China Hainan · Zhangjiajie

China combines mature tourist infrastructure with regions that feel completely different: the tropical island of Hainan, the mountains of Hunan and the historic quarters of Beijing. You can move from a beach holiday to sightseeing without rebuilding the whole route.

For travellers from Kazakhstan the flight is shorter than to most of South-East Asia, entry is visa-free and the hotel choice is wide, from city 4* properties to resort complexes on the front line. Domestic transport is predictable thanks to high-speed trains and internal flights.

China admits citizens of Kazakhstan without a visa on a unilateral basis: up to 30 days per entry and no more than 90 days in any 180 days. The regime covers tourism, business trips, private visits to relatives, medical treatment and transit.

Visa-free entry does not remove formalities: you need a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and insurance. The regime is extended from time to time, so the rules are checked again before a tour is bought.

Hainan is the main beach region: Sanya, four bays, hotels with pools and duty-free malls. Beijing brings history — the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven; Shanghai brings skyscrapers, the Bund and districts with colonial architecture.

Zhangjiajie is known for the Wulingyuan mountains, the Bailong Elevator and the glass bridge, Guangzhou for food and markets, Chongqing for its layered skyline and hotpot. First trips usually combine Hainan or Beijing with Shanghai; second trips add the landscapes of Hunan.

Direct flights to China depend on the season and the airline programme: Beijing, Urumqi and southern Chinese cities are the most common, and resorts are easy to reach from them. To Hainan from Almaty and Astana the steadiest routes go through Guangzhou, Beijing or Dubai.

Domestic flights and high-speed trains in China are convenient but add time and cost: Guangzhou to Sanya takes about an hour and a half, and Shanghai to Zhangjiajie needs a flight or a train. When comparing options, count baggage, connections and transfer time.

The beach season on Hainan runs from October to March: warm sea, less rain and comfortable humidity. Summer is hot and humid, typhoons are possible in August and September, so beach trips in those months are planned with a margin.

Beijing and Shanghai are best in spring and autumn: summer is hot and crowded, winter is cold and dry. Zhangjiajie is most comfortable from April to June and from September to October; winter is cold and slippery, summer is hot and busy.

The cost depends on dates, departure city, hotel category, meal plan and the set of excursions. During New Year, the February holidays and Chinese New Year prices on Hainan rise noticeably, so such dates are booked in advance.

Plan separately for domestic flights and trains, park tickets, meals outside the hotel and souvenirs. The yuan rate and transfer costs also affect the total; we calculate a real itinerary rather than average figures.

Chinese cuisine changes by region: Hainan has plenty of fish, seafood, rice and fruit, Guangzhou is known for dim sum, Chongqing for spicy hotpot and Beijing for Peking duck. Tourist areas also have European restaurants, and hotels serve familiar breakfasts.

China works well with children: Hainan hotels have pools, kids clubs and calm beaches, and taxis make moving between bays easy. Allow for heat, acclimatisation and flights; with children under two, choose short transfers and a hotel with medical support.