practical
All travel guides tagged with "practical".
32 articles — page 3 of 6
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toolkitChina Safety & Health Guide 2026: Drinking Water, Air Quality, Medical Care & Common Issues
Health and safety in China — tap water is not drinkable anywhere in China (always boiled or filtered), the air quality index and when to stay indoors in Beijing and northern cities, food safety and what risks are real vs overstated, finding a doctor (international clinics in major cities, WeChat Doctor app), emergency numbers (120 for ambulance, 110 for police), and travel insurance.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitChina SIM Cards & eSIM Guide 2026: Which to Buy & Mobile Data Options for Foreigners
Mobile data in China for foreign visitors — buying a local SIM on arrival (China Unicom 'Tourist SIM' at major airports, ¥100-200 for 30 days), using an international roaming SIM (expensive but setup-free), Hong Kong SIM cards that work in mainland China, eSIM options for 2026, and the relationship between your SIM and Alipay/WeChat (they need separate verification).
Updated May 2026
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transportTaking Taxis in China 2026: Which App to Use, Avoiding Overcharges & Language Tips
Taxis and ride-hailing in China for foreign visitors — DiDi vs Shouqi vs Gaode taxi (each app's advantages), why street taxis in tourist areas often refuse foreigners, the meter vs app comparison, screen-translating your destination, typical prices per km, and how to deal with disputes over route or price.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitTipping in China 2026: Where to Tip, Where Not to & Service Culture Explained
Tipping culture in China — the short answer (China doesn't have a tipping culture and tipping can sometimes be refused or cause embarrassment), where it's expected or appreciated (Western-style restaurants, tour guides, massage therapists, hotel porters), and how service culture in China works differently to the West (service is included, not contingent on tips).
Updated May 2026
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China Tourist Scams Guide 2026: How to Spot & Avoid Every Common Con
The complete guide to China's most common tourist scams — the Tea House Scam (most common in Beijing and Shanghai), the Art Student scam, fake monks, taxi overcharges, fake currency, counterfeit goods tricks, and simple rules that prevent 99% of scam situations.
Updated May 2026
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toolkitChina Travel Mistakes to Avoid 2026: What First-Timers Get Wrong
The 15 most common China travel mistakes — not setting up mobile payment before arriving (everything requires Alipay or WeChat Pay), not booking train tickets early enough for Golden Week, underestimating distances (Beijing to Xi'an is a 5-hour train, not a short hop), not downloading offline maps (internet is unreliable in many scenic areas), forgetting that passport registration is required at check-in at every hotel.
Updated May 2026
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