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A brief introduction
I have picked 5 destinations in China that you could cram into 3weeks for an unforgettable holiday in China, these destinations are; Beijing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Guilin and Macau. The reason why I have picked these Destination is because you start in the north of China and finish right in the most southern tip of China. Starting with Beijing I will list all the things that you can see, experience, as well as listing hotel search engines. you can pay as little as 50yaun per night for a bog standard room up to an approx 2000yaun. I found out that staying in a half decent hotel makes your trip a lot more comforting, avoid the really cheap hotels because they are shocking. I would book anything higher than a 3* while travelling in China, unless your a backpacker. Tour guides in China are really bad, unless you book at a travel agent back home. I have had the worst ever experience booking through a Chinese tour operators… if you book through them be prepared to be up at 4am, riding on a bus for 2-4hours and visiting the most boring places you could imagine.
First Destination: 5days in Beijing
I will list some activities in Beijing that you have to visit as well as links and information:
1. The Great Wall of China
I have been to The Great wall of China twice before, probably one of the most scenic places I have ever been in my life. You can get some fantastic pictures here. as your walking a long the Wall your almost level with clouds, feels like your in Heaven. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, trainers/sneakers are optional. Please note that there are some steep parts on the Wall, aching knees and legs is well worth it as it’s a once in a life time experience. Please note!! I would advise you go to the Great wall of China at 6am-8am any later and you’ll won’t be able to take amazing pictures, it gets hectic due to the amount of people on there after 9am.
2. The Forbidden City
This place lies right in the heart of the city. A fantastic place that has to be explored. Make sure you bring your camera/camcorder with you. The ancient buildings there are still in immaculate condition for its age.
3. The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was used by the emperors for their get away vacations. It’s secluded with mesmerizing buildings and a enormous lake. Stroll around at your own pace, taking in all the beauty that’s around you. I recommend you hire a paddle boat and relax, here you can take some amazing pictures.
4. The Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is the most holy of Beijing temples. Probably one of Beijing’s masterpieces of architecture and landscape design. A place full of tranquillity and peace.
5. Tiananmen Square
This is a popular square in Beijing, opposite you can see all the government buildings. The thing that fascinates me the most is the gate entrance to the Forbidden City with the portrait of Mao.
6. Exploring the city, shopping and food.
Shopping in Beijing is fantastic…. lots of different choices. You have to witness the market in Beijing, they sell live scorpions to eat plus other stomach churning snacks. Beijing is littered with restaurants, too many to be precise. Make sure you try the famous Peking duck though, tastes so good! and Chinese hotpot (T6 Hotpot is the best) Korean BBQ and local snacks.
* Cheap Flights to China: http://goo.gl/7MuXv
* Beijing Subway Map: http://goo.gl/ow99M
* Beijing Weather forecasts: http://goo.gl/npyP3
* Great hotel search engine: http://www.trivago.co.uk/ http://www.booking.com/
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The Great Wall of China
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The Great Wall of China
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The Great Wall of China
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The Forbidden City
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The Forbidden City
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The Temple of Heaven
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The Temple of Heaven
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Famous market in Beijing
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Famous market in Beijing
Beijing Tourist attractions
2nd Destination: 4days in Xi’an
After a fantastic experience in Beijing, the next stop is Xi’an. This City is south west of Beijing, it’s quite a distance away,and easy to get to by plane of train, I tend to take the train as it’s cheaper and more comfortable. It takes approximately 12hours to reach Xi’an from Beijing depending on which train you take, don’t worry though because you travel through the night and arrive early hours the next day. A single journey is roughly 300yaun, with a bed to sleep on by train and at least 1000yaun by plane. Xi’an was once the ancient capital of China thousands of years ago, it’s probably got more history to it than Beijing. There is still many things underground that hasn’t been touched, reason being is the Chinese don’t want to dig up tombs because they are booby trapped with rivers of Mercury underground. Here is list of attractions you have to see as well as the necessary links;
1. The Terracotta Army.
This is the place where the first Emperor of the Qin empire was burried. he instructed a gigantic tomb for his resting place not far from The Terracotta Army., each solider has different facial features, which I find amazing.
2. The Ancient City Wall.
This will be the first landmark of Xi’an that you’ll witness. Erected in the 14th century Ming Dynasty, under the power and leadership of Emperor Zhu Yaunzhang.
3. Daming Palace National Heritage Park
This was first built by Emperor Taizong (599-649) of the Tang Dynasty. This was open to the public in 2007 allowing people to witness the beauty of this complex.
4. Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
The building was first started in 549AD and wasn’t fully completed until 652AD it was 5 storeys high and 60 meter in height. though it was reduced to ruins almost in 1556 because of an earthquake. Later the Ming Dynasty constructed a 7 storey building standing 64 meters tall, which is still standing today.
5. Muslim Night market.
You have to visit this place in the evening. from food snacks to gifts and more.
* Plane Tickets: http://www.skyscanner.net/
* Train Tickets: http://goo.gl/keRk0
* Hotels in Xi’an: http://www.booking.com/ http://www.trivago.co.uk/
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The Ancient City Wal
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The Ancient City Wal
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Daming Palace National Heritage Park
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Daming Palace National Heritage Park
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda
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Big Wild Goose Pagoda
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Terracotta warriors Xi’an
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Terracotta warriors Xi’an
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Muslim market (Xi’an)
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Muslim market (Xi’an)
Xi’an Tourism
Mandarin Language textbooks for Visiting China
Basic Mandarin Chinese (Berlitz Basic) (Berlitz Speaking Your Language) (English and Chinese Edition)
Amazon Price: $17.63
List Price: $29.95
Chinese (Mandarin), Conversational: Learn to Speak and Understand Mandarin Chinese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster’s)
Amazon Price: $19.00
List Price: $49.95
Living Language Chinese, Complete Edition: Beginner through advanced course, including 3 coursebooks, 9 audio CDs, Chinese character guide, and free online learning
Amazon Price: $27.64
List Price: $49.99
Mandarin Chineseâ English Bilingual Visual Dictionary (DK Visual Dictionaries)
Amazon Price: $8.93
List Price: $14.95
Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language
Amazon Price: $5.10
List Price: $13.00
3rd Destination: 4days in Wuhan
Many of you may think, where the hell is Wuhan? It’s south of Xi’an. Recently a lot of French people have invested into the City, if I remember rightly about 30 companies. Wuhan is growing fast, new building projects are littered all over the city, the boom town after Shanghai. What makes this place so unique is the Yangzte River, The food and the nightlife. I am very lucky because my wife is from Wuhan, I have have seen some amazing things here. If you want to experience real China, then come to Wuhan, old mixed with new. The City is made up of 3 Districts, Hankou, Wuchang and Hanyan, Hankou is the main district where all the shopping centres are. at the bottom of the page I will list some important links.
Here are a few things that you can see while your staying in Wuhan:
1. The Yellow Crane Tower
2. The Yangzte River
3. The Night market in Hankou
4. Wuhan famous street food
5 Han Street ( 1.5Km high street, looks a little like Oxford street, UK)
* Plane tickets:http://www.skyscanner.net/
* Train tickets from Xi’an-Wuhan: http://goo.gl/1jXON
* Hotels in Wuhan: http://www.booking.com / http://goo.gl/GYsR3
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Yellow Crane Tower ( Wuchang, Wuhan)
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Yellow Crane Tower ( Wuchang, Wuhan)
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Yangtze River
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Yangtze River
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Famous Wuhan Dumplings.
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Famous Wuhan Breakfast ( Dou Pi)
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Extremely spicy Duck neck ( My Favourite)
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Shopping centre in Hankou Wuhan
One of the huge Shopping malls in Hankou Wuhan
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Han Street
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Han Street
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Han Street
Wuhan Tourism
Wuhan
Illustrated Collection of Herbal Cuisines from Compendium of Materia Medica and the internal Canon of Medicine of Yellow Emperor for Speed Look-Up (Chinese Edition)
Amazon Price: $20.45
List Price: $26.99
Three Gorges of the Yangtze River: Chongqing to Wuhan (Odyssey Illustrated Guides)
Amazon Price: $35.34
List Price: $21.95
An Assault on My Senses: Living and Working in Central China
Amazon Price: $11.82
List Price: $13.95
Berlitz China: Handbook (Berlitz Handbooks)
Amazon Price: $3.48
List Price: $17.99
4th Destination: 4days in Guilin
I have never been to this personally but i have heard this place is spectacular. If you like the outdoors and countryside then this place is for you. The nationalities in Guilin are Zhuang, Yao, Hui,Han and Dong. My wife visited Yunnun province in China has some of the most beautiful places in China.
1.Elephant Trunk Hill
2.Yulong River
3.Seven Star Park
4.Reed flute Cave
5.Li river
Plane tickets:http://www.skyscanner.net/
Hotels http://www.booking.com
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Last Destination: 4days In Macau
I bet you guys are thinking why Macau and not Hong Kong. The reason being is it’s known as Las Vagas of the far east. It’s a small place in the south of China but it’s teaming with life. It was once part of the Portuguese colony, this place has a mix of Chinese and Portuguese culture. Make sure you have a flutter in the casinos, try the Macanese cuisine and ride the famous star ferry. A short trip to east and visit Hong Kong, but I wouldn’t recommend Hong Kong as there is nothing much to see apart from Shopping and the Peak.
1. Visiting Casions
2. Senado Square
3. Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre
http://www.skyscanner.net
http://www.booking.com
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