Set up the basics before choosing every city.
These guides cover the practical setup every first-time China traveler needs: phone and apps, payment, arrival and entry, internet and maps, high-speed rail, attraction booking, luggage and flights, budget, holidays, tax refund, and visa-free transit. Read them in priority order before you start planning routes.
Key things to know upfront: Airbnb is not legal for foreign tourists (book hotels), tipping is not expected, major sites like the Forbidden City must be booked 7 days ahead online (no walk-up tickets), and power banks over 100Wh are not allowed on domestic flights.
First China Trip Guide
A practical starting point for independent visitors planning their first China trip.
Open guide Verify before tripPhone, Apps & SMS Verification
SIM/eSIM choice, international roaming, which apps need a Chinese phone number, and SMS verification workarounds.
Open guide Verify before tripChina Travel Apps & Payment Guide
Set up Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, cash, and QR payment backups before landing in China.
Open guide Verify before tripInternet, eSIM, VPN & Maps in China
Prepare mobile data, VPN, maps, translation, and backup navigation before traveling in China.
Open guide Check updatesChina High-Speed Rail Guide for Foreigners
How to think about train booking, passports, station flow, seats, and luggage for intercity China travel.
Open guide Verify before trip240-hour Transit & Visa-Free Guide
A cautious planning entry point for China's 240-hour transit and visa-free travel rules.
Open guide Verify before tripArrival & Entry Process
Online arrival card, visa types, airport flow, first-day logistics, and common arrival scams.
Open guide Verify before tripAttraction Booking Guide
Real-name booking, foreign passports, sold-out sites, and what to do when mini-programs fail.
Open guide Check updates2026 Holiday & Crowd Calendar
Official holidays, peak crowd periods, and when to book trains, hotels, and attractions early.
Open guide Check updatesBudget & Daily Costs
How much a China trip costs by tier: budget, mid-range, upper-mid, and luxury.
Open guide Verify before tripLuggage, Domestic Flights & Trains
Power bank rules, domestic flights, luggage storage, and city-to-city transport decisions.
Open guide Verify before tripTax Refund & Shopping
How to get VAT refund on purchases: minimum spend, process, instant refund vs regular refund.
Open guide Check updatesSafety, Scams & Solo Travel
How safe is China for tourists? Common scams, solo female travel tips, and what to actually worry about.
Open guide StableDaily Life in China: Toilets, Water, Cash & More
The practical daily stuff: bathrooms, drinking water, electrical outlets, smoking, laundry, ATMs, tipping culture.
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