Although most of China's rural areas remain largely undeveloped, its cities have many of the amenities found in the West. In any case, the nation's great size makes it a good idea to map out your itinerary in advance. At over 3,000 miles wide and with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, it's impossible to see everything China offers in one trip, or even two. Online travel planners, such as Orbitz and Hotwire, can help you find affordable lodging, transportation and other travel options, plus information and planning tools.
Keep in mind that the Chinese government has strict travel laws. Violations can mean immediate deportation, a fine or worse. Be sure your visa and passport are up to date; you or your hotel should register you with the police within 24 hours of your arrival, too. If you want to visit Tibet or other sensitive areas, you may need to obtain a special permit, preferably through a local travel agent. Another option is to visit restricted regions as part of a registered tour group.
Research Exciting Cities
Shopping is hugely popular in the capital Beijing and other major cities, like Shanghai and Xian, with much of the fun being in finding and negotiating a great bargain. There are also art and history museums to explore, like the Terracotta Warriors Museum and the Forest of Stone Steles Museum. Hungry visitors can find a cornucopia of options, from street vendors hawking freshly cooked food to local fast-food and fine-dining restaurants. Local ingredients and techniques have produced many regional cooking styles and tastes. Explore History
A top destination for exploring China's architecture and culture is the Forbidden City, a palace that was off-limits to most people for hundreds of years. Also popular is the Great Wall, which stretches from the Korean mountains to the Gobi Desert. Most of the existing wall, covering roughly 5,500 miles, was built during the Ming Dynasty, from 1368 to 1644. Other significant historical sites include the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected Europe and Asia for hundreds of years, and the Wolong National Natural Reserve in Chengdu, where visitors can watch giant pandas, golden monkeys and wildebeests, among other exotic and familiar animals.
Plan Tours
China's vast landscape is another draw for tourists. Tour the Yangtze River, Asia's longest waterway, which flows over 3,000 miles from the Tibetan glaciers to the East China Sea in Shanghai. It is also is one of the most culturally and economically important rivers in China. Probably the best way to tour the river's history is by taking one of many guided tours.
Visit the vast mountains, including Mt. Everest, with the world's tallest peaks, and the five "sacred mountains," most of which offer historic pilgrimage routes and dazzling views (particularly from the summit at sunrise). In the Sichaun Province, the Grand Buddha at Leshan is the largest in the world at nearly 233 feet tall. Other parts of the country feature expansive grasslands, vast rivers and isolated ruins, as well as myriad temples and monasteries.
