As a strong Tibetan influence has pervaded into the local cuisine, visitors to Jiuzhaigou have the opportunity to various traditional Tibetan dishes.  Butter tea (a soup-like mixture of butter, milk, walnut kernels, peanuts, sesame, egg, and salt) is always kept in a warm teapot, ready for drinking or for greeting guests, and Tibetan dishes such as zanba, and blood sausages are also available.  There is also Qingke Barley Liquor, the Tibetan beer.

Although the most ideal time to visit is between April and November, Jiuzhaigou’s valley can be viewed all year round, with each season presenting its own unique take on the breathtaking scenery.  In the spring, visitors are treated with stunning vistas of blooming flowers, sprouting shoots, and flowing waters, all with a spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks.  And while the summer offers sunny days and cool evenings, autumn allows one to savor the crisp multi-colored autumn landscapes.  Winter, however, isn’t without its charm, with its enchanting snowfalls and beautiful snowscapes.

Notable attractions
Mirror Lake: a lake located at the mouth of Ri Tse Valley, named for its mirror-like surface which reflects the surrounding grasslands, flowers, and distant mountains.

Wucai Chi, the Five-Colored Pond: this lake’s residing aquatic life forms have given it an impressive array color patches, from light green, bright yellow, milky white, to deep blue.

Wildlife
Aside from the painterly landscapes occupying every direction, Jiuzhai Valley National Park is also home to a number of endangered plant and animal species.  These include the giant panda, Sichuan takin, Sichuan golden monkey, as well as many orchids and rhododendrons.

HOW TRAVEL CONSOLIDATORS CAN BRIDGE THE GAP

On-the-ground expertise of hotel suppliers’ and TOs, coupled with cultural understanding of customs and business practices throughout the entire country are what enable travel consolidators such as CLTN to bridge the gap, thus affording innovative travel packages that are personalized and value-priced.

The growing demand for superior service and personalized travel experiences requires in-depth knowledge of where the highest standards of hospitality can be found in every destination.  Along with extensive networking with the experts of a particular destination (which offer the most knowledgeable touring experience available), these travel consolidators need to guarantee the most optimum service for any given location in the country.  In addition, travel consolidators can monitor the constantly evolving inbound travel trends, and thereby create new travel itineraries, diversify travel themes and locations, as well as find the means to circumvent infrastructure gaps in less-traveled destinations.

Travel consolidators such as CLTN therefore serve as the facilitator between different suppliers, as well as between suppliers and agents, on top of standardizing service and quality between its members.  It’s a novel concept within the inbound travel industry in China, but one that is required in order to meet travelers’ growing demand in high-end China travel.

Neglected travel themes

When it comes to reigning in visitors for specialized travel, another challenge stems from most travel agencies’ and DMCs’ near sole focus on sightseeing tours.  Inbound travelers – especially luxury inbound travelers — however tend to look for more personalized travel experiences.  In addition to visiting famous landmarks, visitors want to experience the local flavor firsthand, and wish to enrich the experience of setting foot in China by coupling it with special activities such cooking lessons, sports, ceremonies, etc.  To this day, major TOs mainly offer itineraries geared towards visits to architectural landmarks and certain cultural/historical artifacts.  Presently, first-hand visits to ethnic minority villages, traditional festivals, photography excursions, and activities promoting well-being comprise a very small piece of the pie.  These seem to be viewed as fringe itineraries when in fact they are not, as the aforementioned growing demand for different travel experiences clearly states otherwise.

Economic challenges from abroad

Europe and North American markets also pose a challenge to China inbound travel, as the economic recovery following the 2008 crisis has yet to fully stabilize.  This has and will inevitably influence prospective clients’ value-sensitive approach when shopping for a trip.  The issue is further compounded by the rise of the Chinese RMB and the nation’s inflation, which has negatively affected travel products’ competitive pricing.

While cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and even Xi’an are presently well-suited to accommodate high-end travelers, the situation is very different in Tibet, Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Qinghai, areas which would otherwise provide travel experiences to rival all the previously well-established Chinese destinations.

