travel souvenirs — part 2

Souvenirs are, literally, memories — and since foreign travel hasn't been happening this year, I've been looking through some of the souvenirs I've brought back home, remembering some of my favorite travel moments.

Claire and I visited China a number of years ago on a wonderful tour hosted by Imperial Tours. Pro tip: don't try to tour China on your own. We don't speak the language and can't read the signs, the traffic is crazy, the crowds are intimidating. If you want to get see all the highlights, you will be immensely grateful for the experienced English-speaking guide who is leading your tour.

Highlighting our experiences in China were: the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall outside Beijing; Xian's Terracotta Warriors; a raft trip on the scenic Li River in Guilin; the immensely interesting French Concession in Shanghai; and our stay at Amanfayun — an ancient Chinese village outside Hangzhou that has been converted into a luxury resort.

We purchased our book of paper cut art in a small shop in Shanghai. It contains twelve art pieces, one for each of the twelve signs of the Sheng Xiao corresponding to the years of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Pictured below is a very colorful illustration of a monkey.

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copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

the ultimate Amanjunkie adventure | 4OCT-21OCT

Be one of just 18 fortunate travelers to enjoy an exclusive private jet journey across Asia. Here's the itinerary, difficult to imagine using scheduled air, but a luxury travel dream when you travel by private jet.

Stay at seven Amanresorts on this 17 night tour that includes most meals. The experience begins when you're met at the Beijing airport with your private chauffeur who will whisk you to Summer Palace (as much as it's possible to whisk anywhere in Beijing). Virtually everything is included until you depart from Sri Lanka at the end of this amazing trip. Here's the itinerary:

4OCT-3NT — Beijing, China. Aman at Summer Palace
walk on the Great Wall of China, visit off-limits areas of the Forbidden City

7OCT-2NT — Hangzhou, China. Amanfayun
enjoy a private cruise on West Lake, visit Longjing Village

9OCT-4NT — Bhutan. Amankora
see the spectacular Tiger's Nest while visiting Thimpu and Paro

11OCT-2NT — Rajasthan, India. Amanbagh
explore the pink city of Jaipur

13OCT-2NT — Ranthambore, India. Aman-i-Khas
take a safari in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger

15OCT-2NT — Galle, Sri Lanka. Amangalla
take a private tour of Galle's ancient fort

17OCT-3NT — Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Amanwella
relax on Sri Lanka's white-sand beaches

How much does it cost? Like they say, if you have to ask the price, it's probably not for you… but this once-in-a-lifetime trip is $49,950. Per person. Will this be something you do in your lifetime? Call or email me!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. This private jet journey is being offered through Remote Lands. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Hangzhou | Lingyin Temple and West Lake

Hangzhou is the most beautiful city in China and the final stop on our trip to China last November. A three-hour drive south of Shanghai, it is the wealthiest city in China. With a population of "only" 4 million, with some lovely wooded areas and a large, beautiful lake (West Lake), most western tourists will feel more at home here. Hangzhou is a worthwhile destination to include on your trip to China.

Lingyin Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples of China, is located outside the city. We spent our two nights in Hangzhou at Amanfayun, an Aman resort adjacent to Lingyin Temple. I took the above picture during an early morning walk around the temple grounds. I was captured by the soft dawn light falling on this small statue of the Buddha. Of course, there is a large Buddha inside the main temple, as well as some stone carvings of Buddha that survived the Cultural Revolution.

West Lake is the large lake in the western section of Hangzhou. We enjoyed a boat ride around the picturesque lake, a fitting way to conclude our trip to China. Alongside our boat was a second boat with two Mandolin players who serenaded us during our cruise. The new Four Seasons Hangzhou is located right on West Lake and is one of the most beautiful Four Seasons hotels I have ever seen.

How to get there: Hangzhou can be reached from air from many cities in China and also has direct flights to/from Hong Kong.


Hangzhou (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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