Travel Services

Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. According to the purpose of the tour you may need to apply for a tourist or business visa. Some nationalities may benefit from visa-free policies or visa-on-arrival options for specific regions.
We can also provide a Port Visa at a reasonable cost for groups (more than 2 people) attending our tours. Contact us for more details about the Port visa and other visa related questions.

Ordinary passport holders from the 12 mentioned countries are eligible for this visa exemption when traveling to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transit purposes, for a stay of up to 15 days.

To summarise, the countries included in China’s visa-free policy are:

• 90 Days: Armenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino
• 60 Days: Mauritius
• 30 Days: Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Qatar, Serbia, Suriname, Seychelles, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Singapore
• 15 Days: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Japan (suspended), Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg
• New Zealand to be confirmed

Citizens from 54 countries can benefit from the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy. This policy applies to several cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, among others.

• 72-hour visa-free transit: Eligible for citizens from 54 countries, applicable in Changsha, Harbin, and Guilin.
• 144-hour visa-free transit: Eligible for citizens from 54 countries, applicable in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Xiamen, Wuhan, Kunming.

Full List of Countries Eligible for 72/144-hour Visa-Free Transit:

• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
• Asia: Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
• Americas/Oceania: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea

While many people in major cities speak some English, learning basic Mandarin phrases is helpful. Carry a translation app or phrasebook, and use gestures to communicate when needed. Staying in hotels with English-speaking staff and using tour guides can also help overcome language barriers. BTW, most Chinese people are amiable and willing to help, so feel free to ask for help when you need it even though you don’t speak good Chinese.
Through our online consulting-only service we can support you online, and if you choose private tours, we work with experienced tour guides that speak English or other major languages. You can also contact one of our partners to get a free online Chinese trial course.

Preparing for cultural differences when traveling to China can greatly enhance your experience and help you navigate interactions more smoothly. Even seasoned travelers experience some degree of culture shock when first visiting China. Check out some of our videos on our YouTube Channel to be prepared. Come mentally prepared to embrace an utterly alien world where little makes sense at first. But that’s part of the fun and appeal too!

Traveling within China offers a variety of transportation options that are efficient, reliable, and cater to different preferences and budgets. Here are the recommended modes of transportation within China:

1. High-Speed Trains

At 300-350 kph high-speed trains are a must-try in China, which are affordable, fast, and comfortable. Getting into the modern train stations in China can take some time for first-time travelers, so it is best to have some guidance.

2. Domestic Flights

Domestic flights can be even cheaper than trains and faster when booked intelligently. But the chance of a delay is much higher than trains, so we strongly recommend trains for a few hundred km distance.

3. Subways/Metro Line

Subways/Metro Lines are the most convenient way for navigating large cities and are cheap, even compared to buses! Using WeChat or Alipay, you can access most subway systems easily.

4. Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxi and ride-hailing services are readily available and convenient for extreme weather or when carrying luggage, and not so experienced compared to advanced economies.

DiDi (China’s version of Uber) offers safer and more reliable rides, and the app is available in English. Download and set up DiDi or other maps ahead of arrival.

5. Rental car

Renting a car with a foreign driving license requires an application for a temporary license and is not recommended due to the difference in traffic rules and driving behaviors.

6. Bicycles and E-Bikes

Bikes are an environmentally friendly way to explore cities, and sometimes the fastest way to travel short distances. Using WeChat or Alipay you will have access to the public bike system by different companies, simply just scan the QR code.

Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diversity, richness, and deep cultural significance. There is a significant difference in taste between traditional Chinese cuisine and westernized Chinese food. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and appreciating the eight major regional cuisines in China:

You can purchase a local SIM card with us or rent a portable Wi-Fi device. One of the must-knows before visiting China is certain websites and apps like Google, Facebook, and Twitter are inaccessible. It’s wise to download a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN), before your trip so you can access the sites and apps you rely on for travel planning, maps, communications and more.
You can also contact your own phone operator to purchase a cross-border data bundle, and in this way you will have access to all websites and apps. But of course this can be much more expensive.

China offers a vast array of unique cultural experiences that can provide deeper insights into its rich history, traditions, and way of life. Here are some must-try cultural experiences:

Traveling in China – YouTube

We recommend planning your tour 6-10 weeks in advance. For larger groups or to ensure availability of specific experts and company visits, we advise booking at least 10 weeks prior.

The common methods of payment for travel services in China include:
Mobile Payment Apps: Alipay and WeChat Pay are extremely popular and accepted almost everywhere, from small street vendors to large shopping malls.
Credit/Debit Cards: Major international credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted in hotels, large restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Cash: Although much less common now, cash (Chinese Yuan, or RMB) is still accepted, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.

Post-Tour Members receive a variety of benefits, including:
Exclusive Discounts: Members enjoy up to 10% off on future tours and travel services.
Priority Booking: Early access to new tours and special events.
Dedicated Support: Access to a dedicated customer service line for personalized assistance.
Special Offers: Regular updates on special promotions and member-only deals.
Travel Credits: Earn travel credits on every booking, which can be redeemed for discounts on future trips.