practical
All travel guides tagged with "practical".
44 articles — page 4 of 8
All destinationstoolkit
China 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
Read →transport
Taking 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
Read →toolkit
Tipping 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
Read →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
Read →China 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
Read →toolkit
Bringing Pets to China 2026: Import Rules, Pet-Friendly Hotels & Dog-Friendly Travel
Travelling with pets to China — the import requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination at least 30 days before, specific health certificate formats that vary by nationality and are notoriously complex), quarantine possibilities, pet-friendly accommodation in major cities (surprisingly common), and the reality of flying with a dog or cat in cabin on Chinese domestic flights.
Updated May 2026
Read →