Getting around in Hangzhou is as easygoing as the city itself. That’s quite a big call, considering how big and bustling every China destination seems to be, however, Hangzhou transportation makes touring Hangzhou a pleasure.  Come on a Hangzhou tour with ChinaTours.com and we will introduce you to the wonders of Hangzhou’s transportation.

Hangzhou transportation

Since the G20 Summit in 2016, Hangzhou has become an increasingly popular travel destination. And it’s not surprising, given the blend of immense cultural significance and natural beauty.

In order to keep up with the growing number of travelers, the city’s worked hard to establish a solid transportation system. Now, Hangzhou has many modern transport options, which make getting in, out and around the city a breeze.

Looking to effortlessly explore the picturesque capital of the Zhejiang province? Here’s what you need to know about getting around in Hangzhou.

Getting there and visiting Hangzhou’s surrounding areas

Hangzhou is easily reached by train, plane, and bus from both major cities, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Guilin, as well as international cities like Macau, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore.

Fly from Hangzhou’s Garden Airport

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (IATA: HGH, ICAO: ZSHC) is the main airport serving the city, and one of the top ten major airports in China. It’s been given the name “Garden Airport” because of the green surroundings and flower gardens.

Not only does the airport operate domestic and regional flights within the Zhejiang province, and the rest of China, it also serves flights to east, southeast and south Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

The airport is located 27 kilometers east of Hangzhou city center and easily reached by shuttle bus. There are shuttle buses that’ll take you to and from the city center, or you can catch one to or from neighboring cities like Wuzhen, Yiwu, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, and Suzhou.

Hangzhou trains will get you on the right track

While you’re on a tour in Hangzhou, it’s definitely worth your while to explore the surrounding areas of the Wuzhen Water Town, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Huangshan. With travel times greatly reduced, China’s rapidly expanding bullet train network makes it very easy to travel between these destinations.

Most of these high-speed trains depart from Hangzhou East Railway Station, which has become a popular transportation hub since its opening in 2013. From East Railway Station, you can also easily catch a bus or metro downtown, to the airport, or to other scenic areas in the city.

A slower form of Hangzhou transportation is the regular train service.  Thus, if you prefer a slower pace, we recommend catching a train from Hangzhou Railway Station. Hangzhou Railway Station, or Cheng Zhan, as the locals call it, is the city’s main railway station, serving regular trains to nearby areas like Ningbo, Yiwu, Wenzhou, and Shanghai.

Looking to venture outside the Zhejiang province? Why not catch an overnight train as Hangzhou Railway Station also offers train rides to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and many more major cities across China.

Getting around in Hangzhou

As we mentioned before, getting around in Hangzhou is easy and convenient. There are many different ways to explore the city’s historic, gastronomic and natural charm. The most popular forms of Hangzhou transportation are bus, metro, or taxi, but if you’re feeling a little adventurous, why not explore the city by bike?

Hassle-free travel with Hangzhou public transport

Taxi

Enjoy a scenic ride around Westlake

With 2700 rental stations dotted around the city, renting a bike in Hangzhou is pretty simple. All you have to do is go to one of the bike station booths near Westlake. Make sure to bring your passport for identification. You’ll fill in a form and receive a swipe card for picking up your bike at the docking stations. Swipe, wait for the green light, and you’re good to go!

The first hour on each bike is free, so if you’re looking for a free tour around the city, simply keep switching bikes within the hour. Just make sure to return your bike within the booth operating hours as the swipe units deactivate, and you will be charged a whole night’s rental.

Travel with ChinaTours.com

The only downfall in Hangzhou transportation is navigating through a system that’s mostly based on Chinese signage. At ChinaTours.com, we are here to help you, every step of the journey.

Whether you’re looking for tips and tricks on getting around in Hangzhou or a completely organized Hangzhou tour, we’ll help you create a holiday you’ll love. Book your tour to remember on ChinaTours.com, or talk to one of our China tour experts.

Feeling the travel bug and think a China tour might fix it? There’s no better place to start than by connecting with a China travel agency who can provide you with an experience of the real China. Why not try one of our best China tours? Traveling to 20 unique and exciting destinations, including Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, at ChinaTours.com, we’ve designed our China tours packages to meet the needs of people who enjoy structure and flexibility when they travel. Ready for adventure? Enquire now.

This China packing list by season and region is a must-read for those traveling to different parts of this incredibly diverse country. With over 20,000 kilometers of different types of terrain and climate, the seasons differ drastically across China.

A smart traveler should always be prepared for any curveball (or snowball!) mother nature throws their way. We’ve already covered the basic China packing essentials, now let’s have a look at the packing essentials by season and region.

The different regions in China

The northern part of China, such as Xinjiang and Mongolia, experiences extremely cold and dry winters, while summers are hot and humid. You can imagine the gentle spring and autumn come as a welcome in between relief for Chinese and tourists alike.

On the other side of the country, around Guangzhou and Hong Kong, there’s a more subtropical climate, with mild winters and humid summers. The south also experiences a rain season during summer. Especially between July and September, typhoons frequently linger around the southeast coastal line.

In central China, such as Shanghai, summers are long-lasting, hot and humid, while winters are short and cold. When moving further inland, towards the west, expect to get a bit colder. Due to its mountainous landscape, places such as Tibet, experience much lower temperatures all year round. Think layers, and lots of them!

