planning
All travel guides tagged with "planning".
57 articles — page 5 of 10
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China 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
Read →itinerary
East 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
Read →family
China with Kids 2026: Best Destinations, Theme Parks & Family-Friendly Travel Tips
Travelling China with children — the best family destinations (Chengdu panda base is universally beloved by children, Shanghai Disneyland, Beijing's Olympic Park), how to handle the squat toilet situation, child car seats in DiDi (technically optional but available), baby formula and nappies availability, and the extraordinary warmth Chinese people show towards foreign children.
Updated May 2026
Read →toolkit
First-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
Read →seasonal
China 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
Read →China Golden Week (National Day) Survival Guide 2026: October 1-7 Travel Tips
Surviving Golden Week in China — 800 million domestic tourists travelling simultaneously for October 1-7. The places to avoid (every listed scenic spot, any city called 'the most beautiful'), the places that are actually manageable (smaller cities, northwest China, any destination requiring a flight), and the contrarian guide to actually enjoying China during Golden Week.
Updated May 2026
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