History of Halal Food in China

Halal food history can be traced back to the early stage of Tang Dynasty, when the trading activitieswere frequent between China and overseas countries, especially western countries. Many Arab businessmen came to China through the Silk Road (landroad) and the Spice Road (water road), meanwhile, they brought theMuslim unique dining customs and taboos of food and drink.

Afterwards, some people moved to north China, Yunnan and other places. As the increase in the number of Chinese Muslims, the cuisines and food dishesespeciallyfor Muslims had quickly developed. At the same time, because of its unique flavor, the Halal dishes were widely welcomed by a lot of non-Muslims.
The earliest book that documented the Halalfood was written in Yuan Dynasty. At that time, the Islamic food still retained more characteristics of western Arab countries food. Since the Ming and QingDynasties, Halal dishes not only appeared more types, but also basically formed its own unique style.
Especially the appearance of the "All-Sheep Banquet"in the Qing Dynasty was highly praised by people. Yuan Mei, a poet in Qing Dynasty, had praisedthe "All-Sheep Banquet" as a battle thatneeds superior skills in one of his poems. The banquethas as many as 72 kinds of dishes, and all the dishes are cooked with mutton. What is more surprising is that the flavor of all the 72 dishes is different from each other. It serves to show that cooking techniques of Halal food have reached a very high level at that time.
Due to historical reasons, China's Halal food did not have detailed systematic written records. Its inheritance and preservationwas only through word-of-mouth by the Muslim chefs generational. This unfortunate situation got fundamental change not until the establishment of the new China.

Since 1952, relevant departments have successively excavated, tidied and published dozens of recipes of Halal dishes, such as China Halal Menu, Hui Menu, Halal All-Sheep Menu, Beijing Snacks, etc. All the recipeswere compiled by famous Muslim chefs from different places. Among the recipes, there are traditional famous dishes, as well as their improvements and innovations. These tidying and publishing of the recipes is a sign that the cooking skills of China's Halal food have developed into a new phase. They not only enrich the life of all ethnic groups, but also have very good effect on the development of cultural exchanges between various ethnics.
Reference, http://www.muslim2china.com/halal-Food-China/Chinese-Islamic-Cuisine-History/
More Shenzhen muslim tour information from muslim2china.

Zhuhai Hong Kong Macau Package Itinerary

This tour is ideal for families who want to escape the summer heat! The 6 day tour incoporates sightseeing, theme park and shopping.
Route: Hong Kong > Zhuhai > Macau > Hong Kong

