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About

China: The Country That Will Break Your Brain (And It'll Be the Best Trip of Your Life)

China isn't just "another Asian country." It's a parallel universe with its own rules, apps, payment systems, and logic that seems crazy at first — then genius. Your familiar internet doesn't work here, nor do your cards, your Google, or your WhatsApp. You'll find yourself in a technologically advanced society where a grandmother at the market accepts QR code payments but doesn't speak a word of English.

The biggest mistake is thinking you can visit China "like Thailand" — unprepared, with just a Visa...

Cities and Resorts

Xi'an
1°
China

Xi'an

1places
China

Xi'an

1places

Attractions

Terracotta Army
Chengdu
3°
China

Chengdu

Shanghai
3°
China

Shanghai

3places
China

Shanghai

3places

Attractions

Yu GardenThe BundShanghai Tower
Hong Kong
12°
China

Hong Kong

15places
China

Hong Kong

15places

Attractions

Chi Lin NunneryTian Tan BuddhaMan Mo TempleOcean Park Hong Kong+11
Urumqi
-6°
China

Urumqi

Shenzhen
13°
China

Shenzhen

Chongqing
5°
China

Chongqing

Guangzhou
11°
China

Guangzhou

Sanya
19°
China

Sanya

Taiwan
8°
China

Taiwan

Harbin
-24°
China

Harbin

Beijing
-5°
China

Beijing

3places
China

Beijing

3places

Attractions

Forbidden CityGreat Wall at BadalingTemple of Heaven

What to See

Forbidden City
History

Forbidden City

China

Chi Lin Nunnery
attraction

Chi Lin Nunnery

China

Tian Tan Buddha
attraction

Tian Tan Buddha

China

Terracotta Army
History

Terracotta Army

China

Great Wall at Badaling
History

Great Wall at Badaling

China

Man Mo Temple
attraction

Man Mo Temple

China

Ocean Park Hong Kong
attraction

Ocean Park Hong Kong

China

Rainbow Mountains (Zhangye Danxia)
Nature

Rainbow Mountains (Zhangye Danxia)

China

Yu Garden
Park

Yu Garden

China

Tai Kwun
attraction

Tai Kwun

China

Star Ferry
attraction

Star Ferry

China

Temple Street Night Market
attraction

Temple Street Night Market

China

Hong Kong Palace Museum
attraction

Hong Kong Palace Museum

China

Wong Tai Sin Temple
attraction

Wong Tai Sin Temple

China

Hong Kong Disneyland
attraction

Hong Kong Disneyland

China

Victoria Peak
attraction

Victoria Peak

China

Ngong Ping Village
attraction

Ngong Ping Village

China

Temple of Heaven
Religious

Temple of Heaven

China

Avenue of Stars
attraction

Avenue of Stars

China

Stanley Market
attraction

Stanley Market

China

The Bund
History

The Bund

China

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Nature

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

China

Great Wall of China
History

Great Wall of China

China

Ladies Market
attraction

Ladies Market

China

Shanghai Tower
Architecture

Shanghai Tower

China

Things to watch out for

Beware of 'tea ceremony' and 'art student' scams in tourist areas. Locals approaching you speaking good English may be scammers.

faq.title

faq.subtitle China

Most nationalities need a visa. However, 144-hour visa-free transit is available at major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.) for citizens of 54 countries, including EU, USA, Russia. You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.

Enter and exit from the same region (e.g., Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang). You need: passport valid 6+ months, confirmed ticket to a third country within 144 hours, filled arrival card. Cannot travel to other provinces.

Direct card payments rarely work. However, you can link your Visa/Mastercard to Alipay app and pay via QR codes everywhere. This is the recommended method for tourists since 2023.

Download Alipay app, register with your phone number, select 'Tour Pass' or link your Visa/Mastercard in the app. Verify your identity with passport. Top up or pay directly with linked card. Works for most payments in China.

WeChat is essential for communication in China - everyone uses it. However, registration requires verification by someone inside China. Try registering before the trip or ask for help in travel groups. Alipay is easier for payments.

Popular options: Astrill (most reliable but expensive), ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark. IMPORTANT: Download and set up BEFORE arriving in China. VPNs cannot be downloaded from app stores inside China.

Yes, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google services, Facebook, Instagram are blocked. You need VPN to access them. Chinese alternatives: WeChat for messaging, Baidu for search, Amap for maps.

Getting Chinese SIM is difficult for foreigners - requires passport, facial recognition, and sometimes residency. Better options: buy international eSIM before trip (Airalo, Holafly), use hotel WiFi with VPN, or get Hong Kong SIM with roaming.

