The best experience of my life. The people were unbelievably kind to me. ❤️

This is a famous polychrome clay statue of the GONGDE TIAN(Great Auspicious Merit Heaven) from the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234). Located in the Shanhua Temple in Datong, China, it is celebrated as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese Buddhist art. The statue is renowned for its lifelike, serene expression and exquisite drapery, often earning it the nickname the 'Oriental Mona Lisa.'

What can you read on her face?

Caught this peaceful moment right at dusk. The way the light hit the mountains and the water was unreal. Easily one of my favorite spots in China.

I've been reading and I feel like I know the answer but I am a worrier. It looks like we will be going to China mid October (and don't live anywhere close to a consulate - in Colorado ours is LA) the late notice is because it is for Track Cycling World Championships which as of today my husband qualified for (was up in the air until literally today if he would I am usually much more of a planner!).

We would be in Shanghai Chongming Island - and I would probably make my trip about 7 days so within the visa exemption rules. Question is it as "easy" as the itinerary is say coming from the US - Hong Kong - Shanghai - US? I just add another country either on my way in or out of Shanghai (China)?

Are there any ways to get denied the 240 hour visa free transit (outside of itinerary plans not being valid for use?) it's obviously a long way to go for something to happen!

Do you like spicy barbecue or mutton kebabs?

I’m planning my trip to China in October and would love some opinions on the itinerary, particularly whether I’m trying to fit in too much.

I’m travelling 16–31 October and currently have the following booked:

16–20 Oct: Beijing (4 nights)

20–23 Oct: Zhangjiajie (3 nights)
Should I move a day from Chongqing and visit Fenghuang or Furong?

23–26 Oct: Chongqing (3 nights)
I’m wondering whether I should use one of these days for Wulong or Dazu, or whether 3 nights is better spent exploring Chongqing without adding an excursion.

26–29 Oct: Chengdu (3 nights).
Possible day trips I’m considering:

1. Leshan Giant Buddha
2. Qingcheng Mountain + Dujiangyan
3. Bipenggou

29–31 Oct: Six Senses Chengdu (2 nights)
These are deliberately being kept as relaxing/luxury days before flying home.

My main questions:

1. Does this overall itinerary feel too rushed?
With only 3 nights in Chengdu before Six Senses, which one or two day trips would you prioritise?

1. Is 3 nights in Chongqing enough to enjoy the city, or would you use a day for Wulong/Dazu? Or do I move a day to visit Furong or Fenghuang?

2. Am I missing any must-dos?

I’m much more interested in having a well-paced trip with time to enjoy places than ticking every possible attraction off a list.

Thanks you

Which is the most reliable weather site for China? We are travelling to China for 2 weeks and big weather sites show rain everywhere we are going.

https://au.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/zhangjiajie/tianmen-mountain-national-forest-park-10558650/?allianceid=742331&sid=110365025&ppcid=adid-722723198624_akid-kwd-2380687026457_adgid-170655349093&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21928172567&matchtype=b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21928172567&gbraid=0AAAAABn2eFI4lhIGF07uXEDvIeNcraal6&gclid=Cj0KCQjw79nUBhCgARIsADSHka1eixVNrGfUE2ZYu0ZH7AD6LaSPDCf-9B3DOlBdRYmfcJgjZJ_aNYcaAsJEEALw_wcB

I wanne do route a.. but i see 2 tickets.. 17 and 42 dollar, whats the difference?

On the precipice of booking 17 nights. Flying in and out of Beijing as that is the cheapest option by far. Will spend the first 3 nights in Beijing, then go to Shanghai for 4 nights, then Zhangjiajie for 4 nights, then to chengdu for 3 nights, then Xi’an for 2 nights with the final night in Beijing before flying home. Out of all these are there any that need another night/could lose a night? In Xi’an I’m only really interested in the Terracotta warriors so debating only staying there 1 night and putting an extra night on chengdu.

I applied for a Chinese business visa twice, and both applications were rejected. I’ve even traveled to China before. Surprisingly, my wife got her visa on her first try, even though she’d never been to China before. This will be her first trip there.

I have a flight on September 20, and the tickets are non-refundable.

During my last trip to China in April for the Canton Fair, I received a three-month visa that allowed me to stay for 15 days. However, because of a misunderstanding with my travel agent, I may have stayed two or three days longer than permitted, depending on whether the day of entry is counted as the first day.

