According to a report issued by the National Tourist Administration, China has become the third-largest tourism market in the world. Total income from inbound and outbound tourism for the five years leading up to 2010, totals six trillion yuan.
China's fast-growing tourism industry has become a cash cow for country. In the 16 years from 1994 to 2010, the country's total tourism income has increased 11-fold. In the 5 years to 2010, China has received 9.3 billion people from at home and abroad. That's a whooping six trillion yuan in tourism dollars. According to China National Tourist Administration, the country has not only become the biggest destination for tourists in Asian countries, but it also ranks in the top three global destination for travellers.
Shao Qiwei, director of National Tourism Administration said: "These figures mean we have formed the biggest domestic tourism market, we are the third-largest tourism destination in the world, at the same time, we've become the biggest Asian country for people travelling to overseas countries."
During the 11th Five Year Plan, the tourism industry has largely supported economic growth in China. It's contributed over 90 percent to the hotel business, and over 80 percent to the aviation and railway industries. In the process, tourism has created over nearly 14 million jobs in tourism industry, and 60 million jobs in other areas.
Shao said: "Tourism has progressed economic development in rural areas, last year over 400 million people visited the Chinese countryside. Rural tourism has benefited about 20 million farmers."
During the past five years, China has signed cooperation plans with the U.S., Russia, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The country is expected to generate 100 million new outbound departures each year from now to 2015.
Orignal From: China becomes 3rd biggest tourism market
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Holiday deals and discounts for 2012
Flights to Miami start from £424 with Virgin Atlantic
A round-up of the best holiday deals and discounts, as thoughts turn to a 2012 break to beat the post-Christmas blues.
Deals added on December 29 Flights to Miami Fares to the Florida city of Miami, with its beachfront bars, Art Deco architecture, and Cuban associations, start from £428 when booked through Virgin Atlantic (0844 209 7310; www.virgin-atlantic.com). Book by January 24. Winter sun in the Algarve Easyjet Holidays (0843 104 1000; holidays.easyjet.com) is offering a five-night holiday at the three-star Casablanca Inn, within easy reach of the local Algarve beach from £173 per person. The price quoted includes breakfast, baggage and hotel transfers, and is valid for flights from London Stansted to Faro on January 30, 2012, returning on February 4. Monarch's January sale Monarch (08719 40 50 40; www.monarch.co.uk) is offering fares from only £34 one way including taxes and charges. Then airline also is offering to reward customers booking early a further £10 off return flights by quoting discount code '2012SALE' (customers must book flights by January 12). Newly launched routes to Milan, Rome, Verona and Venice as well as the cosmopolitan Croatian city of Dubrovnik and the largest of the Greek Islands, Crete are included in the sale. Car hire discount Holiday Autos (0871 472 5229; holidayautos.co.uk) is offering up to 10 per cent off car hire bookings made before December 31 for rentals between January 3 and March 31. Enter the promotional code "UKTREAT11" when you book to save on your next car hire. Rentals start from £4 per day in Malaga. Family ski in Selva Esprit Ski (01252 618 300; www.espritski.com) has a week at the family Chalet Silvia in Selva, Italy for just £325 per person from January 8. The Silvia is a traditional South Tyrolean chalet. The price is based on family of four (two adults and two children aged two to 12) at £1,229 (saving up to £1,287 per family), and includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers and fully catered accommodation including four-course evening meals with wine. Telegraph Cruise deals USA and Caribbean A 12-night cruise around the US and Caribbean costs from £1399 (was £1,647), including flights, transfers and an overnight stay at the four-star Paramount hotel in New York. Departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey on February 9, ports of call include St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Basseterre (St Kitts), St Johns (Antigua), Castries (St Lucia) and Philipsburg (St Maarten). Canary Islands An 11-night cruise around the Canary Islands on board Cunard's Queen Victoria, costs from £899 (was £1,120). Departing from Southampton on March 24, ports of call include Vigo (Spain), Lisbon, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Madeira and La Coruna (Spain) Solo Mediterranean cruise A seven-night cruise around Greece and Italy on board MSC Armonia costs from £1,099, including flights and transfers. Departing from Venice on May 11, ports of call include Ancona (Italy), Corfu (Greece), Santorini, Piraeus (for Athens), Argostoli (Greece) and Kotor (Montenegro). Prices based on single passenger occupancy. Solo Fjords cruise A seven-night cruise around the Norwegian fjords on board P&O Azura costs £899. Dpearting from Southampton on April 29, ports of call include Stavanger, Flaam, Olden and Bergen. Prices based on single passenger occupancy. Discounted hotels through the Telegraph Telegraph readers are being offered five per cent off all hotels booked at telegraph.co.uk/hotels before January 31. Simply copy the discount code TMGPROMO5 into the "coupon code" box when booking. Price for a three-star hotel Dubrovnik from £33 per night Rome from £24 per night Paris from £54 per night Barcelona from £53 per night Telegraph readers already have a lowest price guarantee when booking any of the 130,000 hotels available, unless otherwise stated. Deals added on December 28 South-East Asia and Australia cruise Voyages of Discovery is offering savings of up to 37 per cent on its 23-day South-East Asia and Australia cruise from Manila in the Philippines to Sydney on January 21, visiting Sandakan in Malaysia, Bitung and Ambon in Indonesia, and Darwin, the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Brisbane and Newcastle in Australia. From £1,618 per person including flights and gratuities (0844 822 0802; www.voyagesofdiscovery). TELEGRAPH CRUISE DEALS All trips booked through Telegraph Cruise come with a best price guarantee. For more cruise deals see www.telegraph.co.uk/cruise Caribbean cruise A 15-night cruise around the Caribbean on Fred Olsen's Braemar, costs from £1,019 (was £1,679), including return flights and transfers. Departing from Barbados, ports of call include Grenada, Curacao, Tortola, St Maarten, St Kitts, Antigua, Dominica, Tobago and St Lucia. Spain and Canary Islands cruise A nine-night cruise around Spain on NCL's Norwegian Jade, costs from £669 (was £784), including including return flights and transfers and up to £100 of onboard credit. Departing from Barcelona ports of call Funchal, Madeira, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Arrecife and Malaga Mediterranean cruise A seven-night cruise around Italy, Spain and Tunisia on board Holland America's ms Eurodam, costs £1129, including all flights and transfers. Departing from Civitavecchia, ports of call include Santa Margherita, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, La Goulette, Tunisia and Trapani. Departs May 12, 2012. Prices based on single passenger occupancy. France and Spain cruise A seven-night cruise from around France and Spain on Fred Olsen's Braemar, costs from £1039, including £70 of onboard credit. Departing from Dover, ports of call include La Pallice, Getxo, Aviles and La Coruña. Departs April 28. Prices based on single passenger occupancy. TELEGRAPH HANDPICKED DEALS Sign up to our members-only travel club, which brings you exclusive rates on luxury travel deals. Five-star Rhodes Save 20 per cent on seven-night stays (half-board) in a garden view room in the five-star Ixian Grand hotel Experience in Rhodes, which offers two pools, decked bar area, spa, hot tub and a beachside location and includes return flights and transfers. Book before January 2. North Devon escape Save 70 per cent on two-night break at the Woodford Country Club – a beautiful thatched hotel in North Devon with an indoor pool, spa, sauna and gym. Champagne on arrival and a 10 per cent discount on spa treatments are included. Book before January 3. Other offers Thailand New Year sale Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; www.trailfinders.com) is offering eight nights' three-star accommodation at the Briza Khao Lak resort in Thailand from £699, saving more than £450 per person. The price includes breakfast, four free nights, a room upgrade, a Thai dinner, transfers, an early booking discount and flights from Heathrow with Cathay Pacific. Valid for selected departures in May and June 2012. Book by January 31. Read the Telegraph's Bangkok city break guide Fortnight in Greece Thomas Cook (0844 412 5959; www.thomascook.com) is offering a 14-night all-inclusive stay at the five-star Mareblue Apostolata Hotel in Skala, Kefalonia for £1,345 per person (was £1,545). Price is based on two people sharing. Flight departs from Manchester on August 19. High-altitude skiing in Italy Inghams (0208 780 4447; www.inghams.co.uk) is offering seven nights at the three-star Bellavista Suites at the high-altitude Italian resort of Livigno from £299 per person, based on five sharing, departing January 7. The price includes accommodation and flights from London Gatwick to Innsbruck, resort transfers, a free bottle of wine with dinner, and a 10 per cent discount on the restaurant menu. Flights are also available from Stansted (+ £19), Bristol (+ £39), Birmingham (+ £29), Manchester (+ £39) and Edinburgh (+£55). Complete guides to 50 top ski resorts Emirates flights Emirates (0844 800 2777; www.emirates.com/uk) is offering savings of up to 25 per cent off first, business and economy class fares to over 100 destinations. Valid for departures between January 22 and June 30. Prices start from £385 for a return trip from London to Dubai. Chalet in Les Gets Ski Total (01252 618 333; www.skitotal.com) has a week at the Chalet Monet in Les Gets, France from January 15 for just £340 per person (was £679). This recently refurbished chalet has a hot tub, sauna and home cinema. The price includes flights from Southampton (other departure airports available), transfers, ski hosting and fully catered accommodation including four-course evening meals with wine.
Orignal From: Holiday deals and discounts for 2012
A perfect day in London
The Tate Modern, which lies just across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's Cathedral Alamy
The Old Bailey is perhaps the world's most famous criminal court
There are always free events and things to see on the South Bank
Here are two suggestions for a day out in London, whether you are looking to entertain the whole family, or wander the city without any children in tow.
Families
Morning
Get to St Paul's Cathedral (1) (020 7246 8350; www.stpauls.co.uk) as it opens at 8.30am – family ticket £34.50 – and attempt an explanation of the tented camp as you pass. See crypt, choir and American Chapel before the Dome opens at 9.30am. Whizz up to the Whispering Gallery, place half the family one side of the dome and half on the other, facing four inches from the wall. Whisper. Be amazed. Romp up more stairs to the Stone and Golden Galleries for superb views (closing for maintenance from January 9 to April 2). Cross the Millennium Bridge to see the free show by the British filmmaker Tacita Dean in the Tate Modern Turbine Hall (2) (www.tate.org.uk; until March 11).
