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How to Plan Your First Trip to China 2023/2024 — 7 Easy Steps

How to Plan Your First Trip to China 2023/2024 — 7 Easy Steps

Written byCindyUpdated Jun. 9, 2023

China, with its long history and rich geography, may be on your bucket list. It is also the top place to explore Far-Eastern elements and culture.

Below are seven easy steps for planning a first China tour using our first-hand knowledge, being based in China, and our experience creating over 100,000 custom-made China tours, the majority of which were for families and couples.

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Guilin Hotel upgrade

我们很高兴地通知您,China has officially announced the resumption of all kinds of visas, including tourist visas (L Visa), from March 15th, 2023. If you possess a 10-year China Visa obtained before COVID-19, and it remains valid, you can enter China without applying for a new one

China Highlights takes pride in being the most highly-rated China travel agency on TA with over 10,000 reviews and winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence year-on-year.Despite the pandemic, we have maintained healthy business operations in China and served more than 4,000 China expats with customized travel services from 2020 to 2022

We would be honored totailor-make your flexible private China tour.Please do not hesitate tocontact usat any time to discuss your travel plans.

1. Choose Where to Go

With our knowledge of China and feedback from our customers, we suggest you visit Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai for your first trip, extending it to Guilin and/or Chengdu if you have the time.

Top Cities to Visit for First Trip to China

1) Beijing — Explore China’s Imperial Past

Beijing, The Forbbiden City The Forbidden City

As an imperial and modern capital of China, Beijing is a must-see, because it is home to many of the finest icons of China's medieval and recent past. It is alsoChina's top gateway city

The Great Wall of Chinaandthe Forbidden Cityare both must-see attractions, especially if you are interested in China’s architectural marvels and dynastic history.

For a special experience and some private time,we can arrange a less-crowded sunset visit to the Great Wallwith a romantic picnic for you.

If you are interested in Beijing’s local lifestyle,a locally-guided walk through Beijing's hutongs和你的孩子或者丈夫/妻子是高度recommended.

If you want to try some new things with kids, we recommenda family morning tai chi session, a local home visit, trying Chinese calligraphy, and playing with a Chinese yo-yo.

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Click here to plan your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

2) Shanghai — Explore Its Unique Blend of Old and New

Shanghai, The Bund The Bund

If you want an intuitive sense of how China's recent past and present meet and collide, Shanghai is the place to go.

Hop on a ferry to cross the Huangpu River.You will see the historical architecture on the Bund as well as the modern skyscrapers opposite, giving you a distinctive contrast between modern life and the post-imperial past.

We havespecially designed an in-depth Bund culture discovery walking tourfor those who want to learn more interesting stories about the Bund and old Shanghai. See our2-Day Shanghai Essence Touritinerary.

If your schedule allows, extend your tour to Hangzhou or Suzhou to see water towns and classical Chinese gardens.

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3) Xi'an — Discover China's Ancient Civilization

Xi'an, The Terracotta Warriors The Terracotta Warriors

Xi’an is an excellent and interesting place to discover where the nation of China really began. China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, established the first capital of a united China there.

The Terracotta Warriors are definitely a must-see. We offer a more interesting and in-depth experience to learn more about the Terracotta Warriors:make a mini clay warriorwith local artisans and visit their disappearing cave dwellings.

For couples and families,a hanfu costume experiencein an ancient academy could be a highlight.A bike rideon the 600-year-old city wall is also great to do with kids.

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All our tours can be adjusted based on your needs. Justcontact us

RecommendedA time-smart choice

4) Guilin — A Relaxing Escape with Picturesque Scenery and Minority Culture

Guilin Li River Li River

First-timers loveGuilinfor its beautiful landscapes and relaxing places to escape from the cities — it is a true masterpiece ofclassic rural China

A Li River cruiseis the best way to enjoy karst peaks combined sublimely withthe Li River

Yangshuo and Longsheng, two counties next to the city of Guilin, offer most of Guilin’s top highlights.

Yangshuo is a place where children can put down their phones and iPads and still be well entertained… bycycling around the idyllic countrysideand even experiencing the life and work of a Chinese farmer.

Yangshuo also offers a natural romantic atmosphere for couples.A romantic riverside candlelit dinnerset in a mountain retreat garden could be a great way to celebrate your 20th, 30th, 40th, etc. anniversary. Contact us to design a special time for you.

If you are interested inminority culture,the Longji Rice Terracesin Longsheng are really a highlight — both for enjoying the magnificent tiered fields and for experiencing the world of the Zhuang and Yao minorities.

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5) Chengdu — Have a Close Encounter with Pandas

Chengdu,the hometown of giant pandas

Chengdu'sgiant pandasare for many the icing on the cake, the finishing touch to a China must-do list.

An even more special experience would be to have a close encounter with pandas by taking part inourgiant panda volunteer program— clean panda enclosures, make panda food, watch a panda eat it, and more.

Chengdu is also famous for delicious Sichuan food like kung pao chicken and spicy hotpot. A food hunting tour is the best way to taste the delicious specialties of Chengdu.

