Is China actually easy to travel? It’s the question I hear most from clients considering it for the first time, and until recently the honest answer was “not especially”. A visa application, unfamiliar apps and a language barrier were enough to put many people off.
Much of what you need to know can be researched in advance, and that’s a big part of how I plan trips for clients. But some details only reveal themselves once you’re standing at a metro barrier or a restaurant table with a menu you can’t read. So I spent two and a half weeks travelling through Shanghai, Chongqing, Xi’an and Beijing to put that research to the test.
The short answer: yes, China is now far easier than its reputation suggests. It simply rewards preparation more than most destinations. Here’s what you need to know.
Visa-Free Entry Has Changed Everything
The single biggest barrier has gone. Since 17 February 2026, British citizens with ordinary passports can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. There’s no application, no consulate appointment and no fee. You simply complete a free online arrival card before you fly.
One important caveat for 2027 travel. The scheme currently runs until 31 December 2026, and no extension has been announced yet. It has been extended twice before, so there’s good reason for optimism, but it’s worth watching closely before you book.
I’ve covered the rules, the arrival card, how the 30 days are counted and the key date to watch in Do UK Travellers Need a Visa for China in 2027?
Where I Stayed: China Hotel Reviews
The standard of hospitality at the top end in China now stands comparison with anywhere in Asia. These are my full reviews from the trip, with more being added as they’re published.
- Shanghai: Capella Shanghai Review. Two Michelin Keys in a restored 1930s shikumen lane.
- Shanghai: Mandarin Oriental Shanghai Review (coming next)
- Xi’an: Sofitel Legend Xi’an Review (coming soon)
- Beijing: Four Seasons Beijing Review (coming soon)
Your Phone Is Your Passport to China
Bring an iPhone and use Apple Maps
Google Maps is not very useful in China, and it’s often inaccurate. I searched for shops and sights, saved them, then arrived to find nothing there. Apple Maps was far more reliable throughout the trip and it’s where I saved all my hidden gems when I was there travelling. Of course, there are alternatives for Android users.
Download Alipay and WeChat, but lean on Alipay
In theory, both apps work for foreign visitors. In practice, authenticating a foreign card can occasionally be a pain on either one, so it pays to have both set up before you fly. I only used WeChat once. Alipay became indispensable, not least because it has a translation function built in.
Scan every QR code with Alipay
Wherever you see a QR code, scan it with Alipay rather than your phone’s camera. Many restaurants have menus only in Chinese, and ordering can be a challenge. With Alipay, you can scan the table’s QR code, browse the menu with translation, and have your food delivered straight to your seat.
Paying Your Way
Carry more than one card
I travelled with a Wise card and a second card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Having a backup matters, because not every payment goes through first time.
Keep a little cash for smaller vendors
There were a couple of occasions when Alipay simply wouldn’t accept our international cards, and we paid in cash instead. This usually happens with smaller vendors, such as market stalls, street food sellers or taxi drivers, who collect payment through a personal QR code rather than a registered business one. Payments to personal codes are treated as transfers, and foreign cards linked to Alipay can’t be used for those. A modest amount of cash solves the problem neatly.
Getting Around by Metro and Train
Expect bag checks on the metro
Bags are scanned every time you enter a metro station. In some cities, staff also check water bottles at the entrance. Queues move quickly, so it’s more something to be aware of than a cause for concern.
Treat train stations like airports
China’s major train stations have airport-style security, and arriving two to three hours ahead made for a completely stress-free journey. Trip.com has a helpful guide to how the process works.
When it’s time to board, foreign passport holders should head to the gate agent rather than the automated gates, which often can’t read foreign passports.
Keep a PDF or printout of your ticket
Even at the manned gates, passport readers sometimes fail to read foreign passports. Having your ticket as a PDF or printout saves an awkward moment at the barrier.
Book trains in advance
Some routes run far more services than others, and popular departure times can sell out quickly. Securing your tickets early keeps your itinerary on track.
Everyday Essentials
Always carry your passport
Your passport is your ticket to trains and many attractions. You’ll also pass through security checkpoints in plenty of areas, particularly in Beijing around the Forbidden City.
Leave the power bank at home
If you do travel with a power bank, make sure it’s CCC certified. Realistically, though, you won’t need one. Power bank rental points are scattered all over China, so you can pick one up and drop it off almost anywhere.
So, Is China Easy to Travel?
Easier than ever, and far more rewarding than its reputation suggests. With visa-free entry, the hardest part of the journey now happens before you leave: setting up the right apps, cards and bookings. Get those right, and China opens up beautifully. Payments, rail, guiding and the sequencing of cities all reward getting it right first time, which is exactly where a well-planned itinerary earns its keep.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to China?
I’ve walked these cities, stayed in these hotels, and know which rooms to ask for. As a Fora advisor I hold preferred partner status with Four Seasons, Rosewood, Capella, Mandarin Oriental and others across Asia, so your stay is booked with partner benefits applied at no additional cost to you. Tell me your dates, and let me handle the details.
Prefer to book a hotel yourself? You can. Full trip coordination (routing, rail, guiding and transfers) is what I handle personally, and it’s where most of the value sits on a first China itinerary. But if you simply want a room in Shanghai, Xi’an or Beijing, my client portal lets you search the property, check live rates for your dates and book directly, with partner benefits applied. Not used it before? You can register on the same page in a couple of minutes, and there’s no fee either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is China easy to travel for first-time visitors? A: Yes, provided you prepare. Visa-free entry has removed the biggest hurdle for UK travellers, and with Alipay, Apple Maps and pre-booked trains set up before you go, getting around is straightforward.
Q: Do UK travellers need a visa for China in 2027? A: The visa-free scheme currently runs to 31 December 2026, and no extension into 2027 has been announced yet. See my China visa guide for the latest position and the date to watch.
Q: Does Google Maps work in China? A: Not reliably. Locations are often inaccurate. Apple Maps works far better.
Q: Can I use my UK card in China? A: Yes, by linking it to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Bring more than one card, and carry a little cash for small vendors using personal QR codes, which don’t accept foreign cards.
Q: How early should I arrive for a train in China? A: Stations have airport-style security, so allow two to three hours for a stress-free departure. Foreign passport holders should board via the gate agent rather than the automated gates.
Q: Do I need to carry my passport in China? A: Yes. You’ll need it for trains, many attractions and security checkpoints, particularly around the Forbidden City in Beijing.
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