China, with its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes, has become an increasingly popular destination for international tourists. For those planning to visit this magnificent country, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.
Visa Information
As of November 2024, people from the following countries or regions are eligible for visa free travel to China:
Long term visa free countries:
UAE, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, Armenia, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino.
Countries implementing visa free policies:
March 14th to November 30th, 2024: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg.
November 8, 2024- December 31, 2025: Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea.
72 hour or 144 hour transit visa free countries:
Europe (40 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.
Americas (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.
Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Accommodation Registration
When it comes to accommodation, not all hotels in China are qualified to host foreign guests. It’s advisable to choose star – rated hotels or well – known Chinese hotel chains. Before booking, confirm with the hotel. If you stay in a hotel, you need to present a valid passport or other international travel documents at the front desk for registration. The hotel will usually report to the public security organs on your behalf. If you stay in other places like a rented house or at a relative’s or friend’s place, you must bring your valid passport or other international travel documents, along with the rental contract or property certificate (if staying with relatives or friends, relevant proof from them) to the local police station within 24 hours to complete the accommodation registration.
Laws and Regulations
Activity Range Restriction: Foreigners with specific visas or enjoying visa – free policies must strictly abide by the restrictions on the stay area. Straying outside the permitted area can lead to legal issues.
Legal Activities: When entering China, you must provide the true purpose of your entry. You are not allowed to engage in activities unrelated to the declared reasons during the visa application. For instance, tourists cannot work or study in China, and business visa holders should not engage in non – business activities like tourism.
Religious Activity Restriction: Foreigners conducting religious activities in China must comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and religious policies. You are not allowed to establish religious organizations, set up religious offices, build religious activity sites, or open religious schools in China. You also cannot proselytize among Chinese citizens, appoint religious personnel, or conduct other missionary activities.
Prohibition of Illegal and Criminal Activities: During your stay in China, you must abide by Chinese laws. Any illegal activities such as theft, robbery, fraud, drug trafficking, or gambling are strictly prohibited. Violators will face legal sanctions.
Cultural Customs
Respecting Customs: China has a long history and rich cultural traditions. You should respect Chinese customs. In public, pay attention to your behavior and avoid actions that are impolite or disrespectful to the local culture. When interacting with Chinese people, be aware of the differences in etiquette and culture to prevent misunderstandings or conflicts.
Respecting Special Festivals and Customs: Learn about and respect traditional Chinese festivals like the Spring Festival and Mid – Autumn Festival. Avoid inappropriate behavior or remarks during these festivals. When visiting cultural sites such as temples and ancient monuments, follow the relevant regulations and etiquette and do not damage or desecrate cultural relics.
Mobile Communication
Foreigners can bring their passports or permanent residence identity cards for foreigners to the business halls of Chinese telecom enterprises such as China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadnet to apply for mobile SIM cards and activate mobile communication services. You can also do this at the telecom business points at the airport. Please note that due to Chinese policy, apps like Google and YouTube cannot be used directly. If you need to use them, you can purchase VPN services through our website (https://sinoluxe.com/product/vpn-access-for-china-travel-unlimited-data-global-connections-at-9-9/).
Consumption Payment
In China, cashless transactions are widely used. The daily payment tools are WeChat and Alipay. You can download and register them before your trip to China and bind your credit card. Mobile e – payments can cover almost all your consumption in China, including transportation, accommodation, shopping, and dining. If you need cash, you can try to withdraw money from ATMs or exchange some cash at convenience stores or other shops.
Transportation
High – speed Rail/Train Tickets:
Purchase through the 12306 English version website (https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html). This is the official Chinese railway ticket – purchasing website, where you can query and purchase tickets for all high – speed rail and train lines in mainland China. It also supports four major international card organizations such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Diners.
You can also buy tickets through third – party travel platforms such as Trip.com, Fliggy, and Qunar.
Bus/Subway: Use WeChat or Alipay. The apps have a ride – code function. Just open the ride – code and scan it to quickly take the bus or subway.
Recommended Apps
Payment Apps:
Alipay（支付宝）: Mobile payment is very popular in China, and Alipay is one of the widely used payment tools. Foreigners can download the Alipay app and bind overseas bank cards for “foreign card – domestic binding” payment. They can also use overseas e – wallets to scan Alipay QR codes, which is “foreign wallet – domestic use”. Through Alipay, you can cover most of your daily money – transaction scenarios in China. You can also experience convenient services such as shared bikes, shared power banks, mobile food ordering, and food delivery. Alipay has multiple language versions for the convenience of foreigners.
WeChat（微信）: WeChat is the mainstream social app in China, almost everyone uses it. Foreigners can download the WeChat app and pay through “foreign card – domestic binding” or “foreign wallet – domestic use” methods. WeChat payment can be used in many scenarios such as shopping and dining. At the same time, WeChat has a built – in chat translation tool to facilitate communication between foreigners and Chinese people.
Travel Apps:
Trip.com（携程）: If foreigners want to book air tickets, hotels, scenic area tickets, or group tours, Trip.com is a great choice. It’s an application under the largest online travel group in China, providing one – stop travel services and supporting multiple languages and multiple foreign currency payments.
Didi (滴滴 International Version): For foreigners who need to take a taxi, Didi is more convenient. If the English translation of the Didi mini – program in Alipay is incomplete, you can download the Didi international version app. It can be used for taxi – hailing in many cities in China.
Translation Apps:
Baidu Translate（百度翻译）: This is a versatile translation software that supports translation between multiple languages, including text translation, voice translation, and photo translation. It can help foreigners better communicate and understand during their travels in China.
UDictionary（有道词典）: Language communication may be an issue for foreigners traveling in China. The international version of UDictionary can assist them with translation, with camera translation and voice translation functions. By using the phone camera to take pictures of content that needs translation, such as menus, the app can automatically recognize the text in the picture and translate it into the desired language. It can also record voice through the phone to achieve real – time two – language voice translation.
Life Service Apps:
Meituan（美团）: The most widely used food delivery platform in China, with many functions including online restaurant table reservation, food delivery, hotel reservation, travel services, fresh food shopping, errand services, and map services. (Note: The app is mainly in Chinese, and you may need translation tools.)
Dianping（大众点评）: Foreigners can use Dianping to learn about restaurants, scenic spots, and entertainment venues in different parts of China, view evaluations and recommendations from other users, and choose suitable consumption places.
Ele.me（饿了么）: If foreigners want to order food delivery, they can use the Ele.me app. However, the English version of this app may not be perfect, and translation tools may be needed during use.
Map Apps:
Baidu Maps（百度地图）: A powerful travel navigation app with extensive global map data coverage, providing accurate geographical information and navigation services. In addition to navigation, it also integrates a large amount of life service information. Users can search for nearby points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, and scenic spots through Baidu Maps and view relevant evaluations and business hours.
Amap（高德地图）: It has a high reputation and a large user group in the Chinese market, with numerous functions.
Recommended Tourist Cities
Historical and Cultural Cities:
Beijing: With a history of more than 3,000 years of city – building and over 800 years of capital – establishment, it was the political center during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It has many famous historical relics. The Forbidden City, as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is magnificent in scale and exquisite in architecture, being one of the largest and best – preserved ancient wooden – structure architectural complexes in the world. The Temple of Heaven was the place where ancient emperors worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvests, with its unique architectural style and rich cultural connotations. The Badaling Great Wall is a world – famous architectural wonder, like a giant dragon winding through the mountains.
Xi’an: Formerly known as Chang’an, it was the capital of 13 dynasties such as the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, etc. Here, there is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, which is known as the “eighth wonder of the world”. The vivid terracotta figures and horses show the superb skills of ancient craftsmen and the powerful military strength of the Qin State. There are also many ancient palace ruins such as Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace of the Han Dynasty, Daxing City of the Sui Dynasty, and Daming Palace and Xingqing Palace of the Tang Dynasty, outlining a strong “Chang’an complex”.
