The China Route
Travel tips

China travel tips

Visas, money, transport and planning.

PlanningPracticalTransportFood
Meilleure période pour visiter la Chine : guide météo mois par mois
Planning

Meilleure période pour visiter la Chine : guide météo mois par mois

Le climat chinois oscille brutalement entre des hivers arctiques à Harbin et des étés tropicaux à Guangzhou. Choisir le bon moment vous épargnera foules et conditions extrêmes.

12 July 2026Lire
First Time in China: 15 Mistakes to Avoid
Planning

First Time in China: 15 Mistakes to Avoid

Skip the trial-and-error: these 15 mistakes cost first-time visitors time, money and opportunity in 2026.

12 July 2026Lire
How Much Does a Trip to China Cost? Full Budget Breakdown
Planning

How Much Does a Trip to China Cost? Full Budget Breakdown

Independent travel in China costs ¥300-900 per day depending on accommodation, transport choices, and dining style across your itinerary.

12 July 2026Lire
Internet in China: VPN, SIM Cards and eSIM for Travellers
Practical

Internet in China: VPN, SIM Cards and eSIM for Travellers

China blocks Google, Facebook and WhatsApp, but staying connected is straightforward with a VPN, local SIM or eSIM costing from CNY 30.

12 July 2026Lire
Getting Around Chinese Cities: Metro, DiDi, Buses and Bikes
Transport

Getting Around Chinese Cities: Metro, DiDi, Buses and Bikes

Chinese cities run on metro cards, DiDi, shared bikes and buses: here's how to pay, navigate and troubleshoot when apps fail.

12 July 2026Lire
China Visa Guide 2026: Requirements, Costs and Visa-Free Entry
Planning

China Visa Guide 2026: Requirements, Costs and Visa-Free Entry

China's visa policy changed significantly in 2024-2025, with 54 countries now eligible for 15-day visa-free entry and expanded transit options.

12 July 2026Lire
How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay as a Tourist in China
Practical

How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay as a Tourist in China

Alipay and WeChat Pay power 90% of transactions in China, and tourists can now use both apps without a Chinese bank account using TourPass and foreign cards.

12 July 2026Lire
China Packing List: What to Bring and What to Buy There
Planning

China Packing List: What to Bring and What to Buy There

Pack light, buy local, and download the right apps before you land: this checklist covers what you must bring and what you can save money on in China.

12 July 2026Lire
Chinese Food for First-Timers: What and How to Order
Food

Chinese Food for First-Timers: What and How to Order

Chinese restaurant menus overwhelm first-timers with hundreds of unfamiliar dishes, but ordering well comes down to mastering five core categories.

12 July 2026Lire
Trains à grande vitesse en Chine : comment réserver vos billets et à quoi vous attendre
Transport

Trains à grande vitesse en Chine : comment réserver vos billets et à quoi vous attendre

Le réseau ferroviaire à grande vitesse chinois couvre 45 000 km et atteint 350 km/h, mais la réservation de billets en tant qu'étranger nécessite des applications et documents spécifiques.

12 July 2026Lire