French "Spiderman" Scaled the World's Tallest Outdoor Elevator in Zhangjiajie

It was on the news of May 18, but still SHOCKING! French daredevil climber Jean-Michel Casanova or 马今 (it is his Chinese name, pronouncing Majin.) scaled the outside part measuring 172 m (about 564ft) of the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Zhangijiajie, China. What’s more, he finished the great challenge in 68 minutes and 26 seconds with no safety equipment, but only his trainers, a vest top and jogging bottoms!!!



The Bailong Elevator or the Hundred Dragons Elevator is by far the tallest of its kind worldwide, of 335 m vertical height (about 1,083ft) with an outside part of steel structure frame half way en route all the way up. For ordinary travelers, it kindly saves 2 and a half hours to the top, but Casanova pushed himself to the limit, actually once again.


Needless to say, it was really tough with only the help of his arms and legs, as the diameter of the steel tubes were as thick as 150mm, and very slippery, let alone the scary height. However, Casanova joked that it was not a challenge but a relaxing experience with the breathtaking views surrounding. Thanks to the dramatic landscape of Zhangjiajie!


To clime at the dangerous international landmark, it was not Casanova’s first time. He did scaled Paris's Eiffel Tower without a safety harness in 1989, and climbed New York's Brooklyn Bridge while dressed as Spider Man, how cute!

China’s Top 3 Waterfalls

Waterfall is a kind of ultimate beauty of nature, which is wild, inspiring, intoxicating, and draw lots of eyeballs! As a country of vast and varied land, China have a myriad of beautiful waterfalls, among which, Hukou Waterfall, Huangguoshu Waterfall and Detian Waterfall are generally believed to be the top three in China.

Hukou Waterfall (壶口瀑布 - Hǔkǒu Pùbù)

Located at the intersection of Shanxi Province and Shaanxi Province, 50 km to the east of Yichuan country, Hukou Waterfall stands out not only for being the second largest waterfall in China, but also its yellowish appearance, which is unique in the world. The Yellow River keeps rolling along, when coming to the middle reaches through Jinxia Grand Canyon, it suddenly falls down and perfectly forms the tremendous Hukou Waterfall of 30 m width and 50 m depth (may vary with season changes).

(Hukou Waterfall)

If you make your way to Hukou Waterfall, you will be rewarded with an amazing experience. There are shapeless mist all round emerging from the turbulent water, rainbows of different sizes and shapes shined through by the light, Qilangwo Bridge beneath the waterfall which connects Shanxi and Shaanxi, icefall made up of numerous ice cubes at the advent of winter… let alone the rolling and roaring Yellow River and the magnificent waterfall itself!

Book a Hukou Waterfall tour.

(Rainbow spanning on Hukou Waterfall)

Huangguoshu Waterfall (黃果树瀑布-Huángguǒshù Pùbù)

China’s most engaging waterfall is Huangguoshu Waterfall, located on the Baishui River in Anshun, Guizhou province. 77.8 m (255 ft) high and 101 m (331 ft) wide make it the largest waterfall in Asia. Destination as majestic as Huangguoshu Waterfall is not alone, as there are 18 cascades of distinctive features nearby, which form different patterns of the group falls, full of the charm of natural wonders. If you are a waterfall buffs, come and see it in person.

(Huangguoshu Waterfall)

A tempting way to explore Huangguoshu Waterfall is to walk behind the wall of water and into the Water-Curtain Cave, where you can immerse yourself in the waterfall, hear it, touch it and feel it. Recommended viewing spots are Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion and Water-Viewing Stage, where you can appreciate the panorama and get a bird's eye view separately. Huangguoshu Waterfall is easy to access with convenient transport and well-appointed tourist facilities. JUST TRY BEST to avoid visiting during China’s national holidays, as you are most likely to come across the jams of crowds.

Book a Huangguoshu Waterfall tour.

(Water-Curtain Cave)

The Detian Waterfall (德天瀑布-Détiān Pùbù)

The Detian Waterfall is a transnational waterfall shared by both China and Vietnam, located in Daxin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Chinese side). With a 200 meter wide (including both Vietnamese side and the Chinese side) and 75 meter drop, it claims to be the largest transnational waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest transnational waterfall in the world. The waterfall flows at its maximum and reaches fever pitch during the rainy season in summer, creating a shockingly powerful effect!

(The Detian Waterfall)

Some people might be curious about the other part named the Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Vietnamese side. Anyway, you can also see it right here on the Chinese side. Further adding to its allure is the picturesque karst hills surrounding (Guilin in the same province has even better Karst sceneries) and the exciting activities like boating, fishing and climbing. Detian Waterfall reminds, despite the immense popularity of a visit, a tranquil and pleasant place, especially with a tiny Buddhist shrine at the top of the Falls.

(Take a close look at The Detian Waterfall)

Five Free Ways exploring Beijing

Beijing, the national capital, is arguably the most vibrant city in China and has caused the Westerners infinite reverie for the blend of the ancient and the iron-and-cement-made metropolis. As a world-famous destination, Beijing offers much to explore… but it will cost you! While thousands of people are murmuring about the huge expense on touring Beijing, those in the know are enjoying exploring this unique Eastern ancient civilization for free! 

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, is considered as a should-not-miss stop on your Beijing itinerary, partly because it is free! It is home to a handful of majestic architectures including the monument to the heroes of the revolution, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall (displaying Mao's embalmed body). You can fly kite on the Tiananmen Square, provided that the weather is good with a soft breeze.

