Overview
Everything you need to know before visiting China. From visa requirements to local customs, we've compiled the essential information to help you travel confidently and avoid common pitfalls.
Currency
Chinese Yuan (¥)
Best SIM Provider
China Mobile
Main Ride App
DiDi
Payment
Cash preferred
⚠️ Important Entry Restrictions
- VPN required for Western apps: Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and most Western apps are blocked. Download a VPN BEFORE arri...
View full entry requirements
Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa requirements vary based on your passport country. For the most accurate information, always check with your country's embassy or the official immigration website.
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Medication Restrictions
Controlled substances
Many medications are strictly controlled or banned in China. Some common cold medicines and ADHD medications may be prohibited. Carry detailed doctor letters with prescriptions.
⚠️ Penalty: Serious penalties including detention
General prescription medications
Bring medications in original packaging with detailed doctor's letter. Keep quantities reasonable for personal use only.
Essential Apps
DiDi ChinaMay need Chinese phone verification
Notes for Visitors
- Download VPN before arriving - can't access app stores easily
- WeChat is essential for everything
- Western apps blocked
SIM Cards & Internet
China Mobile has best coverage. Buy at airport. VPN essential - download before arriving!
eSIM Options
Skip the airport SIM queue with an eSIM
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Money & Banking
Cards vs Cash
Extremely cashless - WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. International cards rarely accepted. Cash becoming rare but useful as backup for tourists.
ATM Tips
Use ICBC or Bank of China ATMs. Many tourist hotels have ATMs. International cards work at major bank ATMs.
Tipping Culture
NOT customary - can cause confusion. Avoid tipping.
Recommended Travel Cards
Avoid foreign transaction fees with these travel-friendly cards
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Track your trip prep
Get a personalized checklist you can tick off as you go — free to set up.
Getting Around
From the Airport
Beijing/Shanghai have airport metro lines
Available but may need translation help
Local Transport
Extensive networks in major cities - world class
Incredible bullet train network for intercity travel
Widely available via apps
Driving & Rental Cars
International Driving Permit required
China requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive or rent a car legally. Rental agencies often won't ask — but if you're pulled over, local police may require it and fines can be significant. Also required if your license isn't in the local language or script. Costs around $20, takes about a week, and you can't get one once you've left.
China does not recognize IDPs; a Chinese license is required to drive.
Side of road
Right
Min rental age
18
Detailed road rules aren't available for China yet — check with your rental agency on arrival.
Renting a car in China
- Book early for busy seasons, and book an automatic ahead of time if you need one (manual is the default in many countries)
- Choose a "full to full" fuel policy so you only pay for the fuel you use
- Use a credit card in the driver's name, since the desk will hold a deposit on it
- Photograph or film the car at pickup, including every existing scratch
- Ask about tolls, cross-border fees and extra drivers before you sign
- Minimum rental age here is 18, and drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver fee
EconomyBookings
Compare rental car prices in China across hundreds of agencies — often cheaper than booking direct.
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Safety & Accessibility
For Women Travelers
- China is statistically very safe for solo female travelers — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare
- Late-night metro and streets in major cities feel safe, though stay aware in less-lit areas
- Use DiDi for rides rather than unlicensed taxis, especially late at night
- Keep hotel address written in Chinese characters for taxi drivers who don't speak English
- Rural areas are safe but language barriers can make getting help more difficult
LGBTQ+ Friendliness
Homosexuality is legal and was declassified as a mental illness in 2001, but there are no anti-discrimination protections and same-sex marriage is not recognized. Public attitudes are generally conservative, particularly among older generations and in rural areas. Major cities like Shanghai and Beijing have underground LGBTQ+ scenes.
- Shanghai has the most visible LGBTQ+ scene — look for venues near the French Concession area
- Dating apps like Blued (Chinese) work but use discretion with photos and profile details
- Avoid public displays of affection between same-sex couples — it may attract unwanted attention or confrontation
Wheelchair Accessibility
China's newer infrastructure — high-speed rail, airports, modern malls — is generally well-equipped with ramps and elevators. However, older neighborhoods, hutongs, and many tourist sites (Great Wall, ancient temples) have significant barriers. Sidewalks in many cities have tactile paving, though it's often blocked by parked vehicles.
- Beijing and Shanghai metros have elevators at most stations
- High-speed rail has wheelchair-accessible carriages
- Modern hotels and malls are fully accessible
- Historic sites like the Great Wall are largely inaccessible for wheelchair users
Pickpocket Hotspots
- Beijing Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing
- Shanghai The Bund and Nanjing Road
- Crowded metro trains during rush hour
- Major tourist temples and markets
Travel Insurance
Don't travel without coverage
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Scams to Watch Out For
Tea House Scam
Friendly strangers invite you for tea, then present huge bill.
Prevention: Politely decline invitations from strangers.
Art Student Scam
'Students' invite you to gallery exhibition, pressure you to buy overpriced art.
Prevention: Decline invitations to galleries from strangers.
Traveler Safety Essentials
Traveler Safety Essentials
These safety tips apply everywhere you travel. Small habits can prevent the most common security problems travelers face — from phone theft to home break-ins.
Don't forget anything
Turn these tips into a trackable checklist so nothing slips through the cracks.
Weather & Climate
China's climate varies by region. Here's a seasonal overview to help you plan.
Dec – Feb
Varies by region
Low rainfall
Still cold in north, Chinese New Year season
Mar – May
Varies by region
Medium rainfall
Pleasant in most areas
Jun – Aug
Varies by region
High rainfall
Hot and humid everywhere
Sep – Nov
Varies by region
Low rainfall
Golden Week crowds, pleasant
Packing Tip
Check the specific month you're traveling for detailed packing suggestions. Weather can vary significantly by region and elevation.
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Tap Water
Don't drink the tap water.
Use sealed bottled water, or water that has been boiled or treated, for drinking and for brushing your teeth. Skip ice unless you know it was made from safe water. Check that the bottle seal is unbroken, because refilled bottles are sometimes sold.
A travel water filter can help, but filters differ. One that removes bacteria and parasites does not remove viruses, so for that you need a purifier, or you can boil the water. Boiling is the best way to make water safe.
Sources: CDC, food and drink considerations when traveling; CDC, water treatment while hiking, camping and traveling.
Power & Electricity
Voltage
220V
Frequency
50Hz
Plug Types
A, C, I
Mixed socket types. Universal adapter strongly recommended. Most hotels have multiple outlet types.
What You May Need
- •From US/Canada/Japan: Likely need adapter and possibly converter for non-dual-voltage devices
- •From UK: Likely need adapter, voltage usually compatible
- •From Europe/Australia: Check plug type, voltage usually compatible
EPICKA 70W GaN travel adapter
3 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports with 70W GaN fast charging, so the whole family's devices charge off one plug. Not a voltage converter.
Shop on AmazonAnker power bank
A dead phone is as useless as a stolen one. Compact fast-charging backup power.
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Most modern phone chargers and laptops work with 100-240V. Check your device's power adapter for compatibility before traveling.
Language & Communication
Languages Spoken
Official Language(s)
Commonly Spoken
English Proficiency
Very limited English outside major tourist sites. Translation apps essential. Staff at international hotels may speak English.
Essential Phrases
你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
Hello
nee-HOW
谢谢 (Xièxiè)
Thank you
shyeh-shyeh
多少钱 (Duōshǎo qián)
How much?
dwoh-SHAO chyen
不要 (Bù yào)
Don't want / No
boo-YOW
请 (Qǐng)
Please
ching
买单 (Mǎi dān)
Check please
my-DAN
Dietary Options
🌱 Vegan Friendly
Challenging but not impossible. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素菜馆, sùcài guǎn) serve fully plant-based meals and exist in most cities. However, regular restaurants frequently use animal stock, oyster sauce, and lard in vegetable dishes. Learn '我吃素' (wǒ chī sù — I eat vegetarian) and '不要肉、蛋、奶' (no meat, eggs, dairy). Street food is especially tricky.
🥗 Vegetarian Friendly
Difficult at regular restaurants — even vegetable dishes often contain meat stock, oyster sauce, or minced pork. Buddhist restaurants are your safest option. In touristy areas, some restaurants understand vegetarian requests. Tofu dishes are abundant but may contain meat. Always clarify '不要肉' (bú yào ròu — no meat).
🌾 Gluten-Free Friendly
Rice is the staple in southern China, making naturally gluten-free meals easier to find. Northern China is wheat-heavy (noodles, dumplings, mantou). Soy sauce universally contains wheat. Cross-contamination is very common in shared wok cooking. Communicating gluten-free in Chinese ('无麸质', wú fūzhì) is rarely understood outside international restaurants.
Traveling with a Pet
Requires pre-clearance tracking, localized clinical validation, and advanced government import licenses.
Timeline
30-45 days minimum
Quarantine Risk
Medium if permit missing
Regulatory Framework
Advance Government No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Import Permit.
Key Constraints
Banned from commercial flight cabin spaces on specific airlines. Supplementary vaccine sets required.
Pet Culture
Highly structured or fragmented urban terrain. Best within dedicated expat pockets and private developments.
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Cultural Tips
Present business cards with both hands and actually read the one you receive — treating a card casually is disrespectful
Toasting (gānbēi, literally 'dry glass') at dinners is important for building trust. Pace yourself — it can escalate quickly.
Avoid sensitive political topics entirely. Stick to food, travel, and complimenting the city you're in — all safe territory.
Tipping is not customary and may confuse or even offend in traditional restaurants. Just don't.
Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — it mimics funeral incense and is considered deeply bad luck
Offer your seat to elders on public transport without hesitating. Respect for age is foundational, not optional.
Local Quirks & Fun Facts
Hot water (热水, rè shuǐ) is prescribed for everything — headache, cold, cramps, sadness. It's the universal medicine.
WeChat isn't just messaging. It's your wallet, taxi app, food delivery, bill splitter, and social identity. Life without it is nearly impossible.
KFC is wildly popular and considered a quality meal — it's one of the most common Christmas dinner choices in many cities
Squat toilets are standard outside modern malls and hotels. Carry your own tissue everywhere — it's rarely provided.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not downloading apps/VPN before arrival
Relying on Western apps
Not having VPN
Expecting English widely spoken
Tours & Experiences
Book ahead — the best tours sell out fast.
Tours and experiences in China
Browse bookable tours, tickets and day trips on Viator, our tours partner.
Browse tours on ViatorWant the tour list shown right here?
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Gear to make your trip easier
Pack smart
4BAGAIL compression packing cubes
Six compression cubes plus vacuum bags and a hand pump, so you can squeeze bulky items down hard when mesh alone isn't enough. Sold as a bundle; every piece is also available on its own.
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Notabag packable backpack/tote
Folds into its own pocket, then opens into a backpack or tote for market runs, day trips, and overflow on the way home.
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FYY electronics organizer
Keeps chargers, cables, and adapters untangled in one place, so you're not digging through your bag at security.
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TSA toiletry containers (3oz set)
Refillable, TSA-approved bottles so you carry your own products in a carry-on without the airport surprise.
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Rest on the way
7Mavogel sleep mask
Blocks light completely for sleep on planes, in bright rooms, or across time zones — contoured so nothing presses on your eyes.
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Sea to Summit Aeros neck pillow
Inflatable, so it packs down to nothing but still holds your head up on long flights and buses.
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Twelve South AirFly SE
Pairs your own headphones with any 3.5mm jack — seatback screens, gym equipment, whatever doesn't have Bluetooth. Reusable, so you're not relying on (or wasting) a disposable pair every flight.
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Children's EarPlanes
Reduces the pressure change in a child's ears during takeoff and landing — less pain, less crying. 3-pair value pack.
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Pedialyte electrolyte powder packets
Single-serve oral rehydration packets — lightweight, no fridge needed, and often not available at your destination.
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Compression socks
Keep your legs from swelling and aching on long flights and bus rides — the cheap habit frequent flyers swear by.
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Loop Quiet earplugs
Reusable, low-profile earplugs that dull engine drone, snorers, and noisy streets so you actually rest.
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Keep it safe
9
NordPass
Keep every login and a passport photo encrypted, so losing your phone doesn't lose your accounts. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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NordVPN
Encrypts your connection on sketchy public and hotel WiFi. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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Apple AirTag
Slip one into a checked bag, daypack or even your wallet, then find it in Find My. For iPhone users.
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Tile tracker
The same idea for Android and iPhone. Great in luggage, a daypack, or a wallet.
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Pacsafe crossbody
Locking zippers and a slash-resistant strap. The bag I wish I'd had when mine got unclipped.
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Peak Gear money belt
A hidden belt for cash and a backup card, out of reach of pickpockets.
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Guard Dog door lock
For when you're in the room. Adds a sturdy lock to almost any hotel or rental door so no one can open it while you're inside or asleep.
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TSA locks with cable
For when you're out. Use the cable to lock your bags to each other or to a fixed piece of furniture, so they're harder to grab and more obvious if someone tries. TSA-approved, 2-pack.
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TORRAS phone lanyard
Keeps your phone on your body, much harder to snatch out of your hand.
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Weather ready
3BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
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Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
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Nearby destinations
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