Second of the WildChina Explorer Grant Finalists we have the team William Bleisch and Yan Lu. Together, their experiences range from the Program Director of China Exploration & Research Society and World Wildlife Federation China to Fauna & Flora International China Programme Office and Harvard University.  Here is a summary of their proposal to scout a route along the backbone of the Ailao Shan in Yunnan, through the nature reserves and up on to Dali where the route would connect with existing trekking routes…

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We propose to scout a route along the backbone of the Ailao Mountains through the Ailaoshan Nature Reserve.  We are excited about our expedition because it could be the start of a trekking trail along the Ailao Shan ridge and beyond, continuing north to Dali where it would connect with existing trekking routes, creating a long “through-trail”.

Overhead view of gibbon habitat in Ailaoshan

Opening this area to trekkers would increase appreciation and build support for protection of nature in this wonderful region.  Ailao Shan is one of China’s most important natural areas, because it protects rare southern sub-tropical forests and hosts the world’s largest single population of the globally endangered Black-crested gibbon, the rare singing apes of southern China.

Western Black-crested gibbon in Xinping County of Ailaoshan

Their songs were the subjects of some of China’s most famous poems, but are now almost unknown in China.  Trekkers who camp next to the gibbons’ territories will be welcomed each morning by the beautiful musical duets sung by gibbon families from the tree-tops.

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Photo by Long Yongcheng via Bill Bleisch

It’s that time of year.  The holidays, mulled wine, time with family and, of course,  recapping the highlights of the past 12 months.  Everyone at WildChina could not resist the opportunity to create our own “Best of 2011 China,” so we sat down earlier this week to compile a few of our favorite things from 2011.

As an early holiday present, we present to you WildChina’s Best of 2011…

Best Themed Journey: Ancient Tea and Horse led by Canadian explorer Jeff Fuchs leverages Fuchs’ vast knowledge of Yunnan’s rich tea culture and his vast local connections.  Living in remote Shangri-la for many years definitely has it’s upsides, and all of our travelers who journey with Jeff benefit from his insider access into local Tibetan communities along this trip.

Best Nightlife: With Beautiful people, divine champagne cocktails and an atmosphere that couples East-West glamour, The Glamour Bar in Shanghai is our favorite watering hole in Shanghai.  We are looking forward to stopping by in March when we will be in town for the M on the Bund Literary Festival.

Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventure: Few have ventured to Abujee in Yunnan province, a sacred mountainous region near Shangri-La. Tibetan-style trekking through nomadic villages acclimates adventurers to life above the treeline at over 4,000 meters. The exhilarating challenge rewards sojourners with snow-capped dolomite peaks, lush forests, and crystal clear alpine lakes.

Best Culinary Experience: Dali Courtyard in Beijing is the best place in town to bring out of town visitors. The food is so delicious that even WildChina Founder & Yunnan native Zhang Mei head to this restaurant when she has cravings of home! Try their Yunnan cheese– you will not be disappointed.

Best Special Event: This past year, WildChina organized a wow team-building event in Dunhuang, Gansu.  We took 20 corporates out into the desert to compete in an Amazing Race style event with challenges including dune buggies and desert camping.

Best Culturally Immersive Experience: A private Beijing opera viewing is all the more memorable when you can be a part of it! Clients had the opportunity to try on traditional opera wardrobe and have complete make-over, with faces painted just like the local professionals. Let’s just say that this experience makes for a very different holiday card for your family!

Best Educational Experience: Moving away from the mainland for the first time this year, clients were particularly excited about our new educational trip, Taiwan Treasures.  The great thing about Taiwan is that you can spend the morning soaking in the ancient culture and history of Taipei and then easily venture out of the city in the afternoon for a great hike to stretch your legs.  Don’t even get us starting on the fantastic night markets!

Best WildChina Spiritual Experience: Looking to do a bit of cleansing of the soul in the upcoming year? The combination of piercing blue skies and devoted worshippers who throng Lhasa’s streets to pay homage to the sacred Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple make this destination the most spiritually rich place in China.  Visit Tibet On the Roof of the World: A Family Adventure

And last but not least, the entire WildChina office agrees that this is Best (cutest?) Picture of 2011… Nature Photography Trip at Foping Nature Reserve.

We hope you enjoyed a few of WildChina’s highlights from 2011.

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Photos: First photo by Jeff Fuchs, final photo by Bruce Bai

Aman at Summer Palace, located by Beijing’s historic garden estate, is an exclusive, hidden gem. Whether you are visiting the Northern Capital on a ‘once-in a lifetime’ trip or are a Beijing resident wishing to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, at Aman you will find luxury, elegance and tradition in a spectacular location.

