Modern China is very different from the ideas of those who have never been there, and is based on photographs of other tourists and television programs. Moreover, if you have not been to the central cities of China for several years, your next visit to Beijing, and that is what we will tell you about, will greatly surprise you.
A trip to China: modern Beijing
It was my first time in Beijing, but my “fellow travelers,” who were already familiar with the capital of China, claimed that a lot had changed.
If earlier the Chinese openly stared at the Europeans, now they no longer stare at us so fiercely, take less photographs and don’t point their fingers. Of course, in tourist areas, visitors from Chinese provinces click their cameras, trying to capture not only beautiful views, buildings or nature, but also you.
Some people don’t mind being photographed in front of you or your company; they can also easily ask you for a joint photo. It is worth noting that all guidebooks report such curiosity of the Chinese, and ask them not to be angry with simple-minded Asians, but to smile back at them.
The Chinese love to take pictures with Europeans, but the reason for this is a mystery. Photo taken from the Internet
The first few days such attention was even flattering, but after four days of “having fun” with the Chinese, we, arrogant tourists, asked for three euros for a photo, but no less arrogant Chinese, pretending that they did not understand anything, simply took pictures in front of us on the sly , than just fun. But these are little things that can be overcome with ease and humor.
Guidebooks advise not to pay attention to some of the “childishness” of the Chinese, that’s just their mentality. Photo taken from Internet resources.
Separately, I would like to talk about smoking. If a few years ago the Chinese smoked everywhere: on public transport, at hotel receptions, in cafes and restaurants, now this trend has practically died down to zero. Smoking Beijingers can only be found on the streets, and mostly men smoke; we only met a woman smoking in 8 days in Beijing.
In some cafes you can smoke, if we are talking about the usual Chinese eateries, but it is better to ask the waiters or the owner of the establishment about this, as a rule, this is the same person. But it’s better not to buy cigarettes in China. The tobacco in cigarettes there is much worse than in Russia, there are also world brands, but their price is 20-30 rubles higher than the Russian one. That is why tourists fly to China with a carton of their usual cigarettes.
Unlike most European countries, there are no special bins for cigarette butts in Beijing, but this does not bother locals and tourists - garbage is thrown directly onto the sidewalk. Despite this, Beijing is incredibly clean, but more on that below.
How many cities and countries have I visited, and believe me, there are a lot of them, I have never seen pedestrian streets washed, garbage cans cleaned with brushes, and people on special mopeds or bicycles with a small body rode around the city and collected garbage with “grabbing sticks” . Before you have time to open the candy, the worker is already right there to pick up the wrapper, and when he sees you throwing the wrapper into the trash bin, he sighs either with relief or with annoyance and leaves.
It’s very easy to get used to such cleanliness, but it’s difficult to get out of the habit. And this purity is superficial. Beijing is a very dirty city, whose government has been unsuccessfully fighting an impending environmental disaster for several years.
The fact is that the highest concentration of nitrogen dioxin and other hazardous substances has been recorded in the atmosphere of Beijing. The main reason is the large number of cars on the city streets. In addition, chemical emissions from factories in neighboring Hebei and Henan significantly increase the content of these same particles in the air. An impenetrable smog hangs over the city, high-rise buildings seem to be covered in soot, and the Chinese themselves all wear masks. The Beijing authorities are fighting the situation of exhaust gases in various ways; we will tell you about one of them in more detail.
Renting bicycles in the capital of China is commonplace. Anyone can borrow it for temporary use, but there is one condition - you must have a special program installed on your mobile phone, for example OFO and Mobike. Of course, although renting a bicycle costs from 1 to 10 yuan, depending on the time, it is still not free.
Therefore, a card must be linked to the program, your identity must be identified, and, of course, a local SIM card with Internet access. This is necessary so that you can unlock and pay for transport online.
Each bike has a QR code that needs to be read using the program, then a code will appear on the mobile phone screen that needs to be entered on the bike’s combination lock to unlock the automatic wheel lock. The bicycle can be left anywhere, a special truck will come for it and take it to the parking areas, but this will only be at night.
During the day, bicycles are quietly left on the sidewalks, where they are picked up by subsequent tourists or city residents. It is worth noting that there is no shortage of bicycles; the application’s online map shows where the nearest bicycle is located.
In total, there are more than 13 million bicycles in Beijing. They are used by street vendors, couriers, garbage collectors, utility workers, and office workers. Additionally, since China does not recognize international driving licenses, many foreigners ride bicycles around the city.
If you decide to download one of the applications, we recommend that you do this before entering China; there you will not see many of the usual Internet browsers and programs that are actively used in other parts of the world.
Instagram, Google services, Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox and other less popular services are absent throughout China. If you are an active user of the above, you need to install VPN anonymizers on your gadgets in advance, which will help you bypass the blocking.
It works like this: when you visit a site, it changes your IP address, hides your location and maintains anonymity in the browser. To simplify, with the help of the program you will access the network from China, but the network will think that you are accessing from India, Great Britain, the USA or any other country. This program “eats” the battery very quickly, so we do not recommend using it for a long time.
