China Travel Guide http://www.chinalogue.com One Stop Travel Guide to China Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:00:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 China in November http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-november.html http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-november.html#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:00:10 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-november.html November is not yet winter but it’s not exactly a warm month either. The summer crowds are gone so you won’t be bothered by the crowds. The north is cold but southern China is pleasant. If you haven’t seen the fall foliage in October, you can still see it now.

Weather

The north is cold. Pack winter clothes, including the warm coat , sweaters and gloves. Central China is also cold and you can add the wind , as well. So make sure your jacket protects you. Southern China is milder but the weather can change suddenly. So pack for pretty much any weather. Layering is a good option.


Sample temperatures:

Beijing avg high 10C / avg low 0C
Shanghai avg high 19C / avg low 9C
Guangzhou avg high 25C / avg low 16C
Xi’an avg high 12C / avg low 3C

>>read more about Weather in China

Flights and Accommodation

If you fly in November, the flight to China is not that expensive but you should still book slightly in advance. Don’t worry about finding accommodation either. Still, booking in advance will usually bring some discounts.

What to do

Although not a warm city now, Beijing can offer a nice experience with all the crowds gone. Explore the Forbidden City at your own pace and plan for a day trip to the Great Wall.

>>read more about the Things to do in Beijing

Or you can plan to visit Shanghai, with its museums and parks. Don’t forget about the traditional food and you can even start your holidays shopping here.

>>read more about the Things to do in Shanghai

If you missed planning a trip to China in October and still want to see the fall foliage, there are some destinations which are worth your time. Fragrant Hill in Beijing still offers lovely colors at the beginning of the month and so does Miyaluo.

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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-november.html/feed 0 China in October http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-october.html http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-october.html#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:00:21 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-october.html If you avoid the first week of October – the National Day Holiday week – then October is one of the best to visit China. Plan to see the fall foliage and explore the Great Wall.

Weather

The weather is still pleasant but October means Autumn. So expect cold nights and cooler days. By the end of the month, the fall foliage is at its best providing amazing photo opportunities. Now is also ideal to visit the Great Wall as the views provided by the mountains are spectacular.

The north starts to get cooler by the day and cold at night. A t-shirt and a light jacket should be enough by day. At night, add more layers. In central China you can get away with a t-shirt by day but you need a jacket in the morning and evening. Layering is a good option if the weather gets colder. In the South it’s really warm so t-shirts and shorts are the norm. Long sleeve shirts are good for the evening.

Sample temperatures:

Beijing avg high 19C / avg low 8C
Shanghai avg high 23C / avg low 15C
Guangzhou avg high 29C / avg low 21C
Xi’an avg high 20C / avg low 10C

>>read more about Weather in China

Flights and Accommodation

If you want to visit China in October, avoid the first week. It’s a national holiday and everyone is traveling so the trains, buses and planes are crowded and expensive. So, plan your visit around mid-October. Book your flight to China in advance and don’t forget about the accommodation, either.

What to do

If you are after the fall foliage, plan your visit after mid-October. Some of the places to consider are: Beijing with its stunning Fragrant Hill , the Yellow Mountains (Tachuan) , Miyaluo, the Jiuzhaigou Valley and Qixia Mountain in Nanjing.

And while you are in Beijing, you can also plan to visit the Forbidden City and don’t forget about the Great Wall, either.

>>read more about the Things to do in Beijing

Another highlight of the month is the Great Wall. Thanks to the above mentioned fall foliage, the views from the wall are magnificent. Still, it’s autumn so it can be cold and windy on top of the wall. Make sure to pack appropriate clothing.

Tibet is also a good option now. It’s not too cold yet (access is quite impossible between November and March).

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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-october.html/feed 0 China in April http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-april.html http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-april.html#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:00:18 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-april.html April is one of the best times to visit China. From warm temperatures in the north , allowing for exploring the nature, to almost sunbathing weather in the south , China is a lovely place to be discovered now. Don’t forget the camera as the nature puts on a lovely show. And, best of all, the crowds haven’t arrived yet and you can enjoy the country at a slower pace.

Weather

April means spring and that brings warm weather and flowering trees. Spring also means it’s quite possible to rain. But don’t let that stop you from visiting the beautiful country.

