New Zealand Mirror Travel

Archive for June, 2009

This article is about the Mount Huang travel, China travel guide, China vacations and China travel tips. You can find some useful information in it if you are planning your Mount Huang,China travel now.

Mount Huang was formed approximately 100 million years ago and gained its unique rock formations in the Quaternary Glaciation.

During the Qin Dynasty, Mount Huang was known as Yishan (Mount Yi). In 747 AD, its name was changed to Huangshan (Mount Huang) by imperial decree; the name is commonly thought to have been coined in honor of Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary Chinese emperor and the mythological ancestor of the Han Chinese; one legend states that Mount Huang was the location from which the Yellow Emperor ascended to Heaven. Another legend states that the Yellow Emperor “cultivated moral character and refined pills of immortality in the mountains, and in so doing gave the mountains his name.The first use of this name “Mount Huang” is often attributed to Chinese poet Li Bai. Mount Huang was fairly inaccessible and little-known in ancient times, but its change of name in 747 AD seems to have brought the area more attention; from then on, the area was visited frequently and many temples were built there.

Mount Huang is known for its stone steps, carved into the side of the mountain, of which there may be more than 60,000 throughout the area. The date at which work on the steps began is unknown, but they have been said to be over 1,500 years old.( More info about China travel guide, China vacations, China travel tips at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot Com )

In 1982, Mount Huang was declared a “site of scenic beauty and historic interest” by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 for its scenery and for its role as a habitat for rare and threatened species. The nearby villages of Hongcun and Xidi were also named part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

How to get to Mount Huang(Mount Huangshan) from Beijing?

You can have 3 options: air, train or car.

The plane is the most convinient way of course. It is only about 2 hours trip from Beijing to Mount Huangshan. Currently, the China Air have airlines connecting Beijing with Mount Huangshan. It is available every day and the cost is about 1070 rmb. Sometimes you can get a 30% or 40% off, depending on the time you visit Mount Huangshan. Here is some info about this CA airline: (1). Beijing – Huangshan, Airline Number: CA1551, Take off time: 18:35, Arrive time: 20:47, Plane type: B737, Airfare: 1090 rmb. (2). Huangshan – Beijing, Airline Number: CA1552, Take off time: 21:25, Arrive time: 23:35, Plane type: B737, Airfare: 1090 rmb.

If you wanna take the train from Beijing to Mount Huangshan, the cost is lower than the air. The K45/K46(Beijing-Fuzhou) train can take you to Mount Huangshan. The trip is about 20 hours. Here is some info about this train: (1). Beijing to Huangshan, Train number: K45, Depart: 11:45, Arrive: 07:35, Cost: 182-521 rmb. (2). Huangshan to Beijing, Train number: K46, Depart: 09:21, Arrive: 05:07, Cost: 182-521 rmb.( More info about China travel guide, China vacations, China travel tips at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot Com )

Another option is to drive your own car from Beijing to Mount Huangshan. More and more people like this kind of travel now. I will recommend this tour: Beijing – Nanjing – Maanshan – Wuhu- Jinxian – Mount Huangshan. Some Huangshan,China travel tips here: (1). This trip is about 3300 kilometers and the cost is about 1600 rmb (1100 for the high way fees and 500 for the gas). (2). Sometimes the climate is not so good in south China and this may cause some extra time in your way from Beijing to Mount Huangshan. (like high way closed because of the fog, etc) (3). You will need to bring some food and water in your car. (4). If you are running out of gas, the best choices are the gas stations in the big cities or high way service areas.

There’s nothing more frustrating than fighting with overstuffed and over weight suitcases when you travel. But relax, you’re going on vacation and all is well with the world. These vacation-packing tips will help you enjoy the journey so that you get the most out of your long planned for vacation.

What follows are 3 simple rules that will reduce your stress levels and allow you to fully immerse your self in the experience and adventure of your chosen destination.

1. Pack light

Seems obvious but it’s always a challenge to pack as light as you know you should, because you want to look your best when on vacation. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the load and still look great. The first is to coordinate your vacation wardrobe so that every item you pack can mix and match with every other item.

Choose classic pieces with complementary colors as your basic wardrobe – a single pair of slacks, 1 pair of shorts, and a skirt if appropriate. These classic items can be combined with a selection of tops, belts, scarves, wraps and other less bulky accessories to fit most every occasion. And…

By coordinating your vacation wardrobe you will also reduce the number of shoes you need to pack, which is a quick way to reduce bulk. For example, 1 pair of shoes for traveling, a pair of sandals and a pair of flit-flops is all that you really need for a tropical vacation, unless you plan to go on an eco adventure.

And here’s another vacation packing tip that will help you pack light: pack old underwear that can be thrown away after use. That way you’ll free up space on your return trip for the souvenirs you will inevitably want bring back.

2. Don’t pack valuables

If you can’t live without that precious pendent, your grandmother’s ring, or your designer watch, then DO NOT pack them, and DO NOT bring them with you on vacation.

What with the opportunity for misplaced luggage, petty theft, and items you just forget to repack, savvy travelers tend to pack costume jewelry, whether or not their room has a safe. And…

You don’t want to wear flashy or expensive items while you are on vacation anyway because doing so will only attract pickpockets and undesirables.

There is nothing that can spoil your vacation faster than loosing something irreplaceable. So reduce stress and leave it behind, or…

Purchase travel insurance for anything of value that you must take with you, like your camera for example. Your homeowners’ policies may cover items that have been lost or stolen while on vacation.

3. Carry on essentials only

Pack only essentials in your carry on luggage – passport, travel documents, money, a complete change of clothes, your bathing suit, and perhaps a good book.

Delayed luggage, which often gets delivered to you the next day, is a lot easier to tolerate if you are in possession of a change of clothes, your medication and essential grooming tools, money and all your travel documents. This way you’ll breeze through any challenge the journey trough your way.

These tips will help you relax while you are on vacation. If you do, you’ll be recharged and better equipped to overcome challenges when you return home.

About the city

The crowd is attracted to sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches of this beautiful country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there’s much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is the best time to be here, and those interested in winter sports can drop at the Alps and Pyrenees with some polar gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. When visiting any religious site, refrain from wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts, as they are disliked at such places.

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear and of course perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to the highly efficient public transport system. It boasts of more than 80 museums and 200 arts galleries. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile. The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus drivers.
Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.
Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Many low-cost airlines, too, provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

Food and agricultural products should be avoided.