What To Order: China - Iron Skillet Beef

Chinese cuisine is a rich tapestry of distinct regional specialities, national staples, and ethnic mainstays, ranging from delightful to surprising to hard-to-stomach. At first it can all seem overwhelming and, to some I have traveled with, wholly unappealing. However, there are so many options that finding your favorite is only a matter of the right advice and an adventurous spirit.

Chicken feet are a Chinese favorite
that many visitors find hard to stomach

Not surprisingly, each region of the country proudly declares their dishes "the best," but that is a hard-fought title that each visitor should bestow themselves. When traveling in China, my favorite dish luckily transcends regional boundaries and is widely available across the country and known by all Chinese, a dish called '铁板牛肉' (tiě bǎn niúròu) or "iron skillet beef."

Slices of tender beef sirloin are fried together with peppers, onions, and spices and presented on a sizzling iron skillet. Think: a fajita without tortillas.

While each restaurant has their own take on the dish, some choosing to include mushrooms or other vegetables as filler or using their own secret blend of spices, iron skillet beef is pretty standard across the country and is a safe bet for anyone worried of making an "exotic accident" when ordering.

Another plus for travelers hesitant to venture too far into the uncharted waters of Chinese cuisine, 铁板牛肉 (tiě bǎn niúròu) is not served with the usual blistering zest that is common in many regional dishes such as Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Sichuan Cuisines.

Whether your travels take you to the Middle Kingdom or the Chinese restaurant across town, add iron skillet beef to your repertoire - you won't regret it!

Wild Yunnan - China's Hidden Gem

China is an intriguing mystery to many trekkers and adventurers, with nowhere more compelling than the wilds of western China: pandas in Sichuan province and the wide open Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, to say nothing of Tibet itself. Owing largely to many travelers' only superficial familiarity with China, too many of the country's most worthwhile sights and experiences are missed - possibly nowhere more than in southwesterly Yunnan province.

Beautiful Lugu Lake in Yunnan's northern mountains

Not only is Yunnan where the Himalayas fade into the sultry jungles of Southeast Asia, it is home to 25 of China's 55 ethnic minorities and some of the greatest outdoor experiences you've never heard of. The pristine natural landscapes blend with the rich variety of minority cultures to offer a wealth of memorable adventure travel opportunities.

Enjoy a Climb Dali route
over Yunnan's Er Lake

Earlier we wrote about hiking the trails in Yunnan's Tiger Leaping Gorge, reportedly the deepest gorge in the world, where a tributary of the upper Yangtze cuts between two 5,000+ meter peaks to create thundering rapids, and Celeste LeCompte has just reported on her experience rafting Yunnan's Nu River with raft guiding outfit Last Descents in her Outside Online article China's Last Wild River. 

Other organizations, such as Climb Dali, Bike Yunnan, and Action Asia's Lijiang 3-Day Ultra Marathon, offer tailored experiences that delve deep into the treasures that lie hidden in Yunnan's far corners. While the outdoor sporting market is certainly still in its fledgling stages in Yunnan, there are a growing number of credentialed guide outfits offering forays into southwest China's best kept secret.

Last Descents leads Tibetan monks on whitewater fun

One additional aspect of choosing one of Yunnan's many adventures that should not go overlooked is the invaluable difference tourism dollars can make in tipping the scales in favor of conserving, rather than developing, China's vast but shrinking natural beauty.

A laudable example, Last Descents' owner Travis Winn uses his raft guiding as a platform to raise awareness among local Chinese policy makers and the many up-and-coming Chinese who are beginning to head for the outdoors of the need for conservation efforts in many of China's lesser-known travel spots which are in danger of being overrun by China's modernization efforts.

No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, chances are Yunnan has it!

Tibet Travel: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway

In 2006, China made possible a new way for trekkers and adventurers to get to the "Roof of the World" - a high-elevation railway that connects the Chinese province of Qinghai with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Covering over 1,200 miles across the Tibetan Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes some of the most beautiful scenery in Asia.

From the windows of the train, it is possible to take in some of Tibet's most pristine vistas and natural wildlife as the train rolls across the highlands. In the summer, it is possible to see herds of yaks or, if you're lucky, Tibetan antelopes roaming. In the winter, there is a good chance you will roll through at least one blizzard along the way, the route rising as high as 16,640 ft. (5,068m) as it crosses the Tanggu Pass. A winter view from the window makes it easy to see why Tibet is called "the Land of Snows."

Hong Kong's MTR - Getting Around "The Pearl of The Orient"

Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station in Hong Kong

"The Fragrant Harbor," where East meets West, the Pearl of the Orient - China's Special Administrative Region has a rich history, an intriguing modern posture, and occupies a unique position in the Asian landscape. Hong Kong is home to a booming movie industry, cosmopolitan shopping districts, an iconic skyline, and is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Like an Asian version of New York City, Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps, and while all the hustle and bustle may seem overwhelming to travelers, Hong Kong consistently ranks in the top 5 best public transportation systems in the world. Consider this: over 90% of Hong Kong travel is done by mass transit every day, over 7 million people.

