Don’t make The Great Wall and The Terracotta Museum the only historic stops on your Chinese vacation. The country’s beautiful temples also shouldn’t be missed. China has so many temples you’d be hard pressed to see them all, but the following sites should make any tourist’s itinerary.

Lingyin Temple, or Temple of the Soul’s Retreat, in Hangzhou is the largest temple in China. This tranquil spot also houses one of the country’s largest statues of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, and a massive collection of Buddhist relics. Due to its size it can become very crowded during peak season, so be prepared to jostle your way through its many halls. Admission costs 30 yuan, or a little less than $5 US.

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven is one of the Chinese capitals most recognizable sites, as its image appears in many of the city’s tourist brochures and postcards. Most folks admiring the architecture don’t realize that the buildings actually had a more important historic purpose. Ancient Ming and Qing emperors would come here to offer sacrifices and pray for plentiful harvests. The complex is three times the size of the famous Forbidden City, so you can easily spend a whole day here, especially if you’re spending a lot of time snapping photos of its magnificent architecture. Admission costs 35 yuan, or a little more than $5 US, although you can save money with a grounds-only ticket for 15 yuan. Personally I think this is a time where it pays to spend a bit extra for the experience.

The Temple of Heaven, Beijing

The Three Pagodas at Dali are the last remaining remnants of the former Chongsheng Temple. The tiered towers stand between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. They’re beautiful, but once you’ve seen them you’ll be quickly satisfied. At around 120 yuan, or $18, entrance to the site is comparatively expensive. A smarter option is to spend a couple of extra dollars and see the Three Pagodas as part of a walking tour of Dali.

No doubt any Asian vacation will include much time spent taking in temples, but the historic buildings in China are still not to be missed.

[Image Source: Fang Guo/Flickr]

The Chinese city of Shanghai is made for tourists who want to shop ’til they drop.

Most of them will flock to the well-known shopping strips on Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Shopping City, and Huaihai Road. But you’ll find more interesting souvenirs and save some money for the rest of your Shanghai trip if you take the path less traveled and explore the under-appreciated Fuxing Road.

Start your shopping trip at the junction of Ulumuqi and Fuxing Roads, and travel west down Fuxing. That might seem daunting in a foreign speaking country, but Shanghai’s street signs are translated into English, and they happily give compass directions as well!

If you’re unsure how to get there, simply hail a taxi and tell the driver you want to visit “Woo-loo-moo-chee loo, foo-shing loo.” The word lu, which sounds like loo, is the Mandarin word for road. Make sure to leave at least two to three hours to explore the stores at your leisure. The last thing you want to do is rush down this beautiful leafy part of China!

It’s easy to miss your first stop, the Skylight Tibetan Gallery, as it’s tucked away down a couple of steps from the road. Look out for the distinctive yellow building, which sells gorgeous Tibetan goods including handmade silver, coral, and turquoise jewelry and cotton apparel. You won’t be able to bargain here but the prices are relatively affordable, particularly for the quality of the merchandise.

Then cross the road to visit Shanghai Trio’s workshop on Lane #37. Here you’ll find traditional Chinese textiles including purses, duvet covers, and clothes. Again there’s no bargaining, but older lines are often discounted.

Everyone loves to take home a T-shirt from their travels, and Urban Tribe is a great place to find one. Travel a few minutes down Fuxing Road to find the store which features hand-dyed cotton tees alongside photos of Asian landscapes, unique silver jewelry, and quirky pottery. Recharge your batteries with a cup of Chinese tea in the garden at the store’s rear.

Keep walking west on Fuxing Road to find SQ Décor. It’s a small store with plenty of attitude known for its modern interpretations of traditional Chinese crafts. Think brightly colored porcelain, funky glassware, and even the Chinese ancestor painting printed on throw-pillow cases!

Turn left and you’ll come to your final destination, Le Passage Fuxing. This revamped art deco building is now home to a couple more shops and the café Ginger. Chowing down on its Chinese take on tapas is a great way to end a busy day of shopping!

With Shanghai’s luxury hotels and bustling shopping districts, it’s pretty easy to spend a small fortune staying in this popular Chinese city.

But bargains can certainly be found in this busy Asian port if you know where to look.

The first key to saving cash is choosing the right time of year to visit. It’s a balancing act though. Accommodation is at its cheapest in winter, but the chilly temperatures and frequent rain can make visiting then unpleasant. Summer is the most expensive season to stay in Shanghai, but fall and spring provide the perfect balance between conditions and cost.

