1

9 10

12

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8

4~7

151618

19

21 26

20

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2728

30

31

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35

36

3748

49

50

38

39~42

43~4729

23

2425

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13

11

China’s Top 50

1. Wudalianchi (Heilongjiang)2. Heaven Lake & Mt Changbai (Jilin)3. Hunlunbeier Grasslands (Inner Mongolia)4. The Great Wall (Beijing)5. The Forbidden City (Beijing)6. Peking Duck (Beijing)7. The Temple of Heaven (Beijing)8. The Chengde Mountain Resort (Hebei)9. Pingyao Ancient Town (Shanxi)10. Yungang Grottoes (Shanxi)11. Confucian Temple (Shandong)12. Mt Taishan (Shandong)13. Suzhou Canals & Gardens (Jiangsu)14. Zhouzhuang Ancient Town (Jiangsu)15. Pudong & the Bund (Shanghai)16. Mt Huangshan (Anhui)17. Hongcun Ancient Village (Anhui)18. Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu (Henan)19. Shennongjia (Hubei)20. Mt Wudang & Taoism (Hubei)21. Fenghuang Ancient Town (Hunan)22. Zhangjiajie (Hunan)23. West Lake (Zhejiang)24. Mt Wuyi (Fujian)25. Taroko Gorge & Tribes (Taiwan)26. Mt Lushan (Jiangxi)27. Dim Sum (Guangdong & Hong Kong)28. Kaiping Watchtowers (Guangdong)

29. Victoria Harbour & Star Ferry (Hong Kong)30. Yalong & Sanya Bays (Hainan)31.Yangshuo & the Li River (Guangxi)32. Huangguoshu Waterfall (Guizhou)33. Yangtze River Cruise (Chongqing)34. The Terracotta Warriors (Shaanxi)35. Mt Huashan (Shaanxi)36. The Silk Road (Gansu & Xinjiang)37. Labrang Monastery (Gansu)38. Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang (Gansu)39. Leshan Big Buddha (Sichuan)40. Jiuzhaigou National Park (Sichuan)41. Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Sichuan)42. Hot Pot (Sichuan & Chongqing)43. Yuanyang Rice Terraces (Yunnan)44. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Yunnan)45. Lugu Lake (Sichuan & Yunnan)46. Kawa Karpo (Yunnan)47. Yunnan’s Ethnic Minorities (Yunnan)48. Qinghai-Tibet Railway (Qinghai & Tibet)49. Kashgar (Xinjiang)50. Potala Palace (Tibet)

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5The Forbidden City (Beijing) Not just for emperors and sniveling eunuchs anymore, the Forbidden City was in its heyday a monstrous palace with a hamlet of servants and concubines. Today its beauty, regality and sheer size, along with its mythological history and unyielding architectural magnificence,

continue to knock the socks off anyone who steps inside.

6Peking Duck (Beijing) There are variations of it all over the world from New York to New Delhi, but the original recipe started in Beijing. The first origins of this dish appeared in the emperor’s kitchen during the Yuan Dynasty 800 years ago. It was so good that it was reserved only for the

emperor himself, but over time the secret was slowly released to the masses and Peking Duck eventually rose to international fame. After you roll the succulent duck meat into a pancake and add a little sweet bean sauce, scallions, cucumbers and sometimes sugar into the mix, take a bite and enjoy a mouthful of history.

China’s Top 50

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Table of Contents

China’s Top 50 �������������2

How to Use this Book�������������������������������������28

Overview ���������������������34

Anhui ������������������������111Hefei�����������������������114Huang Shan �����������120Jiuhua Shan �����������128Ancient Huizhou Villages ������������������132

Beijng ������������������������138The Great Wall �������192

Chongqing ���������������204

Fujian ������������������������235Fuzhou �������������������239Putian ���������������������247Quanzhou ��������������249Wuyi Shan��������������254Xiamen �������������������260Taining �������������������271

Gansu �����������������������274Lanzhou �����������������277Xiahe ����������������������282Wuwei ��������������������288Jiayu Guan �������������291Dunhuang ��������������294Tianshui �����������������298Zhangye �����������������300

Guangdong ��������������302Guangzhou ������������308Shenzhen ���������������328Foshan �������������������336Kaiping �������������������341Zhaoqing ����������������344Dongguan ��������������348

Guangxi ��������������������357

Guilin ����������������������361Yangshuo ���������������369Nanning �����������������374Beihai ���������������������380Chongzuo ��������������384Liuzhou ������������������387

Guizhou ��������������������390Guiyang �����������������394Anshun �������������������402Qiandongnan ���������408Zhenyuan ���������������414Qiannan �����������������417Qianxinan ���������������421Zunyi ����������������������424

Hainan �����������������������428Haikou ��������������������431Wuzhi Shan������������436Sanya ���������������������438Bo'ao ����������������������443

Hebei �������������������������444Shijiazhuang ����������447Zhengding ��������������454Chengde ����������������458Shanhai Guan ��������465Jimingyi ������������������469Beidaihe �����������������472

Heilongjiang �������������474Harbin ��������������������477Mudanjiang ������������489Wudalian Chi����������492

Henan ������������������������496Zhengzhou �������������499Nanjie Cun �������������504Dengfeng ���������������505Song Shan �������������508Shaolin Si ���������������510Luoyang �����������������512

Kaifeng �������������������517Anyang �������������������522

Hong kong ����������������525

Hubei �������������������������574Wuhan��������������������578Jingzhou ����������������592Yichang ������������������596Shennongjia �����������601Wudang Shan ��������604Enshi ����������������������610

Hunan �����������������������613Changsha ��������������616Shaoshan ���������������622Heng Shan �������������633Zhangjiajie �������������635Fenghuang �������������640Dehang ������������������644

Inner Mongolia ���������646Hohhot �������������������649Baotou �������������������655Bayanhot ����������������659Hulunbuir ���������������660Hailar ��������������������661Shiwei ��������������������664Manzhouli ��������������664

Jiangsu ���������������������666Nanjing �������������������670Suzhou �������������������681Wuxi �����������������������693Yangzhou ���������������700Zhenjiang ���������������706

Jiangxi ����������������������710Nanchang ��������������713Jiujiang �������������������720Lu Shan �����������������724Wuyuan ������������������728Ganzhou ����������������732

Sanqing Shan ��������736Jingdezhen ������������738

Jilin ���������������������������741Changchun ������������744Yanbian ������������������749Yanji �����������������������750Ji'an������������������������753Changbai Shan ������757

Liaoning ��������������������761Shenyang ���������������764Dalian ���������������������776Dandong ����������������785Xingcheng ��������������790

Macau �����������������������793

Ningxia ����������������������809Yinchuan ����������������812Zhongwei ���������������817Wuzhong ����������������819

Qinghai ���������������������821Xining ���������������������824Repkong ���������������831Guide ���������������������835Jyekundo ��������������835

