Climate in China (Related to Itineraries)

Although everything depends on the time of year we take our trip, it is necessary to understand the geographical area through which our itinerary in China will pass. Generally speaking, summers in China are very hot across the country, and winters are extremely cold, especially in the north. China’s vast territory results in significant climate variations. We can distinguish several regions in terms of climate: Eastern Monsoon Region (nearly half of the national territory): Most of China’s arable land is located here, with a humid and sub-humid climate. Northwestern Arid Region (30% of the national territory): Arid climate and landscape. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Frigid Region (25% of the national territory): Cold climate and mountainous areas.
It depends on the time of year you travel. You will encounter very high/low temperatures, with a particularly humid climate in coastal areas in summer and a very dry climate in inland areas in winter. (See the previous section on climate in China). For this reason, travelers must prepare appropriate clothing and shoes according to their itinerary and the time of year they will travel. For example, the Tibet region has extremely freezing temperatures in winter, while in other areas such as Hong Kong, Macao, or Hainan, you can wear short sleeves without any problem during the same period. In any case, it is recommended that in July and August, you take certain sun protection measures and wear light (cotton) and comfortable clothing. Shoes for daily visits should always be sports or semi-sports shoes, as long distances are usually covered. At the same time, during this extremely hot season of the year, many people catch colds due to air conditioning on planes, trains, and in hotels, so it is advisable to bring some long-sleeved clothes and trousers, or some type of clothing to protect against sudden temperature changes.
China’s official currency is the Renminbi (literally “People’s Currency”), whose basic unit is the Yuan. The exchange rate is 1 EUR for 7.5 RMB (subject to fluctuation). For currency exchange, it is preferable to do so at the hotel; if not possible, you can exchange at a bank.
VISA in China: Can I use my VISA or MASTERCARD in China?
n Hong Kong, you can exchange euros for Hong Kong dollars at the airport.
In China, it is not common to leave tips for waiters in restaurants. However, in the tourism industry, it is customary to leave tips for guides and drivers as recognition of their service. We recommend 25 RMB PER PERSON PER DAY FOR GUIDES. For drivers, it is half that amount: 10 RMB per person per day. When there is an accompanying guide, the tip collection is organized by the agency; the guide will collect the total amount upon the travelers’ arrival in China, so that travelers do not have to worry. These tips are also used for hotel porters, train porters, etc. When traveling privately or in a group without an accompanying guide from the origin, travelers will leave the tips individually in separate envelopes for the guide and driver when departing each city.
90% of the population speaks what we know as Chinese (Han), which is Mandarin. However, there are multiple local dialects depending on the ethnic groups and regions. English is used to a lesser extent, basically in tourist areas.
– Canada: Similar to the United States, the time difference varies by region, with China being 12 to 15 hours ahead of Canada.
– Australia: China is 2 to 3 hours behind Australia (depending on the region). For example, when it is 12:00 noon in Sydney (standard time), it is 09:00 a.m. in China; during Sydney’s daylight saving time, the time difference is 2 hours.
Compared with the aforementioned countries, lunch and dinner times in China are usually a bit earlier (about two hours), and this will determine our rest schedules. In the mornings, we need to be prepared and have breakfast by 08:00 in the hotel lobby to start our visits.
– The United Kingdom: China is 8 hours ahead of the United Kingdom during standard time and 7 hours ahead during daylight saving time.
Meal times in China are different from those in Western countries. Lunch time: 12:30 to 13:00, and dinner time: 19:00 to 20:00.

 

As a general rule, there will always be an option to ask for cutlery if you prefer it.

t’s not essential to bring one with you, as we can use our plugs in the hotels. Sometimes you’ll notice that the prongs of the sockets are different, but they can still be used regardless. If anyone needs one, adapters are sold there, but it’s absolutely not necessary.

All potentially dangerous items will be seized, including lighters, nail clippers, scissors, sprays, shaving foam, and the like.
 
Liquids, creams, and generally all non-solid items carried in hand luggage will be seized.
 
In addition, electronic products with batteries in checked luggage will also be seized (these items must be carried in hand luggage: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, etc.). Recently, a large number of electronic products such as mobile phone spare batteries without the CCC certification, as well as various other products without labels indicating the product’s technical specifications, have been seized.
 
In most cases, potentially hazardous foods that are not vacuum-packed may also be seized (e.g., raw meat, cured meats, cheeses, etc.).
 
Bargaining is acceptable in markets and night fairs (not in every store). Star products: Tea, jade (⚠️ watch out for fakes!), rice wine (max. 2 bottles per person), silk garments, decorative items, engravings, and more. There are many great-value gifts available, but it should be noted that handicrafts and imitations have become much more expensive lately.
 
Calculate your luggage weight in advance: international flights allow 23kg, domestic flights 20kg. Above all, don’t forget that the shopping culture in this country is known for its enormous potential—both positive and negative. So you need to bring a certain positive attitude and patience, as you’ll be constantly offered souvenirs and services throughout your trip. A simple “Bu Yao, Xie xie” (No, thank you) will be enough to brush off persistent merchants.
t is recommended to bring your preventive medications with you, as it is difficult to find the same brands there (e.g., Almax, Fortasec, Gelocatil, Ibuprofen, etc.). If carrying large quantities or special medications, it will be important to provide a medical certificate, as this may be required during airport security checks.
 
Most people turn off their mobile data, meaning they can only use their phones when there is free Wifi available. This way, they can avoid any unpleasant surprises on their phone bill. If you need to make calls, you can do so through apps like WeChat (a popular Chinese app).
 
WhatsApp and Skype do not usually work in mainland China (except in Hong Kong). For these cases, it is possible to use a VPN: ULTRASURF, THUNDER VPN, VPN MASTER, VPN Express, and so on. The performance of these tools varies from person to person, so we cannot recommend any specific program—it also depends on whether your device runs on an Android or iOS system.
 

 

To ensure that Chinese mobile apps like WeChat work during your trip, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to have these apps already downloaded, as you will need to register and confirm their proper use before entering China. This is especially true for those who wish to use WeChat.

It is not necessary to carry it with you at all times, as losing it could cause serious problems (hotels are safe places to store it). The best thing to do is to take a photo of it on your mobile phone and attach it to an email, so you can always access it from any device.

 

Exceptions：You must carry the original passport when visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing and on days when you have to travel by plane or train.

For Spanish citizens, a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months is mandatory. Due to a temporary regulation in effect from 2024 until December 31, 2025, a visa is not required if the duration of the trip within China is less than 30 days.
 
On the plane, a white and yellow form (consisting of two parts: entry and exit) is distributed to fill in personal details, the name of the hotel, flight number, etc. It must be completed and signed during the flight. Upon arrival at the airport in China, you must submit it at the airport customs check. On the last day of departure, you must also submit the other part of the form for exit procedures.
 
Recently, some airports such as Beijing International Airport have installed machines that allow passengers to speed up arrival customs inspection procedures (fingerprint scanning and other simple data to fill in).
 

 

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