What is the best time to visit China?

The best time to visit China depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like The Forbidden City. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does China use?

China uses the Chinese yuan (¥). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in China?

Peking Duck is one of China's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Xiaolongbao and Hot Pot. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit China visa-free?

81 countries can enter China without a visa, typically for up to 30 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is China safe for tourists?

China is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

China

China, officially the People's Republic of China , is a country in East Asia.

Capital

Beijing

Language

Chinese

Currency

Chinese yuan (¥)

Population

1.4B

Timezone

UTC+08:00

Visa-free access

81 countries

Travelling to China

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the second-most populous country after India, with a population.

China is located in Eastern Asia, Asia. The capital is Beijing, and the official language is Chinese. The local currency is the Chinese yuan (¥). With a population of 1.4B, China is one of the larger country in Asia.

China offers visa-free entry to 81 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 30 days. The remaining 117 passport holders need to apply at an embassy.

Top places to visit in China

The Forbidden City

The world largest palatial complex contains 9;999 rooms of Ming and Qing dynasty timber-frame architecture; the Hall of Supreme Harmony anchors a meridian axis that defined the celestial order for five centuries; enter the Meridian Gate at 8:30 am when the sun strikes the yellow-glazed roof tiles; the smell of sun-warmed cedar and old lacquer fills the vast; silent courtyards before the wind picks up across the stone.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

A 6th-century granite and brick fortification snaking along the jagged ridges of the Yan Mountains; featuring 23 uniquely preserved watchtowers that highlight Ming military engineering; climb to Tower 20 at sunrise; the pre-dawn mist clings to the pine-forested valleys while the stone ramparts glow a saturated ochre; the only sound is the rhythmic whistle of the wind through the notched battlements.

Terracotta Army

More than 8;000 life-sized funerary statues of the Qin Dynasty (210 BC) occupy three massive excavated pits; each warrior possesses unique facial features; hand-hammered bronze weaponry; and remnants of rare violet pigment; stand on the Pit 1 viewing platform at opening; the clinical light highlights the cracked clay textures and the overwhelming scale of the silent; subterranean battalion; the air remains cool and still.

Potala Palace

A 17th-century fortress-monastery rising thirteen storeys above the Red Hill; featuring 1;000 rooms of slanting white and crimson stone walls and gilded copper roofs; once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama; walk the kora path at 6 am with local pilgrims; the smell of yak-butter lamps and juniper incense is thick while the low-frequency chanting of monks vibrates through the 4-metre-thick foundations.

The Bund

A 1.5-kilometre waterfront promenade showcasing a high-concentration of 22 Neoclassical and Art Deco bank buildings from the early 20th century; the granite facades of the Peace Hotel and Customs House stand as an architectural ledger of colonial commerce; stand at the north end at midnight; the neon grid of Pudong across the Huangpu River reflects off the water while the clock tower bells strike a heavy; metallic chime.

Wulingyuan Scenic Area

Over 3;000 quartzite sandstone pillars rise abruptly from the subtropical forest; some reaching elevations of 800 metres; these 300-million-year-old formations served as the geological blueprint for the Avatar mountains; traverse the glass-bottomed bridge at 9 am; the vertical scale is dizzying as the morning light penetrates the deep ravines; the sound of hidden waterfalls and macaques echoes off the moss-slicked cliffs.

See all 20 places in China →

What to eat in China

Explore all China dishes →

China visa requirements

Visa-free

117

Visa required

Countries that can visit China visa-free

81 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 30 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates30d

Americas

Oceania

Before you go to China

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. China immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Currency: Chinese yuan

The local currency is ¥. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: Chinese

Chinese is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check China's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for China

Select your passport for an instant result.

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China 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore China

20 places, 7 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · China

China — your questions

It depends on your passport. 81 countries can enter China visa-free. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.