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China Travel Tips China is a country of contrasts and those contrasts are part of the appeal of China. Most travellers start off with our Beijing trip in China's capital.China has more than a billion inhabitants, of which more than 20 percent inhabit the cities. Approximately 90 percent of the population is made up of Han Chinese. China is also home to a remarkable 55 national minorities. You'll meet the Naxi and Bai minorities in the charming villages Lijiang and Dali. You can experience the daily life of these people in the Chinese countryside- a truly unique experience. Southern China's natural beauty is simply beautiful and will surprise you with its enormous rice terraces and fairytale like karst mountains. During our trip from Guilin to Yangshuo you'll spend time surrounded by idyllic landscapes and the beautiful backdrop of the karst mountains. What's more, you could go on bike rides, learn Kung Fu or take a cooking lesson to learn how to cook authentic Chinese cuisine. If you'd like to start building your own China holiday, you can take your pick from our range of bite-sized China trips. If you'd rather leave the planning to us, why not choose from our range of suggested holidays in China. |
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China travel tips - Useful information Time difference: During the summertime it's 7 hours later in China than it is in the UK. During winter time it's 8 hours later in China.Best time to travel: The best time to begin your China holiday is from April to through October. Click here for more China climate information. Please note that it's best not to travel through China during the first week of May and October. These are Chinese national holidays and as almost all of China will be travelling at the same time - Not the best time to visit China! Language: Mandarin Chinese is spoken in most of China, however countless dialects are also spoken. English is gaining popularity in China, but even so, you won't find many people who speak English beyond the well-known tourist destinations. Hotel staff and guides accompanying you during your China Travel Plan trip will speak English and will offer any assistance you may need. Currency: The official Chinese currency is known as the renminbi ('peoples money'), RMB for short. The monetary unit is the Yuan. The exchange rate fluctuates, however £1 is about 10Y (Yuan). Hong Kong has its own currency; the Hong Kong Dollar. The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the American Dollar and is accepted in Guangzhou (Canton) and Shenzhen, however it's best to exchange the dollars if you no longer plan to visit Hong Kong. 10 Hong Kong Dollars are worth about £1. |
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Tips: Tips are customary for guides and drivers and they are generally reliant on tips for a large portion of their income. As a guideline, you could tip about £3 - £5 per person, per day during your China holiday. It is not customary to tip in restaurants. Visas: You'll need a Chinese visa for your China holiday. You'll have to apply for your own visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). Tel. 020 7842 0960, Email : UKCENTRE@visaforchina.org Address: Morely House, 26 Holborn Viaducts, London, EC1A 2AT. A single entry Chinese visa will cost you around £60. This is made up of a £30 visa fee, and a £30 processing fee. For more information have a look at our China visa information. |
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Telephone calls: Phoning home from China using your mobile usually isn't a problem, however depending on your provider it can be a very costly affair. If you want to use your own mobile phone during your China trip, it's best to buy a prepaid sim card at a Chinese phone shop. If you need to contact our local agent during your trip and you're using your own mobile, you'll have to dial the Chinese country code +86 first. The country code for Hong Kong is +852. Internet: Nearly all parts of China offer Internet access. Some hotels have Internet in hotel rooms or a special Internet lounge that you can use. Mobile Internet and fast connections are quite mainstream here. You'll find more and more cafés and bars that offer mobile Internet in China. Voltage: Electricity in China is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to China with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. It's best to bring along a universal plug adaptor. |
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Photography: While travelling through China, you'll notice that tourists are quite an attraction to most Chinese and they enjoy taking your picture. The Chinese are generally honoured if you would like to take their picture- but don't forget to ask their permission. Taking pictures or shooting a video at military sites in China is highly illegal. Many museums, palaces and temples also don't allow pictures to be taken or only allow you to take pictures for a fee. It's best to always be on the look-out for the signs posted regarding photography. Hygiene: Using public bathrooms during your China trip will be quite an experience. The level of hygiene is commonly poor and you'll have little to no privacy. Even if there is a door to the toilet, most Chinese leave the door open. Top tip: Be sure to bring along toilet paper or tissues, anti-bacterial hand wipes and disinfectant. |
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China travel tips - Chinese holiday celebrations Some Chinese holidays are celebrated on the same day each year, however most traditional holidays are determined according to the lunar calendar. This causes the date to change annually. Here is a list of some of China's national holidays:End of January/ early February: Chinese New Year, also known Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Early April/ 12th day of the 3rd lunar month: Qingming Festival, also known as the Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day. This is the day the Chinese honour their departed ancestors. May 1 - 7: International Labour Day, a national holiday and week off May 4: Youth Day June 1: International Children's Day July 1: Annual Communist Party Festivities June or July/ 5th day of 5th lunar month: Dragon boat Festival August 1: Annual festivities of the People's Liberation Army Circa mid-September/ when the moon is full: Mid-Autumn Festival October 1: People's Republic of China Day, a national holiday and week off from October 1st - 8th |
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China travel tips: Dining with chop sticksOne of the first things that may come to mind when thinking of Chinese cuisine is the use of chop sticks. This is a fun, age-old tradition and it won't be long before you get a knack for it. The Chinese usually dine early in the evening. Menus aren't normally written in English so you may end up with a surprise on your plate. In which case, you should perhaps bring a ‘Point-It’ book. This is a small book with lots of pictures that you can show the waiter/waitress. You'll find pictures of vegetables, meat and drinks. It's a must when travelling through China on a China trip. With the exception of a few well-known fast food chains, there's very little western-oriented food in China. Even if you do happen to find something familiar on the menu, it's usually nothing like what you're used to. |
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China travel tips: Travelling safely China is safe country to travel through. Even solo travellers can travel safely through China and even walk across Chinese streets at night, even in large cities. Naturally it's best to take the same safety precautions you would take while travelling in any part of the world. Leave valuable documents in your hotel room's safe or at the reception desk. If your hotel does not have a safe, leave your valuable documents in a locked suitcase or bag in your room.We recommend making copies of all your valuable documents such as your passport, plane ticket, debit card and insurance documents. Leave a copy behind with family or friends back home and keep an additional copy hidden in another suitcase or bag. If you should lose your documents in any possible way, having copies will help speed up the process of reporting the loss and applying for new ones. Be very vigilant on public transport. Pickpockets can operated on full trains and buses and at stations. Top China Travel Tip: As you may not always run into someone who speaks English, it's a good idea to always carry a business card with the name and address of your hotel. |
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China travel tips - What to pack?China is a large country with several different climates. Northeastern China, where Beijing is located, is known for having hot summers and cold winters. Southern China has a subtropical climate. In higher altitudes, such as in Zhongdian, it can get quite cool in the summer. That's why it's best to bring clothes along for several different types of weather, from thin shirts to fleece sweaters. You won't have a problem travelling through China with a suitcase, although we recommend travelling with a backpack since you'll be travelling to many different places. If you do choose to bring along a suitcase, make sure you have one with wheels so that it's easier to carry along.We believe the following items are a must when travelling in China: visa (you must have one before arriving in China), passport / international travel document, universal plug adapter, rain poncho, comfortable, worn-in walking shoes, warm sweater, sunglasses, First Aid kit, mobile phone charger, camera or other electric devices, small torch, bug repellent, daypack for a water bottle, snacks and a camera. |
Click here to see our bite-sized China trips
Click here to see our suggested holidays in China
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