China is big in every sense: sheer scale, deep history, ultra-modern cities, and tiny, perfect moments, like sipping jasmine tea while the morning crowds swirl around you. It’s also one of the easiest places to travel if you prep the right way. This guide is the “I’ve-got-you” version I wish I’d had before my first trip: conversational, a little bossy, and packed with the real-world details that make your days smooth.
The vibe (so you’re mentally ready)
China moves fast. Trains glide at 300 km/h, mobile payments are standard, and most tickets are sold online with your passport number. You’ll ping-pong between emperors’ palaces and neon skylines, street food steam and luxury malls, sleepy water towns and snow-dusted mountains. The culture is warm, curious, and practical. A smile and a simple “ni hao” (hello) will take you very far.
Visas, visa-free, and the easy “transit” trick
First, check if you even need a visa. China now allows visa-free entry for many countries, typically up to 30 days for tourism, business, or visiting friends. The official immigration page maintains a live list (by region) and explains eligibility, save it: you’ll want to confirm your passport is on it before you book.
Just passing through? There’s also a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit program for travelers from 55 countries, handy if you’re en route to a third country and want to spend up to ten days in places like Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei, Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang, Guangdong, and more. You’ll need a confirmed onward ticket and you must stay within the permitted region. Details and the country list are here.
If you do need a visa (the “L” tourist visa): applications generally take about 4 working days once accepted by the consulate or visa center; some locations offer paid express options (3 days). Always verify the current process with your nearest Chinese embassy or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
Pro tip: Hong Kong and Macau have different entry rules from mainland China. Treat them as separate border crossings with their own allowances and stay lengths.
Money, payments & why your phone is your wallet
Mainland China is famously cash-light. The good news: foreign cards now work inside the big mobile wallets.
- WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) lets overseas visitors link international cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover) directly in the app; Tencent says registration and linking have been streamlined for visitors.
- Alipay also accepts international cards, and even partnered with American Express for broader acceptance.
You can still carry some cash, CNY (also called RMB, the yuan is the base unit) but expect QR codes everywhere. (If you love the terminology: RMB is the currency name, “yuan” is the unit. Think “pounds” vs “sterling.”)
The internet, apps you need, and the VPN conversation
A heads-up: many western apps and sites (Google services, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp calls, Wikipedia, etc.) are blocked on mainland networks. If you rely on them, plan accordingly.
Apps to install before you land (and why):
- WeChat (messaging + payments + mini-apps).
- Alipay (backup wallet + scan-to-pay everywhere).
- AMap / Gaode (English “AMap Global”) for reliable maps and transit; there’s an official English version for visitors.
- DiDi (ride-hailing)—the China app has an English interface and supports global phone numbers for login.
- 12306 (China Railway)—the official train-ticketing platform (website & app). If you’re doing long distances, you’ll use it.
- Translate/dictionary: Pleco, Apple Translate, or Google Translate offline packs downloaded before you go.
About VPNs: China restricts unlicensed VPN services; crackdowns target providers and unapproved networks. Individuals aren’t typically the focus, but access can be inconsistent and tools get blocked, especially around major events. If you choose to use one, understand the local rules and your own risk tolerance. (Context on the 2017 MIIT notice and subsequent enforcement here.)
If you want my setup: I use Surfshark, here’s my link: Surfshark VPN.
Power, water, and the unglamorous (but crucial) stuff
- Electricity: China uses plug types A, C, and I and runs on 220V/50Hz. Bring a universal adapter; most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and will be fine.
- Tap water: Don’t drink it. Hotels usually provide bottled water or kettles; brush your teeth how you prefer, but drink sealed or boiled water.
- Bathrooms: Many public restrooms are squat style; carry tissues and a little hand sanitizer.
- Safety: Street crime is low; scams exist anywhere tourists cluster. Keep your passport handy, by law if you’re not in a hotel, you must register your stay with the local police within 24 hours (hotels do it automatically).
Getting around (and how to make it effortless)
High-speed rail connects most major cities, clean, punctual, and scenic. Tickets are real-name (your passport number is your ticket). Book on 12306 or via agencies if you prefer hand-holding; aim to reserve early for weekends or holidays.
Rides & metros: In cities, subway systems are intuitive, bilingual, and cheap. DiDi fills the gaps, toggle English in the app and message drivers with the built-in translator.
Avoid the crush: China has enormous holiday “Golden Weeks” (Lunar New Year in Jan/Feb, May 1–5, and around Oct 1). Travel is still possible then, but trains, sights, and hotels sell out fast and prices spike, book well ahead or steer clear.
Etiquette: tiny signals that go a long way
- Two hands to pass a card or item; queue patiently; quiet voices on trains.
- Chopsticks: don’t stick them upright in rice; lay them across the bowl or on a rest.
- Tipping: generally not expected at restaurants or taxis; small tips for private guides or hotel porters are fine but optional.
- Conversation: ordinary questions about your home or job are friendly curiosity. If politics comes up, read the room, be respectful, and pivot to food, you’ll win.
