Visiting China can easily be one of the most rewarding trips you’ll ever take. With its sprawling scenery, ancient history, modern megacities, and deep cultural traditions, it makes sense why China draws millions of international tourists each year. That said, for first time travelers- and even veteran world travelers- China has unique systems that raise certain questions for the majority of first time travelers to the region. From how to book China train tickets and whether or not your VPN and eSIM will work, these questions come up in daily discussion in traveler forums like Reddit or TripAdvisor or through personal blogs.
This travel guide has compiled the top asked travel questions and contains solid, actionable China travel tips that can save you significant amounts of time, stress, and confusion.
A question a lot of travelers (often as the first question asked) is: how strict are airports in China with handling carry-on luggage weight?
Airports in China are typically far stricter than many Western countries. For economy class, the standard carry-on luggage provision is 5 kg (11 lbs). Passengers traveling in business and first classes may travel with 8-10 kg as a provision for carry-on luggage. The difference in China versus the USA or Europe is that often, planes from said region will turn a blind eye to a couple extra kilos, while with the airlines in China, they will often actually weigh your cabin bag during check- in.
Size Limits: Most of the time, the maximum size is 20 × 40 × 55 cm.
Personal Items: In addition to the main carry-on, a small handbag, laptop bag, duty-free shopping bag will generally be allowed.
Liquids: Similar to global regulations, items must be 100ml or less and must all fit into a single 1L clear bag.
Tip: For those wanting to travel with some photography gear, drones, or souvenirs, many travelers distribute weight between checked luggage and carry-on. Make sure to also confirm your specific airline’s policy, as budget carriers such as Spring Airlines, can be more strict than a larger airline such as Air China or China Eastern.
Many travelers want to know if they can order things online and pick up in China–for example, on Taobao or JD.com.
Taobao: This is the largest e-commerce platform in China. However, Taobao is primarily geared toward using the domestic market. Most vendors will not take a foreign credit card, so you will need to use either Alipay(支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) to make the purchase.
JD.com: JD is more foreign friendly and allows some international credit cards. They even come with an English interface.
Pick-Up Points: Many Chinese customers, instead of having a package delivered to their home, would have it delivered to a community drop-off point called “Cainiao” (菜鸟驿站). When your package arrives, you’ll get a text indicating that it is ready for pick-up along with a code you will need to retrieve it.
Tip: If you don’t have a bank account in China, ask your hotel concierge to help you. Alternatively, if you’re a traveler in China, consider using Taobao Global.
Taking high-speed trains is one of the best ways to cross China, but how far in advance do you really need to plan?
Train tickets for high-speed trains are available for purchase 15 days before they are needed. You can purchase tickets on official sites like 12306.cn (China Railway’s Official Website) and associations with apps like. For long-popular routes like Beijing to Xi’an or Shanghai to Hangzhou, tickets will sell out in hours when travel is heavy.
👉 China’s bullet train tickets are also easy to book online through Trip.com or 12306.cn, giving you a smooth experience with English support.
Golden Week is one of the most stressful travel seasons in China. This event occurs twice a year (the first week in May and the first week in October) when hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens begin traveling domestically.
Recently, China has added to its visa-free travel policy for a few selected countries, allowing tourists to enter the country without applying for a travel visa. Currently, it is valid until 31 Dec 2025. Many travelers ponder if it may be continued after that date.
There have been no public statements made as to whether it will be continued, however, China has made it clear that they want to open their doors to international travelers. Additionally, visa policies are often simply extended whenever tourism is a priority, especially if there continues to be a strong demand for travel to China. Be sure to check with your local Chinese embassy before finalizing any travel plans.
Another burning question: Will my VPN and eSIM work in China?
VPNs: Many Western applications, such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, are blocked in China. To access these applications, a VPN is required. However, not all VPNs will work reliably in China. You may want to try NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Astrill. It is a good idea to install and test your VPN before you arrive in China.
eSIMs: Using an eSIM in China has become increasingly popular. Companies like Holafly and Airalo sell eSIM packages with China as one of their locations. However, some users report that the speeds are not as reliable as traditional local SIM cards.
👉 Many travelers also search for the best eSIM for China, with Holafly and Airalo often rated as top providers for convenience and ease of setup.
Best Choice: If you want fast and reliable internet, I would recommend getting a China Unicom or China Mobile SIM card after you arrive.
Thinking about planning a bachelorette party in China in April 2026? That sounds like a great idea! That will also be cherry blossom season, particularly in places like Wuhan, Shanghai, and even Beijing. You can combine the nightlife of larger cities with a day trip to see the flowers.
When you ask travelers about Guilin and the countryside, the most frequently asked question is: What is the best way to see Guilin and the countryside?
Answer: See both the city highlights and the countryside.
In Guilin City: See Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Cave.
In Yangshuo Countryside: Go biking through rice paddies, bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, or climbing up a karst peak.
Travel Advice: Plan for at least 2–3 days for both the city and the countryside.
👉 For more information, see our Guilin Travel Guide and pick from a variety of Guilin tour packages!
Some travelers are concerned about how to book tickets for panda bases if your passport is with immigration officials. You can use a copy of your passport and booking confirmation to enter. Most Panda bases, such as Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, will accept your passport copy. If that does not work, a local travel agency can book for you.
China is a big and fun destination, but it brings its own travel issues when visiting. From booking train tickets and baggage on domestic flights, to VPNs and eSIMs, these are common travel issues that can be simple to solve and plan for. Whether you are also climbing the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate in Zhangjiajie, having an ultimately awesome bachelorette party in China, or choosing the best way to visit Guilin and countryside for flower peaks, being prepared will help your visit run smoother and even more enjoyable.
With these tips to travel in China, you’ll be able to visit with confidence, save yourself stresses and fully enjoy the adventures ahead!
Detailed travel guides, itineraries, travel tips - for exploring some of the best places in China. If you are planning your first trip to China, or heading back, the blog covers everything from the must-dos and undiscovered locations, to cultural customs and the best months to visit.
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