China Travel Guide 2026: Everything Foreign Visitors Need To Know

The complete, independent guide for international visitors to China — visas, payments, SIM cards, transport, destinations, food and culture, start to finish.

Everything a first-time visitor to China needs before and during the trip — written for people who don't speak Chinese and have never been. No fluff, just what actually works on the ground.

Plan your trip

Check if you need a visa, run the pre-trip checklist, and pick the best time to go.

• Visa-Free Countries — is your passport visa-free in 2026?
• China Travel Checklist — 14 things to sort before you fly
• Best Time to Visit China — seasons, holidays, what to pack

Before you arrive

Set these up at home so day one in China is smooth.

• Internet & eSIM — get online the minute you land
• Mobile Payment — Alipay & WeChat Pay with a foreign card
• Essential Apps — what to install and pack
• Currency & Money — RMB, ATMs, exchanging cash
• Hotels & Stays — book places that accept foreigners

Getting around China

• Airport Arrival — immigration, customs, what to declare
• High-Speed Rail — book trains, ride the metro, use DiDi
• Maps & Navigation — the maps that work instead of Google Maps

Where to go

City guides with the must-sees, transport hubs, payment tips, and a driver-ready Chinese address.

• Beijing
• Shanghai
• Xi'an
• Chengdu
• Guilin

Food & culture

• Food & Culture — regional foods, ordering, etiquette, tea, festivals
• Culture & Etiquette — tipping, toilets, taboos

Questions

• China Travel FAQ — the questions visitors ask most
• Is China Safe for Tourists?