China Travel Tips 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Before you travel to China, there are six things most tourists don’t prepare for — and should. First, get a VPN before you leave home: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western apps are blocked. Second, set up WeChat Pay or Alipay with your foreign card — China is nearly cashless. Third, download offline maps (Google Maps is unreliable; use Amap or Maps.me). Fourth, book a local SIM card or check your international plan. Fifth, pack a universal power adaptor — China uses Type A and Type I sockets at 220V. Sixth, don’t drink the tap water — bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Everything else in this guide builds on these six foundations.

What do I need to know before visiting China for the first time?

Here’s the honest pre-trip checklist that most travel guides gloss over:

Before you leave home — non-negotiable:

• Download and subscribe to a VPN — Do this before your flight. Once you land in China, many VPN websites are blocked, making it much harder to set up. Reliable options as of 2025 include ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Astrill. Test it works before you go.
• Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay — Link your foreign Visa or Mastercard. Both apps now accept international cards. You will struggle to pay for taxis, street food, small restaurants and many tourist attractions without one of these. (More on this below.)
• Download offline maps — Google Maps works in China with a VPN, but it’s slow and unreliable. Download Amap (高德地图) and save offline maps for your destinations. Also download Maps.me as a backup.
• Sort your SIM situation — Option 1: Buy a local Chinese SIM at the airport or a convenience store (China Unicom and China Telecom both sell tourist SIMs). Option 2: Get a Hong Kong SIM before arriving — it works in mainland China and bypasses the firewall. Option 3: Use your home international plan (expensive but zero setup).
• Check your bank card works abroad — Notify your bank. ATMs in major Chinese cities accept foreign cards, but availability is not guaranteed everywhere. Withdraw cash on arrival as backup.

Cultural and practical adjustments:

• China operates on WeChat for almost everything — messaging, payments, booking, ordering. Even if you don’t need it to communicate with locals, you’ll need it to pay.
• Tipping is not customary in mainland China. In restaurants, hotels and taxis, no tip is expected or required.
• Bargaining is normal in markets — not in regular shops, restaurants or chain stores. If there’s a price tag, it’s fixed.
• Queuing norms are different — especially at train stations and tourist attractions. Be prepared to be assertive.
• Pollution masks (N95 or equivalent) are worth packing for major cities, even though air quality has improved significantly in recent years.

How do I access the internet in China?

The short answer: you need a VPN, and you need to set it up before you arrive.

Why the internet is different in China China operates what’s known as the “Great Firewall” — a system that blocks access to Google (Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube), Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Twitter/X, and thousands of other foreign websites and apps. This isn’t a minor inconvenience; it affects almost every app a Western traveller relies on.

Solution 1: VPN (most effective) A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet traffic through a server outside China, bypassing the firewall. Key points:

• Download and set up your VPN before you land. VPN provider websites are often blocked in China, making it difficult or impossible to sign up once you arrive.
• As of 2025, the most consistently reliable VPNs for China are ExpressVPN, Astrill, and NordVPN. Free VPNs generally do not work in China.
• Expect occasional slowdowns — no VPN works perfectly 100% of the time in China. Having two installed as backup is smart.
• VPN use by tourists exists in a legal grey area in China. In practice, tourists use VPNs without issue; it is not a concern that affects foreign visitors.

Solution 2: Local Chinese SIM card A Chinese SIM card gives you fast local data without a VPN for domestic apps — but foreign sites are still blocked unless you also use a VPN. China Unicom and China Telecom sell tourist SIM cards at major airports and convenience stores. Data plans are affordable (around 100GB for ¥100 / ~USD $14).

Solution 3: Hong Kong SIM card A Hong Kong SIM card works in mainland China and is not subject to the Great Firewall. You can buy one before departure or at Hong Kong airport. Data roaming costs more than a local SIM, but the setup is zero.

Solution 4: Portable WiFi device (pocket WiFi) Rental pocket WiFi devices (available at some airports and online) work similarly to a Hong Kong SIM — they bypass the firewall. Good for groups or families sharing a single connection.

What still works without a VPN in China:

• WeChat, Weibo, Baidu Maps (all Chinese domestic apps)
• Most hotel WiFi for basic browsing
• Netflix and streaming (if downloaded offline before arrival)
• WhatsApp calling sometimes works intermittently without a VPN — but not reliably

How do tourists pay for things in China?

China has become one of the most cashless societies in the world — and until recently, this was a genuine headache for foreign tourists. The good news: since 2023, both WeChat Pay and Alipay now accept foreign bank cards, which has made the payment situation dramatically simpler.

