China for first-time travelers: entry rules, payments, internet & transport

China has significantly expanded its visa-free policies in recent years, making travel much easier for visitors from many countries. You can check which nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry here. Under the visa-free policy, travelers can stay in China for up to 30 days.

To enter the country, you only need to complete an arrival card. It can still be filled out at the airport upon arrival, but I highly recommend completing it online in advance to avoid queues and reduce waiting time at passport control.

To do this, go to gov.cn, select “Entry Declaration,” fill out all fields in English, and generate your QR code. It’s a good idea to save a screenshot of it on your phone. In most cases, no one will actually ask to see the QR code, since immigration officers can already access the information in their system.

The online arrival form can be completed within 24 hours before your flight.

China has one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world. The easiest way to travel between cities is by high-speed train — the rail network covers almost the entire country. The trains are modern, clean, and extremely comfortable, but it’s best to book tickets in advance. The most convenient platforms for this are Trip.com, Klook, or the official Chinese railway website, 12306.cn. After purchasing your ticket, there’s no need to print anything: at the station, you can simply scan your passport at the gate.

The metro in China is a whole underground world of its own. It’s massive, modern, and very affordable. Most systems have English signage, so getting around is usually quite easy. The only downside is the long transfers between lines — sometimes a single connection can involve nearly a kilometer of walking. I highly recommend downloading the Metroman app, which includes metro maps for cities across China and helps plan routes.

Taxis in China are also relatively inexpensive, especially compared to Europe. Most locals use the DiDi app, which is integrated directly into Alipay. One of the most convenient features is that you can enter destinations in English.

Domestic air travel is also extremely well developed. Even smaller cities have airports, while major routes between large metropolitan areas operate dozens of flights daily. One thing to keep in mind is that Chinese airports are enormous — much like everything else in the country. Some terminals are so large that trains or metro systems run between different sections. You can see this, for example, at the airports in Shenzhen and Shanghai. This is especially important to consider if you have a short layover in China.

Another important thing to know: security checks are everywhere in China — at train stations, in metro systems, and even at the entrances to some shopping malls. Bags are scanned much like at airports, and during rush hours there can occasionally be small queues.

China is almost entirely cashless, and traditional bank cards are rarely used in everyday life. Most payments are made via QR codes through apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. For foreign travelers, the easiest option is usually Alipay, where you can link an international Visa card. The wallet can also be topped up through trusted third-party services.

Once set up, you can use QR code payments for almost everything: shopping, metro rides, taxis, restaurant bills, and even transfers to other users.

It’s still a good idea to carry a small amount of cash — a few hundred yuan is usually enough for peace of mind. In some places cash may not be accepted at all, or vendors simply may not have change.

It’s also important to remember that China’s special administrative regions — Hong Kong and Macau — use their own currencies. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), while Macau uses the Macanese pataca (MOP).

In addition, Alipay used by foreign tourists does not work in these two regions. In Hong Kong, the Octopus card is the most convenient solution and can easily be purchased by travelers. In Macau, you’ll generally need to rely on international bank cards or cash.

Many apps and online services commonly used abroad are blocked in China, including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and numerous VPN services. While there are local alternatives, using them without speaking Chinese can be quite difficult for foreign travelers.

So what’s the best solution?

The easiest option is to purchase an eSIM through platforms like Trip.com or Klook before your trip. These eSIMs are usually very inexpensive and often allow unrestricted access to your usual apps without needing an additional VPN.

If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, it’s best to install a VPN in advance — preferably a paid one, since many free VPN services are blocked or unreliable in China.

One thing that may surprise first-time visitors is that people in China often speak quite loudly. This is partly connected to the nature and rhythm of the Chinese language itself.

You may also notice loud sneezing, coughing, or even chewing sounds in public. In traditional Chinese culture, natural bodily sounds have not historically been considered especially embarrassing or inappropriate. In some cases, they were even viewed as a natural way for the body to “cleanse” itself. Social norms are gradually changing, however, and these habits are now more commonly associated with older generations.

There are also a few everyday differences that can feel unusual at first. For example, in restaurants, all dishes are usually served at once rather than in courses, and dirty plates are often cleared only after you leave.

Personal space is perceived differently as well — especially in large cities. If someone accidentally steps on your foot or bumps into you, they may not apologize, and that is generally considered normal rather than rude.