In North China the temperatures are still on the colder side. Wear warm clothes and choose layering. Central and Southern China see quite a lot of rain during this time of the year, but the weather is quite warm. In Central China, a light coat is enough but don’t forget the umbrella. In the South you can get away with t-shirts during the day but pack a coat for the evenings.

Sample temperatures:

Beijing avg high 20C / avg low 8C
Shanghai avg high 19C / avg low 11C
Guangzhou avg high 26C / avg low 20C
Xi’an avg high 21C / avg low 10C

>>read more about Weather in China

Flights and accommodation

Now it’s time to gear up for the upcoming summer season, so the airfare and hotel room prices start to go up by the end of the month. Still, planning your vacation ahead of time means you can find an affordable flight to China . As for the places to stay, if the hotel proves to be a bit too expensive, look up hostels (especially in major cities).

What to do

April is a month which photographers love. So if you are looking for scenic beauty, head to Wuyuan (Jiangxi Province) or Luoping (Yunnan Province). You will be rewarded with magnificent scenery.

Sister’s Meal Festival is celebrated in Guizhou and this means you can see a lot of interesting activities, including horse racing.

The fans of Formula 1 should head to Shanghai (mid April) to see the event live. Or you can explore the city and enjoy some of its culinary delights.

>>read more about the Things to do in Shanghai

April is a lovely month to visit Beijing. It’s finally warm enough to indulge in spending time in nature and checking out the sites. You can plan to visit the Forbidden City and don’t forget about the Great Wall, either.

>>read more about the Things to do in Beijing

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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/what-to-do/china-in-april.html/feed 0 Getting from China to Taiwan http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-taiwan-to-china.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-taiwan-to-china.html#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:20 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-taiwan-to-china.html Taiwan is an island nation, located off the coast of southeastern mainland China and is governed by the Republic of China. Known for its crowded cities, Taiwan also offers lush forests and interesting mountains to explore.

Before 2008, getting from the mainland China to Taiwan was an adventure as there were no direct flights and travelers had to connect via Hong Kong. After 2008, things have improved and getting between mainland China and Taiwan is now easy.

Quick summary

It might be cheaper to travel by ferry between Xiamen and Kinmen and considering by land options for getting to/from the respective ports. Otherwise, you can fly directly from many cities on the mainland, but make sure to do the research in advance. Often it’s cheaper to fly via Hong Kong.

Flights from China to Taiwan

Taiwan is served by 5 airports, out of which only two operate flights to mainland China.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the main international airport serving Taiwan. It is hub for China Airlines, EVA Air and TransAsia Airways, offering flights to important cities in Asia, Europe and North America.

Air China operates flights to Beijing-Capital, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Shanghai-Pudong and Wenzhou; China Airlines flies to important mainland cities, such as Beijing-Capital, Chengdu, Guangzhou; China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, TransAsia Airways and other companies also operate flights to mainland China.

Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) serves Kaohsiung City, Taiwan and is not hub for any airline. However, it operates flights to mainland China. China Airlines fly to Beijing- Capital and Shenzhen, EVA Air and Uni Air serve Guangzhou.

In mid June 2012 , expect to pay from US$258 one way for a flight between Beijing and Taiwan Taoyuan on Hainan Airlines. The flight time is 3h. A return flight starts at US$451; but if you choose a connecting flight , you can save some (from US$431 on Hong Kong Airlines).

>>read more about Flights to China

Ferries from China to Taiwan

There is another way to get between China and Taiwan. There are direct boats from Xiamen – which is a coastal city – to Kinmen in Taiwan.

There are hourly ferries between the two cities, departing between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day. The fare is 180 RMB / US$29 one way.

Of course, you also need to consider the time and options to get to Xiamen and from Kinmen to Taipei or other destinations on the island.

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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-taiwan-to-china.html/feed 0 Getting from Beijing to the Great Wall of China http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-great-wall-of-china-to-beijing.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-great-wall-of-china-to-beijing.html#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:00:15 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-great-wall-of-china-to-beijing.html Aside from being the capital of China, Beijing is also the most important gateway into the well known Great Wall of China . The Great Wall can be visited in many places along its length and its condition ranges from ruined to excellent. Access also ranges from very easy to quite challenging.

