9 Things You Should Know Before You Go (English)

By IanSupertramp

Travel to China Advisory

CONTENT

1. Visa：General Information，Entry

2. Communication：SIM Cards，VPN，Messaging Apps

3. Payment：Cash and Credit Card, Alipay

4. Transportation：Ride-Hailing，Public Transport，Rental Car

5. Navigation：Maps

6. Eating：Review and Food Delivery apps

7. Language：Translate App

8. Safety：Public Safety and Insurance, Food Hygiene and Vaccine

9. Living Costs：Comparing to US

VISA

General Information

• Do you need Visa? We know this is always the first question everybody asked, as for go to China, it depends. China offers multiple visa-free travel policies to foreigners, enabling people from a wide range of countries to visit China on a short-term basis. Check this link https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-visa-free-travel-policies-complete-guide/ to see if your country of residence will fit Visa-Free policy.

• You can stay in China for up to 30 days.

• This Visa-Free policy valid till 31st December 2025.

• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six more months.

Entry

• Fill out the arrival card (depending on which Chinese city you are entering from — some cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Xiamen allow you to complete the arrival card information online in advance. In other cities, you can scan a QR code at the airport to fill it out on your phone or complete a paper form by hand).

• Scan your passport and collect your fingerprints.

• Go through customs then yay! You’re in China now!

Communication

SIM Cards

• Two options: a Physical SIM card (purchased after arriving in China) or an eSIM card (purchased in advance). The physical SIM card includes a phone number and can make calls, while the eSIM card provides data only and cannot be used for voice calls.

• Make sure your phone is unlocked for Chinese SIM cards.

• Check with your mobile service provider that your phone will work with the 4G and 5G networks in China. China has extensive mobile network coverage, with signal available in the vast majority of areas.

• Physical SIM cards can be purchased at major airports, convenience stores, and mobile operator shops(China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) throughout China. Registration is fairly easy mostly just need passport.

• eSim cards can be purchased before you come to China like https://www.esim.net/, make sure your phone model supports eSim.

VPN

• China began blocking Google, Facebook, and other major foreign websites in different phases starting from the late 2000s, with most major blocks firmly in place by 2010.

• You CANNOT access all Google services (including Google Maps and Gmail), YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and some others in China.

• If you're visiting China and want to access these services, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the typical workaround, though it's a legally grey area and officially restricted.

• It is highly recommended to install a VPN on your phone or computer before entering China.

Messaging Apps

• WhatsApp, Messenger, Line etc cannot be used in China without a VPN. You will need to use a VPN to access it normally.

• WeChat is the most widely used instant messaging app in China, and it is almost the primary way for people to contact each other.

• It is strongly recommended to download and register WeChat before arriving in China. You can register using your phone number or Facebook account. If you encounter a verification process that requires someone with an existing WeChat account to help, you can search on Google, as there are many solutions available online, or you can contact us for assistance.

• WeChat is also an important payment method in China, known as WeChat Pay. It is widely accepted for payments in most parts of China. If possible, you can link your WeChat account to your home country's bank card, but we highly recommend another payment app.

Payment

Cash and Credit Card

• In China, the use of cash has become very rare, especially in major cities. Most transactions are completed through electronic payments (such as Alipay or WeChat Pay, as mentioned earlier). However, cash is still accepted in most places.

• You can exchange some cash in your home country in advance, or you can exchange foreign currency at exchange counters upon arrival in China airport, or at banks (such as the Bank of China). Be sure to keep the exchange receipts.

• The currency of China is called the Renminbi (RMB) or CNY. Approximately, 1 US dollar equals 7.2 Chinese Yuan (CNY), and 1 Euro equals 8 Chinese Yuan (CNY).

• Using credit cards directly for payment in China is not very common. It depends on whether the seller has a card machine. Larger stores typically accept VISA or MasterCard, but many smaller shops/sellers do not have the capability to process card payments.

• In summary, Alipay and WeChat Pay are the most widespread and convenient payment methods in China.

Alipay

• Alipay is the largest and most popular payment app in China, and it is very foreigner-friendly. It offers a full English interface and supports international bank cards and credit cards.

• Please make sure to download, install, and register Alipay, as well as link your bank card/credit card, before arriving in China. Take some time to familiarize yourself with how to use the app.

Transportation

Ride-Hailing

• Most taxi drivers in China don't speak English, and it's not easy to hail a taxi by the roadside. The most common way to get a ride is by using a ride-hailing app. The most widely used ride-hailing app in China is DiDi.

• Please make sure to download the DiDi app before arriving in China, and register using your own phone. Link your payment method (DiDi accepts international credit cards like VISA or MasterCard)such as your already registered Alipay account.

