๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Your China Travel Companion

Everything You Need to Know
Before You Go to China

China is incredible โ€” but the preparation can be overwhelming. We built this guide to help you arrive confident, connected, and ready to explore. No fluff, just what actually works.

๐ŸŒŸ Featured Video

American Girl's First Day in Shanghai ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

๐Ÿ“บ Serene / ๅฐ้นฟ ยท 18 min

  • โœฆFirst-time traveler experience in Shanghai
  • โœฆUsing WeChat Pay & Alipay as a foreigner
  • โœฆNavigating the Shanghai Metro with English signs
  • โœฆStreet food: xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) + shengjian
๐ŸŽฏ First-timers nervous about tech & payment in China

๐Ÿ“‹ China Travel Preparation Checklist

Go through each item. Not sure how? Click the ๐Ÿ’ก Help button next to any item for step-by-step instructions and demo videos.

๐Ÿ“„๐Ÿ“„ Visa & Documents

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Chinese visa (L-visit or 144-hour transit waiver)
Printed flight itinerary & hotel bookings
Travel insurance (recommended: World Nomads / SafetyWing)
Photocopies of passport & visa (keep separate)

๐Ÿ’ณ๐Ÿ’ณ Money & Tech

WeChat Pay set up with foreign card
Alipay set up (tourist version works)
VPN installed and tested before departure
SIM card / eSIM (Airalo, Nomad, or China Unicom)
Google Maps alternatives: Amap (้ซ˜ๅพท) or Baidu Maps
Didi (DiDi Chuxing) app installed

๐Ÿงณ๐Ÿงณ Packing Essentials

Power adapter (Type A/I โ€” 2 flat pins, 220V)
Portable toilet paper / tissues (many public restrooms lack these)
Reusable water bottle (hot water available everywhere)
Comfortable walking shoes (you will walk 15k+ steps daily)
Face masks (still common on public transport)
Basic medicine kit (stomach, cold, band-aids)

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Language & Culture

Download Pleco or Google Translate (offline Chinese pack)
Learn basic phrases: ่ฐข่ฐข (xiรจ xie), ๅคšๅฐ‘้’ฑ (duล shวŽo qiรกn)
Know the 'scan to pay' gesture (ๅค–ๅ›ฝไบบ no need to say it)
Bring a small gift if visiting someone's home
Tipping is NOT expected (but rounding up is fine)

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๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

๐ŸŽฌ More Travel Stories

Watch real travelers explore China. Each video covers a different city and travel style.

American Girl's First Day in Shanghai ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

18 min

๐Ÿ“บ Serene / ๅฐ้นฟ

  • โ€ขFirst-time traveler experience in Shanghai
  • โ€ขUsing WeChat Pay & Alipay as a foreigner
  • โ€ขNavigating the Shanghai Metro with English signs
  • โ€ขStreet food: xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) + shengjian
๐ŸŽฏ First-timers nervous about tech & payment in ChinaWatch โ–ถ

China High-Speed Rail: Beijing โ†’ Shanghai by Bullet Train ๐Ÿš„

22 min

๐Ÿ“บ Jet Lag Warriors

  • โ€ขComplete walkthrough: buying tickets, security, boarding
  • โ€ข4.5 hours, 1,318 km โ€” top speed 350 km/h
  • โ€ขFood delivery on the train (order via WeChat)
  • โ€ขComparison with flying: time, cost, comfort
๐ŸŽฏ Anyone planning to use China's train networkWatch โ–ถ

Chengdu: Pandas, Hotpot & Sichuan Culture ๐Ÿผ

25 min

๐Ÿ“บ Travel With Jack

  • โ€ขGiant Panda Base (arrive at 8am tip)
  • โ€ขReal Sichuan hotpot experience (not tourist version)
  • โ€ขKuanzhai Alley & Wenshu Monastery
  • โ€ขSichuan opera with face-changing performance
๐ŸŽฏ Food lovers & panda enthusiastsWatch โ–ถ

Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors & Muslim Quarter Food Tour ๐Ÿ—ฟ

20 min

๐Ÿ“บ The China Traveller

  • โ€ขTerracotta Warriors Museum (pit 1, 2, 3 explained)
  • โ€ขBiangbiang noodles & yangrou paomo in Muslim Quarter
  • โ€ขCycling the Ancient City Wall at sunset
  • โ€ขSilk Road history & cultural context
๐ŸŽฏ History buffs & street food loversWatch โ–ถ
๐Ÿ”’

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Need Help Making It Happen?

Use the checklist above for DIY. Or let someone handle the logistics for you.

๐Ÿš— Airport Pickup Only

Meet-and-greet at arrival hall, assist with luggage, direct transfer to your hotel. Includes a 30-minute city orientation guide en route.

  • โœ“Airport meet & greet
  • โœ“English-speaking driver
  • โœ“Direct to hotel
  • โœ“30-min city orientation guide
$250

๐Ÿš Full Transport Package

Private vehicle for your entire trip โ€” airport transfers, daily sightseeing, inter-city travel. Includes a bilingual driver and flexible daily routing.

  • โœ“Airport pickup & dropoff
  • โœ“Daily private car
  • โœ“Flexible itinerary
  • โœ“English-speaking driver
  • โœ“Bilingual route support
$450

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Guided Tour + Transport

Professional English-speaking guide + private transport. Customized daily itinerary, local expertise, and restaurant recommendations.

  • โœ“Certified English guide
  • โœ“Private vehicle
  • โœ“Custom itinerary
  • โœ“Restaurant recommendations
  • โœ“Ticket booking assistance
$600

๐Ÿจ Full Trip Package

Everything: guide + transport + hotel booking. Hand off all the logistics to us.

  • โœ“Visa consultation
  • โœ“Hotel booking
  • โœ“English guide
  • โœ“Private transport
  • โœ“24/7 WeChat support
Custom quote

Don't see what you need?

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๐Ÿจ Book Hotels in China

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Have Questions? Ask Our Travel Assistant

Not sure about visa rules? Which cities to visit in 10 days? Need a custom itinerary? Our AI assistant knows China travel inside out.

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