Basket
China is one of the most diverse and fascinating countries in the world. This vast landscape is home to everything from Mongolian steppe, to Himalayan peaks, to the Gobi Desert and so many more striking natural wonders. Its cities are just as impressive, from the hyper-modern Beijing to the ancient Shanghai. Snakeing throughout it all is the iconic Great Wall of China – a World Heritage site of huge proportions.
Climate in China
Summers are typically warm and humid. Coastal regions in the east are prone to heavy rain, tropical cyclones and typhoons. Further inland summers are drier and less humid. Winters are changeable with periods of wet weather, and also colder spells with frost and snow.
Time Difference in China
China is 8 Hours ahead of the UK
Language in China
Chinese Yuan
Commonly Used Words in China
Hello = Ni Hao
Goodbye = Zàijiàn
Thank you = Xièxiè
Please = Qing
Yes = Shi
No =Méiyou
Which Plug Do I Need in China?
For China there are three associated plug types, types A, C and I. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins, plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type I is the plug which has three flat pins in a triangular pattern.
What is The Local Currency in China?
Chinese Yuan £100 in Chinese Yuan is 908.82 ¥ (as of January 2025)
What Credit Cards Can I Use in China?
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are all widely accepted in big cities in China.
Tipping in China
Tips are not included in the overall price of our treks and adventure trips, but most trekkers do tip their guides, porters, and cooks on the penultimate or final day of the trip. Tipping is a universal custom in adventure travel, but is not obligatory, so you should never feel forced into it, but it is a tradition on the trail. Tipping policies can be found through the Vamoos app for each individual trip.
Approximate Food & Drink Prices in China (January 2025)
Coke/Pepsi 3.47 ¥
Water 2.20 ¥
Coffee 25.67 ¥
Beer 15.00 ¥
Inexpensive Meal 30.00 ¥
Passport Validity for China
To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in China and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping.
COVID-19 Requirements for China? (January 2025)
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering China.
Do I Need a Visa for China? (January 2025)
You need a visa to visit mainland China.
You can visit Hong Kong or Macao without a visa. See separate travel advice for Hong Kong and Macao.
You can also visit the island of Hainan for 30 days without a visa.
Visa-free transit through China is permitted, from 24 hours to 144 hours depending on location. See China Visa Application Centre for more information.
If you visit Hong Kong from mainland China and want to return to the mainland, you need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China.
Check your visa details carefully and do not overstay your visa. The authorities carry out regular checks and may fine, detain and deport you.
If you want to stay in China longer than 6 months, you may need to get a residence permit.
Applying for a visa
If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa in person at a visa application centre. If you’re aged 13 and under or aged 71 and over, you can only apply online. You must provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints) as part of your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. The details of their opening hours are on their websites.
The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply.
