Located in the Northern Hemisphere, China attracts Australian people's attention because of its profound history, ancient wonders, colorful culture, diverse landscapes, and delicious food. If you are planning a trip to China from Australia, this article may be of help to you.
Where to Go — Popular Destinations Among Australian Tourists
ShanghaiBeijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong rank top among Australian tourists due to their own unique history and culture.
Beijing is China's political, cultural, and financial center. It presents you with an ancient China and has retained its splendid culture.
Shanghai is a prosperous international metropolis. It shows the future of China, which may help you learn about another aspect of China.
Hong Kong is a melting pot for various cultures. There, you will experience the charm of the collision of different cultures.
ZhangjiajieAustralia has beautiful coastal scenery, various animal species, and delicious food. In China, you can see many different sceneries from those found in Australia.
Many Australian tourists travel to Chengdu to see the lovely pandas. Australian tourists also like the unique karst landscapes in Zhangjiajie and Guilin. You can also experience the hospitality of Chinese minorities in Guizhou and Yunnan.
China is also a food paradise. You can start a food adventure to taste different Chinese food, such as Beijing roast duck, a Xi'an dumpling banquet, a Chengdu hot pot, and Guilin noodles.
Best Times to Go
The Great Wall in autumnChina is vast, and the climate and conditions vary widely from region to region.
The best times to visit China are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October).
You can check more details about China's weather.
Located in different hemispheres, China and Australia have opposite seasons.
| Seasons | Australia's Four Seasons | China's Four Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | September to November | March to May |
| Summer | December to February | June to August |
| Autumn | March to May | September to November |
| Winter | June to August | December to February |
Direct Flights from Australia to China
The journey from Australia to China takes about 10–12 hours. The flight schedules below are for reference only. Please check the official website of each airline for the latest information and the airfares.
| Departure City in Australia | Arrival City in China | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Kunming, Xiamen, Fuzhou | Daily flights from Sydney to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou |
| Melbourne | Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu | Daily flights from Melbourne to Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou |
| Brisbane | Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou | Daily flights from Brisbane to Hong Kong and Guangzhou |
| Perth | Hong Kong, Guangzhou | Daily flights from Perth to Hong Kong |
| Adelaide | Hong Kong, Guangzhou | Several flights a week |
| Cairns | Shanghai, Hong Kong | Several flights a week |
Apply for a China Visa
Australian citizens should apply for a visa to enter mainland China but can travel to Hong Kong without a visa for 90 days and to Macau for 30 days.
Here, we have provided a step-by-step guide to help you with applying for a China visa.
China's new 10-day visa-free policies that are applicable to Australian citizens can free you from the hassle of applying for a visa. You can check here to learn more details about the 10-day visa-free policy rules.
Other Useful Travel Information for Australian Tourists
Time Difference Between Australia and China
Different from Australia, which has three time zones, China only has one time zone, GMT+8, which is the same as the time zone of Western Australia. Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney are 3 hours ahead of China
Check more information about the time in China.
Money Exchange for Australian Dollars and Chinese Yuan
The current exchange rate is roughly: 1 AUD = 4.758 CNY. You can check the real-time rate using our Chinese currency converter.
Nowadays, people in China use mobile payments more often than cash but cash still works in China. You can exchange money at the airport, branches of the Bank of China, and large hotels in China.
Some star-rated hotels and large department stores in China accept major credit/debit cards, such as Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and American Express. Foreign credit cards, however, are accepted comparatively rarely in China. If you want to shop in a snack street or pedestrianized street, you will need to prepare enough cash in Chinese currency.
Voltage Differences
China and Australia have virtually the same voltage: China is 220 V / 50 Hz and Australia is 230 V / 50 Hz. Moreover, the plug types used in both countries are also the same. So, when you travel to China, you don't need to take a voltage transformer or plug adapter.
Top 5 China Tours from Australia
We have recommended our top 5 China tours for inspiration and to whet your appetite for a trip in China.
The Drum Tower, Xi'an1. 8-Day Golden Triangle (History and Culture)
- Route: Beijing (3 days) – Xi'an (2 days) – Shanghai (3 days)
If you are interested in ancient Chinese history, this trip will suit you.
Explore two historically significant cities, Beijing and Xi'an, to get an insight into China's history and culture. Discover Shanghai to witness its unimaginable development.
See the detailed schedule of our 8-day Golden Triangle tour.
2. Panda Keeper and Classic Wonders (Relaxation and Family-Oriented)
- Route: Beijing (4 days) – Xi'an (2 days) – Chengdu (2 days) – Guilin (2 days) – Shanghai (2 days)
Lovely pandaThis trip will be one of the most unforgettable experiences for you and your family.
You will experience many fun and interesting activities with your kids: riding on a rickshaw through the hutongs, making a mini warrior in Xi'an, being a one-day panda keeper with your kids in Chengdu, enjoying the relaxing countryside lifestyle in Guilin, and admiring the charming mix of ancient and modern in Shanghai.
- Read about our 12-day Panda Keeper and Classic Wonders tour for reference.
3. China's Ancient Cities and Celebrated Mountains (History and Nature)
Yellow Mountain- Route: Beijing (3 days) – Xi'an (3 days) – Chengdu (3 days) – Hangzhou (2 days) – Huangshan (2 days) – Shanghai (2 days)
In this trip, you will immerse yourself into the historical atmosphere in Beijing and Xi'an, feel the mix of tradition and modernity in Shanghai, and appreciate China's magnificent scenery of mountains and lakes including Mount Hua, Mount Emei in Chengdu, which is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, West Lake, and the Yellow Mountains.
- Check out more information about China's Ancient Cities and Celebrated Mountains.
4. A Broad Taste of China (Sightseeing and Food)
- Route: Beijing (3 days) – Xi'an (2 days) – Chengdu (2 days) – Guilin (3 days) – Hong Kong (3 days)
Hot PotYou will feast your eyes and satisfy your taste buds during this tour. You can have a broad view of Chinese scenery as well as a broad taste of Chinese cuisine, from north to south and from cities to rural areas.
Find out the authentic way to eat Beijing roast duck and enjoy a dumpling banquet in Xi'an like the Chinese do when they celebrate the Spring Festival.
Have a Sichuan cuisine cooking class and cook representative dishes yourself. Enjoy the charms of ethnic minority food in Guilin by learning how to make bamboo-tube rice and tasting oil tea. Taste Hong Kong-style dim sum and local street food.
- Learn more details when you read A Broad Taste of China.
5. Explore Holy Tibet (Original Beauty and Adventure)
- Route: Beijing (3 days) – Xi'an (3 days) – Lhasa (3 days) – Shanghai (3 days)
TibetTibet is a place of mystery, tranquility, and rich national heritage where you can slow down and enjoy the natural charm all around you.
Pay a visit to the Potala Palace, the holy palace for pilgrims. Wander around ancient monasteries – Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery – to experience Tibetan Buddhism.
Take a stroll around Yamdrok Lake, breathing the fresh air and enjoying a lakeside picnic. May to October is the recommended time to travel.
- Refer to our 13-day China tour with holy Tibet.
Discover China Your Way
Tour China with us!Let us know your interests and requirements, and we will tailor-make your own tour.
You will travel at your own pace and discover China in an authentic and special way. Want to get more travel ideas? You can see our China tours for inspiration.