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| Destinations : China - Vietnam - Laos - Thailand - Nepal - India - Myanmar - Taiwan - Korea - Japan - Russia - Philippines - more | ||
China Travel
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 China offers
magnificent attractions and a myriad of cultural adventures to feed any
traveller’s wanderlust.
Shanghai is a modern city with a cosmopolitan feel. Experience
the European vibe as you walk along the Bund and enjoy the vibrance of the
restaurants, bars and clubs that light up the night. Beijing, now in the thick of Olympic preparations, has temples, palaces and, of course, the Great Wall. You can also enjoy the quaint little hutong villages in the capital. For some nostalgia, head to Xian to see the amazing display of Imperial troops made of terracotta. Hangzhou and Suzhou have the most number of lakes in the country which possess heaven-like qualities. West Lake is the most picturesque, inspiring artists for centuries. If you’re looking for a bit of sunshine, Sanya has beaches and fabulous resorts complementing its lovely weather! |
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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. |
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Travel to Beijing - Beijing is the capital of the people's Republic of
China. The municipality is under direct administration of China's Central
Government. The city is the center of politics, culture, and international
exchanges, as well as one of the largest metropolises of industry, finance
and trade. Beijing Recommended Hotels 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. 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!
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.
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There is strong competition in the travel and tourism business in China.
There are many reputable and ethical agencies, and there’s the others. It’s
worth remembering that if an operator is offering a trip which seems
amazingly cheap, then the difference will be collected some other way.
Sometimes guides and drivers will pay the agency for the right to guide the
visitor, (“buying” travelers), and they will then find ways to recover this
from the visitors. Sometimes the agency will use non-accredited suppliers,
for example for river boats, rather than those which meet the government
standard.
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. |
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Facts for the Traveler |
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Area: 9.59 million sq km Population: 1.28 billion Capital City: Beijing (pop 12.6 million) People: Han Chinese (93%), plus 55 ethnic minorities Language: Cantonese, Mandarin Religion: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism (no stats available); Muslim (14 million), Christian (7 million) |
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Visas: Visas are required by most foreigners entering mainland
China although, at this stage, visas are not required by Western nationals
visiting Hong Kong and Macau. Travellers in transit can stay in China
visa-free for up to 24 hours as long as they have an onward air ticket for a
flight from China to another destination departing within that time period.
Visas are available from Chinese embassies and consulates in most countries.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Beijing Time.) |
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When to Go |
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| 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. More climate & weather details here | |||
Events |
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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). |
Beijing Sentury Apartment Hotel
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