Night Markets Vs. Restaurants

As a tour operator I get many questions about food and restaurants.  The "Night Markets" are common in China where booths are set up and food prepared to eat there on the streets or in a sheltered building.  These are primarily for people who do not want to cook and is convenient to have a light supper since the main meal of the day in China is mid day.  It takes a great deal of work to prepare Chinese food and especially single people find it more easy to eat out than to buy food, prepare and cook it.  They are like out door buffets which tourists find interesting and colorful.  They range from one person cooking over gas or charcoal in an alley or on the street to what you see here.  One is a Buffet where you select what you want and pay by the plate or bowl.  The other is a full block of street vendors selling just about anything you desire.  You select the food and they will cook it right there for you.  Not all Night Markets are as uniform and clean as this one in Beijing as you will find.  I do not recommend eating there however not knowing how long some foods have remained out of refrigeration.   Restaurants seem a much better choice and there are many of them as Chinese  people love to eat out.
     Click on the photos for a full screen view!

Flying To China

Flying these days can be expensive and sometimes long and uncomfortable.   As a Tour Operator to China many people have their own airfare whether purchased on line or with Air Miles.  First one should check to see which is more practical or convenient.  Flights from the U.S. can be as little as 11 hours or as much as 25+ hours.  Some people obtain a good price to Hong Kong because the competition is greater and prices are a bit less.  However going to Hong Kong first takes the longest and once you are there, the cost to fly into the mainland adds additional cost.  Best is to fly into Beijing first, tour through the country from North to South and then exit through Hong Kong and fly home.  The best exits to Hong Kong are Guilin, Chongqing and Chengdu  or perhaps Shanghai if that is your last stop.  I like Hainan Airlines with their Wide Body Boeing or Air Bus planes with direct non-stop 11 hour flights from Seattle with low cost connecting flights from many U.S. cities. Hainan is adding a non-stop direct flight to Beijing from Chicago starting this fall.   Return flights from China can be from Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong too.  For more information on flights and cost, please contact us at interlak@eskimo.com   Click on the Map for a full screen view!