A very special restaurant

Yesterday our former marketing consultant Elise (and her husband) visited us, while she was on a tour through China. Victor spontaneously decided  to invite her/ us for lunch.

 

We went to a brand new (not even open to the public) restaurant close to the alcohol factory here in Guilin. The decoration of this place was really outstanding: Traditional Chinese furniture mixed with modern elements of western fine dining.

 

The food, main reason of our visit was also way better than expected: Fresh salad, crispy bread with unsalted!!!! butter and a steak that melted on the tongue.

 

The feast lasted for more than one hour, leaving us all with a big smile on our face and a big round belly.

 

While I personally think that this restaurant is probably too pricey for frequent visits, it is definitely the perfect place for a tête-à-tête with your other half.

 

 

 Post written by: Julian

Good but budget hotels

Brian recommended us to choose some good but budget hotels for our clients in tough economic times, here is what he wrote:

"As you know that I have just return from Australia and traveled through Shanghai both going to Australia and coming back to China. I used budget hotels on both occasions and found them to be good on times. I stayed in the Nanjing Hotel in Shanghai and the position was great. The rooms were very clean and the beds were better than five star hotels that I have used in China. The price for this hotel was at least US$20 per night cheaper that the cheapest hotel that we could offer. I would have rated this hotel better that many 3 star hotels…In tough economic times there may be a need for us to consider broadening our product range".

China Highlights Mission is to provide customer-suited China tours with the best travel information, the highest quality possible and excellent value. Finding good but budget hotels for our customers fit into our mission, I think we should do it.

Victor

My Unforgettable Birthday-Eva

My Unforgettable Birthday-Eva

27 Oct is a great day, which is my birthday! Everyone loves to enjoy this special day on their own way:

Girl's Night Out!

Alone Time with Significant other!

Nothing!

How do you like to spend your birthday?

For me, I had spent a significative birthday! I had been to Baoan Hope Primary School in Yangshuo (Guilin) with my friends Morgen, Steve, Lissy, Alex, Tina, Sunny….
I was exciting when I start to make this activity, because we can bring a lot of books, toy, candy etc to the kids, who live in the remote villages. I was so happy that everyone agreed with me after I shared this idea and tried to think out many other things we should take to the kids and how to play with them…..

Here we go! After a simple plan, we got ready to go to Yangshuo. That was a sunny day, we sang, laughed, and quite enjoyed walking along the country side.

Boom and 小马 carried a big pack with a lot of books for the children inside. Girls never carry heavy bag!!!

Steve looks like "Afric women", because he looks like a little bit thin compare with Boon.

After a couple of hours driving, we arrived in our first destination: Baoan Hope Primary School.

It is a small primary school and rebuild in Putao town, Yangshuo County on 2006. There are 6 classes about 300 students in the school. They have only two buildings, one building is for having class and the other one is the mess hall.

However, it is not as poor as I imaged, since this is our first time to do charity, and we do not have much experience on finding a "right" school to donate, I thought we should have found more shabby schools and help the kids in a great and better way.

We had brought some books, pencil, paper etc stationeries and distribute to some of representatives.

After that, we played the "hide and seek" and "fox and chicken" with the students.

Look! This is the baton of our "Uncle Morgen"; he was trying to teach the student sing the song.

Everyone there was very exciting and glad! In the afternoon, we have to leave but it was really hard to say "good bye", and we took a picture altogether.

In the evening, it was our party time! We drank and ate in a hostel; celebrate this unforgettable day for me!

Next day, we went home. Tina and sunny was in the sound sleep…..

Opps…. Be careful your head!


Eva at China Highlights 2008-10-29

This Friday Film-- The Nightmare before Christmas

Virginia invited us to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas this Friday, wish I could go too. I wount be scared by any "film ghost" ... But thanks anyway for continuously choosing good films for us every Friday.

