China

China's vast size means smart transport choices make all the difference. High-speed trains are the backbone—book via apps like Trip.com for routes like Beijing to Shanghai (4.5 hours, around 550 CNY or $75 USD). They're punctual, comfy, and let you watch landscapes blur by from panoramic windows.

For cities, grab a rechargeable transport card (like Shanghai's Jiao Tong Card) for seamless subways and buses. In Beijing, hop on Line 1 to reach Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City. Taxis via Didi app are affordable (flag fall 13 CNY), but always show your destination in Chinese.

Pro tip: Use Hello's trip planning feature to map multi-city itineraries, like Beijing's Great Wall day trip to Xi'an for Terracotta Warriors. Stay connected with Hello's eSIM—no roaming fees for real-time bookings or navigation. Domestic flights connect remote spots like Chengdu to Guilin cheaply (200-500 CNY), but factor in airport security time.

Rural gems like Yangshuo? Rent e-bikes (30 CNY/day) to pedal past karst peaks. Pace yourself—distances are huge, so cluster visits: East China (Shanghai-Suzhou) one week, Southwest (Guilin-Chengdu) the next. Early bookings beat crowds at hotspots like Mutianyu Great Wall.

China's food scene is a flavor explosion, from street stalls to teahouses. In Chengdu, dive into Sichuan heat with mapo tofu (silky tofu in fiery sauce, 25 CNY/plate) or dan dan noodles—slurp them at local spots near the Panda Base. Beijing's Peking duck at Quanjude shines crispy-skinned (200 CNY/half duck).

Xi'an's Muslim Quarter buzzes with yangrou paomo (lamb stew soaked in crumbled flatbread) and skewered meats (10 CNY/stick). Don't miss Shanghai's xiaolongbao soup dumplings—steam rises as you bite into juicy pork bliss (20 CNY/8 pieces).

Vegetarian? Try Hangzhou's West Lake fish, subbed with tofu, or Suzhou's delicate vegetarian Buddhist feasts.

Travel with companions? Hello's expense splitting handles group hotpot bills effortlessly—scan and divide 150 CNY feasts. Track your spicy adventures with budget tracking in CNY to avoid overspending on dim sum binges. Pair meals with green tea ceremonies in Lijiang's old town for a cultural twist. Markets like Guilin's night market offer cheap exotics—bargain for mango sticky rice (15 CNY). Hydrate amid the spice, and embrace the chaos—it's the heart of Chinese hospitality.

China's highlights span eras and ecosystems—prioritize based on your vibe. Start in Beijing: Hike Mutianyu Great Wall for fewer crowds and epic views (entry 40 CNY, cable car extra 140 CNY). Wander Forbidden City's imperial halls (60 CNY).

Head to Xi'an for Terracotta Warriors—thousands guard an emperor's tomb (120 CNY, book ahead). Cycle the ancient city walls at sunset.

Guilin and Yangshuo deliver Li River cruises through karst towers (220 CNY/boat)—bamboo raft at dawn for magic light. Chengdu cuddles giant pandas at the Breeding Base (58 CNY); linger in teahouses.

Shanghai dazzles with Bund skyscrapers and French Concession alleys. Add Zhangjiajie's Avatar mountains via glass elevator (248 CNY park fee).

Use Hello's trip planning to sequence these—spring for Beijing-Guilin blooms, autumn for Shanghai's golden hues. eSIM keeps you online for WeChat payments at sites. Aim for 10-14 days: Golden Triangle (Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai) plus extensions like pandas or karsts. Local guides unlock stories—worth every 200 CNY half-day.

Cashless China runs on WeChat Pay or Alipay—link an international card or use Hello's eSIM for easy setup abroad. ATMs spit 2,000-3,000 CNY notes; exchange at banks for best rates (1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY).

Daily budget: 300-500 CNY ($40-70 USD) covers hostels (100 CNY/night), street eats, and metro. Splurges like Li River cruise add 220 CNY.

Track it all with Hello's budget tracking—log panda tickets or hotpot in real-time, set alerts for CNY spends. Split group costs seamlessly with expense splitting, perfect for shared Yangtze cruises.

Visa-free for many in 2026 (check eligibility), but download a translation app and VPN for Google. Pack layers—Beijing chills, Guilin humidifies. Bargain politely at markets (start 50% off), tip minimally (not customary). Health: Masks optional, but water bottles essential. Secure apps for high-speed train e-tickets (ID scan). Sim card? Skip—Hello eSIM covers data-heavy days navigating Zhangjiajie's trails. Focus regional: East cheap, Tibet pricier permits.