China in three weeks time- is it possible?

so many qs

Hi everyone, I have a few weeks holidays coming up and wasn't going to do anything but had a look around the internet and see there is a small group tour (21 days run by Intrepid) leaving the last week of July.


So most importantly, is it possible to organise this trip in such a short time?


Visa: I've looked on the Chinese Embassy website and it says it takes up to 5 days from when the visa has been approved. How long does approval take?


Vaccines: I think they are the same as SE Asia so I'd say I could get that sorted easily.


Flights: I would need to move very fast and get flights booked too. Have looked up skyscanner and ebookers. Expensive enough. Any guidence regarding airlines, airports etc would be appreciated.


And finally, I'm wondering is China a good choice for a small group tour? Been to SE Asia before and liked it. I've travelled with Kumuka and was happy with what I got. Opinions of Intrepid also welcome.


I know I'm asking a lot. Thanks for reading!

Todd Gack

so many qs wrote: »

So most importantly, is it possible to organise this trip in such a short time?

Yes, Intrepid will sort all the details, you have the visa, flights and vaccines if you get them

so many qs wrote: »

Visa: I've looked on the Chinese Embassy website and it says it takes up to 5 days from when the visa has been approved. How long does approval take?

It takes 4 working days (the embassy is closed friday so is not a working day,express costs more and takes 1 working day), you need to apply in person or somebody else on your behalf. You need your flights itinerary as well as people do get turned away if this isn't done.

so many qs wrote: »

Vaccines: I think they are the same as SE Asia so I'd say I could get that sorted easily.

The recommended ones are the same as SE Asia, the tropical disease risk in China isn't all that high, generally the further south the more prevalent they are, it takes a few weeks for the vaccines to become effective once you receive the injections so you'd need to get them asap if you are getting them.

so many qs wrote: »

Flights: I would need to move very fast and get flights booked too. Have looked up skyscanner and ebookers. Expensive enough. Any guidence regarding airlines, airports etc would be appreciated.

You'd be better off booking asap as this close they probably won't get any cheaper. Try kayak or expedia, don't know where you'd start and finish in China but Emirates, BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Etihad all fly there. Beijing and Shanghai Pudong are modern airports, have good public transport links and are easy to get to and from from the city centres.

so many qs wrote: »

And finally, I'm wondering is China a good choice for a small group tour? Been to SE Asia before and liked it. I've travelled with Kumuka and was happy with what I got. Opinions of Intrepid also welcome.

Intrepid has a good reputation among tour companies and is one of the market leaders so they're reliable. China has its pitfalls when travelling independently in that English speakers aren't common and it wouldn't be as easy as travel in SE Asia so would probably suit you well if you were happy with your previous trip.

so many qs

Great, thanks for the reply.

Good tip about the Chinese Embassy not working Fridays. Also wasn't sure what to do next, flights or visa. So I guess it's flights. I'd was hoping there would be no delays or complications in getting a visa.

Also thanks for the airline and airport details. That's very helpful.

You sound like you know a bit about China. Do you think it's a 'good' (interesting/pleasant) place to visit? I know it's all subjective.

Todd Gack

so many qs wrote: »

Great, thanks for the reply.

Good tip about the Chinese Embassy not working Fridays. Also wasn't sure what to do next, flights or visa. So I guess it's flights. I'd was hoping there would be no delays or complications in getting a visa.

Also thanks for the airline and airport details. That's very helpful.

You sound like you know a bit about China. Do you think it's a 'good' (interesting/pleasant) place to visit? I know it's all subjective.

No problem, FYI the embassy also only accepts postal orders and BOI or AIB bank drafts (not any other banks) and the payment is due on collection rather than when you apply. Once your application form is in order and you have printouts of your travel flights into and out of China the visa should be a formality. The visa section is round the back of a normal looking house on Merrion Road so could be easy enough to miss, there's just a plaque on the pillar. It's not the actual embassy which is on Ailesbury Road.

Yeah it's a good place to visit, subjectively speaking of course, plenty history, sights and good food. It's very different but that makes it all more interesting. Can be a bit of a culture shock, people won't think twice about jumping in front of you in a queue for example and you get a few stares but put it down to cultural differences rather than being rude, it's very safe as well so just enjoy your trip.

so many qs

Great, that all sounds straightforward. Thanks very much for your help. Next stop flights.