Shaanxi ���������������������837Xi'an �����������������������841Hua Shan ���������������860Hancheng ��������������863Yan'an ��������������������865Mizhi ����������������������869

Shandong �����������������870Ji'nan����������������������875Tai'an ����������������������882Tai Shan �����������������883Qufu �����������������������889Qingdao �����������������893Yantai ���������������������903

Weihai ��������������������908Weifang ������������������913Zibo ������������������������917

Shanghai ������������������921

Shanxi �����������������������969Taiyuan ������������������972Pingyao ������������������976Qikou ���������������������984Wutai Shan ������������985Datong �������������������988

Sichuan ���������������������992Chengdu ����������������995Emei Shan �����������1011Leshan Big Buddha �����������������������������1014Langzhong �����������1017Jiuzhaigou ������������1030Songpan ��������������1034Zigong ������������������1036Yading ������������������1038

Taiwan ���������������������1040Taipei ������������������1045Hualien ����������������1057Taitung ����������������1059Kenting ��������������1061Ali Shan ���������������1064Kaohsiung ����������1068Tainan ������������������1072Taichung �������������1074Kinmen ����������������1079Tour de Taiwan �����1080

Tianjin ���������������������1084

Tibet ������������������������1097

Xinjiang �������������������1111Ürümqi������������������1115Turpan ������������������1122

Kashgar ��������������1127The Silk Road ������1133

Yunnan ��������������������1141Kunming ���������������1147Dali �����������������������1165Lijiang ������������������1180Tiger Leaping Gorge �����������������������������1194Shangri-La ����������1200Baoshan ���������������1213Tengchong �����������1214Ruili ����������������������1217Xishuangbanna ����1219Jinghong ��������������1221

Zhejiang ������������������1227Hangzhou ������������1230Shaoxing ��������������1250Wuzhen ���������������1252Wuyi ���������������������1255Ningbo �����������������1256Yiwu ���������������������1262

Sample Itineraries ��1264

Hot Topics ���������������1284

Mandarin Phrasebook�������������������������������������������1324

Glossary �����������������1333

Travel Resources ���1335

Index �����������������������1342

Overview

The popular shorthand for capturing China’s epic scale is “a nation of one

billion people.” In reality, the population currently stands near 1.4 billion. Though this may seem like a pendantic distinction, it’s important to remember that rounding down to 1 billion ignores 400 million people, a number larger than the entire US population.

China’s huge population is only matched by its history, which is proudly proclaimed by the locals to encompass over 5,000 years. Some dispute this length, however, arguing that the earliest archaeological evidence of China’s first dynasty dates back 4,000 years. While these discrepancies again my seem minor, consider that this duration of 1,000 years is a period more than four times the length of the entire hsitory of the United States.

Despite certain historical disagreements, Chinese civilization is undoubtedly one of the oldest, and its written language, architecture, and beliefs are some of the most enduring in the world. Chinese characters have outlived many of its ancient contemporaries, like Egyptian hieroglyphics and Sanskrit, while the ancient philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism continue to hold sway with many around the world today.

The History of China The Dynastic Cycle

While we may recount the history of China as if the country were a

continuous entity, it’s important to consider that the story of China’s past is not one of a consistent centralized state ruling over one unified people. On the contrary, the story of the territories that we now call “China” is one of constant conflict and invasion, with periods of harmony and growth punctuated by bitter discord and dissolution.

To truly understand Chinese history, it’s vital to tackle the concept of a dynasty. A dynasty is a succession of kings or emperors from the same family line, and it’s the fundamental unit of most of Chinese history. Truth be told, one of the most constant themes in historical eras (inside China and outside) is that they rise and fall in somewhat predictable cycles.

The cycle begins when a period of disorder creates an opening for new leadership, and a new dynasty is established by force. The newly-installed and energetic rulers go on to create a thriving, stable state that may expand or simply hold its territory, and the population often experiences strong growth. When these golden years begin to wane,

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安徽Anhuī

Capital: Hefei

Divisions: 17 prefectures, 105 counties, 1,845 townships

Area: 139,600 sq km (53,900 sq mi)

Population: 59,500,510

Ethnic composition: Han – 99%; Hui – 0.6%; others – 0.4%

UNESCO World Heritage SitesMount Huangshan (1990) (pg 120 )Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun (2000) (pg 133)

Hefei Average Temperature & Precipitation

Avg Precipitation Avg High Avg Low

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

37.8 / 10032.2 / 9026.7 / 8021.1 / 7015.6 / 6010 / 504.4 / 40-1.1 / 30-6.7 / 20-12.2 / 10-17.8 / 0

254 / 10 228.6 / 9203.2 / 8177.8 / 7152.4 / 6127 / 5

101.6 / 476.2 / 350.8 / 225.4 / 1

0

°C / °F TEMP RAINFALL mm / inch

Anhui

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Getting In & OutBy PlaneZhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (Zhèngzhōu Xīnzhèng Guójì Jīchǎng; 郑州新郑国际机场 ; IATA code: CGO) is located 37 km (23 mi) southeast of Zhengzhou. A taxi from the railway station to the airport costs about ¥100 and takes 50 minutes.

Departure – Arrival Frequency Duration PriceBeijing – Zhengzhou 4 flights daily 1 hr 30 min ¥760

Shanghai – Zhengzhou 13 flights daily 1 hr 50 min ¥800Guangzhou – Zhengzhou 8 flights daily 2 hr 10 min ¥1,350Chongqing – Zhengzhou 7 flights daily 1 hr 30 min ¥880

Chengdu – Zhengzhou 7 flights daily 1 hr 40 min ¥950Hangzhou – Zhengzhou 7 flights daily 1 hr 40 min ¥840

Nanjing – Zhengzhou 1 flight daily 1 hr 10 min ¥690Note: Prices listed above are full prices, but subject to an additional airport construction fee of ¥50 plus a fuel tax of ¥120. However, you can get 10-50% discount if you book the ticket at least one day early.

By TrainZhengzhou has two railway stations, Zhengzhou Railway Station (Zhèngzhōu Huǒchēzhàn; 郑州火车站 ) and Zhengzhou East Railway Station (Zhèngzhōu Dōngzhàn; 郑州东站 ).

Train number From – To Departing – Arriving

Duration Price

G89 Beijing West – Zhengzhou East 13:30 – 16:00 02 hr 30 min ¥309Note: There are 60 bullet trains from Beijing West to Zhengzhou (or Zhengzhou East) daily.

G531 Shijiazhuang – Zhengzhou East 09:15-11:12 01 hr 57 min ¥189.5Note: There are 45 bullet trains from Shijiazhuang to Zhengzhou East daily.

D286/D287 Shanghai Hongqiao – Zhengzhou 07:25 – 14:29 07 hr 04 min ¥236.5Note: There are 6 bullet and 12 regular trains from Shanghai (or Shanghai Hongqiao) to Zhengzhou daily.

