๐จ๐ณ China Travel Guide
Everything foreigners need to know before traveling to China
๐ Visa-Free Entry to China
โ Quick Summary
China offers visa-free entry for citizens of 30+ countries plus 144-hour transit visa-free for 54 countries.
๐ Visa-Free Countries
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Brunei, UAE, Qatar and more can enter China without a visa for 15-90 days.
โฑ๏ธ 144-Hour Transit
Citizens of 54 countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) can transit visa-free for up to 6 days.
๐ณ Payment in China
โ ๏ธ The Reality
- ๐ณ Credit cards work at large malls, hotels, and chain stores. However, small vendors and street stalls often don't have card terminals.
- โ ๏ธ Cash can be tricky - vendors often have no change. But if you say "keep the change," cash is welcome!
- โ Alipay & WeChat Pay are essential - 99% of transactions
Alipay (ๆฏไปๅฎ)
Recommended for foreigners - more English-friendly
- 1.Download Alipay from App Store
- 2.Sign up with your foreign phone number
- 3.Add your credit card (Visa/Mastercard work)
- 4.Complete identity verification (passport photo)
- 5.Ready to scan & pay!
WeChat Pay (ๅพฎไฟกๆฏไป)
More widely accepted, but setup is trickier
- 1.Download WeChat from App Store
- 2.Sign up and verify your account
- 3.Go to Me โ Services โ Wallet
- 4.Add Cards โ Add your foreign card
- 5.May need a Chinese friend to verify initially
๐ช Backup Payment Plans
Option 1: Cash
Withdraw CNY from ATMs (Bank of China, ICBC). Always carry some for emergencies.
Option 2: UnionPay
Get a UnionPay card from your home country - works at most ATMs & some POS.
Option 3: Ask Hotel
Hotels can often help with payments or exchange cash for digital payment.
๐ฑ Internet & Connectivity
โ ๏ธ The Great Firewall
Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Gmail are all blocked in China.
Important: Set up your solutions BEFORE arriving in China. Once you're there, you can't download VPN apps.
1. eSIM - Data Connection
Airalo
~$5-10/GB
Easy app, good coverage
Nomad
~$4-8/GB
Competitive prices
๐ก Pro Tip: China Unicom eSIM works without VPN because it's a Chinese carrier (data is already "inside" the firewall).
๐ Airalo Discount: Use code JIAN8394 for $3 OFF!
2. VPN - Access Blocked Apps
If you need Google, WhatsApp, Instagram etc., you need a VPN. Install BEFORE arriving!
โ Recommended VPNs
- โข Astrill VPN (most reliable, expensive)
- โข ExpressVPN (good, but inconsistent)
- โข NordVPN (hit or miss)
- โข LetsVPN (cheap, works well)
โ Don't Rely On
- โข Free VPNs (won't work)
- โข Hotel WiFi VPN (unreliable)
- โข "Just use roaming" (expensive, slow)
3. Chinese App Alternatives
| Instead of | Use in China | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Apple Maps / Baidu Maps | Navigation |
| Uber | Didi (has English!) | Ride-hailing |
| Yelp/TripAdvisor | Trip.com / Dianping | Restaurant reviews |
| Booking.com | Trip.com / Agoda | Hotel booking |
| Messaging (with VPN for WhatsApp) |
๐ Getting Around
๐ Didi Chuxing (Chinese Uber)
Didi has an English app and accepts international credit cards!
How to Use:
- 1. Download "Didi" from App Store (the international version)
- 2. Sign up with your foreign phone number
- 3. Add your credit card in Settings โ Payment
- 4. Enter destination (English addresses work in major cities)
- 5. Driver will call - use WeChat/Alipay translation if needed
๐ก Tips:
- โข Show your hotel's Chinese address to the driver
- โข In-app chat has auto-translation
- โข Cheaper than taxis in most cities
- โข Available in 400+ Chinese cities
๐ Metro / Subway
Major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) have excellent English-friendly metro systems.
Buying Tickets
Use ticket machines (English available) or Alipay metro card
Alipay Metro
In Alipay: Transport โ Metro โ Get QR code
Navigation
Apple Maps shows metro routes in English
๐ High-Speed Train
China's high-speed rail is the best way to travel between cities. Fast, clean, and punctual.
๐ฑ How to Book (English):
Trip.com App (Recommended)
English interface, accepts foreign cards, small booking fee
Railway 12306 App
Official app, has English version, no fee but buggy
Train Station
Bring passport, expect queues, staff may not speak English
๐ซ At the Station:
- โข Arrive 45+ minutes early
- โข Bring your passport (required!)
- โข No paper ticket needed - scan passport at gate
- โข Find your gate on departure boards (English)
- โข Seat number on booking confirmation
โ ๏ธ Important:
- โข Book in advance during holidays
- โข Second class is comfortable & affordable
- โข Food cars available on long trips
- โข Power outlets at most seats
๐ Transport Comparison
| Method | Best For | English Support | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Didi | City travel | โ Full app | Credit card |
| Metro | Budget city travel | โ Signs in English | Alipay/Cash |
| High-Speed Rail | Inter-city | โ Trip.com | Credit card |
| Taxi | When Didi unavailable | โ Rarely | Cash/WeChat |