China Holidays
Overview
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Forever linked to its mighty past, coming face to face with China is a culture shock that is alluring and bewildering: as if set in two separate worlds, one half lies in an ancient kingdom, where Forbidden City and Great Wall once guarded dynasties of emperors, while the other is pushing forward at an electrifying pace, moulding bustling metropolises alongside the colonial past. Our China tours are bound to excite your senses and will take you around this vast, fascinating country to experience all the different realities.
China Highlights
Ancient Civilization: Feel like an emperor in the Forbidden City or walk the winding path of the Great Wall of China: everything is big in China and absolutely fascinating.
Mighty Rivers: Experience life at a slow pace cruising through the gorges of the Yangtze or down the Lijiang River. Breathtaking natural surroundings are enhanced by a wealth of sculpture and architectural features.
Cosmopolitan Cities: Fast-growing Beijing and Shanghai are bustling metropolis with skyscrapers, state-of-the-art technology and an international flair. East meets west in extraordinary new ways.
Chinese Gardens: The traditional design of the imperial palace gardens in Suzhou truly reveals an ancient view of the world, where poets and painters found inspiration in peaceful contemplation.
Food and markets: From jade and pearls to the best selection of fake brand name goods you'll see anywhere. And the food? A surprising variety of plants and animals, remarkably diverse in each regional cuisine. Possibly overwhelming, but above all a brilliant experience.
China Factfile
When to go
Temperature Range: 0°C - 30°C
Most popular: May, June, September and October
Best value: December, January, July and August
Best weather: May, June, September and October
Travel Information
Direct flights: British Airways, Air China and Virgin Atlantic
Indirect flights: Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, KLM and Air France
Visa information: Visa Required
Health information: Hepatitis A, B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid and Malaria immunisations are recommended
Time Difference: GMT +8 hours
When To Go
Best Value
Avoid the highest prices during Chinese New Year, Labour Day and China National Day. This is the best time to travel if you are a culture vulture and you wish to see what goes on in the main cities, but the hotels are at their fullest and overbookings might happen. During the hottest months of July and August and the coldest of January to March (apart from Chinese holiday season), most of the hotels offer the best deals. There will be fewer crowds and you could get that same stunning scenery for a bargain price - the Great Wall of China under the snow is a spectacle to behold!
Best Time to Go
Given the size of the country, it really depends on which region you want to explore. In order to visit the most popular cities of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, these are better visited between May and October, as temperatures are pleasant (around 20 - 25°C), humidity is low and there is little chance of rain. The mid seasons are the most popular as well if you want to join one of our China tours, with September and October seeing the most arrivals.
Hottest
China is at its hottest during the summer months of June, July and August and temperatures can peak up to 30 - 35°C in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Humidity is at its highest and there is more chance of rain. Spring and summer are the most pleasant seasons to travel to China with temperatures ranging around 20 - 25°C.
Climate
China's territory offers a wide variety of climates. The extension and features of its territory determine the existence of various climates. The main cities of Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai are located in the temperate zone with a seasonal pattern very similar to the European continent with temperatures ranging from the low 10s °C in winter to the high 30s °C in the heat of summer.
China Travel Information
Flight information
There are a number of carriers offering flights to China from the UK.
Direct Carriers: British Airways, Air China and Virgin Atlantic offer a direct service from the UK.
Indirect Carriers: Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, KLM and Air France offer indirect services to China.
Departure Taxes: An international departure tax of CNY120 (approx. GBP8) must be paid at Chinese Airports (unless it is included in your flight ticket price). Taxes on Chinese domestic flights (CNY 50, approx. GBP4) are payable unless included in your flight ticket.
Visa information
British Citizens are required to have a visa to enter China, which you can apply from the Chinese Embassy in London. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in China. Please contact the Chinese Tourist Office for up to date country and visa information on 0891 600 188.
How to obtain a visa
If you need a travel visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport Professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specializes in fast, dependable visa application services. Don't wait until the last minute, for an application form and discounted pricing. Call 0844 800 4650 or visit http://www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis
