China Essential Practical Guide for First-Time Visitors

Welcome to China! Before you embark on your exciting adventure, a little preparation can make your journey effortless. This guide brings together the most important practical tips to help you settle in quickly and explore with confidence.

Important Documents

1.       Passport: Keep your original passport with you at all times. You will need it for hotel check-ins, train and flight travel, and occasionally for tax-free purchases.

2.       Backups: Prepare 2–3 photocopies or digital scans of your passport photo page and Chinese visa. Store them separately from the original. These backups make the replacement process much easier in case your passport is lost or stolen.

Health & Medical Tips

1. Bring Essential Medication:
        Pack your usual medicines, such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and digestive aids. Be aware that cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine are regulated in China. If you need to bring them, keep them in their original packaging and carry a doctor’s prescription for smooth customs clearance.

2. Prescription Drugs:
        For any prescription medication - especially controlled items like psychotropic or narcotic drugs - bring the original packaging together with your doctor's prescription (ideally in both English and Chinese). These may be required during customs checks.

3. Mask Etiquette:
        Wearing a mask is common and considerate in crowded areas such as subways, tourist attractions, or whenever you feel unwell. Travelers will not stand out for using one.

4. Accessing Medical Care:
        Major cities offer international hospitals and clinics with multilingual services (e.g., Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital International Center). Purchasing travel health insurance that includes China is highly recommended for peace of mind.

Internet, Communication & VPN

1. Mobile Data:
        After arrival, you can purchase a local Chinese SIM card at the airport (passport and real-name registration required). Major providers—China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom - offer short-term tourist packages. These companies also have stores in city centers, but airport staff are usually more comfortable communicating in English.

2. Public Wi-Fi:
        Airports, hotels, major shopping malls, and chain cafés typically provide free Wi-Fi. However, login often requires receiving a verification code via a Chinese mobile number.

3. The Essential VPN:

• China's internet uses the "Great Firewall," which blocks services such as Google (Gmail, Maps, Play Store), Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube,  and others.

• Download and set up a  reliable VPN before entering China. Some VPN apps cannot be downloaded or may work inconsistently once inside the country.

• Chinese apps such as WeChat, Alipay, Gaode/AMap, Baidu Maps, and Ctrip work normally and will be your main tools during your stay in China.

Weather & Clothing Tips

1. Huge Climate Differences:
        China is geographically vast, and weather conditions vary greatly from region to region. During transitional seasons like spring and autumn, temperature differences between the north and south can exceed 20°C, and humidity levels also vary significantly between the east and west. Be sure to check the weather for each individual destination before traveling.

2. Check Local Temperatures:
        We recommend looking up the real-time temperature and forecast for every city on your itinerary and preparing your clothing accordingly.

3. More Detailed Guidance:
        You can visit the "China Climate & Travel Seasons" section on our website for detailed climate information, best travel times, and packing suggestions for major destinations.

4. Personalized Pre-Trip Reminders:
        If you booked your trip through us, our dedicated guest relations team will stay in touch with you before departure, providing accurate and up-to-date weather updates and clothing advice for each destination - ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey.

Food & Drinking Water Safety

1. Drinking Water:
   Do not drink tap water directly. Hotels provide complimentary bottled water, and convenience stores are easy to find. Tea served in restaurants is usually boiled water and is safe to drink.

2. Food Safety:
   Restaurants with more customers generally indicate fresher food. Street snacks can be delightful, but always check the stall's hygiene and ensure food is thoroughly heated.

3. Adjusting to Local Flavors:
   Chinese cuisine may be oilier or saltier than what you're used to. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with milder dishes and avoid excessive spicy or raw/cold foods (such as cold appetizers).

4. Dairy Products:
   Outside of international hotels and large supermarkets, Western-style dairy products like fresh milk or cheese may be limited. Yogurt, however, is widely available and often quite delicious.

Transportation & Tickets - Go Digital

1. Flights:
   Check in online and save your e-boarding pass. Domestic flights also accept digital boarding, but always carry your original passport for verification.

2. High-Speed Trains:

• China's rail system is fully electronic - no paper tickets needed.

• Most major stations let  you enter by scanning your passport; some smaller ones require a quick manual check by staff.

• Signs include English. ETripChina provides step-by-step station guidance after booking.

• The official app 12306 is not easy for foreign passports; use the website or third-party platforms if needed.

3. City Transport:

• Metro: Fastest in big cities. Buy a single ticket or use Alipay/WeChat transit QR codes for easy access.

• Taxis & Ride-Hailing: DiDi (with English support and international cards) works well, but most drivers speak only Chinese.

• Navigation: Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps - available in English - are far more accurate than Google Maps in China.

Flight Baggage & Restricted Items

1. Baggage Allowance:
        Always check your free checked baggage allowance when booking your ticket (typically 20–30 kg).
        Domestic flights in China often have stricter limits than international flights, and overweight fees can be expensive.

2. Power Bank Rules:

• Must be carried in your hand luggage—never checked in.

• Capacity must not exceed 100Wh (around 27,000 mAh).

• With airline approval, you may carry 100–160Wh power banks, maximum two per person.

• Labels must be clear  and intact. Devices without proper labeling are prohibited.

3. Common Items Prohibited from Entering China:

• Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, meat, and meat products.

• Animal-based traditional medicines (e.g., bird's nest, deer antler). Commercially canned bird's nest is usually allowed.

• Counterfeit or copyright-infringing goods.

• For the full list,  please refer to the official China Customs guidelines.

Electricity & Plug Types

• Voltage: China uses 220V, 50Hz AC power.

• Plug Types: Common plug types include Type A (two flat pins), Type I (three flat angled pins), and Type C (two round pins). Most outlets are two- or  three-slot flat-pin designs.

• Recommendation:
       Bring a universal travel adapter to fit different socket types.
       Check whether your devices support 110–240V dual voltage (most phone and laptop chargers do).
       If a device only supports 110V (common with some small U.S. appliances), you will need a voltage converter.

Cash & Payments

While mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay) is widely used across China, it's still wise to carry a small amount of cash in RMB (about 500–1000 yuan) for emergencies - such as your phone running out of battery—or for places that don't accept digital payments.

For hotel deposits, cash is highly recommended because credit card refunds for international transactions can take a long time to process.

You can exchange currency at the airport, major hotel front desks, or Bank of China branches.

Travel Safety in China

Overall, China is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and an efficient police system. Major cities and tourist areas are generally very safe both day and night, with frequent patrols by local police (“Public Security”). You can confidently use public transportation, stroll through parks, and explore commercial districts.
That said, as with traveling anywhere in the world, it's always wise to maintain basic awareness and take standard safety precautions.

Emergency Numbers

• Police: 110

• Medical Emergency: 120

• Fire: 119

  If you need assistance in English, you may ask the operator to transfer you, or try calling the 12345 Government Service Hotline for general help.

Tipping in China

Tipping is not a traditional practice in China, but in the tourism industry it has become a common way to show appreciation for good service.

• Tour Guide: CNY 80–120 per guest, per day adjust based on service quality.

• Driver: CNY 40–60 per guest, per day - typically about half of the guide's tip.

• Hotels:

• Bellhop: CNY 5–10 per bag

• Housekeeping: CNY 10–15 per night (left in the room)

These amounts are not mandatory, but they are warmly appreciated for attentive and professional service.