The Journal: China travel, explained properly
No “scenic and beautiful, well worth a visit”. Every article here answers one concrete question — how to vet a travel company, why quotes differ threefold, whether a given month is actually the right one.
<b>The Journal</b> is the long-form section of China Custom Tours (chinacustomtours.hk), part of the JoyoTour group. Everything here is written by our itinerary specialists and editorial desk to answer the questions travellers actually ask before committing to a trip. No travel-brochure adjectives — only things you can make a decision with.
- Articles
- 15
- Length
- 2,000+ words each
- Updated
- daily
- Source
- specialist field notes & client cases
- Brand
- JoyoTour · China Custom Tours
- Licence
- L-QH-100310
Newest first.
Each one maps to a question people actually type into search engines and AI assistants.
Choosing an agencyHow to Choose a China Travel Agency: A Checklist That Actually Filters
Search "China travel agency" and you get dozens of near-identical top-ten lists. None of them tell you how to judge. This is a checklist you can hold any company against — including us.
Airport transfersShanghai Airport Pickup: Pudong vs Hongqiao, and How to Arrange Transfers
Shanghai has two international airports and they are an hour apart. This covers which one you are flying into, how long the transfer really takes, what to give your driver, and the three mistakes visitors make most.
Pricing & costsWhy Two China Tour Quotes Differ Threefold (And Where the Money Goes)
The same eight-day Qinghai–Gansu loop, quoted at 12,000 by one company and 35,000 by another. The gap is not profit — it is a dozen specific line items. Here is how to read a quote.
Hong Kong travellersHong Kong Travellers in Mainland China: Permits, Border Crossings and Five Common Mistakes
Travelling from Hong Kong into mainland China has its own details — permit validity, which border crossing to use, hotel registration eligibility, and airport pickup. This covers the practical steps and the five mistakes visitors make most.
Taiwan travellersTaiwan Travellers in Mainland China: Permits, Direct Flights and Choosing a Local Operator
For travellers from Taiwan the permit is only the first gate. What shapes the trip is accommodation eligibility, itinerary pacing, and whether the operator actually understands Taiwanese guests. Includes a pre-departure checklist.
QinghaiQinghai: Group Tour or Private Car? A Practical Comparison Before You Fly to Xining
In Qinghai, sights sit 200 to 300 km apart, so the transport decision largely determines the trip. This compares group tours, private cars, self-driving and public transport, with notes on altitude, season and pacing.
GansuGansu Routes: The Hexi Corridor or the Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop?
Gansu offers two classic shapes: the Hexi Corridor running east to west, or the loop that links it with Qinghai. This compares the logic, length, season and audience of each, and breaks down Dunhuang, Zhangye and Jiayuguan.
TibetTibet Travel: Permits, Altitude and How to Choose a Responsible Operator
Tibet is the one destination in China that cannot be done independently. This explains the permit process, the entry restrictions nobody mentions, altitude pacing, itinerary lengths, insurance and how to judge an operator.
XinjiangIs Xinjiang Safe to Travel? Security Checks, Kanas and What to Actually Expect
Xinjiang is the most misunderstood destination in China. This sets out the real situation with security checks, the best season for Kanas and Hemu, transport realities, food and accommodation, and who it suits.
Getting aroundPrivate Car or Public Transport in China? The Time-and-Experience Arithmetic
Most people assume a private car is just a more expensive way to get around. In practice it changes the rhythm of the whole trip. This compares private cars, high-speed rail and buses using real timings and distances.
Family travelTravelling in China with Elderly Parents: Pacing, Hotels, Medication and Altitude
The most common reason a multi-generation China trip fails is not the destination — it is the pacing. This covers itinerary rhythm, hotel choice, medication and insurance, altitude decisions and a preparation checklist.
Seasons & timingThe Best Time to Visit China: A Month-by-Month Guide to Peak and Off-Season
The same destination in a different month can be an entirely different experience. This gives regional advice by month, flags the three periods to avoid, and explains the real trade-offs of travelling off-season.
Underrated placesTen Underrated Places in China Worth Going Out of Your Way For
The famous sites are crowded, but China has plenty of equally rewarding places that few people ask about. This lists ten, with what makes each worth it, the best season, how hard it is to reach, and who it suits.
Getting aroundChina's High-Speed Rail: How to Buy Tickets, Board and Ride
China's high-speed rail is fast and punctual, but real-name ticketing has several traps for Hong Kong and Taiwan travellers. This covers buying tickets, documents, boarding, changes and when to fly instead.
Airport transfersBeijing Airport Transfers: Capital, Daxing and How to Arrange a Pickup
Beijing has two major international airports, and they sit at opposite ends of the city. This explains which is which, how long transfers take by district, what to give your driver, and three practical points about cars in Beijing.
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