Complete experience for first-time independent travelers to China

Traveling to China on your own will be easier if you prepare the necessary applications carefully and plan properly.

Ngo Thu Phuong, a 28-year-old Chinese teacher who used to live and study in Beijing, said that China has some barriers for independent tourists , mainly related to language barriers.

Based on her experience traveling to many places in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Jinan, Wuzhen and areas in Yunnan, she gives 6 main suggestions for first-time independent travel planners.

Planning and finding information

Before each trip, Phuong often makes a travel notebook, clearly recording the daily schedule to ensure everything goes smoothly.

She suggests planning by using Xiaohongshu (Red Note) to find itinerary information, travel tips, good restaurants, and photo spots. The app offers a variety of posts with photos and video reviews from Chinese users, and it also supports English. Baidu Maps is also necessary to determine the location between points. This app is recommended by many independent Chinese travelers because of its high accuracy.

To save time and money, Phuong recommends choosing attractions that are close together because China is large and traveling takes a long time - on average, she walks about 18,000 steps per day. Therefore, she usually schedules 1-2 attractions per session, up to four attractions per day to have time to rest, take photos, and eat.

Book high-speed train or plane tickets in advance through Qunar, Feizhu, or some popular apps in Vietnam, if there are promotions. Visitors should pay attention to choosing hotels or homestays licensed to accommodate foreigners.

When planning your trip in China, Phuong recommends checking the train station information carefully, especially in big cities like Beijing - where there are 7 train stations such as Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West, Beijing South and these stations are very far apart. If you get the wrong station, you may not be able to catch the train in time, leading to a cancellation.

A page from Phuong's travel notebook during her trip to Yunnan.

Additionally, some popular attractions like the Forbidden City or museums like the National Museum of China require advance ticket reservations via apps like WeChat, Alipay, or Qunar. Check the ticket requirements carefully and book early, especially during peak season, to avoid sold-out tickets or long lines.

Apply for visa, entry

Phuong advises tourists to carefully study the document requirements when applying for a Chinese tourist visa. Visa processing time is quite fast, so tourists should consider the appropriate time to submit their application.

When entering the country, Phuong suggests filling out the entry form in advance to save time. Visitors should bring a small amount of cash, preferably paying via Alipay. Carry-on luggage should be light and compact, and electronic devices should be easily accessible for inspection.

When going through customs, visitors should wear simple clothes, easy-to-remove shoes, and avoid thick coats or high boots. Phuong emphasizes maintaining a serious attitude, lining up in an orderly manner, and not laughing loudly. If you encounter any difficulties, you can ask the airport security staff because they are very enthusiastic in assisting.

Moving between cities

Travelers choose their mode of transport based on distance, time and budget. For short trips, high-speed trains are the ideal choice. Trains are fast, smooth, reasonably priced, and have many trips and routes to choose from.

If traveling far, such as from Beijing to Guangzhou, tourists should choose airplanes even though the price is higher and it takes time to check in and travel to the airport. Long-distance buses are difficult to book online, and often have to be purchased directly at the station, so Phuong does not recommend it for new users.

A corner of the Forbidden City.

To book high-speed train or plane tickets, Phuong recommends Feizhu or Qunar. These two apps have a friendly interface, are easy to compare prices, and sometimes have different promotions depending on the time. Travelers should book early to ensure a good seat and price.

Getting around the city

In big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, Phuong recommends tourists prioritize the subway. This system is convenient, cheap and has stations near most attractions, especially in Beijing. Tourists can buy tickets directly at the station or use Alipay with NFC feature for quick payment.

Buses are also a good option as they support Alipay payments, but travelers should check the route in advance to avoid mistakes. For short distances, public bicycles are a convenient option, which can be booked via Alipay or WeChat.

Train tickets in Qingdao are in the form of cards but in Tianjin they are in the form of round coins.

To avoid getting lost, Phuong emphasized downloading Baidu Maps to her phone before the trip because she needed to use it constantly. For famous attractions such as the Great Wall or Zhangjiajie National Park, Phuong advised booking tickets in advance via WeChat or Alipay because many places require advance reservations, especially during peak season.

Communication and payment

For those who do not know Chinese, Phuong suggests using Google Translate to translate directly into Chinese. Chinese people rarely use English, so communicating in English is often difficult. Tourists should download WeChat to communicate and book tickets more easily.

Regarding payment, Phuong said that cash is rarely used in big cities, and is more popular in areas near the border. Tourists should install Alipay because it is easy to link to international bank accounts and supports scanning payments in stores, subways, and buses. WeChat Pay requires a Chinese bank account, so it is less suitable.

Phuong took photos at the Forbidden City.

If the store does not accept international cards or cash, visitors can use Alipay to settle. Phuong recommends exchanging some cash in case of emergency, but note that the seller may refuse if it is difficult to give change.

Some other issues

To ensure safety, Phuong advises tourists to leave early and return early, always carry valuables, especially passports. Tourists should avoid deserted areas and avoid street vendors because they are likely to be overcharged.

When calling a taxi, Phuong suggests using the Didi ride-hailing app or choosing a taxi with a meter and asking for the price clearly before using any service.

Culturally, Phuong said that modern Chinese youth usually line up in an orderly manner. As foreigners, tourists are often forgiven for inadvertently violating minor customs, as long as they maintain a polite attitude.

Phuong took photos in Tianjin.

Phuong advises avoiding traveling during major holidays such as Chinese New Year, National Day (Golden Week) or Labor Day because big cities are crowded and prone to traffic jams. Tourists should choose autumn (September-October) to see the yellow leaves in Beijing, May-June to explore Suzhou, Hangzhou with pleasant weather or any season for Yunnan because the scenery is beautiful all year round.

If you encounter an unexpected situation, Phuong suggests going to the nearest security guard or police. They are always ready to help with directions or solve your problem. In addition, visitors should also write down the contact number of the embassy in case of emergency.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/tron-bo-kinh-nghiem-cho-nguoi-lan-dau-du-lich-trung-quoc-tu-tuc-166753.html