United States
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving.
VPN & Internet Access
Do this before you flyWhat's blocked
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, ChatGPT, and most Western news sites don't work on Chinese networks without a VPN.
Recommended VPNs
Download and test before you leave. Astrill, Mullvad, and ExpressVPN are the ones that consistently work. Free VPNs will fail you.
Hotel Wi-Fi
Most hotels require a Chinese phone number for Wi-Fi registration. Your concierge handles this — you won't need to figure it out alone.
Paying in China
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay cover almost everything — street food, taxis, temples, convenience stores. Cash is rarely expected and sometimes refused.
International cards now work
Both Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa/Mastercard directly. Your concierge will walk you through setup on arrival — it takes about 10 minutes.
Carry a little cash
¥500–800 RMB covers edge cases: remote areas, small vendors, or the occasional place that doesn't take cards. ATMs are everywhere in cities.
Visa & Entry
We handle the paperworkMost nationalities need a visa
Confirm the category for your itinerary length and entries. Transit exemptions apply only in limited cases.
Safety & Practical Tips
Our responsibility, alwaysChina is very safe
Violent crime against tourists is rare. Your bigger risks are the ordinary ones: pickpockets in busy stations, crossing traffic carefully, and staying hydrated on long days.
Ready to plan the trip itself?
China Ready covers the practical layer. Your designer shapes the days on the ground.