The largest country in East Asia and most populous country in the world having Beijing as its capital city.
21
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3answers
995 views
Can I read my GMail while traveling in China?
I read in some places that Gmail.com is sometimes blocked. Is there a workaround so that I can access my email while I am in China?
17
votes
3answers
496 views
What is the best way to obtain visas for the Trans-Siberian/Trans-Mongolian Railway?
I'm planning on taking the trans-Siberian / trans-Mongolian from Moscow to Beijing via Ulaan Bataar next year and I'd like some advice on how best to organise the visa situation.
I'm a British ...
16
votes
3answers
284 views
Trans-Siberian Express: Stopping along the way?
I'm planning a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express. I've already received excellent advice on a related post, but I've got a couple more questions.
My plan is to head from Moscow to Beijing. It's six ...
15
votes
3answers
762 views
The Great Wall of China: Where should I start a visit?
The Great Wall of China is more than 6000 kilometers long. So if I want to see that wall, where should I start my visit? What are typical places to see the wall?
I'm interested in places that offer a ...
14
votes
1answer
932 views
What time of year is best for taking the Trans-Siberian Express?
I'm interested in taking a train journey from Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia.
Is there a recommended time of year for this Trans-Siberian trip?
14
votes
2answers
465 views
What to expect at Chinese customs when bringing in items for friends who live there?
I am taking a trip to Shanghai next week to see some friends. They have requested that I bring a few items with me to give to them that are difficult (or expensive) for them to obtain where they ...
13
votes
4answers
638 views
Should I bring sufficient anti-mosquito lotion to China?
We're going to travel around China, visiting mainly major cities.
We'll be taking a river cruise in the south and probably visit some rice fields, so I expect we do need some protection.
We ...
13
votes
4answers
434 views
Do I have to visit the Chinese consulate in person to get my visa?
I'm planning a trip to Shanghai to visit some friends in about 5 months. I understand that I will need to get a visa issued so that I can travel to China.
This will be the first time I've applied ...
13
votes
2answers
216 views
Chinese etiquette: Most common mistakes
My question is inspired by this one: Japanese etiquette: Most common (and offensive) mistakes? Which made me think about my upcoming trip to China.
As a Dutch citizen, I have experienced a lot that ...
12
votes
5answers
438 views
How can I get a great view from Shanghai?
I'm going to visit Shanghai next month and I know there are several huge skyscrapers.
Now I'm wondering from which tower, that's accessible to the main public, can I get the best view at an ...
12
votes
3answers
238 views
What part of Great Wall of China is easier to visit, starting from Peking?
I'm interested in visiting the Great Wall of China, but don't want to face many tourists during my trip.
Are there such parts of it?
Are visitors allowed to walk on it?
12
votes
2answers
160 views
Is it possible to get a permit to travel to Tibet (Lhasa) from Beijing by train, without a tour guide?
I am confused about how I go about getting a permit for two people (a British and a Swedish national) to visit Lhasa, intending to travel there by train. Is it possible to get a permit without having ...
11
votes
2answers
580 views
Best way for U.S. citizen to obtain China visa while in Europe?
For a U.S. citizen who is travelling in Europe and wants to fly from Europe to China, what is the recommended way to obtain a Chinese visa?
11
votes
1answer
221 views
Vaccinations for Beijing
I'm travelling to Beijing on the 3rd of september.
Although China does not require any mandatory vaccinations to visit, It is recommended that I recieve a Hepatitis A vaccination.
I have less than 2 ...
11
votes
1answer
764 views
Are there prepaid mobile data plans in China?
When I was in the US I got a 3G data plan for the iPad which was only 25$ for 2 Gb which lasts a month.
I was wondering if there are any similar offerings in China or if its better to wait to get ...
11
votes
1answer
336 views
China visa issue
I flew from China to Taiwan a while back. I have an extend-able visa to Taiwan. Upon arrive in Guangzhou, I was informed I needed a Chinese visa to visit to Taiwan (which if you are up-to-date with ...
10
votes
5answers
728 views
Is it possible to apply for a Chinese visa while travelling outside your home country?
For some countries you can only apply for a visa in your home country (Russia is such a country)
Is China also such a country? I was thinking of applying for a visa in the Republic of Georgia or ...
