Cars & Auto Masters

• Political center of China
• The milage volume of passenger transport of Beijing subway ranks No. 1 in the whole
  country.
• Beijing is a city with the highest modernization level of China city infrastructure.
• Capital Airport is the traffic pivot and circulation center of China Aviation.
• The West Railway station is the largest modernized railway passenger transport center in Asia.
• Beijing: Financial resolution center of China.
• Beijing Concert Hall: the most frequently used performance place for solemn music in
  world:
• Beijing is an area with the densest intellectual resources in China.
• Published newspapers and books ranks No. 1 with a percentage of 36% in the whole country.
• China Art Gallery: the art gallery with the largest scale in China.
• Beijing Aeronautic Museum: the aeronautu museum with the largest scale in China.
• China Aeronautic Museum: the first air force museum in China.
• Imperial Archives (Huangshicheng) the largest state archives in ancient times now existing in China.
• Longcang scripture of Qing dynasty in Zhihua temple is the only intact-preserved longcang scripture in China. It had only printed 200, which is best-preserved. Longcang scripture means to collect all Buddhist scriptures together to store. Longcang scripture is the best-preserved Buddhism Encyclopedia in China.
• The largest pavilion in China: the square pavilion in the Little Western Paradise Guanyn
  Hall in Beihai Park was built in the period of Emperor Qianlong, which is 26.8 meters high
  and supported by 84 huge columns and the construction area amount to 1264 square
  meters.

• Archway in Ming Tombs : the largest and earliest stone archway now existing in China
• Seventeen-arch Bridge in the Summer Palace is a bridge with most stone lions in
  Beijing. There are 544 stone lions all together on it, 59 more than Marco Polo Bridge.
• Marble Boat in the Summer Palace. the largest ancient marble boat in China,
• Beijing Zoo: the largest zoo in China with the most breeds and quantity.
• Yunju Temple: the temple with the largest collection of stone-carved Buddhist scriptures in the world.
• Ming Tombs: the most intact and mostcentralized mausoleum complex nowexisting in our country.
• The Temple of Heaven: the largest ancient heaven-worshipping architectural complex now existing in China.
• Chinese earliest collected Taoist scriptures, Legitimate Collected Taoist Scriptures in White Cloud Temple (Baiyunguan), Chinese earliest Dec Scripture collection, 5,305 volume in all. printed by Zhaoyi Supervisor in the tenth Ming Zhengtong year, A.D. 1445.
• Chinese most intact collected scripture ancestral edition: Zhaocheng Jincang in Beijing Library, 7,000 volume in all, the content is consistent with Chinese first big Zhang Scripture.
• Ordination terrace temple (Jietaisi): the largest ordination terrace in China.
• Virtuous harmony theatre building (Dehe Daxilou) in the Summer Palace: the larges
  ancient theatre building of China.

Many travelers visit China on packaged tours. Others wait until they get to China to book day trips as more options are available to them. For example, packaged tours take visitors to the Great Wall at either Badaling or Mutianyu. Independent travelers, on the other hand, can book tours in Beijing that allow them to hike the Great Wall between Jinshanling and Simatai.

Benefits to Choosing Tours in China

Tourists who wait until they’re in China will have a wider range of tours to choose from. Packaged tours that start in the United States may not include a visit to Yonghegong Lama Temple, but tour companies in Beijing offer trips to this very important Tibetan-style temple. Tours booked on the spot frequently are substantially cheaper, too. Many people like to take a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs; online booking companies charge a minimum $49 U.S. for this, plus service fees, while such tours in Beijing can be had for the equivalent of $26.

How to Book a Tour in China

Chinese hotels maintain lists of tours offered in their city. Tour descriptions are usually available in English. Travelers need only decide which tour they want and the hotel’s travel desk will make all the arrangements. Tours should be booked no later than the afternoon of the day before. Travelers who don’t want to wait until the last minute to book day trips can book them online, with one of the many agencies, such as City Discovery, specializing in China.

Cities Covered by Tours

Major companies that offer day tours mainly operate in big cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an and Guilin. But tours also are available in smaller cities. For example, in Chengdu in southwest China, hotels can book a morning tour to the panda breeding center or an overnight trip to the Woolong panda preserve. Additionally, China International Travel Service maintains offices in all cities–big and small–where tours can be arranged.