Along the length there are a number of places to visit the Great Wall. The closest to Beijing are also touristy and the most crowded. So if you want some peace and quiet, choose a section that’s further from the capital.

Getting from Beijing to Badaling

Badaling section of the Great Wall can be easily visited as part of a day trip from the capital of Beijing. The good part is that on the weekdays, this section is not very crowded but you’d certainly want to avoid the weekends.

By bus

To get there, from Tiananmen Square take either bus 5 to the last stop or line 2 metro to Jishuitan station. Now walk to the bus station and take bus 919 to Badaling. The buses to Badaling leave in the morning so the last one is around noon; on the way back, the last one is around 4 p.m. so by 3:30 p.m. you should be in the station. The travel time is about an hour and the buses are quite crowded.

The bus from the center costs 1 RMB, while the metro ticket is 2 RMB. The bus fare for the bus 919 is 12 RMB.

>>read more about Bus travel in China

By train

There is also a train from Beijing North Station but make sure to call ahead and ask for the times of departure (they often change the hours). Trains run daily between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. , leaving every 40 min from Beijing. The fare is 6 RMB / US$1 one way.

Once you arrive, follow the rest of the passengers. The entrance to the wall is about 800 m from the station and it’s hard to miss. Entrance fee for visiting the wall is 45 RMB / US$7.50.

>>read more about Train travel in China

Getting from Beijing to Mutianyu

By bus

Mutianyu is further from Badaling but is less crowded. However, the big problem is that the only direct bus (bus 867) only runs during the tourist season (March 15 to November 13). The bus departs from Dongzhimen outer bus station, which can be reached from the Dongzhimen subway (take exit H). The ticket is 16 RMB one way and the travel time is about 2 ½ h. The entrance fee to visit the Wall is 45 RMB.

Notes:

  • At the time this article was written the Simatai section of the wall has been closed for repairs.
  • Jinshanling Section is also within easy reach of Beijing but there aren’t any public transportation options; the only way to visit this section is to ask the hotel to get a taxi for your trip.


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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-great-wall-of-china-to-beijing.html/feed 0 Getting from Beijing to Tianjin http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-tianjin-to-beijing.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-tianjin-to-beijing.html#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:00:14 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-tianjin-to-beijing.html Although an important port, Tianjin lacks the vitality of the Chinese coastal cities. The proximity to the capital of Beijing also means the bigger city overshadows Tianjin. Also, the city doesn’t exactly have too many buildings to show the tourists, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get bored. Between temples, monasteries and churches, you can visit a museum or spend time in the parks. Plus, you can always do some shopping.

While Tianjin has its own airport, the majority of travelers come by way of one of the Beijing’s airports (mostly Capital Airport).

>>book a flight to Beijing

Quick summary

The simplest and fastest way to get from Beijing to Tianjin is by fast train (C-category). The trains take about ½ h and they leave every 15-20 min from Beijing.

Trains from Beijing to Tianjin

The main station, Tianjin Railway Station, has been built in 1888, renovated in 1988 and again in 2008 for the Olympic Games. Three more stations have been built since.

Most trains linking Beijing to Tianjin are high speed C-category trains, which take 30 min to cover the distance. They depart from Beijing South and arrive at the main Tianjin station. Trains depart every 15-20 min from Beijing. The single fare is US$9 for 2nd class and US$10 for first class. Tickets can be bought from the station on the day of departure.

Other types of trains , K, G and D, also connect the two cities , departing from Beijing South or Beijing West.

>>read more about Train Travel in China

Buses from Beijing to Tianjin

It is possible to take a bus between the two cities. Also, you can catch a bus directly from Gate 5 of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport (the bus also passes by Gate 11 of Terminal 2, where you can also board it). There are buses departing daily between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. every 30 min. The single fare is US$10. Taking the bus from the city is slightly cheaper, though (about US$5).

>>read more about Bus Travel in China

Driving from Beijing to Tianjin

You can rent a car (preferably with a driver) in Beijing and drive the 140 km to Tianjin in about 2 h (depending on the traffic).


