China Holidays

GMT + 8

China's currency comprises of 1 Renminbi Yuan (RMB) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Currency can be converted at banks, hotels, and foreign exchanges. All major international credit cards are acceptable in hotels.

Full ten year passports are required for all visitors to China and must be valid for six months after your return to the UK. Visas are essential for entry into China. Visa application forms and instructions will be forwarded approximately four months prior to departure.  Journeys of Distinction do not accept any responsibility for passengers not. We can only provide information for British Citizen passport holders acquiring the correct visa documentation.

London to Shanghai 11 hours
Hong Kong to London 13 hours

Due to its sheer size China experiences a great diversity of climates. North and East China including Beijing and Xi'an experience a rather continental climate with warm to hot summers and cool dry winters bringing snow in December to February.  The majority of rain falls in the summer months and the best time to travel is in the spring months of April and May and autumnal months of September and October.  Central China including Shanghai and the Yangtze Gorges is warmer than the North and East in winter and summer and experiences more rainfall year round, with the heaviest on the coast. Again the best time to travel is in the spring months of April and May and autumn months of September and October. South China including Guilin is the warmest and wettest part of China during the summer and winters are pleasant with low rainfall.

220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Two pin sockets and some three-pin sockets are in use.

Not compulsory although we would recommend that you contact your usual medical consultant. In the major centres medical facilities in international hospitals are excellent and first-class Western medicine is practised. Excellent dental care is available.

Lightweight cottons and linens during the summer months, with warmer clothes for spring and autumn evenings, a waterproof jacket is advisable for all year round travel. Whilst travelling on the Yangtze River a warm jacket is recommended.