Money and payments
Cards and cash
Counterfeits from ATMs are not common, but some people are still concerned.
Tipping
As a general rule, tipping is not practised in China.
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Asia · Eastern AsiaUsable guideCountry in East Asia
Photo: Scott Meltzer, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
China (中国; Zhōngguó) is one of the world's oldest civilizations. Its long and rich history is present in people's thinking and values, and in the art, architecture, and feats of engineering that remain from dynasties past. In addition to its bustling and futuristic cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, China boasts an incredible array of breathtaking natural wonders like the karst landscapes of Guilin and granite peaks of Huangshan that have inspired painters and poets for generations.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about China.
Cards and cash
Counterfeits from ATMs are not common, but some people are still concerned.
Tipping
As a general rule, tipping is not practised in China.
Chinese
The official language of China is Standard Mandarin, known in Chinese as Pǔtōnghuà (普通话, "common speech"), which is based on the Beijing dialect; Chinese in general is known as Zhōngwén (中文).
Another way is to simply roam on a non-Mainland Chinese SIM as mobile data is typically routed through foreign gateways.
All hotels provide an electric kettle you can use to boil tap water or a sealed plastic bottle of commercial mineral water.
Outside major cities, public washrooms range from mildly unpleasant to utterly repulsive. In cities, it varies from place to place.
Covered in the guide
入乡随俗Rù xiāng suí súWhen you enter a village, follow the customs.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, cultural center, and home of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and other important historical sites.
capital of Sichuan province, known for tingly-spicy food, giant pandas and China's largest LGBT scene.
one of China's most prosperous and liberal cities. Center of Cantonese culture and cuisine.
built around West Lake, a , and southern terminus of the Grand Canal.
capital of Heilongjiang, which hosts the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival during its bitterly cold winters.
center of Uyghur culture, with a beautiful and well-preserved old town, and the famous Id Kah Mosque.
the capital during the early Ming Dynasty and Republic of China era, a renowned historical and cultural city with many historic sites.
China's largest city and main commercial centre, famous for its beautiful pre-World War II French, British and American colonial architecture, ultramodern 21st-century skyscrapers, and many shopping opportunities.
longer than 8,000 km, the most recognizable and the most iconic ancient wall is the landmark of China.
a tropical paradise island undergoing heavy tourism-oriented development.
known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colourful lakes and as the home of the giant pandas.
most famous for its huge riverside cliff-carving of Buddha and nearby Mount Emei.
straddling the border between Nepal and Tibet, this is the world's highest mountain.
one of the five sacred Taoist mountains in China, and the most-climbed mountain in China.
with a majority of Tibetan Buddhists and traditional Tibetan culture, it feels like an entirely different world.
these mountain-side caves and recesses number more than 50, and are filled with 51,000 Buddhist statues.
Places in China on the World Heritage List.
Mount Tai
Listed 1987
Grand Canal
Listed 2014
Temple of Heaven
Listed 1998
Huangshan
Listed 1990
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
A historical borderland, with grasslands giving way to deserts and mountains, and with the ancient Silk Road connecting China to Europe. Northwest China is home to many Muslims and ethnic minorities who, at times, formed independent kingdoms.
The plains of North China around the fertile Yellow River basin were the cradle of Chinese civilization. It has been the political center of Chinese empires for millennia, and is home to the modern capital, Beijing.
Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin
Historically known in the West as Manchuria, the Northeast is a land of steppes, vast forests, and long snowy winters. Culturally influenced by Russia, Korea, and Japan, it contains a mix of modern cities and "rust belt" industrial towns that have become neglected.
Minority peoples, spectacular scenery, and backpacker havens.
Yangtze River Basin area, farms, mountains, river gorges, temperate and sub-tropical forests.
Traditional trading center, manufacturing and tech powerhouse.
The "land of fish and rice", traditional water towns, and China's new cosmopolitan economic center.
Public transport and paid services in China.
By train
Train travel is the main method of long-distance transportation for the Chinese, with an extensive network of routes covering most of the country.
By bus
Traveling by public city buses (公共汽车 gōnggòngqìchē) or long-distance buses (长途汽车 chángtúqìchē) is inexpensive and ideal for in-city and short-distance transportation.
