Conde Nast Traveler's February 2010 issue, featuring Orville Schell's article 'China's Magic Melting Mountain'

China scholar Orville Schell recently published a piece in the February 2010 issue of Conde Nast Traveler entitled ‘China’s Magic Melting Mountain,’ in which he discusses China’s lesser-known Tibetan Plateau, the region’s Buddhist culture, and the physical and cultural effects of global warming on the area’s glacial mountain peaks. 

WildChina is proud to be mentioned in the article as Orville Schell’s sole operator for the journey. Orville says of WildChina and traveling through the region:

You’re best off booking your trip through a tour operator who can help you navigate the often-tricky logistics in this remote area. The author booked his trip through WildChina—the founder of which, Mei Zhang    , is a Yunnan native and Harvard MBA (888-902-8808; wildchina.com).

Why did Orville Schell decide to travel with WildChina? Find out here. 

The February 2010 issue of Conde Nast Traveler is on newsstands now, and you can find the full version of ‘China’s Magic Melting Mountain’ online here.

For more information about travel to the Tibetan Plateau, please contact Barbara Henderson at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com.

The Year of the Tiger is rapidly approaching (it begins on February 14). In the Chinese zodiac, the tiger has always been a marker of great change, development, and improvement. Taking this to heart, WildChina has made big goals for the new year, which include initiatives that will enable us to better connect bolster and increase our community service, environmental protection and sustainable development partnerships.

As part of our WildChina Collection initiative, we’ve created a new series on our blog, the WildChina Collection ReviewBlog, which features our reviews of sites, hotels, and restaurants on our blog to keep readers informed of up-to-date information and trends in niche and boutique travel options. 

Our inaugural ReviewBlog post takes us to Shanghai:

WildChina Operations team members Nellie and Rebecca recently visited Shanghai to review client accommodations. Here is their take on two upscale Shanghai hotels, The Peninsula Shanghai and JIA Shanghai.

The Peninsula Shanghai

Location: Located on the main Bund strip. Although there is currently a lot of road work in the area for the World Expo, it will be completed by the end of Chinese New Year.

Service: Excellent; most staff speaks reasonably good English.

Aesthetic: Lobby decor is classic and elegant, and is a throwback to 1920s-era Shanghai.

Accommodations: Offers a wide range of rooms, from Superior Rooms and Deluxe Garden Rooms to a host of luxury suites. Rooms host a bevy of services and amenities, including plush furnishings and beds, electronics, and internet.

Dining: The Peninsula provides a variety of options for guests. Breakfast is a la carte and is served until 11:00am. Restaurants include Yi Long Court (Cantonese with private dining rooms) and Sir Elly’s (Western with private rooms). Room service is also available.

Recreation: The Peninsula boasts a spa, fitness center, indoor swimming pool and outdoor sun terrace.

WildChina says: “Great location with fantastic service and spectacular views. Attention to detail is absolutely impeccable. Easily the best 5-star hotel in Shanghai.” –Nellie

Make reservations here.

JIA Shanghai

Location: Located by the West Nanjing Road subway, JIA Shanghai is surrounded by hip shops and restaurants.

Service: Staff members were friendly and their English was better than average.

Aesthetic: Romantically dark. Walkways leading to elevators and rooms are dimly lit, with the light green wood doors being the only highlight in the walkways to elevators and rooms.

Accommodations: Studios and suites are available, and are beautifully designed in an eclectic modern style. Rooms are outfitted with designer modern furniture, and high-tech amenities.

Dining: Continental Breakfast is served. Issimo Restaurant offers Italian cuisine, while Issimo Bar serves classic cocktails, wine and champagne.

Recreation: JIA houses a small but well-appointed gym on the 2th floor, which  treadmills, bicycles, and weight equipment.

WildChina says: “The ‘it’ choice for boutique accommodation in Shanghai – high-end urban cool provides intimacy for design-oriented travelers. ISSIMO is equal parts hip and delicious, providing tasty fare in a trendy atmosphere.” –Nellie

Make reservations here.

