East Asia
China
Huge, safe and cheap to travel, with the world's biggest high-speed rail network and endless regional food. Blocked internet, app-based payments and little English make preparation essential.
- US travel advisoryLevel 3Reconsider travel · varies by regionDetails
- Visa67 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyCNYUS$1 ≈ ¥6.71Details
- Price level47%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English2/5LimitedDetails
- PlugsType A, C, I220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency110Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink from the tap; hotels supply kettles and bottled water, and stations and trains have hot-water dispensers.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalLow-key tolerance in big cities, with gay bars in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, but LGBTQ+ groups and Pride events have been shut down.Details
- Internet238 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 176 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightIDPs aren't recognised. Visitors need a temporary Chinese driving permit (up to 90 days) or a Chinese licence.
Where to go in China
30 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeijingCapital city | 4/5 | $1,640–2,680 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 34/100 |
| ShanghaiCity | 4/5 | $1,940–3,280 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 22/100 |
| Xi'anCity | 4/5 | $968–1,490 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 71/100 |
| ChengduCity | 4/5 | $1,040–1,640 | Mar–May, Sep–Oct | 73/100 |
| GuilinCity | 4/5 | $670–1,040 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 93/100 |
| ChongqingCity | 4/5 | $968–1,490 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 76/100 |
| ShenzhenCity | 4/5 | $1,490–2,380 | Mar, Oct–Dec | 50/100 |
| GuangzhouCity | 4/5 | $1,270–2,090 | Mar, Oct–Dec | 60/100 |
| HangzhouCity | 4/5 | $1,270–2,090 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 54/100 |
| ZhangjiajieRegion | 4/5 | $819–1,270 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 82/100 |
| YangshuoTown | 4/5 | $670–1,040 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 93/100 |
| LijiangTown | 4/5 | $745–1,190 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 91/100 |
| SuzhouCity | 4/5 | $1,040–1,640 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 68/100 |
| HarbinCity | 4/5 | $819–1,270 | Jan–Feb, Jun–Aug | 82/100 |
| SanyaCity | 4/5 | $1,040–1,790 | Nov–Mar | 73/100 |
| XiamenCity | 4/5 | $1,190–2,090 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 62/100 |
| DaliTown | 4/5 | $819–1,340 | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | 87/100 |
| LhasaCity | 3/5 | $1,490–2,380 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 38/100 |
| HuangshanRegion | 4/5 | $968–1,490 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 77/100 |
| KunmingCity | 4/5 | $968–1,640 | Mar–May, Sep–Oct | 79/100 |
| QingdaoCity | 4/5 | $1,120–1,790 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 65/100 |
| NanjingCity | 4/5 | $1,190–2,090 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 55/100 |
| Shangri-LaTown | 4/5 | $819–1,340 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 85/100 |
| JiuzhaigouRegion | 4/5 | $1,040–1,640 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 69/100 |
| ChangshaCity | 4/5 | $894–1,490 | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | 74/100 |
| PingyaoTown | 4/5 | $745–1,270 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 86/100 |
| DunhuangTown | 4/5 | $819–1,340 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 80/100 |
| KashgarCity | 3/5 | $745–1,270 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 68/100 |
| WuhanCity | 4/5 | $1,040–1,640 | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | 66/100 |
| TianjinCity | 4/5 | $1,120–1,790 | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | 62/100 |
When to visit China
Apr–May and Sep–Oct suit most regions. The north has freezing, smoggy winters; the south is hot and rainy in summer. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 Oct) and Lunar New Year.
Good to know
Entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
- Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan have separate entry rules; a mainland visa doesn't cover them.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Staying in a private home, register with local police within 24 hours; hotels do it for you.
- Drug use abroad can be prosecuted after a positive test in China.
- Don't photograph military sites or bring political or religious material to distribute.
Etiquette
- Avoid political topics such as Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Tiananmen.
- Don't tip; bargain only at markets.
- Hand over cards, gifts and money with both hands.
- Queues can be pushy; hold position politely.
Tipping
Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- National Immigration Administration
- NIA online arrival card
- China Railway 12306
- Speedtest Global Index: China
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.