China
travel guides

It depends on your nationality, as China has expanded visa-free entry to a long list of countries in recent years. Many EU nationalities and several others can now enter visa-free for short stays, and visa-free transit of up to 240 hours applies at major airports. Everyone else needs a tourist L visa arranged in advance, so check the nearest Chinese embassy for current rules.

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the best months across most of China. Summer is hot and wet almost everywhere, and northern winters are severely cold. Avoid the Golden Week holidays in early October and around Chinese New Year, when domestic travel peaks and prices rise sharply.

China has very low rates of street crime and is generally safe for visitors. The bigger practical challenges are language barriers outside major cities and the need for local apps to navigate transport and payments. Download a translation app and an offline map before you arrive.

China uses the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY), often quoted as RMB. Everyday spending is overwhelmingly done through mobile QR payments rather than cash, and both major Chinese payment apps now let foreign visitors link an international card. Carrying some cash is still worth it for small vendors and rural areas.

High-speed rail is the best way to travel between Chinese cities. The network connects Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Guangzhou at speeds up to 350 km/h, often faster door-to-door than flying. Within cities, metro systems are extensive, cheap and signed in English.

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