The three ways tourists pay in China:

Option 1: WeChat Pay (recommended) WeChat Pay is built into the WeChat app, which you’ll want to have anyway. You can now link a foreign Visa, Mastercard or American Express directly. Most vendors, restaurants, taxis and tourist attractions accept a WeChat Pay QR code. Setup takes about 10 minutes before your trip.

Option 2: Alipay Alipay’s “Alipay for Foreigners” feature also accepts international bank cards. It works in most of the same places as WeChat Pay. Having both is useful as a backup — occasionally one will work where the other doesn’t.

Option 3: Cash (Chinese Yuan / RMB) Cash is still accepted everywhere and is useful as a backup — especially for smaller markets, rural areas, and older establishments. ¥1,000–¥2,000 (roughly USD $140–$280) is a reasonable amount to carry throughout your trip. Withdraw from ATMs at major banks (ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank) — these most reliably accept foreign cards.

⚠️ Important: Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at international hotels and some upmarket restaurants — but they are rarely accepted at local restaurants, taxis, convenience stores or tourist sites. Don’t rely on swiping a card.

What cash is still useful for:

• Small street food stalls and wet markets
• Temple and entrance fees at some minor attractions
• Rural areas and smaller towns
• Emergencies when your phone battery dies

What is the best way to get around China?

China has one of the world’s best transport networks — once you know how to use it. Here’s how to think about it by distance:

Between cities — High-Speed Rail (高铁, HSR) China’s high-speed rail network is genuinely world-class. Trains run at up to 350km/h, are punctual, comfortable, and often faster than flying once you factor in airport check-in time. Key routes:

• Beijing → Shanghai: ~4.5 hours (vs ~2.5hr flight + airport time)
• Beijing → Xi’an: ~4.5 hours
• Shanghai → Hangzhou: ~45 minutes
• Guangzhou → Shenzhen: ~30 minutes

Book tickets through Trip.com (English interface, foreign cards accepted) or the official 12306 app (Chinese only, requires a Chinese phone number). Collect physical tickets at the station with your passport.

Between cities — Domestic flights For distances over 1,000km (e.g. Beijing to Chengdu, Shanghai to Kunming), flying is often more practical. Chinese domestic airlines are reasonably priced; book through Trip.com or Ctrip. Budget extra time — Chinese airports are large, and domestic security is slower than in Europe.

Within cities — Metro (地铁) Every major Chinese city has an extensive metro system. Fares are cheap (typically ¥3–¥8 per journey), stations have English signage, and the systems are clean and reliable. Pay with WeChat Pay, Alipay, or buy a physical transit card at the station.

Within cities — Didi (滴滴) Didi is China’s dominant ride-hailing app (similar to Uber). It accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay. You can set your destination in English — the driver sees it in Chinese. Didi is reliable, affordable and the easiest way to travel distances that are too far to walk but not worth a metro journey.

Within cities — Taxis Available everywhere, but increasingly hard to hail on the street in major cities — most drivers prefer Didi bookings. If you do take a street taxi, ensure the meter is running. Keep a hotel card (with the address in Chinese) to show the driver your destination.

What apps do I need to download before going to China?

Download all of these before you leave home — some are difficult or impossible to access once inside China:

Essential — download before departure:

App	What it’s for	Notes
VPN (ExpressVPN / NordVPN / Astrill)	Access blocked websites	Subscribe and test before flying
WeChat	Payments, messaging, everything	Set up payments before arrival
Alipay	Backup payment method	Link your foreign card in advance
Amap (高德地图)	Navigation & maps	Download offline maps for your cities
Google Translate	Translation	Download the Chinese language pack for offline use
Didi	Ride-hailing / taxis	Set up account and payment before arrival
Trip.com	Train & flight booking	Accepts foreign cards, English interface

Useful but not critical:

App	What it’s for
Pleco	Advanced Chinese dictionary — better than Google Translate for reading menus/signs
Maps.me	Offline backup maps
XE Currency	Real-time exchange rates
Airalo	eSIM app — buy a China or Hong Kong eSIM before you go

💡 One important note: WeChat must be registered with a phone number and ideally verified with a friend’s account before it can be used for payments. Do this at home — the verification process is harder from a new Chinese IP address.

What should I pack for a trip to China?

Beyond your standard travel kit, China has a few specific items worth adding to your packing list:

Tech essentials:

• Universal power adaptor — China uses Type A (two flat pins) and Type I (two angled pins) at 220V. A universal adaptor covers both. Most laptops and phone chargers handle 220V automatically, but double-check your devices.
• Portable power bank — Mobile payments mean your phone is your wallet. A dead battery is a genuine inconvenience. Bring a 20,000mAh power bank.
• Offline content — Download Netflix shows, Spotify playlists and ebooks before you fly. Hotel WiFi is generally available, but VPNs can be slow.

Health & comfort:

• N95 mask — Air quality in major cities has improved significantly, but having one for high-AQI days is sensible.
• Hand sanitiser and tissues — Soap in public bathrooms is inconsistent; tissues are needed in many public toilets (they often don’t have toilet paper in stalls).
• Basic medication — Bring your regular prescriptions plus a basic first-aid kit. While pharmacies are available everywhere in China, branded Western medications may not be stocked.
• Sunscreen — Quality western-brand sunscreen can be hard to find outside major city international supermarkets.

Practical items:

• Hotel card with Chinese address — Ask your hotel for a card with the address in Chinese characters. Invaluable when showing a taxi driver where you’re going.
• Photocopy of passport — Keep a copy separate from your passport. Useful if your passport is lost.
• Small padlock — Useful for overnight trains, lockers at tourist sites, and budget accommodation.

What are the cultural dos and don’ts in China?

China has a rich set of cultural norms that are worth knowing — not because violations will get you in trouble, but because knowing them makes the trip much richer.

Do:

• Accept things with two hands — When receiving a business card, a gift, or anything from an elder, use both hands. It shows respect.
• Try to use a few words of Mandarin — Even “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “xièxie” (thank you) are genuinely appreciated and will warm interactions.
• Bargain in markets — In street markets and tourist souvenir stalls, bargaining is expected. A common starting approach: counter with half the asking price and meet in the middle.
• Remove shoes when entering homes — If visiting a Chinese home, you’ll almost certainly be offered slippers at the entrance.
• Let elders order and start eating first — In a group meal, allowing the eldest person to order and begin eating first is respectful.

Don’t:

• Stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — This resembles funeral incense sticks and is considered very bad luck.
• Tip — Tipping is not customary and can occasionally cause confusion or mild offence, particularly in traditional restaurants.
• Discuss sensitive political topics — Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen Square and criticism of the government are topics best avoided entirely in public.
• Lose patience loudly — If something goes wrong (a booking error, a miscommunication), remaining calm and polite is almost always more effective than showing frustration.
• Touch someone’s head — Particularly children. It’s considered disrespectful in many parts of China.

How do I communicate if I don’t speak Chinese?

You don’t need to speak Mandarin to travel in China — but a few tools and strategies make a significant difference.

Google Translate (offline mode) is your most powerful tool. Download the Chinese Simplified language pack before departure. Key features: camera mode (point your camera at a menu or sign and it translates in real time), voice translation (speak English, it says it in Mandarin), and text input. Works offline once downloaded.

Pleco is a more powerful Chinese dictionary app — better for reading complex menus, medical instructions or anything Google Translate struggles with.

Show, don’t speak — For addresses, save them in Chinese characters on your phone. For food orders, point at photos on the menu or at neighbouring tables. For hotels and stations, have your booking confirmation showing the Chinese name.

English availability by location:

• Major tourist sites and international hotels: English widely available
• Upmarket restaurants and chain stores: Usually some English
• Local restaurants, markets, taxis: Very limited or no English — this is where your translation app earns its keep
• Smaller cities and rural areas: Assume no English

Learn five phrases — they genuinely help:

• Nǐ hǎo (你好) — Hello
• Xièxie (谢谢) — Thank you
• Duōshǎo qián (多少钱) — How much does it cost?
• Wǒ yào zhège (我要这个) — I want this one [pointing]
• Bù yào (不要) — No thank you / I don’t want it

What health precautions should I take before going to China?

China doesn’t require any specific vaccinations for entry, but travel health clinics typically recommend the following based on activities and regions:

Commonly recommended vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A and B — Standard recommendation for most Asia travel
• Typhoid — Especially if you plan to eat street food or travel to rural areas
• Japanese Encephalitis — Recommended for extended rural travel, particularly in summer
• Rabies — If you plan extended time in rural areas or anticipate animal contact
• Routine vaccines — Ensure you’re up to date on MMR, tetanus, flu, and COVID (check current guidelines)

Practical health tips:

• Water: Never drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive (¥1–¥3 for 500ml).
• Food safety: Street food is generally safe if it’s cooked in front of you and the stall is busy. Avoid pre-cut fruit from roadside stalls and uncooked vegetables at small local restaurants.
• Medical care: Major Chinese cities have international hospitals with English-speaking staff (e.g. Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai United Family Hospital). Pharmacies (药店) are everywhere and stock a good range of basic medications.
• Travel insurance: Essential — include medical evacuation cover. Chinese hospital costs for foreigners can be significant without insurance.
• Air quality: Check the AQI daily at aqicn.org. On bad days (AQI > 150), an N95 mask is worth wearing outdoors.

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