Rails Laid Down in Tibet
Nearly two centuries after railway was invented, the symbol of modern civilization made its way into Tibet, known as the "roof of the world," for the first time. At about 11:30 am Tuesday, two 25-meter-long rails were laid down at the Amdo Station, some 440 kilometers from Lhasa, at the foot of the Tanggula Range in Amdo County of Tibet. Sprawling on the Tanggula Range, a mountain "insurmountable even by eagles" in the eyes of locals and regarded as the cradle of the Yangtze River
US Generals to Be Summoned in Abuse Scandal
Lawyers for two defendants in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal won the right Monday to question top US generals to bolster arguments their clients were following lawful orders in their treatment of inmates. The order, issued by a military judge at pretrial hearings, compels Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top US commander in Iraq, Gen. John Abizaid, chief of the US Central Command, to give depositions. The defense will also have access to Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, who was in charge of
43 Missing After Tourist Boat Capsizes
Forty-three people were still missing after a tourist boat capsized Tuesday evening in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on the lower reaches of the Yellow River, local government sources said early Wednesday. The accident occurred at around 8:00 pm. The boat Mingzhu No. 2 carrying a group of sightseers, suddenly sanked during a rainstorm in the reservoir in Jiyuan City of central China's Henan Province, and 69 people on board fell into the water. Witnesses said the wind force at the time h
First Rail Tracks Laid in Tibet
Nearly two centuries after railways were invented, this symbol of modern civilization has finally made its way into Tibet, the "roof of the world." At about 11:30 am Tuesday, two 25-metre-long rails were laid at the Amdo Station, some 440 kilometres from Lhasa, at the foot of the Tanggula mountain range in Amdo County of Tibet. Sprawling on the range known as "insurmountable even by eagles" by locals and regarded as the cradle of the Yangtze and Lancang rivers, the Qinghai-Tibet Ra
Chinese Learning Center Launched in Kenya
Kenyan officials and visiting Chinese educators launched a cooperative program on Tuesday in Kenyan capital Nairobi, which will enable more Kenyans to learn Chinese to enhance cultural and economic exchange between the two nations. Zhou Ji, Education Minister of China and George Saitoti, Kenyan Minister for Education, Science and Technology jointly signed an accord to build the Chinese language learning center, "the Confucius Institute" in the University of Nairobi. "China will spo
Entering the Forbidden City: From Courtiers to Common Tourists
The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace or Palace Museum, situated in central Beijing, was the power center of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties from 1420 to 1912. The vast palace was called "forbidden" because commoners could not enter the complex without special permission during that period. Only courtiers were allowed to seek an audience with the emperor. Today, however, the palace welcomes crowds of commoners instead of courtiers as it has becom
Budget Hotels Gain Popularity
During this year's weeklong May Day holiday, most budget hotels in major tourist cities were fully booked in advance, while many four- and five-star hotels had to offer discounts to lure customers. This popularity comes despite the fact the budget hotel was unheard of in China until recently. According to Zhang Jun, assistant director of the China Hotel Association, the budget hotel concept was introduced to the country just a few years ago. The term refers to hotels which p
China-made Passenger Plane to Debut in 2 Years
China's own passenger aircraft with up to 100 seats is expected to make its maiden test flight in 2006, an aviation expert was quoted Wednesday as saying. Zhang Ju'en, director of Scientific and Technological Development of China Aviation Industry Corporation I, said Chinese passengers may travel on the aircraft in as early as 2007. The corporation was set up on July 1, 1999 on the basis of the State-owned Aviation Industries of China. The aircraft was designed to have 70 to 100 se
Budget Hotels Gain Popularity
With comfortable, clean accommodation and convenient service at an inexpensive price, budget hotels are becoming increasingly popular in China. During this year's week-long May Day holiday, most budget hotels in major tourist cities were fully booked in advance, while many four or five-star hotels had to offer discounts to lure customers. This popularity comes despite the fact the budget hotel was unheard of in China until recently. According to Zhang Jun, assistant director
Tongli Town
Tongli is an age-old but well-preserved water township located on the eastern bank of the Taihu Lake, 18 km from urban Suzhou. Originally named Fushi, the town of Tongli has a history of more than 1,000 years. True to its reputation, Tongli is a wonderful travel destination for tourists to have a marvelous vacation or to learn about traditional Chinese culture. Bridges: Bridges are a vital component of the water-town. Totaling 49 in number, the stone bridges in various styles link the dif
Carlson to Provide Cruise Service for Tourists
Carlson Companies, one of the world's leading companies in marketing, travel and hospitality, is trying hard to expand its business in China where travel-hungry people enjoy at least three weeklong holidays each year. Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies, said she found that travel and entertainment is becoming part of local people's everyday life, especially for the younger generation. Nelson said that her companies are going to sign an
Budget Hotels Gain Popularity
During this year's week-long May Day holiday, most budget hotels in major tourist cities were fully booked in advance, while many four- and five-star hotels had to offer discounts to lure customers. It is difficult to believe that budget hotels were unheard of in China until recently. According to Zhang Jun, assistant director of the China Hotel Association, the budget hotel concept was introduced to the country just a few years ago. The term refers to hotels that provide li
Migrant Worker Turns Teacher
Gao Wenhu, 28, is the headmaster and only teacher of the unnamed primary school in the little hillside village of Dazhai within the larger village of Quanba, in Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County of southwest China's Guizhou Province. But only a year ago, he was one of the many migratory workers from his landlocked hometown that had gone to the coastal city of Shenzen, in South China's Guangdong Province, in search of work. After learning that the Dazhai Primary School in the village ha
Preserving the Old, While Developing the New
Of China's 29 listed world heritage sites, two ancient cities are well known for their preservation of unique historical remains and cultural relics. One is the old city of Lijiang in Yunnan Province and the other is the old city of Pingyao in Shanxi Province. Lijiang With a history of over 800 years, Lijiang is unique for the native Dongba culture and traditional Naxi architecture, streetscapes, canals and waterways preserved by the local Naxi people. Some experts believe that wha
Chinese Food & Drink Container Show Opens
Chinese cuisine is one of the world's most unique and diverse. Not surprisingly, the culture of Chinese food and drink containers has a long history. An exhibition of exquisite Chinese tableware is now open in Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province. Nearly 140 items and sets of tablewares are on display, dating from the New Stone Age to the end of the Qing Dynasty, the last feudal monarchy in China, which was overthrown in 1912. The diverse items, of bron
Digital System Helps Manage Scenic Spot
Tranquility has returned to Jiuzhaigou, a well-known scenic site in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, where now only limited numbers of tourists indulge themselves in the miracle of nature. The change has been brought along by a program called "Digital Jiuzhaigou" that has been put into formal operation since this year's May 1 holiday season. Feng Gang, deputy director of the Administration for the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Zone, said the Digital Jiuzhaigou program, which will cost more
Fabulous Fangshan
Tucked away in a mountainous area west of Beijing, the district of Fangshan is putting itself on the tourist map. Lying some 65 kilometers from downtown Beijing, it has set the scene for an annual Fangshan Tourism and Culture Festival. The festival, the 10th of its kind, is now underway. Tourism activities and new travel resorts have opened for visitors during the one-month festival. Shenglian Mountain Scenic Spot, another newly opened travel destination, includes several na
The Former Residence of Lao She
Over the course of Chinese history, Beijing has been the home of many intriguing and important figures. Along with the rapid progress of Beijing's modernization, many hutongs (back street lanes) have been rebuilt into broad roads lined with modern buildings. The former residences of some of China's most important people, however, have been well preserved, holding more value maintained than destroyed. Among these, two residences are protected by the state, and 11 fall under municipal protection.
