China Travel Tips @ Reflections on 20 years of Travel in China

Eating at a Local People's Restaurant

2012-01-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

When clients come to me to do their China tours, I often hear "I don't want to eat in restaurants for the tourists. I want to eat where the local people eat and not have to be looking across the room at so many westerners". I know what they are thinking about with those quaint little places; but the reality is the photos here are typical local restaurants these days. There are still some of the old restaurants around but one needs to be careful about cleanliness and your health. My last trip when I was working I only wanted to eat in typical local restaurants and the photos are are just that. In the countryside or rural areas of course there are some very simple restaurants too which may or may not be very clean, smokey and noisy. However in the larger cities the photos are examples of some normal local restaurants but still very noisy which is normal in China. I was always the only western person and yes the food was excellent. Lunches and dinners are quite large in China but of course you can order less food if you like too. I usually like a bowl of noodles with chicken or beef and perhaps some dumplings but still cost will be about $8 to $10 on average. They now charge for tea also which was always free before. You get what you pay for in China. You pay a lot of money to get there so to insure a good tour a good plan needs to be made. I will be glad to plan a tour to your interests, needs and budget. Tours to China has been my business

for over 20+ years.

Water Towns of China Near Shanghai

2012-01-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

People who are only able to spend a short time in China and do the usual Beijing, Xian and Shanghai tour are missing the rural areas of what I call the Real China. If that is all the time you have, then perhaps you might take one more day or even two and go out to the water towns a short distance from Shanghai. These small towns or villages were the summer homes of the Shanghai Officials the Qing Dynasty and the hot months of summer . Pictured here is just one town with canals, small restaurants with local food, local shops, arched bridges and boats being polled down the canals. Pearl jewelry is very inexpensive made by the local fisherman and their families. It is a nice stop on the way to Suzhou for lunch and to enjoy the peaceful countryside

away from the large crowded cities. Durinig my 24 years of travel and over 50+ trips throughout China I still find these villages very relaxing for a couple of days before I head home to Seattle. Check out our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com

Visiting Naxi and Yi People

2012-01-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

When taking a tour to China, one needs to get out of the large cities and into the countryside to see the real China. Above you will see examples of Yi and Naxi people in remote villages outside of LiJiang which is in Yunnan province. Having a guide with you allows you to visit with the locals and be able to see how they live and work. It is normal to be able to visit their homes and chat with them over a cup of tea. They are often as interested in you as you are in them. I made a house call with a veterinarian who was passing by on his bicycle and found it very interesting talking to him and the farmer while he was tending to the farmer's Yak and horse

. There are many opportunities learn about China and to visit local people in the countryside with a guide. These opportunities often become the highlight of your tour with good memories. Tours to China is my business but I often never think I am working but enjoying the fruits of my labor as well.

New Monastery at LiJiang

2012-01-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

If you will be going to LiJiang you do not want to miss seeing the new Monastery that will be finished soon. The old one which is over 200 years old is at the bottom of the hill. The artists and painters were still working on it when I visited it this past November. The artwork inside is fantastic and I watched as the lead artist drew the outline for the painters to fill in. This is about an hour and a half from LiJiang overlooking a beautiful lake. Near by are villages of Naxi and Yi people as they live their daily lives which you can visit without a flood

of tourists. I visited several homes with a local friend of mine that grew up in the Naxi village but lives in LiJiang. I also made a house call with a local doctor who was giving shots to some water buffalo and played with a new born who was only two weeks old. Tours to China is my business but sometimes I think I also have too much fun and experiences to call it work.

Xuankong Si - The Hanging Monastery

2012-01-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

Just 50 miles south of Datong is the Hanging Monastery dating back over 1,400 years. It is held up by poles driven into the cliff as well as being supported from below. It can all be toured although no monks have occupied it for several years. I have included it in my packaged tour which I call the Ancient Capitals tour but can be included in any private custom tour too. Between Datong and Taiyuan there are many sites to stop and visit such as the largest Wooden Pagoda in China, caves that people live in yet today, villages built semi-under ground, mansions once lived in by rich land owners and now open to the public as museums and much more. This is an itinerary that starts in Beijing, goes to Datong, Taiyuan, Pingyao, into Xian and over to Luoyang before going back to Beijing or on to Shanghai. Tours to China has been my business and passion for almost 25 years exploring and visiting the remote corners of this culture rich country.

Shenyang Puppet Government 1930's

2011-12-17T15:27:00.000-08:00

In 1931 the Japanese invaded China and set up a Puppet Government in the Shenyang area of north-east China. General Zhang and his son lived in the house above and were part of that government. Shenyang which is an industrial area of China with automobile factories although has modern buildings is still like China of the 1980's in many ways. Few western tourist go there and I stayed in the old Holiday Inn although a new one has just been built for mostly foreign businessmen to stay when working in Shenyang. The house was built at the turn of the century and was occupied by the Last Emperor who left Beijing after being driven from the Forbidden City and replaced by the first President of China, Sun Yet Sen about 1916. The house is fantastic to visit and all the furnishing are still there and original. Shenyang is also the site of the founding of the Qing Dynasty in 1644 and a small Forbidden City is still there and being well maintained as a tourist attraction although few people visit it each day. It may not be a major tourist city to visit but it has a great deal of history connected to it from the 1600's through the Japanese occupation with a beautiful memorial museum shown here. For more on Shenyang contact us.

Be Careful Booking Hotels in China

2011-12-13T05:19:00.000-08:00

You need to be careful booking hotels in China. For my clients I do not book less than 3 star hotels except in very remote areas where it may be necessary. Trying to save money in China can be a disaster if you try to save it with hotels. Here is a typical 2 star or less hotel as an example. The photo with the t.v. is actually the lobby with a desk in the corner as a front desk. I stayed at this hotel in a small tourist town just outside Chengdu just to show people what a local 2 star or less hotel looks like. No western tourists stay here but it was the "best" hotel in the town. Yes, that is a Squat Toilet you are seeing in the bathroom. The shower with no hot water available was a shower head out of the wall and drained onto the floor which had a drain. Note the sink had no hot water faucet. Cost was $35 a night. Breakfast was not included. It did have heat but no air conditioning and this area becomes very hot and humid during the summer. I write this just to show what to expect from most 2 star or less hotels although some can be fairly clean. Tours to China has been my business for almost 25 yearss; but my real passion is the culture and the people.

people.

Don't Overlook Factory Workshops

2011-11-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

When guides mention Workshops, it doesn't really sound that interesting at first; but don't overlook the opportunities to see crafts and local products being made by hand. You do not have to buy them of course. Above you will see a rug workshop where they are all made by hand. I think it is amazing that they can make these rugs using just a photo or drawing to make each rug individually. I have several in my home and they wear like iron. The other photo is a small workshop that makes leather products. I sketched out a shoulder bag that I wanted made for a day bag to carry my cameras, water and snacks in during the day. The young man made some suggested additions and I picked out the leather and color that I wanted. I came back in three hours and it was all finished. The quality and workmanship is excellent and only cost me $22 U.S. There are many large workshops as well as local small ones that craft many different products including pottery, rugs, clothing, cloisonne, furniture, jewelry, jade and the list goes on. Ask your guide to give you some suggestions and I am sure they will be able to give you ideas. One of my favorite places for seeing and buying hand made crafts is LiJiang Old Town north of Kunming. As a tour operator I go to China often and will be spending four days in LiJiang and I am sure to find some special gifts to bring home for Christmas too. For more ideas contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

Biking in China

2011-11-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

There are many places to go biking in China; however Yangshuo area outside of Guilin is my favorite because of the scenery and the town. You can take the Li River Day Cruise from Guilin to the small town of Yangshuo set amongst the haystack like hills surrounding it and along the Li River. There are flat roads and trails to ride and you really will get the feeling of being out in rural China amongst the locals. It does help to have a guide with you and there are many local guides who speak excellent English and can translate and show you the places to visit. Bikes rent for about $2 to $3 U.S. per day. You can also hike in this area as well as go on a motorized rickshaw ride if you do not want to go biking. Guide costs vary depending on the length of day. The shirt I have on I picked out because the Chinese characters seemed nice....it actually says, "I have No Money". Great to ward off the sellers and got many chuckles from the locals who thought I didn't know what it said. As a Tour Operator to China for over 20+ years, I still like to take time out to enjoy myself with a day of fun now and then. For more information and details on Travel in China and specialty customized tours to your interests, contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Our web site is at www.interlakechinatours.com

Best Place to Visit and Hike the Great Wall

2011-10-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

Probably the top interest destination in China for most tourists is visiting the Great Wall. Perhaps no thought is given to where the best place is to visit for lack of knowledge however. For the average tourist, my favorite area on the Wall is the Mutianyu section. Not many tourists here and it is the most beautiful section with lush green vegetation. The large group tours go to a closer section to Beijing accessible by freeway which is called the Badaling section where you will often find 80 or more buses in the parking lot and very crowded. Both sections have cable cars that take you up onto the Wall. Once you are on the Wall at Mutianyu you may hike out left which is quite level. About one mile out is a section not repaired to show you what it was like when it was in ruins. Few tourist go beyond 100 yards so often you may hike out to areas where there are few if any tourists for great photos. For avid hikers there are other sections with more challenges which I will be glad to share with you if you contact me by email. interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China and Tibet has been my business for almost 25 years. Let my experience and local Chinese associate partners help you plan your own special tours to China. Customized tours to your interests and needs is our specialty.

Hotel Deals on the Internet

2011-10-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

For those searching the internet for the best deals in hotels; one needs to be very careful to read the fine print. My wife and I just returned from a trip to Spain. Although I am a tour operator to China, it is our off season vacation which she arranges every year. Needing a hotel the night before we left Madrid, she looked for a location close to the airport and reasonable just for one night. On Price Line she found the Hotel San Pablo just 5 minutes from the airport since we had a 07:00 flight the next morning. The cost was $49.90 Euros or $67.37 U.S. dollars. When we arrived posted behind the desk was their rack price of $39.00 Euros or
$52.65 U.S. The clerk was embarrased about it and gave us a large suite to compensate since we had pre-paid the one night. No breakfast was included. In China it can be the same when booking a hotel. Be sure the hotel is as they listed as a Sofital and Sofitel are two different hotels. One being a major international hotel and the other being a "knock off". One is well located and the other in Beijing although advertised as close to Tiananmen Square is actually 1.2 miles away.
Is Breakfast included as well as the 15% to 20% service charge included. Breakfast per person can be from $12 U.S. to $25 U.S per person if not included. You get what you pay for not matter where you travel these days so be careful what you are purchasing or booking. For more tips on travel in China check our web site at
www.interlakechinatours.com 23 Years of Experience and we too get hooked now and then travelling in other countries during our off season.

Taking A Train in China

2011-09-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Taking a train in China is a bit different than other countries. You can only buy a train ticket 3 to 5 days before the departure date. You can only buy a ticket from where you are departing from to your first destination. When you get to your first destination, the same rule applies for on going destinations. You can not buy train tickets at one place for your entire tour by train. Many trains are over night. Take only First class Sleepers as second class is very noisy and the car is all open only separated by metal mesh and are three bunks high. First class has two uppers and two lowers and closed compartments. If you are less than four people you may share the compartment with others of mixed sex. The people who have the upper bunks have the right to sit on the lower bunks until it is time to sleep. The toilet facilities can be both western and Chinese depending on the age of the train cars. Some only have the hole in the floor in the more remote areas. Dining cars usually have poor food so plan on taking food or snacks with you. Vendors come through the cars on a regular basis with snacks, noodles etc. too. If you are being met by a guide, they will know which car you are in and will usually be waiting outside your car on the platform. Sometimes because of Security, guides are not allowed on the platforms so you must exit with the crowd and the guide will be at the exit holding up a sign with your name on it. For more information on train travel in China, please contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

Arriving At Airports in China

2011-09-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Before you arrive on your international air flight to China, your airline will hand out an Arrival card and a Health card. The health card asks simple questions wanting to know if you have a fever, where you came from and where you will be staying. You will drop this card off at a collection station as you arrive. The Arrival Card will ask your Airline, fight number, date of arrival and where you will be staying the first night. Keep this card with your passport. Upon your arrival follow the crowd which will take you to the Security counters. There you will present your passport and the Arrival Card. You then go to the luggage area where you will see your flight listed on a board in English and the luggage carrier number. After you pick up your luggage you may exit the luggage area (there is no customs check) through double doors (once you exit you can not return to the luggage area) There you will find a crowd of people with many of them holding up signs with names on them. If you have a guide meeting you, your name will be held up by your guide. If you need a taxi to take you to your hotel, DO NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION to anyone asking you if you would like a taxi. (they are rip off artists) Exit out the doors and watch for the sign that directs you to taxis which will be written in English. Taxi drivers never speak English, but there is a "Starter" at the head of the line who does speak English and he will advise the taxi driver where you want to go. They run the meter although if a toll way is used, you must pay the toll fee in addition to the taxi fare. No tip is required but just round off the fare to the next highest yuan. For more questions answered, contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

How Do I Plan A Trip to China?

