Build a custom itinerary for any China city in 30 seconds
Pick your city, days, pace, and must-visit attractions. Get a day-by-day plan with timings, transport, and lunch spots — no signup, no email required.
Stay Connected
eSIM, VPN, SIM cards, essential apps
What's Blocked in China 2026: Internet, WiFi, eSIM and VPN Reality
What actually works in China in 2026 and what does not: the roughly 80% of the internet you can use without a VPN, the sites that stay blocked, hotel WiFi vs mobile data, the legal position since 2023, and the VPNs that still connect.
10 min · Aug 2026
Best VPN for China 2026: 5 That Still Work (Tested Monthly)
Which VPNs actually work in mainland China in 2026? Tested monthly against the Great Firewall. ExpressVPN, Astrill, NordVPN, Mullvad, and Surfshark — the honest 2026 ranking with real performance data, setup instructions, and 3 mistakes that will get your VPN blocked at the border. China blocks 90% of VPN providers — the working 5% are tested here.
4 min · Aug 2026
Top 5 China eSIMs on Trip.com 2026: Pricing, Plans & What Travelers Buy
Real data on the 5 best-selling China-region eSIMs on Trip.com in 2026. Verified pricing, sales counts, and fast-selling badges from the Trip.com marketplace. Mainland China + Hong Kong + Macau only — no Asia or Japan fluff.
9 min · Aug 2026
Best eSIM for China 2026 (with VPN + Phone Number): Trip.com Top 5 Tested
Real-tested ranking of the 5 best-selling China eSIMs on Trip.com in 2026. Verified pricing, sales counts, and 'fast-selling' badge from the marketplace. All 5 run on China Mobile / China Unicom / China Telecom, all under $0.25/day. Mainland + HK + Macau only — no Asia or Japan fluff.
8 min · Aug 2026
China eSIM 2026: Trip.com vs Airalo vs Holafly vs Local SIM (Tested in Mainland China)
An independent 2026 comparison of 4 main options for getting mobile data in China: Trip.com marketplace eSIMs, Airalo eSIM, Holafly eSIM, and a China Unicom local SIM. Covers download/upload speeds, ease of setup, cost, hotspot support, app access (WhatsApp, Google, Instagram), and reliability across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Tibet. Verified pricing 2026-08-12.
8 min · Aug 2026
How to Set Up a China eSIM in 2026: iPhone & Android Step-by-Step (Trip.com Top 5)
Activate a China eSIM in 5 minutes before you fly. iPhone 15/16 and Android setup, APN config, and what to do if it won't connect on landing. Uses Trip.com's 5 best-selling China eSIMs (Mainland/HK/Macau from $0.17/day) with verified affiliate links.
7 min · Aug 2026
15 Essential Apps for China Travel (Foreigner-Friendly)
The 15 must-have apps for China in 2026: Alipay, WeChat, DiDi, Amap, Pleco, VPN, eSIM, and more. What each does, free or paid, and how to set them up before you fly.
8 min · Aug 2026
Meituan & Dazhong Dianping for Foreigners 2026
How to register Meituan (美团) and Dazhong Dianping (大众点评) as a foreigner in 2026 — find restaurants, order food delivery, book hotels, and get the same discounts locals use. No Chinese phone number required.
9 min · Aug 2026
Get Around
High-speed rail, metro, ride-hailing, domestic flights
Didi vs Uber in China 2026: How Foreigners Ride-Hail (Step-by-Step)
No Uber in China — and no Uber-DiDi partnership to book through (the only link is Uber's 2016 stake in DiDi). DiDi is the app that actually dispatches cars for foreigners: English UI, foreign Visa/Mastercard, airport pickups. 2026 setup, fares, and the Hong Kong exception.
9 min · Sep 2026
Save Money on China Transport 2026: HSR vs Flight
Verified 2026 HSR vs flight cost table for 8 routes, 12306 vs Trip.com trade-off, 4 city-transport modes, and 4 money-saving tricks.
