Spring (February to April) is an excellent time to plan your vacation in Beijing. The weather is dry and windy. But it’s low season so you won’t be bumping into endless crowds and you have the sights for yourself.

Since China is not exactly close to either Europe or North America, the bulk of the travel budget is going to be the flight. So it only makes sense to search for cheap flights to Beijing ahead of time and book your flight when you find the best deal. Of course, flying during the low season is a great choice to save on airfare.

If you fly from London to Beijing in early April, the non-stop RT flight starts at $978 (on Air China). Virgin Atlantic and British Airways also offer direct flights but the prices are much higher.

Should you want to fly from New York to Beijing during the same period, the non-stop RT flight starts at $898 (on Continental). Air China, United and US Airways also offer direct flights but the fares are more expensive.

Now that you have the flight secured, it’s time to look for hotels in China . In large cities, such as Beijing, it’s important to choose a place to stay close to the main sights. Depending on the location and the facilities offered, rates start at as low as $34 per night during the low season. With a bit of planning ahead you can stay in a 4-star hotel with just $64 per night, right in the heart of Beijing.

Tips

Make sure to always carry a map and be sure to know exactly where you want to go. Carry the name of the hotel with you and the name of the place where you want to go. It’s quite hard to find someone who speaks English so you need to be prepared.

Metered taxis and the metro are the two best choices for travelers. Buses are crowded and the names of the stations are only in Chinese so it can be a daunting task to figure out things.

Stay away from buying anything in China. Fake designer products are everywhere and we bet that’s not what you want to bring back as souvenir.

Photo credit

Despite the growing similarities between Hong Kong and the rest of China’s big cities, there are still plenty of reasons to stop there when you’re visiting the country.

Unfortunately, Hong Kong is notoriously expensive - and its budget options notoriously seedy and/or dirty. There are a few standouts among the city’s hostels, but many of them are famous for being a rite of passage among backpackers. They’re cramped, usually fairly dirty, not terribly secure, and housed in giant multi-storey buildings (ironically called “mansions”) with restaurants, businesses, and shopping centers crammed in on other floors. Too many budget travelers end up in these less-than-desirable accommodation settings and end up with a sour feeling toward Hong Kong, which is sad because it’s avoidable.

There are a few basics to know about cheap beds in Hong Kong that are going to be true pretty much all the time, whether you’re staying in one of the hostels mentioned above or have opted for something a little bit nicer. The primary one is that bedrooms in Hong Kong are known for being tiny. This is almost always going to be the case unless you’re willing to splurge on a more modern and luxurious hotel, because many of the cheap hotels in Hong Kong occupy exisiting buildings that don’t allow for larger room sizes.

The good news is that although the more expensive accommodation options in Hong Kong may be out of the range of the backpacker on the strictest travel budget, hotels that are more on the high-end in Hong Kong are typically much cheaper than a similar place would be in other big cities like Paris or London or New York. So if your travel budget is somewhere in the mid-range, be sure to look at a star-level that’s at least one higher than you might usually go for to see how far your money will take you.

photo by skyseeker

Chongsheng Three Pagodas
While the Three Pagodas don’t offer as much as some of the other temples on this list, they still shouldn’t be missed. The entrance fee to see the pagodas is extremely cheap, but to get the most out of your visit you should look into taking a guided tour of the area for an additional cost. This is a great spot to come and relax for a while. You will see many tourists enjoying a pinic in the nearby park.

Lingyin Temple
In short, the temples name translates into English as Temple Of The Soul’s Retreat, or Temple of Inspired Seclusion. The founder of the temple, Ling Yin though the area was so beautiful that it must be a place where immortals lived. If that’s not an endorsement to visit the site, I don’t know what is. As one of the largest temples in China there is no shortage of great historical and religious displays for you to see.

Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is easily one of the most recognizable sites in Beijing. in fact, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Needles to say that if you are a photographer, you will definitely enjoy visiting this attraction. This temple is so massive and offers so much to see and do that you should plan to spend the better part of the day here. If you are a photographer going to load up on shots, you’ll want to plan to be here all day.

Wong Tai Sin Temple
Located in Hong Kong, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is dedicated to the Taoist deity, Wong Tai Sin. It is free to visit this popular tourist attraction, but leaving a donation is recommended. Aside from the main altar, there is also several other areas of interest to visit. These areas include the archive hall, the three saints hall, and the earth wall.

What To Expect

Altogether, Hong Kong Disneyland China’s four parks have more than 25 attractions. There is also street entertainment, dining, shops and an area to meet the Disney characters in each park. The park is small, and it’s best to not go in expecting something like Disneyland Orlando. Because of the park’s size, it’s likely it will take only a day or less to go through the whole thing.

Main Street U.S.A. has six attractions including the Animation Academy, High School Musical: LIVE! and City Hall. In Tomorrowland, visitors will find the Orbitron and Space Mountain, as well as four other attractions. Fantasyland has the most attractions, 12 of them, which include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Snow White’s Grotto and Fantasy Gardens. Adventureland has only four attractions, including Raft’s and Tarzan’s Treehouse and a Jungle River Cruise.

Hours of Operation
Hong Kong Disneyland-China’s regular hours are 10am to 7 pm, though it’s prudent to check before you go.

Entrance Fees
On a regular day, children’s tickets cost 210HKD, or $27. Adult tickets cost 295HKD or $38. The price is more on special days and peak days, which fall on holidays and weekends.

How to Get There
Lantau Island is very accessible, so getting to Hong Kong Disneyland is easy. Available pubic transportation includes buses and taxis, and it is also accessible by car. The transportation costs vary depending on where you’re leaving from.

If you’re driving, the parking fees are 120 Hong Kong Dollars, or about $15.50 American. The parking facilities are open for two hours before and after the park closes, so it’s easy and convenient to get in and out.

On the third floor, walk around the city at ground level, or climb up to an encircling walkway for a birds-eye view of urban Shanghai as it will look in 2020. Controlled lighting shows you the city from morning through night time. The vision of future Shanghai is a sea of high-rise apartment buildings, punctuated by small urban parks and public areas. Clear plastic models indicate structures not yet built in the plan. In addition to the large model, the third-floor offers a virtual tour of Shanghai thanks to 360-degree video technology.

The museum also houses a photography exhibit of Shanghai past and present, an architectural bookstore, space for changing exhibits, interactive exhibits for younger visitors, a cafe, and an art gallery.

Hours of Operation
9 a.m. -5 p.m. daily
(Ticket sales end at 4 p.m.)

Admission
¥30 ($4.40)

How to get there
The Urban Planning Museum at 100, Renmin Avenue, is located in Shanghai’s People’s Square, within walking distance of the Shanghai Museum, the city’s Grand Theater, and the municipal government building. Take the Shanghai Metro (Line 1 or 2) to People’s Square Station.

What to Expect

There’s a reason Dali Gucheng is known as the backpacker’s paradise. The weather is generally temperate with an abundance of sunlight year round. Dali Gucheng is affected by the monsoon season, which lasts from June to October. It is wise to bring warm clothing along, as the city is sometimes cooled by monsoon winds.

Hours of Operation

As a residential district of Yunnan, the Ancient City is open at all times, but buses stop running in late evening.

Admission Cost

Tourists enjoy the affordable prices and lovely quality of hotels, cuisine, and souvenirs along the famous “Foreigner’s Street,” which features Western items. Be prepared to pay for attractions like the Three Pagodas, which is a fee of 120 yuan (approx. $18).

How to Get There

Dali Gucheng is about 12km away from Dali City, where tourists are likely to arrive. Buses, trains (8 hrs), and air flights (4 hrs) run between nearby Kunming and Dali City, but schedules for both train and air travel are affected by monsoon season. Regional buses typically operate between 6:30 AM and 9:30 PM from the two major bus terminals. Transportation into Dali Gucheng can be arranged with a tour service, often offered by hotels in Dali City, or by local bus. As rates and discounts vary between public and charter buses, it is best to check both options upon arrival.

