If you’re planning to travel to China, do it! You will have the best time and leave with some great memories. To help you better prepare for a trip to China, we’ve created a list of 25+ China travel tips you need to know before you visit.

We did a lot of research for our China trip, so now you can benefit from our hard work too! From the different types of food to catching trains and alternative payment methods, we have you covered with this carefully curated travel tips list!

After recently spending 3 weeks travelling around China, we were constantly writing down more helpful tips to create this guide. These are all helpful things to know before travelling so that your mind can be at ease and feel prepared. Let’s explore our things to know before visiting China guide!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you.

China Trip Planning

  • Currency – Chinese Yuan, CNY. Compare here (compare the currency here)
  • Cuisine – Chinese – Different cuisines by region
  • Apps – Trip.com, Amap, Didi, Alipay, WeChat, Google Translate, LetsVPN
  • Sim cards – Purchase a convenient eSim from Airalo or Trip.com!
  • Convenience stores – 7-eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, other regional stores
  • Official languages – Chinese – Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunanese
  • Travel Insurance – Check out Safetywing for your flexible adventures!
  • Accommodation – Take a look on Trip.com for the best accommodation deals in China!
  • Planning – Take a look at our How to Save Money for Travel guide!

20+ Things To Know Before Visiting China in 2025

We created this list of China travel trips during our recent trip to this amazing country, we hope you find them useful for planning your upcoming trip too! Keep reading to learn more about what to know before visiting China!

Firstly, you will see Trip.com mentioned throughout this whole guide. What is Trip? Trip is a Chinese-based travel company that is used to book accommodation, activities, flights, transport and even sim cards. It’s a lifesaver in China and you’ll need it if you want to book discounted activities in advance and see a larger range of accommodation!

What to know before visiting China - Inside the Forbidden City
What to know before visiting China – Inside the Forbidden City

1. Is China cheap to travel?

We are pleased to share with you that China is extremely affordable to travel, making it easy on the wallet. Food, transport and accommodation were all easily budgeted, which we will briefly cover below:

Food – It’s safe to say that we didn’t hold back when it came to eating delicious Chinese food in China. Keep in mind that we are both vegan, so we couldn’t always eat the cheapest food on the streets or in local restaurants, but we were able to eat comfortably in Chinese Buddhist vegetarian restaurants for a low price. On average we spent around £5 each for a meal, street food snacks like bao would be as little as £0.15p each.

Local Transport – Public transport is VERY cheap in China. With the average public bus journey only costing around ¥1 (depending on the distance travelled), this equated to around £0.11p per ride! On top of this, they are very nice and modern buses. These numbers are based on catching buses within a city.

Chinese cities also have incredibly modern and efficient metro systems, and you guessed it, they are cheap as chips too! Depending on the distance, we usually paid somewhere between ¥2 – ¥7 per person, coming out at only £0.22p – £0.75p. We honestly could not fault the Chinese public transport system!

Intercity Transport – When travelling between destinations this took a small hit to our budget. We avoided flying and caught the High-Speed Rail throughout our 3 weeks in China. These tickets can get quite expensive, but they’re still affordable considering the distance travelled. You can book your train tickets via Trip.com or 12306 Railway.

Accommodation – Depending on how you like to travel, your budget will likely be different to the next travellers. But we can reassure you, that there is always a great budget option in any city in China! Take a look on Trip.com for the widest variety of accommodation in China, with the best discounts too! From experience, Beijing was our most expensive city costing £37 per night (private double room with bathroom), whereas our cheapest accommodation was in Guilin at only £9 per night (private double room with bathroom).

Chinese flag along The Bund
Chinese flag along The Bund
Street signed - Nanjing East, Shanghai
Street signed – Nanjing East, Shanghai

2. How to pay for things in China – QR code-based payment is the way to go

Another great China Travel Tip is to know that Alipay and WeChat (Wexin) are KING for payment. When paying for anything in China, there’s a QR Code to scan via the app! But, always keep a little cash on you as a backup. On very few occasions both our Alipay and WeChat payments didn’t go through as international cards weren’t accepted at the business.

Generally speaking, if you have an issue with one app, try the other and it should go through. If both methods fail, sometimes the server might offer to pay for you if you pay their personal QR code first.

Make sure to download and set up Alipay and WeChat before your trip to China if you can, it will make arrival and onward travel much easier.

Cash is accepted, but it is best to have exact change or small notes, especially if paying a street vendor. Some places may even decline cash payments.

