Is it worth flying to China? Which regions of China can Russians enter without a visa?
Several years ago I had the opportunity to travel to China on my own. In this article I will tell you about all the intricacies of this way of visiting this wonderful country. Of course, if you already have a paid tourist trip to China, then there’s no point in making a fuss. In this case, feel free to travel with a tour group.
If you don't have a lot of money... Or does the spirit of adventurism live in you... Or, by the will of fate, you just ended up not far from China... Then.. Then it might be worth trying to go on your own. So, read this article. I hope it helps you..
How I decided to go to China
As a matter of fact, the thought of visiting this interesting country I had it quite a long time ago. There are several reasons for this.
First, I have been to Europe quite a lot, but never to Asia. I wanted to compare.
The second - when I was in military service (a very long time ago:) I served literally on the border with China and... of course, I also wanted to see it from then on.
Well, and thirdly, by the nature of my work. At that time, our company transported a lot of goods from China. And I had to communicate a lot with the Chinese. I even started learning Chinese a little :). Well, the Chinese actively invited us to visit.
By the way, all the photos in the series of articles about China are mine :) And they are clickable (enlarge by click).
Well... The bosses (and then I was still an employee) instructed me to open branches in Far East. Vladivostok. Khabarovsk. Blagoveshchensk And again the old idea of traveling independently to China was revived. Why not? After all, here he is - nearby..
Options for getting into China
In general, if you live in the European part of Russia. Or, like me, in the Urals, a trip to China will be quite expensive. Of course, the main expense item is air tickets. Well, in general, any tickets to China. What are the general options for getting to China on your own?
A. Train Moscow-Beijing. This is the most exotic option. For those who have nothing to do, it is interesting to travel a lot. The train is coming only in Russia about a week. Yes, and then in China for several days. To be honest, I don’t know anyone in their right mind who would make such a trip :).
b. Direct flight to China. Well, or with transfers. This is probably the most correct option for most lovers of independent travel to China. Despite the fact that air tickets are quite expensive, sometimes there are very good discounts. And you can fly (or fly) from China two or three times cheaper regular price. By the way, that’s how I flew back from Beijing. On such a sale ticket. Also look at air tickets not to Beijing, but to other cities in China. Sometimes (very rarely) it is more profitable to fly to other cities and then travel by train or buses. But there are ambushes, which are discussed below...
Flights are very inexpensive - come here!
V. If you somehow ended up in Kazakhstan, then try driving from Almaty to Urumqi. You can get there by regular minibus. I myself saw how Chinese migrant workers boarded a minibus (by the way, a stop next to the main market of Almaty) and left for China. Most likely there are more civilized buses and trains. But then you need to go to Guangzhou. And from there to Beijing. I haven’t traveled this way myself, so look elsewhere for similar options.
G. Well, if you somehow find yourself in the Far East or nearby... That's bingo! From here the easiest route to China opens up for independent travel! Simple enough cutting the barbed wire at the border, wearing shoes with hoof prints and under the cover of darkness... drive just a few kilometers and you are in China!
Yes. And I'm considering exactly tourist trip. And it basically assumes that you will somehow end up in Beijing. At the beginning of a journey or at the end. I am not considering holiday options on Hainan Island... This one is from another opera :)
How did I get to China?
I had the opportunity to travel to Blagoveshchensk at the expense of the company where I worked. Again, on company business. I came to Blagoveshchensk from Khabarovsk. By the way, you can get to China directly from Khabarovsk. As far as I remember, there is a bus from Khabarovsk to the local Chinese border town (I forgot the name, it starts with F). But he travels about a hundred or more kilometers. It was inconvenient for me then.
So here it is. To travel to China on my own, I chose to cross the border in the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe area. Fortunately, these cities stand on two opposite banks of the river at a distance of 5 kilometers from each other. In summer, small boats go there. In winter... I don't know. I was there in the fall. And we were transported by hovercraft. But that was three years ago. Now they say that the bridge has already been built.
From Heihe I took the train to Harbin. And from there by train to Beijing. From Beijing I flew directly to Yekaterinburg by plane. That's it in a nutshell. I will tell you in more detail about each stage further….
3. A little about China... Boring and necessary information
So. Read some information about China before your trip. I will write here “all in a heap.” What will I remember? So, great, don’t scold me :)
Car license.
As far as I know, European rights to China are not valid. Although, of course, I can accidentally lie. Better find out for yourself. But... I would not advise you to drive on the roads of the Celestial Empire on your own in a rented car, even you will have such an opportunity. Why? It's all about traffic...
Road traffic.
