Archive for the ‘China Travel’ Category

Why Burn Incense at a Chinese Temple

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

 

Plan your China tour? Visiting a buddhist temple in China helps you understand the Chinese traditional culture and religion. Buddhist temples to Chinese are akin to churches to the western people. Very often around a temple there are plentiful street front stores selling incenses. Some mobile incense hawks are trying to pester you into buying incense sticks. So why burn incenses?
 
The reasons behind the burning of incenses are manifold. One factor is that Buddha would appear in the smoke produced by burning incenses. In other words, the smoke is a soul link between worshippers and the Buddha. Incense burning reminds people to burn themselves, to give, and to sacrifice though many people still burn for money, for love, for health and the list could be much longer.
 
There is a Chinese saying that goes like this: 命由己造,福由己求 which literally means “Our fate and happiness are made by ourselves, not given by the Buddha or somebody else”.
 
A huge incense burner is vertically placed with incense sticks burnt by worshippers
A huge incense burner

A huge incense burner

 
While burning incense sticks, what’s in mind? Giving or requesting?

Giving or requesting

Giving or requesting

 
 
The Buddha appearing in the smoke? Or in our hearts?
The Buddha appearing in the smoke

The Buddha appearing in the smoke

 
Burning incenses for good scores or a handsome boyfriend, or…
Burning incenses for good scores

Burning incenses for good scores

 
People have their own reasons for incense stick burning.
People have their own reasons for incense stick burning.

People have their own reasons for incense stick burning.

 

Any questions, just drop a line.

How to Make a Tourist Complaint in China

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
 
Plan your China tour? Generally speaking, Chinese people are kind and lenient to foreign visitors. But that doesn’t mean you are always safe and you can lower your vigilance while traveling in China. Like other countries in the world, tourist traps, scams or bad travel experieces also exit here in China.
 
If you have encountered cheating, forced shopping, fake products, bad experiences with a travel agency, or travel suppliers like flights, trains, scenic spots and hotels, and the list can be longer, you should make a tourist complaint to China Tourism Bureau or its branches in major cities where you are traveling.
 
According to the regulations made by China Tourism Bureau, A tourist is required to make a travel complaint within 90 days. When receiving travel complaints from tourists, tourism bureaus at all levels should handle these tourist complaints within five working days.
 
To make a tourist complaint in a faster way, you may make a travel complaint by calling the following tourism bureaus in China:
 
 
China Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 010-65275315
 
Four Municipal Cities in China
Beijing Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 010-85162288
Tianjin Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 022-28359093
Shanghai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 021-64393615
Chongqing Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 023-63236016
 
Hebei Province
Chengde Tourisn Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0314-2024548
Qinhuangdao Tourisn Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0335-3661001
 
Inner Mongolia
Hohhot Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0471-4606517
Hulunbeier Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0470-8346071
 
Liaoning Province
Shengyang Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 024-22821999
Dalian Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0411-83769989
 
Jilin Province
Jilin Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0432-64805588
 
Heilongjiang Province
Haerbin Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0451-84664315
 
Jiangsu Province
Nanjing Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 025-52260123
Suzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0512-65223377
Wuxi Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0510-85052599
Yangzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0514-87325601
Zhenjiang Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0511-85237555
 
Zhejiang Province
Hangzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0571-85171292
Shaoxing Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0575-80223031
Tiantai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0576-83881002
 
Anhui Province
Huangshan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0559-2517464
 
Jiangxi Province
JiujiangTourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0792-8225571
Lushan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0792-8287906
 
Fujian Province
Fuhzou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0591-83355312
Quanzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0595-22162068
Xiamen Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0592-5318985
Longyan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0597-2336649
Wuyishan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0599-5250580
 
Shandong Province
Jinan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0531-88389888
Qufu Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number:  0537-4414789
Taian Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0538-8209949
Yantai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0535-6246929
Weihai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0631-5313294
Qingdao Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0532-85912000
 
Shanxi Province
Taiyuan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0351-5679006
Pingyao Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0354-5868113
Datong Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number:  0352-5137307
 
Henan Province
Zhengzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0371-67181000
Luoyang Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0379-64310882
Kaifeng Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0378-3972220
 
Hubei Province
Wuhan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 027-82855773
 
