Visit two new Chinese Heritage sites added to the World Heritage List with China Holidays

Chengjiang Fossil Site in China’s balmy Yunnan province and Xanadu, the legendary summer palace of the Mongol leader, Kublai Khan, in the present-day province of Inner Mongolia, have been awarded prestigious UNESCO World Heritage site status.

Chengjiang Fossil Site (and museum) has become a Natural World Heritage Site for its spectacular fossils, over 525 million years old, which reveal the wonders of a long-dead marine ecosystem. Extinct creatures such as velvet worms have been preserved in incredible detail, along with earliest examples of the sea gooseberry, and the oldest-preserved vertebrate. Over 200 fossils are displayed at the 512 hectare site, which experts think gives the clearest picture yet of marine ecology in the Cambrian Period. It is China’s first fossil site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is already starting to attract increasing numbers of visitors from around the world, drawn by the relative freshness of its discovery and the number and quality of the artefacts.

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is in Yunnan Province in South-Western China, known for its more temperate climate and relaxed atmosphere. Yunnan is also one of the most geographically and ethnically diverse provinces in China and a favourite destination on China Holidays tours.  Other attractions in the province include the Naxi folk orchestra in Lijiang and the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge.  

There are direct flights to Kunming, the chilled-out capital of Yunnan Province, from most major cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai, and also from South-East Asian cities such as Bangkok and Rangoon.

China Holidays offer day trips within Kunming, exploring this fascinating city and its surroundings in greater depth. In addition to the Chengjiang Fossil site, visit the remarkable limestone Stone Forest, the Bamboo Temple deep in the mountains and the exotic Bird and Flower market in the old town.

Yunnan Province borders regions and countries as varied as Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sichuan Province and Tibet, making it an ideal part of China for travellers wishing to combine their holiday with one or more of these adventurous destinations. The food and culture in Yunnan itself reflects their proximity, with spicy rice noodle soup, mint and potato balls among the unusual local favourites.

Xanadu, in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, has been added as a cultural site, underlining its status as a site of historical importance and place of legend.

Most famous to British people as the ‘stately pleasure dome’ of Coleridge’s poem ‘Kubla Khan’, present-day Xanadu represents the remains of the summer palace of Kublai Khan, grandson of the notorious Genghis.

Built in 1256, the remains of Xanadu represent the legacy of Kublai Khan’s attempts to merge Mongol and Han Chinese culture. Kublai Khan invited the Chinese architect Liu Bingzhong to design his summer palace, which he did according to the principles of feng shui. There were once reportedly 108 temples at the site. Marco Polo’s account of a visit to Xanadu in about 1275 mentions two palaces, one marble and one made of cane, surrounded twice by square stone walls. The elaborate gilt cane palace was detached and re-assembled each time Kublai Khan moved location, reflecting his nomadic Mongol heritage.

The site is also interesting historically as many discussions of religious importance took place there, leading to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism which is still an influential part of China’s culture today.

Nowadays among the remains of the city you can still see palaces, temples, tombs, nomadic encampments, canals and other water works, which are considered to be well-preserved for their age.

Xanadu is not far from the Inner Mongolian city of Xilinhot, which is famous for its beautiful grasslands and Dalinor Lake. Xilinhot is also home to an annual Nadaam Festival, a national celebration which includes Mongolian horse-riding skills, with wild races, outlandish costume competitions, wrestling and archery. Nadaam is held in early July each year. There are direct flights to Xilinhot from Beijing and Hohhot, the provincial capital of Inner Mongolia.

Visitors on China Holidays tours to the area can journey to a traditional Grassland two hours from Xilinhot – and accommodation is even in a deluxe Mongolian yurt. Guests can watch activities such as archery and a Mongolian toast ceremony, with singing and dancing around a bonfire.

China has 43 World Heritage Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, one of the most numerous in the world. It has a further 50 sites on the UNESCO Tentative List, which hopefully will be inscribed in future years.

