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China travel guide

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Find out what to see and do when travelling or backpacking around China.

China highlights

  Destination Make a reservation
Beijing, China
Beijing
A must see when visiting China. Visit Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, sample Peking Duck, walk the Great Wall.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Xian, China
Xian
An ancient capital of China, home of the Terracotta Warriors and one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese City Walls (which you can cycle along).		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Chengdu, China
Chengdu
Popular destination due to the giant pandas at the Panda Research centre just outside the city, also a great place to sample a Sichuan hotpot or visit the Chinese Opera.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Lijiang, China
Lijiang
Pretty little village, with small winding canals and red lanterns. Home to the Naxi minority.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
Tiger Leaping Gorge (Near Lijiang)
The most famous trekking spot in China, spectacular views of the gorge at an altitude of about 2500 meters. Most people do the trek in two days, and there are cosy little guesthouses dotted along the route. 		Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Yangshuo, China
Yangshuo & Guilin
Popular backpacker haunts, located on a river in the Karst mountain region. Hire a bike and explore, sail on a bamboo boat across the river, or hike through farm land.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Ping'An, China
Ping'An
Ping'An is a small village (no cars allowed), highest altitude rice paddies in the world.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Songpan, China
Songpan
Small, picturesque town with Tibetan influences - Start point for horseback riding to Ice Mountain.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong
Cosmopolitan City with many skyscrapers, 24 hour shopping, a dazzling array of food options and fishing towns where traditional Chinese junks are docked.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Shanghai, China
Shanghai
Shanghai's furturistic skyline along the Bund is stunning. Modern, exciting Shanghai is a great contrast to busy, dirty Beijing and worth going to.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours

Main travellers routes

  • Beijing is usually the starting point for travelers in China. The others travel overland up from Vietnam or Laos, or maybe fly into Hong Kong as part of a round the world trip.
  • From Beijing it's very easy to take the overnight train to Xian, the sleeper trains are comfortable and also help to save a nights' accommodation costs.
  • Rail is the best way to travel where available; however this is not possible between the small towns and villages in the South. A domestic flight is often the solution if you want to cover large distances.
  • Beijing is also the start or end of Trans Siberian rail trips

Capital and main cities

  • Beijing
  • Other main populated areas: Shanghai, Hong Kong

Languages

  • Mandarin
  • Cantonese
  • Some English

Currency

Visas (always check with your embassy)

  • Visa required for UK Tourists.
  • Must be obtained prior to arrival and usually valid for 1 month only.
  • Usually valid for 90 days from the day of issue so don't get your Visa too early. 
  • Chinese Embassy in the UK
    49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL
    Tel: 020-72994049
    Website

Foreign Office Advice

Flights and accommodation

Tours and day trips in China

This guide to travelling in China was contributed by China Travel Plan

Next: Planning a trip to China