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Travel Tips: Spring Biking in the ‘Jing (and other Chinese urban centers)

March 4, 2010 in On the Road, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

Those who regularly ride the subway in China’s large cities will finally gain a little more breathing room in the coming weeks, as warmer weather means that bikes and bikers are making a seasonal comeback.

Your best friend, or your greatest foe? Learn to bike smart in a Chinese city.

Biking in China can be quite liberating: you aren’t a slave to the slow-moving pace of congested traffic; you have more room and comfort on the road; and you can wind your way through narrow alleyways if necessary.

That being said, biking here almost necessitates having eyes in the back of your head, given the chaotic crush of pedestrians intermingled with cars, buses, and motorbikes on the road.

So, getting new eyes aside, what can you do to keep yourself safe, sane, and savvy on China’s larger urban roads? WildChina has a few tips:

1. Believe in the power of the people: In the throngs of vehicles and people that intermingle in China’s busy city streets, groups of people have the ability to make traffic stop for them – or at the very least, influence it a little. If 20 people bike across the street at one time, chances are that you will be safe among them.

2. Look left, look right, and look left again: We don’t mean to suggest that you should crane your neck to check out your surroundings, but constantly check your area with a quick glance or two. By briefly surveying your neighborhood, road, fellow riders and drivers, you’ll get a better sense of possible hazards. In addition, you’ll start to get a feel for Chinese urban traffic patterns: morning versus night traffic, larger roads versus smaller streets (possibly without bike paths), etc.

3. Use your bell strategically: If you anticipate being in a transportation bind ahead, by all means ring your bike bell to signal to fellow bikers. However, know that you’ll lose influence if you’re ringing it your entire ride to work. In China, routes will always be fairly crowded – pick your battles.

As always, wear a helmet – even if the Chinese do not – and obey all traffic rules and regulations.

Have questions about urban biking in China? Email Alex at alex.grieves@wildchina.com.

Travel Tips: Experiencing springtime flora in China

February 8, 2010 in Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

After a long day of battling sub-zero temperatures, icy cold winds and more snow, it is hard for China’s northern residents to imagine that spring is not too far away. However, now is the time to begin planning trips around China in March, April, and May. During these months, a gorgeous variety of flowers and plants spring up all over China.

Beautiful rapeseed fields in Guizhou (Source: denniscox.net)

WildChina has compiled our list of favorite destinations to see delightful arrays of flora this spring in the Middle Kingdom:

Yunnan: In Yunnan, visitors delight in the natural variety and diversity that the province has to offer. Beautiful rhododendrons, azaleas, and irises line the paths of the Mt. Kawagebo area national parks.

Guangxi/Guizhou: In the spring, Guizhou and Guangxi’s terraced rice fields are absolutely stunning. Sparkling in the morning sun and evening sunset, these terraced marvels are a must-see for those traveling to southern China.

Guizhou: Venture to Guizhou to see its incredible yellow rapeseed fields grow when the weather warms up. These natural marvels are wonderful to witness during some of the most pleasant months of the year.

Want more information on experiencing China’s springtime flora? Contact WildChina’s Director of Private Journeys, Barbara Henderson, at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com.

Travel Alert: China advises less travel ahead of Spring Festival amid flu fear

January 14, 2010 in Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

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.

Tips for a Happy, Healthy and Safe Chinese New Year

January 13, 2010 in Holidays and Festivals, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

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.

Traveling through China in the Winter

January 12, 2010 in Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

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.

NYTimes’ “31 Places to Visit in 2010″ features Shanghai and Shenzhen

January 12, 2010 in In the News, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

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.

T+L’s Top Travel Trends for 2010, featuring Hangzhou, China

January 7, 2010 in In the News, Travel Tips by Alex G | 1 comment

Travel+Leisure recently came out with their Top Travel Trends for 2010 in their January 2010 issue. At number six is “Exploring Hot New Destinations,” which features Hangzhou (杭州), the capital of Zhejiang (浙江) Province.

Hangzhou West Lake

Visitors observe the sunset over picturesque West Lake. (Photo courtesy of igougo.com)

This city, a mere one-hour train ride from Shanghai, has continually been on the rise for a number of years. Indeed, it is home to the famed West Lake (西湖 Xihu), which simultaneously provides a gorgeous panorama of traditional Chinese landscape for those strolling along the lake, and high-end shopping just a few steps away from the water’s edge. Given its proximity to Shanghai and its beauty, it is no wonder that luxury accommodations continue to be developed in the area.

We’re happy to see that T+L mentions two of our favorite new hotels for clients – the Banyan Tree and Amanfayun – that have recently sprung up amidst the ever-growing tourism industry in Hangzhou. The incredible locations and views of these resorts make them a must-stay for those traveling to the city.

For more information on these accommodations or traveling to Hangzhou, send us a tweet or an email to our Private Journeys director, Barbara Henderson, at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com.

