Short, direct answers to the questions first-time visitors to China actually ask — each one linked to the full guide on this site that covers the topic in depth. Use the search box to find a question, or browse page by page.
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Visa & Entry
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport and how long you stay. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a short stay, while others need a tourist (L) visa — and the rules change, so always confirm with the official source before you book. Check the visa-free list first →
Which nationalities can enter China visa-free?
Ordinary passport holders from the countries on China's unilateral visa-free list can usually enter for tourism, business, a family visit, an exchange or transit, and stay for up to 30 days per visit. The list changes several times a year, so treat any list as a starting point and check your passport against the official source before you book. See the visa-free countries list →
What is a China tourist (L) visa, and who needs one?
The L visa is the standard visa for a first-time visitor who is not covered by visa-free entry, who wants to stay longer than the visa-free limit, or who wants a multiple-entry visa. You generally apply online through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for your country and allow about 4 to 5 working days for standard processing, though fees and documents vary by nationality and consulate. Read the full L visa guide →
How long can I stay in China visa-free?
Under the unilateral visa-free scheme, the usual limit is up to 30 days per visit, and mutual visa-free agreements usually allow a similar stay — but the exact terms vary by agreement. If you want to stay longer, you need a visa, and the final decision is always made by the immigration officer at the border. Check the visa-free rules →
What is the 240-hour visa-free transit rule?
Passport holders from 57 countries who are genuinely transiting to a third country can stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) inside designated areas only, without a visa. It is not a general tourist entry: you need an onward ticket to a third country, and a simple round trip home does not qualify. See how the transit rule works →
Payments & Money
Do I need a Chinese bank account to use Alipay?
No. A foreign passport plus an international card is enough to set up Alipay — you do not need a Chinese bank account or a Chinese phone number. Set up Alipay step by step →
Do I need a Chinese phone number for Alipay or WeChat Pay?
No. Your home number works for sign-up and SMS verification for both apps. A local number helps in a few situations, but it is not required for payments, DiDi or metro codes. Set up Alipay before you fly →
Can I set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before arriving in China?
Yes. Download the apps, register with your home number, verify with your passport and link an international card from home — only the actual QR payments happen in China. Doing it at home, on stable Wi-Fi with your passport in hand, avoids most problems. Set everything up before you fly →
What can't I do with a foreign-card Alipay account?
It is for paying merchants, not for person-to-person transfers, red envelopes or financial products. For daily spending — restaurants, shops, metro gates, ride-hailing and train tickets — it covers almost everything a first-timer needs. What Alipay can and can't do →
Is Alipay enough on its own, or do I need WeChat Pay too?
For most first-time visitors, Alipay alone covers daily spending. Still, install WeChat Pay as well if you can: it is the backup most locals use every day, and a backup payment method is the cheapest travel insurance there is. Set up WeChat Pay as a backup →
How do I set up WeChat Pay as a foreigner?
Download WeChat before you fly, sign up with your home phone number, verify your identity with your passport, and link an international Visa or Mastercard. You do not need a Chinese bank account or a Chinese phone number, and the whole setup takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Set up WeChat Pay step by step →
Can I travel in China with no cash at all?
Almost, but not quite. Daily life runs on QR-code payments, yet you should still carry a small amount of small-bill cash as a backup — for a bus that takes cash only, a market stall, or a phone that dies. Read the money guide →
Will my Visa or Mastercard work at ATMs in China?
Yes, at most major-bank ATMs in cities, though your bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee and some machines have per-transaction limits. Tell your bank you are travelling first, and prefer ATMs inside bank branches over standalone machines. ATMs, cards and daily costs →
Should I exchange all my money before I fly?
No. Bring a small amount of cash for arrival, and rely on QR payments plus ATM withdrawals once you are there. Exchanging everything in advance usually gives you a worse rate and leaves you carrying more cash than you need. How to handle money in China →
How much cash should I bring to China?
Think backup, not main budget: enough small bills for a day or two of taxis, buses and market stalls, in case a payment code fails. Your main spending will go through Alipay or WeChat Pay, so there is no need to carry large amounts of cash. Cash, cards and daily costs →
Trains
Can foreigners buy China train tickets?
