China Travel Tips

There are few countries in the world with a culture as distinct as China. A country of contrasts, China offers thriving cities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong but also extremely rural areas in the center and western part of the country. This is a country stuck between the developed and developing world. Rapid change has attracted curious people from around the world as they come to see what this country they hear about is really like.

Destination Guides

Hong Kong

Typical Costs

• Accommodation: Prices start at around $6.50 USD for a dorm and around $20 USD for a private room with a shared bathroom, to $30 USD for a private room with ensuite. Budget hotels come in at around $12 USD per night.
• Food: Eating in nicer restaurants will cost around $7 USD.  A simple meal of noodles or street food will cost around $1 USD. There is a ton of cheap and delicious food in China (which is nothing like what is found in “Chinese” restaurants in America) that you’ll have no problem eating on a budget.
• Transportation: Taxi fares start between $1 and $2 USD.  Buses are the most popular way to travel and usually cost $.25 – $.50 USD in a city.  Intercountry buses cost around $3 USD per hour of travel.
• Activities: Certain activities such as the Great Wall ($16 USD) are quite pricey by local standards. However, wandering around the cities and visiting many of the historic temples are free.

Money Saving Tips

• Use sleeper trains - Use sleeper trains to travel overnight and save on accommodation.
• Ask for Xiao Pan – If eating alone, ask for “xiao pan”. These are small portions and work out at 70% of the size and price of a normal dish.
• Hard Seats - Travel on the “hard seats” on trains or buses.  These are the cheapest and most basic seats but are not “hard” as the name would lead you to believe.
• Eat at the street stalls - If you want to save money, eat at the cheap food stalls. Food is already cheap in China but you can make it even cheaper this way.

Top Things to See and Do

• The Great Wall of China – No trip would be complete without visiting the Great Wall.  There are plenty of tours taking in different parts of the Wall, so pick according to your budget and which part you most want to see. Some tours even offer multi-day packages visiting the whole wall.
• Tian’anmen Square – You’ve no doubt seen it in films and on TV, but it is hard to get an idea of the sheer size of this square until you’re standing slap bang in the middle of it. There’s plenty to see here including the Tiananmen Tower, the Great Hall of the People, the People’s Heroes Monument, the National Museum and Mao Zedong. You aren’t allowed to film or photograph in the square.
• Beijing - This is a fast-moving city has a population of 22 million and counting.  Aside from Tian’anmen Square, you’ll want to visit the Forbidden City, the countless shopping malls, the Temple of Heaven and of course, the Great Wall.
• Hong Kong – Hong Kong effortlessly blends East and West, thanks in part to British control for 99 years.  This bustling metropolis combines high rise buildings with traditional street markets and religious temples.  It also boasts a large ex-pat population, good shopping, fantastic nightlife, and delicious food. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world.
• Shanghai – Another one of China’s largest, busiest, and most visited cities is Shanghai.  This is a bustling high tech city that is the center of modern business infrastructure. To get a sense of old China, head to the Old City, especially YuYuan Gardens. This is a bustling city that changes daily.
• Xi’An – Also known as Changan, Xian is the largest city in the north west of the country and is one of the ancient capitals of China.  You’ll not want to miss the Terracotta Army, the City Wall and the amazing architecture of the Muslim quarters.
• Gorge on food – China is a food lover’s paradise. Eating here will certainly put your take-away back home into perspective. In such a huge country, it’s no surprise that different areas have different culinary delights. It’s entirely possible to enjoy the four styles Chinese cooking (Cantonese, Beijing, Shanghai and Szechuan) on your trip.
• Li River – For a true sense of the natural beauty, head on a cruise down the Li River. This place has been listed as one of the top ten “watery wonders” by National Geographic.  The river is 272 miles long and has dozens of places to explore along the way, such as Zhujiang Pier, Yangdi and Guilin.
• Terracotta Warriors – Located in Xi’An, the Terracotta Army was erected as a monument to China’s first Emporer, Qin. The life sized stone soldiers are said to represent the army that triumphed over all others in China and were significant in forming the country. The hundreds of stone statues are a mind-blowing sight.
• The Forbidden City - This famous attraction in Beijing was the imperial Palace from the time of the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.  Now the Palace Museum holds artifacts from both dynasties and is a in depth place to learn about China’s history.
• Silk Road – With a history of over 2,000 years old, this is a must see for visitors. There are many locations to check out along the road, as it originally spanned from Chang’an to Rome and Italy. The total length of the road was over 2,400 miles, half of which is within Chinese territory.
• Tibet – Also known as “the Roof of the World”, this area is perfect for adventurous travelers that are looking for unique attractions—Explore the snow mountains, exotic customs, and Buddhism. Tibet has had tumultuous past and during your visit, it’s wise not to bring up the Dali Lama. You’ll need to a special permit to visit the region.
• Karst mountains – Illustrated on the back of the 20 yuan banknote, these mountains are a stunning sight to see in person. You can take a boat trip down the Li river and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains.
• The Mogao Grottos of Dunhuang – Also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, these grottos are home to the largest, most well preserved, and richest Buddhist art in the world—The first cave was carved here in 366 AD. This fantastic collection is a must see.
• Potala Palace – Now a museum, this palace was home to the Dalai Lamas up until 1959. The many halls, temples, and courtyards have been constructed from wood and stone.