CHINAMILE
China Travel Guide Directory
Search practical guides for the exact task you need to complete.
Start with the task you need to complete, then open the guide with the concrete steps and fallback.
Beijing
The city plan, Great Wall, Palace, stay, arrival and specific Beijing travel questions.
PEK / PKXBeijing Airport to City Centre: PEK and PKX OptionsCompare PEK and PKX rail routes to central Beijing, airport taxis and late arrivals. Keep a Chinese hotel address and a payment backup offline.›BEIJINGBeijing Travel Guide: Areas, Gardens and Great WallCompare Beijing's historic centre, neighbourhoods, gardens, modern districts and Great Wall, then choose a base, days and returns.›PALACE AREAForbidden City Area Guide: Palace, Museums and ParksChoose the Palace Museum, Tiananmen Square, National Museum and nearby parks, with a conditional Palace half-day route.›4 DAYSFour Full Days in Beijing: Palace, Great Wall and Two Park DaysPlan four full days in Beijing around Palace tickets, a confirmed Great Wall return, Monday closures, park routes and shorter walking alternatives.›BEIJING STAYChoose a Beijing City Base or an Airport NightCompare six central Beijing hotels and separate PEK/PKX flight-night choices, with exact branches, terminal access and passport check-in conditions.›COURTCompare Beijing courtyard stays and outdoor smoking optionsCompare named Beijing courtyard stays with breakfast and a listed smoking area, then confirm the actual outdoor location instead of assuming a room balcony permits smoking.›BEIJING FOODBeijing Dietary Cards and First-Night OrderingUse Chinese dietary cards to order a first meal in Beijing. Check stock, sauces and shared cookware, with a clear fallback for an uncertain kitchen.›BEIJING MOBILITYBeijing With Less Walking: Shorter Routes and RestShorten Beijing’s Palace, Great Wall and park visits with taxis, seated breaks and clear turnarounds. Check steps and equipment for your own needs.›BEIJING EXITLeave Beijing From the Station or Airport Printed on Your TicketMatch the station or PEK/PKX airport to your ticket, plan the city transfer and keep the carrier’s check-in deadlines and a disruption buffer.›PALACE VISITTraditional Dress at the Forbidden City: What It May MeanUnderstand traditional-looking outfits at the Forbidden City as possible fashion or photo choices, without inferring personal status or ignoring the museum's visitor rules.›BEIJINGHow to Book Forbidden City Tickets With a Foreign PassportBook Forbidden City tickets at the seven-day release, bring the original passport and use Meridian Gate. Keep Tiananmen Square entry separate.›GREAT WALLBook a Mutianyu Round Trip and the Right Cable CarBook a Mutianyu round trip from Beijing: compare English and Chinese bus packages, pickup points, admission, cable-car costs and return conditions.›PEKPEK 04:40–14:00 Layover: Is the Forbidden City Realistic?Check a 04:40 PEK arrival and 14:00 departure against entry permission, the first Airport Express, a Palace ticket and a hard airport-return cutoff.›BAGSHandle a Beijing hotel luggage-screening requestAssess a Beijing hotel luggage-screening request using its actual notice, keep belongings under control and separate a documented local practice from a citywide rule.›BEIJINGPEK/PKX to Park Plaza Beijing WangfujingReach Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing from PEK or PKX with rail routes, a Chinese hotel card, metered taxis and a late-arrival fallback.›DESTINATIONWhich Great Wall section should you visit from Beijing?Choose Badaling, Mutianyu or Simatai by the Wall experience, climb and real return journey. Build a complete first Great Wall day from Beijing.›PEKPEK International to Domestic Connection: Is 150 Minutes Enough?Match a PEK international-to-domestic itinerary to six terminal and baggage branches, test a 150-minute connection, close the entry and ticket-protection gaps, and recover when the live branch changes.›PEKResolve a 95-minute domestic-to-international connection after a schedule changeA schedule change leaves 95 minutes for Shanghai–Beijing–Rome: ask the issuer to resolve the connection, baggage and remaining flights before departure.›PEKIs a 1h45 PEK International-to-International Layover Enough?Compare a 105-minute international-to-international PEK connection with the official 70/100/120/130/140/200-minute branches, then verify protection, baggage and terminal before paying.›
Shanghai
City visits, Disney, bases, airports and the exact Shanghai connection or departure.
