Archive for beijing
Travelling the Silk Road
Posted by: | CommentsThe Silk Road is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations. There are already heaps of travel agents and tour companies offering tours in 2010. So where is it and why is it so popular?
Traditionally the Silk Road extends from Xian in central China to either the Middle East or Europe. In fact there are many routes, some to Moscow in the north and those into India and Pakistan in the south. Just like travellers in the time of Marco Polo – the thirteenth century – the ancient trade routes still exist although the type of goods sold and the method of transport have changed. The reason why the Silk Road starts/ends in Xian is that it was the ancient capital of China and internal trade routes, in many cases along the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, were already established to distribute goods within China.
Nowadays, many tourists start their Silk Road journey in Beijing. The Imperial City, the Great Wall of China the many places of historic interest will make a 3-5 day stay worthwhile. Add to it a little shopping and time to experience northern Chinese cuisine and you are ready for your Silk Road experience.
Getting there.
Most international airlines fly into Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. There is a lesser choice of flights to and from western China and most of these are based out of the capital of Xinjiang Province, Urumqi.
Transportation in China
Posted by: | CommentsTraveling around China can be accomplished in a number of ways. With over 140 airports throughout China, air travel is easy. Rail travel is also easily accessible. Traveling by automobile, on the other hand, can be difficult, expensive, and downright dangerous!
There are twelve main airports in China, covering mainly the eastern and southeast regions of the country. In the north, Beijing Airport and its northern partner, Dailain Airport account for the most passengers in the northeast. Further down along the coast, Shanghai has two major airports – Honggiao and Pudong – for the many millions of passengers who come to the Shanghai region each year. Xiamen, Baiyun, Baoan, and Hong Kong Airport take up the most southeast traffic. Further inland, the major airports of Xianyang, Chengdu, Chongging and Guilin make travel throughout the western areas more accessible.
The most popular airlines within China are Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Dragon Air, and Hainan Airlines. There are many more airlines and it is wise to check prices before you leave home in order to ensure you have a cheap and efficient flight within China.
The first railway in China was built in 1874. Now, there are tens of thousands of miles of track linking virtually every town and city. There are four classes of train travel within China – hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, and soft sleeper. Like it sounds, hard seat is the most unpleasant but also the cheapest. It is similar to “coach” class. Soft seat is a first class ride for short distances. Hard sleeper is a semi-private sleeping car, soft sleeper is more private and bedding is provided.
Learn About China
Posted by: | CommentsChina is one of the most famous ancient civilizations, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. China is the most populated country with a large land mass and abundant resources. China opened up to the world in 1978, joined the world trade organization in 2001 (WTO), and hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing. With a much more open market policy, there’s increasing number of oversea visitors gaining interest in China’s culture, history, scenery, and lifestyle.
There are 56 ethnic groups in China, with the main nationality being the Han composing of 91% of the population. The remaining 9% of the population is made up of the remaining 55 ethnic groups.
The main language is also the Han Language, spoken in all parts of china and in Asia. The Hui and Manchu ethnic groups also speak Han, while the other 53 ethnic groups use their own languages. The Han-Tibetan language is used by 29 ethnic groups, who live mainly in the southern regions of China.
Must Sees of China in 12 Days
Posted by: | CommentsChina boasts of twenty four cultural and five natural relics inscribed on the World Heritage List. Apart from this record, there are still fifty eight relics on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage list to be officially added to China’s cultural treasures. This record has in turn led to the rapid boost of China’s tourism contributing to its economic growth.
Almost every city in China has one or more sightseeing to visit and if you don’t plan your itinerary ahead, you might just wander through some cities without seeing the most important attractions making your trip to China incomplete.
Beijing is usually the first city to visit. Because of its significance in the historical development of China, it has a number of sightseeing which is not to be missed during your short visit here. They include The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, The Summer Palace, The Ming Tombs and the traditional Hutong. All of these attractions can be visited in three days.
Xian would definitely be your next stop after Beijing. Spending two days in Xian allows you to discover the past of China since it is believed by many to be the birthplace of ancient civilization. The two major attractions to see in Xian are the Terracotta Army Warriors and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. These Xian attractions played significant roles during the Chinese revolution.
Travel China Beijing- the Forbidden City 中国北京故宫
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Prepare at least one day for just visiting the Forbidden City BeiJing China, as there are too many of the interesting things to see.
How Do I Apply For a China Visa?
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Interest in travel from the U.S. to China has increased in the last decade. This is due, at least partially, to a number of factors, including the Beijing Summer Olympics and economic factors. American tourists are seeking China visa applications in higher numbers. This guide will answer “How do I apply for a China visa?” and four other frequently asked questions.
1) How do I apply for a China Visa? This is the number one most frequently asked question. A China Visa is necessary for travel to all parts of China from the United States. Applications can be obtained from most every passport processing agency in America. China visa applications are also available online and from local U.S. Post Offices. Completed application forms and required documentation can be submitted in person or by mail. China visa application forms cannot be submitted electronically.
2) What documentation must accompany my China visa application form? You must submit several documents along with your completed application form. You must send or present a valid U.S. passport. The passport’s expiry date must be greater than six months away from the date of submission. The passport must also have no fewer than two blank visa pages left. If either of these criteria cannot be met then you must apply for a new passport/passport renewal first. You must also submit a passport regulation photo, proof of planned travel to China (a trip itinerary OR a photocopy of airline tickets which shows that the trip is to take place within three months) and confirmation of hotel reservations in China. It’s critical that all of these documents are presented. Omission of one or more will result in rejection of your application. It’s also crucial that you ensure that your china visa application form is filled out entirely. Don’t leave any blanks unfilled, and be sure to sign it in ink.
