China is the East Asian destination whose visa rules change most often, so recheck official sources before you go. It is a vast country where each city has a sharply different appeal: Beijing (the Forbidden City and Great Wall), Shanghai (the Bund, Yu Garden and Disneyland), Xi'an (the Terracotta Army), Guilin (karst scenery), Chengdu (pandas) and Zhangjiajie (the "Avatar" landscape).
Practical preparation matters: the Great Firewall blocks Google and Instagram, local payment centers on Alipay and WeChat Pay, and there is a language barrier. Installing a VPN beforehand and registering an Alipay account for foreigners in advance makes everything much easier.
Combining Beijing and Shanghai is a popular pattern, and a single high-speed train links the two cities.
Visa and entry requirements for China
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
China’s visa policies change more often than anywhere else in East Asia. Visa-free entry and visa-free transit (such as the 144-hour scheme at airports including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, which requires an onward ticket to a third country) apply only to certain nationalities and ports, and the conditions change frequently. Stays for work, study or journalism require the corresponding visa. Some border and ethnic minority regions may be under travel advisories.
- National Immigration Administration of China (National Immigration Administration, PRC)
China at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Currency | Yuan (CNY/RMB) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC+8) |
| Best season | April to May and September to October (avoid the Spring Festival and National Day crowds) |
| Apps and internet | Google, Facebook and Instagram are blocked; install a VPN before you go |
| Payment | Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate; foreigners can register accounts in advance |
| Prices | Everyday meals CNY 20–50, hotels CNY 300–800 |
Beijing: city of history and emperors
Beijing is China's capital, a city that condenses 5,000 years of history. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven are all in the city, and the Great Wall (the Mutianyu section is recommended) is two hours away by intercity bus or tour.
| Sight | Highlights | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (Palace Museum) | Palace of the Ming and Qing emperors; advance booking required | CNY 60–80 |
| Great Wall (Mutianyu) | Cable car and wall trekking, smaller crowds | CNY 40 plus CNY 100 for the cable car |
| Summer Palace | Imperial gardens and Kunming Lake; allow half a day | CNY 30–60 |
| Hutong (alley) walks | Traditional courtyard houses, alley cafés, cycling | Free |
Shanghai: the showcase of modern China
Across the Huangpu River, Shanghai sets the 1930s colonial architecture of the Bund against modern Pudong with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. With Yu Garden (a Ming dynasty garden), Xintiandi (trendy bars and restaurants) and Shanghai Disneyland, two or three days are not enough.
Hangzhou (West Lake and Longjing tea plantations) is two hours from Shanghai by high-speed train (CRH), so a three-day trip can include a day trip into nature.
Practical preparation: VPN, payment and getting around
| Item | How to prepare |
|---|---|
| VPN | Install ExpressVPN, NordVPN or similar before you leave (they cannot be downloaded in China) |
| Alipay for foreigners | Install the app and register an overseas credit card to pay in CNY |
| Cash | Cash is essential in small towns and traditional markets; airport and bank exchange are fine |
| High-speed rail | Beijing to Shanghai in 4.5 hours; booking ahead on Trip.com is recommended |
| DiDi | China's Uber, with English support and card payment |
| Translation app | Download offline packs for Google Translate or similar in advance |
China budget guide
We estimate the following costs per person, excluding international flights.
| Itinerary | Item | Cost per person |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days, 4 nights in Beijing or Shanghai | Accommodation (4 nights, mid-range hotel) | KRW 250,000–600,000 |
| Food, transport and sightseeing | KRW 200,000–400,000 | |
| 6 days, 5 nights in Beijing and Shanghai | Accommodation (5 nights) | KRW 300,000–800,000 |
| Food and sightseeing | KRW 250,000–500,000 |
FAQ
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and how long you stay. Check the National Immigration Administration and the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, and recheck just before departure because policies change often.
Who can use the 144-hour visa-free transit?
It applies at certain airports such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu for eligible nationalities holding an onward ticket to a third country. The cities and conditions change frequently, so always recheck before you go.
Do I really have to install a VPN before I leave?
Yes. VPN apps cannot be downloaded inside China. Install ExpressVPN, NordVPN or similar on both your phone and laptop before departure and test them.
Should I travel during the Spring Festival?
During the Spring Festival, train tickets, flights and hotels sell out fast and famous sights are extremely crowded. We recommend avoiding it; if you cannot, book three to six months ahead.
Sources
- National Immigration Administration of China · National Immigration Administration, PRC · accessed 2026-10-30
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.
