About China

About China

China is amongst the biggest countries in the world. After the United States it is the second biggest economy in the world. It has a populace of more than 1.4 billion people, making up around 1/5 of the entire world’s population. China’s border stretches more than 20,000 kilometers. The land area is about 3.69 million square miles. This makes it 1/50th of the land mass of the entire planet and it totals a quarter of the entire Asian continent.

The landscape has interesting landforms such as its biggest desert in the western region of the country. It has mountains that are a part of the Himalayan mountain range. The ranges here include Pamir and Tian. These, together with the rivers, are extremely important for agriculture because of the irrigation system created here. The mountains in China make up around 2/3 of the entire country. The country has more than 40 notable mountains and its ranges stretch from east to the west and also from the northeast to the southeast. Some of the lower ranges include Huashan, Emeishan, and Taishan, which all have beautiful scenery.

The topography of China is made up of plains, foothills, mountains, plateaus and various other terrains. These are arranged on a three-step “ladder”, the highest rung of which is Tibet, where the average altitude is more than 3800 meters.

There are other plateaus such as the Yunnan–Guizhou (Yungui), Loess and Inner Mongolian plateaus. There are also the Junggar, Tarim and Sichuan basins. The lowest step is mostly made up of broad plains and foothills as well as smaller mountains that are just over 500 meters. The world-famous Northeast China Plain, the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain and North China Plain are located here.

Historic monuments. Ancient wonders. Countryside villages. Bold, provocative cuisine. No matter what you decide to dive into, in China you are spoilt for choice.

Traveling in China as a foreigner will be an amazing experience, but one that comes with its own unique challenges. When you’re finally ready to take the plunge, here are a few things to know before you go:

Don't worry, it's safe

About China

Firstly, you should be aware that, on the whole, compared with many other countries, China is relatively safe. You will most likely be safer from crime in China than in your home country. Crime against foreigners is rare, and violence against foreigners is extremely rare. This is largely due to the severe penalties the government applies to criminals.

In China, no one has weapons - it’s forbidden in the country - and you can’t travel with a knife in train stations etc.  The Chinese government imposes tight security measures, from airports to train stations and on the street.

It is, of course, always wise to consider the risks before tackling any new activity or traveling to an unfamiliar country. 

Health issues

About China

Hopefully you will be in good health before embarking on your holiday in China. If you have a chronic health issue, make sure that you have a good supply of your regular medications, don’t presume that you can get the same medications in China. You should be aware that attitudes to illness and methods of treatment in China can be a little different from western countries.

Inadequate clothing and dehydration. Chinese summer can be really hot, and winter may be a lot colder than you are used to. Not being prepared and getting chilled in cold weather can weaken your immune system making you more likely to fall ill. Make sure you stay hydrated in hot conditions.

Experience China through its food

About China

Chinese food is not simply made up of stereotypical dishes (General Tso’s Chicken; dim sum) as found on our western menus.  The Chinese actually categorize these popular meals as Cantonese cuisine, specific to the southeastern province of Guangdong - one of the country’s eight regional cuisines.

The other seven include Zhejiang and Jiangsu cuisines, whose sweet and light flavors echo those found in Guangdong cuisine; Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, both laden with red chili spice; Anhui and Fujian cuisine, which feature unique delicacies sourced from the sea and mountains; and Shandong cuisine, which focuses on fresh seafood.

Follow your nose in China and you won’t want to stop travelling.

Don't worry about accommodations

About China

We’ve got you covered!

We only choose the best hotels at each destination based on lists from the local experts we have been working with for years.

Transportation & getting around

About China

Again, no worries, we’ve got you covered. The High Speed Railway is going to be our best friend when it comes to cross-country travel. China has an amazingly developed high speed railway system.

It’s much simpler and more punctual than traveling by flight, and they’re very comfortable and clean. Besides this, we will also arrange the most professional and reliable car service during our stay in certain cities or regions, in order to offer you the most comfortable travelling experiences.

Expert Travel & Photography Tips From Our Team

  • Get a visa for China.
  • Pack accordingly: China is massive—3.7 million square miles massive—so depending on when and where you visit, you may have to pack for both warm and cold weather.
  • Download and install a VPN prior to boarding your flight: the Chinese government restricts access to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google and many others, so if these apps are part of your daily life, it’s time to download a VPN—and do it in advance.
  • Bring your drone: China is one of the most diverse scenic landscapes in the world and capturing the range of its beauty can prove difficult. Drone photography enables a photographer to capture images from a unique vantage point sure to inspire the imagination. If you have one and you are confident and well-practiced at flying it, you should seriously consider bringing it. We can take you to some beautiful remote areas, and you’ll go home with some cool footage. As long as you’re patient and understand you can’t use it everywhere, you will not regret bringing your drone. (Your drone, your decision, your risk: be insured.)