WildChina’s office hours for the upcoming Chinese New Year are as follows:

Beijing office will be closed from February 2-8.  We will reopen the office on Wednesday, February 9.

Washington, D.C. office will open all throughout the holiday.

Contact us anytime throughout this period by e-mailing us at info@wildchina.com or calling us at 1.888.902.8808.

Today marks the beginning of the busiest travel season in China: from January 21 to February 27, China’s skies, roads, and rails will be inundated as an expected 640 million people, from every corner of the country, go on the move. What destinations could possibly be so compelling as to temporarily shift more than 9% of the world’s entire population? Home, of course.

The impetus is the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival (chun jie). Far and away the most important festival on the Chinese calendar, the Spring Festival has always been a traditional time of homecoming and renewal. As such, this deluge occurs every winter, but the Ministry of Transport in China has predicted that this year’s will be the worst yet. One explanation is that many Chinese, in addition to returning home for the holidays, will also take advantage of the time off for domestic and international tourism.

With so many people competing for tickets, the rush has resulted in some amusing local news items. One story details the rising trade in fake student IDs as travelers get more innovative in their search for a cheap ticket home. A well-humored Beijing man named Chi Dongting, frustrated with long wait times at railway offices in freezing temperatures, successfully used a stylishly-dressed mannequin to hold his place in line – while he huddled in his car for warmth.

Far from being intimidated by the crowds, WildChina believes there are some not-so-packed spots in China that truly shine during the holiday period. Yunnan province is a popular destination with our clients this time of year for a variety of reasons; the subtropical climate of verdant Xishuangbanna is an obvious draw, while up north the old cities of Dali and Lijiang take on a more peaceful personality with high season still months away.

And if you own a good jacket, Tibet awaits. With many annual pilgrimages underway, February represents an ideal opportunity to see local Tibetans in their colorful traditional dress – and there’s plenty of yak butter tea to keep you warm!

We always promote going off-the-beaten-path for travel in China; but with the beaten path about to fill up with home-bound travelers and domestic vacationers, there’s perhaps no better time to do so than during the Spring Festival.

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Image: Birmingham Post

Growing up, my parents owned a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant in a small town in northern Tennessee.  Every day for the sixteen and a half years that this restaurant was open, I watched my dad cook delicious food while I sold, served, and ate it after school and on the weekends. However, I was “that kid” who, despite being surrounded by the family business her whole life, never picked up a spatula or a wok to learn how to cook…

This holiday season, however, I have finally been bitten by the family cooking bug!

Every other week at WildChina’s Beijing office, we have a company lunch.  The menu usually consists of yummy, homemade jiaozi (dumplings), but this week, we had a special treat – HOT POT.

As grabbed a bowl of creamy peanut sauce, fresh cilantro, and lajiang (red pepper chili sauce), I realized how easy it would be to whip up this tasty treat myself.

All you need is:

1 hot plate

1 metal pot w/ lid

Chicken broth

Ginger and Spices  (like salt and pepper, or for you adventurous and creative types, some mixture of chili or curry powder)

Veggies

Thinly sliced meat (such as lamb or beef)

Sauce, as mentioned above: peanut sauce (available in packages), fresh cilantro, red pepper chili sauce

Directions:

Wait for the chicken broth and spices to boil, throw in your meat and veggies and allow it to cook fully (usually just a couple minutes), and dig in. This is the perfect meal for a large group of people to keep warm with and enjoy together – and it’s healthy to boot.

The simplicity of it all has inspired me to become an experimental chef (stop laughing mom and dad) and has alleviated my worries about what to make for the holiday dinner party I’ll soon be hosting.

Happy cooking!

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Nancy is a member of WildChina’s marketing team.  She works in WildChina’s Beijing office and can be contacted at nancy.tan@wildchina.com.

Tangyuan, or balls made from sticky rice flour are a popular food to celebrate the winter solstice.

