China travel guide vlogs & China travel advice tips

Ask the rental company about the interface before setting off. The creators' domestic-market Lynk & Co could not switch its controls to English, leaving navigation and other menus in Chinese.

The creators still had about 400 km to travel after their meal stop and hoped to arrive around 6 p.m., before sunset. Allow time for a stop and avoid planning to finish a long mountain drive after dark.

Rhea's friend obtained tickets with a Meituan QR code, but Rhea was unsure how a tourist could book. She suggests asking at reception for help or considering a tour.

Rhea estimates that the visit can take about an hour and describes the grounds as a pleasant morning stop. She says visitors cannot take photos inside the mausoleum area at the top.

Tim says the balance on his multi-use ticket had run out, so he buys a single-trip ticket before boarding. The clip does not show how to add balance or compare ticket options.

Tim says he catches a train just before the next one, which he expects in six minutes. That is the interval he observed during this trip, not a full or current timetable.

Ryan walks past memorial plaques, surviving ruins and long walls bearing victims' names, and points out a lake. The video shows these as part of his visit but does not give opening hours or access details.

Ryan says Tangshan has two old streets and chooses the less touristy one. He notes that its buildings do not look especially ancient, despite the street's historic framing.

For the fan-painting activity, the instructor says to choose up to three colours. She handles the lacquer drops because they can irritate skin, and advises shaking the pigment before using it.

The academy offers Han Dynasty clothing as part of the visit. Mark and Holly change into the outfits, take photos around the grounds and change back before returning to Chengdu.

Zina says her flight from Shanghai to Aksu took about 9 hours, with a stop in between. That was her itinerary; she does not name the airline, connection airport or schedule.

At the airport, Zina says she sees few taxis and that buses take arrivals toward the hotel. She does not name a bus route, fare or departure frequency.

Cage finds an English option on the self-service screen and sees that breakfast ends in seven minutes. If you want breakfast, his visit shows why checking the screen promptly can matter when the menu is close to changing.

He names WeChat, Alipay and UnionPay, then demonstrates scanning an Alipay QR code to pay. The video does not make clear which method covered each earlier menu price, so only the QR payment is confirmed.

Alex says he started around Lujiazui, changed to Line 16 and spent more than two hours reaching the final stop.

He points out green license plates and says the cars are electric. He also describes some as luxury cars; these are his observations on this outing.

The creator says it was 6 degrees on this August morning and calls it freezing. Bring warm layers for an early outing in the Qilian Mountains; his experience shows the weather can feel cold even in summer.

He says trekking up the ridges at this altitude made his lungs work hard, while local herders moved easily. Allow extra time and take a slower pace on high-altitude walks.

The creator recommends Zhaobaoshan for its views over Ningbo and the open water. He points out coastal-defense ruins on the mountain, so this stop combines a lookout with remains he says were used to guard the coast.

At the China Port Museum, the creator follows Ningbo's maritime trade history from early periods through later dynasties. He describes a replica Southern Song boat and objects recovered underwater, giving visitors context for the city's port history.

Palmer stops for lunch on Saishang Old Street and sees stalls selling snacks, tea and other goods. If you want to browse before eating, allow time to look around; the video does not name a specific restaurant or stall.

Palmer says many visitors are entering Dazhao Temple and that he has to push through the crowd. Allow extra time during a busy visit; the video gives no timetable for quieter hours.

The creator scans a QR code to pay for a drink in a public area. If you plan to pay this way, check which method the seller accepts and whether you can use it; the video does not name the service or confirm it works for every visitor.

The creator takes an elevator to a view they identify as Lujiazui. The building and access point are not named, so confirm the entrance and route locally if you are looking for a viewpoint.

Sven says drivers at Guilin airport quoted a low fare and later mentioned extra charges. He recommends using Didi or ordering a taxi in the app so you can see the price before the ride.

Airport security took Sven's power bank because it did not have CCC certification. He says he would check for the mark before buying another one, based on what happened during this flight.

Rafa says he could not find parking inside the development, so he left his car outside the area and took a taxi in. He does not identify where he parked.

Rafa says the area is reachable by car, bus or taxi. The free shuttles he mentions connect the campus and subway stations for employees, so his account does not confirm visitor access.

The set meal uses the same broth with different amounts of ingredients and costs 38 to 168 RMB, according to the creator. The separate local-style menu ranges from 8 to 30 RMB, depending on the number of ingredients.

The family assembles the set meal at the table. Blondie says the broth will not stay hot for long, so add the ingredients promptly if you want them to cook in it.

At one stand, the creator chooses a snack and watches the vendor add egg and other ingredients. He says his order costs 10 RMB; treat that as the price he paid at this stall during the visit.

The market includes stalls identified as halal, with beef and sheep meat for sale. The video does not name a particular vendor, so check the designation at the stall you choose.

On a via ferrata you are harnessed up from head to toe and clip a giant carabiner to a safety system. Keep two points of contact as you climb toward the stairway to heaven.

