How to travel to China on your own? Master Class. Independent travel to China

How to organize an independent trip to China in 2019! Visa, tickets, hotels, food, transportation, security. How much does it cost to travel to China? Cost calculation, tips and observations.

The material was prepared on the basis of the author's personal experience of independent travel to China: three months of living in Shenzhen, as well as trips to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

China is huge and very diverse, so it is impossible to clearly say where what prices and conditions are. I will start from Shenzhen - the center of all electronics, a young and rapidly growing city in the very south of China, which borders on Hong Kong. I will tell you what is useful for a tourist when planning an independent trip to China in 2019, as well as my own observations about the country and travel tips.

How to apply for a visa to China

A visa to China is required for Russians, except in rare cases. A regular one-time ticket costs 1,500 rubles, a double-entry ticket costs 3,000 rubles, and a multiple-entry ticket costs 4,500 rubles. Plus, there is a bank commission of 2.5% per person.

Urgent single entry - 2400, urgent double entry - 3900, urgent multiple entry - 5400. There is also an express review, it costs more.

It is better to stay in chain hotels, as they care about their reputation. A day in such a hotel costs from $30-40 for a double room. Chain hotels in Shenzhen: Greentree Inn , Sheraton, Novotel, etc.

Adviсe:

• Look for a hotel with good soundproofing - the Chinese are noisy.
• Photos of hotels do not always correspond to reality.
• Sometimes a room can be clean and comfortable, but have extraneous odors, such as dampness. Or windows overlooking the courtyard, where there is a dump or a Chinese street cafe (which produces smells no better).

Rent. If you want personal comfortable housing, look for a room, apartment or house on Airbnb. The choice of housing is huge. Renting an apartment in Beijing costs about $30-50 per day, in Shenzhen - from $27. You can rent an apartment for a month on Airbnb for $600-1500 (rooms - $500-900). The price depends on the city, area and condition of the house. For example, in Shenzhen, near the beach in the resort area, an excellent apartment was rented for $600. There are discounts for long term rentals.

Food and Cuisine of China

Another difficulty you will face when traveling to China on your own in 2019 is food. It is very specific here, so there are problems with going to a cafe, especially if you do not know the language. But here McDonald's and KFC come to the rescue. There are also many well-known European chains where you can order food from pictures. However, their prices are much higher - for example, a side dish with meat costs from $ 6. Sometimes tea is included in the price. At McDonald's, a Big Mac (potato, cola, double cheeseburger) will cost about $ 5.

In general, in a cafe you can eat for $5 or more, in restaurants a simple dish costs from $10.

Where you can eat inexpensively and tasty in China:

• Cafe for locals. You can have a hearty meal in them for $ 1.5, but no one guarantees the quality of the products and compliance with sanitary standards. Minus - it is difficult to order dishes, as often there are no pictures or there are few of them, and if there are, it is not clear what it is.
• "Muslim" are local cafes run by Chinese Muslims. The food there is prepared in compliance with all norms and is really very tasty. I love their noodles and would recommend trying them. They cook it in front of you, and this process is interesting to watch. Cost from $ 1.5 for a huge portion.
• Supermarket. A kilogram of bananas costs $1-2, apples $2-3, tangerines $1-2. I do not recommend buying sausages. This is not at all what we expect: Chinese sausages are made from soy with tons of spices and additives. They taste sweet and have a specific smell, but for the sake of curiosity, you can try it once.

(Photo © Jo@net / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Internet and Cellular in China

All sim-cards are sold only with a passport in specialized places. The cost of mobile communications is quite high - from $ 20 per month, plus the same amount is charged for buying a card and choosing a tariff plan. To purchase a normal tariff and understand everything, you need to know Chinese. If you need internet in China, it's easier to use Wi-Fi while traveling - in big cities you can find it everywhere.

There is another nuisance that many people face - this is the blocking of all Google, YouTube, Instagram services. To access them, you need to install a special VPN program for yourself.

Transport in China

With transport in China, everything is fine. The infrastructure is very developed. Airplanes, ferries, trains (including high-speed ones), buses, subways and taxis. You can get to any point without problems. Travel by bus - from $ 0.3, in the subway - from $ 0.5.