SAILINGOsaka–Shanghai ferry: check service before bookingResolve the operator’s passenger notices before paying for a sailing or arranging dependent travel.›PVGChoose the workable Pudong-to-Wuxi transferCompare rail via Shanghai Hongqiao with an accepted DiDi ride after an early Pudong arrival, and keep the afternoon coach separate from a morning solution.›BUDGETShanghai 3-Day Budget for Two: A Worked Example and CalculatorCalculate three hotel nights, meals, transport and admissions for two adults, with a CNY 2,120 illustrative example and separate refundable deposits.›SHANGHAIShanghai travel guide: sights, river views and day tripsExplore Shanghai’s Bund, river views, gardens and neighbourhood walks, compare what is worth a separate outing, and plan hotels, arrival and day trips.›SHANGHAI GAPStay in Shanghai between an 11:00 arrival and a 09:00 returnFor an 11:00 Pudong arrival and a 09:00 Shanghai commitment next day, keep a Shanghai hotel and a short local outing instead of an overnight side trip.›MOBILITYShanghai With Limited Mobility: Choose One Museum, Skip Yuyuan in the RainChoose between Shanghai Museum at People’s Square, Shanghai Museum East and Yuyuan’s interior without treating one lift or wheelchair loan as an end-to-end accessibility promise.›SHANGHAI STAYChoose a Shanghai City Base, Airport Night or Disney StayCompare four central Shanghai bases and named hotels, plus SHA T2, PVG T2 and Toy Story Hotel options, with passport check-in conditions for your actual stay.›PVGPlan an 08:00 international departureFor an 08:00 Juneyao international departure from Pudong T2, use a 05:00 terminal-arrival target and check your flight's actual counter and gate deadlines.›DISNEYPudong to Shanghai Disney with luggageUse the taxi hub and official storage, or complete the Airport Link–bus transfer with a hotel fallback.›SHANGHAI EXITKeep the Bund off a 13:00 departure morningFor a roughly 13:00 Pudong international flight, move the Bund visit to the previous day and keep your bags with you instead of using a late collection service.›SHANGHAI SHOPChoose a named local supermarket and check gift labelsFind a named RT-Mart branch for ordinary Shanghai grocery shopping, check its current service and choose souvenirs by the manufacturer's actual origin label.›PVG / SHARead PVG or SHA First, Then Choose the City TransferA terminal-first arrival plan for Pudong and Hongqiao airports with rail, licensed-taxi, late-arrival and wrong-airport recovery branches.›PVG-SHAAllow enough time to change from Pudong to HongqiaoFor the Osaka–Pudong–Hongqiao–Chengdu trip with luggage, see why a 3.5-hour airport change is not dependable and request a different ticket before travel.›NIGHTPlan a late-night Hongqiao-to-Pudong transfer on one ticketPlan a late Hongqiao-to-Pudong airport change with the published night-bus or licensed-car route; one airline ticket does not itself include the road transfer.›SHOWERFind a shower before a late-night Pudong departureFind the paid non-guest shower option at Aerotel in Pudong's public T2 area, and distinguish it from free showers whose arrival or transit access may not fit.›CRUISELeave Wusongkou cruise port for the correct Shanghai airportChoose the correct PVG or SHA route after Wusongkou cruise arrival: port shuttle plus Metro with ample time, or a staffed taxi pickup for heavy bags.›SHANGHAI EXITLeave Shanghai From the Full Station or Airport Printed on the TicketA ticket-first departure lock for Shanghai's multiple railway stations and two airports, with an offline identity card and mismatch stop line.›DESTINATIONShanghai Disneyland: tickets, a workable park day and the returnPlan Shanghai Disneyland from your hotel to the park and back: dated tickets and passport entry, a practical choice of lands and rides, live show decisions and the last Metro or taxi return.›DESTINATIONWhich Lujiazui observation deck should you choose?Choose Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl or Jinmao by the view and the ticket actually offered for your date, with a free riverfront fallback and a route back to your Shanghai hotel.›DESTINATIONShanghai to Hangzhou day trip: West Lake and the return trainGo from your Shanghai hotel to West Lake and back: exact rail stations, the Hangzhou Metro approach, short walks, return-train buffers and when to stay overnight.›PVGShanghai Pudong International Transfer: Documents and BaggageFollow the Pudong international-transfer route, confirm your onward pass and baggage handling, and separate the ended routine health card from other formalities.›PVGDecide whether to keep a two-hour Pudong international-to-domestic connectionAssess a two-hour Pudong T1 connection to Guangzhou, with carrier protection, baggage and terminal conditions plus a staff-assisted recovery route.›
Xi’an
The city, Beilin and the distinction between Xi’an Museum and Shaanxi History Museum.
XI’ANXi’an travel guide: the Terracotta Army, old city and day tripsChoose eight city sights by priority, combine old-city or southern visits, and protect separate Lintong and mountain days.›MUSEUMXi’an museum bookings with a passport: keep the venues separateReserve Xi’an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda complex once. Keep its passport entry separate from Shaanxi History Museum and the Terracotta Warriors, and cancel unused bookings before they become no-shows.›XI’ANTerracotta Army: Tickets and a Xi’an Day TripBook the Terracotta Army and Lishan Garden ticket, carry your passport, visit the pits and bronze chariots, and plan your return to Xi’an.›XI’ANShaanxi History Museum: Passport BookingReserve Shaanxi History Museum’s main building with your passport, explore its three basic galleries, and choose a separate exhibition or Dayanta.›XI’ANWhere to Stay in Xi’an: Best AreasCompare Bell Tower, South Gate and Dayanta for your Xi’an hotel base, choose among three named properties, and plan your museum days and arrival.›DESTINATIONXi’an Beilin Museum: old steles or the new north galleriesChoose a short visit through the Confucian court and old stele rooms or add Beilin’s north galleries; get to the right gate, buy the correct ticket and continue to Shuyuanmen.›
Chengdu
The city plan and a specific folding-chair or wheelchair-support question.
CHENGDUChengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Tea and Day TripsPlan two full city days with a Panda Base morning, museum and tea. Compare places to stay, airport routes and an extra day for a nearby trip.›CHAIRUse a folding chair and find Chengdu wheelchair supportUse a folding chair for frequent rests in Chengdu with venue permission, and distinguish a museum wheelchair loan from an unverified citywide rental service.›CHENGDUChengdu Panda Base: Tickets, Gates and RoutesChoose South or West Gate, book Panda Base entry with your passport, visit open viewing areas, and return to Chengdu from the exit you choose.›CHENGDUSanxingdui Museum: A Day Trip From ChengduReserve Sanxingdui with a foreign passport, arrange a Chunxi Road bus or Guanghan North train, explore the museum, and protect your return journey.›CHENGDUWuhou Shrine: Tickets and the VisitBook Wuhou Shrine’s heritage area with your passport, follow the Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang route, then choose a Jinli stroll or return to Chengdu.›CHENGDUWhere to Stay in Chengdu: Best AreasCompare Chengdu hotel areas and five named properties, then match the room, passport and arrival terms before booking.›
Zhangjiajie
Mountain-day choices, bases, limited-mobility options and the Shanghai travel day.
ZJJ-SHAZhangjiajie to Shanghai: Compare the Whole Train or Flight DayChoose train or flight from Wulingyuan or Yongding to your Shanghai hotel. Compare both hotel doors, luggage, whole-party cost and the next morning, with a dated worked example.›PACEHow Many Days in Zhangjiajie? 3 Days Usually Need 4 NightsConvert nights into available days, with one full Wulingyuan circuit, a shorter park morning and hotel move, then Tianmen. Choose cuts when weather or transport removes time.›ZHANGJIAJIEZhangjiajie travel guide: forest pillars, Tianmen and where to stayChoose forest viewpoints, Tianmen, the canyon, cave or lake; combine visits, scenic transport and hotel bases.›ZHANGJIAJIEZhangjiajie With Limited Mobility: One Short RouteTake one short South Gate return, check the actual chair, and keep mountain transport conditional.›DESTINATIONTianmen Mountain Tickets: Operating Routes and Passport ChecksMatch Tianmen tickets to the date: temporary A from the city lower station on 8–12 October 2026; C at Mountain Gate from 13 October. Check passport entry and the complete return.›DESTINATIONWhere to Stay in Zhangjiajie: Wulingyuan or the CityMatch Zhangjiajie’s two hotel bases to your park days. Compare Pullman and Hilton Garden Inn rooms, late arrival, stored bags, one hotel move and departure.›
Other cities and regional routes
Published city guides, regional comparisons and named local travel tasks.
INTERNATIONAL RAILBuy Nanning to Hanoi at the international ticket windowBuy the Nanning–Gia Lam international train through the listed staffed window, with original passports, a complete date request and a fallback if it cannot issue.›DANXIAChoose a Zhangye hotel and a separate Danxia transferCompare two named Zhangye city hotels for rail arrival or paid pickup, then arrange Danxia's exact entrance and return separately from the room booking.›BUSPlan a short Jiuzhaigou visit with adapted bus supportUse Jiuzhaigou's documented adapted-bus service as a starting point, then confirm chair fit, an allocated pickup and a short visit with a usable return.›KUNMINGBuy a metro ride without a failing ride codeWhen a Kunming ride code rejects your setup, ask station staff for a physical ticket and RMB cash option instead of assuming a foreign card will open the gate.›CHONGQINGBuy metro tickets with a foreign card at the staffed windowWhen a foreign card or linked wallet fails at a Chongqing metro gate, use the staffed window for a physical ticket and keep RMB cash as the payment fallback.›FERRYBook the correct Gulangyu ferry with a passportUse Xiamen Ferry's foreign-passport Alipay route or a staffed tourist counter, subject to seats; reconcile any charge before buying a replacement ticket.›DESTINATIONAnhui First Stay: Huangshan, Hefei, Jiuhuashan or HuizhouChoose one Anhui first stay: Mount Huangshan, a Huizhou village or Shexian, Hefei, Jiuhuashan, or Bozhou. Compare nights, exact gateways and returns.›DESTINATIONDatong travel guide: Yungang, old-city temples and a Hunyuan decisionChoose eight Datong sights, stay near the old city, reserve Yungang and decide whether a separate Hanging Temple round trip fits.›DESTINATIONEast China Route: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Huangshan or FujianChoose a seven-night city and garden route, an eight-night Huangshan branch, or a five-night Fujian coast route. Compare bases, transfer decisions and weather limits.›DESTINATIONFujian Routes: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Pingtan, Wuyi or TulouChoose a Fujian coast, island, mountain or tulou route with realistic overnight bases, entry and exit points, and the transfer that can change the plan.›DESTINATIONGansu Route: Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang and the Hexi CorridorChoose an eight-night Hexi Corridor route, a five-night Zhangye–Dunhuang trip or a Dunhuang-only stay. Compare gateways, exact transfer checks and weather or ticket fallbacks.