China Travel - Hotels, Sightseeing Tours, Attractions, Information

China isn't a country - it's a different world. Unless you have a couple of years and unlimited patience, it's best to follow a loose itinerary here, such as following the Silk Road route, sailing down the Yangzi River, or exploring the Dr Seuss landscape of Guangxi Province.

From shop-till-you-drop metropolises to the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China is a land of cultural and geographic schisms. It's not that it has completely done away with its Maoist past - it's more that the yin of revolutionary zeal is being balanced by the yang of economic pragmatism.

Travel to Hong Kong - Despite the obvious love of shopping and eating, the perpetually crowded streets, glitzy neon lights and hard-core work ethic, it can all be put into context when you consider that the most expensive houses and powerful banks could not be planned without close consultation with the feng shui master. Look at the elegant sharp angles of the Bank of China building, or the high-tech iconic HSBC in Central, then realize that their exact location was plotted with due consideration to keeping the spirits and dragons happy.
Recommended Hong Kong Hotels

Travel to Macau - Macau is growing in popularity for its’ High Stakes Gambling and as a Premier Casino destination. The most famous Macau Casino is the Lisboa. Other spectacular casinos are the New Century Casino and the Floating Palace Casino. Book your vacation now; you may be the next millionaire in a very exciting Casino Destination!
Recommended Hotels Macao

Travel to Shanghai - Shanghai is well known in the world not only for its prosperous cosmopolitan feature but also for its rich humanistic resources. In recent years, a number of modern buildings have been added to the city, such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Library, Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Circus City, Shanghai City-Planning Exhibition Hall and Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Science & Technology Museum. They have become new scenic sights in Shanghai.
Shanghai Recommended Hotels

China is a country of great contrasts, with picturesque rural landscapes and congested cityscapes, and natural beauty that ranges from the untamed to the idyllic - from the windswept plains of the Gobi Desert and Mt Everest's notorious northern face to Yángshuò's gorgeous karst scenery. China is huge and wild enough to satisfy your explorer instinct, and is a great rollercoaster ride for anyone with a little time and an instinct for travel. More...

A good agency, such as CHT, do not collect the ‘per head’ fee, and pay their guides a fixed monthly salary, which recognizes the fact that they are English graduates as well as expert guides. These days the guides expect a good salary as more and more foreign businesses open in China, offering an attractive alternative, and a guide with a good standard of English does not have to ‘buy’ customers from an Agency.

A good agency does not permit its guides to collect commission on purchases which ‘their’ group have made in shops.

A good agency believes in delivering value for money, reliable quality, clarity about what people will get for their money. It will charge a reasonable price, and pay its own staff and suppliers at a reasonable rate.

This, of course, raises the thorny issue of tipping. China has not previously had a ‘tipping culture’. As tourism increases, a number of service people have become used to being offered a tip if they have provided good service. This includes tour guides and drivers. However, if you are traveling with a reputable agency tipping is not a compulsory activity, it is entirely voluntary. Most agencies will provide a guide to the amount which would be considered fair for good service, but it is just that – a guide. Be very cautious about anyone who claims that tipping is compulsory.

Facts for the Traveler

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Beijing Time.)
Dialling Code: 86
Electricity: 220V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

When to Go

Spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to visit China. Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F-86°F) in these seasons - but bear in mind that nights can still be bitterly cold and it can sometimes be wet and miserable. Major public holidays, in particular Chinese New Year, are best avoided as it's difficult to get around and/or find accommodation.

Events

Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival) starts on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in February. Although it officially lasts only three days, many people take a week off. Ear plugs are handy at this time to dull the firecracker assaults, and prices of hotel rooms tend to go through the roof. The Lantern Festival isn't a public holiday, but it's big and it's colourful. It falls on the 15th day of the 1st moon (around mid-Feb to mid-March) and marks the end of the New Year celebrations. The famous lion dances occur throughout this period. Tomb Sweeping Day is in April, and sees Chinese families spend the day tending the graves of departed loved ones. Hong Kong hosts one of the liveliest annual Chinese celebrations - the Dragon Boat Festival. Usually held in June, the festival honours the poet Qu Yuan and features races between teams in long ornate canoes. Many Westerners take part in the races, but plenty of practice is needed to get all the paddles working as one.

Special prayers are held at Buddhist and Taoist temples on full-moon and sliver-moon days. Temple and moon-based festivities include Guanyin's Birthday (late March to late April), Mazu's Birthday (May or June), Water-Splashing Festival (13-15 April), Ghost Month (late August to late September), Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (October) and the Birthday of Confucius (28 September).