Things To Do
in China
China is a vast country in East Asia, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and rapid economic growth. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, it is the most populous country in the world. China is home to iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army.
The country has made significant advancements in technology, infrastructure, and international relations in recent years.
- "Ni hao" - Hello
- "Xie xie" - Thank you
- "Zao an" - Good morning
- "Zai jian" - Goodbye
- "Shen me" - What?
Prices
- 🏠 Accommodation (per night): $20 - $150
- 🍽️ Meal at a Restaurant: $3 - $30
- ☕ Coffee: $1 - $5
- 🚌 Public transport ticket (single journey): $0.30 - $2
- 🛒 Grocery shopping (per week): $25 - $75
- 🏋️♂️ Gym Membership: $20 - $50
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with an early trip to the Great Wall of China. Enjoy breathtaking views and take memorable photos.
After lunch, explore nearby villages, experiencing local culture and cuisine. Hike a less crowded section to have a more authentic experience.
Return to Beijing in the evening. Enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant.
Visit the Forbidden City to learn about China's imperial history. Spend time wandering through its majestic halls and gardens.
Enjoy lunch at a nearby cafe before heading to Tiananmen Square. Explore the square and its historical significance.
Take a leisurely walk around the area. Consider catching a cultural performance or enjoying a night market for dinner.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strong economic growth and global trade influence.
- Rich cultural heritage and history.
- Rapid technological advancements and innovation.
- Diverse landscape and natural resources.
- Large population provides a vast labor market.
- Human rights issues and lack of political freedoms.
- Environmental pollution and sustainability challenges.
- Economic disparities and rural poverty.
- Geopolitical tensions with other countries.
- Censorship and limited freedom of expression.
Best Activities in China
Outdoor fun you shouldn't miss!
Explore the stunning sandstone pillars and lush forests of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Enjoy a unique perspective of the city while cycling along the well-preserved walls of Xi'an.
Experience the breathtaking karst landscapes of Guilin while rafting on the peaceful Li River.
Tours
Uncover the best of China with these unforgettable tours.
Places to Visit in China
Visit one of these nice places.
Offers stunning views of the Chinese landscape and a chance to capture iconic images of the wall winding across the mountains.
Known for its unique pillar-like rock formations that inspired the landscape in the movie Avatar, providing opportunities for breathtaking photos.
Features karst limestone peaks and the picturesque scenery of traditional Chinese fishing boats, ideal for capturing serene and stunning images.
Renowned for its misty peaks, unique rock formations, and ancient pine trees, offering photographers a chance to capture ethereal and otherworldly scenes.
Boasts diverse landscapes including ancient towns, snow-capped mountains, and terraced rice fields, providing a wide range of photographic opportunities.
Food in China
China Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
This iconic dish features succulent roast duck with crispy skin, served with condiments and thin pancakes. Quanjude and Da Dong in Beijing are renowned for their Peking Duck.
Must-Try!
These delicate soup dumplings are filled with savory broth and pork, best enjoyed at Din Tai Fung in Shanghai or Jia Jia Tang Bao in Shanghai.
A communal dining experience where diners cook a variety of meats, vegetables, and noodles in a simmering broth. Haidilao Hot Pot is a popular chain across China.
A classic Sichuan dish featuring silky tofu and minced meat in a spicy, flavorful sauce. Sample authentic Mapo Tofu at Chen's Mapo Tofu in Chengdu.
Unique Experiences
Get to know China better with these unique experiences.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Explore a wide array of exotic street snacks, from scorpion on a stick to candied hawthorns, providing a glimpse into Beijing's culinary delights.
This bustling food street offers an assortment of local delicacies, including Shengjian bao (pan-fried pork buns) and spicy crayfish.
Experience the flavors of Sichuan cuisine in this historic street market, with vendors offering spicy hotpot, dan dan noodles, and fragrant baijiu.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
In China, it's important to show respect for elders and those in positions of authority. This is often demonstrated through gestures such as bowing or using formal titles.
China values the group over the individual, so it's important to be mindful of others and considerate of the group's needs and interests in social interactions.
When offering gifts in China, it's essential to present them with both hands as a sign of respect. Additionally, it's customary to politely refuse a gift initially before accepting it.
Hidden Gems
Discover the hidden gems of China with these exclusive activities.
Safety
Tipping in China
Ensure a smooth experience
In China, tipping is not a common practice and is often not expected. In fact, tipping may even be refused or seen as disrespectful in some situations. However, in luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, a service charge may be included in the bill, so tipping is not necessary.
In China, cash is still widely used for everyday transactions, although mobile payment systems such as Alipay and WeChat Pay have become increasingly popular. Credit cards are accepted in major cities and tourist areas, but it's always good to have some cash on hand, especially when traveling to more remote locations.
Top Things To Do
Engage in these activities to dive deeper into China.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Best time to visit China with pleasant temperatures and blooming flowers. Expect crowded tourist destinations during public holidays like Qingming Festival (early April).
