourous touches everywhere you look. Really stunning in many ways...."

Another guest said "..The Lobby is MASSIVE with enough marble to cover all of Italy .The unique antique French Chateau Fireplace Mantle is the Lobby eye catcher..."

Yes, so many words could be used to describe the feeling inside...classy, amazing glamour and hype, fabulous, OTT(?), palatial, imperial even....

17-story atrium

Imagine yourself as a European King or Queen as you walk around your palace.

As their website says, "....Imported from Europe, antique furniture and decorations are featured throughout the hotel to create a truly opulent, neo-classical ambiance. Fabrics are rich in texture and colour creating an elegant, and instantly tactile, experience...."

Several antique pieces are on display... they wouldn't look out of place at Versailles or the Louvre!

In the shopping arcade there was even a bridal costume store.......

...which is handy if you happen to be holding your wedding party in the hotel, as this couple were, Chinese style!

The website says, "...the 746 sqm-ballroom replicates the Versailles’s magnificence and Classical taste. Extremely spacious at the height of 6.6 m. the natural and graceful way of decoration exposes the luxurious and unique taste. Nine shining crystal chandeliers add to the splendor even more brightness...."

 

Signatures on the wedding "guestbook", not at all in classical style!

What to Expect from Most Chinese Hotels

Many people travelling to China do not know what to expect from a Chinese hotel.  It is all quite good to relieve your mind.  If you are on a prepaid hotel tour, all is taken care of.  In either case you will need to sign a credit card slip to take care of any charges you make to your room.  The slip is torn up on your departure if you do not charge anything. Tipping is not needed as there is a charge already in your hotel cost except perhaps the Bell Boy taking your luggage to your room and then only a minimum.   3 star hotels and up will usually have a safe in the room where you can set the combination yourself to keep your valuables in when you are away.  Two bottles of mineral water are usually included however anything in the small refrigerator that is in the room, can be expensive and charged to you upon checking out.   There is a free tooth brush and something that tastes like tooth paste  (I recommend taking your own)  a razor and shaving cream  (likewise) shampoo, cream rinse and body lotion.  Laundry is available and usually picked up in the morning and is back by evening.  A laundry bag and price list will be in the closet or desk with instructions in English.  Laundromats are not common in China.  You can exchange money at a desk in the lobby;  however credit card advances are not common.  Banks are usually close by or there are ATM machines available sometimes even in the hotels.  Breakfast is usually included in the cost of your hotel and are large buffets with both Asian and Western food.  Eggs prepared in front of you according to your wish including omelets.   Brewed coffee is usually available only for breakfast in the large cities and perhaps freeze dried coffee in the remote areas.   For more specific questions please email us at  interlak@eskimo.com

                                               Click on photos for full screen viewing.