China

China screams of royalty in all ways. From the fabric slithering across your fingers to the words sliding of your mouths. The food is a constant source of salvation and will give you the sense of calm nothing else could.

The smell of burning meat sizzles in the air. There is the smell of sweat reflecting the number of people packed. Floating in the sky are lanterns holding colors close together. Vendors communicate in frequencies unknown to mankind. There is a tradition in every molecule here. The taste comes to mind without even trying. It is China.

Take your senses to China. They will never come back the same. This is China for you!

When to visit?

China being China, will accommodate you year around. But the ideal months would be Spring and Autumn. These tend to be warm and dry in contrast with the strong winters. April to October would be wise for you to travel the western areas with flowers and bazaars scenting the air. Head to the mountains in June for perfect conditions regarding hiking.

Average Cost per Person

China is one of the biggest and most populated countries in the world. And that does not stop it from being expensive. The place is a pot of honey for swarms of travelers all over the world. Everyone wants to experience a piece of China. The trip from India will cost a person about 80,000 rupees for 5 nights. The Longer the duration, the louder the costs.

Visa Requirement

The China Visa process from India is quite elaborate. You require the usual documents obviously. But there are a lot of types and properties. Like a person applying from Maharashtra or Karnataka have to go to Mumbai to get it done. You will require an address proof and address of the place you will stay in China. You also have to provide the BSNL, MTNL and other phone bills.

Where to stay?

Beijing:

Beijing lives for food, and their 60,000 plus restaurants all reflect the same thing. The sizzles travel all the way to your homes and hotels and then you have no choice but to feast on the dumplings and the Peking ducks. It is the place where the Forbidden Palace exists. And if the name itself does not excite you, then god knows what will.

Beijing is the beating heart of China. With the architecture and mine of tradition and artisans. The cultural scene here never stops growing. The grace of the daunting acrobats always steals the show.

Best Places to stay in Beijing

• Opposite House Hotel
• Red Capital Residence
• Rosewood Beijing
• Red Lantern House
• Asia Hotel

Shanghai:

Shanghai. The name that says all it has to without having to. You cannot be on planet Earth and not have heard of the treasure chest that is Shanghai. It has the smooth veneer of the perfect modern city but has never for a second lost its touch with the culture and the tradition.

The food here will take you somewhere else altogether. You will find yourself dazed in some corner experiencing some of the best food in the world. Don’t be surprised to have some cockroaches under your tongue though. There is a lot more to love about Shanghai. You just have to jump.

Best Places to stay in Shanghai

• Kevin’s Old House
• Pentahotel Shanghai
• Waterhouse and South Bund
• Mandarin Oriental Pudong
• Quintet BnB

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong is big enough in its style and culture to be a country on its own. It attracts more travel with its exciting terrains and the fire infused food scene. If you want to experience life, try the Cantonese, Sichuan, Japanese and French food. Chinese markets have been known to be the best of all. You’d instead buy things here than anywhere else on the planet. From knives to Apple products, buy anything you wish for here. 

In the morning you could be listening to a local poet drumming his fingers to passion and end the day with a significant Asian top film festival.

Best Places to stay in Hong Kong

• 99 Bonham
• Peninsula Hong Kong
• Tuve
• Upper House
• Campus Hong Kong

Xian:

Xian was the kingdom of the 10th Century. The place where art simmers down to perfection. Emperors, artisans, poets and monks, merchants and warriors. They are passion and energy to the highest. The Chinese tradition of joining your hands and focusing on your trade with eyes swirling into one.

Most people do not stay here longer than 2-3 days, but it feels like you are on the screen of a 36 Chambers of Shaolin movie when you go to Xian.

Best Places to stay in Xian

• Living and Designing Homestay
• Design Hotel Apartment
• Yongxingfang Apartment
• Qi Apartment
• Changle Park Apartment

Chengdu:

If you are the person that has been doused and cultured in tea, there is no better place for you to go. On the face level, it looks like there is nothing notable about this grey skied city. But when you jump into the tea, it’s a much better place. The fluffed-up pandas are always on sale. Don’t worry. They are soft toys. You still want to take one home. They do have live ones too. You will never meet anyone as adorable as these. They bust your stress to other levels.

Best Places to stay in Chengdu:

• Jinli Hotel
• Buddha Zen Hotel
• Shangge Apartment
• Grapes Resources Apartment
• East House

 

Top Experiences

Great Wall of China

It is a crime to talk about China and not talk about this majestic piece of architecture that made a class of its own. What can it be classified as anyway? The majesty at its 10,000 kilometers is the most significant feat to your list here. The mortals who manage to get past this are real warriors. Brace yourselves.

Terra-cotta Warriors

This has been known to be one of the best things discovered in the last century. The warriors in Xian were used as bodyguards for the Chinese State of Qin from 246-221 BC. These warriors are all made different from each other and have nothing in common. This place is almost known as the 8th Wonder. You are in for a shock at this site.

Forbidden city

Everything in China is more significant than life. Most things cannot be viewed at one go with our puny mortal eyes. The Jinshan park around the small hill will lead you to the angle that will give you the best possible view of the Forbidden City. This is a very empowering feeling. To see something so humongous and powerful from outside. You have the feeling of having conquered something.

Hot Pot

Writing this salivates all our glands. Chengdu is the official hotline for all things Sichuan. The pleasure of cooking your own peppercorn broth with red meat or seafood with fistfuls of Sichuan peppers and chilies is unmatched. Go into this experience with all the fire you have in you. The broth needs it. Prepare to have your eyes streaming.

Silk Road

The silk road dates back to about 2,000 years and is the longest walk you will ever take. The route connects China and Rome and Italy. Half of this road is in China. It travels more than most people do. This is an experience you must have. Do not leave China without this one.

Travel Smart with these tips

• Tissues

Just the sort of thing you don’t give a thought to, and you miss it. There are literally no free tissues available anywhere. Go get yourself a dozen packet, and you will not regret it. This is a joke among the locals about people needing too many tissues. But for your sanity, carry them.

• Language Issues

China has more pride in their language than any other place. More than that there are a lot of provinces that cannot even process the English language. They will not be able to help you also if they want to. Download a translation app or get a book before coming.

• Food is barely food

China the country where even vegetables taste like chicken. Do not question anything you eat here. Eat first, and questions later should be the case. If not, you will remain hungry throughout.

• Locals

The myth about all Chinese people being rude to the tourists is so not true. The locals are friendly and will help you out to the best of their capacities. If they are not helping you out, it is because they do not understand your language. Do not hold it against them.

Countries that can be clubbed

Japan

Singapore

 

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