I made most of these mistakes so you don’t have to. Here’s the real deal.
1. Not Downloading Essential Apps Before Arrival
This was my first and most painful lesson. I landed at Pudong airport, opened my phone to call my hotel, and realized Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram all simply did not work. No connection to anyone. No way to open my hotel booking confirmation. I spent two hours in the airport trying to connect to WiFi and figure out what was happening.
What you actually need to do: Download WeChat, setting up Alipay as a foreigner, a translation app (I use Pleco for Chinese, it works offline), and a reliable VPN on your phone before you board the plane. Trying to set up a VPN or download apps after arriving in China is nearly impossible without one. If you don’t have a VPN yet, Astrill and ExpressVPN are two that I’ve personally used and still work (mostly).
2. Assuming Everyone Speaks English
I speak exactly zero Mandarin beyond “xie xie” and “duo shao qian,” and let me tell you — outside of the front desk at a 5-star best hotels in Beijing, almost no one speaks English. Not the restaurant staff. Not the taxi drivers. Not even the ticket agents at the train station.
Download Google Translate offline packs for Chinese before you go. Or better, get Pleco — it lets you draw characters you don’t recognize, which saved me countless times when trying to read menus.
3. Ignoring the Great Firewall
I cannot stress this enough: your regular phone plan will not work in China the way you expect. Google Maps? Blocked. Gmail? Blocked. Instagram? You’ll be staring at a spinning wheel.
You need a VPN. Not nice-to-have. Non-negotiable. I use Astrill because it has a China-specific server setup, but even then, some connections drop during sensitive political periods. Have a backup VPN installed just in case.
Also, forget Google Maps for navigation inside China — use Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode). They work better for local transit directions anyway.
4. Not Carrying Your Passport
A friend of mine got stopped at a subway station in Guangzhou for a random ID check. He didn’t have his passport — left it in the hotel safe. He spent 4 hours at the police station while they verified his our comprehensive China visa guide status.
Chinese law requires foreigners to carry their passport at all times. Police checks are not common, but they happen. I carry my passport in a slim neck pouch under my shirt, plus a color photocopy of the ID page and visa in my bag.
5. Overlooking the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
I met a traveler at a hostel in Shanghai who had paid $160 for a the full tourist visa guide, then found out the next day he qualified for the 144-hour visa-free transit — free of charge. He could have saved the money and the paperwork hassle.
If you’re transiting through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or several other major cities, check if you qualify for the 144-hour (6 day) visa-free transit. It covers citizens of most Western countries and can save you a lot of time and money.
6. Booking the Wrong Accommodation
I nearly booked a really nice-looking guesthouse on Booking.com for a trip to Chengdu. I called to confirm, and the owner said, “Sorry, we are not licensed to accept foreign guests.” This is a real thing in China — not all hotels are allowed to host foreigners.
Always confirm with the property before you book. International chains (Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) are always safe. For budget options, check that they have a “foreign guest” license. This is less of an issue now than it was 5 years ago, but it still happens in smaller cities.
7. Not Understanding the booking train tickets in China System
China’s high-speed trains are genuinely incredible — faster, cleaner, and more punctual than anything I’ve experienced in Europe or the US. But booking tickets as a foreigner is a hassle.
The official 12306 app has an English version, but the registration process is painful — it requires a Chinese phone number or a passport scan that often fails on the first few tries. Your best bet: book through Trip.com (formerly Ctrip), which has an English interface and handles the 12306 integration for you. Or just buy the ticket at the station with your passport. It takes 10 minutes.
8. Drinking Tap Water
This one seems obvious, but I’ve seen travelers do it out of habit. Tap water in China is not potable. Even locals don’t drink it straight from the tap.
Buy bottled water at any convenience store — it’s 2-5 RMB (about $0.30-0.70). Most hotels provide 2 free bottles per day. I’ve also started carrying a portable water bottle with a filter (like LifeStraw or Grayl) for longer trips in rural areas.
9. Ignoring Air Quality Alerts
Beijing in winter is rough. I was there in January and the AQI hit 280 one day — the sky turned orange. My eyes burned and my throat was raw after 30 minutes outside.
Check the AQI daily using a free app like AirVisual. If it’s above 150, wear an N95 mask. I use the 3M Aura N95 — comfortable enough to wear for a full day of sightseeing. If you’re traveling November to March, bring masks proactively. Don’t wait until you’re coughing.
10. Forgetting to Register with Local Police
If you stay at a hotel, they handle this automatically. But if you’re staying in an Airbnb or a friend’s apartment, you must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.
I stayed with a friend in Kunming travel guide for a week and completely forgot. Nothing happened to me, but I’ve heard stories of fines (500-2000 RMB) and, in extreme cases, visa complications. Just go to the nearest police station with your passport and rental agreement. It takes 15 minutes.
Been there, done that, made the mistakes. Got questions? I actually reply — just use the contact form.