10 min · Sep 2026
China High-Speed Rail 2026: The Foreigner's Complete Guide to 12306, HSR, and Sleeper Trains
China has the world's largest HSR network (50,000+ km, 11,000+ trains/day). The 12306 official booking site is now foreigner-friendly. This guide covers: how to register on 12306 with a foreign passport, buy tickets, ride 350 km/h HSR, sleeper trains, station navigation, food, and the 2026 mobile app changes. Save 30-50% vs domestic flights on most routes under 1,500 km.
13 min · Aug 2026
China Airport Transfer Guide 2026: PEK, PKX, PVG, SHA, CAN, CTU, XIY
The complete 2026 guide to getting from China's 7 major international airports to city center: official taxis, DiDi, airport express trains, Maglev, shuttle buses, and pre-booked private cars. Includes price ranges, hours of operation, which scams to avoid at the airport, and the 3 must-do things before you board.
12 min · Aug 2026
Domestic Flights in China: When Cheaper Than Train
When to fly vs. take the train in China 2026: route distance, time-vs-price, booking platforms, airport experience, baggage rules, and the cheapest airlines.
7 min · Aug 2026
China High-Speed Rail: How to Book, Board, Survive
Book China high-speed rail (HSR) tickets in 2026: 12306 vs Trip.com, seat classes, popular routes, station tips, and the exact boarding process for foreigners.
9 min · Aug 2026
China Metro in English: 10 Cities with English Signs
Navigate Chinese metros in English in 2026: 10 cities with full English signage, how to pay (Alipay scan or Visa tap), line maps, hours, and tips for first-timers.
7 min · Aug 2026
Language & Translation
Pleco, Google Translate, essential Chinese phrases
China Tourism Statistics 2026: Arrivals, Source Markets, and Travel Behavior (with Sources)
The numbers behind China's inbound travel boom: 35.17M foreign arrivals in 2025 (+30.6%), 73.1% visa-free entry, top source markets, city growth, and how travelers now plan trips with AI. Every figure linked to its primary source.
8 min · Sep 2026
China Daily Budget 2026: Beijing, Shanghai + 5 More
Verified 2026 per-person daily budget for 7 China cities in 4 travel styles. Line-item breakdown and 4 city-specific cost traps to avoid.
10 min · Sep 2026
Trip.com for Foreigners: The Complete 2026 Guide
Complete 2026 Trip.com guide for foreign travelers: registration, payment methods, coupons, 6-tier loyalty, refunds, price-match, and 5 places where Trip.com is the wrong choice. Verified 2026-09-06.
9 min · Sep 2026
Cheapest Flights on Trip.com (2026): Timing + Hacks
Verified 2026 playbook for booking the cheapest flights on Trip.com — booking windows, cheapest days, Air Flexibility, Bundle-and-Save, Price Alerts, and 5 China flight tips. Verified 2026-09-06.
8 min · Sep 2026
China Travel Insurance: Complete 2026 Guide (Best Plans, Costs, and What You Actually Need)
Do you need travel insurance for China? Compare the top 5 plans for 2026 (World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz, IMG, Seven Corners) by cost, medical coverage, evacuation, adventure activities, and pre-existing conditions. Plus what China-specific risks insurance must cover, how to claim if hospitalized, and the cheapest way to get $100K+ medical coverage.
9 min · Aug 2026
How Much Does a Trip to China Cost in 2026? Complete Budget Guide by Travel Style
Real 2026 prices for a trip to China: 3 budget tiers (backpacker $80-150/day, mid-range $200-350, comfort $500+) with line-item breakdown for accommodation, food, transport, attractions, and visas. Plus 5 sample 7-14 day itineraries with total cost, 15 money-saving tips, and the full payment methods guide (Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, credit card).
11 min · Aug 2026
Trip.com vs Booking.com vs Klook for China (2026): Which One, When
Honest 2026 comparison of the 3 booking platforms foreign travelers actually use for China. Real prices, real inventory, real scenarios — not 'Trip.com is cheaper' marketing. Beijing 3-day worked example included.
12 min · Aug 2026
China English-Speaking Tour Guides: The Honest Shortage (And 8 Workarounds That Actually Work in 2026)
Only 56,000 of China's 660,000 licensed tour guides speak English (8.4%), and bilingual guides are under 1%. After the 49.5% YoY surge in visa-free travelers, the English-guide supply is overstretched. Verified 2026 numbers, city-by-city ratios (Beijing 1:80, Shanghai 1:60, Xi'an 1:40, Guilin 1:30, Lhasa 1:200), and 8 workarounds that actually work — hotel concierge, Trip.com private guide, China Highlights, Airbnb Experiences, Italki language trade, and self-guided apps.