Luxury hotels similar to those you’d find in Europe or the United States have recently become common in Shanghai, but these options are very pricey. You’ll find more affordable rooms at university lodgings and on Nanjing Road. This is Shanghai’s most famous shopping district though, so avoid the temptation to spend up on the nearby stores!

Western style restaurants have filtered into Shanghai, but they’re often expensive. Instead eat as the locals do. Fast food restaurants serving regional treats like scallion pancakes and rice dumplings represent good value, as do the eateries on Yunnan Lu Gourmet Street. The street’s name makes it sound expensive, but with so many restaurants in direct competition the prices there are refreshingly reasonable. Also remember that like other Chinese cities, tipping is not expected in Shanghai.  

Shanghai has an affordable public transport system, with extensive bus and subway systems all designed to affordable get you where you want to be. But why not save your yuan and walk? The city is one of the easiest to navigate on foot in China.

By following these travel tips you should have a bit more yuan in your pocket than the average Shanghai tourist. With all that cash freed up, you might even be able to treat yourself to a meal of the city’s famous hairy crab, or a little shopping spree!

Beijing has long been regarded as one of the world’s most expensive vacation destinations, but the tide is turning.

When the city hosted the Olympic Games in 2008, a host of mid-priced accommodation options opened up to meet tourist demand. With the knowledge of these hotels in hands, and a little bit of local knowledge, a stay in the Chinese capital need not break the bank.

The Hai Dian district is close to Beijing’s university, so its accommodation is affordable for the youth that frequent the area. The Friendship Hotel and Xin Xing Hotel have all the leisure and business features you’d hope for at moderate rates. The Beijing Xin Ze Hotel is another affordable option that’s both clean and conveniently located.

Travelers will also not be disappointed staying in Dong Cheng, as historical sites are close at hand and the train station nearby. While there are some expensive accommodation options in this district, you’ll save money staying at the hostels and hotels north of Tiananmen Square. The City Central International Youth Hostel is another great option for budget travelers who value location.

Beijing’s restaurants are not as expensive as in many Asian tourist areas, so don’t be afraid to frequent them. In fact, choosing cheap food from Chinese street vendors could expose you to illness, so it often pays to indulge in well-cooked restaurant meals.

Beijing’s public transport system can be difficult for foreigners to navigate unless they’re familiar with the language. To ensure you get where you want to go and back again, ask your hotel concierge to write your destination on the back of a business card. You can then simply present this to a taxi driver on your way out, and do the same on the return journey.

You’ll certainly want to travel to some of the historical sites near the capital, as they’re amongst the world’s best. No trip to China would be complete without seeing The Great Wall. The most convenient viewing area from Beijing in Badaling Pass, located about 55 miles away. It’s a very touristy spot to see The Wall, but also a beautiful part of this monument. It’s worth spending the money for a cable car ride, as it will save your legs and provide an excellent aerial photo opportunity.

The Great Wall of China

The Forbidden City is also not to be missed, so don’t stress about the small entrance fee. It’s easily forgotten once you’re inside the majestic palace. Commoners were not permitted to enter the grounds for five centuries, so consider yourself lucky to visit!

Tiananmen Square may be one of Beijing’s greatest free attractions. Once it was a place of protest and civil unrest, but today this paved park is brimming with life. Spend time watching Chinese children flying elaborate kites, and help them with their English if they approach you. This place is all about simple pleasures, so lap them up without spending a cent!

The Shanghai Museum houses one of the most exciting and largest collections of artifacts in China, and best of all, entry is free.

The museum is a wonderful place for tourists to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, thanks to the stunning displays of calligraphy, and porcelain, bronze, and jade artworks. It’s easy to spend at least half a day exploring all four floors of this treasure trove, although parents may find they have trouble keeping children interested for that long.

While the building is stroller-friendly, it doesn’t have the kid-friendly exhibitions we see in so many of the world’s museum. If you have little ones, prepare for a few complaints.

The audio tour costs a few yuan, but it’s an investment worth making to get the most from your visit. The tour will highlight some of the most important artifacts on display and detail the background of these key pieces. While you’re thinking about additional costs, traveling exhibitions often stop at the museum. These are also affordable at around 20 yuan, but don’t feel pressured to see them, particularly if your time or budget is limited. The permanent collection is certainly vast enough to occupy frugal travelers.

The Shanghai Museum is located at #201 Renmin Avenue in Shanghai, at the southern end of People’s Square. You can take the subway to People’s Square and follow the signs, or tell your taxi driver to take you to “Shanghai boh-oo-gwan.” It opens daily between 9 am and 5 pm.

Tipping is a way of life for anyone living in North America or Europe. But in Asia the practice is less common, and the etiquette surrounding it can cause confusion.

