Gong Xi Fa Cai! Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Every year, there is a some confusion with Westerners as to which is the best way to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai or Gong Hey Fat Choy. The correct answer is that they are both correct. Gong Xi Fa Cai is the Mandarin pronunciation. Mandarin is the language spoken widely in Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore. Gong Hey Fat Choy is in Cantonese spoken in Hong Kong, Macau and the Guangdong province of Mainland China . But even though the pronunciations are a little different, both are written the same way. And both expressions both mean the same thing in English: "Wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year."

To learn more Mandarin expressions or to find out your Chinese Zodiac sign visit our website for more information.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations

Chinapac on Canadian Traveller Magazine

Canadian Traveller Magazine had recently featured Chinapac International to discover why India is among their top selling destinations.

See what Director of Sales and Operations Otis Ashby has to say with regards to promoting India as well as tips on visiting the beautiful country:

Chinapac International
Otis Ashby
Director of Sales and Operations
http://www.chinapac.com/

Some background on Chinapac:
Chinapac International specializes in travel service to China and the Orient and is proud to celebrate 25 successful years in the travel industry as the premier travel package tour operator to the People's Republic of China and South East Asia.

Best Selling India product:
Hands down our 15 Day India Explorer. All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Clients get to visit the most famous sights in Northern India at a very reasonable rate without sacrificing quality. Land only pricing is only CAD 1499/person.

Tips for Canadian travel agents selling India:
The seasonal window to visit India is very small. I would suggest visiting between October and April. Travel dates outside of this range will be ridiculously hot and the client will not have a chance to really enjoy India's beauty.

Why choose India over other destinations?
India is a spiritual, historical and a very beautiful country. At first glance, one would think that all of India is the same but as you start to travel to city to city you get a better understanding of the people and culture. Plus the food is awesome.

What is your favourite India experience?
Sailing down the backwaters of Alleppey in South India. This very relaxed cruise on a houseboat was one of my most laid back days in years.

You can read the full article here.

Knock off watches, knock off wines…

During one of my trips to China, I was relaxing in the trendy Beijing area of Shi Sha Hai and enjoying some drinks with a few of our local guides. We were sitting outside enjoying the fresh air, the lively scenery and laughing it up. After I had ordered my second scotch and soda, one of my guides said, "You better not order another glass. Sometimes these bars will serve people who are too drunk counterfeit alcohol." I knew China had knock offs for almost anything but a knock off of my favourite alcohol? That is where I draw the line!

Well, it looks like China's black market has taken knock off alcohol to a whole new level. With an emerging market for high end wines in China, limited supply and very little wine education out there, there is now a huge market for empty bottles of very famous wines. These coveted empty bottles which are worth up to CAD 600 a piece are refilled with subpar vintages and sold to the very rich at very expensive prices.

With Chinese New Year coming up around the corner, I sadly expect the black market to be thriving this year.

Cheers!

Otis Ashby

Sales & Operations

Happy New Year!

Another new year and time for an updated list of resolutions and goals.

• Take a FAM tour outside of Asia. I have heard a lot of great things about this place called Europe.
• Double my Mandarin vocabulary. I currently know 40 words. Learning one new word a week should not be too hard.
• Add a new non-Asia destination to Chinapac's product line. We've successfully done Turkey, Spain, Morocco & Egypt.
• Spend more quality time with friends and family.
• Do not check my Blackberry for e-mails between 9pm and 6am. This will be my toughest challenge.

I wish you happiness and good fortune for this new and exciting year.

Otis Ashby
Sales & Operations