China Travel Guide
April–May and September–October bring the most comfortable weather nationwide. Summers are hot and humid; northern winters are severe.
Last reviewed
China at a glance
Best time to visit China
April–May and September–October bring the most comfortable weather nationwide. Summers are hot and humid; northern winters are severe.
Peak: Chinese New Year, Labour Day (early May) and National Day Golden Week (1–7 Oct) — the heaviest domestic travel of the year.
Shoulder season: Late March, early June and November: lower prices and much lighter crowds at the major sites.
Visa and entry
Most nationalities require a Chinese visa. 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa-free policies apply at select airports.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
China uses the CNY (¥).
Not customary. Hotels may include a service charge; restaurants generally do not expect tips.
Getting around
Metro fares are distance-based, roughly ¥3–10 a ride. Alipay/WeChat QR entry works without buying a card, and Beijing and Shanghai both sell day passes.
When a pass pays off: Shanghai's 1-day metro pass (¥18) beats singles from about 4 rides; below that, QR pay-as-you-go is cheaper.
Local etiquette
Do
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival — cash is rarely used.
- Carry your passport; it is required for hotel check-in, train tickets and many attractions.
- Offer and accept business cards and gifts with two hands.
Avoid
- Don't assume Google, WhatsApp or Instagram will load — arrange access before you arrive.
- Don't stand chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice.
- Don't tip in restaurants or taxis; it isn't customary.
Common scams and tourist traps
- “Tea ceremony” and “art student” invitations near tourist streets in Beijing and Shanghai end in a very large bill — decline approaches from strangers opening in English.
- Unmetered cars touting at stations overcharge heavily; use Didi or insist on the meter.
- Check change for damaged or counterfeit notes — paying by QR code avoids this entirely.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for China, particularly outside major cities, and travelers should be mindful of food and water hygiene. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 5:30 PM | 6:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
Useful Mandarin Chinese phrases
Big-city signage is bilingual but spoken English is limited — a translation app with an offline Chinese pack is genuinely useful.
- Hello
- 你好(nee-how)
- Thank you
- 谢谢(shieh-shieh)
- Excuse me
- 不好意思(boo-how-yee-suh)
- How much is this?
- 多少钱?(dwor-shaow-chyen)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover China: Airalo (roaming), Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
China travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit China?
- April–May and September–October bring the most comfortable weather nationwide. Summers are hot and humid; northern winters are severe.
- Do I need a visa to visit China?
- Most nationalities require a Chinese visa. 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa-free policies apply at select airports. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in China?
- Not customary. Hotels may include a service charge; restaurants generally do not expect tips.
- What currency is used in China?
- China uses the CNY (¥).
- What power plug and voltage does China use?
- China uses Type A and Type C and Type I sockets at 220V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in China?
- In China, call 110 (police) / 120 (ambulance) / 119 (fire).
- What time zone is China in?
- China is in the Asia/Shanghai time zone (UTC+08:00).
- What language is spoken in China?
- The main language is Mandarin Chinese. Big-city signage is bilingual but spoken English is limited — a translation app with an offline Chinese pack is genuinely useful.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in China?
- Metro fares are distance-based, roughly ¥3–10 a ride. Alipay/WeChat QR entry works without buying a card, and Beijing and Shanghai both sell day passes. Shanghai's 1-day metro pass (¥18) beats singles from about 4 rides; below that, QR pay-as-you-go is cheaper.
- What health precautions should I take in China?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for China, particularly outside major cities, and travelers should be mindful of food and water hygiene. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a China trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my China tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.