Plan your trip before you go. Know the time of year you want to go and the places you want to see. Find out the best season to visit, especially if you want the coolest temperatures. When you decide where you want to go, write your itinerary. Make sure you take into consideration how large China is. It will take you time to travel from one place to the next.
Map out the areas you want to see. Calculate the distance from one place to the next. Find the best way to travel and know how long it will take you to get there. Plan your train trips, flights or bus rides in advance.
Research the food and culture so you know what to expect. There are many types of Chinese food and it will differ from Chinese food in North America. The more you know about the food and customs, the more comfortable you will be. Know the laws for each area you plan to visit.
Read about China's history before you go. Understand the political history of the places you will see on your travels.
Check websites like travelchinaguide.com and chinatravel.com to learn all about visiting China as a tourist (see Resources below). Find out what legal papers you need like your passport.
Get the vaccinations you need. Ask your doctor, a travel agent or local board of health for a list of the necessary vaccinations.
Travel in a group if you don't know the language. When you travel from place to place, you may fly or travel from small villages. People there may not speak English. Try to travel with someone who knows the language.
Visit famous places like Beijing's Great Wall of China. See Shanghai, deemed the most modern city in the world. There you can travel on a magnet train and go under a river in a pod. Visit Tiananmen Square.
