Due to the improving living standards and changes of traditional ideas, travelling during the Spring Festival holiday has become a way to celebrate for more and more people, whether it is snow viewing, seaside excursion or taking children to the playground.

No.1 choice: ski!

Where to go: Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)

Activity: the 2nd Bird Nest Snow Season

In winter, the Bird’s Nest becomes a white world. The 2nd Bird Nest Snow Season has already started. During the Chinese New Year holiday, visitors can see a different Bird’s Nest. The various snow sports will offer you a dynamic Spring Festival holiday.

There are 16 entertainments in the main venue and outfield to meet the requirements of visitors of different ages and tastes. Compared to last year, this year’s event has the new skating zone and Snow Dodgem. Covering a big area of 1150 square meters, the Snow Cartoon Castle takes visitors to enter to a fabulous world.

Opening period: till the middle of February

Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (ticket selling stops at 17:00)

No.2 choice: experiencing strong Chinese New Year flavor

Where to go: Wuzhen, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province

Activity: long street banquet

During the Spring Festival, the streets in Wuzhen are illuminated for the celebration. People put up posters on their doors and walls. Many customs of the lunar New Year holidays are inherited in the town. The most distinctive one is the “long street banquet”. In the past, wealthy families would hold banquets for guests in the Spring Festival. The neighbors set out tables and chairs along the street. The connected tables formed the lively and colorful “long street banquet”.

Today, the “long street banquet” is still held in Wuzhen town with more splendid dishes. The most indispensable one is the well-known braised sheep. It is a usual practice to put up a pot and boil sheep meat. The scent penetrates the whole street. Visitors are strongly advised to taste this gourmet.

Other activities in the town: worshipping the kitchen god (Dec.23 on the lunar new year); pasting spring couplets, setting off fireworks and holding the reunion dinner (on the eve of the lunar new year); burning the first incense, watching traditional Chinese opera, enjoying festive lanterns, attending the temple fair and the lantern festival in January.

No.3 choice: trip of minority flavor

Where to go: Tibet

The Tibet in winter is actually not cold with temperatures of 18 C in the daytime. The climate in Shannan is much like the autumn in Jiangnan (south of Yangtze River).

The Nyingchi in southeastern Tibet is always praised as Jiangnan in the plateau. When there, do not miss the gorgeous valley of Yarlungzangbo River, the villages hidden in the valley and alpine pastures.

In winter, Lhasa is less crowded. Visitors can tour the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple at a leisurely pace. December to March is the best season to see the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Qomolangma. A must-see attraction is the flag cloud floating above the peak, where visitors can see it in the mountain camp.

No.4 choice: family tour

Where to go: Disneyland, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Disneyland is an ideal choice for a family tour especially with children. At the age of five, the Disneyland will formally start the grand ceremony “Leaping Wonders” (Feiyue Qimiao). The Disney Flying Cruise which has never been seen before, will appear.

Tips: the brand new “square fashion shop” in American Town will be opened on Jan.21.

No.5 choice: express rail travel

Where to go: Wuguang (Wuhan – Guangzhou) Express Rail

The Wuguang (Wuhan – Guangzhou) Express Rail connects Wuhan, Changsha and Guangzhou. It shortens the distance between the two ends into three hours and sixteen minutes. The best scenery along the journey is Hengshan Mountain (Hengyang, Hunan Province) where visitors can enjoy the snow sight, appreciate the Zhurong Peak and search for the mysterious Fangguang Temple.

Delicacies along the way: Baoqing pork blood balls, Maojia braised pork, Hunan preserved fish, Wuhan hot dry noodles, Wuchang fish, Wuhan Doupi (a kind of snack made from sticky rice, beef, mushrooms and beans) and Jingwu duck neck.

