Survival Guide
Everything you need to know to survive and thrive in China as a foreigner.
Booking fallback
Book a China-ready hotel, train or backup eSIM
Accommodation and intercity transport are where China trips often break. Use Trip.com to confirm foreign-passport hotels and keep rail, flight, airport transfer and eSIM booking in one English fallback.
Find foreign-passport hotelsBook China trains with passportReserve China airport transferBook China attraction tickets
Foreign-passport hotel check-in blocker
Hotel check-in procedures can vary by property. Check the property's passport procedure before you book, then save the reply, Chinese address and reservation details for arrival.
Read the foreign-passport hotel guideChina first trip booking planGetting Around Cities
- •Didi is China's Uber — works in English, accepts foreign cards
- •Metro/subway is the fastest way in big cities — buy tickets at English kiosks or use Alipay QR
- •Taxis are cheap but drivers rarely speak English — show hotel address in Chinese
- •Buses are cheap but confusing for tourists — no English announcements
- •Shared bikes (Meituan Bike, Hello Bike) are everywhere — scan QR to use
Inter-City Travel
- •High-speed trains are incredible — book via Trip.com or 12306 with passport
- •Bullet trains reach 350km/h — Shanghai to Beijing in 4.5 hours
- •Save your ticket — you need it to scan to exit the station
- •Domestic flights are cheap and frequent — use Trip.com English version
- •Long-distance buses exist but are not recommended for tourists
Navigation
- •Google Maps does NOT work — use Amap or Baidu Maps
- •Amap has an English interface — essential for getting around
- •Offline maps are critical — download before arriving
- •Addresses in China are confusing — use landmarks and screenshots
📋 Quick Reference
Emergency
Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119
Key Phrases
Hello: ni hao
Thank you: xie xie
How much?: duo shao qian
Help!: jiu ming
Useful Numbers
China Mobile: 10086
China Unicom: 10010
Tourist Hotline: 12301
Embassy: look up yours