My friends Peter likes tourism, whenever he is free he loves to travel around. He said that the pressure of work is big, travel to enable him to relax physically and mentally. He has been to Alaska, Xi’an, China, and other location. He likes photography, every place he would take a lot of photos, He will put these pictures on the Internet to share with friends,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pccm/

He’s a very good photo shoot.
Last time I saw him, he said he would like to do a web site on tour and  hotel reservation, similar to Ctrip(http://www.ctrip.com/)
The establishment of such a site requires a great deal of work,such as web site development, Hotel information provider, Web site promotion etc. If there are appropriate resources, I suggested that he might try.
Of course, if I have time I will help him, because I like the development of the Internet site.

Now there are a lot of Internet hotel reservation sites.You know, looking for an affordable and beautiful hotel is not easy. I have found that a Web site, hotelscombined,  is to provide hotel price comparison service,the URL is  http://www.hotelscombined.com
This site provides us all on the hotel provided by the Web site, there is a price comparison, so that we can make better choices. We can search for hotel we need, and link to relevant sites to do hotel reservations.It can search for hotel from many web sites,such as hotels.com, Booking.com, TotalTourist.com, etc. We can search a specified hotel on the hotel page,for example, China Royal Hotel Macau:

http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Royal_Hotel_Macau.htm

This model is also worth considering, and this need to establish a good relationship with major travel sites. Therefore, the work needs to be done may be more. To consider what kind of model, we need well-considered. In any case, I hope he can achieve his dream.

Guangzhou is a world commercial center, and a shopping paradise.

It is the most important Commodity distribution center in south China. Worldwide brand-name commodities in complete categories can be found here. Fashionable dress, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, computer and electronic goods, photographing apparatus, sports goods, stationery, fashionable playthings, curios, arts and crafts, medicines and herbs, sea products and other endless goods will meet the different demands of visitors worldwide.

Guangzhou has some department stores and shopping malls that get most of its stock direct from Hong Kong. Shops open around 9.00am and close anywhere from 6.00pm to 10.00p.m. Actual hours depend on the nature of the business. Shops in areas frequented by tourists may open earlier.

The best thing about shopping in Guangzhou is browsing the weird and wonderful collection of animals, food and medicines in Qingping Market. The rugged and rough side to this city is open for everyone to see here, just make sure you hold your nose if you visit in the summer!

If this is all a bit too authentic for you, there are some great little boutiques to be found on Shamian Island and Beijing Lu. Guangdong is famous for its exquisite Embroidery which can also be found at some of the good night markets on Xinhu Lu or Jiaoyue Road.

Bargaining

Bargaining is generally not possible in department stores, but asks for a discount when purchasing expensive items with cash, such as electrical appliances and jewellery. Prices can fluctuate wildly from shop to shop. Bargaining is usually possible and often expected in smaller shops, particularly where items are not visibly priced. Food stallholders usually charge fixed prices.

Bargaining requires time and patience – most vendors have plenty of both and will appreciate your efforts if you are genuinely interested in buying and can maintain a sense of humor in the process. If you can speak just a few words of Chinese, such as numbers, you will enjoy the experience a lot more and often get a better deal.

In China it is possible, if not expected, to bargain in open markets and other shopping areas where prices are not already clearly marked. The goal always is to pay the local price, not the foreigner price. The only important rule is to be polite. It is perfectly fine to ask for a discount, but do it with a smile. While some would see a tough attitude as the key to a cheap price, it usually backfires with the “face” conscious Chinese and you end up not getting the best price. Remember that no vendor will sell you a product at a loss!

Means of Payment

Cash in Chinese RMB is preferred. Luxury restaurants, large department stores and star hotel accept credit cards, but it is wise to check first in the case of traditional Chinese establishments.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are readily available in Guangzhou to use VISA, MasterCard, Dinners Club and other international banking systems.

Tips

Most restaurants and pubs include a service charge in the listed price, so tipping is not necessary.
Do not tip friendly government employees or business people as they may interpret your generosity as a bribe.

On the Xianggang Hill beside the Jiefang Road stands the tomb of Nanyue King who was the second generation of the King of Nanyue Kingdom in early West Han Dynasty and also the grandson of General Zhao Tuo of the Qin dynasty who unified areas south to the five mountain ridges. The tomb, enjoying a history of over 2000 years, was discovered in 1983. 20 meters deep down behind the hill, it was made of 750 stone slabs with 7 rooms in 2 parts separated by two stone doors. Each room was of its own function. After a few years of excavation, over 1000 pieces or sets of valuable cultural relic and 15 buried-alive dead bodies had been unearthed.

