???? Now easier than you think

China, made simple.

Payments, apps, metro, internet, first-day setup. Our free checklist covers everything you need before visiting China.

Free China Arrival Checklist ↓ Start Planning ¡ú See Guides Where to? ¡ú
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Don't let these stop you

What foreigners worry about most

These are the questions every first-time visitor asks. We've answered them all, clearly and honestly, with zero jargon.

New to China? Start with the free checklist ¡ú

Can I Use My Foreign Card in China?

Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa and Mastercard explained.

Read guide ¡ú

Will Google Work in China?

What happens to Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Google Maps.

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Do I Need a Chinese SIM or eSIM?

eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM: which to pick, and when to buy.

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Can Foreigners Buy Train Tickets?

12306, Trip.com, and how to book before you go.

Read guide ¡ú

How Do I Get Around Chinese Cities?

Metro, DiDi and bike sharing. The apps locals actually use.

Read guide ¡ú

Which Apps Do I Need Before Landing?

Maps, translate, ride-hailing: the 8 essentials ranked.

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Is China Safe for Tourists?

Solo travel, women at night. The honest data, not clickbait.

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Where do you want to go?

Each city is a different China. Start with one, and we'll show you around like a local.

?? Nature meets AI

Hangzhou

West Lake, tea mountains, AI startups. Ancient beauty meets China's most dynamic tech ecosystem.

Explore Hangzhou ¡ú
?? COMING SOON

Beijing

Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, and the heart of China's past and present.

Coming soon
?? COMING SOON

Shanghai

Skyline bars, French Concession lanes, and the world's best metro.

Coming soon
?? COMING SOON

Chengdu

Pandas, spicy hotpot, teahouse culture, and the slowest-paced big city in China.

Coming soon
?? COMING SOON

Chongqing

Trains run through buildings, roads stack 8 layers high, and the night views are absolutely unreal.

Coming soon
?? More to come

& more

Xi'an, Guilin, Lhasa, Zhangjiajie¡­ we're just getting started. More cities, same insider approach.

Stay tuned

Real questions, real answers

Every article targets a real search query: the exact questions foreigners type before visiting China.

Payments

China runs on QR codes. Set these up before you fly.

How to Use Alipay in China (With a Foreign Card)? Essential
Step-by-step setup. The one payment app you can't skip.
Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay? The 2026 Guide
Yes. Setup guide, common pitfalls, and when to use it vs Alipay.

Internet & Connectivity

Google, WhatsApp, Instagram are all blocked. Here's how to stay online.

How to Stay Connected in China: VPN Guide? Essential
Which VPNs work, how to install before you fly, tested monthly.
How to Get Internet in China: eSIM & Data Guide? Essential
eSIM, roaming, local SIM, portable WiFi: every option compared.

Essential Apps

Maps, translate, ride-hailing, food delivery. The apps that make China easy.

China Travel Apps You Must Install Before Landing
8 apps ranked by importance. All work with foreign phone numbers.

Intercity Travel

The world's largest high-speed rail network, and how to use it as a foreigner.

How to Use China's High-Speed Trains as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
12306, Trip.com, seat classes, station walkthrough: everything you need.

City Transport: Metro, Didi, Bikes & More

Move through Chinese cities like you've lived here for years, not like a tourist staring at a map.

Metro & Bus: How to Ride China's Public Transit with Alipay
One QR code for metro and bus. Skip the ticket machines. £¤1¨C6 per trip.
DiDi & Amap: How to Get a Taxi Without Waving One Down
DiDi (China's Uber) and Amap's built-in ride-hailing. £¤12¨C40 per trip.
Shared Bikes: Hellobike, Meituan, DiDi & More
How to unlock any shared bike with Alipay, costs, and where to park.

First-Time China Checklist

The master checklist. Everything above, organized by timeline: before you fly, when you land, first 48 hours.

First-Time China Checklist: Interactive? Essential
21-item checklist. Check things off as you go. Free, no signup required.
Is China Safe for Tourists? Honest Answers
Solo travel, women, night safety: what the data and experience say.

City Guides: Start with Hangzhou

Written by someone who actually lives here. Firsthand knowledge, not recycled paragraphs.

Hangzhou 3-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
West Lake, tea villages, night markets. The perfect intro.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Hangzhou
From lakeside luxury to quiet local neighborhoods.
Hangzhou Nightlife: Where Locals Actually Go
Bars, live houses, night markets. Not the TripAdvisor list.
Hidden Places in Hangzhou Tourists Never Find
Secret temples, empty tea terraces, and the best sunset spot.

Experience China

Deeper dives. The stories behind the sights. Designed to be shared.

How Daily Life Works Smoothly in China
Cashless payments, 30-minute deliveries, bike lanes everywhere. How the everyday things just work.
Local Daily Routines Visitors Should Know
When locals eat, how they commute, and the daily rhythms you'll notice right away.
What Foreigners Misunderstand About Modern China
The 7 biggest misconceptions, and what's actually true.

Follow the journey

Real perspectives from people living in China, unfiltered and personal.