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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.

Beijing’s Chinese New Year Temple Fairs: redefining a Chinese cultural event

February 20, 2010 in Culture, Holidays and Festivals, On the Road by Alex G | No comments

If you’ve been in Beijing during the Chinese New Year festivities, you know that after a few days of consuming delicious traditional New Year dishes, one must visit a temple fair, or miao hui.

Where are the tiger paws? A traditional procession at the Ditan Park Temple Fair (Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)

My first reaction to the Ditan Park fair was complete sensory overload. From the moment I entered Ditan Park’s south entrance, I became entangled in waves of fair-goers, pungently sweet smells from food vendors’ stalls, and rainbows of bright trinkets being sold on the sides of the park’s lantern-lined paths. Beyond the fair’s sights and sounds, I was intrigued by the vast array of entertainment at Ditan. From traditional dance performances to arcade-like games, the fair really had it all. A minute after walking by 50 dancers performing a time-honored dance, I was invited by techno music and bright posters to try my hand at mini basketball.

By contrast, the Dongyue Temple Fair offered a quiet and mellow look at Chinese New Year tradition. Stalls outside of the temple gates were quite lively, but the temple environment itself was very relaxed. Vendors watched fair-goers calmly stroll through the temple, giving equal time to the traditional architecture and modern amusements. A small stage in the back hosted young acrobats who were happy to showcase their talents to a small but dedicated crowd.

At both of these fairs, the intersection of traditional culture versus modern entertainment and exploration of heritage versus mass consumerism manifest itself in curious ways. Vendors sold sticks of tanghulu – hawthorn fruit candy – not to be eaten, but to be admired. They were plastic. I was similarly confused when, during the acrobatic show, Chinese music was abruptly replaced with something that might be heard in a club.

Hailed as events displaying China’s time-honored culture, modern temple fairs of this type are thus interesting to witness. One has to wonder: where does tradition end and consumerism begin? What is more important at these fairs? On the surface, it seems that the purchasing of tiger paws, overpriced chuan’r (meat skewers) and game tokens has eclipsed more traditional elements of these fairs.

However, I do not believe that it is so easy to make this call. The dancers’ stage was set up in a large, open space so that hoards of people could witness the exciting performances (I personally really enjoyed this aspect of the Ditan fair). Those who watched the acrobats at Dongyue marveled at performers’ skills, clapped and cheered wildly, and in short, were mesmerized. Children holding toy cars and pinwheels from their game successes seemed equally entranced by the shows that held their parents’ and grandparents’ attention.

From my brief experiences this week at temple fairs, I think that there is still something in these events that is deeply rooted in China’s past. One might say they are historical events with modern characteristics, or mass playgrounds with traditional pretenses. Either way, they reflect a morphing China that walks a cultural tightrope between past and present.

Happy New Year – and with that, a new, evolving genre of temple fair.

WildChina’s Community Service Off-Site at Bethel

February 1, 2010 in In the News, On the Road by Alex G | No comments

This Friday, February 5, will not be a regular work day for those of us at WildChina.

At the end of this week, we will be involved in our company annual off-site day. However, while in past years we have had company-wide meetings and events, we have changed our plan for this year.

Our new associates Derek, Cameron, Echo and Haiying have organized a day of service for WildChina at Bethel, “a not-for-profit organization that provides foster care, education and professional training for Chinese orphans who are blind or visually impaired.”

On Friday, we will be working at the foundation, located just outside of Beijing, to aid the orphans in constructing a greenhouse.

We are really looking forward to helping such a great organization that combines care and education for orphans with the ideas of sustainable community and environmental protection.

Stay tuned for a blog post on how our day of service went!

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.

What’s so “wild” about WildChina?

November 22, 2009 in Uncategorized by Mei | No comments

At Pure Life Experience luxury travel tradeshow in Marrakech, Morocco, I met about 60 travel agents and tour operators from around the world. The most asked question was “So, tell me what’s so wild about WildChina?”

Here’s my answer for the record: By naming it “wild”, I want to push the boundary of people’s imagination of China, both in the sense of nature and culture.

China has so much to beyond Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, and even in those familiar sites, there is so much more to explore in depth, that I don’t think current travel industry’s done a fair job at promoting the country’s deeper beauty. I want WildChina to make some contribution in bringing China’s inner beauty to the world.

Typically in the past, when travelers go to China, and there were variations of the standard route: Beijing-Xi’an-Yantze River cruise-Guilin-Shanghai. That’s about it. In these sites, guests get to bused out with crowds of other travelers to visit Badaling Great Wall, stop at commission driven shops, forced to buy those kitsch trinkets, and to eat those bland buffet food. I just don’t want WildChina guests to be subject to that at all!

