Popular cities in China
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China Southern
CZ 8050
→ Outbound · 27 Sep
LGW
London Gatwick
PVG
China
10:10 PM
27 Sep
19h 10m
12:20 AM
29 Sep
← Return · 7 Oct
SHA
Shanghai
LHR
London Heathrow
8:50 AM
7 Oct
17h 30m
7:20 PM
7 Oct
from
£430
Return · per adult
Tianjin Airlines
GS 7966
→ Outbound · 7 Nov
LHR
London Heathrow
PEK
China
9:00 PM
7 Nov
30h 20m
11:20 AM
9 Nov
← Return · 17 Nov
PEK
Beijing Capital
LHR
London Heathrow
2:00 PM
17 Nov
37h 00m
7:00 PM
18 Nov
from
£455
Return · per adult
China Southern
CZ 8050
→ Outbound · 27 Sep
LGW
London Gatwick
CKG
China
10:10 PM
27 Sep
17h 25m
10:35 PM
28 Sep
← Return · 7 Oct
CKG
Chongqing
LHR
London Heathrow
7:45 PM
7 Oct
30h 35m
7:20 PM
8 Oct
from
£456
Return · per adult
Gulf Air
GF 2
→ Outbound · 31 Jan
LHR
London Heathrow
PVG
China
9:30 AM
31 Jan
18h 25m
11:55 AM
1 Feb
← Return · 10 Feb
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
LHR
London Heathrow
4:30 PM
10 Feb
22h 05m
6:35 AM
11 Feb
from
£514
Return · per adult
British Airways
BA 0169
→ Outbound · 8 Nov
LHR
London Heathrow
PVG
China
12:25 PM
8 Nov
12h 45m
Direct
9:10 AM
9 Nov
← Return · 18 Nov
PVG
Shanghai Pudong
LHR
London Heathrow
10:55 AM
18 Nov
14h 50m
Direct
5:45 PM
18 Nov
from
£530
Return · per adult
Shenzhen Airlines
ZH 888
→ Outbound · 8 Nov
LHR
London Heathrow
CKG
China
9:10 PM
8 Nov
32h 35m
1:45 PM
10 Nov
← Return · 18 Nov
CKG
Chongqing
LHR
London Heathrow
5:30 PM
18 Nov
32h 20m
5:50 PM
19 Nov
from
£552
Return · per adult
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About flights to China
Overview
China rewards UK travellers with a vast sweep of experiences — the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the futuristic skyline of Shanghai, warriors at Xi'an and karst scenery around Guilin. Whether you're heading out for business, study, tourism or to visit family, comparing every fare in one place makes finding the right flight to China quick and simple.
Best time to fly to China
China is huge, so seasons vary by region, but spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are generally the most comfortable, with mild temperatures and clear skies. Summers are hot and humid in the south, while winters are cold in the north. Fares tend to climb around the busy Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week, so travelling either side of these stretches your budget further. Check the price charts on this page for the cheapest dates on your route.
Main gateway cities & airports
The principal gateways for UK travellers are Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Guangzhou (CAN), with Chengdu (CTU) and Shenzhen (SZX) also well connected.
Airlines and routes
Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate direct services between London and cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, with a typical flying time of around 10–12 hours. Plenty of one-stop options via Gulf and Asian hubs — often better value — are also worth comparing for your exact dates.
Popular places to visit in China
- Beijing: the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.
- Shanghai: the Bund waterfront and dazzling modern skyline.
- Xi'an: the world-famous Terracotta Army.
- Guilin & Yangshuo: dramatic karst peaks and river cruises.
- Chengdu: giant pandas and Sichuan cuisine.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to China
- Book roughly a few weeks to a few months ahead for the best value.
- Avoid Chinese New Year and Golden Week peaks where you can.
- Compare direct flights against one-stop routes via Gulf or Asian hubs.
- Be flexible with your dates — midweek departures are often cheaper.
Travel essentials
- Visa: most UK travellers need a visa, applied for before travel; a visa-free transit scheme applies at some cities for eligible onward journeys — always check the latest rules before booking.
- Currency: the Chinese yuan / renminbi (CNY); mobile payment apps are widely used.
Baggage & hand-luggage allowance for flights to China
Your allowance to China depends on the airline and the fare you book. The table below shows typical long-haul allowances so you know roughly what to expect — always confirm the exact limits with your airline before you fly.
| Fare type | Hand baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / Light economy | 1 small under-seat bag | Usually none — add for a fee |
| Standard economy | 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item | Typically 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium economy | 1–2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 23 kg |
| Business / First | 2 cabin bags + personal item | Typically 2 × 32 kg |
Indicative only. Allowances vary by airline, route and fare — always check your airline's baggage policy.
Packing & baggage tips
- Full-service carriers (e.g. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM) usually include a checked bag on long-haul economy fares; basic/low-cost fares often don't.
- Cabin (hand) bag size is commonly around 56 × 45 × 25 cm — confirm your airline's limit before you pack.
- Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
- Weigh your bags at home — airport excess-baggage fees are far higher than pre-booked allowances.
- Extra or heavier bags are almost always cheaper added online in advance than at the airport.
FAQs — booking China flights
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