For a first trip to China, travellers often want to see both China’s ancient and modern culture. Beijing and Xi’an offer the best way to explore the imperial and revolutionary past; while Shanghai presents a glimpse of the future.
Before we can climb up to the Great Wall of China and being randomly lost in the middle of nowhere which you don’t understand their native tongue, we (definitely) need to make some preparation.
Travel Duration : 7 days/8 nights
Total Budget : RM 2,000
Destination : 2 cities in Mainland China.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Xi’an (XIY) – Beijing (PEK) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
How to get there
The most common way to travel from Malaysia to Mainland China is by air flight. Yes you can be extra fancy to travel by train-bus-train, where you’ll get the chance to experience 3 country at once (Kuala Lumpur – Padang Besar – Bang Sue – Nong Kai – Vientiane – Kunming – Xi’an). Perhaps you’d prefer to be extra adventures travelling across the sea by cargo ship from Port Klang to Port of Tianjin. Bon Voyage gentlemen, keep your options open.
If you’re on a tight schedule and want to cut down the travelling time, you can hop on a flight directly from Kuala Lumpur. I’m lucky enough to get great deals from AirAsia during their promo, with RM 202 departing from KUL – XIY and 440 CNY (RM 271.88) returning from PEK – KUL. Total flight fare would be RM 473.88.
For travelling between Xi’an to Beijing, we’ve bought overnight sleeper trains in advance to because the sleepers are always in great demand and sold out within months earlier from the travel date. These overnight trains are good choices for long-distance train journey because they cost less, save the hotel expense, and free up daytime. Mine was Hard Sleeper Class and it costs me RM 200. There’s a few websites that are selling these tickets online which you can compare their fares.
- www.china-diy-travel.com (Promo code = OCTZK)
- www.chinahiglights.com
- www.ctrip.com
Chinese Visa
Now that you have your tickets ready, you are ready for a journey to the embassy to apply for your visa. China Tourist Visa is a mandatory for Malaysians traveling to Mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan.
The most convenient way but costly is to ask your Travel Agent to apply on your behalf especially if you are staying outside Kuala Lumpur. However, do allow 10 working days to apply via travel agent. On the other note, 4 working days are needed after submitting your passport for regular service. For a impatient-independent-young adult like me, we take a trip to the embassy by ourselves. *such determination*
The process is fairly straightforward, straight head to Level 5 floor office. The receptionist will check your documents and provide you a waiting number. During your turn, submit the relevant documents and they will give you a collection receipt.
Level 5 Hampshire Place Office is the place to submit your application form, while Level 6 is the place to collect your passport and make payment. You can pay by cash or credit card. Mine was RM 88 for Single Entry, with 30 days of duration stay.
- The Chinese Visa Application Service
Level 5 & 6, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Website : http://www.visaforchina.org/
Best Time To Explore
According to Lonelyplanet.com, China is a vast country with wide-ranging climatic conditions, so a decision about the best time to visit should be based on the regions you plan to visit and the kind of weather you’d enjoy.
During my visit between late February until early March, it was in the low season. Although the weather is colder, I save a few bucks on hotels, flights, and entry tickets (your student ID really help, guys!), and I avoid the tourist crowds. Really enjoyed myself in the beautiful scenery without any interference.
Dwellings around Huahuangcheng Reservoir, Huairou district, Beijing.
If there is any way to avoid visiting the diverse country, there is a specific time during which you should avoid stepping foot in China – Chinese New Year. Not only is each mode of transportation packed full, most shops, grocery stores and even some tourist attractions are closed during this holiday.
No matter what season of year, there is always a place in China that is worth visiting.
Last But Not Least!
1. The Great Firewall of China
First thing first, you need to understand while you’re in China you have to accept that some apps and websites such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (and recently WhatsApp); are blocked in China. Period. However, some Chinese, and many foreigners who live in China, use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to bypass the virtual barrier.
I’d recommend installing the VPN before traveling to China, because if you wait until you get to China, it will be more difficult to install the VPN app on your smart phone, as Google Play is blocked and the Apple App Store doesn’t let you download these apps when you’re in China.
Keep in mind that all VPNs get blocked by The Great Firewall from time to time. My best bargain would be download a couple of free VPN apps earlier and test them out once you’re in China. If they’re working perfectly, keep them!
2. Language barrier
You shouldn’t feeling down and lost for not able to communicate in their native language too much and having difficulties to read a text in Mandarin all over China.
Google Translator is your handy dictionary. Extract word text from the camera of mobile phone and provide translation instantly! Simply aim the camera lens at the word, the translated result will instantly show on screen. The best part, their language dictionary to translate are available offline! Just download the language you’d use and voilà!
3. Getting Around
Getting around the city is not a huge fuss. The rectangular shape of the city planning makes any walk and journey really easy. Either walk, hitch the Chinese tuk tuks, or hop into China’s own e-hailing platform Didi Chuxing. China Uber is a bit difficult for visitors to use there as the app no longer accepts foreign credit cards.
Personally, the best option getting around is by their underground railway. Need to bare in mind, the security is very tight everywhere, your belongings (even if you’re carrying bottled water along with you) need to be scanned first before entering any swarming places. Not just entering railway station guys!
By knowing what’s ahead you can organise better, be alert, and expect the unexpected (like the delicious-looking street foods along Muslim Quarters, Xi’an. YES.) Enjoy your trip by managing what you can with the time you have, because traveling or sometimes even planning a trip can be more of a stress. Embrace each moment, whether good or bad.
Read More : Xian – Beijing Itinerary
