Trip To China

China Tour is so appealing to those who are interested in eastern civilization. China has become an invariable choice for one's tour schedule, with the booming development of the country's economy and tourism. As a reliable online tour operator based in China, we specialize in organizing outstanding China tours. Combining years of experience and a deep understanding of Chinese culture, we create fantastic China tour packages for you to enjoy the rich history, exotic life style and breathtaking landscapes of China. Whether you are planning your first trip to China or returning to explore more insights, we are ready with hundreds of tour routes to make your dream China vacation come true. Here you can find budget group China tours or luxury private vacation plans. Except elaborately pre-designed China tour packages, we also work on customized tour that is organized based on your preferences and needs. Welcome to contact us: www.itourschina.com; www.itourbeijing.com

Tianjin Port to Beijing Coach transfer on 27th, Feb

Our first coach transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing this year has finished successfully on Monday, 27th,Feb. Our passengers are all from Diamond Princess Cruise Ship(this public coach transfer only aims at passengers from Diamond Princess). February is still winter time in China (north part). It was cold and breezy on Monday morning at Tianjin Xingang port, but our guide and driver have arrived at Tianjin International cruise home port for a while before the pick up time set with passengers.

Gate 3 of the Tianjin Xingang port terminal is the exit for passengers to meet their guides and drivers. Similar as the scene at airport terminal, many people waited for their coming clients in queue at Gate 3 holding different welcome/name signs. Well, the busy and noisy atmosphere there was a stark contrast to the cold temperature. The meeting time set with clients is 8:30am. But the first pair of couple has come out before 8:00am. After collecting all passengers, it had been around 8:30am. Our coach departed Tianjin Xingang port around 9:00am after checking passengers’ information again.

The bus stopped first at Tianjin airport for few passengers, then headed for Beijing downtown. It took about 3 hours for the long journey. Along the road, the bus stopped by a service area on the expressway for all to take a break. It had been noon time after the coach arrived in Beijing. Upon arrival, all passengers were send to respective hotels safe and sound. A happy ending for this trip and Itourbeijing is preparing for the next coach transfer service from Tianjin Port to beijing on March 30,2012.

Ensuring you a smooth and comfortable trip, Itourbeijing.com is looking forward for your participation. Welcome to contact www.itourbeijing.com if you have any question about Tianjin port Beijing transfer!

Tibetan Taboo And Custom

Posted on January 21, 2011 by itourbeijing

Every ethnic minority has their special cultures and living-habits. Tibetans is an old and passionate ethnic minority. During the long history, Tibetans have formed their own customs and taboos. With unique culture and religion, Tibetans have different ways of behavior in many aspects. It will be good for you to know these taboos before your Tibet tour. The following advices might help you have a nice trip in Tibet:
Tibetan Customs and Taboos Related to Daily Life:
(A) Tibetan people do not eat horse, dog and donkey meat and also do not eat fish in some areas, so please respect their diet habits.
(B) Eagles are the sacred birds in Tibetan culture. You should not drive them away or injure them. Do not relieve yourself near any cattle pens, horse stables, or sheepfolds. On the outskirts, and do not drive or disturb the sheep or cows with red, green or yellow cloth strips on because these animals are the Tibetan sacrifice to worship gods.
(C) It is impolite to spit in front of or behind others or clapping hands behind others.
(D) Do not throw any bones into fire. Do not touch other’s head by hand. Do not use paper with Tibetan characters as tissue to wipe off mess with the paper.
(E) Remember not to step on the threshold when entering the tent or house.
(F) Please add “La” behind the name when you call someday to express respect.
(G) If you are asked to sit down, please cross your legs, do not stretch your legs forward and face your sole to others.
(H) In the tent, men sit on the left side, and women on the right side.
(I) You should accept the gift with both hands. While presenting the gift you should bend your body forward and hold the gift higher than your head with both hands.
(J) When the host presents you a cup of wine; you should dip your ring finger in the wine and flick the wine into the sky, in the air and to the ground respectively to express your respects to the heaven, the earth and the ancestors before sipping the wine. The host will fill the cup, and you take a sip of the wine again. After the host fills your cup for the forth time, you have to bottom it up.
(K) Please keep quiet on the top of mountains. It is believed that loud noise will result in heavy snow, storms or hail.
Customs and Taboos Related to Religion:
(A) A monastery cannot be entered without permission.
(B) Once inside a monastery, don’t smoke or take photos; do not touch, walk over or sit on any religious texts, objects or prayer flags in monasteries.
(C) Don’t wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery. Take your hat off when you go into a monastery.
(D) Walk clockwise around a monastery, mani stones, pagodas, or other religious structures. Prayer wheels should also be turned clockwise.
(E) Keep quiet during religious ceremonies in the monastery.
(F) When meeting a lama, it is not appropriate to hug him or shake hands with him. The proper way is to hold the two hands upright, palms together in front of the chest, and lower the head. Don’t talk with them on sensitive topics, such as marriage and the eating of meat.
With the fast developing tourism, the above rules are not obeyed as strictly as before. But it will be good for you to follow the advice during you travel in Tibet.