Wintertime in China packing list

If you’re planning on visiting China in winter, you chose a wonderful time of year to travel. Explore the fairytale world of snow-covered Harbin in Winter, or celebrate Chinese New Year in one of China’s top cities. Chinese winters vary from extremely cold to mild, depending on where you travel. Lucky for you, this wintertime China packing list has got your covered from north to south, and anywhere in between.

Northern China

Remember the basic China packing list mentioned earlier? When traveling to China’s north in winter, remember to add these winter essentials to that list.

• Switch the windbreaker or rain jacket for a double-layered winter jacket (preferably water resistant)
• Switch two short sleeve shirts for two extra long sleeve shirts
• Two extra sweaters
• A pair of long underwear pants and tops
• Warm socks (preferably wool blend)
• A winter hat, gloves, and a scarf

You may want to take a few summer items off the list, such as shorts and sandals. After all, you want room for souvenirs, right?!

Southern China

Winters are mild in southern China. However, temperatures can still drop in the mornings and evenings. That’s why we, as China tour experts, recommend only a few edits to your basic China packing list. Be sure these make it into your bag:

• One extra sweater and an extra long sleeve shirt
• One pair of warm (wool) socks
• A winter hat, gloves, and a scarf
• Remove sandals

Western China

Brace yourself! Because winters in the west of China are known to be long and cold. However, the stunning mountain views will make up for most of it. The best way to prepare for the western cold is by removing all summer items (i.e. shorts, sandals, sleeveless tops) from your China packing list and adding the following items.

• One or two pairs of thermal underwear shirts and pants
• A pair of snow boots with good grip
• Sunscreen and sunglasses with good UV protection
• A warm winter jacket (hoods recommended)
• Two more sweaters
• Waterproof pants
• A winter hat, gloves, and scarf

China summer packing list

From the surreal natural scenery in Zhangjiajie to even the remotest regions of Tibet, all of China comes to life during summertime. Chinese summer can get hot, wet, and humid so remember to pack some rain gear. In summer, the basic rule of thumb is packing light and smart, and quick-dry fabrics are a must. Here’s what else you need to know about summertime packing for China.

Northern China

Enjoy the extended daylight hours on the hot summer days in northern China. For traveling in China’s north in the summertime, only a few adjustments to your basic China packing list are necessary.

• Bring a small, portable umbrella or a thin rain jacket, as it could start pouring down with rain completely without warning
• Switch one pair of long pants with two extra pair of shorts
• Switch one long sleeve shirt for two extra short sleeve shirts (preferably sweat-wicking)

Southern China

Famous for its monsoon rains, summertime in southern China is not only hot and humid but also very, very wet. As such, make sure your basic packing list is “waterproof”.

• A heavy-duty umbrella or rain jacket for those heavy monsoon rains
• Add waterproof shoes or adventure sandals and remove the pair of boots from the list
• Quick-dry towels
• Switch one pair of long pants with two extra pair of shorts
• Remove all but one long sleeve option and switch them with two extra short sleeve shirts

Western China

Even though it can get really hot in western China, summertime is the most popular time to visit. If you really need to cool down, just head further inland towards the mountains, where temperatures are a lot more pleasant. Your China packing list for the west should include the following extras:

• Sunglasses with UV-protection
• An extra pair of shorts
• One or two extra short sleeve shirts instead of long sleeve options

Springtime and Autumn China packing list

Late spring and early fall are considered the best time of year to travel to China. The weather is mild and delightful, and highlights won’t be completely swamped with tourists. When it comes to packing spring essentials, the original list has got you covered for your trip to southern China. Although you may want to squeeze in a warm jacket and a pair of wool socks if you’re traveling south in autumn. For your trip up north or to the west, you will just need a few minor adjustments. Let’s take a look.

Northern China

• A warm jacket
• Add one pair of long thermal underwear pants and shirt
• Add a face mask for dust storms sweeping through many cities across northern China in the springtime
• Add a pair of warm (wool) socks)
• Add a hat, scarf, and gloves

Western China

• Add sunglasses with UV-protection
• Add a thin jacket or sweater
• Add a face mask for the dust storms in spring
• Add a hat, scarf, and gloves
• Remove sandals
• When traveling in autumn, remove the rest of the warm weather gear too

Congratulations! By getting through this thorough China packing list, you are now officially ready to withstand any type of weather in all of the different regions in China. Now it’s time for you to go on and create your next beautiful travel memory on one of our China tour packages.

Traveling with ChinaTours.com

Not sure when or where to start your China adventure? Browse through our wide range of best China tours, or talk to one of our China tour consultants today to help you create and book the tour of your dreams.

Wondering which cities to visit on your upcoming China tour? Don’t let confusion and overwhelm stop you from planning and designing a China tour that suits your dream trip. With over a decade of experience at creating tours to twenty locations in China, we can help you finally cross those must-see destinations and sights off your bucket list. Let’s get you organized and on the road to a real experience of China. 

How to pack for China – we believe this is the ultimate China packing essentials checklist. It’s a big call, isn’t it? But we think we’ve got this one covered.

With China tour design and travel in our DNA, we know a thing or two about China packing essentials.

When you’re a first-time traveler on a multi-day China tour, it’s good to have a comprehensive list of China packing essentials to make sure you’ve thought of everything you might want to bring.

