CHINA TRAVEL GUIDE
The world’s most populous country is every bit the vibrant and culturally rich oriental destination that first-time visitors expect it to be. It’s also a country with an ever-developing infrastructure and is increasingly opening its doors to tourists. With ancient religious and historical sights, wonderful natural attractions and food to die for, not to mention modern hubs such as skyscraper-filled Hong Kong, China is not short on appeal.
Beijing, the capital city, is the first stop for many visitors and rarely disappoints with its awesome Forbidden City and fantastic local cuisine. Shanghai comes a close second in terms of the variety of attractions it offers, with fine architecture dominating the sights. To escape the concrete jungle, head to destinations such as Guilin and Hangzhou where the natural scenery is as pretty as anything that can be found across the country.
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CHINA WEATHER - When to Go
The climate of China is variable depending on which part of the country you visit. Before you plan a visit you’ll need to do a little research on your chosen destination and the weather conditions there. In Beijing and other northern cities the summer season is extremely hot, making visiting in spring or autumn a better option. Winter in the same locations is a cold season with temperatures between December and March rarely rising above 0°C.
In southern cities such as Guangzhou, the summer season lasts from April to September and brings hot and humid weather with frequent heavy rain in the later months of the period. Winters here are shorter and not nearly as cold as in locations in the north; however, the spring and autumn seasons are again the best times to visit. Central China sees scorching summers, short cold winters and pleasant spring and autumn seasons.
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CHINA HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Beijing: China’s capital sits in the northeast of the country and is its economic, industrial and cultural epicentre. A long and colourful history has blessed the city with an abundance of heritage-themed treasures, assuring its popularity as a tourist destination. The Forbidden City is arguably the greatest highlight and there are few visitors not in awe of this ancient complex that was once the imperial palace for rulers of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Other highlights include Tiananmen Square with the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Beijing Aquarium, the Summer Palace and of course, the Great Wall. [For more info on Beijing: Beijing Tourist Board].
- Shanghai: despite its great wealth, the city of Shanghai has managed to maintain its sense of heritage and preserves those cultural features on which it originally established itself. Visitors come to appreciate its fine architecture, which includes buildings typical of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as some splendid Art Deco structures. For some of the finest architecture in the city a visit to the waterfront area known as the Bund is a must. Other must-sees in the city include the Jin Mao Building, the Grand Theatre, Nanjing Road and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Shanghai can be reached from Beijing by plane in about two hours or in 11 hours by overnight train. [For more info on Shanghai: Shanghai Tourist Board].
- Hong Kong: this special administrative region is one of China’s biggest draws, boasting a noticeable British influence, impressive skyscrapers, first-class shopping and even pockets of wilderness and a handful of outstanding beaches. Most visitors head to Victoria Peak for amazing views of the island, with the Peak Tram providing an easy way up. More novel transport can be enjoyed on neighbouring Lantau Island, home to a cable car that takes visitors to the massive Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery. Those with kids may like to head for Hong Kong Disneyland for fun with Mickey and friends or Repulse Bay for swimming. An interesting day-trip to Macau is an hour away by ferry. The flight from Beijing to Hong Kong is around three hours. [For more info on Hong Kong: Hong Kong Tourist Board].
- Guangzhou: is often referred to as the ‘South Gate of China’ and has a rich heritage based on the influences of a number of dynasties and the large numbers of European traders that have visited over the years. Besides a wealth of interesting historical buildings, the city benefits visually from the scenic mountains in its surrounding areas and the pretty sights offered by the Pearl River that cuts through it. Sightseers should be sure to visit the Sun Yatsen Memorial Hall, the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Huaisheng Mosque and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. At the end of a busy day of touring, a fantastic Cantonese feast at any of the city’s many great eateries is sure to go down a treat. Guangzhou is a three-hour flight away from Beijing.
- Hangzhou: is famous for both tea and silk production. It is one of the country’s most prosperous cities but also one of its most picturesque. The most aesthetically pleasing sight in the city is the West Lake, a spacious natural body of water well known for its ‘Ten Sights’. King Qian's Memorial, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei are among the other sightseeing highlights. The Longjing Tea Fields are also fascinating for anyone interested in the city’s favourite beverage. The cuisine in Hangzhou is considered among the best in the country, with dongpo pork, beggar’s chicken and West Lake water shield soup among the signature dishes. Hangzhou is 180kms from Shanghai.
- Guilin: popularly considered one of the prettiest cities in the country, Guilin is a paradise for nature lovers, not least for the beautiful Li River that cuts through it. Elephant Trunk Hill, Folded Brocade Hill and Seven Star Park are also must-sees if nature is your bag. For a spot of history and culture, the Mausoleums of Jing Jiang and the Daxu Ancient Town are essential stops, while for something a little more light-hearted and fun-oriented the Guilin Merryland World offers entertainment and attractions for the whole family. From Beijing, Guilin is 1,730kms away so it is best visited by plane.
- Xi’an: the capital of the Shaanxi Province, Xi’an dates back more than 3,000 years during which time it has been the capital of 13 dynasties. With so much history behind it, it’s no surprise that it has a wealth of cultural and heritage-based attractions. Exploring the city, you’ll come across popular sights such as Xian City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. For a more structured look at historical aspects of the city, the Banpo Museum and the Terracotta Warriors Museum are crammed with interesting exhibits. As Xi’an is in central China, it’s best reached from other cities by plane.
- Kunming: encompassing quaint villages inhabited by ethnic peoples is the colourful capital of Yunnan.
- Nanjing: bursting with heritage and important architectural sights.
- Suzhou: characterised by its gardens and canals, this city is better known as the ‘Venice of the East’.
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CHINA HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: few countries have a national cuisine that is as globally popular as that of China. Consequently, eating out is rarely a dull experience. From simple roadside vendors to the upmarket restaurants of Hong Kong and Shanghai and entire markets dedicated to eating, China has a huge and varied selection of dining options. No trip to Beijing is complete without sampling its signature ‘Beijing duck’, while Xi’an’s signature dish is yang rou pao mo, a tasty mutton stock soup.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: evening fun depends much on where you go, with Beijing offering the broadest selection of venues and Shanghai and Hong Kong coming close seconds with their cutting-edge nightclubs. The Sanlutin district is Beijing’s liveliest area, while the Bund is Shanghai’s.
- Accommodation: China’s accommodation options run the gamut and you’ll find everything from cheap guesthouse-style establishments to five-star hotels. Expect to pay a premium of you want to stay in the business districts of the likes of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Try Booking.com and LateRooms.com for hotel deals in China.
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CHINA FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Quite a few flight options are available to China from the UK, including flights with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific from London to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Also try Expedia.co.uk or ebookers for flight options to China, including direct flights from London to China as well as flights from regional UK airports with a connecting flight via Europe or the Middle East to reach China.
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