Ваша первая поездка в Китай: 10 основных вещей, которые вы должны знать

This guide is compiled based on the latest 2026 entry policies and on-the-ground travel scenarios in China. It covers core points of the entire journey from pre-departure preparation to in-destination experience, helping you avoid common pitfalls and enjoy a smooth first trip to China.

1. Entry Compliance and Document Management (Top Priority for Your Trip)

· Visa and Visa-Free Policy: Until December 31, 2026, China implements a unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 50 countries including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. This policy applies to travel for tourism, business, family visits and exchange visits. A Chinese visa must be applied for in advance for purposes such as work or study.

· Core Document Requirements: Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages. It is recommended to carry your round-trip/connecting flight itinerary and hotel booking confirmation with you for inspection by immigration authorities upon entry.

· Key Reminder: Keep your original passport with you at all times. A 100% real-name system is implemented for ticketing, accommodation and scenic spot entry across China, and all reservations must be bound to your passport information. Make a copy of your passport information page in advance, or save an encrypted electronic version to the cloud to deal with emergencies such as document loss.

2. Mobile Payments and Cash Preparation (Solve the Biggest Travel Pain Point)

· Mainstream Payment Solutions: In 2026, Alipay and WeChat Pay fully support direct binding of overseas bank cards including Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express, with no need for a Chinese mainland bank card. The single transaction limit has been raised to 6,000 RMB, with no handling fee for small transactions under 200 RMB. It covers more than 80 million merchants nationwide, adapting to most scenarios including catering, retail and transportation.

· Backup Payment Solution: Search for "Tour Card" on Alipay/WeChat to apply for an exclusive prepaid card for overseas tourists issued by Bank of Shanghai. You can recharge it with an overseas bank card and bind it to mobile payment. It is valid for 1 year, with an annual recharge limit of 50,000 RMB, and is compatible with all QR code payment scenarios.

· Cash Fallback Guarantee: China clearly implements the "cash fallback" principle, and no merchant may refuse cash payment in RMB. It is recommended to exchange 2,000-5,000 RMB in cash for use in night markets, remote small shops and other scenarios. Foreign currency can be exchanged at airports, bank branches and star-rated hotels. Exchange points at ports have poor exchange rates, and are only recommended for small emergency exchanges.

3. Internet, Communication and Digital Services Preparation (Must-do Before Departure)

· Compliant Internet Access Solutions:

1. International Roaming: Activate international roaming with your home operator before departure. Some operators support home country routing, allowing normal access to commonly used overseas apps such as Google, WhatsApp and Instagram, with the disadvantage of higher tariffs.

2. Local SIM/eSIM: After entering China, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card/eSIM with your passport at the airport or official outlets of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, with lower data tariffs and stable network speed. Major entry airports nationwide have 24-hour service outlets.

· Important Note: Access to some overseas websites and applications is restricted in the Chinese mainland, and cannot be directly accessed with a local SIM card. You need to download and configure compliant cross-border network tools in advance before departure, as download channels for related applications may be restricted after entering the country.

· Essential Apps: Download Alipay, WeChat, Railway 12306, Amap/Baidu Maps (all support English interface), and Youdao Translator/DeepL (support offline translation) before departure.

4. Complete Transportation Guide (Intercity and Inner-city Travel)

· High-Speed Rail (First Choice for Intercity Travel):

1. The official ticketing channel is the Railway 12306 APP/official website, which can be switched to the English interface with one click, supports passport registration and online identity verification. Fill in the passport information and upload a photo of the information page to complete manual verification, which is usually completed within 2-3 working days. You can also bring the original passport to the ticket window of any station for on-site verification, which takes effect immediately.

2. Core Rules: The full real-name system is implemented for high-speed rail travel. The same original passport used for ticket purchase must be used for ticket checking and station entry. For popular routes (Beijing-Shanghai, Xi'an-Chengdu, etc.), it is recommended to buy tickets 3-7 days in advance, and 15 days in advance during holidays. There is no need to exchange for paper tickets, you can swipe the original passport to enter the station and take the train.

· Inner-city Travel:

1. Metro: The metro covers all major tourist cities nationwide. Most cities support Alipay/WeChat metro ride codes, with no need to get a physical card. The metro lines in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other cities fully support direct gate passage with overseas bank cards.

2. Ride-hailing: DiDi Chuxing is the mainstream platform in China, supporting English interface and overseas card payment, with transparent prices and traceable trips, which is more convenient than hailing a taxi on the side of the road. Firmly refuse unlicensed "illegal taxis" around stations and scenic spots to beware of overcharging.

5. Attraction Reservations and Itinerary Planning (Key to Avoiding Wasted Trips)

· Real-name Reservation Rule: The vast majority of popular cultural and museum venues and 5A-level scenic spots in China implement full real-name advance reservation. No entry is allowed without reservation, and most do not sell same-day tickets.

1. The Palace Museum: Non-mainland tourists need to make a reservation with their passport. Tickets are released at 20:00 7 days in advance, with a strict daily visitor limit. The only entrance is the Meridian Gate, and you must bring the original passport used for reservation for verification to enter.

2. Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army): Supports online reservation with passport. It is recommended to make a reservation 7 days in advance during the peak season (March 16-November 15), and 1-3 days in advance during the off-season. Even ticket-free visitors must complete the reservation in advance.

3. General Reminder: Core venues such as the National Museum, Sanxingdui Museum and Potala Palace all require reservations 1-7 days in advance. The vast majority of museums nationwide are closed on Mondays, so be sure to plan your itinerary in advance.

