Travel Tips I Wish You Knew Before Coming to China

But before you arrive, here are some tips I wish you knew — to make your trip smooth, safe, and truly enjoyable.

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1. Download a VPN in advance

China has the Great Firewall, which blocks access to many Western social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. To use these apps, you’ll need to install a VPN before you enter China.

You’ll find plenty of free VPNs on the App Store, but they’re often unreliable. I’d recommend buying a paid one — it usually costs around $10–$16 per month and works much better.

2. Check the visa policy

China’s 30-day visa-free policy started on November 30, 2024. For most eligible countries, it’s currently valid until December 31, 2026.

This policy applies to travelers from 50 countries holding ordinary passports. Before booking your flight, make sure your country is on the list.

If you’re from the U.S. or Canada, you can also use the transit visa rule: if you fly from China to a third country, you may stay in China for up to 10 days. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a regular visa in advance.

3. Be mentally prepared for public toilets

When you’re in China, you’ll notice that — except in hotels or some upscale restaurants — Western-style sitting toilets are rare. Most public restrooms have squat toilets.

You might want to practice squatting before you go! Also, bring your own toilet paper — unlike many other countries, public restrooms in China usually don’t provide it.

4. Learn a little Chinese before you come

In tourism-oriented countries like Thailand or Vietnam, many locals speak English. In China, you’ll find plenty of English speakers in big cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

But China is vast — from north to south, not everyone speaks English. If you want to truly immerse yourself in local culture and have a richer experience, learning a few basic phrases goes a long way:

“Ni hao” — Hello

“Duo shao qian?” — How much?

“Zhe ge” — This one

“Xie xie” — Thank you

5. Never bring any drugs — including marijuana — into China

China has an extremely strict policy against drugs. Even if marijuana is legal in some places like Thailand or certain U.S. states, bringing it across China’s border is a serious crime.

If customs finds any on you during immigration, you’ll be in big trouble. The Chinese government has put enormous effort into fighting drugs — and drug trafficking can even lead to the death penalty.

6. Be cautious when ordering takeout

Many Americans are amazed by how affordable delivery food is in China — compared to the U.S., it’s a real bargain. It’s easy to fall in love with this convenience.

However, be careful with extremely cheap options on apps like Meituan. Some restaurant owners cut corners and may sell ingredients that have been stored for months or are even spoiled.

If you’re lucky, a delivery rider might warn you not to order from a certain place again because of its terrible kitchen conditions — otherwise, you might end up with food poisoning.

(I’ve included some photos of such restaurants below.)

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7. Download Alipay and WeChat in advance

In China, mobile payment is everywhere. Credit cards are accepted only in a few places, and even street vendors may not take cash.

You’ll need to link your credit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay. When you pay, you simply scan a QR code — it’s that easy.

Also, Alipay is like a super-app: it includes Didi, China’s Uber, Dianping, for finding local attractions and restaurants, and public transport QR codes for buses and subways — all in one place.

These are the tips I wanted to share to help you have a smoother, more enjoyable trip. When you arrive, you can just focus on immersing yourself in this incredible country without feeling overwhelmed.

Of course, there are many other details I haven’t covered here — but you can always look up more articles online.

I hope you truly enjoy China’s rich history, the magnificent Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and so much more.

Safe travels!