Traveling to China for the first time in my life. Any tips?

🇨🇳 Essential Travel Tips for Visiting China

Here are the most important lessons I’ve learned during my current trip to China—hope they help you too!

💳 Payments: Alipay & WeChat

• Set up both Alipay and WeChat Pay, and link at least two credit or bank cards. Some vendors prefer one over the other, and occasionally a card might get blocked.

• Cash is rarely needed: I only used it during the first couple of days. Once I got comfortable with mobile payments, I didn’t even open my wallet.

🚕 Transportation: Use Didi

• Access Didi via Alipay or WeChat mini apps. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to switch the interface to English—this makes everything much easier.

• Best for small groups: We started as a group of 8, then 4, now just 2. Didi has consistently been the easiest way to get around.

📶 Connectivity: Get an eSIM

• Buy an eSIM from Trip.com. You won’t find it directly in the Trip app, but a quick Google search for “Trip.com eSIM” will lead you there.

🏨 Accommodation: Book with Trip.com

• Trip.com offers more local hotel options than Booking.com or Agoda.

• Flexible cancellation policies: We once arrived at a hotel in Zhangjiajie that was down a dark road. We canceled on the spot and booked another nearby—no issues.

🏞 Attractions: Zhangjiajie & More

• Use WeChat mini apps to book tickets in advance for places like Avatar Mountains, Tianmen Mountain, and the Glass Bridge.

• Understand the “A Line” vs “B Line” system:

  • Avatar Mountains B Line: elevator up, cable car down.

  • A Line: cable car up, elevator down.

  • Tianmen Mountain is similar: one route starts with the longest cable car ride.

• You can’t return the same way you came, so plan accordingly. This system helps manage crowd flow.

🌞 Summer Travel Essentials

• Expect heat and humidity: Bring a mini USB fan, a sun umbrella, and a small insulated bottle.

• Cold drinks are rare: Locals prefer warm beverages. If you find a store selling ice, buy it the day before and store it in your insulated bottle.

🗣 Communication: Translation Tools

• Consider a dedicated translation device: Many locals use simple two-button gadgets that translate speech instantly. Easier than handing over your phone.

🚄 Train Travel: Use the 12306 App

• Download the official 12306 train app. Use another phone to translate the interface until you find the English version.

• Register and upload your passport info to book intercity tickets.

• Book in advance: You can cancel up to 1 hour before departure or change your ticket once. We once switched from a 4 PM train to one leaving in 20 minutes—super convenient.