Overview of China

Colossal and fiercely, endlessly foreign, China is not a destination you can easily compare to anywhere else in the world. Home to approximately one fifth of the human race, China continues to dazzle, befuddle, frustrate and thrill visitors. The key visitor attractions are renowned around the globe – think the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors – but on the ground it’s the sheer scale and off-kilter energy of the place that leaves the most lasting impression to anyone visiting. In many of the rural heartlands outside the massive, overwhelming cities, you can find a style and pace of life that reflects China fifty years ago. Village life is seemingly unchanged, on the surface. Still, for visitors to this country the greatest reward will be scratching beneath its flashy surface, to engage with a country that challenges and enthralls in equal measure.

Things to See and Do

Walk the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China was built over 2000 years and stretches an unimaginable 5400km across the country. A popular section of the wall lies just outside Beijing but if you are looking for a less crowded section, head to Mutianyu. At this part of the wall you can take a cable car up to wall and bobsled down it.

Sight-see in Beijing

Besides the city itself being a place to sight-see, Beijing is home to many other first-rate tourist attractions. One such attraction is Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Others include the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace imperial resort, the old city wall gates, and the stunning Beihai Park.

Play with Pandas

A perpetual icon of this area, giant pandas are playful and interesting creatures to get to know. If you want to see pandas in the wild or in a sanctuary where you can interact with them lightly, head to the Sichuan region. Here, the ancient parks and bamboo forests are among the last places where the endangered giant panda can live and try to thrive. Chengdu has a panda breeding and research centre where you can see pandas up close.

See the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is a collection of Chinese warriors made out of hardened clay—and the collection is enormous. Just over 10,000 of the figurines have been uncovered in Xian. These soldiers were created back in the second century BC and believe it or not, each figurine is different. They were modelled after actual members of the ancient imperial army and is popularly considered the “eighth wonder of the world.”

Trace the Silk Road

The ancient Silk Road trading route is incredibly important to the history of the area in that the trail brought Buddhism and Islam into China in addition to Nestorian Christianity. As you travel along this path you’ll pass through deserts and mountains on the way to the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas. Be sure to check out the ruins of Jiahoe City and Kashgar’s lively Sunday market.

Seasonality

Due to the extreme size and variety of the country’s landscapes and terrains, the country is subject to the worst extremes in weather. Generally, the best time to visit this region is either spring (March through May) or autumn (September through early November). Travel to China is possible year-round as long as you come prepared for what the season can throw at you. One example of varied and extreme weather is Tibet. Here you can get temperatures below 0 in the evenings and early morning with daytime temperatures hovering at an obscenely hot 38 degrees Celsius.

Travel Tips

• Guangzhou, Guiyang, Xian and Zhengzhou are notorious, for petty crime. Foreigners are obvious targets for pickpockets and thieves, but if you stay alert and keep your wits about you, you shouldn’t have any problems with petty crime. Incidences of crime increase around the Chinese New Year.
• Pollution is a serious problem in China, especially if you have allergies, skin conditions or eye, nose, throat issues. Beijing is the world’s most polluted city, so buy a quality face mask and be aware of your own limitations.
• Scams are increasingly widespread and increasingly clever. Just say no!
  • Well-dressed girls drag single men to expensive cafes and make them foot monstrous bills.
  • “Poor” art students force foreigners into art exhibits and coerce them into buying art.
  • Avoid buying tickets or exchanging money on the black market—it is unreliable and untrustworthy, you are more likely to part with your money than receive anything worthwhile in return.
  • Spitting is one of the banes of modern China. Campaigns have tried to stamp out the habit but don’t be surprised if you see someone blowing their nose into their fingers and then try to serve you a snack or hand you a ticket. Hand sanitizer is highly recommended.

There’s no question—China is a land of mesmerizing and uncompromising contradictions. Ancient traditions are practiced alongside up-to-the-minute trends, familiar icons of Chinese culture meld with stark modern iterations of the new Chinese culture. Find your place in this enormous country and get to know the world’s oldest continuous civilization. You’ll need a well-made pair of travelling shoes, a strong stomach and a comprehensive travel insurance plan to protect yourself and your journey through China.