Need Help Planning Your China Holiday?
Ruby Dean can help you find the right China holiday package based on your travel plans and preferences.
China offers an extraordinary combination of ancient civilization, historic landmarks, modern cities, diverse landscapes, and distinctive cultural traditions. Travelers can walk along the Great Wall near Beijing, explore the Forbidden City, discover the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, or experience Shanghai’s impressive skyline and historic waterfront.
With China Tour Packages from Dubai, Ruby Dean helps travelers plan a holiday around their preferred destinations and travel style. Whether you are interested in Chinese history, architecture, shopping, food, nature, or modern city experiences, China offers a wide range of attractions within one unforgettable journey.
From Beijing’s imperial heritage and Xi’an’s ancient history to Shanghai’s modern energy, a China holiday can combine culture, history, sightseeing, shopping, cuisine, and memorable city experiences in one itinerary.
China Holiday Packages from Dubai
China Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
Visa requirements for China depend on the traveler’s nationality, passport, purpose of travel, and intended length of stay.
UAE nationals holding valid ordinary passports are currently exempt from a Chinese visa for stays of up to 30 days. This visa exemption applies to eligible visits including tourism, subject to the applicable conditions.
For UAE residents who hold passports from other countries, the requirements may be different. A UAE residence permit does not automatically provide visa-free entry to China. Travelers whose nationality requires a visa should follow the appropriate Chinese visa application process before traveling.
The Chinese Embassy in the UAE states that applicants who are applying outside their country of citizenship may need to provide proof of their valid UAE residence status. Basic visa documentation can include a passport with at least six months of remaining validity and sufficient blank visa pages, along with other documents depending on the visa category.
Travelers should check the latest requirements applicable to their specific passport before booking flights and accommodation.
Ruby Dean can assist UAE-based travelers in understanding the applicable China visa requirements, documentation, and travel arrangements for their nationality.
Best Time to Visit China from Dubai
China can be visited throughout the year, but the best travel period depends on the cities and activities included in your itinerary.
April to May is generally a pleasant period for sightseeing, with comfortable spring weather in many popular destinations. It is suitable for exploring Beijing’s historic attractions, walking around city centres, and enjoying outdoor experiences.
September to October is another excellent period, particularly for travelers combining Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. Autumn generally brings comfortable temperatures and is a popular season for sightseeing and photography.
June to August can be hot and humid in several major destinations, although summer is also suitable for travelers who prefer longer daylight hours and want to explore China’s mountains and northern regions.
November to March can be colder, especially in northern China. However, winter can provide a different experience, particularly for travelers interested in snow, winter scenery, or fewer crowds at selected attractions.
Best overall period: April to May and September to October — particularly suitable for combining China’s major cities, historic landmarks, cultural experiences, and outdoor sightseeing.
Where to Stay in China
China offers accommodation ranging from international luxury hotels and modern city properties to boutique hotels, serviced apartments, and traditional-style stays. The best location depends on your itinerary and the type of experience you want.
Beijing is ideal for first-time visitors interested in history and major landmarks. Staying in central areas provides convenient access to attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, traditional neighbourhoods, restaurants, and shopping areas.
Xi’an is a good choice for travelers focusing on China’s ancient history. Staying close to the city centre provides easy access to the Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, restaurants, and other attractions, while the Terracotta Warriors are located outside the central city.
Shanghai is suitable for travelers interested in modern city life, shopping, dining, architecture, and waterfront experiences. Central areas around the Bund, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, and nearby districts provide convenient access to many attractions. Shanghai’s official tourism resources highlight the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, and Lujiazui among the city’s major visitor destinations.
Travelers seeking a more relaxed experience can also choose hotels in scenic destinations outside the main metropolitan areas.
Whether you prefer a luxury city hotel, boutique property, serviced apartment, or traditional-style accommodation, China offers options for couples, families, solo travelers, and groups.
China Tourism Insights
China continues to attract international travelers with its combination of ancient heritage, major cultural landmarks, modern cities, diverse landscapes, and regional food traditions.
Growing International Tourism
China recorded 154.5 million inbound visits in 2025, an increase of 17.1% compared with the previous year. Foreign visitors accounted for 35.17 million of those inbound visits, while inbound trips made under visa-free policies reached 30.08 million.
Heritage & Cultural Tourism
China’s historic attractions remain a major reason to visit. Beijing offers access to the Great Wall and imperial landmarks, while Xi’an is renowned for the Terracotta Warriors and its ancient heritage.
Modern City Experiences
China also provides a striking contrast between ancient traditions and modern urban life. Shanghai combines historic architecture along the Bund with modern districts such as Lujiazui, making it particularly appealing to travelers interested in architecture, shopping, dining, and city experiences.
Food & Cultural Experiences
Regional cuisine is an important part of Chinese tourism. Travelers can discover different flavors and cooking traditions as they move between cities and provinces, making food an experience in its own right.
Why China Appeals to Dubai Travelers
For travelers from Dubai, China offers a distinctive Asian holiday combining world-famous landmarks, ancient history, modern cities, shopping, cuisine, and cultural experiences. Direct Dubai–Beijing connectivity also makes Beijing a practical gateway for a multi-city China itinerary.
A well-planned itinerary can combine Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, giving travelers the opportunity to experience China’s historic, cultural, and modern sides in one memorable journey.
Flight Connectivity & Travel Time from Dubai to China
Dubai to Beijing Flights
Travelers from Dubai can fly directly to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Emirates currently lists direct Dubai–Beijing services, with a published flight duration of approximately 7 hours 35 minutes on its current schedule.
