Let's Go China On a Budget

From the Let's Go series.

China is in the midst of a slow explosion. Five thousand years of history and not yet anywhere near past its prime, China today is very much under construction. Chinese history is a staggeringly long tale of civilzation, conquest, and expansion, and this particular moment in time is no exception. Everywhere, old buildings, roads, traditions, and ideas are being torn down as new frameworks are erected, some making careful use of the past, others branching out in new directions altogether. China is dynamic and exciting, with sprawling, sophisticated cities. It is diverse, with dozens of minority nationalities, cuisines, and cultures. It is a place of tremendous natural beauty, with vast, fertile plains and expansive mountain panoramas. Don't let the world's most populous country intimidate you, however: Jump into this guide and get to know the people, places, and pleasures of the real China, an experience that will surpass all of your expectations.

Even the best-laid travel plans are no match for the monsoons, typhoons, snowstorms, and heavy floods that periodically close China's roads, rails, and airports, sometimes making whole areas seasonally inaccessible. In general, summer is hot almost everywhere (except at high altitudes), and rainy and very humid south of the Yangzi River; winters range from extremely cold in the far north (especially north of Beijing) to extremely mild in the south. Late spring and early autumn are usually the best times to travel.

Although most of the country is temperate, southern Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan Island, lie in the tropics. Travelers in the summer should watch out for summer monsoons, which originate in the South Pacific and can carry rain as far as Mongolia; as a result, rainfall is generally greatest in the southeast, least in the northwest, and heaviest in the summer. Typhoons (tropical cyclones) occur year-round in coastal China, but are strongest in late summer and early autumn. Many of China's rivers, particularly the Yellow and the Yangzi, are prone to seasonal flooding, especially in June, July, and August. Frequent floods, landslides, and mudslides caused by heavy summer rains can make land travel treacherous, particularly in areas with dirt roads, rickety bridges, and otherwise poor infrastructure.

China's many festivals and national holidays can both attract and deter travelers. Traveling during the holidays is fraught with hassels---train and bus tickets are usually harder to come by, and hotels are often booked. Visiting during Chinese New Year (February 1, 2003) is only for the most determined of festival-goers; travel is extremely difficult all through the week surrounding that date.

From temple-hopping to bar-hopping, there is a great deal of everything in China. Those with specialized interests can indulge to their hearts' content; those without will find no better opportunity to develop them. China's neon-lit cities, fascinating age-old customs, incredible sense of history, and gorgeous sights will quench the soul of even the most travel-thirsty explorer.

Regularly: $25.99  Now: $20.79  Save $5.20 (20%)

LG5699    Let's Go China On a Budget                            $20.79

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