Travel in China can be richly rewarding, but the on-the-ground logistics often surprise first-time visitors. If you rely on international credit cards, expect friction; if you assume cash will solve it, many vendors now refuse it. Some hotels also cannot host foreign nationals, and everyday tasks—like getting a taxi—may be hard without Chinese language. Below is a clear, field-tested guide to prepare you before you go.

Payments and money

• Card acceptance: International cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) are frequently not accepted at retail stores, restaurants, transport kiosks, and smaller vendors. Many point-of-sale terminals are configured only for domestic networks.

• Cash limitations: Urban merchants increasingly prefer mobile payments and may refuse cash or lack change. Even when cash is accepted, it can slow transactions or prompt refusal during busy hours.

• Mobile payments dominance: Most everyday payments run through QR codes via local apps. Without set-up, you may struggle to buy metro tickets, groceries, or snacks.

• Workarounds to prepare:

  • Prepaid options: Explore prepaid or top-up methods usable in China that don’t require a domestic bank account.

  • Hotel billing: Charge as much as possible to your hotel room and settle at the front desk where international cards are more commonly accepted.

  • Cash buffer: Carry an ample cash reserve in good condition banknotes and be ready for refusals; pair this with vendor-specific strategies below.

  • Online prepayment: Book and prepay intercity trains, attractions, and transfers on platforms that accept international cards to reduce in-person payment needs.

Hotel licensing and reservations

• Foreign guest restriction: Not all hotels in China are licensed to host foreign nationals. Properties must be approved for foreigner registration; many small inns and some apartments are not.

• Airbnb reservations risk: Even with a confirmed platform booking, you may be refused at check-in if the property lacks authorization for foreign guests.

• How to avoid refusals:

  • Confirm licensing: Message the property before booking and ask explicitly, “Are you licensed to host foreign passport holders?” Request written confirmation.

  • Choose larger chains: Major international or national chains in city centers are more likely to be licensed and familiar with passport registration requirements.

  • Arrival timing: Check in during staffed hours. If refused, you’ll have time to relocate.

  • Backup hotel list: Keep a short list of licensed alternatives near your destination, with addresses in Chinese, ready to show a driver or map app.

Taxis and transport without Chinese

• Language barrier: Many drivers may not read English addresses or romanization. Verbal directions in English are unlikely to work.

• Common hurdles: Misrouting, refusal, or difficulty negotiating fares when communication fails.

• Practical tactics:

  • Address cards: Carry printed destination addresses in Chinese characters, including district and landmarks.

  • Pin and show: Use a local map app to pin the exact entrance; show the live map and route to the driver.

  • Translation aid: Use a simple, offline-capable translator; prewrite key phrases like “Please take me to this address.”

  • Hotel concierge: Ask your hotel to write your destination on a card and arrange taxis when possible.

  • Transit alternatives: Learn metro lines for major routes—signage is often clearer and avoids negotiation.

Essential prep before departure

• Documents: Passport, visa, printed hotel confirmations with Chinese addresses, and travel insurance details.

• Connectivity: A reliable data plan or local SIM for maps, translation, and ride-hailing; confirm device eSIM compatibility.

• Apps to install:

  • Maps: A locally used map app with offline city packs.

  • Translation: Offline Chinese-English dictionary plus voice translation.

  • Ride-hailing: A mainstream ride app used in your destination city; set up an account and payment method before arrival.

• Payments plan: Decide your mix of cash, hotel billing, online prepayments, and any prepaid tools you can set up beforehand.

• Hotel strategy: Book licensed properties; keep backups. Share your itinerary with someone and store it offline.

On-the-ground survival tips

• Receipts and names: Photograph storefronts and keep receipts with Chinese names for easier returns or navigation later.

• Small purchases: When cash is accepted, use smaller notes to speed transactions and avoid change issues.

• Peak hours: Avoid complex payments at rush times; buy metro cards or tickets during off-peak.

• Polite persistence: If refused, calmly try the next vendor—acceptance varies block by block.

• Safety first: Crowded queues around QR scanners can be chaotic; keep belongings secure and step aside to set up any payment.

Quick checklist

• Payment plan: Multiple methods, not just your international card.

• Licensed hotel: Explicit confirmation for foreign guests; backups ready.

• Addresses in Chinese: Printed cards for all key stops.

• Connectivity: Local data and essential apps installed pre-trip.

• Cash reserve: Practical denominations, recognizing it may still be refused.

• Time buffer: Extra time for transport and purchases until you learn local flows.