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Tasting Tea

March 23, 2009 in Food, Travel Tips by admin | 2 comments

Relax. Detox. Heal. Awaken.

The variety of Chinese teas are in the dozens and their uses are many.

Green Tea (most popular in China!)

Details:

Has the most medical value and is low in caffeine

Dried with heat and undergoes no fermentation process

Promotes fat oxidation in humans at rest and to prevent obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in mice

Green tea has been used as traditional medicine in areas such as China, Japan, India and Thailand to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.

Chinese Tea – Green
Tea Name in Chinese Mandarin Pronunciation
Place of Origin – Tea Name		 Meaning in English
(for Tea Name only)
Tai Ping – Hou Kui Monkey King
Xi Hu – Long Jing Dragon Well
Dong Tin – Bi Luo Chun Green Spring Snail
Lu Shan – Yun Wu Cloud & Fog
Huang Shan – Mao Feng Fur Peak
E Mei – Zhu Ye Qing Green Bamboo Leaf
Xian Ren Zhang Cha Cactus Tea
An Hua – Song Zhen Pine Needle
Liu An – Gua Pian Melon Slice
Jing Ting – Lue Xue Green Snow
Nan Jing – Yu Hua Rain Flower
Liu An – Gua Pian Melon Slice
Xin Yang – Mao Jian Fur Tip
Tian Shan – Lu Ya Green Sprout

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Unveiling Peking Opera

March 20, 2009 in Culture, On the Road by admin | 2 comments

Before I came to Beijing, I remember hearing the word “opera” and associating it with the beautiful arias of Italian singers and world-famous artists like Pavarotti. After going to the Laoshe Teahouse my whole perspective changed! Opera in China is an entirely different, more amazing and way more colorful way to describe the opera genre… it is Peking Opera.

As I was walking into the Laoshe Teahouse, I didn’t really know what to expect after seeing the distinct feng shui-like decorations in the foyer. I do, however, remember thinking how perfect everything was set up. After listening to a little quartet play, I made my way to the main hall where I was seated in a group table and served some delicious little snacks and their famous green tea (which I downed in about two seconds and proceeded to ask for more).

When the first act opened, I was still unsure about what was coming. The depiction of the tea ceremony was so detailed, but my favorite part was the face changing. This man, all done up in the traditional Peking opera costume, would dance around and change his mask fifteen times in a matter of nanoseconds. How he did it? I have no idea, but it definitely peaked my interest to go look it up. And when I did, I learned this is a form of art that takes about ten to fifteen years to master. Incredible!

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Interview with Professor Frank Hawke

March 18, 2009 in WildChina Experts by admin | No comments

One of the first 8 Americans who came over to study in China in the late 1970’s, Frank Hawke is a well-known figure in Beijing. Currently, Frank is the Chairman of Greater China for Kroll, the world’s leading risk consulting company, and has also held teaching positions in prestigious universities such as Beijing University and the University of International Business and Economics. Frank has been traveling around China for more than 30 years, and took a moment to tell us about his favorite places in the Middle Kingdom.

Frank Hawke

WildChina: Why did you decide to come to Beijing in the 70’s?

Frank Hawke: I was invited by the Chinese government to pursue studies in China in 1979 and wanted to engage in language work and Chinese politics.

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Slaloming the Slopes in China

March 5, 2009 in Holidays and Festivals, Travel Tips by admin | 2 comments

Before I moved to Beijing I never expected that I would spend some of my winter weekends on the ski slopes outside of the city. I guess people (including myself) don’t tend to associate China with snow sports (beyond the ice sculptures of Harbin perhaps), so I thought I’d make a quick list of places where you can enjoy the snow in China.

Granted, these resorts are for the most part better suited to the amateur snow seeker, but nevertheless a cheap and relatively inexpensive excursion out of the city. Whether skiing, snowboarding, or hanging in the lodge is your thing, there are quite a few options for enjoying the winter in China.

Nanshan Ski Resort

  • Location: Miyun county, Beijing (about 80Km from downtown Beijing)
  • Description: 3000 pairs of skiing equipment for rental, 1318 meters of Toboggan Runs, air park, one bridge, and 5 jumping segments
  • Cost: Weekday RMB180, Weekend RMB280, Holiday RMB320
  • How to get there:Take Dongmi Zhuanxian Bus at Dongzhimen Bus Station, to Miyun Xidaqiao Station, RMB10/person. Then take a taxi to Nanshan (RMB10/car), about 10 minutes
  • Contact: 84286688 or 64450990

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Did you know there are 8 forms of Chinese cuisine?

February 12, 2009 in Food, Travel Tips by admin | 2 comments

You might think its all noodles and rice, but China’s cuisine is compromised of hundreds of different ingredients and spices, proving to be one of the most complex and delicious forms of cooking!

