China’s cultural riches along with 5000 years of tumultuous history make it, without doubt, one of world’s best travel destinations. The Great Wall, X’ian’s Terracotta Army, the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square: these very names reverberate with legend and history.
China’s has many paradoxes: Shanghai’s skyscrapers contrast Beijing’s historical treasures, while in rural provinces mechanisation still hasn't reached many traditional farming villages. Famous places and sights abound – this is the land of the Yangxi River, the Silk Route and the bamboo forests of the panda. Amazing Guilin brings to life the vistas of rivers and misty peaks in traditional ink paintings, while far to the west the fabled Tibetan city of Lhasa invites pilgrims to the ‘roof of the world’.
Chinese Cuisine– from noodles to Imperial banquets – ranks with the world’s finest. From acrobatics to martial arts, calligraphy to Chinese opera, the lively, unique culture of this amazing land is everywhere to be seen.
Presently reunited with mainland China, visually stunning Hong Kong provides a vibrant ‘shop till you drop’ lifestyle mixed with enclaves of tradition and peaceful outlying islands. Nearby, exotic Macau is a gambler’s heaven with colonial Portuguese flair.
China’s tourism infrastructure is quickly improving, however flexibility and patience are still required. In return, China offers visitors memories to be treasured for a lifetime.
 Beijing
the capital of China, Beijing is an old cultural city. The city has palaces, museums, temples and monuments, and streets filled with imperial pomp and contemporary energy. Must see places include :The Great Wall (join our day tours), Tiananmen Square (the biggest plaza on earth), Forbidden City (imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties), Others include Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian (home of Peking Man), Fragrant Hills Park, Great Bell Temple, Marco Polo Bridge, Grand View Garden, Ten Ferries, Longqing Gorge, Beijing Observatory (built in 1442), Lamasery Temple of Harmony and Peace, White Cloud Temple, ruins of Yuanmingyuan, Recumbent Buddha Temple, Cloud and Water Cave etc
Here you will find a wealth of information about the city, its scenic spots, transportation, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, with pictures as well as various tour plans and hotels options.
As the capital of China, Beijing is one of the world's truly imposing cities, with a 3,000-year history and 15.3 million people (2005). Covering 16,808 square kilometers in area, it is the political, cultural and economic center of the People’s Republic.
Situated in northeast China, Beijing adjoins the Inner Mongolian Highland to the northwest and the Great Northern Plain to the south. Five rivers run through the city, connecting it to the eastern Bohai Sea. Administratively, the Beijing municipality equals the status of a province, reporting directly to the central government.
Rich in history, Beijing has been China’s primary capital for more than seven centuries. China’s imperial past and political present meet at Tiananmen square, where the Forbidden City palace of the emperors gives way to the Great Hall of the People congress building and the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. The old city walls have been replaced by ring roads, and many of the old residential districts of alleys and courtyard houses have been turned into high-rise hotels, office buildings, and department stores. Beijing, a dynamic city where the old and new intermingle, remains a magnet for visitors from inside and outside China.
Beijing is a city of broad boulevards, now full of traffic and pulsating to the rhythms of commerce and entertainment. Museums and parks abound, including the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City and Beihai Park in the center of town. Nearby, the China Fine Arts Museum (Zhongguo meishuguan) exhibits the work of contemporary artists. China’s ancient past and recent history are on view at the Museum of Chinese History and Chinese Revolution at Tiananmen. Antiques, crafts, and books can be found at Liulichang, an old antique market district remodeled in the 1980’s to reflect the style of the old city. Some of the spirit of Old Beijing is also preserved at Qianmen, south of Tiananmen, with stores that date to the early 20th century and beyond, including the Tongrentang Traditional Medicine Shop, first established in 1669. Beijing Opera performances and acrobatic troupes keep those traditional entertainment forms vital, while contemporary music clubs and discos thrive in an era of liberalization and prosperity.
At the city center is the imperial palace complex of 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. In imperial times it was called as the Purple Forbidden City from the association of the emperors with the color of the Pole Star. Surrounded by 10 meter (32 feet) high walls and gates and a 50m (164 ft.) wide moat, it was inaccessible to ordinary people, but well populated by imperial family members, their servants and staffs, officials, and guards.
The major ceremonial buildings of the palace are aligned on a north-south axis that extends beyond the walls toward the Temple of Heaven complex and Yongding Gate in the south. The main entrance to the palace complex is via the Meridian Gate (Wumen), from which the New Year was announced each year by the emperor, proclamations were read, and the fate of prisoners decided. Past five white marble bridges and the Gate of Supreme Harmony, a great courtyard could accommodate up to several thousand people for state ceremonies such as the imperial weddings.
The three most important ceremonial buildings are on the north-south axis, raised on a high white marble terrace, and accessed by ramps carved with ornate dragons over which the emperor was carried in a palanquin. The three main halls and associated side buildings formed the outer courtyard of the Forbidden City, devoted primarily to official and ceremonial functions, but including imperial libraries and studies. The inner chambers at the rear of the Forbidden City included private living and sleeping quarters of the imperial family, divided into three palaces and twelve courtyards. The Western Palaces were the residences of empresses, concubines, and princes. The Eastern Palace halls are now used as museum exhibition spaces, devoted to ritual bronze vessels, ceramics, craft objects, antique clocks, and paintings, including objects from the imperial collections and archaeological finds. The back precincts include the Palace of Aging Peacefully (Ningshou Gong) where the Qianlong Emperor of the late 18th century spent his retirement years.
Shanghai
this is China's most modern metropolis. This city has retained a special appeal to visitors as a sophisticated and modern metropolis - its history is all the more colorful because of its nostalgic associations with its colonial past. Must see places include:
The Bund (the river promenade featuring the new and old Shanghai skyline in neon light), Nanjing Road (most famous shopping avenue in China), Peoples Square (centre of Shanghai), Shanghai Museum (some considered the best in China), Yuyuan Garden (classical Chinese garden), Huai Hai Road (where the old french concession is), others include the Temple of Confucius, former residence of Dr Sun Tat-Sen, old house of Premier Zhou Enlai, residence of Lu Xun, Soong Ching Lin Mausoleum etc
Also visit Hangzhou and Suzhou (about 3 hours from Shanghai) - these are the two most ancient cities rich in culture and worth the short trip from shanghai. There is a saying in chinese that : "above there is heaven, below there is Su-Hang (referring to Suzhou and Hangzhou)". The legendary West Lake in Hangzhou is a must-see. We offer day trips to Hangzhou and Suzhou departing from Shanghai in the morning and returning to Shanghai in the evening - ideal for travellers tight on schedule.
Xian
this is a must-see destination for serious visitors. This city used to be the capital of eleven dynasties in its several thousands years of history. Must see places include :Terra Cotta Warriors (china's greatest archaeological find, join our day tours to see more) Tomb of Qin Shi Huang (China's first emperor), Remains of Banpo Village (where the primative civilisation lived 6,000 years old), Qianling (tomb of Tang Emperor Gao Zong with Empress Wu Zetian), Wild Goose Pagoda (700 years history dating to Tang dynasty), Bell Tower (ancient time keeping) etc.
China's most ancient city that is rich in cultural relics, historical sites, such as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the Ming City Wall, and the starting point of the fabulous Silk Road.
Guilin
china's most famous scenery. Guilin is a cultural city with a history of more than two thousand years. It has the most beautiful scenery in China due to its unique topography which gives rise to moody mountain height, pinnacles, peaks, caverns and subterranean river. Must see places :
the river cruise along Lijiang River (65 km from Guilin to Yangshuo - join our tours) here you see the many wonders of natural beauty like Solitary Beauty Peak, Elephant Trunk Peak, Folded Brocade Hill (the summit features a 360-degree panorama from its Catch-Cloud Pavilion), Underground Water Hill, Crescent Moon Hill, Seven-Star Cave (a million year old), Reed Flute Cave etc.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo - a delightful township that will please you - you will not find such experience elsewhere ... worth the effort ...
Sanya
china's sea resort with the most pristine beach. Sanya is situated in the southern tip of Hainan Island. Here the weather is tropical throughout the year, and a perfect resort to relax ... enjoy the sun, sea and tranquility ... (Sanya is known as end of the earth to ancient china due to its most southern geographical position). Sanya has daily flights through Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou or Hongkong.
Kunming
the city of spring (best weather condition throughout the year). Here is the ancient cultural crossroads, blending the colors and customs of the 26 different ethnic groups who live harmoniously for generations in Yunnan Province. Also visit Lijiang where the Shangri-la of the world awaits the scenery lovers.
