Wishing you all the best this coming new year !!!!!

Special thanks to our loyal customers for your continued support. 

May the new year bring you much success, peace and joy.

China Discovery Tours

www.chinadiscoverytours.com

Where Am I?

12/30/13  --  Look familiar?  
Winter at Zhangjiajie, China's National Park in the Hunan Province.

Visit our website at:

www.chinadiscoverytours.com

or Call us at:

866-992-4462

Look familiar?

**The winter scene from our last blog - Quyuan Gardens 

Visit our website at:  www.chinadiscoverytours.com

or

Call us at 866-992-4462

Do you recognize this winter scene in China?

From our home to yours...wishing you a very

Typhoon-Ravaged Philippine Islands

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Philippines who are affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan.  May the nations work together to bring aid to the people of the devastated areas.

Gloria's Musing ~ Pictorial Journey of The Forbidden City Series 1

Gloria's Musing ~ Tiananmen Square

We visited Tiananmen Square, the large city square in the center of Beijing, on the way to the Forbidden City. While we expected to go through airport level security when going onto the square, with metal detectors and x-ray machines, a local policewoman just waved us through.  There was, though, a high level of police presence.  We were advised not to take pictures of the police or soldiers.  Other than that, we could freely walk around this massive square and take pictures. 

Zhengyangmen Gate

National Museum of China

Monument to the People's Heroes

We were told that the gardens in the square are always decorated with flowers of the season. 

Huge floral design on display especially for National Day and Golden Week. 

Gloria's Musing ~ Just back from my amazing journey to China......

Sorry for being MIA as I was in China for a week. It was an incredible experience! I traveled with a small group to Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou and finally to the international city of Shanghai.  China is a unique country with its centuries-old culture, historic architecture and resilient people. For the next few days, I'll try to share some of my experiences and pictures of my trip of a lifetime!

National Day and Golden Week in China - October 1-7, 2013

The word National Day, appeared in Chinese language as early as in the Western Jin Dynasty (265 - 316 AD). In ancient China, it usually fell on the day when the emperor ascended the throne or was born. Nowadays, it is celebrated on October 1st every year to commemorate the founding of People’s Republic of China. On that day, lots of large-scaled activities are held nationwide. Besides, the seven-day holiday from Oct. 1st to 7th is the so-called "Golden Week”, during which more and more Chinese people go traveling around the country. 

Meet the new baby pandas at the Chengdu Breeding and Research Base in Sichuan

Baby pandas are just the cutest!  So what's better than one baby panda?

Fourteen, of course!

Call us to arrange a tour to Chengdu and visit the pandas!

Call us at 866-992-4462 

www.chinadiscoverytours.com

More info and pictures:

http://news.sky.com/story/1145832/baby-pandas-first-photgraphs-released

Typhoon Usagi

The harshest storm to reach the Western Pacific this year, Typhoon Usagi hit Hong Kong on Sunday, canceling more than 370 flights and shutting down one of the world's busiest sea ports.

More than 80,000 people have been evacuated to safety in the Fujian province and 50,000 disaster-relief staff are being sent to help, according to Xinhua news agency.

Read on:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24193201

China's National Flower - the Peony or the Plum Blossom

The peony, along with the plum blossom, are two traditional floral symbols of China. In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower. Currently, the Republic of China designates the plum blossom as the national flower, while the People's Republic of China has no legally designated national flower. In 1994, the peony was proposed as the national flower after a nation-wide poll, but the National People's Congress failed to ratify the selection. In 2003, another selection process has begun, but to date, no choice has been made.

Seasonal Cuisines of Suzhou

When seasons change in Suzhou, so does the cuisine......

More info:
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/Feature/ideal/The-season-for-Suzhou/shdaily.shtml

Giant Pandas of China

Chengdu begins 72-hour visa-free stay from this Sunday

Chengdu follows China's three other major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) in offering the 72-hour visa-free stay.  

More info:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/31/content_16933924.htm

Great Wall of China Marathon - May 1, 2014

Calling all Marathon Runners!  Join us in May for this unique and exciting run on the Great Wall.

Reserve your spot in this marathon!

Call us at 866-992-4462.

Enjoy a picturesque journey through China....

Typhoon Trami Hits East China

A huge wave triggered by Typhoon Trami hits the coast of Hangzhou city, East China's Zhejiangprovince on Aug 22, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Read on:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/23/content_16914835.htm

Kunming hops on 72-hour visa-free transit bandwagon - August 14, 2013

Kunming is on track to implement 72-hour visa waivers for transit passengers, following the launch in three other major Chinese destinations; Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Last week, an article by Xinhua stated that Kunming was expected to become the fourth city in China to offer international passengers, visa-free transits.

The report said Yunnan’s provincial tourism development commission and Yunnan Airport Group, which runs Kunming Changshui International Airport, would apply for permission to waive visa requirements later in the year.

  

In June, China Daily reported that Chengdu has already secured approval from the State Council to introduce the 72-hour visa waiver for transits, though no date was given for the launch.