After all, nothing ruins a day of sightseeing like blurry tour highlights because you forgot to pack your glasses. Not to mention showing up to spring snow in Beijing with nothing for footwear except sandals.

How to pack for China – the essentials

When you forget to pack the essentials, you risk ruining the opportunity to create a truly memorable China travel experience.

Want to avoid disastrous packing mishaps? Here’s everything you need to know to start your memorable travel experience from the moment you begin to pack your luggage.

China packing essentials: covering the basics

China is anything but small, covering over 20 000 kilometers of different terrains and climates. If your plan is to set foot in multiple regions of China, it’s important to pack accordingly. Think layers for all seasons.

Regardless of which season or region you travel to, your suitcase should at least include these China packing essentials:

1. A valid passport (plus some copies), airline tickets, the necessary visas, related health certificates, and other important documents.
2. Your travel itinerary and contact details from your tour operator, including direct phone numbers for ‘just in case’.
3. Credit card(s), traveler cheques, a certain amount of Yuan, and some emergency cash.
4. Travel insurance.
5. All necessary chargers, a converter, and a plug adaptor (you can buy these in China, but we recommend buying one prior to travel).
6. A pen, so you’re prepared to fill out customs forms on the plane.
7. Technology, including headphones and camera (or your smartphone)
8. A basic first-aid kit that includes hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes (you’ll need these everywhere you go in China!)
9. A daypack for carrying the essentials while you’re out and about.

China clothing essentials: pack light and smart

Traveling to different regions of China doesn’t mean over-packing. On the contrary, our tip here is: pack light and smart. Make quick-dry fabrics your best China tour friend. Include clothing that can be worn on your active adventures, but also easily dressed up for a night out with a different pair of shoes or a scarf.

Wondering how to pull it all together. We’ve done the hard work for you. Check out our China clothing essentials list right here:

• 3 pairs of comfortable pants
• 1 or 2 pairs of shorts
• 3-5 short sleeve shirts
• 1-2 long sleeve shirts
• 1 “dressy” outfit
• A warm jumper or hoodie
• 3-4 pairs of underwear
• 4-6 pairs of socks
• 2 jackets, one fleece, and one windbreaker/rain jacket
• Sun-blocking hat
• Swimsuit
• A pair of good walking shoes
• Flip flops
• A pair of adventure sandals (optional)
• A pair of comfortable, casual shoes (optional)
• Waterproof and winter-proof boots (optional)

And there you are! Your China tour packing list is done and there is no longer any need to be concerned about how to pack for China – share this knowledge around!

One side note on clothes in China. In Chinese culture, pale skin is synonymous with nobility and wealth and therefore considered more beautiful. This is why so many Chinese men and women cover their skin with long sleeves and pants. While Western travelers will always stand out on tour in China, you can blend in more seamlessly by covering up, just like the locals.

Whether you’re soaking up the dramatic landscape of the Three Gorges, or the city-allure of Beijing, keep these China packing essentials in mind.

Depending on when and where you go, you can simply adjust this basic China packing list by season and region. And for those inevitable items you’ll forget, there’s no need to worry. You can get almost everything you need in China.

Still not sure about how to pack for China? Talk to one of our travel consultants today. They’ll take care of every detail, so you can experience the real China.

Come and tour with ChinaTours.com

ChinaTours.com is a leading provider of China tours, serving travelers who want an experience of real China for over ten years. ChinaTours.com offers small group, family tours and private tours in China and the surrounding region.

Feeling the travel bug and think a China tour might fix it? There’s no better place to start than by connecting with a China travel agency who can provide you with an unforgettable China experience. Traveling to 20 unique and exciting destinations, including Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, we at ChinaTours.com designed our tours to meet the needs of people who enjoy structure and flexibility when they travel. 

Many first time travelers to China want to know how to make the most of their multi-day China tour. It’s an important consideration. A China tour is no small undertaking.  Between booking arrangements, traveling vast distances to get there, the extreme contrast in culture and food, and language differences, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed.  This is why we have prepared for you, with help from our local China tour guides, a multi-day China tour checklist.

Multi-day China tour checklist

Want to avoid the confusion and create a beautiful travel memory? Follow these seven tips and discover how to make the most of your upcoming multi-day China tour.

#1 Look for flexibility: in bookings, travel schedules and food (Create travel memories on the go)

Joining a small tour group in China is fun. Tour activities are planned, organized and paid for in advance. The great benefit is, you’ll always have a clear direction of where you’re going and what you’re doing.

But what about flexibility? The last thing you want to feel is you’re on a school excursion with no opportunity to explore.

The best multi-day tours offer a combination of both: structure and flexibility.

Say you arrive in Guilin, and on the way, you read about the beautiful Longji Rice Terraces. Spontaneously, you ask your guide if it’s possible to swap out a day in Guilin with a side trip to Longji.

The best companies will make it happen. They’ll also ensure you have ample time on tour to explore on your own and eat the food you want.

China is a mecca for both domestic and international tourists and there is big business being made by companies who bring busloads of visitors to their doors, working to a very strict time and destination schedule.

If you’re looking for a real experience of China, look for tours that provide flexibility and structure. Even consider booking a private tour for your own group of friends or family. Private tours offer maximum flexibility around scheduling and allow you to choose your own adventure.

