The guide desk

Clear answers.
Less travel friction.

We publish focused guides in small, useful clusters. Every changing rule carries an update date.

01Before you go

Check your entry documents, first-night address, mobile data, payments, transport, medicine, and offline backups before you fly.

02Before you go

Set up four core apps for payment, messaging, maps, and bookings, then add metro, train, taxi, and translation tools only when needed.

03Before you go

Set up Alipay and WeChat, bring the right backups, and know where foreign cards and cash fit before your first trip to China.

04Getting around

Plan the route, open a local Alipay transit code or buy a ticket, pass security, transfer in the right direction, and exit with confidence.

05Before you go

Choose a data plan for China without losing the home number you need for bank and app verification texts.

06Before you go

A fast fallback order for Alipay, WeChat, card, QR-code, verification, network, fee, and refund problems in China.

07Before you go

What these familiar payment tools can actually do in China, what depends on phased partnerships, and why none should be your only option.

08Before you go

A concise pre-trip setup guide for linking international cards, using merchant QR codes, and understanding which wallet features may be restricted.

09Before you go

Shop for Chinese brands, museum gifts, tea, crafts, electronics, and luxury goods while checking authenticity, warranties, customs, and tax refunds.

10Getting around

Research and Chinese editorial review are in progress.

11Before you go

Research and Chinese editorial review are in progress.