Travel guides
46 guides to the practical stuff nobody tells you until you land. Every time-sensitive page is checked against 2026 policies — and where policies change often, we say so and link the official source.
Last full review · October 23, 2026
New here? Do not start with the guides list.
The start-here plan puts entry rules, payments, bookings and arrival in the right order — then sends you to the guide you actually need.
Planning & entry
Visa & EntryChina entry rules for 2026: the 50-country visa-free list (including the UK and Canada), the 240-hour transit scheme, Hainan entry, and who needs a visa.First Week ChecklistThe first week in China beyond sightseeing: SIM card, payments, hotel registration, transport cards and the admin nobody warns you about.Luggage RulesWhat to pack for China and what to leave behind: airline baggage rules, power-bank restrictions, medication, adapters and laundry realities.Weather & Air QualityChina’s weather by region and season, air quality, when rain and heat should change your route, and how to read a forecast while travelling.Attraction Tickets & ReservationsHow to book China’s major sights in 2026 with a foreign passport: timed tickets, free museums, cable cars, official channels and what still sells at the gate.Chinese Holidays 2026The 2026 Chinese holiday calendar and what each date means for travel — Spring Festival, Golden Week and the smaller festivals, plus how to route around them.The 14-Day First-Trip RouteA realistic two-week China route for first-timers: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai by rail — day counts, hotel bases and where to stay flexible.Your First 24 Hours in ChinaA step-by-step arrival guide for China in 2026: immigration, airport SIMs and eSIMs, payments, airport transfers, hotel check-in and what to do on a late arrival.First Time in China: How to PlanA first-trip planning guide for China: how many days you need, which route to choose, how to pace it, what to book first and what to skip.Rainy Days in ChinaWhat to do when it rains in China: regional rain seasons, indoor alternatives in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu and Guilin, and how to rescue a wet itinerary.Seasons in ChinaA region-by-region guide to spring, summer, autumn and winter in China: weather, crowds, holidays and which season suits which route.Hong Kong & MacauHong Kong and Macau for mainland-China travellers: separate immigration, visa-free periods, high-speed rail, ferries, day trips, currency and customs.Xinjiang Travel GuidePractical travel in Xinjiang: permits, security checks, Uyghur culture, food, etiquette, connectivity and how to travel respectfully in 2026.China Customs & What to BringChina customs rules for visitors: cash limits, medicines, food, alcohol and tobacco, drones, satellite phones, prohibited items and the declaration channel.
Money & payments
Payment & MoneyHow money actually works in China in 2026: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign cards, cash, and what not to do.ATM & CashHow to withdraw cash in China with a foreign card: which ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard, fees, daily limits, and when cash still matters.Departure Tax RefundChina’s departure tax refund in 2026: the ¥200 minimum, 11% and 8% refund rates, 90-day window, airport steps and the upgraded 2.0 policy.China Travel Budget 2026What a China trip costs in 2026: daily budgets by travel style, hotel and food ranges, transport, attractions, payment fees and where to save.
Getting around
Metro & City TransportHow to use Chinese metros in 2026: tickets, Alipay QR codes, security checks, rush hour, luggage and station navigation in Beijing, Shanghai and beyond.Bus SystemHow to use city buses in China: fares, QR payment, reading Chinese stop names, and when the metro is the better choice.Bike SharingHow to unlock and ride China’s shared bikes with Alipay or WeChat: costs, parking rules, e-bike options and staying safe in traffic.Taxis & Ride-HailingGetting a taxi in China in 2026: DiDi in English, taxi meters, airport queues, payment, common scams and when the metro is faster.High-Speed TrainsHow to book and ride China’s high-speed trains in 2026: 12306 in English, passport verification, seat classes, station procedures and when to fly instead.Domestic FlightsHow to book and fly domestic flights in China: airline apps, passport check-in, baggage limits, airport transfers and when rail beats flying.
Stay, food & health
Hotels & Where to StayHow hotels work for foreign visitors in China in 2026: registration, the foreign-guest myth, booking platforms, deposits, room types and neighbourhood logic.Food & DiningHow to eat well in China: regional cuisines, street food rules, spice levels, vegetarian options and ordering without Chinese.Water & Hot WaterCan you drink tap water in China? Bottled water, hot-water culture, restaurant ice, refilling and avoiding stomach trouble on the road.Diet AdaptationHow to adapt to Chinese food, handle spicy food, and find familiar options.Health & MedicineStaying healthy in China: pharmacies, international clinics, water and food safety, air quality, altitude, and insurance.Emergency ServicesEmergency numbers in China, what to say, how to get an ambulance, police help for foreigners and what travel insurance should cover.Pharmacies & Seeing a DoctorHow pharmacies work in China, what you can buy without a prescription, and how to get proper medical care at an international hospital department.Where to Stay in ChinaNeighbourhood and hotel advice for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou and Lhasa — where to base yourself for a first trip.Safety & Common ScamsIs China safe for tourists? The scams worth knowing — tea houses, fake taxis, tour touts, bar invitations — plus traffic, food, women’s safety and emergency numbers.Food Allergies & Special DietsManaging food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free diets in China: translation cards, hidden ingredients, cross-contamination and medical backup.Accessible Travel in ChinaWheelchair and mobility travel in China: metro lifts, high-speed trains, accessible attractions, hotel checks, toilets and planning a trip that actually works.Altitude Sickness in ChinaHow to handle altitude in Lhasa, Shangri-La, Tibet and western China: symptoms, acclimatisation, medication, oxygen, insurance and when to descend.
Phone & internet
Internet & ConnectivityWhat actually works for internet in China: blocked services, roaming and travel eSIMs vs local SIMs, and hotel Wi-Fi reality.SIM Cards, eSIMs & InternetGetting online in China in 2026: eSIM vs local SIM, passport registration, roaming, blocked apps, hotel Wi-Fi and how to stay connected without surprises.Useful AppsThe six apps that cover almost everything in China: Alipay, WeChat, Amap, DiDi, Trip.com — set them up before you land.Translation TipsGetting by without Mandarin: the translation apps that work offline, how to photograph menus, key phrases and when to use a human interpreter.Power & ElectronicsChina’s power sockets, voltage and plug types: what US, UK and EU devices need, whether you need a converter, and power-bank flight rules.
Culture & etiquette
Culture & EtiquetteChinese etiquette in practice: tipping, chopsticks, queuing, photography, temples and the topics locals prefer to avoid.Tipping CultureTipping in China: when it is expected (almost never), restaurant and hotel norms, taxis, tours and the few exceptions worth knowing.Public RestroomsFinding and using toilets in China: squat vs seated, BYO paper, public toilet apps, accessibility and what to carry in your day bag.LGBTQ Travel in ChinaA practical guide for LGBTQ travellers in China: legal status, social attitudes, city scenes, safety, hotels, apps and respectful behaviour.Nightlife in ChinaA practical nightlife guide to China: drinking age, bar districts in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Xi’an, night markets, safety, transport and drug laws.
Practical next steps
What will it cost?
Daily ranges by travel style, hotel and food costs, transport, card fees and where saving backfires.
Budget guide →
What happens when you land?
Immigration, SIM cards, payment tests, airport transfers and hotel registration, in order.
Arrival guide →
Traveling with access needs?
Metro lifts, rail assistance, accessible rooms, toilets, service animals and private drivers.
Accessibility guide →
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.