These guides are written for independent travelers from visa-eligible countries, with a focus on the 144-hour visa-free transit policy that now covers most major Chinese cities. Whether you have six days between flights or are planning a longer stay, the practical knowledge here will save you time, money, and the particular frustration of standing in a Chinese train station unable to read a single sign.
The Four Essential Guides
四大攻略
Start Here
The complete guide to China's visa-free transit policy: who qualifies, which cities are covered, how the 144-hour clock works, what counts as an "onward ticket," and the mistakes that get travelers turned away at immigration.
Money
How to pay for things in a nearly cashless society: setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card, where cash still works, ATM access, tipping culture, and avoiding the "sorry, no cash" dead end.
Getting Around
Navigating China's transport network: booking high-speed trains, riding the metro, using ride-hailing apps, domestic flights, and the unspoken rules of Chinese transit that no one tells you.
8 Focused Guides
A directory of eight focused guides covering the practical knowledge that makes or breaks a trip: internet access and VPNs, language survival, personal safety, cultural etiquette, the best times to visit, health and daily life, must-have apps, and a pre-departure checklist.