For a solo traveler to China, the traffic at first glance will look like hell! A huge number of cars and everyone is going somewhere! Everyone honks with or without reason... Veselukha! Moreover, oddly enough, there are no accidents. A European driver will feel uncomfortable in such a mess.
By the way, it’s also fun for pedestrians. The fact is that Chinese car owners are NOT required to give way to pedestrians at pedestrian intersections. That is, cars pass first, and then pedestrians in small dashes....:). Despite this, I did not see any pedestrians injured. Moreover, several times I had to cross a huge 10-lane road with a broken traffic light. And nothing... Cars honk, but let them through...
Yuan
During my trip the yuan exchange rate was 5:1. Now... now higher. You can change Yuan for a trip to China yourself without any problems right at the border. I don’t know about airports, but in the city of Heihe they change it right at customs without any problems. The rate is much more profitable than in Russia. By the way, in Russia you still often cannot find yuan in exchange offices.
About use bank cards. And cash withdrawals. I didn't use it. But friends who tried to pay for purchases Russian maps Visa complained that there were ambushes. So, it’s better to look for information on this topic on other resources.
Language.
Chinese, oddly enough, is quite easy to learn. More on this below. More precisely, in another article.. I recommend... I strongly recommend... stock up on cards on which basic “tourist” phrases will be written in hieroglyphs on one side (and Russian words on the other, so you don’t get confused :)). And the name of the cities where you will go (to purchase tickets).
Yes. The Russian language is well understood and spoken in border towns. The Chinese will no longer understand you further from the border. And even in Beijing very few people speak English. In Russian - even less. So, independent travelers to China, learn Chinese!
Mentality
The Chinese are mostly simple, open people. They helped me all the time. They suggested. Very polite. In general, the Chinese are quite straightforward :). What they think is what they say. Well, of course, if they don’t bargain with you at this time!
By the way, if a Chinese is an official, then be prepared to show him respect and respect. It is necessary! Even if it seems that he (the official) is talking to you somewhat condescendingly, do not pay attention. This is such an “official” style of conversation. How to recognize an official? Very simple! He will be dressed “in full dress.” Even the conductors on the train remind appearance our generals :).
Well, and one more thing. There are a lot of Chinese! There are a lot of them! Even where it seems they shouldn’t be, they are! And they move in small groups of 100-200 people! :) But strangely enough, even if there is a large (in the opinion of a European) queue, it moves very quickly!
Attitude towards Russians
Very good. But... Many Chinese of the older generation did not fail to express to me their negative attitude towards what is now happening in Russia. Like: “We looked up to you as older brothers, and you...” Young people are increasingly focused on America and Europe. And tries to teach English language, not Russian.
In cities where there are not many “white people”, many will come up to take a photo with you :). This is what happened to me in Harbin. In the "Russian village". But more on that later.
But.. still remember that the Chinese consider themselves “central”. That is, “the most important”. No wonder China’s self-name is translated as “Central State”! And other foreigners will still be, let’s say, less equal than the Chinese...
Prices
After the rise of the yuan, prices in China are no longer so low. And especially in Beijing. I would say that prices there are at the Russian level. Maybe just a little lower. Of course, there are options to save money, but... Don’t expect to buy a state-of-the-art smartphone much cheaper... Or clothes and shoes. It is cheaper, but for almost the same price you can buy it in Russia...
Well, or buy it very cheap - it’s bullshit! :) Just like with us!
But... keep in mind that you can and should bargain with the Chinese! Especially in the markets. As a result, you can reduce the price several times!
Chinese salaries
This is not surprising, given that wages in China have caught up and overtaken the average wage in Russia. The times when a Chinese lived on $1 a day are long gone! Pensions in China are also commonplace. And they are constantly growing. And the retirement age is decreasing!
Trains
There are several categories of trains. Please note that there are tickets without seats! At the same time, over quite long distances! If things go wrong, you can stand on your feet for 8-10 hours! Therefore, buy in a regular reserved seat or coupe. Such tickets cost about 30% less than our similar ones.
By the way, there is also high speed trains. Very convenient and comfortable. But also quite expensive!
Please note that train stations are usually very crowded. And you won’t always find seats. So, if possible, arrive at the station as close to the train departure as possible. By the way, sometimes some shady characters sell seats :) at a not very expensive price. I didn’t use these “services”, so I can’t say anything...
You will be released onto the platform literally 10-15 minutes before the train departs. Hurry up to get on the train! For orientation, right at the exit, the board shows where the head and where the tail of the train are. Very comfortably!
Buses
For an independent trip to China (more precisely, within China), you can consider traveling by bus. Unlike our buses, the Chinese ones have lie-flat seats. This turns out to be a bus option. reserved seat carriage.
