Most of what makes a China trip go smoothly is preparation rather than knowledge you can pick up on arrival. These are the details worth sorting out before you fly.

Set Up Payments Before You Arrive

China runs on mobile payment. Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere, from department stores to street stalls, and both now support international cards.

Install and verify both at home, while you still have reliable access to your bank’s confirmation messages. Carry a small amount of cash as backup, and expect that some smaller vendors will only take mobile payment.

Sort Out Your Internet Access

Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are not directly accessible in mainland China. An eSIM or travel SIM that routes data outside the mainland usually solves this without extra configuration, and is the simplest option for a short trip.

Download the apps you will need before you leave: a translation app with camera mode, Amap or Baidu Maps for navigation, and Didi for ride-hailing.

Everyday Etiquette

• Tipping is not customary. It is not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and offering it can cause confusion.
• Don’t lose face by correcting someone publicly. Disagreement is usually handled indirectly.
• Both hands when giving or receiving a business card, gift or document is a polite gesture.
• Queueing is more informal than in many Western countries, especially at metro doors and elevators. It is rarely meant rudely.
• Smoking is common in some public spaces despite restrictions. Non-smoking hotel rooms and cars exist but should be requested.
• Numbers matter: the number four is associated with bad luck, and eight with good fortune. It is a minor detail, but it explains some building and phone numbering.

Food and Water

Tap water is not drinkable. Hotels provide kettles, and bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Restaurants generally serve hot tea or hot water rather than cold drinks.

Food safety is broadly good at busy restaurants, where turnover is high. Street food is generally fine if the stall is crowded and the food is cooked to order. If you have dietary restrictions, a translation app with a written explanation in Chinese is far more effective than trying to explain verbally.

Health and Practicalities

• Travel insurance is worth having. China is a large country, and treatment costs for visitors can add up quickly.
• Toilets: many public toilets are squat-style and you should carry your own tissues, as paper is often not provided.
• Pharmacies are common and can help with minor issues, but bring any prescription medication you need, in its original packaging with documentation.
• Air quality varies by city and season. If you are sensitive to it, check current readings before travelling and pack accordingly.

Language

English is not widely spoken outside international hotels and airports, but this is rarely a real obstacle. Have your hotel’s name and address saved in Chinese on your phone, use a translation app for anything more complex, and rely on picture menus and pointing for restaurants.

Transport Reminders

Your passport is your ticket for high-speed rail and required for domestic flights and hotel check-in. Carry it with you at all times rather than leaving it in a hotel safe.

Major attractions now require advance online booking, and tickets often sell out in peak season. Book before you travel rather than expecting to buy on the day.

Money, Values and Expectations

Prices at tourist attractions can be significantly higher than in local neighbourhoods, and haggling is expected in markets but not in shops with fixed prices. Restaurants, transport and hotels generally charge clearly marked prices.