· Itinerary Planning Suggestions: For your first trip to China, it is not recommended to cram too many destinations. Prioritize 1-2 core urban agglomerations. Classic route references: Beijing (ancient capital history) + Xi'an (Chinese civilization) + Shanghai/Hangzhou (Jiangnan charm), or Chengdu + Chongqing (southwest scenery). For intercity travel, high-speed rail is preferred to avoid wasting time on frequent transfers.

· **Pitfall Avoidance Reminder: Refuse "low-cost one-day tours" and "scalper internal tickets" around scenic spots. All tickets must be purchased through official channels of the scenic spots to beware of fraud.

6. Language Communication and Practical Tools

· Core Translation Tools: Download apps that support offline translation in advance. Youdao Translator and DeepL are recommended, both support real-time voice dialogue and photo translation of menus/road signs. Download the Chinese offline language package in advance for normal use without internet.

· Practical Communication Tips: Service staff in first-tier cities, popular tourist attractions and star-rated hotels generally have basic English proficiency, while English penetration is low in remote counties and villages. Save a few commonly used Chinese phrases in advance (Hello, Thank you, Excuse me, Check, Where is the bathroom), which can greatly improve communication efficiency and also gain more kindness.

· Convenient Facilities: National transportation hubs, core scenic spots and public places are equipped with Chinese-English bilingual signs. Metro and buses in major cities are equipped with English announcements, and mainstream travel-related apps support one-click switching to the English interface.

7. Accommodation Check-in and Compliance Registration

· Core Compliance Requirements: Check-in at all hotels and homestays must be registered with the original passport under the real-name system. The Chinese mainland does not accept electronic documents or copies for check-in. Some small homestays and inns do not have the qualification to receive foreign nationals, so be sure to confirm in advance before booking.

· Booking Channels: International platforms such as Booking, Agoda and Trip.com can be used for normal booking. Domestic platforms Ctrip and Fliggy also have a complete English interface and support overseas bank card payment. It is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance for regular itineraries, and lock in the accommodation 1 month in advance during holidays and peak tourist seasons.

· Check-in Reminder: When checking in, the hotel will report the check-in information to the public security organ in accordance with legal requirements, which is a routine process and no need to worry. When checking out, settle additional consumption such as minibar and laundry service in the room in advance to avoid omissions.

8. Food Culture and Dining Etiquette

· Catering Features Reference: China has Eight Great Cuisines, with great regional differences in taste: northern cuisine is salty, Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine is spicy and numbing, Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine is sweet and fresh. You can learn about the special food of the destination in advance. Most restaurants have picture menus, mid-to-high-end restaurants are equipped with English menus, and you can directly take photos for translation if there is no English menu.

· Core Dining Etiquette:

1. There is no tipping culture in China. The bill includes all service fees, no additional tips are required, and most merchants will politely decline tips.

2. Serving chopsticks and spoons are commonly provided for round-table Chinese meals. You can take the initiative to ask for them without hesitation.

3. The bill is usually paid at the front desk or by scanning the QR code online, no need to call the waiter to pay the bill at the table. For group meals, AA system or one person paying the bill is the default, no need to scramble to pay.

· Practical Tips: Chinese restaurants provide hot/warm water by default, you can take the initiative to ask for ice water if needed. If you have a sensitive stomach, it is recommended to choose regular licensed restaurants, be cautious about eating at street stalls, and prepare common gastrointestinal medicines in advance.

9. Cultural Etiquette and Taboos

· Public Place Rules: There is a comprehensive smoking ban in indoor public places in China, including restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and stations, and illegal smoking will be fined. Queuing is a national consensus, you need to queue in order for buses, subways, scenic spots and cash registers, and cutting in line will be generally unpopular. Avoid loud noise and playing videos/music aloud in public places.

· Core Photography Taboos:

1. In museums and cultural relics protection units, the use of flash, tripods and selfie sticks is prohibited. Photography is prohibited in some exhibition areas, so be sure to abide by the on-site signs.

2. In temples and religious venues, do not photograph Buddha statues and religious clergy without permission.

3. Do not photograph strangers, especially children and people of ethnic minorities, without their consent.

· Cultural Respect Tips: Before entering ethnic minority villages and temples, abide by the local dress code, and do not wear off-shoulder clothes, ultra-short skirts or shorts. During traditional festivals, respect the local festival customs, and do not touch or ridicule folk rituals at will.

10. Safety, Emergency Response and Rights Protection

· Public Security and Property Safety: China is one of the countries with the best public security environment in the world, and it is very safe to travel at night in first-tier cities and popular tourist cities. However, you still need to keep your personal property properly, carry valuables such as your passport, wallet and mobile phone with you, and avoid exposing your wealth in crowded places.

· Emergency Contact Information:

1. National unified emergency hotlines: 110 (Police), 120 (First Aid), 119 (Fire Alarm), all equipped with English operator services.

2. Save the contact information of your country's embassy and consulates in China in advance. In case of passport loss or major emergencies, you can contact for help as soon as possible.

· Rights and Departure Protection: It is recommended to purchase travel insurance covering the Chinese territory before departure, including medical treatment, trip cancellation, property loss and other coverage. In case of consumer disputes or overcharging, you can call the 12315 national market supervision complaint hotline to protect your rights. When leaving the country, eligible consumption can apply for departure tax refund. The "buy and refund" service has been launched in core airports and business districts nationwide, and the tax refund can be completed and credited to the account in as fast as 2 minutes.