Lunch
South of the Tate Modern, in the Blue Fin Building, is The Refinery (0845 468 0186; www.therefinerybar.co.uk), a faux-industrial restaurant offering sandwiches from £5.25 and sharing platters for less than £10. There's a ping-pong table, too.
Afternoon
The Peacock Theatre (3) (0844 8710090; www.sadlerswells.com) is a hidden treasure on Portugal Street, WC2. It is staging its much-loved production of The Snowman for the 14th consecutive year (family ticket for four, £95; runs until January 8), followed by the panto Aladdin. After the show, head for Covent Garden's Piazza, where someone is always juggling chainsaws or doing somersaults under the portico of St Paul's church.
Dinner
It's silly, but children love it: on a cold, wet night, the Rainforest Café (4) (020 7434 3111; www.therainforestcafe.co.uk) on Piccadilly is warm, cheery and full of animated tropical creatures. The children's menu is £12.50 (£3 extra for an activity pack) and adults pay from £25 for two courses.
Adults
Morning
Temple Church (5) (www.templechurch.com), hidden in a network of passageways behind a mighty black gate on Fleet Street, is a rare example of a round church. Set in the elegant legal purlieus of Inner and Middle Temples, it has marvellous knightly effigies, hosts regular concerts, especially around Christmas, and its choral services are beautiful. On weekdays, walk along Fleet Street and up Ludgate Hill to the Old Bailey (6), London's Central Criminal Court, and arguably the world's most celebrated court.
Trials here have included those of the Krays and the Yorkshire Ripper. Public galleries open from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. You can find the daily schedule on www.courtserve2.net by clicking on Crown Court (Daily) and Central Criminal Court on the live listings page, or by calling 020 7248 3277.
Lunch
Midweek, try El Vino (020 7353 5384; www.elvino.co.uk) on Fleet Street (hand-raised-pork pies and Ploughman's for less than £10) as well as for the legal anti-hero Rumpole of the Bailey, who drank at Pommeroy's, its fictional equivalent. At weekends, Tom's Kitchen (020 7845 4646; www.tomskitchen.co.uk) at Somerset House is Tom Aikens's hearty-but-classy Anglo French deli café. You'll pay anything between £12 and £30 for a main course.
Afternoon
The best thing about the National Gallery (7) www.nationalgallery.org.uk) is its 60-minute tour (11.30am and 2.30pm), which takes you through 600 years of European art. Afterwards, get a coffee and play on ArtStart, an interactive multimedia archive that allows you to browse the collection using a touchscreen. Then walk south across Trafalgar Square – see Yinka Shonibare's Nelson's Ship in a Bottle on the Fourth Plinth (www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth) before it changes in 2012 – to the river and cross the Golden Jubilee Bridges to the South Bank. The German Christmas Market may have just ended, but there are performers, bookstands, skateboarders and free events all year round.
Dinner
Skylon (020 7654 7800; www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk) is a large, light-filled restaurant in the Royal Festival Hall (8) overlooking the Thames, named after the space-age construction built during the Festival of Britain. Eat formally in Skylon's restaurant, or more casually in its grill. The food is light and British, with lots of fresh fish and meat. From £40 for two courses in the Restaurant, from £25 for two courses in the Grill.
Orignal From: A perfect day in London
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Scenery of rime along Songhua River in NE China's Jilin
Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2011, shows the scene of rime on the Songjiang Central Road in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The scenery of rime along the Songhua River attracted lots of tourists and citizens. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanchang)
Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2011, shows the scene of rime on the Songjiang Central Road in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The scenery of rime along the Songhua River attracted lots of tourists and citizens. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanchang)
Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2011, shows the scene of rime on the Songjiang Central Road in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The scenery of rime along the Songhua River attracted lots of tourists and citizens. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanchang)
Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2011, shows the scene of rime on the Songjiang Central Road in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province. The scenery of rime along the Songhua River attracted lots of tourists and citizens.
Orignal From: Scenery of rime along Songhua River in NE China's Jilin
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Three pagodas temple of Dali YunNan
Welcome, everyone!Today we are going to visit the three pagodas temple of Dali.
Before we got the three pagodas temple, I would like to give you a brief introduction of Dali. Why is it called "Dali"? As we all know Dali has a long history. After the Kingdom of NanZhao, Duansiping Established the Kingdom of Dali. "li" this Chinese word refers to "manners", indicated the hope of the king that make his country a prosperous and civilized place.
OK, everyone, we are now at the Three Pagodas.These three pagodas make a beautiful picture,right?
Three Pagodas are the symbol of Dali,they have a history of more than 1,000 years. The major Pagoda, we call it "Qian Xun",built during the period of NanZhao State, stands 69 meters in height and is divided into 16 tiers. Each tier is inlaid with the statues of Buddha. Its front"s four Chinese characters are quite striking, meaning "Ensuring Tranquility to Mountains and Rivers Forever."
I am sure you have noticed the two small pagodas. They were built at the beginning of 10th century during the period of Dali State. Each Stands 42 meters in height and is divided into 10 tiers. They are made from bricks.
After visiting the temple, we will go to enjoy the other place of interests, Ok ,Let's go, everyone.
Orignal From: Three pagodas temple of Dali YunNan
Before we got the three pagodas temple, I would like to give you a brief introduction of Dali. Why is it called "Dali"? As we all know Dali has a long history. After the Kingdom of NanZhao, Duansiping Established the Kingdom of Dali. "li" this Chinese word refers to "manners", indicated the hope of the king that make his country a prosperous and civilized place.
OK, everyone, we are now at the Three Pagodas.These three pagodas make a beautiful picture,right?
Three Pagodas are the symbol of Dali,they have a history of more than 1,000 years. The major Pagoda, we call it "Qian Xun",built during the period of NanZhao State, stands 69 meters in height and is divided into 16 tiers. Each tier is inlaid with the statues of Buddha. Its front"s four Chinese characters are quite striking, meaning "Ensuring Tranquility to Mountains and Rivers Forever."
I am sure you have noticed the two small pagodas. They were built at the beginning of 10th century during the period of Dali State. Each Stands 42 meters in height and is divided into 10 tiers. They are made from bricks.
After visiting the temple, we will go to enjoy the other place of interests, Ok ,Let's go, everyone.
Orignal From: Three pagodas temple of Dali YunNan
YunNan Dali CangshanErhai
Fellow friends:
Hello! Toured the Dali old city, initially has feltthis humanities landscape profoundness; Now we watch the CangshanErhai, understands the Dali's America of scenery.
First, we ride the yacht to go to the Erhai park. The Erhai park othername group mountain park, is l ocated the Hsiakuan city northeast 2kilometers place groups mountains. North it near ocean waves Wan QingErhai, west and Cangshan SouthEnd setting sun peak relative. WhenNanzhao country, here is king's deer park. In 1976 here newly wardedoff for the park, Occupiesdi 1,600 Chinese acres. On the mountain has thezoo and the plant nursery flower-bed, broadly plants the Dali areaeach kind of precious flower different plant, is very good rests placeof the tour.
Now the pleasure boat to the Erhai park near the sea causeway, we cameashore to the ship, this is under the group foot of a hill Binhai tourarea along 270 multistage stone steps AscendsLevel on, we arrive the summit.Everybody looked that, this Curls upwardsAngle upturned eave pavilion is looks thesea building, the eave hangs from above the plaque, submits a writtenstatement: Jade Er silver dark green ", the black bottom goldcharacter, vigorous is classically elegant, it is the Chinese inadmiration of somebody's fame painter Wu Zuoren's writing skill. Looksthe sea building is understands "the jade Er silver dark green"happiest extent, leans against a railing looks out into the distance:East side Erhai vast, boundless, west Cangshan is continuous,luxuriant is gray.
Fellow friends, let us go on board once more, roams through to Erhaiin. But I first must to everybody introduction be actually amCangshan. Formerly, we in the Dali city, under on the dark green footof a hill road, have not been able to look at carefully the Cangshangrand appearance well. Just like the ancient said "does not know thetruth about the matter, only reason body in this mountain"; Looks thesea building in the Erhai park, the angle of view Inclines, also onlycan see the Cangshan terminal. Now, unceasingly leads the way alongwith the pleasure boat, in our eye Cangshan is not clearer? Somepeople said that, a Hengduan pulse condition great arm, the Tibetplateau extended west Yunnan from "the roof of the world" to thesouth, Cangshan was in this world famous sierra a cloud range branch.
Cangshan, also names the Diancang, is green because of its mountaincolor, the mountain apex acquires fame in vain. Cangshan altogetherhas 19 peaks. This 19 peaks from the north to the south order are: Thecloud makes, green, five, the lotus flower, the white clouds, thecrane cloud, three positive, the blue peak, the snowman, should behappy, the Goddess of Mercy, center and, Longquan, the jade bureau,Malone, the saint should, Buddha go against, Ma Er, the setting sun.In 19 peaks, the Malone peak is highest, elevation 4,122 meters. TheCangshan 19 peaks, two peaks clamp a brook, altogether 18 brooks; Eastthe mountain stream flows, pours into Erhai, 18 brooks from north tosouth, the base arrangement is: South the rosy cloud moves, Wan Hua,the positive brook, the awn wells up, the brocade brook, the spiritspring, the white stone, the double mandarin duck, hides the immortal,Mei Xi, the peach brook, center the brook, the emerald, Longxi, clearblue, remnant, Pavilion mouth, is not positive.
The Cangshan scenery by the snow, the cloud, SpringStone is famous. I firstintroduce Cangshan to everybody the snow. After the summer needlessCangshan snow, is Dali "the love affair" four given names scenery. Thesnow white Cangshan snow, all previous dynasties article literatiapproves the refined language quite a lot, the folklore also many. Thethe Ming Dynasty writer Li Yuanyang once praised: "Date Li Cangshansnow, Precioustai 19 peaks".
