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• 7 secular pilgrimages that could change your life
• Qantas, Emirates partnership launches with incredible Sydney flyover
• 18 drinks China can't live without

7 secular pilgrimages that could change your life Posted: 31 Mar 2013 11:59 PM PDT Pilgrimages aren't only for the religious. They can be fun and inspiring, challenging yet rewarding and don't necessarily involve prayer. The best ones, however, do involve a bit of a trek. Even if don't "find yourself" along the way, you'll definitely find something to tell your friends about once you get back.  1. Kumano Ancient Trail, Japan Zen-like surroundings should promote a Zen-like state of mind. Popularized by emperors in the 10th century, the trail to Kumano leads to three sacred shrines, numerous protector shrines and tea houses. Located in the Kii mountains south of Osaka, the views are often spectacular. You can walk for days or weeks -- it's up to you. You can do the whole pilgrimage in roughly six weeks. A hot spring hotel to soothe aches and pains at the end of the day is never far away. This is one of only two UNESCO-recognized pilgrimage walks, after the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Getting there: Best time to go is in spring and autumn. Fly to Kansai International airport, Osaka and take a train to Kii-Tanabe station. From there you can ride a bus to the pilgrimage route trailhead. www.tb-kumano.jp 2. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru Beat altitude sickness by chewing coca leaves with the locals. Billed by some as a life-changing experience, experts believe the Incas built this trail as a holy pilgrimage to prepare visitors to enter Machu Picchu. The 43-kilometer (26.7 miles) walk can be challenging, partly due to the high altitude and rough terrain. Access to the trail is strictly controlled, with the Peruvian government issuing 500 permits each day -- about 200 of these are for tourists. The rest go to guides, porters and cooks. Make sure you book well ahead and organize your trip through an authorized trekking company. Getting there: Best time to go is May through September. The trail starts in Cusco, an expensive one-hour flight or inexpensive 21-hour bus ride from Lima. www.incatrailperu.com 3. Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, Tibet Praying for enlightenment, or some warm shoes? Mount Kailash in Tibet has been a popular destination among pilgrims for more than 15,000 years. Supposedly the pilgrimage can erase the sins of a lifetime. It takes roughly three days to trek the 52-kilometer (32.3 miles) trail around the mountain. Climbing it is forbidden. According to Buddhist teachings, if you manage to keep going for 108 rounds, you'll reach Nirvana. Getting there: Best time to go is April through September. A tour company can help with the logistics of getting into Tibet and driving to the base of Mount Kailash. www.kailashtour.com 4. Camino de Santiago, Spain "How far to the next bistro?"Also known as The Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago is a popular walking path that leads to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Here, the apostle St. James is said to be buried. There are a number of different routes to the final destination -- these can take anywhere from a week to months. The French Way is one of the most popular and has been declared part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It starts from St. Jean Pied de Port, is 780 kilometers long (485 miles) and takes on average a month to hike. The trail is well signposted, easy to follow and provides ample opportunity to sample local culture ands enjoy small towns and rioja wine en route. Getting there: Best time to go is in May, June or September, avoiding July and August when many Europeans take vacation. To start in St. Jean Pied de Port, fly to Paris, Biarritz or Pamplona and take a train. www.turismo.navarra.es 5. Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury, England Scene of a murder committed by King Henry II's knights -- now a popular pilgrimage site. The route from London to Canterbury Cathedral, known as the Pilgrims' Way, became popular with pilgrims after the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Beckett was murdered in 1170 by King Henry II's knights. Beckett quickly became known as a miracle maker and was later canonized. The main pilgrim route that ran between Winchester and Canterbury is sadly no longer a viable walking trail due to traffic. The modern pilgrim can follow the St. Swithun's Way to Farnham and then the North Downs Way to Canterbury. Walking the entire 180-kilometer (112 miles) route will give you approximately two weeks to enjoy the English countryside and get a glimpse of its history. Getting there: Best time to go is April through October. Winchester is one hour from London by train. www.canterbury-cathedral.org  6. Croagh Patrick, Ireland Is the destination the goal or the journey itself? There are stunning views along the west of Ireland if you make the steep ascent up this 765-meter (2,509 