Visiting the 2008 Olympic games, China

Michael Bristow who is a BBC Correspondent in Beijing China wrote an article in the BBC News Website: “Is China Ready for the Olympics”? After reading such slander including the so called air pollution”, the time has arrived to clear the air. The reason for such slander in the Western Media is that they pander to ignorance as well as the desire to maintain their predominance in the media world. The Western Media cannot accept the fact that China [as well as other nations such as India] are becoming powers in their own right. The Western Media has also invented these slanders in an attempt to sow hatred amongst the world.

I have just recently returned from a visit to the People’s Republic of China and had the honour and pleasure of visiting the cities of Beijing and Tsingtao. The People’s Republic of China and CRI [China Radio International] English Service were very kind and generous. Beijing, Tsingtao, as well as CRI and the People’s Republic of China exceeded my expectations. In fact, both cities have come a long way baby [citing the phrase used by Canadian Comedian Mike Myers in some of his films].

Beijing is a thriving cosmopolitan city in which the air was clean. Beijing is like any other city with advertisements such as Colombian Actress Sofia Vergara encouraging the people to use Pantene Shampoo. China has also approved of laws that encourage air and food cleanliness. I suffered from allergies and was afraid what would have happened. The result was that during my stay in Beijing [even though I took precautions], I did not feel any allergies. The Western Press cannot condemn the air in Beijing [which is a cosmopolitan city] and not condemn some of the pollution in Western Cities where I have felt the allergies. I had the honour of visiting the Great Wall of China and climbed up to the top of the mountain of that great historical monument. The air was clean and fresh.

The food in restaurants in hotels such as the China People’s Palace in Beijing and the Sophia International Hotel in Tsingtao were of a healthy quality. I even tried the Peking Duck for the first time in its purest form and it was excellent. The cooks and waiters served the food and beverages with gloves and the coffee was served in cups that are reserved for wine in the Western World.

I would like to give the Western Press a piece of advice based on what Jesus Christ said: “He or She who is without sin cast the first stone”.

Best international destinations for the US dollar – Part 1

Asia has always been an intriguing destination, for its culture, customs, cuisine and heritage. Even though the value of the U.S. dollar has declined over the last several years, it still commands top dollar in most of Asia. Following is a list of countries where you can get the most bang for your buck:

CHINA

China has gotten a bad rap lately with its food products. However, to see a country that has grown by leaps and bound in just a mere ten years, the experience cannot be beat. Like the United States, China is a vast country, diverse in terrain, people, customs and culture. The most popular places of interest are Shanghai for the shopping and history, Beijing for historical artifacts (Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven), buildings and architecture (the most recent of which is the Olympic building, the Birds Nest), Canton for the famous Cantonese food, Guilin for the beautiful limestone cliffs, the backdrop of many Chinese paintings, Tibet for the people and their customs and religion. If you thought Chinese products in the U.S. is cheap, wait until you get to China. Not only there are bargains galore, the Array of goods offered is mind boggling. Shop at reputable stores to avoid getting scammed with faked products.

THAILAND

From the beautiful northern city of Chiang Mai to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, Thailand is a fascinating country to visit. The smell and sight are intoxicating, the shopping is awesome and the bargains incredible. Venture south to explore the beautiful beaches of Phuket and the dramatic landscape of Phang Nga Bay.

MALAYSIA

Another fascinating Southeast Asian country to visit is Malaysia. The spice trade brought the Portugese and the Dutch, the gold brought the Chinese, and the rubber plantations the Indians. As a result, the country is diverse in terms of people, culture and religion. English is widely spoken. Visit Malacca for the history, Penang for the temples and cuisine, Tioman and Langkawi Islands for dramatic waterfalls and aquamarine beaches, Sabah and Sarawak for the rain forests. The Perhentian Islands on the northeast state of Trengganu play host to sea-turtles, which return year after year to lay their eggs. The white sand beaches, reefs and crystal-clear water is perfect for diving and snorkeling.

SINGAPORE

Rich in contrast and color, the small island nation of Singapore is a unique destination that has managed to blend old and new. Historic Raffles Hotel exudes colonial charm. Stop at the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling, the drink that was invented by a waiter here. Be warned that it is a pricey drink, but the experience is worth it. Waiters dressed in traditional Indian garb walked around to serve you. Burlap bags of peanuts sit at various corners for you to serve yourself. And the best part is: you can throw your peanut shells on the floor! Imagine that in fine city Singapore, where you are fined for spitting, littering, not parking your car properly, to name a few misdemeanors.

Getting to Asia is a twenty-four hour flight ordeal. It would be wise to take a longer vacation and take the opportunity to visit the various countries in the region. Other Asian destinations to consider include Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Bali (Indonesia).

