China, that vast territory that combines ancient tradition with dizzying modernity, has become an increasingly popular destination among Spanish travelers.
The Land of the Dragon (龙) offers a range of experiences, from the majesty of the Great Wall (长城) to the futuristic skyscrapers of Shanghai (上海). If you’re planning your trip to China from Spain, here’s all the information you need to make your adventure an unforgettable one.
Requirements for Traveling to China
China is currently in the process of opening up to international tourism, and many nationalities, including Spain, are exempt from applying for a short-stay tourist visa before traveling.
To enter the country, you’ll need a passport valid for at least six months.
At Asiahop, we will inform you of the current requirements before traveling if you book a trip with us. We also recommend that you consult the most up-to-date information on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Spain.
Flights from Spain to China
Air connectivity between Spain and China has improved significantly in recent years. Direct flights to Beijing (北京) and Shanghai operate from Madrid and Barcelona, mainly with Air China, China Eastern, and occasionally with Iberia. Flight times range from 11 to 13 hours depending on the destination.
These flights usually depart in the late afternoon and arrive early the next day, making them very convenient for taking advantage of your time upon arrival in China.
If you’re looking for more economical options, consider flights with stopovers in European cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam, or in Middle Eastern hubs such as Doha or Dubai. These routes can offer considerable savings, although at the cost of increasing the total trip duration. The average stopover time is usually between three and twelve hours, depending on the route.
How much does it cost to travel to China from Spain?
Traveling to China is no more expensive than traveling to other Asian countries such as Korea or Japan. Average prices for an economy-class flight for one person vary depending on the time of year. They can range from as low as €700 to as high as €1,500, depending on the route, time of year, and availability. Occasionally, you may find a special offer with less comfortable routes for less than €700.
Once in China, you’ll find that traveling within the country is no more expensive than in Spain. A high-speed train or a domestic flight across the country costs similarly to a domestic flight within Spain.
How much does accommodation cost in China?
In general, they are no more expensive than in Europe. It all depends on the category and location of the hotel. Prices in large Chinese cities are very similar to those in major European capitals, but are somewhat lower in smaller cities. You can stay in a decent hotel from €80-100 per night, and less if you stay in a hostel or youth hostel.
What daily budget do I need to travel to China?
Your daily budget should include admission to attractions, food, drinks, and nearby travel by subway, bus, and taxi.
Admission to attractions such as museums, parks, and exhibitions is very affordable. Generally, there are no separate prices for locals and foreign visitors, but there may be discounts for city residents, as they contribute their taxes to the upkeep of the attractions. For reference, admission to gardens with entrance fees can cost just under €1 per person, and to a small museum, around €5 per person.
Dance performances, concerts, and other cultural events may have prices more similar to what they would cost in Spain.
Subsidies and price regulations make local public transportation generally very affordable compared to Spain. A 20-minute taxi ride can cost just over €2 or €3. A metro ticket costs less than 50 euro cents.
The daily cost of food depends somewhat on your individual habits, but most food is very affordable, both in supermarkets and restaurants. In fact, it’s so affordable that many locals don’t find it worthwhile to cook at home given the low prices of eating out.
Even in a big city, you can find decent-quality food for less than €12-15 per person. If you opt for street vendors, you can spend even less.
For foodies who want something a little more upscale, you can eat at fine restaurants for around €20-30 per person without any problem. Beyond that, go as far as you want.
Best Time to Visit China
China is so vast that the climate varies greatly by region, with stark contrasts between north and south, coast and inland. However, generally speaking, spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant travel conditions.
It’s advisable to avoid the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year (春节, “Chūnjié”), which falls in late January or early February according to the lunar calendar. During these times, millions of Chinese travel around the country, causing transportation congestion and raising prices. If you’d like to learn more about this Chinese holiday, we’ll give you some tips before you travel.
To learn more about the different seasons and decide when is the best time to travel to China, we recommend our in-depth article on the subject: What is the Best Time to Travel to China
How to access internet in China?
Instagram, like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is not licensed to operate in China, so it’s not widely accessible within the country when you connect to public Wi-Fi, such as at a hotel or airport.
At Asiahop, we’ll recommend a foolproof method so you can legally access all these services from your mobile phone.
Some people recommend using VPN services, but we advise against it. Not only because they’re hard to use but also because they don’t work properly, as internet access services often block these tools in China, leaving you without a connection.
When you create your travel plan, we’ll provide you with an electronic SIM card that you can use without limitations while traveling in China. This service depends on traveling with a phone that accepts eSIMs; most modern smartphones do.
What to See in China
In such a vast country, you need to have a clear travel plan. Do you like big cities? Do you prefer nature? A combination of both, perhaps? Do you want to meet ethnic groups in remote villages or are you more into shopping?
China offers many different faces to its visitors, and your travel experience can be combined with whatever you desire. Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong are some of the great skyscraper cities that light up at nightfall, draping the city skylines in an immense array of colors.
Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Hangzhou are examples of history, buildings, and landscapes from the classical era. With their walls, palaces, and gardens, they transport you to the imperial China that illuminated the world for hundreds of years as the commercial, cultural, and technological power it once was.
Yunnan and the Xinjiang region offer foreign travelers a lesser-known side of China with their variety of natural, mountainous, and wild landscapes, always accompanied by the strong personality of their local ethnic groups, so different from the rest of the country.
The fine sandy beaches and seafood of Hainan, the endless grasslands of Inner Mongolia, and the Venetian canals of Suzhou and its surroundings are just a sample of the wonders China has to offer. We invite you to dream up your ideal trip with our help.
The Chinese Cultural Experience
Beyond the monuments, China offers a fascinating cultural immersion. Participate in a tea ceremony (茶道), where every gesture has meaning. Wake up at dawn to join locals practicing tai chi (太极拳) in public parks.
If your trip coincides with a traditional holiday like the Lantern Festival (元宵节) or the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), you’ll have the opportunity to witness ancient traditions that are still very much alive in today’s society.
Conclusion
Traveling to China is like embarking on a journey through time, where ancient traditions coexist with the most passionate modernity. It’s an experience that transforms the perspective of any European traveler and leaves an indelible mark. China surprises and captivates. It’s rare to find someone who has traveled to China and doesn’t want to return sometime later to continue exploring it.
Are you ready to discover China? At Asiahop, we can design a tailor-made trip to China that fits your interests, time, and budget. Contact us for a personalized trip plan to China and start planning your adventure through the fascinating country known as “The Middle Kingdom” (中国).