2011-08-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

China is the size of the U.S. in square miles; so think in those terms when planning a trip to China. Questions to ask yourself: 1. What are my interests? 2. How much time do I have to tour? 3. What budget should I set? All good questions as you can not see everything so you should plan to see what interests you. The average person goes for about 17 to 19 days. If you only go once in your lifetime a good basic introduction to China is Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai and maybe even a Yangtze River Cruise squeezed in. That gives you a fairly good idea about China. People going a second time might consider LiJiang, Chengdu, Lhasa, and the Silk Road up through the Northwest part of China. For national parks, historical or more remote interesting areas, you should use an experienced tour planner who is more familiar with China and can help you plan to your specific interests and needs. I teach a one session class on Touring China each quarter here in Seattle and many realize how complex China can be as well as being very different from one area to the next. Reading up to date travel books, checking the internet and viewing Forums such as Frommers and the Lonely Planet web sites will be even more beneficial. Just make sure you plan early as China really is not a last minute "Let's Go" kind of country. With 1.3 billion people travel can be difficult at best without help. Check my web site for more information: www.interlakechinatours.com We have been doing China and Tibet only for over 20 years. Tours to China is my busienss but the Culture is my passion.

Visiting MInority Peoples in China

2011-08-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

China has over 57 different minority peoples in China. Each has their own cultural ways and dress. The Han people consist of the majority or over 85% of the people in China. Above you see the Zhrung women sewing. The women all wear their hair in the same style as reflective of their culture. The Mosuo people seen rowing a dug out boat live around a fairy tale like lake called Lugu Lake about 7 hours drive from LiJiang in Yunnan province. The majority of the minority peoples live in south central China in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. Tours can be arranged to visit many of the minority peoples in their villages to see how they live and learn about them. Sadly many of the young people are leaving the villages and going to the large cities shedding their native dress and culture. There are still many remote areas however where you can visit and learn about each one and I continue to visit these areas myself. I will write later about some of the unique customs of individual cultures such as the Hani people who when they marry, the man retires or one culture where the women only cut their hair once in their life time and then wrap it up in a large bun on top of their heads which I wrote about earlier.

Hotel Reviews on the Internet

2011-08-08T15:22:00.000-07:00

As a Tour Operator to China for the past 23 years, I have made over 50 trips myself working with local Chinese associate partners. I review sites, restaurants, hotels, shows, and transportation throughout China. Hotel reviews seem to be the most common interest for most people. What is happening is that some hotels are being given bad reviews which they do not deserve and some are given reviews above what they should be. Competitors often are paying people to give poor reviews on certain popular hotels in hopes of driving them to their hotels by giving very positive reviews on their own hotels. Your best advice comes from a knowledgeable tour operator or travel agency with first hand knowledge. Hotels are rated with stars however China hotels are often not always representative of international standards. Always look for a central location near sites you can walk to. There are often 5 level of prices in each hotel. Prices sometimes include the 15% service charges, breakfast and taxes and sometimes they are not included and there may be a surprise on checking out. Your China Specialist Tour Operator will know your best choices according to your needs and requirements. Do not be fooled by names that sound like familiar hotels such as Sofitel and Sofital. They are not the same. For more information please contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

Choosing A Tour Company

2011-07-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

With so many tour companies and travel agencies; how does one choose a tour operator to do my tour to China or Tibet? That is a question many people might ask. Is Bigger; Better? Bigger means more overhead with many employees doing many countries. You might take a look at the smaller operators like Interlake China Tours of Seattle who SPECIALIZES in one country and has all the latest information. We work with local Chinese associate partners in China who have contracts with hotels at their best local prices. Working with a network of associate partners all over China we have control of the tour quality and communications with them. Our clients have a 24/7 emergency phone number so they are always in good hands 24 hours a day. Each tour is individually planned to the clients interests and needs so you see and experience what you are interested in rather than a cookie cutter tour of general interest. Dave goes to China each year working with our associate partners inspecting hotels, viewing new sites and noting all the changes that occur each year. With 23 years experience and over 50+ trips, Dave travels all over China to work first hand with the local operators seeing to it that the quality of our tours meets a high standard. Check our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com

River Cruise in China?

2011-07-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

When planning a tour to China few people think about river cruises but usually know about the Yangtze River because of the famous Dam site there. Actually one should consider a river cruise perhaps in the middle of their tour to take a short rest during a 17 to 21 day tour. Touring in China can be tiring and a few days of relaxation is helpful. Most people know of the Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing to YiChang or reverse for 4 or 5 days. Or there is a longer cruise all the way from Chongqing to Shanghai or reverse for 7 to 9 days. Another Cruise which few people know about is the Li River Day cruise from Guilin down to the small town of Yangshuo on smaller river boats shown above but one of the most beautiful cruises in the world. Yangshuo is also known for the fantastic Night show, Impression Liu Sanje, on the river with over 900 local people taking part in it. In Guilin there is an evening cruise on the 4 city lakes lined with many beautiful lighted sites and a close up view of fishermen fishing with their birds. All cruises are an excellent way to enjoy China and relax a bit during your tour and travels in China. For more information contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Tour Operators for China and Tibet only for over 20+ years working with local Chinese Associate Partners.

Using an ATM in China

2011-07-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few years ago there were next to no ATMs available except at the major airports. Today there are more but still difficult to find sometimes especially in the rural areas or small cities. Make sure your card is acceptable by checking the instructions which are in English on the ATM. You then insert your card and use your password asking for funds in U.S. dollars or your local currency. Out comes Yuan at the bank rate. Be aware there are charges in China as well as your home bank that will be deducted from your account. Keep the receipts as they will be needed to exchange your yuan back into U.S. dollars or your local currency at the airports when you leave. Actually China still accepts American Express travelers checks which get the best rate of exchange as well as a very low charge at most hotels in the major cities that you will be staying. It is more of a convenience service by the hotels for their guests. You will need to show your passport to make an exchange at the hotel or any major department store too for large purchases. For more information contact me at interlak@eskimo.com

Weddings In China

2011-07-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Weddings in China are much different than we experience in the U.S. Couples apply for a license from the State first. Few have a religious ceremony. They then set a date for a banquet and photo session. The photo session is in a studio and perhaps at a church grounds, local park or some specific site. They will dress up in casual clothes as well as their traditional wedding clothes to make a large album. That is usually done in the mornings or early afternoons. The banquet is usually in the late afternoon or evening and by invitation which is all paid for by the couple. The traditional gift however is money. The closer the relationship the more money is given. In some cases a whole months salary of a close relative or friend. In the past the bride wore a red gown but most today wear a white gown as you see above. The banquet signifies the community recognizing the couple as being married but not before then. So most couples must save a lot of money before they are married to be able to pay for it first. Note my wife and I were working one day, stopped to view a wedding and the decorated car which the couple will parade through the streets before and after the banquet. When visiting the minority cultures in China you will find many different traditional cultural weddings too.

Planning A Trip to China

2011-07-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

As a China and Tibet Tour Operator for over 22 years, my long suit is knowing China very well. I have taught a class on Touring in China each quarter at local colleges and Universities for Adult Education here in Seattle. As most people think in terms of only going to China once in their lifetime; they want to see just about everything. China is a large country, the same size as the United States in square miles. You may only have 2 or 3 weeks time but think in terms of trying to see the whole United States in that same time. You would of course be spending your time in airports and flying rather than sightseeing. China only has about 10% of the flights that we enjoy in the U.S. and with their huge population and prosperity these days, all flights will be full at all times. Plan on booking your tour at least 3 months in advance or more. If your tour includes a Yangtze River Cruise, plan on booking at least 4 to 6 months in advance. A good tour operator will make the best use of your time and money so that you see what you are interested in rather than a cookie cutter general tour. Tours to China has been my business for over 20+ years and 50+ trips working with my Chinese Associate partners directly taking advantage of their contract local pricing. Don't try to see it all; but see the sites that you are most interested in with a well planned tour.

Best Months to Tour China

2011-07-01T08:55:00.001-07:00

As a tour operator to China and Tibet for over 20 years, I am asked many times which are the best months to travel in China. The summer months of course are very hot and humid but if you have to go then, there are places to visit that are cool. North Yunnan province cities of Kunming, Dali, LiJiang and the mountain areas are cool plus the mountains of Sichuan province and Tibet. In the spring late March through April is the best but the rainy season starts in May and it becomes more humid and hot. The two best months of the year are September and October. September is generally the #1 best month for weather and October for the fall leaves but it can get cold in the mountains with snow towards the end of October. Prices are highest during September and October with the lowest prices being during the winter months. Summer months the prices are less and early spring the prices are still low through March. You should plan on booking your tour about 4 to 6 months in advance and if you want to take a Yangtze River cruise be sure to book that about 6 months in advance as the cruises book up early having only about 150 cabins per boat.
Doing private custom tours to China has been my business for over 20 years. I hope I have the opportunity to do a tour just for you to your special interests.

Hiking in China

2011-06-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Many people ask me about hiking in China. There are many places to hike but few regular trails as we have in the U.S. except perhaps in National Parks. Much depends on your hiking wishes whether it be leisure or difficult hiking. The Great Wall is a favorite place to hike but can be difficult too depending on which section of the Wall is chosen. Hiking in National Parks is often on wooden plank trails to preserve the land. The Dragon's Back is a favorite hiking area outside of Guilin at the Terraced Rice Paddies of Longsheng. Huashan mountains near Xian is another favorite area as well as Huangshan mountains in south China. I have hiked all over China for over 22 years and can give you recommendations for hiking at the level you choose including Tibet even though sometimes you might need to make your own trails in more remote areas. Light day hikes of course are always available for Birding or just the enjoyment of nature whether it is in the forests of the Bamboo Sea National park or the jungles of southern Yunnan around Xishuangbanna and their Botanical parks. Let my 22+ years in China and Tibet give you more ideas about visiting and hiking in China. Check my web site at www.interlakechinatours.com Private personal planned tours are my specialty.

The Last Matriarchal Society in China

2011-06-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

The last Matriarchal society in China are the Mosuo people who live around Lugu lake at 8,000 feet about 7 hours drive across 4 mountains from LiJiang in north Yunnan province on the border of Sichuan province. Although the society has changed over the last 20 years, I have visited it several times still enjoying this colorful minority group. New modern hotels are now available and one of the mountain tops is being leveled to allow an airport to be built in the future which will bring a flood of tourists. Presently few tourists reach this area and it is still pristine area to visit. You can even rent a dug out canoe or go with the Mosuos for a tour of two islands in the lake with one of them having a small Monastery with a few monks that you may visit. There is a show each evening with Mosuo dancing and traditional music mostly for the few tourists however the local people also like this show too. There is no city, just a small village on the lake. The Mosuo tradition of not marrying is still common and it is quite interesting to visit them and learn about their culture. Although remote, there are small restaurants available with local food and fresh fish from the lake. In a few years this will all change with so many tourists coming so plan on visiting them soon or in the next couple years. Let my 22 years of experience in China help you plan a China and/or Tibet tour just for you.

Culture Show in Dunhuang

2011-06-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

There are many culture shows in China based on history, individual cultures as well as celebrations. In 22 years of travelling in China, I have seen good ones and bad ones. I recommend only a few of them that I consider outstanding. One of them surprised me as being excellent as it is never included in group tours and only by accident did I find it. Dunhuang on the Silk Road tour is a small city in the desert but very historical and site of the Great Sand Dunes. I was in the city inspecting hotels when I saw a brochure on an evening show there. The guide asked me if I would like to attend it. Not expecting much but having nothing special to do other than check a good restaurant, so I went. The show is a historical show of ballet and music with fantastic costumes in a small theater that I loved. I now include it in all of my tours of the Silk Road. There are no speaking parts which is typical of Chinese shows like this so you don't need a translation. The cost is little but the show was great for such a small town. For more information on shows in China, email me at interlak@eskimo.com

Tibetan Art in Yak Butter?

