Before You Go
China is one of the most rewarding places to travel, but it operates differently from anywhere else you have been. These 15 tips are things I wish someone had told me before my first trip, distilled from years of living between Australia and China.
1. Download These Apps Before You Leave
Your app store access may be limited once you arrive. Before departure, download: Alipay (payments), WeChat (messaging and payments), Amap or Baidu Maps (more accurate than Google Maps in China), DiDi (ride-hailing), and Google Translate with the Chinese language pack saved offline.
2. Set Up Your eSIM Before Your Flight
Do not wait until you land to figure out internet access. Purchase and install a travel eSIM that routes through Hong Kong so you can access Google, WhatsApp, and other Western apps without a VPN. Download the eSIM profile while you still have WiFi. The moment your plane touches down, you will have working data.
3. Set Up Alipay With Your International Card
China runs on mobile payments. Alipay now allows foreign tourists to link Visa, Mastercard, or other international credit cards directly in the app. Set this up before your trip and load some funds. You will use it dozens of times per day for everything from restaurants to street food to subway tickets.
4. Still Carry Some Cash
While mobile payments dominate, cash has not disappeared. Small vendors, rural areas, and older businesses still prefer it. Keep 500 to 1000 RMB as a backup. Exchange at the airport or withdraw from Bank of China or ICBC ATMs, which work reliably with foreign cards.
5. Learn Five Key Chinese Phrases
You do not need to be fluent, but a few phrases go a long way. Learn: "Ni hao" (hello), "Xie xie" (thank you), "Duo shao qian?" (how much?), "Bu yao" (I do not want it, useful for persistent vendors), and "Wei sheng jian zai na li?" (where is the bathroom?). Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your tones are off.
6. Use Your Translation App Constantly
When phrases fail you, point your camera at menus and signs using Google Translate or WeChat's built-in translation. The camera feature is surprisingly good with Chinese characters. For conversations, use voice translation mode — I have ordered entire meals through my phone's speaker.
7. Learn Metro Etiquette
Chinese metros are efficient and affordable but get packed. Let people exit before boarding, stand right on escalators, and keep bags close. All metros require bags through a security scanner, so factor in extra time during rush hour. Use Alipay's transit QR code to skip the ticket queue.
8. Only Drink Bottled or Boiled Water
Tap water in China is not safe to drink, even in five-star hotels. Stick to sealed bottled water or use the hot water dispensers found in virtually every hotel room, train station, and airport. Free hot water stations are everywhere.
9. Prepare Yourself for Squat Toilets
Western toilets are common in hotels and malls, but you will encounter squat toilets at tourist sites and public restrooms. Bring your own tissue paper — many restrooms do not provide it. A small pack of tissues in your daypack will save you more than once.
10. Tipping Is Not Expected
Unlike many Western countries, tipping is not part of Chinese culture. You do not need to tip at restaurants, hotels, or in taxis. In fact, some people may find it confusing or try to return the extra money. The price you see is the price you pay, which makes budgeting much simpler.
11. Bargain at Markets, Not at Shops
At tourist markets and souvenir stalls, bargaining is expected. Start at about 30 to 40 percent of the asking price and work up. Stay friendly and be prepared to walk away — vendors often call you back with a better offer. Do not bargain at retail stores, restaurants, or supermarkets. Those prices are fixed.
12. Practice Using Chopsticks
Forks are available at tourist-friendly restaurants, but many local spots only have chopsticks. Spend a few meals practicing before your trip so you are not struggling with noodles on your first night. A couple of chopstick etiquette notes: never stick them upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles funeral incense) and do not point at people with them.
13. Keep a Passport Copy on Your Phone
You need your passport for hotel check-ins, train tickets, and some tourist sites. Carry the original securely, but keep a photo of your passport page and visa on your phone. If it is ever lost, a digital copy makes the embassy replacement process much faster.
14. Sort Out Your VPN and Connectivity
Google, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp are blocked in China. You have two options: use an eSIM with Hong Kong routing that bypasses the firewall, or install a VPN before you arrive. Do not try to download a VPN after landing — Chinese app stores do not list them.
15. Arrive With Your Hotel Address in Chinese
Your hotel might have a clear English name, but your taxi driver probably will not recognize it. Save your hotel's name and address in Chinese characters on your phone. Do the same for major attractions. This single step eliminates the most common frustration for first-time visitors.
One Last Thing
China rewards the prepared traveler. Spend an hour before your trip getting apps, payments, and connectivity sorted, and you will have a dramatically better experience. The country is incredible — do not let logistics get in the way. Each of these tips is covered in depth in the BreezyChina travel guide.
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