D272/D273 Nanjing South – Zhengzhou 08:59 – 13:58 04 hr 59 min ¥204Note: There are 5 bullet and 15 regular trains from Nanjing (or Nanjing South) to Zhengzhou daily.

D272/D273 Hangzhou East – Zhengzhou 07:25 – 13:58 06 hr 33 min ¥233.5Note: There are 7 more regular trains from Hangzhou to Zhengzhou daily, taking 13-19 hours.

G518 Wuhan – Zhengzhou East 13:00 – 14:53 01 hr 53 min ¥244Note: There are 65 bullet trains from Wuhan (or Hankou Wuhan) to Zhengzhou East daily.

G502 Changsha South – Zhengzhou East

07:30 – 10:58 03 hr 28 min ¥393.5

Note: There are 50 bullet trains from Changsha South to Zhengzhou East daily.G2002 Xi’an North– Zhengzhou 07:45 – 09:56 02 hr 11 min ¥229

Note: There are 50 bullet trains from Xi’an North to Zhengzhou (or Zhengzhou East) daily.G94 Guangzhou South – Zhengzhou

East08:00 – 13:28 05 hr 28 min ¥653

Note: There are 12 bullet and 20 regular trains from Guangzhou (or Guangzhou South) to Zhengzhou (or Zhengzhou East) daily.

G74 Shenzhen North – Zhengzhou East

08:45 – 15:57 07 hr 12 min ¥727.5

Note: There are 4 bullet and 3 regular trains from Shenzhen (or Shenzhen North) to Zhengzhou (or Zhengzhou East) daily.

L7958 Luoyang – Zhengzhou 06:20 – 08:26 02 hr 06 min ¥17.5Note: There are 62 regular trains from Luoyang (or Luoyang Longmen) to Zhengzhou daily.

Henan

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Luòyáng 洛阳

In its prime one of the greatest cities in the world, Luoyang once rivalled the grandeur of ancient Rome. Starting with the Eastern Han (30 –

220 CE), the city was the capital of 13 dynasties and was at one point embellished with more than 1,000 Buddhist temples along the glowing Luo River. Truly an imperial citadel, the city boasted some of the mightiest city walls in all of Chinese history, products of the Tang and Sui Dynasties, both of which held capitals in old Luoyang.

It’s difficult to square the Luoyang of today – marked like any “average" Chinese city by block apartment buildings, mass construction projects, smog and shopping plazas – with that of the past. You may need to come here with a fair scoop of imagination.

But there is enough of historic Luoyang left to warrant a few days here at least. The star of this ancient past is the Longmen Grottoes, some of the most incredible preserved Buddhist cave art in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luoyang Old Town in the east holds its share of wonder as well, and the annual Peony Festival (Mǔdān Jiē; 牡丹节 ) in April welcomes spring in with style.

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Attractions

Luoyang Museum

Chinese name: 洛阳博物馆 (Luòyáng Bówùguǎn)Admission: FREEHours: 9:00-17:00; closed MonWebsite: www.lymuseum.com (in Chinese)Address: 298 Zhongzhou Zhonglu ( 中州中路 298 号 )Transport: Bus – 77, get off at Luoyang Bowuguan Stop

food stands around Old Town serving up yummy snacks, and if you head down Xidajie from the gate you can find a good antique market (Wénbóchéng Gǔwán Zìhuà Jiāoliú Zhōngxīn; 文博城古玩字画交流中心 ; 8 Xidajie) on the left.

Wangcheng Park

Chinese name: 王城公园 (Wángchéng Gōngyuán)Admission: ¥10Hours: 8:00–20:30Address: 312 Zhongzhou Zhonglu ( 中州中路 312 号 )Transport: Bus – 9, 10, 11, 15, 19, 32/k32, 32, 40, 50, 59, 101, 102, 103 get off at Wangcheng Gongyuan Stop

For better or worse, one of the best places in town to get that old Luoyang vibe is this museum that stands proudly up to par with Beijing’s best. Besides the oddly placed tribute to Mao, the museum is stocked with endless displays of some incredible pieces, including exquisite sancai (three color) porcelain from the Tang Dynasty, as well as pottery, bronzeware and other relics from the city’s millenium-long dynastic life.

Old Town (Lǎochéngqū; 老城区 )

Right next to the Lijing Gate (Lìjīng Mén; 丽 景 门 ; ¥30) and nestled in between the tributaries of the Luo River (Luòhé; 漯 河 ) in the eastern part of the city, Old Town is a sedate place of graceful courtyards and narrow alleys. You can enter the Drum Tower (Gǔ Lóu; 鼓 楼 ) that was erected in 1614 for just a few RMB, and the unique square-shaped, 700-year-old Wenfeng Pagoda (Wénfēng Tǎ; 文 峰 塔 ) is also worth a peek. There are numerous shops and street

This pleasant garden, centrally located in downtown, is where the Peony Festival is held every April.

Longmen Grottoes

Chinese name: 龙门石窟 (Lóngmén Shíkū)Admission: ¥120Hours: 7:00-18:30 (Mar-Oct); 7:30-17:30 (Nov-Feb)Website: www.longmenshiku.org (in Chinese)Address: 13 Longmen Zhongjie ( 龙门中街 13 号 )Transport: Bus – 53, 60 or 81, get off at Longmen Shiku Stop

The astounding UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Longmen Grottoes showcases some of China’s precious few surviving Buddhist caves and rock carvings. Chiseling started sometime around the end of the 5th century and continued over 200 years to produce more than 100,000 Buddhas and other religious figures along a 1 km (0.6 mi) stretch of limestone cliffs on the Yi River. Sadly, much of this utterly stunning masterpiece has been crudely ravaged, a victim of shameless collectors and Red Guards. Many sculptures remain headless, their tops in museums around the world. Ironically, the CCP, who is making quite the noise for their return, is the party

Henan

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Sleeping

BudgetLuoyang Yijia International Youth Hostel (Luòyáng Yìjiā Guójì Qīngnián Lǚshè; 洛阳易家国际青年旅舍 )

Clean and simple is the motto at this hostel. There are five kinds of rooms available: private twin rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, family rooms, and dorms with a shared bathroom. All the rooms have AC, and private rooms have their own TV and private bathrooms. Dorm ¥40, private twin ¥180.

Address: 329 Zhongzhou Donglu ( 廛河区中州东路 329 号 )Phone: (0379) 6351 2311Email: lyhostel@hotmail.com

Luoyang Jujia Hostel (Luòyáng Jūjiā Lǚguǎn; 洛阳居家旅馆 )

More of a home-stay than a hostel, Luoyang Jujia is located in a great local neighborhood, and the rooms have a shared bathroom with hot water. There’s also a kitchen, washing machine and café onsite, and the owner and his family are very personable and can pick you up from the train station. Give them a call to arrange your stay and pick up. Twin rooms from ¥70.

