When we first planned our trip to China, we had a mix of excitement and nerves. We’d heard it could be tricky for tourists, that the language barrier would be a constant challenge, and that navigating the country’s transport and apps would be confusing. Truth be told, we weren’t quite sure what we were letting ourselves in for.
But from the moment we landed, China completely surprised us — in all the best ways. Wandering through Beijing’s historic streets, tasting food we’d never imagined, and hiking the jaw-dropping peaks of Zhangjiajie National Park, we were constantly reminded how much there is to discover. So, we’ve put together our top China travel tips to help make your first-time in China as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Two Brits On The Go is supported by readers like you. This post contains affiliate links – if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission but at no additional cost to you. For more information, please see our Affiliate Disclosure.
This guide is about sharing our honest experience, practical tips, and little-known insights we picked up along the way. Sharing everything that made travelling China as tourists an unforgettable experience. By the end, you’ll know what to see and do, and also the little tricks to make your trip smoother and far more enjoyable. We’ll also highlight some of our favourite travel platforms and how you can use our 10% discount code to save along the way!
1. Getting Around China Is Surprisingly Easy
We were expecting things to be a bit of a nightmare. It’s safe to say that most people feel this way because of the language barrier. However, travelling around China as first-time tourists was much easier than we thought. The transport system is really straightforward once you get used to it — and actually quite enjoyable.
The high-speed trains are clean, punctual, and affordable, letting you cover long distances in no time. One of our top travel tips for China is to know how and where to book the trains. We booked our trains through Trip.com and Klook, which made everything really simple. You can easily pick your seats, check timetables in English, and pay online without any fuss.
One thing to note: stations can get busy, so allow extra time for security checks and queues. We typically arrived at train stations 45-60 minutes early to ensure we had plenty of time. Before entering train stations you have to put your bags through scanners and present your ID (passport for non-citizens).
In the train station, you can easily find the right platform using the electronic boards that often display in English. Or you can check the train number, which is on your ticket if you book through Trip.com. To get onto the platform, you will need to show your ID again (as this is linked to your ticket). But once you’re on the move, it’s great. Travelling between cities and national parks felt far less stressful than we’d imagined. In the end, we even started to enjoy the journeys themselves.
Metro systems in cities like Beijing are also easy to navigate once you get the hang of the ticket machines. Most signs are in English, trains are frequent, and it’s usually pretty straightforward. Similar to the train stations, you will have to go through security to enter Metro stations and show your ID (passport), so we’d advise carrying it at all times in China.
Another easy way to get around China is by taxi. Taxis in China are surprisingly cheap, especially if you book them through China’s equivalent of Uber – DiDi.
2. Apps, Connectivity, and How to Get Around China
One of the biggest surprises for us as tourists was just how different travelling in China is if you rely on the apps we’re used to back home. Google Maps? Doesn’t work. But Apple Maps and AMaps are great. In fact, anything related to Google (including the Play Store) doesn’t work in China – so if you have a Google phone then make sure you have all the apps you need for China downloaded before you go.
We ended up using Alipay for almost everything — paying in shops, ordering food, and even booking taxis (through DiDi). You don’t need to be fluent in Mandarin but a few basics go a long way. You can also use WeChat if you prefer, but we found Alipay covered pretty much everything we needed for our first-time in China.
Top tip: Make sure you have data for China and get an Airalo eSIM before you go. It’s easy to set up and gives you internet to access local apps from day one. You can even use our discount code SARAHC5620 to save $3 when purchasing.
Once you’ve got your eSIM sorted and Alipay downloaded, paying for things, booking trains or taxis, and generally getting around becomes far less stressful. It’s actually quite satisfying once you start feeling like you’ve got the system sussed.
3. Chinese Food That Blew Our Minds
One of the highlights of travelling in China was the food! You’ll be surprised at how varied it is (and completely different to the takeaways back home).
In Pingyao, we tried the traditional copper hot pot. This was delicious and full of meat, noodles, and vegetables — the perfect meal after exploring the ancient town. In Xi’an, stir-fried king oyster mushrooms were simple but packed with flavour. And in Guangzhou, the cold meat fried rice was surprisingly tasty and satisfying.
Night markets are well worth checking out too. Iconic areas such as Dashilan Street in Beijing offered some of the best night markets we’ve ever visited!
4. Tourist Traps vs. Hidden Gems in China
When planning a trip to China, it’s very easy to get caught up in the big-name attractions. We found that most of them really are worth it, but others can be a bit over-hyped.
Take Zhangjiajie: the views in the national park are stunning, and Tianmen Mountain is impressive, but it was completely overwhelming. We ended up waiting six hours just to get back down the mountain, which was exhausting and a reminder that planning your timing carefully is key. The maps you get provided in the park can be really confusing, especially if it’s your first time there. To make this easier, we have written another blog post explaining everything you need to know to navigate Zhangjiajie.
The real highlight of China for us, though, was its ancient towns. Pingyao, in particular, was unforgettable. Walking around the old city walls, exploring the narrow streets, and soaking in the atmosphere felt like stepping back in time. In our experience the accommodation was ridiculously affordable too. For example, we paid just £10 a night for a place within the walls of the ancient city, which makes China a budget-friendly travel destination.
Top tip: Book park tickets, guided hikes, or city tours through Klook or Trip.com to skip queues and make life easier. Don’t forget to use our 10% discount code for Klook (TWOBRITSONTHEGO) to make your entry fees or guided experiences a little cheaper.
5. Practical China Travel Tips
Travelling in China can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but with a few simple preparations, it’s completely manageable — and genuinely rewarding.
Connectivity: Get a hassle-free Airalo eSIM before you go. It makes using apps like Alipay and Apple Maps / AMaps much easier, and you can even check reviews or translate menus on the go.
Transport: Book trains, airport transfers, and tours through Klook or Trip.com. Using our 10% Klook discount code (TWOBRITSONTHEGO) saves a bit on tickets and guided experiences, and it makes planning so much simpler.
Timing: Big attractions like those in Zhangjiajie can get busy, so plan your visits early and know that queues are part of the experience. If you’re planning to visit Zhangjiajie National Park, check out our detailed blog post – it’s a lifesaver.
Food & Experiences: Mix local restaurants with street food, and don’t be afraid to try dishes you’ve never heard of. Book food tours or cooking classes via Klook to get a deeper taste of local life.
Finally, don’t overlook China’s ancient towns. Places like Pingyao are magical, affordable, and give a real sense of history and culture that you can’t get in the big cities.
With a little planning, a couple of handy apps, and some insider China travel tips, travelling China for the first-time can be smooth, affordable, and absolutely unforgettable.
Check out our experience visiting China for the first time on YouTube:
