Travel Ideas-Along the Grand Canal

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The Forbidden City in the sunset,Beijing


When someone uses the words “Marco Polo” and “Grand Canal” in the same sentence, one is likely to think of a young Italian boy visiting the S-shaped waterway that weaved through his hometown of Venice, Italy. But the Grand Canal that the famous explorer Marco Polo visited in the late 13th-century was the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the longest waterway in the world, which was a crucial contribution to the cultural and economic development of China. Starting at Beijing and making its way south for nearly 1800 kilometers in length, the Grand Canal finds its southern end situated in the ethereal city of Hangzhou. At the time of Marco Polo’s visit, Hangzhou, or “The City of Heaven” as the explorer called it, was already a bustling center for trade. He recorded his experiences wandering through the city’s ten marketplaces, each filled with fruits, vegetables, and livestock, of which many had been brought from overseas. According to Marco Polo, about 40,000 to 50,000 people visited the marketplaces daily. If there were subways back then, the scene would parallel that of Beijing’s subways during rush hour.

The Grand Canal


Along his travels in the Yangtze River Delta region, Marco Polo visited Suzhou, also known as the “Venice of the East” for its peaceful canals and quaint bridges. Suzhou’s elegant landscapes were complemented by its realm of sophisticated craftsmen. As the Italian explorer walked through this city bountiful in silk, he felt as if every citizen around him were clothed in it. Suzhou’s contributions of richly colored, fine silk put the city on the map as a key part of the trade route known as the Silk Road. One could say that the magnificent silk from Suzhou was spun long enough to connect China with the rest of the world.

Grand Canal in the evening


Today, exploring China does not have to span decades, as Marco Polo’s travels did. China Luxury Travel Network offers a 6-day tour called “Along the Grand Canal,” which explores the culture of Southern China. Start in Hangzhou, visiting sites around West Lake, the inspirations behind many of China’s most famous poems. Next, get a glimpse into the way villagers of Wuzhen live a water-based way of life. Then head to Suzhou and immerse yourself in the refined culture of rich silks and iconic gardens. Finally, see the modern side of China’s center of commerce as you walk through the bustling streets of Shanghai.

For more information regarding the Along the Grand Canal tour, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.

Top 5 Boutique hotels-URBN Hotels Shanghai

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Destination Introduction-Shanghai

If you have traveled throughout many cities in China, it is common to feel that the number of people grows with each place you visit. This is truly the case in bustling Shanghai, the most populous city in China. Along with being the most populous, Shanghai is also the most developed city in mainland China, a captivating blend of East and West. On countless corners all over Shanghai, you can see European influences on the architecture, such as in the Xintiandi area or the former French Concession area, the “Paris of the East.” Shanghai became an important trading port during the Qing Dynasty, attracting international attention. Outside influences came as a result of several treaties signed near the mid-1800’s. The Eight-Nation Alliance (Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom) were granted concessions in Shanghai, and their influence can still be seen throughout this major city, such as the British-style buildings along The Bund. Right as you’re about to forget you’re in China, you wander upon preserved cultural sites such as the Yuyuan Gardens, where traditional Chinese architecture pervades the beautiful (but crowded) gardens.

Shanghai’s cuisine, like its city architecture, is a fusion of both local and western flavors. While western cuisine is easily found in this metropolis, many come to Shanghai for its famed xiǎo lóng bāos, literally “buns from the little steaming cage,” which is originally from the neighboring Hangzhou region. Part of the appeal of eating xiǎo lóng bāos is reveling in the mystery of how the richly flavorful broth manages to stay inside the thin skin of the bun. Be careful though, because the broth threatens to rush out as soon as you take a small bite.

URBN Hotels Shanghai

URBN Exterior

In line with its rapid development, Shanghai’s residents are becoming more and more mindful of protecting the environment. Compared to other cities in China, Shanghai’s air pollution is relatively lower, although it is still high on a global standard. Businesses and individuals are doing their part to promote sustainability, and one boutique hotel that is standing out above the rest is URBN Hotels Shanghai, China’s first carbon-neutral (removing the same amount of carbon dioxide from the environment as they put in) hotel.

Penthouse

URBN Hotels Shanghai is located in the heart of downtown Shanghai, nearby the former French Concession area. The hotel itself is a unique structure, designed from a renovated factory warehouse. The interior exudes contemporary and chic luxury while using 100% recycled and locally sourced materials. URBN Hotels Shanghai demonstrates that living green does not necessarily mean trading in exotic ambience, which can be experienced in each of its rooms. Everything from its eco-friendly cleaning products to its internal philosophy of sustainability is part of URBN Hotels Shanghai’s mission to enrich the planet we live in. Each decision in the operations process is intentionally energy-efficient, and URBN Hotels Shanghai is constantly on the look-out for new sustainability projects and technologies.

