China travel, made practical
Everything you need to sort out before you land in China
Visas, payments, trains, and internet are where first-time visitors get stuck. Here's how to handle each, step by step.
Before you fly
Four things to settle at home. Each takes less than an hour.
- Check your entry optionVisa-free entry, visa-free transit, or a visa: which one applies to your passport and route.
- Set up a mobile payment appLink your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Many places take little else.
- Sort out your internetGoogle, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked. An eSIM or roaming plan solves it.
- Book trains earlyPopular high-speed routes sell out around holidays. Tickets open about two weeks ahead.
Guides
Each guide shows the date it was last checked against official sources.
Do you need a visa for China? Visa-free entry and 240-hour transit explained
Which passports can enter China without a visa, how the 30-day visa-free entry and the 240-hour transit rule work, and the mistakes that get travellers turned away.
Money & PaymentsHow to pay in China as a foreigner: Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, and cash
China runs on QR-code payments. How to link your foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, what the 3% fee over ¥200 means, and when cash still helps.
Getting AroundHow to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner
Book on 12306, the official site, or through Trip.com; what to do at the station with a passport; seat classes; and when to book.
Internet & AppsInternet in China: how to use Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram (eSIM vs VPN)
Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in China. Why a travel eSIM is the easiest fix, how to set one up before you fly, and what still won't work.
Internet & AppsApps you need in China: the essential list for foreign travellers
The apps to install before you go: payments, taxis, maps, trains, translation, and food. What each is for, and which work in English.
Getting AroundHow to use DiDi and taxis in China as a foreigner
Book rides with the DiDi mini-program in Alipay or the DiDi app, pay with your foreign card, and avoid airport taxi scams.
Money & PaymentsHow much does a trip to China cost? A daily budget for 2026
Typical daily costs in China for budget, mid-range, and comfortable travel: hotels, food, trains, sights, and the costs people forget.
CitiesBeijing in 4 days: a first-timer's itinerary (with booking tips)
The Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Temple of Heaven, and the hutongs, in a realistic 4-day plan, plus the tickets you must book a week ahead.
CitiesShanghai in 3 days: an itinerary for first-time visitors
The Bund, Yu Garden, the former French Concession, the Pudong skyline, and a canal-town day trip, in a 3-day plan with transport tips.
CitiesXi'an in 2 days: the Terracotta Warriors, the city wall, and the Muslim Quarter
How to book Terracotta Warriors tickets with a foreign passport, the cheapest ways to get there, and a 2-day plan for Xi'an.
CitiesChengdu in 2 days: pandas, tea houses, and Sichuan food
How to book the Chengdu Panda Base with a passport, the best time to see pandas awake, and a relaxed 2-day plan for Chengdu.
CitiesGuilin and Yangshuo: Li River cruise, bamboo rafts, and karst scenery (3 days)
Li River cruise or bamboo raft? Prices, the 20-yuan-note view at Xingping, cycling in Yangshuo, and a 3-day plan.
CitiesWhich section of the Great Wall should you visit? Mutianyu vs Badaling vs Jinshanling
Compare the Great Wall sections near Beijing by scenery, crowds, travel time, and price, and pick the right one for your trip.