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Start China Travel Here

Curated resources to enhance your journey through mainland China. From ancient traditions to modern marvels, find everything you need for an unforgettable adventure.

Trip.com

A comprehensive online travel agency offering flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals for China trips. Available in 24 languages with 24/7 support, it's ideal for international travelers planning their Chinese adventure.

#flights #hotels #train-tickets #car-rentals
Bookings

12306.cn (China Railway)

12306.cn is the official China Railway website for train travel information, schedules, and ticket bookings. Open daily from 5 AM to 1 AM, it's essential for planning rail journeys across China.

#train-tickets #schedules #official-platform
Bookings

Booking.com

A leading platform for accommodation, offering various options with verified reviews. Features multiple languages, 24/7 support, and flexible booking options for travelers exploring Chinese cities.

#hotels #reviews
Bookings

Tripadvisor/China

A user-driven platform with reviews, photos, and recommendations for Chinese destinations. Helps first-time visitors compare options and read authentic experiences to plan their ideal trip to China.

#reviews #itineraries #attractions #accommodation
Bookings Essential Prep Local Experience

Lonely Planet/China

Expert travel guide with up-to-date information on China's attractions, visa requirements, and local experiences. Offers practical advice and planning tools for navigating China's diverse cultural landscape.

#travel-guides #cultural-insights #transport-tips
Bookings Local Experience

The Beijinger

The Beijinger is an English-language website serving Beijing's expat community, offering event listings, restaurant reviews, classifieds, housing, jobs, and local news since 2001.

#events #restaurants #local-news #expat
Essential Prep Local Experience

The Helpful Panda

Offers practical guides on travel, work, study, culture, and life in China for visitors and expats.

#travel-guides #culture #teaching #expat #local-tips
Essential Prep Trip Planning Local Experience

That's Mags

A leading lifestyle magazine platform providing weekly updates, events coverage, and city guides for expatriates and visitors in China.

#lifestyle #events #dining #travel-guides
Local Experience

TimeOut Beijing

A go-to guide for Beijing's lifestyle, culture, and entertainment. It offers curated content on family events, dining, fitness, café culture, and neighborhood explorations. From restaurant reviews to local tips, it helps visitors discover the city’s authentic charm.

#beijing #events #dining #neighborhoods #hidden-gems
Local Experience

TimeOut Shanghai

A detailed Shanghai city guide covering local events, dining, neighborhoods, and cultural activities for visitors seeking authentic urban experiences.

#shanghai #events #dining #neighborhoods #hidden-gems
Local Experience

r/TravelChina

An active Reddit community where travelers share current experiences and advice about China. Members discuss transportation, local tips, and organize group tours for fellow travelers.

#community #real-time-advice #meetups
Trip Planning Essential Prep Local Experience

Lost Laowai

An online platform since 2006 providing comprehensive resources for foreigners in China, featuring travel guides, cultural insights, and practical advice for visitors and expatriates.

#culture #travel-guides #local-insights #expat
Local Experience

Rachel Meets China

A personal travel blog offering firsthand experiences and practical tips about Chinese culture, local cuisine, and attractions from an expat's perspective.

#travel-blog #food #culture #personal-stories
Local Experience

The China Travel Planner

A personalized travel planning service by Nico, offering custom itineraries and expert advice based on 5.5 years of living in China.

#custom-itineraries #expert-advice #hidden-gems #popular-sites
Trip Planning Local Experience

The Blonde Abroad

A female-focused travel blog sharing detailed guides, safety tips, and personal experiences for exploring China, ideal for solo travelers.

#solo-travel #safety-tips #cultural-insights
Trip Planning Local Experience

Untour Food Tours

Offers intimate culinary experiences in major Chinese cities, featuring small-group tours to authentic local eateries with knowledgeable guides.

#food-tours #local-cuisine #small-groups #culinary-adventures
Trip Planning Local Experience

The Culture Trip

A detailed cultural guide covering Chinese arts, literature, and experiences, with recommendations for sightseeing, dining, and accommodation.

#arts #literature #culture #accommodation #dining
Essential Prep Local Experience

Smart Shanghai

A comprehensive city guide featuring Shanghai's dining, nightlife, events, and lifestyle information, perfect for visitors exploring this modern metropolis.

