No. Tipping is not customary and can even be considered insulting. Restaurants, taxis, hotels, and tour guides do not expect tips. The only exception is high-end international hotels and private tour guides. See /articles/china-travel-etiquette/.

Is China safe for tourists?

Yes. China is one of the safest countries for tourists, with extremely low violent crime. Watch for petty scams at tourist sites (overpriced tea ceremonies, fake monks, rigged taxi meters). Petty theft is rare. See /articles/china-common-scams-tourists/.

What should I NOT do in China?

Don't discuss Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tiananmen 1989, or Xi Jinping in public or online. Don't photograph military or police. Don't bring VPN books. Don't tip (it's seen as confusing). Don't expect critical content on Google/YouTube/Facebook. See /articles/china-travel-etiquette/.

What scams should I avoid in China?

Top 5: (1) Art student tea ceremony scam near Beijing's Wangfujing, (2) rigged taxi meters at airports, (3) fake monks asking for donations, (4) overpriced souvenir shops in tourist areas, (5) "closed" attractions that redirect to expensive tour operators. See /articles/china-common-scams-tourists/.

How do I say basic phrases in Chinese?

Learn: 你好 (hello), 谢谢 (thank you), 对不起 (sorry), 多少钱? (how much?), 我要这个 (I want this), 买单 (check please). Pleco app has audio for every phrase. See /articles/china-essential-phrases-20/.

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Beijing

Is Beijing Safe for Tourists in 2026? The Honest District-by-District Guide

Beijing in 2026 is one of the safest major capitals for foreign tourists, but the safety profile is not uniform. The honest guide: which districts feel safe at 2am, which Beijing scams target foreigners (tea house, art student, fake Forbidden City tour, airport black car), how to handle PM2.5 in winter, and the 3 areas you should genuinely avoid after dark.

5 min · Sep 2026

Black and white photo of a man in a black jacket walking through a Beijing hutong alley with brick walls and traditional courtyard architecture

Beijing Hutongs: A Complete Guide to the City's Ancient Alleyways (History, Map, How to Visit)

Complete guide to Beijing's hutongs: the 700-year history from Yuan dynasty to today, why hutongs are disappearing, the 6 best hutong areas to visit as a foreigner, how to navigate them on foot or by rickshaw, the etiquette rules, and how to experience the real local hutong life (not the tourist-trap version).

8 min · Aug 2026

Row of traditional red-canopied Beijing rickshaws (pedicabs) waiting for tourists on a hutong street, with drivers in white shirts and a woman in a pink skirt

Beijing Hutong Rickshaw Tour: The Complete Guide (2026)

Everything you need to know about Beijing's hutong rickshaw tours: the history of the rickshaw, the 3 main rickshaw stands, how to negotiate a fair price (¥150-300/hour), the 4 most popular routes, what the rickshaw driver typically explains, how to avoid the commission-shop scams, and whether to do a self-walk or rickshaw tour.

7 min · Aug 2026

Traditional red door with golden studs and decorative stone base at a Beijing siheyuan courtyard home in a hutong alley

10 Best Beijing Hutongs to Visit (Beyond the Tourist Traps)

Beyond the crowded Nanluoguxiang: 10 specific hutongs worth visiting, from the most authentic residential alleys to the most photogenic, with what makes each one unique, exact addresses, how to get there, and when to visit. Includes a printable walking map.

9 min · Aug 2026

China Business

China Business Etiquette 2026: Cards, Toasts, Gifts, and the 6 Mistakes That Lose Deals

The 2026 playbook for foreign business travelers meeting Chinese partners or clients: business visa (M-visa, 144h business transit), business card exchange (míngpiàn 名片) protocol, the round-table dinner (báijiǔ 白酒, ganbei 干杯) toasting hierarchy, the 6 gift-giving taboos (no clocks, no green hats, no umbrellas), the indirect communication style (miànzi 面子), and the CBD hotels that book the actual deals (Rosewood Beijing, China World, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Park Hyatt).

