Crucial tips on VPNs, cashless payments, hotel restrictions, and how to avoid the dreaded holiday crowds.
Payment
Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay before you leave, as many street food stalls and small shops only accept WeChat Pay, while Alipay is mainly used at large chain stores.Although many people say cash is basically useless in China, that’s not actually the case.
You should still bring some cash to handle unexpected situations—for example, you’ll need it at remote tourist spots where there’s no cell service.
Internet
International apps such as Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked in China.There are two ways to get around this: an eSIM card and a VPN.
An eSIM card provides 5G data and can be used immediately without a VPN. This is the simplest and most convenient option for short-term trips.
If you want to use local Wi-Fi, you’ll need a VPN, and you must set it up before arriving in China; otherwise, it may not work.
Please note that VPNs are not 100% reliable, as China’s Great Firewall is subject to frequent changes.
Public Wi-Fi in China sometimes requires a local Chinese phone number. Therefore, if you don't have a Chinese phone number, I recommend purchasing an eSIM as the most convenient option.
If you need a VPN, I recommend Astrill, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Astrill and Surfshark offer the highest stability (as of April 2026).
China eSIM(US) :[https://www.trip.com/t/mx1viYKOGV2] China eSIM(Global) :[https://www.trip.com/t/15OnYzYOGV2]
Please note:You can change your language and currency in the upper-right corner. If your country's language isn't listed, please select “English.”
Hotel
Not every hotel in China accommodates foreign guests, especially those in smaller cities. If you’re planning to visit a smaller city, it’s best to message the hotel in advance to confirm whether they accept foreign passports.If this is your first time in China, I recommend visiting a major city. Since major cities are more frequently visited by foreign tourists, their 4- and 5-star hotels have experience accommodating foreign guests and, under normal circumstances, won’t refuse your stay without cause.
Please note that if you are traveling to other parts of Asia, it’s perfectly fine to use platforms like Expedia, Booking.com and Agoda.
However, if you are traveling to China, I recommend booking your hotel accommodations through Trip.com, as it is a Chinese company and will be better equipped to handle any issues you may encounter there.
US Trip.com:[https://www.trip.com/t/K7ebrK7PGV2]
Global Trip.com:[https://www.trip.com/t/hnEZFtxOGV2]
Please note:You can change your language and currency in the upper-right corner. If your country's language isn't listed, please select “English.”
Attractions
If you visit a small town, locals may stare at you or ask to take a photo with you. This is actually because foreigners are rarely seen in rural areas and small towns. Most people do this out of curiosity rather than with any ill intent.Unless you really like the items sold near the attractions, I wouldn't recommend buying them. These souvenirs are outrageously expensive, and you might find the same items elsewhere for half the price.
Avoid China's Long Holidays
During Chinese holidays, people across the country travel at the same time. As a result, airfare and hotel rates are significantly higher than usual. Tourist attractions are also overcrowded, and waiting in long lines might end up being your only memory of your trip to China.If you want to have a great travel experience in China, you must avoid the country’s long holidays. For example, the Lunar New Year (usually in January or February), the May Day Golden Week (May 1–5 every year), and the National Day Golden Week (usually October 1–7).
Transportation
For taxis, you can use Didi within Alipay. This is the Chinese version of Uber, and it can help you avoid some fraudulent drivers.If you take a Didi ride and the driver speaks to you but you don’t understand Chinese, he’s most likely asking for the last four digits of your phone number. You can try answering with the phone number you used to register for Alipay, even if it’s not a Chinese phone number.
This is because the driver needs the last four digits of your phone number to confirm that you’re his passenger and prevent you from getting into the wrong car. This is Didi’s mechanism for preventing mistakes. If the number doesn’t match, the driver won’t start the car.
As for trains, you can buy train tickets on the official 12306 website or through the TRIP.COM platform.
For foreigners, the easiest option is to use TRIP.COM, as it is entirely in English and accepts foreign credit cards and passports.
If you have WeChat or Alipay set up, the official 12306 app is cheaper and has no booking fees.
Train tickets go on sale 15 days in advance, and booking 3–4 days ahead is usually no problem. However, if you’re booking for a major Chinese holiday, tickets typically sell out immediately on the first day they become available.
US Trip.com:[https://www.trip.com/t/K7ebrK7PGV2]
Global Trip.com:[https://www.trip.com/t/hnEZFtxOGV2]
Please note:You can change your language and currency in the upper-right corner. If your country's language isn't listed, please select “English.”
Chinese menu
At large restaurants and restaurants in shopping malls, you’ll often need to use a QR code to order. In these cases, please use the QR code scanning feature in Alipay or WeChat, rather than your phone’s built-in scanner. This is because your phone’s built-in scanner often fails to open the menu.
If you can't understand the Chinese menu, the following words might help you figure out what you're about to eat.鸡 chicken
猪 pork
牛 beef
鱼 Fish
羊Lamb
饭 Rice
面 noodle
米粉 Rice Noodles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What payment methods should I set up before traveling to China?
A: Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay before departure. WeChat Pay works at most street food stalls and small shops, while Alipay is better for large chain stores. Still bring some cash for remote tourist spots with no cell service.
Q2: Do I need a VPN or eSIM to use the internet in China?
A: International apps like Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked. An eSIM provides 5G data and works immediately without a VPN—ideal for short trips. For local Wi-Fi, install a VPN before arriving; recommended options include Astrill, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.
Q3: Can all hotels in China accommodate foreign guests?
A: No, especially in smaller cities. Message hotels in advance to confirm they accept foreign passports. For first-timers, stick to major cities where 4- and 5-star hotels regularly host international tourists.
Q4: Which booking platform is best for hotels in China?
A: Use Trip.com instead of Expedia, Booking.com, or Agoda. As a Chinese company, Trip.com is better equipped to handle issues specific to China and has more properties that accept foreign guests.
Q5: When should I avoid traveling to China to escape crowds?
A: Avoid long holidays: Lunar New Year (January/February), May Day Golden Week (May 1–5), and National Day Golden Week (October 1–7). During these periods, flights and hotels are pricier, and attractions are extremely overcrowded.
Q6: How do I use Didi (Chinese Uber) without speaking Chinese?
A: Access Didi through Alipay. If the driver asks for something in Chinese, they're likely requesting the last four digits of your phone number. Provide the number you used to register for Alipay, even if it's not a Chinese number.
Q7: What's the easiest way for foreigners to book train tickets in China?
A: Use Trip.com for English interface and foreign credit card/passport acceptance. Alternatively, the official 12306 app is cheaper with no booking fees if you have WeChat or Alipay set up. Book 3–4 days ahead normally; for holidays, book immediately when tickets go on sale (15 days in advance).
Q8: How do I order food at restaurants with QR code menus?
A: Use the QR code scanner within Alipay or WeChat, not your phone's built-in scanner. Many restaurant QR codes only open properly through these Chinese apps.
Q9: Is it safe to buy souvenirs near tourist attractions in China?
A: Unless you really like the items, avoid buying souvenirs near attractions—they're often outrageously expensive. You can usually find identical items elsewhere for half the price.
Q10: Why do locals in small towns sometimes ask to take photos with foreigners?
A: Foreigners are rarely seen in rural areas and small towns. Most people do this out of curiosity rather than ill intent. It's generally harmless and reflects genuine interest.
Q11: Should I rely entirely on cashless payments in China?
A: No. While cashless payments dominate, bring some cash for unexpected situations like remote tourist spots with no cell service or vendors whose payment systems are temporarily down.
Q12: Are VPNs 100% reliable in China?
A: No. China's Great Firewall changes frequently, so VPNs are not guaranteed to work consistently. An eSIM that bypasses the firewall entirely is often more reliable for short-term travelers.
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