Discover the hidden secrets of China’s past with China Holidays.  As specialists in China, with over 10 years’ experience organizing holidays, we can help you with exclusive group departures or unique tailor made holidays to suit your own individual needs. China Holidays make sure to go the extra mile at all times to provide you with an unforgettable, experience of a lifetime. For comprehensive information on how we can help with your travel arrangements, call China Holidays’ friendly team of expert advisors on 020 7487 2999, or contact us by email on sales@chinaholidays.com. 

Our Colleague Hua Jiang is volunteering at the London Olympic Games!

This is her story as published in Guardian on the 17th Jul 2012. We at China Holidays wish Hua all the best at the London Olympic Games.

 


For Hua Jiang, being an Olympics volunteer at the Aquatic Centre will be in its own way a case of taking the plunge.

Hua, who works in a central London travel agency, has never done anything like it before. Her annual holidays are usually a trip to Tianjin, a city 70 miles south-east of Beijing. This summer she has signed up for Stratford, London E15.

Early starts – some duties begin at 6.15am – are not enticing, but everything else is. "Everyone says the Aquatic Centre is the most beautiful venue at the London Games," says Hua. "I think it will be second only to the Olympic Stadium in attracting the most attention.

"I'm not a fan of celebrity culture but if I get to see Michael Phelps [winner of eight gold medals in Beijing] I will be very happy. Also, the diver Tom Daley." Hua adds with a grin: "The Chinese have some very good divers too – they're known as the Dream Team.

"I was so pleased to be allocated to the Aquatic Centre. The wave-shaped roof is really beautiful. But people will be astonished by the inside, how big it is; the spectators have a brilliant view. It's a shame that I haven't had a chance to see the Water Cube which was the swimming venue in Beijing. I'd like to compare them."

Her fluency in Mandarin and English will be useful with China competitors and visitors – something the Olympic organisers are no doubt aware of.

The Games will be hard work for all the volunteers. Some shifts will last six hours – others around 10 – and all unpaid, of course. Hua has attended three days' of training on Saturdays. "I've been given my uniform, a T-shirt, jacket, trousers and trainers, plus a travel card for the Olympics, a watch, and an umbrella – a red umbrella," she says.

"Of course, I don't know exactly what to expect – except that it will be hard work – but I have no complaints and I've spent the last six months looking forward to this."

Hua has been encouraged along the way by her employers and staff at China Holidays Ltd. "I'm very grateful for that. Somehow, I feel there is this connection and that I'm part of the Olympic family."

What stirred her enthusiasm? She watches big football games, and rugby union internationals, but is not a sporty person. It was probably the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Games. She bought a DVD of the ceremony and has watched in several times. "It was so spectacular. On such a big scale. I was so impressed.


"In fact, I had considered volunteering for Beijing 2008, and going back there for my holidays, but there may have been accommodation problems for me in Beijing, so I dropped the idea.

"In fact I suppose I was becoming more and more interested the very moment that London won the 2012 bid in Singapore in 2005. I was cheering for London back then, but I would never imagined I would be in the Aquatic Centre as a volunteer. Working in a travel company, all I thought was that Britain has been handed a huge opportunity.

"When the volunteering chance came round for London I registered as soon as they started recruiting. I waited a long time to hear back. I knew someone else who got their invitation to an interview quite quickly but it was several months before I got mine. I had my interview in February and received the offer in early March. It was all starting up, I was pleased.

"Some people are saying it will be excellent experience for us volunteers, gaining experience of how big events are organised and run. That's true but my main thought is that it's great to know I'll be part of it all. And one thing I want to do after all this is to learn to swim. It's something I've never really tried hard to do. If I don't after working at the Aquatic Centre, I never will.

"I attended venue training recently. Since then, I've been to training at Hackney Community College, who taught us some of the skills and knowledge I will need to carry out my duties. There was also a workbook for us to get familiar with all aspects of the Games. I will be cheering for the British and Chinese competitors at the Olympics."

Canton Trade Fair in Guangzhou

In 1957 one of China’s most vital and well-known trading ports held its first annual trade fair. This soon grew to become the massive, renowned Canton Trade Fair, now exhibiting a stunning range of products by exhibitors with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.  It is held twice a year every spring and autumn. Buyers from businesses as diverse as hardware and tools, textiles and garments, and food – to name but a few – can explore the huge range of goods on offer.