Hunan Province
Changshan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0731-88666279
Zhangjiajie Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0744-8383173
Xiangxi Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0743-2198120
Hengshan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0734-8861041
 
Guangdong Province
Guangzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 020-86666666 
Zhongshan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0760-88811825
Shenzhen Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0755-2598681
Zhuhai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0756-3366901
 
Hainan Province
Haikou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0898-66250780
Sanya Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0898-88392211
 
Guangxi
Nanning Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0771-5516551
Guilin Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0773-2800318
Beihai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0779-3060140
 
Sichuan Province
Chengdu Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 028-85482323
 
Guizhou Province
Guiyang Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0851-6515242
 
Yunnnan Province
Kunming Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0871-3164961
Dali Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0872-96927 
Lijiang Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0888-96927
Deqin Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0887-8231527
Xishuangbanna Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0619-5126077
 
Shannxi Province
Xian Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 029-8763-0166
 
Gansu Province
Lanzhou Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0931-8847867
Wuwei Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0935-2220257
Zhangye Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0936-8222595
Jiuquan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0937-2614224
Jiayuguan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0937-6321626
 
Ningxia
Yinchuan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0951-6720638
 
Qinghai Province
Xining Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0971-6150597
 
Tibet
Lhasa Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0891-6150597
 
Xinjiang
Turpan Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0995-8523653
Hami Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0902-2251984
Aletai Tourism Bureau Complaint Phone Number: 0906-2122363
 
Any questions, just drop a line.
 
 
 

 

 

Kunming’s Dianchi Lake Offers Tranquility and Calm

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

China’s spectacular destinations are one of the main reasons why so many students and travelers flock to the country every year. Be it for Chinatour or studying abroad, the country has one of the highest number of international students and tourists who visit it. The diversity of culture, rich history and stunning landscapes combined together offer a travel experience that is unlike any other.

Dianchi Lake: Location and History

Kunming, the provincial capital of YunnanProvinceis the eternal ‘SpringCity’ of Chinaand is a favorite mostly owing of its excellent year-round weather. Added to it are the local travel delights that make the city an all-around place to visit. The city is a popular hub for Chinese language programs and gives students the opportunity to travel to several destinations within the city.

 Among the many interesting landmarks, one that stands out is the pristineDianchiLake. It has earned the beautiful nickname of ‘Sparkling Pearl Embedded in aHighland’. It isChina’s sixth largest fresh water lake and has been consistently known for its popularity as an amazing place for sightseeing, entertainment and leisure.

 It’s proximity to various other important places nearby gives it the perfect vantage point. Just around the lake are located the Grand View Park, National Sports Training Base, Yunnan Ethnic Village, Western Mountains Forest Park and several more. Acting as the central focal point of the Kunming Scenic Region, the lake was also regarded as Kunming Dianchi Lake National Resort Region, one of the twelve National Resort Regions.

The lake is located at the foot of theWeishanMountainswhich are also otherwise known as the ‘Plateau Pearl’, around 3 miles away from downtownKunming. The lake is fenced on all four sides; the Jinma Hill lies in the east, the Biji Hill in the west, the Heshan Hill in the south and Snake Hill in the north.

The area adjoining the lake shore is rich due to the favorable climatic conditions as well as several rivers required for irrigation. According to legend, the lake was named after one of the most prominent ethnic groups during the First Century known as ‘Dian’. They were responsible for the establishment of the ancientDianKingdomback during the Han Dynasty.

Due to its calmness and serenity, people prefer to come here throughout the day, mostly for recreation and unwinding. The crystal clear water and the rippling waves look like a picture out of a postcard. Every year, from November till March, huge fleets of sea gulls migrate to this lake fromSiberiain order to escape the harsh winter. The area’s warm weather attracts the birds and the view is often a sight to behold.

A circular railway has been built around Dianchi Lake

 

The railway around Dianchi Lake

 

 A panoramic view of Dianchi Lake.

 

A panoramic view of Dianchi Lake

 

 The lake is fenced on all four sides

 

The lake is fenced on all four sides

 

 From November till March, huge fleets of sea gulls migrate to this lake from Siberia in order to escape the harsh winter.

huge fleets of sea gulls