China Tour-Beijing Travel

Beijing, the capital of China, has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Having served as the capital of the country for more than 800 years, Beijing is the nation’s political, cultural, scientific, international trade and communication center as well as a key transportation hub. The long history and profound culture have endowed Beijing with incomparable charm. Beijing, a fascinating mixture of old and new, is so attractive for travelers with many must-see places of historic interest and scenic beauty.

 The Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the largest and the most magnificent and splendid intact palace complex in the world. As one of five world-famous palaces, it shares the honor with the Palace of Versailles in France, The Great Wall of China is one of the largest defensive projects ever constructed and a symbol of Chinese civilization. This impressive wonder has witnessed the up and down of the earth, yet still remaining in the world.The Summer Palace is the largest and most famous imperial garden in China. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD Ming Dynasty and enlarged in the Qing Dynasty, three times larger than the Forbidden City. The temple was for emperors of the two dynasties to worship heaven and pray for rich harvest.

Apart from the most popular travel attractions, Beijing also offer plenty historic sites like the Hutong areas, museums, temples, former residence of celebrities and the fantastic Kungfu shows, acrobatic shows, etc. Olympic venues, like the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, have become new highlights for travelers to Beijing after 2008. With so many wonderful attractions, it’s no need to worry about what to see in your Beijing Tour.

Beijing also features its cuisines. Among them, the most famous one is Beijing Roast Duck. It is deemed to be one of the important things that must be experienced in any trip to Beijing. Besides, Beijing is also an ideal place for shopping. Silk Market, is a famous shopping destination for shoppers and bargain hunters. In brief, there are much more to expect in Beijing. A Beijing Tour, the vast and fast changing city, could well be a very fascinating experience. Other China Tours at itourschina.com.

Chinese Laba Festival

China Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month, usually falls in mid-January. The majority Han Chinese have long followed the tradition of eating Laba rice porridge / congee on the Laba Festival.

China has many traditional festivals, which is an important part of Chinese culture.

Though most Chinese treat Laba Festival as a reminder of the approaching Chinese New Year, very few aware of its Buddhist origin. Han Buddhism was well accepted in the areas inhabited Han Chinese, who believed that Sakyamuni, the first Buddha and founder of the religion, attained enlightenment on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month. Laba festival was originally used to celebrate the day when Sakyamuni experienced his first revelation after six years of practicing asceticism, surviving on one meal of rice congee every day.

Laba Rice Porridge was prepared on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in courts, officials’ mansions, temples and common people’s homes, since it was first introduced to China in the Song Dynasty about 900 years ago. This custom became more prevalent in the Qing Dynasty. On this day, the emperor, empress and princes in the royal court would bestow Laba Rice Porridge to ministers and attendants. Also, they would give out rice, fruits and other materials to monks in temples. Meanwhile, every common family would cook Laba Rice Porridge and offer sacrifice to their ancestors.

Where to eat Laba rice porridge in Beijing? Yonghegong Lama Temple is very crowded on Laba Festival. Sutras were chanted and rice porridge with beans, nuts and dried fruit was prepared for the Buddha, believers and the public. Though, the tradition of eating laba porridge was based in religion, with time the food itself became a popular winter dish especially in cold northern China. So if you are taking a Beijing Tour right on Laba Festival, don’t forget to have a bowl of Laba rice porridge.

Best Time to travel Beijing

Beijing presents different features for its clear distinction of four seasons: – short windy spring, long hot summer, cool pleasant autumn and long chilly winter. The hottest time is July and August, with the highest temperature over 40  C (104  F). The coldest month is January, with its lowest temperature at -20  C (-4  F).
Considering the frequent sandstorms in spring,  the best time to visit Beijing is the autumn months between September and November which have the best weather and fewer tourists. Winter, may for people from the tropical areas who see rare snow scenery is an exciting time to Beijing. But just aware that the beautiful snow may block the way to the Great Wall. Anyway, most of the city’s tourist attractions are historical sites that are not affected by the change of season. Therefore, tourists can come to Beijing all year round.
More details at itourbeijing.com. We are glad to charge for your Beijing Tour, Beijign transportation and Beijing hotel reservation .

Beijing Taxi-Beijing Airport Transfer

Beijing Taxis are metered, start at tenRMB (Chinese Currency). So just get in the taxi and pay the fare when you get out. The machine will also print out receipts automatically for you if you need it. Note that taxis cannot stop anywhere they want. Try a side street or look for a taxi stand. If you know which way you want to be going, catch a taxi on the correct side of the road as it will be faster.
But problem is that most of the drivers cannot speak English. If you want to your Beijing Tour more convenient or you need the airport transfer service, itourbeijing.com is your best choice. As a professional travel agency, We are ready to provide the Beijing Coach Tour and the Airport transfer service, other Beijing transportation and vehicle rental and various Beijing Tour for you. Such like Great Wall Tour, Hutong Tour, Museum Tour, etc. Please check more information at itourbeijing.com.