There are five types of sockets in use, one in Hong Kong/Macau, two in Taiwan, and the other two on mainland China. Here they are in pics so you can choose the adapter you may need.
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Virtual China – Visiting Attractions, Museums, and Galleries Online
With China still in stages of Corona lockdown, and many other countries likewise, what to do? Travel is completely out for the time being and social distancing, staying at home while doctors heal the infected and scientists search for the cure is the state of play. So, chin-up and let’s…
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Coronavirus and Staying Safe in China
On 31 December 2019, the Chinese Government notified the World Health Organisation of cases of pneumonia occurring in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of which the cause was unknown. It has now been identified/labeled as a novel coronavirus (nCoV) sometimes referred to as 2019-nCoV and in media as Wuhan Virus, or…
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Photos of the Amazing new Beijing Daxing International Airport
Here is a collection of photos of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport, aka Starfish. As of late last month it has slowly been receiving domestic and now international flights. Nanyuan airport has now closed as a public airport with Beijing now serviced by the Beijing Capital Airport and the…
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China’s Top Ten Snack Streets
Here is a list of the top ten snack streets and its no coincidence that they are also near to major scenic areas. Also fascinating is that many of them have been famed destinations of the Chī huò (foodie) for centuries. They really are quite special destinations especially for food…
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China’s Replica Cities
With the news that a development company is seeking to create a clone of Old Quebec near Shanghai, I thought it would be a great time to revisit some of the replica cities, copycat towns, or if you like duplicature, in China. Some years back it became fashionable to replicate European…
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China’s Mysterious Ancient Towns and Where to Find Them
While China is renowned for its famous historic sites that date back thousands of years its ancient towns have been off the radar for most foreign visitors. The ancient towns offer not just an attraction but deep insight into the culture, architecture, and life in those times. While many of…
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Modern Architecture Tourism in China
With China’s new found wealth it has been going through a long and much-discussed housing boom along with a boom in oversized, xenocentric, weird architecture and skyscrapers. While much of the grand symbolic, and expensive, development led by local governments will slow down after an explicit statement by the president himself to request…
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China’s SCARIEST Glass Sky Bridges – The Top 6
If there is something Chinese people like, surprisingly to some, it’s pushing the boundaries of their senses and the current glass walk bridge craze tickles that fancy just perfectly. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting and new glass walk bridges that will get anyone’s heart racing…
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The Classic China Itineraries for Self-Guided or Agency Tour
So, you want to go to China, but where? China still fascinates us with its mystical oriental charm and ancient history, especially for first-time visitors. So, for a first-time China trip, let’s explore some of the classic itineraries that take in the key historical and cultural sites that should not…
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50+ Amazing Destinations in China on Roads Less Traveled
Here’s a list of over 50 unique destinations in China, from temples to remote villages, that will hopefully open things up a bit as to how unique, diverse and numerous the tourism attractions are that the country offers. I can’t stress that enough, there are so many unique experiences in…
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Toilets in China – Everything you didn’t want to know
It’s quite amazing, one of the most asked questions on travel forums about China is about toilets. Questions such as “what are the toilets like”, or “Toilet Paper :} Is it really a problem?”, “No Western Restrooms in China! Yikes!”. If you’re coming to China, it’s something you’re going to…
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The Cost of Living in China – for Travelers & Expats
How much does it cost to go to China? Take a look on the travel forums and it’s one of the most common questions there is, so, let’s break it down. Just like anywhere, there’s a big difference between holidaying and living for extended periods so let’s tackle it in…
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Coming to China? Here’s your one page resource list
[updated 2018] A list of online resources to help you navigate your way in China.
