Travel Guide
Practical Tips for China
Before You Travel
Practical Tips for China
Everything you need to know before you land — from SIM cards to social customs, money to mobile apps.
Is China easy and safe for English-speaking travelers? Major cities are practical to navigate with preparation, but English is not universal and no destination is risk-free. Set up payments and connectivity before arrival, keep your original passport available, save addresses in Chinese, and review your government's current travel advice.
How should foreigners get around China? Use high-speed rail for many intercity routes, metro systems in major cities, and registered ride-hailing through Alipay, WeChat or Didi-Greater China. Rail tickets use real-name identification, so book with the same passport you will carry.
Reviewed 4 August 2026. Check the official China visitor guide, China Railway 12306, and your government's current China travel advice.
The Essentials
What Every Traveller Should Know
China rewards preparation. These are the practical realities that shape every trip — the things experienced travellers wish someone had told them before they arrived.
Connectivity
Mobile & Internet
Access to some international websites and apps is restricted in China. Decide how you will communicate before departure, check current Chinese law and your own security requirements, and do not assume a particular connectivity tool will work. Arrange roaming, an eSIM or a local data option that suits your phone and route.
Payments
Cash vs Mobile Pay
Mobile payment is common. Eligible foreign users can follow Alipay or WeChat Pay prompts to bind supported international cards, while direct card acceptance varies by merchant. Keep the physical card and RMB cash as backups, and follow the app's current fees and limits.
Entry
Passport & Visas
Entry rules depend on passport, purpose, route and stay length, and they can change. Check the National Immigration Administration or the Chinese embassy serving your place of residence. Keep the original passport available for hotel registration, real-name rail travel and venues that require identification.
Getting Around
Transport Made Simple
China's high-speed rail network is the practical default for many intercity routes. Journey time and train availability vary by date and service, so confirm the current timetable on the official 12306 English website or app rather than relying on a fixed duration quoted in a guide.
In major cities, metro systems, single-journey tickets and mobile transit QR codes are useful. The official visitor guide lists Alipay, WeChat and Didi-Greater China for ride-hailing; Didi-Greater China supports registration with foreign mobile numbers and international credit cards. Exact app language, card support and services can change.
- Use the official 12306 English website or app for current rail schedules and real-name tickets
- Use the same passport details for booking and boarding
- Test a registered ride-hailing method before the first essential journey
- Save your hotel name, address and phone number in Chinese
Health & Safety
Staying Well in China
Health Prep
Before You Go
China is generally safe for travellers with standard hygiene precautions. Drink only bottled or purified water — tap water is not safe to drink, though fine for brushing teeth in most cities. Carry stomach remedies; street food is delicious but rich. For Tibet, prepare for altitude above 3,600m — consult your doctor about Diamox.
Safety
On the Ground
Serious crime against foreign nationals is reported as relatively rare by current UK government advice, but incidents, scams and legal risks still exist. Protect belongings in crowded tourist areas, avoid unmarked or unmetered taxis, carry the original passport when required, and follow local law. Emergency numbers include 110 for police, 120 for ambulance and 119 for fire.
Communication
Language & Apps
English support is common at many international hotels and major attractions but is not universal. Keep offline translation available, save key addresses in Chinese, and ask the hotel or guide to write destination names when needed. Learning a few basic phrases still helps.
Cultural
Customs & Etiquette
Remove shoes when entering homes and some guesthouses. Accept business cards and gifts with both hands. Refusing food at a local's home is considered rude — try a little of everything. In temples, dress modestly and speak quietly. Photographing military facilities and some government buildings is prohibited — when in doubt, ask.
Essential Apps
Your China Toolkit
Download these before you board — some require a foreign phone number to register.
Messaging, payments, maps, and everything else. Essential. Register your account from home.
Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard. Pay everywhere — restaurants, attractions, taxis.
Reliable ride-hailing with English interface. More consistent than street taxis in major cities.
Book trains, flights, and hotels. Accepts foreign cards and has strong English support.
The definitive offline Chinese dictionary. Scan characters with your camera to translate menus and signs.
Confirm roaming, data access and legal requirements before departure; service availability can change.
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