As all sections of the Wall are located some 100km from downtown, one may ask how to explore the Wall at lowest costs. There are several ways to do so:

1. Take public bus- The public bus system is quite well-developed in Beijing while it will be a problem for English speakers that no people can understand English. It is quite hard to know where to get off the bus. Normal cost for public bus will be some US$1 per trip per person.
2. Take a taxi – One should discuss the cost with the taxi driver for a round trip transfer from downtown Beijing to Great Wall and return. The cost for a whole day transfer will incur a cost of some US$91.
3. Join in a group – I assume this is the best way to low down your cost for your trip to Great Wall of China around Beijing. The group tour is from 6 to 15 English-speaking passengers and it is daily departs from your hotel or residence in Beijing. Great Wall Group Tour will cost US$20 per person only which covers admission fees to Great Wall at Badaling Section, a typical Chinese lunch arranged at local restuarant, an English-speaking tour guide, and vehicle. On the way back to your residence or hotel in Beijing, one can also take an exterior tour to the Olympic Green, the iconic spot of Beijing including “Bird Nest” as well as “Water Cube”.

Tour Features: By this nine-day self-driving tour, you will have a fantastic and brand new experience driving from Sichuan to Tibet. Although the road is rugged, numerous unique natural sceneries along this journey are really worthy of seeing. Besides, you will know more about customs and buildings of Tibetan people.

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Chengdu / Danba (350 KM) (-/ -/ -)

Drive to Luding via Chengdu-Ya’an Highway in the morning. After visiting the Luding Bridge, you will proceed to Danba via Wadan Road. Danba is a fruite village which abounds with plateau apples and snow pears. On the way you will pass the Xiaojin River Valley and Danba Bridge-the only passage between Xiaojin County and Danba County. Finally you will reach the Kingdom of Watchtowers-Danba County.
With unique architectural features, the watchtowers in Danba are more outstanding than the ones in other areas of northwestern Sichuan Province, where the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups live in compact communities. The watchtowers in Danba vary in height from 16 to 35 meters. They stand in knots on hillsides or alone on the tops of undulating hills. Here are the sites of ancient mankind activities 5,000 years ago, and here has completely kept the life customs of Jiarong Tibetan. Stay overnight in Danba.

Day 2: Danba / Daofu / Luhuo (230 KM) (-/ -/ -)

