Beijing Hutongs are a trademark of old and traditional Beijing. These narrow alleyways are linked to form what is known as a siheyuan, or courtyard, that house extended families. While the city has developed and many have moved from living within hutongs to high-rise apartments, there are still some residents living within hutongs, particularly the older…
Outside Cold, but Inside Warm Beijing winter lasts four months from Nov 15 to next year’s March 15. In Beijing, central heating system is provided to warm the people’s house and working place usually starting Nov.15 till March 15 next year. Averages temperatures (Celsius) in Beijing range between -5 and 5 degrees celsius according to the annual Beijing Climate. For Beijing…
This morning I receive an email from Annette and Scott Kern, who have just made a wonderful trip to Great Wall – Jinshanling Great Wall and Gubeikou Great Wall. Especially Gubeikou Great Wall has greatly impressed them, less touristy and most original! Annette and Scott Kern are very kind to have sent us some of their…
At 4;50pm Oct 19, 2010, we are approaching Wu Gorge (巫峡), one of the Three Gorges between Qutang Gorge and Xiling Gorge. Wu Gorge is the most famous and beautiful gorge of the three, with a total length of over 40 km starting from the mouth of the Daning River( the Little Three Gorges ) of…
We have just sailed across Qutang Gorge, the first gorge of the Three Gorges on Yangtze River. Of all the Three Gorges, Qutang Gorge is the shortest, but the most majestic. Also known as Kui Gorge, Qutang Gorge is very narrow with its narrowest point at 100 meters. The passage through the 8km gorge only takes about 20…
Victoria Jenna (凯珍) is one of the 8 Victoria Cruises sailing on Yangtze River. Built in 2009, Victoria Jenna is the newest and best among the Victoria riverboats at the time of writing. We are lucky to be on board Victoria Jenna on Oct 17, 2010 and start our China Yangtze River Cruise downstream from Chongqing to Yingchang. At…
Today I get an email from Susan Lykken who has used our travel service with three other family member during a recent trip to Beijing after disembarking from Princess Diamond at Tianjin Cruise Home Port on Oct 04, 2010. In her email, Susan Lykken expresses her satisfaction with the service she and her family memeber have enjoyed…
Why Expo? Why visit Shanghai Expo? Today I visited Shanghai Expo. One day’s hanging around in the Shanghai Expo site does give me much thought for the answer. Well, for my understanding, Expo or Shanghai Expo is similar to a travel mart, of course, a huge one. Almost every country has its own booth or combined…