Teacher: So, I’m thinking of visiting China this year. Anna has a few trips planned already, but I’ll encourage her to add China to the list. We’re not getting any younger!
Randy: That sounds great! You and Anna will love it.
Teacher: I’ve been looking at flights and hotels. Look at this—flights from Orlando to Beijing are as low as $317 one way, depending on the time of year. That’s about what we spend on groceries in a week!
Randy: That’s a good price! My dad told me a tip: sometimes it’s cheaper to fly to Tokyo or Seoul first and then book a flight from there to China.
Teacher: Great idea! I checked, and flights from Tokyo to Beijing are about $190. Not bad at all.
Randy: Hotels in Beijing can also be affordable. Near my home, there’s a Holiday Inn for only $58 a night. It’s clean and nice, even if it’s not as fancy as places like the Four Seasons.
Teacher: That’s perfect because we won’t spend much time in the hotel anyway. The Four Seasons is luxurious, but $1,300 for a package deal is too much for us. Holiday Inn sounds better.
Randy: You might not even need a hotel. My family would love to host you. You just need to bring your passport.
Teacher: That’s very generous! Speaking of passports, I saw that Americans can visit China for up to 144 hours without a visa if they have a connecting flight. That’s helpful for a short trip.
Randy: Yes, it’s called the 144-hour visa-free transit. But if you want to stay longer, you’ll need a tourist visa.
Teacher: Good to know. Now, what’s the best time of year to visit?
Randy: Spring and fall are the best. The weather is pleasant, and there are fewer tourists.
Teacher: Great. Now, what should we see? Beijing is full of famous places.
Randy: You should visit the Great Wall, of course. The Mutianyu section is less crowded and has amazing views.
Teacher: Definitely! What else?
Randy: The Forbidden City is a must-see. It’s huge, so plan to spend a few hours there. You can also visit the Summer Palace. It’s beautiful in the spring.
Teacher: Those sound amazing. And I’ve always wanted to see the Terracotta Army in Xi’an.
Randy: Xi’an is a little far from Beijing, but you can take a high-speed train. It only takes a few hours.
Teacher: Perfect. That sounds like a plan. What about food?
Randy: You should try Peking duck in Beijing. It’s very famous. And for snacks, visit the Wangfujing Snack Street. You’ll find all kinds of local foods.
Teacher: Delicious! I’m even more excited now. I’ll talk to Anna and start planning.
Randy: Let me know if you need any help. My dad can send you more tips or materials.
Teacher: Thank you, Randy. You’ve been so helpful. I’ll see you in class next time!
Recommendations for the Trip
- Beijing Highlights:
- Great Wall (Mutianyu section): Stunning views and fewer crowds.
- Forbidden City: A vast palace complex full of history.
- Summer Palace: Beautiful gardens and architecture, especially in spring.
- Food to Try:
- Peking duck at a famous restaurant.
- Street snacks at Wangfujing Snack Street.
- Other Cities:
- Xi’an: Take a high-speed train to see the Terracotta Army.
- Shanghai: Visit The Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower for modern sights.
Vocabulary Words
- Encourage (en-KUR-ij): To give support or confidence to someone.
- Affordable (uh-FORD-uh-buhl): Reasonably priced.
- Luxurious (lug-ZHOOR-ee-uhs): Very comfortable and expensive.
- Package deal (PAK-ij deel): A travel offer that includes flights, hotels, and other services.
- Generous (JEN-er-uhs): Willing to give or share more than usual.
- Visa (VEE-zuh): Official permission to enter a country.
- Transit (TRAN-sit): The act of passing through a place.
- Terracotta (ter-uh-KOT-uh): A type of baked clay used for making statues.
- Snacks (snaks): Small amounts of food eaten between meals.
- High-speed train (HY-speed trayn): A fast train that travels long distances quickly.
