China Travel Tips
If you plan on traveling to China, there are many things you should know before you go. China has an extraordinarily rich culture and long history, and as a tourist destination this area offers an abundance of historical and cultural learning opportunities. To avoid surprises, take a look at our China Travel Tips Page to make your trip smoother and successful! Here’s a brief overview, we’ll get into the details below.
Best Time to Visit China
Traveling to China requires much detailed research and planning. No good answer for question "best time to visit". Visitors have to choose a location first before any discussion can start. The best travel season for the northern area of China is spring and fall; the best times for the southern area are winter and late fall. Though traveling during the peak season has its advantage but low season does offer the benefits of fewer people and cheaper prices. Please avoid visiting China during the major national holidays, such as National day, Spring Festival, Dragon boat festival, etc.
Baggage Allowance
You do not want to have to drag around a big bag for the entire trip so remember that quality is better than quantity. You will likely be traveling on many planes and trains so a small suitcase is much more convenient. When taking domestic flights in China, the maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg and the size may not exceed 20x40x55cm. Adults and children are allowed a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. Passengers and their baggage are subject to the security inspection before boarding the aircraft. Please note that alcohol purchased at the airport may not be allowed to be carried as cabin luggage.
Cellular Service and Internet
If your phone has been unlocked, you can use it in China. There are three carriers in China: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. There are very few phone booths in China, and they can only be found at a few train stations and airports. Some luxury hotels allow you to make free domestic calls, but international calls are charged accordingly, in addition to an extra service fee. International cellular roaming charges can be quite expensive, so we strongly urge you to use a local SIM card. China's Internet network following is the world's largest, and it spreads across the entire country. Most hotels have free Internet access, and an increasing amount of public places in China have free WiFi, and this is most true in the larger cities.
Domestic Voltage and Sockets
Electricity in China is generally 220V, 50Hz. When you come to China, be sure to bring the necessary electric devices so your electronics work correctly. A transformer is the most important item to bring, and you can buy one before coming or pick up an inexpensive one in China Plugs and sockets are traditionally classified into different regional standards including American, European, British, South African, and Chinese standards. The standard for Chinese plugs is set out in GB 2099.1-2008 and GB 1002-2008. In China, the sockets are installed upside down. A standard type of socket in China contains two pins on the upper part and three grounded pins on the lower part. You might need a plug adapter, and you can either pick one up before you come or buy one in China.
Chinese Visa
Before you go, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months past your last day in China, and you must already have the necessary visa. Obtaining a tourist visa is a simple process. If you have questions, please direct them to your nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. You can also contact us, and we can help you process your visa application. To apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L Visa), you need to fill out an application form, and you will need a valid passport and a passport-sized photo. It usually takes one week for visa applications to be processed.
The 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Certain cities in China have recently introduced a program that allows people to travel in the country up to 72 hours without a visa. This has been implemented in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian and Shenyang as of 2019. Residents of the United States and Canada can stay in these cities for a short time without a visa, but it only applies to travelers who transit through international airports in one of the aforementioned cities with a destination in another country, excluding round trip flights. During the 72 hours, visitors are not allowed to leave the transit city to other cities.
Money Matters and Credit Cards
The official name of the Chinese currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY), and it is also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB). Locals refer to prices in "yuan" or "kwai," and notes come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. You can exchange your money for Chinese currency at the airport or at your hotel, but you will get the best deal when you exchange at local banks in China. Keep your receipts in case you want to exchange your remaining Chinese currency back to your home currency when you leave. Credit cards are growing in use in China, but they are still not as widespread as in most western countries. International hotels, nice restaurants, upscale shops, and tourist offices in the popular tourist cities accept major cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Health and Safety Tips
Health and Safety are of upmost importance when travelling, you wouldn't want anything unforeseen to take place in your travels. When living in the hotel, upon leaving the room your valuables shouldn't be left behind, it is recommended that you either deposit your valuables in the checkroom or take them with you. It is essential to get yourself a hotel card from the reception, with printed hotel name, address and phone number in both Chinese and English. When you eat outside, keep an eye on your valuables and bags, and for further safety, you should also carry diarrhea medicine. Wear and bring appropriate clothes depending on the outing place and weather. Also make sure to bring along any over-the-counter medicines you might need, such as painkillers, cold medicines, diarrhea medicines and also a first-aid kit for extra safety.