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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-tianjin-to-beijing.html/feed 0 Getting from Beijing to Lhasa http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-lhasa-to-beijing.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-lhasa-to-beijing.html#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:00:54 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-lhasa-to-beijing.html Last summer I read “Seven Years in Tibet” and probably like anyone who has read the book, have fallen in love with the magical land described. Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, located in a valley in the Himalayas. It can be harshly cold in the winters , while summers are pleasantly warm. Much has changed since the book was written, but Lhasa still has its charm, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Non-Chinese visitors (still) need a permit to visit Tibet and they are required to hire a guide for the entire length of their stay. It’s almost impossible to get a permit for an individual but small groups get these papers easier. The only way to get a permit is through a Chinese travel agency. If you want to travel further than Lhasa, a different permit is needed (as well as having the one allowing you to get to Lhasa, of course).

Quick summary

The cheapest way to get between Beijing and Lhasa is by train. A hard sleeper will set you back US$240 one way and you’ll be traveling for 2 nights. The faster option is the plane but the fare doubles.

Flights from Beijing (airport code: PEK) to Lhasa

Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) is located about 62 km from the city and it takes about an hour to reach it. It is one of the highest airports in the world. The airport is hub for Tibet Airlines and receives mostly domestic traffic. International flights are available to/from Hong Kong.

Although Beijing is served by two airport, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the main airport serving the capital and the one handling flights to/from Tibet. It is the busiest airport in Asia and the second busiest in the world. The airport is hub for Air China, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

Flights to/from Beijing Capital Airport are operated by Air China and China Southern Airlines. The flight time is 4 h 15 min. The single fare, in mid-June 2012, starts at US$412. Connecting flights (1 stop via Chongqing, China) cost the same though. Return flights in mid-June 2012 start at US$794 (whether it’s direct or connection).

>>book a flight to Beijing

Trains from Beijing to Lhasa

Trains use the Qinghai-Tibet Railway , the highest in the world, to get to Lhasa and it wasn’t until 2006 that a regular passenger service started operating on this route. Because of the issues linked to traveling at a very high altitude, all passenger coaches have extra oxygen added and passengers can use extra oxygen tubes if needed.

There is a daily express train from Beijng to Lhasa, which takes 2 nights to complete the journey. The train has AC, hard & soft sleeper, hard & soft seats, as well as restaurant car. The train departs Beijing daily at 8:09 p.m. and arrives on the third day at 4 p.m. On the way back, catch the train from Lhasa at 1:45 p.m. daily.

Tickets can be bought online (via authorized agents) or directly at the train station. The single fare is US$113 for a hard sleeper if the ticket is bough in Beijing or US$240 if bought online via an authorized agent. For the soft sleeper, expect to pay US$174 or US$310 respectively. However, the travel agents can also get the permit required to enter Lhasa.

>>read more about Train Travel in China

Driving from Beijing to Lhasa

Technically, you can rent a car in Beijing and travel all the way to Lhasa. Practically, since you need a permit just to visit Lhasa and it’s unlikely to get it for an individual (but rather for a small group) , driving to Lhasa might just prove to be an impossible affair. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask a car rental agency, because you’ll need to hire a driver anyway.

So, in theory, you can choose one of the three routes, all covering 3600+ km. The drive time is abut 2 ½ days. Needless to say, plan this as a road trip, rather than just going from point A to point B. So, make several stops along the way.


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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-lhasa-to-beijing.html/feed 0 American Embassy in China http://www.chinalogue.com/travel/american-embassy-in-china.html http://www.chinalogue.com/travel/american-embassy-in-china.html#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:00:48 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/travel/american-embassy-in-china.html In general, when a US citizen needs the help of the American Embassy, something went terribly wrong. The American Embassy in Beijing is meant to offer assistance to the US citizens living in China and those traveling to China.

The emergency services offered by the American Embassy include:

  • assistance to US citizens arrested or detained in China
  • assistance to US citizens victims of crimes in China
  • death of a US citizen in China
  • emergency transfer of funds
  • access to list of lawyers and doctors
  • replacement of lost or stolen passport

Other services, such as report of birth, report of death and notary services, are also offered by the embassy.

Emergency Contact

For emergencies after-hours, if you are in China call: 010-8531-4000. If you are calling from the United States, dial (011-8610) 8531-4000.

