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[{"title":"Essential Apps for China","url":"/en/apps/","desc":"The apps you actually need in China — with setup guides for non-Chinese speakers.","body":"import Layout from '@layouts/Layout.astro'; const title = 'Essential Apps for China'; const description = 'The apps you actually need in China — with setup guides for non-Chinese speakers.'; --- CATEGORY Essential Apps The apps you actually need in China. Note: Detailed app guides coming soon. Must-Have Apps WeChat (微信) — Messaging, payments, everything Alipay (支付宝) — Payments and services Didi (滴滴) — Ride hailing Amap / Baidu Maps — Navigation (Google Maps doesn't work well) Meituan — Food delivery Dianping — Restaurant reviews"},{"title":"Beijing Travel Guide: What to See, Eat, and Know","url":"/en/cities/beijing-guide/","desc":"Your complete Beijing guide — attractions, transport, food, and where to stay.","body":""},{"title":"Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Spicy Food & Slow Life","url":"/en/cities/chengdu-guide/","desc":"Visit Chengdu — see giant pandas, eat the world","body":""},{"title":"How Many Days Do You Need in China? Itinerary by Trip Length","url":"/en/cities/city-select/","desc":"Plan the perfect China trip. From a 3-day whirlwind to a 3-week adventure — find the itinerary that fits your timeline.","body":""},{"title":"Guangzhou Travel Guide: Food Capital of China","url":"/en/cities/guangzhou-guide/","desc":"Explore Guangzhou — China","body":""},{"title":"Hainan Travel Guide 2026 — Visa-Free for 59 Countries","url":"/en/cities/hainan-visa-free/","desc":"Plan your trip to Hainan, China tropical island. 30-day visa-free for 59 countries. Tropical beaches, rainforest hikes, local food, and travel tips in one guide.","body":""},{"title":"Shanghai Travel Guide: The Most Foreigner-Friendly City","url":"/en/cities/shanghai-guide/","desc":"Shanghai guide — attractions, food, transport, and where to stay in China","body":""},{"title":"Shenzhen Travel Guide: Tech Hub Next to Hong Kong","url":"/en/cities/shenzhen-guide/","desc":"Visit Shenzhen — China","body":""},{"title":"Essential Chinese Phrases for Travelers","url":"/en/life/chinese-phrases/","desc":"Learn these basic Chinese phrases before your trip — pronunciation, when to use them, and tips for being understood.","body":""},{"title":"Common Scams in China & How to Avoid Them","url":"/en/life/common-scams/","desc":"Don","body":""},{"title":"Cultural Dos and Don","url":"/en/life/cultural-taboos/","desc":"Chinese cultual etiquette guide for foreigners: chopstick rules, gift giving, saving face, photography rules, and what not to do in China.","body":"import Layout from '@layouts/Layout.astro'; const title = \"Cultural Dos and Don'ts in China — A Practical Guide\"; const description = \"Chinese cultual etiquette guide for foreigners: chopstick rules, gift giving, saving face, photography rules, and what not to do in China.\"; --- Back to Life in China Life in China Cultural Dos and Don'ts in China— A Practical Guide Know a few key things, and your trip will go much smoother. 📅 Last updated: June 2026 ⏱️ 6 min read 🎯 Quick Answer Chinese people are incredibly understanding of foreign visitors who don't know local customs. Nobody expects you to be perfect. But knowing a few key things will make your trip smoother and help you connect with locals better. 📋 In This Guide ✅ The Basics ⭐ Things That Will Impress Locals ⚠️ Things That Actually Matter 🚬 What About Smoking? 💎 The Golden Rule Chinese people are incredibly understanding of foreign visitors who don't know local customs. Nobody expects you to be perfect. But knowing a few key things will make your trip smoother and help you connect with locals better. I've organized this into three levels: things most people already know, things that will genuinely impress locals, and things that really matter. ✅ The Basics 🥢 Chopstick Rules Don't stick them upright in your rice bowl (resembles funeral incense) Don't tap them on your bowl (that's what beggars do) Rest them on the chopstick rest or across your plate 🍵 Pour Drinks for Others In China, you pour drinks for the people around you, and they pour for you. Pouring your own drink is seen as a bit self-centered. 