China family-friendly travel guide

The best time to visit China is autumn (September-October) when the weather is pleasantly mild and tourist numbers are relatively low, or spring (March-April). Winters can be very cold, and trips into high altitude regions are generally not recommended at the height of winter (December-February). In summer (June-September), temperatures regularly climb over 30 degrees. Public holidays, especially Chinese New Year, are best avoided, as accommodation can be very difficult to find.

Average temperature: 31° C

Average rainfall: 153mm

Average temperature: 19° C

Average rainfall: 29mm

Average temperature: 2° C

Average rainfall: 4mm

Average temperature: 20° C

Average rainfall: 20mm

Visitors to China require a passport valid for at least six months after the duration of intended stay, and you may also be required to provide proof of onward/return travel such as a return air ticket.

Australian citizens require a visa prior to arrival in China. Check with the Chinese embassy or consulate and ensure your family have the appropriate visas for the purpose of your visit and length of stay.

Beijing Capital International (PEK) is the main international airport in Beijing and the busiest airport in China. It is located 28km northeast of Beijing’s city centre.

Pudong International Airport (PVG) is Shanghai’s international airport, located in the eastern part of Pudong district.

China’s borders encompass much of Eastern Asia. To the east its long stretch of coastline follows the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea between Vietnam and North Korea. In the north it borders Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan, while its Western neighbours include Pakistan, India and Nepal. Beyond its southern borders lie Burma, Laos and Vietnam.

From Australia the most popular direct flights are to Shanghai and Beijing on the mainland. You can also transfer to the mainland from Hong Kong or Taipei. Most flights from Australia to mainland China go via Sydney, Hong Kong or Singapore.

In Beijing, the airport is a 40- to 60-minute drive from Beijing’s central business district. Metered taxis are available outside arrivals. It’s advisable to have your destination written down in Chinese or indicated on a map.

The Airport-City Shuttle Bus departs from outside Arrivals and takes three routes into the city: Xidan, Gongzhufen and Zhongguancun. The most popular route is to Xidan in central Beijing, a short walk from the Forbidden City. The other routes are to Gongzhufen in western Beijing and to Zhongguancun in the city’s northwest district; the shuttle also stops at major hotels.

An ABC (Airport to Beijing City) express train is also available to transport tourists from the airport into the city in 18 minutes.

The quickest way into Shanghai from the airport is a ride on the amazing Maglev, the world’s first commercial magnetic levitation train. The fare is 40RMB for a single trip economy ticket if you have a place ticket of the same day and the 30km journey takes eight minutes.

Taxis are available outside the airport: ensure that the driver switches on the meter before you start your journey. There are also four bus routes from the airport reaching different parts of Shanghai, including many of the major hotels.

Public buses in Beijing cost practically nothing but with kids in tow they’re really only recommended for short distances as they’re notoriously slow, cramped and hot. Subway is a good way to travel around the city, with 21 routes in operation.  Most destinations cost 3RMB and the subway is a great way to escape Beijing’s traffic chaos.

Public transport in Beijing and Shanghai is excellent and cheap. Taxis in both cities are relatively affordable although it helps to have the name of your destination written down in Chinese to help overcome the language barrier.

Shanghai has a very extensive, well-organised and rather high tech public transport network. You can get around the city via the fast Metro rail lines, cruise between Pudong and Puxi on the ferry, or brave the traffic via bus, taxi or hire car.

Car hire is available in major cities, however most tourists take the safer option of hiring a car with driver for a day or week.

Flying is the fastest way to travel between provincial cities – private air carriers have recently been allowed to fly domestic routes and discount air tickets are becoming easier to find. There is a 50RMB airport tax payable on all domestic flights.

For long overland trips, rail is usually the best option – trains reach every province in mainland China and there are some incredibly scenic rail routes. Long distance buses are frequent and cheap, but slow and overcrowded – in rural areas some of the “major” roads are still barely passable.

When planning travel outside of China’s major cities, particularly remote and rural areas, parents may want to consider a pre-arranged, all-inclusive tour, which can be booked with a travel agent prior to arrival in the country.

