China

China is a vast country brimming with world wonders, a vibrant culture, grand religious sites, a compelling history, and unique mountain-ranges. Travel to its greatest cities and see the classic landmarks, or go off the beaten-path to distant religious sites and scenic destinations. China offers endless sights and experiences for every traveler’s taste.

Zhangjiajie

Photo Tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Photo Tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie, China…a place you may never have heard of but have seen if you watched the movie “Avatar.” When we learned that there was a place on earth that served as the inspiration for one of its most scenic landscapes, we put it at the top of our list.

Not Your Typical Market Tour in Zhangjiajie, China

Not Your Typical Market Tour in Zhangjiajie, China

The city of Zhangjiajie was not what Tim and I were expecting. For some reason, we pictured Zhangjiajie to be a quaint, scenic town, with small shops and restaurants, nestled at the foot of some of the world’s most unique scenery. We arrived by train, and instead of a small town we entered a large city, complete with numerous high rise buildings, lots of taxis and people, and wide city streets. Zhangjiajie is no small town, it is a small city! Surprise number one!

How to Have the Best Experience(Tianmen Mountain, China)

How to Have the Best Experience(Tianmen Mountain, China)

Tianmen Mountain is one of the world?s most beautiful mountains. Why should you travel here? To ride in one of the world?s longest cable cars, walk the narrow, plank paths attached to vertical cliffs, walk on the glass skywalk, and climb the 999 steps to Heaven?s Door.

Beijing

Hiking Jiankou to Mutianyu on the Great Wall of China

Hiking Jiankou to Mutianyu on the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China…one of the world’s most iconic sights and one of the top ten things to do on many traveler’s bucket lists. We couldn’t visit China without seeing this amazing place. It was so amazing that we actually visited the Great Wall twice. Our first visit was to the restored section at Mutianyu. Several dayslater we hiked the unrestored section between Jiankou to Mutianyu.

Walking on the Great Wall of China

Walking on the Great Wall of China

We visited the Great Wall of China twice. The first time we went with my grandmothers, Kathy Younkin and Valerie Richardson, to the section called Mutianyu. This part of the Great Wall is in good condition, easy to walk on, and has a toboggan at the end. The second time I went only with my parents and Tyler. We walked on the older section called Jiankou and this was so much fun. While walking on the wall we wondered about the history and why the Great Wall was here. This leads me to this report about history of the Great Wall of China.

The Best of Beijing, China

The Best of Beijing, China

We had one wonderful week to spend in the city of Beijing, China. For us, this was the perfect amount of time to visit Beijing’s main sights, pay two awesome visits to the Great Wall of China, and have some quiet time at our hotel at the end of the day. Our mothers joined us here, and from Beijing, Kathy and Valerie would finish our grand tour of China with us, ending in Hong Kong two weeks later.

Shanghai

Photo Tour of Shanghai

Photo Tour of Shanghai

We loved our experience in Shanghai, an ultramodern city with countless skyscrapers, vibrant shopping streets, a Starbucks on every corner, and the impressive Oriental Pearl Tower at the heart of the city.

China Travel Guide

Kung Fu, Calligraphy, and Exploring Yangshuo, China

Kung Fu, Calligraphy, and Exploring Yangshuo, China

Our adventures in China continue with an amazing visit to the town of Yangshuo. When you see paintings and artwork of China, this is the area used so frequently. Bumpy limestone mountains, fishing boats and bamboo rafts drifting along the Li River, small villages located in the valleys, this is a beautiful part of China.

Cycling the Li River Valley from Xingping, China

Cycling the Li River Valley from Xingping, China

This is what draws people from around the world to Yangshuo, China: the towering, leafy limestone peaks along the Li River. Yes, we loved Yangshuo, but it is great to get out into the surrounding countryside for at least a day if your schedule allows.

Things To Know Before Traveling to China(China Travel Tips)

Things To Know Before Traveling to China(China Travel Tips)

Traveling through China can be a very rewarding experience but it does come with its share of challenges. With the right expectations and a little preparation (such as reading our China travel tips), a visit to China can be an amazing experience.

48 hours in Shenyang

48 hours in Shenyang

The biggest city in northeast China was once – briefly – the capital of the Qing dynasty, before the all-conquering Manchu moved to Beijing in 1644. Shenyang’s magnificent Manchurian legacy is best explored via its Unesco World Heritage palace complex, royal tombs, and hearty, game-rich cuisine, while China’s biggest Korea Town adds a multicultural vibe. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in the buzzing metropolis of Shenyang.

Going solo in Shanghai: 8 of the best activities for lone travellers

Going solo in Shanghai: 8 of the best activities for lone travellers

Shanghai could be the perfect place to fall in love with travelling solo. There’s always something new to eat, a new show to catch, a new skyscraper to head up for sunset drinks. Plus, there are so many people around (over 26 million) you need not fret about anyone staring at you on your lonesome.

Travel throwback to Hong Kong: Where worlds collide

Travel throwback to Hong Kong: Where worlds collide

We're taking a look through our archive of travel writing to highlight all the ways the world has changed, as well as some of the ways it's stayed the same. In this piece from 2009, journalist Fergal Keane returns to Hong Kong 12 years after the end of British rule and finds a city perpetually in flux.