China Tour Travel Tips - Advice on Your Trip to China

The prearranged China tour would be the best choice for the travelers first visit to experience the exoticism of China. Prearranged tours means that you will have some professional tour operators to help with the travel arrangements like booking hotels, customizing the tours in China. In this way, the tour operators and tour guides not only give knowledgeable information about the tourists attractions where you will visit, but also you can acquainted with the locals very well along the trip.

When you're planning a China tour, it would be best if you choose an tour package that includes as much as possible. Finding hotels, looking for the right restaurant and arranging the transportation are all tedious work that best left for your tour agent to work out. The China tour package covers all hotels, city transportation, and most of your meals would make the China trip easier. And as well, it would be great if the tour package including the best airfare deals from your country to China. Then you will be free and leisure on this trip.

When on the China tour, the accommodations will be the most important to you after a full day sightseeing, as you maybe very tired. The tour packages that offer 4 star or 5 star hotels for your choice, which would make you fully relax and enjoy the trip. And the 4 Star or 5 Star hotels would offer you standard or luxury accommodation that you feel very comfortable.

The China cities and tourists attractions you see and the local Chinese you meet during the trip will lead you to good memory in your life. The capital city of Beijing in China, could offer you a great place to begin with any of your China tour. Beijing has plenty of cultural and historical remains throughout the world, Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, are the places you never to miss.

Xian, Once was one of the greatest cities in the world, the signs of human habitation date back to 6000 years, is known for the Terra-cotta Warriors. Also, Xian is regarded as one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of China. This booming city attracts more and more visits traveling to China.

No China tour is perfect without touring the wonderful scenery of Guilin, where rivers and karst peaks covered in lush greenery. If asked which of China's natural scenery is the best to see, most Chinese people are certainly to point out to the beautiful scenery of the Guilin area, as the ancient Chinese saying goes: Guilin's attractions top China.

Your China tour trip will bring you good memories everlasting. Finding a right China tour operator and tour package would assure you a safe and smooth trip. And good luck for your trip.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands - (Singapore)

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including cost of the prime land.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

With the casino complete, the resort features a 2,561-room hotel, a 120,000 sq.m. convention-exhibition centre, The Shoppes mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, seven "celebrity chef" restaurants, two floating pavilions, a casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. The complex is topped by a 340m-long SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150m infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67m. The 20-hectare resort was designed by Moshe Safdie Architects. The local architect of record was Aedas Singapore, and engineering was provided by Arup and Parsons Brinkerhoff (MEP). The main contractor was SsangYong Engineering and Construction.

Originally set to open in 2009, Las Vegas Sands faced delays caused by escalating costs of material and labour shortages from the onset. The severe global financial crisis also pressured the company to delay its projects elsewhere to complete the integrated resort. Although Marina Bay Sands has been compared on scale and development costs to MGM's CityCenter, the latter is a mixed-use development, with condominium properties - comprising three of the seven main structures, being sold off.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The resort was officially opened with a two-day celebration on 23 June 2010 at 3.18 pm, after a partial opening which included the casino on 27 April 2010. It was, however, not finished at the time of the April opening, which was marked by numerous service failures. The SkyPark opened a day later on 24 June 2010. The theatres were completed in time for the first performance by Riverdance on 30 November 2010. The floating pavilions are still being built and are expected to be fully completed by 2011. The indoor skating rink, which uses artificial ice, opened to a performance by Michelle Kwan on 18 December 2010. The ArtScience Museum opened to the public and the debut of a 13-minute light, laser and water spectacle called Wonder Full on 19 February 2011 marked the full completion of the entire Integrated Resort.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The grand opening of Marina Bay Sands was held on 17 February 2011. It marks the opening of the ArtScience museum, the Wonder Full Light and Water Spectacular laser show, seven celebrity chef restaurants, and the highly-anticipated Broadway musical, The Lion King, which debuts on 3 March 2011.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Sands Sky Park

Be one of the first to see the spectacular views of Singapore!

The Sands SkyPark is an awe-inspiring engineering wonder. This unique structural masterpiece, designed by visionary architect Moshe Safdie, floats atop the three soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel towers 200m in the sky.

Stretching longer than the Eiffel tower laid down or four and a half A380 Jumbo Jets, with an impressive 12,400 square meters of space, the Sands SkyPark can host up to 3900 people. The gravity-defying cantilever is one of the largest of its kind in the world. From this privileged observation deck, hundreds of visitors at a time can feast their eyes on the unforgettable panorama view.

With the Sands SkyPark pool and Observation Deck open, take in the astounding features!

The best views of Singapore - Sands SkyPark

The Sands SkyPark is an architectural masterpiece sitting on top of the three hotel towers at Marina Bay Sands. This 1.2 hectare tropical oasis is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall and large enough to park four-and-a-half A380 jumbo jets. It extends to form the one of the world’s largest public cantilevers.

* 200 meters in the sky

* Landscaped gardens are home to 250 types trees and 650 types of plants

* 12,400 square meters of space big enough to fit three football fields

* Exclusive restaurants including The Sky on 57, helmed by Singapore’s celebrity chef Justin Quek

* A spectacular public observation deck that can host hundreds of people

* A 150-meter infinity swimming pool, the world’s largest outdoor pool at that height

Home to luxury rooftop restaurants and lounges, the Sands SkyPark will offer exclusive perks to hotel guests and a taste of the good life to lucky visitors. Whether you come for a gourmet meal, a refreshing cocktail, or to simply revel in the unsurpassed views of Singapore and the new national Gardens By The Bay, you will be forever captivated by the spellbinding Sands SkyPark.

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

You Don't Have to Be a Millionaire to Cruise Like One

You might not have won the Mega Millions lottery on Friday night, but there's no reason you can't cruise like a millionaire. There are some compelling luxury cruises aboard intimate vessels that will make you think you've struck it rich and boarded your very own vessel. Check out these options aboard intimate ships and yachts.

Top Luxury Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises – Fiji Eastbound Itinerary

November 20, 2012

The South Pacific bewitched me when I first visited the Society Islands aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. For my next outing aboard this ship, I'd pick the 12-night Fiji Eastbound itinerary. Embarking from Lautoka, Fiji, the ship calls upon Suva, Viti Levu and Savusavu, Vanua Levu in Fiji before setting a course for Vava'u, Tonga; Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and finally Bora Bora, Taha'a, and Moorea. You'll disembark in Papeete, Tahiti. For more information, contact Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Four Seasons Explorer – Maldives Circuit Cruise

Many departure dates throughout the year.
Four Seasons dubs this Maldivian yacht voyage as the "ultimate marine odyssey" and I can see why. Each day promises amazing dive spots and unexplored reefs of the Baa, Raa, Ari, and North Male atolls. This seven-night adventure is a must-do for all divers since the yacht's onboard marine biologist will guide you on sunrise, daytime, and night dives—each and every day. If you're like me and don't dive, you'll still love this cruise for its visits to secluded beaches. Four Seasons Explorer offers 10 cabins and one suite with a crew of 25. Begin your journey at Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa and the circuit cruise will take you sail to Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and back. (Three- and four-night cruises are also on offer.) For more information, contact Four Seasons.

AMAWaterways — Stars of Africa

June 18, July 16, September 3, October 29, December 3, 2012
This summer AMAWaterways launches three itineraries in southern Africa: the 16-day Stars of Africa, the 16-day African Sunsets, and a 19-day Golden Trails of Africa. Each itinerary includes several days aboard the Zambezi Queen, a luxury riverboat that cruises the Chobe River. Personally, I'd select the Stars of Africa itinerary, which includes three nights in Cape Town, three nights on safari in Kruger National Park at either Makalali Game Lodge or Kapama River Lodge, one night in Johannesburg, four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen, and two spectacular nights at famed Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. For more information, contact AMAWaterways.

American Safari Cruises — Hawaiian Seascapes

April 9, 17, 25; May 3; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2012
I love American Safari Cruises, part of InnerSea Discoveries, because the line of yachts offer truly unstructured exploration of Hawaii, Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, the Columbia & Snake Rivers, and Washington State and British Columbia. The 36-passenger Safari Explorer sails the Hawaiian Islands between October and May each year and calls upon Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and the Big Island. On this seven-night excursion you'll swim and fish off the back deck of the boat, go hiking on land, snorkel and kayak, and take the skiff out for exploratory adventures. You can also arrange for golf outings on the islands and diving excursions. For more information, contact InnerSea Discoveries.

Anantara Cruises — Ayutthaya Thousand Golden Temples Tour

Many departure dates throughout the year.
Here's one on my bucket list: a few days aboard one of Anantara Cruises' restored 100-year-old teak rice barges. The two-cabin Anantara Dream and four-cabin Anantara Song cruise Thailand's Chao Phraya River. Embarking in Bangkok, you'll spend three days enjoying river life; visiting the temples, villages, and museums in the vicinity; and enjoying English afternoon tea and gourmet meals. A personal guide will make sure you see the best of Thailand. For more information, contact Anantara Cruises.

Orion Expedition Cruises — Borneo, Borobudur & Beyond

October 22, 2012 and September 29, 2013

I can't think of a better "starter" cruise for someone who's never been to Indonesia before. This expedition launches in Bali and you'll want to stay a few days on-island pre-cruise. (I vote for a few days at any of the Aman Resorts.) You'll then sail to Semarang for excursions to the city of Jogjakarta for Javanese history and culture and Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist monument in Central Java. On day five of this ten-night cruise, you'll spend an amazing day at the Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan. It's here that you'll make a trek into the protected rain forest to see orangutans in their natural habitat. Next, you'll spend two days in Pare Pare, Sulawesi for an overnight trip to Tana Toraja. You'll disembark in Bali. Head home via Hong Kong or Singpore for a taste of modern Asian cities. For more information, contact Orion Expedition Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photos © Leonard Hospidor