Journeys
China rewards first-timers extravagantly — once three set-up hurdles (entry, payments, tickets) are cleared. This page clears them, then hands you the routes that have never failed anyone.
Dozens of nationalities now enter visa-free for tourism; the 240-hour (10-day) transit waiver covers 50+ countries via 60 ports across 24 provinces — always verify your case at official NIA/embassy channels before booking.
Full guide coming soonLink an international card to Alipay (and/or WeChat Pay) at home: from temple tickets to street skewers, QR is the national till. Keep ~¥300 cash as ceremonial backup.
Full guide coming soon12306 (official rail, passport bookings), Amap or Apple Maps, DiDi ride-hailing, and any translator — with these four, China runs on easy mode. Passport itself is your rail ticket.
Full guide coming soonEmpire, ancients and the future in one line — high-speed rail throughout, English infrastructure at maximum. The never-fails first itinerary.
Full guide →Chengdu (pandas + food) or Guilin–Yangshuo (the ¥20 landscape) bolt onto the Triangle for 12–14-day trips — maximum variety, minimal logistics.
Full guide →Safety is genuinely excellent; stations and metros are bilingual; hotels registering foreigners is routine law, not suspicion; and no one expects you to bargain at restaurants — relax and eat.
Full guide coming soonPrices, opening hours, transport and policy details can change at any time — always verify with official sources before you travel. China Travel Co is an independent travel guide with no affiliation to, or endorsement from, any government body.