It depends on your nationality and your travel plans. Citizens of many countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations) can use the 144-hour transit visa exemption if arriving in and departing from designated cities. This requires no advance application. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa) at your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

The 144-hour visa-free transit is available in 18 cities/provinces including: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, Chongqing, Kunming, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guilin, Changsha, Harbin, and Shijiazhuang. You must enter and exit through the same city group.

Yes, all foreign nationals enter China using their passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date and have at least one blank page.

Both. Cash is useful at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas. However, Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential in cities — most businesses don’t accept foreign cards via tap. Foreign tourists can now link Visa, Mastercard, or Amex to Alipay. WeChat Pay requires a Chinese bank account. ATMs are widely available.

Yes. Foreign tourists can claim an 11% VAT refund on purchases over 500 RMB at participating stores. Refund is processed at the airport departure hall before security — keep your passport and original receipts.

Your phone will work if you have an international roaming plan from your carrier. Alternatively, purchase a Chinese SIM card at the airport (China Unicom and China Mobile both offer tourist plans) or use an eSIM service like Airalo. Expect to pay 30–100 RMB for a tourist plan with 10–30 GB of data.

No. Google services (Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Drive) are blocked in mainland China. Get a VPN before you arrive — ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are reliable options. For maps, use Apple Maps or Gaode Maps (Amap) — China’s equivalent of Google Maps, with excellent English support.

Absolutely. China’s high-speed network covers 42,000+ km and reaches 350 km/h on premium routes. For routes under 5 hours, the train is almost always faster door-to-door and more comfortable than flying. Book via the 12306 app or website (English available). First-class seats are excellent value — typically 300–800 RMB.

Yes, official taxis are safe. Always insist the driver uses the meter. Download Didi (China’s Uber) — it works for foreign phone numbers and is often cheaper than taxis. For the airport, use Didi’s dedicated pick-up zones.

Not typically. Tipping is not part of Chinese culture and can even be refused. At high-end international hotels and restaurants, a service charge may be added. Tour guides and drivers on private tours appreciate tips but don’t expect them.

Yes, very safe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risks are petty scams at tourist sites. China has extensive police presence in cities. Women travelers generally report feeling safe. Standard precautions apply.

At restaurants in major cities, you’ll find picture menus, English menus, or digital ordering via QR code. Download Google Translate with offline Chinese language pack — the camera feature translates signs and menus in real time. In smaller cities, pointing at what others are eating works surprisingly well.

No. Tap water is not potable anywhere in China. Drink bottled water, use a filter bottle, or drink boiled water. This applies even in 5-star hotels. Ice in drinks is generally fine in reputable establishments — it’s made from treated water.