Essential China: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
Duration : 12 days
Route : Beijing (4 nights) → high-speed train Xi'an (3 nights) → train Pingyao or flight Guilin (2 nights) → Shanghai (3 nights)
Custom travel to China
China is one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations — 5,000 years of history, 9.6 million km², 1.4 billion inhabitants, 56 ethnicities, 8 recognized regional cuisines. From the Great Wall (the world's largest human structure, visible from orbit) to Xi'an's buried army (8,000 life-sized warrior statues, eternal guardians of the first emperor), from Guilin's karst landscapes to Yunnan's Tibetan villages, from Shanghai's skyscrapers to Beijing's hutong alleys, the country offers cultural and geographical intensity unmatched anywhere. A trip to China is a leap into a still-living millennial civilization, in permanent motion.
Highlights
- Beijing: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven
- Xi'an: buried army of the first Qin emperor
- Shanghai: skyline, the Bund, and French Concession
- Guilin and Yangshuo: karst landscapes on the Li River
- Yunnan: Lijiang, Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Tibet: Lhasa, Potala, Himalayan monasteries (permit required)
Sample itineraries
Grand tour: north, south, and Yunnan
Duration : 18 days
Route : Beijing (3 nights) → train Xi'an (2 nights) → flight Guilin / Yangshuo (3 nights, Li River) → flight Kunming (1 night) → Lijiang and Naxi villages (3 nights) → Shangri-La (2 nights) → flight Shanghai (3 nights)
Tibet and roof of the world
Duration : 16 days
Route : Beijing (2 nights) → flight Xining or luxury train → Lhasa (4 nights, altitude acclimatization) → Gyantse (1 night) → Shigatse (2 nights) → Everest base camp (1 night, 5,200 m) → return Lhasa → flight Chengdu (2 nights, giant pandas) → flight Shanghai (2 nights)
When to go
China is ideally visited April to June and September to October — spring and autumn, pleasant temperatures (15-25 °C), little rain, often clear sky (Beijing air quality is better these seasons). Avoid July-August: stifling heat (35-40 °C with humidity), domestic crowds during summer holidays, high prices. Also avoid Chinese New Year (late January-mid February, variable dates): the whole country moves, saturated transport, over-attended sites. Winter (November-March) is very cold in the north (Beijing -10 °C) but possible for the snow-covered Great Wall and Harbin (ice festival). For Yunnan and Tibet: May-October. Tibet closed February-March.
- Spring (April – June) — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Yunnan, Guilin
- Summer (July – August) — Tibet, high plateaus, Mongolia
- Autumn (September – October) — All regions, ideal everywhere
- Winter (November – March) — Snow-covered Great Wall, Harbin Ice Festival
Practical information
China is generally very safe — low crime risk. Main risks are tourist scams (fake monks, fake guides, trapped tea ceremonies in Beijing and Shanghai). Internet: Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Le Monde are blocked — install a VPN BEFORE leaving (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill; free VPNs don't work in China). Payments: China is nearly cashless — install WeChat Pay or Alipay (international card link possible since 2023), also bring yuan in cash for rural areas. Updated vaccines sufficient. Tap water not recommended — bottled water everywhere. A few Mandarin words (ni hao = hello, xie xie = thank you) much appreciated. Pleco translation app essential.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a China trip?
April-June and September-October offer the best conditions everywhere. Avoid July-August (stifling heat), Chinese New Year (saturated transport), and winter in the north (very cold).
How long for a China trip?
Minimum 12 days for Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai. 16-18 days to add Guilin and Yunnan. 21 days to combine with Tibet (permit required).
What budget for a custom China trip?
As a guideline, €2,800-€4,000 per person for 12-14 days in comfort, excluding flights. For an upscale trip with Aman and Songtsam lodges: €6,000-€14,000. Paris-Beijing flights: €700-€1,500.
Do I need a visa for China?
Tourist visa L mandatory (request 1 month before departure via Chinese visa center, around €130). Alternative: 144-h visa-free transit for Beijing and Shanghai if you arrive and leave to a third country (e.g., Paris-Beijing-Bangkok).
How does Internet work in China?
Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Le Monde, Le Figaro are blocked (Great Firewall). Install a VPN BEFORE leaving (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill — paid, work; free don't work). WeChat is the universal Chinese app (messaging, payment, transport).
How to get around in China?
Excellent high-speed trains (350 km/h): Beijing-Shanghai 4 h 30, Beijing-Xi'an 4 h 30. Air China domestic flights for long distances (Yunnan, Tibet). Very efficient metro in Beijing and Shanghai. Didi (Chinese Uber) for taxis. Avoid long-distance buses.
How to pay in China?
China is nearly cashless — WeChat Pay and Alipay reign. Since 2023, link possible with international bank card. Prefer Alipay (clearer English interface). Yuan cash useful for rural areas. Visa/Mastercard cards accepted only in international hotels.
Can I visit Tibet?
Yes, but with a special permit (Tibet Travel Permit), to request 1 month before departure via an approved Chinese tour operator. Mandatory guided visit. Tibet closed February-March (2008 protest anniversary). Altitude precautions: Lhasa at 3,600 m, EBC at 5,200 m. 2-3 day acclimatization essential.
Is China safe for a trip?
Yes, one of the world's safest countries in terms of crime (dense surveillance network). Main risks: tourist scams (fake monks, trapped tea ceremonies in Beijing/Shanghai), counterfeits. Avoid intense urban pollution in winter (mask possible).
Is China suitable for a family trip?
Yes, from 8-10 years (domestic flights and long distances can tire younger children). Safety, enthusiastic welcome for children (sometimes too much — be careful about photos), kid-friendly experiences (Great Wall with toboggan, giant pandas, Beijing opera). Avoid Tibet for children (altitude).