Top China Tours

Tourists visiting Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai often have questions about ticket booking, accommodation, mobile payment and visa policies. For example, how far in advance to book the Palace Museum tickets, which Great Wall section to choose between Badaling and Mutianyu, whether on-site tickets are available for the Terracotta Army, passport verification rules for Shanghai Disneyland, how to communicate without speaking Chinese, if overseas credit cards can be used for mobile payment, and the specific terms for transit visa exemption. This article explains these travel FAQs city by city, helping you avoid inconveniences on your trip.

What Is the Best Season to Travel in Beijing?

• Spring (April to May): Temperatures rise, plants bloom, suitable for outdoor visits.
• Autumn (September to October): Clear skies and moderate temperatures, the most comfortable travel period.
• Summer (June to August): Hot weather with a large number of tourists; long waiting times at the Great Wall and the Palace Museum.
• Winter (December to February): Low temperatures and strong winds, but the Palace Museum has unique snow views with few tourists.

The best travel seasons for Beijing are spring and autumn. Scenic spots have longer opening hours in summer, and accommodation prices are lower in winter.

8-Day Classic China Tour: Beijing, Xian & Shanghai Highlights

Tiananmen Square, Badaling Great Wall, Bird’s Nest & Water Cube, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Xian Terracotta Warriors, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Shanghai

What Are the Visa and Visa-Exemption Policies for Travel in Beijing?

• Holders of ordinary passports from 50 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, etc.) can enter China visa-free for tourism purposes and stay for 30 days.
• Citizens from 54 countries can apply for 240-hour transit visa exemption. They can stay in the designated area for up to 240 hours after entering through a Beijing port with a connecting flight to a third country.
• Tourists not covered by the visa-exemption policy need to apply for a tourist visa (Type L) in advance. They should provide a passport valid for more than 6 months, photos, round-trip air tickets and hotel reservations, and submit them to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

If you are not sure whether your nationality is eligible for the visa-exemption policy, you are advised to check the official website of the National Immigration Administration of China before departure.

How to Reserve Tickets for the Palace Museum and What Are the Tips?

• Tickets must be reserved 7 days in advance, available at 20:00 daily. Non-mainland Chinese visitors purchase with passports; no on-site tickets for same-day visits.
• Peak season (April to October): 60 RMB per ticket; off-season (November to March): 40 RMB per ticket. Closed on Mondays (except legal holidays).
• Reservation tips: Enter the reservation page on time; fill in passport information in advance. If standard tickets are sold out, consider the Palace Museum annual pass (300 RMB, valid for 10 visits a year, passports supported).
• Avoid long security lines: Walk from Donghua Gate along the Tongzi River to the Meridian Gate to bypass security checks at Tiananmen Square.

The Palace Museum is the most difficult attraction to reserve in Beijing. At least half a day is recommended for the visit after successful reservation.

The Palace Museum, Beijing

How to Choose Between Badaling and Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing?

• Badaling Great Wall: Most famous with convenient transportation (direct high-speed train in about 40 minutes), crowded with tourists, suitable for tourists with limited time or first-time visitors.
• Mutianyu Great Wall: Beautiful natural scenery, fewer tourists, high proportion of foreign visitors. About 1.5 hours’ drive from the urban area, suitable for tourists pursuing quiet environment and photography.
• Juyongguan Great Wall: Closer to the urban area, steep terrain but well-restored, a compromise option.

The high-speed train to Badaling is the most convenient if you have a tight schedule and want to save energy. Mutianyu is significantly better than Badaling for photos with no people in the background.

How to Choose Accommodation Areas for Travel in Beijing?