Victor

---

From: 1.1 中华游实时公告(Urgent Announcement to All Staff)
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 4:06 PM
To: 赵勇(steven); 杨谐(karen); 阳漓琳(elaine); 徐丽肖(lissy); 唐意强; 疏少勇(victor); 秦伶俐(tina); 莫绍辉(jack); 莫壁征(morgen); 马慧明(mhm); 龙方伟(lion); 刘佳(liujia); 蒋杰(kevin); 黄春涛(hct); 方杰(ethel); 陈清香(cheryl); 张彬(zhangb); 蒋建华; 邓斐(david); 王蔚湘(eva); 谢怡(sunny); 周珍燕(RURU); 邹进
Subject: 转发: 周五电影预告-《圣诞夜惊魂》

-------------------------------------------
发件人: 张升琴(Virginia)
发送时间: 2008年10月30日 16:06:17
收件人: 1.1 中华游实时公告(Urgent Announcement to All Staff)
主题: 周五电影预告-《圣诞夜惊魂》
按规则自动转发

Dear All,

首先祝各位万圣节快乐―明天！

所以给大家放映一个跟万圣节有关的很好玩的片子，《圣诞夜惊魂》--- 非恐怖片！！！ （某些人不要害怕~某些人也不要失望，哈哈）
让我们一起来认识可爱的Pumpkin King吧~

片名：The Nightmare Before Christmas
译名：圣诞夜惊魂
导演：亨利・塞利克 Henry Selick
编剧：蒂姆・波顿 Tim Burton
配音：丹尼・艾弗曼 Danny Elfman
克里斯・萨兰登 Chris Sarandon
凯瑟琳・奥哈拉Catherine O'Hara
保罗・鲁本斯 Paul Reubens
类型：动画/家庭/奇幻/音乐
片长：76分钟
发行：米拉麦克斯　Miramax Films
IMDB评分：8.0/10 (40,942 votes)

Virginia

WW 2 Veteran of Flying Tigers Frank Gleason Visited China

On October 11th, veteran Flying Tigers member - the first American Volunteer Group � Frank Gleason, Jr. visited China after 63 years. Accompanied by Richard H. Montgomery, Richard Martin, David Zhou from China Highlights they were met by local guide Aggie Guiyang Airport. Frank flew with the Flying Tigers during the World War Ⅱ and fought with Chinese army against Japanese in 1941 and 1942.

Frank and his friends visited Dushan County, Guizhou, with the guide David Zhou. This was one of the bases used by the Flying Tigers. They visited the local Miao Village in the area as well as and Guilin. Frank and his group were very satisfied with the service provided by David Zhou and China Highlights.

10.27.2008 Chinahighlights Staff Conference on Qingdao Exploration

Today two of our marketing staff, Ms. Autumn Song and Ms. Natasha, were sharing all information they have gathered from their Qingdao, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou tour exploration.

Ms. Song is giving details on Qingdao. She is a very nice and beautiful girl. She loves traveling. That's why she is really enjoying her work at China Highlights.

Ms. Natasha is a beautiful lady who is responsible for China Highlights tour packages. She has lots of traveling experience as she visited many places, like the Silk Road, Yunan province, etc.

Wow, what lovely girls.

I like working with them.

Mr. Morgen Mo

Customer Marketing Department of China Highlights

Tel: (86-773)-2885306; Mob: 13977329179

Fax (86-773)-2885308; 2827424

Email: morgen@chinahighlights.com

Website: www.chinahighlights.com

China Highlights Gives a Helping Hand.

Eva listens to the customers

Eva listens to customers and care about what customers need. That is exactly what we need to focus on in the future to be ahead of all the competition. Every competitor can put together a tour, but listening to the customer and making that special tour that our customers want is really going to win us reputation and business. This is what our customers says:
We wish to congratulate Eva Wang for her marvelous work, absolutely respecting our needs and feelings. She gave us the perfect itinerary, answering our e-mails and requests always in a kind and efficient way. We travel a lot and we recognize in Eva one of our best trip advisors.

