Travel in China

Twenty thousand karst peaks rising from emerald rice paddies. A cliff palace glowing over a neon river. Mountains that inspired three thousand years of painting. China is not one destination but a continent of them. Here you will find the places worth crossing the world for — and the practical knowledge to actually get there.

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China receives tens of millions of international visitors each year, and its scale — geographic, linguistic and digital — can overwhelm first-time visitors. This section brings together the places themselves, practical guides that make a trip smoother, and timely specials such as our APEC China 2026 coverage.

Three Ways In

行前必读
The Li River winding between karst peaks near Guilin Destinations
景点Popular Attractions
Mountains · Rivers · Cities · Ancient Towns

In-depth guides to China's most extraordinary destinations — Guilin's karst poetry, Huangshan's sea of clouds, Zhangjiajie's floating pillars, the water towns of Jiangnan, and the neon drama of Chongqing and Shanghai.
A passport, boarding pass, and Chinese high-speed rail ticket on a travel desk Practical Guides
攻略Travel Guides
Visa · Payments · Transport · Tips

Everything a foreign visitor needs to know before and during a trip to China — the 144-hour visa-free policy explained, how to pay for things, how to get around, and the practical tips that save you hours of confusion.
Conference room prepared for Asia-Pacific economic meetings 2026 Special
亚太APEC China 2026
Dalian · Shenzhen · Full-Year Calendar

Understand the 21-economy forum and China's host year, with dedicated guides to Dalian's August SOM3 cluster, Shenzhen's November leaders' meeting, and attractions in both cities.

Before You Go: The Essentials

出行须知

Visa-free transit: Citizens of 54 countries can stay in designated Chinese cities for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa, provided they hold an onward ticket to a third country. This is the single most important policy for short-term visitors. Read the full guide →

Payments: China is overwhelmingly cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay now support international credit cards, but setup is required before you arrive. Cash is accepted but increasingly inconvenient. Read the full guide →

Getting around: China's high-speed rail network is the world's largest and connects virtually every major city. Domestic flights are cheap. Ride-hailing apps work in every city. Read the full guide →

Connectivity: Google services are blocked in mainland China. You will need a local SIM or eSIM, and either a VPN or alternative apps for navigation and translation. Read the full guide →

FAQ · Frequently Asked Questions
I'm planning my first trip to China. Where should I start?
Choose Popular Attractions for destination guides, Travel Guides for visas, payments and transport, or the APEC China 2026 special for the Dalian and Shenzhen meetings and linked host-city travel guides.
Can I visit China without applying for a visa?
Citizens of 54 countries can stay in designated Chinese cities for up to 144 hours, or 6 days, without a visa, as long as they hold an onward ticket to a third country.
Will my phone and usual apps work in China?
Google services are blocked in mainland China, so you will need a local SIM or eSIM and either a VPN or alternative apps for navigation and translation.
Can I rely on cash in China?
China is overwhelmingly cashless. Alipay and WeChat Pay now support international credit cards but must be set up before you arrive, and cash is accepted yet increasingly inconvenient.