China trip guides
Short, practical and dated. Every guide lists the official or primary sources it's based on.
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The five things most first-time visitors sort out before they fly.
China Arrival Checklist: Documents, Arrival Card, Customs and First Day
Everything to prepare before you land in China: visa or visa-free check, the free online arrival card, customs cash limits, accommodation registration and first-day setup.
How to Set Up Alipay and WeChat Pay as a Foreigner
Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before your China trip: step by step, with the official limits ($5,000 per payment), the 3% fee rule, and fixes for declined cards.
eSIM, SIM Cards and Internet Access in China: What Visitors Should Know
Roaming, a travel eSIM or a local Chinese SIM? A plain-English comparison for visitors, with the real-name rules for local SIM cards and what to set up before you fly.
How to Buy China Train Tickets on 12306 (and When to Use Trip.com)
Register on China Railway 12306 with a passport, get verified, book high-speed train tickets, and understand refund fees, plus when an agent like Trip.com is the easier choice.
Tax Refund for Foreigners in China: How to Claim VAT Back When You Leave
How China's departure tax refund works for visitors: the ¥200 same-day minimum, refund rates, the 'instant refund' option, the documents you need, and how to claim at the airport.
Visa, entry & rules
How entry schemes work, where you have to register, and what the law actually says.
China Visa-Free Policies Compared: 30-Day, 240-Hour Transit and Mutual Exemption
China's 30-day visa-free entry, 240-hour transit and mutual visa exemption side by side: who qualifies, how long, where, and until when.
China Visa-Free Policy Expiry Tracker 2027: What Ends and When
Tracker of China's visa-free end dates: 48 countries' 30-day entry is due to end 31 Dec 2026, Russia 2027, plus what's announced and how to check.
China Visa-Free for US Citizens (2026): What Americans Can and Can't Do
US citizens aren't on China's 30-day visa-free list but can use 240-hour transit, Hainan's 30-day entry or a 10-year visa. Rules and sources.
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit, Explained
Who qualifies for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, the 65 ports and regions covered, the onward-ticket rule, and how to apply at the border.
China Arrival Card Online: The Free Official Form and How to Avoid Fake Sites
China's online arrival card is free on the official NIA site, 12367 app or mini-programs. Steps, who's exempt, and how to spot fake paid sites.
Accommodation Registration for Foreigners in China: The 24-Hour Rule
China's 24-hour registration rule for foreigners: hotels do it for you; private stays mean registering online or at a police station.
VPNs, Roaming and China's Internet Rules: The Legal Facts
A neutral, sourced look at what Chinese law says about VPNs and cross-border connections, which services are blocked, and official tourist advice.
Money, food & getting around
Cards, wallets, food delivery, taxis and maps.
Using a Foreign Card in China: Visa, Mastercard, ATMs and Cash
Where foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work in China, Alipay and WeChat fees for linked cards, ATM limits, and why you should still carry cash.
Ordering Food in China: Meituan, Ele.me and Table QR Codes
Order food in China as a visitor: Meituan and Ele.me via Alipay mini-programs, foreign cards and phone numbers, addresses and table QR codes.
DiDi and Taxis in China: A First-Timer's Guide
How to get a ride in China: DiDi in English, Alipay and WeChat ride-hailing, street taxis, airport taxi queues, official fares and scams to avoid.
Amap vs Apple Maps vs Baidu vs Google Maps in China
Which map app works in China? Amap's English version vs Apple, Baidu and Google Maps, the GCJ-02 offset, and showing taxi drivers an address.
Cities, stays & things to do
First-night bases, starter itineraries, and how to book the big sights.
Beijing Starter Guide for First-Time Visitors
Beijing for first-timers: airport trains, tap-to-ride metro, passport booking for the Forbidden City, Tiananmen and National Museum, plus tips.
Where to Stay in Beijing: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
Beijing's best areas to stay for a first trip: Wangfujing, Qianmen, Shichahai hutongs, Sanlitun and Dongzhimen, with metro links and booking tips.
Shanghai Starter Guide for First-Time Visitors
Shanghai for first-timers: Pudong and Hongqiao transfers, Maglev, Airport Link Line, metro tap-to-ride and QR codes, museums and where to stay.
Where to Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
Shanghai's best areas to stay: People's Square, the Bund and Nanjing Road, Jing'an, Xintiandi, Lujiazui and Hongqiao, with metro and airport links.
Chengdu Starter Guide for First-Time Visitors
Chengdu for first-timers: Tianfu vs Shuangliu airports, metro tap-to-ride and Alipay QR, booking the Panda Base with a passport, sights and tips.
Things to Do in China: Booking Attractions and Tours with a Passport
How real-name attraction booking works in China: Forbidden City, National Museum, Great Wall and Shanghai Museum rules, plus when a tour helps.
Do you need a visa for China?
Pick your passport, entry city and dates. We check the 30-day visa-free list, 240-hour transit, mutual agreements and Hainan rules, using official data verified on 12 November 2026.