Each year over 200, 000 international buyers and around 300, 000 Chinese exhibitors visit the fair, and rates for a booth start from US$3500.

It is one of the biggest fairs in the world, with an exhibition space of over 1 million square metres – whatever your area of business, chances are the Canton Fair will have suppliers to match. Occupying such a large area, it is crucial that potential buyers research which stalls match their specific need.

The fair is so big that it is divided up into three phases.

Phase 1, from October 15^th – 19^th, is for Electronics and Household, Electrical Appliances, Lighting Equipment, Vehicles and Spare Parts, Machinery, Hardware and Tools, Building Materials, and Chemical Products. There is also an International Pavilion for International Exhibitors in these fields.

Phase 2 is from October 23^rd till October 27^th, and highlights Consumer Goods, Gifts, and Home Decorations.

Phase 3, from October 31^st till November 4^th, is for those interested in Textiles and Garments, Shoes, Office Supplies, Cases and Bags, and Recreation Products, Medicines, Medical Devices and Health Products, and Food. Again, there is an International Pavilion for International Exhibitors.

The fair showcases an incredible range and number of products in each industry, from innovative new designs to familiar classics. Each vendor brings in samples of their product, so you can have the chance to assess their style and quality. If you have a product that you have designed yourself, you can also bring along a sample or pictures, and find a suitable producer.

Many international companies believe that language and cultural barriers present an obstacle to success in business in China. At the Canton Fair, interpreters are provided at affordable rates, or you can apply to bring along your own interpreter. Factory owners themselves have made vast improvements in their basic English skills since the Fair was established.

If your company is interested in doing business in China, it is important never to underestimate the value given in East Asia to interpersonal relationships. Having the chance to meet potential business partners in person can do wonders for a business relationship, and can build trust and facilitate communication.  Factory owners and suppliers in China are much more likely to respond to a face-to-face approach rather than a cold email or phone call. And even if you don’t find a suitable business partner, starting to build a network of contacts will be essential groundwork for any future projects in the area.

For more information on the Canton Trade Fair, please see http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/. For comprehensive information on how China Holidays can help with your travel arrangements to the Canton Fair, call China Holidays’ friendly team of expert advisors on 020 7487 2999, or contact us by email on sales@chinaholidays.com. 

A trip to Guangzhou doesn’t have to be all work and no play. China Holidays can arrange tours to attractions such as the two thousand year-old Nan Yue Tomb, and enchanting cruises along the Pearl River, which for so long was the West’s gateway into the unknown world of China. The city’s modern metro system makes it an easy place to unwind and explore. Prices for food and transportation are considerably cheaper than in neighbouring Hong Kong.

Food plays a key role in the social life of the city, both for locals and for visitors on holidays to China. Guangzhou has a multitude of international restaurants, and the local cuisine, such as fresh fish steamed with spring onion and ginger, and fragrant chicken, is deservedly famous. Much of what we in the UK consider traditional Chinese food originated in the Guangdong/Hong Kong region, and was brought over by the first wave of Chinese immigrants. British travellers will feel at home with many of the Cantonese specialities, such as delicately-flavoured dim-sum, made with local expertise honed by generation after generation of skilled family chefs.

The cultural heart of Guangzhou lies in the traditional centre of the city. Locals are by-and-large welcoming and friendly, older residents relaxing, or playing a slow-paced game of badminton in the relative heat (temperatures ranging from 18-23 degrees Celsius in October).

China Holidays have long-established relationships with Guangzhou’s multitude of five-star hotels, all of which cater for a range of guests with diverse business needs, at competitive prices. These hotels usually offer a free shuttle bus service to and from the Canton Trade Fair.

Guangzhou is also a two hour train ride from the bustling, fashionable, metropolis of Hong Kong, home to some of the most sophisticated wining and dining in the world, and an essential stop on any comprehensive tour of the Far East.  

You can fly with China Southern direct from London Heathrowto Guangzhou, or you can fly with airlines such as British Airways and Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and take the train from there, taking advantage of the opportunity to visit two of East Asia’s most historically important and interesting cities.

China Holidays, one of the longest established tour operators in UK can organise any day tours, hotel accommodation and transfers in Guangzhou. For more information please click here.

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