Local knowledge, in English
China travel, explained.
Chinese payment apps, hotel chains and travel rules, explained through local and Chinese-language sources. Practical advice for planning your trip and travelling in China.
Payments, internet & hotels
Payments
Alipay, WeChat Pay & the QR-code difference
A foreign card linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay can fund purchases at participating merchants. A personal transfer code is different: it cannot charge that linked card.
Sources: Alipay terms · WeChat Pay guidance
Internet & apps
Google, WhatsApp & your connection in China
Some travel eSIMs send your data through an overseas connection, allowing access to Google and WhatsApp. That access does not carry over to hotel Wi-Fi. Access depends on the plan you choose.
Sources: Airalo’s China guidance
Hotels
Get to know China’s own hotel chains
Hanting is a budget chain, JI Hotel sits in the midrange, and Atour is positioned in the upper midrange. The hotel guide also explains room descriptions, laundry facilities and passport registration.
Sources: H World’s annual report · Atour’s brands
Entry, transport & getting around
China visa-free passport checker
Visa-free entry and transit follow different rules. Select your passport country to see which options could fit, then check the route and stay requirements.
China train tickets: 12306 or Trip.com
China Railway e-tickets use the identity document you booked with for boarding. Compare booking channels and see how foreign-passport verification works.
Power banks on domestic flights
Mainland domestic flights require a clear CCC/3C mark and exclude recalled power banks. Battery capacity is only one part of the rules.
Chinese addresses, menus & translation
Chinese place names for taxis, camera translation for menus and signs, and phrases for dietary needs, directions and getting help.
Explore Xinjiang & Tibetan areas
Xinjiang: choose a route that fits your trip
Kashgar’s old city, the lakes and villages around Kanas, and Yili’s grasslands make different trips. Compare the distances and transport, with separate guidance for Tashkurgan and border areas.
Tibet & Tibetan areas: where the permit applies
Tibetan cultural areas extend beyond the Tibet Autonomous Region. Our map explains the permit boundary and compares destinations in Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and Yunnan, where other local access rules can still apply.
Recently revised guides
- Hotel rooms & facilities
Added context on window descriptions and self-service laundry in Chinese hotels.
- Foreign phone numbers in China
Clarified foreign-number use with Alipay and DiDi, and how SMS works alongside a data-only eSIM.
- Xinjiang border-area access
Clarified why border-pass instructions for Chinese citizens do not automatically apply to foreign passports.
Last updated: September 7, 2026