China Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
If you’re planning your first trip to China, chances are you’ve already heard: Google doesn’t work, nobody uses cash, and everything is done through apps. Which can sound quite intimidating, especially if you’ve never travelled to China before.
The good news is that once you’ve prepared a few things before you fly, travelling around China is surprisingly easy.
To save you from the pre-trip anxiety, this guide covers everything I wish I’d known before my first trip, from setting up Alipay and choosing an eSIM to finding the best restaurants and getting around like a local.
- Check Your Visa Requirements
- Stay Connected: eSIMs, VPNs & Internet in China
- Where to Book Hotels in China
- China is almost completely cashless – pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay
- Getting Around China: Maps, Taxis & Public Transport
- Travelling Between Cities? Take the High-Speed Train
- Explore Like a Local: Use Dianping & Xiaohongshu
- Order Delivery: Food & Essentials with Meituan
- Booking Attractions & Activities in China
- Bring a CCC-Certified Portable Charger
- Final Thoughts
Check Your Visa Requirements
One of the biggest changes in recent years is that China’s visa policy has become much more traveller-friendly, but the requirements still depend on your nationality.
Some passport holders can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, while others will still need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa) before travelling. Visa policies change regularly check the official list of visa-free countries here.
If you do need a visa, I recommend applying well in advance of your trip. You’ll typically need:
🛂 Passport with validity of at least 6 months of your trip + 2 blank visa pages
✈️ Round trip flights
🏨 Hotel reservations for the duration of your stay
📸 Application form and photo
Processing time is normally 4 working days. Express service available with extra charge. But I highly recommend you start at least a month before to avoid unnecessary stress incase something goes wrong.
Stay Connected: eSIMs, VPNs & Internet in China
Your phone will be your map, translator, payment method, train ticket and restaurant guide. So it’s crucial to set it up before you land in China because many Western apps/websites are blocked. Setting up an eSIM and VPN (if needed) ahead of time will save you the hassle once you land.
- Easiest option: Get an eSIM. Once activated, you’ll have mobile data as soon as you land without having to search for a SIM card at the airport. A lot of eSIMs nowadays have built-in VPN too. These roaming-based eSIMs route your internet traffic back to servers outside of China so you can easily use blocked apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Google without downloading separate VPNs.
- Download a reliable VPN (if needed). This will depend whether your eSIM has it built in or not. I used NordVPN because I already had it but it needed an extra step to download certificates. Other than that, it worked smoothly for my trip.
⚠️ If you’re using a local Chinese SIM card (which is difficult for tourists to get anyway) or connecting to the hotel Wifi, you will still need a VPN to access blocked services.
If staying connected is important to you, I recommend setting everything up before you fly. Download your eSIM, install your VPN and test that everything works while you’re still at home. You can turn both off until you land in China. It’s much easier than trying to troubleshoot after you’ve landed.
For this trip, I went with Airalo. It was easy to set up and connection was fast and stable. Decent eSIMs are also available on Klook.
Where to Book Hotels in China
Compared to many Western countries, you can stay in modern and stylish hotels for a fraction of the price in China. When booking accommodation, I always compare my options and prices on both Agoda and Trip.com before making a reservation.
Why compare both?
💰 Prices and promotions can differ between platforms
🏨 Some hotels are only listed on one site
✅ Many properties offer free cancellation, giving you flexibility if your plans change
⭐ Read reviews and compare photos before booking
China is almost completely cashless – pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay
One of the biggest surprises for first time visitors is how little cash is used in China. You’ll almost always pay by scanning a QR code with your phone.
Physical credit cards are accepted in some places (international hotels, global brand stores etc.) but they’re far less common and Apple/Google Pay shouldn’t be relied on. These mobile payments are done through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Both allow you to link most international credit or debit card.
Getting Around China: Maps, Taxis & Public Transport
Download the right navigation apps. Google Maps isn’t reliable in China, so I wouldn’t rely on it.
Apple Maps (best for iPhone users)
Once you’re physically in China, Apple Maps automatically uses the same mapping data as Amap so you get the same live traffic updates, subway/bus routes and walking directions.
✅ No VPN needed
✅ Full English interface
❌ Less details on small local shops compared to Amap
AMap (Gaode Maps) (best for Android users & Chinese speakers)
AMap (高德地图) is China’s most popular navigation app and the one most locals use.
💭 Alternative: AMap Global (International version) offers an English interface with fewer features, get this one if you can’t read Mandarin
My recommendation: I used Apple Maps for about 90% of my trip because it was simple, familiar and entirely in English. I still kept AMap downloaded as a backup, especially when I wanted to check local businesses or compare routes.
💡 Quick Tip: Download the offline map for the area you’ll be exploring. It’s a simple backup that can save you if your signal drops. It includes saved locations (Hotels, restaurants you favourite).
Use DiDi instead of Uber
Didi is China’s top ride hailing app (like Uber). Make sure to download the domestic version – search for “DiDi: Ride Hailing in China”
Pay for public transport with your phone (Metro & Bus)
You don’t need to buy a physical transport card in most major cities. After setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay, activate the city’s transport card within the app. You’ll then be able to tap in and out of metro stations using a QR code on your phone instead of purchasing individual tickets.