1. Anhui Cuisine involves elaborate choices of cooking materials and the strict control of cooking processes. It includes ingredients such as pangolin, stone frog, mushroom, bayberry, tea leaves, bamboo shoot, dates, and games that are from mountainous areas. The food is also slightly spicy and salty. Some of these tasty dishes are stewed soft shell turtle with ham, Huangshan braised pigeon, steamed stone frog, steamed rock partridge, stewed fish belly in brown sauce, bamboo shoots cooked with sausage and dried mushroom, and more!

Li Hongzhang Hotchpotch

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Keeping Kosher while Traveling in China

February 11, 2009 in Food, Travel Tips, WildChina Travel Guide by admin | 1 comment

Keeping kosher can always be a bit tricky, especially while traveling. But like in every developing country, awareness towards other religions and cultures is increasing (slowly, but surely). We hope you find these Kosher tid-bits useful during your Chinese travels.

1. Kosher products are available at small western stores throughout Beijing, such as Jenny Lou’s.

2. Kosher chickens can be bought at the German Butchery. (8610) 6591 9370 First Floor, Binduyuan Building No 15 Zaoying Beili Maizidian, Chao Yang District, Beijing.

3. Chicken, beef, and lamb can be bought at Chabad Hashgacha. Catering and delivery of kosher meals can be arranged through Chabad for individuals (24 hours notice is required) or tour groups (two weeks notice is required. http://www.chabadbeijing.com

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Holiday Gift Guide: Beijing and Shanghai

December 10, 2008 in Holidays and Festivals, Travel Tips, WildChina Travel Guide by admin | No comments

One of the perks (and perils) of traveling through Beijing and Shanghai is the excellent shopping that can be found, and often for great prices. With the holidays fast approaching, your resident WildChina shoppers thought we’d share a few of our favorite city haunts. Some are very well-known, and some are tiny gems that we were reluctant to part with. Happy holiday hunting!

Beijing:

  • For serious bargain hunters,  the stalls at Hongqiao Market will whip up strands of pearls, coral, beads, and semi-precious stones to your heart’s content, while you watch. Buyer beware: quality (and price) varies greatly, so be sure to inspect your wares before you hand over your hard-earned RMB.
  • Looking for something new for the home?  Lost and Found is the place for eclectic home-wares.
  • If you have a fan of contemporary art on your shopping list, than the 798 District is a must even if the gallery paintings fall just a little out of your budget. For those less willing to fork over the big bucks for avant garde art, this is also a great place to source art, photography and design books.
  • Grifted is home to an off-beat collection of unique, one of a kind gifts with a quirky sense of humor.
  • Find almost anything at Panjiayuan, a massive open air market, perfect for souvenirs and “antiques”. Be sure to go early though, as that’s when you’ll find the best bargains. Only open on the weekends.

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Visa Troubles?

September 16, 2008 in In the News, Travel Tips by admin | No comments

You may have heard about some people having difficulties getting visas to travel to China.  If you look on the Web, it’s very easy to find a host of rumors about China’s harsh visa policies.  If you’re planning on traveling to China, it may seem like a reason to get worried.

The best cure for such worries is to approach the problem step by step.  While it is true that some people have had difficulties in getting visas, it is primarily those who are trying to live or spend an extended period of time in China that have had trouble.  Chances are, if you are planning on spending a few weeks in China traveling on one of WildChina’s tours, you will have no trouble as long as you know what to do.

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Mooncakes – 月餅

September 11, 2008 in Food, Holidays and Festivals, On the Road by admin | No comments

On my train ride into Beijing yesterday, I had my first opportunity to taste a mooncake. Sitting on the lower level of beds, which during the daylight are the shared seats of everyone in the train’s cabin, I spotted a man in a neighboring cabin enjoying a small pastry. He noticed my curiosity and graciously offered me a taste.

Mooncakes, or yuè bǐng as they are known in Mandarin, are small cakes eaten to celebrate the Mid Autumn festival. Although there can be many variations, they are usually filled with a thick filling made from lotus paste or dried fruit. Sometimes, mooncakes are prepared with a duck egg yolk as part of the filling as well. This is thought by some to represent the full moon during harvest time.

Mooncake Mid-Autumn Festival - WildChina

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50 T-Shirt Donated to Mupi Village in Pingwu County

June 30, 2008 in In the News, Sichuan-Earthquake by admin | No comments

WildChina’s t-shirts arrived at Sichuan’s Mupi Tibetan Village last week.  The village is located at, Pingwu county, one of the hardest hit counties from the Sichuan earthquake.

T-shirts arrived at Mupi Tibetan Village

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