I have been to Badaling before and what sticks out in my mind about the trip is not the wall; it is the trouble of finding a cab for the day, of negotiating a fair rate, and waiting as our car crawled along the highway in the infamous Beijing traffic…. In the end, the transportation costs alone were 800 RMB and the day at the wall we had planned wound up being more of a day in the car.

So this weekend I went out to explore an alternative route to the wall by taking the newly opened commuter train from the Beijing…

What to wear depends mainly on two things; when and where you are traveling. China’s weather varies tremendously with these factors. Winters in the far north are extremely cold and the summers are hot and dry. In the central regions along the Yangtse valley area winters are short, cold and wet whilst the summers are long, sticky and hot. In the southern regions the climate is hot and humid from April to September (when it is also the rainy season) and are affected typhoons between July and September. Winters are short but chilly. The north western desert regions are hot…

Chinese driving habits and style can be quite unnerving for the unsuspecting traveler. Drivers have a habit of honking the horn incessantly and speeding is not uncommon. Our drivers however are very experienced, safety conscious and carefully picked. Seat-belts are available in most cars and we strongly recommend you use them. In the unlikely event of your driver speeding or not conforming to normal safety standards, please raise the issue with your local guide immediately so he or she can correct the driver.

China is in an earthquake zone, and earthquakes of varying sizes do sometimes occur. Though the risk of an earthquake during your visit is minimal, for peace of mind you should familiarize yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake, and take note of earthquake-related instructions, e.g. in hotel rooms. If a strong earthquake occurs seek shelter under a sturdy table or under a door-frame. Do not immediately flee outside as you put yourself at risk of falling debris.

Floods and landslides are a recurring and devastating reality in China. Every year the country is hit by heavy flooding…

Before visiting China you should consult your doctor regarding the recommended vaccinations. The World Health Organization recommends that travelers to China have diphtheria and tetanus, hepatitis A and B, MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), typhoid, and varicella (if you haven’t already had chicken pox).

Malaria is still present in some of the rural areas of the southwestern regions (predominantly those bordering Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) and precautions are advisable if visiting these areas. General measures for Malaria prevention include use of topical repellents, mosquito netting, and avoiding standing water. Wearing long sleeved, light weight clothing is also helpful.

Rabies among animals is…

Internet is now widely available in China and can be found in all the major hotels and in the numerous Internet bars that populate the cities. It is advised, however, not to purchase any articles online or use online banking systems while in China due to recent digital theft of credit card numbers and codes. Computer systems outside the hotel can be quite unreliable at times and should not be relied upon for crucial work. Most tourist class and luxury hotels in the major cities now offer broadband internet in the room. You should take ample precautions to protect your…