Blog
China travel insights from real local sources.
Should you travel China during Golden Week?
Mainland China's 2026 public holidays with exact dates, make-up workdays and the two windows worth avoiding. Golden Week runs October 1 to 7; Spring Festival stretches to nine days.
Yong She Shanghai: The 60 sqm Open-Plan Room
Yong She's 60-square-metre open-plan room in Shanghai keeps sleeping, sitting and bathing areas in one continuous space — the layout is the reason to book it.
How to book Forbidden City tickets with a passport
Every Forbidden City visitor needs an advance reservation — there is no same-day sale. Tickets cost 60 yuan April to October and 40 yuan November to March, released at 20:00 Beijing time exactly seven days before your visit.
Booking China attraction tickets with a passport, not a Chinese ID
Chinese attractions run on real-name booking, but a passport works at almost all of them — through the official English site, an Alipay travel portal or an authorised platform. Here is the order to try, and the two Beijing venues where you cannot buy at the gate.
Where to stay in Beijing: match the base to your trip
Four Beijing bases compared by metro line, price and trade-off, plus airport train fares and what the hotel does with your passport at check-in.
Where to stay in Shanghai: Jing'an vs the Bund vs Lujiazui
Jing'an for most first trips, People's Square for walking to the Bund, the French Concession for cafés, Lujiazui for the view. What each Shanghai hotel area actually costs you in metro time and noise.
Hotel registration rules for foreigners in China
Chinese hotels register foreign guests themselves and must file your details with the local police within 24 hours. What to bring, what changes if you stay outside a hotel, and what to do if a front desk refuses you.
Getting from Beijing's airports to the city: PEK vs Daxing
Capital Airport's express train runs ¥25 to Dongzhimen in about 25 minutes; Daxing's runs ¥35 to Caoqiao in 19. Fares, taxi meters, last trains and night buses for both Beijing airports.
Shanghai airports to the city: metro, Maglev or taxi
Both Shanghai airports sit on the metro, so the cheap answer is ¥7–8 and an hour from Pudong, ¥5 and half an hour from Hongqiao. The fast one is the ¥50 Maglev.
Domestic Flights in China on a Foreign Passport
You can fly anywhere in China on a foreign passport — no residence permit, no separate application. What decides your trip is having the passport number in the booking and knowing which counter to use at the airport.
How to pay for the metro in China: cards, QR codes, tickets
Foreign contactless cards now open metro gates in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, and an Alipay QR code covers most other cities. Here is what each method requires, and how to set one up before you land.
Shanghai in Three Days: The Classic Night-View Walking Route
A day-one Shanghai walk from Nanjing Road to the Bund, with a ¥2 ferry crossing instead of a ¥100 river cruise, and the time the lights go off.
Yongjia Road: bookshops, coffee and garden villas in Shanghai
A single stretch of Yongjia Road holds a vintage bookshop, three specialty coffee shops, and a run of garden villas — including the former homes of Xia Yan and Rong Zhixun.
DiDi in China without a Chinese phone number
DiDi's mainland app accepts foreign phone numbers and international cards, so you can book cars without a Chinese SIM. The one thing you need is a single verification SMS, plus a payment route that actually works.
China train classes and sleepers: which berth to book
Second class is fine for a few hours; overnight you want a berth with a door. What each class costs, how the berths are laid out, and how to choose a specific tier when you book.
Sleeping on the 85th Floor of Jinmao Tower at Grand Hyatt Shanghai
The Grand Hyatt Shanghai puts you on the 85th floor of Jinmao Tower, sleeping 300-plus metres above the city. Here is what that height actually gets you.
Fifth Persona Escape White Sand Street at Universal Beijing
A Fifth Persona haunted house at Universal Beijing where you memorise cipher numbers between scares and pick the right door out of six to escape.
Anyang Yinxu Museum: 4,000 Artifacts, One Very Long Day
Over 4,000 artifacts, a 3D screen that overwhelms, and one visitor's eight-hour Saturday. What to know before you go to Anyang's Yinxu Museum.
3-Day Chongqing Walk: Liziba to Changjia Hui
A three-day loop through Chongqing's Yuzhong, Jiangbei, and South Bank districts, covering the train-through-building at Liziba, the Two Rivers confluence at night, and the free light show at Changjia Hui.
Five Shanghai Stops: The Bund, Lujiazui and Three Shows
Five Shanghai places people keep posting about — two free skylines and three ticketed shows, with what each one actually costs you in time.
Hong Kong to mainland China: pick the right border crossing
Five practical ways across the Hong Kong–mainland border, with the opening hours that decide which one you can actually use — and who needs a visa rather than a ticket.
