Rent a house or apartment for your holiday in China
With the towering contemporary structures of Shanghai and the modern metropolis of Beijing, it can be hard to imagine that there is a magical verdant land out there along the Great Wall in the ‘Middle Kingdom'. There are rainbow forests in Jiuzhaigou, the organic splendour of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and the instantly recognisable Mount Everest, whose north slope shadows the China and the Tibet border. China is made up roughly by 9.6 million square kilometres, meaning there is something to cater to the interests of everybody who visit. Whatever your reasons for traveling, and whatever your budget and options are, you can book your dream property in China, then get out there and explore this rich kingdom for yourself!
The Chinese cities, mountains and outdoor attractions are most pleasant in the spring and autumn months, between March to late May, or September to November, when the temperature is not too overbearing, especially in urban areas, and the significant landmarks tend not to be as crowded with tourists. Remember to keep in mind that though the majority of spring is ideal for travelling, the Chinese Spring Festival sees millions of people moving across the country, meaning travel prices can be high, and attractions become busy with families and friends who are spending the holiday together.
How to get there
China, the third-largest country in the world, is located in south-east Asia, along the Pacific coast, meaning the only way to visit from the UK is to fly. Scheduled flights from British Airways, Air China and Hainan Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to various destinations across China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Chengdu, with a flight duration of around 11 hours, depending on the location. If you do not live near London but would still like to fly direct, it could be worth treating yourself to luxury apartment rental in London where you can start your holiday in style, and only be a short tube ride away from the terminal.
If you would prefer to fly from an airport elsewhere in the UK, you can also travel from Edinburgh or Manchester, however, be prepared to stop en route in airports, such as Abu Dhabi or Dubai International, which could bring your travel time to around 18 hours, or sometimes even longer. To ease the journey, why not split up the travel time, by reserving a holiday apartment in Dubai and explore another Asian jewel, before carrying on to your final destination. Wherever you are visiting from in the UK, it is vital that you leave time to get a visa, as you are required to attend a Visa Application Centre before gaining the necessary documents to enter the country.
Chinese food and culture tips
It is likely that you already have a love for Chinese food, as this country's cuisine is enjoyed across the globe as many people's favourite takeaway. Nowhere does food entirely like they do on home turf, however, so treat your tastebuds to your Saturday night favourites, while also discovering a selection of traditional home-cooked dishes from the authentic restaurants in the heart of this land. A Chinese meal is typically made up of two parts, the first being the staple food of noodles or rice, and the second being a meat or vegetable dish. If you want to try something different from your usual order, sample Peking duck, which is the national dish, and finish with a Red Bean Bun, a sweet streamed dessert which is especially popular in the north of the country.
This country is renowned for its ancient culture, which paved the way for Asian art, cuisine, literature, music and philosophy, and there is no better place to immerse yourself in the richness of China's cultural influence than seeing it for yourself. If you are visiting Beijing, then look no further than the National Museum of China on Tiananmen Square, for your go-to place for all things culture. If you still have not had enough art, spend an afternoon in the National Art Museum of China, or if you are staying further south, then The Shanghai Museum is another unmissable destination for your slice of Chinese culture. Book a room in a guesthouse in Fujian, where you can visit the Tulou houses, which are distinctive architectural houses that showcase China's rich history and culture.
A Great Wall along an even greater landscape
The UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of The Great Wall of China, really does live up to its name and its globally renowned title, as it is nothing short of great. As the world's longest structure which has covered the craggy mountainous country for thousands of years, it is unsurprising that over 70,000 people have been known to visit the Badaling section in only one day alone! The Great Wall is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, making it unmissable from your itinerary, wherever you choose to stay.
Thanks to China's colossal size, there are some 200 National Parks across China which are unmissable for all travellers, photographers and hikers alike. Experience the verdant heart of the Middle Kingdom, and reserve a holiday home in Sanqingshan which lays at the foot of the sacred Mount Sanqing, making it a place of pilgrimage for Chinese Taoists for over a thousand years. Meaning ‘yellow mountains', Huangshan National Park is the most multi-coloured mountain range in the country, so it is no surprise that so many artists have descended to this beautiful canvas. Reserve a quaint holiday villa in China's Eastern province, or travel on a high-speed train to reach this natural wonderland in only 3 hours from the bustle of Shanghai.
Adventure in China
From leisurely walks in the leafy Chinese forests, to a night under the stars in the famous Everest Base Camp, you could do far worse than to look for an adventurous trip to China. For any animal lover, the chance to be face to face with a panda could only ever feel like a dream, but reserve a holiday cabin in Chengdu, and you can wake up in a bedroom with a view of this increasingly popular destination, before visiting the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, where you can get up close and personal to pandas, and even try their nutritious biscuits. Another way of visiting panda's in their natural habitat is by securing a holiday apartment near the bamboo hills of the Dujiangyan Panda Reserve, where you can even volunteer for the day and feed the pandas in their natural habitat.
Adventure in China is not all about the unofficial mascot, however, as there is a host of activities which will both challenge you, and give you a shot of adrenaline if you are into that sort of thing. Rent an authentic Chinese holiday guesthouse in Guilin, then hike along the famous Longji Rice Terraces, or reserve a solitary cabin retreat in Yangshuo, where you can spend the day water rafting down the Li River.
From Forbidden Cities to Metropolitan Metropolis's!
When it comes to contemporary cityscapes, towering landmarks, classical cuisine and vibrant markets in bustling neon streets, there is nowhere quite like China. You may have seen the vibrant alleyways and impressive structures of the Chinese capital on a thousand photographs and movies, but nothing can truly showcase the electric atmosphere in this city's streets, quite like seeing it for yourself. Reserve a holiday apartment in Beijing which has a bedroom with a view of the striking CCTV Headquarters building, along with the unmissable China Zun skyscraper, which is the highest building in Beijing. The city is not all about modernity, however, as the palace of the Forbidden City is not only a remarkable homage to Chinese history, but it is also home to the Palace Museum, where you can step back in time and discover more about the land you are standing in.
Despite not being the capital, the eastern city of Shanghai is the most populated city, not only in China but in the world. Live like one of the 26.32 million locals and expats, and find your perfect accommodation in Shanghai which, as the indisputable financial centre of Asia Pacific, is currently one of the most powerful and influential destinations in the world. After marvelling at the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, take a morning walk along The Bund, before shopping on Nanjing Road, and end the day with cocktails on a roof terrace in the diners paradise of Xintiandi.