Planning a trip to China

China is a fantastic destination for a traveler seeking a single country with extreme contrasts. The Middle Kingdom has everything from otherworldly natural scenery like the Zhangjiajie National Forest, to the ultra-modern cityscape of Chongqing, to the centuries-old Terracotta Army of Xi’an. But you may be wondering how to plan a trip to China in a way that makes the most of your time, and allows you to soak up its best sights?

Yet, a China vacation means a destination and activity for every kind of traveler. But, planning a trip to this part of the world can be a little daunting — China is such a vast country, with countless cities and places you might have never heard of. Thankfully, our local experts have vast experience planning the perfect China itinerary. Below, we share all we know about the country where every steamed dumpling, river, and towering mountain tells a story. Have a read for plenty of inspiration, and get in touch with our local experts to start planning your personalized itinerary.

How to plan a trip to China

With so much rich culture and history to soak up, putting together a China travel itinerary can be tricky. Here are our best tips:

Try not to do too much

China is a big country with plenty to see and do. Flying from Beijing to Hong Kong takes three and a half hours. So, it’s better to make multiple trips to experience its many different facets rather than exhaust yourself trying to see everything in one trip. If you are planning to do as much as possible, consider a stay of at least two weeks in China to make the most of your time.

Best time to visit China

The best time to plan a trip to China depends on what you’d like to do. Summer is typically very humid and hot, so avoid strenuous hikes and outdoor activities like climbing the Great Wall around this time. This is also peak season, so you’ll see lots of crowds.

Instead, plan to visit around spring or fall for fewer crowds and comfortable weather. The only exception is Harbin, which is best when the weather is below freezing between December and February.

Use ‘open jaw’ airfares

An open jaw is when an airline lets you fly into one city and out of another. Most airlines allow this. For China, you can fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai or Hong Kong, meaning you don’t need to backtrack needlessly.

Escaping crowds on a ‘classic’ trip is challenging

China is the world’s most populous country, and its people are just starting to be able to afford to see some of their own country. Expect popular tourist sites like the Terracotta Warriors to be busy. If you only have a two-week China itinerary and want to see the main sites, getting anywhere quiet is tricky. If you have more time or are prepared to miss one or two major stops, there are some fantastic off-the-beaten-track places to discover.

Internal flights in China are expensive

Most airlines in China are state-owned, which means internal direct flights tend to be pricey. The best way to keep costs down is to minimize the number of flights you take, though some are unavoidable. Consider overnight trains, which are cheaper and a fun way to travel.

Choose your hotels wisely

You’ll find five-star hotels in Beijing located many miles from Tiananmen Square, that are much cheaper than a three-star hotel located a stone’s throw from it. State-owned hotels tend to be more generous with their star ratings than Western brands — a five-star state-owned hotel can, in reality, be little better than a three-star. Your local expert will be able to help you choose the best hotels where you’ll be visiting, so plan with them carefully to enjoy the best experience suited to your needs.

Planning a trip to China: the best cities to visit

China goes by many names: the Red Dragon, the Middle Kingdom, and the Sleeping Giant, to name a few. Each one is steeped in the country’s four millennia-old history and the people’s pride in their country. If you don’t have that much time to explore, consider visiting these distinctly different cities to see that.

Modern Shanghai

Shanghai gives visitors a look into modern China with over 190 skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower, looming over the skyline. The city is also quite diverse, with many tourists, and it has the most English speakers. So, you are more likely to have an easier time when sightseeing, especially at places like Shanghai Disneyland, the Former French Concession, and Nanjing Lu.

Of course, a trip to China wouldn’t be complete without a balance of nature and history. Yu Garden, Longhua Temple, and the Jade Buddha Temple are all breathtaking places to visit.

Cultural Beijing

Beijing is China’s capital city and has a population of roughly 22 million. As you can expect, the city is filled with cultural landmarks, from the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven to the Great Wall of China.

When you are here, you must try the legendary Peking duck, which has been served in the major cities since the Imperial era. The crispy crackling skin and juicy interior, eaten with spring onion pancakes, is a staple here.

Ancient Xi’an

Xi’an, in Shaanxi province, has a history that dates back about 6,000 years. Historical sites like the Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient Xi’an City Wall, and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda offer a glimpse of yesteryear.

Each of these sites tells an incredible story of prosperous dynasties, warfare, and perseverance through tough times. The city was also the starting point of the Silk Road, which saw a blend of cultures in the area, birthing delicious dishes like biangbiang noodles and lamb kebabs.

Spicy and conservation-forward Chengdu

Chengdu is located in the Sichuan province, often hailed as the best place to get a taste of China’s spice. The mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorn is a common spice in these dishes, especially in local hot pots.

The city is best known for its Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, which allows you to see the country’s national animal up close. While here, don’t miss out on cultural events and landmarks like the Sichuan opera shows, Wenshu Temple, and Sanxingdui Museum.

Lush Guilin

Guilin is a beautiful place with absolutely magical, lush landscapes like Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and the Li River. These open the city up for attractions like hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, and cave exploration, which adventure travelers will love.

Not as active? You can still see the city’s beauty with a lazy cruise on the Li River past the karst mountains or a leisurely walk through the glittering Reed Flute Cave. The city has something for every fitness level.

What to add to your China trip itinerary: key highlights and hidden gems

Get a deeper look into Chinese culture and history by visiting these highlights to make the most of your 10 days to two weeks in China.

The Forbidden City, Beijing

The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of China’s top historical highlights because it served as China’s imperial palace and center of political power for over 500 years. The almost 9,000-room palace housed 24 Qing and Ming emperors and offered ceremonial courtyards, gold-brick floors, and multiple palaces.

