Important Notes

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into Beijing International Airport (PEK) and out of Shanghai International Airport (PVG).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

We recommend booking a flight that lands by 2pm on Day 1 of your adventure in order for you to be at the hotel in time for your welcome meeting.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Departure transfers are typically not included due to travellers leaving at varying times. That said, your Pack Leader will happily help arrange departure transfers for you if required.

Are tips included?

Tips for your Pack Leader and Driver are not included in the cost of this trip. 

Suggested amounts per person, per day, are:

• Pack Leader: Beijing 5 USD, Xi’an 2 USD, Zhangjiaji 3 USD, Shanghai 5 USD
• Driver: Beijing 4 USD；Xi’an 1 USD, Zhangjiaji 3 USD, Shanghai 4 USD

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

 

• Official guidance for US passport holders can be found here.

• Official guidance for British passport holders can be found here.

• Official guidance for Canadian passport holders can be found here.

 

Important notes:

• In most cases, applicants are required to appear in person to submit their application.

• Depending on which passport you hold, you may be eligible to submit your application for a single-entry tourist visa through an authorized visa agent, instead of visiting the embassy in person. Authorized visa agents generally charge an additional fee for this service as they will handle the full submission process on your behalf.

• For more information about this service, we recommend contacting VisaHQ, which has offices across the US, UK, and Canada.

 

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
• Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

 

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

How do I apply for a visa?

All visa applicants must complete the China Online Visa Application (COVA) form online here. This is the official system where you will need to enter your personal details and upload the required documents. The application website has a step-by-step guide you can follow.

Important: please ensure you apply for an individual visa, not a group visa.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa?

Which documents you will need to apply for your visa depends on your nationality and how you’re applying. Some travelers may need proof of hotel reservations when applying for a Chinese visa, which Flash Pack will be able to provide for you.

See below for what is typically needed for the majority of Flash Pack customers. If you’re traveling with a different passport, please check official guidance for a list of documents you will need.

US passport holders

• A valid passport
• A completed COVA form

If you’re traveling on a British or Canadian passport, we’ll automatically email you proof of hotel reservations around 60 days before departure (or a few days after booking if you join a trip that’s already within that window).

Visa rules can change, so you should always check the latest official guidance for your passport.

Is a Letter of Invitation (LOI) required?

The guidelines around Letters of Invitations can vary between embassies and local consulates, and visa requirements may change at any point before departure.

Flash Pack is not an official visa provider, so it’s your responsibility to check the most up-to-date requirements for your nationality directly with your local embassy or an official visa service if you need formal guidance.

That said, the current guidance shared with Flash Pack by Sherpa, our official visa partner, is that a Letter of Invitation is not typically required for a standard single-entry tourist visa.

When will my trip be confirmed?

If you choose an adventure that is not guaranteed at the time of booking, we will aim to confirm whether your trip is going ahead by at least 70 days before travel. This allows plenty of time for you to arrange your visa and any supporting documents, if applicable.

To learn more about what our departure statuses mean, see our FAQ here.

How close to an adventure's departure date can I book this tour?

Due to Chinese regulations and the time required to obtain a visa, we will not be accepting any bookings within 30 days of departure.

How do I book additional nights before or after the adventure?

If you do not require proof of hotel reservations for your visa application, you can book any extra nights you might need directly with hotels or via your preferred third-party booking platform. Once booked, please refer to the Flash Pack app to find out the names of all hotels you’ll be staying in during the adventure, including the first and last. Please see our extra nights FAQ for full details on how to extend your stay.

If you do require proof of hotel reservations for your visa application, to ensure that any additional nights are included on the document, Flash Pack is required to book these on your behalf. Please email us at [email protected] to find out rates and to arrange this.

What vaccinations and medication will I need?

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

• UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
• US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialised health information.
• Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

What is the preferred payment method in China?

China runs mainly on mobile payments rather than cash or cards.

The two main apps are:

1. Alipay
2. WeChat Pay

You’ll use these for almost everything – from restaurants and bars to taxis, cafés and small shops. We recommend setting them up before you travel and linking a debit or credit card.

Cash is still accepted, but it’s increasingly a backup. Credit cards shouldn’t be your only plan – they’re not always accepted, and foreign card payments can fail.

Your Pack Leader and local guide will help you get comfortable with payments on the ground.

Will my phone work – and what about WhatsApp, Google and Instagram?

Yes – your phone will work in China if you have one of the following set up before you travel:

• An international roaming plan

• An e-SIM with data activated in advance

However, many Western apps and websites are blocked in China, including Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If staying connected to these apps is important, some travellers choose to use an international roaming plan or an e-SIM for data.

WeChat is the main messaging app used in China. It’s not possible to sign up for WeChat before you travel unless you already know someone with an active account. At the welcome meeting on Day 1, your Pack Leader will set up a group WeChat and show you how to use it, so you’ll be connected with the group straight away and able to stay in touch easily during your adventure.

Will I have to carry my luggage a lot?

Not at all – this part is simpler than many people expect.

You can bring either:

1. a suitcase, or
2. a backpack

You’ll only need to handle your own luggage:

1. inside airports, and
2. inside train stations

For the rest of the trip, your main bag travels with you in the vehicle. There’s no trekking with your luggage and no need to leave anything behind part-way through the itinerary.

On internal flights in China, the typical allowance is:

1. 20kg checked baggage
2. 5kg hand luggage

Are there any strict security rules I should know about?

Yes – and they’re worth being aware of before you pack. Security for trains and public transport in China can feel similar to airport security. All bags go through scanners, and items that could be classified as weapons or dangerous goods may be confiscated – including from your checked luggage.

We recommend:

1. not packing knives, scissors or multitools
2. limiting aerosol sprays (e.g. large deodorants, hair sprays)
3. keeping power banks under 100Wh
4. avoiding “self-defence” items or anything that looks like a weapon

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

This adventure is rated as a medium-level trip.

You should feel comfortable with:

1. walking most days (sometimes on uneven ground)
2. climbing some steps and gentle gradients
3. taking part in a light 5.3km hike in Zhangjiajie

There is no technical hiking, swimming or extreme sport required. Some optional activities in Zhangjiajie – like the zip line and slide – have a 120kg weight limit, but there are always alternatives such as elevators, so no one is excluded from the experience if they’d rather not take part.

Are any activities weather-dependent?

Yes, a small number of experiences are weather-dependent – but we always have a Plan B.

In particular:

1. Outdoor Tai Chi in Beijing may be moved to a covered venue or swapped for a cultural alternative such as fan-painting if it’s raining.
2. In Zhangjiajie, very poor weather may mean we adjust the mountain exploration. In that case, we might switch to experiences like Baofeng Lake or other scenic and cultural activities that work better in wet conditions.

Any final advice for first-timer visitors to China?

Yes – and it’s reassuring to hear if you’ve never been before. China can feel intense at first. It’s busy, it’s noisy, it moves fast and it’s completely different to most of the places our travelers have seen. But it’s also:

1. remarkably well-organized
2. welcoming to visitors
3. endlessly varied in its food, landscapes and culture

You won’t need to figure it all out on your own. You’ll be travelling with:

1. an English-speaking local guide
2. an experienced Flash Pack Leader
3. a carefully designed itinerary that balances big sights with local experiences

Most people go from “I’m not sure what to expect” on day one to “I can’t believe I didn’t come sooner” by about day three. That shift is part of the magic of this trip – and exactly why we created this adventure.

Will this itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.