Destination Training and Updates: China February 2016
China An overview
Population : 1.4 billion People : Chinese Language : Mandarin Currency : Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) Time zone : GMT +8 Hours China Home to the longest continuous history of any country in the world, China is a mesmerizing blend of ancient and contemporary, new and old. Millennium-old temples rub shoulders with futuristic skyscrapers, and traditions deeply rooted in dynastic philosophy play a starring role in the country's ambitious sprint into the 21st Century. Perplexing, frenetic but endlessly compelling, China is a spectacular destination that embodies the energy and adventure of Asia.
China With a continuous history of five millennia, China is a mesmerizing blend of ancient and contemporary, old and new. Locals in this vast and fascinating country remain deeply rooted in dynastic philosophy while its soaring skyscrapers and cityscapes sprint into the 21 st Century. Perplexing and compelling, China is truly a destination ripe for cultural discovery and unforgettable adventures.
China Highlights Hike up the ancient steps along the most iconic structure in the world, The Great Wall. See the Giant Pandas in the Panda Research Centre in Chengdu. Taste the true flavour of the city s most famous dish : the Peking Duck of Beijing. See the unique, 2000 year-old archaeological find, the Terracotta Warriors. Walk the Bund in Shanghai. Walk along the majestic waters of Jiuzhaigou. 5
Beijing Not only is Beijing immense, bustling and mordern, the current political capital is entrenched in history. Home to the Temple of Heave, the Forbidden City, the Old Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and a convenient access point to the Great Wall, the city is a must for any traveler. Shanghai Shanghai boasts a legacy as an influential trading hub, making its architecture a distinctive fusion of the East and West. It became the most prosperous city in East Asia during the 1920s, and was known as a destination for debauchery and extravagance. Now, resurgence as a major financial capital has led to its rapid development, making it one of the biggest cities in the world. 6
Xian The Silk Road begins in this ancient imperial city, past capital and home to 13 dynasties of the Chinese empire. This walled city is also close to the famous Terracotta Warriors, guarding the ancient tomb of the first Qin Emperor. The food in Xi an is also well worth a taste, especially in the Muslim quarter. Chengdu The land of milk & honey, Chengdu is an area known for its abundance of resources, but has topped the to-do lists of travellers thanks to its famous local resident: the giant panda. Chengdu is one of the oldest cities in China with archaeological records dating back over 4,000 years, as well, which makes this agreat destination for history buffs. 7
Guilin Limestone karsts, lakes and rivers abound in the beautiful city of Guilin. Surrounded by majestic landscape, the area is filled with scenic views. The charming neighboring town of Yangshuo is a perfect place to board a cruise along the Li River to take in the magnificent sight of the countryside studded with karsts. Yunnan It s difficult to find a landscape more diverse than that of Yunnan. From snow-covered mountains to lush green rice paddies it has it all. The diversity extends further then just the scenery too, with an extraordinary mix of ethnic groups and unique landmarks. It comes as no surprise that Yunnan is one of the most popular domestic tourism destinations in China. 8
Hangzhou Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province and the local political, economic and cultural center. As the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, the city is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China, a superior position in the Yangtze Delta and only 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Shanghai. Guangzhou Guangzhou (Canton), a prosperous metropolis full of vigor, is the capital city of Guangdong Province located along the south coastline of China. Being an excellent port on the Pearl River navigable to the South China Sea, and with fast accessibility to Hong Kong and Macau, the city serves as the political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural center in Guangdong area. 9
China Map 3h flight (35+ daily) 2h flight (24+ daily) Beijing 2h15m flight (50+ flights per day) 1h35m flight (19+ daily) 1h40m flight (10+ daily) Chengdu 1h35m flight (2+ daily) Yunnan Xian 2h45m flight (7+ daily) Guilin Shanghai 3h20m flight (20+ daily) 10
What s happening? Hotels, restaurants, events
Hotels Raffles Beijing - ***** Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu - **** Grand Hyatt Shanghai - ***** Bell Tower Hotel Xian - **** 12
What s new? Buffalo Tours in Chengdu Buffalo Tours have just developed their own range of tours in Chengdu the home of pandas and incredible food. Ask your local sales team for more information. High speed rail Beijing and Shanghai China's rail operators have added an evening highspeed rail service between Shanghai and Beijing to make it even easier for travellers to decrease their carbon footprint getting around China. Eco Hotel in Guizhou The Mountain Forest Hotel will be built with sustainability in mind it's a way to clean up the surrounding air and inject some green into a country increasingly synonymous with steel and concrete. China Great Wall Some remote parts of the Great Wall of China have been identified for restoration in an attempt to preserve some at-risk parts of the longest manmade structure in the world. 13
Our Tours Local Life and Other Tours
Local Life Tours Experiential, interactive, half or full day tour. SIC for up to 10 PAX. Connects travellers with authentic Asian people & culture. Low environmental impact. A percentage of our revenue goes directly back into local communities. Help preserve and share local communities tradition & heritage. 15
Local Life: China Shanghai French Concession Walk Weave through narrow estate alleyways, mingle with locals in public parks while they practice Tai Chi and sample scrumptious egg tarts after a wander through a buzzing wet market. This is the perfect day-in-the-life of Shanghai's warm and unassuming locals in the city's most idyllic district. Discover an area of the French Concession not in guide books See the locals exercising (Tai Chi/ Water Calligraphy/ Dancing) See the Shanghai food cooked in front of guests, including famous Xiaolong Bao. 16
