A Trails Travel 道成旅游

07/03/2024

China has just announced a major expansion of its visa-free policy for citizens of 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, and 🇱🇺 Luxembourg!

Starting from 14 March until 30 November, 2024, travellers can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days.

Contact us to start planning your next journey ✈️🇨🇳

China has announced an expansion of its visa-free policy, initiating a pilot programme for ordinary passport holders from six nations: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Between 14 March and 30 November 2024, individuals from these countries may enter China without a vi...

22/02/2024

Following the launch of Vietnam’s first Michelin Guide in 2023, we have crafted a unique culinary trail that serves up some of the nation’s most authentic cuisine!

Contact us to find our more about our 10-day Vietnam culinary adventure, taking guests on a foodie exploration of Hanoi, Ha Long, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City ✈️🇻🇳🍜

20/02/2024

We are proud to have been part of a successful MICE event in Luang Prabang, Laos. Delegates enjoyed a series of activities that incorporated various elements of Lao life, from culture to nature and art, cuisine, and more.

With its well-preserved architecture, stunning natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang is the ideal destination for MICE. To start planning your next corporate event or company outing, contact us for more information! ✈️ 🇱🇦🐘

08/02/2024

As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a year filled with good health, happiness, and prosperity.

We look forward to an exciting 2024 (watch this space!) and remain committed to delivering unparalleled travel services and unforgettable journeys and experiences across China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Your continued support means the world to us and we thank you for being part of our vibrant travel community.

Happy Chinese New Year! 🐉🧧🎆

24/12/2023

Season's greetings from A Trails! As the year draws to a close, we want to thank you so much for being part of our travel family and for your continued support over the years.

As we get ready to welcome 2024, we look forward to sharing more inspiring trails and unforgettable travel experiences with you across China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

From all of us in Beijing, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, wherever you are in the world! 🎅🎄🎁

06/12/2023

The countdown to Christmas is underway and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with a unique and immersive cycling experience through Beijing’s historic Central Axis on electric pedal bikes!

Join us this Saturday for a fun biking adventure as we navigate the capital on two wheels exploring 14 iconic sites. These include Yongdingmen Park, the west gate of the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the northwest tower of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Houhai Lake, Chang’an Avenue, and much more.

Our expert tour leader will guide you through the heart of the city, unravelling the 750-year-old story of Beijing through your wireless earpiece as you enjoy the ride, taking in the city’s sights, history, and culture! 🎅🎄🚲

29/11/2023

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that China 🇨🇳 has recently announced a significant expansion of its visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six countries!

This progressive initiative is set to commence as a trial from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. Citizens of France 🇫🇷, Germany 🇩🇪, Italy 🇮🇹, the Netherlands 🇳🇱, Spain 🇪🇸, and Malaysia 🇲🇾 can now enjoy a hassle-free travel experience to China without the need for a visa.

This visa-free policy applies to various purposes, including business trips, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit, allowing travellers to stay in China for up to 15 days ✈️

10/09/2023

Together with our Asian Trails China team, we celebrated the 24th birthday of our parent company, Asian Trails, with an exhilarating cycling discovery tour through Beijing's historic Central Axis. During our company outing, we explored the 750-year-old layout on hybrid pedal-electric-powered bikes visiting 14 iconic sites and immersing ourselves in the city's rich history and culture.

The Central Axis is the best-preserved core area of the old city of Beijing, spanning a length of 7.8 kilometers. It connects prominent landmarks such as Yongdingmen, the former front gate of the outer city wall; the corner tower of the Forbidden City; the Bell & Drum Towers; and the scenic Shichahai area, featuring Qianhai, Xihai, and Houhai lakes. This urban layout embodies the 'value of the center' in traditional Chinese culture, influencing city planning and design with a belief in harmony between nature and humanity. The morning ride culminated with a traditional Beijing hotpot lunch by the picturesque Houhai Lake before returning to our starting point for coffee and refreshments.

As the Asian Trails group celebrates 24 years of excellence in the travel industry, we remain committed to promoting Sustainable Trails and enriching travel experiences for both leisure and business travellers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients, partners, and colleagues for their continued support. With China fully reopen, we look forward to welcoming old friends and new guests from across the world to experience all the incredible wonders this vast country has to offer!

11/07/2023

We invite you on an extraordinary journey through the captivating land of northern Laos!

Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, this hidden gem beckons visitors with its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and timeless charm, setting it apart from other destinations in the region.