Up to date, this tomb is the earliest, largest and richest ancient tomb of early Han dynasty found in Guangdong and Guangxi areas. It is also the only all-stone tomb with earliest color murals. Of the unearthed cultural relics, bronze instruments, 36 large cooking vessels, 36 bronze mirrors and 3 gold coins (up to date, there have been only 4 gold coins in total of the time discovered in the area) and 240 jade wares. The King wore clothes with jade pieces threaded together. Besides, people found a blue colored flat grass slab, a set of printing copper moulds and African ivory and other rare treasures of significance.

Use Tips:

Q: How to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong?
A: There are three ways for you to chose from Hong Kong to Guangzhou.

By Air
1.If you have lots of package with you. Take flight maight be the fastest and the most convinence way to come to Guangzhou. It may take you 45 minutes.

By Train
2.Take Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train to Guangzhou East Railway Station. It may take you one and an half hour.

By Bus
3. Take Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Coach at Hong Kong International Airport or other stations in the city. It may take you three and an half hours.

Q: How I can get to the Canton Fair from my Hotel?
A: Most of the hotels provide free shuttle bus from and to both fairs. But if you miss the bus, you can:

To CECF (Pazhou) Complex
From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

BY TAXI – It takes about 45 minutes and costs about RMB 160.

From Guangzhou East Railway Station

BY Metro – Take Metro Line 1 to Gongyuanqian Station. Then transfer Line 2 to Xingangdong Station. It costs RMB 7.

To CECF (Liuhua) Complex
From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

BY TAXI – It takes about 40 minutes and costs about RMB 100.
BY NO.5- SHUTTLE BUS – ( DONG FANG HOTEL ) It takes about 45 minutes and costs RMB 16.

From Guangzhou East Railway Station

BY TAXI – It takes about 20 minutes and costs about RMB 35.
BY NO.185, 271 or 280 BUS – It takes about 40 minutes and costs about RMB 2.
BY Metro – Take Metro Line 1 to Gongyuanqian Station. Then transfer Line 2 to

In 1957, China Export Commodities Fair (Spring Fair and Autumn Fair) has been hosted here, which received great attendance and enjoyed high reputation both at home and abroad. Worldwide brand-name commodities in complete categories can be found. Fashionable dresses, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, computer and electronic goods, photographing apparatus, sports goods, stationery, fashionable playthings, curios, arts and crafts, medicines and herbs, sea products and other endless goods can meet visitors’ different demands.

Local Products you can’t miss

DON’T forget to buy some local products such as the Wanglaoji Herbal Tea, cooking materials, Canton Embroidery, Canton Embroidery, Canton Enamel and Canton Sculpture.
1. Canton Sculpture includes Canton Ivory Carvings, Jade Sculpture, Wood sculpture and Olive Sculpture
2. Canton Enamel, Celadon are short for Guangzhou Colorful pottery. It has a history of over 300 years.
3. Canton Embroidery, namely Yue Embroidery, is one of the Four Famous Chinese Embroidery and Shu Embroidery.
4. Canton Bacon is the general designation of cured meat in the Guangzhou Area.
6.Wang Laoji Herbal Tea is a king of medicine that is healthy for the human body

Guangzhou Tour

Shopping Malls & Plazas

Teem Plaza
10am – 10pm 208 Tianhe Lu 8559 0683
Carrefour
1-2B, Everbright City Plaza, 656, Kangwang Zhong Lu 8133 7619
Carrefour
Blossom Plaza, No. 1339 Jichang Lu, Baiyun District 3663 7188
Carrefour
2-3F Wanguo Plaza, 40, Qianjin Lu 8426 2633
China Plaza
10am – 10pm 33 Zhongshan San Lu 8373 9099
CITIC Plaza
233 Tianhe Bei Lu 8752 0300
Jusco
10am – 10pm Basement, Teem Plaza, 208 Tianhe Lu 8559 2238
La Perle
10am – 10pm 367 Huanshi Dong Lu 8350 8502
Times Square
10.30am – 9.30pm 28 Tianhe Bei Lu 3882 0000, 3882 0628
Update Mall
10am – 9.30pm 25-27 Zhongshan San Lu 8380 1499