Local Life: China Shanghai Dine Like A Local Appease your rumbling stomach like the locals do on a nocturnal culinary tour into the heart of Pudong. Follow the lead of an expert local guide through the area's most-loved street food haunts, sampling locally famous delicacies along the way. Visit a genuine residential area of Shanghai Follow the lead of your guide toward a frantic local night market. See how the locals eat each night and where they live. 17
Local Life: China Gourmet Beijing Ghost Street Uncover the secrets behind Beijing's not-sospooky Ghost Street, one of the city's most vibrant and bustling street food enclaves. Meander through the stalls brimming with dumplings, barbeque and savoury desserts while digging into the area's funerary past. Famous area for locals. Daunting to go here as a tourist as there is so little English. Lively area that gives the feel of real Beijing Taste the Peking Duck getting to see it being cooked 18
Local Life: China Beijing Backstreets Stroll through oddball commercial alleyways selling everything from vegetables to artificial legs, chat with locals in unique outdoor exercise parks and meet the man behind Beijing's high-stakes cricket fighting culture on an in-depth, endearing discovery of authentic Beijing life. Visit Discover Bejing s Old Snack shop and tasting Picking up a cup of xuan nai a traditional fermented milk Follow stroll further onward to the family home of the Cricket Master Visit Back Lakes district to see local fishing, swimming and exercising. 19
Other Recommended Tours We have a diverse portfolio of touring products in all destinations across China. Our excellent team on the ground ensure that your clients will connect with the true nature of their destination, in a way that suits them and their interests. Speak to your Buffalo Tours representative for more information on these, or any other tours available. 20
Other Tours : China Longhua Temple and Martyrs Cemetery Visit this ancient third century pagoda, the largest in Shanghai, situated in the middle of park full of peaceful peach blossom and climb its seven stories for a view of the surrounding park. Stop by Longhua Temple, an ancient pagoda with over 1,700 years of history behind it, and the largest temple in Shanghai. Visit Martyrs Cemetery, a sobering site where hundreds of suspected communists were executed in an attempt to end the communist movement. 21
Other Tours : China Fragrant Hills and Botanical Gardens Explore the largest botanical gardens in northern China and enjoy a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Beijing. Beautiful blooms, waterfalls, monuments and feng shui arrangements make a peaceful morning exploration. Delve into Beijing Fragrant Hills Park and soak up the endless nature and colourful flora. Escape the bustling city and explore the intriguing monuments and beautiful feng shui arrangements. 22
Other Tours : China Panda Rescue Center Volunteer Learn about these charming animals from some of the world s leading experts and get a certificate of acknowledgement for your work as a panda volunteer. Take a scenic drive to Dujiangyan Panda Base in Dujiangyan. Get acquainted with the pandas, working closely with the panda keeper. Learn all about the friendly from leading experts and receive a certificate of acknowledgement at the end of your day as a panda volunteer. 23
Other Tours : China Guilin to Longshen Hike the centuries old layers of rice terraces carved along the mountain side. Take in the spectacular views before reaching the summit referred to as the Dragon s Backbone. Trek along age-old rice terraces that cloak the mountainsides of Longsheng. See incredible views of the Dragon s Backbone from the summit, admiring the 13 th Century coils of terraces. 24
Other Tours : China Terracotta Warriors, City Wall & Muslim Street Start your day amongst the famous Terracotta Warriors buried with the First Qin Emperor over 2,000 years ago. Hear about its accidental discovery by a local farmer before wandering around its earthen pits. See the ancient Terracotta Army, created to protect the emperor in the afterlife. Stop by the city mosque and learn about the Hui people, a Muslim ethnic minority. Stroll through the Muslim district and visit eclectic boutiques and a butcher shop. 25
Other Tours : China River Yangtze Cruise Explore the rich and vibrant landscape of the famous Three Gorges on this breathtaking cruise along the winding Yangtze River. Uncover the secrets of this important natural border through rural China on an unforgettable journey along the third longest river in the world. Cruise through the beautiful scenery lining the River Yangtze. Explore the Three Gorges of Xiling, Wu and Qutang which boast over 100 miles of stunning natural scenery. Climb Ming Mountain to explore Fengdu Ghost City, an area filled with unusual architecture and statues based on the underworld. 26
Other Tours : China Ancient Hangzhou Discover the ancient past of Hangzhou with visits to a diverse mix of famous sites. Visit the home of the richest person in the late Qing dynasty, the oldest colorful bronze pagoda in China and the country s first state-level professional silk museum on this full day tour. Explore a diverse mix of interesting sights. Discover the history of this ancient city. Enjoy stories from your knowledgeable guide. 27
Other Tours : China Beautiful Hangzhou Visit the tranquil Gu Hill and Leifeng Pagoda, the oldest colorful bronze pagoda in China, before taking a cruise around the West Lake. After a delicious local lunch, transfer to Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou s most famous Buddhist temple, which boasts hundreds of stonecarved Buddha statues. Visit some of Hangzhou s most spiritual sites. Enjoy the tranquility of Hangzhou s natural scenery. Learn about Chinese Buddhism. 28
Bringing it all together A truly unique journey
The Wonders of China 12D Discover the very best of magnificent China in a whirlwind highlights journey to its most famous landmarks and icons. Set sail along the Li River, witness the glittering city skyline of vibrant Shanghai, explore the country s 5000-year story in historic Beijing and trek the towering rice terraces of Longsheng on this dynamic journey. Dive into the fascinating metropolis of Shanghai with a guided stroll along the Bund. Set off on a leisurely cruise of the Four Lakes and along the Li River. Visit Tiananmen Square and explore the depths of the Forbidden City for a fascinating glimpse at China s past lives. 30
Why work with us? Buffalo Tours and our partners
Why partner with us? Hotel partnership Competitive pricing Unique product Own vehicles and boats Buffalo tours own operations Professional reservation staff Sales & marketing support IT resources 32
Changing Lives through Travel 33