›DESTINATIONGuangxi Route: Guilin, Yangshuo, Longji, Beihai or DetianChoose between Guangxi's northern karst, Longji terraces, Beihai and Weizhou Island, or Nanning and Detian. Compare gateways, nights, transfers and weather fallbacks.›DESTINATIONGuilin travel guide: city sights, Li River and where to stayChoose a Guilin city day, a one-way Li River trip and a Guilin or Yangshuo bed, with eight distinct city sights, exact piers and a weather fallback.›DESTINATIONHangzhou travel guide: West Lake, Lingyin, tea and the old cityChoose nine Hangzhou sights by priority, combine West Lake and Lingyin across two full days, and plan a Hubin hotel, airport or rail arrival, tickets and return legs.›DESTINATIONHebei Routes: Chengde, Beidaihe, Shanhaiguan or ChongliChoose one first Hebei stay: Chengde's Summer Resort and temples, Beidaihe's shore, Shanhaiguan's Great Wall at the sea, or seasonal skiing in Chongli. Compare bases, last legs and returns.›DESTINATIONHenan First Stay: Luoyang, Shaolin, Yin Xu, Kaifeng or YuntaiChoose one Henan base for a first stay. Compare Longmen in Luoyang, Shaolin at Dengfeng, Yin Xu at Anyang, Kaifeng and Yuntai Mountain by nights, exact gateways and returns.›DESTINATIONInner Mongolia: Hohhot, Ulagai or Hulunbuir?Choose a usable first Inner Mongolia stay: Hohhot city and nearby grassland, a seasonal Ulagai route through Holingol, or Hailar and Morgele River. Compare nights, last legs and returns.›DESTINATIONJiangsu Routes: Nanjing and Suzhou, Wuxi or YangzhouChoose a first Jiangsu stay: Nanjing history and Suzhou gardens, Wuxi's Taihu shore, or Yangzhou's canal museums. Compare nights, exact station exits and return legs.›DESTINATIONLuoyang travel guide: Longmen, palace city, museums and nightsChoose eight Luoyang sights by priority, protect a Longmen day, compare palace and old-city choices, and plan a three-night hotel, station and return.›DESTINATIONNorth China Routes: Beijing, Shanxi, Taishan or UlagaiChoose a usable North China route: Beijing and Tianjin or Chengde, a Shanxi heritage spine, Jinan and Mount Tai, or one Ulagai grassland base. Compare nights, gateways and return legs.›DESTINATIONQingdao Travel Guide: Old Town, Beer and the CoastChoose Qingdao's old town, brewery and coastal districts. Plan two full city days, pick a hotel base, use the airport metro and arrange a separate Laoshan outing.›DESTINATIONNanjing Travel Guide: Sights, Reservations and Where to StayPlan three full days in Nanjing: Zhongshan tombs, museums, city wall and Qinhuai lanes, with passport booking routes, hotel choices and airport or rail transfers.›DESTINATIONChengde Travel Guide: Mountain Resort and TemplesPlan three Chengde nights around a full Mountain Resort day and separate Little Potala and Puning visits. Choose a hotel, passport tickets, Beijing train and return.›DESTINATIONDunhuang Travel Guide: Mogao Caves, Desert and a Town BasePlan a three-night Dunhuang stay with official Mogao passport booking, Crescent Spring choices, town hotels, meals, airport or rail transfers and a separate west-road day.›DESTINATIONPingyao Travel Guide: A Courtyard Stay, Bank Streets and Two TemplesChoose an overnight inside Pingyao's walls, real courtyard rooms, the ancient-city pass, Shuanglin and Zhenguo's repair limits, South Street meals and the correct railway transfer.›DESTINATIONJinan Travel Guide: Springs, Daming Lake and a Central StayPlan a three-night Jinan stay with Baotu and Black Tiger springs, Daming Lake, old water lanes, real hotel rooms, passport admission choices and airport or railway returns.›DESTINATIONTaiyuan Travel Guide: Jinci, Museums, Food and a Central StayChoose a central Taiyuan hotel, three nights for Jinci and a museum or city block, foreign-passport booking alternatives and complete airport or railway journeys.›DESTINATIONKunming Travel Guide: Green Lake, Dianchi and Stone ForestChoose a central Kunming hotel, three usable sightseeing blocks, passport Stone Forest tickets, airport transport, lake or museum alternatives and a complete return.›DESTINATIONQuanzhou travel guide: maritime old city, two full days and the right stationPlan three nights and two complete Quanzhou days around Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Tianhou Temple and Luoyang Bridge. Choose a hotel, distinguish JJN and both rail stations, and handle museum or weather closures.›DESTINATIONShandong Routes: Qingdao Coast, Jinan and Mount Tai, or QufuChoose one usable Shandong stay: three nights on Qingdao's coast, Jinan and Mount Tai as separate bases, or two nights for Qufu's Confucian heritage. Plan gateways, last legs and returns.›DESTINATIONShanxi Route: Datong, Taiyuan, Pingyao or Mount WutaiChoose a six-night Datong–Taiyuan–Pingyao heritage route, a four-night two-anchor trip or one base. See where Mount Wutai and Hukou Waterfall need separate plans.›DESTINATIONSuzhou travel guide: gardens, canals and a two-night baseChoose eight Suzhou city sights, reserve the right garden and museum, stay by the old city, and protect the exact rail-station return.