Things to do on an unforgettable tour in China

If you have finally decided to partake in that China tour you have been planning, here is a list of 10 things to see and do on your China tour.
• The Great Wall of China
One of the must sees on a tour to China, the Great Wall of China is an amazing man made wonder of the world. This wall is the one of the symbols of China which played a great role during the Chinese revolution. It was built for defense purposes to wade off invaders from the north. It extends to a length of about 5000km.
• The Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
Located in Xian, this is another amazing man made wonder of the world. This is the site which houses about 6000 life sized pottery warriors and horses of the dead emperor’s guards during the revolution. A major tourist
destination in Xian, its amazing to see each pottery soldiers weigh over 300kg standing 1.86m row after row in a battle formation.
• The Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing
The Dazu Rock Carvings dates back to the years of the Tang dynasty which continued until the Ming and Qing dynasty. It now enjoys popularity alongside the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes. The Carvings refer to all the cliff side carvings in the Dazu region which is one of the largest and preserved cultural relic sites of China. This area has about 50,000 Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian rock carvings and 100,000 characters of inscriptions on all the carvings.
• The Li River Scenery.
Starting from the Mao’er Mountain northeast of Guilin, the Li river flows southeast about 437km passing through 5 different provinces Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle, Zhaoping and finally meeting Xi river in Wulin. This area is the largest and beautiful river scenes in China which attracts millions of visitors all year round. The 83km waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most significant part of the Li River. This part is an area which makes you appreciate nature best due to its rolling hills, steep cliffs, artistically shaped caves – the perfect paradise worth discovering for an explorer.
• Acrobatic Shows.
Among all the cities in China, Shanghai boasts of the best Acrobatic Troupe. This troupe has performed around the globe and proves to be a wonderful night out as a visitor in Shanghai. The tightly choreographed and artistic shows are performed regularly at the Shanghai Center on Nanjing Xi Lu. Something indeed to add to your list of to dos on your next Shanghai tour.
• Ba Peoples Hanging Coffins.
This is an interesting sight to see in Bawu Gorge in Chongqing. It is a display of about 108 hanging coffins which is a representation of one of China’s ancient histories. It was believed in the past that the higher a dead man was buried, the more dutiful their descendants would be, and hence the ranking coffin represented the rank of the dead person.
• The Beijing Zoo
This is the largest zoo in China located in the North West part of Beijing. It used to be a private garden owned by a royal Qing aristocrat until it was converted to a zoo in 1901. The zoo contains some 6000 animals of different species from different parts of the country. Visiting the Beijing zoo and many of the temples and museums in Beijing can make your Beijing tour a remarkable one. There are a few places of interests in Beijing
• The Three Gorges on the Yangtze River
The Three gorges along the Yangtze River which is the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge all on the upper reaches of the area. Extending from Sichuan province in the west to Wuchang in the east, the 189km long river is a popular water route for many tourists. The scenery along the Yangtze River cruise is something worth seeing for nature lovers. It has also become a regular water way trade route between the East and the West.
• Mountaineering.
With nine of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in China, including the two highest, China is known to be the mountaineering capital of the world. With a lot of tourists from all over the world, most hikers team up and travel long distances discovering hills and saves in the mountainous regions in China.
• Martial Arts
Even if you do not know how to practice this sport, it makes for good entertaining purposes. It is practiced anywhere in China, so wherever you find yourself, you can always enjoy some martial arts.
Additional places to go are the historical squares and sacred temples in Beijing, the Old Town of Lijiang and meeting the local minorities in the Yunnan and Tibet province.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit China Tours and Travel.

Hyderabad, One Of The Most Modern Cities In India

Republic of India, a sovereign South Asian country, is the seventh largest country by geographical area. India is the second most populous country and most populous democracy in the world.

The southern part of the India is surrounded by Indian Ocean, the west by Arabian ocean and the east by Bay of Bengal. With a coastline of over 7000 kms, it is bounded by Pakistan in the west, China, Nepal & Bhutan in the north-east and Bangladesh & Myanmar in the east.

India is home to Indus valley civilization, vast empires and historic trade routes. Well-known for its cultural wealth, India is the birth place of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism – four major religions in the world.

This federal republic consists of twenty-eight states and seven union territories. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai are the four major metros in the country. There are several other cities which attract tourists all over the world including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Thiruvanthapuram, Agra, Jaipur and Pune.

India is home to Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders in the world and premier sites of India. This architectural beauty is one of the most visited sites in India by tourists. Built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors, Agra Fort is also a major tourist spot in India.

The construction of this fort began in 1565 by Akbar and completed by the time of Shahjahan. The fort has massive double walls with four gateways. The fort consists of palaces, courts, gardens, mosques, baths and gracious pavilions.

