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Before You Go

Flat lay of what to pack for China: passport, phone with payment QR, power adapter, power bank, umbrella and walking shoes
Packing

What to Pack for China: A Complete Packing Guide

What to pack for a China trip comes down to a few essentials most travelers overlook: a working VPN, mobile payments...

9 min read
Foreign traveler using WeChat to scan a QR code and pay at a street stall in China
Apps & Connectivity

WeChat Setup Guide for Foreigners Traveling in China

Set up WeChat before your China trip: how to register, link a foreign card to WeChat Pay, switch to English,...

9 min read
A Chinese visa page inside an open passport on a desk, representing China visa types
Visa & Entry

China Visa Types: A Complete Overview for Travelers

Confused about which China visa you need? Here's a clear breakdown of all the main visa categories, plus the...

13 min read
Foreign travelers at a China international airport immigration counter processing visa-free transit entry
Visa & Entry

Visa-Free & Transit Policies for China: The Complete Guide

China's transit rules changed in late 2024. The old 72 and 144-hour transit policies are now a single 240-hour...

13 min read
Foreign traveler holding a passport at a China PSB exit-entry administration office service hall to extend a visa
Visa & Entry

China Visa Extension Guide: How to Extend Your Visa at the PSB

How to extend your China visa: where to apply, what documents you need, costs, processing time, and the overstay...

9 min read
Traveler checking travel insurance for China trip on phone with a Chinese city skyline behind
Visa & Entry

Travel Insurance for China

Travel insurance isn't required to enter China, but Chinese hospitals expect upfront payment and a medical...

9 min read
Smartphone showing translation apps in front of Chinese street signs and a menu
Apps & Connectivity

Translation Apps Comparison: Best Picks for China Travel

Google Translate doesn't work in mainland China the way you'd expect. Here's an honest comparison of the translation...

9 min read
Flat lay of travel tech for a China trip: universal power adapter, USB charger, cables and a power bank
Packing

Tech & Adapters: What Electronics to Pack for China

Mainland China runs on 220V, 50Hz with Type A and Type I sockets. Here's exactly what adapters, chargers, and power...

8 min read
Smartphone showing China travel apps with a blurred Chinese street market in the background
Apps & Connectivity

Must-Have Apps Before You Go: A China Travel App Guide

The apps you actually need for a China trip — payments, maps, translation, transport, and connectivity — with setup...

11 min read
Smartphone showing a navigation map app for a Chinese city held against a busy urban street
Apps & Connectivity

Map Apps Guide: Which Navigation App Actually Works in China

Google Maps doesn't work properly in China, but you have good options. A practical comparison of Amap, Baidu Maps,...

11 min read
Traveler with a suitcase on a Chinese high-speed train platform beside a white bullet train
Packing

Luggage Rules in China

What you can carry on China's high-speed trains, domestic flights, and metro systems, plus prohibited items, weight...

11 min read
Traveler in a Chinese city street checking a smartphone showing a blocked app failing to load
Apps & Connectivity

Internet & VPN Guide for China

Google, Instagram, WhatsApp and many sites you use daily don't work in mainland China. Here's how to stay connected...

11 min read
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