If you are going to go to China for a month, buy a travel card. A plastic card can be topped up and used on the metro and buses, and then returned and the money back. The cost is 4$. It is very convenient: you do not need to find out the cost of tickets, buy tokens, stand in lines. Accordingly, the problem of language also disappears. For trips within the same city, $ 10-30 is enough for a month.

A very common form of transportation is electric mopeds. In fact, this is a taxi, only less comfortable, more extreme and cheaper - from $ 2. The main advantage is the absence of traffic jams, as mopeds ride where they want. The only downside is the language. We need to agree on a price and a destination.

(Photo © Lαin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

ATMs and cards

Be prepared that in many stores your Visa or MasterCard may not be accepted, since in China another payment system is UnianPay. This card can be issued at any bank for free. If you need to withdraw money from your own, then there are many ATMs for this.

Chinese mentality

Don't be surprised if in China you feel like a monkey that everyone wants to take a picture with. For a Chinese, having a photo with a European is an indicator of coolness, status, so you will always be in the spotlight. They will always turn around and, without hesitation, look at you point-blank. In addition to the increased interest, the Chinese will try to make money on the "white man". For them, we are walking money, so bargain in all stores. For example, once we reduced the price of a shirt from $35 to $5.

You can talk about the culture and upbringing of most Chinese for a long time. To give way to a girl, to let her go ahead, to let people out of the transport, to throw garbage into the bin - this is not about them. They also have no sense of tact. Do not be surprised if at the first meeting you will be asked about your personal life, salary and health. The Chinese themselves are very cunning and enterprising, but at the same time good-natured.

Useful words in Chinese for the traveler:

Security in China

Do you know where the tradition of wearing a backpack in front came from? From China. Petty theft is very common there. In big cities everywhere you can meet a policeman who will gladly help in any situation. Also in all buses, subways, shopping centers, and just on the street there are cameras, so in big cities there is nothing to be afraid of, walking along the streets in the evening. From personal experience: I walked with photographic equipment, and not once did anyone try to pester.

Also in China there is an unspoken rule that animals, children and laovayam(foreigners) everything is possible.

(Photo © Today is a good day / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

How much does a solo trip to China from Russia cost?

Let's calculate how much a trip to China for two for 10 days costs when departing from Moscow:

• Single entry visa - $52.
• Air tickets from Moscow to Beijing and back - from $586. Find a ticket >>
• Hotel in the center of Beijing in the low season - $130. Find a hotel >>
• Meals in eateries for locals - $ 120.
• Insurance - $23.
• Transport and attractions - approximately $200.

So, how much does it cost to go to China on your own? The minimum cost of the trip, if you are ready to save - about 1111$ for two for 10 days.

If you are used to living in comfort, then the trip will cost approximately 1711$ for two (accommodation in a 3 * hotel - $ 250 and meals in cafes and restaurants - $ 600). We spent $1,500 a month for two.

Check out our helpful tips for self-guided travel to China in 2019:

• See how the Chinese count on their fingers before traveling. The match with our score is only up to 4, then everything is different.
• Be sure to download the translator to your phone.
• Take the right medicines, as you can hardly find anything familiar in Chinese pharmacies. More likely to meet a dried toad than activated charcoal.
• Download the Baidu program and maps of the cities where you are going to live on your phone. This program will help you choose the route, time and mode of transport, determine the best way. You won't get lost with her. I highly recommend!

I hope you have a general idea of ​​​​prices and conditions. And the problem of language, as you see, is not so terrible. Travel, because there are so many interesting things in the world!

(Photo © monkeylikemind / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Intro Image Source: © mandylovefly / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

China attracts tourists with its color, amazing combination of modern and ancient architecture. In the cities of China, chic skyscrapers with Buddhist temples coexist perfectly, there are shops with amazing goods, restaurants with traditional Chinese cuisine. In order to plunge into the atmosphere of the country, it is better to organize a trip to China on your own, travel along interesting routes and enjoy local traditions to your heart's content.

What documents are needed for the trip?

To visit the country, tourists first need to apply for a visa. If the trip is planned for up to 30 days, then a single entry visa is suitable for such purposes. Its cost is 1500 rubles.

Package of documents for visa application:

• foreign passport liquid within six months from the date of travel;
• a copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• questionnaire with a photo in color;
• insurance policy;
• a certificate from the bank to confirm financial solvency;
• round-trip tickets;
• invitation.