If we talk about programs that will facilitate tourist travel not only in Beijing, but also in any other cities, then we cannot fail to mention MAPS.ME (MapsWithMe). This is a program with offline maps of the whole world. It helps a lot if you are traveling without a guide. A traveler's assistant should also include a metro map, which can be downloaded from the Play Store for Android devices and from the App Store for iPhone.
In general, Beijing and its residents, as well as tourists from other provinces, are very friendly and hospitable to foreigners. Many speak English confidently and will try to help you if you ask them to.
Of course, their culture, rhythm of life and much more differs from what we are used to, but this is precisely why we travel - to see how people live in other parts of the world.
*All photographs used in the material were taken from open sources on the Internet.
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Holidays in China in 2019
Holidays in China in 2019
Holidays in China
China is an amazing country that attracts tourists with its culture and ample opportunities for varied recreation. Vacations in China appeal to very different people, as everyone can find something of their own here - attractions, bustling nightlife, exotic cuisine, beaches, shopping and much more.
Resorts
China is a fairly large country with a huge number of resorts. We will try to describe the most popular of them.
Beidaihe
Hong Kong
Entertainment center in China. It is famous for its vibrant nightlife and low prices for local goods.
Guangzhou
The city of flowers with numerous cultural attractions.
Lhasa
A resort in Tibet, the main religious center of China with many monuments of Buddhist architecture.
Manchuria
A city on the border of Russia and China, with great shopping opportunities.
Nanking
A large cultural and business center in southern China, very popular among tourists.
Beijing
The capital of China, with numerous cultural and historical attractions and very wide opportunities for active and interesting recreation.
Hainan
A tropical island in southern China, a great place for beach holidays and diving.
Shanghai
A resort with a very vibrant nightlife and excellent opportunities for inexpensive shopping.
Yabuli
The best ski resort in China, which also has all the conditions for various types of winter and active recreation.
Climate
IMPORTANT: It is most comfortable to vacation in China in autumn and spring, when there is no sweltering heat or cold, and there are not very many tourists.
Visa and customs
To obtain a visa to China, you must contact the embassy or consulate. However You can visit Hong Kong or Hainan for two weeks with a tour group without a visa, and in Xijiao and Macau (this is the airport in Manchuria), a visa is issued right at the border. You can also stay 72 hours without a visa in Harbin, Wuhan, Guilin, Dalian, Shenyang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai, but only if you fly through these countries to others.
How to get to China
By plane
Planes fly from different cities of Russia to Beijing, Harbin, Urumqi, Guangzhou and several other places. The journey by train will take much longer - from the European part of Russia the journey will take approximately 130-140 hours, sometimes in transit through Mongolia. From the cities of the Asian part of our country, of course, you will have to travel less.
By bus or taxi
Buses regularly depart from some southern cities of Siberia and the Far East, for example, to Manchuria and some other cities. But it is still much more convenient and cheaper to get to Beijing and the southern cities of China by plane.
Transport
You can travel around China by plane, train and bus. Aircraft Not very popular with local residents, but there are airports in almost all major cities, so this method is quite convenient.
Buses are quite popular, some have beds, and routes between large cities are even equipped with toilets. Sometimes the buses can be noisy due to the TVs constantly on.
IN trains There are always a lot of passengers in China, the trains are mostly modern and run on schedule. Class Z express trains are especially good.
In cities you can ride buses, but they are always very crowded. There are subways in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Tianjin, and it is better to give preference to it, since traffic jams are always terrible in the cities.
Currency
China's main currency is CNY. It is best to travel to China with dollars, although you can exchange rubles and euros almost everywhere. Often people pay on a trip with a regular ruble card.
Suifenhe, located on the border, recently officially allowed payments in Russian rubles as an experiment.
Beaches
Guangxi
The beaches of Beihai town in Guangxi province are no worse than the beaches of Hainan. Of particular interest is the long two-kilometer white sand beach. True, this beach is paid, and entry costs 25 yuan.
Liaoning
In Liaoning province, in the city of Dalian, there are many not only attractions, but also beaches. For example, on the rocky Tigris beach you can admire interesting marble statues and visit the local water park. Tourists also love Bangchuidao Juggu, Fujiashuang Beach and Golden Stone Beach.
Hainan
This island is located in a tropical climate zone, so you can relax here all year round. There are a lot of beaches on the island, but tourists especially love the city of Sanya for its white sand beaches and amazing palm trees. Yalong Bay Beach is also very beautiful. Hainan's secluded beaches can be found on the Lihuitou Peninsula.
Shandong
Shandong is a city with interesting architecture and amazing beaches. Members of the Communist Party like to relax here. There are six numbered beaches in total. The sixth is located most conveniently, and the second is much cleaner and quieter. However, it is best to relax on Huang Dao.
Guangdong
The city of Shenzhen has some of the best beaches in all of China. The most popular beaches are Dameisha and Hioameixa. The beaches are well equipped, and a short distance from the coast there are picturesque islands where you can also have a good rest.
Fujian
Xiamen's coastline stretches for miles, providing nearly endless opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. What’s nice is that the white sand beaches are absolutely free.
Shopping
People who understand have no longer associated China with something low-quality and cheap, because here you can buy excellent quality goods of various kinds at fairly reasonable prices. However, going to China on your own for shopping is not so easy, since you can end up significantly overpaying for purchases. That's why it's so popular shopping tours to Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai or, for example, Guangzhou, because they allow you not only to shop at a guaranteed low price, but also to explore local attractions.
