To China – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

Highlights of Zhangjiajie (China)

Published on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

Some months ago, me and my travel buddies packed our luggages for a quick 4-days getaway to Zhangjiajie City, in Hunan Province of Central China. This trip was like out of the blue. ‘Nagkayayaan lang sa groupchat’, so to speak. Jhov found an affordable pre-arranged tour to Zhangjiajie for only 599 USD, inclusive of airfare,tours*, hotel and full board meals. We only had around 45 days prior to departure. Pero ok lang kase packaged travel na ito. Pack and go na. The agency also facilitated our Chinese Visa. Will be sharing the agency details at the end. But before that, here are some info’s and highlights of the trip.

My first to fly with Royal Air (Chinese Airline). There were only around 25 pax sa flight

First stop, the Glass Bridge. A bit foggy when we went.

Zhangjiajie has the longest Glass Bridge with the highest altitude in the world. The sky glass bridge is constructed between two peaks, spanning the entire Grand Canyon. It was composed by steel structure and glass. This well designed Glass Bridge is 430 meters in length with the main part of the bridge to be 375 meters.

On our day 2, we went to the Avatar Mountain Nature Reserve, which was the highlight of this packaged tour. The park’s unique landscape inspired the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in James Cameron’s movie Avatar.

Syempre madami ako selfie. Blog ko to eh. Bakit ba?! Ems.

Day 3, Tianmen Mountain. Famous for the keyhole (as part of a cave on top of the mountain), which can clearly be seen from afar. Kahit from the airport pa lang upon landing.
Also known as Heaven’s Gate, this rock formation is a natural wonder and a symbol of a passage to the heavens.
The place has cultural significance in Chinese history and folklore.

Tianmen Mountain for me is the highlight of the trip. Bata pa lang ako, nakikita ko na ito sa Chinese movies we watched at home. Betamax pa panahon na yun ba! And yung moment na kaharap ko na yung mountain in actual, grabe, surreal.

The way to go up Tianmen Mountain is by Cable car, which is claimed by tourist publications as the “longest passenger cableway of high mountains in the world”, with a total length of 7,455m and ascent of 1,279m. The highest gradient is 37 degrees.

Zhangjiajie City itself is also very charming and laid back. Maliit na city lang ito, with just over a million residents. The industry is fueled mainly by tourism. Gustong gusto ko ang city na ito on both day and night.

72 Strange Buildings, or 72 Wonder Towers in Zhangjiajie is the Guinness World’s Highest Stilted Building at a height of 109.9m.

Overall, the trip to Zhangjiajie was very pleasant. Magaganda din ang hotels that was pre-arranged for us. 4 stars rating.

Pero yun best part ng trip para sakin was the FOOD. Promise, sa food, we never felt tinipid. To think affordable ang tour na ito ha compared sa ibang packages. Oh heto some of the meals that we enjoyed. Di ko na matandaan pangalan ng each, basta authentic Central China dishes. Walang lumpia at pansit guisado dun. At madami gulay, which I like.

This tour to Zhangjiajie was arranged for us by Uno Turismo Travel Agency, which is based in Quezon City. Go find them on Facebook.

Shout out ko na din si Natalie, who is also from Davao. bigla kami nag kita sa isang restaurant dun sa Zhangjiajie. Grabe ka random maka-bump on old friends during a trip overseas. 😅

As me if I want to join again this pre-arranged tour to Zhangjiajie? DEFINITELY. Pagkain pa lang sulit na. Tara sa Autumn 2025? 🇨🇳♥️

XIAMEN AIR TO LAUNCH DIRECT FLIGHT FROM QUANZHOU,CHINA TO DAVAO CITY

Published on December 13, 2018December 13, 2018 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

The first non-stop route from mainland China to Davao.

On December 18, 2018, Xiamen Airlines will officially launch its inaugural flight from Quanzhou(Jinjiang) to Davao. This is also one of only three international routes operated from Davao’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport.

Aside from Manila, Cebu, and Kalibo, Davao will be the fourth city that Xiamen Airlines flies to in the Philippines. As it is the airline with the largest market share of the China-Philippines market, Xiamen Airlines is devoted to boost exchanges between the two countries through network development.

As per Mr. Lin Huagun, General Manager of Xiamen Airlines, “Quanzhou- Davao route will be operated by Boeing 737, under flight number MF8679/80. Passengers will be able to depart from Quanzhou every Tuesday and Friday at 9 o’clock in the morning and arrive in Davao at 12:15. On the return journey from Davao, passengers can depart at 13:15 and arrive in Quanzhou at 16:30 in the afternoon. By now, this route is the only non-stop flight from mainland of China to Davao. The Quanzhou – Davao route will be operated by a Boeing 737-800, operating with the flight numbers MF 8679/8680. Passengers will be able to depart Quanzhou for Davao every Tuesday and Friday, leaving at 9:00 AM, and arriving at 12:15 PM. On the returning flight from Davao, passengers can depart at 1:15PM and arrive in Quanzhou at 4:30 PM. This is currently the only direct flight between Davao and Mainland China.”

Round trip ticket starts at ++ 15,000.00 Pesos as per Xiamen Air website. For bookings and ticket inquiries, click HERE.

China’s consular office in Davao starts visa services.

In line with the drive to establish a stronger tie between Quanzhou and our beloved city, the Chinese Consular office of Davao now accepts visa application.

“This will facilitate bilateral exchanges between China and the Philippines, especially in the southern part. It also shows the Chinese government’s confidence on the City of Davao,” Consul General Li Lin said.

Consular office address : Acacia Street Juna Subdivision, Davao City

China Tourist Visa Application guide-blog to follow.

January Visit to Hongkong

Published on September 19, 2013October 23, 2013 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

For full time employees like me, Holidays + long weekends are much awaited! Me and my friends were able to book our promo tickets for a Friday to Sunday visit to Hongkong. It was our first to see the city so our itineraries were basically touristy.

It was January temperature was around 18 ‘C during day time and drops to around 10’C in the evening . It was the perfect time to pull those baggy Terranovas out of the closet and onto the pictures =)

I fell in love with the city lights , the rush and the Hongkong- style street food ! My 3 days visit was surely not enough and I am definitely going back to experience more of this city’s off beaten corners.