Travel Guides & Articles | Roam China Travel

China Long-Distance Bus Guide 2026: When to Take Buses, Booking & What to Expect

China's long-distance bus network for visitors — when buses make more sense than trains (rural areas, mountainous destinations not served by rail), how to buy tickets at bus stations, the difference between sleeper buses (卧铺) and regular coaches, the quality range, and specific routes where buses are the only option (to Huangshan, many Guizhou villages, Tibetan areas).

Updated May 2026

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Business Travel in China 2026: Visas, WeChat, Meetings & Corporate Culture

China business travel guide — the business visa (M visa) vs tourist visa for work travel, WeChat as the essential business tool (how to add contacts, share documents), business card etiquette (receive with both hands, study it, never write on it), banquet dining customs (toasting with baijiu, the host's role), and practical advice for first-time business visitors.

Updated May 2026

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accommodation

Camping & Outdoor Accommodation in China 2026: Yurts, Tents & Off-Grid Stays

Non-traditional accommodation in China — the yurt stays in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang's grasslands, camping at Qinghai Lake and Jiuzhaigou (which campsites are sanctioned vs illegal), glamping near Dunhuang's sand dunes, the rise of high-end 'forest camp' operators near popular hiking areas, and what to bring.

Updated May 2026

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transport

Renting a Car & Driving in China 2026: International Licence, GPS & What to Know

Driving in China as a foreign visitor — the reality of using an international driving licence (which countries' licences are recognised and which aren't), car hire (Shouqi and BAIC are the main foreigner-friendly agencies), GPS apps that work (Gaode Maps essential, not Google), traffic rules that differ from Western norms, and the specific provinces where self-driving is most practical vs impossible.

Updated May 2026

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Chinese Cooking Classes 2026: Best Courses in Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing & Yangshuo

Taking a Chinese cooking class — the best cooking schools in Shanghai (The Cooking School, Brenda's), Chengdu's Sichuan hotpot and cooking classes (half-day market tour + class at Tianfu Cuisine), Beijing's hutong cooking experiences, and Yangshuo's rural village cooking classes that include foraging. What you actually learn vs what's just Instagram staging.

Updated May 2026

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China Money & Budget Guide 2026: Daily Costs, Cash vs Mobile Payment & ATMs

How much does China cost in 2026 — realistic daily budgets for budget travel (¥200-350/day), mid-range (¥500-800/day), and comfortable travel (¥1200+/day). The mobile payment reality (cash is almost obsolete in cities), finding ATMs that accept foreign cards, currency exchange rates and best places to exchange, and which cities are most and least expensive.

Updated May 2026

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