Digitized System Can Help Manage Scenic Spot
No more usual crowds of people. Tranquillity has returned to Jiuzhaigou, a well-known scenic site in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, where now only limited numbers of tourists indulge themselves in the miracle of nature. The change has been brought along by a program called "Digital Jiuzhaigou" that has been put into formal operation since this year's May 1 holiday season. Feng Gang, deputy director of the Administration for the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Zone, said the Digital Jiuzhaig
WB Loans Help Spread Economic Development Westward
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved on Thursday two loans each of US$200 million to the People's Republic of China to help finance the Second National Railways Project and the Hubei Shiman Highway Project, which will address the infrastructure challenges of connecting eastern provinces to central and western China through the improvement of the so called Zhe-Gan line and the construction of the Hubei Shiman Expressway. Despite China's accomplishments in reducing poverty
Boat Tragedy Found 'Avoidable'
A boat capsizing in Xiaolangdi Reservoir that resulted in 44 deaths may have been avoidable. The "Pearl No 2" capsized at about 8 pm on Tuesday night when a sudden storm measuring 9 to 10 degrees hit the Yellow River reservoir. The 69 people on board were thrown into the water. Only 26 were rescued overnight. One of them died and another was seriously injured but in stable condition. Salvage experts from Beijing and Shanghai rushed to the reservoir in Jiyuan, Henan Province
Ancient Beijing Temple Damaged in Fire
Some buildings on the west side of the 720-year-old Huguo Temple in Beijing were damaged or destroyed in a fire that broke out early Sunday morning. No injuries were reported. The fire began at around 2 AM at a western side hall in the compound, which is located in the capital city's historic Xicheng District. The remains of the roof beams of the 187-square-meter hall are blackened. A portion of the eastern roof ridge is still covered with gray tiles, but the remainder has collapse
Princess of the Great Wall Named in Beijing
A competition to select beautiful and smart tour guides for Yanqing county near Beijing, where the Great Wall is located, has been held. The competition, taken by nearly 100 students from 50 colleges in Beijing, was staged at Tsinghua University. It included an English test, a fashion show and a quiz. Xu Zhiyang, Li Ran and Zhao He were among the winners of the contest. Zhao He received the title of "The Princess of the Great Wall". Yanqing county boasts great
Huanglong, scenic area sustained by winter rest
The Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) natural scenic area in southwest China's Sichuan Province, which has been put on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has maintained its attractive splendor to visitors thanks to protective measures. Since 2002 the Huanglong Scenic Area Administration has closed the door of the scenic zone to tourists during winter months from December to March to let the zone have a "rest". It is estimated that the administration loses more than 5 million yuan (604,500 US
Orders for Giant Plane not Far Away The world's No 1 commercial aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, plans to secure the first Chinese customer for its huge A380 jet before the end of the year. Laurence Barron, president of Airbus China, revealed that the company was in talks with Chinese airlines, which have keen interest in the 555-seat plane - which will become the largest passenger aircraft in the world. "One of the three airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China, which have al
Hainan Airlines makes inroads into Three Gorges Hainan Airlines, already involved in running Meilan Airport in Haikou, has paid US$40 million to buy the airport at Sanxia, which serves the Three Gorges dam. The airport on the Yangtze River serving the popular tourist site could become a key tourism destination when the dam behind the river fills, presenting an entirely new cruising industry on the vast lake. Hainan Airlines, China's fourth-largest airline, bought 90 per cent of the airport, and the municipal governme
Soccer Bars Become Popular in Beijing Hotels The ongoing Euro 2004 has drawn the attention of countless soccer fans in Beijing, causing many hotels to acknowledge the vast market potential of large-scale sporting events. Some star-rated hotels in Beijing are promoting soccer clubs in a bid to attract more sports fans. To meet growing client demands, the Beijing Hilton has added a big-screen television in the lobby to broadcast Euro 2004 matches. Aside from televised games, hotel sponsorship also brings part
More Chinese Tourists Expected to Visit Asia-Pacific Region
A survey by MasterCard International in Shanghai shows over 24 million Chinese tourists are expected to visit four major Asian cities in the next eight years. The four travel destinations include Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. The survey also shows about two thirds of the increase of tourists to the Asia- Pacific region will come from the within the region. With the economic take-off in China, more and more Chinese are going to tour the region.
Beijing spends US$2 billion on Olympics infrastructure Beijing is undergoing a massive US$2 billion infrastructure programme that will see thousands of new hotel rooms and transportation facilities that would be able to accommodate the one million people expected to descend on the Chinese capital for the 2008 Olympics. Briefing visiting media representatives, the spokesman for the Beijing Olympics organising committee, Shao Shiwei said funds would not only come from the government, but also through sponsorship arrangements and marketing p
Carlson and Fu Wah Plan to Open Regent in Beijing Regent International Hotels, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the lodging industry, today announced that it has signed an agreement to open a new luxury hotel in Beijing. The Fu Wah International Group will build The Regent Beijing, scheduled to open in September 2006. The hotel will be managed by Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Carlson's regional headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region. A signing ceremony recently took place in the Auditorium Hall of the
United Non Stop Chicago 每 Shanghai United Airlines today thanks the governments of the People's Republic of China and the United States for their collaborative effort, resulting in a new agreement liberalizing air services between the countries. Under the new agreement, United plans to apply for authority to launch daily, nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG). The new agreement provides United the opportunity to apply for additional nonstop
China Becomes 3rd World Cultural Heritage Country China has the third largest number of world heritage sites, following Italy and Spain, with 29 cultural relics, historic cities and scenic spots on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. The chairman of the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee said Tuesday that China has rich heritage resources and is applying for more heritage protection. About 500 representatives and 200 reporters will attend UNESCO's 28th World Heritage Conference in Suzhou, in east China's Jiangsu P
Summer Airline Price War Looms Chinese airlines have introduced discount tickets to teachers and students in an effort to further expand their market reach during the upcoming summer holiday. Most airlines have already reduced ticket prices, nearly one month earlier than past years. China Eastern and Southern Airlines are selling tickets at 40, 50 and even 60 percent off the regular price, while Air China has reduced its tickets by 1,000 to 2000 yuan. Industry insiders say the preferential treatment i
Leaning Pagoda to Be Protected A new project will aim to protect the Yan'an Pagoda, a prominent relic and symbol of the Chinese revolution.
The central government approved 35.8 million yuan (US$4.31 million) to protect the structure tilted by frequent landslides in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
"We will soon start the project with the investment from the central government, thoroughly controlling landslides and other geological disasters on Mount Pagoda," said Zhao Suijin, director of the Mount Pagoda Manageme
Starwood signs on Sheraton Ningbo Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Ningbo East Seaport Hotel has signed an agreement whereby Starwood will manage the newly-built 381-room Sheraton Ningbo Hotel scheduled to open in July 2006. Ningbo is located in Zhejiang province. Ningbo is China's second biggest port and the ninth largest in the world.
Shanghai City Gives Priority to Rail, Bus Systems To ensure effective ways of commuting for its population of nearly 20 million, the Shanghai municipal authorities are giving top priority to buses and rail trains and designating special bicycle lanes while placing less priority on private automobiles. The measures are expected to help reduce the city's traffic burdens. Traffic officials are in the midst of working out an updated urban transportation development plan to significantly raise the city's public transportation volume in th
Peak Summer Travel Period to Start Chinese railway authorities say the peak summer travel season is about to start nationwide. The period will last from the beginning of July to the end of August. More trains will be added to help the railway deal with the increased number of passengers, especially students who are taking summer holidays. Officials estimate that nearly 30 million passengers will travel during the two months, while the daily passenger flow will reach some 474 thousand.