Buying something is especially pleasant in Beijing - after all, there is even a Russian street, Ya Bao Lu, where sellers speak Russian, and all goods are adapted for us. Inexpensive clothes, shoes and accessories can be bought at the Silk Market, while souvenirs and antiques are worth buying at the Panjiayuan Market.
IMPORTANT: It is customary to import tea, porcelain, silk products and pearls from China. Many people like porcelain vases and ivory souvenirs. Almost every shop sells various colorful souvenirs such as lanterns and boxes.
Kitchen
Beijing cuisine
The cuisine of this region is based on rice. It is served here as a separate dish and added to meat, vegetables and fish. The preferred meat here is lamb, pork, and poultry. Here are the dishes typical for Beijing, northern or imperial cuisine:
Peking duck;
Beggar's chicken - clay-baked chicken stuffed with cabbage, herbs, onions and mushrooms and wrapped in lotus leaves;
Pork in sweet and sour sauce;
Chinese samovar made from many components;
Chinese dumplings can be made with either vegetables or meat;
Dandelion salad.
Shanghai cuisine
In the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it is customary to add rice vodka and a large amount of spices to meat, and many dishes contain fish and seafood:
Shanghai duck;
Soy fish cake - tofu;
Hairy freshwater crab;
Cabbage soup with pork;
Mushroom noodle soup;
Squid in spicy garlic sauce;
Eel with garlic in wine;
Noodles fried with shrimp.
Cantonese cuisine
Very sophisticated, the dishes here are prepared in unusual ways from unusual ingredients. When cooking, they use the meat of turtles, snakes, dogs, cats and other animals. Light snacks are very popular among locals. Even if you don't like exotic things, it's worth a try:
Pies with daikon;
Chinese dumplings fried in oil;
Steamed fish;
Rolls with rice noodles;
Shark fin soup;
Steamed dumplings dim sum;
Cantonese rice.
Sichuan cuisine
It is famous throughout the world for its spicy and spicy dishes - garlic, red pepper, anise, coriander, sesame and many other spices are always used in cooking. Products are most often steamed or smoked. Worth a try:
Sichuan braised pork;
Little tofu, a meatless soybean dish;
Szechuan noodles, dan dan mian;
Gongbao chicken - spicy, with peanuts;
Duck baked in green tea;
King prawns seasoned with garlic;
Doufu is a cheese made from fermented soybeans.
In general, Chinese cuisine is very interesting and varied, so it is definitely worth trying in all the regions you visit.
Sights of China
There are really a lot of attractions in China, and it’s impossible to list them all. From natural attractions You can note the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Mount Taishan, Dongbhuang Caves with examples of ancient art, the stone forest in Wansheng, caves near Guangxi and much more. However, many value much more not the natural, but the architectural sights of China, which are mainly concentrated in cities.
Beijing
Beijing is not the oldest city in China, but perhaps the most interesting. To the north-west of it there are some sections of the Great Wall of China. In the city itself, the Forbidden City deserves special attention - a unique palace complex, an architectural landmark, which has now been turned into an interesting museum.
Xi'an
This ancient city is home to the Terracotta Figure Museum, which houses figures from the tomb of the famous Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Taishan
This unique picturesque mountain is a highly revered shrine of Taoism. Not far from it is the Confucius Temple and the Yanshenggong Residence.
Pingyao
Many of the attractions and cities listed above are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tibet
This region is home to a huge number of monasteries, Buddhist temples and ancient cultural monuments. Lhasa is considered the center of Tibet, which is a must-visit for all lovers of Eastern culture and philosophy.
Amusement parks
China is famous not only for its sights and beaches - there are many large, interesting and extreme amusement parks. One of them, for example, is located in the city of Guangzhou. There is also a zoo and a unique eco-hotel.
Beijing Park Happy Valley also deserves attention, as there are many world-class attractions and interesting thematic areas. By the way, there are parks with the same name in other cities of China, and in all of them you can have a good rest with the whole family.
In Changzhou, the amazing Dinosaur Island is open in the summer, with interactive exhibits and attractions for both children and adults.
Skiing
Some time ago, alpine skiing was very unpopular in China. However, the government decided to support local ski resorts, and their level has grown rapidly, so that China now has excellent conditions for skiing. The season here in some places opens already in September, although it is better to come in November so that there is definitely snow everywhere. Snow cover lasts until April. At the same time, there are practically no abnormal frosts; the temperature does not drop below -10 degrees Celsius, which is very comfortable.
There are a lot of mountain ranges in China, so resorts are scattered almost throughout the country. The season opens early at the resort Wanglun. There are good resorts in Tien Shan, both elite and very economical.
Many ski lovers stop at Chengbae- the snow for skiing here is simply perfect, and since the resort is located in a nature reserve, all the trails pass through very picturesque places. In addition, the resort has hot springs.
The resort is popular among beginners and experienced skiers Alshan, which, by the way, also has the best cross-country ski trails.
The largest ski resort in China is Yabuli. Tourists like it due to its varied terrain, numerous trails of varying lengths and difficulties, jumps, and a large freestyle area. The landscapes here are also very picturesque.