Aircraft
I won't say anything about them. I don’t know... I haven’t flown on domestic Chinese airlines. I'd better look elsewhere
Timezone
China is located in 5 time zones. But the time is the same everywhere – Beijing! The difference with Moscow is + 5 hours.
Help
Often in border towns, after you have cleared customs, so-called “helpers” may approach you. They speak Russian well and are ready to take you wherever you need to go. Well, tell me what and where. In principle, there is nothing bad here. I myself used the services of one “helping” to find the right address. Their prices are not too high (although, of course, it will be cheaper for you to get there on your own using a “regular” taxi). But no problems with the language barrier. Just before using their services, you need to discuss the price in detail! Otherwise you might get caught!
Connection
Nobody from Russia called me (and I didn’t call) during the trip. But in China we had to make several calls. To do this, they bought me (more on this later) a local SIM card for 200 rubles. This turned out to be enough.
Internet
The Internet is a problem for those who travel to China on their own. The fact is that wi-fi is everywhere, but only registered users can log in. You can only register using your passport. The registration interface is only in Chinese... In short, I was only able to access the Internet at the hotel. They gave me the Wi-Fi password and I was able to connect.
But this is not the case everywhere.
By the way. Some “foreign” sites (not Chinese) may be blocked. For example, Facebook. Or YouTube. Keep this in mind!
Food
There are no problems with food in China for an independent traveler! There's a lot of it. She's cheap! And there are eateries everywhere where you can grab a bite to eat! The food is delicious! I recommend Chinese beer! Very cool and cheap!
As for exotic things like fried grasshoppers or dog meat, don’t worry! The vast majority of canteens do not have them. Unless you want to try it yourself. Although I still recommend learning the hieroglyph for “dog”... Just in case...
By the way, not far from the place where I spent the night (more on this in the next article), there is a large exotic food market. I wouldn't recommend eating it. But it’s interesting to watch!
I draw your attention to the fact that quite often you can find very spicy food. Learn these hieroglyphs too. I was “saved” several times from ordering such dishes by local residents!
By the way. It is normal to bring your own water to the “cafe” and order only food.
In cafes and restaurants it is customary to take an advance payment from the visitor, so don’t be surprised... About tips... Who knows. I read before the trip that you shouldn’t leave a tip, otherwise the Chinese will be offended. Other sources wrote that, on the contrary, it should be left. But only to waiters and porters. In Harbin, out of curiosity, I didn’t leave a tip. And nothing... Nobody said anything. In Beijing, on the contrary, I left it. We took it without any problems...
Well... there are no forks anywhere! Learn to eat with chopsticks!
By the way, all sorts of McDonald's appeared in China. So if you want, you can eat there too. But why do this, you can go there at home too!
Buying tickets
If you are an extreme person in life, and traveling to China on your own is an ordinary thing for you, then you can try to buy tickets at the box office on the spot. At the same time, you should not be embarrassed by the huge (really huge!) queues and lack of knowledge of the Chinese language. In this case, be prepared to either not buy tickets at all or go to hell in the middle of nowhere :)
I acted wisely. Although more expensive. But not by much. I booked tickets in advance from a Chinese “assistant” through a travel agency in Blagoveshchensk. The Chinese “assistant” bought tickets in advance and gave them to me in Heihe. That's all! But more about this in my other article...
Crime
I have never even met hooligans. I didn’t notice the Chinese disturbing the order at all. In general, there are a lot of police in China. And it's not particularly noticeable. But if some kind of bada-boom appears, then they are right there...
Toilets
Completing this enchanting article, I could not ignore such a “touchy” topic. But... I'll note a couple of points.
First, there are a lot of toilets in China. They are everywhere! And they are free.. And quite clean! That is, in China an independent traveler can eat and... without any problems. vice versa…
Secondly, many toilets do not have a toilet :) How can I put it mildly... “A toilet like a toilet” :) Just a hole in the floor. Well, I’m writing this so that it doesn’t come as a surprise. :) Although in hotels and hostels “for foreigners” everything is fine! There are toilets there!
Phew. OK. You can continue endlessly. I think I told you the main thing. Well, if you have any more questions, just write to me... I’ll answer.
Your Traveler online
Alexander Bessonov
Despite the fact that China is becoming increasingly popular with tourists all over the world every year, reviews on the Internet from our compatriots about trips to China are, to put it mildly, ambiguous, so let's talk about those features of the country that may be unacceptable for some travelers.
1. If your passport is valid for less than 6 months from the end of the planned tour, choose another country
At the Chinese consulate, all documentary formalities are strictly observed, so in order to avoid problems with obtaining a visa and trip disruption, it is better not to take risks and take care of a new passport in advance.
