China travel FAQ: 25 common questions answered

Many passports need one, but visa-free and transit schemes cover a growing list of nationalities for short stays. Check your passport against the current official list before booking, and have an onward ticket and first night's address ready.

April–May and September–October suit most of the country: mild, dry and clear. Avoid the Lunar New Year and the first week of October, when transport and hotels fill and prices jump.

Budget ¥400–900 per person per day mid-range, 2026 estimate, covering a clean double room, metro and trains, and two restaurant meals. Beijing and Shanghai run higher; Chengdu, Xi'an and Yunnan lower.

Cards work at big hotels and some malls, but daily life runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Link a foreign card and test a small payment before you fly, and keep some cash for small stalls.

Street crime is low and walking at night is normal in major cities. Watch traffic, scams around tourist sites, and altitude if you go to Tibet or western Sichuan.

Metro signs and major stations are in English, but spoken English is patchy outside hotels and tourist sites. Carry a translation app with the offline Chinese pack and your destinations written in Chinese.

No. Drink bottled or boiled water; hotel kettles are standard. Boiled water is fine for tea and brushing teeth.

High-speed rail is the default between cities — fast and punctual. In cities, use the metro and ride-hailing apps. Fly for Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan's far west.

Many Western apps and sites are blocked. Install a VPN before you fly, or buy a travel eSIM that routes outside the firewall, and download offline maps.

No. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and adding a tip can cause confusion.

A type A, C or I plug adapter for 220 V, layers for sharp seasonal swings, comfortable walking shoes, a translation app, and any medication you need with its prescription.

Five to six nights covers Beijing well. Ten to fourteen days adds Shanghai, Xi'an or Chengdu by high-speed rail without rushing. Yunnan or Tibet needs its own trip.

Foreign visitors need a permit and a guided tour arranged through a licensed agency, plus a separate visa or permit for the region. Fly or take the train from Chengdu; ascend slowly.

110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for ambulance, and 12301 for the tourist hotline. Save them before you arrive.

It is strongly advised, and essential if you go to altitude in Tibet or western Sichuan, where medical evacuation cover matters. Check that your policy covers the activities you plan.

Yes, and it is common at meals. Baijiu is strong; pace yourself, and remember that drinking and driving is treated severely.

Generally yes where turnover is high and food is cooked to order. Be pickier with pre-cut fruit, warm sauces and anything sitting out in the afternoon heat.

UTC+8 nationwide, Beijing time, with no daylight saving. Xinjiang runs an unofficial local time two hours behind, so confirm which time a ticket uses.

Foreign and international licences are not accepted; you need a Chinese licence, though temporary permits exist at some airports — check. Trains, metros and ride-hailing cover most trips.

Book with your passport number through the official app or at a station; tickets open about 15 days ahead and sell out around holidays. Carry your passport to board.

The Chinese yuan (CNY / RMB, ¥), with notes from ¥1 to ¥100 and coins from ¥0.1 to ¥1. Cards are accepted at big hotels; Alipay and WeChat Pay cover the rest.

Yes, if you plan the entry route, payments and internet before you fly. Beijing plus Shanghai by high-speed rail is the easiest first loop.

Arriving without a working payment app, a VPN or a visa sorted, and trying to cover too many cities. Pick two or three bases and use the rail network.

Lunar New Year, usually late January or February, and the first week of October are the busiest. May Day and other long weekends also fill transport — check dates before booking.

Settle entry, payments and internet first, then pick two or three bases and book rail legs. Our step-by-step planning guide and cost pages cover the rest.