feet) high mountain. This is where St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is said to have spent 40 days and nights praying and fasting and to have banished snakes from the country. More than a million people from around the world make the journey every year to follow in St. Patrick's footsteps -- many of them barefoot. Even though it takes only a couple of hours to reach the top, it's not an easy climb. At the peak, you can attend mass in a modern chapel or enjoy the views before making your way back down for a pint of Guinness in a local pub. Hikers can also a walk along the 61-kilometer-long (38 miles) St. Patrick's Heritage Trail. Getting there: Best time to go is April through September, but traditional pilgrimage days are the last Friday and Sunday of July, and August 15. Croagh Patrick is eight kilometers (five miles) from Westport town, which is accessible by both bus and train from Dublin and Galway. www.croagh-patrick.com 7. Char Dham, India Stunning scenery with possibility of spiritual enlightenment. Char Dham refers to four pilgrimage sites in the Uttaranchal state at the foot of the Himalayas. These sites are particularly important to Hindus, who aim to visit them at least once in their lifetime. For the non-religious, this journey is an excellent way to learn more about Indian culture and tradition and to experience the natural beauty of the country. More than 250,000 visitors from around the globe make the trip annually. Most of them start their journey in the temple town of Haridwar, while others leave from Rishikesh or Dehra Duhn, the capital of Uttaranchal. Tradition dictates visiting the sites from east to west in the following order: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Allow approximately two weeks to visit all four or visit one only in three or four days.  Getting there: Best time to go is May-June and September-October, avoiding monsoon season. Fly to New Delhi and take a train to Haridwar. http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

Qantas, Emirates partnership launches with incredible Sydney flyover Posted: 31 Mar 2013 08:57 PM PDT Forget the Easter bunny. Aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters were far more excited by the Sunday launch of the Qantas/Emirates partnership.  The official kickoff of the new "kangaroo route" was marked by an impressive tandem flight. Two A380 superjumbos -- one from each airline -- took off from Sydney Airport for a stunning flyover across two of Sydney's most photographed icons, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.   The tandem A380s pass over Sydney Opera House. The flyover is believed to be the first time anywhere in the world in which two commercial airline A380's have flown in formation.  More on CNN: Video: Emirates and Qantas team up The passenger jets cruised over the Sydney landmarks at an altitude of 1,500 feet at approximately 10:30 a.m. Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Philip Green said the airlines worked together extremely closely prior to the flight.   "There has been a huge amount of planning which has been necessary to make this possible including seeking approval from safety regulators in both Australia and the United Arab Emirates," he said.  "Pilots from both airlines have conducted dozens of special simulator training sessions since January this year. Emirates pilots came to Australia earlier this month to conduct joint sessions in Qantas' A380 simulator in Sydney and conducted several more practice runs over the past few days." More on CNN: How do you pick up a 'superjumbo' A380?  What does it mean for travelers?  The Airbus A380 flyover is believed to be the first of its kind between two separate airlines. Though it was the flyover that caught the world's attention, the Qantas/Emirates alliance is likely to be an attractive proposition for Aussies looking to hit Europe. Australia's competition watchdog approved the partnership on March 27. It allows the two carriers to combine operations for an initial period of five years, including the coordination of schedules, ticket prices and networks.  More on CNN: Ailing Qantas announces alliance with Emirates It also marks a return to a Middle East stopover for the daily "kangaroo route" (Sydney-Dubai-London and Melbourne-Dubai-London) following a 30-year absence while it operated via Singapore.  One big happy flight attendant family. "From today, our customers from Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney have one-stop access to 65 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the UK and Europe via the joint Qantas and Emirates network," Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce said in a statement. "By traveling through Dubai, Qantas customers can connect to the extensive Emirates network into Europe and the UK and fly directly to their destination."  Joyce says the new network will cut average journey times by more than two hours from Melbourne and Sydney to the top 10 destinations in Europe.  