The Ancient Relic Trail|travel package

The Ancient Relic Trail
travel package - 11 days / 10 nights

Follow in the footsteps of monks, traders and explorers of old on the hunt to discover some of ancient China's most sacred religious relics and sites. Venture into China's central western provinces, home to vast sand dunes and Silk Road citadels and travel from the remains of the old Ming Great Wall in the far western deserts, to caves treasured by archeologists either for their pre-historic remains or the Buddhist treasures they hold within.

Day 1 Arrive (D)

- Arrive Yinchuan in afternoon
- Visit Shuidonggou Relic (20km, about 20 min drive): One of the best preserved relics of the Paleolithic age with a history of 400,000 years
- En-route, visit the Ming Great Wall relic
- Welcome Dinner
- Overnight in Yinchuan

Day 2 Yinchuan (B L D)

- Ningxia Provincial Museum: excellent collection from the Western Xia Empire, and the Silk Road (accompanied with Museum Curator C optional)
- Haibao Ta: one of the 16 famous pagodas in China and a symbol of Yinchuan
- Western Xia Museum & Tombs (30 min drive): imperial graveyards of the powerful West Xia Kingdom (1038-1227)
- Overnight in Yinchuan

Day 3 Yinchuan C Zhongwei (B L D)

- Helan Shan Rock Carvings (1 hour drive): dating back 10,000 years and home to one of the richest concentrations of rock art in China
- After lunch, drive to 108 Pagoda in Qing Tong Xia (2 hours)
- Transfer to Zhongwei City (2 hours)
- Visit Zhongwei Gao Temple; a complex of temple architecture (Ming Dynasty). Over 260 rooms and considered an outstanding representative of Ningxia's ancient architecture. Alternatively, visit it on day 4 early morning. 
- Overnight in Zhongwei

Day 4 Zhongwei C Guyuan (B L D)

- Drive to Tongxin county (2 hours)
- Tongxin Muslim Mosque (Ming): combines architecture of Chinese traditional style and Muslim decoration art.
- Xumi Grottos, Buddhist grottoes with a rich collection of fine quality carvings of the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui and Tang times.
- Overnight in Guyuan

Day 5 Guyuan (B L D)

- Visit the Kaicheng Relics.
- Kaicheng town: local family visit
- Visit Guyuan Museum, over 10,000 relics unearthed from tombs of the Western Zhou to Tang Dynasty, and ancient tombs of Sui & Tang Dynasty (walk-around as artifacts are in museum)
- Overnight in Guyuan

Day 6 Guyuan C Tianshui (B L D)

- Drive to Tianshui (3-4 hour)
- En-route, visit Qin Great Wall relics
- Overnight in Tianshui

Day 7 Tianshui (B L D)

- Visit Tianshui Museum
- Drive to Qian'an (1.5 hour)
- Dadiwan Relics, dating to the Neolithic age (5,500 BC), with collection of farming tools, and pottery
- Return to Tianshui (1.5 hour)
- Overnight in Tianshui

Day 8 Tianshui (B L D)

- Visit Maiji Mountain, Buddhist Cave Art from Northern Wei Dynasty
- Visit Fuxi Temple
- Overnight in Tianshui

Day 9 Tianshui C Lanzhou (B L D)

- Drive to Wushan (2 hours)
- Visit Water Curtain Caves & Lashao Temple: Important grottoes and temples on the eastern line of the Silk Road. Construction work over many dynasties, from Jin (265) to Yuan (1271) Dynasty
- Drive to Lanzhou (3 hours)
- Overnight in Lanzhou

Day 10 Lanzhou (B L D)

- Visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, best known for its ancient sculpture horse (Galloping horse), Silk Road artifacts, and a 4m tall mammoth
- Drive to Binglinsi (1.5 hours) and take a boat ride (1 hour) to approach the grottoes
- Binglingsi Grottos: Over 200 Buddhist caves featuring close to 700 stone statutes and numerous murals, mostly crafted during the Tang Dynasty (accompanied by expert guide C optional)
- Return to Lanzhou
- Overnight in Lanzhou