Prepare to uncover ancient temples, encounter untouched landscapes, and engage with warm-hearted locals who embody the essence of this special landlocked country.

Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, spiritual serenity, or an adventurous off-the-beaten-path experience, Laos offers a unique and authentic journey that will leave you enthralled and longing for more.

Join us on one of our upcoming small group departures: September 29, November 11, December 22 and 29.

Sign up now to experience the wonders of Laos. Contact us for more information! 🇱🇦

03/04/2023

Join us this Easter Sunday April 9 for a family funday out at a private organic farm in Beijing!

Starting at 10am there’ll be a classic Easter egg hunt with gifts and the opportunity to pick fresh organic vegetables and strawberries to take home. Children can also learn how to plant their own vegetables and experience feeding the farmyard animals.

Feel free to bring your own picnic or opt for a farm-to-table BBQ lunch (prebooking and payment required). Contact us for more information! 🐣

22/03/2023

As a sustainable travel company, A Trails are proud to have sponsored this year’s Trophée des Talents 2023, a competition dedicated to the young Chinese generation to inspire critical thinking and encourage French language learning.

Founded by CCI FRANCE CHINE, this was the 10th edition of the event with the topic focusing on China Carbon Neutrality 2060. The award ceremony was held at the Embassy of France in China as part of the "Le Mois de la Francophonie" celebration.

Congratulations to the three finalists and to CCI France Chine and the French Embassy for organising a wonderful event. Bravo!

15/03/2023

BIG NEWS!!! After three long years we are thrilled to share that China has announced the resumption and issuance of all visa types to foreign visitors - including tourist visas - starting from March 15, 2023.

International travellers can now enter China more conveniently with the following documentation:
• A valid visa
• A valid passport
• A PCR or antigen self-test issued within 48 hours before their departure (testing requirements may differ depending on country of departure)

Travellers holding valid multi-year multiple entry visas issued before March 28, 2020 may continue to travel on their previously issued visa. In addition, port visas shall be issued in line with the relevant laws and regulations. Visa exemptions have also been reinstated for foreign visitors to Hainan, foreign visitors to Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, travellers arriving via cruise ship to Shanghai and ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi.

We advise travellers to consult the Chinese embassy or consulate in their home country for more details about the application process.

Our team at A Trails have been preparing for this moment and we look forward to welcoming guests to China once again.

China travel is finally back!

06/03/2023

Embark on a special departure from April 1-9 travelling through central Tibet and into the Himalayas - a trip that explores the spiritual Lhasa, its prestigious monasteries, and Everest Base Camp.

This journey is a deep immersion into the history, lore, culture, and the extreme landscapes of the Roof of the World. Lead by our Tibetan expert Benjamin Cubbage, this pilgrimage is set to be an expedition of a lifetime.

From Lhasa, the real adventure begins as we start the epic road trip through central Tibet into the Himalayas. From Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet's most beautiful lakes, get up close to the Karola Glacier before visiting the quaint historic town of Gyantse and Pelkor C***e Monastery. Passing through quiet farming villages we will then travel to Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city.

In Shigatse we will explore the enormous monastery of Tashi Lhunpo and walk the ancient pilgrimage circuit. After Shigatse we will work our way overland to Mount Everest's spectacular North Face Base Camp region at Rongbuk Monastery, where you will get the single best view of the world's highest peak.

Limited spots available. Contact us for more information!

21/02/2023

Lights, camera, capture! Join us this April for our first expert-led photography workshop of 2023 to south Yunnan’s Yuanyang Rice Terraces with award-winning photographer François Nadeau.

This immersive six-day photography tour will start in Kunming where you will have the chance to visit the Western Hill, Dragon Gate, and Stone Forest UNESCO Global Geopark. We will then transfer south to Yuanyang for the UNESCO World Heritage listed Yuanyang Rice Terraces to visit the local village of Azheke, famed for it’s mushroom-shaped houses and home to the Hani and Yi minority groups. Before heading back to Kunming, we end our trip in Jianshui to enjoy a scenic journey by train to see the Double Dragon Bridge, Tuanshan Folk Houses, and Tuanshan Village, which was built in the the Ming Dynasty and regarded as a gem of Chinese Civil Houses.

This trip is a great opportunity to put into practice some important notions of photography that adapt to multiple situations in order for you to learn how to take stunning pictures. It will help you to photograph subjects and create the best composition. Our expert François will have daily group discussions as well as one-on-one sessions throughout the trip about different subjects, methods, and approaches.

Take your camera creativity to the next level. Contact us for more information!

