Plan Your Trip to China: A Comprehensive Guide

Visiting China can be an incredible adventure, but it requires careful planning. Here’s a user-friendly guide covering visa essentials, practical tips, and must-see destinations.

1. Visa Requirements

First and foremost, you’ll need a tourist (L) visa to enter China. The application process requires several documents. While the exact list can vary slightly by embassy, here are the general requirements:

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months with a minimum of two blank visa pages.

• Visa Application Form and Photo: Complete the online application form and attach a recent passport-style photo (48mm x 33mm) with a light background.

• Proof of Travel: This is crucial. You need to show a round-trip flight ticket and hotel reservations for your entire stay.

• Invitation Letter: An invitation letter from a Chinese travel agency or an individual.

• Proof of Financial Support: You may be asked to provide bank statements to prove you can financially support your trip.

• Itinerary: A detailed itinerary of your planned visit, including dates, places, and accommodations.

• First-Time Visitors: If this is your first time visiting China, you may need to provide additional documents like proof of employment and a no criminal record certificate.

2. Practical Travel Tips

China is a very different travel experience, so here are some tips to make your trip smoother:

• The “Great Firewall”: Many popular Western websites and apps like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are blocked in China. You will need to download a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before you arrive to access them.

• Cashless Society: China is largely a cashless society. While you can still use cash in some places, mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for everything from shopping to dining. It’s highly recommended to set up one of these apps by linking a foreign credit card.

• Transportation: China has an incredibly efficient transportation system. High-speed trains connect most major cities and are a great way to travel long distances. Ride-hailing apps like DiDi are also very cheap and convenient.

• Language: While English is spoken in major hotels and tourist areas, it’s not widespread. It’s a good idea to have a translation app and to have addresses of your destinations written in Chinese characters to show to taxi drivers or locals.

• Toilets: Public toilets are common, but they are often squat toilets and may not provide toilet paper. Always carry your own tissues.

• Crowds: Try to avoid traveling during major public holidays like Chinese New Year and National Day (October 1st-7th), as tourist sites will be extremely crowded and travel costs will be higher.

3. Top Destinations and Attractions

China is a vast country with a huge variety of sights. Here are some of the most popular places to visit:

• Beijing: The nation’s capital, steeped in history.

  • The Great Wall of China: A must-see. The Mutianyu section is often recommended for its fewer crowds.

  • Forbidden City: The former imperial palace and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Temple of Heaven: An architectural masterpiece where emperors prayed for good harvests.

• Xi’an: An ancient capital and the starting point of the Silk Road.

  • Terracotta Army: A stunning collection of thousands of life-sized warrior statues.

  • Xi’an City Wall: You can walk or bike along the ancient wall.

  • Muslim Quarter: A vibrant area known for its street food and lively market.

• Shanghai: A bustling metropolis that blends modern skyscrapers with colonial architecture.

  • The Bund: A famous waterfront area with impressive skyline views.

  • Yu Garden: A classical Chinese garden offering a peaceful escape.

  • Zhujiajiao Ancient Town: One of the many charming water towns near Shanghai.

• Guilin & Yangshuo: Known for their stunning natural scenery.

  • Li River Cruise: A scenic cruise through karst limestone hills.

  • Yangshuo: A laid-back town with opportunities for cycling and rock climbing.

• Chengdu: The capital of Sichuan province and a hub for culture and nature.

  • Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: Get up close with China’s most famous animal.

  • Leshan Giant Buddha: A massive Buddha statue carved into a cliff face.

• Yunnan Province: A diverse region with breathtaking landscapes and ethnic minorities.

  • Tiger Leaping Gorge: One of the deepest gorges in the world, perfect for trekking.

  • Lijiang Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage site with charming canals and ancient architecture.