Visiting China
China rewards the curious traveller like few places on earth. It is a country of superlatives — the world’s most populous nation, a civilisation stretching back more than three thousand years, and a landscape that runs from the deserts of the northwest to the rice terraces of the south and the neon canyons of Shanghai. For decades it felt forbiddingly complex to visit independently. That has changed.
A wave of visa-free access, a world-class high-speed rail network and near-universal mobile payment have made China dramatically easier to explore than it was even a few years ago — provided you arrive prepared. This guide brings together the practical groundwork and the highlights to help you plan a first trip with confidence.
AUTHOR EXPERIENCE
We have visited China several times – a long tour and shorter trips across the border from Hong Kong. Over a short period it has changed dramatically. The ancient structures and traditional ways of life that have drawn visitors for many years are still there, alongside a very modern China, an industrial and technological power house. Be realistic about what you can see and experience. It’s a huge country. We’ve spent many days there but barely touched the surface.
Visited: 2026
Stayed In: Guangzhou
Perspective: Independent Traveller
best for:
First long-haul adventure in Asia
Time needed:
2–3 weeks
Budget:
££–£££
getting around:
Superb high-speed rail
language:
Mandarin (limited English)
Best time:
April–May & September–October
Understanding the Geography
China is enormous — the third-largest country on earth — and trying to “see China” in one trip is a common mistake. Most first visits focus on a single region or a classic city circuit. Understanding how the country fits together makes it far easier to plan a realistic route.
region
The North
Beijing
The Great Wall
Xi’an
Datong
The political and historic heart of China. Beijing holds the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the most-visited stretches of the Great Wall, while Xi’an, a few hours south by high-speed train, guards the Terracotta Army. This is the region most first-time visitors prioritise.
region
The East & the Yangtze
Shanghai
Suzhou
Hangzhou
Nanjing
China’s prosperous, fast-moving east. Shanghai pairs a futuristic skyline with colonial-era waterfront, while nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou offer classical gardens, canals and the serene West Lake — the gentler counterpoint to the metropolis.
region
The South & Southwest
Guilin & Yangshuo
Chengdu
Yunnan
Zhangjiajie
The China of a thousand paintings: the karst peaks and rivers around Guilin and Yangshuo, the giant pandas of Chengdu, the ethnic diversity and landscapes of Yunnan, and the soaring sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie. The scenic heart of the country.
region
The Far West
Tibet
Xinjiang
The Silk Road
Kashgar
China’s vast, remote frontier — high-altitude Tibet, the deserts and oasis towns of the old Silk Road, and a culture quite distinct from the eastern cities. Rewarding but demanding, and some areas (notably Tibet) require special permits arranged in advance.
Places you dont want to miss
Great Wall
The defining sight of China, snaking for thousands of kilometres across the northern hills. The restored sections near Beijing (Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling) are the easiest to reach; the “wild wall” rewards those willing to travel further.
Forbidden City, Beijing
Five centuries of imperial power in one vast walled complex at the heart of the capital — the largest preserved palace compound in the world, and best paired with neighbouring Tiananmen Square and Jingshan Park for the view across the rooftops.
Terracotta Army, Xi'an
Thousands of life-sized clay soldiers buried to guard China’s first emperor and rediscovered by farmers in 1974 — one of the great archaeological finds of the twentieth century, and reason enough to ride the high-speed train to Xi’an.
Bund & skyline, Shanghai
China’s most cinematic cityscape: the colonial-era waterfront of the Bund facing the futuristic towers of Pudong across the Huangpu River. Walk it at dusk as the skyline lights up.
Li River, Guilin & Yangshuo
The karst landscape that appears on Chinese banknotes and scroll paintings — limestone peaks rising from the river and paddy fields. Cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo, then explore the countryside by bike.
Giant Pandas, Chengdu
The Chengdu Research Base is the most reliable place in the world to see giant pandas, especially in the cooler morning hours. Chengdu also opens the door to Sichuan’s famous cuisine and the wider southwest.
About China
A unique place
Few destinations divide expectation from reality as sharply as China. Many visitors arrive picturing only mega-cities and crowds, and are surprised by the scale of the landscape, the depth of the history, and how smoothly a well-planned trip can run. The high-speed rail network — the largest on earth — links most major destinations at 300 km/h, turning a sprawling country into a series of manageable hops.
China Today
Modern China is a study in contrasts: ancient temples beside gleaming skyscrapers, traditional tea houses beside cashless convenience. It is overwhelmingly a cashless society, and daily life runs through smartphones. For the visitor this once posed real friction, but the major payment apps now accept foreign cards, and translation apps bridge most of the language gap. A little preparation goes a long way.
A Few Myths (and realities)
Myth: China is difficult to visit independently.
Reality: For many nationalities it is now visa-free, and the high-speed rail and ride-hailing apps make independent travel genuinely straightforward — though it rewards planning more than, say, Western Europe.
Myth: You can’t use your phone or the internet.
Reality: Many familiar services (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and others) are blocked behind the “Great Firewall.” A reputable VPN installed *before* you arrive, or an international roaming eSIM, keeps you connected.
Myth: It’s a cash economy and foreigners can’t pay for anything.
Reality: It’s the opposite — China is nearly cashless, and Alipay and WeChat Pay now link to foreign cards, so you can pay as locals do. Carry a little cash as backup.
Getting there
China’s main international gateways are Beijing (Capital PEK and Daxing PKX), Shanghai (Pudong PVG) and Guangzhou (CAN), all major hubs with direct connections to Europe, North America and Australasia. Internal travel is then easiest by high-speed train.
Flight times
Typical direct flight times to Beijing or Shanghai. Last reviewed: June 2026.
| Departure City | Typical Flight Time |
|---|---|
| London | 10–12 hrs |
| Sydney | 11–13 hrs |
| Auckland | 13–15 hrs (often via a hub) |
| San Francisco | 12–13 hrs |
As a rough guide, return economy fares from London run around £450–£900 depending on season. Fares from Sydney, Auckland and San Francisco vary widely — verify current prices before booking.
Accommodation
China offers everything from budget hostels to international five-star hotels, with strong value in the mid-range, especially outside Beijing and Shanghai. Note that not all hotels are licensed to accept foreign guests, so it is worth confirming when booking. Prices and availability tighten sharply during the major national holidays.
Entry requirements
Entry rules for China have eased dramatically and are, for now, unusually generous — but they are also recent and time-limited, so confirm your own position before booking.
Citizens of the UK, Ireland and most EU countries, plus Australia and New Zealand, can currently enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or transit — a unilateral policy in place until 31 December 2026 (and Canada is now included). US citizens still require a visa, though they can use the separate 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when passing through China to a third country. On arrival, expect fingerprinting, and note that hotels register guests with local police automatically.
Because these arrangements have changed repeatedly and may be extended or amended, always check the latest rules for your nationality before you travel.
Check current China entry requirements with the National Immigration Administration before you travel →
Weather
China spans several climate zones, so conditions vary enormously by region. As a broad guide, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons almost everywhere.
| Season | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Excellent. Mild and increasingly dry; one of the two best windows for travel. |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Hot and humid in the east and south, with heavy rain; peak domestic travel and high prices. |
| Autumn | Sep–Oct | The best season. Clear skies and comfortable temperatures, though avoid the early-October holiday. |
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Cold and dry in the north (snow on the Great Wall), milder in the south; quietest for sightseeing. |
Avoid travelling during Chinese New Year and the National Day “Golden Week” (early October), when hundreds of millions of people are on the move and transport and hotels are booked solid.
Major festivals
- Chinese New Year / Spring Festival (Jan/Feb)
- Qingming Festival (Apr)
- Dragon Boat Festival (May/Jun)
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep/Oct)
- National Day Golden Week (1–7 Oct)
A final word
China asks more of the independent traveller than many destinations, but it gives back in proportion. With a visa-free arrival, a VPN and a payment app set up before you fly, and a route built around the high-speed rail, you can move between three-thousand-year-old wonders and twenty-first-century cities with surprising ease. For most first visits, April–May or September–October offers the best balance of weather and comfort.The festivals are spectacular but coincide with enormous domestic travel, so book well ahead — or plan around them.
The festivals are spectacular but coincide with enormous domestic travel, so book well ahead — or plan around them.
External links
China National Tourism / official travel information for general visitor resources.
The National Immigration Administration for the latest visa and entry guidance.
The China Meteorological Administration for weather and warnings.
Part of the series of guides on Visiting China
Visiting China: FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit China?
Many nationalities no longer do. UK, Irish, most EU, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian passport holders can currently enter visa-free for up to 30 days (a policy running to 31 December 2026). US citizens still need a visa, but can use the 240-hour visa-free transit. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality before booking.
Can I use Google, WhatsApp and Instagram in China?
Not directly — they're blocked by the "Great Firewall." Install a reputable VPN before you arrive, or use an international roaming eSIM, to stay connected to the services you use at home.
How do I pay for things in China?
China is almost entirely cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay now link to foreign credit cards, letting you pay as locals do via your phone. Carry a small amount of cash as a backup.
How many days do you need in China?
For a first trip, two to three weeks lets you combine a classic circuit such as Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai with one scenic region. With less time, focus on a single region rather than racing across the country.
When is the best time to visit China?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable, with mild, dry weather. Avoid the Chinese New Year and early-October holiday periods, when domestic travel peaks.