China travel guide vlogs & China travel advice tips

When riding alone on muddy roads, anticipate deep mud pits and slippery edges. Balance carefully and avoid sudden movements to prevent sliding.

In rural China, not all vendors accept mobile payment. Ask locals for help; they may pay for you and refuse repayment, offering a memorable free meal.

Before leaving Arxan, fill up your tank even if you think you have enough. There would be no petrol stations along the 350-kilometer route, so starting with a full tank saved her from running dry in the middle of nowhere.

Seek out quiet backroads in northern China. The route from Arxan toward Jalaid was nearly empty, with wildflowers and rolling hills, and riding there felt more like Canada or Alaska than the busy China many people expect.

Visit Saint Sophia Cathedral early or on a Saturday to enjoy the lively square and the atmospheric live performance inside. The interior is more like a museum than an active church, so go with that expectation.

Say yes to spontaneous invitations from locals. A random encounter with a Russian-speaking Harbin resident led to a traditional tea ceremony, obscure local snacks, and an authentic dinner that no tour could have arranged.

Stay at family-owned guesthouses with local character instead of generic hotels to support local businesses.

Use RedNote to find lesser-known places, local foods, and honest travel reviews from real explorers.

At Kinbo, vendors may approach persistently from the metro to the market. Stay calm, browse at your own pace and do not feel pressured to buy, especially if sellers assume foreign visitors are customers.

Replica quality varies. Check stitching, weight and whether a shoe holds its shape; Homeless Pelican found that some copies looked flimsy while better ones felt close to originals and cost more.

Reanne and Ben say they could walk into a private hospital in Guangzhou without an appointment and be seen within an hour. Their experience involved WeChat translation because not all doctors spoke English, and tests had to be paid for upfront.

In Ben's experience, he had to produce and deliver his own fertility-test sample to the lab. Ask where the lab is before leaving the room, and check whether a collection pot is available so you know how the hospital handles the sample.

Grab a map before wandering Zhujiajiao's canals and side streets. The maze is beautiful but it is easy to get lost, so a local guide can unlock hidden houses and private gardens you would never find alone.

Don't skip the old private houses and gardens. A rich businessman's home hides jade-colored rock, marble panels carved like mountain landscapes, and double-sided embroidery, details that make the water town feel like a living museum.

Slow down to 30-40 km/h at corners when riding a sidecar, especially until you get used to the handling.

When turning right in a sidecar, the sidecar can lift up. More weight helps keep it down.

The market is built on quality tiers. Lower floors are tourist traps with obvious fakes, while upper floors carry products closer to authentic. Don't buy on impulse at the entrance; explore higher levels and compare quality before spending.

After police raids, sellers keep their best products hidden. If you want top-tier replicas, ask for the highest quality or ask if they have a showroom or back room. That's where the closest-to-authentic items are kept.

For a first visit to Chongqing, especially when traveling with children, hire a local guide with a private car. The city is built across multiple levels and can be difficult to navigate; a driver can help reach major sights without taking a stroller through long stair routes.

Start the morning with a simple bao bun shop and a bowl of noodles, as the Kings did. Chongqing is known for Sichuan pepper and its numbing spice. Keep milk nearby to cool the heat, as the family found useful with their first bowl.

Go to People's Park on a weekend to see Shanghai's marriage market in action. Parents may size you up on age, height, income, education, hukou and property. It isn't romantic. It's a practical side of local life with nothing quite like it in the West.

If you like coffee, spend time in Shanghai's cafes. The city has more Starbucks than anywhere on Earth and over 10,000 cafes. Try a premium Starbucks that serves coffee-alcohol drinks, and keep in mind that Shanghai locals may pick coffee over tea.

On a long daily ride, check your motorcycle oil level especially with a vintage bike. Itchy Boots removes the side panel and tops up a little oil, reminding riders that old engines naturally consume oil.

At a remote Chinese lunch stop, payment may rely on WeChat only. Alipay did not work, so having a local companion or a friend to transfer money can save you when ordering food.

Don't worry about VPN or SIM cards. Use Alipay to buy an eSIM and everything works—WhatsApp, Google, Instagram. It's straightforward and stress-free.

The Great Wall has many entry points. The Giang Jang entrance didn't have the best viewpoints, and drones are not allowed. Research alternatives for better views.

At a large hotel, ask the front desk whether a direct booking price is available. In Joel’s case the employee canceled the online reservation and rebooked it directly, saving money at a nearly empty property.

Exploring an empty hotel can be unsettling after dark. Bring a flashlight, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid unsafe or restricted areas, and keep to paths where you can see the floor and exits.

Entering the mine requires proper preparation. Wear a helmet, boots, and a mask, and always watch where you step because the ground is slippery and uneven. Following your guide closely is the only safe way to navigate the underground workings.

Riding the mining cart is a thrilling but scary descent. The track angles down steeply and becomes very slippery, so hold on tight to the cart and brace yourself as it carries you hundreds of meters into the mountain.

Kieran and Michelle arrange a VIP pickup through their hotel. A Mercedes E-Class collects them at the airport, making the arrival smooth and setting a luxury tone for their Beijing visit.

At a traditional Beijing restaurant, the chef carves the duck into 108 pieces. The source recommends visiting a heritage dining hall and following the locals' way of folding duck with pancakes and accompaniments.

When you find a Shanghai shop selling cold noodles and creamy drinks, order several dishes and share them. A blind taste test can make breakfast fun and help you discover flavors beyond the usual tourist stops.

The five-story Shanghai Natural History Museum exhibition hall is a major stop for dinosaur fans. Give yourself at least two hours to explore the displays, take photos and browse the funny museum souvenirs. Its scale can feel overwhelming in a good way, so plan enough time rather than rushing through.

Use a navigation app such as Amap in China because Google Maps does not work. Adam and Linds found its English translations useful for metro entrances, walking routes, and meeting points in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Metro can be manageable with children once you know the fare rules: children under 130 cm ride free, while others need a transit card. If ticket machines are confusing, a reloadable card may be easier.

Amap, China's navigation app, can show how many traffic lights remain before you reach a destination. It can help you prepare for urban traffic and understand how far you are from a turn.

Harbin's Russian and European architecture is connected to its railway history. Russian workers arrived in the 1890s to extend the Trans-Siberian Railway, and their influence shaped the city center's churches, facades and squares. By 1917, Russian residents made up a large part of the city population.

Rural villages can have unexpected decorations and attractions. Uri finds fake hot air balloons, hay figures and other unusual details while walking around, so leave time to explore rather than heading straight to the mountain.

A mountain outing in Hubei may include bamboo, artificial waterfalls and koi-filled lakes. Uri also encounters mosquitoes, so bring repellent and wear practical clothes for a comfortable walk.

If you want Luckin Coffee in Chongqing, check its opening time first: the branch the family tried was still closed at 9:34, and the neighboring mall was closed too. Have another breakfast option or wait nearby before your walk.

Hongya Cave is an old folk area with shops, food and traditional stilted buildings. Visit in daylight to see the architecture, then return after dark to see the lights change its appearance.