Traveling in China can be very different from what you might be used to. Here are the most important things to know before your trip.
\nIf you don’t want to read the whole article, you can watch our Survival Guide video. However, we would still highly recommend reading the article below.
One of the first things you should do after arriving in China is get mobile internet access. The quickest and easiest way is to purchase a local SIM card or E-SIM in China, which you can conveniently buy directly at the airport when you land. You will need your passport and buy a tourist SIM card that’s valid for a couple of weeks
\nThe three main mobile providers in China are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. Coverage is generally very similar across the country, although China Mobile has the largest user base and is often considered the most reliable option. Prices are affordable, and most airport counters offer tourist-friendly SIM card packages with data included.
\nBecause China is a very phone-based society, having mobile internet is extremely important. Many aspects of daily life, including mobile payments, transportation, translation apps, and ordering food, rely heavily on your smartphone. Without mobile data, traveling in China can quickly become inconvenient.
\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlternatively, you can also use an eSIM for China (what we actually highly recommend), which allows you to get mobile data before you even arrive. This can be especially convenient if you want internet access immediately after landing. Many travelers choose eSIMs because they are easy to activate and don’t require visiting a physical store.
\nHowever, keep in mind that some eSIMs only provide data and may not include a local Chinese phone number. This means certain Chinese apps that require SMS verification codes (OTP) may not work properly. Although sometimes you can use the eSIM and send an OPT to your home country number, but it might not always work depending on the app. If you plan to stay longer or use many local apps, a local China SIM card is often still the better option.
\nIf you consider buying an eSIM we would strongly recommend Saily or Airalo.
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you plan to stay in China for more than just 1-2 weeks, getting a local SIM card is highly recommended. Many Chinese apps require a Chinese phone number to receive OTP verification codes, and foreign numbers often fail to receive them. In addition, local SIM cards are much cheaper than international roaming, making them the most practical option for most travelers.
\nGetting connected early will make your trip smoother and allow you to fully enjoy traveling around China. If you plan traveling to Rural China, a SIM Card is definitely a must. You won’t be able to easily get it outside the big cities, and rural China is still heavily phone reliant.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen booking hotels in China, it’s important to use platforms that are reliable for foreign travelers and offer a wide range of accommodation options.
\nFor most international visitors, Trip.com is one of the best and most reliable booking platforms for China. It offers a much wider selection of hotels across the country compared to Booking.com, especially in smaller cities and more remote destinations. This makes it particularly useful if you’re planning to explore beyond major tourist hubs.
\nAnother advantage of Trip.com is that you can book flights and train tickets directly on the same platform, making it convenient to plan your entire China trip in one place. Check out our post about Public Transport in China for this.
\nAlternatively, if you speak some Chinese or feel comfortable navigating Chinese apps, you can also use 去哪儿. This is one of the most popular travel booking platforms used by locals in China, often offering competitive prices and a large selection of domestic hotels.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNot all hotels in China accept foreign guests, especially in smaller cities. Booking through platforms like Trip.com helps filter hotels that are authorized to host international travelers, which can save you time and avoid complications upon arrival. We wrote a whole article about that topic here.
\nUsing the right booking platform will make your trip smoother and help you find the best accommodation options across China.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo travel smoothly in China, downloading a few essential travel apps before or upon arrival is highly recommended. Since China is a highly digital and mobile-based society, many everyday services, from payments to transportation, are handled directly through your smartphone.
\nCheck out our full article about the most essential Apps in China here.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWeChat (微信)
Often described as a combination of WhatsApp, Instagram, and PayPal, WeChat is one of the most essential apps in China. You can use it for messaging, mobile payments, booking services, and accessing countless mini-programs. Many businesses, hotels, and even small shops rely heavily on WeChat, e.g. for ordering food.
Alipay (支付宝)
Alipay is the second most popular mobile payment app in China and widely accepted nationwide. Many travelers use both WeChat and Alipay to ensure they can pay everywhere, from restaurants to taxis and tourist attractions.
Trip.com
Trip.com is one of the most convenient apps for foreign travelers. You can book hotels, flights, trains, buses, and attraction tickets in English. It’s especially useful for planning your entire China trip in one place.
If you can read Chinese, you can also use 去哪儿, which is widely used by locals and often offers slightly cheaper prices.
\nDiDi (滴滴出行)
DiDi is often referred to as China’s Uber. It’s one of the easiest ways to get around cities. If you switch the app interface to Chinese, you may sometimes find slightly cheaper ride options.
Amap (高德地图)
Amap is generally much more accurate than Google Maps in China, which is often outdated. Amap offers excellent navigation, public transport directions, and even taxi-hailing features. General tip: Do not use Google Maps in China.
Ele.me (饿了么) & Meituan (美团)
\nThese are the two most popular food delivery apps in China. They’re extremely convenient, especially after long travel days or when staying in smaller cities. Both apps also offer additional services such as restaurant deals, tickets, and local experiences.
\nDownloading these essential China travel apps will make your trip significantly easier and help you navigate daily life more smoothly while traveling in China.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOne thing many first-time visitors quickly notice is that English is not widely spoken in China, especially outside major cities. In places like Shanghai and Beijing, younger people and those working in tourism may speak some English, but in smaller cities and rural areas, communication can sometimes be challenging.
\nBecause of this, having a translation app on your phone is extremely helpful when traveling in China.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGoogle Translate
Google Translate works well for translating text, voice, and even images. However, keep in mind that Google services are restricted in China, so using Google Translate usually requires a VPN.
Pleco
Another excellent option is Pleco, a popular Chinese dictionary app that works without a VPN and is widely used by travelers and language learners alike.
