Tours to China from Aktau: prices

Tours to China from Aktau are flights via Almaty to Beijing, Shanghai or Sanya. Hotels are cheapest from November to February, beach holidays in Hainan — from December to March. Peak loads are Chinese New Year and the first week of October. Book two to three months in advance. Below are documents, seasons, transport, payment and cuisine.

Documents and packing for the trip

Trips to China from Aktau begin long before departure, and the first thing to think about is documents and packing. Below is what a tourist from Kazakhstan needs to know.

What to prepare in advance

For a trip to China, a tourist from Kazakhstan needs a passport valid for at least six months at the time of return. Medical insurance is not mandatory, but it is calmer with it: clinics in Beijing and Shanghai are paid, and a bill for a couple of days easily exceeds the cost of the entire holiday. Take coverage from 30,000 dollars, with hospitalization and emergency evacuation. For beach holidays in Hainan, add sunburn and water injuries to the policy. Check chronic diseases against the list of exclusions.

How to pack for the trip

When packing for China, put a supply of medicines, a power adapter and a printout of the hotel booking in your hand luggage. In winter in Beijing and Shanghai you need warm clothes; in Hainan, light clothing and a swimsuit are enough all year round. In summer, a raincoat and mosquito repellent will come in handy. It is better to distribute money: part on a card, part in cash. Save the hotel address in Chinese characters — it will come in handy in a taxi.

When is it more profitable to plan a trip?

Prices for holidays in China noticeably depend on the month, and the difference between high and low season is significant. Planning a trip in advance is more profitable than catching last minute tour options.

Seasonality of hotel prices in tourist cities

Hotels in China are cheapest from November to February, excluding New Year holidays. In Beijing and Shanghai it is cool in winter, but rates drop by a third, and there are fewer tourists. Sanya and Hainan, on the contrary, experience a peak from December to March, when the island is dry and warm. In spring and autumn prices are average, and the weather in Shanghai and Beijing is the most comfortable for walking. In summer it is expensive and hot, plus the rainy season begins in the south. Book two to three months in advance: this way the choice is wider and the cost is lower.

Holiday periods when occupancy is maximum

During Chinese public holidays, hotels double in price, and tickets are sold out long in advance. The main peak is the week around Chinese New Year, usually late January or February. At this time the country travels within itself, and places in Sanya go first. The second surge is the first week of October, the founding day of the PRC. Plus the May holidays and school vacations in July-August. If you are traveling on these dates, book accommodation six months in advance and do not count on discounts.

Is it worth going to China in the shoulder season?

The shoulder season — April-May and September-October — is the best time for sightseeing tour holidays in China. In Beijing and Shanghai, these months are dry and warm, without summer stuffiness. Hotel prices stay at an average level, and the queues at attractions are shorter than in summer. In Hainan in May it is already hot and humid, but the sea is warm. If the goal is to combine cities and beach holidays, take the end of April: you will have time both to walk around Beijing and to sunbathe in Sanya.

How to get there and what to consider on the way

The journey to China from Kazakhstan takes several hours, but it is worth thinking through the logistics inside the country in advance. Below is about the flight and transport on site.

High-speed trains, metro and taxi inside the country

Between cities in China it is most convenient to travel by high-speed trains. Beijing and Shanghai are connected by a line that covers the distance in several hours. Tickets are bought online using the passport number, seats are assigned automatically. In the metro of large cities, signs are duplicated in English, and payment is made by QR code. Taxis in China are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Save the hotel address in Chinese characters to show it to the driver.

How long does the journey between cities take?

The journey between the main cities of China by high-speed train takes from four to six hours. Beijing and Shanghai are connected by a line more than 1300 kilometers long; the train takes about five hours. There are no direct trains from Shanghai to Sanya: it is more convenient to fly by plane in three hours. Inside Hainan, a ring railway runs, connecting Sanya and Haikou in an hour and a half. Train tickets are sold out several days in advance, especially on holidays, so buy them early.

Money, communication and language on site

Financial issues and communication are resolved before departure, otherwise the first days will be spent on them. Here is what is worth preparing in advance.

Payment with cards of Kazakhstani banks: WeChat Pay and Alipay

Cards of Kazakhstani banks are accepted in China to a limited extent, but the situation is improving. The main payment tools are WeChat Pay and Alipay, to which a foreign card can be linked. After linking, you pay by QR code almost everywhere: in cafes, metro, shops. Cash yuan is also in use, but large notes may not be accepted in small shops. It is better to exchange tenge for yuan at banks in China or at exchange offices in large cities. The rate changes daily, so compare before exchanging.

Local SIM cards, roaming and access to messengers

A local SIM card gives cheap internet, but requires registration with a passport at the operator's salon. Roaming of a Kazakhstan operator is more expensive, but the usual messengers work without restrictions. In China, some foreign services and applications are unavailable through local networks. If you are traveling for work or want to stay in touch with home, roaming or eSIM solves the issue. For navigation and translation, download the apps in advance. English in the tourist areas of Beijing and Shanghai is understood, in the provinces — almost not.

What to do if you don't speak Chinese?

Without Chinese in major cities of China, you can travel, but with caveats. In Beijing and Shanghai, hotel and train station staff understand basic English, in Sanya — worse. Outside tourist areas, menus and signs are only in hieroglyphs, so download a translator with a camera text recognition function. Learn a few phrases: "nihao" — hello, "xiexie" — thank you, "bu la" — without spicy. Always keep the hotel address at hand in Chinese. In a taxi, show it to the driver on the phone screen.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://kz.china-embassy.gov.cn/lsfw/zhengjian/qianzheng/. The information on this page was verified on 17.09.2026.

What to try and bring home?

Gastronomy and souvenirs are a separate part of a holiday in China. Here is what to pay attention to and what to consider when returning.

Regional differences of Chinese cuisine

Chinese cuisine varies greatly by region, and this is worth considering when choosing cities. In Beijing, Peking duck, noodles and dishes with rich flavor predominate. Shanghai cuisine is sweeter, with an abundance of seafood and sauces. On Hainan, light dishes of fish and tropical fruits are prepared, with a lot of coconut. Southern regions love spicy seasonings, northern ones — more bland and hearty dishes. A Kazakhstan tourist is unused to a lot of pork, but chicken and beef are served everywhere. Ask for "bu la" — without spicy, if you don't like spices.

What to bring from the trip

From China, tea, silk, porcelain and electronics are brought. In Beijing, there is a good selection of tea and traditional sweets, in Shanghai — clothes and accessories. From Hainan, tropical fruits, coconut oil and local pearls are brought. Keep expensive purchases with receipts: they confirm the value. Products of animal origin and plants cannot be exported.

Briefly

• The cheapest hotels in China are from November to February, except holidays.
• Peak loads — Chinese New Year and the first week of October.
• Within the country, high-speed trains and the metro are the most convenient.
• WeChat Pay and Alipay accept cards of Kazakhstan banks after linking.