2011-06-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

After travel in China and Tibet for the past 22 years and over 50 trips I still am fascinated by Chinese and Tibetan art. During festivals the Tibetan monks prepare displays of art made from yak butter that is dyed many different colors. The monks design and make displays for the festivals that often takes weeks to make which are beautiful and so unusual. After the festival is over, the displays are taken down and melted to be used again or to be burned in the monasteries. To me this is art and a special art that only exists for a short time and then lost forever in the melting pot. Most monks will let you take pictures without flash to preserve this art. So when you travel throughout China and Tibet watch for these special pieces knowing that you may have the only photos of them.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

2011-05-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Some of the most beautiful art in the world is in the many Buddhist caves in China. Seldom visited, the Bezeklik Caves outside of Turpan are not the most famous caves since much was destroyed or robbed; however there is still much to see yet without the crowds of tourists. In this remote valley, the caves are all open to view with a few of them being worked on to restore the art. Turpan is the second lowest place on earth as well as being in the desert and very dry preserving the art that is there. You may walk freely into the caves that have good lighting to observe the art close up and take photos without flash. You will also see where whole frescoes were removed by the German, Albert von Le Cog on a caravan of 57 camels and put into the Berlin Museum prior to the second world war. Unfortunately most of them were destroyed during the war. So the remaining frescoes and art that remain are that much more precious. Turpan although small has much to offer with the Jiaohe Plateau ruins and the more famous Gaochang Ruins, Grape Valley, Ancient Water wells and the wonderful Flaming Mountains on the way from Urumqi. Be sure to try some of the local sweet wines too for which they are known. A home visit will give you a great taste of the local food and also a chance to see how they dry grapes for the best raisons which they are known for in Turpan. It is worth a two to three day visit if you are not in a hurry along with the local markets and relaxed atmosphere. Best times to visit are April, late August into mid October to avoid the very hot summers and very cold winter months. The Silk Road is a wonderful and very historical part of China.

China is a Vegetarian's Paradise

2011-05-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

If you are Vegetarian or just love a variety of fresh vegetables, China is your cup of Tea.... A refrigerator has been a luxury up until a few years ago and Chinese people got use to buying fresh vegetables, meat, live fish etc. every day at the markets. Many are still without refrigerators but fresh is best and the people still cling to buying fresh every day whether it be at the market or "home delivery" as you see above by enterprising farmers. Markets are everywhere in China. Would you believe the cheapest prices are in the mornings when everything is freshest and plentiful. As the day wears on the price goes up....Why? The market people say, "Because there is less of it". Supply and Demand! So you will see people out in the early mornings buying what they will have for dinner that night. Going out for an early morning walk is the best as you see the villages and cities coming to life with early morning shopping, exercising in the parks or going about their daily errands. Afternoons are Tea time in the tea houses and parks which is another good time to mix with the locals. Tours To China is my business but the passion for their culture is my main interest and hopefully yours too.

Group Tour or Private Tour Meals

2011-05-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Do I take a Group Tour or Private Tour in China? Both have their pluses and minuses. Above you see my wife and I having lunch while on the Silk Road. When it comes to food, group Tours are everyone is served the same food and usually prepared in advance. Many today are Buffet meals not often kept hot or have been on steam tables for some time. To serve large groups it must be done this way unfortunately. For Private tours, you can advise the guides what you do not like or can not eat and adjustments are made. Private tours usually are sit down and eat meals with the food prepared just for you. If you have food allergies, are vegetarian or are unable to eat certain foods, those adjustments can be made with a private tour. Breakfasts are all buffet style but many many tables of food and eggs prepared individually for you the way you want them cooked too. Don't expect western food to taste exactly like it does at home. Chinese have different tastes than us and a trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken or Pizza Hut will show you why. Just like our Americanized Chinese food is quite different from Chinese food in China. Tours to China is our business but as you may note, I haven't missed too many meals in China or at home! :-)

Home Workshops in China

2011-05-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

In China you will often hear about Home Workshops but tours seldom visit them. It is a great experience to visit home workshops as they are common in China especially in the rural areas or small villages. You find very unique crafts or products being made by families in their homes or small workshops. One I reported on earlier of a family of 8 generations making their famous Black Pottery in their home. What a fantastic find. Above while visiting Kashgar next to the Pakistan boarder area we went into one of the old Muslim neighborhoods and found this lady making her pottery from the local clay. Both pieces are beautiful and her family has always made pottery to sell to the local people as a second income. Jewelry, pottery, woven pieces, cloth, clothing etc. etc. are only a few of the items that you will find in home workshops. They make wonderful gifts and conversation pieces when we bring them home. The smile on her face was genuine and offered us tea and a wonderful visit to her modest home just glad to see foreigners interested in her pottery. She was so proud to hear that the pots we bought would be displayed in our kitchen...where they still are today. Customized private tours can take you to these special places when you are interested. We have been doing Tours to China for over 20 years. Let us do one to your special interests and needs too.

Chinese Dumplings

2011-05-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

Northern China is known for dumplings...and I have eaten quite a few over the years.
In Xian, known for Dumplings, there use to be one or two special restaurants that specialized in Traditional Shaanxi Dumplings. The group tours filled these restaurants every night and soon many restaurants were featuring Chinese dumplings trying to get the attention of the tourists that flock to that city each year. I spend a great deal of time in China seeking special places to send my clients that are off the beaten path or just a unique culture experience that not every tourist is able to enjoy. Above you see some dumplings made into animals, like the rabbits, frogs and some lotus flowers. There are many more in a special restaurant that I found in Xian that specializes in Shaanxi local food and of course wonderful dumplings with a wide variety of fillings including pork, shrimp, vegetables and many other fillings. Finding special restaurants, sites and unique experiences is what I do. I hope I may do a tour for you one day and share these special places in China for you too. Tours to China is my business, but the Chinese Culture is my passion.

Visiting Schools in China

2011-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

Many people ask to visit schools in China AFTER they arrive in China. This is usually not quite possible unless it is arranged in advance and then is also a bit difficult. So many tourists would disrupt classes of course. When arranged in advance it is both educational for the students and interesting for the visitors. Above you see my friend Mr. Li, a guide and myself having lunch at Mr. Li's dairy farm located in the countryside near Xian. He wanted to show me the new school in the village where he was born as it is newly built and a far cry from the little one room school that he attended as a child. He pre-arranged my visit and you can see that the kids were all very happy to have a foreign visitor come to their new school.
Another place to visit when you have children with you or are just interested in what Chinese children do is the Children's Palace. These are schools where they teach classes in art, music, computer, dance, calligraphy and many other classes. There is also a sports school in Beijing that you can also visit and participate in some sports with the children. Both of these must have prior permits to visit but may be done through your tour operator when planning your tour. Tours to China is our business but bringing the culture to you is our passion.

Favorite Summer Destination

2011-04-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Summer months are very hot and humid in China; but some people must go during that time because they are either out of school or have summer vacations only. As a tour operator to China, I look at sending people to cooler areas as well as the popular Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai. LiJiang in northern Yunnan province is one of those places at 7000 feet amongst the snow capped mountains. A photographer's paradise, LiJiang Old Town has no cars, with narrow streets, wonderful sidewalk cafes and restaurants as well as many small to large hotels at reasonable prices. One can now fly to LiJiang directly from many destinations. It is also a nice area to stop, rest and smell the roses during a busy day in day out tour too. Lots of great shops, restaurants, and local culture. It is also a jumping off spot for Lugu Lake and the Musuo people, Shangrila where the Tibetans are located at 10,000 feet and wonderful countryside villages between them all. Ask me where I would spend a week in one place and I would tell you LiJiang. Another is my Ecological tour up into the mountains near Chengdu in Sichuan province to 12,000 feet and mountains with few if any tourists and wonderful parks, natural hot springs, remote Tibetan villages and even the Panda bears. Tours to China is my business and I love sharing it with others. Check my packaged tours on my web site for ideas on your own special private custom tour. www.interlakechinatours.com

600 Year Old Buddha Carving

2011-04-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

After 22 years and 51 trips through out China I have had many experiences and thousands of stories to tell. One of them is the time I was hiking through the hills outside of Guilin in south China. We came upon some young men working at tearing down a very old temple that was no longer in use in order to make way for a new road that would be going through. They had built a fire to burn the old wooden parts of the temple and were knocking down the stone parts by hand. On the curved peaks of the roofs are often carved animals or other carvings. The Buddha above was just laying on the ground with other wooden parts all with worm holes and roting wood. I saved the piece above and gave the workers about $10 for beer money which they were very pleased. "One man's trash; is another man's Treasure". When touring China be on the look out for those small treasures that make good memories. In another blog page you will read about my collection of hand chiseled tea pots out of a rare stone that was once more valuable than gold. That was over 15 years ago and I have never found them again anywhere in China. Rare finds are yours if you look closely. Tours to China is my business; but over time I have become to love the country and the people even more.

Food Allergies in China

2011-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

As a Tour Operator to China the past 20+ years, I am asked about food allergies often and how to handle it in restaurants. When you are with a guide of course you advise the guides when you first meet them that you are allergic to certain foods or additives. Oil is used to cook many foods of course in the wok so if you are allergic to peanuts or nuts of any kind you should advise your guides. Many different oils are used in cooking. Some people are allergic to shellfish of any kind and may be difficult to advise a waiter in a restaurant if you are by yourselves. I have a statement written in Chinese and English that I can send you as an attachment to give to waiters. Contact me at interlak@eskimo.com If you are vegetarian, the word for vegetarian sounds like this: "Chur Sue" Waiters will understand that if you are alone and do not have a guide with you. For more information on food and food allergies, please contact us at anytime. Tours to China is our business and our concerns are for you to enjoy yourselves visiting this great culture.

Using ATMs in China

2011-04-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

We are use to using ATMs in most countries when we travel. In China there are ATM machines in most large cities but do not always accept all cards. Before using an ATM in China check to make sure your card is acceptable. You put in the amount of your currency and out comes the exchange in Yuan at the going rate. There is a charge of course by your bank as well as the service. Lately I have found ATMs right in many 4 and 5 star hotels or less known foreign exchange money machines too. Many hotels are referring people to nearby banks these days since many hotels do not accept debit or credit cards for exchange. Good old cash is still exchanged at most hotels however. For more information on money and exchange, contact us at interlak@eskimo.com We will always be glad to help you. Tours to China and Tibet is our business for over 20 years.

Taking Photos of Chinese People

2011-03-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

In most parts of the world we can take photos of just about anything including people. In China in some museums or sites you will see the international sign of a camera with a line through it. That means No Photos Permitted. If in doubt, ask your guide or someone within the facility. When it comes to people you should ask permission to take their photo. #1 this is only common courtesy. #2 Some Chinese people especially in the countryside are very superstitious and do not want their picture taken. Either point to your camera and then to the person or ask your guide to inquire for you. Often you will get a smile back but a shaking of thehead "No". Or a smile and perhaps a bit of posing which means it is o.k. Without this courtesy you might receive a violent reaction from the person so be careful. In many museums and sites it is o.k. to take pictures without flash if there are no signs forbidding the taking of photos. The Shanghai Museum is one of them and I have some wonderful shots of pieces taken from tombs. China is a paradise for photographers so enjoy taking photos but be sure to ask permission. For more information on photography contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China is our business and photography is my hobby.

Biking in China

2011-03-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

One of the best places for biking in China is near Guilin around the town of Yangshuo. After taking the Li River Cruise to Yangshuo, stay a few extra days and enjoy the beautiful countryside here amongst the karst hills. You can rent a bike for about $2 a day. Above you see I was enjoying visiting the local people with a local guide I know having lunch at her home and enjoying a peaceful day with many bike trails available. My shirt actually reads that "I have No Money". It was a hit amongst the local people as they didn't think I knew what it said. The area is very flat except for the rock hills so it is easy biking. You can even put your bike on a small boat and take the boat down to the next town and ride back too. When touring China it is good to take a day or two off and just rest and enjoy the local culture. Yangshuo is a good place to do that and there is a fantastic River Show here at night to enjoy too. Tours to China is our business so let us plan a tour just for you to some of the wonderful places I have visited for the past 22 years during my travels through out China and Tibet.

A Great Hot Springs

2011-03-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for the real remote China and have some great experiences without hoards of western tourists, check out my Ecological Tours on my web site. You will find it at www.interlakechinatours.com Go to Packaged Tours and then click on Ecological Tours. Click on 23 Day Ecological China Tour which covers much of China but that itinerary can be broken up and take sections out of the tour starting with Day 8 and ending with day 17 just for the mountain experience we call the Danba Circle. We do mostly custom private tours in which we plan tours to your interests and needs. The Hot Spring is located in Hailougou National Park outside the small town of Moxi and has 5 levels of pools each with a different temperature. There is a cable car near by that goes to the top of the mountain too. The whole loop takes 10 days of breath taking scenery including visiting villages, homes if you like and the towns of Danba and Kangding where it would be unusual to see a western tourist. The above photo was some Austrian people who had come in from Chengdu for a couple days of R & R before continuing on with their tour. I have been doing tours to China for over 20 years and work with the local people to plan my own tours to include special places of interest that few tourists or tour companies do. Custom Private tours for individuals or groups that come to me with their special interests and needs is my business for over 20 years.