Curious about accommodations, sites, restaurants, or other venues in China? Tweet at us (@WildChina) or send an email to Alex Grieves at alex.grieves@wildchina.com. We’ll try to include your inquiry in our next post.

Social media has never been as important as it is now for Haiti relief efforts. (Photo courtesy of a1.twimg.com)

As social media continues to evolve, its uses and application to daily life increase exponentially. In WildChina’s corner of the internet, we are continually intrigued by the news we read and the people we engage with, and opportunities we discover in regards to sustainable travel, ecotourism, travel trends in China, non-profit initiatives, and more.

In light of the tragic events that have recently transpired in Haiti, social media’s relevance to offline life has never been more evident. Cries for aid in numerous tweets have alerted “twitizens” of the issues at hand – and these cries have been heard.

According to USA Today, approximately 3% of recent blog posts (which include tweets, as they are considered micro-blogs) were written on Haiti. Thanks to publicity through social media outlets, the Red Cross had already raised $8 million as of Friday, January 15, 2010 through people texting HAITI to 90999 (each text raised $10 for the cause).

WildChina has put together a brief list of ways that you can help contribute to the cause, which we have encountered recently in the realm of social media:

1. Text ‘HAITI’ to 90999 to make a $10 donation (Red Cross)
2. Text ‘UNICEF’ to 20222 to make a $10 donation (UNICEF)
3. Text ‘Yele’ to 501501 to make a $5 donation (Wyclef Jean/Yéle Haiti Foundation)
4. Make an online contribution to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS Haiti)
5. Go to CNN’s Larry King/Impact Your World site for an extensive list on organizations involved in providing aid to Haiti (CNN/Non-profits)

Want to add to this list? Please email Alex Grieves at alex.grieves@wildchina.com or send us a tweet @WildChina.

Photo courtesy of Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

WildChina founder Mei Zhang will speak at Georgetown University‘s McDonough School of Business on Tuesday, January 19th and Wednesday, January 20th, 2010.

Her talks, regarding doing business in China, will focus on China’s changing start-up environment and the challenges of entrepreneurship in China – both specifically and relative to the United States. Mei will offer insights on her personal experiences in the Chinese market as well.

Mei is pleased to share her expertise with Georgetown’s business school students about such a creative, competitive and exciting market.

The exact schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 19th, 11:50 – 12:05 pm, for full-time students
Wednesday, January 20th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, for evening students

For more information on booking Mei Zhang for a speaking engagement, please contact Yu Zhang at yu.zhang@wildchina.com.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo courtesy of cfce.org)

WildChina’s Bethesda, MD office will be closed on Monday, January 18 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day national holiday. Regular business office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 19.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@wildchina.com.

Xinhua news agency has reported that, in light of the upcoming Chinese New Year on February 14th, that those in China reduce travel to avoid the spread of H1N1 flu.

Read the full article on the health advisory here.

Want more information on H1N1 and health in China? Contact WildChina at info@wildchina.com.

The Year of the Tiger is less than a month away – it occurs on February 14th – and there will be numerous celebrations across China to ring in the new year.

At such a festive time for Chinese citizens, travel and safety naturally becomes a much greater concern. Large numbers of travelers, crowded attractions and fully booked modes of transportation can increase the risk of theft and physical harm.

Here are three ways to keep yourself happy and safe during Chinese New Year:

1. Be careful of fireworks. Fireworks are traditionally set off during the Chinese New Year. While fireworks are festive and fun to watch, be cautious, especially in large crowds. Opt to watch from afar rather than close up, and make sure you have some space around you to move away if these displays go awry.
2. Streamline and reduce travel. Travel will inevitably be more stressful during this time, so make sure that your plans don’t involve lots of short stopovers, inconvenient connections or tight turnaround. Try to streamline your trip so that you can enjoy a certain area for a longer amount of time.
3. Choose appropriate transportation options for you and your family. Are you claustrophobic? Do you have small children? Are you traveling with grandparents? If so, trains and busses are not appropriate modes of transportation for you during CNY. Planes and private cars are better suited to your needs. Those taking trains and busses should expect cramped conditions; on the upside, they are cheap and reliable.

