China

China can feel vast and a little overwhelming at first glance, so a bit of planning goes a long way. Most first-time trips link Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, with a side trip to Guilin/Yangshuo for classic karst scenery or Chengdu for pandas and spicy food. If you have more time, consider Yunnan (Lijiang, Dali) for mountains and minority cultures, or Hainan for tropical beaches.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out high-speed train routes, must-see sights (like the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Terracotta Warriors, the Bund), and your accommodation in one place. Aim to cluster sights by neighborhood to cut down on criss-crossing mega-cities.

China is generally safe and very well connected, but distances are huge. Overnight trains are an atmospheric option, while high-speed trains are fast and comfortable. Book long-distance tickets several days in advance, especially around major holidays (Golden Week in early October and Chinese New Year). If you’re planning to visit smaller cities or rural areas, factor in extra travel time and check local bus connections.

Finally, download key apps and set up your Hello eSIM before landing so you can load maps, translations, and tickets the moment you touch down.

China’s high-speed rail network is one of the easiest ways to move between cities. Trains are punctual, clean, and can hit 300 km/h, making routes like Beijing–Shanghai a comfortable half-day ride. Bring your passport; you’ll need it to book and collect tickets and to pass through station security.

Within cities, the metro is usually the best option: cheap, frequent, and clearly signed in both Chinese and English. Grab a transit card where available (like Beijing’s Yikatong or Shanghai’s Public Transportation Card) and top it up as you go. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are affordable, but always have your destination written in Chinese characters.

Many everyday services—from ordering food to bike-sharing—are app-based, so reliable internet is essential. Activating a Hello eSIM before arrival lets you get online as soon as you land, without hunting for airport SIM counters or dealing with roaming charges. That means instant access to maps, translations, and digital tickets at train stations and metro gates.

For long days out, keep a photo of your accommodation’s address in Chinese, carry a portable charger, and use Hello’s trip planning to store train times, platform details, and backup routes in case of delays.

From xiaolongbao in Shanghai to Peking duck in Beijing and fiery hotpot in Chengdu, eating is often the highlight of a trip to China. Street food can be excellent—think Jianbing breakfast crepes or grilled skewers at night markets—but choose stalls with a steady stream of local customers and high turnover.

For first few days, stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid ice if you have a sensitive stomach. Most restaurants share dishes family-style; use Hello’s expense splitting to divide the bill fairly with your travel companions, especially after those long hotpot sessions where ordering gets out of hand.

You can eat very well on a budget. A bowl of noodles might cost 15–30 CNY (roughly 2–4 USD), while a mid-range restaurant meal could be 60–120 CNY per person (8–16 USD), depending on the city and how many dishes you share. Use Hello’s budget tracking to log what you spend in local currency and spot when those bubble teas and coffee stops start adding up.

If you have dietary restrictions, prepare key phrases in Chinese and save them in your notes app. When in doubt, show your phone to staff—many are happy to help you find something suitable, especially in larger cities.

China is rapidly moving toward a cashless society, but as a visitor you’ll likely use a mix of cash, cards, and mobile payments. ATMs in major cities generally work with international cards; withdraw moderate amounts of CNY to avoid repeated fees. Keep some small notes for local buses, markets, and rural guesthouses.

Daily costs vary by region, but you can travel comfortably on a moderate budget. City metro rides usually cost 3–7 CNY (under 1 USD), and intercity high-speed train tickets might range from 150–600 CNY (20–80 USD) depending on distance and class. Track everything in one place with Hello’s budget tracking, which records your spending in yuan so you always know where you stand.

When sharing taxis, group tours, or apartment rentals, Hello’s expense splitting simplifies settling up—no need to calculate exchange rates on the spot. Just enter the cost in CNY and let the app do the math.

Language can be a hurdle, but simple strategies help: carry your hotel card with the address in Chinese, take photos of key signs, and download offline maps before heading into the countryside. With a Hello eSIM, you can back this up with online translation and navigation whenever you have signal, making even complex transport hubs and busy markets much easier to handle.