If you are coming to China on an extended trip, then you will probably end up in Shanghai at some point. Adding Shanghai to your round the world trip itinerary is a great idea as it surely is a unique destination. The great thing about Shanghai is that it caters to every budget. If you have a bit higher of a budget, you’ll have options galore, from nice hotels rooms to high roller suites. But if you are more of a backpacker, you’ll be taken care of as well with hostels and cheap eats around every corner.

If you like indie travel experiences, then you’ve come to the right place as it doesn’t get more indie than China. You’ll be challenged each day. Hell, you’ll be challenged each time you step out the door of your hotel or hostel, as traveling in this country takes some getting used to. But if you have the patience and enjoy being thrown into sometimes uncomfortable scenarios, then this is the place for you.

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For those planning an around the world trip, adding China to your itinerary may be a good idea as you’ll have plenty of time to really dig into the country. If heading to China on your extended trip, you’ll no doubt find yourself in Beijing. Adding Beijing to your RTW itinerary will give you stories to last a lifetime as there really is no other place like it on Earth.

Beijing may be expensive compared to most of the rest of the country, but it would be a good introduction to the country and may prepare you for what’s to come. And compared to most western destinations, it’s still pretty cheap, and you can get by on a backpacker’s budget if that’s how you’re used to traveling. Many travelers in China go the packaged tour route because of the difficulty of traveling here. But for indie travelers who are a little braver, you can go at it on your own with the help of a few tips.

You can use Beijing as your starting point for China, and it can be the base for your exploration of one of the world’s great wonders – The Great Wall of China. Instead of going to the most popular places on the Great Wall, consider heading to further, more out of reach sections as there are far less tourists and you can have a much more authentic experience. And don’t be scared off by the food as it’s some of the best in the world. Sure, you may have to point and guess, and you never know what’s going to come out of the kitchen, but that’s all part of the fun!

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When I started learning languages such as French or Italian, the music, movies, TV shows and magazines has become my daily friends. And with the help of Internet, I also got a lot of real friends to talk to and write to.

Visiting the country is definitely one of the best ways to learn the language. When you deal with languages that are very different from your native tongue or other languages you speak, it’s going to be more challenging. But phrase books and , lately, mobile applications should be your friends. And, if your budget allows for it, take a language class in the country you are visiting.

Known some of the important phrases in Chinese means that dealing with awkward travel situations gets a lot easier. If you find yourself quite lonely and you cannot find anyone who speaks English, then known at least basic phrases will remind you why you are traveling and how lovely it is to experience a new culture.

Of all the traveling I’ve done so far , I either was able to use English everywhere (even in the market in Vienna, Austria) or I spoke the native language. When we went to Budapest, I relied on my partner who speaks the language and on my basic knowledge of Hungarian to get me by when needed. But as I plan travels further from my home base, I am certainly eager to learn at least some basic phrases in as many languages I can.

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Whether you choose to travel independently or you want to travel in an organized way (tour), make sure to check out the highlights of Beijing . One of the most visited parts of the Great Wall of China is located near Beijing. Just look for information at the hotel and you’ll be able to book a tour to visit the wall. Another must-see place is the Forbidden City. It is the largest, best-preserved wooden-structure ancient architectural complex in the world. Other stunning places to visit include: the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Ming Tombs.

But China is much more than just Beijing. Book one of the domestic flights in China and head to Xi’an, where you’ll find the Terracotta Army. It was discovered in 1974 and comprises four pits. Pit one is home to the main army, estimated at 8,000 figures.

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Spring (February to April) is an excellent time to plan your vacation in Beijing. The weather is dry and windy. But it’s low season so you won’t be bumping into endless crowds and you have the sights for yourself.

Since China is not exactly close to either Europe or North America, the bulk of the travel budget is going to be the flight. So it only makes sense to search for cheap flights to Beijing ahead of time and book your flight when you find the best deal. Of course, flying during the low season is a great choice to save on airfare.

If you fly from London to Beijing in early April, the non-stop RT flight starts at $978 (on Air China). Virgin Atlantic and British Airways also offer direct flights but the prices are much higher.

Should you want to fly from New York to Beijing during the same period, the non-stop RT flight starts at $898 (on Continental). Air China, United and US Airways also offer direct flights but the fares are more expensive.

Now that you have the flight secured, it’s time to look for hotels in China . In large cities, such as Beijing, it’s important to choose a place to stay close to the main sights. Depending on the location and the facilities offered, rates start at as low as $34 per night during the low season. With a bit of planning ahead you can stay in a 4-star hotel with just $64 per night, right in the heart of Beijing.

Tips

Make sure to always carry a map and be sure to know exactly where you want to go. Carry the name of the hotel with you and the name of the place where you want to go. It’s quite hard to find someone who speaks English so you need to be prepared.

Metered taxis and the metro are the two best choices for travelers. Buses are crowded and the names of the stations are only in Chinese so it can be a daunting task to figure out things.

Stay away from buying anything in China. Fake designer products are everywhere and we bet that’s not what you want to bring back as souvenir.

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What To Expect

Altogether, Hong Kong Disneyland China’s four parks have more than 25 attractions. There is also street entertainment, dining, shops and an area to meet the Disney characters in each park. The park is small, and it’s best to not go in expecting something like Disneyland Orlando. Because of the park’s size, it’s likely it will take only a day or less to go through the whole thing.