2. If you are not ready for the additional hassle associated with obtaining a Chinese visa
There is nothing fundamentally difficult in preparing documents for obtaining a Chinese visa - no unnecessary certificates are required, only a foreign passport, an application form, copies of a Russian passport, a photograph and an invitation from the Chinese side. Consular fee for a tourist trip is 1,500 rubles. Moreover, if you are planning to vacation in Hainan, then when departing on a direct flight from Moscow, you do not need a visa at all!
Mountain Lake in China
3. If you basically fly only on charter flights, then - alas!
You can get to China only by regular flights of Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot, etc. Planes fly from St. Petersburg to Beijing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Accordingly, the duration of the trip should be “adjusted” to the airline’s schedule. Flight time is about 7 hours.
China
4. If when traveling by train you are used to buying out the entire compartment in order to feel comfortable, then in China you will have to fly by plane
In China it is impossible to buy a coupe in whole or in part, that is, if the program excursion tour If you plan to travel by train between cities, you will have to share a four-seater compartment either with tourists from your group or with the Chinese. There are no two-seater coupes. As a rule, travel between cities is overnight and lasts approximately 12 hours, for example, between Beijing and Xi'an.
One of the entrances to the Forbidden City
If this issue is important to you, the option of traveling on domestic flights remains. By the way, China has very developed air traffic and a fairly high level of flight safety. Baggage rules in hand luggage even more stringent than those accepted throughout the world.
China
5. If you cannot tolerate tobacco smoke, choose another country or stock up on a respirator
The Chinese smoke a lot. Accordingly, almost everywhere there is a smell of tobacco, there are smoky rooms in hotels, and guests also smoke in hotel lobbies. Smoking is prohibited in train compartments; in restaurants you can choose a room for non-smoking visitors.
Chinese outback
6. If you are on a special diet or are very picky about what you eat, take your favorite foods with you.
A lot has been written and said about the fact that Chinese cuisine is very unique, but how suitable it is for you personally, you will only understand, so to speak, “on the spot.” Some people do not have enough meat - indeed, the basis of the Chinese diet is stewed, boiled, stewed vegetables, noodles and rice. Some people cannot tolerate spicy and salty foods. If in Beijing, Shanghai and others major cities You can still find food adapted for Europeans, but in the provinces this will be a problem. You will find the cutlery we are used to only in large cities; in the outback you will have to eat with chopsticks. Of course, in China there are places favored by the British and Americans, where the cuisine and other amenities are at the highest level, for example, nature reserve pandas, but this is rather an exception.
Giant Buddha statue, Leshan
7. If you experienced culture shock visiting public restrooms in the former Soviet Union (or modern India) and never want to see them again, then choose another country to travel to.
All public toilets in China are free. Tourists who have seen Soviet “conveniences”, when they see Chinese ones, think “scoop”. Indeed, very similar: two soles and a metal bowl at floor level, no toilet paper and a corresponding smell. So for those tourists who do go to China, advice - take toilet paper and wet wipes with you.
8. If you prefer silence and privacy, and your personal psychologically comfortable space is one and a half meters - choose another country
There are many people in China. Not even that - there are A LOT OF PEOPLE in China! This fact actually entails many different consequences, namely: everyone constantly touches each other with their elbows and other parts of the body, they talk quite loudly, therefore very noisily, they look with sincere, but completely unceremonious curiosity at everything interesting and unusual, for example - you
Against the backdrop of the Great Chinese wall
9. If your travel budget involves an amount of less than 50 thousand rubles per person, then you need to choose another country or take out a loan
Most a budget option to get acquainted with China - a week-long tour to Beijing. Today it costs from 50 thousand rubles per person. If you want to see Xi’an (Terracotta Army) and Shanghai within a week’s stay, expect to pay at least 70 thousand rubles per person. To not only see the main cities, but also relax for a week on Hainan Island, budget from 100 thousand per person. Treatment in China is very popular among the stars of domestic and international show business - both in the central part and on the island of Hainan.
In order to feel comfortable when planning a tour and during the trip itself, you can use the installment payment service, which is offered, for example, by our company for up to 7 months at 0% per annum.
Village with rice fields, China
10. If your vacation falls during the Republic of China Day or Chinese New Year celebrations, travel to another country
There are two grand holidays in China - the founding day of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese New Year. During these periods - from 28.09 to 04.10 and the last ten days of February to the beginning of March (celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so there are no exact dates) - there are official public holidays in China, and all Chinese begin to travel en masse within the country. Hotel prices triple, and crowds begin at tourist sites. So it is better to plan your trip for other dates. The ideal time, especially for combined tours, is spring and autumn, when it is warm on the mainland and not very hot on Hainan Island.
