China Travel Guide 2025

Pre-Travel Checklist
Visa for China: Check Visa Requirements (Visa Free Transit & Regular Visa). Check China Visa Application Center / China Online Visa Application official website for more details.
Passport: Valid for at least six months and have a minimum of two blank visa pages.
Flight Reservation: Book your flights in advance.
Hotel Reservation: Some hotels in China are for domestic travelers only, so make sure you've reserved an international traveler hotel.
Currency: Carry some local currency (RMB) for urgent expenses.

Unlocking China: The Definitive Guide to Applying for a Chinese Visa!
Visa-Free Policy:
China's Visa-Free Transit Policy for Foreign Nationals:
From November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, citizens of 38 countries, including Spain, holding ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes for no more than 30 days. People from the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the conditions for visa exemption still need to apply for a visa before entering China.
Citizens of the following 38 countries holding ordinary passports can enter China visa-free.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Republic of Korea, Spain, and Switzerland.

Staying Connected: 5 Easy Ways to Access Internet in China
Activate international roaming using your current SIM card
Recommended for short-term visitors
How:
Check your current network provider about availability and fees.
Activate international roaming before traveling to China.
Pros:
Convenient
Cons:
Expensive
Purchase an eSIM card
Recommended for long-term visitors
How:
Select a reliable network provider prior to your trip.
Buy a suitable plan type - aside from network providers, eSIMs may also be purchased from online marketplaces.
Follow the instructions to activate.

Useful Tips for Staying Connected in China
How to continue using your existing apps:
WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Google Services, Telegram, and many other apps in overseas countries may not work in China.
Therefore, foreign travelers may need to download a plugin to keep using these apps.
Obtain a Chinese SIM card for seamless communication.
Obtaining a SIM card under the Wi-Fi module will be the foundation of all your communication activities thereafter.
Install recommended social apps: WeChat, QQ, Douyin (抖音).

Cash or Cards? Your Mini Guide to Currency in China
Where can you get cash (￥RMB) ?
Banks: Travelers can withdraw cash over-the-counter at major banks around the country.
ATMs: Travelers can also withdraw cash directly from ATMs as long as they accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc. (the logos will usually be displayed). ATMs are in many large shopping malls and subway stations in China.
Hotels: Some hotels may offer currency exchange services.
Currency exchange counters: These businesses are usually located in major cities, city center areas, airports and large shopping malls, and some tourist spots.
Note：

Cashless Convenience: Your Comprehensive Guide to China’s e-Wallets!
Embrace the cashless trend in China with digital wallets.
Say goodbye to cash and hello to seamless transactions!
Step 1: Download a Digital Wallet
Opt for WeChat Pay or Alipay – China’s digital wallet giants.
Download your chosen app from your device’s app store.
WeChat Pay and Alipay both accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, and JCB cards, while American Express only works with WeChat Pay.
Important!

Both WeChat Pay and Alipay support transactions using credit and debit cards.

Make Your Visit to Attractions Perfect
Things to Know Before Your Visit
Google Maps and Google Listings may not be available in China.
Find attractions on local platforms where you can make reservations.
On Trip.com (and other apps), you can book guided tours, including sightseeing and transport.
Popular attractions often have a limited number of tickets, so we recommend booking at least a week in advance.
Pay attention to the opening time of the attractions you want to visit - for example, museums in China are often closed on Mondays.
Certain attractions may require a Chinese ID when booking tickets online. If so, you may need to buy tickets on-site instead.

Your Guide to Communicating with Locals
Many people in China can understand English, especially younger people in larger cities. If you meet people who can't communicate in English, you can use translation apps.
Ways to translate:
Google translate may not be available in China, but there are great alternatives.
Try apps like Waygo, Microsoft Translator, DeepL, and Youdao Translate.
Take Microsoft Translator for example:

Voice translator:

Record voice and the app will convert the voice to text in the chosen language in real time!
Tip: Auto or Bilingual mode can be useful when conversing with Chinese people.