Main Street U.S.A. has six attractions including the Animation Academy, High School Musical: LIVE! and City Hall. In Tomorrowland, visitors will find the Orbitron and Space Mountain, as well as four other attractions. Fantasyland has the most attractions, 12 of them, which include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Snow White’s Grotto and Fantasy Gardens. Adventureland has only four attractions, including Raft’s and Tarzan’s Treehouse and a Jungle River Cruise.

Hours of Operation
Hong Kong Disneyland-China’s regular hours are 10am to 7 pm, though it’s prudent to check before you go.

Entrance Fees
On a regular day, children’s tickets cost 210HKD, or $27. Adult tickets cost 295HKD or $38. The price is more on special days and peak days, which fall on holidays and weekends.

How to Get There
Lantau Island is very accessible, so getting to Hong Kong Disneyland is easy. Available pubic transportation includes buses and taxis, and it is also accessible by car. The transportation costs vary depending on where you’re leaving from.

If you’re driving, the parking fees are 120 Hong Kong Dollars, or about $15.50 American. The parking facilities are open for two hours before and after the park closes, so it’s easy and convenient to get in and out.

What To Expect
The weather in Tianjin is rainy through the months of May to August. Covered walkways are offered throughout the park, giving protection from the elements. Sunscreen and insect repellent is highly recommended for the sunny and humid days. Traffic is usually busy all year. Public transportation is highly recommended.

Hours Of Operation
Shuishang Park is open all year around, from six in the morning until seven in the evening. The activities offered within the area, such as the amusement park and zoo, are open during park hours. These are subject to change depending on weather.

Admission Costs
Admission into the park itself is free. A small fee of $5 will be charged for admission into the zoo. The amusement park and other park fees are subject to change.

How To Get There
Shuishang Park is located on Shuishang Park Road, Tianjin 300000, China. If the traveller does not know the area well, it is better to arrange for public transportation as there are no maps of the surrounding area easily accessible online. Tianjin offers several travelling methods, including: Bus terminals, and an excellent rail network. Other public transportation may be available.

What to Expect
The newly-built Daoying Park, just south of the pagodas, is considered one of the best places to take pictures of the stately Chongsheng Three Pagodas. Bring lunch and a blanket to have a picnic in the sight of the breathtaking beauty of the skyline. Or try to position yourself and your camera to make best use of the Juying Chi, or Reflection Pond, behind the pagodas for great, symmetrical pictures. Either way, make sure to bring your camera with you on your visit since the best part of the pagodas is the pictures they create.

Nearby on the marble street, there are plenty of workshops and craft shops selling a variety of marble and brick-painting memorabilia and keepsakes. A large number of pictures, postcards and statues of the pagodas, especially, are available here for souvenirs.

Average Costs
The admission fee for going to the Chongsheng Three Pagodas site itself costs 120 yen, but the pagodas are best enjoyed in conjunction with a tour of other historically important sites. There are walking tours of Dali that will take you past the three pagodas, as well as a number of other historical Dali attractions for as little as 160 yen a person.

Hours of Operation
The pagodas are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and an average visit is about two hours. When visiting at night, the pagodas are lit up to create an illumination skyline.

How to get there
The street is easily visible from any perspective in the tiny town of Dali. One should have no trouble finding it. If perchance, you did have trouble, simply ask one of the friendly locals to point the way!

What to expect
The weather in this area of China is cool all year long. Summer temperatures reach heights in the mid-eighties, but winter lows can plunge below freezing. Make sure to dress for cool weather in summer and bring layers of clothing to take on and off. Cold weather should be expected for any other season and appropriate bundles of clothing should be brought along to keep you toasty.

What you’ll find
You are sure to find an amazing bargain at any of the many souvenir shops on this famous tourist street. Guesthouses also offer prices any Western pocketbook can easily afford. However, you do not have to pay face value for anything. Please do not be afraid to haggle! It is a time honored tradition that is carried out here as in other parts of the world.

When to go
As there are many places of business on this street, you are sure to find life at any time of day. Restaurants will serve you into the evening, while clothing stores will close much earlier. Arrive early and spend a leisurely day perusing the items in each store. Have a custom tailored suit made to show your friends at home!

What to Expect
The gentle climate of Sanxingdui and surrounding cities makes touring to the Sanxing Dui Museum enjoyable anytime of the year. However, the most ideal time is September through November and March through May when temperatures are moderate. With beautiful surrounding features such as grasslands, lakes, hills, and gardens, beautiful scenery will add to the great climate to enhance the experience tourists receive when visiting the Sanxing Dui Museum.

Average Costs
Admission to the museum is 80 Yuan, an equivalent to $11.72 United States dollars. This is an inexpensive cost to view ancient display and ruins of former China culture.

Hours of Operation
There is a wide array of hours offered to view the displays at Sanxing Dui Museum. The current hours are 8:30 to 17:30. It is suggested that tourists, especially first time visitors, allow three to four hours to have the proper amount of time to enjoy the displays the museum has to offer.

How to Get to the Museum
The museum is located in the northeast of Sanxingdui display site. This museum is west of major city Guanghan and north of Chengdu. Tourist travel is normally reached by bus. Almost all bus stations in China offer a route to reach the Sanxing Dui Museum.