Crystal Cruises' exclusive land tours on spring 2009 China and Japan itineraries

It seems quite a few cruise updates we have today.

Crystal Cruises are adding exclusive land tours to their spring 2009 China and Japan itineraries.

Crystal Cruises' five-night pre- and post-cruise land program includes a to journey to mystical, magical Tibet and a visit to meet the rare and nearly extinct Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Breeding and Research Centre in Sichuan province.

"Bridging the best of land and sea, the China and Tibet extended land program offers excursions to regions of the world that few travellers will ever have the chance to see," said John Stoll, director, land programs. "A Crystal vacation isn't confined to the port cities and surrounding areas. With great attention to detail and Crystal care, we transport guests thousands of miles inland to expand their experience."

Eight new sights added to Heritage List

Eight new sites deemed "of outstanding value to humanity" were added to the world Heritage List. The World Heritage List names 878 vistas; 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed in 145 countries.
The new listings include:

• Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada)
• Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China)
• Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France)
• Surtsey (Iceland)
• Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan)
• Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)
• Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (Switzerland)
• Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)

Peking University to be closed during Olympics

Tourists visiting Beijing during Olympics will be disappointed by the latest decision of Beijing authorities to close to visitors the famous Peking University from July 20 to September 18. Local authorities due to security concerns have also started to carry out checks in the subway, and airport security has been beefed up substantially.

Visas to China double the price

As Beijing Olympics are approaching, China has increased the cost of their tourist visa.

The standard single entry visa remains at £30 per person, but now there is an "application service fee" at £35.25 per person (£47 for express service).

The Chinese Embassy explains the risen fees by the necessity to outsource some of the administrative work associated with issuing visas. From now on, the new visa applications will have to be submitted to the "Chinese Visa Application Service Centre" (CVASC).

Further restriction on travel to China

China furthers travelling restrictions with new requirements, just weeks after stopping the issuing of multiple entry visas.

Travellers to China will have to present a copy of a travel ticket both in and out of the country and a hotel voucher before a visa application is accepted. Without this supporting documentation the visa application will be rejected.

In addition, citizens of many countries will now no longer be able to apply for a visa in Hong Kong, which is a popular place to arrange travel into China and has a separate legal and visa system from the mainland.

Nationals from nearly 30 countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, will have to apply at the Chinese embassy in their home capital.

China halt multiple entry visas until further notice

According to Singapore travel agents, China stopped issuing multi-entry visas and one-day travel visas from Hong Kong until further notice. There is also news of considerably slower visa processing times.

The most luxurious train in the world - Beijing to Lhasa

China is launching "the most luxurious train in the world" to Tibet's capital, Lhasa on September 1.

The Tangula Express will run regular trips from Beijing to Lhasa, traversing the world's highest railway through the spectacular scenery of Tibet.

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price(2,000 Yuan - £180) and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

Each of three trains will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four 10-square-metre suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities to accommodate its guest during this 5 days long journey.

Although Chinese authorities present this 1142-km railway as an important means in modernising and developing Tibet, critics warn against flooding Tibet with Chinese Han majority, which may lead to destruction of the local culture and acceleration of environmental degradation of the region

What is a small favour between the friends?

Jackie Chan may be soon promoting Australia to Chinese tourist as a favour to his long time buddy Kevin Rudd – Australia Prime Minister.

"I've known Kevin for a few years," Chan said yesterday. "Last night before he left, I said whenever he calls, I'll be there." According to Chan they discussed the environment, Chinese-Australian relations and "some secret I cannot say yet".

The fake Beijing 2008 Olympics tickets

How many of you watched The Fake Trade on C4 few days ago? It portrayed quite a scary picture, and I am not talking about designer labels but the medication and eggs.

It is not surprising then, that the fake Beijing 2008 Olympics ticketing sites are popping out everywhere. Imitating official website the fake sites make it even more difficult to tell the difference. Which one of these two would you say is fake; Beijing Olympics tickets* and Beijing 2008 tickets ? The second one, although they look pretty similar.

The Beijing Olympics are just five months away. Most tickets are long gone, so be very careful when seeing a “bargain”. If it is too good to be true, it most likely is.

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* site disappeared for some reason 8)

The ugliest hotel - project

I am trying to compile the ugliest hotel list. While searching the net I came across this… building.

It supposed to be Son of Heaven Hotel in The Son of Heaven Hotel in Yanjiao Economic-Technological Development Zone, Langfang, in Hebei Province in China, only 20 minutes from World Trade Centre in Beijing. The hotel allegedly is in a shape of Chinese Gods; Fu, Lu and Shou.

I would love to hear more about it!

Xishuangbanna elephant attack

An American tourist had to be hospitalized after being attacked by a wild elephant in “Wild Elephant Valley” nature reserve in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan province.

Mr. Jeremy Allen McGill, an English teacher, suffered serious internal injuries.

"It wasn't clear why he was attacked," a Chinese official says "The elephant just used its trunk to pick the man up and then let go."

Xishuangbanna region in southern China is famous for its unspoiled woods and tropical rainforest swarming with wildlife. According to the official website, now nearly 300 Asian elephants live in Mengyang Nature Reserve, which Wild Elephant Valley Park is part of. In 2006 the "Wild Elephant Valley" was named one of China's top 50 destinations for foreign tourists.