There are not many opportunities for diving in China - it is mainly available in Hainan or Zhejiang, but in general the underwater world here is quite sparse;
Surfing. The tropical island of Hainan with fairly high waves is best suited for surfing. Beginners will love Houhai Bay Beach.
As you can see, holidays in China are truly extremely varied, and everyone can find something to their liking.
Hotels
In total, there are approximately ten thousand hotels of various levels in China, and approximately seven hundred of them are five-star. Local hotels here are classified separately; only representatives of international hotel chains have star ratings. A Chinese inn is the equivalent of one-star accommodation, a guest house is two or three stars, and a wine house is approximately 3-4 stars. Only chain hotels are five-star. In general, tourists note that the level of service in China is often lower than that accepted in other countries.
- A truly varied holiday;
- There are a lot of interesting cultural attractions and architectural monuments;
- Pleasant climate, especially on the islands;
- Many people like local traditional medicine;
- Low prices, especially for fairly expensive goods;
- Interesting nature.
- Very dirty in places;
- Some resorts and areas are not interesting, more like ordinary Russian cities;
- There is a very strong language barrier - almost no one speaks English, you can’t even dream of Russian;
- Some people are unlucky with the Chinese attitude towards tourists;
- Municipal equipped beaches are often filled with Chinese;
- Large cities like Beijing and Shanghai are very crowded;
- Some resorts have almost no infrastructure.
China is a very ancient state in East Asia with a huge population and an equally huge territory, covering 7 climatic zones. There are deserts, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, forests and even tropical islands in the south. At the same time, in one corner of China it can be –40°C, and in another +40°C. Bring an umbrella, as it often rains here, take comfortable shoes for hiking and warm clothes if you go deeper into the continent, especially into the mountains. The main tips when traveling to China: choose clothes that will be “neither hot nor cold”, that is, comfortable for moving around the country.
Food and water
No less important tips for China are choosing water and eating in places that are safe for Europeans. The issue of water quality and Chinese food must be taken extremely seriously. The cuisine is quite exotic, but the sanitary conditions are not always up to standard. It is better to choose dinner in a cozy Chinese restaurant - on the recommendation of your guide or hotel employees. You need to be no less careful with water; tourists are advised to drink only purchased bottled water, as well as from special thermoses installed in hotel rooms.
Health
You need to think in advance about what medications to take to China. If these are not drugs prohibited by law (narcotic and psychotropic drugs), then there are no special restrictions. You need to prepare the minimum necessary set of medications for personal needs, including stomach, headache, heart, etc.
General tips for China: get to know the country from the inside, respect local customs and the political sympathies of the people, be polite and smile. You are a guest! And guests are always welcome in China!
How much money to take to China - calculating the required minimum
How much money to take to China and what currency to take to China - these questions arise for those who go there for the first time. Let's start in order. How much money should you take to China so that it is enough for the most average tourist needs, without any extra frills? If you are traveling from an operator or travel agency, then your accommodation and meals are already included in the price of the tour. The most minimal and not entirely obligatory expenses remain: taxi (from 3 to 10 yuan at a time), street food you like, pastries and sweets (10-20), beer (4-6) and wine (20), seafood delicacies ( up to 60), excursions and souvenirs for friends. For all this you can spend from 50 to 100 yuan per day or more. Based on this, you must decide how much money to take to China. If you are not very strapped for money, take it with a reserve - at the rate of up to $100 for one day of stay, in the case when housing and flights have already been paid for.
In order not to worry once again about searching for exchange offices in China, immediately decide what money to take to China. Tips for China regarding this converge on one opinion: it is better to convert the entire amount you will need into Chinese currency or US dollars. Ideal option: 60% in yuan, 40% in dollars. You definitely won’t change rubles here, and you won’t be able to buy dollars for rubles. In China, currency can be changed at state-owned banks and exchange offices, and we recommend keeping exchange receipts until the end of the trip. You can take with you up to 3 thousand dollars without certificates and documents and up to 10 thousand dollars - with entry into the declaration.
What you need to know about China - the primary truths
Communication
The main thing you need to know about China is that it is strikingly different from Russia in literally everything. Here everything lives according to its own laws, which are not always understandable to people of other nationalities, especially Europeans. When communicating, remember that the Chinese know English poorly, and Russian is out of the question (with the exception of international exhibitions, shopping and purely tourist facilities and sites). You should prepare well before the trip, study materials about local customs and culture, print out, if necessary, maps and routes for independent travel, learn the basic phrases of greetings and addresses, change the required amount of money at home.
Home shopping
Decide in advance what souvenirs to bring from China. It can be porcelain, swords, fans, silk blankets, decorative boxes and exquisite sweets, or... anything - after all, today’s China, without exaggeration, is the world’s greatest “craft shop”. Don’t be shy about bargaining; the Chinese themselves do it with pleasure and expect the same from you. Sometimes the original price for a tea set, equal to 300 yuan, eventually drops to 20...
