China Travel Deals, China Tourist, China Vacation, Chinese Travel

by Ben Beiske

The Most Beautiful River In China---Li River In Guilin

Last weekend, I had a Li River Hiking with some of my friends. It was my first hiking travel and  I could not disguise my excitement.

Li River is the soul and mother river of Guilin, which is famous for “the most beautiful landscapes under heaven”. Nobody miss it once coming to Guilin.

We started from the city center of Guilin at 8:00 am, and took bus to Yangdi Ferry terminal in Yangdi Village, which was the starting point of Li River Hiking. The name of village was derived from a hill that shaped like goats’ horns. We visited Yangdi Village, which was located at the bank of Li River. Many old villagers hawked their local food and handicrafts like Li River fishes, Li River Shrimps and silk balls to us. I tasted the fishes, it was really good but a little salty.

We took the knapsacks and began our hiking tour. The hiking path was along with Li River, we appreciated the two-side landscapes and passed through the local villages to experience the real farmers’ lives.

After one and half an hour hiking, we arrived at another village, Langshi Village at 1:30 pm, which was famous for the different shapes of stones. Langshi meant shaped stones were eroded by waves. In the village, it still preserved the old irrigation system and houses, which were not used any more, just for visiting. There is a old saying: “Nature gives the power to Guilin, and Guilin pays back the marvelous hills”. Most of hills in Guilin were named as their shapes, and the Apple Hill in Langshi Village it is. Look far away, one of the hills like a huge apple floats on the Li River, and an old man is watching beside it.

The whole hiking tour lasted 4-5 hours, and we prepared the simple lunch including bread and few of fruits. Of course, you could buy some local food from the villagers. The food was not expensive, you could taste all kinds of local food by less than 10 Yuan.

Frankly speaking, we were tired as long hiking, but the landscapes of the two sides were really beautiful and marvelous, we could not stop, and we all knew that more attractive sceneries waiting for us.

The next destination was Nine Horses Fresco Hill, it was the most renowned hill along the Li River. Standing out with a height of 416 meters, the white traces on the precipice facing the river looks like a picture with nine horses assuming a variety of poses. The cause of formation lied in the dead and calcified lower living beings as algae which ever lived on the seeping water along the cleaves of the precipice, and by and by changed into varied colors, hence forming colorful strips different in light and shade.

This spectacular scenic spot has attracted many poets, painters, scholars and tourists, both at home and abroad. It is also a best place to take photos.

Considering there would be still 5km from Nine Horses Fresco Hill to Xingping Ancient Town. We decided to take a bamboo raft to Xingping, we haggle over price with the raft-man, and got the low price at 10 Yuan for one person. Rafting in Li River, we made a wise choice, because it was the different scenery absolutely to see in Li River. There were always hundreds of bamboo rafts in Li River, and the raft itself was a splendid scenery.

Xingping Ancient Town was located at 17 km from Yangshuo. It was set up in Three Kingdoms (220-280 A.D.), and used to be the center of Yangshuo County until Yangshuo Town was set up in 590. It has been the most important town beside the Li River for the past 1700 years. The scenery from Yangdi to Xingping is the most beautiful section of Li River. In 1974, after one of the Marshals of our country, Ye Jianying, visited Li River, he wrote a poem, which said "Xingping ranks first in Li River."

Another highlight in Xingping is Fishing Village. In 1921, Sun Yetsan, the president of the Republic of China, visited this village when he went to Guilin from Wuzhou for the Northern Expedition (1926-1927 A.D.). In 1998, when the former U.S. President Bill Clinton came to Guilin, he stayed in the village for one more hour and praised as “the first village of Li River”.

Xingping is also the location for the picture on the back the Chinese 20 Yuan note. You can actually go to the exact spot from where the photo was taken. The primary image on the back side of the new 20 Yuan note is a view of a fisherman on his bamboo raft floating down the Li River through the spectacular karst mountains. That is the short distance between Xingping and Fishing Village.

Li River takes a big turn at Xingping and the beautiful landscape and country scenery will never disappoint you, verdant bamboo greeting you all the way along the river in breeze, fishermen floating by on bamboo rafts with their cormorants. The reflections of the verdant peaks show the fascination of Guilin landscape. Intoxicated in the natural painting, you will get to know why the newly-issued RMB 20 note carries the painting of this part of the river.

Xingping was the terminal of the Li River hiking, and the bus took us to Yangshuo, which boasted as “the paradise of travelers”.

Yangshuo is a focus of Guilin’s landscapes, there are more than 30 attractions including West Street, Moon Hill, the Big Banyan Tree, Yulong River Raft Cruise, Green Lotus Peak, and Yangshuo Park, etc. Yangshuo is a must be place once everyone come to Guilin.

The most attractive site in Yangshuo is West Street, also named as “Foreigners’ Street”, because there are always lots of westerners and backpackers, and some westners settle there. Night life is rather active in West Street: crowded travelers, noised DJ music from the bars, various kinds of local handicrafts and charming lamplight, all that construct another world, and the night life always lasts 3 or 4 o’clock of the middle night.

We chose a bar, and seated on the second floor, and then drank beer freely, we just wanted to relax ourselves. Of course, the beer was not too expensive. We can not stay up until the night life ended, we got to have a well sleep for the next day’s course.

Hiking ended, and experience was still going on.

by mag3737

Which Type of Visa to China Should You Get?

