Practical guide for foreigners in China
China is easier
when you know how.
Step-by-step guides for payments, internet, transportation, and everyday tasks. Verified information for first-time travelers.
Most popular guides
Essential reading for your first trip
Getting Cash in China: ATMs, Currency Exchange, and Cash Backup
Arrange a working cash backup for China. Use your foreign bank card at ATMs, exchange banknotes, and know what to do when a machine declines or keeps your card.
⏱ 8 min • Verified 2026-10-29Get AroundHow to Get and Use Your Hotel Address in Chinese
Find the Chinese name and address of your hotel, check it is the right branch, keep a copy that works without a connection, and hand it to a driver instead of trying to pronounce it.
⏱ 7 min • Verified 2026-10-29PrepareHow to Get Internet Access in China (eSIM, VPN, and More)
Practical options for staying online in China — eSIM plans, VPN setup, hotel WiFi, and navigating the Great Firewall.
⏱ 15 min • Verified 2026-09-15City-specific help
Beijing
China's capital city. 3,000+ years of history, iconic landmarks, imperial palaces, and modern development. Population: ~22 million.
Shanghai
China's largest city and financial center. Futuristic skyline, colonial-era Bund, world-class food scene, and a cosmopolitan international vibe. Population: ~25 million.