Where is China located in the world? Check the map we craft, you can see China is located in East Asia, west of Pacific Ocean, the eastern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere. It neighbors 20 countries, including Japan, Korea, North Korea, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia, Nepal, India etc. It will be easy for you to plan an Asia tour starting from China.
According to the location of China and France, the shortest air travel distance between the two countries (Paris and Beijing) is 8,042 km / 4,997 miles.
The territory of China is across five time zones, though, it uses UTC/GMT+08:00 as standard time. We call it China Standard Time.
China is normally 7 hours ahead of France. But when France is in summer time and at time zone of UTC+2, you are 6 hours behind China.
| Location |
Time Zone |
UTC Offset |
| Paris in France |
SAST – Central European Standard Time
|
UTC+1 hours |
| Beijing in China |
CST – China Standard Time |
UTC+8 hours
|
Geographic Differences between China and France
|
|
China
|
France
|
|
GPS Coordinates (DMS)
|
35° 51´ 41.9760'' N
104° 11´ 43.4400'' E
|
46° 13´ 39.5040'' N
2° 12´ 49.5000'' E
|
|
Latitude
|
35.86166
|
46.22764
|
|
Longitude
|
104.19540
|
2.21375
|
|
Average Elevation
|
1084 m (6,037 ft)
|
375 m (1,230 ft)
|
When to Go - Best Time to Visit China
When planning your trip to China from France, you may want to know
China weather and Climate, and more importantly, the best time to visit China. China has four distinctive seasons. Spring goes from March to May, when most parts are still a bit chill. Summer is from June to August, hot and rainy. Autumn is from September to November of the mildest weather, while winter is from December to next February, when the country turns to be very cold (especially in North China and northern Tibet, and except some parts of South China).
If you are looking for China holidays to experience the old traditions and essence or Chinese culture, you may visit the country when the traditional festivals are held, such as Dragon Boat Festival (Zongzi Festival) normally in early June, Mid-autumn Festival (Moon-cake festival) normally in late September or early October, and Lantern Festival normally in early February.
Time to avoid traveling to China:
► China National Day Holiday, or the so-called crazy Golden Week on October 1-7, when all sights are packed with domestic tourists
► May Day on May 1 – 3, when tourist crowds are everywhere, but fewer than National Day Holiday
How to Apply for Chinese Visa in France
Do French citizens need a visa to visit China? All foreigners, including France passport holders, are required to obtain a visa to travel to mainland China. You should make a visa application to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Paris or to China Embassy in France >>
How to Apply for China Visa
The requirements of china visa for French citizens: You may apply for L-Visa as a tourist. The required documents include valid passport, a fully complicated visa Application form and recently- taken passport photo, proof of your China itinerary including round-trip air ticket booking and proof of hotel reservation, etc.
Consular Office of Chinese Embassy in France
Address: 20, rue Washington, 75008 Paris
Passport, Authentication & Notarization:
Tel: +33-1-53758831
Fax: +33-1-53758806
Email: consul@amb-chine.fr
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
- The center receive visa applications of ordinary passport holders for visiting mainland China.
Address: 117 Avenue Champs-Elysees, 75008 Paris
Telephone: +33-1-79970339
Fax: +33-1-47206328
E-mail: pariscentre@visaforchina.org
Regarding Hong Kong Visa and Macau visa
France passport holders can travel to Hong Kong and Macau without a visa, and stay for up to 90 days for each destination.
France passport holders can have free-transit in a dozen China cities and provinces:
Entry Cities - How to Get to China from France
With daily direct flights from Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong are the major entry cities for French travelers to China. But there are increasing direct flights from Paris to other China cities. So you have several choices on the entry cities when taking a trip to China from France. The travel routes and itinerary are also flexible.
Non-stop Flights to China from France
Currently there are direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xian, Kunming, and Wuhan, China from Paris, France, operated by Air France, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Air China. The air journey is around 11 to 13 hours.
|
Departure City in France
|
Arrival City in China
|
Notes for Schedule
|
|
Paris
|
Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou
|
Daily flights
|
|
Paris
|
Chengdu, Xian, Kunming, Wuhan
|
Several flights a week
|
Notes: The air route and flight schedule are for reference only. Please check the official website of each airline for the accurate information and the airfares.
Where to Go – Top Places to Visit in China for French Tourists
Allow yourself around one week or 10 days when travel to China for the first time. Well plan on the itinerary to cover the top destinations, with best tourist attractions in China. If you work on an off-the-beaten-track holiday, you’d better have a thorough understanding of the places, the transportation, accommodation, foods, etc. Below the listed cities and things to do may give you China trip inspirations.
Best Destinations for First Trip to China & What to See
Beijing: The political and cultural center of China, Beijing is favored by all tourists and the first choice of your tour in China. The city boasts a wealth of world-class landmarks and historical sites. Great Wall and Palace Museum are the must-visit attractions.
