YOUR TAILOR-MADE TRIP TO CHINA

CHINESE LANTERN

Planning a trip to China?
We make it simple. 

From the Great Wall to the Giant Pandas: Explore the Land of the Dragon.

Hi! We're Antonella and Ludovico.

Every trip we plan is designed to make the soul vibrateWhether you want to relax, explore, immerse yourself in culture, or embark on an intense adventure, our goal is for you to return home with deep emotions, lasting memories, and authentic connections with the places and people you encounter.

Our approach

Every itinerary starts from one careful study of the territory and a tailored attention to detail. We collaborate with selected local partners and agencies to guarantee genuine experiences, respectful of the culture, nature and traditions of the places visited.

Thanks to the collaboration with Evolution Travel and our associated page almavivaviaggi.com, we offer:

  • Personalized consultancy, built on listening to the wishes of each traveler;
  • Trips of all types, from the simplest to the most exclusive;
  • Constant and discreet assistance before, during and after departure.
Coroncina Lechuguita

Some useful information for traveling to China

Yes, a tourist visa (Type “L”) is mandatory. and it must be requested Before of departure. Unlike the USA (ESTA online) or Japan (no visa), the procedure for China is more complex. You must fill out an online form and then go in person (or through an agency) to the Chinese Visa Center (present in Rome, Milan, Florence) to deposit your passport and have your fingerprints taken. There are exceptions (e.g., 144-hour transit), but for a tourist trip, a traditional visa is the norm. We'll take care of all the assistance you need for this process.

No. This is the most important point to understand. Because of the “Great Firewall”, all major Western services in China are blocked: Google (including Maps, Gmail), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), YouTube, Netflix and many others. To use them, you must install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your phone and PC BEFORE leaving. Once in China, you will no longer be able to download it.

This is the biggest difficulty for a tourist today. China is a society almost 100% cashless, but it is not based on credit cards, but on QR Code payment app (WeChat Pay and Alipay).

  • Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard): They work Alone In large international hotels and very few luxury chains. They are not accepted in restaurants, shops, taxis, or markets.

  • Cash (Yuan): They're increasingly difficult to use; many shopkeepers don't even carry change.

  • Solution (Subtlety): The best solution is to download the app Alipay, create an account and connect your international credit card to the app. This will allow you to pay almost anywhere by scanning QR codes, just like locals do.

Since Google Maps is blocked (or works poorly and has no walking/transit directions), you'll have to use alternatives.

  1. VPN: If you have a VPN active, Google Maps may work.

  2. Offline Maps: Download offline city maps on Google Maps Before to leave. The GPS will work, but you won't have traffic or transportation data.

  3. Alternative Apps: Apple Maps (for iPhone users) works much better than Google in China. For public transportation, apps like Amap o Baidu Maps (but they are in Chinese) are the most used by locals.

Yes, as far as common crime (theft, mugging, assault) is concerned, China is extremely safe, much more so than many European or American cities, thanks to extensive territorial control. You can move around alone, even at night, with complete peace of mind. The only "security" you need to be careful about is digital security and freedom of expression: avoid political discussions and always keep your VPN active if you want to access your social media.

Sockets in China are a “mix”. You will often find sockets Type A (two blades, like USA/Japan) and sockets Type I (three oblique blades, like Australia). Many sockets in hotels are "universal" and also accept our plug. Type C (two round pins). Advise: Bring a universal adapter. The voltage is 220V (like in Italy), so your hair dryer and straightener will work without problems (with the right adapter).

Hi! We're Antonella and Ludovico.

Every trip we plan is designed to make the soul vibrateWhether you want to relax, explore, immerse yourself in culture, or embark on an intense adventure, our goal is for you to return home with deep emotions, lasting memories, and authentic connections with the places and people you encounter.

Our approach

Every itinerary starts from one careful study of the territory and a tailored attention to detail. We collaborate with selected local partners and agencies to guarantee genuine experiences, respectful of the culture, nature and traditions of the places visited.

Thanks to the collaboration with Evolution Travel and our associated page almavivaviaggi.com, we offer:

  • Personalized consultancy, built on listening to the wishes of each traveler;
  • Trips of all types, from the simplest to the most exclusive;
  • Constant and discreet assistance before, during and after departure.