# 2 Make sure your hotel base is the city heart (More time for real experiences)

Time is always a premium on tours – see as much as possible, make every minute count. So, you don’t want to be on the bullet train out of Beijing without having ticked all your highlight boxes.

This scenario is entirely possible if your hotel base is anywhere other than the city center. As a function of its size, population, and the number of people moving around, travel times – even within the city – can suck up huge amounts of time.

The trick to getting around this is booking multi-day tours with centrally located hotels. While many tour operators say their hotels are ‘downtown’, it’s wise to check if they really are. Hotels located 45 minutes to an hour from major sites cuts into precious time that could be used for seeing sites, not just traveling to see them. It all adds up to more experience.

#3 Avoid commission-based shopping tours (See real China instead)

If your interest in travel is in having real experiences, choose a no commission-based shopping tour. The guides and drivers working for these companies rely on the income from commissions they generate by bringing tourists to certain stores and warehouses.

The good news is the best China tour companies pay their guides and drivers well above what they’d make if they were only relying on commissions. Providing this certainty around income means they can focus on what’s most important – providing travelers with a real experience of China.

How do you know if the tour you’re booking is a commission-based shopping tour? Just ask! Your travel company should be able to explain their approach to working with their local guides, drivers and tour operators. Anything with commission-based shopping stops is best given a wide berth.

#4 Have access to help when you need it (Hello, English speaking guide!)

A first-time trip to China can be daunting, not least because the culture is unfamiliar and language is a challenge. A multi-day tour with an English-speaking guide is the ideal solution.

With English now widely and well-spoken in China, especially in its big cities, a world of problems can be solved by your local guide. More than someone who points out the important information about emperors, dynasties, and artifacts, the best guides will jump in to help with any and every need.

Available on speed dial 24/7? Definitely.

Lost phone? No problem. Let’s find it.

Book a tour add on? Love to. Consider it done.

Want an experience of real local food? Fantastic! Let’s order and eat.

Bilingual travel guides in China can really make your trip a more deeply memorable experience. After all, it’s the people we meet through travel that help us create beautiful travel memories, isn’t it?

For a first time multi-day trip to China, invest in a tour where your guide takes care of you, every step of the Great Wall and beyond.

#5 Mix it up (Code for: balance big cities with beautiful landscapes)

A China initiate could be forgiven for thinking there are only big cities dotting the country, but nothing could be further from the truth.

China is a richly diverse land and nowhere is this more evident than in its landscapes: the towering karst pillars of Zhangjiajie (think Avatar), idyllic Li River, desert-scapes of Dunhuang along the Silk Road, and the icy forever views from Lhasa in Tibet, together and individually make for great travel memories.

As China’s cities have morphed into mirror images of a typical Western metropolis, it’s great to balance city-busy with inspiring landscapes, so mix it up.

And if your tour is focused in the cities, why not ask if you can add on a side trip to one of China’s more exotic destinations?

#6 No early take-offs (Switch off your alarm clock)

You’ve worked hard to take time off for your China tour, so why would you want to travel and set the alarm clock for ‘0 dark hundred’?

The best China tours have sensible travel schedules. Why? Because they want you to relax and enjoy your trip. Imagine arriving home from your China multi-day tour more exhausted than when you left. No thanks.

Tour schedules with sensible start times, including for inter-city flights, means you get maximum experience, minimum hassle while on tour.

#7 Book your China multi-day tour with people who know China (Seriously)

We’ve already said that China is a big place – and it is. So how do you make the most of every destination and your travel time? Book a China tour with people who know China. No brainer, right?

Any time spent traveling is precious, so it’s wise to look for tours that have been designed our tours to optimize every moment you’re on the road. Savvy companies with tour design in their DNA will know:

• The best sites to see and when
• The ideal way to travel
• How you can experience the real China

It’s true that technology today means most things can be organized online and via email, but if you really want to talk to a real person before you arrive, find a tour company offering that facility. Every tour starts with a conversation, but it should end with a beautiful travel memory.

Will yours?

ChinaTours.com, we tick all the boxes

ChinaTours.com offers private and small group tours all across China, where you can choose from our best China tours which include the likes of the Great Wall of China Tours, Yangtze River Cruises, and specifically designed China family tours.

First-time travelers to China will love the ChinaTours.com approach to organizing, planning, and taking a tour with us. With a deep understanding of Western travelers needs, we provide flexible travel schedules that allow ample time for exploring and enjoying an experience of real China. With centrally located four and five star hotel accommodation, experienced and friendly local guides, and your safety our priority, we make travel in China the memorable experience it should be. We tick all the boxes!

A North Korean visa is surprisingly simple to obtain. However, there are a few things you should know before entering the mysterious DPRK.

Did you know, for instance, that foreign tourists aren’t allowed to travel alone in North Korea? The only way to enter North Korea is as part of an organized tour. So make sure you pre-book a full tour package in advance.

Looking to visit and experience North Korea, and get your hands on a North Korea travel visa? Here’s what you need to know.

North Korea tourist visa

A North Korean tourist visa allows you to stay in North Korea for up to 6 months after the date of issue. It generally takes up to 4 weeks for the visa to be granted. Your North Korea visa is always a separate piece of paper and is called a Tourist Card. This way, your passport won’t be stamped on entry or exit of the country.

