ChinaHue
Tailor My Trip

ON THE GROUND

Arrive with a plan.
Travel with ease.

Find the everyday answers for payments, trains, taxis, hotels, meals, useful Mandarin and urgent help—without searching through one enormous guide.

What do I need now?

Mainland China · Last reviewed 11 September 2026

A CR400AF Fuxing high-speed train travelling through Guangnan in China
YOUR EVERYDAY GUIDEPay · Move · Eat · AskPhoto: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.

EXPLORE BY TOPIC

Practical answers for each day.

Money & paymentsTrains, metro & taxisHotels & your addressFood, water & allergiesLanguage & etiquetteHealth, safety & emergencies

QUICK START

What do you need right now?

Choose a moment for the three things that matter most.

FIRST HOUR

Connect, pay, then find your way to the hotel.

Keep your passport accessible and use the Chinese hotel address you saved before departure.
  1. Turn on your roaming or travel eSIM before leaving the terminal.
  2. Use an official taxi rank, ride-hailing app or arranged transfer.
  3. Let the hotel complete your accommodation registration at check-in.

THE ESSENTIALS

Know enough.
Enjoy more.

Open the answer you need for a payment, journey, check-in, meal or health question. Keep a backup for the important things.

Good to know1 min

EAT WELL

Food, water & allergies

Use camera translation for menus, carry a written allergy card and drink sealed bottled or properly boiled water.How to do it
  • WaterTap water is generally not considered safe to drink. Hotels commonly provide bottled water or a kettle for boiling it.
  • Dietary needsShow a precise Chinese-language card that names the ingredient and explains whether cross-contact is dangerous. Keep safe snacks for travel days.
  • At the tableShared dishes are common. Tipping is not usually expected in everyday restaurants or taxis; follow any gratuity guidance in your confirmed journey.
If this does not work

When the stakes are high, ask your guide or hotel to call the restaurant instead of relying only on machine translation.

Check current guidance · CDC China traveller guidance
Good to know1 min

EVERYDAY LIFE

Language & etiquette

Short, literal phrases and a little observation go a long way. Travel differences are easier when you prepare for them calmly.How to do it
  • Small courtesiesAsk before photographing people. Give and receive cards or gifts with both hands, and do not leave chopsticks standing upright in food.
  • Public spacesFollow local signs and queues, keep voices low at temples and memorials, and look both ways for quiet e-bikes even at a green light.
  • Practical comfortSquat toilets remain common away from larger hotels, malls and major attractions. Carry tissues and hand sanitiser.
If this does not work

When you are unsure, pause, smile and follow your guide or the people around you.

Check current guidance · Condé Nast Traveler first-visit guide
Keep handy2 min

STAY WELL

Health, safety & emergencies

Carry insurance details and essential medication, know the key phone numbers and contact your local support team early.How to do it
  • Before travelAsk a travel-health professional about vaccines at least a month ahead. Pack medicine in original packaging with a prescription or doctor’s letter.
  • Stay insuredChoose cover for treatment, evacuation and repatriation. Hospitals may ask for payment or a deposit before treatment.
  • Stay street-smartWatch belongings in crowds, decline unsolicited tea-house or bar invitations, avoid restricted photography and remember that drug laws are extremely strict.
If this does not work

Call 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for an ambulance or 12367 for 24/7 immigration help. English cannot be assumed everywhere.

Check current guidance · UK foreign travel advice for China
Vehicles travelling along a broad Beijing urban roadway beside Chinese road signs
THE FIRST 24 HOURSOne useful step at a time.Photo: zhang kaiyv · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.

A CALM ARRIVAL

From the airport
to your first meal.

  1. 01
    Land

    Keep your passport and arrival details easy to reach.

  2. 02
    Connect

    Activate data before you leave the terminal Wi-Fi.

  3. 03
    Pay

    Test a small mobile-wallet payment and keep cash ready.

  4. 04
    Check in

    Let the hotel register your stay and take an address card.

  5. 05
    Eat

    Use your allergy card and choose sealed or boiled water.

  6. 06
    Move

    Use local maps, save the route and allow time for security.

TAP TO COPY

Six phrases
worth keeping.

Show the large Chinese text to a driver, restaurant or hotel team. Pinyin is a pronunciation aid, not a perfect phonetic guide.

HELP, WITHOUT HUNTING

Keep these numbers close.

English cannot be assumed on every emergency line. Ask your hotel, guide or a nearby staff member to help interpret when possible.

Call ChinaHue support
Police110Fire119Ambulance120Traffic police122Immigration help12367
Lost passport?

Report it to the nearest police station, contact your embassy or consulate, then ask local immigration about replacement entry or exit documents.

ACCESS IS PERSONAL

Tell us what support makes travel work for you.

Step-free access, lifts, bathrooms, seating and sensory conditions vary by venue. We confirm the route—not just the label.

Share your needs

Reviewed, not frozen in time. Entry rules, app services and transport requirements can change. Open the official source inside each card before departure.

Editorial references & further reading
Lonely Planet · Getting connected in ChinaLonely Planet · Getting around ChinaAFAR · Current practical guide to visiting China
Scope: Mainland China · Last reviewed 11 September 2026