US Embassy in Beijing

Address: No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu 100600, Beijing
Telephone: (86-10) 8531-3000
Web address
E-mail (American Citizen Servicies): AmCitBeijing@state.gov

Opening hours
Mon, Tue, Fri 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wed, Thu 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m

All routine services are by appointment only.

]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/travel/american-embassy-in-china.html/feed 0 Getting from Shanghai to Nanjing http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-nanjing-to-shanghai.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-nanjing-to-shanghai.html#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:00:46 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-nanjing-to-shanghai.html Nanjing (literally meaning “southern capital”) is a renowned historical city, former capital of several dynasties. The Ming tombs are included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List and are the most important historical landmarks in the city.

Quick summary

It’s cheaper to travel by bus than by train between Shanghai and Nanjing but trains are definitely faster. The route is served by the new high speed G-category trains, reducing the travel time to 1 h.

Flights from Shanghai (airport code: PVG) to Nanjing

Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) is located about 35 km from the city center and is served mostly by domestic flights, although some international flights are available, too. It’s not a hub for any airline.

Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the main international gateway into Shanghai. The airport is located 40 km from the city. Pudong is hub for the following airlines: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines.

Direct flights between the two cities are operated only by China Eastern Airlines. The flight time is 1h . In mid-May 2012 expect to pay from US$43 one way, while return flights start at US$104. In mid-July 2012 expect to pay from US$83 one way.

>>book a flight to Shanghai

Trains from Shanghai to Nanjing

There are two train stations in Shanghai which operate trains to Nanjing: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station. All trains on the route are high speed G-category trains and the fares start at US$37 one way. The travel time is about an hour and there are departures every 5 to 30 min from Shanghai.


>>read more about Train Travel in China

Buses from Shanghai to Nanjing

Zhongyangmen Long-Distance Bus Station is the station used by buses traveling to/from Shanghai. It is close to the Nanjing Railway Station. There are about 20 buses departing from both cities, every day. The travel time is about 4 hours and the single fare is 68 RMB / US$10.80.

>>read more about Bus Travel in China

Driving from Shanghai to Nanjing

You can rent a car (preferably with a driver) in Shanghai and travel the 300 km to Nanjing in about 3 ½ h (depending on the traffic).


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]]> http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-nanjing-to-shanghai.html/feed 0 Getting from Shanghai to Suzhou http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-suzhou-to-shanghai.html http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-suzhou-to-shanghai.html#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:00:34 +0000 Cristina http://www.chinalogue.com/places-to-go/getting-from-suzhou-to-shanghai.html Suzhou is a Chinese city well known for its traditional waterside architecture and lovely gardens. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the center of silk trade and a city which draws artists and craftsmen.

Most tourists arrive by way of one of Shanghai’s airports, although Wuxi is closer. However, the letter is served only by domestic flights.

Quick summary

The fastest and easiest way to travel between Shanghai and Suzhou is by train. There are high speed G-category trains connecting the two cities and the travel time is about ½ h.

Trains from Shanghai to Suzhou

Suzhou Railway Station is where the trains from Shanghai arrive. It is located just north of downtown. Most trains connecting Shanghai to Suzhou are G-category (high speed) and they depart from Shanghai’s central station. The travel time is 25 min. K-category trains and D-category trains also connect the two cities (the travel time is about 1h for the K-category trains).

The single fare is 35 RMB / US$5.60 on G-category trains, 15 RMB / US$2.40 on K-category trains and 25 RMB / US$4 on D-category trains.

>>read more about Train Travel in China

Buses from Shanghai to Suzhou

Suzhou is served by three bus stations, but the shuttles to/from Shanghai use Suzhou South Bus Station. It is located south of the city and is well connected to the center by buses.

An easy way to travel by bus between the two cities is to take Airport Bus 1 from Shanghai which has a stop in Suzhou. The travel time is about an hour. There are buses departing Shanghai daily every hour between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

>>read more about Bus Travel in China

Driving from Shanghai to Suzhou

You can rent a car (preferably with a driver) in Shanghai and travel the 106 km to Suzhou in about 1 ½ h (depends on the traffic, though).


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