How much is the road to China. Independent travel to China

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to make a trip to China on my own. In this article I will tell you about all the intricacies of this way of visiting this wonderful country. Of course, if you already have a paid tourist voucher to China, then you shouldn't make a fence. In this case, feel free to go with the tour group.

If you don't have a lot of money…. Or the spirit of adventurism lives in you…. Or you just happened to be by the will of fate not far from China…. Then .. Then it might be worth trying to go on your own. So read this article. I hope she will help you ..

How I decided to go to China

In fact, the thought of visiting this interesting country I had it a long time ago. There are several reasons for this.

First, I have been to Europe quite a lot, but I have never been to Asia. I wanted to compare.

The second - when I was on military service (for a very long time :) I served literally on the border with China and ... of course I also wanted to see it since then.

Well, and the third kind of work. At that time, our company transported a lot of goods from China. And I had to communicate a lot with the Chinese. I even started learning Chinese a little bit :). Well, the Chinese were actively invited to visit.

By the way, all the photos in the series of articles about China are mine :) And they are clickable (increase by clicking).

Well, now ... The bosses (and then I was still a hired worker), instructed me to open branches in the Far East. Vladivostok. Khabarovsk. Blagoveshchensk. And again the old idea of ​​an independent trip to China was revived. Why not? After all, here he is - near ..

Variants of "getting" to China

Generally, if you live in the European part of Russia. Or, like me, in the Urals, a trip to China will be quite expensive. Of course, the main expense item is air tickets. Anyway, any tickets to China. What are the options to get to China on your own?

a. Train Moscow-Beijing... This is the most exotic option. For those who have nothing to do, it is interesting to travel a lot. The train goes only across Russia for about a week. And even in China then for a few days. To be honest, I don't know who in their right mind would make such a trip :).

b. Direct plane to China... Well, or with transfers. This is probably the best option for most independent travel lovers in China. Despite the fact that the air ticket is quite expensive, sometimes there are very good discounts. And you can fly (or fly) from China two or three times cheaper regular price... By the way, I flew back from Beijing. For such a sale ticket. Also look for flights not to Beijing, but to other cities in China. Sometimes (sooooo rarely) it is more profitable to fly to other cities and then get there by train or buses. But there are ambushes, about which below ...

Flights are very inexpensive - go here!

v. If you somehow ended up sideways in Kazakhstan then try to drive from Almaty to Urumqi. You can get there by a regular minibus. I myself saw how Chinese migrant workers got into a minibus (by the way, a stop near the main market in Almaty) and left for China. Most likely there are more civilized buses and trains. But then you have to go to Guangzhou. And from there to Beijing. I myself have not traveled that way, so see similar options elsewhere.

G. Well, if you somehow ended up in the Far East or near... That's bingo! From here opens the easiest way to China for independent travel! Simple enough cut the barbed wire at the border, put on shoes with hoof prints and under cover of night ... drive just a few kilometers and you are in China!

Yes. And I consider exactly tourist trip... And it basically assumes that you will somehow get to Beijing. At the beginning of the journey or at the end. I do not consider options for rest on the island of Hainan…. This one is from another opera :)

How did I end up in China?

At the expense of the company where I worked, I had a chance to get to Blagoveshchensk. Again, on the business of the company. I came to Blagoveshchensk from Khabarovsk. By the way, you can get to China directly from Khabarovsk. As far as I remember, there is a bus from Khabarovsk to the local border Chinese town (I forgot the name, it seems to start at F). But he travels on the order of another hundred kilometers. It was uncomfortable for me then.

So that's it. For a trip to China, I myself chose the border crossing in the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe region. Fortunately, these cities stand on two opposite banks of the river at a distance of 5 kilometers from each other. In summer, small boats go there. In winter ... I don't know. I was in the fall. And we were transported by hovercraft. But that was three years ago. Now they say that the bridge has already been built.

From Heihe I took the train to Harbin. And from there by train to Beijing. From Beijing I flew directly to Yekaterinburg by plane. This is in a nutshell. I will tell you more about each stage further….

3. A little about China ... Tedious necessary info

So. Read some information about China before you travel. I will write here "all in a heap". What will I remember. So, don't scold me great :)

Car rights.

As far as I know, European rights to China are invalid. Although, of course, I can and inadvertently lie. Better check it yourself. But ... I would not advise you to drive on the roads of the Middle Kingdom on a rented car on your own, even you will have such an opportunity. Why? It's all about traffic ..

Road traffic.

For the independent traveler to China, road traffic at first glance will resemble hell! A huge number of cars and everyone is going somewhere! Everyone honks with and without ... Veselukh! And, oddly enough, there are no accidents. A European driver will feel uncomfortable in such a "mess".

By the way, pedestrians are also cool. The fact is that Chinese car owners are NOT required to let pedestrians pass at pedestrian intersections. That is, first cars pass, and then pedestrians in small dashes .... :). Despite this, I have not seen pedestrians hurt. Moreover, several times I had to cross a huge road of 10 lanes with no traffic light. And nothing ... Cars honk, but let ...

Yuan

During my trip, the RMB exchange rate was 5: 1. Now .. now higher. You can change Yuan for a trip to China on your own without any problems right at the border. I don’t know about airports, but in Heihe city they change right at customs without any problems. The course is much more profitable than in Russia. By the way, in Russia it is still often not possible to find yuan in exchangers.

About using bank cards... And cash withdrawals. I have not used. But acquaintances who tried to pay for purchases with Russian Visa cards complained that there were ambushes. So, you better look for information on this topic on other resources.

Language.

The Chinese language, oddly enough, is quite easy to learn. More on this below. More precisely, in another article ... I recommend ... highly recommend ... stock up on cards on which the main "tourist" phrases will be written in hieroglyphs on one side (and in Russian words on the other, so you don't get confused :)). And the name of the cities where you will go (to buy tickets).

Yes. The Russian language is perfectly understood and is spoken in the border towns. The Chinese will no longer understand you further from the border. And even in Beijing, very few people speak English. In Russian - and even less. So, independent travelers to China, learn Chinese!

Mentality

The Chinese are mostly simple open people. They helped me constantly. Prompted. Very polite. In general, the Chinese are quite unclouded :). What they think is what they say. Well, of course, if they are not bargaining with you at this time!

By the way, if the Chinese is an official, then be ready to express your respect and reverence to him. It is necessary! Even if it seems that he (the official) is talking to you a little haughtily, do not pay attention. This is such a "bureaucratic" style of conversation. How to find out an official? Very simple! He will be dressed “in full dress”. Even the train conductors look like our generals :).

Well and more. There are many Chinese! There are a lot of them! Even where it seems that they should not be - they are! And they move in small groups of 100-200 people! :) But oddly enough, even if there is a large (in the opinion of a European) queue, it moves very quickly!

Attitude towards Russians

Very good. But ... Many Chinese of the older generation did not hesitate to express to me their negative attitude towards what is happening in Russia now. Like: "We looked up to you as older brothers, and you ...". Young people are increasingly focused on America and Europe. And he tries to learn English, not Russian.

In cities where there are not many "white people", many will come up to take a picture with you :). So it was with me in Harbin. In the "Russian village". But more on that later.

But .. all the same, remember that the Chinese consider themselves to be the "center". That is, the "most important". No wonder that the self-name of China is translated as "Central State"! And other foreigners will still be, let's say, less equal than the Chinese ...

Prices

After the appreciation of the yuan, prices in China are not that low. And especially in Beijing. I would say that prices there are at the level of Russia. Maybe just a little lower. There are, of course, options for saving money, but ... Do not expect to buy an ultra-modern smartphone much cheaper ... Or clothes and shoes. It is cheaper, but practically at the same price you can buy it in Russia ...

Or buy it very cheap - that's bullshit! :) As well as with us!

But ... keep in mind that you can and should bargain with the Chinese! Especially in the markets. As a result, you can bring down the price several times!

Chinese salary

This is not surprising, given that wages in China have caught up and surpassed the average wages in Russia. The days when a Chinese lived for $ 1 a day are long gone! Pensions in China are also commonplace. And they are constantly growing. And the retirement age is going down!

Trains

There are several categories of trains. Please note that there are no seats available! At the same time, over sufficiently long distances! In an unfortunate scenario, you can stand on your feet for 8-10 hours! Therefore, buy in a regular reserved seat or compartment. Such tickets cost about 30% less than those of ours.

By the way, there are also high-speed trains. Very comfortable and confortable. But also quite expensive!

Please note that the train stations are usually soooooo crowded. And you will not always find seating. So, if possible, come to the station as close to the train departure as possible. By the way, sometimes some dark personalities sell seats :) at a not very expensive price. I didn’t use these “services”, so I can’t say anything ...

You will be released to the platform literally 10-15 minutes before the train departure. Hurry up to get into the car! For orientation, right at the exit, the board shows where the head and where the tail of the train is. Very comfortably!

Buses

For independent trip to China (more precisely, in China), you can consider the option of traveling by bus. Unlike our buses, the Chinese buses have reclining seats. It turns out the bus option second-class carriage.

Aircraft

I won't say anything about them. I don’t know ... I didn’t fly on the internal Chinese airlines. Better look elsewhere

Timezone

China is located in 5 time zones. But the time is the same everywhere - Beijing time! The difference with Moscow is + 5 hours.

Help

Often in border towns after you have passed customs, so-called "help" may come to you. They speak Russian well and are ready to take you wherever you want. Well, tell me what and where. In principle, there is nothing wrong with that. I myself used the services of one "helping" to find the right address. The prices are not very high (although, of course, it will be cheaper for you to get there by yourself on a "regular" taxi). But then there are no problems with the language barrier. Just before using their services, you need to discuss the price in detail! Otherwise, you can "hit"!

Connection

No one from Russia called me (and I did not call) during the trip. But in China I had to make several calls. To do this, they bought me (more on this later) a local SIM card for 200 rubles. That was enough.

Internet

With the Internet for those who went to China on their own, an ambush. The fact is that wi-fi is everywhere, but only registered users can enter it. And you can register only with your passport. The registration interface is only in Chinese ... In short, I was able to access the Internet only at the hotel. There they gave a password to Wi-Fi and I was able to connect.

But this is not everywhere.

By the way. Some of the "foreign" sites (not Chinese) can be blocked. For example, facebook. Or YouTube. Please keep this in mind.!

Food

There is no problem with food in China for the independent traveler! There is a lot of it. It's cheap! And there are eateries wherever you can have a bite! The food is delicious! I recommend the Chinese beer! Very cool and cheap!

Don't worry about exotic things like fried grasshoppers or dog meat! The overwhelming majority of "canteens" do not have them. Unless you want to try it yourself. Although I still recommend to learn the hieroglyph "dog" .... For everyone ...

By the way, not far from where I spent the night (more on this in the next article), there is a large exotic food market. I would not recommend eating it. But it's interesting to see!

I draw your attention to the fact that you can often find very spicy food. Learn these hieroglyphs too. I was saved several times by locals from ordering such dishes!

By the way. It is in the order of things to bring your own water to the "cafe" and order only food.

In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to take an advance payment from a visitor, so do not be surprised ... About tips ... Fig knows him. I read, before the trip, that like you can't leave a tip, otherwise the Chinese will be offended. Other sources wrote that on the contrary, you need to leave. But only to waiters and porters. In Harbin, for the sake of interest, I left no tip. And nothing ... Nobody said anything. In Beijing, on the contrary, I left it. We took it without any problems ...

Well ... there are no forks anywhere! Learn to eat with chopsticks!

By the way, all sorts of McDonald's appeared in China. So if you want, you can eat there too. But why do this, you can go there at home!