If the invitation is of a personal nature, then it is necessary to provide the passport details of the inviting person.

You need to apply for a visa at the consulate.

Transport to destination and within the country

You can get directly into China itself not only by airlines, but also by bus or train. True, for this you first need to go to Vladivostok, and from there you can choose any land transport and cross the border. Movement within the country also remains diverse. You can choose transport, plane, bus, train or taxi. However, in large metropolitan areas, it is better to stop your choice on the metro in order to quickly move. The trip is carried out on a travel card, which can be bought at the beginning of the trip and returned at the end.

How to choose housing?

Obtaining a visa obliges to provide a reservation for the entire time that the traveler plans to stay in China. Such a long-term reservation is fraught with a lot of unknown surprises. It is recommended to make a reservation for several nights and, if necessary, extend it, and if the room does not suit you, then move out and find another one. Many tourists complain about shortcomings in hotels.

Poor soundproofing

The walls in the rooms are made of a material that transmits sound to the maximum extent. This fact causes a lot of inconvenience, since it is almost impossible to provide a comfortable stay due to good audibility from the next room. And if the hotel is located near a road or a crowded place, then everything will be heard in the room.

Conditions in the room

The hotel is selected by the photo, but when you arrive there you can be very disappointed. The dimensions of the rooms may differ radically from those declared, the furniture and cleanliness in the room may also not correspond. When booking a hotel, it is better to pay attention to the rating and reviews, but its cost will be much higher than a hotel with a low rating. So a night in a good hostel will cost about 30 dollars, and on average about 15. Short-term apartment rentals in China are not very popular, but if you wish, you can find a company that will provide accommodation for several nights.

The bulk of the money here will be spent on living, hence it is necessary to start planning the budget.

Nutrition

What people in Russia are accustomed to consider Chinese food is actually very different from the real thing. Traditional is an unusual combination of products, an abundance of spices and sauces. However, a tourist can easily eat at the famous McDonald's chain, but the price will be higher than the average lunch in the Russian Federation. Local restaurants and catering do not pay due attention to sanitary standards, the food there is more budgetary, so there is a chance of getting food poisoning or indigestion.

You should not deprive yourself of the opportunity to enjoy traditional snacks, it is enough to find a restaurant or cafe where the owner is a Muslim Chinese. Such establishments are kept clean, but when planning a trip to China on your own, it is better to look for information about the location of such establishments in advance.

Many travelers choose the self-catering method. You can find all the necessary products in supermarkets, but without knowing the language it will be difficult to do this, you will need a dictionary for this. Many exotic fruits cannot be found in Russia, but you can try them in China.

It is worth refusing to buy sausages, as soy is used in their preparation, and the taste is fundamentally different from the usual taste.

What you need to know when traveling to China

1. When explaining the number from 1 to 9, the fingers of one hand are used, unlike the European method.
2. To purchase tickets at railway stations, you should use the destination written in advance on a piece of paper, as employees do not always speak English.
3. Many social networks are banned in China, and those that are used are heavily censored.
4. Public restrooms are equipped with floor-mounted toilets and there is no toilet paper, so it's best to bring it with you. Toilets in China have stellar status as hotels.
5. The traditional color in China is red. The lucky number is 8, and the unlucky number is 4. The Chinese are very superstitious people. Therefore, some houses may well not have a 4th floor.
6. The Chinese vernacular contains many dialects. Each city has its own. Only the hieroglyphs are the same.
7. The most needed application in China is the one that can quickly translate all the inscriptions from the phone's camera.
8. Banknotes in China need to be well checked, as there is a chance of running into a fake.
9. Enter public transport through the front door. Payment is made either by transport card or in cash.
10. Laundry in China is very expensive. Therefore, it is better to look for apartments equipped with a washing machine.
11. Additional costs: the mentality of the locals

You can characterize the locals as noisy and noisy. These are lovers of bargaining in the markets. By the way, this is quite natural for merchants, bargaining tourists can buy the necessary goods cheaply, sometimes the price can be brought down several times. Payment must be made in cash, as non-cash is not acceptable everywhere. For safety reasons, you need to carefully look after your belongings, as theft is developed in China.

The culture of behavior of many Chinese is very different from the European one, such simple rules as giving up a seat in public transport, or cleaning up after yourself, are not followed here.

