First trip

Illustration of a bicycle against the grey wall of a hutong by a red door with lanterns, Beijing

First trip to China, tips and what to know

Which route and how many days, when to go, the visa, paying without cash, internet, trains and what to book ahead. The basics for a first trip to China.

By Armando Pacheco, who lives in Shanghai · Reviewed 15 Oct 2026

A first trip to China takes a few weeks to prepare. What is different from other places is that you pay with your phone, Google and WhatsApp do not work without an eSIM, and trains and sights are booked with your passport.

Which route and how many days

In 10 days you see Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, with two bullet trains. It is the route of most first trips. With 12 days you can add the Li River in Guilin or the Zhangjiajie peaks, and with 15, both, or the Chengdu pandas. Fly into one city and out of another, so you never go back the same way. See the routes.

When to go

April, May, September, October and November are the best months. Avoid Golden Week, 1 to 7 October, 1 to 5 May and Chinese New Year, which falls on 6 February in 2027. July and August are hot. See it month by month in the best time to visit.

What to sort out at home

Visa. With a passport from most of Europe, the UK, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru or Uruguay you can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, currently until 31 December 2026. Others, like Mexico or the US, need a visa. Check it in Visa.
Alipay or WeChat Pay. In China almost everything is paid by phone. Install Alipay and link your Visa or Mastercard before you go. See Payments.
Internet. Google, WhatsApp and Instagram do not work with a Chinese SIM. Get a travel eSIM. See Internet and apps.
A translator app with a camera. To read menus and signs.

Get Alipay ready before you go7 steps with photos, direct download and your progress saved→

What to book ahead, and when

Bullet trains. Tickets go on sale 15 days ahead, counting the travel day.
Forbidden City. 7 days ahead, at 8 pm Beijing time. Closed on Mondays.
Terracotta Army. 7 days ahead, online only and with your passport.
Chengdu pandas. Up to 14 days ahead.
Hotels. A few weeks ahead. Check they accept foreign passports.

Once you are there

Always carry your passport. The metro costs 3 to 7 yuan and goes almost everywhere. For taxis, book a DiDi in Alipay. Do not drink tap water. In China, step by step covers each moment, from the airport to the restaurant.

What it costs

The 10-day route costs €600 to €850 per person with simple hotels and €900 to €1,550 with comfortable hotels, without your flight to China. That covers hotels, trains, tickets, food and getting around town. See the breakdown in China trip cost.

Keep planning your trip

Sources

Checked on 15 October 2026.

The route in this guide

10 daysThe golden triangleThe Terracotta Army between the Great Wall and the BundBeijing · Xi'an · Shanghai

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Chinese?

No. A translator app with a camera reads menus for you, and many restaurants let you order on your phone by scanning a code. Carry your hotel address written in Chinese.

Can I pay by card?

Day to day you pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay, which work with your Visa or Mastercard. Carry a little cash just in case.

What is the minimum number of days?

In 8 days you see the essentials, Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, with one day less at each end. With fewer days, stick to two cities.

Should I go on my own or with an agency?

KOI gives you everything you need to do it on your own. If you prefer everything booked and help in Spanish during the trip, Chinalia can plan it for you.