China is so diverse that whatever your preferences there is bound to be something for everyone here. The north of the country is icy and rugged, which the south is covered in sandy beaches and lush landscapes. China used to be difficult to visit, but now it is open for business, and you can take your pick from big cities, gorgeous gorges, mystical mountains, and pretty much anything else you desire. Just some of the highlights of this country are the historic sights of the capital city of Beijing, the rural side of life in areas like Chengdu, and experiencing one of the most modern cities in the world in vibrant and fast-paced Shanghai.
Set amid gorgeous scenery lays white Cloud Mountain where you can enjoy some of the best views over the city of Guangzhou. There are scenic trails that wind to the summit of the mountain so if you are looking for a bit of a workout when you visit, this is the place to find it. One of the best things about the mountain is that you will also find a wide range of activities here that includes bungee jumping for those looking for an adrenalin packed afternoon.
Distance from city center: 24.6 km
For a real adventure in Guangzhou, head out to the Guangzhou Xiangjiang Safari Park where you can go on either a day or night safari. You can travel around the park on a quaint jungle train and admire the animals that roam freely in large enclosures which are designed to mimic their natural habitat.
Best mode of transport: Metro Line 3 then free shuttle to the park.
Duration of travel: 40 minutes
Tip: Bring a camera to take pictures and wear long sleeved clothes in the colder month.
Distance from city center: 34.1 km
The Luodai Great Wall offers you gorgeous views over the rest of Chengdu and the hills that surround the city. The wall is far smaller than the one outside of Beijing, but it will still give you a flavor of the historical side of this city. When you make your way down from the wall you can also check out Luodai Ancient Town which sells local food and souvenirs as well as a range of tasty traditional snacks.
Best mode of transport: Local bus number 853
Duration of travel: 40 minutes
Clothing: Parts of the wall are very steep so wear good walking boots or shoes.
Distance from city center: 1 km
Famous for being one the five famous Buddhist temples in Guangzhou, Dafo Temple was built in the 8th century. This means that it is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history and religious culture of the city and you can admire the ornate architecture and stone work here.
Best mode of transport: by car
Duration of travel: 5 minutes
Tip: Be respectful in the temple as this is a place of worship for local residents.
The memorial hall is a monument that stands in honor of the found of the China, Sun Yat-Sen and dates from 1931. The memorial hall sits on the former site of his presidential office and is surrounded by a graceful park that shows off the best local flora. The park is free to visit.
Distance from city center: 0 km (this is the center of the city)
Located in the center of Chengdu is Tianfu Square which is said to be the most iconic part of the city. The square is Chengdu’s answer to Tiananmen Square in Beijing and no visit to this city is complete without a visit to this national monument.
Best mode of transport: On foot
Duration of travel: N/A
Make sure that you bring a camera to take pictures of the square.
This is one of the main beaches closest to Guangzhou and is a great choice if you want to escape the city heat and cool off. There is a scenic promenade with great views of the beach as well as water sports like boating and paragliding.
This is one of the main beaches closest to Guangzhou and is a great choice if you want to escape the city heat and cool off. There is a scenic promenade with great views of the beach as well as water sports like boating and paragliding.
Also located close to Guangzhou on Dapeng Bay is Xiao Mei Sha Seaside Resort where you will find a strip of scenic sand. The beach stretches for 1,000 meters and has clear seas and activities like yachting, boating, and paragliding.
CTF Finance Center Tower and Mall is brand new and was only opened in 2016. It also happens to be the 7th tallest tower in the world and has an observatory at the top where you can take in views over Guangzhou. The luxury mall is located at the base of the tower and sells an array of high end goods.
IFC Tower is close to CTF Finance Center Tower and Mall and although it is smaller you won’t be disappointed by the range of goods on offer here including luxury men’s and women’s apparel. There is also an observation deck here on the 100th floor.
Isetan Chengdu is a Japanese mega mall that has an array of imported products from all over the world. You can expect big name brands here as well as a wealth of food options like Japanese cuisine, Hong Kong style snacks, and Western cafes.
Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家), 2 Wenchang South Road (文昌南路2号) (Metro 1 Changshou Lu), tel +86 20 8138-0388. This restaurant is a great spot if you want to try Cantonese cuisine like the famous Wenchang Chicken and their specialty, baby pig.
Guangdong Cuisine:
Guangdong cuisine is the same as Cantonese cuisine and is usually mild and often sweet in flavor. It includes a lot of meat based stews that have been cooked over a long period of time so that the meat is extremely tender.
Sichuan Cuisine:
You will find Sichuan cuisine all over China. It is very spicy and almost always uses a large amount of chili in each dish as well as Sichuan peppercorns.
Hunan Cuisine:
Hunan cuisine is also extremely spicy, in fact often more so than Sichuan cuisine. Hunan is known for its agriculture so you can also expect a lot of delicious vegetable dishes.
Fujian Cuisine:
Fujian cuisine mixes sweet and sour flavors. You can mainly expect a wide range of seafood dishes and flavorsome soups.
Pan Xi Restaurant (泮溪酒家), 151 Longjin West Road (龙津西路151号), tel +86 20 8181-5718. This restaurant sits in the old part of the city and will give you a complete taste of traditional Guangzhou. The cuisine here is Cantonese and you can order dim sum including their signature dumplings which are fashioned in the shape of a rabbit.
Covent Garden, 广州珠江新城华强路2号富力盈丰大厦首层 (Located on the small road across from Ocean Palace on Jinsui Road), tel +86 20 38065757. Open 10 am to 3 am. Covent Garden, as the name may suggest, is a British style pub. It serves cocktails, whiskeys, and pints and also has a happy hour until 8.30 pm. Come here if you are looking for a drink in a decidedly traditional setting,
Hooley's Irish Pub and Restaurant, Xing Sheng Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Metro 5 Liede exit D), tel +86 20 3886-2675. For something a little different, come to this Irish themed pub which has live music performances daily as well as Irish cuisine and Irish beers. They are also known for their themed nights such as Ladies Night and Open Mic Night.
Hooley's Irish Pub and Restaurant, Xing Sheng Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Metro 5 Liede exit D), tel +86 20 3886-2675. For something a little different, come to this Irish themed pub which has live music performances daily as well as Irish cuisine and Irish beers. They are also known for their themed nights such as Ladies Night and Open Mic Night.
Shamrock Pub (三叶草酒吧), 15, 4th Section, Renmin S Rd (Near Linshiguan Rd and the U.S. Consulate), tel +86 28 85236158. This Irish pub is a favorite with foreigners in Chengdu and you can expect a friendly reception in a relaxed setting. They have a range of drinks available as well as food like meat pies and sausage rolls.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
San Marino, Bahamas, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, Tonga, Brunei. Japan, Singapore.
Nationals of other countries need to apply for a visa before they arrive.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:
N/A.
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions
Drug possession is a serious offence and people can be drug tested and charged regardless of where and when the drugs were consumed. Drugs offenses in China can be punishable by death.
Prostitution is illegal in China.
The legal drinking age in China is 18.
China is a generally safe place and violent crime against foreigners is rare. Light crime is the most serious problem many people here experience.
Pick pocketing may occur in crowded tourist areas so you should be vigilant about your possessions at all time.
General vaccinations recommended for all travelers to China include diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis.
The official language of China is Mandarin although there are a huge number of regional dialects that are also spoken across the country. English is spoken in some urban area like big cities but is less common in the countryside. The ruling party of China is called the Communist Party and are an atheist organization although they recognize five religions. China is officially called the People’s Republic of China and has the largest population in the world, as well as being one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