As we look forward to a gradual lengthening of daylight and the eventual arrival of summer, WildChina wishes a happy winter solstice to our friends around the world.

The shortest day of 2010 was considered to be December 21 in the West, but this year’s observation falls on December 22 in China.

The Chinese festival marking the day is called Dongzhi—literally, “the arrival of winter”—and has traditionally been a time for families to gather together for meals and to honor their ancestors.

Therefore, visitors to northern parts of China during Dongzhi may end up joining a local family for a meal of hearty boiled dumplings. If they are in the southern part of the country, they will more likely eat balls of sticky rice that are called tangyuan and are served in a sweet or savory broth.

In both areas one might run into bowls of slightly sweet and mildly alcoholic fermented sticky rice named jiuniang.

These warming, carbohydrate-rich traditional Dongzhi foods make sense not just because of chilliness and lack of sunlight, but also because many Chinese people will spend at least part of the day outside making offerings or visiting the tombs of their ancestors.

As during other festival times, it is common to see locals burning fake paper money on the street, which is symbolically intended for use by the deceased in the afterlife.

Many urban families also venture from the city out to the countryside to visit the graves of their ancestors for some tidying and to burn incense and perhaps leave some small portions of food.

Thought it may be the shortest day of the year and chilly in many parts of the country, there are still plenty of great places to visit in China during the holiday season. In fact, this is one of the best times to visit warmer southern areas whose low latitude bestows them with longer daylight.

The expected high temperature today in Jinghong, capital of the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan, a popular WildChina destination, is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celcius). Happy Dongzhi and we hope to see you soon.

Image credit: 5Q Blog

Thanksgiving is one of the few times in the year when Americans can celebrate family and tradition over a hearty, home-cooked meal. So what happens when you’re traveling in China, far away from home, during the holiday?

(Source: www.bargainblessings.com)

Even in Beijing, visitors can come quite close to the real Thanksgiving experience. After polling a few colleagues and reflecting on personal holiday experiences in China, I’ve come up with a list of a few options for visitors looking for an (almost) authentic Thanksgiving experience in China.

If you are looking for a large Thanksgiving spread… colleague Taylor recommends buffet-style feasts such as The Raffles Hotel Beijing. With a fine array of turkey, stuffing, and other holiday favorites, and the distinct setting of a top luxury hotel, the scene is set for a classic Thanksgiving meal.

She says, “Though stepping into the marble floored lobby at Raffles Beijing Hotel for Thanksgiving Dinner was far from the packed house of family and friends I’m used to, the excitement of Thanksgiving crushed the formalities and shyness that come with meeting new people. Surrounded by a group of Americans starved for family and tradition as much as we were starved for Turkey, I had a great time making new friends over delicious food.”

If you are traveling with a family and children… colleague Nellie suggests the Westin, either in Liangmaqiao or on Financial Street. With a delectable spread for the parents, and a spacious play area for the children, the Westin does family dinner right with options for all ages.

If you would like a meal specially prepared for you… I cast my vote for Culinary Capers, a Beijing-based catering company located in the capital’s 798 art district. I can attest from my own Thanksgiving dinner at Switch!, their new restaurant in the UCCA gallery, that the food is incredibly fresh, delicious, and provides the classics with a unique twist. If you stay somewhere such as the China World serviced apartments, Culinary Capers can deliver your ideal Thanksgiving meal right to your door.

Have you had a memorable Thanksgiving experience in Beijing, or in other Chinese cities? Let us know at info[at]wildchina[dot]com.



Among the Miao people of Guizhou, there is a festival that only takes place once every thirteen years. The Guzang festival is a two-plus week celebration honoring Li Rong, the ancient leader of the Miao people.

The first day of the Guzang festival is a fairly laid back affair along the lines of an opening ceremony. It is followed by the local shaman circling a mountain with a male duck on the second day and the slaughtering of many pigs and a massive feast on the third day.

