Travel Guides
Everything you need to know before and during your trip to China.
Accommodation for Foreign Visitors in China
Which hotels in China accept foreign passports, how to book foreigner-eligible stays on Trip.com/Agoda, pay with foreign cards, and handle the mandatory police registration. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 4, 2026
Do You Need a Chinese Phone Number? +86 for Foreigners in 2026
Do foreigners need a Chinese phone number? Usually no — a foreign eSIM covers data. This explains which apps actually require a +86 number (Meituan, Luckin, bike-share, public Wi-Fi), the mini-program workarounds, and how to get a number. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 4, 2026
City Guides for Foreign Visitors
Foreigner-focused city guides for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin and more — top sights, how many days to spend, best seasons, and getting around. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 1, 2026
Cultural Etiquette for Foreign Visitors
Practical etiquette for foreign visitors to China: tipping is not expected, queuing, dining customs, gift-giving, and avoiding common cultural faux pas. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 13, 2026
Emergency and Safety for Foreign Visitors
Staying safe in China as a foreigner: emergency numbers (110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire), common scams, lost-passport steps, and the 12345 English help hotline. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 1, 2026
Food and Dining in China for Foreign Visitors
How to order food in China without speaking Chinese: photo menus, camera translation, allergy phrases, delivery apps (Meituan, Eleme), and regional cuisine basics. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 4, 2026
Foreign Exchange and Cash in China
Cash and currency in China for foreigners: ATM withdrawals, where foreign cards work, how much cash to carry, and the RMB 20,000 / USD 5,000 customs cash limit. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 4, 2026
Health and Medical Care for Foreign Visitors
Medical care in China for foreign visitors: international hospitals, paying with Alipay/WeChat, pharmacies, travel insurance, and altitude sickness at high-elevation destinations. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 4, 2026
Internet Access and the Great Firewall for Foreign Visitors
What China's Great Firewall blocks (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram), which VPNs still work after the 2026 crackdown, and why a foreign eSIM bypasses it with no VPN. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 4, 2026
Mini-Programs (WeChat & Alipay)
How foreigners use WeChat and Alipay mini-programs for ride-hailing, food, metro and tickets — and which ones still require a Chinese phone number. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 1, 2026
Mobile Payment for Foreign Visitors (Alipay, WeChat Pay)
Foreign visitors can bind a Visa/Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay since the April 2024 PBOC policy. 0% fee under ¥200, 3% over, plus how to fix failed payments. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 28, 2026
Why Did My Payment Fail in China? Troubleshooting for Foreigners (2026)
Alipay or WeChat Pay failing in China? The usual causes are a personal (not merchant) QR code, a VPN left on, the 3% surcharge over ¥200, or an unverified account. Diagnose and fix each, with fallbacks. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 4, 2026
Residence Registration
Foreigners must register their address within 24 hours of arrival — done by the hotel, or at a police station for private stays. Online pilots and required documents. Updated April 2026.
Verified Apr 30, 2026
Shopping and Tax Refund for Foreign Visitors
China's tourist VAT refund: minimum ¥200 per store per day, the new instant in-store refund, eligible shops, and how to claim at the airport on departure. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 7, 2026
SIM Card and eSIM in China for Foreign Visitors
eSIM vs SIM vs roaming for China: which foreign eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi) bypass the firewall with no VPN, data needs, activation timing, and when you need a +86 number. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 2, 2026
Tibet Travel Permits and Altitude Health
Foreigners need a Tibet Travel Permit (not just a China visa), arranged through a registered tour — how to apply, costs, closed periods, and altitude-sickness prep for Lhasa. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 13, 2026
Transportation in China
Getting around China as a foreigner: high-speed rail via 12306, metro QR-code payment, DiDi ride-hailing, taxis, and using Amap in English. Updated April 2026.
Verified Apr 30, 2026
Trip Planning — Timing, Budget, Length, and Independent Travel
Planning a China trip: best seasons, how many days, what to pre-book versus buy same-day, sample itineraries, and daily budgets from Tier-1 to Tier-3 cities. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 13, 2026
China Visa & Entry Options for Tourists and Visitors
China visa and entry options in 2026: 30-day visa-free for 59 countries, 240-hour transit-free at 65 ports for US citizens, the tourist L visa, and entry requirements. Updated May 2026.
Verified May 7, 2026
VPN or eSIM for China? How to Get Online in 2026 (Decision Guide)
VPN or eSIM for China in 2026? A foreign eSIM bypasses the Great Firewall with no VPN; a Chinese SIM needs one. Decision guide, the eSIM-breaks-Alipay gotcha, and what to do if your VPN dies. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 4, 2026