Flights from United Kingdom to China

Discover China

Discover China

Why visit China?
China offers a mix of ancient history, fast-changing cities, and vast natural landscapes, from limestone peaks to desert and grassland. You will find imperial palaces, classical gardens, and historic water towns alongside glittering skylines.

What to expect
Your journey might take you from Beijing and Shanghai to southern hubs such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen, or inland to Chengdu and Chongqing. Each region has its own dialect, architecture, and pace of life, shaped by rivers, mountains, and centuries of trade.

Plan your trip
China works well as a single city break or a multi-stop adventure linking coastal centres with interior provinces. With its extensive high-speed rail and domestic flight network, it is also a strong gateway for exploring wider East Asia.

Top experiences in China

Walk along the Great Wall near Beijing

Explore restored sections and wild ridges of the Great Wall, taking in sweeping views over hills and valleys.

Soak up Shanghai's skyline on the Bund

Stroll the Bund promenade at dusk for views of historic riverfront facades facing the futuristic towers of Pudong.

Discover Chengdu's giant pandas

Visit a panda research base on the outskirts of Chengdu to see these iconic animals in leafy enclosures.

Cruise the rivers around Chongqing

Join a river cruise to see steep cliffs, misty gorges, and the dramatic setting of this mountain city.

Explore West Lake in Hangzhou

Wander lakeside causeways and pavilions, taking boat rides between small islands and tea-covered hills.

Experience Guangzhou's Pearl River waterfront

Walk or cruise past illuminated bridges, modern towers, and lively riverside promenades after dark.

Uncover coastal life in Xiamen and Shenzhen

Combine beachside promenades with creative districts, modern galleries, and relaxed seaside parks.

Experience China’s way of life

Getting around
Within China, you can link major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Chongqing using frequent domestic flights and a dense high-speed rail network. Urban metros and ride-hailing apps make it straightforward to move between districts once you arrive.

Local life & culture
In Beijing and Shanghai you will feel the contrast between historic alleys and contemporary design districts, with galleries, theatres, and creative spaces. Further south and west, cities like Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Xiamen move at a slightly slower pace, with teahouses, riverside walks, and neighbourhood squares central to daily life.

Where to unwind
China offers many places to pause, from classical gardens and landscaped lakes to mountain parks just outside the cities. In and around Chengdu and Hangzhou, you can slow down among tea plantations and bamboo groves, while coastal cities such as Xiamen and Shenzhen provide sea breezes, long promenades, and beachside parks.

A taste of China

National dishes & specialties
Each region of China has its own flavour, from bold, spicy dishes in Sichuan around Chengdu to refined, lighter plates in Hangzhou and Shanghai. In Beijing you can seek out famous roast dishes and hearty northern cooking rooted in wheat, noodles, and dumplings.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Across Chinese cities you will find everything from humble street-side eateries to stylish modern bistros, often clustered around shopping streets and creative precincts. Areas in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xiamen offer convenient spots to sample regional dishes, contemporary Chinese cooking, and international flavours in one neighbourhood.

Signature & scenic dining
For special occasions, many cities feature riverfront, rooftop, or garden-view restaurants where you can pair local cuisine with city panoramas. In Hangzhou and Guangzhou, lakeside and riverside dining lets you enjoy illuminated skylines, while in Chengdu and Chongqing hillside locations offer sweeping views over the urban landscape.

Retail therapy in China

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen host large malls that combine international labels, local designers, cinemas, and dining. These lifestyle centres often connect directly to metro stations, making it easy to combine shopping with wider city exploring.

Markets & local crafts
You can browse markets and smaller boutiques for crafts, textiles, ceramics, and contemporary design pieces. Cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Xiamen are known for teahouses and craft-focused streets, while older districts in Beijing and Shanghai blend souvenir stalls with independent studios.

Evening retail scene
After dark, many commercial streets and riverfront areas glow with neon shopfronts and illuminated facades. Night-time shopping in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou often mixes late-opening malls, pedestrian streets, and snack stalls, creating a lively atmosphere to explore on foot.

Best time to visit China

Spring shoulder season (March to May): Many parts of China enjoy mild temperatures around 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F), with blossoming parks and generally comfortable sightseeing conditions.

Summer peak season (June to August): Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen can see temperatures from 26°C to 32°C (79°F to 90°F), with higher humidity and occasional heavy showers, especially in the south.

Autumn shoulder to low season (September to November): Skies often turn clearer, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F), making this a popular time for outdoor trips to lakes, mountains, and historic sites.

Frequently Asked Questions