Historic monuments. Ancient wonders. Countryside villages. Bold, provocative cuisine. No matter what you decide to dive into, China spoils you for choice. Needless to say, narrowing down what to see and experience can be overwhelming for return visitors—much less first-timers. When you're finally ready to take the plunge, here are ten things to know before you go.To get more news about Shanghai travel tips, you can visit shine news official website.1. You’ll travel back in timeChinese technology and its economy continue to surpass western advancements, but if you’re a first-time visitor, the state of China’s cities and villages might surprise you. Sure, there are impressive, contemporary marvels like Beijing’s National Grand Theater and Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower, but then there are those 1980s high-rise residential blocks, old Chinese markets lost to time, and countryside villages whose pace of life and daily customs follow rules made generations ago. Prepare to move slower and observe the way locals interact to witness how the old-world exists in the modern day.2. It’s more than Beijing and ShanghaiWith so much to see, it can be easy to settle on an itinerary that hits all the major highlights—the pandas in Chengdu, the skyline of Shanghai, the Great Wall outside of Beijing—but you’re missing out if your trip ends there. For a peek at truly authentic Chinese culture, cuisine, and history, set aside time for the unexpected and explore smaller villages and provinces outside the major metropolises. Places like Guilin and Guizhou are renowned for their natural beauty, while Guangdong and Yalong Bay in Hainan have port-town appeal.3. The nature in the south is otherworldlyWe’re all familiar with northern China’s famous bamboo forests, home to the panda, but the country’s southern landscapes are an underrated highlight. Whether you’re looking to experience adrenaline-inducing adventure or observe varied topography in a more tranquil state, southern China offers both. Explore the ancient caves in Guilin, cruise down the Li River to marvel at the karst mountains, hike and rock climb in Yangshuo, meander the rice fields in Longsheng, or chase waterfalls in Guizhou. It’s less about the history here, and more about natural existence.4. A visit to minority villages is a mustNine percent of China’s total population is comprised of 55 ethnic minorities, who are often found residing in remote corners and living according to their familiar routines—ancient traditions passed down from generation to generation. You’ll find this way of life in the Basha Miao Village, informally referred to as the last gunman group, who, instead of village barbers, use knives to shave mens’ heads. You’ll also see it in the daily life of the Zhaoxing Dong people, whose culture revolves around song. Only in the past decade have some minorities opened their villages to tourists hoping to experience their traditions and interact through simple gestures; it’s a way for the locals to make additional money, which goes towards preserving their villages.5. Reasonably priced non-stop flights from the U.S. are not a mythWhile China Eastern and Air China are popular search results when booking a flight to Asia, Hainan Airlines—mainland China’s only five-star rated airline by Skytrax—offers direct, non-stop, and often affordable routes to Beijing and Xi’an from U.S. cities including Boston, Seattle, San Jose, L.A. and Chicago. (A roundtrip ticket from Boston Logan, for example, has run as cheap as $500 in comparison to $1,000 with Air China, which also includes a layover.) As a partner airline of the Fortune Wings Club, frequent flyers can also take extra comfort in knowing the thousands of miles accumulated on the journey will be applied to their account.6. The cuisine differs from region to regionAs is the case with many countries, Chinese food is not just its stereotypical western dishes (General Tsao; dim sum) found on our menus. The Chinese actually categorize these popular meals as Cantonese cuisine, popular to the southeastern province of Guangdong—one of the country’s eight regional cuisines. The other seven include Zhejiang and Jiangsu cuisines, whose sweet and light flavors echo those found in Guangdong cuisine; Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, both laden with red chili spice; Anhui and Fujian cuisine, which feature unique delicacies sourced from the sea and mountains; and Shandong cuisine, which focuses on fresh seafood.7. Download and install a VPN prior to boarding your flightThe Chinese government restricts access to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even Google, so if these apps are part of your daily life, it’s time to download a VPN—and do it in advance. Depending on the length of your trip, you may be able to obtain a free trial with ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If you plan on staying longer than the trial period, know that VPN services start at $6.99 per month to around $50 per year (depending on your preferred payment package). Just be sure to individually install and download the VPN on every device you plan on using to access these blocked applications while traveling.