 China is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometers. China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometers, and its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest.
When?
The summer time in China is when most tourists venture into the country—despite hot temperatures. If you’re panning on a summer vacation in China, it’s recommended that you book your travel plans.
How to Reach
?
Almost all the popular airlines offer flights to the country. Many tourists consider Beijing as the entry point to China though there are other airports in China too. Many international flights land at Shanghai Airport, Guangzhou Airport and Guilin Airport.
Visa
Visas are necessary for travel to China.
Currency
Chinese money is called Renminbi (RMB) means "The People's Currency". The popular unit of RMB is yuan" . There are parts of China where the yuan is also known as Kuai and Jiao is known as mao. Chinese currency is issued in the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred yuan; one, two and five jiao; and one, two and five fen.
Things To Do in
China
Beijing
Beijing, the heart of China, is always the first choice of travelers who are willing to know a time-honored and developed city of China. It has been the political, economic and cultural center of China for over 800 years from the Yuan Dynasty. The numerous royal buildings with long history endow Beijing with incomparable charm, not only the 'Nation's Best' but also the 'World's Best'. On the other hand, as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, this oriental ancient city presented her best fashion fascination to the world.
Forbidden City
The magnificent Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. It has 9,999 rooms in flourishing period with just a single room short of the number that ancient Chinese belief represents 'Divine Perfection' and surrounded by a moat six meters deep and ten-meter high wall. For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country.
Great Wall in Beijing
The Great Wall of China is one of the 'Eight Wonders of the World' and is enlisted in the World Heritage Directory. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants. It spans five provinces from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west, looking like a gigantic dragon across deserts, grasslands and mountains. In the downtown area of Beijing, it is possible to climb Badaling great Wall.
Tiananmen Square
The solemn and respectful Tiananmen Square is the largest central city square in the world, which serves not only Beijing's symbol but also the whole of China. This immense courtyard is the site of various historical events, which is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices such as the Great Hall of the People, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People's Heroes.
Imperial Gardens & Mausoleums
Beijing is the capital city of several Dynasties. Therefore, besides the spectacular imperial palaces, it also possesses the most luxurious royal gardens—the well-preserved Summer Palace with an area of 727 acres, the elegant Beihai Park and the destroyed Old Summer Palace. On the other hand, those Emperors also constructed spectacular mausoleums for themselves. The Ming Tombs of the 13 emperors should be the most excellent necropolis.
Temples
Due to religion was always related with the supreme imperial power, Beijing at one time served as the focus of religious life with lots of beautiful temples. The Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors paid homage to the glory of heaven, is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals. To be opposite, the Altar of Earth was used to worship the God of the Earth. The Great Bell Temple, where the Emperor prayed for rainfall in the Qing Dynasty.
Historical Travel
If you would like to experience the local life, there is a great deal of Beijing's Hutongs and Courtyards distributed for your choice. The Prince Gong's Mansion should be the most magnificent courtyard, which was the residence of an official and then a prince. Other famous historical sites include the Bell and Drum Towers, the Liulichang Street for people interested in Chinese calligraphy, painting or other artwork, the Lugou Bridge carved with marvelous stone lions.
Shanghai
Shanghai, a vigorous and energetic international metro-polis, welcomes people from all over the world to enjoy its special atmosphere. This modern metropolis with its rich heritage of ancient Chinese culture has much to see and do.
Nanjing Road
The golden time to see the beauty of Nanjing Road of Shanghai is at night. After supper, walking along the Nanjing Road with your beloved will bring you endless happiness and relaxation. The automatic vehicles in Nanjing Road Walking Street of Shanghai are forbidden except the old-fashioned but small trains for traveling.
Jade Buddha Temple
Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1918, and located in the north of Anyuan Road and Jiangling Road. It is a building following the architectural style of Song Dynasty with a precise layout and harmonious structure. There are Heavenly-king Hall, Great Hall and Jade-Buddha Hall on the axes.
Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum is one of China's four greatest museums, and the other three are Beijing Museum, Nanjing Museum and Xian Museum. The new Shanghai Museum was finally established in 1995. It is located in the south of People's Square in the center of Shanghai's downtown.
Shanghai Xintiandi (The New World)
It is accepted that Shanghai Xintiandi is the best place for tourist to appreciated historic culture and modern life in Shanghai. It's also the liveliest area in the city and a must for your Shanghai tour. Shanghai Xintiandi is constructed as old buildings. It maintained the Shanghai's early 20th Century style and it revealed old Shanghai feeling.
The Bund
The Bund is located in the Shanghai downtown along the Huangpu River. The Bund is an important attraction in Shanghai and one of most famous destinations. It is worth traveling when the tourist stay in Shanghai.
