Updated weekly · 240-hour visa-free rules current
China travel, simplified for foreigners.
The verified guide to visa, payment, apps, transport, and itineraries — written by people who've actually been through immigration with you.
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The 9 things every foreigner needs to know
Skip the 50-tab research spiral. Each topic is a complete, verified guide.
Visa & Entry
240-hour visa-free, tourist visas, transit rules.
Read the guide →Money & Payment
Alipay/WeChat for foreigners, credit cards, cash.
Read the guide →Connectivity
eSIM, VPN, China SIM cards, blocked apps.
Read the guide →Transport
High-speed rail, metro, ride-hailing, domestic flights.
Read the guide →Stays & Hotels
Hotels that accept foreigners, hostels, alternatives.
Read the guide →Food & Dietary
Street food, dietary restrictions, ordering in Chinese.
Read the guide →Itineraries
3-day Beijing, 5-day Shanghai, classic routes.
Read the guide →Culture & Practical
Tipping, etiquette, language, scams to avoid.
Read the guide →Tools & Resources
Translation apps, maps, currency, weather.
Read the guide →What's your China trip like?
Pick the trip that matches you — we'll show you the right articles.
Solo traveler
Apps, safety, where to meet people, hostel picks.
See solo guides →Couple / Honeymoon
Romantic hotels, photo spots, intimate restaurants.
See romantic guides →Family with kids
4-person logistics, kid food, teen activities, Disney.
See family guides →60+ traveler
Slow pace, accessible attractions, English-speaking tours.
See senior guides →Group of friends
Nightlife, hostels, splitting costs, where to party.
See group guides →Foodie / Culture lover
Regional cuisines, cooking classes, hidden markets.
See foodie guides →Featured guides
Most-read this month
China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete 2026 Guide
China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit lets 55 countries travel across 24 provinces without a visa. Updated 2026 rules, eligible ports, and step-by-step entry.
9 min read · Updated Jul 24
visaChina Tourist Visa (L-Visa) for Foreigners: Step-by-Step
Apply for a China L-visa in 2026: documents, fees, processing time, US/UK/Canada-specific costs, and the new rule that drops flight + hotel bookings.
9 min read · Updated Jul 24
paymentHow to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner in 2026 (with Visa/Mastercard)
Step-by-step guide to setting up Alipay with a foreign Visa/Mastercard. Covers Tour Pass, $3,000 limit, $100 per transaction cap, and how to pay everywhere in China.
9 min read · Updated Jul 24
Latest guides
Recently published — covering every topic
China 144-Hour Visa-Free: Which Countries, Which Cities
China's 144-hour visa-free policy now falls under the broader 240-hour rule. Learn the legacy city-by-city rules, which countries still rely on 144h, and what to do in 2026.
8 min read · Jul 24
paymentWeChat Pay for Foreigners: Full Setup + Real Limits
Set up WeChat Pay with a foreign Visa/Mastercard in 2026. Real transaction limits, the 200 RMB fee waiver, and how to pay anywhere in China via QR code.
8 min read · Jul 24
paymentDo Credit Cards Work in China? 2026 Reality Check
Where Visa, Mastercard, and Amex work in China — and where they don't. Hotel chains, restaurants, airports, train stations, and the 3% fee you can avoid.
7 min read · Jul 24
paymentHow Much Cash to Bring to China (and Where to Exchange)
How much RMB cash to bring to China in 2026, where to exchange (best rates), ATM vs airport counter, and when cash is still the only option.
7 min read · Jul 24
connectivityVPN for China 2026: What Still Works (and What's Blocked)
Real-tested China VPN 2026: NordVPN NordWhisper, ExpressVPN, Astrill, and free options. What works behind the Great Firewall, what to install before you fly.
8 min read · Jul 24
connectivity15 Essential Apps for China Travel (Foreigner-Friendly)
The 15 must-have apps for China in 2026: Alipay, WeChat, DiDi, Amap, Pleco, VPN, eSIM, and more. What each does, free or paid, and how to set them up before you fly.
8 min read · Jul 24
Popular destinations
Where foreigners go first
Essential tools
The apps and services that actually work in China
Airalo eSIM
Buy a China eSIM before you fly. Works the moment you land, no passport queue at the SIM kiosk.
TranslationGoogle Translate
Best for voice and conversation translation. Download the offline Chinese pack before you fly.
PaymentWeChat Pay (微信支付)
China's #2 payment app, baked into WeChat. Now accepts foreign cards. Better for long stays than short trips.
PaymentAlipay (支付宝)
China's #1 payment app. Now accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard. The single most important app for any foreigner in China.
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