🎁 Gift Giving Don't give clocks (sounds like \"attending a funeral\" in Chinese) Wrap gifts in red or gold, not white or black (funeral colors) Don't open gifts in front of the giver — it's polite to open them later 🚫 Don't Point or Touch Heads Pointing at people with your finger is considered rude. Use an open hand or gesture with your chin instead. The head is considered personal/sacred in Chinese culture. Even patting a child on the head can feel off. The number 4 sounds like \"death\" in Chinese. Buildings often skip the 4th floor. Avoid giving gifts in sets of 4. ⭐ Things That Will Impress Locals These are small gestures that show you've made an effort. Chinese people will genuinely appreciate them: 🍽️ Dining Etiquette Wait for the host to start eating before you begin Try everything that's offered to you — even if you're not sure what it is. It shows respect for the host Say \"I'm full\" (我饱了 / wǒ bǎo le) when you're done When receiving a gift or business card , use both hands If someone offers you tea , accept it. Refusing can feel like rejecting hospitality 🍶 The Baijiu Ritual If a Chinese host offers you baijiu (Chinese liquor), they're showing you respect. You don't need to drink it all — a small sip is fine. But refusing entirely can feel dismissive. When toasting, hold your glass slightly lower than the person you're toasting with — it's a traditional sign of respect. �面子 Saving "},{"title":"Emergency Numbers & What to Do If You Need Help in China","url":"/en/life/emergency-numbers/","desc":"Emergency numbers in China: 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), 119 (fire). Also: embassy contacts, lost passport steps, and emergency phrases.","body":""},{"title":"10 Apps You Need to Download Before Traveling to China","url":"/en/life/essential-apps/","desc":"The apps you need to survive and thrive in China — payment, transport, translation, and more.","body":""},{"title":"Is it safe to travel to China?","url":"/en/life/is-china-safe/","desc":"Wondering if China is safe for tourists? A Chinese local shares real experiences about safety in China — no government slogans, just honest talk.","body":""},{"title":"What to Pack for China — Seasons & Climate Guide","url":"/en/life/packing-guide/","desc":"What to pack for China based on seasons and cities — from Beijing winters to Guangzhou summers.","body":""},{"title":"Seeing a Doctor in China: Clinics, Hospitals & Insurance","url":"/en/life/seeing-a-doctor/","desc":"What every traveler needs to know about seeing a doctor in China: clinics vs hospitals, costs, international departments, and travel insurance.","body":""},{"title":"Best SIM Card & eSIM for Tourists in China","url":"/en/life/sim-card-guide/","desc":"Compare eSIM and physical SIM options for China — Airalo, Holafly, China Mobile, and more.","body":""},{"title":"Your China Trip Survival Kit: Everything You Need Before You Go","url":"/en/life/survival-kit/","desc":"From apps and SIM cards to VPN and packing — here","body":""},{"title":"Top Hospitals with International Departments in China","url":"/en/life/top-hospitals/","desc":"China","body":""},{"title":"Travel Insurance for China: What to Look For","url":"/en/life/travel-insurance/","desc":"Why you need travel insurance for China, what it should cover, and recommended providers verified for China coverage.","body":""},{"title":"Best VPNs for Traveling in China","url":"/en/life/vpn-guide/","desc":"The best VPNs for China — what works, what doesn","body":""},{"title":"Can You Use Foreign Credit Cards in China? A Realistic Look","url":"/en/payment/foreign-cards/","desc":"Where Visa and Mastercard actually work in China, ATM withdrawal costs, and why mobile payments are the way to go for travelers in 2026.","body":""},{"title":"What to Do When Your Payment Fails in China","url":"/en/payment/payment-fails/","desc":"Common payment failure reasons for foreign travelers in China and step-by-step troubleshooting when your QR code payment won\\","body":""},{"title":"How