First trip to China? Your questions answered

Organisation is key! Before travelling to China, organise your visa (more on that below), check your passport validity and ensure you have travel insurance.

Read the day-by-day itinerary for your trip as this will help with knowing what to pack. It's worth using a Water-to-Go bottle (save 15% here), which is a portable filtration system that eliminates over 99.9% of the nasties.

Consider downloading a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This ensures you can access the same websites and platforms as you can back home. Remember that the likes of Google and YouTube aren't accessible in China. Using a VPN in China is more common than you think; even the Apple store in Shanghai can install this for you!

Language translation apps like Pleco are incredibly useful on the go. You can photograph Chinese characters (such as those on menus or bathroom signs) and get instant translations. The app also supports handwriting input which can help you communicate more easily with locals.

All of our China tours are ideal for solo travellers. Whether you're exploring independently or with a companion, our itineraries are thoughtfully designed to suit both solo adventurers and those travelling in pairs or groups. We also offer solo room supplements for added comfort and privacy.

Throughout your journey, you'll be accompanied by an experienced Explore tour leader and a group of like-minded travellers. You'll enjoy the camaraderie during guided experiences, while also having free time to discover China at your own pace.

Our expert tour leaders bring a wealth of local knowledge to help you beat the crowds at top attractions, recommend authentic restaurants and leading insightful orientation walks. You'll get closer to the culture, whether you're staying in charming guesthouses, wandering through peaceful towns or exploring vibrant areas like Xi'ans Muslim Quarter.

Our China trips run between June to October, depending on the specific trip, but the weather does vary greatly depending on the season and the region you're visiting. China is vast, covering more than 5.6 million square kilometres (35,000 miles), and there are huge differences in its landscapes, which range from the dry plains of the Gobi Desert to the broad grasslands of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, and the sub-zero glaciers of the Himalayas.

The best time to visit China is usually in the spring or autumn months, when the weather is warm and dry. It can be hot and humid in the summer and very cold during the winter; though if you’re prepared with the right clothing you should still find travelling around comfortable.

Get ready for a kaleidoscope of tastes, aromas and spices. Even if Chinese is your go-to takeaway, the dishes you'll encounter in China will be a whole new experience. While Cantonese cuisine is the most widely known internationally, China’s culinary landscape is incredibly diverse and deeply regional, from spicy Sichuanese hotpot to crispy Peking duck in Beijing.

Across the country, meals often focus on rice or noodles. Sharing is a key part of the dining culture; meals typically consist of several communal dishes, featuring a variety of meats and vegetables, with rice served separately. You’ll likely be given a small bowl to fill from the shared plates, finishing with rice to soak up the remaining sauces and flavors.

Tea us an essential part of Chinese culture, with each region offering a unique flavour, from Longjing (green tea) to Oolong. Spending time at a teahouse or attending a tea ceremony makes for a quintessential Chinese cultural experience. Baijiu is China's national liquor; this strong-distilled spirit is usually enjoyed at group dinners or celebrations. Finally, you can try a classic Chinese beer such as Tsingtao, Harbin or Snow Beer, which goes particularly well with spicier dishes!

Yes, China is an affordable destination for travellers. The flights will likely be the most expensive part, as once you're in China, the prices will be very low compared to back home. 

Public transport is cheap and efficient, street food and local restaurants offer delicious meals at low prices, and entrance fees to attractions are often modest. When travelling as part of a small group tour, you'll see many more sights and visit many more places than you'd know how to – so you get really great value for money.