Tour China: The Ultimate Guide

Magical temples, the special nature, the Chinese wall and the delicious traditional cuisine. All this and more you will discover for yourself during a tour through China. Visit the 'land of the dragon' yourself and let yourself be enchanted.

1. Features China

To make sure you are well prepared for your trip and don't have to worry about anything, we list the most important information for a tour through China for you. Practical things as well as travel tips you shouldn't miss out on during your trip. You can find it all here.

2. Useful tips for a round trip to China

• Take a travel or world plug with you as the sockets are different from those in the Netherlands. So you can use and charge your electrical devices.
• The Chinese language is very difficult. A word can be pronounced in different ways and always mean something different. It is advisable to always carry the contact details of the hotel or accommodation with you. You can then show this, so that you can always come back to your accommodation.
• WeChat is the Chinese version of WhatsApp. You can download this App to stay in touch with your friends and family in the Netherlands via the internet. Provided, of course, that they also download the App.
• You can't drink the tap water in China. So rather buy bottles of mineral water.
• Devert very very quiet restaurants better. Here it is more likely that food has been in stock for a long time. This offers a greater chance of contamination.
• You can't tip in China. This is seen as a form of corruption.

3. Prepared for travel

For your tour of China you need a passport. This passport must be valid for at least 6 months when applying for a visa (30 days stay). Your passport must contain 2 empty visa pages.

3.1. Visa is required

For your trip to China you also need a visa. You can apply for this in The Hague at the China Visa Application Service Centre. You can fill in an application form online. You also need to fill in a Consent for Processing Personal and Biometric Data Form. Furthermore, the Visa Service Centre will take your fingerprints according to Chinese rules. You pay approximately €130 for a visa for 30 days valid for 3 months.

3.2. Special permits

If you want to travel to the autonomous region of Tibet, you need a special permit. You can apply for this via a specialized travel organization in China. When entering areas in Tibet that do not belong to the autonomous region of China, your luggage and identity papers can be checked at the border. You may also be denied access to certain areas or cities.

3.3. Vaccinations

It is recommended to contact a vaccination agency in your area 4 to 6 weeks before your holiday to China. There they can advise you about the vaccinations you need. Inoculations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) and Hepatitis A are recommended. And depending on the area you visit, you may need protection against malaria. They will tell you all about this at the consultation hour. Personal inoculations will also be arranged.

Since the most common inoculations are in stock, these can be put directly during the consultation. The costs for the consultation and the vaccinations depend on where you live. You can ask your vaccination agency for the exact costs. Count on an average amount of €24 for the consultation. This includes your vaccination booklet if you do not already have one. A vaccination against DTP costs around €29 and you pay an average of €55 for a vaccination against Hepatitis A. If you are advised to take malaria pills, you will be given a prescription for this. The costs for the consultation and the prescription are around €8. Don't forget to check your insurance policy, (additional) insurances can (partly) reimburse the cost of travel vaccinations.

4. Travel advice for China

Before you go on a tour of China, it is advisable to check out the travel advice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the country. This is because there is a security risk because the situation in China may differ from the situation as is usual in the Netherlands. A number of things to pay attention to.

• Chinese youngsters can also offer their services as guides. Be careful that they don't take you to a shop, massage parlor or bar where you have to pay a high bill. You can be threatened with violence if you don't pay for it.
• In certain provinces demonstrations may occur. Be careful not to end up in them. There may also be a sudden outbreak of violence. The local authorities are quick and tough to deal with this.
• In China, visiting prostitutes is punishable. You can be fined for this and imprisoned.
• You must always be able to identify yourself in China from the age of 16. The authorities also often check the identity of persons. Make sure you always carry your passport with a valid visa.
• If you arrive in China, you must register with a Public Security Bureau (the police station) within 24 hours. By the way, if you are staying in a hotel, your accommodation will do this for you. Make sure this happens, otherwise you may get into trouble when you leave.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN), but because China also controls this, not everything will work.

5. Climate and best travel time China

Summer in China runs from April to October in the south. In the north, spring begins in April and summer starts shortly after. Spring is a transition period from bitter cold to the heat of summer. Especially in June, July and August temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, along with high humidity.

