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Here Comes China
Short-distance travel was the name of the game over the Spring Festival last month. Chinese tourists packed nearby tourist attractions, with one father in Guangzhou telling us that his family waited “well over one hour” to ride the cable car at Chimelong Safari Park. In January, the Central Government and provincial governments actively encouraged residents to stay in their respective cities to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. It appears to have worked out well since very few cases have been reported in recent weeks.
Remember when we could travel freely around the world? Those were the days. Costa Rica’s tourism board recently reminded us of the wonders of international travel, after announcing that tourists from Beijing and Shanghai can travel to the Central American country without a visa. There are currently no direct flights from China to Costa Rica, however, we expect that to change once the pandemic passes.
HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHT
The Giggling Tree Like its playful name, the Giggling Tree is a fun family-friendly guesthouse to stay in when traveling in Guangxi. Located in the village of Aishanmen about five kilometers from Yangshuo, the Giggling Tree is truly in the heart of the scenic karst mountains and has been in operation since 2007. Rooms and suites range from 22 to 80 square meters, which include a private bath with shower. The guesthouse has a range of cycling and walking tours as well as more adventurous activities such as caving and rock climbing. The private pool area is another great spot to spend the afternoon in the splendid South China sun. While some view Yangshuo as a pleasant escape from China’s major cities, the area surrounding the Giggling Tree is pure countryside bliss.
26 | MARCH 2021 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM
