Destinations
China is booming in everithing: the Great Wall and a terracotta army of 8,000 warriors, a half-hour tea ceremony, hundreds of Chinese cuisine and four special districts: Hong Kong, Tibet, Macau and Taiwan.
China is a country for the rich people. It is very easy for a tourist with absolutely any level of affluence to feel here like Skrudge McDuck and the Poor Knight in one person. For example, buying a Rolex collection for 10 bucks and a pair of Levis, but a little more expensive, $ 12, and without any scathing estimates that it’s made in China. Then, sufficiently comforting the affection of a wealthy man, to indulge in the main health and leisure resort of China – Hainan Island. And to make sure that the phrase “you can not save on your health” said a man who has obviously never been there.
The country has hotels of world and local Chinese chains. Ukrainian tourists mostly stay in the hotel 4-5*. The traditional “star” classification applies only to international chains, and Chinese hotels have their own.
For example, a Chinese courtyard is equivalent to a European hostel, a guest house – up to 2-3*, the wine house is about 4* in terms of room and service, and five-star hotels are not provided.
The level of service in Chinese hotels is lower than in Europe, and the cost of accommodation for foreign tourists is higher than for local ones.
The average price for a double room is about 100 EUR per day. Overnight accommodation in a 2* hotel will cost about 25-45 EUR, in 3* – 45-70 EUR, in 4* – in 90-120 EUR and about 150-200 EUR in a 5* hotel. Prices depend on the region. It will be more expensive in Beijing or Hong Kong than in Guangzhou or small cities.
When paying bills at the hotel from the tourist is charged another 10-18% of the total amount “for service”.
The voltage in the mains is 220 V. As a rule, the rooms are equipped with universal sockets. If it does not fit into the outlet, the adapters will be found in the service personnel. Most sockets in Hong Kong are made under three British type plugs. The adapter is very cheap, and it is provided at hotels for free.
Chinese cuisine is a rather vague concept. It is a set of dishes that do not differ from one another, which differ markedly from region to region. There are four major “gastronomic regions” in the country: Shandong, Sichuan, Canton (Guangdong) and Fujian – however, the borders between them are very conditional and constantly broken. Let’s say Beijing’s cuisine, though it belongs to Shandong, but it also has a number of typically Sichuan dishes. However, there are some differences: Shandong cuisine is characterized by more salty dishes and lots of light sauces. Sichuan – lots of strong spices, spicy and scalding.
China is the birthplace of ice cream. Europe’s recipe for this favorite dessert came with noodles thanks to Marco Polo.
Rice, soy and vegetables are widely used in Chinese cuisine. It is definitely worth trying the original Chinese noodles: rubber spirochetes from packs of “fast food” do not go with it in any comparison. There are also numerous dumplings in China. More exotic dishes: swallow nest soup, fried bear cubs and lunhudou (“dragon fight with tiger”) – a dish of wild leopard cat and snake. Light and strong rice beer is widespread in the country – cheap and high quality. The best varieties are Qingdao and U-hing.
In China, it is not so much the tea party that matters as the ancient ritual – the tea ceremony.
The main test to a foreigner in a Chinese restaurant is the “stick” etiquette. The Code of Traditional Food Ingestion “In China Style” is quite large and detailed, but unfortunately it is not written. First, the food should be silent: banging on a plate is the fate of those who ask for alms (but actually the process of eating food, especially noodles, is not obliged to be quiet, even on the contrary: anyone who has ever been at an authentic Chinese Aboriginal restaurant, understand what it is all about). Secondly, it is strictly forbidden to place the devices in the rice cups, as it is reminiscent of incense in the temple, and therefore – suggests thoughts of moving to another world. Third, stringing slippery slices of food into sticks is a spooky monovetone: it means you never learned how to handle them. However, there are also nice bonuses for the desirable guests (who are all tourists of China). For example, in a fish dish you will certainly be offered a head – this is the most delicious part!