It goes without saying that China is one of the world’s great culinary destinations. While kids whose impression of Chinese fare has been limited to Mongolian lamb and honey chicken might find their tastebuds need a little adjusting, nobody, no matter what their tastes, will be starved for choice in China’s bustling cities.

Traditional Chinese fare varies from region to region. Northern cookery, as found in Beijing, is typically hearty fare aimed at providing sustenance during harsh winters; wheat buns, dumplings, pancakes and noodles are all staples here. The region’s Mongolian and Muslim neighbours also influence northern cooking; hot-pots and grilled meats are well loved. The traditional Eastern style of Shanghai enjoys plenty of fresh seafood, as well as dried and salted foods that could survive frosty winters and scorching summers. You’ll also no doubt discover Szechuan cooking, characterised by fiery chilli and pepper flavours, and Cantonese, which incorporates many of China’s more unusual ingredients!

Some must-try dishes

Peking duck: Beijing’s most famous dish, this veritable feast consists of multiple courses that use nearly every part of the duck. The crispy duck skin served with wafer-thin pancakes is divine.

Mongolian hot-pot: a hearty stew of meat, greens and noodles served in a brass or copper pot. Condiments like sesame paste and chilli sauce are provided at your table and you flavour the dish to your own liking.

Yum cha: not one dish but an incredible array of fried and steamed morsels, from seafood-stuffed spring rolls to fluffy pork buns, yum cha (literally “drink tea”) is traditionally a brunch affair; the tea is equally as important as the food.

Dining at a Chinese restaurant is a very social affair; dishes are always ordered to share communally around the table.

If you’re hankering for Western food, it’s easy to find in the major cities. The fast food chains are out in force, not only in Shanghai and Beijing but also in regional centres all over the country. Don’t forget though, that a lot of Chinese food is fast and cheap anyway, and a quick snack from a food court or market stall is probably far more nutritious than a greasy hunk of fried chicken. Italian food, especially pizza, is quite popular. Café and bistro-style western food is widely available, while for a pretty penny you can dine on world-class contemporary cuisine at Shanghai or Beijing’s poshest restaurants and hotels.

China is a shopper’s paradise. Think of how many goods, from fashion to electronics, are imported into Australia from China. Purchasing these goods in their country of origin means there are some incredible bargains to be had. The best places for big bargains are the local markets, where you’ll undoubtedly put your haggling skills to the test. In these colourful enclaves you’ll find all manner of fake designer goods and pirated wares (check the labels carefully because you can sometimes pick up genuine goods that are seconds or factory overruns). You will also encounter a dazzling array of arts, crafts and antiques – but be very wary of fakes.

In Chinese cities you may come across “Friendship Stores”. These state-owned stores were once the only places were foreigners could buy luxury and imported items in China. Up until the 1990s, you needed to have special money known as FECs “Foreign Exchange Certificates” to purchase goods from Friendship Stores. These days, plastic and paper money is fine and Friendship Stores are much the same as other city department stores, offering a variety of goods such as silk, jewellery, embroidered tablecloths and blouses, paintings, porcelain, pottery and handicrafts. Prices may be higher than at other Chinese stores but quality is usually high and the government stores have a reputation for honesty. Friendship Stores are slowly disappearing as the big chains make headway but they are still an interesting reminder of China’s anti-capitalist past.

Antiques were once big business in China but sadly there’s little left of any real worth available to the casual shopper. Most of what you find in shops and markets will be replicas, although they are often of a very high quality. When you buy an item over 100 years old it comes with an official red wax seal attached. You will also get a receipt of sale, which you must show to customs on departure – otherwise the antique will be confiscated. Other good buys in China including paintings such as watercolours and calligraphy scrolls. For kids and grown-ups interested in stamps, China issues a dazzling array of beautiful stamps that are available in post offices and hotels. In markets everywhere you’ll find all kinds of outrageously tacky souvenirs, which the kids will love!

Beware that many food products and herbal medicines cannot be brought back into Australia. Avoid buying any product made from endangered or protected animals and plants.