Address: South end of Zhengzhou Lu, Jianxi District ( 涧西区郑州路南头 )Phone: (0379) 6286 1009; 158 3790 6577Email: tld316@hotmail.com

Mid-rangeLuoyang Xiaolangdi Hotel (Luòyáng Xiǎolàngdǐ Bīn’guǎn; 洛阳小浪底宾馆 )

This three star hotel has free internet, and you’ll also find a business center, gift shop, ticket office, gym and Chinese restaurant. Doubles start at ¥380 but are often discounted to ¥218. Breakfast runs for ¥15.

Address: 160 Nanchang Lu, Jianxi District ( 南昌路 160 号 )Phone: (0379) 6494 6178; 6494 6688

Luoyang Shendu Hotel (Luòyáng Shéndū Dàshà; 洛阳神都大厦 )

Enjoy the large rooms and free internet at this three-star, and don’t forget that they have a ping pong table, gym, massage parlor, and

tasty Chinese restaurant. Doubles start at ¥480 but are often discounted to ¥228, including breakfast.

Address: 168 Huangmei Lu, Xigong District (西工区黄梅路 168 号 )Phone: (0379) 6348 5088

SplurgeLee Royal Hotel Mudu (Luòyáng Mùdū Lìháo Guójì Fàndiàn; 洛阳钼都利豪国际饭店 )

The nicest accommodation option in all of Luoyang at the time of research, this five-star hotel with spacious rooms, free internet, business center, work out facilities, tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool is, as you can see, extremely comfortable, but only if you’re ready to splurge. They have a Chinese and Western restaurant, and the café and bar is a nice addition. Rooms start at ¥643.

Address: 239 Kaiyuan Dadao ( 洛龙区开元大道239 号 )Phone: (0379) 6597 9999Email: leeroyalhotel@126.com

Luoyang Dongshan Hotel (Luòyáng Dōngshān Bīn’guǎn; 洛阳东山宾馆 )

Similar to the Lee Royal, this fancy hotel has everything from free internet and a gym to massages and a pool. They also serve up Western and Chinese food and have real coffee. Rooms start at ¥554.

Address: Dongshan, Luolong District (洛龙区东山 )Phone: (0379) 6468 6000

EatingThe Luoyang Water Feast (Shuǐ Xí; 水 席 ) proclaims itself as the Top Banquet Under Heaven and rivals the renowned Dumpling Banquet (Jiǎozi Yàn; 饺 子 宴 ) in Xi’an. It originates from the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) and has a long history of over 1,000 years. The 24 dishes accompanied by different soups consist of a combination of meat and vegetables served according to a very strict order that is designed to delight your taste buds through a perfect harmony of flavors (sour, sweet, salty and hot).

Old Town Snack Street (Lǎochéng Xiǎochī Jiē; 老城小吃街 )

Henan

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Mid-rangeMarvel Hotel (Shànghǎi Shāngyuè Qīngniánhuì Dàjiǔdiàn; 上海商悦青年会大酒店 )

One of the more expensive, mid-range options in Puxi, Marvel offers a historic yet classy vibe, central location next to People’s Square, a refurbished interior with modern appliances and cozy bedding. In our humble opinion, Marvel is the best bang for your buck around. Rooms start at ¥498.

Address: 123 Xizang South Rd ( 西 藏 南 路 123号 )Phone: (021) 3305 9999Website: www.marvel-hotel.com

Pacific Hotel (Jīnmén Dàjiǔdiàn; 金门大酒店 )

Located inside a clock-tower building that was originally built in 1926, Pacific’s interior has been re-done with marble floors, attractive paintings, burgundy carpets and wooden furniture. Request a room facing People’s Park; they have the best view and are a little more spacious. Rooms start at ¥368.

Address: 108 Nanjing West Rd (南京西路108号 )Phone: (021) 6327 6226; 5352 9898Website: www.pacifichotelshanghai.cn

SplurgeThe Peninsula (Shànghǎi Bàndǎo Jiǔdiàn; 上海半岛酒店 )

This wonderful five-star luxury hotel is on the northern side of the Bund. Many of the rooms have an outstanding view of the Huangpu River while others face the Bund promenade. As with all other Peninsula chains across the world, your room will be fitted with fine luxuries along with astute service and a classy vibe. The lobby bar is also tremendous. Rooms start at ¥798.

Address: 32 Zhongshan East 1st Rd ( 中山东一路 32 号 )Phone: (021) 2327 2888

Waldorf Astoria (Huá’ěrdàofū Jiǔdiàn; 华尔道夫酒店 )

On the Bund at the former Shanghai Club (est 1910) is where the renowned Waldorf Astoria opened one of the city’s newest ultra-modern hotels in 2010. The 20 premium suites are located in the original Shanghai Club and some

have an unprecedented view of Pudong, while the remaining rooms are located behind in a contemporary tower. All the rooms are equipped with the latest technology, and the TVs in the mirrors prove it. Rooms start at ¥1,510.

Address: 2 Zhongshan East 1st Rd ( 中山东一路2 号 )Phone: (021) 6322 9988Website: www.waldorfastoriashanghai.com (English available)

Jing’an District & Nanjing RoadBudgetLe Tour Traveler’s Rest Youth Hostel (Lètú Guójì Qīngnián Lǚshè; 乐途国际青年旅舍 )

You’ll find this Hostelling International associate in the heart of Jing’an. The place is bright and attracts a crowd of international and loca l tour i s t s . Lo ts o f bars and restaurants surround it, so you’ll never be hungry or thirsty here, and its location deep in a winding lane means you won’t hear too much noise while you’re trying to sleep off that hangover.

Address: 36, Lane 319, Jiaozhou Rd, near Wuding Rd ( 胶州路 319 弄 36 号 )Phone: (021) 6267 1912Website: www.letourshanghai.comEmail: tr@letourshanghai.com

Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel (Míngtáng Nánjīnglù Qīngnián Lǚshè; 明堂南京路青年旅舍 )

Another hostel just a block north of the Nanjing East Road pedestrian street and a few blocks from the Bund, this one is set in a bit of an industrial supply neighborhood but is still very close to the metro and surrounded by tons of good little restaurants.

Address: 258 Tianjin Rd, near Shanxi South Rd ( 天津路 258 号 )Phone: (021) 6322 0939

Mid-rangeHol iday Inn Downtown (Shànghǎi Guǎngchǎng Chángchéng Jiàrì Jiǔdiàn上海广场长城假日酒店 )

This four-star Holiday Inn is conveniently

PANDA PICK

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menu but overcharges considering their lack of atmosphere. If only Turkish will do, then check it out. Otherwise head upstairs to 1001 Nights.

Address: 4-7 Hengshan Rd, near Wulumuqi Rd ( 衡山路 4-7 号 , 近乌鲁木齐路 )Phone: (021) 5465 0977

$$$ Bali Laguna (Bālí Dǎo; 巴厘岛 )

For Indonesian food in a beautiful environment, Bali Laguna cannot be beat. Set in a wooden mansion overlooking the lake in Jing’an Park, the view from here is amazing both inside and from the candlelit seats outside around the lake.