Buying tickets

If you are an extreme in life, and a trip to China on your own is a common thing for you, then you can try to buy tickets at the box office on the spot. At the same time, you should not be confused by the huge (really huge!) Queues and the lack of knowledge of the Chinese language. In this case, be prepared either not to buy tickets at all or to go to hell :)

I have acted wisely. Though more expensive. But not much. I ordered tickets in advance from a Chinese "assistant" through a travel agency in Blagoveshchensk. The Chinese "assistant" bought tickets in advance and handed them over to me in Heihe. That's all! But more on this in my other article ...

Crime

I have never even met hooligans. I didn’t notice that the Chinese were disturbing the order at all. In general, there are a lot of police in China. And it is not particularly noticeable. But if some bad-boom appeared, then they are right there ....

Toilets

Concluding this enchanting article, I could not ignore such a "delicate" topic. But ... I will note a couple of points.

First, there are many toilets in China. They are everywhere! And they're free .. And clean enough! That is, in China, an independent traveler can eat and… without any problems. vice versa…

The second - in many toilets there is no toilet bowl :) How to put it mildly ... "Toilet-type toilet" :) Just a hole in the floor. Well, I am writing this so that it would not be a surprise. :) Although in hotels and hostels "for foreigners" everything is fine! Toilets are there!

Fuh. OK. You can continue indefinitely. It seems that I told the main thing. Well, if you have any more questions, just write to me .. I will answer.

Your Traveler Online
Alexander Bessonov

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The first day. By yourself to Xi'an

Xi'an is an amazing city with more than 3000 years of history. It is considered to be one of the oldest cities in China. It was here that the Great Silk Road began. Here you have to spend two days. We begin our tour of the city with the most famous sights.

We catch a taxi and go to the Big Goose Pagoda, which is located in the Qien Temple. Here you will see the most beautiful gardens and unique architectural buildings... Many of which have been rebuilt after repeated destruction. The Pagoda itself, 64 meters high, has 7 tiers. The uppermost part offers an excellent panoramic view of the entire city, where many other unique attractions are concentrated. An observant tourist will notice that the Pagoda is at an angle that increases with time. This is how the pagoda got the unspoken name "Chinese Leaning Tower of Pisa".

Big Goose Pagoda is a great place to walk and contemplate the beauty. Be sure to check out the Peony Pavilion. Near the Pagoda, the fountain show starts in the evening. A very beautiful sight. Not far from the ort of fountains there is a shopping center "Narru New Year", where you can have a bite to eat in the "Hot Pot" restaurant. In such restaurants, food is prepared right at your table, which has a built-in heating element.

After a short rest, we again use the services of a taxi and go to the inspection of the Fortress City Wall, the main task of which was to protect the city. The most famous and significant sights of Xi'an are located here - the Drum and Bell Towers, the Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque.

We recommend starting your tour from the south gate. Here you can see the Drums show, which takes place daily. After the show, you can take pictures with its participants dressed in national costumes and even knock on these very drums. Tourists are treated with respect here.

The wall is 12 km long, so a bike can be rented on site. Paid entrance. In close proximity to South Gate the Bell and Drum Towers are located. The Muslim Quarter is also close. The Silk Road directly influenced the fact that there are two religions - Islam and Buddhism.

In the Muslim Quarter, you will see the Grand Mosque, which is one of the four largest in China and was built in the 18th century. The Muslim Quarter is a fantastic, colorful and must-see place. The shopping streets in the quarter deserve special attention. Here you can buy souvenirs made of stone, wood, silk.

Second day

To visit Xi'an and not see the eighth wonder of the world - the Terracotta Army, will be simply an unforgivable mistake. You can get from Xi'an by one of the buses that leave from the railway station every five minutes. Look for the sign on the "Terracotta army" bus. The road will take no more than an hour. The bus will stop near the ticket offices, and you need them. Also here their services are offered by local guides who speak passable English language.

Before you get to the entrance, you will have to walk past souvenir shops, eateries and other places that will be all possible ways make you spend.

Now that the path has been passed for you, three pavilions will be opened on the territory of the museum. To see the terracotta army, go to the first pavilion. The height of each soldier in the army reaches about 195cm, and the weight of the sculpture is 135kg. The faces of all the sculptures are directed to the east, towards the defeated states.

After seeing the eighth wonder of the world, go to the bus stop, get on the bus and after three stops ask the driver to stop in Lintong. Huaqing Hot Springs will be interesting here, so be sure to prepare a note with hieroglyphs for the driver or explain in English. Just let me know you need Hot springs. Why is this place a must visit? It is here that the Garden and Park Assembly is located, which occupies an honorable place in the top hundred in the PRC.

You will have to pay about 110 yuan to enter. A romantic but sad love story of the beautiful woman Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong is associated with this place. It was for his beloved that the emperor built beautiful park and baths.

Today, next to the Lotus Pond, you can see the Tree of Love, to which thousands of ribbons are tied. Hot springs are also functioning, so you can wash yourself with healing water. Now is the time to appreciate the place from the observation deck on Lishan Mountain, which is located close to the park.

Now, with a sense of accomplishment, you can return to Xi'an to taste the famous local dumplings. We recommend visiting the restaurant located between the Bell and Drum Towers. You will definitely not pass by this place, because at the entrance you can see a huge dumpling.

You should not stay up late, because tomorrow you will have a flight to Guilin.

The third day. By yourself to Guilin

How to get there

In order not to worry about the transfer, contact your hotel administrator and order a taxi. The flight to Guilin takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. What is so special about this place? Unique nature, unique landscapes, the Lijiang river, karst mountains. In addition, it was here that the third episode of Star Wars and the film The Painted Veil were filmed.

You can take an express bus from Guilin Airport to the city. If your hotel is further than the final stop, then after the bus, change to a taxi.