The application process

There are two ways to apply for a visa to North Korea. The easiest way is to let your travel consultant do most of the work for you. At ChinaTours.com, we encourage customers to provide a photo, a copy of their passport, and other required documents. That way we ensure their North Korea visa is issued and ready for pick up on arrival in Beijing before the tour commences.

Alternatively, you can get your North Korean visa yourself, but only if you have a North Korean embassy in your home country. Be aware though, this process takes more time and requires you to arrange an appointment with the North Korean embassy for picking up your visa.

Make sure you apply for your North Korean visa on time, at least one month prior to your planned arrival.

North Korea Tourist Visa Exemption

If you travel on a Malaysian or Singaporean passport, you can enter North Korea under the Tourist Visa Exemption, provided you stay in North Korea for no more than 30 days. In addition, you are required to provide proof of onward travel (i.e. confirmed train, flight, bus, or boat tickets) within 30 days of the arrival date.

Additional Chinese visa

Keep in mind that you usually require a double-entry visa for China, as our North Korea tours start and end in China. You may be eligible for a visa-free transit, provided your stay in Beijing is shorter than 72 hours. Find out more about the different types of Chinese visas on our China Visa page, or talk to us for more information.

North Korea travel rules and regulations

Worried that traveling to North Korea will get you into trouble when visiting other countries? Don’t be. Traveling to North Korea is perfectly legal in most countries. Only those traveling on a South Korean passport are ineligible for a North Korean tourist visa. Tourists who have traveled to South Korea, however, are more than welcome to visit North Korea.

Keep in mind if you work in the media, human rights or any other potentially controversial professions, you may not be eligible for a North Korean tourist visa. However, you can apply for a special visa issued by the North Korean government.

We strongly urge anyone not to submit any false information during your application in order to try and sneak into the country as this may have serious consequences for yourself and others on your tour.

Update: important details for US residents

Unfortunately, on September 1, 2017, the US Department of State declared all US passports invalid for travel to, through, or within North Korea unless meeting certain criteria. Therefore, we are currently unable to take those traveling on US passports on our tours until further notice.

Visiting North Korea

Because foreign tourists aren’t permitted to travel on their own to North Korea, an organized tour is an ideal way to visit and experience this country.

Considering Visiting China?

The best way to discover the most beautiful places in China and the surrounding area is to talk with people who can provide a real experience of this diverse and fascinating region. ChinaTours.com can help plan, organize, and deliver every detail of your tour, including flights, accommodation, where to go, what to see, foods to savor, and experiences to remember. Whether you love big cities, history, culture, or want to get off the beaten track, we’ll make it happen. Travel with us and see the real China, have a look at some of our best China Tours, we are sure that you will get the China travel bug!

There is no place on earth like the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK) and these North Korea travel guidelines will help you have a hassle-free travel experience in the world’s most secretive country.

North Korea travel

North Korea might not be the easiest going holiday destination, and the compromises required to travel to North Korea are significant. However, those who can accept a filtered view of history while being bussed between government-approved sights will be in for a memorable experience.

Don’t worry, your visit to North Korea doesn’t have to be a constant walking on eggshells. Simply follow these travel guidelines for smooth sailing inside North Korea.

Book a North Korea tour

What many people don’t know is foreign tourists can’t travel alone in North Korea. However, it’s surprisingly simple for tourists to obtain a visa to North Korea, as long as you are on a pre-booked tour arranged by an experienced tour operator.

When you go on our North Korea tour, you’ll be accompanied by two North Korean guides and a driver at all times to guarantee your safety. This means you won’t go anywhere without them.

Straying from your pre-arranged tour is not an option unless you’re escorted by your local guide. So if you’re a curious traveler who likes their independence, you might want to reconsider traveling to North Korea.

Safe travel in North Korea

Despite what you might have heard or read about North Korea, it’s probably one of the safest countries to visit.

By entering North Korea, you will be bound by local laws, the same way you are when traveling to any other holiday destination. However, North Korean laws may be very strict and often strange compared to what you are accustomed to.

Before touching down in the country, there is a debriefing with your tour guides in Beijing to ensure safe travel in North Korea. A general rule of thumb: as long you follow the rules, and respect local customs, you will be in for an experience of a lifetime.

Our local guides are there to answer any questions you may have about life in North Korea and to make sure all travel requirements for foreign tourists are being met. If you’re not sure about how things work in North Korea, or how you can say things in a safe way, without offending any political sensibilities, don’t hesitate to ask.

Consider packing light

Generally, traveling to North Korea means packing light. There are a few North Korea packing essentials, such as a travel medical kit and a torch (so you’re not caught out with surprise power cuts).

When entering the country, expect a very rigorous screening process at the border. USB drives, CDs, DVDs, tablets, laptops, smartphones, digital cameras, and other electronic devices will be thoroughly inspected by customs officials upon arrival. They will look for anything inappropriate, such as pornographic or religious content, or anything critical about the North Korean government.

You are allowed to take your smartphone into the country, but keep in mind that network coverage will not work. You will have to purchase a local SIM card and prepaid credit in order to make and receive international calls only.

Western literature about North Korea, even your Lonely Planet travel guide, as well as music, television shows, and movies are not allowed inside the country. Written material from South Korea is prohibited as well. Also, don’t bring any GPS-trackers or satellite phones with you.

Watch where you point that camera

You’re allowed to bring a digital camera or video camera (as long as they don’t have GPS), but leave any camera lens more than 150mm at home. Remember to pack an extra memory card, as these cannot be bought in North Korea.

Please note, in certain areas in North Korea, it’s strictly prohibited to take photos. Your guide will point out exactly which places you are allowed to take photos of. But if you want to be absolutely sure, avoid taking photos of:

• Anything involving North Korean military zones, military property, and soldiers
• Scenes of poverty and construction sites
• Local people or your local guide without their permission
• Close-ups of the head of a statue. If you do want to take a photo of a statue, make sure you capture the whole body of the statue

Be respectful during your stay in North Korea

A North Korea tour is your chance to get up close and personal and have a real experience of North Korean culture. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk to locals during the tour.

Keep in mind that North Koreans are known to be shy and a bit wary of making contact with foreigners. Also, the majority of North Koreans do not speak English.

When you do get the opportunity to talk to a local, remember that they are conservative people with limited access to the outside world. It’s perfectly normal to hold a different opinion from the locals. But before you start trying to change their viewpoints, remember that they come from a different background.

Be respectful during your stay in North Korea. Rather than speaking your mind, try and keep an open mind and actually listen to what the locals have to say. Not sure what to talk about? Ask your local guide what is appropriate.

Here’s one tip: avoid mentioning the word North Korea during your visit. Instead, refer to the country as DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

Furthermore, you are expected to show respect to North Korea’s supreme leaders. This includes presenting flowers to statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and bowing in front of their statues when required.

When visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, make sure to dress appropriately and respectfully. This means wearing pants with a shirt or blouse. Formal wear would be even more appreciated. Jeans, sandals, shorts, and short skirts are not permitted in the mausoleum.

Where to eat and sleep

Our North Korea full tour package includes staying in the deluxe-class Koryo hotel. Like any 4-star hotel in China, you can expect comfortable and spacious rooms with air conditioning, refrigerator, a safe, hot water, IDD telephone, and several international TV channels, including the BBC.

The Koryo hotel provides a range of entertainment facilities including bars, a swimming pool, karaoke, billiards, a bowling alley, several souvenir shops, and even a casino for those wanting to try their luck.

Please note, hotels in cities other than Pyongyang often have limited facilities and services.

All your meals in North Korea are generally provided for on the tour. Most of the meals will be served in local restaurants, which gives you the chance to sample a taste of traditional Korean flavors.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be catered for, but be aware that dining options will be rather limited in such cases. Fruit is scarce in North Korea, and the price can be extremely high. If necessary, you can bring fruit purchased from Beijing.

Show your guides some appreciation

It is customary to tip your guides and drivers during your North Korea tour as a way to show your appreciation for their service. A tip of approximately seven euros per tourist per day is common.

Generally, you don’t tip service staff, nor do they expect it. If you are really pleased with their service, tip them privately. Service providers usually receive a minimum salary and are greatly dependent on tips. They would be grateful for any tips you give.

Finally, it’s recommended to bring some gifts for the guides and driver, perhaps cigarettes or cosmetics, or something typical to where you live. The guides are also interested to see what the lives of their tourists are like, so make sure you bring some photos of home and family to show them.

North Korea, it’s something else!

As you can see, a tour to North Korea truly is a journey of a lifetime. From the everyday life of local people to impressive man-made monuments, and exotic natural scenery, our meticulously planned tours bring together everything that makes North Korea unique from any other place in the world.

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Thinking about visiting China? A ChinaTours.com tour is synonymous with authentic travel experiences, taking in the best of China’s culture, history, cuisine and people. Looking for a real experience of China but don’t know how to create the perfect tour itinerary? We run private, small group and custom tours. Our dedicated team of travel consultants who know China tours will take care of every detail. Traveling to 20 unique China destinations, we’ll make sure you create beautiful travel memories when you tour with us. Enquire about our China Tour Packages now.

A trip to Yunnan isn’t necessarily the first place you’d include in a China tour itinerary. However, with a deeper understanding of this beautiful China destination, you may want to rethink that.

Yunnan province, located in China’s south-west, interweaves naturally beautiful landscapes, ancient history, and religious and ethnic cultures in ways other parts of China don’t. Unique and picturesque, a trip to Yunnan is worth considering if an enriching China tour is what you want.

Planning a trip to Yunnan

Earning itself the nickname, “South of the Clouds”, Yunnan offers rich diversity in its landscapes too. Characterized by altitude extremes – more than 6000 meters at its highest – the natural vistas are extreme and changeable. A clear day will reveal expansive views across snow-capped peaks, seemingly endless grasslands, steep gorges, and lush forests.

Locals speak many different languages and dialects. This makes travel with a local guide, who lives in a particular China destination, the ideal solution for western travelers who want to plan a trip to Yunnan.

Looking for more tips to plan your Yunnan tour? Read on.

Climate and the best time to plan a trip to Yunnan

Across Yunnan province, the climate is as changeable as the landscape. With its distinctive dry and rainy seasons, it pays to know the best time to plan a trip to Yunnan. The wet season runs from May to October (mainly in June to August), while the dry season extends from November to April.