The Chinese are very fond of doing with Europeans, this fact should not be surprising.

Phone and internet

You can buy a SIM card in China only with a passport. Mobile communication is expensive here, about $30, and you have to pay the same amount for a card and a tariff. However, many tourists use only Wi-Fi, it is freely available and almost throughout the territory. Popular social networks and subject to blocking.

ATMs and cards

The most common MasterCard or Visa system for paying for goods or services in China is not suitable, since the country has a different payment system. The UnianPay card must be issued to the bank absolutely free of charge. You can withdraw cash from your native card at any of the many ATMs.

Safety

In the country, keeping track of your belongings is the main and main task. Because petty scams are common. The streets of the city are protected by policemen, of which there are quite a few in every quarter. Cameras are installed in public transport, crowded places, so there is nothing to fear. However, you should still travel carefully.

Airfare to China from Moscow

Air communication between China and Russia is well established. Many airlines fly to China, among which there are very low-cost ones. The average cost of a round-trip ticket varies within 25,000 rubles, the lowest price will be about 20,000 rubles.

The factors on which the price depends are:

• season;
• how many transfers will there be;
• departure time;
• flight direction.

Airlines very often hold promotions where the cost of a flight can be significantly reduced and you can get from your destination inexpensively.

Prices in hotels in China

The cost of staying in a hotel in China will differ depending on where the hotel is located. So in large cities, accommodation is more expensive, and in small towns, you can rent a hotel room very cheaply.

If you choose a hostel for accommodation, then the cost of a bed will be inexpensive, about 40-60 yuan.

For a room in a 3-star hotel, you can pay about 150 yuan. For the comfort and convenience in the room, and accommodation in 4-5 star hotels, you will have to pay more than 200 yuan.

Rental housing in China

For those who do not want to overpay for hotel services, renting from the owner will be quite suitable. There are many such options. Apartments will also differ in cost depending on the distance from the center, metro, number of rooms, living conditions. Decent housing is rented at a price of 200 yuan. It is possible to rent a separate room, then the rental price will be an average of 130 yuan.

Visa to China 2019, documents

A visa to China for residents of the Russian Federation is provided on a paid basis. There are two types of visas: single entry and urgent. They differ from each other in cost. For the first option, you need to pay 3300 rubles, for the second - 4600 rubles. For self-registration, you should contact the consulate of Moscow. Its branches are located in large cities of the Russian Federation. For Russians, there is the possibility of a visa-free visit to China for 72 hours, only in this case it is necessary to fly.

Documents for obtaining a visa to China

Applying for a visa requires a preliminary collection of documents. The standard package of documents looks like this:

1. International passport.
2. Color photo.
3. Round trip tickets.
4. Invitation or booking of hotels for the period of rest.

Main attractions

Going to China, it is better to make an itinerary of excursions and places to visit in advance. There are quite a lot of sights in the country, if the travel time is limited, then it is better to go to the main historical monuments that are included in all tourist destinations.

The great Wall of China

This monument rightfully deserves to be on the list of must-see places. Its length is several tens of kilometers. This historical object has a complex and sad history, as tens of thousands of people died during its construction. The wall served as a defense against the Mongol troops.

Terracotta Army

This is a burial of statues of Chinese warriors made of terracotta clay. The exact number is still unknown, different sources fix a different figure. This object is included in the World Heritage List and is very popular among travelers who want to get here.

The banks of this river are famous for their amazing and diverse landscapes. It is the longest river in Eurasia. Some sections of the river have the right to be called reserved.

Chengdu nature reserve

Rare species of animals live in this area. It is worth going there if you want to watch animals in their natural habitat. Also in the reserve are temples and a monastery of the Tang dynasty.

Hong Kong is a favorite city among tourists. It is worth going there for good shopping, all kinds of entertainment and a varied nightlife. Hong Kong is home to chic nightclubs and giant shopping malls. It is also worth visiting the Buddha statue, temples, Victoria Peak. An unforgettable excursion will be the harbor of Aberdeen.

Shanghai

This city is similar to the previous one with its rhythm of life and modernity. You should go here for shopping and soak up the spirit of a giant metropolis.

Tibet

Tibet strikes with peace and tranquility. Tours are organized here that help to heal from mental wounds, as well as improve their health. Amazing nature, sincere people, an atmosphere of calm all this will be found in Tibet.