Address: 189 Huashan Rd, inside Jing’an Park, near Yanan Rd ( 华山路 189 号 , 静安公园内 , 近延安路 )Phone: (021) 6248 6970

$$ Coconut Paradise (Yēxiāng Tiāntáng; 椰香天堂 )

An old candlelit mansion with a beautiful garden patio that serves some of the best Thai cuisine in the city, it’s perfect for a group dinner or a romantic date.

Address: 38 Fumin Rd, near Yan’an Middle Rd ( 富民路 38 号 , 近延安中路 )Phone: (021) 6248 1998

$ Ganesha (Kānǎixiāng; 咖乃芗 )

These guys might lack Vedas’s atmosphere, but the food is tasty and a lot cheaper than most Indian restaurants.

Address: 2/F, 458 Jiangsu Rd, near Xuanhua Rd ( 江苏路 458 号 2 楼 , 近宣化路 )Phone: (021) 3250 6100

$$$ Gintei (Yíntíng; 银亭 )

One of the better all-you-can-eat Teppanyaki places in the city. With a big group you can book a table around the grill; otherwise, smaller tables are available.

Address: 75 Nanhui Rd, near Beijing West Rd ( 南汇路 75 号 , 近北京西路 )Phone: (021) 6218 1932

$$$ Sushi Abuse

This delicious (but expensive) sushi venue only serves “sustainable sushi.” Sushi Abuse has an open layout and a highly designed atmosphere.

Address: 2/F, 98 Yanping Rd, near Xinzha Rd ( 延平路 98 号 2 楼 , 近新闸路 )Phone: (021) 5175 9818

$$ Munchies

See anything significant about their phone number? If you do, that should give you an idea of the type of food here. It’s tasty, especially when you really just want to stuff your face.

Address: 974 Wuding Rd, near Jiaozhou Rd ( 武定路 974 号 , 近胶州路 )Phone: (021) 6218 4616; 400 800 8420 Website: www.munchies.cn

$$ New York Steak and Burger

A small two-story restaurant in Tianzifang, where the steaks are pricey (but good) and the burgers are some of the best in town. (Note: don’t be surprised if you see an extra charge on your bill for the Tianzifang Restoration Fund.)

Address: 22, 155 Jian Guo Middle Rd, near Ruijin Er Rd, Tianzifang ( 田子坊建国中路 155弄 22 号 , 近瑞金二路 )Phone: (021) 6473 6070

$$ Latina

For Brazilian churrasco with unlimited meats served from a sword to your plate, Latina is a classy choice, perhaps due in part to its location in Xintiandi.

Address: Unit 101-102, Bldg 5, South Block Plaza, Xintiandi, Lane 123, Xingye Rd, near Madang Rd ( 新天地南里广场 5 号楼 101-102, 兴业路 123 弄 , 近马当路 )Phone: (021) 6320 3566

$ Sarnies

By far the city’s best deal on sandwiches, Sarnies has three outlets that cover a wide swathe of downtown. They’re less of a restaurant than a service window; swing by and pick up a menu for delivery.

Address: 123 Nanyang Rd, near Xikang Rd ( 南阳路 123 号 , 近西康路 )Phone: (021) 6289 2550; 6217 5223

$$ Pure & Whole

This quiet vegetarian spot doesn’t go for the fake-meat menu. Instead, they serve balanced dishes with comprehensive nutritional data. Great if you’re watching your figure…not as great for watching your budget.

Address: Suite 104, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing West Rd, near Xikang Rd ( 南京西路 1376

10% OFF

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stock. Another option is to do a home-stay with local Tibetan and Qiang families. For home-stays, contact the visitor’s center or ask your hotel or hostel for more info.

Fees/Permits

The Jiuzhaigou Administration Center contains the ticket office. Standard tickets go for ¥220, but the disabled, seniors 60 to 70 years of age, and students get a discount price of ¥170. Children under 1.3 m (4.2 ft) and seniors over 70 get in free. For more info, visit the website: www.jiuzhai.com/language/english

Low season tickets are ¥80 (Nov 16 – Mar 31). Keep in mind that during the low season many of the wooden trails and sections of the park are closed, making it impossible to hike. You can easily cover all the accessible areas in less than one day during the low season as most of the walking trails are closed, and you will need to take the bus to get around. During low season, the park ticket office opens at 8:30 and closes at 16:00, and the park itself closes at 18:00.

Inside the park

No cars or bicycles are permitted within the park, but with the bus pass you can go to all of the sites within the area. A good plan is to first take the bus to the head of Rize Valley (Rìzé Gōu; 日 则 沟 ), then walk back towards the entrance. It is best to combine walking with taking the bus, as the park is quite large and you won’t be able to cover enough ground purely on foot.

Stay Safe

With heights above 3,100 m (10,170 ft), altitude sickness is a real concern for many. Also during the winter months, the park is

There are a lifetime’s worth of true natural wonders to visit in this spectacular, world-renowned park. Some of the most famous sites include: Panda Lake (Xióngmāo Hǎi; 熊 猫 海 ), Tiger Lake (Lǎohǔ Hǎi; 老 虎 海 ), Sparkling Lake (Huǒhuā Hǎi; 火花海 ), Long Lake (Cháng Hǎi; 长海 ), Five-Flower Lake (Wǔhuā Hǎi; 五 花 海 ), Five Colored Pool (Wǔcǎi Chí; 五彩池 ), Bonsai Shoals (Pénjǐng Tān; 盆景滩 ), Huanglong Valley (Huánglóng Gǔ; 黄龙谷 ), Shuzheng Waterfall (Shùzhèng Pùbù; 树 正 瀑 布 ), Pearl Shoals Waterfall (Zhēnzhūtān Pùbù; 珍珠滩瀑布) and Nuorilang Waterfall (Nuòrìlǎng Pùbù; 诺日朗瀑布 ). See the map for more details.

A variety of small Tibetan and Qiang ( 羌 ) minority villages also dot the valley, so travelers can catch a bite of local life along with stunning scenery. In fact, it’s these villages that give Jiuzhaigou (which means Nine Village Valley) its name.

Eco Tourism, which is quite rare in the Middle Kingdom, is actually thriving in Jiuzhaigou. Contact the ecotourism program (ecotourism@jiuzhaigou.com; zharuecotour@jiuzhai.com; phone: 0837 773 7070) or go to the visitor’s center in town for more info. At the visitor’s center you can book camping tours with guides and even borrow equipment from their

Sichuan

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Uighur CuisineDue to its unique geography, centered between East and Central Asia, Uighur cuisine has developed a special taste that’s made its way into mainstream Chinese restaurants across the country. Since most Uighurs are Muslim, Uighur food follows halal cooking preparation (no pork), and sometimes it can be eaten with chopsticks, your hands or with a fork and knife. Listed below are some of Xinjiang’s most popular treats.

