Practical guides
The answers to the questions every first-time visitor asks — plain English, no fluff.
High-Speed Rail Booking Guide
China's 45,000 km HSR network hits 350 km/h; book 15 days ahead on Trip.com or 12306 with a passport.
Practical GuideDeparture Tax Refund (VAT)
Get back 9-11% on in-store purchases over 500 CNY at 'Tax Free' stores - refund at the airport on departure.
Practical GuideMetro & City Transit for Visitors
All big-city metros have English signage and announcements; fares 2-9 CNY make it the backbone of travel.
Practical GuideEtiquette, Tipping & Culture Notes
No tipping anywhere. Queue firmly. Bring your own toilet paper - the practical stuff nobody tells you.
Practical GuideEmergency, Health & Pharmacies
Dial 120 for ambulance, 110 for police. Big-city hospitals have international departments; pharmacies are everywhere.
Practical GuideVisa-Free Transit & Entry Guide
Citizens of 54 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours in transit, plus 30+ unilateral visa-free schemes.
Practical GuideMobile Payments: Alipay & WeChat Pay
Cash is nearly extinct in China. Foreign cards now link to Alipay/WeChat Pay in minutes - here is the 2026 setup.
Practical GuideSIM, eSIM & Internet Access
Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on Chinese networks. Plan your connectivity before you fly.
Getting AroundGetting Around Chongqing
CKG airport line 3; monorail lines 2/3 are the ride; the city has no flat roads - use metro + Didi.
Getting AroundGetting Around Qingdao
TAO airport metro line 8 in 40 min; 8 metro lines; scenic bus 603 along the coast; taxis cheap by km.
Getting AroundGetting Around Wuhan
WUH airport line 2 metro; 11 metro lines crossing the Yangtze; ferries 1.5 CNY connect Hankou-Wuchang.
Getting AroundGetting Around Nanjing
NKG airport S1 metro 40 min; 12 metro lines; city wall sights walkable from Fuzimiao with metro hops.
Getting AroundGetting Around Hangzhou
HGH airport 40 min; metro + free public bikes around West Lake; Didi cheapest for tea villages.
Getting AroundGetting Around Guangzhou
CAN airport express 30 min; 16 metro lines with English signage; ferries cross the Pearl River for 2 CNY.
Getting AroundGetting Around Chengdu
CTU metro line 10 direct downtown; 13 metro lines; Didi to Panda Base ~40 CNY; bike lanes everywhere.
Getting AroundGetting Around Shanghai
PVG maglev 8 min + metro transfer; 20 metro lines; the world's densest taxi grid; Suishenma QR transit pass.
Getting AroundGetting Around Xi'an
XIY airport 40 min by express; metro covers wall city; Didi cheapest for Terracotta Army day trip.
Getting AroundGetting Around Beijing
Two airports (PEK/PKX), 27 metro lines, Didi taxi and the Yitongxing transit app; taxis start 13 CNY.