Chongqing

Chongqing is one of China's fastest growing Metropolis cities, with a population of more than 32 million people. In fact, Chongqing is the fastest growing urban-center on Earth. It is projected that each year approximately 500 thousand and one million people will migrate to Chongqing. Chongqing is also one of five national central cities within China.

Chongqing is where the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers combine, also making Chongqing a very popular tourist attraction. Many Yangtze Cruises start in the location and sail their way up the Yangtze River.

Chongqing, also known as the "city of ambition" to some, and is commonly known for its foggy weather. However, all the fog does not inhibit the amount of growth that this city is expanding.

"The City of Ambition is a map of economic growth and of hope for the future. But it also breathes with history, social change, and the exploitation of nature. All this is true for the whole of today's China." (Quoted within Wired Magazines Article titled World's Fastest-Growing Megalopolis Hides in Fog.)

Chongqing is where two of our Yangtze based tours depart on their 3 nights / 4 days adventures. At this point I would like to take this opportunity to highlight our Yangtze Downstream Discovery Tour (TYD) Our Yangtze Downstream Tour is a 15 day, 12 nights tour that covers Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, the Yangtze Cruise, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

"Featuring a luxurious 5-Star Century Diamond Cruiser down the magnificent Yangtze River and a spectacular journey to famous modern and ancient architectural wonders, this China excursion will lead you on an unforgettable adventure. Experience ancient rural China and the massive Three Gorges Dam Project on exciting shore excursions along the Yangtze River. Enjoy the ancient Terracotta Warriors in Xian, the massive Great Wall of China, a delicious peking duck banquet in Beijing, and the brilliant Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai. The Yangtze Downstream Discovery provides a memorable taste of China to cherish your entire life."

For more information on our Yangtze Downstream Discovery, you may click here:

 http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/china/2010-tyd.html

For more information please feel free to give our travel specialists a call at 1-866-992-4462. Ask for Joe, Tselo, William, or Kristie and they would be more than happy to assist you with your traveling needs.

http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

Bon Voyage to the NAWAWI FOUNDATION

"This year, the Nawawi foundation is taking a trip to the East. Partnering with China Discovery Tours, our voyage will take us to the ancient country of China, where we'll experience the rich history of China and its Muslim heritage."

 

Here is what the standard Nawawi Foundation Itinerary looks like. Many of the foundation members have also customized this itinerary to fit their needs. (We can tailor all of our tours to fit your needs, call today to find out how.)


Day 1-2 Depart from LAX
Board a Trans-Pacific flight to Beijing.

Day 3 Beijing (AB, L, D)
Arrive in Beijing in the early morning. Prior to checking into the hotel, we visit sites of the 2008 Olympic Games such as the Bird's Nest (outside) and the Water Cube (outside). After resting up, we visit the Summer Palace and a pearl factory.

Day 4 Beijing (AB, L)
After breakfast, we visit the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

Day 5 Beijing (AB, L, D)
Along the way to the Great Wall, we stop by a jade factory. After exploring the Great Wall, lunch is served. We then return to the city for shopping followed by dinner and a Kung Fu show.

Day 6 Beijing-Lanzhou (AB, L, D)
Take a morning flight to Lanzhou, the most important city on the Silk Road in Northwest China. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel. After lunch, we'll visit the Yellow River Bridge, and enjoy a Lanzhou Lamian noodle dinner in the evening.

Day 7 Langzhou (AB, L)
Today we'll visit the famous West Gate Mosque. Afterwards, we'll visit 5 Springs Park and Binhe Avenue.

Day 8 Lanzhou-Xian (AB, L, D)
Today we'll take a flight to Xian, and visit the Great Mosque at Huajue Lane. The Mosque is Ming-style design, and is the religious and spiritual center for the 60,000 Muslims in Xian. In the evening, we'll enjoy a Muslim-style Lamb Soup Dinner.

Day 9 Xian (AB, L, D)
Spend an exciting day as we visit the Terracotta Warriors excavation site. Three pits contain over 7,300 warriors, horses and chariots crafted more than 2,000 years ago in honor of China's first Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After lunch, continue to the Big Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall.

Day 10 Xian-Shanghai (AB, L)
Board a flight to Shanghai where we visit Yu Yuan Garden, Old Shanghai District and take a ride up the famous Pearl TV Tower. After lunch, we stroll along Nanjing Road and the Bund.

Day 11 Shanghai-Suzhou (AB, L, D)
Today we visit Suzhou, known for its delicate gardens. In Suzhou we visit Tiger Hill, the Linger-in Garden and Silk Factory #1 before returning to Shanghai. An optional Shanghai Harbor cruise or Shanghai Acrobat Show completes the evening.

Day 12 Shanghai (AB)
Free day to explore Shanghai. We suggest visiting the Shanghai 2010 Expo beginning May 1st, 2010 through October 31st, 2010!

