|
China travel tips |
|
Despite all the bad press, China is a pretty amazing place to visit. While urban and industrial areas suffer from pollution and smog, the rural countryside is rugged and beautiful, with captivating scenes from almost every viewpoint. The Chinese people are friendly, but not overly so and while it may at times feel like they take no notice of you, don't be surprised to get a few stares on the street or called 'laowai', a term for 'foreigner' considered derogatory by some. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Eating | Sleeping | Getting around | Top things to do
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Hike the Great Wall | Beijing
Known to the Chinese as the 'Li Wall', the Great Wall dates back to the Qin dynasty (221 - 207 BC), when construction was started. We walked along the wall on a misty day, 10 km from a town called Jinshaling to another called Simatai.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
See Buddhas at Longmen Shiku | Luoyang
More than 100,000 images and statues of Buddha and his disciples are carved into the cliff walls on the banks of the Yi He River, near Luoyang, an overnight train ride from Beijing. Note: this is the birthplace of the Me No Speak concept (be warned).
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Go 'Kung Fu' at Shaolin Si | Luyoang
Come to see the temples and student performances at the legendary birthplace of Kung Fu (see the note above about traveling to Luoyang). You'll likely end up on a tour that includes additional temples in the surrounding area.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Visit Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve | near Songpan
In Northern Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou is located within the border of a protected area for minorities, such as Tibetans and the Qiang. The scenery is out of this world: deep forests, turquoise lakes, snow capped mountains, waterfalls, and Tibetan villages.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Go on a Horse Trek | Songpan
Songpan, little more than a 'one horse town', is located in Northern Sichuan amidst dark forests, velveteen hills, emerald fields, gemstone lakes, rambling rivers, snowy mountains, and Tibetan villages... A horse trek is the best way to see it all.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Climb Emei Shan | Emei Town
One of the four sacred buddhist mountains of the Middle Kingdom (in the Sichuan Province), Emei Shan reaches high into the clouds and is dotted with monasteries and temples where hikers and pilgrims can stay overnight.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge | near Lijiang
Tiger Leaping is one of the deepest gorges in the world... with a trail, high above, that offers breathtaking views of the Haba Snow Mountains and a glimpse of life in villages tucked into the hillsides. The hike is 25 km -- a 2 day journey for most.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Cruise down the Yangtze | Chongqing
The Yangtze river is the longest in Asia; most cruises start in Chongqing and end in Wuhan, and provide an interesting (albeit sometimes unfortunate) way to see local river villages and sites–and the negative effects of the Three Gorges Dam.
View the photo album |
|
|
|
|
|
|
