China: the beating heart of Asia alive with lanterns, culture and mouth-watering dishes
Discover the beautiful country of China and fall in love with the abundance that it offers. China has etched its history and customs across the globe, with a population of 1.4 billion residents! Top attractions include The Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Museum in Xi’an and the Great Wall of China, which spans 6000 km's across the country.
Cheap flights to China are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to be engulfed by the attractions of this fascinating country! China is home to the capital city’s Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which is an estimated 45-minute drive to Beijing’s city centre. Beijing Capital International Airport serves a multitude of airlines - including Air China, Emirates and Ethiopian Airways. Non-stop international flights to Beijing departure from Johannesburg. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Beijing is approximately 14 hours.
Popular flights to China
Flight Route
Airline
Trip Type
Travel Dates
Searched
Price From
* Please note that the prices are subject to availability and block out dates do apply over peak season.
Why visit China
Festivals
This country of festivals will have you lighting lanterns, participating in dragon dances, eating unique dishes such as tang yuan (sweet rice balls) over Chinese New Year and celebrating all that is good in the world.
Ancient Temples
Once, great emperors, royal families and powerful spiritual masters inhabited the ancient temples that are scattered throughout the country. The Temple of Heaven in Beijing and Fallen Temple in Xi’an are must-sees.
Cuisine
The Chinese have always been inventive when it comes to food, and are known to use the freshest, and sometimes most bizarre, mix of ingredients to fascinate your taste buds and hook you for life.
General information
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi
Exchange Rate
1 ZAR = 0.52 CNY
Language
Mandarin
Hub Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Airline
Air China
Time Zone
GMT+8
Travel Adaptor
Type A / C / I
Best time to visit China
China has four distinct seasons and goes from overly hot and humid in the summertime to icy cold in winter. Over the summer time the cities are really full and overcrowded, and it gets excessively hot and humid too. Winter is the polar opposite in terms of temperature and some regions are prone to snow. It is still really beautiful to visit, providing you dress accordingly.
The best time to visit would have to be during spring time (March to early June). During this time there is little fog in the big cities, and it is pleasantly warm all over, without the overcrowding of the summertime tourists.
Weather & Climate in China (Beijing)
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall levels (mm) per month
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Low °C
-9°C
-7°C
-1°C
7°C
13°C
18°C
22°C
20°C
14°C
7°C
0°C
-7°C
High °C
2°C
4°C
11°C
20°C
26°C
30°C
31°C
30°C
26°C
19°C
10°C
3°C
Rainfall (mm)
3
6
9
26
29
71
176
182
49
19
6
2
The Chinese have a history that goes back more than 4000 years and was first introduced to the world through the writings of merchant traveller, Marco Polo. From their magnificent emperors in dragon-protected palaces to the beginnings of some of the world’s most famous form of martial art, Kung Fu, this vast country has a history like no other. The customs and traditions of the region have since travelled far and wide so a visit to this enchanting country is a definite for any traveller!
China has more than 600 cities and a population of just under 1.4 billion residents, so though one country, the people, faces, cuisine and landscapes are as diverse as you can imagine. One thing that you can count on is the fantastic cuisine that spans the country. Food consists of everything, including steaming bowls of noodles and rice, paper-thin dumplings and fried wontons, raw seafood and sweet and sour exotic meats – China has it all and so much more.
As for places to see and adventures to go on, you’ll never run out of options. From the busy local markets, to expansive rice paddy farms, to majestic mountain ranges and towering sky-scraper cities, you’ll find a bit of everything for every kind of traveller. Some of the country’s top attractions include The Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Museum in Xi’an and the Great Wall of China, with a length of 6000km across the country.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to China online at Travelstart!
South Africans who wish to visit China will need a visa to do so. To complete your application you will need to submit two passport photos, a copy of your ID, proof of accommodation for your stay in the country, and various other documents. You will also need to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your departure.
For more information, please contact the Embassy of China:
China is a really safe country as a whole, with almost no worry concerning violent crimes. Petty theft can be a problem in the major cities so it would be best to keep your belongings out of sight and to be on the lookout for any scam artists.
As for the food, try to eat at only registered restaurants or street stalls that have a good online reputation. Also, stick to bottled water or boiled-down water.
It is recommended to get your routine vaccinations before your trip to China. There are no health travel requirements to enter the country, but is a good idea to get a shot for hepatitis A and typhoid. Please consult with your doctor about this before your trip.
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