Day 13 Shanghai-USA (AB)
Free morning in Shanghai before catching a flight back home via Beijing.

You can look at our Nawawi Foundation Tour in more detail on our website here: http://chinadiscoverytours.com/CD/nawawi.html


We would like to wish the whole NAWAWI FOUNDATION a "BON VOYAGE!"


For more information about the tours that China Discovery Tours offers you can look here: http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/CD/2010-tour-packages.html


Our travel specialists can be reached toll free at 1-866-992-4462. Ask for Joe, William, Tselo, or Kristie.


China Discovery Tours Blogger Team!
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

Special Highlights

Here at China Discovery Tours we offer China City Land Packages and Asia Tour Land Extensions, to enhance your experiences while in China and Asia.

Today I would like to highlight a few of different options for you. They can be sold separately or added onto your already existing tour.

Under our China City Land Packages we offer,

Lhasa - 4 Days / 3 Nights Package
(The Rood of the World)
Day 1: Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, and Barkhor Street. (AB, L)
Day 3: Potala Palace, Norbu Linka, and Tibetan History Museum. (AB,L)
Day 4: Transfer to the airport. (AB)



Guilin - 3 Days / 2 Nights Package
(The subject of China's greatest works of art)
Day 1: Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Li River Cruise. After the cruise we browse the Yangshuo free market for local crafts and artwork. (AB, L)
Day 3: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, then transfer to the airport. (AB)
(Additional optional evening activities are available)





If you would like some additional information on the different China City Land Packages that we offer here at China Discovery Tours, you can do so here:  http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/china/2010-CityTours.html

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our Asia Tour Land Extensions to you a little bit more in detail.

Tokyo - 4 Days / 3 Nights
(Land of the Rising Sun)
Day 1: Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Half-Day City Tour - Imperial Palace, Tasaki Pearl Gallery, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade.
Day 3: Mt. Fuji (L)
Day 4: Free day then transfer to the airport.


If you would like some additional information about the Asia Tour Land Extensions that we offer here at China Discovery Tours, you can do so here:
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/china/2010-ext.html


If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call one of our travel specialists, they would be more than happy to assist you with your questions. They can be reached toll free at 1-866-992-4462. Please ask for Joe, Tselo, Kristie or William.

-CDT Blogger Team!
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

The Karate Kid was filmed in China

A current box office movie, The Karate Kid was filmed in various parts of China. The producers and directors took full advantage of the fact that they were filming in China, and thus allowing for some really incredible fight scenes.Within the movie you can see Beijing's Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and even a Taoist holy site at Wudang Mountain.

This movie is the biggest Hollywood-Chinese co-production to date. The Chinese provided about one eighth of the films $40 million dollar budget.

Despite mixing Kung-Fu with Karate, there is a huge controversy raging on the internet about the name of the movie. Many people argue that the title of the movie should have been The Kung-Fu Kid, instead of The Karate Kid. Considering that Karate originated in Japan, and Kung-Fu originated in China.


 A website where you can read about other peoples comments about the movie, can be located here:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/psthearts/archives/211142.asp

If after seeing this movie, you are interested in getting to visit China and seeing the scenery first hand. We have many different tours available, that visit many of the sites that are located within the duration of the movie.

You can take a look at the tours we offer here at China Discovery Tours here:
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/CD/2010-tour-packages.html

If you have any questions please feel free to call and our travel specialists would be more than happy to assist you. Please call 1-866-992-4462 and ask for Joe, William, or Tselo.

China Discovery Tours Blogger Team!
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

Golden China Discovery Tours

Our Golden China Discovery Tour is a 13 day/10 night tour that takes you to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

Experience the grandeur of China on our Golden China Discovery Tour. You will enjoy touring some of China's most historically significant, picturesque and compelling cities. From the dynamic and influential capital city of Beijing, to the ancient city of Xi'an, you will be captivated by this tours diverse sights. Guilin, city of beautiful rivers and landscapes - captured elegantly by artists of the majestic Tang dynasty is also on this tour. Finish with an amazing Shanghai, "Pearl of the Orient" and Suzhou, a city of scenic gardens, canals, and Chinese culture.

Here is a brief description of what the Itinerary for this tour would look like.

Day 1-2: Depart from LAX
Board a Trans-Pacific flight to Beijing.

Day 3: Beijing (AB,L,D)
Arrive in Beijing in the early morning. Prior to checking into the hotel, we visit the sites of the 2008 Olympic games such as the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. After a short rest, we will visit the Summer Palace and a pearl factory.

Day 4: Beijing (AB,L,SD)
After breakfast, we visit the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. In the evening, we are treated to a famous Peking Duck Welcome Banquet.

