Written by Natalia |
For many foreigners, a solo travel in China is an exciting but a little daunting experience. The overwhelmingly large country is like a puzzle to be figured out by you alone. It means you need to brainstorm and get well prepared both in mental and physical level. You may have heard that China is very friendly to solo travelers, for it owns the worldās leading network of high speed trains, highly secure environment, and extremely convenient online payment accessible almost everywhere. In this article, we will share travel tips you have to know before setting out for an independent tour. Hope by this way, you can fully arm yourself to transform a seemingly challenging adventure to a perfect smooth trip that brings a sense of achievement.
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- Is China Safe for Solo Travelers?
- Best Places to Visit in China as AĀ Solo Traveler
- How to Plan Your Solo Trip to China
- China Tour Options for Solo Travelers
- Tips for a Smooth Solo Trip in China
- FAQs about Solo Travel in China
- Embark on Your Solo Travel in ChinaĀ with China Xian Tour
Is China Safe for Solo Travelers?
General Safety Overview
Travelers planning a solo travelling to China always ask this question, and fortunately the answer is YES. China has long been dedicated to maintaining a positive image on the world stage, so it implements strict control over guns and knives. Therefore, you donāt need to feel nervous about wandering around in China because the violent crime rate is very low. In addition, the streets and blocks, especially in big cities, are all covered by the surveillance system. This on one hand effectively guarantees the safety of solo travelers, on the other hand, if you get involved into a fight, the police may come to the site very soon.
Chinese people are open to make foreign friends. They are hospitable and ready to lend a hand if you lose your way or need any other kind of help.
Safety Tips for All Solo Travelers
Although China is overall very safe, you need to keep alert because it is a popular tourist destination. The following are some tips for solo travelers:
- Keep your valuables properly. Keep an eye on your wallet, cellphone, and passport to prevent petty thieves in crowded places like metros, buses, train stations, and busy pedestrian streets.
- Beware of scams around major tourist attractions. Say no to overly enthusiastic strangers, such as unlicensed taxi drivers or those who volunteer to lead you the way, invite you to drink tea, or suggest visiting art exhibitions. They may be trying to drop you off at some shopping sites or sell expensive goods or services.
- Obey the traffic rules. Cross the road following the crowds, especially at busy intersections. Do not take for granted that drivers will stop when there is a pedestrian. Walk on the pavement. In case that the pavement and bicycle lane are shared, watch out for electric scooters that may silently approach at a high speed.
- Turn to the police and your countryās embassy in China for help if you are in trouble. Dial the number 110 for help from the police. If you passport is lost or there is something wrong with your visa, you can ask the embassy for help.
Specific Advice for Solo Female Travelers
- Select reputed hotels in city centers that are easily accessible. Before making a reservation, check the reviews of female tenants on their websites or tour booking platforms.
- Ensure that your phone is always charged and carry a power bank with you. Share your daily schedule and hotel address to your family member or a trusted friend.
- If someone asks to take a photo with you, try to understand that itās just a way to show its friendliness and curiosity. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable, smile and refuse the advice.
- It is essential to dress properly. Wear a pair of comfortable sneakers. In big cities, you can dress freely. But when visiting religious sites such as temples and mosques, or entering some remote rural areas, itās recommended to wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees to show respect and avoid unnecessary attention.
- Avoid hanging out alone at night. If you need to go out, itās better to call a taxi on car-ride hailing apps like DiDi.
Safest Cities vs. Areas to Be Cautious
Main destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Xiāan, and Chengdu, with advanced facilities and convenient transportation, are safe enough for solo travelling in China. However, there are indeed some places where you should keep a distance.
Remote, primitive mountainous or wilderness areas are not suggested in general, for potential risks of interruption of mobile phone signal, difficulty in rescue and possible occurrence of accidents such as getting lost and natural disasters. For example, the āwildāĀ Great Wall (undeveloped sections) and some rare hiking routes in Sichuan and Yunnan.
In some excessively commercialized ancient villages and towns, you should also be cautious not to be ripped off or draw the attention of pickpockets.
Like any other cities in the world, drinking alone in entertainment venues late at night may encounter unnecessary harassment or safety issues. Therefore, you had better return to your hotel early at night and avoid walking in some dark narrow alleys.
