Understanding China travel experiences promises to bring you wonderful experiences of nature, historical culture and cuisine. Now, let’s check out our China travel blog with the ultimate China travel guide in this post!
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It can be said that China is a country that can meet all the needs of tourists from all over the world. Spread across this billion-people country are historical relics of a golden but fierce time, beautiful landscapes like paintings bestowed by nature and indispensable countless skyscrapers with bustling cities.
Let’s explore the unique beauty and endless attraction of the billion-people country with the following China travel guide from Living Nomads!
China Travel Blog: Should You Travel to China on Your Own or on a Tour?
Traveling to China on your own or on a tour each has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on each person’s travel style and level of readiness to experience. For those who like to plan and take the initiative in every schedule, independent travel to China offers an interesting and flexible experience. You will not be constrained by time or have to follow the group with a fixed schedule. In addition, if you know how to book tickets early and choose a reasonable means of transportation, the cost can be more economical than going on a tour.
If you want to enjoy the trip in the most comfortable way without worrying about paperwork, schedules or transportation, traveling on a tour is the right choice. Everything from visas, hotels, entrance tickets to transportation are prepared in advance, helping you save time and effort. In addition, the accompanying tour guide will help explain the places to visit, making the trip more complete, especially for those who love to learn about Chinese history and culture.
If you want to combine both? Klook is here to help you! With countless attractive day tours, you can book your own flight tickets, hotels, then spend a day or half a day on a tour with Klook. The remaining days, you can freely explore according to your own preferences.
What to Prepare Before Traveling to China?
China is an attractive destination with many scenic spots and rich culture. However, for your trip to go smoothly, careful preparation is extremely important. Below is the most updated and accurate information you need to know before leaving.
Chinese Visa – Indispensable Procedures
Vietnamese citizens are required to have a visa when entering China, except for some special cases such as traveling in border areas within a radius of about 100 km, where a Pass can be used.
Buy Flight Tickets Vietnam – China
From Vietnam, you can fly directly to major cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, China Southern and Air China all operate these routes. Round-trip fares range from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 VND, depending on the time of booking and destination.
If you want to save money, you can choose flights that transit through Hong Kong, Taiwan or Bangkok. However, note that the travel time will be longer, and some airports require a transit visa.
Note When Booking a Hotel
China offers a variety of accommodation types, from budget guesthouses to 5-star hotels. However, not all hotels accept foreign guests. When booking online, double-check information about accepting foreign passports, especially if you plan to stay in smaller cities.
In major cities, hotel chains such as Jinjiang Inn, 7 Days Inn or GreenTree Inn are popular choices, with prices ranging from VND 600,000 to VND 1,200,000 per night. If you prioritize convenience and convenient location, 4-5 star hotels cost from VND 2,000,000 per night or more.
Prepare a SIM or eSIM
5G China eSIM | China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
Maintaining an Internet connection in China is essential, especially when many services require online access. You can choose:
- Domestic SIM: Buy at the airport or at stores of carriers such as China Unicom and China Mobile. SIM prices range from VND 250,000 to VND 500,000, depending on the data capacity and package. You can also order SIM cards from Klook with the option of delivery in Vietnam or pick up at the airport in China.
- eSIM: Convenient because there is no need to replace the physical SIM card, can be purchased in advance from Vietnam through Klook at an attractive price.
Set up popular payment methods
China has strongly shifted to electronic payments, with two popular applications being WeChat Pay and Alipay. Most transactions, from restaurants, shops to local markets, use QR codes for payment. Chinese people now rarely use cash; almost all transactions are done via mobile applications.
For convenience, you should:
- Install WeChat Pay or Alipay: Some international cards such as Visa, Mastercard can be linked to these apps, but the process can be complicated. Recently, China has allowed foreigners to pay with WeChat Pay QR codes, making it easier for them to pay.
- Bring a UnionPay card: This is a widely accepted card in China, especially useful when paying at stores and service counters.
- Bring cash: Although electronic payments have become very popular, carrying a small amount of cash (yuan) is necessary for situations where you cannot use the app or card.
Some other notes:
- VPN – China blocks Google, Facebook, YouTube… If you need to use it, install VPN in advance.
- Necessary apps: Baidu Maps (instead of Google Maps), Pleco (Chinese translation), DiDi (ride-hailing like Grab).
- Weather & clothing: If you go in winter (November – February), you need to prepare warm clothes because the temperature can drop below 0°C.
What is the best season to travel to China?
Spring from March to May is the time when the trees are green and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, especially in Kunming, Hangzhou, and Phoenix Ancient Town. Summer from June to August is the right time to visit Zhangjiajie, Beijing, Tibet, and Mongolia. Autumn from September to November is the time when the leaves are brilliant red, especially in Beijing and Sichuan. Finally, winter from November to February is the time to experience white snow in Harbin.
Universal Studios Beijing Ticket
Therefore, you can travel to China at any time of the year to explore the beauty of nature and the diversity and richness of this country’s culture.
Popular Transportation and How to Use It
High-speed Train – Gaotie
If you need to travel between cities, high-speed train (Gaotie) is a choice worth considering. With a speed of up to 350 km/h, this is a means of transport that helps you save maximum travel time between major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Xi’an. Ticket prices depend on the distance and seat class, ranging from 500 – 1,000 CNY (1,700,000 – 3,400,000 VND) for popular routes such as Beijing – Shanghai or Beijing – Xi’an.
Mainland China Bus & Metro Card
You can buy tickets directly at the station or book in advance via the 12306 China Railway app or buy them right at Klook to avoid sold-out tickets, especially during peak season. Note that bringing your passport is a mandatory requirement when buying tickets and boarding the train. You should also be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure to complete security checks.
Metro
If traveling within the city, the metro is the fastest, most economical and easiest option to use. Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou all have modern metro systems, with signs and instructions in English at the stations. You can buy tickets at automatic ticket machines or use transportation cards such as Beijing Yikatong or Shanghai Public Transport Card for more convenience.
Metro fares are quite cheap, ranging from 3 – 10 CNY (10,000 – 34,000 VND) depending on the distance. However, if you travel during rush hour (7am – 9am, 5pm – 7pm), you should be mentally prepared because the trains are often very crowded.
Public Bus
Besides the metro, public buses are also a reasonable choice when traveling to places without subway stations. However, due to language barriers and complex route systems, buses may not be the optimal option for first-time visitors to China. If you still want to experience it, you can use Baidu Maps to find a suitable bus route, and prepare small change or a transportation card because buses do not have a change service. Bus fares usually range from 2 – 5 CNY (7,000 – 17,000 VND) depending on the route.
Taxi & Ride-hailing App – DiDi
For those who prioritize comfort or need to travel at night, taxis and ride-hailing app DiDi will be ideal choices. However, catching a taxi directly on the street can be difficult because many drivers do not speak English. For more convenience, you should use DiDi – China’s version of Grab, which allows you to book a car quickly and pay with an international card or WeChat Pay.
Taxi prices in Beijing and Shanghai are quite similar, with an opening fare of about 13 – 14 CNY (44,000 – 48,000 VND) and a price per km ranging from 2.3 – 3.5 CNY/km (8,000 – 12,000 VND/km). If you are going from an airport or a major train station, you should book a car through the app to avoid being overcharged.
Public Bicycles & Electric Vehicles
In addition to the above means of transport, public bicycles are also an interesting option, especially if you want to leisurely explore the old quarters or parks. Bike-sharing services such as Mobike, Hellobike or Alipay Bike are popular in Beijing and Shanghai, with rental prices of around 1 – 2 CNY (3,500 – 7,000 VND) per 30 minutes. However, to use them, you need an Alipay or WeChat Pay account.
Beijing Downtown Private Car Charter
You can also rent a self-driving car or hire a private driver to be more proactive with your schedule!
Eating Guide When Traveling to China
Delicious and Cheap Eating Guide
China is famous for its diverse cuisine, but if you don’t know how to choose a restaurant, you can easily fall into restaurants that cater to tourists at expensive prices. For a delicious – nutritious – cheap dining experience, go to local markets, street stalls or popular restaurant chains. Dishes such as dim sum, small steamed buns, candied fruit, chicken feet, etc. are not only cheap but also reflect the quintessence of Chinese cuisine.