Ancient Water Town Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao covers 47 sq. km looking like a folding fan inlayed in the beautiful mountains and waters. Mass of people takes it as the Venice in Shanghai. Zhujiajiao was one of four cultural ancient towns in Shanghai by Shanghai Municipal Government in 1991.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou China is a bustling metropolis that is also known as Sui (Ears of Rice). Characterized by an abundance of kapok flowers, Guangzhou is known as the Southern gate of China as it lies strategically close to the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Macau.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
This magnificent structure was built to commemorate the work of Sun Yat-sen. This octagonal building rich with Chinese symbolic construction and color is home to large meetings and performances.
Ancestral temple of Chen family
The ancestral shrine is housed in a rectangular building that is designed and decorated in traditional Guangdong style, replete with brick carving, pottery carving, brass and cast iron workmanship and wood carving. Today it functions as the Guangdong Folk Craftwork museum.
Yuexiu Park
Named after the Yuexiu Mountain, this park has 7 hummocks and 3 artificial lakes. With freshly blooming flowers and thriving bamboos, this place is popular with tourists coming to Guangzhou. The spring flower and chrysanthemum exhibitions are a sight to behold. Visitors to Yuexiu Park can catch the azaleas in late spring, yulan magnolias in April, and the kapok in early spring. You can catch pavilions built in elaborate Linann-style of architecture as well as towers and corridors. Do not miss the Zhanhai Tower and Ancient City Wall of the Ming Dynasty.
Temple of Six Banyan Trees
This spot has been an ancient monastery and temple complex. Built originally during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Southern Liang Dynasty, this place offers tourists a rich collection of cultural relics. The pagoda in the temple is known as Six Banyan Pagoda or Flowery Pagoda. Visitors will find the Laughing Buddha as they enter the Tianwang Hall.
Guangzhou Zoo
Another attraction in Guangzhou is its zoo, famous for the largest overland ocean exhibition house and the country’s largest butterfly ecology garden. You can catch the panda, golden monkey, elk, black-necked crane and the South Chinese tiger. The Ocean World is part of the Guangzhou Zoo and offers many submarine wonders – Fresh Water World, Sea Turtle Pool, Shark Hall, Ocean Theater and Seaweed Pillar.
Space Flight Spectacle
A visit to the SFS promises to take you into the realms of the mysterious universe with a simulated space flight. Experience the rocket launching process at the Rocket Launch Command and Control Center here.
Bright Filial Piety Temple
This temple is ancient and is home to many antiques. The mushroom-shaped Grief Bell boasts of vivid embossments depicting various aspects of Buddhism. The stately Grand Hall, washing bowl spring, iron tower and stone bell represent aspects of Buddhist culture and the history of Guangzhou.
Han Nanyue King Tomb Museum
Built on an ancient tomb along a steep slope of a mountain, the Han Nanyue King Tomb Museum is home to a fine collection of jades, porcelain pillows and other antiques.
Macau
Macau’s unique attractions, world heritage, and fascinating museums add an irreplaceable dimension to a vibrant coastal city renowned as one of the finest holiday getaways in the region.
A-Ma Temple
Macau's name is derived from A-Ma-Gau or Place of A-Ma and this temple dedicated to the seafarers' goddess dates from the early 16th century. It consists of prayer halls, pavilions and courtyards built into the boulder-strewn hill and connected by winding paths through moon gates and tiny gardens. At the entrance is a large rock on which is engraved a traditional sailing junk.
Senado Square
The Senado square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones, created by Portuguese experts. From the main road to the church of St. Dominic, the pavement extends to the ruins of St. Paul's, making the heart of the city a pedestrian paradise.
Coloane village
Coloane's only village is historically a fishing village. Old traditions are still at hand as can be seen at the junk-building sheds that occupy the northern end of the village. Alongside the centrally located St Francis Xavier Chapel there are a number of Chinese temples dotted around town. And anyone looking for a meal will not be disappointed.
Chapel of our Lady Guina
Not one of the most famous chapels in Macau, nevertheless, this fine building has a unique and colorful history. Built in the 1600s, the chapel played a spiritual part in the 1622 Dutch invasion. It is said that the Virgin Mary rose above the place of worship and used her flowing robes to protect the Macanese from the attacks of the Dutch. The chapel contains a beautiful picture of John the Baptist, who is regarded highly in these parts because he acts as the local patron saint.
Hac Sa Beach
Hac Sa means black sand, and the sand at this beach is indeed an intriguing deep grey color. Longer than the Cheoc Van Beach, this beach is Macau's most popular beach. On the beach itself, there are jet skis for hire, whilst at the Hac Sa Sports and Recreation Ground there is everything from a swimming pool and mini-golf course to tennis and badminton courts.
Wine Museum
Aficionados of the grape should make this excellent museum their number one stop-off point after the duty-free shops in the ferry terminal. Here you can learn about wine, taste your favorite tipple, and listen to experts pontificate on bin numbers, years of vintage and introduce you to some of the oldest wines in the world, for example, the 1815 Medeira. China itself has stepped into the wine-growing business and you might get the chance to sample The People's Wine, a glass of Chateaux de Mao, or a perhaps a bottle of Revolutionary Red.
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