China & HongKong: Updates & Travel

Travel in China & HongKong
Updates China & HongKong

Travel in China & HongKong

China is an extremely interesting destination. In addition to countless sights, the country has a fascinating culture and nature. Nature varies from the tropical rainforest in the south to the Himalayan mountains in the west. A country with a turbulent past from Confucius to Genghis Khan. China, a country that has been closed off from the Western world for years. A country with a history of long-term, strict communism and a country that perhaps has one of the most controversial governments internationally.
China is a gigantic country and therefore has an unprecedented number of impressive sights. Be prepared to be pleasantly and less pleasantly surprised by the extraordinary Chinese culture, people, cities and nature.
You can follow the historic Silk Road by train, via the Karakoram Highway towards Pakistan.
Climb the mountains in Zhangjiajie in the Hunan province. The fairytale-looking mountain ranges were the inspiration for director James Cameron for the flying mountains in the film 'Avatar'.
See the impressive Terracotta Army in the city of Xi'an, which is the eastern end point of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army is an impressive archaeological find of 9,099 terracotta figures that were given as grave gifts to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi.
The Great Wall of China: This 6,259 kilometre long defensive wall protected the Chinese empire from enemies. In 2007, the Great Wall of China was chosen as one of the seven new wonders of the world.
Descend the Yangtze River by boat.
Trek through the Tiger Leaping Gorge. This gorge is about 20 kilometers long and 30 meters wide at its narrowest point. According to legends, the gorge got its name because a tiger could jump to the other side in two leaps (via a rock in the river).
Visit the Jiuzhaigou National Park. This park is known for its colorful trees, clear blue lakes and waterfalls on different levels. The endangered snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas also live in this park. The park offers different beautiful views every season of the year. In winter you can enjoy the ice waterfalls, in autumn the beautiful autumn colors, in spring and summer all the bright colors of the blossoms on the trees.
Visit the Wolong Nature Reserve, where the endangered giant panda still lives in the wild. This park is about a three-hour drive from Chengdu. Chengdu is definitely worth a few days' stay. You can eat delicious vegetarian food in one of the monasteries. Ten kilometers north of Chengdu is also the 'Giant panda breeding research base' where you can visit the pandas and where research is done on these beautiful animals. In addition, you can take the bus from Chengdu for a day trip to the town of Leshan where you can visit one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world.
From the city of Guilin, go to the beautiful, vast rice fields Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. The terraces have not been affected much by housing and urban development and therefore offer a beautiful, in China quite rare, untouched view of nature. Take the boat (raft) from Guilin for a beautiful trip to Yangshuo. Rent a scooter in Yangshuo so that you can enjoy the beautiful landscape without any constraints.
Visit Tibet: Tibet is a geographical area and a former independent state on the Tibetan plateau. The area has its own culture, language and people. Since the invasion of China in 1950-1951, the area has belonged to the Republic of China. Traditionally, parts of Bhutan, Nepal and India are also considered part of Tibet. Admire one of the legendary monasteries, visit the cave of Milarepa, the Potala and the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and get to know the Tibetan culture.
Visit Hong Kong: Be impressed by the gigantic skyline, go shopping, eat dim sum, or relax on the beaches and party in the various clubs that Hong Kong has to offer.
Beijing: The capital of China and there is plenty to see and do. Try to stay here for at least three full days. Visit the heart of the city, Tiananmen Square (the square of heavenly peace). This square has a strong political history. On this square you will also find the mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Escape the hustle and bustle and skyscrapers for a while and stroll through the parks that Beijing has to offer. This is where the Chinese spend their free time, playing cards or Mah-Jong and doing taichi or taking dance lessons. From Jinshan Park you can look out over the must-see: the Imperial Forbidden City. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, 24 emperors lived in the Forbidden City and ruled the country from here. The common people were not allowed to enter the Forbidden City. Director Bernardo Bertolucci was the first to be given permission to film in the Forbidden City for his film 'The Last Emperor'. Now you can walk through the city and learn about the history of Beijing. If you want to see what Beijing looked like before all the skyscrapers were built, walk or cycle through the picturesque hutongs. In the hutongs you will also find many cozy bars and delicious eateries.
Pingyao: Imagine yourself in ancient China. This old walled city is a treasure trove of architecture. Government buildings, private houses and streets in the Ming and Qing style have been well preserved.
Xi'an: This is an important city in historical terms. In the past, the city was the starting point from China, which connected the Silk Road that connected China with the Roman Empire. The 14-kilometer long and 12-meter high city wall from the seventh to ninth century is still largely standing and kite competitions are often held here.
Dali: This place is located in southwest China. It is about a five-hour bus ride northwest of Kunming. It is said to be the best place in China to recover from traveling. It is a nice place, where you can treat yourself to cappuccino, pizza and cheap Chinese beer. You can rent bicycles or take the bus to one of the local markets in the area.
Hangzhou: One of the largest tourist places in China, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Suzhou: A city known for its beautiful classical gardens. Visit the bonsai garden in the garden of the humble official and sail on one of the many canals.
Lijiang: This is one of the most beautiful cities in China. Explore the old town and enjoy the scenery. Lijiang is built on the spot where the Jade River splits into three. Because of the waterways and bridges, Lijiang is also called 'the Venice of the East'. Enjoy the surroundings with clear rivers, the untouched landscape and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Take a hike through the Lijiang Valley along the various villages where the Naxi people live.
Take a cooking course so that you can impress your friends back home with the delicious Chinese dishes. Or follow a tea ceremony where you learn everything about how the Chinese drink their tea and the medicinal powers of different types of tea.
Visit the Peking Opera. The performances of the Peking Opera are not only in Beijing. Only the best artists are allowed to perform here. It is wonderful to see once because there is a lot to see, it is a mix of performance art. Beautiful costumes are worn. The make-up style of the opera singers indicates whether a character is good or bad.
When you go to China, expect a sometimes interesting, but somewhat bizarre and complicated journey. Chinese people often cannot or hardly dare to speak English, which can sometimes make communication difficult. Road signs, restaurant texts and the like are in Chinese. Chinese people are willing to help you, even if they themselves do not know the way or do not understand what you mean, because they do not want to lose face. This can cause them to give you incorrect information. When traveling through China, be patient and take into account longer travel times than planned. It is possible that you are sometimes not sure whether you are eating chicken or pork. But do not worry, this also ensures adventure with hilarious events.
Be prepared that the pollution in China is high. Traveling in China can be annoying if you suffer from allergies, skin problems, your respiratory tract or your eyes.
If you do not like large groups of people, avoid China. Since the growth of the Chinese economy, the Chinese themselves also have money and time to travel through their country. Be prepared for the masses of Chinese people that you can see passing by in groups, complete with hats and flags, and be prepared to take pictures with them.
Try to avoid ready-made tours! Tour guides often do not speak English. In addition, you can expect to be part of the typical Chinese tour groups that you see in your home country: huge groups of Chinese who quickly take pictures and move on. Along the way, the tour buses stop at large department stores to sell you all kinds of "traditional" merchandise.
Be reminded freedom has its limitations. For example, 'talking badly' about the government can have consequences. You don't know who will hear it and there are severe penalties for this in China.