I read that the first day of your stay may be counted as the day you enter the country, but I’ve also seen it described as “day zero.” In my case, I was technically at the airport on the 15th day, and my flight was scheduled to depart three hours after I arrived at the airport.

Therefore, if the calculation starts from the time I entered China, I may have overstayed by only a few hours. However, the immigration officer did not mention anything when I left, and I was able to return home without any problems.

Could this possible overstay be the reason my Chinese visa applications were rejected twice?

Hi everyone, I've always wanted to study in China at some point. I originally thought I'd go through a partner university exchange, but I've since decided that route isn't for me, and since I'm finishing my bachelor's this year, I've started looking into applying directly to a master's program in China, specifically Beijing Normal University (BNU) or East China Normal University (ECNU).

Have any of you studied in China? I'd love to hear what questions you wish you'd asked yourself before applying, and whether it was worth it in the end.

We recently took some visitors to Longhua Temple (龙华寺), and it reminded me why I like this place so much.

Among foreign tourists, Jing’an Temple (静安寺) and Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛寺) seem to be much better known. Longhua is less famous, but I actually think it offers a more interesting experience. And it’s free to visit, which is another plus.

One thing people often come for is the vegetarian food. The vegetarian noodles here are quite well known, and there can be a pretty long queue. There’s also a tradition of providing food for people who genuinely can’t afford it, so it’s not just a tourist food stop. Longhua Temple mooncakes should also start appearing around this time of year, they are really delicious!

What I particularly like is that you can do more than just burn incense and pray. The temple provides traditional brushes and paper for copying Buddhist scriptures. Sitting there and slowly writing character by character is genuinely calming, it feels a lot like meditation.

And then there are the cats.

There are quite a few cats around the temple, and you’ll often see them lying in front of every main hall, completely relaxed while people walk around or pet them. They seem to have fully adapted to temple life.

If you’re interested in seeing a different side of Shanghai, I’d definitely recommend spending some time at Longhua Temple. It feels less like ticking off a famous attraction and more like actually spending some quiet time in a working temple.

a lot of Chinese cities feel super copy-paste. You get a bunch of cheap looking apartment towers everywhere, then downtown it’s all LED skyscrapers and giant malls. Go a bit outside the city and there’s usually a mountain, and next to it some fake “ancient town” full of overpriced souvenirs and the same food street where everything is covered in chili and somehow still doesn’t taste that good.

there are exceptions, but after visiting like 1 or 2 cities, I feel like you’ve kinda seen the formula already.

Hi, I'm likely to be in Anshun for 2 days in April as part of a bigger tour and I want to visit the Huangguoshu waterfall + Huajiang Canyon Bridge, maybe in one day (possibly over 2 days). What is my best option - taxi, guided tour etc? Thanks in advance!

Visited Hongya Cave, an ancient fortress tucked away within the city!!
Yellow taxis are more eye catching
The food is very spicy. the hotpot is delicious but very spicy🌶️🌶️🌶️ Even though the weather is very hot, if I have the chance, I will come back...

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Where’s the best place you can recommend where we can experience snow (better experience) except Harbin.
We wanted to experience snow but not during the whole trip.

So I’m planning to travel to China in June 2027 and I have a quite ambitious itinerary:

Beijing (6 nights)
Datong (2 nights)
Pingyao (1 night)
Xi’an (3 nights)
Chongqing + Dazu Rock Carvings (3 nights)
Chengdu + Wulong Karst (3 nights)

I’m a bit nervous about the heat in Chongqing above all, I’m willing to stick it out for the adventure but I removed one night from the originally planned 4 nights. I must do some extra research but from what I’ve read three nights in each of those cities is enough, however I would like the opinion of people who have already been there!

After Chengdu I’m planning on taking a plane to Yuzhu in Qinghai and from there moving via bus along a few cities/towns until reaching Xining.

I am thinking of going to Beijing+Greatwall, xian, chengdu and chongqing for about 10 days. Transport by train/HSR. Is week 12-October (monday) still crowded ? Do a lot of locals take an extended holiday after the golden week?

I'm from the tropics. I'd like to avoid too cold temperature but also want to avoid the GW crowd.

When is the "safe" period?

In September when usually the crowd starts for GW? I know it's too rush.. so i think october is better . thank you.