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How to Plan Your Trip to China

Traveling to China is a major vacation, and an incredible opportunity to see and do things you cannot experience anywhere else. Your China trip, whether it’s for business or leisure, will be one of the high points of your life. Before you go, there are some steps you can take to make sure that your travel goes smoothly and you have the time of your life.  

First, of course, as soon as you realize you’re going to China, apply for or update your passport if necessary, and apply for your China travel visa. You won’t be able to go without these two documents, of course, so make sure you have plenty of time and won’t be worrying, close to trip time, about whether you will be able to go. Get this task out of the way and spend your time preparing for your trip.

If you’re planning a vacation, you might consider doing some searching online for discount or “cheap” China travel and group tours to China. This is probably the easiest, and certainly the most affordable, way to travel in China. You can find a variety of group tours, including tours suitable for families, and you may want to consider this when you’re planning your trip. Having a guide/interpreter will make your trip more enjoyable. You might even learn some Tai Chi for a better mind and body.

And of course if you’re taking any electric appliances (like a hairdryer) or electronics (from a laptop to a smart phone) you’ll need to get an adaptor so you can plug your items into the wall. Make sure you get an adaptor that works in China, and you might want to consider getting two just in case one dies on your trip.

Check out train travel opportunities before you leave, as traveling China by train is one of the best ways to see the breathtaking countryside. Train travel is inexpensive in China, and a great way to get around the country. However, the trains don’t generally offer Western food choices, and if you need snacks, you’ll need to take them on board with you, because they don’t have vending machines on the trains. As long as you’re prepared for this, you’ll be able to enjoy riding the rails in China.

Make a plan for what you want to see. Of course you’ll want to visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City. You probably also want to schedule a trip to Xian to see the terracotta soldiers, and possibly Leaping Tiger Gorge, which is in Lijang. When you talk with your travel agent about your trip to China, make a point of mentioning any specific places you want to visit, and explain what you like the most and most want to see while you’re in China.

Taking the time to plan your trip to China and make sure you’re prepared for traveling in Asia, including documents and electrical adaptors, will help you insure that you have a great vacation or business trip and that you don’t miss any of the beautiful sites of China.