Yangshuo Tour

In May of 2011, Access China Travel’s marketing department went to Yangshuo for a day. Located south of Guilin, Yangshuo has become famous as a traveler’s paradise. Its scenery is some of the most beautiful on earth and its traveler’s amenities are fantastic. It really has something for everybody. We decided to go to visit a new culinary school, have a day away from the office to blow off steam, and get some more photos for our website; http://www.accesschinatravel.com/. We had a lot of fun, as we always do, in Yangshuo.

Most people, when going from Guilin to Yangshuo, take the Li River Cruise. The cruise takes people past some of the most spectacular scenery in Yangshuo. We have all taken the cruise many times, and wanted to arrive a bit quicker, so we took a tour bus to Yangshuo. We arrived just before lunch, so we decided to stop for lunch before we started visiting sites.

We decided to take a tour of the Yangshuo countryside via small tour vans that can be rented. The countryside in Yangshuo is really stunning! The karst mountains that have made it famous are breathtaking and those mountains are surrounded by picturesque rice fields, bamboo groves, ancient villages, and water buffalo. It is really a magical place and one could easy spend an entire day just traveling around the countryside enjoying the beauty that surrounds you. The touring van is a great relaxing way to see it. On the way, the van stopped at an ancient house. The house was very interesting. The house was made of wood and was just filled with history. The house is entered by a main gate which opens into a courtyard. The main building is facing the courtyard and it is filled with antiques. The farmer and his wife who live there are used to having guests drop by and they demonstrate how they grind soybeans to make tofu, spin yarn, and the farmer has a few birds, one of which performs tricks. It really was a great place. The main hall of the house is a large room. The room is very interesting and has family shrines, old furniture, and carvings. After visiting the house, we continued on our way. When we got back to Yangshuo, we decided we had not seen enough of the countryside and decided to rent bikes to go back. The benefit to riding a bicycle through the countryside is that you get to go at your own speed, stop wherever you like, and get lots and lots of photographs. After riding around for a couple of hours, we headed back to where we rented the bikes and went on to visit a cooking school. .

We went to the cooking school because we were thinking of adding it to our itineraries. The school was located in the countryside in an ancient home. The owner, an Australian took us on a tour of the school. It is really located in a beautiful place. It overlooks the countryside and is surrounded by rice fields. There was a water buffalo playing in the water near the dining room. The school teaches people how to cook Guilin local cuisine making sure that the dishes are reproducible in the West, so no uncommon ingredients are used. Students first take a tour of a local market to see how the different vegetables and meats are sold. Then they go back to the school for class. The teachers are local Guilin people who speak excellent English and each person has his/her own wok and burner. They are taught to make several dishes and at the end of the day’s lesson, they all get together in the dining room to enjoy the meal. We were very impressed with the school. It is very well run and set up. The owner gave me a recipe book and I am going to cook some of the dishes and make a blog about that. After visiting the cooking school, we went to Yangshuo’s West Street.

West Street is famous as a shopping street. It is lined with shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. The street is really unique in that there are as many, or more, tourists there, as there are Chinese. The shops are quite lovely selling everything from cheap souvenirs, to beautiful works of art. You can find artists of all types creating one of a kind pieces. There are also silk shops, clothing stores, and stores that sell Chinese minority handicrafts. The cafes and restaurants serve both Western and Chinese cuisine and the bars have a large selection of drinks. The street is fun during the day and also at night, when it really gets hopping. We really enjoyed walking down it looking in the shops, and sampling snacks.

We had dinner in a lovely restaurant near the Li River. We had local Guilin dishes including the famous Beer Fish. The dish is incredible and Yangshuo is very famous for it. After dinner we went to the Impressions of Liu Sanjia performance. The show was created by Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou. He also created the opening and closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The performance is really incredible. It uses over 600 performers and is performed right out in the Li River with the mountains as the backdrop. It tells the story of a girl, Liu Sanjie and how she gets married. It really is an amazing performance and no matter how many times we see it, we are always really impressed with it. It really should not be missed. After the performance, we went back to downtown Yangshuo to take the bus home.

Our trip to Yangshuo was a lot of fun. We got a huge amount of fantastic photos as well as found a new site to add to our itineraries. It was a great way for us to not only get a lot of work done, but to spend some time out of the office getting to know each other better.