Best Western and China Southern Airlines sign new Frequent Flyer Program partnership China Southern Airlines' Sky Pearl Club frequent flyer program is partnering with Best Western International. China Southern Airlines' Sky Pearl Club is proud to begin its partnership with Best Western, the largest hotel group in the world under its sole brand name, said Mr. Li Kun, Vice President, China Southern Airlines. The Sky Pearl Club currently has more than 2 million members and approximately 700 people join the Sky Pearl Club every day. Best Western's guest loyalty pro
Public Facilities Every 300 Meters in Shanghai Tourists will no longer have any difficulty in finding public toilets in Shanghai, as one is now available every three hundred meters in the city's urban area. Clear signs have been posted in the streets, helping the public to easily locate the toilets. What's more, cleanliness and hygiene in the public facilities has been improved. The metropolis is make preparations to build even more restrooms to meet the increase in demand during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
One dead, 43 missing after tourist boat capsizes in China One person is dead and another 43 are missing and feared dead after a tourist boat capsized in strong winds on the lower reaches of China 's Yellow River. The Mingzhu No. 2 was carrying a group of Chinese sightseers when it sank during a rainstorm in Xiaolangdi Reservoir in Henan province around 8:00 pm (1200 GMT) Tuesday, tossing 69 people into the water. By daybreak Wednesday, 43 people were still missing. "There were 69 people in the boat at the time," Jiyuan municipa
SRS-WORLDHOTELS to add 50 in China
SRS-WORLDHOTELS has big plans for China according to CEO, Mr Michael Ball, who was speaking in Beijing at the SRS-WORLDHOTELS Asia-Pacific conference Right now we have 17 hotels in China, and we have an ambitious plan to have 50 hotels within three years. The priority is Shanghai, where we only have one member now; then the secondary cities such as Hangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing. We are also focusing on the China outbound market which is one reason we opened an office in Shanghai
More Chinese Tourists Expected to Visit Asia-Pacific Region
A survey by MasterCard International in Shanghai shows over 24 million Chinese tourists are expected to visit four major Asian cities in the next eight years. The four travel destinations include Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. The survey also shows about two thirds of the increase of tourists to the Asia- Pacific region will come from the within the region. With the economic take-off in China, more and more Chinese are going to tour the region.
Entering the Forbidden City: From courtiers to common tourists
The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace or Palace Museum, situated in central Beijing, was the power center of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties from 1420 to 1912. The vast palace was called "forbidden" because commoners could not enter the complex without special permission during that period. Only courtiers were allowed to seek an audience with the emperor. Today, however, the palace welcomes crowds of commoners instead of courtiers as it has becom
United Non Stop Chicago 每 Shanghai
United Airlines today thanks the governments of the People's Republic of China and the United States for their collaborative effort, resulting in a new agreement liberalizing air services between the countries. Under the new agreement, United plans to apply for authority to launch daily, nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG). The new agreement provides United the opportunity to apply for additional nonstop serv
Selling love Singapore-style
On Saturday, 50 Chinese couples from Zhejiang will descend upon Singapore for a mass honeymoon organised by Chan Brothers Travel. The agency's attempt to romanticise Singapore as a honeymooners' destination is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board. Chan Brothers claimed this was the largest group from Zhejiang to visit the destination. The six-day package includes two nights in the city-state and three nights on board Star Cruises' SuperStar Virgo.
Beijing names first batch of Olympic hotels
The organisers of the Beijing 2008 Olympics have announced the first batch of official hotels for the Games in the run-up to accredit 23,000 rooms. Leading the list of the first seven is the century-old Beijing Hotel and includes some of the top properties in the capital - China World Hotel, Grand Hotel Beijing, Swissotel Beijing, Beijing International Hotel, Hotel Kun Lun and Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou Beijing. These hotels will set aside 3,500 rooms and about 70 more star-rate
Gold No Longer Expensive Enough for Chinese Hotels
The National Tourism Administration has confirmed plans to incorporate a new top rating of 'Five Platinum Stars' into its hotel classification system as of July 1st. This new rating will no doubt become a major goal for ambitious hoteliers, but they should note that they will have to fulfil seven strict requirements in order to qualify for this new rating. The tourism office in Beijing said that 28 of the present 30 five-star hotels in the city meet at least one of the requirements
Guo's Dream -- Cycling Around the World
Cycling around the world is my childhood dream and I hope this dream will finally come true, said Guo Dahao, a 34-year-old Chinese who has set off on his dream journey with a map of the world in his backpack. In New Delhi, Guo told a Xinhua reporter that he has already covered 40 Asian and European countries and will continue his journey through another 80 countries, hoping to complete his grand circuit in July 2008, just before the Olympic Games open in Beijing. "This global tour
NATO a Dupe for Washington
On the surface it appears the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been penetrating Central Asia in recent years. However, the real "penetrator" is not NATO but rather the United States. A geographic corridor linking Asia and Europe, Central Asia and Caucasia is the region's main thoroughfare. This demonstrates clearly the strategic importance of the area. More importantly, Central Asia and Caucasia occupy the "soft underbelly" of the former Soviet Union, the main Cold War
Mustard Gas Victims Prepare Case Against Japan
Chinese and Japanese lawyers visited a dozen victims of Japanese chemical weapons over the weekend in northeast China, collecting evidence to prepare a lawsuit against the Japanese government. A leak last August killed one person and injured 43 others when barrels of mustard gas were dug up at a construction site in Qiqihar. The chemicals were abandoned by the Japanese invading troops at the end of World War II. The victims decided to sue the Japanese government last October
Israeli Strikes in Gaza After Attack on Army Post
Palestinian militants tunneled under an Israeli military post in the Gaza Strip Sunday and blew it up in a huge explosion that wounded six soldiers. Israeli helicopter gunships launched two separate missile strikes in Gaza City early Monday, witnesses said, hitting two metal workshops but not causing any major injuries. A Palestinian policeman and a teen-ager were killed by troops after the blast at the army post, Palestinian medics and witnesses said. The Israeli army said there w
Yong Mausoleum to Applye for World Culture Heritage
Xinbin Man Autonomous County, Liaoning Province, is making full preparations as the Yong Mausoleum applies for the world culture heritage so that the application may get success. The Yong Mausoleum in the Qing Dynasty is an ancient tomb for family of Ai'xinjueluo, the royalty of the Qing Dynasty. The mausoleum, together with the Fu Mausoleum and the Zhao Mausoleum, applied for the world culture heritage three years ago. During this period, all preliminary works have been undergoing smooth
Argentina Promotes Tourism in China
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner said in Beijing on Monday that his country will simplify related visa procedures, in order to attract more Chinese tourists. He said at a China-Argentina tourism summit that since the two nations established diplomatic relations, cooperation developed in many areas. He said the tourism aspect still needs more endeavors from both nations and he invited Chinese people to visit his nation. Representatives from 20 Argentine travel agencies exchanged
China Launches New Air Routes to Yunnan
Beijing and Shanghai are to launch new routes to South China's Yunnan provincial capital of Kunming and the tourism attraction of Dali this July. A news conference to announce the news was held Monday morning. The move is expected to promote the tourism industry in Yunnan, a province renowned for its beautiful landscapes and colorful ethic minorities. Starting this Thursday, Beijing and Shanghai will each open one flight a day to the two cities.
