Organize your trip to China
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You are interested in China and you have decided to go there to discover its culture. We have prepared in this article the important information to prepare your trip to China.
Book your plane ticket
If you decide to start your trip by going to Shanghai, do some research using flight comparators. The average ticket for a round-trip flight from Paris to Shanghai is €659.
You can choose between direct flights or flights with stopovers. Flights with connection can have several stopovers of varying length and last between 14h and 18h. Direct flights: You will have to leave from Roissy airport. And it takes about 11 hours of flight, between Charles de Gaulle and Shanghai Pudong.
Prices vary depending on your month and departure dates. If you are leaving in June, you can take advantage of a cheap ticket to Paris Shanghai. It is even more interesting when tickets are purchased 2 to 3 months in advance.
Organize your transfer to the airport
Going to China is a trip that can be an adventure. A little stressful at times. Avoid adding stress by forgetting to prepare your trip to Roissy airport.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is huge. If this is your first international flight, arriving early will avoid any unnecessary stress.
If it's your family or friends who are taking you, remember to specify the time you want them to drop you off. Leave some time, an accident, roadworks and you'll quickly find yourself running to your boarding point.
You can choose to drive to the airport yourself. It is then imperative to search for and book your parking at Roissy before your departure, if you do not want to end up with an exorbitant bill. For your Roissy parking, you can opt for private providers who offer places with shuttle to the airport. You will save money.
From Shanghai Airport to City Center
The international airport is located 45 km from Shanghai city center and you will have several ways to reach your destination.
The easiest and fastest way to get to Shanghai city center will be to take a taxi. But it is also the most expensive way. To find an official taxi, go to the official stands at the exit of the terminals. You will arrive in the city in about 45 minutes and it will cost you between €20 and €30.
The metro is the cheapest way. The ticket is only €1. Line 2 goes to the airport and goes to the city center. You will have no trouble getting a metro, as departures are every 8 minutes. However, line 2 can be overloaded during rush hours, which is not ideal if you have a lot of luggage. Study the metro map carefully to find the stop closest to your hotel.
The ultra-fast Maglev train is another option and an experience in itself. Going at 430 km/h, the train reaches Longyang Road Station in 8 minutes. Then you will have to take line 2 to reach your destination. Count €6.50 for the experience.
Above all, have the name of your hotel or your destination address written down in Chinese. You can show it to the taxi driver or if you need to ask for help.
Prepare for entry formalities into mainland China
A visa is required to enter mainland China. There are several types of visa: tourist or business, single or multiple entry.
A form must be completed before you can make an appointment at a Chinese visa application center or consulate general.
At the appointment, you will need to present the following documents. Make sure you have everything to avoid any disappointments.
- Your passport with 2 consecutive blank pages, valid for more than 6 months from the date of visa application
- A photocopy of the same passport
- The completed and signed form
- Two passport photos
- Photocopies of your hotel reservations and round-trip airline ticket
- A certificate of international insurance
The visa fee is €126 per person for French and Belgian nationals. It takes 6 days to obtain the visa.
The China tourist visa is valid for 30 days once in China and you have 3 months after obtaining the visa to enter. It is recommended to apply at least 1 month before your departure date but not more than 2 months.
What you want to do, see, taste and bring back from China
Going to China can be the trip of a lifetime. There is no question of returning to France without having discovered all the cultural and gastronomic treasures that China has to offer.
Arm yourself with a travel guide. Do some research on the internet. It is possible to have access to countless information that will allow you to have in mind all the things you want to see and discover.
Make lists of places you want to visit, cities you want to go to. This will also help you organize your stay and the activities you want to do.
It would be a shame to return without a souvenir from this country that has so much to offer. You can bring back souvenirs for your family and friends. Think for example of chinese clothes, especially silk dresses, but also porcelain and fans.