Highlights
- All land transfers by coach or ferry
- 5 set menu dinner meals & 1 Macau meal coupon & 4 breakfasts
- 4 nights accommodations
- Sightseeing as listed in itinerary
- Service of English & Chinese speaking guide
- 144 hours group visa to Guangdong Province
Day 01, Arrive in Hong Kong
Seleted Hotels:
Panda hotel ***Tourist or similar 4*
Detailed Itinerary:
You will be picked up by your English speaking tour guide from Hong Kong airport and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02, Hong Kong to Zhuhai
Seleted Hotels:
Xiang Quan hotel or similar ***Tourist
Attractions & Activities:
Bruce Lee Museum, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Repulse Bay, Victoria Peak, Gongbei Underground Shopping Mall
Meals:
Hotel Buffet Breakfast & Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning you will have a Dim Sum breakfast. Then you will visit Bruce Lee Museum, Hong Kong Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village and Victoria Peak (include one way peak tram).
Visit Stone Street, which is the shooting spot of Chongqing Forest and Infernal Affairs. Then proceed to visit Asia's longest Escalator Pound Lane Escalator System. Then you will be transferred to Zhuhai for shopping at Gongbei Underground Shopping Mall. Then you will check in to your hotel.
Aberdeen Fishing Village: Aberdeen Fishing Village is a fishing village located in the south coast of Hong Kong Island. It is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks.
Repulse Bay: Repulse Bay is located in the south of Hong Kong Island, to the east of Deep Water Bay, it is the most spectacular bay in Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak: Victoria Peak is one of Hong Kong's famous sightseeing, where you will enjoy the amazing spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides.
Gongbei Underground Shopping Mall: A shopper's paradise
Day 03, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Zhuhai
Seleted Hotels:
Xiang Quan hotel or similar ***Tourist
Meals:
Hotel Buffet Breakfast & Dinner
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will be transferred to the new top class theme park Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. There are a total of 8 different theme areas, including:
1) an aquarium with more than 15,000 sea creatures swimming in the size of 50% larger than The Georgia Aquarium's, Excited Amazon Jorney, Penguin World and Walrus Castle
2) 9 thrill rides, featuring Ocean Adventure, Pirate Island, Glacier Adventure, etc.
3) 3 major theatre performances with each lasting about 30 minutes:
(1) Polar Theater - performance of white whale and white dophin featuring acrobats with polar view stage;
(2) Hunting In Dessert Island - Aerial acrobatics performance with tropical volcanic island view stage;
(3) Sea Lion Legend - An ever comic performance played by Sea Lion, Walrus, Otter and the stutmen.
19 Restaurants providing various cuisine, including Chinese food, Western food, Japanese food, South-east Asian food and Cantonese food.
Day 04, Zhuhai to Macau
Seleted Hotels:
Grandview hotel or similar ***Tourist
Attractions & Activities:
The New Yuanming Palace, Macau Tower, Fisherman Wharf
Meals:
Hotel Buffet Breakfast & Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning you will visit the famous theme park---New Yuanming Palace. After lunch you will be transferred to Macau where you will check in to your hotel. Then enjoy your free leisure time.
You can go on a open top bus, visiting attractions such as Macau Ferry Terminal → Fishman Wharf → Science →Hotel Lisboa → VIP DAY →Macau Tower → A-Ma Temple → Ponte→Red Market → Macau Ferry Terminal. Or you can enjoy your time at the Venetian.
The New Yuanming Palace: Located at the foot of the Lanpu Dashilin mountain, covering an area of 1.4 square kilometers, the New Yuanming Palace is a reproduction of the imperial Yuanming Palace in Beijing, one of the favorite gardens of the late emperors of the Qing dynasty.
Day 05, Macau to Hong Kong International Airport
Meals:
Hotel Buffet Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary:
After your hotel breakfast, you are free for your own leisure until you are transferred to Hong Kong International Airport by ferry.
More detailed information here http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/chinatour/Chimelong-Ocean-Kingdom-and-Hong-Kong-5-Days-Tour-1135.html
More Macau package from China Tour Advisors.

Mount Wuyi and Xiamen Muslim Tour Itinerary

On this amazing 5 day muslim tour Xiamen and Mount Wuyi, you can enjoy all the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Fujian Province. What's more you will also visit the romantic Gulangyu Island.
Highlights
- Private Transfer Throughout Tour
- Private English Speaking Guide
- Romantic Gulangyu Island Visit
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 01, Arrive in Xiamen
Seleted Hotels:
Pan Pacific Hotel *****Luxury
Fortune Hotel ****Deluxe
United Hotel ***Tourist
Attractions & Activities:
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
Detailed Itinerary:
Once you arrive in Xiamen you will be greeted by your tour guide at the airport or train station. A comfortable vehicle with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will assist you with check in. You are free for the rest of the day to explore the city.
Day 02, Xiamen City Tour
Attractions & Activities:
Hulishan Fortress, South Putuo Temple, Tan Kah Kee Memorial Park
Meals, Hotel Buffet Breakfast & Muslim Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
After your hotel breakfast you wil pay a visit to Hulishan Fortress, an internationally recognized historical and cultural site. You will then proceed to visit South Putuo Temple, which was built in Tang Dynasty. It is the most famous Buddist temple, and has the most visitors in the southern region. You can see many historical Buddist statues as well as monks who are worshiping.
You will then visit Jimei Tan Kah Kee Memorial Park, which was built in memory of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a patriotic overseas Chinese.
Day 03, Xiamen Gulangyu Island Tour
Attractions & Activities:
Gulangyu Island, Crag of Sunlight, Shuzhuang Garden
Meals, Hotel Buffet Breakfast & Muslim Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby after your hotel breakfast. You will then be transferred to take a ferry to Gulangyu Island, you can walk around and enjoy the food and the old foreign buildings.
You can also pay a visit to Crag of Sunlight, the highest peak on the Gulangyu Island. Then visit Shuzhuang Garden, a boutique garden with typical southern China style and unique Minnan Characteristics. It was built upon the seashore in Qing Dynasty with about 100 years history.
Day 04, Xiamen to Wuyi Mountain (By flight)
Seleted Hotels:
Yeohwa Hotel Wuyishan *****Luxury
Baodao Hotel ****Deluxe
Yili Hotel ***Tourist
Attractions & Activities:
Mount Wuyi
Meals, Hotel Buffet Breakfast & No Pork No lard Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
After the hotel breakfast, you will be transferred to Xiamen airport where you will take flight to Mount.Wuyi.
Your guide will meet you at Mount Wuyi airport. You can then enjoy the day at Mount Wuyi.
Day 05, Depart from Wuyi Mountain
Attractions & Activities:
Xiamei Ancient Village
Meals, Hotel Buffet Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary:
After your hotel breakfast you will be transferred to visit Xiamei Ancient Village, a quintessential village in the Wuyi area. After visit, transfer to Wuyi Mountain airport to take flight to your next station.
More detailed information here http://www.muslim2china.com/muslim-tour/Xiamen-and-Wuyi-Mountain-5-Days-Tour-911.html

