
Before booking China flights, you will need to obtain a travel visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate. If you stay only in Hong Kong or Macau, you will not need a visa. Most international flights to China will arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport or New Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, as these are the primary gateways into the country. All three are within 30 km of their respective city centres. They are very large and modern, featuring speedy terminal shuttles and efficient check-in and immigration areas. All three airports offer banking machines and currency exchange, wireless Internet, information counters, and business centres where passengers can make phone calls, send and receive faxes or copy documents. They also have post offices and small medical clinics along with the typical shops and eateries. People interested in cheap flights to China can book with any of the numerous discount airlines that use these airports.
When you book your airfare to China, you can arrange for a taxi or limousine to pick you up or use the airport express shuttles. There are taxi stands outside the airports and minibuses and buses for airport passengers as well. Make sure you use the taxis at the official stand rather than those in front of the terminals unless you have already arranged a ride.
Major cities like Beijing, Guangzou, and Shanghai have extensive subway systems that can take you to any district in the municipality. The fares are cheap, and you can buy prepaid metro cards to use on the subways and city buses. Be sure to keep a subway map and bus schedule with you at all times, and be aware of the operating times and schedules for each line. For longer distances, you may want to use the rails, which cover all of China. The classes of trains are: soft and hard sleepers; soft and hard seats; and standing. The prices vary by class.
If you saved on your flights to China, you can use your savings to explore this vast country with so many exciting places to visit. It is impossible to see all of its wonders during a single trip so you may have to get that cheap flight to China a second time. Visitors interested in sacred sites usually explore the ancient Buddhist carvings at the Yungang Grottoes of Shanxi and the Dazu carvings at Chongqing. The Mogao caves in the Gazu province have fourth century art and manuscripts that should interest any history enthusiast. Nature lovers will want to tour the many sacred mountains and temples associated with Buddhism, Taoism, and Tibetan Buddhism. There are countless tours you can take of Hong Kong, Tibet, the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the Silk Road, and the Karakoram Highway. These are only a few of the possible itineraries available to explore China.
China has a multitude of shopping and entertainment options. You can buy quality handmade items such as furniture, porcelain, carpets, jade pieces, pearl jewellery, clothing and fine art in most Chinese marketplaces. There are a number of regional cuisines that you can try depending on where you visit, and international foods are widely available as well. Do not worry about accidentally eating strange menu items like dog or cat. The Chinese consider these ingredients as delicacies, and a customer must order them specifically. Many visitors on cheap flights to China enjoy the Chinese night-life, which includes karaoke, discos, and bars. You may enjoy karaoke by renting a special room with friends or by going to an up-scale style karaoke lounge. The most common domestic spirits are beer, grape and rice wines and Chinese brandy. Visitors are sure to enjoy the hospitality and entertainment as well as the breathtaking scenery of China. Make the most of your airfare to China and find out just how magnificent this country can be!
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