China travel guides

Practical, verified how-tos for your first trip to China. Last verified 9 October 2026.

How to pay in China as a touristSet up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign Visa or Mastercard, what the 3% fee really costs, when cards and cash work — verified October 2026.Internet in China: what works and what doesn'tGoogle, WhatsApp, Instagram and more are blocked in mainland China. How roaming, travel eSIMs and local SIM cards differ, and which apps to use instead.Booking and riding China's high-speed trainsBuy China high-speed rail tickets on 12306 in English or Trip.com with a passport, get through the station and board — step by step, verified 2026.China's online arrival cardSince 20 November 2025 you can fill in China's arrival card online before you travel. Where to do it, who is exempt, and what else happens at the border.Tax refunds for tourists in ChinaGet VAT back on shopping in China: the ¥200 minimum, instant refunds at the store, and the July 2026 paperless upgrade — verified with official sources.Culture and everyday differences in ChinaA neutral, practical guide to what works differently in China: real-name bookings, phone payments, dining customs, tipping, crowds, holidays, toilets and etiquette.