China is one of the world’s most fascinating—and frequently misunderstood—countries. Stretching more than 3,000 miles—from the frostbitten ice festivals of Harbin in the north to the breezy, coconut-fringed beaches of Hainan in the south—the nation encompasses snow-capped Himalayan ridges, vast deserts, subtropical jungles dripping with monsoon rain, limestone peaks, and rice terraces that ripple across entire mountainsides.
Layered over this are a network of megacities whose populations outstrip those of many European nations, with the country’s 1.5 billion population forming a patchwork of 56 recognized ethnic groups, dozens of languages and dialects, and food traditions so varied that the catch-all “Chinese cuisine” barely grazes the surface. Visiting can be a thrilling and bewildering experience. The scale is overwhelming (one time zone spans five natural ones), the pace of change dizzying (high-speed trains now cover 30,000 miles of track), and the culture not always so easy to decode.
From navigating a near-cashless society with its own ecosystem of apps and boarding bullet trains, to understanding why noodles (but not dim sum) make a perfectly normal breakfast, here are all the unwritten rules to keep in mind when visiting China.
Google, Facebook and WhatsApp won’t work
Nicknamed the ‘Great Firewall’, China’s internet restrictions block access to a swathe of foreign websites and platforms, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube and WhatsApp—even on hotel Wi-Fi. Although not officially permitted, many travelers download VPNs before traveling. It’s also well worth installing the Chinese alternatives, which are all usefully available in English: Amap Global for navigation, WeChat for messaging and payments, and DiDi for ride hailing.
Trains beat planes
China’s high-speed rail network spans over 30,000 miles of track, connecting most major cities with trains that cruise at up to 215 miles per hour—Beijing to Shanghai will take you around five hours on the fastest service, compared to a two-hour flight. Book tickets up to 15 days ahead using English-language services like Trip.com, and remember to bring along your passport: it’s required for both purchase and boarding. Trains come in classes, from well-priced second class (RMB673 or $95 from Beijing to Shanghai) to first class (RMB1,076 or $151) and business class with lie-flat beds (RMB2,350 or $330). Stations can be enormous, so leave plenty of time before departure.
Download WeChat before you land
China runs on WeChat: More than 1.3 billion people use it each month to chat, and around 935 million rely on its in-built payment feature that’s almost universally accepted everywhere from luxury fashion boutiques to backstreet noodle vendors. To register, you’ll need to ask someone who has their own account to scan your QR code (hotels can help with this on arrival), or register a passport and payment method—foreign bank cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and JCB are all accepted.
