China Things to Do

On a trip around Asia and Australia, Asha and Brock’s second stop is Beijing, where they spent a few days exploring the history and culture in and around the city.

Famous for fuelling long-standing political tensions in the Chinese government, Tibet Autonomous Province is one of the most visual, spectacular provinces in China. Sky-soaring mountains and richly forested valleys are broken up by slow-moving ancient glaciers, active volcanoes, natural hot springs, lakes, swamps and prairies – you will see why this awe-inspiring place is called “Roof of the World”.

Xi’an is the historical capital of China and also called “the eternal city” and a must for culture and history buffs traveling to the great eastern nation. It was once one of the most remarkable cities in the world for several centuries during the reign of the Qin Dynasty in China and now is one of China’s most popular tourist attractions.

Of inestimable cultural and historic value, the famous Silk Road once connected ancient China to the outside world, and in some instances it still functions as a commercial trade route today. Along its path, you’ll discover numerous sites of particular interest. The following are just a few.

It goes without saying that massage is a delightful recreation whether you’re on vacation or not. If you’re traveling in China, you could do worse than availing yourself of the many opportunities for restorative reflexology and other treatments. The following bits of etiquette and points of order should help you pursue body work in the world’s most populous nation.

With more than 23 million people, Shanghai is China’s largest city. While it’s possible to get to and from the city’s best sights by taxi or by taking the Metro, riding a bike allows you to explore all of Shanghai’s neighborhoods, whether it be the colonial buildings of the French Concession or the modern skyscrapers of the Bund, at your own pace. If your Mandarin skills are limited, biking around the city saves you the trouble of having to communicate with taxi drivers or deal with the sometimes crowded Metro.

For the entire month of January when you buy two China tours you get 20% OFF of a third tour! That’s right – Buy 2, Save 20% on your 3rd tour!

Tourists and expats looking to escape the oppressive congestion of Guangzhou (China’s third largest city) should turn their attention to Shamian Island. Once part of a Chinese concession to the French and English during the Opium Wars, the island is now a state-protected, well-preserved example of colonial architecture and urban planning.

China’s Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival, is the second most important holiday of the year after the Lunar New Year. The event occurs on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month (September 30, 2012) and coincides with the National Day holiday, so festivities last for a full week. If you’ll be visiting China during the Mid-Autumn Festival, here’s what you need to know to make the most of this special time of year.

A typical spectacle throughout Asia, dragon boat racing is as enthralling as it sounds, as dozens of racers board these long boats and vie to see who is number one. Perhaps no dragon boating experience is more important than that of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, which occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the year.