Independent travel vs. package tour
Praying at Yonghegong Temple
I'm more into independent travel in China, but this method of travel is not everyone's cup of tea. Independent travel in China can be frustrating; people who stress easily would probably do better on packaged tours.
China is a big country and impossible to see in just a couple of weeks. This means travelers, whether they're on package tours or traveling independently, must be selective about where they’ll go and what they'll see.
While it’s tempting to want to cram as much as possible into a short trip, that’s really not wise. China will pass by in such a blur, travelers won’t have time to savor what they’ve seen.
The Big Three Cities
Package tours that take in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai in 10 days are extremely popular and are usually reasonably priced. They provide a basic overview of these cities. First-time visitors to China are frequently intimidated by the language and culture; tour organizers deal with making arrangements so tourists can sit back and enjoy the trip.
Most tour packages offer the same attractions, though the level of accommodations may vary. Most tours start in Beijing and end in Shanghai, but some tour companies offer the tour in reverse.
Package tours frequently include stops at arts and crafts factories where tourists are expected to buy items that carry inflated prices. Visitors don’t have to buy anything, but can instead spend the time watching the artisans at work.
What to See in Beijing
Beijing’s main sites are the Forbidden City, home to centuries of Chinese emperors; Tiananmen Square, which is as big as 100 soccer fields; the beautiful Summer Palace, and the Great Wall of China, usually at Badaling or Mutianyu.
Package tours usually spend about three days in Beijing, which really isn’t enough time to do the city justice. Tours that spend a day or two longer in Beijing usually add in the Temple of Heaven, with its iconic cone-shaped blue temple; Yonghegong, a working lama temple; and a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s fast-disappearing hutongs.
What to See in Xi’an
Xi’an is an ancient capital of China, serving as capital to more dynasties than any other Chinese city. It is most well known for the Terra Cotta Warriors, a clay army that was buried in the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qinshihuang, to guard him in the after-life. Package tours always include a visit to the burial site as well as Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient stone wall that surrounds the old city. Tours may sometimes include the colorful Muslim quarter and mosque, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village.
What to See in Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city in China and serves as its financial capital. The city is filled with stunning innovative architecture. Package tours include a way-too-short visit to the Shanghai Museum, said to be the most fabulous museum in China; a walk along the famous Bund and perhaps a cruise on the Huangpu River that runs through the city. Some tours may include a visit to a children’s palace that offers enhanced educational experiences for youngsters.
Longer tours
Tours that are longer than a week to 10 days will include more places in China, most likely starting with a cruise on the Yangtze River. They may also delve deeper into Southwestern China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, for a look at the country's minority cultures and pandas. Guillin, with its beautiful karst scenery, is another popular option.
Itineraries for Independent Travelers
Independent travelers can do this itinerary on their own. More Chinese speak English in these three cities, which cuts down on difficulties with the language barrier. Many independent travelers choose to make their hotel and plane arrangements before they leave home, while more adventuresome travelers will wing it as they go.
Because they’re not tied to a set-in-stone schedule, independent travelers can spend more time at attractions they like. For example, tours only provide a couple of hours each at the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, where it is easy to spend a full day at each taking in everything. Tours to the Great Wall at Badaling may not include a visit to the Great Wall Museum, which is highly recommended for visitors who want to learn more about the Great Wall.
China is a big country and impossible to see in just a couple of weeks. This means travelers, whether they're on package tours or traveling independently, must be selective about where they’ll go and what they'll see.
While it’s tempting to want to cram as much as possible into a short trip, that’s really not wise. China will pass by in such a blur, travelers won’t have time to savor what they’ve seen.
The Big Three Cities
Package tours that take in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai in 10 days are extremely popular and are usually reasonably priced. They provide a basic overview of these cities. First-time visitors to China are frequently intimidated by the language and culture; tour organizers deal with making arrangements so tourists can sit back and enjoy the trip.
Most tour packages offer the same attractions, though the level of accommodations may vary. Most tours start in Beijing and end in Shanghai, but some tour companies offer the tour in reverse.
Package tours frequently include stops at arts and crafts factories where tourists are expected to buy items that carry inflated prices. Visitors don’t have to buy anything, but can instead spend the time watching the artisans at work.
What to See in Beijing
Beijing’s main sites are the Forbidden City, home to centuries of Chinese emperors; Tiananmen Square, which is as big as 100 soccer fields; the beautiful Summer Palace, and the Great Wall of China, usually at Badaling or Mutianyu.
Package tours usually spend about three days in Beijing, which really isn’t enough time to do the city justice. Tours that spend a day or two longer in Beijing usually add in the Temple of Heaven, with its iconic cone-shaped blue temple; Yonghegong, a working lama temple; and a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s fast-disappearing hutongs.
What to See in Xi’an
Xi’an is an ancient capital of China, serving as capital to more dynasties than any other Chinese city. It is most well known for the Terra Cotta Warriors, a clay army that was buried in the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qinshihuang, to guard him in the after-life. Package tours always include a visit to the burial site as well as Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient stone wall that surrounds the old city. Tours may sometimes include the colorful Muslim quarter and mosque, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village.
What to See in Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city in China and serves as its financial capital. The city is filled with stunning innovative architecture. Package tours include a way-too-short visit to the Shanghai Museum, said to be the most fabulous museum in China; a walk along the famous Bund and perhaps a cruise on the Huangpu River that runs through the city. Some tours may include a visit to a children’s palace that offers enhanced educational experiences for youngsters.
Longer tours
Tours that are longer than a week to 10 days will include more places in China, most likely starting with a cruise on the Yangtze River. They may also delve deeper into Southwestern China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, for a look at the country's minority cultures and pandas. Guillin, with its beautiful karst scenery, is another popular option.
Itineraries for Independent Travelers
Independent travelers can do this itinerary on their own. More Chinese speak English in these three cities, which cuts down on difficulties with the language barrier. Many independent travelers choose to make their hotel and plane arrangements before they leave home, while more adventuresome travelers will wing it as they go.
Because they’re not tied to a set-in-stone schedule, independent travelers can spend more time at attractions they like. For example, tours only provide a couple of hours each at the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, where it is easy to spend a full day at each taking in everything. Tours to the Great Wall at Badaling may not include a visit to the Great Wall Museum, which is highly recommended for visitors who want to learn more about the Great Wall.
Contact Cheryl
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.