Yes, with your passport as your ID. Book on the official 12306 app or website, which has no service fee but needs passport verification first, or on Trip.com, which is fully in English, accepts foreign cards and charges a small service fee per ticket. Tickets normally go on sale 15 days before departure. How to book train tickets →
Should I book on 12306 or Trip.com?
Use 12306 if you want no service fee and can complete passport verification; use Trip.com if you want full English and foreign-card payment with less friction. Either way, your passport is your ticket on most high-speed trains — there is no paper ticket to collect, you scan your passport at the station gate. 12306 vs Trip.com compared →
Which train seat class should I choose?
For most first-time visitors, second class is perfectly comfortable and the best value, especially for trips under about 3 hours. First class, with wider seats and more legroom, is worth the upgrade on a 4- to 6-hour journey, while business class costs roughly two to three times second class and is best saved for a special trip. Seat classes compared →
Do I need my passport at the station and on the train?
Yes. Every ticket is tied to a passport, and you scan it at the station gate to enter. Copy the details exactly from the passport data page when booking — a dropped middle name or mistyped number can stop you at the gate. Booking with your passport →
How early should I arrive at a Chinese train station?
Allow more time than you would at home: big stations are large, with security checks and long walks to the platform. Arriving about 45 to 60 minutes before departure is a safe rule for a first-timer, and earlier if you need to collect anything or find an unfamiliar station. Boarding and station tips →
Does the station name on my ticket matter, or just the city?
The station name matters as much as the city. Big cities have several stations far apart — “Beijing South” is not “Beijing” station, and “Shanghai Hongqiao” is not “Shanghai” station — so check which station your train actually leaves from and allow time to reach that station, not just the city. Avoid the wrong-station mistake →
Getting Around Cities
Can I use Alipay or WeChat to ride the metro?
Yes, in most cases. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay first, then activate that city's transport code — in Alipay under Transport, or in WeChat under Services then Transport — and scan the code at the gate on entry and exit. Transport codes are city-specific, so activate the code for each new city, and fall back to single-journey tickets if a code will not activate. Metro, bus and QR codes explained →
Is a taxi or DiDi better for a first-timer?
For a first-timer who does not speak Chinese, DiDi is usually better: the destination is set in the app, the fare estimate is shown before booking, and payment is in-app. A street taxi is fine when the meter is running and you can show the address in Chinese characters — avoid any car that refuses the meter or quotes a fixed price at an airport or station. How to use DiDi →
What if the metro has stopped running?
Use DiDi or a taxi from an official rank, and expect night rates on a taxi meter. Night buses exist on some routes, but they are harder to read without Chinese, so for a late arrival a car is the safer default — and airport taxi ranks keep running even after the metro stops. Late-night transport options →
How do I get to Shanghai Disneyland by metro?
Take Line 11 to Disney Resort station, the last station on that branch, and walk to the park entrance from there. Allow a full day, and check the last train back before you enter the park, as the return metro can be crowded after the evening show. Shanghai transport guide →
How do I get to the Great Wall by public transport?
There is no metro station at the Great Wall. The usual first-timer pattern is metro to a bus or tour departure point in the city, then a bus, tour or pre-booked car to the Wall section, and the same in reverse. Beijing transport guide →
Is the bus to the Terracotta Army safe for foreigners?
Yes. Tourist bus 5 (306) from Xi'an Railway Station is the standard budget route, and a taxi or DiDi is the simpler door-to-door alternative. Whichever you choose, go early: the site is busiest late morning, and the bus back can queue in the afternoon. Xi'an transport guide →
Does Guilin have a metro?
No. Guilin has no metro at all, so transport is airport bus, city bus, taxi and DiDi, plus coaches and the Li River cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo. Do not plan a Guilin trip around metro lines that do not exist. Guilin and Yangshuo transport →
What is the best way from Guilin Airport to the city?
