As large groups of tourists tend to be loud and attract attention, at China Rreflection we try to limit our numbers to no more than 10 people in a group. In China you will find that as you travel, you may often become the focus of locals’ interest. We want to encourage those tourists who have a genuine respect for Chinese culture, as well as an inquisitive nature about people, places, and customs to join us for our low impact programs. These programs are low impact in that we seek to be a part of the culture we visit as we travel, providing chances for foreigners and locals to intermingle with one another. Our guests can choose to homestay with a family during their visit. Homestaying is an excellent way to impact a community in a positive way, as it provides cultural exchange for both the visitor and the host. Additionally, our village visit in the Beijing area and ethnic excursion to Guizhou also emphasize our low impact philosophy. We want to share a side of China that foreigners may not have the opportunity to see on other tours. At the same time, we want to do it quietly, respectfully, leaving a deep impression with a low impact.
| Description | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Area Village Visit | China Reflection will leave Beijing in the morning and arrive in Cuan Di Xia, an old village with stone architecture dating back to the Ming Dynasty, for lunch time. In Cuan Di Xia, we will be staying with a local family. | Details |
| Ethnic Excursion to Guizhou | Join China Reflection and explore the mountainous regions of this province rich both in culture and in Nature. | Details |
| Historic Sites and Culture | Below is a package tour for those visitors who want to see not only the cultural sites Beijing has to offer, but also want to experience the cultural activities that Beijing’s inhabitants take part in on a daily basis. | Details |
| China’s Four Seasons | Join China Reflection as we explore China’s southern Province of Jiangxi, birthplace of Chinese pottery and home to China’s Long March. | Details |
| Free Conversation Corner | For those of you who are just looking for a place to sit, relax, and chat, China Reflection also offers weekly discussion corners in our office near Hou Hai in the center of the city. | Details |
| Monthly Scavenger Hunt | A scavenger hunt is first and foremost a fun way to get people outside, exploring the community, and engaging in friendly competition. Compete against other participants and race against the clock for the grand prize. | Details |
Our principles of low impact tourism
1. Attitude: Try to treat others as you would want to be treated. If you are a person who loses your temper easily, remember that you may be the only foreigner some Chinese have seen in person. Traveling will certainly try your patience, and in China you may encounter some situations that require more patience and understanding than in your own country. Try to remember that, although you are not the only person from your homeland in China, some locals will look upon you as representative of your culture. Your actions and words will carry great weight. Think of yourself as a freewill ambassador. Always, always, always bring your sense of humor with you wherever you go.
2. Gift Giving: The Chinese are renowned for their hospitality, and you will often be welcomed warmly into others homes. The best way to act when entering someone’s home is to just accept the hospitality with an open heart. While you do not need to bring gifts from your country to China, it might be a good idea to bring some small items of interest to give away to friends you make. Good ideas include: coins from your country, stamps, local delicacies (dried meat, snacks, etc), pictures of you or your family, etc. Useful school supplies (pens, pencils, erasers, English reading material, etc) are a great gift as well, especially for those who will be joining our tours that visit schools. Try to avoid bringing anything that says, “made in China” on it.
We tend to avoid giving money to beggars or children as it makes a negative impact on tourism and the local economy. If you can speak some Chinese and really feel like you need to give something, why not give your time and invite them to a meal together? Should locals see foreigners carelessly giving money away to children and beggars in the street, they will immediately associate this image with foreigners. Additionally, many beggars are con artists and use children to bait the public into giving them money. Instead being in school where they should be getting an education, these children are spending their time on the street begging. If you want to donate your money to a cause while in China there are plenty of local charities that we can inform you of.
3. Photographs: Always remember to ask permission before taking any photographs. Do not take photographs of monks or policemen. Do not pay anyone for taking their photograph, even if they ask you.
4. Environmental awareness: Always throw your rubbish away into garbage cans. Sometimes you may see others throwing their rubbish away on the street. Do not follow this example. If possible, you may even want to pick up rubbish others have littered on the street when convenient, as it will provide a good example for those who have not learned about correct disposal of waste. Leading by example is a much better way to teach others in regards to this aspect, as chastising locals for littering can seem rude and offensive.
5. When in Rome”: If you are in a situation where you are not sure how to act, it is always safe to do as the locals do, so as not to offend anyone. The Chinese are for the most part, very casual, and you may encounter some mannerisms and behaviors that may seem too casual for your tastes. If you see others blatantly breaking rules, (i.e. smoking in “no smoking” areas, swimming in “no swimming” areas, and climbing on rocks/statues where there is a clearly written “no climbing” sign), try to avoid following these examples.