Planning a trip to China can be a fun but stressful experience, preparation is key to ensure your journey is smooth and enjoyable. It’s not a country you can just rock up and wing it.

From securing visas to understanding cultural nuances, here's a comprehensive checklist of ten essential things to do before heading to the Middle Kingdom.

1. GET YOUR VISA SORTED

One of the first and most crucial steps is securing a visa. The process can take several weeks, so it's advisable to start early. This might be obvious but you’ll need a passport for this and it needs to have at least six months' validity for when you are planning to travel. You’ll also need a completed visa application form, along with other documents such as an invitation letter or flight and hotel reservations. Visit the Chinese embassy or consulate website for specific requirements from your home country.

China has recently released a whole array of countries that can now go to China visa-free. Check if your country is on this list before you pay the fee. You might only be going to China for a short amount of time, maybe it is a layover between flights, and this may also qualify for visa-free travel.

The best idea is to figure out when you want to go and for how long then look at the visa options for your country to see what you need to do.

2. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY

China is vast and diverse, offering everything from bustling cities to serene countryside. Plan your itinerary based on your interests.

Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an are must-see cities for most first-time visitors. If you're into nature, consider visiting Guilin's karst mountains or Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars. Allocate sufficient time for each destination to fully immerse yourself and be prepared travelling from place to place always takes longer than you think.

As I said above you might also need this information to apply for your visa so it is good to know where you plan to go.

If it all seems a bit overwhelming and you don’t know where to start then get in touch and I can help you plan your trip.

I need your help!

3. CHECK YOUR TRAVEL DATES

During peak travel seasons, such as Chinese New Year or National Day, hotels, trains, flights etc can fill up quickly and can be a lot more expensive. Practically every person in China has the same days off and uses the time to travel around the country. It is crazy and chaotic and not an enjoyable experience.

I would double-check your dates against Chinese holidays, if you can then I would highly recommend that you avoid travelling on these dates. If you are in China over a national holiday then definitely book your accommodation in advance and try to stay in one place on key dates so that you can avoid the crowds at the airport or train stations.

China's major cities offer a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget hostels, so you should easily find somewhere in your range.

Use my favourite website to book your whole trip to China from hotels to trains and even your flights!

Book here

4. GET INSURANCE

I can’t stress this enough when travelling, you never know what might happen so ALWAYS get travel insurance! It could be flights, cancellations, or even an accident.

In China, if you need to visit the doctor you have to go to a public hospital and pay before you can receive treatment. This can be costly but if you have travel insurance then it should help to cover these expensive costs if something were to happen. Better safe than sorry I always say.

If you are travelling direct from your home country then search online for the best deal. In the UK I would recommend using a comparison website like Money Supermarket or Go Compare for quotes.

If you are travelling from another country it can be more difficult to get insurance so check out SafetyWing as they are great for digital nomads.

Safety Wing

5. PACK APPROPRIATELY

China's climate varies significantly from region to region all year round. You could be in a thick coat in the north whilst still in shorts in the south. Research the weather for your travel dates in the specific places you are going and pack accordingly. China is one of the hottest and coldest countries I have ever been to.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as you'll likely be doing a lot of exploring and China’s pavements can be somewhat uneven. Don't forget essentials like travel adapters, any prescription medications, and a basic first aid kit.

If you do forget something then don’t worry too much, China has amazing places to shop so I’m sure you will find what you need.

6. LEARN SOME MANDARIN

Learning a few key phrases in Mandarin can go a long way. Even in the big cities, you won’t find loads of English speakers. It is handy to learn some phrases before you go so that you can get by. Make sure you download an offline translation app so that you can speak to people using that or take photos to translate signs and menus. People are usually very patient with non-Chinese speakers and try their best to help you.

7. STAY CONNECTED

Having access to the internet is essential for navigating around China, staying in touch with family, and translating the language. Although you can find wifi in some public places you will have a much more enjoyable experience if you purchase a local SIM card or get an ESIM before you go.

An ESIM is useful to save you time but you don’t get a physical number so if you want to order anything to be delivered you would have to ask a local for help.

You can purchase a local SIM card directly from the airport there might be a queue and you will need your passport but at least you will have a local number and internet as soon as you arrive. This option will be more expensive than at a shop but also so much easier. In a local phone shop, it is much harder to get a SIM as a tourist, so I would not recommend trying to do it this way yourself.

If you don’t have time to wait at the airport then another option is using a service like Nihao Mobile, they have an English help service and can send the sim directly to your hotel. You will need to know the address of where you will be staying to use this service though.

I need a SIM

Also, note that many Western websites and apps are blocked in China, so consider downloading a reliable VPN before you go. Check out THIS post to learn more about what a VPN is.

8. PREPARE YOUR CURRENCY

Credit cards aren’t widely accepted in China, they seemed to miss paying by card and go straight to mobile payments. If you can book things online and pay in advance do that for big ticket things like accommodation and transport.

You can use local ATM’s to get cash out once you arrive but I would recommend trying to get some before in case this is difficult. Stick to major banks like Bank of China or ICBC if you can as you will more likely be able to use a foreign card in these machines. Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues with your cards.

Mobile payments are the most common way to pay. If you can get a local SIM and Alipay set up you can link your foreign card straight to the app and then you can enjoy this local convenience and have some cash for buying smaller things.

9. DOWNLOAD ESSENTIAL APPS

Several apps can significantly enhance your travel experience in China. WeChat is king in China for communication, payments, and social networking but it can be hard to get as a foreigner unless a Chinese person can verify you. Alipay is a great alternative, offering pretty much everything you need in one app. You can pay, book taxis and use it for transport plus you can link up your foreign card and they have an English user-face.

DiDi is the Chinese equivalent of Uber and works pretty much the same. You can use this directly on Alipay if you don’t want to download the app.

Baidu Maps is great for navigation but can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know much Chinese. Google Maps won’t work without a VPN on but I do find Apple Maps works pretty well in China and can also give you transport updates if you are using it for directions.

Pleco (a Chinese dictionary) is great for translation or you can download Google Translate’s Chinese to use offline and this should work well.

Check out THIS post to learn more about the best apps for travelling in China.

10. LEARN ABOUT CHINESE CUISINE

Chinese food is incredibly diverse, with different regions offering unique culinary delights. One of the best things about any trip to China is that you will get to try so many new dishes you may never have heard of.

Familiarise yourself with the local dishes in the areas you plan to visit. Whether it's Peking Duck in Beijing, xiaolongbao in Shanghai, or a spicy hotpot in Sichuan, knowing what to expect can enhance your dining experiences. Also, if you have dietary restrictions, learning how to communicate them in Mandarin can be very helpful.

It may feel a bit overwhelming at first I feel a great way to experience a new city is to do a food tour. Some of the best tours we have been on in China are thanks to Lost Plate. They will take you to local hangouts and introduce you to Chinese culture. I would highly recommend if you are in a city where they do a tour to jump on one as soon as you land. It will give you the confidence to explore more on your own.

I need a food tour!

A trip to China promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible food. By doing a bit of prep, you'll be well-equipped to navigate this fascinating country with confidence and ease. Happy travels!

If you need some help planning your trip or you have burning questions you want answered then get in touch I can help you!