The Bamboo Sea National Park

2011-03-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

People are always asking me about Nature and National Parks in China. One of them is the Bamboo Sea National Park seldom found or visited by tourists because of its remote location. It is a UNESCO site located in the rural mountain area of Sichuan province. I have a 5 day tour that can be taken as an extension to any other tour or as an addition to one of my tours. Check the itinerary out on my web site at
www.interlakechinatours.com It is listed as a packaged tour under Ecological Tours. The tour visits the National Bamboo Sea Park which you see above with a fantastic 5 star Eden hotel there with a covered dome over the restaurant, bar and garden areas. There is a Spa with five large pools and hot tubs located on a beautiful lake back in the mountains. On this tour segment you will visit the Great Leshan Buddha, largest in the world, Zigong known for the Dinosaur museum and Ancient Salt Mine Museum. You will visit some wonderful rural towns with no tourists and of course the National Bamboo Sea Forests. Before ending in Chongqing you will visit the famous Dazu Buddhist Carvings. Having lunch in the countryside amongst the Bamboo forests is also a wonderful treat too. Tours to China is our business but the Culture is our Passion for the past 20+ years.

Guides & Tipping in China

2011-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

There is little tipping in China. Most service charges are in the cost of food, hotels etc. Guides and drivers however do expect tips as part of their living. I am often called "ChinaDave" because of working in China for the past 22 years with local associate Chinese partners. You see me above in my standard working clothes while in the countryside checking out new areas and sites. Guides are often like friends showing you around their area that they know best. Most often the guides and drivers do not eat with you as that is their break time but in the countryside sometimes they will join you too. Drivers seldom speak English so sharing lunch with the guide is a chance for them to relax and speak their own language. The driver in the center photo and the guide joined me this day for lunch. The driver loved food and made sure that I was taken to many different restaurants to taste a wide variety of local foods. In the bottom photo in the countryside the guide and driver joined my wife and I for lunch outside. This very popular restaurant was full so the guide had them set up a table and chairs out in the garden which was great. Guides and drivers become good friends as they enjoy showing their local area to us.
Tips for guides are between $10 and $15 per day and for the driver about half of that unless he or she drives a long ways during the day. For more information on tipping, contact me at interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China has been my business for over 20 years but the Culture is my real passion.

Eating Chinese Food

2011-02-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

To follow up with my last post on Eating from the Street Vendors, I want to talk about two problems that should be mentioned. Constipation and Diarrhea. Constipation can come from anxiety while travelling; but most common because of MSG in the food. MSG is used in many foods especially sauces. Avoid eating too many foods with sauces in them and you will avoid that problem. Packing a medication for it will be helpful or your guide can suggest a Chinese medication that is natural. For Diarrhea, it can come from many sources. Avoid eating from the street vendors if possible as some meats and fish sit out in the open and sometimes do not get cooked enough. Only drink bottled water no matter what the signs say in the hotels, even the 5 star hotels. Most hotels furnish some bottled water in the room but it is available everywhere. In an emergency boil the water in the room with the electric tea pots and put it in glasses and put them in the small refrigerator in the room. Change in diet when you first arrive in China also can cause some diarrhea. Allergic reactions can also happen such as mine to ice cream. My lips swell up for about 4 hours so I know I need to avoid it. For more information contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China has been our only business for 20 years featuring Private Custom Tours for individuals or groups with specific interests. We furnish references of former clients with their permission.

Eating On the Street

2011-02-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

A question I get asked many times is: Is it safe to eat food from the street vendors? In Beijing just off Wangfujing Street is the Night Market. You will see many people eating there as is the custom of young people in China. Cheap and fast food for those who do not want to spend the time cooking. That is the way of the young people in China today. Rightly so as it takes a great deal of time to shop, chop and cook Chinese food for one or two persons. Whether it is safe or not is really the question. I myself do not eat off the streets. Nine out of 10 times you will not get sick if it is cooked properly and was clean in the first place. It's that 10th time you might get sick. In 22 years I have only been sick one time but it was a bad one with high fever etc. I carry anti-biotics with me and I made it through without going to the hospital. I ate with a family in the countryside at their home because they were celebrating the Father's last day teaching as he retired. Something he probably brought home was not good. For fruits if you can peal it; you can eat it works. Otherwise eat at your own risk from the street vendors is my recommendation.

Buying Air Tickets To China

2011-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

When you buy an air ticket to China be sure to check all the details. R/T tickets to Hong Kong are sometimes less costly than to Beijing or Shanghai but that is because of the competition of so many airlines going there. Bottom line it isn't always the cheapest way to China. From the U.S. you fly right by Beijing and Shanghai on the way to Hong Kong. Most people want to go to Beijing or other places in China and then have to fly back to Hong Kong to take their international flight home that they bought so reasonable. They forget that if you want to go to Beijing, it is about $400one way from Hong Kong to Beijing and a long flight. One family I did a tour for bought their cheap tickets to Hong Kong and then came to me to do their tour wanting to go to Beijing first. They should have flown first to Beijing and then exit out of Hong Kong saving $2000. Going home from Hong Kong you fly right past Beijing which is about 2.5 hours fly time. Check out the map above and you will see that the shortest route to China is from Seattle up the coast of Canada, Alaska over the Aleutian islands, across Siberia and into Beijing. If you go to Hong Kong it is another 2.5 hour flight longer. From Seattle to Beijing non-stop is 11 hours flat. Leaving early afternoon and arriving in Beijing the next day at about 4:00 in the afternoon just in time for dinner. Connecting flights from most major cities in the U.S. to Seattle and back have a very low cost connecting flights also....free from California or Oregon. Cheapest is not always better or cheaper.

Use of Credit Cards in China

2011-02-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Some credit cards may be used in China but not as much as in other countries. The common ones used are MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diner's Club. These can be used in hotels, department stores, factory outlets and some of the better restaurants. All have charges with them for their use. I use a Debit Card from my Stock Brokerage company issued as a Visa. They pay all the charges and I get the best exchange rate also. There are ATM machines now more common in the larger cities than in the countryside where it is difficult at best to exchange money, and use any card. When going into the countryside or small cities it is best to have cash. There are exchange counters in all major hotels in the large cities with a fair exchange rate and a very small commission added for the convenience of the guests. Traveler's Checks use to be the best as they got the best exchange rate although for some reason they would not take Visa Travelers Checks. American Express are the best for acceptance although few banks in the U.S. sell them anymore.
When going into the countryside it is best to carry as much yuan as you think you will need as it may be difficult to exchange money or find an ATM. For more questions on Money and money exchange contact us at interlak@eskimo.com with your questions.

Juizhaigou National Park

2011-01-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

Juizhaigou National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in all of Asia. The color of the water is natural from the minerals in the park. Waterfalls and the ability to walk over cascading water down the hill sides brings nature right below your feet. Wooden walkways go all through the park for walking and hiking any miles or you can ride a Green Bus from stop to stop all through the park too. Convenient "Green" modern toilets are available everywhere the bus stops. This area was discovered in 1975 and opened to the public soon after and has been carefully developed using the latest Green methods of preservation. Zharu Valley not far away is also being preserved allowing only 15 people per day in that particular valley being allowed to go back to its natural beauty. A few Tibetan families still remain there and well worth the visit. Check out other national parks as well as some of the famous mountains like Taishan, Huashan and Huangshan for more fantastic beauty and hiking.

National Parks Go Green

2011-01-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

Going "GREEN" is in for just about everything these days to help save our Planet. In China many of the National Parks have already gone "Green" Above you see the famous Juizhaigou National Park in Sichuan province which has gone Green in a big way. The buses use natural gas and give out no pollutants, the toilets are modern and recycle wastes into the ground. Wooden paths are all through the park saving the land and plants. Air is fresh and clean and too there is a limit of 5000 people per day allowed into the park to keep it pristine. I spent a whole day in the park and did not see one scrap of paper or waste on the ground with plenty of waste bins located everywhere. What a fantastic example of what a National Park really can be.

Great Hall of the People

2011-01-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

The Great Hall of the People in Beijing is one site that should not be missed. Group Tours do not include it because it is the government's political meeting building as well as a reception hall for foreign dignitaries. It is sometimes closed to the public during these events. Most people visit it during some free time as it is located on the west side of Tiananmen Square. The many reception rooms one of which is pictured above are each decorated for one of the Provinces of the country. Although you can not enter them, there are glass windows to look in and view them. It also has the largest stage in the country and can seat 10,000 people. There is a cafeteria located in the building where you can have lunch and is often used for State Dinners. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Mao's Tomb, the Great Hall of the People and the History Museum are all located in one area and within easy walking distance of hotels near Wangfujing Mall.

Remote Sichuan Mountain Area

2011-01-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

It took two trips over two years to put together a tour to the remote area of what I call the Danba Loop. Inhabited by friendly Tibetans it is located in Sichuan province and seldom visited by foreigners. I mapped out the area to include some of the most beautiful areas of the mountains over 6 days gradually getting up to 12,000 feet. There are some small towns with modern hotels like Danba and Kangding but also many Tibetan villages where you may stay in a private home and experience first hand the life of these wonderful friendly people. Along the way you will visit Temples, one of which has 24 ct. gold leaf on the outside that shines in the sun and can be seen from miles around. Another area has a wonderful park with a cable car that will take you up into the snow topped mountain and later at the foot of the mountain to a fantastic Hot Springs to soak as you like in 5 different pools. Check out my web site at www.interlakechinatours.com and go to my Packaged Tours and click on the Ecological Tours. Click on the itinerary to see the details. This and many other tours can be included either in parts or in whole to a private custom tour just for you to your interests. Tours to China is my business; but the culture is my passion.

Chinese Style Hotels

2011-01-12T05:50:00.000-08:00

As a China and Tibet Tour Operator for the past 20 years, I am often asked by clients to book a Chinese style hotel. Major hotels in China are often similar to western style hotels and some very modern with unique decorations. Many old Chinese hotels are now being remodeled with western facilities but with prices to match. There are new hotels also being built in the Chinese traditional style such as the one above. The Wang Fu Hotel in LiJiang is one of my favorites built around court yards often with ponds, arched bridges, plantings and small tea houses. The Wang Fu hotel is in a quiet area of LiJiang although they have a dance most evenings around a bon fire in front of the hotel. A western/Chinese buffet breakfast is included in the bright sunny restaurant which you see above. There is a 4 star wing and new 5 star wing added which gives you a choice of accommodations. The remodeled old traditional small Chinese hotels are available but often at very high prices because of limited rooms but do offer luxury accommodations. There is a trend to some high luxury hotels which I will write about in the coming months starting at $500 to $2500per night for those who want an exceptional experience in a luxury hotel. Tours to China is our business but our real passion is the culture.

Visiting Remote Areas of China

2011-01-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

China is 1.3 billion people. Most of us think of heavy populations and crowded cities; but China has beautiful remote areas with few people and wonderful culture too. Sichuan province in south central China has over 100 million people but yet has wonderful scenic countryside with few people as seen above here. Many lush mountains, snow capped peaks, small villages, fantastic national parks and few western tourists. One can really get into the culture amongst friendly people. Check out my web site at www.interlakechinatours.com and click on Packaged Tours, then on Ecological Tours to see just one example of a remote tour. Of course we can design a custom tour to your interests and specifications too to many other areas that are remote and unique. Tours to China and Tibet is our only business for over 20 years.

Visiting Lhasa, Tibet

2010-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

One of the best times to visit Tibet when it comes to culture is November. It is a bit cool in the 60's during the day and 30's at night but the skies are usually clear and the sun very bright and warm. Why November? There are not many tourists during the winter months but the nomads from all over Tibet come to Lhasa to trade their goods, get supplies and make a pilgrimage. Many tribes come to Lhasa with their different dress and culture during the winter months and are also there to have a good time after being out in the remote areas. They spend just about all their money they get for selling hides, jewelry, yak meat and of course Yak Butter the staple for every Tibetan family which you see above. Money has no use out in the plateaus so they spend it all while they are in Lhasa. My Tibetan friend above and I spent several days combing the city which is only about 400,000 people and easy to get around in. We visited all the monasteries, the Potala Palace, old neighborhoods and of course the Barkhore street market just a block from my hotel. Earlier I wrote about visiting Lake Yamdok at 16,000 feet above sea level and visiting a home in one of the villages there. See my web site at www.interlakechinatours.com for some great package tours to Tibet or ask us to plan a special tour just for you to include Tibet and other places in China. 20 years experience in Tours To China. Ask us for our references of very satisfied clients who have visited Tibet too.