(Tiananmen Square)

Ritan Park

The used-to-be temple’s altar for ritual sacrifice to the sun god by the ancient emperors is now a busy public park featured charming sceneries. Here, you will see crowds of local residents dancing, practicing tai-chi, performing Peking Opera, and flying kites. Children will also find Ritan Park an interesting place for those rides it has such as trampolines, inflatables and a merry-go-round. 

 (Ritan Park)

The Hutong 

There’s no place in Beijing where you’ll feel more hunted by the old lifestyle of the city than in those zigzag hutongs. Hutongs are narrow valleys and lanes flanked with ancient courtyard residences, named Siheyuan, only existing in Beijing. As it is fast disappearing in recent years for the urban construction, your Beijing tour should have it! Renown Beijing Hutongs include Qianshi Hutong, Nanluoguxiang Hutong, Hutong… Have a leisure Hutong tour by bike or rickshaw or just on foot. Walk around, observing and experiencing the local life (people are playing cards, chess, cooking food…) stop by, and chat with the Beijingers. 

(Beijing Hutong)

798 Art District

798 Art District is known as Beijing’s fashion and art center, converted from an abandoned electronics factory of 1950s. Now it is a land dedicated to lush art galleries, artists’ studios , boutique shops, cafes, and bars. There is something new and something old. Strolling through the 798 Art District, you are most likely to be caught up in the ubiquitous art atmosphere, maybe taking foot in the faded Maoist propaganda slogans on the brickwork or triggered through the Bauhaus-style buildings. 

(798 Art District)

Beijing Modern Buildings 

Wanna save time and cost? Pause and glaze at some famous modern buildings of Beijing in a distance is one great choice. Below we recommend are finest examples of Beijing modern architectures very popular among design buffs and travelers.

Bird’s Nest or National Stadium, completed in 2008 for the Beijing Olympic Games has long reminded one of the original wonders of the world.

National Aquatics Center, or Water Cub was built as the main venue for the swimming competition of the 2008 Olympic Games, now becomes a landmark of Beiijng.

National Grand Theatre, surrounded by a man-made lake, is resembling a huge egg floating on the water. It is home to an opera hall, music hall, and theater for top professional performances.

Central Chinese Television Headquarters, short for CCTV Headquarters, is a top world architectural wonder formed by two leaning towers, each bent 90 degrees at the top and bottom to form a continuous loop. The special SHAPE gains it the nickname of “Big Pants Crutch (大裤衩)”.

Terminal 3 of Beijing International Airport was completed in 2008 in conjunction with 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and claims to be the world's largest of its kind which can handle a huge volume of passengers and features an environmental-control system.

(Terminal 3 of Beijing International Airport)

Emirates Goes Fourth Daily from Dubai to Hong Kong

Emirates Airlines has confirmed its strategic plan for expanding its capacity on South-east Asia by increasing air services to Hong Kong and Bangkok. From the coming October, an extra daily flight will be added between Dubai and Hong Kong. Together with the present three services daily, there will be four flights flying between the two destinations each day. 

 

It is reported that on October 27, the new flight, operating as EK386 will depart from Dubai at 21:00 (Dubai time), and arrive in Hong Kong the next morning at 08:05 (Hong Kong time). The return flight EK387 will depart Hong Kong at 09:40 (Hong Kong time), and reach its destination at 14:55 (Dubai time).

 

First operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, the fourth daily service is expected to update to a Boeing 777-300ER later within 2013, and likely boosting the number of passengers by more than 10,000 passengers each week between Dubai and Hong Kong.

 

Since the launch of the first service to Hong Kong in 1991, Emirates has witnessed a consecutively increasing demand in passenger capacity and flight frequencies. The fourth daily flight is going to benefit people of all parts of the world, and offer more opportunities for those planning to come to Hong Kong and even mainland China for business or leisure travel. 

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Walking on the Air Corridor of Bird’s Nest to Overlook Beijing City

Bird’s Nest, or Beijing National Stadium, usually evokes the glorious past of Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2008. Yet it isn’t all about Olympics or sports facility. Bird’s Nest itself is a masterpiece of architecture design that have attracted many people to come and check it out in person. Recently, a 150-meter-long air corridor was built and has undoubtedly increased its charisma. This time, people can walk on the top of the “steel forest” and overlook the beautiful sceneries of Beijing. How exciting!

Walk down the corridor from north to south, visitors will be led to the 20m by 4.5m Olympic torch platform, about 50m from the ground. Standing at such a high altitude, people will somewhat have the sensations of vertigo, despite the 1.5-meter-high stainless steel enclosure.

To save the cost and time, many choose to stop by Bird’s Nest and simply have a look at the magnificent exterior façade. However, we highly suggest you make time to get into it for the even greater interior structure just like a crisscross steel forest. Especially now with the help of the air corridor on the top, you can not only take a closer look at the original and wonderful design of Bird’s Nest at your eye, but also have the panoramic view of the Water Cube, Linglong Tower, Olympic Forest Park and drink in the beauty of Beijing city.

As a reminder, the air corridor holds up to 100 visitors per round. Ladies in high-heeled shoes will be asked to put on flats (prepared by the stadium staff) for your safety. The elders over 70 and people who have fear of height or cardiovascular disease please be escorted by family members or friends. In case of inclement weather like high wind, snow and thunderstorm, the air corridor would be suspended for visiting. Looking for China tour? See here.

Ticket Price:

As with the Bird’s Nest, the air corridor will open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and prices at 80 RMB, including ticket for Bird’s Nest (50 RMB).