A first trip to China runs more smoothly when you prepare for day-to-day practicalities alongside your sightseeing plans. Before selecting optional excursions, work out how you will travel from the airport to your hotel, stay connected on your phone, make purchases and navigate each intercity journey.
This China travel checklist is written for travellers departing from the UK. It acts as a planning guide only; it does not confirm current entry eligibility nor guarantee any service is included within a RobinGO ASIA tour. Please verify arrangements for your specific travel dates and booking.
Before booking: count nights in China, not just days away
Record your flight departure and arrival times using local time. A 10-day annual leave allocation does not automatically equal ten full days of sightseeing inside China. Count hotel overnight stays separately and mark every intercity transfer before adding extra attractions to your schedule.
You may compare return flights to a single city against an open-jaw itinerary that lands in Beijing and departs from Shanghai, if this fits your planned route. Always evaluate the full fare and complete itinerary, rather than presuming one option will be cheaper. Double-check flight connections, baggage allowances, airport transfers and any additional hotel night that may be required.
For route inspiration, read our blog post: /blogs/travel-inspiration/how-many-days-first-trip-to-china and browse our /collections/china-tours. If visiting the Terracotta Army is non-negotiable, ensure your selected itinerary includes Xi’an — do not rely on vague “China highlights” marketing descriptions.
Check entry requirements against your passport and travel dates
UK residency and passport nationality are two separate considerations. Verify entry rules for the passport each traveller (including children) will actually use. Before paying for your trip, confirm passport validity, visa or visa-free criteria, permitted length of stay and regulations applicable to your planned route.
Refer to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements and https://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/visa/. Revisit these pages shortly before departure. Do not assume a temporary policy will still apply in later years, nor that mainland China entry rules also cover Hong Kong or Macao.
Save accommodation addresses, onward travel details and booking confirmations for offline access. This is a useful preparation step, not a full list of mandatory entry documents.
Payments: set up a primary method plus a backup
Before leaving the UK, contact your bank to understand how your cards function overseas, what overseas transaction fees apply, and how you will authorise transactions while abroad. Confirm you can receive any security verification messages required by your bank.
If you plan to use Alipay or WeChat Pay, download the official apps and read their latest guidance for overseas users prior to departure. Check whether your bank card and ID documents are supported, complete available pre-trip setup, and review applicable fees and transaction limits. Do not assume simply adding a card will guarantee every payment will succeed.
Keep a spare bank card and a small cash reserve stored separately from your main wallet. Ask your tour guide or hotel staff for help if a payment fails, instead of repeatedly approving unfamiliar transaction requests. Never share your online banking passwords or verification codes.
Mobile data: evaluate the plan features, not just price
Compare your UK network’s roaming package against travel SIM or eSIM alternatives. Before purchasing, check device compatibility, whether your handset is unlocked, activation procedures, data allowance, expiry date, hotspot terms and provider support contact information.
Ask the supplier whether the package includes calls or SMS, provides a local phone number, and whether the apps you need work on their service within mainland China. Do not assume all travel data plans deliver identical access.
Download hotel names and addresses in Chinese, booking confirmations and key contact details before travel. Keep screenshots as a backup, while retaining original files or emails where live booking codes may be needed. Pack your charging cable in your cabin bag.
Airport arrival: confirm your meeting point in advance
Share your flight number, arrival date, airport and terminal with your tour operator. Request an exact meeting point, an emergency contact number for when you cannot locate your driver, and the procedure if your flight is delayed.
If organising your own airport transfer, save the hotel’s Chinese name and full address. Check the route and payment method before you land. Keep your arrival day flexible; avoid booking a pre-paid timed attraction slot for immediately after landing.
Train journeys: treat station transfers as part of your itinerary
For every rail trip, note the departure station, arrival station, train service details and the ID document used to book tickets. A city name alone is insufficient to identify the correct railway station.
Use https://www.12306.cn/en/ for up-to-date ticketing information. Ask your operator when tickets are expected to be confirmed, how you will receive your travel documents, and what happens if your preferred train service is unavailable. A proposed departure time is not the same as a confirmed ticket.
Build in extra time to reach the station, complete security checks, locate your platform and travel from the arrival station to your next hotel. Pack so you can manage your luggage independently unless luggage assistance has been pre-arranged. Keep your passport and essential medication within easy reach.
Sightseeing: secure reservations before finalising your daily plan
For must-see attractions, check whether advance booking, ID details or timed entry slots are required. Confirm which attraction tickets and ticket types are included within your tour package. For the Great Wall, ask which section you will visit, and whether cable cars or other optional on-site transport are included.
Build downtime between major visits. A full-day excursion outside the city differs greatly from a quick city-centre stop. If arranging sightseeing independently, check the attraction’s current opening schedule and booking instructions before locking in your itinerary.
Food, allergies and travelling with children
Inform your tour operator of allergies and dietary requirements before booking. Specify exact allergens and any cross-contamination risks rather than using broad general descriptions. Ask what can realistically be arranged for included meals and food tours.
Carry a clearly printed Chinese translation of critical allergy and dietary information. This translation aids communication but does not guarantee restaurant kitchens can accommodate your requirements. Discuss severe allergies and medication plans with your GP before travel, and keep prescribed medication accessible.
For family travellers, supply children’s ages and enquire about room configurations, walking distances, transfer durations and child pricing for your specific itinerary. Schedule regular breaks and avoid filling every spare hour with sightseeing.
Packing: tailor your gear to your route and activities
Check weather forecasts for every overnight destination shortly before departure. Pack layered clothing and supportive walking shoes suitable for your planned walking schedule. City sightseeing, a Great Wall visit and river cruises each call for different preparation.
Check your accommodation’s power socket type and your devices’ voltage limits before buying a travel adapter. Review current airline and railway regulations for lithium batteries and power banks. Rules vary across carriers; never assume a battery accepted by one transport provider will be permitted by another.
For medication, check official guidance on travel and import rules, and carry supporting documentation where required. Keep essential medication plus one change of clothes in your cabin bag, subject to your airline’s cabin baggage rules.
Compare the complete tour cost in pounds
| Category | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| International travel | Whether flights are included, the airports, baggage and connecting journeys. |
| Accommodation | Hotel nights, room occupancy, room category and any single-room supplement. |
| Travel within China | Trains or flights, class where specified, airport and station transfers. |
| Sightseeing | Named included tickets, guiding and separately priced activities. |
| Food | Which meals are included and which you will pay for yourself. |
| Other spending | Mobile data, insurance, entry-document costs where applicable, required charges and personal purchases. |
| Booking terms | Deposit, balance deadline, amendment and cancellation terms. |
Compare quotations using the same dates, number of travellers and occupancy. Keep compulsory extras separate from optional upgrades. Ask how exchange rates and payment fees affect any amount quoted outside GBP.
For a fuller booking comparison, read our China tours from the UK guide. Confirm the linked article’s current entry information against the official sources before relying on it.
Your final departure checklist
- Recheck official entry and travel advice matching your passport and route
- Confirm flights, accommodation, transfers and your first meeting point
- Save Chinese hotel addresses and emergency contacts for offline use
- Prepare your backup payment method and confirm bank transaction verification works
- Review activation instructions for your mobile data plan
- Keep your passport and essential medication easily accessible
- Confirm travel insurance covers your planned activities and personal circumstances
- Share dietary, accessibility and family requirements with your tour operator
Common questions from UK travellers
Should I book flights before choosing a China tour?
We recommend locking in your land itinerary and confirming availability first. You can then book flights to match your arrival and departure arrangements. If you book flights separately, ask your tour operator to review the proposed timings before you complete payment.
Is ten days enough for a first visit?
Ten days works well for a focused itinerary, but the key comparison is the number of nights spent in China and time lost to transfers. Identify your must-see landmarks before adding extra cities. Do not assume all 10-day tour products calculate international travel in the same way.
Can I rely on one payment app?
We strongly recommend having a backup payment option. Check your chosen app’s latest card support and set up an alternative payment method before departure.
What should I send when asking for a tour recommendation?
Share your UK departure airport, travel dates, number of travellers, room requirements, must-see attractions and total budget in GBP. State whether this budget must include international flights, and mention dietary or accessibility needs at the outset.
Request a tailored China itinerary or explore our China tours. We can help compare the route and arrangements before you commit to extra stops.
