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China (中国; Zhōngguó) is one of the world's oldest civilizations. Its long and rich history is present in people's thinking and values, and in the art, architecture, and feats of engineering that remain from dynasties past.
China's hierarchy of administrative divisions has 22 provinces (省 shěng) which tend to have their own cultural identities, and 5 autonomous regions (自治区 zìzhìqū), each with a designated minority ethnic group. These along with four municipalities (直辖市 zhíxiáshì) make up what is known as mainland China (中国大陆 Zhōngguó dàlù).
Northeast China (Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang) Historically known as Manchuria, the Northeast is a land of steppes, vast forests, and long snowy winters. Culturally influenced by Russia, Korea, and Japan, it contains a mix of modern cities and "rust belt" industrial towns.
North China (Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin) The plains of North China around the fertile Yellow River basin were the cradle of Chinese civilization. It has been the political center of Chinese empires for millennia, and is home to the modern capital, Beijing.
Northwest China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang) A historical borderland, with grasslands giving way to deserts and mountains, and with the ancient Silk Road connecting China to Europe.
Southwest China (Tibet, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou) A region with spectacular scenery, and a backpacker haven.
South-central China (Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi) Yangtze River Basin area, farms, mountains, river gorges, temperate and sub-tropical forests.
South China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan) Traditional trading center, manufacturing and tech powerhouse.
East China (Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian) The "land of fish and rice", traditional water towns, and China's new cosmopolitan economic center.
Some cities and other destinations:
Here are nine of China's most interesting cities for travelers. Others are listed in region articles.
1 Beijing (北京) — the capital, cultural center, and home of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and other important historical sites
2 Chengdu (成都) — capital of Sichuan province, known for tingly-spicy food, and home of the giant pandas
3 Guangzhou (广州) — one of the most prosperous and liberal cities in the south, near Hong Kong, and main center of Cantonese culture
Li River near Guilin
4 Hangzhou (杭州) — built around West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and southern terminus of the Grand Canal
5 Harbin (哈尔滨) — capital of Heilongjiang, which hosts the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival during its bitterly cold winters
6 Kashgar (Chinese: 喀什, Uyghur: قەشقەر) — center of Uyghur culture, with a beautiful and well-preserved old town, and the famous Id Kah Mosque
7 Nanjing (南京) — the capital during the early Ming Dynasty and Republic of China era, a renowned historical and cultural city with many historic sites
8 Shanghai (上海) — China's largest city, famous for its riverside cityscape, a major commercial center with many shopping opportunities
9 Xi'an (西安) — the oldest city and ancient capital of China, terminus of the ancient Silk Road, and home of the terracotta warriors
You can travel to many of these cities using the new fast trains. In particular, the Hangzhou - Shanghai - Suzhou - Nanjing line is a convenient way to see these historic areas. Other destinations
Some of the most famous tourist attractions in China are:
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Great Wall of China (万里长城) — longer than 8,000 km, this ancient wall is the most iconic landmark of China
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Hainan (海南) — a tropical paradise island undergoing heavy tourism-oriented development
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Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve (九寨沟) — known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colourful lakes and as the home of the giant pandas
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Leshan — most famous for its huge riverside cliff-carving of Buddha and nearby Mount Emei
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Mount Everest — straddling the border between Nepal and Tibet, this is the world's highest mountain
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Mount Tai (泰山 Tài Shān) — one of the five sacred Taoist mountains in China, and the most-climbed mountain in China
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Tibet (西藏) — with a majority of Tibetan Buddhists and traditional Tibetan culture, it feels like an entirely different world
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Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟) — these mountain-side caves and recesses number more than 50, and are filled with 51,000 Buddhist statues
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Guilin karst (桂林) — sensational mountain landscapes that have long been the subject of Chinese paintings
Visa-free entry
Citizens of the Armenia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Maldives, Mauritius, Qatar, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Suriname, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates do not need a visa to visit mainland China for up to 30 days.
Citizens of all countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the PRC may visit 10 cities in Guangdong, namely Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou and Shantou, without a visa for up to 144 hours (6 days) provided they join an approved group tour from Hong Kong or Macau, and do not travel beyond those 10 cities.
Citizens of all ASEAN countries may visit Guilin, Yangshuo and Longsheng without a visa for up to 144 hours (6 days) provided they join an approved group tour, enter and exit mainland China via Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, and do not travel beyond those 3 cities.