URBN Hotels Spa

Invigoratings Room

Courtyard Suite Spa Room

URBN Hotels Shanghai’s theme of “all-natural” reaches every aspect of the hotel, including Delicious!, the facial treatments specially designed for URBN hotels guests. Delicious! offers fresh gourmet skincare. By fresh, they mean so fresh you don’t know whether to revitalize your skin with the ingredients…..or eat them. The menu includes tantalizing treatments such as the Autumn Brighten and Tone, which uses natural ingredients such as cranberry, almonds, alfalfa, and aloe. This revolutionary spa aims to take elements from nature to maximize a nutritious regimen for your skin.

The personnel at this boutique hotel inspires their guests and friends to give back, setting an example through projects such as their “Million Tree Project” partnership with Roots & Shoots, an international NGO. Through the project, URBN Hotels Shanghai hopes to grow its own forest of 2,000 trees by buying and planting one tree at a time, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. For a truly green travel experience, stay at URBN Shanghai and learn more about what you can do in your daily life to help sustain our planet.

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

Top 5 Boutique hotels-HOMA Guilin – Hotel of Modern Art

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Destination Introduction-Guilin

In the beautiful city of Guilin , 桂林 in Chinese (Guangxi Region, China, 中国广西) stands the Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA), which is located a comfortable distance from Guilin’s famous karst hills and cave formations, such as the renowned Reed Flute Cave. The pyramid-shaped hotel, a piece of modern art itself, lies within a city rich with culture and vegetation which has developed over a history of more than 2,000 years.

Guilin was first founded as a trading post, as it sits surrounded by two rivers and four lakes. Down the river from Guilin is the scenic Yangshuo, whose limestone hills and serene waters have been the subjects of many Chinese paintings, as well as inspiration for poetry. Located in a key part of Southern China, Guilin was a well-known base in the modern era of China for revolutionists and warlords, as well as numerous intellectuals. Today, resident artists continue on the tradition of culture inside the Yuzi Paradise Art Park, which is also home to the Hotel of Modern Art.

The Hotel of Modern Art-HOMA

HOMA Outward Appearance

Yuzi Paradise(愚自乐园), also known as Fool’s Paradise, was named by its Founder, Rhy Chang Tsao, because of his belief that “the fool enjoys doing what he believes is right.” The thing that Mr. Tsao believes in is providing rich aesthetics to enhance the lives of Chinese people as well as international travelers. The Hotel of Modern Art boasts innovative architecture and unique decorated rooms; in fact, the rooms themselves are intricately designed works of art. In addition, works of local artists are displayed around each of the rooms, which serve dually as a personal museum. Living in such a luxurious setting, it is only natural for you to be additionally blessed with a personal 24-hour VIP host service. Your personal host can assist with numerous tasks, from greeting you at the airport to making restaurant reservations. HOMA is not just a hotel, but an experience fused with wonder and creativity. The Hotel of Modern Art blends art and nature effortlessly by displaying cultural elements of art against a backdrop of Guilin’s natural landscape.

The HOMA Spa

HOMA Spa

At HOMA’s Flying Spa, time ceases to exist as you indulge in a special Chinese, Thai, or aromatherapy massage. At the Flying Spa, you are treated both inside and out, as they offer all-natural soups and holistic teas to re-energize and refresh your mind and body. From the moment you step into the spa, you feel instantly relaxed by the elements of nature surrounding you, such as water flowing as small streams in the lobby, and an environment rich in plants and trees. Following the artistic theme of the distinct hotel rooms, each of the Flying Spa’s 15 rooms is one-of-a-kind, boasting its own individual design.

The HOMA Gourmet

Indulge your taste for gourmet cuisine at HOMA’s Lotus Restaurant, which lies with an open view of the pine grove and natural landscape. The Lotus Restaurant hosts a diverse menu of creative Asian fusion to satisfy a variety of tastes. For the adventurous, you can enjoy the delicious local Chinese specialties. For those in need of comfort food from home, the restaurant features Western favorites as well. In keeping with the natural theme of HOMA, the Lotus Restaurant is focused on using organic and local product where available. The restaurant itself infuses artistic elements from the surrounding decorations, a modern twist on traditional Chinese decor, to the handmade dishware, created on site in the Yuzi Paradise Atelier.

Experience the natural beauty of Guilin while staying at the fascinating Hotel of Modern Art. Indulge your aesthetic cravings while exploring the world-famous sights, and baptize yourself in the lush scenery that is the town of Guilin.

The HOMA Lobby

The HOMA Spa

For more information regarding Guilin/Yangshuo tours and HOMA booking, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register at http://www.cltn.net.