We made some inquiries and Eva was the only one who gave us a real tailor-made program. Other companies offered ready and exhausting programs, always wanting to convince us that it was the best way to know China, without hearing our needs.

We are absolutely satisfied with Chinahighlights service and especially with our trip advisor Eva Wang. We can assure you that we felt a great difference in the quality of private services that you offer. Congratulations!

There were many Chinese taking pictures of us practicing Tai chi

2 US Clients on China Highlights signature tour came to visit Morgen to give thanks for the great guide and good choices of hotels.

They were impressed by our quick response from our travel advisor and the "tailor-made" tour itinerary.

They loved the private tour service that we provide and they said that they have been to many parts of the world and this service was only found in Africa and China, "but very expensive in Africa", they said.

The specially loved the culture experience of learning Chinese in Beijing and Taiji in Xian, "Foreign travelers used to take pictures of the Chinese playing Taiji, but now, on our tour, there were many Chinese were taking pictures of us playing Taiji".

They believe that the present financial crisis will not affect domestic tourism in the US but lesser Americans will travel abroad probably.

Private Tour will be more and more popular

A couple from the US, one of our customers came to our office on his tour to China to give thanks to our travel advisor Karen Yang. During the brief visit, we found that our customers love to be on a "private tour".

They were so pleased to book the "private tour" with us because they were able to choose their own pace on the private tour. They happened to meet their cousin in Xian who was on a "group tour". "I was so thankful that I could finish my tour at 4pm and had a shower before the dinner appointment at 6pm with my cousin in Xian while my cousin looks tired". He believes that "private tour" will get more popular because most of western people have not known there is a "private tour" option available in China.

Talking about how the financial crisis will affect travel planning for US citizens, he was very optimistic, " I don't think this will affect my travel plan because I have retired".

They especially mentioned that he found us on Google when searching for "China travel agency". I checked it and found that we ranked no.2 for this term.

1. China Travel Service (H.K.) Limited

China Visa ・ Guangzhou Night Zoo Package from HKD388 per person ・ Dongguan Special Deal from HKD262 per person ・ Shanghai Package from HKD1,400 per person ...
www.ctshk.com/english/index.htm - 36k - Cached - Similar pages

2. China Travel Service (H.K.) Limited

Enabling you to depart on relatively short notice and with great convenience, China TravelService (HK) Ltd, CTS offers China Visa Application to China ...
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3. China Travel, China Travel Agency, China Tours, Yangtze River Cruise

- Aug 28

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An Indian tourist in China

I wonder how a Hong Kong journalist knew that China Highlights has been "carved out of the original Government monopoly'. This is a story I found from travelpod.com

