A practical guide to travelling China, from riding the world’s fastest trains to using Alipay
Travel in China might seem overwhelming, but the rewards are worth it. Here’s what every traveller should know.
Outsiders call it China, but to the Chinese, it’s Zhongguo, the 'Middle Kingdom' — so named because they once thought it to be the centre of the world. And with such riches, it’s easy to see why. From the teetering peaks of Zhangjiajie, which served as the inspiration for Avatar, to the shifting sands of the Taklamakan Desert, China encompasses more climates and ecosystems than many countries.
For millennia, Chinese people have bent these landscapes to their will. More than 4,000 years ago, along the fertile loess plains of the Yellow River, rivers were tamed and crops sown. Ideas blossomed as uniquely Chinese philosophies and systems of governance took shape. Giant buddhas were carved into mountainsides, many still in place despite centuries of cultural upheaval. China built walls to protect its empire that stretch for more than 20 degrees of longitude — the equivalent of London to Moscow.
The Great Wall still stands, while all around it has changed. Modern China thrums with innovation: gleaming high-rise cities, legions of electric vehicles, the world’s fastest trains. But despite breathless reinvention, the old cultures endure. Food vendors serve sizzling treats in the shadow of skyscrapers. Chinese characters, glowing on every billboard, reveal the same writing system that was etched on to ox bones over 3,000 years ago.
It may sound epic, or even daunting, but China today is more accessible to travellers than ever. Here’s how to ensure a smooth trip.
Will I need a visa?
It all depends on your passport. People from a growing roster of around 50 countries, with the UK added in February 2026, can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. If your country isn’t on the list (for example, the US at the time of writing), you’re likely still eligible for a 10-day transit visa on arrival when flying into major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, provided you continue on to a different country. Most travellers can also obtain a five-day ‘Visa on Arrival’ when crossing the land border from Hong Kong. Otherwise, if you need a visa, fill in the forms online then schedule an appointment at a China Visa Application Centre in your home country, where your documents will be checked and fingerprints taken.
When’s the best time to visit China?
Being such a vast and climatically diverse place gives China year-round appeal. It might already be T-shirt weather in southerly Hong Kong well before Harbin’s legendary Ice Festival turns to a puddle in the far north of the country. Mid-summer (July to August) swelters all over, with temperatures often pushing above 35C in Beijing and Shanghai. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for sunny, summery travels. Lunar New Year (which typically falls between late January and the middle of February) is best avoided, as businesses close and intercity trains and planes get booked solid. The same goes for ‘Golden Week’, a national holiday in early October when seemingly the whole of China hits the sights.
Should I join an organised tour or go it alone?
This really comes down to your travel style. If you have a bespoke adventure in mind — such as tracing the Silk Road into Central Asia — a tour offers expert guides, easier logistics and curated experiences. Note that organised tours are mandatory for foreign travellers visiting Tibet. However, if you just plan to hit the big sights and cities, going it alone is no major headache, provided you’re willing to embrace Chinese apps, tinker with tech and navigate occasional language barriers. Accommodation can be easily booked using your preferred sites, while Trip.com is the go-to for train tickets, domestic flights and tours.
Is travelling in China expensive?
It needn’t be. You could spend the equivalent of a few pounds on the best noodles of your life, drink cheap local beer and bed down in a surprisingly smart budget hotel. A double room in one of China’s excellent midrange hotel chains costs around ¥500 (£55) a night, roughly the same as a high-speed train ticket from Beijing to the Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an, a journey of more than 600 miles. Major sights are also good value: the Forbidden City in Beijing costs ¥40-60 (£4.40-£6.60), though you pay a bit more for scenic mountains and national parks. In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, taxi rides of up to around three miles should cost under ¥30 (£3.30).
Do I have to use Chinese apps to pay for things?
Cash is still legal tender, but in practice almost everything is paid for two apps, WeChat and Alipay — whether that’s buying dinner or giving money to a street performer. Both have international-facing English language versions and the ability to link a foreign credit or debit card for payments. However, for travellers, Alipay is the better option because it integrates other useful services like Didi (China’s Uber) and dockless bicycle hire. Naturally, this means that carrying a smartphone and being able to get online is absolutely essential for independent travel in China.
How do travellers usually get around?
Speedily and scenically, on high-speed trains (gaotie). China surpassed 25,000 miles of high-speed track in 2025, making it 13 times bigger than Japan’s shinkansen network. The latest ‘Fuxing’ trains glide along at 215mph; not too shabby, considering the first high-speed line — a 75-mile hop between Beijing and Tianjin — opened just in time for the 2008 Olympics. Almost all major cities are now connected; even Beijing to Kunming in far-flung Yunnan Province, a straight shot of 1,715 miles, taking just over 10 hours. Buying train tickets is also a breeze. These can be booked online via Trip.com (easier than the official app if you don’t read Chinese), with no printed ticket required. Your passport is linked to the reservation and scanned at stations for boarding.
Are there restrictions on getting online in China?
You’ve probably heard of the 'Great Firewall’, China’s system of internet censorship that blocks many of the apps you use daily while travelling, including Google Maps, Instagram, Gmail, Facebook, X, ChatGPT and many more. If you use Chinese wi-fi or a Chinese SIM card (sold at airports), the only way around the firewall is by installing a VPN service, which you’ll need to do before you travel. These are hit and miss, however; a better option is an eSim such as Nomad or your phone’s own roaming services — both of which can access restricted apps and websites, though roaming costs can quickly rack up.
Should I worry about safety or surveillance?
China is generally very safe for travellers. Serious crime is rare, though a few petty scams exist, such as overpriced tea or taxi drivers switching real bills for fakes, though since the rise of payment apps, the latter has almost been consigned to history. Chats on Chinese apps like WeChat may be monitored, so avoid sensitive topics. At border crossings, biometric checks such as fingerprints and facial recognition are routine. Hotels automatically register foreign guests with the local police; if you stay in a private rental, you must register yourself at the nearest police station within 24 hours. Steer clear of illegal drugs and anything political, and your visit should be trouble-free, allowing you to explore, eat and experience all that China has to offer.
