Plan your first trip to China — without the confusion.
Tell us your passport, where you're travelling from, and how many days you have. We'll recommend the best China travel guide, itinerary and travel kit for you.
Built for first-time visitors worldwide · Free checklist with free account · Updated for 2026 entry rules
What passport will you travel with?
This helps us suggest visa or visa-free travel guides.
Why travelers choose HappyChinaTrip
Personalised, not generic
A 60-second quiz matches you to the right route, products and bookings based on YOUR passport and trip.
Built for first-timers
Clear answers on visas, payment, apps, trains and hotels — the things that confuse everyone.
Actionable, not aspirational
Every guide ends with what to buy, book or set up next. No bloated travel blog filler.
Popular China travel plans
High-conversion routes our readers actually use.
10-Day First-Time China Plan
UK Visa-Free Guide 2026
Pay in China Setup
Find My Trip (Quiz)
Latest China guides
Practical stories, setup guides and honest tips for travellers planning their first trip to China.
What should I prepare before my first trip to China?
The short, honest checklist of what to set up before your flight — not the bloated 50-item version.
Read note First-Time ChinaIs China hard to travel for foreigners?
The truth: China is logistically easy once you set up two apps. The hard part is the first 48 hours.
Read note First-Time ChinaCan I travel in China without speaking Chinese?
Yes. Here's how to lean on apps and visual cues so the language gap stops mattering.
Read note Payment & AppsHow to pay in China as a foreigner
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival. Carry a little cash. That's the whole playbook.
Read noteSet up before you land
The 4 things every first-time China visitor needs to sort out before the plane lands.
China First-Time Visitor Kit
A practical digital bundle: payment setup, apps checklist, train guide, hotel-area maps, packing list and an itinerary planner. Made for the trip you're about to take.
Frequently asked
How do I choose the best China itinerary?+
Use the Trip Finder: 7 days suits Beijing + Shanghai; 10–14 days unlocks Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai.
Can I visit China without a visa?+
Many EU/UK passports qualify for 30-day visa-free entry in 2026. US travellers often use 240-hour transit — see our visa guide.
What should I prepare before travelling?+
Alipay + WeChat Pay, offline maps, VPN if needed, and book high-speed trains early on Trip.com.
Should I buy the digital travel kit or just use free guides?+
Start with the Trip Finder and free guides. The kit is worth it if you want checklists, train templates, and payment setup in one download.