With China’s high-speed rail network, Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) makes an excellent base for exploring several nearby cities. But if you have time for only two day trips, which should you choose: Suzhou (苏州, Sūzhōu), Hangzhou (杭州, Hángzhōu), Nanjing (南京, Nánjīng), Shaoxing (绍兴, Shàoxīng) or Wuxi (无锡, Wúxī)?...
Foreign visitors and expats in Beijing (北京, Běijīng) sometimes assume that they must use an expensive international hospital if they need medical care. But can foreigners actually visit Beijing’s major public hospitals — including China’s highly regarded Grade III Class A hospitals (三级甲等医院, sānjí...
A 22-hour layover at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场, Shànghǎi Pǔdōng Guójì Jīchǎng) is long enough that finding somewhere to sleep, shower and eat comfortably becomes much more important than simply finding a seat at the airport. Should you stay airside at PVG, pay...
Getting from central Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) to the Terracotta Army (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng) is one of the most common transport questions for independent visitors. One traveler asked whether it is practical to simply order a DiDi (滴滴, Dīdī) early in the morning — and, importantly, whether another car...
A 16-hour transit in Beijing (北京, Běijīng) sounds like plenty of time — but once immigration, airport transfers and the need to return well before an international flight are considered, how much sightseeing is actually realistic? One traveler visiting with children asked whether...
Thirty days gives first-time visitors something particularly valuable in China: the freedom not to rush. One couple planning their first mainland China trip wants to travel slowly and inexpensively, with plenty of nature, local food and places away from mass tourism. Their initial route...
The Shanghai Metro (上海地铁, Shànghǎi Dìtiě) is one of the easiest ways for international travelers to get around Shanghai — but which app should an iPhone user download to understand the network and plan routes? One traveler asked a wonderfully simple, practical question....
Planning a China trip from overseas creates an unusual navigation problem: the map you use while planning may not be the map you’ll want once you arrive in China (中国, Zhōngguó). A traveler in Canada asked whether it makes sense to use Apple...
Planning a climbing trip in Guangxi (广西, Guǎngxī) presents a slightly different transport problem from a conventional China itinerary. One traveler is planning a week combining remote Shegeng Cave (社更穿洞) with the famous climbing destination of Yangshuo (阳朔, Yángshuò), starting and finishing in Nanning (南宁, Nánníng). The...
A first trip to China doesn’t have to follow the classic Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai route. One traveler planning a 19-night trip in mid-October is considering a very different journey through Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi), Chongqing (重庆, Chóngqìng), Zhangjiajie (张家界, Zhāngjiājiè), Furong Ancient Town (芙蓉镇, Fúróng...
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