Choosing hotels
- International brands: consistent and predictable, for guests who do not want surprises.
- Characterful stays: by Qinghai Lake, in Hemu village or on the Longji terraces, a guesthouse is part of the scenery.
- Location first: in cities, walking distance to the main sights beats a grander hotel further out.
- Family needs: we confirm lifts, extra beds and non-slip bathrooms.
Rail and flights
Mainland high-speed rail is real-name ticketed and needs your Home Return Permit or Taiwan Compatriot Permit details. For long legs such as Beijing–Xi'an, rail is easier than flying; for genuinely long distances such as Xi'an–Dunhuang or Dunhuang–Shanghai, air wins. We compare each leg and book it for you.
Things to know
- Peak season (July–August, National Day, Chinese New Year) is tight for hotels and tickets — confirm early.
- Rail tickets go on sale at a fixed time; we process popular routes on release day.
- Airline change and refund rules vary; we set them out before you pay.
Hotel registration
Hong Kong and Taiwan travellers must register in real name at hotels, and some smaller guesthouses are not licensed to accept them. We check before booking so you do not discover it on arrival.