Pagoda Built in 1492

2010-12-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

There are many pagodas and ancient buildings in China but the one above is interesting as it was built in 1492, the year Columbus discovered America. It is located in the Tiger Hill Park in Suzhou not far from Shanghai. If you are in Shanghai and want to spend an interesting day, the train takes about 45 minutes to get to Suzhou which is an easy city to get around. Tiger Hill Park has a show every afternoon too in the park. Suzhou is also known for its parks with over 89 formal gardens of which only about 27 are open to the public. The three main parks worth seeing are the Humble Administrator's Park, Lingering Gardens and the Garden of the Nets. Garden of the Nets has a musical evening with traditional instruments too. Also known for Silk, the #1 Silk Factory can be toured and samples from the other 26 factories are on display there in the show room. A short live fashion show is also put on daily at 15 minute intervals. Suzhou also has canals running through the city and a boat ride is worth your time. For more information on Suzhou, please contact us at interlak@eskimo.com We are Tour Operators to China and Tibet for over 20 years. Check our web site at wwww.interlakechinatours.com

EXCHANGING MONEY IN CHINA TODAY

2010-12-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most asked questions I get as a Tour Operator to China is about exchanging money. Above is the largest bill in China, a 100 Yuan note, at today's exchange rate is worth about $16. Just two years ago, it was worth about $12 so the U.S. dollar has decreased against the yuan. Most hotels will exchange cash or refer you to a near by bank. It is best to have yuan if you go into rural areas as foreign exchange is sometimes not available. Cash machines are popping up all over in China including some 4 and 5 star hotels and your credit or debit cards can be used. You put in the U.S. dollar amount that you want exchanged and out comes the correct Yuan amount. The charges vary with the banks. I use a debit card issued by my stock brokerage and they cover all the exchange fees. When you want to exchange your Yuan back into U.S. dollars,(which is done at the a airport when you are leaving) you must present the exchange slips that you received in order for the Chinese bank to make your exchange. Only exchange your money at the hotel's exchange counter, cash machines or Chinese bank. (not all banks exchange international money) Never exchange money with local people as there is much counterfeit money in China. For more money hints, contact us for more information at interlak@eskimo.com

The Leaping Tiger Gorge

2010-12-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Leaping Tiger Gorge is the most famous in China. It got its name from the myth that a Tiger leaped across the gorge after being chased by hunters landing on the rock in the middle photo. Located between LiJiang and Dali in Yunnan province, it is usually visited on a day trip from LiJiang or stopped at from one of the many different sightseeing routes in that area. If you are into hiking, there is a hiking path along the gorge also. For more information on the many sites of China please feel free to contact me at interlak@eskimo.com I have been travelling all through China for the past 21 years and over 50 trips to China and Tibet and have planed tours sending over 2,500 people to China from all over the world. Tours to China is my business, but the Chinese culture is my passion.

Living at 16,000 feet Above Sea Level

2010-12-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

This fall my annual working trip to China took me to Tibet. The changes since my last trip were more than I had anticipated. Lhasa has doubled in size in just 10 years. Going in November it was in the 60's during the day and 30's at night with an intense sun. Walking from the sun into the shade was quite a contrast in temperature as the air is cool but the sun is warming. More modern hotels, lots of cars and wealth has come to the people of Tibet. Restaurants now have western, Tibetan, Chinese and Indian food on the menu. My Tibetan friends took me out to a sacred lake at 16,000 feet where I was surprised to find several small villages and we stopped to visit one family to see what life is like at that altitude. A simple life and certainly cold most of the year, without electricity but still have cars to get to the city when they want or use motorcycles rather than horses to round up their yaks. They even plant some vegetable crops at that altitude. A great time to visit is November because there are few tourists but the Nomads from around Tibet come to Lhasa to trade their wares for supplies and goods plus making a pilgrimage while they are there. One sees the different dress and peoples from the whole country at this time of year. Check our web site for new packaged tours to Tibet or let us design a custom tour to your interests and requirements. Tours to China is our business and our only business for over 20 years.

The Century Line on the Yangtze River

2010-12-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

As a tour operator to China and Tibet only I must review new tourist spots, hotels and yes the Yangtze River Cruises. This November I reviewed the Century Line with their 4 new wonderful boats on the Yangtze River. Century just started marketing in the U.S. this past year so of course I had to review their boats and service. Part of my job you know. Above you see one of their boats going through the Gorges which are spectacular even after the new dam has been finished. Note the spacious cabins and the center stairway to the upper floors although there are elevators available too. Breakfast and lunch is buffet style and dinner is served to round tables of 8 which is done in 5 star style. The staff is very friendly and very accommodating to your wishes. Evening performances in spacious lounges are held in the evenings and during the day there are off boat excursions and demonstrations going on too. Kite flying off the top deck during the day and commentary on what you are seeing is done in English and Chinese as you pass by the 3 Gorges and cities along the way. All this is included in one price including an off boat visit to the new dam and the 5 sets of locks which are the largest in the world. For more information and bookings, contact us at interlak@eskimo.com We represent the U.S. Victoria Line and the new Century Line two best cruise lines on the Yangtze River. Combine it with a China and or Tibet tour and save an extra 10%.

The New Yangshuo Resort Hotel

2010-12-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Each year I travel to China to check out new areas, sites and inspect new hotels as well as review ones we have used in the past to make sure they measure up to standards I like to set for hotels and our clients. I just returned from my 51st trip in the past 21 years. The Yangshuo Resort Hotel pictured above is about two years old and classified as a 4 star hotel. I classify it as a 4 star plus. Yangshuo is located outside Guilin in south central China and is at the end of the Li River cruise which one needs to take if you go to south China. It isn't in the busy town but at the edge of town right on the river so that you can watch the bamboo rafts being taken by tourists and poled down the river. The rooms are as nice as any 5 star hotel which I assume this hotel will be listed in time. I was there this November so the grass is brown but the grounds are really like a park on the river and there is a wonderful outdoor pool too. The rooms come with showers or a large tub to soak in after a day of sightseeing. Sometimes it is nice to take a day off during a busy tour and enjoy a quiet and peaceful lodge style hotel amongst these hay stack like hills. Custom tours to your interests and requirements is our business. I hope I can do a tour for you too.

Tibet Train from Lhasa to Chongqing

2010-11-27T14:55:00.000-08:00

This November I took the new Tibet train from Lhasa to Chongqing. The train leaves on the afternoon of the first day and arrives in Chongqing on the morning of the 3rd day. The trains are not much different from a regular Chinese train other than they have oxygen added to the air conditioning system. First class and second class sleepers as well as "Sit Up" cars are offered. Above you see the first class sleepers with two uppers and two lower berths. Mixed sexes can be in each car. The second class sleepers have three berths on each side or six berths to a compartment. Only a young backpacker would really book these. The sit up cars allow smoking and my observation was that I could hardly see one end of the car from the other through the smoke. Scenery is good the one and a half day of daylight travel. The dining car was not bad but is typical Chinese train food. Be sure to take food with you as well as water. Western and Chinese toilets are available as well as a clean up area with three sinks available in alternate cars. Out of 23 cars in the train, I was the only Caucasian person on the train although it was off season in November but a great time to visit Tibet which I will write more about later. No matter what anyone tells you, tickets are difficult to obtain during peak seasons and the cost is usually much higher as they must be bought through 3rd. parties even by the larger travel services. Tickets often go to the highest bidder so no travel service can really guarantee tickets in advance since they can only be bought 10 days before departure. Travel Services who say they have tickets often offer lame excuses when they can not deliver them. Contact me at interlak@eskimo.com for more information. Tours to China for the past 21 years is my business and our only business.

Restaurants in the Remote Areas

2010-11-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

In the very remote areas of China when there are no cities, there are often very small road side restaurants. One only needs to inspect them to see if they are clean. Since just about all Chinese food is cooked in a wok or boiled. I have never gotten sick. Above I was traveling with two friends and it was time for lunch. There were no cities close by so we stopped at a road side out of doors restaurant. My friend Mr. Li loves to cook so he went in and took over the cooking duties and made one of his favorite dishes. We enjoyed his cooking but paid the same amount as if the owner had cooked it too. Having good friends in China always seems to lead from one adventure to another. If you would like to take a cooking lesson in China, we now have half day or full day cooking lessons available if you are on a tour with us. You will learn to pick out the ingredients at the market and then take them back to the school and learn hands on cooking from the experts. Our business is Tours To China and we love having you learn more about the culture too. Check out our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com We can do a private tour just for you.

Fishing With Birds

2010-10-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

Fishing with Cormorant birds is a common sight in China but few tourists really get to see it close up. The Cormorant Bird has a ring around it's throat so it can not swallow the fish. It does not hurt the bird and the fishermen treat their birds very well as pets. One thing I noticed was that the birds after being in the water stretch their wings out as if to let the air dry them. Cormorants unlike other birds do not have oil in their feathers to repel water. They actually dive into the water and swim down to catch fish as large as 3 to 5 lbs. then bring them up and dump them in the fisherman's boat. They are rewarded with food they can swallow past the ring. A wonderful place to see this up close is actually in the city of Guilin. You can take the evening boat excursion through the 5 connecting lakes in the city which is wonderful with all the lights along the shore and lighted pagodas and bridges. You will see the fishermen with their birds as close as 10 feet as you pass them in the darkness seeing the birds bring in the fish and waving at the fishermen as you pass. Tickets for the cruise can be bought at the dock or ask your tour operator such as myself to include it in your tour. Check us out at
www.interlakechinatours.com Travel and Tours to China is our business for 22 years.

Hotels in China on the Internet

2010-09-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

As a tour operator to China for 20+ years I get many questions on hotels. There are a variety of hotels usually based on stars. The minimum you want to stay in unless you are a Back Packer is a 3 star hotel. 4 star hotels are probably the best value and 5 star hotels are the best available. However there are several levels in each category too with varying prices. Some hotels have two buildings with differing prices having a 5 star one and a 3 or 4 star one; so be careful about which room you are booking. One prospective client insisted that there was a room for $100 a night at what is listed as a 5 star Hotel in Xian. Indeed they did when I checked although I knew the hotel well. It was in the second building and was a very small room, no breakfast, service charge which is usually 15% to 20% and tax included at that cost. After the above were added in the cost of the room was $182. Big surprise when you check out. That same hotel in the new building on the Business Floor which the breakfast, service charge and tax included is $285 per night. There is no tipping in the hotels in China except maybe the bell boy for taking your luggage to the room and then a minimum. The service charge covers all tipping services. For more information on hotels, feel free to contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

Visiting Tibet

2010-08-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

As a Tour Operator to China since 1992, I travel each year to China checking new places to visit, inspecting hotels and restaurants as well as looking at new places and sites for my clients. I will be leaving in November this year on my 51st. trip since 1989. I have been to Tibet a few years ago but with all the changes going on, I must go to Tibet again this year. The new train to Lhasa is only one of the many changes my Associate Partners want me to check on while I am there. I will take that train down the mountains to Chongqing where I will be boarding a new boat of the Century Line to sail the Yangtze River for the 6th time. Lhasa has changed a lot with new hotels, parks and growth. How it has affected the people and the city will be interesting to note. I try to experience everything when I am working in China so that I can recommend places for my clients to visit that aren't always on the normal touristy list and are interesting to their particular interests. Part of every good tour is viewing the culture either in their homes or in their places of gathering. One needs to see the Potala Palace of course which is only open during the morning hours and limited to people with tickets. I also like visiting people in their homes which reveals much about their culture and the opportunity to visit with them through a guide who speaks the language. Watch my blog starting in December after I return from my trip to Tibet above the clouds. Tours to China is my business but the culture is my passion.

Factory Shops in China

2010-08-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

As a tour operator to China for 20 years, I get many comments from clients that say, "NO FACTORY STORES". Unfortunately they get a bad rap and sometimes well deserved. However there are many excellent ones where you can see talented handicraft workers too. As a Tour Operator who has personally travelled China myself for 21 years, I have seen the worst and the best. Group Tour guides and some private tour guides go a bit overboard to take you shopping where they get commissions from the stores or the Travel Service may require them to take you to some stores where they get kick backs. As a Custom Private Tour Operator, I do not allow this. I do however often recommend and put in my tours Workshops that are honest and worth seeing. Just to name a few is the Cloisonne Workshop in Beijing, Rug workshops in Shanghai and other cities where they actually make them, Jade Carving workshop in Xian, Silk Factory in Suzhou and many others. Rugs are freehand made from a pattern on a piece of paper so no two are exactly alike. The woman above is painting a divider with gold leaf and enamel paint by free hand and no pattern other than a photo. You should visit some of these workshops where you can actually see things being made rather than just a retail store selling over priced goods. You do not have to buy of course but enjoy seeing the processes.

