Travel to China: Visa-Free Entry, Top Destinations & Essential Travel Tips

In recent years, tourism in China has been thriving and increasingly opening up to the world, with continuous relaxation of visa policies.In particular, starting from 2024, China has implemented visa-free entry for citizens of several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Switzerland and other countries. This makes trips to China more accessible. 

In addition, with the improvement of tourism infrastructure in various places, high-speed rail transportation extending in all directions, and the recovery of international flights, China has become a must-visit destination for more and more travelers. Whether you want to experience thousands of years of history, appreciate the natural scenery, or immerse yourself in the rhythm of contemporary city life, everything in China can satisfy your imagination of the journey.

Why is now a good time to travel to China?

Visa-free access makes travel easier: China has extended visa-free policies to multiple countries. Travelers do not need to go through complicated visa procedures, saving a lot of time and money, making travel smoother. Check the visa-free country list

Rich and diverse cultural experiences: from the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an to the pandas in Chengdu and the ethnic customs in Yunnan, every stop is worth exploring in depth. 

A culinary paradise: Chinese food is world-famous and it’s more than just Kung Pao Chicken and Peking Duck. With the Eight Great Cuisines of China—Sichuan, Cantonese, Shandong, Jiangsu, Hunan, Anhui, Fujian, and Zhejiang—each region brings its own unique flavors and cooking styles to the table. Whether it is the spicy and fresh Sichuan cuisine, the exquisite dim sum of Cantonese cuisine, the fresh, salty and crisp Shandong cuisine, the delicate and sweet Jiangsu cuisine, the fiery heat of Hunan, the rustic richness of Anhui,  and the light, aromatic flavors of Fujian, each cuisine has its own culture behind it. When you come to China, you will truly experience what "China on the Tip of the Tongue" is. Only by visiting can you truly experience what "A Bite of China" really means.

Recommended Travel Destinations in China

Beijing: A paradise for history lovers — explore the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. It's like discovering a world wonder every day.

Xi’an: A city steeped in ancient culture — home to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors and centuries-old city walls.

Guilin/Yangshuo & Zhangjiajie: Nature’s masterpieces — from dramatic karst landscapes to breathtaking mountain views, these regions showcase China’s unrivaled natural beauty.

Chengdu: The epitome of a slow-paced lifestyle — famous for hotpot, pandas, and traditional teahouses that define the city's unique rhythm.

Tibet: Home to the majestic Himalayas, Tibet offers sacred temples, endless snow-capped peaks, and a spiritual atmosphere like no other.

Xinjiang: A land of vast deserts, colorful bazaars, and diverse cultures. From the ancient Silk Road to the breathtaking landscapes of Tianshan and Kanas, Xinjiang is where history and nature meet in spectacular fashion.

Will "not knowing Chinese" be an obstacle to your travel?

For many tourists who come to China for the first time, language is the most anxious part. Although more and more young people can speak English in some top-tier developed cities, like Beijing or Shanghai, English is still not widely used in most places. For instance, if you are in local restaurants, or with taxi drivers, or at rural scenic spots, English is still not commonly understood.

But please don't give up the wonderful travel experience because of this worry. You can understand or master some high-frequency phrases before traveling, which may help you improve the entire travel experience.

1. 你好（Nǐ hǎo）= Hello

Nǐ hǎo is the universal key to greetings, like your gateway to any interaction. Even if you don't speak Chinese, but want to try to communicate with a Chinese person or ask for directions on the street, it is better to start a conversation with "Nǐ hǎo" than with "Hello". Locals are more likely to respond warmly and go out of their way to help, even if their English is limited.

2. 谢谢（Xièxie）= Thank you

Just two simple words can earn you more kindness on your journey.

3. 多少钱?(Duōshǎo qián?）= How much is it?

An essential phrase for street markets, you’ll use it often. Also, when buying at small stalls, you can try saying “piányi diǎn” (便宜点) to ask for a discount.

4. 我要去…（Wǒ yào qù…）= I want to go to…

When taking a taxi, you can tell the driver “Wǒ yào qù [place]” (我想去[某地]), meaning “I want to go to [place].” For example, if you want to go to the Great Wall, you can say “Wǒ yào qù Chángchéng” (我要去长城).

5. 请帮我一下（Qǐng bāng wǒ yīxià）= Please help me

Whether you’re lost, your phone is dead, or you can’t find your hotel, this phrase comes in handy in all kinds of urgent situations.

6. 我听不懂（Wǒ tīng bù dǒng）= I don’t understand
When faced with complicated explanations, this phrase can remind the other person to slow down or rephrase what they’re saying.

If you encounter language communication difficulties during your trip, using a translation app on your phone is a very practical solution. Currently, apps like Google Translate and DeepL Translate are relatively stable and accurate in China, supporting conversions between multiple languages and helping you quickly understand and express simple sentences. At the same time, for Chinese translation, local Chinese translation apps such as Baidu Translate and Youdao Translate are often more detailed in context understanding due to their deep optimization of Chinese, and can provide you with more accurate expression suggestions.

However, if you plan to stay in China for a while or want a more convenient and localized travel experience beyond mobile apps, you can also consider AI translators. For example, Timekettle New T1 is a handheld translator specially designed for travel scenarios. Currently, this product is the world's fastest offline translation device. There are 31 pairs of offline translation languages, and translation can be completed even without a network, ensuring that you can still communicate in a weak network environment.

When traveling in China, besides relying on AI translation devices like New T1 and various translation apps, using local apps can greatly enhance your convenience and overall experience. So, let’s explore some of the top local apps that will make your trip easier and more enjoyable.

Recommended Practical Travel Apps for China

Getting Around:

Google Maps is not popular in China and requires a VPN to use, which is inconvenient. Amap is the most popular navigation app in China, supporting real-time traffic information, public transportation transfer inquiries, walking navigation and taxi services, covering most cities in the country.

Payments:

Mobile payment is very popular in China. Almost all restaurants, shops, taxis and even street markets support QR code payment. Alipay and WeChat Pay are two essential payment tools for tourists. After binding a credit card or bank card, you can easily complete payment, which can save the trouble of finding change and exchanging cash, also it is safer and more convenient.

Dining Recommendations:

To find authentic local eateries, Dianping is the go-to app. It brings together a large number of user reviews and restaurant ratings, and provides detailed introductions and recommendations from street food to fine dining restaurants, helping you discover food landmarks with good reputation and high cost-effectiveness.

By mastering these apps, you’ll navigate China more smoothly and get a deeper, more authentic travel experience.

Conclusion

With the relaxation of visa policies and the improvement of travel policies. Traveling in China has never been easier. From its rich cultural heritage to its diverse landscapes and cuisine, there is so much to explore in China. Mastering key Chinese phrases and using local apps and translation tools will greatly enhance your travel experience. Seize the opportunity to enjoy a more authentic and smoother travel experience in China!