Before winter arrives in November, it is pleasantly mild in autumn. Even if you notice that it cools down considerably at night. From October onwards, the temperature normally does not exceed 15 degrees Celsius. Heavy snowfall and low temperatures from far below zero are not strange in winter. Especially in the northern part of China the country is covered with a thick layer of snow. In the high mountains around Tibet the weather is very variable, even in summer it can freeze at night.

In China you have to take extreme weather conditions into account. The rainy season in some regions starts as early as February and lasts until October. In the summer (between May and November) heavy typhoons occur in the south and east of the country. These can be accompanied by severe floods and landslides. Also (rail)roads can be impassable and flights can be cancelled. Furthermore, earthquakes can occur in China, especially in the west. Keep an eye on the local (weather) messages to stay informed.

6. Transport for a China round trip

There are several airports in China that are flown to from Amsterdam (Schiphol). The most common ones are Beijing and Shanghai. A direct flight to Beijing takes almost 9 ½ hours. To Shanghai this is slightly longer, namely 10 hours and 45 minutes. Travelling through the country itself can be challenging. The country is more than twice as big as the whole of Europe, which means that the travel distances between the various sights can be large. You can, for example, book a domestic flight for long distances. This is more expensive compared to other means of transport, but often there is availability one day in advance.

6.1. By train

A very popular means of transport is the train. You'll find both high-speed and overnight trains in China, which are generally safe and comfortable. Normal trains are divided into hard seats (one seat only) and soft sleepers (one bed in a shared compartment). You'll find all kinds of trains in China, so before you buy a ticket, make sure you check which train and what type of ticket you're going to book. Given the popularity of the trains and the large number of inhabitants of the country, it can sometimes be difficult to get a ticket. Check online which train to have. You can then use this information to buy a ticket at the station yourself. Or have your accommodation arrange it for you, for a small commission. You can buy a train ticket from 10 days in advance. And you will need your passport details.

6.2. Bus

For short distances you can also take the bus. Tickets can normally be bought at the bus station on the day of departure. Buses are often cheaper than trains and run to more places. However, they are less comfortable for long distances and are only recommended if you have no other option.

6.3. Metro

You can travel around the big cities by metro. This way you can get from A to B quickly, at an attractive price. An advantage is that the signs are in both Chinese and English. You can also opt for a taxi. Keep in mind that taxi drivers generally speak little English. It can also be difficult to find an empty taxi during rush hour and in bad weather. Taxis work with a meter and normally the drivers will not try to drop you off. What you do have to negotiate is if you choose a tuktuk. By the way, it is a business to get through busy traffic with a tuktuk.

6.4. Car with driver

7. Sights of China

China has many special sights that are highly recommended if you are going on a tour of this special country. To help you map out your route, we have listed some highlights for you. This way you can be sure that you will not miss out on all the beauty this country has to offer.

7.1. Caves of Yungang

To the west of Datong are the Yungang caves. You can find them in the south of the Wuzhou mountain. Here you can see gigantic statues of Buddha carved from the rocks. These were carved from the rock for 64 years from the year 460 onwards. This historic monument has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves of Yungang are carved in honeycomb shape. And the more than 250 caves extend over a length of about one kilometer. In the 45 most important caves there are thousands of statues of different sizes. Some are small, while there are also large Buddha's of up to 17 meters to find. From Datong you can reach the caves by bus.

7.2. Palace Museum

In the center of Beijing lies the Paleis Museum, perhaps better known as the Forbidden City. This place once served as the Imperial Palace and without special permission of the Emperor you were not allowed to enter. Hence the name the Forbidden City. Now a limited number of people are allowed in per day. So it is advisable to buy your ticket in time in advance.

The Palace Museum comprises almost 1,000 buildings and more than 1.5 million works of art, mainly from the imperial collection of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is surrounded by a moat and a 10-metre-high wall with a gate on each side. During a visit you will notice that the Palace Museum is divided into two parts. In the southern part the emperor exercised his power over the nation and in the northern part he lived with his family. Enjoy the temples, buildings, large halls and beautiful painted decorations.

