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Best of Shanghai Day Tour including Jade Buddha Temple…

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From £43.00
Location: Shanghai, China
Rating: based on 66 reviews

See all the main sites of Shanghai, ‘Paris of the Orient’. Your fully guided coach tour includes lunch as well as entry into the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Bund and Bund History Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Fresh Water Pearl Gallery, a silk factory and Xin Tian Di, Shanghai’s entertainment district.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Great overview and orientation of the city
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Led by a local guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

Your tour begins with Jade Buddha Temple. Built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1875-1909), it contains a priceless collection of jade statues from Burma. The temple is constructed in the magnificent architectural style of the Song Dynasty. Currently the temple houses the Shanghai Buddhist Institute.

Next stop is Fresh Water Pearl Gallery. You’ll see the process of pearl cultivation and you may be the lucky participant to be presented with a single pearl.

People Square, in the heart of the city is a vast green area surrounded by great buildings on all sides. Here you have the opportunity to feed the doves to pray for the world peace. Shanghai Museum is a highlight of the tour. The museum design is in keeping with Feng Shui principles. It houses a great permanent collection and hosts various exhibitions with over 120,000 pieces that showcases the 5000 years of China’s history. We recommend you rent an audio phone (USD 5) to make the most of your 1.5 hours’ visit.

After lunch, visit the enchanting Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Street. The garden includes many halls, springs and other buildings of interest. The visit brings you back to Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644).

Continue to the Bund on Shanghai’s waterfront. The Bund is Shanghai’s most famous landmark and a symbol of old and new Shanghai. Four kilometres long, it has long been one of the most important areas of Shanghai. In the 1930s, the Bund was host to the city’s financial and commercial centres.

At the silk factory, see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century. There is also the option to purchase the silk at low prices. After a drive along the former French Concession District, characterized by beautiful, tree-lined streets wander through Shanghai’s hottest new entertainment district, Xin Tian Di. The brick buildings on these two-square blocks have been preserved and transformed into trendy clubs, restaurants and boutiques.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from Shanghai hotels (cruise port pickup not available)

Departure Time: 8.00am – Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pick up time. Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

Return Details: Returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Excellent service. Very very helpful tourist guide – Excellent job Miss Rita.

Reviewed by: Andrew Y, Canada

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China

Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Village Day Tour from Shanghai

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From £67.00
Location: Shanghai, China
Rating: based on 67 reviews

Visit two picturesque Chinese towns, Suzhou and Zhouzhuang on a day tour from Shanghai. You’ll see how daily life has remained unchanged over the centuries in these unique old towns. Visit Suzhou’s magnificent gardens, feast on a Chinese lunch and travel through Zhouzhuang’s waterways on a Chinese-style gondola.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Day trip (destination A to B)
Travel by boat and see the sights from the water
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Led by a local guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

Founded in around 600 B.C., Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and is known for its beautiful gardens. With its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment, the city is often referred to as the Venice of the East . Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, your first stop is the Net Master Garden, the town’s best example of a model Ming Dynasty garden. The gardens embody the harmonious principles of Chinese garden construction, which dictate that gardens should re-create a microcosm of the universe in a confined space.

After enjoying Suzhou’s gardens, you’ll view the town’s ancient city wall and Grand Canal. You’ll also take a tour of a silk-spinning factory to see how Chinese silk has been produced since the 14th century.

After lunch, it’s time to visit the water village of Zhouzhuang and board a Chinese-style gondola to cruise the town’s beautiful waterways. Zhouzhuang’s simple, well-preserved architecture dates back more than 900 years. The majority of residences were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and nearly 100 classic courtyards and 60 carved-brick archways are still in use. In this water village, locals live their life on the waterways, continuing to carry out everyday activities on the water, from washing clothes to shopping from vendors in boats.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from Shanghai hotels (cruise port pickup not available)

Departure Time: 7:45am – Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pick up time. Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

Return Details: Returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

The day tour to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang was better than anticipated. Coming at the end of a jam packed tour of China, I was so excited at the quieter and simplistic tour with Viator. Helen our guide, and her driver, were very capable two people. Our trip was timely and full of content. It was a little doubtful how we would connect, as we registered late as a tour in Shanghai, but I had confidence that contact would be made, and Viator lived up to my expectations. I would highly recommend this side trip both for its beauty and charm. Well worth the day spent outside of Shanghai and thanks to our guide, very personal view of life in China.

Reviewed by: Patricia R

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Wildlife Park lures Shangri-La Hotels

Hong Kong based Shangri-La hotels has looked at two sites including one close to a well-known wildlife reserve in southern Sri Lanka to site its second proposed hotel, an official at the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority said today.

