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Tag: Chinese travel

  • Climb Mount Everest – Trek World’s Tallest Mountain

    There are few greater challenges on earth than scaling Mount Everest, the tallest summit in the world.

    With a height of 8848 meters, this is not a mountain trek for the faint hearted. Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range, touches the borders of China, Tibet, and Nepal. It is the ultimate goal of most mountaineers, and a journey to the top should not be taken lightly. Up to 15 trekkers die on their expeditions each year, while many more succumb to frostbite and low oxygen levels. This isn't a summit one scales without some serious training. Most mountaineers practice climbing smaller peaks with similar conditions, including high alpine terrain and ice falls, for at least two years before tackling the Himalayan summit. You’ll also need to see your doctor to ensure you’re at peak physical fitness before attempting the journey. [caption id="attachment_4269" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Mount Everest in the Himalayas"]Mount Everest in the Himalayas[/caption] The years spent training should be enough for you to raise the sort of cash you'll need, because this expedition is not cheap. An independent voyage can cost as much as $25, 000, while a package tour will set you back around $60, 000. It seems expensive, but $10, 000 of this goes to climbing permits alone. When you add travel, provisions, oxygen, insurance, and equipment into the equation it's easy to see how the dollars add up. May and October are the best times to scale Mount Everest, as this avoids winter snowstorms and summer monsoons. The dangerous journey is probably not one you want to take alone. Tour companies including Jagged Globe and 7Summits regularly organize treks to Mount Everest which help to minimize the risks of this hazardous journey. It's still not a trip one should take lightly, but there are few thrills that compare to the achievement of scaling the granddaddy of the world's famous Seven Summits.

    [Image Source: Ilkerender/Flickr]

  • See Giant Pandas at China’s Zoos and Wildlife Centers

    pandaThe giant panda is one of the world’s most beloved animals, and sadly one of the most endangered. No visit to China would be complete without observing one of these real-life teddy bears.

    It’s estimated that just 2500 giant pandas roam freely in China’s mountain forests today, their numbers severely depleted through habitat loss. While your chances of spotting one in the wild are slim, some of China’s many wildlife parks showcase their national animal.

    Beijing Zoo is home to Gu Gu, a notorious giant panda who’s made international headlines for his feisty temper. Pandas may be docile by nature, but Gu Gu doesn’t take kindly to trespassers. On three separate occasions, Gu Gu has attacked visitors who’ve climbed into his enclosure.

    The zoo is served by Line 4 of the Beijing Subway.

    The Chengdu Panda Base provides a more focused panda experience. This non-profit research and breeding facility is home to more than 50 giant pandas, red pandas, and other endangered Chinese animals. The centre allows visitors to observe pandas in an area resembling their natural habitat. It takes approximately three hours to walk around the park or an hour and a half by tour bus.

    The Shaanxi Rescue and Breeding Center of Rare Wildlife offers a more hands-on experience for those willing to spend the time, and cash. This center is located in a remote area, approximately two hours from Xi’an at the foothills of the Qinling Mountains. It is home to more than 10 giant pandas who have been rescued from the wild or poachers, born in captivity, or orphaned. The center encourages breeding and reintroduces the animals into the wild. Volunteers are placed at the center for between two and four weeks. The volunteer fee includes all activities, food, accommodation, and a charitable donation to the project. International volunteers help care for the pandas and teach the staff English.

    No matter where you see one, an encounter with a giant panda is one that visitors to China never forget.