›DESTINATIONTianjin travel guide: Haihe, old streets, museums and a real city stayChoose eight central Tianjin sights by priority, plan a two-night Haihe stay, book museum or wheel entry, and connect Tianjin Station or TSN airport to a named base.›DESTINATIONXiamen guide: Gulangyu, a mainland base, ferry return and two full daysPlan three mainland Xiamen nights: one protected Gulangyu day and one botanical garden and old-city day. Choose the right ferry pier, hotel and rail or airport exit.›DESTINATIONZhejiang Routes: Hangzhou, Ningbo or WuzhenChoose a first Zhejiang stay: Hangzhou's West Lake and Lingyin, Ningbo's book-and-port heritage, or an overnight in Wuzhen. Compare nights, final rides and return legs.›DESTINATIONChongqing travel guide: hills, rivers and old streetsPlan two or three days in Chongqing: choose sights and a Jiefangbei hotel, navigate airport and train transfers, and compare Dazu with Wulong.›DESTINATIONWhere to Stay in Guilin: Cruise, City or Early TrainChoose a Guilin hotel base for city sights, a Li River cruise or an early train. Compare three named hotels and plan the port, station and baggage legs.›DESTINATIONYangshuo travel guide: Yulong River, Xingping and where to stayChoose a Yangshuo town, Yulong River or Xingping base, two or three nights, named river and village experiences, hotel doors, station transfers and the way back.›XIAMEN TRANSFERResolve Xiamen baggage confirmation without WeChatFinish Xiamen through-baggage confirmation with staff when WeChat blocks you, or use collection, Customs and recheck if the through service does not apply.›CANGuangzhou 65-Minute China Southern Connection: Only 5 Minutes Above MCTCalculate a five-minute margin for a China Southern Guangzhou T2 international connection, close the through-ticket and baggage gates, and use the carrier's missed-connection route without treating MCT as a guarantee.›SZXTest a Shenzhen domestic-to-international connectionCheck a two-hour Shenzhen domestic-to-international connection against the carrier's acceptance, onward boarding pass, baggage route and live check-in cutoff.›
Entry and stay rules
Visa or visa-free routes, transit areas, arrival forms, registration and customs.
VISA-FREEChina Visa-Free Entry in 2026: 30 Days or 240-Hour Transit?Choose between China’s 30-day visa-free entry and 240-hour transit with the current country lists, an adjacent-stop A/B route test and six complete worked cases.›VISADo You Actually Need a China Visa? And If So, Exactly Where Do You Apply?Decide whether a visa application is needed, choose the accepting office and correct purpose, and recover from missing uploads, returned documents or an uncertain processing date.›PORTSChina 240-Hour Transit: 65 Ports & Permitted AreasCheck all 65 approved 240-hour transit entry ports, exact terminals, permitted areas and six limited regions before booking.›FAQChina Entry FAQ: Admission, Registration, Returning and Lost PassportsMatch each mainland entry to its real journey, complete accommodation registration, check a second entry separately and recover if a passport or phone is unavailable.›CHECK-INAirline asks for a visa number: resolve check-inIdentify the country being checked, match your documents to its rule and reach the airline’s document-support team.›AGREEMENTChina Mutual Visa Exemption: 29 Ordinary-Passport AgreementsCompare 29 mutual visa-exemption agreements covering plain ordinary passports, their published stay limits and official-travel traps. Personal remaining days and departure dates need separate confirmation.›REGIONALChina’s Regional Visa-Free Policies: Which One Fits You?Compare all six Hainan, cruise, Xishuangbanna, Guilin and Hong Kong/Macao group policies by passport, agency rule, entry route, exact permitted area and stay length.›ARRIVALChina's Arrival Card: Who Is Exempt, Where to File It Free, and How to Spot the Fake SitesRun the seven-category exemption test, open the free NIA form and use the official port fallbacks if advance filing fails.›HEALTHA cough at China arrival: health screening stepsFind Customs health-quarantine staff, report the facts and follow assessment and clearance instructions.›DELAY RECOVERYRecover onward travel after a border delayRecover after a border delay and missed train: identify the ticket operator, check remaining change or refund options, and secure lawful onward travel and a stay.›CONTACTContact immigration from abroad without app registrationUse China's published immigration enquiry email from abroad, prepare a complete route question and keep a fallback when app registration or online chat fails.›HONG KONGFind border checks and assess limited passport spaceFollow Shenzhen North to West Kowloon's separate rail and immigration checks, count the actual border events and avoid treating them as guaranteed passport stamps.›CUSTOMSChina Customs: The Four Numbers That Decide Red or Green — and the One That Is a Hard LimitCheck the inbound or outbound declaration cases for your resident status, keep the Customs-endorsed record needed for later crossings, and separate the RMB 20,000 hard cap from a declaration threshold.›
Trip length, seasons and route choices
Count usable days, nights and complete transfers before choosing the cities.
