China Flights and Travel Guide

China has one of the world's oldest civilizations with a recorded history dating back 5,000 years. Its most famous national treasures are almost as old. The Great Wall was first built in the 7th century, the Terra-Cotta Warriors were buried in 210BC, and Suzhou, China's Venice, is 2,500 years old. In recent years, China has been modernising at breakneck speed, and more and more airlines have been offering cheap flights to China for business and leisure travellers.

China's neon-bathed cities - Beijing and Shanghai in particular but Hong Kong too - are the ones to seek out for the best in new design, restaurants, bars, shops, galleries and hotels.

Outside the cities, nature reserves and national parks show China's diversity of landscapes. From plateaus and mountains in the west to lower lands in the east and huge rivers, the landscapes provide habitats for its animals, most famously the Wolong Nature Preserve, China's largest panda reserve.

China is an emerging superpower, but it is also an empire with a mouthwatering variety of food - in the south rice and prawns, in the west spicy lamb and in the north, duck. More than a country, China is a feast for the senses.

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China Climate

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When to Fly to China

Deciding on the best time to book cheap flights to China depends on where you want to go. Travelling during Chinese holidays - Chinese Spring Festival (usually late January/early February), International Labor Day (May 1-7) and National Day (October 1-7) - will certainly give you an insight into Chinese culture, but it won't be the cheapest time to get around.

Peak Season
Peak tourist months at China's most popular destinations (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong) are April, May, September and October. Temperatures are most comfortable at this time. The winter months can be peak season too. This is when most tourists fly to Hainan Island for some winter sun and to Harbin for its ice-lantern festival. The winter months also take in New Year holidays, Chinese Spring Festival and other national days.

Shoulder Season
Extends from November through March and June through August.

Off Season
There is no off season per se.

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Getting Around China

There are about 500 airports in China and several international and regional carriers. As it is so vast, after taking cheap flights to China, consider flying as it is the fastest way to get around.

The rail network runs to every province except Tibet and varies in terms of service. There are express trains with all the bells and whistles you would expect and slower, no-frills trains.

Buses too vary in standards. In the cities buses are a common way of getting around. Avoid peak times as buses get very crowded at rush hour. For travel long-distance there are luxury buses and more standard services. Privately run minibuses are also available for journeys of less than 100km.

Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangzhou all have fantastic subway systems. Again, avoid at rush hour to have a more comfortable journey.

Passenger ferries are in operation on the Yangzi, between the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau and East China Sea at Shanghai. This journey takes you through the Three Gorges. A trip up the Xi River from Wuzhou to Guangzhou is also a must-do. In Hong Kong, several ferries sail to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and Mainland China.

Taxis are readily available in the cities. They are inexpensive, but make sure to have your address written in Chinese to show the driver.

If biking in China, a popular way of getting about, the biggest problems are the crowds and confusion. Always carry a map and, in case you get lost, the address of your hotel, written in English and Chinese.

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China Insider Information

• The Three Gorges Dam is best viewed by tour boat down the Yangtze River. The dam is the world's largest and the world's biggest hydroelectric power station. The Yangtze itself is the world's third-longest river. The highlight of the boat cruise is the Three Gorges.
• Jiuzhaigou Valley, a nature reserve in Sichuan province, is famous for its multi-level waterfalls and clear blue lakes. It is also a great place to experience Tibetan local culture.
• The Bund in Shanghai was historically the seat of the city's most powerful businessmen in the 19th and early 20th century. Meaning embankment, it is studded with examples of Shanghai's rich architectural history. The HSBC Building, built in 1923 was said to be "the most luxurious building between the Suez Canal and the Bering Strait."
• The Wolong Nature Preserve is three hours outside Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. It's China's largest panda reserve. Tourists can observe pandas in their natural habitat and help researchers feed and play with the pandas.
• Beijing, the Forbidden City, or Palace Museum, occupies the heart of the city, just north of Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City was the imperial seat for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors from 1420 until 1912 when the last emperor, Pu Yi, abdicated. It on the Unesco World Heritage list since 1987. Other Beijing sites include the circular 15th-century Temple of Heaven; the Summer Palace imperial resort; the old city wall gates; traditional hutong alleys and courtyards; and Beihai Park.
• Buy: carpets if you are knowledgable, but not anything of value. Leave behind the silk, pearls, lacquer, ceramincs of antiques.

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China Airports

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Passport/Visa

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Entry Requirements

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