Materials are from the site: tonkosti.ru
The easiest and fastest way would be to fly by plane, especially considering that there are direct flights from Ukraine to China. From Kiev, Boryspil, there are nonstop flights to Beijing on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They are by Aerosvit Airlines and Hainan Airlines. From all other major Ukrainian cities there is no way to get to China directly, you will have to do 1-2 transfers in Kiev, Moscow, Vienna, Frankfurt, Dubai, etc. By the way, sometimes the flight through Moscow is cheaper than direct from Kiev to Beijing. You can also take a train there, which may also reduce your overall costs. If you need to get to Shanghai, Guangzhou or any other city in China, you can also fly to Beijing first and then continue your journey by bus or rail. Although it is better not to do it without knowing the Chinese language.
It is most convenient to travel between remote cities by plane. The country has 3 national and 4 regional carriers, as well as many Asian low costers, whose ticket prices start at $ 15 one way. Delays and cancellations are not uncommon, so you should check your departure status before you arrive at the airport.
Trains are also a convenient way to travel across China, with the country’s extensive rail network. There are high-speed trains (350 km/h) and ordinary trains. Placement – in a soft or rigid compartment, in soft or rigid seating or standing. Tickets can be booked 5 days before the date of the trip and only one way, the return ticket will have to be purchased at the departure station.
For tall people traveling across China will cost more. For passengers up to 140 cm there is a 50% discount on trains.
Small people (up to 140 cm) go for half price, children up to 110 cm – for free if they do not occupy a separate place.
There are long-distance buses in China and they are slightly cheaper than trains. But the risk of going on an old, air-conditioned bus in the company of Chinese peasants sitting on each other’s heads is much higher. However, new and comfortable buses usually run between big cities.
Urban transport is congested. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Tianjin have subways, buses and trolleybuses (operating from 5: 00-5: 30 to 22: 00-23: 00). Tickets for the subway are sold at the ticket office at the entrance, for the bus and trolleybus – at the conductor, and on the suburban lines – at the driver. The cost of one trip – from 1 to 3 CNY, payment is often possible only in cash. In major cities, there are magnetic cards, such as the Yikatong IC card.
The most convenient way to travel in big cities is by subway, since traffic jams on the streets of China are commonplace. Bus and trolley bus stops have route information and timetables, but only in Chinese.
International driving licenses in China are invalid, only those issued in China are allowed to drive. You can obtain Temporary Chinese driving license for a period of 3 months. Typically, this service is provided by large rental offices, such as Hertz. The whole process takes about a week and includes paperwork, physical examination and theoretical training. The last can not be ignored, since the Chinese are not the most careful drivers, and you need to know what to be prepared for on the roads (speeding, improper parking, etc.). The documents will only require a foreign passport and a valid driver’s license. Renting a car in such schedules will cost from CNY 300 per day (or from CNY 65 per hour), additional insurance and security deposit will be required.
In China, you can also rent a car with a driver. Smaller local businesses are cheaper (from CNY 500 per day). Large international rental offices offer cars priced from CNY 800 per day, but virtually all drivers speak English and some speak Russian.
Taxis are the most comfortable option for a foreigner. Each car is equipped with a counter, the cost of the trip starts from 10 CNY for the first 4 km and then 1-2 CNY for each subsequent. The highest fares in the taxi, which are “on duty” near the hotels, if you go at least to the next street, the trip will cost 1.5 times cheaper.
In addition to the usual taxis, China’s popular sanlunche – tricycles. They are more expensive than cars, but colorful and able to go around traffic jams. The price depends not only on the distance but also on the weight of the passengers. There are no meters in bicycle rickshaws.
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation in China. Rental points are available at hotels and tourist offices. In rental offices, large are rarely new, and sometimes helmet and other protection are not given. So be sure to check the technical condition of the bike at least the brakes. An hour’s rent costs about CNY 5, a day – CNY 20-60. In addition, depending on the model, you will be charged a deposit of 400-500 CNY. Cycle parking in China is usually chargeable at CNY 0.5-1 per hour.
If you plan to ride a lot, experienced travelers recommend not to rent a bicycle, but to buy a new one. Prices for good mountain models start at 300 CNY. If desired, the bike can be sold at the end of the trip.
Langfang (50.13km)
Mentougou (27.09km)
Tongzhou (21.72km)
Shunyi (31.72km)
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