China for Tourists: Complete Travel Guide – Visa, Money, Attractions
China is a country where ancient pagodas stand next to skyscrapers, and the aroma of oolong tea mixes with the smell of street food. It is one of the most exciting destinations for tourists, but also one of the most challenging for independent travel.
📑 Contents:
📋 Preparation for the trip: documents, money, communication
1. Visa to China for tourists
For entry into China, tourists from most countries require a visa. The process is standard:
- Where to apply: At the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country.
- Main documents: Passport (valid for at least 6 months), completed application form, colour photo (3.5×4.5 cm), invitation from a travel agency or hotel (or hotel booking and flight tickets).
- Processing time and cost: Usually 5-7 working days. Cost varies depending on urgency.
2. Money and cards in China
This is one of the most important points to prepare for tourists.
- Cash: Bring US dollars or euros to exchange for yuan (CNY). It is better to exchange money in China rather than abroad.
- Bank cards: Russian MIR cards are not accepted. Visa and Mastercard issued by Russian banks also have major restrictions. The best option is to have a UnionPay card (available in some international banks). For other nationalities, Visa/Mastercard from non‑Russian banks generally work fine, but always carry cash as a backup.
- E‑wallets: All of China lives on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Tourists can now link international Visa/Mastercard to these systems, but stability is not always guaranteed. Always have cash on hand.
3. Internet and VPN in China
📱 SIM card: You can buy a local tourist SIM card at the airport upon arrival (e.g., from China Mobile). You will need your passport.
🚆 Transport in China for tourists 2025
High‑speed trains (GAO TIE) 2025
🚄 Current prices and schedule (2025):
Beijing - Shanghai: 4.5 hours, 550-1750 yuan
Shanghai - Hangzhou: 1 hour, 75-150 yuan
Shanghai - Suzhou: 25 minutes, 35-80 yuan
How to buy: Through Trip.com (no VPN needed) or at train station ticket offices. Passport required!
🚄 Maglev – ultra‑fast train in Shanghai
This is the world's fastest commercial train, connecting Longyang Road metro station with Pudong International Airport (PVG).
🕐 Maglev operating hours in Shanghai:
- From Longyang Road station (city to airport) — 6:45 – 21:40
- From Pudong Airport station (airport to city) — 7:02 – 21:42
Frequency — 15–20 minutes. In the evening, frequency may decrease, so check the schedule in advance.
Tip: If you've never ridden it, I recommend it. Even the carriages are original – the same composition since opening.
🚖 Airport transfer 2025
🎯 Most convenient option:
Book a transfer on Trip.com – driver meets you with a sign, fixed price, not expensive. Ideal for those who are not good at navigating or arrive late.
🚕 Taxi from the airport
Official city taxis are available at airports (follow "Taxi" signs):
- Operating hours: 24/7
- Payment: Cash in yuan or Alipay by meter
- Price to city centre: 200-300 yuan by meter (daytime), night rate is 20-30% higher
- Important: Make sure the driver turns on the meter and uses a navigation app!
🚇 Metro in Chinese cities 2025
Operating hours from airport to city: 6:00 – 23:20 (check specific airport)
💳 Paying for the metro:
- Cash (yuan) – at service windows (change given)
- Alipay – "Transport" → "Metro code" (most convenient)
- UnionPay card – at service windows
- Transport cards (Shanghai Public Transportation Card) – deposit 20 yuan, top‑up from 50 yuan
📱 Useful metro apps:
- MetroMan – best for tourists, available in English, shows routes and times
- Apple Maps (on iPhone) – built‑in metro map with route calculation
- Baidu Maps/Amap – Chinese alternatives, but only in Chinese
Need to pay for two people with one phone? Go to the glass counter in the metro and ask to set up the code for two persons. Staff will help (show this phrase in Chinese: 请帮我设置地铁码可以两个人用).
🚌 Buses and night transport 2025
Night buses from the airport: Available at major airports (Shanghai PVG, Beijing PEK). Operate from 23:00 to 6:00. Check routes and schedules on info boards.
City buses: Complicated for tourists – all announcements are in Chinese, you need exact change. Not recommended for beginners.
🚗 City taxis 2025
DiDi (Chinese Uber) – works through Alipay with international cards.
Street taxi: Hail one on the street. Green/blue/yellow cars are official taxis.
