China Travel Guide for Indian Travellers 2026: Visa, Vegetarian Options & Must-Know Tips

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Two Ancient Civilisations, One Practical Guide

India and China are the world’s two oldest continuous civilisations, neighbours across the Himalayas, and yet most Indians know remarkably little about China beyond headlines and stereotypes. The reality of travelling in China is very different from what Indian media portrays — it’s clean, organised, and remarkably modern, with infrastructure that often surpasses anything in India.

Indian travellers face specific challenges in China that this guide addresses head-on: visa procedures for Indian passports (which are more complex than for many Western nationalities), finding vegetarian food in a country where meat is central to the cuisine, and bridging cultural gaps between two Asian giants that understand each other far less than they should.

Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Indian citizens require a visa to visit China. The process is more involved than for many Western nationalities, and approval is not automatic.

Application process:

1. Complete the online COVA visa application form (cova.mfa.gov.cn)
2. Book an appointment at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata
3. Submit documents in person
4. Wait for processing (typically 5-7 working days, sometimes longer)

Required documents:

• Indian passport with at least 6 months validity and 2+ blank pages
• Completed visa application form with photo
• Original and photocopy of passport information page
• Round-trip flight tickets
• Hotel reservations for entire stay
• Bank statements for the last 3 months (minimum balance equivalent to USD 3,000)
• If employed: NOC from employer and salary slips for 3 months
• If self-employed: company registration documents and tax returns
• Cover letter explaining purpose of visit

Visa fee: Approximately ₹5,600 for single entry, ₹8,400 for double entry. Subject to change.

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

• Insufficient bank balance
• Incomplete documentation
• Inconsistencies between application form and supporting documents
• Previous visa violations in any country
• Unclear purpose of visit

Tips for Indian Applicants

• Apply at least 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date
• Ensure your bank statement shows regular income, not just a sudden large deposit
• If visiting friends/relatives in China, include their invitation letter with a copy of their Chinese ID or residence permit
• Having previous international travel history (visas/stamps from other countries) strengthens your application
• Be prepared for potential additional document requests from the visa centre

Flights from India

Direct Routes

Delhi to Shanghai: China Eastern operates direct flights. Approximately 6 hours. Return fares from ₹35,000-65,000.

Delhi to Beijing: Air China and Air India. Approximately 6.5 hours. Return fares from ₹38,000-70,000.

Mumbai to Shanghai: China Eastern. Approximately 6.5 hours.

Delhi/Mumbai to Guangzhou: China Southern. Approximately 5.5-6 hours. Often the cheapest option — return fares from ₹28,000-55,000.

Kolkata to Kunming: China Eastern. Approximately 2.5 hours. The shortest flight from India to China — convenient for exploring Yunnan Province.

Booking Tips

• China Southern via Guangzhou is consistently the cheapest option
• Book 2-3 months ahead for best fares
• Connecting flights via Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong can be cheaper than direct flights
• Avoid Chinese New Year (January/February) when fares spike

Vegetarian Food in China — The Complete Guide

The Challenge

Finding vegetarian food in China is significantly harder than in India. Meat is central to Chinese cuisine, and the concept of “vegetarian” (素食, sùshí) is understood differently — many Chinese people consider a dish vegetarian if it’s mostly vegetables, even if it contains small amounts of meat or seafood for flavour. Chicken broth, oyster sauce, and dried shrimp are ubiquitous “seasonings” that Chinese chefs don’t consider meat.

Types of Vegetarianism in Chinese

• 素食 (sùshí): Vegetarian — but may include eggs, dairy, and seafood-based seasonings
• 纯素食 (chún sùshí): Vegan — no animal products at all
• 佛教素食 (Fójiào sùshí): Buddhist vegetarian — no meat, no garlic, no onions, no leeks. This is the strictest and most reliable category.
• 不吃肉 (bù chī ròu): “I don’t eat meat” — the most practical phrase to use

Essential Phrases for Vegetarian Dining

• 我不吃肉 (Wǒ bù chī ròu) — I don’t eat meat
• 我吃素 (Wǒ chī sù) — I am vegetarian
• 这个里面有肉吗? (Zhège lǐmiàn yǒu ròu ma?) — Does this contain meat?
• 不要放肉 (Bùyào fàng ròu) — Don’t put meat in it
• 不要鸡精 (Bùyào jījīng) — No chicken powder
• 不要蚝油 (Bùyào háoyóu) — No oyster sauce
• 不要虾皮 (Bùyào xiāpí) — No dried shrimp

Where to Find Vegetarian Food

Buddhist Temple Restaurants (寺庙素菜馆): The most reliable option. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants serve elaborate meat-free cuisine that’s been developed over centuries. The “mock meats” (made from tofu, wheat gluten, and mushrooms) are extraordinarily convincing. Available in most major cities near Buddhist temples.

Indian Restaurants: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen all have Indian restaurants. Quality varies, but they’re a reliable option when you need a dal fix.

International Hotels: Five-star hotel buffets typically include vegetarian options.

