Ultimate China Travel Guide: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Visiting

I’ve visited China three times now — first in 2018, then 2023, and recently in 2026 on a three-week trip traveling over seven cities.

China is one of the most logistically different trips I’ve done as a solo traveler. Not harder, just different.

The apps, the payment system, internet, and the sheer scale of it all required a bit more prep than many places I’ve visited.

This China travel guide covers the practical things I wish I knew before going: visa options, apps to download, how to pay for things, getting around, language tips, cultural differences, and more.

China Checklist: have you booked these yet?

▢ China eSIM card — eSIM I used that includes access to apps like Google, Instagram, etc.

▢ Best hotels: Booking.com | Trip.com (what I use for China)

▢ Add a guided day tour to your China trip

▢ Buy most admission tickets on Trip.com

Why Visit China?

▢ China is one of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world, with over 5,000 years of recorded history.

▢ It has 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranging from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to classical gardens in Suzhou and incredible nature landscapes in Zhangjiajie.

▢ High-speed rail connects most major cities, making it easy to visit multiple destinations in one trip without flying domestically.

▢ Despite its size, China is very safe for solo female travelers. I felt more comfortable walking at night here than in many other countries I’ve visited.

▢ China’s cities are very walkable and have the simplest metro system I’ve ever used.

Visa Options for China

I’ve visited China on both a visa-free entry and on a Tourist L visa.

IMPORTANT: Whichever option you choose, complete the arrival form online before boarding. It generates a QR code you’ll need to show at immigration.

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Apply at a Chinese consulate or embassy in your home country before travel. Valid for 30–90 days depending on your nationality. In the US, I paid $140 for the visa that is placed on your passport.

When I arrived at the Shanghai airport, I wasn’t asked for proof of my hotel bookings or flights, as I was when I did a visa-free transit.

Visa-Free Entry

Visa-free entry depends on what passport you hold. It varies quite a bit, so check the current policy for your passport before booking.

240-Hour (10-Day) Visa-Free Transit

This option also depends on your passport. They have specific conditions for this option.

You will need:

• Proof of stay in arrival city.
• Proof of flight out of China within 240 hours (10 days) upon arrival to a country that is different from the 1st country you flew from.

Some points:

• You cannot have a layover in another China city. The first flight out has to be outside of China.
• You can only travel within certain regions. So if you landed in Beijing, you cannot travel to and fly out of Shanghai.

Apps You Will Need When Visiting China

Download and sign up for these apps before you go to China in case you have any issues signing up.

Alipay

Alipay is the main app to pay for tickets, stores, restaurants, subway — almost everything.

On my recent trip to China, I ONLY used Alipay to pay for everything, including street food stalls.

Important: Set up your payment cards in Alipay before going to China.

▢ During sign up, you’ll also set up an Alipay PIN code. Don’t forget it or make it hard to remember — you’ll need to punch it in to confirm large payments, taxi payments, and when activating your metro/bus QR code.

▢ You have three options to pay a vendor or person:

1. Tap the “Pay/Receive” option at the top of the homepage. Your own personal QR code pops up and the vendor scans it (I do this option at convenience stores).
2. Tap the “Scan” button on the app, scan the vendor’s QR code, then input the amount you’re paying (often used for street vendors).
3. At restaurants, you’ll often order by scanning a QR code on the table (there’s an auto-translate option on the menu). After ordering, your payment is processed within the same page via Alipay.

▢ It will deduct the amount from the international credit card you added when you signed up.

▢ Alipay also includes mini apps, like the Didi taxi app that you can use instead of downloading the separate Didi app.

▢ There is a 3% charge on transactions over ¥200 ($29 USD). Ask vendors to split the payment to avoid the charge.

VPN

▢ VPN lets you access websites and apps like Chrome, Google Maps, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc., which are blocked in China.

HOWEVER, if you book an eSIM through companies like Trip.com or Airalo, you’ll automatically get access to these apps, though TikTok access can be inconsistent.

▢ I found my VPN most useful when using WiFi at a hotel (if it was fast) in order to access Google, Facebook, etc. if I didn’t want to use up my eSIM data.

WeChat

▢ While not absolutely essential, WeChat is one of the main communication and payment apps used in China.

▢ If you make friends in China, they’ll likely ask you to add you on WeChat.

▢ Locals also use WeChat to buy tickets and reservations. For visitors, it will be easier to book tickets on Trip.com or Klook.

