China Travel Blog

China is a big and versatile country located in East Asia. In fact, China is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc.

China offers several experiences – from old traditions and history to new and modern culture, from skyscrapers to rice fields, from epic festivals to relaxing holidays, from temples to beautiful scenery – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.

If you’re planning your first trip to China, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit China, the best destinations, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.

Please note that due to the Coronavirus situation, traveling to China is currently not recommended.

Best Time to Visit China

China is a huge country and depending on your destination, you may be facing different types of seasons. We decided to split this section into four sections to help you understand the seasons:

• Northeast (Beijing)
• East coast + Central China (Shanghai)
• Southern China (Hong Kong)
• Northwest (Tibet)

Top Destinations in China

China Travel Tips & Costs

In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.

Accommodation

In China, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you won’t have difficulty to find options. You can find dorms starting at $10 per night.

Food

When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants. If you eat local food, you can eat for less than CNY 50. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country and you can pay more if you wish to. The cheapest options are usually in small local restaurants and at the markets.

Activities

Some activities such as hiking or walking around markets are free. Although, if you’re planning on visiting temples, walking the Great Wall of China, cruising down the Li River or seeing the pandas, you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in China here to have an idea of the costs.

Transportation

In general, it’s easy to get around China. You can either fly, take a bus or travel by train to reach your destinations. You may have difficulty to buy tickets directly there – I waited two hours in a train station in China and I never managed to buy any tickets. I had to travel by bus instead. The system wasn’t efficient. (Note that I may have been unlucky though.)

To book your transport between destinations, you can book via 12GO.

Safety in China

Overall, traveling around China is safe and crimes against foreigners are rare. Of course, you should always lock your valuables, especially if you’re staying in a hostel.

Pickpocketing can be avoided most of the time by taking good care of your valuables and not leaving them unattended. 

Tourist scams are quite common and for example, taxi scams happen quite often, especially from airports. Make sure to negotiate the price beforehand and ask taxi drivers to use the meter. As a female traveler, you don’t need to be too worried about traveling to China. It’s still smart to avoid walking alone at night or getting into a dodgy taxi alone.

What to Pack for China

Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in China. Click on the images to shop on Amazon. You can also check out this list of travel essentials in Asia.

Visa for China

Usually, if you’re planning on staying more than 3 days in China, you will need to apply for a visa in an embassy. Although, some airports allow you to enter the country for 3 days for free. Usually, the embassy is pretty strict, so make sure you have your flights booked as well as accommodation.

You can verify your visa requirements here.

Preparing Your Trip to China

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