This guide will tell you what gratuities are expected in Asia’s major tourist centers.

Tipping is most common in Thailand, where it is expected in all establishments that don’t apply a service charge to the bill. It’s typical to tip 10% of your restaurant bill, but you may give 15% for outstanding service. There is no need to tip Bangkok street vendors, or staff at food halls and noodle huts. Massage therapists and salon employees are also generally given 10% of your treatment cost as a tip. Thais tend to round up their taxi fare, offering the odd amount of baht as a tip, although you may be more generous if the driver helps you with your bags. Porters should also be tipped; while there are no rules for this 20 baht per bag is a good guide.

The Japanese consider the practice of tipping rude, so do not leave extra yen under any circumstances. Instead, reward good service by saying the appreciative phrase “gochisou sama deshita” with a smile.

Tipping is also restricted in Singapore, so keep your change in your pocket. Most large hotels and restaurants will add a 10% service charge to your bill, but workers in other establishments and taxi drivers will refuse any extra payment.

Tipping is not expected in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and The Philippines, but workers in these countries will not be offended if you leave a gratuity. Employees of hotels and restaurants in large cities are used to international tourists leaving tips, but the practice may confuse workers in smaller establishments. Don’t be surprised if they chase you to return your change!

While the Western concept of tipping is not practiced in India, the country has a similar custom called baksheesh. This idea encourages wealthy people to give to those less fortunate. Hotel porters will expect some rupees for their service. Restaurant staff won’t anticipate these kinds of kickbacks, but they’ll certainly appreciate a gift of 5-10% of the total bill.

As with most of the world’s capital cities, it’s very easy to spend money in Beijing. But travelers should resist the urge to be too frugal in the Chinese capital.

See also: China on a Budget. A little extravagance can be the best way to enjoy your Beijing vacation, and stay safe.

Food and drink are two areas where it pays to splurge a little. Scrimping could compromise your health, so be careful when buying from street vendors. When in doubt, you can generally rely on restaurants. The safest meals are piping hot, as the cooking process kills any lingering bacteria. Raw vegetables and unbottled water should be avoided. Even bottled water should be approached with caution; if its seal is broken, its quality cannot be guaranteed.

Beijing’s hectic pace can also make public transport difficult to navigate, particularly for anyone who doesn’t speak the language. Taxi drivers can get you where you want to go, and in most cases they’ll charge a reasonable price. If you aren’t fluent in Chinese, make sure you ask your concierge to write your destination in Chinese on the back of your hotel business card. You can reuse this card at the end of the day to return to your accommodation.

The Great Wall of China

And finally, don’t be so stingy that you miss out on the world famous attractions on Beijing’s doorstep. While you can see the Great Wall of China for free, it’s worth spending money on the cable car in Badaling. It’ll save your time and feet, and you can capture some breathtaking photos of the wall from the air.

And don’t let the small entry fee stop you from seeing The Forbidden City. The majesty of the palace, Imperial Garden, and Halls of Heavenly Purity and Supreme Harmony are worth more than the cost you’ll pay to see them.

Most of us spend money on lavish hotel suites when all we really need is a soft place to sleep.

Capsule hotels, which are springing up around Asia, help tourists save cash by only charging for the essentials.

The busy Asian country of Japan opened its first capsule hotel, the Capsule Inn, in Osaka in 1979. However today, capsule hotels can now be found in other tourist hot spots including China, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. Typically each fiberglass capsule measures a minuscule two meter by one meter. That isn’t a lot of space for living, but it should do for sleeping and soaking up the room’s high-tech facilities. Capsules typically have a small bed and power for operating its television, light, and alarm clock. To meet the demand from busy Asian businessmen, rooms also tend to have wireless internet access. There’s no space for bathroom facilities, but communal washrooms help travelers feel fresh.

A capsule hotel in Japan

Capsules are stacked side by side and one on top of the other, something like pet cages at a boarding kennel. Curtains or fiberglass doors help guests maintain their privacy, and luggage is stored in lockers to ensure it doesn’t clutter the capsules.

Given their tiny rooms, capsule hotels aren’t the place for bunkering down with a family, or even a significant other. But if you’re traveling solo and hoping to save cash, the affordability and novelty of these rooms can be appealing. Expect to pay between $10 and $25 US for a 10 hour stay, or a little more for a full day, far less than you will at a backpackers’ hostel or other budget room.

[Image Source: Lhoon/Flickr]

China can be one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, or one of the cheapest. Your experience all depends on the areas you visit, and what you do with your yuan when you get there.

Chinese money is called renminbi, of which the most popular unit is the yuan. Western travelers might equate this with a dollar, pound, or euro.