#shanghai #restaurants #nightlife #events
Bookings Local Experience

Adventuring We Go

A travel blog sharing firsthand experiences and practical guides about China's attractions, cultural events, and daily life adventures.

#personal-stories #attractions #markets #festivals #transport-tips
Local Experience

Travel China Guide

A leading online travel agency for China tourism, offering private guided tours, small group tours, and no-shopping day tours in Beijing and Xi'an. Serves 70,000+ guests annually with comprehensive itineraries and competitive pricing.

#guided-tours #group-tours #beijing #xi-an #itineraries
Trip Planning Bookings

That Backpacker

A travel blog providing honest advice and practical tips for navigating China's unique challenges and cultural experiences.

#travel-tips #cultural-differences #food
Essential Prep Local Experience

The World of Chinese

An online magazine offering diverse articles on modern Chinese culture, society, and lifestyle, providing valuable insights for travelers seeking to understand contemporary China beyond tourist attractions.

#modern-china #travel-insights #cultural-exploration #contemporary-china #beyond-tourist-attractions #urban-photography
Local Experience

Stoked to Travel/China

Stoked to Travel is a travel blog for lovers of adventure, luxury, beautiful hotels, excellent food, and more.

#luxury-travel #itineraries #adventure #hotels
Essential Prep Local Experience

Wild China

WildChina crafts unique and exclusive luxury travel experiences in China. Their dedication and passion for travel makes them a global award-winning industry leader.

#luxury-tours #sustainable-tourism #customized-trips #remote-villages
Essential Prep Local Experience

China Highlights

An acclaimed tour operator offering customizable China trips with local expertise, visa assistance, and a focus on authentic experiences.

#custom-tours #visa-assistance #local-guides
Trip Planning Local Experience

Stories from Tanya

An expat's authentic chronicle of Chinese life, featuring personal stories, cultural insights, and practical tips for navigating daily life in Beijing.

#culture #beijing #daily-life #expat
Local Experience

China Expat Society

Provides essential information and resources for expats in China, covering topics like cost of living, banking, culture, and language, to help newcomers navigate life in the country

#cost-of-living #banking #language-learning #internet-tips #VPN #expat
Essential Prep Local Experience

Attractions of China

A personal blog by Janice, which shares personal travel experiences across 20+ Chinese provinces, offering practical tips, cultural insights, and inspiring stories for first-time visitors to China, encouraging exploration and adventure.

#travel-blog #personal-stories #cultural-insights #hidden-gems
Local Experience Trip Planning

Popular China Travel Channels

Essential China Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit China?
Most visitors need a visa to enter China. However, China has recently expanded its visa-free policy, so you might be eligible for a short stay without one! We recommend checking China Briefing's latest visa policy updates - they have a complete guide and FAQ that covers all the current requirements and policies.
Can I use Google, Facebook, or WhatsApp in China?
China has some pretty strict internet rules, which means popular services like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp are blocked. But don't fret! Many travelers still access these services using a little tech magic called a VPN (Virtual Private Network). You may want to setup a VPN software on your phone or laptop before coming to China.
Is it easy to pay with credit cards or cash?
In China, mobile payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay are everywhere! While you can still use cash, credit cards aren't widely accepted, especially in smaller shops and restaurants. Before your adventure begins, we highly recommend downloading and setting up either WeChat Pay or Alipay - it'll make your journey much smoother!
What's the best time to visit China?
Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) are ideal, with comfortable temperatures and less rainfall. Avoid Chinese New Year (usually February) and National Day (October 1-7) when tourist sites are extremely crowded.
Do I need to speak Chinese to travel in China?
Don't worry! While knowing basic Mandarin is helpful, you can navigate major cities without it. You can use translation apps like Microsoft Translator for real-time communication. It offers reliable offline capabilities and doesn't even need a VPN. You can find it on both Android and iOS devices.
What are some must-try local snacks in China?
Popular options include baozi (steamed buns), jianbing (savory crepes), xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), stinky tofu, tanghulu (sugar-coated fruit on a stick), and various regional specialties. Street food markets are common in most cities and are a great way to experience local flavors.