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.

Sacred Buddhist Mountain of China - Emeishan - West

Pronounced “eh-may shan”, meaning delicate eyebrow mountain in Mandarin, Emeishan is the Buddhist holy mountain in the West. 

Mt. Emei is more than 1,000m higher than the other three Buddhist sacred mountains. It has been designated a World Heritage Site thanks to its breathtaking scenery, mysterious natural wonders, and historical Buddhist sites. Emeishan features many temples, natural wonders and breathtaking scenery. The slopes incorporate several different climates and much wildlife, especially birds and trees. Some of the trees are more than 1,000 years old.

There are also monkeys, who are accustomed to tourists and assertive; they aren't dangerous but will beg for food and grab at bags as hikers walk along the trails. Many hikers carry walking sticks to shoo them away.

There are over 30 Buddhist temples on Emei Shan, 10 of which are large and very old. They are considered masterpieces of creative ingenuity in the way they adapt to the natural environment and beauty of the holy mountain.

Sacred Buddhist Holy Mountains of China - Putuoshan - East

Pronounced “poo tuoh shan”, meaning beautiful white flower in Mandarin, Putuoshan is the Buddhist holy mountain in the east. Putuoshan is located on a small island off the coast of Zhejiang province in the East China Sea. It is easily (and best) accessible from Shanghai. 

The island is a national park and the temples are dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, or Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. 

While there are many legends surrounding the establishment of Putuoshan as a Buddhist sanctuary, the most-repeated is that during the ninth century, a Japanese monk making his way from China back to Japan carrying a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, was caught in a storm. The Goddess appeared and told him to leave the statue and guided him to safety at Putuoshan where he erected a temple (Puji Si) in her honor.  

Currently about one-third of the population of 3,000 are nuns and monks. 

Sacred Buddhist Holy Mountains of China - Jiuhuashan - South

Pronounced “jyo hwah shan”, meaning nine brilliant mountains in Mandarin, Jiuhuashan is the Buddhist holy mountain in the south.  This picturesque area is characterized by many dramatic ridges, peaks, gushing fountains and roaring waterfalls. Visitors to the temples on the mountain are always impressed with the exquisite architecture and grand structure. 
At its height, there were over 3,000 monks and nuns living and worshiping at Jiuhuashan. It has functioned as a religious center for hundreds of years and today is still very active. Each year hundreds of pilgrims visit the temples and monasteries especially on the anniversary of the Bodhisatva Kshitigarbha’s birthday, also the day of Jin Qiaojue’s nirvana reach, the 30th day of the 7th Lunar month (falling sometime in August or September).

Journey to the Sacred Buddhist Holy Mountains of China - Wu Tai Shan (North)

While many of China’s mountains have become revered over history, four in particular are believed especially sacred. Mountains are where heaven and earth touch and in this vein, Chinese believe that bodhisatvas, or Buddhist disciples who have reached nirvana but come back to earth to help mortals on their own paths to enlightenment, dwell in four sacred mountains.

Considered the best established of the four Buddhist holy mountains, Wu Tai Shan, means five-terraced mountain and refers to the five flat peaks in the area. It is the holiest of the sacred peaks and is dedicated to Manjushri (or Wenshu Pusa in Chinese), the Bodhisatva of wisdom and virtue.

More information:
http://www.holymtn.com/China/4_Buddhist_Mountains.htm

Typhoon Utor Hits China - August 14

Typhoon Utor hits China after crossing its way through the Philippines and Hong Kong.  

Mass evacuations in South China.

Menacing clouds gather above the Wanquan River in Qionghai city, South China's Hainan province, on Aug 13. [Photo/Xinhua]

Read on:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/14/hong-kong-typhoon/2651355/

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/14/content_16893335.htm

Celebrating Love Today - Double Seventh Festival in China

Falling on the seventh day of seventh lunar month, the Double Seventh Festival in China is what Valentine's Day to the western countries. As it is a day of great importance to girls, the event is also called Young Girls' Festival. Because of the beautiful legend about Niu Lang and Zhi Nu, the festival has been endowed with the meaning of great romance.

Read on:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/13/content_16891754.htm and
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/qixi.htm

River Dining in Chongqing

Visitors enjoy their meals in a 30 centimeter-deep river in the Beibei district of Chongqing on Aug 11, 2013. Restaurants moved their dining tables into rivers to offer people a cooler dining experience. [Photo/Xinhua]

Mt. Emei - Buddhist Sacred Mountain

Mt Emei is one of the four Buddhist sacred mountains of China.  At over 10,000 feet, Mt. Emei is more than 3,200 feet higher than the other three Buddhist sacred mountains.

Mt. Emei has been designated a World Heritage Site thanks to its breathtaking scenery, mysterious natural wonders, and historical Buddhist sites. The full day's hike to the summit is an unforgettable experience undertaken by many visitors. Minibuses and cable cars are faster alternatives for travelers.

Giant Buddha of Leshan - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi Rivers, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha in the world.  The stone sculpture faces Mt Emei with the flowing rivers at its feet.

  The Mt Emei Scenic Area that includes the Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. 

A great add-on to your Chengdu extension!

Tibet Travel Up

Friday, July 19, 2013 - Per the Chinese National Tourist Office

The number of tourists traveling to southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has increased, and with good reason. With its breathtaking nature, culture and attractions, it is not surprising that Tibet has seen strong growth in the number of arrivals recently.

As many as 3.43 million tourists visited to the plateau region from January to June, an increase of 21.8 percent from the same period last year, the regional tourism bureau said in a statement. July is the beginning of a three-month peak travel season for the region, when many tourists visit some of Tibet’s major scenic spots and take in upcoming festivals such as the Lhasa Shoton Festival and Damxung Horse Racing Festival.

Join our Tibet Discovery!

Call us at 866-992-4462

www.chinadiscoverytours.com

Update on Tropical Storm Jebi

Flights cancelled at Sanya Phoenix International Airport

Read more:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/02/content_16867274.htm

Guangzhou 72-Hour Visa Free

Joan Hepburn and her husband Brian, from New Zealand, become the first foreigners landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to benefit from the city's 72-hour visa-free policy on Thursday. The Guangdong provincial capital has joined Beijing and Shanghai in offering three-day visa-free stays to transit passengers. PHOTO BY LU HANXIN / XINHUA

Read on:  http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/02/content_16863895.htm