Citizens of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom (British citizen only) and the United States may visit Hainan without a visa for up to 30 days, provided they enter and exit Hainan directly on an international flight (including flights to/from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and do not travel outside the province. You will need to register with an approved Hainan-based travel agency at least 48 hours before arrival, and you will need to submit your passport details, roundtrip tickets, itinerary and hotel bookings for each night you plan to stay in Hainan as part of the registration process.
Everyone else requires a visa.
Visas
Visa policy overview
China offers the following visas to citizens of most countries:
L visa - tourism, family visits
F visa - business trips, internships, short study
Z visa - working, 30 days during which you should get a residence permit
X visa - study more than six months
S1 visa - dependent family members of a Z (work) visa
Q1 / Q2 visa - for expats married to a Chinese citizen or green card holder
G visa - transit
If you need a visa, in most cases, it must be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate before departure. Visas for Hong Kong and Macau may be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate, but they must be applied for separately from the mainland Chinese visa; there is no visa that serves both mainland China and either of those areas. A single-entry mainland China visa is terminated if you go to Hong Kong or Macau, so ensure that you have a multiple entry visa if you plan to return to mainland China.
You must submit your fingerprints during the visa application process. Children under 14, and senior citizens over 70 are excepted. Your fingerprints may also be taken when you enter China.
30-day single- or double-entry visas for the mainland can sometimes be acquired in Hong Kong or Macau. You can generally fly from overseas to Hong Kong and spend a few days there to get a visa for the mainland. This is supposed to be available only to residents of Hong Kong or Macau. Exceptions are often made but they vary over time, and are not reliable. Macau's visa office is less crowded and the hotels are a bit cheaper, but it takes just as long. In general, only single- and double-entry visas are granted to visitors without Hong Kong ID cards, although foreigners with previous entries into the mainland and Hong Kong student or work visa holders have been known to be approved for multiple entries. Many Hong Kong travel agencies (such as China Travel Service) offer a faster visa turnaround service for a fee. In addition, a travel agency has some capacity to negotiate on the length of your visa. You might apply for a one-year visa and have that rejected; however, they may well be able to get a 6-month visa for you instead.
Getting a tourist visa is fairly easy for most passports as you don't need an invitation, which is required for business or working visas. The usual tourist single-entry visa is valid for a visit of 30 days and must be used within three months of the date of issue. A double-entry tourist visa must be used within six months of the date of issue. It is possible to secure a single, double, or multiple entry tourist visa for up to 60 days or, less commonly, 90 days for some citizens applying in their home countries.
Consulates and travel agents have been known to occasionally request proof of onward travel at the time of visa application.
Tourist visa extensions can be applied for at the local Entry & Exit Bureau or Public Security Bureau (公安局 Gōng'ānjú) after handing in the following documents: valid passport, visa extension application form including one passport-sized photo, a copy of the Registration Form of Temporary Residence which you received from the local police station at registration. Tourist visas can be only extended once. Processing time is usually five working days and it costs ¥160.
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Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia with great food and a wealth of natural and cultural attractions. It can be divided into four zones:
- Northern Vietnam The cradle of the Vietnamese civilization. Harbors some of the most magnificent views of Vietnam, as well as the capital city with and the chance to visit indigenous hill peoples.
- Central Coast The ancient city of Hue was the home of the Vietnamese emperors from 1802—1945, and Hoi An is one of the nicest old seacoast towns in Vietnam.
- Central Highlands Lush forest-covered hills featuring indigenous peoples and the occasional elephant.
- Southern Vietnam The economic engine of Vietnam, built around Ho Chi Minh City but also covering the lush and little-visited Mekong Delta, the rice basket of Vietnam.
Some of the main cities and destinations are:
- Hanoi (Hà Nội) — Vietnam's capital and major tourist destination
- Ho Chi Minh City (Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh) — Vietnam's largest and most cosmopolitan city, formerly known as Saigon (Sài Gòn) when it was the capital of South Vietnam
- Da Nang (Đà Nẵng) — largest city in central Vietnam
- Dalat (Đà Lạt) — French colonial hill station in the highlands
- Haiphong (Hải Phòng) — the "port city", a major port in north Vietnam
- Hoi An (Hội An) — well-preserved ancient port, near the ruins of My Son
- Hue (Huế) — former home of Vietnam's emperors
- Nha Trang — burgeoning beach resort
- Vinh — the major city in north-central Vietnam with very nice Cua Lo Beach
- Con Dao — islands off the Mekong Delta
- Cu Chi — site of the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cuc Phuong National Park — home to some of Asia's rarest wildlife and the Muong hill people The DMZ — ruins of old American military bases, spectacular mountain scenery and rugged jungles
- Ha Long Bay — famous for its unearthly scenery
- Ninh Binh — Ha Long Bay-like karst scenery along the river
- Phu Quoc — island just off the coast of Cambodia, known for its beaches, fish sauce and seafood
- Sa Pa — meet native indigenous people in the hills by the Chinese border
- Phong Nha Caves World Heritage cave system in Quang Binh province.