10 min · Aug 2026
Lost Passport in China: 2026 Emergency Guide for Foreigners (What the Embassy Won't Tell You)
Lost your passport in China? Here is the 2026 reality: a police report is required before the embassy will help, the China Foreign Affairs 24/7 English hotline 12308 works for ALL foreigners (not just Chinese citizens), emergency travel documents take 1-3 working days, full passport replacement takes 2-6 weeks, and 4 things most embassies don't tell you upfront (no weekend processing, biometrics required even for ETDs, you may need a new visa to re-enter, hotel registration blocks the police report if your stay record is incomplete). Step-by-step plan: secure your money first, file the police report at a local 派出所, contact your embassy/consulate emergency line, request an emergency travel document (ETD), and 5 prevention steps to take before your next trip.
12 min · Aug 2026
Bringing Prescription Medication to China: 2026 Complete Guide for Foreigners (What Pharmacists Don't Tell You About Controlled Substances)
Bringing prescription medication to China in 2026? Here is the reality most travelers learn the hard way: China treats ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta) as Class I narcotics — any quantity is confiscation + potential detention; pseudoephedrine cold medicines (Sudafed, Claritin-D) are restricted because they can be made into meth; codeine is schedule-controlled even in OTC cough syrup; benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) are limited to 7 days; ALL cannabis products including CBD are banned outright; and 4 things your home pharmacist won't tell you (Chinese customs doesn't recognize foreign prescriptions, you must declare controlled drugs in the RED channel not the green one, embassy confirmation is required 4-6 weeks before travel for Class I substances, and a US/EU prescription can lead to criminal prosecution under China's Narcotics Control Law if quantities exceed the limits). The 5-category system that decides your risk + the 5-step pre-flight protocol + the 4 in-China alternatives to bring-in medication.
12 min · Aug 2026
Airalo vs Holafly for China 2026
Side-by-side test of Airalo and Holafly China eSIMs. Real pricing per GB, unlimited vs capped data, China Mobile/Unicom coverage, and the firewall gotcha both providers hit.
9 min · Aug 2026
China on a Backpacker Budget 2026: 2 Weeks Under ¥3,000 (USD 420)
A real 2-week China budget for backpackers: how to keep total spend under ¥3,000 / USD 420 per person (excluding international flights) including hostels, street food, sleeper trains, attraction tickets, and the 240-hour visa-free transit. With where to stay, how to get around, what to eat, and the booking tools that actually work for foreigners.
5 min · Aug 2026
China Travel Budget 2026: Real Costs by Style
Actual 2026 prices for flights, hotels, food, transport, and attractions in China — broken down by budget / mid-range / luxury traveler. With $20 hotel rooms, $5 Michelin meals, and the real cost traps.
9 min · Aug 2026
China Travel Safety: 110/119/120 + Lost Passport
China travel safety 2026: real 110/119/120/122 emergency numbers, 12345 hotline, lost passport playbook, scam patterns, and the apps that protect you.
10 min · Aug 2026
Maps That Work in China 2026: Google, Baidu, Apple
Google Maps is essentially useless in China without VPN. Here are the 4 maps that actually work: Baidu Maps, Amap (Gaode), Tencent Maps, and Apple Maps. With price comparisons and city coverage.
7 min · Aug 2026
China Tax Refund for Tourists 2026: Get Your 11% Back
The complete 2026 guide to the China departure tax refund for foreign tourists — eligibility, the ¥200 minimum, the 11% refund rate (and the real 8-9% after fees), which stores qualify, the step-by-step airport process, and how to use the new 2024 'Tax Refund 2.0' instant refund system at the store.
11 min · Aug 2026
Best Translation Apps for China 2026
The 6 best translation apps for China travel in 2026: Google Translate, Pleco, Baidu Translate, Microsoft Translator, Apple Translate, and Waygo. With Chinese-character recognition, voice, and offline mode.
8 min · Aug 2026