Before you go
China travel guides
Plain answers to the questions first-time visitors ask, checked against official sources and dated, with the Mandarin you need for each situation.
China visa-free entry and 240-hour transit: who qualifies and how it works
Who can enter mainland China without a visa in late 2026: the 30-day country list, 240-hour transit rules, covered provinces, the online arrival card.
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How to use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China as a foreigner
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card before your China trip: the steps, the 3% fee over ¥200, limits, scan vs. show QR, and cash backups.
Getting online in China: eSIM, local SIM card, roaming and Wi-Fi
Compare a travel eSIM, a Chinese SIM bought with your passport, roaming and Wi-Fi for a China trip, plus what to do when an app wants a Chinese number.
The China travel apps you need, and what to set up before you fly
The apps that matter on a China trip in 2026: payments, DiDi, Amap in English, 12306 trains, food delivery and translation, plus a checklist to do at home.
Taking taxis and DiDi in China without speaking Chinese
Set up DiDi in English with a foreign card, find the right pickup point, show your address in Chinese, pay a taxi, get a receipt and use airport taxi queues.
How to ride the metro in China's big cities
Pay for China's metro with a foreign card tap, an Alipay or WeChat QR code or a ticket, then handle security checks, transfers, exits and the last train.
Booking and riding China's high-speed trains with a passport
Book high-speed trains on 12306 or Trip.com with a passport, pick a seat class, get through the ID checks, find your car, and handle luggage and refunds.
How to order food in a Chinese restaurant
Order food in China with confidence: scan-to-order QR codes, picture menus, portion sizes, spice levels, rice and tea, calling staff, paying and leftovers.
Eating in China with a food allergy or special diet
How to explain food allergies and vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free needs in China, which hidden ingredients to ask about, and why a written card helps.
Etiquette and tipping in China: what visitors should know
Do you tip in China? Mostly no. Plus table manners, toasts, who pays the bill, greetings, queues, smoking rules, photos, temple visits and gift basics.
Pharmacies, medicine and hospitals in China: what visitors need to know
Find a pharmacy (药店) in China, know what needs a prescription, bring your own medicine legally, and see a doctor: registration, paying and insurance.
Emergency numbers in China, and what to do when things go wrong
China's emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire, 122 traffic. What to say on the phone, how to replace a lost passport and where to see a doctor.