🇨🇳 China

China is the world's largest manufacturer, the world's second-largest economy, and home to some of the most extraordinary travel experiences in Asia. For Bangladeshi travellers, China is two distinct destinations in one country — a business destination that powers Bangladesh's entire manufacturing supply chain, and a tourist destination of extraordinary depth and variety.

For Bangladeshi business travellers: Guangzhou's Canton Fair is the world's largest trade fair, held every April–May and October–November. Yiwu's International Trade City is the world's largest small commodities wholesale market. Together, they represent the sourcing backbone of Bangladesh's garment, electronics, and consumer goods industries. Thousands of Bangladeshi buyers travel to China every year for these destinations alone.

For Bangladeshi tourists: The Great Wall. The Forbidden City in Beijing. The Bund waterfront in Shanghai. The rice terraces of Yunnan. The karst mountains of Zhangjiajie (which inspired the landscapes in Avatar). The ancient Silk Road city of Xi'an with its Terracotta Army. China's tourism infrastructure is world-class, its high-speed rail network connects every major city in hours, and the concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is second only to Italy.

No eVisa. No Visa on Arrival for Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders. Business travellers apply for an M Visa; tourists apply for an L Visa — both through CVASC Dhaka.

By Flight: No non-stop flights currently operate between Dhaka and Chinese cities. The most common 1-stop routes:

• Dhaka → Guangzhou (via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore): 8–12 hours total
• Dhaka → Beijing (via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok): 9–14 hours total
• Dhaka → Shanghai (via similar hubs): 9–14 hours total

Airlines: Biman Bangladesh (select routes), China Southern, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways.

Fares: ৳35,000–70,000 return for Guangzhou routes. ৳45,000–80,000 for Beijing and Shanghai. Book 6–8 weeks in advance for Canton Fair period flights (September–October and March–April) — they fill fast.

Getting around China: China's high-speed rail (高铁 — Gāotiě) is the most efficient land transport in Asia. Guangzhou to Yiwu: 2.5 hours. Guangzhou to Shanghai: 8 hours. Beijing to Shanghai: 4.5 hours. Book train tickets at 12306.cn (requires registration) or Trip.com (English interface, accepts international cards).

April–May (Spring): Excellent weather across most of China. Rhododendrons bloom in Yunnan. Cherry blossoms in Beijing. Also Canton Fair Spring session (April–May). Ideal for combining business and tourism.

September–November (Autumn): The most popular travel season. Crisp, cool weather in Beijing and northern China. Golden light for photography. Also Canton Fair Autumn session (October–November). Peak tourist season — book everything early.

December–February (Winter): Cold in the north (Beijing temperatures reach -10°C in January), mild in the south (Guangzhou, Guangdong Province). Best time for tourism in Guangzhou and southern China. Chinese New Year falls in January or February — spectacular festivals but transport is extremely crowded and prices spike.

June–August (Summer): Hot and humid across most of China. Crowds peak at tourist sites. Higher prices. Generally not recommended as the primary travel window unless your destination is specifically Tibet (accessible June–October) or Xinjiang.

China's third-largest city and the manufacturing capital of the Pearl River Delta. For Bangladeshi buyers, Guangzhou is primarily the Canton Fair and wholesale market destination. But beyond business: the city has excellent Cantonese cuisine (dim sum culture, roast duck, fresh seafood), the Chimelong Safari Park (one of Asia's best), and a genuine Pearl River Delta urban energy. Stay in the Tianhe district for a modern city experience or Liwan (old town) for atmosphere.

Yiwu in Zhejiang Province hosts the world's largest small commodities market — 75,000 booths across 5 million square metres. Not a tourist destination, but an essential business destination. The city itself is compact and international — it has the largest permanent foreign population of any city in China outside Beijing and Shanghai.

China's capital and cultural heart. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) — the largest palace complex in the world, home to Chinese emperors for 500 years. The Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling — the most iconic structure in China. Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, 798 Art District. Beijing requires a minimum of 3 days.

China's most cosmopolitan city. The Bund waterfront — colonial-era European architecture facing the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River. The French Concession — tree-lined streets, boutique cafes, preserved colonial villas. Yu Garden — a 16th-century classical Chinese garden. Nanjing Road. Shanghai Museum. Minimum 2 days.

China's first imperial capital and Silk Road gateway. The Terracotta Army — Emperor Qin's 8,000-strong underground army, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The Xi'an city wall (you can cycle the full perimeter). The Muslim Quarter — a thriving halal food street with Bangladeshi-familiar flavors (lamb skewers, flatbreads, pomegranate juice).

The real-world inspiration for the floating mountains in the film Avatar. Sandstone pillars rising from mist-filled valleys in Hunan Province. The Bailong Elevator (the world's highest outdoor lift). The Tianmen Mountain glass walkway. A UNESCO Global Geopark. Best visited April–November.

Register at hk.cantonfair.org.cn, obtain your invitation letter, apply for an M Visa at CVASC Dhaka, and attend the world's largest trade fair. Two sessions per year — Spring (April–May) and Autumn (October–November). See Tripzic's Canton Fair Complete Guide for the full process.

China's HSR network connects every major city at speeds up to 350 km/h. The Beijing–Shanghai HSR journey (4.5 hours) passes through multiple provinces and gives a panoramic view of China's agricultural heartland. Buy tickets in advance on Trip.com.

The Muslim Quarter (回民街 — Huímín Jiē) in Xi'an is one of the most rewarding street food experiences in China — and one of the most halal-accessible. Lamb skewers grilled over charcoal, rou jiamo (Chinese lamb burger), biangbiang noodles, and pomegranate juice from century-old family stalls. A must for Bangladeshi travellers who observe halal.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (90 km north of Beijing) is the most recommended for international visitors — restored to a high standard, less crowded than Badaling, and genuinely spectacular in autumn when the surrounding hills turn orange and red. Take the cable car up, walk the wall, and toboggan down.

The tree-lined streets, independent cafes, and carefully preserved 1920s–1930s architecture of Shanghai's former French Concession form one of Asia's most pleasant urban walking districts. The area around Xintiandi and Tianzifang is the most Instagram-photographed, but the quieter residential streets of Wukang Road and Yongkang Road have more authentic atmosphere.

WeChat is essential. Download and activate your WeChat account before leaving Bangladesh. WeChat is used for communication, payment (WeChat Pay), maps, translation, and supplier communication in China. Without it, you are operating at a disadvantage in every interaction.

The Great Firewall. Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp are all blocked in mainland China without a VPN. Download a reliable VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Astrill) before entering China — you cannot download VPN apps once you are on Chinese networks. Tripzic's travel briefing for China travellers includes VPN setup guidance.

Cash and payment. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate Chinese payments. International visitors can now link international Visa/Mastercard to WeChat Pay for tourist payments (introduced in 2023). Carry some RMB cash as backup — especially for markets, street food, and smaller suppliers in Yiwu.

SIM card. Buy a China Mobile or China Unicom tourist SIM at Guangzhou airport on arrival. 10-day packages with data: approximately ৳1,400–2,000. Essential for navigation, WeChat, and communication throughout the trip.

• Guangzhou: Halal restaurants in the Xiao Bei district (South Asian/African quarter). Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Middle Eastern restaurants available.
• Yiwu: Significant Muslim community (Arab, Central Asian, South Asian traders). Halal restaurants throughout the trade city area.
• Xi'an: Muslim Quarter — extensive halal street food culture.
• Beijing/Shanghai: Halal options available but require research — check HalalTrip app before visiting.