Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / China
 |  | Destination Guide : China |
|
| | | An unforgettable experience |  | Why go on holiday to China?
China will leave you with lasting memories - from the deserts of Xinjiang to the mountains of Tibet; from the Forbidden City of Beijing to Shanghai's vision of the future; from the tranquil River Li with its cormorant fisherman to sleepy Xian city.
The sights, sounds and smells will stay with you forever. It is one of the few places on earth where Western culture is not commonplace and where you can experience "real travel".
How much does it cost?
At time of writing, a 12-day tour visiting five cities and staying in a four-star hotel with all meals included will cost from £995 per person. A 14-day guided tour across China starts from £1,595 per person. London-Beijing from about £400 return.
When should I go?
China is huge so inside its borders you will find extremes of cold and heat. As a general rule the best time to visit the north is spring or autumn when it rains less. Daytime temperatures range from 20-30C (68-86F) and evenings are cool.
Otherwise you face super-hot temperatures of up to 38C (100F) from May to August or a chilly time in winter - in Beijing in January it never rises above 0C (32F).
The south has a warmer climate and is well worth a visit in the winter months. In summer it can be extremely hot.
*** SPONSORED LINK ***
For further information about visas to China, see: www.chinesevisadirect.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
| | | Ancient cities and palaces |  | What should I do when I'm there?
China is not for beach babies or clubbers, but it has a wealth of other things to do.
Take sightseeing trips to numerous ancient cities and palaces. Marvel at beautiful objects of great value in the museums. Or go hiking and indulge your taste for adventure sports in western China.
Ride camels over the immense grasslands of Inner Mongolia or go pony trekking in Xinjian. You will find that shopping and eating are often rewarding.
What should I see?
The ancient imperial jewel is Beijing complete with the Forbidden City inside, the Summer Palace outside and the Great Wall a short distance away.
Shanghai, the "Paris of the East", is famous for the old colonial areas of Frenchtown and The Bund, and also for its rather startling modern architectural developments at Nanjing Lu.
Xian is the site of the Terracotta Army and there are countless other places of beauty and interest in this 2,000 year-old-city.
On the banks of the River Li, Guilin is said to be the loveliest city in China with its green parks, winding streets and limestone karst peaks. See the giant sleeping Buddha at Dazu. Take a trip to the Sera Monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa, Tibet.
What about natural beauties?
The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River are a must-see - this is the birthplace of the Han Confucian culture and the Gorges are dotted with temples that are thousands of years old.
All will soon disappear beneath the waters of a controversial new giant dam. Around Guilin there is much 'willow pattern' scenery of sharp mountain peaks towering over the tranquil River Li.
The sacred mountains of Putuoshan, Wutaishan, Huashan, Emeishan and Jiuhuashan developed for Chinese tourists are famous, if crowded, sights.
There are also new national park areas of outstanding natural beauty including Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, Zhangiajie in Hunan and Changbaishan in Jilin. If you want to get away from the overcrowding, visit Tibet, Dali or Mongolia.
What about festivals?
At the Lantern Festival (dates vary from early Feb to early March) people parade with coloured paper lanterns in the evening - it is enchantingly pretty.
Qing Ming Jie (hungry ghosts festival) is when people go and sweep the tombs of relatives, burn ghost money and picnic on food left for the departed, and can be eerie.
At the Moon Festival (dates vary) eat tasty moon cakes, fall in love and gaze at the full moon after fireworks displays.
Watch fiercely-fought boat races at the Dragon Boat Festival and eat special foods.
|
|
|
|
|
| | | Have a shopping bonanza | | Where's good for nightlife?
China's entertainment options are expanding with bars and discos springing up in all the major cities and in many rural areas too. Karaoke bars are the new craze - be careful, as you can end up paying £50 for a bottle of beer.
On offer in Beijing and other major cities, it is well worth seeing the ancient art of acrobatics and Beijing opera - even if you don't really understand what's going on.
What's the food like?
China harbours a diverse range of culinary styles. Make sure you know enough to decipher a basic menu. Cantonese cooking includes lots of seafood, vegetables and rice - UK takeaways are based on this cuisine.
In Beijing and Shandong more noodles and steamed bread are used as well as thin pancakes for "Beijing duck".
Schezchuan food is spicy, using mutton. The most common dish is hot pot, where you cook bits of food at your table in a pot of boiling water and then drink the resulting stock. The hollow rolls stuffed with minced mutton and onion cakes are unbeatable.
Tsingtao is a delicious beer and widely available. There is a bewildering amount of rice spirits (called wine) and many are fortified with ingredients such as lizards, bees or snakes.
What should I buy?
In big cities, shopping has become a bonanza, department stores are packed to the rafters with Western and non-Western goods, often far cheaper than in the UK.
However the old-style Friendship Stores often have English-speaking staff and are full of more unusual objects.
Look for old-fashioned kitchen stuff, enamelled tin and silver ware, embroidered linens, old-fashioned kids' toys, calligraphy brushes and objets d'art that are unique to China and Chinese taste.
Dried foodstuffs, rice wines, weird teas and suchlike are also good value in Friendship Stores. Markets are always cheaper but make sure you know what you're getting.
What is there for children to do?
Taking kids to China can be difficult, as the travelling tends to be uncomfortable. You may feel that enduring long train journeys on hard seats with everyone smoking and spitting is not a good idea for youngsters.
On the plus side many cities have zoos and parks with amusements. Beijing has many theme parks for kids and families.
Tourist office
Chinese National Tourist Office, 4 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG. For brochures, tel 0900 160 0188 (60p a min).
|
|
|
|
|
| | Available rental properties in China |
|
| |  | | junyi villa
Junyi villa is a custom design, private estate that located in a beautiful Lake Forest Resort. Only 21km distance to the center of Chongqing city
|  | | Sea Sight Luxury condo in Sanya China(East Hawai)
Picture Hawaii without skyscrapers. Luxury apartment in sanya , Hainan, south of China. beach front, balcony overseeing the ocean . Swiming pool
|  | | Times coast sea, river, mountain,city view condo
96m2 in ,best location to admire all views of Sanya,jacuzzi for two persons. balcony, Share all facilities with five stars hotel,Eardry Resort. Nearby
|  | | Bali style Villa Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay, Sanya Hainan Island, chinese Hawaii, Bali style Villa on yalong Bay, Sandy beach , golf, hotsprings, diving, site tourism, exotic culture
| | Click here for more properties... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
