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 ... read more »
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 transportation is lacking. Researching your options online before you arrive is wise, and this section has Web sites to help you do just that.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Unlike the well-organized process for purchasing European rail tickets online, buying Chinese train or bus tickets online is not nearly as easy. If a Web site lists contact information like phone numbers and e-mail addresses, utilize these alternative forms of communication.
- Most rental cars in China come with drivers. Foreigners are almost never allowed to drive, which may be a good thing considering the breakneck pace and chaos of China’s roadways.
- Subways in Chinese cities tend to be quite crowded, but clean and inexpensive to ride (roughly 50 cents). When the doors open, people rush on and off the train at the same time, so you’ll have to be somewhat assertive to push your way through.
- Bicycles are a popular mode of transport throughout China and offer a great, up-close view of the cities and countryside. It is customary to ride slowly, so as not to break a sweat or obstruct traffic. In most areas, you won’t have trouble finding a bike-rental shop, but in Beijing it is more difficult. Look for local stores selling bikes and ask if they rent, or ask at your hotel’s front desk.
- Despite new light rails and mass transit systems, there are still plenty of places in China where taxis and buses are lacking. If you don't want to worry about transportation, your best bet may be a guided tour or a packaged trip that includes transportation.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general advice on getting around in China …
Frommer’s
details vital info for travelers navigating China. Consult “By Train” and the passage entitled, “Ten Rules for Taking Taxis Around Town.” The “Tips on Accommodations” link in the left-hand column also presents valuable advice.
Danwei
has an excellent categorized breakdown of the various modes of Chinese transportation. Whether you’re traveling by bus, plane, train, or auto, visit this informative site and take some notes. Be sure to read the “Travel by taxi” section.
For flights …
Ctrip.com
is your best bet for flights between Chinese cities. The site combines vivid color with comprehensive information to create an appealing atmosphere for booking your flights from Beijing to Xiamen, or Shenzhen to Shanghai. Let the convenient drop-down menu lead the way as you look for low fares.
For railways in China …
Tiglion.net
offers a nice summary of the Chinese railway system. The meat of this site can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting the “Information” link.
ChinaHighlights.com
is one of the only Internet sites to offer the Chinese train schedules in English. Since train travel is popular in China, make time to stop by this URL before your trip. The beauty of this site is in the multitude of ways you can search for train trips. Find a schedule by train number, station, or destination.
Johomaps.com
provides a comprehensive and color-coded China rail map. A visitor can easily see where the major railway lines go, making it simple to plan a cross-country trip.
For buses and other public transportation …
American Public Transportation Association
’s China Transportation Links is a good way to find out what public transportation is available in each Chinese city. For example, travelers heading to Hong Kong will appreciate the “Citybus” and “Mass Transit” links, while those on their way to Beijing will want to click on “BPTC” (Beijing Public Transportation Corporation).
For travel-inclusive tours …
China Odyssey Tours
is part travel agency and part tour guide, which makes it a great source when trying to decide how to get around in China. Booking one of the site’s cross-country tours can save you a lot of time, effort, and money. Consider the “Top Recommendations of China Tour Packages” or design your own trip from scratch.
China Custom Tours
can ease your worries with all-inclusive travel packages. Sit back, relax and let the click of the mouse lead you to a luxurious, stress-free tour of China. See the bottom of this site’s home page for a glimpse of the many special interest tours available. Whether you need a 12-day Jewish China tour or a 10-day Yangtze River cruise, this corner of the Internet can help.
For maps …
Maps-of-China.com
is recommended mainly for its simplicity. Use this site to access city, province, or country maps that are ideal for printing out, marking up, and taking with you.
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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