China – Travel Guide
China, a vast and diverse country, invites travelers to explore its ancient wonders, modern cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Beijing, the capital, boasts iconic landmarks like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. Shanghai dazzles with its futuristic skyline, historic Bund waterfront, and vibrant nightlife. The terracotta army in Xi`an, the picturesque Li River in Guilin, and the stunning karst landscapes of Zhangjiajie offer unforgettable experiences. China`s rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and dynamic mix of tradition and innovation make it a fascinating destination for adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike.
All about China
China FAQ
What is China known for?
China is a popular country with the world`s fastest-growing economy known as the `factory of the world` the leading producer of concrete, steel, fertilizer, clothing, and toys. The country is filled with rich cultures, traditions, and history filled with Imperial architecture and ancient ruins found in Beijing`s Forbidden City, the monumental Great Wall, and the stunning Summer Palace. The country boasts the world`s highest mountain, some of the fastest trains in the world and a mixture of bustling cities and sprawling countryside. There are picturesque villages dotted around the verdant countryside which give a glimpse into the past with architecture dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Cities like Shanghai boast sparkling skyscrapers along its skyline with luxury hotels, world-class shopping, chic cocktail bars, and upscale restaurants. Travel down some of China`s mighty rivers where river cruises lead through dramatic scenery and natural surroundings on the Yangtze River. China boasts some fascinating world-class museums, delicious cuisine, magnificent mosques, and breathtaking shrines, there is simply something for everyone in the world`s most geographically varied country.
What are the best places to visit in China?
Beijing it China`s ancient capital and the imperial Peking city, a spectacular city filled with stunning skylines and one of the most visited destinations in the world. Beijing has a rich cultural heritage and blends the old and the new filled with great attractions, scenic sites, and sensational street food. There are ancient temples and palaces fit for an emperor and The Great Wall of China one of the best-known tourist attractions in the world. Shanghai is a striking city with a famous skyline boasting plenty of history, architectural landmarks and futuristic skyscrapers. The city is dotted with temples, parks, and museums along with the Jin Mao Tower, The Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Oriental Pearl Tower some of the famous landmarks that tower over the city. There are some fabulous outdoor spaces including People`s Square, People`s Park, and Yu Gardens perfect locations for a stroll or a bike ride. Xi An is a captivating historical city one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals in the country with a deep history spanning over many Dynasties. An ancient imperial city which was once the eastern departure point on the famous Silk Road. The inner city is encircled by one of the largest, oldest, and best-preserved wall city`s in the entire world. A multitude of attractions can be explored within the inner city as well as two iconic landmarks, The Bell, and The Drum Tower along with the Muslim Quarter.
How many days should I spend in China?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around China?
By Train: The country offers one of the most extensive train networks in the entire world with a combination of the older, slower trains with stops at multiple smaller towns, D-class trains travel up to 124 mph and ultra-modern high-speed G-class trains connecting to the bigger cities with speeds that reach up to 200 mph. The advance train system in China is economical and reliable with breathtaking views of the countryside, the railway to Kunming is one of the most scenic high-speed train routes in the country. There is a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai or Xi`an that takes between 4-6 hours.
By Bus: There are long-distance buses that travel throughout China, bus travel can be cheaper than flying or traveling on high-speed trains. Bus networks cover smaller towns and villages that trains cannot reach, however, delays and traffic are common occurrences making a long-distance trip from Beijing to Shanghai taking anywhere from 14-16 hours.
By Boat: Boat trips in China are limited mostly to coastal areas where offshore islands can be reached like Putuoshan and Hainan and the island of Hong Kong. River cruises are a big hit along the Yangzi from Chongqing to Yichang and the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo.
What is the currency of China?
The units of currency in China are the Renminbi ( ¥, RMB, or CNY). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for ¥ upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in China.
Do people speak English in China?
The official language spoken in China is Mandarin. The English language is taught in schools in China and many Chinese people can speak some English, especially the younger generation and those working in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Mandarin guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me, and numbers 1 – 10.
Best time to visit China
The weather in China varies and temperatures can be very diverse depending on the region you are visiting. China has rainforests, miles of coastline, deserts and jungles so the climate can be very different from one city to the next.
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The south has a subtropical climate with high humidity and rain during the summer and the southeast coast experiences Typhoon Season from July through September. Central China experiences hot, humid summers a short snap of winter with temperatures that fall below 0. Winters in Beijing can be very cold with freezing temperatures from December through March and hot, humid summers. Generally, the best months to visit China are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is not too hot and not too cold.
Times to avoid traveling in China would be during the country`s national holidays and vacations when prices skyrocket and the crowds become impossible to maneuver. The `Golden Weeks` is during the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year – late January or mid-February) and the Chinese National Day (early October) when most of the Chinese population take their vacations. This means most local businesses will be closed as residents travel back to their hometowns to spend time with family making dining and shopping limited during this time of year. These are generally the weeks to avoid when tourist attractions become extremely crowded, prices are very high for flights, trains and travel in general and accommodations are high or completely sold out.
