China Travel Guides

Practical, independent guides to help you plan a trip to China with confidence — visas, transport, budgets, timing and destinations.

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Travel Planning

China Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Everything a first-time visitor needs: what to expect on arrival, how to get around, how to pay for things, which apps to install, and the mistakes to avoid on your first trip to China.

Latest Articles

Latest Travel Guides

New and updated guides for planning your China trip.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit China

Season-by-season weather, crowds, public holidays and prices across China’s major regions.

Visa & Entry

China Visa Guide

Visa types, visa-free transit options, and what you need to prepare before you apply.

Transportation

How to Travel Around China

High-speed rail, domestic flights, metro systems, taxis and ride-hailing compared.

Travel Planning

China Travel Itinerary Ideas

Ready-made routes for 7, 10 and 14 days, from classic highlights to slower itineraries.

Budget Travel

China Travel Costs & Budget Guide

Realistic daily budgets for hotels, food, transport and attractions at every price level.

Travel Tips

What to Know Before Visiting China

Payments, apps, internet access, etiquette and language basics you should sort out early.

Most Read

Popular Guides

  1. Best Cities to Visit in China

    How to choose between Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin and more.

  2. China Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

    The essential starting point for a first trip — logistics, apps, payments and expectations.

  3. How to Travel Around China

    High-speed rail vs domestic flights, plus metro, taxi and ride-hailing basics.

  4. China Visa Guide

    Visa categories, visa-free transit and the documents to prepare before applying.

  5. China Travel Costs & Budget Guide

    What a trip to China actually costs, from hostel budgets to comfortable hotels.

New & Updated

Latest Travel Guides

Our most recent in-depth guides for planning a trip to China.

Travel Planning

China Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Visas, payments, apps, transport and the mistakes to avoid on a first trip.

Visa & Entry

China Visa Guide

Tourist visas, visa-free transit and regional schemes explained.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit China

Seasons, regional differences, and the two periods to avoid.

Transportation

How to Travel Around China

High-speed rail, domestic flights, metros and ride-hailing compared.

Travel Planning

China Travel Itinerary Ideas

Ready-made 7, 10 and 14-day routes, plus regional options.

Budget Travel

China Travel Costs & Budget Guide

What a trip actually costs, at three different budget levels.

Travel Tips

What to Know Before Visiting China

Etiquette, payments, food, water and everyday practicalities.

Destinations

Best Cities to Visit in China

How to choose between Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu and more.

Food

Chinese Food Guide: What to Eat and How to Order

Regional cuisines, dishes worth seeking out, and how to order without Chinese.

Culture

Chinese Culture and Etiquette for Visitors

What to expect, how to behave, and which customs actually matter.

Hotels

Where to Stay in China

Hotel types, what to check before booking, and the best neighbourhoods.

Things to Do

Top Things to Do in China

The experiences worth building an itinerary around.

Travel Tips

China eSIM Guide: How to Stay Connected

Why an eSIM solves both data and blocked apps, and how to set it up before you fly.

Travel Tips

How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China

The most important thing to set up before a China trip, explained step by step.

Transportation

China High-Speed Rail Guide

Booking, seat classes, station process and why the train beats flying.

Things to Do

Great Wall: Which Section Should You Visit?

Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling and the wild sections compared.

Travel Tips

Is China Safe for Tourists?

Crime, scams, traffic, health and what actually warrants caution.

Transportation

Beijing to Shanghai: Train or Flight?

The two options between China’s biggest cities, compared honestly.

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