Frequently Asked Questions about China

• When is the best time to travel to China?

  The best times to visit China are in the Spring, which falls between April – May and then in the Autumn, which is between September – October. This is when the weather is much more comfortable for tourists to explore.

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• Are the meals all local cuisine or are there any western meals and do they cater for vegetarians?

  As our tour focuses on unique and authentic experiences restaurants are hand-picked to ensure quality and authentic traditional dishes. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for as we make sure all dietary requirements are sent over to the guides prior to departure.

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• Is there a lot of walking involved on our China tours?

  We grade our tours on level of activity and amount of walking involved, which can be found on the tour pages on the website and in our brochures, under ‘Physical Rating’. We grade the tours as follows:

  • Level 1 – A reasonable level of fitness is required, but its more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances.
  • Level 2 – This will involve a little more time on your feet than level 1 tours and may involve a bit more walking or steps.
  • Level 3 – A good level of fitness is required, as around 2-3 hours of walking will be required per day. Other activities such as cycling, may be included and walking longer distances.
  • Level 4 – Level 4 is similar to level 3 but the activities may be of longer duration or a more challenging terrain.
  • Level 5 – You’ll need to be fit and adventurous to participate in these tours as in some cases you will be active for most of the day on tough terrain or have physically demanding activities.

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• What part of China is the Great Wall in?

  The Great Wall of China stretches from Shanhaiguan on the Bohai Sea to Lop Lake in the Gobi Desert – around 4,000 miles. Most people visit the Great Wall from Beijing.

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• When are the China Public Holidays?

  China enjoys seven public holidays every year and although attractions, hotels, and transportation are usually open, they can be extremely busy.

  Prices are also normally at a premium so unless you are visiting for the express purpose of experiencing the holiday, these times are generally best avoided.

  Many traditional holidays are based on the lunar calendar so the dates change from year to year. Our tours are designed to accommodate the holidays but talk to our team for the dates in your chosen year if you are concerned.

  Public Holidays in China Dates

  • New Year's Day: 1 Jan
  • Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): late Jan, early Feb
  • Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping): first week in April
  • Labor Day (May Day): 1 May
  • Dragon Boat Festival: early June
  • Mid-Autumn Festival: late September
  • National Day: 1 Oct

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• How do I pay in China?

  The use of mobile payment apps like WeChat and Alipay is very popular in China - just about every local and vendor will have WeChat and Alipay. International debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) can be used in most hotels and larger shopping malls, but shouldn't be relied on. Cash is still widely accepted, although ATMs that accept international cards are often only found in major cities - so it's best to bring cash with you.

  For more information, including instructions on how to install and set up WeChat and Alipay, refer to our Paying in China guide.

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