Cangshan's cloud is the famous biography is far and wide. The cloudgathers the cloud to disperse, sometimes the pale like light smoke,sometimes is thick like splashes ink. In fluctuates varied 云景center, what is most mysterious is "looks the husband cloud" and "thejade belt cloud". So-called "looks the husband cloud" is referswhenever the winter spring the season, the Cangshan jade bureau peakregular meeting appears a lonely cloud, suddenly remembers suddenlyfalls, about flutters, if hoped if attends to. Unusual occupying to anits appearance, the Diancang then suddenly gets up the storm, blows toErhai. So-called "jade belt cloud", is refers whenever at the end ofthe summer FallInitially, After rainFirst clear, between the Cangshan 19 peakshalfways up the mountainside often can appear white clouds, the cloudsGathersCollects, slowly pulls open, if the pure white jade belt horizontallyties the green mountainside. Is continuous dozens of miles,unexpectedly the date does not dissipate. Marvelous is, "the jade beltcloud" meets the omen agriculture abundant harvest: It appears thenumber of times to be many, same year on good crop weather. Local Painationality has the farmer's proverb: "Cangshan is the jade belt, thehungry dog eats the rice".
Cangshan's spring very is also famous. In 19 peaks the elevation hasmany mountains moraine lake in 3,800 meter above peak, this is thequaternary period glacier stays behind. Also has that 18 brooks themountain stream, flies the waterfall to fold the spring, the fourseasons rushes down, in under clear sweet water seepage nourishing,Cangshan fills the vitality. The moraine lakeside, the densely coveredvirgin forest and many precious forests, the strange flowers andplants, specially should tell everybody are, Cangshan's flowers andplants already fine reputation far broadcasts, moreover it also causesCangshan to be famous far and wide. American Professor Luo Lancasteronce said that, "Has 1000000 in US to know the Chinese Yunnan the DaliCangshan, because they all plant have many beautiful Dali Cangshan theIndian azalea."
Cangshan's stone, renowned at home and abroad. Guo Moruo has "ChantsMarble" the poem: "Three towers 矜 are high ancient, along thinksLoyalView year. The Cangshan rhyme love affair, the wonderful stone spitsthe mist. Outside the heart, coolly lives ElbowArmpit. The day meritmanpower generation, the overseas compete the treasure biography."
Cangshan has bred the marble, the marble is Cangshan's soul. This kindof magnificent wonderful stone, world many places all have, the aloneDali's most wonderful America, also opens the people early, therefore,world every this wonderful stone is called "the marble", "Dali" alsoraises the world because of Shi Erming.
Fellow friends, our pleasure boat vanguard, now should introduce thisocean waves Wan Qing to everybody Erhai itself.
Erhai, ancient name Kunming pond, Er river, Ye Yu Ze and so on;Because it resembles the person ear, therefore Erhai. Its north andsouth long 42 kilometers, the thing extends 3-9 kilometer, the lakewaterfront long 117 kilometers, the area more than 250 squarekilometers; The hydraulic mean depth 10.5 meters, the deepest 21.5meters, the water-holding capacity 2.88 billion cubic meters, the areaand the water-holding capacity arrange in order the Yunnan lakesecond, occupies seventh in the national fresh water lake.
South Erhai has makes up the river and so on to pour into, WestNatriumthe Cangshan 18 mountain streams, east collect the Polo river, dig thecolor river, the south side west Er river are the only estuaries,after Ripples red circles into Lanchan River. Erhai is the tectoniclake, the lake shore thing are many CliffWall, north southwest three arethe sandbars.
Everybody looked, Erhai water depth limpid, if the non- flaw beautifuljade, is beautiful incomparably, it is welcome each position by thebroad mind to come from the distant place guest. Erhai is the Chinafamous high land moor, as early as it has carried the annals in theHan Dynasty.
"Er SeaMonth" is Dali one of four given names scenery. If goesboatingErhai in the lunar calendar ten in May bright nights, its monthespecially bright, especially circle, its scenery elated: In thewater, the month circle like wheel, floats the light to swing thegold; The sky, the jade mirror high hangs, the clear splendor isshining, the bath leaves from Erhai. Looks that, looks, the water andsky shines, you unexpectedly cannot distinguish clearly are the daymonth fall the sea, or SeaMonth ascends to heaven. Is Er SeaMonth so whybright? The scientific conclusion is: First, Erhai water qualityspecially pure, the transparency is quite high, its reflection greatlystrengthened; Second, Erhai sea level dust less, air fresh, causes thewater and sky to serve as contrast, the moonlight is brighter. Inaddition, Er SeaMonth is famous, but also lies in the pure white non-flaw the Cangshan snow to produce an inverted image in Erhai, SeaMonthenhances one another's beauty with as pure as driven snow Er, aconstitution silver dark green jade Er's big marvelous sight.
With the Cangshan snow, the Er SeaMonth connected Dali four given namesscenery also have Guan Hua, the Hsiakuan wind. Between Erhai andCangshan's dam, is a long shape silting alluviation plain. WhenNanzhao country, nearby two respectively builds a xiaocheng in thisstrip north and south, holds the important location, defends the kingsall safety. North name Long Shouguan, also called closes; Southernregion name Dragon's Tail pass, at once Hsiakuan. On so-called closesthe flower, is refers closes "ten mile fragrant wonderful tree", thisflower originally shapings the street and Shan Sinei in on pass, itsflowered big like lotus, the year opens several hundred, the fragranceoverflows the four directions, the flower opens the season, the viewlike cloud. Also therefore the tree ties the husk to be firm, may dofaces the bead, therefore the flower called "faces the pearl headornament". Afterwards, this flower vanished. The first years, somepeople had it is said found it in the Cangshan forest. West theHsiakuan wind refers to the Er river valley to inject Hsiakuan thewind, continues all year long, You takedong as is spring abundant, youas soon as enter Hsiakuan to be allowed to feel the Hsiakuan wind theexistence. It roars nearly every day, sweeps the street to put on thelane, holds up the bottom of garment uncovers the hat, caused Hsiakuanobtained "the wind city" the nickname.
Dali's love affair four given names scenery, has poem its string inthe same place, is advantageous for remembered, also quite has theappeal: The Hsiakuan wind, on closes the flower, the Hsiakuan windblows closes the flower; Cangshan snow, Er SeaMonth, Er SeaMonth accordingto Cangshan snow. Speaks of here, asks each position to look our Painationality girls embroider flowered Baotou. You might not despise it,it have manifested the Dali four given names scenery. Please lookedthat, The breeze blows, nearby the ear snow white Ear with the windfloatingly sprinkled, has appeared Hsiakuan's wind; In Baotou gorgeousflowers, has represented the flower which on closes; The peak this iswhite SilkHead, looked by far likes Cangshan the snow; The entireBaotou's shape same bright is moving on like Erhai's in crescent moon
Orignal From: YunNan Dali CangshanErhai
Hello! Toured the Dali old city, initially has feltthis humanities landscape profoundness; Now we watch the CangshanErhai, understands the Dali's America of scenery.
First, we ride the yacht to go to the Erhai park. The Erhai park othername group mountain park, is l ocated the Hsiakuan city northeast 2kilometers place groups mountains. North it near ocean waves Wan QingErhai, west and Cangshan SouthEnd setting sun peak relative. WhenNanzhao country, here is king's deer park. In 1976 here newly wardedoff for the park, Occupiesdi 1,600 Chinese acres. On the mountain has thezoo and the plant nursery flower-bed, broadly plants the Dali areaeach kind of precious flower different plant, is very good rests placeof the tour.
Now the pleasure boat to the Erhai park near the sea causeway, we cameashore to the ship, this is under the group foot of a hill Binhai tourarea along 270 multistage stone steps AscendsLevel on, we arrive the summit.Everybody looked that, this Curls upwardsAngle upturned eave pavilion is looks thesea building, the eave hangs from above the plaque, submits a writtenstatement: Jade Er silver dark green ", the black bottom goldcharacter, vigorous is classically elegant, it is the Chinese inadmiration of somebody's fame painter Wu Zuoren's writing skill. Looksthe sea building is understands "the jade Er silver dark green"happiest extent, leans against a railing looks out into the distance:East side Erhai vast, boundless, west Cangshan is continuous,luxuriant is gray.
Fellow friends, let us go on board once more, roams through to Erhaiin. But I first must to everybody introduction be actually amCangshan. Formerly, we in the Dali city, under on the dark green footof a hill road, have not been able to look at carefully the Cangshangrand appearance well. Just like the ancient said "does not know thetruth about the matter, only reason body in this mountain"; Looks thesea building in the Erhai park, the angle of view Inclines, also onlycan see the Cangshan terminal. Now, unceasingly leads the way alongwith the pleasure boat, in our eye Cangshan is not clearer? Somepeople said that, a Hengduan pulse condition great arm, the Tibetplateau extended west Yunnan from "the roof of the world" to thesouth, Cangshan was in this world famous sierra a cloud range branch.
Cangshan, also names the Diancang, is green because of its mountaincolor, the mountain apex acquires fame in vain. Cangshan altogetherhas 19 peaks. This 19 peaks from the north to the south order are: Thecloud makes, green, five, the lotus flower, the white clouds, thecrane cloud, three positive, the blue peak, the snowman, should behappy, the Goddess of Mercy, center and, Longquan, the jade bureau,Malone, the saint should, Buddha go against, Ma Er, the setting sun.In 19 peaks, the Malone peak is highest, elevation 4,122 meters. TheCangshan 19 peaks, two peaks clamp a brook, altogether 18 brooks; Eastthe mountain stream flows, pours into Erhai, 18 brooks from north tosouth, the base arrangement is: South the rosy cloud moves, Wan Hua,the positive brook, the awn wells up, the brocade brook, the spiritspring, the white stone, the double mandarin duck, hides the immortal,Mei Xi, the peach brook, center the brook, the emerald, Longxi, clearblue, remnant, Pavilion mouth, is not positive.
