What first-time visitors need to know before travelling to mainland China
If you’re planning your first trip to China, this China travel guide will help you understand what to expect before you arrive.
China can feel ancient and ultramodern at the same time. You can eat dumplings beside a centuries-old temple, travel hundreds of kilometres on a high-speed train and pay for dinner by scanning a QR code—all in the same day.
It is one of the most rewarding countries I have visited, but it is much easier when you understand the practical details before arriving.
I have spent years learning Mandarin and exploring China, and one lesson stands out: a little language goes a very long way. You do not need to be fluent. A handful of useful phrases can make taxis, restaurants, train stations, shopping and everyday interactions much easier.
This guide covers the essentials:
- entry requirements and accommodation registration
- internet access and useful apps
- high-speed trains, metros, taxis and ride-hailing
- mobile payments, bank cards and cash
- shopping and bargaining
- practical Mandarin phrases
- cultural and everyday travel tips
Important: This guide covers mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have different entry procedures, payment systems and internet arrangements. Visa and travel rules can change quickly, so always confirm them with official sources before departure. This post was last checked on 19 August 2026.
1. Before You Leave Home
Check the Current Visa and Entry Rules
China’s entry rules depend on your passport, reason for travel and length of stay.
For New Zealand travellers, the position at the time of this update is clear: ordinary New Zealand passport holders can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange and transit. The current arrangement runs until 31 December 2026.
That visa waiver does not cover work, study or journalism. Your ordinary passport must remain valid for at least the length of your intended stay, and Chinese authorities recommend carrying evidence that supports your reason for travel, such as onward tickets and accommodation bookings.
Check the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand’s current visa notice and visa-free entry FAQ immediately before booking. Travellers using other passports should check the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for their country.
Before leaving, also:
- confirm that your passport and travel documents meet the current requirements
- keep copies of your passport, bookings and insurance details
- buy comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation
- check official health and arrival requirements
- read the latest SafeTravel advice for China
- register your travel with SafeTravel if you are a New Zealand citizen
Register Your Accommodation
Hotels normally register foreign guests when they check in. You will need to show the passport used to enter China.
If you stay somewhere other than a hotel—for example, with a friend or in a private residence—you or your host must complete accommodation registration within 24 hours. Depending on the location, this may be done with the local public security authorities or through an available official online service.
Do not assume a private host has handled it. Ask directly and keep a copy or screenshot of the registration. The National Immigration Administration explains the accommodation rules here.
Prepare for Different Internet Access
Mainland China controls access to the internet. Google, Facebook, YouTube and X are among the services blocked on mainland networks, and other websites or apps may be unavailable or unreliable.
VPN products and services are subject to Chinese licensing requirements. Do not rely on a random list of recommended VPN brands. Check the law, current official travel advice and your mobile provider’s roaming or eSIM terms before deciding how you will connect. The UK government’s current China travel advice provides a useful summary of the restrictions.
Before you fly:
- install and test the apps you expect to use
- download important bookings and documents
- save your hotel’s name and address in Chinese characters
- keep screenshots of your itinerary and emergency contacts
- download any language lessons or reference material you want offline
- make sure you can access a backup payment method without relying on email
Useful Apps for Mainland China
Availability and English support can change, but these are useful starting points:
- WeChat — messaging, translation, mini programs and WeChat Pay
- Alipay — payments, transport functions and other visitor services
- Amap/Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps — mainland-compatible navigation; some functions may still require Chinese
- DiDi Greater China — ride-hailing with the destination entered in the app
- Pleco — an excellent Mandarin dictionary with offline functions
- China Railway 12306 — the official railway booking service
- Trip.com — an English-language alternative for transport and accommodation bookings
Do not make Google Maps your only navigation plan. Save the Chinese name and full address of every hotel, station and attraction you expect to visit.
2. Getting Around China
China’s major cities have extensive public transport, and the high-speed rail network makes travel between many cities straightforward. The main challenge for a first-time visitor is not the transport itself; it is choosing the correct station, completing identity checks and allowing enough time to navigate large terminals.
High-Speed Rail
G-class high-speed trains are fast, comfortable and usually the best way to travel between well-connected cities.
The official booking channel is China Railway 12306. Its English website accepts valid foreign passports. Trip.com is another convenient option for travellers who prefer its English interface.
Important points:
- Railway tickets use real-name identification.
- Your passport details must match the booking exactly.
- Carry the original passport used to buy the ticket.
- Most journeys use electronic tickets; your passport is normally checked when entering, boarding and leaving the station.
- You do not normally need to collect a paper ticket simply to board.
- Check the complete Chinese station name. Large cities often have several major stations.
- Arrive early, especially for your first journey. Stations can be enormous and passengers pass through security.
- Keep the train number, departure time, carriage and seat number available offline.
City Metro Systems
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and many other cities have large metro systems. Major stations often have English signage, but the amount of English varies.
