Why China, Why Now
China is a country that feels like ten different worlds stitched into one epic map. It's fast, fascinating, sometimes overwhelming, and endlessly rewarding once you find your rhythm. Think neon-lit mega cities with skylines that look like sci-fi sets, quiet ancient water towns where time slows right down, misty mountains that belong in a painting, deserts that stretch forever, and countryside so green it looks edited.
Beijing mixes imperial history with modern city energy, you can walk the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, then be eating dumplings in a buzzing night market an hour later. Beyond Beijing, China opens up into completely different trips. Shanghai's glossy waterfront, karst peaks in Guilin and Yangshuo, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, dramatic pillars in Zhangjiajie, or head west to Yunnan for old towns, tea regions, and mountain scenery. Whatever you're into, China has got you covered.
Best Time To Visit
China's weather varies hugely by region, so timing really matters. You could get crisp blue skies in Beijing, sticky heat in Shanghai, and heavy rain in the south, all in the same trip.
Spring (Apr to May)
One of the best windowsComfortable temperatures, clearer skies, and great conditions for Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Guilin. Ideal for hiking before the summer humidity arrives.
Summer (Jun to Aug)
Hot, humid, livelyHot and often rainy in eastern cities, but it works well for higher altitude areas like Yunnan and western China. Night markets and street food are at their best, pack light clothes and a rain layer.
Autumn (Sep to Oct)
The other sweet spotMild days, lower humidity, lovely light for sightseeing. Excellent for the Great Wall, city breaks, and mountain scenery, but early October gets very busy during National Day golden week.
Winter (Nov to Mar)
Cold north, mild southCold in the north, but great for quieter sights and crisp air. Beijing and Xi'an are less crowded, Harbin's ice festival is legendary, and Guangzhou and parts of Yunnan stay mild.
See China in 60 Seconds
Sixty seconds of Great Wall sunrises, karst peaks, and neon-lit skylines. Then read on for the full story.
Book The Essentials
The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.
What To Expect
The practical stuff, minus the waffle.
Capital
Beijing is a big-hitting mix of imperial history and modern city energy, Great Wall in the morning, dumplings in a night market by evening.
Language
Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua) is official, with loads of regional dialects depending on where you are. English shows up in hotels, airports, and major attractions, but drops off fast outside the main tourist lanes. Quick wins: "Ni hao" (hello), "Xiexie" (thank you), "Duo shao qian?" (how much?). A translation app is your best travel buddy here.
Currency
The Chinese Yuan (Renminbi, RMB), written as CNY or ¥. Handy ballpark: ¥100 is roughly £10-12, €12-14, or $13-15. Rates wobble, so check XE before you go.
Cards & ATMs
China runs mobile-payment first. Alipay and WeChat Pay cover everything from metro tickets to bubble tea, and some smaller places won't take foreign cards at all. Set up at least one mobile payment method before you arrive.
Plugs
Types A, C, and I are all common, 220V and 50Hz. Grab a universal adapter, especially useful if you're hopping between hotels and regions.
Safety
Generally very safe, including big cities. Watch your stuff in crowded stations and markets, be cautious of "too friendly" strangers offering tours or tea ceremonies, and take extra care crossing roads, traffic can be creatively interpreted. Long-distance travel is very organised, just busy.
Random Useful Tip
Download offline maps and a translation app, and save your hotel and key addresses in Chinese characters before you go. Taxi drivers can't work from the English name alone.
Never Ever
Don't wait until day one to sort your money situation. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive, sorting it out on the fly wastes half a day and a lot of patience.
Live Weather in Beijing
Straight from the source, updated as you read this.
17°C
- Temperature
China Travel Guides
From the Great Wall to the karst peaks of Guilin. Everything we've written so far.
The Best Time to Visit Beijing: A Month by Month Seasonal Guide
A proper month-by-month breakdown for the capital, so you land at the right time for the trip you want.
Read the guideEssential Tips for Visiting China: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Everything we wish we'd known before our first visit, the practical stuff that makes a real difference.
Get the tipsCathay Pacific Baggage Allowance: Cabin, Hold and the Piece vs Weight Twist
Flying Cathay Pacific into China? Here's exactly what you can bring before you're hit with a gate fee.
Read the guideAir China Baggage Allowance: Cabin vs Hold Rules Fully Explained
Flying with Air China? The full breakdown of cabin and hold allowances before you pack.
Read the guideLatest China Articles
Every China guide we publish lands here automatically.
City Guides (coming soon)
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does China Cost?
China is one of the best-value destinations on the planet, if you know how to travel it. Here's a realistic breakdown, in pounds with euros and dollars alongside.
Backpacker
- Hostel dorms from £7 a night
- Noodle shops, dumplings, street canteens
- Metro plus overnight trains
- Free parks, temples, wandering
Mid-Range
- Budget hotels and clean private rooms
- Mix of local restaurants and cafes
- High-speed trains plus occasional taxi
- Big sights, guided tours, day trips
Upscale
- Stylish hotels in city centres
- Fine dining plus Peking Duck at the good spots
- Private guides and fast trains
- Upgraded experiences, no compromises
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Real prices in pounds, with euros and dollars alongside. Pick a category.
Budget
Mid to Luxury
City Travel
Long Distance
Eat Cheap
Eating Out
Budget Fun
Big Experiences
Tips for Saving Money in China
Ten easy ways to keep a China trip cheap without missing the good stuff.
Don't drink tap water directly, but a filter bottle beats buying bottled water constantly.
Away from major sights, the food is usually better and the bill is way lower than tourist spots.
Often faster, more comfortable, and better value than flying city to city.
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, cheap, fast, and usually easier than taxis in traffic.
Alipay and WeChat Pay, but keep a little cash as backup in case a smaller place won't take foreign cards.
Better prices, lower crowds, and way less booking stress.
Not from kiosks right outside attractions, same stuff, lower prices.
Still on a metro line, but you'll usually save a lot on accommodation.
Hotel desks and last-minute agents can charge more than booking direct.
China's cities are huge, cutting down cross-city travel time saves both money and energy.
Getting Around China
China is enormous, but its transport network is one of the best in the world. Here's how to use it without losing your mind.
Domestic Flights
Best for long distances, western China, Yunnan, remote regions. Prices vary wildly so book early.
- Only practical option for the far west
- Budget carriers from £40
- Airport faff adds time back on
Car & Campervan
Self-driving is doable but tricky due to rules and navigation. Hiring a driver for day trips is often better value.
- Best for national parks and countryside
- A private driver gives you flexible, stress-free days
- City parking is a nightmare, just don't
Public Transport
Beijing and Shanghai have world-class metro networks. Cheap, fast, air-conditioned, and it actually works.
- From £0.25 per ride
- Beats traffic every single time
- Can be extremely busy at rush hour
High-Speed Rail
The star of China travel. Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours. Fast, comfortable, reliable.
- Incredible value and speed
- Connects most major cities
- Book ahead, popular routes sell out
Long-Distance Bus
Good for smaller towns, scenic areas, and last-mile connections where trains don't reach.
- Cheap and covers remote areas
- Night buses save a hotel night
- Comfort varies massively
Cycling + Walking
Brilliant in hutong neighbourhoods, scenic areas, and smaller cities. Bike share is common and cheap.
- Bike share apps work great in cities
- Perfect for Yangshuo, the Xi'an city wall, and parks
- Heavy traffic in big city centres, pick routes wisely
Which Is Right For You?
High-speed train, always.
Domestic flight plus local bus.
Metro card, no contest.
Private driver or rental car.
Quick Tips
Popular routes sell out fast, especially holidays and weekends.
Alipay or WeChat Pay, set it up before you arrive, not on day one.
Taxi drivers won't find your hotel from the English name. Save it in characters.
You'll use your phone constantly for maps, translation, and tickets.
We film the trips behind these guides. Station walkthroughs, room tours, road routes and the bits that photos quietly leave out. New videos land alongside the new guides.
Related Resources
Because good trips still hit bumps. Here's the backup plan.
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here's how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Read the GuidesTheft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won't see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to dodge them.
Protect YourselfTravel Insurance
Don't skip this one, especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain what you actually need.
Find the Right PolicyChina Travel FAQs
The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.
Do I need a visa to visit China?
Is China safe for tourists?
Do I need a VPN in China?
How do I pay for things in China?
What's the best way to get around China?
When is the best time to visit China?
How much does China cost per day?
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What food should I try in China?
Travel Hubs Worth A Look
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