✅ Taxi safety rules:
- Immediately check if the meter is on
- Have a map app to track the route
- Save your hotel address in Chinese characters on your phone
- If something is wrong – call 110 (police)
🏙️ Transport cards in Chinese cities
| City | Card | Deposit | Where to buy | Where to return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Shanghai Public Transportation Card | 20 ¥ | PVG/SHA airport, major metro stations, service centres | PVG/SHA airport (Terminals 1,2), major metro stations (People's Square, East Nanjing Road) |
| Beijing | Yikatong Card | 20 ¥ | PEK/PKX airport, metro stations, bus terminals | PEK airport (Terminals 2,3), special Yikatong offices |
| Guangzhou | Yangchengtong Card | 30 ¥ | Metro stations, bus stations, shopping malls | Special Yangchengtong offices (metro and shopping malls) |
| Shenzhen | Shenzhen Tong Card | 25 ¥ | Metro stations, bus terminals, 7‑Eleven stores | Special Shenzhen Tong offices, major metro stations |
| Hong Kong | Octopus Card | 50 HKD | HKG airport, MTR stations, 7‑Eleven | MTR stations, HKG airport |
1. From the airport – transfer or official taxi
2. Around the city – metro (Alipay) + DiDi for taxis
3. Between cities – high‑speed trains via Trip.com
4. Always have cash in yuan for emergencies!
🚗 Need a transfer or help with transport? I can help book train tickets, arrange a transfer, or figure out local transport. Write to me on Telegram →
🏯 Top 5 must‑see attractions in China
🏯 Great Wall of China
📍 Location: Beijing (Badaling or Mutianyu)
Badaling is the most famous and crowded section. If you want fewer crowds, choose Mutianyu. You can take a cable car up and down.
👑 Forbidden City (Gugong)
📍 Location: Beijing
The largest palace complex in the world, home to 24 emperors. To avoid long queues, buy tickets online in advance.
⚔️ Terracotta Army
📍 Location: Xi'an
More than 8,000 life‑size terracotta warriors guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Easily reachable by high‑speed train from Beijing.
🌃 The Bund (Waitan)
📍 Location: Shanghai
The famous skyline of Pudong's skyscrapers – the postcard of modern China. Especially beautiful in the evening with lights.
⛰️ Huangshan Mountains
📍 Location: Anhui Province
"Yellow Mountains" – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Famous for its pines, bizarre rocks, and "sea of clouds".
🍜 Chinese cuisine: what you must try
- 🦆 Peking duck: Crispy duck with thin pancakes, sauce and vegetables.
- 🥟 Dim sum: Various kinds of steamed dumplings and buns. Perfect for breakfast or lunch.
- 🍜 Noodles and dandan meat: Spicy, hearty noodles that lovers of spicy food will enjoy.
- 🍲 Hot pot (Chinese fondue): You cook meat, seafood and vegetables yourself in a boiling broth. Great for a group dinner.
📱 Food delivery in China 2025: Meituan and Ele.me
All of China orders food through apps. If you've come to China, don't be afraid of this process. We've prepared a step‑by‑step guide to help you place your first order without stress.
🏪 What can you order through delivery apps?
- Food from thousands of restaurants and cafes
- Medicine from pharmacies
- Groceries from supermarkets
- Essentials
- Coffee and drinks
🍔 Two main delivery apps
美团外卖 (Meituan Waimai)
The most popular food delivery app in China. Meituan has the largest restaurant base and the best discount system.
饿了么 (Ele.me)
The second most popular app, owned by Alibaba Group. Often has cheaper delivery fees.
📋 What you need to order in 2025
✅ Requirements:
- A Chinese phone number (required for registration)
- A precise address in Chinese (can be copied from your hotel or Baidu Maps)
- Alipay or WeChat Pay for payment (international cards work with limitations)
Important: without a Chinese number and address, ordering is impossible!
📲 Where to open the app
You have 3 options:
- Download the standalone app Meituan (美团) or Ele.me (饿了么) from the App Store/Google Play
- Use the mini‑program inside Alipay (search for "美团外卖" or "饿了么")
- Use the mini‑program inside WeChat (search within WeChat)
🔤 Key words and buttons (very important!)
📍 How to enter the delivery address (most important step!)
Without an accurate address in Chinese, the rider won't find you. There are 3 ways to get the address:
1. From the hotel
Copy the hotel address from Trip.com or from the business card at reception. The best option for tourists!
2. From Baidu Maps
Find your location in Baidu Maps and copy the address. Works even without a Chinese SIM.
3. Ask for help
Ask a Chinese friend, guide or hotel staff to help with the address.
