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Vietnamese camping trips

March 29, 2012 By C Chan

You may not have planned to camp for the whole time you are in Vietnam, but there are definitely some places in this beautiful country where camping is the only way to go, especially if you want to savour the atmosphere of the jungle or countryside in the early morning or in the darkness of night. There are a number of national parks in the country and it’s possible to camp with tents when you visit them.

For example, you might want to do a hiking trip to the so-called ‘roof of Indochina’, otherwise known as Fanispan Peak in northwest Vietnam. You can take a guided tour to the summit, and most tours to the top take two or three days.   At around 1,500m a small village offers food and accommodation and at 2,800 m there is an overnight camp. Usually, tour prices include the cost of food and accommodation during the tour.

Sixty kilometres south of the city of Hue is the national park Bach Ma Mountain. As well as many beautiful waterfalls and streams, there is plenty of wildlife to be spotted here. You can opt to join a two day camping and hiking trek with a guide to make the most of your time here.

In Cu Lao Cham Nature Reserve in the Quang Nam province you might see animals like the monitor lizard and python as well as the macaque. There is room for camping here, and activities include diving and swimming. The nearest town is Hoi An.

What to take with you

If you’re planning to camp in Vietnam you should pack clothing that breathes easily and that dries out quickly. As it’s a tropical country, you’ll probably encounter plenty of rain and even though it’s warm rain as a rule, you don’t want to pack cotton clothing that takes a long time to dry out. A good waterproof jacket is essential. Before you head off on your trip go and check out the mens waterproof jackets in your local outdoors store. You’ll need something lightweight but make sure it’s made of good quality breathable material.

Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: , , ,

The best place to ski in China

January 23, 2012 By C Chan

While you’d hardly find many Europeans booking a pure ski holiday to China, it’s becoming increasingly popular to ski there.  Many people find that they combine ski trip with their other reasons for being in China – be that a business trip, or part of a longer travel trip. Many ex-pats who live and work in China have been heading off to discovering the best of China’s ski resorts – which were previously not really known about outside of China.

 

There are two ski resorts within really easy reach of Beijing. The largest is Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort, which is only 60 miles from the city and is suitable for any level skier and snowboarder.

 

Beijing Huaibei Ski Resort has a ski glade that is surrounded by the Great Wall – so you can combine skiing with sightseeing here.  There are six trails to choose from, and beginners will be able to manage some of them.

 

As with any ski resort, you’ll need some decent gear before you head off on the slopes. So, don’t forget to pack your salopettes and ski jacket along with your thermal gloves and hat if you’re heading to China and know that you’ll have some time to spend on leisure when you’re there.

 

Probably the best-known resort for skiing in China is Yabuli ski resort in the Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. This is where the most experienced skiers in China head. The trails have an average vertical drop of 700m, and some drop as much as 1200m.

 

Another big favourite is Xiling ski resort. There are seven trails here, some of which are 10km long. Xiling is situated in the south west of China – in the Sichuan province. The highest mountain there is 5,364m.

 

So it’s not really a question of whether you can find good ski resorts in China, it’s more how can you fit all this great skiing into one trip?

 

 

 

Filed Under: China Tagged With: , , , ,

Walk the Great Wall in winter

December 9, 2011 By C Chan

Walking the Great Wall of China is one of those things you’re always going to do, but haven’t quite got around to yet; am I right? That certainly seems to be the case with everyone I ever speak to about it anyway, so I was amazed when a friend recently told me she was walking the Great Wall at the end of November.

‘Won’t it simply be freezing cold and miserable?’ was my comment, but apparently that doesn’t tell half the story.

Anyway, this friend of mine went and told me it was one of the best holidays she’s ever ventured forth on – and she is a really keen walker.

The Great Wall of China was originally created in 221 BC by joining various local walls built by ducal states to defend their territories. Construction continued up until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the largest military structure in existence.

Today, the Great Wall, which stretches across northern China from east to west, is 4,300 miles long – so you probably aren’t going to walk the lot!

Beijing is the best place to visit the Great Wall. Here, can visit lots of different sections – each of which presents different features and challenges depending on your level of fitness, and the time of year you visit.