How much does a solo trip to China from Russia cost?

Before you go to China, you need to know the approximate amount of expenses to plan your travel budget. Should be taken into account:

• air tickets from Moscow and back (for two people 40,000 rubles);
• rent a hotel room for 7 days (22.000 for two);
• tickets excursion fees (12.000 rubles for two);
• fare (3000 rubles);
• buying souvenirs, meals and small expenses (18,000 rubles).

The average cost of a trip to China is about 100 thousand rubles.

Budget trips to China

The budget of the trip can be reduced if you stay not in hotels, but in hostels that can accommodate up to 6-8 people. If you take care of tickets in advance, then the probability of buying them with an early booking promotion will increase. You can buy last-minute tours through travel companies and fly profitably.

How to save

You will save on tickets, accommodation, as well as on moving within the city, if this is done mainly on foot or by renting a car. It will be much more profitable to eat in inexpensive cafes, but you should not chase cheapness in spite of your health. A trip in the low season will help save the budget, when there is no large influx of tourists, prices fall on all services and goods. Even in China, there is an opportunity to use free housing, but you should take care of this in advance.

Conclusion

In order to travel to China on your own, it is enough to study the necessary information before leaving, decide on the route and plan the budget of the trip. If you spend a little time reading traveler reviews, you can adjust the trip and make it fun. Flying to China is a must! Do not forget that from China you can bring a lot of amazing souvenirs and gizmos with the famous inscription "Made in China".

Behind dozens of Chinese cities. The road from the border with the Russian city of Zabaikalsk, which I crossed by train, to Laos, where I entered on foot. (Don't worry, then I got on the bus).

It was experimentally established that, firstly, China is a wonderful country for independent travel, and secondly, it is possible to travel abroad without even knowing the language, although it is still not clear how I managed to do this. The golden rule of any “take it and do it” business also applies to “take it and go” free travel.

Don't let the language factor bother you (they don't speak English in China), but you shouldn't relax either. Phrasebooks, guidebooks, the basics of English (at least to communicate with other foreign travelers) will come in handy. And the rest are details.

How to travel to China on your own?

Visa

Personally, I made a Chinese visa through an agency, simply giving my passport to specially trained people, while still in Russia. I won’t say that it was very difficult to submit the documents myself (although at that moment I lived in Kamchatka and agents, among other things, sent documents to Vladivostok, to the representative office), but I had one rule - the start should be easy. China is the first country of the first trip, and even independent, also alone. I decided to free myself somehow. Therefore, a passport, photo and money - all it took for 30 days to the People's Republic of China. But I extended it on my own, on the spot. The next 30 days were marked by the submission of the same documents.

Weather

China is a country so big that you can't get off with generalized conclusions about the weather. Decide on the exact location, and then check with eyewitness accounts for that region. Where are you planning: to the Himalayas or to Hainan? By the way, I have been to Hainan twice, and both times in October. Rumors about local typhoons are not exaggerated. I witnessed coconuts flying and palm trees uprooted the next morning. Although, if now someone asks whether it is possible to go to Hainan in October, I will not dissuade. Both times I had a great time. The industrious Chinese planted all the palm trees in their place literally the very next day after the hurricane.

Where to live

In hostels. This will provide you with pleasant (read "low") checks for accommodation, excellent acquaintances from among foreigners from all over the world and people who still speak and understand English, which is very important during a long stay in the country. According to my personal observations, hostels in China are some of the best in Asia, with the right atmosphere for the general drive of life and new discoveries. Stories like “I worked as a lawyer, and then I decided to change everything” or “We sold the car and drove around the world” are the norm in them. In addition, your travel colleagues also missed white faces and English speech, just like you. In China, a white man is a close friend to a white man, if not a relative. And don’t even worry about stupid things like “how can you live in a room for four?” The main thing is not for fourteen (anything happens), but otherwise you even like it. I guarantee.

Popular destinations

It’s also a limitless topic, so I’ll highlight my TOP places in the most “other” Asian country: Beijing and Shanghai - a look at the world from the top floors of skyscrapers sets you in the right mood; (Huangshan and others), Hainan is the same banal tropical island that one so dreams of from home; Guilin and Yangshuo with their karst hills and lulling rivers, as well as Yunnan province as a whole.