Choosing a Tour

With so many options available, picking a tour or tour company can be problematic. In Beijing, at least, Fodor’s, a travel guide company, does the work for travelers, maintaining a list of companies they recommend. Additionally, the always reliable Grayline offers sightseeing tours in Beijing, Shanghai and south China’s Guangdong Province. Tours and guides also are frequently discussed on Frommer’s China message board with travelers giving their own recommendations.

What a Tour Includes

Tour prices generally include local transportation, a meal if the tour spans a normal mealtime, admission fees and services of a tour guide. Many tours also include stops at factories, and pressure may be put on tourists to pay exorbitant prices for souvenirs. However, such stops can be educational if tourists confine themselves to the factory part where they can learn how items are made and avoid the showroom.

China is popular destination, and while the country’s rich history and culture provide ample opportunities for tourism, many travelers have been opting for tours that focus on visiting research centers and preserves for giant pandas. According to the World Wildlife Fund, as of July 2010, only about 2,500 giant pandas are living in the wild, making them an endangered species. By 2005, the Chinese government had established 50 preserves for pandas, many of which can be visited on a panda tour in China.

Keith Jones, Adventures with Wild Animals

Keith Jones is a naturalist and head guide for Adventures with Wild Animals, a touring company based jointly out of California and Texas dedicated to wild animal education. The company has been providing tours since 1996. While many of this company’s tours focus on education about the gray whale, Keith has also expanded his tours to other countries as well; one of these countries is China. Keith leads an 11-day tour to China that includes the must-sees: The Great Wall of China, the world-famous terra cotta army museum and four days of volunteer work on a giant panda preserve. You may be asked to perform several duties, including feeding the pandas and cleaning their cages, but no one on the tour will be required to do any work they don’t want to do. As of July 2010, the cost of the tour was $3,395 and included domestic and international flights, accommodations and meals. A shortened version of this tour is available for $2,395; it runs for 7 days and focuses only on the visit to the panda preserve, cutting out visits to Xian and Beijing.

Adventures with Wild Animals
PO Box 1376
Temple, TX 76503
(562) 889-4016
Email: keith@greywhale.com or rowman1998@yahoo.com
www.greywhale.com

China Highlights

Tour company China Highlights has been operating since 1998. According to its website, it specializes in customizing tours for individuals as well as families and groups. As of July 2010, China Highlights offered five tours, ranging from a 4-day tour to an extended 12-day tour. The 4-day tour starts at $343 per person and includes accommodations, breakfasts and lunches, an English-speaking guide and a driver. This bare-bones tour focuses mostly on the visit to the Panda Breeding Research Center in Chengdu. The 12-day tour starts at $1,892 per person and features a visit to the research center as well, but also includes tours of the Yangtze River, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Also included in the price are flights and trains while in China. None of the price quotes for the tours include airfare to and from China, dinners or spending money.

China Highlights/CITS Guilin
No. 11 Binjiang Road, Guilin
GX541002, P.R. China
(800) 268-2918
Email: contact@chinahighlights.com
www.chinahighlights.com

China Connection Tours

China Connection Tours has been operating since 1990 and has served thousands of customers. According to its website, it was named one of the Top 100 International Travel Agencies by the China National Tourism Administration. China Connection Tours offers its customers a panda tour on which travelers will volunteer at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Base and Breeding Center in Chengdu. Other activities included in the trip are visits to the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum in Xian, a cruise on the Li River in Guilin and a free day to explore Shanghai. The cost of the 14-day tour includes hotels, meals, English-speaking guides, transportation while in China, fees for sightseeing stops and insurance. It does not include airfare to and from China, tips or spending money. You must contact the company for a current price quote.

China Connection Tours
Suite 1002, Guangfeng International Building
#79 South 2nd Ring Road
Xian, 710068, China
(800) 320-9008
Email: info@china-tour.cn
www.china-tour.cn

China is one of the oldest civilizations of the world. It has a rich cultural heritage and many historical sites which make it a very attractive tourist destination. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), by the year 2020, China will become the largest tourist country. In 2009, China’s total revenue generated by tourism came to $185 billion. If you’re traveling on a budget, look for reasonably priced tours and book early.

China Express Tour

The China Express Tour takes you on a visit to two of China’s most famous cities: Beijing and Shanghai. The tour is seven days long with four days in Beijing and the other three days in Shanghai. In Beijing, the tour takes you to major historical sights like the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Ming Tombs. You also get to visit the Great Wall of China. In Shanghai, shopping is the focal point of the itinerary.

The peak seasons are from March to May and then again from September to November. During the peak season, the price for one person is $146. The price is brought down a bit if there is a group booking for more than six people.

China Connection Tours
Suite 1002, Guangfeng INT’L Building
79# South 2nd Ring Road
Xi’an 710068
China
800-320-9088
china-tour.cn

China Warrior Tours

Highlights of this tour include visiting the temple of Heaven, watching a Kungfu show and going to the Forbidden City. You also get to go on a shopping spree in downtown Beijing. The tour is for four days and is further bifurcated into two types: standard and luxury. The main difference between the two is the quality of hotel. The price of the tour for a single person during high season is $660 with a luxury package and $520 for a standard package.

China Warrior Tours
Suite 1102, Building C, Chengming Mansion
No. 2, Xizhimen South Street
Xicheng District, Beijing 100035
China
800-495-1186

warriortours.com

Classic China Adventure Tour

This is an eight-day tour which includes visits to the Wild Goose Pagoda, Wuzhen Ancient Canal Town and Shanghai Museum. The Shanghai Acrobatic Show is an added attraction to the trip as well. The starting price for this tour is $1,399, and tours should be confirmed in advance as they often remain fully booked, according to the company.

Vacations To Go
5851 San Felipe, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057
800-680-2858
tourvacationstogo.com

The Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army Museum in Xian, and the Shanghai Bund are among many attractions people yearn to see in the People’s Republic of China. However, vacationing in China on a budget is a challenge especially with rising travel surcharges, airline fees and cost of living standards. Travelers can enjoy a cheap China vacation by booking an all-inclusive vacation package, or by looking for deeply discounted travel deals.

China Express All-Inclusive Vacation Package

Book an all-inclusive package and take advantage of cheap airfare and quality accommodations at a low price. The China Spree online travel agency offers an eight-day “China Express” vacation package departing from either New York or San Fransisco. Prices for this affordable deal begin at $819 per person as of September 2010 and are inclusive of fuel surcharges and round-trip airport/hotel transfers. Travelers also enjoy nonstop trans-Pacific airfare and accommodations at a 4-star hotel with free daily breakfast. Adding a variety of affordable, optional Beijing tours to your itinerary allows you to experience the history and culture of this once imperial city.

China Spree
435 Martin Street
Suite 3010
Blaine, WA 98230
360-945-0809
chinaspree.com

China Discovery Tour

Guided and fully planned itineraries often provide the best values. The China Discovery website offers a bargain-priced 9-day tour package for travelers during the upcoming fall and winter seasons. The tour includes visits to attractions in Beijing, Suzhou and Shanghai such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Nanjing Road, as well as a cruise on the Grand Canal. Travelers need only take spending money for souvenirs from their China vacation as the package also includes hotel accommodations and almost all meals. As of September 2010, prices for the China Discover package range from $999 to $1100 and vary based on the U.S. city of departure.

Champion Holidays China Discovery
545 Eighth Ave., 18th Floor
New York, NY 10018
800-868-7658
china-discovery.com/supervalue.asp

Cheap Airfare & Lodging Accommodations

Economical options for travelers looking to book their own flight arrangements and hotel accommodations separately also exist. For instance, you can find cheap roundtrip airfare to China from various U.S. departure cities on the U.S. China Trip website. You can also find cheap traveler accommodations at a hostel or guesthouse. As of September 2010, you could consider a $56 double room with private attached bath at Sitting On The City Walls Courtyard House in Beijing. Amenities at this hostel include in-room air conditioning, all linens, a security locker and free wireless access in the lobby. The hostel also provides guests of 5 nights or longer a free ticket to the Peking Opera.

Sitting On The City Walls Courtyard House
No.57 Nianzi Hutong
Jingshanhoujie, Dongcheng District
Beijing 100009 China
011-86-10-64027805
beijingcitywalls.com

Traveling Around China

The Chinese train system is one of the cheapest ways to get around in China. China has an extensive railway system connecting all major cities and many small towns. As of September 2010, visitors ride in a private soft sleeper car from Beijing to Shanghai for as little as $130, or ride in the hard sleeper car for $60. Taking the bus is another option for the budget traveler. While not as pleasant as a train ride, bus fare is often much cheaper than a bargain-priced train ticket.

Cheap Eats in China

Travelers wishing to avoid pricey meals should avoid eating in tourist areas. The most budget-friendly way to eat in China is to dine on street food. Street food in China is cheap, varied, convenient, and above all authentic. As of September 2010, for a dollar or less, you can dine on barbecued squid, roasted lamb or chicken on a stick. Those with a taste for the exotic might prefer chicken and duck feet, turtle soup, jellyfish salad, a worm and hairy crab roe omelet or a variety of mushrooms and fungi.

Millions of tourists visit China yearly to take in the rich culture and diversity of people. China boasts the oldest civilization, stretching back about 6,000 years. It is the most populated place on the planet which means great diversity, so get ready to adapt to change. Travelers who plan ahead to handle the difference in governmental operations should enjoy the historic culture of this Far East nation.
1. Fill in the employment section of the visa application. Journalists and anyone else who work in media often face resistance entering China. Canadians and Americans usually state “teacher” under “Occupations.”

2. Register a foreign-made laptop or camera with U.S. Customs before departing for China. Call the Chinese consulate to determine whether the equipment should be registered with local customs upon arrival if the device is U.S.-made.

3. Bring a 220-volt adapter and a surge protector. Some Asian adapters have diagonal prongs that slant inward, but other outlets accept American adapters. Carry several types of adapters in case one type doesn’t fit. Chinese sockets have many configurations.

4. Go to the China Travel Service to buy train tickets. Ask your hotel concierge to make the arrangements at CTS or get them at the local CTS office. Communication is challenging, even at the train station counter geared toward foreigners. Make reservations more than a day in advance if possible.

5. Arrive at train stations at least 2 hours in advance to avoid the constant crowding.

6. Ask your hotel travel agent about the reputation of the bus company when traveling by bus. Comfort and safety vary. The more expensive bus companies are normally safer because the government holds bus drivers accountable for accidents. You may have to pay for insurance on dangerous, mountainous bus routes.

7. Carry antibacterial hand sanitizer. Wash your hands frequently. Stay away from uncooked food, ice, un-pasteurized milk and milk products. Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled at least 10 minutes to avoid traveler’s diarrhea.

8. Avoid buying prescription drugs in China because quality control is not reliable. Bring an abundance of medicine for the trip.

9. Bring American-made trinkets from home to give as gifts for your guides. American T-shirts, cigarettes, candy or small cosmetic items such as nail polish and lipstick make good gifts from American travelers. Avoid giving American books and magazines as gifts because they may be considered propaganda and get the guide into trouble. CTS tour guides cannot accept gifts.

China is located in Asia and is the third largest country in the world. China is one of the countries that can boast of an ancient history that has been traced back almost 5,000 years. According to TravelChinaGuide.com, China is an ancient and mysterious land that has always been appealing to foreign visitors. It’s a country full of culture and history that brings in countless tourists each year.

Shanghai: The Oriental Pearl Tower

Shanghai is a city located on the water front. It boasts various attractions that bring tourists to Shanghai each year. The ancient town Zhujiajiao, is known as Shanghai’s Venice. The water town is one of four ancient towns in Shanghai and according to TravelChinaGuide.com, is the best preserved of the four. The ancient bridges in Zhujiajiao are from the Qing and Ming dynasties and used to connect various parts of the town. Also in Shanghai is the Oriental Pearl Tower. The tower has an interesting architectural shape. Its base is supported by three slanted columns, there are 11 spheres suspended vertically through the center of the building, and three large spheres including the top. Located in the Oriental Pearl Tower are shops, restaurants, and even a museum for visitors to enjoy. Another tourist attraction in Shanghai is known as The Bund. It’s a waterfront area of the city that has views of the skyline.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and a city that tops most tourists’ itineraries. The city has various attractions including the Great Wall of China, which is one of the wonders of the world and one of the few man-made structures that can be seen from outer space. Visitors can walk on portions of the wall that have been restored. Also in Beijing, is the Forbidden City. What was once used for housing ancient emperors is now a popular tourist attraction. The Forbidden City is made up of temples, hallways and housing and according to TravelChinaGuide.com, is said to have 9,999 rooms. It’s located in the back of Tiananmen Square, which is a large open-air square surrounded by government buildings. The square is also used for vast celebrations and visited by kite flyers, as well as tourists daily.

Xi’an: Terracotta Army

According to TravelChinaGuide.com, the Qin Terra Cotta Museum’s warriors and horses has put Xi’an on the map for tourists. The museum has warriors and horses that are life sized and made from terracotta. The warriors and horses are arranged in battle formation and on display to the public. Other attractions in Xi’an include: Bell Tower and its sister tower, Drum Tower. These towers are two architectural points of interest in the city. There is also the City Wall from the Ming Dynasty, which is the largest Ming Dynasty castle in the world that is still intact.

China offers multiple tours that focus on its beaches. These tours range in days and activity level, and they are focused on different coastal cities. Prices vary, depending on the season intended for travel and number of travelers in the group.

10 Days Sunshine Over China Tour

The 10 Days Sunshine Over China Tour focuses on travelers enjoying the beaches. This tour brings travelers to Beijing and the Great Wall of China; Sanya, a coastal city in southern China with a tropical setting; and Hong Kong, where arrangements are made individually, with a suggested half-day tour. All transportation–aside from during free times–and hotel is included except for when the group reaches Hong Kong. Some meals, English-speaking tour guides, entrance fees to scenic locations visited by the group, government charges and taxes are also included in the cost. Excluded are travel to and from China for the tour, personal expenditures, gratuities, entry visa charges, traveler’s insurance, excess baggage, national tour guide accompaniment from arrival to departure and anything not listed on the itinerary.

China Travel Depot
19th floor, CYTS Plaza
No.5 Dongzhimen South Avenue
Dongcheng District
Beijing, China 100007
+86 10 5815 8830
Toll free in United States and Canada: 1-888-598-2008
Email: webmaster@Chinatraveldepot.com
Chinatraveldepot.com

Essence of Qingdao Tour

The Essence of Qingdao Tour is a four-day tour exploring the port city of Qingdao. This tour visits Qingdao, Laoshan, Taiqing Palace, Xiaoqingdao Isle and a bathing beach, among others. The tour is designed and priced for between one to nine people and accommodates different budgets by having options of different hotel stays. The cost includes entrance fees to scenic tours, all meals detailed in the itinerary, transportation from airport to hotel and on all included tours, an English-speaking guide at each destination, hotel, government taxes and charges, accident/casualty insurance and luggage transfers. The cost does not include personal expenses, some meals and having a single room if staying with a group.

China Highlights/ CITS Guilin
No.11 Binjiang Road
Guilin, GX541002, P.R. China
Toll free in United States and Canada: 800-268-2918
Toll free in China: 800-8793-007
contact@chinahighlights.com
Chinahighlights.com

Essence of Xiamen Tour

The Essence of Xiamen Tour is a four-day active tour designed for one to nine travelers. The tour settles on the mainland in Xiamen city, and each day the group takes ferry boats to different islands just off the coast, including Gulangyu Island, where there is the largest population of piano owners in China and colonial buildings from multiple countries built after the Opium War and a visit to the Yong Ding Earth Buildings, which were built as a defense system. They are well-ventilated, immune to fire, earthquakes and wind, and the weather inside adjusts accordingly to the season. The price includes all entrance fees to scenic sights, hotel stay, transportation from airport and on all tours, a guide, meals specified in the itinerary, accident and casualty insurance, service charge and government taxes and luggage transfers. The cost excludes flight, personal expense, some meals and a single room when traveling with a group.

China Highlights/ CITS Guilin,
No.11 Binjiang Road
Guilin, GX541002, P.R. China
Toll free USA & Canada: 800-2682918
Toll free in China: 800-8793-007
contact@chinahighlights.com
Chinahighlights.com