Travelling to Tibet - Change of Policy

Earlier this month, the Tibet Tourism Bureau announced changes to their Tibet Permit policy.  Travellers that now wish to visit Tibet must be in a group consisting of minimum 5 group members  that have the same nationality.  The Tibet permit itself is free but you still need to have a Visa for China. 
So if you are planning a trip let us know and we can find a suitable group for you to join.
www.travelg.com/marie

Hangzhou and Mt Huanshan

One of my favourite places in China is Hangzhou
which is now only a 45 minute ride on the high speed train from Shanghai. Or you may want to go by road and visit one of the ancient water villages en route. I find it a nice break from the hassle of Shanghai and many Shanghai residents feel the same way as they like to escape here on the weekends, so best to go there mid week. I love the setting of West Lake where you can hop on the trolley that goes around the lake, enjoy a nice walk or go out for a boat ride. It is a great place for people watching and relaxing. Away from the lake you can walk in the old street , visit the Temples and the tree plantations.
It is good to spend 2 nights here, either as a side trip from Shanghai or continuing on by road to Huanshan Mountain, the inspiration for many artists. You will need another 2 nights, the first night you will spend at the base of the mountain and the next morning you take the cable car up and spend the night at the top. (You must pre-arrange this or you will never get up the mountain – there are thousands of local tourists also wanting to enjoy the sites.) The next morning get up early for the amazing sunrise before heading down later in the morning, or spend another day if you like lots of hiking.

Walk the Great Wall of China

This is a trip if you are feeling fit, energetic and enjoy trekking.  Travel through the lush mountainous areas north east of  Bejing in remote areas and away from the crowds.  A fascinating journey on the backroads allows you to observe closely the everyday life of villages and offers great opportunities to interact with the locals.
It is an 8 day tour to and from Beijing departing Oct 08 or Nov 05 2011 at CAD $1256.00 and several departures in 2012 at CAD $1395.00.  Includes 7 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, English speaking guide, Comfortable Hotels, rural life experience of one night in a local village, one night in a homestay and one night in a Farmers Inn. 
For more information click here or contact Marie to make your booking.

Foot Massage in China

It always amazes me how one can just show up for a Spa Treatment in China.  We arrived at the Spa without an appointment and were ushered upstairs to a private room for our party of four and within seconds were brought hot tea and immediately after that 4 attendants came in with a big barrel of water each.  I was told we were having the 2 hour foot massage and I was a bit apprehensive and wondering what they were going to do with my feet for all that time!  I'm also quite ticklish and I'd never had a foot massage before so this was going to be interesting.  First our feet got soaked in the hot water and then we got to lie down and one foot got bandaged up in a hot towel while they worked on the other.  It was really interesting to watch the synchronicity of the attendants - it seemed to be down to the second where they would all start slapping our feet at the same time!  After the feet were done (I was quite relieved) the legs and arms got massaged, the fingers pulled and then we had to lie on our tummies.  The attendants then used hot rocks wrapped in a cloth to massage our backs.  After this the knees got attention - they used a ginger poultice on each knee and wrapped them in very hot towels for at least 5 minutes.  This was really soothing and I still felt the effects long after the towels were removed.  Great way to end a day of walking around. So the 2 hour foot massage turned out to be a very pleasant experience, except for the few moments when I got a bit ticklish!!

Wellness in China - Bath House

After a day of sightseeing near Nanjing on my recent trip to China, we were asked by our host if we would like to go and take a shower before we headed home.  I thought personally why go somewhere else to have a shower when I had one in my room, but it was further explained that after a shower we could have a massage.  Well, that sounded much more appealing so off we went. 

As we were driving there I noticed it seemed to be taking a long time and we were no longer on the way to Nanjing - it turned out the 'Shower Place' was 50 kilometers out of our way in the Province of Anhui as this was apparently 'the best'. 

When we finally arrived we entered a very large lobby, not unlike a hotel lobby and were greeted by a couple of young ladies who rushed to get us slippers, take our shoes and give us a numbered key to a locker.  We were then taken to a dining room where a buffet was set up and we could enjoy some dinner, this was all part of the 'shower experience' and covered in the cost.

After satisfying our hunger we then went separately to the women and men's sections, found our locker and prepared for the shower.  I looked around for a towel or robe but no sign of any, so off I trundled with just my rubber slippers and found a lovely hot shower already for me.  Still no towel in sight when I got out of the shower, yikes!  Instead I am whisked over to another room where 20 naked ladies are on beds with an attendant for each.  I was told this room was for 'getting the dirt off my body' - (isn't that what the shower was for!)  So after lying down on the plastic sheeting I had hot water poured over me and I saw my attendant wrapping a towel around her hand in a very precise way and she was ready for action.  I got thoroughly loofahed from head to toe!  Then some Chinese Massage that always includes some thumping and slapping, and finally lotion was rubbed on to the skin.  Then I am sent off again to the shower to rinse, and finally I'm given a towel!!!  After drying up I was given a two piece (shorts and a tunic) and a pair of disposable panties.

I felt fabulous and thought we were done, but no then it was off for a 2 hour massage!  We were put in our own private room for 4 along with a TV (there are TV's everywhere in China - in the buses, in taxis, in subway cars).  The massage starting with the face and neck, included the feet, again more thumping and slapping and ended up with the attendant using her feet to massage my back. 

Of course after 1 hour of Shower and Loofah, and 2 hours of massage, one has worked up an appetite again so it was time to head to yet another restaurant for more food and some fruit.  In fact you can stay at this Bath House for 12 hours.  There are billiard tables, computer rooms, TV rooms and a ray of other treatments to try, all for a VERY modest price!