Top 10 Most Useful Travel Experiences in China

Most tourist attractions in China are crowded during holidays and festivals such as:

• Labor Day (May 1-3)
• National Day of China (October 1-7)
• Lunar New Year holiday (end of January or early to mid-February).

If you travel during these periods, make reservations in advance and be prepared for the influx of Chinese tourists. During the peak summer season, the temperature can be unbearably hot in the southern part of the country, and it's also the rainy season, so torrential downpours are not uncommon. Many popular tourist spots attract large crowds, especially in July and August when Chinese students are on summer break. Room prices peak during the first week of the May holiday; it's a time best avoided for travel.

The period from mid-February to April, September, and October is the perfect time to visit China with milder weather. Especially in the North, this is the ideal season with pleasant weather and clear skies. Accommodation prices may peak during the early October holiday, another time you should try to avoid. The time from November to mid-February enters the chilly winter season in the northern and high-altitude regions. If you're seeking warmth, you'll have to head far south.

The months of September to October are also a suitable time to visit China, as most famous destinations have traveler-friendly weather. Cultural and historical sites like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an are hardly affected by weather conditions and are suitable for visits throughout the year.

Make sure that when traveling to China, not everything you like can be brought along, so research thoroughly before departure.

Personal documents:

• Passport and (any) visas or travel documents
• Foreign currency of your destination country
• Credit card
• Traveler's checks or ATM card
• Insurance: trip cancellation/health/travel
• Copies of documents
• Health check, doctor's note on medications, vaccinations
• Birth certificate (if needed)
• Marriage registration certificate (if needed)
• Any guidebooks and maps

Clothing:

• Appropriate clothing for the weather and your activities
• Comfortable shoes
• Raincoat
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses)

Personal hygiene items can be bought in China similarly to the West, but you may want to bring your own for convenience/preferences.

• Hairbrush
• Shampoo, body wash, soap, bath towel, face cloth
• Hair dryer
• Deodorant
• Lotion, cream
• Sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm
• Bath towel
• Razor, shaving cream
• Nail clippers and other personal hygiene items

Medication:

• Small emergency first aid kit
• Aspirin/pain relievers
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Contact lens solution, eye drops
• Motion sickness medication
• Allergy medication
• Sleep aids
• Personal prescriptions
• Medical records (if needed)
• Contact information for your doctor or health advisor

Electronic devices:

• Camera, with battery and charger
• Mobile phone and charger
• Laptop/tablet with power adapter

China has developed a comprehensive transportation system with flights, trains, high-speed rail, and waterways, as well as urban transport like taxis, public buses, and subways. To travel between two points, travelers should take flights or high-speed trains; for exploring destinations, using public transportation such as trains, high-speed trains, and more is recommended.

Flights are the fastest and most convenient way to travel from international cities to China and between most destinations within China. Flying not only saves time but also energy. There are numerous international airports in China that travelers can choose as ideal gateways to enter China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and more. Currently, 18 cities in China offer visa-free transit for 72 hours, allowing travelers to shorten their stay in most famous cities.

Various train services can take travelers to most cities and regions. As of December 2014, China boasts the world's longest high-speed rail network, spanning over 16,000 km and reaching 28 out of its 34 provinces and regions. Traveling around China by high-speed train (G trains, D trains, and C trains) with average speeds of 250 km/h and above is recommended.

High-speed trains are fast, safe, reliable, comfortable, and environmentally friendly, competing with air travel as an efficient long-distance transportation method. Most tourist cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Lijiang, Chengdu, Huangshan, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Guangzhou, and many others, are served by high-speed trains.

Traveling by long-distance buses or private cars on highways/roads may not be as comfortable as flying or taking high-speed trains. However, it is necessary to use it to reach remote areas with attractive landscapes, such as the Yuanyang terraced fields, Dongchuan Red Land, Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, Siguniang Mountain, Hailuogou in Sichuan, Mount Everest, Namtso Lake in Tibet, and Gegentala Grassland in Inner Mongolia.

One of the pioneers in changing the hotel landscape is the Shangri-La Hotel Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, which opened its first business over 20 years ago in Beijing. The China World Hotel, still thriving, is a model for the Chinese hotel business model: a strategically located hotel in a sprawling shopping center in Beijing, making it an ideal stop for those who love luxury.

In the Beijing Central Business District, the newly opened and well-rated Park Hyatt and Rosewood Beijing hotels are excellent choices. For those seeking a more local experience and reasonable prices, tucked away in the city's traditional hutongs near the Drum and Bell Towers, there's no better choice than the Orchid Hotel. The Brickyard, just 90 minutes from the city center in the Mutianyu area of the Great Wall, is also a unique hotel.

Shanghai, the most desired city to visit in China with its lively, luxurious, and unique lifestyle. One of the standout hotels is the Fairmont Peace Hotel, an elegant hotel located on the famous Bund pedestrian street with luxurious banquets. The Grand Hyatt on top of the Jin Mao Tower offers breathtaking views of the bustling river, while the Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La hotels are located just behind the waterfront.

In addition to the luxurious hotels in major cities, there are many small hotels established by local residents for budget-conscious travelers. The Yangshuo area near Guilin is also popular among tourists, with various guesthouses ranging from simple rooms to boutique hotels.

Foreign visitors must present a valid passport, Chinese visa, power of attorney, and a health inspection certificate for designated border control ports. They are required to fill out an entry card and cannot enter until the control station approves and stamps it.

Nowadays, the majority of payments in China are made through apps and online platforms. While traditional payment methods (cash and cards) are still easily processed, they have gradually decreased in popularity for everyone except older and more traditional members of society. Contactless and wallet-free payments have become especially suitable for the era of smartphones and the pandemic, with online sales and remote shopping booming.

Indulge in Culinary Delights When Traveling to China

As one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, China has cultivated its culture over millennia. During your visit, you'll realize that Chinese culture differs from what you're accustomed to in your home country. What may be culturally acceptable in your homeland could be taboo in China. To minimize cultural shock, familiarize yourself with dos and don'ts, as well as general etiquette guidelines to seamlessly integrate into this fascinating country.

Greetings:

• Greet others with a handshake or a nod.
• Avoid excessively tight handshakes, as it may be perceived as aggressive.

Dining Etiquette:

• Raise your glass for toasts and even stand during formal gatherings; it's considered polite.
• Taste all dishes at banquets or formal occasions. It's considered courteous, and at the end of the meal, ensure there's a little left on your plate to show generosity to the host.
• Tap the table lightly when someone pours tea for you. Tapping the table with two fingers is a gesture of appreciation for the person pouring tea.

Gift Giving and Receiving:

• Present and receive items with both hands. This is considered polite in Chinese culture.
• Don't refuse a gift multiple times before accepting it. Politely declining a gift before accepting it is a standard practice in Chinese culture, so don't be discouraged if someone initially refuses your gift.
• Avoid wrapping gifts in black or white wrapping paper. Instead, choose festive colors like red.

Etiquette in Historical and Religious Sites:

• Walk clockwise when exploring a temple or monastery.
• Don't remove your hat when entering a temple; it's a sign of respect.
• Donate some yuan to religious beggars. This is considered a virtuous act in Tibetan culture.
• Ask for permission before photographing elderly individuals.