With a highly diverse landscape and a dizzy culture, China offers experiences that reach far beyond the Great Wall.
For years, the country has been a mystery and challenge for travelers. It is a vast, deep and historic country where ancient traditions blend with ultra-fast modernization, and language barriers, digital restrictions and visa policies often block casual tourists. However, times have changed and despite its complex global reputation, China has opened its doors again with new, relaxed entry requirements and numerous new hotels.
“Current geopolitical disparities bring China even more important,” says Mei Zhang, founder of China-based tour operator Wildchina. “The country is changing rapidly, but despite the trade wars and other political tensions, all our travelers are returning to stories about Chinese familiarity and hospitality. In these challenging times, connecting on the person-to-person level is even more essential.
Visa policy relaxed
Over the past two years, China has made dramatic changes to its visa policy, making it easier than ever to visit as a tourist. The recently extended visa waiver programme allows citizens from 38 countries, including Ireland, Australia, Germany and Japan, to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days.
American citizens will also reduce the hurdles. Last December, China extended its visa-free passage policy, allowing visitors with US passports (or passports from one of the other 53 eligible countries) to stay in China for up to 10 days.
Only catch (and it’s a big one): You’ll need a advance ticket to another country, such as Japan, Thailand, or South Korea, which is not the same country you flew. Traditional tourist visas are required for travel that has been booked for longer trips or trips over 10 days with a round-trip ticket from the US (or elsewhere).
Be prepared for another online experience
As the platform is known in the US, unless you’re one of the Tiktok users who recently switched to Red Note, be prepared for social media detox when you’re in China. Access to sites and platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and even Google Search (a resource that many people are useful for travelers) is blocked under the country’s well-known Internet censorship policy.
If you need to use these apps, please note that you can only access them if you install a VPN or choose an international roaming package from your home mobile network operator.
Your smartphone is your friend
If you are traveling outside of major cities, forget your cash or credit card. From picking up snacks in supermarkets to ordering taxis, China’s daily economy is almost entirely smartphone-based. While some shops and restaurants still accept cash payments, most prefer or need money via mobile wallets such as Alipay or Wechat Pay.
Alipay can link to most international credit cards, but it is two user-friendly. The app has a simple payment system based on the English interface and QR code. It also serves as a platform for various “mini apps” including Didi Travel (Chinese versions of Uber or Lyft). A convenient translation service. Tripair, you can book train tickets, hotels and domestic flights via it.
Because WhatsApp and Messenger are not available, WeChat is essential for staying in touch with tour guides and hotel concierges. Registering within China is a hassle, so it is recommended that you create an account on both apps (Wechat and Alipay) before traveling.
Once you’ve got hangs for these apps, you can use them to also use them to lift heavy logistics. “If there are too many souvenirs, it’s fine. I’ll order a high-quality carry-on suitcase at 6pm and arrive at the hotel by 6:30pm,” Zhang says. “And if you get hungry on the highway train, you can order a Starbucks latte and deliver it to your seat at the next stop.
An exciting new hotel gust
China closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the vibrant domestic market has kept hotel developers extremely busy.
Global brands such as Four Seasons have expanded their Chinese portfolios with new hotels in Suzhou, Darian and Hangzhou. The former Shanghai front post base of Four Seasons now has 184 blissful spacious rooms with a calm rooftop courtyard, a fantastic modern Shanghai restaurant and design details.
Mauritius-based hotel group Lux Collective has expanded the Tea Horse Road route, a series of boutique lodges scattered across Yunnan, along with the nine-room Lux* Lashi Lake. We also opened Lux* Chongzuo, a modernist retreat, among the karst mountains in Guangzhou.
But the most ambitious newcomer is Mandarin Oriental Qianmen Beijing, the second previous post base for luxury brands in the Chinese capital. Instead of yet another sparkling skyscraper, this all-suite hotel scatters more than 42 traditional courtyard homes HATON Near a forbidden city. Weave past narrow alleys on the way to breakfast or dinner, you will overtake you ni hao– Nodding to your neighbors – Beijing is in progress about everyday life.
Additionally, Zhang notes that there are more local boutique accommodations offering a deeper, more authentic experience, such as Well House in Dali Dong Village, Guizhou.” “This locally run, eco-friendly boutique stay is made from traditional materials and techniques and seamlessly blends with the architecture of the Don community.”
There are many in the pipeline as well. LuxCollective’s eco-friendly sister brand Salt will make its Chinese debut later this year with Anji’s opening. In the small visited state of Gance, Norden Camp will reboot in July after renovations to the bottom from the top.
