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Travelling to China: what to know before you go

China is vast enough to feel like several countries in one: imperial palaces and the Great Wall around Beijing, the skyline of Shanghai, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, the karst peaks of Guilin and the spicy food and pandas of Sichuan. A fast rail network makes long distances manageable. It rewards travellers who prepare a little, especially with payment apps and connectivity, because daily life here runs on the phone.

Where to go

• The Great Wall. Sections near Beijing range from busy, fully restored stretches to wilder ones.
• Beijing's Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace for nearly five centuries, a complex of halls and courtyards at the heart of the capital.
• Terracotta Army, Xi'an. Thousands of life-size clay soldiers, each with a different face, buried to guard the tomb of the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
• Shanghai. The Bund's riverside row of early twentieth-century buildings faces the towers of Pudong across the Huangpu River.

Best time to visit

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable seasons in most of the country, with mild temperatures and clearer skies. Summer is hot and humid in the east and south, with heavy rain in some regions, while northern winters, including Beijing's, are cold and dry.

Staying online in China

Mobile coverage is excellent in cities, along rail lines and in most tourist areas, with fast 4G and 5G, and it is generally good in the countryside too; very remote mountain and desert regions can be patchier. Many foreign websites and apps, including Google services, WhatsApp and several social networks, are not accessible on Chinese networks and public Wi-Fi. Whether they work on a travel eSIM depends on how the plan routes data, so check the plan details before you buy. Public Wi-Fi is widespread but often needs a local phone number to log in. Set up Alipay or WeChat with your card, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.