An Indian tourist in China By N.N.Sachitanand

It was 2004 , two years after my retirement. My wife and I , both inveterate travelers, had already done the usual round of the Indian outbound tourist - U.S.A., U.K., Western Europe, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Bali etc. We considered a number of new places to visit . "How about China ?" suggested my son . " You can get to see the glorious Forbidden Kingdom in Beijing ." He had just seen a rerun of The Last Emperor. My wife was reluctant . " I believe the Chinese do not speak English at all . How will we get around ? And what will I get to eat as a vegetarian ? " I e-mailed a journalist friend of mine in Hong Kong. His advice : " China is a fascinating place to visit. The best bet is to plan your tour through one of the major travel agencies there , preferably one that has been carved out of the original Government monopoly. You can try out China Highlights . Go for guided tours or ask for personal English speaking guides. Tell your wife not to worry. There are plenty of vegetable dishes available in Chinese cuisine."So, I went to the Internet and the Chinahighlights.com web site . A young , very helpful tour operator named Elaine efficiently hand - held me through the tour planning process. I already knew something about China's places of tourist interest and was clear in my mind about some of the places that were a "must see" , such as The Great Wall, the Terracota Soldiers and the Giant Panda. Being a fan of Kung Fu films since the days of Bruce Lee , I was also very keen to pay a visit to the birth place of Kung Fu - the Shaolin Temple. Again , whenever my wife and I visit a foreign country, we are very interested in experiencing the local culture in the form of evening entertainment. It was quite a handful that we demanded but Elaine pitched in quite enthusiastically to chart out a tour that would take us from the East coast entry point ( Shanghai), up North to Beijing, onwards to the heartland and down South-east to Kunming . It was a very complex 15 day tour combining overnight halts at Shanghai, Beijing, Xian ( home of the Terracota Warriors ) , Zhengzhou ( near Shaolin Temple ) , Yichang ( headworks of the gigantic Twelve Gorges Dam ) , Chongquing, Chengdu ( where the Giant Pandas are bred ) and Kunming ( where tea originated ). The trip combined a number of methods of travel including air , day train , overnight train, inter-city and a day-long trip cruise up the Yangtze river. At every major city , we were promised an evening variety show. I was a bit anxious about anything going wrong . But Elaine assured us that everything would go according to plan and we need not have any worries. Of course, she provided us with a very detailed tour schedule , along with the names of the guides who would meet us , the hotels where we were booked and all the relevant telephone numbers including her own , in case of emergencies. Incidentally, all the negotiations and payment transactions were made through the Internet - a sign of the times.
….. more http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nnsachi/1/1224403260/tpod.html

Tibet Travel Story

Day 1
On 22 July we left Beijing in the evening, and we took the train to Lhasa. China Highlights arranged our train tickets and our permit for Tibet, which they had dropped off at our hostel in Beijing the day before we left. They even called the hostel to inform them that they would drop it off! So nothing could go wrong, we took a taxi and we arrived on Beijing West Train Station on 8.30 p.m. We checked in, found our waiting room and waited for approximately 45 minutes before we could enter to the train platform. It was very busy, the train was fully booked so we had to be in time. We booked soft sleeper tickets on the train, which means you share a compartment with 4 people in total. It looks very nice, your bed is made, everybody has their own television and there even is a little flower on the table. So nothing to complain about that! The train left exactly at 21.30 hrs.

Day 2
Stay on train.

Day 3
Today was the last day on the train, exactly 47,5 hours later from our departure in Beijing we arrived in Lhasa. Unbelievable how they can be so stipt while you are travelling for such a long period!
We have reached hights of maximum 5000 meters, approximately 3 hours before arrival in Lhasa, and the views are spectacular. On the train there is extra oxygin, in case you need it.
In the evening we arrived in Lhasa, which impressed us immediately. Because of the situation on March 14 there were many military people in Lhasa everywhere.
China Highlights arranged a guide for the whole period in Tibet, which is necessary to obtain a permit. At this time, tourists are not allowed to enter Tibet without a guide. So Losang picked us up from the train station, and with Sawa (the bus driver) they took us to our hotel -> Shangbala hotel in the old part (and the best part) of the city. Lhasa is devided into two parts; the old Tibetan part and the new Chinese part. We really liked the fact that our hotel was situated in the old part, because here you can see and feel the real Tibet!
Losang really took good care of us, and informed us that we should not drink any alcohol, take it very easy and eat normal Western food instead of trying the local food. This all because you have to get used to the height, if you are used to live in Holland below sea level, 3600 metres is quite high! So we took it easy and we had a good evening meal before we went to bed.

Day 4
Today we got up early, at 8.00 am we had breakfast and at 8.30 am Losang was already waiting for us at the lobby of the hotel. We went to the Potala Palace, and before we could enter the palace he informed us about who had lived here before the current Dalai Lama and all the history with it. He also arranged all the entrance tickets and booked a tour at 9 am. The best time, because there were not so many tourists by then and also no big American groups!! So he arranged this very well!
In the palace you are not allowed to take pictures, but it is very impressive to see how everything is inside the palace. Also here Losang told us everything about Buddism, the Dalai Lama's and the history about the palace. Very impressive!

