Visiting China

With so many things to see and do, there is no reason why anyone would not want to visit China for their vacation.

No matter what style of holiday you are after, China will have something to offer you. The vast differences between the various parts of China are immense, and a trip to China can feel like several holidays in one. You may choose to spend your first two nights shopping in the massive modern metropolis that is Beijing, then head to the scenic snow-capped mountains of Tibet the next, you may even choose to spend a few nights on Hainan Island, a lush tropical island that is labeled: ‘Hawaii of the Orient’. The opportunities in this exciting country are truly endless.

If you have the luxury of choosing when you want to travel to China, there are several factors to take into account. The most popular time to visit China is during the warm summer months, and the country is the busiest during June and September. The only downside to traveling during these months is that prices rocket. Hotel, food, transportation, and activity prices rise significantly, meaning it is sometimes better to travel in the off-season if you are on a budget.

If you are looking to have a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Guangdong, Hainan and Yunnan are three of the best choices. These all offer unrivalled scenery mixed with serene atmospheres mixed with true Chinese culture and ancient historical sites. Any time of year is good to visit these destinations, as the temperatures stays between mild and hot all year round although Spring is probably the most pleasant time to visit as it is less busy.

Before planning your trip to China, it is best to decide what type of holiday you want to have. City lovers tend to head to Beijing or Shanghai which offer some of the best shopping and entertainment experiences in the world. Both cities have over the years developed an interesting mix of Eastern and Western cultures, and as well as finding many shops that are traditionally Chinese, you won’t struggle to find your favorite home brands either.

Nature lovers tend to head to the West of the country to Tibet and the central regions. Tibet is arguably the most scenic and beautiful province of China, and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and untouched scenery mixed with a rich cultural history that is still evident today.

Although not yet a very well known area for tourists in China, the north eastern Xinjiang province is a fantastic cultural experience, as it is considered to be the cultural crossroad of China. The province has influences from Russia, as well as the Islamic countries to the south mixed in with traditional Chinese culture. It is one of the most unique and interesting regions of China, and is definitely worth a visit especially before every one else catches on!

Many people who think of China automatically think of the Great Wall of China, and rightly so. This impressive feat of mankind was built over 2,000 years ago, and construction began in 221 BC. Between 3-4 million men died trying to build the wall, which now expands over 6,000 kilometers from the east to the west of China. There are many points across the country that you can visit the Great Wall, and it is definitely something that needs to be seen to be believed.

Flying into China is easy, with most major international cities offering direct flights to at least one of China’s major cities. There are plenty of connecting flights to other cities across the country as well. Flight prices have dropped significantly over the past few years, and there are more and more direct flights onto the mainland China, whereas before most cheap flights flew via Hong Kong or Taiwan.

Once you are in China, traveling around is very easy. As well as most cities having an airport with connecting flights to most major cities in China, road, rail and boat travel are increasingly being advanced around the country, making it easier than ever to get around. Public transport in the cities is relatively cheap, although in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai it is sometimes quicker to walk to you destinations than wait in the snail-paced traffic!

There are many other exciting sites around China, and it would be impossible to list them all right here. The best way to see China is to explore yourself. Every corner of China is exciting and has something to offer even the most experience of travelers.