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.

China next time | up close and personal

China is a fascinating destination, and your first trip should include iconic attractions like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace in Beijing; the Terracotta Warriors and Underground Museum in Xi'an; and the Bund and French Concession in Shanghai.

But your next trip to China should take you beyond the mega-sized cities to get up close and personal with aspects of traditional Chinese culture. Wild China, one of our valued Virtuoso partners, tries to do just that. Here are three of their specially designed tours that really spoke to me!

1. Yunnan Gastronomic Tour — Eat with local families, visit lively markets with, and be introduced to the best of the best that Yunnan food has to offer! Tip freshly sliced meats, vegetables, and a pheasant egg into a steaming bowl of “Across the Bridge Noodles” or dip Dali’s famous fried goat cheese into a sweet powder. 10 days, from $5,869 per person.

2. Guilin: into the Scroll — Step into a classical scroll painting in Guilin, whose harmonious landscape has inspired the brushstrokes of traditional Chinese landscaping for centuries. 5 days, from $1,950 per person.

3. Old Country Living — With fairytale images of rustic lakeside farmsteads, terraced rice paddies, jagged karst peaks, and vibrant ethnic villages, the southwest provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi are home to China's most dreamlike scenery. 12 days, from $5,550 per person.

We'd love to help you plan your own bespoke itinerary to China, whether it's a first-time trip to see the classic highlights or your next trip to explore the mystery and beauty of less explored regions.

copyright (c) 2017 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.

Chinese Treasures | small group tour of China

This looks like a fabulous itinerary. You'll picnic atop the Great Wall, get up close with Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and view Chengu's giant pandas, meditate with a Taoist daoshi, and travel the ancient tea road in remote Yunnan. And when you book, I'll get you complimentary tea for two at the Aman Summer Palace in Beijing.

Beijing - days 1-4. Explore the imposing Forbidden City, where emperors ruled for 500 years • Weave your way through Beijing's ancient, interwoven hutong alleys • Explore your creative side by trying various traditional activities such as Chinese yo-yo • Hike up Jingshan and take in a commanding view over the Forbidden City • Wander the popular neighborhoods around Houhai. • Enjoy a picnic on the majestic Great Wall, built to protect China's heartland from invaders • Optional: visit Beijing's trendy 798 Art District • Test your skills at the delicate art of water calligraphy at the Temple of Heaven • Swing by the Olympic Park • Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Summer Palace, where tranquil waters, green foliage and imperial buildings converge

Xi'an - days 5-6. Learn the calming art of taichi in a private lesson on Xi'an's ancient city wall • Visit the grand Taoist Temple of the Eight Immortals • View the proudly unflinching Terracotta Warriors from a special VIP deck • Learn about Xi'an's 1,300 year old Muslim community by visiting the Great Mosque • Walk on a glass walkway above countless terracotta figurines and burial objects in the Hanyang Tombs

Chengdu - days 6-8. Wander through the bustling "broad and narrow" alleys, a refurbished historical area • Marvel at the rapid skill of "face-changing" at a Sichuan Opera show • View China's iconic, cuddly panda at Bifengxia Giant Panda Base • Explore the hidden, verdant village of Shangli

Dali - days 8-10. Learn the process of making China's most famous drink in a tea plantation at the foot of the soaring Cang Mountain • Travel back in time by walking around Dali's picturesque old town, a mixture of pagodas, red lanterns and mountains • Join a traditional "Three Course Tea" ceremony with members of the Bai minority. • Immerse yourself in the traditional Bai architecture of Xizhou, characterized by ornate gateways and honeycomb patterns • Learn the secrets of making rushan, a local cheese • Hike up Taoist Weibao ("Magnificent Treasure") Mountain, where you will learn to meditate with a Taoist master • Retrace the steps of traders past along the Ancient Tea and Horse Road to a Chinese Muslim village

Lijiang - days 11-12. Continue along the Ancient Tea and Horse Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang, taking a break in the historical market town of Shaxi • Explore the small paths and canals that weave through Lijiang's Old Town

Shanghai (optional extension) - days 13-14. Experience a snapshot of local life by walking around Fuxing Park, a meeting spot for fitness dancers and tai chi enthusiasts • Travel back to Shanghai's stylish 1930s as you stroll or take a vintage sidecar ride through the tree-lined avenues of the French Concession • Visit the chic area of Xintiandi • Either explore modern art studios in the trendy, bohemian area of Tianzifang or visit the Shanghai Museum, a veritable treasure trove of Chinese artifacts

The tour includes stays at the best luxury hotels such as the new Rosewood Beijing. Call me for more information on this group tour or to customize your own private trip to China.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. 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.

Xi'an … terracotta warriors and more

Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China and is China's former capital. While many folks go just for the terracotta warriors (which is an amazing sight - see my photo above), Xi'an is a destination well worth two nights. This gives you one day to see the warriors, ride a bike around the ancient city walls which encircle the core of the city, and explore the downtown area.

Don't miss what most tourists never see before leaving Xi'an — the Hanyangling Museum. Housing the mausoleum of the western Han emperor Liu Qi … the most fascinating section of the museum is underground. Visitors literally walk on glass floors in this underground museum, viewing a vast archeological dig with countless clay figures which were buried with the emperor.

terracotta warriors (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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