5 min · Aug 2026

China Etiquette

A close-up of traditional Chinese calligraphy brushes in different sizes, with bamboo handles and animal hair bristles, arranged artistically

11 Cultural Mistakes Foreigners Make in China (And How to Avoid Them)

The 2026 etiquette guide for foreigners in China: 11 cultural mistakes that cause offense, awkwardness, or worse — and exactly what to do instead. Covers tipping (don't), chopsticks (don't stick them in rice), gift-giving (red envelope etiquette), loud phone calls, queueing, gift color symbolism, and the 茶 ceremony scam. Plus regional and generational differences.

9 min · Aug 2026

China Minority

China's Minority Villages: Miao, Dong, Hakka, Yi, Tibetan (2026 Off-the-Beaten Guide)

The 2026 off-the-beaten-path guide to China's 5 most photogenic minority cultures: Miao silver + embroidery in Guizhou (Kaili, Xijiang, Langde), Dong drum-tower villages in Guizhou/Hunan (Zhaoxing), Hakka tulou earthen roundhouses in Fujian (Nanjing, Yongding), Yi/Yue festivals in Yunnan (Yuanyang), and Tibetan villages in Sichuan (Danba, Litang). With how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and the cultural respect notes (don't photograph without asking, dress modestly at village ceremonies).

5 min · Aug 2026

China Unesco

Misty mountain peaks with twisted pines at sunrise at Huangshan Yellow Mountain in Anhui

China UNESCO World Heritage Sites 2026: Complete List of 59 Sites + Travel Guide

Complete list of all 59 China UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2026 update) with travel info: which to see, which to skip, how to combine, when to visit, costs. The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Mogao Caves, Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, and the lesser-known.

5 min · Aug 2026

Chinamaxxing

Chinamaxxing 2026: 12 Chinese Lifestyle Experiences Every Foreigner Should Try

Chinamaxxing is the 2026 trend of foreign visitors going deep into Chinese daily life — hot water, ba duan jin qigong, hanfu, mahjong, tea ceremony, foot baths, and more. 12 hands-on experiences with where to try each one, what to expect, and how to book.

9 min · Aug 2026

Christian

Christian Heritage in China: 12 Churches & Jesuit Sites

The 12 most significant Christian heritage sites in China: Beijing's oldest Catholic church, Shanghai's St. Ignatius Cathedral, the Jesuit Beitang, and more. With addresses, mass times, and how to visit.

12 min · Aug 2026

Chunxi Road

Chunxi Road Shopping Guide: Chengdu's Main Shopping Street

Chunxi Road in central Chengdu: 1.2 km pedestrian shopping street, the city's Times Square. Best for: street food, big-name Chinese brands, night neon, and a few hours of urban wandering. Free to walk, metro access.

5 min · Aug 2026

Etiquette

China Travel Etiquette: 15 Things to Get Right

The 15 most important Chinese etiquette rules: tipping, queueing, gift-giving, tea ceremony, chopstick taboos, and the small mistakes that cause real offense. Plus the 2025-2026 'China Travel' cultural shift.

9 min · Aug 2026

Guangzhou

Wide shot of the lit Canton Tower at night viewed from the Huacheng Square fountain area, with tourists walking safely on the plaza

Is Guangzhou Safe for Tourists in 2026? The Honest District-by-District Guide

Guangzhou in 2026 is one of the safest Tier-1 cities in China for foreign tourists — and the one with the most foreigner-friendly infrastructure in the south. The honest guide: which Guangzhou districts are safe at 2am, the 4 scams unique to Guangzhou (Shangxiajiu fake brand bags, Beijing Lu tea ceremony, Shamian touts, Canton Tower fake tickets), how to handle the Cantonese vs Mandarin language gap, and the 2 areas to genuinely avoid after midnight.

5 min · Sep 2026

Harbin

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2026: Dates, Tickets, What to See, Where to Stay

Complete guide to the 2026-2027 Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: opening dates, ticket prices (¥300 Ice and Snow World, ¥240 Sun Island), what to see, where to stay, how to stay warm at -30°C, and the best photo times.