Tibet
Tibet is no doubt exotic and full of mystery; a trip to this wonderland will leave you with an indelible life long memory. Find preparation advice, Tibet travel permit and more on this site.
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China's attractions are so many and its landscapes so vast, you'll need a lifetime to explore this fascinating and impossibly diverse country. That said, the must-see sights are fairly obvious and highly accessible, and, as previously restricted areas open up, the list of world-class attractions keeps growing. In addition to big draw cards like the Great Wall, the Xi'an Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City, you get to choose from a huge range of cultural treasures, traditional temples, incredible landscapes, wonderful national parks and fascinating festivals.
One of the most amazing sights, however, is the one you can see in every Chinese city every day: the incredible pace of modernisation reflected in the energy of the people, frenetic urban development and relentless embrace of capitalism, with all its virtues and vices. These are probably the impressions that leave the deepest mark on visitors to China.
China is a year-round destination although you might want to plan around Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) in late January and early February when much of the country shuts down for a week and public transport is completely booked up.
Making a short list of things to do in China is nearly impossible. Even breaking it down to merely list things to do in Hong Kong, Shanghai or any number of Chinese cities is fairly insufficient. It would take months, maybe even years, to fully explore the vast Chinese countryside – even a short tour of the major cities in China would require more time than most have to spend on a single vacation. But one shouldn't focus on what they're missing; it's what you do within your specified time frame that means the most. Luckily, no matter what city you land in, there will be plenty of things to keep even the most picky traveler occupied.
Shanghai Museum
The new Shanghai Museum is situated on the People's Square, the political and cultural centre of Shanghai. The square itself boasts a giant musical fountain and some attractive green recreational areas where locals dance and fly kites. It is surrounded by the City Hall, an underground shopping centre and the Grand Shanghai Theatre. It is the Shanghai Museum, opened in 1996, however, that draws the most interest. The building is shaped like a giant bronze urn, and the museum contains a collection of 123,000 cultural artefacts in 21 categories. Chief among the museum's collections are bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy and art works.
Qin Terracotta Army Museum
A group of peasants digging a well north of Mount Lishan in Lintong county, about 18 miles (30km) from Xi'an, in 1974 unearthed fragments of a life-sized warrior figure. Because the site of the discovery was just one mile (2km) from the as yet unexcavated tomb of Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, who ruled between 246 and 210 BC, archaeologists grew excited. Further excavation revealed several timber-lined vaults filled with thousands of greatly detailed terracotta soldiers and their horses and chariots: an entire army assembled in position to follow Emperor Qin into eternity. The pits containing the army are now open to public viewing and thousands of visitors flock to gaze at the stunning array of figures with their vivid facial expressions. The Terracotta Army Museum consists of the original pit that was discovered in 1974, which has been enclosed within a hangar-like building to preserve the ranks of 6,000 soldiers found there. A second pit, containing 1,400 figures of cavalrymen, horses and infantrymen, and 90 wooden chariots, is also part of the museum. Visitors can also see Qin's Mausoleum and view almost 100 sacrificial pits containing the skeletons of horses, complete with hay, that were buried with him as well as about 20 tombs holding the remains of his counsellors and retainers. The emperor's tomb itself is under a 249ft (76m) high mound that has not yet been excavated, but is believed, according to historical records, to have contained rare gems and other treasures.
Huaqing Hot Springs
The hot springs about 22 miles (35km) east of Xi'an city, at the base of the Lishan Mountains, is where the ancient emperors bathed and relaxed in scenic surroundings. The spa has been operating since the days of the Tang Dynasty, and its warm (109°F/43°C) mineral waters, containing lime, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulphate, are still enjoyed by locals and visitors today. The waters are particularly recommended for the treatment of dermatitis, rheumatism, arthritis and muscular pain. The ancient imperial bathing pools can be visited, including the Hibiscus pool, dating from 712AD, which has been restored and is open to the public. There is also a fascinating museum at the site containing building materials from the Tang Dynasty. Another attraction at the Springs is the Hovering Rainbow Bridge. This bridge reflects the sunset in such a way that it appears to be a rainbow.