If you are a resident or citizen of the US, and you are planning a trip to China, then you need to get a visa for China travel. There are, however, six different types of visa for China, and you need to be sure that you get the right type. If not, you might encounter serious problems with the government of China, because you won’t have the right paperwork for travel around the country. Below are the six types of visa for China:

Tourist visa (type L)

If you are planning to travel to Chins for personal reasons only, that is a vacation, or to visit friends or family, then this is the type you need. If you travel on a type L visa then you may not conduct any type of business or engage in any type of work, whilst you are there.

Business visa (type F)

If you are traveling to China for business purposes, or for cultural, scientific or technological exchange, advanced education of up to 6 months’ duration, to deliver a lecture or carry out an investigation, then you need a business visa. If you are a student with a type F visa you are not permitted to work in China, but you are allowed to act as an unpaid intern.

Work visa (type Z)

If you want to take up employment in China, then you need a type Z visa. If you are traveling with dependents, they will also need the same type of visa.

Student visa (type X)

If you are going to be studying for higher education in China, then you need a student visa. The length of time the visa allows you to stay is determined by your course. The visa should be converted to a Residence Permit within thirty days of your arrival. This is done in the town where you will be living &/or studying, by the Public Security Bureau. You will need to supply proof of enrolment and your course’s length.

Crew visa (type C)

People who are part of a flight crew, arriving in China and leaving on the same or next day, need a type C visa. If you are going to be staying longer than overnight, you will need a different type of visa.

News media visa (type J1 or J2)

Journalists or news organizations needing to travel to China in order to cover news events need a news media visa. The length of time they are permitted to remain in the country is usually a few months at most, and this will be decided when the visa is issued.

The type of China visa you need is dependent on your reason for wanting to go there. Each type is governed by strict rules, and you must abide by these completely, or you could face immediate deportation and criminal charges. Therefore it’s important to know what type of visa for China you need, and to submit the correct documentation, including forms and supporting paperwork. This will make the whole process as quick and as easy as possible, and ensure that you are fully familiar with the restrictions applying to your visit.

More China Tourist Articles

Tourist Attraction Scenery of Sichuan.China

Sichuan is one of biggest provinces in China. It is famous for its diverse beauty of scenearies and minorities. This 2-VCD set introduces you some of world famous landscapes and history of Sichuan. Vol. 1 covers Chengdu, Wuhou Temple, Dufu House, Wang Jian Tomb, Qing Cheng Shan, Du Jiang Yan, Jiu Zhai Gou, Huang Long, Le Shan Buddha, Ermei Mountain, and more. Vol. 2 presents Wuolong (Panda's hometown), Forests, Mosuo People, Bamboo Forests, Heaven Cave, and more. In English and Mandarin Chinese.

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by Wootang01

Have Fun With Last Minute Hotel Deals

The chief advantage of last minute hotel deals is that the traveler makes massive savings on accommodation. Last Minute hotel deals are made, generally at short notice, and savings are made, because a hotel or other form of accommodation will lower their normal rates to ensure that they fill the hotel. There are instances when travelers have made last minute hotels deals, only to end up saving as much as 70% on their hotel bills. All kind of accommodation is able to be booked through last minute travel deals and in many instances this can include flights and other forms of travel as well as discounted theatre and other entertainment bookings.

Where to With Last Minute Hotel Deals

It does not matter where the traveler desires to go, it could be nationally, within the US, the Caribbean, the UK, Europe, China, Hong Kong, anywhere in the world in fact. Last minute hotel deals are obtained world-wide from networks who work with the hotels to provide last minute travel deals that are cost effective and of excellent quality. It matters not that the traveler is going on business or vacation, the broker makes the transaction on behalf of the traveler and does not charge him for it. All they need to do to secure the last minute travel deal is the credit car details of the traveler.

Timing for Last Minute Hotel Deals

Because the term is “last minute hotel deals” this does not necessarily mean, 24 hours within travel, although this also applies. It generally indicates that the traveler has to book less than two weeks before date of travel. The hotel or other form of accommodation will know by that time if they are going to be empty and will have decided on what incentive rates to offer to draw visitors to their establishment.

Last Minute Hotel Deals, Who Participates?

All independent hotels and major hotel chains participate in last minute hotel deals; there are also time share resorts and self catering properties that participate. Virtually any kind of accommodation the traveler can dream of can be sought and booked through last minute travel deals. These deals also often include air travel and other discounted bookings. If you wish to seek the sunny shores of the Caribbean, visit Boston in the fall, dance to samba in Brazil or get a top deal in Texas. All of these may be accomplished through last minute travel deals.

Due to the advent of the internet, networked travel companies are able to use innovative technology to research and plan business, leisure and other travelers’ itineraries through a broad range of travel requirements. Saving them money and time, they offer the widest selection of accommodation available and some even specialize in providing accommodation where others will find it sold out. Last minute travel deal operators provide a one stop solution to all travel needs.  Time is after all precious, more precious than money, but what could be better than booking last minute hotel deals and saving both time and money?

Last minute hotel deals saves the traveler both time and money, regardless of whether they are traveling for business or leisure.

British Airways ad (October 2009). The Canton Fair in China is on from 15 October to 4 November! Be at the centre of billions' worth of business deals. Is this your next opportunity? www.ba.com