💡 Each city usually has its own transit card, so you’ll need to activate one for every city you visit.
Travelling Between Cities? Take the High-Speed Train
China’s high-speed rail network is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to travel. For shorter journeys, I actually found it more convenient than flying because stations are usually located closer to the city centre, saving both travel time and airport hassle.
I used the high-speed train for day trips from Shanghai and Chongqing, and the experience was incredibly smooth.
Book Through Trip.com or Klook
For international travellers, I recommend booking your train tickets through Trip.com or Klook. Both have English-language apps, accept international payment methods, and make booking much easier than using the official railway website or purchasing in-person.
- Book popular routes in advance, especially during weekends and public holidays
- Use your passport when booking and travel with the same passport because you may need to scan it at security screening
- Arrive at the station around 30–45 minutes early to allow time for security screening – I had no idea about this and missed my train…
Explore Like a Local: Use Dianping & Xiaohongshu
I quickly realised that Google and Western social media only scratches the surface when it comes to finding the latest food spots and hidden gems in China. If you want to discover what’s actually popular, use the same apps that locals do.
Dianping (大众点评)
Think of Dianping as China’s version of Google Reviews/Yelp/Tripadvisor. It’s where locals go to find restaurants, cafés, attractions, beauty salons and just everything else.
💡 Quick tip: One of my friends barely planned her trip at all. Whenever she was hungry, she’d simply open Dianping, look for the highest-rated restaurant nearby and walk there. Every recommendation ended up being a winner which says a lot about how reliable the app is.
Xiaohongshu (小红书 Rednote)
If Dianping tells you where to eat, Xiaohongshu tells you what’s trending. It’s China’s version of Instagram/Tiktok/Pinterest. It’s where locals share viral restaurants, aesthetic cafés and hidden gems. I found it incredibly useful for discovering places I never would have found through a Google search.
💡 Quick tip: I used Xiaohongshu to build my itinerary and save places I wanted to visit, then checked Dianping for reviews before deciding where to eat. Using both apps together is the closest you’ll get to exploring China like a local.
Order Delivery: Food & Essentials with Meituan
If you’re having a lazy night, feeling jet-lagged or simply want to have a late night snack, Meituan (美团) is China’s go-to delivery app.
Why use it?
⚡ Fast delivery, often in under an hour – if you’re lucky enough to be staying at a hotel with robot delivery, it will arrive at your doorstep!
🍜 Order takeaway from thousands of local restaurants
🛍️ Get snacks, drinks and everyday essentials delivered
The app is only available in Chinese, but it’s still easy enough to use with Google Translate’s camera feature and the photos in the reviews.
💡 Quick tip: Set up Meituan app before you land with your international number. You will need to verify your ID using your passport. If this is too complicated, you can go through Alipay’s mini program version of Meituan.
Booking Attractions & Activities in China
Booking attractions in China is super easy if you use the right platforms. I usually check both Klook and Trip.com before purchasing tickets, as prices, promotions and availability can vary between the two. I booked all my activities like Shanghai Disneyland, Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains, Chongqing’s Wulong Karst through these platforms.
Why book through Klook or Trip.com?
🎟️ Book tickets in English with international payment methods
💰 Compare prices and promotions across both platforms
⚡ Receive instant confirmation and free cancellation for most attractions (check the terms)
📱 Store all your bookings in one place for easy access
💡 Quick tip: Always carry your physical passport when sightseeing. Many attractions in China use your passport to verify your booking or as your entry ticket, so having it with you can save a lot of hassle.
💡 Pro tip: Use code CLARARGHKLOOK on Klook for 10% off for new users or 3% for returning!
Bring a CCC-Certified Portable Charger
If you could only pack one extra item for your China trip, make it a portable charger. Your phone is your wallet, map, translator, transport pass, camera and boarding pass. It’s easy to drain your battery before the day is over.
In response to rising cases of onboard fires (from June 2025), China has enforced a strict rule that if you want to fly with your portable charger must have a valid CCC (China Compulsory Certification or 3C) mark Power banks without this certification will be confiscated at airport security, even if they’re from a well known brand.
You can either:
- Buy one on Amazon before your trip
- Buy one when you land in China – you can find 3C at the airport, electronic stores or any major brand retailer
Final Thoughts
Before my trip, I thought travelling around China would be way too complicated. Between the language barrier, cashless payments and unfamiliar apps, it felt like there was so much to figure out before I even landed.
Instead, I found a modern, efficient and incredibly easy city to explore. Yes, there are a few things to prepare before you arrive but once you’ve downloaded the right apps and understand how things work, you’ll be able to focus on what really matters – exploring amazing neighbourhoods, trying incredible food and experiencing one of Asia’s most exciting cities.
Hopefully these tips save you the hours of research I did before my first trip. If you’re planning to visit China soon, save this guide for later, you’ll thank yourself once you land.