Lamb (yángròu; 羊肉 )

Naan (náng; 馕 ).

Lamb and mutton is without question the number one favorite in Xinjiang. In the rest of China, when a dish is said to contain meat (in a general sense), it typically refers to pork. In Xinjiang, “meat” refers to lamb or mutton. However, the most famous preparation of lamb comes in the form of shish kebabs ( 串儿 ; chuàn’er) grilled to perfection right on the street. These lamb skewers are usually dashed with cumin and chili pepper and are so tasty they are wildly popular across the entire country.

Baked Baozi (kǎobāozi; 烤包子 )

A Uighur meat pie similar to Chinese style stuffed buns, local baked baozi have a crispier, crunchier, outer bread crust and are heartier than the ones you’ll find elsewhere in the Mainland.

Goat Head Stew (qīngdùn yángtóu; 清炖羊头 )

This delicacy really freaks many travelers out, but it’s a classic that can be found at night markets all over the province. Basically, the severed head of a goat is dipped into a thick, boiling, seasoned stew and slow roasted for hours. It’s then served on a plate with the meat of the cheek sliding right off the bone and the eyeballs – the best part, according to the locals – still intact.

For Chinese, the go-to staple is either a bowl of rice (in the south) or noodles (north). For Uighurs, it’s a hot, round loaf of seasoned naan flat bread. It comes in all shapes, sizes and flavors, but the most common variety is plain. Others may have an onion zing, a sweet seasoning or even a zesty punch.

Xinjiang Baked Cakes (kǎonáng; 烤馕 )

Uncommon in China but very popular throughout the Musl im world, baked cakes, along with syrupy pastries and other delicious sweets, are found in artisan shops throughout the region. They’re much sweeter than standard Chinese deserts, and believe us when we say that they’re scrumptious!

Pilaf (shǒuzhuāfàn; 手抓饭 )

An oily, fluffy, colorful rice spotted with meat (usually mutton) and veggies, this common Central Asian dish is extremely popular throughout the Stans, especially in Uzbekistan, and it’s literally finger-lickin’ good (pilaf is usually eaten with the hands).

Big Plate Chicken (dàpánjī; 大盘鸡 )

How big is the big plate chicken? Well, it’s often an entire chicken sizzled in herbs and spices and accompanied by a few potatoes for good measure. Once the chicken has been cooked and the juices are flowing, hand-pulled noodles are added to the pot to absorb the succulent flavor. This one is a little spicier than other traditional Uighur dishes and one

Xinjiang

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The minority groups of Yunnan have (as you may have already imagined) have developed a joyous collection of festivals that are usually characterized by singing, dancing and blasting fireworks into the air. Many of the festivals date back hundreds of years, and if you have the opportunity you’d better plan your trip to coincide with at least one of them. Besides the glorious landscapes and food of Yunnan, minority cultures are some of the best pieces of the Yunnan pie, and festivals are without question the best place to sample a slice. Check out our list of festivals and their places and times to make sure you get in on the action.

Third Moon Fair

Chinese name: 三月街 (Sānyuè Jiē)When: 3rd lunar month, days 15 – 21 (late Mar or early Apr)Where: Western slope of Dali.Ethnic groups: Bai, Yi, Liso, Zang

of town and marches to the Sacred Fountainhead Temple (Shèngyuán Sì; 圣源寺 ) in Xizhou ( 喜洲 ; total distance 20 km or 12.5 mi). After dancing and singing until the break of dawn, the celebration moves to Jingui Temple (Jīnguī Sì; 金 圭 寺 ) and then hits up Majiuyi Temple (Mǎjiǔyì Běnzhǔmiào 马久邑本主庙 ).

Torch Festival

Chinese name: 火把节 (Huǒbǎ Jié)When: 6th lunar month, day 24 (2014: Jul 21)Where: Most minority villages; Lijiang and Dali have strong participationEthnic groups: Yi, Bai, Naxi, Lahu, Hani, Lisu, Primi, Blang, Jino

Yunnan Minority Festivals

The Third Moon Festival is your best chance to catch many of Dali’s different ethnic groups assembled in one place and showcases markets and traders touting a head-spinning cache of Dali goods – including horses. Eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment are all part of the fun, and you can catch appearances by herb-trading Tibetans, Yi horse-traders and (if you’re lucky) the rarely-seen Liso from the western mountains. The Bai also come in great numbers and don their colorful traditional costumes for dancing and trading extravaganzas.

Surrounding Three Spirits/Three Temples Pilgrimage

Chinese name: 绕三灵 (Ràosānlíng)When: 4th lunar month, days 23 – 25 (usually May)Where: DaliEthnic groups: Bai

The Three Temples Pilgrimage is not as solemn as it sounds. The party starts from the South Gate

One of the most dangerously fun festivals in all of China, the Torch Festival invites locals to put up ten foot-tall torches around town, break out bags of highly flammable pine resin powder, and then throw handfuls of fire at each other. How does this work? As the madness proceeds into the evening, the tall torches crumble to smaller handheld pieces. Next, locals pick them up to use them as personal flames, over which they throw the pine resin. The result is a thunderous burst of flame aimed at their target. It’s all in good fun and usually no one gets hurt, but it is amazing that they haven’t yet burned the town down.

Water Splashing Festival

Chinese name: 泼水节 (Pōshuǐ Jié)When: mid AprilEthnic groups: Dai

Yunnan

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Sample Itineraries

China’s big... really big! In fact, this mammoth country is so huge you may have no clue where to begin. If you can’t decide which

destinations you want to check out, take a look at our sample itineraries to see if any are up your alley. Remember, these are merely samples, meaning you don’t have to follow them to a tee. Feel free to mix and match and wander off the trail whenever you fancy. You’re traveling, so zip through China with a free-spirited attitude and enjoy the best this country has to offer.

Imperial Tour10-16 days

Beijing北京

Xi’an西安

Luoyang洛阳

Kaifeng开封

Nanjing南京

Hangzhou杭州

A handful of ancient capitals await you on the Imperial Tour. In these bustling cities and quaint towns, you’ll be swooned by a collection of

ancient palaces, mausoleums, temples and defensive walls, and you can bet that there are even a few royal gardens thrown in for good measure.

The Imperial Tour fittingly throws in quite a few heavy hitters. Each of these destinations was a former dynastic capital, while four of them compose the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. All host audacious and

beautiful royal architecture, temples, gardens and fantastic views of China through the ages – the perfect choice for the history buff.

