10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to China
After helping thousands of travelers plan their China trips, certain questions come up over and over — and they're rarely the ones guidebooks answer. Here are the ten things every first-time visitor should know before boarding the plane.
1. Your Phone Is Everything
Your phone is your wallet (Alipay/WeChat Pay), your translator (Google Translate camera), your metro map (MetroMan), and your taxi (DiDi). If your phone dies, you're stranded. Install everything on home WiFi before departure. Bring a 10,000+ mAh power bank. Charge it every night like your life depends on it — because for navigation and payment, it does. Full payment setup guide →
2. The VPN Is Your First Priority
Install and test a paid VPN before departure. Gmail, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and most Western internet are blocked in China. Free VPNs don't work. Astrill and LetsVPN are the most reliable options. Install two — one as backup. If you arrive without a working VPN, you cannot download one. Full VPN guide →
3. Cash Is Nearly Extinct
China is the world's most cashless society. Street musicians use QR codes. Temple donation boxes have QR codes. While cash is legally required to be accepted, in practice many vendors have no change. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before departure. Keep ¥300-500 in small bills as emergency backup.
4. The Toilet Situation
Chinese public toilets are generally squat-style. They rarely have toilet paper or soap. Carry a small pack of tissues and hand sanitizer daily. Hotel bathrooms are Western-standard. Shopping malls in big cities usually have both squat and Western options. This is not a reason to avoid China — it's just a reason to always have tissues in your pocket.
5. Chinese People Are Incredibly Helpful
Despite the language barrier, Chinese people will go out of their way to help you. They'll walk you to your destination, use translation apps to communicate, and offer you food you didn't ask for. The grandmother on the train offering your toddler candy is not suspicious — she's being a grandmother. Accept with a smile and a "xièxie" (谢谢 / thank you).
6. The Pace Is Whatever You Make It
You can visit five cities in 10 days or spend two weeks in one province. China rewards both approaches. The high-speed trains make fast travel possible. The tea houses of Chengdu make slow travel irresistible. There is no "right" way — only the way that fits your energy level and curiosity. Choose your pace →
7. "Spicy" Means Something Different Here
In Sichuan and Hunan, "mild spicy" (微辣 / wēi là) is hotter than most cuisines' "extra hot." The numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorn is not an allergic reaction — it's intentional. Order "bù là" (不辣 / no spicy) if you're sensitive. And if you accidentally order something too hot, drink soy milk, not water. Capsaicin binds to dairy, not water.
8. You Will Walk More Than You Expect
15,000-25,000 steps per day is normal. The Forbidden City alone is nearly a kilometer end-to-end. Metro stations involve stairs. The Great Wall is literally a mountain. Bring the most comfortable walking shoes you own — already broken in. This is not the trip for new shoes. See our packing guide →
9. The Crowds Are Real — And Avoidable
During Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and National Day Golden Week (Oct 1-7), every attraction in the country reaches capacity. But visit in March or November, and you can have the Great Wall almost to yourself. The key to crowd-free China travel is not a secret destination — it's timing. Check the travel calendar →
10. China Will Surprise You
Whatever you expect, China will be different. The modernity will surprise you. The ancient history will humble you. The food will ruin Chinese takeout for you forever. The kindness of strangers will stay with you longer than any temple or tower. Go with an open mind and an empty stomach. China will take care of the rest.