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| China Travel Guide for backpackers |
| This is a land that is vast; in fact it is the third largest country in the world after Canada and Russia, and it can trace its dynasties as far back as 2205 B.C. to a visitors eye everything in China is impressive, from its crowded bustling markets and city streets to its magnificent old temple buildings and traditions.
In the cities towering skyscrapers have taken the place of the traditional bamboo houses, and cell phones and hi-tech equipment keep the modern generation up to date with world happenings, overtaking old men painstakingly painting messages on rice paper. Yet, for all the modern advancements of the land, all the charm of China still exists and still can be found in the right places. |
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Beijing - In this forward looking city, remains of its glorious past can still be seen. Some of China's most spectacular sights, including the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace are located here.
Hong Kong - A traveler could get lost in Hong Kong, in every sense of the word. Towering, huge, frenetic and magical, it offers tranquility in its temples and parks, big city commercialism in its powerful business sectors and ancient folklore and tradition in its festivals.
Macau - With a twin heritage of Portuguese and Chinese, Macau offers old forts and pirates' island hideaways as well as Chinese temples and numerous museums displaying its history.
Shanghai - Once the scene of colonial decadence and ruin, today Shanghai offers a glimpse of the past in The Bund, Frenchtown and its riverside area, but welcomes the future with arresting new architecture, the best shops and restaurants in the country and the most fashionable people.
X'ian - Old stone walls and an army of over 10,000 Terracotta Warriors standing in battle formation in underground vaults have made X'ian a major tourist attraction. |
 DAILY BUDGET in CHINA - Eastern China is generally more expensive than the western part and US$50 a day would have cash strapped backpackers battling with high finance decisions of whether or not they could afford the noodles, or the noodles, for a change. In western China however, for US$25 per day they will manage much better, with the biggest bite out of their budget being the long train journeys. |
China is best visited in spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October), when although the nights are cold, the daytime temperatures are comfortable. It is wise not to visit during major public holidays when accommodation and everything else becomes dramatically more expensive.
The colourful Lantern Festival held on the 15th day of the 1st moon, somewhere from mid-February to mid-March marks the end of their New Year festivities. June in Hong Kong sees the Dragon Boat Festival, with teams battling it out in long elaborate canoes in one of the liveliest events of the Chinese calendar. |
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