Where to stay

Of the budget accommodation options, hotels can be noted:

• Guilin Ling Hong Express Hotel ($ 6 per night)
• Guilin 68 ° Hotel North Train Station Branch (£ 6 per night)
• Guilin Muslim Hotel ($ 10 per night)
• Yu Long Hotel ($ 9 per night)
• Guilin Hetai Hotel ($ 10 per night)

If the price does not really matter to you, and you don’t want to save on comfort, then we recommend hotels:

• Grand Bravo Hotel ($ 49 per night)
• Guilin Golden Oriole Hotel ($ 53 per night)
• Sheraton Guilin Hotel ($ 49 per night)
• Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin ($ 67)
• The White House Hotel Guilin ($ 99)

Now that you have settled in the hotel and have a little rest, we recommend visiting iconic place Guilin - Elephant Trunk Mountain (Xiangbishan), which is located in the southern part of the city center. This place, which is 100 meters high, got its name because the shape of the mountain resembles an elephant, which seemed to have lowered its trunk into the river. Very interesting place... It is here that the Li River joins with the Peach Blossom River.

According to legend, a herd of elephants descended from heaven to earth in this place. Beautiful views and the picturesque nature so amazed the elephants that they wanted to stay here, but by doing so angered the Jade Emperor, who ordered them to return immediately. The herd returned, but the emperor was missing one elephant.

Enraged, he drew his sword and stabbed it in the back of the animal. The elephant turned to stone. Today this place can be visited by tourists, having reached the place by ferry. The ferry departs from the terminal at ul. Nanhuanlu. At the top of the hill, you can see a brick pagoda. Its shape resembles the hilt of that very sword.

Near the park you can see Hezhong tourism travel agency. We recommend that you drop by here to purchase a tour of the rice terraces. Of course, you can get to them on your own, but then you have to make a change, and the road itself takes more than three hours. In general, many tourists prefer organized excursion... You will have to pay about 170-180 yuan. The bus will pick you up from your hotel and then bring you back. Do not forget to leave the hotel business card to the employee so that there are no misunderstandings, since English will not help you here.

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

Take your time to leave the park, because an evening walk through the picturesque complex of ponds and unusual bridges will give you a lot of fun. Be sure to walk to the hotel
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, which is located in the center. In the evening, crowds of tourists and locals gather here to see how the wall turns into an amazing waterfall for ten minutes. Another moment and the waterfall again becomes the wall of a five-star hotel.

If you are planning to extend your stay here for a couple of days, be sure to visit the Reed Flute Cave and Seven Stars Park. In the cave, you can contemplate not only magnificent halls, the beauty of which is difficult to describe, but also one of the most beautiful underground lakes.

Fourth day

Today we go to Yangshuo to see with our own eyes all the beauty of the karst hills and take a walk along the Li River. To get to the city, you can purchase a cruise for 420 yuan per person. You will not find cheaper, as only one firm is engaged in their organization. The journey will take four hours.

By bus independent tourists will get there in an hour. We recommend that you do not waste your money and time and choose this option.

According to local residents, the section between Yangdi and another village of Xinping is the most picturesque and mesmerizing. If you look closely at the Chinese 20 Yuan banknote, you will notice the Li River, karst hills and lush vegetation.

To get to the place, go to the bus station to buy tickets for Yangshuo. The fare is about 15 yuan. Having reached the city, you will need to change to a bus at the same bus station, which will proceed to Xinpin or Yangdi.

A bus to Yangdi will take you to the pier where you can rent a raft specially designed for tourist walks. Such an alloy will cost a tourist about 300 yuan.

Be careful, as for less money, cunning guides reduce the walking time from one and a half hours to 30-40 minutes and drop off far from the final point. So, having fallen for a "divorce" you will have to get to Xinpin on your own and spend a lot of time and effort on it. In general, we recommend not to save much on a walk and pay money for a full-fledged rafting. The price usually includes a transfer from Xinping Pier to the bus station.

Also, the guide can make a stop for lunch in one of the local cafes... No one promises that it will be presentable, but they will feed you tasty and inexpensive food. In general, if you are feeling light or not very hungry, then agree.

The 3-hour walk from Yangdi to Xinping will delight you with beautiful scenery and a unique atmosphere. To return to Yangshuo, take a regular bus, the fare is about 7 RMB.

Moon Hill

Before leaving for Guilin, do not deny yourself the pleasure of seeing the natural wonder - Moon Hill, which has a unique shape. You can get to Moon Hill by bus, just 15 minutes and you are there. A ticket to Moon Hill costs 15 RMB.

You will have to climb on your own, since there is no lift, but for this money, a mesmerizing view awaits you at the very top of the hill. It's worth it! Also prepare 5 yuan for grandmothers who will accompany you until you buy water or any other drink from them. Now head back to the train station and take the bus to Guilin.

The fifth day

We go to the Huanglo ethnic village to the long-haired Yao

We use this day to see the Longji rice terraces, moreover, we thought of everything in advance and bought a tour in the Hezhong tourism agency. In the morning, a bus will drive up to you, which will go to the Huanglu ethnic village, where representatives of the Yao people live.

In this village, girls never cut their hair, and at the same time they have really beautiful and thick hair. For residents, this is a guarantee of long life and wealth. It is also surprising that a rich hair color can be found even among the elderly representatives of Yao, they have not heard of gray hair here. One can only envy this.

Representatives of the Guinness Book of Records recorded the maximum hair length of one lady living in Juanlo, which was 2.1 meters. In general, travelers, getting to this village, envy in silence, and sometimes do not even restrain their emotions.

Previously, traditions were strictly observed here, so only the girl's spouse could see her loose hair. Today, hardly anyone remembers this tradition, so for a fee, the villagers will not only let their hair down for you, but will also happily pose for the camera. No wonder they say that money spoils people.

All the girls are talented needlewomen, therefore the souvenir business is developed. Here you can buy handmade items. Here, next to Juanlo, you can already see rice fields.

Drive to Pinh An Village (rice terraces)

The next village to visit is called Pinh An. If you are driving on your own, you will have to pay to enter. As part of organized tourists entrance, as a rule, is included in the price of the voucher, so you do not need to pay anything extra. The distance from Guilin to the village is about 100 km. To get to the place, you will have to change to another bus, designed specifically for driving along the mountain serpentine, a specially trained driver is attached to the bus.

