20 Essential China Travel Tips for First-Timers

China rewards a little preparation more than almost any other destination. The language, the cashless economy, and the blocked internet can trip up first-timers — but once you know the ropes, travel here is smooth, safe, and astonishingly convenient. Here are the 20 tips that matter most.

Before you fly

  1. Set up a VPN at home if you need a lot of data. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Gmail are blocked in China, and so are the app stores that sell VPNs. Install and test one before you leave. See our VPN guide.
  2. Get a China eSIM. It connects you the moment you land and some plans bypass the firewall. Details in our eSIM guide.
  3. Install Alipay and add a foreign card. This is how you’ll pay for almost everything. See payments in China.
  4. Check your visa or visa-free eligibility. Many nationalities now enter visa-free — read the visa guide.
  5. Download offline maps and a translation app. Apple Maps and Amap work well; Google Translate needs your VPN.

Money & payments

  1. Go cashless, but carry a little cash. A few hundred yuan covers rural vendors and emergencies.
  2. Screenshot your payment QR codes in case of weak signal.
  3. Tell your bank you’re travelling so your card isn’t frozen when you link it.

Getting around

  1. Take the high-speed rail. It’s fast, cheap, and connects almost every city.
  2. Use Didi for taxis — it’s China’s Uber and works in English.
  3. Carry your passport everywhere. You need it for trains, hotels, and many attractions.
  4. Metros are cheap and signed in English — pay with your Alipay metro QR.

Culture & daily life

  1. Tipping isn’t expected and can even cause confusion.
  2. Carry own tissues and hand sanitiser — public toilets are often not so clean, usually lack paper, and many are squat-style, before you start your day, do it at hotel.
  3. Drink bottled or boiled water, not tap.
  4. Learn a few phrases — “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “xiè xie” (thank you) go a long way.
  5. Expect crowds and queues at major sights especially during holiday seasons; book tickets online in advance.
  6. Learn to use Chopticks - forks and knives are not common on Chinese dining table, it will benefit you if traveling to other East Asian countries.

Staying comfortable

  1. Bring a power bank, adapter, charger — you’ll rely on your phone for everything, all day.
  2. Leverage Chinese convenience and speed. Send parcels, order food & grocery, you will feel the speed of China.

Sort the first five before you fly and the rest fall into place. Safe travels east.