Day 5: Beijing (AB,L,D)
Along the way to the Great Wall, we stop by a jade factory. After exploring the Great Wall, lunch is served. We then return to the city for shopping followed by dinner and a Kung Fu show.

Day 6: Beijing - Xian (AB,L,SD)
This morning is free for leisure or enjoy an optional Hutong Tour before an afternoon flight to Xian. In Xian, we attend a spectacular Tang Dynasty Show and later indulge ourselves with a Chinese Dumpling Banquet.

Day 7: Xian (AB,L,D)
Spend an exciting day as we visit the Terracotta Warriors excavation site. Three pits contain over 7,300 warriors, horses, and chariots crafted more than 2,000 years ago in honor of China's first Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After lunch, we continue to the Big Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall.

Day 8: Xian - Guilin (AB,L,D)
In the morning, we take a flight to Guilin. Explore Elephant Trunk Hill and later marvel at the stalagmites in the Reed Flute Cave.

Day 9: Guilin (AB,L,D)
We cruise down the Li River and arrive in Yangshuo free market. In the evening, we attend a Folk Dance and Song Show.

Day 10: Guilin - Shanghai (AB,L)
Depart Guilin for Shanghai where we visit the Yu Yuan Garden, Old Shanghai District, and take a ride up the famous Pearl TV Tower. After lunch we stroll along Nanjing Road and the Bund.

Day 11: Shanghai - Suzhou (AB,L,D)
Today we visit Suzhou, known for its delicate gardens. In Suzhou we visit Tiger Hill, the Linger-in Garden and Silk Factory #1 before returning to Shanghai. An optional Shanghai Harbor cruise or Shanghai Acrobat Show completes the evening.

Day 12: Shanghai (AB)
Free day to explore Shanghai. We suggest visiting the Shanghai 2010 Expo beginning May 1st,2010 through October 31st, 2010!

Day 13: Shanghai - USA (AB)
Free morning in Shanghai before catching a flight home via Beijing.


For more information about the Golden China Discovery tour that we offer you can look at it here on our website: http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/china/2010-ta-itn.html

If you have any questions please feel free to call our travel specialists and we would be more than happy to help you.

Please call toll free at 1-866-992-4462 and ask for Joe, Kristie, William, or Tselo.

-China Discovery Tours Blogger Team!
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

Sites of Xian

We would like to highlight a few scenic sites within China's Ancient Capital, Xian. 

The Terracotta Warriors were buried within the vicinity of the mausoleum of China's first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The figures vary in height according to the importance of their roles. The tallest of the figures represent generals of his army. To this day thousands of warriors have been un-earthed and are on display as a popular tourist attraction. However, it is possible that there are still thousands of these warriors that are still buried in pits that have yet to be discovered.

The Big Goose Pagoda was built during the Tang Dynasty and renovated during the Ming Dynasty this pagoda is one of the most well preserved Buddhist pagodas in all of China. The Pagoda holds many ancient Buddhist artifacts such as sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India.

The Ancient City Wall of Xian was first constructed as the first city wall of Chang’an around Xian.  The Ming Dynasty however is responsible for building what is known as Chinas most complete surviving city wall, its construction was started in 1370.




-China Discovery Tours Blogger Team!
 http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/

Helping Hands

Have you been wondering about the Shanghai 2010 Expo? It is not too late to get to be a part of it! The Expo has not only been bringing in alarmingly high numbers of visitors but it has also been bringing in large numbers of people that want to help out by being involved.

The people that have been helping to make the 2010 Shanghai Expo possible are the thousands and thousands of volunteers. Approximately 172,000 local volunteers have been doing their part to make the Expo run as smoothly as possible.

Beijing selected about 200 helpers out of the 2 million volunteers that they had register and divided them into different teams, to help different sections of the Expo. A majority of the assistants that were selected had previously worked the Beijing Olympics, the National Day parade, and earthquake rescue work.

Originally the Expo on planned on placing 77,000 assistants at the Expo venues and 130,000 assistants at service stations in the city. So far about 72,000 volunteers have been in helping at the venues and about 100,000 people have worked helping in the city stations.

Large portions of the volunteers are local college students that are all doing their part to lend a helping hand. It is said that about 90 percent of the venues assistants and 35 percent of the cities assistants are college students.

Does it make you wonder why so many people would volunteer for this one event alone? Well there are many different reasons as to why, but the only way to be able to experience this event. Would be for you to plan on going for yourself. Luckily here at China Discovery Tours; we have some different tour options that not only show you some of the scenic sites of China's Cities, but they also allow you to explore the Expo at your own pace.

To get a little better acquainted with the tours that China Discovery Tours offers relating to the Expo, you can locate them here:http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/CD/china_expo.html/

Please call our travel specialists for more details. Please call toll free (866) 922-4462 and ask for Joe, William, or Tselo for more information.

China Discovery Tours Blogger Team!
http://www.chinadiscoverytours.com/