THE JOURNAL
Seeing China
English and Chinese reporting, context and practical travel guides about a changing China.
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China public-holiday travel: trains, hotels and crowds
Coordinate bookings, distinguish waiting lists from issued tickets and prepare a fallback you can actually use.
OCTOBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Delayed or missing baggage in China: a practical airport guide
Report it before leaving the reclaim hall, give a usable delivery address and keep the documents that make follow-up possible.
OCTOBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Pharmacies and medicines in China: a practical guide for travelers
Prepare your medication record, choose a qualified pharmacy and know when to seek medical care.
OCTOBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Cash and ATMs in China: a practical guide for international visitors
Use a small cash backup well, find a compatible ATM and protect your card while you travel.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China customs declaration: a practical guide for international travelers
Choose the right channel, prepare documents and know when to declare before reaching the border.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China departure tax refunds: a practical guide for overseas visitors
Confirm the store, keep eligible goods unused and protect enough time to complete the 2026 departure process.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Shopping returns and receipts in China: a practical guide for visitors
Keep the receipt, check the shop's own terms and protect your travel schedule when a purchase needs attention.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Visiting a tea house in China: a practical guide for travelers
Confirm the menu and price, then let a tea house be a calm pause in the day.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Convenience stores in China: a practical guide for visitors
Use a convenience store for water, snacks and small essentials while keeping the next journey simple.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Eating at restaurants in China: a visitor’s practical guide
Choose a simple first order, state essential dietary needs clearly and make payment part of the plan.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Walking in Chinese cities: a practical guide for visitors
Choose one area, save the return route and leave room to stop.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Taking photos in China: a practical guide for visitors
Respect the place and people in it, and let local rules decide what is appropriate to photograph.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Planning a first China itinerary: a practical visitor’s guide
Choose fewer bases, protect transfer days and build each day around one clear priority.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Airport duty-free shopping in China: a visitor’s practical guide
Protect boarding time, compare the complete price and check what you can take onward.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China airport security and departure checks: a visitor’s guide
Keep essentials accessible, allow time and follow the official instructions at your departure terminal.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Airport lounges in China: a visitor’s practical guide
Check the terminal and eligibility first, then use the lounge as a calm place to eat, charge and protect your next flight.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China travel jet lag: a practical first-48-hours guide
Keep the first two days light, use daylight and make sleep, food and transport decisions before you are exhausted.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Arriving in China late at night: a practical guide for visitors
Save the address, confirm the hotel and choose one reliable official route before you land.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Traveling in China with children: a practical guide for families
Keep travel days shorter, make the next step visible and build a small backup plan around food, rest and transport.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Long airport layovers in China: a visitor’s guide
Protect the connection first, then use the time with a simple plan for documents, rest and the next gate.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Luggage and valuables on China trains: a visitor’s guide
Separate essential items, store larger bags without blocking the carriage and check everything before you leave.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Food and water on China trains: a visitor’s guide
Pack simple essentials, check what your journey offers and keep what you need within reach.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Changing or cancelling a China train ticket: a visitor’s guide
Keep the booking details, decide early and confirm the replacement journey before you change a workable plan.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China train seats and sleepers: a visitor’s practical guide
Choose for the length of the ride, the sleep you need and the amount of personal space that makes the journey easy.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Boarding a train in China: a first-time visitor’s guide
Save the right station, allow for the station process and follow the next train—not the nearest exit.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Solo travel in China: a practical guide for first-time visitors
Keep the first day simple, store addresses offline and decide how each day ends before you set out.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Using shared bicycles in China: a visitor’s guide
Set up before you need it, inspect the bike, ride with care and make sure the rental really ends where you park.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Long-distance buses in China: a practical guide for visitors
Confirm the real arrival point, plan the terminal and keep the items you need out of the luggage hold.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Changing trains in China: a rail-transfer guide for visitors
Match the station names, give your connection real time and keep the next train’s details ready before you leave the first one.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China overnight trains: a sleeper-guide for first-time visitors
Choose a schedule you can actually sleep through, keep essentials close and plan the first hour after arrival.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
When to travel in China: weather, seasons and holiday planning
Plan city by city, pack for your actual days and leave room for holiday crowds and changing conditions.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Booking museums and attractions in China: a visitor’s guide
Use official booking paths, match your passport details and treat a timed entry as a real appointment.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China railway stations and luggage storage: a visitor’s guide
Arrive with the right station name, allow time for screening and use official storage only when it fits your journey.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Using QR codes in China: a practical guide for visitors
Prepare your phone, understand what a code opens and confirm important details before you act.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Language and translation in China: a practical guide for visitors
Prepare key Chinese phrases, saved addresses and an offline backup before you need to ask for help.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
What to pack for China: a practical guide for visitors
Keep the items that protect your trip close, then pack layers and backups around your real itinerary.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
From airport to city in China: a practical guide for visitors
Choose the next move before landing, then keep the address and a simple backup available offline.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Domestic flights in China: a practical guide for visitors
Plan the airport journey, baggage and arrival before a flight becomes the tightest part of the day.
SEPTEMBER 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Laundry in China: a travel guide for visitors
Plan cleaning time around your itinerary and protect clothes that matter.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Public facilities in China: a practical guide for visitors
Plan ahead at stations, airports and tourist sites for a smoother journey.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Using the metro in China: a guide for foreign visitors
Save Chinese station names, allow time and keep your destination offline.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Getting help in China: an emergency-preparation guide for visitors
Keep important information offline and know who can help in a stressful moment.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China travel addresses: how to share a destination clearly
Save Chinese addresses, map pins and offline copies before you need to move.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Shopping in China: a guide to gifts and purchases for foreign visitors
Check price, payment, returns and transport before you buy.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Ordering food in China: a guide for foreign visitors
Prepare QR menus, delivery addresses, payment and dietary information before you need them.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Essential travel apps for China: a foreign visitor’s setup guide
Prepare data, payment, maps, transport and offline information before departure.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China visa and entry preparation: a checklist for foreign visitors
Check entry eligibility, passport validity and documents with the official channel before you fly.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China travel insurance: what foreign visitors should check
Compare medical cover, emergency assistance, disruption and exclusions before departure.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China power plugs and charging: a guide for foreign visitors
Check voltage, bring the right adaptor and charge safely while travelling.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
How to use DiDi and ride-hailing in China as a foreign visitor
Set up the app, find the right pickup point and keep a simple backup for airport arrivals.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
Booking a hotel in China: a practical guide for foreign visitors
Check-in documents, payment, cancellation rules and the details that make a first night easier.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China eSIM, roaming or local SIM? A mobile-internet guide for visitors
Choose a practical data setup, preserve important verification messages and test your connection before you depend on it.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
How to pay in China as a foreign visitor
Set up mobile payments, keep a reliable card and cash backup, and solve the most common payment problems before they interrupt a trip.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
TRAVEL GUIDE · CHINA
China high-speed rail for first-time visitors: a practical 12306 guide
Identity verification, tickets, stations and the simple decisions that make a first rail journey easier.
AUGUST 2026 ↗
INFRASTRUCTURE · CHINA
How China built the world's largest high-speed rail network
The system behind the trains: long-term planning, repeatable engineering and the difficult questions that remain.
AUGUST 2026 ↗