Chinese Chequers: eat sleep travel in China

New Delhi: China’s vast and diverse territory endows the country with some really diverse and the most beautiful tourist attractions. 

From its natural scenery, the overwhelming Forbidden Cities to the great architecture of all times, it offers a comprehensive trip full of fun and adventure. 

The new sights and sounds, a new language to process, new customs and ways of doing things, different food, and a different time zone and climate would give you a wholesome diverse experience to travel and experience a new place. 

For your first visit, NewsMobile gives you few recommendations regarding where, when, why and how to travel once you get there.

Cities which you must list to your travel plan are:

 

BEIJING — Ancient and Modern Capital

Beijing is home to some of the finest remnants of China’s imperial past, most famously the Great Wall of China, China’s legendary line of defense; the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace complex in the world; the Temple of Heaven, fascinating site of imperial worship; and the Summer Palace, a lovely imperial garden. 

The city offers great infrastructure including modern buildings, the super-modern Olympic Village, with the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube; the dazzling shopping malls in Wangfujing Street and the colorful entertainment center of Houhai.

 

SHANGHAI — China’s Prosperous Largest City

Shanghai, China’s biggest city oozes an atmosphere of vitality which can rival New York and Paris in terms of modernity. Shanghai’s modernity is evidenced by the ambitious skyline in the Pudong Economic Zone and the gorgeous night scenes of the Huangpu River, when the spectacular lights of its immense towers dance in unison.

The Bund, the waterfront of the city gives a vivid illustration of the combination of East and West cultures through its large collection of colonial architecture. 

 

XI’AN — A Window on China’s Ancient Civilization

Xi’an is an excellent place to experience life in the pre-Beijing dynasties. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty banquet and show, and see temples, a mosque, pagodas, and towers that are more than 1,000 years old.

Thus Xi’an is blessed with a great number of precious relics and historical sites, with the highlights being the Terracotta Army (a contender for the eighth wonder of the world), two historical Buddhist Pagodas (Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda), the Great Mosque, the Ancient City Wall, and the Banpo Site (a prehistoric civilization museum).

 

GUILIN — China’s Top Karst Landscape

Guilin, with its marvelous limestone scenery, is renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Guilin has some of China’s most famous scenery: karst peaks combined with the Li River. Also visit Longsheng to see the rice terraces and long-haired Yao minority women.

The city is in the center of two tourist honey pots: Yangshuo and Longsheng, which are renowned for their beautiful scenery. Yangshuo in particular has become a paradise for backpackers.

 

HONG KONG — Like Nowhere Else on the Earth

Hong Kong is not like any other place on earth. Hong Kong is a city with fusion of cultures. Hong Kong is a world-renowned shopping paradise, known for its tourist-friendly atmosphere and numerous options. Also, the magical kingdom inspired by fairy-tale at Disneyland is surely a treat for all. 

 

When to Travel

The best weather is now i.e. during spring and autumn.  But hotel rates are higher at those times. Prices are lower in the shoulder seasons: February/early June and September/late November/December. Also, avoid China’s major holidays, as transport and tourist areas are packed and prices for hotels double or more. 

 

Non-Recommended Areas

China’s west and extreme north could almost be considered as different countries for visiting separately. The Muslim northwest and Inner Mongolia are not recommended for a first visit, as they are not representative of China, and travel, climatic, and other conditions are harsher than places recommended above.

 

Getting there

There are direct flights taking approximately 6-8 hours from New Delhi to the Chinese city including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chengdu.

 

Getting around

Air

China’s air network is extensive and airports are regularly being built and upgraded. On domestic flights, economy passengers usually have a free baggage allowance of 20kg and 5kg of hand luggage. Excess baggage charges can be steep.

Train

China has taken rail travel into the modern age with punctual high-speed networks crisscrossing the country. Although sometimes crowded, trains are a great way to mix with locals. 

Taxi

It is easy to hail a cab in big cities. Taxis are metered, inexpensive and plentiful but few drivers speak English so it will be necessary to ask your concierge to write in Chinese characters your destination and the name of your hotel for the return journey. 

Foot

In Beijing, the best way to move around the back streets is as a pedestrian (e.g between the Temple of Heaven, Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City).

Underground

Beijing and Shanghai both have excellent metro systems, which are user-friendly, cheap, quick and reliable.