Travel guides for a first China trip

Start with the practical decisions

Use these guides to prepare the parts of China travel that often feel confusing before arrival: entry rules, payment setup, internet access, essential apps, trains, city choices, and realistic itineraries.

Start with essentials

Entry & visa
Check visa-free options, transit rules, passport requirements, entry documents, and official sources before you book your trip.
Payments
Prepare mobile payments, bank cards, cash backup, identity verification, and payment habits that may affect daily travel in China.
Internet & eSIM
Understand eSIMs, roaming, VPN needs, phone numbers, Wi-Fi access, and how to stay connected after you land.
Essential apps
Set up the apps you may need for maps, translation, payments, ride-hailing, train booking, food delivery, and local services.

High-speed trains
Learn how China’s train system works, including station flow, ticket checks, ID use, luggage, transfers, and route planning.
Destinations
Compare first-time cities, arrival hubs, hotel areas, local transport, trip length, and what each destination is best for.
Itineraries
Build a realistic route by balancing cities, travel time, arrival days, rest time, major sights, and simple booking decisions.
Business travel
Prepare practical details for meetings, trade fairs, airport transfers, payments, translation, business districts, and city logistics.

If this is your first China trip, read in this order.

First-trip reading order

China travel becomes easier when the practical decisions are handled in sequence. Start with entry, then prepare payment, phone connection, apps, cities, and transport before building a detailed itinerary.

Start with essentials

Use this order if you are planning from zero and want to avoid missing basic setup steps.

Can I enter China?
#
Start with visa rules, visa-free options, transit policies, passport validity, and the official sources you need to check before booking.
How will I pay?
#
Prepare mobile payments, card backup, cash needs, identity verification, and the payment tools you may need for daily travel.
How will I stay connected?
#
Decide how you will use mobile data, eSIMs, roaming, Wi-Fi, VPN tools, and phone access after arriving in China.
What apps should I prepare?
#
Set up the core apps for maps, translation, payments, ride-hailing, trains, food, hotels, and local services before you land.
Which cities should I choose?
#
Choose cities based on arrival airports, trip length, transport links, first-time comfort, major sights, and realistic pacing.
How should I move between cities?
#
Compare trains and flights, understand station locations, plan luggage-friendly routes, and avoid connections that are too tight.

All practical guides

China Travel Guides

Browse practical guides for entry preparation, payments, apps, internet access, trains, city planning, hotel areas, business travel, and first-time itineraries.