Go Drifting in Beijing's Outskirts
Want to spend a midsummer weekend drifting in the outskirts of Beijing Here are some tips for you. Guihe River drifting The 15 km drifting course has an average depth of 15 meters; its biggest drop in elevation is only one meter. The river, famed as the East Rihne, has retained its original natural environment, making it one of the most favored attractions for ecological tours. The whole trip includes over 100 turnings, small and big. Along the river, there are such scenic spots a
Sculpture park to land in downtown city
Shanghai's first sculpture theme park will open next year in downtown Jing'an District, the Xinmin Evening News reported. Yesterday, government departments basically confirmed that sculptures from Shanghai's friendship cities across the world will be used to decorate the 70,000-square meter green land in the park. The park will be the largest green space in downtown Shanghai. It's part of the city's campaign to improve its urban sculptures to beautify the local landscaping.
Friendly Notices Replace 'Dos and Don'ts' on Buses in Chengdu
'Smoking is Forbidden', 'No spitting' - authoritarian notices like this are now on their way out on public buses in southwest China's Chengdu City. They are being replaced by much warmer, often amusing signs with cute cartoons. For example, 'Give up your seat and earn a smile', and ' For the sake of both your health and mine, please don't smoke'. The passengers are much happier with these new-style friendly notices.
Malaysian Consul Promotes Tourism
Othman Samin, consulate-general of Malaysia in Guangzhou, attended a cultural exhibition in the Pavilion Hotel Saturday to promote Malaysian tourism and culture. Dressed in traditional Malay costume, Samin introduced Malay culture as an integration of diversity and harmony. "People in Malaysia are of different origins, Malay, Chinese, and many others. Unity is the image Malaysia hopes to present to the world," said Samin. Samin highly praised developments in Shenzhen in the
CAAC's Guidelines for Flight Compensation
China's airline authority announced guidelines for compensation for delayed flights, CCTV reported Saturday. Passengers would be compensated in cash, with discounted air tickets and free offers of accumulated air trips if they could not board planes because of faults with the airlines, the guidelines said. It divided circumstances of delay into two categories -- delays of more than four hours and delays of more than eight hours. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CA
Study on HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Finish by Year-end
A feasibility study for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge project will be completed by the end of the year, Margaret Fong, acting permanent secretary for the environment, transport & works, said June 25. "We expect that by early 2005, there will be a clearer picture on the traffic demand arising from the bridge," Fong told the Legislative Council transport panel. Fong also said one of the key tasks of the study is to determine the configuration of the Hong Kong section of the bridg
Beijing's top hotels in struggle for power
Beijing economic planners have threatened to cut off power to the capital's hotels unless they implement a 20 percent reduction in consumption during peak periods, officials said Tuesday. The Beijing government's development reform commission ordered the power reductions Monday, but tourist officials, representing the hotels, have come out strongly against the plan and are rallying opposition to it. "Power cuts at hotels are not acceptable. The hotels reflect the image of a city,"
Argentina promotes tourism in China
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner said here Monday that his country will simplify related visa procedures, in order to attract more Chinese tourists. He said here at a China-Argentina tourism summit that since the two nations established diplomatic relations, cooperation developed in many areas. He said the tourism aspect still needs more endeavors from both nations and he invited Chinese people to visit his nation. Representatives from 20 Argentine travel agencies exchanged view
Renaissance Tianjin Teda Hotel Open In China
Marriott International, Inc. announced today the opening of the Renaissance Tianjin TEDA Hotel. It is the seventh Renaissance branded hotel in China and the second Renaissance hotel in Tianjin. The 302-room Renaissance Tianjin TEDA operates under a management agreement with Tianjin Binhai TEDA Hotel Development Co., Ltd. The general manager is Hartmut Schaller; the director of marketing is Addison Wong. The hotel is offering a special opening rate of $115USD plus 15% surcharge for
China Southern Goes to Paris
With some 300 passengers, a Boeing 777 of China Southern Airlines made its maiden flight on the Guangzhou-Paris non-stop route on Monday. The new direct Guangzhou-Paris service, inaugurated under a code share with Air France, is available four times a week - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For the time being, the Boeing 777 departs from Guangzhou at 14:30 and arrives in Paris at 21:20 the same day. And flights back to Guangzhou leave at 22:50 from Charles de Gaulle
Sanlitun Bar Street to Collect Emblem
The famous bar street in Beijing's Sanlitun area is in the process of coming up with a street emblem and sign. It's part of an effort to improve its image and status. Emblems and signs will be collected from some 20 bars located in the street. The bar owners will then select a winner. Emblems and signs will be collected until July 20th.
Korean Air Launches Service on Incheon-Shanghai Route
Korean Air, the larger of South Korea's two national flag carriers, has begun service on its new Incheon-Shanghai route. The airline will operate 10 flights a week on the route. The new service raises the number of Korean Air's China routes to 22.
HK Service Sectors' Net Output up 8.3 Percent in Q1
The net output of Hong Kong's service sectors rose 8.2 percent in real terms in the first quarter over the same period last year, according to figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Monday. Analyzed by constituent sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in wholesale, retail and import and export trades, restaurants and hotels surged by 12.6 percent in the first quarter, faster than the 11.2 percent rise in the previous quarter. This was mainly attri
Shangri-La Launches Toll-free Numbers
ASIA'S leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has launched toll-free numbers to allow customers to make bookings and receive instant confirmation 24 hours a day at any of its 42 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.
