China - a country of unforgettable travel experiences

The incredible stacks of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

You may visit many countries in the world, but only a few have an incredible range of travel experiences.

This is one of the reasons why China is such a revered travel destination with an undeniable mystique.

China offers so much, with incredible cultural diversity, jaw-dropping natural attractions and world-famous sites that draw millions of people from the western world.

With the most people of any nation, this is one big country, and there are plenty of destinations to try, from the plains of Tibet to the dazzling lights of Shanghai and everything in between. Here are a few reasons why China should be on your list.

A wealth of fascinating tourist attractions

I visited the Great Wall of China in December, and it was covered by thick cloud. Still, it was an absolutely fascinating visit.

The Great Wall of China is the biggest structure that has ever been created by man, with a length of 21,196 kilometers. It’s one of the most impressive landmarks on the planet, especially when you consider that construction began well over 500 years ago. It is one of China’s most famous attractions and many visit just to walk along one of its sections.

However, it is not the only destination in China, as the country has so many top attractions including Beijing’s Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, The Bund in Shanghai and the dramatic cliffs of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

It’s cheap to visit

Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing - if you want to see the best of Chinese architecture, this is one place you need to go.

It is good to know that China is an affordable country, and your yuan will stretch far when you compare it to prices in Northern Europe. When I stayed in Beijing, I paid approximately £53 ($74) per night for a huge hotel room. I also found supermarkets to be a lot cheaper than at home, and it was only in western chains such as Starbucks where things were priced like they are in the UK.

It’s a nice bit of balance as, when flying from Europe or North America, your flights will probably be a little more.

Easy-to-get visa

It is also pretty easy to get a tourist visa for China, and you just need to meet several basic requirements in order to complete the application successfully.

You’ll need to provide a valid passport, two additional photos of yourself, the invitation letter, and your previous Chinese visas if there are any. You will also need to fill application forms with your personal details, but that's usually that. It is nothing too complex or problematic.

There are additional costs and you may need to visit your local Chinese visa application centre. But, generally, it’s a straightforward process.