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.
The archive
All guides
Practical notes on payments, transport, food, cities and everyday digital life in China.
Cities
2 guidesPractical
1 guidesPayments
2 guidesPaying 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.
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.
Food
3 guidesOrdering 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.
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.
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.
Transport
2 guidesGetting 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.
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.