China, decoded for Southeast Asian travelers.
Practical, no-nonsense guides on visa-free entry, paying with Alipay & WeChat on foreign cards, staying online with a VPN, must-have apps, halal food, and ready-made itineraries — written for travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and beyond.
Explore by topic
China Survival Guide
Visa, payments, VPN, apps and language.
Halal & Muslim-Friendly China
Halal food, mosques, and Muslim-friendly hotels.
Ready-Made China Itineraries
Day-by-day trip plans by origin and length.
China City Guides
City-by-city practical guides.
China Travel Deals & Essentials
Visa, eSIM, insurance, flights and tour deals.
Featured guides
Visa-Free Travel to China for Southeast Asians (2026 Guide)
Do Singaporeans, Malaysians and Thais need a visa for China? A clear breakdown of China's 30-day visa-free policy, the 144-hour transit visa, and the pitfalls that catch travelers at the airport.
Must-Have Apps for China Travel (2026): Maps, DiDi, Meituan, 12306
The Chinese apps every Southeast Asian traveler needs: Amap for navigation (not Google Maps), DiDi for rides, Meituan for food and hotels, and 12306 for trains — with English setup tips and the right install order.
Paying in China with Foreign Cards: Alipay & WeChat Pay (2026 Guide)
Can you use Visa or Mastercard in China? Yes — here's exactly how to bind a foreign card to Alipay and WeChat Pay, the TourCard shortcut for tourists, where cards still fail, and how much cash to carry.
Internet in China: VPN, eSIM & What Actually Works (2026)
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Gmail are blocked in China. Here's how to stay connected: which VPNs to install before landing, the roaming eSIM trick that bypasses the firewall, and the legal reality travelers should know.