China train station gates: when they close, when to arrive
The ticket gate closes 2 to 7 minutes before your train leaves, and it does not reopen — even if the train is still at the platform. Arrive 25 to 30 minutes early and you will never have a problem.
Booking China HSR tickets with a foreign passport
A foreign passport works for high-speed rail in China, but you must clear a one-off identity check before you can buy anything, and passport holders are barred from the self-service machines.
China airport SIM cards: prices, hours, and when to skip them
You can buy a local SIM in the arrivals hall at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports — with your passport and about ¥100–300. Here is where the counters are, when they close, and the one reason to buy an eSIM instead.
Which Apps Are Blocked in China — and What to Use Instead
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, X and Uber are blocked across mainland China at network level. Here is what replaces each one, and why the workaround has to be installed before you fly.
eSIM in China: buy and install it before you fly
An international eSIM works across mainland China and sidesteps the Great Firewall on mobile data — but it has to be installed before you leave. Here is the order that works.
Can you use cash and foreign cards in China?
Cash must be accepted for face-to-face payment since 1 February 2026, and foreign cards still work in Chinese ATMs at 3,000 yuan per withdrawal. Here's how each payment route works, including the 3% fee on Alipay and WeChat Pay.
How to set up WeChat Pay with a foreign card
Link a Visa or Mastercard to WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account — the exact in-app steps, the passport check, and the 3% fee you only pay above ¥200.
Alipay setup for China: linking a foreign card, step by step
You don't need a Chinese bank account or a +86 phone number to pay by QR code in China. Here's how to install Alipay, verify your passport, link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, and what it costs.
Hainan visa-free rules: 61 countries, 30 days, no visa
Passport holders from 61 countries get 30 days in Hainan with no visa, including the whole island but nothing beyond it. Here is who qualifies, which ports work, and how the 30-day clock runs.
Landing in China: arrival card, fingerprints, customs order
A free digital arrival card within 72 hours of landing, fingerprints at the counter if you are 14 to 70, then a green or red customs channel. Here is the sequence, and what each step actually asks of you.
How to get a China L tourist visa, step by step
The L visa is a sticker collected in person: COVA form, preliminary review, passport submission, four working days of processing. Fees, fingerprint exemption and appointment rules vary by passport and by office.
China's 240-hour visa-free transit: who qualifies in 2026
Citizens of 57 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours, but only on a genuine A → China → B route through one of 65 designated ports. Here is how the permit is issued and where you may travel.
Kaifeng's Two Song Dynasty Theme Parks, Ranked by What's Inside
Qingming Riverside Garden and Wansui Mountain Wuxia City, plus the pirate ship and the giant fan that have made both parks a running joke online.
10 Shops Near Chen Clan Academy Worth Going Back To
Ten shops around Chen Clan Academy that locals return to: claypot chicken rice, hand-made rice noodle rolls from 6 yuan, 12-yuan offal soup and durian sweet soup at 15 yuan.
China's 240-hour visa-free transit: 57 countries, 65 ports
Citizens of 57 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours with an onward ticket to a third country. Where it works, how the clock runs, and the rules that void it.
11 Cheap Eats in Beijing, Mostly Around Yonghegong and Gulou
Eleven cheap Beijing snack stops — dairy, miancha, fried chicken, doubao — clustered around Yonghegong, Gulou and Nanluoguxiang, with prices.
Two Lhasa Cafés Where You Can Photograph the Potala Palace Like a Film Set
Two cafés in Lhasa — Zang A Coffee (藏A咖啡) and Waiting for the Wind (等风来咖啡) — have turned Potala Palace views into a social-media phenomenon, offering rooftop photo shoots with professional camera rigs from just ¥40.
Wuhan's Yangsigang Bridge: When Rain Turns Infrastructure Into Art
Wuhan's massive Yangsigang Bridge transforms into a waterfall spectacle during heavy rain, creating viral-worthy views from the world's longest double-deck suspension bridge.
Palace Shanghai Flagship Store at Historic Zhangyuan
British streetwear brand Palace opened its first mainland China flagship in Shanghai's historic Zhangyuan complex, blending skateboard culture with traditional Chinese garden design.
Xi'an Eternal Love: Immersive Theater Meets Ancient History
Xi'an Eternal Love delivers 6,000 years of Chinese history through spectacular theater tech, featuring water cascades, flying sand, and immersive storytelling in a 60-minute performance.
Fook Luk House Shanghai: Upscale Cantonese Without the Price Tag
Fook Luk House serves sophisticated Cantonese cuisine in elegant Hong Kong-style surroundings at surprisingly reasonable prices for Shanghai.
