China tours & holidays

Some countries have a visa waiver program with China, but all other citizens must apply for a tourist visa in advance – the cost depends on your nationality. If you're also travelling to Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, note that different visa requirements apply.

To enter China, you may also need: 

• Valid passport with at least six months of validity after you arrive and at least two blank pages for stamping

• Arrival card 

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey. 

Internet access is generally good in hotels and tourist areas, but it's limited in more remote areas. Some fast-food chains, restaurants and cafes have free wi-fi available, but may require a Chinese phone number to receive the login code. The login prompts may also be in Chinese. 

Chinese governments and authorities keep strong controls over internet access and many Western websites, including social media and news outlets, are censored. Sites and apps including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google products (YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Drive), WhatsApp, Snapchat and Dropbox, as well as many international news outlets, will not work. 

You may wish to download the WeChat app during your visit, which is the country’s most popular communication app. It’s kind of like WhatsApp crossed with Facebook. 

For many travellers, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is used to limit this censorship. If you’re insistent on using certain websites abroad, look into purchasing a reputable VPN – keep in mind most of the free ones, and some of the paid VPNs, won't work. If you do go down this route, still consider what you access online while in China, as some content could land you in hot water with authorities. 

With all this in mind, you’ve got the opportunity to switch off and enjoy the sights – that’s one way of looking at it!

Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent in China's cities, and still very good in remote and rural areas. 

If you have an unlocked phone, buying a local SIM on arrival is probably the cheapest and most reliable option to stay connected. 

If you wish to use global roaming, be sure to contact your service provider to understand how much this will cost, as it's often very expensive. 

Squat toilets are most common in China, though Western-style flushable toilets can sometimes be found in modern hotels and restaurants. Be sure to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser as these are rarely provided, especially in public places.