How long should you stay? (Honest answer)
If it’s your first time, 10–14 days feels right:
- Beijing (3–4 days): Forbidden City (book timed tickets ahead), the Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling), hutongs at sunset. (Many A-list sights now require real-name online reservations—book early.)
- Xi’an (2–3 days): Terracotta Army, the city wall bike ride, Muslim Quarter snacks.
- Shanghai (3 days): The Bund at night, Yu Garden, French Concession wandering.
Add a side trip: Chengdu (pandas + hot pot), Guilin/Yangshuo (karst peaks), Hangzhou/Suzhou (tea, canals), or Huangshan (otherworldly hikes).
If you only have five days: do Beijing + a day trip. If you have three weeks, fold in the west (Yunnan, Xinjiang) or the northeast (Harbin in winter).
Food & ordering like you live here
The best meals are often the simplest: hand-pulled noodles, cumin lamb skewers, soup dumplings, sizzling greens with garlic. Street vendors and tiny diners are where you’ll taste regional personality. Point at photos, learn “bu la” (not spicy) or “la yi dian” (a little spicy), and follow lines of locals. Digital menus and QR ordering are increasingly common; your WeChat/Alipay wallet will pay them in two taps.
Phones, SIMs & eSIMs
Airport counters sell tourist SIMs (bring your passport). eSIM data works well too; note that a mainland eSIM uses a mainland network, so the normal internet restrictions apply unless you have a working VPN. WeChat runs on any data.
Booking big-ticket sights (what’s changed)
China has leaned hard into real-name, online, timed reservations for popular museums and UNESCO sites. Expect to input your passport number and pick a time window; many places open sales 7–10 days out and sell out fast on weekends/holidays. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) is the poster child, buy tickets on the official platform with your passport details, then show your passport at entry.
A sample first-timer itinerary (that actually flows)
- Days 1–4 Beijing: Temple of Heaven at sunrise, hutongs by bike, Summer Palace boats, Great Wall day trip, Peking duck night.
- Days 5–6 Xi’an: Train in, Terracotta Army, city wall ride, biangbiang noodles.
- Days 7–10 Shanghai: Morning on the Bund, Old Town + Yu Garden, day trip to Suzhou canals or Hangzhou tea fields.
- Extra 3–4 days: Chengdu (pandas + Leshan Giant Buddha), or Guilin/Yangshuo (rafting + rice terraces).
Use high-speed rail between cities; check 12306 first for schedules and pricing.
Packing what matters (and what doesn’t)
- Universal adapter (A/C/I) and a small power strip; China is 220V/50Hz.
- Light jacket or umbrella, weather swings and afternoon showers are common.
- Tissues + sanitizer for bathrooms; comfortable walking shoes for those gorgeous palace grounds.
- A small crossbody for your passport; hotels will scan it at check-in, but you’ll still need ID for trains and some sights.
A note for Black travelers (from a Black mom to you)
Let’s talk about visibility. If you’re Black in mainland China, you will be looked at, sometimes admired, sometimes simply studied. People may try to take photos of you (or with you) without asking; some will reach for your hair out of pure curiosity. It happened to me and my son. In big cities there are far more Black residents and visitors than years past, but the attention hasn’t disappeared. Other Black travelers describe the same mix: mostly curiosity, occasionally intrusive, and it can wear on you when you’re just trying to enjoy your day.
Here’s how I handle it in real life. If a teen or a group of girls politely asks for a selfie and tries a little English, I’ll say yes once, maybe twice and ask for a picture of my own. After that I smile and keep it moving, because I’m not the attraction, the place is. If someone aims a camera at my child or keeps following, I set a clear boundary and walk away. Most people are receptive; many simply don’t realize how it feels to be on the other side of the lens.
Language helps. A calm “no” in Mandarin changes everything. I use “请不要拍照” (qǐng búyào pāizhào) please don’t take photos, or shorter “别拍我” (bié pāi wǒ) don’t photograph me. If a hand reaches toward hair or shoulders, “请不要碰我” (qǐng búyào pèng wǒ) please don’t touch me, gets the point across. Add “谢谢理解” (xièxie lǐjiě) thanks for understanding, and move on.
If someone snaps you without consent, step out of frame, lift a friendly palm (no grabbing), repeat your phrase, and keep walking toward a staff member or security if you feel uncomfortable. Most interactions end with apologies or sheepish smiles once you communicate a boundary. Your comfort matters more than anyone’s curiosity, give grace when you have it, hold a firm line when you don’t.
Final smart moves
- Screenshot every booking page that has your passport number + time in case your data connection hiccups at the gate.
- Download AMap Global and your 12306 tickets before you leave the hotel.
- If you’ll hit a Golden Week, either embrace it (book far ahead, lean into 6 a.m. starts) or shift your dates.
One last thing
China rewards the curious. Say yes to the tea shop tasting, to the auntie who wants a photo, to the detour down a lane that smells like scallion pancakes. Prep the boring bits (visas, apps, tickets) and the rest is deliciously easy.
