Quick Mini-Breaks in China – Part 1

Desperate to get out of the city? Read on to learn more about the endless mini-break opportunities in China.

Granted, stealing away for a quick break in China is not as easy as in many other countries. But for most expats living in China, a short change of scenery can do wonders for the body and mind. And because long vacations are usually too few and far between, a quick little retreat may be just what is needed to reduce stress and relax away from a demanding lifestyle.

Because most expats don't have a private car to hop into and simply turn the key to set out on a weekend escape to freedom, some advanced planning is usually in order. A train or plane ticket must be booked, along with a hotel room.

To keep you stress free while planning your mini-getaway, China Health Insurance is happy to provide a running blog of some of the lesser-known gems to be seen and experienced in China.

Along the way, we will provide a quick introduction to the best sights in each location and a general overview of accommodations and travel arrangements. But there’s nothing wrong with doing a bit of your own research as well - planning can be a great way to get excited for an upcoming vacation.

For now, here is a list of three quick mini-breaks inside China that we feel are well worth considering. Check back frequently for more getaway ideas, because this blog will be added to regularly.

Yangshou

Yangshou is the picturesque village surrounded by jutting limestone spires and stair-stepped rice paddies that everyone thinks they will see when visiting Guilin, though Guilin actually lies about 80 kilometers north. In effect, Yangshou is the scene on the back of the 20RMB note, while Guilin gets all the credit through very little effort.

What this means for anyone trying to escape the hustle of daily life is that, while Yangshou is not undiscovered by any means, it is still much less crowded than it’s more famous counterpart. And anyone who has traveled in China knows the value of avoiding crowds. A useful tip is to go out early in the morning, when it can be possible to net a few hours of peace in nature with almost no one around.

Not a modern metropolis by any means, what Yangshou does have in spades is charm. Small shops, local restaurants, and narrow streets abound, all just a short walk away from some of China’s most iconic scenery. Yangshou is the perfect reminder that not all of China is about consumerism and capital growth.

Accommodations are varied and able to accommodate any budget, from backpacker hostels to mountain resorts. And while Yangshou is getting more popular every year, this just means that it should be seen sooner rather than later. Getting there can be an adventure, but the best method is to fly into Guilin and then book a boat that sails down the Li River to Yangshou town, or if water levels are low, just catch a bus.

Huangshan

Mystic Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's most famous natural landmarks. Admittedly, this sounds like a recipe for masses of domestic tourists and obnoxious, megaphone-wielding guides herding geriatric travelers between scenic overlooks for a quick photo as proof they were there (yes, this does happen, particularly around national holidays and weekends), but going midweek can find the place nearly empty.

The views from atop Huangshan, or any of the other surrounding peaks, are absolutely breathtaking any time of year, but arriving before sunrise is the best time to see the “sea of clouds” that the mountain is famous for. And it is one of the few times that getting out of bed that early while on holiday is totally worth it.

Aside from the views from the top of Huangshan, there is also nearly endless hiking and exploring to be done in the surrounding nature preserve area; hiking that could easily take up a few weeks. For the less energetic there is also a cable-car that runs from the entrance to the top of the mountain to make conquering the climb effortless.

For a short trip, book into one of the small hotels near the entrance of the park. During low tourist season rooms are cheap and plentiful, so just ask to see a room and then bargain a price. Getting to any location in Anhui Province takes effort, Huangshan included, but the investment is worth it. Daily flights to and from Shanghai, Xi'an, Beijing, and Guangzhou are available, but transit between most other locations will require a bus ride.

Macau

Since the our first two mini-break suggestions are decidedly more outdoorsy, here is a place that is very easy to get to and quite urban; it has something that will appeal to anyone, yet a surprising number of expats have still never visited this vacation spot: Macau. 

Unlike ever-popular Hong Kong, Macau is not a major financial or business center. But, if anything, it retains even more of its colonial-era vibe. Portuguese architecture and relics abound, and could keep any amateur photographer or history buff busy for a few days visiting the fortress, plaza, and museums.

Also worth a mention is the food. Macanese cuisine is some of the earliest fusion-style cooking in the world, owing its roots to Portuguese settlers and Cantonese locals collaborating to create flavors that merge both cultures’ ingredients, tastes and methods seamlessly. Also available are some fantastically authentic Portuguese restaurants that continue to serve authentic old world comfort food without the kitsch and compromise so often found in western restaurants in Asia - it is actually possible to forget, for a while, that you’re not in Europe.

For anyone wanting a faster paced getaway, Macau won't disappoint. Known as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” it is actually the biggest gambling center in the world (maybe Vegas should get ready to adopt the moniker of “America’s Macau”). And besides gambling, options inside the casinos include world-class shopping, shows and dining.

Getting to Macau is very easy, with daily flights connecting to every part of China; or, take a fast ferry from Hong Kong and simply see it for a day.

Check back soon for our next three locations: Hangzhou, Lhasa and Sanya