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GUIDES / JOURNALS 2026

July 17, 2026 / Planning

How to Use DiDi in China as a Foreigner (2026)

Yes, foreign visitors can use DiDi in China. But the stress usually is not pressing the booking button. It is making sure your phone can receive a call, your payment method works, and you are standing at the pickup point the driver can actually reach. DiDi is an app-based mobility platform that operates in China. […]

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July 16, 2026 / Planning

How to Book Attraction Tickets in China as a Foreigner

How to Book Attraction Tickets in China as a Foreigner Yes, foreign travelers can book attraction tickets in China. The part that feels unfamiliar is that many popular museums, historic sites, and landmark attractions use real-name reservations. Your booking is often tied to the passport or travel document you use at entry. For a low-demand […]

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July 16, 2026 / Uncategorized

12306 Foreign Passport Guide: Book and Board China Trains

The 12306 foreign passport process is manageable once you treat it as a short chain of checks: enter the passport record carefully, wait for the identity status shown by the official service, confirm the ticket record, and carry the same passport to the station. China Railway’s official 12306 English ticketing FAQ says foreign passengers can […]

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July 15, 2026 / City Guides

Xi’an or Chengdu? Which One Fits Your First China Trip Better?

You’ve locked in Beijing. Shanghai is on the list. And now you’ve got five or six days left and one more city slot to fill. The two names that keep coming up: Xi’an and Chengdu. Both are heavy hitters. Both show up on every “must visit China” list. But they are not the same trip […]

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July 15, 2026 / Planning

Can Foreigners Stay in Hotels in China?

Can Foreigners Stay in Hotels in China? Yes. Foreign travelers can stay in hotels in China. The part that sometimes causes confusion is not whether you are allowed to stay. It is the check-in process: hotels need to register foreign guests using passport information, and some smaller properties or less experienced front desks may handle […]

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July 14, 2026 / Planning

Lost Your Passport in China: US Citizen Recovery Guide (2026)

Lost Your Passport in China: US Citizen Recovery Guide (2026) It is 2 PM on a Tuesday in Beijing. You reach into your jacket pocket for your passport, and your fingers find fabric. The jacket hangs across the back of a chair in a café you visited six hours ago. You are here for ten […]

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July 14, 2026 / Planning

Can You Take the High-Speed Train From Hong Kong to China Visa-Free?

Can You Take the High-Speed Train From Hong Kong to China Visa-Free? Short answer: yes, some eligible travelers can enter mainland China from Hong Kong by high-speed train under China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy. But the train itself is not the qualification. Your passport, route, confirmed onward ticket, entry port, and planned travel area still […]

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