Take the airport bus to the city centre, roughly 40 to 60 minutes for about ¥20 to ¥25, or a taxi or DiDi if you have luggage or arrive late. There is also a direct airport bus to Yangshuo, roughly 90 minutes, if Yangshuo is your first stop. Guilin airport routes →
Should I take the train or the bus from Guilin to Yangshuo?
For most first-timers, the coach to Yangshuo Bus Station is the simpler door-to-door choice. Yangshuo Station is not in Yangshuo town — it is about 33 km away near Xingping — so a train can leave you with a second leg to arrange, while the Li River cruise is the scenic alternative, not the fastest one. Guilin to Yangshuo compared →
How do I get from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport to the city centre?
From Terminal 3, take Metro Line 11 Airport Station, underneath the terminal, towards the city — one ride with no change reaches Bao'an, Nanshan and Futian CBD in roughly 30 to 40 minutes to central Futian. Do not go to Line 1's Airport East station by mistake: it is not the current terminal station. Shenzhen transport guide →
Can I visit Hong Kong from Shenzhen for a day, and which crossing should I use?
Yes, Shenzhen is the easiest mainland base for a Hong Kong day trip, but each crossing is a separate border with its own documents, queues and hours, so check the current rules on the day and carry your passport. Luohu is the busiest and most central, Futian Checkpoint is usually less crowded, Shenzhen Bay needs a bus or taxi, and West Kowloon high-speed is fastest for central Kowloon if you book the train in advance. Hong Kong crossings from Shenzhen →
How do I get from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the city centre?
From Terminal 2, take Metro Line 3 at Airport North station, roughly 45 to 50 minutes to the city centre. Note that Terminal 1 closed to passengers in 2026, so flights now use Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 — and Terminal 3 has no direct metro, so use the intercity station or the free shuttle to Terminal 2. Guangzhou transport guide →
Which airport should I fly into for Chengdu, CTU or TFU?
Check your booking, not the city name. Shuangliu (CTU) is closer to the centre, about 35 to 45 minutes by metro, while Tianfu (TFU) is about 50 km away, about 50 to 60 minutes — and a pickup sent to the wrong airport is a costly mistake. Chengdu transport guide →
How do I get from Shanghai to Suzhou?
Take a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou Station, roughly 25 to 35 minutes — Suzhou has no civilian airport of its own, so this is the standard route. Suzhou Station serves the old town, while Suzhou North mainly serves Beijing G-trains and sits further north, so check which station your ticket uses. Suzhou transport guide →
Food
Is Chengdu food too spicy for a first-timer?
It can be, but you do not have to suffer through it. Order one non-spicy dish alongside the hotpot or mapo tofu, ask for less chilli, and keep rice and drinks on the table — most restaurants are used to visitors easing in, and Chengdu has plenty of non-spicy food too. Chengdu food guide →
Can I eat well in Chengdu as a vegetarian?
Yes, with a little planning. Tofu, aubergine, mushrooms and leafy greens are everywhere, but stocks and sauces often contain meat, so learn the phrase for “no meat” and show it on your phone — and check the guide for dishes that are safe by default. Vegetarian eating in Chengdu →
Do I need to book hotpot restaurants in advance?
For popular places on a weekend evening, yes — queues can run over an hour. On a weekday, or at a less famous restaurant, you can usually walk in, and many restaurants let you take a number and wait nearby. Hotpot tips →
Can I order food delivery without a Chinese phone number?
Yes, in most cases, through apps that accept your foreign number and payment app — but the rider will usually call if they cannot find you, so meet them at a clear landmark or your hotel lobby rather than relying on a phone call in Chinese. Ordering food as a foreigner →
Is street food safe in China?
Usually yes, if you pick busy stalls with high turnover and freshly cooked food, and skip anything that has been sitting out. If you have a sensitive stomach in your first days, start with cooked-to-order stalls rather than raw or cold items. Street food safety →
How do I ask for the bill in China?
Say “mǎi dān” (buy the bill) or show it written on your phone, and pay at the table or at the counter depending on the restaurant — many places now let you scan a table QR code to pay. If you are unsure, watch what neighbouring tables do, or ask the staff with a translation app. Ordering, paying and dietary needs →
What should I eat in Xi'an?