Nestled on the east corner of the Summer Palace, Aman shares the same architecture and style as the imperial estate. On the shores of the Kunming lake, the Summer Palace was the favourite residence of Cixi, the Empress Orchid, in the late XIX Century. Empress Cixi used to spend the summer months here, to escape the Forbidden City’s oppressive heat.

Entrance to Aman at Summer Palace Resort

But Aman is equipped to cater guests all year round. I visited the exclusive boutique hotel in winter and the welcoming, friendly staff and cosy atmosphere all over were very inviting. Aman is built with traditional materials and decorated with Ming dynasty style furniture and accessories, adding a regional touch and a feel of the imperial period. The suites and rooms, which surround internal courtyards, are crisscrossed by pathways separating beautiful gardens in the shade of ancient trees.

Snow on the Music Pavilion, overlooking the courtyard pond

Because of this privileged location, you can visit the Palace before the crowds arrive, and after they have left, giving you the chance to enjoy its quintessential peace and beauty. After exploring every secret corner of the Palace, you can return to the hotel to relax in the finest spa facilities, dip in the clear waters of the indoor swimming pool, enjoy a massage and treatment or cleanse your mind and spirit in this sanctuary of peace.

For families with children, Aman offers a crib service, so you can enjoy your activities knowing that your family are being looked after. Older children will also find themselves entertained with a variety of activities, like traditional Chinese kite making or watching movies at the wonderfully equipped theatre.

Indoor lap swimming-pool at Aman Summer Palace resort

If learning about traditional Chinese culture is on your wish list, the Cultural Pavilion offers a wide range of classes and demonstrations on arts such as calligraphy, Chinese painting and tea ceremony.

If, like me, you live in Beijing and would like to celebrate a special occasion or anniversary, you can dine at one of Aman’s exclusive restaurants. ‘Naoki’ serves French food with Japanese culinary artistry; The Grill features Western cuisine; and the Chinese restaurant serves Peking duck, imperial dishes and Cantonese cuisine. Afterwards, you can retire to the Cigar room, in the bar, where you can enjoy a pure Cuban and fine whisky, while admiring the beautiful collection of antique pipes and the serene pond in the centre of the courtyard.

One of the many secret corners to explore at the Palace, in winter

At Aman you will experience paradisiacal calm and elegance within close proximity of all the wonders that Beijing has to offer all-year-round.

Chelin Miller, WildChina’s Yummy Mummy who reveals China’s finer side

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To learn more about the Aman Resort, please see here.  WildChina has planned several special events using the Aman as a home base, including WildChina art expert Kat Don’s fantastic wedding. To learn more, please reach out at info@wildchina.com.

Photos: Chelin Miller (2nd and 4th), Aman Resort (1 and 3rd)

Featured in the January 2012 issue of Travel + Leisure as one of the “Hottest Travel Destinations for 2012“, WildChina’s journey in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan made the cut!

Xishuangbanna (pronounced she-shwang-ban-na), in the southern part of China’s Yunnan Province, is in many ways overlooked by the Western tourist, cowed by the gems of Lijiang and Shangri-la to the north. In fact, Xishuangbanna is one of the province’s hidden gems.

Nestled between Laos and Myanmar in Yunnan’s south, Xishuangbanna seems a world away from the popular tourist destinations in the north. Home to a wide variety of tea plantations, and boasting the oldest tea tree in the world, Xishuangbanna was once the beginning of the ancient Tea and Horse caravan road, which brought tea from southern Yunnan up to Tibet. Tea production and cultivation has been part of Xishuangbanna’s history for hundreds of years, which can be seen throughout the minority villages that dot the countryside.

When traveling to Xishuangbanna and planning your trip, there are a few important highlights to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is important to get a sense of the minority culture in the region through visiting minority villages and interacting with the people. The largest ethnic minority in the area are the Dai people, and there are many easily accessible villages around the capital of the region, Jinghong. The region offers miles of excellent hiking through tea plantations between villages, and homestays can be arranged in various villages, for a more authentic experience. Another of Xishuangbanna’s highlights are the markets that dot the villages and towns. These range from animal markets, fruit and vegetable markets, and areas to buy goods. Just meandering through the aisles of these markets is an eye opening experience, as is purchasing some of the fares and sampling the local cuisine (anything from dried chilies to local pastries, to various cooked meats). WildChina is thrilled

with the opening of the Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa and cannot wait to send guest there!

