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Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Ticket Update
Posted Jan 18th 2010 5:51p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Tickets for the 2010 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens (March 26-28) sold out in a matter of hours over the weekend. But that only represents the tiny fraction of tickets which are open to the public. The vast majority of ticket are tied up with local rugby clubs, travel agents and ... Read more »

Where Am I Going for Chinese New Year? Chiang Rai in Thailand
Posted Jan 18th 2010 11:30a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

People always want to know where the travel editor takes his holidays, so here goes. This Spring Festival I am heading to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is over and done, overrun by backpackers, druggies and package tourists. The city gets upwards of a million ... Read more »

Vancouver's Winter Olympics Are Closer and Cheaper Than You Think
Posted Jan 4th 2010 11:14a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

If you think you’re totally over the Olympics, think again. For those in the know, the Winter Olympics are the fun, festive and cheap versions of the ones Beijing held a year and a half ago. And, guess what, there are plenty of tickets yet to be had for ... Read more »

Spring Festival Travel Idea: Losar
Posted Dec 21st 2009 11:18a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Now is prime time to plan your Chinese New Year travel. This year, forget the beach and go for something spiritual and cultural. Something like Losar.

Losar is Tibetan New Year. It’s a two-week celebration which, this year, coincides with Chinese New Year (February 14). It’s a major ... Read more »

China's Premier Surf Competition Returns to Sanya
Posted Oct 14th 2009 12:10p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

The Surfing Hainan Open is back for its second year, Nov. 6-8 at Riyuewan Bay, an hour away from Sanya proper. It’s a legit competition with super pro surfers expected to show the locals how it’s done. The first Open was held in January this year, check the ... Read more »

Qingdao Beer Fest Launches Next Week
Posted Aug 5th 2009 5:48p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

On August 15, the annual Qingdao Beer Festival kicks open the taps. It may not be quite as raucous as Munich in October, but with Tsingtao Beer, ocean waves, cool breeze, and blue sky, China’s best beer festival is the premier way to celebrate the last days of summer ... Read more »

Checking out Changchun’s Elaborate Fake Forbidden City
Posted Jul 20th 2009 5:08p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

One thousand kilometers northeast of the Forbidden City sits an elaborate impostor. Though designed along the lines of the original, Changchun’s version has additions not included in Beijing’s, like a bomb shelter dug under a hill, an outdoor swimming pool and surveillance equipment used to spy on the ... Read more »

Tripping Out with CTrip
Posted Apr 27th 2009 11:28a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Ctrip has made a couple of significant moves this year, specifically targeting the English-speaking market. The first, of course, was inclusion of international flight booking on their website. Ctrip has always done international stuff, but only if you phone them. People are lazy; if you make them pick up the ... Read more »

Dig in to Tianjin's Famous Snacks
Posted Apr 27th 2009 9:50a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Mention Tianjin and you have to mention our sister city’s plethora of famous snacks. Now with the new express train, wandering Tianjin’s foreign concession hunting down its famous xiaochi makes for a fantastic day trip.

Tianjin snacks are organized around the “three consummate skills,” or the three foods ... Read more »

Four Great Travel Deals for late April
Posted Mar 27th 2009 5:47p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Weifang, Shandon

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

The annual Weifang International Kite Festival takes place from April 20-25. It’s a favorite trip for kite fans and families alike. The highlight is hundreds of kite lovers taking their winged creations to the beach and sending them into the sky ... Read more »

Four Great Travel Deals for April
Posted Mar 13th 2009 12:15p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Myanmar

Gem Country

Myanmar is one of the gem capitals of Asia, renowned for everything from perfect jades to glittering sapphires. As a result of the booming gem trade, the government recently opened a massive gem museum in the new national capital of Nay Pyi Taw. Covering 12 acres and ... Read more »

Tibet: Closed for Business until April 1
Posted Mar 4th 2009 11:12p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

John McKenna of Travel the Real China reports that Tibet has been closed to tourists for the entire month of March. Seems there is some sensitivity around the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising. Other sources suggest that the ban is less of a ban and more of a passive ... Read more »

China's Most Over-rated Tourist Sites
Posted Mar 3rd 2009 6:06p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Results of a recent travel survey were released, naming the World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Spots. The ignominious top ten run as follows:

• The Eiffel Tower

• The Louvre (Mona Lisa)

• Times Square

• Las Ramblas, Spain

• Statue of Liberty

• Spanish Steps, Rome

• The White House

• The Pyramids, Egypt

• The Brandenburg Gate ... Read more »

  • liminalspace Xian is also on my "buy the book" list of tourist attractions... so much more interesting, exciting and fascinationg if you just buy a book about it - its WAY cheaper ...
  • quiet_american You could try Huangshan in the winter. I did and there were no crowds for the beautiful snow scenery.
  • stonebanks Don't forget Tiananmen and Forbidden City are crowded with "students" hawking overpriced "art work". And young women scamming Western tourists for money by taking them to tea houses.
  • pjsheeps Here here! "China Hawaii my foot!"... haha!
  • zachary_franklin Is there really anywhere in Beijing you can go without dealing with crowds?
Four Great Travel Deals for the Tomb Sweeping Festival (April 3-5)
Posted Mar 2nd 2009 11:36a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Taipei