7.3. Summer Palace

On the outskirts of Beijing lies the Summer Palace. This gigantic complex was used by the Chinese monarchs to escape the heat of the city in summer. During a visit to the summer palace you can walk through the gardens with palaces, temples and pavilions. These are all built around a large lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water's edge, while you come face to face with the impressive architectural style of the buildings.

In the complex of the Summer Palace you will also find the 17 Arches Bridge. This castle contains not only 17 different types of arches but also more than 500 stone lions. From Beijing you can easily take public transport or a taxi to the Summer Palace. Be your own guide, rent an audio tour or go out with a guide who will tell you all the secrets of the Summer Palace.

7.4. Temple of heaven

In the park Temple of Heaven in the south of Beijing you will find the temple of the same name. This is one of the most famous temples in Beijing. Everything in the temple is dedicated to the connection between heaven and earth. Here you will find a combination of round and square shapes. Round shapes represent heaven, square shapes represent earth in Taoism. The emperor came here to pray to lead a ritual ceremony, as a mediator between heaven and earth, for a good harvest for the inhabitants of the empire.

The park is used by locals for dancing, music and sports. Here you walk among thousands of centuries-old trees. It is estimated that some trees have been in the park for more than 800 years.

7.5. Chinese Wall

The over 21,000 kilometres of defensive wall in the north of the country is one of the sights you should not miss on a tour of China. The Chinese Wall, also called the Great Wall, served to keep out enemy peoples. By the way, the Great Wall doesn't consist of one piece, it's several separate walls. The Wall is built in a typical Chinese style and is made of earth and stones over the steep rocky mountains. You will come across characteristic watchtowers that were used to see if the enemies were coming. There are also dozens of gates in the wall that were used to trade.

7.6. Jinshanling

One of the best preserved parts of the Great Wall of China with many original elements can be found at Jinshanling. This part is located about 130 kilometers northeast of Beijing. It is fairly isolated in the mountains and offers fantastic views. You can take a walk of about 4 hours along the Chinese wall from Jinshanling to Simatai. You can also take a cable car up to one of the highest points. From Beijing you can take a bus to this part of the Great Wall of China.

What is particularly striking about the Great Wall of Jinshanling are the 31 watchtowers that you find every 150 metres. These towers are built in different shapes depending on the terrain in which they are located. Some are square, others elongated and also the height varies. You can also find poems and texts on the Great Wall of China. These come from the time between 1567 and 1570 when the wall was rebuilt.

7.7 Juyong Pass

Another way to see the Chinese wall is at the Juyong Pass. This place is closer to Beijing than, for example, Badaling, but is usually less crowded. So it is a good alternative. This part of the wall protects a mountain pass and is in principle easy to walk through the stairs on the wall. The special thing about this part of the Chinese wall is that the wall here actually runs in a circle. It is built where the mountain pass turns into the wider valley. And you have two gates with horseshoe-shaped defences. At the Juyong Pass you can also see a part of the wall that goes through the water.

7.8. Longmen grottoes

One day's drive south of Beijing you will find the Longmen caves. From 493 it has been built for 400 years. You'll find more than 2000 holes and niches, 1300 caves and 100.000 statues. The largest of the caves is the Fengxian Temple. This is no less than 36 meters wide and 41 meters long. Here you will find 9 figures of different facial expressions. With a height of over 17 meters the statue of Vairocana Buddha is the most impressive. This Buddha sits in tailor's seat on the octagonal lotus throne. Another recommendable is the Wanfo Cave. Here in the walls of the cave 15,000 Buddha statues have been carved.

7.9. Terracotta army

One of the highlights in China to visit is the Terracottaleger. Near the town of Xi'an in the middle east of the country you will find this attraction. Here you can see thousands of life-size statues of soldiers, horses and chariots. The statues are believed to have been placed to protect the tomb of the first emperor who united China into one empire. Where the army originally stood above the ground, it was thought up over the centuries with metres of thick layers of sand.

