China, with fewer unknowns.

Entry rules depend on you and your route.

Do not rely on a travel blog’s country list. Visa exemptions, eligible passports, permitted purposes and policy end dates differ. Confirm your position with China’s National Immigration Administration or the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

Arrival card

Foreign nationals can complete the arrival card online before travel through official NIA channels. Travellers who cannot complete it in advance can use the facilities at the port of entry or submit a paper card. Certain categories of passenger are exempt.

Accommodation registration

Hotels complete accommodation registration for foreign guests. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, you or your host must register with the local public security authority within 24 hours. Online registration is currently being piloted in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan; the in-person channel remains available.

Customs

Declare controlled or restricted items honestly. Cash declaration thresholds and currency import/export limits are not the same thing. Check the current rules for the currency and amount you plan to carry with China Customs before departure. Separate rules apply to animals, plants, food and other restricted items.

Mobile first, but never mobile only.

Alipay and Weixin Pay can support international bank cards issued by participating networks. Card linking is subject to verification by the issuing bank, and limits or charges can vary by payment product. Set up the app and test card linking before departure where possible.

• Carry a second international card from a different network or issuer.
• Keep some RMB cash for small vendors, transport or a temporary app problem; cash remains a valid payment option.
• At a card terminal, check which payment logos are displayed rather than assuming every foreign card is accepted.
• Tell your issuing bank about the trip and know how to reach it without relying on your usual phone number.
• Never allow a stranger to “help” by taking control of your phone, payment QR code or verification message.

Prepare connectivity before you depend on it.

International roaming can be the simplest option for continuity. A local SIM can be purchased from a major operator with a passport; confirm that your phone is unlocked and compatible. Airport and operator counters can explain the plans currently available.

Useful apps

• WeChat: communication and many local services.
• Alipay: payments plus useful transport and travel mini-programmes.
• China Railway 12306: official English-language train booking and ticket management.
• DiDi: ride-hailing; confirm the registration plate and driver before boarding.
• Translation and offline maps: download the required languages and map areas before arrival.

Your passport is your key travel document.

International visitors can register and verify a passport on the official 12306 English website or app, then purchase real-name train tickets. Use the same document for booking and station checks; arrive early when using a passport lane for the first time.

• Save the train number, station name in Chinese and departure time offline.
• Check the exact station: major cities often have several large terminals far apart.
• For ride-hailing, stand at the precise pickup pin and compare the plate number.
• Metro systems commonly offer single-journey tickets, transit cards or app-based QR codes; options vary by city.
• Allow more transfer time during national holidays and major festivals.

Plan for energy, climate and altitude.

• Arrange travel medical insurance that fits your route and planned activities; keep the assistance number offline.
• Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with supporting documentation where appropriate, and check import restrictions in advance.
• Choose sealed bottled water or properly treated drinking water when you are unsure.
• Build rest into your arrival day and long transfer days rather than treating them as sightseeing days.
• For Tibet, Qinghai or western Sichuan, ascend gradually where possible, tell us about relevant health conditions and seek medical advice before high-altitude travel.
• Carry tissues and hand sanitiser; facilities outside major cities can be simple.

Respect is local, not one-size-fits-all.

China contains many languages, beliefs, cuisines and community traditions. Follow the guidance of local hosts and site signage rather than applying a single etiquette rule everywhere.

• Ask before photographing people, ceremonies, homes, workplaces or religious practices.
• Dress respectfully and speak quietly at temples, mosques, monasteries and memorial sites; photography rules may change from room to room.
• In Tibet and other culturally distinct regions, allow your local guide to explain pilgrimage routes, sacred objects and community preferences.
• Do not treat villages as film sets. Buy crafts directly when appropriate, accept that some places are private, and avoid staging people for photographs.
• A translation app helps, but a greeting, patience and a clearly displayed hotel address often achieve more than perfect language.
• Tipping customs vary by service context; follow the transparent guidance in your final trip notes.

Pack for the route, not the word “China”.

• Spring: layers, a light rain shell and shoes suited to wet garden or mountain paths.
• Summer: breathable clothing, sun protection, a light layer for air-conditioned spaces and rain protection in humid regions.
• Autumn: adaptable layers; northern mornings, plateau evenings and mountain viewpoints can become cool quickly.
• Winter: the destination matters—Harbin requires serious cold-weather clothing, while Hainan can be warm and coastal.

Always useful

Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, a compact day bag, power bank, charging cables, medication, reusable water bottle, tissues, sun protection and a modest layer for religious sites. China uses 220 V / 50 Hz electricity; socket types vary, so a universal travel adaptor is a practical choice.

If something goes wrong, start with people.

• Police: 110
• Fire: 119
• Ambulance: 120
• China Immigration Service: 12367

For a lost passport, contact the local police, your embassy or consulate, and your Sunrise China Tours operations contact promptly. For a medical problem, tell your guide or hotel immediately so that they can help identify an appropriate facility and support communication.