Planning a trip to China? China is a fascinating country, but very different, so we've listed some tips to help you get started and avoid problems, which link in with our wealth of knowledge on touring China.
1. Think what to pack for China early.
Essentials include passport (and visa), enough money (or a card to withdraw it), enough of the right clothes (check out the weather), and any medication you need (you may need a translated doctor's note to get it through customs). Smartphones are a handy spacesaver, especially if equipped with a VPN (see next tip). You may also need an adapter for any electronics you bring as China uses 2 or 3 thin-pin sockets at 220V. See more on how to pack for China.
2. Get a VPN.
Many websites such as Facebook, Google, and Instagram are blocked here in China. Some applications on your smart devices and access to emails may require a VPN connection to work so it is highly recommended to get one. See our list of the best China VPN recommendations for paid and unpaid subscriptions.
3. Be wise to the pollution issues.
The government has been working on reducing air pollution here in China, particularly in the main tourist cities, and it is usually better than the media would lead you to expect. On some days, however, the pollution in cities like Beijing may still affect your experience, especially if you have a respiratory condition.
Beyond wearing a dust mask like the locals, consider traveling in spring or when the pollution is least, and out-of-the-city activities. Find out more on what to do on a poor air quality day in Beijing.
You may also be interested in China's Five Best Cities for Air Quality.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. more
Feb 2024, apisn2023
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! more
Feb 2024, Apis
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. more
Feb 2024, Nicola B
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3rd time the charm, is being charmed for the 3rd time.
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan Mueller
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3rd time the charm, is charmed for the 3rd time
The sites stay the same but each time we have done this tour, the tour guides manage to make it feel like it is the first time you are experiencing it. And, with the constant renovations, this time we were able to see previous areas that were unavailable the last time we came. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan M
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Great trip and experience!
From beginning to end, China Highlights was very courteous, responsive and attentive in planning and executing a great trip!Aspects and execution of the trip was as discussed and was an overall great experience. Our guide, Michael, was very kind and knowledgeable throughout the tour and would address all questions and help us take lots of photos. Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more
Feb 2024, Karol
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3rd the charm is charmed for the 3rd time
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, jkjmueller
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1 Day in Beijing
Nice views, Not too much people, Jessi (guide ) so friendly and she have a great service & she knows the answer of all your questions more
Feb 2024, Fernando J
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Fabulous day!
Jesse He ,she is a nice tourist guide patience and take good care for us. We had a wonderful time in Beijing,we did the forbidden city and greatwall We love everything ! more
Feb 2024, Charon R
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs more
Jan 2024, Iriana Iriana
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An excellent day with Linda
Linda (Ling ling)is a great tour guide,provide a lot of knowledge and history of the great wall,and took us to taste very delicious food too,we had a very good time with her!highly recommend her! more
Jan 2024, Angeline Lim
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Great time in Beijing with Bruce
We stayed in Beijing for three days altogether. We went to the summer palace. the Tian'an'men square, the Forbidden City,the Temple of heaven and the Great Wall. Our tour guide Bruce is very friendly and speaks English fluently. He explained every scenic spot to us patiently and humorously. my family are very satisfied with his service. more
Jan 2024, Mayra C
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Bucket List Trip to China
My first stop in China was Beijing. Ethan was my guide there. Daily, they would pick me up and take me to the spots on the itinerary. He helped me plan outside activities like a Chinese acrobat show. He even walked me to my seat in my theater so I could easily find my correct chair. What was most helpful was Ethan waiting with me at the train station and even helping me on to my seat and giving the train attendant my meal order. Very little English was spoken by the train attendant. more
Jan 2024, Megan Sandbothe
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Great Wall at Jinshanling
We went to the Great Wall at Jinshanling which is a very beautiful place which is not that busy. In fact most of the time it felt like we were alone on the wall.The tourguide (Jack) was very knowledgeable and very friendly.A big thumbs up more
Jan 2024, Onno
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs. We had great 3 days in Beijing.We also visited Luoyang. Our travel advisor arranged a Business class seat for our high speed train to Luoyang. We were picked up at the station by our guide in Luoyang, Lisa. We then visited Dengfeng to see Songyang academy, shaolin temple, Luoyang grottoes. She also took care of us very well and very knowledgeable about the history. more
Jan 2024, lriana lriana
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing! more
Jan 2024, Lydia
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing more
Jan 2024, Explore49612084715
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Beijing
Fantastic couple days in Beijing. Thank you to my guide Mark who eloquently relayed stories about China history and culture. more
Jan 2024, Steve P
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Jack is an excellent guide
Jack is an excellent guide, very patient, punctual, wonderful command of english. I recommend him any day. more
Jan 2024, Brahma
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Great intro to 🇨🇳
Candy was fabulous right from the start. She was knowledgeable, passionate and a lot of fun. Our introduction to China and Beijing was an interesting and memorable one!! more
Jan 2024, Jo66
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4. Spring and autumn are the best times to come.
