China Travel Guide | About China

Country Overview

The People's Republic of China, commonly known as China, is an ancient civilization located in East Asia with more than 5,000 years of uninterrupted history. Today, it is a vibrant and modern nation that blends deep cultural heritage with astonishing contemporary development. From bustling international metropolises to peaceful countryside, from majestic mountain ranges to vast coastlines, China offers unique experiences for every traveler. The following is an overview of China.

Geographical Location

China is located in East Asia, on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean. It has a vast territory with a land area of about 9.6 million square kilometers, making it the third-largest country in the world.

• Neighboring Countries: China shares borders with 14 countries, including Russia, Mongolia, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and others. This makes cross-border land travel - such as the famous Silk Road routes - possible.
• Seas: The eastern and southern coasts face the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea.

Administrative Divisions

China is administratively divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions. For travelers, the most frequently visited areas include:

• Municipalities: Beijing (the capital), Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing.

• Provinces: Guangdong (Guangzhou), Shaanxi (Xi'an), Sichuan (Chengdu), Yunnan (Kunming), Zhejiang (Hangzhou), Jiangsu (Nanjing), and more.

• Autonomous Regions: Guangxi (Guilin), Tibet (Lhasa), and Xinjiang (Urumqi), known for their distinct ethnic cultures.

• Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong and Macau, which operate under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework with independent immigration and policy systems.

Language & Writing

• Official Language: Mandarin Chinese.
• Writing System: Chinese characters.
• Travel Tips:
 In major tourist cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, staff at hotels, airports, and large shopping malls can usually speak basic English. However, in smaller cities and rural areas, English proficiency is very low. If you prefer everything well-planned with fewer unexpected surprises during your trip, we recommend booking a tour that includes a guide.
If you plan to travel independently, it's helpful to install translation apps on your phone (such as Google Translate or Pleco) and download offline language packs. Save the Chinese names and addresses of your destinations on your phone so you can easily ask for directions or show them to taxi drivers.

Food Culture

China's food culture is incredibly rich and diverse—one of the most exciting parts of traveling in the country. Each cuisine is closely tied to its region, and tasting local dishes is one of the best ways to understand a place deeply.

Major Cuisines: China has the "Eight Great Cuisines," among which the most internationally recognized include:

• Sichuan Cuisine: Famous for its numbing and spicy flavors. Signature dishes include Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken.

• Cantonese Cuisine: Light and delicate flavors that highlight the natural taste of ingredients. Known for dim sum (yum cha) and roasted meats.

• Jiangsu Cuisine (Huaiyang Cuisine): Balanced flavors with refined knife skills.

• Shandong Cuisine: Primarily salty and fresh, forming the foundation of northern Chinese cooking.
  
  

Staple Foods: Rice and noodles are the main staples in the south and north, respectively.

Dining Style: Dishes are commonly shared around a round table, reflecting the traditional communal dining culture.

Culture & Traditions

Traditional Festivals:
– Spring Festival (Lunar New Year, Jan/Feb): The most important holiday in China. Families reunite, celebrations are grand, and fireworks light up the sky. Travel and transportation are extremely busy during this period.

– Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month, May/June): Held in memory of the ancient poet Qu Yuan. Traditions include eating zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) and watching exciting dragon boat races.

– Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar month, Sept/Oct): A festival for moon-viewing and eating mooncakes, symbolizing family reunion.

Traditional Arts:
China has a rich artistic heritage, and experiencing these art forms is a highlight for travelers.

– Calligraphy & Chinese Painting:
Considered among the most elegant art forms. Created with brush and ink on paper, focusing on fluid strokes and expressive artistic meaning.

Handicrafts:
• Porcelain: China is world-famous for its exquisite porcelain, especially from Jingdezhen.
• Embroidery: Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, and others are known for their delicate craftsmanship.
• Paper Cutting: A folk art that uses scissors to cut auspicious patterns from red paper.

• Religion:
Multiple religions coexist in China, including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity.

Climate and Best Times to Visit

China is vast, with diverse climates across regions.

• Best Travel Seasons:
  Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October) are the ideal times to visit. Most regions enjoy mild weather and beautiful scenery during these periods.

• Regional Differences:

• Northern China (e.g., Beijing, Xi'an):
        Continental climate with hot summers and cold, dry winters. Heavy down jackets are necessary in winter.

• Southern China (e.g., Shanghai, Guangzhou):
        Subtropical climate with hot, humid, and rainy summers, and mild, damp winters.

