Route fit
Match Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guilin, Yunnan, or Zhangjiajie to your days and travel style.
Private China tours with local guides
Discover China with local guides.
Plan a private China tour with local guide context, route ideas, neighborhood advice, food tips, train planning, timing, culture, and practical details that make China easier to understand before you go.
Local guide planning
When to use a local guide in China
A local guide is most useful when your China itinerary includes language-sensitive logistics, timed tickets, family pacing, food neighborhoods, train transfers, or cities where a private route needs on-the-ground judgement.
Open China local guide planning ->Local logistics
Use guide matching for tickets, transfers, restaurant timing, hotel areas, and language support.
Traveler fit
Adjust the route for couples, families, older travelers, food-first trips, or first-time China visitors.
All the local things you need to know about visiting China.
Visa & Entry 01
China visa and entry policy guides
Visa-free transit, China entry requirements, passport rules, port eligibility, and policy checks for travelers before departure.
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Payments 02
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, and card guides
Practical payment setup for foreign visitors, including mobile wallets, international cards, cash backup, and places where cards may not work.
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Essential Apps 03
Essential China travel apps
App planning for payment, messaging, maps, ride-hailing, translation, eSIM/VPN, hotel booking, train booking, and local discovery.
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Trains & Transport 04
China high-speed rail and city transport guides
How to buy train tickets with a foreign passport, compare 12306 and Trip.com, use high-speed rail, and move between Chinese cities.
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First-Time Routes 05
China itinerary planning for first-time visitors
Start with a classic China itinerary if this is your first trip: choose Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai for the easiest cultural arc, then add Chengdu, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan, or a slower private route if you have more days.
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Tickets & Booking 06
China attraction tickets and booking guides
Reservation rules, passport requirements, advance booking windows, ticket pickup, and when a local guide or day tour is worth it.
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Internet & eSIM 07
China internet, eSIM, VPN, and maps guides
Connectivity setup for mainland China, eSIM choices, VPN planning, blocked services, maps, messaging, and translation tools.
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Culture & Safety 08
China culture, etiquette, safety, and avoidance tips
First-hand practical context on safety, tipping, tap water, English levels, taxis, holidays, public toilets, security checks, and passport carrying.
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Featured Editorial
Curated
City Guide 
Read Story →
Beijing for First-Time Visitors: What to Prioritize
A practical guide to building a first Beijing itinerary that feels substantial without becoming exhausting.
Luhao Zhao
7 min read · Updated March 7, 2026
Food Guide Shanghai Black Pearl Restaurants for Visitors
A visitor-friendly guide to using Shanghai Black Pearl restaurants for high-end Chinese meals, business dinners, local prestige, and trip planning.
Luhao Zhao 10 min read
Food Guide Shanghai Michelin Restaurants for Visitors
A practical visitor guide to Shanghai Michelin restaurants, including when to book one, which dining styles fit travelers, and how to balance fine dining with local food.
Luhao Zhao 10 min read
Payments TenPayGo and Alipay: The Two China Payment Apps Travelers Need
Set up TenPayGo and Alipay before China. Learn when to use each app, what cards and backups to prepare, and how to avoid QR payment problems.
Luhao Zhao 8 min read
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Share a Local Tip
Know a neighborhood, food route, timing detail, or practical China travel note worth checking?
Submit a TipDestination Hubs
Start with places, then find the local layer.
North China
Beijing
China's capital blends imperial landmarks, contemporary culture, and the smoothest arrival experience for first-time visitors who want context as much as sightseeing.
East China
Shanghai
Shanghai is China's easiest modern city for international visitors, ideal for stylish stopovers, food-focused trips, and east-coast itineraries that feel polished rather than rushed.
Central China
Xi'an
Xi'an is the best second stop after Beijing if you want ancient history, compact logistics, and one of the strongest food scenes in the country.
Southwest China
Chengdu
Chengdu works for travelers who want panda reserves, tea-house culture, and one of the country's most memorable culinary scenes without losing comfort or walkability.
Light planning support
Use the community guides first, then ask for help if the route still feels unclear.
Planning support stays available for travelers who want help with pacing, transfers, private guides, or city combinations, but the site now starts with local information and destination context.
First-Time China
First-time China itinerary ideas
7-14 days · first time China itinerary
7-10 Day Routes
7 to 10 day China itinerary ideas
7-10 days · 10 days in China itinerary
Family Trips
China family trip itinerary ideas
8-14 days · China family tour itinerary
4-Day Beijing City Break
4 days / 3 nights · Short city escape
5-Day Guilin and Yangshuo Scenic Escape
5 days / 4 nights · Scenic retreat