New & Notable

November 10, 2009, China raised both gasoline and diesel prices by 480 yuan ($70.28) a ton, from today, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on its website last night. The benchmark price of gasoline will be 7,100 yuan a ton and diesel will be 6,360 yuan a ton, according to the NDRC. The retail price of gasoline will climb by 0.36 yuan a liter. Diesel will go up by 0.41 yuan a liter.

Consquently, Air China announced the fuel surcharge increase on its transpacific flight segment by $20 per person effectively December 1st, 2009

November 10, 2009, China raised both gasoline and diesel prices by 480 yuan ($70.28) a ton, from today, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on its website last night. The benchmark price of gasoline will be 7,100 yuan a ton and diesel will be 6,360 yuan a ton, according to the NDRC. The retail price of gasoline will climb by 0.36 yuan a liter. Diesel will go up by 0.41 yuan a liter.

Consquently, all airlines in China announced fuel surcharge for China domestic flights effective immediately.

World Expo tickets:

RMB160 ($24) (Weekdays)

RMB180 ($27) (Weekends)

RMB200 ($30) (May 1-3; Oct. 1-7; Oct. 25-31)

The exchange rate between USD and RMB as of today is 1 USD = 6.8 RMB

You can either purchase the tickets from China Spree or from the local vendors on site.

Ernest Hemingway said, "When I dream of ...heaven, the action always takes place at the Ritz.” China Spree is putting on the Ritz in our 2010 China Affordable Luxury Tours.

China Spree Travel, well-known for First-Class Travel at Bargain Prices, is introducing an Affordable Luxury Tour of China for those accustomed to the best, who want all the comforts of home…and then some. The tour will provide luxurious accommodation in China’s most opulent hotels as well as gracious dining in its most outstanding restaurants.

Though hotel selection may not determine the success of a travel experience, certainly a great hotel can be the highlight of a trip. China Spree’s hotel choices for the Affordable Luxury Tour are the very best: 5-star Ritz Carlton Hotels in Beijing and Shanghai and 5-star Shangri-La Hotels in other cities.

Our Affordable Luxury tours also feature exclusivity which is not available to the general public or other travelers. For instance, for customers interested in Jewish history, we can arrange a special walking tour of Shanghai through the Jewish quarter, visiting the landmark architecture previously owned by notable Jews (such as Sassoon family, etc.), touring the Synagogues and The Old Ghetto Alleys. The tour is escorted by a Jewish scholar currently residing in Shanghai who can show you the places relating to Jewish life and history in Shanghai from 1900 until the Second World War.

While gastronomes (except, perhaps, the French) agree that Chinese cuisine is the world’s most refined and complex, unfortunately no U.S. tour operator has focused on the culinary arts of China. Their clients eat in the same touristy restaurants whether they’ve paid for a budget or luxury tour.

China Spree promises that the dining experience on the Affordable Luxury Tour will be different. Over the last decade, China’s culinary arts have been rediscovered in spectacular fashion. The Affordable Luxury Tour features the finest restaurants in the country—each one renowned for its distinctive culinary style and refined décor. Among the highlights in Beijing are Da Dong (Peking duck and northern delicacies), Ken de Rouge (Chinese fusion style) and Shanglinyuan (Imperial style). In Shanghai notable restaurants include Lu Bo Lang (Shanghai dim sum) and Kathleen 5 (Chinese fusion style).

We believe that touring means a feast for the palate as well as for the eyes, and we invite you to join our distinctive Affordable Luxury China Tour for a memorable experience different from all others.

Pauline Frommer, the established travel writer and daughter of American Travel writing legend Arthur Frommer, recommended China Spree and our 10-Day China’s Golden Triangle tour (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai for only $999 plus taxes) on NBC Today Show. Please visit our 2008 Winter “Specials” for detailed information about this tour.