9
votes
4answers
134 views
Do you need to submit an itinerary to get a Chinese visa? And do you have to stick to it?
There are certain countries which in order to be granted a visa you must submit your intended itinerary. My friend tells me that he thinks China is one of those countries.
What do independent ...
9
votes
2answers
431 views
The using of VPN on iPhone in China
I will be travelling to China this April (more specifically, I will be going to Chengdu).
As I would need to keep myself updated all the time, and I would need to access facebook and other websites ...
9
votes
1answer
77 views
How's the weather for hiking in lower Tibet in May?
I am considering doing a hike with a guide in Tibet from Gandan Monastery to Samye Monastery in May.
From what I've heard the temperatures during the night should be between -5C and 10C which is ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
What's the cheapest way to call China from the US with an AT&T cell phone?
My girlfriend got a new job that requires frequent travel to Shanghai, China. She has a Chinese phone and sometimes has Internet access. Aside from Skype/Internet communications, what's the cheapest ...
8
votes
4answers
171 views
Single travelling in Sep-Oct - which destination: China, Russia, Barcelona + Portugal, or Cuba?
I'm Israeli. I get 3 weeks vacation from work during Sep-Oct 12.
I want to travel overseas (for now alone). I thought to use the relatively long vacation to get further away than nearby Europe. Does ...
8
votes
2answers
195 views
What is the safest way to travel from Hunza (North Pakistan) to Kashgar (West China)?
What is the safest way to go from Hunza (North Pakistan) to Kashgar (West China) ? Travelling mainly by bus and local transportation wherever possible.
I would prefer to avoid dangerous zones if ...
8
votes
2answers
180 views
How do I ensure I do not pay out money for tickets that are not usable for other reasons?
For the first time I am trying to organise an extended individual journey - 6-10 months and 10-14 countries. Although I am intending to be an independent traveller and organising travel arrangements ...
8
votes
2answers
326 views
Visiting both Taiwan and China having one passport
Can I expect to encounter any problem when visiting the Republic of China (Taiwan) after visiting the People's Republic of China or vice versa?
I mean, some countries have political clashes with each ...
8
votes
1answer
144 views
How should I start to plan a journey from Moscow to Beijing by train?
I have a ton of questions, but I don't even know where to start. To those of you who have done the journey, what is a good starting point for planning?
8
votes
2answers
209 views
Downloadable maps of China
Have met travellers cycling in Tajikistan, and they're hoping they can download maps of China - either road or cycle tracks (or both). They've searched high and low, and haven't found decent ...
8
votes
1answer
103 views
How should I prepare for a visit to the rice terraces?
When we're in Guilin (China) we can take an excursion to the rice terraces
Now I have no idea what its like to visit them. Should I expect to get wet feet or pants and make sure I bring a towel ...
8
votes
2answers
111 views
What is a good visa agent for obtaining a Chinese visa from the NY consulate?
As a followup to an earlier question: I'm planning to travel to China shortly, and I'm looking into visa agents - those companies that will accept your passport and application documents by FedEx or ...
8
votes
2answers
145 views
What can I expect when bringing in my netbook to China?
I am considering bringing a netbook on my trip to China, arriving via Beijing International Airport. I am mostly concerned about what will happen at the border.
Do I have to show it at the border, ...
8
votes
1answer
164 views
Is it possible for a foreigner to drive through (mainland) China in a foreign-registered car?
Is it possible to drive through mainland China, for example for transit from Kazakhstan to Vietnam, as a non-Chinese citizen, in an own car/van/truck?
This is about an European Union citizen, trying ...
8
votes
1answer
172 views
Is it pretty easy for an American to get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong?
I know standing in line to get a visa is never fun, but was wondering if any Americans had experience getting a standard tourist "L" visa in Hong Kong.
I'm leaving on a RTW trip in less than two ...
7
votes
3answers
99 views
Flag raising ceremony in Beijing
On a daily basis, there is a flag raising ceremony on the Tiananmen Square in Beijing after sunrise. I am considering to go there in May, which means that the ceremony would start at around 5AM.
The ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I avoid Shanghai because of N7H9?
I am currently in Beijing and will be catching a train to Shanghai in about 12 hours.