Start with the Muslim Quarter: yangrou paomo (lamb soup with torn bread), roujiamo (the “Chinese hamburger”) and biangbiang noodles. They are cheap, filling and made to order in front of you, which makes ordering easy even without Chinese. Xi'an food and sights →
Internet & Apps
Will WhatsApp work in China?
No, not without a VPN set up before you arrive — WhatsApp is blocked on mainland networks. Plan around it: use WeChat to message hotels, drivers and restaurants, and tell family at home which app you will use before you fly. What works and what doesn't →
Will Google Maps work in China?
Not reliably. Google Maps is blocked and its China data is often out of date, so use Amap (Gaode) or Apple Maps for metro, bus and walking routes, and download offline maps before you go underground where signal is weak. Maps and apps that work →
Is hotel Wi-Fi enough on its own?
No. Hotel Wi-Fi helps at night, but you need mobile data on the street for payment codes, DiDi, maps and translation. Get an eSIM or a local SIM before you need it, and do not rely on hotel Wi-Fi as your only connection. Internet setup before you go →
Do I need a Chinese phone number to travel in China?
No, not for the essentials. Your home number works for Alipay, WeChat Pay and DiDi sign-up, and a travel eSIM gives you data without a Chinese number. A local number only helps in a few cases, such as some app registrations. eSIM and SIM cards →
Can I buy a SIM at the airport without speaking Chinese?
Yes, at airport counters that serve foreigners, with your passport — but the easiest route is to buy a travel eSIM before you fly, so you land already connected. If you buy at the airport, allow extra time and keep the packaging with the number on it. SIM cards for foreigners →
Will my travel eSIM give me a Chinese number?
Usually not. A travel eSIM gives you data, not a local phone number, which is fine for payments, maps and ride-hailing — but if a service needs SMS to a Chinese number, use your hotel's phone or ask staff for help instead. eSIM explained →
What if my eSIM does not work on arrival?
First check that data roaming is on and the eSIM line is selected for mobile data, then restart the phone — most arrival failures are a setting, not a broken eSIM. If it still fails, airport Wi-Fi plus a counter SIM is the fallback, so do not delete the eSIM profile while troubleshooting. eSIM troubleshooting →
Does Google Translate work in China, and which app is best for menus?
Yes, Google Translate works for text and camera translation, but download the Chinese language pack offline before you go, since data can be patchy. For menus, the camera mode in Google Translate or a dedicated app like Microsoft Translator is usually fastest — point the camera at the menu and read the translation on screen. Translation apps compared →
Safety & Health
Is China safe for first-time visitors?
For most visitors, yes, with the usual big-city care about scams, pickpockets in crowds and traffic. The main risks are not violent crime but overcharging, unlicensed taxis and tea-house or shopping scams — all avoidable with the standard precautions in the safety guide. Safety, scams and emergency numbers →
Is China safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, by the standards of most large countries, with the same precautions as anywhere: use official taxis and DiDi at night, keep your hotel address in Chinese on your phone, and be cautious about strangers who approach you with an invitation. Solo women travel widely in China, including on overnight trains and in hostels. Solo travel safety →
What should I do if someone invites me to a tea house?
Politely decline and walk away. The classic tea-house scam starts with a friendly stranger inviting you for tea or art, then presents an inflated bill — a genuine invitation from someone you just met in a tourist area is rare, and saying no costs you nothing. Common scams to avoid →
What are China's emergency numbers?
Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119 and traffic accidents 122. English answering is not guaranteed, so have your hotel address in Chinese characters ready to show, and ask hotel staff or a bystander to call if you cannot get through in English. Emergency numbers →
Should I carry my passport everywhere in China?
Carry it for hotels, trains, flights and major attractions, which all check it — but for a normal day out, a photo of the data page plus your hotel card is usually enough, with the original locked in the hotel safe. The exception is any day you need a ticket, a check-in or a border crossing, when the original is required. Passport rules →
Can I buy medicine in China without a prescription?