The Cangshan scenery by the snow, the cloud, SpringStone is famous. I firstintroduce Cangshan to everybody the snow. After the summer needlessCangshan snow, is Dali "the love affair" four given names scenery. Thesnow white Cangshan snow, all previous dynasties article literatiapproves the refined language quite a lot, the folklore also many. Thethe Ming Dynasty writer Li Yuanyang once praised: "Date Li Cangshansnow, Precioustai 19 peaks".
Cangshan's cloud is the famous biography is far and wide. The cloudgathers the cloud to disperse, sometimes the pale like light smoke,sometimes is thick like splashes ink. In fluctuates varied 云景center, what is most mysterious is "looks the husband cloud" and "thejade belt cloud". So-called "looks the husband cloud" is referswhenever the winter spring the season, the Cangshan jade bureau peakregular meeting appears a lonely cloud, suddenly remembers suddenlyfalls, about flutters, if hoped if attends to. Unusual occupying to anits appearance, the Diancang then suddenly gets up the storm, blows toErhai. So-called "jade belt cloud", is refers whenever at the end ofthe summer FallInitially, After rainFirst clear, between the Cangshan 19 peakshalfways up the mountainside often can appear white clouds, the cloudsGathersCollects, slowly pulls open, if the pure white jade belt horizontallyties the green mountainside. Is continuous dozens of miles,unexpectedly the date does not dissipate. Marvelous is, "the jade beltcloud" meets the omen agriculture abundant harvest: It appears thenumber of times to be many, same year on good crop weather. Local Painationality has the farmer's proverb: "Cangshan is the jade belt, thehungry dog eats the rice".
Cangshan's spring very is also famous. In 19 peaks the elevation hasmany mountains moraine lake in 3,800 meter above peak, this is thequaternary period glacier stays behind. Also has that 18 brooks themountain stream, flies the waterfall to fold the spring, the fourseasons rushes down, in under clear sweet water seepage nourishing,Cangshan fills the vitality. The moraine lakeside, the densely coveredvirgin forest and many precious forests, the strange flowers andplants, specially should tell everybody are, Cangshan's flowers andplants already fine reputation far broadcasts, moreover it also causesCangshan to be famous far and wide. American Professor Luo Lancasteronce said that, "Has 1000000 in US to know the Chinese Yunnan the DaliCangshan, because they all plant have many beautiful Dali Cangshan theIndian azalea."
Cangshan's stone, renowned at home and abroad. Guo Moruo has "ChantsMarble" the poem: "Three towers 矜 are high ancient, along thinksLoyalView year. The Cangshan rhyme love affair, the wonderful stone spitsthe mist. Outside the heart, coolly lives ElbowArmpit. The day meritmanpower generation, the overseas compete the treasure biography."
Cangshan has bred the marble, the marble is Cangshan's soul. This kindof magnificent wonderful stone, world many places all have, the aloneDali's most wonderful America, also opens the people early, therefore,world every this wonderful stone is called "the marble", "Dali" alsoraises the world because of Shi Erming.
Fellow friends, our pleasure boat vanguard, now should introduce thisocean waves Wan Qing to everybody Erhai itself.
Erhai, ancient name Kunming pond, Er river, Ye Yu Ze and so on;Because it resembles the person ear, therefore Erhai. Its north andsouth long 42 kilometers, the thing extends 3-9 kilometer, the lakewaterfront long 117 kilometers, the area more than 250 squarekilometers; The hydraulic mean depth 10.5 meters, the deepest 21.5meters, the water-holding capacity 2.88 billion cubic meters, the areaand the water-holding capacity arrange in order the Yunnan lakesecond, occupies seventh in the national fresh water lake.
South Erhai has makes up the river and so on to pour into, WestNatriumthe Cangshan 18 mountain streams, east collect the Polo river, dig thecolor river, the south side west Er river are the only estuaries,after Ripples red circles into Lanchan River. Erhai is the tectoniclake, the lake shore thing are many CliffWall, north southwest three arethe sandbars.
Everybody looked, Erhai water depth limpid, if the non- flaw beautifuljade, is beautiful incomparably, it is welcome each position by thebroad mind to come from the distant place guest. Erhai is the Chinafamous high land moor, as early as it has carried the annals in theHan Dynasty.
"Er SeaMonth" is Dali one of four given names scenery. If goesboatingErhai in the lunar calendar ten in May bright nights, its monthespecially bright, especially circle, its scenery elated: In thewater, the month circle like wheel, floats the light to swing thegold; The sky, the jade mirror high hangs, the clear splendor isshining, the bath leaves from Erhai. Looks that, looks, the water andsky shines, you unexpectedly cannot distinguish clearly are the daymonth fall the sea, or SeaMonth ascends to heaven. Is Er SeaMonth so whybright? The scientific conclusion is: First, Erhai water qualityspecially pure, the transparency is quite high, its reflection greatlystrengthened; Second, Erhai sea level dust less, air fresh, causes thewater and sky to serve as contrast, the moonlight is brighter. Inaddition, Er SeaMonth is famous, but also lies in the pure white non-flaw the Cangshan snow to produce an inverted image in Erhai, SeaMonthenhances one another's beauty with as pure as driven snow Er, aconstitution silver dark green jade Er's big marvelous sight.
With the Cangshan snow, the Er SeaMonth connected Dali four given namesscenery also have Guan Hua, the Hsiakuan wind. Between Erhai andCangshan's dam, is a long shape silting alluviation plain. WhenNanzhao country, nearby two respectively builds a xiaocheng in thisstrip north and south, holds the important location, defends the kingsall safety. North name Long Shouguan, also called closes; Southernregion name Dragon's Tail pass, at once Hsiakuan. On so-called closesthe flower, is refers closes "ten mile fragrant wonderful tree", thisflower originally shapings the street and Shan Sinei in on pass, itsflowered big like lotus, the year opens several hundred, the fragranceoverflows the four directions, the flower opens the season, the viewlike cloud. Also therefore the tree ties the husk to be firm, may dofaces the bead, therefore the flower called "faces the pearl headornament". Afterwards, this flower vanished. The first years, somepeople had it is said found it in the Cangshan forest. West theHsiakuan wind refers to the Er river valley to inject Hsiakuan thewind, continues all year long, You takedong as is spring abundant, youas soon as enter Hsiakuan to be allowed to feel the Hsiakuan wind theexistence. It roars nearly every day, sweeps the street to put on thelane, holds up the bottom of garment uncovers the hat, caused Hsiakuanobtained "the wind city" the nickname.
Dali's love affair four given names scenery, has poem its string inthe same place, is advantageous for remembered, also quite has theappeal: The Hsiakuan wind, on closes the flower, the Hsiakuan windblows closes the flower; Cangshan snow, Er SeaMonth, Er SeaMonth accordingto Cangshan snow. Speaks of here, asks each position to look our Painationality girls embroider flowered Baotou. You might not despise it,it have manifested the Dali four given names scenery. Please lookedthat, The breeze blows, nearby the ear snow white Ear with the windfloatingly sprinkled, has appeared Hsiakuan's wind; In Baotou gorgeousflowers, has represented the flower which on closes; The peak this iswhite SilkHead, looked by far likes Cangshan the snow; The entireBaotou's shape same bright is moving on like Erhai's in crescent moon
Orignal From: YunNan Dali CangshanErhai
Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou guide words
Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou guide words, ladies and gentlemen : Today we will visit scenic spots is the Huangguoshu Falls. Huangguoshu Waterfall is the first in the Fall, as well as in the world wide to the Great Falls one. In November 1982, the People's Republic of China State Council approved, Huangguoshu Falls has been listed as a national key scenic spots. Huangguoshu waterfall from the provincial capital of Guiyang City, 137 km, Guizhou Province is located in the western Zhenning Guanling County and the contiguous counties Dabang Baishuihe River on the River tributaries on. Guiyang from traveling to Huangguoshu, about a half-hour or so. Huangguoshu Waterfall have to, you see, this is already the world famous China's largest waterfall. Huangguoshu Falls 68 meters high, with waterfalls, waterfalls, six meters high total of 74 meters, 81 meters wide, Floodwaters in the summer, If the Yellow River Falls reversing dumping, cliffs shook, the bottom Honglei, ten passage can also hear its roar; Due to the strong impact of water flow, damage the spray can diffuse more than a few hundred meters, so that the waterfall is located on the top of the left Tsaitsu and markets often damage the mist shrouded. Visitors that the "silver rain throwing Street." Small winter and spring water, waterfalls into it from March 5 lock-down pegged to the roof, far from view, a curtain of white floated down, triumphantly Sasa, If the middle of silk, if cents differentiates the breeze held, such as ladies Wun Sha .... For hundreds of years, the majestic appearance Huangguoshu waterfall has been for many writers and scholars have marveled. Guizhou Qing Dynasty famous calligrapher, "Summer Palace" is a misnomer that the amount of those Yan Yin-in "cottage look," wrote the couplet : "White as cotton, and not bow spent shells from casual. Hongxia decorated, Mr need woven days Generation " more vivid image summed up the Huangguoshu Waterfall magnificent scenery. Now, we come to a waterfall fell Department --- rhino Tam. This takes into account the legend of gods and Tam rhinoceros named hidden underwater. Rhinoceros are no gods, no one has ever seen, but the mysterious and remote lake, there is still, no one stood Here, the chapter will train together. If sunny 10:00 or 16:00 or so, as the sunlight refraction, You can also blow through the waterfall being spun off by the rain and fog, to see which rises from the pit of seven-color rainbow, so that you Fireweed majestic appearance of Earth, Li Zhao Yan days flu. Why has this waterfall named Huangguoshu waterfall, and not what other other waterfall? According to folklore, is a tree in the edge of a waterfall tall Ficus virens, according to the local accent, "Electric" and "fruit" pronunciation, and I used to call on people to Huangguoshu, which is a statement. There is also the view that a long time ago legend waterfall nearby farmers like yellow fruit species, the edge of a waterfall has a large yellow orchards, so they made the Huangguoshu waterfall as a waterfall. And the rest of the world famous Great Falls, the Huangguoshu Falls Although no African Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls, North