Accessories

Bin Bin Plaza
1 Qiyi Lu, Haizhu Square 8328 0802
Daily 10am-9.30pm.
Carrefour
3 Henglong Jie, Huangpu Da Dao 8564 8472
Basic Gallery
9am – 8pm 3/F, China Plaza, 23 Zhongshan San Lu 8373 8823
Cang Jing Ge
Shop 3410, 3/F China Plaza, 23 Zhongshan San Lu 8373 9621
Daily 10am-10pm. No cards.
Chou Niu
10am – 10pm 163 Zhuji Lu, Liwan District 8195 3676
No cards

Antiques and others

Guangzhou Antiques Store
Wende Bei Lu 8334 9901
Da Sha Tou Flea Market
9am – 6pm Yanjiang Dong Lu, Da Sha Tou, by the Haiyin Bridge 8384 5642
Guangzhou Automobile Exchange Center
8.30am – 6pm 163 Tianhe Bei Lu 8755 5507
Highsun Electric Appliances Market
9.30am – 6.30pm 56-58 Donghu Lu 8379 5897
Highsun String and Cloth Market
9.30am – 7pm 1-3/F, Haiyin Bldg, 429 Yanjiang Dong Lu 8379 6572
Huadi Wan Flowers, Birds, Fish Market
Huadi Da Dao Bei, Fangcun District 8152 9230, 8152 9296
Huanan Watches Wholesale Market
Back Tower, 145 Zhan Xi Lu 8667 6147

Book Store

Guangzhou Books Center
9.30am – 9.30pm 123 Tianhe Lu 3886 4208, 3886 9768
Guangzhou Bookstore of Foreign Languages
111 Hequn Yi Ma Lu . 8379 7198
Daily 9am-4.30pm.
Guangzhou Xinhua Bookstore
276 Beijing Lu 8333 2636
Daily 9am-8pm. Local cards.
Joint Publishing co.
1) G17 basement of Peace World Plaza, 362-366 Huanshi Dong Lu ; 2) 3/F Guangzhou Books Center123 Tianhe Lu 8387 2393/3881 3074
Life Attitude
9am – 5pm Basement of Guangdong Museum of Art, 38 Yanyu Lu 8735 1161
No cards.
Tang Ning Bookstore
10am – 10pm G/F, 37 Huale Lu 8385 5749
All cards.

Xi’an is one of Chinese cities of long history and rich culture inheritage. It’s City Wall and River impress me the most.At the time when Zhu Yuanzhang captured Huizhou, long before the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, he was adonished by a hermit named Zhu Sheng, who told him to “build high walls, store abundant provisions and take your time in proclaiming yourself emperor.” Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice.

Once the whole country was unified, he sent orders to the local governments to build city walls on a large scale. Zhu assumed that “out of all the mountains and rivers in the world, the central Qin is the most strongly fortified and strategically Dynasty structure, as a result of a wall building campaign.There is a rampart every 120 meters apart, that extends out from the main wall. The top of the rampart is at the same level as the top of the wall. The ramparts were built to allow soldiers to see those enemies who would try to climb the wall. The distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of arrow shot from either side. This allowed soldiers to protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy.

There are altogether 98 of them on the wall; each has a sentry building on top of it.The weapons in ancient times were primitive. The gates of the city wall were the only way to go into and out of town. Therefore, these gates were important strategic points. The feudal rulers racked their brains to try to defend them. In Xi’an, each of the east, west, south and north gates consists of three gate towers. The main gate tower is called zhenglou, Zhalou is the gate tower with a suspension bridge, and Jianlou is the arrow tower. Zhalou tower stands away from the wall. It is used to lift and lower the suspension bridge. Jianlou tower is in the center of the others. There are square windows in the front and on the two sides to shoot arrows from. The zhenglou tower is the inner one and is also the main entrance to the city. Jianlou tower and zhenglou are connected by walls and the encircled area is called wongcheng in which soldiers could be stationed. From wongcheng, there are also horse passages leading to the top of the wall.

These are gradually ascending steps that make it easy for war horses to ascend and descend. There are altogether eleven horse passages aroud the city.A moat, wide and deep, runs around the city. Over the moat, there used to be a huge suspension bridge which cut off the way in and out of the city, once lifted.Thus, the Ming Dynasty city wall formed a complex and well-organized system of defense. It is also the most complete city wall that has survived through China’s long history. The city call itself is a true display of the ability and wisdom of the working people in ancient times. It provide invaluable and substantial material for the study of the history, military science, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty.

Taday, after the repairs that have been made on the wall by the lacal government, the city wall has taken on a new look. A circular around the city. The thriving trees and flowers, the rockeries in the park, and the buildings of classical Chinese architecture, together with the city wall, make Xi’an all the more beautiful.

