Great Wall Hiking - BLOG , Easy TravelGreat Wall Hiking - BLOG , Easy Travelhttps://www.greatwallhiking.com/blogs/easy-travelSun, 12 Apr 2026 00:56:55 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Hiking from Jiankou to Mutianyu is fully restored]]>https://www.greatwallhiking.com/blogs/post/hiking-from-jiankou-to-mutianyu-is-fully-restoredThe hiking trail from Jiankou to Mutianyu is fully restored.]]>

Great News!


The popular hiking trail from Jiankou to Mutianyu is fully restored!! The booking is open immediately! Book now!

]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:51:44 +0800<![CDATA[China's visa-free entry for UK and Canadian visitors is effective from 17th February, 2026]]>https://www.greatwallhiking.com/blogs/post/china-visa-free-entry-for-uk-and-canadian-visitors-is-effective-from-17th-february-2026Visa-free entry for British and Canadian]]>

China officially announced that the visa-free entry for UK and Canadian visitors will be in effect from the 17th February, 2026. Visitors from these 2 countries can stay up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes. The policy will be in effective until 31st December 2026. It is expected that it will be extended again with other 48 countries then.

visa-free entry for British and Canadian
]]>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:28:41 +0800<![CDATA[Lijiang-Shangri-La railway in SW China's Yunnan opens to traffic]]>https://www.greatwallhiking.com/blogs/post/lijiang-shangri-la-railway-in-sw-chinas-yunnan-opens-to-trafficLijiang-Shangri-La railway in SW China's Yunnan opens to traffic, reducing the travel timing significantly]]>

A new railway line connecting the cities of Lijiang and Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, China has opened, marking a significant development for tourism and economic growth in the region. This railway is part of the larger Yunnan-Tibet Railway and is designed to enhance transportation connectivity in Southwest China.

With a remarkable top speed of 140 kilometers per hour, the railway has drastically reduced travel time between Lijiang and Shangri-La from approximately 4 hours by bus to just 1 hour and 18 minutes. Furthermore, it acts as a vital link between Shangri-La and the provincial capital, Kunming, offering a swift journey of 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Positioned in the transitional zone between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, this 139-kilometer railway line connects numerous renowned attractions such as Lijiang Ancient Town, Yulong Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Haba Snow Mountain, and the famous Shangri-La. These connections hold great potential for boosting tourism and local economic development along the route.

To make the railway suitable for the high-altitude environment of Shangri-La, the Fuxing trains on this route have been meticulously redesigned. This ensures passengers have a comfortable and safe experience while adapting to the challenging altitude conditions of the area.

As one of the three major railways connecting Tibet with other provinces, this new addition not only facilitates transportation but also promotes balanced regional development and prosperity. Despite some sections still under construction due to the harsh natural environment and high altitude along the route, the completion of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will further enhance tourism opportunities, particularly in Shangri-La, a globally renowned destination.

Observers predict that the new Lijiang-Shangri-La railway will contribute to increased winter tourism in Shangri-La, as accessing the region during winter months has proven challenging due to adverse weather conditions. Dukezong Ancient Town, one of Shangri-La's popular attractions, had already welcomed more than 7 million visitors as of November.

]]>Tue, 28 Nov 2023 21:07:16 +0800<![CDATA[Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept foreign credit cards for payment in China]]>https://www.greatwallhiking.com/blogs/post/foreign-credit-cards-payment-in-chinaInternational visitors now can link their Visa and Mastercard to Alipay and WeChat pay when traveling to China]]>

Traveling in China has become much easier for international visitors. They can now link their Visa and Mastercard accounts to popular mobile payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay. This allows them to book taxis, use the subway, and make purchases at millions of outlets across the country. Alipay and WeChat Pay have made efforts to accept foreign credit cards under the guidance of Chinese regulators, aiming to attract foreign investment and boost the economy. Overseas users can immediately link their cards to these digital wallets, offering greater convenience. China's almost cashless society sees billions of electronic transactions annually, with Alipay and WeChat Pay dominating the market share.

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