FAQ

China's photography restrictions focus on three types of locations: 1. Military and border facilities — checkpoints, sentry posts, border facilities, and naval bases are completely prohibited from photography. If you see a "No Photography" sign, put away your equipment immediately; this is not a sug··· Read the full answer→

Xinjiang is one of China’s most popular long-haul destinations, with well-developed tourism facilities. The main tourist cities (Urumqi, Kanas, Ili, Kashgar, Turpan) have order and management consistent with other parts of the country. There are two points to adapt to: first, frequent checkpoints — ··· Read the full answer→

Foreign travelers (including residents from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) entering Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit, issued by the Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau. Individuals cannot apply on their own; it must be handled through a locally licensed travel agency in Tibet. Required material··· Read the full answer→

Two things: confirm foreign document eligibility and register for accommodation. Not all hotels can accommodate guests with foreign documents, and the indications on booking platforms are not always accurate. Before booking, call to confirm by asking, "Can I check in with a passport / Taiwan Compatr··· Read the full answer→

Google Maps cannot function properly within China (service is restricted, and the map data is also relatively outdated). Alternatives are Amap or Baidu Maps: both support registration with overseas phone numbers, provide navigation, public transport transfers, ride-hailing aggregation, nearby search··· Read the full answer→

Yes, Chinese SIM cards require full real-name registration. Foreign travelers can apply using a passport or Taiwan Compatriot Permit. Process: go to a directly-operated service hall (China Mobile / Unicom / Telecom, not street-side agents), bring the original ID → photo taken on site → sign the agre··· Read the full answer→

Foreign cards can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs in China. Look for machines with the Visa / Mastercard / Plus / Cirrus logo. Branches of major banks (Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank) are the most reliable. Fees consist of two parts: the foreign ca··· Read the full answer→

Sure. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay support linking Visa and Mastercard (with JCB supported in some scenarios). Once linked, they can be used to make payments at the vast majority of offline merchants. However, there are a few limitations to be aware of in advance: there is usually a verification-free ··· Read the full answer→

The standard household voltage in China is 220V / 50Hz. The sockets are mainly two-flat-pin (Type A) and three-pin (Type I, angled pins). In recent years, newly built hotels and stations generally provide universal sockets (compatible with European round pins and American flat pins). Travel adapters··· Read the full answer→

It is not recommended to drink tap water directly. Urban water supply in China meets standards at the source, but issues with aging pipelines and secondary water supply are common. Additionally, water hardness varies greatly across regions, making it easy for travelers' digestive systems to be unacc··· Read the full answer→

China's air quality has improved significantly over the past decade. The annual average PM2.5 concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta have dropped substantially, and the everyday air quality in most cities is comparable to major cities a··· Read the full answer→

Overall, public security in Chinese cities and tourist areas is good, with the main risks coming from three areas: crowds (property and getting lost), traffic (crossing the road and the quality of chartered vehicles), and natural environment (altitude sickness, mountain weather, water safety). Speci··· Read the full answer→

You can directly say 'no spice,' 'less oil,' or 'less sugar,' and most restaurants can adjust. Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisines are the most friendly to people who don't eat spicy food, while Sichuan and Hunan cuisines should be proactively avoided for dishes like boiled in chili water, Mao Xue Wang,··· Read the full answer→

Medium-distance (2–5 hours by train) high-speed rail is the most balanced: it has a high on-time rate, goes from city to city, and doesn't require security checks or advance waiting at the airport. For long distances or routes with complex terrain (Chengdu—Jiuzhaigou, Beijing—Dunhuang, entering Tibe··· Read the full answer→

Staff in big cities and popular tourist spots can mostly handle basic English, but once you leave first-tier cities, the prevalence of English drops noticeably, especially in small restaurants, county towns, and rural areas. Practical tips: save the names of destinations and key needs on your phone ··· Read the full answer→