Deputy Minister for economic development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said visiting Shangri-La officials had examined a second site close to the Yala national park and nature reserve on the south eastern coast.

The Yala National Park is well renowned for its leopards and elephants. Shangri-La is also considering another location close to the new super port being built at Hambantota, on the island’s southern tip, he said.

The international hotel chain will select one of the two sites, Abeywardene said. The hotel group is expected to start work in three months on its first hotel in Sri Lanka, which is to be built on recently acquired state land close to the popular Galle Face Green promenade in the capital Colombo. Shangri-La Colombo will be the country’s first seven (7) star hotel property, which is to cost US$ 500 million, and is set to become the number one “luxury” hotel property in South Asia.

“Shangri-La plans to start work on their second hotel in Hambantota / Yala after starting the Colombo project,” Abeywardene said.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka the “Wonder of Asia” at New York…

Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines have taken part in North America’s premier travel event “The New York Times Travel Show” held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre in New York City from February 25-27, 2011.

The show attracted over 16,000 travel professionals and enthusiasts as well as over 600 exhibitors representing more than 150 countries. This year the event is expected to draw over 40,000 highly coveted consumers and 7,000 trade professionals. Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines have consistently participated at the show since its inauguration.

Sri Lanka’s participation at the The New York Times Travel Show also included a cultural presentation of flair. The world renowned Sri Lankan Dance troupe, “Channa-Upuli,” flown in courtesy of SriLankan Airlines performed on Saturday and Sunday at the Asia Stage which is one of six cultural pavilions at the show featuring live performances and culinary presentations from around the world.

The highly rated American News Channel (NY 1) featured a live performance “Making of the Lion dance” by the Channa-Upuli Dance Troupe.

Travel to Sri Lanka has increased dramatically in the past year, up 50 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase is credited to the successful conclusion of Sri Lanka’s conflict against terrorism in May 2009, and a series of favourable travel articles praising Sri Lanka as a premiere destination. Publications giving Sri Lanka top travel rankings include The New York Times, National Geographic Traveller, and the websites Daily Candy and Lonely Planet.

While about 650,000 tourists arrived in 2010 (compared to less than 500,000 in 2009), Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority predicts 2.5 million visitors by 2016.

(Pictures by Sagara Lakmal De Mel)

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka rediscovered

After 25 years of staying away, a couple from Finland Jukka and Leppnen had the chance to revisit Sri Lanka, where they spent many years working on a development project in the region of Kandy in the early 1980s.

The duo in an email to Lakbimanews said of their visit to Sri Lanka. “During the past 25 years the world has changed a lot. Some countries have benefited more than others from the global structural revolution. In Sri Lanka the development has not been very rapid due to difficult years of war and natural disasters. During our two month stay we discovered this beautiful island to be in a process of rebuilding the devastated areas and reconstructing economic and social infrastructure. These are the basic requirements for economic development and for opening the country for tourism at its full capacity. We were happy to observe that overcoming these problems seems to be in good progress, and that the Sri Lankans have seemingly not lost their pleasure in life and their confidence in a better future – admirable qualities which we have always associated with the Sri Lankan people”.

“Sri Lanka has a lot of potential and possibilities to offer foreign tourism, but the changing conditions in Sri Lanka certainly form a challenge for the travel industry. Travelling culture is changing with the new generation of budget travellers, who give more weight to the price service value of exciting and adventurous excursions than to the way of travelling and luxury facilities.

During our recent trip we rediscovered many of the sights, events and places which we have cherished in our hearts for so long. We were able to once again enjoy the small roadside stalls and boutiques, interesting fish and vegetable markets and the almost intoxicating odours of fresh spices. For us one of the most enjoyable things in Sri Lanka is the local kitchen, which is full of delightful surprises just like the island itself. With its vibrant colours and fragrant aromas it is just irresistible to us. It is wonderful to experience how every dish, from rice and curries, hoppers and rottis to chutneys, desserts and cakes, makes use of the country’s bounty of fresh spices”.

“We have been lucky to travel and live in many countries for longer periods of time. For us the most precious moments in all the different cultures we learned to know are those spent with local people, sharing their everyday life. These valuable experiences have offered us interesting points of view and made it possible for us to evaluate the condition and services of a country in a way very different to the one of luxury travellers. Friends, old and new, have helped us in building up an impression of the present and most importantly they have made us feel at home”.

“Sri Lanka has become the love of our lives”.

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Sri Lanka

Indians among top tourists to Sri Lanka

The booming tourism industry in Sri Lanka has recorded another 30 per cent jump for the first two months of this year, with Indians topping the list of holiday makers to the island nation.

