China holidays
A vast country with more to see than you could ever manage in a single trip, China will leave you wanting more. The most populous country in the world will surprise you with its untouched scenery. its diverse range of landscapes, cultures and history make it perfect if you love exploring. You’ll discover incredible futuristic cities sitting next to the majestic monuments of China’s ancient civilisations. Quite simply, it’s a fascinating place. Expect to be pampered in the many premier hotels, which are dotted throughout the country. Wherever you travel, you’ll be treated like an emperor of old. If you fancy a more down-to-earth treatment, there are also hostels and backpacker hotels, but it would be a shame to miss out on its deluxe offerings. It’s not all about luxury and ancient buildings either. This is a country where family is held in the highest regard. This is why you’ll find theme parks, water sports and arcades everywhere, especially in Hong Kong to the south. Here, on these densely packed islands, you’ll find your pick of attractions, from giant Buddhist statues to Disneyland.
Things to do
China is home to some of the most extraordinary monuments in the world. From the country-spanning Great Wall to the grand palaces of the Forbidden City, alongside statues of deities and sacred Buddhist shrines, there’s an incredible variety of things to see and explore. We recommend taking a guided tour to make the most of your Chinese holiday. But it’s not just monuments and philosophy in China, there are world famous theme parks as well. Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the most visited parks in the world, and for good reason - it’s home a new Marvel Super Heroes zone, which is bound to be a hit with the kids.
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This vast country witnesses all kinds of weather. Winters can be harsh in the mountainous areas whereas summers (July and August) can be extremely warm. This is also when you’ll experience increased rainfall.
10 to 13 hours
Ranked among the best in the world and considered the best in China, Hong Kong International Airport (HRK) is one of the country’s major airports. Alternatively, you can also fly to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), China’s busiest.
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
As it’s such a vast country, the weather in China is not easy to summarise. In the more northern cities of Beijing and Shanghai, the weather is temperate, with hot and dry summers and cold and wet winters. Temperatures can reach the high 30s but tend to hover around 25°C most of the time.
Further south, towards Hong Kong, the weather is more extreme, with high heat and intense rain sweeping in from the southern China Sea. But this has its advantages. The beaches are some of the best in Asia, so you can take full advantage of the coast and its warmth. The beaches have been known to reach a toasty 35°C, but with a cool sea breeze, you’ll be fine as long as you have your sunscreen.
For trips to the Terracotta Warriors, be wary of travelling in the winter months, as the more central regions are often hit with the worst of the cold and rain. However, if you can brave the chill, you’ll be rewarded with a great bargain on hotels, as the off-season doesn’t attract nearly as many travellers.
It’s hard to predict the weather if you’re travelling to the Great Wall sites, as it crosses both deserts and mountains. If you’re looking for the best views, late spring and early autumn will have less rain, and as a result, less fog, so your trip to these incredible wonders won’t be obscured by mist.
Summers in China tend to be very hot and humid. If you’re planning a holiday to China, spring and autumn are often the best times to visit China. From March to early May and late July to early October, you’ll be able to dress almost exactly the same as in the UK. During these times, there’s a similar climate to home, although with a bit less rain.
If you’re a festival fiend, then you’ll have to brave the summer heat for the best on offer. And be careful to avoid monsoons that can affect the southern and southwestern parts of the country, where run-off from the mountains causes flash flooding.
The cold winters can catch travellers out. Taking a warm jacket or coat is essential if you’re going to be travelling between October and February when cold snaps can strike. Especially at night, temperatures can drop to below freezing, but during the day, a nice fleece should keep you warm as you explore monuments and cities.
If in doubt, keep an eye on the weather forecast. Especially in Hong Kong, there are frequent English broadcasts on television, as well as detailed information online to keep you up-to-date with the weather in China. Make sure you’re prepared, have the right clothes and don’t get caught without a coat.
China is best for…
Food ethusiast: China welcomes those with an adventurous palette, and it’s been said that the local street food is as good as what you find in the restaurants, if not better! Varying from place to place, opt for peking duck in Beijing, dim sum in Hong Kong and steamed crab in Shanghai. And don’t be surprised if you find some surprises along the way.