For me, who has grown up in Yunnan Province in Southwest China, there are lots to be explored in places that are not on the tourist map. In the villages like Shaxi near Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan, you visit the local family, join them for a lovely Bai meal in the courtyard, then watch a casual village concert performed by village elders. That’s the way I used to know Yunnan, and that’s the way I want my guests to experience China. I cannot quite pin point these tiny little villages on the map, and I can’t really tell you which tourists sites featured in the guide books you might visit. All I can say is I can take you to experience the China I grew up knowing. Regardless of where you go, the most important aspect about traveling is getting to know the people there. One of the best compliments I got from some clients was that they really felt like they got to know some Chinese people as everyday individuals with their joys and personalities, not as a collective “Chinese”.

Now back in familiar sites like Beijing and Shanghai. Same thing, I want my guests to experience life the way it is. One of my personal favorite thing to do when living in Beijing is getting up early to go for a jog in Ritan Park, where tons of Beijing ren’r do their morning Taichi, or sing at the top of their voice to exercise their lungs. So, I want my guests to have the same – a morning of Taichi with a master in the park. Obviously, there are a lot one can do, but getting to know the Chinese way of life is a big part of our experience.

Then, there are the nature reserves that people don’t even know about. Why did I take my 8 month old baby to travel to Changqing Nature Reserve last august? I admire the conservation work the Chinese rangers are doing on a daily basis. The director of the nature reserve has a sincere desire to see what is possible to build a sustainable ecotourism practice so that they can spread the word about their conservation work. So, I spend time to get to know them, and spend time to work with the nature reserve staff. In due time, we’ll be able to launch a sustainable eco-walk into the nature reserve, as what we’ve achieved with Wanglang Nature Reserve in Sichuan.

So that’s what I am talking about. WildChina is all about helping our guests to experience China differently.

North China is Hit by Blizzard

November 11, 2009 in News You Can Use, Travel Tips by Alex E | No comments

This year’s transition from Autumn to winter is already turning out to be one of superlatives. This week, northern China experienced its heaviest snowfall in the last half century. Not since 1955 has one tempest delivered so much snowfall in northern China.

On October 31, China experienced its earliest snowfall in over two decades, albeit aided by measures to alleviate a lingering drought in China’s north. Advancements in weather technology are leading to a winter marked by sudden and heavy snowfalls.

Winters First Snowfall on the Great Wall

Winter's First Snowfall on the Great Wall

The heavy snowfall created picturesque winter scenes all over Beijing for the several days following the snowstorm.

If you’re planning on traveling to northern China during the winter, make sure to bring a warm coat!

Beijing International Tourism Festival

October 29, 2009 in Culture, Holidays and Festivals by Alex E | No comments

This last weekend celebrated the 11th annual Beijing International Tourism festival. The festival featured regional drum performances and a parade of floats from each of the 18 districts and counties in Beijing.

Drum Procession at the Opening Ceremony

Drum Performance at the Opening Ceremony

Attendance at the festival reached record levels, accompanying a 20% increase in tourism to Beijing since last year. This number is all the more impressive since the Olympics took place in 2008. The festival’s closing ceremony highlights China’s penchant for ornate performance. To see the closing ceremony, click here.

The Olympics were Beijing’s debutante ball, earning it recognition as a global metropolis and the focal point of China’s history. In the post Olympic era, Beijing is creating a new draw for tourism by emphasizing its ancient roots and cultural significance.

Pedal Power: 350 Beijing Green Train on Saturday, October 24

October 21, 2009 in On the Road by Alex G | No comments

Bike for the environment on Saturday, October 24

Bike for global environmental action on Saturday, October 24

Attention, bicycle-loving Beijingers: do you share WildChina’s passion for environmental sustainability and green travel? Do you own a bike, or know a friend who does? Are you in the city this weekend? If you answered yes to any of these questions, get involved in the 350 Beijing Green Train this Saturday, October 24.

You may find yourself wondering: what is the 350 Beijing Green Train, who is behind it, and why is it an important event for environmental efforts in Beijing and beyond? To get a better sense of the people and vision behind this event, Alex G. spoke with Clay Baylor, Project Coordinator at Future Generations China, which is one of the collaborating organizations behind the 350 Beijing Green Train.

WildChina (WC): What is the 350 Beijing Green Train? Who is behind this event?

Clay Baylor (CB): 350 is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis. On Saturday, October 24, they are asking people across the globe to organize an action and snap a photo in an effort to show world leaders our support for a serious international climate treaty to come out of Copenhagen.

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ExpatPackage.com: Secret (Travel) Agent

October 13, 2009 in In the News, WildChina on the Web by Emma | No comments

One of my new favorite reads is ExpatPackage.com. A weekly newsletter with info on lesser-known Beijing sites and activities, it’s a fun and humorous take on life in China’s capital.

Their latest issue is on traveling with WildChina, and it makes a great case for sending visiting friends and family out for a day (or 10) with a guide. Enjoy!

Breathtaking Video of the China National Day Parade on October 1st, 2009

October 13, 2009 in In the News, On the Road by Emma | 1 comment

This video of the October 1st National Day Parade is absolutely stunning. The precision, execution, and sheer number of participants is astounding!

China’s 60th Anniversary national day – timelapse and slow motion – 7D and 5DmkII from Dan Chung on Vimeo.

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