TOPBUZZ

Yes, there are wild elephants in China along with many other animals, birds and wild life including Tigers.  Here you see some of the wild elephants in Xishuangbanna are of south Yunnan province.  They are located in the Sanchahe Nature Reserve not far from the city of Jinghong.   Jinghong which is in the middle of one of the most diverse areas of China has the only airport in southern Yunnan province.  The home of many minority peoples each with their own customs and dress is one of the most beautiful areas of China and is seldom visited by western tourists.   There are many faces of China with countless Nature Reserves with birds of every species, wild monkeys including the rare Golden Monkeys which I have seen myself in upper Yunnan province.  I have toured many different countries around the world but China still remains one that continues to fascinate me with now over 50 visits to all corners of the country.  The variety of sit...

As a tour operator to China, I must keep up on all the news and changes going on in China.  Besides my annual trips to China for inspections and seeing the changes, I read everything I can and watch web sites that keep me informed.   China National Tourist Office is one source you will find interesting and you can order maps, brochures and other information for free.  I faithfully read one special magazine called   " CHINA TODAY" which is published here in the U.S. in full color.  What is happening in China and especially tourist information is all included.  You see here one issue on the changing childhood in the cities and how the "one child policy" has fared over the years.  Even the education system is changing to reflect the needs of dealing with the modern world.  The  monthly magazine costs about $34 per year post paid.  You can order it from the Cypress Book Company, Subscription Dept.  360 Swift Ave.  Su...

As a China Tour Operator for the past  25  years, I often receive inquiries from people wanting to visit culturally rural China to see areas outside of the large cities and major sites.  Usually I recommend south central China with Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces being the favorite places as it has so much to offer in a compact area.  There are over 57 minority peoples in China each with their own customs and unique dress.  Many of these are located in these three provinces although there are others.  Sanjiang pictured here is about 100 kms. north west of Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang region, and very typical of a minority group called the Dong people who settled this area over 1000 years ago.  Other nationalities you can visit in this area are Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Han.  This to me is the real China of the past far from the large busy modern cities.  Sichuan province to the north is the most populated province with over 100 million peo...

As a Tour Operator to China only, I send a Profile sheet to each Inquiry asking them to list some information on their personal interests, way they like to tour, level of hotels, etc. etc.  After I receive it back from them, I develop an outline of cities and number of days for them to tour based on their input.  Many are  looking for the ancient culture of China with such spots as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Warriors etc.  Few ever ask about MODERN China.  Of course you need to see all the cultural sights but don't overlook some of the modern sights and experiences of China. Here you see the modern engine of the Fast Train that runs from Beijing to Shanghai in as little as four hours.  In the past it took 12 hours by regular train and only went at night since leaving during the day made arrivals in the middle of the night inconvenient.  Part of your tour should include one of the new fast trains that routes are being added every year....

As a tour operator to China for the past 25 years, I have  come in contact with many people  who inquire about China.  Sometimes one partner is not as excited about going on a tour as the other but is going along with it.  Mostly it is a lack of information or pre-conceived ideas about China but both become excited about their trip when they return.  I have travelled throughout China for 26 years.  During the off season my wife and I have travelled to many other countries for several years.   Although each country has it's distinctive culture and sights; China I think has the most diverse sights to offer with over 57 different nationalities each with it's own culture and dress. You can visit as many as 20+ cultures in one or two provinces.  As example, one culture does not marry and lives around a fairy tale like lake in the mountains.  Another once a couple marry, the man retires and the women do all the work. :...

As a Tour Operator I receive many inquiries about how much it cost to tour China.  Many think it is very inexpensive because IT IS CHINA with their low costs of labor etc.  That was true just 10 years ago but things have changed.  There is Old China in the rural areas and there is New China in the cities.  Costs can vary a great deal.  My Chinese friend who lived near Boston for one year while going to school, returned to China this year and could not believe the difference in prices of food and many other things.  She said prices in China for many food items were much higher.  Many other costs in the U.S. were less for many items including hotels.   I travel to China myself often and find the same things.  A cup of Chinese coffee at the airport in Chengdu was 20% higher than Starbucks  which was just 50 feet away as an example.  If you see a very inexpensive tour to China on the internet, there is a reason why which ...

I have travelled China for 26 years and everywhere I go I see friendly faces like these in the photos.  The people of China are very open and friendly always welcoming me wherever I go.  In the countryside you will often be invited for tea if you just show up at their doorstep.  Even when they do not want their pictures taken, they give a broad smile and shake their heads.  Getting into the culture is very easy no matter where you go.  In restaurants no one hurries you to eat and leave.  You must ask for a check as it is impolite to give a check to a guest without them asking even when they are very busy.  When travelling with a guide, they will often just shout out to the home  (no door bells in the countryside) and say,  "There is a foreigner here who would like to visit you if you are not busy".  Even when they are busy, they stop to invite you in and serve tea while they continue to work.  Exchanging questions asking about ...