China is a civilisation-sized trip: the Great Wall snaking over the hills, Beijing's Forbidden City, the terracotta army standing guard at Xi'an, the storybook karst peaks along the Li River near Guilin, and the neon future of Shanghai. High-speed trains stitch it together with astonishing ease.
It's vast, so most first trips pick a thread — the classic north, or a scenic add-on. Here's our short brief.
Best time to go
April – May & September – OctoberThe sweet spots — mild, clearer skies and comfortable for the Wall, Xi'an and the cities.
June – AugustHot and humid, and busy with domestic holidays, but the season for high-altitude Tibet and the far west.
November – MarchCold in the north but quiet and clear; the south and Hong Kong stay milder.
What not to miss
The Great WallA quieter section beyond Beijing — the walk everyone remembers.
BeijingThe Forbidden City, Tiananmen, the Temple of Heaven and the hutong lanes.
Xi'anThe Terracotta Army and the old city walls at the start of the Silk Road.
Guilin & YangshuoA Li River cruise through the karst peaks — the landscape on the banknote.
ShanghaiThe Bund, the skyline and a fast train to the water towns nearby.
Visas & entry
China's entry rules have eased for several countries, including visa-free arrangements for Malaysians on short stays, while others need a visa in advance. We'll confirm the current rule and arrange it.
Visa & OCI servicesPractical tips
- High-speed trains beat flights between the main cities — comfortable, punctual and scenic; we book the seats.
- Download offline maps and a translation app; a local guide smooths the language and the sites.
- Carry your passport for entry to major sights and stations.
- Mobile payment rules daily life — we'll brief you on cash, cards and the apps that now accept foreign cards.
