China Travel,
Without the Confusion
No hype, no fluff. Just honest advice from people who have actually been there — so you can plan smarter and travel better.
Start Here
First trip to China? Visas, payments, internet, where to go, how to get around — everything you need in one place.
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Choose a Destination
Browse 11 destinations across China — each with a full city guide, food picks, transport tips, and honest budget advice.
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In-Depth Guides
Deep dives into Chinese food, cycling routes, road trips, Tibet, and multi-week itineraries for serious travelers.
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First-Timer's Xi'an: Warriors, City Walls & 3-Day Plan
Xi'an made simple: Terracotta Warriors tickets, where to stay, a 3-day itinerary, biking the city walls & the food that makes the trip.
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China Travel Budget Guide: How Much It Actually Costs in 2026
Real daily costs by city tier & travel style: $40 backpacker to $400 luxury. Payment fees, scams, tipping rules, seasonal swings & 3 budgets.
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How to Pay in China: Set Up Alipay & WeChat Pay Before You Fly
Turn Alipay into your China travel wallet: link a Visa or Mastercard, scan to pay at any shop, metro gate, or street stall. No Chinese bank account.
Where to Go
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Beijing
Ancient palaces, the Great Wall, and centuries-old alleyways — China's capital rewards travelers who stay longer than the standard 48 hours.
Zhangjiajie
Sandstone pillars piercing through clouds — the landscape that inspired Pandora in Avatar. The world's longest glass bridge and Tianmen Mountain's 99 bends.
Chengdu
A city that knows how to live slow. Pandas in the morning, tea houses in the afternoon, and hot pot that numbs your entire face at night.
📅 Seasonal & Events
All seasonal guides →
China Spring Festival 2027: Surviving the World's Largest Migration
Chinese New Year 2027 brings 3 billion trips, closed shops, and sold-out trains. What actually happens during Spring Festival and whether you should go.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2026: Dates, Moon Cakes & Where to Go
When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2026, where to experience it, and which mooncakes are worth eating. The Moon Cake Festival runs Sep 25-27.
Golden Week China 2026: Dates, Crowds & How to Survive It
Golden Week means 800 million trips, 3-hour queues, and hotel prices that triple. If you must travel during National Day, here is exactly how to survive it.
Does Your Itinerary Actually Work?
Paste your travel plan and get instant feedback on pacing, geography, and the mistakes first-timers always make. Free, no signup.
Check Your Itinerary — It's FreePlan Your Trip
1 China Tourist Visa Guide 2026: How to Apply Step by Step
Step-by-step guide to applying for a China tourist visa (L visa): required documents, common rejection reasons, processing time, and how to extend your stay.
2 China Visa-Free Entry 2026: 30-Day Stays & 240-Hour Transit
Most Western travelers can now enter China without a visa for 30 days. Complete country list, 240-hour transit rules, and the visa run question — answered.
3 How to Pay in China: Set Up Alipay & WeChat Pay Before You Fly
Turn Alipay into your China travel wallet: link a Visa or Mastercard, scan to pay at any shop, metro gate, or street stall. No Chinese bank account.
In-Depth Guides
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Tibet Travel Guide: Permits, Lhasa & Everest for Foreign Travelers
2026 guide for international travelers; how to get the Tibet Travel Permit, Lhasa highlights, Everest Base Camp, altitude survival, and cultural etiquette.
China Travel Guide for First-Timers: What I Wish I Knew
Everything I wish someone had told me before my first trip: visa rules for 50+ countries, setting up payments, picking where to go, and what not to worry about.
China Travel Myths: 6 Fears That Shouldn't Stop You
Scared of China's language barrier, cashless payments, or the Great Firewall? Six fears that keep travelers away, and why each one is smaller than you think.
China travel notes, once a week
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