What do you need for a trip to China?

One of the oldest and wealthiest countries in the world is located in East Asia. China is an astonishing motherland to stunning natural landscapes, fascinating animals and cultural vibrancy. It also has many beautiful and modern-looking cities that attract tourists from all over the world. Chinese people lead a fast-paced life, dealing with a constantly shifting climate just like us in Europe.

What you should know about the country before planning a trip?

The air journey to China from the UK will take you about 12 hours. It’s a long time to spend in one seat. You can fly directly from Manchester and London to China’s most popular cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. You have to take into account that the country has as many as five time zones. The UK is 8 hours behind in the winter time zone. In the summertime, the difference is shortened to 7 hours.

If you’re planning a trip from the UK, you have to decide when is the best time to visit. China has four well-defined seasons. Summers are quite rainy and winter can be extremely cold. Taking this into account, the best time for travel is spring and autumn as the temperature is higher and the weather’s milder. Different weather conditions might require taking different skincare and sunscreen creams. If you’re unsure of which one will be the best, check out product reviews websites before flying to China to be prepared for anything.

If it’s your first time there, the tour packages might be the best deal for you. The tour guide will allow you to choose what is your main goal - learning about the ancient culture, visiting the most outstanding natural places or meeting pandas, China’s most popular animals.

How to get a Chinese Visa

Getting a Chinese Visa is quite different from receiving the one that’s necessary to travel within Europe. Even though Schengen Visa application from the UK might seem simpler, there’s nothing that should discourage you from traveling to Asia. Moreover, UK citizens can visit Hong Kong and Macau with just a passport.

Chinese Visa is necessary to travel freely throughout the mainland. Documents required to get a Chinese Visa are:

• a passport that has at least 6 months of validity and at least two blank pages
• a photocopy of passport's data page
• a completed China Tourist Application Form with accurate data
• a recent passport-size photo on a white-coloured background
• an invitation letter from China or round-trip tickets and hotel bookings
• other necessary documents like a proof of legal stay for those that apply from another country, certification letter from the employer or Tibet Travel Permit that shows that the blood pressure is normal and heart condition is good

The best time to apply for the Visa is 90 to 30 days before the tour. The processing usually takes about a week, delivery included, but it’s better to apply earlier to be safe. Usually, the Visa holder is allowed to stay in China for one month counted from the day of entrance. You can always go to a Public Security Office in any bigger city to get your permit extended.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.