Potala Palace
The vast Potala Palace stands on a clifftop above Lhasa, considered the greatest achievement of Tibetan architecture. The palace was originally built in the 7th century by the then emperor for his bride. It was later partially destroyed by lightning, but restored and extended in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama when he became political and religious leader of Tibet. The Fifth Dalai Lama took up residence in the palace in 1653, and it remained the Dalai Lamas' official residence until the exile of the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. The palace is renowned for its interior splendour. It consists of two main sections: The White Palace is the secular section containing offices, dormitories, a Buddhist seminary and printing house. The Red Palace is the ornate sacred sanctuary containing chapels where mummified remains of three Dalai Lamas lay, and the Great West Hall, with its fine rich murals.
Mount Everest
The Shigatse prefecture is the gateway for climbers to the North Col climbing route of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, towering 29,028ft (8,848m) on the border between Tibet and Nepal. The Tibetan name for the peak is Mount Quomolangma, which means 'The third goddess'. Access to the Everest Base Camp is via the town of Tinggri. About 20 miles (30km) from the town tracks take climbers on a 48-mile (78km) trek to the camp. About six miles (10km) from the base camp is the highest monastery on earth, Rongbuk Monastery at an altitude of 16,728ft (5,099m). The monastery is being restored and offers hostel accommodation. Just south of the monastery is the world-renowned Rongbuk Glacier.
Forbidden City
Lying at the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the biggest and best preserved complex of ancient buildings in China, and the largest palace complex in the world. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407 and for 500 years this inner sanctum was off-limits to most of the world as the emperors lived in luxury, secluded from the masses, surrounded by their families, court officials, servants, eunuchs, concubines and other members of court. The Forbidden City and its centrepiece, the magnificent palace, have a permanent restoration squad, which continually works to keep the 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms inside the Forbidden City complex in top repair. The once Forbidden City is now open to all visitors.
Tiananmen Square
The famous square at the heart of Beijing, recently renovated, is still not much to look at, but it attracts curious tourists simply because it was the scene of so many historic events and is the largest city square in the world. In the ancient imperial days it was a gathering place and the site of government offices, but more modern history, particularly the 1989 massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators, has made it a site of great political significance. Major rallies took place in the square during the Cultural Revolution when Mao Tse Tung reviewed military parades up to a million strong. The square is surrounded by several monuments, some ancient and some modern, including the former gates to the Forbidden City, the Gate of Heavenly Peace and Qianmen (the front gate); the Chinese Revolution Museum; and the Mao Mausoleum where China's former leader lays preserved in state.
Great Wall
Several sections of the Great Wall of China, a man-made phenomenon that has become a symbol of Chinese civilisation, can be viewed in the Beijing area. In Yanqing county in northwest Beijing is the 600-year-old Badaling Fortification, representative of the Ming dynasty sections of the Great Wall. Other sections can be seen at Jinshanling, Mutianyu and Simatai. The Great Wall, 4,000 miles (6,350km) long, was built in stages from the 7th century BC onwards, snaking its way across the mountains and valleys of five provinces in northern China as a mammoth defence bulwark.
Summer Palace
The magnificent Summer Palace in northwest Beijing at Kunming Lake was built in 1750 by the Emperor Qianlong, and continued to be an imperial residence until the Empress Dowager Cixi died in 1908. The palace and stunning gardens are open to visitors, who enter through the East Palace gate, pass through a grand courtyard into the Hall of Benevolent Longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples, and the Hall of Joyful Longevity. Empress Cixi's private theatre in the Garden of Moral Harmony is a must-see, as is the long corridor that skirts Kunming Lake's northern shoreline to reach the marble boat, an elaborate two-storey structure of finely carved stone and stained glass.
Chairman Mao Mausoleum
Although Chairman Mao Zedong requested to be cremated it was decided hours after his death in 1976, that he would be embalmed. Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death, it is said that after his death doctors reportedly pumped him so full of formaldehyde that his body swelled excessively. After draining the corpse and getting it back to a suitable state, they created a wax model of Mao Zedong, lest his body wouldn't recuperate. It is unknown today, which version of the Great Helmsman is on display at the Mausoleum at any given time. The Mausoleum itself was built in 1977, on the prior site of the Gate of China, the main gate of the Imperial City during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Beihai Park
A place of tranquillity and grand imperial beauty, the Beihai Park in Beijing is a peaceful natural haven after a long morning of busy sightseeing. One of the oldest and most authentically preserved imperial gardens in China, the history of Beihai Park extends over 1,000 years to the ancient Liao dynasty (916-1125AD). Built up through five dynasties, the park is an emblem of olde worlde China and the ancient Chinese art of landscaped gardens with artificial hills, colourful pavilions and intricate temples, dominates. Kublai Khan lived in what is now the Round City of Beihai Park and the Tibetan style White Dagoba, built in 1651 on Jade Island (JiongHua), is a landmark for both Beihai Park and Beijing, having been constructed on the suggestion of a famous Tibetan Lama priest, NaomuHan.
