June - July 2015

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TRAVEL
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BEIJING
Beijing is a wonderful place to spend a
few days, exploring all the city’s lesser-known
spots in addition to its famous historic sites.
Wander through the 798 Art District; spend
a night in a campervan alongside crumbling
sections of the Great Wall; explore the hutongs,
or alleyways, via an old German sidecar; or stay
at the luxurious Aman at Summer Palace, with
private door access to the park that enables
you to enter before and after opening hours,
thereby escaping the crowds!
LHASA, TIBET
Way up high on the Himalayan plateau,
Tibet is a world unto itself. Visit landmarks such
as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, but
make sure toget out of the city andexperience the
sheer rugged beauty of this exceptional province.
Namtso Lake is Tiffany-blue in colour, ringed by
snowy peaks and grazing yak herds; Everest
base camp is a six-to-eight-day trek away (the less
adventurous can opt to drive); and we saw the
most stars here out of any other place in China.
LIJIANG, YUNNAN
The fabled old town of Lijiang is full of cobbled
streets, shingled roofs and little shops all set against the
backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Beat the
throngs of tourists by exploring the town at dawn, and then
escape to quieter villages, famous for Naxi black pottery,
where you can observe old artisans at work. Also highly
recommended is a trip to the nearby Tiger Leaping Gorge,
spending a night at a simple guesthouse and waking up
to spectacular views at sunrise.
SHANGHAI
A bustling metropolis juxtaposing the old with the
new, Shanghai has something for just about everyone.
Spend a day pottering through the tree-lined streets
of the former French Concession, lined with stunning
colonial mansions and a host of bars and restaurants –
Shanghai is synonymous with food, in our books. Take
a day trip to the nearby water villages, or venture further
out to the towns of Hangzhou and Suzhou, referred to as
“Heaven on Earth” in an old Chinese saying – a bit of an
exaggeration, but admittedly very pretty!
XI’AN, SHAANXI
Constructed between 246 and 210 BCE, the
site housing thousands of terracotta warriors was
only discovered in 1974 by local farmers. A place that
pictures definitely do not do justice to, it’s worth a
weekend trip fromnearby Hong Kong. Other activities
in the area include cycling along the historic city
walls, or hiking up nearby Mount Huashan, one of
China’s Five Great Mountains.
DUNHUANG, GANSU
Definitely off the beaten China path,
Dunhuang was formerly a major hub along the
ancient Silk Road, and is now best known for
the rock-cut caves that are dotted throughout the
surrounding desert. The Mogao Caves, or Grottoes,
are perhaps the most famous, and contain incredible
examples of Buddhist art. Gansu Province is also
home to the westernmost end of the Great Wall at
Jiayu Pass, which can be incorporated into the same
trip. A great itinerary for history buffs.
Lightfoot Travel specialises in family holidays, honeymoons, corporate travel and private villas in destinations
across seven continents. For tailor-made itineraries, contact them at 2815 0068 or visit .
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