Wanderlust - 04.2020

wanderlust.co.uk April 2020 141

READER TIPS DISCOVER

Beattheblock

China

“If Facebook, Google and Instagram

are your thing, then you should make

sure that you set up a VPN before

departing – they are almost always

blocked in China.”

Bob Turner

Local hero

Beijing

“Peking duck is a must when in

Beijing, as is a visit to the Muslim

Quarter – it’s a fabulous insight into

the ancient city. It’s also worthwhile

visiting Tiananmen Square when

they raise the lag at sunrise.”

Ian Mullen

Upthewall

Beijing,China

“InBeijing,avisittothe

GreatWallofChinais

amust.Therearedi„erent

sections,though–Badaling

isthemostcrowded,

Jinshanlingisthemost

beautiful,whileSimataiis

notfullyrestored.Don’t

travelonanationalholiday,

though–thesectionsare

packedwithlocaltourists.

Wear‰lat,comfyshoes,too,

asthestepsaresteep.”

KimLooi

and you get an instant translation.
It’s a real godsend when you want
to ind out what’s on the menu, and
for making other translations, too.”
Karen Day

Ride the rails
Shanghai
“If you ly into Shanghai, you should
take the Maglev train into the city – it
reaches speeds of up to 268mph.
Take the bullet trains between major
cities, too – they are reasonably
priced and cover vast areas. If you’re
going to Xi’an to see the Terracotta
Army, be aware that very little English
is spoken anywhere, even in hotels.”
Angella Willis

Seasideshenanigans

Shandong

“I recommend visiting Penglai,

a seaside city in Shandong. It has

a pretty, ancient temple complex,

and it’s important in Chinese

mythology as the site where the

Daoist Eight Immortals left to ind

the lands of eternity.”

Lorna Roberts^

Go the extra mile

China

“Download DiDi before you arrive in

the country – the app is the most

popular way to hail a taxi in China;

it’s so convenient.”

Bing Han

Visit wanderlust.co.uk

to submit your tips.

Next month’s topic is:

Hidden islands

Chinese crash course

Beijing, China

“China is wonderful, but if you

don’t know Mandarin, you might

need a guide. To explore the

history and culture, go to Beijing,

rather than the more modern

Shanghai. Visit a traditional tea

house, then go to a temple and

have your fortune told outside it.

Then join the queue for the

unusual experience of seeing

[Chairman] Mao’s body – don’t

forget your ID, though, or they

won’t let you in!”

Carol Fray