Talking Travel: Thailand Visa-Free for Chinese Citizens?

Talking Travel is the Beijinger's new weekly travel guide to great deals, interesting destinations, and weekend getaways.

Just back from what seems to be the noisiest place in China: Jingdezhen. One wouldn't think that China's porcelain capital would be home to so many car horns, loudspeakers, and people just generally talking loudly, but it is. More on travel there in the December issue of the Beijinger.

China and Thailand are considering dropping visa requirements for their citizens to visit each other's countries. If a holiday in Phuket felt like a stroll down Wangfujing before, imagine what it will be like when the visa barriers drops and going to Thailand becomes as easy as going to Hainan.

Lonely Planet just announced its top destinations for 2014 – and Beijing is not one of them (boo). Shanghai made the Top 10 cities list at number six (boo!!!), and surprisingly, Hunan province came in at number nine on the Top 10 regions ranking. That we can understand – we featured Hunan's Avatar-like Zhangjiajie region in our October issue.

Speaking of Hainan, the Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hainan just opened in Sanya, and is offering quite a nice package for its opening. From now until December 30, the hotel is offering a three-day/two-night stay for RMB 1,900 per person (two adults and one child), including free airport transfer, room with private hot spring bathtub on the balcony, buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and 4pm late check-out. Not a bad deal for anyone sticking around for Christmas.

Azerbaijan Airlines just initiated twice-weekly, non-stop service between that country's capital, Baku, and Beijing.

Lots of deals are still available for holiday period flights. See our October 15 column for recommendations. Move fast, they will not last much longer.

Until next week, one road flat safe.

Look for more travel information from the Beijinger every issue in our Get Out column.

Image: english.cntv.cn