For those calling from the Chinese mainland there are now two reservation numbers: 10 800 852 5900 for Beijing, Tianjin and northeastern provinces and 10 800 152 5900 for Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan and Xi'an. With more than 21,000 room
China's Men Discover 'Self-beauty'
Pop music wafts through the Extraordinary Space Spa as Su Xin sinks into a chair, skin glowing and mood mellow after a facial and aromatherapy massage scented with lavender and sandalwood. "I just feel so good now," said the 37-year-old travel agent, who comes every two weeks to the airy, plant-filled spa in a luxury Beijing apartment complex. Beauty salons are well established in today's look-good China. Sales of cosmetics and designer fashions are surging. But something sets Su a
Music Is Language to the Ears
Ask any expatriate about the highs and lows of living in China, and there will always be a story starting: "I had this really amazing experience..." It happens to us all, and while some experiences are more amazing than others, they are usually associated with communication, or more to the point -- miscommunication. My story last week involved getting lost in Beijing as an early arrival from Australia, struggling with the language. But what happens when the locals try to trade word
Hotels to Be Reevaluated
A new hotel classification system goes into effect on July 1, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). The new system will end the permanently assigned star ratings of the past. All facilities that were given ratings before December 31, 1998, must undergo review. In Beijing, more than 200 hotels received their stars before that date, some one-third of the rated hotels in the capital. There are about 8,800 star-rated hotels throughout the mainland. The h
Hotels to Be Reevaluated
A new hotel classification system goes into effect on July 1, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). The new system will end the permanently assigned star ratings of the past. All facilities that were given ratings before December 31, 1998, must undergo review. In Beijing, more than 200 hotels received their stars before that date, some one-third of the rated hotels in the capital. There are about 8,800 star-rated hotels throughout the mainland. The h
Music Is Language to the Ears
Ask any expatriate about the highs and lows of living in China, and there will always be a story starting: "I had this really amazing experience...." It happens to us all, and while some experiences are more amazing than others, they are usually associated with communication, or more to the point -- miscommunication. My story last week involved getting lost in Beijing as an early arrival from Australia, struggling with the language. But what happens when the locals try to trade wor
Travelers Wait 9 Hours
A China Eastern Airlines plane missed its scheduled departure yesterday morning due to technical faults, causing 109 passengers to be delayed at Hongqiao International Airport for more than nine hours. Flight MU5405 was scheduled to leave for Kunming in China's southern Yunnan Province at 7:30 am, however, passengers were told to wait after having received their boarding passes. "Some mechanical parts were broken and replacements had to be sent here from Kunming," said Xing Likang,
Powell Issues Ultimatum to Sudan over Darfur
US Secretary of State Colin Powell warned Sudan on Wednesday of UN action within days or weeks unless it disarms militias killing in the Darfur region and allows full aid access to more than one million refugees. Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said his government would combat the Arab militias in the remote western region and improve aid access to refugees caught up in what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "I am pleased with the r
Mission Unprofitable: Overseas Chinese Stage Performances
Chinese performing groups are facing a difficult situation when traveling overseas... Home to a diverse range of cultures, China has numerous performance groups around the country specializing in a dizzying range of theatrical art; from local opera to minority dance, from traditional acrobatics to Kung Fu. Yet in comparison to their foreign counterparts, Chinese performing groups earn relatively little from overseas tours, reported CRI online. At the annual conference of the Federa
Tourism Industry to Solve Unemployment Woes
To keep the unemployment rate within a socially tolerable range, the Chinese government has vowed to create nine million new jobs and reemploy five million laid-off workers in 2004. No easy task, but He Guangwei, general director of the National Tourism Administration, is optimistic. He believes growth in the tourism industry will continue moderately to outpace that of GDP in the next ten years. He says the industry directly employed 6.5 million in 2003, with total employment running to s
Hangzhou to Build West Lake Museum
Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, is planning to build a museum dedicated to history, nature and culture of the West Lake or Xihu Lake. The West Lake scenic zone encompasses an area of 6 square kilometers. The area boasts a myriad of halls, towers, terraces, pavilions, pagodas, grottoes and temples under the dense foliage of lush woods. The West Lake Museum is to be located on the south side of the lake, comprising a display centre, a tourist service centre,
195 Million People to Travel by Rail
China's railway sector says more than 195 million people are expected to travel by rail between July 1 and Aug. 31 of this year, up 2 percent on 2002. Officials with the Ministry of Railways say the sector is ready to provide better services for passengers in one of the busiest traveling seasons for China. They say railway departments will work hard to make it easier for passengers to buy tickets and prevent the unauthorized hiking of ticket prices. The ministry has also dec
Road to Stone Wonders
Although it receives relatively little publicity and far fewer visitors than the better known Dunhuang and Dazu grottos. Anyue, a county in Sichuan Province boasts of a treasure trove of splendid stone sculptures and holds an important place in Chinese art history. The county seat is 170 kilometers from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, about midway between Chongqing Municipality and Chengdu. The small town would be entirely unremarkable were it not for the ancient stone sculptures that lie sc
Large Guangdong tour package visits Hunan
The first tour package under the Guangdong-Hunan tourism cooperation agreement set out this morning from Guangzhou's Memorial Hall of Dr. Sun Yet-sen. At the start-up ceremony, travelers got special sticks with logos of this tour from the Hunan Tourism Administration, and they can enjoy better service at Hunan's scenic spots, hotels and transports. Almost 1,000 people are traveling with this group. They come from cities in the Pearl River Delta.
China Southern takes delivery of two ERJ 145 Regional Jets
Embraer announced today that the Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company Limited, the joint venture established between Embraer, Harbin Aviation Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hafei Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. - companies controlled by China Aviation Industry Corporation II - delivered the first two ERJ 145 jets to China Southern Airlines. The Chinese customer ordered a total of six ERJ 145s in February 2004, with deliveries scheduled to continue through January 2005. Since 2000, Sichuan
Heritage Site Management to Be Questioned
During its ongoing 28th session, the World Heritage Committee is investigating 121 World Heritage sites to determine whether they are being damaged or endangered as a result of improper management. Four of the questioned sites are in China: the Imperial Palace of Ming and Qing dynasties in Beijing, commonly known as the Forbidden City; Lhasa's Potala Palace in the Tibet Autonomous Region; the ancient building complex in Hubei Province's Wudang Mountains; and the classical gardens of Suzho
World heritage exhibition held in Suzhou
An exhibition of the wonders of the world is one of the highlights of the on-going world heritage conference in Suzhou. More than 700 world heritage, all here under one roof. Re-creations of the most splendid places on earth. Let's start in China, in Xi'an.Even in death, the emperor in Qin dynasty had his terra-cotta warriors and horses. These delicate models of Suzhou gardens tell the stories of an ancient water town. 100 meters show every detail of 29 of the country's cultural and histo
1st Heritage Sites Conservation Principles Work Well in Gansu
As the first test site of Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China, the fresco restoration project of Cave 85 in Mogao Grottoes, northwest China's Gansu Province, has seen great advancement, said sources with the Dunhuang Academy on Tuesday. The statement was made at the Conservation of Ancient Sites on the Silk Road, Second International Conference on the Conservation of Grotto Sites, which is being held at Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang City of Gansu. "Now the frescos
Starwood clinches Westin Beijing deal
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Beijing Jin Hao Real Estate have signed an agreement for the hotel chain to manage The Westin Beijing-Financial Street in the capital. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid-2006.
New Pricing Policy for Beijing's Subways
Beijing's subways are to gradually introduce a new pricing policy that will charge passengers according to the number of stops they travel. It is reported that line 13, which goes to northern suburbs, will be the first to introduce the new policy. The price will start at 2 yuan, or 24 US cents, rising progressively for every 3 stops, until it reaches a ceiling of 5 yuan for 10 stops or more. The capital's other subway lines are expected to follow suit in the future.
Sino-British Street Added to List of Scenic Spots in Shenzhen
Eight new scenic spots have been unveiled in south China's Shenzhen city after a seven-month selection period. The Sino-British Street, or Chung Ying Street has been added to the list along with seven other spots. They include the ancient city of Dapengsuo, Lotus Mountain, Overseas Chinese city, South Shenzhen Avenue, Wutong Mountain, Meisha seashore and Yangtai Mountain. The new spots should enhance the city's cultural reputation and help the local tourism industry.
