Riyadh

Riyadh Overview

Chinese Name: English IPA: Location: Population (city): Language: Zip code: Tel code: Time zone:

Planning a trip from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to China is an exciting adventure, as China offers a wide range of cultural, historical, and scenic destinations. This guide will help you navigate through the best times to visit, top cities to explore, visa information, and transportation tips.


Best Time to Visit China from Riyadh

The best time to visit China from Riyadh depends on the type of experiences you are looking for:

  • Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) are ideal, as the weather is mild and perfect for sightseeing.
  • Summer (June-August) is great for exploring mountainous regions like Tibet or Yunnan, though cities can get quite hot.
  • Winter (December-February) is the best time to visit Harbin for the Ice Festival, or enjoy the snow-covered landscapes of Tibet.

Top Cities to Visit in China from Riyadh

Here’s an overview of the major cities in China that you can visit directly from Riyadh and their key attractions:

Riyadh to Beijing

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours (with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul).
  • Top Attractions: Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace.

Riyadh to Xi’an

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours (with layovers in Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul).
  • Top Attractions: Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Riyadh to Shanghai

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours with layovers in Dubai, Istanbul, or Doha.
  • Top Attractions: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Disneyland Shanghai.

Riyadh to Hong Kong

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tian Tan Buddha, Avenue of Stars.

Riyadh to Guangzhou

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours with layovers in Dubai, Istanbul, or Doha.
  • Top Attractions: Canton Tower, Shamian Island, Yuexiu Park, Zhujiang New Town.

Riyadh to Chengdu

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Giant Pandas, Sichuan Hot Pot, Wuhou Shrine, Mount Qingcheng.

Riyadh to Kunming

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake, Western Hills, Yunnan Provincial Museum.

Riyadh to Chongqing

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Three Gorges Museum, Yangtze River Cruise, Ciqikou Ancient Town, Jiefangbei Square.

Riyadh to Wuhan

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge.

Riyadh to Zhengzhou

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou Museum.

Riyadh to Shenyang

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Shenyang Imperial Palace, Zhaoling Tomb, Mukden Palace.

Riyadh to Urumqi

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 11-13 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Tian Shan Mountains, Karakul Lake, Uygur Culture.

Riyadh to Shenzhen

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 8-10 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Window of the World, Shenzhen Bay Park, OCT Loft, Shenzhen Museum.

Riyadh to Nanjing

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, Confucius Temple.

Riyadh to Hangzhou

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Tea Culture.

Riyadh to Qingdao

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Qingdao Beer Museum, Laoshan Mountain, Qingdao Beaches.

Riyadh to Xiamen

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, Xiamen University.

Riyadh to Dalian

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Laohutan Ocean Park, Dalian Forest Zoo, Beaches.

Riyadh to Changsha

  • Flight Duration: Approx. 9-11 hours with layovers in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
  • Top Attractions: Orange Isle, Mao Zedong’s Former Residence, Yuelu Mountain.

Visa Information for Saudi Citizens

If you’re traveling from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to China, you will need a tourist visa (L Visa). The visa process for Saudi citizens is straightforward:

Required Documents:

  1. Valid passport (with at least six months of validity).
  2. Completed visa application form.
  3. Recent passport-sized photograph.
  4. Flight tickets and hotel reservations.
  5. Proof of financial capacity (bank statements).
  6. Visa fee payment (amount varies based on visa type).

Processing Time:

  • The usual processing time for a Chinese visa is 4-7 business days.

Transportation from Riyadh to China

By Air

  • Airlines: Several international airlines offer flights from King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) to China, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Saudia.
  • Flight Duration: Typically, flights take 8-12 hours, depending on the destination in China.
  • Layovers: Common layovers include Dubai, Istanbul, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

By Train

  • China’s High-Speed Rail network is extensive and efficient, but there are no direct train routes from Riyadh to China. Once you arrive in China, you can travel comfortably by high-speed trains connecting cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.

By Bus

  • Bus routes are not directly available between Riyadh and China, but once in China, buses are an affordable and reliable way to travel between cities.

By Ship

  • There are no direct cruises between Riyadh and China, but river cruises on the Yangtze River are popular for exploring China’s beautiful landscapes.

China Tour Packages from Riyadh

Several travel agencies offer China tour packages that include flights from Riyadh to China, guided tours, and accommodation. These packages typically cover:

  • Round-trip flights from Riyadh to Beijing, Shanghai, or other major cities in China.
  • Guided city tours and cultural experiences.
  • Local transportation (train, bus, or private vehicle).
  • Accommodation in top hotels.

You can customize these packages to include your preferred destinations, like Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, or Giant Pandas in Chengdu.


A trip from Riyadh to China offers diverse experiences from historical landmarks and ancient temples to stunning natural landscapes and modern cities. With the right preparation, including flights, visa arrangements, and local transportation, your journey will be smooth and unforgettable.