To see more photos of our trip to Yangshuo, visit our photo album at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62438483@N02/sets/72157626708551492/

Wan Fo Shan Mountain Site

In May of 2011, http://www.accesschinatravel was invited to the grand opening of a brand new Chinese tourist site. It is located in Yong Zhou City in Dao Xian County in China's Hunan Province. The local government invited representatives from tour companies from around China to the grand opening. New site openings are always very exciting events. The name of this site is Wan Fo Shan (Ten-Thousand Buddhas Mountain). It is a nature site which shows off the unique mountains and wetlands in the area. The mountains are very round and look like a giant dropped a few marbles while traveling somewhere.

The government officials where the site is located chartered busses for us to travel to the site. The bus trip was four and a half hours long. The site is located in Dao Xian County, which is a Dong Ethnic Minority County. This means the majority of the residences are members of the Dong Minority. When we arrived at our hotel, we found a red carpet lined with Ethnic Minority girls in traditional clothing. That was a lovely surprise. Their clothing was incredibly beautiful, as was the silver jewelry they wore. After checking in, we were taken to dinner. The dinner was quite lovely and featured local dishes, all of which were very good. We were then free for the rest of the day.

In the morning of the second day, we all had breakfast in our hotel which again, was lovely. We were then driven to the site. When we arrived at the site, we have quite a scene laid out before us. On either side of the road leading to the main gate were Dong Ethnic Minority people wearing their traditional clothing and performing for us. Some were playing musical instruments, while others were dancing. It was really fun and lively. The traditional instrument most often associated with the Dong Minority Group is the Lusheng. It is made entirely of bamboo and resembles a small pipe organ. Musicians blow into it and use their fingers to cover the holes in the pipes to produce a very soothing sound. It sounds like wind blowing through a bamboo grove. It is quite lovely. When we all assembled in front of the main gate to the Wan Fo Shan site, the MC's, who were also dressed in traditional Dong clothing, introduced the site and told how it came to exist. Then, local government officials cut a ribbon to officially open the site. We then entered.

The site is really very beautiful. Upon entering, you have to pass through some wetland areas which are wonderful. All around you jutting out of the ground are mountains. Some of them are very bare and round while others are conical shaped and covered with vegetation. It is a very unique area. After passing through the wetlands, you follow a path that leads you between mountains. It was a hot and sunny day, but once we got amongst the mountains, it became cool and shaded. The paths on the site are beautifully constructed. They are made of cement, but appear to be made of local wood. They blend in beautifully. Along the way we passed by Wan Fo Cliff, which is what the site is named for. The cliff is covered with cross-cross indentations which look like Buddhas sitting together in meditation. We also passed a couple of unique sites in and amongst the mountains. The mountains come straight down to the ground, so you are able to walk amongst the mountains. It is a very cool thing to experience.
We then climbed up the mountain. The mountain has paths built on it. They are not cut into the rock, but instead attached to the site of it. The views as you climb the mountain, the views are simply breathtaking. The strange mountains were blanketed in mists making them seem ethereal. The photos do not come close to showing the true beauty of the area. The path up the mountain goes around the mountain as it climbs it, so the views of the surrounding landscape are constantly changing. At the top of the mountain is the site where there was an ancient Buddhist Temple. It was destroyed in the late Qing Dynasty and all that is left is a few wall fragments. At the top of the mountain is a pavilion to sit and take in the views that surround you.

We then climbed back down the mountain on the opposite side that we climbed up. After we all got to the base of the mountain, we got into our busses for a trip to a Dong Ethnic Minority village. The scenery that passed us was something out of an ancient Chinese painting. We passed by mountains surrounded by rice fields and ancient villages. We could see water buffaloes soaking in streams and villagers going about their business. It was very picturesque. When we arrived at the village, we were met by more Dong Ethnic Minority people dressed in their finest traditional clothing. They were playing traditional music on their Lusheng's. There were young girls playing music as well. They were so cute! The village was gorgeous. It was surrounded by rice fields and the ancient houses inside had such a character to them. There were small gardens hidden between the houses and a stream flowing through the village. The village was built according to the terrain and therefore was built on different levels with ramps and stairs between them. The ancient wooden houses are obviously maintained as evident by the new wood on some of them. After exploring the village, we went to a home for oil tea, which is unique to the Dong Minority Group. They fry tea leaves in oil before brewing it. It is served with beans, rice, and puffed rice. It is as much a meal, as it is a bowl of tea. The houses are all three stories tall. The ground floor is where they keep the animals and farming equipment. The second floor is the main rooms of the house; the kitchen, living room, and dining room. The third floor is the bedrooms.

We then went to the local performance hall for a performance of traditional music and dances. It was really well performed and very beautiful. We then were invited to a feast. That was quite an honor. The village was built around a central square which is flanked by a shrine, a drum tower, and a shelter where the village elders would sit. The square is used for feasts, celebrations, dances, meetings, etc. There were long tables placed around the square in rows and there were hundreds of people there. The food was fantastic. It was all locally produced meat and vegetables. The dishes were simply made to show off the fresh ingredients. There were a lot of traditional meat and vegetable dishes along with fried crickets with peppers. They were quite delicious and crunchy. After the feast we were driven back to our hotel.

The next morning, we had breakfast in our hotel and boarded the busses for our trip back to Guilin. It was a most wonderful experience and one I will never forget. The site was beautiful and the local Dong Minority people were just fantastic. They welcomed us so openly.

To see more photos of our trip to Wan Fo Shan Mountain, visit our Flickr Album

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62438483@N02/sets/72157626563923645/

Guilin Adventure Tours

In September of 2010, the team at http://www.accesschinatravel.com went on a Guilin Adventure tour at Maoer Shan Mountain outside of Guilin. It was a fantastic trip. We went to inspect the area to ensure it measured up to our quality standards. The scenery was breathtaking and it was a fantastic way for us to blow off steam and grow as a team. We took one of our tour busses, from Guilin to Maoershan. It was a 3 hour trip and we passed by and through Guilin's famous landscape and many small villages. The trip was beautiful, but not as pretty as where we were headed.

We arrived at our hotel which is the Guilin Adventure Camp. They host adventure tours. The hotel was simple, but very nicely designed, and very clean. The hotel is located between the foot of the mountain, and a river. The location is ideal and really lovely. The river that flows behind the mountain begins at the top of Maoershan. It is boulder strewn, and crystal clear. We could see clear to the bottom and watch the fish swimming in it. The river is crossed by a springy cable bridge, which was a lot of fun to cross.

After exploring a bit, we prepared for our river rafting ride. We got fitted with helmets, flotation devices, and had a safety orientation to make sure that nobody got hurt. We then posed for a group photo and boarded our inflatable rafts. While we were waiting for everyone to board, we paddled around to get used to the rafts and we had some fun splashing each other. We then headed down the river. The current was pretty swift and had a few rapids, but nothing too large. The scenery was really spectacular. The river is so clear and it is lined with mountains, bamboo groves, and pines. The rafting trip took an hour and a half. We then got out of our rafts and were driven back to the hotel where we had a huge meal. The food was really wonderful. It was traditional local cuisine and was very fresh and we had built up large appetites, so it was very much enjoyed. We then went hiking around the hotel and along the river behind it before having an outdoor bonfire and barbecue.

The bonfire and barbecue was fantastic. The hotel had set up a couple large barbecue grills and had skewered meats and vegetables for us to cook on the grill. After we had all gorged ourselves, they lit the bonfire and we all sat around it singing songs. By the time the bonfire had burned itself down, we were all very tired, and went to our rooms for some well earned rest.

The second day of our adventure:

In the morning we woke up and had a large breakfast. We then had the choice to either go paint-balling, or to hike up Maoer Shan Mountain. We chose to hike the mountain. It was an incredible hike. The mountain is gorgeous and is covered with bamboo groves and ancient pines. The paths up the mountain begin fairly level and gradually get steeper. The paths are paved with stone and very well maintained. The views are incredible and you never know what you're going to experience next. The paths tend to follow the river that flows down the mountain and passes the hotel. The water in its pools is incredibly blue. It looks fake, but it is natural. After hiking a while, we came across a couple of tea pavilions on the mountain. They were beautiful and nestled amongst the bamboos. We didn't stop on the way up. Farther up the mountain we came across the Dragon Spring. It is a pool fed by a waterfall. It was mesmerizing. The pool is very deep and a rich blue color. A lot of us took a refreshing dip in the pool. After swimming in the Dragon Spring, we hiked further up the mountain and came across some waterfalls and beautiful stone areas where the water widened and thinned and we could wade in it with only the sould of our shoes getting wet. It was a really fun experience. When we reached the top, we headed back down, and on the way we stopped at the tea pavilions for some oil tea. A traditional form of tea made by the Dong Ethnic Minority Group, oil tea is a real treat. It is bitter and complex and you add puffed rice, peanuts, and a bit of salt. After relaxing in the pavilions and enjoying the views, we headed back down the mountain and back to our hotel where we had another huge meal. After our meal, we checked out and got back on our tour bus for the ride home.

Our Guilin aventure tour was so much fun. The landscape was really spectacular and we all got a lot of wonderful photos.

To see more photos of our trip, check out our Flickr photo albums:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62438483@N02/sets/72157626555496973/

Our Visit To Shanghai

Late last year, the marketing department of http://www.accesschinatravel.com went to Shanghai for a tourism expo. When the expo was finished, we went out for a tour on our own. I personally went out every night on my own for a little local culture. As anyone who knows me knows, that means tea!

Every evening, as my coworkers went out for dinner, I headed straight for the Yuyuan Market. Located outside of, and named for the Yuyuan Garden, the market is a favorite haunt of locals and visitors alike. It offers something for everybody and its architecture is in the traditional Shanghai style, making it a fun experience. There are local shows and things always going on. There are a lot of restaurants, but the place I always go to is one of the Xiaolongbao restaurants. Xiaolongbao are wonderful. They are dough wrappers filled with crab meat and roe. A lot of people call them "soup dumplings" in English. The place I visit is the oldest one and the most famous in Shanghai. It is located next to the Huxinting Teahouse. They have a restaurant, but most locals do not go to the restaurant, what they do instead is go to the window located on the ground floor and buy them to go. They then either sit down nearby to eat them, or eat them while strolling around.

I then headed straight to Huxinting Teahouse, the oldest teahouse in Shanghai. It is located outside of the Yuyuan Garden. The teahouse used to be part of the Yuyuan Garden, but is now located outside of it. It is named Huxinting translates literally as "Lake Heart Pavilion". It is a very poetic name in Chinese and it means a pavilion located in the heart of a lake. It was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (r.1735-1796). It is a beautiful example of traditional Chinese pavilion architecture and is located in the middle of a pond. The teahouse is accessed via a bridge. It has two floors and sells a large variety of good teas. The price of the teas isn't too painful either. During the day, Huxinting is packed, but in the evening, it is virtually empty, and it, in my opinion is the best time to visit it. It is quiet, the surrounding market is lit up beautifully, and one can sit, sip tea, and people watch. If you visit Shanghai, I would highly recommend making a trip to it in the evening. It is a great way to experience Shanghai's culture the way the locals do.

Our last day in Shanghai we were free to explore Shanghai and we wanted to visit some of the sites we have on our most popular itineraries, to get more first-hand experience and some new photos. The first site we visited was the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. That is a great place. It shows Shanghai’s history, present, and future plans. It really is a great way to get a feel for the city’s layout, and pulse. Its displays are marked in English and Chinese, and are very well done. Some are interactive, and there are many models. You can see how the city has become the metropolis it is and it also shows the future plans the city has for itself. The highlight of the visit is the gigantic scale model of the city that occupies an entire floor. It is constantly updated and each building is shown. They all have lighting and periodically, the lights in the room dim and the buildings and streetlights light up showing Shanghai at night. It is really impressive.

We then visited the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The tower is the symbol of Shanghai and until recently was the tallest tower in Asia. Its unique design is very cool and it allows visitors to get a bird’s eye view of the city, The Bund, and the Huangpu River. The tower has three large spheres, which contain observation areas, and a revolving restaurant. The middle sphere has a walkway with a glass floor which is really cool! It is definitely not for those with a fear of heights. Shanghai looks really cool from such a height.

In the base of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the Shanghai History Museum. I truly love this museum. It shows Shanghai’s history in a unique way. Visitors begin by entering the countryside outside ancient Shanghai by passing a full size farm house reproduction, filled with antiques and a wax statue of a woman grinding soybeans for tofu. As you progress, you pass by different buildings, all full scale, and all filled with antiques as though they were frozen in time. You eventually enter Shanghai itself and see the shops, bars, and teahouses of old Shanghai. The museum lets you really see old Shanghai in a way no other museum could. You walk down reproduced streets with signs, street lights, and cobblestone paving.

We then went to the Yuyuan Garden. The garden is the only remaining ancient garden in Shanghai and is my favorite garden in China. Its layout is truly spectacular. It is labyrinthine and there is a new surprise around each turn. You might come across a pond surrounded by rockeries and pavilions, or a mountain range filled with caves and passages, or a huge stage area designed for local Kun Opera. The architecture and rockeries are some of the best in China.

We loved visiting Shanghai! It is a spectacular city and has such a unique heartbeat to rival any in the world. Its sites, food, and people are unforgettable and make you want to never leave. I can’t wait to go back again.

To see more photos of our Shanghai Trip, visit our Flicker Photo Albums:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62438483@N02/sets/72157626533780367/