13/02/2023

Tropical beaches, hidden temples, local markets, and colourful nightlife; paradise awaits you in Phuket!

Continuing our travel focus on Southeast Asia, we are excited to share another Thailand promotion for two people featuring more flights + hotel deals starting from only RMB 3,300 per person.

Check below which hotels are on offer and for more details of what’s included in our package.

06/02/2023

Jet off to Thailand for some fun in the sun with our special promotion running until the end of March! Return flight + hotel packages for two to Phuket and Koh Yao Island 🏝

25/01/2023

Our Asian Trails colleagues at our Thailand office donned their finest Chinese-style costumes to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

After paying respect with auspicious offerings to the phra prom (spirit house) outside our headquarters at SG Tower in central Bangkok, everyone was gifted an ang pao (red envelope) or a hong pao (bun) to symbolise ‘great work, great health, great wealth, and great happiness’. Our chairman Luzi Matzig and staff are pictured in their stylish attire.

Happy Lunar New Year from all of us!

20/01/2023

From all of us at A Trails, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year of the Rabbit! Here's to a year that is full of happiness, health, prosperity, and of course, more opportunities for travel, exploration, and adventure.

Be inspired!
A Trails Team

10/01/2023

Last month, A Trails was invited to join the Wildlife-Friendly Tourism initiative organised by World Animal Protection, an international non-profit organisation carrying out animal protection work in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.

Justin Culkin our Business Development Director attended the event to sign the Wildlife-Friendly Tourism Pledge declaring A Trails would not promote or sell tourism products that involve the use of wild animals for recreational purposes, such as elephant rides, dolphin shows, and taking pictures with tigers. Other commitments include driving positive change in the supply chain to protect wildlife, provide travellers with responsible wildlife tourism choices wherever possible, and to help customers become wildlife-friendly tourists.

As a responsible and sustainable travel company, not only are we committed to improving the conditions of communities we encounter on our journeys, but we also strive to safeguard nature and protect wildlife. We are very pleased to partner with World Animal Protection and fully support their mission in creating a better world for animals. As we enter a new phase in the world of travel, we hope our pledge can help set an example for other industry players and raise more awareness on the importance of keeping wildlife wild.

28/12/2022

After almost 3 years of COVID-19 border controls, travel restrictions, and city-wide lockdowns, we are excited to share news that China is finally reopening its borders and ending it’s Zero-COVID policy.

Starting from January 8th, centralised quarantine and nucleic acid testing will be cancelled for all inbound travellers. This means the current ‘5+3’ requirement for arrivals - five days at a designated hotel, followed by three days at home - will be removed, effectively adopting a ‘0+0’ policy.

Those arriving into China under the new policy will only need to provide a negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours and will no longer need to apply for a health code from Chinese embassies or consulates. Previous measures to control the number of international flights will also be lifted.

China will further optimise arrangements for foreign travellers visiting or returning to the country for work, business, study, family visits, and reunions, and provide the necessary visa facilities accordingly. However, no specific visa policy or news on tourist visas has been introduced at this time. Outbound travel for Chinese nationals will also be restored.

These significant relaxations show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. With the recent changes to the COVID-19 policy earlier this month, paired with the announcement of these new welcoming measures, we feel it won’t be long until China completely reopens its borders and removes all remaining restrictions.

With 2023 around the corner, we would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming travellers from all over the world to China again soon!

24/12/2022

As the clock ticks down on 2022, we can't help but reflect on what a roller coaster year its been for us all. However, after receiving an early gift of positive news this month we can finally put all of that behind us. With mandatory NAT and health & travel code restrictions finally eased, domestic travel is possible again and we are hopeful that news and updated policies for international travel will follow soon.

As we countdown to the New Year, we want to thank you - our valued customers and followers - for your continued support and for being part of the A Trails journey. Without you we wouldn't be able to do what we love doing best, which is sharing our passion for responsible and sustainable travel. As we get ready to cross over into 2023, we look forward to more adventures and blazing new and exciting trails with you across China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

From all of us in Beijing, we want to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, wherever you are in the world!

Happy holidays.
A Trails Team

08/12/2022

Thailand is one of the world's quintessential paradise destinations. With it's tranquil beaches, exotic cuisine, magnificent temples and scenery, colourful history, and cultural and archaeological sites, its a country that attracts adventurers, culture enthusiasts, foodies, and beach holiday lovers from all over the globe. No matter what kind of traveller you are, Thailand has it all.

