Do You Need a Visa for China?
The answer depends on your passport — and it changes more often than you'd think. China has expanded its visa-free access significantly in recent years, so the first thing to do is check whether you even need a visa at all.
- ✓ Tourism and sightseeing
- ✓ Business meetings and conferences
- ✓ Family or friend visits
- ✓ Cultural or academic exchanges
- ✓ Transit
- ✗ Employment or paid work
- ✗ Long-term study (degree programs)
- ✗ Journalism or media activities
- ✗ Stays beyond 30 days
Most visa-free policies are valid until December 31, 2026, but some countries have different end dates. Russia's policy runs until September 14, 2026. Canada and UK were added February 17, 2026.
Always verify your nationality's exact end date before booking.
Official source: National Immigration Administration of China (en.nia.gov.cn) and your local Chinese embassy.
Flying through China on the way to a third country? You may qualify for visa-free transit — either 144 hours (6 days) or 240 hours (10 days). Chengdu is included. Once inside China the process is smooth. The main issue: airline check-in staff often don't understand TWOV rules, so be prepared with printed documentation.
- ✓ No visa application needed
- ✓ Up to 10 days in China
- ✓ Fast immigration on arrival
- ✓ Domestic travel allowed (240h)
- ✗ Airline confusion at check-in
- ✗ Must have onward ticket to third country
- ✗ Cannot extend stay beyond time limit
- ✗ Bring printed proof of TWOV eligibility
You need to apply for a visa if your nationality is not visa-free, you plan to stay longer than 30 days, or you will be working, studying, or visiting family in China.
For the full visa application process, visit the official portal:
China Online Visa Application (COVA) →
I get asked about visas more than anything else on my tours. My honest answer: check en.nia.gov.cn before doing anything else. The visa-free list has changed multiple times in the past two years — what your friend did last year may not apply to you today.
Staying Connected in China
China's internet is different. Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Gmail — all blocked. Before you panic: there are two reliable ways to stay connected, and both work well if you set them up before you land. Do everything before you arrive. Once you're in China, it's too late.
The App Store and Google Play are restricted inside China. You cannot download VPNs, eSIM apps, or most foreign apps once you've arrived. Do all setup at home.
Your data routes via Hong Kong or abroad — so blocked services work automatically, no VPN setup needed. Activate at home, keep your home SIM active, and you're ready the moment you land.
- ✓ No VPN configuration needed
- ✓ Activates on landing
- ✓ Set up entirely at home
- ✓ Keep home SIM active (dual SIM)
- ✗ More expensive than local SIMs
- ✗ Peak-hour slowdowns possible
- ✗ Not all phones support eSIM
| Provider | Data | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | Unlimited | $19–$99 (5–90 days) | Bypasses firewall · Hotspot · ⭐ Luna's Pick |
| Airalo | 1–20 GB | $4.50–$42 (7–30 days) | Bypasses firewall (China+HK plan) · Hotspot |
| Nomad | 1–20 GB | $4–$40 (7–30 days) | Bypasses firewall · Hotspot · Flexible plans |
| Saily | 1–20 GB | $5–$45 (7–30 days) | Bypasses firewall · Hotspot · Privacy-focused |
| Trip.com eSIM | 1–unlimited | $4–$99 | Includes VPN · Hotspot · All-in-one option |
Use a local Chinese SIM (or your roaming plan) and tunnel through the firewall with a pre-installed VPN. Often faster and cheaper data — but requires more setup and occasional outages.
- ✓ Often faster data speeds
- ✓ Usually cheaper
- ✓ Flexible data plans
- ✗ Must install and test VPN before travel
- ✗ Occasional VPN outages
- ✗ Hotel Wi-Fi may block VPN
| Provider | Price | Protocol | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrill | $15–30/mo | StealthVPN | 🥇 Best overall — expensive but most reliable |
| LetsVPN | $5–8/mo | Made for China | 🥈 Best budget — popular among expats |
| Surfshark | $2.50/mo (2yr) | NoBorders mode | 🥉 Best value — recommended |
| ExpressVPN | $8–13/mo | Lightway | Improved significantly in 2025 |
| Mullvad | $5.50/mo flat | Privacy-focused | Good backup — no account needed |
| VyprVPN | $5–10/mo | Chameleon | Decent — occasional outages |
I personally use an eSIM when traveling abroad — it's just easier. For China specifically, Holafly has been the most consistent for my tour guests. If you're on a budget and don't mind a bit more setup, Surfshark with a local SIM works well too. Whatever you choose: test it before you get on the plane.
Paying for Things in China
China is functionally cashless. Most locals haven't touched physical money in years. Street food stalls, taxis, supermarkets, restaurants — everything runs on QR codes. Set up mobile payments before you arrive and you'll breeze through every transaction.
The best option for foreign visitors. English interface, wide acceptance everywhere, and has transit QR codes and Didi (ride-hailing) built in as mini-programs.
Supported cards: Visa · Mastercard · JCB · Discover · Diners Club
Not supported: American Express (as of 2025)
- 1 Download Alipay (International version) and sign up with your phone number.
- 2 Complete real-name verification: passport photo + selfie video. Approval takes 24–48 hours.
- 3 Link your card, set a 6-digit payment password, and make a small test payment.
WeChat Pay is trickier to set up but worth it once verified. It has broader coverage than Alipay in smaller cities and rural areas — and WeChat messaging is essential for communicating with hotels and local contacts anyway.
- ✓ Hotel and accommodation communication
- ✓ Backup when a merchant's Alipay QR fails
- ✓ Travel to smaller cities and rural areas
- ✓ Communicating with local contacts
- · Passport (same as Alipay) ✓
- · Full legal name, phone number, address ⚠
- · Clear ID photo + face photo ⚠
- · Verification: 3–7 days (sometimes longer)
Technically accepted everywhere, but almost never used. ATMs are available in most cities, and major bank cards work. The main issue: some smaller vendors only have QR codes and don't have change. Cash is a backup, not a strategy.
Set up Alipay first — it's the easiest and most widely accepted. Get WeChat Pay working too if you have the patience. And regardless of how well-prepared you are: carry 200–500 RMB in cash as a backup. Phones die, signals drop, and occasionally a vendor's QR system goes down. Cash has saved my guests more than once.
Getting Around China
China's transport infrastructure is world-class. High-speed trains are fast, punctual, and comfortable. Apps make everything bookable from your phone. Get the right tools set up before you arrive and moving around is genuinely easy.
- ✓ City centre to city centre (no airport hassle)
- ✓ Punctual — rarely delayed
- ✓ Comfortable seats with power outlets
- ✓ Cheaper than flying in most cases
- ✓ Scenic and relaxing
- ✗ Journey over 5–6 hours by train
- ✗ Connecting cities without direct rail
- ✗ Budget airlines can be cheaper for long routes
| App | What it's for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trip.com | Train & flight tickets | English interface — easiest for foreigners |
| DiDi | Ride-hailing (China's Uber) | English mode available — accepts foreign cards |
| Amap （高德地图） | Navigation & maps | Works without VPN — more accurate than Google Maps in China |
| Google Translate | Translation | Download Chinese offline pack at home — camera mode essential |
| Doubao / DeepSeek | AI translation & help | Chinese AI apps — no VPN needed — often faster for local queries |
| Messaging & mini-programs | Hotels, locals, and mini-apps all live here |
Download all apps at home. Some may not be available or easy to set up once inside China.
You don't need to speak Chinese to travel in China. But learning a few phrases earns instant goodwill — locals genuinely appreciate the effort, and it makes asking for directions or ordering food much smoother.
| Phrase | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | Nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 谢谢 | Xièxiè | Thank you |
| 不客气 | Bù kèqì | You're welcome |
| 对不起 | Duìbuqǐ | Sorry / Excuse me |
| 请问 | Qǐngwèn | Excuse me (when asking a question) |
| 多少钱？ | Duōshǎo qián? | How much does this cost? |
| 不要辣 | Bù yào là | No spice please |
| 好吃！ | Hǎo chī! | Delicious! |
| 再见 | Zàijiàn | Goodbye |
| 厕所在哪里？ | Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the toilet? |
Trip.com is the easiest way to book trains — the English interface is reliable and you can collect tickets at the station with your passport. For navigation, use Amap rather than Google Maps; it's far more accurate for Chinese addresses and doesn't require a VPN. And even if your Mandarin is zero: try saying 谢谢 (xièxiè) after every transaction. It never fails to make someone smile.
Culture & Local Etiquette
China has its own rhythms. A few things that surprise first-time visitors — not because they're difficult, but because they're different from what you might expect.
- → Tipping is not customary and can sometimes cause confusion. It's not expected anywhere.
- → Bargaining is acceptable at markets and souvenir stalls — not in restaurants or regular shops.
- → Queuing norms are different. Pushing to the front isn't considered rude in the same way. Stay patient.
- → Spicy food warning: Sichuan food is genuinely spicy. Always say 不要辣 (bù yào là) if you have a low tolerance.
- → Smoking is common indoors in some areas, especially in smaller restaurants and mahjong halls.
- → Chengdu is a very safe city. Petty crime is low and locals are generally friendly and curious about foreign visitors.
People are generally happy to be photographed in China — especially if you ask first (or mime the question with your camera). Military sites, government buildings, and some museums prohibit photography; signs are usually posted. In Chengdu's neighbourhoods, candid street photography is usually fine — people are used to it and often enjoy the attention.
The thing I tell every guest before the walk: don't try to understand China through the lens of where you're from. It's not better or worse — it's just different. Approach everything with curiosity rather than comparison, and you'll have a much better time. And if you learn one phrase, make it 好吃 (hǎo chī) — "delicious." Use it after every bite of street food and watch what happens.