3 trips
First in 2018, then 2023 and 2024. Each one taught me something the blogs left out.
About
Hi, I'm Sascha.
Swiss guy. China-obsessed. Building the guide I wish I'd had before my first trip.
My Story
I didn't plan to fall in love with China.
My first trip was 2018. Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu. I did everything wrong — no VPN, no Alipay, no idea how the trains worked. I stood in the wrong line at the station for 40 minutes. I ate at a restaurant with a picture menu because I couldn't read anything else.
But somewhere between the hutongs of Beijing and the tea houses of Chengdu, something clicked. I came back in 2023 and again in 2024. My brother-in-law lives in Beijing. My sister-in-law is in Shanghai. I started learning Mandarin — not fluent, but enough to order food, ask for directions, and understand why the app isn't working.
China is complicated. That's not a bug — it's the country. But it doesn't have to be confusing for first-time visitors. That's why I built this.
Family in Beijing & Shanghai
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law live there. I don't just visit — I go home.
Mandarin (enough)
Not fluent, but I can order food, negotiate prices, and read a train ticket.
Tested on the ground
Every guide here was checked in real China, not researched from a Zurich café.
The Hard Way
Mistakes I made so you don't have to
✕Arriving without a working VPN installed
✕Trying to use a credit card at a street-food stall
✕Buying the wrong train ticket class and standing for 6 hours
✕Trusting Google Maps in a country that blocks Google
✕Assuming English signs mean English help
The Problem
China travel planning is a mess.
Language
Most resources are in Chinese or written by people who haven't been there in years. The English content is often outdated or copy-pasted.
The Firewall
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram — all blocked. You need to prep before you land, but most guides bury the VPN advice under fluffy travel inspiration.
Payments
China is basically cashless. Without Alipay or WeChat Pay, you'll struggle at restaurants, shops, and even some train stations. Most guides skip the setup steps.
I built Trail of China because I was frustrated. Every "ultimate guide" I found was either written by someone who'd never set foot in China, or it was a 5,000-word SEO article with no actual actionable steps. I wanted a site that tells you exactly what to do — tested, current, and written by someone who actually figured it out the hard way.
What Makes This Different
Not another generic travel blog.
🧪
Tested on the ground
Every guide, every app recommendation, every payment setup — I tried it myself. In China. Recently. Not "research" from a Zurich apartment.
📅
Actually current (2026)
China's rules change fast. Visa policies, app versions, payment methods — I keep this updated because I go back regularly and my family lives there.
🛠️
Step-by-step, no fluff
Screenshots, exact app names, the real order of operations. If you follow the guide, it works. No guesswork.
Ready?
Start with the basics
Visa, eSIM, VPN, Alipay — the four things that will make or break your first day in China. Get them right before you land.
Company
BuetikoferDigital
Zurich, Switzerland
nDSG / GDPR mindful operations for an international audience.
buetikoferdigital@gmail.comStay in the Loop