Paul Dymond, managing director of Asia travel experts Wendy Wu Tours, shares his hot tips for travelling around incredible China.
What are some must-visit destinations for a first-time visitor to China?
China has so much to offer! A lot depends on travellers’ interests, but no one wants to miss the Great Wall, Forbidden City in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, pandas in Chengdu, a cruise down the Yangtze river, and the futuristic-yet-historic city of Shanghai.
And less obvious ones?
I would definitely suggest heading to Zhangjiajie to see the mountains that inspired the backdrop of the Avatar movies. The Hanging Temple and Buddhist Grottos near the city of Datong are truly spectacular – as is the Nine Villages Valley national park.
Is there a best time to visit?
China is an all-year destination but is very hot in summer and very cold in winter, so the most popular time for touring is April to June and September and October. The adventurous can brave the cold and head up to the amazing Ice Festival in Harbin that opens just before Christmas and runs to mid-February, every year.
What’s the best way to get around?
China has one of the best transport systems in the world. The network of bullet trains is the best way to get from city to city, for longer distances the fleet of domestic airlines is convenient. My favourite travel option is to board a cruise ship along the majestic Yangtze River, you get to see stunning landscapes, brand new cities, as well as ancient towns and temples.
Any key cultural customs or etiquette tips that travellers should be aware of?
Try to remember to do a slight bow, as a greeting, especially for older people. Never publicly criticise or embarrass anyone, so you ‘save face’ of that person. Try to accept anything with both hands. Never accept a gift on the first offer. Also, slurping your soup loudly is a sign of appreciation for the food!
What are some of the best regional cuisines?
In general, the further south you go, the spicier the food. Noodles and dumplings are very regional. Mongolian-influenced hot pots are well worth trying and a great way for a group to have a shared dining experience.
Your top three all-time favourite dishes?
Spicy kung pao chicken – originally from the Sichuan province; soup dumplings – originally from the Jiangsu province; and Peking duck – originally a meal for royalty and the elite.
What’s a unique cultural experience that most tourists miss?
If you only visit big cities, you miss out seeing unique traditional farming like the use of buffalo or the old fishing methods. There are also many festivals that happen in spring and autumn in rural areas where you see locals in traditional clothes enjoying traditional dancing and games.
Anything about holidaying in China that many tourists are often surprised to learn?
China is easy to travel to now, with up to 30 days visa-free travel for Kiwis. China is very advanced in many things and has embraced digitalisation of payments. The best thing to do before you go to is to set up WeChat or Alipay as a payment method, as this is much more convenient than trying to find places that accept credit cards or cash. To access Google, Facebook and Instagram, you need to be on roaming, as local internet blocks these. China is very welcoming to tourists, with plenty to appeal to every age group.
For more information on China and Wendy Wu Tours’ unique itineraries, visit wendywutours.co.nz