A screenshot of the Alipay app - China Travel Tips
A screenshot of the Alipay app – China Travel Tips
Trip.com app screenshot - China Travel Tips
Trip.com app screenshot – China Travel Tips

3. ALWAYS travel with your passport

We cannot stress this tip enough, ALWAYS travel with your passport, it’s essentially your ticket for most attractions and trains. Without it, you will be very stuck! We think it might also be a matter of safety, as well as a streamlined travel process.

Real name verification is also very important to know about. When booking train tickets, Chinese attractions and anything else where stated, be sure to input your name as shown on your passport. For example; surname, first and middle. If it doesn’t match your passport exactly, there is a good chance you will get rejected. They take real name verification very seriously for security reasons.

Forbidden City - passport needed for entrance
Forbidden City – passport needed for entrance
China Travel Tips - Always bring your passport to the train station
China Travel Tips – Always bring your passport to the train station

4. Security is highly monitored

Be prepared to have your bags scanned every time you enter a metro station, tourist attraction, train station and sometimes pedestrianised streets. They are very hot on security in China, one reason it is so safe to travel here. Similar to airport security, they are scanning for dangerous weapons and objects. We weren’t too bothered and never had any issues.

Security checks are pretty fast-moving; just place your bag on the conveyor belt and you’re good to go. Don’t be confused if security asks to check the inside of your water bottle or flask, they will either ask you to take a drink, or they will ask to have a quick smell to make sure it’s nothing dangerous (substances like acid).

CCTV cameras are everywhere in China, and I mean everywhere (except the restrooms of course). And they don’t tend to hide them either, so it’s quite a normal sight to see a lamppost covered with cameras. But with that, petty crime and theft is very low. You’ll notice locals tend to leave their belongings unattended in public spaces or outside of bathrooms.

Unseen CCTV cameras along The Bund (behind camera)
Unseen CCTV cameras along The Bund (behind camera)

5. How to get around locally

China’s metro system has developed massively over the last 2 decades, resulting in many of its major cities having great transport options! It currently spans over 6,300 miles, making it the longest urban rail system in the world. And as we mentioned above, it’s incredibly affordable to ride. We recommend using the metro and bus system when travelling in and around cities.

We recommend you set up a digital metro card and digital bus card within Alipay app whenever you reach a new city. This is so you can tap on / tap off with ease using the QR code! It saves time getting a ticket from a machine, and we don’t recall bus stops having ticket machines at all.

We managed to use Amap to get around with the absence of Google Maps in China. The app is in Chinese, but you can search in English and translate the Chinese results. A good way to get around this is to screenshot the app results and use Google Translate to translate the image. Amap worked great for showing, bus, metro and walking routes. Almost to the point where i might prefer it over Google Maps!

Didi is a ride-sharing app (similar to Uber) which is very affordable and a great alternative when public transport is limited. Expect to pay between £1-£5 per ride depending on journey length. Another bonus is that the app is in English, great for foreign travellers. Alternatively, flag down a regular taxi in the street and be prepared to show your destination address in Chinese. Didi also worked well with our foreign bank card (Starling).

A local bus late at night in Ghost Street, Beijing
A local bus late at night in Ghost Street, Beijing
Standing at Pudong Aiport Terminal Metro Station
Standing at Pudong Aiport Terminal Metro Station

6. Are Chinese people friendly?

We expected Chinese people to be quiet and reserved, similar to Japan or South Korea, but we found they are generally very friendly, warm and welcoming. We had lots of conversations with locals where they’ve been interested in speaking English with us or we’ve used Google translate to communicate.

One conversation we will remember fondly was when a retired Chinese man came over to us while we were eating lunch in Chengdu, he was telling us how he had travelled from Shanghai to do some hiking and showed us his photos of the mountains on his phone

A friendly food vendor serving sweet treats in Chengdu
A friendly food vendor serving sweet treats in Chengdu
A local tourist flashing the peace sign on a scooter
A local tourist flashing the peace sign on a scooter

7. How to get around China by High Speed Rail (HSR)

If you thought the metro was impressive, what until you see China’s railway system! The High Speed Rail (HSR) trains are very nice and super modern. Hot drinking water for noodles and tea is free to use from the machines on all carriages. They keep the trains very clean, regularly mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms.