America, Venezuela Angel Falls is so wide, and highly ambitious, but Huangguoshu Falls has its peculiar, it is the world's most karst areas at the Falls, is the most spectacular waterfall. The Falls is like a strange magnetic stones, in its ground and underground water, Water also adsorption eyes with a series of voice in the landscape. One of the most magical one is hidden in a waterfall gully holes in the cliff Gallery, as Wisteria cling hole, water pegged Fly, known as "Seorak." This is the world's other great waterfall not a peculiar landscape. Ladies and gentlemen, "Seorak" has come and the Seorak length of 134 meters, which consists of six holes window 3 units hole vents and six channel formed. According to Chinese legend arranged large television drama "Journey to the West" Seorak a drama, is here filming. This is the first window hole, it's the lowest position, the pool from the rhino-only 40 meters, but the hole is the most generous windows, 10 meters wide, In the first place, the middle two waterfalls, a river even when 2% of the Water Curtain Falls, the hole will seal all windows; Water was fourth hour began, from a few meters to 10 meters range, Min, as can be arbitrarily CDCC the curtains. This is the second hole window, it is from the window of the first hole only about 4 meters. This is a quiet world, known as the Crystal Palace. It is the heart of Seorak, is 11 meters long, nine meters high and three meters wide. A roadside springs, the clear, bright and clean water in a year round water level. Top of many hanging stalactite, the straw stalactite-like there are precious stone curl. Also on the wall hung countless Shiman, stone screens. This is the third hole window, it highlights the field, much like a balcony. This window is a hole-meter, 3-meter-long, the outside perimeter guard, visitors can stand behind the guardrail hand touch Falls, People here so called "touch waterfall Taiwan." Ladies and gentlemen, we now visit the landscape is rhino Tam Valley landscape. Look, from the waist down rhino is a one contiguous or water, followed by rhino Lake, the three Beach, Horseshoe Beach, Fish oil wells, and so on. In this series in the lake, of course, is headed by Tan rhinoceros, it was 17.7 meters deep, often splash beads coverage, in the fog Chu drowned. As long as the sun, a waterfall splashes beads often hung colorful rainbow, with people moving and unpredictable. Huangguoshu Waterfall Why so? This is because the Huangguoshu Waterfall located in the Karst region, the flow is caused by erosion. Traceability erosion crack when they arrived at upper reaches of the river erosion along the karst fracture, corrosion, erosion, abrasion, and gradually expand the pipeline, formation of holes and not charged underground river; Form into local river water after the water sink in Liuzitian ratio gradually increased, created the unique karst region capture, in-flow into water sink in Liuzitian, on the formation of water sink in Liuzitian-waterfall. With water erosion and collapse strategy has steadily increased, more and more underground river cave, So along the surface wadis clustered development of the shaft and skylights, which have continued to expand, merging, Collapse, causing the present magnificent Huangguoshu Falls and Falls downstream deeply dangerous gorge. I hope you raise your camera and shoot Huangguoshu Waterfall, stay in your memory, publicity to more people, because China is the Huangguoshu Waterfall and also belongs to the world.
Orignal From: Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou guide words
Orignal From: Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou guide words
Hotel reviews: what was new in 2011
Hotel reviews: what was new in 2011
This year, as London limbered up for the Olympics, thousands of extra London hotel rooms were created, with more to follow in 2012.
The openings that made the biggest headlines included the unveiling of the St Pancras Renaissance following the long-overdue restoration of one of the capital's most glorious buildings. A three-year make-over of old favourite The Savoy was also completed, while the American chain W attempted to bring sexy back to Leicester Square via its in-room waterproof vibrators.
Perhaps the most eagerly awaited opening was The Savoy, a relic from a "Golden Age" of travel that was refurbished at a cost of £210 million, and is now welcoming back upmarket guests to the Strand.
The Grove, Pembrokeshire: review
19 Dec 2011
Strattons, Swaffham: hotel review
17 Dec 2011
Britain's best winter bolt-holes
18 Dec 2011
Beirut: a girl's guide to the best shops, hotels and restaurants
18 Dec 2011
Thompson Lower East Side, New York: hotel review
31 Jul 2011
The Athenaeum, London: review
12 Dec 2011
Our London expert Sophie Campbell reviewed the grand dame and gave it an impressive Telegraph rating of 9/10. She described the rooms as being "large and fresh, safely traditional without being frumpy", and praised the "attentive, unobtrusive staff". Gordon Ramsay reopened the hotel's "uber-stylish" Savoy Grill restaurant, while The American Bar "managed Deco glamour and (just) views of the Thames."
The rebirth of the St Pancras Renaissance, Gilbert Scott's masterpiece, was finally unveiled in May. Our hotel guru Fiona Duncan stayed the night and revelled in the "magnificent grand staircase, the ornate ladies' smoking room, the gold leaf and stencilling, the tessellated floors and romantic murals, the Gothic stonework and the soaring, lofty proportions".
Meanwhile, the W London was the first of the W chain's hotels to open in the UK, settling into a translucent building on the corner of Leicester Square. Our reviewer Adrian Bridge described the interiors as "playful" with "soothing furnishings, lighting and silky curtains – and a 'munchie box' containing food, drink and a waterproof vibrator." The Spice Market restaurant "sizzled" but the hotel's location was "noisy" and it was £7 for a bottle of sparkling water from the mini-bar. He gave it 7/10.
Other significant openings included the Zetter Townhouse, a sister to The Zetter in Clerkenwell but different in style, a "tour-de-force", according to Nigel Tisdall, with a "lounge, bar and dining room dressed theatrically in a jumble of Victoriana that includes a stuffed kangaroo, armchairs upholstered with sacking, and walls crammed with oil paintings, curios and old photos."
He also reviewed the Corinthia, a grand 294-room hotel in Whitehall with "an excellent location and resolutely high standards", and London Syon Park, a new five-star hotel opposite Kew Gardens that disappointed with its "astonishingly naff notes" in bedrooms and an "almost criminally inappropriate" design.
Read these reviews in full
New York
New York's fashionable Nolita district welcomed the Nolitan, a 55-room boutique property. It is "chic and stylish without being insufferably hip", our New York expert said, rating it 7/10. It offers "all those niche amenities of a scene hotel – design restaurant, large lobby, skateboards and bikes for hire - yet remains understated and unpretentious."
The Mondrian SoHo also spread wide its doors, revealing an interior based on Jean Cocteau's 1946 film La Belle et la Bête. The hotel is owned by the Morgans Group and currently has an exhibition of photographs by Sol LeWitt of lower Manhattan printed on vinyl on an external wall.
Paris
In Paris, the "fiercely fashionable" Mandarin Oriental opened on the smart rue Saint-Honoré, attracting "very glamorous, very thin French couples and impeccably groomed families", according to our reviewer Francisca Kellett. She said the hotel has an "army of staff" who remember guests' names, while rooms that are "plush and warm, with heavy fabrics, modern prints and vast, deliciously comfortable beds, make this a good choice in winter". She rated it 7/10.
Orignal From: Hotel reviews: what was new in 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
The garden-like Xijiao State Guest Hotel mesmerizes visitors with its environment and is a compelling choice for a secluded place
The garden-like Xijiao State Guest Hotel mesmerizes visitors with its environment and is a compelling choice for a secluded place. Provided to china daily
Guestrooms feature good views of sprawling green fields.
Xijiao Hotel provides warm, relaxing retreat. Yang Yijun reports.
One tour around Xijiao State Guest Hotel will convince visitors that it is more than just a hotel.
Close to Hongqiao International Airport and the Hongqiao Central Business district, the hotel is well connected to the buzz of the city.
One step into the garden-like hotel and guests will be taken aback by the hotel's environment and ambience, which makes the hotel a green resort for businessmen, frequent travelers and heads of state.
It takes at least one hour and a half to take a quick tour around the 800,000-square-meter hotel, which is the largest in Shanghai. With the lush trees, grasslands, rivers, lakes and gardens, the hotel is a retreat away from the world. In fact, the greenery takes up some 80 percent of the whole area.
"Our hotel is where you can refresh and totally relax," says Ma Kejun, general manager of the hotel.
He says that the hotel has more than 300 species of plants and some of the trees are more than 100 years old. The hotel has also designed eight flower gardens.
"In some of the guestrooms, you can see swans and red-crowned cranes downstairs as soon as you open the window," he says.
The hotel has 108 villas tucked away in the luxuriant trees, each of which features the views of the sprawling green fields. Fifty-nine of the villas have private balconies where the guests can easily embrace the natural surroundings.
The architectural highlight among the villas is no doubt the Main House, which has been renovated recently. Also known as No 7 House, the building features styles favored in the regions in south of the Yangtze River. The three-story house hosts 180 guestrooms under a huge roof designed to drain rainwater.
The building also houses the hotel's renowned Floating Restaurant. Surrounded by water lilies in the summertime, the restaurant offers not only tranquil and picturesque views through the French windows but also authentic and elegant Chinese cuisine, some of which used to only appear on the tables of State banquets.
While the Executive House, or No 3 House, welcomes the guests in a more personal, modern and international manner. Its 74 executive rooms offer butler services.
In 2005, the hotel established its conference center, which offers more than 8,000 sq m of meeting space. Over the years, the conference center has become an upscale and favored location for conference organizers.
The conference center boasts a 9-meter-high ballroom, which can accommodate 400 people, and a number of banquet rooms of different sizes.
"Because of the full-function facilities inside the center and the peaceful greenery outside, our hotel is especially popular for wedding ceremonies," Ma says.
