Cheap flights to China
Cheap flights to China land you in a country with many big gateways, so the airport you choose shapes the whole trip. Beijing is the capital and the usual first stop for history and government business. Shanghai and Shenzhen pull in finance and trade travellers, while Guangzhou and Chengdu suit food-led city breaks. Sanya is the beach option, and Urumqi, Kunming, Xi'an, Xiamen, Hangzhou and Chongqing each open a different region.
Cities with flights
Gateways
Beijing is the capital, so it suits first-time visitors and anyone mixing sightseeing with meetings. Shanghai and Shenzhen are the business hubs, and Guangzhou and Chengdu fit food-led city breaks. Sanya is the coast and resort pick. Xi'an, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, Chongqing and Urumqi are regional doors — choose one if you want a single province rather than a grand tour.
Before you go: China
- Currency
- CNY (¥)
- Power sockets
- Type A, C, I · 220 V
- Language
- Putonghua
- Emergency number
- 110, 119, 120
- Driving side
- right
- Calling code
- +86
- Internet domain
- .cn, .中国
Country facts: Wikidata
When to go
Spring and autumn are the mildest windows across most of the country, and they are also the busiest. The Lunar New Year rush, the summer school holidays and the early October national holiday week fill planes fast, so book early if your dates land there. If you can move, late winter and the weeks after the autumn break bring calmer terminals and easier seats. The far south around Sanya and Guangzhou stays warm through winter, while Beijing, Xi'an and Urumqi turn properly cold.