Tibet Re-opened to Foreign Tourists from July 25, 2011

Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) has started to accept the application of travel Permit on July 25, 2011. Foreign tourists would be allowed to get into Tibet again. Easy Tour China got and confirmed the news from a Tibet agency officially.

magnificent Potala Palace with red and white walls

Tibet closed its door from June 25th to July 25th, when all foreigner tourists had been barred from entering Tibet. The ban was said to be issued due to two Grand ceremonies – the 60th anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet on 1951, as well as the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party on 1921. It was the second lock-down on foreign travel in Tibet in 2011.

Tibet is the only region of China for which foreign tourists must secure a special travel permit, in addition to a Chinese visa. Before entering Tibet, foreign tourists are required to apply for the Tibet Entry Permit (also called TTB permit) from Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Without it, foreigners can't buy the air or train tickets to enter Tibet. It is also an essential document to go to Tibet by car as there are checkpoints on the way.

Tibetan pilgrim in Barkhor Street

Since the government encourages group tours to Tibet, the permit is issued only to tour groups traveling with a Chinese tour operator. Easy Tour China, as one of the leading China tour operators, can help foreign tourists to get the permit.  

The organization of 2nd Guilin China International Travel Expo Is Tightening Up

Guilin China International Travel Expo 2011

Recently, the news journalists got from Guilin Expo Affairs Bureau was that the organization committee of the 2nd Guilin China International Travel Expo is busy in the promotional work and has sent invitation to over 60 countries by far, although the Expo opening ceremony will be hold two months later.

More than 60 million yuan deal had been achieved between over 600 attendees at the trade show of a 15,000 square meters total area. That was what the 1st Guilin China International Travel Expo was honor to be top on level, scale, profession, internationalization. It made a contribution to Guilin exhibition trade.

Profited from the success of the 1st Travel Expo, Guilin Municipal Government, Autonomous Region Tourism Administration and Guangxi International Expo Affairs Bureau will jointly organize and push up the business scope, scale and level for the 2nd Guilin China International Travel Expo.

It is predicted that 800 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions, 6000 insiders and about 150,000 ordinary visitors will attend at the 20,000 square meters’ travel expo (show) area. The CITS, deserved to be referred here as a listed company on stock market, is intended to participate in this Travel Expo, which make the 2nd Travel Expo more specialized.

the Opening Ceremony of Guilin China International Travel Expo 2010

By far, eight countries such as Britain, Czech, Germany, US … have confirmed and 11 countries including Brazil, South-Africa, Greece, Brunei and the like have told their intention to participate in the 2nd Travel Expo.

Hiking along the Awe-inspiring Longji Rice Terrace in July 2011

It is said of Longji, "Where there is soil, there is a terrace." The terraced rice paddy field along the slope winds from the riverside up to the mountaintop. Set amongst the villages of the minorities Zhuang and Yao, the area offers great hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. In July, Easy Tour China team has had a wonderful outdoor activity. We would have a four- to five-hour trek through the minority villages, and thus make our Longsheng hiking trip to the awe-insiring Longji Rice Terraces.

Easy Tour China Team - Guilin Hiking through Longji Rice Terrace

Day 1: Guilin – Ping'an Village

After 2.5 hours' drive from Guilin, we arrive at the foot of the mountain where ancient Longji village lies. The forest-clad steep-sloped mountains came into sight; and beautiful contour-map-like terraced rice paddies are full of water as the green crops grow.

beautiful contour-map-like Longji Rice Terraces

In a Longji Zhuang village, elderly people sat on an old bridge…

In the Zhuang village we passed through, the local live as they did in old times – elderly people sit on the bridge all day watching people pass by …

A lovely wind and rain bridge on our hiking way!

After nearly an hour's hiking, we met a small wind and rain bridge on the way. Very lovely, right?












At about 6:00 pm, we arrived at the 600-year-old Zhuang village of Ping'an. Different from Longji village, Ping'an village, with its spectacular terrace fields, is more touristed. Moreover, it has many hotels for tourists to rest, with the best facilities (internet, foot massages, even Karaoke!) Later, we checked in Li An Lodge and Star Wish Resort respectively for an overnight stop.

Longji Ping'an Village, with its spectacular terraced fields and 
traditonal wooden houses

Day 2: Ping'an – Dazhai

Our hiking through Longji Rice Terraces in the rain.

At 6:00 am, our long hiking from Ping'an to Dazhai started in the rain. The mists veiled the distant mountains, and rains leave the rice seedling glistening with reflections.  A 2.5-hour walks, through the pine and fir woods, up and down on the mountains, along the ridge of the rice fields, led us to a Yao village – Zhongliu village.






And eventually, after another 2-hour trek, we arrived at our destination – Yao village of Dazhai. Wander about in the village to know more about the Yao’s life: living in the wooden farm houses, working in the field, woman with bright clothing and hair styles …

Visit Dazhai Yao Village for its awe-inspiring Jinkeng Rice Terraces

Guilin hiking, through the minority villages of Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces area, would be a wouderful experience for your China southwest exploration. Track down the mountain tribes, and feast your eyes on the spectacular panoramas and peaceful rurality en route.