How to Plan a China Trip from Malaysia: Step Guide

With the further deepening of international exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia, more and more Malaysian tourists wish to travel to China to explore its rich history and culture, stunning landscapes, and bustling metropolises. However, planning a tour to China may be challenging. This article helps you sort out everything you should know before you go.

Visa Requirements

China and Malaysia signed a Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement on April 17, 2025,  officially granting indefinite visa-free entry to citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports. According to this, Malaysian citizens with ordinary passports can visit China visa-free and stay in China for up to 30 days per entry for non-official purposes such as tourism, business, and family visits.

Additionally, China visa-free for Malaysians also allows Malaysian citizens to have a cumulative stay of up to 90 days in China within six months. But for work, study, or stays exceeding 30 days, the corresponding visa is still required.

Besides, Malaysian passport holders can enter Hong Kong visa-free and stay for up to 90 days for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or short-term business activities.

Necessary documents for applying a visa-free entry to China for Malaysians:

Passport with a validity of at least six months and at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps;

Proof of a round-trip flight ticket reservation;

Itinerary and hotel reservation for customs inspection.

Temporary Residence Registration

Remember to complete a temporary residence registration within 24 hours of arrival in China. If you choose to stay in a friend’s or relative’s house or apartment, you need to register online by yourself or head to the local police station to register. However, if you stay in a hotel, things will be easier as the hotel will finish the residence registration for you. 

China houses a wide range of hotels, from high-end or luxury hotels to boutique homestays, and they all provide excellent lodging experiences. Read more about hotels in China.

Entry Cities & Direct Flights from Malaysia to China

Malaysia offers many direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to major cities in China, including Beijing, Chengdu, Xiamen, and more. Alternatively, you can take a plane to China’s Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen from Pennang. Besides, Kota Kinabalu also provides non-stop flights to Shanghai, China.

Best Time to Visit

China welcomes Malaysian tourists all year round, but the best time to travel to China is in spring and autumn when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is at its most beautiful. In spring, the land of China is covered with flowers and is full of vitality. You can go for an outing and enjoy the flowers. In autumn, the leaves turn red, and the golden fields present a picturesque scenery.

Summers in China are hot and humid, though it’s not an ideal time for hiking or outdoor activities, you can still visit places for summer retreats like Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huangguoshu Waterfall for your China trip. When winter approaches, the temperature gradually drops, the cold wind bites, and the land becomes desolate. However, cities in the northern part of China, like Harbin, become a kingdom of ice and snow, which is enchanting indeed.

What to Pack for Your China Trip from Malaysia

It’s essential to pack wisely for a China tour from Malaysia to ensure a hassle-free and delightful trip. Below is a packing list for you to travel light in China.

Passport, visa, travel insurance, and other travel documents;

Mobile device, camera, portable WiFi, SIM card, charger;

Seasonal clothing and comfortable shoes;

Skincare, make-up, shavers, travel-sized toiletries;

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an umbrella;

Commonly used medications and a first-aid kit;

Credit Cards and Cash (in Chinese Yuan)

Best Places to Visit in China

Top Places to Go for First Trip to China from Malaysia

1. Beijing

As the capital city of China, Beijing has much waiting for you to discover on your China tours from Malaysia. Here, you can admire the Imperial Palace, graceful gardens, ancient hutongs, modern skyscrapers, and the widely known Great Wall of China.

2. Shanghai

Known as the "Oriental Paris", Shanghai greets visitors with its unique colonial-style buildings, riverside Bund, futuristic skyscrapers, and wonderful nightlife. There are also classic Chinese gardens, ancient streets, water towns, and temples for you to explore.

>> Recommended 16-day Impression of China Tour

3. Chengdu

It is the hometown of giant pandas and is famous for its spicy food, numerous historical and cultural sites, as well as beautiful mountains and waters. Pay a visit to Chengdu during your China trip, you can also experience the relaxing and slow life pace.

4. Xi’an

Once served as the capital of 13 dynasties in China, Xi’an has a history of over 2,000 years and is home to the Terracotta Warriors, the Eighth Wonder of the World. It is also the starting point of the Silk Road. If you are interested in Chinese history and archaeology, this is the best place for you.

>> Recommended 12-day essence of the Silk Road tour

5. Yunnan

This so-called "fairyland on earth" integrates snow-capped mountains, lakes, ancient towns, rainforests, and diverse cultures. During your China tours from Malaysia, you can stroll along the cobblestone streets of Lijiang Old Town, discover the Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri-la, or immerse in the tropical revelry of Xishuangbanna, which will all make you reluctant to leave.

>> Recommended 9-day Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La Tour

Best Places to Taste Wines in China

Yantai: Being one of China's only three protected wine appellations, Yantai has the soil and climate conditions most suitable for cultivating wine grapes, and Zhangyu owns the best wine grape base in Yantai.

Yinchuan: The wines from the Helan Mountain East Foot region in Yinchuan have won many influential awards internationally. Among them, Helan Qingxue stands out. As one of the eight wonders of Ningxia, it is a perfect combination of beautiful scenery and delicious wine.