Inconsistency between the major centers and other areas is mostly a reflection of the required infrastructure to transport clients to these locations, not to mention a communication gap.  Hotels and suppliers in these places may in fact provide a valuable product with a level of service to meet a high-end standard, but they lack the means to communicate their value and attract clientele.  It is either due to a lack of understanding of international languages and customs, or unfamiliarity with the international travel market.  Finding the means to reach out to the proper venues in order to get their brand name out is especially difficult considering the fairly limited number of major travel industry exhibitions.

The disparity between major hot spots and other destinations in China may in part be explained by the attention given by all the major TOs for inbound China travel.  Not only does the vast majority of travel packages include a stop in Beijing, Shanghai and/or Xi’an, when comparing all the tours currently available on the market, these three cities reoccur more often than all other cities combined.  This may indeed reflect travelers’ demand to visit “obligatory” sites during their visit to China (notably the first visit), but it neglects growing demand for other urban destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path locations.

As reported in 2011 by the China Tourism Academy (CTA), inbound China travelers’ overall level of satisfaction has decreased in the past two quarters.  This is mainly due to the relatively slow increase in suppliers’ quality, as well as an insufficient number of locations with venues and service.  A clear indication that even though China offers a rich diversity of cultural and natural travel destinations across a vast geography, most areas have yet to provide the required infrastructure for leisure travel, much less high-end leisure travel.

China also has a formidable number of plants that can be found only within the Middle Kingdom. The metasequoia, a type of arbor tree, is renowned as one of the oldest and rarest plants in the world. China is also home to thousands of medicinal herbs, such as ginseng from the Chiangbai Mountains, safflowers from Tibet, and Chinese wolfberry from Ningxia province, all celebrated as natural bestowers of good health.

Birds have a special position in Chinese mythology, as the phoenix (feng huang) has special connotations. Considered the leader of birds, the phoenix has feminine connotations and is regularly used to represent the power descended from heaven and given to the empress. Unlike the Western phoenix, however, the Chinese phoenix has a different outward appearance, contemporarily defined as a composite of many actually existing birds.

China was once known as a land of bicycles, and even today the two wheeled contraption remains an insight of the combination of old and new. Cities are built for bicycles, with infrastructure complete for the rider on the move. This makes bike touring through China all that much easier!

China’s capital of love is also the capital of Zhejiang Province in East China, the enchanting city of Hangzhou. It is called the capital of love not only for its romantic landscapes, but because it is home to classic dramas such as The Butterfly Lovers and Madam White Snake. Another name for Hangzhou is “Heaven on Earth.” As the popular saying goes: “Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.” Hangzhou’s history is thousands of years old, and during its extensive past, poets, politicians, and philosophers have been drawn to the mysterious beauty of Hangzhou’s tranquil waters, mesmerized by the undisturbed reflections. The city is well-known for its silk and tea. A popular time to visit would be in April or May, so that you can enter a tea plantation on the hills of Hangzhou and hand-pick tender tea leaves, after which you can learn how to make and properly drink tea. Only two hours away from bustling Shanghai, Hangzhou is a peaceful sanctuary seeped with old cultural legacies.

Banyan Tree Hotel and Resort, Hangzhou

Banyan Tree Hangzhou Exterior Night View

For your stay in beautiful Hangzhou, we recommend the Banyan Tree Hotel and Resort. Banyan Tree lays enveloped within the lush landscape and waters of the Xixi National Wetland Park, which developed from the southern tip of the Grand Canal and is China’s first wetland reserve. The wetland areas have been recovered and ecological systems restored so that species of plants and animals can continue to thrive. Within the reserve, guests can explore Hangzhou’s history by visiting the Plum Villa, Yanshui Fishing Villa, or Autumn Snow Temple. Along the famous West Lake, guests can visit different scenic views, such as Lotus in the Wind in Crooked Courtyard, and marvel at the alluring waters of the city that Italian traveler Marco Polo called “the most beautiful and magnificent in the world.” The Banyan Tree offers a variety of suites and villas, all of which integrate a tranquil sanctuary with contemporary comforts such as an LCD TV, stereo system, and air conditioning. All 72 suites and villas reflect the four color themes of spring, summer, fall, and winter. The architecture comes to life through subtle touches such as hand painted silk brocades which hang over the bed, as well as intricately carved furnishings.

