Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

25 April 2026

4-minute read

Ancient China was a land of invention. For centuries, China was way ahead of most other countries in science and technology, astronomy, and math. The Chinese invented paper, the magnetic compass, printing, porcelain, silk, and gunpowder, among other things.

Stretching 5,000 kilometres from east to west and 5,500 kilometres from north to south, China is a large country with widely varying landscapes. Its territory includes mountains, high plateaus, sandy deserts, and dense forests. With a population of 1.4 billion, China has more people than any other country on Earth. About a third of the population lives in cities while the rest live in the country. China is the home of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, but it has only recently become a “modern” nation, changing faster than any other country in the world in the last 20 years.

South African citizens require a visa to enter China for tourism or business, which must be obtained through a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). Popular, direct flights from Johannesburg are available with the Air China airline, while connecting flights can be booked on Singapore Airlines via Singapore, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, Emirates via Dubai, and Qatar via Doha.

Zakia, who can be found on @zakiatravels and @Zakiatravelpics, says that visiting China feels like visiting “several countries in one” and the best time of the year to visit would be during Spring from April to June and Autumn which falls in September to October, when the weather is mild, making it ideal for exploring. One would need at least two weeks to tour the country, but ideally, the country can be enjoyed for 6 weeks.

China is vast and diverse with some must-see attractions in the top cities that should not be missed. Beijing, the Forbidden City, encompasses the largest collection of wooden buildings in the world and boasts the Great Wall of China. Xi’an was the last city on the Silk Route and the unique Muslim Quarter remains inside the city walls, with the Terracotta Warriors located close by. For nature lovers, Zhangjiajie where the Avatar Mountains are located and Chongqing both have the most incredible mountain views. Shanghai, with its world-class architecture, showcases an amazing skyline.

From budget options to luxury hotels, there is every type of accommodation available to visitors in China. For Muslim travellers looking for comfort and convenience, Zakia advises staying near the masaajid and halal eating places in the bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

According to Zakia, getting around in China in pretty easy, even for tourists who may not speak Mandarin. She advises downloading a VPN for easy access to translation apps. Public transport options offer good value for tourists. The high-speed trains are best for navigating between cities, while metros and buses within cities are clean, efficient and reliable. Alipay or WeChat are also good apps to have that make ordering Ubers and other taxis easy to order.

The cuisine in China is famous worldwide, and food is a huge part of any travel experience. Muslim visitors should be wary of the many restaurants that serve pork, but because of the vast Muslim communities across China, both local and immigrant, there is no shortage of halal food and restaurants demarcated with a green halal sign in Chinese or Arabic.

Zakia recommends being mindful of the cultural differences of the people when visiting China. While the Chinese are very friendly and helpful people and extremely hospitable, there are certain phrases like hello and thank you that one can learn in Mandarin to enrich the travel experience.

Zakia is a travel blogger and content creator who’s explored some of the world’s most fascinating destinations, shares immersive Muslim-friendly travel stories, practical tips, and hidden gems that inspire thousands of followers to go beyond the guidebook.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Zakia here.