Payment methods also vary by city. Depending on the system, visitors may be able to use:
- a single-journey ticket
- a local transport card
- RMB cash at a ticket office or machine
- Alipay or another supported transport QR code
- a bank card at selected systems or gates
Check the signs at the station rather than assuming the same method works everywhere. China’s official guide for foreign visitors explains the main transport and payment options.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are widely available, but a driver may not recognise an English hotel name or understand an English street address.
Ride-hailing can reduce the language barrier because the destination is entered before the journey. Foreign visitors can access ride-hailing through DiDi Greater China and, in some cases, through Alipay or WeChat.
Whichever option you use:
- save your destination in Chinese characters
- check the pickup point carefully
- compare the vehicle registration with the app
- keep your hotel’s address in your phone and on paper
- follow the route and normal personal-safety precautions
3. Money, Mobile Payments and Cash
Mobile payments are a major part of daily life in mainland China. Small shops, restaurants, taxis and market stalls commonly use QR codes.
Foreign visitors can link eligible international Visa and Mastercard cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay. However, card linking, identity verification and individual transactions can occasionally fail, so set up the apps before travelling and carry alternatives.
The safest approach is to have at least three options:
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an eligible international card
- a physical bank card for merchants and ATMs that accept it
- some RMB cash as a backup
International bank cards are not accepted by every small merchant. Cash remains an official payment option, although a small vendor may not have change for a large note. Buses that accept cash may require the exact fare.
China’s official payment guide for overseas visitors covers mobile payments, bank cards and cash.
How QR Payments Work
There are two common methods:
- You scan the merchant’s code: Open the payment app, scan the QR code, enter the amount if required and confirm.
- The merchant scans your code: Open your payment code and let the cashier scan it.
Always confirm the amount before approving the payment.
Useful Payment Phrases
| English | Mandarin | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | 这个多少钱？ | Zhège duōshao qián? |
| How can I pay? | 怎么付款？ | Zěnme fùkuǎn? |
| Can I use Alipay? | 可以用支付宝吗？ | Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo ma? |
| Can I use WeChat Pay? | 可以用微信支付吗？ | Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn Zhīfù ma? |
| Can I pay by card? | 可以刷卡吗？ | Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? |
| Do you have change? | 你有零钱吗？ | Nǐ yǒu língqián ma? |
| Please give me a receipt. | 请给我一张小票。 | Qǐng gěi wǒ yì zhāng xiǎopiào. |
| I need an official tax invoice. | 我需要发票。 | Wǒ xūyào fāpiào. |
| That’s too expensive. | 太贵了。 | Tài guì le. |
Important: 发票 (fāpiào) is an official tax invoice, not simply the ordinary receipt a shop may give you. For an everyday receipt, 小票 (xiǎopiào) is often the more useful word.
4. Shopping and Bargaining
Bargaining exists in some open markets, souvenir stalls and small tourist-market settings, but it is not universal.
Do not try to bargain in supermarkets, department stores, chain shops, restaurants or anywhere displaying a clear fixed price. Even in a market, first notice whether other customers are negotiating and whether the seller appears open to it.
There is no reliable rule that you should begin at 30 or 40 per cent of the asking price. The reasonable price depends on the item, location and seller. Treat bargaining as a friendly conversation, not a contest.
Sensible Bargaining Tips
- Ask politely whether a lower price is possible.
- Make a realistic counteroffer.
- Buying more than one item may justify asking for a discount.
- Decide what the item is worth to you before negotiating.
- Walk away only if you genuinely do not want to buy at that price.
- Stay friendly and never argue over a small amount.
Useful Bargaining Phrases
| English | Mandarin | Pinyin |
| Can it be a little cheaper? | 能便宜一点吗？ | Néng piányi yìdiǎn ma? |
| That’s too expensive. | 太贵了。 | Tài guì le. |
| Would 50 yuan be okay? | 五十块可以吗？ | Wǔshí kuài kěyǐ ma? |
| If I buy two, can it be cheaper? | 买两个能便宜一点吗？ | Mǎi liǎng ge néng piányi yìdiǎn ma? |
| What’s the lowest price? | 最低多少钱？ | Zuìdī duōshao qián? |
| Okay, let’s agree on this price. | 好，就这个价吧。 | Hǎo, jiù zhège jià ba. |
| No thanks. | 不用了，谢谢。 | Bú yòng le, xièxie. |
5. Essential Mandarin Phrases for Tourists
Basic Mandarin will not remove every travel difficulty, but it gives you a way to start the interaction and show what you need.
| English | Mandarin | Pinyin |
| Hello | 你好 | Nǐ hǎo |
| Thank you | 谢谢 | Xièxie |
| You’re welcome | 不客气 | Bú kèqi |
| Excuse me / sorry to bother you | 不好意思 | Bù hǎoyìsi |
| I’m sorry | 对不起 | Duìbuqǐ |
| I didn’t understand | 我没听懂 | Wǒ méi tīngdǒng |
| Could you speak more slowly? | 可以说慢一点吗？ | Kěyǐ shuō màn yìdiǎn ma? |
| Do you speak English? | 你会说英语吗？ | Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? |
| Could you write it down for me? | 可以写给我看吗？ | Kěyǐ xiě gěi wǒ kàn ma? |
| Where is the toilet? | 洗手间在哪里？ | Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? |
| How do I get to the metro station? | 去地铁站怎么走？ | Qù dìtiě zhàn zěnme zǒu? |
| I would like this one. | 我要这个。 | Wǒ yào zhège. |
| Not spicy, please. | 不要辣。 | Bú yào là. |
| Please help me. | 请帮帮我。 | Qǐng bāngbang wǒ. |
For a polite question, begin with 不好意思，请问…… (Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn…), meaning “Excuse me, may I ask…?”
6. Culture, Etiquette and Everyday Reality
China is enormous, and habits differ between regions, generations and situations. Treat cultural tips as useful guidance rather than rigid rules.
Eating with Other People
- Shared dishes are common at group meals.
- Wait briefly and follow the host’s lead if you are unsure when to begin.
- Serving chopsticks may be provided for shared dishes.
- Avoid leaving chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice; place them on the chopstick rest or beside your bowl.
- Regional food varies enormously. A dish described as “not very spicy” may still feel hot if you are not used to chilli.
General Courtesy
- A calm, friendly manner is more useful than raising your voice when something goes wrong.
- Giving or receiving a card, gift or important document with two hands can show care and respect, although it is not compulsory in every casual interaction.
- Tipping is generally not expected in ordinary mainland restaurants and taxis. Check whether a service charge already applies in high-end or international settings.
- Ask before taking a close photograph of an individual.
- Be patient when using translation apps; short, simple sentences work best.
Public Toilets
Public toilets vary widely. Airports, modern shopping centres and major attractions may have clean Western-style facilities, while squat toilets remain common in many stations, older buildings, smaller towns and rural areas.
Toilet paper may be supplied from a dispenser outside the cubicle or may not be provided at all. Carry:
- tissues or toilet paper
- hand sanitiser
- a small packet of wet wipes
7. Safety and Common-Sense Precautions
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded stations, on public transport and in major tourist areas. Be cautious if a stranger strongly insists on taking you to a particular teahouse, bar, gallery or shop, and check prices before ordering anything.
New Zealand’s SafeTravel service currently advises travellers to exercise increased caution in China and specifically warns about theft and scams targeting tourists. It also recommends comprehensive insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Before travelling:
- read the full SafeTravel advice
- register your itinerary and contact details
- keep digital and paper copies of important documents
- know how to contact your insurer and embassy
- avoid carrying all your cards and cash in one place
- follow local laws, even when they differ from those at home
8. Prepare Your Mandarin Before You Go
Ordering food, taking taxis and asking for help become easier when you have already practised listening and speaking.
My practical advice is to begin six to eight weeks before your trip and study for 20 to 30 minutes most days. You will not become fluent in that time, but you can learn enough to:
- ask simple questions
- recognise numbers and prices
- give a driver your destination
- order food more confidently
- understand basic directions
- ask someone to repeat or slow down
Practise with Rocket Chinese
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Rocket Chinese is one of the courses I recommend for travellers who want structured Mandarin practice.
Its course includes:
- podcast-style audio lessons built around conversations
- native-speaker audio
- pronunciation practice with voice recognition
- roleplay activities
- downloadable lessons and offline access
- a structured beginner pathway
The emphasis on listening and responding makes it more useful for travel than simply memorising disconnected vocabulary.
Read my full Rocket Chinese review to see how the course works and decide whether it suits your learning style.
Final Pre-Travel Checklist
Before flying to mainland China, make sure you have:
- checked the latest visa and entry rules for your passport
- bought suitable travel and medical insurance
- installed and tested your essential apps
- set up more than one payment method
- saved hotel and destination addresses in Chinese
- downloaded bookings, maps and important documents
- booked or researched your first airport transfer
- saved your first train or flight details offline
- packed tissues and hand sanitiser
- learnt a few essential Mandarin phrases
Final Thoughts
China will surprise you. It may challenge you at first, but preparation removes many of the difficulties that worry first-time visitors.
Learn a little Mandarin. Set up your payments. Save every important address in Chinese. Carry your passport when taking the train. Keep offline copies of the information you cannot afford to lose.
Then enjoy the experience: the food, the history, the trains, the enormous cities and the unexpected conversations that happen when you make the effort to speak.
And if a market seller names a price that genuinely feels too high, smile and say:
太贵了！
Tài guì le!
That’s too expensive!