If you are interested in cooking, you can try cooking the most authentic Sichuan cuisine with a local chef.

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2. Decide How Many Days to Stay

Visit China at a slow pace

After a long journey to get to China, you probably won't want to just scratch the surface of China and just take snapshots with the landmark attractions.

We suggest you takeat least a weekfor your first trip to see a spectrum of the highlights in the top three cities: Beijing (3–4 days), Xi'an (2 days), and Shanghai (1–2 days). See our8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Tourfor inspiration.

To discover more of China, like charming Guilin and lovely Chengdu pandas, you would need a few more days. See our11-Day Classic Wonderstour of Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin/Yangshuo, and Shanghai. SeeHow Long to Spend in China: Itineraries from 1 Week to 1 Month

Tibet is also open again for international visitors now [March 2023]. If you want to visit this pure land, you may need 3 to 5 more days. See our2-Week Private Tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Lhasa, and Shanghai

All our tours can be adjusted based on your interests, travel time, group size, and other needs. Justcontact us

Or get ideas from our:

RecommendedItinerary
Click here to plan your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

3. Consider When to Travel to China

Autumn is the best time to travel to China Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin

China's cultural and historical attractions are good for a visit all year round. Things to do in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai are seldom affected by the seasons.

Spring(April–May) andautumn(September-October) are generally the most comfortable and recommended times for a China tour. They are neither too hot nor too cold, but fall is generally drier and warmer than spring.

A more ideal travel timefor you could be March and early April or September when there are smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather.

China is agood summer holiday destinationtoo. There are not many rainy days in summer. It rarely rains continuously for a whole day, with rain coming in less and less frequent downpours as the summer draws on.

It can get a little hot in summer, but air conditioning and expert arrangements would help you avoid the heat as much as possible.

You can find more detailed tips onBest Times to Travel to China

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4. Consider Your Budget

Traveling in China is not very expensive. The biggest cost could be international airfares. The cost of airfares from the US or Europe to China varies a lot depending on when you fly and which airline you use, from around US$1,200 to US$3,000 for an economy round trip.

The peak tourist times in China fall on the first weeks of May and October (China’s two golden weeks), the summer holidays, and the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The biggest price difference between the off and peak seasons is in the price of hotels and airfares. Prices in peak season can go up by 50 to 100%.

For a private tour, the average cost per day is about US$220–350 per person, including flights/trains within China, 4- or 5-star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.

If you travel in the peak season, book at least 2 or 3 months in advance. When booking with us, you'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to three weeks before departure (more details here⇒).

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5. We Believe Private and Tailor-Made Is Best

A must-see city in your first china trip: Guilin LongjiOur clients are talking to a local people.

A private tour is recommended for your first trip to China.

If you don't want to visit the Great Wall of China with a coach-load of 40 people and perhaps only have 20 minutes on the wall and so on, a private and tailor-made tour is definitely the better choice.

With our private tours, you would have much more personal choice in how your tour goes. You could have more hand-picked and interactive experiences, like walking on the "wild" untouched Great Wall or visiting a local family with your own local guide.

With private guiding and transport, we would maximize your time. You could focus on the sightseeing you want to do, skipping what’s not of interest and the long queues in the most crowded attractions.

Justcontact usif you would like a tailor-made private trip to China. We also offer economical, but still high-class and uncrowded, small group tours.

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6. Check Out Visa Policy

Visitors from most countries need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa) to visit China. We recommended that you apply for the visa one or two months before the intended travel date.

When booking with us, we would provide the invitation letter that you would need for a tourist visa application.

If you do not have a Chinese visa, you could use the144-hour visa-free-transit policyto visit China.

Whether you want to visit China via visa or visa-free, we can help you plan a trip including entry formalities. Feel free tocontact us

7. Getting to/around China

Flights from all countries to China have resumed, though maybe not yet at pre-pandemic frequency. At present, there are one or two direct flights a week from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Beijing, Seattle to Shanghai, London to Guangzhou, etc.

There are also many flight options with stopovers that are more frequent and affordable.

Beijing and Shanghai are the top gateway cities for international flights. Most customers chose them.

Flights and high-speed trains are the best and fastest ways to travel intercity in most of China. Booking a private tour with us, we will arrange your transportation within China and provide worry-free and comfortable private transfers.

Popular China Tours for 2023/2024

Our private tours are designed to be the most convenient and fulfilling option for your trip to China. We would create an itinerary according to your flight times, interests, and any other requirements.

Just contact us and we’llcreate your ideal China trip.我们的顾问会听,我回答你nquiries carefully and promptly and prepare the best tour plan for you.

Here are some popular options that you could base your trip on:

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The China Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made by your personal travel advisor — a destination expert. Every reply will be within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy your personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have unparalleled flexibility, which is impossible on a group tour.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Discover the hidden gems. Experience local culture by practicing it. Try new and exciting activities, and unveil the stories behind the sights and people.

Well-Selected Local Guides

Well-Selected Local Guides

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!

China Highlights tailor-makes China tours to help travelers discover China their way. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our knowledge of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience,more ...
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
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