Use this page to browse every published Onward China guide. The site is organized around entry, payments, connectivity, transportation, destinations, itineraries and optional private travel support.
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Choose a page below to continue planning. Time-sensitive travel information should always be reconfirmed through the official sources linked in each guide.
All guides and pages
China Travel Guide for First-Time VisitorsA practical starting point for planning an independent trip to China.→China Travel Checklist for First-Time VisitorsA practical pre-departure checklist for entry documents, payments, internet, apps, transport and arrival.→Tipping in China: When Is It Expected?Understand tipping etiquette for restaurants, taxis, hotels, guides and private drivers in China.→China Address Card: What to Save in ChinesePrepare Chinese hotel addresses, destination names and offline travel details for taxis and arrivals.→China Entry & Visa GuideUnderstand visa-free entry, transit rules, arrival documents and customs before traveling to China.→China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit GuideHow China's 240-hour visa-free transit works, including route and port conditions.→China Entry Requirements for TouristsA clear checklist of documents and arrival steps for international travelers entering China.→Payments in China for Foreign TravelersUse Alipay, WeChat Pay, foreign cards, cash and ATMs confidently in China.→How to Use Alipay in China as a ForeignerSet up Alipay, link a foreign bank card and understand common payment problems.→WeChat Pay for Foreign TouristsA practical setup guide for using WeChat Pay with international cards in China.→Cash or Card in China?Understand where foreign cards, cash and mobile payments work in China.→China Internet, eSIM & Travel AppsChoose mobile data and install the essential apps needed for independent travel in China.→Best eSIMs for China: What to CompareCompare China travel eSIMs by coverage, access, data, latency and support.→Essential China Travel Apps for ForeignersThe payment, navigation, translation and transport apps to install before visiting China.→Best Map Apps for Traveling in ChinaCompare practical navigation options for international travelers in China.→China Transportation GuideUse high-speed trains, metros, taxis, ride-hailing and airports in China.→How to Use the Metro in ChinaA practical guide to tickets, security, transfers, station exits and mobile payments on Chinese metro systems.→How to Buy China Train Tickets as a ForeignerBook Chinese train tickets with a passport using 12306 or an English-language platform.→Beijing to Shanghai High-Speed Train: Tickets, Classes & BookingCompare Beijing–Shanghai high-speed train stations, journey times, seat classes and booking options for foreign travelers.→China High-Speed Rail GuideA first-timer's guide to stations, boarding and travel on Chinese high-speed trains.→China Train Luggage Rules & Practical TipsUnderstand luggage expectations and storage on Chinese high-speed trains.→How to Use DiDi in China as a ForeignerSet up ride-hailing, enter destinations and communicate with drivers in China.→China Airport Transfers: Taxi, Metro or Private Car?Choose the best airport transfer for your arrival time, group and luggage.→Best China Destinations for a First TripCompare 26 practical city and scenic-region guides for your first trip to China.→Beijing Travel GuidePlan where to stay, what to book and how to move around Beijing.→Where to Stay in Beijing for a First VisitCompare Wangfujing, Qianmen, Dongzhimen and hutong neighborhoods for sightseeing, metro access and airports.→Beijing 4-Day Itinerary for First-Time VisitorsA realistic four-day Beijing route covering the Forbidden City, hutongs and Great Wall.→How to Book Forbidden City Tickets as a ForeignerPlan Palace Museum reservations, passport entry and a realistic Forbidden City visit in Beijing.→Which Great Wall Section Should You Visit from Beijing?Compare Mutianyu, Badaling and Simatai for transport, crowds, hiking and first-time visits.→Beijing Airport Transfer Guide: PEK & PKX to the CityCompare airport rail, taxi and pre-booked transfers from Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing airports.→Shanghai Travel GuidePlan neighborhoods, transport, food and day trips for a first visit to Shanghai.→Where to Stay in Shanghai for a First VisitCompare the Bund, People's Square, former French Concession and Pudong for sightseeing and transport.→Shanghai 3-Day Itinerary for First-Time VisitorsA realistic three-day Shanghai route covering the Bund, historic neighborhoods and Pudong.→Shanghai Airport Transfer Guide: Pudong and HongqiaoCompare metro, airport rail, taxi and private transfer options from Shanghai's two airports.→Xi'an Travel GuidePlan the Terracotta Army, city walls, food and transport in Xi'an.→Xi'an 2-Day Itinerary: Terracotta Army and City WallsA realistic two-day Xi'an plan for the Terracotta Army, historic center and local food.→How to Visit the Terracotta Army from Xi'anPlan tickets, transport, timing and a realistic visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Lintong.→Where to Stay in Xi'an for a First VisitCompare Bell Tower, South Gate, Qujiang and station areas for a first Xi'an trip.→Chengdu Travel GuidePlan pandas, Sichuan food, neighborhoods and day trips from Chengdu.→Chengdu 3-Day Itinerary: Pandas, Food and City LifeA realistic three-day Chengdu plan combining pandas, neighborhoods, tea and Sichuan food.→Chengdu Panda Base Guide for International VisitorsPlan tickets, arrival time, walking and transport for Chengdu's panda research base.→Where to Stay in Chengdu for a First VisitCompare Tianfu Square, Taikoo Li, Kuanzhai Alley and transport hubs in Chengdu.→Zhangjiajie Travel GuidePlan Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, transport and a realistic stay.→Guilin & Yangshuo Travel GuidePlan the Li River, Yangshuo countryside, transfers and where to stay around Guilin.→Chongqing Travel GuidePlan Chongqing neighborhoods, viewpoints, food and transport in the mountain city.→Hangzhou Travel GuidePlan West Lake, temples, tea villages and high-speed rail travel from Shanghai.→Guangzhou Travel Guide for First-Time VisitorsPlan Cantonese food, Lingnan heritage, the Pearl River, neighborhoods and transport in Guangzhou.→Guangzhou 2-Day Itinerary: Cantonese Food and City SightsA two-day Guangzhou route through Liwan heritage, Shamian and the modern Pearl River skyline.→Where to Stay in Guangzhou for a First VisitCompare Liwan, Tianhe and Zhujiang New Town for food, sightseeing and transport.→Shenzhen Travel Guide for First-Time VisitorsPlan modern architecture, design districts, coastal escapes and Hong Kong connections in Shenzhen.→Shenzhen 2-Day Itinerary: Futian, Design and ShekouA practical two-day Shenzhen route covering the civic center, Nanshan design and the waterfront.→Where to Stay in Shenzhen for a First VisitCompare Futian, Nanshan, Shekou and border areas for transport and sightseeing.→Suzhou Travel Guide: Gardens, Canals and Old StreetsPlan classical gardens, canal neighborhoods, railway stations and an overnight stay in Suzhou.→Nanjing Travel Guide for History and City LifePlan the Ming City Wall, Qinhuai River, museums, neighborhoods and rail stations in Nanjing.→Luoyang Travel Guide: Longmen Grottoes and Ancient ChinaPlan Longmen Grottoes, temples, museums, transport and a realistic Luoyang stay.→Harbin Winter Travel GuidePlan Ice and Snow World, Central Street, extreme-cold clothing and a realistic winter stay in Harbin.→Kunming Travel Guide and Yunnan GatewayPlan central Kunming, the Stone Forest, railway stations, altitude and onward travel in Yunnan.→Dali Travel Guide: Ancient Town, Erhai and CangshanPlan Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan, accommodation and rail transfers from Kunming.→Lijiang Travel Guide: Old Town, Naxi Culture and MountainsPlan Lijiang Old Town, nearby villages, altitude, accommodation and onward travel in Yunnan.→Datong Travel Guide: Yungang Grottoes and Northern HeritagePlan Yungang Grottoes, Datong's historic center, temples and regional day trips.→Dunhuang Travel Guide: Mogao Caves and Desert LandscapesPlan Mogao Caves reservations, desert sights, accommodation and transport in Dunhuang.→Qingdao Travel Guide: Coast, Architecture and BeerPlan Qingdao's historic center, seafront, Laoshan, neighborhoods and railway stations.→Xiamen Travel Guide: Gulangyu and the Fujian CoastPlan Gulangyu ferry tickets, Xiamen neighborhoods, coastlines and a realistic first visit.→Changsha Travel Guide: Food, History and Orange IslePlan Changsha food streets, museums, Orange Isle, Yuelu Mountain and rail arrivals.→Wuhan Travel Guide: Yangtze River, East Lake and Local FoodPlan Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake, museums, neighborhoods and railway stations in Wuhan.→Tianjin Travel Guide and Beijing ExtensionPlan Five Great Avenues, Haihe River, historic architecture and high-speed rail from Beijing.→Huangshan Travel Guide: Yellow Mountain and Ancient VillagesPlan Mount Huangshan routes, cableways, accommodation, weather and nearby Hui villages.→Lhasa Travel Guide for International VisitorsUnderstand permits, organized travel, altitude, cultural etiquette and a realistic Lhasa itinerary.→China Itineraries for 7, 10 & 14 DaysChoose a realistic China itinerary based on trip length and travel pace.→China Itinerary: 7 DaysA focused seven-day China route for first-time visitors.→China Itinerary: 10 DaysA classic ten-day Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai itinerary.→China Itinerary: 14 DaysA balanced two-week China route with a classic core and regional extension.→How to Use the Beijing Subway as a ForeignerA practical Beijing subway guide covering tickets, foreign bank cards, airport lines, transfers and common mistakes.→How to Use the Shanghai Metro as a ForeignerShanghai Metro tickets, foreign card payments, apps, airport connections and practical route planning for visitors.→Zhangjiajie 3-Day Itinerary: Wulingyuan and Tianmen MountainA realistic three-day Zhangjiajie route covering Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream and Tianmen Mountain.→Guilin and Yangshuo 3-Day ItineraryA practical three-day Guilin and Yangshuo route with the Li River, karst scenery and realistic transfer planning.→Private Tours & Local Help in ChinaFind a private guide, car and driver, airport transfer or custom China trip.→Find a Private Tour Guide in ChinaRequest an English-speaking private guide for museums, neighborhoods and cultural experiences.→Hire a Car and Driver in ChinaRequest private transport for day trips, families, luggage and hard-to-reach destinations.→Book a Private Airport Transfer in ChinaArrange a driver for airport pickup, luggage and direct hotel transfer.→Plan a Custom Private China TourRequest a tailored multi-city China itinerary with local transport and guides.→Private English-Speaking Guide in BeijingRequest a Beijing guide for the Forbidden City, hutongs, museums and Great Wall.→Beijing Car and Driver for the Great Wall & Day TripsRequest a private vehicle and driver for Beijing airports, Great Wall and regional trips.→Private English-Speaking Guide in ShanghaiRequest a local Shanghai guide for neighborhoods, food, architecture and day trips.→Book Your China Trip: Hotels, Trains, eSIMs, Tickets & TransfersPractical booking guides for the standard travel products international visitors need in China.→Things to Book Before Traveling to ChinaA practical booking timeline for China entry checks, trains, hotels, attraction tickets, eSIMs and airport transfers.→About Onward ChinaWhy Onward China exists and how we help independent travelers.→Editorial & Verification PolicyHow Onward China researches, verifies and updates travel information.→Affiliate DisclosureHow affiliate links support Onward China at no extra cost to readers.→Local Partner StandardsHow Onward China evaluates guides, drivers and travel providers.→Privacy PolicyHow Onward China handles visitor, analytics and inquiry information.→Terms of UseTerms for using Onward China information and local provider introductions.→