Signtseers: Home to some of the world’s most iconic sites including the Great Wall of China, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, there’s so much to see in China. Get your cameras at the ready for the life-size Terracotta Army. Or, explore the Forbidden City, a palace complex made up of courtyards and over 900 buildings.
Families: Kids are welcomed with open arms in China, with plenty of child-friendly attractions at your fingertips. Make a beeline for its theme parks including two Disney resorts, Hong Kong Ocean Park and Beijing Happy Valley. There are also plenty of museums, zoos and aquariums that are perfect for a family day out.
Fast facts:
Language: Mandarin is the most popular language in China, followed by Cantonese. As the most used foreign language, especially in urban areas, you’ll find plenty of tours and menus in English. But it won’t do you any harm brushing up on a few basic phrases before you arrive.
Currency: The official currency of China is the Renminbi.
Local time: China is 8 hours ahead of the UK (GMT+8).
Fly to: Hong Kong International Airport (HRK) can be found on the island of Chep Lap Kok and will take around 30 minutes to reach the city centre. For a shorter journey, you can always hop on the train, which takes just over 20 minutes.
Flight time from UK: 10 – 13 hours
Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at China’s National Tourist Office website.
Visa / Health:
Before you travel, check the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Things to do
Things to do in China
Explore The Great Wall China
The largest building in the world isn’t a skyscraper, pyramid, or a bridge – it’s a wall. The greatest wall in world history, built to protect one of the most incredible empires ever seen.Ocean Park China
Discover one of China’s finest marine life-themed amusement parks in Hong Kong’s buzzing Southside. With its own cast of costumed creatures, Ocean Park easily rivals nearby Disneyland.Forbidden City China
Nestled in the heart of Beijing lies what was once China’s best-kept secret. ‘Zjìnchéng’, meaning Forbidden City, is actually just a massive palace.Lantau Island Hong Kong
Lantau Island is the largest of Hong Kong’s islands and a fantastic holiday destination. You’ll find an unspoilt island offering a peaceful escape from the busy heartland of Hong Kong island or the mainland cities.Currency
China travel money
The currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB). The most common note is the 100RMB. You’ll be able to pay for most things with this note and get it broken down into smaller denominations. But you might get some funny looks, if you try to pay for a bottle of water (2–4RMB) with this note. In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is the accepted currency, and you’ll want to make sure you have some to hand if you’re travelling to the territory. In the cities, ATMs are everywhere but may charge you. Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted, and the availability of ATMs is limited. Smaller Chinese shops can be suspicious of non-local credit and debit cards due to fraud, and high foreign exchange rates. If you’re paying by card, you may be asked to show your passport, or even be refused outright. Don’t take this personally as they’re not being impolite. If you come back with cash, they’ll be happy to serve you. One of the increasingly popular ways to pay is with cashless payments via smartphone applications. Apps such as WeChat Pay, TenPay and others are commonplace. Tied to the major Chinese tech companies such as Tencent and Alibaba, these apps are safe and secure, and increasingly accepted by everyone from restaurants to taxi drivers. We always recommend you pick up your cash before you go on holiday, the quickest way is to order it online. You can also try a Cash Passport. This prepaid debit card is insured against loss, so you’re covered if you ever lose your wallet while travelling. Travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted in China, apart from a small number of hotels in the very largest cities. If you’re using travellers’ cheques, we’d recommend you cash them as soon as possible at a hotel or a bureau de change. The Chinese exchange rate is regulated and the same everywhere, so it doesn’t matter where you exchange your money in China. In all international airports, there are money changers as well as ATMs. Unlike most other countries, the exchange rate at the airport is good, so we recommend you pick up your cash as soon as possible if you haven’t done so before you arrive. Bigger hotels will also exchange currency, but usually only small amounts, and often only for cash. However, you may have some problems exchanging Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes in China.Featured accommodation