You can order food and drinks from the kitchen carriage using the QR code on your seat and it will be delivered to you! There is WiFi on board but we had difficulty accessing it. Information on the train is available in Chinese and English. Service is generally very similar to a flight, they go up and down the train carriages with trolleys of food and drink to purchase often. Seat rows are very well spaced, we found that you get a huge amount of leg room, and the seats are able to recline far back, making long journeys very comfortable for sleeping.

To avoid missing your train, arrive at the station no later than 45 minutes to 1 hour prior. The stations are HUGE in China, it will give you time to navigate the station and find your departure gate. They are similar to airports in size and security. Shanghai and Beijing stations are huge, whereas Guilin and Yangshuo are much smaller. Departure gates are all e-gates and use your passport as the ticket for entrance. As a foreigner, you will need to go to the e-gate that is manned by a worker to let you through.

Trains in China can be booked in a few ways, the first important thing to know is tickets are released 2 weeks before departure and can sell out quickly. The first official way of booking trains in China is on Railway 12306. The website is now in English, so they can be booked easily by tourists.

The other option is to book using Trip.com to book trains in China. This is considered the easiest option for tourists, with the catch that trip.com charges a booking fee. Journeys can be booked more than 2 weeks in advance, but this doesn’t guarantee you a ticket until they are released. Think of it as paying Trip.com to book your tickets so that you don’t forget.

Dan stood with a speed train - China Travel Tips
Dan stood with a speed train – China Travel Tips
Beijing to Xi'an speed train
Beijing to Xi’an speed train

8. Be prepared for squat toilets!

Squat toilets are most common in China, so get used to squatting before your trip! Also, it’s good practice to keep a packet of tissues on you in case toilet paper isn’t available (sometimes kept near the sink or entry to the toilet block if you can’t find it).

Generally speaking, we would always find 1-2 westernised ‘sitting toilets’ in a block of public toilets, there is usually a sign on the cubicle door indicating where it is a squat or sit toilet.

9. Rushing for a seat on public transport

Seats on public transport are first come first serve, so you might notice people rushing or pushing to get an available seat wherever they can. Train seats are reserved when booked so there is no need to worry about that. We were just a little surprised when the metro doors opened and people would lunge themselves at an available seat!

Planning on going to Thailand? Take a look at our 11+ Best Thailand Travel Tips guide

10. Useful apps to use in China

Here’s a list of all of the super useful apps we regularly used on a day-to-day basis:

  • Trip.com – Used for booking accommodation, attractions and tours. Great for discounts and can be used worldwide, not just in China!
  • Alipay – We found this the most convenient app for QR code payments. Alipay is also an all-in-one app that can be used for almost anything (mini-apps within the main app). But also, can be used for scanning QR codes for other functions than just payments like table ordering in a restaurant. As mentioned above, setting up a digital metro card and bus card in Alipay is the best way to pay for transport on the go.
  • WeChat – Our backup form of QR code payment and used for messaging (similar to Whatsapp). Also similar to Alipay, it’s an all-in-one app meaning it has a wide variety of uses. Sometimes QR codes can only be scanned by WeChat, so it’s handy to have both apps set up.
  • Amap – Since Google Maps won’t work (even with a VPN, it is massively outdated), we found Amap was a great alternative! Even though it is 100% in Chinese, you can actually search in English, but the results will show in Chinese. An easy solution that worked for us was to search in English, then screenshot the results on your phone and translate the image using Google Translate. We managed to successfully navigate China using Amap no problem!
  • Google Translate – Generally speaking, we were able to communicate with Chinese people using Chinese (Simplified) in Google Translate without any issues. Like with any language when trying to translate abroad, Google can sometimes have a mind of its own and maybe the result doesn’t make total sense. Sometimes re-wording the text you want to translate helps get the message across.
  • LetsVPN – Worked flawlessly while travelling in China, we were able to access all of the apps and services on our phones and laptop that would have otherwise been blocked in China.
  • Didi – Safe and reliable ride-hailing app used widely in China. And the great thing is the app is in English and worked with our foreign bank cards (Starling Bank, Mastercard Debit). And even better, it’s super affordable!
Amap screenshot - China Travel Tips
Amap screenshot – China Travel Tips
Example of WeChat QR code
Example of WeChat QR code

11. Learn some basic Chinese phrases, it goes a long way

It’s good to learn basic Chinese phrases like hello, thank you, goodbye etc….they appreciate it!