What to take to China from home
On the road, be sure to take sunscreen and glasses, a first aid kit with a minimum set of medications and hygiene items; clothing that does not restrict movement and comfortable shoes. A Russian-Chinese phrasebook will not hurt at all; with its help you will be able to communicate with the local population, showing the necessary hieroglyphs.Tourist Information
It’s hard to believe now, but such familiar modern household items as paper, a compass and a printing press were invented not just anywhere, but in China, and even in ancient times. By the way, they say that the wheel and the calendar also appeared somewhere nearby, but these two facts are regularly disputed by many scientists. Be that as it may, China is rightfully considered the cradle of civilization, culture and science. It is also a very attractive country for tourists from all over the world.In terms of territory size, the People's Republic of China is in third place in the world, second only to Russia and Canada. In the north, China extends to Mongolia, in the west to the Himalayan and Tibetan mountains, and in the east the country is washed by two Chinese seas. Politically, China consists of 22 regions, 5 autonomous regions, the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as the island of Taiwan, which is claimed by all neighboring states, including China itself.
The capital of the state, Beijing, is the administrative and cultural center of the region, while Shanghai and Chongqing, which are superior in number and population density, share the main economic spheres of the state. Both the local population and visiting tourists prefer to indulge in relaxation on the island of Hainan, which is behind the scenes called “East Hawaii”, and where the best resorts in China are located: Dadonghai (Great East Sea), Yalunwan (Dragon of Asia) and Sanyavan. But a trip to China should not be limited to visiting only beach recreation areas; this ancient country deserves closer attention.
Modern China is a world leader, a country with the world's largest economy (in terms of GDP, converted into dollars at purchasing power parity), increasing industrial production and investment in fixed assets, retail trade turnover and consumer spending. China has reached the level of “average prosperity” for its citizens. If in 1970 the average income of a resident of the country was $15 a month, then in 2016 it was already $750. Every year, thanks to the strategy of “targeted assistance to those in need,” more than 13 million people in China cease to be poor.
China is a country that the whole world needs to follow as an example and, of course, this is already happening. And in order to get to know Chinese life, it is best to visit the country, especially since it will be of interest to absolutely all categories of tourists - history buffs, those looking for bright impressions and exotic things, and, of course, tireless shopping lovers.
Have you been to China? If not, and you want to take a delightful trip to an exotic and at the same time most progressive country, then this article is for you. We will introduce you to the information necessary for tourists and guests of China about where to go to China, what are the main centers of tourism and business activity, where they do shopping in the Middle Kingdom, how to apply for a visa for an independent trip and in a group of tourists, how much tickets cost, how to get to the place you are interested in, what are the prices in the country, in general, everything about China that you need to know at the moment.
“A person is most tired when he stands still,” says a Chinese proverb. So, let's go!
What to see, main attractions
The People's Republic of China (China) is a huge country in East Asia. It is the largest country in the world by population (over 1.38 billion inhabitants). The majority of the population is ethnic Chinese, self-identified as Han. China ranks third in the world in terms of territory, behind only Russia and Canada.
The People's Republic of China, according to the constitution, is a socialist state. It is a great economic superpower and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. One of the leading space powers in the world, it has nuclear weapons and the world's largest army in terms of military personnel.
Gone are the days that have sunk into oblivion when China was a closed country, fenced off thanks to the emperor Shi Huangdi, from the whole world by the Great Wall of China. And the wall itself is now a place of pilgrimage for almost every tourist who comes to the Middle Kingdom.
In the photo: tourists visit the Great Wall in the area called Badaling (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
Of course, you should start getting acquainted with China from the capital and city, considered the political, educational and cultural center of the PRC - Beijing. In a city with a 3-thousand-year history, tourists will find many cultural monuments, palaces, temples, museums and other attractions.
Among the main attractions of Beijing, tourist sites name: the palace complex of the Chinese emperors, the Forbidden City, the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven.
Photo: Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, China (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
Tiananmen, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are the symbols of Beijing, but it's easy to leap from the capital's past into the future, which has already arrived in China and see cutting-edge buildings in the Central Business District, including the 106-story China Zun skyscraper (on completion, the height tower will be 528 meters), the 74-story skyscraper of the China World Trade Center, the 234-meter CCTV Headquarters building (for its unusual shape, this title is called “Pants”).
In the photo: the imperial complex of religious buildings Temple of Heaven (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
Tourists are often offered a tour that begins in Beijing and ends in the business center of Shanghai. Usually this route is: Beijing - Xi'an - Zhangjiajie - Shanghai. In this case, the tourist will see the Great Wall of China and get acquainted with the stunning sculptural complex in Xi'an, in which sculptures of the Terracotta Army have been preserved. This is the name of the burial site of at least 8,100 full-size terracotta statues of Chinese warriors and their horses at the emperor's mausoleum. Qin Shi Huang(259−210 BC).
In the photo: a fragment of the world famous Terracotta Army with more than 6,000 clay soldiers, Xi'an, China (Photo: DPA/TASS)
The beauty of the Jiankunzhu Mountains in the Chinese province of Hunan stretches before you. The name Jiankunzhu itself means “Heavenly Pillar”; the maximum height of these stone giants is 150 meters. The film "Avatar" was filmed here.
In the photo: the 1080-meter-high "Southern Sky Column" mountain was officially renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" in January 2010 in honor of the famous movie "Avatar", Zhangjiajie National Park (Photo: Imago/TASS)
And of course, you will be able to get acquainted with modern Shanghai, where, like in Beijing, there are many interesting museums, and the city architecture is also remarkable - ultra-modern skyscrapers are combined with streets left over from the colonialists, for example, the French Quarter (by the way, Shanghai is called the Paris of the East) , here Asian culture is intertwined with European. You can find many memorable places from the point of view of the Russian contribution to the history of Shanghai. One of the best attractions and symbols of Shanghai is the Bund, also known as the Bund, where there are 52 buildings that combine architectural styles from all over the world.
Shanghai is the largest city in China and the world by population - more than 24 million people live there, instantly moving about their business on a high-speed magnetic plane and along 12 subway lines.
Photo: Security barriers at Yunyang Station on Beijing Subway Line 1 (Photo: Zuma/TASS)
The iconic places of central China, the so-called golden ring, include Hangzhou with Leifeng Pagoda and Xihu Lake, Guilin with boat rides against the backdrop of pagodas and Elephant Trunk Hill, and Yangshuo, for which tourists do not spare any epithets. It is also interesting to see the old city of Chengdu with open-air teahouses, the Buddha Statue, and if you love wildlife, you will be shown a unique panda breeding reserve.
In the photo: on Lake Xihu (“West Lake”) located on the western side of the historical center of Hangzhou; on the other three sides it is surrounded by mountains (Photo: Yu Fangping/Sipa Asia/ZUMA/TASS)
Located in the south, Guangzhou is the third city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. It is called the "city of flowers", which speaks for itself, Guangzhou is very beautiful in the spring. Attractions are concentrated in the Old City, while Guangzhou is famous for its avant-garde buildings, including the Opera House designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, it looks like a sea stone, the Guangdong Provincial Museum is shaped like a box with slots, the TV tower is shaped like a thin hourglass.
From Guangzhou it is not far from the special areas of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau, famous for their casinos. By the way, some people advise people who have never been to China to start getting to know the country with cosmopolitan Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Guangzhou. This is supported by the convenience of Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport, which is located on an artificial island and is one of the most comfortable air hubs in the world. And from Hong Kong you can easily fly to any point in China that you want to visit.
In the photo: Hong Kong International Airport (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
The island is ideal for a resort (beach) holiday in China Hainan. The wonderful climate allows you to relax here all year round - the cleanest air, wonderful sandy beaches, the underwater world - there is everything for an unforgettable holiday at sea. But Hainan is not the only one; in China there is Baidahe with a 10-kilometer coastline built up with hotels and sanatoriums. There is Qingdao near the Yellow Sea, from where, tired of the beaches, you can go to the sacred Mount Laoshan, where the Palace of Great Purity is located. There is the developing resort of Dalian, in 2006 it was named the most favorable city in China to live in by China Daily.
In the photo: a beach located southeast of Sanya, Hainan Province, China (Photo: Zuma/TASS)
It is impossible to list in one article all the interesting places that we would recommend you visit. This is the famous Shaolin, and the Yellow Mountains (Huangshan), and Hong Kong, and Macau. A tourist's eyes simply run wild from these various offers. Travelers are also attracted to the mysterious Tibet. Excursions to the “Roof of the World” are organized for such tourists. You will see Lhasa and Shigatse.
Visa to China
Once you decide to travel, the first thing you should take care of is a visa. For Russians, a visa to China is required. An exception is made for persons entering the territory of the PRC for a period of up to 21 days as part of an organized tour to Hainan Province, accompanied by a representative of a tour operator officially registered in China. Russian citizens can enter Hong Kong without a visa for up to 14 days. Russian citizens can enter Macau without a visa for up to 30 days. The cost (as of April 2018) of a single-entry visa is 3,300 rubles, a double-entry visa is 6,600 rubles, a multiple-entry visa for 6-12 months is 9,900 rubles.
The applicant must submit documents for a Chinese visa personally to one of the Chinese consulates in the Russian Federation. There is no pre-registration for the appointment; documents are submitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Before visiting a consulate in China, check whether your registered address belongs to the relevant consular district. If not, consulate officials will refuse to accept documents for a Chinese visa.
Duration of stay in the country is from 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of visa.
Documents required to obtain a visa:
— international passport with a validity period of at least 6 months;
- a copy of the first page of the international passport and previous Chinese visas (if any). If previous Chinese visas are in your old passport, you must also provide a copy of the first page of that passport;
— completed visa application form;
— 1 color passport-size photograph on a light background (it is advisable to paste it into the application form in advance);
— copies of pages of a general passport with personal data and registration;
— documents confirming the purpose of the trip:
— round-trip tickets (printouts of electronic air tickets or copies of railway tickets);
— confirmation of a hotel reservation for the entire period of stay in China or a tourist voucher;
— an invitation (if the purpose of the trip is a private visit) from an organization or individual, containing information about the invitee and the inviter, as well as information about the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, places of residence, approximate route).
Some Chinese consulates may also require an insurance policy (original and copy) for the entire period of stay in the country (the amount of coverage is at least $15,000).
If a visa to China is being applied for for the first time, Consulate officials may also require a certificate of employment and a bank statement.
Prices for tickets to China, hotels
Cheap air tickets to China, as well as to all other cities and countries, need to be carefully searched, for example, on the search engines Aviasales, Skyscanner, etc. Prices for tickets to China will not be too cheap, but there may be special offers from companies, ticket sales, promotions .
Tickets from Moscow to different cities in China cost from 17-20 thousand rubles. The cheapest ticket prices are to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. In April-May, you can buy a one-way ticket Moscow-Beijing for 11 thousand rubles; from June, tickets cost 13 thousand and more, and only get a little cheaper in late autumn. Round trip tickets start from 25-26 thousand rubles and we are talking about flights with transfers. Direct flights to Beijing from Moscow in July 2018 will cost 37 thousand rubles.
From Moscow to Shanghai, according to the “calendar of inexpensive prices” on the Aviasales website, for most of the year you can fly there and back for 22-23 thousand rubles, only in July prices rise to 30 thousand.
Ticket prices to China vary depending on the departure city. A ticket from Vladivostok to Beijing costs 11-15 thousand rubles, and from Irkutsk, whose time zone coincides with Beijing, tickets are nevertheless not cheap - more than 20 thousand rubles (at best 15-16 thousand).
By the way, you can fly to China on the way to other countries in Southeast Asia, and this service is actively promoted by Chinese airlines. 144-hour and 72-hour visa-free transit is possible at many Chinese airports. In particular, visa-free transit is offered by Capital International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, Shanghai (Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Pudong International Airport), Hangzhou County International Airport (Xiaoshan) and Nanjing Lukou Airport. Foreign nationals must have a valid international travel document and passenger tickets with a confirmed date of travel to a third country (or Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). In addition to 144-hour visa-free transit in 6 cities, China also offers 72-hour visa-free transit in 13 cities for certain foreign nationals holding a third-country visa. These 13 cities include: Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, Xi'an, Wuhan, Dalian, Guilin, Kunming, Chongqing, Harbin, Xiamen, Qingdao and Changsha.
By the way, China has the world's most extensive network of high-speed and high-speed railways. This type of transport is popular among travelers who want to visit several large cities at once and save time. For example, you can get from Shanghai to Beijing by high-speed train in just 5 hours with an average speed of 330 km/h. Trains run every 20-30 minutes from morning to evening, ticket prices in second class are about 5 thousand rubles, in first class - 8,500 rubles. You can get there cheaper (for 2 thousand rubles) by a regular train - it takes more than 20 hours.
Hotel prices in China are reasonable. In the center of Beijing you can stay in a hotel for 2 thousand rubles per day. Even in a luxury five-star hotel you can find a room for 6-7 thousand rubles (with a discount on specialized sites like Booking.com).
Shanghai provides rooms in 3-star hotels from 2-3 thousand per night. In Hong Kong, three-star hotels start from 3 thousand rubles per night.
Prices in China, shopping, tourist attractions
Lao Tzu said: “When there are many skilled people among people, rare things multiply.” Nowadays, no one is surprised by the dizzying leap of the Chinese economy, which has reached incredible heights, and goods from China can be easily ordered online from anywhere in the world. But shopping in China has its own charm, because countless shops, shops and boutiques are located right on the crowded streets of Chinese cities. It is difficult to resist the temptation to walk through these outlets and not buy yourself some kind of curiosity.
You can buy clothes, household appliances, jewelry, antiques. Particularly attractive are handmade items - calligraphy, painting, stone carving and other works that are simply unique and have no analogues.
But be careful and do not buy the product you like right away. Be sure to bargain, because Chinese sellers immediately set a deliberately high price. At the same time, do not forget to smile. This will win you over the merchant. While smiling, always keep an eye on your wallet and personal belongings, because pickpockets are also common in China.
When you walk along the shopping streets and shops of China, your eyes will run wild. You will want to buy everything - because everything seems so cheap and necessary. Remember, this is an illusion! Here's a tip: The night before your shopping trip, take some time to make a list of what you really need. Think about what price you are willing to pay for a particular product. And set aside a small amount for unexpected expenses.
The most profitable cities for shopping are Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will not only see historical places, but you will also be able to do some very good shopping. Here, along with modern technologies and achievements, the traditions of antiquity are honored. It is thanks to this that national crafts and crafts were not only not forgotten, but also moved to a new stage of development.
In the photo: selling aquarium fish at the Goldfish Market in Hong Kong (Photo: Zuma/TASS)
In Hong Kong stores you can find goods of any category, from souvenirs and trinkets to household appliances and clothing. What is also unique is that Hong Kong has duty-free status, which means that many goods are sold here at very reasonable prices.
Hong Kong is called a paradise for shopaholics. It is impossible to say exactly how many shops, shopping centers, boutiques and markets there are in the city.
In the photo: sale in a clothing store in Hong Kong (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
Basically, tourists in Hong Kong try to update their wardrobe with “branded” (original or copies) clothes, buy equipment and, possibly, some jewelry or souvenirs.
Beijing
In terms of shopping, as well as in many other things, the capital takes first place. The most popular products here are shoes, clothing, wool and silk products, household appliances and electronics, as well as sweets and traditional medicine.
