https://chinatripcompass.com/ A free, in-depth English guide to travelling in China: visas, payments, trains, food, etiquette, itineraries and city guides written for first-time foreign visitors. en https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/things-to-do/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/things-to-do/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The essential Beijing sights with their Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and nearest metro station — so you can show a driver where you want to go. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/things-to-do/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/things-to-do/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Chengdu's essential sights with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and the metro serving each — pandas, Wuhou Shrine, Jinsha, teahouses and more. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/things-to-do/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/things-to-do/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The essential Shanghai sights with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and the metro station serving each — Bund, Yu Garden, Xintiandi, Zhujiajiao and more. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/things-to-do/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/things-to-do/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Xi'an's essential sights with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and the metro serving each — Terracotta Army, city walls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and more. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/restaurants/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/restaurants/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Ten long-established Beijing restaurants with their Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and nearest metro — Peking duck, lamb hotpot, shaomai and the rest. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/restaurants/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/restaurants/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Chengdu's surviving 老字号 with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and metro — mapo tofu at its birthplace, wontons, sweet dumplings and fuqi feipian. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/restaurants/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/restaurants/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Nine 老字号 Shanghai institutions with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and nearest metro — xiaolongbao, benbang cuisine, hairy crab and white-cut chicken. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/restaurants/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/restaurants/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Seven Xi'an 老字号 with Chinese names, addresses in Chinese characters and nearest metro — lamb paomo, hulutou, roujiamo, dumpling banquet and soup buns. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/nightlife/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/nightlife/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The five durable Beijing going-out districts with Chinese names, street boundaries and metro stops — Sanlitun, Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying and Fangjia Hutong. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/nightlife/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/nightlife/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Chengdu's evening districts with Chinese names, locations and metro — Jiuyanqiao bar street, Taikoo Li, Yulin, Kuanzhai Alleys and the teahouse alternative. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/nightlife/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/nightlife/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The five durable Shanghai going-out districts with Chinese names, street boundaries and metro stops — plus the tea-house scam that operates on Nanjing Road. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/nightlife/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/nightlife/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Xi'an's five evening districts with Chinese names, addresses and metro — Muslim Quarter, Defu Lane, Yongxingfang, Datang Everbright City and Tang Paradise. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/massage-and-spa/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/chengdu/massage-and-spa/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT What the massage signage means, how blind masseurs are licensed, and an honest account of 采耳 ear cleaning — the tradition, the session and the infection risk. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/massage-and-spa/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/beijing/massage-and-spa/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT What 按摩, 足疗 and 盲人按摩 signage means, how to tell a real massage parlour from a front, and what a session actually involves. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/massage-and-spa/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/shanghai/massage-and-spa/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT What the massage signage means, how Shanghai licenses blind masseurs, how to tell a genuine parlour from a front, and what a session involves. https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/massage-and-spa/ https://chinatripcompass.com/destinations/xian/massage-and-spa/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT What the massage signage means, how blind masseurs are licensed nationally, how to spot a front, and what a foot or tuina session involves in Xi'an. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-you-use-uber-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-you-use-uber-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Uber does not operate in mainland China. DiDi is the replacement, it has a full English interface, and here is how to set it up before you fly. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-tap-water-safe-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-tap-water-safe-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in mainland China. Here is what locals actually drink, why boiling-water dispensers are everywhere, and whether ice is safe. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-i-need-a-vpn-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-i-need-a-vpn-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Whether you need a VPN in China depends entirely on which SIM card you use. A foreign roaming SIM usually reaches the open internet; a Chinese SIM does not. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-use-my-credit-card-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-use-my-credit-card-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Foreign credit cards work only in international hotels, airports and upmarket restaurants in China. The practical answer is linking your card inside Alipay. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-china-safe-for-tourists/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-china-safe-for-tourists/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT China has very low violent crime against visitors and cities are safe to walk at night. The real risks are traffic, a handful of scams, air quality and altitude. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-you-tip-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-you-tip-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Tipping is not customary in Chinese restaurants, taxis or cafés and can cause confusion. The exceptions are private guides and drivers. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-english-spoken-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-english-spoken-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT English is limited to hotels, major sights and younger people in Beijing and Shanghai. Here is what actually closes the gap for a traveller. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-bring-a-power-bank-to-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-bring-a-power-bank-to-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Power banks are allowed in hand luggage in China, but Chinese domestic flights require a valid CCC certification mark — foreign units often lack it. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-i-need-to-register-with-police-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/do-i-need-to-register-with-police-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Every foreign visitor must be registered with local police within 24 hours. Hotels do it automatically; private accommodation makes it your responsibility. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/how-early-should-i-arrive-at-a-chinese-train-station/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/how-early-should-i-arrive-at-a-chinese-train-station/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Allow 40 minutes at a Chinese railway station. Security screening, airport-scale buildings and gates that close five minutes early make it necessary. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-airbnb-available-in-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/is-airbnb-available-in-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Airbnb shut its domestic mainland China listings in 2022. Here is what replaced it and why the police registration rule makes hotels simpler. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/what-plug-adapter-do-i-need-for-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/what-plug-adapter-do-i-need-for-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT China uses 220 V with socket types A, C and I. Most sockets accept US flat and Australian plugs directly — only UK plugs need an adapter. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/how-much-cash-should-i-bring-to-china/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/how-much-cash-should-i-bring-to-china/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Bring ¥500–1,000 in cash as a backup. China runs on QR payments, so cash is insurance rather than your main method — here is when you will actually need it. https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-book-chinese-train-tickets-in-advance/ https://chinatripcompass.com/answers/can-i-book-chinese-train-tickets-in-advance/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Yes, through the official 12306 app which has an English mode and accepts foreign passports. The pre-sale window has moved several times — check before planning.