Fun things to do in China

My travels to Shanghai:

I've visited Shanghai twice so far, first time during the Expo 2010, and the second in 2011 when it was the gateway on our trip to Tibet.

What to do in Shanghai:

A stroll along the Bund, both during daytime and after sunset to see the lights - if you're a photographer this should be one of top picks in Shanghai. Then the old town (or, rather, much redecorated old town) with the Yuyuan garden as the main highlight. Try one of the famous teas at the pavilion, then some souvenir hunting in one of the many shops. While in the old town, pay a visit to the Temple of the City God before hailing a cab and heading out of the city centre to see a couple of more remote temples. If you are staying in Shanghai for several days, consider a day trip to Suzhou to see its gardens, and/or some of the water towns surrounding Shanghai.

No other visited city in China reveals the mixture of cultures and civilizations that for several centuries passed through China.

New and antique stand side by side, while, like mushrooms, modern buildings grow everywhere, changing the general look of the city, but preserving the historical sites and references.

As I try to reflect in my page, Shanghai is a definitive "must see".

My travels to Lhasa:

Tibet has been a dream for years, and in September 2011 I have finally made it, spending 4 days in Lhasa before going on a Land Cruiser tour along the Friendship Highway.

What to do in Lhasa:

Potala Palace is the first stop. Regrettably, you will only have about an hour inside as the length of visits is limited to manage visitor numbers. That is enough to see the main chapels though. Jokhang - Tibet's holiest shrine. The monasteries in and around Lhasa - Sera (and the famous debating monks), Drepung and a few others. The koras - Tibetan pilgrimage routes around the holy sites (we've done the Jokhand one many times, as well as one round of the Potala kora). At night - photography by the beautifully lit Potala palace. Shopping at the stalls by Jokhang.

Choice of hotel:

Has to be the new St. Regis - amazing rooms, attentive service and wonderful food. One of the best hotels I stayed in.

4 more images

Before leaving to China I doubted that Xi'an could justify the thousands of kilometers needed to visit it.

The doubts went down as soon as we arrived there, even before visiting the terracotta warriors. Xi'an is a gem that justifies any kind of detour.

Treated by tourist packages as a minor destination included in Guilin's visit, this small town has its own charm, and has nothing to loose when compared with the best known Guilin.

West street and the rural surroundings are an excellent complement to the trip in Li River.

We were attracted by the famous landscapes of Guilin, but, as a matter of fact, it was Yangshuo that showed us the beautiful look of rural China.

I know that it may have been forced by our package, that kept us inside Guilin, with a quick trip to the caves, and took us to the rural Yangshuo. I also know that in Yangshuo we had an important detail, somewhat absent in Guilin: the Sun. But... I saw what I saw. And Yangshuo has the best landscape that I saw.

2 more images

Ten thousand kilometers long, the wall may be seen from many places.

I read that most of it is ruined, and the visit is so dangerous that it is forbidden in many sections. Some points were prepared co tourism, which means security, best appearance and... crowds. The easiest access is from Beijing and touristy structure are already well mounted there. Unless you want a real exclusive image, there's no reason to complicate, trying another approach to the wall.

4 more images

Online Tour Company & Tour Operator - Chinawide for Worldwide"You are not alone in China." What we mean is that no matter in what part of China you travel, or how long you stay, you will always feel like you are backed by a team of experienced professionals and will never feel alone.Our Aim is to delight every customer, every time, through outstanding personalized service, fantastic products, and amazing destinations!Our online travel consultants will be available from the very first e-mail message or phone-call to the moment you return home. We are dedicated to meeting the client's wishes and, from customer feedback, are continually evaluating how we can enhance our service. Our Mission is to arrange China tours for travelers to see and experience the REAL China; to learn about our history, our culture, meet the people, enjoy the tasty food and to return home knowing that we all are "People of the world".

well, our tour with china odyssey tours is over and i want to share you that i had a fantastic time (except for the very hot and humid weather). the guides and drivers were at all the airports to greet us. they were wonderful. the hotels were excellent too. there is nothing about their service to criticize. i was very happy to meet my travel advisor sophie and some of their staff too. they are very high quality. i really do not have a favorite place. each was different and very interesting. i must say though that if i had to pick a favorite it would be chengdu, only because of the cool and comfortable climate. it was the only place we visited that wasn't hot, humid, and smoggy.

all in all, it was a wonderful trip and i would certainly return to china again in the future if given the opportunity. i have told my friends it was a trip of a life time. again, it was a great pleasure to travel with China odyssey tours.