Five ‘Must-See’ China Attractions for your China Holiday

1. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive man-made wonders of the world and is understandably a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching over 4100 miles (6700km) from East to West, the Wall took over 1800 years to complete and is now well over 2000 years old. Understandably some of the sections are no longer safe for hiking however the parts that are leave a lasting impression that is rarely surpassed.

2. The Imperial Palaces in Beijing

Beijing is a stunning combination of ancient delights and modern wonders and the Imperial Palaces are a strong reminder of China’s vibrant past. Also known as the Forbidden City, the area is possibly the best-preserved Imperial Palace Complex in the world with visible additions from the 34 emperors that lived and ruled from there. The complex is located in the centre of the vibrant city with Tiananmen Square just outside. The Forbidden City is an absolute must-see if you want a true look at Imperial China of the past.

3. Wolong Nature Reserve

The Wolong Nature Reserve covers a vast area at the base of the Qionglai Mountains and houses the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary. The higher areas of the sanctuary have been home to the Panda Breeding Centre for over 20 years and visitors can track for wild panda footprints in the hope of spotting these elusive creatures. For the less adventurous there are pandas within the breeding centre that are easily seen. The reserve also has stunning scenery and over 4000 species of plants for nature lovers to admire. A trip to China just wouldn’t be complete without a sighting of the endangered Giant Pandas.

4. Shanghai

This is the largest industrial city in China. However it began life as a traditional fishing village many centuries ago. The city combines modern life with traditional values and is a thriving multicultural metropolis that offers fine dining, museums, stunning architecture and one of the best shopping hot spots in the world. Other sights worth seeing include the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe and the beautiful Yu Yang Garden complete with spectacular giant carp ponds.

5. The Great Silk Road

The Great Silk Road was once a thriving trade route that connected the East with the West. The road begins in China and visits seven historical countries before reaching Georgia in the West and today provides a fantastic trekking opportunity for enthusiasts. Along the route, trekkers can see a variety of unique cities, towns and villages, historical monuments and ancient customs at work, even if they stick to the Chinese section of the road. This attraction provides a great opportunity to see rural China at its best and the treks can last from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on how enthusiastic you are.

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The Great Silk Road

Once an important caravan trade route, the Great Silk Road is now a fantastic trekking opportunity for those taking tours of china. The road first operated in the 2^nd Century BC and ran from the silk producing areas of China through to the main regions of the Roman Empire. Obviously at that time the main commodity being traded was the luxurious silk of China – hence the name of the road.

Over the centuries, the Great Silk Road developed into a complex system of caravan routes that started in China and ran across Asia and Europe. This one road is responsible for the growth and development of some of the most influential cities of history plus the art of paper manufacturing and silk worm breeding in Central Asia.

Trekking the Great Silk Road

The road runs for thousands of miles, so trekking the entire length of the original Great Silk Road takes plenty of determination and some very stout boots. Most people who want to experience the sights of the ancient road tend to stick to the Chinese section and there are various ways to do this.

You can start from Beijing or Shanghai and travel the first section of the road westward until you reach Urumqi, a beautiful city on the edge of China. From here you can then fly back to your starting point with the entire trip taking around two weeks. On the way you’ll be treated to some of China’s richest landscapes and the towns and cities you visit are perfect for showing the true culture of the Orient.

The top attractions of the trek include the cities of Turpan – where you’ll find unique oases and ancient Buddha Caves – Dunhuang, Jiayuguan and Xian. Many smaller towns are also included in the itineraries of organised treks to truly big the experience alive.

Another option is to just explore the sections of the Great Silk Road around Beijing or Shanghai. You can spend as many days as you like and there are still plenty of examples of ancient architecture, stunning landscapes and oriental treasures to be seen.

For those that are keen on trekking and fancy a change from the Great Wall of China then the Great Silk Road is the perfect alternative. There are plenty of tour operators in the main cities that offer guided treks along the route, or if you prefer you can trek unattended and put together your own itinerary.

Although not as widely known as the other attractions of China, this trekking route is very popular and people who walk the road often see a side of China that they never thought existed. This beautiful route takes you back in time and shows you the best that China has to offer while also letting you see the cities that very few others get to see.

With high quality accommodation and personal service, Haiyatt Hotel is the best choice for you to reside while in Shanghai.

Location
Located in CaoHeJing Hi-Tech Development District, in west part of Shanghai, Haiyatt Hotel is placed just 15 minutes from HongQiao Domestic Airport and 45 minutes from PuDong International Airport.

Rooms
Haiyatt Hotel hosts a total of 250 thoughtfully designed and elegant style guestroom, including suites. All the accommodation units are elegantly decorated and come with a host of modern amenities.

Restaurant
For your dining pleasure, the hotel offers a choice of superb restaurants serving Chinese, Tepanyaki and Japanese cuisine. The bar is also an ideal place for a refreshing drink and for meeting friends.

General
Haiyatt Hotel offers a multifunctional room that can accommodates up to 120 people and is an ideal place to host your social and business meets. Furthermore, recreation facilities at the hotel include an indoor swimming pool, Haiyatt international spa, sauna, foot soak and Thai finger press massage.

Visit Haiyatt Hotel Shanghai Now

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China is the largest country in East Asia with Beijing as its capital city.  In this video clip learn the basics of China.

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Official preview from the Bureau of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. Animated fly-over and major attractions. Posted with permission. The Expo homepage is at http://en.expo2010china.com/.

