Officially known as the People’s Republic of China, China is a vast country in East Asia, and the world's most populous nation. It has a rich history that spans thousands of years, marked by numerous dynasties, cultural developments, and significant contributions to art, science, and philosophy. Today, China is known for its rapid economic growth, diverse landscapes ranging from mountains and deserts to rivers and fertile plains, and its role as a major global player in politics, trade, and technology.
Its capital, Beijing, located in the north, is one of the most important cultural, political, and historical centres in the country. It is a bustling metropolis, home to famous landmarks like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven (It's even close to the Great Wall), and a hub for education, culture, and international diplomacy. Additionally, China has two Special Administrative Regions (SAR): Hong Kong and Macau.
Hong Kong is a vibrant, bustling city in the southern coast near the South China Sea. It has a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures due to its time as a British colony until 1997, and is famous for its shopping, diverse cuisine, efficient public transport, and lively arts and entertainment scenes, and is a major global financial centre and one of the world’s busiest ports.
And Macau, known as the “Las Vegas of Asia”, is located on the southern coast just west of Hong Kong, and is one of the richest cities in the world, famous for its vibrant casino and gambling industry. Similar to Hong Kong, Macau was once a Portuguese colony for over 400 years until it was returned to China in 1999. It features a fascinating mix of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and festivals. Beyond gambling, it’s also known for historic sites such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and a rich culinary tradition blending Cantonese and Portuguese influences.
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Due to its diverse geography and climate, floods, droughts, earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, and forest fires are frequent.
China does perform on-the-spot fines, particularly for traffic violations and certain minor offenses. Fines for traffic violations can vary by city and can range from about 100¥ (~£10) to several hundred. Some cities have strict anti-littering laws, which fines can come between 50¥ (~£5) to 500¥ (~£52), depending on the city and severity, acts like jaywalking, public drunkenness, or disturbing public order can result in warnings or fines (starting around 100¥), taking photos in restricted areas, such as military zones or certain government buildings, is prohibited and can lead to fines or confiscation of equipment, and certain parks or protected areas have rules against picking plants or feeding wildlife, with fines imposed for violations.
The official languages of China are Mandarin/Putonghua (Standard Chinese), while English is an official language in Hong Kong, and Portuguese is an official language in Macau.
To visit China, most travellers need to obtain a visa before arrival. Requirements include: a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay, a completed visa application form, and supporting documents relevant to the visa type (e.g., invitation letter for business or study, proof of accommodation for tourism). Fingerprinting may also be required for certain visa types. Overstaying a visa or working illegally can lead to fines, detention, or deportation. Fines for overstaying may start at around 500¥ per day.
Vehicles drive on the right hand side in mainland China, while Hong Kong and Macau, drive on the left. The minimum age to drive is 18 years old. Mainland China does not accept international driving permits or foreign driving licences as valid for driving. Instead, a temporary driving permit (also known as a Provisional Driving Permit) must be applied. To get one, you will need your passport with a valid visa, your original license, a notarised Chinese translation (sealed) of your licence and passport, proof of temporary residence (e.g., hotel registration or a certificate from the local police/police station), and recent passport-size photos, often white-background./p>
Applications are typically same-day and straightforward once you have the documents, with payment generally costing around ¥10 for issuance plus translation and photo fees. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, applications are handled at Vehicle Management Offices or even international airports, with some locations require you to watch a short instructional video and/or take a quick medical/eye check. Also, these permits are typically for rental car use only. They may not allow driving privately owned or locally owned vehicles unless they’re rentals.
The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 18. Major rental brands (e.g., eHi, Hertz, Avis) are available—typically in large cities. But they require a valid Chinese permit and a proper credit card, and foreign tourists are limited to vehicle categories similar to those permitted by your home country license (typically, C1/C2: small manual or automatic passenger cars), and vehicle insurance is mandatory and typically offered or required.
Traffic can be chaotic and signage is often confusing, especially for non-Chinese speakers. Accidents or disputes may unfairly assume the foreign driver is at fault. Some travellers report being pulled over frequently. So, do be careful and do research beforehand.
The legal limit is 0.02%, driving with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08% is considered 'driving after drinking', resulting in fines of 1,000¥ to 2,000¥ (~£104 - £208) and a 6-month license suspension, and going over 0.08% will result in a minimum 5-year license suspension and potential imprisonment.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.