Traveling to China for the first time? These honest tips will help you prepare for internet access, food, transport, culture shock, and more.

China is one of the most fascinating places we’ve ever visited. It's rich in culture, full of contrasts, and always surprising. But we’ll be honest, it wasn’t the easiest place to travel. We had situations that confused us, stressed us, and totally surprised us. There were many things we wish we had known before arriving. Small details that would have made our trip smoother and a lot easier. So here’s a list of everything we wish someone had told us before we went.

YOU NEED A VPN AND ESIM BEFORE ARRIVAL

Most websites and apps you probably use every day like Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, and Youtube are blocked by the “Great Firewall” in China. Expect all foreign websites to be blocked in China, as the government wants to make sure the content fits their values and policies.

If you want to keep using your usual apps in China, we recommend getting an eSIM to bypass the firewall. Some eSIMs connect you through places like Hong Kong, which means you can access everything just like back home. We used Saily, picked the 20 GB & 30-day China package, and it worked great across the country.

We also had a VPN as a backup, which was NordVPN. A VPN gives you another location and helps unlock apps on both phone and laptop. We mainly used it when connected to Wi-Fi to save mobile data. But here’s the thing: VPNs can be hit or miss. It only worked well for us when the Wi-Fi was strong and stable, which wasn’t always the case. So our tip? Come prepared and get both an eSIM and a VPN, that way you’re covered either way.

ALMOST NO ONE SPEAKS ENGLISH

Even in big cities, English is rare. Most people are friendly, but communication can be hard. Use apps like Google Translate, if you have an eSIM or install Baidu Translate.

We also made printables of important phrases, to show people faster and not having to use the translator every time. You can make them based on what you think you’ll need most and save them on your phone as favorites. For example, we don’t eat pork, so we had a screenshot ready to show the waiter to make sure we picked the right dish. We also had simple ones like “Where’s the toilet?” and similar phrases. Super helpful when no one speaks English.

A CASHLESS COUNTRY

China runs on mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay. You can use them as a foreigner, but you will need to set them up in advance. Some shops and restaurants do not accept international cards or even cash. We never withdrew any cash. From the moment we landed, we only used apps to pay everywhere. If you want to know which payment app we liked best and get more tips, check out our guide to the essential apps for traveling in China linked below.

READ | Must-Have Chinese Apps for Your Trip: What to Download Before You Go

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PREPARE FOR A DIFFERENT CULTURE

We’ve traveled to 45+ countries, but China was the one where we struggled the most. Sometimes people will stare. No one queues and will cut you in the line. Expect a lot of spitting in public, loud conversations, and people pushing you. That is all part of the experience. The best way to handle it is to stay calm, be patient, and laugh it off. It can feel intense at first, but try not to take it personally. Just go with the flow and stay open-minded.

PUBLIC TOILETS: THE DILEMMA

You will find a lot of free public toilets in parks, main attractions, stations, and main streets. But you’ll probably struggle to find toilets in restaurants or cafés, so once you leave your hotel, you’ll mostly rely on public toilets or mall toilets. Just be prepared for that.

Most of them are squat toilets and in a very dirty condition. To avoid uncomfortable situations, always carry tissues, hand soap and hand sanitizer. These toilets never provide them and is normal for local people to carry their own.

We recommend bringing clothes that cover your ankles or feet, so you don’t get splashed. But don’t go for long pants that drag on the ground and pick up dirt. Pants you can roll up and easily squat in work best. If you want to know exactly what to pack for China, check out our packing list.

READ | Packing for China? Here’s What You’ll Regret Leaving at Home

DOMESTIC TRAVEL IS FAST AND EASY

High-speed trains make getting around easy. They’re often faster than flying because security and boarding are much quicker. Arrive at the station about 30 minutes before departure.

Tickets become available 2 weeks before the travel date, but booking a few days in advance is usually enough. Trains can still sell out, so don’t wait too long. The best prices are on the official 12306 but changes of travel dates and refunds can get complicated.

BUY | Book your Train Tickets with 12go & find the best flights with Kiwi.com

A COUNTRY FULL OF SURPRISES

China is full of contrasts. You will see temples next to skyscrapers and bullet trains speeding past quiet villages. Sometimes it feels modern, sometimes very traditional. Be open to the surprises. That is what makes traveling here so special.

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YOU WILL NEED A HANDFUL OF CHINESE APPS

There is a lot to consider when downloading Chinese apps, but the truth is nothing in China works without them. We downloaded all of the apps before we arrived and had everything set up from the moment we landed.

It’s a very modern country where you order food in a restaurant directly through an app and never need to talk to the staff. If you think you can travel without these apps, you’re wrong.

We have a separate article where we list the best ones to make your trip smoother.

READ | Must-Have Chinese Apps for Your Trip: What to Download Before You Go

ALWAYS CARRY YOUR PASSPORT

You will need your passport every day. Your passport will be scanned when entering train stations or boarding trains. You’ll also need it to buy sightseeing tickets.

At almost every entry checkpoint, there are separate lines and machines for foreigners, and staff will help you with your foreign passport.

TIP | We suggest getting an RFID-blocking passport cover to protect your information from identity theft.

BUY | Check our Amazon Storefront for our favorite travel essentials

TRAINS AND SUBWAYS HAVE AIRPORT-LEVEL SECURITY

Before entering any subway, train station or sightseeing attraction, you will go through bag checks and scanners.
Liquids may also get tested. Give yourself extra time and consider leaving lighters and vapes at your hotel. They are not allowed to get in.

BOOK | Train tickets via 12go

ONLY FOR FOREGINERS: HOTELS

Not all hotels are allowed to accept foreign travelers. When booking places to stay in China, we used Trip.com, as it shows you hotels that are foreigner-friendly. It has more hotel options than Booking.com and is the most widely used website for stays within China.

BOOK | Hotels in China via Trip.com

BOOK EVERYTHING BEFOREHAND

China is a country that requires a lot of planning and booking beforehand. As we visited China during our full-time world trip and not as a holiday, we were used to doing sightseeing spontaneously, depending on the weather or how we felt that day. But for China, it doesn't work like that. You need to have everything booked from beginning to end.

Many attractions have a daily visitor limit, so we recommend securing tickets ahead of time. Even museums and smaller sites can sell out days or weeks in advance, not just big-name spots like the Forbidden City.

In our destination guides, we share exactly where and how to book, and whether advance tickets are really necessary. We didn’t travel during peak season and still struggled to get into some places.

Our tip? Plan early and reserve what you can. It’ll save you stress and help you enjoy the trip more.

BOOK | Book attractions and sightseeing through GetYourGuide or Trip.com

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