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China practical handbook
Everything that applies wherever you go in China, before you pick a city: entry, payments, apps, getting around, food, etiquette and safety. Verified 2026-10-05.
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The whole handbook as one printable PDF, for no-signal days in China.
PART 1
Before you go
- Visa and visa-free entry to ChinaCheck whether you need a visa for China, how 30-day visa-free entry works, and when transit or regional exemptions may apply.
- China's 240-hour visa-free transitUse China's 240-hour visa-free transit correctly by checking nationality, onward travel, eligible ports and permitted stay areas.
- Pre-departure checklist for ChinaComplete the essential China travel tasks before departure, from entry rules and apps to payments, connectivity and reservations.
- Packing checklist for ChinaPack for China with a compact checklist covering documents, electronics, clothing, health items and everyday day-bag essentials.
PART 2
Arrival in China
- China Arrival Card and immigrationComplete China's Arrival Card correctly, use the free official online system and know what to expect when passing immigration.
- China customs and baggageClear Chinese customs confidently by knowing when to use the red or green channel, what must be declared and key baggage rules.
- Accommodation registration in ChinaUnderstand China's accommodation registration rule for hotels, private homes and minsu, including the nationwide online system.
- Your first 24 hours in ChinaMake your first day in China easy with a practical sequence covering immigration, internet, payments, transport and hotel check-in.
PART 3
Understanding China
- China at a glanceUnderstand China quickly through its scale, time zone, currency and the regional differences that matter to travelers.
- China's geographyUnderstand China's geography through its major regions, rivers, mountains, plateaus, deserts and the distances that shape real travel planning.
- China's climate and seasonsUnderstand China's major climate patterns and seasonal differences so you can pack correctly and avoid treating the entire country as one climate zone.
- The best time to visit ChinaChoose the best time for your China trip by balancing weather, crowds, public holidays and the specific regions you plan to visit.
- Ethnic diversity in ChinaUnderstand China's ethnic diversity, autonomous regions and the practical cultural differences travelers may encounter across the country.
- Languages and English in ChinaUnderstand Putonghua, Chinese characters, regional languages and how much English to expect while traveling in China.
PART 4
Your digital toolkit
- Essential China travel appsSet up the small group of apps that covers payments, maps, rides, trains, messaging and everyday travel in China.
- Paying in ChinaUse Alipay, Weixin Pay, international cards and cash in China without relying on a single payment method.
- Using WeChat (微信) in ChinaUse WeChat for messaging, mini programs, QR codes and travel services without needing to master the entire Chinese app ecosystem.
- Maps and navigation in ChinaNavigate China with Amap, Chinese place names and accurate map pins for hotels, stations and attractions.
- Using DiDi (滴滴出行) in ChinaUse DiDi in China for ride-hailing, with practical advice on pickup points, vehicle matching and airport or railway-station rides.
- Food delivery and restaurant apps in ChinaUse Dianping and Meituan to find restaurants, inspect menus and order food delivery in China without making these apps essential to your trip.
- Getting online in ChinaChoose between roaming, travel eSIM, local SIM and Wi-Fi so your maps, payments and messaging work from the moment you arrive.
- Using an eSIM or roaming in ChinaChoose between travel eSIM and international roaming for a simple short trip to China without buying a local physical SIM.
- Buying a local SIM card in ChinaBuy a Chinese SIM card with your passport when you need a local phone number, larger data allowance or a longer-term connection.
- Internet restrictions and VPNs in ChinaUnderstand mainland China's internet restrictions and prepare alternatives for overseas services you normally use at home.
- Wi-Fi in ChinaUse hotel and public Wi-Fi in China while understanding login verification and why mobile data remains more useful for travelers.
- AI assistants in ChinaKnow which AI assistants are realistically accessible in mainland China and which local tools can help with translation and everyday travel.
PART 5
Getting around
- High-speed rail in ChinaUse China's high-speed rail network for fast city-to-city travel and understand when it is easier than flying.
- China train typesUnderstand Chinese train letters such as G, D, C, Z, T and K so you know what kind of journey you are booking.
- Train classes in ChinaChoose between second, first, business and sleeper classes on Chinese trains based on comfort, journey length and budget.
- Booking trains in ChinaBook Chinese trains through the official 12306 system or a third-party platform and understand passport-based ticketing.
- China train station processMove through a Chinese railway station step by step, from entrance and security to waiting hall, boarding gate and platform.
- Flying vs high-speed rail in ChinaChoose between flying and high-speed rail in China by comparing total journey time, station location and route length.
- Metro systems in ChinaUse Chinese metro systems confidently with mobile payments, station exits and clear navigation in major cities.
- Using buses in ChinaUse city buses when they offer better coverage than the metro, especially in residential areas and smaller destinations.
- Shared bikes in ChinaUse Chinese shared bikes for short urban trips while following parking rules and staying in designated cycling space.
- Walking and electric bikes in ChinaWalk safely in Chinese cities by watching for quiet electric bikes, bicycle lanes and complex intersections.
PART 6
Where to stay
- Hotels in ChinaChoose hotels in China by location, branch, room type and practical facilities rather than star rating alone.
- Booking accommodation in ChinaBook accommodation in China by comparing location, room details, cancellation rules and recent international-guest reviews.
- Minsu (民宿) and private stays in ChinaChoose minsu and private stays for local character while confirming access, host communication and accommodation-registration arrangements.
PART 7
Eating in China
- How Chinese meals workUnderstand shared dishes, rice, tea, ordering quantities and the basic rhythm of eating in restaurants across China.
