Holidays in China

China – a country with a unique centuries-old history and a modern outlook on life. It successfully combines ancient traditions and new principles of life, large green nature reserves and modern megacities. For more than 5,000 years the history and culture of the Middle Kingdom have been taking shape, and that is why today you can immerse yourself in its grandeur and delve into its traditions thanks to operators offering tours to China for every taste and for different financial possibilities.

How to get there

By plane to Beijing

• Direct flight Kyiv – China (Beijing) and Odesa – Beijing. Ticket price from Odesa is 675 u.e. From Kyiv – 625 u.e. A flight from Kyiv with a layover will cost 510 u.e.
• The airline Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT offers a tour to China from Kyiv via Warsaw at the higher price of 625 u.e., but requiring some time for layovers.
• Qatar Airways flights provide convenient connections and an acceptable cost – 555 u.e.
• Turkish Airlines flights with layovers in Istanbul are available at the price of 660 u.e. They are convenient in terms of waiting time and connection comfort.
• Austrian Airlines flights are not daily, but they are affordable. For a flight with a layover in Vienna you will have to pay 570 u.e. It is necessary to monitor and adjust to the schedule.

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By plane to Shanghai

• From Odesa to Shanghai with two transfers (in Vienna and Beijing) at a low price – a choice for those who have free time. The cost of such a flight to Shanghai and back will be only 700 u.e.
• A flight via Istanbul with two short layovers will cost 1100 u.e. The carrier is Turkish Airlines.
• Emirates Airlines offers a flight with a layover in Dubai and a connection that can last 5–6 hours. Ticket price is 1090 u.e. Departure from Kyiv is possible with a layover in Zurich. Pricing policy – 650 u.e.
• A flight to China via Paris or Amsterdam will cost 715 u.e., and via Germany – 685 u.e.

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  Charter flights to Hainan

By plane to Hainan

• UIA offers a direct flight to Hainan (China) from Kyiv or Odesa without layovers. Flight time – 10 hours. Ticket price from $730.

What to see

• Guangzhou (China) – the third largest city, which has managed to combine a centuries-old history and an innovative approach to the construction of buildings and structures within its expanse. A trip will provide a maximum of positive emotions and allow you to feel the positive energy of this place.
• The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees – one of the main attractions of Guangzhou, which you definitely should see. To see the modern architecture of bright skyscrapers and, having driven a couple of dozen kilometers away, to find yourself in the untouched Nansha Wetland reserve – it is like visiting another reality.
• The Forbidden City – a place that must be visited by those who want to see how Chinese emperors lived many centuries ago. The city has 980 buildings erected in different eras, and a moat built around this place. It is a world of boundless power and wealth, where access was forbidden to ordinary people except the emperor, his family and courtesans.

  We will help you choose: Sightseeing tour to Hainan Island and beach vacation

• The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). This unique place is filled with mystery and reverence. For more than 500 years it embodied the main holy site of China, where people prayed to heaven for a good harvest.
• The Great Wall of China – China’s world-famous landmark. An architectural monument 8,851.8 kilometers long, built more than 2,000 years ago. This defensive structure was erected to prevent raids by enemy detachments. It has survived to this day, and its grandeur is truly impressive.
• A journey along the glass mountain trails in the Mixianqijing area is not for the faint of heart, but it is exactly what adds a special thrill and adrenaline. Such a vacation will provide a maximum of emotions. The “Path of Faith” in the Grand Canyon in Zhangjiajie is its glass bridge, which is located above a gorge and can jangle the nerves of impressionable tourists. A walk along such a bridge is a real pleasure for thrill-seekers. Note that booking a ticket to visit the bridge is mostly possible only through travel agencies; you will not be able to do it on your own.
• The Yellow Mountains (Huangshan) – the sacred mountains of China. They appeared 100 million years ago and to this day have preserved a unique ecosystem and breathtaking views. These are the mountains that could be seen in the film «Avatar» – thanks to their height, their peaks often hide in the clouds, creating a surreal picture.
• West Lake (Xihu) in Hangzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides and evokes calm and tranquility. It is beautiful at any time of day, and the original arched bridge adds mystery to it.
• The panda reserve in Chengdu – a unique place where the largest number of these animals in the world live. In the reserve you can not only watch their life, but also hug them.
• The Potala Palace in Lhasa – a unique complex that unites 100 Tibetan-style buildings and amazes with its unique architecture and spectacular view, majestically towering on the mountainside.
• The Terracotta Army in Xi’an – 9,000 clay figurines of warriors, horses and chariots of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This archaeological monument is the emperor’s necropolis.

What food to try

The variety of Chinese cuisine dishes makes it possible to please absolutely everyone: lovers of spicy and bland, salty and unsalted, sweet or sugar-free.

