China travel guide for couples — Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Qingdao and beyond. Street Eats and Window Seats shares honest travel advice, food experiences and practical tips for midlife travellers visiting China, including visa information, transport and the best street food.
China
Ancient history, incredible food, and cities unlike anywhere else
We’ve visited China several times now, our daughter lived in China for 18 months. Even with this we still feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface. From the hutongs and drum towers of Beijing to the spicy street food and tea houses of Chengdu, from the Muslim Quarter and ancient city walls of Xi’an to the ocean and Tsingtao beer of Qingdao, each city feels like a completely different country. This page pulls together everything we’ve written about China so far.
Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October) are the best times of the year. At these times you will find mild temperatures, lower humidity, and less rain. Summer is hot and extremely crowded, particularly at major attractions. Winter in the north is bitterly cold but Beijing in the snow has its own appeal. We even experienced snow on the beach in Qingdao.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter China, applied for through the official Chinese visa application portal before travel. Processing typically takes 4–7 business days. China has introduced a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for travellers passing through certain cities, and a growing number of countries now qualify for visa-free entry.
China is nearly a cashless society. The most accepted payment methods are WeChat Pay and Alipay. Many street vendors and smaller restaurants don’t accept cash or foreign credit cards. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go and link your international credit cards. ATMs are available and it’s best to carry some cash just in case.
The great Chinese firewall blocks Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and most Western apps. A VPN is essential — download and set it up before you arrive as VPN websites are also blocked in China. We have used and recommend LetsVPN for China. Buy a local SIM card at the airport or install a Saily eSIM.
There are no budget airlines in China so domestic flights can be expensive. China’s high-speed rail (G and D trains) connects major cities quickly and cheaply — it is the largest high-speed train network in the world, book through Trip.com. Within cities, the metro systems are excellent and very affordable. Didi (China’s Uber equivalent) works well for taxis. Do not rely on Google Maps — download Amap instead.
Outside major tourist areas, English is limited. Download Google Translate with the Chinese offline pack — the camera translation feature is a lifesaver for menus. Learning a few basic phrases in Mandarin goes a long way, or consider buying a mobile translator. Most younger Chinese people in cities have some English.