Day 11 Depart (B)

- Transfer to airport and connect your flights back home
- End of Service

For travel package bookings and more information please contact Hotline Beijing: +86-10-8519 8999(phone)

Cornell Green Hotel Report Details Sustainability Road Map for Hospitality Industry

Ithaca, NY August 19, 2008

Offering a detailed "road map" for sustainable operations, a new Green Hotel Industry White Paper from Cornell&39;s Center for Hospitality Research details the comprehensive program implemented by the Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel. The report, "Sustainable Hospitality&169;: Sustainable Development in the Hotel Industry," is written by Herv&233; Houdr&233;, general manager of the Willard, and is available for download at no charge from the center&39;s website at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/perspective/ . In addition to explaining the Willard&39;s sustainable eco-friendly hotel development program, the Cornell Industry Perspectives paper outlines environmental efforts by several of the industry&39;s major companies - including InterContinental, Marriott, and Taj - all of which are partners of the Center for Hospitality Research.

Houdr&233; explains that the basis of sustainable hotel operation is a three-part balance, expressed as "profits, people, and planet." By taking those three elements into account, Houdr&233; suggests, a sustainable green hotel development program becomes economically viable, as well as beneficial to the community and environment. As a result, the "road map" for the Willard InterContinental&39;s eco-friendly hotel sustainability program extends far beyond conservation and recycling to conducting programs in the surrounding community and encouraging both guests and employees to consider a healthy lifestyle.

Sustainable Hotel Program Already Yields Dividends

As part of its sustainability program, the Willard InterContinental has switched its electricity source to 100-percent wind energy, encouraged employees to walk or run nearly 4,300 miles in 2007, and has begun a program of planting cherry trees near the National Mall and maintaining Pershing Park, which faces the hotel. In June 2008 the Willard hosted a Dean&39;s Leadership Series event on sustainable "green hotel" practice that drew more than 150 industry and academic leaders and was chaired by Michael D. Johnson, dean of the School of Hotel Administration.

"Our hotel will demonstrate the way that sustainable development will be integral to future hotel operation," writes Houdr&233;. "I see this as a long-term strategy." Given the length of time that the Willard has been in operation, Houdr&233; believes that the long term is at least the next one hundred years.

The Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel is located in the heart of the nation&39;s capital on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the Smithsonian museums, and the downtown business and theatre districts. The Willard epitomizes world-class hospitality as the hotel of choice for heads of state and leaders of the world&39;s business, cultural, social, and political elite. The hotel&39;s 332 well-appointed large guestrooms include 40 elegant suites. The classic Willard InterContinental combines heritage and luxury with contemporary comfort and the latest technology. An American institution, the Willard has hosted nearly every U.S. president since 1853. It was at the Willard that Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic, where President Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term "Lobbyist," and where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King finished his renowned "I Have a Dream" speech.

Recently awarded the International Hotel&Restaurant Association&39;s Environmental Award for Sustainability, the Willard has embarked on a green hotel sustainability program entitled, "Willard InterContinental - The Next 100 Years." The holistic plan is comprised of numerous interwoven sustainable projects designed for a luxurious urban hospitality experience in harmony with social and ecological consciousness. Please visit http://www.willarddc.com/sd , a useful guide to the Willard&39;s eco-friendly hotel sustainability programs.

Thanks to the support of the Center for Hospitality Research partners listed below, all Cornell Hospitality Reports and Tools are made available free of charge from the center&39;s website, http://www.chr.cornell.edu .

About The Center for Hospitality Research

A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the center&39;s 73 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly (formerly the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly). To learn more about center and its projects, visit http://www.chr.cornell.edu .

Center partners and sponsors: AIG Global Real Estate Investment, American Airlines Admirals Club, Davis&Gilbert LLP, Deloitte&Touche USA LLP, Denihan Hospitality Group, Expedia, Inc., Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Fox Rothschild LLP, FX Real Estate and Entertainment, Inc., General Growth Properties, Inc., HVS, InterContinental Hotels Group, job.travel, JohnsonDiversey, Inc., Jumeirah Group, LRP Publications, Marriott International, Inc., Marsh&39;s Hospitality Practice, Mobil Travel Guide, Inc., Nestl&233;, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proskauer Rose LLP, Smith Travel Research, Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc., SynXis (a Sabre Holdings Corporation), Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Thayer Lodging Group, TIG Global, Travelport, WATG, and WhiteSand Consulting.

Center friends: 4Hoteliers.com American Tescor, LLC Argyle Executive Forum Caribbean Hotel and Restaurant Buyers Guide Cody Kramer Imports Cruise Industry News DK Shifflet&Associates ehotelier.com EyeforTravel Fireman&39;s Fund Insurance Company Gerencia de Hoteles&Restaurantes Global Hospitality Resources Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) hospitalityInside.com hospitalitynet.org Hospitality Technology Magazine Hotel Asia Pacific Hotel China HotelExecutive.com Hotel Interactive Hotel Resource International CHRIE International Hotel and Restaurant Association International Hotel Conference International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) iPerceptions Lodging Hospitality Lodging Magazine Milestone Internet Marketing MindFolio Parasol PKF Hospitality Research The Resort Trades RealShare Hotel Investment&Finance Summit Resort+Recreation Magazine RestaurantEdge.com Shibata Publishing Co. Synovate The Lodging Conference TravelCLICK UniFocus WageWatch, Inc. WIWIH.COM

Congress Solutions International to organise major transport sector event

Transport on top of Dubai’s agenda this year DUBAI, U.A.E, 22nd September 2009 - Congress Solutions International (CSI), part of Dubai-based Emirates airline, has been appointed by Road & Transport Authority (RTA) as the local Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) for the 59th UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition. A bi-annual event set to take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10-14 April 2011, the UITP World Congress is the leading forum for the international public transport sector. It brings together high-level professionals from around the world in order to share knowledge and engage in the discussions on future transport provision. Following the recent RTA’s successful bid to host the 59th UITP World Congress in Dubai, this is the first time that the event will be held in the Middle East and North Africa, demonstrating Dubai’s growing significance as a global congress and conference venue. RTA’s successful bid also reflects the massive investment and development of Dubai’s comprehensive public transport system, including the introduction of the region’s first pilotless Metro system. UITP is a global network of some 3,000 public transport professionals from over 90 countries and it is expected that at least 2,000 members will attend the event in Dubai, coming from some 80 countries. A number of Government Ministers and senior country delegations will also be attending, in addition to 300 exhibitors and 7,000 visitors to the show. CSI will provide a comprehensive range of services such as managing the sales of the sponsorship packages and part of the exhibition space, the social programmes and the event communications in the MENA region. As an integral part of the Emirates Group, CSI will also offer delegates preferential rates on Emirates flights to Dubai. Commenting on CSI’s appointment, Frederic Bardin, Senior Vice President, Congress Solutions International, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by the RTA as the PCO for the UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition. This is an important event for the international public transport industry and acknowledges the great work that the RTA has done in positioning Dubai as a regional leader in this field. “With the increasing focus here in the UAE on public transport, we are delighted to help showcase Dubai’s progress. The fact that we have been appointed by the RTA is further evidence of CSI’s reputation and ability to deliver successful, high profile and international events.” Obaid Mohammed Al Mulla, RTA Board of Director Member Chief Executive Officer Marine Agency, said “This is the first time that the UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition will be held in the MENA region and it is great news that Dubai has been chosen as the venue for this event. It will put the spotlight on the Emirate and will allow us to show the incredible progress we have made in public transport in only a short time. We have total confidence in CSI’s ability to deliver a first-class event on every level. CSI also provides the significant added bonus for our delegates in that they will be able to benefit from discounted airfares on Emirates. CSI was also appointed as the local PCO for the 21st World Diabetes Congress which is to be held in Dubai in 2011. The recent appointments not only cement CSI’s reputation as a leading PCO in Middle East and build on its growing credentials internationally but also expand its client base, which already includes Information Technology, Banking, Consumer Goods, Construction, Oil & Gas, Automobiles and Travel & Tourism.

