China Tours & Holidays
Welcome to China – one of the world's oldest and most enduring cultures; all yours to explore.
The Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, the giant panda and the flowing Yangzi – China is home to some of the world's most remarkable places. Venture deep into the cityscapes from Shanghai to Beijing. Float past Yangshuo's limestone karsts and explore the tranquil monasteries in Emei Shan and Lhasa. You will be struck by how diverse this land can be. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestries of history and the charm of local villagers. The diversity of culinary traditions and natural beauty combine to create an experience like nothing else. Come for the Great Wall and stay for the dim sum. This is China, loud and proud.
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China at a glance
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CAPITAL CITY
Beijing (population approximately 21.5 million)
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POPULATION
Approximately 1.4 billion
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CURRENCY
Renminbi (CNY)
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LANGUAGE
Mandarin, Cantonese and many other dialects
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TIME ZONE
(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
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CALLING CODE
+86
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ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type C (European 2-pin) Type I (Australian/New Zealand & Chinese/Argentine 2/3-pin)
Learn more about China
Culture and customs
From ancient cultures...
As one of the world's oldest cultures, China has so much history to observe, taste, admire and learn about. Ancient mythology and spirituality are infused throughout the traditional dance, art, music and literature of China, with many contemporary customs directly attributed to centuries-old traditions.
Much of Chinese philosophy is interwoven with interactions and relationships between people and things – the Five Elements theory of wood, fire, earth, metal and water; the yin and the yang; the Chinese Lunar Calendar and Zodiac – and underpin many rituals and customs still present in China.
Ancient cultures and ruling dynasties of China in times’ past are present in philosophy, religion (Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism) and customs (tai chi, fengshui, fortune-telling and tea ceremonies). Culturally, China has gifted the world everything from martial arts to mah-jong, and we all continue to enjoy the rich cuisine, delicate art and evocative dance.
...to modern times...
China’s cultural identity is dominated by the Han – the largest ethnic group in mainland China, accounting for approximately 92 per cent of Chinese citizens. There are, however, another 105 million people who identify as one of over 50 other ethnic minorities, including the Zhuang (southern China), Hui (northwest China), Uyghur (Central Asia) and Tibetan (Tibet autonomous region). Together, these ethnic groups have constructed a much more diverse China than new travellers may initially be aware of – all with unique customs, longstanding traditions and countless stories to tell. Over 800 million Chinese citizens speak Mandarin while many others use Cantonese, especially along the southeastern coastline. Although both languages may be considered very difficult to learn, it is important to learn at least a few phrases when travelling to show respect to the locals.
...and the balance of the two
While modern China is changing at a rapid pace, much of China still clings to age-old traditions and ways of life. This culture clash is particularly evident when visiting large cities like Beijing that are home to ancient hutongs alongside modern skyscrapers, time-worn temples and glorious World Heritage sites, all found within walking distance of each other. With centuries of dramatic history and ethnic identities key to uncovering the diversity of the country’s people, China remains one of the world's most fascinating places to travel.
History and government
Early history
As one of the world's oldest civilisations, China has an intriguing history that spans thousands of years. The Yellow River is known as the Cradle of Chinese Civilisation as it is thought that what we now know as ‘China’ originated on the banks of this river.
China's early history is dominated by periods of dynastic rule, fragmentation and imperialist expansion, with each dynasty contributing something different to the history books. Construction of the Great Wall of China was thought to have started during the Qin Dynasty, with the Ming Dynasty enhancing the wall at a later stage. The Tang Dynasty is known as a time of prosperity and artistic expression, the Song Dynasty is famed for being a time of scientific and technological discovery, and Kublai Khan's Yuan Dynasty saw an overall population decline that has been attributed to everything from an administration error to the arrival of the Bubonic Plague.
Once the Yuan Dynasty was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in 1368, population numbers began to increase again and urbanisation grew quite rapidly. Private enterprise flourished, with small-scale paper, silk and cotton trading providing trade income to the masses. The following period of rule known as the Qing Dynasty stretched from 1644 to 1911. This is generally seen as a time of rebellion and upheaval with the Taiping Rebellion, Nien Rebellion, Panthay Rebellion and Boxer Rebellion all testing the Qing's ability to rule. Thankfully, remnants of most of these periods of history can be found in China today.
Recent history
The Republic of China was formed in Nanjing in 1912 after a military uprising. Leadership changed hands many times throughout the following years until the People's Liberation Army succeeded in ousting the US-backed Chiang Kai-Shek after a long and bloody battle.
Mao Zedong became Chairman, or leader, of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and China's society was systematically converted to communism. Land reforms and the collectivisation of agriculture significantly altered the structure of society and daily life. Dramatic population, cultural and economic changes led to events that Western societies remember as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Mao's death in 1976 triggered leadership changes and economic reforms, the impact of which has rippled into the future.