Beijing (2-3 days; pg 138): Get started in the

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Provinces and CitiesProvinces CitiesĀnhuī 安徽 Héféi 合肥 ; Huángshān 黄山 ; Wúhú 芜湖

Běijīng 北京

Chóngqìng 重庆

Fújiàn 福建 Fúzhōu 福州 ; Xiàmén 厦门 ; Pútián 莆田 ; Quánzhōu 泉州 ; Tàiníng 泰宁

Gānsù 甘肃Lánzhōu 兰州 ; Xiàhé 夏河 ; Wǔwēi 武威 ; Dūnhuáng 敦煌 ; Tiānshuǐ 天水 ;

Zhāngyè 张掖 ; Jiāyùguān 嘉峪关

Guǎngdōng 广东Guǎngzhōu 广州 ; Dōngguǎn 东莞 ; Zhūhǎi 珠海 ; Shēnzhèn 深圳; Fóshān 佛山; Kāipíng 开平 ; Zhàoqìng 肇庆

Guǎngxī 广西Nánníng 南 宁 ; Guìlín 桂 林 ; Běihǎi 北 海 ; Bǎisè 百 色 ; Yángshuò 阳 朔 ;

Chóngzuǒ 崇左 ; Liǔzhōu 柳州

Guìzhōu 贵州 Guìyáng 贵阳 ; Ānshùn 安顺 ; Zūnyì 遵义 ; Kǎilǐ 凯里

Hǎinán 海南 Hǎikǒu 海口 ; Sānyà 三亚 ;Bó'áo 博鳌

Héběi 河北 Shíjiāzhuāng 石家庄 ; Chéngdé 承德 ; Zhèngdìng 正定

Hēilóngjiāng 黑龙江 Hā'ěrbīn 哈尔滨 ( Harbin); Mǔdānjiāng 牡丹江

Hénán 河南 Zhèngzhōu 郑州 ; Kāifēng 开封 ; Luòyáng 洛阳 ; Dēngfēng 登封 ; Ānyáng 安阳

Hong Kong Xiānggǎng 香港

Húběi 湖北 Wǔhàn 武汉 ; Jīngzhōu 荆州 ; Yíchāng 宜昌 ; Shénnóngjià 神农架 ; Ēnshī 恩施

Húnán 湖南Chángshā 长 沙 ; Xiāngtán 湘 潭 ; Zhāngjiājiè 张 家 界 ; Sháoshān 韶 山 ;

Fènghuáng 凤凰

Inner MongoliaNèiměnggǔ 内蒙古

Hūhéhàotè 呼 和 浩 特 (Hohhot); Bāotóu 包 头 ; Hūlúnbèi'ěr 呼 伦 贝 尔 (Hulunbuir); È'ěrduōsī 鄂尔多斯 (Ordos); Hǎilā'ěr 海拉尔 (Hailar)

Jiāngsū 江苏Nánjīng 南京 ; Sūzhōu 苏州 ; Wúxī 无锡 ; Chángzhōu 常州 ; Yángzhōu 扬州

Zhènjiāng 镇江

Jiāngxī 江西 Nánchāng 南昌 ; Jǐngdézhèn 景德镇 ; Jiǔjiāng 九江 ; Lúshān 庐山 ; Gànzhōu 赣州

Jílín 吉林 Chángchūn 长春 ; Yánbiān 延边 ; Jí'ān 集安

Liáoníng 辽宁 Shěnyáng 沈阳 ; Dàlián 大连 ; Xìngchéng 兴城

MacauÀomén 澳门

Níngxià 宁夏 Yínchuān 银川 ; Zhōngwèi 中卫 ; Wúzhōng 吴忠

Qīnghǎi 青海 Xīníng 西宁

ShaanxiShǎnxī 陕西 Xī'ān 西安 ; Yán'ān 延安 ; Mǐzhī 米脂

Shāndōng 山东Jǐnán 济南 ; Qīngdǎo 青岛 ; Tài'ān 泰安 ; Qūfù 曲阜 ; Wéifāng 潍坊 ; Wēihǎi 威海 ; Yāntái 烟台 ; Zībó 淄博

Shànghǎi 上海

Shānxī 山西 Tàiyuán 太原 ; Píngyáo 平遥 ; Jìnchéng 晋城 ; Dàtóng 大同

Sìchuān 四川 Chéngdū 成都 ; Lèshān 乐山 ; Zìgòng 自贡 ; Yíbīn 宜宾 ; Lángzhōng 阆中

Táiwān 台湾Táiběi 台 北 (Taipei); Huālián 花 蓮 (Hualien); Táidōng 台 東 (Taitung); Kěndīng 墾 丁 (Kenting); Gāoxióng 高 雄 (Kaohsiung); Táinán 台 南 ;

Táizhōng 台中 (Taichung)Tiānjīn 天津

TibetXīzàng 西藏

Lāsà 拉萨 (Lhasa); Rìkāzé 日喀则 (Shigatse)

Xīnjiāng 新疆 Wūlǔmùqí 乌 鲁 木 齐 (Urumqi); Tǔlǔfān 吐 鲁 番 (Turpan); Ākèsū 阿 克 苏

(Aksu); Hétián 和田 (Hotan); Kāshí 喀什 (Kashgar)

Yúnnán 云南Kūnmíng 昆 明 ; Lìjiāng 丽 江 ; Dàlǐ 大 理 ; Xīshuāngbǎnnà 西 双 版 纳 ;

Xiānggélǐlā 香格里拉 (Shangri-La)Zhèjiāng 浙江 Hángzhōu 杭州 ; Níngbō 宁波 ; Shàoxīng 绍兴 ; Wēnzhōu 温州 ; Yìwū 义乌

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The Authors

Trey Archer is from Lake Charles, Louisiana and studied International Affairs at the George Washington University. While backpacking Latin America in 2007, he declared while hitchhiking by boat from Colombia to Panama that he’d pursue a career in travel writing after graduation instead of entering the world of diplomacy. Since then he has traveled to more than 80 countries, speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin fluently, and has lived in nine different nations. In his free time he practices muay Thai, cycles and is still obsessed with traveling. Trey has been in China for six years and has lived all over the country, but now he resides in the hutongs of Beijing.

Trey Archer

Arthur was raised in the clean streets of Savannah Georgia. After graduating with a Bachelors’ degree in English literature and Philosophy, Arthur found himself with the ho-hum job of managing a hotel. Tired of watching the world move around him, he decided to seize the sage advice given to him by an old Art History professor. Experience is life’s greatest teacher, and what better way to do that then by traveling. After 6 years in Asia, Arthur has managed to pick up a bit of Korean and reads enough Chinese to muddle through a newspaper. Nowadays, Arthur stays on the lookout for a good adventure motivated mostly by his desire to try as many of China’s delicious dishes as possible.

