Li River Guilin to Yangshuo

Yangshuo is a great place for hikes and cycling excursions. There's no doubt that taking a close-up exploration to the country villages, you will have a taste of the rural life. However, maybe very few visitors have expected a Li River Cruise may be another highlight across their Yangshuo trip. The landscape is decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and is lined with bamboo. A poem says: "The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hair-pins". Tourist cruises in different boats (varying from small bamboo rafts to larger, air-conditioned ships) are offered on the Li River throughout the year and are one of the major attractions of Guilin.

The Li River Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Li River cruise makes the small town Yangshuo known to foreigners. The town is very small that everyone will know you after one month. Located some 90 kilometers south of Guilin City, this town is the downstream end of the cruise but not the least. The enchanting fairyland of Yangshuo is renowned as the best in Guilin. The Li River originates in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County and flows in the general southern direction through Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle.
In Pingle the Li River merges with two other streams, and continues south as the Gui River, which falls into the Xi Jiang, the western tributary of the Pearl River, in Wuzhou. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the river become one of China's top tourist destinations.
The river generally has three sections. Various attractions like peaks and villages along the river have interesting descriptive names, which calls for much of your imagination to see what it is like. Listening to tour guide's legendary stories about the attractions is a delightful experience when you are appreciating the landscapes. Most are mystical fairy and love stories. Moreover there are various attractions in the section, such as the Elephant Trunk Hill, Pagoda Hill, Forest of Odd-Shaped Peaks, Duxu Ancient Town, and the Ox Gorge. Many tour guide books have listed the main attractions in order of location along the river. You can also refer to the river Map on the right. Now start our impressive Li River trip from section to section.
Li River is the biggest and the most beautiful Karst landscape. The magnificent scenery of the Li River is printed on the back of the 20 CNY note. It is a known as a pearl of China and the essence of Gulin. Li River is famous as the city’s soul and heart. A Li River Cruise is an activity about throwing away however annoying things and return to the real you. Isn’t that amazing? More Guilin tour information here.

Muslim Tour to Beijing Suggestion

Beijing is a modern and ancient city of China that filled with history and cultural famous attractions worldwide. For Muslim travelers, Beijing is also an ideal place for visiting. Combined with my Beijing muslim tour experience last year, we had a great recommendation list for some mosques and Beijing halal food.
Here is a short tour guide including Beijing Dongsi Mosque and two best halal restaurants that I tried while visiting Beijing. Since Beijing has over 70 Masjid and is home to over 200,000 Muslims then visit at least one of famous mosque in Beijing is a must, right? Okey, then let’s start with Beijing Dongsi Mosque.

As one of the oldest mosque in Beijing, Beijing Dongsi mosque is the headquarters of the Islamic Association of Beijing. Located at No.13, the Dongsi South Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing city, Dongsi mosque was first built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). But there is some ambiguity surrounding the actual construction date of the mosque. Some people believe it was built in the Ming Dynasty.
The main buildings of Dongsi mosque include two gates, a minaret, a prayer hall and a library. Originally, there was a minaret inside the second gate.The prayer hall has been restored and renovated many times.With Koran carved on the arches in the hall,it can hold up to 500 people.There is also a separate area in the main hall for women.
Five wing halls and three wing rooms are respectively on the southern and northern parts of the courtyard. The architectural style of of Dongsi mosque has a feature of Ming Dynasty.There are many precious cultural relics preserved in the mosque.Located in the south wing hall, the library has various versions of the Koran.The oldest and most sacred Koran is a handwritten copy dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.
Visiting Dongsi mosque had given us excellent feeling for starting to know about diversity culture of the country. I thought it was very interesting to experience and personally see different architecture of mosque in Beijing, which is blend with Chinese traditional style.
In addition, we also taste halal restaurants during Beijing Muslim Tour, there are including Manyun Lou Restaurant and Laohuihui Restaurant.