Entry requirements
Visitors from the following countries do not require a visa and can stay for the following number of days:
Visitors from many countries are now eligible for a 30-day electronic visa (e-Visa), which you apply for through an online portal and print out yourself after it's approved. It typically takes 3 working days to process and costs US$25. See the "E-Visa" section below for more details.
In order to boost tourism, the Vietnamese government has made the island of Phu Quoc a visa-free zone. Those flying there through Ho Chi Minh City or arriving by boat will not need to apply for a visa beforehand. This is regardless of your nationality. Visitors are given 15 days to spend on the island. Those wishing to travel elsewhere can apply for a proper Vietnamese visa at the local immigration office. All passports should be valid for at least 45 days when arriving in Phu Quoc.
If you aren't eligible for an e-Visa (because of your nationality), or if it isn't suitable for your purposes (because you need to enter within less than 3 days, or want to enter at a remote border crossing that isn't included in the system), visas can be applied for at most Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad. This will generally cost at least double the price of the e-Visa (see "Visa fees" below). If your country does not have a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, a popular alternative would be to apply at the Vietnamese embassy in Bangkok.
Visa fees
If you aren't eligible for an e-Visa, or need a traditional visa for some other reason (for example, because you need to enter within less than three days, or because you want to enter at a remote border crossing that's not included in the e-Visa program), the cost of applying depends on your nationality and the embassy or consulate you are applying at. Check with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or the country you are in, for details. Embassies are (oddly) reluctant to announce fees on their websites, as the relatively high visa costs are a tourism deterrent, but nevertheless a source of revenue. Email or, even better, call them to get up-to-date information on prices. Or if you're in the same city, walk in and ask in person. As of 2019, one of the reportedly cheapest places to get a visa are the Vietnamese embassy and consulates in Cambodia, starting at US$40 for a one month, single entry visa.
Some Vietnamese embassies offer a "While you wait service" (May 2008 - it's unclear whether this is still the case), where a single entry visa can be gained in 15 minutes. This service costs US$92, but approval is instant. You are required to bring a valid passport, passport photo and payment in US$ (credit cards not accepted). If this service is not offered, you may still be able apply for a visa and get it back later the same day (for example, at the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia). Make sure to inquire about the details, since if you don't complete the application before a certain time of day, you will need to wait until the next day to pick up the visa and your passport. E-Visa
e-Visas, if you are from a country for which they are available, cost US$25 from the official website. Vietnam's e-Visa service provides an online application at the website of the Vietnamese immigration office. This procedure is available for 80 countries, including most European ones. The regular e-Visa is valid for 30 days, for single entry and has a duration of 4 weeks after entering and costs US$25. Don't forget to pay, which is a separate step after confirming your application. It takes about 3 working days to issue, and a delay in payment may or may not delay it further. The automatic email confirmation is not reliable and you have to check for yourself online whether you have received the visa. You should print out a paper copy of your visa once it is approved, and be prepared to show it when entering the country and possibly also when checking in for your flight.
e-Visas are valid at major airports and seaports and most, but NOT ALL land crossings (for example, they are not accepted between Banlung, Cambodia and Pleiku, Vietnam). A full list of valid crossings is available on the e-Visa website, though many of them use obscure local names that can be difficult to find on maps. In theory, entry and exit from the country should be from the same airport, seaport, or land crossing as stipulated on the e-Visa form, but in reality this is usually not enforced on the way out, though you must enter on the date and at the place stipulated on the visa. You are more likely to encounter problems due to typos in vital data such as your name or birth date.
Other types of e-Visa, like multiple entry and extended duration, are available with additional documents and information required.
If you want to enter Vietnam at a crossing that's not included in the e-Visa program, or if you need to enter within less than 3 business days, you can still apply for a traditional, physical visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
The two primary routes for enter Vietname are train and plane.
