China Travel Guide

China (中国; Zhōngguó), officially known as the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国 Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) is a huge country in Eastern Asia (about the same size as the United States of America) with the world's largest population. With coasts on the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, in total it borders 14 nations. It borders Afghanistan, Pakistan (through the disputed territory of Kashmir), India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to the south; Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to the west; Russia and Mongolia to the north and North Korea to the east. This number of neighbouring states is equalled only by China's vast neighbour to the north, Russia.

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Posted in Travel Tips

How to Plan a First Trip to China

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If you are planning for the first trip to China then you would want to see all of the main and popular tourist attractions of the country. You will not like someone saying that you have not seen this place or you have not really experienced the country of China.

Your trip to China might be once in a lifetime experience for you and you will want to make it to count. China is a very big country. So, there will be a question in your mind that how can you see such a huge country in just a few day of travel.  You would also like to experience the beautiful sites of China as much as possible.

Xitang Water Town

Xitang Water Town

The country of China is full from beautiful scenic places, historical buildings, Hills, beaches and all other things which a tourist look in any country. But, most of the travelers on their first trip to china mainly focus on the historical and cultural aspects of China.  Most of the travelers also look at the natural scenery of China and minority culture is another highlight. Big cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xi’an, etc. are very much famous for shopping.

If you are going for the first time then it is advisable that you should take it easy. You should not go for too much adventure on the first trip. If you are looking the possibility of the more in-depth; visit for exploring this country in the future.

Being a new country can be very much exhaustive with the bombardment of senses like new sights and sounds, new customs, new language to process, different food, different time zone and different climate. So, you need not make your itinerary too much hectic.

Fenghuang ancient Town

Fenghuang ancient Town

You might be detracted by over extending yourself from your visit so it is recommended that you explore only the best of the easily accessible China for the first time. You should spend your rest of the trip by relaxing and taking in ambience.

 

Posted in Travel Tips

China Tour Guide

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If you are planning a trip for China and you are not sure that what places do you need to visit and if you do not know much about the famous attraction in China then you can take the help of a Tour Guide. They will easily guide you to the popular tourist attractions and help you to understand the history of those attractions. You will also be aware about the different culture and practices of China.

China has thousands of well trained and licensed tour guides. Some of them are librarians, professors or teacher, working as a part timer. But, they all require passing a strict examination for qualifying for working as a tour guide in china. So, you do not need to worry about the quality of the tour guide that you are taking with you.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall

The travel companies of China have been divided into three classes. First class can work directly with the foreign tour operators. The tour guides working for this particular class are very much experienced. The English language is the first and foremost foreign language spoken by these tour guides. They work according to the pre-arranged schedule which is arranged by the employer.

The tour guides are generally less qualified in the less developed areas like along the Silk Road, Tibet and in some parts of Sichuan and Yunnan than those who are working in the East. This difference is mainly in the quality of the spoken English.

You can consult your tour operator from where you have bought the tour package and they will provide you the guide service. If you have not consulted any tour operator then you can avail this facility from any tour operator after reaching china. The guide assigned to you will speak your nominated language and will meet you at the airport. He will deliver you to the hotel and accompany you on your tour in that particular city. You will get different guide in different city as they will not fly or take train or bus with you.

 

Li River

Li River

Posted in Travel Tips

Checklist Before Leaving for China

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If you are traveling to China for the first time then you must be worried about the items that you should carry. Here are the few things that will help you when you are going to china.

Home Checklist

  • Arrange for plants and pet care
  • Stop  all kinds of routine deliveries
  • You should make sure that your home seem lived-in when you are away by
    putting lights and a radio on timers
  • You should turn down thermostat
  • You should leave keys, a copy travel itinerary as well as your
    contact information to friends or family
  • Lock door, windows and garage.

