China Travel FAQ

A lot has changed in the past 18 months. The visa-free program has expanded significantly — over 50 countries now qualify. Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept international credit cards without a Chinese bank account. More direct flights have resumed between China and Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The 240-hour transit policy now applies in more cities. Digital nomad visas are being tested in Hainan. China is making it easier to visit, and I expect more announcements this year.

Completely. All COVID-era restrictions ended in 2024. No testing, no quarantine, no health declarations, no vaccine requirements. You can enter China exactly as you could in 2019 — just with your passport and visa (if needed). Tourism infrastructure is fully operational. The main difference: some smaller hotels and restaurants that closed during the pandemic haven't reopened, but the industry has bounced back strongly. 2026 is genuinely a great time to visit.

Yes — several. The 15-day visa-free trial for French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Malaysian passport holders has been extended through 2026. South Korea and Japan have renewed visa-free arrangements. Hainan Island offers a 30-day visa-free stay for travelers from 59 countries. The 144-hour transit policy was upgraded to 240 hours (10 days) in many cities. These policies change frequently — I recommend checking 2-3 weeks before your trip for the latest updates.

Yes, but with restrictions. Foreign travelers can visit Tibet but must join a guided tour — independent travel is not permitted. You need a Tibet Travel Permit, which your tour operator arranges. The best times are May–October. Permits are not issued during certain political events, so check with a local agency. I've arranged several Tibet trips and the scenery is unforgettable, but it requires more planning than any other Chinese destination.

Overplanning. I see it all the time: 6 cities in 10 days, every hour scheduled. China is exhausting if you try to see everything. My best advice: pick 2-3 cities, stay longer in each, leave room for spontaneity. Some of my best memories are unplanned — stumbling into a tea house, getting invited to a local family's dinner, wandering a neighborhood without a map. Leave empty space in your itinerary. Trust me on this.

Chengdu. I've been there dozens of times and it never gets old. The food is incredible (I crave the hotpot when I'm away), the people are the friendliest in China, and the pace of life is so relaxed. There's a tea house in People's Park where I always sit for an afternoon — just watching the locals dance, play mahjong, and practice calligraphy. If you visit one city beyond the classic Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai route, make it Chengdu.

How helpful people are. I've watched strangers walk a lost tourist 15 minutes to their hotel. I've seen a shop owner refuse payment for a bottle of water to a traveler who looked confused. There's a stereotype that Chinese people are unfriendly, but it's completely wrong. They're shy about English, but if you smile, say nǐ hǎo, and make an effort, people will go out of their way to help you. That kindness is what keeps me in this business after 15 years.

Of course — travel always has surprises. One client's flight was cancelled and they arrived a day late, missing their Great Wall guide. I called the guide, rescheduled, rearranged the rest of their Beijing itinerary over the phone, and the trip ended up being one of their favorites. Another time, a hotel overbooked and a family had nowhere to stay at 10pm in Xi'an. I found them a better hotel for the same price within 20 minutes. The key is having someone local who can fix things fast. That's the real value of working with someone like me — not the perfect itinerary, but knowing someone has your back when things go wrong.