Vegetarian Restaurant Apps: The Dianping app (大众点评) has a vegetarian category — search “素食” in any city.

Vegetarian-Friendly Chinese Dishes

Sichuan Mapo Tofu (traditional version): Tofu in chilli sauce — but SPECIFY no meat, as the standard version contains minced pork. ¥18-35 (₹210-400)

Di San Xian (地三鲜): Stir-fried potato, aubergine, and green pepper. ¥18-25 (₹210-290)

Gongbao Potatoes (宫保土豆): Spicy potatoes with peanuts — request no meat. ¥20-30 (₹230-350)

Buddhist Vegetarian Duck (素鸭): Tofu skin prepared to resemble duck — delicious and entirely plant-based. ¥22-35 (₹260-400)

Vegetable Dumplings (素饺子): Steamed or boiled dumplings with vegetable filling — available at most dumpling restaurants. ¥12-20 (₹140-230)

Vegetable Fried Rice (素炒饭): Specify no egg if vegan. ¥15-25 (₹175-290)

Tofu Soup (豆腐汤): Clear soup with silky tofu. ¥12-18 (₹140-210)

Jain-Friendly Options

Jain dietary restrictions (no root vegetables, no garlic/onions) are extremely difficult to accommodate in standard Chinese restaurants. Your best options are:

• Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (they also avoid garlic and onions)
• Self-catering with ingredients from supermarkets
• Indian restaurants that understand Jain requirements

Supermarkets for Self-Catering

Carrefour, Walmart, and RT-Mart are widespread in Chinese cities and carry fresh vegetables, tofu, rice, and cooking ingredients. The convenience store chain 7-Eleven sells instant noodle cups — check the label carefully as most contain meat extract.

Cultural Comparisons — India vs China

Similarities

• Both are ancient civilisations with deep cultural traditions
• Both value family, education, and respect for elders
• Both have diverse regional cultures and cuisines
• Both have significant rural-urban divides
• Both are navigating rapid modernisation while preserving tradition

Key Differences

Cleanliness: China is significantly cleaner than India. Public spaces, streets, and transport are well-maintained. This is often the first thing Indian travellers notice.

Organisation: Chinese society is more orderly — queues are (mostly) respected, traffic is (relatively) disciplined, and public systems work efficiently.

Food culture: Chinese meals are communal (shared dishes), Indian meals are often individual (thali system). Chinese cuisine uses far less spice than Indian food.

Religion: China is less overtly religious than India. Temples exist but religious practice is less visible in daily life.

Personal space: Both cultures have similar concepts of personal space (less than Western norms), but Chinese people are less physically demonstrative than Indians.

Money and Payments

Setting Up Alipay and WeChat Pay

Same process as other nationalities — download apps, verify with passport, link Visa/Mastercard. Indian Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards generally work, though some users report issues with certain Indian banks.

Cards that typically work: HDFC, ICICI, Axis Bank Visa/Mastercard Cards that may not work: RuPay cards, some cooperative bank cards

Cash

Carry ¥500-1,000 as backup. Exchange Indian rupees at:

• Chinese airports (limited availability — better to exchange to USD/EUR first)
• Bank of China branches (best rates but slow process)
• Bring USD or EUR to exchange — INR is not widely accepted for exchange in China

Budget for Indian Travellers

Based on approximate exchange rate of 1 INR = 0.084 CNY:

Internet and Communication

VPN

Download a VPN before departure. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work in China.

Important for Indian travellers: Many Indian apps and services work fine in China without VPN — WhatsApp is blocked but JioChat and some other Indian services may work. However, most Google services are blocked.

SIM Cards

Indian SIM with roaming: Very expensive (₹500-1,000/day with most carriers). Not recommended.

Chinese SIM: Buy at the airport or order online. China Unicom tourist SIMs with data start from ¥100 (approximately ₹1,190).

Practical Tips

• Toilet paper: Carry pocket tissues everywhere — public toilets rarely provide it
• Spicy food: Chinese “spicy” is different from Indian spicy — Sichuan food is numbing rather than chilli-hot
• Haggling: Less common in China than India. Prices in shops and restaurants are fixed. Markets are the exception.
• Photography: Always ask before photographing people — more important in China than in India
• Shoes: Remove shoes when entering homes and some traditional guesthouses

Suggested Itinerary — 10 Days

Days 1-3: Shanghai — Modern city, Indian restaurants available, Bund, French Concession Days 4-6: Beijing — Great Wall, Forbidden City, Buddhist temple vegetarian restaurants Days 7-8: Xi’an — Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter (halal food available) Days 9-10: Guilin — Natural scenery, Buddhist vegetarian restaurants

Final Thoughts

China and India are often compared as the world’s two most populous nations, but the experience of travelling in China is fundamentally different from India. The infrastructure is superior, the cities are cleaner, and the pace of development is staggering. But beneath the modern surface, Chinese civilisation shares with India a depth of history, a richness of cultural tradition, and a warmth of hospitality that makes the journey worthwhile. For Indian travellers willing to step outside their comfort zone — particularly regarding food — China offers a travel experience unlike any other.