China is easier to travel than you think — but only if you know a few key things. From visa-free policies to mobile payments, from VPN setup to using Didi, here's everything first-time visitors need to know before arriving in China in 2026.
中国旅行比想象中简单——但前提是你了解一些关键信息。 从免签政策到移动支付，从VPN设置到使用滴滴出行，本文涵盖2026年首次赴华游客需要了解的一切。
Visa & Entry: The Good News 签证与入境：好消息
Great news for travelers from 50+ countries: China offers 30-day visa-free stays for passport holders from many countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, most of Europe, and many others.
50多个国家旅客的好消息：中国为包括美国、英国、加拿大、澳大利亚、大部分欧洲国家在内的众多国家护照持有人提供30天免签入境待遇。
🇺🇸 US Citizens: 30 days visa-free (was previously 10-day transit)
🇬🇧 UK Citizens: 30 days visa-free
🇨🇦 Canadian Citizens: 30 days visa-free
🇺🇸 美国公民：30天免签（此前为10天过境）
🇬🇧 英国公民：30天免签
🇨🇦 加拿大公民：30天免签
Important reminders:
重要提醒：
- Your passport must be valid for 6+ months beyond your entry date
- Round-trip or onward tickets may be checked at immigration
- Register with local police within 24 hours if staying in hotels (they handle this automatically)
- 30 days starts from your first entry, not the first city you visit
- 护照有效期须比入境日期长6个月以上
- 入境时可能会被要求出示往返或离境机票
- 入住酒店需在24小时内到公安机关登记（酒店会自动办理）
- 30天从首次入境之日开始计算，而非到达首个城市之日
Mobile Payments: Your Secret Weapon 移动支付：你的秘密武器
China is nearly cashless. If you don't have Alipay or WeChat Pay, you'll struggle with everything from taxis to tea houses. Foreign credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels.
中国几乎是无现金社会。如果没有支付宝或微信支付，你在打车、茶馆等地都会遇到困难。除大型酒店外，外国信用卡几乎不被接受。
Setup before you arrive:
入境前准备：
- Alipay: Download the app, switch to English, and link your foreign credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- WeChat Pay: More complicated for foreigners — consider a Chinese friend's help or a Chinese SIM
- Cash: Bring ~¥1000 for emergencies, exchange at arrival airports or banks
- 支付宝：下载APP，切换英文界面，绑定外国信用卡（Visa、Mastercard、Amex）
- 微信支付：对外籍人士开通较复杂，建议找中国朋友协助或使用中国手机号
- 现金：随身携带约¥1000备用，在到达机场或银行兑换
⚠️ Don't rely on Apple Pay or Google Pay — they don't work in China. Also avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs unless necessary (high fees).
⚠️ 不要依赖Apple Pay或Google Pay——它们在中国无法使用。同时尽量避免在ATM取现（手续费很高）。
Internet Access: Prepare Before You Land 互联网访问：落地前的必修课
Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter... — all blocked in China. Without preparation, you'll be effectively offline for most of what you use daily.
Google、YouTube、Facebook、Instagram、WhatsApp、Twitter...——全部在中国被屏蔽。如果没有准备，你日常生活中使用的大部分服务都将无法访问。
What to do BEFORE you arrive:
入境前必做事项：
- Download and test a VPN — ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark work well. Download the apps, not just set up accounts.
- Download offline maps — Use Google Maps (with VPN) to download offline maps of cities you'll visit
- Consider an eSIM — Services like Saily or Holafly provide data with international routing, reducing VPN dependence
- Download WeChat — Essential for communication, payments, and daily life in China
- 下载并测试VPN——ExpressVPN、NordVPN或Surfshark效果不错。不仅要注册账号，还要下载APP。
- 下载离线地图——使用Google Maps（配合VPN）下载将要访问城市的离线地图
- 考虑eSIM——Saily或Holafly等服务提供国际路由数据，减少对VPN的依赖
- 下载微信——在中国生活、交流、支付的必备应用
VPN Recommendations (2026):
VPN推荐（2026年）：
| VPN | 月费 | 推荐度 |
|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NordVPN | $11.99 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Surfshark | $2.49 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Apps: Your China Survival Kit 应用：中国生存工具包
Forget Google Maps and Uber — China has its own ecosystem. Download these before you arrive:
忘掉Google Maps和Uber吧——中国有自己的生态系统。入境前请下载以下应用：
Must-have apps:
必备应用：
- 高德地图 (Amap) — Best navigation in China, works offline, English interface available
- 滴滴出行 (Didi) — Uber's Chinese equivalent, supports foreign phone numbers
- 铁路12306 — Official high-speed rail ticket booking
- 大众点评 (Dianping) — Yelp-equivalent for restaurant and service reviews
- 百度翻译 — Great for Chinese-to-English translation with camera feature
- 高德地图——中国最好的导航应用，支持离线使用，有英文界面
- 滴滴出行——中国的Uber，支持外国手机号注册
- 铁路12306——官方高铁票务预订
- 大众点评——中国版Yelp，餐厅和服务评价
- 百度翻译——优秀的中译英翻译，支持拍照翻译
Pro tip: Have a Chinese speaker help you set up these apps before arrival. The app stores in China don't have all these apps, so download them on Google Play/Apple Store before you go.