Trips can be arranged in Xishuangbanna any time of year, with spring, winter, and autumn being the best times to visit – just email info@wildchina.com for more information!

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Interested in traveling to Xishuangbanna? Take a look at Pushing China’s Southern Boundary: Trekking in Xishuangbanna, a six day trips that starts and ends in Jinghong or Ancient Tea and Horse Road, an expert led trip by Jeff Fuchs. If you book Ancient Tea and Horse Road before December 30th, 2011 (11:59 PM EST) you will receive a fantastic promotion!

WildChina would like to offer one complimentary night’s stay at your hotel in Beijing or Shanghai for travelers who book select themed journeys by December 31, 2011 (11:59 EST).

The following journeys apply:

China for Foodies: Explore China with local guides and a WildChina Culinary Host. Learn to make all-time favorite, kungpao chicken, in a private kitchen. Take in the sights and sounds of Xi’an’s bustling night market, where savory lamb skewers roast over coals and sweet glutinous rice steam in bamboo. Learn how to select specialty red chilies and peppercorns after witnessing professional chefs artfully prepare Sichuanese dishes. Save these authentic recipes as treasured souvenirs.

Departures: Apr 14-25, May 12-23, Sep 8-19, Oct 20-31, 2012

Chinese Treasures: WildChina Founder Mei Zhang handcrafted this itinerary for her closest friends in 2009. Travelers will explore the imperial capitals of Beijing and Xi’an, gaining access to an emperor’s childhood home at the Forbidden City, a largely un-restored section of the Great Wall and the famed Terracotta Warriors Museum. We then go off the beaten path, visiting villages and glaciers in the famed Tibetan area of Shangri-La and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lijiang. Our journey ends in China’s bustling financial center of Shanghai – the “Paris of the East.”

Departures: Apr 11-23, Oct 12-24, 2012

Ancient Tea and Horse Road: The most daunting trade route in the world, passing through the mightiest mountain range on Earth, the Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road linked the fertile emerald teas of Yunnan and Sichuan to the arid landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau, serving as a vital route for isolated tribes who referred to it as the “Eternal Road.” Remaining a virtual mystery to the West for over a millennium, the Road, its history and cultures are now at long last revealed in all of its stunning diversity. Expert led by Canadian explorer Jeff Fuchs

Departure: Apr 11-20, Apr 11-23, Sep 12-21, Oct 12-24 2012

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Promotion applies to additional nights pre- or post-journeys listed only.  Departures for all journeys leave in spring and fall of 2012. To take advantage of this offer, please contact your WildChina travel consultant or e-mail us at info@wildchina.com.
First and third photo by Michael Mudd

Shanghai Street Stories mix of street photography & photojournalism coupled with clever tips re off-the-beaten path travel in Shantou, Xiamen and Western China were more than enough to convince WildChina that we had to learn more about this fantastic blog.  Last week, we caught up with Shanghai Street Stories Founder Sue Anne Tay to learn more about how she fell in love with photographing Shanghai.

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How did photography develop as your passion?

I guess you could say Shanghai sparked that passion.

After moving here in early 2008, I took to exploring the city with my camera like any new transplant. As I pushed deeper into Shanghai’s old neighborhoods which were being demolished at a very rapid pace, especially leading up to the World Expo in mid-2010, I was desperate to capture them in the best way possible given the time constraint. Since then, I’ve been reading vociferously both about Shanghai and photography, and shooting whenever I have the chance. Starting up “Shanghai Street Stories” has also helped me engage with the local photography community which remains helpful in sharing experiences and information.

What makes your photography unique in Shanghai?

My style of photography is a mix of street photography and photojournalism. The former is a style which I enjoy and hope reflects the character of the city and diversity of its people in an insightful yet witty manner. The latter is a way to focus on stories on Shanghai’s old and disappearing neighborhoods, ranging from the (often poor) state of some longtangs(or lanes), its residents and surrounding community and lifestyle.  I explore off-the-beaten paths and highlight what may appear to be quotidian details, but end up revealing much more.

There are other photographers doing either or, some whose work I greatly admire. But I try to combine the two genres in hope of painting a broad yet in-depth picture of the city.

What is your favorite place in China that you have photographed?

Shanghai ranks pretty high up, mostly because of the density of the city and unique East-West aspects of its history, which offer up a rich landscape for street photography. I’ve also had a great time shooting Xinjiang’s famed scenic landscapes, as well as the more obscure old port town of Shantou in Guangdong province.

