China
China rewards ambition: walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu, face the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, drift down the Li River between karst peaks, and eat your way from Beijing duck to Sichuan chilli. High-speed trains make the distances manageable, but a little preparation — mobile payments, apps and timing around national holidays — makes everything easier.
Overview
China is less a single destination than a continent of them, and first trips work best when they follow the high-speed rail spine. The classic route runs from Beijing, for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, to Xi'an and the Terracotta Army, then south to Guilin and Yangshuo for limestone karst scenery, finishing in Shanghai's mix of treaty-port Bund and glass towers. Chengdu adds giant pandas and fiery Sichuan food, Zhangjiajie its sandstone pillars, while Yunnan's old towns and the Tibetan plateau reward a second visit.
Distances are vast but travel is fast and efficient: bullet trains, spotless metros and cheap domestic flights mean a fortnight covers a lot of ground. Costs sit somewhere between Southeast Asia and Europe, with food remarkably good value. Crowds are the main challenge — domestic tourism is enormous, and sights sell out during Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week. Visitors are often surprised by how cashless daily life has become, how few people speak English outside big hotels, and how smoothly the big cities run. It suits curious, organised travellers happy to lean on translation apps.
Map of China
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Great Wall at Mutianyu
A restored stretch of Ming-dynasty wall about 70 km north-east of Beijing, with 22 watchtowers, a cable car up and a toboggan run down. It is far less crowded than Badaling; arrive at opening for quieter ramparts.
- 2Architecture
Forbidden City
The Ming and Qing emperors' palace complex, nearly 1,000 buildings behind vermilion walls, now the Palace Museum. Tickets must be booked online in advance with your passport number and often sell out; it is closed on Mondays.
- 3History
Terracotta Army
An estimated 8,000 life-size clay soldiers, archers and horses buried to guard China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and found by farmers in 1974, an hour east of Xi'an. Hire a guide to make sense of the pits.
- 4Nature
Li River and Yangshuo
The river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo winds between the jagged limestone peaks pictured on the 20-yuan note. Base yourself in Yangshuo to cycle the Yulong River valley, drift on bamboo rafts and climb Moon Hill.
- 5Nature
Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars
Thousands of sandstone pillars rise from misty forest in Hunan's Wulingyuan, the landscape said to have inspired the floating mountains of Avatar. Walk the ridges of Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, using the Bailong lift to save your legs.
Biggest cities
Shanghai
China's largest city pairs the Bund's early-20th-century waterfront with Pudong's skyscrapers, the classical Yu Garden, excellent museums and the plane-tree lanes of the former French Concession.
Beijing
The capital holds the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and surviving hutong alleys, and is the base for Great Wall day trips. Give it at least four days.
Shenzhen
A small border market town turned tech megacity in four decades, Shenzhen is more about modern design, electronics markets and Cantonese food than sights; it is an easy hop from Hong Kong.
Ranked by 2020 census urban population. Chongqing municipality has more residents in total, but spread over an area the size of Austria; measured as one continuous built-up area, Guangzhou–Foshan would rank above Shenzhen.
When to go to China
Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Beijing
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebChinese New Year (Spring Festival)
Lanterns, temple fairs, fireworks and family feasts mark the lunar new year. Atmospheric, but transport is jammed and many businesses close for the first week.
- Jan–FebHarbin Ice and Snow Festival
In China's far north-east, Harbin builds a glowing city of ice palaces and snow sculptures each winter, at temperatures that regularly drop below -20°C.
- Sep–OctMid-Autumn Festival
Held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when families share mooncakes under the full moon and parks and waterfronts glow with lanterns.
How much does China cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Peking duck
Lacquered, crisp-skinned roast duck carved at the table and wrapped in thin pancakes with spring onion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce — Beijing's signature feast.
Xiaolongbao
Shanghai's soup dumplings: delicate pleated parcels of pork and hot broth. Nibble a hole, sip the soup, then dip in black vinegar with ginger.
Mapo tofu
Sichuan's classic of soft tofu in a glossy chilli-bean sauce with minced beef and tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorns; best eaten in Chengdu.
Getting around
China's high-speed rail network is the backbone: the fastest Beijing–Shanghai trains take about four and a half hours, and trains reach almost every city a visitor will want. Book on the official 12306 app or Trip.com using your passport, which you also show at the station. Cities have excellent metros, Didi handles ride-hailing in English, and domestic flights cover long hops to Yunnan, Tibet or Xinjiang.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- ACI220V — bring a UK-to-A/C/I adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +86
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected in restaurants, taxis or most hotels; tipping private tour guides and drivers is the main exception.
- Etiquette
- Offer and receive business cards, gifts and payments with both hands, don't stand chopsticks upright in rice, and steer clear of political topics such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
- Main airports
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing; Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai; Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Guangzhou
Visas & entry for China
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
Until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits or transit.
This policy applies to all holders of standard British passports whose nationality is listed as ‘British citizen.’ Holders of British Crown Dependency passports whose nationality is listed as ‘British citizen’ are eligible for this policy.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTick-borne encephalitisTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in China
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 5 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year's Eve |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) (observed) |
| Wed 10 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) (observed) |
| Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Tomb-Sweeping Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Tue 4 May 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Wed 9 Jun 2027 | Dragon Boat Festival |
| Wed 15 Sep 2027 | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| Fri 1 Oct 2027 | National Day |
| Sat 2 Oct 2027 | National Day |
| Sun 3 Oct 2027 | National Day |
| Mon 4 Oct 2027 | National Day (observed) |
| Tue 5 Oct 2027 | National Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Mandarin Chinese
| English | Mandarin Chinese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | 你好 | nee HOW |
| Thank you | 谢谢 | shyeh-shyeh |
| Please | 请 | ching |
| Excuse me | 不好意思 | boo how ee-suh |
| How much is this? | 这个多少钱？ | jay-guh dwor-shaow chyen |
Know before you go
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your UK card before you fly; both accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Carry some cash too, though small vendors may be short of change.
- Google, WhatsApp and most Western social media are blocked; a roaming plan or foreign eSIM usually still reaches them. Install a translation app, Trip.com and Amap before you arrive.
- Avoid the Spring Festival travel rush and the 1–7 October Golden Week if you can: trains sell out, prices jump and famous sights hit capacity.
China travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit China?
The best time to visit China is generally Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, September and October. Average highs in Beijing range from 2°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to China cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £100 mid-range and £220+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in China?
Chinese yuan (renminbi) (CNY).
What plug type does China use?
Type A, C and I sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in China?
Traffic drives on the right in China, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in China?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for China?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: Until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits or transit. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for China before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for China?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