Even learning a few basic Chinese phrases can make a big difference when traveling in China. Simple words like:
\ncan help you in many everyday situations.
\nMaking a small effort to speak Survival Chinese often leads to friendlier interactions. Locals usually appreciate it when visitors try to speak Chinese, and people may be more open to helping or starting conversations.
\nHaving a translation app and learning a few phrases will make your China travel experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina has become a largely cashless society, and mobile payments dominate daily life. Even small street food vendors, local markets, and taxis usually accept QR code payments instead of cash.
\nTo travel smoothly in China, it’s highly recommended to set up mobile payments before or shortly after arrival.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWeChat Pay / Alipay
These are the two most widely used payment methods in China. You can pay almost everywhere by simply scanning a QR code, from restaurants and shops to taxis and tourist attractions.
Both apps now allow foreign credit cards to be linked, making it easier for international travelers to use mobile payments. If you have a Chinese friend, they can also transfer money directly to your account, which can be a convenient way to get started.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApple Pay / Credit Cards
\nCredit cards are typically accepted at larger hotels, larger restaurants, big shopping malls, and supermarkets in major cities. However, in smaller cities and local establishments, credit card acceptance is basically non-existant.
\nBecause of this, relying on credit cards is not recommended when traveling in China, since 99.9% of payments are conducted by mobile phones, even in the smallest, most remote village.
\nCash
\nCash is still accepted in China, especially in small shops, rural areas, or older establishments, but it’s used less and less. Many vendors may not carry much change, as locals now pay digitally.
\nFor convenience, it’s still a good idea to carry a small amount of cash as a backup option in case you lose your phone or it doesn’t work.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina has one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world, and getting around is often surprisingly affordable and efficient. With an extensive network of high-speed trains, domestic flights, buses, and ride-hailing services, you can reach almost anywhere in the country with ease.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina’s high-speed rail network connects nearly all major cities and many smaller destinations. Traveling by train is often the fastest and most convenient way to get around, especially for medium-distance journeys.
\nYou can book train tickets using:
\nAll train tickets in China come with assigned seats, making the process straightforward and organized. In many cases, you can also enter stations using your passport instead of a physical ticket.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLong-distance buses are useful for reaching smaller cities, rural areas, or destinations without train connections. However, unlike trains, there is no single nationwide booking platform for buses in China.
\nFor more remote routes, it’s often helpful to ask your hotel or hostel. Locals usually know about shared minivans, carpooling services, or informal transport options, which are quite common in less touristy areas.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDiDi (滴滴出行)
DiDi is China’s main ride-hailing app and one of the easiest ways to get around cities. It works similarly to Uber and is widely available across the country.
Public shared bikes are also widely available in Chinese cities and are great for short distances. You’ll often find bikes from services like:
\nThese bikes can usually be unlocked directly through apps and are very affordable and convenient for exploring cities. To register, you just need to scan the QR code on the bike with WeChat or Alipay. Sometimes, they may require a passport photograph to complete registration.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina is a food lover’s paradise, diverse, affordable, and incredibly delicious. One of the most exciting parts of traveling in China is discovering how each region has its own unique cuisine, similar to how Europe has Italian, French, or Spanish food.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBecause China is so large, food varies greatly depending on where you travel. We wrote a whole article only about food in every province of China. Here are some basic regional differences:
\nNorthern China
Wheat-based dishes dominate, including dumplings, noodles, and buns. These hearty meals are especially common in northern cities like Beijing.
Southern China
Rice and rice noodles are staples, with lighter flavors and a wide variety of vegetable dishes.
Tibet
Food in Tibet tends to be heavier, with more meat, dairy, and hearty dishes suited to the high-altitude climate.
Sichuan & Chongqing
Famous for spicy and bold flavors, including Sichuan peppercorns and hot pot.
Fujian & Guangzhou
Known for light, fresh flavors and seafood-based dishes.
Yangtze River Delta
Cities like Shanghai feature slightly sweet and delicate cuisine, often with braised dishes and seafood.
Xinjiang
Influenced by Central Asian cuisine, with lamb skewers, naan bread, hand-pulled noodles, pilaf, and kebabs.
China is also surprisingly vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. Many traditional dishes are plant-based, and vegetable stir-fries are widely available.
\nVegetarian Options
\nCommon vegetarian dishes include:
\nVegan Options
\nVegan travelers will also find plenty of choices:
\nHalal food is also widely available in many parts of China. Look for:
\nThese establishments often serve lamb dishes, noodles, and halal-friendly meals.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSome dishes may contain soy sauce, which usually contains gluten. Another ingredient to be aware of is kaofu (烤麸), a wheat gluten product commonly used in vegetarian dishes.
\nIf you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s helpful to learn a few key Chinese phrases or use a translation app to communicate your needs.
\nExploring local food is one of the best parts of traveling in China, and with so many regional cuisines, every destination offers something new to discover. Feel free to check out our whole article about Chinese Cuisine.
\nMany popular apps and websites do not work in China without bypassing the firewall. If you want to stay connected with family, access social media, or use Google services, you’ll need to set up a reliable E-SIM before you travel.
\nApps commonly blocked in China include:
\nWithout a reliable E-SIM, accessing these services can be difficult or impossible. Check here for more info.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake sure to download and set up your E-SIM before arriving in China.
Once inside China, many E-SIM websites and app downloads are blocked, making it difficult to install them later.
Here is a list of other staggering differences that are good to know when traveling China:
\nAvoid these common mistakes:
\nExplore next:
\n→ Top 10 Destinations
→ Must-Have Apps
→ Transportation in China
→ Internet & VPN
→ Payments in China
→ Safety as a tourist in China
→ Restricted Areas for Foreigners