Stone Forest

2010-08-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

Amongst the more interesting natural formations in China is what is called the
STONE FOREST which are really grey limestone pillars. Pictured above it is located about 2.5 hours by car south east of Kunming in southern China. It can be seen in one day having a guide and car with driver go there in the morning and have lunch. You can walk around through the stone formations although it covers many square miles as you can see in the above photo. From a distance it looks like a great metropolis. Near by are the Sani branch of the Yi people who have grown tobacco for many years but have given in to the commercialism of the Stone Forest. My personal opinion is that it is over rated as a site not worth a full days journey; however clients interested in rock formations find it very interesting and worthwhile. China Tours custom designed for our client's own interests is our business for over 20 years. Whether your interests are Culture, Yangtze Cruise, sightseeing, hiking, cooking, food, shows, antiques, shopping or whatever, we can put a tour together just for your personal interests. Check us out at www.interlakechinatours.com

Visiting Local People in their Homes

2010-08-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Most clients who come to me to do their tours are interested in the rich culture of China. One of the best ways I know of experiencing any culture is face to face talking to the local people especially in their homes. I encourage my clients to have home visits. These are not set up situations at all as most people might believe. Chinese people are extremely hospitable especially in the countryside and small villages. Often it is the custom to open your home to strangers on request and offer them a cup of tea. They are as much interested in you and where you come from as you are in them. Your guide serves as the go between in conversation as they may continue doing their household chores while talking to them. It is a great way to learn about each culture as there are 57 different minority peoples besides the Han Chinese. Above the elderly lady is Mosuo woman at Lugu Lake. The young man is in a Tibetan home in the mountains of Sichuan province where 1/3rd of all Tibetans live. The three woman are Dai minority people living in Xishuangbanna. In 21 years I have been in several hundred private homes all over the country and have learned so much directly from the people first hand that can't be found in books. The more I learn the more I realize I have yet to learn. I will be in Tibet this fall and I am certainly looking forward to another visit there and of course meeting the locals in their homes is always a part of my experiences that span 21 years in China.

57 Minority Peoples in China

2010-07-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Han Chinese are about 85 to 90% of the Chinese people; however there are 57 different minority peoples living in China. Perhaps you can think of them as tribes such as our many Indian Tribes in the U.S. Each minority has their own customs and dress. I have spent several years visiting many of these minority peoples learning about their lives and how they live. There is a great concentration of different minorities in the southern provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi although there are others across the country too. The top photo is of a Bai girl, middle one of a group of Zhrung women and the bottom photo of a Mosuo woman. Just as an example, I will give you one characteristic of each. The Bai girls and boys MUST be able to sing very well or their chances of marrying are not good. Zhrung women all have the exact same hair style. Most Musuo women never marry and live on top of a mountain around a beautiful lake. If you are going to China be sure to include some of the minority areas to view their cultures. Tours to China is our business but enjoying the country and the people is my real passion. I hope I can do a tour just for you to your specific interests.

Private Custom Tours

2010-07-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am Dave or as my friends call me "ChinaDave". I have been planning private custom tours for clients from all over the world for over 20 years. I live in Seattle but have been working in China with my Chinese Associates for all of those years helping them develop our own tours for western tourists. It is a large country and you can't see it all in one trip so you might as well see what interests you most and how you want to travel and tour. 90% of our business is customized private tours for individuals and groups who come to us with their own needs and interests. I personally inspect hotels, sights, shows (all the good ones and many of the poor ones to weed them out for you) and restaurants which is my favorite to do. I look for interesting places to take people like the family we found making the black pottery in their home for 8 generations in a remote area of Yunnan province. If you want the real experience of visiting China and getting into the culture from taking a cooking class, biking in the countryside, visiting families in their homes, to whatever interests you personally, we can arrange it in your tour. Private tours go at your pace and with your comfort and interests in mind. Take a look at our web site and our blog here with over 200 stories and photos that I have written. This fall I will be working in Tibet and taking a Yangtze River Cruise on a new line called the Century Line with many new modern boats sailing the Yangtze. I actually experience everything in China before I recommend it to my clients. I look forward to planning a tour just for you. Tours to China is our business; but our real passion is the culture and the people. I would like to share this wonderful ancient culture with you as well as the friendly people of China.

Ruins in Beijing

2010-06-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

For those interested in Ruins, few people realize that there are some fantastic ruins right in Beijing. Many people go out to see the Summer Palace and do not realize that there was an older Summer Palace known as the Yuanming Yuan laid out in the 12th Century. It is not far from the new Summer Palace built in the 18th century by the Emperor Qianlong. After the Opium War of 1860 it was rebuilt and enlarged by Empress Dowager Cixi. The Old Summer Palace was destroyed by the French and British troops who vandalized it taking many of the artifacts and shipping them home to museums. The Palace was laid out to look like a European-style palace and gardens. Above you see the elaborate fountains and baroque statuary amongst the broken columns and marble pieces. Near by is an artful reproduction of a former labyrinth called the Garden of Yellow Flowers. The whole complex covers 2 sq. miles and remains as it was after being destroyed. I am presently working on a tour itinerary that will include Sculpture Parks and classical ruins of China and will be ready for the 2012 tourist season. Tours of China has been our business since 1992 and we have researched on site personally all through China since 1989 with over 50 working trips. We do private Custom Tours for individuals and groups who come to us with their personal interests and needs. Let us plan a tour just for you.

Tipping in China

2010-06-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

I have had many clients ask me about Tipping in China. It use to be that in China, tipping was forbidden and was considered western bribery. With the Opening of China during the early 1990's that has changed "a little". Tipping of guides and drivers of tour companies is now done as well as Bell Hops in hotels who take your luggage to your room. In the hotels there is a charge of 10 to 15% already in the hotel cost so indeed there is no tipping in the hotels. Small gifts or spare change left in the room for maids who may have been especially kind or did some extra small service for you is appropriate however. A taxi driver is very well paid so you only need to round off the yuan from the Jiaro or cents. Several years ago taxi costs were reduced because taxi drivers were making too much money. In restaurants the situation is the same. A service charge is already in the cost of the food. Any tip left on the table must be given to the restaurant owner. So basically there is very little tipping in China other than with a tour for the guides who are professionals and go to Guide schools. Bus and private car drivers also get tipped but about half per day as a guide depending on the amount of driving required. For more information on Tipping contact me at interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China for over 20 years is our business and our only business. We specialize in Private Custom Tours for individuals and organizations. Our web site will give you more details at www.interlakechinatours.com

Using Guides in China

2010-06-10T07:28:00.002-07:00

I firmly believe that if you fail to use a guide you miss much of what China is all about. It is thought that guides are expensive which they are not. Some people say they do not like to be led around by guides and like to explore on their own. You will miss a lot and guides can point out so much as well as explain things to you as China is so different from Europe or our own countries. Frank Liu pictured above with my wife and I is more than a guide and has become a wonderful friend and manager of his company. Wendy pictured above is a local guide in a small town who can take you on a bike ride into the countryside and show you sights that you would never find on your own to get a real first hand experience. So many people have told me after going with her what she meant to their trip and she loves children too. In China guides are licensed by the State and pay no entrance fees to sights. The majority of guides have gone to Guide Schools at which I have lectured many times in order to give them information on working with Western people and to listen to their concerns too. They are schooled in local history of their area and a wealth of information on every day Chinese culture. Guides are trained in handling any emergencies so you are always in good hands. Guides are really like having a friend who is proud to show you their city or area. Tours to China is my business and I want you to not only see China but to experience China. Guides are the key to that experience.

Temples in China

2010-05-27T13:19:00.001-07:00

Temples in China are like churches in Europe. They are all beautiful but you can't see them all and they start looking all alike after awhile. So it is important on a tour to perhaps see the best ones which can be identified by your tour operator or your guides. Having travelled through China for 21 years I try to see as many as possible and identify those worth the efforts of visiting by my clients. The temple above is less than 10 years old but very unique located out in the middle of Sichuan province at 10,000 feet. Decorated in 24ct. gold leaf it can be seen for 50 miles away on a sunny day. It is estimated at today's value the gold on the outside is worth in excess of U.S. $6 million dollars. Note the front door is decorated in copper leaf and gold leaf with the roof and decorations done in pure gold leaf. Photographs of this temple inside are not allowed and receives very few visitors in this remote area. On my web site http://www.interlakechinatours.com/ this temple is included in my package tour listed as an Ecological Tour of Sichuan province going up the Tea Horse Road to Danba at 10,000 feet and over a pass that reaches close to 17,000 feet above sea level. For more interesting temple visits let us plan a tour just for you. Tours to China has been our business for 20 years. Let us send you our references of clients who do not mind telling you about their private custom tour to China designed just for them. As a China Tour Operator we like to think we create lasting memories for you rather than just site seeing a beautiful country with kind and friendly people.

Children of China

2010-05-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

For people who want to interact with the local people in China, you will find the children most active especially in the small towns or countryside. You may hear a enthusiastic "Hello" with a big smile as you pass by although many young people are learning English now in primary school as the #2 language. I am finding more and more young people who speak English if they are not so shy. You will note in the photos above how well dressed the children are and this is typical with a wide variety of clothes available or made by their family. In the minority areas you will often see children dressed in their traditional clothes worn every day such as the little girl dancing above. She came to my guide in the afternoon and had him ask me if I would dance with her that evening at the nightly dance in the Square. Of course I agreed and she sought me out that evening to dance as awkward as I was at their traditional dancing. I often bring wrapped American candy such as Tootsie Rolls to share with them on special occasional meetings such as these. If you bring your own children to China, chance meetings with Chinese children can often be done in city parks especially on weekends. Visiting schools is often difficult as it tends to disrupt classes but sometimes in the remote areas teachers often enjoy visitors since the children do not often have an opportunity to interact with foreigners. We specialize in private custom tours to China and have for almost 20 years. I particularly enjoy doing tours for families where you will be able to meet Chinese families not only in the parks but in their homes to see how they live too. For more information contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

YuHu Village

2010-05-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

This past fall I returned from my 50th trip to China since I started going there in 1989. I have been planning tours for clients to go to China since 1992. My trips now are working with my local suppliers all over China reviewing sites, hotels and looking for those very unique places to send my clients. One of those special places shown above is YuHu village with all houses, roads, buildings etc. all made from the round stones found in the area. Strangely enough the famous explorer, Joseph Rock, actually lived here until the late 1940's before the revolution. His home is still there and can be visited. Located not far from LiJiang it is an interesting village to visit not only because of the rock designs but because it is a typical old rural China village with no shops and has changed little in the last 200 years. Joseph Rock made his home here because he loved the rural quiet atmosphere which it still maintains. You will seldom see tourists here and it is like walking back into history. This village along with some others can all be visited in one day each with their own unique atmosphere such as Baishan with shops and the famous Dr. Ho's Clinic, Wenghai which is very primitive and Lashi if you are interested in horse back riding. For some unique China Tour Packages and Custom Tours to China, check my web site.

Biking in China

2010-05-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Clients are often asking me about biking in China. One of the best places I have found is near Guilin where you can bike out to Yangshuo town amongst the hay stack like hills. Flat roads are easy with little traffic and the scenery is fantastic. One can rent a bike for about $2 per day and it is a great way to visit the many villages and countryside along the Li River. As you can see above I really get into the spirit of it. The shorts I had made for about $4 since I only had long pants with me. The shirt I bought to the chagrin of the shop keeper who made the shorts for me. It says "I have no money" which I thought appropriate to keep the "sellers" away. Actually it got many snickers from the local people perhaps thinking that I didn't know what it meant. In any case I and my guide had a fantastic day visiting local villages and farmers in their fields. We had lunch with a family in their home in the countryside too. Finding a good local guide to take me around and translate with the local people really made the day perfect. To this day I still recommend "Wendy" Li in Yangshuo to take my clients around her area where she lives near Yangshuo. A half day biking and a half day at the local cooking school gives you a real China experience you won't soon forget. Tours to China is my business for over 20 years. I hope I have the opportunity to plan a tour just for you and your special interests.

Minority People's of China

2010-05-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

There are 57 minority peoples in China with the Han people being the greatest in numbers. Above you see only three of them. Top is the Zhrung people living mostly in south central China province of Guizhou. In the middle photo are the Naxi people mostly living in and around LiJiang in Yunnan province. The bottom photo is a Mosuo woman which is the only matriarchal society in China living around Lugu Lake which is north of Kunming in Yunnan province. Many of the minority people live in south central China with Yunnan province probably having the greatest number of groups. The minority people are very proud of their nationalities and wear their distinctive clothes with pride. The Zhrung women in the top photo all wear their hair in the same style. The color of their clothes and design often characterize the difference in their nationalities. We can design a tour just for you to visit many of the minority people with their varied dress and learn more about their customs and daily living. We have had 21 years experience in travel through out China. Tours to China is our business and Chinese culture is our interest and passion. Let us do a tour just for you to your interests.