It's currently one of the easiest places to travel to in Southeast Asia. As of now, those entering Thailand are not required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results. Travellers can also freely travel to the country without any COVID restrictions and are not required to obtain Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry.

With many preparing for the holidays and considering a vacation outside of China, we wanted to share with you our hand-picked selection of private multi-day tours and relaxing hotel packages especially for families and couples. Let the waves hit your feet, and the sand be your seat...

24/11/2022

When it comes to booking international air tickets, spending time finding the best flight packages that meet your preferences and come with competitive rates can be a long, tiring, and often frustrating process, especially during the current climate.

Through our air ticket booking service for business and leisure travelers, we remove that stress and make booking flights simple and transparent.

We've put together a list of the most requested international flight destinations received in the past weeks and have prepared return flight packages for those planning on flying out from China next month.

Scroll through and browse our selection of return flight deals in December from China to Bangkok, Milan, Paris, London, Frankfurt, New York, and Sydney.

12/11/2022

Steps in the right direction! China on Friday relaxed some of its COVID curbs, which included a two-day cut on quarantine times for inbound travellers and close contacts of cases and removing the penalty on airlines that bring in infected passengers.

Under the new rules, those who arrive into China from abroad will now only have to face a "5+3" policy, which is five days of centralised quarantine and three days of home quarantine (previously "7+3"). Domestically, quarantine for close contacts has also been cut to "5+3".

China will also end the practice of cancelling international flights on the basis of how many passengers test positive on arrival and travellers are now only required to present one negative Nucleic Acid Test result issued within 48 hours before boarding their flight.

Planning on leaving or returning back to China? Contact us for competitive flight rates and recommended routes for your business or leisure travel.

08/11/2022

Are you planning on flying home from China for the holidays? Then why not make a stopover in Thailand to the palm-speckled oasis of Koh Yao Noi - an hour boat ride from Phuket and Krabi!

Travellers entering Thailand are not required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results and can freely travel without any COVID restrictions or the need to obtain Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry.

Experience island paradise this winter with 5-star luxury villas and your own private beachfront. Contact us for more information and for our exclusive package deals at Treehouse Villas Koh Yao.

03/11/2022

We think there's nothing better than the view from behind the handle bars.

Every ride is a chance to experience dazzling cultures, distinctive cuisines, and sublime scenery. China checks all the boxes for a truly unforgettable biking adventure providing the opportunity to mingle with locals, discover history, feast on delicacies, and lose yourself in the unfamiliar and fantastic.

We share two upcoming cycling tours in Hainan and Yunnan you don't want to miss this December!

27/10/2022

Ski season is upon us making it the perfect time to start planning your winter vacation.

We're offering a range of fantastic package deals you won't want to slide away from at two of the best family-friendly ski resorts in northeast China.

If you're looking for high-level trails, quality snow, excellent service, and luxurious accommodation to relax in après-ski, then look no further!

26/09/2022

We are happy to share news that Hong Kong announced last Friday an end to mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals starting from today (Monday, 26th September). Those arriving in Hong Kong will now only need to undergo three days of self-monitoring at their choice of premises, which includes home or any booked hotel.

This replaces the previous ‘3+4’ arrangement where quarantine was required in a designated hotel for three days and home medical surveillance was needed for another four, during which time movements were also limited.

New arrivals will now be given an amber health code under the city’s vaccine pass scheme. This will restrict individuals for three days from entering most premises, including restaurants and bars, but visitors will still be able to use public transport. Furthermore, travellers now only need to provide a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). This can be self-administered and users will be able to receive their results digitally 24 hours before boarding their flight.

This is a long-awaited step in the right direction. We are feeling optimistic and hope this will also lead to the easing of restrictions for mainland China in the near future.

20/09/2022

Over the past few weeks many of you reached out and asked us where we recommend travelling to for the upcoming National Day Golden Week given the current travel restrictions for certain regions around China.

So for this week's post we put together a list of safe destinations you can travel to for the October holidays to help you decide how to make the most of your time off.

Have a scroll through to see where you could be exploring in a few weeks time!

19/09/2022

Photos taken from one of our recent private groups who conquered the Wild Great Wall in Beijing from Gubeikou to Jinshanling.

This overnight excursion is available throughout the October Golden Week holiday with flexible departure dates. Our package includes return transportation, entrance fees, guide, tents, sleeping bags, BBQ & beer dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Perfect for adventurous groups and families and travel is within Beijing municipality.

A fantastic two-day outing along some of the most impressive sections of the mighty fortification. Contact us for more information!