Tipping is not customary in China although it’s slowly becoming more widespread. Small tips can be offered to tour guides, tour bus drivers, porters and waiters in five-star hotels and restaurants, but in general, tipping is not expected. Small gifts may be a better way to show your appreciation to guides and hosts.

Luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants usually add a service charge of 10% to the bill.

Casual but conservative clothing is appropriate, whether you’re out and about in the city or exploring the countryside. Revealing clothing is generally considered quite inappropriate. The Chinese like to dress fashionably and appreciate neat attire. In summer, much of China is hot and humid. Lightweight, hand-washable clothing is best, particularly cotton garments. Pack layered clothing, boots and jackets for winter, particularly if you are heading up north where the winters can be freezing.

The suppression of traditional forms of Chinese culture and religion during the communist Cultural Revolution took its toll on mainland China, but today traditional culture is making a strong recovery. The majority of Chinese still identify themselves as non-religious, but religion, rituals and superstition play a significant role in the lives of many Chinese, especially the beliefs of Taoism and Confucianism. The rituals of ancient folk religion, especially ancestor worship (paying homage to dead ancestors) are still very widespread, even among practitioners of other religions. Buddhism has a very strong following in China, and there are many Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the country.

Foreigners sometimes perceive certain Chinese customs and habits as rather impolite or improper public behaviour. In fact, Chinese society stresses the importance of manners and formal etiquette; it’s just carried out in a very different way compared with western ideas of etiquette.

For example, Chinese people do not normally greet people they haven’t been introduced to or are not familiar with, nor is it customary to shake hands with someone you’ve just met.

It’s standard practice to have a name card or business card to give to people when introduced. When meeting someone it is not impolite to ask about a person’s age, marital status, job or annual salary; by contrast questions about family tend to be deflected or avoided.

Kids will be very pleased to know that slurping soup, burping and generally being loud and messy while eating is not considered rude; rather, it is taken as a sign that the diner is enjoy him or herself, and therefore viewed as a compliment to the chef/host!

Electricity in China is 220V, 50 cycles, AC. Two-pin sockets and some three-pin sockets are in use. Most of the hotels have a socket in the bathroom for both 110V and 220V. However, outside of the bathroom, only 220V sockets are provided. It is recommended you bring your own adapter plug.

It is important to see your GP before you travel to China and get the necessary vaccinations. There is a higher malaria risk in rural regions of China.

Tap Water

The tap water in China is not safe to drink. Drink only bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals, and make sure ice is made from bottled water.

It is important to see your GP before you travel to China and get the necessary vaccinations. There is no malaria risk in China’s popular tourist regions.

China can experience typhoons during summer and autumn and sometimes there are earthquakes.

Chinese has eight major dialect groups. The most commonly spoken is Putonghua (Mandarin), as is spoken in Beijing. Mandarin is spoken by around 70 percent of China’s population. Chinese is very different to English as it is a tonal language, with up to eight tones depending on the dialect, and its complex script consists of about 50,000 different characters (around 2000 are in common use in mainland China). Fortunately for travellers, as tourism has spread throughout China, so has the use of English. You’ll find English is widely spoken in hotels, shops and restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai and other major centres.

Outside the big cities though, you’ll rarely hear English spoken. Here are a few basic Chinese words and phrases to help you get by.

Hello – Ni hao
Goodbye – Zai jian
Thank you – Xie xie
My name is… – Wo jiao
What is your name? – Ni jiao shenme mingzi?
I’m from… – Wo shi cong… – lai de
How much is it? – Duo shao qian?
That’s too expensive – Tai gui le
Where is the…? – zai na li…?
Bathroom – Ce suo
Train station – Huo che zhan
Airport – Fei ji chang
Bus station – Qi che zhan
One – Yi
Two – Er
Three – San
Four – Si

The obvious answer is the Great Wall of China and the other heritage sites listed above, like the Forbidden City. Some of the other most photographed locations include the Li River, Lijiang and Xitang Water Town. Some more general locations include the region of Tibet and rice fields, which can be found in various parts of China.