Here in Beijing the news about the N7H9 deaths are everywhere and some people advice me to try to avoid Shanghai ...
7
votes
1answer
255 views
Overland route from the Caucasus to Mongolia without entering Russia?
I plan to base myself in the Replubic of Georgia for a while and I'm thinking of a trip from there to Mongolia but I have some restrictions:
No flying (overland is more of an adventure)
I can't ...
7
votes
1answer
81 views
Is it possible or recommended to exchange US currency for Chinese currency outside China?
I'll be traveling to China soon, specifically to Wuhan, and I remember reading somewhere (I don't remember where, unfortunately) that it's only possible to exchange USD for RMB in China itself - is ...
7
votes
1answer
67 views
Does this monument depict Koxinga?
The large horse rider monument located in Quanzhou, China here: Google Maps
Is this monument depicting Koxinga or someone else?
Can't find wiki articles or something in English.
7
votes
1answer
76 views
Getting to Guangzhou from Melbourne
I am taking a business trip to Guangzhou from Melbourne is a few months. I have noticed that there are no direct flights (correct me if I am wrong). Looks like I have to transfer in Hong Kong. ...
7
votes
1answer
431 views
Transit visa in Chinese airports?
I'm hoping to get a flight which requires me to be in China for 28 hours before the connecting flight out. I'm happy to sit in transit if I have to. However, I've read one site that said 12 hours is ...
7
votes
2answers
84 views
Where can I find the official Shenzen Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa details?
When visiting the Chinese city of Shenzen from Hong Kong it is possible to travel on a special Visa called a 'Shenzen Special Economic Zone Tourism Visa'.
The concept is simple. You can quickly get a ...
7
votes
1answer
55 views
Airport transfer in Sanya
I am flying into SYX airport and staying at a nearby beach hotel. What would you recommend is the best way in getting to the hotel? Are cabs reliable there or do I need to arrange for some sort of ...
7
votes
1answer
117 views
Taiwanese traveling to Xiamen, China - do I need to get a visa or Tai Bao Zheng before I go?
Me: US passport and Taiwan passport
Trip: Going to Taiwan for a few weeks but also planning on going to Xiamen from Taiwan for a few days.
Problem: So far, it seems like it is more annoying to use ...
6
votes
2answers
562 views
Huashan Cliffside Path: Accessible for tourists?
Today I saw some very nice pictures of the Huashan Cliffside Path in China:
Now I'm asking myself if this path is accessible for tourists? This means, if I have mountaineering experience can I walk ...
6
votes
2answers
188 views
Visiting giant panda sanctuary Chengdu from Guangzhou
I want to visit the panda sanctuary in Chengdu. I will be staying in Guangzhou and noticed that its a bit of a trip. What is the best way to get there? Is there a tour with direct bus? Or is there ...
6
votes
1answer
76 views
Is my Chinese visa reusable?
I am a US citizen and have a Chinese visa that expires later this year, but I am looking to go to China again this summer. I originally got this L visa for my trip this winter (which was fantastic). ...
6
votes
1answer
354 views
Getting a Chinese tourist visa with an expired UK criminal conviction
A group of us are travelling to China this year. One of the members of our group was convicted five years ago for possession of Ecstasy; as it has been five years, the conviction is now spent / ...
6
votes
2answers
105 views
Google maps in China
Using smartphone in China's cities,
how can I navigate by foot?
Does anyone has a creative idea if I don't read or write chinese?
Any recommended foot-navigation to China main cities?
(offline maps ...
6
votes
1answer
88 views
Are there companies in China that offer personal tour guide services?
I will be traveling to China by myself and interested in hiring a person to be a personal tour guide for multiple days ...possibly as long as a month. This will be my first trip to China and my grasp ...
6
votes
1answer
708 views
Sim Card with data plan in China?
I'm traveling to Beijing for a short trip (4 days), and don't want to be without my phone or pay ATT roaming. I have an unlocked, international compatible phone.
What kind of options are available in ...
6
votes
1answer
126 views
How to get a Taiwanese visa?
I am a Pakistani national, have a company in China and my visa is Z category (Chinese Work Visa). I want to travel to Taiwan for a business trip. How I can get the visa?