What To Expect
The weather in Tianjin is rainy through the months of May to August. Covered walkways are offered throughout the park, giving protection from the elements. Sunscreen and insect repellent is highly recommended for the sunny and humid days. Traffic is usually busy all year. Public transportation is highly recommended.

Hours Of Operation
Shuishang Park is open all year around, from six in the morning until seven in the evening. The activities offered within the area, such as the amusement park and zoo, are open during park hours. These are subject to change depending on weather.

Admission Costs
Admission into the park itself is free. A small fee of $5 will be charged for admission into the zoo. The amusement park and other park fees are subject to change.

How To Get There
Shuishang Park is located on Shuishang Park Road, Tianjin 300000, China. If the traveller does not know the area well, it is better to arrange for public transportation as there are no maps of the surrounding area easily accessible online. Tianjin offers several travelling methods, including: Bus terminals, and an excellent rail network. Other public transportation may be available.

The Giant Panda Museum attracts many international visitors as an educational research attraction. Chengdu Research Base is a great place to visit for learning more about and just enjoying the rare Giant Pandas.

How to Get There

By Bus:
From Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station, take the special 902 bus line which goes directly to the research base. From Chengdu Qinglongchang Bus Station, take either bus route 107 or 532 to reach the base.

By Taxi or Driving:
No.26, Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu Sichuan, P.R China 610081

What to Expect
With 106 acres of beautiful habitat, there are many things to see and do. A walking tour of the research base may take approximately 3 hours. However, for ￥10.00 for adults and children over 1.2m (4ft), visitors may take a bus tour which lasts approximately an hour and a half. Tour guides are available for a fee.

Hours of Operation
Chengdu Research Base is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday throughout the course of the year.

What to Expect
The newly-built Daoying Park, just south of the pagodas, is considered one of the best places to take pictures of the stately Chongsheng Three Pagodas. Bring lunch and a blanket to have a picnic in the sight of the breathtaking beauty of the skyline. Or try to position yourself and your camera to make best use of the Juying Chi, or Reflection Pond, behind the pagodas for great, symmetrical pictures. Either way, make sure to bring your camera with you on your visit since the best part of the pagodas is the pictures they create.

Nearby on the marble street, there are plenty of workshops and craft shops selling a variety of marble and brick-painting memorabilia and keepsakes. A large number of pictures, postcards and statues of the pagodas, especially, are available here for souvenirs.

Average Costs
The admission fee for going to the Chongsheng Three Pagodas site itself costs 120 yen, but the pagodas are best enjoyed in conjunction with a tour of other historically important sites. There are walking tours of Dali that will take you past the three pagodas, as well as a number of other historical Dali attractions for as little as 160 yen a person.

Hours of Operation
The pagodas are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and an average visit is about two hours. When visiting at night, the pagodas are lit up to create an illumination skyline.

How to get there
The street is easily visible from any perspective in the tiny town of Dali. One should have no trouble finding it. If perchance, you did have trouble, simply ask one of the friendly locals to point the way!

What to expect
The weather in this area of China is cool all year long. Summer temperatures reach heights in the mid-eighties, but winter lows can plunge below freezing. Make sure to dress for cool weather in summer and bring layers of clothing to take on and off. Cold weather should be expected for any other season and appropriate bundles of clothing should be brought along to keep you toasty.

What you’ll find
You are sure to find an amazing bargain at any of the many souvenir shops on this famous tourist street. Guesthouses also offer prices any Western pocketbook can easily afford. However, you do not have to pay face value for anything. Please do not be afraid to haggle! It is a time honored tradition that is carried out here as in other parts of the world.

When to go
As there are many places of business on this street, you are sure to find life at any time of day. Restaurants will serve you into the evening, while clothing stores will close much earlier. Arrive early and spend a leisurely day perusing the items in each store. Have a custom tailored suit made to show your friends at home!