Tailor-made China Holidays

Time difference: GMT +8

Flight time: Direct flights from London to Beijing are in the region of 10hrs, further down the east coast to Shanghai slightly more at 11hrs while Guangzhou in the south is just under 12.

Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY) or Renminbi (RMB) with the symbol ¥

Language: Over 70% of the population use the official language of China which is Mandarin. Cantonese (Yue), Hunanese (Xiang), Min dialect, Gan dialect, Wu dialect and Kejia or Hakka dialect are also used in different districts.

Electricity: 220V

Telephone Code: +86

Tipping: Despite the westernisation of many places in China, tipping is generally not expected. This includes sit down restaurants, Chinese hotels, bars, taxis and when you receive spa treatments such as massages. In many cases if you leave your change you’ll be chased down the road by your server assuming you simply forgot it. Giving a tip will not grant you any better service either.

Tips of 10-20% will be accepted in more high end and international restaurants although it’s important to note that it’s still not expected. What you do tip will be a reflection of you and your country too not the level of service you received.

Finally, if you’re taking a day tour it’s deemed polite to tip your driver and tour guide around 10%.

Etiquette: Everything your parents ever taught you about table manners can be thrown out of the window. Slurp your noodles, burp if you need to and if it was really tasty, be sure to leave a morsel in your bowl. When someone refills your tea, tap the table with two fingers to say thank you but definitely don’t tap your chopsticks on your bowl. That would be rude.

As curious as you may be to uncover a genuine, first hand opinion on political matters in China, discussions regarding politics, recent history, issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet are sensitive subjects and should be avoided.

There are a myriad of fascinating customs rooted in Chinese culture. Don’t use red ink, always refuse an offered gift initially, avoid too vivid public displays of affection and above all stay calm.

Religion: As a Communist country, China has no official religion however the government formally recognises Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements. Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health risks vary depending on the destination so it’s essential to check the specific vaccination and hygiene requirements for China on the NHS Fit For Travel website.

China can be visited year-round making it a wonderfully flexible destination. Spring time when the flowers are coming into bloom (April to June) and autumn as the leaves start to turn (September to October) are some of the most popular times to visit.

While more chance of a rain shower than autumn, temperatures in spring comfortably sit between 10–23°C making it perfect for exploring outdoors, immersing yourself amongst the peach and plum blossom trees. Temperatures in autumn are a little warmer and sit between 15–27°C. The hues of orange and red running along the Great Wall of China, as you look down from The Yellow Mountains or across the Yangshuo countryside are definitely worth visiting for at this time.

If you can avoid travelling during Chinese holidays then do as hordes of workers return home congesting the transport systems and restaurants and shops close down making it a struggle to do much more than enjoy your hotel’s facilities. These include Labour Day (May 1-3), Chinese National Day (October 1-7) and Chinese New Year Holiday (Late January or early to mid-February.)

There are no end of transport options in China but your decisions will ultimately be shaped by your destinations. In major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai an elaborate subway system is in place offering the quickest and most efficient option. Travel passes can be purchased from the information desk inside the station and all stations have signs in English as well as Mandarin. Buses and taxis are readily available but do be prepared to sit in grid-locked traffic. An experience in itself.

You could certainly fly between provinces with one of the many domestic airlines, but China is home to one of the most extensive rail networks in the world and is by far the most rewarding way to travel across this vast land. In many cases, especially when boarding a high-speed train, it can also be quicker. Not only are tickets affordable, you’ll get to see so much more of the country looking out of the window and sitting amongst the locals.

One of the most common greetings in China is ‘Have you eaten yet?’ Whether it’s a business meeting or a catch up with a friend, food is central to Chinese culture and is much more than satisfying hunger. It’s also medicinal, about community and the yin and yang of the food must be in perfect balance. Almost the size of Europe, China’s cuisine is as distinct between provinces as you would expect between Scandinavia and the Med. With such differing climates, altitudes and traditions across the land you’ll find a diverse collection of staple foods depending on where you are.

Up in the north, simple and salty dishes such as the hearty Mongolian hotpot made with mutton, onions and cabbage or wontons stuffed with minced pork and leeks are popular. Over in the landlocked west, things start hotting up with fiery red chillies at the centre of many traditional dishes. If you like eye-watering spice be sure to try Sichuan cooking, such as sour cabbage fish soup, which uses a particular ‘flower pepper’ to deliver both a hot and numbing sensation to the mouth. A truly mind-blowing experience in all sense of the word.

Chefs in the east revel in their coastal proximity and you’ll find menus laden with fresh seafood and a collection of meat and vegetable dishes with lighter and sweeter flavours than other provinces. The best soy sauce is produced in the east and from October through to December you’ll find it all over the hairy crabs in Shanghai. Downed with warm Shaoxing wine, this is a real speciality from Yangcheng Lake. The Peking duck in Beijing is not to be missed either.

In the south, the Cantonese style of cooking will be more familiar to those partial to a Chinese take-out back home. Flavours are milder with importance placed on fresh ingredients over added spices and flavourings. The trademark dish here is dim sum which can be enjoyed any day of the week and laden with paddy fields, you’ll find plenty of rice on the menu.

The Chinese were the first nation to cultivate tea and it has played an important part of daily life since. Take your pick from green, black and wūlóng, a semi-fermented tea that sits somewhere between the two. Unsurprisingly, each region has its own speciality.

You can buy everything under the sun in China from designer clothes and the latest electronic equipment to Chinese street food and quirky souvenirs in the markets. Outside of the shopping malls and high-end stores where items display a set price, almost anything is up for haggling.

Rather than asking the vendor the price, offer 50% of what you’re willing to pay for the item and go from there and when communication is an issue, use the calculator on your phone to start the bidding process. Unused to such bargaining procedures it’s easy to feel guilty in these situations but just remember, no vendor will sell anything to you at a loss and your tourist status means you’re a prime target for overcharging. Have fun with it.

Handmade crafts are a big deal in many parts of China from pottery and jewellery to silk clothes and wooden carvings. Behind the scenes tours are readily available where you can watch and learn how these intricate items are produced.

The Chinese are big on festivals so whatever time of year you plan to visit, there will be something exciting happening. The star of the show is Chinese New Year with fireworks lighting up the sky both day and night for the two-week celebration. Red decorations adorn almost everything and people spend time visiting temples and family with a real focus on food. If you’re looking for an immersive cultural experience and don’t mind crowds, it’s not to be missed.

If visiting in August, head over to Qingdao for their annual 16-day beer festival and discover first hand how the locals like to show guests a good time. Join in with beer tastings, evening entertainment and inevitable drinking competitions.

Up in the north, the incredible Harbin Ice and Snow Festival takes place throughout January. While you might expect to see some ice sculptures, nothing can prepare you for the enormous, life size buildings they create each year.

Visitors travelling around the full moon in October can celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival centred around togetherness and try the delicious mooncakes. On the fifth day of the fifth month (usually in June) the 2000-year-old tradition of the Dragon festival also takes place across China. Steeped in superstition and rituals, sticky rice balls called zongzi are eaten, boat races are had and realgar wine is drank to drive out disease.