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China 101: Insider’s Guide
Great Wall of China. Photo courtesy David Allardice.
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Where to Stay and Eat
Best bang-for-your-buck hotel
The Peninsula Shanghai, set on the historic Bund, is in the top echelon of Chinese—and even Asian—hotels. The views of the Bund toward the high-rises of Pudong are certainly memorable, but if you’re up for a splurge, book a river-view room.
Restaurant the locals love
In Shanghai, you don’t go to Jesse Restaurant for the ambiance; you go for the Shanghainese food—like hongshao rou, the most succulent version of this red-braised pork-belly dish that you’ll find in the city. There’s always a line of locals outside, and the staff don’t speak much English.
Meal worth the splurge
Yu’s Family Kitchen in Chengdu. Taking into account pre-advised dietary restrictions, Chef Yu heads to the market each morning to determine what ingredients should go into that evening’s feast. The chef’s methods are traditional, but what makes him special is his uncanny ability to effortlessly combine ingredients to ultra-flavorful effect.
Must-have dishes
In Beijing: Peking duck. Order this crispy-skinned dish is Da Dong; for a more refined experience, Duck de Chine Restaurant doesn’t disappoint.
In Shanghai: Xiao long bao, soup dumplings traditionally stuffed with either pork or crab, literally melt in your mouth. A great lunch selection is offered at Din Tai Fung Restaurant’s several locations.
What to See and Do
Terra-cotta Warriors, Xi’an. Photo courtesy David Allardice.
Don’t miss
Xi’an. It’s got more than the army of terra-cotta warriors. Xi’an was modern China’s first capital city and the end of the mighty Silk Road. So there’s tons to see, like the vibrant Islamic Quarter and the Shaanxi History Museum, without a doubt one of China’s best.
Pingyao. This town is authentic but accessible—a rare find in rapidly developing China. Located between Beijing and Xi’an, the village is a lovely place to just wander. Your home base can be the charming Jing’s Residence.
Don’t bother
The Yangtze River. Much hyped since China opened to foreign tourists in the 1980s, the boat-clogged river’s levels have risen over 300 feet in the last ten or so years. Therefore, the scenery isn’t nearly as special as what you can find in other scenic areas, such as Yunnan. Still, the Yangtze is a fine choice for guests with mobility issues.
The Ming tombs in Beijing. Unless you’re an expert in Chinese history, your time can be better used. Plus, a visit here will restrict which part of the Great Wall you can visit. Instead of visiting the tombs, explore the wall from a less-visited section, such as Jinshanling.
Hidden gem
The Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces in Longsheng. Just two hours by car from Guilin, these rice terraces are a wonderfully rural respite from June to October. Stay overnight at Li An Lodge and wait for the tour buses to leave in the afternoon; you can then wander through the empty rice terraces and observe a more traditional way of life.
Cheap thrills
In Shanghai: For the cost of a drink, the famous jazz band at the Peace Hotel will entertain you. The band, whose average age is 80, will take you back to the 1930s, when Shanghai was Asia’s glittering capital—the Paris of the East.
In Shanghai or Beijing: Get up early and watch the locals exercise. The Chinese take their tai chi very seriously. See just how seriously on the grounds of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, and on the Bund in Shanghai with Pudong’s glittering skyscrapers as the backdrop.
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Best Times to Go
January to February. It might be cold, but if you’re just visiting the main cities (Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai) it’s brilliant: There aren’t too many other visitors, and you’ll get great value for money. Just make sure to avoid the week of Chinese New Year, when the cities shut down while everyone goes home to be with family.
March to May. The weather is cool but not hot, so you can comfortably sightsee. The country feels fresh after the long winter, and there still aren’t many large tour groups around.
Late August. High season starts on September 1, but the weather in late August is just as good—and hotels are much cheaper.
Worst Times to Go
Chinese New Year (late January or February) and the first weeks of May and October. During these weeklong national holidays, it seems that all 1.4 billion Chinese are traveling at the same time. Stay away!
June to July. It’s hot and wet.
Biggest Rookie Mistakes
Trying to do too much. We all know China is huge. But people still try to cram too much into an itinerary, thus becoming better acquainted with the country’s airports than its sights, people, and customs. A first-time visit should include the highlights with a few lesser-visited sites, and a second-time visit should be anchored in an area that interested you the first time (maybe Yunnan and Tibet or the Silk Road).
Joining a cheap city tour. You’ll spend much of your time in shops and factories that pay commissions to the guide. Check what the tour includes, and if it sounds too cheap to be good, then it probably is.
Instagram Moments
In Beijing: The Great Wall of China, of course. Visit one of the lesser-visited sections, such as Jinshanling, where there’ll be few people to obstruct your shot.
In Chengdu: You, cuddling a giant panda. At both Panda sanctuaries, you can pay extra to have your photo taken alongside one of the less than 1,800 pandas left in the world.
The Souvenirs
In Shanghai: Silks and fabrics from Shiliupu Fabric Market, in the city center.
In Lhasa: Dropenling, a ten-minute walk from the Barkhor, has a vast array of Tibetan products made by local artisans in a sustainable way.
In Beijing: Held on Saturdays and Sundays, the Panjiayuan weekend or “dirt” market is the best place to buy the knickknacks that China is famous for. The market’s scope is diverse and there are bargains aplenty. Negotiate hard!
Airport Intel
When you book domestic flights, make sure your passport and ticket names match or you’ll be denied boarding.
If you’re getting a taxi from the airport, know that most drivers don’t speak English. Have your address written down in Chinese or call your hotel and ask someone to explain your destination details to the taxi driver.
If you need to overnight in Beijing between flights, don’t bother dealing with the city’s crazy traffic: Book the Langham Place Beijing Airport Hotel, one of the world’s better airport hotels.
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