A gap year in China
Gap years in China
Even if you’re a seasoned traveller, the enormity, diversity, and modernity of China will sweep you off your feet. A year’s barely enough to get to know its awe-inspiring cities, festivals and national parks. Whatever you want, you’ll find it here: witness traditional Chinese celebrations in Shanghai, eat world-class cooking in Hong Kong, and marvel at the historical wonder that is the Forbidden City. In fact, the main problem with choosing China for your gap year is that you’ll undoubtedly wish you were staying for longer!
Volunteer Projects
Whether you want to work with the protected Giant Pandas in Xi’an, teach English, or help in a Chinese summer camp – all these and more await you in China.
Getting Around
Modern China is a convenient place to travel – with super highways, city subways and regular public transport connecting the main cities and towns. The rail network is excellent, and you can catch a train to Vietnam, Moscow, or Mongolia if you wish to explore further afield. Buy your rail tickets in person at a station (with a passport), or reserve tickets online.
Places of interest
From the giant Buddha cut in the side of a cliff to Beijing’s magical Forbidden City, China is full of sensational attractions. Wherever you go, this huge country is sure to impress. Here are some highlights.
Shanghai and Hong Kong
Shanghai is like every other stylish city in the world – oh, except it’s also got temples, a 2-metre Buddha made from jade, and an infamous sex museum. Because it’s the centre for the cool and the chic, Shanghai offers a world of dining opportunities. You can sample Indian cuisine, traditional Chinese dumplings, or freshly-prepared eel – and why not?
Hong Kong is another of China’s unmissables: you could be overwhelmed by this giganticity, where historic architecture, gleaming commercial centres and museums rub cheek to cheek. The Lonely Planet guidebook declares plotting an itinerary is useless: the best way to experience Hong Kong is without a plan – and plenty of noodles along the way.
The Great Wall
Twelve centuries in the making, delightfully eccentrically arranged, and with some incredible vantage points, the Great Wall will probably be on your must-see list. Passing Beijing, climbing huge mountains, and skirting Inner Mongolia, the wall has been known to defeat many a tourist. As it was originally built to defend the North China provinces, there are watch towers dotted along its length, all of which provide excellent views and photograph opportunities. Take it a mile at a time – it’s no pub crawl!
Beijing and the Forbidden City
China’s capital Beijing is where political demonstrators used to converge but, lately, it’s more about mini-skirts and commuters. Smog, sky-scrapers, the tones of a hundred mobile phones – all the capital-city woes of the world are right here. But Beijing has plenty of excitement too: take in some Chinese Opera; explore part of the 60s-built Underground City; enjoy traditional sustenance at a Teahouse; marvel at the Lama Temple; or book a seat for the 2008 Olympics.
Right in the middle of Beijing you’ll find the Forbidden City, which was the domain of imperial emperors for almost 500 years. This enormous, walled ‘city’ is quite awe-inspiring: every stone tells a story about Chinese tradition and superstition. 9,999 rooms are arranged in a symmetrical design, and even entrances and exits were designated for different classes or leaders. It’s a fascinating place to find out more about the symbolism of pattern, colour and design in the ancient Chinese culture.
Dates for your calendar
Because the Chinese calendar is dictated by the waning of the moon, festival dates change from year to year. The world-famous Dragon Boat festival comes to the streets in the fifth month, bringing a riot of colour and entertainment (not to mention special dumplings). And of course there’s Chinese New Year, which falls in January or February, and is a source of much jubilation. After a thorough spring clean, Chinese families decorate their homes, and enjoy a New Year’s Eve feast. New Year’s Day is a time for visiting friends and family, with married couples handing out money in red envelopes to wish them happiness and prosperity. Fourteen days after New Year’s Eve, the Lantern festival – marking the conquering of the Jin dynasty in the 13th century – is heartily celebrated with lanterns, processions and drumming.