By train
There is a nightly sleeper train between Nanning in China and Hanoi, taking 12 hours, including a tedious 2+2 hours at the border - see Hanoi#Get in for details. Through service are also available from Beijing, but travellers will need to change railway coaches at Nanning.
The old metre-gauge Kunming-Hanoi line has closed, and the simplest work-around is to take the high speed train from Kunming to Nanning to join the overnight train to Hanoi. Another option is to travel to Hekou North Station in China, walk across the border from Hekou to Lao Cai, then take a Vietnamese train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. Both sides have several trains a day, so a daytime train from Kunming to Hekou can be matched with an overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
There are no railway links between Vietnam and Laos or Cambodia.
By plane
Vietnam's main international airports are located at Hanoi (HAN IATA) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN IATA). Both airports are served by numerous flights from major cities in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with some intercontinental services to Australia, Europe and the United States.
Other international airports are located at Da Nang, Vinh, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, though flights are limited to those from neighboring Asian countries. As Da Nang is closer to the historical sites of Central Vietnam than the two main airports, it can make a convenient entry point for those who specifically wish to visit those sites.
The national carrier is Vietnam Airlines, which operates flights into Vietnam's two largest cities from various cities in Australia, Asia and Europe. Vietnam Airlines serves all capital cities of Southeast Asian countries except Dili, Bandar Seri Begawan and Naypyidaw. The largest low cost carrier is Vietjet Air which flies to an increasing number of regional destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Singapore and Yangon.
8
Cuba is the largest Caribbean island. The country has nine World Heritage Sites, as well as beaches, colonial architecture and distinct cultural history. It has had a communist government since the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and has been under a US embargo ever since.
Cuba can divided into three regions:
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Western Cuba (Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Isla de la Juventud) The capital, the rolling hills of Pinar del Rio and an off-the-beaten-path island with good scuba diving add up to an exciting region.
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Central Cuba (Camagüey, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila)
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Eastern Cuba (Las Tunas, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantánamo)
Some of the major cities and other destiations are:
- Havana – cosmopolitan capital with a swinging nightlife
- Baracoa – a quaint beach-side town, and Cuba's first capital
- Cienfuegos – a French-founded city that rivaled (and eventually overtook) Trinidad as Cuba's main southern Port
- Camagüey – Cuba's third-largest city is a maze of narrow alleyways, Catholic churches, and jars known as tinajones
- Matanzas – with a name that translates to "massacres," this industrial port city at the end of the Hershey railway is a hidden gem of Afro-Cuban culture and history
- Pinar del Rio – center of the cigar industry
- Santa Clara – site of the battle that won the Revolution and now home of the mausoleum to Ernesto "Che" Guevara
- Santiago de Cuba – coastal city rich in Caribbean influence and steeped in revolutionary history
- Trinidad – World Heritage Site with charming, colonial-era buildings
- Viñales National Park
- Cayo Largo – a small island with nudist facilities
- Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes – a national park in the Sierra del Emcambray mountains, straddling Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, and Sancti Spiritus provinces
- Isla de la Juventud – a large island south of Havana
- Jardines del Rey – an island chain of beach resorts including Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo
- Maria la Gorda – a tiny village with some snorkeling and diving options
- Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata – similar to Florida's Everglades National Park, with vast swamps and world-famous birdwatching, scuba diving, and beaches; and the site of the 1961 American Bay of Pigs invasion
- La Güira National Park – another national park in Pinar del Rio province, with mountains and caves, but without many tourist facilities
- Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Sierra del Rosario mountains of Pinar del Rio province; the principal sites are Soroa and Las Terrazas
- Varadero Beach – 20-kilometer-long beach of fine white sand and waters
- Viñales – a national park in Pinar del Rio province, with mountains and caves; it has the best-developed tourist facilities of Cuba's national parks
Tourist visa Visa policy of Cuba Cuba Visa-free - 90 days Visa-free - 60 days Visa-free - 30 days Visa-free - 28 days Visa-free - unspecified period Tourist card required (in advance) Visa required
A tourist visa card (visa de tarjeta del turista) is necessary for travelers from most countries. This visa, which is really little more than a piece of paper on which you list your personal information, costs US$15-25 (or €15-25) from most destinations, depending on where purchased. Costs US$50-100 from the US. It can be purchased at the airport in Cuba on arrival, but many airlines will require a valid tourist visa card before you board a flight. It is usually valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days at any immigration office in Cuba (for ~US$25) - beyond this you would need a flight out of Cuba within the extended visa period. Canadians are the exception, getting 90 days on arrival and can apply for a 90-day extension. Your passport needs to be valid at least six months past the end of your planned return. Canadian passports must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of expected departure.
