China Destinations
The following are the cities in China. The links on each cities lead to lists of tourist attractions, travel sights and places of interest there.
- Macau: A Portuguese enclave for hundreds of years, Macau retains its own distinctive culture within China
China Travel Information
China is a country of superlatives, by whatever measure used. This country, the third largest in size on earth, is also home to more people than any other in the world. It also shares a border with more countries than any other, with North Korea to the east; Russia and Mongolia to the north; Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to the west; and Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to the south. China can be divided into many different region, each with its own attractions - these will be documented in due course. China's metropolises are shoppers' haven while its wilderness are meccas for photography enthusiasts. Surely it is no understatement to say that lifetime is required to fully explore China.
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Fast Facts about China
Official Name: China
Capital: Beijing (14,200,000)
Population of China: 1,306,314,000
Languages: Mandarin, various Chinese dialects including Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Fuzhou, Minnan, Hakka, etc.
Currency: Renminbi (RMB) or yuan
Religions: Officially atheist, with Daoist, Buddhist, Islam, and Christian
Size: 9,596,960 sq km (3,705,405 sq miles)
Region: Asia
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When to visit China
For a country as vast as China, travellers have to expect a great diversity in its climate. The north and central parts of China get hot summers and cold winters. The south, on the other hand, experiences almost tropical climate in summer, and in prone to typhoons, especially in late summer. We will cover this topic in greater detail when we document the various regions separately.
The best time to visit China is in spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October). Tibet, however, is best visited in June to September. Major holidays such as Golden Week (first week of October) is best avoided, for that's when the whole of China in on the road.
What to wear in China
Lightweight clothing for summers and the south; heavy clothing for winters, the north and high altitudes. You would need umbrella and raincoat during the summer, and quite likely spring and autumn too.
Getting into China
The main travel hubs for China are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. We will document with each city separately.
China Entry Requirements
Nationals of most countries require a visa to enter China. This can be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate. Visa fee for US citizens is US$100. It is a multiple-entry visa with a one year validity and up to 90-days term for each stay. Nationals of Singapore, Brunei and Japan do not need a visa for visits to China of up to 15 days.
Where to stay in China
Click on the name of the towns listed below to view hostels and budget accommodation available for booking there.
Click here for Budget Hostel Listing with Price and Room Availability
Beihai
Beijing
Changsha
Changshu
Changzhou
Chengdu
Chongqing
Dali
Dalian
Daocheng
Dongguan
Guangzhou
Guilin
Haikou
Hangzhou
Harbin
Hohhot
Huangshan
Jiamusi
Jinan
Jiu Zhai Gou
Jiujiang
Kang Ding
Kunming
Kunshan
Lhasa
Lijiang
Liuzhou
Lugu Lake
Luoyang
Lushan
Mt.Emei
Nanchang
Nanjing
Nanning
Nantong
Ningbo
Pingyao
Qingdao
Qinhuangdao
Qufu
Sanya
Shanghai
Shangri-la
Shaoxing
Shenyang
Shenzhen
Shijiazhuang
Suzhou
Tianjin
Urumqi
Weihai
Wenzhou
Wuhan
Wuhu
Wuxi
Xi'an
Xiahe
Xiamen
Xinchang
Xining
Xinjiang
Xishuangbanna
Yangshuo
Yangzhou
Yantai
Yiwu
Zhangjiajie
Zhengzhou
Zhongshan
Zhuji
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User Feedback on Accommodation
We compile the accommodation listing above with the good faith that it will be useful to you. If you have used any of the accommodation listed above, please write to us with your feedback, whether you enjoyed your stay there or not, and we will share it with others. Your feedback will benefit others when they choose their accommodation. We will not de-list any of the accommodation just because of a negative feedback from anybody, but will let you decide for yourself based on the feedback you read. User feedback is listed in http://www.earthdocumentary.com/hostel_feedback.htm
Getting around in China
Planes and trains are the two main options.
By Flight
Flight tickets are not expensive to most cities in China, but there are exceptions. Domestic flights are provided by the three main airlines (which all originated from one mother company, Civil Aviation Administration of China, CAAC, which split up), namely Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Of the three, China Southern Airlines is the biggest.
By Rail
Train travel in China is generally safe and inexpensive. The only drawback is speed, as it takes a long while to cover the vast distances.
Top things to see and do in China
Explore the sights and around in Beijing, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace.
Make a day trip to the Great Wall of China and to visit the Ming tombs.
Go to Xi'an to view the Terracotta Army. Admire the ancient city of Xi'an.
Go to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and visit Emei Shan, Giant Buddha of Leshan, the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in Wolong, and Jiuzhaigou Natural Scenic Area.
Go to Qufu, to visit Confucius' Tomb.
Absorb the excitement of Shanghai, admire its skyscapers.
Explore Hangzhou and its West Lake scenic area.
Explore Suzhou and its canals.
Go to Tibet and visit the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Also pay a visit to Norbulingka (Summer Palace) and Jokhang Temple.
Visit Huangshan, the Yellow Mountain, famous for its foggy precipices
Take a river cruise at the Three Gorges Dam
Explore the landscape of Zhangjiajie and its Yellow Dragon Cave.
Go to Kunming to see the Forest of Stone
Sightseeing Tours of China
The following are local tours that are available for you to book:
BEIJING Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
CHENGDU Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
GUILIN Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
QINGDAO Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
SHANGHAI Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
XIAN Sightseeing Tours Events & Attractions from Viator
Money matters in China
The currency is called Renminbi, and calculated in yuan (CNY, symbol RMB and ¥). The symbol is ¥. ¥1.00=100fen. Banknotes come in denominations of ¥1, ¥2, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50 and ¥100 while coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 fen and ¥1. Banking hours are from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
At time of writing (Oct 2007), US$1.00 = RMB7.52, €1.00=RMB10.67 For the latest exchange go to the Oanda Currency Converter.
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