The parts of China that are hard to Google.
Visas, payments, connectivity, trains and the first 24 hours — written as instructions, not inspiration. Each guide cites the primary source behind the rule and the date we last checked it.
240-hour visa-free transit in China: the rules that actually matter
Who qualifies for China's 10-day transit waiver, which ports and regions you can use, and the onward-ticket mistakes that get travelers denied boarding.
Read the featured guide“The third-country rule is the one that fails most often.”
240-hour visa-free transit in China: the rules that actually matter
Who qualifies for China's 10-day transit waiver, which ports and regions you can use, and the onward-ticket mistakes that get travelers denied boarding.
Alipay and WeChat Pay for foreigners: set up both before you fly
A practical setup guide for foreign cards, the fees that surprise people, limits, verification, and what to do when a QR code will not scan.
China train travel for foreigners: 12306, passports and station survival
How to book high-speed rail with a foreign passport, which seat class to choose, and why you need to arrive at the station earlier than you think.
China visa-free entry in 2026: who can go, and for how long
The two visa-free routes most tourists use: 30-day unilateral entry for 50 passports, and 240-hour transit for 57. Official rules, traps, and how to check your case.
Internet in China: eSIM, local SIM and VPNs without the guesswork
How to stay connected in China: which eSIMs bypass the firewall, when you need a local number, and how to set up a VPN before you land.
The apps that actually make China easier (and the ones that do not)
A short, tested stack for payments, maps, taxis, trains, translation and food — plus what to install before you lose Google.
The China trip checklist: six weeks out to arrival day
A realistic pre-departure checklist for visas, payments, connectivity, bookings, health and the first 24 hours in China.