Want more tips on travel during Chinese New Year? Send us a tweet @WildChina.

In recent weeks, those living in China have learned that snow can completely shut even the largest cities down; government heating is now barely adequate in staving off the cold; and sweet potatoes sold on the street invariably double as hand warmers. What can travelers to China do to make their China trip in the cold winter months enjoyable, safe, and meaningful?

Snow looks stunning on the Great Wall, but does not bode well for those who wish to climb it. (Photo courtesy Xinhua/Bu Xiangdong)

1. Familiarize yourself with alternate transportation modes and have resources handy. Beijing’s residents were completely unprepared a week ago when taxi cabs across the city disappeared to avoid the January snow. Lesson learned? Keep a subway map on you, ask your guide/concierge for bus suggestions, hire a car if you’d like, and don’t rule out rickshaws – they may be your ticket home if all else fails.
2. Take advantage of the fact that many people are avoiding the cold. China is never entirely calm, empty, or spacious – but winter means quieter months for tourism. One can expect somewhat shorter lines, more room, and (maybe) a little more peace and quiet when visiting monuments, museums, and other attractions.
3. Make reservations early and often. The cold weather means that casually searching for a hotel/hostel and strolling to find a good restaurant are no more; travelers want to make sure that they have confirmed places to stay warm when not out sightseeing. Be sure to plan accommodations, and make any other preferred reservations, farther in advance than you would otherwise, especially in areas that are very popular with tourists.

Have more questions about China in the winter? Send us a tweet @WildChina.

(Photo courtesy of Chinese National Geographic)

After WildChina founder Mei Zhang met Melvyn Goh of Chinese National Geographic at the C100 Gala Dinner in December, she wanted to know: what is Chinese National Geographic’s new English edition about, and what perspective on China can it bring to foreign readers?

WildChina recently spoke to Melvyn Goh about Chinese National Geographic International (CNGi), why it was launched during a period of economic uncertainty, and what the English-language magazine hopes to bring to foreign readers unfamiliar with China.

WildChina: Can you give us some background on Chinese National Geography, English Edition (CNGi)? When was it first published?

Melvyn Goh: Published by M Media Group and supported by Chinese National Geography (CNG), CNGi is the first Chinese geographic magazine to break borders to reach out to an international audience, showcasing China’s diverse culture, heritage and geography to the world. Successfully launched in May 09, the inaugural issue attracted wide international media interest and generated a PR value of more than US$900,000.

CNGi’s uniqueness lies in the richness of its extensively researched content and spectacular images which are sourced directly from an authoritative Chinese source, CNG. CNGi magazine is distributed worldwide at airports and major bookstores in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

WC: CNGi and WildChina are very similar in that both aim to give people unfamiliar with China a sense of the country’s history, culture, et cetera beyond mainstream notions and stereotypes. How does CNGi accomplish this?

MG: We are the local storytellers who bring you the stories from China. Drawing from a wealth of well-researched and reliable information from an authoritative Chinese source CNG, we reach out to our readers through evocative narratives, stunning images, and other forms of communication from a local, more personalized perspective.

CNG is one of China’s most successful magazines with an unbeatable 60-year track record since 1949. Backed by the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) under the directive of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Geographical Society of China, CNG is an authoritative magazine brand written by the Chinese for 60 years, containing gems on China that competitors outside the country may not have access to.

WC: Why launch an English version, CNGi, during an economic crisis? What is important about bringing CNG to the English-speaking public at this time?

MG: Some might question the sanity of launching a magazine now. Reader habits are shifting from print to online, with some print titles abandoning the medium to go print-digital only. But print has faced tough times before, and the right publication can still find a niche and succeed. Just look at Fortune magazine. It’s famous for having launched a mere four months after the 1929 crash.

Also, CNGi is more than just a magazine. It is a magazine brand, going beyond print to online, events, books and social networks. CNGi is the definitive authority on China. And China is the country to watch.