There are several tourist attractions around the country. The city of Cochin is famous for its port and Chinese fishing nets, locally know as Cheena vala. The second largest monastery in Asia Tawang is situated on a hill top in Arunachal Pradesh. Another major attraction is the wall built by Rana Kumbha which is running up and down the Aravali hills in Rajasthan.

The wall consists of 34 fortresses and it resembles the Great Wall of China. Many if the temples India has musical stone pillars in which the central part of the pillars produces notes similar to that of Xylophone.

The Hindola Mahal, also known as swinging palace, in Mandu in central India has a peculiar design. It looks like a powerful fort with strange leaning sidewalls making an illusion that the entire structure is swaying. Mandu, the major fortified city of the medieval world, is situated in India.

The first carved image of Lord Buddha lies in Mathura which was carved around 2000 years ago. The Indian Wild Ass, also know as Khur, is seen only in the salt desert of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most modern cities in India. The cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad together known as twin city. The cities are separated by an artificial lake named Hussain Sagar. Founded on the Musi River by the Qutub Shahi dynasty, Hyderabad is famous for the Charminar and the bazaars.

One of the world’s largest mosques in the world, Mecca Masjid is situated adjacent to the Charminar. Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, Tombs of Qutub Shahi kings, Buddha Statue, Paigah Tombs and Hussain Sagar are some of the Hyderabadi places of historical interests.

Hyderabad is filled with several recreational centers some among them are Indira Gandhi Park and Nehru Zoological Park. Archaeological Museum, Birla Mandir Temple and Planetarium at Naubat Pahad, Ramoji Film City, St Joseph’s Cathedral, Health Museum, Chowmohalla Palace, Purani Haveli, Shilparamam Craft Village and Hi-tech city also attract tourists around the world. You can watch cultural and artistic performances regularly at the Ravindra Bharati Theater.

Hyderabad is home to Hyerabadi cuisine which is famous all around the world. Several trades, fairs and festivals are conducted through out the year in Hyderabad. An annual industrial exhibition is held during the months of January and February. The exhibition comprises colorful fair, displays textiles, machinery, handicrafts, and household utensils.

The Deccan Festival in February is accompanied with several cultural performances. Mrigasira Festival is another famous festival in India which consists of a unique feast to cure asthma. This is festival is held during the months of June-July. The Lumbini Festival is celebrated in the month of December.

China on the Go! Let’s take a tour to Beijing

So you have decided to take a tour to China? As China brags of many cities and towns filled with history of ancient civilizations, you probably would be wondering where to go in China. Well, it should not be a very hard decision to make; Beijing should definitely be the first stop over on a planned tour in China.

Beijing, one of the first attractions and most exciting places to visit is located in the North of China. It is the country’s capital which demonstrates most of the country’s cultural heritage. The natives are preparing the beautiful city in anticipation for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. So, the upcoming years will be a perfect time to take a tour to Beijing. Beijing is the home of history in China. It has always represented the place of three important Chinese dynasties over the past 1000 years. Peking duck is one of the most famous dishes in Beijing which many tourists enjoy having as a special cuisine.

A typical tour in Beijing comprises of places like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, the Ming Tombs as well as the Lama Temple. There are lots of hotels around these cities due to the large number of tourists who visit China. The Beijing Grand Hotel is completely decorated in Chinese style with rooms well furnished with Chinese calligraphies and paintings. As a tourist, you feel more at ease and welcomed into the Chinese culture.

The Forbidden City boasts of the world’s largest public square which is the Tiananmen Square. The Tiananmen Square is synonymously linked to the Chinese cultural revolutions where thousands of Chinese supporters crowded the square during Mao’s reign.

Not forgetting the Summer Palace, a major tourist destination spot located on the outskirts of Beijing, although, much of it is covered by the Kunming Lake. This palace completely demonstrates Chinese architecture, history and garden design. Taking a tour to the Summer Palace, you will see the Long Corridor of the lake which runs for about 2500 feet and ends at the marble boat.

One of China’s most cherished and greatest treasures is the Great Wall which makes the people proud of. This wall was built over 2 millennia by the old Chinese dynasties. It started in 221 BC and was continuously built until the 17th century. The Great Wall of China stretches from almost the center of Asia to the East China Sea. Visiting a part of the Great Wall is a must for any tourist who tours China as it is truly one of the great wonders of the ancient world.

Don’t get too tired as the Ming Tombs is still one of the nicest places to visit in Beijing. These tombs represent the burial grounds of some of the 16 Ming dynasty emperors of China. It has a 7km quiet walkway known as the Spirit Way which leads to the tombs.

As a tourist in Beijing, there’s still so much to see and even after taking a tour in Beijing, places to tour in China includes Tibet, Huangshan commonly known as the Yellow Mountains, Shanghai, Xian and many of the traditional local places. A short tour in China will not be enough to tour all these places, but the experience and adventure
would definitely be worth it.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit Passport to China Tours.