ASEAN tourism meetings review programs in progress
A series of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on tourism, which began on Monday in eastern Myanmar's Taunggyi, have reviewed some programs in progress with regard to the development of regional tourism. The ASEAN Task Force meetings on tourism marketing, investment and manpower development discussed progress of publishing ASEAN map in Chinese language for market promotion of the regional tourism industry, maintenance of ASEAN tourism website, information progr
Starwood Continues Expansion in China with Announcement of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and Xiamen Fuchun Orient Hotel Company Limited announced an agreement for Starwood to manage the Sheraton Xiamen Hotel in China. The newly built 348-room Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is scheduled to open in June 2005 and will be the city's first five-star hotel. With the opening of the Sheraton Xiamen, Starwood will have the largest inventory of upscale hotels in China, bringing the total number of properties to 23, more than any other international hotel compan
The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing Financial Street To Open Fall 2006; Contemporary Hotel Is Fourth China Location
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. will open a fourth luxury hotel in China, in fall of 2006, in the Beijing's Financial Street area, the heart of the capital city's emerging financial district. The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, Finance Street will be located at the intersection of Taipingqiao Street and Jinchengfangdong. The 256-room property will be a showplace of glass and chrome contemporary design in the western portion of the city, home to many domestic and multi-national banks, insurance com
Beijing to seek international financing for subway construction
The Chinese capital is planning to raise international fund for the construction and operation of four subway lines with total length of 103.54 km, according to the municipal government. Construction of the No. 4, No. 5, No. 9 and No. 10 subway lines will cost about 50 billion yuan (US$604 million), and except the No. 9 line, the other three subway lines are supposed to be finished before 2008, when Beijing will host the Olympic Games, said Vice Mayor Zhang Mao at an investment promotion
World Carnival Opens in Beijing Friday
Beijingers are set to welcome an entertainment extravaganza as the world-famous mobile amusement park, World Carnival, opens Friday. The two-month fiesta will be held in the International Sculpture Park in west Beijing. Up to 40 thousand visitors a day are expected. They will come to enjoy some 130 thrilling rides, games, shows and other attractions, as well as great food and drink. The carnival was held in Shanghai last summer, attracting 2.2 million visitors, and in Hong K
Chinese Tourists to Travel to Europe Soon
Chinese tourists now can realize their dream to travel to European countries starting September 1st! A total of 29 European countries are expected to receive approved destination status from the Chinese government, which includes 24 EU member countries minus Britain, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Romania and Liechtenstein. Travel agencies in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou will organize the first group tours to Europe. Moreover, the tour will target Western Europe in the fir
Travelers Wait 9 Hours
A China Eastern Airlines plane missed its scheduled departure yesterday morning due to technical faults, causing 109 passengers to be delayed at Hongqiao International Airport for more than nine hours. Flight MU5405 was scheduled to leave for Kunming in China's southern Yunnan Province at 7:30 am, however, passengers were told to wait after having received their boarding passes. "Some mechanical parts were broken and replacements had to be sent here from Kunming," said Xing Likang,
Summer Travel Rush Kicks Off in China
The peak summer travel season, which lasts from the beginning of July to the end of August, starts nationwide on Thursday. Chinese railway authorities say some 40 extra trains will be added to help deal with the increased number of passengers, especially students taking summer holidays. Officials estimate that nearly 195 million passengers will travel during the 10 weeks of heightened travel, two percent more than in the same period last year. As the demand for train tickets
Hotels to Be Reevaluated
A new hotel classification system goes into effect on July 1, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). The new system will end the permanently assigned star ratings of the past. All facilities that were given ratings before December 31, 1998, must undergo review. In Beijing, more than 200 hotels received their stars before that date, some one-third of the rated hotels in the capital. There are about 8,800 star-rated hotels throughout the mainland. The h
Service Industry to Open Wider
Investors will soon be allowed much wider market access into China's dormant service industry. Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan made the commitment yesterday to an audience that included Microsoft's Bill Gates at the opening ceremony of an international conference on the service industry. Zeng said China should foster growth of its service sector through more positive policies that aid sustainable development of the national economy. "China needs a thriving tertiary industry on its
Beauty of Lake Baikal Threatened
During its ongoing 28th session in Suzhou, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) will decide whether to place Lake Baikal on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Netherlands, Russia, Japan and China jointly contributed production of a photo exhibition entitled "Beauty and the Beasts," which opened Friday in connection with the session. According to leading photographer Takeshi Mizukoshi from Japan, who took most of the photos during three excursions to the Lake Baikal region, the c
Tourist Groups to Be Allowed to Visit Europe
Chinese travel agencies will be allowed to organize tourist groups to 27 European nations as of September 1, sources with China National Tourism Administration said in Beijing Saturday. The 27 nations are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Romania. Experts said the new move wi
Huanglong -- A Irresistible Charm
Fed up with the urban jungle of steel and cement buildings, I longed to be close to nature. So I readily accepted the invitation of four friends from Beijing to accompany them to the Huanglong Nature Reserve in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province in mid-June. After a 50-minute flight from Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, my friends and I arrived at the Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong Airport around 8:30 am. The small airport, 3,300 mete
Private Company to Operate Airline Abroad
Hubei Lisen, a private investment company in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, will set the debut of its airline company in Vanuatu, in the southwest Pacific Ocean, within 18 months, said reliable sources with the province's civil aviation administration. The Southern Pacific International Airline Company, registered by Hubei Lisen in Vanuatu in July of 2003, will be the first airline run by a Chinese private company in a foreign country, the sources confirmed. Acco
The Decline And Fall of Shanxi Tycoons
IT was in 1914 that the thriving hubbub of West Street in Pingyao rapidly disappeared, as shops along it, most notably the distinguished Rishengchang, were, one by one, locked and shuttered. The owner of the draft bank had been arrested and taken into custody in Beijing soon after declaring bankruptcy. These depressive events occurred 90 years after establishment of the Rishengchang business and its expansion throughout the country. The Rishengchang Draft Bank was neither the first nor la
The Panjiayuan Folk Culture Market
Although some people may not know exactly where No. 18 Huaweili, Panjiayuan Road is, in the south part of Chaoyang District, Panjiayuan Folk Culture Market is a popular draw. Many people are irresistibly drawn by its antiquities, and it is listed in several travel books. More and more foreigners in Beijing frequent this secondhand market. There is something here for everyone -- reproductions of ancient furniture, ancient books, calligraphic works and paintings, jade and agate, ceramics, C
Shenzhen Airlines First to Compensate for Delays
Compensation is available now if an unfortunate airport wait takes a toll on your travel plans. Yesterday, south China's Shenzhen Airlines released the country's first specific rules on cash compensation for passengers whose flights are delayed or overbooked. Compensation is payable only if the trouble was the airline's responsibility. The rule notes that compensation of up to 30 percent of the ticket price will be due if the flight is four to eight hours late. Passengers may be re
UA to Launch Direct Flight Linking Shanghai, Chicago
Passengers can travel directly from Shanghai to Chicago from Oct. 31 onwards, according to sources with the carrier United Airlines. The American company announced the decision shortly after a new Sino-US aviation cooperation agreement was reached. Nowadays travelers have to connect flight in one of the three cities of Tokyo, San Francisco and Los Angeles when going from China to the east coast in the United States. The new Shanghai-Chicago route will cut the whole journey by five
Prices of Tours to Vietnam Higher
Prices of tours to Vietnam are less competitive than those to other regional countries, mainly due to high hotel room rents and airfares. Rents of three-star hotel rooms in Vietnam are several dozens percent higher than those in Thailand, said Tran Xuan Ngoc, travel manager of the Vinh Hanh Service and Investment Company, on Tuesday. Many hotels often increase room rents on an irregular basis, henoted, saying that most of big hotels in the capital city of Hanoi have increased their
Airline to Compensate for Delays
