I first visited China post-university, and soon discovered that this country of 1.4 billion people and over 5,000 years of civilisation is one of the world’s great destinations. So when, in 2010, the chance arose to move to Beijing for a job, I grabbed it with both hands.
Although I spent several years living in China, few friends or family members managed to visit. That was because travelling to China involved application forms, in-person visa appointments, invitation letters and fees of £100 plus.
But not in 2026. In February, China announced that UK nationals can visit for up to 30 days visa-free, meaning now is the perfect time to plan a trip.
More than 13,000 miles long, the Great Wall of China is the country’s best-known landmark (Photo: Aaron Geddes Photography/Getty)
Since the change, specialist tour operator Wendy Wu Tours has seen a 75 per cent year-on-year increase in passengers on its China trips. “The introduction of visa-free travel has made visiting China easier than ever, removing a significant hurdle for many people,” Wendy Wu, the company’s founder, said.