Yingshan Forest Park Tourism in Beijing

Yingshan Forest Park is such one kind of forest park that is closest to downtown area of Beijing City, located on the southwest outskirts of Beijing. It is surrounded on three sides by road and one side facing the river. It belongs to an offshoot of the Taihang Mountains, the topographical height in the area is undulating. Yingshan Forest Park is also the famous Free Life Base in Beijing.

The fragrant garden of flowers had donned her colorful mantle in the spring. The beautiful flowers spread as far as the eyes can reach. During the hot summer days, a refreshingly cool breeze is blowing in the woods, and the forest scent is very delightful, which makes the place become an ideal place for escaping the summer heat.
In late autumn, the slope is completely covered with red autumn leaves as red as fire, which makes it become the third red leaves tourist resort in the metropolitan area after the Fragrant Hill and Eight Great Sites Park. In a freezing winter, covered all over by dark-green cypresses and pines that are waving in the wind and braving the snow, it is a place of great scenic beauty.
These pine trees stand erect on the hillside, which could present a typical north China scene with the immense forest and the endless plains. Yingshan Forest Park is an all-the-year-round great tourist attraction for visitors to evaporate feelings. There're plenty of well developed supporting service facilities including the imitation wood and forest cabin with unique characteristics.

Apart from domesticating macaques, Yingshan Forest Park also introduced rare birds successively like the deer, blue peacock, guinea fowl, wild pheasants and goat, which formed the small zoo that took macaques as its main part. Meantime, other small creatures including squirrels, rabbits and pheasants can also be found in this forest. The park offers visitors opportunity to appreciate and feed numerous wild animals personally.
The local people grafted tens of thousands of wild jujubes that scattered within the woodland in the park onto thousands of jujube trees, so as to satisfy visitors' amusement of picking personally in autumn. If you went to the park for an outing in early spring, you could view the fresh green leaves, bright-colored flowers appeared to calmly await your approach, in order to express an inarticulate passion that had been around for a long time.
In summer, the multi-level forest trees and completed service facilities make one feel as though he had entered the best summer resort, all his close and sultry feeling went from him. In late Autumn, the tree species of gorgeous crimson leaves are clothed in fiery red, woods and forests that tinted with deep red could present a colorful scene of great charm.
In winter, the snow-capped trees presented the typical winter scene in the northern country. The garden had formed the self-consistent supporting service facilities with its distinctive characteristics. The Yingshan holiday center to the north of the park is the ideal place that is a perfect combination of restaurants, places of entertainment, business center and conventional hall. More tourism in Beijing information from China Tour Advisors.
Reference, http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/blog/The-Natural-Yingshan-Forest-Park-2528.html

Guide to Beijing Snacks

Speaking of food in Beijing, many people can only remember Beijing roast duck, indeed, it is famous, however, having a long history, Beijing snacks win universal praise for their wide varieties, superior materials and careful preparation too. Beijing snacks mainly include three types, which are Han Nationality snacks, Hui Nationality snacks and imperial court snacks. Beijing is the ancient capital of four dynasties. Do not miss these delicious Beijing local food during your Beijing tourism.