EK Goes The Extra Mile To Help Businesses

8th July, 2009 Emirates airline is going the extra mile to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the economic challenges currently gripping businesses across the globe. To celebrate a successful first year for Business Rewards - the Dubai-based international carrier’s innovative loyalty programme tailor-made for SMEs - 5000 bonus Miles are being offered when each new account is activated. With firms in 55 countries across the airline’s network recognising the broad range of benefits available, the 24/7 online rewards scheme has grown from strength to strength and now has more than 5000 registered accounts across the globe. Russell Sheldon, Senior Vice President Network Passenger Sales Development, said: “Business Rewards has been fantastically popular, with cost-conscious companies attracted to the great value and benefits it offers both themselves and their employees. “Small and medium-sized companies are often the most vulnerable in periods of economic uncertainty and we are delighted to be able to help them keep their costs down and reward their loyalty to Emirates - with bonus Miles. The award-winning programme has been so popular that Emirates which serves 100 destinations in 60 countries across six continents - recently launched customised versions for the French and German markets. A key factor in the success of the free-to-join Business Rewards scheme which gives members two Miles for every $1 they spend on travel - has been the mutual benefits it offers both SMEs and their staff. Each time a registered employee books an Emirates flight, the company earns Business Rewards Miles, while the individual traveller continues to earn personal Miles from Skywards, Emirates frequent flyer programme for regular passengers. The company can then redeem accumulated Business Rewards Miles against future bookings or like many firms use them to recognise the efforts of hard-working employees through staff incentive schemes. The programme also provides a convenient online portal for administrators at SMEs to manage employee travel on Emirates airline. The company must register with Business Rewards in the country where it is located, but it can accumulate Miles for travel undertaken by employees at all their branches into one central account. The offer of 5000 bonus Miles is only available until 30th September 2009 to new or existing members who have yet to make a booking. For full details on the offer and how to sign up for Business Rewards, visit www.emirates.com

Poulter Pounces On Singapore Open Title

Singapore, 1 November, 2009 English golfer Ian Poulter was singing in the rain after triumphing at the weather-hit Barclays Singapore Open to clinch his first European Tour victory since 2006. The 33-year-old - who finished on 10-under par, one shot ahead of Chinas Lian Wen-Chong - said: I would like to thank everyone who has shown their support throughout the tournament. Its good to be back in the winners circle and I will be back to compete next year. And while Poulter and more than 150 professional golfers were battling it out for the US$5 million prize purse from October 29 to November 1, spectators and golfing enthusiasts were treated to a series of exciting Emirates initiatives during the tournament. Twenty young golfers from Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) and Methodists Girls School were treated to a master class from Hendrik Buhrmann at the Emirates Youth Golf Clinic on October 31. Besides giving the youngsters advice on how to improve their game, the South African star also shared his personal experiences of playing on the highly competitive circuit. In addition, Emirates VIP guests had the opportunity to play with the stars and also pick up some tips in the Pro-Am tournament on October 28. The Emirates flights were led by Lian Wen-Chong, the Singapore Masters 2007 champion; Johan Edfors who clinched top spot at the Black Mountain Masters in Thailand this year; and Alexander Noren, a rising star who recently won his first European Tour title at the Omega European Masters. Cheryl Yew was the amateur golfer who won the Nearest-to-the-Pin competition at the Pro-Am and was presented a Business Class ticket to Dubai courtesy of Emirates. The competition also raised funds for the Emirates Airline Foundation, a charity which supports disadvantaged children. This is first time Emirates has been the Official Airline of the Barclays Singapore Open and Nick Rees, Emirates Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, was delighted with the part the airline played in a hugely successful event.

