China Travel Blog - The Traveler's Journal
Expert guides, destination insights, and practical tips for planning your first trip to China
Best eSIM for China in 2025: Airalo vs Holafly vs China Unicom
Compare the best eSIM options for China including coverage, pricing, setup, and which provider works best for your travel needs.
Best VPN for China in 2025: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark Compared
Compare top VPN services for China with reviews of speed, reliability, server coverage, and effectiveness against the Great Firewall.
Alipay Setup Guide for Foreigners: Step-by-Step 2025 Instructions
Complete guide to setting up Alipay as a foreigner in China — including linking foreign cards, verification, and common troubleshooting.
WeChat Pay Setup Guide for Foreigners: Complete 2025 Instructions
Step-by-step guide to setting up WeChat Pay as a foreigner — linking cards, verification, mini-programs, and red packets.
China Visa Guide 2025: Tourist Visas, Visa-Free Transit, and Entry Requirements
Complete guide to China visas — L visa requirements, processing times, visa-free transit policies, and entry documentation.
First Time in China: A Complete 2025 Survival Guide
Everything you need to know before your first trip to China - from visa requirements to mobile apps and payment methods.
Shanghai vs Beijing: Which City Should You Visit First?
Comparing China's two largest cities - Shanghai's modern skyline versus Beijing's historical richness, and which更适合 first-time visitors.
The Great Wall: Mutianyu vs Badaling vs Jinshanling Compared
Choosing the right Great Wall section for your visit - comparing accessibility, crowds, hiking difficulty, and unique features.
Top 5 Things to Do in Shanghai for First-Time Visitors
From the iconic Bund waterfront to serene classical gardens, discover the 5 absolute must-see experiences in Shanghai.
Top 5 Things to Do in Beijing: The Essential Guide
Beijing's 3,000 years of history pack a punch. Here are the 5 experiences that define China's capital for first-time visitors.
Top 5 Things to Do in Chengdu: Pandas, Spice, and Slow Living
Chengdu moves at its own pace. Discover the 5 essential experiences in China's most laid-back major city.
Top 5 Things to Do in Xi'an: Ancient Capital, Living History
Xi'an was China's capital for 13 dynasties. These 5 experiences bring 3,000 years of history to life.
Top 5 Things to Do in Chongqing: China's Cyberpunk Megacity
Chongqing defies expectations. Part mountain fortress, part neon dreamscape, these are the 5 things you must experience.
Top 5 Street Foods You Must Try in Shanghai
From soup dumplings to crispy-bottomed buns, these are the 5 street foods that define Shanghai's culinary soul.
Top 5 Street Foods You Must Try in Beijing
Beijing's street food is bold, rustic, and deeply satisfying. These 5 dishes define the capital's working-class culinary tradition.
Top 5 Street Foods You Must Try in Chengdu
Chengdu's food will test your spice tolerance and reward your courage. These 5 dishes are the soul of Sichuan street food.
Top 5 Street Foods You Must Try in Xi'an
Xi'an's Silk Road heritage creates a unique food culture — Muslim-influenced, wheat-heavy, and deeply comforting.
Top 5 Street Foods You Must Try in Chongqing
Chongqing takes everything to the extreme — hotter, spicier, bolder. These 5 street foods are not for the faint of heart.
The Great Wall of China: A Complete History from Qin to Ming Dynasties
Explore the 2,000-year history of China's most iconic landmark — from the Qin unification to the Han expansion and Ming reconstruction. Learn about beacon tower systems and compare Mutianyu, Badaling, and Jinshanling sections.
Silk Road Legacy: From Xi'an to Rome, the Ancient Trade Route That Shaped Civilization
Discover the history, cultural impact, and enduring legacy of the Silk Road — the ancient trade network that connected East and West. Learn about Xi'an as the starting point and how this historic route influences modern China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese Tea Culture: From Gongfu Ceremony to People's Park Teahouses
Explore the art and tradition of Chinese tea — green, oolong, pu'er, and jasmine varieties. Learn about the gongfu tea ceremony and visit the best teahouses in Chengdu and Hangzhou.
China High-Speed Rail: The World's Largest Network, From 12306 Booking to Shanghai-Beijing Journeys
Master China's high-speed rail system — the world's largest network with 40,000+ kilometers. Learn about speeds, routes, booking via 12306, and traveling between major cities like Shanghai-Beijing and Chengdu-Chongqing.
Chinese Calligraphy: From Seal Script to Cursive, A Guide to the Art of Chinese Writing
Explore the five major styles of Chinese calligraphy — seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive. Learn where to see calligraphy in museums, street art, and temples across China.
Trip.com Complete Guide: Book Trains, Hotels & Flights for China
Trip.com is the all-in-one booking platform every China traveler needs. From high-speed train tickets to hotels, flights, attraction tickets, and even eSIMs — here's how to use it like a pro.
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China Basics
Essential knowledge every traveler needs — visas, apps, payments, and internet
Destinations
Explore Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Chongqing, and more
Plan Your Trip
Itinerary planner and pre-planned trips for every travel style
How China Differs
What surprises first-time visitors the most