It absorb the snack essence of previous dynasties and combine the food characteristics of various nationalities perfectly.
Beijing Snacks have more than one hundred species, and formed cooking skills of steaming, instant boiling, frying, roasting.Beijing snacks mainly include three types, Han Nationality snacks, Hui Nationality snacks and imperial court snacks. Beijing is the ancient capital of four dynasties. It absorb the snack essence of previous dynasties and combine the food characteristics of various nationalities perfectly.
Beijing Snacks have more than one hundred species, and formed cooking skills of steaming, instant boiling, frying, roasting. Top ten Beijing snacks are Mung Bean Milk, Wheaten Cake Boiled in Meat Broth, Stewed Pork Liver, Fried Beef Tripe, Steamed Rice Cake with Sweet Stuffing (Ai wo wo), Rolling Donkey, Fried Wheaten Pancake with Fillings, Stir Fried Starch Knots, Flled Sausage, Sweet Ears.
Stewed Pork Liver has a long history dating back to the Song Dynasty (960 AD - 1279 AD). It is basically made of pork liver and intestines, with a blend of garlic, bamboo shoot, celery, carrot, and potato starch solution. It is called fried liver, but it is really just like a thick soup. It is a good choice to eat for breakfast with the steamed stuffed buns.
As for Ai wo wo, because of its smooth and delicate taste, Ai Wo Wo become a favorite snack of emperor and aristocracies. As this food spread into the folk, ordinary people are not dare to use the word "Royal", so they begin use the name "Ai Wo Wo". Rolling Donkey is another must-try snack in Beijing. It Chinese name Lv Da Gun, which means a ducky rolling in dust, is a vivid metaphor. Put the finished bean-flour cake in soybean flour and roll them, which looks like a real ducky is rolling in a wild place. Lv Da Gun is well known for its sweet and glutinous taste and loved by general public all around China and you can find Lv Da Gun in a lot of Cities in China in addition to Beijing.
Fried Sugar Cake is a snack suitable for people of all ages. It got the name of Sugar Ear because it's shape looks like a human's ear. It is a Islamic snack and the raw materials of Fried Sugar Cake is sugar,soda and flour. Fried Sugar Cake is featured with brown golden color, soft and lubricant texture, sweet and delicious flavor.
Beijing snacks combine the snacks of many ethnic groups such as Han, Hui, Mongol and Manchu, as well as Ming and Qing palace snacks. Tourists can enjoy delicious food while having a taste of the hawking culture along snack streets in Beijing.
Reference, http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/blog/Enjoy-Delicious-Beijing-Snacks-1785.html

Hong Kong Disneyland Package Tour from Philippines

If you want to tour Hong Kong and not miss out on the fun, then our Hong Kong Disneyland package tour from Philippines tour package is absolutely perfect. You can have fun at Dinseyland and even stay one night at Disneyland's Hollywood Hotel!

Highlights
- Two day Disneyland ticket
- One night stay at Disney Hollywood Hotel
- 2 nights at a Hong Kong downtown hotel
- City tour with English speaking guide
Day 1, Arrive in Hong Kong
Seleted Hotels:
Metropark Hotel Mongkok ***Tourist
Arrival at Hong Kong airport, take airport express bus to your hotel. Please go to our airport counter at A12a, or B04, Arrival Hall. Look for "Vigor" logo. Redeem your paper ticket for shuttle bus. Bus leaves every hour, and it takes 45 minute to the hotel. Please check the schedule of the airport shuttle bus.
You are free for your own leisure for the rest of the day.
Your hotel is located within 5 minute walking distance from Exit C2 of the Price Edward MTR station. Take MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui. Spend the rest time of your first night in Hong Kong there.
Day 2, Hong Kong 5 Hours City Tour
Seleted Hotels:
Metropark Hotel Mongkok ***Tourist
Attractions & Activities:
Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Victoria Peak, Avenue of Stars
Detailed Itinerary:
Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby at around 8:00AM or 12:50PM and you can begin your 5 hour Hong Kong City Tour.
5 Hour Hong Kong City Tour
Firstly, looking down from Victoria Peak you'll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon area, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides. We have exclusively arranged a one-way peak tram ride just for you!
After you will visit Aberdeen Fishing Village, where you can gain a deeper insight of an old traditional fishing village which is hard to find in any other parts of the World.
You will then proceed to visit the Tse Sui Luen Jewelry Factory. After you will then proceed to Stanley Market, which is a Shoppers' Paradise where you can find a wide variety of souvenirs such as silk, garments, sportswear, Chinese artwork and accessories.
You will be transferred back to your hotel at the end of your tour.
Day 3, Full Day Hong Kong Disneyland
Seleted Hotels:
Disney Hollywood Hotel (Garden view) ****Deluxe
Attractions & Activities:
Hong Kong Disneyland Park
Meals, Disney Lunch coupon
Detailed Itinerary:
Hong Kong Disneyland Magic Day
You will be transferred from your hotel to Disneyland. One Day Disneyland Ticket is included. Free time at the theme park. After the fireworks display you will be transferred to your hotel. A Disneyland meal coupon is included, you can choose to have lunch at one of the following:
Restaurants:
- Tahitian Terrace (Halal food)
- Clopin's Festival of Foods
- Comet Cafe
- Starliner Dinner
Day 4, Depart from Hong Kong
Attractions & Activities:
Hong Kong Disneyland Park
Meals, Hotel Buffet Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary:
Your 2nd day in Theme Park of Disneyland. Prepare a visiting list in advance, enter the park in front of the crowd!
Double check our activities in Disneyland here.
TOY STORY LAND
The Asia exclusive Toy Story Land is the Disney Pixar themed play area for kids of all ages. Join the toys from Toy Story for playtime in Andy's backyard. There are three attractions you must visit, which are RC Racer, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Spin.
How to go to airport
By MTR
33 minutes from Disneyland Resort to the Hong Kong International Airport
Disneyland Resort - Sunny Bay - Tsing Yi - Airport station
Please check out the route map at the MTR here
Please buy MTR ticket by yourself
More detailed information here http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/chinatour/Hong-Kong-4-Days-Tour-With-1-Night-Disney-Hollywood-Hotel-168.html

