Visa-free entry
Many passports now qualify for visa-free entry for up to 30 days. The list changes regularly and depends on your nationality.
Check your passport
China,
explained.
Visas, payments, trains and the small cultural things that make a first trip easier. Written for travellers from outside China — no forum threads required.
Before you bookThe rules change.
The rules change.
Our job is to know them.
China is one of the easiest countries to travel in once the setup is done. The difficulty is that the setup changes: visa-free lists expand, payment apps update, train stations move.
This guide is a starting point, not legal advice. We confirm the current entry rule for your passport and route in writing before you book, and we set up the practical things — payments, trains, eSIM guidance — before you arrive.
01
Visas & entry
Three routes into China — and the one that applies to you.
240-hour transit
Eligible travellers transiting to a third country can stay up to 240 hours in specified regions through participating ports.
Route-specificTourist visa (L)
If neither route applies, we provide a visa invitation letter and the documents you need for your application.
We provide the letterImportant: eligibility depends on your nationality, port of entry, length of stay and onward route. We confirm the current rule for you in writing — always check with the National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy before travel.
02
Payments & apps
China runs on QR codes. Set this up before you fly.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere, from department stores to street stalls. International Visa and Mastercard can usually be linked, though some foreign cards are declined by individual merchants.
We help you install and verify the app before departure, add a backup card and test a small payment. Carry a little cash for the rare place that does not accept mobile payment.
- Alipay or WeChat Pay set up and tested
- A backup card and a small amount of cash
- eSIM or roaming arranged before arrival
- Translation and map apps downloaded offline
What we send you
A one-page setup guide with screenshots, plus a 15-minute video call if you would like us to walk you through it.
Alipay / WeChat Pay
eSIM & connectivity
03
Trains & transfers
China's high-speed rail is the best way to cross the country.
The network is fast, clean and punctual. Beijing to Xi'an takes about 4.5 hours; Beijing to Shanghai about 4.5–6 hours. We book seats together, send your e-ticket and explain which station and exit to use.
01
Book with your passport
Your passport is your ticket. The name and number must match exactly.
02
Arrive 45–60 minutes early
Station security is like an airport. Large stations are vast; allow time.
03
Meet your driver
We agree a specific exit and send a photo of the meeting point.
04
Travel light
Two bags are easy. We can arrange luggage transfer for longer trips.
We book all rail segments included in your itinerary and send a station-by-station guide before departure.
04
Language & guides
You do not need Mandarin. You do need the right person beside you.
English is limited outside international hotels and major attractions. Menu translation apps help, but they cannot explain why a dish matters or ask the kitchen about allergies.
Our guides are local, English-speaking specialists — historians, food guides, birders and hikers. They are not scripted tour leaders and they do not take commissions from shops.
English-speaking, locally rooted
Guides are selected for knowledge and personality, then matched to your interests. The same guide stays with you through each city.
No shopping stops
Dietary and accessibility briefed
05
Food & etiquette
The best way into China is through its tables.
Food changes dramatically by region: dumplings and lamb in the north, dim sum in the south, numbing Sichuan pepper in the west, rice noodles and herbs in Yunnan. We build food experiences around markets, family kitchens and regional restaurants rather than hotel buffets.
Tell us about allergies, vegetarian or halal needs in advance. We brief every guide and restaurant, and carry a Chinese-language card with your requirements.
01
Tipping is not customary. A discretionary tip for a guide or driver is appreciated, never expected.
02
Tea is refilled without asking. Tap the table twice to thank the person pouring.
03
Sharing is normal. Dishes go in the middle; use serving chopsticks where provided.
04
Baijiu is strong. A small sip is fine; you never have to finish the glass.
06
Best time & crowds
Spring and autumn are the sweet spot. Avoid the big domestic holidays.
Mar–May
Mild, green and photogenic. Cherry blossom in Beijing, tea picking in the south.
Sep–Nov
Clear skies, comfortable temperatures and the best light for the Wall and Huangshan.
Jun–Aug
Hot and humid in the south; good for Tibet, Yunnan and mountain regions.
Avoid
Chinese New Year and the first week of October, when domestic travel peaks.
07
Health & safety
Common sense, good insurance and a little altitude planning.
China is generally very safe. The practical issues are traffic, heat, food and altitude. Drink bottled or boiled water, eat at busy stalls and carry basic medication.
Comprehensive travel insurance is required. For Tibet, we build in acclimatisation days, carry oxygen and monitor how you feel before going higher.
Before you go
Travel insurance policy shared with us
Prescription medicine in original packaging
Allergies and medical notes briefed
24/7 contact saved offline
08
Your prep checklist
Tick these off before you fly. It saves in this browser.
Your China prep
Ten things to tick off.
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09
First-time questions
The things our guests ask most often.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. Your guide and driver will speak English, and we set up translation apps on your phone before arrival. Outside major hotels and tourist sites, English is limited — which is exactly why having a local guide matters.
Can I use my credit card in China?
International cards work at most large hotels and some restaurants, but day-to-day China runs on mobile payment. We help you link your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly, and suggest carrying a small cash backup.
Is China safe for foreign travellers?
China is generally very safe, with low levels of street crime. The main risks are traffic, altitude (in Tibet), heat and stomach trouble from unfamiliar food or tap water. We provide 24/7 support and vetted drivers.
Do I need a visa for a short stopover?
Some nationalities can use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy when travelling through eligible ports to a third country. Rules depend on your passport, route and port of entry. Send us your itinerary and we will confirm the current rule in writing.
Can you book high-speed train tickets for us?
Yes. We book seats together, send e-tickets and explain the station procedure. Your passport is your ticket, so the name and number must match exactly.
Should I tip in China?
Tipping is not customary in most of China. Guides and drivers appreciate a discretionary tip for good service, but it is never expected in restaurants or taxis.
Can I travel to Tibet?
Foreign travellers need a Tibet Travel Permit, arranged through a licensed agency, and must usually travel with a guide. We handle the permit, transport and acclimatisation planning as part of a Tibet journey.
Is tap water safe to drink?
No. Drink bottled or boiled water. We provide bottled water in vehicles and can note dietary and water preferences in your itinerary.
Still planning?Send us the messy version.
Send us the messy version.
We will make it work.
Your passport, your dates, the places you have heard about and the things you are unsure of. We will reply with an honest route and a realistic budget.
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