The total number of foreign tourists visiting the island jumped to 139,994 in January and February, up from 108,057 for the corresponding period the previous year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism statistics released last week.

Indian tourists were the largest single group of foreign holiday makers to visit the island. The number of Indians rose by 36.1 per cent to reach 23,857 for the two-month period compared to 17,524 last year.

British tourists are also on the rise, becoming the number two in terms of number of visitors. The number of Britons rose to 19,132 compared to 18,928 during the first two months of last year.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is booming after the end of nearly three decades of ethnic conflict on the island in May 2009.

The island hopes to receive over 700,000 tourists this year compared to the record 650,000 arrivals in 2010, the Economic Times reports.

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Sri Lanka

SriLankan Airlines Serendib Lounge at BIA is amongst the…

SriLankan Airlines has transformed its plush ‘Serendib’ Business Class Lounge at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) into one of the most technologically advanced airport lounges in the world by investing in state of the art systems of entertainment, business and information.

The enhancement of the Serendib Lounge facilities is one of the many steps taken by the National Carrier in support of the country’s aviation and tourism industry, which the Government views as catalysts in the country’s future economic growth plans. BIA, already reputed as the finest airport in South Asia, is currently undergoing yet another phase of expansion to add even more facilities apart from its modern aero bridges, new arrivals and departures terminals, new pier, elegant airport hotel, and well-stocked duty free centre.

SriLankan’s Head of Service Delivery, G.T.Jeyaseelan, said: “At SriLankan we are constantly seeking to innovate in order to provide our passengers with the very best in comfort and convenience. That’s on top of our world renowned reputation for the highest standards in service, both in the air and on the ground.”

SriLankan Airlines last year won two Platinum Awards from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the air travel industry’s global governing body, for its use of sophisticated technology to advance its business and passenger convenience. They included one for its operations at BIA where it is the sole ground handler for all airlines; and another for being one of the first airlines in the world to introduce a major innovation to tickets – the 2D Bar Coded Boarding Passes Programme.

SriLankan’s Head of Information Technology Kamal Nanayakkara said: “We at SriLankan take great pride in being in the forefront of cutting edge technology for the benefit of our passengers. Although we are a small airline, we are definitely up there with the large airlines when it comes to having the latest technology.”

SriLankan was also recently honoured by Microsoft Sri Lanka as an ‘Early Implementer of Technology’; and won a Merit Award at the National Best Quality Software Awards 2010 (NBQSA), which recognises innovations in Information Technology.

Among the exciting new additions are two giant television screens – 55-inch LED backlit screens – which give you the feeling of being in a mini-movie theatre. They are connected to a sophisticated Blue Ray Home Theatre System and there’s a well-stocked Movie Library to choose your favourite blockbusters from Hollywood and Bollywood.

There’s also a Satellite TV with about a hundred channels to choose from for news, sports, music, children’s channels, nature, local channels, and movies. SriLankan has even added Bose Mini Music Players in each of the three resting rooms in the lounge.

Kids, and the young at heart, will also love the Microsoft X-Box Gaming Console which is the last word in gaming entertainment.

SriLankan certainly hasn’t forgotten the needs of business travellers, adding a Digital Camera with a Photo Printer so you can easily shoot and print high quality photos. There are also Portable I-Pads with Wifi connectivity; and a high quality Laser Colour Printer connected to a Fax. Also the lounge has provisioned business desktops to passengers to continue their most needed business communication matters until the flight is ready for boarding. This includes an all new Apple iMac which delights all Apple lovers in entertainment as well as business travelers. Added to all, touch screen Skype phone with audio and video call facility is also available on lounge so that the passengers can simply take their Skype call without costing any charge.

Passengers also have the benefit of two 46-inch display screens for Flight Information to stay abreast of the latest flight timings.

The Serendib Lounge is for the use of all of SriLankan Airlines’ Business Class passengers – in transit, arrival or departure. It already has a reputation as one of the finest lounges in the region with its luxurious furniture including reclining armchairs, superior ambience, wide range of cuisine and beverages including beer on tap and a selection of specialty teas and coffees, panoramic view of the airport’s apron through floor to ceiling viewing glass, and convenient location within BIA.

Breaking the concept of a traditional lounge, the SriLankan Airlines ‘Serendib’ Business Class Lounge is soon to expect ‘Microsoft Surface’, the interactive lounge table that offers surface computing platform responds to natural hand gestures and real world objects. It has a 360-degree user interface and contains fun filled entertaining applications that passengers can interact – just like they are using a computer.

Other features of the Serendib Lounge are the Siddhalepa massage service, showers, and separate area for smokers.

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Guilin Airport Transfer: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip

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From £65.00
Location: Guilin, China

Ensure you have a smooth stay in China by planning your airport shuttle transfers ahead of time? Let the professional, English speaking staff look after you when you arrive in Guilin. Travel in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles to and from your hotel. Just look out for your name and let the professional team do the rest!

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Meet and greet service
Roundtrip – shared shuttle transfer from airport (KWL) to hotel / return

You will be met at Guilin Airport when you clear airport customs and driven directly to the Guilin hotel. Singles, couples or groups, your ground transportation needs can all be covered by this airport shuttle service.

Upon your return transfer simple meet your driver at a prearranged time in the foyer of your hotel to be transferred to Guilin Airport for your departure flight.

The service offers the experience of veteran drivers, with a minimum three years’ professional driving experience.

Schedule

Departure Point: Guilin International Airport – You will be greeted by a representative after you have cleared airport customs. Just look for your name.

Your Guilin city hotel: Confirm your exact pick up time (for departure) from your hotel 24-hour prior to departure

Departure Time: 24 hours a day to meet your flight times

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

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China

Guilin Half Day Tour including Li River, Reed Flute…

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From £37.00
Location: Guilin, China
Rating: based on 2 reviews

Short on time? Then this half-day sightseeing tour of Guilin is perfect. Visit the hot spots of Guilin and its magical surroundings in a short but sweet 3 – 4 hour morning or afternoon city tour. Highlights include Elephant Hill, reed Flute Cave and Fubu Hill. Take in the major sights of Guilin, without it taking up all your time! Choose from a morning or afternoon departure.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Choice of morning or afternoon departure
Comprehensive tour of the city
All entrance fees included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

Guilin and the nearby Li River display some of the most unique and beautiful terrain in all of China. This half-day tour showcases some of the geographic and cultural highlights in the city of Guilin itself.

Your adventure starts at Fubo Hill which has both natural beauty and historic art. Beginning in the Tang Dynasty, local artisans created intricate carvings and elegant stone Buddha’s. From here it’s on to Reed Flute Cave to see the impressive natural beauty of its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Locals call this cave the “Palace of Natural Arts,” for reasons you’ll soon discover. Next will be a stop at a local pearl market for rest, refreshments and shopping.

Then you will visit the centrepiece of Guilin’s riverside park, Elephant Hill. Nature created this marvel some 3.5 million years ago and its shape resembles an elephant drinking water through its trunk. Finish your tour with a vigorous climb up the hill to take in the panoramic scenery of the city, river and surrounding countryside.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from Guilin hotels (cruise port pickup not available)

Departure Time: 8:30am / 2:30pm — Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pick up time.

Return Details: Returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Our hotel was pretty close to Elephant Hill so we really chose this primarily for the Reed Flute Cave. We were not disappointed at all. Even though we had high expectations of the Reed Flute Cave, we were still incredibly impressed.

Reviewed by: Michelle C, Canada

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China

Guilin Full Day Tour including Fubo Hill, Reed Flute…

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From £59.00
Location: Guilin, China
Rating: based on 3 reviews

The scenery of Guilin has been called “the most magnificent under heaven”. Guilin is famous for the verdant beauty of nearby mountains, elegant waterways, magnificent crags and fantastic caverns. Experience the best of Guilin on this full day sightseeing tour including Fubo Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Hill, Solitary Beauty Peak, Mansion of Prince Jingjiang and Seven Star Park.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Comprehensive tour of the city
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

Your full-day Guilin city tour begins with two attractions that features sculpted stone: one carved by man and the other by nature. At Fubo Hill, you will stroll along the pathways to see intricate carvings and stone Buddha’s dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Then it’s on to Reed Flute Cave, one of the main attractions in Guilin, this is a must-see, it’s where nature has sculpted the “Palace of Natural Arts,” beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations, illuminated by colourful lights.

After a leisurely stop to shop for local pearls, jewellery and crafts, it’s on to the symbolic centre of the city, Elephant Hill. Resembling an elephant drinking water through its trunk, this monolithic hill is approximately 3.5 million years old, with stairs to climb for a bird’s eye view of Guilin. After lunch you will visit Solitary Beauty Peak and the ancient home of a nobleman in the Ming Dynasty. Here you’ll tour the Mansion of Prince Jingjiang and stroll along the scenic waterways of nearby Seven Star Park.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from your Guilin hotel

Departure Time: 8:30am

Return Details: Tour returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Good tour. The caves is beautiful.

Reviewed by: Yves S, France

BOOK HOTELS IN GUILIN, CHINA