Xian: If you would like to explore more of Chinese history and the ancient architectural wonders, make sure Xian is on your travel itinerary. Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum is known as “the eighth wonder of the world”. The Ancient City Wall is ideal for biking and having a great view of the old and new Xian.
Shanghai: Highly recommended by world travelers as the most popular destination in Asia, Shanghai features both ancient and modern wonders. Furthermore, it is close to and linked with some other popular destinations in East China, such as,
Suzhou,
Mt. Huangshan and
Hangzhou.
Guilin & Yangshuo: For your trip to China, these two picturesque places are idea for sightseeing, walking and cycling. The top things to do and must-visit attractions include Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, Longji Terraced Fields and amazing Karst caves (Reed Flute Cave or Silver Cave). It is also worth visiting Xingping Town and the surreal hills.
More Recommended Destinations
Yunnan: More and more people plan to visit Yunnan, not only to Kunming for Stone Forest, but also to the beautiful towns of Dali and Lijiang, stunning Yuanyang Field Terraces, as well as mysterious Shangri-La.
Ancient Silk Road: A legendary route dotted with many historical towns and important cultural sites and now a UNESCO cultural heritage, Silk Road is where you will discover diverse cultural and religious traditions in China. What’s more, there are deserts, oasis, Danxia Geography Park of Zhangye…
Chengdu: It is a popular urban star in China, stepped in history and culture. You may experience time-honored traditions, try different kinds of snacks on the ancient streets, and explore a dozen old towns nearby. Chengdu is also a family-friendly destination, for being the hometown of giant panda. Thus you can have a close contact with these cutest fur balls and even hug a panda cub.
Zhangjiajie: if you plan to venture into the great nature of China, Zhangjiajie is the best place to visit. The quartz sandstone peak forest landform is rare on earth, and a skywalk on the Glass Bridge is nerve-wracking yet totally rewarding.
Recommended China Tour Packages
Top China Travel, the leading China tour specialist, offer all inclusive China tours to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, TIbet and more. Below the best-selling China tours listed are for your reference, and can be adjusted to meet your needs and interests. Please feel free to send us an enquiry or contact us for a tailor-made China tour.
Destinations: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai
Highlight Attractions: China Great Wall, Forbidden City, Olympic Park, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall of Xian, Reed Flute Cave, Li River, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden
Why Recommended: Suitable for all, but with fixed departure dates, the most classic China tour is taking you to all most popular destinations, for ancient Chinese wonders, UNESCO world cultural and natural heritages, wonderful foods...
Destinations: Shanghai, Tongli Water Town, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Mt. Huangshan
Highlight Attractions: Shanghai Yuyuan Garden, Tongli Water Town, Humble Administrator Garden, West Lake, China Tea Museum, Mt. Huangshan, Chengkan Ancient Village
Why Recommended: Explore the highlights of East China to enjoy profound Chinese culture of tea and silk, elegant classical Chinese gardens, romantic water towns, and take wonderful pictures of Yellow Mountain.
11 Days Best Yangtze River Cruise Tour
Destinations: Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze Cruise, Yichang, Shanghai
Highlight Attractions: Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park, Temple of Heaven, Old Beijing Hutong, Summer Palaces, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall of Xian, Yangtze River Cruise, the Bund
Why Recommended: Travel to the most popular China destinations for big-name attractions and have a relaxed, luxury cruise trip on China’s most legendary river.
Destinations: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai
Highlight Attractions: Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park, Summer Palace, Old Beijing Hutong, Chengdu Panda Base, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, Temple of Chen Family, West Lake, Wuzhen Water Town, Yuyuan Garden
Why Recommended: By taking this tour package to Guangzhou, Chengdu and other China destinations, you will not only taste the delicious, iconic foods in China, but also visit the most famous attractions.
Since our company was founded in 1959, we have arranged China travel packages for many French travelers, e.g. Mr. Jean-Claude Cassier (2 pax), who took 9 days Tibet Tour:
“All was perfectly planed, a guide was waiting for us in Lhasa airport and we went with her to our hotel (the Gang Gyan Lhasa hotel). This hotel is perfect and friendly, very well located, not far from Potala and other sightseeings. It is nearby the post office, nearby Potala and Bakhor street.. a very good choice.
Nothing special to say about the sightseeings, very interresting, I have only changed one, we have changed the Sera monastery ( similar to the Drepung one) by a nonnery in Lhasa, where we could take some pics inside the temple. Very interresting too.
Travel Tips and Advice
To plan your trip to China from France, you also need guidance for the preparation and tips when touring in China.
►
What to Pack: Bring with passport, China visa and other required documents, the contact list with your hotel info and contact number of local guides (your travel consultant of TCT will send to you in advance), suitable clothes for different seasons, etc.
►
Accommodation in China: China hotels are classified according to the international standard. Check for different classes and what top China travel arrange for our clients.
►
Travel in China by plane: When taking China domestic flights, you are supposed to know the luggage allowance and restrictions in advance. There are also tips if you are traveling with kid or baby.
►
France Embassy in China: Street address and contact number of the Embassy of France in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou
Ask a Question
