First time in China
Your first China trip, planned properly
Visas, payments, trains, language and tipping — the six things that decide whether a first trip feels easy or exhausting. Everything here is written by people who live in China.
Do you need a visa?
Many nationalities now enter visa-free for 15–30 days; others need an L visa plus an invitation letter. We confirm your case free of charge.
Read the visa guidePayments: set this up before you fly
Alipay and WeChat Pay accept international cards. Ten minutes of setup before departure saves a week of cash problems.
See payment FAQGetting around
High-speed rail covers the country; we book seats, transfers and the days in between. Book 1,200 km of travel in a morning or a slow river cruise.
Rail & river journeysLanguage & etiquette
English is common in hotels and rare in taxis. A guide changes the trip; a translation app and a hotel card change the taxi.
Meet our guidesBest time to come
April–May and September–October are the sweet spots; winter is quieter and cheaper; summer is hot but wonderful in the mountains.
Seasonal guidesWhat a first trip should include
One imperial city, one landscape, one food city and one water town — that is already a fortnight if you let it breathe.
Plan a routeWeeks 8–12: decide the shape
Use the planning hubChoose the season and the route spine (Beijing–Xi'an–Chengdu–Shanghai is the classic).
Weeks 6–8: documents
Request an invitationPassport validity, visa or invitation letter, and travel insurance.
Weeks 4–6: book the spine
Start planningRail seats, hotels and the guides you want most. Peak-season hotels go first.
Weeks 1–4: prepare the details
Packing guideMobile payments, eSIM, apps, packing and a printed itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a first trip be?
Ten to fourteen days is ideal: enough for three or four bases without spending your holiday in transit. Seven days works for one region.
Is China easy for independent travellers?
It is easier than its reputation, but the friction is real: payments, language and ticketing. Most first-time travellers mix independent days with a guide for the parts that need one.
Can I drink the tap water?
No — drink bottled or boiled water. Hotels provide kettles and bottled water; restaurants serve boiled water or tea by default.
Do I need cash?
Very little. Keep a small amount of cash for small stalls, but set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure for almost everything else.
Is it safe?
China is statistically very safe for travellers, including for solo and female travellers. The main risks are traffic, altitude and scams in tourist markets.
Want this shaped into a real itinerary? Send us your dates, the places you are drawn to and who is travelling — a designer replies within one working day.