Start with these essentials
All travel guides
Visas & entry
Find the entry rules for your passport and route.
Money & payments
Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank cards and cash.
Set up WeChat
Registration, verification and everyday use.
SIM & internet
Choose a connection that works for your phone.
Your first day
Airport transfers, hotel check-in and useful addresses.
Maps & useful apps
Navigation, translation and travel bookings.
All travel guides
Visas & entry
Start with three details: the passport you will use, every stop on your route and how long you plan to stay. Visa-free entry, visa-free transit and a visitor visa have different conditions.
Money & payments
Set up a payment method before you need to use it at a counter. Registration, card linking and a successful merchant payment are separate checks; keep another way to pay available.
Set up WeChat
Create and test your WeChat account before departure. The useful first milestone is being able to sign in and receive messages; payment activation is a separate task.
SIM & internet
Choose the service after checking your exact phone model and the tasks you need it to perform. Mobile data, a local phone number and the ability to receive your home number's texts are different features.
Your first day
Keep the first day manageable: complete entry procedures, collect your belongings, confirm your connection and reach your accommodation. Leave flexibility for an unfamiliar airport and any account or payment checks.
Maps & useful apps
Start with the jobs you need to do: find an address, translate a detail, pay, contact your accommodation and retrieve a booking. Test the essential tools before you leave rather than installing every suggested app.
Chinese Food中国美食
Taste China through regional kitchens, breakfast counters and evening food streets. Explore local specialties by destination, with flavour, preparation and ordering notes.
Natural Wonders自然奇观
Explore the karst rivers of Guangxi, the sandstone pillars of Hunan and China’s mountain and lake landscapes. Choose a region and allow time for the weather and the journey.
Historic Landmarks历史古迹
Walk the Great Wall, explore imperial palaces and meet the Terracotta Army. Start with the history you most want to understand, then connect nearby museums and neighbourhoods.
City Life & Neighbourhoods都市探索
Experience Shanghai’s riverfront, Chongqing’s hillside streets and the neighbourhood life of China’s cities. Combine a landmark view with markets, architecture and an evening at your own pace.
Historic Towns & Villages古镇乡村
Discover canal towns, walled merchant cities and villages shaped by local building traditions. Compare Wuzhen, Pingyao, Hongcun, Lijiang and other places beyond a quick photo stop.
Cultural Experiences文化体验
Spend time with the everyday culture behind the landmarks: Chengdu teahouses, regional opera, traditional crafts and neighbourhood rituals. Explore respectfully and check when public activities take place.
Hiking & Outdoors徒步户外
Find mountain walks, gorge trails and countryside routes that suit your experience. Compare Yunnan, Anhui and Sichuan, and plan transport, terrain and weather before setting out.
Pandas & Wildlife熊猫与野生动物
Plan a panda visit in Sichuan and explore wildlife-focused destinations elsewhere in China. Understand the difference between a managed visitor centre and seeing animals in their natural habitat.
Leisure & Fun休闲玩乐
Make space for the relaxed side of China: beach stays, waterside walks, theme parks, performances and an unhurried afternoon. Choose a place that suits your pace and leave room to enjoy it.
Beaches & islands海滨岛屿
Compare Hainan’s beach resorts, Guangxi’s volcanic Weizhou Island and the historic island streets of Gulangyu. Choose between a beach stay, an island excursion and a coastal walk.
China attractions directory全国景点目录
Explore places by province, city and type, with local highlights and individual visitor guides.
Chinese breakfasts中式早餐
Plan a morning meal around local noodle counters, steamers, rice dishes and drinks, with ingredients and portion sizes in mind.
Street food & snacks街头小吃
Compare small portions, filled pastries and savoury bites, then plan a few stops within one neighbourhood.
Regional dishes & banquets地方菜与宴席
Build a regional meal by comparing cooking methods, main ingredients and the role each dish plays at the table.
Hotpot, noodles & dough dishes火锅、粉面与面点
Compare shared hotpots, wheat and rice noodles, dumplings, and selected bread or rice-cake dishes. Ordinary soups appear under Regional cuisines.
Tea, coffee & desserts茶咖与甜品
Plan a tea or coffee break, then compare local pastries, milk puddings, rice sweets and dessert soups.
Vegetarian & vegan travel tips素食与纯素旅行提示
Learn how to ask about meat, fish, stock, cooking fat, dairy and eggs before ordering.
Noodles, buns & dumplings面食面点
Noodle bowls, filled dumplings, steamed buns and regional flour-based staples.
Rice & congee米饭米食
Rice meals, sticky-rice preparations and congee, grouped by serving style.
Meat & poultry dishes肉类禽类
Local meat and poultry dishes, with attention to cuts, cooking methods and portions.
Fish & seafood河鲜海鲜
River fish, shellfish and coastal seafood dishes; names and preparation styles vary locally.
Cured meats & roast-shop dishes卤味腌腊烧腊
Braised cold cuts, preserved meats and roast-shop specialties.
Barbecue & grilled foods烧烤烤制
Grilled and roasted specialties, from small skewers to shared whole cuts.
Hotpots & shared pots火锅锅物
Shared broth pots and local pot meals, with ingredients and portion sizes to compare.
Soups & stews汤羹炖煨
Regional broths, thick soups and slowly cooked dishes.
Tofu & vegetable dishes豆制品与蔬菜
Dishes centred on bean curd or vegetables. Stock, fat and toppings still need checking.
Sweets & desserts甜点糖果
Regional cakes, sweet bowls, pastries and confectionery.
Tea & local drinks茶饮酒酿
Tea, milk drinks, fermented drinks and local alcoholic beverages, clearly distinguished.
Before you go
Prepare travel documents, health insurance, medicines, emergency help and arrival essentials.