The Banyan Tree Spa

Banyan Tree Spa product

Banyan Tree Spa Hangzhou with therapist

The Banyan Tree Spa is uniquely luxurious, with spa therapists who are formally trained at Banyan Tree Spa Academies in order to provide a signature touch. Each of the therapists is gracefully intuitive and sensitive to guests’ needs, further enhancing the allure of the spa. Banyan Tree Spa is situated in the midst of bamboo groves and lush gardens, and offers a variety of award-winning treatments. In reflection of the tranquility of Hangzhou, the Banyan Tree Spa provides a haven for spiritual, mental, and physical renewal. It focuses on treatments based on traditional Eastern healing therapies, which uses natural herbs and spices.

Discover the romantic side of China in this quaint city of waterways and villas. Whether you’re traveling on your own or with a loved one, we highly recommend that you take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquility of Hangzhou, China’s “Heaven on Earth.”

Banyan Tree Hangzhou Villa

For more information regarding Hangzhou/Shanghai tours and Banyan Tree Hotel and Resort booking, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.

An entirely different traveling experience is found in Lhasa, or the “place of the gods.” Lhasa is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the region’s center of politics, economy, and culture. It is a retreat where travelers come to slow down, experience exotic customs, and find peace and harmony in the simple life. Keep in mind to be prepared with warm clothing, because at an altitude of 12,000 feet, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. Its pure beauty lies in the natural landscape, as it sits in a small basin surrounded by Himalaya Mountains. Nearby, the Kyichu River flows through the snow-covered mountains. The sight of the gleaming white snow against a backdrop of vivid blue sky is definitely a sight not to be missed. Culturally, Lhasa is home to many palaces and monasteries, as it is the center of Tibetan Buddhism. Two famous sights are the famed Potala Palace, the residence of the Dalai Lama, and the ancient Jokhang Temple. Many efforts have been made to preserve the Tibetan culture, including direct projects aimed at promoting local sustainability.

One way for you as a traveler to help promote local sustainability is by staying at the Shambhala Source Himalayan Heritage Hotel, as revenues are shared with native nomads. Located amidst hot springs and meditation caves, you can take in a breathtaking view from each of the rooms. While you can take a walk and enjoy the hot spring geysers nearby, there’s no better way to relax than in your own hot spring tub, located inside 12 of Shambhala Source’s 18 rooms. The geo-tourism lodge makes great efforts in preserving the ethnic heritage, including supporting local arts through an artisan center which focuses on the handicapped. Everything from the bedspreads to fixtures and other decorations are produced by neighboring artisans. The artisan center supports local nomads financially through a yogurt processing center, as well as providing medical care for them and researching Tibetan herbs. While some people travel to Lhasa to meditate, be still, and seek peace, others may want to participate in activities such as visiting nomadic camps and horse-back riding across the plains.

Tibetan Buddhism focuses on the body and spiritual awakening. The House of Shambhala Spa is an embodiment of that belief. Because Tibetans believe that the universe is an extension of our physical bodies and minds, massage techniques are used to apply gentle pressure to certain stress points, bringing you back into contact with the realm around you. At the spa, you can relax in a peaceful sauna located inside a replicated meditation cave, soaking up the scents of Tibetan medicinal herbs which are poured over steaming stones. The Shambhala Yoga and Meditation Center seeks to pass on the declining art of Yantra Yoga by holding free daily classes for guests. Additionally, the staff participates in yoga in order to build a greater sense of peace, resulting in better service for their guests.

For more information regarding TIbet tours and Shambhala Source Himalayan Heritage Hotel booking, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.