Pictured: A store employee dressed as an emperor to attract customers in the Wangfujing shopping district in Beijing, China (Photo: AP Photo/TASS)
The largest shopping streets in Beijing are: Wangfujing, Qianmen Dajie - for a whole kilometer you will find shopping centers, souvenir shops and boutiques selling various goods. The Druzhba trading house is also located here, where you can purchase top quality goods. The Silk Market attracts tourists. The market is located almost in the city center - on Xiushuijie Street.
In the photo: Qianmen Street in the evening, Beijing (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
Pearl market - in addition to pearls of all kinds, here you will find accessories, electronics, flowers and all sorts of small things. The market is located on Tiantan Donglu Street.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is located 180 km southwest of Shanghai, Hangzhou East Station Junction is the largest railway hub in the country. In Hangzhou you can visit the China National Tea Museum. Hangzhou is famous for its tea plantations and natural beauty, in particular Lake Xihu (“West Lake”), the 30-meter Baochu Pagoda and the mausoleum of the legendary Yue Fei.
Hangzhou is also a major industrial center, home to thousands of Chinese corporations. Many goods are produced here, ranging from refrigerators, cars, equipment, thermoses and much more. The city has a modern airport from which you can fly to any major city in Southeast Asia.
There is a saying in China: “There is heaven in heaven, Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth.” In Hangzhou you can buy the best Chinese teas. Particularly popular is Longjing green tea, which has an unsurpassed taste and enchanting aroma.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city district in Jiangsu Province of China, located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River near Lake Taihu. It ranks fifth in China in terms of GDP per capita ($7,249 in 2005).
In the photo: a copy of the Tower Bridge in Suzhou, China (Photo: BarcroftMedia/TASS)
The historic center of Suzhou stands on the Great Canal between Shanghai and Wuxi, near Lake Taihu, and for many centuries was the most important transport and commercial center of the Jiangnan region, the richest part of the country. The modern urban district of Suzhou stretches from Lake Taihu in the southwest to the Yangtze River in the north and the borders of the central city of Shanghai in the east. As a World Heritage Site, Suzhou's historic center is famous for its beautiful stone bridges like Bao Daiqiao, pagodas and elaborate gardens. With the rise of Shanghai in the late 19th century, Suzhou lost its importance as a central city in the region, but due to its architecture and the large number of businesses around the city, it remains a mecca for both tourists and entrepreneurs.
In the photo: Baodaiqiao Bridge in Suzhou (Photo: wikipedia.org)
Suzhou is famous for its first-class human hair embroidery on silk. Here you can purchase exclusive products made of jade and wood.
Nanjing (Nianjing)
Nanjing (“southern capital”) is the former capital of China, a port in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the capital of Jiangsu province. Located in the eastern part of the country, 260 km northwest of Shanghai. Large industrial and cultural center.
Nanjing is rich in monuments from the early years of the Ming Empire. Among them, the ruins of the Ming imperial palace and the relatively well-preserved Xiaoling mausoleum of the first Ming emperor Hongwu stand out. A significant part of the Nanjing city wall of the Ming period - the longest in China - has survived to this day. From the same period, a number of sculptural ensembles of tombs of other early Ming figures have been preserved, as well as the grave of a eunuch diplomat and naval commander Zheng He.
People come to Nanjing specifically for products made from brocade, a heavy silk fabric, where it is also produced.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province, the political, economic, scientific, technical, educational, cultural and transport center of all southern China. With a population of over 10 million people, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China, behind Shanghai and Beijing.
Guangzhou hosts the Canton Fair (CECF, Canton Fair) twice a year - one of the most important events of the year in the world of manufacturing and trade. Today it is the third industrial exhibition in the world in terms of the volume of transactions concluded. Guangzhou is the most important trading hub with Hong Kong.
In the photo: Chinese Spring Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou (Photo: ZUMA/TASS)
In Guangzhou you can buy clothes and shoes at reasonable prices. In addition, Guangzhou folk pharmacies sell “magic” healing medicines, herbs and tinctures.
Shanghai
Shanghai is called "Shopping Paradise". The most common goods here include clothing, shoes, antiques and handicrafts, tea, enamel, embroidery, and valuable metal products.
On the main shopping streets of Shanghai - Nanjing Street and Huaihai Street - you can see all the world's most important brands. You can explore the city's many flea markets. Behind Shanghai's magnificent shopping malls, boutiques and department stores are numerous open-air markets. One such market is located next to Yu Yuan Garden. Here you can buy a variety of souvenirs, works of art and handicrafts. In the Fuzhou Street area there is a market and the so-called Cultural Street. One of the most popular places for shopping is the antique market on Dongtai Street, another is the clothing market on Shimen Street. Walking through these open markets you can get an unforgettable experience and feel the special atmosphere of old Shanghai.
The following main shopping streets in Shanghai should be mentioned: Middle Tibet Road, North Sichuan Road, Huaihai Road, Nanjing Road.
Pictured: Nanjing Road shopping street in Shanghai, China (Photo: DPA/TASS)
About China, no one can confidently say that they know this country. Even people (non-Chinese) who have lived most of their lives in the Middle Kingdom say that they have never understood the mysterious souls of its inhabitants. One must comprehend its greatness gradually. But as the great Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said: “Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
Well, take this step.
Read about traditions, innovative and military developments, events and life in China in the special topic of the Free Press -