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Independent travel, made practical

China, Within Reach.

Practical guides, current advice, and local inspiration for travelling China well.

Worth a look

Halloween in ChinaWhat to buy in ChinaFlying a drone in China

Featured guides

A good place to start planning.

Three practical reads for the questions most first-time visitors ask.

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01PaymentsPaying in China with Alipay & WeChat PayLink an international card before you fly and understand the payment choices you will see day to day.02Phone & mapsChina eSIM, VPN, and Google Maps travel guideChoose a data plan, prepare the apps you need, and save your first addresses before you land.03High-speed railHigh-speed rail in China: booking and boardingBook with Railway 12306, find your station and gate, and travel with the passport used for your ticket.
Golden rooftops of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China

Find your place

Start with the city that fits the trip you want.

A first landing, a food-focused pause, a river city after dark—choose the place first, then let the route take shape.

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When you are there

Useful tools for the moments translation apps cannot smooth over.

Make a large-print destination card for a driver, or a clear Chinese dining card for a restaurant. Both are free and designed for a phone screen.

Free toolTaxi destination cardFree toolDietary & allergy card

Help shape the next guide

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