- Ordering food in ChinaOrder confidently in Chinese restaurants using QR menus, picture menus, translation tools and a few practical phrases.
- Dietary requirements and food allergies in ChinaCommunicate food allergies, vegetarian requirements and other dietary restrictions clearly when eating in China.
- Beijing and North China foodExplore Beijing and northern Chinese food through roast duck, dumplings, wheat noodles, pancakes and hearty savory dishes.
- Jiangnan foodDiscover the food of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, known for delicate cooking, freshwater ingredients and subtly sweet flavors.
- Sichuan and Chongqing foodTaste Sichuan and Chongqing through mapo tofu, hotpot and the distinctive numbing-spicy combination of chili and Sichuan pepper.
- Guangdong foodExplore Cantonese food in Guangdong through dim sum, roasted meats, seafood, soups and ingredient-focused cooking.
- Xinjiang and Northwest China foodExplore Xinjiang and Northwest China through lamb, skewers, hand-pulled noodles, flatbread and Silk Road influences.
- Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi foodExplore southwest Chinese food through Yunnan rice noodles, Guizhou sour flavors and Guangxi's famous river-snail noodles.
- Northeast China foodDiscover Northeast Chinese food through large portions, dumplings, stews, pickled vegetables and cold-weather comfort dishes.
- Inner Mongolia foodExplore Inner Mongolian food through lamb, dairy, roasted meats and dishes shaped by grassland traditions.
- Hainan foodExplore tropical Hainan food through Wenchang chicken, seafood, coconut and fresh island ingredients.
- Hunan foodDiscover Hunan cuisine through fresh chili, smoked meats and bold savory flavors distinct from Sichuan cooking.
- Fujian foodExplore Fujian food through seafood, soups, noodles and the regional traditions of China's southeastern coast.
- Drinking water and food hygiene in ChinaHandle drinking water, street food and ordinary food hygiene in China without unnecessary alarm.
PART 8
Everyday China
- Tipping in ChinaKnow when tipping is expected in China and when it may feel unnecessary or unusual.
- Using toilets in ChinaUse public toilets in China with confidence by expecting both squat and seated toilets and carrying a few simple supplies.
- Everyday etiquette in ChinaNavigate everyday etiquette in China with practical guidance on queues, meals, conversation and respectful behavior.
- Shopping and convenience stores in ChinaShop in China confidently, understand convenience stores and know the core rules for departure tax refunds.
- Electric vehicles and robotaxis in ChinaUnderstand why electric vehicles are so visible in Chinese cities and where travelers may encounter limited robotaxi services.
- Robots, super apps and instant delivery in ChinaUnderstand some of the digital systems travelers notice in modern Chinese cities, from super apps to instant delivery and service robots.
- Photography and religious sites in ChinaPhotograph China respectfully by following local signs, asking permission for close portraits and respecting religious spaces.
- Nightlife in ChinaExplore nightlife in Chinese cities through bars, late-night food, live music and evening neighborhoods while planning the trip home.
- Smoking and public spaces in ChinaKnow what to expect from smoking rules and real-world smoking behavior in hotels, restaurants and public spaces in China.
PART 9
Staying safe and healthy
- Safety in ChinaHandle common travel risks in China, from scams and traffic to nightlife and protecting your phone, passport and payments.
- Emergency numbers in ChinaSave the most important emergency and traveler-assistance numbers for police, fire, ambulance, traffic and immigration in China.
- Healthcare in ChinaKnow where to seek medical care in China, what to bring to a hospital and why international clinics can be easier for some travelers.
- Travel insurance for ChinaChoose China travel insurance that covers emergency medical care, evacuation, trip disruption and the activities in your itinerary.
- Altitude sickness in ChinaPrepare for high-altitude travel in Tibet, Qinghai, western Sichuan and Yunnan by ascending gradually and recognizing warning signs.
- Air quality and weather health in ChinaPrepare for heat, cold, air pollution, strong sun and severe weather when traveling across China's different climates.
PART 10
Where to go
- Where to go in ChinaChoose your China destinations by travel interest, trip length and region rather than trying to cover the entire country at once.
- China for history and cultureChoose China's strongest history and culture destinations, from Beijing and Xi'an to ancient towns, temples and imperial sites.
- China for nature and landscapesChoose China's best-known landscape destinations, from Zhangjiajie and Guilin to Huangshan, Jiuzhaigou and Yunnan.
- China for food loversBuild a China itinerary around regional food, from Sichuan hotpot and Cantonese dim sum to Xi'an noodles and Jiangnan dumplings.
- China for modern citiesExperience modern urban China in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Guangzhou and other cities shaped by rapid development.
- China for winter and tropical travelChoose between China's extreme winter experiences in the north and tropical winter escapes on Hainan Island.
APPENDIX
Practical appendix
- Common first-time mistakes in ChinaAvoid the most common first-trip mistakes in China, from overpacking the itinerary to choosing the wrong railway station.
- When things go wrong in ChinaSolve common China travel problems involving lost phones, missed trains, payment failures, hotels and communication.
- Essential Chinese phrases for travelersUse a compact set of Mandarin phrases for transport, food, hotels, emergencies and everyday travel in China.
- Official China travel resourcesKnow which official Chinese authorities to check for immigration, customs, railway, aviation and other time-sensitive travel rules.
- Sources and verification notesKey official authorities used to verify time-sensitive travel rules and operational guidance in this edition.