Before Leaving

  • Take Guide books and maps with you
  • Passport and visa(s)
  • Foreign currency of the destination country
  • Credit cards
  • Travelers checks or ATM card
  • Insurance: Trip Cancellation/Medical
  • Personal Identification documents
  • Photocopies of documentation
  • Birth Certificate (if needed)
  • Marriage License (if needed)
Travel Guide

Travel Guide

Basic Essentials

  • Appropriate Luggage having appropriate commodities
  • Luggage Locks & ID Tags (Locks are needed for checking baggage when flying to china)
  • Appropriate Clothing
  • Footwear
  • Rain Gear
  • Camera with batteries and chargers
  • Small Binoculars
  • Small Flashlight
  • Sun Protection (Hats and Sunglasses)
  • Reading Materials if you love reading
  • PSP or Media player
  • Ziplock Plastic Bags
  • Contact List with information of your tour guide, travel advisor, embassy, as well as your family and friends.

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush/Paste
  • Comb/Brush
  • Dental Floss
  • Blow Dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Deodorant
  • Lotions/Creams
  • Lipbalm
  • Towel/Washcloth
  • Shaver and Shaving Cream

Medication

  • First Aid Kit
  • Aspirin/Pain Reliever
  •  Medicine for diarrohea
  • Insect Repellent
  • Contact Lens
  • Antibiotic Ointment
  • Alcohol Wipes
  • Medicine for Motion Sickness
  • Items for Personal Hygiene
  • Personal Prescriptions
  • Medical Record
  • Contact Information of Doctor or Medical Advisor
Posted in Suzhou Attractions

Humble Administrator’s Garden

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Humble Administrator's Garden

Humble Administrator’s Garden

Humble Administrator’s Garden, the representative of te gardens in the Jiangnan area in China, is the classical landscape garden with biggest area among the gardens in Suzhou. Covering an administrated area of about 83 hectares and opening area of about 73 hectares, the Humble Administrator‘s Garden has been listed as the national key relics protected units and Cultural World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1997. Being an AAAAA level attraction spot, the Humble Administrator‘s Garden the classically private and luxury garden in China.

Humble Administrator's Garden

Humble Administrator’s Garden

Enjoying the reputation of “ the Model of the Whole Gardens”, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is as famous as Chengde Summer Resort, Lingering Garden and the Summer Palace in Beijing, and it possess 4 honors as follows: the head of the four big famous gardens in China, the national key relics protected unit, one of the national special tour stops and World Cultural Heritage. Architectures of the Humble Administrator’s Garden are mostly built in Xianfeng Empire in Qing Dynasty, whose layout contains the fun of mountain island, bamboo dock, matsuoka and winding river.

Humble Administrator's Garden

Humble Administrator’s Garden

There are composed of 3 sections: the middle small garden, the east small garden and the west small garden, among which the middle section is the main attraction of the Humble Administrator’s Garden whose area covers 18.5 hectare. Traveling here, you will find the scenery is so captivating as this middle garden set the water pool as its center and pavilions are built by the water, some are straight out of the water, which shows the feature of the Jiangnan water country—so beautiful.

Travel information: 1) Opening time:7:30a.m.-17:30p.m. 2) Ticket price: 50 RMB/adult in the slack season from 31st October to 15th April and 70 RMB/adult in the peak season from 16th April to 30th October; Ways to go there: take the city buses line , 2, 5, 202, 313, 923, 529, 40, 78 to the Humble Administrator‘s Garden stop and walk at east for about 100 meters. 4) Duration: 2 to 3 hours. 5) Best time to visit: each season will be fine as it features differently beautiful scenery in different seasons. 6) Azalea festival in every year’s spring in about middle March to late May, when you can appreciate hundreds types of precious rhododendron.

