Frequently Asked Questions

Most foreign visitors need a visa to enter China. However, China offers 144-hour visa-free transit for citizens of 54 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. If you're staying longer or entering from a non-qualifying route, you'll need to apply for a tourist (L) visa at your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. Processing typically takes 4-7 business days. Read our detailed visa guide for step-by-step instructions.

The best time to visit Beijing is during autumn (September to November) when the weather is crisp, clear, and comfortable with beautiful fall foliage. Spring (April to May) is also excellent. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid, while winters (December-February) are cold but offer fewer crowds and lower prices.

China is approximately 95% cashless. Almost everything — from restaurants to street food vendors to subway tickets — is paid via mobile apps (Alipay or WeChat Pay). As a foreigner, you can link your Visa or Mastercard to Alipay and use it almost everywhere. We strongly recommend setting this up before your trip. Some places still accept cash, but many don't. Read our complete payment guide for setup instructions.

No. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, and many other Western services are blocked in China by the Great Firewall. You need to download and set up a VPN before you arrive. Once in China, it's much harder to download VPN apps. We also recommend downloading Chinese alternatives like WeChat (messaging), Baidu Maps (navigation), and Didi (ride-hailing) before your trip.

China is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime is extremely rare. The main concerns are petty pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and common tourist scams (like the 'tea ceremony' scam where strangers invite you for tea and you get a huge bill). Use common sense, be wary of overly friendly strangers near tourist sites, and you'll have a worry-free trip.

From Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), take the Airport Express train (25 min, ~25 CNY/$3.50) or a taxi (45-60 min, ~100-150 CNY). From Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), the Daxing Airport Express takes about 20 minutes to central Beijing. Use the Didi app (China's Uber) for rides — it's cheaper and more reliable than hailing taxis. Read our airport arrival guide for step-by-step instructions.

Yes, for major attractions! The Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu/Badaling), Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace all require advance online booking — often 3-7 days ahead, especially during holidays and weekends. Most booking is done through WeChat mini-programs or the official websites. Our attraction guides explain how to book each one.

Beijing can be surprisingly affordable. Budget travelers can get by on $30-50/day (hostels, street food, subway, free attractions). Mid-range travelers typically spend $80-120/day (3-star hotels, restaurants, taxis, paid attractions). The biggest costs are usually flights and accommodation. The subway is very cheap (3-7 CNY per ride), and street food meals cost 10-30 CNY ($1.50-4).

Essential apps: Alipay (payments), WeChat (messaging + mini-programs for booking), a VPN app (ExpressVPN, Astrill, etc.), Didi (ride-hailing), Baidu Maps or Amap (navigation), Google Translate (download Chinese offline pack before you go), and Trip.com (for booking trains and flights). Download all of these BEFORE you arrive in China.

Yes, this site is completely free. All our guides, tips, and travel information are free to read with no paywalls or registration required. The site is supported by non-intrusive advertising which helps cover hosting costs. We don't sell tours, collect booking fees, or accept paid placements in our guides.