Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Footnotes
China
Vital statistics
Capital: Beijing
Population: 1.38 billion
Languages: Mandarin is the official language spoken, although there are 297 living languages in China. English is not widely spoken outside the main cities. Download a translation app to help you, especially when reading menus.
Time: GMT +8
International dialling code: +86
Visas: Required by UK passport holders. Single-entry tourist visas cost £151. You can fill in the application form and make an appointment at the Chinese Embassy online (bio.visaforchina. org), but it’s advisable to do this early as it is a lengthy form.
Money: The Renminbi Yuan (RMB) is currently around CNY9 to the UK£. ATMS are widely available and cash is preferred. Only hotels and larger stores accept cards. In the cities, Wechat, an online communication platform similar to Whatsapp, is used for payment.
Chinese toilets tend to not have toilet paper in the individual cubicles, so don’t forget to carry tissues or paper with you. Most are squat toilets, but the main attractions tend to have at least one western toilet if you need it.
Check before you pay as some vendors only accept Wechat.
When to go
The best time of year to visit China very much depends on where you are going, but generally speaking spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for travel. Check public holidays before visiting as these are best avoided. Beijing and Xi’an can be visited all year round.
April to May: The spring is a good time of year to visit as temperatures are not too hot and the flowers are in bloom. While there may be rain showers in the south in areas such as Guilin, it is a beautiful time to visit as the mountains are shrouded in mist.
June to August: Temperatures average around 25-33°C in the summer so you may want to avoid the crowds. However, mountain destinations such as Guilin are ideal at this time of year.
September to October: Autumn is a good time to visit China as it is cooler and there is less rain.
November to March: Winter is the low season, which means less crowds and lower prices. You may also get to see Beijing covered in snow.
Health & safety
Immunisations to consider include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus and rabies, but this will depend on when and where you go in China (fitfortravel.nhs.uk). Levels of pollution are high so consult your doctor if you suffer from respiratory problems. Don’t drink the tap water and ask your guide for recommendations if you want to try street food.
While China is generally quite safe, watch out for scammers luring you in for overpriced tea experiences and massages.
You may want to check the FCO website before you travel, but otherwise just make sure to avoid any protests. Keep your passport on you at all times and carry a contact card for your hotel with the Chinese address written on it.
Getting there & around
Air China (airchina.co.uk; 020 8745 4624) flies from London Heathrow to Beijing direct from £394
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return; flight time is around 10 hours. For getting between cities and towns, you can fly internally or catch the bullet train, but be aware that if you travel by train there is limited signage in English.
There are easy to use subways in Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu. Taxis are also a fast and cheap way to get around, but make sure you have your destination written down in Chinese as the driver probably won’t speak English.
Accommodation
Overlooking Beihai and Jingshan Park in the centre of Beijing, the Renaissance Beiing Wangfujing Hotel (marriott.co.uk) is a modern hotel with a pool and spa to relax in after a day of sightseeing. There’s a superb breakfast buffet if you’re keen to try a Chinese breakfast. Doubles from CNY1,127 (£124).
The Amari Hotel (amari.com) is set in the heart of Yangshuo close to the vibrant West Street. It has a charming, modern vibe with spa and Osmanthus cakes on arrival. Doubles from CNY819 (£90).
Food & drink
Lost Plate (lostplate.com) tours in Beijing and Xi’an offer a chance to sample a variety of authentic local cuisine. Popular dishes include Peking duck in Beijing, biang biang noodles in Xi’an, beer fish in Yangshuo and hot pot in Chengdu.
Further information
China (DK Eyewitness, 2018)