China Travel Guide

China's history spans thousands of years, marked by the rise and fall of influential dynasties. It began with the legendary Xia and progressed through the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which established early Chinese culture and philosophy. The Qin Dynasty unified China and laid the groundwork for future empires, while the Han Dynasty ushered in a golden age of prosperity and expansion. Subsequent dynasties, such as the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, contributed to China's cultural, technological, and territorial development. In the 20th century, the Republic of China was established, followed by the People's Republic of China in 1949 under Communist rule. Since the late 20th century, economic reforms have propelled China to become a global economic powerhouse, balancing rapid modernization with its rich cultural heritage.

Please refer to our visa page for details regarding the entry requirements for China. 

The places visited on your itinerary are generally safe and our guides will always keep an eye out for you. However, in any large city there can be opportunists and pickpockets. It is wise to be vigilant, especially at busy tourist attractions, and always take good care of your personal belongings. Make use of the safe at your hotel, and carry a photocopy of your passport when out and about. Always take extra care when using public transport.

While Mandarin is the official language, many signs in tourist areas are in English, and younger people often speak some English. 

Tap water in China is not drinkable. Bottled water can be purchased at hotels, shops and other outlets.

Prior to travel we recommend seeking a qualified medical practitioner’s advice about vaccinations and up to date precautionary medicine.

Beliefs: The predominant religion in China is Buddhism and followers believe their own behaviour will influence the fate of future generations. According to Confucius, it is important to live in harmony and never do things to the extreme.Most people believe there is an afterlife. Respecting and taking care of the elderly is very important in China. Families make it a priority to spend money on education, as they believe education can change their children’s lives. 

Etiquette: When meeting friends, Chinese people don’t hug. Shaking hands is common. Never point to statues of Buddha or other deities with your index finger, as it is considered very rude. People in China have a different attitude to personal space than people in western countries. Visitors can expectto find themselves in some crowded situations and queuing will not be of the orderly kind that is found at home.The best advice is to keep as little space as possible between you and the person in front and move forward withdetermination, always keeping a smile on your face!

China is the birthplace of chopsticks and much important etiquette relates to their use. The circular revolving table known as a ‘lazy susan’ is often used in restaurants. Here are some useful pointers: 

• Once you pick up a piece of food, don't put it back. Confucius says ‘never leave someone what you don't want’.
• In most cases, a dish is not supposed to be selected simultaneously by more than one person.
• Don't put your chopsticks vertically into your bowl of rice. Instead, place it across your bowl or on thechopstick rest, if provided.
• Making slurping noises when eating is common, but could be considered inappropriate by some!
• Spoons are used when drinking soups or eating liquid dishes. In China, the dish should be scoopedtowards you, as the Chinese believe that this rakes in wealth.
• If a piece of food is too slippery to pick up, do it with the aid of a spoon; do not spear it with the sharp end of the chopstick.
• Knives and forks can be provided – you only need to ask!