48 Hours

Start with a visit to National Taipei Democracy Memorial Hall honoring Chiang Kai-shek, then ascend Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building to catch the sunset. For dinner, what else but shaolongbao at the original Ding Tai Fung? Then stroll Yongkang Street and sample cua bing at ... Read more »

Free Hot Drinks at the Schoolhouse this Saturday
Posted Feb 27th 2009 5:12p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

School is back in session at The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu and on February 28 (ie this Saturday) this fine dining restaurant will be handing out free mulled wine and hot chocolate to visitors who brave the February chill (limit one per person). Even better, you can relax in front of ... Read more »

Like to be on top or bottom? A guide to choosing Chinese trains bunks
Posted Feb 16th 2009 1:11p.m. by Thomas Talhelm (Armchair Traveler)

Some people insist on coffee with sugar, others on cream, and others straight black. Virtually every coffee-drinker has their go-to preference, just as people do with choosing bunks on Chinese sleeper trains. Some people are avowed top-bunkers, while others are staunch bottom-bunkers. (Middle-bunkers I've never heard of.) But I ... Read more »

  • quiet_american Haha, I can only imagine what sort of stare you give grannies looking to take a break on your bunk.
  • leemack Top bunks are known to be cleaner, bottom bunks have the advantage of use of the little table. This is crucial if you are working, as I often am, on ...
  • quiet_american Of course, bottom bunks are always best for Chinese practice, although the fold-out aisle seats work well too.
Four Great Travel Deals for Spring
Posted Feb 13th 2009 11:52a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Japan

In Bloom

Every spring, Japan blooms. Slopes of mountains, edges of temples and even city parks are covered in an ebullient canopy of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Red, white and shades of pink, the annual arrival of these delicate petals is a time for nation-wide celebration. It’s a ... Read more »

Unbelievable airfare to Barcelona plus three other great travel deals
Posted Jan 23rd 2009 11:33a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Barcelona

Spring Breeze

How much would you pay to fly to Barcelona on a world-class airline this spring? Well, right now on Air France you can get to one of Europe’s most delightful cities for a mere RMB5,993 (tax included). Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is a ... Read more »

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Tickets on Sale This Saturday
Posted Jan 12th 2009 10:47a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens take place this year from March 27-29 and now is prime time to book passage to experience this Hong Kong tradition. Twenty-four teams square off over a weekend of jam-packed romping stomping action with one winner emerging. National pride is on the line along with ... Read more »

Four Great Travel Deals
Posted Dec 24th 2008 3:40p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Kyoto

Hidden Treasures

As the seat of Imperial power for centuries, Kyoto is the place for travelers who are after the essence of pre-modern Japan. The Hei’an shrine and the philosopher’s path, Tetsugako-no-michi, have long been popular draws, but from January 10 to March 18, an additional 12 ... Read more »

New Rules to Make Flights Easier
Posted Dec 19th 2008 1:16p.m. by Thomas Talhelm (Armchair Traveler)

Taking your next flight in the Capital Airport should be easier than your last, with rules set to take effect tomorrow that will allow passengers to take liquids and lighters onto planes.

As reported by the Beijing Times, starting on December 20th, passengers will be allowed to board with liquids ... Read more »

  • chrisbert George W. and his patriot act did a great job making Americans phobic. Now they even fear lighters and matches... Great! Belief it or not but once upon a time ...
  • terzel Well if you are a smoker of course it is convenient to be able to bring your lighter. Besides, I think the ban is overcautious. I mean, how easy it ...
  • pjsheeps thank god! i was worried about matches and lighters....
  • leemack From a reader: "Just announced by China Air Fair Office via news release. The newly announced travel police which intends to release restrict on taking liquid and lighter with passenger ...
  • quiet_american Matches seem a bit odd...
Four Great Travel China Deals
Posted Dec 15th 2008 10:15a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Tibet

Tibetan New Year

There are many colorful festivals in Tibet, but none more spectacular than Losar, or Tibetan New Year. Losar occurs on February 28, 2009, and tour groups are forming up now. Losar is the holiest festival for Tibetans. They adorn the monasteries in the finest accoutrements and ... Read more »

Forget Christmas: Now's the time to get great deals on Chinese New Year travel
Posted Dec 1st 2008 12:16p.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Spring Festival is coming quickly, along with a big fat week-long holiday (starts on Jan. 24 if you’re keeping score at home) and the tour companies are slinging package holidays faster than McDonald’s slings Happy Meals. Tour agencies have groups going to the most popular destinations in Asia ... Read more »

Interview: Park Hyatt GM on Beijing's new "it" destination
Posted Dec 1st 2008 11:23a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Simeon Olle / General Manager of the Park Hyatt Beijing

Park Life

So the first Park Hyatt on the Chinese Mainland! How do you feel?

We have well-established Grand Hyatt hotels in gateway cities like Shanghai and Beijing, so for us to have our premium brand and product in key cities ... Read more »

Four Unmissable Travel Deals for The Holiday Season
Posted Nov 28th 2008 11:43a.m. by Lee Mack (Armchair Traveler)

Singapore

Tropical Christmas

Every year for the last quarter-century, Singapore dresses up for a one of the merriest Christmas celebrations in Asia. This year the theme is Sweet Christmas. Expect Orchard Road and Marina Bay to be transformed into a fantasy candy wonderland, adorned with giant gumdrops, candy canes the ... Read more »

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