China has a reputation for being difficult to travel independently: no Google, no Visa card at the corner store, language barriers everywhere. The reality in 2026 is far friendlier — if you know a handful of tricks. This guide covers everything a first-time visitor actually needs to know, in the order you'll need it.
The 5 things to sort before you fly
- Passport (valid 6+ months) and visa or visa-free eligibility — check our Visa Checker first.
- Alipay and/or WeChat Pay installed and linked to your foreign card — China is nearly cashless.
- A China eSIM or roaming plan that isn't blocked — see our China eSIM guide.
- Hotel bookings at foreigner-friendly properties (most are, but some cheap local hotels aren't).
- Offline maps (Amap or Apple Maps) and a translation app with downloaded Chinese.
Recommended
Get a China eSIM before you fly
Skip the Great Firewall headaches. Install an eSIM before departure and land with working data for Google, WhatsApp and Instagram.
Check eSIM OptionsMoney: how you'll actually pay
Cash is nearly dead in China. Street vendors, taxis and noodle shops all take QR-code payments. As a foreigner, your two options are Alipay and WeChat Pay — both now accept international Visa/Mastercard with minimal fuss. Set up one (ideally both) before departure and top up a small amount. Foreign transaction fees of 2–3% usually apply.
Internet: what works and what doesn't
Google, Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and most Western social media are blocked. Your Chinese eSIM will NOT unblock them. Options: an eSIM with a non-Chinese routing (convenient), or a VPN installed before arrival (cheaper, occasionally flaky). We cover the full picture in our China eSIM guide.
Getting around
- High-speed rail is the best way between cities — 350 km/h, cheap by European standards, and you book online.
- The metro systems in Beijing, Shanghai and other big cities are modern, cheap (¥2–8) and bilingual.
- DiDi is the Chinese Uber — works in English, pays via Alipay/WeChat.
- Domestic flights are useful for long hops (Chengdu, Guilin) but add airport time.
Where to go on a first trip
The classic first route is Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai in 10 days: imperial palaces and the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and a futuristic skyline. With two weeks, add Chengdu for pandas and hotpot. With less time, Beijing alone fills five excellent days.
Is China safe?
Extremely. Violent crime against tourists is vanishingly rare, including for solo female travelers. The real annoyances are aggressive street scammers in tourist zones (tea ceremonies, 'art students'), fake taxis at airports, and crossing the street. Our Is China Safe? guide covers it in detail.