We were lucky enough to be in Kaili on the first day of the festival, and we decided to head to Beigao Village, where the local shaman is a friend of our Guizhou guide Billy Li.

Before arriving in Beigao we had to pick up some party favors, which included three large rolls of firecrackers to be set off in announcement of our arrival. We also purchased a male duck, which we would give the shaman.

Once we had prepared everything, we hit a trailhead about one hour’s drive outside of Kaili and started hiking toward Beigao.

During the three-hour hike we followed a clear stream uphill for the first couple of hours, using stepping stones to cross it several times.

The last leg of the hike was a steep ascent consisting primarily of narrow switchbacks. As we gained altitude, the vistas became increasingly spectacular. A village at the top of a mountain across the valley became visible, and Billy told us that every morning children from Beigao would descend their mountain and walk up the other mountain to go to school.

After a few stops to enjoy the stunning scenery we eventually made it to the entrance of Beigao Village. Billy lit a roll of firecrackers to announce our arrival. The nearly two-minute series of explosions created plenty of noise and smoke and also drew a large crowd of children who were curious to see who we were.

The village shaman, Mr. Li, came down to greet us. He thanked us for the duck and led us up into the village, where young Miao women were waiting for us with small bowls of rice wine, the traditional Miao greeting for guests.

After a quick three bowls of rice wine, we were buzzing in the warm sun. We were welcomed by the rest of the villagers at the village basketball court, where we were treated to traditional singing and dancing – and another round of rice wine.

The village’s women were all dressed in traditional Miao costume, with silver adornments a major feature. On the side of the court, young local boys waited for the festivities to move elsewhere so they could get back to playing basketball.

We were invited into the home of Mr. Li the shaman, where we sat around a long table and chatted with the young women who had given us rice wine. We discovered that despite Beigao’s remoteness, several of the girls no longer lived in the village – they had moved to coastal cities to make money, much of which they sent home.

During a delicious home-cooked meal of stir-fried pork and cabbage and spicy and sour fish soup, the shaman encouraged us to drink more rice wine, which we drank in increasingly small sips. The young women burst into song once more, captivating all of us with their beautiful voices.

After the meal, one of the women who had cooked for us exonerated us to stay an extra couple of days for the upcoming feast. Unfortunately, we were not going to be able to catch the height of the Guzang festivities this time around.

It was time for us to make our way back to Kaili via a bus that was waiting for us outside the village. Nearly the entire village walked with us to our ride. We were given hearty handshakes by the men and – you guessed it – rice wine by the women.

Driving away from Beigao we were once again struck by the friendliness and generosity of the rural people of Guizhou – and the potency of their rice wine.

The next morning we discovered one of the members of our group had left his hat at the shaman’s home. We wouldn’t have time to go back and get it this time, but we now had the perfect excuse to hike back to the village next time we were in Guizhou.

More than a quarter of a billion people visited officially recognized ‘scenic spots’, spending 116.6 billion yuan (US$17.5 billion) during the recent National Day golden week holiday, Xinhua is reporting.

Tourist traffic was up 27.1 percent over the same period last year, with spending up by nearly a third. These strong numbers suggest that there is still plenty more room for growth in China’s domestic tourist market.

More than 57 million people took to the skies when traveling during the seven-day holiday, which celebrated the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said that the number of air passengers grew by 24 percent over the 2009 National Day holiday, but the number of flights had only grown by 5.3 percent.

Train traffic in China set new records, with more than eight million passengers riding the country’s rails in one day. During the period from October 1 through 7, more than 63 million people traveled by train, a jump of 24 percent over the same period last year.

As more and more Chinese discover the joys of travel, sustainability is becoming increasingly important. This is one of the reasons that WildChina joined the board of directors of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) this year, with founder Mei Zhang as its representative.

WildChina looks forward to continuing to work with the GSTC and other organizations, businesses and individuals to achieve the goal of sustainable travel in China – and beyond.