- 地址 (dìzhǐ) — full address in Chinese
- 收货人 (shōu huò rén) — your name (can be in Latin letters)
- 手机号 (shǒu jī hào) — phone number
🚀 Step‑by‑step ordering process (using Meituan as an example)
📱 Step 1: Open the app
Go to Meituan through Alipay or the standalone app. The app will automatically detect your location.
🏠 Step 2: Enter the address
Tap "地址" → "新增地址". Paste the copied address, enter your name and phone number.
不要打电话 (bú yào dǎ diànhuà) — "don't call me"
🍕 Step 3: Choose a restaurant and dishes
Browse the list of available restaurants, open the menu, add dishes to your cart. When ready, tap "去结算".
💳 Step 4: Payment
Tap "去付款" and pay via Alipay. You can use an international card, but it's better to have a balance on Alipay.
🚴 Step 5: Tracking
After payment, you'll see a map with the rider. Statuses: 骑手取货 (rider picked up) → 骑手送达 (rider delivered).
📞 What to do if the rider calls
Riders often call before arriving. If you don't speak Chinese, use these phrases:
1. Use Alipay for mini‑programs
2. Copy the address from Trip.com or Baidu Maps
3. Write in the notes "不要打电话" (don't call)
4. Always double‑check the address before payment
5. Have cash in case of payment problems
🍜 Need help ordering food or with other services? I can help you figure out Chinese apps and order whatever you need. Write to me on Telegram →
🗣️ Useful Chinese phrases for tourists
Learn a few key phrases – it will make locals warm to you.
💬 Real experience from Shanghai: life as it is
🎯 Tips from those who live in China
🏝️ Vacation on Hainan
Sanya is China's tropics with turquoise water and palm trees. The air is much cleaner than in Shanghai – after 5 days your skin becomes noticeably better.
💰 Fruit prices
On Hainan, fruit is 5 times cheaper than in Shanghai. The same fruit that costs 25 yuan in Shanghai costs 5 yuan on Hainan.
🎫 Concerts and events
Tickets for world stars (like Travis Scott) sell out in a day, even if the event is 8 months away. Touts exist, but be careful – tickets are linked to passports.
"Chase your dreams until they pay for your reality."
— Follow your dreams until they start paying for your reality
📝 Personal observations about life in China
🌆 Shanghai vs. Sanya
After 5 days on Hainan, you start to miss Shanghai's rhythm. Beaches and fruit are great, but city life pulls you back.
🎓 Study and travel
Sometimes it's worth skipping a couple of days of study for a good break. It helps you "get out of the system" and recharge.
🏥 Medicine in China
According to locals, the topic of medicine is very interesting and requires a separate detailed guide. Stay tuned!
📱 Technology and everyday life
China lives in its own digital world. Without WeChat Pay and Alipay it's hard, but tourists can link international cards (with limitations).
❓ Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for China in 2025?
It depends on your nationality. Many countries have visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival arrangements. Citizens of Russia, for example, enjoy a 30‑day visa‑free regime from September 2025 to September 2026. Always check with your local Chinese embassy for the latest requirements.
For longer stays (work, study) a visa is always required.
Which cards work in China for international tourists?
UnionPay is the most reliable. Visa and Mastercard from non‑Russian banks generally work in hotels, large shops and ATMs, but may be less accepted in smaller establishments. Always carry cash in yuan as a backup.
What should I see in China for the first time?
The Great Wall, Forbidden City in Beijing, Terracotta Army in Xi'an, the Bund in Shanghai, and Huangshan Mountains.
Is it worth going to Hainan (Sanya)?
Yes, especially if you need a break from megacities. Clean air, beautiful beaches and affordable fruit. Perfect for 3‑5 days of relaxation.
💡 Top tips and life hacks for traveling in China
🚽 Toilets in China
Most public toilets do not have toilet paper. Always carry a pack of tissues and wet antibacterial wipes. Be prepared for squat toilets.
💰 Tipping in China
Tipping is not customary in China. In good restaurants, a service charge (10‑15%) may be automatically added to the bill.
🛍️ Bargaining at markets
Bargain at markets! The initial price can be 2‑3 times too high. Feel free to haggle down to 50‑70% of the asking price.
💧 Water and hygiene
Do not drink tap water. Buy bottled water. Also carry hand sanitiser with you.
🎯 Conclusion
A trip to China is a unique experience that will change your perception of the world. It is a country of contrasts where in one day you can walk along a 2000‑year‑old wall and ride the world's fastest train.