If you plan on traveling to China, there are many things you should know before you go. China has an extraordinarily rich culture and long history, and as a tourist destination this area offers an abundance of historical and cultural learning opportunities. To avoid surprises, take a look at our China Travel Tips Page to make your trip smoother and successful! Here’s a brief overview, we’ll get into the details below.
Best Time to Visit China
Traveling to China requires much detailed research and planning. No good answer for question "best time to visit". Visitors have to choose a location first before any discussion can start. The best travel season for the northern area of China is spring and fall; the best times for the southern area are winter and late fall. Though traveling during the peak season has its advantage but low season does offer the benefits of fewer people and cheaper prices. Please avoid visiting China during the major national holidays, such as National day, Spring Festival, Dragon boat festival, etc.
Baggage Allowance
You do not want to have to drag around a big bag for the entire trip so remember that quality is better than quantity. You will likely be traveling on many planes and trains so a small suitcase is much more convenient. When taking domestic flights in China, the maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg and the size may not exceed 20x40x55cm. Adults and children are allowed a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. Passengers and their baggage are subject to the security inspection before boarding the aircraft. Please note that alcohol purchased at the airport may not be allowed to be carried as cabin luggage.
Cellular Service and Internet
If your phone has been unlocked, you can use it in China. There are three carriers in China: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. There are very few phone booths in China, and they can only be found at a few train stations and airports. Some luxury hotels allow you to make free domestic calls, but international calls are charged accordingly, in addition to an extra service fee. International cellular roaming charges can be quite expensive, so we strongly urge you to use a local SIM card. China's Internet network following is the world's largest, and it spreads across the entire country. Most hotels have free Internet access, and an increasing amount of public places in China have free WiFi, and this is most true in the larger cities.
Domestic Voltage and Sockets
Electricity in China is generally 220V, 50Hz. When you come to China, be sure to bring the necessary electric devices so your electronics work correctly. A transformer is the most important item to bring, and you can buy one before coming or pick up an inexpensive one in China Plugs and sockets are traditionally classified into different regional standards including American, European, British, South African, and Chinese standards. The standard for Chinese plugs is set out in GB 2099.1-2008 and GB 1002-2008. In China, the sockets are installed upside down. A standard type of socket in China contains two pins on the upper part and three grounded pins on the lower part. You might need a plug adapter, and you can either pick one up before you come or buy one in China.
Chinese Visa
Before you go, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months past your last day in China, and you must already have the necessary visa. Obtaining a tourist visa is a simple process. If you have questions, please direct them to your nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. You can also contact us, and we can help you process your visa application. To apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L Visa), you need to fill out an application form, and you will need a valid passport and a passport-sized photo. It usually takes one week for visa applications to be processed.
The 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Certain cities in China have recently introduced a program that allows people to travel in the country up to 72 hours without a visa. This has been implemented in the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian and Shenyang as of 2019. Residents of the United States and Canada can stay in these cities for a short time without a visa, but it only applies to travelers who transit through international airports in one of the aforementioned cities with a destination in another country, excluding round trip flights. During the 72 hours, visitors are not allowed to leave the transit city to other cities.
Money Matters and Credit Cards
The official name of the Chinese currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY), and it is also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB). Locals refer to prices in "yuan" or "kwai," and notes come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. You can exchange your money for Chinese currency at the airport or at your hotel, but you will get the best deal when you exchange at local banks in China. Keep your receipts in case you want to exchange your remaining Chinese currency back to your home currency when you leave. Credit cards are growing in use in China, but they are still not as widespread as in most western countries. International hotels, nice restaurants, upscale shops, and tourist offices in the popular tourist cities accept major cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Health and Safety Tips
Health and Safety are of upmost importance when travelling, you wouldn't want anything unforeseen to take place in your travels. When living in the hotel, upon leaving the room your valuables shouldn't be left behind, it is recommended that you either deposit your valuables in the checkroom or take them with you. It is essential to get yourself a hotel card from the reception, with printed hotel name, address and phone number in both Chinese and English. When you eat outside, keep an eye on your valuables and bags, and for further safety, you should also carry diarrhea medicine. Wear and bring appropriate clothes depending on the outing place and weather. Also make sure to bring along any over-the-counter medicines you might need, such as painkillers, cold medicines, diarrhea medicines and also a first-aid kit for extra safety.
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