The State guest hotel was built in 1960 and didn't open to the public until 1978. Before that, the hotel only provided foreign affairs service. As the city's top state guest hotel, Xijiao State Guest Hotel has hosted Queen Elizabeth II, Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, US President Barack Obama, former Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, president of France Nicolas Sarkozy and many more.
"Our sophisticated experiences in serving these exalted guests have shaped the unique service style of our hotel: detail-oriented, personal, careful and warm," Ma says.
Orignal From: The garden-like Xijiao State Guest Hotel mesmerizes visitors with its environment and is a compelling choice for a secluded place
Fascinating Harbin ice and snow world
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.[Photo/Xinhua]
Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011. The 13th Harbin Ice and Snow World prepared magnificent ice and snow sculptures and wonderful performances to visitors.
Orignal From: Fascinating Harbin ice and snow world
2012 Virginia Travel Guide released
Virginians and others looking for places to visit and upcoming events in 2012 now have a guide to help them.
The Virginia Tourism Office has released the 2012 Virginia Travel Guide. The free guide features new destinations, family favorites, wineries and attractions.
This year, officials say they've included vacation ideas for all four seasons, a special section on small towns, scenic drives and a listing of the newest attractions in Virginia.
The newest attractions include the Patsy Cline Museum in Winchester, new wineries, and the Golden Eagle Tree House at Primland.
Officials say the guide also includes historical highlights like the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Emancipation. It also features scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Colonial Parkway and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.
Orignal From: 2012 Virginia Travel Guide released
The Virginia Tourism Office has released the 2012 Virginia Travel Guide. The free guide features new destinations, family favorites, wineries and attractions.
This year, officials say they've included vacation ideas for all four seasons, a special section on small towns, scenic drives and a listing of the newest attractions in Virginia.
The newest attractions include the Patsy Cline Museum in Winchester, new wineries, and the Golden Eagle Tree House at Primland.
Officials say the guide also includes historical highlights like the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and Emancipation. It also features scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Colonial Parkway and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.
Orignal From: 2012 Virginia Travel Guide released
Denmark has come remarkably far since 1603,The best places to eat in
Since The Killing became a DVD hit, Copenhagen has experienced a resurgence in interest
NOMA's unusual Scandinavian dishes have earnt it the title of best restaurant in the world
NOMA's unusual Scandinavian dishes have earnt it the title of best restaurant in the world
Denmark has come remarkably far since 1603, the year in which playwright William Shakespeare had someone damningly utter in Hamlet that 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'.
Rotten? He must have had someplace else in mind.
Tucked away in the smallest, yet most densely populated country in northern Europe, Denmark is the Scandinavian marvel whose thunder is often stolen by its larger neighbour, Sweden.
But when the violent crime series The Killing began to do the rounds earlier this year (subsequently becoming a TV box set must-have sensation), the Danes swiftly acquired their very own recognition and began to give the Swedes – and their popular Wallander series – a run for their money.
How facetious, however, to speak of Denmark in terms of its media. This is, after all, the land that brought us Lego, provides us with Carlsberg and Tuborg beer, delectable bacon, Lurpak butter, Danish pastries and the fairytale 'Thumbelina' author, Hans Christian Andersen.
More recently, it has acquired fame and adulation for NOMA, the two-Michelin star and multi-award winning restaurant located within an 18th century warehouse in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of its capital, Copenhagen.
What more can one say than to expect the unexpected of Rene Redzepi's array of fantastical food during a NOMA outing – one reason perhaps, why it's almost impossible to reserve a table unless done so months and months in advance.
But what's the fuss? Well, to be served live Fjord shrimp, deep-fried reindeer moss, carrots and radishes embedded within edible soil and grass, not to mention the snails that the diner fishes out from within a beautiful vase of Nasturtium flowers, might just be one way of ticking all one's culinary must-dos in one sitting. It is a real treat and undoubtedly one of the city's most-talked about attractions.
What else is good?
That said, Copenhagen's food does not start and end with NOMA's molecular gastronomy – after all, the restaurant is less than a decade old.
The Danes have long been famous for their smørrebrød (which translates as 'butter bread', but to you and me, it is better known as an 'open sandwich').
A smørrebrød, served atop or beside baskets of fresh rye bread, is a dish with endless guises. Some plates come adorned with thin slivers of raw beef, others with seafood, hard boiled eggs, radishes, pickles, while larger platters carrying whole skin-on herrings and hot, salted plaice are commonly enjoyed at frokost, or lunch.
Orignal From: Denmark has come remarkably far since 1603,The best places to eat in
Riding with giraffes and chasing zebra in Botswana
Taking an exhilarating ride among zebra in the Okavango Delta
The opulent Macatoo camp, where the bush may be outside but inside, you'll get a good sleep
A herd of elephants are likely to come crashing through the waterways at any time
After spending most of the morning mistaking gigantic termite mounds for giraffes, I'd almost given up on finding my 'African bush eyes'.
Then one of the mounds began to move. As our guide gestured for us to canter closer, the protruding anthill morphed into a young giraffe, which launched into an awkward lope ahead of us.
Six adults emerged from the bush to join its gangling flight and, for a magical mile or two, horses and giraffes ran as one across the vast floodplain.
The British-run African Horseback Safaris has more than 40 horses with which its guests can explore its half a million acre slice of the Delta.
For the first long ride of my five-night stay, I was allocated Mufasa, a lively dun-coloured crossbreed who immediately claimed the prime spot behind the lead horse, ridden by our Botswanan guide Sekongo.
Although he'd briefed us on how to behave around the potentially dangerous animals we would encounter, it was only when I watched Sekongo load his gun and secure it on his saddle that the realities of riding in a true wilderness dawned on me.
The brisk trot out of Macatoo camp was just what I needed to settle my nerves. My holiday companion, Lizzie, was riding behind me and our little group was completed by Scorpion, the back-up guide.
Orignal From: Riding with giraffes and chasing zebra in Botswana
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The old town of fenghuang
ladies and gentlemen , welcome to Fenghuang, the place where we"re arriving is "one of the two most beautiful town in China"----the old town of fenghuang, it"s a very important point that connects huaihua hunan and tongren guizhou together.and it"s the hometown of mr shengcongwen.
fenghuang has wonderful natural landscapes,it"s very hot for travelling since the old time. even a lot of teleplays were produced here.fenghuang is also a dradle for famous people ,shencongwen and xiongxiling are both spent their childhood here.now, let"s set out to enjoy these fantastic good views.
THE FORMER RESIDENCE OF SHENCONGWEN
This is the former residence of shencongwen,a very famous auther, archaeologist and historian in china.
lined in the zhongying street in the south part of the fenghuang old town, the residence is a typical spacious ancient countryard with special tectonic style of ming and qing dynasty. walk into the yard, you can find that there is a small patio in the center of the countryard. which is built with red rock. around the patio , there are about 10 rooms which are small but decorated by special carved wooden windows .it"s so beautiful.
this countryard is built by mr shen"s grandfather in 1866 on dec.28,1902. shencongwen was born in the old countyard.and spent his childhood here. in 1917,when he was 15 years old, mr shen left family and joined the army. from 1917 to 1922, mr shen had lived with soildiers, farmers, workers and some other
common people,and know their tragic lives. this special experience stunned up his enthusiasm of writhing . so in 1919, mr shen went to beijing alone, and began his hard writing . after his series of works WEST OF HUNAN &FRINGE TOWN were punished, mr shen became nation -wide well -known.at that time, he was even as famous as luxun, another famous auther in chiese literature area. it"s said that shencongwen is the one who is the most possible to win the prize.
mr shen devoted all his life to writing,his 5-million word works are though as the precious legacy to the world literature.meanwhile, these works are also very veluable date for researching the history of hunan province and even china.
this 100-years-old countyard was renovated in 1989.the 1st room on the right hane is for displaying mr shen"s photos.and what displayed in the 2nd room are mr shen"s handwritingarticles.at the left side,you "ll find a list of mr shen"s work of different additions. in the center of the middle room .there is a mr shen"s line drawing hanging on the wall. the left fringle room is mr shen"s bedroom and another one on the right is full of marble desks and chairs.
Orignal From: The old town of fenghuang
fenghuang has wonderful natural landscapes,it"s very hot for travelling since the old time. even a lot of teleplays were produced here.fenghuang is also a dradle for famous people ,shencongwen and xiongxiling are both spent their childhood here.now, let"s set out to enjoy these fantastic good views.
THE FORMER RESIDENCE OF SHENCONGWEN
This is the former residence of shencongwen,a very famous auther, archaeologist and historian in china.
lined in the zhongying street in the south part of the fenghuang old town, the residence is a typical spacious ancient countryard with special tectonic style of ming and qing dynasty. walk into the yard, you can find that there is a small patio in the center of the countryard. which is built with red rock. around the patio , there are about 10 rooms which are small but decorated by special carved wooden windows .it"s so beautiful.
this countryard is built by mr shen"s grandfather in 1866 on dec.28,1902. shencongwen was born in the old countyard.and spent his childhood here. in 1917,when he was 15 years old, mr shen left family and joined the army. from 1917 to 1922, mr shen had lived with soildiers, farmers, workers and some other
common people,and know their tragic lives. this special experience stunned up his enthusiasm of writhing . so in 1919, mr shen went to beijing alone, and began his hard writing . after his series of works WEST OF HUNAN &FRINGE TOWN were punished, mr shen became nation -wide well -known.at that time, he was even as famous as luxun, another famous auther in chiese literature area. it"s said that shencongwen is the one who is the most possible to win the prize.
mr shen devoted all his life to writing,his 5-million word works are though as the precious legacy to the world literature.meanwhile, these works are also very veluable date for researching the history of hunan province and even china.
this 100-years-old countyard was renovated in 1989.the 1st room on the right hane is for displaying mr shen"s photos.and what displayed in the 2nd room are mr shen"s handwritingarticles.at the left side,you "ll find a list of mr shen"s work of different additions. in the center of the middle room .there is a mr shen"s line drawing hanging on the wall. the left fringle room is mr shen"s bedroom and another one on the right is full of marble desks and chairs.
