Your questions, answered.
A reference desk. The questions travellers ask before flying, answered in the order they come up. The editorial version of each topic lives in the blog; the practical version lives here.
Practical · Payments & connectivity
Payments and connectivity in China: what works in 2026
Alipay and WeChat Pay take foreign cards now. eSIMs from Sydney still work on arrival. The honest current playbook.
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See also
- China visa-free for Australians (2026)
- Is it safe to travel to China?
Practical · Health & access
Health, safety, and accessibility in China
Tap water, food hygiene, medical care, mobility access, and travelling with restrictions. The practical detail before you fly.
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See also
- Is it safe to travel to China?
Practical · Pricing & inclusions
Pricing and what is included: how the all-inclusive price is built
What the all-inclusive price covers, what sits outside it, deposit and refund terms, and the currency mechanics.
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See also
- Best time to visit China
Practical · Day one
Arriving in China: the first 24 hours, hour by hour
Hour-by-hour walkthrough of arrival day, from immigration to the first dinner. Removes the unknowns up front.
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See also
- How many days do you need in Xi'an?
- Is it safe to travel to China?
Practical · Etiquette
Tipping, etiquette, and the small social mechanics
Tipping, dining, gift-giving, photography, and the small daily mechanics that decide how a traveller is received.
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See also
- Is it safe to travel to China?
When the reference work is done, the next step is a conversation.