Having chalked up almost two years in China, I often get asked advice on where to go and what to see, so I thought it was high time I put together a 'go to' post, if the Middle Kingdom's on your bucket list. Given the vastness of China, we've seen a mere blip of the world's most populous nation that's home to 661 cities. Nonetheless, we've managed to tick off quite a few, on the journey thus far! If you've got the urge to come and see what all the fuss is about and want the adventure of a lifetime, here are my top recommendations, for first timers, at least. First Stop: Shanghai Given that most airlines fly direct to Shanghai from most cities across the globe, China's biggest and brightest city is probably a good place to start exploring this unique part of the world. This city of 24 million people is buzzing with all the excitement of modern day China. With a skyline that's literally 'out of this world', Shanghai is renowned as the 'Paris of the East!' Bustling with a charismatic fusion of the East and West, the city has a unique blend of the sassy and sophisticated with the culturally quaint essence that is 'old China' running through her veins. Dip your toes in Shanghai and gradually get a feel for life in China, without throwing yourself in the deep end. For a list of what to do and see... click on my post: Shanghai Shenanigans: A Weekend in the Paris of the East Note: There are two international airports - Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, the latter is closest to the city centre. Two to three days should be enough time to indulge in the city high life... Hangzhou If you've got extra time in your schedule, take a side trip down to the place they call 'China's Paradise on Earth!' Hangzhou is just a 45 minute train ride from the metropolis of Shanghai so it makes an easy day trip. The top must-see...the country's famous West Lake (just steer clear of national holidays)! If you're up for staying overnight, the area is also famous for its Longjin Tea Plantation. For more on what to do in Hangzhou or if you're unsure whether or not to add it to your itinerary, check out my post: China's Paradise on Earth: Hangzhou is it Worth the Visit? If you're up for another day trip from Shanghai and a taste of mini Venice in the East - head to one of the area's classic ancient water towns. I'll be honest with you, we missed these on our first trip but visiting one is still on the bucket list! Beijing If you've made the decision to visit China, it's hard to go past the nation's capital! The great political hub where the past and future collide in a hot pot of cultural ideologies. Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, you can immerse yourself in China's rich history and get a sense of the how the headquarters of the world's second fastest growing economy ticks. Of course, access to one of China's greatest treasures, the Great Wall of China is just a stone's throw from the city (well, a two hour drive). A once in a life time moment -- you can soak up tradition and the mere scale of the great wall itself, which stretches across China. (Just be prepared for heart palpitating chair lifts up and a toboggan ride down that will have you hanging on by the skin of your teeth!) Beijing has a cold winter and very hot summer so choose your times wisely. March to May and September to November are ideal. For more on what to do in China's capital: check out my post: Visit Beijing: The World's Super City in the Making Harbin Time permitting and depending on the time of the year you're visiting (early January to mid February), take a trip up to Harbin to see the famous ice sculpture festival. Not for the faint-hearted, Harbin has without doubt one of the most bitterly cold winters in China, but if you're game -- I have it on good authority that the "Ice City" is pretty dam spectacular! At night these gigantic snow and ice sculptures are bathed in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colour. (Just think -- all of those Frozen fans visiting their own real life Arendelle!) A two hour flight from Beijing, Harbin bears the influences of Eastern Russia, so harbours its own distinct flavour. (Tip: I'm told you don't want to go too late in winter or the sculptures start to melt and get a little dirty.) Xi'an Of course, there's no visiting China without taking a trip to the so-called cultural cradle of civilisation! Pop in to say hi to those world-famous Terracotta Warriors (oh and me)! There's no shortage of things to see in this historical city, from a bike ride around the ancient city wall to the mesmerising and utterly mad Muslim Quarter, the 1300 year old temple we like to call our neighbour, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.... and an opportunity to soak up what I like to call the "real China!" For more - this post has got you covered: 48 Hours in Xi'an: Top 5 Things to Do! Note: Xi'an has two seasons, a cold winter and a hot summer, so if you don't want to get caught in the icy winter pollution or summer furnace, the best times to visit are between March and May and September and November. Xi'an is just under two hours flight from Beijing. Luoyang If you have time for a side trip from Xi'an, I would highly recommend catching the high speed train to Luoyang. It's a one and a half hour trip through the countryside to the city of six million and from here you can visit the mystical Shaolin Temple high up in the Song Shan Mountains -- this is the birthplace of Buddhism and is still an active monastery today, as well as being home to the world's largest Kungfu academy. The world famous Longmen Grottos are a 45 minute drive from Luoyang and here you can get up close and personal with incredible gigantic sculptures carved into the side of cliffs that are still clearly visible centuries later. For more information on visiting these hot spots, check out my post Kungfu But No Panda: Welcome to 3rd Tier China. Tibet Sustaining spectacular landscape, spiritual traditions and a mythical-like culture, the Buddhist region of Tibet is a once in a life time wonder....which also boasts the world's highest peak, Mt Everest. But this is a magical place in which you need time up your sleeve to visit. At around 3000 metres above sea level, Tibet is the highest region on earth so it takes time to acclimatise, which means ideally at least four to five days in the region and even better, stretching the journey there over several days to avoid altitude sickness on arrival. (Note: Altitude sickness doesn't discriminate, so regardless of age, gender or fitness there's generally no rhyme or reason as to who gets hit and who doesn't.... If you suffer from any illnesses, you should definitely check with your doctor first if you do plan to go to Tibet.) Experts say, taking the train to Tibet makes acclimatising easier......but you can easily fly from many cities in China, including Xi'an, Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai. It is difficult for non-Chinese citizens to travel independently in Tibet with various restrictions on foreign tourists. All foreign travelers are required to join an organized tour operated by authorized travel agencies and Chinese authorities often close Tibet to foreign tourists altogether in March. If you have the desire for adventure, take time to schedule a trip to the place they call the 'roof of the world' into your itinerary. Chengdu If you love cute and furry teddy bears, aka Giant Pandas - Chengdu is the place to see them in China. Just a short one hour flight from Xi'an, Sichuan Province is where you'll find the majority of these furry critters lounging about, just chewin’ on bamboo. It’s predicted just over a thousand live in the wild and the China Conservation and Research Centre in Chengdu is home to around 80 of the provinces most famous residents. Head to Chengdu for an overnight trip. For more check out my post Pandas in Chengdu: Don't Mind if I Do! Yangtze River Yangtze River known as Cháng Jiāng - or longest river is the largest in China and the third largest in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. It spans over 6000 kilometres and traversing eleven provinces and cities from west to east! Tourists can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Three Gorges while exploring the ancient cultural sites along the river. There are a myriad of different packages, boats and routes to take so you'll need to pick your package carefully... whether you take one that winds from Beijing to Shanghai over 10 days or just a few days between Chongqing and Wuhan, there are many options. I'm yet to tick this off my list but for more information, check out these sites: The Travel China Guide The Yangtze River Cruise Guide Guilin One of the most beautiful and quaint places I've seen in China, Guilin has definitely earned it's nickname ‘Shan shui jia tian xia’ meaning Guilin’s ‘mountain and water scenery is the best under heaven’. Guilin city is the stepping stone to places like Ping An Village where you can see the China of old in all her glory. From Guilin Airport, Ping An is a 2.5 hour drive up into the hills.... spend a night here and soak up the unique and rich culture of this 600 year old village that oozes unrivalled charm amongst a setting of stunning rice terraces. A world away and a breath of fresh air from China's manic side! Catch a ferry up the river to Yangshuo and marvel at the limestone karsts that jut from the sea in their mesmerising shapes and sizes. No wonder they call it a ‘jade ribbon winding among thousands of Karst Hills.’ Yangshuo Village is the perfect place for a fun adventure. Ride bikes along the river path or catch a bamboo raft and glide your way down the river. This post will give you the lowdown! China's Pearl of the Orient: Why Guilin is Compulsory Viewing! Hong Kong It's not part of the mainland, but my advice is after all of that adventure, you need to end your trip on a high note....perhaps amongst Hong Kong's glittering sky scrapers? The 'city that never sleeps' is home to 8000 plus restaurants, not to mention some beautiful beaches and hiking trails. Oh and let's not forget the fabulous shopping! Finish off your amazing trip to the East with a relaxing couple of days in the fragrant harbour. Hong Kong gets very humid, so avoid the blazing summer months from June to August. Travelling to Hong Kong? This page has it all. Oh and if you're still not convinced...check out my post Four Good Reasons You Need to Travel China If you are convinced.... don't forget to read this! Travelling to China: Top Ten Things to Pack! Happy Travelling! This is China. Pssst... feel free to message me with any further questions and I'll try to help. Nicole@mintmochamusings.com … [Read more...]
China’s Paradise on Earth – Hangzhou! Is it Worth a Visit?
If you do an internet search for the top places to visit in China, more often than not, Hangzhou will score a place in the top ten. Before last weekend, I didn't know too much about the city, but given Marco Polo promptly declared Hangzhou "beyond dispute the finest and noblest place in the world" I figured I was safe to add it to my list! Oh and in a double (must visit) whammy the city also has a song written about it that famously says, "There is paradise in heaven, on earth there is Hangzhou." Clearly this is a city with quite a reputation to uphold…. While we're based in Xi'an, we're ticking off the bucket list, trying to see as many interesting places in this wide, extremely diverse land as possible; so with the most reasonable airfares on a national holiday, first cab off the rank was indeed Hangzhou. A short one hour 45 minute flight, south east of Xi'an, Hangzhou is also a 45 minute train ride from China's metropolis, Shanghai… and it shows! After spending almost eight months in Xi'an, there's definitely a different feel to this comparable city of eight million. Once the capital of China (during the Song Dynasty) today it's the capital of the Zhejiang province. Without doubt, Hangzhou's exposure to a metropolitan city has paved the way for a more cosmopolitan influence. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, I'll let you be the judge. (Mind you, the ginormous Forever 21 clothes store, sleek, shiny Apple store and friendly uber driver, kind of had me at hello.) Compared to Xi'an - which I suspect largely due to its location in the North West has been isolated from other major cities - English was noticeably more present in Hangzhou, driving less chaotic (with less beeping) (perhaps that's because there seemed to be much fewer bikes on the roads) and on first observation, there seemed to be a lot less street food stalls. You could say, in looks, the two cities are almost chalk and cheese. Xi'an boasts an unmatched historical charm, with its ancient monuments, perfectly landscaped streets and manicured tree-lined pathways; while the more subtropical Hangzhou has a rugged, overgrown feel, with its weeping willows draping themselves in wildly carefree fashion across the city. Little streams and rivers wind through the city with cute arched stone bridges; and the city itself is wrapped with mountainous ranges. A 30 minute drive from the airport to the city, once we were safely deposited to our hotel, we did what all the brochures suggested and hightailed it to the city's pride and joy, Xihu or 'West Lake.' We found a sprawling six sq kilometre freshwater lake with scenery that has no doubt impressed over the years - so much so, it's been immortalized by countless poets and artists, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Technically, there are 'ten scenes' at the West Lake…..each with its own story to tell. We got dropped off at the "Broken Bridge" and enjoyed a leisurely stroll over it shuffled shoulder to shoulder with a thousand other holiday makers. Note to self: attempting any tourist attraction on a public holiday in China is probably not the smartest move. (Especially as a foreigner where your chances of getting mobbed by the paparazzi are considerably higher!) That said, we were not to be deterred! If 'Brangelina' can do it, so can we! For a very brief moment, we considered hiring a boat with the hundreds of other boating enthusiasts to row around parts of the lake or more preferably, one we could power ourselves - but to be honest, there seemed to be a lot of people on the lake going nowhere, fast! We eventually got on one of the bigger ferry boats for RMB 55 (kids under 6 free) which had us motoring to one of the lake's islands in a jiffy. Lush green and picturesque with its pretty flowers, I'm pretty sure on a slightly less chaotic day it would be quite the peaceful haven to wander through. We later found out this is known as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon - the largest island on the lake. From here you can see the famous Leifang Pagoda. If you want to get up close and personal, you can take the boat across and climb to the top for RMB40 -- but, given we now live next door to a Pagoda, we opted to gaze at this marvelous monument from a distance! (I'm told it's at its best like this anyway!) So after meandering around for a good 45 minutes, the shoulder to shoulder fight for space on the footpath all got a bit sweaty and we stared at the map for about ten minutes trying to work out how to get off the island! We eventually found the right boat that took us back to the foreshore! We spotted the 'Jazz Bar' on our map and spent about half an hour trying to locate this little refuge. We eventually found a little watering hole with an outdoor garden where we could grab a beer for 15 kuai and put our feet up. It's no inner city trend-setter, but definitely hit the spot and quenched our thirst. On advice, we then walked about ten minutes inland to Wushan Square. Here there is a town square and a narrow lane way with some cute market stalls, selling all sorts of weird and wonderful local trinkets. I'd like to say it was worth it, but if you're strapped for time, I think you could probably give this spot a miss. Although you do get to feast your eyes on this marvelous oriental gem. Waking up the next day to an extremely hazy, sopping wet day meant our trip to the famous Longjin Tea plantation was out of the question (forgot my gumboots), but I've heard it's well worth the visit, so try to factor it in to your plans. This region is famous for one of the most prized and expensive teas in China, Dragon Well green tea and you can pick and sample it here in spectacularly serene surroundings. Instead, we went back to a different part of the paradisiacal lakeside for a late afternoon wander (and hopefully a beverage or two)… Weary of heading back to more of the same, we were pleasantly surprised to find this little waterfront sanctuary (on Hubin Road) at sunset was a hive of activity. Pagoda's were lit up, mountains shone and oriental boats glistened as they chugged across the lake. Basking in the glow, West Lake really did look quite heavenly. The city's shopping hub is very close by, so we ambled through to get a feel for Hangzhou's city centre. Modern and quite sophisticated you get the feeling this isn't just a typical Chinese city but one that has a sense of purpose and is progressing at a rapid pace. I'm not quite sure it's 'paradise on earth' but if you pick your moment, it's definitely a little pocket of bliss to hibernate from the mainland madness. So, is it worth the trip? If you're visiting China, I definitely think it's worth adding to the itinerary. You could potentially cover it with an overnight stay. Live in China? I'd recommend a day trip the next time you're in Shanghai. Living in Shanghai? Of course it's a great weekend escape. A few tips: As with most Chinese cities, if you don't speak Chinese and/or know the geography of the city, hailing a taxi can be a fruitless exercise. Hangzhou is no different. Use Uber taxis. We found ourselves stranded in the middle of a busy square on an even busier public holiday with a toddler fast approaching 'witching hour' - unable to get a cabbie to agree to take us (that foreign thing), we reverted to Uber taxis. Whilst the driver couldn't speak any English or understand our Chinese (why is it in a 'situation' it's far easier to use your 6th grade French!!??) he soon tracked us down and came running through the street to find us. Now that's service! (Oh Uber, please come to Xi'an!) For first-timers, my suggestion is stay by the lake, if you can. There are quite a few hotels along the waterfront including the Hyatt and Wyndham and plenty in the cheaper category. Of course, where ever you are in China, be sure to have your hotel written down in Chinese to show the driver. I keep harping on about it, I know...but do try to avoid visiting any attraction in China on a public holiday. Oh, and don't forget your tissues and hand sanitizer! This is China. … [Read more...]