The Most Popular Recommendations of China Travel

China is a charming destination that makes you want to explore it just by hearing its name. With the challenging language barrier and diverse cultural customs, China is mysterious and attractive to travelers. There are so many exciting things you should try in China: hike the longest architectural structure — the Great Wall, explore the largest imperial palace — the Forbidden City, discover the stunning natural landscape in Guilin, and experience the strong historic atmosphere at the site of the Terracotta Army. Don't hesitate anymore — let's start your trip in China!

china Bamboo rafting on the Li River

Special Sights to See in China

Thanks to the vast country and its diverse minority cultures, you can experience a colorful trip in China. 

Breathtaking Atmosphere of an Ancient Civilization

With the modern developments that have occurred since the program of economic reforms was initiated in 1978, many visitors are astonished by China's modernity in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing. However, China has also retained its ancient and cultural atmosphere in Xi'an and Beijing. The best examples to display Chinese history in these cities are detailed below.

The Terracotta Army in Xi'an

With a history of over 2,000 years, the Terracotta Army was built during the reign of the First Emperor — Qin Shi Huang. It's amazing to see hundreds of thousands of terracotta warriors with different expressions and features. They were regarded as being the guards for Qin Shi Huang's afterlife.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

The Forbidden City was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and is the largest imperial palace in the world. Go to the Forbidden City if you like Chinese architecture and history. It's one of the best examples of the highest level of Chinese architecture.

china The Forbidden City

Stupendous Natural Landscapes

Few countries have such different landscapes as China: from the pure natural landscape in Tibet to the fairy-tale karst mountains and river around Guilin, and from the majestic Great Wall in North China to the classic and elegant water towns in China’s southeastern cities.

Stunning Karst Landscape in Guilin

Guilin is a popular destination that is famous for its picturesque landscape, lovely local people, and unique minority culture. Explore the Li River and the karst hills that surround it when you take a bamboo raft trip, ride a bike along the countryside roads to discover the locals’ peaceful lifestyle, and hike up the Longji Rice Terraces to see the stunning views.

Relaxing in a Water Town in Shanghai

The Oriental Venice — Chinese Water Towns Different from the grand architectural structures in North China, such as the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, there are many quaint and small water towns in South China. Surrounded by rivers, these small villages are referred to as the ‘Oriental Venice’.

china Zhujiajiao Water Town

Cultural Diversity

You will discover that the cultural diversity is vast when you go to China. It's interesting to find such wildly diverse local cultures, dialects, climates, and lifestyles in a country. Keep your curiosity alive as you discover the different sides to China.

Go to Huangluo Yao Village to See the Long-Haired Women

Located in Guilin’s Longji Rice Terraces, Huangluo Yao Village is famous for its Red Yao people. Most travelers are astonished by their long hair — it's said that the women there only cut their hair twice in their lifetime. As well as the minority culture, the views from the rice fields are also excellent, so climb to the tops of the terraces to appreciate them.

Explore the Lifestyle of the Locals in Beijing in the Hutongs

The hutongs are possibly the most vivid example to experience the locals’ lifestyle. You can't encounter the authentic Beijing culture in the Forbidden City or at the Great Wall but you can in the hutongs. It's another side to modern Beijing. Listen to the stories behind this proud city in the hutongs.

china Beijing Hutong

Travel Tips for China

Best Seasons to Travel in China

China is a year-round travel destination and you can find different aspects of beauty in various seasons. However, you can decide the best time for your visit depending on the exact destinations. Generally speaking, spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) are the most popular seasons in a year. The climate is more comfortable and the views are beautiful to see. We recommend these seasons if it is your first trip to China. However, if you have been to China many times, why not see the white snow in Harbin during the winter or the green landscape in most of China during the summer.

The Most Popular Arrival Cities

  • Beijing: As the capital of China, Beijing is most people's first choice of cities to visit. There are 120 international airlines operating there (this figure is from 2016). You can take a direct international flight from many major cities to Beijing, such as New York, Paris, and Melbourne.
  • Tianjin: Tianjin International Cruise Home Port is the largest international port in China. Take an international cruise to Tianjin and then you can take a high-speed train to Beijing. It takes about 30 minutes and costs 55 yuan (8 USD) to travel on a high-speed train from Tianjin to Beijing.
  • Shanghai: You can take an international flight or cruise to Shanghai from many major cities in the world. It's easy to take a high-speed train to get to Beijing or Xi'an from Shanghai.
china The Bund of Shanghai

How to Travel in China Without a Visa

It's not worth spending 140 USD for a Chinese visa and experiencing a lot of barriers if you just want to visit some major cities, such as Beijing, Xi'an, or Shanghai. In recent years, the Chinese government issued a series of measures allowing you to visit and transit in China without a visa. The visa-free access is available for 24 hours, 72 hours, and 144 hours.

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