The practical
China manual.
Answers to the questions that usually appear after the flight is booked—and before the confidence arrives.
First Trip to China: Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Start here for visas, payments, apps, trains, cities, itineraries, safety tips and your first day after landing.
Read pillar guide →China Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026)
Start here: entry rules, payments, apps, transport, cities, safety, internet and the first 24 hours in China.
Read guide →Airport to metro: your first 90 minutes
A picture-led route through immigration, baggage, customs and the train into town.
Read guide →How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreigner
A step-by-step Alipay setup and payment guide for first-time foreign visitors, with failure fixes and backup plans.
Read guide →Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay in China?
What overseas visitors need to know about registration, international cards, QR payments and backup options.
Read guide →China Cashless Payment Guide 2026
A practical 2026 payment setup covering Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards, cash and failure-proof backups.
Read guide →How to Buy China High Speed Train Tickets
How to choose a train, book with a passport, find the right station and board confidently.
Read guide →China Train Travel Guide for Foreigners
A complete first-timer guide to train types, passports, stations, luggage, boarding and arrivals.
Read guide →How to Get Around China Without Speaking Chinese
A practical transport system using saved addresses, translation, metro signs, ride-hailing and staffed help.
Read guide →Best Apps for China Travel
The essential app stack for payments, maps, taxis, trains, translation and bookings.
Read guide →China Travel Checklist Before You Go
The essential pre-departure checklist for documents, payments, apps, internet, bookings and arrival day.
Read guide →Is China Safe for Foreign Tourists?
A balanced guide to everyday safety, local laws, transport, health, documents and emergency preparation.
Read guide →China 7 Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors
A realistic first-week route combining Beijing and Shanghai with one efficient high-speed rail connection.
Read guide →China 14 Day Travel Route
A balanced two-week route through Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai with sensible travel days.
Read guide →Beijing Shanghai Xi'an Route Guide
How to sequence China’s classic first-trip triangle, divide your nights and choose the best rail connections.
Read guide →Where to stay on your first China trip
Choose the right area before comparing individual hotels.
Read guide →SIM cards, eSIMs and staying connected
Understand the trade-offs before you choose your travel data setup.
Read guide →Your first 24 hours in China
A calm arrival checklist from the airport to your first breakfast.
Read guide →