What you need to know before visiting China

Visiting China is a very rewarding experience, but also a challenging one. The world giant is a huge challenge for anyone landing in the country for the first time. Travelling to this Eastern country is intense and it's not enough to have the main tourist attractions marked on a map.

Visiting China is an incredible but challenging experience. With a few tips and advice, you can plan your trip to China.

Visiting China - what you need to know to plan your trip

Even if you're travelling as part of a group or tour, there is some very useful information you should know before visiting China. From applying for a visa to China, to the language, customs and rules, or how to access the internet in China, these are the must-know tips.

Visas for China

Even before you think about visiting China, it's worth remembering that Portuguese and Brazilian citizens are obliged to apply for visas for China. This is a bureaucratic and time-consuming process that can only be applied for in the country of residence or origin.

To apply for a visa, you need flight and hotel bookings, so you should start planning many weeks in advance. Use Booking.com to make your hotel bookings.

For those planning a trip to China, there are cities you can visit without a visa, and Beijing is one of them.

Keep your passport with you... always

Whether it's to access monuments, buy tickets for tourist attractions or train tickets, a passport is essential. And it's worth remembering that sometimes the authorities ask for your passport everywhere.

So keep it with you at all times and an additional piece of advice: take a photo of your passport, send it by email for yourself and print one or two copies, which can also come in handy if you lose the document. But be aware that Gmail doesn't work in China unless you have a VPN.

Language

Knowing Mandarin isn't a necessity, but it helps a lot, since almost nowhere in China is English or any other foreign language spoken. Not even for buy train ticketsIt's rare for a station to have employees with foreign language skills. Some basic English is already spoken among the younger population, but those travelling there should speak the language of the country they're visiting, at least that's my opinion.

When you visit China, learn at least the basic words. A simple ni hao (hello) or xié-xie (thank you) is very much appreciated and if you can speak a little Mandarin before you visit China, it will also make a difference to the way you are received. Anyone who makes the effort to speak Mandarin is always rewarded.

Air pollution in China

Air pollution was something I always heard about before visiting China, on travel forums and, above all, in the news. There are often images of thick clouds of pollution invading screens on this side of the world.

While it's true that levels are still higher than recommended in some cities, a lot has been done to improve air quality in China. In Beijing, for example, I found the air quality perfectly normal the days I was there.

In fact, as I strolled through the streets of the capital I realised just how many electric cars, buses and motorbikes there are in Beijing.

However, in the regions further south in China the air quality is still very poor. Clear examples are Chengdu and Macau. In these two places I felt that a mask might be necessary.

Crowds

China is home to 1.4 billion people and it's only natural that wherever you are there are large gatherings of people. In tourism, the overwhelming majority are domestic tourists travelling in large groups.

It's not as bad as you might think, with the exception of a few places, for example the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace, both in Beijing. Be patient and get used to it, because there's nothing to do but relax.

Toilets in China

Toilets in China are of the oriental or Islamic style, i.e. just a hole in the ground. This is the case in most public places, because in many hotels you can choose a room with a toilet or a latrine. Many old-style restaurants only have a latrine, but the more modern ones have adapted to Western style.

Whatever style of bathroom you find, the most important thing is to have essential items with you, such as a small packet of tissues or toilet paper, as well as soap or hand sanitiser.

Customs, spats and queues

I'm sure you've heard of the peculiar habits and customs of the Chinese people, such as spitting (or spitting) - I've seen people doing it on the streets and even in museums - 'letting off fumes' or cutting in line.

And that's all true, but after a day or two of culture shock you'll start to ignore such habits, even if the sound of someone sneezing can be almost nightmarish for first-time visitors to China.

As for queues, as annoying as it can be to see someone pass in front of you, it's best to reduce the space for the person in front, ignore them and let one or two people pass in front.

The alternative is to get angry, but as you're on holiday I don't think that's worth it. For my part, I've chosen to ignore it in 99% of the cases. China is an overpopulated country and the local people have got used to a smaller personal space. For them it's not bad manners, as it's part of Chinese culture.

Don't let any of this get in the way of your travelling or planning a trip to China, because the Chinese are honest, polite and helpful.

And some of these customs are almost exclusive to the older generations, while the younger ones are starting to change their behaviour.

Photographing in China

The Chinese love taking photos and it's very likely that they want to take more photos with us than we want to take with them. At least that's what happened to me when I visited China. Don't be surprised if a local tries to take your picture or even approaches you to ask for a photo.

People were always polite when they asked for photos and, as a photographer, it was strange to be in this role of photographic target, but it didn't bother me at all. After all, we live in a multimedia society. And China is fantastic for photography.

But as in any other country, respect the wishes of those who don't want to be photographed and, if necessary, ask for permission. However, avoid photographing sensitive buildings such as government buildings, airports or border areas. Before you go, learn to photograph.

Sockets and chargers

The power socket in China is unlike any other, so before you visit China, it's best to invest in an adapter. In some hotels there are adapters or European-style sockets, but this is not guaranteed.

Internet and SIM cards in China

The main operators in China include China Telecom and China Unicom. The latter was the one I used the whole time I was in the country. SIM cards can be bought at the airport or in most convenience stores or representatives in the cities and the price is quite affordable.