Almost one hour later we left the palace and by mini van we went to the Tibet Museum. Inside the museum we were on our own, because there are English speaking automatic guides which you receive when you enter the museum. We have been in the museum for almost one hour, for us this was not so impressive and actually very boring. If we could skip it we would have done it. Some things are nice such as paintings and clothing, but the rest (jade, stones, animals etc.) is not what we really like. So we finished a little too early and we had to wait for about 15 minutes for Losang and Sawa. They did not count on people who were so fast so they arrived a little later. Of course this was no problem for us, because we didn't have to wait for a long time.

After the museum we went for lunch at a very nice Tibetan steak house, where we had a very good meal. We could pick what we liked, things such as soup, main course, dessert and drinks. All was included in the total price we paid in advance.

Hereafter we could choose if we would like to continue the tour or if we would like to have a rest in the hotel. We are still young so we wanted to see the Sera Monastry, and after that we had free time. The Sera Monastry is also impressive to see, still many locals visit the monastry for blessings. We have seen almost everything, including the place where the monks usually debate every day and the kitchen of the monastry. Very nice place to visit. Unfortunately we were not allowed to see the Drepung Monastry, as of the situation on March 14. Because of this some sights were closed for tourists. We were very lucky to see the most important ones!
At 3 pm we finished the tour for today and Losang and Sawa dropped us off at the hotel. We had our own time now so we went to see the Barkhor area, which is the old part of the town. We walked around to see the real Tibetan life, which is very impressive to see, especially the religion. In the evening we found a very nice restaurant in the old part of town, although many others are closed at this time because not many tourists are allowed to enter Tibet.

Day 5
Today, Losang picked us up at 9.30 am at the hotel, to visit Jokhang Temple in the Barkhor area. In and outside the temple we were amazed by the Tibetan people who are praying there all day. Losang explained a lot about the temple. After a great view from the top of the temple (the view of the Potala is magnificent) we walked the pilgrim route in the Barkhor area which is great to see. We have had a little spare time before we had lunch in the old part of town.

After lunch we went for a visit to Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. We haven't spent a long time here, we must say that all the other places of Lhasa are more special then Norbulingka. While we were here Losang received a phone call from Sunny - she informed us that our booked flight to Shangri-La was cancelled. Sunny immediately arranged a new flight to our next stop Lijang, even though it was her weekend! We really appreciated this!

After our visit to Norbulingka we spent time in town, we walked around again to experience the Tibetan life. In the evening we went to the Lhasa Hotel to have the best Yak burger of all times!

Day 6

In the morning there we no plans - we had some free time to spend.

At 12.00 hrs we met Losang to have lunch at Lhasa kitchen, the same restaurant as yesterday. At 13.00 hrs Sawa picked us up for a drive to Yamdrok Lake at approximately 5200 metres! It was a long drive, but very interesting as we also went to a water burial place. At the top the view is excellent!! We have spent half an our on top when we returned to Lhasa again.

Tomorrow we leave Lhasa so at the hotel we said goodbye to Losang because he was not able to drop us off at the airport. He arranged another guide though, so many thanks to everything he did for us! In the evening we went for a last walk through the old part of town, and we ended up at a beautiful Potala Palace at night!!

Day 7
Today was our last day in Lhasa, at 7.30 am Sawa picked us up at hotel and dropped us off at airport.

We must say that visiting Tibet was one of the best things during our whole trip to China! It is a very special place to visit, and we enjoyed every moment of it!

Many thanks to Sunny and China Highlights, who arranged everything in an excellent way!

Chian Highlights send their stuff for sight inspection

The Water Cube or Olympics















The Birds Net for Olympics

China Highlights Travel Advisors got well trained

To see what our customers will see!















To eat what our customers will eat. Make sure that it is Good.















To see what our customers will see! - The great wall of Mutianyu section.















Make sure what our customers stay is comfortable enough.

China Highlights Stuff Training and Inspection Trips

In order to Trian China Highlights Stuff so that they can provide better service to our customers, China Highlights send all their employees to do site inspections each year. This is one of the great things to work in the travel company.

