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

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 to June and September to October (spring and autumn) offer the best conditions in almost every region: pleasant temperatures of 15 to 25 °C, little rain, often clear skies, and better air quality in Beijing. Avoid July-August: stifling, humid heat (35-40 °C), domestic crowds during summer holidays, high prices everywhere. Also avoid Chinese New Year (late January-mid February, variable dates on the lunar calendar): the whole country travels, trains and flights sell out weeks ahead, and historic sites are overwhelmed. Winter (November-March) is very cold in the north (Beijing down to -10 °C) but stays mild in Shanghai (about 15 °C); it's also the best time for the snow-covered Great Wall and the Harbin Ice Festival, in low season with gentler prices. For Yunnan and Tibet, aim for May to October: Tibet is closed to foreign travelers in February-March (2008 protest anniversary).

How long for a China trip?

Allow a minimum of 12 days for the classic triangle Beijing (4 nights) + Xi'an (3 nights) + Shanghai (3 nights), with an added stop in Guilin or Pingyao. For a fuller tour including the Guilin/Yangshuo karst landscapes and ethnic Yunnan (Lijiang, Shangri-La), plan 16 to 18 days, my travelers' most requested itinerary. To combine with Tibet (Lhasa, Everest base camp, Chengdu pandas), allow 16 to 21 days, factoring in the special permit requested a month ahead and 2-3 days of altitude acclimatization in Lhasa before heading toward Everest. Under 10-12 days, I don't recommend combining more than 2 regions: China's internal distances (1.5× the size of Europe) make the pace exhausting if too tight.

What budget for a custom China trip?

Three service levels, excluding international flights, for 2 people sharing a double room: Comfort from €2,800/person for 12-14 days (4★ boutique hotels in Beijing and Shanghai, courtyard hotels in hutongs, 1st-class high-speed trains, private French-speaking guide on key stops); Premium from €5,000/person for 14-18 days (exceptional hotels such as the Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, Capella Shanghai, Banyan Tree Lijiang, or Yunnan's Songtsam Lodges, private guide throughout, 5 to 7 exclusive experiences such as a private Forbidden City visit before opening); Exclusive from €11,000/person for 14-21 days fully bespoke (5★ Aman/Capella/Rosewood hotels, Tangula luxury train to Tibet, 5★ Yangtze cruise). Add €700 to €1,500 per person for a round-trip Paris-Beijing or Paris-Shanghai flight in Economy (direct flights of about 10 h), more in high season (April-May, September-October, Chinese New Year).

Do I need a visa for China?

A tourist L visa is mandatory for EU, UK, US, and Canadian nationals, to be requested about 1 month before departure through the Chinese visa center (expect around €130, passport valid 6 months, detailed form with itinerary and hotel bookings). An alternative exists: the 144-h visa-free transit, valid for Beijing, Shanghai, and about fifteen other cities, if you enter and leave toward a third country (for example Paris-Beijing-Bangkok) without leaving the authorized zone. If your itinerary includes Tibet, an additional special permit (Tibet Travel Permit) is required, also to be requested about 1 month before departure via an approved Chinese tour operator, on top of the standard L visa.

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?

China has the world's largest high-speed rail network (42,000 km in service). G trains (up to 350 km/h) link Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing-Xi'an in 4 h 30 each, Shanghai-Hong Kong in 8 h: comfortable, 99% punctual, with dining cars. Book at least 30 days ahead via the official 12306 app or through your agent, seats sell out fast in high season. For long distances (Yunnan, Tibet), domestic flights are faster: Beijing-Kunming 3 h, Beijing-Lhasa 4 h, with Air China, China Eastern, or Hainan Airlines. In cities, the metro is very efficient in Beijing (24 lines) and Shanghai (19 lines), air-conditioned and cheap. For taxis, use the Didi app (China's Uber equivalent, English interface available) rather than hailing on the street, since few drivers speak English. Avoid long-distance buses, slow and uncomfortable compared to the train.

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, China is one of the world's safest countries for travelers in terms of crime, thanks to a very dense surveillance network and a strong police presence in tourist areas. The main risks aren't physical but small tourist scams: fake monks asking for donations near temples, fake students inviting you to an overpriced tea ceremony (especially in Beijing, around Tiananmen Square, and in Shanghai, on the Bund or Nanjing Road), counterfeits in markets. Air pollution can be intense in winter in the major northern cities, Beijing in particular, a filtering mask is then useful. Keep your vaccines up to date, avoid tap water (bottled water is available everywhere), and carry multi-risk travel insurance if your itinerary includes high-altitude areas (Tibet, Yunnan). Throughout your stay, I remain reachable 7/7 via a direct emergency number (by WeChat in China, since WhatsApp is blocked there).

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).

Do I need to speak Mandarin to travel in China?

No, that's not necessary: I systematically arrange private French-speaking guides in Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Yunnan for the key stops of your trip (few in number, so book well ahead). English remains limited outside tourist areas and international hotels, including in train stations and local restaurants. A few Mandarin words (ni hao = hello, xie xie = thank you) are always appreciated and help with contact. The Pleco translation app (works offline) is very useful for everyday exchanges, menus, and signs. The travel booklet I hand you even includes a survival Mandarin glossary.

What should I pack for China?

Bring a Type A/C/I plug adapter (220 V), essential for all your devices. Set up your VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Astrill) BEFORE departure, since free VPNs don't work once you're there. For clothing, adapt to the country's climate swings: light, breathable layers for Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai in summer (humid heat), warm windproof layers for autumn/winter in the north (Beijing can drop to -10 °C), and a down jacket or thermal layers if your itinerary includes high-altitude Yunnan or Tibet (cool nights even in summer, between 3,200 and 5,200 m). Pack sturdy walking shoes for the Great Wall and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Also bring some cash in yuan for rural areas, where WeChat Pay and Alipay aren't always usable by foreigners without a Chinese bank account.