March – May
Springtime is a beautiful season to visit parts of China such as the western side of the country and Beijing when the air quality starts to improve with pleasant dry weather. The temperatures are relatively warm during this time of year with Shanghai and other cities seeing highs in the 50`s – 70`s and flowers and fruit trees beginning to bloom. The northern areas can still be quite cold at this time of year especially in the mountain areas. April can be filled with rainy days in the southern and central locations but the temperatures are still warm and vibrant festivals start to take place. May is beautiful and warm especially in the Yunnan Province with bright flowers and green landscapes covering the mountainside.
In May things begin to get more crowded especially at popular tourist attractions, hotel prices start to increase and things will begin to get busier as the summer months approach. May is also Labor Day when the whole country celebrates a 3 day holiday and the start of peak season and prices start to become more expensive.
Events and Festivals
– Lusheng Festival (April) – Miao and the mountain areas.
– Dragon Boat Festival (late May to early June) – Major cities and towns.
– Sister`s Meal Festival (May) – Miao festival.
– Labor Day (May 1st) – 3-day national holiday.
June – August
Summertime in China runs from June to August and is the hottest time of the year with temperatures in cities such as Beijing reaching the high 90`s. The average daily temperatures in most places during the summer is between 77F – 91F, this is also the rainy season in most areas especially in the south and eastern cities. The four cities Wuhan, Tianjin, Chongqing and Nanchang are considered the `four furnaces` in the country and experience hot, humid summers. This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy many outdoor activities and attractions when the flowers are blooming and the hills are covered with a vibrant green. The country offers many festivals that take place in the summer, hiking in the mountains and water activities.
Summertime is peak season when many tourists like to travel to China, airfare prices and hotel prices are at their highest this time of year. Typhoon and Monsoon season take place from mid-June to September and affects the southeast and up in the mountain areas, outdoor activities and travel plans can be delayed at this time with frequent downpours and thunderstorms.
September – October
China`s Autumn weather is still warm but not hot and humid like the summer months. The average daily temperatures are mild and range from 60F – 79F. The days are sunny and warm but start to cool off in October when rainy overcast days become more apparent; this is when the temperatures in western China start dropping dramatically before the winter snowfall.October 1st – 7th is National Day which is a national holiday and a busy time of year throughout the country. Hotel accommodations, airline and train tickets are more expensive during this time and sell out well in advance.
Events and Festivals
– National Day – (Oct 1 – 7)
November – February
Wintertime in China brings cold, damp weather with temperatures dropping into the 50`s and below, and snowfalls. In the mountain areas, such Yunnan and even Beijing. This time of year can be very pleasant, typically the days are filled with blue skies and the central and northern areas are decorated in stunning foliage, especially in November. The northern destinations will start to see their first snowfall in late November with colder temperatures moving into the 30`s and 40`s. The Western area of the country is extremely cold during the winter time and the areas that receive snow can be exceptionally beautiful and enchanting this time of year. Harbin is a fabulous destination in the wintertime with the spectacular annual Harbin Ice Festival which takes place over a week in January.
This time of year is low peak season meaning a lot of the attractions in the cities are less crowded and accommodations are cheaper. Although the Chinese New Year, which falls in late January to early February, is a national holiday and brings back high season prices and large crowds.
Events and Festivals
– Lusheng Festival – (Nov) Guizhou Province.
– Chinese New Year – (late Jan – early Feb) – Celebrated Nationwide.
– Harbin Ice Festival – (January) – A Weeklong Celebration in Harbin.
Tipping in China
In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades.
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The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
The general tipping etiquette in China is a no-tipping culture and some establishments have a no-tipping policy and tipping can be considered rude in certain circumstances and implies that employers undervalue their workers.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Renminbi?
The units of currency in China are the Renminbi (RMB or CNY). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Renminbi upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Tipping is not common in restaurants and some eateries will refuse tips altogether. Some high-end restaurants have 10 -15% service charge added on to the bill.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping at hotels is not expected or required, but at some high end and large international hotels, the bellhop or concierge might expect CNY5 per bag. And the same can be used for maids about CNY5 if you are staying for a few days, but again it is not required.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Taxi drivers will normally not accept a tip and in some areas of China it is illegal to even accept a tip, so this is ingrained in the Chinese culture.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
You should tip a tour guide in China as they depend on this money as part of their income. A general guideline for tipping tour guides is CNY80 – CNY150 per day and CNY40 – CNY75 for the drivers.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Tipping at a spa is not expected or required, if the service is at a luxury hotel they might add on a 15 – 18% service charge.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in China
More cities in China
A – Z
What to expect while traveling