This is with regard to the program of the purchased tour. If you are stubborn and decide to explore the area on your own, then you need a bus that follows to Kepin. Finding one is easy at the bus station. You can get to the village entrance from Kepin by car. When you find yourself at the entrance, you will have a difficult choice between the two routes.

The "packets" have only one option - transfer to the bus, which goes to the rice terraces of Ping An. The locals gave them the name Dragon Ridge. Land for rice fields began to be cultivated more than 800 years ago. At that time, the Yuan dynasty ruled.

To say that it was a titanic work is to say nothing. It took centuries to implement the plan, and today travelers have a unique landscape. There is even something unearthly in this. On the terraces, you can find two viewing platforms - Nine Dragons and Five Tigers and the Landscape of Seven Stars accompanying the Moon. Get to viewing platforms will have to under its own power, overcoming the rise of the stairs.

In addition to rice, tea is grown here, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of purchasing it at the local booth. Freshly picked tea leaves will be dried and packaged right in front of you. After viewing and purchasing souvenirs, you will be asked to get on the bus and in the evening you will be taken back to the hotel.

Sixth day. By yourself to Shanghai

How to get there

It's time to go to Shanghai. It is better to buy tickets in advance. You can get there without any problems aboard a Shanghai Airlines plane. There are several ways to get from Pudong Airport to the city center: taxi, bus, high-speed train Maglev (Maglev Train), which develops a speed of up to 430 km / h. Maglev continues to LongYang Road Line 2 Subway Station. Perhaps this is the best option. The fare is 50 yuan, but there is an opportunity to save money.

Show air tickets when buying, and you will be given a 20% discount. You will be on site in 7 minutes. After arriving at the final stop, you will need to change to the metro or take a taxi to get to the very center. If you choose the metro, after 5 meters you will see metro line 2. The journey will take about 10 minutes. If you prefer a taxi, then ask the driver to turn on the meter, it will be much cheaper. If the meter refuses to turn on, then the fixed amount should not exceed 80 yuan.

Where to stay

• Baolong Homelike Hotel (Zhongshan Branch) 2 * from $ 15 per night
• Shanghai Amersino Hotel 3 * from £ 15 per night
• Jitai Hotel (Shanghai Train Station South Square) 3 * from £ 17 per night
• FX Shanghai Liuying 4 * from 2006 rub. per night
• Golden River-view Hotel Shanghai from £ 35 per night
• Grand Mercure Shanghai Central (Formerly. Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya) 5 * from 4500 rub. per night
• JI Hotel Shanghai Railway Station West Tianmu Road 4 * from £ 89 per night

These hotels are located very well. Shanghai Railway Station and Central Railway Station are nearby.

After accommodation at the hotel and a short rest, we recommend going to Old city(Old Town). Take the metro to get to the site. You need purple line 10, Yuyuan Garden. In the Old City, we recommend visiting the Yuyuan Garden. The entrance fee is from 30 to 40 yuan, depending on the season.

This garden, located in the old part of Shanghai, was founded more than 400 years ago by the Pan Yundan family, or rather by their son, who wanted his parents to spend their days in complete peace and happiness. The rich have their own quirks, but the idea was a success, though it took more than 20 years and all the savings. Later this garden will be bought by the guild of Shanghai merchants. Today, this park is one of the main attractions of Shanghai and causes an indescribable delight among visitors.

In the park, you can leisurely enjoy the pond with blooming lotuses, gazebos, terraces and, of course, the picturesque Nine Turns Bridge. According to the legend, walking along it, you can cleanse of evil spirits, whose entrance to the bridge is prohibited. The Usintin Tea House is located right on the bridge itself. We also recommend visiting the Temple of the City Gods.

Dive into this park today and enjoy its charm, beauty and splendor at a leisurely pace. Near the park you will find many cafes and souvenir shops.

The Bund and the Pearl of the East TV Tower

If time permits and there is a desire, you can drive to The Bund and the Pearl of the East TV tower. On the waterfront, you can take stunning photographs of the city's skyscrapers. It is located near the 10th subway line, East Nanjing Rd station. From the metro move towards the river. Huangpu.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located one metro stop from the waterfront, close to Lujiazui Station, line 2. You can also visit the famous Aquarium here. On the way back, we recommend to stop at the railway station in the ticket pre-sale hall, especially since the hotel is located in the immediate vicinity.

For tomorrow you can buy tickets to Suzhou here. Give preference to the G train, it will take you to your destination in just 25 minutes, the ticket costs about 40 RMB. There are cheaper options, but it will take more than an hour to get there. Keep in mind that you will need to present your passport at the ticket office, as tickets are issued with personalized ones.

Seventh day. In Suzhou on your own

Why is Suzhou a must visit? Yes, because here you can enjoy the splendor of the famous gardens, of which there were about 280 in the 16-17 centuries. Today there are much less of them, about 69, but this is more than enough for one day. The city itself is more than 2.5 thousand years old, and its historical part is part of the monuments World heritage... In general, there is something to see and be impressed with. Also Suzhou is the center of silk. Well, how can you resist?

After arriving at the station in Suzhou, we change to bus number 5, which departs from the station and continues to the Panmen Gate ("Gate of the coiled dragon"). Travel time is about 50 minutes, ticket price is 1 RMB. The Panmen were once part of the wall. Today we can see the landmark, which has already been restored.

A tremendous amount of work has been done and at least $ 2 million has been spent. Thanks to these investments, the territory was also ennobled: trees, flowers were planted, the pond, where carp live today, was cleaned, and lighting devices were installed. Walking, you can easily find the Zhuiguanta Pagoda, in which, in ancient times, a Buddhist stupa was kept made of pearls.

Fisherman's Garden and Wangshiyuan

Wangshiyuan is one of the most popular gardens in Suzhou. Here architecture and nature, perfection and grace are combined. In the pavilions one can see the interiors of the previous centuries, and in the center of the garden, visitors can admire the beauty of a picturesque pond, which is framed by beautiful plants and stones. In Wanshiyuan, you can also do beautiful pictures in the bansai tree garden, on the arched bridge, which has the lyrical name "Leading to Serenity". In summer, the garden can be visited even at night, so do not miss this opportunity.