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The Top China travel destinations by month
The best months to see some of Chinas amazing destinations: December: light color painting in Zhangjiajie Line: Hunan Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang-jiangkou, Guizhou province Main point: tianzi mountain snow, Tianmen mountain rime binggua, Fenghuang snow, fanjing mountain snow January: half water, half flame Line:-Haikou-Wenchang, Qionghai-Wanning Main point: Wenchang Tai o, stone Park, Lake…
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Online China Train Ticket Booking
Just added a new feature, in co-operation with China Highlights you can now book train tickets online via the search box below or in the right column. AND you can book tickets 60 days in advance. Check Availability and Book Online China Rail Network Map Click for larger image
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Hot Tip for China Visa Renewal and Info on Shenzhen VOA/Port Visa
Here’s a hot tip. Don’t overstay your visa, they really don’t like it. Over the four years or so of staying in China I was always on time with renewing my visa, in which case I would travel to Hong Kong and get it renewed, or, go to the local…
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Chinas Top Food Cities
Number 1: Chengdu I will never forget Chengdu, my first food experience there was the famous spicy hotpot, my mouth and lips were on fire from the red soup of chiller and peppers! In 2010, Chengdu was designated the “Capital of the World’s Gourmet Food” by UNESCO, and renowned for…
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Let’s Eat…… Snacks
Here’s a quick guide to some of the popular local snacks foods you’ll see on your travels around China (excuse the translations, will get to correcting the dish names): Lijiang: delicacies include spiral dumpling, buckwheat cake, walnut meatball, champion cake, Naxi Bowl Tsai cake, millet meatloaf, spiral cake, pineapple rice…
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No Google in China? Here’s Some Essential Alternatives
[updated 2018] Heading to China? Here are some alternatives to Google services and the best VPN solutions.
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Common Scams for the China Traveler (and how to avoid them)
Human nature is the same wherever you go, so just like everywhere else, China has it’s share of good and bad. In my travels I have never had any major issues, perhaps I’m lucky, maybe just using common sense, I’m not sure. In any case, it’s best to be on…
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Cell Phones and Mobile Internet in China
It goes without saying that one thing that you will definitely want to have during your travels is a mobile phone, and more than likely a smartphone. Not only for calls, it’s probably also your music player, ebook reader, map, internet connection, translator and so much more. Overall I found…
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Resource: List of Airports in China
Here’s a list of domestic and international airports in China, grouped by province, linking to the airports website where available. Many of China’s airport websites have an English version featuring useful guides on airport transfers and procedure guides for arrivals and departures. Also see Booking flights in China City Served…
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Key Travel Tips for First Time China Visitors
The first time in China can be an entrancing experience, put together the mysticism of Asian culture, the buzz of the staggeringly large number of people, the sheer size and scale of everything, and you’ll probably be on a starry-eyed traveler high for a while. But, undoubtedly at some point…
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China Holiday Dates and When NOT to Travel
There are seven holiday public holidays in China lasting from 1 day to 3 days. The holidays are lengthened by people working weekends prior and after the break, holidays such as the National Day holiday/Mid Autumn Festival period can actually become 7 day breaks or longer. New Year January 1…
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Basic Chinese for Travelers – Phrases + Links to Apps and Free Learning Tools
This page is intended for those people who haven’t had the luxury of doing a beginners Chinese course before having to/or choosing to step onto a plane and head for China. The page includes survival phrases, tools, apps plus links to loads of free resources for learning Mandarin Chinese. First,…
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Trains in China – A guide for travelers
China’s train network is extensive to say the least, with nearly every city and town connected via over 90,000 km or tracks. The size is set to grown with the Chinas continuing domestic growth, plus proposals for inter-continental lines that could extend from China into Russia, Germany and even to…
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Money in China – a guide to Currency, Denomination and Buying stuff
This article sets out to explain a little about China’s currency, incredibly useful stuff if you’re travelling to China or buying from Chinese websites. Lets take at looks at the many names used when talking money in China and the Chinese currency, which include RMB, Renminbi, ¥; CNY; also CN¥, 元 and CN元 Yuan, Kuai and Mao. RMB…
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Finding the Cheapest Flights between China and Australia
If your’e hunting for discount flights between China and Australia, read on. This post features some of the tips and tricks I’ve discovered, plus links to great sites for flight deals between Australia and China. Here’s a list of airlines, with their flight routes (in no particular order): Qantas Flies…
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China’s Domestic Airlines – Booking Flights in China
My personal experience with local Chinese airline companies has been mostly good, the planes are clean, in many cases new, the service is good, and my inability to speak Chinese has never been an issue. All the flights I’ve been on have had staff with English skills, and any messages are…