The price of a popular meal at these restaurants is only about 20 – 50 CNY (70,000 – 170,000 VND). If you want to try street food, you can visit Wangfujing Night Market in Beijing, City God Temple in Shanghai or Muslim Street in Xi’an. These places have countless delicious dishes with prices ranging from only 5 – 15 CNY (17,000 – 50,000 VND) per dish. However, be careful to choose crowded restaurants and look carefully at the preparation method to ensure food hygiene!
How to Buy Food in Supermarkets & Save Money When Ordering Food
If you stay at a homestay or hotel with a kitchen, buying food at supermarkets such as Walmart, Carrefour or convenience stores FamilyMart, 7-Eleven is a way to save significantly. You can find boxed meals, dumplings, hot porridge or bottled milk tea for only 10 – 25 CNY (35,000 – 85,000 VND). Some Chinese restaurants also have quite large portions, if you go in a group, you can order less dishes but still be full. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff about combo meals or mini meals, which are often cheaper but still nutritious.
How to Avoid Being “Ripped Off”?
In tourist areas, many restaurants may charge higher prices to tourists. To avoid being ripped off, you should check the average price of a dish on Dianping – a popular food review app in China, similar to Google Reviews. In addition, if the restaurant does not have a menu or does not clearly list the price, be careful before ordering. Another tip is to learn a few simple Chinese phrases like “duō shǎo qián?” (how much?) to easily ask the price before eating.
Famous Tourist Cities in China
Beijing – Back in History
As the capital of China, Beijing is not only famous for the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Summer Palace, but also has countless ancient hutong alleys to explore. Don’t forget to stroll around Tiananmen Square, enjoy authentic Beijing roast duck and visit Wangfujing night market to experience street food. No matter what season you visit Beijing, this city always brings a sense of grandeur and history.
Suzhou and Hangzhou
Hangzhou, praised by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful city in the world”, is famous for its West Lake, which is romantic all year round. Coming here, you can relax on a wooden boat around the lake, admire the willow trees and feel the ancient beauty of the temples along the lake. Hangzhou is also a paradise of Longjing tea, the most famous green tea in China. An afternoon sitting in Longjing tea village, sipping hot tea and watching the green tea hills will be an unforgettable experience.
Located right next to Hangzhou, Suzhou is famous for its ancient gardens and winding canal system, making it known as the “Venice of the East”. Ancient gardens such as Hanshan Temple, Lion Grove, and Humble Administrator’s Garden are ideal destinations to feel the sophistication of traditional Chinese architecture. In addition, don’t forget to take a boat on the canal to see the ancient houses reflected on the water, giving the feeling of being lost in a historical movie.
Tongli Water Town Admission Ticket in Suzhou
Shanghai With The Most Modern Lifestyle
If Beijing is the embodiment of the past, then Shanghai is the future of China. This city impresses with skyscrapers such as Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower and the sparkling West Bund area (The Bund) at night. Don’t forget to visit Xintiandi, where colonial architecture and modern style are harmoniously combined, or get lost in the small alleys to enjoy the famous delicious xiao long bao.
Zhangjiajie – Where “Avatar” Dreams Come True
If you have ever been fascinated by the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar”, you definitely cannot miss Zhangjiajie, home to the majestic Tianzi Mountain sandstone pillar. This is the inspiration for the planet Pandora in this blockbuster. Here, you can challenge yourself with the Tianmen Mountain Glass Bridge, one of the world’s tallest and longest glass bridges, or conquer the 99 Bends Road, which offers breathtaking views of the vast green valley.
Xi’an – The Cradle of Chinese History
If you want to learn about China’s more than 5,000 years of history, Xi’an is the place to go. This city was once the capital of many dynasties and was the starting point of the legendary Silk Road. The most prominent destination in Xi’an is the Terracotta Warriors, which displays thousands of terracotta warrior statues guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. In addition, the Muslim quarter in Xi’an is also a culinary paradise, where you can enjoy special dishes such as Biang Biang noodles, Roujiamo stewed meat bread.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to
- Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
- Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
- Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
- Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
- Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
- Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
- [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
- Oriental Pearl Tower
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Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.
