Voyage East · China Ready
First Time
in China
Start with the places you want to see, then prepare for a few practical differences. Payment apps, internet access and Chinese addresses are useful things to sort before departure.
Voyage Eastvoyageeastchina.com
Before you go
Before you book
Check entry requirements for your own passport and route through the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate. If you are considering visa-free transit, check the conditions with the National Immigration Administration too.
Think about how many days you have on the ground, the journeys between cities and what you'd most like to do. A hotel night lost to a late arrival or an early departure is part of that calculation.
Payments
Set up payments and internet
Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for purchases. Check supported cards and verification in the apps, and carry a physical card and some RMB cash as alternatives. App access and payment acceptance depend on your account and the merchant.
Compare roaming, a travel eSIM and a local SIM against your phone, data needs and length of stay. Confirm mainland China coverage, activation rules and access to the services you need with the provider.
Apps
A useful phone setup
| Need | What to have ready |
|---|---|
| Communication | A working messaging account and the contact details for your bookings |
| Payments | The apps and backup methods you've checked before departure |
| Maps | Chinese addresses and pins for hotels, stations and meeting places |
| Translation | Camera translation and offline Chinese where supported |
| Bookings | Travel confirmations saved somewhere you can access offline |
For rail travel, check the full station name and carry the passport used for the booking. For taxis, a Chinese address and the correct entrance can save a confusing conversation.
Choosing cities
Where would you like to begin?
These are starting points for thinking about a route, rather than a list to fit into one trip.
| City | Interests to build around |
|---|---|
| Shanghai 上海 | Architecture, contemporary art and design, neighbourhood food |
| Beijing 北京 | Imperial history, museums and the scale of the capital |
| Hangzhou 杭州 | Longjing tea, West Lake, temples and historic houses |
| Suzhou 苏州 | Gardens, silk and traditional craft |
| Chengdu 成都 | Sichuan food, teahouses, opera and local making |
| Xi'an 西安 | Early imperial history and the historic city |
Shanghai and Beijing offer a contrast between two major cities. Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou can work for a trip focused on gardens, design and tea. A route reaching further across the country needs more time for the connections as well as the places themselves.
If you're unsure, choose the experiences you care about first. That gives you a better basis for deciding which cities belong in the trip.
Hangzhou
What five days in Hangzhou can include
Our Hangzhou journey, A Quiet Current, uses one lakeside hotel as its base for four nights. The five-day programme includes a full Longjing tea day, temple and spring visits, historic houses and a final green morning, with alternatives where conditions require them.
On the tea day, the hills, brewing and guided tasting are considered together, with a tea-led lunch. Hands-on activities depend on the season and confirmed arrangements. You return to Zhejiang Xizi Hotel, rather than moving accommodation each night.
A bilingual host provides interpretation and coordination through the programme. The full journey page explains the days, rooms, prices and transport arrangements.
Shanghai
Already staying in Shanghai?
A day with Mr Yang in Xuejian Village offers a practical introduction to Chinese incense. Work with the materials, learn the techniques and make pieces to take home.
Next step
Want help joining the trip together?
Tell us your approximate dates, who is coming and any places you've already chosen. We can discuss a cultural experience, a multi-day journey or a private route.
Explore Private China Planning
We reply personally within one business day. No payment is needed to enquire.
Further reading
Further reading
Check entry requirements with the Chinese embassy or consulate relevant to you, and account-specific payment and mobile details with your providers.