First Time to China: 29 Things to Know Before Visiting China

If you are unfamiliar with China, you might feel a bit anxious before coming, especially if this is your first time there. The following travel tips will help you prepare in advance and ensure an enjoyable journey.

1. China is Safe.

China has one of the densest surveillance systems in the world. It is mainly used for public services like traffic management and helping find lost people or catching illegal activity. Besides, gun ownership is not allowed in China. So you don't have to worry about getting hurt or being robbed while walking on the street.

In busy areas, local government will also arrange for police and armed police to patrol. As long as you follow the laws in China, you can walk on the streets without worry.

However, this doesn't mean you can completely let your guard down; you still need to keep your personal belongings safe to prevent them from being lost.

2. Applying for a Visa.

China has a 240-hour visa-free transit policy. As long as you meet the requirements, you can stay in China for 10 days. In addition, China has a mutual visa-free policy with 23 countries. It also offers a one-way visa-free policy for citizens of 38 countries. If your country is not in the list of visa-free countries, you need to apply for a visa before you go, or you won't be able to enter China.

Related Reading: Do You Need a Visa to Enter China

3. Download a VPN.

The firewall in China restricts access to most of the everyday mobile apps and websites that you use, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In this case, you just need to download a VPN on your phone to access these websites or apps normally.

4. Make Sure Your Passport is Valid.

A passport is like a pass. You need to keep it valid to use it properly. When boarding trains, airplanes, or presenting tickets at tourist attractions for entry, you need to show your passport for identity verification.

When applying for a Chinese visa, your passport needs to be valid for more than 6 months. For visa-free transit, your passport needs to be valid for more than 3 months.

5. Some Things are Not Allowed to Be Taken As You Exit & Enter.

You can't take weapons, bullets, explosives, fake money and securities, bad books, drugs, or poisons. But you can bring a little perfume for yourself, up to 400 cigarettes, and up to 1.5 liters of alcohol.

Related Reading: China Entry and Exit Requirements

6. Some Tourist Attractions Require Booking in Advance.

Some tourist attractions in China do not support on-site ticket purchasing. You need to make an appointment to enter these attractions. They usually allow you to book tickets up to 7 days in advance. You must make sure whether the attraction you are going to requires an appointment in advance. Otherwise, you won't be able to get in.

The official websites and official accounts of some scenic spots don't have English versions. But if you book a trip with us, we can handle the ticket reservations for you.

7. A Travel Permit is Required to Enter Tibet.

When traveling to Tibet, if you do not have a Chinese ID card or Chinese passport, you are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit according to regulations. You must present a valid Tibet Travel Permit before boarding a flight or train to Tibet to travel there smoothly.

The travel permit cannot be applied for as an individual. We can apply it on your behalf after you book a Tibet itinerary with us.

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8. Pack Your Daily Essentials.

Pack common medicines like fever reducers, anti-diarrhea pills, and allergy medicines. If you need prescription drugs, bring a doctor's note in both Chinese and English.

China uses 220V outlets. Bring adapters for two-prong flat plugs or three-prong flat plugs to charge phones, laptops. For high-power devices (e.g., hair dryers), you'll need a voltage converter.

China's north and south have opposite climates. In March, Beijing might require a thick winter coat, while Hong Kong could be warm enough for short sleeves or a T-shirt. Pack layers or clothes for different seasons to stay comfortable anywhere. Adapters and clothes are easy to buy in local shops in China.

Check the China Weather to know what clothes you need.

9. Don't Carry Too Much Cash.

When entering or exiting the Chinese Mainland, the limit for carrying Renminbi is CNY20000, and the limit for carrying foreign currency is USD5000. Most entry ports have bank branches or foreign currency exchange agencies where you can exchange foreign currencies for RMB after arriving in China.

10. Chinese Airlines Have Strict Requirements for Passengers.

When you take a domestic flight in China, the free checked baggage weight limit is 20 kilograms. Also, you can't put any batteries, even AAA batteries, in your checked baggage.

11. Write Down the Name of the Hotel.

In China, many taxi drivers may not understand English. To avoid communication problems, you can write down the name of the hotel in Chinese before you depart. If you can't write Chinese or are worried about your handwriting, you can take a photo of the hotel's name.

12. Mobile Payment is Popular.

The most convenient way to pay in China is WeChat Pay and Alipay. You just need to use your phone to scan the merchant's QR code to complete the payment. But paying in cash is also an option. I suggest you bring CNY500 in cash, which should be enough. You can exchange CNY at the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications.

You can learn how to pay in China and download WeChat.

13. Download Mobile Applications.

Downloading commonly used mobile apps on your phone in advance can be more convenient. Most of these apps have corresponding English versions. If the language displayed is Chinese when you open it, you can switch the language to English in the settings.

• Baidu Map/Gaode Map: For querying real-time public transportation information
• Alipay/WeChat: After linking your bank card, you can use online payments
• Didi: Similar to Uber, it is mainly used for hailing taxis.

14. Free WiFi is Everywhere.

In China, shopping malls, restaurants, and even bubble tea shops often provide free WiFi for customers. The password is usually posted in a noticeable place on the wall.

I want to remind you not to do any mobile transactions when you are connected to public Wi-Fi. This way, you can protect your money.

15. You Can Go to Many Places By Train.

China's railways are developed. It takes only 4 hours to travel from Beijing to Shanghai. The departure and arrival times are punctual, and the journey is not easily affected by weather conditions.

Before entering the railway station, you are required to go through a security check, which may take a bit of time. Please arrive at the station at least one hour in advance to avoid any delays to your journey. If you bring drinking water, you may be asked by the staff to take a sip.

When checking in for the train, you must go through the manual ticket-checking channel, which is usually located on both sides of the ticket gate. Your passport can be scanned only there.

16. Do Not Drink Tap Water Directly.

In China, tap water is generally considered impure, and drinking it raw can easily cause discomfort. However, people will boil the tap water before drinking it, as high temperatures can kill bacteria.

When traveling in China, you can purchase bottled mineral water at stores for only CNY2, which is very cheap.

17. Hotels Provide Toiletries.

In most hotels in the Chinese mainland, you can find one-time-use toiletries like slippers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and combs in the room. If you don't see them, you can ask the staff.

18. Chinese Food is Delicious.

How could you visit China without tasting its unique local cuisines? Chinese food is so tempting. Every province has its delicious dishes. Once you try them, you won't forget them.

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19. Pay Attention to Table Manners.

Chinese people place great emphasis on table manners, particularly when using chopsticks, as there are many taboos to observe. During meals, you should avoid sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl filled with rice, as this gesture resembles rituals of offering sacrifices to the deceased and is considered inauspicious.

Similarly, tapping chopsticks against bowls or plates is discouraged, as this action evokes associations with the act of begging and is viewed as impolite and uncultured.

20. Be Careful of Travel Traps.

When you're walking on the street, you might meet some friendly Chinese people. They speak good English and offer to take you shopping. But be careful! The prices at the places they take you to are usually much higher than normal. So, don't trust anyone who talks to you on the street. Also, avoid taking taxis that say they use the meter. They might charge you more than you should pay.

21. Be Careful of Allergens in Food.

Chinese people like to eat peanuts as a staple food and add peanuts to dishes to enhance the flavor. Mantou are popular in northern China. Chinese people like to have them with soy milk for breakfast. Mantou are made from wheat flour, and soy milk is made from soybeans. Other foods that contain allergens include peanut butter, dumplings, tofu, mooncakes, and cakes.

22. You Can Bargain.

Some small shop owners might raise the prices of goods when they see that you are a foreigner. At this point, you can negotiate with them to buy the items you like at a price you can accept.

You can compliment the owner on their good looks, or say that the same item is sold at a lower price elsewhere, and you are considering buying it from there.

23. Buy Insurance Before Departure.

You can never predict what might happen during a trip. If an accident does occur and you haven't purchased insurance, you will have to cover all the medical expenses, which will be a huge burden for you, especially when you are alone in China.

24. Natural Scenery in China is Breathtaking.

When you come to China, you should not only visit the rapidly developing metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai to experience their modern vibe with towering skyscrapers but also appreciate the natural scenery.

The mountains and waters of Guilin are famous and are known as the "best under heaven." When you travel by train through Yangshuo, the view outside the window is like a beautiful painting. There's also Zhangjiajie, where the Yuanjiajie is the prototype for the Hallelujah Mountain in the movie Avatar, and it is truly spectacular.

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25. No Need to Give Tips.

China is not like Europe and America, where there is a tipping habit. In the past, people in the service industry didn't expect to receive tips. If you give a tip, it might be misunderstood as a gift or a bribe. When you eat in a restaurant in China, you don't need to leave extra money for the waiter as a tip.

26. Squatting Toilets

Most toilets in China are squatting toilets, and people with mobility issues mainly use toilets with seats. Hotels mainly have toilets with seats, but toilets in shopping malls are squatting toilets.

You'd better carry a small pack of tissue paper with you because toilets in China may not provide toilet paper, especially public toilets next to the road.

27. Learn Some Basic Chinese Phrases.

Not everyone you meet speaks English, so you can download a translation app on your phone, which will allow you to communicate with Chinese people. Besides, learning a few common greetings will make you appear more sincere.