Where To Go
Where you go when you travel to China depends on your interests. Do you want to spend more time in Chinese cities to get know life in urban China today? Or do you prefer landscape and scenic regions that are more natural and exotic? Or maybe you enjoy more hiking through countryside to glimpses of life and customs in rural China?
Also, where you go on a trip in China also depends on the amount of time you have to spend in the country. If you're on an extended stay, you may choose to visit a few remote and out-of-the-way places. If, on the other hand, you intend to stay for just a few days, it may be the best for you to make the leading attractions in the country your top priority.
Whatever your interests and circumstances may be, the following is a list of the generally recognized most important travel destinations in China. Evidently the places are known for different qualities and many of them are so large that it is really a matter of what you make of your visit while you're there. In any event, here are the top considerations when you plan your tour of China: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guilin, Xian, Hangzhou, Lhasa, Mt. Huangshan (Anhui Province), Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan Province), the Three Gorges (Yangzi River), Lijiang-Lake Lugu-Shangri-La (Yunnan Province), Zhangjiajie (Hunan Province), Dunhuang-Silk Road (Gansu Province and Xinjiang Region), Mt. Emei and Mt. Qingcheng (Sichuan Province), Sanya (Hainan Province), Mt. Tai-Qufu (Confucius' hometown, Shandong Province).
How to Travel in China
Essentially, when you tour China, you have two options: either join in guided tour or travel independently. Evidently, for a foreign visitor, traveling with a guided tour group makes things much easier. Transportation and accommodation are all arranged for you; location logistics are taken care of; the guides will explain to you what you're seeing, and you'll make efficient use of your time in China (well, perhaps with the exception of the part in which the guides take you to some souvenir shops that they're connected...). The shortcoming of touring with a led group is of course that there is not much flexibility or freedom in your itinerary.
Traveling independently takes some adventurous spirit, forbearance and the ability to adjust to an environment that is sharply different from where you're from. Among other matters, you'll have to arrange your own transportation and accommodation, which may prove to be challenging depending where you're. Still, with the general improvement of conditions in the country, traveling in China independently is doable. The country is generally safe, the people are friendly and easy going, and, with the wide use of electronic communication, you can easily get in touch with someone if you find yourself in some kind of difficulties.
Actually, in addition to touring with a guided group and going completely on your own, there is a third way to travel in China, which a compromise between the two methods described above. Nowadays some travel agencies would book your trip for you (flights, trains, hotels, etc.) and then let you to go on your own trip. You'll still have to travel within a pre-set time frame, but you can decide, for example, how much time you want to spend at a particular site or where you want to have your lunch...
Health and Safety
As noted above, it generally safe for foreigners to travel in China. Violent crimes again foreigners are rare. Most crimes are property-related, meaning thefts, especially pickpocketing. When you travel in China, you should watch your belongings closely, especially the items that you would ill-afford to lose, such as your travel documents.
The most common issue related to traveling in China is diarrhea. You should avoid food that may not be clean and bring with you necessary medicine. Pills such as Imodium will help you deal with the symptoms if you do run into stomach problems. If you need regular medication, you should bring your own medicine with you. Medical service in China is decent and hospitals and clinics can be easily found, especially in urban areas, but medicine used are often different, and, given the language barrier, you may not be very well describe your case to the doctors.
Eat at clean restaurants and eat cooked food. Don't drink unboiled tap water; take bottled water or drinks instead.
Visa
You need to a visa to enter Mainland China. People from most countries can visit Hong Kong and Macao for extended periods of time without visa, but this does not apply to Mainland China. Citizens of a very small number of countries can visit cities such as Shanghai or Shenzhen visa-free for a short period of time, but for the great majority of foreigners, you need a visa to enter Mainland China.
There are different types of visa - business visa, students' visa, tourist visa, etc. The tourist visa is called L Visa. A single-entry L Visa gets a visitor a stay up to 30 days in China. You can apply for your China visa at the Chinese embassy/consulates closest to you. You can also apply for your visa in Hong Kong, which should be ready for you in a couple of days if you rush your service. Visa application Fees vary, roughly in the amount of US$130. To apply for your visa, you need a passport (with at least 6 months of valid time on it), a photograph, and a filled-out visa application form. You may also be asked to show evidence of your round-trip air tickets and hotel reservations.
Good luck. Enjoy your visit to China!