Do you have any advice for photographers traveling to China?

Do your research prior such as visiting online forums/blogs/photo galleries of the cities you will be visiting, for ideas and feedback (I am a moderator on the Shanghai Flickr Forum which is very responsive and friendly). If you have more specific needs, work with a fixer (via journalists or local photography academies). For long distance travel, work with drivers/tour agents who are attuned to photographers’ needs.

Always, always go off the beaten path. Much of China is about presenting a good veneer for “face” reasons, so you’ll discover a great deal more behind the faux walls and renovated “Chinese-style” decor. As always, practice discretion and respect for private property. For cities, instead of just Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou etc, try Xiamen, Shantou, Chonqing, Nanjing etc. No doubt, Western China has many gems for landscape photography but set aside more time to explore rather than adhere to a tight schedule of photographic stops.

Finally, China is a friendly place to shoot and people tend to be quite open to being photographed. That said, basic manners and a smile goes a long way. If you promise someone you will send them a photo, make sure to follow up.

Plans for the future?
I may bid adieu to Shanghai at some point but for now, I’m intent on photographing as much as Shanghai as possible and build a strong body of documentary and street photography work to share with the world.

I hope to expand on the occasional project such as The Roving Exhibit where I carried photo boards of my work to old neighborhoods that I have photographed. I like the idea of taking street photography back into the street, and sharing it with the residents of Shanghai.

Finally, I hope to continue contributing to the local photographic community in Shanghai and start up a monthly forum for photographers to discuss existing projects and their experiences. A better understanding of our collective interests can only help improve our photographic perspectives.

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To learn more, visit Shanghai Street Stories.  If you are interested in off the beaten path photography trips, take a look at expert led trip High Speed China.

Photos by: Sue Ann Tay

Ladies and Gentleman, the moment has arrived! Today we announce the 2012 WildChina Explorer Finalists. One of these three will be chosen and the winner will be announced in early January 2012!

The WildChina Explorer Grant is an annual grant of up to USD 3,000 that is awarded to adventurers seeking to push the boundaries of responsible, off-the-beaten-path travel in China. Last week, WildChina Founder Zhang Mei and the expert panel sat down to lunch at one of Beijing’s nicest hideaways– Capital M– to discuss the finalists.

The panel– Ed Wong of The New York Times, Li Bo of Friends of Nature and Yu Hui of National Geographic Traveler China– were blown away by the caliber of applications.  The panel mulled over amazing trekking trips in Gansu province by former Bowdoin College graduates, professional photographers who saught to travel to Jiangxi Province to learn more about Wuyuan County and a world famous journalist and author who desired to venture to Poyang Lake, the last wintering area for nearly all of the world’s critically endangered Siberian Cranes and some 400,000 other water birds.  We were so impressed.

However, tough decisions needed to be made.  And this is what the judges decided:

Announcing The 2012 WildChina Explorer Grant Finalists…

Finalist # 3:  Yachen Monastery & Tibetan Buddhism: Exploring the lives of Tibetan Nuns by Yasmin Cho.

Yasmin, a former graduate student in Cultural Anthropology at Duke University, conducted preliminary field research over two summers focused on building relationships with non-Tibetan nuns and lay practioners. Yasmin is passionate about this subject as there has been no international coverage of the thousands of young Tibetan nuns who congregate in the Yachen monastery practicing Buddhism.  Yasmin hopes to explore the social impacts of this population in China.

Finalist # 2: Venturing to Ganzi Prefecture in Sichuan Province by Zhang Shanghua (张上华).

Ganzi Prefecture in Sichuan Province is some of the wildest parts of China. There are no roads, no cars and very few people.  As a result, Mr. Zhang wants to travel to experience this “primitive natural beauty and the most authentic religious atmosphere.” Mr. Zhang plans to use 25-30 days to explore in-depth this area to share with the outside world. Mr. Zhang lives in Chengdu Sichaun and works as a scientist at Chengdu ChemPartner Co., Ltd.

Finalist # 1: Trekking China’s Wilderness: Scouting a Route Along the Backbone of Ailao Shan & Connecting Routes by William Bleisch and Yan Lu.

With experiences such as the Program Director of China Exploration & Research Society, World Wildlife Federation China, Fauna & Flora International China Programme Office and Harvard University, this team of William and Yan is pretty dynamic.  In 2012, William and Yan propose to scout a route along the backbone of the Ailao Shan in Yunnan, through the nature reserves and up on to Dali where the route would connect with existing trekking routes.