Manyun Lou Restaurant is a one of the famous Muslim featured restaurants in Beijing. Manyun Lou Restaurant has two floors in the antique styles. With its convenient location and good environment, Manyun Lou Restaurant has busy business every day.
Manyun Lou Restaurant is specialized in Muslim food, home cooking dishes and hot pot. Muslim food provided at the restaurant has unique Muslim flavor that is authentic and original. The Stewed Lamb Spine and Roast Sheep Spine are the two featured dishes in the restaurant. Vinegar Mushu and Saseam Lamb Chops are other two popular recommendations.
Hot pot is also quite hot at Manyun Lou Restaurant. Many people come here for the taste of the Sheep Spin hot pot. Sheep spine is fully stewed to get the mellow flavor. Instant-boiled mutton is another hot dish welcomed when eating a hot pot. A little fatty, but never greasy, fresh and tender, the instant-boiled mutton is very popular among customers. Address, No.14, Pinganli Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Laohuihui Restaurant is an old Hui-styled Muslim restaurant in Beijing. The restaurant is quite popular by Hui Muslims and Xinjiang people with its delicious and tasty Muslim food.
Though this is an old restaurant, inside its ordinary and ancient appearance is the clean and bright dining hall. Services provided at the restaurant are quite efficient. Dishes have generous quantity and favorable prices, making it a good choice for family or friend gathering dinners.
The restaurant has a large dining hall and several private rooms. At the Laohuihui Restaurant, you can taste authentic Muslim food that has unique Hui flavors. Dishes among top orders are Fried Lamb with Cumin, Braised Mutton, Lamian, Vinegar Mushu and Fried Small Yellow Croaker. Laohuihui also provides nutritious and tasty breakfast in the morning. Sugar cake is one that quite popular. Address, Building 6, Liupukang, Xicheng District, Beijing.
The halal food in Beijing has a unique flavor to it and forms an important part of the authentic Beijing cuisine. Besides those two restaurants that I recommend, of course there are many other halal restaurants.
In our last Beijing muslim tour Malaysia, we could like know different Muslim culture in other countries like in China.

Guide to Xian Halal Street Food

Xian may be best known as the home of the Terracotta Warriors, and all those who make it out to the city's outskirts marvel at the thousands-strong clay army, silently standing guard over the tomb of the ancient ruler of the Qinshi Emperor. It's a sobering and impressive sight but when visitors head back to Xian, though their minds are full of historical musings, their bellies pull them swiftly back to the present with a resounding rumble, and thoughts turn to matters of the present. Namely, where to head for dinner?
The answer is an easy one, Muslim Street. Before entering into the food directly, there are some information about this street. There are two mosques, one is called Giant Mosque, the Muslim prayer is opened, another one is Dapiyuan mosque, which is seldom known, it is not open to the public hence it is so quiet. In this district, customs of living around the Muslim were kept, men go to pray everyday, women still wear the white scarf, young people need to go to the Muslim school, they are all dreaming to join into the pray in Mega.
On that note, here are the top 5 not-to-be-missed Muslim Street eats....

this is a delicious lamb stew, served with unleavened bread which is crumbled into the dish to soak up the soup. Traditionally the diner will first break the bread into an empty bowl, depending on how hungry they are, and then the chef will ladle in the stew. Unless you speak Chinese, you'll likely find they prepare it on your behalf, so you just have to slurp it up. Add pickled garlic and chili to taste.
Though more of a summer favorite, this dish of cold noodles can be found all year round in Xian. Thick, translucent wheat or rice flour noodles are mixed with garlic, ginger, pepper, sauce, vinegar, bean sprouts, capsicum powder, salt, finely chopped or grated cucumber, caraway, chicken stock and sesame oil. A final handful of noodles dipped in chili oil is often added for that little bit of extra lip-tingling goodness.
I remember clearly that when i was in the university, one of my classmates who live in Xian always want to invite us to have the roast lamb. You'll see the whole roasted beasts on display outside any number of small restaurants toward the south end of the street. Simply sidle up and see which one takes your fancy, order as much as you can eat until you feel full and become satisfied.
With the scent of freshly baking bread and roasting meat filling the air, the quandary of where to eat quickly becomes what to eat. And it is indeed the feature of this street, you will be not disappointed to be here as a traveler. More about Xian private tour and muslim travel agency here.