Combined, the two airlines will offer 98 flights a week between Australia and Dubai. Qantas will continue to operate its A380 services from Sydney and Melbourne through to London. This means that Qantas customers flying through Dubai will travel through Dubai International Airport's all-A380 terminal, the only airline to join Emirates there.  More on CNN: First look at Dubai's new A380 concourse The new partnership benefits its frequent flyers in particular, with the airlines offering reciprocal access to tier status benefits, including end-to-end recognition of customers, lounge access and priority check-in and boarding. The partnership also carries over to baggage policies, meaning an increase in allowance for Qantas' economy checked baggage from 23 kilograms to 30 kilograms. Qantas says over 210,000 sectors have already been booked on the joint network, with the airline seeing a six-fold increase in bookings to Europe in the first nine weeks of sales compared to the same period last year.  Are you a regular on the kangaroo route? Will you prefer flying through Dubai instead of Singapore? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

18 drinks China can't live without Posted: 31 Mar 2013 02:59 PM PDT Few can argue that baiju is China's most infamous drink. This omnipresent liquor is served liberally at banquets and stored on the shelves of convenience stores right next to the mineral water. But toasting with 80-to-120-proof firewater with paint thinner undertones isn't everyone's idea of a refreshing beverage. Not to worry, China has plenty more outlandish but delicious drinks to offer, from pearl milk tea to fermented rice wine. Here are 18 beverages that keep the country refreshed. Goes beautifully with lamb skewers. 1. Sinkiang Black Beer Also known as Xinjiang Black Beer, this nutty-scented hooch hails from the Muslim grasslands in northwest China. It has a strong flavor with a hint of brown sugar-like sweetness, like an American dark lager. This ethnic ale goes well any Xinjiang meal, complementing lamb, cumin and other spices.  Xinjiang restaurants throughout the country carry this regional brew. Or find it at grocery Fei Dan, 382-1 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu, Shanghai; +86 21 6340 0547; More on CNN: How to survive a Chinese drinking frenzy 2. Chivas mixed with green tea Chinese night owls love drinking this late night/early morning concoction while belting out Hong Kong and Korean pop songs at the karaoke bar. Fusing Scotch whisky with sweetened, bottled green tea, this cross-cultural mix has a smooth and honeyed taste. Many glittery nightclubs include it on their drinks lists. Try it at: Vics, inside Worker's Stadium north gate, on the east side; +86 10 5293 0333; no cover (Sunday-Thursday); RMB50 (US$8) after 10 p.m. (Friday-Saturday); open 8:30 p.m.-late Dessert in a straw. 3. Pearl milk tea One of the most popular soft drinks among young people in mainland China, this Taiwan import includes jelly or pudding-like bubbles in sweetened milk tea. It has a slightly bitter aftertaste. "I really enjoy the bubbles inside," says Li Yanyun, a 25-year-old teacher in Jiangxi province. "The black bubbles look like pearls. When I drink the pearl milk tea, it reminds me of my childhood."  The chewy "pearls" are actually made of tapioca and have a soft texture. Try it at: Bakery 85 C, a bakery chain with stores in most Chinese cities, including Heifei, Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai and Suzhou. Vitamins on the go. 4. C100 This is China's version of electrolyte water. From lemon to grapefruit flavors, the vitamin-rich drink has a tangy, sweet and acidic lemonade taste. It can be found at supermarkets throughout China, such as Carrefour. One of China's best leafy teas. 5. Tieguanyin Known as the "Iron Goddess of Mercy," tieguanyin falls somewhere between green and black tea taste-wise, but is yellowish in color. With a fresh floral aroma and a fruity, berry-like sweetness, this premium variety of oolong tea leaves a honey aftertaste.  Tieguanyin can be found throughout China in local teahouses, but it's most notably produced in Anxi and Fujian provinces. Harvested in spring and autumn, the teat is sometimes referred to as "curled up leaves of jade." Try it at: Wan Ling Tea House, Surpass Court, Shop 215, Building 2, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu, Shanghai; +86 21 6073 7573; open daily, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 6. Salt soda water A refreshing carbonated water that's been around since the 1960s -- mainly in Shanghai -- this was the drink of choice for locals before Coca-Cola knocked on China's door. Hints of lemon and mint add a kick to the sweet and fizzy water. Local convenience stores (especially in Shanghai) carry salt soda water. More on CNN: Baijiu factory tour: How Chinese brew their national liquor 7. Jiuniang (fermented sweet rice wine) This soup-like Chinese dish is actually unfiltered rice wine, but has a very low alcohol content. Osmanthus flowers bring up the fragrance. "Most of time, rice wine is made by families," says 26-year-old newspaper editor Qu Zhi, who grew up in the Shandong province. "There are some different brands of rice wine in the supermarket, but rice wine isn't common in restaurants." Served during Dongzhi festival (also known as the "arrival of winter"), the warm beverage is sold by street vendors throughout China. Milk for vegans. 