专业建议：入境前请中国朋友帮你设置好这些应用。中国的应用商店没有全部这些APP，请在出发前在Google Play或Apple Store下载。
Transportation: Mastering China's Networks 交通：玩转中国网络
China has the world's best high-speed rail and urban transit systems. Here's how to use them like a local.
中国拥有世界上最好的高铁和城市公共交通系统。以下是像本地人一样使用它们的技巧。
🚄 High-Speed Rail (高铁):
🚄 高铁：
- Book via 12306 app (in English) or at station counters
- For popular routes (Beijing-Shanghai), book 2-3 weeks ahead
- Second class is perfectly comfortable for most journeys
- Show passport at ticket gates, just like at airports
- Arrive 30-60 minutes before departure for security checks
- 通过12306 APP（英文版）或车站售票口预订
- 热门线路（北京-上海），需提前2-3周预订
- 二等座对大多数行程来说已经非常舒适
- 凭护照在检票口验票，与机场安检类似
- 发车前30-60分钟到达以完成安检
🚇 City Metro:
🚇 城市地铁：
- Use Alipay or WeChat mini-programs for metro cards
- Alternatively, buy a single-ride ticket at stations (has English)
- Metro is often faster than taxis during rush hour
- 使用支付宝或微信小程序开通地铁卡
- 也可以在车站购买单程票（有英文提示）
- 高峰时段，地铁往往比出租车更快
⚠️ Taxis: Always have your destination address in Chinese characters to show the driver. Didi is cheaper and the app handles communication for you.
⚠️ 出租车：务必准备目的地的中文地址给司机看。滴滴更便宜，而且APP可以帮你与司机沟通。
Communication: Breaking the Language Barrier 沟通：打破语言障碍
English is not widely spoken outside major cities. A few basic phrases and the right tools go a long way.
在主要城市以外，英语并不普及。掌握一些基本短语和合适的工具会大有帮助。
Essential Chinese phrases:
必备中文短语：
- Nǐ hǎo — Hello (你好)
- Xiè xiè — Thank you (谢谢)
- Duì bu qǐ — Sorry (对不起)
- Yīdiǎnr — A little (一点)
- Wǒ yào... — I want... (我要...)
- Zhège duōshao qián? — How much is this? (这个多少钱?)
- Wǒ kàn bu dǒng — I don't understand (我看不懂)
- 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — 你好
- 谢谢 (Xiè xiè) — 谢谢
- 对不起 (Duì bu qǐ) — 对不起
- 一点 (Yīdiǎnr) — 一点
- 我要... (Wǒ yào...) — 我要...
- 这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshao qián?) — 这个多少钱?
- 我看不懂 (Wǒ kàn bu dǒng) — 我看不懂
Pro tip: Use 百度翻译's camera feature to instantly translate menus, signs, and documents. It works surprisingly well for Chinese to English.
专业建议：使用百度翻译的拍照翻译功能，可以即时翻译菜单、标识和文件。中译英效果出乎意料地好。
Cultural Insights: Don't Accidentally Offend 文化洞察：避免无意冒犯
China has different social norms. Here are key things to keep in mind:
中国有不同的社交礼仪。以下是一些关键注意事项：
Do's:
✓ 应该做的：
- Accept business cards with two hands
- Offer and receive things with both hands
- Try a bit of everything when hosted — it's polite
- Be patient — things work differently in China
- 用双手接递名片
- 用双手递接物品
- 做客时每样菜尝一点——这是礼貌
- 保持耐心——中国做事情的方式不同
⚠️ Taboos to avoid:
⚠️ 需要避免的禁忌：
- Number 4 — Sounds like "death" in Chinese, avoid in gifts or floor numbers
- Number 7 — Associated with death in some contexts
- Giving clocks as gifts — Sounds like "attending a funeral" (送钟 = 送终)
- Writing names in red ink — Used only for deceased
- Pointing with one finger — Use open palm instead
- 数字4——中文谐音"死"，避免在礼物或楼层中使用
- 数字7——在某些语境下与死亡相关
- 送钟作为礼物——谐音"送终"（参加葬礼）
- 用红笔写名字——只用于已故之人
- 用一根手指指向——改用张开的手掌
Food: Embrace the Adventure 美食：拥抱冒险
Chinese food is incredibly diverse and delicious. Don't let fear of the unknown limit your culinary adventures.
中华美食丰富多样、美味可口。不要让对未知的恐惧限制你的美食探索。
Street food tips:
街头美食建议：
- Look for crowds — locals know the best spots
- Follow the smoke — where there's smoke, there's good food
- Most street food is safe to eat if cooked fresh in front of you
- Start with popular items: dumplings (饺子), noodles (面条), bao (包子)
- 找人多的地方——本地人知道最好的店
- 跟着烟火气走——有烟的地方就有美食
- 大多数街头美食可以放心吃，只要是现场制作的
- 从热门食物开始：饺子、面条、包子
Spice level: "不要辣" (bù yào là) means "no spice." Start mild if you're sensitive — Chinese spicy food can be intense!
辣度："不要辣"意思是"不要辣"。如果不太能吃辣，建议从微辣开始——中国辣味食物可能很猛！
Safety & Privacy: Travel Smart 安全与隐私：聪明旅行
China is generally very safe for travelers. Violent crime is rare, but petty theft can happen. Here's how to stay safe:
中国对旅行者来说总体非常安全。暴力犯罪很少见，但小偷小摸可能发生。以下是保持安全的方法：
Safety essentials:
安全须知：
- Keep passport secure — Carry a photocopy, store original in hotel safe
- Use hotel safes for valuables
- Download offline emergency numbers — Police: 110, Ambulance: 120
- Get travel insurance — Medical emergencies abroad are expensive
- Be cautious with tap water — Drink bottled or filtered water
- 妥善保管护照——携带复印件，原件放在酒店保险箱
- 贵重物品使用酒店保险箱
- 下载离线紧急电话——报警:110, 急救:120
- 购买旅行保险——境外医疗紧急情况费用高昂
- 注意自来水——饮用瓶装水或过滤水
Privacy awareness:
隐私意识：
- VPN protects your data — Use it on public WiFi
- Avoid discussing sensitive topics publicly
- Your phone data may be monitored on certain networks
- WeChat messages are monitored — avoid sensitive discussions
- VPN保护你的数据——在公共WiFi上使用
- 避免在公开场合讨论敏感话题
- 某些网络上你的手机数据可能被监控
- 微信消息会被监控——避免敏感讨论
Planning: First Timer's Itinerary 规划：首次行程安排
For your first China trip, focus on iconic experiences. Don't try to see everything — China is vast!
首次中国之行，专注于标志性体验。不要试图看完一切——中国太大了！
Classic first-timer routes:
经典首次游路线：
| Route | Days | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing + Shanghai | 5-7 days | Forbidden City, Great Wall, Modern skyline |
| Beijing + Xi'an | 5-7 days | Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors |
| Shanghai + Hangzhou + Suzhou | 5-7 days | Garden cities, water towns, culture |
| Chengdu + Chongqing | 4-5 days | Pandas, spicy food, mountain city |
Quick planning checklist:
快速规划清单：
- ☐ Passport valid 6+ months
- ☐ VPN downloaded and tested
- ☐ Alipay/WeChat Pay set up
- ☐ Offline maps downloaded
- ☐ China SIM or eSIM arranged
- ☐ High-speed rail tickets booked
- ☐ Hotels confirmed (all can store luggage)
- ☐ Travel insurance purchased
- ☐ Emergency numbers saved
- ☐ 护照有效期6个月以上
- ☐ VPN已下载并测试
- ☐ 支付宝/微信支付已设置
- ☐ 离线地图已下载
- ☐ 中国SIM卡或eSIM已安排
- ☐ 高铁票已预订
- ☐ 酒店已确认（均可寄存行李）
- ☐ 旅行保险已购买
- ☐ 紧急联系电话已保存
🎉 You're Ready for China! 🎉 你准备好了！
China is an incredible destination that will surprise and delight you. With proper preparation, you'll navigate it like a seasoned traveler. 欢迎来中国！Welcome to China!
中国是一个令人惊喜的目的地。做好了准备，你就能像个老手一样畅行无阻。 欢迎来中国！Welcome to China!