Shanghai in Three Days: An Itinerary
A three-day Shanghai itinerary that balances the Bund and Pudong with neighbourhoods, museums and food, using the metro and walking.
An independent guide
Modern China,
explained plainly.
Plain-language guides to travelling, eating, moving around and living in modern China — written for curious English-speaking readers.
Start here
Three guides that make the first week easier.
SIM Cards, Bank Accounts and Permits
A guide to identity checks and registrations in China for foreign visitors: SIM cards, bank accounts, payment apps and residence permits.
Paying in China: Cash, Cards and Wallets
A practical and official-source guide to paying in China as a foreign visitor, covering cash, international cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay and exchanges.
Latest guides
Short, practical, and written for readers who have never been.
- 01 Food Ordering Food in China Without Chinese How QR-code menus, picture menus and delivery apps work in China, plus practical phrases for spice, allergies and dietary preferences. 3 min
- 02 Payments How to Pay in China as a Visitor A practical guide to Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash and foreign cards in China, including how to set up mobile payment before you arrive. 3 min
- 03 Food A First-Timer's Guide to Chinese Tea The six main families of Chinese tea, how to order in a tea house, and what to look for when buying tea as a visitor. 3 min
- 04 Transport Getting Around Chinese Cities A practical guide to city transport in China: metro etiquette, the Didi app, taxis, shared bikes and which navigation apps actually work. 3 min
- 05 Travel First Trip to China: A Practical Checklist What to prepare before a first trip to China, including apps, payment setup, connectivity, documents, power and a few everyday habits. 3 min
- 06 Entry & exit Entering China: Visas and Visa-Free Entry A summary of official Chinese rules on visa-free entry, port visas and 240-hour transit, with links to the official sources and a validity note. 5 min
- 07 Food A Guide to Chinese Regional Cuisines A tour of China's main regional cooking styles, from Sichuan and Cantonese to Jiangnan and the northwest, with dishes to try in each. 2 min
- 08 Transport China High-Speed Rail: A First Guide How to book, board and ride China's high-speed trains, from the 12306 app and passport checks to seat classes and station logistics. 3 min
- 09 Digital life China's Digital Life: Apps Locals Use A plain guide to the apps that run daily life in China, from WeChat and Alipay to Didi, Meituan, 12306 and Amap, and what visitors need. 3 min
- 10 Cities Chengdu: Food, Tea Houses and a Slower Pace A practical guide to Chengdu's tea houses, hotpot, snack streets and relaxed neighbourhoods, with tips on timing and getting around. 3 min
- 11 Accommodation Where to Stay: Accommodation Registration Official rules on accommodation registration for foreign visitors in China, including hotels, private stays, the 24-hour deadline and online registration. 4 min