Although Yunnan is characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate, a surprising fact is many destinations, including Lijiang and Dali experience snow during winter months. The rain is also known for bringing cooler weather, so if a Yunnan tour is on your travel itinerary, come prepared.

Yunnan’s hottest month is July. Average temperatures range between 19 – 22°C (66.2 to 71.6 ℉). Love the cold? Then schedule your trip to Yunnan during the coldest month, January. With its lows of 6 – 8°C (42.8 to 46.4℉).

Our local guides tell us the ideal time to take in all the best Yunnan has to offer is March to June and September to November. If the Yuanyang Terraced Fields are on your bucket list, aim for a November arrival, but keep in mind most parts of Yunnan experience mild weather fluctuations year round.

As with anywhere in China, avoid traveling in Yunnan during national holidays. China’s domestic tourism market is booming and you’ll find it hard making your way around during the Spring Festival holiday ( late January to early February), May Day holiday (May 1–3), and the China National Day holiday (October 1–7).

Best highlights to visit in Yunnan

Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang are a must-see for travelers planning a first trip to Yunnan. Considered the classic destinations, look for tours incorporating highlights from these places. And our big Yunnan tip? Add a visit Shangri-La. It’s bucket list material.

A private China tour usually conjures up big city sights, but operators wanting to give western travelers an experience of real China, get up close and personal with more off-the-beaten-track destinations.

Trekking enthusiasts will love Yunnan hiking trails, considered some of the best in the world. Included in the rich choice are the Northwest Yunnan trekking trail from Lijiang to Meili Snow Mountain, Yubeng Village, Shangri-La, and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Witness breathtaking nature, hidden villages and sacred Buddhist sites on a truly memorable intrepid journey.

What’s to see in Kunming

Situated in the temperate monsoon climate zone, Yunnan Province’s capital, Kunming enjoys the reputation as The Spring City. Why? Kunming’s year-round pleasant climate boasts warm and comfortable weather and a temperature of 15 degrees.

On a visit to Kunming during your trip to Yunnan, immerse yourself in the fragrance of flowers at the Bird-Flower Market, discover the peculiar glamor of the Paleozoic karst landform in Stone Forest, and admire the unique garden-style layout at Yuantong Temple.

Glorious views of Dongchuan Red Earth Scenic Area can be had too, making it a great location for photography buffs. One thing to remember drawing on the wisdom of an ancient proverb, “the city turns to winter in a second when it rains”. Pack a coat or sweater if you’re traveling in the rainy season.

Spend a day or two in Dali ancient town

Dali, the autonomous prefecture of the Bai minority in Yunnan. Ideal for a visit in March and April, Dali weather is pleasant and many Bai minority festivals and events are in full swing in spring.

Stroll through Bai’s historical Xizhou Town, soak in the enchanting landscape of Erhai Lake cloistered by the Cangshan Mountain, or marvel at the magnificence of the Three Pagodas in Chongsheng Temple. It’s all part of daily local life in Dali ancient town.

Lijiang

Located in the borderland of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Lijiang is the to the Naxi Minority, where captivating landscapes, ethnic customs, religious beliefs, and modern entertainment intersect.

From the stunning scenery of holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the rugged beauty of roaring Tiger Leaping Gorge, unique V-shape turn of the First Bend of Yangtze River, to vivid figures of Baisha Murals and best-preserved traditional architectures in Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang is an ideal destination that appeals to travelers with a real taste of China’s immense history and culture.

Shangri-La

With the moderate weather and idyllic natural landscapes famously written about in James Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon, Shangri-La is a special place to visit on a trip to Yunnan.

While charming in spring and summer, Autumn is when Shangri-la appears most beautiful. An amazing spectacle of color changes with leaves ablaze with seasonal hues, Shangri-La is at its most enchanting this time of year.

Shangri-La possesses a majesty rarely seen in China’s big cities. Nature is a highlight. Think preserved natural wonders, snow-capped mountains, endless grasslands, mysterious lamaseries, and timeless Tibetan customs. Visit the Songzanlin Monastery, Old Town of Shangri-La, and Pudacuo National Park, and discover yourself why Shangri-La is synonymous with ‘Heaven on Earth’.

Jianshui Ancient Town: the Museum of Buildings

Yet another of Yunnan’s historically and culturally significant towns, Jianshui has been established approximately 1200 years. It retains an abundant cultural heritage and enjoys a reputation as the ‘Museum of Ancient Buildings’, attracting domestic and international travelers.

Notable sights abound in Jianshui: Swallow Cave, Jianshui Confucius Temple (erected in 1285 and remains China’s second largest Confucius Temple), Zhang Family Garden in Tuanshan Village, Double Dragon Bridge and the National Examination Site in Xuezheng, from the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Book your trip to Yunnan to arrive in Jianshui from April to October and make the most of what this town has to offer.

Old Yuanyang

The town of Old Yuanyang is a Hani minority settlement located on a ridge of the Ailao mountain range.

Old Yuanyang is a sought after destination for photographers. The terraced rice paddies, cultivated for over 1300 years by the Hani people, are the drawcard as they make for idyllic landscape scenes.

Holding great appeal to western travelers visiting Old Yuanyang, the vast majority of ethnic minority women still wear traditional garments as their daily attire. The main ethnic group is the Hani who share the region with several other minorities, such as the Yi and Miao.