In some parts of China, the yuan goes by the name of kuai, jiao, or mao.

You'll need a lot of yuan if you hope to visit China's most popular tourist centers, including Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. There are ways to cut costs in these locations, such as staying in hostels and eating from the street stalls, but you'll pay for any luxuries. They key to traveling frugally in these places is to live as the locals do. Vendors in the markets are open to haggling, while prices are fixed when shopping in the large malls. Traveling by bus or bicycle can require careful planning, but it's much cheaper than getting around by taxi. Experiencing these cities in this way, you might expect to pay Y140 for you accommodation, and another Y140 for other daily expenses.

If you prefer to live it up, look to regional areas like Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Gansu, and even Tibet. Family run homestays and guesthouses offer rural hospitality for affordable prices. If you don't have far to go, it’s worth traveling "hard seat." It will make your bus or train ticket much cheaper, although it does get uncomfortable on very long journeys. Meals in these areas are generally reasonably priced, and you'll find some unexpectedly delicious dishes in the hole in the wall eateries. It's easy to spend less than Y25 on food in some of China's most remote locations, while your food bills may rise to between Y40 and Y70 a day in the more populated areas.

You can save cash anywhere by remembering that tipping is not expected anywhere in China. Many mid to top end eateries will sneakily get around this by adding a hefty service charge to your bill, but you shouldn’t have such a problem at more modest eateries.

Most travelers would not want to miss the excitement of China's big cities, and nor should they. But with many key attractions like The Great Wall of China and the historic Leshan Dafo Buddha lying further afield, it's certainly worth saving cash and spending some time out of China's big smoke.

Where will you ring in 2011? From fireworks at the Eiffel Tower to watching the ball drop in Times Square, the opportunities for revelry are endless (admittedly, most involve champagne and fireworks).

Celebrating the beginning of another year in another country is an experience you will never forget. Here are some top global New Year’s Eve celebrations to consider (as well as the expressions you’ll need to really get into the spirit!):

Brazil

Head to Copacabana Beach for one of the most impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the world. Dress in white (as is the Brazilian custom) and get to the beach early to enjoy the crowded revelry (and to find a place to watch the fireworks from).  (“Happy New Year” in Portuguese is “Feliz Ano Novo.”)

China

Solana Blue Harbor Shopping Park in Beijing hosts rock concerts and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. Be ready for massive crowds.  (“Happy New Year” in Chinese is “Xin Nian Hao.”)

Denmark

Copenhagen City Hall is definitely where you should be when the clock strikes midnight. Celebrate with the Danes while watching an impressive fireworks display. (“Happy New Year” in Danish is “Godt Nytår.”)

France

Parisians pack into the Champs-de-Mars (the large grassy area across from the Eiffel Tower) to witness a remarkable fireworks show (timed to music) when the clock strikes twelve. Bundle up or have some champagne to help you stay warm.  (“Happy New Year” in French is “Bonne Année.”)

Scotland

Edinburgh’s Princes street is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Have a drink (or several) in one of the many pubs and eateries in this area and then stumble out onto the street before midnight to witness the celebratory cannon shot followed by a fireworks display.

Portugal

Funchal Harbor on the island of Madeira (just off the coast of Portugal) hosts one of the world’s largest fireworks displays (it’s mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records). (“Happy New Year” in Portuguese is “Feliz Ano Novo.”)

Indonesia

Head to the Statue of Welcome fountain to watch fireworks during New Year celebrations in Jakarta. (“Happy New Year” in Indonesian is “Selamat Tahun Baru.”)

New Year's Even Fireworks over the Sydney Opera House (Australia)

Germany

The famous Brandenburg Gate is where you should go to see the most impressive fireworks display in Germany. (“Happy New Year” in German is “Ein Gutes Neues Jahr.”)

Taiwan

Have you ever seen fireworks explode off the top of a skyscraper? This is what you can expect to experience on New Year’s Even in Taipei City. They set off fireworks from the world’s tallest completed skyscraper, Taipei 101. (“Happy New Year” in Chinese is “Xin Nian Hao.”)

Singapore

Head to Singapore’s financial district to watch fireworks and welcome the New Year in style.  (You’ll be understood with “Happy New Year” in Singapore, but if you want to give it a whirl in Malay, it’s “Selamat Tahun Baru.”)

Australia

Fireworks explode each New Year’s at midnight over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House. A spectacular sight.

Don’t have the funds to jet off to an exotic locale for New Year’s Eve? Not to worry. You can still have an international experience (and shout the new expressions you learned) from the comfort of your own home. CNN and several other cable channels cover New Year’s celebrations from around the world.

Happy 2011!