The most common questions first-time visitors ask about travelling to China — answered honestly and in plain language.
It depends on your nationality. As of 2026, citizens of many countries — including the US, UK, most EU member states, Australia, and Canada — can enter China visa-free for stays of up to 15 or 30 days under China's expanded visa-free policy.
Always verify the latest rules with your country's official foreign ministry travel website or the Chinese Embassy in your country, as visa policies change regularly. See our full China Visa Guide for a country-by-country breakdown.
China replaced paper arrival cards with an online digital declaration system. You fill it in on the official Chinese Customs website (haiguan.gov.cn) up to 3 days before your flight. You'll need your passport details, flight number, and your first hotel's address in China.
After submitting, you receive a QR code that customs officers scan when you land. Take a screenshot of it and save it to your photos — so you can show it even without Wi-Fi.
See our full step-by-step Arrival Guide for detailed instructions with screenshots.
Most tourists use the "nothing to declare" green lane. You should declare: cash or currency equivalent over ¥20,000 (about £2,200 / $2,800), goods worth over ¥5,000 (about £550 / $700) in total value, medications (especially controlled substances — carry a doctor's note), and items prohibited or restricted in China such as certain books, drones, or large quantities of tobacco.
If in doubt, use the red "goods to declare" lane — customs officers are helpful and used to tourists.
Yes, but with limitations. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international hotels, large department stores, and tourist-facing restaurants. However, most everyday places — local restaurants, markets, convenience stores, street food vendors, and many taxis — only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay.
We strongly recommend setting up Alipay International Edition before you travel, as it accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard. See our Alipay guide for step-by-step instructions.
We recommend carrying 500–1,000 Chinese Yuan (CNY) in cash for your first few days. This covers small markets, street food stalls, and the occasional shop that doesn't accept digital payment.
You can exchange currency at the airport (Bank of China or ICBC counters), at most city bank branches, or at your hotel. ATMs also accept international cards but charge fees. The exchange rate at bank branches is usually better than at hotels.
Tipping is not a Chinese custom and is not expected in restaurants, taxis, or most hotels. Some staff may even politely refuse a tip. The main exception is professional tour guides, who do appreciate a small tip (¥50–100 for a full-day tour), and porters at luxury international hotels (¥10–20 per bag). At local restaurants and street food stalls, no tip is needed or expected.
No — Google, Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and most Western services are blocked in China through what's known as the "Great Firewall."
To access these services, you need a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Crucially, you must download and activate your VPN before entering China — VPN apps cannot be downloaded inside China. See our VPN for China guide for recommended apps and setup instructions.
Here are the most important apps to download before you leave home:
Yes, China is generally very safe for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare and Chinese cities are well-policed. The most common issues tourists face are:
Air quality can be an issue in some cities, particularly in northern China in winter. Check the daily AQI and carry KN95 masks. See our Practical Tips guide for more health advice.
There are no mandatory vaccinations for visiting China (unless arriving from a yellow fever country). Travel clinics typically recommend:
Consult a qualified travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Do not drink tap water in China. Although tap water is treated, the quality varies by city and the pipes in older buildings can affect safety. Always drink bottled water, which is very widely available and very cheap (large 1.5L bottles cost ¥2–4, about 30–50p / 40–60¢). Your hotel will usually provide complimentary bottled water in your room.
China has three main emergency numbers, all free to call from any phone:
For tourist assistance, ask your hotel concierge for the local tourist helpline number — most tourist cities have an English-speaking tourist police hotline.
English is spoken at international hotels, major airports, and popular tourist attractions in big cities. In everyday situations — local restaurants, shops, markets, and transport — most people speak little or no English.
The key is to prepare: download a translation app, print our pocket phrasebook, and carry your hotel address written in Chinese. A friendly attitude goes a very long way — most people genuinely try to help even with no shared language.
The best times to visit most of China are April–May (spring) and September–October (autumn). The weather is comfortable, crowds are manageable, and the scenery is at its most beautiful.
Avoid travelling during Chinese New Year (late Jan–mid Feb) and Golden Week / National Day (1–7 October) when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel domestically, causing tourist sites to be extremely crowded and hotel prices to peak. See our full Best Time to Visit China guide.