  • Hello – Nihao (Nee haow)
  • Thank you – Xiexie (Sshyeah-sshyeah)
  • Goodbye – Zaijian (Dzeye je ehn)
  • How are you? – Nihao ma (Nee haoww ma)
  • Good – Hen hao (Hun haow)
  • No – Bu (Boo)
  • Yes – Shi de (Shee duh)

Google Translate (Chinese, simplified) also worked fine for us when we couldn’t get by with the basics, it’s also common for locals to get out their own translating app on their phone when communication is difficult.

Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an

12. Sim cards and VPNs

Sim cards and VPNs are a hot topic before travelling to China. It’s important to know if you’ll be able to stay connected and still access your regular apps and services like Google, Facebook, Instagram and Gmail.

From experience, Dan used his UK Lebara sim package which included roaming in China, and Amy used a Nomad eSim. Both were able to access social media apps without a VPN, no restrictions. It’s good to get a VPN just in case your data gets blocked or when connecting to local WiFi in hotels or restaurants. Trip.com also has a wide variety of eSims available at an affordable price!

A local phone number would have been handy for some apps we couldn’t use, mainly food delivery and online shopping. We managed without a local Chinese number, but it’s something to consider!

Airalo is another great option when shopping around for an eSim on the go. Take a look on their website to see the latest deals and packages for eSims when travelling anywhere around the world!

If you’re new to Airalo use (NEWTOAIRALO15) for some discount! Alternatively (AIRALOESIM10) will work for anyone! This is the discount code we usually use. Check out the prices on Airalo here.

13. Travelling as a foreigner in China

Locals do tend to stare at us for being foreigners but we didn’t ever feel unsafe or too uncomfortable. A lot of the time it’s usually kids, so it’s polite to give them a friendly wave back. We had the odd occasion where people asked to have selfies with us, we either politely declined or if we felt up to it, posed and smiled for the picture.

School kids love to shout “HELLO” when they see us out on their school trips. This was especially the case when cycling along the ancient Xi’an city wall.

Cycling around Xi'an's Ancient City Wall
Cycling around Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall

14. Spitting, burping and smoking

Spitting and burping in public are very common in China. We don’t think you can go a day without hearing someone trying to cough up and spit out on the street. Everyone does it and it takes a while to get used to.

Smoking is incredibly popular in China, and for non-smokers such as ourselves, it certainly struck our senses. What isn’t so enjoyable is that it’s common for people to smoke indoors (when you aren’t supposed to), especially in bathrooms and indoor fire escape stairways. We especially found it a problem when staying in hostels in tall buildings, people tend to smoke in the shared bathrooms instead of taking the time to leave the building.

There’s not much you can do about it, other than be prepared to expect it.

Want to learn more about South Korea? Take a look at our 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips

15. China and its cities are HUGE

China is a HUGE country, and with that, its cities and roads are also massive. Don’t always expect to be able to get somewhere quickly like you might be able to back home. Something that looks like a 10 minute walk on a map might actually be well over an hour.

Train stations are usually outside of the city, so unless you’re staying close by you might want to put 30-60 minutes aside to get there. One that caught us off guard was that Yangshuo railway station is a 50 minute drive out of the town!

Every activity took way longer than we thought it did such as Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.

Beijing's Railway Station is gigantic!
Beijing’s Railway Station is gigantic!

16. Vegan food galore

If you’re vegan like us, you’re going to LOVE travelling China! All of the major cities we visited we ate incredibly well, all thanks to Happy Cow and the community constantly adding restaurants other travellers have found. Tofu and other soy products are widely available in China. We’re already dreaming about going back for the food.

Delicious Dan Dan Noodles in Chendgu
Delicious Dan Dan Noodles in Chendgu
Huge bowl of Biang Biang Noodles in Xi'an
Huge bowl of Biang Biang Noodles in Xi’an

17. Is China safe?

We felt extremely safe while travelling in China, possibly the safest country we’ve ever visited. People are very friendly, and crime is very low in China (mostly down to the fact there are CCTV cameras everywhere), we never once felt unsafe and can wholeheartedly recommend travelling China to anyone! We also mentioned that people in China can be very warm and friendly, this added to feeling safe while travelling.

Feeling safe in busy Nanjing East Road, Shanghai
Feeling safe in busy Nanjing East Road, Shanghai
Safe travel in Shanghai's old neighborhood
Safe travel in Shanghai’s old neighborhood

18. Can you drink the tap water in China?

No, tap water is generally not for consumption in China, but almost everywhere we went (hotels, restaurants, public spaces and train stations) had filtered and UV-treated water machines to refill your water bottles for free! Bottled water is widely available in convenience stores, but why buy plastic when water machines are so widely available! You can also bring a Life Straw with you.