High-speed trains (高铁) are the best option - fast, comfortable, punctual. Book on Trip.com (English interface, foreign cards accepted) or 12306 app (requires Chinese phone). Bring passport for ticket collection.

Use DiDi app (Chinese Uber) - has English interface, pay with Alipay/WeChat. Regular taxis: show destination on phone in Chinese, pay cash or Alipay. Airport taxis have fixed rates to city center.

Buy a ticket from machines (English available) or scan Alipay/WeChat QR code at turnstiles. Bags go through X-ray at every station. Metro maps in English available in major cities. Very cheap: 3-7 yuan per ride.

Use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps. Google Maps doesn't work properly in China - even with VPN, GPS coordinates are offset. Chinese apps work offline after downloading maps.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting China

Download VPN apps BEFORE arriving in China. Google Play, App Store won't let you download them inside China. Popular options: Astrill, ExpressVPN, NordVPN.

Alipay now accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard. Link your card in the app before the trip. This is the easiest payment method for tourists.

WeChat verification requires someone inside China to scan your QR code. Ask in travel groups for help or try registering at the border.

144-hour visa-free transit is available at major airports. You can visit the city and nearby areas but cannot travel to other provinces.

Always carry some cash (CNY). While mobile payments dominate, some small vendors, taxis, and tourist spots only accept cash.

Chinese SIM cards are difficult to get for foreigners. Buy an international eSIM before the trip or use hotel WiFi with VPN.

Use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps for navigation. Google Maps doesn't work properly in China even with VPN due to GPS offset.

High-speed trains are the best way to travel between cities. Book tickets on Trip.com or 12306 app. Passport required for booking.

Metro systems in Chinese cities are excellent and cheap. Use Alipay or WeChat to scan QR codes at turnstiles.

Tap water is not safe to drink. Buy bottled water or use electric kettles in hotels to boil water.

Air quality can be poor in big cities. Check AQI apps and consider bringing masks if you have respiratory issues.

Learning basic Chinese phrases helps a lot. Most people outside tourist areas don't speak English. Use translation apps.

Connectivity & Internet

Average Speed150 Mbps
4G CoverageExcellent, 5G

SIM from China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom costs $20-40 for 5-20GB. Great Firewall blocks most Western apps - VPN essential. 5G excellent in cities.

Electricity
Voltage:220VV
Frequency:50HzHz
⚡
A
C
I

Chinese plugs Type A, C, I (angled flat pins). Voltage 220V. Hotels have universal outlets. Most EU plugs work

Useful Apps

DiDi / 滴滴出行

Chinese Uber. Order taxis, pay via Alipay/WeChat. Has English interface.

12306

Official app for booking train tickets. Requires Chinese phone or passport verification.

Amap / 高德地图
Baidu Maps / 百度地图
Meituan / 美团

Food delivery, restaurant reviews, tickets. Chinese interface only.

WeChat / 微信

Essential super-app for messaging, payments, mini-programs. Register before trip as verification can be tricky.

Alipay / 支付宝

Payment app that accepts foreign cards (Visa/Mastercard). Essential for cashless payments in China.

Trip.com / Ctrip / 携程

Book flights, trains, hotels. English interface, accepts foreign cards.

Taobao / 淘宝

Largest online marketplace. Great for shopping, delivery to hotel possible.

Google Translate

Download Chinese offline pack before trip. Camera translation very helpful. Requires VPN.

Pleco

Best Chinese dictionary app. OCR for reading signs, works offline.

VPN (Astrill/ExpressVPN/NordVPN)

Download VPN before arriving. Essential for Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook.

Local Transport

Operators: Provincial bus companies, Long-distance coaches
Booking: Bus stations, trip.com
Popular Routes
Beijing - Tianjin2h
CNY 56-85
Shanghai - Hangzhou2h
CNY 71-106

China has the world's largest high-speed rail network (48,000+ km). G trains run up to 350 km/h. Air China, China Eastern, China Southern are the largest airlines. Metro operates in 40+ cities. Payment via WeChat and Alipay. Book trains via 12306.cn or Trip.com 30-60 days ahead.

Local Cuisine

Chinese cuisine

dim sum

noodles

rice

Tipping

Not expected
Local term: 小费 (Xiǎofèi)
Restaurants
No tip - not traditional
Taxi
No tip needed
Hotels
Porter10-20 CNY in upscale hotels
Housekeeping10-20 CNY optional
Concierge20-50 CNY for special service
Tours
Guide (per day)50-100 CNY per person
Driver (per day)30-50 CNY per person

Tipping is not traditional in China. Culture is slowly changing in tourist areas and luxury hotels.