The journey, phase by phase
Tap a phase of your trip to see the guides for that stage.
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Which Airlines Fly to China? A Guide to Your Options
The major airlines flying to China from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia — plus how to find the best fare.
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Arriving at a Chinese Airport: Immigration & Customs
What to expect at immigration and customs when you land in China.
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My Recommended Hotels in China: Good Value & Great Location
Hand-picked hotels across China’s major cities that balance price, comfort, and a location worth staying in.
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The Black Pearl Guide: China's Own Fine-Dining List (and Why Locals Trust It Most)
The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide (黑珍珠) is China's home-grown answer to Michelin — covering far more cities and understanding Chinese cuisine more deeply. Here is how it works and how to use it.
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Booking Hotels in China: What Foreigners Need to Know
Which hotels accept foreigners, where to book, and what to expect.
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Leaving China: Departure & Airport Tips
How to handle your departure from China smoothly, from check-out to boarding.
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How to Use China's High-Speed Trains (Foreigner's Guide)
Booking tickets, finding your platform, and riding China’s bullet trains as a foreigner.
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What to Pack for China: A Minimalist Practical Checklist
A no-nonsense packing checklist for a trip to China, season by season.
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Who Runs China Travel? An Insider’s Guide to the Players
A behind-the-scenes look at the companies that power Chinese tourism — the OTAs, hotel groups, airlines and super-apps — and what it means for your trip.
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Common Mistakes Foreigners Make in China (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid the rookie errors that trip up first-time visitors to China.
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Souvenirs & Memories: Wrapping Up Your China Trip
The best souvenirs to bring home and how to keep your China memories alive.
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Your Complete China Trip Roadmap: From Planning to Departure
A step-by-step summary of a China trip — every stage from planning and visas through to departure and tax refunds, with links to the detailed guides.
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A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Regional Food
An introduction to China’s regional cuisines and what to order in each.
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Best Cultural Experiences in China: Tea, Opera & More
Memorable cultural experiences to book, from tea ceremonies to cooking classes.
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Culture Shock in China: What to Be Prepared For
The everyday culture shocks first-time visitors to China meet — toilets, staring, crowds, spitting and more — and how to take them in stride.
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Didi for Foreigners: China's Uber, Explained
How to set up and use Didi, China’s ride-hailing app, as a foreign visitor.
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Booking Domestic Flights in China
How to book and fly domestic routes within China as a foreign traveller.
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Getting Help in English in China: Who to Ask When You're Stuck
Where foreigners can find English-speaking help in China — airport volunteers, hotel staff, the police and tourist hotlines — and why it is easiest in the big cities.
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How to Find Halal Food in China
A practical guide to eating halal in China — spotting the 清真 sign, the best halal cuisines, dishes to order, key phrases and useful apps.
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How to Order Food in China Without Speaking Chinese
Practical tricks for ordering in restaurants when you don’t speak the language.
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Is China Safe for Tourists? An Honest Guide
What to expect around safety, scams, and staying healthy as a foreign visitor in China.
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Michelin Restaurants in China: A City-by-City Guide (Stars to Bib Gourmand)
Where to find Michelin-rated dining across mainland China — which cities are covered, the three-star tables, and the budget-friendly Bib Gourmand gems, with tips on booking.
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Must-Have Apps for Travelling in China
The essential apps for maps, translation, taxis, and payments in China.
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Where Next? Asian Destinations Within 5 Hours of China
Use China as a launchpad — an overview of where Chinese airlines fly across Asia within about five hours, from Tokyo to Bangkok.
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Roaming vs eSIM vs Local SIM in China: Which to Choose
The three ways to get online in China compared — international roaming, a travel eSIM, or a local SIM card — including which ones bypass the Great Firewall.
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Self-Guided Tour vs Package Holiday in China: Which Is Right for You?
An honest comparison of travelling China independently versus on an organised tour — cost, freedom, language, and who each suits.
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20 Essential China Travel Tips for First-Timers
The most important things to know before your first trip to China, from internet to etiquette.
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Do You Need Travel Insurance for China?
Whether travel insurance is worth it for China, and what to look for in a policy.
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Travelling in China as a Vegetarian (or Vegan)
How to eat well as a vegetarian or vegan in China — the dishes to order, the hidden meat traps, key phrases and handy apps.
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How to Use the Metro in Chinese Cities
Buying tickets, paying by phone, and navigating China’s metro systems in English.
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How to Claim Your VAT Tax Refund in China
Who qualifies for China’s tourist VAT refund and how to claim it at the airport.
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Best eSIM for China in 2026: Stay Connected Instantly
An eSIM gets you online the moment you land — and some even bypass the Great Firewall. Here are the best options.
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China Visa Requirements by Nationality (2026 Guide)
Who needs a visa for China, who qualifies for visa-free entry, and how to apply without the stress.
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Best VPN for China in 2026: What Actually Works
The VPNs that reliably get past the Great Firewall, plus how to set one up before you arrive.
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How Foreigners Pay in China: Alipay & WeChat Pay Setup
China is nearly cashless. Here is how to set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you go.