When is the Best Time to Go to China

Season preference
1) Spring (March to May)
During the late of spring, everything comes to life and it is the best time to enjoy the natural scenery with flowers and mountains. But the temperatures will changes to much in this season; you’d better to wear layered clothes to avoid the unpredictability weather.
As the city in north of China is quite dry, you can spend your time in visiting south of China. You can experience picturesque scenery of mountain and rivers in Guilin or experience the spectacular scenery in Mt. Huangshan and so on.
2) Summer (June to August)
Summer is a very hot season in China, the temperature can be 40℃ in the Nanjing and some cities. It is also a rainy season, tourist need to bring umbrella and raincoats to protect from shower.
If you don’t mind the hot whether, you can visit many cities in China. As July and August in the summer holiday in China, the airfare between tourism city will has no special discount.
3) Autumn (September to Nov)
It is the most comfortable season to have a visit in China. The temperature will about be about 10-23℃, it will be rainy in some area. Usually, you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery in China. Please do not plan your tour in China National days (Sep 29-Oct 8). It is also the peak time in domestic tourist.
4) Winter (December to February)
It is incredibly cold in north of China during winter. But you can the Ice World in Harbin during the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. But it is the peak time for tourist and the tour cost will be increasing.
Festival preference
There are 56 nationalities in China and different nationality has their own traditional festival. You can enjoy the special Chinese culture here, such as Dragon Boat Festival, Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and so on.
Peak season VS Low season
Peak season in China:
1) Labor Day (May 1-3)
2) National Day (Oct 1-7)
3) School Holidays: Summer Holiday (Jul-Sep) and Winter Holiday (Jan-Feb)
Many people plan their trip during this time. The transportation fee and hotel price will be increasing, including airfare, coach transfer fee etc. The famous attractions will be crowed with people, you will have no time to experience the scenery.
Compared with the peak season, low season will be a good choice for your traveling:
1) Saving money during the tour. The hotel price, airfare will be much lower than the peak season. The souvenir in the shops will be cheaper.
2) Saving time. During the lower season, you do not need to share the attractions with much more people. Then you will have more time to take photos and experience the local life.
Reference, http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/travel-tips/Best-Time-to-Visit-China-220-13.html

Muslim Cheap Hangzhou Packages Tour

Our cheap Hangzhou packages muslim feature halal food, Muslim hotels, and visits to mosques, architecture and Muslim life.
Mosques in Hangzhou
The historic Hangzhou was a majorly significant city on the route of the Silk Road. It is recorded that Arab traders settled in Hangzhou in the Song Dynasty. The Phoenix mosque is the only mosque in Hangzhou. It was built in the Tang dynasty but was destroyed. In 1281 it was reconstructed and over the next few centuries it continued to be expanded.
Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque

As one of the famous four mosques of China, Hangzhou’s Phoenix Mosque, which is also known as the Fenghuang Mosque was built in the Tang Dynasty. The mosque was destroyed in the Song dynasty and it wasn’t until 1281 till the mosque was rebuilt on the original site. During the Ming Dynasty the mosque was renovated and expanded. The Phoenix mosque has a surface area of 2,600 meters and within the mosque there still remains cultural remains such as artwork, Arabic inscriptions and stone steles.
Address, No 227, Zhongshan Road, Middle, Hangzhou
Halal Food & Muslim Restaurants in Hangzhou
Hangzhou Donglaishun Restaurant Qingtai Branch
Hangzhou Donglaishun Restaurant Qingtai Branch is one of the branches under the Donglaishun Food Corporation, which is a old food company and has a long history of more than 100 years. It is located in the Qingtai Road, Shangcheng District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
The Hangzhou Donglaishun Restaurant Qingtai Branch has a business extension of various cuisines which are specialized at instant-boiling, roasting, quick frying and stir frying. They choose high quality fresh food material to provide dishes of unique flavors.
The restaurant is decorated to be impressive both at style and scale. Nice and pleasant environment, good services, in addition to the tasty and delicious food, the restaurant has gained a wide popularity in Hangzhou. Here you can try delicacies of Muslim food. Among the authentic and genuine Halal food provided, mutton and beef get the top popularity. Those customers who have tooth to mutton and beef should not miss out this restaurant when travel to Hangzhou.
Recommended dishes from the Donglaishun Restaurant Qingtai Branch include the instant-boiled mutton, mutton dumplings, beef kebabs, sliced mutton, sliced beef, beef belly, frozen bean curd.
Signature Dishes:
Hotpot (Shuanyangrou)

Address, No. 488, Qingtai Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Northwest People's Restaurant
Northwest People's Restaurant is quite a famed Muslim restaurant that dedicated to provide authentic northwest-style Halal dishes, but also offers other different style Muslim dishes, such as Sichuan-style, Cantonese-style and Shandong-style.
This is a three-storeyed restaurant with the first two floors decorated with bright large halls and glitter chandeliers, the third floor elegantly decorated with private rooms. The excellent services and pleasant environment have provided a solid base for the charming of the restaurant.
People at the Northwest People's Restaurant can have a wide choice of Muslim food in different styles. Hot recommendations from this restaurant include pita bread soaked in lamb soup, lamb ribs, lamb kebab, naan bread, naan mutton, roasted lamb chops, bean jelly, and steamed chicken with chili sauce.
Mutton Dumplings (Yangroujiaozi)

Address, No. 257, Middle Zhongshan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Dong Yi Shun

The Dong Yi Shun Restaurant located in the Gaoyin Street of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City is a top choice for Muslim food. The restaurant is a branch of Dong Yi Shun Food Service Company which is dedicated to provide authentic Halal food.
Dong Yi Shun Restaurant is a two-storeyed building with simple decoration. But the environment is very clean and services are quite good. What attracts people here is the genuine northwest Muslim food it provides. People who are favorable to mutton and beef should choose this restaurant. And as Dong Yi Shun also offers menus of salad, pasta and some other western-styled dishes, it is quite popular among foreign Muslims who come for a Hangzhou tour.
There are many special dishes with unique flavors of northwest Muslim cuisines. Highly recommended dishes are Xinjiang big plate chicken, Teppanyaki Beef Tenderloin with tomato sauce, Teppanyaki juice eggplant, lamb kebabs, yoghurt, Banana cheese with fried eggs, Greek salad, and naan bread.
Address, No. 99, Gaoyin Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province
Hangzhou prayer time in July 2014