Orignal From: The old town of fenghuang
Mancheng Han Tombs
BRIEF INTRODUCTION Mancheng Han Tombs 1ies on Lingshan Mountain, 1.5 kilometers southwest of the Mancheng County Seat. They are the tombs of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan State, and his wife Dou Wan. It is a cultural relic under state protection. The tombs were unearthed at the end of the 19605. 10,633 cultural relics were unearthed, of which 4,000 are excellent ones, such as the world-famous " Jade Suit Sewn With Gold Thread ", " Changxin Palace Lantern ", " Boshan Incense Burner Inlaid With Gold Decorations " and " Gilded Bronze Cup in the Shape of a Bird with a Wreath ". Xia Ding, a famous archeologist, once said, " Since the founding of New China, there are three main archeological achievements in terms of cultural relics in the Han Dynasty, namely Han Tombs at Mawangdui in Changsha, Hunan, Mancheng Han Tombs, Hebei and the Tombs of Nanyue Emperor, Guangdong. Mancheng Han Tombs is famous for top quantity of unearthed cultural relics and large quantity of excellent ones. "
The tombs of Liu Sheng and his wife are large rock-tombs made by punching holes into the mountain. One tomb is in the south and the other is in the north but they are parallel with each other. The form and structure of the two tombs are almost the same. They are both made up of tomb passage, aisle, south side room, north side room, central room and back room. Of all the Han tombs, Mancheng Han Tombs are the only rock tombs.
TOURIST GUIDE There are many scenic spots and facilities nearby for you to enjoy yourself further, such as the Battle Formation of the Eight Diagrams, Han Emperor's Palace, Flower Palace and the hunting grounds. There is a new entertainment program to the north of the Han Tombs-" f1ying an 1anding " with paraglider, which will enable you to enjoy the beauty of nature while "flying ".
SERVICES Lingshan Mountain is close to the county seat. So you can board and lodging there. There is a parking lot at the foot of the mountain. The service center has prepared various colorful souvenirs for you, such as series of reliefs of " Changxin Palace Lanterns ", gold foil pictures, and some special local handicrafts. You can choose some as remembrancers.
HOW TO GET THERE Mancheng Han Tombs is 150 kilometers away from Beijing and Tianjin. If you drive by yourself along Beijing-Shenzhen Expressway or go by train, it will take you two hours to get to Baoding. Starting in Baoding, if you drive by yourself or take a No.10 bus, it will take you about half an hour to arrive at the foot of the mountain. You can take a cable car to go up and down the mountain.
Orignal From: Mancheng Han Tombs
Tibet hosts 28 pct more tourists in Jan.-Nov. period
Tibet received 8.43 million tourists in the first 11 months of the year, an annual increase of 27.7 percent, the autonomous regional statistics bureau said Saturday.
Of all, domestic tourists totalled 8.18 million, up 28.1 percent year on year, and overseas tourists numbered about 250,000, the bureau said in a press release.
Meanwhile, the region earned a tourism revenue of 9.3 billion yuan (1.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 39.4 percent year on year.
The week-long Shoton Festival in summer, the peak travel season, alone drew 906,400 tourists to Tibet.
Shoton Festival is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans. It dates back to the 11th century when it began as a religious occasion for local residents to offer yogurt to monks finishing mediation retreats.
Around the 17th century, it evolved into an occasion featuring Buddhist rituals, Tibetan opera performances and other forms of entertainment.
As tourism is a pillar industry for Tibet, the regional authorities have set a target of attracting 15 million tourists in 2015 with a tourism revenue of 18 billion yuan.
Orignal From: Tibet hosts 28 pct more tourists in Jan.-Nov. period
Of all, domestic tourists totalled 8.18 million, up 28.1 percent year on year, and overseas tourists numbered about 250,000, the bureau said in a press release.
Meanwhile, the region earned a tourism revenue of 9.3 billion yuan (1.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 39.4 percent year on year.
The week-long Shoton Festival in summer, the peak travel season, alone drew 906,400 tourists to Tibet.
Shoton Festival is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans. It dates back to the 11th century when it began as a religious occasion for local residents to offer yogurt to monks finishing mediation retreats.
Around the 17th century, it evolved into an occasion featuring Buddhist rituals, Tibetan opera performances and other forms of entertainment.
As tourism is a pillar industry for Tibet, the regional authorities have set a target of attracting 15 million tourists in 2015 with a tourism revenue of 18 billion yuan.
Orignal From: Tibet hosts 28 pct more tourists in Jan.-Nov. period
Friday, December 23, 2011
HK to see 11% rise in Christmas-New Year visitors
Hong Kong's Immigration Department estimated on Thursday that 7.78 million passengers will pass through land, sea and air control points during the Christmas- New Year period, 11 percent more than last year.
About 2.74 million passengers, 305,000 daily, will pass through Lo Wu, the busiest control point, said the report.
For outbound traffic, the busiest day at Lo Wu is expected to fall on December 25, with 185,000 passengers leaving Hong Kong. Inbound traffic will be heavy on January 1, with 172,000 people arriving.
Passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will also be heavy, with forecast daily averages of 105,000, 118,000 and 95,000 passengers, respectively.
The department will man a joint command center at Lo Wu with Police, Customs and the MTR Corporation to monitor traffic conditions.
It advises cross-boundary passengers to plan their trips in advance and travel during less-busy periods in the late morning and early afternoon, and monitor radio and television broadcasts on traffic conditions.
Orignal From: HK to see 11% rise in Christmas-New Year visitors
About 2.74 million passengers, 305,000 daily, will pass through Lo Wu, the busiest control point, said the report.
For outbound traffic, the busiest day at Lo Wu is expected to fall on December 25, with 185,000 passengers leaving Hong Kong. Inbound traffic will be heavy on January 1, with 172,000 people arriving.
Passenger traffic at Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay control points will also be heavy, with forecast daily averages of 105,000, 118,000 and 95,000 passengers, respectively.
The department will man a joint command center at Lo Wu with Police, Customs and the MTR Corporation to monitor traffic conditions.
It advises cross-boundary passengers to plan their trips in advance and travel during less-busy periods in the late morning and early afternoon, and monitor radio and television broadcasts on traffic conditions.
Orignal From: HK to see 11% rise in Christmas-New Year visitors
Beautiful winter in New York
People make bubbles at the central park in New York, the United States, Dec. 22, 2011. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
A kid sits on the ground under the bubble at the central park in New York, the United States, Dec. 22, 2011. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
A man makes a bubble at the central park in New York, the United States, Dec. 22, 2011. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
A girl is seen through a bubble at the central park in New York, the United States, Dec. 22, 2011. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Beautiful winter in New York.
Orignal From: Beautiful winter in New York
An emerald on the Yangtze
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A visit to Mudu is not complete without enjoying a local opera show.(Source: China Daily)
BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Mudu, near Suzhou, has a history of 2,500 years, but its gardens truly make the town an outstanding place to visit.
Many water towns in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River are famed for their picture-perfect landscapes, featuring crisscrossing water lanes, with old arch bridges and houses.
Mudu, near Suzhou, in Jiangsu province, however, is the perfect place to savor the charms of these water towns.
The 2,500-year-old settlement is named after wood (mu) and rivers (du) and is full of culture and historical stories.
One of them goes like this: At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), the Wu Kingdom and Yue Kingdom were at war. Wu defeated Yue, after which Yue presented the beautiful Xi Shi to the King of Wu, Fu Chai. To please Xi Shi, Fu Chai decided to build Guanwa Palace on Lingyan Hill. For three years, wood was transported to the small town by the side of the hill.
The two kings of Wu also constructed Gusu Terrace, while Qizi Hill is the military fortress built by the Kingdom of Wu.
More than 200 years ago, the imperial painter during Emperor Qianlong's reign, Xu Yang, painted a long scroll depicting views of prosperous Suzhou. Approximately half the scroll depicts Mudu, a town of migrants at the time. There are groceries run by merchants from Hangzhou, salt from Yangzhou, silk from Suzhou and local specialties from Dongting of Suzhou.
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Even today, traces of these stores, elegant gardens and simple stone bridges can still be found in the town.
Much of Mudu is behind closed doors. If you are privileged enough to be invited in you may find a private garden, while the owner hosts a poetry contest with his friends by the side of the pond.
Mudu is the hometown of many celebrities. Between 1015 and 1902, there were 24 successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations and 28 provincial graduates originally came from Mudu. These people were prominent in politics, economics, science and culture.
A couplet hanging in Shangxian Hall, of the Yan's Family Garden, illustrates the tradition of showing esteem to prominent people. The garden was originally called Muyuan Garden, meaning "admiring prominent people".
The one-hectare Yan's Family Garden is the former residence of Yan Jiagan, former "president" of Taiwan. The garden's magnolia tree is said to have been planted by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Qianlong when he toured the town and stayed in the compound.
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Shangxian Hall is built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) style, out of nanmu wood. The architect Liu Dunzhen dubbed Four-Season Mini-Garden a "classical masterpiece of gardens south of the Yangtze River".
Other gardens in the town are typical Suzhou style, or imperial in construction.
As early as the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the town had more than 30 private gardens. More than 10 remain and have various styles.
Guanwa Palace at Lingyan Hill was the imperial garden built by King Fu Chai, while Lingyanshan Temple on Lingyan Hill and Mingyue Temple at the foot of the hill represent Buddhist culture.
In recent years, Mudu has renovated and opened four gardens - the Yan's Family Garden, Hongyin Shanfang, Ancient Pine Tree Garden and Bangyan's Residential House.
Hongyin Shanfang consists of two Ming-style gardens. Xiaoyin Garden is the former residence of Shen Shou, the "Queen of Embroidery", while Xiuye Garden is now a museum that displays imperial decrees and introductions to the imperial examination system.
Ancient Pine Tree Garden at Shantang Street is known for a 500-year-old pine tree and the well-preserved brick carving at its entrance gate. The garden is the former residence of Cai Shaoyu, a businessman in the late Qing Dynasty.
