What to Do When Friends or Family Visit You in China

Does your friend/family member have a valid passport? Make sure it's not close to the expiration date and has enough pages for the tourist visa.

Write an invitation letter with the following information:

• Who is coming to visit?

• When will they arrive and leave?

• Purpose of the visit.

• My address in China.

Conclude the letter by saying, `I accept full immigration responsibility for the person coming to visit'. Attach a copy of your work visa and residence permit. Print the invitation letter out, sign and scan a copy to your friend or family member so he/she can apply for the relevant visa. Applying for a tourist visa to China can be done online through the Chinese Consulate or through an agent; my friend opted for the agent route.

I cannot emphasise the importance of budgeting together:

• Take a look at the places you want to visit.

• Do a rough estimate of how much you think you'll need for food, transportation, and entertainment.

• Be sure to include entry fees to parks, plus souvenirs.

• It's good to create the same expectation of what you'll be doing and how much you plan on spending.

Don’t forget to apply for annual leave so that you actually have the time off to spend with your friend. Be sure to discuss this with your line manager at your centre. However, if you leave it until the last minute and aren’t able to get all the days off you’d like, make sure to have a backup plan in place to keep your friend or family members occupied while you’re at work.

My working day runs from 2:00 pm to 8:15 pm, Wednesday to Friday. We had free time in the mornings to explore various markets, restaurants, and museums together. While I was at work, my friend continued exploring the city on her own. She visited shopping centres and also took part in the Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour, which showcased the main attractions in Shanghai. This gave me peace of mind, knowing she wouldn’t get lost!

Hot Springs Resort
We spent Christmas Eve relaxing at the resort, which featured more than ten mineral-rich hot spring pools—and we tried every single one! It was a wonderfully soothing experience. The resort also offered relaxation and quiet rooms, perfect for unwinding after a long day of travel.

Shanghai Disneyland
Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas Day at the happiest place on Earth? Despite the cold weather and long queues, we braved it all and had a fantastic time. We went on several rides and enjoyed an incredible lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Disney Town.

Suzhou
We booked a room at the Crowne Plaza and took full advantage of all the hotel had to offer. Suzhou, known as a famous water town, offered a unique charm—we cruised down the canals and explored its stunning classical gardens, each one more beautiful than the last.

Beijing
We travelled with a group of friends and stayed at the International Hostel, which was a brilliant choice. The hostel organised tours to the Great Wall and other must-see sights. Make sure not to miss the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square—they’re steeped in history and absolutely worth the visit.

This was surely a holiday to remember. If you plan well in advance, follow my tips and tricks, and budget properly, you too can have the time of your life when you have friends and family visit you in China.