12 Essential Travel tips you need to know before visiting China
China is an incredible country to travel in. There’s a seemingly infinite amount of things to do in its vast megacities, endlessly beautiful landscapes to visit, and over 5,000 years of history to explore. However, China’s tourism culture and economy are very unique, which can make travel for first timers (or even people who haven’t been in a while) somewhat challenging if you don’t know what to expect.
After visiting China many times over the last few years, we’ve set out every travel tip we can think of that will help prepare you for your trip to China, including how to make payments, where to book tickets, and some things to avoid.
QUICK TIPS FOR VISITING CHINA
VPN: You will need a VPN to access your usual apps, websites and even search engine results in China. The Holafly eSIM simplifies this for you by providing unlimited data and a VPN in an easy to install package.
MAPS: Amap (also sometimes called ‘Gaode’) is the preferred map app for foreigners in China as it has an English version. Alternatives such as Baidu Maps still do not support English, and Google Maps and Apple Maps are not accurate in China.
PAYMENTS: Most vendors will ask you for payments through either WeChat pay or AliPay. Since 2024, these apps have supported international bank cards like WISE and you should have no issues with payment. If you still have issues, you can set up a ‘TourCard’ in AliPay which functions as a mainland China issued bank card and will always work.
WECHAT AND ALIPAY: WeChat and AliPay apps can be used for a lot more than just payment. You can also book DiDis (Chinese Uber), order food deliveries, online shop, book train tickets and tourist attractions, translate Chinese to English, and more.
QR CODES: QR codes in shops and restaurants are intended to be scanned in WeChat or AliPay. It is common for restaurants to use QR codes on tables to order food, rather than table service.
ACCOMMODATION: The best accommodation options are often ‘homestays’ or ‘guesthouses’ on Agoda or Trip.com, instead of known chain hotels. Rather than a typical homestay in other countries which are a room in someone’s house or a hostel, these are usually smaller family-run hotels which provide unmatched help and hospitality.
BOOKING DIDIs: DiDis are a very inexpensive and safe way to get around Chinese cities or to tourist attractions. We prefer to travel by DiDi whenever we can (cities and most tourist towns).
TAXIS: Avoid using taxis as a foreigner. They are everywhere, but will nearly always try to overcharge you, whether it be by dodgy meters, unnecessarily longer routes, or refusing to let you out until you pay double to cover their trip back. DiDis are the way to go, or a private driver (which can usually be arranged through your homestay or hotel).
BUYING TICKETS: You will need to pre-purchase tickets for most tourist attractions like national parks, museums, etc. These can sell out quickly, so generally it is a good idea to check when tickets go on sale (generally 2 weeks before the travel date, though some open earlier). Trip.com is the best app for bookings in China, including for high speed rail tickets, entrance to tourist attractions, and domestic flights.
CARRY YOUR PASSPORT: Foreigners need passports to purchase tickets and enter most tourist attractions, train stations, museums, etc., so always travel with your passport on you.
TOILETS: Most public toilets do not have toilet paper, so always pack tissues.
CROWDS: The crowds in China can be overwhelming. There is not the same concept of personal space that you would usually have at home. But please be aware that it is not rudeness. Being in heavy crowds is just a reality of living in China for the locals.
OTHER: There are many cultural differences that may be shocking or unpleasant if you aren’t prepared for it, like locals staring at or stopping foreigners for photos (this is just curiosity rather than anything personal), hocking and spitting in public, and people walking around with their shirts above their bellies to cool down. These will just be things you will have to get used to while travelling in China!
Mobile Data and VPN IN CHINA
You probably already know that you won’t be able to access your usual apps, webpages and search engines in China. Many overseas apps and usual internet browsing simply won’t function on Chinese wifi and data providers. Fortunately, this is easily solved.
For simplicity and convenience, we always use Holafly’s eSIM when travelling in China which offers both unlimited data and a VPN. Once the Holafly eSIM is activated, you can use all of your usual apps and webpages without restrictions. Set up is quick and easy, done by email, QR code, or the Holafly mobile app (the best method). You can also activate the eSIM before you arrive in China, so when you turn your phone on after landing, it’ll automatically be connected.