Transport

The experience of riding Chinese trains can be inserted into your resume as proof of courage and fortitude. How to read in Chinese, namely hieroglyphs, where your train is and when it leaves, if you are at a Beijing station the size of a small city and the wrong direction chosen can lead very far not only from the place of departure, but also from the truth in general? One fact is that you can travel on Chinese trains no matter what, I would even say: contrary. Each time, I was the only white face in the whole car and they constantly brought me some kind of food, trying to somehow satisfy my curiosity and stare at a white girl, without being able to otherwise compensate for the language barrier.

survive

To survive in China, and by survival, as you guessed, I mean getting to the right station and the right train, you need to clearly remember the “three people” rule, which reads as follows: “If you ask a Chinese how to get to the place you need (and , whether he suddenly answers you in English or reads your phrasebook and gestures), do not go in the indicated direction until at least three people point in the same direction. Simply put, ask at least three people “how to get there”, even if the first one knows exactly where you need to go and is ready to take you personally. Saying "I don't know" in China means losing face, this is a traditional feature. It is better to show it wrong, especially to some foreigner, than to goof off like that and show your ignorance. Ask again always and in everything, especially if you are in a hurry.

Otherwise, the safety rules are no different from other countries - stay vigilant and you will be happy on Chinese soil.

Do you want to confess? I still don’t understand how I managed to travel through all of China with a backpack on my back. As a result, the longer I lived in the hospitable countries of Southeast Asia, the more mysterious this Chinese “phenomenon” became for me. Everything in life is simpler than it seems. But this can only be found out experimentally. Good luck!

Despite the fact that China is becoming more and more popular with tourists from all over the world every year, the reviews on the Internet of our compatriots about trips to China are, to put it mildly, ambiguous, so let's talk about those features of the country that may be unacceptable for some travelers.

1. If your passport is valid for less than 6 months from the end of the planned tour, choose another country

The Chinese consulate strictly observes all documentary formalities, therefore, in order to avoid problems with obtaining a visa and disrupting the trip, it is better not to take risks and take care of a new passport in advance.

2. If you are not ready for the extra hassle of obtaining a Chinese visa

There is nothing fundamentally difficult in preparing documents for obtaining a Chinese visa - no extra certificates are required, only a passport, an application form, copies of a Russian passport, a photograph and an invitation from the Chinese side. Consular fee for a tourist trip - 1500 rubles. Moreover, if you are planning a vacation in Hainan, then when you take a direct flight from Moscow, you do not need a visa at all!

Mountain lake in China

3. If you basically fly only on charter flights, then - alas!

You can get to China only by regular flights of Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot, etc. Airplanes fly from St. Petersburg to Beijing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Accordingly, the duration of the trip should be "customized" to the schedule of the airline. Flight time is about 7 hours.

China

4. If when traveling by train you are used to buying a full compartment to feel comfortable, then in China you will have to fly by plane

In China, it is impossible to redeem a compartment in whole or in part, that is, if the program of the sightseeing tour includes train travel between cities, then you will have to share a four-seater compartment either with tourists from your group or with the Chinese. There are no double compartments. As a rule, transfers between cities are overnight and last about 12 hours, for example, between Beijing and Xi'an.

One of the entrances to the Forbidden City

If this issue is fundamental for you, there remains the option of moving on domestic flights. By the way, China has a very developed air service and a fairly high level of flight safety. Carry-on baggage regulations are even stricter than those accepted around the world.

China

5. If you cannot tolerate tobacco smoke, choose another country or stock up on a respirator

The Chinese smoke a lot. Accordingly, almost everywhere it smells of tobacco, smoky rooms come across in hotels, and guests also smoke in hotel lobbies. It is forbidden to smoke in train compartments, in restaurants you can choose a room for non-smokers.

Chinese outback

6. If you are on a special diet or are very selective about food, take your favorite (preferred) foods with you

A lot has been written and told about the fact that Chinese cuisine is very peculiar, but how much it suits you personally, you will understand only, so to speak, “on the spot”. Someone lacks meat - indeed, the basis of the Chinese diet is steamed, boiled, stewed vegetables, noodles and rice. Someone does not tolerate spicy and salty. If in Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities you can still find food adapted for a European, then in the provinces this will be a problem. You will find cutlery familiar to us only in large cities, in the outback you will have to eat with chopsticks. Of course, in China there are places chosen by the British and Americans, where both the cuisine and other amenities are at the highest level, for example, the panda nature reserve, but this is rather an exception.

Giant Buddha statue, Leshan

7. If you experienced culture shock when visiting public restrooms in the former Soviet Union (or in modern India) and no longer want to see them again, then choose another country to travel.

All public toilets in China are free. Tourists who have found Soviet "conveniences", seeing Chinese ones, think "scoop". Indeed, very similar: two soles and a metal bowl at floor level, no toilet paper and a corresponding smell. So for those tourists who still go to China, advice is to take toilet paper and wet wipes with you.

8. If you prefer silence and solitude, and your personal psychologically comfortable space is one and a half meters - choose another country

There are many people in China. Even not so - there are VERY MANY PEOPLE in China! This fact actually entails a wide variety of consequences, namely: everyone constantly touches each other with elbows and other parts of the body, they talk quite loudly, therefore very noisily, they look at everything interesting and unusual with sincere, but completely unceremonious curiosity, for example, you

Against the backdrop of the Great Wall of China

9. If the budget of your trip involves an amount of less than 50 thousand rubles per person, then you need to choose another country or take a loan

The most budget option for exploring China is a week-long tour to Beijing. Today it costs from 50 thousand rubles per person. If you want to see more Xi'an (terracotta army) and Shanghai within a week's stay, count on the amount of at least 70 thousand rubles per person. In order not only to see the main cities, but also to relax on Hainan Island for a week, budget from 100 thousand per person. Treatment in China is very popular among the stars of domestic and international show business - both in the central part and on the island of Hainan.

In order to feel comfortable when planning a tour and directly on a trip, you can use the installment payment service offered, for example, by our company for up to 7 months at 0% per annum.

Village with rice fields, China

10. If your vacation falls during the Republic of China Day or Chinese New Year celebrations, go to another country

In China, there are two grandiose holidays - the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese New Year. During these periods - from 28.09 to 04.10 and the last decade of February-early March (celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so there are no exact dates) - China has official public holidays, and all Chinese begin to travel in droves within the country. Hotel prices are tripled, and pandemonium begins at tourist sites. So it is better to plan a trip for other dates. The ideal time, especially for combined tours, is spring and autumn, when the mainland is warm and Hainan Island is still not very hot.

Among other tourists, China

In conclusion, I want to say: I am sure that a trip to China will not leave anyone indifferent. Our tourists return from this diverse country with invariably positive impressions.

Panda

If you have any questions, write to: [email protected]

For the third decade, our enterprising compatriots have been constantly traveling to this exotic country for goods. If at the end of the last century they brought bags of clothes, today the clothing flow consists of electronic equipment, cosmetics and even furniture and cars. You can buy everything in China!

In addition to commercial interest, "celestial" has become a discovery for Russian tourists, as an unknown land rich in exclusive sights. Today it is very easy to buy a tourist ticket to any country, including China, including specially for the goods. But it turns out to be much cheaper and more interesting to organize an independent trip.

What awaits you there

It is difficult to list the sights of the country, on the territory of which one of the most ancient civilizations of the planet, in one article, we will try to mention at least the most famous in the world.

Leshan. Giant Buddha In the west of the country in the province of Sichuan, a giant statue 71 meters high is carved from the rock. There are higher structures on the planet, but this work was carved out of stone in 713.

Xi'an. Terracotta army More than 8000 warriors, 670 horses, 130 chariots carved from natural material in 200 BC. and dug out of the ground are now in three special halls of the museum. And this is not the entire army of the ruler Qin Shi Huang. Some of the sculptures are still underground.

Forbidden City At the beginning of the 15th century, one of the largest palace ensembles was erected on an area of ​​more than 70 hectares, consisting of a thousand buildings and walls 10 meters high. Now the forbidden city has become a museum and is open to tourists.

The great Wall of China. The only man-made object on the planet visible from outer space with the naked eye. It is hard to imagine a trip that would not include a visit to this colossal structure, built in the 14th-16th centuries to protect the country from attacks by northern nomadic tribes.

It is almost impossible to list the natural monuments of China. The Li River, Huangshan Mountains, Hainan Island, Victoria Harbor and thousands of other interesting places are waiting for you.