Today
More recently, China has seen Hong Kong and Macau returned from foreign rule and enjoyed a period of increased economic growth. The country basked in the international spotlight as the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics and with a strengthening economy, wide-scale global influence and dominant rule by the Communist Party of China, China is now one of the world’s global superpowers.
For travellers, China’s rich and engaging history, especially through dynastic rule and its cultural philosophies, has created a country so fascinating, so layered and so rewarding to explore. Opening the first chapter of China’s history book begins the moment you arrive.
Eating and drinking
Whether it’s slurping down a bowl of noodles at a Silk Road street market, having a mouth-numbing Sichuan hotpot in Chengdu or waving down the dim sum trolley at a morning yum cha, you won’t go hungry in China.
Chinese cuisine focuses on colour, aroma and taste, and nearly every region and minority group has its own cooking style. Chinese cuisine has traditionally been broken down into eight major schools of cooking: Anhui, Cantonese, Fuijan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan and Zhejiang. They’re also grouped into northern, southern, western and eastern cooking styles.
Rich and hearty northern cuisine – flavoured with lots of salt, ginger, garlic and soy sauce – is what fed the emperors. Southern cuisine – particularly from the Cantonese school – is what you’ve likely sampled at your local Chinatown, such as dim sum. Western cuisine brings the heat thanks to ample use of Sichuan peppercorn and piping hot chilli peppers, and eastern cuisine tends to be sweeter in flavour and feature a wide variety of vegetables, shellfish, fish and other types of seafood.
Dishes to try in China
- Sichuan hot pot
Taste a bit of Chinese history by dipping into a fiery Sichuan hot pot filled with meat, vegetables, noodles and chilli. While each region in China has different varieties, Sichuan lays claim to the spiciest. - Cantonese dim sum (Yum Cha)
Sitting down to a dim sum banquet is one of Hong Kong's great culinary experiences. Bamboo baskets of salty dumplings and pots of cleansing tea change hands in this traditional feast that will leave you feeling very full. - Green tea
China is home to one of the world's largest tea drinking cultures, with most locals sipping a few cups of tea daily. Green tea may have recently risen in popularity in Western societies, but it’s been used as a medicine in China for thousands of years. - Peking duck
This famous roast duck dish from Beijing dates back to Imperial China. It’s one of the best flavour combinations in the world: succulent slices of duck served between delicate pancakes with green onions and a sweet dark sauce. - Street snacks
A lot of Asia’s best food is found in markets, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and street-side stalls. Think baozi (steamed stuffed buns), jiaozi (dumplings), jianbing (fried chive pancakes), yang rou chan (lamb kebabs) and so much more. China may be famous for giant feasts served on a lazy susan, but don’t dismiss what can be found on a budget.
Learn more about Chinese food.
Find out what to drink in China.
Geography and environment
Located in east Asia along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, China is the third-largest nation in the world by total land area, behind Russia and Canada. It shares its border with 14 countries including Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia in the north, and India, Laos and Vietnam in the south.
Soaring peaks, high plateaus and desert occupy the western half of this vast country. In the southwest, Mount Everest and the Himalayas form the border with India, Nepal and Bhutan. In the north, the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts stretch from west to east along the border with Mongolia. The terrain slopes into broad plains and deltas in the east. Two major rivers flow through central China – the Yellow River in the north and the Yangzi in the south – where rice paddies flourish.
China, as well as 16 other countries around the world, is known as ‘megadiverse’ – a grouped classification of biodiverse countries that contain over 70% of the world’s endemic flora and fauna. China itself is home to over 550 species of mammals, 1221 species of birds, 146,000 types of flora and 10,000 species of fungi.
Despite this, China has a series of challenges in terms of safeguarding its environment and biodiversity. China’s industry is booming and air pollution is on the rise. It has become the world’s largest carbon dioxide emitter and to deal with this, China has become the world’s leading investor in renewable energies and is making a big effort to reduce widespread air pollution in its major cities.
Shopping
China has a multitude of different shopping experiences, from the massive malls of Beijing to the fashion boutiques of Shanghai and the small village markets that are dotted around the country.
In Beijing, your best bet for shopping is along Wangfujing Street for designer labels, Hongqiao Market for a wide range of pearls and Yaxiu Market for gifts and souvenirs. Nanjing Road and Xujiahui are Shanghai’s shopping hotspots and the eclectic Huaihai Road has been likened to Tokyo’s Harajuku fashion district, so that’s also worthwhile visiting.
