From cruises and city breaks to foodie tours: How to experience China your way is written by The editorial staff in cooperation with China Cultural Center in Copenhagen.
Many ways to travel: China can do it all
In a country like China, the only limit to what you can experience is your imagination. Regardless of your usual way of traveling, then China can do it all.
Take the kids to Disneyland, visit a temple on top of a sacred mountain, hop on a motorbike and ride off into the sunset over the endless expanses or put skis under your feet in wild snowy landscapes. You decide what your trip will consist of.
Of course, it is obvious to take on a classic round trip in a huge country like China, and we recommend that you do so. Then you can always combine the tour with exactly what you would most like to try.
We have put together a large bouquet for those of you who are considering traveling to China.
Stopover and city break
Some of the world's largest cities are located in China, and there is therefore good reason to go on a city break here. Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are obvious choices, as it is usually in one of these cities that you land with the plane.
All three cities are full of experiences, and it is very easy to pass the time just experiencing the city.
If you want to try something a little different, there are other experiences not far away. If you land in Hong Kong, you can quickly hop on a train to the megacity of Guangzhou, one of the most important cities in China's history, and where you can truly go on an adventure in southern Chinese cuisine.
From Beijing, it's a quick drive to the neighboring metropolis of Tianjin, which with its approximately 14 million inhabitants can be described as a big city. Here you can explore China's culture and history without quite as many tourists as in the capital.
Shanghai is in many ways the ultimate big city with everything your heart could desire. If you land here, you might consider taking a quick train ride to Hangzhou, which is known for its beautiful parks and youthful atmosphere, as the city is home to a large number of students.
You can find big cities all over China, and most of them have enough to offer for a few days of city break. It especially makes sense to extend a stopover – if you are stopping over on your way to another country – and take advantage of the fact that you don't need a visa for shorter stays.
The pulse is high, and the impressions are many in China's many megacities - it's just a matter of diving into the city's countless offerings.
Take the family to an amusement park
Have your children always dreamed of a trip to Disneyland, Legoland or the Harry Potter universe? China is the answer here too.
In both Shanghai and Hong Kong, you can visit Disneyland and meet Mickey Mouse and all the famous cartoon characters, and try out rides for young and old. If you have a day with the family in one of the big cities, it's an obvious choice to head to the wonderful world of Disney.
Shanghai also has a Legoland, which is one of the largest Legolands in the world, and there are even three more Legolands coming up elsewhere in China in the coming years.
If Harry Potter is what draws you in the most, then you are definitely not alone.
In China, the wizard and his enchanting world are extremely popular, and you will find both a 'Harry Potter Studio Tour' at Warner Brothers in Shanghai and 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' at Universal Studios in Beijing.
In addition to Harry Potter, the Universal Studios theme park in Beijing includes Transformers, Minions, Kung Fu Panda and Jurassic World, so there is bound to be something for all children and childlike souls in the family.
In addition to the well-known theme parks, China has countless other amusement parks, water parks and zoos to explore.
Take the children by the hand and jump into the adventure in the many amusement parks.
Hiking in the dramatic Yellow Mountains
It's easy to get used to your walking gear in China, as a lot of your time – no matter what – will be spent walking. If you really want to go hiking, there's plenty of room for that too, because China is a definite hiking mecca.
When visiting the Great Wall of China, you can’t avoid walking on uneven surfaces and steep stairs. And if that’s your thing, head to Huangshan – the Yellow Mountains – in Anhui province in eastern China. Here you’ll find some of the best hiking in the vast country.
Huangshan has inspired poets, painters, monks, thinkers and ordinary mortals for centuries. When you venture out onto the paths and up and down the stairs, you'll see why.
It is incredibly beautiful and quite dramatic here. The mountains are steep granite walls with characteristic pine trees and quite often embraced by small clouds both above and below you.
It's pure magic.
The hike is not too hard, but you will get your heart rate up, sweat on your forehead and feel your thigh muscles as you cross bridges, stairs and paths in the fairytale landscape.
World-class hiking can be found in every region of China, so pack your hiking boots and a stick and see what tempts you. Huangshan is a great place to start.
Road trip on two wheels through incredible landscapes
A huge country with an enormous number of – and long – roads is perfect for a road trip. The wild expanses of western China in particular are worth exploring on two wheels. With or without a motor.
Hop on your motorbike and head towards the sunset in the provinces of Xinjiang, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia and other sparsely populated regions.
Here you are allowed to be alone with nature and the spectacular landscapes, which mix mountains, desert, lakes and grasslands with both sky and earth, creating almost surreal surroundings along the way.
The people in the rural areas live a markedly different life than people in the big cities, and in many ways this is where the real China is found. Life is lived in the countryside, and on a motorbike you are your own master.
Dedicated cyclists can really experience a lot in China, as it will always cause a stir when you come rolling through a village with sweat on your brow and your bike packed.
Many have experienced being invited to a meal or a song by the locals, and although most people in the countryside have replaced their bicycles with cars in modern China, China is still a country of bicycles.
Pack your bike bags and head for the Wild West in Chinese. Adventure lies at the end of the road, where the sun is about to set.
A week at a time – charter holiday in Chinese
Vacations mean summer and endless sunshine. Many people feel that way, and it's easy to understand. Fortunately, you can also go on a charter vacation in China.