Although many Chinese travelers will be leaving the country next week for this year’s October Holiday, a national week of celebration for China’s National Day (October 1st), there will still be plenty of locals who prefer in-bound travel for the break.

Back to the Bund: consider in-city entertainment for this October Holiday.

For those tourists – or expat residents – not willing to brave the crowds during this Golden Week, it may be the best time to do in-city exploration.

If you live in Beijing or Shanghai, and haven’t had time to step out of your office or school to truly experience your home-away-from-home, take this week to explore. For October visitors to China, skip the stress of holiday travel and spend a few extra days in these diverse metropolitan areas before venturing to other areas of the country.

Beyond the historic sites (see them if you haven’t), we’ve compiled a short list of suggestions from the web for the holiday:

Beijing

• For all its new glitzy nightlife, Beijing doesn’t get enough credit for good, old-fashioned fun. Jessica Marsden suggests you try retro roller-skating in Xizhimen – for only 5 RMB. (from To China… And Beyond!)
• If you want to relive the days of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, head to the Olympic Green, where monitors will keep crowds in check as you explore the Green’s cutting-edge architecture. (from Global Times)

Shanghai

• Split Works Marketing Director and Shanghai resident Abby Lavin has co-compiled a comprehensive Shanghai to-do list for the holiday, complete with a cornucopia of sights, sounds, and activities. (from CNNGo)
• Not previously enticed by the Expo? Reconsider, since new ticket deals are now being offered, boasting more visit time and cheaper prices. (from Shanghaiist)

Still want to be outside of a metropolitan marvel during your October break? Sara Naumann, author of About.com’s China Travel Guide, tells you when to travel and how to book to avoid the worst of October Holiday season.

If you have been receiving box upon box of mooncakes, or yuebing, these past few weeks like us at WildChina, you are surely thrilled that Mid-Autumn Festival – the  raison d’être for these egg-and-bean-filled confections – is right around the corner.

Zhongqiujie, as it is known in Chinese, is a celebration of the end of the summer harvesting season and the round, full moon of the autumnal equinox. During this holiday period (Wednesday, September 22 to Friday, September 24), family and friends gather to hang festive lanterns, admire the moon, and of course, dine on mooncakes.

How will you celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival? San Francisco’s Chinatown, the largest in the United States, puts on an annual Autumn Moon Festival Street Fair, which features food stalls, performances, and other events to commemorate the occasion. There are also other events and gatherings in local Chinatowns across the country – check your regional event listings in magazines and online for details.

For those in Asia, evening jubilation is a must. CNNGo has a comprehensive list of where to moon gaze in Hong Kong during the festival, whether it be a population metropolitan hangout or quiet nature spot. Our top choice for Beijing? Houhai Lake in Dongcheng district, where the water displays a dynamic, shimmering image of the moon’s reflection. That being said, any cafes or bars with rooftops will provide the right ambiance, and necessary view, for the Festival. People all over China will be spending outdoor time at parks, beaches, lakes, and other areas to celebrate, so find one nearest to you and come prepared with a few lanterns and yuebing.

Revelry aside, travelers to Beijing, and other crowded metropolitan areas, this holiday should be prepared for increased traffic this week before the 3-day break. In light of recent traffic issues plaguing the area, we suggest that you use public transportation and commute at off-peak hours.

WildChina’s Beijing office will be closed on Monday, June 14 for China’s national Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The US office will be open as usual.

What is Dragon Boat Festival? Known in Chinese as “端午节” (Duanwu jie), the occurs to race dragon boats – a traditional teak wood boat – as well as drink traditional wine and and eat “粽子” (zongzi) rice dumplings. Many Chinese on the Mainland, as well as in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, engage in day-long boat races to commemorate the occasion.

(courtesy BBC / AP)

For inquiries and assistance, please call our toll-free number, 1-888-902-8808, or email info@wildchina.com.

Happy Dragon Boat Festival to our friends and fellow travelers in China, as well as to those celebrating abroad!