Things to buy in China
- Silk
As the home of this popular fabric, China’s silk is undoubtedly legendary. It’s been greatly admired by the world for centuries, so don’t leave China without picking some fabric, handmade clothing or a scarf or two. - Chinese Calligraphy Art
This beautiful art form has been practised in China for centuries. Buy an antique artwork or get a customised piece featuring your name made on the spot. - Paper Cut Art
This traditional art is a painstaking process that ultimately creates an intricately beautiful result. Associated with Chinese New Year, paper art souvenirs can be found all year round, with designs of flowers, animals and people the most common. - Chinese Knots
These traditional, decorative handicrafts are seen as a symbol of health and prosperity and make brilliant gifts for friends back home. The tassel-style gifts are said to ward off evil spirits and are often given as good luck charms during Chinese New Year celebrations.
It's a good idea to check with customs to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws, especially with food, plant or wood-related products.
Festivals and events
Festivals in China are an integral part of celebrating local cultures and traditions. They are a time for families to return home and gather for a day – or days – filled with food and festivities.
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
The most important holiday in the country, Chinese New Year is such a big deal that it’s celebrated over 15 days. The main event is New Year’s Eve, when red decorations are hung all around and people travel home to celebrate. Children receive red envelopes stuffed with cash and fireworks and firecrackers go off at midnight. Lanterns, bracelets, cards and tokens are all coloured red as this is considered to be the colour of good fortune.
Lantern (Yuan Xiao) Festival
Though it marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival is a festival in its own right that takes place 15 days after Chinese New Year. It’s a fantastic time to be in China as the country lights up with colourful lanterns.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Ever wanted to visit a real-life winter wonderland? Then head to Harbin in January to see massive illuminated sculptures made of snow and ice. Past creations have included the Great Wall (which doubled as an awesome slide), the pyramids of Egypt and even a Disney castle.
Dragon Boat (Duanwu) Festival
Equal parts frantic dragon-boat racing and sticky-rice consumption, this three-day festival – meant to commemorate ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan – is celebrated all across China. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people flock to waterways to feast on zongzi (rice dumplings) and realgar (or xionghuang) wine as they watch the colourful boats race.
Learn more about festivals in China.
China travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
From the rugged mountain interior of Emei Shan to the glittering coastal city of Shanghai, China is home to a diverse range of landscapes and climates. We recommend checking out our regional breakdown to help you figure out the best time to visit China.
Tourism is generally at its peak in summer, so if you’re not into crowds, you may want to avoid June, July and August. If you’d still like the weather to be somewhat warm, a shoulder season month like November or May might be best – you’ll usually only need a light jacket or fleece, but the bulk of the crowds are gone.
Visitors from most nations are required to obtain a visa for trips to mainland China. Be sure to apply before leaving your home country – if you don’t, your applications might be denied.
For most travel plans, you will need a single-entry tourist visa valid for 30 days. Generally, a standard 30-day single-entry visa can be issued in four to five business days and at a higher cost for an express application. Once issued, the visa must be used within three months.
For immigration purposes, Hong Kong is not considered part of mainland China and most nationalities, including EU, Australian, US, Canadian and South African citizens, do not require a visa to visit for varying periods of stay.
Please check with your local embassy for specific requirements for Hong Kong and mainland China, as requirements and conditions continuously change. Check with your Chinese embassy or a registered Visa Application Service Centre about what you need to do to apply well before your departure date.
The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.
Last updated: 20 March 2023
Generally, tipping is not expected in mainland China, although leaving spare change at restaurants and giving a small amount to hospitality staff is becoming more commonplace (although not mandatory). For example, tipping porters and bartenders a small amount is no longer unusual. The culture of tipping is different in Hong Kong, where taxi drivers and restaurants will usually round up the bill, and service staff will generally expect a tip.
Internet access is generally good in hotels and tourist areas, but it's limited in rural and remote areas. Some fast food chains, restaurants and cafes have free wi-fi available, but may require a Chinese phone number to receive the login code. The login prompts may also be in Chinese.
Chinese governments and authorities keep strong controls over internet access and many Western websites, including social media and news outlets, are censored. Sites and apps including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google products (YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Drive), WhatsApp, Snapchat and Dropbox, as well as many international news outlets, will not work.
You may wish to download the WeChat app during your visit, which is the country’s most popular method of communication. It’s like WhatsApp crossed with Facebook, kind of.
For many expats and travellers, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is used to limit this censorship. If you are insistent on using certain websites abroad, look into purchasing a reputable VPN – keep in mind most of the free ones, and some of the paid VPNs will not work. If you do decide to go down this route, still consider what you search for online or access while in China, as some of this content could land you in hot water with authorities if found out.
With all this in mind, you’ve got the opportunity to switch off and enjoy the sights around – that’s one way of looking at it!
Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent in China's cities, and still very good in remote and rural areas.
