Tips for the First Trip to China

For many travelers, China is a vast and wonderful country. As time has passed, society has become increasingly open, allowing people from other countries to better understand China. Therefore, China has become a more interesting travel destination, and every year many foreign travelers wish to travel there to learn more about our ancient, beautiful, peaceful and friendly country.

ChinaTravelVip.com warmly welcome friends from all over the world to visit China, and we are always ready to offer you enjoyable and memorial tours. Below are some tips for your first visit to China.

What Type of Trip to Choose

For people traveling to China for the first time, the first decision to make is which form of travel to choose: travel with a travel agency or take a trip on their own?

For foreign travelers planning to visit China, it is highly recommended to travel with a local travel agency in China. They have professional travel designers who can customize a specific tour itinerary for you, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free trip. Travel with "ChinaTravelVip" is an excellent choise, from your arrival at the airport to your departure from China, we take care of everything during your trip in China. You just need to enjoy the entire journey and we take care of the rest.

Breaking Language Barriers

We believe that for travelers visiting China for the first time, the Chinese language can pose a great difficulty. In fact, when traveling to a country where people speak different languages, it is normal for anyone to feel some fear.

The official language of China is Mandarin, based on the Beijing dialect. Mandarin Chinese pinyin is a phonetic writing system that allows pronunciation recognition and marks accented tones. Unlike other dialects, such as Cantonese, Mandarin is used throughout the country. Most Chinese do not speak English, and it is generally only useful in international locations such as hotels or airports.

However, don't worry, with the development of Chinese society, the government has incorporated English as a compulsory course, and more and more people are aware of the importance of English. The younger generation in Chinese cities can communicate in English in their daily lives. Therefore, you can seek help in English. Additionally, if you travel with ChinaTravelVip, you will have an English-speaking guide (or other languages like Spanish and Italian, if you prefer) for almost the entire trip. If you learn a little simple Chinese, you will find that your trip to China is more interesting than you expect.

Determine destinations

For travels traveling to China for the first time, the most classic itineraries may include Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong. Travelers can not only enjoy beautiful scenery, but also learn about China's rich history and rapid development.

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and also the political, cultural and technological center of the country. It is one of the first cities to be designated as National Historic Cultural Cities, and has the greatest amount of cultural heritage. There are many places of interest worth visiting, such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Xi'an, known in ancient times as Chang'an, was the capital of 13 dynasties and is one of the ten oldest cities in the world. Furthermore, Xi'an is one of the important places of origin of the Chinese nation and civilization, being the eastern starting point of the Silk Road. The most famous sites include the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and the Banpo Museum. Additionally, there is a challenge that enjoys a reputation as one of the steepest and most rugged mountains in the world: Mount Huashan.

Shanghai, being a central city and a super metropolis, is the center of economy, transportation, science and technology, industry, finance, trade, fairs and shipping. Representative buildings can show the charm of Shanghai: Xujiahui Cathedral, Sun Yatsen Residence, Waibaidu Bridge, Oriental Pearl Tower, Disney Park and Jin Mao Tower. In addition, it enjoys the reputation of the World Architecture Exhibition because there are many buildings of different styles on the Bund.

Guilin, known as the world's tourism research center, is world famous for its beautiful mountains, crystal clear rivers and mysterious caves. These wonderful places are worth visiting: Yangshuo, Li River, Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region and an international metropolis. It is the third largest financial center in the world and one of the most competitive cities, recognized as a top tier city by GaWC. It enjoys the reputation of being the Pearl of the Orient, a Gastronomic Paradise and a Shopping Paradise. Must-visit places include Repulse Bay, Lan Kwai Fong, Victoria Harbor and Causeway Bay.

Classic Itineraries through China

Below are the classic itineraries through China, as they are the most popular among foreign travelers. You can choose one of them for traveling or take them as a reference according to your practical situation.

Take into account the time of travel

China, with its vast territory, most regions are in the temperate zone, some in the south are in the subtropical and tropical zones. In the north, near Siberia, ice and snow can be seen all year round. Furthermore, China is located in a monsoon zone. In most regions, winter is cold and dry, while summer is warm and rainy. Due to the topography and terrain conditions, its climate is very variable.

In summer, it is hot throughout the country. It is essential to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and increase salt consumption to replace what is lost through sweat. It is best to wear loose cotton clothing and sandals, and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Apart from the very budget hotels, most hotels have air conditioning in the rooms, and almost all restaurants are air conditioned. Exposing yourself to the sun for a long time can cause heat stroke, a serious illness accompanied by high fever, headache and disorientation. To avoid sunburn and fungal infections caused by humidity, it is advisable to wear loose, clean clothing, preferably made of natural fabrics, and open sandals. Many cities, such as Beijing, suffer from serious air pollution. Asthmatic patients should always carry their medication with them.

Book hotel in advance

Normally, we do not recommend traveling during the peak season in China, especially during the first week of May, the first week of October, and the Chinese Spring Festival celebration which usually takes place in late January or early February. This is because all attractions will be crowded with people, and hotel prices will increase considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to book hotels in advance.

Taste Authentic Chinese Dishes

When you travel to China, the most important thing is to taste the delicious dishes. Since ancient times, China has been a country with a wide variety of exquisite dishes. We recommend eight dishes most popular among Westerners: Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Spring Rolls, Dumplings, Fried Rice, Fried Noodles, Mapo Tofu, Peking Lacquered Duck. Read the related article for more information: Chinese Gastronomy.