• If you hail a regular taxi on the street, you can usually pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay(cash works too), but you may need to use a translation app to communicate your destination information with the driver.

• Uber has exited China already. The app doesn’t work within China.

Public Transport

• China's public transportation system is very developed, including buses, subways, intercity buses, shared bicycles, trains/high-speed rail and airplanes.

• You can use map navigation apps to plan your route to your destination. Alipay also offers payment functions for buses, subways, and shared bicycles in major cities.

• Long-distance intercity buses can be a bit more complicated, as in many cases, you'll need to go to the bus station in person to purchase your ticket.

• Train and high-speed rail tickets can also be purchased through Alipay, or on the official China Railway website at https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html.

• Airplane tickets can be booked on Ctrip (www.trip.com), which also offers booking services for trains and hotels.

Rental Car

• In China, you MUST have a Chinese driver's license to drive.

• China does not recognize international driver's licenses or foreign driver's licenses. Additionally, the traffic etiquette and driving habits in China are quite different from those in Western countries. Driving in China without understanding the local traffic rules poses significant risks. Therefore, it is generally not possible to rent a car with your foreign driver's license, and we DO NOT recommend driving in China. Instead, it is advised to use public transportation as much as possible.

• If you must drive in China, you will need to obtain a Chinese driver's license(it takes some time). Once you have the license, you can rent or buy a car.

• If you want private transportation for your own group, we highly recommend chartering a vehicle. At Hexa, we offer charter services in many area of China, vehicle options are ranging from small sedans to medium-sized minivans and large buses.

Navigation

Maps

• Google Maps is blocked in China (just like all Google services). Therefore, it's highly recommended that you download a very popular map app before arriving in China: Gaode Map, known internationally as AMap.

• You can also use the built-in Maps app on your iPhone, which works properly in China (it actually uses Amap data in China).

Eating

Review and Food Delivery Apps

• The best way to instantly find great food nearby or in your area is through China's most widely used food review app: Dianping.

• Make sure to download it in advance, register, and select the English interface. However, most restaurant information is in Chinese, but don’t worry. Just focus on these key points: Ratings (out of 5 stars, the higher the score, the better the customer reviews). Food pictures (check the photos to see what looks appealing to you). Restaurant location (click here to see the exact location on the map and get directions).

• Sometimes you might not feel like going out? You can download and use China’s most popular food delivery app: Ele.me. It also has a full English interface, allowing you to choose restaurants and dishes you want, then have them delivered to your door. You can link your Alipay to complete the payment. However, we recommend trying to dine in the restaurant whenever possible, as it offers a more comprehensive Chinese experience.

Language

Translation App

• English is not widely spoken in China, especially outside of major cities or tourist spots. Foreign travelers may face communication challenges, so using translation apps or learning a few basic Chinese phrases can be very helpful.

• Google Translate is not accessible in China, but sometimes you may need a translation. We recommend using: Baidu Translate.

• Baidu Translate is similar to Google Translate, and it is freely available for use in China. You can download it in advance and try it out.

Safety

Public Safety and Insurance

• China is generally a very safe country. As for foreign tourists, it is even safer. There are very few safety incidents involving foreign tourists in its history, especially violent crimes.

• You can generally travel in China with peace of mind, as long as you maintain a normal level of caution and watch out for pickpockets or scams.

• Traffic in China can be unpredictable, with drivers often ignoring lane rules, pedestrians, or traffic signals. Pedestrians may cross roads anywhere, and vehicles might not always yield, even at crosswalks. General speaking, it’s complicated here.

• When traveling in China on foot, you should stay alert when walking near roads and always look both ways, even on one-way streets as traffic risks may be much higher than crime risks.

• It's always a wise choice to purchase travel insurance that covers the China region in advance.

Food Hygiene and Vaccine

• China has all kinds of things to eat, much more than western countries in general. About Food and hygiene, Chinese food and hygiene conditions are usually better in Asian Countries, though it may not the best. Prepared that you may suffer from stomach ailments if you do not use your common sense. 

• Do not drink tap water – buy bottled bottles or boil the water. Hotel rooms are always equipped with a kettle.

• Currently, there are no major epidemics or potential health risks in China that require vaccines in advance. The Chinese government does not require vaccinations for entry, any vaccine or related medical precautions should be decided based on individual circumstances.

Living Costs

Comparing to US

• The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $650, excluding rent. In big metropolitan cities, a single person’ monthly costs could be up to around $1000.

• Rent in China is, on average, 74.0% lower than in United States.

• Cost of living in China is, on average, 54.2% lower than in United States. So you definitely should come to visit China!

• Examples: a McDonald Burger Combo $4, a Oreo $0.7, a ice cream $0.7, a Chinese lunch box $3.5, a Forbidden City ticket $8, a movie ticket $7