Exploring Beijing's Hutongs

Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010

A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typically found in Beijing.  Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.  In the prime of these dynasties the emperors, in order to establish supreme power for themselves, planned a city and arranged the residential areas according to the etiquette systems of the Zhou Dynasty.  The main buildings in the hutong were all quadrangles - a building complete with four houses. The quadrangle varies in size and according to the social status of the family.

China Travel

Posted on Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The magnificence of China awaits you.  With its fascinating history, breathtaking scenery and exotic cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, the stage is set for you to enjoy a cultural rich adventure of a lifetime. 

Whether you wish to tread the same footsteps of past emperors on the man-made wonder, the Great Wall, explore the incredible excavations of the 7,500 strong Terra Cotta Warriors, discover the ancient Ming Tombs and tour Beijing’s Forbidden City, or admire the stunning views of Guilin’s landscapes, we will ensure you experience the perfect dream vacation. 

Discover the Yangtze River, running through the heart of China.  Cruise on the most luxurious ships and be awe-inspired by the dramatic and beautiful panoramas of this alluring region.  Get up close and personal with some of the world’s rarest wildlife, like the giant panda.  Allow your expertly planned itinerary to take you on a trip through Wu Gorge, which is flanked by the world famous, dramatic Twelve Peaks. 

Whatever you choose to do, we promise you the vacation of a lifetime, far better than anything you could have ever imagined.

Mandarin Chinese For Travelers

Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Word                                Spelling                                 Pronunciation

Food in China

Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009

Regional Cuisine Specialties

With an inexhaustible variety of dishes to pick from in China, here are some culinary specialties you just can't miss during your travels:

• Beijing-Peking duck
• Hong Kong-Dim sum
• Szechuan-A hot-pot meal (Chinese fondue)
• Shanghai-Shanghai river crabs

Dining Do's and Don'ts

Here are some (un)common courtesies to consider when dining in China.

• In contrast to western rules, slurping is considered an acceptable way to cool down hot soup. Also, since rice is difficult to eat with chopsticks, it's perfectly normal to lift the bowl from the table and scoop it into your mouth.
• Before refilling your teacup, extend the courtesy of refilling the cups of fellow guests at the table, even if they are not empty.
• Many Americans were told as children to clean their plates when eating. But in China, eating the last piece of food on the table is an insult-signifying that he or she did not serve enough food for the guests.
• If placed incorrectly, chopsticks can be omens of bad luck. Standing them in your bowl after dinner replicates a sign of death-incense sticks standing in a bowl of ashes.

Great Wall of China

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

"As many scholars have stated, the Great Wall was meant to stop the invasions of the northern nomads, but nomads were never actually stopped by the wall. Constructed in 221 B.C. by the order of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuang, the Great Wall was originally designed to be a military base where Chinese infantries would fight against cavalries from the north. In order to complete the daunting task of constructing the Great Wall, Emperor Shihuang drafted more than 400,000 men – nearly half of the total male population in China – to work on this project. The construction lasted for more than 10 years and more than one-third of the workers died from harsh working conditions and deadly plagues. While the wall protected the emperor from northern invasions, it did nothing to help defend him against the backlash and disdain that society had for him."   Information provided by Globus Journeys.