For common over-the-counter items, yes, at a pharmacy — show the generic drug name or a translation on your phone, since brand names differ. For anything prescription-only, bring your own supply plus a copy of the prescription, and do not assume a Chinese pharmacy can refill a foreign prescription. Pharmacies and health →
Should I drink tap water in China?
No. Drink bottled water, and use it for brushing your teeth in your first days if you have a sensitive stomach. Boiled water, tea and bottled drinks are fine, and ice in major restaurants is generally safe — but tap water is not drinking water in China. Water, food and health →
What should I do if I need a hospital in China?
For an emergency, call 120 and show your hotel address in Chinese; for a non-emergency, ask your hotel to recommend an international clinic or a large public hospital and to help you register. Bring your passport, your travel insurance details and a list of your medicines, and expect to pay first and claim from insurance later. Hospitals and insurance →
Hotels & Packing
Do hotels in China register foreign guests with the police?
Yes, and it is routine, not a problem. The hotel registers your stay when you check in with your passport — that is why the passport is required — and you do not need to do anything extra yourself. Hotel check-in explained →
Do I need to bring my passport to check in?
Yes, always. Hotels cannot check in a foreign guest without the original passport, and the name on the booking must match it. Keep it accessible in your day bag on arrival day, not buried in checked luggage. What to bring to check-in →
What time can I check in and check out in China?
The usual pattern is check-in from around 14:00 and check-out by 12:00, though larger hotels may be flexible if you ask. If you arrive early, ask the hotel to store your bags and explore nearby, rather than assuming an early room is available. Check-in times and deposits →
Can I pay for a hotel with an international card?
Yes, at most mid-range and larger hotels, which accept Visa and Mastercard. Smaller guesthouses and hostels may prefer QR payment or cash, so confirm the payment method when you book if you are not carrying a payment app. Paying for hotels →
What if a hotel refuses to check me in as a foreigner?
First check whether the hotel is licensed for foreign guests — a small number are not, and that is a licensing issue, not personal. If it is licensed and still refuses, ask for the reason in writing, contact your booking platform, and move to a larger hotel, which will almost always accept you. If check-in is refused →
Do children need their own passport for hotels and tickets?
Yes. Every child needs their own passport for hotel registration, train tickets, flights and major attractions — a parent's passport does not cover them. Carry children's passports exactly as you carry your own. Travelling with kids →
What is the one thing first-timers most often forget?
A power bank. Your payment codes, DiDi booking, maps and translation all live on your phone, and a dead phone in China is a bigger problem than in most countries. Pack the power bank in hand luggage, not checked luggage, and check it meets airline rules. Packing checklist →
Do I need a power adapter for China?
China uses 220V with Type A, C and I sockets, so most two-pin European and American plugs fit, but UK three-pin and some other plugs need an adapter. Pack one universal adapter plus a short extension lead if you travel with several devices. Adapters and packing →
What should I wear in China?
Dress for the season and for walking: comfortable shoes are essential, since even “sightseeing days” involve a lot of steps. In summer, light layers and rain protection; in winter in the north, a proper winter coat, since Beijing and Xi'an are genuinely cold. What to wear by season →
Language & Etiquette
Do I need to speak Chinese to travel in China?
No. With a payment app, a translation app and hotel addresses saved in Chinese characters, most first-time visitors get around fine. A few phrases help and are appreciated, but they are not required to travel. Essential phrases →
Are tones really that important in Chinese?
They matter, but they should not stop you trying. Getting a tone wrong can change a word's meaning, yet context, gestures and a translation app usually carry you through — and locals are generally patient with a first-timer's tones. Pinyin and tones →
What is the single most useful phrase in China?
“Duōshǎo qián?” — “How much?” — followed by showing numbers on your phone or a calculator. It covers markets, taxis and small shops, and it signals that you are checking the price before you agree. Phrases that matter most →
Should I tip in China?
No, tipping is not expected in China, and it can even confuse staff in ordinary restaurants and taxis. The exception is a private guide or driver you have hired for a day, where a small tip for exceptional service is welcome but never required. Tipping and etiquette →
Do I need to carry toilet paper in China?