In this current economic crisis, it’s a rare country that can claim a 6 to 8 percent GDP for the next 5 to 10 years. China can. Every respectable global brand in the world has a presence, or plans to have one, in China. It is the “IT” country—a place and people that have demonstrated phenomenal innovation, growth and industry. Yet it’s one that still has that sheen of exoticism that many want to demystify.

That’s why I believe this to be the right time to launch a magazine brand about China’s culture, heritage and geography from a respected source: Chinese National Geography (CNG). While many publications claim their expertise on China, none have ever claimed this—a Chinese brand written by the Chinese for the Chinese for 60 years, and now brought to the world in English.

WC: What, in your opinion, is the key to increasing the English-speaking public’s knowledge of the ‘real’ China?

MG: Content comes first. To achieve this, CNG has an independent editorial office to maintain integrity of content, to stay free from the pressures of the market. However, this does not mean the editors are blind to the outside world—they must remain aware to the needs of their readers. We must not be afraid to cover controversial issues without fear or bias, in order to get people to think about such issues.

Next is relevancy. Our readers must be able to relate to our stories. We tackle real issues that affect China and the world. Moreover, China is indeed a fascinating place for the world to know about, with its varied natural environment and a civilization that spans five thousand years. As China rises as a global power, more and more people will be interested to learn more about China and its culture. So we want our magazine to be an invaluable— and impartial—source of knowledge on issues in China.

WC: What is your vision and what are your goals for CNGi?

MG: CNG English Edition was launched with the mission of “Bringing China to the World” and to foster a greater understanding of China’s rich history and culture amongst readers across the globe.

CNG English Edition is currently distributed to retailers across China and the Asia Pacific region and subscribers worldwide. Through working with licensing partners, we hope to expand retail sales to cover Europe and the US. In addition to the English Edition, we hope to launch local edition in the US, and French and German editions in Europe first before extending to Italian and other Western languages subsequently.

CNGi is more than just a magazine. It is a magazine brand, going beyond print to online, events, books and social networks. Our goal is to leverage the content of the Chinese language version and extend the magazine brand to multi-media platforms such as programming such as TV and films, customized book licensing, merchandising, mapping, merchandising and digital content distribution such as e-magazines and other mobile applications.

First the Travel+Leisure feature, and now this article in the New York Times: it is increasingly apparent that China is set to experience a tourism renaissance in 2010.

Among the 31 chosen destinations in the article, Shanghai and Shenzhen ranked at number 12 and number 20, respectively. These are impressive numbers, given the caliber and reputations of the places with whom these Chinese cities share the list.

Shanghai's dynamic Pudong skyline. (Photo courtesy of shinanthology.files.wordpress.com)

Shanghai in particular is an intriguing destination: it has much to offer visitors, especially in light of the upcoming 2010 World Expo. Aric Chen writes,

To many, the idea of a World Expo might seem like a dated, superfluous throwback from some preglobalized age. (Remember the one in Aichi, Japan? Enough said.) But tell that to the 70 million who are expected to attend Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

This is China, after all. And following up on Beijing’s spectacular Olympics, Shanghai is pulling out all the stops. From May 1 to Oct. 31, more than 200 national and other pavilions will straddle the city’s Huangpu River, turning a two-square-mile site into an architectural playground: Switzerland will be represented by a building shaped like a map of that country, complete with a rooftop chairlift, while England is in the celebrated hands of the designer Thomas Heatherwick, who is fashioning what looks like a big, hairy marshmallow. Other attention grabbers include Macao, taking the form of a walk-through bunny, and the United Arab Emirates, which hired Foster + Partners to build a “sand dune.” (By contrast, the United States pavilion might be mistaken for a suburban office park.)

In the run-up to the Expo, Shanghai seems to have taken this year’s theme, “Better City, Better Life,” to heart, spending tens of billions of dollars to upgrade the city. The riverfront Bund promenade is getting a makeover with parks and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, while the subway is being dramatically expanded — including several new stations serving the World Expo site. — Aric Chen

Read about Shenzhen and find out what other destinations are featured on the list here.

Interested in learning more about travel to Shanghai? Please contact our Private Journeys director, Barbara Henderson, at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com. You can also send us a tweet @WildChina.