12 guides

China travel guides

Twelve field-checked guides for the parts of a China trip that no guidebook covers: linking a foreign card, booking the Forbidden City with a passport, QR menus, tax refunds. Every guide states who verified it and when.

• Visa-free entry — check yours first

  30-day visa-free · 240h transit · before you book

  Reviewed 2026-09-08

• Download your essential apps

  Alipay · WeChat · 12306 — before you land

  Reviewed 2026-09-08

• Stay connected (eSIM & Wi-Fi)

  Set it up BEFORE you fly — landing is too late

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Download the offline translation pack

  Do it before you fly — you can't fetch it after landing

  Reviewed 2026-09-10

• Bind overseas card

  Alipay + WeChat Pay

  Reviewed 2026-09-08

• Metro pass

  Scan to ride, any city

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• High-speed rail (12306)

  Book trains with a passport

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Hail a ride (DiDi & taxis)

  English-friendly rides without phone calls

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Scan-to-order meals

  Eat like a local

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Reserve museums & sights

  Free or cheap — book ahead with passport

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Emergency & lost passport

  Who to call, where to go — all offline

  Reviewed 2026-09-07

• Tax refund at departure

  Get your 11% back

  Reviewed 2026-09-07