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China
Sunset view of the Great Wall of China with warm evening light over the ancient battlements

Sending a Postcard from China: Postage, Stamps & Delivery

From the Great Wall to the karst mountains of Guilin – here's how to send greetings from the Middle Kingdom, and actually have them arrive.
Photo by chen zy on Unsplash

China is less intimidating when it comes to mailing postcards than you might think. China Post (中国邮政) is reliable – and stamps are easier to find than in most countries.

This guide tells you where to buy stamps in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guilin, what postage to Europe costs, and why the green mailboxes are often the simplest solution.

Last updated: May 2026

Sending Postcards from China

Between imperial palaces, temple complexes, and rice terraces – here's how to navigate the Chinese postal system.
Exterior of a China Post branch in Shanghai with green logo and Chinese characters.
Photo by Carpkazu on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

China Post: Green Logo, Easy to Find

China Post (中国邮政, Zhōngguó Yóuzhèng) is the national postal service – recognisable by its green logo with the characteristic arrow symbol. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, or Chengdu you'll find branches (邮局, yóujú) in almost every neighbourhood. Important: English is rarely spoken in smaller branches – just show "寄到德国" (or your destination) on your phone screen and point your way through the rest. Opening hours vary by branch, usually Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–12pm. Check current details on Baidu Maps before you go.
A man sits at a counter in a Chinese shop – a typical buying situation for postcards and stamps.
Photo by Kelvin Zyteng on Unsplash

Stamps Right at the Attraction

One of the practical China travel tricks: at many major sights you can buy postcards and stamps together – at souvenir kiosks inside the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall (Badaling, Mutianyu), and in Guilin. Ask for "明信片" (míngxìnpiàn = postcard) and "邮票" (yóupiào = stamp). Some vendors will even take your stamped card along to the nearest postbox. It saves the detour to a branch entirely. At tourist hotels, it's also worth asking at reception – many will accept stamped cards.
Dark green China Post mailbox on a street, with parked bicycles behind it.
Photo by Preillumination SeTh on Unsplash

Green Mailboxes – and What Actually Works

China Post's mailboxes are green and well distributed in Chinese cities – outside post offices, at hotel entrances, at metro exits. In Beijing and Shanghai they're emptied several times a day. In smaller cities and rural areas, less frequently – in those cases hand your card directly at the counter. One more heads-up for anyone planning to use SlickPostcard or other Western services: set up a VPN before entering China. Many Western apps are inaccessible without one, and downloading VPN apps in-country is tricky.

Phrasebook: 普通话 at the Post Office

English helps at tourist hotspots – but a few Mandarin phrases will get you through even a small city post office.
Hello!

🇨🇳你好！

🗣️Nǐ hǎo!

Where is the post office?

🇨🇳邮局在哪里？

🗣️Yóujú zài nǎlǐ?

I would like to buy stamps.

🇨🇳我想买邮票。

🗣️Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yóupiào.

To Germany, please.

🇨🇳寄到德国，谢谢。

🗣️Jì dào Déguó, xièxie.

How much does it cost to send to Europe?

🇨🇳寄到欧洲多少钱？

🗣️Jì dào Ōuzhōu duōshao qián?

I would like to send this postcard.

🇨🇳我要寄这张明信片。

🗣️Wǒ yào jì zhè zhāng míngxìnpiàn.

Thank you very much!

🇨🇳非常感谢！

🗣️Fēicháng gǎnxiè!

How much does postage from China to Europe cost?

Current estimates for sending via China Post to Europe. (As of: 2026)

Local Facts (China Post)

📮
Postcard (souvenir shop / kiosk)approx. €0.15 – €0.65
Airmail stamp to Europe (approx. 4.50–6.00 CNY)approx. €0.55 – €0.80
Total cost per cardapprox. €0.80 – €1.50
Effort on vacationPost office, souvenir shop, or tourist sight – several options
Delivery time (based on experience)Officially 7–20 business days, realistically 2–5 weeks
Don't feel like waiting 4 weeks?

The Smart Alternative: SlickPostcard

Skip the hunt for the nearest 邮局 after a long day of sightseeing. Turn your best China photo into a real postcard – printed in Europe and delivered in days, not weeks.

  • Your own Great Wall photos or Shanghai skyline shots turned into a real postcard
  • Fixed price €3.49 incl. worldwide shipping – no CNY exchange rate risk
  • Printed & shipped from Europe: delivered in days, not weeks
  • No VPN needed – just design and send from your hotel Wi-Fi before you leave
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📸

Your Own Photos or Pro Motifs?

The Great Wall shot came out against the light? On Unsplash you'll find free professional photos of the Wall, Shanghai, and Guilin. Our postcard motifs guide walks you through exactly how it works.

Directly to Image Search:
Great Wall of ChinaShanghaiGuilin Li RiverForbidden City BeijingZhangjiajie
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✍️

Inspiration: Greetings from the Far East

"Hello from Beijing! The view from the Great Wall makes every uphill step worthwhile. Early in the morning – before the tour groups – it's almost entirely yours."
"Shanghai at night: the lights of the Bund and the Pudong skyline reflecting in the Huangpu River. Sitting here with a cup of jasmine tea – is this even real?"
"Guilin, Li River: the karst mountains look like they're straight out of an ink painting. The photo is crooked – the postcard on its way to you is considerably better."

Let our AI write a greeting from China for you!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Postcards from China

How long does a postcard from China to Europe take?

China Post officially states 7 to 20 business days for international airmail. In practice, travellers sending to Europe should plan for 2 to 5 weeks – meaning you'll almost certainly be home before the card arrives. From well-touristed cities like Beijing or Shanghai, delivery tends to be faster than from rural areas.

Where can I buy stamps in China?

Stamps (邮票, yóupiào) are available in more places than you might expect: first, at China Post branches (邮局, yóujú) – recognisable by the green logo; second, at souvenir kiosks near major sights like the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, where they are often sold bundled with postcards; third, at some hotel receptions in tourist areas. In major cities, a China Post branch is usually within a 10–15 minute walk.

How much does postage for a postcard from China cost?

Postage for a standard postcard by airmail to Europe is currently around 4.50–6.00 CNY (Chinese Yuan) – roughly €0.55–0.80 depending on the exchange rate. Add the cost of the card itself (usually 1–5 CNY at tourist spots) and the total comes to about €0.80–1.50 per card. Postcards from China are among the cheapest to send worldwide.

What do mailboxes look like in China?

China Post mailboxes are green with a green logo and lettering. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an you'll find them regularly – outside post offices, at hotel entrances, near metro exits, and in pedestrian zones. Emptying is reliable in big cities. In smaller towns and rural areas they are emptied less frequently – in those cases it's safer to hand your card directly to staff at a post office counter.

Do I need a VPN to design postcards online in China?

Many Western apps and websites are blocked in China without a VPN – including Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp. If you want to use services like SlickPostcard, set up a VPN before you enter the country: downloading VPN apps once you're in China is difficult. Note that VPN use is a legal grey area in China – check the current situation before you travel. The physical postcard process via China Post works entirely offline, of course.

Where can I find free China photos for my postcard?

Great Wall shot came out blurry? No problem. Unsplash has thousands of free professional photos of the Great Wall, Shanghai, Guilin, and the Forbidden City. Search for "Great Wall China", "Shanghai skyline", "Guilin Li River", or "Zhangjiajie". Our free motifs guide explains exactly how to use them.