Compensation is available now if an unfortunate airport wait takes a toll on your travel plans. The air carrier in South China's Shenzhen Monday released the first detailed rule in the country to compensate affected passengers with cash for delayed or over-booked flights if the trouble was the airline's responsibility. The rule notes that compensation of maximum of up to 30 per cent of the ticket price will be due if the flight is four to eight hours late and the passengers can ben
Tibetan Opera Seeks Heritage Listing
As the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee is going on in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, a group of Tibetan artists in Southwestern China are eagerly watching its progress. The government of Tibet Autonomous Region has submitted an application to the country's cultural authorities requesting the nomination of Tibetan opera, an art form the region has cherished for generations, as another Chinese candidate for inclusion as a human oral and intangible heritage on the World Heritage lis
Beijing Tries to Ease Power Shortage
Workers in nearly 6,400 Beijing enterprises will take weeklong vacations by turns starting next week. The move is part of the citya s effort to reduce power consumption during peak hours in the scorching summer. The companies will be divided into four groups according to location, and the mandatory holiday rotation will continue through mid-August. The a high-temperature vacation“⊿ is just one of several energy conservation measures Beijing is putting in place. Other precaut
Hotels Given Energy Slack to Support Tourism
Star-rated hotels in this Chinese capital need not worry any longer about mandated power cuts during peak hours, as the municipal government has decided to cancel its plan for the cuts. According to an urgent notice issued to the star-rated hotels by the Beijing Municipal Tourist Bureau on Monday, the municipal government has canceled a power cut plan of "2 hours on, 1 hour off" for air-conditioner operation in these hotels. "However, the hotels must take other saving measures to r
NPC Vice Chairwoman Meets Albanian Guests
Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met in Beijing Tuesday with the Albanian assembly delegation. The delegation, led by Servet Pellumbi, speaker of the Albanian People's Assembly, was on their six-day official goodwill visit to China started from Monday at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Chinese NPC Standing Committee. During the meeting with Pellumbi on Monday, Wu said China is ready to expand relations with
Beijing Star-rated Hotels Not to Worry About Power Cuts
Star-rated hotels in this Chinese capital need not worry any longer about mandated power cuts during peak hours, as the municipal government has decided to cancel its plan for the cuts. According to an urgent notice issued to the star-rated hotels by the Beijing Municipal Tourist Bureau on Monday, the municipal government has canceled a power cut plan of "2 hours on, 1 hour off" for air-conditioner operation in these hotels. "However, the hotels must take other saving measures to r
Danxia Mountain Recognized
Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, has been added onto the World Heritage List. A representative of UNESCO announced the confirmation in Shaoguan on Monday. "UNESCO has incorporated the following 25 geological parks, including Danxia Mountain, into the world geological parks network. The incorporation demonstrates the confirmation of the uniqueness and importance of the place where this geological relic lies. Xu Jianhua, mayor of Shaoguan City, said
Beijing to Add 35 Folk Custom Travel Villages
Beijing will add another 35 folk custom villages this year. These villages offer visitors a taste of authentic traditional customs and culture. The municipal government will invest ten million yuan, or about US$1.2 million, to improve facilities and environment. Last year, the folk villages welcomed more than 6 million tourists, bringing in a total income of 600 million yuan, some US$73 million.
Flight linking 2 major cities in SW China opens
A direct flight between Chongqing municipality and Panzhihua city, an iron and steel industry base in southwest China's Sichuan province, opened Tuesday morning. The air journey, covering about 500 kilometers, takes about 55 minutes. The plane takes off daily at 8 a.m. in Chongqing, and returns at 9:25 a.m. from Panzhihua. Passengers traveling between the two cities used to have to transfer in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, since the airport of Panzhihua was put into use late las
Two Yuan to Rent A Bike by Beijing's Metro
Want to get some exercise and see the city casually and breathe fresh air Now you can easily rent a bike in Beijing. There have been places around the city renting bikes for years, but now Beijing's first bike rental chain company has been set up. The manager says his company has over 110 new bikes for rent at 13 locations, 12 of which are along the first and second metro lines. The renter has to pay a 200 yuan (US$24) deposit and 2 yuan (24 US cents) per hour. There's a di
Beijing's First Public Transportation Hinge Officially Starts Operation
Beijing's first public transportation hinge officially began operating yesterday. With this hinge, passengers don't need to wait for the buses on the vehicle lanes, or strive to catch up with the buses. Buses don't have to wait in long lines to get in the stop. The traffic around the Beijing Zoo is very heavy, and there is always congestion there. People expect the public transportation hinge to play an important role in alleviating traffic jams in this area. On the ground floor of
Pakistan to Start Bus Service to China, Iran
Pakistan will start a bus service within 2004 from Islamabad to China, the Middle East and Iran with the cooperation of the private sector, the official Associated Press of Pakistan reported Sunday. An unnamed official from the Islamabad District Transport Authority said Sunday that different national companies have offered their services to share the mega plan and that only one company has been recommended yet while others are being considered. The schedule of the bus service to d
Private Company to Operate Airline Abroad
Hubei Lisen, a private investment company in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, will set the debut of its airline company in Vanuatu, in the southwest Pacific Ocean, within 18 months, said reliable sources with the province's civil aviation administration. The Southern Pacific International Airline Company, registered by Hubei Lisen in Vanuatu in July of 2003, will be the first airline run by a Chinese private company in a foreign country, the sources confirmed. Acco
China, Zambia sign tourism MOU
China and Zambia signed here a Memorandum of Understanding to allow Chinese tourist groups visiting Zambia. China has signed eight MOUs with African nations since last December, including Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Tunis, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Zambia. Experts say the signing of MOU with African nations will increase friendship and understanding between Chinese and African peoples and enable Chinese citizens to be familiar with Africa.
Air Asia opens 1st low-cost route linking Macao, Bangkok
The first Boeing 737 jet operating Air Asia's flight from Bangkok arrived in Macao Monday, marking the launch of the first low-cost flight to Macao. Malaysia's Air Asia brought a low fare war to Macao in June by announcing a fillip of 10,000 seats at 149 patacas (about 19 US dollars) one way upon the launch of the Macao-Bangkok route on July 5. "Air Asia sees Macao as a tourists attraction. It is unique as it is positioned as the gateway to Hong Kong and south China," said Tony Fer
Civil Aviation Industry Sees Profit Jump
China's overall aviation transportation saw a big profit increase in this year's first five months, the first of its kind in recent years, according to statistics from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), the industry's watchdog. According to figures released by the CAAC, in the first five months of this year, the country's overall aviation transportation turnover reached 58.86 billion yuan (US$7.09 billion) and profits rose to 4.63 billion yuan (US$561 million),
World Geological Park Zhangjiajie Opens
Some famous scenic spots in the park attracted more than 10 thousand of visitors both from home and abroad Saturday, the first opening day. The landscape in Zhangjiajie is the result of 380 million years of nature's machinations. The natural scenic zone is best known for its towering peaks, cloaked in cloud and mist, and covered in different shades of green. Zhangjiajie was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage in 1992 and then became the first world geological park this Februa
China the main driver as Asian travel sustains rebound: Abacus
China 's rising affluence drove a sharp surge in Asian travel bookings in April and May, as the industry sustained its recovery from the SARS epidemic, a major ticketing service said on Tuesday. Abacus International, Asia's biggest air ticketing and reservations company, said rebounds in Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan also spurred the growth. Total bookings across Asia for Abacus soared 247 percent on year in April and 144 percent in May, with the rebound expected to cont
In Japan: Tight controls result in few Chinese tourists overstaying
Japan considers the number of visitors from China who overstay only a minor irritation. Since it first allowed affluent Chinese to enter on package tours four years ago, only 345 had overstayed through the end of last year. That compares to nearly 30,000 Chinese tourists who visited Japan last year, not counting those who came to visit their relatives. To deter visitors from staying longer than they are allowed to, Chinese tourists pay a 50,000 yuan (S$10,500) deposit each t
Chinese Civil Aviaton Debuts First Rule on Cash Compensation
