Journey2East takes its inspiration from Journey to the West, the classic tale based on a Buddhist monk who travelled from China to India in the 7th century in search of sacred texts. In that same spirit of exploration, this site exists to help first-time visitors navigate China with confidence.

From the outside, China can seem daunting: a different language, a largely cashless society, and internet restrictions that make familiar apps inaccessible. But with a little preparation, it's one of the most fascinating, diverse and rewarding destinations you can visit. We're here to make that preparation simple, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.

Every guide here is written for English-speaking travellers and focuses on the practical questions that actually matter: How do I pay for things? Will my phone work? Do I need a visa? We keep the advice clear, current, and free of fluff.

Have a question or a correction? We'd love to hear from you — reach out any time and we'll do our best to help you plan a smooth trip east.

My journey

• 2009 — Immigrated to the Netherlands from China.
• 2017 — Moved back to Shanghai, exploring China again.
• 2019 — Moved to Japan, started writing about Japanese food.
• 2023 — Back in the Netherlands, travelling between continents every month.
• 2026 — Launched Journey2East.

Contact the author

Journey2East is written and maintained by me — a China-born, Europe-based traveller who has spent years exploring the world and helping friends find their feet along the way. Every guide is based on first-hand experience, not copied from a brochure.

Got a question? Email me directly at hello@journey2east.com — or head to the contact page for all the ways to get in touch.