Top 5 Boutique hotels-Aman Resort at Summer Palace

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Destination Introduction-Beijing

In a country as rapidly developing as China, Beijing is set apart as being a remarkable blend of old and new. The city of Beijing, literally called “Northern Capital,” is the political, historical, and cultural center of China. The city itself is so diverse that traveling to certain parts of Beijing can take you back thousands of years, while visiting a neighboring district will bring you back to the center of booming economic development. In the Dongcheng (“Eastern Part of the City”) District, the areas around Houhai and Guijie are a preservation of old Beijing style hutongs. The hutongs are narrow alleys which are bordered by numerous siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. During the Ming Dynasty (in the 15th century), citizens of higher social ranking were allowed to live closer to the center of the city, which at the time was the Forbidden City. Almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and as you walk through them, keep an open ear to hear the whispering of these stories from Old Beijing.

While successfully preserving its regal past, Beijing has also kept up with the changing times. One example is in the thriving art scene here, which includes an extensive range from contemporary art in the 798 Art Zone to traditional Chinese oil painting to the resurgence of the Beijing Opera. In downtown Beijing, the Central Business District is constantly evolving into an unparalleled metropolis. While the Dongcheng District hosts the one-story hutongs, CBD is home to towering office buildings and unique structures, such as the CCTV Building, also known as the “pants building” for its unusual shape. This capital city holds a charm of its own, and many who visit can appreciate the ancient traditions as well as the modern development of a city moving forward.

Aman Resort at Summer Palace

Aman Resort at Summer Palace Outward Appearance

There is no better way to experience the regal era of Beijing than to stay at Aman Resort at Summer Palace. Located on the northwest part of the city, Aman Resort lies just outside the historic Summer Palace, a World Heritage site. The accommodations include original dwellings which date over one hundred years, and the resort is infused with the detailed and vibrant aesthetics of the Ming Dynasty. During that time, the Empress Dowager Cixi had a significant influence on the neighboring Summer Palace. Aman offers you the unparalleled experience of living in the same dwellings that the guests of the Empress did at the turn of the twentieth century. There are several types of accommodation, mostly furnished in the Ming Dynasty style. The suites face an inner courtyard, a signature of Old Beijing, which features intricate pathways and formal gardens. The artistic design of Aman Resort, from the plush furnishings to the elegant gardens, makes you feel as if you are a pampered Beijing official from the Imperial period.

Inner Courtyard

An additional feature of the luxurious Aman Resort is the Aman Spa. True to Beijing’s blending of the old and new, the Aman Spa also combines modern wellness therapies with traditional Chinese techniques. The body treatments are meant to renew, revive, and revitalize, as the post-massage baths are appropriately named Renew Bath, Revive Bath, and Vitality Bath. The spa’s beauty treatments use traditional Chinese elements such as ginger and green tea, as well as the more modern citrus wraps, a great antidote for jetlag.

Aman Spa

Your trip to China is not complete without visiting the city pervasive in ancient traditions and contemporary growth. The greatest challenge in Beijing is making the most of your time, as each corner of the city has its own wealth of history and stories to share. Experiencing the capital city of Beijing will bring a deeper understanding of China as it was, as it is, and as it will be.

The Room


For more information regarding Beijing tours and Aman Resort at Summer Palace booking, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.

Welcome to the CLTN Blog — An Introduction

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Hello Friends of CLTN,

Welcome to our blog! You can stay updated here with our most current news and updates.

For those unfamiliar to our network, CLTN is a by-invitation-only network of luxury travel suppliers in China with over 300 members (still growing). Our network consists of more than 300 members of luxury and super-luxury hotels, boutique DMCs, activity providers and other luxury service providers. Our B2B platform (www.cltn.net) showcases our members to overseas agents who can browse luxury service products/providers in China.

The China Luxury Travel Network has searched far and wide for China’s most unique and interesting accommodation providers and specialized tour operators nationwide. We’ve selected those that have demonstrated a commitment to quality, reliability and uniqueness of experience.

CLTN Hotel member pictures from CLTN website

CLTN tour picture from CLTN website

From quaint courtyards in the capital’s historic neighborhoods to one of the numerous renovated guest houses of China’s 55 minority groups, agents can access hundreds of commissionable accommodation options many of which can’t be found on any traditional GDS. Our connoisseur’s collection of tours and activities are available in well-designed tour packages as well as open tailor-made RFP options. Agents can mix and match these packages, customize existing offerings and create tailor-made itineraries (PDF) with their own logo. Many of our “tailor-made packages” are exclusive to CLTN and new to the world. You are encouraged to share your desire of a dream trip with our creative trip design team at info@cltn.net.

Stay tuned for more news, events, updates and new services.

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