China in Pictures
Ancient and modern. Vast and intimate. No country on earth looks quite like this.
Getting to China from Nairobi
Around twelve hours in the air. A journey that feels like crossing into a different world entirely.
There are no direct flights from Nairobi to China, but the route is well-served via connections in the Middle East, East Africa, and increasingly through Chinese carriers flying into African hubs. Most travellers enter China through Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), or Guangzhou (CAN) — depending on their first destination and airline routing.
Ethiopian Airlines has significantly expanded its China routes in recent years and is one of the most accessible options from Nairobi. Addis Ababa is a familiar transit hub for East African travellers. Connections to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are available depending on the season.
Emirates connects through Dubai to multiple Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. Dubai Airport is one of the world's best transit hubs — easy to navigate with a comfortable layover experience.
Qatar Airways is an excellent option on this route, connecting through Hamad International Airport in Doha to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu among others. Strong reputation for long-haul comfort and service.
Air China is China's flag carrier and connects to an extensive domestic network once you land. If available from Nairobi on a competitive fare, it simplifies onward connections to secondary Chinese cities like Xi'an, Guilin, or Chengdu significantly.
China's high-speed rail network is one of the best in the world. Beijing to Shanghai takes around 4.5 hours by bullet train — often faster than flying when you factor in airport time. We'll build your inter-city travel into the itinerary. Just tell us which cities you want to cover in your enquiry below.
Entry Requirements for China
What Kenyan travellers need to know before they fly.
Kenyan citizens must apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (Category L) through the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi. You will need your passport, a completed application form, passport photos, a flight itinerary, hotel bookings, a bank statement, and travel insurance. Processing typically takes 4–7 working days. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into China. Ensure you also have at least two blank visa pages available for the Chinese visa stamp and entry stamps.
You must provide a confirmed or provisional flight itinerary when applying for the Chinese visa. A confirmed hotel booking for the full duration of your stay is also required. We can provide these documents as part of our visa assistance service.
China requires proof of travel insurance covering the full duration of your stay as part of the tourist visa application. The policy must cover medical expenses and repatriation. We can advise on suitable policies from Kenya.
1 USD ≈ 7.25 CNY. China is a highly cashless society — WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate, though international visitors can now link foreign cards to Alipay. International credit cards are accepted in major hotels and some restaurants. Carry some cash for markets, local transport, and smaller establishments. Exchange currency at the airport or large banks on arrival.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the ideal times — mild temperatures, lower humidity, and beautiful scenery. Summer (June–August) is hot and rainy, particularly in the south. Winter is cold in Beijing but manageable in Shanghai and southern cities. The Golden Week holidays (1–7 October) are extremely busy — avoid if possible.
China's internet is filtered through what is commonly called the Great Firewall. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Gmail are all blocked. Download and set up a VPN on your devices before you enter China — it cannot be downloaded once you're inside the country. Your hotel will have Wi-Fi, but plan your communication workarounds in advance. WeChat is the communication app used by virtually everyone in China and works without a VPN.