5 Hacks For Brit Backpackers In China

If you’re a regular British person and we mention China, what are the first images that materialise?

Are you transported to the Shaolin Temple, where Bruce Lee is taking on all-comers in an acrobatic martial arts extravaganza?

Or are you sitting quietly in a bamboo forest, bedazzled as a family of pandas plays peacefully by a crystal-clear stream?

Perhaps you’re walking along a mountain path when a white-whiskered elder materialises before your very eyes and offers insights on the meaning of life or the secrets of the universe.

Maybe you’re listening keenly for the sound of one hand clapping?

Or finally, your mouth might be watering as you think about delicious Chinese dishes like garlic chilli chicken.

China is all these things and much more. But if you’ve never been before, you’ll need to plan ahead to ensure that you see the very best of this magical, mystical land.

With that in mind, here are five hacks for Brit backpackers in China.

Check government China travel advice

There’s more to consider with a trip to China than a short hop across the channel to France, so to keep safe and plan properly, check UK Government China travel advice thoroughly.

Armed with the latest official guidance, you can plan you itinerary properly, take the necessary precautions and travel with peace of mind.

Confirm China visa requirements

Even post-Brexit, the British passport is still one of the world’s most powerful – in terms of the nations it permits visa-free travel to.

But mainland China is one territory UK citizens do need a visa for, and anyone aged between 14 and 70 has to apply in person at an application centre. See visaforchina.org for the lowdown, but remember that no visa is necessary for Hong Kong or Macau.

China travel insurance

In the unlikely event that something goes wrong in China, taking out travel insurance with a provider like InsureandGo.com means you’re better safe than sorry.

A solid policy will include elements like medical expenses and hospital benefit, personal accident and liability, delayed departure, airline failure and legal expenses.

Cheap China flights

Despite it being a considerable distance from the UK, a quick skim of Skyscanner.net reveals that the cheapest return flight from the UK to China last month was actually under £300, which represents excellent value for money.

Plan ahead of time with this type of powerful comparison site and you could bag a real bargain and save cash for spending on fun stuff when you get there. If you have your own plane or even fractional jet ownership, things will also become easier for you.

Conveient pre-flight parking for China travellers

Ahead of a long-haul flight, it’s sometimes easier to relax in the environment of your own car rather than public transport during your journey to the airport.

But to keep everything smooth as silk, check Looking4.com for airport parking from Gatwick to Glasgow.

Have we missed any China travel tips? Share your own in the comments section!