Frequently asked questions

No, not currently. British passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, covering tourism, business and family visits. The waiver is fixed-term — if you travel in 2027, check the Chinese Embassy in London, and allow six weeks if a visa turns out to be needed.

April, May, September and October are the most comfortable months across most of China, with temperatures around 15–25°C (59–77°F) and little rain. July and August are hot and busy everywhere. Avoid the first week of October, when National Day fills every train and hotel, and Chinese New Year, whose date moves each year.

Expect 6–10 km (4–6 miles) on a sightseeing day, often on steps and uneven paving; the Forbidden City alone is a 3 km (1.9 mile) walk end to end. We build in a slower day every three or four days, and a private car can cut the walking to 2–3 km if you prefer.

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan meals are straightforward in most cities, and we brief each restaurant in advance. Halal food is widely available, particularly in Xi'an, where the Muslim Quarter has a long-established restaurant scene. Tell us your requirements when you book so the meals can be planned around them.

Yes, with the right pace. Children tend to enjoy the pandas in Chengdu, the Great Wall and the high-speed trains, and we shorten the days and add breaks. For older guests we keep the stairs to a minimum, use private cars and pick hotels close to the sights. Say so when you enquire and we will adjust the plan.

Your guide will. Our guides in China speak English, and hotels in the main cities have English-speaking staff. Outside those settings English is uncommon, and signs and menus are often in Chinese only, which is why we give you a card with your hotel's name and address in Chinese characters.

Mostly no. China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, and both accept UK credit cards linked before you travel. Transactions under ¥200 go through without extra checks. It is still worth carrying ¥300–500 in cash for small stalls, temples and rural buses.

Buy an eSIM or a data plan before you fly. Many Western apps, including Google, WhatsApp and Instagram, are blocked on Chinese networks, so a VPN is useful if you rely on them. Some travel eSIMs route traffic outside the mainland, which keeps those apps working; check with the provider before you buy.

Public toilets are common in cities and at the main sights, but are often squat-style, and you should carry your own tissues and hand sanitiser. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in China. Hotels provide kettles and bottled water, and bottled water costs ¥2–5.

Pharmacies are everywhere, and the larger cities have international clinics and hospitals. We recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation, and we keep an English-speaking contact on call throughout your trip. Carry any prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.

Rates of violent crime against visitors are very low. The realistic risks are traffic, the summer heat, altitude above 3,000 m (9,800 ft) on the Tibetan plateau, and petty theft in crowded markets. Keep your bag zipped, use hotel safes, and save your embassy number and your hotel's address before you go.

Yes, under our booking terms. Cancellations follow a sliding scale starting at 60 days before departure, and the closer you cancel, the more is retained, up to 100% within 14 days. Changes to dates depend on how close the trip is and on what the airlines and hotels will release. Full detail is on the terms page.

A 20% deposit confirms your booking and holds your hotels, guides and seats. The balance is due 60 days before departure. We accept credit card, bank transfer, Alipay and WeChat Pay. Prices are per person and land only: international flights from the UK are not included.

Only if you want a room to yourself. Our prices assume two people sharing a twin or double room. A solo traveller who is happy to share pays no supplement; if you would rather not share, a single-room supplement applies per night, and we will quote it with your itinerary.

Occasionally we have to change a hotel, a train or a guide, usually for reasons outside our control. Where that happens we provide something of equal or better standard, and if we cannot make it good we refund the difference. Weather and national holidays are the usual causes.