Holidays in China

China is a unique country, where two worlds coexist harmoniously, where national Chinese houses with concave roofs stand next to grandiose skyscrapers, on the roads luxury Mercedes give way to carts, and not far from the vast rice fields, which are still processed by hand, industrial enterprises are built and provide half the world with clothing and household appliances. 

Sights of China

The Great Celestial Empire is what the Chinese once called the part of the land that was under the rule of the emperor. China is actually “deeper” than many of us realize. This is not only a country of megacities and high technologies, it is home to a huge number of ancient religious shrines, the traditions of local residents, especially from the outback, are amazing and worthy of attention. It is impossible to mention all the palaces, temples, parks and Buddhist statues, but we can create a rough itinerary that will most popular with tourists.

Without a doubt, the most recognizable symbol of China is the Great Wall of China; to the Chinese themselves, it resembles a giant flying dragon. The length of the wall from edge to edge is about 2500 km, this is the most grandiose and majestic defensive structure that the world has ever seen. It is not surprising that every tourist strives to get here first; the sections that pass near Beijing are especially attractive. This section was built to protect the city from raids by nomads and was of very important strategic importance. Its highest point is called Badaling.

The Great Wall of China was built over many centuries; construction was completed only in 1640, while the appearance of the structure changed over time to a more modern one - stone boulders replaced bricks and slabs.

The wall is not only a symbol of the greatness of the country, but also a symbol of the suffering of the Chinese people, because during its construction thousands of people died from hunger, exhaustion and hard work, they were buried right there, as evidenced by archaeological finds.

The Forbidden City (Gugong) is located in the very center of Beijing and is surrounded on all sides by high walls. Gugun is the largest palace complex in the world, consisting of 980 buildings and covering an area of ​​72 hectares.

The palace was named so for a reason; mere mortals were strictly prohibited from entering here, the city was hidden behind ten-meter walls. Now a museum is located here, and for five centuries it was home to the imperial families of the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as their associates and major government officials.

The Potala Palace is the largest attraction in all of Tibet. The former residence of the Dalai Lama is located in his former historical capital, Lhasa.

The palace is a huge structure with 13 floors and a height of about 120 meters, which can be seen from anywhere in Tibet. From afar, the Potal can be confused with a medieval castle due to its numerous towers and terraces. The use of two colors - red and white - symbolizes two powers. State power of the Dalai Lama - the administrative building is located in the white part of the palace. In the red part of the Potala, religious rituals were held and prayers were recited, and the color itself signifies the spiritual power of the Dalai Lama.

A giant statue of Buddha was carved right into the rock near the city of Leshan, Szechuan Province, which for 1000 years was considered the most monumental sculpture in the world, because its height is 71 meters.

The construction of the statue lasted about 90 years, thousands of workers and sculptors worked on it. As legend has it, Buddha was carved to appease the elements, because three rivers meet in this place and create dangerous whirlpools.

Pudong is a true architectural marvel of China and the main financial and economic center of Shanghai. It’s hard to believe, but just 20 years ago there was farmland here, and now an amazing number of skyscrapers of all kinds are built on a small piece of land. Pudong is a grand spectacle at night, when the lights of the skyscrapers sparkle and shimmer.

The latest and tallest skyscraper is the Shanghai Tower, which has become the second tallest building in the world.

Other iconic tourist spots in China:

• The Magao Caves form a system of 492 temples, which are a striking example of Buddhist art.
• The Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures that depicts the army of the first emperor of China.
• Victoria Harbor is the largest in Asia.

Resorts in China

Residents of the Russian Far East have long mastered the seaside resorts of China, but the majority of Russians and Europeans were still little familiar with this part of the country, perhaps due to the prospect of a long flight.

Most popular resort China is currently considered to be the island of Hainan, washed by the South China Sea. To “promote” it, the country’s authorities even allowed tourists visa-free entry for 15 days.

Hainan is a large tropical island in the very south of the country. Hundreds of years ago, volcanic eruptions constantly occurred here; now only numerous craters and thermal springs remind of this, thanks to which rest in this place can be considered therapeutic.

The island lies at the same latitude as Hawaii, which is why Hainan is often called the “Hawaii of the East.” Sunbathers will definitely appreciate the local climate; the temperature here is quite high even in January, and the air is dry and soft. Any fan of sea holidays will find the best here: pure white sand, clear turquoise water, emerald coconut palms and exotic fruits.

Most of the resort areas of the island are concentrated in the town of Sanya. The resort is considered fashionable; tourists are offered comfortable accommodation and a truly unforgettable paradise vacation, as in the “bounty” advertisement. While relaxing on the island, you can combine business with pleasure; forty kilometers from the resort there is Mount Nianshan, where monuments of Buddhist culture are collected.

Hotels in China

The last couple of decades tourism development in China is in full swing, new hotels and inns are opening. If you are limited in money, choose budget accommodation - a hostel or cheap hotels, often located near bus stations or near the railway. In any case, there will be no problem with accommodation, but be sure to check whether the plumbing works, whether there is hot water in the room, how noisy the street is, where the windows face.