Best Places to Visit in China as AĀ Solo Traveler
Major Cities
A classic China travel itinerary always contains Beijing, Shanghai and Xiāan, three best tourist cities of China. Beijing, as the capital city of China, boasts the time-honored Great Wall and Forbidden City. Shanghai and Xiāan show respectively Chinaās today and past. In Shanghai, the ultra-high buildings in Lujiazui are breathtaking, creating an imposing skyline that can be appreciated in the Bund across the Huangpu River. While in Xiāan, you must visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, an underground army hailed as one of the eight wonders in the world.
Recommended Tour
Cultural and Scenic Spots
Natural lovers mostly choose Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Yunnan for the splendid rivers and mountains. Itās said that the scenery in Guilin is the best in China. The karst landform there is very typical. When cruising along the Li River, you can see rolling karst mountains in various shapes along the banks. They are like a Chinese ink and wash painting drawn by nature. But these places are not just natural wonders, they are also reputed for the folk culture of minority groups. If you have a special love for giant pandas, Chengdu is also recommended.
Recommended Tour
Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
If you are an enthusiastic adventurer, do take a travel to some of Chinaās most enchanting but mysterious places. Tibet is a frequently chosen destination for its hidden beauty and Tibetan Buddhist culture. Cities dotted on the Silk Road including Xiāan, Dunhuang, and Xinjiang are also top choices. To explore a more real China, rural villages, minority regions and classic hiking trails are also worth your shot.
Recommended Tour
Recommended Places |
Highlights |
Time Needed |
Beijing |
Numerous world heritage sites, like Great Wall,Ā Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, etc |
5 ā 7 days |
Shanghai |
Ultra-high buildings in Lujiazui, the Bund, Haipai culture |
3 ā 4 days |
Xian |
Abundant historic attractions, like Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall, etc. |
3 ā 4 days |
Guilin |
Picturesque natural scenery, Karst landformĀ like Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River cruise |
2 ā 3 days |
Zhangjiajie |
Quartz sandstone peak forestĀ in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Tianmen Mountain |
2 ā 3 days |
Chengdu |
Giant pandas, leisure life, Sichuan cuisine |
3 ā 4 days |
Dunhuang |
Mogao Caves, Buddhist art, Silk Road culture and history |
2 ā 3 days |
Yunnan |
Diverse ethnic cultures and varied natural landscapes in Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, etc |
5 ā 7 days |
Tibet |
Unique natural scenery of the plateauĀ and Tibetan Buddhist culture |
10 ā 15 days |
Xinjiang |
Vast territory, abundant and breathtaking natural landscapes, characteristic ethnic cultures |
7 ā 15 days |
How to Plan Your Solo Trip to China
Best Time to Visit China Solo
On the whole, China is a country with four distinct seasons. If you do not intend to see the unique scenery in certain seasons, like the Harbin Ice and Snow FestivalĀ in winter, the best time to visit ChinaĀ will be spring (Apr – May) and autumn (Sep -Oct). The climate is mild and rainless, suitable for outdoor activities. Thanks to the pleasant temperature, you do not need to pack heavy clothes so that your luggage is lighter. In spring, the flowers begin to blossom and leaves gradually turn green, birds chirp on the soft sprouts, everywhere presents a vibrant spectacle. While in autumn, nature is adorned by a mix of colors, adding more charm to its original beauty.
What should be mentioned is that avoid solo travelling to China during public holidays, particularly the first week in October and the golden week in Chinese New Year. At that time, flights and accommodation costs will soar up due to the crowds of tourists.
CreateĀ Your China Solo Travel Itinerary
If you are not familiar with China, itās not easy to create an itinerary balancing cities, natural wonders, and cultural relics on your own. Here we offer a sample itinerary covering the golden triangle tourist cities for first-time solo travelers to China.
Day 1 – Day 4: Beijing.
Highlights: Qianmen Street, Peking Roast Duck, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, South Luogu Lane, Badaling or Mutianyu Great Wall, Kungfu Show, Summer Palace
Day 5 – Day 7: Xiāan.
Highlights: Bicycle ride on Xiāan Ancient Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Shaanxi History Museum, Datang Everbright City, Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Street
Day 8 – Day 10: Shanghai.
Highlights: Yu Garden, the City God Temple, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, the Bund, Huangpu River Cruise, Shanghai Tower, Shikumen Residences, Shanghai Museum
Accommodation Guide
In fact, China offers visitors with a wide range of hotels to choose from, including high-end luxury international brands to local boutique hostels to youth dorms. Correspondingly, the price is lower and lower. For your reference, a mid-range hotels may cost around CNY 500 per night. Nowadays, homestay guesthouses are getting popular in China. This creates a good opportunity to communicate with locals.
Solo travelers are advised to book a hotel before departure at websites like Agoda, Trip, and Booking. You can check the latest reviews to know about the English proficiency of the front desk staff. As where to stay, you canāt go wrong choosing hotels around the city center or near metro stations.
Be aware that all foreign visitors need to register when checking at any hotel in China. You just need to give your passport to the front desk and get it back after a few minutes.
How to Get Around China Alone
As I said before, China owns a well-developed network of high speed trains, so the commonest way to travel between cities is by high seed train. Itās fast and cheap. If the distance is long or there is no direct trains, you may consider taking a domestic flight. In some remote areas, high speed trains are not available, you can see if there are regular trains. Intercity buses are also recommended in such cases.
Most major cities of China have sustainable metro systems that are friendly to foreign visitors. Usually, there are English signs and station reporting, so you donāt need to worry about language barrier. Sometimes, you may need to take a public bus in small cities or to spots not covered by metro. Alternatively, you can wave to stop a taxi at roadside or call for a ride on car-hailing apps.
Dining Alone
Food is definitely not to be missed for solo travelling in China. Itās not merely a matter of filling your belly, but also a pleasure and challenge. China is full of food treasures for you to discover. The best food to eat are noodles cooked by various methods, dumplings, hot pot, barbecue, Sichuan dishes…Itās really a tough task to list all of them! If you visit China for the first time, I advise you to order food in a restaurant. The trained staffs may speak some English, and if itās an international hotel restaurant, there are always English menus. In addition, the kitchens and food materials are cleaner to reduce the risk of diarrhoea.
Anyway, though it sounds convincing and reasonable, restaurant food is not the only choice. In other words, you may regret for not tasting the street food of China. Itās part of localsāĀ life and the most traditional and authentic flavor may hide in these street stalls. But seldom can the vendors speak English. Thatās where gestures and translation Apps come in.
Then, you may wonder how to distinguish whether the restaurant is worth trying or not. Generally speaking, itās advised to choose the restaurants or food stalls where people line up. This implies the food materials may be fresher with a high turnover rate. Besides, the taste of food can be guaranteed to some degree. If you are not sure what to order, select steamed or fried food, not try cold dishes easily. Dining alone is actually not a problem. You can ask the waiter to remind you if you order too much.
Related reading: How Much to Spend on Food in China
China Tour Options for Solo Travelers
Joining China Group Tours
It’s a perfect option if you are a first-time visitor or feel nervous about solo travelling in China – a strange country. Joining a China group tourĀ can effectively ease your anxiety. As one of the best operators, China Xian TourĀ will handle with all trifles including travel routes, hotels, dining, and point-to-point transportation. Most importantly, you will have an English-speaking guide to serve you. Itās critical for visits to historical and cultural relics. The guide will interpret the history and stories behind the scenic spots and unique cultural phenomena, thus making your trip more rewarding. Group tours also give you a chance to make friends with others.
Recommended China Small Group Tour
Custom Private Tours
If you prefer a freer travel of high quality, it will be nice to contact a travel agency to tailor-make a China private tourĀ in accordance with your budget, time, physical strength, dietary habit, travel style, and time. You are the boss to decide everything. By this way, the potential problems for solo travelling in China can be avoided, but you keep the essence of a solo travel to the utmost extent.
Recommended Private Tour
Completely Independent Travel
Travelling independently is more flexible, allowing you to adjust the schedule at your own will. You can select the favorite hotels, scenic spots and delicacies, and well control your budget. But you should have a strong heart to deal with occasional accidents. Before departure, making good preparations for the upcoming trip is necessary.
Read Further: Group Tour or Private Tour in China: The Ultimate Comparison Guide
Tips for a Smooth Solo Trip in China
Language Barriers & Helpful Apps
For solo travelers, language might be a challenge, but it can be overcame as long as you prepare well. You can learn some simple Chinese in advance. For example, Ni Hao (hello), Zai Jian (goodbye), and Xie Xie (thanks). The universal body language serves as a good supplement. A sincere smile can always resolve embarrassment caused by ineffective communication. Besides, remember that your phone is the best tool to help you. Before starting the tour, download necessary Apps like Google Translation and Amap for a smooth trip.
Money & Payment Systems
Nowadays, China has almost entered a cash-free stage. You can exchange some currencies in your country, but not too much. CNY 500 – 1,000 is enough for emergencies and tipping . WeChat Pay and Alipay are two most prevailing payment methods in China. By contrast, I advise you to use Alipay as itās more friendly to foreign users. Almost all stores accept Alipay payment. You cannot only pay by this App, but also take metro by using it. In hotels above four stars, large department stores, and some high-end restaurants, international credit cards can also be used.
Internet & VPN Needs
It’s easy to access the local internet of China. What you need to do is to buy a temporary SIM card at one of the three mobile communication operators – China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom – upon landing at the airport. If the card contains a data package, you can use it to surf the internet. You can also use the free Wi-Fi in public areas. It should be noted that in China, many globally-used websites and apps, like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter are blocked by a so-called firewall. You can use them only by the assistance of a reliable VPN. >> See more essential apps in ChinaĀ for a smooth trip.
Cultural Etiquette Basics
China is a nation of etiquette, so itās important to behave properly to not offend others. When someone serves you with something, you should take it with both hands and say thank you at the same time. Do not insert chopsticks vertically into the rice bowl. This is very rude, for itās like the ritual for honoring the deceased ancestors. Do not point at others with your finger or chopsticks. When dining with others, remember not to stir the food in the plate with your spoons or chopsticks.
More Essential Tips for Your Reference
- It is not advised to drink tap water directly. Bottled water is the safest choice for the sake of your health.
- Learn some basic Mandarin phrases will bring you great convenience and also make the locals more friendly to you.
- Most toilets in public areas are squat toilets and do not offer toilet paper, so remember to bring it with you all the time.
- In China, tipping is not common in most restaurants, hotels and when taking a taxi, you do not have to worry about it.
- When going shopping in China, bargaining is very common in night markets, craft markets and street stalls. But in formal shopping malls and supermarkets, it is not feasible.
- If you have food allergies, it is better to write the foods you can not eat in Chinese on a card in advance. Show it to the servant when ordering food to avoid misunderstandings.
- It is safe to go out alone at night in major cities, but it is not recommended in remote places.
- China has launched the 240-hour visa-free policyand it is applicable to many countries, try to make full use of the policy and enrich your travel experience.
FAQs about Solo Travel in China
Can tourists travel independently in China?
Tourists can travel independently in most parts of China, but for the sake of national security, cultural heritage protection, ecological conservation, or military secrecy, some places are strictly restricted or completely off-limits to foreigners. Some areas in Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan belong to this kind of forbidden zones. You may need to apply for a travel permit or border pass through a qualified travel agency.
How easy is it to book accommodation (hotels/hostels) as a foreigner traveling alone?
Itās easy to book hotels on websites like Booking.com, Agoda and Trip.com. They all have English interfaces. Before you finally pay, confirm with the hotel to see if it can accommodate foreign guests.
Is it necessary to learn Mandarin or are there enough English speakers, especially for a solo traveler?
In big cities, there are enough English speakers, especially in tourist zones. But if you travel to less populated cities or rural areas, you may encounter with a language barrier. You can learn some simple daily conversations in advance, or turn to the translation App for help.
Is it safe to go out alone at night in major cities?
Yes, absolutely, because China is one of the safest countries in the world.
What are the food safety precautions for eating street food or dining alone?
Itās advised to choose the restaurants or food stalls where people line up. This implies the food materials may be fresher with a high turnover rate. Besides, the taste of food can be guaranteed to some degree. If you are not sure what to order, select steamed or fried food, not try cold dishes easily. Dining alone is actually not a problem. You can ask the waiter to remind you if you order too much.
Embark on Your Solo Travel in ChinaĀ with China Xian Tour
Are you planning a solo travel to China? It requires courage to travel independently in a country completely strange to you. To ease your nerve, why not book a hassle-free tour that can guarantee your freedom to the maximum degree? China Xian TourĀ can help you with this whether you want a group or private tour. Depending on your requests, our elite travel consultants can customize the best itineraryĀ for you!
