On recent travels to Guatemala’s Maya ruin of Tikal and to the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum in Mexico, Meg Pier was impacted by seeing fresh paths being cleared for ancient archeological ruins—realizing how progress in developing sustainable tourism can make a real and meaningful difference in local communities.

Jeff Morgan is co-founder of the Global Heritage Fund, which seeks to save the Earth’s most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries and regions, through scientific excellence and community development.

Cruises aren’t just about over-the-top activities and lavish accommodations. Educational-themed river cruises allow travelers to drift from town to town, soaking in the history and culture of the region.  

Dara Bramson investigates how education, both onboard and on shore, enhanced the travel experience while sailing Yangtze River in China.

It’s no secret that the state of the economy has led people to spend their money more selectively.

Traveling with kids is a big enough challenge for most parents, but what if you’re planning a trip of a lifetime to faraway China?

Guest blogger Dana Rebmann of family travel site Ciao Bambino weighs in with her tips on how to prepare kids for long-distance travel.

My kids are travelers. I’m lucky and I appreciate it. But it didn’t just happen that way.

Want to learn how you can travel Paris in a day, or hike the Great Wall of China without breaking your back?

If you’ve got a burning travel question, The Travel Detective is here to help.

If you’d like to “Ask Peter,” just write us at peter @ petergreenberg.com.

In part one of Finding Culture in New China, Sarika Chawla reported on her adventures in Guangzhou. In part two, she reports on how she found the unexpected in the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen.

Now, here’s a surprising fact: the vast majority of Shenzhen residents are under 30 years old.

As a result, you’re unlikely to find elderly folk waxing poetic about old Shenzhen, or generations-old restaurants with grandma standing behind the stove.

Traveling to Guangzhou and Shenzhen instead of Beijing and Shanghai is akin to visiting Dallas over New York or Los Angeles.

These aren’t “show cities” with tour buses ready to transport travelers to cultural excursions; instead, these are “overnight cities” that are abundant in shiny skyscrapers and construction cranes.

Sarika Chawla reports on her experiences finding authentic local experiences that lurk underneath New China’s glossy exterior.

Is it possible to truly experience a new city in eight hours?

Flying from Los Angeles to southern China, Cathay Pacific’s late-night departure dropped me off in Hong Kong at 7:30 a.m. My flight to Guangzhou on the mainland was scheduled to depart that evening.

One thing was for sure, there was no way I would spend my layover curled up in the airport lounge, no matter how tempting a nap and free nibbles sounded. Nothing says faux-traveler than someone who claims to have “been” in a country when they never left the airport.

Dear Peter,

There’s something about Hong Kong that will always make it home to me—I think because I stay in a handful of hotels regularly and people there remember me, which it adds another layer to a stay that makes everything cozier.

But wait—there is also a bunch of new hotels in town, many with gimmicks, and there are some new tricks for the old faithful, so there is much to tell.