China travel guide
The Asian giant, China, is one of the largest countries in the world spread over an area of nearly 9.6 million square kilometers. It is located on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean and has a coastline of about 18,000 kilometers. China is the world's most populated country with a population of 1.33 billion. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. China has a wide variety of attractions to offer to visitors as a result of which tourists flood the country around the year. Tourists should note that the China's time zone is 8 hours ahead of GMT and the currency used in the country is Yuan Renminbi.
Most of the tourists traveling to China enter the country by flying into Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing - all of which are well connected to the most international airports. The national airline of the country is Air China. While flying out of any Chinese airport, you have to pay a departure tax of 90 Yuan. This tax is only payable in Yuan so make sure you have enough local currency on you to avoid any last minute hassles. More adventurous tourists can choose to drive down to China and enjoy the scenic beauty of the region on their way. Some of the exotic road routes are Laos-China, Nepal-Tibet and Kazakistan-Xinjiang. You can also choose to take the Trans-Siberian railway or even a boat from Japan or Korea. Though the country has more than 100 ports, tourists use only a few of them like Shanghai, Macau and of course Hong Kong which has some excellent cruises sailing to and fro from it.
To travel within the country, tourists can choose between a number of comfortable and affordable transport services. Those short on holiday time can avail of the services of one of the private air carriers like China Eastern, China Southern, China Northern, Great Wall and Yunnan Airlines apart from Air China. China is also very well connected by rail with a network that is nearly 52,000 kilometer long. There are trains going to every province including Tibet. The trains are reasonably fast and prove to be a very cheap proposition when compared to the costs of flying. Those wanting to save even more money can take a bus ride but be prepared for over crowded and stuff buses. Though boat rides are no longer popular, you can consider taking a boat trip on the Yangtze River or between mainland China and Hong Kong. Endless taxis provide good transport facilities within cities but better be careful lest the cab driver charges u an exorbitant fare. And if you are planning a long trip, it might be a good idea to hire a motorcycle or motor-tricycle.
With China being spread over a latitude range of nearly 50 degrees, tourists should be prepared for drastic climatic changes as they travel from one city to another. As a thumb rule you should avoid going to China during one of their three important and week long national holiday periods - the Chinese New Year in February, the International Labor Day (1st of May) week and the country's National Day which falls during the first week of October. During these periods most of the population is traveling to some place or the other. Travel bookings are almost impossible to get unless they are made well in advance. Hotels start charging sky high prices and it becomes tough to find suitable lodging. Leaving aside these three weeks, the best time to travel to China will depend on which part of China you are targeting most for your stay.
It will be difficult to describe all the traveling destinations of China so I will limit myself to the major and more popular ones. Beijing which is the capital of the country is an important destination for tourists and politicians alike. The city has numerous tourist attractions on offer including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, Tian'anmen Square and of course the Badaling section of the Great Wall. Autumn is the best time to be in the city. The weather is pleasant with clear skies and cool days, and there are few tourists around. Summer is the most popular season and it is joked that the Great Wall could collapse under the enormous weight of tourists. Beijing is also used as a stop over by people traveling to other parts of China as it is well connected to the entire country.
Shanghai, one of the fastest growing cities in the world, is another popular tourist destination along with being a major business hub of the world. Around the year, the city plays host to an endless list of trade fairs and conventions. After China lifted market restrictions, Shanghai has grown into the world’s most popular business destination. Tourists will find Shanghai to be a city full of historical sites as well as modern sophisticated buildings like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai Circus World and the Jin Mao Tower. The best time to visit Shanghai is from September to November when the weather is good and the city hosts various interesting festivals including the Shanghai Tourism Festival and the Shanghai China International Art Festival.
Today one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world is Hong Kong. The city is an interesting blend of Chinese and Western elements. Leave aside the tourist spots and the beautiful islands; the experience of shopping in Hong Kong is more than enough to attract visitors year after year. With its enticing shopping centers and excellent showrooms for electronic devices, clothing, cosmetics and toys, Hong Kong is truly a shopper's paradise. And add to it the very affordable prices and the discounts available for most of the year. Winters with their dry weather and pleasant sunshine are the best time to be traveling to Hong Kong.
Tibet - the roof of the world - with its own unique culture has always caught the imagination of tourists from Western nations. Amazingly calm monasteries, beautiful treks, breath taking views of the world's highest peaks and very friendly people - Tibet has it all. Lhasa, which means the land of gods in Tibetan, was once the capital from where the Dalai Lama ruled. The city is full of historical sites and important relics including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple , Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Gandan Monastery. In order to travel to the various parts of Tibet, tourists must have along with a Chinese Visa, a Tibet Permit, a Travel Permit and a Military Permit. Most people suffer from high altitude sickness when they travel to Tibet so be prepared. Travel to Tibet between May and October and if you keep your eyes open, the beautiful landscape is bound to mesmerize you.
Las Vegas of the east - that's Macau for you. Formerly a Portuguese colony, the city has a distinctly Mediterranean flavor to it. Not only that, the colonial masters has also left behind some truly amazing fortresses and churches. But today it is the casinos which are Macau's biggest attraction. In fact, you might be surprised to know that Macau has a greater turnover of gambling money than Las Vegas with each gambling table being almost ten times as profitable as a Las Vegas gambling table. Good sunshine and little humidity make autumn the best season to visit Macau.
There are more than enough places to travel to in China. But be warned that most of the populace speaks only Cantonese or Mandarin so an English-Cantonese or an English-Mandarin dictionary might come in handy.
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