• Qianmen or Dashilan: Within walking distance to Tiananmen and the Palace Museum, surrounded by old Beijing hutongs. Chain hotels cost about 300-400 RMB per night.
• Dongsi or Wangfujing: Extremely convenient for dining and shopping, higher prices, suitable for tourists with sufficient budget.
• Near the North Second Ring Road (Gulou, Shichahai area): Strong local atmosphere, close to Nanluoguxiang and Houhai, comfortable for evening walks.
• Remote areas such as Tongzhou and Daxing are not recommended: It takes more than one hour by subway to the city center.

Please confirm the walking distance to the nearest subway station when choosing accommodation, preferably no more than 500 meters. Road congestion is severe during morning and evening peaks in Beijing, and the subway is the most reliable way to travel.

How to Solve Language Problems When Traveling in Beijing Without Speaking Chinese?

• Airports, major attractions, and four-star and above hotels have staff who can communicate in English.
• Subway station names and broadcast announcements provide pinyin and English, making it easy to identify directions.
• Install translation software in advance, save the Chinese names of hotels and attractions on your mobile phone, and show them directly when taking a taxi or asking for directions.
• For emergencies, call 110 (police), 119 (fire alarm), 120 (first aid), and the operator can transfer to English service.
• Major attractions provide English audio guides and paper maps, available for free at the tourist center.

Save common phrases in your mobile phone in advance, and you can handle basic daily communication with translation software.

How to Prepare Mobile Payment and Cash for Travel in Beijing?

• Complete real-name registration on Alipay or WeChat with a passport and bind Visa or Mastercard international credit cards, which can be used in most consumption scenarios such as street stalls, convenience stores, and taxis.
• It is recommended to carry 1000-2000 RMB in cash with small denominations to prevent small shops from being unable to give change.
• International credit cards are only valid in high-end hotels and large shopping malls, and basically not accepted in small shops.
• Beijing Subway supports mobile code payment with bound international credit cards, no need to buy physical transit cards.
• You can apply for a short-term SIM card with your passport at the airport after arrival to use the local network.

Although mobile payment is the conventional method, cash is still a reliable backup. Set up payment tools before departure and use them immediately after landing.

What Are the Tips for Shopping and Tax Refund When Traveling in Beijing?

• Popular souvenirs include Daoxiangcun pastries, Palace Museum cultural and creative products, and silk products, which can be bought in Wangfujing or Qianmen Street.
• If you spend more than 500 RMB in a single day in a store marked “Tax Free”, you can ask the clerk for a tax refund application form.
• Get the tax refund after stamping by the airport customs when leaving the country. The tax refund rate is about 9% to 11% of the commodity price.
• Some Beijing airport ports support fast tax refund, which can be received in a few minutes. Please keep the shopping receipts and tax refund documents properly.

Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance for tax refund to reserve time for queuing.

What Is the Best Season to Travel in Xi’an?

• Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November): Comfortable temperatures, the best travel seasons.
• Summer (June to August): Hot and dry. Although there is air conditioning in the Terracotta Army pits, outdoor walking is quite sunny.
• Winter (December to February): Not too cold with few tourists.
• It is recommended to avoid weekends and holidays; visits on weekdays are more leisurely.

Xi’an has more sunny days in autumn with dry air, suitable for shooting ancient buildings.

How to Reserve the Terracotta Army and What to Pay Attention to During the Visit?

• Ticket price: 120 RMB. Free for seniors over 60 years old and minors under 16 years old. Real-name reservation with passport is required in advance, at least 3 days in advance during peak season.
• If overseas tourists encounter online payment problems, they can get assistance from local travel agencies after arriving in Xi’an, but online completion is still recommended as much as possible.
• Recommended visit order: Pit 1 (the largest) → Pit 2 → Pit 3, and finally take the free shuttle bus to the Li Mountain Garden.
• Selfie sticks and tripods are prohibited in the exhibition hall. Do not turn on the flash when taking photos. At least half a day is recommended for the visit.

The Terracotta Army is about 1 hour’s drive from Xi’an urban area. It is recommended to depart early in the morning to avoid the peak flow of group tours.

Terracotta Army, Xi’an