The first regulation on cash compensation has been put into practice today (Monday) by the Shenzhen Airline Company. The 'Service Guide for Passengers' explains the airline's responsibilities to passengers, from booking tickets to baggage retrieval at the destination. The new regulations state the circumstances, such as flight delays and lost luggage, under which passengers may claim compensation from the company. China's other airlines are expected to adopt similar rules la
More Chinese Travel Abroad
The first five months of this year has witnessed more than 11 million Chinese tourists travelling abroad. Head of the National Tourism Administration He Guangwei says China has become a country with the fastest growth in the number of outbound tourists in the world. Last year, outbound Chinese tourists numbered 20.2 million, surpassing their Japanese counterparts for the first time. The World Tourism Organization says China has risen to be among the top ten countries in term
Shanghai to Control Lights for Sightseeing in Summer
The Shanghai municipal government has announced all lights used for tourist attractions in the city will be turned off when the temperature climbs above 35 centigrade. The local government is also calling on residents to use energy-saving lamps. The new requirements have been issued to help reduce the amount of power used in the city. Lights used at Shanghai's tourist attractions are mainly distributed throughout the downtown core and consume up to 30,000 kilowatts of electr
China Southern makes history
In a landmark development for China's aviation scene, China Southern will soon make history by putting two China-made aircraft into service on domestic routes. The country's largest airline has taken delivery of the first two Sino-Brazilian ERJ145 regional turbofan jets. The aircraft were built by Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Company, a joint venture established by AviChina's subsidiaries Harbin Aviation Industry Group and Hafei Aviation Industry Company with Brazil's Empresa Brasilei
Students Caught in Pyramid Selling Trap
Following the demolition of an illegal pyramid marketing network in Chongqing, the Ministry of Education is to regularize the job market and improve career education, in order to prevent university students from falling into these money traps. Recently, illegal pyramid selling has become quite a problem in Chongqing, Guangdong Province and Liaoning Province. It has found that a large number of pyramid selling participants in recent cases were university students or graduates who were desp
In Japan: Tight Controls Result in Few Chinese Tourists Overstaying
Japan considers the number of visitors from China who overstay only a minor irritation. Since it first allowed affluent Chinese to enter on package tours four years ago, only 345 had overstayed through the end of last year. That compares to nearly 30,000 Chinese tourists who visited Japan last year, not counting those who came to visit their relatives. To deter visitors from staying longer than they are allowed to, Chinese tourists pay a 50,000 yuan (S$10,500) deposit each t
World First Ocean Carnival to Debut in Shenyang
The first mobile ocean theme park, or Ocean Carnival, will be held from July 16th to October 8th in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. The first mobile ocean theme park, or Ocean Carnival, will be held from July 16th to October 8th in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province. The event, costing 30 million yuan, or US$3.6 million, will spread across five themes, the imagination bay, discovery port, adventure island, the fishing dock and Caribbe
Nationalizing the Lottery
A scandal in Shaanxi Province underlines problems with the lottery and beckons legislative reform of the current system March 23 was a big day for Liu Liang, the young man who won the grand prize in a scratch-and-win sports lottery in Xia an, Shaanxi Province. But two days later, the organizer told him that the ticket was a forgery and refused to give him the prize. Not satisfied, Liu climbed onto a six meter-high advertisement billboard and threatened to jump off in protest, demanding th
Tour to World Cultural Heritage Relics to Open
With the successful applying for the World Cultural Heritage, many people propose to visit these sites in Liaoning Province. Therefore, travel agencies become busy now to open the touring line to the cultural relics places. It is learned from Shenyang's several travel agencies that since the successful applying for the world cultural heritage, they have received many calls asking about traveling to these places. Many people propose to visit the cultural relics. These are not many before.
Returning to Beijing 24 Years Later
It took me about one week to grasp and absorb the enormity of the change when I came back again after a break of 24 years, says Riaz Mohammad Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to China. Riaz started his diplomatic career in Beijing in the 1970s and then came back one and half years ago as the ambassador. "The change is tremendous, and diplomatic life is so busy, so I feel as if I haven't settled yet." To Riaz, China today is totally different from China in the 1970s, when the country was still
Airports Transferred to Local Government
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) transferred four airports in west China's Gansu Province to the Gansu provincial government on Thursday, completing the central government's 2002 plan to hand over airport administration to regional governments. The CAAC had handed over 90 airports, including the four airports in Gansu to regional governments as of Thursday, leaving only the Beijing Capital Airport and airports in the Tibet Autonomous Region to be directly supervised by th
Open Door on Leaders' Legacy
Chinese people have long been emotionally attached to their great leaders. Former greats like Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping and Zhu De remain close to the hearts of many people. The eternal attraction of these late leaders is even reflected in a new travel trend. Their former residences are often a source of fascination for visitors from home and abroad keen to know something about where they came from. To meet the demand, and help develop local tourism, local govern
The Land of Fire and Water
At the foot of northern China's rolling Greater Xing'an Mountains, near the China-Mongolia border, there is a legendary city named Arxan. It is a sparsely populated place, with an urban population of about 5,000 people. Beautiful landscapes, well-preserved virgin forests and grasslands, along with plentiful mineral and spring resources, however, bestow the city an endless charm similar to that of picturesque Switzerland. Arxan means "hot holy water" in Mongolian. Two and a half kilometers
China Will Apply for More Natural World Heritage
Chinese Vice-Minister Qiu Baoxing said that China will strive to apply for more natural World Heritage qualification for the country's unique natural spots in Suzhou on Wednesday. Qiu told Xinhua that a primary layout for China's possible natural World Heritage was expected to be completed within this year, which will list the candidates for the coming five to ten years. China has 30 World Heritage so far, a qualification recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
High-tech Trolley Bus to Be on Service
A new type of high-tech and spacious trolley bus with four doors has been successfully developed in Beijing. Unlike two-door buses, the design aims to hold more passengers and eliminate crowding when getting on and off the buses. The bus, produced by Beijing Transport Corporation, is 16 meters long and can accommodate 160 passengers. The design incorporates an advanced braking system that increases efficiency and reduces noise. The bus will be put into mass production
Furongzhong Waterfall
Furongzhong Waterfall, the most famous in all of Guangdong Province. The waterfall is the centrepiece of the Furong Holiday Resort, whose 6,000 hectares encompass hills, waterfalls and forests. It has already become one of the most popular weekend destinations for Guangzhou residents. Furongzhong is 16 kilometres north of Huadu City or 38 kilometres north of Guangzhou's city district. To reach Furongzhong by bus or car from Huadu, one can take State Highway 107 and then turn onto the spec
China woos Lion City's young
The China National Tourist Office (CNTO) is aiming to attract more Singaporean yuppies and Gen Y students to China in a bid to boost visitor arrivals from the Republic. Li Jianping, director, CNTO said, Our objective is to attract young professionals and tertiary students who normally go to Western countries for their vacation. CNTO is targeting this new market as it holds much potential.
Li said China has seen many repeat visitors from Singapore's older generation and is also c
Five Heritage Sites Warned
Five world heritage sites in China were warned about protection measures at the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in Suzhou on Monday. The session questioned a total of 121 sites, five of them in China. Discussions and questions were equivalent to an oral warning. If no measures were taken to protect the sites, they might be added to the endangered list or removed from the World Heritage List. The five sites were not added to the endangered list. They are t
Guangzhou's new international airport to open on August 5
A long-awaited new airport in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou is set for an August 5 opening, after repeated delays due to problems during "operational rehearsals," state press said.
The Baiyun International Airport was originally due to open on June 28, but over 200 problems surfaced during two dress rehearsals, forcing administrators to move back the first touchdowns until August, the China Daily reported.
The new airport lies north of the present Baiyun Airport in the north
UNESCO urges countries to balance tourism with heritage protection
UNESCO is urging governments of the world to better balance tourism with protection, fearful that some of most beautiful and important cultural and natural sites are being harmed by throngs of visitors. "Tourism can be a benefit as well
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