Emirates airlines Remains Committed to Asian Football’s Future

7th January 2009 - Emirates, the Dubai-based global airline, today announced its commitment to the future success of Asian football, with a four year, multi-million dollar extension to its sponsorship of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Emirates first became an Official Sponsor and Official Airline of the AFC in 2002 and has remained committed to Asia’s most prestigious football events ever since. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and AFC President, Mohamed bin Hammam, made the announcement at a press conference held at the airline’s global headquarters in Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed said, “Asian football continues to make giant strides forward in terms of quality and reach, and this commitment to success mirrors the drive and ambitions of Emirates. We have been involved in Asian football since 1996 when we were the Official Airline of the AFC Asian Cup and we have all come a long way since then. As an Official Partner of the AFC, Emirates has rights to all AFC tournaments including the AFC Champions League, AFC Cup, AFC Challenge Cup, and a number of Club, Women’s and Youth team events. Through this partnership Emirates will gain considerable media exposure with over 120 games each year being televised on a live or delayed basis around the world. In addition to its support of Asian Football Confederation, Emirates is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup with close links to FIFA and all its projects in the 2007 014 period. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the worlds premier football tournament. Emirates also sponsors Arsenal football club and has the naming rights of their new home, the Emirates Stadium, in addition to partnerships with Hamburg SV, Paris Saint Germain Football Club, AC Milan and Olympiacos FC. Emirates is also involved in a wide range of sports including sailing, golf, horseracing, tennis, cricket and rugby.

Explore the Golden Valley|travel package

Explore the Golden Valley
travel package - 8 days / 7 nights For centuries the mostly ethnic Tibetan province of Qinghai has played host to some of Tibetan Buddhism's most famous temples and holy sites. Situated at the center of the Silk Road route, the holy region that straddles Qinghai and Gansu provinces is rich in cross-cultural history. The art work of the various temples and grottoes that dot the area are indicative of the many civilizations that left their mark here. Through a combination of expert guided tours and a genuine home stay experience learn more about the influence of Tibetan culture and Buddhist arts and crafts at this crossroad of ancient trading routes. Witness the nomadic lifestyle of religious pilgrims and marvel at the splendor of traditional Buddhist monasteries and inspiring natural landscapes. A spiritual journey into western China's Buddhist heartland. Day 1 Arrive in Lanzhou - Meet by your guide at airport
- Visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, best known for its ancient sculpture horse (Galloping horse), Silk Road artifacts, and a 4m tall mammoth
- Overnight in Lanzhou Day 2 Lanzhou C Xiahe - Drive to Binglinsi (1.5 hours) and take a boat ride (1 hour) to approach the grottoes Binglingsi Grottos: Over 200 Buddhist caves featuring close to 700 stone statutes and numerous murals, mostly crafted during the Tang Dynasty
- Drive to Xiahe (3.5 hours)
- Overnight in Xiahe Day 3 Xiahe - Visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism, also home to the largest number of monks outside of Tibet
- In late afternoon, walk around local market and explore Xiahe town
- Overnight in Xiahe Day 4 Xiahe C Tongren - Drive to Tongren (3.5 hour), home of a number of Tibetan Buddhist Temples and a center of the Tibetan Thangka Painting School
- En route, stop at Shuangpengxi, an authentic Tibetan village to experience the genuine Tibetan lifestyle
- Visit Geng Dhunq Qiu Phel school and play games with the students
- Arrive Tongren in the evening and have dinner
- Overnight in Tongren Day 5 Tongren - Visit Sgo-dmar Gompa, Goma Ancient Town and Kalachakra Pagoda
- In the afternoon, visit local Tibetan family
- Led by each family host, tour local market and buy products for dinner
- Prepare dinners and enjoy it with local family
- Homestay Day 6 Tongren - Morning visit Rongwu Monastery & Wutong Monastery
- Afternoon learn Tangka painting art with local artist
- Spend another night at local family house
- Homestay Day 7 Tongren C Xining - Transfer to Xining (4 hours)
- Visit Kumbum Monastery, also known as "Ta'er Monastery"
- Overnight in Xining Day 8 Depart - Transfer to airport and connect your flight back home
- End of service For travel package bookings and more information please contact Hotline Beijing: +86-10-8519 8999(phone)