✈️ Breeze Through Entry & Visa-Free Transit
If it’s your first time to China, you’ll love the 144/240‑hour visa‑free transit in major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu & Xi’an. Simply show your onward ticket and hotel booking.
For multi‑city adventures, apply for a Tourist L‑Visa 1–2 months in advance. Ensure your passport has 6+ months validity and blank pages.
🔗 Learn more about China’s visa‑free transit policy.
📱 Tap, Scan, Go: Staying Connected
eSIM vs. Local SIM
- eSIM: Instant data—order from Nomad or Airalo.
- Physical SIM: Purchase at airport kiosk or 7‑Eleven (passport & photo required).
Bypass the Great Firewall
Install ExpressVPN or Surfshark before departure to keep using Google, Instagram & YouTube.
Must‑Have Apps
- WeChat (messaging, payments)
- Alipay (QR‑pay at 80M+ merchants)
- DiDi (English‑friendly rides)
- Trip.com (trains, flights, hotels)
- Pleco (OCR for menus & signs)
💸 Cashless Wonderland & Currency Hacks
China is mostly cashless. Link your Visa/MasterCard to WeChat Pay or Alipay in minutes. For best exchange rates, use ICBC or Bank of China counters—not airport vendors.
⭐ Tip: Carry ¥300 in cash for small street stalls or rural areas.
🗺️ Offline Maps & Navigation
Pre‑download Baidu Maps or Amap. Pin your hotel, major landmarks, and that hidden dumpling stall.
🈶 Survival Mandarin & Etiquette
Key phrases for your first time to China:
- “Nǐ hǎo” (Hello)
- “Xiè xie” (Thanks)
- “…zài nǎr?” (…where?)
At temples, bow twice, light incense, and walk clockwise.
🎉 Festivals That Ignite the Senses
- Spring Lantern Festival (Feb): Xi’an lantern lanes
- Dragon Boat (June): Guilin races
- Mid‑Autumn (Sep): Mooncakes under lanterns
- Water‑Sprinkling (Apr): Dai villages’ water fights
📸 Photography, Drones & Social Sharing
Selfies are fine, but drones require permits for Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven. Tag your snaps #FirstTimeInChina and #ChinaTravel.
🚻 Public Toilet & Health Tips
Use WeChat’s “toilet map” to find clean restrooms. Boil tap water or use a filter bottle. Check AQI daily and mask up when needed.
💻 Digital Nomad & Coworking Corners
Work from Jing’an cafés in Shanghai or 798 Art Zone hubs in Beijing—fast Wi-Fi, power outlets, and great coffee.
🐾 Pet & Service Animal Rules
Service animals welcome with documentation; pets require quarantine. Local vets include Blue Cross (Beijing) and VPet (Shanghai).
🌈♿ LGBTQ+ & Accessibility Notes
Queer‑friendly: Sanlitun (Beijing), French Concession (Shanghai).
Wheelchair access: Most metro stations, Palace Museum, National Museum.
🚨 Tipping, Scams & Safety
Tipping optional (10% for great service). Beware unsolicited “tea ceremony” invites—book vetted experiences instead. Always insist on taxi meters: ask “dǎ biāo jì?”
🎒 Regional Packing Guide & Weather
- North: Layers & boots for cooler temps
- South: Light fabrics & sunhat for humidity
- Universal: Power bank, Type A/C adapter, raincoat
🚆 Day‑Trip Inspirations
- From Beijing: Ming Tombs & Chengde Summer Palace
- From Shanghai: Suzhou gardens or Hangzhou tea terraces
- From Xi’an: Mount Huashan plank walk
🌱 Green Footprints & Impact Travel
Cycle hutongs, support eco‑tea farms, and buy from community artisans. Ask your tour operator if fees fund conservation or education.
🌍 Must‑See Destinations
- Beijing: Forbidden City at dawn
- Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors at sunrise
- Hangzhou: West Lake bike rides
- Chengdu: Panda base & spicy hotpot
- Guilin: Li River cruise
For a seamless first‑timer itinerary, explore our Beijing Travel Tour or Xi’an Culture Trip.