The most-visited sections are the Badaling and Juyong Pass – mainly because these areas are also the most easily accessed.

Overall, the Badaling section is the most popular, because it’s close to China’s capital, so is easy to get to – but also because it offers some of the most dramatic scenery. This walk takes around three and a half hours, though there is a cable car if you want to cheat in getting to the top.

The Great Wall has excellent tourist facilities in this area as you might imagine. And it was the Badaling Section of the Great Wall that my friend visited – because of its accessibility in the winter months and the dramatic snowy landscape. She strongly advises the use of ice grips for shoes and the best winter clothing you can lay your hands on like North Face jackets or at least something else just as good.

The section is also perfect for winter as there are handrails, the afore-mentioned cable car and even a toboggan if you fancy a very quick descent.

Filed Under: China Tagged With: , , ,

Wild places to visit in China

November 25, 2011 By C Chan

Choosing where to visit in China can be difficult. Here we look at some of the more far flung destinations you might consider adding to your itinerary.

If you’re going at any time apart from during the summer, you’ll need to take the right kind of cold weather gear with you to make sure you are comfortable and warm when taking in some of these amazing sights.

Mount Everest

Many people think of Nepal when they think of Everest, and it’s true you can access Everest from both China and Nepal. Of course, climbing the peak is a different ball game, but you can still visit the most famous mountains of the world as an amateur without climbing it.  The best time to view the mountain is from April to June and from September to October.  Wear appropriate clothing, like layered clothing. Use thermals as your base layer, before adding an insulating middle layer and a waterproof shell to keep out the wind and rain.

The Arjin Mountain reserve

Found in the south east region of Xinjiang Uygur, the Arjin Mountain reserve is brimming with wildlife and amazing landscapes including glaciers, snow caps, lava landscapes and plateau lakes. It’s best to explore in a vehicle, but the cold climate limits visitors.  Go during the summer months of June to August if you can, but you’ll still need a decent hat and pair of gloves, as well as thermal socks to protect your extremities.

Mohe County

Mohe is officially the coldest place in China. The average temperature there throughout the year is four degrees Celsius below zero, and it’s commonly below 30 or 40 degrees.  It’s best seen on a horse-drawn sledge and protection against the cold is vital.

Ertix River

The Ertix is the only river that flows into the Arctic.  With its source in the Altai Mountain, the Ertix is 546km long in China and is the second largest river in China. In Beitui, the Ertix is circled by poplar forests and visitors are drawn here to go fishing and boat along the majestic river.  The best time to visit the Ertix River is between July and October.

Filed Under: China Tagged With: , , , ,

Walk the Walk in China

October 10, 2011 By C Chan

The globe has become a smaller place, and even in my lifetime – I am not that old, honest! – it has become the norm for people to holiday to every far flung destination the world has to offer. Recently, the growth in popularity of organised sight-seeing trips has meant a rise in the quality of the tours and their guides as the vacationing population becomes ever savvier.

 

One of the destinations which has benefited from a growth in tourism is China, as many British tourists are choosing to explore this country which for many is somewhere mysterious and of great historical interest. The benefit of an organised holiday to an area such as China is that you gain access to the expertise which the company can offer you and will be able to take advice from them on everything from places to visit to what to pack. It can also be highly beneficial in places off the mainstream tourist track to be accompanied by a native speaker and not be left miming frantically at the locals.

 

One of the popular destinations for walkers is the Guizhou region in China, famed for its beautiful vistas but renowned for its harsh terrain. A trip here will come with unique rewards but you will need to prepare physically, and invest in appropriate equipment. The best hiking sandals for men and women often cost more money but are worth it to enjoy your walking holiday to the fullest. The right clothing is important for the environment too so research carefully what you will need for the time of year that you are planning your visit.

 

Don’t be afraid to join an organised trip alone either – it is often the best way to meet people of similar interests and will no doubt add to your overall experience. Why wait? Pick out your dream destination today and start planning the holiday of a lifetime.

