The Great Wall north of Beijing, the Forbidden City, the skyscrapers of Shanghai, the Terracotta Army of Xi'an and the markets of Guangzhou: China fascinates Congolese travellers and entrepreneurs alike, who go there for tourism as well as for business.
When to go?
A mild spring, ideal for Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, and the spring session of the Canton Fair.
Hot and humid, with heavy rain in the south and crowds during the Chinese school holidays.
Autumn, the best season: clear skies, pleasant temperatures and the autumn session of the Canton Fair.
Must-sees
Shanghai
The Bund, the towers of Pudong and the gardens of the old town.
Beijing and the Great Wall
The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling.
Xi'an
The first emperor's Terracotta Army and the walls of the old imperial capital.
Guangzhou (Canton)
Canton Tower, Cantonese cuisine and the Canton Fair, the great meeting point for African importers.
Itinerary idea: 12 days in China
- 1
Beijing and the Great Wall (4 days)
- 2
High-speed train to Xi'an (2 days)
- 3
Shanghai (3 days)
- 4
Guangzhou (3 days)
Every trip is tailor-made to your dates, budget and wishes.
Formalities from the DRC
Congolese nationals need a visa for China: a tourist visa (L) for tourism, a business visa (M) for the Canton Fair or purchasing trips. The form is completed online at visaforchina.cn, with an appointment, then the file is submitted at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Luxury Tower, No. 148, boulevard du 30 juin, Gombe), Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm. For a single entry, allow $83 in visa fees, paid in cash at the centre, and $110 in service fees, paid at the bank ($238 in total with express service). Your passport must be valid for at least six months and have two blank pages. A yellow fever vaccination card is required for travellers coming from the DRC. Ebola outbreak: report any symptom or contact to Chinese customs on arrival, and avoid stopovers in Dubai or Doha, as the UAE and Qatar refuse entry to travellers who have been in the DRC in the past 21 days. Wanderlust prepares your file from A to Z: see our China visa packages.
Entry requirements, fees and processing times change regularly: always check the latest information on official websites. Wanderlust helps you prepare your file; the decision rests solely with the competent authorities.
Read: Visa refusal: the most common reasons and how to avoid them
Our advice
- Install an international eSIM before you leave: Google, WhatsApp and Facebook do not work with a Chinese SIM card.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay: they accept foreign Visa and Mastercard cards, and mobile payment is everywhere.
- Avoid Chinese New Year (January or February) and Golden Week (early October): trains and hotels are packed.
China visa: 2 packages
A full review of the file you have prepared, with a written report of corrections and missing documents.
Preparation from A to Z: profile analysis, exact document list, online form and appointment on the visa centre website, compliant photo, supporting bookings, coordination of the invitation letter and follow-up until the passport is collected. Flights and hotel are paid by you.
Orientation meeting: $50. File opening: $200, non-refundable, deducted from the package price (the $50 meeting fee is deducted from this $200). The file is submitted at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Luxury Tower, No. 148, boulevard du 30 juin, Gombe), Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm. Official fees come on top of our fees: for a single entry, a $83 visa fee paid in cash at the centre and a $110 service fee paid at the bank ($238 in total with express service). The decision rests solely with the consular authorities.
Ready to discover China?
Visa, flights, accommodation, transfers: we organise your trip from start to finish.