Yes, carry a small pack. Many public toilets do not provide paper, and it is the single most common small surprise for first-time visitors. Hotels and larger malls are fine, but street-level and attraction toilets often are not. Toilets, tipping and etiquette →
Are squat toilets common in China?
Yes, especially in older public toilets, stations and rural areas, though sit-down toilets are increasingly common in hotels, malls and newer attractions. If squatting is difficult for you, look for the accessible cubicle, which is usually a sit-down toilet. Toilets explained →
Should I bargain in China?
Yes, in markets and small shops, but not in malls, supermarkets or restaurants with fixed prices. Start at roughly half the opening price, stay friendly, and be ready to walk away — the real price is usually found in the second or third round, not the first. Bargaining guide →
Cities & Itineraries
How many days do I need in Beijing?
Four days is a sensible first-trip length: the Forbidden City and hutongs, a full Great Wall day, the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, plus time to eat and recover. Two days only covers the highlights at a rush, and the Wall day alone deserves a full day. Beijing for first-timers →
Mutianyu or Badaling for the Great Wall?
Mutianyu, for most first-timers. It is less crowded, better restored and more scenic, with a cable car and a toboggan down, while Badaling is closer to Beijing but far busier and more commercial. Whichever you choose, go early and check ticket rules on the day. Choosing a Wall section →
Can I buy Forbidden City tickets at the gate?
No, not reliably. Forbidden City tickets are sold online in advance with a daily cap, and they sell out on busy days — book as early as your dates allow, with your passport details, and do not plan to buy at the gate on the day. Booking attraction tickets →
How many days do I need in Shanghai?
Three days covers the classic first trip: the Bund and old Shanghai, Yu Garden and the French Concession, and a slower day for museums, shopping or a water-town day trip. Two days works at a push, but Shanghai rewards a third day more than most cities. Shanghai for first-timers →
Should I stay in Pudong or Puxi in Shanghai?
Puxi, for a first trip. It holds the Bund, Yu Garden, the French Concession and most of the old city, all walkable from each other, while Pudong is modern, spread out and best visited for an evening skyline, not as a base. Where to stay in Shanghai →
How many days do I need in Suzhou?
Two days is ideal: one day for the classic gardens and old town, and a second for canals, a second garden and a slower pace. A day trip from Shanghai works, but Suzhou at night, when the day-trippers leave, is worth the overnight stay. Suzhou for first-timers →
Which garden should I visit first in Suzhou?
The Humble Administrator's Garden, in the morning, before the crowds build. It is the largest and most famous classical garden, and seeing it first sets the standard for the smaller gardens that follow. Suzhou gardens →
How many days do I need in Hangzhou?
Two to three days: a full day around West Lake, a second day for Lingyin Temple, tea villages and old streets, and a third if you want a slower pace. One day only gives you the lake, not the city. Hangzhou for first-timers →
How many days do I need in Shenzhen?
Two to three days is enough for a first trip: the modern city, a market or tech district, and a coastal or theme-park day, with Hong Kong as an optional extra day. Shenzhen is not an “old China” city, so judge it on its own terms rather than comparing it with Beijing or Xi'an. Shenzhen for first-timers →
Is Guilin or Yangshuo the better base?
Guilin, if you want transport links and city comfort; Yangshuo, if you want countryside, cycling and the Li River at your door. Most first-timers split the stay — a night or two in each — rather than choosing one base for the whole trip. Guilin and Yangshuo guide →
How much time do I need at the Terracotta Army?
Allow half a day, including the journey from Xi'an, and a full morning inside the pits if you like to read every display. The site is larger than most visitors expect, and the return bus can queue in the afternoon, so go early. Terracotta Army guide →
Is 10 days enough for Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai?
Yes, it is the classic first-trip length: roughly four days in Beijing, two in Xi'an and three or four in Shanghai, with high-speed trains between them. It is full but not rushed, provided you book the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army tickets in advance. 10-day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai route →
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