Yangtze River Cruises

2010-05-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

Many people thought that after the dam was built that the Yangtze River Cruises would cease running. Actually they have gotten better but business slowed a bit until this year as more people are aware of it now. The Gorge is still very high and the cruise is better than ever. It is a nice relaxing few days break during a China tour to cruise the Yangtze with daily activities, off boat sights, nightly entertainment and great meals or just relax on deck to enjoy the scenery and boat traffic on the river. Victoria Cruises, a U.S. owned line, is our choice of Lines however the Century Line shown above has introduced new boats one of which I sailed on recently and experienced their hospitality. Beware of tour operators who offer very low prices for cruises as there are many poor Cruise boats on the river as well with older boats and cleanliness issues. I recommend the U.S. Victoria Line, Century and the Royal Orient Line as your best choices. Prices vary from mid range to luxury suites. For more information on Cruising the Yangtze, contact me at interlak@eskimo.com I have been on the Yangtze cruise 7 times to keep up with the changes in life along the Yangtze.. As an experienced China only Tour Operator doing Tours to china for the past 23 years we can help you plan a tour to your interests and expectations.

Check our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com for packages including the Yangtze River Cruise.

THE BEIJING HOTEL

2010-05-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Site seeing in China can often be very overwhelming at times. With so many sites some often get overlooked and can be walked by without knowing it. The Beijing Hotel is one of those sites right in the middle of Beijing. It is a very historical part of history in China since much of what happened both politically and socially happened at the Beijing Hotel. Above is a photo of the entrance to the Grand Ballroom. Often left open, take a peek inside and you will see one of the great Ballrooms of Asia still kept as it was when it was built. Actually the hotel is a series of additions and now has three hotels within it. The Beijing Hotel, Raffles Hotel and the Grand Beijing Hotel. You can walk through the main hall that leads through all three hotels with shops, restaurants and classical decor of China. Located on the corner block of Wangfujing street and Changon Avenue right in the central area it is a must walk through site to visit. The hotels were redecorated about 5 years ago and brought up to date but still maintains its classic atmosphere.

For more unheralded sites of interest contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Celebrating our 21st year of travel to China. Your U.S. contact for exceptional private custom tours to China. Let our experience plan a tour to your personal interests.

China Rail System Goes Hi-Tech

2010-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

China announced that they are embarking on the greatest expansion of their rail system ever with new High Speed Trains. Similar to the U.S. interstate highway system expansion of the 1950's and '60's and Japan's 20th Century Shinkansen Bullet train system or the high speed trains of Europe, the Chinese now have 57 multiple unit high speed trains pictured above. Called the "Harmony" series they will reach speeds of 185 miles per hour. This past year the first train from Beijing to Tianjin ferried over 18.7 million passengers in just 30 minutes which use to take over 2.5 hours by highway bus. From Beijing to Shanghai and reverse there is a train leaving every 20 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00 taking just 5 hours time. In the coming 3 years China has ear marked U.S. $300 billion dollars for railroad expansion including 13,000 kilometers of special lines for high speed trains which can run 225 miles per hour or more. For more information on the Trains of China contact us at interlak@eskimo.com We are China Tour Operators in Seattle doing Tours to China and Tibet only for over 18 years for individuals as well as Groups who come to us with special interests or special needs for their Travel to China.

The Tea Horse Road

2010-04-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

The May issue of National Geographic has an article on the ancient Tea Horse Road that leads from Sichuan province to Lhasa. As late as 1946 porters hauled up to 300 lb. bales of tea on their backs 140 miles through the mountains to a station where pack horses then took it the rest of the way to Lhasa. Tea was worth more than gold to the Tibetans who traded much needed horses to the Chinese. Porters got paid one pound of rice for one pound of tea carried from Yaan to Kangding where it was transferred to the pack horses. In 2002 the Tea Horse Road was paved with asphalt and I and my Chinese partners were one of the first to drive this road from Chengdu to Danba, Bamei, Kangding, Yaan and back to Chengdu. A second trip we mapped out an itinerary to take tourists through this fantastic mountain area to small towns and villages that seldom see western people. Please check our web site under Ecological Tours to see the complete itinerary to this remote area inhabited by Tibetan people who are fairly self reliant and very friendly opening up their homes to visitors. Tours to China is our business for over 18 years and my 50 plus trips to China checking out new places and experiences to provide the best tours to China as a China only Tour Operator since 1992.

Tiananmen Square in Beijing

2010-04-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard of Tiananmen Square and all the Tour Companies take you there to walk the Square and then over to see the Forbidden City. Many people overlook some great sites on the Square that can be viewed during some free days or free time later. Mao's Tomb is located at the south end of the Square where his body can be viewed through a glass coffin on display at irregular times. Usually there is a fast moving line leading up to it if it is open. To the west of the Square is the Great Hall of the People where the Party Congress meets each year. The auditorium holds 10,000 seats and there is some wonderful reception rooms decorated for each Province in the country that may be viewed through glass windows. You may even have lunch in the ball room if you like. To the east of the Square is a wonderful Museum on the history of the revolution which many people overlook. Across the street of course is the Forbidden City and for an extra cost you can go up on the Entrance Gate above Mao's large picture for a great view of the whole Square a great place for photos. Before and after October 1st the Square is decorated in millions of flower pots with a different theme each year to commemorate the Revolution. Local people often fly kites on the Square and is a great place to mingle with the local people who often go for walks in the evenings or tourists during the day too.

China A 3rd. World Country?

2010-04-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

As a China Tour Operator, many people come to me with the idea that China is a poor 3rd world country and their expectations of touring there should be very inexpensive. Most people are shocked when they arrive in Shanghai or Beijing and find that that China is much more up to date than they had perceived. Above you see just one example of modern name brand stores which are available in China. Chinese people have money and they like luxury spending. 1.6 million households have an income in excess of $80,000 U.S. dollars a year which is expected to grow to 4.4 million households by 2015. In 2009, Chinese people purchased $9.4 Billion dollars in luxury goods and is expected to hit U.S. $14.6 Billion topping all other countries in the world with their 1.3 billion people. China has now surpassed the U.S. in luxury purchases and is only second to Japan as the largest consumer of high-end goods. Peking University is now offering a class on Fashion Luxuries Management and that class alone the tuition is U.S. $15,600 per student for the program. Young career working women often spend up to 25% of their income on brand name cosmetics alone in Shanghai as another example of their ever changing economy and culture. Still yet there are bargains to be had as China is a classic Old and New culture growing together side by side.

China Collectibles

2010-03-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would be one to collect anything much less tea pots as you see above. I do like the unique and different and while traveling through China for the past 21 years and over 50 trips, one of the things I have collected are these very rare and unique tea pots. They are actually chiseled out of solid stone and then dyed taking on average 6 weeks to make or more. No two are ever alike on purpose. I look at it as an art form rather than to be used as an ordinary tea pot. Little did I realize the first time I found an artist working on one in a park in Suzhou, that they are indeed extremely rare as a lost art. 10 years ago when I first found them I paid $65 on average for one which the ordinary Chinese wouldn't pay using it for a tea pot since clay ones could be bought for less than $2. So there was little market for them and no one was making them except a very few people located in a private school just outside Nanjing where clay tea pots is a very large industry. I have 8 of these wonderful pieces of art in our home and have never found any more again. One seller in Shanghai who was selling them in a park no longer is there having seldom sold any. The location of the quarry for this stone is also unknown other than the stone floors in the Forbidden City are made from the same rock. People in the Ming and Qing Dynasty referred to them as "gold bricks" as the cost of the material at the time was as much as gold. I wrote about them earlier in my blog and have more photos of them including my large family tea pot. Some day you may see them on EBAY of course but for now they remain a rare collectible in my home.

Old Summer Palace in Beijing

2010-03-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

There is one site in Beijing that is seldom visited but is historically interesting. That is the Old Summer Palace built during the 12th Century by Emperor Qianlong which was later destroyed by invading British and French during the Opium War of 1860. The Old Summer Palace was built in the French Style and held many artifacts which were taken during the war. This is all that remains of the building but some gardens still exist although the whole complex was abandoned. Empress Dowager Cixi began rebuilding the new Summer Palace in 1888 with money that was ear marked for the construction of a modern navy. In 1900 foreign troops once again during the Boxer Rebellion tried to burn it down. Some renovations were made a few years later and then a major renovation was done after the 1949 revolution and can be seen as it is today on Kunming Lake. The Old Summer Palace is worth a walk through since it is near the newer Summer Palace and Beijing University. Referred to as Yuanming Yuan (Perfection and Brightness Garden) the Great Fountain Ruins pictured above is the best preserved relic in the palace grounds and definitely a part of modern history of Beijing and China. As A China Tour Operator doing Tours to China only for the past 18 years, I will be more than happy to do a custom private tour just for you or any Group that comes to me with special interests.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD TOUR!

2010-03-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Choosing a China tour can be difficult especially on the internet. So many brochures, choices and so many companies besides the wide difference in prices. I have been a China only Tour Operator for over 18 years and travelled all through China for 21 years. I only do customized private tours for individuals or groups that come to me with a special agenda or interest. "A Poor Tour selected is long remembered and too late once you are there. A GREAT tour is also long remembered with good memories long after the cost is forgotten" How do you know which is good and which is poor? I teach a class here in Seattle on Travel in China and spend time on what to look for in a good tour and what questions to ask. Send me an email at interlak@eskimo.com and I will send you two essays I have written on this very subject. #1 "How Do I Select a Good Group Tour to China" #2 "Custom & Packaged China Tours" Both these will help you. I do not organize group tours to sell so I can be impartial. Above is myself with two delightful ladies that were sampling tea in a small village. You will find Chinese people to be very friendly and hospitable. Your tour should be one of enjoying the culture and country.

Tours to China as a China Tour Operator is my business and my only business.

Best Place to Visit the Great Wall?

2010-03-22T08:48:00.001-07:00

As a China Tour Operator for the past 20 years people always want to know where the best place to visit the Great Wall as there are several. It really depends on your physical ability I think. The Group Tour Companies always take you to Badaling because there is a freeway going out there and a large parking lot for buses (usually 80 buses or more) It is very crowded with many sellers there hawking their wares and a fairly long walk up to the Wall. Above you see a section called Mutianyu which is a bit further out but more beautiful and if there are two buses out there that would be a lot. Since I do custom private tours to China, I always send my clients to this section as it is seldom crowded and has a nice cable car up onto the Wall which I include. You have a choice of going either direction once you get up onto the Wall. Going right (top photo) it is more difficult but the view is wonderful. Going to the left (bottom photo) the walk is more level and you can go out to the section where it was not repaired to see how it was many years ago before they repaired it. Much less crowded and the scenery is better. Simatai and Jinshanling sections are more difficult and usually for hikers. A really wild section is from Huanghua to Zhuangdaokou Guar and takes about 3 hours to hike or climb it. For more information on the Great Wall, contact us at interlak@eskimo.com Tours to China is our only business. Check our web site for a list of China Tour Packages and Yangtze River Cruises.

Chinese Gardens Tour Announced for 2011

2010-03-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Chinese Garden Association announced they are doing a tour of China focusing on Traditional Chinese Gardens in China April 1st through the 18th, 2011. Leading the tour will be Chinese Garden Expert, Jan Whitner, well known lecturer, teacher and author on Chinese Gardens. Featured in the tour are Exotic Gardens, Traditional Mountain Villages and Cultural Heritage Sites. Cities visited will be Beijing, Chengdu, Mount Emei, Dazu, Chongqing, LiJiang, Suzhou and Shanghai. Besides the major sites of the Great Wall, Forbidden City and other great sites will be the best Classical Gardens of China, some which are centuries old. For more information and details, contact Interlake China Tours of Seattle at email: interlake@eskimo.com or call Dave Bruels at (206) 368-9074 The tour is limited to the first 20 people to sign up.

Hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge

2010-03-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

As a China only Tour Operator, many clients ask me about the Tiger Leaping Gorge either to hike along it or to see it. Located about 2.5 hours from LiJiang in Yunnan Province of China, it is part of the Upper Yangtze River. There is a hiking path along the river which can be hiked in two days with a overnight at a hostel or can be hiked for just a few hours too. It can be seen on the way between LiJiang and Dali or LiJiang and Shangrila by car. It can also be a day trip out of LiJiang for the day. Many adventurers have tried to raft it for many years losing their lives until the 1980's when five men tried it and three of them succeeded while the other two were drowned. The Gorge gets its strange name from an ancient myth that said a tiger was being chased by local people and leaped across the gorge at the point you see in the middle photo above landing on the rock escaping capture. There is a walk way now and a viewing platform that puts you right next to the roaring water rushing down the gorge. Visiting the Gorge can be worked into most tours that include Kunming, Dali or LiJiang visits. For more information contact us through our web site at http://www.interlakechinatours.com/ Doing Private Custom China Tours for individuals or groups for 20 years and over 2,500 people from around the world.

