By Gabi ·
· 4 min read
BEST TIME
Apr to May, Sep to Oct
CURRENCY
Chinese yuan (¥)
VISA
Check the latest rules
GETTING AROUND
High-speed rail
LANGUAGE
Mandarin Chinese
SAFETY
Very safe for solo women
01
China is huge, so the weather varies a lot, but spring and autumn are the best for most of the country.
Spring (April to May)
Mild temperatures and clear days, perfect for the Great Wall and walking cities.
Summer (June to August)
Hot and humid in most places, with a rainy season in the south.
Autumn (September to October)
Comfortable weather and beautiful scenery. Avoid the first week of October, a national holiday when everywhere gets very busy.
Winter (November to March)
Cold in the north, milder in the south. Fewer crowds, but check the dates of Chinese New Year.
02
China is good value, especially for food and trains.
Food: local restaurants and street food are cheap and delicious.
Transport: high-speed rail is fast and fairly priced.
Accommodation: good quality at reasonable prices in most cities.
Entry tickets: budget for sights like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors.
03
China is a very safe country for women travelling solo, with low levels of street crime. The bigger challenge is the language and getting set up digitally before you go.
Set up a mobile payment app before you travel, as cash and foreign cards aren't always accepted.
Many apps and websites you're used to are blocked, so plan how you'll stay connected.
Download offline maps and a translation app.
On our trip you're with a group and a guide the whole way.
04
China's visa rules have changed a lot recently, with visa-free entry opened up to many nationalities for short trips. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport, so check gov.uk and the Chinese embassy before you book.
Your passport needs at least 6 months left on it and blank pages.
Keep a copy of your itinerary and accommodation details handy for immigration.
Always check the rules for your own nationality.
05
China has one of the best high-speed rail networks in the world.
High-speed trains link Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and more.
Bring your passport to buy tickets and board trains.
City metros are cheap, clean and signed in English.
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around cities.
06
A little prep goes a long way in China.
Comfortable walking shoes for the Great Wall and city walls.
Layers, as temperatures vary a lot.
Tissues or a small pack of toilet roll.
A portable charger, since you'll rely on your phone for payments and maps.
Your passport, always, for trains and sights.
A plug adaptor that works with Chinese sockets.
The complete China packing list
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STRAIGHT FROM THE TRIP
07
Is China safe for solo female travellers?
Do I need a visa for China?
Can I use my phone in China?
RATHER NOT PLAN IT YOURSELF?
China with the girls
Women-only group trip with a local guide. From £1595pp.
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