After breakfast, you will visit the outstanding watchtowers in Danba and experience the folklore of customs of Jiarong Tibetan.
Then drive to Daofu. On the way you can enjoy the scenery of Donggu Scenic Area and Bamei Grassland. You can also visit the Tagong Monastery. It’s the largest monastery of Sakyapa sect in Kangba area.
Daofu means foal in Tibetan. Tibetans in Daofu say themselves the descendents of West Xia(1038-1227) people; they reside in unique, white, flat-roofed houses, lined with red timbers. And houses in Daofu are called “perfection of Tibetan building” because it takes colorfulness and magnificence as its appearance, log pillars and carved girders as its inner features. Daofu Tibetan House can be called the epitome of architecture in the Tibetan area. The houses are made primarily of earth and wood. The exterior is graceful, simple, unsophisticated and surrounded by green trees. The interior is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters. The luxurious décor is a typical Kham feature, beautiful and impressive. Set off from Daofu to Luhuo via Xianshui River. An earthquake monument stands beside the Xianshui River. The largest earthquake observation point in Southwest China is in Luhuo County. Stay in the hotel of Luhuo in the evening.After breakfast you will visit the Victory White Pagoda, Shouling Temple, and Kasha Lake-an important habitat for plateau water birds in Tibet. You will also listen to magical stories told by Tibetan lama and enjoy yourself on the Jinma Grassland.
Next stop is Ganzi. Ganzi Lamasery is the biggest lamasery of “Huo’er Yellow sect 13 temples”. Over 540 years old, it glimmers with blinding quantities of gold. Encased on the walls of the main hall are hundreds of small golden Sakyamunis. In a smaller hall just west of the main hall is an awe-inspiring statue of Jampa (Maitreya or Future Buddha), dressed in a giant silk robe.
Proceed west to Dajin Monastery.
Next stop is Xinluhai Lake (Yulong Lake). It is located at the foot of Quer Mountain. The legend goes that a concubine of King Gesar likes the lake very much. Quer Mountain (6,184m) stands to the southwest of Xinluhai Lake. The road on the mountain is very steep. The lake is also called Yilhun Lhatso (Loving Heart Lake) in Tibetan, and this name originates from a local legend. In the “Epic of King Gesar,” the king’s beloved concubine Zhumu fell in love with the lake for its beauty and tranquility. Her heart fell into the lake when she was heading back to the king’s palace, and so the locals named the lake Yilhun Lhatso in memory of Zhumu.
After crossing the Quer Mountain, you will reach Dege-the birthplace of the legendary King Gesar who ruled the Kingdom of Ling. It is situated at the foot of Quer Mountain and at the east bank of Jinsha River. Dege, which in Tibetan means land of mercy, serves as one of the three ancient centers of Tibetan culture and Buddhism in China (the other two are Lhasa in Tibet and Xiahe in Gansu Province) and the seat of modern printing technology. Two attractions in this little mountainous county are the Dege Scriptures Printing House and the Gengqing Monastery. The printing house has 217,000 engraved blocks in its archives, including classics from different sects of Tibetan Buddhism. It has 100,000 blocks for books on Tibetan culture, science and technology, history, biographies, medicine, mathematics, language, and various other topics. It is estimated that materials stored in Dege make up 70 percent of Tibet’s literary heritage. Because of its role in preserving Tibetan culture, Dege ranks together with the Sakya Monastery and the Potala Palace in Lhasa in historic and cultural significance. Stay overnight in Dege.Set off from Dege to Jiangda County. Jiangda is the first county in Tibet from Sichuan. It is at the northeast of Qamdo area, the upper stream of Jinsha River. After crossing Damala Mountain, you will reach today’s destination-Qamdo.
Today you will visit Qiangbalin Monastery and Kanuo Ruins. Qiangbalin Monastery is similar to other major Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, with well-preserved statues, frescos and Tangkas. The main Buddha here is Qiangba Buddha. The monastery is famous for its religious dance ceremony called Guqing which is performed every Tibetan New Year. Kanuo Ruins are the first sites of primitive society excavated in Tibet Autonomous Region, and are the highest, also the western most New Stone Age ruins unearthed in China. The ruins situated around 12 km from Qamdo City are full of stone built houses and primitive stone tools that date back to more than 5000 years. They are also the first excavated sites in Tibet that makes it hugely important for researchers and archaeologists. Then stay in the hotel of Qamdo.Set off from Qamdo to Bangda. Bangda is at the junction of the 317 and 318 national highway. It was on the renowned Tea-horse Ancient Road. It is connected with Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai by highway. In 1995, Qamdo Bangda Airport was built. It is the highest airport in the world, with an altitude of 4,334 meters.
The only airport in east Tibet, a civil airport with the highest attitude in the world is located in the Bangda grassland. The Bangda grassland at an altitude of 4,300 meters is a wonderful opportunity to see nomad people with their herds of yaks and sheep. It’s the watershed between Lancang River and Nu River.
Farewell to the beautiful grassland and head for Basu. On the way the car will cross the most dangerous part of Hengduan Range-Nu River Mountain (4,839m). After passing the 99 twists, the car will proceed along the Nu River. Finally you will reach Basu. Today you will experience the sharp temperature drop because of the altitude difference. Stay overnight in Basu.Proceed along the alpine meadow. Appreciate the snow-capped mountains and glaciers in the distance. Then you will reach today’s destination-Ranwu. The Ranwu Lake is a perfect blending of the Swiss Alps snow peaks and glaciers and the streams in Jiuzaigou (a famous area of northern Sichuan, named for the 9 Tibetan villages which are spread out amongst beautiful lakes and waterfalls). The lake, 3,800 meters above the sea level, has a water area of 22 square kilometers. The melted snow and ice supply the lake with sufficient water. The green grassland around the lake, the sky-blue lake water and the white snow mountains constitute a very pretty Alps watercolor. In the evening, you will stay in Ranwu.