Bangyan's Residential House is the former residence of political theorist Feng Guifen and has a typical Qing garden. It is famed for its brick carvings, wood sculptures and stone engravings. The garden features a pond, surrounded by pavilions, gazebos, walkways, bridges and rockeries.
It is the gardens of Mudu that truly make this town an emerald among those towns in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
(Source: China Daily)
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Orignal From: An emerald on the Yangtze
Ice fall in Changbai County of NE China's Jilin
Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2011 shows ice fall in Changbai County of northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2011 shows ice fall in Changbai County of northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2011 shows ice fall in Changbai County of northeast China's Jilin Province.
Orignal From: Ice fall in Changbai County of NE China's Jilin
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Australia has lot to do to catch China's tourism boat
Despite the latest research that suggests Australia's fragmented tourism sector is in danger of missing the boat on China's booming global outbound tourism market, some tourism experts believed that Australia has a lot to do to better benefit the outbound Chinese tourist boom.
New research from Think Global Consulting (TGC) showed that since Australia's Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson announced a new 10-year strategic plan aimed at netting China's tourism potential in June this year, the disjointed structure of Australian tourism organizations has dented country's best attempts to lock down a unified China outbound tourism policy.
Think Global Consulting CEO David Thomas said that Australia's reaction was too slow. "It's a very fragmented industry therefore its very difficult to get the industry speaking as one voice, so there's a lot to be done to upgrade, improve and generate new products for the Chinese tourist," He told Xinhua.
The "China 2020 Strategic Plan" unveiled by Minister Ferguson at the inaugural Australia-China Tourism Summit in Cairns and developed in consultation with industry and government stakeholders, was hailed as a means for Australia to stay competitive in the global race to secure outbound travel from China.
The TGC research has been supported on the Chinese side by a growing confusion at who speaks for the Australian industry. Speaking last month on the Gold Coast Tourism Australia Chairman Geoff Dixon said that he was told by Chinese officials "point- blank" that Australia spoke with "too many voices and, tellingly, most of those voices did not have sufficient resources to make a real impact."
"To speak with one voice about Australia, especially in Asia, and to collectively sell Australia through stronger, singular joint federal and state government-backed campaigns would, without a doubt, be a more effective and efficient way of our doing business," He said.
In the next decade, that market for Australia alone is predicted to be worth somewhere between seven and nine billion dollars, with some 860,000 Chinese visitors forecast to visit Australia in 2020.
Think Global Consulting CEO, David Thomas said that the Chinese tourist spends twice as much as their Japanese counterparts, yet Australia's China-centric tourism platform from mandarin speaking guides to a synchronized online infrastructure remains woefully inadequate.
According to TGC, last year, the number of visitors from China to Australia increased by 28.2 percent. Yet the research indicates there is no clear bilateral path to mutually enhance the potential benefits of such a radical exchange. Thomas said China too, is facing an opportunity to develop systems that can inject intellectual capital into its own burgeoning tourism sector.
"If it's because we don't have enough capital here - which I sense is part of that problem that's a great opportunity for Chinese too because China needs to also build a world class tourist sector. What a great opportunity for Chinese investors to look for opportunities in the Australia tourism market - not only to beef up Australia's capabilities but to take some of those ideas back to China as well,"he said.
Speaking to Xinhua, the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson said that the state was set to welcome the Chinese visitor over the next decade.
He said,"the Chinese market presents a wealth of opportunities for Australia and more and more Australians are visiting China to experience the culture and to experience the huge economic opportunities that are occurring in China but for Australia we will, in my opinion double our visitations from China between now and 2020; that's about 470,000 per year at the moment and that will double."
In 2010, China was Australia's fourth largest source of visitor arrivals but also became the largest market in terms of economic value, worth 3.3 billion U.S. dollars.
One thing is clear with opportunities all-around, the tourism industry can't afford to just be on holiday.
Orignal From: Australia has lot to do to catch China's tourism boat
New research from Think Global Consulting (TGC) showed that since Australia's Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson announced a new 10-year strategic plan aimed at netting China's tourism potential in June this year, the disjointed structure of Australian tourism organizations has dented country's best attempts to lock down a unified China outbound tourism policy.
Think Global Consulting CEO David Thomas said that Australia's reaction was too slow. "It's a very fragmented industry therefore its very difficult to get the industry speaking as one voice, so there's a lot to be done to upgrade, improve and generate new products for the Chinese tourist," He told Xinhua.
The "China 2020 Strategic Plan" unveiled by Minister Ferguson at the inaugural Australia-China Tourism Summit in Cairns and developed in consultation with industry and government stakeholders, was hailed as a means for Australia to stay competitive in the global race to secure outbound travel from China.
The TGC research has been supported on the Chinese side by a growing confusion at who speaks for the Australian industry. Speaking last month on the Gold Coast Tourism Australia Chairman Geoff Dixon said that he was told by Chinese officials "point- blank" that Australia spoke with "too many voices and, tellingly, most of those voices did not have sufficient resources to make a real impact."
"To speak with one voice about Australia, especially in Asia, and to collectively sell Australia through stronger, singular joint federal and state government-backed campaigns would, without a doubt, be a more effective and efficient way of our doing business," He said.
In the next decade, that market for Australia alone is predicted to be worth somewhere between seven and nine billion dollars, with some 860,000 Chinese visitors forecast to visit Australia in 2020.
Think Global Consulting CEO, David Thomas said that the Chinese tourist spends twice as much as their Japanese counterparts, yet Australia's China-centric tourism platform from mandarin speaking guides to a synchronized online infrastructure remains woefully inadequate.
According to TGC, last year, the number of visitors from China to Australia increased by 28.2 percent. Yet the research indicates there is no clear bilateral path to mutually enhance the potential benefits of such a radical exchange. Thomas said China too, is facing an opportunity to develop systems that can inject intellectual capital into its own burgeoning tourism sector.
"If it's because we don't have enough capital here - which I sense is part of that problem that's a great opportunity for Chinese too because China needs to also build a world class tourist sector. What a great opportunity for Chinese investors to look for opportunities in the Australia tourism market - not only to beef up Australia's capabilities but to take some of those ideas back to China as well,"he said.
Speaking to Xinhua, the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson said that the state was set to welcome the Chinese visitor over the next decade.
He said,"the Chinese market presents a wealth of opportunities for Australia and more and more Australians are visiting China to experience the culture and to experience the huge economic opportunities that are occurring in China but for Australia we will, in my opinion double our visitations from China between now and 2020; that's about 470,000 per year at the moment and that will double."
In 2010, China was Australia's fourth largest source of visitor arrivals but also became the largest market in terms of economic value, worth 3.3 billion U.S. dollars.
One thing is clear with opportunities all-around, the tourism industry can't afford to just be on holiday.
Orignal From: Australia has lot to do to catch China's tourism boat
Rural tourism: Mengshan Village
Photo show the real rural life in Mengshan Village, Mingshan County, China's Sichuan Province. (China.org.cn/Photo by Chen Xiangzhao)
Photo show the real rural life in Mengshan Village, Mingshan County, China's Sichuan Province. (China.org.cn/Photo by Chen Xiangzhao)
Photo show the real rural life in Mengshan Village, Mingshan County, China's Sichuan Province. (China.org.cn/Photo by Chen Xiangzhao)
Photo show the real rural life in Mengshan Village, Mingshan County, China's Sichuan Province. (China.org.cn/Photo by Chen Xiangzhao)
Photo show the real rural life in Mengshan Village, Mingshan County, China's Sichuan Province. (China.org.cn/Photo by Chen Xiangzhao)
Nongjiale, literally meaning "farmhouse fun," it is a kind of recreation service provided by rural people for urban residents.
Though it has been quite popular in the countryside near big cities of the country. You can live in an old-style farmhouse surrounded by trees and flowers - it's "old" on the outside but inside there are all the amenities, including satellite TV. You can work in the fields with the farmers, if you like and definitely eat organic.
Orignal From: Rural tourism: Mengshan Village
World Heritage: Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
(Source: China.org.cn)
Xiaoling is located at Dulongfu on the south slope of the Purple Hills in the east suburbs of Nanjing. In the place is a thick growth of age-old pine trees and cypresses, with a stream winding in the hills. Some famous ancient Buddhist temples and tombs are found here.
Xiaoling is the mausoleum of the first Ming Dynasty emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. It is one of the largest imperial mausoleums existing in China, as a historical monument put under state protection. From the "Officials and Others Dismount Here" Tablet in the front to the Square Walls at the back, it is 2.62 kilometers. Records note the red wall of the mausoleum at 22.5 kilometers in circumference. The perimeter of the red wall is two-thirds that of the dh] wall at that time. Although no wooden structures were found existent over the last six hundred years, one still has some idea of the mausoleum built on a large scale. Xiaoling has its layout and architecture the same as those of the Ming Tombs on the outskirts of Beijing, but on a much greater scale than the latter. This speaks of the fact that all Ming Dynasty imperial tombs were modeled after the former.
Orignal From: World Heritage: Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty
Nancy Ryan named as 40 millionth visitor to HK
Nancy Ryan (6th R) from the United States, the 40 millionth visitor to Hong Kong this year, holds her gifts in a welcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 21, 2011.
Nancy Ryan (6th R) from the United States, the 40 millionth visitor to Hong Kong this year, poses for photos with local officials in a welcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 21, 2011.
Nancy Ryan (C) from the United States, the 40 millionth visitor to Hong Kong this year, receives gifts from James Tien Pei-Chun (L), Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, in a welcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 21, 2011.
Nancy Ryan (6th R) from the United States, the 40 millionth visitor to Hong Kong this year, holds her business class return tickets in a welcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 21, 2011.
Nancy Ryan was named as the 40 millionth visitor of the year by Hong Kong Toursim Board and was given generous gifts, including business class return tickets and a stay in the 5-star Peninsula Hotel.
Orignal From: Nancy Ryan named as 40 millionth visitor to HK
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