South of the mainland lies the island and province of Hainan, which has become China's number one charter holiday destination. Here is sun, summer, sand, beach, cocktails and the sweet life. A tropical paradise for those who enjoy life.
Several Chinese and Asian travel agencies arrange package tours to Hainan with flights, hotels and activities. But you can also find your way to the island yourself and book the hotel that suits you. The possibilities are almost endless.
China has so much to offer that it might not initially be seen as a charter holiday destination. But it is. So pack your suitcase, suntan lotion and a good book – for example one about China – and make yourself comfortable in the sun.
Backpacking, backpacking and hostels in China
The free life with a backpack on your back and the whole world at your feet still attracts many travelers. Although China is moving at a high speed, you can still slow down and travel like in the good old days.
Hostels and cheap hotels abound throughout Chinese cities and near many tourist attractions, so it's not difficult to find a place to stay without breaking the bank. Traveling cheaply has always been a condition for most Chinese people themselves, and backpackers have good conditions in China.
Food is cheap, transportation is cheap, and accommodation can be cheap too. Find a hostel that is popular with other backpackers, and you might even make friends and travel companions for life.
The new high-speed train network means you can get from one corner of China to the other quickly. But as a backpacker, it’s not always about getting there quickly – it’s just as much about the journey itself. And to that end, you’ll still find the traditional sleeper trains and plenty of local life on board.
The old – and relatively slow – trains are cheaper than the high-speed trains, but they also often sell out, as many locals either can’t afford the fast train or prefer to travel the good old-fashioned way. So make sure you grab a ticket and experience train travel the way it’s meant to be.
In sparsely populated areas, transportation is usually by bus, and it is also an experience that every backpacker should treat themselves to.
Pack your backpack and head to China.
Skiing holiday in China? Yes, why not?
Are you also tempted by the idea of getting out into the white winter landscapes with skis under your feet? Do you get high from the crisp fresh mountain air and the crackling snow? Then set your course for northeastern China.
In the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang, which make up one corner of the country, you will find China's best slopes and best facilities for skiers of all levels.
Jilin can be reached from Beijing by high-speed train, so you can leave the capital in the morning and be on the slopes in the afternoon. The Beidahu ski area near Lake Songhua is particularly popular and is known for its optimal conditions and long ski season.
A little further northeast, across the border to Heilongjiang province, you'll find the ski mecca of Yabuli. It's China's largest ski resort, and here you'll find everything a ski enthusiast could dream of.
Yabuli is located a few hours from the provincial capital Harbin, which is famous for its large and very impressive ice sculpture festival in the winter months, so it's an obvious choice to combine skiing with a trip to the ice festival.
Get on your skis or snowboard – China's winter landscapes are just waiting for you.
Just cruising – cruise on the Yangtze
River cruising is a popular form of travel in Europe, and indeed it is also in China. It is especially an experience to sail on China's and Asia's longest river, the Yangtze, which has been life-giving for Chinese civilization for millennia.
The Yangtze is now calmer than it has been throughout history, where the river has repeatedly wiped out towns and farms when it overflowed its banks. This has now been resolved with the world's largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam, which you can visit along the way.
The cruises come in several quality levels, and you are guaranteed to find a cruise that suits you. What all the cruises have in common, however, is that you get an excellent front row seat as the often dramatic landscapes drift past on land.
Enjoy life in true cruise style right in the heart of China – a trip to China doesn't get more relaxing than on a cruise.
Eat your way through China
The very best way to experience a country is of course with your taste buds, and this is especially true of China. Chinese cuisine is rightly world-famous. And in fact, Chinese cuisine is many different cuisines in one.
One of the most famous cuisines is that found in the province of Sichuan. It is known for its hot chili and hotpotSo if you're into spicy food, you should try some of the many Sichuan dishes that you'll find on menus all over China. But of course, the authentic experience is in Sichuan itself.
Not far from Sichuan you will find the province of Hunan, which is also known for its special cuisine. Here you will get traditional dishes that taste like China should taste. At least that is what many Chinese people themselves say. Hunan dishes are usually also spicy, so be prepared for it.
In southern China, the food is influenced by the fact that the port of Canton – now known as Guangzhou – has been China's gateway for centuries. Here, traders from all over the world have encountered China, and you can taste it.
The food in Southern China is a wonderful mix of everything, and if you're really adventurous, this is where you can taste all kinds of meat prepared in all kinds of different ways.
On the east coast facing the Taiwan Strait lies the province of Fujian. The food here often resembles the type of Chinese food we also find in the rest of the world. This is because many of the Chinese who traveled and settled in other countries around the world originally came from Fujian. And they brought their food traditions with them.
No matter where you sit down to eat in China, you'll find great and different taste experiences waiting for you. Grab your chopsticks and take the chance to try your hand at it, even if the menu may be difficult to decipher. China is not just about seeing it – it's about tasting it.
Overall, China is a country that should be experienced with all of your senses. The country is so rich in experiences that it would take a lifetime and more to experience them all.
All you can do is start somewhere, and now you have a bouquet that you can put together in your own way. Have a great journey.
China's experiences and attractions - experience China your own way
- City break in one of China's many metropolises
- Disneyland, Legoland, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios theme parks
- Hiking in Huangshan
- Road trip in China's Wild West
- Charter holiday in Hainan
- Backpacking with a train
- Ski holidays in China's northeastern provinces
- Cruise on the Yangtze River
- Eat your way through Chinese cuisine
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