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China travel essentials

China Travel Essentials

Visa, payments, transport, apps, and practical tips — everything you need before and during your trip.

Quick Start

The guides most travelers read first.

  • China Visa Guide 2026: Do You Need One & How to Apply

    Visa-free countries, 240-hour transit, L visa steps via COVA, and what happens at the border—everything you need to enter China in 2026, clearly explained.

    Read →
  • Essential Chinese Phrases for Travelers: The Complete Phrasebook

    100+ must-know Mandarin phrases for your China trip — greetings, hotels, dining, transport, shopping, and emergencies. With pronunciation guide and free printable PDF.

    Read →

Interactive Tools

Hands-on resources to make planning easier.

  • 🗺️

    Interactive China Map

    Soon

    Explore destinations on an interactive map

  • 🀄

    Bilingual Phrase Cards

    PDF · 12 MB

    Printable cards to show taxi drivers and shopkeepers

  • ✅

    Packing Checklist

    Soon

    Customizable checklist by season and trip length

  • 🧮

    Budget Calculator

    Soon

    Estimate daily costs for your China trip

  • 🆘

    Emergency Contacts Card

    Soon

    Key numbers for police, ambulance, and embassy

  • 📡

    eSIM Comparison Table

    Soon

    Compare eSIM plans for China with VPN included

  • 🎊

    Festival & Holiday Calendar

    Soon

    Plan around Golden Week, CNY, and local festivals

Browse by Topic

Select a topic to filter the guides below.

  • 🛂Visa & Entry
  • 📊Planning & Budgeting
  • 🧳Weather & Packing
  • 🏨Accommodation
  • 💳Money & Payments
  • 📶Internet & VPN
  • 📱Apps & Tools
  • 🚇City Transport
  • 🚄Trains & Buses
  • ✈️Flights & Airports
  • 🗣️Language
  • 🏥Health & Medical
  • 🛡️Safety & Scams
  • 🎎Culture & Etiquette

Before Your Trip

  • 🛂Visa & Entry
  • 📊Planning & Budgeting
  • 🧳Weather & Packing
  • 🏨Accommodation

Money & Connectivity

  • 💳Money & Payments
  • 📶Internet & VPN
  • 📱Apps & Tools

Getting Around

  • 🚇City Transport
  • 🚄Trains & Buses
  • ✈️Flights & Airports

Daily Life in China

  • 🗣️Language
  • 🏥Health & Medical
  • 🛡️Safety & Scams
  • 🎎Culture & Etiquette

All Guides

2 guides found.

  • China Visa Guide 2026: Do You Need One & How to Apply

    Visa-free countries, 240-hour transit, L visa steps via COVA, and what happens at the border—everything you need to enter China in 2026, clearly explained.

  • Essential Chinese Phrases for Travelers: The Complete Phrasebook

    100+ must-know Mandarin phrases for your China trip — greetings, hotels, dining, transport, shopping, and emergencies. With pronunciation guide and free printable PDF.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Feeling overwhelmed by the planning? Our China-based experts guide you through the logistics — apps, transport, language — so you don't have to figure it out alone.

  • 📱

    App & Payment Setup

    Alipay, WeChat Pay, VPN, SIM card — step-by-step guidance before you even board the plane.

  • ✅

    Pre-Trip Checklist

    A personalised prep plan so nothing is missed — visa, insurance, connectivity, and more.

  • 💬

    On-Trip Support

    Stuck with an app, a sign, or a checkpoint? We're a WhatsApp message away.

See How We Can Help

Free initial consultation · No commitment