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The Silk Road in Gansu, China, 2006

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Music: The Great Dunhuang, by Dao Lang

A Chinese tourist visa is a requirement of all U.S. citizens who would like to do tourism on the mainland. While the Chinese consular services offers several differnt types of visas, this article will provide information on how to apply for a China tourist visa.

Visa applications by mail are no longer accepted by the Chinese consular services. You can submit the application yourself or get someone you know to do it for you. This can be a friend, relative, travel agent or visa expediter.

The validiy on a China visa can be either 3, 6 or 12 months. You have the choice of single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa. An additional travel permit is necessary in order to visit any non-open city. This can be obtained at the local public security bureau in China.

The China Tourist Visa

A China tourist visa, also known as an L visa, is usually valid for 30 days from the day of entry. Upon arrival, your documents will be examined by an inspection agent. If all your documentation is in order, an entry seal will be stamped in them. You have to submit a request at the local public security bureau if you decide to extend your stay in China.

A tourist visa limits your activity while in China to tourism and visits with family or friends. You need to request a Foreign Travel Permit at the local public security office if you would like to enter a restricted area.

Chinese Visa Requirements

The following items are required in order to obtain a tourist visa to China.

Declaration Form

All travelers who apply for a China visa are required to also complete the Declaration Form. You need to fill in your full name, nationality, passport number and the countries or U.S. states you have visited in the two weeks before filling out the form.

Valid United States Passport

You have to submit your current, valid and signed U.S. passport along with the application for the tourist visa. Your passport needs to have six months validity beyond your date that you arrive in China. Also, you should make sure you have at least one blank visa page in your passport.

ONE (1) Passport-Style Photograph

The photo has to be 2×2 inches in size. It is recommended that you obtain the photo at a location that has experience with passport photos. The photo will only be accepted by the consulate if it is high resolution, clear, and provides proper contrast with white background.

Completed Chinese Visa Application

The China visa application has seven sections. The first section is for personal information such as name, sex, nationality, date of birth, passport number, occupation, etc. The second section is where you provide information about your trip to China. You have to submit the reason for your trip, the number of entries you want, when you plan to arrive in China and how long you plan to stay.

Questions about your health and prior travel are found in Section 3. You need to include information about previous trips to China. Section 4 is for your contact information such as home address, work or school address, contact in China, telephone numbers and email.

The fifth section is for additional declarations about your trip. The sixth section asks information about the person that completed the form if other than the person requesting the visa. The seventh and final section is for your signature.

How to Get Your China Tourist Visa Quickly

Regular processing of your visa to China can take 4 business days or more. Express and rush processing can be requested in you need to obtain your visa quickly. Express processing takes 2 to 3 business days. Rush processing can be done in only 1 business day. Both these expediting services require the payment of an additional fee.

If you are unable to travel to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate general and do not have a friend or relative who can do it for you, then you will need to contract a private visa expediter. Expediters will submit your visa application and accompanying documentation for you. This allows you to get your China visa expedited as quickly as the same day.

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Overview of Shanghai

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Beijing forbidden city. Influences of colours and numbers on the architecture of China’s forbidden city…

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A visit to China to see the wonderful places and historical landmarks there would be one of the most memorable experiences that could happen to anyone and this could be even more unforgettable if shared with loved ones and your children. However, traveling with children has some drawbacks as children are naturally mischievous, easily bored and would not stay in one place for a long time. This is why the following tips for China travel with children should be considered during your travel preparations, and these are quite different from tips for traveling to china alone.

Preparation and Other Tips for China Travel with Children

Traveling with children can be a great challenge and would definitely test your preparedness and whatever amount of patience you have in reserve. However, with the right preparation, traveling with children can be a rewarding experience and the following tips for China travel with children can help enjoy your trip and get the most wonderful experience with your family.

* Considerations before Departure

There are special considerations when traveling to China with kids and this includes visa and passport requirements and the corresponding discounts on fares and other fees. Prepare an itinerary that could cater also to your children, particularly cultural and educational destinations. Choose trips that would be relaxed for you and your children and avoid destinations where you would exert much effort physically. These tips for China travel with children are beneficial for the enjoyment of the journey.

* Your Children’s Health and Needs

One of the most important tips for China travel with children is to make sure your children are fit for travel. Have them checked up before embarking and always follow what your doctors say and recommend and if bring required medicines as required. Ensure that you have everything you need in your luggage including proper clothes for children, toys, food, feeding-bottles if you have an infant with you and a complete first-aid kit.

* Transportation

Your children’s safety is foremost during travel and is one of the most important tips for China travel with children so ensure that they are properly wearing seat belts or placed in a special seating. Make arrangement with you airlines, ship or train stations regarding special needs of your children so these can be prepared in advance. Do not let them out of your site or let them wander in the cabin and other areas. Manage to keep the children quiet and occupied during the journey by supplying activities that are able to capture their attention.

* Lodging

When making arrangements for your accommodation, contact your hotel prior to embarking, informing them of your condition and to make sure adequate facilities for your children, like extra beds or a crib, are available and prepared. Part of the tips for China travel with children is to check any items or gadgets in your hotel room upon your arrival that may be dangerous to your children. Ensure that you are knowledgeable of emergency procedures and other related facilities in your place of accommodation.

* Food and Drinks

Unlike adults, children may not be appreciative of certain foods and dishes that are new to their palates. While in China, avoid letting them eat unwashed or unpeeled fruits, as well as some uncooked delicacies you might encounter on your journeys. These tips for China travel with children could help you avoid problems with upset stomachs or even diarrhea. There are lots of commercial foods available at grocery stores which your children can eat if you have problems with the local dishes.

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