Whether you enjoy a winter wonderland or the warm sun shining on your skin, China has the perfect destination for you. For the most comfortable weather, consider coming in spring or fall. Spring is a great time as China is fresh and flowering, while autumn has drier weather than spring as well as moderate temperatures. Check out the best times to visit China.
Recommended tours:
- Classic Wonders (11-day) — the highlights in Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai
- The Golden Triangle (8-day) — just the big three: similar to the above, without Guilin
5. But watch out for public and school holidays.
Holidays are great. They put everyone in a joyous mood. Watch out though! Chinese locals usually travel during these periods. Travel costs (hotels, flights…) usually skyrocket during this period. Generally, try to avoid festivals too, unless you want to experience them! Find out more about the busy periods to avoid in China.
Recommended tour:
- 13-Day A Broad Taste of China (Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Guilin – Hong Kong)
- 11-Day Classic Wonders (Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai)
6. High-speed rail is better than flying for some journeys.
Long bus rides are no more comfortable in China than elsewhere, but China's swish new high-speed trains give you excellent intercity options. They may even be faster than travelling via plane as stations may be closer to the city centers than airports.
7. And private transport is the most hassle-free way to explore China's destinations.
Metros, taxis, and buses are a cheap way to experience local life and to get around easily, but the language barrier and lack of familiarity with an area may mean you're expending more time than you would like. Avoid unlicensed taxi drivers who may charge ridiculous fees or operate other scams.
Our private transport service (transfers or as part of our tours) is the most convenient and reliable way to get from place to place locally. See our transportation guide to review your options for getting around China.
Recommended tour: 13-Day China Essence and Panda Tour (Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai)
8. But watch out on the sidewalk.
Sometimes cars and motorbikes etc. are parked on the sidewalks. While walking on them, be careful of vehicles zooming past without warning. Sometimes they can drive really close to you and that is alright to them, but may cause an accident if your movements are not what they expect. Just be on the lookout and learn how to cross roads safely in China.
9. Bearing in mind close personal contact follows different rules.
Unlike in Western countries, China is more conservative with physical touch. Usually a verbal greeting would suffice and public affection is seldom shown. Personal space, however, might be a rarity. On public transport, the locals will push and shove for spaces. When queuing up, it is common to see locals cutting lines.
To better understand this and other cultural differences that you might struggle with, see How to Deal with Culture Shock in China.
10. Learn a few phrases of Mandarin.
Learning a few phrases of the local language would further enhance your experience in China. Simple phrases can be easily picked up and used everywhere. Top marks if you can bargain in Mandarin! Everyone loves a foreigner who speaks the local language, so check out these essential phrases and start practicing!
11. And do not be offended by the locals.
The locals are friendly and like to share. In some parts of China, many of them are not used to seeing foreigners on a daily basis. Do not be taken aback if they stare and spit, or ask for photos with you, or ask a lot of personal questions. Here is some more detailed advice on how to how to communicate with the locals in China.
