Posts Tagged ‘china’

Travel to Hong Kong: Top 10 Things to See and Do

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Looking to check Asia’s most densely populated megalopolis off your life list of must-visit cities?  December’s dry, sunny days and cool, comfortable nights make it the perfect time to visit.

Haven’t made your travel plans yet?

Don’t worry, there’s still time.  You’re job – pack your bags and book a flight.  Our expedited passport and visa services will make sure you’re cleared for take-off, and once you land, our Top 10 List of Hong Kong Attractions will take care of your itinerary.

Visit the Tian Tan Buddha

Measuring 112 feet tall, and weighing 275 tons, The Tian Tan Buddha is the world’s tallest outdoor, seated Buddha.  The monument is located on scenic Lantau island, and is open from 9am to 6pm daily.  While you’re there, take time explore The Wisdom Path, an outdoor monument to one of the world’s best known prayers, the heart sutra.  Find the path near the Tea Gardens located just west of the statue.

Eat Dim Sum

Maybe you’ve eaten Dim Sum, but you’ve never eaten dim sum like this before.  The Cantonese version popular in Hong Kong traditionally includes pork and mushroom filling, and when prepared properly, is oh-so moist and delicious.  Top Dim Sum restaurants include Cuisine Cuisine and City Hall.

Go Hiking
If you think Hong Kong is only bright lights and tall buildings, think again.  Hong Kong’s surrounding wilderness areas are home to some of the best hiking in all of Asia.  Some of the more popular trails include the MacLehose Trail in Sai Kung Country Park and the Dragon’s Back on Hong Kong Island.

Horse Racing at Happy Valley
Even if your not a gambler, the frenetic energy of frenzied Hong Kongers cheering on their horses is more than worth the visit.  Most meets take place on Wednesday nights, but its best to check in advance as the schedule is constantly changing.

Temple Street Night Market
Enjoy tasty bites from food stalls while you peruse the seemingly infinite row of vendors hawking goods of dubious provenance, all under the burnt incandescent glow of Hong Kong’s most exciting night market.  Located in the Jordan and Yau Ma Tei areas in Kowloon, the market is easily accessed from the MTR.

Visit a Temple

Part of Hong Kong’s enduring charm is its ability to combine that which is starkly modern with that which is historic and timeless.  In no way is this fusion better experienced than in one of more than 600 Chinese temples, many dating back over 700 years.

Visit Macau

Legendary shopping, dining, and gambling await at what is considered Asia’s answer to Las Vegas.  Macau is located about one hour away from Hong Kong by high-speed hydrofoil, and the ride alone is worth the trip.  Not into casino’s?  Take time to explore the areas historic town squares and gray-sand beaches.

Victoria Peak
If you could take just one snap shot home from your trip to Kong Kong, it would be the view from Victoria Peak.  Come about a half hour before sunset to see the daylight slowly fade into the electric multicolored luminescent spectacle that is Hong Kong at night.  Reach the peak via the Peak Tram, a 120 year old funicular railroad that departs from Garden Road.

Ride the Star Ferry

Enjoy views of the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area on your trip between Hong Kong and Kowloon, across the Victora Harbor.  The trip only takes about ten minutes and costs $0.28 each way.  If you can, try to ride the ferry around 8pm to catch the Symphony of Lights Show, including light, laser, and firework displays.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum
This beautiful museum is dedicated to providing comprehensive exhibitions on the art, history, and culture of Hong Kong.  Permanent galleries including the New Territories Heritage Hall, Children’s Discovery Gallery, T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, and Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall.  The museum also features many rotating exhibits.

Have your own must-see attraction or exciting Hong Kong travel tale?  Share it with us!  We’d love to hear from you!



Want to Visit the Great Wall of China? Apply for a China Visa Today!

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

The Great Wall of China is surely one of the most incredible structures ever built. This remarkable monument has enthralled tourists from across the world for decades and is surely one of the highlights on any trip to China.

If you would like to head to China and see the Great Wall, make sure you get your passport early. We offer a passport application service for US travelers, and if you end up leaving your application to the last minute we also offer a passport expediting service.

You’ll also need a visa if you’re heading to China, and you’ll need the visa for China before you leave the US. Let us take care of your visa for you so you know there won’t be any problems on arrival. You can find more about our China Visa Service.