The next must-see garden is the Lion Grove, a distinctive feature of which is a pile of stones of a certain type (taihushi). It takes several decades to "grow" such stones. To get a certain look, it was necessary to make holes in ordinary stones and place them in the lake. Over the years, these stones took on very unusual shapes. In general, there is something to see and something to be surprised at. Lion Grove Garden is definitely must see... The ticket price is 30 yuan.

Now is the time to go to the Garden of the Modest Official or Administrator, which covers an area of ​​5 hectares. Of course, several hours are not enough for its inspection, it is better to lay the whole day, but if there is not much time, then during this time you can see quite a lot here.

The construction of the garden was started more than 600 years ago by an official removed from public affairs for corruption. He worked on its creation for about 20 years, and today he will cut with a unique design and unique beauty... If you visit the garden in summer, you will see the lotus festival and the azalea festival in spring. The entrance ticket costs 70 RMB.

If you are in no hurry to get to the train, you can walk to the railway station and be sure to drop by the 85 pastry shop to brighten up your day with delicious pastries and aromatic coffee.

Eighth day

Self-guided to Chinese Venice - Zhouzhuang

Today we will go to explore the Chinese Venice - the city of Zhouzhuang, which has almost a thousand-year history. You can get to it by bus from Suzhou, so first we will use the comfortable train G. Not far from the railway station there is a bus station. The fare is 17 yuan. Travel time from Suzhou to Zhouzhuang is about an hour.

If the road is not tired and you are full of energy, then from the final stop to the Old Town you can walk on foot or take a taxi, if you are not considering this option. You have to pay 100 yuan to get to the attraction. The old city, after the noisy and dynamic Shanghai, will surprise you with its regularity and silence, especially if your trip takes place on a weekday. Unlike Venice, the local canals are narrower, and the boats sailing by are run by local women.

We recommend you do not miss the opportunity and see the city from the water. The local gondola rental price is 100 RMB. So much is a 25-minute walk. If you're lucky, they'll even give you a wheel and sing something folk and very sad, about love, probably. But for love, or rather for singing, you will have to pay extra. No romance.

After enjoying the walk, you can go to explore the city and the way of life of local residents. Be sure to inspect the Key Bridge. If you are observant, you will understand that local residents receive their main income from private canals, restaurant and souvenir business. The most interesting thing is that men here are engaged exclusively in intellectual work. Women get the hardest part - physical work. Maybe that's why they sing such sad songs?

If you are looking for a bite to eat, you will find many places to eat, but whether you dare to try something is another question. Keep in mind that water for cooking is taken from the same channel, where the laundry is washed, and other household chores are done. No, of course, the water is pre-boiled, and, as the locals assure, after that it acquires a unique taste (who would doubt it), but the choice is always yours.

If you have already examined everything and do not want to stay overnight to see a stunning sunset, we recommend you hurry up, because the last bus to Suzhou leaves at 17.10, and to Shanghai 40 minutes earlier.

Ninth day. Shanghai self-guided walks

Today you can take a walk in the French Quarter. You can get to it via Red Line 1, Shanxi Road. This place is very atypical for a metropolis, here you can take a walk and feel its romantic atmosphere. If you have been to Europe, then you will recognize its appearance - cozy cafes with cutlery we are used to, and pastry shops, paved roads and pretty design of balconies. Despite the name, not only Frenchmen lived in the quarter, but also Russian emigrants.

The remaining time can be devoted to sightseeing, which you have noted for yourself, but have not yet had time to see or go shopping. Recommended for viewing and visiting the Shanghai Circus and Zoo, the Temple of the Jade Buddha, a monument to Pushkin, a museum of the Chinese Communist Party.

If you are interested in fashionable international and local brands, we recommend the Grand Mall. On 7 floors, you will surely find something for yourself and your loved ones. There is also a supermarket where you can buy delicious fruits and vegetables, while the choice is simply huge. The Grand Mall is close to the Lujiazui Subway Station.

We hope that our itinerary in China will help you plan 9 days correctly and get a lot of pleasant emotions!

Many countries around the world have canceled such entry formalities as a visa for Russians. Under certain circumstances, our citizens can also visit China without a visa. The uniqueness of the Celestial Empire is that different migration rules operate in its different territories.

Residents of the border regions of Russia can enter some areas of China without a visa

If you are planning a trip to the largest state East Asia, first find out if it is possible to visit the areas you have chosen without first going to the country's embassy or visa center.

The Chinese side is loyal to Russians entering its territory. However, the availability of indulgences does not mean that you will be lenient if you break the immigration rules. Therefore, before you start packing your bags, carefully read the rules for visiting various regions of the PRC so that, being there, you do not become a violator of the laws of the state.

The most popular for travelers is getting a visa upon arrival. This option is possible in cases when a pre-formed group is sent to the Celestial Empire. Travel agencies handle paperwork for groups. Even before the tourists are sent to the PRC, their lists are sent to the border areas. To get to China in this way, you need to travel in a group of more than 2 people.

This path is only suitable for Beijing and Hainan Island, where high-quality tourist services and the opportunity not only to relax, but also to heal are offered. As part of a group formed by travel agencies, you can stay on the territory of these parts of the state for no more than 21 days. You cannot leave them. You can leave, as well as arrived, only as part of a group.

Even if you do not plan to purchase tourist voucher, it makes sense to contact a travel agency. Many of them include additional people in the formed groups for a fee.

If your area borders on China

Citizens of the Russian Federation living in regions sharing the border with China can freely stay in China without a visa:

• Amur region,
• Primorsky Territory,
• Irkutsk region,
• Khabarovsk Territory,
• Trans-Baikal Territory.

If you live in one of the listed regions, you will need one issued by the Chinese side to go through the border control. And you also need a passport and a document that indicates where you are registered. With these documents, you will receive a permit at the border checkpoint.

The term of stay on it in China varies from 15 to 180 days.