Date	Day	Fajr	Sunrise	Dhuhr	Asr	Maghrib	Isha
1	Tuesday	3:40	5:25	12:41	4:29	7:56	9:36
2	Wednesday	3:40	5:26	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:36
3	Thursday	3:41	5:26	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
4	Friday	3:42	5:27	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
5	Saturday	3:42	5:27	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
6	Sunday	3:43	5:28	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:34
7	Monday	3:44	5:28	12:42	4:30	7:55	9:34
8	Tuesday	3:45	5:29	12:43	4:30	7:55	9:33
9	Wednesday	3:46	5:29	12:43	4:31	7:55	9:33
10	Thursday	3:46	5:30	12:43	4:31	7:55	9:32
11	Friday	3:47	5:31	12:43	4:31	7:54	9:32
12	Saturday	3:48	5:31	12:43	4:31	7:54	9:31
13	Sunday	3:49	5:32	12:43	4:31	7:53	9:31
14	Monday	3:50	5:32	12:43	4:31	7:53	9:30
15	Tuesday	3:51	5:33	12:44	4:31	7:53	9:29
16	Wednesday	3:52	5:34	12:44	4:31	7:52	9:29
17	Thursday	3:53	5:34	12:44	4:31	7:52	9:28
18	Friday	3:54	5:35	12:44	4:31	7:51	9:27
19	Saturday	3:55	5:36	12:44	4:31	7:51	9:26
20	Sunday	3:56	5:36	12:44	4:31	7:50	9:25
21	Monday	3:57	5:37	12:44	4:31	7:49	9:24
22	Tuesday	3:58	5:38	12:44	4:31	7:49	9:23
23	Wednesday	3:59	5:39	12:44	4:31	7:48	9:22
24	Thursday	4:00	5:39	12:44	4:31	7:48	9:22
25	Friday	4:01	5:40	12:44	4:31	7:47	9:20
26	Saturday	4:02	5:41	12:44	4:31	7:46	9:19
27	Sunday	4:03	5:41	12:44	4:31	7:45	9:18
28	Monday	4:05	5:42	12:44	4:31	7:45	9:17
29	Tuesday	4:06	5:43	12:44	4:30	7:44	9:16
30	Wednesday	4:07	5:44	12:44	4:30	7:43	9:15
31	Thursday	4:08	5:44	12:44	4:30	7:42	9:14

Islamic Prayer Times Hong Kong

Islamic Prayer Times Hong Kong In July 2014

Date	Day	Fajr	Sunrise	Dhuhr	Asr	Maghrib	Isha
1	Tuesday	3:40	5:25	12:41	4:29	7:56	9:36
2	Wednesday	3:40	5:26	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:36
3	Thursday	3:41	5:26	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
4	Friday	3:42	5:27	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
5	Saturday	3:42	5:27	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:35
6	Sunday	3:43	5:28	12:42	4:30	7:56	9:34
7	Monday	3:44	5:28	12:42	4:30	7:55	9:34
8	Tuesday	3:45	5:29	12:43	4:30	7:55	9:33
9	Wednesday	3:46	5:29	12:43	4:31	7:55	9:33
10	Thursday	3:46	5:30	12:43	4:31	7:55	9:32
11	Friday	3:47	5:31	12:43	4:31	7:54	9:32
12	Saturday	3:48	5:31	12:43	4:31	7:54	9:31
13	Sunday	3:49	5:32	12:43	4:31	7:53	9:31
14	Monday	3:50	5:32	12:43	4:31	7:53	9:30
15	Tuesday	3:51	5:33	12:44	4:31	7:53	9:29
16	Wednesday	3:52	5:34	12:44	4:31	7:52	9:29
17	Thursday	3:53	5:34	12:44	4:31	7:52	9:28
18	Friday	3:54	5:35	12:44	4:31	7:51	9:27
19	Saturday	3:55	5:36	12:44	4:31	7:51	9:26
20	Sunday	3:56	5:36	12:44	4:31	7:50	9:25
21	Monday	3:57	5:37	12:44	4:31	7:49	9:24
22	Tuesday	3:58	5:38	12:44	4:31	7:49	9:23
23	Wednesday	3:59	5:39	12:44	4:31	7:48	9:22
24	Thursday	4:00	5:39	12:44	4:31	7:48	9:22
25	Friday	4:01	5:40	12:44	4:31	7:47	9:20
26	Saturday	4:02	5:41	12:44	4:31	7:46	9:19
27	Sunday	4:03	5:41	12:44	4:31	7:45	9:18
28	Monday	4:05	5:42	12:44	4:31	7:45	9:17
29	Tuesday	4:06	5:43	12:44	4:30	7:44	9:16
30	Wednesday	4:07	5:44	12:44	4:30	7:43	9:15
31	Thursday	4:08	5:44	12:44	4:30	7:42	9:14