WALKFit a China itinerary to a 1km continuous-walk limitFor a traveller limited to about 1km of continuous walking, reduce the six-city trip to a shorter Nanjing–Beijing–Shanghai plan with seated breaks and flexible half-days.›PACE11 Full Days in China: Three Cities or Four?Allocate 11 usable days between Beijing, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai, with full transfer days and hotel nights. Add Xi’an only when its one sightseeing day is worth losing two Shanghai days.›
Money and payments
Set up a mobile wallet, then keep a separate card and a modest cash backup; check fees before paying.
PAYPaying in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and CashBuild a four-route payment fallback for China and recover from failed wallet setup, account access, QR payments, cards, OTPs or refunds.›FEESChina wallet fees and exchange ratesSeparate wallet charges from card conversion and compare the worked French Revolut Standard example with your own terms.›PAYEEPay a photographer or private seller through a real orderWhen a foreign card cannot fund a personal payment in China, ask for a genuine merchant order or agree cash after service; avoid unverified wallet-funding helpers.›DEPOSITPay a China agency deposit from abroadMatch the agency, contract and payee, choose a supported payment route and trace a pending deposit before retrying.›CASHCash in China: ATM, Currency Exchange or Foreign Card?Choose how to get RMB with a physical overseas card or foreign banknotes, capture every ATM and exchange cost, avoid unwanted currency conversion, and recover from a decline or retained card.›
Internet, phone setup and app access
Choose roaming, travel eSIM or a local SIM for your device, keep bank SMS working and save the first-night plan offline.
APPSEssential Apps for a First China Trip: Install Less, Recover BetterSet up payments, maps, translation and optional rail tools in dependency order, with iPhone/Android paths and no-WeChat, offline and lost-phone recovery.›WECHATHandle WeChat signup and verification problemsSeparate WeChat signup, missing SMS, helper verification and Weixin Pay problems, then use the matching recovery route and keep supplier contact outside the account.›VERIFYCheck a card prompt when you only need to chatCheck an unexplained WeChat card prompt before entering details, distinguish messaging from payments or security checks, and arrange another way to reach the agency.›DATAChina Roaming vs eSIM vs Local SIM: Choose by the JobChoose home roaming, a travel eSIM or a Chinese SIM by data, OTP and local-number needs, with seven setup checks and arrival failure recovery.›SIMBuy and activate a SIM at a China airportFind the published Pudong T2 or Kunming B1 service point, check the plan and test your phone before leaving.›APP BACKUPKeep travel essentials usable when foreign apps failChoose a confirmed roaming or travel-eSIM route, keep an independent backup and save essential travel details offline without assuming every foreign app will work.›INTERNETVPN not working in China? Recover the trip and contact supportWhen LetsVPN or another paid VPN fails in China, keep a working data path, save travel essentials and make one controlled check before contacting official support.›WI-FIAsk for hotel Wi-Fi without a local numberHandle hotel Wi-Fi phone-number prompts and repeated browser checks by using reception support, keeping a stable session and preserving mobile data for urgent tasks.›
Train tickets, stations and boarding
Buy for the passport you will carry, wait for actual ticket issuance and save the exact station name in Chinese.
ROUTEBeijing–Shanghai–Xi’an by Train: Stations and the Whole Travel DayCompare Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Xi’an and Xi’an–Shanghai using exact stations, hotel-to-hotel time, the final ticket total and arrival transport. Dated offers show the calculation.›SLEEPERWhen is an overnight train in China worth it?Compare an overnight berth with a daytime train and hotel for your date: station transfers, usable arrival time, hotel cancellation and full cost.›RAILChina Train Passport Checks: Identity, Issued Ticket and Station RecoveryCheck passport verification, issued-ticket status and the exact departure station, then plan security, ID check and boarding against that station’s own ticket-check cutoff.›RAIL12306 vs Trip.com for China Train Tickets: Choose a Channel and Confirm IssuanceChoose direct 12306 booking or Trip.com agency handling from your actual constraint, audit the final checkout and distinguish paid, processing and issued states.›LUGGAGEChina High-Speed Train Luggage Rules: Can You Bring a Large Suitcase?Measure and weigh packed bags; choose carry-on, repacking or verified consignment.›ACCESSChina Train Wheelchair Assistance: What to Request From 12306Set the transfer boundary, confirm the required supporting material, submit one 12306 assistance request per ticketed leg, and exit when a mandatory arrangement remains unconfirmed.›TRAIN TRAVELMissed a Train or Rail Connection in China?Act on a missed China Railway departure, including a late incoming train, without confusing a change, a refund and a new ticket.›TRAIN TRAVELChina Train Stations: Find Your Ticket's Exact StationDistinguish same-city rail stations such as Beijing South and Beijing West, check the issued ticket before travelling, and recover if you reach the wrong station.›
Flights, baggage and airport connections
Match the full airport, terminal and booking to the connection; a short advertised layover can need airline confirmation before payment.
