How Things Work in China
Everything Tourists Need to Know
Tipping is not customary in China and may confuse or even embarrass staff.
Updated 2025-06
China has a world-class high-speed rail network and extensive city metros — use the 12306.cn app or Trip.com to book trains.
Updated 2025-06
Major cities have good hospitals, but use international or foreigner-friendly clinics to avoid severe language barriers.
Updated 2025-06
Respect China's strict laws: drug offenses carry the death penalty, criticizing the government is illegal, and the Great Firewall blocks most Western apps — use a VPN.
Updated 2025-06
Dial 110 for police, 120 for an ambulance, and 119 for fire.
Updated 2025-06
China has no strict national dress code, but wear modest, covered clothing when visiting Buddhist or Taoist temples.
Updated 2025-06
The legal drinking age is 18 and alcohol is widely and freely available with no significant restrictions.
Updated 2025-06
Bargaining is expected at markets and tourist shops but is completely inappropriate in malls, supermarkets, or restaurants.
Updated 2025-06
Most tourist sites allow photography, but photographing military installations, airports (outside designated zones), government buildings, and police operations is strictly prohibited.
Updated 2025-06
China is commercially open 7 days a week, but government offices are closed on weekends and Golden Week holidays cause massive nationwide disruption.
Updated 2025-06
Use the Didi app for rideshare — it is reliable, metered, and has an English interface; street taxis work but communicating your destination without Chinese is difficult.
Updated 2025-06
Never drink tap water in China — always drink bottled or boiled water.
Updated 2025-06
Use Bank of China, ICBC, or HSBC ATMs for the most reliable foreign card access — cash is still necessary for markets and small vendors.
Updated 2025-06
Buy a local SIM at the airport from China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom — but install and configure your VPN before you land, as local SIMs are subject to the Great Firewall.
Updated 2025-06
China uses 220V/50Hz with Type A (two flat pins) and Type I (two angled flat pins) sockets — most travelers need an adapter.
Updated 2025-06
The most common tourist scams are the tea ceremony trick, the art student hustle, and taxi overcharging — stay alert near major tourist sites.
Updated 2025-06
China is very safe by international standards — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, but stay alert to scams and petty theft in crowded tourist areas.
Updated 2025-06
Show respect through food customs and gift-giving rules: never stick chopsticks upright in rice and present business cards with both hands.
Updated 2025-06
Mandarin is the official language; English is very limited outside international hotels — download Google Translate offline before you arrive.
Updated 2025-06
Hainan Island (Sanya) is China's premier beach destination, but prepare for very crowded conditions during Chinese public holidays.
Updated 2025-06
Foreign driving licenses are not valid in China and tourist car rental is nearly impossible — use Didi or hire a driver instead.
Updated 2025-06
Chinese food has enormous regional diversity — point at photo menus or neighboring tables' dishes, and street food is excellent value but choose busy stalls.
Updated 2025-06
Remove shoes and hats before entering Buddhist temples, dress modestly at mosques, and always observe silence during active worship.
Updated 2025-06
China's vast size means no single best time, but spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are optimal for Beijing and most of eastern China.
Updated 2025-06
Eat street food and local canteens, book overnight trains to save on accommodation, and negotiate hard at markets to stretch your budget dramatically.
Updated 2025-06