7.10. Three Gorges Dam

The longest river in Asia is the Jangtsekiang, also called Yangzi. Its name means 'long river' and it is the same with more than 6300 kilometres. Originally, the Yangzi is considered to be the dividing line between North and South China. On this river the largest hydropower plant in the world was built with a dam: the Three Gorges Dam (Three Gorges Dam). You can find this at the Three Gorges between the places Hubei and Chongqing, in the middle east of China. This piece of nature offers a picturesque environment. It is one of the navigable parts of the Yangzi. Take a cruise on this calm part of the river. You are surrounded by steep cliffs and can see for yourself the beauty of the gorges.

7.11. Classical Gardens of Suzhou

In the east of China, near Shanghai, are the Classic Gardens of Sazhou. For 1000 years, the gardens have been built reflecting the main features of the classical Chinese gardens. For example, here you will find a natural landscape with rocks, rivers, pavilions and pagodas. The gardens have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List because they represent "the most refined form of garden art".

There are still 69 gardens preserved today. During a walk through Sazhou you can visit the different gardens. The largest is the Humble Administrator's Garden. This is also one of the four most famous gardens in China. It is distinguished by the clever use of ponds connected by narrow streams flowing under charming bridges.

7.12. The Bund

A well-known attraction of Shanghai is The Bund. This is a promenade in the middle of the city. It is full of impressive colonial buildings and offers fantastic views of the modern skyscrapers on the other side of the river. However, you won't find any towering buildings on the promenade. There is a limit to the height of the buildings, to ensure that the character of the Bund remains intact.

During a walk along the 1.5 km wide promenade you can visit the prominent buildings. By the way, did you know that many of them are accessible to tourists? So feel free to take a look inside. There is no separate metro stop for De Bund. From the nearest stop you have to walk a bit, after which you can see the promenade in front of you.

7.13. Great Buddha of Leshan

The Big Buddha of Leshan an impressive statue. It is no less than 71 meters high, where only the ears are 7 meters. The statue is completely carved in the rocks, on the initiative of a monk. To properly admire the Buddha, you can walk around it. From his feet you can climb up to places where you look out on the head and the rest of the statue. Or take a boat trip to see the Buddha from a distance. From the city of Chengdu, about in the middle of China, you can take the high-speed train to Leshan. Here you take a local bus or taxi to get to the Buddha.

7.14. Zhangjiajie national forest park

Avatar. In Zhangjiajie you will not only find a beautiful natural landscape. You will also find, for example, the longest glass bridge in the world. It is located near Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, at an altitude of 300 metres and is almost half a kilometre long. Buy your tickets on time, because there is a limit to the number of people that can walk across the bridge per day.

 

The park is very large and sometimes a bit difficult to reach. Zhangjiajie is located quite far from other big cities. Also, the connections are not ideal. From Changsha you can take a bus, which takes about half a day. By the way, you have to buy a ticket, this is valid for 4 days. And in the park itself there are busses that take you through the park to get to the different highlights.

7.15. Tianmen Mountain

From the town of Zhangjiajie you can take the longest cable car in the world to visit Tianmen mountain. The cable car is no less than 7 kilometres long. Try to go on a clear day so you can enjoy a fantastic view. If it is foggy, you will hardly be able to see the mountain. And the chance of good visibility is very small. You can also take the bus up to the mountain. Then you have to climb a low staircase with almost 1000 steps.

The mountain is also called "Heaven's Gate Mountain". The mountain has the shape of a hollowed out natural arch. On top of the mountain you will find glass skywalks and cliff paths. You can walk the Glass Mountain Walk along the steep mountainside. Here you will find one kilometer long glass path. To get back down you can take the cable car or go by bus. You must have a strong stomach if you choose the bus, because it goes over a road with 99 hairpin bends.

7.16. Potala Palace

In the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China lies the Patola Palace. This was the wind palace of, among others, the Dalai Lama's. It is therefore also called the Winter Palace. Nowadays it is an important place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists and a tourist attraction. The multi-storey white palace is 130 meters high on the Red Mountain. It houses several sacred statues, chapels, more than 1000 rooms and graves of various Dalai Lama's.

8. Book a round trip to China: compare providers and accommodations

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