China Travel Guide
Tips you need to know about traveling in China
Introduction
China is a vast and diverse country located in East Asia, famous for its ancient history, stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. Explore this comprehensive China travel guide to discover everything you need to know before your journey!
Quick Facts
- Language
- Mandarin and local dialects
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB) ¥
- Religion
- Atheism, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Catholicism
- Capital
- Beijing
- Time Zone
- UTC+8
- Climate
- Varied depending on region
- Best time to visit: April-October (warmer and drier)
- Apps
- Alipay 支付宝
- WeChat 微信
- Baidu Maps 百度地图
- Trip.com / Ctrip 携程
- Dianping 大众点评
- Baidu Translate
The above are the essential apps I found helpful for my trip to China. Here’s an article to introduce the use of individual apps.
Flight ✈️
Book your flight in advance to get the best deals if you plan to visit China. Choose a reputable airline and check the baggage allowance and restrictions before packing. Also, arrive at the airport on time to avoid any last-minute rush.
Popular Airlines Flying to China:
- Air China
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
Transportation 🚈
China has a well-developed transportation system, including buses, trains, and taxis. High-speed trains are popular for long-distance travel. Ride-hailing apps like Didi / Gaode are also available in major cities.
Accommodation 🏡
China has many accommodation options, including luxury hotels, budget hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. From traditional courtyard houses to modern skyscrapers, there is something for every budget and preference.
Choose Foreigner-friendly accommodation options.
It’s crucial to note that China has specific policies regarding accommodation for foreigners. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free stay, it’s vital to select accommodation options that are foreigner-friendly. You can do this by choosing a hotel booking platform that lists hotels accepting foreigners, such as Trip.com, or by directly contacting the hotel owner to confirm their policy on hosting foreign nationalities. This knowledge will empower you to make the best choice for your stay.
Select lift-available stay options if you carry large, heavy suitcases
Based on my experience, many budget hotels in China also do not have lifts, so if you are okay with carrying heavy suitcases, you may need to check and select those with lifts or those that do not require you to climb staircases.
Are you comfortable with transparent bathroom wall dividers?
Some rooms also come with transparent bathroom walls, so if you’re sharing a room with a friend and don’t feel comfortable with that, choose rooms with solid bathroom dividers.
Breakfast options are not that necessary
Suppose you’re travelling on a budget like me. You can save more by selecting rooms without breakfast, as you can easily find food in most places. Food delivery services are widely available and cheaper than dining in if you prefer to stay in.
Places to Visit 🏝️
China has many beautiful destinations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, and Chengdu. Visit the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Yangtze River.
Places I have visited and will recommend so far:
GUILIN
(and Yangshuo) – famous for its breathtaking karst landscapes, characterised by towering limestone peaks, winding rivers, and verdant greenery. Take advantage of the bamboo rafting experience and visit Ruyi Mountain with a cable to view the landscapes from above.
GUANGZHOU
It is a paradise for food enthusiasts. From upscale fine dining establishments to local street food stalls, the city offers a plethora of culinary delights. As a personal favourite, I highly recommend trying the dim sum and the flavorful clay pot beef.
FUJIAN
Food, glorious food. As a Malaysian Chinese with familial ties to Fujian, I find the local cuisine resonates with my taste buds. Quanzhou, in particular, is a gem where you can unwind and fully immerse yourself in the local culture reminiscent of the Hokkien culture in Malaysia and Taiwan.
Food and Drink 🍛
Chinese cuisine is diverse and delicious, with different regions offering their specialities. Try Peking Duck 北京烤鸭, Xiaolongbao 小笼包, and Hot Pot 火锅. Chinese tea is also popular.
My personal food favourites:
- Peking duck 北京烤鸭
- Xinjiang grilled lamb skewers 新疆烤羊肉串
- Egg fried rice (yes!) 蛋炒饭
- Dim sum 点心
- Steamboat / Hotpot of all sorts 火锅
- Roast goose 烧鹅
- Lanzhou beef noodles 兰州拉面
- Chinese Tea: Tieguanyin 铁观音, Puer 普洱
Key Phrases 🗣️
Knowing some vital local phrases can help you navigate, communicate, and interact with locals when travelling in China. Here are some common phrases used in China:
- 你好 Nǐ hǎo : Hello
- 谢谢 Xièxiè : Thank you
- 再见 Zàijiàn : Goodbye
- 是 Shì : Yes
- 不 Bù : No
- 请 Qǐng : Please
- 我想要 Wǒ xiǎng yào… : I would like…
- 菜单 Càidān : Menu
- 水 Shuǐ : Water
- 对不起 Duìbùqǐ : Sorry/Excuse me
- 救命 Jiùmìng! : Help!
- 多少钱？Duōshǎo qián? : How much does it cost?
Numbers:
- One: 一 (yī)
- Two: 二 (èr)
- Three: 三 (sān)
- Four: 四 (sì)
- Five: 五 (wǔ)
- Six: 六 (liù)
- Seven: 七 (qī)
- Eight: 八 (bā)
- Nine: 九 (jiǔ)
- Ten: 十 (shí)
Culture & Etiquette 🤝
China has a rich and ancient culture, and visitors should be respectful of local customs and traditions. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and remove your shoes before entering. It is also customary to use both hands when giving or receiving something.
Safety & Security 🚨
China is generally a safe country, but it is always essential to take precautions when travelling. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and theft, can occur in crowded areas, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables close. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, can occur, especially in certain areas. I recommend reading “Is China Travel Safe in 2024?“
Tips and Recommendations 📝
When planning a trip to China, it’s essential to pack for the weather and bring comfortable walking shoes. Always carry a copy of your passport and travel insurance, and remember to stay hydrated while exploring. It’s also recommended that travel insurance be purchased to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
Make your documents available offline:
Due to strict internet regulations, please download the documents, save them on your phone (or OneDrive), and print multiple hard copies of all your identification and booking documents before arriving in the country. You might have limited access to your cloud storage, emails, and social media accounts.
Get your apps ready:
Please download the mobile applications I mentioned beforehand and verify them before you leave your home country. Attach your bank cards if you have problems receiving OTPs in China. Not all VPNs work in China, so staying safe is better than apologising later. Also, please ensure your key contacts back home can access WeChat if you need to contact them or keep them informed of your journey.
Be able to communicate:
China is generally relatively safe to travel, even for solo female travellers. It has effectively reduced street crimes, making booking transport and getting around in or between cities easy. Some people in big cities can speak English, but in smaller towns and the countryside, be sure you have Baidu or other local translation apps ready, as Google Translate is blocked in China.
Keep your phone charged at all times:
It would be best to have it for navigation, payments, and contact. Bring a good power bank to ensure a constant power supply. Most vendors accept QR payments like Alipay or WeChat, so cash usage is minimal, and it might be difficult for them to find small changes for your purchase. Most shops do not accept foreign credit cards.
Plan your backup:
If you take many photographs or videos, you may need to carry a portable hard drive that can back up your photos from the phone or camera directly; if not, I bring my laptop to download the recordings every evening. Remember, not all cloud storage works there, especially for Android users.
