WaytoChina

Context before the checklist

Understand more before you arrive.

Use practical guides to remove uncertainty, then leave room for the history, food, craft and everyday life that make a real journey worth taking.

Explore by topicAllChina Travel TipsChina Travel NewsPayment & AppsTransportationVisa & EntryThings To Do

6 guides found

Selected topic

Start with the questions that make a trip clearer.

Good preparation should reduce friction without scripting every moment. Read what you need, then keep some attention free for the life around you.

An international traveler preparing a smartphone before a trip to China

Payment & Apps

How to Set Up Alipay Before Arriving in China

A pre-arrival Alipay setup checklist for international travelers, with card-linking decisions, honest test limits and payment fallbacks for the first day in China.

10 min readUpdated August 2026

Latest guides

Arrive ready to notice more.

Visitors crossing a Forbidden City courtyard toward the Meridian Gate

Payment & Apps

How to Book Forbidden City and Major Chinese Attraction Tickets via WeChat Mini-Programs

Major Chinese attractions like the Forbidden City no longer sell tickets at the gate. Learn how to navigate WeChat Mini-Programs, manage real-name registration, and secure your entry before they sell out.

7 min readUpdated June 2026
Traveler using a smartphone while navigating a busy Chinese city street

Payment & Apps

Essential WeChat Mini-Programs for Travelers in China: The Ultimate Guide to the "App-less" Journey

In China, you don't need a dozen standalone apps; you just need WeChat. Discover the essential mini-programs for taxis, trains, and dining that every tourist needs to navigate the country like a local.

7 min readUpdated June 2026
Traveler making a contactless mobile payment at a small shop in China

Payment & Apps

Digital RMB (e-CNY) for Tourists: Is it Worth It?

Is the Digital RMB app worth downloading for your China trip? Learn how the e-CNY works for foreigners, how to set it up with an international card, and why it serves as the perfect 'Plan C' backup to Alipay and WeChat Pay.

7 min readUpdated June 2026
International traveler checking in at a contemporary hotel reception in China

Payment & Apps

China Hotel Booking Guide: Why Trip.com Beats Booking.com for International Travelers

Booking a hotel in China involves more than just price comparison. From 'foreigner-licensed' properties to local payment integration, learn why Trip.com is the essential tool for a smooth stay.

6 min readUpdated June 2026
Dianping for Foreigners: How to Find China's Best Hidden Restaurants

Payment & Apps

Dianping for Foreigners: How to Find China's Best Hidden Restaurants

Master Dianping, China's ultimate food app. Learn how to register with a foreign number, decode the 'Must-Eat' list, and find authentic local gems even without knowing Chinese.

6 min readUpdated June 2026

From reading to going

Bring us the questions your research did not answer.

Plan My China Trip

A calm place to start

Tell us what would make China easier.

Share the questions, places or everyday experiences on your mind. Our team will review the details and respond by email.

Do not send passport scans, full document numbers, full card numbers, card security codes, passwords, or SMS verification codes.

No payment and no booking commitment. See how inquiry data is handled in our Privacy Notice.