Thinking Of Travel To China?

Today and is pleased to have as our guestthey be and why?
Shelley Jiang, editor of LET'S GO CHINA, 6thSHELLEY:
Edition, one of 57 guidebooks published by theJiuzhaigou: Nestled deep in the mountains of
bestselling budget series from LET'S GOnorthern Sichuan, the "Valley of the Nine Tibetan
PUBLICATIONS.Villages" is known for its pristine lakes and
Norm Goldman, editor of andwaterfalls that sparkle a spectrum of shades
Sketchandtravel.com, conducted the followingunder the sunshine. You may remember the
interview. Norm is also a regular contributor toimpossibly blue lakes from the fight sequence
Good Day Shelley and thank you for acceptingfilmed here in Hero. Nature lovers can hike
our invitation to be interviewed.beneath the shadow of snowy peaks, experience
NORM: Please tell our readers something aboutlocal Tibetan culture, and in nearby Songpan,
yourself and your expertise pertaining to China.embark upon horse treks into the wild.
SHELLEY: Born in China, I spent the first six yearsConvenient tourist services are nearby, offering
of my life in Beijing, the city that I will alwayseverything from budget lodgings to five-star
think of as my first home. Though I moved tohotels.
America and attended school there, I remainHangzhou: Those in love with classical China can
deeply connected with China through books,head to this graceful city of the south and historic
news, movies, family, and spending summersdynastic capital. Willows, gardens, pavilions, and
there every two or three years. During thesedelicately arched bridges dot the shores of the
summer trips, I often travel around the countryWest Lake, the setting for ancient China's most
and have visited many of the places in Let's Go:famous love stories. Sip fragrant Dragon Well tea
China.while dining at one of China's oldest restaurants
NORM: Would you consider China a good choicethat once served emperors. The misty waters
for a romantic getaway or wedding andand city pleasures are enough to captivate
honeymoon destination? Why?anyone; if not nearby Shanghai promises a plunge
SHELLEY: China is vast enough to offer somethingback into modernity.
for everyone, whether you're looking for aYunnan: This province on the border with Vietnam
fast-paced weekend in Shanghai, a trip into China'sand Myanmar is the ideal destination for the
gorgeous outdoors, or an immersion in centuriesadventurous, with its 22 colorful ethnic minority
of tradition and history. But don't come expectingcultures and diverse natural scenery. Its capital,
Paris or the Caribbean--China isn't your averageKunming, "City of Eternal Spring," enchants
romantic getaway, but a destination for thetravelers with flowers on every street, but the
free-spirited and adventurous. No resorts ortrue attractions lie in the countryside. Pack your
pampering here--part of the excitement andgear for a trek south into tropical rainforests and
romance of a vacation in China is experiencing arice paddies, dotted by Dai villages and gleaming
new culture and taking in the grit as well as theBuddhist stupas. Northern Yunnan is better known
beauty.as "Shangri-La," where red-robed monks walk the
For those willing to ditch the conventional andstreets of mountain villages and snowy peaks
leave the beaten path, breathtaking natural sightsbeckon in the distance.
and unique cultural experiences await. OtherworldlyXinjiang: Xinjiang takes romance and writes it large
landscapes familiar from many a martial arts filmupon vast expanses of deserts and horizons.
(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero) can serveExperience the exoticism of a nomadic lifestyle
as the backdrop for your personal love story aswith camel rides across the dunes and nights
well. Ancient palaces, pagodas, and temples invitesunder the stars upon China's last frontier. Or trek
travelers to step back into a past that stretchesup to the legendary Tianshan Mountains
more than 5000 years. Cities like Beijing andoverlooking the "Heavenly Pool." Friendly Uighur
Shanghai proudly showcase their past alongsidemusicians will be happy to play at Uighur-style
their future, with skyscrapers rising one afterwedding celebrations, filled with tasty food, fresh
another and an urban culture to rival those of anygrapes and melons, and plenty of singing and
American or European city.dancing.