Stay tuned to learn more about each of the explorers.  We will be doing a short feature on each of them in the coming weeks. One of these three will be chosen and the winner will be announced in early January 2012!

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For more information on the WildChina Explorer Grant, please click here.

When we came across Shanghai Street Stories, we knew we had found something really special.  Gorgeous images, unique perspectives into Shanghai and insightful commentary.  Enough superlatives, already–Check it out!

This Friday, December 16th, WildChina will feature a full-length interview with Sue Anne Tay, author of Shanghai Street Stories. We have included a sneak peak at some of Sue Anne’s photos– enjoy!

Sue Anne Tay is the photographer and author of Shanghai Street Stories. For more information on WildChina’s photography trips, learn more about High Speed China, an exciting new trip for photographers interested in traveling to China. Questions? Shoot us an email at info@wildchina.com.

This past Saturday, I had my first Christmas dinner of the year at the Oxford and Cambridge Society’s Christmas Charity Ball. Around 240 alumni – influential people from business, government and academia – turned out in their finest satin gowns and dinner jackets to eat, dance and make merry, but more importantly, to dig deep into their pockets and give back to society.

WildChina Head of UK Market Samantha Woods with President of Oxbridge Society

For the second year running, WildChina supported this event by donating one of our signature journeys as top prize for the live auction. This year, we were thrilled to offer an unforgettable 6-day journey for two along enchanting Silk Road. A chance to walk in the footsteps of famous Italian explorer Marco Polo, this trip takes travellers to explore the bustling bazaars, breathtaking desert landscapes, and vibrant Uighur culture that lies at the heart of Xinjiang province.

The journey, worth 23,000 RMB, was finally awarded to Mr. Charles Du Cane, whose bid will go directly to the Chi Heng Foundation, the OCCB’s chosen charity for 2011.

The winner!

The Chi Heng Foundation (CHF) is a Hong Kong based charity established in 1998 that helps children across China affected by AIDS. CHF will channel all the proceeds from the ball, a whopping 180,000 RMB, into funding for scholarships, therapy and medication for these children in need, some of whom have already lost their parents to the virus. Since  2007, WildChina has actively supported the Chi Heng Foundation with donations and a series of employee volunteer days, so the ball was a great opportunity for WildChina to renew support of this worthy cause.

Last year, WildChina’s Songtsam Circuit: Secrets of Shangri-La journey helped to raise 19,000 RMB for the Beijing Charities Association to provide essential supplies, furniture (desks, chairs) and sports and IT equipment for a primary school for underprivileged children just 3hrs drive of Beijing.

Watch this space for an update on WildChina’s sustainable initiatives!

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This note was written by Samantha Woods, a WildChina travel consultant who attend the Oxbridge and Cambridge Christmas Charity Ball last weekend.

This note was written by Devin Corrigan, a WildChina tour leader & travel consultant who recently traveled to Mount Haba on an educational trip. Previously, he blogged about the fascinating lore associated with the mountain and the lively and diverse atmosphere he found in Haba village.

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During the first leg of the trek to the summit of Mount Haba, my guide, Xiao He, and I stopped for lunch in a quiet clearing in the pine forest we were passing through. I knew he had brought some food for both of us, but I had a large chicken sandwich packed in my bag in case I needed more fuel for the day.

Local guide Xiao He pauses to greet Naxi villagers just before the lunch break

As we made ourselves comfortable on the ground, Xiao He took out two plastic bags and handed me one. Inside, two massive pieces of fried flatbread that I recognized as baba were folded together, still warm. Baba, a wheat-based staple of the northern Yunnan diet, takes many forms; I’ve had it with tons of sugar cooked inside, and a pork version is popular as well. This baba was plain and lightly fried, giving it a slight crunch. A thin layer of delicious, rich oil on the surface left a pleasant aftertaste I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

He watched me eat for a few seconds and then said, “It’s walnut oil. We have plenty of walnuts! We make the oil from them and put it on the baba.”

“Ziji de,” he said with a grin. Our own.

This flatbread, known as baba, is a staple of the local diet

He tossed me two hard-boiled eggs. “These are the best eggs you can eat. They are from the chickens in my village. A lot of the eggs you get in cities nowadays are no good for you – these ones are fresh, with no additives.”

He was right. The eggs were mouth-watering, with soft, dark yolks and a taste that can only be described as it had been: fresh. The seemingly endless supply of walnut baba complemented the eggs nicely, and, needless to say, the sandwich stayed put.