THE ULTIMATE
CHINA
TRAVEL GUIDE
Plan your China adventure from Australia!
Essential tips on flights, visas, transport and payments.
Welcome!
Are you an Australian planning on visiting China? You’ve come to the right place! This Ultimate China Travel Guide will help you plan the perfect trip and experience China like a true local.
If you have questions about travelling to China, please read our travel guides or reach out to us here.
Happy travels
Larita Nicolson
Founder of Journey Chinese
Lachy and Larita (Tiān) Nicolson in Shanghai.
What to expect
China is a diverse country with 23 different provinces, each offering their own unique blend of ancient history and modern wonders. As a first time visitor, here’s just some of what to expect when you step into mainland China:
Rich culture
China's cultural influence spans 3,600 years of (written) history, shaping East Asian philosophy, art, and traditions through Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. China features 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites and celebrates over 1,200 festivals each year across its 55 ethnic minorities. Chinese customs emphasise family bonds, social harmony, and respect for hierarchy, while blending ancient traditions with ultramodern innovation.
Large crowded spaces
China's public squares and main tourist sites can draw massive crowds. The Great Wall alone receives 10 million visitors annually! During the 2024 Labor Day holiday period (May 1-5), domestic travellers made 295 million trips within China, overwhelming air and rail transport systems! Our best advice is to check the holiday and festival calendar to ensure you’re not travelling during peak dates unexpectedly.
Delicious (and unusual) food
While most Aussies know their sweet and sour pork and lemon chicken, authentic Chinese cuisine has more variety of different flavours and dining styles. Meals are shared communally with multiple dishes served simultaneously. Expect lots of steamed vegetables as mains, not sides, and meat often served on the bone. Regional specialties include the numbing Sichuan peppers to fermented century eggs, while street food markets offer everything from hand-pulled noodles to skewered scorpions!
Modern infrastructure & TECH
First-time visitors often find Chinese cities more technologically advanced than expected. Services, including food delivery, are driven by super-apps like WeChat and Alipay. China's infrastructure is also impressive: featuring the world's longest bridge, tunnel and largest high-speed rail network connecting cities at speeds over 300 km/h. In Cities you’ll find luxury, western-feel shopping centres and hotels. Tech-heads will enjoy seeing the different EV cars, new and interesting phones and the widespread 5G coverage.
Places to visit
North China
From Beijing's Forbidden City to Harbin's spectacular ice festivals, here are six places to add to your itinerary if you’re exploring the Northern regions of China.
Beijing
Beijing is China’s capital city, home to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and access to the Great Wall.
Xi'an
Famous for the Terracotta Warriors and ancient city walls. Xi'an served as China's capital for 13 dynasties, making it a historically significant city.
Photo by Xinhua
Harbin
China's "Ice City," located in the far north of China draws millions to its spectacular International Ice and Snow Festival.
HoHHOT
Just 2 hours from Beijing, Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia and offers a blend of Mongolian and Chinese cultures.
Mutianyu
70km northeast of Beijing, Mutianyu is the most accessible and best-preserved section of the Great Wall. Known for its mountain views and dense forest.
Connect with other Aussies AROUND Chinese language, TRAVEL and culture
Places to visit
SOUTH China
From Guilin's limestone peaks to Hainan's tropical shores, here are six places to add to your itinerary if you're exploring the Southern regions of China.
Guilin
Towering limestone peaks along the Li River, Guilin showcases China's most dramatic landscape. The surreal scenery makes it one of China's most photographed destinations.
YANGSHUO
65km south of Guilin, Yangshuo offers countryside views with karst mountains and winding rivers. The area is popular for outdoor activities including cycling through rice fields and bamboo rafting along the Yulong River.
LONGJI
The Longji rice terraces are among the most iconic locations in the Guangxi province. These group of rice terraces are best viewed in spring or autumn.
KUNMING
Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," Kunming enjoys year-round mild temperatures and serves as the gateway to Yunnan Province. The nearby Stone Forest showcases vast limestone formations that resemble a petrified forest.
MACAU
The former Portuguese colony blends colonial architecture with Chinese heritage. Modern Macau is known for its world-class entertainment and gaming.
Hainan
China's own Hawaii, Hainan is a tropical paradise with pristine beaches and luxury resorts. The island provides year-round warmth, making it China's premier destination for beach holidays.
GETTING TO CHINA
Getting to China isn't difficult, nor expensive. You can catch a direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
The newest addition is Juneyao Air, operating daily (as of Feb 2025) direct flights from Sydney to Shanghai and 3 flights per week from Melbourne. This fills the gap left by Qantas closing down their Sydney to Shanghai route.