to Pay in China: Complete Guide for Foreign Visitors","url":"/en/payment/payment-guide/","desc":"Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, or credit cards — a complete overview of payment options in China for foreign visitors in 2026.","body":""},{"title":"How to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner (2026): Step-by-Step Guide","url":"/en/payment/setup-alipay/","desc":"Step-by-step guide to setting up Alipay as a foreigner in China. Download, register with international number, verify identity, and link your foreign credit card.","body":""},{"title":"How to Set Up WeChat Pay as a Foreigner (2026): Step-by-Step Guide","url":"/en/payment/setup-wechat/","desc":"Step-by-step guide to setting up WeChat Pay as a foreigner. Download WeChat, bind your international credit card, verify your identity, and start paying with QR codes.","body":""},{"title":"China Tipping Culture: Do You Need to Tip?","url":"/en/payment/tipping/","desc":"No, tipping is not expected in China. A quick guide for foreign visitors on what to do (and what not to do) when it comes to tipping.","body":""},{"title":"From Airport to City in China: What Usually Works Best","url":"/en/transport/airport-to-city/","desc":"Metro, Didi, taxi, or airport bus — how to choose and what to expect at major Chinese airports.","body":""},{"title":"How to Use Didi in China as a Foreigner","url":"/en/transport/didi/","desc":"Set up and use DiDi (China\\","body":""},{"title":"How to Book and Ride China High-Speed Rail: Step-by-Step Guide","url":"/en/transport/high-speed-rail/","desc":"Step-by-step guide to booking tickets, navigating the station, and riding high-speed trains in China.","body":""},{"title":"Metro & Bus Guide for Major Chinese Cities","url":"/en/transport/metro-bus/","desc":"How to use public transit in Chinese cities. Mobile payment, transit cards, bus tips, and general navigation advice.","body":""},{"title":"How to Get Around China: The Complete Transport Guide","url":"/en/transport/transport-guide/","desc":"High-speed rail, metro, Didi, taxis, and shared bikes — how to choose the right transport for every situation in China.","body":""},{"title":"How to Apply for China Tourist Visa (L-Type) 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide","url":"/en/visa/apply-l-visa/","desc":"Complete step-by-step guide for applying to a Chinese L-type tourist visa in 2026. Official documents, COVA online form, appointment booking, fees, and FAQ.","body":""},{"title":"How to Submit Your Arrival Card to China Online — Step-by-Step Guide","url":"/en/visa/arrival-card/","desc":"Complete step-by-step tutorial with screenshots — fill in the NIA arrival card online before you fly. Save time and skip the paper form.","body":""},{"title":"China Customs Regulations: What You Can and Cannot Bring into China","url":"/en/visa/customs-guide/","desc":"Complete guide to China customs for tourists — duty-free limits, prohibited items, what to declare, and which channel to pick.","body":""},{"title":"First Time in China: Step-by-Step Preparation Guide","url":"/en/visa/first-time-china/","desc":"A complete timeline for first-time travelers to China — visa, digital setup, packing, arrival, and your first 24 hours.","body":""},{"title":"Mutual Visa-Free Agreements (29 Countries) — China Starter Hub","url":"/en/visa/mutual-agreement/","desc":"Complete guide to China\\","body":""},{"title":"China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (2026) — China Starter Hub","url":"/en/visa/transit-240/","desc":"Everything you need to know about China 240-hour visa-free transit policy.","body":""},{"title":"China Visa-Free Countries List (2026) — China Starter Hub","url":"/en/visa/visa-free/","desc":"Official list of countries eligible for visa-free entry to China — unilateral (50 countries) and mutual agreements (29 countries).","body":""},{"title":"China Visa Types Complete Guide 2026: Which Visa Do You Need?","url":"/en/visa/visa-guide/","desc":"A complete guide to Chinese visa types for tourists in 2026: visa-free, mutual agreements, 240-hour transit, and L-type tourist visa.","body":""}]