▢ I mostly used WeChat because hotels will often ask you to add you on WeChat for communication. For example, to confirm if you do/don’t want your room cleaned. They sometimes will send you helpful hotel information.

Google Translate or Papago

China is the country where I used a translation app the most. I often like to figure out things on my own and don’t like to ask for help — but you’ll find it necessary in China.

Of all the countries I’ve visited, locals in China were the most open and willing to communicate through translation apps

▢ Use translate apps like Papago to communicate with staff and locals if needed. Papago can be used without a VPN.

▢ If you have VPN or used Trip.com or Airalo, you can also use Google Translate. I often use its camera tool to scan through a text in Chinese to translate in English (for example, ingredients on a food item).

▢ Hotels will often communicate in WeChat, and there’s an auto-translate option within the chats.

Transit Apps

▢ Amap is the best transit app I’ve used in China. It’s available in English and provides correct directions.

▢ Apple Maps also provides accurate directions to use the subway, which can be used without a VPN.

Walking directions in Google Maps are not that accurate. And some of the locations in Google Maps are outdated.

▢ Baidu Maps is a popular transit app in China, but it’s all in Chinese.

Still, it’s not impossible to use if you have the name or address copied in Chinese. It’s especially helpful for walking directions even if you don’t read Chinese.

▢ If you booked a hotel on Trip.com, click on the Map or directions option, and a pop-up will come up to get directions on Amap, Apple Maps, etc. It’s quite useful:

Trip.com for tickets

I bought most tickets (attractions, high-speed rail tickets, and some hotels) on the Trip.com app.

Almost all of the attractions were available for purchase on Trip.com. Sometimes you’ll get a QR code ticket, other times, your ticket will be directly linked to your passport when they scan for your passport.

It’s the site most used by foreigners and even locals to buy tickets.

Cultural Differences in China

▢ There is no tipping culture in China. Sometimes tours will mention an optional tipping at the end. On my last tour, I was the only one who tipped and likely the only American there. 😅

▢ China is largely digital and most people use apps for transactions.

▢ Security guards and ID checks are common throughout China — bring your passport everywhere.

▢ Most bathrooms only have one sitting toilet. The rest will be squatting toilets. Always take tissue paper with you. Though most higher-end malls will have more sitting toilets.

▢ Even during a lower season, main tourist places will be packed. Go very early to avoid crowds, but also set your expectations and patience.

▢ Motorcycles and e-bikes are quiet and pass through alleyways, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Be extra mindful when walking.

▢ Book tickets to popular destinations ahead of time, especially during peak seasons like summer and national holidays.

Main Travel Tips for China

▢ Bring your passport everywhere you go. You will need it to buy tickets, to ride high-speed rail, for checkpoints, and to enter main tourist sites. Locals usually scan their IDs on a machine — you can just hand your passport for staff to check.

▢ Download and set up your apps before you leave home. Alipay, WeChat, eSIM, and Amap can all be tricky to set up once you’re already in China.

▢ You can book most tickets on Trip.com. Otherwise, book on official tourist sites or buy in person.

▢ Use Didi for taxis. It’s China’s equivalent of Uber and works well in all major cities. The Didi mini app inside Alipay is the easiest way to use it.

▢ Metro stations have bag checks. I carried around a tote bag and put it through the scanner each time. I sometimes got stopped to weigh my water bottle, so I’m assuming large amounts of water aren’t permitted.

▢ Hotel WiFi is a hit-or-miss. Some hotel WiFi can be extremely slow, or even require a local phone number to use. I recommend getting an eSIM with plenty of data. For 3 weeks, I used almost 40GB (though I’m a heavy phone user).

▢ Smoking is pervasive. On sidewalks, on high-speed rail station platforms, at tourist sites, sometimes even in restaurants. Cigarette smell is also common in taxis and sometimes hotel rooms.

Getting Around China

Metro

▢ The metro in China is the simplest metro system I’ve used (especially as someone with little sense of direction!) Plus, it’s streamlined throughout the country.

▢ The average cost of a metro ride is ¥2-10 ( $0.30-$1.50 USD) based on distance.

▢ Every major city in China has a metro system (over 50).

▢ They’re well-signed in English and Chinese, color-coded, and easy to navigate.

▢ Transfers are also simple: stations often have color-coded lines on the floor to guide you to the right platform.