5 min · Aug 2026

Illuminated ice buildings and giant ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World festival at night, glowing blue and purple under the dark winter sky

Harbin Winter Travel Guide 2026: Ice Festival, Snow Town, -30°C Survival

Harbin winter travel guide for first-time visitors: Ice and Snow Festival (Dec 2026-Feb 2027), staying warm at -30°C, Yabuli ski resort, China Snow Town day trip, Saint Sophia Cathedral, and a 4-day winter itinerary.

5 min · Aug 2026

Hefang Street

Narrow alley in Hefang Ancient Street in Hangzhou at night, decorated with red Chinese lanterns, paper wind streamers with Chinese calligraphy, and pedestrians walking past traditional storefronts

Hefang Ancient Street + Southern Song Imperial Street: Walking Guide (2026)

Hefang Street (河坊街) and the Southern Song Imperial Street (南宋御街) are restored Qing-era shopping streets in central Hangzhou. Free to walk, packed with tea shops, silk, snacks, and the 1908 Hu Qing Yu Tang pharmacy museum.

6 min · Aug 2026

Hohhot

A traditional Mongolian yurt (ger) on the rolling green grasslands of Inner Mongolia, with horses grazing in the distance and a blue sky with white clouds overhead

Hohhot Inner Mongolia 2026: Grassland Day Trip, Genghis Khan Mausoleum, Naadam Festival

Hohhot travel guide for foreign visitors: Inner Mongolia grassland 1-2 day trip (Huitengxile or Xilamuren, ¥300-500 incl. yurt stay), Genghis Khan Mausoleum, Naadam Festival (July-August), $60-100/day.

5 min · Aug 2026

Lgbtq

LGBTQ+ Travel in China 2026: Safety, Apps, Cities & Practical Guide

Practical LGBTQ+ travel guide for China in 2026 — legal status (homosexuality is legal, no same-sex marriage), social attitudes by city, dating apps (Blued, Tantan, Aloha), the 3 most LGBTQ+-friendly cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu), nightlife, healthcare, family considerations, and 5 ready-made LGBTQ+-friendly city profiles. Updated 2026-08-21 with current legal status and city-by-city social attitudes.

5 min · Aug 2026

Lhasa

Lhasa Tibet Travel Guide 2026: Permits, Altitude, Monasteries, Cost

Lhasa Tibet travel guide for foreign visitors: altitude acclimatization (3,650m), Tibet Travel Permit process, Potala Palace ticket booking, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery debates, 5-day Lhasa city + day trips, costs, and the Lhasa-Namtso Lake route.

5 min · Aug 2026

Lingyin

Lingyin Temple + Feilai Peak: The Complete Guide (2026)

Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) is the largest Buddhist temple in Hangzhou, founded 326 AD, with the Feilai Peak grottoes containing 1,000+ stone Buddhas. Tickets, transport, what to see, and how to combine with Flying Peak and Yongfu Temple.

8 min · Aug 2026

Luoyang

Luoyang Longmen Grottoes 2026: UNESCO Buddhist Caves, Peony Festival, Day Trip from Xi'an

Luoyang travel guide for foreign visitors: Longmen Grottoes UNESCO (100,000+ Buddhist statues, ¥90), White Horse Temple, peony festival (April), and 1.5h HSR day trip from Xi'an (¥150 second class).

5 min · Aug 2026

Mandarin

Close-up of handwritten Chinese characters in black ink on white paper, with various Chinese strokes and characters visible

20 Essential Mandarin Phrases Every China Traveler Needs (with Audio)

The 20 most useful Mandarin phrases for travelers, organized by situation: greetings, getting help, money, food, transit, and emergencies. Each phrase includes Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, English meaning, and an audio-friendly pronunciation guide. Plus a section on Chinese tones, what NOT to say, and the apps that make pronunciation easier.

