First Time in China: 30 Tips for First-Time Visitors

Your first trip to China will be unlike any travel experience you've had. Not harder—just different. These 30 tips cover everything first-timers need to know.

Before You Go

1. Get Your VPN Before You Fly

VPN apps are blocked in China. Download, install, and test your VPN before departure. No VPN = no Google, no Instagram, no WhatsApp, no Gmail.

2. Download Everything Offline

• Maps (Baidu Maps, Apple Maps)
• Translation (Google Translate with Chinese offline pack)
• Your VPN app
• WeChat
• This guide

3. Set Up Mobile Payment

Alipay or WeChat Pay with your international card. Cash is increasingly useless. Do this before arrival.

4. Tell Your Bank

Credit cards get flagged for fraud when used in China. Call your bank before departure.

5. Bring Passport Copies

Digital copies (cloud storage, email to yourself) and physical copies. You'll need your passport constantly.

6. Pack Tissues

Public toilets rarely have toilet paper. Restaurants may not have napkins. Carry tissues always.

7. Get a Power Adapter

China uses Type A and I outlets at 220V. Bring an adapter.

At Arrival

8. Have Your Hotel Address Ready

In Chinese characters. Immigration may ask. Taxi drivers definitely need it.

9. Get a SIM Card at the Airport

Tourist SIM cards are available at arrival halls. Expensive but convenient. Alternative: wait and buy in city for better prices.

10. Skip Airport Currency Exchange

Worst rates anywhere. Exchange a small amount only, or use ATM.

11. Take Official Transportation

Use the official taxi queue or metro. Never accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal.

Getting Around

12. Download Didi

China's Uber. Works in English, accepts international cards. Safer and often cheaper than street taxis.

13. Learn to Use the Metro

Every major city has excellent subways. English signage, announcements. Cheapest transportation.

14. Book Train Tickets Early

Popular routes sell out. Book through Trip.com several days ahead.

15. Get a Transit Card

Rechargeable cards work on metro and buses. Saves time vs. buying tickets each ride.

Communication

16. WeChat Is Not Optional

Everyone uses it. Businesses, payment, messaging, translation, maps within app. Download it.

17. Learn Five Phrases

• 你好 (nǐ hǎo) — Hello
• 谢谢 (xièxiè) — Thank you
• 这个 (zhège) — This one
• 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) — How much?
• 不要 (bù yào) — No/don't want

18. Point at Things

When language fails, pointing works. Point at menu items, map locations, products.

19. Carry Your Hotel's Business Card

Take one at check-in. Show it to taxi drivers to get back. Solves communication problems.

Eating and Drinking

20. Don't Drink Tap Water

Not safe. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Hotels provide kettles.

21. Eat Where Locals Eat

Long lines = fresh food. Empty restaurant at dinner time = bad sign.

22. Try Street Food

Safe if it's cooked hot in front of you. Some of the best food in China.

23. Rice Is a Side Dish

Order it separately. It's not automatically included. "米饭" (mǐfàn).

Money

24. Mobile Payment First

Alipay and WeChat Pay work everywhere. This is your primary payment method.

25. Carry Backup Cash

Small amount (¥500-1,000) for places that don't take mobile payment or for emergencies.

26. ATMs Work but Have Fees

Bank of China ATMs most reliable for foreign cards. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees.

Safety and Etiquette

27. Don't Worry About Crime

China is very safe. Your main concerns are scams and traffic.

28. Watch for Traffic Constantly

Cars don't yield. Scooters are silent. Look both ways always.

29. Know the Common Scams

Tea house scam, art student scam, fake monks. If strangers approach you offering anything, politely decline.

30. Don't Tip

Tipping isn't expected at restaurants, taxis, or hotels. It can cause confusion.

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First-Timer Mindset Tips

Expect the unexpected. Something won't go as planned. That's travel.

Be patient. Things work differently. Give yourself time to figure it out.

Stay flexible. Your best experiences might be unplanned.

Accept help. Chinese people are often eager to help lost foreigners.

Try things. Food, activities, conversations. You're only a first-timer once.

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What First-Timers Wish They'd Known

"I wish I'd downloaded my VPN before arrival." — Everyone who didn't

"Cash is almost useless. Set up Alipay." — Budget travelers

"Train tickets sell out. Book ahead." — Weekend travelers

"The food is way better than Chinese food at home." — First-time eaters

"English is much rarer than I expected." — Solo travelers

"It's way safer than the news suggests." — Nervous travelers

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First trip? The China Survival Kit is built for you—offline access, all the essentials, works when everything else doesn't.