MU STAYResolve an unconfirmed China Eastern transit hotelCheck a China Eastern hotel application for a Haneda–Hongqiao/Pudong–Abu Dhabi trip, confirm the actual stay and transfer, and keep a paid overnight backup.›CA STAYBook and reach an Air China transit hotelCheck Air China's transit-hotel eligibility and booking cutoff, then confirm the hotel pickup; a seven-hour Pudong connection alone does not qualify.›FLIGHT BAGSChina Eastern Domestic Baggage: Can You Take a Trolley and Backpack?Check a China Eastern-operated domestic economy trip using the current cabin-piece, under-seat item and 20 kg checked-baggage rules, then calculate the excess-baggage fee without guessing from the fare you paid.›TICKETANA Award Ticket Missing a Middle Name: Check Before BookingBefore redeeming an ANA and Air China award, fix missing passport given names in the ANA profile; issued partner tickets need the issuer's specific correction route.›BOOKINGFinish an airline booking after payment or website troubleRecover from a failed China airline booking: reconcile any charge before paying again, seek booking support and verify an issued ticket for each passenger.›CANCELProtect the remaining flights after an airline cancellationKeep unaffected flights after an airline cancellation by naming the sectors to preserve, limiting the requested remedy and checking the remaining ticket coupons.›
Maps, metros, taxis and the last leg
Save the Chinese destination and pickup point, then keep a staffed-ticket or taxi option when a ride code fails.
LOCATIONYongding and Zhongchuan: Check the Village Pin and HotelFor Yongding and Zhongchuan, use the named village parking record and hotel candidate, then confirm the approach; map listings do not establish open interiors.›MAPSWhat to Use Instead of Google Maps in China: iPhone and Android SetupChoose Apple Maps or AMap Global by device, build a Chinese destination card and recover from login, English search, route and offline failures.›DIDISet up DiDi and find the correct pickupSet up the China DiDi app, save a Chinese hotel address, find the actual pickup area and match the car; use a staffed taxi fallback when the account or pickup fails.›METRODetect an out-of-station transfer before travel dayCheck whether a China metro interchange requires leaving the paid area, and use Shanghai's specified card, QR and time conditions without generalising nationwide.›METROAlipay Metro Code Won’t Activate? Use This Beijing or Shanghai BackupStop retrying a failed Alipay Transport code and use a city-specific independent route: eligible contactless gate tap in Beijing or Shanghai, then a single-journey ticket if needed.›
Hotels, check-in and room requirements
Confirm foreign-passport check-in, the actual room and cancellation terms with the property before making the stay inflexible.
ROOMFind a central Shanghai wheelchair room and confirm its setupUse Conrad Shanghai's named accessible room as a lead for a solo wheelchair stay, then verify the actual shower, layout and dated room instead of relying on an icon.›HOTELCan Foreigners Stay at Any Hotel in China? Passport Check-In and Refusal RecoverySee who files your China accommodation registration, the 24-hour rule outside hotels, the nationwide NIA non-hotel online route and local channels, and the recovery path if a desk refuses your foreign passport.›HOTEL POOLChina hotel pools: what swimwear to packBring familiar swimwear and a compact backup, then confirm the hotel’s own dress, cap and access rules.›PARCELArrange hotel parcel delivery and trace a returnPlan Taobao delivery during a five-day China hotel stay by matching seller dates, hotel permission, phone contact and a return handover before departure.›HEATCheck winter cooling and handle an overheated roomCheck whether a China hotel room can actually cool during winter, obtain a room-specific answer before paying, and handle overheating without assuming AC means cooling.›BOOKWhen China hotel booking dates are unavailableFind out whether sales are unopened, channel-restricted or sold out while protecting a confirmed alternative room.›ROOMReplace a dirty or smoky room and trace the refundRecover from a dirty or smoky China hotel room: inspect a replacement, document the seller's decision and secure tonight's stay without assuming a move earns a refund.›
Attraction access and reservations
Use the named attraction’s passport route and current ticket terms; separately confirm its date, session, gate and return transport.
GUIDEWhen Is a Private Guide in China Actually Worth Paying For?Use a completed seven-segment first-trip allocation, identify the exact responsibility worth buying and verify the contract, guide and payment relationship before paying.›ACCESSCheck the named public entrance before following a travel videoUse named official visitor entrances for major China attractions, and leave an unidentified video location out of the itinerary until its public access is established.›SAVINGSChoose a foreign senior or student ticket category you can useCheck foreign senior and student ticket eligibility venue by venue, book the category the rules actually support and use an ordinary ticket when a concession is unresolved.›TICKETSUse official attraction booking and passport entry routesFind the official foreign-passport ticket route for named China attractions, distinguish a request from confirmed admission and recover when a reseller listing disappears.›MUSEUM BOOKINGChina Museum Booking with a Foreign PassportCheck whether your chosen China museum requires a reservation, whether its official route accepts your passport, and what confirms entry before you travel.›
Food, ordering and dietary needs
Use a Chinese dietary card for ingredients, sauces and cross-contact questions; choose a simpler meal when staff cannot confirm what you need.
