Read before you land

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Some passports currently qualify for visa-free short stays, while others need a tourist visa applied for in advance. Rules can change at short notice, so confirm with the nearest Chinese embassy or visa centre before booking flights.

At immigration you will be asked for your passport, a completed arrival card and the address of your first night's accommodation. Keep a printed or offline copy of your hotel address in English and Chinese; immigration officers may ask for it and phone data is not always instant.

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date
• Visa or visa-free eligibility confirmed for your nationality
• Hotel address and booking reference saved offline
• Return or onward ticket available to show if asked

Alipay and WeChat Pay cover almost every transaction, from a 4 yuan breakfast to museum tickets. Both allow foreign cards on most accounts. Set up an account and complete identity verification before departure so that verification messages reach you at home.

Carry a few hundred yuan in cash for older shops, rural markets and situations where your phone is out of battery. International cards work at hotels and larger restaurants but should not be assumed elsewhere.

• One mobile payment app set up and tested before flying
• Small amount of cash for markets and rural stops
• A backup card kept separately from your phone

A local SIM bought at the airport is usually the simplest option for short trips, and eSIM plans work if your phone supports them. Roaming with your home operator often includes data that routes outside local restrictions, which matters if you rely on certain services.

Download your maps, translation and payment apps before you travel. Offline maps and a saved screenshot of your hotel address solve most first-day problems.

• SIM or eSIM plan chosen before departure
• Maps, translation and payment apps installed
• Offline maps and hotel details saved

High-speed rail connects most major cities comfortably, and trains are usually the fastest way between them. Book ahead for holiday periods and arrive at the station 40 minutes early; security and platform access take longer than you might expect.

In cities, the metro is reliable and cheap, with English signage in most stations. Ride-hailing works well and removes the language barrier; if you take a street taxi, have your destination written in Chinese.

• Rail tickets booked for longer transfers
• Destination names saved in Chinese characters
• Metro app or payment method ready for gates

Queueing, tipping and personal space work differently here. Tipping is not expected, restaurant bills are usually paid at the counter, and service is not paced the way it is in Europe or North America.

Tap water is not drunk directly; hotels provide kettles and bottled water is widely available. Carry tissues for older public toilets, and expect security checks at museums, stations and some public buildings.

• Tissues and hand sanitiser in your day bag
• Refillable bottle for boiled or bottled water
• Photo ID with you for museum and station entry