Traveling By Train in China: The Ultimate Guide!
Buying Tickets
Travelers who like planning and prefer a smoother start to their trip may consider pre-booking their train tickets.
Online Booking
Trip.com and Railway 12306 are well-known ticketing Apps for online train ticket bookings in China. These apps support international payments and are available in English.
Download Trip.com, Railway 12306.
Select departure and arrival stations, travel dates, and number of passengers.
Enter passenger details as they appear on your passport.
Proceed to payment.
An e-ticket will be issued through the app/email after confirmation. Keep it somewhere safe and accessible!

Navigating China with Ease: 4 Useful Maps For Foreign Travelers
For first-time travelers to China: Keep in mind, traffic on the mainland moves on the right-hand side of the road!
Apple Maps
Good news: iOS users can use Apple Maps directly in China. For non-iOS users, keep reading for other options!
Alipay Maps
Alipay has a “Plan Routine ” feature. Users can check the map through these four easy steps:
Transport
Plan Routine
Enter destination
See the map
A Map (Gaode Map)
A great option for people who can speak and understand Chinese.
This map features real-time traffic conditions, route planning, and even important information on public transport!

Touching Down in China: Your Guide to International Flights
Step 1: Book Your Flight
Let’s start by booking your flight to China.
Look for options on trusted websites such as Trip.com.
Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou frequently offer direct flights - and are great choices.
Be sure to check and amend your luggage allowance.
Step 2: Check Visa Needs
Before you go, make sure you choose the right visa.
Do you need a Tourist (L), Business (M), or a different visa?

*Check the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center official website to get all the details.

China’s Subway Made Easy: The Ultimate Guide
Wide Coverage
As of the end of January 2025, 54 cities in the Chinese mainland have subway systems, including popular tourist destinations like Beijing and Shanghai. Public transportation in these cities is both convenient and reliable.
Multiple Ways to Purchase Tickets
Via Mobile Apps
Alipay

Provides QR codes for subways and buses in almost all cities across China. To use, open Alipay app → Transport → Metro / Bus → Scan the QR code.

Subway Apps for Local Cities

- Many cities have their own subway apps, such as Shanghai Metro DADUHUI for Shanghai and Beijing Yikatong (北京一卡通) for Beijing.

- Note: These typically require a Chinese phone number.

The Ultimate Guide to Taking Taxis in China
Foreigners can take taxis or car-hailing services in China.
Taxis
How to find taxis
In airports and train stations, you can follow signs to taxi waiting areas.
On the street, you can hail vacant taxis by waving.
Inform the driver of your destination
Prepare your destination address in Chinese or Pinyin (Romanization of Mandarin).
Showing pictures of attractions you visit to drivers will help them understand quickly.
You can use translation apps to provide real-time translation.
If possible, learn some simple Chinese to assist you in communicating with the driver.

Some Things to Consider When Choosing Your Hotel

Check the policies and services of the hotel on booking websites, such as: English-speaking staff, international cuisine options, and acceptance of foreign credit cards.
Check other travelers' comments and ratings of the hotel, and try to seek advice from other travelers who have visited China.
Chain hotels may be an easier option for non-Chinese speakers, foreign customs, etc.
Hotels listed on Trip.com are aimed at foreign guests.
Contact the hotel in advance to confirm if they cater for foreign guests.
Inform the hotel beforehand if you have any special requests.

Key Differences Between Chinese and Overseas Hotels
Check-In Process
Passport and Visa Documentation
Ensure that your passport and visa are valid. The hotel will check and record your passport information.
Front Desk Registration
Required Documents: Your passport and other international travel documents. As a non-national, you may be asked to fill out a form like this.
Check-In Time
Usually, check-in time is after 2 PM, but it depends on the hotel. For comparison, many overseas hotels may start their check-in at 3 PM or later.
Language Communication
If you don't speak Chinese, it may be helpful to get your translation apps prepared for communication.