China Travel Guide
Season • Note
Are November and December good months to visit China?
November
Shoulder
season
December
Off
season
Did you know?
The Qinghai-Tibet railroad line connecting the Chinese city of Xining in Qinghai province with Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous region, is the highest railroad line in the world (16640 ft above sea level).
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Beijing (CN) and Washington D.C. (US) is 6926 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Beijing click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in China on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Yuan Renminbi (CNY) - rate compared to selected currencies
EUR 
GBP 
USD Get ready for your next trip
With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to China
| Miles | Hong Kong | Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou | Macau | Shenzhen | Nanjing | Suzhou |
| Hong Kong | - | 1225 | 764 | 81 | 41 | 18 | 731 | 739 |
| Beijing | 1225 | - | 664 | 1174 | 1236 | 1209 | 560 | 640 |
| Shanghai | 764 | 664 | - | 753 | 793 | 754 | 168 | 51 |
| Guangzhou | 81 | 1174 | 753 | - | 67 | 65 | 702 | 723 |
| Macau | 41 | 1236 | 793 | 67 | - | 42 | 753 | 766 |
| Shenzhen | 18 | 1209 | 754 | 65 | 42 | - | 718 | 728 |
| Nanjing | 731 | 560 | 168 | 702 | 753 | 718 | - | 119 |
| Suzhou | 739 | 640 | 51 | 723 | 766 | 728 | 119 | - |
A Brief History of China
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
Around 1600 B.C.
The beginnings of settlementThe Shang dynasty, the region's first recorded dynasty, masters the production of bronze.
Around 221 B.C.
First emperorQin Shi Huangdi unifies China and becomes its first emperor.
1368 - 1644 A.D.
Ming dynastyDuring the Ming dynasty, painting, calligraphy, pottery and other arts flourish.
1839 - 1860
Opium WarsIn the Opium Wars, China and Western nations battle over trade issues.
1931 - 1945
Japan invasionJapan invades the province of Manchuria. After Japan is defeated in World War II, civil war breaks out in China.
1949
People's Republic of ChinaMao Zedong, head of the Communist Party, establishes the People's Republic of China. Rivals belonging to the Nationalist Party move to Taiwan, off China's eastern coast.
1958 - 1961
The Great Chinese FamineMao's plan to change China's economy and farming system fails. Millions of people die of starvation.
1972
First US president visit ChinaRichard M. Nixon becomes the first U.S. President to visit Communist China.
1989
Tiananmen Square protestsAbout 1 million students hold pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The uprising is crushed by the army.
1997
Control over Hong KongChina regains control of Hong Kong, which had been under British rule for 99 years.
2006
Three Gorges River DamThe Three Gorges River Dam across the Yangtze is completed. It took 13 years to build.
2008
Olympic GamesBeijing hosts the XXIX Olympiad.
2010
A thriving economyChina officially surpasses Japan to become the world's second largest economy.
Best Ways to Experience China
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreYuan Renminbi (CNY)
- CNY
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- CNY
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in China.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.Prevention
- Take antimalarial meds
- Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in China
Areas with malaria
Polio
Polio (Poliomyelitis), or Heine-Medina disease, is an acute infectious viral disease.The infection occurs mainly through the ingestion or inhalation.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
China for tourism
A visa is required, it must be obtained at the embassy or at the appropriate consular office.
- Registration mandatory within 24 hours of arrival.
- All visitors between the ages of 14 and 70 are fingerprinted upon arrival and departure.
- Visas for U.S. citizens are valid for up to 10 years.
Electricity
220V (50 Hz)
In China the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type A, C, I sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type A
Type C
Type IFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 1 / 231 Ranking | 1 439 323 776 Han Chinese 91.6%, Zhuang 1.3%, other (includes Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai and other nationalities) 7.1% |
Area | 4 / 230 Ranking | 3.70 mil. mi² It is approximately 100% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 94 / 196 Ranking | 76.3 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 74.2women 78.6 |
Median age | 116 / 157 Ranking | 38.4 Average age of population expressed in years.men 37.5women 39.4 |
Population growth | 131 / 172 Ranking | 0.26% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 30 / 131 Ranking | 96.8% Ability to read, write and count.men 98.5%women 95.2% |
GDP | 79 / 194 Ranking | 17 204 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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