If you are going to get acquainted with the places you are interested in, historical monuments, interesting artifacts, you need to be aware of the natural conditions in which you will find yourself. Sightseeing China is most favorable in spring and autumn. In summer, the air temperature here rises to 400, and in winter, on the contrary, it drops to the same temperature with a minus sign.

A huge country, of course, has a different temperature range from south to north and humidity from east to west. The best time for a beach holiday on the famous Chinese resort island of Hainan is from October to May. And you can take part in the grandiose original celebrations of the New Year according to the Chinese calendar during the New Year holidays in all major cities of China.

Need a visa

China is a visa country. You can issue it, both through a travel agency, and independently at the embassy of the Middle Kingdom. In the first case, it will be done for you quickly, without unnecessary delays and bureaucracy, but for an amount that will exceed the embassy visa by two to three times. In the second, you will have to fill out all the papers yourself, but it will cost an order of magnitude cheaper (about 2,000 rubles).

There are privileges in issuing visas for groups of tourists with more than 5 people. Also, visas are divided into tourist, business, multivisa and double entry.

On the resort island of Hainan, you will be issued a visa right on the spot for two weeks, but it is not a fact that you will then be allowed to move with it to other territories. This tropical island with craters of long-extinct volcanoes is a special economic zone, oriented by the government of the country to the beach holidays of tourists from all over the world.

We fly or we go

Aviation is considered the most convenient transport that brings tourists here. Even within the country, a well-developed network of local airlines allows you to quickly and inexpensively reach any remote point.

Experienced tourists are advised to start their trip to China in Hong Kong. A short distance to the capital, an inexpensive flight and visa concessions speak in favor of just such a route.

Trains and regular buses also run between cities and regions and are quite inexpensive, however, they do not differ in the comfort we are used to. Do not be surprised if a train car, subway, bus suddenly turns out to be smoky and dirty. But the fares will pleasantly surprise you.

Do not be afraid if your trip suddenly takes you to the most remote area. There are villages in China where no white man has ever set foot, and where all cafe patrons will stand up when you enter.

The Chinese are very peaceful and friendly to all guests. And you can get out of any provincial places by calling a taxi. By the way, do not forget to write down their phone numbers immediately upon arrival.

Hotels and others

A huge selection of hotels of different star rating and comfort explains the wide range of prices. There are hotels familiar to Russians, where all-inclusive with five stars on the facade. A day in them will cost you from 5,000 to 18,000 rubles.

If your trip is not designed for a long stay in one place, you can stay in an inexpensive hostel or hotel, spending only 1000-3000 rubles per night.

You can freely and safely use the services of the private sector. It will become even cheaper. Prices range from 180 rubles to infinity. They are comparable with the price ranges of the Crimean offers and, of course, depend on the place and comfort.

In many hotels it is more profitable to book rooms in advance. This will not only provide significant discounts, but will also give you a guarantee that you will not be left out in the open, especially if you are visiting on holidays. Moreover, it is recommended to make a reservation two to three months before the trip.

To eat or not to eat - that is the question

China has very spicy food. Be careful. If you want to cook your own meals, try to get raw materials for them in stores, without being tempted by low market prices. It's not difficult if you don't give in to curiosity and don't experiment with window displays. All products familiar to us and at the same price can be found in all Chinese provinces in large department stores.

The most profitable and interesting to eat in local cafes and restaurants. Of course, even if you know Chinese, you will not understand the menu that will be served to you. Do not be shy! Feel free to poke your finger into the plate, from which a white gentleman is eating on both cheeks on the next table. You can even, taking the waiter by the arm, make yourself a fashion show around the hall and choose the dish on the tables that you think is the most edible. Point your finger at him, and they will bring you the same.

What do you guys have in your backpacks?

What to take on a trip is a big problem for the female half of travelers. Despite the variety of climatic and natural zones, and hence the weather conditions, you can not take anything to this country. Yes, just put your documents, wallet in the case and go light. Remember that all clothes, electronics and other necessary trifles are made in China!

If you still want to be independent of shops, look on the Internet for the climate of the place where you plan to travel. Be sure to study the weather forecast for the duration of your trip and only after that put umbrellas, swimwear or fur coats in your suitcase.