Asia in July / August where to go?

Hi!

Sounds like a great trip!

Regarding Thai traditional villages, have you looked into Chang Mai? Buddhist monasteries, elephants, treks, hill people.... highly recommended by everyone we met in Thailand. You can travel north from Bangkok easily on a bus, train, or airplane, depending on your time-frame and budget.

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but based on your travel dates, the weather may be a factor.... not a reason to cancel or anything, but something to take into account as you plan and pack.

Rachel
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Hi I am 26 female from Vancouver, I am going to take a Homestay trip to CHina and/or volunteer in Tibet are you interested?

Here are some details:

Home Stay Confucius’ Hometown,
More than a tourist does…

Bold Text15 days in China: 8 nights with local families + 5 nights 4 star hotels!

Ø Be a pioneer of an innovated travel concept.
Ø Live with local families, and experience real Chinese life.
Ø Visit Confucius’ hometown Confucius’ Temple, Ceremony and Kong’s Residence (770B.C. - 1368).Visit the Yellow River — Mother river of China.
Ø Mt. Tai Hiking —when an emperor ascends the throne, he must climb the mountain and pray to the gods.See the country scenery of countryside on the train.
Ø Shop on the local night markets with home stay family.
Ø Go to see a Chinese traditional doctor, enjoy a real massage.
Ø 2-hour preparation presentation before departure.
Ø Photographers will take pictures of your unforgettable moments.
Ø Special services are offered before and throughout the trip.

Day 1 -- Vancouver / Pacific Ocean
You will fly across the Pacific Ocean today. The whole journey will take about 9 hours.

Day 2 -- Beijing / Yantai
Arrive in Beijing and change airplane to Yantai. Check in to your home stay family, and traditional Chinese evening dim sum will be ready for you there.

Day 3 -- Yantai
After a typical Chinese breakfast, the tour will start with a visit a 100-year-old high school and the first winery in China (1892). An on-site wine museum demonstrates the wine history and wine cultures in Chinese winery industry. Enjoy a happy time with your home stay family after dinner and have a good sleep.

Day 4 -- Fairland discovery
7:00 am take a bus to the Fairland in Chinese folk: Penglai. Ever child knows about the eight immortals that got drunk in Penglai Pavilion and flow over the ocean to the heaven from here because of the beauty and meaningful historical settings. You will be one of the immortals today and find your own Fairland here.

Day 5 -- Mu’s Family Manor
China is not a rich country but there is never lack of rich people. This family manor we will visit today is an example of the lifestyle of the feudalism landlord class. It is a miniature forbidden city.

Day 6 -- The unsinkable battle ship (National Civilized Scenic Spot)
Liugong Island is a historic site where the first formal battle between the Chinese people and Japanese invaders was fought during the Qing Dynasty. This island is one of the most honorable battlefields in China. Weihai is titled as “one of the most comfortable place for living”. You will also visit Korean Town in the city to experience a different concept of living abroad.

Day 7 -- Be a fisherman!
Go to an island beside Yantai, where there used to be a very important military site. The island is developed into a popular tourist attraction, which specializes in letting tourists join the fisherman’s life. You will be satisfied and proud by fishing for your own meal.

Day 8 -- Be a farmer!
Cattle are still used for farming. Not because they can not afford the machines, but… (It’s your job to find out why). Enjoy the happiness of working and harvest!

Day 9 -- Southern Mt.
The greatest collection of Buddhism and Taoism attraction…Goodbye party with all guests and home stay families together.

Day 10 & 11 - Qingdao
Take a train to Qingdao, the world famous beer city. Enjoy a Tea Demonstration at the top of Lao Mt., which is the mountain of Taoism. Lute Island, music square, historical culture and Euro-Asian culture area show you places that meet the requirements of hosting 2008 Olympics Sailing Regatta.

Day 12 -- Jinan:Thousand Buddha Mt.
This is the capital city of Shandong Province, the city of Spring. Here is where the Yellow River empties into the ocean. After looking for the Buddhas, which are carved on the rocks around the mountain, we head to the Yellow River and get a souvenir bottle of Yellow River Water. We won’t miss the springs around the city that reminded poets and romantic kings or princes of beautiful girls sitting by the bank of spring lakes…

Day 13 -- Qufu:Confucius’ Hometown
The temple and cemetery of Confucius and the Kong family mansion are one of the largest architectural complexes in China. It contains the temple for offering prayers to Confucius, the mansion where direct descendants of the sage live and the cemetery containing the remains of Confucius and his off spring. Confucius’ culture festival… a huge event lasts 20 days to celebrate Confucius’ birthday (for trips in Sep. & Oct).

Day 14 — Mt. Tai Hiking
Chairman Mao said: leading a life should be as great as the Mt. Tai. Mt. Tai is the most sacred mountain in China. There are 6,366 stairs from the bottom to the top temple. In ancient times, when an emperor ascends the throne, he must climb the mountain to prey to the gods. Climbing to the top, you will be as great as the mountain and the emperor!

Day 15 -- Fly to Beijing and Change plane to Vancouver.
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50 day in Asia? Cool!

If you are heading to Indonesia, I would suggest you to visit:
1. Lake Toba in Sumatra island. You'll find amazing scenery of Lake Toba with Samosir island in the middle of the lake and the cultural Batak tribe. Batak tribe is one of the most powerful tribe in Sumatra island.
2. Sikuai island. It is a resort island next to Padang, the central city of West Sumatra. You can use boats start from Padang harbor. For local food, I suggest you to try Padang Rice or Nasi Padang.
3. Borobudur temple in Central Java. It is a large Budhist temple build by Syailendra Dynasty on year 800. It is very special due to its size and the numbers of its reliefs or sculpture. Borobudur temple was also included on the seven wonders of the world.
4. Mount Bromo, one of four mountains located in the top of Tengger hill in East Java. Here, you will be able to see the topside of Mount Bromo after hike the trekking steps and also find interesting local culture. For example, Reog Ponorogo dance which is very unique due to the dancer hold a very heavy dancing accessories only with his teeth. For local food, I suggest you to try Gado-Gado.
5. You definitely can not miss Bali. It is a very special island, with its amazing view, culture, beaches, and local community. If you look for beautiful beach scenery, you can go to Geger beach in south Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Kuta. If you look for culture, you can go to Ubud to see traditional dance, hand made souvenirs, paintings, and tasty local food, with beautiful rice fields surroundings. If you look for adventure, you can hike Mount Batur at Kintamani, dive at Tulamben, Surf at Kuta, or cruise to Nusa Lembongan. For local food, I suggest you to try Kedewatan rice, Mrs. Oka's Grilled Pork, Bebek Bengil's Crispy Duck in Ubud.

July would be fantastic time to enjoy Bali. Have fun with your trip. Reply to this