NORM: What is the best time to visit China fromHong Kong: Hong Kong offers a vacation as
the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, andsophisticated and exciting as it is expensive. From
the availability of flights from the USA, Canadaluxury malls to teeming street markets, Hong
and Europe and Australia, etc?Kong easily combines class and chaos. Dinner
SHELLEY: China's peak travel times are aroundcruises on Victoria Harbour, stylish hotels and
Chinese New Year (some time in Jan.-Feb.,restaurants, and endless clubs, bars, and
depending on lunar calendar), May 1st, July-August,entertainment options ensure that you'll never run
and the first week of October. The best time toout of things to do. Macau lures travelers away
visit would be from late-April through June, whenwith its many casinos and Portuguese-influenced
the weather is warm, students are still in school,cuisine and architecture, but you'll find yourself
and many establishments are still on low seasonback in Hong Kong before long.
pricing. The fall is also a pleasant time to travelNORM: What should people know about
without the crowds (but avoid the Oct. 1st holidaycelebrating a wedding in China from the point of
week) and see beautiful foliage, especially in theview of requirements, experience of the various
north.hotels, etc.
Airfares to China are most expensive betweenSHELLEY: Large fancy hotels are readily available,
June and September. Even flying on May 31with the best and widest selection obviously being
instead of Jun. 1st will get you a cheaper flight.in Beijing and Shanghai. Restaurants make another
Flying September-May will get you much cheapergood venue, and Let's Go: China lists many of the
flights. Plan ahead--the cheapest tickets forbest restaurants in Beijing. Book months in
summer flights to China sell out by early March.advance for celebrations in June and August,
NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of thepopular wedding months in China.
costs involved if travel originates from the USA,China also excels in gorgeously done wedding
Canada and Europe and Australia?photo shoots, often involving lavish sets and
SHELLEY: China is a budget traveler's dreamcostumes, professional make-up artists, and more.
come true--with the exception of the airfare,Popular options include traditional Chinese wedding
which can cost anywhere from US$600-1500. It'sgarb, emperor and empress outfits, and turn of
cheaper to fly from September-May. The bestthe century cheongsam robes. A full set often
places to find low-fares are Chinese-run travelincludes an entire album's worth of photos, the
agencies in Chinatown--check the local Chinesecost of which averages US125-300.
newspaper or ask around to find their listings.NORM: How far in advance should a couple
The budget-conscious can often spend anywhereprepare themselves for their honeymoon,
from US$2-10 per night for lodgings in a hostel orromantic getaway or wedding in China?
basic room, depending on destination. Food canSHELLEY: For the cheapest airfares, it's best to
cost as little as US$4 per person per day forstart planning at least four or five months in
meals from street vendors and small family-runadvance. Unless you are familiar with the country,
restaurants.it's best not to leave a trip to China to the last
Of course, splurges and treats are everywhere. Aminute.
comfortable hotel room will cost around US$25-50NORM: What resources are available on the
per night, and lavish suites range from US$60-150Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon
per night. For US$8-25, a couple can dine atvacations in China?
fancier restaurants serving distinctive, gourmetSHELLEY: CTRIP offers a great destination guide,
cuisines.often with photographs. Their flight search is
The cheapest and most convenient way to gethelpful for planning, but only those with Chinese
around China is via rail. Short journeys can costcredit cards can make reservations.
around US$5-12 for a one-way ticket, while longerCHINA TOUR COM provides a wealth of practical
journeys will cost up to US$50. Expect to payinformation, from visas to currency to vaccines.
more than US$100, however, for a privateThey also collect news stories related to travel in
sleeper compartment for two people.China, provide information on organized tours, and
The number of domestic flights in China is on theoffer brief guides on Chinese culture.
rise. One-way fares range US$90-200; round-tripTRAVEL CHINA GUIDE is another good resource
fares are always double the one-way fare.for destination guides.
NORM: If you had to choose 3-5 unequalledTRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE is a forum for
venues in China for a romantic getaway,those traveling to China.
honeymoon or wedding destination, what would