Hotels in China

China or also known as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is one of the countries within the Asian continents. It was and still remain as the most populated country in the world with the amount of population of 1.4 billion people. The capital state of the country is Beijing while the largest city is Shanghai. China is bordering with 14 other nations across Asia and South East Asia. The countries are Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) in Southeast Asia; India, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan[s] in South Asia; Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in Central Asia; and Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea in Inner Asia and Northeast Asia. Therefore, it is rather common to see some of the cultural value from other countries to overlap with the ones living near the border.

China is one of the earliest civilizations in the world. This can be dated back to the Xia dynasty in 21st century BCE. Since then, China has improved, expanded, rebuilt the country until the country they are now.

The main language used in China would be Mandarin. It is also known as Putonghua in China. For the people of Mainland China, they would speak Putonghua. This also serves as the lingua franca for the other Mandarin speakers is other regions. However, there are also parts of China who speak Hokkien such as in Taiwan. They would still understand Mandarin, but they would use Hokkien more. There are also other parts of China who speak other type of the Chinese language such as Cantonese, Hakka and also Minnan.

In China, they previously were heavily influenced by the teachings of Confucianism. However, now the people have developed and has practised other types of religions. The main practised in the country would be Buddhism, Taoism and also local folk religious practice. However, after several studies, it is found that other type of religion is practised here too, such as Christianism and also Islam.

Chine’s cuisine can be differentiated according to their style of cooking based on where it is from. There are eight major cuisines in China which are Sichuan Cantonese, Jiangsu, Shandong, Fujian, Hunan, Anhui, and Zhejiang cuisines. In general, rice is the staple food in China together with wheat and also noodles. Pork is the main choice of meat and tofu, and soy milk is also still the popular choice of protein.

In China, physical fitness is a very important matter in their lives. They would have morning exercises such as qigong and t’ai chi ch’uan. Basketball is also commonly played among the citizens. Other popular sports played in China would be martial arts, table tennis, badminton, swimming and snooker. This can be seen in the Olympics where China would be seen as one of the top contenders. They have been participating in Olympic games since 1932.

How to Get There?

By Flight

The best way to get to China would be via aeroplane. For a return trip per pack, a ticket flight to China may be from MYR800 for a low-cost flight up to MYR1200 for a higher end flight, depends on the dates of holidays. This is the price that normally cost for those who will fly to the main city which is Beijing. Once you reach the airport, there is a lot of transportation available such as taxi, train, and buses.

By Train

The train is the main transportation used in China. Their rail work is easily one of the largest ones in the world. The mileage may go up to 124 thousand kilometres. There are five types of trains in China; they are high-speed trains, fast trains, tourist trains, express and normal passenger trains. The trains are normally used for inter-city trips. Metro is also available in major cities such as Shanghai. It is aimed to transport passengers for a shorter route. The country aims to reduce congestion with the Metro.

By Bus

The bus is also another main transportation in China. It is also very user-friendly. Therefore, any tourists that don’t speak Mandarin may also board the bus as it has English words to name the streets. They have trolleybus and also the electric buses. The buses run from 6 am to 11 pm. But tourists need to be mindful of the rush hour from 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Buses at this time may be a little packed.

By Bicycle

As bizarre as it sounds, the bicycle is highly common in China. It is the favourite among the locals. There would be many rental stores if tourists were to give it a try. Since the country is aiming to reduce carbon production in transportation, therefore, public bicycles are placed in the certain public area for use. Then the tourists will need to pay via an app tagged to the bicycle. There are bicycle paths for many main venues in the city.

What to Do There?

There are many things that can be done and see in China. China also holds a lot of historical artefact and places that will definitely attract many tourists.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is located in Beijing which is the capital of the country. It has been identified as one of the Great Wonders of the World. It has been said that the Great Wall is so big that it can be seen from outer space too. The wall has a length of 20922 kilometers long.

Terracotta Warriors

In Xi’an, there are tombs where terracotta sculptures of the previous armies of Qin Shi Huang who was the first Emperor of China. There are around 7000 soldiers found together with their hundreds of chariots and horses. No two soldier have the same feature. They all have their own unique hair and facial features.

Jingzun

Peking duck is one of the most popular dishes in China. Located in Chaoyang district, Jingzun is a number choice to try this dish. There, you will be able to see ducks hanged at their window sill with their golden crust skin. This is then served with rice and some soy sauce. It is definitely one of the Chinese delicacies that should be tried.

Forbidden City

Forbidden City is the imperial palace for China. It was built back in 1420 and has been used for 492 years. The palace has hosted 24 emperors. The Forbidden City is the largest imperial palace in the world with 2.6 million square feet. It has more than 800 buildings. The palace is no longer in use and has been converted into the Palace Museum. It is also tagged as one of the UNESCO Heritage sites.

Din Tai Fung

Another delicacy that should not be ignored when in China would be the Dim Sum. Dim Sum is a bit sized portions of food served in a small bamboo steamer. They vary from the meaty dim sum to steamed buns or dumplings too. They also have congee and steamed vegetables. Many would be having Dim Sums in the morning for their breakfasts. The best place to enjoy this dish is at Din Tai Fung in Chaoyang district.

Chengdu

In Chengdu, there are panda conservation and conservation centres. Now around the world, there are only 1864 pandas. This fact has made them among the threatened species. Their habitat is a large bamboo forest due to the fact that bamboo is their main food. In Chengdu, they keep this star so they can become one of the animals that are no longer threatened. China has provided a tour to take visitors to see the animals in a safe condition for the visitors and animals.

The Bund

The Bund is the main attraction in Shanghai. It is like a museum for architects in the colonial era of 1800. There are many historical buildings there besides a beautiful lake.

Where to Stay?

Best Western Shenzhen Felicity Hotel

This is a four-star hotel that is located in Guangdong, China. It is located around 1.09 kilometres away from the International Foreign Trade Centre. This hotel is also part of the Best Western chain hotels. Therefore, they will ensure that their guests are prioritized to ensure that they are aligned with the standards of Best Western. Based on the many guest reviews received by this hotel, they have been able to ensure that all of their guests enjoy the best services during their stay.

Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Central

This is a luxury hotel located in Macau, China. It is within walking distance of many attractions such as the Venetian Macao Casino and also the Dancing Water Theatre. Therefore, it is one of the top hotels chosen by tourists in Macau. This particular hotel also is the biggest hotel within the Sheraton chain.

Midtown Shangri-La Hangzhou

This hotel is rated as 5-star and is located in Zhejiang, China. All parts of the hotel are decorated in a modern design. The exterior also was decorated well making the hotel have a very pleasant and welcoming but at the same time expensive look. The services are also a priority here at the hotel. Many guests have complimented on their efficiency when handling their guests.

Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Zhabei

This hotel is located in the city of Putuo Qu. It is also only 1.11 kilometres away from the Shanghai Railway Station. There are also other tourist attractions available around the hotel too. They have many kinds of facilities in the hotel to ensure the comfort and also the convenience of their guests. Some of the services that they offer are to arrange tours for their guests and also airport transfer. Of course, the services have a surcharge that their guests need to pay.

Courtyard by Marriott Hangzhou Wulin

This hotel is also another chain hotel which is the Marriott group. It is a 4-star hotel located in Zhejiang, China. The staff will ensure that any guests who stay here will have an unforgettable experience with their services. The rooms are also made so that the guests would feel pampered. They also have a spa to pamper their guests even more.