From Canada, the tourist card is normally provided on the flight. It can also be purchased from most Latin American gateway airports if departing from there (Cancun: 250 Mexican pesos, Mexico City: US$25). If you are coming from Europe (this may apply to other countries), you need to have the visa before boarding the plane. Sometimes, the airline provides these at the airport, however check first that this is the case. Without a valid visa, boarding will be denied (the airline would otherwise get a US$1,000 fine from the Cuban immigration authorities).
Your visa will be stamped upon arrival in Cuba and must be retained in your possession to be stamped when you exit the country. There is a ~US$25 fee to replace a lost visa.
Regular tourists who renew their 30-day visa are eligible to depart the country (to any destination) and return immediately enjoying a further 60 days (30 days plus a 30-day extension). You are only allowed two consecutive stays in this manner.
Country-specific advice:
US – Although the government of Cuba permits United States citizens to visit, the U.S. restricts its citizens from travelling there, except with a license issued by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control
UK – From 2017, the Cuban consulate only accepts postal applications for tourist cards. For most cases, it is probably better to use an online agency such as CubaVisa.uk or VisaCuba Online or CubaVisas or VisaCuba because it will be cheaper and involve less paperwork. Thomsons / TUI recommend an agency which costs almost three times these agencies. Check with your tour operator before purchasing one from the above.
Germany – You can obtain the tourist card through the Cuban embassy in post. Travel agencies may often offer cheaper and quicker services though. German airlines serving Cuba usually sell the card to their customers.
Visa-free
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda (28 days), Barbados (28 days), Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, CIS (except Ukraine and Uzbekistan), Dominica, Grenada (60 days), Liechtenstein (90 days), Malaysia (90 days), Mongolia, Montenegro (90 days), Namibia, North Macedonia, Singapore, Slovakia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia (90 days), Turkmenistan (30 days) can stay without visa. (The source of the previous sentence is unknown. Aeromexico staff at Cancun airport claim that only citizens of China and Russia need no visa.)
Tourists normally carry enough cash for a short Cuba trip. Most bring their own currency; confirm that yours is accepted, and calculate the most recent exchange rates at the Banco Metropolitano. Because Cuba imposes a 10% penalty on the exchange of U.S. dollars, it is not recommended to take larger sums of U.S. dollars to Cuba. Travelers converting over US$1,000. generally choose euros or Canadian dollars, and for the best rates, it's best to organize in advance. Finding the best exchange should never be left until the last minute: U.S. airport and retail forex kiosks offer some of the worst exchange rates.
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https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mexico
México is known for its cuisine, art, archaeology, history, pyramids, music, museums, haciendas, 9,600 km (6,000 mi) of shoreline, superb architecture, weather from snow-capped mountains in the Sierras to rainy jungles in the southeast and desert in the northwest, many golf courses and excellent fishing. Along with Chile, Colombia, and Peru, this once-poor nation is one of the Pacific Pumas, seeing significant economic growth and improved infrastructure during the 21st century.
México can be separated into 6 regions:
Baja California (Baja California, Baja California Sur) The vast western peninsula, stretching 1,200 km from Tijuana on the US border to Cabo in the south. A land of deserts and undiscovered beaches. One of the biggest whale migrations takes place here every year from December to April. Also includes the far-off-shore Guadalupe Island.
Northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas) The expansive deserts and mountains of the border states; mostly ignored by tourists. Culturally and physically a world away from the tropical south. Includes the bustling industrial city of Monterrey, Mexico's 3rd largest and most affluent, and Copper Canyon, the country's only railroad passing through gorges and indigenous villages.
The Bajío (Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro) The former colonial heartland, this is one of Mexico's most historic regions filled with well-preserved colonial towns that grew rich from silver mining. Includes San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato amongst other lesser known towns.
Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz) Mexico City, always the political, cultural and economic center of the country with a sophisticated urban core and a huge urban sprawl surrounding it. Also includes the awesome ruins of Teotihuacan, the historic city of Puebla and Veracruz, one of the country's most overlooked regions.