China Southern Airlines
China Southern is a popular choice among Chinese and Australian travellers. The full-service airline offers good value for money, flying new A350 planes with plenty of direct and connecting routes.
Currently, China Southern operates 5 direct routes between China and Australia:
Sydney to Guangzhou
Sydney to Guangzhou
Melbourne to Guangzhou
Brisbane to Guangzhou
(NEW) Perth to Guangzhou
(COMING SOON) Sydney to Beijing
If you book ahead and choose a quiet travel period, you can pick up a return flight from Sydney to China as low as $500! (e.g. Late Feb/early March)
Booking Flights
VISA INFO
Australia and China have made significant changes to their visa policies, including a 15 day Visa-free option, making travel between the two countries more accessible.
Read our full China Visa Guide for Australians:
Getting Around China
TRAINS
China's high-speed rail network spans over 40,000 kilometres, connecting major cities at speeds up to 350 km/h. Trains offer multiple classes with comfortable seating and dining cars. Tickets can be purchased through apps like Trip.com or at station counters using your passport.
PLANES
Domestic flights connect all major Chinese cities. Most airports offer express trains or buses to city centres and there’s English signage throughout. You can book flights through Expedia, Trip.com, or Qunar (if you can read Mandarin).
DIDI
DiDi, China's equivalent to Uber, operates in Chinese cities with an English version of their app. Didi prices are typically lower than traditional taxis. Drivers may not speak English, but the app's translation feature helps with communication. You can also hail a Didi within Alipay for seamless payment.
Paying for things
The Renminbi (RMB ¥) is China's currency, which literally translates to the "people's currency”. Although cash is accepted, apps like WeChat and Alipay are commonly used to pay for things.
Read our full guide on how to set up and use Alipay as a foreigner in China to pay with ease.
Staying connected
Many websites and apps are blocked in China, including Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp.
Download and set up a VPN before arriving in China to access blocked sites. Read our VPN Guide to learn more.
It’s important to have data as soon as you arrive in China. You can purchase a local SIM card, however, it’s easier and faster to buy an eSIM.
We recommend Airalo, a popular choice for global eSIMs. They have data packages for China that works across China's major networks and can be set up before departure, activating immediately upon arrival.
Packages range from 1GB to 20GB with validity periods from 7 to 30 days, offering a convenient alternative to traditional roaming or local SIM purchases.
Prices subject to change at any time. Download Airalo app for latest rates.
Helpful Mandarin phrases
These phrases will help you navigate your travels with ease. Grab your favourite beverage, a notepad and watch this video:
Start learning Mandarin the right way
Purchase our beginner lesson pack to kick-start your Mandarin learning journey.
China Travel FAQs
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China has included Australia in its visa waiver program from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2025. Eligible Australians with an ‘Ordinary’ passport can enter China for business, tourism or visiting family for up to 15 days. Check the eligibility and rules here.
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Individuals who do not meet the visa-free conditions must apply for a visa before entering China.
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If you have a global roaming plan or add-on to your Australian telco plan, then your phone will connect to the local cellular network in China. Keep in mind, you will not be able to use certain apps including Facebook, Google, Gmail or Whatsapp unless you have a VPN.
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You can get cash out at certain bank ATMs in China. The most compatible and recommended ATM to look for is a ‘Bank of China’ ATM. Some Australian banks, such as ubank (use code KJUKS9M on signup to get $20!) have no transaction fees on foreign purchases either.
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You can pay with cash, however, it’s much easier to connect your debit or credit card to Alipay and use the app to pay for things. Read our Alipay Guide to learn how to set it up. Remember to let your bank know you’re travelling via your banking app.
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You’ll find many of the locals, especially the younger generations, will know and speak English. They may be a little shy, just as you are speaking Chinese! Be friendly and speak slowly. Use body and hand sign language to help communicate (e.g. pointing at things).
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China is generally quite safe for tourism. While road accidents and tourism related injuries are a risk, crime against foreigners remains rare.
China ranks 19th globally for safety, ahead of Denmark and Netherlands. Tourist areas have high security with surveillance cameras and police presence. According to crime statistics, China street crime ranks safer than America, with a Crime Index of 24.07 compared to America's 49.24. The safety scale shows China at 75.93 versus America's 50.76. For example: Walking alone at night Shanghai rates "High" safety at 70% while New York rates "Moderate" at 46%.
Before you visit any country, check the Australian government SmartTraveller website for travel advice.
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YES! There are medical and financial risks to travelling without insurance. You should obtain appropriate travel insurance when leaving Australia. Check out our China travel insurance buying guide here.