Chinese cuisine has 8 varieties:

• Cantonese, characterized by sweetness and a special crispy crust, the use of various spices and a large amount of garlic;
• Shandong – characterized by the presence of seafood in dishes, grain porridges, nuts and vegetables;
• Anhui has a special approach to cooking: dishes are cooked over high heat using large amounts of caramel;
• Fujian offers a variety of soups for every taste. It requires long cooking times and special recipes;
• Sichuan – tasty and healthy food from fresh vegetables and fruits. Local seasonings and wines are used in its preparation;
• Zhejiang is famous for its sweet flavors. Braised shark fin in brown sauce or crystal pork are its signature representatives;
• Hunan cuisine is characterized by spicy flavors of prepared dishes. Garlic, onion and pepper are used in cooking;
• Jiangsu – an elite cuisine with a refined taste, which is often found at state receptions or banquets.

Popular dishes that are in demand among modern tourists:

• Yuxiang Rousi – a dish made from pork in a spicy garlic sauce with stewed vegetables – mushrooms and pepper.
• Lotus root with osmanthus. In preparation it is covered with a sweet red sauce, glutinous rice and osmanthus.
• Frog in a pan – this dish is served in many restaurants. The meat of a real frog (not a toad) is served with a side dish and vegetables.
• Turtle soup. A rather original thickish dish of dark color, unusual in taste and aroma.
• Chinese dumplings – the pleasure of looking for the meat filling among fillings of different types: fennel, greens, corn, mushrooms, etc.

Where to stay

A wide range of options where you can stay in the Middle Kingdom makes it possible to choose something suitable for your budget, the purpose of your visit and the specifics of living in a particular region.

See also: Budget hotels on Hainan Island

• The cost of accommodation in large cities and in the capital is significantly higher than rental prices in other regions of the country. Shanghai, Hong Kong or Beijing are tourist centers, so the cost of renting housing in these cities is higher.
• Three types of housing are offered in China: budget, expensive and mid-priced.

Hotels and guesthouses

• In the four bays of Hainan there is a wide range of hotels of different price categories and comfort levels. More than 200 options will allow you to choose the most optimal one in terms of price and required parameters.
• In large cities you can easily find a place to stay in accordance with your needs and the cost of the offers. To see all the sights of Beijing, it is better to look for accommodation in the center in order to have convenient access to any of the districts.

  We will help you choose: The best hotels for family holidays on Hainan Island

Apartment

• The usual option for our tourist to search for and rent housing is to rent an apartment by the day or for a long period of time.

Hostel

Rent a room in a youth hostel. One of the most affordable types of accommodation. For young people, staying in a room where 9 more people live will not cause any discomfort. Often in such hostels the toilet and bathroom are shared on the floor.

There are options for double or triple rooms. Such hostels have many English-speaking tourists, and at the reception you can get the necessary information in English. Rooms have free internet access, and the hostel has washing machines and other amenities.

Budget hotels

The optimal type of accommodation if you do not want to live in a hostel. Numerous cheap hotels offer a wide choice of rooms for every taste. Rooms usually have everything you need: slippers, a towel, bedding and toiletries.

Monasteries

Staying in a monastery is relevant if you are going on a tourist trip to Mount Emeishan. Offers from monasteries are inexpensive, with a minimum of comfort and amenities. The budget for such an adventure is low.

What souvenirs to bring back

Choosing and bringing back a souvenir is not an easy task, because the country has almost everything you might like. That is why pay attention to what is a hallmark of this particular country.

• Chinese silk – known all over the world for its special characteristics and unique properties, as well as its production technology. Chinese silk is considered the best in the world in terms of quality.
• Green tea. Numerous tea markets in China (Tianshan Tea in Shanghai, Ma Lian Dao in Beijing or Kuai Shi Tea Market in Chengdu) offer a wide selection of teas and related products for every taste. Buying tea can turn into a full-fledged tea ceremony, because the sellers will want to treat you to the very best.
• Chopsticks and tableware for eating Chinese food. An original souvenir for loved ones who prefer Chinese cuisine.
• Original vodka – the alcoholic tincture «Yao Jiu», which has no analogues. It has healing properties. The composition may include unique components, even snakes.
• Pearls and pearl products that will appeal to the fair sex. Unique varieties of pearls are sold at a specialized market in Beijing.
• A Chinese fan – one of the most spectacular and beautiful souvenirs that can be brought from China. A fan is original paintings, stylish design and the use of various materials.
• Chinese porcelain products: masks and figurines – classic souvenirs that are often brought from China as gifts for relatives and friends.

When going shopping for souvenirs, do not forget that you should definitely bargain with sellers. This is a real ritual that allows you to lower the price by 10 times, especially if the seller has already realized that he is dealing with a foreign tourist and initially increased the cost of the souvenir. A purchase without a discount is a shortcoming of the buyer, who often does not know the real cost of the item. That is why look online and find out the approximate cost of souvenirs in advance.

How to organize the perfect trip to China

See also: How to get a visa to China

If you decide to travel on your own, do not expect a full package of services as at famous resorts; if you prefer to relax in comfort – seek help from tour operators offering tours to China. The best time to travel is spring or autumn. During this period the temperature is most comfortable for walks and trips.

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