History of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China was first built in the 7th century BC as a protective barrier along the northern border of the country, and work continued on it right up until the 16th century. It stretches for over 5,000 miles all the way from Shangaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. Despite the popular belief that it can be viewed from space, there has never actually been any proof of this.

Best Places to See the Great Wall

The Great Wall is made up of lots of smaller walls, trenches, lookout towers, and natural defenses such as hills. As it is so vast, the first thing many tourists want to know is where they should visit it. As most tourists head to Beijing at some point in their trip, the following options are all located near to the city.

Badaling is by far the most popular spot to visit the Great Wall. Located very near to Beijing, the area is easily accessible and the wall has also been restored. All of this means there are more tourists here than at most other locations.

If you want to get further away from the tourist hoards then you could head to Mutianyu. This is about an hour from Beijing, and is therefore less busy. The wall is about 1.4 miles long here, and you can go up to the top in a cable car.

Further still is Simatai, about 2.5 hours from Beijing. Here you will find some impressive watchtowers, and it is also the starting point for the 7.5 mile trek to Jinshanling. It is hard going but is definitely one of the best ways to see the wall.

Get Your Passport and Visa Now

If you’re heading to China or Beijing, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Great Wall. Get your passport and visa today using our speedy and affordable service, and you could soon be on your way.



Apply for a US Passport and China Visa and Head to China’s Forbidden City

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Boasting a vast array of natural and manmade treasures, it’s easy to see why China is fast becoming the destination of choice for many US travelers. One of China’s main attractions is the Forbidden City, and incredible complex of ancient palaces, towers, and squares that’s right up there on the ‘must see’ list.

China Passport and Visa Information

If you want to head to China to see the Forbidden City, you’ll need to prepare for your trip. China requires a visa for all US travelers, and you’ll need to get this before you leave the country. Use our china visa service to arrange your visa before you leave the United States and we’ll make sure you won’t have any problems.  We can get your visa in 24 hours if need be!

You’ll also need to ensure you have a valid passport for your journey. Let us take care of the application process for you and we’ll make sure it all goes smoothly. Left it to the last minute? Don’t worry, we also have a passport expediting service meaning we can get your passport to you within a day.

 

The Forbidden City: Biggest Palace in the World

There are 980 surviving buildings in the Forbidden City, including 70 palaces and halls and over 8,700 rooms spanning 720,000 square meters. However, it is all essentially one palace, making it the biggest in the world.

Construction on the Forbidden City began in 1406 during the Ming Dynasty. Work finished in 1420, and it was then used to house 24 emperors over five centuries up until the Qing Dynasty. Now it is primarily a tourist attraction for the 8 million tourists who pass through its gates each year.

The exquisite Chinese palatial architecture is immaculately preserved. Due to its size, beauty, and historical importance, the Forbidden City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. What’s more, seeing as it’s located right in the center of Beijing there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to explore this ancient architectural delight on your trip.

 

Planning your Trip

November is a great time to head to the Forbidden City. The holiday season is coming to an end so there will be fewer tourists around, and the weather is pleasant and mild. So get your passport and china visa now using our quick and convenient service, and head to China for an experience you won’t forget.



China Embassy closed on Thursday Oct 1 and Friday Oct 2

Monday, September 28th, 2009

China Embassy closed on Thursday Oct 1 and Friday Oct 2 due to a national holiday and will not be accepting applications during this time period.



China Visas now processing Same Day Visa applications

Monday, August 24th, 2009

The China Embassy has no resumed processing of Same Day China Visas.  The applicant must be traveling within 3 business days of the application being submitted, otherwise processing will take longer.  For more information, http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/china.asp

Purpose of Visit  Visa Required  Entries    Max Stay   Validity  Processing Time    Embassy Fee   Our Fee   Notes
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Same Day) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days Same Day $ 160 $ 99  
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Rush Service) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days 3 days $ 150 $ 69  
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Standard Service) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days 5 days $ 130 $ 59  
                 
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Same Day) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days Same Day $ 160 $ 99  
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Rush Service) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days 3 Days $ 150 $ 69  
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Standard Service) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days 5 Days $ 130 $ 59