ORDEROrder from a Chinese QR-Code MenuOrder and pay at a Chinese restaurant table that has only a QR code: a six-step decision ending in one of three ordering routes, a translation cross-check, six bilingual cards and the current cash rule for ordinary face-to-face service.›FOODOrder around allergies, coeliac disease and vegetarian needsUse bilingual food requests while separating taste preferences from allergies and coeliac disease; confirm ingredients and preparation before treating a meal as suitable.›HOT POTFind a named small-pot restaurant and order for oneFind named solo-hotpot options in Chengdu and Hong Kong, use the exact branch and one-person order, and confirm minimum spend and seating before eating.›FOODGet food when delivery or account access failsGet a meal when Meituan fails: agree a hotel-assisted order or reachable shop first, then diagnose the account without duplicating an existing payment or order.›
Packing, shopping and sending things home
Pack familiar essentials and check transport or customs restrictions before buying batteries, medicines, collectibles or gifts.
TAX REFUNDAsk about a refund identity error after departureAfter leaving China, direct a passport-detail error enquiry to the issuing shop and departure-port refund agency; no general correction or refund guarantee is verified.›PACKINGMedicines and toiletries: pack or buy in ChinaBring familiar essentials and use ingredient, formulation and material checks for any pharmacy or shop refill.›BATTERIESPower Banks in China: Domestic Flights, International Flights and TrainsCheck one power bank against international arrival, mainland domestic flights, international departure and China rail without mixing CCC, capacity and carrier rules.›POSTSend books domestically or internationally from GuangzhouSend books from Guangzhou before your train by choosing service from the recipient address, comparing accepted prices and completing the actual handover.›
Health, toilets, safety and help
Save the relevant emergency number and address offline; for a health or safety problem, use the matching first action and escalation route.
PASSPORTYou Lost Your Passport in China: Which Recovery Route Applies, and How Long It Can TakeMatch your exact entry basis to five recovery routes: mutual exemption, unilateral visa-free entry, 240-hour transit, visa reissuance or an Exit-Entry Permit.›SOLOMake route-by-route rural travel go/no-go decisionsChoose a rural China solo day trip or overnight by confirmed lodging, lawful access and the return route, with a shorter fallback and dated Tiger Leaping Gorge limits.›TOILETSAsk for a seated and private toilet before urgencyUse a bilingual request to find a seated toilet with a private cubicle and paper, then check the actual facility before urgency limits your choices.›TOILETFind toilets before walking becomes urgentFind toilets near your city route using map searches, metro staff, shopping-centre desks and museum facilities; confirm entry, steps and a usable backup.›CALLEmergency Numbers in China: Which One to Call, What to Say, and What to Do If Your Phone FailsChoose 110, 119, 120 or 122 from the event, understand the bounded official 999 listing, use a bilingual call card and recover when the phone or language route fails.›MEDICALMedical Help in China: Call 120, Contacts and PaymentCall 120, use a bilingual rescue card, understand ambulance destination rules, and use published Beijing, Xi’an or Hubei contact leads only after confirming the exact facility.›DUSTReduce dust exposure and know when symptoms need helpReduce exposure when familiar mild dust symptoms interrupt a China trip, recognise when to seek medical help and avoid assuming a new cough is only an allergy.›SAFETYTourist Scams in China: Stop the Payment, Leave Safely, and Report the Right WayUse five stop signals, leave a pressured situation safely, preserve seven useful facts and choose 110, 96110, 12315 or the tourism complaint route.›FAREHandle a DiDi night ride or fare disputePlan a solo night pickup in Harbin, match the station and vehicle, and separate immediate safety from a DiDi route or fare complaint after the ride.›INSURANCESix Insurance Checks Before China — Billing, Payment, Evacuation and DelayTest a travel policy with six China-specific checks, including direct billing, usable payment methods, evacuation and a document process whose official outer decision limit can reach 30 working days.›
Checklist and first arrival
Put the entry route, bookings and first-night backup together.
DATESChina Public Holidays 2026: Dates & Working WeekendsCheck every official 2026 holiday, the six weekend dates classified as working days, the separate 40-day Spring Festival travel period and the boundary around confirming 2027 dates.›CLIMATEWhen to Visit China: The Month Decides Which Cities Work, Not Just What You PackCompare six China destinations with 1991–2020 WMO normals for January, July and October. See temperature, rain and station-year limits before choosing a month.›CHECKLISTFirst Trip to China Readiness Check: What to Verify NextWork through seven China trip systems in a disclosed default order, mark trip-dependent items not relevant and prepare a tested recovery path for each system you use.›