Dubai to China Flight Duration
A direct Dubai–Beijing journey takes around 7 hours 35 minutes, although the exact duration can vary depending on the flight schedule, aircraft, weather, and air-traffic conditions.
Reaching Xi'an & Shanghai
Travelers can continue from Beijing to Xi’an and Shanghai using China’s extensive domestic flight and high-speed rail networks. High-speed trains can be a particularly convenient option for selected city-to-city routes.
Planning Your China Holiday
Flight schedules and fares can change according to travel dates, demand, and airline availability. Travelers planning a China holiday from Dubai should coordinate international flights with domestic transportation, accommodation, and sightseeing arrangements.
Travel Guide
China is a vast destination with a remarkable mix of ancient heritage, modern cities, traditional culture, natural scenery, and regional cuisines. Because of its size, travelers can create very different itineraries depending on the cities and experiences they want to include.
In Beijing, travelers can explore the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu and Badaling sections are among the major Great Wall attractions around Beijing.
Xi’an is an excellent choice for history lovers and is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. The city also offers its ancient city wall and other historic attractions connected with China’s long cultural history.
Shanghai provides a completely different atmosphere, combining modern skyscrapers with historic neighbourhoods and waterfront architecture. The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, and Lujiazui are among the city’s major attractions.
Travelers looking for nature can explore China’s mountains, lakes, national parks, rivers, and scenic countryside, while food enthusiasts can experience the country’s highly diverse regional cuisines.
For first-time visitors, combining Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai creates a balanced itinerary covering China’s imperial heritage, ancient history, modern city life, culture, and cuisine.
Average temp :
15°C / 59°F
Average flight time :
Approximately 7 hours 35 minutes for a direct Dubai–Beijing flight.
Language :
Mandarin Chinese (English is more commonly understood in major tourist areas, international hotels, airports, and popular attractions.)
Ideal for:
Couples, families, first-time visitors, culture seekers, history lovers, food enthusiasts, shopping lovers, and travelers looking for unique Asian experiences.
Currency :
Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY / RMB)
Time Zone :
4 hours ahead of Dubai
Getting Around China
China has an extensive transportation network, making it possible to travel efficiently between major cities as well as explore local destinations.
High-Speed Trains: China’s high-speed rail network is one of the most convenient options for traveling between major cities. It is particularly useful for routes such as Beijing–Xi’an and Shanghai–other major destinations.
Domestic Flights: Because China is geographically large, domestic flights can save considerable time when traveling between destinations that are far apart.
Metro Systems: Major cities including Beijing and Shanghai have extensive metro networks that provide convenient access to tourist attractions, shopping districts, and business areas.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Taxis and app-based transport services are widely used in major cities and can be useful for airport transfers and shorter journeys.
Private Transfers: Private cars and guided transfers can be convenient for families, groups, and travelers visiting multiple attractions in one day.
Walking: Historic areas such as Beijing’s traditional neighbourhoods and Shanghai’s central attractions can be enjoyable to explore on foot when distances are manageable.
Taxi
Buses
By Bike
By Train
By Plane
Chinese Cuisine & Traditional Drinks
Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, with regional cooking traditions offering different ingredients, flavors, textures, and preparation methods. A China holiday gives travelers the opportunity to experience local dishes, street food, traditional tea culture, and regional specialties.
In Beijing, travelers can try Peking duck, one of the city’s most recognizable dishes, traditionally served with thin pancakes and accompanying ingredients.
In Xi’an, visitors can explore local specialties such as biangbiang noodles, roujiamo, and dumplings, reflecting the city’s northern and Silk Road culinary influences.
Shanghai cuisine includes dishes such as xiaolongbao, a popular steamed soup dumpling, along with a variety of noodles, seafood, and local specialties. Shanghai’s official tourism resources highlight local food experiences and xiaolongbao among the city’s culinary attractions.
Tea is an important part of Chinese culture, and travelers can discover different varieties and tea traditions throughout the country. Chinese tea is commonly enjoyed both casually and during traditional cultural experiences.
Other popular beverages include soy milk, fruit-based drinks, and regional soft drinks, while local restaurants may also offer Chinese rice wine and other traditional alcoholic beverages.
Exploring local restaurants, markets, tea houses, and food streets is an excellent way to experience China’s regional flavors, hospitality, and culinary heritage during your holiday.
Frequently asked Questions
Visa requirements depend on nationality and passport. UAE nationals holding valid ordinary passports can currently enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, subject to the applicable conditions. UAE residents holding other passports may need to obtain a Chinese visa before traveling.
April to May and September to October are generally excellent periods for sightseeing, with comfortable conditions in many of China’s popular tourist destinations.
A direct Dubai–Beijing flight takes approximately 7 hours 35 minutes according to the current Emirates schedule.
The official currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB). Travelers should carry some local currency, while payment options may vary between cities and businesses.
Yes. China offers historic attractions, theme parks, shopping districts, cultural experiences, scenic areas, and diverse activities suitable for couples, families, and first-time visitors.
Popular destinations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, and Zhangjiajie. The best combination depends on the duration and purpose of your trip.
Yes. These three cities are commonly combined in multi-city itineraries and provide a balanced introduction to China’s imperial heritage, ancient history, and modern urban culture.
Depending on the selected package, inclusions may include accommodation, airport transfers, sightseeing, domestic transportation, selected activities, and travel assistance. Exact inclusions vary by itinerary.
Â
Yes. Your itinerary can be customized around your preferred cities, travel dates, accommodation, trip duration, activities, and budget, subject to availability.
Travelers can try regional specialties such as Peking duck, xiaolongbao, biangbiang noodles, roujiamo, dumplings, and different Chinese tea varieties.
Â