>>Check out China Wine Tasting Tours

Best Places to Experience Chinese Tea Culture

Hangzhou: West Lake Dragon Well Tea, one of the most famous teas in China, is produced in West Lake of Hangzhou. It is widely recognized for its "green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and elegant appearance."

Suzhou: Green Spiral Tea, produced in Taihu Lake, Suzhou, is also a must-try tea for a China tour. The tea leaves are tightly twisted and curled like a snail. The tea trees are interplanted with fruit trees, which gives the Green Spiral Tea a unique floral aroma.

>> Recommended 12-day China tea culture tour

Top Photography Spots in China

Guilin: Guilin's scenery is among the best in China. Don't miss the water of the Lijiang River and the sunrise over Xianggong Mountain during your China travel, which are extremely enchanting.

Mount Huangshan: It is famed for its "four wonders": peculiar pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs. When the peaks are enveloped in clouds of mist, it resembles a dreamland on Earth.

Zhangjiajie: famed for the avatar mountains in Zhangjajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, and Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

Zhangye: Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountain is a spectacular geological wonder. Under the sunshine, those hierarchical and colorful landforms are really inspirational for landscape shooting.

>> Recommended 8-day Guilin photo tour, 4-day Zhangjiajie Photography Tour

Best Places to Learn about Chinese Kung Fu

Shaolin Temple: It is not only the birthplace of Zen Buddhism but also the birthplace of Chinese kung fu. If you are interested in Chinese martial arts, add this place to the itinerary of your China trip.

Mount Wudang: Wudang martial arts is one of the national intangible cultural heritages, with distinctive Taoist cultural characteristics. It is a natural combination of martial skills and health preservation methods.

>> Recommended 14-day Chinese kung fu tour

What to Eat in China

China offers Malaysian tourists an incredible variety of delicious foods, each with its own unique regional flavors and traditions. Whether you're in the mood for spicy Sichuan dishes, delicate Cantonese cuisine, the regal splendor of Beijing roast duck, or the refined tastes of Suzhou-style dishes, there's a wealth of culinary treasures waiting for you to discover on your China tours. >> Read more about Chinese Food.

Besides, there is a diverse range of restaurants, including trendy online-famous eateries and prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants, offering local specialties as well as food from all over the world. Halal Food and vegetarian food restaurants are also available.

>> Recommended 10-day China culinary tour

Popular Shows & Performances in China

If you are fond of shows, China is the right place for you. Every day, various shows and performances are staged across the country. Below are the must-see shows and performances during your China trip from Malaysia.

Shanghai ERA Intersection of Time: This fascinating show tells the story of China from its ancient origins to the present day, featuring extraordinary acrobatic displays, immersive set designs, live music and songs, and other spectacular elements.

Impression Lijiang Show: Famed for its unique geographical location and stunning visual effects, this performance takes place on a high-altitude stage, combining the local natural scenery with rich ethnic culture to provide audiences with an unparalleled audio-visual feast.

Zhangjiajie Charming Xiangxi Show: The mystery and beauty of Xiangxi (western Hunan) are displayed in this show in the most exquisite way. Through songs, dances, and acrobatics, you can not only appreciate the natural scenery of Xiangxi but also deeply feel the rich folk culture.

Xi’an Song of Everlasting Sorrow: This is a vivid reproduction of a love story from the Tang Dynasty. The gorgeous costumes and elegant dances will make you feel as if you have been transported back to the prosperous era of that golden age.

See Dunhuang Again: In this show, the magnificent murals intertwine with enchanting music, leading the audience through a thousand-year journey to experience the prosperity and mystery of the ancient Silk Road.

How to Travel Around in China

By High-speed Train

China is the only country in the world that has achieved commercial operation of high-speed rail at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, which far exceeds that of ordinary trains, significantly reducing travel time. Among the 34 provincial-level administrative regions in China, high-speed rail services are available in all except Tibet and Macao. Hence, it is convenient for you to travel throughout the country during your China trip. On high-speed trains, passenger services are also very considerate and meticulous, really making you feel at home.

By Air

For long-distance travel, airplanes are the most convenient mode of transportation for your China tours from Malaysia. Most cities in China are well-connected by air. Airfare prices are reasonable, but they can fluctuate depending on demand. That’s why the flight ticket price may be cheaper than a high-speed train sometimes.

By Bus

Buses are still a popular alternative means of transportation for traveling to remote or rural areas in China, as some places cannot be reached by air or train, such as Yubeng Village. You can book a bus ticket online or pay via WeChat Pay on Alipay at the bus station.

Plan Your Trip to China with Easy Tour China

If you find it troublesome to plan a China tour from Malaysia, you can travel with us Easy Tour China, an experienced China travel agency and a pioneer in providing private tailor-made China tours. We are devoted to offering an unforgettable experience of Chinese culture, sightseeing, and adventure. See below for our highlighted China tour packages from Malaysia.

9 Days Essence Tour of China by Speed Train

13 Days Highlights of China Tour for Families with Kids

Contact us if you need a customized tour to China from Malaysia. We’ll help you arrange your China itinerary according to your needs and budget.