Nanjing: With a history of nearly 2,600 years of city – building, it was the capital of the Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, and the six dynasties in the Southern Dynasties, known as the “ancient capital of the six dynasties”. There is the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, a world cultural heritage. Its large – scale architecture, strict layout, and exquisite stone carving art make it an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese imperial mausoleums. There are also historical and cultural scenic spots such as Dr. Sun Yat – sen’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River area, carrying rich historical memories.
Luoyang: With a civilization history of more than 5,000 years, it is the earliest – established, most – dynastied, and longest – lasting capital in China, with 13 dynasties such as the Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou establishing their capitals here, known as the “ancient capital of the thirteen dynasties”. It has six world cultural heritages such as the Longmen Grottoes, the Grand Canal of China, and the Chang’an – Tianshan Corridor Network. The Longmen Grottoes have superb stone carving art, being the world’s largest stone carving art treasure house with the most statues.
Kaifeng: With a history of more than 4,100 years of city – building, it is the only capital in the world whose central axis has never changed. The city – on – city ruins are unique in the world’s archaeological history and capital history. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng was one of the most prosperous cities in the world, leaving many historical and cultural relics. For example, the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is a large – scale Song – dynasty historical and cultural theme park built based on Zhang Zeduan’s “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival”.
Hangzhou: Its history can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. It was the capital of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period’s Wuyue Kingdom and the Southern Song Dynasty, being one of the eight ancient capitals of China. Hangzhou has many cultural relics, with world cultural heritages such as the West Lake and the Beijing – Hangzhou Grand Canal. Around the West Lake, there are famous scenic spots such as Yuewang Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and Lingyin Temple, full of a strong historical and cultural atmosphere.
Natural Scenic Cities:
Guilin: Famous for its “landscape tops under heaven”, the karst landform here forms unique natural scenery. The Li River is like a green ribbon winding through the mountains. The river water is clear, and the peaks on both sides have various shapes, some like camels, some like elephants, presenting a beautiful view. Yangshuo’s Ten – mile Gallery is the essence of Guilin’s landscape. Along the way, you can enjoy the picturesque scenery and experience activities such as cycling and rafting, getting close to nature.
Zhangjiajie: It has unique natural landscapes such as strange peaks, rocks, and deep valleys. In Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, there are numerous peaks, some towering into the clouds, some with strange shapes. For example, the Tianzi Mountain’s Qiankun Pillar is like a pillar reaching the sky, which is breathtaking. The Jinbian Stream is a clear stream. Walking along the stream, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides and see many rare animals and plants.
Jiuzhaigou: Known as the “fairyland on earth” and “fairy – tale world”, the lakes, waterfalls, snow – capped mountains, and forests here blend with each other, forming a series of gorgeous pictures. The water in the Five – flower Lake has colorful hues, showing blue, green, yellow, and other colors under the sunlight, which is extremely beautiful. The Nuorilang Waterfall is magnificent with a large volume of water, being one of the widest waterfalls in China, bringing a strong visual impact.
Huangshan: It is one of the famous mountains in China, famous for its “four wonders” of strange pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs. The pine trees on Huangshan have various shapes, some standing upright, some bending and coiling, such as the Guest – greeting Pine and the Farewell Pine, becoming the landmark landscapes of Huangshan. The grotesque rocks are also a major feature of Huangshan. Some look like people, some like animals, and some like utensils, full of fun. The sea of clouds surges among the mountains, like a dream, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland.
