China Travel Forum

[Urquhart]

As everybody else has already said, china is a HUGE country. I spend around 5 months traveling there (though with 2 longer stops due to needing a new passport and being stuck because of chinese NY)) and haven't seen the whole country either.

Then again, i have a habit of drifting into places that are less on the beaten path. If you only want to visit big cities and very known tourist places and don't mind flying... Sure you need less time. If you want to experience more of the country, you need more time.... Simple as that.

You can extend your visa twice so if your money and time allows it, you should have plenty of time to make a dent into China's attractions. I've never been to HK or Macau but i've heard that to get inot mainland China (from HK) you need a valid chinese visa so if you come from the mainland, you'll be needing a new one if you decide to continue traveling there)

About the friend,well... the more you're off the beaten path.. the more chance he/she will freak out. But as long as you use your common sense, you should be fine. Eat only in places where there are a lot of people or where you can see the food prepared (heating is a great way of killing germs...). And as ssomeone already said, get the appropriate shots! And that, you can/have to start now (some shots are given over a long period of time).

[Aliya]

1. It's realistic, but you have to make a good plan in advance. You know, China is a big country, so it will take you a long time. You can always get discount flight tickets; the price is good, so flight is also a good choice.
2.A visa for traveling in Mainland China, different visa for Taiwan.
3.It's better to come to China two weeks after the Olympic Games.
4.No
5.Be sure you have meal in good restaurants or famour restaurants.
enjoy your trip.

[Walkley]

As everybody else has already said, china is a HUGE country. I spend around 5 months traveling there (though with 2 longer stops due to needing a new passport and being stuck because of chinese NY)) and haven't seen the whole country either. Then again, i have a habit of drifting into places that are less on the beaten path. If you only want to visit big cities and very known tourist places and don't mind flying... Sure you need less time.

If you want to experience more of the country, you need more time.... Simple as that. You can extend your visa twice so if your money and time allows it, you should have plenty of time to make a dent into China's attractions. I've never been to HK or Macau but i've heard that to get inot mainland China (from HK) you need a valid chinese visa so if you come from the mainland, you'll be needing a new one if you decide to continue traveling there)

About the friend,well... the more you're off the beaten path.. the more chance he/she will freak out. But as long as you use your common sense, you should be fine. Eat only in places where there are a lot of people or where you can see the food prepared (heating is a great way of killing germs...). And as ssomeone already said, get the appropriate shots! And that, you can/have to start now (some shots are given over a long period of time).

[Aliya]

You may also start your journey in early September, try following route:
Beijing-Xi'an-Dunhuang-Wurumuqi+Hemu Kanasi/Yili-Xining-Lhasa-Rikaze/Mt.Everest-Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong-Danba-Xinduqiao-Daocheng/Yading-Shangrila-Lijiang/Dali-Kunming-Anshun-Guiyang-Kaili-Rongjiang/Congjiang/Sanjiang-Longsheng-Guilin/Yangshuo-Hongkong/Macau(You have to have double or multi-entry visa for China)-Shanghai-Beijing.
It's better for a backpacker.
have a good trip.

[skydiver]

China is really large country and there are a lot of places to see. But still you don't have enough time, so you have t choose the most interesting places. But we are so different that it is not so easy to advice something. I offer you to read more about China and choose the places which you really adore...or think that they are just appropriate for your tour. Hope the following info will be of use for you http://www.travelchinaportal.com/ It is only up to you to make a decision