Among other tourists, China
In conclusion, I want to say: I am sure that a trip to China will not leave anyone indifferent. Our tourists return from this diverse country with invariably positive impressions.
Panda
If you have any questions, write to: [email protected]
The long-awaited vacation has begun. Unexpectedly for myself, I was left without a travel companion - my companion was unable to participate in the planned trip at the last moment.
But I decided not to cancel anything and go to conquer China alone, a decision I didn’t regret for a minute.
And here I am with my two suitcases waiting for check-in to begin at the Minsk airport. Until I got on the plane, the boredom of waiting was stronger than the fear. I wasn’t worried about the plane ride, I was worried about whether I would be able to navigate the huge Beijing airport. I admit, once I was there, fear took over for a moment, but, having pulled myself together, I found a taxi rank. I stood in a short line, showed the taxi driver the address (I had booked the hotel in Beijing, as well as the air ticket, in advance on the website BiletyPlus.ru) and off I went. By the way, in China it is very good hotels: the price is quite low, and the atmosphere and service are at the highest level.
People call this skyscraper “Pants”
I spent my first day in Beijing in Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world. After standing in a long line, I found myself in a place where mere mortals were once prohibited from entering. The retribution was terrible: their heads were cut off or boiled in a cauldron (unless, of course, mortals were servants of emperors or ministers). The tour took me about 4 hours, and to be honest, it wasn't much fun. It’s good that I downloaded the audio tours in Russian onto the player in advance, otherwise a tour in Chinese would have quickly tired me.
I also took a walk through Yiheyuan Park. Most of the territory there is occupied by water; visitors move along bridges. Since the borders are not fenced, and there are a lot of people, it was quite scary to walk. My random companion and I rented a boat. By the way, it is in this park that they organize legendary walks on a stone ship.
In Beijing I visited main street cities. Here are the most expensive stores and boutiques, as well as the world's largest screen, located exactly above the heads of passers-by. In addition, fountains are built into the asphalt, which can work at any time.
I lived not far from the Silk Market and became a frequent witness to entire performances with pseudo-departures of buyers, their “comebacks” and long speeches convincing that it was still necessary to reduce the cost of goods. Here I have perfectly mastered the art of trading: they tell you the price, you lower it N times (depending on what you are fighting for, i.e. bargaining), then you listen to reproaches, say “bye-bye”, they catch up with you and sell you for your price.
But on shopping street It is not customary for Yabaolu to bargain until the last minute, they say, traders immediately set the minimum price. By the way, most of them speak Russian quite well.
Next it's time cultural program: I bought a ticket to the legendary Acrobat Show in Beijing. The ticket was not the cheapest (I sat on the 6th row and this event cost me $100). But it was an incredible spectacle: very expensive costumes, stunning scenery, and what can we say about the skills of the acrobats! A dozen dancers on one bicycle, incredible support, but most of all I liked the huge ball that was installed on the stage - three motorcyclists were spinning circles inside it at once! I saw with my own eyes the wonders of human grace and plasticity. It was an incredible spectacle that was worth the money. I really liked it! If fate ever brings me to Beijing again, I will definitely go again.
In Beijing I also visited the zoo. The vast territory contains hundreds of species of animals, but of course the panda bears touched me the most. By the way, you can even pick up baby pandas, of course, by paying. Near the zoo, on the same site, there is a dolphinarium.
At a tea ceremony in Beijing, I was offered 12 types of tea. For some reason the cups are not washed here, they were simply doused with boiling water right in front of us. This is probably an element of the local tea ceremony. We were seated at a special wooden table and took turns pouring the aromatic drink into tiny red clay cups. Despite the fact that the tea was steeped for a very short time, it was quite strong and tasty. What I liked most was the vanilla flavored tea.
By the way, about tea. In any public place in Beijing, guests are always served a cup of hot and invigorating drink.
And, of course, any lunch in a restaurant begins with tea and fruit. Restaurants in China have rotating hanging tables so that you don’t have to reach for your piece, knocking over all the salads along the way. Portions are small but filling. On my first day in Beijing, I ordered Peking duck. They cooked it right in front of me, there was little meat in it, and they chopped it up to boot. Leather is considered the most valuable; it is eaten with sugar, but I didn’t dare.
Perhaps what impressed me most was the restaurant where you only pay for the entrance (about 18 yuan). At the entrance, guests take off their shoes and are given slippers. Visitors dine in cozy gazebos, surrounded on all sides by water, and passage through the restaurant is carried out along small bridges. Moreover, you can curtain it in order to hide from prying eyes. And then the real feast of the belly begins: you can take food in any quantity, as much as your heart (but most importantly, your stomach) wants. They serve delicious sushi, seafood, sweets, beer, sake. The restaurant is open intermittently and you can’t sit there for more than two hours; of course, you can’t take takeaway food either.