The Underground City
For more than 20 years, Beijing's Underground City, a bomb shelter just beneath the ancient capital's downtown area built in case of nuclear attack, has been virtually forgotten by Beijing locals, despite being infamous amongst foreigners since its official opening in 2000. A sign near the entrance announces this rarely visited attraction a 'human fairyland and underground paradise'. Aside from some rather odd recent additions, the Underground City features factories, stores, guesthouses, restaurants, hospitals, schools, theatres, reading-rooms, a roller-skating rink and many other curious features. Built from 1969 to 1979 by more than 300,000 local citizens including school children, The tunnels were initially built to accommodate all of Beijing's six million inhabitants upon completion. Winding for over 18 miles (30 km) and covering an area of 85 square kilometers from eight to eighteen meters under the surface, the underground City includes more than 1,000 anti-air raid structures.
Beijing Aquarium
Located within the Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium is the world's largest inland aquarium. It's an absolute must see with features such as an imaginative Amazon rainforest, complete with piranha, as well as an exquisite shark aquarium where the very brave can plunge into the tank with these infamous predators. Families flock to see the dolphin shows at 11am and 3pm and a boat from the canal south of the aquarium runs to the Summer Palace, giving visitors the opportunity to sightsee while en route to the attraction.
The Beijing National Stadium
Also known as The Bird's Nest due to its appearance, this colossal stadium was the hub of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, hosting all of the track and field events as well the opening and closing ceremonies. The unique-looking steel support structures framing the stadium, weigh in at 110, 000 tons (99,790kg), making the stadium the largest steel structure in the world. A hotel and a shopping mall are planned within close proximity to the stadium to promote the venue as a site of future attraction. It is currently being prepared to host soccer games and, already, international bands are looking to the Bird's Nest as a performance space for the Beijing leg of their tours. The Water Cube, where all the swim events were held, is a stone's throw from the Bird's Nest and will be converted into a water park for the public to enjoy sometime in late 2009.
Huangpu River and the Bund
Taking a boat along the Huangpu gives visitors a glimpse into Shanghai’s past, and also provides great views of the modern skyline of the city. As the boat reaches the centre, on one side you will see the Bund, considered to be the birthplace of Shanghai; and on the other, the modern structures of Pudong, including the landmark Oriental Pearl TV tower. A sightseeing tunnel runs under the river, connecting the two sides, and is an attraction in its own right.
Li River
The Karst Mountains make this stretch of water the most beautiful scenic area in China. The 50 mile long expanse from Guilin to Yangshuo is the finest section of the Li River, blossoming with rolling hills, limestone cliffs and mysterious caves before landing in the miniature paradise of Yangshuo.
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China seems to be a country often at war with its past. The cultural divide between the old style of life and the modern world is apparent throughout the usually conservative country, but a glaring contrast is the rollicking China nightlife, where one can drink and dance and sing in the bars, some of which are next door to ancient and austere looking temples.
As with most countries, the most exciting areas are often deep in the heart of urbanity – Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau do little to dispute this theory. Nightlife in Hong Kong is probably the most overwhelming of all China nightlife, its more modernized culture and historic ties to the rest of the world endows the city with a head start towards entertaining both locals and tourists from all over the globe. Though Hong Kong has countless bars and clubs for visitors (primarily in Kowloon), it is one of the few places in the country where fun comes at a price. Sure, it's not like Tokyo or London, but in comparison to the rest of China it can surprisingly expensive. Nightlife in Hong Kong reflects the region's past as a former trade post – many of the bars are British or Irish themed, with corresponding live music and bar food. There is also a great number of dance clubs here, spinning everything from reggae to house to Chinese pop. Nightlife in Hong Kong is spread evenly throughout three areas in Kowloon – you'll find the top nightclubs and expensive cocktail bars in Tsim Sha Tsui, most of the pubs on Ashley Road, and the rest on Prat and Chatham Roads.
