Honest. Updated August 2026. No affiliate links.

China is not difficult to travel. Its systems may be unfamiliar to visitors from the US or Europe. Expect them, and the trip becomes much easier.

Start with What to Do ↓

Before you go

8 things that work differently in China

Context for the 10 rules.

01
Mobile-first paymentsAlipay and WeChat Pay are the everyday default. Foreign cards can be linked, but payment may fail at some personal collection QR codes used by small vendors. Keep a little cash as backup.
02
15-day train windowHigh-speed rail tickets normally open 15 days ahead. Popular weekend and holiday departures can sell quickly, while some booking services can queue a request earlier.
03
Dynamic domestic flightsStart watching six to eight weeks ahead. Prices move frequently, and there is no guaranteed cheapest day, so compare baggage allowance as well as the fare.
04
Metro securityMetro stations generally screen bags at the entrance, and drinks may be checked. It is usually quick, but central Beijing stations and major sights can take longer.
05
Free public toiletsPublic toilets are common and usually free in stations, malls and parks. Squat toilets are still common, and toilet paper may not be provided. Soap is generally available.
06
Real-name reservationsMany museums and headline attractions connect the booking to a passport. Enter the name exactly, save the confirmation and carry the original passport.
07
Holiday pressureMay Day and National Day can change the entire trip: trains sell out faster, hotel prices rise and attraction queues grow. Travel outside those dates when possible.
08
Internet works differentlySome familiar services may not work on local data or Wi-Fi. Set up your connection before arrival and save offline maps, addresses and booking confirmations.

Five practical rules

What to Do in China

Set these up once, then enjoy the trip.

01

Build a two-app payment stack

Download Alipay and WeChat, link a card and complete identity checks before departure. In Alipay, open Transport and select the correct city—Shanghai and Chengdu use separate metro QR codes. Keep a little RMB and one backup card.

02

Book in the right order

Use this sequence: hotels → intercity transport → headline attractions → everything else. Some international booking services accept an earlier request, but the seat is not confirmed until the ticket is issued.

03

Carry the original passport

Bring it on rail and sightseeing days. Use the exact passport name, save offline confirmations and keep a digital passport copy separately. A photocopy may not satisfy real-name checks.

04

Travel light and allow security time

For Tian'anmen and the Forbidden City, no bag is fastest; a no-bag lane and nearby storage are available. Allow extra time around central Beijing. For station luggage storage, confirm the exact exit and closing time.

05

Carry three small essentials

Pack tissues, hand sanitizer and sealed bottled water. Public toilets are plentiful, but toilet paper is not guaranteed. Tap water is not normally consumed directly; use sealed bottled or properly boiled water.

Five common friction points

What Not to Do in China

Not disasters—just avoidable friction.

01

Treat major holidays like normal dates

If dates are flexible, travel outside May 1–5 and October 1–7 in 2026. If those are the only options, use fewer bases and book earlier. Late October or early November is often calmer and cooler.

02

Make an overnight train the default

Sleeper trains can be memorable, but shared facilities, uneven sleep and an early arrival can cost more energy than the saved hotel night is worth. A daytime high-speed train or short flight is usually easier for a first trip, especially with family.

03

Collect cities instead of experiences

A two-hour train ride also includes checkout, station security, waiting, station exits and another check-in. For ten days, two or three bases usually feel better than five. Six places in two weeks is possible, but it will feel fast.

04

Assume famous sights accept walk-ins

Reserve popular Beijing attractions in advance and check the last admission time, not only closing time. Many museums normally close on Mondays. Free admission can still require a passport-linked reservation.

05

Rely on digital payments and English alone

Mobile payment covers most purchases, but a linked foreign card may fail at some personal collection QR codes used by small vendors. Carry a little RMB instead of going completely cash-free. Save hotel and attraction names in Chinese, use ride-hailing inside Alipay and keep an offline copy of the plan.

Quick answers

Three details worth checking

Open only what is relevant to your trip.

Hotels: room name is not enough

Confirm the building or tower, exact room type, bed configuration, maximum occupancy and view. Rooms in the same hotel can feel very different, and only specific categories may face the advertised skyline or river.

Shopping: ask for materials in writing

For silk, tea, jade or other expensive purchases, use an official store or major department store. For a silk duvet, check the mulberry-silk percentage, long- or short-fiber filling and fill weight. A vague label is more useful as a warning than a bargain.

Online orders: confirm hotel delivery first

English shopping and built-in translation are available, and next-day delivery is common in major cities. Ask whether the hotel accepts guest parcels, then use the exact address, guest name and room or booking number. Make sure delivery is scheduled before checkout.

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