Peak tourist season with warm temperatures. Expect heavy rainfall in some regions and crowded attractions like the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
Ideal time to visit China with comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and beautiful fall foliage. Expect large crowds during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Off-peak season with cold temperatures. Expect smaller crowds, especially at major tourist sites, but be prepared for potential travel disruptions due to snow or ice.
China at Night
Hiking in China
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park provides stunning views and challenging hikes amidst unique geology.
Known for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks, Jiuzhaigou Valley offers picturesque hiking trails in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge features breathtaking scenery and a challenging multi-day hiking route.
Also known as Yellow Mountain, this iconic location is famous for its granite peaks, hot springs, and ancient pine trees, offering numerous hiking trails.
The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers stunning views and a less crowded hiking experience, with restored pathways and watchtowers.
Known for its revolutionary history and beautiful landscapes, Jinggangshan offers numerous trails that allow hikers to explore lush forests and scenic views.
This hiking route connects the historic Lijiang Old Town with the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, providing a rich cultural and natural experience.
As one of the Five Sacred Mountains of China, Songshan offers a mix of cultural heritage and stunning trails, leading to temples and scenic viewpoints.
Located in Sichuan province, Xiling Snow Mountain is popular for skiing in winter and offers beautiful hiking trails with stunning alpine scenery in summer.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Wulingyuan is known for its unique sandstone formations, deep ravines, and rich biodiversity, attracting hikers year-round.
Unforgettable Journeys
Delve deeper into China through these rare and unique activities.
Airports
How to reach China by plane.
Located in the capital city of China, Beijing Capital International Airport is the main airport serving the region and one of the busiest airports in the world.
Situated in Shanghai, this airport is a major hub for international flights and serves as a key gateway into China.
Located in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is one of the largest airports in southern China and serves as a major international hub.
This airport is located on Lantau Island and is one of the largest international airports in the world, serving as a major hub for international traffic.
Located in Shenzhen, this airport is a key international airport that facilitates travel to and from southern China.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in China, comprising approximately 91% of the population. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, language (Mandarin), and significant influence on Chinese history.
The Zhuang people are the largest minority group in China, primarily residing in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. They have their own language and a distinct culture, with traditions that differ from those of the Han Chinese.
The Manchu are an ethnic minority in China, known historically for their role in the Qing dynasty. They are primarily located in northeastern China and maintain unique cultural practices and language.
The Hui people are Chinese Muslims who primarily practice Islam. They are spread throughout China, and they often blend cultural elements from both Han Chinese and their own Islamic traditions.
The Mongol minority primarily resides in Inner Mongolia. They have their own language and rich nomadic culture, which includes traditional music, dance, and lifestyle.
The Tibetan people primarily inhabit the Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan. They have a distinctive culture, language, and religious practices centered around Tibetan Buddhism.
The Uighurs are a Turkic ethnic group predominantly found in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. They have a unique culture, language, and predominantly practice Islam.
The Yao people are an ethnic group found in several provinces, notably Guangxi and Hunan. They have distinct traditions, customs, and their own languages.
The Miao ethnic group is primarily located in the mountainous regions of southern China. Known for their vibrant clothing and elaborate festivals, they have a rich cultural heritage.
The Tujia are an ethnic minority found mainly in Hunan and Chongqing. They have their own language and unique customs, including traditional music and dance.
The Dong people are known for their rich cultural heritage and are primarily found in Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hunan. They are recognized for their unique architecture and folk music.
The Soul of China
Discover the essence of China through these truly unique experiences.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Basketball has gained immense popularity in China, especially since the NBA's global expansion. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is the top professional league in the country.
Soccer, known as football in most countries, is one of the most followed sports in China, with a growing professional league and significant investments in youth development.
Table Tennis is considered the national sport of China. The country has a renowned history of success in international competitions and has produced many world-class players.
Badminton enjoys widespread popularity, both as a recreational activity and a competitive sport, with China being one of the top countries in international badminton competitions.
Volleyball, particularly women's volleyball, has a strong following in China, highlighted by success in global tournaments and the Olympic Games.
Traditional Chinese martial arts, including Kung Fu, are not only popular as sports but also as a form of cultural expression and philosophy.
Swimming has gained traction in China, particularly following the nation's successes in international competitions, leading to an increase in swimming programs and facilities.
Ice hockey is growing in popularity, especially in northern regions. The establishment of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association has spurred interest in the sport.
Esports have emerged as a major competitive activity, with a large audience and professional teams representing the country in various international tournaments.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
While vegetarian and vegan options are becoming more available, especially in urban centers, it's advisable to communicate dietary requirements clearly to ensure no animal products are used in cooking.
Navigating gluten-free options can be challenging due to the prevalent use of soy sauce and wheat-based ingredients in Chinese cuisine. Seeking out rice-based noodle dishes and communicating with restaurant staff can help accommodate gluten-free needs.
Cultural Immersions
Experience the heart and soul of China with these cultural adventures.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting China.