We’ve had excellent data coverage with Holafly everywhere we’ve travelled in China, even in the most remote towns. We recommend Holafly to all of our friends and family who are visiting China, and you can use our code ‘LINGANDJACE’ for 5% off Holafly’s eSIM for China with this link.
A VPN app alone will not be sufficient for travel in China, as Chinese wifi services will not connect to a VPN app—you will not have any access to wifi unless you turn off the VPN app.
For longer stays (30+ days), you can get a Chinese SIM and phone number through a China Mobile shopfront (China’s national carrier) and try your luck with a VPN app.
MAPS IN CHINA
Since 2025, a local Chinese app called Amap (also called ‘Gaode’) has introduced an English language setting. This is basically the only the map app worth having for foreign travellers.
Many blogs and China guides will recommend Baidu maps, however it does not have an English language setting so is nearly impossible to use unless you are fluent in Chinese characters.
For the same reasons that you can’t use your usual apps and webpages in China, Google maps won’t work in China. While we have found that Apple maps can work, it appears to be a little off the mark in China.
MAKING PAYMENTS IN CHINA
China is basically a cashless society. VISA and Mastercard are generally not accepted in China, except for at some hotels. Virtually everyone uses either WeChat or AliPay for payments (even street vendors), meaning all travellers should have both of these apps. Vendors will ask you to either scan their QR code and manually enter the payment, or to show your QR code so they can scan it and automatically charge you. It’s best to have both apps in case you have issues with one and because some vendors may only have one.
Connecting international bank cards
Since 2025, the international versions of both WeChat and AliPay now allow foreign travellers to connect international bank cards to the apps and make payments without issue (although you may be asked to verify transactions through your bank app). The apps will automatically detect whether you are an international user, but if not, you can manually change that in-app.
We would recommend connecting both a travel debit card with Chinese Yuan (like WISE, which you can instantly sign up for here) and a credit card to the apps just in case one doesn’t work.
Alipay TourCard
If you still have trouble with payments, you can set up the Bank of Shanghai’s ‘TourCard’ in AliPay’s “Fund Services” mini-programs, which functions as a local Chinese bank card for foreigners. You will just need to load it with Chinese Yuan through your linked debit card (like WISE) which can be done in the TourCard mini-program.
To be completely safe with payments in China, we recommend always carrying some cash, though you may find vendors are reluctant to accept it and may struggle to find change for you. While you can’t make payments with VISA or Mastercard, you should be able to withdraw cash from ATMs with no issue. We were able to withdraw 5,000CNY at a time from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) using our WISE VISA card (which was loaded with Chinese Yuan).
WECHAT AND ALIPAY IN CHINA
While most of what you use WeChat and AliPay for will be payments, both apps have significantly more functionality than that, including:
messaging (in WeChat)—most of your hotels, homestays, private drivers, and tour guides will add you on WeChat to communicate with you throughout your travels.
translations—in messages and any pages opened in-app
ride-hailing—both apps have DiDi built-in. We strongly recommend using DiDi in China because it is convenient, cheap, and translated to English.
QR code scanning—these are everywhere in China and are intended for you to scan with your WeChat or AliPay apps, not your phone camera. In restaurants, this is often how you order and pay for your meal—even if you are dining in, look for a QR code on the table, as you may not get table service and may not be required to order food with an attendant, even in fast food restaurants like KFC. This is actually more convenient because the apps will translate the menu for you.
food and pharmacy deliveries—these require a Chinese mobile number to work, but once set up you will find you can get food and medicine delivered almost 24/7 in Chinese cities. We have found that hotel and homestay hosts are happy to provide you with their number to set it up.
Under “pay and services” in WeChat and “more services” in AliPay, there are several other mini-apps (in-app apps) for foreigners like utilities (e.g. eSIMs) and booking apps for hotels and train tickets (e.g. TripHotel). These are useful but not mandatory—you can arrange your own eSIMs and bookings outside of WeChat and AliPay.
FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN CHINA
When looking for accommodation in China, you will notice that platforms will have traditional hotels, as well as “homestays” or “guesthouses”.
We highly recommend booking a “homestay” or “guesthouse”. It’s not as simple as a room in someone’s house—”homestay” is just what they call smaller hotels run by local owners. They have the same feeling of a hotel, but are much more comfortable and affordable. The owners will also always give you much more personal care during your stay. The rooms are typically bigger than a traditional hotel room, there will usually include free laundry, and offer meals at a cost. They may not have the other amenities that a traditional hotel will have like a fitness room or swimming pool, but they may offer other activities like photoshoots and tea ceremonies. One homestay we stayed in in the mountains invited guests to join them by a bonfire for local deserts and traditional singing.
We also recommend you find and book your accommodation through Agoda or Trip.com as they usually allow for free cancellation within a certain period in case your plans change.
HOW TO TAKE HIGH SPEED TRAINS IN CHINA
China’s high speed train network is a very cost effective and efficient way to travel in China. Most cities will have several high speed railway stations, and even ancient towns, tourist towns, and national park areas are connected by high speed train. For this reason, we recommend travelling by high speed train in China where you can.
The train companies recommend you arrive at the train station around an hour before the train is scheduled so that you can pass security and find your platform.
We highly recommend you purchase train tickets online through the Trip.com app well in advance as popular travel routes can be sold out quickly. Tickets typically go on sale 2 weeks in advance, and you will need to have your passport number linked to your Trip.com account to purchase a ticket and pass through the train station ticket gates.
At the train station, you will notice that Chinese travellers simply scan their Chinese ID cards at the ticket gates to pass through the train station. Obviously foreigners cannot do this and will instead need to have their passport scanned at the lane manned by a guard (usually on either the far left or far right of the ticket gates).
GETTING AROUND CHINESE CITIES AND TOWNS (RIDE-HAILING)
Ride-hailing (DiDi)
There are various ways to get around in Chinese towns and cities (such as bus and metro), but by far the most convenient is DiDi, the main ride-hailing app used in China which can be accessed in the WeChat and Alipay apps. DiDi is very cheap and safe in China, so we use it daily to get around. China is generally a very safe country, especially in its cities, but we’re comforted by the fact that you can see the route you are taking and if you stray too far from the route, DiDi will call the you and the driver to check that you are okay. We’ve even used it to take longer trips (of 1 hour) in tourist areas like Fanjingshan at very affordable rates. Occasionally it is also worth using the ‘priority’ option in the app in busy areas like train stations as it often only results in a few dollars more to your fare, but can sometimes save you waiting up to 15-20 minutes for a DiDi.
Private drivers
Private drivers can be arranged through your hotel or homestay and are a great way to travel longer distances in China that are inaccessible by DiDi or public transport. They may cost a bit more than you’ll be used to in China, but private drivers rely on their service to the customer for repeat work through the hotel/homestay, so they will always try to make your ride as comfortable and quick as possible (time and drop off, etc).
A warning to foreigners about taxi drivers in China
We strongly recommend foreigners avoid using taxis in China if DiDi is available, especially if you are not fluent in Chinese. We have taken several in China and they have all been genuinely awful experiences. Every one has overcharged us either by dodgy meters, unnecessarily long routes, or just hassling until we agreed to pay double the meter to cover their trip back, even if we only went 10 or 20 minutes down the road. This happened to us even where we pre-arranged a fee with the taxi driver through our hotel in a “Tier 1” city. It is simply not worth the hassle if DiDi is available to you.
USE TRIP.COM TO MAKE BOOKINGS
Trip.com is an all-encompassing app for bookings in China. It’s the international version of China’s native booking app, Ctrip, which providers know well, so we strongly recommend using Trip.com for booking all of your trains, and entrance tickets to tourist sites (and more).
You can also book flights through Trip.com, but you may not be able to select seats or meal preferences through the app, and you might find issues with validating your ticket through the Chinese airlines. We would suggest looking up flights through Trip.com but actually purchasing your tickets with the airline directly.
ENTRANCE TICKETS AND PASSPORTS
It’s generally a good idea to book your entrance tickets to tourist sites in advance of visiting them. Domestic tourism is very popular in China and many sites and national parks limit ticket sales per day to manage foot traffic. As a result, tickets can sell out quickly in advance, particularly for popular attractions like Fanjingshan, Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, etc.
You can book your tickets online through Trip.com. Tickets are usually opened at a set period before your day of travel (e.g. one month or two weeks before), so it’s a good idea to check in advance.
You will also need your passport to buy tickets and enter tourist attractions, so it’s a good idea to always carry your passport while travelling in China.