Not far behind as far as nights on the town is the explosive city of Shanghai. In fact, there might be even more choices here than in Hong Kong. There is, however, no real center to Shanghai nightlife. It sprawls in the same way as the city does, with small pockets rising up every once in while – many of the most popular bars and clubs are pretty hard to miss, but the best way to find something to do after dark is to consult an English newspaper or a trusted Shanghai resident. The closer you are to The Bund, the more drink and admission prices will skyrocket, so beware. The best clubs, of course, are near here, with the enigmatically named Real Love the choice Shanghai nightlife hot spot. For now, anyway. These things have a tendency to change.
Another of the best places for China nightlife is the area of Beijing called Sanlutin, also known as “Bar Street.” As you can probably guess, there's a theme to this section of town. The two main streets are Sanlutin Lu and Sanlutin Nanlu – the former is set up for tourists, the latter for locals and ex-pats. No matter which you prefer, there are plenty of options – a crawl done either one of these streets (or up one and down the other, for more experienced drinkers) will be provide enough beer to hold you over until closing time.
And these are just a few of the main cities for China nightlife – every major town has at least a few places for you to choose from, though they will be unlikely to compare with the dizzying spectacle of Hong Kong or Shanghai nightlife.
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Go Mountaineering
You may think that mountaineering appeals to only a few expertly-trained adventurers, but in fact there is a range of peaks to choose from, and not all are as demanding as Everest or K2. China has become a major destination for mountaineers from around the world, and provides peaks of varying levels of difficulty. You are advised that unless you are going with an organised group, permits usually have to be obtained before embarking on a climb.
Explore the Scenic Natural Wonders.
There’s an amazing range of natural treasures to visit in China that include the Qomolangma Nature Reserve around Mt Everest and also numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of the most notable of these are the Buddhist mountain known as Emei Shan, the fog-enveloped precipices of Huangshan mountain, and the spectacular lakes and waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou Valley.
Celebrate the Spring Festival
The most important date on the Chinese calendar is the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year. This is a time for families to be together, travelling long distances if necessary. Homes are decorated with pictures, signs and banners – all with the goal of bringing good fortune in the New Year. Festivities typically include parades, lion dances and lantern shows. Children are given red envelopes containing money by older relatives.
Spend the day at the Stone Forest
This will make a fantastic and easy day trip from the city of Kunming, which is Yunnan’s capital, will take you to one of the most popular attractions in southwest China. The Shilin Stone Forest is actually a massive grouping of limestone formations that have the appearance of petrified trees.
Take a Boat Ride on the Three Gorges
This is not for the faint of heart as the Yangtze river runs through an area known as the Three Gorges – which includes Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges – located on the river’s upper reaches. The gorge area begins in Fengjie, in Sichuan Province and runs to Nanjing Pass, in Wuchang, for a total distance of more than 100mi. Along the way you’ll note unusual mountain formations and other rivers as well.
Relax on a Tropical Beach.
Spend the day relaxing in Sanya, which is located on the southern coast of Hainan Island, is a relatively new holiday destination popular with both Chinese and foreign tourists. The resort features lovely sand beaches lined with palm trees, international standard hotels, varied dining options, a number of golf courses and water sports facilities. Visit this website for photographs and further information about Sanya and the Hainan Island .
Gamble in Macau
This is not like Vegas. Not really. Games of chance are serious business in Macau – there are few slot machines and negligible partaking of alcoholic beverages. So trying your luck takes on far different dynamics than anywhere else in the world, which makes it worth a trip for that alone.
See Some Giant Pandas
Whether at the Wolong Natural preserve a couple hours outside of Chengdu, or at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (the largest panda reserve in China), seeing thee delightful and gentle creatures up close is one of the most edifying sights in all of China. Tourists can observe pandas in their natural habitat and occasionally they are allowed to help researchers feed and play with these endangered bears.
Roam through Hong Kong
It's tough to choose from the best things to do in Hong Kong. So let your feet do the deciding. A short jaunt down any street will bring a wealth of surprises – the area is so busy, a superior way to find things to do in Hong Kong is impossible to find.
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Hotel
In major cities, there are many choices of hotels. Five star hotels provide the most complete range of facilities and room amenities. There are also many hotels in the three and four star category situated throughout the country. The locally managed hotels are equally good as foreign managed ones (except for brandnames). In China, there are also many non-rated hotels - these hotels are built to hotels of similar star category. They are less expensive than rated hotel in similar class.