How to pay for Metro:

1. By paper ticket. There are ticket machines in each station and you can insert cash to get a one-way paper ticket.

2. Recommended: Use the Alipay app.

• Click on the “Transport” icon on the top of the app’s homepage.
• Once you arrive in a city, select the city at the very top.
• A QR will generate, and that’s the QR code you tap on the turnstile to enter and exit the metro gates.
• The amount will automatically be deducted from the payment card you have on Alipay.
• You’ll have to activate a new metro QR code each time you visit a new city, as the QR code is city-specific. It takes less than a minute.

Didi Taxi

Didi is the main ride-hailing app in China and works similarly to Uber.

It’s the best option when metro isn’t convenient or when attractions are far from.

I recommend using the Didi mini app inside Alipay. If you download the separate Didi app, you’ll need a local China number to register.

I’ve also read you can hail taxis with the Amap app.

How to use Didi in Alipay:

1. Tap the Didi Travel app on the homepage.
2. Enter the destination. Usually locations in English work fine.
3. Choose between type of vehicle. From my experience and from many others online, the Comfort option (“Cleaner & newer) is less likely to smell like cigarette smoke, and is only a few yuan difference.
4. For longer rides, the app will prompt you to confirm payment before boarding. For shorter and less expensive rides, you to confirm payment on the app after you exit the car.

Some notes:

• The driver will often confirm your location when you get in; I just say “Shi” or “Dui” to confirm “yes.”
• Unless you book a premium taxi, drivers generally don’t help with luggage.
• IMPORTANT: At airports, the Didi pick-up area is usually not located at the exit nor in the same area as regular taxis, but in basements. Make sure to follow the signs for Rideshare pick-ups.

High-Speed Rail

China’s high-speed rail network is one of the best in the world, and reasonably affordable.

It’s the main mode to get from city to city (unless you’re flying farther).

▢ Book train tickets on Trip.com — You’ll need to enter your passport details. You’ll also be able to choose your seat on Trip.com.

▢ There’s usually no WiFi at stations or on-board; download what you need before you go.

▢ There’s multiple trains each day, sometimes every 10 minutes. The latest I’ve booked was 40 minutes before departure. For weekends and holidays, make sure to book much ahead.

Arrival at stations:

1. Arrive at least 40 minutes early just in case. Check-in and security usually took less than 5 minutes but account for busy weekends.
2. You’ll go through an initial check-in when you enter the station. Go to the manual verification lane (the one with a person at the counter) — the scanner often doesn’t work for foreign passports. Hand them your passport.
3. You then put your luggage through the scanner.
4. Once inside, check your ticket on Trip.com for your waiting room number. You can also check the signage board for your waiting room number (match with train number).

Check-in at gates:

1. You won’t find out your platform number until usually 15 minutes before. Only begin to line up once your train number on the signage board shows blue/green and “open” in Chinese on the first line. While the signage board is usually in Chinese, there’s often an English announcement when boarding opens.
2. Once open, always go to the manual check lane on far left or right when the gate opens — they scan your passport which is linked to your ticket.

At the platform & on board:

1. Head to your platform that’s listed on the signage board.
2. Look for your car number (listed on your ticket from Trip.com):

NOTES:

▢ Luggage space can be limited — small carry-ons can usually fit in the space in front of your seat or in the overhead rack.

▢ Trains leave right on time.

▢ Stops are announced in English.

▢ There’s a second manual verification when you exit the train area, then the metro is usually directly after exiting.

Domestic Flights

For longer distances like Shanghai to Zhangjiajie or Beijing to Chengdu, domestic flights are often the most practical option.

Though you can also experience sleeper trains in China.

Trip.com often has good prices on domestic Chinese routes. When I flew from Wuxi to Zhangjiajie, Trip.com was the only third-party offering flights from the airline Air Travel (and booking directly on their website wasn’t foreigner-friendly).

NOTE: when you arrive at an airport, look for the signage board of what lines, i.e. lines 20-25, to fall in based on your airline.

The lines won’t be separated by each airline — the staff check in customers from multiple airlines.

Language Tips for China

▢ English is not widely-spoken in China. It’s best to learn basic phrases and use a translation app like Papago or Google Translate.

Though most locals are willing to help if you ask!

▢ TIP: In case a menu is not in English, use Papago or Google Translate’s camera tool to scan the menu to English, or use the translator to communicate with staff.

Here are the main travel phrases I used in China.

• Hello: Nǐ hǎo (knee how)
• Thank you: Xiè xiè nǐ (sheh sheh knee)
• One please: Yī gè (yee guh)
• Yes/okay/affirmative:
  • Yes: Shì (shr)
  • Okay: Hǎo (how)
  • Affirmative/can: Kěyǐ (kuh-yee)
• No/negative: Bù (boo). Example: I don’t want – Bù yào (boo yaow)
• Excuse me: Bù hǎoyìsi (boo how-yee-suh)
• I’m sorry: Duì bù qǐ (dway boo chee)
• How much?: Duō shǎo qián? (dwoh shao chyen)
• I don’t speak Mandarin Chinese: Wǒ bù huì shuō pǔtōnghuà (woh boo hway shwoh pu-tong-hwah). This one’s longer to memorize, but can be quite helpful.

What to Pack for China

▢ China uses 220V voltage and 50Hz, with different plug types A, C & I. While some hotels provide USB charging outlets, it’s best to bring or purchase the correct plug or a travel adaptor.

I use a universal travel adaptor.

▢ Power Bank, for best practice, especially if you’ll be out all day.

IMPORTANT: Power banks brought into China now have to be CCC-certified. Airport security will look for the CCC logo on your power bank. If it doesn’t have it, it will be confiscated

I purchased a new CCC one before my recent trip, but you can also buy them once in China.

▢ Reusable tote bag and handkerchief (for hot summer months!)

▢ Umbrella, especially during the summer. Rainfall can be unpredictable.

▢ Good walking shoes! You’re most likely going to be walking A LOT. I wear Xero Shoes – I can walk for hours and not have sore feet.

▢ Packs of tissue paper in case a bathroom or restaurant doesn’t have them.

Average China Travel Costs

I’ll have a post soon on exactly how much I spent on my three trips to China.

Average Costs

▢ Basic fare for subway and buses: $0.30 USD.

▢ On my last trip I paid $25 for a 50GB eSIM from Trip.com with a 30-day validity. For a 5-day trip, you can buy a 1GB eSIM for $5 USD.

▢ Hostels: $15 USD.

▢ Mid-range hotel: $30-50 USD.

▢ Higher-end hotel: $75+ USD.

▢ 40-minute taxi rides from airports to downtown: $15+ USD.

▢ Inner-city taxi ride: Starting from $2 USD.

▢ Food costs will vary. An average meal at a restaurant may be $7-11 USD per person, but $4 at more local spots.

Note: These costs are approximate and can vary based on the specific location within the cities and the time of year.

Best Time to Visit China

China is a large country with very different climates by region. Here’s a general guide:

Spring (March–May): Best for most of China: mild weather, cherry blossoms, and fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June–August): Hot and humid in most of eastern China, with rainy season in the south. Peak tourist season — expect crowds and higher prices. I’d avoid this season if possible, but good for northern and high-altitude areas.

Autumn (September–November): The best overall season for China travel — cooler temperatures, autumn foliage, and generally clear skies.

Winter (December–February): Cold in the north, milder in the south. Fewer (but still) crowds at most attractions.

Try to avoid visiting during these holidays

These are China’s peak travel periods. Trains and flights sell out weeks in advance, hotel prices rise significantly, and popular attractions are at their most crowded.

The exact dates may vary yearly.

• Spring Festival / Chinese New Year: February 16–23, 2026.
• Qingming Festival: April 4–6, 2026 (varies yearly, though the whole week may be packed)
• Labor Day Golden Week: May 1–5
• School Summer Holidays — July–August | Peak domestic family travel season. Expect higher prices and larger crowds at all major tourist sites.
• Mid-Autumn Festival — September 25–27, 2026
• National Day Golden Week: October 1–7

More China City Guides

I hope this China travel guide was helpful! Make sure to save this post for your next trip to China.

Here are specific cities in China I’ve covered so far — I’ll keep adding to this list:

• 21 Things to Do in Shanghai (Cultural Spots, Skyline Views + Historic Streets)
• 13 Best Things to Do in Suzhou (Gardens, Canals + Night Views)
• 18 Things to Do in Chongqing (Attractions, Night Views + Itinerary Tips)
• 12 Things to Do in Chengdu (Top Attractions + Itinerary Tips)
• The Perfect Beijing Itinerary (Hour Breakdown + Costs)
• Top Things to See in Beijing China for First-Timers
• 10 Best Things to Do in Wuxi on a Day Trip
• Guide to Finding Cdrama Filming Locations, Merch & Ads in China
• Ultimate Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Guide (Avatar Mountains)
• Ultimate Tianmen Mountain Travel Guide: Everything I Wish I Knew

📍 Zhangjiajie, Chongqing, Chengdu & Leshan + more China vlogs — coming soon!