Hi Michael,

Honestly, it’s one almost every first-time visitor asks after they arrive. To help you avoid the most common headaches, here are some mistakes travelers often make on their first trip to China, along with a few simple tips that can make your journey much easier.

1. Leaving attraction bookings until the last minute

One of the biggest surprises for visitors is that many popular attractions require advance booking. Places like Tiananmen Square and many museums often need reservations before you go.

Good news though: for international travelers, tickets to Forbidden City can often be purchased on-site using your passport, so you usually don’t need to reserve those in advance.

2. Arriving without setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay

China is extremely mobile-payment friendly. In many cities, even tiny street food stalls and local shops mainly accept QR code payments.

Cash is still legally accepted, but in practice paying with your phone is much easier. Before you arrive, it’s worth setting up:

• Alipay
• WeChat

If you do carry cash, bring small notes like ¥10 or ¥20 just in case.

3. Taking unofficial taxis from airports or train stations

At airports and railway stations you may be approached by drivers offering rides. It’s best to avoid these.

A safer and often cheaper option is using:

• DiDi
• Gaode Maps

Both are reliable and widely used.

4. Waiting too long to buy high-speed train tickets

China’s high-speed rail network is fantastic—but tickets can sell out fast, especially on weekends and public holidays.

If you already know your travel dates, booking 3–7 days ahead is a smart move. During holiday periods, even earlier is better.

5. Only saving your hotel name in English

This catches many travelers off guard.

Taxi drivers often won’t recognize the English hotel name, even if it’s a well-known international brand. Always save or screenshot your hotel address and name in Chinese characters before heading out.

For example, showing “Grand Hyatt Hangzhou” may cause confusion, while showing the Chinese version instantly works.

6. Not carrying your passport during the day

In China, your passport is used more often than in many countries.

You may need it for:

• entering major attractions
• boarding high-speed trains
• hotel check-in
• tax refund shopping
• ticket verification

It’s best to keep it with you whenever you’re out.

7. Forgetting tissues or toilet paper

A very practical tip: bring your own tissues or wet wipes.

Many public restrooms in China do not provide toilet paper, especially outside hotels, shopping malls, or newer tourist areas. Having a small pack in your day bag is incredibly useful.

8. Forgetting to arrange an eSIM before arriving

Getting connected as soon as you land makes everything easier—maps, translation, ride-hailing, payments, messaging.

Many travelers find an eSIM from Trip.com very convenient and easy to use. You can install it before departure and connect immediately after landing without buying a local SIM card.

9. Trying to download a VPN after arriving

If you use apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, or Google services regularly, download and set up your VPN before entering China.

Doing it after arrival can be difficult because some VPN websites and app downloads may not load properly once inside the country. Some people say ZoogVPN is good.

10. Downloading too many separate apps

A simple trick: you don’t need a separate DiDi app.

Many travelers find it easiest to use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat. It saves space on your phone and makes payment much easier since everything stays in one app.

China is an amazing place to travel—fast, modern, safe, and full of unforgettable experiences. Once you’re set up with payments, internet, and transportation, everything becomes much smoother.

Hope this helps, and wishing you an incredible first trip to China!

Ruqin from Ruqin China Travel.