China: The Great Wall of Links

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.

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.

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.

MSN Encarta online encyclopedia has a thorough but readable section covering China’s history. Dynasties and major events are detailed in a well-organized, clean, ad-free format.

History of China is admittedly daunting at first glance, but offers a comprehensive outline of historical periods and events. Bulleted links to every period of Chinese history from the ancient dynasties to modern day are included.

Windows on Asia presents complete background on China’s major religions. There are detailed sections on Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, with embedded links to official religious sites and images related to each form.

Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions is a UK organization that helps individuals and businesses improve intercultural communications. Scroll down for detailed entries covering society and culture, as well as etiquette and customs. Pay particular attention to “Meeting Etiquette” and “Dining Etiquette,” as you’ll need to know about handshakes, lucky numbers, and chopsticks.

The CIA World Factbook for China is updated yearly. Skim the main page for political and cultural statistics, or scroll down to get an “Economic Overview” of China.

The History Channel has a multimedia feature on the Chinese New Year, including an explanation of traditions and symbols associated with the holiday and a video presentation.

The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco includes additional information about traditions, terminology, and symbols involved in the New Year’s celebration. Worldwide versions of the event are also discussed.

Speak Chinese Online Confucius Institute gives visitors a crash course in Chinese phrases and commonly used words. Learn how to order from a Chinese menu or read ancient poetry before you arrive.

Oanda has a currency converter that is fast and easy to use. Enter an amount in dollars or any other currency to find out its equivalent in Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).

Travel.state.gov Consular Information Sheets provide essential international travel practicalities. In accordance with the U.S. Department of State, CIS offer information on exit and entry requirements, safety and security, traffic, and contact info for embassies and consulates.

The World Health Organization has a China page that is a must-read for travelers headed there. It offers crucial health updates, such as news on disease outbreaks, and instructions for how to handle health emergencies. Click on the “Country official web site” link to be redirected to a page run by the WHO’s representative office in China.

CNN.com presents a photo slide show about China’s Internet censorship, including basic background of who is involved, how the ban works, and what strategies Chinese Internet users are using to get around the rules.

WebSitePulse allows you to test whether any particular Web site is accessible in China.

Lonely Planet has a brief but informative synopsis of how to get to China from overseas or from other Asian countries. Learn possible routes via rail or boat.

Expedia.com has this simple, one-page layout that provides travelers with a listing of Chinese airports as well as recommendations based on the most popular flights. Clicking on any of the cities listed at this URL will redirect you to more details on prices and schedules. Use the search tool in the left-hand sidebar to find and book a flight.

Fly China is an online travel agency focused solely on flights between the U.S. and China. The search tool finds cheap fares by purchasing tickets sold by airlines at unpublished rates; more well-known travel sites typically search for published fares. Aside from the booking deals, Fly China has excellent subsections on those pesky administrative details travelers must take care of before boarding a plane. Take note of the “China Visa” and “Travel Insurance” sections.

CITS USA has a wonderful main page with plenty of tour packages and customizable trips. Even if you don’t purchase a package, visit this site for advice on possible destinations. In the “Related Services” box, click on “Air Tickets.”

China Airlines presents all the tools for an easy online booking, but it goes the extra mile by offering passengers the chance to choose their meals ahead of time. Click on the “Seat Select / e-Menu / e-Check-in” tab at the top of the page.

Cathay Pacific services more than 40 Asian cities, including 20 destinations in China. Search and book online, and check the “offers and promotions” section for deals.

Asiana Airlines is a Korea-based carrier that offers flights and packages to and from a number of Chinese cities. This English version of the Web site has a helpful route map and a handy section on flight terminology. Check back often, as the company’s China packages change frequently.

The Man in Seat Sixty-One explains the main Trans-Siberian rail routes, including how to get tickets and timetables. Trains arrive or depart from Beijing. Information for routes from Hanoi to Beijing and Hong Kong are provided, as well.

Frommer’s had a feature article in January 2007 about cruises in the Far East, including several options originating from or stopping in China. Link to cruise line Web sites to book, or just get an idea of the options available.

Travel Pod featured this diary with photos of a trip on a “slow boat” from South Korea to China. Get an idea of what these vessels are like, and of whether a trip on one might fit into your travel plans.

Kayak.com is ideal for quick comparison shopping. This site features hotel accommodations anywhere in the world and shows you how its fares stand up next to other hotel reservation Web sites. Compare hotel prices with popular sites like Expedia and Travelocity to see who has the best deal.

Passion Asia is ideal for finding hotels in a variety of ways. Browse the “Best Deals,” skim over the “Popular Destinations,” or search by city and schedule. Passion Asia has low-cost hotel options in dozens and dozens of Chinese cities.

China Hotels.net appears a bit overwhelming at first, but the selection on this site can’t be beat. Search by “Hotel Chains” on the left-hand side of the main page or skim through the “Popular China Hotels” list, which features accommodations in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. 

Hostel China boasts an extensive collection of hostels. Read comments from other travelers in the “Hostel Ratings” section.

VRBO is short for Vacation Rentals By Owner. The site lets private property owners advertise their vacation rentals to travelers. If your family won’t fit in a single hotel room or the hostel life just isn’t for you, try the Asia section of this site for additional options in major Chinese cities. Clicking on each location directs you to what’s available, when it’s available, and how much it will cost.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

RealTravel presents a great deal of personal travelogs with photos. Discover blog entries using the search bar at the top. Each review includes a rating, so it’s easy to get a feel for travelers’ overall impressions of Chinese destinations.

Bug Bitten.com hosts a vibrant online community of travelers. Click “travel blogs” to start reading about and viewing photos of exciting excursions in East Asia, including this trek through Hong Kong.

Time magazine has a China blog led by several reporters stationed in the country. The focus is on newsworthy stories and trends, and entries should help you better understand modern-day China’s issues.

iExplore.com is a popular travel site with a crowded Community section. Our search for “China” (use the search box just above the map) resulted in more than 400 travelers’ reviews and journals. Reading the 100-plus entries on Beijing and Hong Kong should get anyone excited to go.

Travel Pod is a 10-year-old site whose forums, tips, and advice are wildly popular for cross-continental explorers. To best utilize this site, simply enter “China” into the search bar to find pictures, diaries, and feedback from fellow travelers.