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The 9 things every foreigner needs to know
Skip the 50-tab research spiral. Each topic is a complete, verified guide.
Visa & Entry
240-hour visa-free, tourist visas, transit rules.
Read the guide →Money & Payment
Alipay/WeChat for foreigners, credit cards, cash.
Read the guide →Connectivity
eSIM, VPN, China SIM cards, blocked apps.
Read the guide →Transport
High-speed rail, metro, ride-hailing, domestic flights.
Read the guide →Stays & Hotels
Hotels that accept foreigners, hostels, alternatives.
Read the guide →Food & Dietary
Street food, dietary restrictions, ordering in Chinese.
Read the guide →Itineraries
3-day Beijing, 5-day Shanghai, classic routes.
Read the guide →Culture & Practical
Tipping, etiquette, language, scams to avoid.
Read the guide →Tools & Resources
Translation apps, maps, currency, weather.
Read the guide →What's your China trip like?
Pick the trip that matches you — we'll show you the right articles.
Solo traveler
Apps, safety, where to meet people, hostel picks.
See solo guides →Couple / Honeymoon
Romantic hotels, photo spots, intimate restaurants.
See romantic guides →Family with kids
4-person logistics, kid food, teen activities, Disney.
See family guides →60+ traveler
Slow pace, accessible attractions, English-speaking tours.
See senior guides →Group of friends
Nightlife, hostels, splitting costs, where to party.
See group guides →Foodie / Culture lover
Regional cuisines, cooking classes, hidden markets.
See foodie guides →Multi-gen family
3 generations together: pacing, accessibility, food for all.
See multi-gen guides →Spiritual / Heritage
Christian, Buddhist, Islamic heritage sites and pilgrimage routes.
See heritage guides →First-time visitor
Visa, Alipay, eSIM, getting around — the absolute basics, no assumptions.
See beginner guides →Solo female
Safety advice, female-friendly hotels, dress code for temples and mosques, female-authored city guides.
Plan a safe solo trip →Featured guides
Most-read this month
All articles →China on a Backpacker Budget 2026: The Complete Guide
Backpack China on $30-60 a day in 2026, or ¥2,910 for two weeks itemized. Sleeper trains, the 4-week route, hostels, street food, free sights and the 240-hour visa-free path.
5 min read · Updated Oct 22
Stays & HotelsLiving in China Long-Term 2026: The Expat Guide
Long-term life in China: the Z, F and D visas, work permit, social security, income tax, international hospitals and the rules for buying property.
5 min read · Updated Oct 18
Stays & HotelsMedical Tourism to China 2026: Costs, Hospitals, Visas
China treats 1.5M+ foreign patients a year, 50-70% cheaper than the US. There is no 'medical visa' — you apply under the S visa, S2 under 180 days.
18 min read · Updated Oct 18
Popular this week
Updated guides travelers are reading right now — visa rules, payment apps, transport, and what to do in each city.
China on a Backpacker Budget 2026: The Complete Guide
Backpack China on $30-60 a day in 2026, or ¥2,910 for two weeks itemized. Sleeper trains, the 4-week route, hostels, street food, free sights and the 240-hour visa-free path.
5min read
Stays & HotelsLiving in China Long-Term 2026: The Expat Guide
Long-term life in China: the Z, F and D visas, work permit, social security, income tax, international hospitals and the rules for buying property.
5min read
Stays & HotelsMedical Tourism to China 2026: Costs, Hospitals, Visas
China treats 1.5M+ foreign patients a year, 50-70% cheaper than the US. There is no 'medical visa' — you apply under the S visa, S2 under 180 days.
18min read
ItinerariesChina Trip Checklist 2026: T-90 to Landing
A countdown checklist for foreign visitors: what to book, install, print and test at T-90, T-30, T-14, T-7, T-1 and departure day.
9min read
Visa & EntryChina 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit 2026: What Changed
The 144-hour policy now applies only at ports like Chengdu and Kunming; major airports moved to 240 hours. Confirm with your airline first.
8min read
Visa & EntryChina Entry Guide 2026: 9 Visas & 5-Step Arrival
China has 9 visa types plus 2 visa-free schemes in 2026. Which one fits your trip, how to apply, what to declare at customs and the 5-step arrival process.
16min read
Popular destinations
Where to start, what to skip
All cities →
Essential tools
Picked by travelers, verified by us
All tools →Alipay (支付宝)
China's #1 payment app. Now accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard. The single most important app for any foreigner in China.
ConnectivityChina eSIM 2026: 38 Plans Tested
China eSIM finder 2026: 38 verified plans from $0.10/day. China Mobile, Unicom, Telecom 4G/5G. Trip.com marketplace. Tested in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu.
TranslationGoogle Translate
Best for voice and conversation translation. Download the offline Chinese pack before you fly.
BookingTrip.com
The best OTA for China trips. Trains, hotels, flights, and tours — all in one app, all in English, all with 24/7 support.
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