Day 7: Ranwu / Bome (218KM) (-/ -/ -)In the morning you can continue to enjoy the fantastic view of Ranwu Lake.
After lunch, you will depart from Ranwu and head for Bomi. The Bomi County lies in the neighboring area between Himalaya and Nianqing Tanggula of east Tibet, somewhere between Highway No. 83 and No.103. The rugged countryside is surrounded with peaks and a river valley in the heart. Bomi has a land area of about 16,578.24 square kilometers and at latitude of 4,200 meters on the average base. Two main rivers Palongzhangbu and Yigongzhangbu meet at Tongmai and flow further to the great turning of the Grand Canyon.Depart from Bome and down along Palongzangbu River, a wed-sized water system, here you can appreciate the expansive Palongzangbu River, numerous lofty trees, majestic snow mountains and glaciers along the both sides of Sichuan-Tibet Road. Then arrive in Tongmai, known as China Geological Museum with the lowest sea level (1800m) in Sichuan-Tibet Road. Depart from Tongmai to Tongmaitianxian (Tongmai Dangerous Road), which is so dangerous with the average width ranges from 6m to 7m that it’s hard to improve the large area of collapse. Drive along Rong River and arrive in Pailong, leading to Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.
Drive to Lulang, here you can have a fantastic view of the forests growing below the snow mountains, rural landscapes, pastures, rivers. Afterwards, drive across the 4,642m high Mt. Sejila. In low-altitude area, endless forests, coniferous forests, arbor azaleas make up of a marvelous picture, and in high-altitude area, masses of flowering large-sized shrub azaleas turn the slopes into colorful tapestries, stand in the mountaintop you can view Mt.Namjagbarwa and Jialabailei Peak (the former is the most beautiful mountain in China), as well as the prayer banners fluttering in the wind. Drive down; overlook Nyingchi county town and Niyang River. Nyingchi, known as South Yangtse of Tibet, is in front of you. Here you can view the famous King of Cypress, 2,500years old with a circumstance of 18m at breast height. Finally get to Bayi Town (2,900m), built in the alluvial plain deposited by Niyang River, is the capital of Nyingchi and the most modern city in Tibet. Lodge in the local hotel in Bayi Town.

Day 3: Luhuo / Ganzi / Dege (311KM) (-/ -/ -)

Day 4: Dege / Jiangda / Qamdo (328KM) (-/ -/ -)

Day 5: Qamdo / Bangda / Basu (265 KM) (-/ -/ -)

Day 6: Basu / Ranwu (90 KM) (-/ -/ -)

Day 8: Bome / Niyang River Scenic Area / Bayi Town (233KM) (-/ -/ -)

Day 9: Bayi Town / Lhasa (460 KM) (-/ -/ -)

Depart from Bayi Town. On the way you will enjoy the fantastic view along the Niyang River. The Nyang River is a major river in south-west Tibet and the longest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. It originates from Mila Mountain, and enters Yarlung Tsangpo River at 40km south of Bayi Town.
Head for Basomtso Lake. It is a fantastic lake that hides among the mountains and valleys. Basomtso Lake, covering 27 sq kilometers, lies in a deep valley at an altitude of 3,538 metes. In Tibetan language, Basomtso means ‘green water’. The water is green because it is so pure and clean that the surrounding green trees are reflected in the lake surface. Then drive to Lhasa along the Niyang River. You can see the majestic Potala Palace standing on the red hill in the distance. B: Breakfast  AB: American Breakfast   L: Lunch   D: Dinner   SD: Special Dinner

Itinerary:

2010 Mid-Autumn Day is coming.We ‘ll have 3days for this important holiday.On that night the moon is brighter and fuller than any other day. In China, Mid-Autumn Day is a time for family reunions.

On that day, most families will enjoy watching the full moon together.  The most favorite food for Mid-Autumn Day are all kinds of moon cakes. Some moon cakes are made of wheat flour, sugar and lotus seed powder. People add chocklate, icecream, fruit and nuts into mooncakes in recent years. They’re very delicious!