At the same time, Chinese people are often incredibly friendly and willing to help, even if they do not speak English. Many will try to communicate through translation apps, gestures, or simple phrases to assist you.

Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, and food culture varies dramatically from region to region. Traditionally, there are eight major regional cuisines in China:

• Sichuan cuisine — the spiciest and most flavorful of them all. It’s famous for Sichuan peppercorn, which creates a unique numbing sensation on the tongue.
• Cantonese cuisine — lighter and more delicate in flavor. Known for seafood, dim sum, and steamed buns. In my opinion, it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable cuisines.
• Shandong cuisine — one of the oldest culinary traditions in China, famous for rich broths, soups, and seafood dishes.
• Jiangsu cuisine — especially popular around Shanghai and nearby regions, often characterized by slightly sweet flavors and refined presentation.
• Zhejiang cuisine — lighter and less oily, with plenty of freshwater fish and seafood.
• Hunan cuisine — also very spicy, but different from Sichuan cuisine: it uses more fresh chili peppers and smoked ingredients.
• Anhui cuisine — more rustic and home-style, featuring braised dishes and ingredients from the mountains and forests.
• Fujian cuisine — known for soups, seafood, and balanced sweet-and-sour flavors.

In many restaurants, menus may only be available in Chinese, though pictures often make ordering easier. Physical menus are also becoming less common: in many places, you’ll need to scan a QR code and place your order online.

English proficiency in China is fairly limited, especially outside major cities and tourist areas. Hong Kong is an exception, as English is one of its official languages. In mainland China, you’re most likely to encounter English speakers in large cities, international hotel chains, airports, and popular tourist attractions — though even there it’s not always guaranteed.

Translation apps can be incredibly helpful during your trip. One of the most useful tools, in my opinion, is the built-in translator inside Alipay. It handles full sentences between Chinese and English surprisingly well, often more naturally than Google Translate.

For translating individual words or reading Chinese characters, the Pleco app is especially useful and widely recommended among travelers and Chinese learners alike.

China is considered one of the safest countries for travelers. Crime rates are generally low, and even in large cities it usually feels safe to walk around late at night.

It’s common to see people casually leaving laptops or phones unattended in cafés — something I personally would hesitate to do in many European cities. In shopping malls, I’ve even seen people leave their phones charging unattended while they continue shopping. That alone says quite a lot about the general level of safety.

Surveillance system is also everywhere. Cameras can be found on streets, in metro stations, elevators, shops, and even inside residential compounds. Sometimes a single street pole can hold dozens of cameras. It may feel excessive, but the system appears to work.

One important thing to remember is that you should always carry your passport with you. In China, passports are frequently required for everyday activities — buying tickets to museums, boarding high-speed trains, or entering certain heavily secured attractions such as Tiananmen Square.

Another thing worth mentioning is traffic. Drivers and scooter riders rarely yield to pedestrians, even at crossings. You should be especially careful when crossing streets without traffic lights, as the number of cars, scooters, and electric bikes can be overwhelming.

Because China is such a vast country, the climate varies greatly from north to south. Summers across most regions tend to be hot, humid, and rainy, with occasional heavy downpours. If you don’t mind the heat, summer can still be a good time to visit.

The most comfortable seasons for traveling are usually October–November and March–April, when temperatures are milder and the weather is generally more pleasant.

Southern China — including destinations like Hainan and Hong Kong — remains relatively warm even during winter, making it a good option for off-season travel.

It’s best to avoid traveling to China during or just before Chinese New Year (usually from late January to mid-February). This is the largest annual migration period in the world, when millions of people travel across the country or abroad to visit family. Airports and train stations become extremely crowded, while many restaurants, shops, and businesses temporarily close for the holidays.

Another period worth avoiding is the beginning of October (October 1–7), when China celebrates the Golden Week national holidays commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China. During this time, tourist attractions, transportation, and hotels can become exceptionally crowded.

There’s a common misconception that China is only suitable for experienced travelers, but that’s far from true. The country has a highly developed tourism infrastructure, and in many ways everything is designed to make traveling convenient and accessible.

Of course, some things may feel unfamiliar at first — different apps, different systems, different everyday habits. But that’s exactly what makes China such a fascinating place to visit. It doesn’t feel quite like anywhere else in the world, and that unique atmosphere is what makes so many people want to come back again.