Choices in China: What’s Right for You?
Although China first opened its doors to tourists in 1974, I did not personally know many people who visited there until recently. In the last few years, more and more of my friends and relatives have been exploring China and coming back with rave reviews. In fact, I am reminded of visiting China every day now because I have a photo of my parents standing on the Great Wall of China on the door of my refrigerator. The big smiles on their faces keep urging me to take the plunge myself.
The Great Wall of China is a must see for visitors.
I know folks who have taken the self-guided route, booking their own hotels and hostels along the way, as well as those who have chosen all-inclusive packages with tour guides. I even know a person who traveled to stay with a longtime penpal and her family.
Given the choice to plan my own China holiday tours , I am leaning towards the all-inclusive package. Why? Because China is big! There is so much to see that I would like to go on a broad tour my first time there, then decide which areas to return to and explore in more depth.
Another reason that I would like to try a guided tour on my first visit to China is because of the language barrier. Language guides and pantomime have served me well in places like Spain, France or Belgium, but I haven’t a clue how to read or speak Mandarin or Cantonese. Also, even though I always do my homework before visiting new places, I still like the idea of having an English speaking guide around to help fill in the gaps on things I might otherwise miss out on.
Of all the historical sites there, the Great Wall of China is the biggest people-pleaser across the board. The only caveat I have come across is to remember that this is a weather-dependent sight. If it’s rainy, foggy, or smoggy, then you are not going to enjoy the Great Wall of China as much as you would in clear conditions. Keep in mind that the best time of year to visit China, weather-wise, is from April through June, and then again from September through October.
Beautifully terraced rice terrace in China.
Maybe I’ve seen one too many “Love Boat” reruns, but when I think of cruises, images of the Caribbean pop into my mind. Cruises are not something I associate with China, and yet, the Yangtze River is the third largest river in the world.
After speaking with people who have taken a Yangtze river cruise, I am ready to sign up. Do your homework before booking one, however, because the quality of these riverboat cruiselines varies tremendously. A little time spent reading cruise reviews in various travel forums pays off greatly when making a decision like this.
While Chinese take-out is associated with the idea of quick, cheap food in the USA, China is home to rich culinary traditions. Food tourism is a growing branch of the hospitality industry in China, with specialties varying according to the region. In Beijing, for instance, Peking Duck is a signature dish to try. One of my favorite styles of Chinese food is dim sum. These delicious steamed dumplings are traditionally eaten after performing morning exercises, such as tai chi (another ancient Chinese tradition.)
China’s agricultural traditions are something I want to experience, too. Friends keep telling me about beautiful tea plantations and lush, green rice terraces carved into steep hillsides. When I visit China, I plan to leave plenty of room in my suitcase to bring back loads of tea.
China’s cities offer bustling street markets, museums, temples and more. “Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger” fans and other martial art buffs will be happy to note that it’s even possible to visit the famous Shaolin monks on some itineraries.
Panda bears are a rare but beautiful sight in China.
Let’s not forget that China is also home to one of the cutest creatures on earth, the panda bear. Although sightings in the wild are rare, a visit to a wildlife park such as the Chengdu Reserve gives visitors a chance to watch them happily munching bamboo in their native environment.
Some tours include time in Indochina, as well. When it comes to visiting this southern peninsula, I must confess that I have wanted to see Angkor Wat ever since I first saw photos of those enchanting temples in National Geographic as a child. After Cambodia, Vietnam is high on my list, since it is home to one of my favorite cuisines in the world. I can only imagine how much better Vietnamese food tastes in its native land.
The people I know who have visited China are a varied lot, ranging in age from their teens to their 70′s. One thing they all have in common, however, is the desire to return to China for another trip. To me, this is the sign of a good vacation spot: when you return home and are still keenly interested in learning more about the area you visited. So whether you are a history buff, a foodie, an adventurer, or nature lover – a visit to China has something special to offer you.
Photo credits: Great Wall SXC, Rice Terrace SXC, and Panda SXC
NOTE: This post was sponsored by Wendy Wu Tours; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.
