By Air
China's main international hubs are Beijing (Capital International, PEK, and the newer Daxing International, PKX), Shanghai (Pudong, PVG, for international flights; Hongqiao, SHA, for domestic), Guangzhou (Baiyun, CAN), Hong Kong (HKG), and Chengdu (Tianfu, TFU). Most long-haul flights land at Beijing or Shanghai.
Flight times are roughly 10 hours from London, 14 hours from New York, 12 hours from Los Angeles, and 11 hours from Sydney. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are the three main national carriers. Major international airlines — British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines — also serve China's main cities.
Note that several airports have two terminals with no internal connection; check which terminal your flight uses before arranging transport.
Visas
Citizens of around 45 countries — including most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore — can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Always verify current requirements before traveling, as the list of eligible countries can change.
If you need a visa, apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate in advance. Tourist visas (L visa) are usually issued for single or double entry. Applications typically require a passport photo, bank statements, and sometimes a hotel booking.
The 144-hour transit visa exemption applies at major airports for nationals of 54 countries transiting through China to a third country — useful for breaking up a long journey.
Since late 2025, travelers can complete the entry health declaration card online before arrival through the National Immigration Administration.
By Train
International rail services connect Beijing to Moscow via the Trans-Siberian Railway — either through Mongolia (crossing the Gobi Desert) or through Manchuria. Both journeys take around 6 days; book well in advance. A high-speed train runs between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, taking about 50 minutes, continuing to other mainland cities.
By Sea
Ferries connect Shanghai and Tianjin with Osaka and Kobe in Japan, and Qingdao and Weihai with South Korea. A high-speed ferry runs between Hong Kong and Macau (about an hour). There is no longer a significant departure tax — that information from the early 2000s is obsolete.
Overland
China shares land borders with 14 countries. The main crossings used by independent travelers are: from Vietnam at Friendship Pass near Nanning; from Kyrgyzstan via the Torugart Pass to Kashgar; from Pakistan over the Khunjerab Pass to Tashkorgan; and from Mongolia at Erlian. Border formalities and crossing hours vary; research your specific crossing in advance.