By subway
Most major cities in China now have subway/metro (地铁 dìtiě) systems. They are typically modern, clean, efficient, and are still rapidly expanding.
By plane
China is a huge country, so unless you're planning to visit only the eastern seaboard, definitely consider domestic flights.
By taxi
Taxis (出租车 chūzūchē or 的士 dīshì, pronounced "deg-see" in Cantonese-speaking areas) are reasonably priced: flagfall ¥5-14, per km charge ¥2-3. Most trips within the city center will cost ¥10-50.
By car
Chinese trunk roads are generally of good quality, though the quality of rural minor roads varies drastically between regions.
By motorcycle
Motorcycle taxis are common, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. They are usually cheap and effective but scary. The fares are negotiable.
By pedicab (rickshaw)
The terms pedicab and rickshaw are often used interchangeably by foreigners in China, but refer to two different modes of transportation - one of which no longer exists.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in China.
Finding apps for China…
Other ways to travel:By bicycle
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Beijing · International · PEK
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Beijing
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 1° | 4° | 13° | 22° | 29° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 26° | 19° | 9° | 1° |
| Avg. low | -11° | -8° | -2° | 5° | 12° | 18° | 21° | 19° | 13° | 5° | -3° | -9° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 6 | 9 | 24 | 38 | 84 | 151 | 109 | 64 | 30 | 14 | 2 |
| Humidity | 51% | 49% | 42% | 39% | 39% | 52% | 64% | 67% | 60% | 57% | 55% | 53% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$50
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$145
Per person, per day
Luxury
$355
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $80 | $210 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $30 | $65 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $30 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $50 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention. Expansive national security, counterespionage, and data security laws grant Chinese officials broad discretion to detain or interrogate foreign nationals. This places U.S. citizens at risk for conducting even routine business, research, or expression in the public domain. The following may be targeted by Chinese authorities: U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage or origin Anyone involved in business disputes or who has ties to U.S. corporate entities involved in business disputes in China Anyone with a current or prior affiliation with U.S. law enforcement, U.S. military, or U.S. intelligence agencies Anyone traveling on U.S. government-funded programs Individuals with current or former connections to the U.S. government Ability to provide emergency consular services in some regions, especially in the Tibet Autonomous Region, is severely limited. U.S. government employees must follow the policies established by their Department or Agency regarding official or personal travel to China. Exercise increased caution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
This travel advice covers mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao. Flash floods along the Nepal-China border On 26 August 2026, heavy flooding and landslides have caused widespread damage in Gyirong County in Shigatse, Tibet, near the Nepal border. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged. The Chinese authorities and emergency services are responding. The authorities have warned of the risk of further flooding. The situation may change rapidly. Stay away from affected areas where possible. If you are travelling in the region, follow the advice of the Chinese government and local authorities and be alert to the changing situation. If you are affected and need assistance from the UK government, call: From China: +86 (0) 10 5192 4000 From the UK: +44 (0)20 7008 5000 Typhoons The typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions. Air travel and other forms of transport can be affected. Monitor the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and the China Meteorological Administration websites. See guidance on tropical cyclones for advice about what to do if you are caught in a typhoon. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in China.
Travel tipsHow to qualify for China's 144-hour visa-free transit, set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign cards and navigate train travel as a foreigner.
6 min read
ItinerariesHow to link Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed bullet train, booking Great Wall hikes, Terracotta Warriors and modern urban towers.
6 min read
Nature & adventureHow to explore Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars, ride the Bailong Elevator and drift down the Li River through Guilin and Yangshuo karst peaks.
6 min read
Travel tipsThe empires in Chinese history were some of Asia's greatest civilizations. Although civilizations in China have existed since the 3rd millennium BCE, the Empire was finally united in 221 BCE and fell with the revolution…
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkThe origins of Chinese cuisine can be traced back millennia. Chinese cuisine is extremely diverse with wide regional variations, and it is not uncommon for even Chinese people themselves to find the cuisine from another…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyAs one of the world's largest countries with a long history stretching back millennia, China is home to a wide variety of performing arts. This article aims to give a sampling of some of them.
Wikivoyage
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