Australasia to China 40–80% OFF
Cheap flights discovered by AI^✨

Several new connections opened in late 2025 as capacity fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. Hainan Airlines recently resumed its direct service from Berlin to Beijing, while China Southern increased frequencies from London and Amsterdam to Guangzhou. Additionally, Juneyao Airlines expanded its presence with new direct flights connecting Shanghai to Manchester and Brussels.

These new routes have increased competition, helping to stabilize economy fares around €600-800 for round trips booked 2-3 months out. If you’re flying from a secondary European city, look for codeshare options that funnel you through these expanded hubs rather than defaulting to expensive legacy connections.

The Euro has strengthened slightly against the Chinese Yuan (RMB) in late 2025, giving European tourists about 5-8% more purchasing power compared to last year. Currently, €1 buys approximately 7.8-8.0 RMB, meaning a substantial dinner for two costs around €25-30, and high-speed train tickets between major cities average €50-70.

While inflation in China has raised domestic hotel prices, the favorable exchange rate largely offsets this for Euro earners. You’ll find on-the-ground costs for food and transport remain exceptionally low compared to London or Paris standards, allowing for a luxury experience on a mid-range budget.

Yes, if you rely on Western apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Maps, or Gmail, you absolutely need a solution to bypass the “Great Firewall.” The easiest method is purchasing an eSIM (like Airalo or Holafly) before departure, as roaming data automatically bypasses censorship without needing a separate VPN app.

If you prefer using local Wi-Fi, you must install a paid VPN (like Astrill or LetsVPN) *before* you arrive in China, as VPN websites are blocked once you’re inside the country. Free VPNs almost never work reliably. Without these tools, you will be digitally cut off from your usual communication channels and banking apps.

No, never drink tap water in China, not even in 5-star luxury hotels. The water contains heavy metals and bacteria different from what European stomachs are accustomed to, and boiling it doesn’t always remove chemical contaminants. Locals always drink boiled water or tea, but tourists should stick to sealed bottled water which is available everywhere for 2-3 RMB (€0.30).

Brush your teeth with tap water is generally fine in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai, but if you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water for that too. Most hotels provide two free bottles daily—ask housekeeping for more if needed.

Train tickets go on sale 15 days before departure and popular routes (like Beijing-Shanghai or Xi’an-Chengdu) sell out within minutes of release. You should book as soon as the window opens, especially if you want a specific time or First Class seat.

Use the official “Railway 12306” app (which has an English version) or Trip.com to secure tickets. If you wait until you arrive at the station, you will likely find only standing-room tickets available or be forced to wait hours for the next open seat. Passport verification is now digital, so you don’t need to pick up paper tickets—just scan your passport at the gate.

This is the most common trap for tourists in Beijing and Shanghai. A friendly “student” or couple will approach you in a tourist area (like Tiananmen or the Bund), practice English with you, and suggest visiting a traditional tea house nearby. You’ll enjoy a tea ceremony, only to be handed a bill for €200-500 equivalent.

To avoid this, never follow strangers to a secondary location they suggest. If you want to drink tea, choose the venue yourself or check reviews on Dianping/TripAdvisor first. Politely say “no time” and keep walking—real locals are usually too busy to invite random foreigners to tea ceremonies.

Virtually zero taxi drivers speak English, and showing them a map on your phone often fails because they may not be able to read the small Latin alphabet text. You must have your destination written in large Chinese characters (Hanzi) to show the driver.

The better alternative is using the Didi app (China’s Uber), which has an English interface and auto-translates your messages to the driver. The destination is input digitally, so the driver knows exactly where to go without you speaking a word. Didi is also generally cleaner and cheaper than hailing random street taxis.

We use AI-based monitoring tools that scan thousands of route combinations every hour to detect pricing anomalies. When airlines like Air China or Lufthansa file fares with unexpected price drops—often due to algorithm adjustments or new capacity—our system flags them instantly. Human experts then verify the deal to ensure the layovers are reasonable and the airline is reputable.

Instead of paying the standard €900-1,100 for a trip to Shanghai, our free newsletter subscribers receive alerts for verified deals often dropping to €450-600. You then book directly with the airline, ensuring you get full consumer protection and miles while paying significantly less.