Why You Should Take a Flight to China

Renowned for its cuisine, its culture and its rich history, China is a destination like no other. Book your flights to China and discover its vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes and fascinating past for yourself.

When to Book Flights to China

Stretching for thousands of miles from east to west and north to south, China’s climate is incredibly varied.

During the summer months, most parts of the country are hot and humid. July and August can be sweltering, especially in the cities, so if you’re not a big fan of the heat, it might be best to book your flight to China at a cooler time of year.

If you’re looking for Cheap Flights to China, the spring and autumn are good times to travel. From April to June and September to October the weather is generally mild, attractions are less crowded than the summer months and finding cheap flights and hotels should be easy. However, watch out for the Spring Festival. This lunar celebration sees many attractions, shops and hotels close and almost all forms of transport are packed.

From November to March, the mercury plummets and many parts of China are freezing. However, if you head to destinations in the south of the country you should still be able to enjoy a bit of sunshine and warm temperatures.

How to Find Cheap Flights to China

Finding Cheap Flights to China from UK airports is easy with Expedia. If you’re looking for flights to China from London, select ‘All London Airports’ when typing in your departure details. This will ensure you’re shown flights from all of the airports in and around the capital, helping you to find the best deal for your dates.

Sort your results using the filters on the left and the top right of the page. These allow you to arrange flights by departure time, price, travel time and airline.

If you’re still in the early stages of planning, click the ‘Show Flexible Dates’ link at the top of the results page to see if you could save money by booking your tickets to China on a different day.

UK Departures to China

• London to Shanghai – 11 hours 25 minutes
• London to Beijing – 11 hours 25 minutes (no direct flights available)
• London to Guangzhou – 11 hours 30 minutes
• London to Shenzhen – 14 hours 50 minutes (no direct flights available)

Main Airports in China

Unsurprisingly, the two busiest airports in China serve two of the country’s largest cities, Beijing and Shanghai. Both of these airports offer regular services to destinations across China and around the world and both are served by a good choice of airlines.

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, in the south of the country is another of China’s major air terminals.

Buses, trains and metro services connect most of China’s main airports with destinations in the nearby area. Taxis are also available at most terminals.

Which Airlines Fly to China?

A good choice of airlines connects the UK with airports around China.

These include:

• SAS
• British Airways
• Swiss International Air Lines
• Turkish Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Air France
• China Southern Airlines
• KLM
• Lufthansa

How to Get Around China

If you’re travelling long distance between cities in China, flying is often the most convenient way to travel. Regular internal flights connect most of China’s main destinations, making it easy to hop around the country.

There are also a number of long distance rail lines crisscrossing China. Although trains vary in comfort, this can be a fantastic way to see more of the country’s spectacular landscapes.

Within cities, taxis and buses are the most plentiful forms of transport. A number of cities have metro networks and several have regular rail services.

If you’re feeling brave you could rent a bike and explore China on two wheels, while many of the country’s cities have areas that are compact enough to navigate on foot.

Must-See Attractions in China

The most famous sight in China is the Great Wall. Over 13,000 miles long, it’s located around an hour and a half north of Beijing. As there are no direct buses or trains to the attraction, the easiest way to visit the Great Wall is to join a private tour. There are a number of sections of the wall that are open to visitors. These vary from restored, heavily visited areas to wild, crumbling sections. Talk to your guide about which part of the structure you want to see.

Another of the country’s best-known sights is the Forbidden City. Located close to Tiananmen Square in the centre of Beijing, the sprawling complex was home to the Emperors of China from 1420 to 1912.

Tips for Travelling in China

UK passport holders need a visa to enter mainland China. Contact the Chinese Embassy to find out more and apply.