7 min · Aug 2026

A vintage Chinese propaganda poster with bold black and white Chinese characters, showcasing traditional Chinese typography and calligraphy

50 Chinese Phrases Every Traveler Needs (with Pronunciation, 2026)

The 2026 essential Chinese phrasebook for travelers: 50 phrases covering greetings, food, transit, hotels, shopping, emergencies, and small talk. Each phrase includes Chinese characters, pinyin (with tone marks), English meaning, and an audio-friendly pronunciation guide. Plus a section on tone basics, Pleco/Google Translate usage, and what to do when you don't understand.

8 min · Aug 2026

Muslim

China Muslim Travel Guide (2026)

Muslim travel guide to China: 10 historic mosques, verified halal restaurants in 6 cities, prayer times, Qibla direction, and visa-free entry for 50+ Muslim-majority countries.

13 min · Aug 2026

Nanjing

The 392-step approach to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain, with a wide blue-tiled marble staircase ascending through a forest of Chinese pine trees to the white marble sacrificial hall at the top

Nanjing China Travel Guide 2026: Six Dynasties Capital, Massacre Memorial, Purple Mountain

Nanjing travel guide for foreign visitors: 2,600-year history, Six Dynasties and Ming capital, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (free, deeply moving), Confucius Temple, Ming city wall, and how Nanjing compares to Beijing's Forbidden City.

5 min · Aug 2026

Peoples Park

People's Park + Heming Teahouse Guide: Chengdu's Living Room

People's Park in central Chengdu: free entry, 100-year-old Heming Teahouse, the famous weekend marriage market where parents post handwritten ads for adult children. The best place to see Chengdu's slow pace.

5 min · Aug 2026

Pingyao

Pingyao Ancient City 2026: UNESCO Ming-Qing Town, 2-Day Itinerary from Beijing

Pingyao travel guide for foreign visitors: 2,700-year-old UNESCO ancient city, Ming-Qing architecture, Shanxi merchant banking museum, 1.5h HSR from Beijing (¥150), tickets ¥125 (3-day pass), 2-day itinerary.

5 min · Aug 2026

Safety

Foreign tourists walking safely through a Beijing hutong at sunset, smiling and looking at a map

Is It Safe to Travel to China in 2026? The Complete Foreigner's Safety Guide

Comprehensive 2026 safety guide for China travel: crime statistics, region-specific risks, scams targeting foreigners, US State Department advisory, LGBTQ+ safety, female solo travel, health and medical care, embassy registration, and 5-step arrival safety checklist. Plus: is it safe to travel to China right now in 2026 (yes, with normal precautions).

12 min · Aug 2026

Scams

Common Scams in China: 12 Tourist Traps to Avoid

The 12 most common tourist scams in China in 2026: taxi overcharging, tea ceremony scams, fake art students, and more. Real examples, prices, and how to avoid each one.

9 min · Aug 2026

Senior

Senior Travel in China 2026: Pacing & Accessibility

How 60+ travelers pace a China trip: skip the 3rd museum, half-day options, accessible hotels, and 5 itineraries rewritten for rest days. Real advice from 3 round trips.

11 min · Aug 2026

Shanghai

Wide shot of the lit Pudong skyline at night viewed from the Bund promenade, with well-dressed tourists walking safely along the riverside railing

Is Shanghai Safe for Tourists in 2026? The Honest District-by-District Guide

Shanghai in 2026 is one of the safest major cities in the world for foreign tourists — but the safety profile differs sharply from Beijing. The honest guide: which Shanghai districts are safe at 2am, which scams target foreigners (Nanjing Lu fake brand bags, The Bund 'tea ceremony', Yu Garden touts, Disneyland touts), how to handle the maglev + metro, and the 3 situations where Shanghai is genuinely more dangerous than Beijing.

5 min · Sep 2026

Shenzhen

Is Shenzhen Safe for Tourists in 2026? The Honest District-by-District Guide

Shenzhen in 2026 is the **safest Tier-1 city in mainland China** for foreign tourists — by every published crime index. But the safety profile is uniquely Shenzhen: high surveillance density, young tech-worker population, and a city that grew from a fishing village to a megacity in 40 years. The honest guide: which districts are safe at 2am, the 3 scams unique to Shenzhen (Huaqiangbei fake electronics, OCT touts, Luohu fake brand bags), how to handle the Hong Kong border crossing, and the 1 scenario you genuinely need to worry about.

5 min · Sep 2026

Solo Female

Young European female traveler with backpack walking through a modern Chinese city street at dusk

Solo Female Travel in China 2026: The Honest Safety Guide Foreigners Don't Get

China is statistically one of the safer large countries for solo female travelers, but the safety profile is different from Western countries. What works in Tokyo or Paris may not work in Beijing. The 2026 honest guide: 8 specific safety scenarios (DiDi at night, hostel vs hotel, walking alone, foreigner-targeted scams, hostel harassment, menstruation access, dating safety, embassy backup), ranked by frequency and risk. Includes the 5 phrases every solo female traveler should learn, and the 2 scenarios where you should NOT go alone.

5 min · Aug 2026

Suzhou

Suzhou China Travel Guide 2026: Classical Gardens, Canals, Day Trips from Shanghai

Suzhou travel guide for foreign visitors: 9 UNESCO classical gardens (Humble Administrator's Garden ¥70, Lion Grove ¥40), canal boat rides, silk museum, day trip from Shanghai (25 min HSR), Tongli and Zhouzhuang water town options.

5 min · Aug 2026

Tcm

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ingredients laid out on wooden table with acupuncture head and hand models

China Medical Tourism & TCM: A Foreigner Guide

Real options for medical tourism and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China 2026: top hospitals, TCM clinics, cost comparisons vs US/UK, language support, and how to book. Covers acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, and full Western-style hospital treatment.

10 min · Aug 2026

Tipping

A historical Chinese banknote from the 1920s showing intricate typography and traditional Chinese design elements in warm sepia tones

Tipping in China: The Definitive 2026 Guide (When, Where, and How Much)

The 2026 guide to tipping in mainland China: when tipping is expected (rarely), when it's appreciated (small amounts for guides/porters), and when it can offend (mid-range restaurants, taxis). Covers hotels, restaurants, tour guides, drivers, massage, hair salons, and the surprising cases where tipping IS expected. Includes a tipping calculator and the WeChat/Alipay workaround.

6 min · Aug 2026

Xining

The golden roofs and white stupas of Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai, with Tibetan prayer flags and the main assembly hall visible in winter light

Xining Qinghai Travel Guide 2026: Gateway to Tibet, Kumbum Monastery, Qinghai Lake Loop

Xining travel guide for foreign visitors: starting point of Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa, Kumbum Monastery (¥80, birthplace of Tsongkhapa), Dongguan Mosque, Qinghai Lake 2-day loop, $60-100/day.

5 min · Aug 2026

Xinjiang

Urumqi Xinjiang Travel Guide 2026: Silk Road, Uyghur Food, Altash, Kashgar

Urumqi Xinjiang travel guide for first-time visitors: Uyghur food and culture, Tianchi Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum, Kashgar day trip, how to get to Urumqi from Beijing/Shanghai, costs, and Silk Road history.

5 min · Aug 2026

Compare & Decide

Panoramic view of the Forbidden City in Beijing with snow-covered golden rooftops and the white Dagoba of Beihai Park in the distance

China Historic Capitals 2026: Beijing vs Nanjing vs Luoyang vs Xi'an vs Hangzhou

Comparison of China's 5 great historic capitals: Beijing (Ming/Qing), Nanjing (Six Dynasties, early Ming), Luoyang (Eastern Han, Northern Wei), Xi'an (Tang), Hangzhou (Southern Song). What to see, which to pick, how to combine.

5 min · Aug 2026

Yunnan rice terraces at sunrise with mist rising over layered water fields and traditional Dai minority villages in the distance

China Western Regions 2026: Tibet vs Xinjiang vs Qinghai vs Yunnan Compared

China's 4 western regions compared for first-time travelers: Tibet (altitude monasteries, hard permits), Xinjiang (Silk Road Uyghur culture, easier access), Qinghai (high-altitude lakes, train to Lhasa), Yunnan (mild climate, ethnic minorities). Best for first-timers, costs, time required, safety.

5 min · Aug 2026