If you have an unlocked phone, purchasing a local SIM on arrival is probably the cheapest and most reliable option to use your phone on the go.
If you wish to use global roaming while in China, be sure to contact your service provider to understand how much this will cost, as it's often extremely expensive.
Squat toilets are most common in China, though Western-style flushable toilets can sometimes be found in modern hotels and restaurants. Be sure to carry your own toilet paper or tissue and hand sanitiser as these are rarely provided, especially in public places.
Subway ride = 3 RMB
Can of soft drink = 3-5 RMB
Bottle of beer = 7-10 RMB
Basic lunch = 15 RMB
Basic rice or noodle dinner 25 RMB
Three-course dinner = 80 RMB
While water quality is improving, drinking tap water still isn't recommended in China due to the presence of pollution and natural contamination of water supplies.
For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available, often boiled to use for tea. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and to peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
Credit cards may work in big vendors in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong but it's not guaranteed and less likely to work in smaller cities or towns.
WeChat and Alipay are the most prominent online payment methods in China. We strongly suggest you set up either WeChat or Alipay on your device before arriving.
This will require you to link a credit or debit card to the app and also set up a data roaming package so that you can make payments locally. A 3% transaction fee may also be charged for foreign accounts. Please check the terms and conditions when setting up an account.
Bank of China or HSBC ATMs are the most widely accessible and reliable. However, it's rare to make cash payments in China nowadays, and even if vendors accept cash, they may not have the right change.
WeChat and Alipay are the most prominent payment methods now. We strongly suggest you set up WeChat or Alipay on your device prior to arriving. This will require you to link a credit or debit card to the app and set up a data roaming package so that you can make payments locally.
A 3% transaction fee may also be charged for foreign accounts. Please check the terms and conditions carefully.
China is huge – and so its weather is super diverse. Depending on what time of year you visit China and where you go, you can experience unrelenting heat and humidity in summer and thick snow cover throughout winter.
China’s northern regions have hot and dry summers, while destinations on the eastern coastlines and in the south are more humid with a larger chance of monsoon rains and typhoons.
There’s a chance of snow across most of the country; however, this is much more likely in the northern reaches (Beijing and surrounds). Late winter and early spring can often bring a dust storm rolling in from the Gobi Desert to Beijing and northern China. Rainfall in Shanghai and the east coast is abundant between April and September but almost non-existent for large chunks of the year in Central and Western parts of the country.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 4 February: Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (eve of the first lunar month)
- 5 April: Qingming Festival
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 7 June: Dragon Boat Festival
- 30 September: National Day
For a current list of public holidays in China, including those with moveable dates, go to timeanddate.com.
Equal rights have a long way to go in China. The government heavily censors portrayals of same-sex relationships and, up until 2001, homosexuality was considered a mental illness. Same-sex couples are unable to marry or adopt in China, and discrimination laws and legal protections are not equal between LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ identifying citizens.
That being said, China is a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQIA+ tourists who travel with discretion. Chinese people are generally tolerant and homophobic-related violence is incredibly rare. Low-key gay scenes/communities can be found in larger cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. While it’s common for friends of the same sex to hold hands, keep in mind any further displays of affection are frowned upon for both same-sex and heterosexual couples.
As with any public display or protest in China, there is much resistance from authorities and the government to any form of mass demonstration organised within China. Various events have been banned in recent years, not because they are promoting LGBTQIA+ rights, but because they are publicly promoting anything at all.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. For travellers who do not wish to share a room, most of our tours have the option to pay for an individual room.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Accessibility varies in China depending on where you are. Things are improving every year but given the vast size of China and varying rates of growth, you may find old areas are a lot more difficult to travel through than modern cities. In Shanghai, for example, most public transport is wheelchair-friendly, as are a lot of the sights, whereas Beijing is a lot more difficult to navigate.
In Chinese culture, disability has traditionally been seen as something to overcome rather than something to accommodate, which has hampered efforts to improve both cultural acceptance and access. This is changing, which is fortunate not only for travellers, but also for the 80+ million Chinese people living with physical and mental limitations.
If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.
What you decide to pack and wear in China will depend on where you are and what time of year it is. The climate across China can vary a lot. Besides the usual lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes, you may want to consider packing a reusable dust mask as dust storms are common in certain regions across China.
China is generally a safe country to travel to, as long as you know where you’re going and stay alert. China is visited by travellers from all around the world and is of no danger to any person who understands local cultures and obeys local laws.
In saying this, China’s government does keep quite a tight lid on foreign influences, such as websites and news coverage, with internet censorship and public surveillance a common occurrence all over the country. Demonstrations and protests are prohibited in public places in China, and if you find yourself in one, or you take a photo or video of the event, this could land you in trouble.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Eden Reforestation Projects
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.
Find out more or make a donation
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation