Tag Archive for 'tour'
Do you know that Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Hong Kong are the most visited cities in China?
A lot of people refer it as the ‘golden route’ or ‘presidential route’ after Bill Clinton visited these cities in 1998.
Certainly the golden route has a good combination of everything: great historical heritages, beautiful landscape, delicious Chinese food, great shopping and so on.
Best time to visit China is spring and autumn when China has beautiful weather and fewer tourists.
If you are a first-time visitor to China, the golden route is your top pick. You would need at least two weeks to complete the tours.
Beijing - you would need at least four nights to complete what you need to see and do.
Great Wall of China - the longest man-made architecture on earth. This should be your number one destination in Beijing.
Forbidden City - the former palaces and offices of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is currently a museum with countless treasures.
Summer Palace - the most well preserved royal resort of Qing Dynasty.
Temple of Heaven is the symbol of Beijing. Ming and Qing emperors worshipped Heaven here.
Please do include a hutong tour in order to have an old Beijing feel. After all, don’t forget a Beijing duck feast.
Tip: Beijing travel requires a lot of walking. Please be prepared for it.
Xian - everyone should visit Xian at least once in life, Chinese and foreigners alike. Spend three nights here is necessary to cover the most important sightseeing.
Xian has been a capital city for 13 dynasties, totaling 1,100 years. It was the world’s most prosperous city in Tang Dynasty, 1300 years ago.
The Terra Cotta Warriors is a full-scale replication of the Qin Dynasty army. There is no other place in the world you can see a life-size army of over 2,000 years old.
Banpo Neolithic village is a famous site of 6,000 years old which has typical features of a matriarchal society. You’ll also see clues of ancient burial, marriages, creative tools and artifacts.
In Xian, don’t forget to go for a dumpling feast which usually goes with a first class entertainment show of Tang Dynasty music and dance.
Guilin is ranked second on China’s list of top 10 tourists’ destinations. It has beautiful landscape integrated with fabulous countryside. Make sure you won’t miss the Reed Flute Cave, the Crown Cave and some of the beautiful peaks.
Don’t forget to make a day trip to Yangshuo where the best hills and waters are. Go there on a Li River cruise and return by bus. If you choose to stay overnight, you would be able to watch the spectacular ‘Liu Sanjie’ performance, which takes place on the Li River. Yangshuo is truly a place for you to relax and enjoy.
In Guilin, make sure to go for a rice noodle feast. Or you can just eat it as a street food at
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The ideal location for relaxing time out, Port Douglas is an easy-going tropical paradise with a small friendly village atmosphere and sophisticated creature comforts. The warm reef waters of the Coral Sea, the glorious palm fringed sands of Port Douglas Four Mile Beach, and the crystal clear creeks of Mossman Gorge are the place to refresh, restore and revitalise both body and mind. Seductive, balmy days slip seamlessly into tropical evenings under a canopy of clear starry skies. The sights, sounds and tastes of the tropical environment are a feast for the senses; the stunning array of nature and wildlife is awe-inspiring.
The Port Douglas region has become increasingly aware of the value and uniqueness of its natural environment over the past decade. As a result, ecotourism products which focus on the area’s pristine World Heritage rainforests, marine environment and ecosystems are now a major component of the Port Douglas and Daintree tour industry. Ecotourism balances the requirements of tourism and conservation, and has been defined by Ecotourism Australia as “ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation”.
Ecotourism in Port Douglas offers an authentic ecotourism experience. This includes interacting with the local population, learning meaningful information about the locations you visit, and leaving the lightest possible footprint on the environment as you depart. Port Douglas tour operators are firmly committed to sustainable tourism and are licensed and accredited to conduct operations in national parks and other sensitive protected areas. They have a high degree of local knowledge, employ local people, and support their local economy and community.
There are ample opportunities for outdoor activities in Port Douglas, ranging from walks and safaris through the breathtaking pristine Daintree and Cape Tribulation Rainforests, horse riding, river cruises and white water rafting to swimming, diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing on the the reef and waterways. Tours are available across the Daintree to Cape Tribulation, and further afield to the Mareeba Wetlands, the Tropical Tablelands, Cairns and Kuranda. Other local attractions include various historical sites, weekend markets, world-class restaurants, nightlife, a fruit winery, indigenous cultural experiences, 4WD safari adventures, world class golf courses, spas, aerial tours by seaplane, helicopter & hot-air balloon, and outdoor cinema and theatre.
At 140 million years old, the Daintree National Park contains the oldest living rainforest on earth. The Park is divided into three main areas, Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge. Daintree National Park lies between Mossman Gorge and the Daintree River, is known for its long stretch of lush tropical rainforest, and is home to unique bird life and crocodiles. Cape Tribulation is where tropical rainforest and coral reef meet in a scenic coastal setting north of the Daintree River. The area is home to glorious sandy beaches and mangroves environments abounding in wildlife viewing. Mossman Gorge is a steep-sided valley on the Mossman River containing lush tropical rainforest and crystal clear creeks. An excellent location for viewing birdlife and other wildlife. Guided walks visiting Aboriginal heritage sites are provided by members of the Kuku Yalanji Mossman Gorge Community.
Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian Outback Tour topics including Ayers Rock Tour itineraries and Alice Springs Accommodation options.
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The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn River and Wollemi National Park in the south to the Barrington Tops National Park in the north. Most of the Hunter Valley’s many vineyards are located in the Lower Hunter Valley, with the centre of grape and wine production being Pokolbin, located north west of the town of Cessnock. Although some wineries specialise in particular wines, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Verdelho can be found at most vineyards. The best vintage years for both red and white wines in the Hunter Valley include 1979, 1983, 1996 and 1999, although several other good years were seen during both the 1980s and 1990s. Great wine is accompanied by great food in many restaurants, including a selection of fresh local grown vegetables, locally bred game, delicious seafood from Port Stephens, bread and pastries, cheeses and chocolates.
The Upper Hunter Valley also has several vineyards, and is also home to a thriving horse breeding and racing industry. The centre for thoroughbred horse breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley is the town of Scone, although horse breeding is popular throughout the area. Scone has a range of quality accommodation options and several excellent restaurants, although the main attraction for many is probably the race course. Numerous race meetings are held throughout the year, so chances are good of being able to catch a race when you visit.
Prior to European settlement, the Hunter Valley was inhabited by the Darkinjung people for many thousands of years. The area was cleared for farming during the 1820s and grape vines have been grown there since the mid 1850s, making it the oldest wine region in Australia. In the 1900s coal was discovered in the area, giving the Hunter Valley a new lease of life. The mines eventually closed down to be replaced by wineries and a thriving tourism industry, with over 4500 acres of the Hunter Valley now covered with vines. The region today is a veritable mecca of holiday resorts and activities suitable for families, couples, corporations and international tourists.
The Hunter Valley’s excellent range of wineries, shops, restaurants and other attractions make it the most visited wine region in Australia today. Home to several leading Australian wineries including Lindemans, McWilliams, Wyndham Estate and Tyrell’s, the Hunter Valley is also home to many smaller boutique wineries. In total, the Hunter Valley is now home to over 80 wineries, most of which offer celler door wine tastings and many of which also have quality restaurants. Hunter Valley grape growers do not specialise in any one particular grape variety or wine style. While classic varieties such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon are popular, newer styles like Verdelho and Chambourcin are also commonly found.
Excellent wine and food aren’t the only attractions offered by the Hunter Valley. Outdoor activities are available to suit every taste, ranging from horse riding and golf to hot air ballooning and sky diving, all set amongst wonderfully picturesque landscapes. The Hunter Valley is also a great location in which to enjoy music and entertainment during one of its many festivals. During October you can enjoy music and Australian wine with the Opera in the Vineyards and Jazz in the Vines music festivals. Many fascinating buildings can be found in the Hunter Valley, along with several galleries and museums. Speciality shops and small businesses abound, with galleries displaying antiques, crafts, glassware, jewellery, paintings, sculptures and wrought iron.
The many small towns nestled around the Lower Hunter all offer the visitor something unique. The rural community of Wollombi still lives in the 1930’s, the time in which it was settled. You can wander along taking in the historic atmosphere, go horse riding, or even explore the nearby bushland. Branxton and Greta are popular for their markets and festivals. Cessnock has a range of accommodation as well as modern shopping areas, set amongst its heritage buildings and craft shops. Kurri Kurri hosts several heritage country pubs as well as a mining museum. It is also popular for a mixture of sports including bowls, golf, squash and tennis. For wonderful views of the Brokenback Range head to Broke, or for museums and antique shops go to the old river port of Morpeth.
Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian Outback Tour topics including Alice Springs Tour itineraries and shopping for Aboriginal Art.
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