Talise. The Spa for Self Discovery.

Stop for a moment and contemplate a different kind of inner journey. A journey that takes you on a conscious path to new beginnings. A journey that leads you to a greater understanding of yourself and an enhanced life. It starts at Talise. The spa for self discovery.

Join us at Talise where our expert therapists take the best therapies from the oldest cultures and combine with a selection of international techniques to treat your individual needs.

Be invigorated by our hot and cold plunge pools, relax in our saunas and steam rooms, or simply stroll in our tranquil gardens adjoined by secluded waterways.
To complete your experience enjoy our delicious spa cuisine.

Talise is open daily from 9.00am to 10.00pm.

Addr – Madinat Jumeirah | (formerly Six Senses Spa), Dubai, United Arab Emirates

COMO Shambhala Estate is a residential health retreat located near Ubud, Bali. State-of-the-art facilities include a Vitality pool, treatment area beside the River Ayung, climbing wall, outdoor gym and yoga pavilion. The Estate has a number of Resident Teachers including a Fitness Instructor, Yoga Master and martial arts teachers. The property also provides Guides for outdoor activities. Completing the holistic approach, The Estate offers a wide selection of healthful COMO Shambhala cuisine.

The award-winning holistic health company

A unique residential health retreat located in Bali, in inland jungle on a peaceful riverbank

Holistic concept and philosophy are brought to life by international specialists

A place where spring water is sacred, revered by Balinese for its healing properties

A place of anti-stress and beauty with wellness consultation, where silence still reigns

Participation in The Estate’s daily Scheduled of activities, include Estate Walk, Chi Gong, Pilates Mat Class,

Aqua Therapy, Yoga, Village / Rice field Biking, Rice field Trekking

Use of steam room, sauna and 25 metre lap pool

Services of a Personal Assistant Services of a Personal Assistant.

Addr – Po.Box 54 Ubud Bali, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

URL – http://cse.comoshambhala.bz

The Beijing National Stadium,also known as the National Stadium,the “Bird’s Nest” is a stadium finished form the Olympic Games in Beijing.The “Bird’s Nest”,the main venue for Beijing’s Olympic Games,is perhaps the most iconic structure of the 2008 Olympics.It is located east of the Beijing Natinal Aquatics Centre.

The stadium will host the main track and field competitions form the 2008 Summer Olympics,as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.The stadium can seat as many as 91,000 spectators during the Olympics.The capacity will then be reduced to 80,000 after the Games.It has replaced the original intended venue of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium.the stadium is 330 meters long by 220 meters wide,and is 69.2 meters tall.The stadium uses 258,000 square meters of space and has a usable area of 204,000 square meters.It was built with 36 km of unwrapped steel,with a combined weight of 45,000 tons.The stadium will cost up to 3.5 billion Yuan.

The National Stadium is dubbed the “Bird’s Nest” because ofits innovative grid formation.The twig-like structural elements and the bowl-shaped roof are the masterpiece of the project,yet they pose great challenges to technicians and workers who need to make the building stand on its own feet.The constructors have made decisive efforts to let the “Bird’s Nest” support its own weight without relying on any of the supporting structures.

The large steel skeleton of the project weights 42,000 tons,with the roof and the hanging parts around it accounting for 11,2000 tons.To bear such a heavy load,78 supporting structures were temporarily installed and distributed in different points under stress.Through accurate calculation and careful argumentation,experts came to understand that the unloading process of the supporting frameworks should be divided into seven steps and each step should abide by the sequence of outer circle,middle circle,inner circle,middle circle and innercircle.In other words,35 mini-steps are needed to complete the whole process.

To unload a supporting structure,or to load the insitu steel skeleton,a lifting jack is used.Jacking pads with a height of 100mm to 200mm are placed on the top of the supporting structures.When the lifting jack rises,it replaces the structure to bear the load of the steel skeleton,and a jacking pad is removed.Then the jack descends slowly to give the remaining load again to the column,thus repeating a total of 35 times until the steel skeleton is able to bear its own weight.

Accuracy is required during the process.The maximum descent of the outer circle is limited to  68-286mm,the middle circle 161-178mm and inner circle 208-286mm.If the descent of the steel structure,which relies on its own supporting capability,exceeds the extent,or cracks appear somewhere in the skeleton,then problems might exist in the design,manufacturing or construction stages in the past three years.In a word,the unloading process is a proof of “the Bird’s Nest” Quality.