Travel Tips
What is the best time to visit China?
Deciding when to visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy, and how much a bargain you want. Remember that China is a big country with many different climates and types of terrain. Traveling along the Golden Route (Beijing Xian, Shanghai, and Guilin) is like visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Canberra all in one trip. May, September, and October are the peak tourist months at Chinas most popular destinations, when the weather is most comfortable. The shoulder season runs from late March through April and from June through August. The off-season arrives in late November, and continues through the winter. Bearing in mind that we are in the southern hemisphere the season they have is actually opposite of what we have here.
What to pack?
Pack lightly, and bring casual clothes. A sturdy, comfortable pair of walking shoes is an absolute. A sports coat and tie for man, and one or two dresses or pantsuits for women, will suit the most formal occasions to be encountered in China. Travelers should bring shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be worn in layers to suit a range of climates or you can just buy it when you are traveling in China. Remember, dress for comfort, not for style. Checklist:
- Electrical converter and adapter plugs. China's electrical system operates at 220 volts.
- Hair drier, razor, alarm clock.
- Common toiletries, cold and digestive medications, lip balm, sanitary napkins and any over-the-counter medicines you generally use.
- Chewing gum, mints, or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist.
- Reading materials, including a guidebook on the places you will see.
- Suntan lotion and sun glasses. Raincoat if you go in July and August.
- Camera, flash & a lot of film or digital storage. Digital storage and Negative film is available in most places, positive film (Slide) may be difficult to find. And be sure to pack extra batteries. (Please note that photography restriction may be imposed for some places of interest.
- A note book to keep track of all the exciting things happening on the trip.