Please note that some Chinese SIM card plans can only be used in the provinces in which they were purchased, so you will pay for roaming (albeit cheaper than international roaming) when sending text messages, making phone calls or using data outside that province. Before you buy your SIM, make sure you find out about this. I bought my card from an official China Unicom shop and was able to use it throughout the territory.

Most places like restaurants, hotels, etc. have Wi-Fi access, although it's often slow. But if you're going to use the internet in China read the essential tip below...

Using a VPN in China

When visiting China, remember that many of the sites that you usually use freely when you're anywhere else in the world (except in a few countries) are blocked by the Chinese authorities. It's the so-called "Great Firewall" that blocks sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and, above all, Google - this includes the search engine and Gmail.

However, there are ways to turn this situation around with a VPN - virtual private network.

What this does is disguise your computer's IP address so that it looks like you're accessing sites from the USA, Australia or Singapore, for example. This is an essential tool if you want or need to use the internet in China.

WARNING: You must purchase and activate the VPN before visiting China.

While you're in China, use a VPN as it will work on your mobile phone, tablet or computer. The cost is low and you can cancel after leaving the country or when you no longer need it.

Is tap water drinkable?

No. Tap water in China is undrinkable and should not be drunk unless it is boiled or filtered and this is something you should bear in mind when you arrive in China. You can buy water easily in shops, restaurants and supermarkets.

Money in China

The official national currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB) or Yuan and it exists in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 RMB, as well as in coins of 1 yuan, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Most Chinese use the Wechat to pay for all transactions and since 2023 it has also been possible for foreigners to use Wechat, provided they link a card to Wechat Pay. This is how most things are paid for, even in small markets. However, for foreigners there are transaction limits, for example for a single transaction the limit is around 6,000 RMB, while monthly spending must not exceed 50,000 RMB and annual spending 60,000 RMB.

The alternative is to pay by card or withdraw cash (there are ATMs everywhere).

I use the Wise card and the Revolut card to avoid bank fees and commissions. I always travel with both.

Food and restaurants in China

The food in China was a pleasant surprise for me, both in terms of quality and variety. I almost always ate well, apart from one or two places where the food didn't suit my palate - not because it was badly cooked.

If you're thinking of visiting China, forget what's on the menu in Chinese restaurants in the West, because you're unlikely (and fortunately) to find the same kind of food. Not only is it of excellent quality, but it's also very diverse, especially if you're travelling through different regions of China. Of course, in the capital you have to try Peking duck, but there's more to it than duck and noodles.

I've eaten very well in Xinjiang, Xian, Beijing, Chengdu, Dali or Guilin and many other places. In short, the cuisine in China is good and cheap.

And don't miss out on street food or Chinese hamburgers. My strategy in the restaurants where I had lunch and dinner was to order several small dishes to make sure I tried as many different specialities as possible. And yes, I also tried insects.

Is it cheap to travel in China?

Compared to the cost of travelling in European countries, travelling in China is more affordable, but not as cheap as in other Asian countries. Entrance to some attractions is quite expensive, such as Zhangjiajie National Park, which costs almost 30€. And that's just one example.

As far as transport is concerned, I find the price of trains quite affordable, as you can sometimes pay 50€ to travel 1000 kilometres on a high-speed train. As for accommodation, there's everything from cheap hotels to luxury units. It's a matter of choice.

Best places to see in China

I still haven't seen all of China and will need to visit many more times to get to know more of this incredible country. But in my humble opinion, of the places I've been to, I'd highlight Yangshuo, the Li River area, Linjiang and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, as well as Xian and Beijing.

There are many other places I want to visit, such as Tibet, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, Shanghai and the Rice Terraces of Yuanyang Honghe, among many other fascinating destinations for travelling in China.

Hotels in China

There are plenty of accommodation options in China, but be careful because many hotels in some provinces or regions don't welcome foreigners.

This site has thousands of properties in China and was the one I used most of the time to book hotels, flats and hostels.

Transport in China

In China I've always opted for train connections, sometimes high-speed (G train), sometimes slower or night-time journeys. I've always used this site to check the timetables and buy train tickets.

Train stations in China are like airports, both in size and procedure, so you'll have to show your passport, go through the metal detector and the security zone. If you want to book internal flights, use this local site or the Skyscanner.

When is the best time to visit China?

China has two major holiday weeks and several national holidays during the year and during these periods it is not at all advisable to book a trip to China.

The first period is during Chinese New Year and the second is in the first week of October — the so-called golden week. Millions of people travel within the country and it's a chaotic time, making it very difficult to book hotels or transport.

The country has several climatic types and it's important to research the climate of the cities or regions you're travelling to in China. For example, in winter you can go to Harbin to see the lantern festival, but November is not a good time to visit the rice paddies in the Guilin or Yangshuo area.

However, if you have a limited budget, the best time to visit China is during the low season — from November to March.

As a general rule, autumn and spring are the best times to travel to China.

Travel Insurance for China

Although China is a very safe country with relatively low crime, it pays to be prepared. Travel insurance is not compulsory for a trip to China.

However, I strongly advise you to do so, because if you have a health problem, an accident or any other problem (serious or less serious) you will be many kilometres from home and may need to be evacuated in an emergency. Of course, nobody thinks about a situation like this on holiday, but it's better to be safe.

By the way, I never travel without travel insurance.

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