The People's Republic of China is an incredibly fascinating country. Not only for its size but by its nature and culture, history (3000 years of recorded history) and people. Travelling in China is a unique opportunity to break all these prejudices we usually have about this country that has always played a key role in the history of humanity, it seems, will continue to have for many years.
China provides huge traveling and interesting cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong, as well as places of great historical value as the Great Wall, Leshan Buddha or the Warriors of Xi'an, to environments in which to enjoy the nature and in Yunnan province (south) or around the Li River in Yangshuo. Last year I was fortunate to spend three months traveling around China, which made thousands of miles by train, and entered my head to stay and learn more about their culture and their primary language, Mandarin, but ultimately it could not be. Here you can see a simple map of my route.
15 proposals of places to visit in China
1) Beijing
Beijing or Beijing has become a mixture of Chinese modernity and tradition. There you will find numerous skyscrapers along with some of the symbols of the purest tradition and history of the country as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Other sites to visit are Tiananmen Square and Mao's Mausoleum where you can see the mummified body of this, the practice of which I spoke in the post about mummified politicians. As I explained above, there is considerable rivalry between Beijing and Shanghai.
2) The Great Wall of China
It was built in pieces for 4 different dynasties, the Qin Dynasty began in 214 BC After 1500 years and 3 dynasties improving it grew to 6000 Km. Therefore can be accessed in many places, the most famous being those near Beijing and Badaling, Simatai and Jinshanling.
3) Shanghai
Some areas of Shanghai are very futuristic. The skyline of this city of 23 million people is impressive. It is known to the city as the financial capital of the country and even less Chinese tradition breathes in Beijing, there are still places that can give you a sense of authenticity as the neighborhood of Old city. I leave eight ideas of things to do in Shanghai.
4) Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a big city near Shanghai has a nice big lake in the middle. The city is interesting and can be a good stop for 1 or 2 nights on the way to Shanghai.
5) Hong Kong
Another very modern city skyscrapers made from. The free show The symphony of lights where you will see all the skyscrapers of the city lighting up and changing colors as powerful lasers circling in the sky and all accompanied by music is unique. Around town there are beaches and mountains that are worth visiting. The Museum of History of the city is one of the best I've ever seen. Discover what to do and see in Hong Kong.
6) Macau
The Mediterranean city in Asia and Eastern vegas and is known as the former Portuguese colony of Macau. A small metropolis that bases its economy on the huge casinos and hotels that you will find everywhere.
7) Xi'an
Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China. Is estimated to be over 3,000 years and was the capital of the country for over 1000 was also an important stop on the Silk Road, which brought great wealth to the city. Today it has become a large metropolis where you can impregnaros with traditional Chinese. It also has a very interesting Muslim Quarter.
8) The Warriors in Xian
Knowing the age and importance of Xi'an is not surprising then that the Terracotta Warriors will be close to this city. The Warriors of Xi'an, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, are an army of 8,000 terracotta figures made life-size dating from 210 BC More information on the Terracotta Warriors.
9) The mountain of Hua Shan
In China there are 5 sacred mountains and Hua Shan is one of them. It is 2-3 hours by bus from the city of Xi'an, and is a good destination for a day trip or two days and climb to the top. The Chinese like to climb at night to see the sunrise from above. More about Hua Shan Mountain.
10) The Chengdu Panda Bears
Chengdu is a city in which there is not much to do but is a good place to stop for a couple or three nights before traveling around the country. As in all Chinese cities no atmosphere at night. I remember that I really liked was the Chengdu Panda Research Base where you can admire pandas and learn about them.
11) The Leshan Giant Buddha
A few hours by bus from Chengdu city is its impressive Leshan Giant Buddha 71 meters high carved on a cliff next to a river. The construction of the Buddha began in 713 AD and ended in 803 A.D. So the Buddha has 1300 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
12) The peaceful cities of Lijiang and Dali
The central and older parts of these two cities in the province of Yunnan (near Vietnam) are like two small Chinese traditional villages. There you will find the typical narrow cobbled streets and old houses with traditional Chinese roofs. Between street and street you will see beautiful waterways. However, although two villages appear, Lijiang has over 1 million inhabitants and over 500,000 Dali, come on, almost nothing in a country of more than 1300 million people. Still, they remain good places to escape the big Chinese cities since in Lijiang and Dali a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
13) Shangri-la
Shangri-La is a Tibetan village although it is officially in the Province of Yunnan, so is not within what the Chinese government calls the Chinese province of Tibet (Xizang). If you come to it you can learn Tibetan culture and although the town is growing very fast, still able to enjoy an exquisite setting surrounded by mountains and vegetation. From Shangri-La there are several tours that travel by bicycle or on foot.
14) Trekking the Tiger Leaping Gorge
It is an excursion (Tiger Leaping Gorge) for 2-4 days in the amazing valley of the Yangtze (Yunnan Province) river, where you will walk surrounded by cliffs 2000 feet high, and see mountains with an altitude of 5000 meters on the sea level. It's worth a lot. I spoke about this tour in my article on trekking in Asia.
15) The Town of Yangshuo and Li River
This village a few hours from Hong Kong is one of the main destinations for backpackers. Travelers are attracted by the surrounding scenery offered typically Chinese, small and narrow mountains protruding from the ground next to each other, formed by rock but overgrown. It is a good place to relax, meet the village life of the country and do some climbing.
China travel costs
In China it is customary to travel by train. If you want to discover the country well you have no other than throw yourself hours on Chinese trains, which are not bad. To give you an idea of prices a train ticket from Guilin to Shanghai, 24 hours and 1600 km, it costs 339 Yuan (39 €), while another of Xi'an to Chengdu, about 12 hours and 800 km, 201 Yuan (21 €).
Accommodation in China can be cheap in backpacker hostels, especially in bedrooms that are clean and usually have new furniture. Accommodation is in almost all tourist towns, but not in all of China so sometimes you will have to go to more expensive hotels. Then I leave some of the most liked hotels and their prices to give you an idea. If you fancy, you can also book them from here.
Sunrise Hostel in Beijing: A highly rated hostel by backpackers. Bedrooms at $ 7 and $ 15 private rooms.
Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel in Shanghai: Good and well located hostel in Shanghai. Bedrooms at $ 8 and $ 16 private rooms.
Xian Qixian (7 Sages) Youth Hostel: I have great memories of my stay in this hostel. The workers were great and they come to pick you up at the train station. The hostel is very nice. Bedrooms at $ 6 and $ 10 private rooms.
Tips for Travelers to China
- Bring banknotes of your country, the Chinese love having foreign currencies and will be excited to cambiároslos for their yuan.
- To avoid problems buying tickets ask workers in the hostels that you write the name of the people you go in Chinese characters.
- Take advantage to learn some Chinese os what will you spend doing it and will help you during the trip. When you return home you can try your sentences with the Chinese community in your city.
- Escapad an unfamiliar city or town. If you come to a city where few foreigners passing terminéis likely making enough friends. I spent a week in a small town embraced by a group of Chinese friends and it was the best experience of hospitality I've experienced in my life. It was in the town of Changxing.
- Look at the rules for table manners. If you are invited to eat in a city or town rather traditional you will have the opportunity to discover a lot of implicit rules in the table.
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