Buzz
When you can't find local English-speaking assistance, these 5 websites act as lifelines for navigating China.
5 Essential Websites for Independent Travel in China
In addition to the go-to sites for adventurers like Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet, CNN Go, Rough Guides, each country boasts its own treasure trove of information for those interested in visiting. For those planning a trip to China—a place notorious for its scarcity of English guidance—these websites below will be invaluable.
Travelchinaguide.com
Travel China Guide isn't just a platform for booking and consulting various tours across China; it's the largest network of its kind. Despite its commercial purpose, the website offers a wealth of detailed information for travelers who prefer to explore independently without purchasing tours.
The website boasts an intuitive structure, easy navigation, thorough advice, concise presentation, facilitating readers, even those not proficient in English. For every renowned city, the site provides comprehensive information such as location, transportation, weather, hotel booking, maps, travel tips…
Subsequently, delve into the main attractions of the city, with detailed information ranging from history, cultural significance, transportation options including bus schedules, subway routes, and meticulous pricing details. Virtually everything can be found within this online guidebook.
Chinahighlights.com
Similar to Travel China Guide, China Highlights offers tour guidance and sales, along with providing valuable information for travelers. It is one of the most reputable websites in China, recommended by Tripadvisor to readers.
You can discover what you need regarding tourist destinations, how to get there, weather conditions, fine dining, shopping spots, famous festivals, kid-friendly activities… However, in terms of detail, it falls short of Travel China Guide; the information provided here is concise and to the point.
Tour-beijing.com/blog
Tour-beijing.com is not as famous as the two websites mentioned above, but it is greatly beloved by many users, even considered a 'lifesaver' in a country where English is hardly spoken. Essentially a tour booking site, its blog section – where bloggers share their experiences – is the most visited area.
While the aforementioned websites suffice for general information, when it comes to real-life journeys, you need more. Unexpected challenges can arise anytime, and not always will you find the exact places recommended by travel experts.
Typically, each blog post here is written as a journey experience, detailing places visited with accompanying photos and captions, making it easily understandable and captivating. Although some pricing information may not be up-to-date, overall, most advice on this site is reliable and insightful. Moreover, you can find some unique information, like the most beautiful sunset spots or the best photo spots.
The main drawback of this website is its cluttered layout, making it difficult to navigate.
English.ctrip.com
Ctrip is a popular online train booking platform in China, widely used by most foreign travelers seeking train or high-speed rail tickets, thanks to its English support for users.
Purchasing tickets online is a breeze. Simply select your departure and destination, choose a train station (major cities often have more than one), and pick your departure time. Passengers can conveniently pay with Visa and Mastercard. Upon payment, you'll receive a booking code and a reservation number. At the station, exchange your reservation number for your tickets. If you're running late, fear not, you can easily exchange for another ticket (if available) without any extra fees.
Echinacities.com
This is your go-to guide for information on all major cities in China in English, covering not just tourism but also job listings. The travel section is meticulously curated, providing detailed insights. You can even find job advertisements here. However, the travel section is where the real investment lies, offering the most comprehensive and detailed information.
Within the City Guides section, the website offers travel advice for 41 cities, with the most detailed information available for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and more. You'll find detailed recommendations for the best restaurants and cafes in areas like Tianzifang (Shanghai), including opening hours, prices, recommended dishes, and pinpointed locations on the map.
According to Ngoisao.net
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MytourNovember 26, 2015
