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Genuine question for the people already here: what is the one thing you wish someone had told you before your first trip to China?
I will compile the answers into a guide and credit everyone who chips in.
Mine: that the hardest part of the whole trip is the first hour after landing — and that almost all of it is preventable.
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“You cannot use foreign cards in China.”
This was true. It is not anymore. Alipay and WeChat Pay both take international cards now, and you can set them up in about ten minutes before you fly.
What people still get wrong: assuming you will never need cash. You will, occasionally — small shops, some temples, the odd taxi. Carry a few hundred…
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First-timers: which city are you starting with?
- Beijing — the obvious one, and obviously worth it
- Shanghai — easiest landing, most familiar
- Chengdu — pandas and food
- Somewhere else entirely — tell me below
I will go first: Shanghai, because it is the gentlest introduction to the country. Ten days, land in Shanghai, train to Beijing, fly…
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Reminder for anyone flying to China soon: sort your eSIM out before you board.
The SIM queue at Beijing Capital was 40+ minutes when I last went through, and the airport counters close overnight. An eSIM activates the moment you land.
Also worth knowing: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and X are all blocked on Chinese networks. Some travel…
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I am the person behind iTravelChina. I started this because every guide I found about China was written for people who had already been.
So this site is the opposite: a place to ask the dumb questions. Do I need a visa? Can I pay with my card? Will my phone even work? All fair game.
I will be posting practical stuff here most days, and…
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What are you most worried about?
Visa? Money? Language? Getting online? Safety? Something else entirely?
Say it below. Someone here has almost certainly dealt with it already.
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Post your itinerary, get it torn apart.
Put your rough plan in the replies and we will tell you what will not work.
The most common problem by far: too many cities, not enough days. China trains are excellent, but they still eat half a day each time you move.
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Welcome to First Trip to China.
This group is for people planning their first trip, and for people who have already been and want to help. The only rule: no question is too basic.
Introduce yourself below – where you are from, when you are thinking of going, and what you are least sure about.
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Welcome to Yunnan,China
2026 Yunnan Dianchao Football Tournament Finals, Great Unity of Ethnic Groups. Welcome to Yunnan, China, and experience the diverse ethnic cultures.
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