Visit Hong Kong Victoria Harbour Fireworks

China Tour Advisors provide many packages to visit Hong Kong. This Victoria Harbour New Year's Eve Countdown Cruise is one of the hot deals.

Make a wish at countdown on a cruise sailing in Victoria Harbour. This is the best place to celebrate New Year's Eve for 2015.
Time: 22:35-00:35, December 31, 2014
Ship name: Man On
Statue: Open to sell
Boarding: North Point (East) Passenger Ferry Pier
Advance reservation is required and subject to availability
Highlights
Enjoy the best view of 8 minute fireworks show
Year 2015 countdown
New Year's Eve Lucky Draw
Cruise sightseeing in Victoria Harbour surrounded by Christmas decorations
Inernational dinner buffet, gifts
Live band performance
International Buffet inclusive of Halal food
You will have lots of choice from our beffet dishes, including some Halal food.
Proudly certified as one of the Halal food outlets by the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong since spring 2013, Harbour Cruise – Bauhinia presents many signature Halal dishes apart from an array of international cuisine, including Middle East braised lamb, braised beef in Morocco style, Indian chicken curry, freshly made pita bread, just to name a few. Vegetarians' taste buds are also taken care of and plenty of vegetarian dishes are available.
Notice
Same price for adult and Child
Tickets are open to book till now, and advance reservation is required
If we receive your payment when we are fully booked, 100% refund guarantee
Please arrive at the pier 30 minute prior to the departure time
Please use our confrimation voucher and your passport for boarding
No refund for cancellation and amendment is accepted once the booking is confirmed
You may need to share a table with other passengers
For the beverage, the dinner price included free flow of iced water, coffee and tea. Additional drinks will be charged accordingly. Corkage for self-brought liquor and cutting fee for cakes are required. Corkage fee is HK165net per bottle
Pets are not allowed to be brought into the pier or on board the cruise
Under inclement weather conditions. Cruise service will be suspended in case of typhoon or above is hoisted
How to book
Step 1
Click "Book Now" to submite your request.
Step 2
Please print the confirmation voucher that we send to you by email.
Step 3
Please go to North Point (East) Passenger Ferry Pier, use our confirmation voucher and your passport for boarding
Book Now
Pay first, Telephone us now
Though the price is USD120 per person, all tickets will be quickly sold out.
Click "Book Now" to submite your request and pay by your credit card now!
After you have paid, do not wait for our email confirmation. We can not check incoming email every minute. Telephone us at: +86 755 8237 5180. We will fix everything for you immediately!
Important Notice
There is another cruise available. The price is USD150 per person. Compare with the 22-35-00:35 cruise, the only difference is that it includes unlimited soft drinks, beer, house wine, whisky and vodka.
Time: 23:00-01:15, December 31, 2014
Ship name: Man Lok
Statue: Open to sell
Boarding: North Point (East) Passenger Ferry Pier
The 22-35-00:35 cruise is still available to book today. If the 22-35-00:35 cruise is fully booked after you have paid, we will tell you alternative choice, Plan A, please pay extra USD30 extra to upgrade to this 23:00-01:15 cruise. Plan B, we will send you 100% refund of USD120.
More detailed information here http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/optional/Countdown-cruise-for-2015-in-Hong-Kong-90.html