• Southwest China (e.g., Yunnan, Sichuan):
        Plateau and mountainous climate with large temperature differences between day and night, and strong sunlight.

• Qinghai–Tibet Plateau:
        Alpine climate - cold throughout the year. Even in summer, nights can be very chilly.

Natural Geography & Landscapes

China's incredibly diverse landscapes offer endless possibilities for travel:

• Mountain Ranges: The Himalayas (home to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak), Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
• Rivers: The Yangtze River (with the famous Three Gorges) and the Yellow River, known as the cradle of Chinese civilization.
• Karst Landscapes: The scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo in Guangxi is considered a global benchmark for karst beauty.
• Deserts: The Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang and the singing sand dunes of Mingsha Mountain in Gansu.
• Grasslands: The Hulunbuir Grasslands in Inner Mongolia.
• Lakes: West Lake in Hangzhou and Qinghai Lake.

Hotel Accommodation

China offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets.

• Luxury and Chain Hotels:
• International brands: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, InterContinental, Marriott, Hilton, Shangri-La, and more. These are widely available in major cities and popular tourist destinations.
• Local luxury brands: Such as Ahn Luh and Banyan Tree Anlu/Bolian, which offer stays with a stronger Chinese cultural touch.

• Mid-range Hotels:
Brands like Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Ji Hotel, and Atour Hotel provide good value with standardized service.

• Boutique & Specialty Stays:
In places like Lijiang and Yangshuo, travelers can also experience traditional guesthouses with local charm.

Payment Methods

China has the highest adoption of mobile payments in the world.

Mobile Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant methods. Almost all shops, restaurants, and even taxis accept them. For short-term visitors, some platforms allow you to link international credit cards, though certain functions may be limited.

Cash: Still accepted, but usage has dropped sharply in major cities. It's advisable to carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted at high-end hotels, large department stores, and some airport duty-free shops. However, many small and mid-sized businesses only support UnionPay.

Transportation

Air Travel:
• China has a vast and efficient domestic aviation network. All provincial capitals and major tourist cities have airports.
• Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong are the main international aviation hubs.
• Major airlines include Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.

Trains:
• Trains - especially high-speed trains - are one of the best ways to travel in China. The high-speed rail network covers most major cities and is known for its punctuality, speed, comfort, and convenience.

• Stations: High-speed railway stations are usually located in newer districts and are very large. Major cities often have 2–3 stations (e.g., Beijing South Station is mainly for high-speed trains, while Beijing Station serves regular trains).

• Tickets:

• Foreign travelers can buy tickets at train stations using their passport.

• It is recommended to register and buy tickets on the English version of China Railway's official site: www.12306.cn. If registration is difficult, you can use ETripChina or other ticketing platforms to purchase tickets on your behalf.

  
  

Buses
• Long-distance buses: These connect cities with other cities, as well as with nearby towns. For remote areas or small towns not covered by high-speed rail, buses are often the most affordable option. Stations are usually located in city centers, but comfort and speed cannot match high-speed rail.

• City buses: Very inexpensive and a good way to experience local life. However, routes can be complicated, stop announcements may be unclear, and buses can be extremely crowded during peak hours. Unless you're adventurous or traveling with a local, it's not recommended as your main mode of transportation.

Local Transportation

Taxis
• Convenience: Easy to hail on the street or at designated taxi stands.
• Payment: Most accept cash; more and more drivers support QR-code mobile payments.
• Disadvantages:

• Language barrier: Drivers may not speak any English. Always prepare the Chinese name and address of your destination, preferably with a map location.

Didi Chuxing (Ride-hailing)

• China's equivalent of Uber and the most recommended option for efficient travel.
• Usage: Download the Didi app and register with a local phone number.

• The app offers an English interface and supports English destination input (in major cities).

• Knowing some Chinese helps, but the in-app translation tool can handle basic communication.
       • Advantages: Transparent pricing, no cash required (charges automatically to your linked credit card or Alipay), and generally more comfortable than taxis.
       • Disadvantages: Surge pricing and long wait times during rush hour. Your exact pickup location may also be difficult for some drivers.

Private Car / Charter Service

Ideal for business trips, family travel (especially with children or seniors), or when visiting attractions far from the city center (e.g., Great Wall sections near Beijing).

Advantages:

• Flexible & timesaving: Fully customized schedule with stops whenever needed.

• Hassle-free: A professional driver handles all navigation and parking.

Comfort & safety: Ample space for luggage and shopping bags.

Booking: You can place an order directly through the car rental page or contact us in real time using the contact information at the bottom of the page.