Before going to the Celestial Empire in this way, specify which points at that time have the right to pass Russians with invitations. There are intersection points at which no such permits are issued.

Transit travelers

Those who travel to other countries, but have purchased air tickets with a transfer in China, need to know the country's migration rules regarding transit guests.

Without visa documents, you have the right to stay in the state for 72 hours, provided that the place of transfer is the following international airports: Harbin, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Xi'an and Shenyang. In Shanghai, Xiamen, Qingdao, Chengdu, Wuhan, Kunming, Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang and Shenyang, the transit time can be 144 hours in 2020.

It is important that you take off from the same airport you arrived at. This rule can only be bypassed in the following cases:

• Your flights are operated by one carrier.
• The airline changes airports due to the need to refuel the aircraft.
• You are negotiated by different companies, but you have a single booking form with one code.

Not all transit passengers can travel freely in China. For example, if your drop-off point is Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or, you are allowed to admire the beauty of the city, but leaving it is strictly prohibited.

Whichever airport you arrive at, you cannot change to other types of transport, except for the plane, to continue your journey.

Where a visa is not needed

If you are thinking of how to travel to China on your own without having to go to a travel agency to buy a package or join a group, consider visiting the country.

For example, you have the opportunity to go to Heihe without obtaining a visa. It is a city very close to Russian border... You can go to it from Blagoveshchensk, which is located just one kilometer away. It is enough to cross the Amur and you are in China.
On a trip, you need to take from the documents only a passport for presentation at the border. Since 2004, the migration legislation of the PRC has allowed Russians to stay in Heihe for 30 days.

The drive from Blagoveshchensk to Heihe takes 15 to 20 minutes. The choice of transport depends on the season. In the off-season, Puma ships equipped with air cushions are transported from Blagoveshchensk across the river to the Chinese side. Departure every 20 minutes. This method of crossing is relevant for December, November and April.

While in the region during the winter months, you can travel from Blagoveshchensk on one of the buses that run across the Amur on temporary pontoon bridges. Availability of this type of travel to the Chinese border is subject to weather conditions.

In summer, once an hour along the Amur River to Heihe, people are transported by a motor ship carrying 200 passengers.

The Annunciation Route is extremely popular, therefore, to pass the control, you need to stand in a rather impressive line. To go to the other side, you need to fill out a migration card, half of which is returned after verification. It should be kept for the return border crossing. There is a fee for going to the Chinese side.

Suifenhe city

The city of Suifenhe in Heilongjiang province is an excellent place to spend your vacation. Since 2013, Russian citizens can stay in it without a visa for 15 days.

Macau

In order to travel to the listed areas without a visa stamp in your passport, you need to have return tickets and a passport with you.

Before traveling, check which areas at the time of your trip may request proof of financial worth and hotel reservations. But it's better to stock up on the first and second, just in case. This will guarantee you unhindered passage.

Despite the fact that China is becoming more and more popular with tourists from all over the world every year, reviews on the Internet of our compatriots about trips to China are, to put it mildly, ambiguous, so let's talk about those features of the country that may be unacceptable for some travelers.

1. If the validity of your passport is less than 6 months from the end of the planned tour, choose another country

In the Chinese consulate, all documentary formalities are strictly observed, therefore, in order to avoid problems with obtaining a visa and disrupting the trip, it is better not to risk it and take care of a new passport in advance.

2. If you are not ready for the additional hassle of obtaining a Chinese visa

There is nothing fundamentally difficult in preparing documents for obtaining Chinese visa- no extra certificates are required, only a passport, an application form, copies of a Russian passport, a photograph and an invitation from the Chinese side. Consular fee for a tourist trip - 1500 rubles. Moreover, if you are planning to have a rest in Hainan, then when you are taking a direct flight from Moscow, you do not need a visa at all!

Mountain lake in China

3. If in principle you fly only on charter flights, then - alas!

You can get to China only by regular flights of Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot and others. Airplanes fly from St. Petersburg to Beijing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Accordingly, the duration of the trip should be "adjusted" to the airline's schedule. Flight time is about 7 hours.

China

4. If, when traveling by train, you are accustomed to redeeming the entire compartment in order to feel comfortable, then in China you will have to fly on airplanes.

In China, it is impossible to redeem a coupe in whole or in part, that is, if the program includes sightseeing tour If you are planning to travel by train between cities, then you will have to share the four-seater compartment either with the tourists from your group or with the Chinese. There are no two-seater coupes. As a rule, transfers between cities are nighttime and last about 12 hours, for example, between Beijing and Xi'an.

One of the entrances to the Forbidden City

If this question is of fundamental importance to you, the option of moving on domestic flights remains. By the way, China has very developed air traffic and a fairly high level of flight safety. Baggage rules in hand luggage even more stringent than those accepted throughout the world.

China

5. If you are intolerant of tobacco smoke, choose another country or stock up on a respirator

The Chinese smoke a lot. Accordingly, almost everywhere it smells of tobacco, in hotels you come across smoky rooms, in hotel lobbies, guests also smoke. It is forbidden to smoke in the train compartment, in restaurants you can choose a room for non-smoking visitors.

Chinese hinterland

6. If you are on a special diet or very selective in food, take your favorite (preferred) foods with you

A lot has been written and told that Chinese cuisine is very peculiar, but how much it suits you personally, you will only understand, so to speak, "on the spot." Someone lacks meat - indeed, the basis of the Chinese diet is stewed, boiled, stewed vegetables, noodles and rice. Someone does not tolerate spicy and salty. If in Beijing, Shanghai and others large cities If you can still find food adapted for a European, then in the provinces there will be a problem with this. You will find the cutlery we are accustomed to only in large cities; in the outback, you will have to eat with chopsticks. Of course, there are places in China, chosen by the British and Americans, where the cuisine and other amenities are at the highest level, for example, nature reserve pandas, but this is rather an exception.

Giant Buddha statue, Leshan

7. If you have experienced culture shock when visiting public toilets in the former Soviet Union (or modern India) and do not want to see them again, then choose another country to travel.

