China rewards prepared travelers and confounds unprepared ones. The challenges are real — the internet is filtered, the payment system is different, the language barrier is significant — but none of them are insurmountable with some advance preparation. Here are 20 practical tips that experienced China travelers wish they'd known on their first visit.
Get a VPN before you land — not after
Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and most foreign news sites are blocked in China. A reliable VPN is essential. Download and subscribe before arrival — VPN download sites are blocked inside China. Reliable options: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill. Test it before your trip.
Set up mobile payments before boarding the plane
Both WeChat Pay and Alipay now accept international cards for tourists. Set them up at home where the verification process is easier. Without mobile payment, you'll struggle at many restaurants, taxis, and shops. See our full guide to paying in China.
Buy a local SIM card at the airport
China Unicom and China Mobile sell tourist SIM cards at all major airports. A 30-day 20GB data plan costs ¥100–150. Your hotel's WiFi alone won't cut it when you're out exploring. The SIM card is also required to register for some apps and museum ticketing.
Download offline maps — multiple apps
Google Maps works in China with a VPN, but it's slow and drains battery. Download Baidu Maps (百度地图) for Chinese addresses and points of interest. Also download your destination's offline maps in Apple Maps or Maps.me as a backup. More on navigation apps here.
Book major attractions online — in advance
The Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Panda Base, and many top museums are ticketed online with daily caps. Walk-up tickets are not available. Book on the official site or via Trip.com — foreign passports work for registration. At major sites, failing to pre-book means missing out entirely.
Use DiDi instead of street taxis
DiDi (China's ride-sharing app) shows the price upfront, tracks your route, and keeps a record of your driver. Street taxis near tourist sites frequently run up the meter on unfamiliar routes or refuse to use the meter entirely. DiDi accepts international credit cards and doesn't require a Chinese bank account.
Carry your passport everywhere
Your passport is required for check-in at hotels, entry to most major sites, ATM withdrawals, SIM card purchases, and occasional police verification checks. A photocopy is not accepted in most situations. Keep it in a money belt or inside pocket — not in your daypack where it can be accessed from behind.
Learn 10 essential Mandarin phrases
You won't become conversational, but a few phrases go a long way: 你好 (nǐ hǎo, hello), 谢谢 (xiè xiè, thank you), 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián, how much?), 不辣 (bù là, not spicy), 厕所在哪里 (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ, where is the toilet?). The effort is appreciated and often met with enthusiasm.
Use a translation app with camera function
Pointing your phone camera at a Chinese menu and instantly seeing English translations is essential for independent dining. Google Translate's camera translation works well but requires a VPN. ChinaPass has built-in AI menu translation designed for restaurants — photograph the menu and get detailed ingredient-level translations in seconds.
Book trains on Trip.com, not the official 12306 site
China's high-speed rail network is excellent — fast, punctual, and affordable. The official booking site (12306.cn) is frustrating for foreign users. Trip.com (Ctrip) accepts foreign cards and provides English-language booking with passport details. Book popular routes 2–4 weeks ahead, especially during Chinese holidays.
Avoid Golden Week and Chinese holidays
National Day Golden Week (October 1–7) and Chinese New Year (January/February) see 600+ million people traveling domestically. Attractions become overwhelmingly crowded, prices double or triple, and trains book out weeks in advance. If your dates are flexible, avoid these periods entirely.
Keep small bills for street food and markets
Even in cashless China, the best street food often comes from older vendors who prefer cash. Keep ¥100 in ¥5, ¥10, and ¥20 notes for markets, night food streets, and small vendors. Breaking ¥100 notes can be frustrating — ask for small change when paying at supermarkets or convenience stores.
Understand that "spicy" means different things in different regions
Sichuan and Chongqing spice levels can be extreme even when you request "mild." When ordering, say 微辣 (wēi là) for the mildest version, or 不辣 (bù là) for no spice. In Cantonese restaurants (Guangzhou, Shenzhen), food is rarely spicy at all. Know your region.
Use airport express trains — not taxis
Every major Chinese city has a dedicated metro or express train from the airport. In Shanghai, the Maglev to Longyang Road takes 8 minutes at 431km/h and costs ¥50. In Beijing, the Airport Express to Dongzhimen takes 20 minutes and costs ¥25. Airport taxis to the city center cost 5–8x more and take 45–90 minutes in traffic.
Check air quality before outdoor activities
Northern Chinese cities (especially Beijing) can experience significant air pollution in winter and spring. Check the AQI (Air Quality Index) before planning outdoor days. IQAir and AirVisual apps provide real-time readings. If AQI is above 150, reconsider visiting outdoor heritage sites — you won't enjoy the Great Wall in thick smog.
Confirm your hotel booking on arrival before paying
Some budget hotels in China are not registered to accept foreign guests (a legal requirement). Your booking may be cancelled at check-in. Always confirm "Can you accept foreign passport guests?" (你们接待外国人吗?) when booking. International hotel chains never have this problem; local guesthouses occasionally do.
Save emergency numbers offline
China emergency number: 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), 119 (fire). The US Embassy in Beijing: +86 10 8531 4000. Download these numbers offline in case of connectivity issues. ChinaPass stores your emergency card with medical information in Chinese — show it to any doctor or hospital receptionist without needing to speak.
Bargaining: when and how much
Fixed prices exist in supermarkets, chain restaurants, and official stores. Bargaining is expected at tourist markets, souvenir stalls, and some night markets. Start at 40–50% of the asking price and work up from there. Don't bargain aggressively if you're not serious about buying — and once a price is agreed, it's considered binding. Never show too much enthusiasm before negotiating.
Tipping is not standard — but not offensive
China does not have a tipping culture. In most restaurants, leaving a tip will confuse or embarrass the staff — many will try to return it. Exception: tour guides and drivers often appreciate a tip, which is increasingly expected in the international tourism industry. High-end hotel bellhops and airport porters also welcome tips.
Download everything you need before relying on WiFi
Hotel WiFi in China is often slow and filtered. Download your maps, translation apps, and travel content offline before arriving in each city. ChinaPass downloads all city restaurant and attraction data offline — critical for exploring in areas with poor connectivity.
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