There are two classifications of hotels in China - international, based on stars, and national, which is often used by local hotels; in fact, it differs little from the international one:

• “inn” is the same hostel or hotel of the dormitory type;
• “Gostiny Dvor” - can be compared to a hotel with 2-3 stars;
• “wine yard” - under this name the Chinese offer more comfortable and expensive housing.

In prestigious hotels in China, guests are offered all the same amenities as in hotels in Turkey or Europe: TV, refrigerator, air conditioning, shower and hygiene accessories. The buffet here is organized mainly for breakfast; the system has never fully taken root.

If you prefer active recreation, sightseeing and shopping, choose hotels in the megacities of Shanghai and Beijing. The choice of hotels in big cities is large, almost all of them are located in the center, next to large shopping centers. On the upper floors the room offers incredible views.

For those who prefer to relax away from the noise, travel agents advise going to Hainan Island - an exotic place with white sandy beaches and comfortable hotels located in bays.

Housing prices in China are significantly lower than in European resorts; a night in a three-star hotel for two will cost 50-60 dollars; for a room in a five-star hotel you will have to pay an average of 150 to 200 dollars.

Features of China

When visiting the Celestial Empire, you will, of course, have a desire to touch, at least for a short time, one of the most ancient civilizations, get acquainted with the customs and traditions and get to know representatives of the friendly people better.

Features of the Chinese mentality and interesting facts about the country:

• If you manage to win over a Chinese person and become “one of your own,” then consider yourself lucky, because in China all interactions with people are based on mutual trust and respect. They will give you the best price and always help you out in trouble.
• Many people visiting China for the first time believe that the indigenous people are very unfriendly and that this is their main characteristic. In fact, these people simply do not consider it necessary to show true emotions to everyone. As a rule, they smile broadly only to those close to them.
• It is generally accepted that the Chinese are very talkative and gesticulate too much. This is explained by a banal habit, because in megacities there is an increased noise level. At the same time, according to the observations of tourists, they can sleep anywhere and anytime, not paying attention to bright light or noise.
• Chinese people are very hardworking and have no concept of vacation. Several weekends in a row appear only during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
• The Chinese are often late for meetings. The reason may be a traffic jam, but the determining factor is the attitude towards the person.
• It seems strange to us, but ordinary hot water is considered the best remedy for treating all kinds of ailments. It is this miracle remedy of Chinese traditional medicine that you will be advised to take if you complain of a headache or abdominal pain. This may be why there are free public toilets at every turn in China.
• Restaurants around the country often serve utensils packed in a vacuum bag. At first glance, it seems quite suitable for eating, but the Chinese themselves rinse this dish with boiling water.
• Incredibly, such an indispensable invention as a baby diaper in China is used only in megacities. In small towns, kids can relieve themselves directly on the sidewalk, especially since their pants are equipped with a special slit in the front and back.
• Concepts of beauty in China are slightly different from those in Europe. For example, snow-white skin is the main criterion of attractiveness. Local women make great efforts to avoid sunbathing, applying protective creams and walking the streets with umbrellas.
• In China, it is not customary to openly express your emotions and feelings. Even a friendly kiss on the cheek is perceived as bad manners. Words about love are generally a huge rarity, even in families.
• Traditional Chinese cuisine is more of a myth, because the cooking features largely depend on the region you come to. Like thousands of years ago, the basis of dishes is considered to be rice, soybeans, and vegetables. The prejudice that all Chinese eat insects, beetles and their larvae is also not entirely true. Such strange traditions remained only in the southern provinces.

How much will a holiday in China cost?

As always, the biggest expense item is vacation is buying air tickets and renting accommodation.

Residents of the Far East, of course, are lucky with this; they will pay only 7-11 thousand for an air ticket. You will have to pay 17-20 thousand rubles for the flight if you are traveling to China from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Air travel for residents of the Urals will cost the most - 25-27 thousand rubles departing from Yekaterinburg airport.

It is better to rent a hotel room in advance, using one of their Internet services. Please note that the photo of a hotel room does not always correspond to the truth, so before you check in, check it for cleanliness - whether the windows overlook a noisy street or a dirty courtyard. Give preference to chain hotels that try not to spoil their reputation; the average price of a double room varies from 30 to 40 dollars, and in general the cost starts from 10 dollars, but the level of comfort in such housing will be appropriate.

There are a huge number of apartments for rent in China, but you can rent them for at least a month. A furnished apartment in this case will cost 500-600 dollars.

The transport infrastructure in China is well developed; you can get anywhere in the city by metro, bus or taxi. The cheapest option is to purchase a public transport ticket; it costs only $4.

Food in China is quite specific, so many people prefer to eat at well-known fast food chain restaurants; the average bill is about $6. In local eateries you can have a hearty dinner for one and a half, but no one guarantees you compliance with sanitary standards.

A trip to the most famous resort of Hainan Island costs from 65 to 100 thousand rubles, considering that you will be staying in a three-star hotel. By the way, the service there is quite good, the area is clean and well-groomed, and there are usually several swimming pools. A higher class holiday will cost 100-140 thousand, four-star hotels are most often located right by the sea. Well, if you like everyone’s favorite all inclusive, then prepare to pay at least 200 thousand for a trip for two.