China is a fascinating, must-see country with something to offer every kind of traveller. Popular destinations include Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Macau, Xi’an, Sanya, Lijang and Tibet. We’ve compiled some of the basic information you need to know before you head to China, including visa arrangements, top spots to visit and some places to stay.
The basics
Population: 1.4 billion
Capital: Beijing
Religion: Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, usually practiced in combination with one another.
Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 119 (fire), 120 (medical).
FACT FILE
The key dates
Chinese New Year. From the first to the 15th day of the lunar New Year is a time for visiting friends and relatives. It’s the biggest migration of people in the world, so be prepared for overwhelming crowds, noise and fireworks.
Dragon Boat Festival. Try a zongzi rice dumpling while watching the dragon boat racing.
Mid-Autumn Festival. Another family reunion holiday; admire the full moon and sample mooncakes.
The hot spots
Popular destinations include Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Macau, Xi’an, Sanya, Lijang and Tibet.
There are more than 50 World Heritage Sites, including the Great Wall, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Did you know?
• Ping pong is among the most popular sports in China, but it originated from Britain as table tennis.
• On the Lotus Bridge that links mainland China and Macau, cars switch from left to right-hand drive and vice versa.
• In the district of Datang in Zhuji, also known as “sock city”, one third of the world’s socks are produced.
• The Chinese invented paper, the compass, gunpowder and printing. Toilet paper was also invented in China in the late 1300s, for the use of emperors. Fortune cookies are not a Chinese invention; they first appeared in the early 1900s, in San Francisco..
Some itinerary ideas
• The Big Three: Beijing – Shanghai – Xi’an (terracotta warriors)
• Natural Beauty: Shanghai – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Guilin
• The West: Beijing – Urumqi – Kashgar
• Sichuan & Yunnan: Chengdu – Shangri-La – Dali – Lijiang
• The South: Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong – Macau – Sanya
How to stay healthy
• The high levels of air pollution in major urban and industrialised areas can aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions. Check pollution index levels at aqicn.info. A reading of 300 and above is considered extremely polluted, and several cities including Beijing regularly exceed this number.
• Rabies occurs throughout China, so you’re best to avoid contact with animals – even the cute ones!
• Buy bottled water, don’t drink it from the tap.
While you’re there, please don’t…
• Leave your chopsticks sticking upright in your rice bowl. Doing so is likened to a shrine with two sticks of incense stuck upright in it, and is the equivalent of wishing death upon the person at the table. Instead, lay them on your dish.
Before you go, read …
- Country Driving by Peter Hessler – detailing the author’s several long journeys by car through rapidly changing China.
- Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian – Nobel prize-winner’s fictionalised memoir about a journey along the Yangzi River.
Before you go, watch …
- Raise the Red Lantern – this bold and colourful drama by director Zhang Yimou (the man behind the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics) is set in the 1920s and tells the story of a concubine to a wealthy warlord.
- Skyfall – for a view of Shanghai and Macau through James Bond’s eyes.
They said it
“Let her (China) sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte.
“Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he’ll eat forever.” – Chinese proverb
KEY QUESTIONS
Do I need a visa?
All visitors to China need a visa with the exception of citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan. (This is if they are not intending to stay for more than 15 days.) For further information, visit visaforchina. org/SGP_EN/
How long will it take me to get there?
Between 4 and 7 hours from Singapore. There’s no time difference between China and Singapore, but Xinjiang and Tibet in the country’s far west use an unofficial time that is 2 hours behind Singapore.
What’s the money situation?
The official currency in China is the renminbi (RMB); the basic unit of this currency is the yuan. Credit card use is largely limited to high-end hotels, restaurants and shops so your best bet is to carry cash. You’ll find ATMs in most major towns throughout the country.
When’s the best time to visit?
Weather varies enormously depending on the location, but in general the middle of spring and autumn are pleasant times to go. We don’t recommend you travel during the “Golden Week” holiday at the beginning of October, since half the country will be lining up to get trains and buses too! It can be bitterly cold between December and February, especially in the north, where temperatures get down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Hong Kong’s best weather is generally from March to May and November to December.
What’s the lingo?
The official language of China is Mandarin. Cantonese is the other main language, serving as the predominant language of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province. Here are some phrases to get you started:
Hello – Ni hao
What is your name? – Ni jiào shénme míngzi?
My name is __ – Wo jiào __
How much? Duoshao?
Thank you – Xiè xie
Yes – Shì de
No, thank you – Búyào xièxie
Is there anything I should know about meeting the locals?
A handshake is the formal way of greeting people in China, but it tends to be a less firm shake than you may experience in many Western countries.
What’s a must-try dish?
Peking duck – roasted duck meat and strips of crispy duck skin topped with scallions and a sweet sauce and wrapped in thin pancakes.
What should I buy as a souvenir?
Porcelain from Jingdezhen, green tea, calligraphy scrolls, ornate chopsticks.
WHERE TO STAY
- The Brickyard is a lodge and spa about 10 minutes from Mutianyu. Rooms have a modern rustic feel and feature a glass wall and outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the Wall. brickyardatmutianyu.com
- William Lindesay is a British Great Wall researcher whose company, Wild Wall, organises excursions to remote sections of the wall, including accommodation in a farmhouse, to longer “extreme” hiking and camping adventures. wildwall.com
- The School House is a sustainable tourism enterprise that provides employment for locals. It comprises eight restored village houses used as comfortable visitor accommodation, including Grandma’s House, with two bedrooms and enclosed garden – perfect for a family. theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com
Read more in our Travel section!
Beijing versus Shanghai
How to visit the Great Wall of China
This article first appeared in the Travel Guide 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
