The huge land of the east is home to spectacular natural sights, awe-inspiring architectural wonders, and a diverse population. With a vast array of dialects, cultures, and religions, China is a melting pot, filled with people from all walks of life.

Here, you will find stupendous beauty like no other, from the vast deserts of Inner Mongolia, to the green bamboo forests of Sichuan province. You really couldn’t find more variety than in China.

With a rich and fascinating history, China will offer you a complex story through time when you visit, offering historical sites such as The Great Wall, Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, and Tianmen Square, as well as a long list of palaces and temples. The colourful sites dotted around the country tell the story of China and its people.

5 Things You Need to Know About China

There is a lot to discover about China, so before you jet off, here are just a few of the things you should familiarise yourself with:

Time Difference: GMT +8 hours - despite covering five geographical time zones, the country adheres to one time zone, known as China Standard Time (CST).
Currency: Renminbi/Chinese Yuan (¥)
Native Language: Mandarin
Weather: as China has such a huge landmass, it has huge variations in weather from region to region. Across most of the country, you can expect dry seasons and wet monsoons, but in some regions you will find deserts, while in others, snow-covered mountains.
Sales Tax: 17%

Flying to China from the UK

Be prepared for your flight to China by reading up all about everything you might need to know about your journey. Here are some of the things you should know, including flight times, entry requirements, and airlines which serve the country.

Flight Times

Your flight time will vary depending on which part of China you choose to fly to. If you choose Beijing, for example, a direct flight will take a little under 10 hours. A flight to Guangzhou, on the other hand, will take a little under 12 hours.

Entry Requirements

If you are a British citizen, you will need a visa to travel to China. You will need to make your application in person at a Visa Application Centre and some of your biometric data, such as fingerprints, will be collected.

It is essential that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from your date of travel.

Airlines that Fly to China

There are a number of airlines which provide direct flights to China from the UK, including:

- Air China
- British Airways
- China Southern
- Virgin Atlantic

The Airports

China is home to a number of incredibly busy airports. These are the top three busiest airports in the country:

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Beijing Capital International Airport is the busiest in China serving over 100million passengers in 2018 alone. It features direct train access to Downtown Beijing so you can get into the city in no time.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport served more than 74million passengers in 2018 making it the 2nd busiest airport in the country. It is only 19 miles east of the city center, and there is plenty of public transport to get you there.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

Serving nearly 70million passengers in 2018, Guangzhou Bairun International Airport is China’s third busiest airport. It has a metro system which provides direct access to the city of Guangzhou.

Popular Routes

There are some direct flights available to cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, however, if you are looking to fly to one of the smaller cities, you may need to choose a flight with a stop along the way.

10 Must-Do Things in China

There is more to see and do in China than you could possibly fit into one trip. Here are just a few of our favourites that you could try out:

- Great Wall of China
- The Forbidden City - Beijing
- Tiananmen Square - Beijing
- Jiuzhai Valley National Park - Jiuzhaigou County
- Army of Terracotta Warriors - Xi’an
- Yungang Grottoes - Datong
- Canton Tower - Guangzhou
- Temple of Heaven - Beijing
- Yu Garden - Shanghai
- Chimelong Safari Park - Guangzhou

Book Cheap Flights to China with Globehunters

Begin your journey today by booking your cheap flights to China through Globehunters. You can find great deals with us so you can save yourself money and time. Use our search tool to find flights for your dates, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who will be more than happy to help.