Morning Exercises in China

2010-03-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

If you are out for an early morning walk in China you will see the local people doing a wide variety of exercises. Social Dancing at 6:00 a.m. is hard to believe but you will find them often dancing in parks all across China. Fan dancing as above for the women, shadow boxing, Tai Chi, sword fighting, and a wide variety of other exercises can be seen. Some of the more interesting places in China are on the Bund Park in Shanghai along the water front, 7 Star Park in Guilin and just about any park in Beijing. Mostly done before they go to work between 6:00 and 8:30 a.m. you can still see some of the older retirees doing morning stretching exercises in just about any park all over China. You are welcome to join in as many tourists choose to do. During the evenings in some parks you will find local people doing Line Dances of all kinds too. Exercise in China is as much for the mind as for the body as they will explain to you. Tours to China is my buisness but China continues to provide an interesting education in life for me as well. I hope I can share some of it with you by providing a custom tour of China to you for your interests too. Check us out at www.interlakechinatours.com

Li River Day Cruise

2010-03-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

Everyone seems to know about the famous and beautiful Yangtze River Cruise but few seem to know about the Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo village in southern China. If you do not have the four or 5 days available for the Yangtze River Cruise but still want to take a short cruise, the Li River 5 hour cruise is fantastic through the hay stack like hills that surround the city of Guilin. A bus or your guide with car if taking a private tour will take you through the countryside to the boat dock located about 30 minutes from Guilin. Lunch is served on the boat and large windows make sure you do not miss anything viewing the farmers and fishermen along the river. There are also some sailings that stop at Crown Cave on the way which is a commercial cave as good as the Reed Flute Cave in the city. Arriving in Yangshuo village you can either go back to the city or stay over and enjoy this small town and especially the Night Show on the river produced by the man who did the Opening Ceremony at the Chinese Olympics. With over 900 villagers in the show, animals, lights and great music. It is a show not to be missed. Once a sleepy fishing village Guilin has become a tourist destination included in most tours. For more information, contact us at www.interlakechinatours.com Tours to China is our business as a China Tour Operator. Over 20 years experience of doing China Tours.

Cooking Classes in China

2010-02-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

I receive many inquiries from some clients about taking a cooking class in China. Finally I found one that is great for tourists with limited time available. They have a one course Class with either a morning class or an afternoon class. Same for two course Classes on different days of the week. The school is in a rural setting at a farm house near a small village but they provide transportation from and back to your hotel. Small classes are featured with a visit to a local market to pick out the necessary food, with five carefully selected dishes, with recipes of the dishes cooked at your own work bench with English fluent teachers to instruct you as you prepare the dishes under their care. And of course you get to eat the meal when you are finished. Private classes or Advanced Cooking Classes can be arranged in advance. It's a great way to experience the local culture and to learn about Chinese cooking at the same time...as well as having a great meal! Tours to China is by business and I am always looking for new ways for my clients to enjoy China in so many ways. As a China Tour Operator I have spent 21 years traveling through out China to find many unique experiences for my clients. I hope as a China only Tour Operator I can plan a special Private and Custom Tour for you or your group.

Craft Worshops in China

2010-02-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

As a custom China Tour operator, clients often tell me they do not want to be led to shopping places. That is understandable since Group Tours often must include Shopping Stops because the companies get kick backs for taking tourists to them. An exception to that is what I call Factory Workshops. I always suggest special workshops however where you can actually see the crafts being made and can appreciate the art that is being created. Some of these are the Cloisonne workshops in Beijing, the carpet shops in Shanghai, Jade Carving shops in Xian and many more through out China. Above one woman is free hand painting inlaid furniture with gold gilt paint. She asked me if I would like her to paint on my old camera (I carry three with me) and painted a small gold dragon on it. One never has to buy anything but it is interesting to see crafts being actually made. The two sided embroidery pieces in Suzhou are another where it takes 6 years to learn how to do it. Hand made knives in Kashgar are another favorite of mine or the stone tea pots that I have collected and no longer can find anymore. Antiques are plenty as well however many are well made fakes too. The Beijing Panjiayuan Flea market held on Saturday and Sunday is a great place to hunt and peck for unusual items. For more information on shopping email me or better yet my wife who has me bringing home suitcases full of delightful treasures over the years.

Tea Houses in China

2010-02-18T09:51:00.000-08:00

As you can imagine there are thousands of Tea Houses in China. Above is a famous one right in Shanghai that should not be missed. It is located just outside the Yu Garden Area on the Crooked Bridge. Over 270 years old in continuous use, it is a classic tea house on two levels. Go up stairs and get a window view of the area. For a special treat ask for the beautiful Tea Balls which open up into a beautiful flower. I buy them in Beijing and bring them home with me after each trip. The Yu Garden area is also in the Old District without cars and a great place for shopping besides see the #1 Garden in all of China. If you go to Suzhou which is just 40 minutes by train from Shanghai, besides known for its formal gardens and as the Venice of the East because of the Canals running through it; there is the QianTang Tea Houses. Each one is built like the 200 year old tea houses of old and with original and some fake antiques in them to give you the real feeling of stepping back in the past and enjoying a quiet afternoon or a much needed rest stop after a day of touring. There are thousands of tea houses all over China but these are a couple of my favorites.

Great Hall of the People

2010-02-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

One of the best sites in Beijing is the Great Hall of the People. It is never included in Group Tours because it is used by the Government so often and is the Assembly Hall of their Congress. It is used for State Dinners and the reception of Foreign Diplomats and High Government Representatives. Built in the 1950's by the Russians for the Chinese Government, it has the largest Auditorium seating over 10,000 people with the largest stage in China. There is a reception Hall decorated in the style of each Province of the country. Although you can not go into these, the doors are open and large windows allow you to peek into them. When it is open to the public, you can also have lunch in the large banquet hall. Located on the west side of Tiananmen Square in the central area it is truly a site not to be missed. Next to the Great Hall on the south side of Tiananmen Square is Mao's Tomb which also has an erratic schedule of openings. On the East side is the History Museum and across the street on the North side is the wonderful Forbidden City which is usually included in all tours of Beijing. Another must is taking a walk through the Beijing Hotel only a few blocks east as it is part of the history of Beijing too. For more sights of interest keep reading my blog.

Lunch with Friends

2010-02-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

After 21 years and 50 trips to China one develops many friendships. Above my friends and I often go out on day trips together. One of our favorite things to do is having good food in local restaurants. My friend, Mr. Li, is an excellent cook and often just goes out into the kitchen of the restaurants and cooks our lunch with some special recipe that he knows. Other cooks often watch him to learn his techniques. I too go out into the kitchens and see what they are preparing for the day or just to learn something new as I love to cook too. The atmosphere isn't as important as enjoying great food especially with fresh ingredients available in the countryside. One still needs to be careful of where you eat because of sanitary conditions but your guide will know the places to go. If you notice, I haven't missed too many meals in my life and China is a fantastic country to enjoy good food. During my trips I often review restaurants especially in the larger cities where I send clients on tours. Tours of China is my business as a China Tour Company specializing in Private Custom Tours to the client's interests for the past 20 years. Let my experience as a China Tour Operator do a tour just for you.

Chinese Gardens

2010-02-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Chinese gardens offer a very restful place to enjoy nature and a peaceful surroundings. Better even is a nice cup of tea in a traditional tea house. Comprised of well placed rocks, stones, ponds, shrubs and trees you will see few flowers. During the spring months the flowering shrubs stand out as you see above in the photo; otherwise it is the placement of green trees and shrubs places amongst the rocks and ponds that make Chinese gardens special. When in Shanghai you must go to see the Yu Garden once the home of a wealthy merchant. Suzhou about one hour from Shanghai is known for its 87 formal gardens although only 28 of them are open to the public. Above are photos of the Humble Administrator's Garden the largest garden in Suzhou. Two of my favorites are the Garden of the Nets and Lingering Garden but you can spend days visiting others as well. There are gardens all over China of course but these and gardens in Chengdu and Emeishan are some of the best in China. There is an organization in Seattle that is planning a special China tour in 2011 keying in on Gardens of China. If interested I will put you in touch with them when it is announced to the public. Contact me at: interlak@eskimo.com

Visiting Churches in China

2010-02-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

I give talks on China now and then as well as slide shows in the Seattle area. Someone asked me about churches in China. In Europe people like to visit churches and usually in China people like to visit Temples. There are some beautiful churches in China and above is one Cathedral in Beijing. There is a South Beijing Cathedral the Immaculate Conception one built in 1904, the Beitang Cathedral built in 1887, Xishiku Cathedral and the St. Joseph's church on Wangfujing street which most tourists see in the shopping district. There are others as well including some Protestant churches but most seem to be Catholic. Masses are generally early in the morning and Sunday masses are often standing room only. In Shanghai the largest Cathedral there has an English mass but most are in Chinese of course. Most churches are locked during the day so if you want to tour the insides of any church be sure to go early in the morning before, during or just after the masses. Earlier I wrote about a Catholic church in south China that was rebuilt by the government in a very poor area after their church was destroyed in a bad storm. Tours to China is my business as a China Tour Operator with China tour packages and customized tours to your interests and needs. We do Yangtze River Cruise tours also.

Lhasa, Tibet

2010-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

My Chinese associates tell me that the Americans seem to be the most interested in Tibet more than other nationalities. I find that true as a Tour Operator to China and Tibet. Many people love it but some people return home a bit disappointed. Perhaps their expectations were much more. Many going to Lhasa expect to see high towering mountains....except that in Lhasa at 10,000 feet you are on top of them. One must go to central and western Tibet to see the higher peaks. Lhasa, the largest city, is only about 300,000 population but the new train going there has brought more tourists than ever to Tibet. The main attraction of course is the Potala Palace. It is only open during the morning hours and a entrance ticket is required but often sold out so be sure you have reservations before you go there. Above you see a photo of the Palace and a photo looking back at the city which I took standing on top of the Palace roof. Then below is the famous Lama Debaters which is always interesting to see. The sun is very bright and a good hat and sun screen is necessary. I had a sun burn from just 25 minutes on the roof of the Palace. A permit is required to enter Tibet and your tour company can get this for you in advance. You should be in good health as the 10,000 altitude is highly noticeable as you arrive by plane or train which are pressurized so the effect is immediate. A few hours rest to get use to the change and a special ginger tea with brown sugar helps to get use to the change. For more information contact me at interlak@eskimo.com I am a Seattle Tour Operator for China only for over 20 years.

Xishuangbanna - Tropical Yunnan Province

2010-02-05T05:41:00.000-08:00

As a tour operator to China, I have some clients who can only get away for a Tour to China in the winter months or cooler months of the year. For those people I try to send them to southern China or in warmer areas. Xishuangbanna area and the city of Jinghong in the south just north of Viet Nam, Laos and Burma is one of those special areas. Wild elephants, fantastic tropical parks, rubber, pineapple, banana and other tropical fruit plantations abound in this area. Also over 26 minority nationalities are in Yunnan province with their different cultures, clothes and traditional ways. One culture, the Hani people, the woman do all the work and the man retires once they marry. My wife thinks that is a bad idea of course. Xishuangbanna is the area surrounded by jungle but has an airport to fly into from Kunming. The locals call their area "Banana" for short. The tractor shown above is the local transportation for the farmers bringing their produce to the many wonderful markets scattered through out the countryside. My guide shown above calls those tractors a "Banana Benz" A take off on the Mercedes Benz of course. A local joke! Few western tourists come here but it is a wonderful escape from the colder areas of China in the winter as well as so many western tourists. For more information on Tours to China check out web site at www.interlakechinatours.com

World Park in Beijing

2010-02-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

As a China Tour Operator doing private and customized Tours to China, I do tours for many families with children. I try to balance interesting places for adults as well as children. In Beijing and Shanghai there is the Children's Palace where Chinese children go to learn the arts, music, dance, painting, computer and many other activities usually after school and on Saturdays and Sundays. We must make appointments for tourists to visit but children find this very interesting meeting Chinese children also. There are specialty parks like World Park in Beijing which you see above. There are sights from all over the world built in smaller sizes but as you can see the Eiffel Tower of Paris looks full size in the photo but is actually only 45 feet high. It is like a tour of the world all in one park. There are other parks in China such as Minority Parks and Beijing Miniature Park which can be included in any private custom tour that we can plan. When planning a trip to China you might as well see what you are interested in rather than a general tour of the main sights. Customized private tours for your own group of friends or just yourselves can be arranged with your budget in mind. We have China Tour Packages, Tibet and Silk Road packages too available on our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com