Practical Tips for Expats Travelling in China: A Smoother Travel Experience

Written by Candice Zhao | Updated May 25,2026

As an expat living in China, you may have realized that relying solely on Alipay and a translation app is far from enough for a smooth travel. Booking tickets for attractions may be tricky, strict ID checks are required when check-in at hotels, and even getting a train ticket can be a challenge.

But don’t worry! Most of these troubles can be avoided. As a local professional team with years of experience serving international travelers, we understand your concerns, and provide the following practical travel tips to help you enjoy a smooth tour.

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• 1. Keep a Valid ID
• 2. Book in Advance
• 3. Seek Help from a Travel Agency
• 4. Choosing Your Ideal Destinations
• 5. Avoid Peak Crowds
• 6. Cash Payments
• 7. Respect Local Customs
• Travel with China Xian Tour
• FAQs

1. Keep a Valid ID with You at All Times

When travelling in China, a valid passport and a visa are the most important documents. Please double-check their expiration dates before departure and keep these documents with you all the time. Do not leave them on planes, trains or in hotels, because random ID checks may occur at attractions and public transport stations.

2. Book in Advance – How to Pay as an Expat

In order to manage large crowds, many hot attractions in China, such as the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors, now require online ticket reservation, typically 1-7 days in advance. Tickets are often sold out on the day of your visit. The same applies to train tickets, flights and hotels.   So, booking in advance is necessary.

Invisible Barriers for Expats

Many official apps or mini programs for attractions, such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Sanxingdui Museum, require a Chinese ID number or phone number for registration. Online payment is usually unavailable to foreign passport holders.

Practical Solutions

For international travelers, the most recommended apps include Trip.com, Meituan (international version) and “Transport”/ “Scenic Area Ticket Booking (景区购票)” features in Alipay.

If none of these work, booking via an international travel agency is the most reliable way. Paying a small amount of service fee is far better than being turned away at the entrance.

About train tickets, both the official app and website of China Railway 12306 have launched an English version and support verification and ticket purchase with a passport. Please note that first-time users may need to verify at a station window.

3. Consider Seeking Help from a Professional Travel Agency

For first-time travelers or those on a tight schedule, reaching out to a trustworthy international travel agency will save a lot of hassle. They can handle the most complicated parts for you, such as reservations and transport connections. What’s more important is that they also provide:

• Emergency Support: They will offer an alternative plan when unexpected situations arise (e.g., health issues or weather changes).
• Personalized Service: They will provide 24-hour 1-to-1 support from the beginning of itinerary planning to the end of the journey, allowing you to immerse in the travel, rather than logistics.

Who Should Consider Reaching Out to a Travel Agency?

Clearly, not everyone needs it. However, it is highly recommended if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You are planning to have a solo trip in Xinjiang, Xizang, Gansu, western Sichuan or other border regions and high-altitude regions.
• Your Chinese is still limited to basic phrases like “Nǐ hǎo”and “Xièxie”.
• You only have around 3-5 days off but still want to visit multiple cities at one go.

Useful Tips for Choosing an Agency:

Legitimate travel agencies will sign a standard contract approved by the tourism bureau with you. If they ask for payment without offering any paperwork, please avoid them.

Conversely, if you are a fluent Chinese speaker planning a trip to major tourist cities such as Beijing, Xi’an or Chengdu, booking hotels and tickets would be an easy task for you. Just feel free to explore this country on your own!

4. Travel Inspiration: Choosing Your Ideal Destinations in China

Still not sure where to go? Here are some classic and emerging destinations:

• For nature lovers: Daocheng Yading in Sichuan, Shangri-La in Yunnan, Yangshuo in Guangxi
• For culture and history enthusiasts: The Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing, The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, The Dunhuang Mogao Caves in Gansu
• For foodies: Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Changsha
• For photography enthusiasts: The Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Yunnan, Huangshan Mountain in Anhui, Kanas in Xinjiang

5. Avoid Peak Crowds

If you are travelling during the May Day holiday (May 1-5), summer vacation (Jul. 10 – Aug. 20) or the National Day holiday (October 1-7), please be ready for the heavy crowds. Most popular attractions will be packed with tourists from all over the country.

• Crowd levels: Very high
• Waiting time: Varies from 30 minutes to 3 hours
• Tips: Always arrive as early as possible to be among the first visitors to enter the scenic spot. Or consult a local travel agency for off-the-beaten-path but rewarding destinations

6. Cash Payments: Available but Somewhat Complicated

Cash is accepted everywhere in China, but because of the widespread use of mobile payment, most shop owners may not have enough change. So paying with cash may be tricky, especially when you take a taxi, purchase at street stalls or visit niche attractions.

In this case, here are my suggestions:

Use Alipay as Your Main Payment Method

Alipay is more friendly for foreigners. It has an international version designed specially for overseas users and is easily accessible. After registration, bind an international credit card ( Visa/Master card) and enable the payment feature, then you can use it directly.

Compared with Alipay, WeChat Pay is slightly complicated. And some WeChat Pay QR codes only work for accounts verified with Chinese IDs for security reasons. This may result in payment failure for expats.

Don’t Rely Entirely On Your Phone – Take Some Cash

It’s wise to always carry 200–300 CNY (approx. 28–42 USD) in cash, ideally small bills like 5, 10, 20 CNY. It will help a lot when you take a public bus, go shopping at cash-only small shops or visit remote attractions.

7. Respect Local Customs: Be a Considerate Traveler

As one of the largest countries in the world, the local customs in China vary greatly from region to region, especially in Xizang (Tibet), Yunnan or Sichuan Province, which might be completely different from those in your country.

To make sure you have a smooth trip, learn about the local traditions from the internet or your private guide before the trip. For instance, when you plan to take photos of the halls or monks during a visit to a temple, smile at the monk and ask for permission first.

In China, adding a simple phrase “Excuse me…” with a big smile before asking would bring you kindness everywhere.

Plan Your China Tour with China Xian Tour

Hope these practical tips can help expats plan their China tour. If you are puzzled about how to plan the itinerary and worry about encountering difficulties like language barriers or payment, it is recommended to join a tour.

Dedicated to inbound tourism for about 20 years, China Xian Tour is willing to customize a trip for you based on your interests. And our travel consultant will offer 24-hour support to ensure you will get immediate help at any time during the trip. Just contact us to start your perfect tour.

FAQs

Q1: What apps are recommended for expats in China?

• Payment: WeChat Pay, Alipay
• Translation: Baidu Translate, Google Translate, Microsoft Translator
• Navigation and transportation: Baidu Maps, AMap Global, Google Maps, Didi
• Ticket Booking: Trip.com, KLOOK / Meituan, 12306.com
• Hotel Booking: Trip.com, Booking.com, Agoda
• Food: Meituan, Dianping, Taobao Flash Shopping

 

Q2: How do expats navigate China without speaking Chinese?

Public transportation stations in major tourist cities provide bilingual signs and announcements. And most map apps offer an English interface or a dedicated version for international users. If you are afraid of getting lost, simply use the Didi app to call a taxi or online hailing car.