Art This Winter: Exploring Beijing through Contemporary Exhibitions

December 21, 2009 in On the Road, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

While much has already succumbed to Beijing’s infamously cold winter weather, contemporary art in the Northern Capital has been spared – in fact, it is flourishing. A number of intriguing, China-centric contemporary art exhibitions are currently running through December and January, which makes the holiday season a perfect time to experience Beijing through its new art.

Here are a few current exhibitions that are expanding the scope of China’s contemporary art scene:

  1. Li Ming: ‘XX’ – An artist new to Chinese contemporary art, Li Ming’s video installation is characterized by disordered emotions, theatrical moments in real life, and Li’s view on body interaction. The Hunan native created 11 videos are not directly based in reality – in fact, they are rather absurd – but nevertheless reflect sorrow and longing found in everyday life thanks to their uninhibited style. Read a complete review here.
  2. ‘Stolen Treasures from Modern China’ – This exhibit features portraits from over 30 influential Chinese artists of the 1990s by both Chinese and Western photographers. Additionally, ‘Stolen Treasures’ features a visual discussion of China’s artistic development from the past 20 years, as well as documents from the early days of China’s contemporary art.
  3. Wen Fang: ‘Birthday Present’ - Fang’s ‘Birthday Present,’ a collection of installations that explore influential events on China in 2008, critically examines China’s economic development, environmental issues, and explosion onto the global stage. ‘Birthday Present’ seeks to spark the world’s consciousness in order to change for the future. Read the rest of the review here.

Exhibition details:

Li Ming: ‘XX’ – until December 27th, 2009 at Platform China Contemporary Art Institute Space B

‘Stolen Treasures from Modern China’ – until December 31st, 2009 at ShanghArt Beijing

Wen Fang: ‘Birthday Present’ – until January 27th, 2010 at Galerie Paris-Beijing

Henan: The Home of Kung Fu

December 4, 2009 in On the Road, Travel Tips by Heather.Graham | No comments


Entrance to Shaolin Temple tourist site, Henan

Entrance to Shaolin Temple tourist site, Henan

Kung fu is synonymous with China. Not unlike giant pandas, dumplings, Mao, The Great Wall and Qingdao beer … eventually, it will creep into conversation. Perhaps this has become even more the case since 2008, when the DreamWorks animation ‘Kung Fu Panda’ was released (which I confess to seeing at the movies and also watching numerous times on DVD after receiving it as a birthday present!).

With only a few days to travel on my recent holiday break, and having already travelled extensively throughout China, I decided to head northwest into Henan Province, to explore the home of Kung Fu.

Almost immediately after my arrival, I felt that Henan was different from some of its richer coastal neighbours. As I only spent a few short days in Henan I don’t want to make too many assumptions, however living here appeared to be ‘harder’. Signs of this could be seen from my bus and train windows, with heavy industry causing significant air pollution, agriculture (in sometimes difficult conditions) being the main form of employment and a visible poverty. I do want to be quick to point out though, that the people, just like the rest of China, were really lovely and friendly, and the food – just as delicious!

Read the rest of this entry »

Winter Wonderland: Three things to do in Beijing this December

December 1, 2009 in Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

Happy December!

Winter has officially set in around the Northern Capital, which means that Beijing’s late-afternoon sunlight is coupled with chilly winds, chuanr (meat skewer) stands now double as outdoor heaters, and hats/mittens/gloves are sold on every street corner. Most importantly though, winter means that there are lots of opportunities to explore Beijing in ways that one might not during other seasons.

Here are three ideas for reveling in Beijing’s splendor this winter:

  1. Go to a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square at dawn, and then eat a baozi (steamed bun) breakfast. While this ceremony is not particularly eventful, it is refreshing to see Beijing at such a (relatively) quiet and early part of the day, and is something you should do once while you are here for the experience. A hearty serving of a Beijinger’s most beloved breakfast item, the baozi, will keep you warm and toasty long after you defrost from your morning excursion. 
  2. Warm up in an exercise park. Local residents get their daily dose of activity in these public spaces, and you should too. Whether to stave off the cold, get your heart rate up, or just goof around, these spaces provide a respite from the hustle-and-bustle of Beijing life, as well as some incredible people-watching. 
  3. Explore Subway Line 4. The newly-opened subway line has a lot to offer, as it provides direct stops for a number of interesting neighborhoods. Get off at the Beijing Zoo stop to explore the Zoo Market, a wholesale market full of clothes, accessories, and shoes. A jaunt to the Xisi station and the surrounding area affords an afternoon of exploring new restaurants and boutiques. Feeling intellectual? Head north and get off at Peking University’s East Gate stop. 

Want more ideas on what to do in Beijing in winter? Send us a tweet @WildChina, become a fan on Facebook, or send us an email at info@wildchina.com.

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