Posted in Suzhou Attractions

Zhouzhuang Water Town

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Zhouzhuang Water Town

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Zhouzhuang Water Town, located in 38 kilometers southeast of Jiangsu city center, 33 kilometers southwest of Kunshan city center and 70 kilometers away from Shanghai city with about 1.5-hours-drive, is a famous water town in Jiangnan area with 900 year. Featuring one thousand years vicissitudes of life and strongly gloomy Wu culture inoculation, the Zhouzhuang water town has been the treasure of the Asian culture for its delicately beautiful water landscape, unique human landscape and simple folk customs. Moreover, as an outstanding representative of the Chinese excellent traditional culture, the Zhouzhuang Water Town has also been the cradle of the Wu culture and the model of the Jiangnan water towns.

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Being the No.1 water town in China, the Zhouzhuang has got various awards listed as follows: 1) It has been listed in the world cultural heritage ready list of the United Nations; 2) The Best practices award of the Dubai international of the United Nations to improve living environment; 3) Outstanding Achievement Award of the cultural heritage protection of the United Nations in the Asian-Pacific region; 4) The most Charming Water Town in the World; 5) One of the 50 places worthy the foreigners’ a visit in China; 6) One of the ten scenic spots in China preferred by the Europeans; 7) The first Chinese famous historical cultural town; 8) The famous town with beautiful environment in China; 9) China’s famous tourism brand; 10) National AAAAA level scenic spot.

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Zhouzhuang Water Town

Travel tips: 1) Opening time: 8:00 a.m.-21:00 p.m. 2) Ticket price: 100 Yuan during 7:00–16:00 and 80 Yuan during 16:00-21:00; 3) Duration: one day; 4) Best time to visit: every season will be suitable, but just avoid those holidays in china; 5) Ways to go there: type one: take a flight to Shanghai and then take bus through the 318 national highway and Shangzhou highway to Zhouzhuang; Type two: go through the Huning highway whose entrance at Kunshan and pass by the Kunzhou highway to Zhouzhuang; Type three: Go through the Huhang highway whose entrance is at Jiaxing and go by the 318 national highway and Shangzhou highway to your destination; Type four: take train to Shanghai, Suzhou or Kunshan and then take bus to Zhouzhuang. 6) DIY tour from Shanghai to Zhouzhuang: take the coach from Shanghai bus station in north district whose time are 6:50; 9:00; 12:00; 14:20; 16:50 with about 2 hours drive.

Posted in Travel Tips

Popular tourist Destinations and best time to visit there

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You can visit grassland in Tibet.  The weather of Tibet is featured with the big temperature changes and clear skies. Beijing and Xi’an are hot, dry in summer and cold in the winter. Shanghai and its nearby areas like Hangzhou, Suzhou and Yellow mountains, Guilin and Hong Kong experiences monsoon rains in the summer and spring. It also has hot summer and mild winters.

You can visit Harbin in winter to enjoy Ice festival and ski slopes. Tibet has big temperature differences and best avoided in the frigid winter. The Silk Road to the northwest is also having the warmer months. Visiting deserts and barren vistas can be a good idea.

Beautiful Places in China

Tropical Hainan is sunny escape for the holidaymakers at any time of the year. Chengdu is the overcast city which has hot summers and cold dreary winters. Kunming is also known as the Spring City and it has pleasant weather all round the year.

You can enjoy winter at Yabuli Ski Resort in the Northern China which is having the daytime temperature around -30°C. North-Central China has the climate similar to Kansas and Nebraska with less rain and snow during the winter. Hot and dry summer and cold winter and late winter and early spring bringing regular dust storms as well as haze can be seen.

Central and Southern China is comparable to the Gulf coast areas though the winter storms are not frequent.  Rainfall is also concentrated in the stormy monsoon months during late spring and throughout summer. It has relatively dry and settled autumn and winter. Summer is hot as well as humid whereas winter is cool, shorter and overcasted with drizzle. Weather of Northeast China in similar to that of Minnesota having dry and short warm summer and long and very cold winter. Crescent lake near the Dunhunag area in Western China is another place to visit which has annual precipitation around 23 mm.

Best place in china.

Posted in Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit China

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The best time to visit China depends on few factors which are as follows-

  • Where do you want to go in China?
  • What do you want to do?
  • Do you like it dry or wet, or are you not bothered?
  • Do you like cold or hot or moderate weather or are you not bothered?
  • Do you want to take advantage of low season discounts?
  • Do you want to see the festivals of China or seasonal attractions?
  • Do you want to avoid tourist crowds and crowded transportation?
Best Time to visit

Best Time to visit

You should avoid the major holidays of China if you do not like to participate in the celebrations. Because, the tourist areas as well as transports are full packed and the price of the hotels are doubled or even more than that. The major holidays of China are New Year, Labor Week day and national Week days apart from some small holidays.

As far as season is concerned, it depends solely upon your choice and you can travel all the year round if you are prepared with the clothing. You can enjoy different scenery in different seasons. You can choose among flower blooming, autumn hues, hot sunshine and snow-scenes.

If you are looking for a cruise on the River Li from Guilin to Yangshuo then the best time is from April to July when the scenery at these places is at its best in the mountain mist or sun and river has plenty of water. The peak tourist months at the most popular destinations are May, September and October. The weather at these times is much comfortable. But the prices for everything are high and it is crowded everywhere.

Prices are bit low during the late March and April and from June to August. But, the low season arrives during late November and continues throughout winter when there is few crowd and price is lower. IF you want to see colors of china then you can arrive in the months of late October to early December as the parts of this country is saturated with fall hues.

Flower Blossoming in China

Flower Blossoming in China

Posted in Travel Tips

Weather in China

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China is a very huge country by area and it is almost the same size as Europe or USA and has the greatest range of climate and weather than any other country of the planet. If you are planning to travel to China, then you should check the weather condition which is suitable for you or not. Due to the vast area of China therefore there is huge difference of climate and other conditions from one region to another within China.

The climate ranges from the desert of Xinjiang to the Northwest to the Inner Mongolian grasslands, to the temperate and alpine forests and the farmlands to the rice paddies and from sub-tropical vegetation to the tropical rain forest to the sunny beaches. There are Tibet archipelagos and plateau of the tropical islands at very

Weather in China

Weather in China

high-altitudes.

 

With the difference between the latitude and altitude as well as the effect of the season, there is huge difference in the temperature. The lowest temperature recorded is as low as -40 degree Celsius in the north and as high as about 40 degrees Celsius in the south. The distance from the rains of monsoon of the tropics defines the amount of rainfall in China and along with the distance from the Pacific Ocean as well as the presence of mountains.

The rainy reason generally occurs between the month of March and April in the southern and eastern part of china like Guilin Hangzhou and Suzhou, from June to August in the western part i.e. in Tibet and Yunnan Province and from May to September for the areas near Yangtze River which is Yichang and Chongging. During these times, heavy rainstorm can also cause landslides in the remote areas of Tibet and Shangrila interrupting the essential services in those areas. Rural areas near the River Yangtse are also affected by floods. Eastern and southern coasts are often accompanied by the Typhoons during the wet season. You should monitor the weather conditions if you are going to travel in those affected areas. In case of natural disaster, you should consult the local authorities.

China Cold Weather

China Cold Weather

 

Posted in Suzhou Attractions

Tiger Hill

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tiger hill

tiger hill

Being a AAAAA level scenic spot, the Tiger Hill is located in the northwest city countryside with 5 kilometers always from the city center. Covering plenty of ancient tall trees, the Tiger Hill is decorated by various beautiful scenery. It totals about 36 meters high and covers an area of more than 300 hectares, moreover, it shows its best features: the spectacular rocks, magnificent and changeable prospect, Tiger Hill Tower with thousand years, and other fantastic views to all of its travelers. It has been a saying that it will be a regret without going to the Tiger Hill for you Suzhou tour. Yes, that is right, your tour to Suzhou won’t be perfect if you miss the Tiger Hill.

There are so many beautiful scenery for you to enjoy when traveling in Tiger Hill, among which the Tiger Hill Pagoda and Sword Pool are the most famous. The Tiger Hill Pagoda features more than 1,000 years and it is the second Leaning Tower in the world. Simple and unsophisticated, grand and peculiar, it has been the symbol of the ancient Suzhou. For the Sword Pool, secluded, strange and mysterious, it has the riddle with thousand years about the Wu emperor and the beautiful legend about the God and Goose, you will enjoy oneself so much as to forget to leave.

tiger hill

tiger hill

Enjoy the reputation of “ the No.1 Scenic Spot in Wuzhong Area”, the Tiger Hill is decorated by beautiful scenery and culture landscape with long history. The Wanjing mountain villa in the east foothill of the Tiger Hill collects the essence of the bonsai of the Su style. Decorated by the mountain light and the tower shadow, it shows a excellent view which is like a painting. It really worth your visit.

Travel information: 1)Opening time : 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 2) Ticket price: 40 Yuan/ adult in slack season from 31st October to 15th April and 60 Yuan/ adult in peak season from 6th April to 30th October. 3) Duration: 2-3 hours. 4) Best time to visit: Summer time as the  bamboo is so hair-chested as to protect you from the sun. 5) Ways to go there: Take the city buses line 1, 2, 3, 949, 146 and 316 to the south gate of the Tiger Hill; take the No. 32 and 36 to the north gate.

Posted in Top of China

Top 3 Nature Wonders in China

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Jilin Rime

Jilin City is situated at the bank of the river Songhua to the north of China. The temperature of Jilin decreases up to -30 degree Celsius in winter. Due to this low temperature and effect of south wind there is very high humidity. By the influence of weepage of the Fengman Hydropower Station, the temperature of the water is about 4℃ which makes water vapor to rise and attached to the cold objects and this forms the rime. This Rime also functions as the purification of air. So when you see the rimes you might also feel the fresh air.

The willows along the Songhua River bank blossom silver flower and pine blossom silver chrysanthemums when rime comes. It brings a picture of a wonderland. To this addition of beauty of rimes, you can also predict the weather as well as other information according to the character and period of rimes. These rimes are unique and beautiful at the same time.

Jilin Rime

Jilin Rime

 Stone Forest in Yunnan

Stone Forest is located in the Automous County of Shilin Yi in the city Kunming of Yunnan Province. It lies at the altitude of 1500 to 1900 m and have subtropics low altitude plateau mountain monsoon climate and having an annual temperature of nearly 16 degrees Celsius. Just at a distance of 78 kilometers from Kunming, the stone forest is the Karst scenic area of the sub tropic plateau. It has got reputation of the No. one wonder of the world and Stone Forest Museum.
About 200 million years ago, this place had a sea area with deposition of lot of big and thick lime stones. Later, due to the movement of geotectonic these huge lime stones exposed to the ground. About 2 million years ago, due to the dissolution, the lime stones get separated from each other and after several years of rain and wind erosion, this Stone Forest was formed.

The stones of Stone Forest are strange and odds and towering up from the ground. Some looks like the walls and some like the trees. The stone forest has attracted many tourists from domestic as well as abroad.

Stone Forest in Yunnan

Stone Forest in Yunnan

 The Yangtze Three Gorges

Three Gorges is a magnificent valley with splendid landscape in the Yangtze River and one of the most famous scenic sites of China. It is about 193 kilometer long covering the essence of scenery on the River Yangtze. Within this distance, they are arranged in a way that one valley is narrow and the other is wide by turn to the other gorges. Due to this, the momentum of the water is pent-up in the narrow valleys and released in abruptly manner in gorges.

In bottle necks, the water rushes down wildly and swiftly. If you travel in a cruise ship in this part of River Yangtze you can enjoy the grotesquely shaped rock and magnificent mountains which are alongside the river. It is having a variety of landscape displaying its charm for several years.

The Yangtze Three Gorges

The Yangtze Three Gorges