Of course, I wanted to look at the building of the legendary Bolshoi National Theater. The entrance to the theater is underground, because it is surrounded on all sides by water. I didn’t go inside, I was impressed in absentia.
It’s not for nothing that China was called the healthiest nation: every morning (around 5 am) in city parks the Chinese do gymnastics, dance the waltz or their national dances. I didn’t take part in the exercises, but I took a couple of photos.
It was interesting to travel, especially since for the Chinese any “European face” is truly exotic; they often came up and asked to take a photo together.
From Beijing I went to Baidahe and Shanghai. But more on this in the second part of my note.
Many countries around the world have abolished entry formalities such as visas for Russians. Under certain circumstances, our citizens can visit China without a visa. The uniqueness of the Celestial Empire is that different migration rules apply in its different territories.
Residents of Russian border regions can enter some areas of China without a visa
If you are planning a trip to the largest state East Asia, first find out whether it is possible to visit the areas you have chosen without first going to the country’s embassy or Visa Center.
The Chinese side is loyal to Russians entering its territory. However, the presence of concessions does not mean that you will be lenient if you violate migration rules. Therefore, before you start packing your bags, carefully read the rules for visiting various regions of the PRC so that, while there, you do not become a violator of state laws.
The most popular option for travelers is to obtain a visa on arrival. This option is possible in cases where a pre-formed group is sent to the Celestial Empire. Travel agencies handle paperwork for groups. Even before tourists are sent to China, their lists are sent to the border zones. To get to China this way, you need to travel in a group of more than 2 people.
This route is suitable only for Beijing and Hainan Island, where high-quality tourist services and the opportunity not only to relax, but also to receive treatment are offered. As part of a group formed by travel agencies, you can stay on the territory of these parts of the state for no more than 21 days. You can't leave them. You can leave, just like you arrived, only as part of a group.
Even if you do not plan to purchase a tourist package, it makes sense to contact a travel agency. Many of them include additional people in the formed groups for a fee.
If your area borders China
Citizens can freely stay in China without a visa Russian Federation living in regions sharing the border with China:
- Amur region,
- Primorsky Krai,
- Irkutsk region,
- Khabarovsk region,
- Transbaikal region.
If you live in one of the listed regions, you will need a visa issued by the Chinese side to pass border control. You also need a foreign passport and a document indicating where you are registered. Having these documents, you will receive permission at the border checkpoint.
The period of stay in China varies from 15 to 180 days.
Before heading to the Celestial Empire in this way, check which points at that time have the right to admit Russians with invitations. There are crossing points where such permits are not issued.
Transit travelers
Those traveling to other countries who have purchased connecting flights in China need to be aware of the country's immigration rules regarding transit guests.
Without visa documents, you have the right to stay in the country for 72 hours, provided that the transfer point is the following international airports: Harbin, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, Xi'an and Shenyang. In Shanghai, Xiamen, Qingdao, Chengdu, Wuhan, Kunming, Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuani and Shenyang time transit connection you can stay for 144 hours in 2020.
It is important that you depart from the same airport you arrived at. This rule can only be bypassed in the following cases:
- Your flights are served by one carrier.
- The airline changes airports due to the need to refuel the aircraft.
- You are being discussed different companies, but you have a single reservation form with one code.
Not all transit passengers can travel smoothly within China. For example, if your drop-off point is Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu or , you are allowed to admire the beauty of the city, but leaving its borders is strictly prohibited.
No matter what airport you arrive at, you cannot change to any means of transport other than an airplane to continue your trip.
Where a visa is not required
If you are thinking about how to travel to China on your own without contacting tourist agency To buy a trip or join a group, consider various options for visiting the country.
For example, you have the opportunity to travel to Heihe without obtaining a visa. This is a city located very close to the Russian border. You can go to it from Blagoveshchensk, located just one kilometer away. It is enough to cross the Amur, and you are in China. 
When traveling, you only need to take your international passport for presentation at the border. Since 2004, Chinese migration legislation has allowed Russians to stay in Heihe for 30 days.
The trip from Blagoveshchensk to Heihe takes from 15 to 20 minutes. The choice of transport depends on the season. In the off-season, Puma ships equipped with air cushions are transported from Blagoveshchensk across the river to the Chinese side. Departures every 20 minutes. This crossing method is relevant for December, November and April.
When in the region during the winter months, you can travel from Blagoveshchensk on one of the buses that travel across the Amur River on temporary pontoon bridges. The availability of this type of travel to Chinese borders depends on weather conditions.
