39 posts · Curated China travel tips
Is China good for solo travel? I have helped hundreds of solo travelers explore China over 15 years. Here is everything I have learned — safety, eating alone, where to stay, how to get around, and why solo might actually be the best way to see this country.
Choosing which cities to visit in China for the first time can feel overwhelming. After 15 years of planning trips, here's my honest guide to picking the right route — based on your travel style, how many days you have, and what you actually want to experience.
Harbin Ice Festival, Beijing's snow-covered Forbidden City, Yunnan's mild winters — and the surprising places where winter is actually the best time to visit.
China in 2026 is not the country you read about in 10-year-old travel blogs. A 15-year China travel planner tells you what is actually true — and what fears you can let go of.
Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn, National Day Golden Week — when they fall in 2026, how they affect travel, and which festivals are worth planning your trip around.
The ultimate China packing list — from power banks and VPN routers to the one item every traveler forgets. Based on 15 years of traveling China in every season.
China Mobile, China Unicom, or eSIM? Where to buy, what to pay, and how to set up your phone before you land. A complete guide to staying online in China.
I get this question at least twice a week: "Peng, how many days do I need in Beijing?" The honest answer: 4 days minimum. 5 if you want to breathe. Day 1: Forbidden City + Jingshan Park (book tickets a week ahead) Day 2: Great Wall — leave by 6:30am, Mutianyu is closest Day 3: Temple of Heaven in the morning, Summer Palace after lunch Day 4: Hutong walking tour + 798 Art District Day 5 (optional): Xi'an — take the 4.5hr high-speed train, see the Terracotta Warriors This isn't a rushed itinerary. It's what I've refined over 15 years of bringing clients here. You could do it in 3 days but you'd hate yourself by day 2. Want a full day-by-day plan? That's what I do. Just ask.
High-speed train or budget flight? I've done both hundreds of times across China. Here's my honest comparison — time, cost, convenience, and what I recommend to my clients.
Three ways to travel China. I've helped clients with all of them for 15 years. Here's the honest breakdown of costs, pros and cons, and who each style is best for.
China's entry rules changed more in the past year than the previous decade combined. I break down exactly who can enter visa-free, how the 240-hour transit actually works, and the customs changes every traveler needs to know — based on what I see at the airport with my own clients.
Tickets sell out in minutes. Here's exactly how to book the Forbidden City — with the booking window, the WeChat mini-program setup, and what to do if they're sold out.
Two weeks in China is enough to fall in love with the country. This route covers 5 cities with the perfect balance of history, food, and scenery — the ultimate **China Custom Tour** for time-rich travellers.
Booking a hotel in China is different from anywhere else. Which platforms work, which hotels accept foreigners, and how to avoid the 10 PM scramble — essential **China Travel Planning** for a smooth trip.
Beijing hits 40°C. Chongqing turns into a sauna. But China in summer is still incredible — if you know where to go and how to handle the heat. Here is everything I have learned from 15 years of summer travel across China.
Real pricing data across 35 Chinese cities from 15 years of planning custom tours. Compare costs by city tier — from Beijing luxury to Zhangjiajie adventure. Part of your **China Custom Tour** planning toolkit.
A comprehensive guide for Australian travellers making the long-haul journey to China. 3-week custom tour itineraries, costs in AUD, and insider tips from a 15-year expert.
A client once asked me: "Should I spend more time in Beijing or Shanghai?" After 15 years of visiting both cities, here's my honest comparison to help you decide.
I've hiked every section of the Great Wall — from the crumbling wild sections to the restored tourist routes. Here's my honest guide to hiking the Wall, with everything a beginner needs to know.
Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, and a Muslim Quarter that smells like heaven. Xi'an is the history highlight of any **China Custom Tour** — here's how to do it right.
Badaling vs Mutianyu vs Jiankou vs Simatai — which Great Wall section is right for your trip? Honest comparison from someone who's been to all of them.
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, cards — what works where, and how to set everything up before you land.
How much does a China trip actually cost? Real prices for hotels, food, transport, and activities — from ¥12,000 budget trips to ¥80,000 luxury tours.
Beijing isn't a city you visit — it's a city you experience. A 15-year insider's guide to the capital, packed with the local knowledge that makes a **China Custom Tour** unforgettable.
Violent crime is low, scams are annoying, and the biggest risk is jaywalking. Here’s what every traveler needs to know about safety in China.
Three weeks to travel through 5,000 years of Chinese history. This **China Custom Tour** route takes you from Beijing's Great Wall to Shanghai's skyline via Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guilin.
Does your travel insurance cover China? Most policies don't cover everything. Here's what to look for and which providers actually work.
Step-by-step guide to booking China's high-speed trains. Routes, ticket types, costs, and everything I've learned from 15 years of travelling by rail across China — from Beijing to Kunming, Shanghai to Urumqi.
Which VPNs work in China right now, how to set them up, and the eSIM alternative that bypasses the firewall entirely. Updated June 2026.
From exchanging currency to setting up Alipay — everything you need to know about money in China in 2026, without the confusion.
Both are incredible. But they're completely different trips. Here's how to choose based on what you actually want.
Which apps you actually need in China, which ones to skip, and how to set everything up before you arrive. From a 15-year local.
Based on what first-time visitors actually worry about — payments, apps, language, bookings. Here's a practical pre-departure checklist.
Everything you need to know about China visas in 2026 — from the new visa-free policies to the step-by-step application process. Part of your **China Travel Planning** essentials.
The perfect 10-day route through China designed by a 15-year insider. Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai — the ideal first **China Custom Tour** for first-timers.
Each season reveals a different China. Here's when to go based on what you want to see and do.
