Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most foreign passport holders need a visa to enter mainland China. The standard tourist visa (L visa) allows stays of 30-60 days. However, China offers a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of 54 countries transiting through major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

You can apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate, or through a visa service agency. Required documents include a valid passport (6+ months validity), a completed visa application form, a recent photo, and proof of hotel and flight bookings. Processing time is typically 4-7 business days. As of 2025, the visa fee is approximately $140 for US citizens and $60-90 for most other nationalities.

Citizens of 54 countries (including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and all EU member states) can stay in designated Chinese cities for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa, provided they have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. Eligible cities include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, and others.

Yes. All foreign travelers to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit, which must be arranged through a licensed tour operator. We handle this for you as part of our Tibet tours. The permit takes 15-20 days to process, so book at least 3 weeks in advance.

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international hotels, upscale restaurants, and large shopping malls. However, most local restaurants, street vendors, and smaller shops only accept WeChat Pay or Alipay. Download both apps and link your foreign card before arrival. Cash is accepted but increasingly uncommon.

Bring some cash (USD or EUR) as backup, but plan to use Alipay or WeChat Pay for most purchases. You can exchange currency at airports and banks. ATMs are widely available in cities but may not accept all foreign cards. Budget $30-50 per day for incidental expenses.

A private 8-day tour covering Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai typically costs $1,500-2,500 per person including 4-star hotels, private guide and driver, entrance tickets, and domestic transport. Budget travelers can do it for $800-1,200. Luxury tours start at $4,000+. Prices vary by season — peak months cost 20-30% more.

Yes. China has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world. Solo travelers, including women, generally feel safe walking at night in major cities. The main risks are pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and scams targeting foreigners (tea ceremony scams, fake taxis). Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.

No special vaccinations are required for most travelers. Routine vaccines (measles, tetanus, hepatitis A and B) are recommended. For rural areas or extended stays, consider typhoid and Japanese encephalitis vaccines. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or boiled water.

Lhasa is at 3,650m (11,975 ft) and Everest Base Camp is at 5,200m. Allow 2 days of acclimatization in Lhasa before traveling higher. Consider taking Diamox (consult your doctor). We carry oxygen canisters in vehicles for all Tibet tours. Travel insurance must cover high-altitude travel.

Google services (including Gmail, Google Maps), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are blocked in China. Download a reliable VPN before arrival (Astrill, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN work best). Alternatively, use Chinese equivalents: Baidu Maps, WeChat, and Youku.

Most international phones work on Chinese networks, but check with your carrier about roaming fees. A cheaper option is to buy a local SIM card at the airport (China Mobile or China Unicom). eSIM cards are also available. Your hotel Wi-Fi will work for non-blocked sites.

China has over 45,000 km of high-speed rail lines connecting virtually all major cities. Trains reach speeds of 250-350 km/h, making them faster than flying for routes under 1,000 km. Book tickets via Trip.com or 12306.cn. Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.

For distances under 800 km, high-speed train is almost always better — faster door-to-door, more comfortable, and often cheaper. For longer distances, flying is usually more practical. Domestic flights are affordable, typically $50-200 per segment.

Major cities have excellent metro systems (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu). Use the DiDi app (Chinese Uber) for taxis. Most metro stations have English signage. Walking is fine in city centers but distances can be deceptively large.

Authentic Chinese food is very different from Chinese takeout abroad. Each region has distinct cuisine: Beijing (Peking duck, noodles), Xi'an (Muslim-influenced street food), Sichuan (spicy, numbing peppercorns), Shanghai (sweet, delicate, seafood). Most restaurants can adjust spice levels. Western food is available in all major cities.