Biking Ganden Monastery - Tibet

Tibet is one of those places on earth that is a must-visit at some point. A land of obscurity and mystique, with a colorful history and beautiful landscapes, a Tibet trek is absolutely worth the not-insignificant hoops that generally must be jumped through to gain access to the region.

Entering the Ganden Monastery complex

Beyond the oft-visited tourist sites, there are a wealth of unique and superb treks and day-trips that would certainly afford once-in-a-lifetime memories. One such pursuit is a day-long bike ride to Ganden Monastery (sometimes written Gadan), one of Tibet's "great three Gelukpa monasteries."

The monastery is just over 30 miles from Lhasa, making it every bit of a rigorous one-day ride, not to mention the final approach up the mountain, an elevation gain of 2,000ft.

Pass by Tibetan villages and towering mountains as you ride

All that notwithstanding, the ride is beautiful and straightforward. The first 30 miles, from the city to the base of the mountain, are flat and pass through the beautiful central Tibetan countryside, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Swithbacks carry you high
above the Lhasa River

Once you arrive at the turnoff for the monastery at the base of the mountain, begin climbing the grueling collection of switchbacks, rising ever closer to your goal. As you ascend, your view of the Lhasa River, the valley floor, and the adjacent mountains gets increasingly breathtaking, until you reach Ganden and a commanding view of the surroundings.

A walk through the monastery complex and a rudimentary meal in the monastery cafeteria make for a fine respite before heading down the mountain and back to Lhasa.

Dine alongside monks in the monastery cafeteria

See Guides We Trust to help arrange your Tibet trek.

Chengdu Panda Base - Sichuan

One thing China is most well known for is the endearing panda bear. These lethargic but lovable creatures are a "must see" for anyone who visits China, and where better to see them than in their natural habitat?

Taking it easy in Sichuan, China

Indigenous to small section of southwest China's Sichuan province (also known worldwide for its spicy cuisine), pandas like to lounge in muggy bamboo forests, slowly eating chutes and lazing the day away.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, also known as the Chengdu Panda Base. The Panda Base is dedicated to researching these lovable creatures and educating visitors about them.

Though the facilities at the Chengdu Panda Base are pretty basic in the grand scheme of zoological parks, the opportunity to see these iconic creatures in a facility that is located in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are also opportunities to volunteer at the Base which provide even more exposure to giant pandas and their jittery cousins, the red panda.

Check with WindhorseTour (see Guides We Trust) to set up your Panda Base tour, and ask about the possibility of holding a baby panda... sometimes they can arrange it.

Tiger Leaping Gorge - Yunnan

Yangtze River cutting
through the Gorge

Hidden deep in the northeast corner of China's Yunnan province lies Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. The gorge has been cut into the Himalayan foothills as the Yangtze River powers through, creating some breathtaking landscapes.

Luckily for world travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, a system of trails and primitive guest houses have cropped up around the gorge, making it one of the finest hiking destinations in all of China.

Lijiang Old Town

From the town of Lijiang (whose historic "old town" is also worth a visit), a bus can be taken to the trailhead in the town of Qiaotou (桥头 in Chinese) for ¥30 (~ US$5). Hiking the length of the trail, which is approximately 15 miles long, should take between one-and-a-half and three days, depending on your pace.

The beginning of the well-marked trail winds through rural Naxi villages and terraced farmland. As the trail continues, some of the sights worth seeing include 28 Bends, a grueling introduction to the trail, a vertical climb composed of 28 switchbacks ("bends"), waterfalls (including one that flows across the trail), the local guesthouses, the site of the "Leaping Tiger Legend," and the occasional rockslide.

Sunset at Half-Way Guesthouse

Helpful information about preparing for and hiking the trail can be found here: Wikitravel - Tiger Leaping Gorge

I would recommend pushing to the Half-Way Guesthouse if possible. The restaurant and rooms are adequate and the view from the porch is quite possibly the best on the trail. Catching the sunset on Haba Snow Mountain (17,074 ft.) is a great way to end a day's hike.


Most of the available trail maps are hand drawn and approximate at best, but the trail is well marked and there are plenty of locals along the trail to help point you in the right direction. Below is one of the more helpful trekking maps:

See China By Rail

For the budget or adventure-minded traveler, seeing China by train is a great choice. China's rail system is extensive and almost any destination can be achieved, at a fraction of the price of airfare.

Both of the following websites offer expedient search capabilities for all of the train routes in China:

CNVOL - Search by cities or by train number; also, a convenient drop-down menu aids in locating train ticketing offices in 32 of China's most commonly traveled cities.

Travel China Guide - This travel agency website also provides reliable searching by city or train number, as well as a ticket availability search.

In addition:

12306 - This is China Railway Ministry's online ticketing site, but it is only in Chinese at this point. If you choose to reserve tickets through this site, tickets must still be picked up at a ticketing office and a valid passport be provided.


Finally, once you do procure your tickets, you may still have trouble reading them. See the image below for a helpful guide to what your ticket actually says: