Know the rules on internet, payments and the law before you go — travel safely and smoothly.
Things to Know
Know the rules on internet, payments and the law before you go — travel safely and smoothly.
Must-Read Before You Go
Internet & Comms3
ImportantVPN Required
Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and more are not directly accessible in mainland China. Install a VPN before you arrive.
AlternativeGoogle Services Blocked
Google Maps / Translate / Gmail are blocked — use AMap, Baidu Maps and translator apps instead.
TipFree WiFi
Free WiFi is common in hotels, malls and metro stations, but some networks require phone-number verification to connect.
Payment3
Most ImportantMobile Payment Everywhere
Almost everyone in China pays by scanning QR codes with WeChat / Alipay — from malls to street stalls, no wallet needed.
Carry SomeCash Works but Change Is Hard
RMB cash still works, but some small shops keep no change or refuse large bills, so carry small notes.
NoteForeign Cards at ATMs
Foreign cards work at Chinese ATMs — the UnionPay route usually gives better rates than cash exchange; use Bank of China, ICBC or CCB machines, and link mobile payment with some cash as backup.
Daily habits3
| No Tipping |
No tipping is expected at restaurants or hotels — service is already included in the bill.
✅ No tipping · 🍽️ Service included in bill
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|---|---|
| Public Toilets |
Some public toilets don't provide tissue and are mostly squat toilets — carry your own tissue.
🧻 Bring tissues · 🚻 Squat toilets common
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| No Smoking Indoors |
Smoking is banned in all indoor public places (restaurants/metro/malls) with fines; smoke only in designated areas.
🚭 No indoor smoking · 💰 Fines for violations
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Etiquette5
| How to Greet |
Chinese people greet with a nod and a smile — no hugs or cheek kisses; handshakes are for formal occasions.
🙂 Nod and smile · 🤝 Handshakes in formal settings
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| Dining Taboos |
Never stand chopsticks upright in your rice (it resembles a funeral ritual) — it's considered unlucky; don't point with chopsticks either.
🥢 Don't stand chopsticks in rice · 🚫 Don't point at people
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| Gift Taboos |
Avoid gifts with unlucky homophones such as clocks (送终), umbrellas (散) and pears (离); fruit or tea are safe choices.
🎁 Fruit/tea are safe · ⚠️ Avoid clocks, umbrellas, pears
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| Temple Etiquette |
Remove your shoes and hat when entering a Buddha hall, don't point at statues, and photography is usually banned inside — walk clockwise around pagodas, stay quiet, and dress modestly at some temples.
🛕 Remove shoes · 🙏 Don't point at statues
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| Photography Rules |
No photos in military zones, some museums or temple halls; ask politely before photographing locals.
📷 No photos in military/museums · 🙋 Ask before photographing people
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Security3
Different from AbroadMetro Security
Every metro station in China has security checks: bags go through X-ray and you walk through a metal detector. Abroad this is usually only at airports — here it's at every station entrance.
NoteTrain Security
Entry to high-speed and regular train stations requires security screening: liquids may be tasted, power banks have capacity limits and aerosols are restricted.
StricterStricter Airport Security
Chinese airport security is thorough: electronics must be removed, coat/belt checks are common, and liquid rules match international standards but are enforced more strictly.
Transport3
RecommendedWorld-Class High-Speed Rail
China's high-speed rail runs at 350 km/h with high punctuality — the best way between cities, often more convenient than flying (downtown to downtown).
NoteTaxi Hailing via Apps
It's hard to hail a taxi on the street — use DiDi or AMap; foreign numbers can register for the international version of DiDi.
ConvenientBike Sharing Everywhere
Bike sharing is everywhere — scan with WeChat/Alipay to ride for a few yuan; perfect for short trips.
Daily life4
Must-PackVoltage & Plugs
China uses 220V with Type A/C sockets (two/three flat pins). US two-pin plugs work; European/UK plugs need an adapter.
TipOne Time Zone Nationwide
All of China is on Beijing Time (GMT+8) with no daylight saving; travelers from other time zones should plan for jet lag.
HealthDon't Drink Tap Water
Tap water is not safe to drink directly — boil it or buy bottled water (¥2–3 at convenience stores).
Metric System
China uses the metric system (km/kg/°C), unlike the US (miles/pounds/°F) but consistent with Europe.
Laws & Safety3
| Real-Name Registration |
Train tickets, hotels and scenic areas all require real-name registration with your passport — carry it at all times.
🛂 Carry your passport · 🎫 Tickets require real names
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|---|---|
| Drive on the Right |
Traffic drives on the right (opposite to the UK/Japan etc.) — look left for oncoming traffic when crossing.
🚗 Drive on the right · 🚶 Look left when crossing
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| Emergency |
Different from the West: 110 police / 120 ambulance / 119 fire, with 24-hour Chinese-language service.
👮 110 · 🚑 120 · 🚒 119
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| Drones Must Be Registered |
Drones (250g+) must be registered with real-name ID on the CAAC UOM system; airports, scenic areas and military zones have many no-fly zones — check maps (DJI Fly) before takeoff; violations bring heavy fines or even detention.
🛸 Register drones · 🚫 Many no-fly zones
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| Zero Tolerance on Drugs |
China has zero tolerance for drugs: possessing or using any drug (including cannabis and cocaine) is a serious crime, punishable by up to the death penalty. Medical marijuana is illegal too.
🚫 Zero tolerance · ⚖️ Up to the death penalty
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Delivery & shops4
| How to order on delivery apps | Meituan and Ele.me deliver in most cities — add a payment method first and use your hotel front desk or room number as the address; note delivery usually can't reach inside scenic areas. |
|---|---|
| Can you bind an international card? | Some Visa/Mastercard cards work with Meituan and Ele.me, but support varies by bank; a safer route is having a local friend pay or linking your card through Alipay. |
| Online shopping & courier | Taobao and JD require a verified account and a domestic address; shipping to a hotel front desk works, but mind delivery times and pick-up notices — returns are complicated. |
| Pickup & QR ordering | Many bubble-tea and fast-food shops offer pickup; QR ordering needs WeChat or Alipay, while some shops still take cash — confirm before you sit down. |