Private Itineraries
China Tours from UK
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Best Time to Visit China
Generally speaking, the best time for China tours from the UK is September and October, when China is in golden autumn with sunny and pleasant climate. May and June in the transition period of spring and summer are nice months to visit China as well. As China is a vast country with diverse climatic conditions, the specific best time to visit is determined by your travel destinations.
Remember to avoid the National Day holiday from October 1 to 7 and Spring Festival Travel Rush when booking China tours from the UK.
Remember to avoid the National Day holiday from October 1 to 7 and Spring Festival Travel Rush when booking China tours from the UK.
| Seasons in UK | Seasons in China |
|---|---|
| Spring: March - May | Spring: March - May |
| Summer: June - September | Summer: June - August |
| Autumn: October | Autumn: September - November |
| Winter: November - February | Winter: December - February |
Do UK citizens need a visa to travel to China?
A tourist visa is needed unless you are eligible for China’s visa exemption policies. Collect your passport, an application form, a bareheaded color photo, round-trip flight tickets and hotel booking records, or an invitation letter from a China travel agency if you have booked a China tour from UK all inclusive. Then submit all documents to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). Note that it’s compulsory to make an appointment before you visit the CVASC.
Visa fees: 151 pounds
Where to Apply for a Visa (choose the one in charge of your residence area):
CVASC in London Tel: 020-77767888
CVASC in Manchester Tel: 0161-2361070
CVASC in Edinburgh Tel: 0131-2292519
CVASC in Belfast Tel: 0131-2292519
Visa fees: 151 pounds
Where to Apply for a Visa (choose the one in charge of your residence area):
CVASC in London Tel: 020-77767888
CVASC in Manchester Tel: 0161-2361070
CVASC in Edinburgh Tel: 0131-2292519
CVASC in Belfast Tel: 0131-2292519
How to Travel to China from UK - Flights
Most China tours from UK with airfare included depart from London, because there are direct flights reaching over 10 cities in China, including the most favored travel destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. Besides, travelers can fly from Manchester or Edinburgh to Beijing. A one-way trip takes around 10 hours.
UK and Chinese cities linked by direct flights:
London: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Qingdao, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wuhan, Sanya
Manchester: Beijing
Edinburgh: Beijing
UK and Chinese cities linked by direct flights:
London: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Qingdao, Changsha, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi’an, Wuhan, Sanya
Manchester: Beijing
Edinburgh: Beijing
Time Difference between UK and China
From the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of November, China’s time is 7 hours earlier than UK. All other days, it’s 8 hours earlier than UK.
Money Exchange for Pounds and Chinese Yuan
The current exchange rate is roughly: 1 GBP ≈ 8.6 CNY
The official currency in China is CNY (Chinese Yuan), also known as Renminbi. Goods are often priced by Yuan because it’s the basic monetary unit.
If you have booked China tours from UK all inclusive with us, it’s not necessary to take a lot of cash because most expenses are covered. Money exchange can be easily done at airports and banks in big cities. Some four or five star hotels may also provide such services for their guests.
The official currency in China is CNY (Chinese Yuan), also known as Renminbi. Goods are often priced by Yuan because it’s the basic monetary unit.
If you have booked China tours from UK all inclusive with us, it’s not necessary to take a lot of cash because most expenses are covered. Money exchange can be easily done at airports and banks in big cities. Some four or five star hotels may also provide such services for their guests.
Voltage & Power Sockets
| China | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 220V/50HZ | 230V/50HZ |
| Plug Type | Type A/I |
Type G |
As there is slight difference in voltage, travelers don't need the voltage adapter for China tours from the UK. A plug adapter should be prepared in advance.
Tap Water is Not Drinkable.
Unlike many western countries, tap water in China is NOT safe to drink directly. When in China, you need to boil tap water before drinking or just simply buy bottled water.
How to Make Phone Calls
From UK to China:
Call a Land Phone: Dial 00 + China country code 86 + city code XX or XXX + phone number
Call a Mobile Phone: Dial 00 + China country code 86 + phone number
From China to UK:
Dial 00 +UK country code 44 + phone number without the leading zero
Call a Land Phone: Dial 00 + China country code 86 + city code XX or XXX + phone number
Call a Mobile Phone: Dial 00 + China country code 86 + phone number
From China to UK:
Dial 00 +UK country code 44 + phone number without the leading zero
Learn Basic Chinese
| English | Chinese | Pronunciation in Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Hi!/Hello! | 您好 | Nín Hǎo |
| Good Bye! | 再见 | Zài Jiàn |
| Sorry! | 对不起 | Duì Bù Qǐ |
| Thanks! | 谢谢 | Xiè Xiè |
| Washroom | 厕所/洗手间 | Cè Sǔo/Xǐ Shǒu Jiān |
| How much is it? (for price) | 多少钱 | Duō Shǎo Qián |
Questions & Answers
Asked by Andrew Havery from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 20, 2019 11:57
Reply
ReplyAre these cities open to foreign tourists travelling alone?
I want to visit Shantou, Suzhou, Lhasa and Harbin, for a few days each, not necessarily all on one trip, as a foreign tourist. 1) Is this legal? 2) Are there hotels where there is an English speaker who would advise on attractions, opening times, great restaurants (not food served to Western tour groups) etc? 3) will it be easy to travel a) from the airport to the hotel and back again without my being able to speak Chinese b) from the hotel to the attraction and back again?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lola | Jul. 22, 2019 01:46
0
0Reply
00ReplyAs I know, Shantou, Suzhou and Harbin are open to foreign independent travelers, but for Lhasa, foreigners are not permitted to travel alone and you are required to join an organized tour operated by authorized travel agencies.
In China, the 4/5 star hotels have English-speaking concierge who can help you with the suggestion on attractions, opening times and restaurants.
The bus and subway system in Suzhou and Harbin and the bus system in Shantou are convenient so it is easy for foreigners to travel alone in these three places. There is no subway in Lhasa and the transportation in Lhasa is not as convenient as Shantou, Suzhou and Harbin.
In China, the 4/5 star hotels have English-speaking concierge who can help you with the suggestion on attractions, opening times and restaurants.
The bus and subway system in Suzhou and Harbin and the bus system in Shantou are convenient so it is easy for foreigners to travel alone in these three places. There is no subway in Lhasa and the transportation in Lhasa is not as convenient as Shantou, Suzhou and Harbin.