All public toilets in China are free. Tourists who find Soviet "conveniences", seeing Chinese ones, think "scoop." Indeed, very similar: two soles and a metal bowl at floor level, no toilet paper and a corresponding smell. So for those tourists who still go to China, advice - take toilet paper and wet wipes with you.

8. If you prefer silence and solitude, and your personal psychologically comfortable space is one and a half meters - choose another country

There are many people in China. Not even that - there are A LOT OF PEOPLE in China! This fact actually entails a lot of the most varied consequences, namely: everyone constantly bumps each other with their elbows and other parts of the body, speaks quite loudly, therefore it is very noisy, examines with sincere but completely unceremonious curiosity everything interesting and unusual, for example, you

Against the background of the Great Wall of china

9. If the budget of your trip involves an amount of less than 50 thousand rubles per person, then you need to choose another country or take out a loan

Most a budget option for exploring China - a week tour to Beijing. Today it costs from 50 thousand rubles per person. If, within a week's stay, you want to see also Xi'an (the terracotta army) and Shanghai, count on an amount of at least 70 thousand rubles per person. In order not only to see the main cities, but also to relax for a week on the island of Hainan, budget from 100 thousand per person. Treatment in China is very popular among the stars of domestic and international show business - both in the central part and on the island of Hainan.

In order to feel comfortable when planning a tour and directly on a trip, you can use the installment payment service, which is offered, for example, by our company for up to 7 months at 0% per annum.

Rice Field Village, China

10. If your vacation falls on the founding of the Republic of China or Chinese New Year, travel to another country

There are two grand holidays in China - the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese New Year... During these periods - from 28.09 to 04.10 and the last decade of February-early March (celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so there are no exact dates) - there are official public holidays in China, and all Chinese begin to travel en masse within the country. Hotel prices are tripled, and crowds begin at tourist sites. So it's better to plan your trip for other dates. The ideal time, especially for combo tours, is spring and autumn, when it is warm on the mainland and not very hot on Hainan Island.

Among other tourists, China

In conclusion, I want to say: I am sure that a trip to China will not leave anyone indifferent. Our tourists return from this multifaceted country with consistently positive impressions.

Panda

If you have any questions, please write: [email protected]

So, you are about to go to China. And they did the right thing! This country is famous for its centuries-old culture, inventions, natural landscapes, food and much more. Now there are many offers on the tourist market, but they are all of the same type and follow the same well-trodden routes. In addition, they do not give freedom: look to the right, look to the left ... How about entering the country where they look at you with genuine childish interest, like an alien, where the whole carriage gets up when it sees you)). Or chat with locals and get to know the life of the country from the inside. All this is provided by independent travel.

Below are the main practical issues related to independent travel in China.

1. Visa to China

The first thing you need for such a trip is a PRC visa. There are several types of visas, respectively, they require different documents, different costs. The simplest one is a one-time tourist one. You can register at a travel agency, which will naturally take an additional fee for its work. You can make a visa yourself by taking the documents to one of the consulates of the PRC: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

2. How to get to China and travel within the country?

There are several ways to get to the Middle Kingdom from Russia: by plane, by train or by bus, or by hitchhiking. It all depends on your budget, where you are going from and which places in China you are going to visit. China, as you know, borders Russia on Far east, from there the path to Beijing is the closest. You can cover this distance by train. The easiest way to fly from Moscow, St. Petersburg and the European part of Russia is by plane. There are both direct flights and with a transfer in Astana, Almaty, Dubai, depending on the airline. Cheap tickets can be found on the website .

Within China, you can also move in different ways, which is more to your liking. We traveled by train, bought tickets ourselves at the box office a few days before departure.

3. How much money to take to China?

It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer - everyone has their own requirements and preferences. I can only give a link to our

It is better to exchange cash in advance in Russia for dollars, since rubles are not changed in China. Dollars to yuan are changed mainly by the Bank of China, the exchange rate in the spring of 2013 was 6.1 yuan per dollar. You can also use bank cards Visa and MasterCard. For withdrawing money from the card, a commission will be charged. It is different for different banks, check with your bank before traveling.

Anya and I issued ISIC youth cards, and in some places they give a good discount. For example, we saved 90 yuan (450 rubles) on Mount Emeishan.

4. What to take with you to China?

Experience is the son of difficult mistakes)) We did not understand why we were dragging sleeping bags with us, but it turned out that China is full of cheap and comfortable housing.

When packing, pay attention to what the weather will be like in China. For example, in spring, the southwestern regions have a lot of rain and dampness, while Xinjiang can be cool but dry. From here and choose what to take. For independent travel, a backpack is an indispensable and convenient thing that must be =).

In extreme cases, buy what you need in China, all the same, all the clothes are made there!

5. Accommodation in China - where to sleep?

As mentioned above, the choice of accommodation is huge, especially in places that are popular with tourists. And competition makes prices acceptable. You can book a hotel or hotel in advance - it is easy to do on the website. If you prefer to improvise, you can decide on the housing already on the spot. But I strongly advise against doing this if you are traveling on holidays: in early May and in the first half of October.

If you want to stay in an apartment or rent a room from the owners (often it is cheaper than a hotel) - try Airbnb (go to and get a gift for your first booking - $ 25).

6. Where to go in China, attractions

The choice is endless here, China amazing country! At every step, opening is waiting =).

We visited 4 provinces, or rather , and the province , Yunnan and Manchuria. They just drove past the rest of the districts by train.

7. Food

They love and know how to eat in China! Local residents have adopted the rule "War is war, and lunch is on schedule")). The choice of food is very large, although the main products for the Chinese are rice and noodles, as well as additives to them. You can grab a bite to eat at local chifans or by purchasing groceries at the market or supermarkets.

It should be noted that Chinese food is very spicy - be careful, especially in the early days.

When organizing an independent trip, they help a lot mobile applications... We wrote .

That's all I wanted to say about traveling to China on my own. Come to the Celestial Empire, you will definitely be satisfied! Easy roads!