 

Filed Under: China

Don’t miss out the mountains on a trip to China

September 8, 2011 By C Chan

Since China’s such a huge country, it’ll come as no surprise that there are a vast range of tourist activities and trips you really should do when you head there.

The most obvious thing on your to-do list is bound to be visiting the Great Wall of China, while you’re also likely to want to get to the Forbidden City and see the Terracotta Warriors on your travels.

But one thing you should definitely try to do as well is visit the mountainous regions in the Asian country.

There are plenty of notable peaks in China, but the most famous is probable the Yellow Mountain – Mount Huangshan – which is situated in the Anhui province.

Even in the hottest months of the year, it’s important to have the right clothing to take a trip up to the mountains. Mens fleece jackets are a vital thing to have packed in your bag. They’ll provide you with some warmth both during the day, if the sun disappears behind the clouds, and fleeces will be very welcome at night when the temperatures drop.

If you head to the Yellow Mountain, you’re bound to be rewarded by beautiful scenery, stunning sunsets and impressive peaks.

The mountain is often depicted in traditional Chinese paintings and literature, so you’re likely to have seen images of it numerous times before. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and boasts some outstanding vegetation of pine trees and tea plantations.

More than 140 sections of the mountains are open to visitors, so it is a very popular tourist attraction within China. It’s easily accessible from Hangzhou and Wuhu and there are also train services and flights to Shanghai.

While you can take a cable car up the mountain, by far the most rewarding trip would be to hike up, spending the night at one of the peaks to watch the sunrise the following day.

Filed Under: China

Travel in China

August 31, 2011 By C Chan

China is a huge country and was made for travel. Given the language it can be difficult to communicate and therefore many people choose to travelling in a group. From the major cities Beijing, Shanghai and Xian to the areas of Urumqi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guangxi, east meets west in fascinating ways.

Camping in China is a way to save money while traversing a huge and diverse country if you are lucky and can find some cheap tents. Of course the downside is that you will have to carry your tent around with you which can add weight to your probably already bulging backpack. Hostels are reasonably priced and are a great way to meet people.

Chinese food is not like our westernised take-away versions. Popular meals are Mu Shu Pork, Peking Duck, Mandarin Pancakes and Mongolian Beef. Do not drink the tap water, stick to bottled water. Also the first time you use a toilet you may get a shock as you may need to squat. Carry your own tissues as they might not be provided. Do not flush the paper, there will be a bin or basket provided. Toilets in bigger cities will be o a better standard than outside.
It is unlikely that taxi drivers will speak English so write down the address of where you are going so you can point! Only carry what cash you need and store it on different parts of your body. ATMs are in good supply in the cities.
The Chinese New Year is cause for massive celebrations and takes place late January / early February.

Filed Under: China

Camping in Thailand

August 31, 2011 By C Chan

While not as comfortable as staying in a hotel camping is the cheapest form of accommodation. Thailand is already a pretty cheap country to travel and hotels and guest houses can be found at very reasonable prices. But camping is popular amongst Thai locals and is a way for you to get out into Thai nature.

Thailand has many national parks, seventy six to be exact, and almost all of them have at least one camp site. Of course one low point of camping may be that you will need to bring your own tent which means carrying it around although many sites have tents that you can rent. It can be very cheap, as little as five to ten baht a person per night. As well as a tent you’ll need a sleeping bag, mat, a medical kit and torch.

Don’t forget insect repellent especially for mosquitoes. There is no risk of malaria in tourist areas like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Ko Samui, and Ko Phangan but you should still protect yourself from bites. Wear long sleeves and breatheable long trousers and use a mosquito net.

Note that in the national parks of Doi Suthep/Doi Pui in Chiang Mai, Hat Jao Mai in Trang, Nam Tok Pliew in Chanthaburi, and Thap Lan in Prachinburi, camping is not allowed.

For that picture perfect view from your tent consider setting up camp at Mo Ko Surin National Park Campsite. 55km from the Thailand mainland, there is a brilliant campsite on one of the Surin Islands. Pitch up at the edge of white sands and watch the sun go down oer crystal clear blue waters. There is also a restaurant onsite where you can enjoy freshly-caught fish.

Filed Under: Thailand