China is the third most visited country in the world. Seeing is believing!!! Traveling in China, for many people, fulfils their dream of the world. China is a great starting point for you, to experience Asia and understand Asia. Teachers in the Bond affiliated schools in China have many opportunities, not only to travel across China, but the rest of Asia as well. There are very few places that are off limits to foreigners today.
Canadians in China
China has a special connection with Canada, dating back to the war with the Japanese in 1938. At that time, China’s, Canadian hero – Dr. Norman Bethune, joined Mao Zedong in his struggle, against the Japanese invaders. In China, Dr. Bethune performed emergency battlefield surgery on war casualties, and established training for doctors, nurses and orderlies. He did not distinguish between casualties. Bethune cut his finger while operating on a soldier. Probably due to his weakened state, he contracted blood poisoning, and died of his wounds in China. As a Canadian, Dr. Bethune is still very famous in China, and his heroism has cemented a great friendship bridge between China and Canada. If you introduce yourself as Canadian, Chinese people will be happier and friendlier to you.
How easy to travel in China!!!
Travel
China has a good transportation infrastructure, low crime rate, and teachers find that for foreigners traveling anywhere in China, is at a fairly low cost. Many teachers in China are fascinated by the culture, religion, art and the everyday way of life. Depending on what you want to see and what you want to do, you will experience air, train and bus travel to get back and forth to your destination.
Air Travel
Most major cities have new airports, and if you take the time, it’s easy to get discounted air tickets, either online or from local travel agencies. Your school is a great source of recommendations, for travel agency contacts. Once you make the connection, you will find the school recommended agency will “go the extra mile” to help. The agency will usually help you, with hotel accommodation, as well as sightseeing arrangements.
Train Travel
Traveling by train in China is one of the cheapest ways to travel long distances, and is increasingly popular among foreign travelers. Trains are inexpensive, punctual, and a great way to see the country.
Bus Travel
Inter-city bus travel is the least expensive mode of transportation. Most of the buses will be the same sort of highway coach that you are used to taking. For travelers who are on the bus overnight, a special overnight bus with sleeping accommodations is a real experience.
Taxi Travel
Within the city, taxi travel is efficient and again relatively inexpensive. Teachers find it a very good way to get around their city and there is no need to have personal transportation.
China Tourism
China has a large number of wonderful tour destinations including delicate water towns, imposing imperial palaces, splendid national cultural heritage and colorful folk customs. It will take years to visit all of these attractions, but it is fairly easily to tour the top attractions.
10 Best Cities to Visit in China
While China is so vast with so much to offer, over the years, teachers have told us the following cities have been their favourite destinations while living in China.
1. BEIJING – Capital of China
As China’s capital city, Beijing is rich in history, the nation’s political and cultural centre, and a truly modern metropolis, full of vitality. The well-known Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven, depict the long and colorful history of Beijing.
2. SHANGHAI – China’s Largest City
As China’s largest city, and one of the world’s leading economic and business centres, Shanghai has become a world class city in the last fifty years. A modern world city, as evidenced by the ambitious skyline in the Pudong Economic Zone, and the gorgeous night scenes of the Huangpu River.
3. XI’AN – A Window on China’s Ancient Civilization
Xi’an is known as one of the six ancient cities of China, together with Beijing, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou. Dating back to the time of the Romans and Athenians, you can see evidence of its 3100 year old history. This is where the astonishing Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Emperor Qin Shihuang were excavated, in 1974, and where the famous Silk Road began thousands of years ago.
4. GUILIN – The Most Beautiful Place in China.
Guilin, with its marvelous limestone scenery, is renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth. There are many scenic places, within short traveling distance of Guilin. These include Longsheng, with its famous Longji rice terraces, the Lijiang River, a scene of which is printed on the back of ¥20 bank notes, Yangshuo, a small county downstream from Guilin; and much more.
5. HONG KONG – The Oriental London
Hong Kong is not like any other place on earth. As one of the most important economic and financial centres in East Asia, Hong Kong enjoys all the benefits of a dynamic and vibrant metropolis. While definitely Chinese, it still enjoys a good measure of independence. Hong Kong is also a world-renowned shopping paradise, known for its tourist-friendly atmosphere and numerous options.
6. HANGZHOU/SUZHOU – Heaven on Earth
While the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou is well cultivated, various folk customs and landscapes also formed along its rivers. There is a popular Chinese saying: “Above there is heaven, below there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.” Hangzhou’s “heavenly” beauty attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to its exquisite West Lake each year, to enjoy the placid lake, beautiful gardens, reflecting pools, lavish temples and lakeside teahouses.
7. CHENGDU – Hometown of Giant Pandas
Visitors come to Chengdu to see the Giant Pandas, at Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre every day. You can even get a chance to touch the Chinese national treasure. And don’t miss the Sichuan hot pot in Chengdu!
8. HUANGSHAN – Magnificent Beauty
Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) is surely the most famous and most photographed and painted mountainous region in China, and was included as a UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, in 1990. The area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above.
9. LASA- Holy Pilgrimage Destination
Located at an altitude of 3700 metres, and with more than 3000 hours of annual sunshine, Lasa is famed as the “City of Sunshine”. It is the center of Tibet’s political, economic, cultural and religious activities. In the Tibetan language, the name, “Lasa”, means “Land of the Gods”. There are numerous scenic spots and historical sites in Lasa, Tibet.
10. LIJIANG – Old Ethnic Town
Lijiang is well known for its natural scenery and green vegetation, and has been on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list since 1997. It has the Jade Dragon Mountain as its backdrop, and the old town blends naturally with the natural scenery.
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