China Travel Tips: My Love Letter to the Middle Kingdom After Dozens of Trips

Hey there, fellow wanderers! I'm a Chinese travel enthusiast who's crisscrossed this incredible country more times than I can count—over 20 trips in the last decade alone, from the neon-drenched streets of Shanghai to the misty peaks of Zhangjiajie, and from the ancient hutongs of Beijing to the spicy hotpot heavens of Chengdu. I've haggled in bustling night markets, ridden bullet trains at 350 km/h, gotten lost (on purpose) in minority villages in Yunnan, and eaten my body weight in xiaolongbao. China isn't just a destination for me; it's a passion that keeps pulling me back. And right now, in late 2025, it's easier and more welcoming for foreign visitors than ever before. If you're dreaming of your first (or tenth) trip here, let me share my hard-earned, real-life tips to make your adventure smooth, unforgettable, and full of those "wow" moments.

1. Visa? What Visa? The Golden Era of Easy Entry

The biggest game-changer for 2025–2026 is China's super-generous visa policies. I've watched this evolve firsthand. Back in my early trips, getting a tourist visa meant endless paperwork and embassy visits. Not anymore!

As of November 2025, citizens from over 50 countries—including most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK via extensions), Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, Canada (through expanded transit), and even Brazil and Argentina—can enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits. This unilateral policy has been extended to December 31, 2026 for many nations. I just returned from a trip where friends from Germany and Australia breezed through immigration with zero hassle.

If you're not on the list yet, check the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit—now available in more cities and ports than ever, covering 55+ nationalities. I used this myself flying into Shanghai and out of Beijing. Pro tip: Always confirm your eligibility on the official Chinese embassy site or apps like Trip.com before booking flights. And starting November 20, 2025, there's a new digital arrival card—fill it out online beforehand to skip lines at the airport.

2. Cashless Wonderland: Mastering Alipay and WeChat Pay

China is the most cashless society I've ever seen. On my last trip in October 2025, I went three weeks without touching paper money except for one tiny rural temple donation.

Download Alipay and WeChat BEFORE you land (do it at home—VPN might be needed later). Both now fully support foreign cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) without a Chinese bank account. Alipay's "Tour Pass" or international version is idiot-proof—I linked my card in minutes and paid for everything from street dumplings to high-speed trains. WeChat Pay works similarly but shines for taxis via DiDi (China's Uber).

My golden rule: Set up both apps. Some vendors prefer one over the other (WeChat in the north, Alipay in the south). I once got stuck at a night market because a stall only took WeChat—lesson learned! Keep 500–1000 RMB in small bills as backup for temples or remote areas, but honestly, you'll rarely need it. ATMs are everywhere, but fees add up.

3. Internet and VPN: Stay Connected (My Biggest Rookie Mistake)

The Great Firewall is real—Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube? Blocked. On my first trip years ago, I arrived without preparation and panicked.

Solution: Install a reliable VPN before arriving. In 2025, ExpressVPN and NordVPN still work flawlessly for me (I've tested dozens). They have obfuscated servers that hide VPN traffic. Download a couple—sometimes one gets temporarily finicky. Turn it on at the airport Wi-Fi.

For maps, forget Google Maps. Amap (Gaode Maps) or Baidu Maps (English versions available) are lifesavers—real-time traffic, metro routes, everything. Apple Maps has improved too. Get a local eSIM (Airalo or similar) for cheap data; I paid $10 for unlimited during my last month-long trip.

4. Getting Around: Bullet Trains Are My Happy Place

China's high-speed rail network is pure magic—cleaner, faster, and more punctual than any airline I've flown. I've zipped from Beijing to Xi'an (Terracotta Warriors!) in 4.5 hours while sipping tea and watching rice paddies blur by.

Book via Trip.com (English-friendly, accepts foreign cards). Show your passport at pickup. Seats are assigned; go for second class—comfy and affordable (Beijing to Shanghai: ~$80). For overnight, sleeper trains save hotel nights.

In cities: Metros are brilliant and cheap (2–10 RMB). DiDi for rides—English interface, pay via WeChat/Alipay. Taxis are fine but drivers rarely speak English; have your destination in Chinese characters ready (hotels provide cards).

5. Where My Heart Lives: Must-See Spots and Hidden Gems

Classic first-timer route (2–3 weeks): Beijing (Great Wall at Mutianyu—less crowded than Badaling, I hiked it at sunrise), Xi'an (warriors + Muslim Quarter food heaven), Chengdu (pandas! I hugged one—ethically, of course), Guilin/Yangshuo (karst mountains by bamboo raft), Shanghai (futuristic skyline + bund nightlife), and Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains—mind-blowing hikes).

Off-beaten-path favorites: Yunnan (Dali and Lijiang for ethnic cultures and gorgeous lakes), Huangshan (Yellow Mountains—sunrise here changed my life), and Harbin in winter for ice festivals.

Best time? Spring (April–May) or autumn (Sept–Oct) for mild weather and fewer crowds. Avoid Golden Week (early October) unless you love people-watching in massive crowds.

6. Food: The Real Reason I Keep Coming Back

Chinese food abroad? Cute. Real Chinese food? Life-altering.

Beijing duck that's crispy and juicy, Sichuan hotpot that numbs your tongue (in the best way), Xinjiang lamb skewers, Cantonese dim sum, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles at 3 a.m.... I've gained (and lost) pounds chasing flavors.

Street food is safe in big cities—look for long lines. Try everything: stinky tofu (acquired taste), soup dumplings, spicy crayfish in Wuhan. Vegetarians: Possible, but ask for "su shi" (vegetarian). Download Pleco app for translating menus.

7. People, Culture, and Little Etiquette Wins

Chinese people are incredibly warm once you break the ice. I've been invited to family dinners just for smiling and saying "ni hao." Respect elders, don't stick chopsticks upright in rice (bad luck), and remove shoes indoors.

Public toilets: Vastly improved in cities—many Western-style now. Carry tissues; not all have paper.

Safety: China feels safer than most places I've traveled. Violent crime is rare. As a solo female traveler multiple times, I've wandered at midnight without worry.

Photos: Locals might ask for selfies—it's a compliment! Smile and pose.

8. Packing and Practical Hacks from a Pro

• Reusable water bottle (tap water isn't drinkable—boil or buy bottled).
• Portable charger—trains have outlets, but phones die fast on WeChat.
• Comfortable shoes— you'll walk 20,000 steps daily.
• VPN, apps, and offline maps downloaded.
• Medicines (Imodium saved me once after brave spice choices).
• Layered clothing—weather swings wildly.

Final Thoughts: Just Go!

China in 2025 is open, modern, and bursting with contrasts—ancient temples next to robot restaurants, serene mountains beside throbbing megacities. It's challenged me, delighted me, and changed how I see the world.

If I could give one piece of advice from all my journeys: Embrace the chaos, talk to locals (translation apps work wonders), and let China surprise you. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

Safe travels, friends—see you on the Great Wall!