💡 Practical Travel Tips

The stuff guidebooks don't mention — from internet access to bathrooms, it's all here.

🌐

Internet Access & the Great Firewall

◇ China blocks Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, etc. — a VPN is required to access these
◇ Services that work without VPN: WeChat, Alipay, Baidu, Amap, Ctrip, Meituan, Bing, Microsoft 365, Outlook
◇ Install and test your VPN BEFORE departure — VPN download sites are blocked within China
◇ Google Fi and some T-Mobile plans provide native roaming that bypasses the Great Firewall
◇ Airport Wi-Fi usually requires SMS verification (needs a Chinese number) — use metro station or Starbucks free Wi-Fi instead

💴

◇ Chinese currency: Yuan (CNY/RMB). Notes: ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1. Coins: ¥1, 0.5, 0.1
◇ Cash is still accepted in most cities — but mobile payments dominate more every year
◇ Maximum cash on entry: ¥20,000 or equivalent $5,000 in foreign currency (declare if exceeding)
◇ Foreign bank cards work at most major bank ATMs (UnionPay coverage is best; Visa/Mastercard also widely supported)
◇ ATM withdrawals usually offer better exchange rates than currency exchange counters — airport exchange is the worst

📱

◇ Using your home carrier's international roaming is the simplest way to bypass the Great Firewall — no VPN needed
◇ For a local SIM: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom — foreigners can buy prepaid SIMs at carrier stores with passport
◇ A Chinese phone number helps with 12306 (train tickets) and some app verification, but is not essential
◇ Mainland China electricity: 220V/50Hz. Sockets: two-flat-pin (Type A) and three-flat-pin (Type I). Bring a universal adapter.
◇ Hotels and cafes usually have free Wi-Fi, though speeds can be mediocre

🏥

◇ China is one of the safest countries in the world — walking alone in major cities at night is generally fine
◇ Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage (International SOS, AXA, World Nomads all offer China plans)
◇ International hospitals in major cities: Beijing United Family, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital International Dept, Guangzhou Clifford Hospital
◇ Emergency numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119 — operators may not speak English
◇ Bring common medications (cold medicine, anti-diarrheal, allergy meds, band-aids) — buying Western medicine in China means adapting to local brands
◇ Air pollution: northern cities may have smog during winter heating season. Download AirVisual to check AQI, wear a mask if needed

🚻

◇ Chinese public toilets RARELY provide toilet paper — carrying tissues with you is essential
◇ Squat toilets are still the standard in most public restrooms; malls and hotels usually have Western-style toilets
◇ Bullet train stations and large shopping malls generally have cleaner facilities; street-level public toilets can be very basic
◇ Foreigners commonly find Chinese public toilets lack privacy — stall dividers may be low. Be mentally prepared

🌡️

◇ China spans many climate zones — check your destination's weather before packing
◇ Summer (Jun-Aug): hot and humid in most regions. Bring quick-dry clothing and sunscreen
◇ Winter (Dec-Feb): northern China is freezing — bring a down jacket. Southern China is damp-cold with no indoor heating — dress in layers
◇ When visiting temples and religious sites, dress respectfully (no shorts, tank tops, or bare shoulders)
◇ Comfortable walking shoes are more important than any other item — travel in China involves a LOT of walking

🚫

◇ Don't discuss sensitive political topics — this is the most basic rule for traveling in China
◇ Don't photograph strangers without permission; ask parents before photographing children
◇ In Tibet, Xinjiang, and other minority regions, respect local religious customs — remove hats in temples, keep your voice down
◇ When gifting, never give a clock ('sòng zhōng' sounds like 'attending a funeral') — deep cultural knowledge, ordinary tourists rarely encounter this
◇ Present things with both hands (especially business cards, money, gifts) — it shows respect
◇ Number 4 is unlucky (sounds like 'death'); some hotels skip the 4th floor. Numbers 8 and 9 are lucky