Planning a trip to China is an exciting adventure in itself. There are a lot of different things to think about before you go, and some things that you have to do before you even set foot in the airport.
Passports and Visas
You probably already know you need to have a valid passport for visiting China. But you also need an appropriate visa. Visas are issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate general serving your area. You can deal in person with the embassy or consulate, or you can ask your travel agent to manage the process for you. Special visa agents can also arrange your visa for you but these services will cost extra visa itself.
Health Concerns
Taking precautions while visiting any new place is a good idea and finding out the latest on what's happening in the area is the smart thing to do. There are also some basic items you'll want to take with you just in case you have a run-in with a bad dumpling!
Money Matters
Now with the prevalence of ATMs and credit cards, there are more convenient ways to make your purchases. Having a little advance notice of the denomination of the Chinese currency can also help you prepare for your trip.
Traveling with Small Children
The anticipation is probably worse than the reality of the trip. Traveling with children is stressful. But you can alleviate some of that stress by bringing what you need and buying the rest. Being prepared is most of the battle when you've got kids in tow, so make it easy on yourself. Knowing what kinds of activities are available for the little ones when they get bored with temples and monuments is also helpful.
Planning Your Itinerary
Now that you've got the mundane bits out of the way, it's time to focus on planning your itinerary. Is it bright lights and big cities you're into? Then you may want to start out in Shanghai. Perhaps it's China's long history, best exemplified by the Great Wall you're after exploring. Whatever you decide, you'll exhaust your time for planning before you exhaust the possibilities.
Avoiding Ruining Your Trip to China
There's so much to see and do in China, you'll want to focus on the good. But with any new country and culture, there might be some annoyances or irritations. Don't let these get you down!