China Travel Inspiration & Guides

China Travel FAQs

• Do I need a visa for a China tour?

  Visitors from most countries need a tourist visa to travel to mainland China. If Hong Kong is your destination, you may enjoy a visa-free stay for 14 days, as long as you are a citizen of American, Canadian, Australian, and South African citizens or most European countries.

  There is also a visa-free policy for visitors traveling through China, which can last up to 144 hours. For the details, please check: 

  Transit Through China in 144 Hours: Visa-Free Policy 2024 / 2025

• How do I get my China visa?

  For most international visitors, obtaining a China visa involves completing a visa application form, providing your passport, proof of legal residence or stay, and your travel itinerary. Typically, you'll receive your visa within 4-5 working days.

  If you're a US citizen, you only need to submit the visa application form along with your passport.

• What documents are needed for visiting China?
  1) All foreigners to China must have a valid passport and a China visa. Note that the passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your visit to China and the visa should be approved before you enter China. The most common type of visa is single-entry visa which is usually valid for 3 months and allows a maximum stay of 30 days.
  2) Visit Tibet: to enter Tibet, foreigners must hold a Tibet travel permit which shall be obtained 15 days before entering Tibet. A Tibet permit is sufficient if you only stay in Lhasa, however, if you want to extend to the "unopened" areas, an Alien's travel permit issued by the PSB of Tibet is required. In addition to a travel permit, a fitness certificate from a registered doctor is also required to show that you’re fit to travel and your blood pressure and heart condition are normal to acclimatize the high altitude of Tibet.
  3) Visit Hong Kong: People from most countries are exempted from applying for a China visa if only travel and stay in Hong Kong.
  4) Just in case of need, we suggest you bring your medical record attached with your doctor's name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.
• Do I need tour guides when traveling in China?
  If it is the first time for you to come and travel in China or the first time to visit new areas, we suggest that you have tour guides, because, without tour guides, you are on your own, while our guides are professional and experts in local areas, who can give you more information and knowledge about the places you are going to visit.
• What vaccinations do I need to take before going to China?

  Routine vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

  For most travelers, it's suggested take Hepatitis A and Typhoid before their trip.

  For more details, you can check out what the CDC says: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china

• Is WeChat Pay available for me to use in China?

  Of course! With the streamlined process for international visitors, you can now link your card to the WeChat Pay platform in just three simple steps.

  Enter your card number and expiry date, then create your payment password. Let WeChat Pay make your paying in China as convenient as possible.

• What are the luggage regulations for taking a domestic flight?

  Luggage allowance for adult or children passengers is 40KG for first class, 30KG for business class and 20KG for economy class. An infant with an infant ticket enjoys a luggage allowance of 10KG. The size requirement is 100cm*60cm*30cm maximum. Oversized and overweight luggage will be charged 1.5% of the adult economy far per extra KG of luggage. Sporting equipment is allowed to be checked if within the weight requirements and within 158 total linear dimensions.

  Regulations on luggage may vary on combined transport service with different airlines. Confirm with your travel consultant before you set off.

• When is the peak season, shoulder season and low season in China?

  According to our past experience, the peak season refers to April to May and September to October, the cozy weather of which ensures a pleasant trip. The flipside is that relevant tourist resources like hotels and flights are in greater demand than in the low season. It’s advised to make your bookings at an early stage.

  The shoulder season starts in June to August, and November while the low season takes place in December and ends at the beginning of March.

  Tibet finds its peak season from July to October.

  More info about this FAQ please visit: https://www.chinaodysseytours.com/faq/private-tour-design.html