10 things I’m genuinely glad I knew before visiting China for the first time

Before my first trip, China felt overwhelming on paper. Too many apps, different rules for the internet, unfamiliar payment systems, and a language I couldn’t read at all. It sounded hard.

Once I arrived, the reality was different. China is intense, yes, but it is also safe, practical, and surprisingly easy to move through once you understand a few basics. These are the things that actually made a difference for me, not the generic advice.

1. Set up mobile payment before you land

China technically still uses cash, but in daily life it often feels like an afterthought. I could pay with cash in some places, but it regularly slowed things down. Staff often couldn’t make change, and I felt like I was doing something unusual.

Alipay and WeChat Pay are how everything works. Food, metro tickets, coffee, small shops, even street stalls. Once I had mobile payment set up, daily life became frictionless.

You can link foreign Visa or Mastercard cards now, but do it before you leave. Setting it up in China without full internet access is possible, but annoying. This is the single thing that made the biggest difference to how smooth the trip felt.

2. An eSIM is easier than fighting with VPNs

I worried way too much about VPNs before going. In reality, they were the least reliable part of my setup.

Using an international eSIM with roaming access worked far better. Most of these route traffic outside China, so Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and maps worked without needing a VPN at all. It was faster, more stable, and one less thing to debug when I was tired and jet-lagged.

If you want the simplest setup, eSIM first, VPN second.

3. Don’t pack your days too tightly

China is big in a way that doesn’t always show on a map. Even within one city, you spend a lot of time moving between places. Metro stations are huge, exits matter, and crowds slow everything down.

On my best days, I planned one main thing and maybe one smaller thing. On my worst days, I tried to do too much and ended up tired and rushed.

You don’t get extra points for seeing everything. China is more enjoyable when you leave space to breathe.

4. You don’t need to speak Chinese to get around

Most people don’t speak English. That part is true. What’s also true is that it rarely blocks you.

Translation apps work well enough. Menus are often digital. Signs in tourist areas usually have English. And people are patient when you’re clearly trying.

I learned a few basics like hello, thank you, and sorry. Mostly for politeness. Pointing, smiling, and showing my phone solved almost everything else.

5. People will notice you, and it’s usually friendly

Especially outside Shanghai and Beijing, being a foreigner makes you visible. People look. Sometimes they smile. Occasionally someone asks for a photo.

This felt strange at first, but it was almost always curiosity, not hostility. I found people surprisingly warm once I stopped overthinking it. A relaxed attitude goes a long way here.

6. Trains are the easiest way to travel

China’s high-speed trains are excellent. Clean, fast, affordable, and far less stressful than flying.

I booked most tickets through Trip.com because it’s in English and works smoothly with foreign cards. The official 12306 app also works, but it takes a bit more patience to get used to.

Arrive early, expect security checks, and don’t underestimate station size. Once you’re on the train, everything just works. For most routes, trains beat planes.

7. The right apps matter more than you think

China runs on apps. Having the right ones installed makes daily life much easier.

At minimum, I’d have:

• One payment app (Alipay or WeChat)
• A map app that works locally
• A translation app with offline support

Downloading maps and languages ahead of time helped a lot, especially in places with weaker signal or underground metro stations.

8. Ordering food is mostly done by QR code now

This surprised me at first. In many restaurants, there is no traditional ordering process. You sit down, scan a QR code on the table, and order inside Alipay or WeChat.

Both apps translate menus reasonably well, and most menus have photos. After a couple of meals, this system started to feel easier than waving at a waiter.

If you get stuck, staff will help. They are used to tourists seeing this for the first time.

9. Keep your passport with you during the day

You’ll need your passport more often than in many other countries. Hotels require it. Train stations use it for tickets. Attractions sometimes ask for it.

In places like Beijing, I was also occasionally stopped by police for routine checks. It was calm, quick, and professional. Having my passport on me made it a non-issue.

Leave it in your bag, not in the hotel safe.

10. Try not to stress too much

China has a reputation for being difficult. In practice, once you’re there, things tend to work out.

Public transport is reliable. People help when you look lost. Systems are efficient, even if they look confusing at first.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. If you have internet, mobile payment, and a loose plan, you’ll be fine. China rewards curiosity more than perfection.