planning
All travel guides tagged with "planning".
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budget10 Days in China on a Budget 2026: ¥300/Day Complete Itinerary
A complete 10-day China budget itinerary — the route (Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 2 nights, Chengdu 3 nights, Chongqing 2 nights), actual day-by-day budgets showing ¥300/day is genuinely achievable without missing the major highlights, budget accommodation options at each stop, cheapest ways to eat, and the specific trains and prices to book.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitBusiness Travel in China 2026: Visas, WeChat, Meetings & Corporate Culture
China business travel guide — the business visa (M visa) vs tourist visa for work travel, WeChat as the essential business tool (how to add contacts, share documents), business card etiquette (receive with both hands, study it, never write on it), banquet dining customs (toasting with baijiu, the host's role), and practical advice for first-time business visitors.
Updated May 2026
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transportChina Domestic Flights Guide 2026: Budget Airlines, Booking Tips & Airport Navigation
Complete guide to China's domestic aviation — the best budget airlines (Spring Airlines, Lucky Air, Shenzhen Airlines), how to book Chinese domestic flights as a foreigner (Trip.com vs Ctrip), baggage allowances, airport bus connections, and why some routes beat the high-speed train for time and cost.
Updated May 2026
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itineraryEast Coast China Itinerary 2026: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Nanjing in One Week
The East China 7-day loop — Shanghai as hub (2 days), day trip to Suzhou gardens, day trip to Hangzhou West Lake and tea village, day trip or overnight to Zhujiajiao water town, and high-speed train to Nanjing for the Purple Mountain sites (1.5 days). All within 2 hours of Shanghai, all using the world's best high-speed rail network.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitFirst-Time China Visit Checklist 2026: Everything to Do Before You Fly
The complete pre-departure checklist for first-time China visitors — 6-8 weeks before (apply for visa, book major attractions), 3-4 weeks before (book trains, set up Alipay, buy travel insurance), 1-2 weeks before (download apps, set up VPN, get some RMB cash), 2-3 days before (print confirmations, check passport validity, pack layers). The things people discover they need at the airport.
Updated May 2026
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seasonalChina Travel in June: The Gaokao Season & Summer Start
China in early June — the Gaokao national university entrance exam (June 7-8) creates a remarkably quiet atmosphere in cities as families avoid unnecessary noise near exam venues, then the country erupts in celebration. Mid-June onwards is the start of summer heat and humidity in central and eastern China. Which destinations work well in June, and the Dragon Boat Festival timing.
Updated May 2026
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