China Holidays Weblog

The Earthquake

It is now a week since the huge earthquake struck Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province at 14:28 on 12 May 2008. We have received contact from many clients who have been in touch with us to express their concern and who have asked us to pass their sincere condolences to all those who suffered from this disaster.

We are very grateful for all your immediate and wholehearted concerns showed towards the Chinese population who have had their lives shattered by this sudden earthquake

The 8.0 magnitude quake was powerful enough to be felt throughout China. But, luckily people from areas relatively far away from the epicenter have not been affected in any great way.

All Tourists visiting Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai are well and safe, as these cities are all quite a distance from the epicenter. Most of the guests have decided to finish their tours as planned.  Our guests who happened to be near the epicenter have evacuated with the help of police and the army.  The Chinese government has carried out “Disaster Contingency Plan” to ensure that people who were suffering could get immediate help.

As a tour company, we have been keeping in touch with all our guests since the quake happened. We are happy to report to you that none of our guests are in any danger.

Up to now, big cities like Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai and more are still safe tour destinations, but we do not recommend any tours to areas in Sichuan province until it is officially announced safe.  To be specific, Chengdu, Wolong and all the other areas in Sichuan should be avoided for the foreseeable future.  

No Olympic venues were affected, and the huge Three Gorges Dam, which is roughly 400 miles east of the epicenter, was not damaged; Our Yangtze River Cruises will depart as planned for the rest of the season.

 

  More detailed reports about the conditions near the epicenter can be found through many channels it does seem as if reporting of the disaster has been candid and thorough by both the western and Chinese media.

Wild China on the BBC

On Sunday the BBC are beginning a series entitled 'Wild China'. From the BBC site:

China is a vast country with an astonishingly diverse landscape. Through unprecedented access, this six-part series reveals the little-known natural treasures and secret wildlife havens of China's wildest regions.

The programmes are as follows:

• Heart of the Dragon
• Shangri-La
• Tibet
• Beyond the Great Wall
• Land of the Panda
• Tides of Change

The series should showcase some of the fascinating aspects of China that you may not be aware of. If you have any queries or questions, or would like the opportunity of discussing China, please do let us know  -  we'd be happy to help.

The Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Warriors, originally uploaded by China.Holidays.

As you're probably aware, the British Museum is currently hosting an exhibition of some of the famous Terracotta Warriors. Here at China Holidays we thought you might like to see some photographs of them in situ.

The figures are 2,200 years old and (obviously) made from terra cotta. 20 figures, their horses, chariots, weapons and kit make up the exhibition. They have been protecting the first Qin emperor since his death in 210BC. Each figures is estimated to be worth between £750,000 to £1.5 million.

The exhibition explores the life and reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, as well as the excavation of the warriors themselves. It's on from now until April 6th 2008, and we'd encourage you to visit it , and perhaps think about getting a taste of China at home! You can get more information on the exhibition directly from the British Museum Website. In the meanwhile, enjoy the photographs!