Market days in the villages tend to be very colorful when the different minority groups in the vicinity, each in their own traditional costume, come together to trade and socialize. In our opinion, Old Yuanyang is a must inclusion when planning a trip to Yunnan.

Cultural diversity

Yunnan boasts endlessly fascinating cultures with the largest variety of ethnic minorities in China – a grand total of 52. The Yi people have the largest population with more than 400 million people, while the Dulong people have the least with only 5,500 people.

Many locals haven’t walked out of their mountains or villages in their lifetime, though they are very friendly to visitors. Traditions, customs, and languages of the regions ethnic groups are a closely held treasure.

The ideal time to visit is during festivals. That’s when you’ll find local people dressed in beautiful traditional garb, filling the streets with song and dance. Hosting dozens of ethnic festivals in Yunnan throughout the year, our favorites include the Torch Festival, Water-splashing Festival, and March Street Festival.

A long history of multi-ethnic cohabitation has enriched Yunnan with an exotic charm reflected in the distinct dwellings, costumes, customs and festivals loyal to the century-old traditions.

Where to stay in Yunnan

Thanks to China’s highly developed tourism industry, Yunnan offers visitors a full range of accommodation for tourists. Catering to different budget constraints and tastes, be sure to explore the options. Whether you’re looking for premium hotels designed with international standards to more rustic bed-and-breakfasts based on the traditional dwellings of the local people, it’s available. And if you need help identifying the perfect option, speak to a travel consultant who knows the best available options.

Keep in mind when planning your trip to Yunnan, Jianshui and Yuanyang accommodation choices are more humble than that of Dali, Kunming, Lijiang, and Shangri-la.

Traveling in Yunnan: How to get in and around in comfort

Yunnan is unique in China for possessing more airports than railways, because the area has some of the world’s most inaccessible terrain.

There are 14 airports operating in Yunnan, six railway systems, and three high-speed rail systems. This well-developed transit network is constantly extended to connect all tourist attractions in Yunnan. The longest of its kind in West China, the rail network connects 238,000 kilometers to some of China’s finest destinations.

A bite and beverage in Yunnan

Food

Love sampling local cuisines? You’ll find plenty to choose from in Yunnan. With the diversity in culture, it literally is a melting pot of flavors.

In each Yunnan destination, local people make full use of the fresh produce, including flowers, fruits, mushrooms, edible wild herbs, highland river fish and shrimp, and meats.

Locals still adhere to traditional ingredients and cooking methods. Yunnan cuisine (also Dian cuisine) is an amazing mix of Han and Chinese minority cuisines. Incorporating a heavy and spicy flavor to all sorts of delicacies, try favorites like: steam pot chicken, casserole fish, pickled beef tendon, lemongrass chicken, fish boiled with sour bamboo shoots.

After something a little more exotic?

Make sure your trip to Yunnan includes sampling the famous Insect Dish! For those with a more adventurous palate, the variations on Insect Dish are virtually unlimited. Locusts, spiders, dragonflies, bee chrysalis, silkworm chrysalis, ant eggs and well, just about anything. Salted and fried to create a simple crisp taste, this morsel will leave you with an aftertaste (and interesting travel memory) from Yunnan.

Beverages: What to drink in Yunnan

No trip to Yunnan would be complete without taking tea like or with a local.

Although tea in China has a rich, enduring history, there are few places with the tea ‘pedigree’ you’ll find in Yunnan. For more than 1,700 years, tea has been an integral part of the social and commercial fabric of Yunnan. When 92 percent of the counties still growing tea, it’s easy to see how.

Among the numerous tea varieties of teas, Pu’er tea is the most famous and has the longest history. Other popular teas include Dian black tea and Tuo tea.

If you’re after a brew that’s slightly stronger, you may be brave enough to partake of the mainly home-brewed wines produced by the local minorities. Dai rice wine, Kunming rose wine and saffron wine are available in plentiful supply, but sample in moderation. With deceptively high alcohol content, you’ll definitely feel the effects.

Recommended ChinaTours.com itineraries

A first time trip to Yunnan might be a challenge to book and arrange without a China tours specialist. The good news is ChinaTours.com can help.

Having created custom tours for western travelers wanting a real experience of Yunnan, we recommend, five to ten days is ideal.

Explore our Yunnan tour options to book online, or have a tour tailored just for you, seeing what you want when you want.

Quick travel tips for Yunnan

• A thin jacket is always needed for day-and-night temperature variation prevalent in most areas of Yunnan.
• Sunsafe products such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, folding umbrella are strongly recommended for the intense sunlight on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.
• Have a good rest and drink enough water to prevent altitude sickness when you are in Shangri-La and other high altitude localities within Yunnan.
• Respect the religious and living environments of local ethnic minorities.

ChinaTours.com employs a team of experienced local travel consultants and guides who provide step-by-step guidance on how to plan a trip to Yunnan or any other destination in China such as Shanghai, Guilin or Suzhou.

First-time travelers to China will love the ChinaTours.com approach to organizing, planning, and taking a tour with us. With a deep understanding of what Western travelers need, we provide flexible travel schedules that allow ample time for exploring and enjoying an experience of real China. With centrally located four and five star hotel accommodation, experienced and friendly local guides, and your safety our priority, we make travel in China the enriching and memorable experience it should be. Talk to us now about designing your ideal tour.