Besides, Mid-Autumn Day also is the best time to travel or relax.The Expo Garden turns out to be the perfect location for people to enjoy the moonlight, eat moon cakes and hold reunion dinners with families as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches.

As one of the best viewing points in the Expo Garden, the restaurants located on the top floor of the Cultural Center are getting ready for tourists who want to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Expo Garden.

Shufu, a Sichuan restaurant on the top floor of the Cultural Center, will be one of the most popular eating places on Sept 22. The restaurant holds about 300 people and provides unmatched evening views of the Huangpu River and Zone A in the Expo Garden.

Drekhu pastureland

Drekhu pastureland is about 80 kilometers southwest of Yambulakang.

As the altitude rises and temperature falls, wheat and Tibetan barley gradually fade away, and the intoxicating fragrance of green grass permeates the air.

Situated in the center of the Shannan prefecture and at an average altitude of 4,600 meters, the roughly 2,150-square-kilometer grassland encircled by mighty mountains is truly a beauty to behold. It boasts an array of wildlife, including wild donkeys, horses, gray ducks, eagles and vultures – you name it.

The 70-sq-km Drekhu Lake crowns the prairie’s center. It’s home to an assortment of treasured wildfowl, including the red-crowned crane.

The road is quite good, even through the pastureland. Both big buses and small vans can cross it without difficulty.

Samye Monastery

Built in the eighth century, Samye Monastery is Tibet’s oldest monastery. It’s also the site of the “Great Debate” (AD 792-794) between the Indian Mahayanists and Chinese Zen Buddhists.

Founded during the reign of King Trisong Detsen, with the help of the Indian Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita, the monastery is widely believed to be Tibet’s first formal Buddhist monastery.

All four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism share presence in Samye.

Although only 50 km from the Lhasa airport, the monastery isn’t easy to reach. Normally, there are two routes. The two-hour drive from Zedang town along a bumpy, winding mountain path might not be very suitable for the fainthearted. Visitors can also take the hour-long ferry ride across the mighty Yarlung Zangbo River.

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Lake, along with Nam Co and Mapam Yum Co, is one of Tibet’s three holy lakes.

It’s the largest freshwater lake at the Himalayas’ foot. The 638-sq-km body of water is situated about 4,441 meters above sea level and is believed to be the woman guardian of Buddhism in Tibet.

A constant flow of pilgrims streams to the three lakes. But the breathtaking Yamdrok Lake has the advantage of being closest to Lhasa and the airport.

And the road to reach it is arguably in better condition than those to the other two.

In addition, the drive along the two-lane road that wraps around the 4,800-meter-high Gampa-la mountain is riddled with U-turns and offers views of changing landscapes and different seasons created by the varying altitudes.

Why would any visitor to Beijing stay in a hotel when they can stay in a hutong?

I first visited hutong as part of a tourist group several years ago. We rode on a trishaw with a guide explaining the history, architecture and lifestyle of the local inhabitants.

Having visited the fabulous “must-sees” of Beijing, like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Drum Tower and the Summer Palace, going into the hutong home of some famous ancient families gave the “Beijing experience” a human element.

My curiosity has sharpened over the years from reading about them at every opportunity. During the preparation for the Olympics I was thrilled to learn that some siheyuan courtyards in hutong were turned into accommodations for visitors. I vowed to stay in one someday.

Preparing for a recent trip to the capital, I eagerly sought one out. On my humble teacher’s salary, I settled on an affordable option, though I looked longingly at the more upscale courtyard accommodations.

As usual, by not being able to go upmarket, I ended up having something closer to an authentic experience. A real family still dwells in the courtyard, which hasn’t been all tricked out and is closer to the original.

The rooms all opened into the central courtyard. How I love a courtyard! Flowers were blooming, beans and peas were climbing up the bamboo lattice, a wind chime tinkled and the cat was napping in the sun.

Every day after exploring the city, I’d hurry back to the hutong, take a quick shower and join the cat – snoozing in a bamboo lounge chair with a book ready nearby.

As the other guests came back we’d greet one another. There was a mother and young daughter from France, an exuberant guy from Canada, a mother and teenage daughter from the Netherlands, a teacher from England and several guests from various parts of China.

We exchanged stories and tips on where to go and where to eat. Instant friendships were formed. I went to the Summer Palace with James, the Canadian car salesman, and climbed the Great Wall at Simatai with the Hollanders, Lianne and Iris.

Coming and going through the narrow alleys of the hutong, the residents would smile and give cheery “ni hao” (hello). Laughing children were playing under the watchful eyes of the neighbors.

Some recently installed, brightly painted exercise equipment made a perfect perch for the elderly women to sit and chat and comment on the passing scenes. Smells of meals cooking filled my nostrils, as I ducked some laundry hung over the narrow lane. I felt right at home in this friendly neighborhood.

How can a hotel compete? In my opinion, they cannot even come close. Of course, the accommodation seems familiar to foreign visitors because hotels all over the world are the same.

But don’t we travel in order to experience something different?

Sure, they have a restaurant, but then you don’t walk down the street feeling the pulse of the city as you seek out local food. You don’t go traipsing around with people you just met. You don’t go into the kitchen and show your host how you like your eggs prepared.

And you don’t sit in the warm evening, with the flowers, the lazy cat, and have slow, easy conversations with fellow travelers as birds fly overhead, making room for the moon.

Hotel? Hutong? No contest.

Lake Namtso is located in Nagqu Prefecture, about 260 kilometers from Lhasa City and 60 kilometers from Damxung County. From Damxung to Lake Namtso, you have to drive on a gravel road and climb over a snow mountain. In the rainy season, the road, which may be destroyed the heavy rain, will make it difficult for the minibuses with low chassis to drive on.

Lake is as the sky fell to the ground, hence the name ‘Hevenly Lake’, while the Tibetan people say it’s because of the high altitude of the Namtso Lake. Namtso Lake receives its water from the rain and melted snow. In the middle of Namtso Lake are five islands as well as there being five bylands. Furthermore, there are several grottos in the Namtso Lake area as well as other rocks, peaks and natural forms. The best time to visit Namtso Lake is during the summer when many birds come back to lay their eggs, herds travel through the area and other animals enjoy the warm summer months.

Tibetan Buddists believe that the Namtso is one of the four mighty lakes of the Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that circumanbulation around the lake once in goat year of Tibetan calendar is way better than hundreds of thousand times of that during other time because every goat year the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and safeguarding God assemble in Namtso Lake and set up altar for utsava. Tibetan people journey a long way to the Namtso Lake for cirmanbulation and the utsava culminates on April 15th.There are numerous marnyi stones all over the shoreline of Namtso Lake, which carries the prayers of the Tibetan people. Several pilgrims come to walk clockwise around the Namtso Lake to receive a blessing from the gods and there is one temple where people stop and worship. Namtso Lake is a popular travel destination.

Summer is the best time for Namtso Lake. Wild yaks, hares and other wild animals leisurely look for food along the expansive lake shores; countless migratory birds fly here to lay eggs and feed their young; sometimes lovely fishes in the lake jump out of the lake water, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine; sheep and cows herds are like flowing white blanks on the green grassland which can stretch as far as your eyes can see; the dulcet songs of Gauchos resound through the valleys. This time of the year Namtso Lake is full of life and activity. Therefore it is no wonder Tibetans take Namtso Lake the symbol of goodliness and happiness. Really Namtso Lake is a blessing from nature.

Besides the beautiful scenery in Namtso, it is also a famous sacred Buddhist place. There is a Zhaxi Temple in Zhaxi byland. In every Tibetan year of sheep, thousands of Buddhism adherents will come here to worship. As a rule, they will walk clockwise along the Namtso Lake in order to receive the blessing of the gods.