China travel guide for first-time visitors

For a first trip to China, plan 10 to 16 nights around Beijing, Xi'an and either Guilin or Shanghai, linked by high-speed trains or short flights. Check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry, set up a mobile payment app such as Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly, and always carry your passport, as police may ask for it.

Who China suits

China suits curious travellers who enjoy history, food and big landscapes, and who are happy with a little more planning than usual. In one trip you can stand in the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu, face the Terracotta Army and cruise the Li River. A guided, tailor-made trip removes most language and logistics hurdles. See more on our China destination page.

Entry and visas

Entry rules depend on your nationality. As of November 2026, China's unilateral visa-free policy allows ordinary passport holders from a list of countries, including much of Europe and, since 17 February 2026, the UK and Canada, to stay up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The policy currently runs to 31 December 2026. Citizens of 57 countries can also use 240-hour visa-free transit with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. Others need a visa before travel. Check the Chinese Foreign Ministry announcement and your local Chinese embassy for the latest list.

The UK Foreign Office adds that your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival with two blank pages, and that you must register your address with local police within 24 hours of arrival; hotels normally do this at check-in.

Arriving: gateway airports

• Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX): the main gateways for northern China and the usual start of a first trip.
• Shanghai Pudong (PVG): the main long-haul airport for Shanghai and the east.
• Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): a convenient gateway for the south, including Guilin.
• Open-jaw tickets, for example into Beijing and out of Shanghai, avoid backtracking.

Money, internet, language and time

Getting around

China's high-speed rail network links Beijing with Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin and many other cities, and is often as quick as flying once airport time is counted. Trains and many sights require tickets booked in real names with a passport number: the Palace Museum, for example, sells tickets only in advance online, and the Terracotta Army museum also requires advance reservations for adults. Domestic flights make sense for long hops such as Xi'an to Guilin or Chengdu to Lhasa. The UK Foreign Office notes that driving requires a Chinese licence, so self-drive is not practical for most visitors.

Suggested routes by trip length

Our Beijing & Xi'an City Discovery follows the 7-night shape, and Imperial China & the Li River extends to 12 nights with Guilin. To pick the right season for your route, read our guide to when to go to China.

Etiquette and culture

• Greet older people first and use both hands to give or receive business cards and gifts.
• At temples and mosques, such as Beijing's Niujie Mosque, dress modestly and follow local guidance on photography.
• Sharing dishes is the norm; leaving chopsticks standing upright in rice is considered unlucky.
• Tipping is not traditional, though guides and drivers on private tours often appreciate it.
• Queues can be busy at popular sights; patience and early starts help.
• Avoid political discussions with people you have just met, and respect rules on photography at security-sensitive sites.

Health and safety

Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, according to the UK Foreign Office, but watch belongings at crowded sights and be wary of tea-tasting and massage scams in tourist areas. Flooding, storms and typhoons are common from May to November, especially in the south and east, and China lies in an active seismic zone. Visitors may face temperature checks on arrival. Read the UK government's China travel advice or your own government's guidance, and take insurance covering your full itinerary, particularly for high-altitude areas such as Tibet.

Practical tips

• Install and test a payment app, a translation app and a licensed connectivity option before you leave home.
• Book the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army as early as possible; same-day tickets are not sold at the Palace Museum, which closes on Mondays except public holidays.
• Avoid travelling during Spring Festival and the first week of October if you can.
• Keep your hotel's address written in Chinese for taxis.
• Allow a buffer day in summer in case of storm-related delays.

For a budget breakdown, see what a China trip costs. When you are ready, tell us about your trip and a specialist will design a route that fits your dates and interests.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC — Visa-free policy for Canada and the UK
2. Beijing Municipal Government — China extends unilateral visa-free policy
3. Shanghai Municipal Government — 240-hour visa-free transit policy
4. GOV.UK — China travel advice: entry requirements
5. GOV.UK — China travel advice: safety and security
6. Beijing Municipal Government — The Palace Museum
7. Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Ticketing