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1. Prepare Payment Methods in Advance
Mobile payment is very common when traveling in China. Before departure, it is recommended to download and set up Alipay and WeChat. Overseas visitors can link eligible international bank cards. International bank cards such as Visa and Mastercard can be linked, but support, fees, and limits may vary depending on the card and payment product. Recommendations: Complete identity verification and bank card linking before departure Test a payment once in advance Keep a small amount of RMB cash as a backup Some overseas e-wallets can also be used to scan and pay directly in China, such as Singapore's Changi Pay and OCBC, and Malaysia's Touch 'n Go eWallet.
2. Don't Rely Only on Cash for Transportation
Distances between Chinese cities can be long. For cross-city trips such as Beijing → Shanghai, Shanghai → Xi'an, and Beijing → Chengdu, you can choose: Plane / high-speed rail / city subway / ride-hailing Buying high-speed rail tickets requires real-name verification. Foreign tourists can use valid documents such as passports and purchase tickets through relevant ticket channels. For getting around within a city, you can use the subway, buses, or ride-hailing. Some ride-hailing services support foreign phone numbers and international bank cards, and platforms such as Alipay and WeChat can also be used to hail rides.
3. Always Confirm in Advance Whether a Hotel Accepts Foreign Passports
When booking a hotel, don't look only at price and location. It is recommended to confirm in advance: Does it accept foreign passports for check-in? Foreign tourists staying in hotels need to register with valid identity documents. Different hotels may also have different support for payment methods such as international bank cards, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. So when booking a hotel, it is best to choose one with relatively mature experience in hosting foreign tourists.
4. Don't Buy All Your Attraction Tickets on Arrival
Some popular attractions may require advance reservations or real-name ticket purchases. Especially in popular cities and at well-known scenic spots, once your itinerary is set, it's best to confirm in advance: Whether a reservation is required Whether passport information is needed Opening hours Whether there are entry time restrictions Whether tickets must be purchased ahead of time Don't schedule all the popular attractions on the same day.
5. China Is Huge — Don't Cram Too Many Cities Into One Trip
This is one of the most common problems first-time visitors to China run into. For example, having only 7 days but wanting to visit: Beijing + Shanghai + Xi'an + Chengdu + Zhangjiajie. It looks like you'll cover a lot of ground, but in reality much of your time will be spent on: airports, high-speed rail stations, hotel check-in, and moving between cities. For a first trip to China, it's better to choose: an in-depth trip to 1–2 cities or, based on transport connections, plan a route that flows smoothly.
6. You Can Travel Even If You Don't Speak Chinese
In popular tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi'an, English-language services are relatively easy to find. But in smaller cities, local restaurants, and street-side shops, communicating in English may not be so easy. It's a good idea to prepare in advance: Your hotel's Chinese name + address + phone number When taking a taxi, showing the driver the Chinese address directly is more convenient than only entering the English name.
7. Sort Out Your Mobile Internet in Advance
During your trip to China, phone navigation, payments, ride-hailing, and translation all rely on an internet connection. So before departure, it's best to confirm: Whether international roaming is activated Whether you've bought a local Chinese SIM/eSIM Whether your phone supports the relevant networks Whether your payment apps work properly Don't wait until you reach the airport to start sorting out your internet connection.
8. Don't Overpack Your Itinerary
Attractions in China are usually quite large. For example, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and large museums can all require a considerable amount of time. Planning 2–3 main activities in a day is usually more comfortable than rushing from one attraction to another from morning to night. Especially when traveling with the elderly and children, you should allow extra time for: Rest + Meals + Transportation.
9. For Your First Trip to China, Consider a Custom Trip
If it's your first time in China and you're not familiar with: Transportation, hotels, attraction reservations, or how to get between cities, there's really no need to research everything yourself. You can customize your route based on your: Travel days + interests + budget + group size. Airport transfers, hotels, intercity transportation, and attraction arrangements can also be planned in advance. That way, during your trip, you can leave more time for the places you really want to see. Finally, remember these 8 things: Prepare payment in advance Confirm internet access in advance Confirm your hotel in advance Book popular attractions in advance Plan high-speed rail and flight tickets in advance Don't arrange too many cities Don't overpack your itinerary Prepare Chinese versions of important addresses This will make your first trip to China much easier overall.
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