Changbai Mountain: Located in northeastern China, it is a dormant volcano. The Tianchi Lake on the top of the mountain is like a magnificent jasper, inlaid among the peaks. The lake water is clear and transparent, and the surrounding peaks are reflected in the water, presenting a spectacular view. Changbai Mountain has abundant hot spring resources. The hot spring water has a relatively high temperature and contains multiple minerals, having good health – care effects. In addition, Changbai Mountain has rich forest vegetation. In autumn, the maple leaves are as red as fire, with a charming scenery.
City of Gastronomy：
Chengdu: As the birthplace and core area of the development of Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu has a deep food culture heritage. The food culture here is closely integrated with people’s lives, reflecting the love and pursuit of food by the people of Sichuan. Classic Sichuan dishes such as twice – cooked pork and mapo tofu, as well as special hot pots, and snacks like wontons and dumplings are well – known both at home and abroad for their diverse flavors. Chengdu’s food is not only popular in China but also has a high reputation internationally. There are numerous catering enterprises and professional chefs in Chengdu. Food festivals and cooking competitions are frequently held, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to taste the food. Chengdu has also established China’s first brewery, tea culture center, and food museum, further promoting the development of food culture.
Shunde: Located in the core area of the Pearl River Delta, north of Guangzhou and south of Hong Kong, Shunde has an excellent natural environment, providing good conditions for the development of food culture. Shunde is one of the birthplaces of Cantonese cuisine and has the title of “hometown of Chinese chefs” with a long – standing food culture. Specialties include roasted meat, steamed river fresh, double – skin milk, and Chencun rice noodles, with exquisite cooking and unique flavors. Its unique taste attracts diners, and the documentary “A Bite of Shunde” has helped it gain popularity.
Macau: Macau was a former Portuguese colony, and its food has the characteristics of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. It gathers food cultures from all over the world and also retains the traditional flavor of Cantonese cuisine. Specialties include Portuguese – style egg tarts, Portuguese – style chicken, and stir – fried milk of Cantonese cuisine, as well as pork chop buns. Macau’s food culture, which combines Chinese and Western features, has formed a unique flavor, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. Macau’s food festivals and food competitions are rich and colorful, providing a platform for the exchange and development of food culture.
Yangzhou: Yangzhou is the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine, with a long history and deep cultural heritage. Located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, Yangzhou has convenient transportation and abundant food materials, providing favorable conditions for the development of food culture. Specialties include lion’s head meatballs, boiled shredded dried bean curd, Yangzhou fried rice, and Wensi tofu, which are delicate. Yangzhou’s food, with its delicate taste and unique cooking skills, has received wide acclaim. Its food culture not only holds an important position in China but also enjoys a certain reputation internationally. Every year, a large number of tourists come to Yangzhou to taste the food and experience the cultural charm of the city.
Huai’an: Huai’an is one of the important birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Located on the苏北平原, Huai’an is rich in products, providing a solid foundation for the development of food culture. Specialties include soft – eel in brown sauce, crayfish from Xuyi, Pingsiao tofu, and hairy crabs from Hongze Lake, with unique flavors. Huai’an’s food, with its unique flavor and rich variety, has attracted many diners. Huai’an actively holds food festivals and cooking competitions to promote its food culture and increase the popularity and influence of Huai’an food.
Chaozhou: Chaozhou cuisine is an important representative of Cantonese cuisine. The Chaozhou region has a long history and unique culture, and its food culture has formed its own characteristics during the long – term development process. Specialties include beef balls, marinated goose, oyster omelet, and spring rolls, with unique flavors. Chaozhou’s food, with its unique flavor and excellent cooking skills, has a certain influence in Guangdong Province and even the whole country. The food cultures in Hong Kong and even Southeast Asian regions such as Thailand and Singapore are also influenced by Chaozhou cuisine. It has been designated as the only representative of Chinese food culture to participate in the World Expo for three consecutive times.
Emergency Assistance
In case of an emergency during your trip in China, it is essential to know the local emergency numbers. The police number is 110, and the medical emergency number is 120. Make sure you can use these numbers to get timely help when needed.