China Tours

China Travel FAQs

• How to apply for a tourist visa to visit China?

  To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to make an appointment with the embassy and prepare the following documents: a valid original passport, a color passport photo, the China visa application form, proof of legal stay or residence and your travel itinerary materials. Then submit your visa application form along with the required documents. After paying the fee, you will receive your China visa within 5 working days.

  If you are an American citizen, you do not need to worry about your hotels, flights, and itineraries proofing. The visa application form and your passport are all you need.

  For more detailed information, check out this China Tourist Visa Application Guide 2024.

• Can I enter China with a port visa (visa on arrival) now?

  Yes! Tourists from several major countries, such as the United States and Australia, can now enter China with a port visa at Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport), Shenzhen (Luohu, Shekou), Zhuhai (Gongbei).

  For easier entry, you can choose a Shanghai Port Visa. With a Shanghai port visa, you can enter China through Shanghai port and travel to other cities within the country. You also exit from any city in China. This makes it easier for you to plan your trip to China and explore the country without worrying about visa restrictions. If you are interested in applying for a Shanghai port visa, please contact our travel experts for more information on the application process and required documents.

  *A port visa is a type of visa that allows foreign tourists to enter China through designated ports of entry. It is a convenient option for tourists as it simplifies the process of entering China.

• Can I make a visit to China without a visa?

  Citizens from 38 countries can enjoy a visa-free journey for up to 30 days. This policy is valid from 30th November 2024 to 31 December 2025: including Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland. Additionally, Singaporean travelers can relish a 30-day visa-free entry to China starting from February 9, 2024!

  There is also a visa-free policy for visitors traveling through China, which can last up to 144 hours.

  Passengers from the countries listed below transit from China to a third country or region can benefit from visa-free entry in most port cities of China in 144 hours:

  Americans (of 6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.

  European citizens (of 39 countries): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Monaco.

  Oceanians (of 2 countries): Australia and New Zealand.

  Asians (of 6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

  Also, if Hong Kong is your destination, most tour groups of European, American, Canadian, Australian, and South African citizens can also benefit from visa-free entry into Guangdong.

• How many days do I need in China?

  China has so many to explore, how long it takes to travel just depends on the breadth and depth of your visit. We recommend at least one week. For first-timers, normally a week is enough to discover Beijing and Shanghai, the two most historical and modern cities in China. But if you want to see the pandas in Chengdu, Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an, picturesque karst landscapes in Guilin, etc., you may have to spend around 2 weeks or more. No matter whether you are looking for culture, food, history, or photography, we can help to customize a personal itinerary according to your specific interests. Check our most recommended China tours and make your dream happen!

• Can I combine my visit to China with another country?

  Yes. As we operate tours in 70+ destinations in Asia and other continents, it is easy to extend your China tour to a neighboring country or more, such as South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. If you are looking for a multi-country tour, just send us an inquiry and there will be a 1:1 travel consultant to help you design a unique itinerary.

• Is English widely used in China?

  The official language of China is Mandarin. Despite English being taught in Chinese schools, it isn't commonly spoken by Chinese people in daily life. However, you should have no problems at airports, high-end hotels, restaurants or large shops, where the staff can generally communicate with you in English. Besides, your professional English-speaking private guides will accompany you throughout the whole journey in China, so just relax and enjoy your time.

• Is it a common practice to give tips in China?

  Tipping has now become an accepted practice in China as it is considered a gesture of appreciation for good service. The suggested gratuity is CNY 80 per traveler per day as tips for the guide and CNY60 per traveler per day as tips for the driver. However, you might pay more or less depending on their services.

• Is it common to use credit cards in China?

  Major credit cards like Visa and Master Card are widely accepted by star-rated hotels, upscale restaurants, and large shopping malls in China. Nowadays, mobile payment is getting more and more popular, not only in big cities but also in small towns. But never mind, cash is still widely used. So, it is suggested to prepare some small notes of Chinese YUAN during your tour.

• Will I be able to exchange Dollars, Euros, or other currencies during my tour in China?

  Yes. Chinese Yuan (CNY) - also called Renminbi (RMB) is the official currency in China. There are several places you can exchange your currency in China, including the airport, some major hotels, and most local banks. It's easier to exchange cash directly in China rather than via a traveler's check or credit card, so it's important that you plan ahead and bring enough cash with you. And if you are using Chinese Alipay or Wechat apps, you can also try the mobile payment method - which is the most popular in China now.

• Can I use WeChat Pay in China?

  Of course, WeChat Pay is widely accepted in China, and now you can link your international credit or debit card to the WeChat Pay platform in just three simple steps.

  Enter your card number and expiry date, then create your payment password. This streamlined process makes paying in China as convenient as possible.

• Is it safe to visit China?

  Generally speaking, China is a safe country to travel around, and most people you meet are friendly, honest, and trustworthy. However, there might be some small risks, such as petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas, as well as at train stations and on sleeper buses and trains. If you travel with us, you will always have a private tour guide and driver with you in each city to give you a safe and happy journey.

• Can I take pictures of the people, streets, during my tour?

  There is no law or regulation against people or street photography in China. Generally speaking before taking pictures of people, it would be better to ask permission first. For religious reasons and relic protection, in some national preserved attractions, such as the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, and the Potala Palace in Lhasa, photography is strictly limited in certain areas and you can find the signs of "No Photos" or "No Flashing". Besides, do not take photos in politically sensitive areas like military bases and customs.