Dated changes to visa rules, arrival setup and in-country basics for China.https://knownchina.com/enhttps://knownchina.com/in-trip/eating-and-ordering/https://knownchina.com/in-trip/eating-and-ordering/Download Google Translate and download the Chinese offline language pack before arriving — the camera mode translates menus live on your screen. Use Dianping (大众点评) for restaurant discovery and Meituan for delivery. Small shops and street vendors only accept Alipay, WeChat Pay or physical cash — no foreign credit cards.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/in-trip/shopping-tax-refund/https://knownchina.com/in-trip/shopping-tax-refund/China's departure tax refund covers qualifying purchases made within 28 days of leaving — minimum ¥500, refund rate 11%. Most major tourist cities now have 即买即退 (instant refund at the store). Bring your passport, the original tax-invoice receipt, and a copy of the store's tax-refund eligibility certificate when you go shopping.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/pre-trip/where-to-stay/https://knownchina.com/pre-trip/where-to-stay/Book through Trip.com and use the 'Foreign Passport Accepted' filter. Read the most recent English-language reviews, then message the hotel and ask to confirm they can register you with the PSB. This three-step filter is the only way to reliably avoid being turned away at check-in.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/in-trip/getting-around/https://knownchina.com/in-trip/getting-around/Download Apple Maps (iPhone) or Amap (Android) before arrival, set up Didi with an international credit card, and unlock shared bikes by scanning with Alipay — WeChat Pay or Alipay is still required for the metro.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/pre-trip/do-i-need-a-visa/https://knownchina.com/pre-trip/do-i-need-a-visa/If you hold an ordinary passport from one of 50 listed countries and your trip is tourism, business, family visit, exchange or transit for no more than 30 days, you do not need a visa.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/in-trip/high-speed-rail-with-a-passport/https://knownchina.com/in-trip/high-speed-rail-with-a-passport/Register on 12306 with your passport, buy an e-ticket, then board by scanning that same passport at the gate — no paper ticket needed.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/on-arrival/pay-like-a-local-alipay-wechat/https://knownchina.com/on-arrival/pay-like-a-local-alipay-wechat/Alipay takes Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners Club and Discover; Weixin Pay also takes JCB and UnionPay. Bind a card and verify your passport, then pay by scanning the merchant's code or showing your own payment code.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://knownchina.com/pre-trip/240-hour-visa-free-transit/https://knownchina.com/pre-trip/240-hour-visa-free-transit/If your passport is from one of the 57 eligible countries and you travel A → mainland China → B (where B is not A), you can skip the visa and stay up to 240 hours — but you must have the onward ticket booked before you land.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT