China: The Great Wall of Links
Few destinations can match China's mix of history, modernism, and excitement. If your only exposure to Chinese culture has been American Chinese food, it’s time to get on the plane and take in China's unmatched natural beauty and enthralling cities like Beijing, site of the 2008 Olympic Games, Shanghai, and Chengdu. This China travel guide is stocked with Web resources to help you prepare for your trip and enjoy your stay.
Expand All Guide SectionsChina Travel Basics
This ancient land is the most populated country in the world, smaller geographically than the United States but home to one-fifth of the people on the planet. Visit the sites in this section to discover what makes China such an adventurous and appealing destination.
Dulcinea's Insight
- During your research you’ll see China called by different names. The official name of the country is People’s Republic of China (PRC). Republic of China (ROC) refers to Taiwan, which has had a contentious relationship with China since 1949, the year of the Chinese revolution when two million nationalists opposing Mao Zedong’s communist party fled to Taiwan with leader Chiang Kai-Shek. Today, Taiwan considers itself an independent sovereign state, while China claims that Taiwan’s government is illegitimate.
- Hong Kong, like Taiwan, struggles to define itself. A crown colony of the United Kingdom from 1842 until 1997, when its sovereignty was transferred to the PRC, Hong Kong still has its own currency but relies on China’s military. The Asia Times has a 2007 article discussing the complicated issues and background between the PRC, ROC, and Hong Kong.
- The touchy political situation can affect your visit in some surprising ways: Fodor’s reported in October 2007 that its guidebooks have been getting confiscated by border guards near Vietnam because maps inside do not include Taiwan as part of China.
- Some of the links offered in this guide contain information that has been translated from Chinese to English. These sites may take slightly longer to load because of the translation.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of China …
World Infozone.com
has an easy-to-read layout and simplistic appeal that makes it a popular site for travelers and students. The site features lists of basic facts on culture and the arts, as well as geography, history, religion, economy, and news. A run-through should have you feeling more confident about your knowledge of China leading up to your trip.
The New York Times Travel section
has a guide to China full of enticing photos, feature articles, and reader feedback regarding what to include in your itinerary. Scroll down to “Where to go in China” for travel information specific to favorite cities and destinations.
National Geographic
extends the reach of its prolific magazine with online guides to every country in the world. Coverage of China is thorough, with feature articles on “Places of a lifetime,” including Hong Kong and Beijing, and a photo gallery of various locales to give you ideas for your journey.
For cities …
Fodor’s
provides great information to help you plan a trip to Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou and Shenzhan (see “related destinations” in the right-hand sidebar). Advice and practical details about getting around in each city are given, as well as sightseeing tour information, and recommended attractions.
Beijing International
is another reliable spot for soon-to-be travelers. The site is somewhat cluttered, but has much information on various sights in the city; click on a “panorama” or “tourist attractions” photo to access specific content, or scroll further down for a selection of printed seasonal tours guides.
For attractions …
Beijing 2008
is the official Web site for the 2008 Olympic Games and worth checking out if you plan to travel to China between now and then. The city and its people are aggressively preparing to host the games and the excitement is visible on this colorful site.
Yangtze River.org
gives guests the lowdown on this well-loved waterway. The comprehensive “Along the Yangtze” section divulges plenty of helpful hints for anyone interested in sightseeing on or near the river. Educate yourself with the “Yangtze River Map” link, and don’t miss the “Yangtze Culture” section to read up on peddlers, relics, and burial customs.
The Beijing Guide
has panoramic photographs of sights around the city, including Tiananmen Square. Although this site is strewn with ads that are sometimes difficult to discern from actual content, this panoramic view is an excellent resource for travelers heading to this historic place.
Travel China Guide
outlines the history of the Great Wall of China, explaining different sections of the wall as well as construction and production. The travel section of this page links you to tours of the wall.
Sleep on the Great Wall
provides numerous photos, panoramic images, and videos of China’s impressive structure. The site also advertises a tour of the Wall, but you can easily avoid it if you wish; just click on “images,” “video,” or “QTVR,” which are the panoramic photos, all located in the top toolbar.
Travel Requirements for China
Many Chinese cultural traditions have been in practice for centuries and every area of the country ... read more »
Getting to China
For most of the world’s population, China is a long-distance destination. Although a cruise ... read more »
China Hotels
Booking a hotel room or hostel stay in China is made much easier by the Web’s online ... read more »
Getting Around China
Although airplanes traverse China’s skies with great frequency, the country’s public ... read more »
China Travel Blogs and Forums
In the 1200s, Europeans waited more than two decades for Marco Polo to return from his China ... read more »
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