IN summer period Once an hour, a ship carrying 200 passengers carries people along the Amur to Heihe.
The Blagoveshchensk route is extremely popular, so to get through security, you need to stand in a rather impressive line. To go to the other side, you need to fill out a migration card, half of which is returned after verification. It should be stored for the return crossing of the border. There is a fee for crossing to the Chinese side.
Suifenhe City
An excellent holiday destination is the city of Suifenhe, located in Heilongjiang Province. Since 2013, Russian citizens can stay in it without a visa for 15 days.
Macau
In order to travel to the listed areas without a visa stamp in your passport, you need to have return tickets and a passport with you.
Before you travel, check which areas may require proof of financial solvency and hotel reservations at the time of your trip. But it’s better to stock up on both the first and the second, just in case. This guarantees you unhindered passage.
A trip abroad planned by yourself can be much more interesting than offers from travel agencies. The main problem is lack of knowledge of the language, so at the preparation stage it is worth taking into account all the nuances of the trip.
An independent trip on a tourist visa to China must be arranged in advance so that the traveler has confidence that his vacation will be as comfortable as possible.
Officially, Russian citizens require a visa to travel to China on their own. The cheapest single-entry visa will cost a traveler 1,500 rubles for 2018. At the same time, he gets the opportunity to stay on the territory of the Celestial Empire for a total of 30 days out of a corridor of 90. Similar conditions apply when processing documents at the consulate.
To obtain a visa you will need to provide:
- international passport with a reserve of 6 months before expiration;
- a copy of the internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- application form with color photo;
- insurance;
- confirmation of financial solvency for citizens who do not work;
- round trip tickets;
- invitation.
The invitation can be issued by a citizen of the receiving state or a travel agency. In the case of a personal invitation, you will need to provide the details of the host party (copy of passport and ID). An invitation from a travel agency is confirmed by a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your stay in the country.
An exception to the official visa rules is made for residents border areas who can issue Required documents directly at the ground crossing point. Also, other conditions are provided when applying for a visa at the airport at the place of arrival, but it is worth checking whether this is possible at all. Without a visa, you can only visit Suifenhe and the border trade zone for up to 15 days, with the obligation not to leave the city. This is where many entrepreneurs go to buy goods.
For those who have previously visited the Celestial Empire, they are additionally required to provide a copy of their old passport with the appropriate notes. And confirmation of financial solvency consists of an account statement. Regardless of the expected expenses, the account must have an amount of no less than $100 per day of stay in a foreign country.
Transport to your destination and within the country
Most travelers prefer to travel to China from Russia using airlines, although you can cross the border by any means of transport. There are frequent buses from Vladivostok, as well as border areas, which provide fairly fast border crossing for residents of the respective regions.
Before purchasing a ticket, you need to roughly outline a travel plan if you need to visit several cities. However, it is best to enter and exit from the same airport.
You can travel within the country using any convenient transport: planes, trains, ferries, buses and even taxis. In large cities, the best way to get around is by bus or metro. To do this, it is enough to buy a travel card, which you can return at the end of the visit and get a cash deposit back for it. The travel card is a plastic card that needs to be topped up periodically. Cost of one trip to public transport will be about 30-50 cents.
Advice experienced traveler! Taxis are quite cheap in China, and tourists who come here for the first time prefer to use this type of transport. However, after about a month of living, Russian residents often realize that they have to spend too much on transport. In many cities it is more convenient to get around on foot or on a rented bicycle.
How to find housing?
When applying for a visa through a travel agency, a hotel reservation is required for the entire duration of your stay in China. But often hotels do not meet the traveler's expectations, so long-term bookings have unpredictable consequences. It is much more convenient to book it for just 1-2 nights. This will provide an overnight stay in a hotel, but it can be changed if the conditions are not to your liking.
Most often, travelers face the same problems when choosing a hotel:
Poor sound insulation
In some buildings, you can easily hear the conversation of people in the next room, even if they do not raise their voices.
Bad location. Often the point is not that the hotel is not located in the center or is difficult to find. The problem is what is in close proximity, for example, you can find a hotel opposite a landfill.
Conditions in the room
Foreigners choose their place of residence based on the room description and photographs, but they often do not correspond to the real state of affairs. The rooms may be much smaller than advertised, and sometimes there is only a bed inside the room.
Those who do not want to face such inconveniences are advised to pay attention to the reputation of the establishment before booking. The best service is provided by network companies that operate in several cities. However, their housing costs will be an order of magnitude higher, so you need to prioritize: price or quality.
