Chengdu · 5 days
The teahouses hooked me more than the pandas
Real itineraries, honest impressions — from travelers who just got back.
🌍 Olivia · Ireland
Traveler Q&A
Travelers just back from China share what tripped them up and what surprised them — browse answers by topic.
Traveler stories
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Beijing · 4 days
First bus to the Wall — half an hour of sunrise all to myself
Real itineraries, honest impressions — from travelers who just got back.
🌍 Daniel · Brazil
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Chongqing · 3 days
An 8D city: trains through buildings, streets stacked on streets
Real itineraries, honest impressions — from travelers who just got back.
🌍 Hana · South Korea
Popular questions
Do I need a visa to visit China?
Depends on your passport: 50 countries (incl. Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, Brazil and most of Europe) get unilateral visa-free entry for 30 days; US/UK/Canada etc. can use 240-hour visa-free transit (onward ticket required); otherwise apply for an L tourist visa. See our Visa Guide.
How is the 240-hour transit window counted?
240 hours (10 days) from midnight after entry. Enter on the 3rd → leave before the 13th, 24:00. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; entering the mainland from HK/Macao/Taiwan (China) doesn't qualify.
What should I prepare for visa-free entry?
No advance application, but carry your return flight, hotel bookings and a working payment method. Border officers may ask about your itinerary.
Can I enter one city and exit another while transiting?
Yes, as long as both are eligible ports (e.g. in via Guangzhou, out via Shanghai), and you may cross provinces within the window.
Do I need to register if I stay in a guesthouse?
Hotels register you automatically. In a guesthouse or private home, register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival (48 in some areas) — free, just bring your passport.
Is phone payment mandatory? Does cash still work?
Alipay and WeChat Pay cover nearly everything — link your foreign card before departure. Cash still works but vendors often can't break large notes, so carry small denominations.
Is linking a foreign card to Alipay/WeChat hard?
No: download the app → register with your foreign number → add Visa/Mastercard in Wallet → verify identity. About 10 minutes, then QR payments work everywhere.
Can I use Google / Instagram / WhatsApp in China?
Not directly. Two options: a travel eSIM routed through overseas gateways (no VPN needed), or a VPN installed and tested in your home country before you fly.
eSIM or local SIM?
Trips around a week: eSIM, active on landing. Two weeks or more: a local SIM is cheaper (airport counters, passport required). Make sure the plan covers mainland China.
Is ride-hailing easy without Chinese?
Install Didi's international version, link a foreign card, type your destination — no spoken Chinese needed. Street taxis are also cheap and plentiful near metro stations.
How do I buy high-speed rail tickets?
Foreign passports work on the official 12306 app/site, or use Trip.com (full English, foreign cards). Buy popular routes as soon as sales open in peak season.
Train or plane within China?
Under ~1,200 km the HSR wins: city-centre to city-centre, fast security, superb punctuality. Beijing–Shanghai is about 4.5 hours — often faster door-to-door than flying.
Which map app works in China?
Google Maps data is unreliable here. Use Amap (English UI) or Baidu Maps; Apple Maps is passable.
How do I use city transport?
Metro is easiest — pay by QR code (transit code inside Alipay). Buses from ¥2; taxis via Didi. Most metro systems announce in English.
Do I need a permit for Tibet?
Yes — foreign travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit arranged in advance, usually through a licensed agency, so plan well ahead.
Any hotel booking pitfalls?
The classic one: some smaller hotels aren't licensed to host foreigners. Filter for "foreign guests allowed" or pick chains/international brands to avoid a midnight refusal.
How do I order food without Chinese?
Three tricks: photo-translation apps for menus, Dianping photos to pick dishes, and "order whatever the next table has". Most places use QR ordering with pictures — nearly zero language barrier.
What must I eat?
Eat regionally: Chengdu hotpot & skewers, Cantonese morning tea, Peking duck, Xi'an roujiamo and yangrou paomo, Chongqing noodles, Lanzhou beef noodles. Don't eat "national dishes" in one city.
Is food delivery good?
Excellent: Meituan/Ele.me deliver in ~30 minutes for ¥3–6. Perfect after a late arrival or on rainy days; Alipay mini-programs plus screen translation help with Chinese-only interfaces.
Is tap water safe?
Don't drink it unboiled. Hotel rooms have kettles; bottled water is ¥2–5 everywhere.
When is the best time to visit China?
Nationwide sweet spots: April–May and September–October. Avoid the two golden weeks (early May, early October): crowds and higher prices. Harbin ice season runs December–February; Hainan is best in winter.
Do I tip?
No. Restaurants, taxis and hotels don't expect tips; service is usually already included.
Is China safe at night?
Violent crime against visitors is very rare and big cities feel relaxed at night. Watch for taxi detours, overpriced tourist traps and pickpocketing in crowds.
What can't I bring into China?
Meat, fresh fruit and some medicines (e.g. those containing ephedrine) are restricted; drones have entry and no-fly rules — never fly in restricted zones.
What if I get sick?
Call 120 for an ambulance; with a passport you can be treated at tier-2+ hospitals, many with international services. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly advised — keep all receipts.