To stay in the hotel that our customers will stay.















To ride in the car that our customers will use.















To see what our customers will see.

China Hot Air Ballooning – Guilin/ Yangshuo China

One of my friend from Israel asked me to prepare a surprise for his wife on their wedding anniversary by arranging them to take a balloon ride in Yangshuo. Yes, it is different to view the beautiful hills and rivers above. The company is now trying to ask China Highlights to promote more its customers. Don’t miss the chance to take ballom ride while you are in Yangshuo.

China Hot Air Ballooning – Guilin/ Yangshuo China

Outback Ballooning, Australia’s longest established and favourite international ballooning company has recently established a joint venture near Guilin in China. The combination of the spectacular scenery, consistently reliable weather and highest standard of operation is certain to see this become the world’s premiere ballooning experience.

Now for the first time international visitors will be able to experience this truly spectacular area from the air in balloons operated to the highest international standards. China Hot Air Ballooning is the only ballooning operator able to offer this security. China Hot Air Ballooning combines the local knowledge of Yangshuo’s longest established balloon company with the modern expertise and international standards from Australia’s Outback Ballooning.

With this team we can guarantee you the safest and most rewarding balloon flight available in Yangshuo. Yangshuo is perhaps China’s best known tourist town with its sensational mountain landscape. It has inspired Chinese artists and poets for centuries. From the balloon you will witness stunning views of the hills interspersed by century old farms. The Guilin / Yangshuo Valley with the Li river meandering through hundreds of limestone hills is one of the world’s iconic sights.

Transfers from Guilin and Yangshuo will be part of the world class service. The service will include English language speakers on site for all pre and post flight briefings. Group transfers will be accompanied by interpreters to assist guests from their accommodation to the balloon launch sites amidst the Yangshuo hills. ‘The incredible Yangshuo landscape can only be truly appreciated from the air’ We also have DVD’s with a video presentation, CD’s with photos for print, brochures and other promotional material available on request, just email us at sales@chinahotairballooning.com

If you have any questions, just contact our office who will assist you. We look forward to providing your clients with an unforgettable experience Yours faithfully,

Diana Mo John Sanby

Marketing Director Pilot/ Operations

P.O. Box 2008

Yangshuo, Guilin,

Guangxi, China

Post code 541900

+86 773 881 4919

sales@chinahotairballooning.com - www.chinahotairballooning.com

Tour Details

Passenger Numbers:

Depending on the temperatures 8 to 10 passengers can fly in each balloon.

Confirmations:

Clients will need to ring the day prior to departure for final confirmation.

Pick up times:

Pickup times vary throughout the year depending on sunrise times.

Guilin: Approx 5:00am

Yangshuo: Approx 6:00am

Travel times to launch site:

Guilin: 50 minutes

Yangshuo: 10 minutes

Drop off:

Drop off is available from the

following locations

1. West Street Yangshuo

2. Guilin

3. Meet up with group

4. Li River

Clothing:

Cold weather clothing is recommended for winter as temperatures reach as low 10

degrees celcius in winter.

A jacket is recommended in summer time.

Tour Guides:

All tour guides are included in the tour package FOC.

Operations Contacts:

Office: +86 773 8814919 (Our staff speak both English and Chinese)

Diana mobile: +86 13123 533909

Calvin Chow: +86 13597 039396

Pricing:

60 Minute Flight: USD 290.00

Chase Only: USD 60.00

Children aged 6 - 16 receive a 20%

discount.

Afternoon flights are available.

Prices include insurance.

sales@chinahotairballooning.com - www.chinahotairballooning.com

P.O. Box 2008

Yangshuo, Guilin,

Guangxi, China

Post code 541900

+86 773 881 4919

This Friday Film - Life is beautiful

A lot of Film fans at China Highlights would join together and watch a film on every Friday. This is what we are going to watch tomorrow.

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