China travel guide
China Tourism | China Guide
You're Going to Love China
A country of diversity and the blending of old and new, China offers a mixture of tradition and modernism from urban scenes to natural scenery and ancient temples.
What to do in China
1. Visit the Great Wall
It's over 2,000 years old and stretches 3,000 mi across the hills in the north of China near Beijing. The most frequently visited section of the wall is in Badaling, 37 mi northwest of Beijing.
2. Travel on a Traditional Boat
Take a river cruise. Go on the Yangtze River that winds its way through China to see the Three Gorges, which provide breath-taking scenery and panoramic views.
3. Discover Imperial China
Immerse yourself in an imperial realm and visit The Forbidden City – the home of China's emperors from the start of the Ming Dynasty in 1420 to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.
4. Visit the Terracotta Army
Near the city of Xi'an, in the south-west of Beijing, check out the mausoleum of Quin Shi Huang. This army of clay soldiers and horses was created to stand guard over the body of the emperor and has been there since the 3rd century BC.
5. Enjoy a Hike in the Countryside
The Tiger Leaping Gorge hike in Yunnan, south-west China, is a challenging prospect. You can also venture into the countryside in Jiangxi, in eastern China, and hike along some of the old postal routes that run between the villages.
When to visit China
The best times to visit are spring, between March and April, and autumn, between September and October, when the temperatures are moderate and there is less chance of rain.
How to Get to China
Entry Requirements
Visas are required to visit China and passports must be valid for 6 months from the date of travel. Travelers must show an itinerary detailing all the places they plan to visit and hotels that have been booked.
Plane
Fly into one of Beijing's two international airports – Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport – to visit the north of China, or Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport to visit the south of the country. Central and western China are accessible from airports in Shanghai and Chengdu.
Train
International routes into China from Russia include the Trans-Manchurian (into the north-east of china) and Trans-Mongolian Railways (from Moscow to Beijing), while it is possible to catch a train from Kowloon in Hong Kong to Guangzhou in mainland China.
Popular airports in China
Popular airlines serving China
Where to stay in China
Accommodation ranges from luxury five-star hotels, with chains such as Shangri-La and Hyatt in the bigger cities, to budget options in the form of hostels and local budget chains (with a more western feel), such as 7Days Inn or Motel 168.
Where to stay in popular areas of China
Most booked hotels in China
How to Get Around China
Public Transportation
Within the larger cities, like Shanghai and Beijing, there are good public transport links that include buses, trains and metro networks, but most towns have a bus network with flat rate fares that can start for approximately ¥1 ($0.15).
Trains
This is one of the best ways to travel within China as the rail network is extensive and relatively well-maintained, operating good links between the main cities. Trains leave on time and tickets are reasonably-priced – for example, a daytime, one-way ticket from Shanghai to Beijing costs around ¥558 ($78) for a second class ticket and approximately ¥1,752 ($247) for a business class ticket.
Bus
There is an extensive network of routes between cities that is operated by long-distance coaches, which can be used as a cheaper, albeit slower, alternative to train or plane. Some coaches may even have sleeping options for longer journeys.
Plane
Three main operators run domestic flights within China – Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. While flying may be quicker over the long distances, be prepared for delays in the busier seasons, such as during the Chinese New Year.
The Cost of Living in China
The cost of living in China is not high compared with other western countries. For groceries, you could buy a 0.2 gallon of milk and a dozen eggs for around ¥26 ($3.60). An inexpensive, local restaurant meal could cost approximately ¥25 ($3.50), while a meal for two at a middle range restaurant might cost in the region of ¥125 ($18). While major credit and debit cards are accepted in bigger hotels and upmarket restaurants or stores, most transactions outside these situations require cash. Currency can be exchanged in a bank, a high-end hotel or the airport.