With a planned trip to Beijing in the near future, I decide with some reluctance to let my passport go for a Fed-ex ride to a Chinese visa service in Texas.

I am pleasantly surprised that my passport has returned to me 8 days later with a Chinese visa that is good for one year with multiple entries. The fees paid for this service and the company I used made this a hassle free, pleasant experience.

My total cost, about $200. $140 (Consular Fee – 3 To 4 Working Days), plus only a $25 service fee and about $30 for Express Shipping.

YWPW Visa service was great in providing email updates of the process and their website is very helpful for filling out the visa application even if you do not use their services.

Now with what I consider the difficult part over, it time to start doing some trip planning. The Great Wall and all the regular tourist sites are on the list. However, I would welcome your ideas and suggestions for more adventurous and unique things to see or do in all parts of China.

My request is intentionally left wide open as I now have a year and multiple chances to explore China. Share your unique experiences and I'll worry about the technical details of putting them into my “I have a year to explore China plan”.

do you need to arrive in china within 90 days of the issue of the visa.. many visas work that way?

rhkkmk,
For a US citizen here are the Chinese visas available

<i>US citizens may apply for a Single Entry (valid for 3-6 months), Double Entry (valid for 6 months), Multiple Entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) "L" Visa as needed.</i>

Try http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html - Kunming, Circling South for some less-visited destinations.

rhkkmk,

I do not think so.

But I will be in Beijing sometime before then.. Maybe even as soon as next week

HTraveler,

I think your answer implies that I won't have to arrive in China within the next 90 days.

I hope to make the most of my multiple entry visa so I can get the most bang for my buck!

Interestingly, Argentina charges the same amount for a visa but it is good for ten years

thursdayd,

Thanks for the link...

My answer doesn't imply anything that I intended. It just answers rhkkmk as to what types of China visas are available to US citizens.

Aloha!

peter--i don't see how that answers the question??

i did not see your last comment

HTraveler,

Allrighty Then ..

Thanks for clarifying your intended intentions

Any UNESCO World Heritage sites are generally outstanding. In terms of big cities, Beijing and Shanghai are enough. Everything else looks pretty much the same.

Check out natural sceneries that are unique to China:
* Guilin (river and karst--nice)
* Huangshan (very unique. Like working into a Chinese landscape painting)
* Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong (pretty but not as unique. scenery is similar to what you can find in other countries)

JC98,

Thanks for the info. I having been trying to find info on whitewater rafting but there does not seem to many options in the vicinity of Beijing.

I did see one place about 100km to the North.

Try southwest China, like Yunnan or Sichuan province for white water rafting. Spectacular wild landscapes in those regions. I've been to Sichuan, but not Yunnan (which is reputedly very beautiful and wild).

I've been to quite a number of cities in China, and I think it's sufficient just to see Beijing and Shanghai, some historical places that interest you, and spend the rest your time in natural places. Even cultural places with temples look about the same after you've seen a few. And in national parks, prepare to jostle with the crowd--millions of tourists everywhere.

Have fun planning!