Arthur Tanny

Born in Denver, CO, Robert received his B.A. in Linguistics from the nearby University of Colorado. After growing up admiring ancient Taoist philosophies and the furious fists of Bruce Lee and Gordon Liu, he came to China in 2009 for a summer stint at a martial arts school and a month of travel. Utterly smitten with the country and the language, he hurried back in the summer of 2010 and has made it his home ever since. Robert has traveled to more than 15 cities throughout China (the list is ever growing), practices kettlebell and Baji Chuan kung fu, loves watching the Broncos, and is obsessed with adding to the

thousands of Chinese characters he currently reads and writes. Though he resides in Beijing, he recently made a trip to his girlfriend Chen Chen’s hometown of Xi’an to marry her. Robert speaks fluent Mandarin and French and is working on adding Shaanxi Hua (the dialect of Chen Chen’s hometown, Xi’an) to the list.

Robert Linnet

Mitchell grew up in Cleveland, OH and graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in journalism. He has written about music, sports, travel and culture. Since he began studying Chinese, he has become obsessed with Chinese culture and travel. He has visited over 13 provinces and plans to visit more. In 2013, he moved to Dali, Yunnan, and launched the travel guide DestinationDali.com. When he's not writing, he enjoys singing karaoke, doing gan beis with friends and strangers, attending punk concerts, and getting lost in the alleyways of ancient cities.

Mitchell Blatt

Born in Dallas, Texas, Triston moved to Europe over ten years ago, working as a performance artist and writer in several countries. Fluent in German, Spanish, and Dutch, he has lived in the cities of Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul to name a few. He has been published in The Huffington Post, Trespass (London), Adaras Magazine (Miami) as well as featured in publications such as the New York Times, Vogue Italia, Turkish Huriyet and other on-line and print magazines in the U.S. and internationally. He recently released his first novel on life abroad. Currently, he resides in Hong Kong, and is working on his next novel.

Triston Brewer

Grant was born in Jiangsu Province and spent the first 30 years of his life in China. After receiving a PhD in Hydraulic Structural Engineering and teaching as a college professor, he moved to Toronto in 2002 to become a successful writer and publisher. Since then he has lived and traveled throughout North America, China and other Asian cities, so much that he often thinks with a western mind and sees through local eyes. Grant recently moved back to China and currently resides in Beijing with his lovely wife; though he still experiences bits of reverse culture shock every once in a while.

Grant Dou

Brendan P. O' Reilly was born and raised in Seattle. He graduated with a bachelor degree in the combined study of Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from Western Washington University in 2008, and then promptly began traveling the world. After living for a year as a volunteer in Kolkata and a street musician in New Zealand, Brendan decided to settle down into a career as an educator. He taught English at Jiujiang University in China for three years.Since 2012, Brendan has been working for the Hong Kong-based Asia Times. China's domestic and foreign policy are the main topics of his reporting and

analysis. He has written over three dozen articles for Asia Times. Brendan is conversational and literate in Mandarin. He lives with his wife and son in the coastal city Xiamen, China, where he continues to work as a writer and educator.

Brendan P. O' Reilly

Jefferson was born in the Philippines but moved to Montréal, Canada when he was five years old. He is fluent in English, French and Filipino. He studied broadcast journalism at Concordia University. After university, he decided to move to Asia to embark on a new adventure to discover the continent of his ancestors. He first lived in South Korea, followed by a stint in Japan and now, he has been living in Guangzhou, China ever since. Jefferson moved to Guangzhou more than two years ago to discover China at its very best. Jefferson wears many hats: writer, teacher and a video journalist, producing web videos focusing on the arts and culture through

a western’s perspective. During his free time, Jefferson is seen reading a book or having a coffee break with his friends.

Jefferson Mendoza

Richard Trombly is an American writer from Western Massachusetts that has been living in China since 2003 and dividing his time between Beijing and Shanghai. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts and pursued a career as a journalist and editor and has written for numerous publications and news sources. During his time in China, Trombly has traveled to many destinations in China including bicycle touring in several provinces and hiking trips to some of the remotest places in China. Trombly is also a film maker that has produced some documentary films about China and other destinations in Asia.

Richard Trombly

Natalie Manning is from the United Kingdom and has a Bachelors Degree in French and Spanish. After graduating Natalie became a successful Marketing and PR Director which inspired her love for creative writing. Natalie’s passion for languages, travel and the arts has taken her to many European destinations and in 2008 she moved to Hangzhou, China, where for the last five years she has travelled extensively visiting numerous countries in Asia. Now fluent in Mandarin and with two young children, Natalie’s continued passion for writing has enabled her to start a children’s book as well as set up her own communications company.

Natalie Manning

Emily Umhoefer is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native who arrived in Beijing two years ago after a stint as a staffer on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. As a writer, she’s worked on everything from nonfiction political bestsellers to poems and press releases and now, this guide. Having worked as a wilderness trip leader in Tanzania, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colorado, Emily loves the outdoors, and on a beautiful summer day you’ll find her exploring Beijing by bike and joining the old men in Speedos to take a dip in Houhai.

Emily Umhoefer

Ansel Klusmire

Ansel Klusmire grew up in Colorado, Montana and Bishop, California, went to university in New York, rolled around a bit in Tucson, Arizona, and then moved to China in a dubious bid to make something of the four years he spent learning Mandarin in college. He’s lived in Shanghai for two years now and has spent his time working for odd bosses at strange jobs while continuing to study Chinese language and culture on his own and at a leisurely pace. He enjoys reading and writing and would enjoy some time alone in the wilderness if he could find out where it is.

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PB 1360

Do you want an all-inclusive paid trip to China? Of course you do! By following the Panda, you can win that dream China trip, so keep reading to learn about the incredible Panda Ambassadors Program.

Once a year we will choose 20 lucky individuals to have the Chinese adventure of a lifetime. The selection process is simple. All you have to do is buy any Panda Guides travel book (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong or China), go to our website to enter the six-digit code found on the inside of the front cover, then wait to see if your number is selected. All winners will be announced on our website and contacted through email in April. That’s it!

Each winner gets a free two-week trip to China – transportation, accommodation and meals will be paid for by Panda Guides Publishing Inc. The only thing you have to do is purchase your visa, a flight and any extra souvenirs you’ll want during your visit. The total value of this amazing package is ¥15,000 (roughly US$2,500).

A certified Panda Guides tour guide will bring the selected winners on a journey through a fascinating part of the country. It could be the ancient Silk Road along China’s great northwest, a tropical retreat in the southern Canton region, or a river cruise through the Yangtze River. The journey will change once a year to ensure the scenery stays fresh, but no matter where you end it up, we guarantee it will be a wonderful trip!

Unfortunately, sometimes the real world gets in the way of our leisure time. But don’t worry, all winners will have a three-year window to take their trip. If the winner still cannot take their free trip during this time, they can give it to someone else.

As you can see, through our Panda Ambassadors Program, Panda Guides is more than just a guide, it’s an experience. In fact, we want you to enjoy your travel experience so much that we’re willing to pay for it. So come along and let us welcome you to China, we hope to see you here soon.

See our website www.pandaguides.com/pandaambassadors for more.

1 2 3 4 5 6This number only serves as an example. Please see the inside of the front cover for the actual code.

PANDA GUIDES

The PandaAmbassadors Program