Essentials
14 articles
- What to Pack for China: The Few Things You Can't Buy There
A China packing list that starts from the opposite question. Almost everything you need is on sale everywhere in China, so here's what actually isn't — your prescription medicine, your size, and the apps you can only install before you fly — plus what not to bring, and the small kit that gets you through your first 24 hours.
Last updated 9/17/2026
- How to Pay in China as a Foreign Visitor
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash and cards — which international cards work, what the fees actually are (free under ¥200, 3% above it), the transaction limits, and what to set up before you fly.
Last updated 9/16/2026
- The Apps You Actually Need in China — and Why You Install Them Before You Fly
Essential apps for China in 2026: Alipay, WeChat, AMAP Global and a translation app. Which ones need a Chinese phone number, what a foreign card costs to use, and why you have to install them before you land.
Last updated 9/15/2026
- Travel Insurance & Vaccines for China: What You Actually Need
Do you need travel insurance for China? Which vaccines should you get before the trip? The honest answer: neither is required by law, but a little preparation saves you real money and stress — a practical, up-to-date guide for foreign visitors.
Last updated 9/12/2026
- Staying Safe in China: How to Avoid the Common Scams
China is very safe for tourists, but a few polite financial scams are common. How to spot taxi detours, the tea-house and bar scams, and stay safe with the right phrases.
Last updated 9/11/2026
- How Much Does a Trip to China Cost? (2026 Budget Guide)
Realistic budgets for a China trip in 2026: daily costs for budget, midrange and luxury travellers, the big one-off costs like trains and attractions, and a sample 7-day itinerary — kept up to date.
Last updated 9/5/2026
- Eating Halal in China: Where to Find Muslim-Friendly Food
China is home to around 23 million Muslims, and halal food is easier to find than you would think — if you know one word: 清真 (qīngzhēn). A guide to halal restaurants and Muslim districts, the dishes worth trying, and the Chinese phrases to order them.
Last updated 9/2/2026
- How to See a Doctor in China: Hospitals, Pharmacies & Getting Help When You Are Sick
Getting sick in China: pharmacy vs hospital, how to register and see a doctor, paying, calling 120, and how to get by without Chinese — a practical guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.
Last updated 8/30/2026
- How to Use Toilets in China: Squat Toilets, Toilet Paper & Where to Find Them
Finding a toilet in China, squat vs sit toilets, why you should always carry your own tissue, and what the signs say — a practical guide for foreign visitors.
Last updated 8/28/2026
- Eating Vegetarian in China: How to Avoid the Hidden Meat
Many "vegetable" dishes in China are cooked in meat stock, lard and oyster sauce. How to spot and avoid hidden meat, and find food that is genuinely vegetarian.
Last updated 8/26/2026
- China Visa & Visa-Free Entry: The Complete 2026 Guide
Who can enter China without a visa in 2026, how the 30-day visa-free and 240-hour transit policies work, and how to apply for a tourist visa if you need one.
Last updated 8/22/2026
- How to Eat in China: Ordering, Menus, Dietary Needs & What to Try
How to order food, read a menu without Chinese, handle dietary restrictions, and find the dishes worth trying — a practical dining guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.
Last updated 8/21/2026
- How to Get Online in China: Data, Wi-Fi & the Great Firewall
Mobile data, Wi-Fi and eSIM in China — plus what the Great Firewall (GFW) blocks and how to keep Google, WhatsApp and your usual apps working. A detailed, up-to-date guide.
Last updated 8/21/2026
- Hotels in China: Booking, Check-In & What to Expect
Which hotels accept foreign passports, how to book and check in, what the registration rules are, and how to pay — a practical guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.
Last updated 8/18/2026