19. Public toilets are everywhere

We were pleasantly surprised to find public toilets in China very widely accessible and even better, free of charge! They might not always have toilet paper, so make sure to carry a small packet of tissues in your pocket or bag. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser with you too.

20. Be prepared for your trip!

The best way to be ready to visit China is to be fully prepared. Now, this may seem obvious but some prior research will really help, which is why you are reading this blog! Here are a few key pointers:

  • Have the right visa ready / or be clued up on which visa you need. For the UK, you will need to visit the consulate in London to apply for the appropriate visa. Many countries are now offered a free 30 day visa, be sure to check the specific requirements for your country.
  • Have useful apps downloaded and set up before your trip, read above for which apps we recommend!
  • Book trains in advance to avoid disappointment, tickets are released 2 weeks prior to departure and can be booked on Railway12306 or Trip.com.
  • Most importantly, be excited and have fun! We had an amazing time travelling China for 3 weeks!
Outside of the Forbidden City Walls, Beijing
Outside of the Forbidden City Walls, Beijing
Amy enjoying her travels in China
Amy enjoying her travels in China

21. Tipping is not practised in China

Unlike many other countries around the world, tipping is not a part of the Chinese culture and may make people uncomfortable. For this reason, it is best to avoid tipping in China, unless it feels absolutely necessary or natural given the situation.

22. You won’t be able to see all of China

As we’ve mentioned above, China is REALLY big, and so are the Chinese cities and its attractions. For us, we were mind-blown about how long it takes to get around and how long some attractions (like the Forbidden City in Beijing) took to walk around.

With this in mind, it’s best not to set the bar too high, and either reduce the amount of things on your itinerary and spend longer in each location, or if time and money allow, spend a longer time exploring this amazing country!

Thinking of visiting Sri Lanka? Take a look at out Sri Lanka Travel Tips guide!

23. Almost all vehicles in China are electric, and usually very quiet!

We were really surprised to find almost all vehicles on the road in China (from what we saw in the major cities we visited) are electric! This has massively improved the quality of air over the years, which is great for the environment and Chinese locals!

Watch out for the electric mopeds when crossing the streets, they are so quiet you rarely hear them coming! Honestly, it’s odd to see so many vehicles on the road and not hear the usual traffic noise.

A tiny electric car spotted in Beijing
A tiny electric car spotted in Beijing
One of many e-scooters in China
One of many e-scooters in China

24. Motorbikes use sidewalks like the road

China is extremely safe, except for the fact that motorbike riders use the sidewalks like an extension of the road. And because they are so silent, it’s sometimes hard to hear them approach. You almost need to have eyes in the back of your head, just make sure to be safe when walking in busy areas.

25. China loves drinking herbal tea

It’s safe to say that Chinese people do not hide the fact that they LOVE to drink tea, especially when they are on the go! It’s not an uncommon sight to see people carrying a glass flask with a loose tea infuser. This is another reason why hot water is so accessible in major stations and on board the trains themselves, people love to drink tea in China!

So that’s our 25 things to know before visiting China! Here are a couple more helpful tips and then you can start browsing our China itineraries.

Drinking loose tea in Daci Temple, Chengdu
Drinking loose tea in Daci Temple, Chengdu
Amy enjoying traditional loose leaf tea
Amy enjoying traditional loose leaf tea

Popular activities to book in China on Trip.com

Trip.com was perfect for booking all of our accommodations and attractions while travelling around China, take a look below at some of the most popular activities:

What to pack for China?

China is a country that will get all 4 seasons every year, so you can expect hot and humid summers, cold and crisp winters and also wet shoulder seasons. Make sure you’re prepared and have the correct type of clothes when visiting during different months! Always have a decent pair of trainers with you for lots of walking in the cities or walking boots in the mountains! Here are a few travel essentials we always carry:

Best places to stay in China

Here’s a quick list of places we stayed during our China trip, take a look at prices and availability on Trip.com!

Tiny Spot Hostel, Xi’an – The BEST Hostel
Cute buntings in Tiny Spot Hostel

Need travel insurance? Check out SafetyWing!

Famous panda digital display in Chengdu
Famous panda digital display in Chengdu

That’s a wrap on our China Travel Tips! Have the best trip and don’t forget to check out our other China travel guides to plan your trip!

LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *