Useful China Travel Tips!

1. Before you come to China:

a. make sure you have downloaded :

WeChat ( it has translation function on sending the messages, for example, if you send English to someone, he or she can translate it into Chinese on his/her phone, vice versa. And you can add your credit cards to pay almost everything you need in China.

Alipay: Most widely used pay method. It also contains Didi. 

Didi: If you don't have it on your Alipay, make sure you download one, this will help you to find cars( similar to Uber) wherever you are with a clear payment.

Baidu Map or Gaode Map: Google map is not working in China. Make sure you have download at least one of the two maps.

b. a vacuum cap

This is very helpful both in summer and winter. In winter especially when you travel to the moutains in China, the warm water helps you to keep warm. While in summer, it helps the icy drinks to keep cool for a long time. (Don't use it to contain Carbonated beverages )

c. hotels

You don't have to book these international brands for your stay if you want to save budget or want to experience locally. Many local hotels are good designed and price is not expensive at all. But you need to make sure that these hotels can accept foreigners to stay,  yes, not every hotel can accept foreigners especially in small towns. It may cause unnecessary problems if you stay in these hotels.

d. tickets

Please check the main holidays dates before you come to China. Such as Labour Day and National Day holidays. I can understand if some of you want to experience the Chinese holidays, but you won't really enjoy it when there are countless people in each restaurant, spot, toilet, hotel you go. And prices will sometimes be doubled or even more. Trust me, travelling to China during the big holidays is not a smart decision.

If you are not travelling during the holidays, you may not need to book tickets ahead of time. But pay attention the some places that are always poopular, such as the forbidden city in Beijing, the tickets are open to sell 7 days ahead, maybe you can book it if you decide to visit. For many other places, you can totally book them when you are there to visit or buy directly from the tickets window.

e. Guide 

If you like to study a place before you travel then maybe you can travel on your own, but it means you have to spend lots of time and energy to figure out the hotels, transportation transferance etc. And you may miss some experience that known only by the local guides. If you want to know a place better, you can hire a guide to travel with you, give you more information and what's more, help you to plan some local and hidden experience that are not commercial.

2. When you are in China:

1. Transportation

Now in many cities especially big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, public transportation is very convenient. If you have several days in one city, you can hire a guide to help you plan a daily trip with public transportation to better understand the city. Then you can hire a car with private driver to go farther of the city to explore more of the city and around. But if you have limited time, to hire a guide with private car can make the best of your time and help you enjoy the most of the places.

2. Foods

If you have things that you can't eat, please print the things and bring it with you. Many waiters or waitresses in the restaurants can't speak or understand English, make sure they serve the foods that won't make you sick. If you don't like foods with too much oil or salt, or you don't want it to be spicy, please also prepare the flavor tips in Chinese and bring it with you. This will help you order better. A good translation APP is also helpful when you travel on your own and want to check what's on the menu.

China is too big and of course different places are famous for different local dishes. Sometimes there will be some suggestions online about local restaurants, but you'd better ask your local guide or driver to suggest you the restaurant according to your location. Sometimes some good restaurants are hidden in the streets and they are popular among locals but maybe not famous online.