Beijing's Viral Bathhouse Cafe: Drinks and Cupping Therapy
Beijing's themed Qinghuachi Cafe recreates a traditional bathhouse setting where you can sip coffee surrounded by vintage spa fixtures and even try cupping therapy.
Yuanshan Chongqing Hotpot: The 5L Fruit Tea That's Taking Xi'an By Storm
Yuanshan Chongqing Hotpot's 5-liter fruit tea requires two people to carry and has become Xi'an's most viral dining experience.
THE DRAMA Hotel: Shanghai's Immersive Theatre Experience
Shanghai's only Shakespeare-themed boutique hotel where guests check in wearing masks and staff are actors creating an immersive theatrical experience.
Manner Coffee North Bund: Shanghai's Best Budget View Cafe
Shanghai's Manner Coffee North Bund serves panoramic Lujiazui skyline views and quality coffee from just 20 RMB ($3) in a glass-walled riverfront cafe.
MINISO LAND Sanya: China's Newest IP-Themed Shopping Experience
Sanya's newest retail attraction transforms MINISO into a 1200㎡ ship-themed IP wonderland with exclusive Disney, Sanrio, and Harry Potter merchandise.
The Most Iconic Beach Bar in Qingdao
Longkou's HeatWave Beach Bar features a stunning 10-meter tornado-shaped canopy that's become Shandong's most photographed beach installation. Live music, bonfire nights, and seaside cocktails complete the experience.
Warehouse No.3: Shanghai's Futuristic Restaurant with Mirror Ceilings
Shanghai's cyberpunk restaurant with mirror ceilings serves creative Chinese cuisine in a futuristic space that's equal parts dining room and Instagram backdrop.
3 Days in Shanghai — What Locals Actually Recommend
Skip the tourist traps. This is the 3-day Shanghai itinerary that 20-something locals would actually plan for you — based on millions of Dianping reviews.
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner in 2026
Cash is dead in China. Foreign credit cards barely work. Here's exactly how to set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you go — the 15-minute version.
The Best Xiaolongbao in Shanghai (Local Verdict)
Five spots, ranked. Din Tai Fung is not the answer. The locals' top pick is a hole-in-the-wall most tourists never find.
Do you need a China visa? It depends on your passport
Four separate routes let you into China without a visa: a 30-day list of 50 passports, 240-hour transit for 57, a Hainan-only 30 days for 61, and 24 hours at any port. Which one applies to you depends on the passport you hold.
Best eSIMs for China — VPN Included
In China, you need an eSIM with a built-in VPN to access Google, Instagram, WhatsApp. Three options compared.
Inside the Viral Chongqing Motorcycle Trend Taking Over TikTok and Instagram
How Chongqing Became the Motorcycle Capital of China — and Tiktok’s Hottest 15-Second Ride If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen it: A girl (or guy) walks down the street —Suddenly, a motorbike pulls up, the rider scoops them off the ground, feet in the air —Cut to: them speeding through […]
Ultimate China Travel Guide 2025
The Only Guidebook You Need Before Coming to China 🇨🇳 ✅ Not Your Average Guidebook This isn’t another dusty travel manual written by people who flew in for 2 weeks, ate at hotel buffets, and left. This is the Ultimate China Travel Guide 2025, created by the team behind @ChinaInsider (1.2M+ followers) and China Travel […]
Best eSIMs for Traveling in China🌐(2025 Edition)
Let’s be honest — staying connected in China can be… tricky. Between the Great Firewall, blocked apps, and confusing SIM card kiosks, it’s not exactly plug-and-play. But if you're reading this, you're smart — you're going with an eSIM, and that’s already the easiest move you can make. So here’s a no-fluff breakdown of the […]
Chongqing’s Hottest Travel Trend Right Now?
A Motor Night Ride Video Shoot That Screams Main Character Energy If you’ve scrolled through Instagram or TikTok recently, chances are you’ve seen them — sleek, fast-paced⚡ motorbike videos, shot at night against the dazzling skyline of Chongqing’s Raffles City. A girl in shades, wind in her hair. A cinematic pan as neon lights bounce […]
Where to Spend 24 Hours Near Shanghai Hongqiao – A Chill SPA Spot for Food, Fun, and Rest
If you have a long layover at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Hongqiao Airport, or just need a place to rest overnight, Shuiguo Hot Spring (水裹汤泉) is a solid option. It’s open 24/7 and has everything in one place—food, entertainment, and places to sleep—for just 200+ RMB. 🏨 A Huge Space to Relax The place […]
The Biggest Hotpot in the World with a View: Pi Pa Yuan Hotpot in Chongqing 🌶️🔥
If you’re in Chongqing and craving a true hotpot experience, Pi Pa Yuan Hotpot (枇杷园火锅) is the place to be. Imagine eating hotpot on a mountain with 1,000 tables scattered all over—yep, it’s that big! The servers even carry dishes up the hill using shoulder poles. It’s like stepping into an old-school Sichuan village but […]
China Insider 3-Day Chongqing Itinerary
Make the most of your limited time in Chongqing with China Insider. Visit major tourist spots and discover hidden gems known only by locals⭐ YOUR CHONGQING TRIP HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YOU, BY CHINA INSIDER🤩 1. See the best of Chongqing, even if you’re short on time⌛ 2. Get a clear plan that suits non-Chinese […]
Xi'an's Newest Hotspot! 🌟 Explore the Stunning MixC Mall by Heatherwick Studio
Must-Visit Alert! 🚨 Xi'an's MixC Mall is Open and It’s Gorgeous Xi'an just got a major glow-up! ✨ The brand-new MixC Mall, designed by the famous Heatherwick Studio, has officially opened its doors. This stunning space celebrates Xi'an's rich craftsmanship and ancient ceramic culture, blending modern design with the city's historical charm. Located in the […]
9 Must-Try Local Eats in Shanghai 🍜
Planning a trip to Shanghai and not sure what to eat? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Here’s a foodie guide to 9 local spots that even Shanghai locals can’t resist. Let’s dig in! 😋 9 Must-Try Local Eats 1️⃣ Shrimp Soldiers & Crab Generals (虾兵蟹将) – Crab Roe Noodles If you love rich flavors, this […]
Librairie Avant-Garde: The Underground Nanjing Bookstore With Cats Doing Parkour
Have you ever seen a cat doing parkour in a bookstore? 🐱Welcome to Nanjing… From Bomb Shelter to Book Haven Looking for a bookstore that’s literally got some history? Librairie Avant-Garde in Nanjing is the place! Housed in an epic 4,000-square-meter underground space beneath Wutaishan Stadium, this bookstore is not just a place to grab […]
A Sci-Fi Feast at Warehouse No. 3 in Shanghai
📢Attention Sci-Fi lovers in Shanghai, you gonna love this restaurant! As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by an overwhelming sense of technology and fashion. The restaurant’s sleek silver-white decor, with mirrored reflections and other futuristic elements, makes you feel like you’ve entered a sci-fi world. The space is vast and brightly lit, with […]
China Insider 3-Day Beijing Itinerary
Make the most of your limited time in Beijing with China Insider. Visit major tourist spots and discover hidden gems known only by locals⭐ YOUR BEIJING TRIP HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YOU, BY CHINA INSIDER🤩 1. See the best of Beijing, even if you’re short on time⌛ 2. Get a clear plan that suits non-Chinese […]
China Insider 3-Day Xi'an Itinerary
Make the most of your limited time in Xi'an with China Insider. Visit major tourist spots and discover hidden gems known only by locals⭐ YOUR XI'AN TRIP HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YOU, BY CHINA INSIDER🤩 1. See the best of Xi'an, even if you’re short on time⌛ 2. Get a clear plan that suits non-Chinese […]
China Insider 3-Day Shanghai Itinerary
Make the most of your limited time in Shanghai with China Insider. Visit major tourist spots and discover hidden gems known only by locals⭐ YOUR SHANGHAI TRIP HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YOU, BY CHINA INSIDER🤩 1. See the best of Shanghai, even if you’re short on time⌛ 2. Get a clear plan that suits non-Chinese […]
The Best VPNs for China 2025
VPNs for China that are working. Last updated October 1, 2025: Looking for the perfect VPN to use in China? After putting more than 80 VPN services to the test, we've handpicked some VPN champions for your journey in China. If you're in a hurry and want a quick verdict, here's the conclusion: *little trick: […]
Exploring Guangzhou: Where History Meets Modernity
Guangzhou, a city where the past and present coalesce into a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and gastronomy. Known as the “City of Flowers,” this Southern Chinese metropolis offers a plethora of experiences for every kind of traveler. Let's dive into the wonders of Guangzhou, and I’ll also share some top hotel recommendations for your […]
Shanghai's Coffee Chronicles: Top 10 Cafés to Sip and Savor
Shanghai, the city that never sleeps and always brews, is home to a thriving café culture that marries Eastern tradition with Western modernity. In the bustling metropolis of commerce and culture, I embarked on a caffeinated quest to discover the top 10 cafés that are the talk of the town. Here's a curated list of […]