12. Don't offend them either… Be respectful.
Everywhere you go in China, locals will be talking loudly and constantly shouting. In temples, however, shouting and talking loudly are frowned upon. Do not touch or point at the statues of deities. Show respect to monks and nuns by not taking photos without permission. Here are some more things not to do in China.
Avoid politics and religion in conversations generally, and abide by the laws and rules of the land. You may be interested in A Traveler's Guide to Chinese Law.
13. Try the local food.
China is not only known for beautiful scenery and kungfu, but also its food. Different provinces provide their own unique touch to their food. There are plenty of local classics that are available everywhere. Find out about some local delights that might entice your taste buds.
Recommdended Tour:
- 9-Day Beijing ,Xian and Shanghai Tour - China Family Classic Tour
- 13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Guilin – Hong Kong - A Broad Taste of China
14. But practice using chopsticks first.
The use of chopsticks is a symbol of Chinese culture. Never, never stick a pair of chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice. This symbolizes joss sticks at a funeral and it is frowned upon. In addition to that, do not "stab" food by using chopsticks like a fork. Find out more about chopsticks and how to use chopsticks properly. An alternative is to bring your own cutlery.
15. And you'll find toilets are slightly more interesting!
It is important to know that many public bathrooms here do not provide toilet paper or paper towels or soap. Always leave your accommodation with toilet paper, and you may want to carry hand sanitizer too. The public restrooms are mostly squat toilets. It is part of the Chinese experience to use a toilet here. Here is all you need to know about toilets in China.
16. There is no need to tip.
It is not customary to tip in Chinese Mainland, and tips are likely to be awkwardly refused. Conversely tipping in Hong Kong and Macau is common and much appreciated. Only at some of the most classy and international establishments in larger cities on the Chinese mainland, small tips can be given to show appreciation for good service.
For tour guides, only tip if the service is good and has satisfied you.
Here is a guide to how to tip in China.
17. But you should bring gifts when visiting.
Chinese people are great at hosting and would gladly host you. Locals would always to whip a scrumptious meal that is an experience to behold. If you visit a Chinese family, do not forget to bring gifts. The Chinese believe mutual gifting is a sign of respect. See more on How to Visit a Chinese Family... Properly.
18. Avoid tourist traps.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is a fake or worse in China. The most common scams include overpriced taxis, services, merchandise... Counterfeit notes are also a fairly common scam. When buying souvenirs, always bargain to get the best price. See our comprehensive guide to common tourist traps in China and how to avoid them.
19. Avoid budget tour groups.
In order to save costs and maximize profits, budget tour groups are generally large, noisy, and very rushed, with lots of time-wasting lining up, and getting on and off buses for commission shop stops. Avoid this option if you want a more fulfilling and authentic experience.
See more on China Group Tours vs Private China Tours: 7 Key Differences.
20. And choose a good guide and tour operator.
Guides can make or break a trip. In order to ensure the best experience for you, China Highlights select and train the best local guides available. On our personalized tours, you are the main focus. Your experience is vital to us. We will tailor your itinerary to what you want. Make sure you know how to make the most out of your China tour guide.
Let Us Help You Enjoy a More Care-Free China Tour
Some of the biggest problems with arranging a China trip are the language barrier, China's general complexity, and the difficulty of booking everything efficiently, before you even consider getting off the beaten path. Why struggle when there are companies who can do the work for you?
To make your first trip to China a great one, contact us. We're here to help you tour China your way. 10,000+ people a year use our tailor-made China tour service. Whatever your interests, we can arrange experiences that will bring your China curiosity to life.
Most Recommended First China Trip Itineraries:
- The Golden Triangle — an 8-Day Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai tour — the three major tourist cities of China
- Classic Wonders — an 11-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai tour — the most popular destinations in China
- Check out more of our Top 10 China Tour Itineraries based on bookings and feedback.
Or contact us and we'll design a custom tour for you.