For most citizens, booking a hotel is the only available housing option if you plan to independent trip To China. If there are no restrictions in this direction, you can look for an alternative. Short-term rental of apartments is not practiced in Asian countries, since the standard contract is drawn up for a year. But if you wish, you can find specialized websites with intermediaries through which you can rent an apartment for a shorter period.
Price double room in an average or low quality hotel will be about 10-15 dollars per night. In chain hotels, the minimum price tag is set at approximately $30. Renting an apartment for a month will cost approximately 400-500 dollars.
This expense column most influences how much it costs to travel to China. The final vacation amount will range from $1,000 to $2,000 for two adults for 10 days. The difference lies mainly in the payment for housing.
Nutrition
It is important to know! Chinese food is very different from what people in Russia order for home delivery. Be prepared for a bright and very unusual taste, which will lead to an upset stomach. The aroma from most street cafes is quite unpleasant without getting used to it.
Be prepared for the fact that Chinese food is very different from what we are used to.
There are several food options:
- in establishments under a well-known brand;
- in local cafes;
- self-cooking from products purchased in the supermarket.
In the Celestial Empire, you can easily find world-famous establishments. For example, McDonald's. Many tourists are accustomed to eating in such restaurants, since the employees carefully monitor sanitary standards, and the menu is identical almost everywhere. The disadvantage of this method is the rather high prices.
You can have a hearty meal in eateries for just $1.50. However, unlike food chains, the language barrier needs to be mentioned here. Not all cafes have menus with names written in Latin or photographs, so ordering food is at your own peril and risk. In addition, small restaurants serving local cuisine hardly adhere to hygiene standards, which has a negative impact on the health of visitors.
In all Chinese cities many street cafes. But finding an English-speaking waiter is almost impossible.
However, try local cuisine worth it, since it is an integral attribute of the Celestial Empire. Surprisingly beautiful and interesting snacks can be bought even from street vendors. And if you have concerns about your health, you should find out about the restaurants run by Chinese Muslims. These are the cleanest establishments. If you decide to travel to China on your own, you first need to find out the address and reviews about them on the Internet.
Eateries sometimes provide an interesting way of serving food: like a buffet or churrasco. However, even in a simple cafe the portions are very large. Some dishes are only served for two.
Tourists who are not suitable for these methods need to take care of their own nutrition. Buying groceries in Chinese supermarkets without knowing the language will be a difficult quest, so it is recommended to go food shopping with a dictionary downloaded to your phone. Without clues, only some types of fruit can be identified. By the way, vegetables and fruits may differ depending on the area, because the area is very large. Tourists should try exotic fruits, especially from the southern part of the state. Some of them cannot be tried in Russia, since they cannot be transported. It is not advisable to buy sausages or sausages, as they are made from soy and taste completely different from regular food.
Externally, Chinese supermarkets differ little from ours. But it is difficult to buy anything without a dictionary.
Not all travelers have the opportunity to prepare hot meals themselves. Not all apartments even have a kitchen. Most ordinary residents use portable stoves that run on gas or electricity.
By the way, the price of travel to China is from travel companies Meals are not always included at the hotel. Because of this, an independent trip can be much more profitable than exorbitant prices in agencies.
Additional costs: the mentality of local residents
All Chinese are very emotional and noisy, so on the streets of big and small cities the rumble does not subside for a minute. You can get used to this quite quickly, especially since visitors often join in with everyone’s shouts with pleasure.
Chinese streets are always very crowded and noisy by our standards
The Chinese make the most noise in the markets, where even an inexperienced tourist can bargain. Locals They are in a hurry to cash in on foreigners, so do not hesitate to reduce the price several times. Such actions are the norm for all Chinese stores. The Chinese show numbers on their fingers differently than in other countries, which means you should familiarize yourself with the rules of the account before trading.
It is best to pay in cash, since Visa or Maestro cards are not accepted in all shops and cafes. There is a different system here that simply cannot complete a transaction with a foreign card. You can withdraw money from ATMs. For cash and valuables constant supervision is required as petty theft is very common here.
Yuan is the national currency
In the Middle Kingdom, it is rare to find Chinese who speak English well, so you should definitely take a phrasebook with you and download several translation programs. Even without basic knowledge of the language, these tricks will help you communicate with other people. In addition to phrase books, it is worth downloading several applications with maps of the cities you plan to visit.
Visitors use the Internet only via Wi-Fi. It can be found everywhere. Mobile Internet and communication when traveling for several days will be too expensive both with a native SIM card and a local one. Buying a foreign SIM card will cost more than $40 and will require language skills to understand its terms and conditions. If you wish, you can buy a SIM only in specialized communication stores.
A self-prepared trip to China with children or a loved one will be an interesting experience. This is the only way to truly see the country from the inside, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.