China has spent the last two years quietly becoming one of the easier big countries to visit — if you know which door to walk through. Depending on your passport, you might not need a visa at all. If you do, the process runs almost entirely online now, and a two-week trip is exactly the kind of window it's built for.

Here's how to plan it.

Step 1: Figure Out If You Even Need a Visa

China has expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to cover holders of ordinary passports from around 50 countries — most of Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and a growing list of others — for stays up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. That policy currently runs through the end of 2026, so a two-week trip comfortably fits inside it if your passport qualifies.

If your country isn't on that list — this includes the US, UK, India, and most of South Asia — you'll need to apply for an L visa (tourist visa) through China's eVisa system.

Step 2: Apply Through the Official eVisa Portal

China opened an online eVisa application system at evisa.mfa.gov.cn, letting applicants from many countries fill out forms and upload documents without an initial in-person embassy visit. The process looks like this:

1. Create an account on the portal.

2. Select L (Tourist) as your visa type.

3. Upload a passport scan, a digital photo, and supporting documents.

4. Fill out the COVA application form with your itinerary details.

Depending on your nationality, this either results in a fully online approval, or generates a barcode/reference number you then take to a Chinese Visa Application Service Center in person to submit biometrics and your physical passport.

Documents you'll typically need:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and 2 blank pages

• Passport-style digital photo

• Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings for each city, or an invitation letter)

• Round-trip flight itinerary

• Sometimes: proof of sufficient funds or ties to your home country, though this isn't always mandatory

Cost and timing: For most non-exempt nationalities, total visa costs (visa fee plus service center charges) generally land somewhere between $140–300 depending on your country and how fast you need it processed. Standard processing is typically 4–5 working days, so apply at least 2–3 weeks before departure to leave room for delays.

Step 3: Build a Two-Week Itinerary That Doesn't Feel Rushed

Two weeks is enough to cover 3–4 regions properly without turning the trip into an airport shuttle. A route that works well for first-timers:

• Beijing (4 days) — Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu section is less crowded than Badaling), hutong neighborhoods, Temple of Heaven

• Xi'an (2 days) — Terracotta Army, city wall cycling, Muslim Quarter food street

• Shanghai (3 days) — Bund waterfront, Yu Garden, French Concession, a day trip to a nearby water town like Zhujiajiao

• Chengdu or Guilin (3–4 days) — pandas and Sichuan food in Chengdu, or karst landscapes and river cruises in Guilin

High-speed rail connects all of these efficiently — Beijing to Xi'an is around 4.5 hours, Xi'an to Shanghai roughly 6 hours, and tickets can be booked through apps like Trip.com well in advance.

Step 4: Handle the Practical Stuff Before You Land

A few things catch first-time visitors off guard:

Payments. China runs largely on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both now support linking foreign credit cards for tourists, and it's worth setting this up before you arrive rather than scrambling on day one — cash is accepted but increasingly rare in cities.

Internet. The Great Firewall blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps. A VPN installed before arrival (not after) is essential if you want to stay connected — download and test it while still on home Wi-Fi.

Registration. All foreign visitors must register their accommodation with local police within 24 hours of arrival. If you're staying in hotels, this is done automatically at check-in. If you're in private accommodation, you'll need to handle it yourself at the nearest police station.

SIM cards. Airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs on arrival, or you can pre-order an eSIM before you land — the latter is faster if you want data the moment you're off the plane.

Step 5: Know Your Visa's Limits

A standard L visa eVisa typically grants a single-entry, 30-day stay — comfortably more than your two weeks, but worth double-checking your approval letter for the exact validity window and entry count, since these can vary by nationality and processing center. If your trip involves leaving China and re-entering (say, a side trip to Hong Kong), confirm whether your visa is single or multiple entry before you book that leg.

Visa rules shift often and vary significantly by nationality — always confirm current requirements directly with the Chinese embassy or consulate for your country, or through the official eVisa portal, before booking non-refundable travel.