Bed Type. Please be familar :
- single bed (measure 1.2 or 1.3 metres wide by 2 metres long)
- double bed (measure 1.5 or 1.8 metres wide by 2 metres long)
- the hotel room can house 1 single bed (known as single room), 2 single beds (known as twin room) or 1 double bed (double room). There are few hotels (in Beijing) that can house 2 double beds in the room. This is ideal for family stay of 4 adults - please check out Beijing Hotel.
- most hotels in China have more twin rooms than double rooms. This is especially so in the lower room category. The higher category of rooms has more double rooms than twin rooms.
- Special Request. Hotels will not guarantee bed types as it is subject to daily availability. Request for bed types is confirmed on best effort basis
Service Apartment. When in china, you should also try staying in service apartment - these are like regular hotels but have much larger room space - each apartment include a common living hall + regular bedrooms. In addition, most apartment comes with a small kitchen with amenities like refrigerator, cooking utilities etc. Service apartments are ideal for family stay together and less costly than regular hotels - think about it.
Boutique Hotels. These hotels are unique to China and favorite amongst foreigners :-
- Nostalgic - Shanghai's Peace Hotel and Beijing's Beijing Hotel
- Greenery - Shanghai's Ruijin Hotel and Shanghai's Hongqiao State Hotel and Suzhou's Suzhou Hotel
- Classical Chinese Style - Beijing's Grand View Garden Hotel.
Fne Travel offers reservation services in 30 over chinese cities in all tourist-class hotels. When you book with FNE Travel, you can choose to pay directly to hotel (here you need to guarantee with credit card) or you may choose to prepay (in which case you get special discount).
When you check into your hotel,you will need to show your passport and fill out a temporary residence form. Officially, foreigners can only stay in hotels that are three-star and above. If you have Chinese friends or relatives living here, an you want to stay with them, that is OK too. But you should register at the local public Security Bureau and let them know you are there, you can also register with the local Housing Committee Ju Wei Hui (there is one in every residential area.) it may sound a little troublesome, having to register wit the police or te Housing Committee, but it is better to let them know than for them to find out themselves. If you don't register it could present problems for you or the people you are staying with.
People
All Chinese people are generally friendly to visitors and most are keen to learn from foreigners. Many students and young people study English or other foreign languages (there are daily television language classes), however few have a chance to practice speaking them. This means that visitors might be approached for impromptu lessons on foreign languages.In major cities like Shanghai, it is quite easy to move around with a map and some help from friendly locals.
Time
All of China observes Beijing Time, GMT+8 hours that is adjusted to daylight saving time during the summer.
When it's 12 noon in Beijing, it's :-
4.00 pm |
Wellington |
2.00 pm |
Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane |
1.00 pm |
Tokyo, Seoul |
12.00 noon |
Hongkong, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila |
11.00 am |
Bangkok, Jakarta |
9.30 am |
New Delhi |
7.00 am |
Riyadh |
5.00 am |
Paris |
4.00 am |
London |
11.00 pm |
New York |
10.00 pm |
Chicago |
8.00 pm |
Los Angeles |
Electricity
The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Many middle and high-class hotel wash rooms have transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers, but it is better to be prepared with an adapter plug.
Business Hours
Offices in Beijing generally open from 08:30-17:00,with a lunch break of about an hour . Government stipulated work days are from Monday to Friday. Shops generally open at 09:00and close between 19:00 and 21:00 and are open on Sundays. Offices are usually closed on public holidays including New Year's Day, Spring Festival(the Chines Lunar New Year), when most Chinese take four days off, Labor Day on May I and National Day on October 1.
Water
Potable water is available only at a few of the best hotels, so tour-ists should always ask to make sure. Flasks of hot and cold boiled water in rooms are telltale signs of nonpotable tap water. Bottled mineral water is widely available in all stores and street kiosks and sometimes provided free by the hotel. Madein-China mineral water is usually sold at around 3 yuan per bottle.
Laundry
The Chinese Laundries so popular in the U.S.are harder to find here. There are also no coin-op launduomats. However,laundry services are available at most hotels, usually via the floor attendants. One-day dry cleaning and ironing services are offered at better hotels. Quality of service and price vary. Try a few easily replaceable articles first.
Dinning
When you are on board, three meals are included. Most of the cruises offer buffet breakfast in both Chinese & western style and Chinese table lunch & dinner. Coffee and tea are available. And the alcohol drinks are charged. Catering times are announced on the public address system. All the tables are fixed for the convenience of the service.
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