Pacific Coast (Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Oaxaca) Tropical beaches on Mexico's southern coast; Jalisco the birthplace of mariachi and Tequila; Guadalajara, the nation's second largest city; and the Oaxacan highlands, famous for their distinct cuisine.
Yucatán and the South (Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatán) Jungle and impressive Mayan archaeological sites, along with the Caribbean and Gulf coast with well-known resorts like Tulum and Cancun. The colonial city of Merida and the jungle ruins of Palenque. Geographically isolated from the rest of the country, part of Central America (the dividing line being the Isthmus of Tehuantepec), it is culturally closer to Guatemala and Belize than the rest of Mexico, where Mayan culture is very much alive.
Some of the major cities and tourist destinations are:
Mexico City – Capital of the republic, one of the three largest cities in the world, and a sophisticated urban hub with a 700-year history. In Mexico City, you will find everything from parks, Aztec ruins, colonial architecture, museums, to nightlife and shopping.
Cancún – One of the world's most popular and famous beaches, known for its clear Caribbean waters, its lively party atmosphere, and its wealth of recreational facilities.
Guadalajara – A traditional city, capital of Jalisco state, and the home of mariachi music and tequila. Guadalajara is blessed with perpetual spring weather and its colonial downtown is graceful and sophisticated.
Mazatlan – Lively Pacific coast town, Mazatlan is a shipping port, a transportation hub with ferries to Baja California, and a beach resort destination with miles of sandy shore. It is a popular U.S. college Spring Break destination due to its variety of affordable lodging options.
Monterrey – A large modern city that is the commercial and industrial hub of Northern Mexico. Monterrey enjoys a dry, mountainous setting and is known for its high-quality educational and transportation infrastructure.
San Luis Potosi – A colonial city in central Mexico that was once an important silver producer, but today, relies on manufacturing for its economic base.
Taxco – In central Mexico west of Cuernavaca, this steep mountain town was once a major silver producer, and now has a strong place in the trade of decorative silver, from cheap fittings to the most elegant jewelry and elaborate castings.
Tijuana – Mexico's busiest border crossing for pedestrians and private vehicles, and a long-time bargain Mecca for southern Californians due to its proximity to San Diego.
Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) – An exotic destination for travelers looking for a unique remote adventure! An awesome mountain rail ride -- one of the greatest in the world -- takes you upwards over 2,440 m (8000 feet) on the CHEPE, the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway. Hiking, horseback riding, birding, and Tarahumara Indians. Copper Canyon, the Sierra Madre and the Chihuahuan desert of Mexico. This area is designed for adventurous individuals who will tolerate some rough travel to get to their points of interest (although the famous train ride isn't demanding at all). Copper Canyon, a magnificent remote wilderness is not likely ever to become a mass market destination.
Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) – See whale birthings, swim with dolphins, and sea kayak in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, along the eastern coast of Baja California, near La Paz. National Geographic says the sunsets at San Carlos are some of the most spectacular in the world.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve – Protected natural areas in the highlands of the state of Michoacán. Millions of butterflies come to the area between November and March of each year, although numbers have declined sharply. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sumidero Canyon – From docks on the Rio Grijalva (the only major river within Mexico) near Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas state, tour launches take you into this steep-walled National Park. You'll likely see vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterfowl, as well as crocodiles.
Pueblos Mágicos (magic towns) - The Mexican government has designated over 100 scenic small towns as Pueblos Magicos. States can apply to have towns added to the list, but they must provide sites of genuine touristic value (historical or cultural) and guarantee adequate levels of tourism infrastructure. All Pueblos Magicos are within a few hours drive of a major city with good airline connections. Some of the Pueblos Magicos (such as Tequila) are well-known and quite popular. Most are off the beaten path and offer rich opportunities for quiet exploration.
Chichen Itza – Majestic Mayan city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Ek Balam – A reconstructed Mayan site, famous for its unique decorated stucco and stone-carved temples that you can climb.
El Tajín – In the state of Veracruz near the town of Papantla. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monte Alban – In the state of Oaxaca, a Zapotec site dating from about 500 BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Palenque – Mayan city in the state of Chiapas, Palenque famous for its elaborate paintings. Also well known for having the largest tract of rainforest in Mexico located in the same area.
Teotihuacan – An enormous pre-Columbian site with several large pyramids near Mexico City.
Tulum Tulum, Quintana Roo on Wikipedia – Mayan coastal city with spectacular Caribbean vistas. Dates from late Mayan period.
Uxmal – Impressive Mayan city-state in the Puc Region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
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