8. Soybean milk Yellow wheat beans are used to make China's version of the protein shake. Ma Xin, a 28-year-old Weibo coordinator from Qinghai province, describes the popular drink as "very natural and a little sweet." "When you combine different beans, it creates a different taste," she adds. The drink is usually made at home with a milk machine. But fresh, boiled versions can be found at most breakfast stalls, which serve it sweet or savory. All supermarkets and convenience stores carry bottled soy bean milk. Vitasoy is one of the more popular brands. Looks good, tastes even better. 9. Chrysanthemum tea Flowery in scent and taste, chrysanthemum tea is an herbal remedy. Reputed health benefits include cholesterol maintenance and sinus relief. It's ubiquitous in Chinese restaurants and teahouses, though the most famous tea plantations are in Hubei, Hangzhou and Mount Huang. So popular it's sometimes sold in plastic bags. 10. Tsingtao beer The most recognized Chinese beer in the world, Tsingtao is sold in 62 countries and region. A lager with a high-malt flavor and a hint of hops, Tsingtao is easy to drink and doesn't leave a bitter aftertaste. Produced in the seaside city of Qingdao, the German-style beer uses spring water from Laoshan in Shandong province, a mountain area known for its water purity. The company imports its hops, yeast and barley from Australia and Canada. The brew can be found in any restaurant, supermarket and convenience store in China. 11. Coconut milk China's canned coconut milk is made from the meat of the fruit. Milk, water and sugar give it a thicker consistency than regular coconut water. Incredibly sweet, it can be found across China, but is particularly popular in southern parts of the country. Cheese, salt, chocolate and milk -- all in one delicious drink. 12. Cocoa, rock salt and cheese This sounds-odd-but-tastes-great drink is a testament to Chinese creativity. China's version of chocolate milk with foam -- some call it a "cheese creamsicle" -- the cocoa, rock salt and cheese are blended into a cup of milk. The rich chocolaty flavor combines with the saltiness from the cheese to tease the taste buds. Find it at Happy Lemon, a fast food-like drink spot throughout China. 13. Suanmeitang (sour plum drink) This cooling and soothing drink is a great match for hot pot and spicy Chinese dishes. The sweet-sour taste helps ease a burning tongue and stomach. Made of sour plums, hawthorn, licorice root, rock salt and sweet osmanthus, it's most common in summer and can be found in powder, liquid concentrate or bottled form in supermarkets. China's best coffee beans. 14. Yunnan coffee A caffeine rush has put Yunnan province on the global coffee map. More than 98% of China's coffee comes from the area. It even grabbed Starbucks' attention, which signed a joint venture in February 2012 with one of the province's coffee operations, AiNi, the most widely available Yunnan brand.  Coffee connoisseurs will enjoy AiNi's cinnamon-flavored beans. They're a lighter roast, but throw out a flavorful cinnamon punch with an herbal aroma. 15. Osmanthus wine This delicious after-dinner drink is similar to French liqueur and can be served chilled or warm. "It's super sweet while having the special scent of the flower itself," says Ou Wenmin, 28, a consultant from Guangzhou. The wine is common in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, whose name literally means "Forest of Osmanthus." Milk just got a whole lot tastier. 16. Wahaha Nutri-Express Comparable to what liquid Skittles might taste like, this drink is a mix of fruit juice and milk. Its consistency is lighter than yogurt drinks and similar to skim milk -- a little watery. A healthy alternative to the milkshake, it's one of China's top selling bottled drinks and can be found at convenience stores like Kedi and Lawson. Jia Duo Bao is a major cooling tea brand in China. 17. Cooling tea Although many stalls in southern China sell homemade "cooling tea," or herbal tea, the two dominant brands are Wang Lao Ji (in green paper cartons) and Jia Duo Bao (in red cans). Both share the same recipe, which has been passed down from the historic label, Wang Lao Ji, and taste almost identical. This herbal tea's history dates to the Qing dynasty. With hints of mint and a honey, the drink has a soothing effect on the throat and isn't too sweet. 18. Kvass The Russians brought this amber liquid to northern China in the 19th century, and the sweet alcoholic drink has remained an iconic homebrew in the region, especially in Xinjiang and Harbin. Often flavored with herbs, mint, raisins or strawberries, this beer is made from rye or black bread. The alcohol level is low (around 1%). It tastes a bit like shandy, but with a thicker texture.

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