China Travel Advice
Since Beijing will be the likely starting point for those who come to China in the future, I will share a few of my thoughts to make the experience more enjoyable…
It is obvious that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) has gone to extraordinary lengths to make Beijing accessible and attractive to vacationers. The downside to this approach is that the city has been watered down to the point that it feels more like a Disney World exhibition than the capital of Communist China. Previously inaccessible attractions, such as the infamous Tiananmen Square or the mysterious Forbidden City, are now designed to accommodate photo-hungry tourists without exposing them to any “danger” (barring the risk of pick-pockets or buying a faulty camera).
Seeing the world in a safe environment has its merit, especially when it comes to a 3rd world communist country, but one does not travel all the way around the globe to see glass-encased exhibits of China. The country is a testament to the notion that greater risks yield greater rewards. This does not mean you have to hop on a train and “wing it”, but it does mean that China is the easiest place to have an experience of a lifetime.
With this in mind I suggest spending less time in Beijing than you would otherwise. It is better to use the valuable time to see different parts of the country. The places range from Manchuria, Inner-Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, the jungles of the south, Shanghai, the Tibetan highlands, the Yangzi River, Hong Kong, and so on. I will not even begin delving into the vast differences between the regions, but the unparalleled traditions and undisturbed ways of life are possibly the world’s most accessible.
Simply put, there are endless adventures waiting to be realized in China. This makes it a rare commodity in a world where people have already “been there, and done that.” The “horror stories” about no toilet paper, bad water, a complete lack of English-speaking natives, and overall substandard conditions have a degree of credibility. However, with a bit of preparation and a willingness to get past minor inconveniences, there is no reason a trip to China cannot serve as both a fun vacation destination and a true eye-opening experience.
The country has enough options to suit every kind of family, and should anyone want advice in planning a trip, I would love nothing more than to share my own lessons.
It is obvious that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) has gone to extraordinary lengths to make Beijing accessible and attractive to vacationers. The downside to this approach is that the city has been watered down to the point that it feels more like a Disney World exhibition than the capital of Communist China. Previously inaccessible attractions, such as the infamous Tiananmen Square or the mysterious Forbidden City, are now designed to accommodate photo-hungry tourists without exposing them to any “danger” (barring the risk of pick-pockets or buying a faulty camera).
Seeing the world in a safe environment has its merit, especially when it comes to a 3rd world communist country, but one does not travel all the way around the globe to see glass-encased exhibits of China. The country is a testament to the notion that greater risks yield greater rewards. This does not mean you have to hop on a train and “wing it”, but it does mean that China is the easiest place to have an experience of a lifetime.
With this in mind I suggest spending less time in Beijing than you would otherwise. It is better to use the valuable time to see different parts of the country. The places range from Manchuria, Inner-Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, the jungles of the south, Shanghai, the Tibetan highlands, the Yangzi River, Hong Kong, and so on. I will not even begin delving into the vast differences between the regions, but the unparalleled traditions and undisturbed ways of life are possibly the world’s most accessible.
Simply put, there are endless adventures waiting to be realized in China. This makes it a rare commodity in a world where people have already “been there, and done that.” The “horror stories” about no toilet paper, bad water, a complete lack of English-speaking natives, and overall substandard conditions have a degree of credibility. However, with a bit of preparation and a willingness to get past minor inconveniences, there is no reason a trip to China cannot serve as both a fun vacation destination and a true eye-opening experience.
The country has enough options to suit every kind of family, and should anyone want advice in planning a trip, I would love nothing more than to share my own lessons.