Jingshan Park, Beijing

Just behind the Forbidden City, you’ll find Jingshan Park, a royal landscape garden with panoramic views of the city. The park is filled with ancient architecture, halls, and perhaps most stunning — a peony rose garden. It is a wonderful place for a leisurely day trip, just walking the grounds and learning about Chinese history circa the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall of China, Beijing

China’s 13,171-mile Great Wall, built over 2,000 years ago to defend against invasions, is divided into four sections. The Mutianyu Great Wall is the closest to Beijing and one of the best preserved. As a result, it is the most visited and offers panoramic views, a cable car ride, and a toboggan ride.

Yu Gardens, Shanghai

While a wonderful look into modern China, Shanghai still carves out spaces for nature within the bustling city, with the Yu Garden in the city center. This lush botanical space showcases the unique Chinese garden style with pine trees, ponds, and covered walkways. The gardens also host a lively bazaar, which offers goods and experiences.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie

You may recognize Zhangjiajie’s unique landscape from the out-of-this-world movie Avatar, which was based on it. The pointed sandstone columns are definitely one of China’s most beautiful landscapes. The park allows you to see the mountains from all angles, from hiking them to cable car rides and a glass bridge.

Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an

The Terracotta Warriors are one of China’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 11 million visitors per year. The impressive 8,000 clay soldiers were found in the grave of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, armed with horses, chariots, and heavy body armor. The best time to visit is in spring or fall, when tourists are few and temperatures are milder.

Chengdu Panda Reserve, Chengdu

The Chengdu Panda Reserve is a must-see if you’re traveling with family in China. The reserve is home to over 230 pandas of varying ages, kept in an attempt to rehabilitate and protect them. It allows you to see China’s national animal in its (almost) natural habitat, playing and munching on bamboo.

Zhangye National Geopark, Zhangye

It’s hard to believe that these surreal rainbow rock formations exist, but they do. These red, green, and gold lines are formed due to millions of years of mineral deposits and erosion. Bring a camera and walk the winding boardwalks for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Harbin

Harbin is one of the coldest cities in China. It hosts the annual Harbin Ice Festival, the world’s largest ice sculpture festival. This city is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with snow, lights, ice sculptures, and icy fun each winter. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking art and ice skating, tubing, and other snow activities.

Tips to keep in mind for your first trip to China

Traveling in a foreign country, especially one where English isn’t as prevalent, can be daunting. Follow these tips to make the trip much less scary for first-time visitors.

Transport tips

• Taxi: Taxis are fairly cheap in China. You can hail one on the street or take a DiDi, China’s version of Uber. To avoid being scammed, consider taking a yellow taxi through DiDi so you can confirm how much to pay at the end of a ride.
• Trains: China also boasts high-speed trains that transport people between cities in a fraction of the time a bus would. These trains also cost a fraction of the price of a taxi or flight, making them ideal for city hopping.
• Bus: Traveling within the city is relatively easy by bus. Simply scan your card and follow the map to get from point A to B. This might take a bit of practice at first, but bus rides are a very cheap way to travel.
• Bicycle or e-bike: Beijing is one of China’s most bikeable cities. Many hostels, hotels, or public spaces offer bicycles or e-bikes for rent all over the city. These can cost anywhere between 20 to 40 CNY ($2.70 – $5.40) per day, proving the bike ride as a fun activity and an affordable mode of transport.

Tipping etiquette

No matter your good intentions, it may seem rude or even condescending to the waiter if you leave them a tip. This is because it is seen as a duty to be hospitable in China. On some tours, it may be okay to leave gratuity, but if you wish to leave something behind, do so discreetly or give a small gift instead.

Drink bottled water

Chinese people are very health-conscious, so they often drink water. However, whether you’re a foreigner or a local, China’s tap water isn’t safe to drink. You’ll frequently see people buy or carry bottled water, instead. You’ll also see filtered water fountains at tourist locations or sometimes in the city, where you can fill up your bottle for free.

Air quality

Unfortunately, China’s air quality isn’t always excellent, as it is one of the most air-polluted countries. Some days, the air is thick with smog, requiring you to wear a mask to keep yourself safe. You can buy these at almost any convenience store in the city for an affordable price.

VPN

China has what is known as a Great Firewall, which blocks many apps and websites we’re used to like Facebook and Google, to name a few. Getting a VPN means you can bypass these systems momentarily.

You may find that during important governmental meetings or significant holidays, China sometimes blocks these services. To bypass this, you may try different or multiple VPN services instead.

Local maps

Google Maps isn’t as helpful on a China trip because of the restrictions. Instead, download local maps like Gaode Map (高德地图) or Baidu Map (百度地图) for more accurate routes and travel times. These also come in handy when using public transport.

Cashless payments

China is an almost cashless society, with most people using services like Alipay or WeChat Pay to scan QR codes to pay or buy anything. These services even allow you to transfer money between friends, making splitting bills that much easier. Of course, you can withdraw money from an ATM, but you risk paying hundreds in international fees.

There may be a language barrier

While China’s open-door policy has allowed tourists to enter the country since 1978, many people still do not speak English. If you visit major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, you are more likely to encounter people (typically younger) who do speak the language, but it’s not the norm. Thus, it is a good idea to learn a few basic phrases and have a translation app like the Baidu Translate voice function on hand to help you out in non-touristy areas.

Make it happen

Imagine standing atop the world at the winding Great Wall or walking the same grounds as an emperor from the Ming Dynasty. How about feeding a giant panda in its natural habitat? You don’t have to imagine in China — it’s all possible.

With help from our locally-based travel agents, you could learn valuable tips on how to plan a trip to China, in order to authentically experience its food, traditional culture, ancient temples, and history without hassle. All trips created are bespoke and unique to you, so get in touch with them today to get the ball rolling.