The safety training is very quick, about 60 seconds of instructions, and then you are let loose on the course without much structure. Listen carefully to what the staff tell you before you start.

In the market of this area with a small Tibetan population, the creators found yak butter balls, mini prayer wheels and a shrine to the caterpillar fungus believed to have medicinal properties.

Mushrooms seem to be a big thing at the local market. A portion cost 68 yuan, and although the creators are not mushroom fans, they found them pretty good, a bit vinegary with a sour flavor.

Mr Tony takes a DiDi or taxi from his hotel in Pudong to the start of his night walk, then plans to walk back. He describes the route as about 7.2 km, so check your own starting point and distance before setting out.

On this route, Mr Tony goes through a commercial building to reach the other side of a main road. Pay attention to local pedestrian routes and signs; this describes the crossing he encountered, not a direction for every road.

Lizzy points out massage chairs in the passage she explores and reads a price of 40 RMB for half an hour.

Lizzy says signs in large cities are in English and pointing often gets the message across. She says visitors may need a translator sometimes in smaller cities.

Fisher says spending time with someone local is the best way to see more of a place. He also recommends traveling with teenage children, saying shared trips can strengthen the relationship.

Fisher describes London as generally safe like other big cities but advises avoiding certain areas. He says Lisbon also has areas to avoid at night, while describing it as generally very safe.

The travelers expect a 16-hour flight and mention watching movies, eating the onboard meals and standing up to stretch. These are their ideas for passing the time on the journey, rather than a fixed flight routine.

During the lake visit, a local guide speaks through a microphone while visitors listen with earpieces as they walk. This lets the group follow the tour while moving through the scenic area.

The presenter says visitors coming to China can find well-priced items here and shows three T-shirts for 100 RMB, about $15 total or $5 each. He points this out as a place to look for goods, while the video only documents prices at the sellers shown.

The presenter says shoppers can negotiate with people selling goods in the market. He had just looked at bags priced at 40 RMB each, but the video does not show a final negotiated price. Treat that amount as a displayed price from that stall, not a guaranteed price elsewhere.

For Chongqing 1949, the couple says to arrive 30 minutes before the performance and pick up a translation headset. They say both steps help them follow the show.

The couple says the rotating seats at Chongqing 1949 rotate only once. Before paying extra, compare their price with a regular option; they describe the difference as considerable.

In the driverless taxi the screen is in English: fasten your seatbelt and press start ride, and the car pulls away with nobody at the wheel.

The bus understands the road with lidar, cameras and high-definition maps, so it can follow the lane, spot obstacles and stop on its own.

The creator recommends the walkway for views of Shanghai’s skyscrapers. Along the route, he names the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower.

The mall beside the Lujiazui walkway was still open close to 10 p.m. on a Sunday during the creator’s visit. Check the specific mall’s current hours before planning a late shopping stop.

Book the crossing and fill in the migration form online the day before. The couple needed several attempts because the site kept crashing.

The ferry terminal on the Xiamen side works like an airport, so arrive early enough for security, passport control and boarding.

If you are considering living between countries, Harnal suggests working through the arrangements with your family and employer first. He says school arrangements for children may be the hardest part.

If networking feels awkward, Harnal suggests choosing a subject you genuinely want to learn about and approaching people out of curiosity. He says he seeks out people who know the topic.

Most Chinese hotels only turn the power on after you put the key card in the slot by the door. Everything goes off when you leave, so charge your devices while you are in the room.

On remote stretches there may be only one hotel for around 100 km, and its review can be poor. This couple stopped carrying a tent and takes the basic room instead.

For the high-speed train from Guangzhou, Reanne first reaches the intercity and metro station, then realizes the high-speed railway station is elsewhere. Confirm the station shown on your own ticket.

When Reanne finds no metro in the city, she checks the bus route on her map, activates that city's bus QR code in Alipay and scans it when boarding.

The road drops into the tunnel beside an artificial island in the middle of the sea. If you drive the link, that is the point where the crossing stops looking like an ordinary bridge.

The whole link is 24 km and the tunnel alone is 6.8 km. Allow around 30 minutes from Shenzhen to Zhongshan, against the 2 to 3 hours the drive took before it opened.

A street session in Xi'an costs around two pounds; the couple paid 40 in total for two massages, so keep small notes or a phone payment ready.

The therapist works from a suitcase and brings out hammers and mallets one after another, so watch a minute before you sit down.

Neither Ganzhou nor Hengyang had a subway, which makes getting around a little harder; you can take buses, and taxis in China are really cheap, so plan on road transport in these tier three cities.

Buy a Meituan group saver voucher before you eat: it is cheaper than ordering normally, and it removes the language barrier because you just show the QR code and the restaurant scans it.

Don't cut it close for a train in China: staff stop letting you through the gate 8 minutes before departure, and you have to clear a security check and show your passport first.

On a train ride of over 6 hours, book a middle and aisle pair so you can get up for the restroom without disturbing the many passengers who nap.

When you get off the high-speed train in Hefei, check the gates before scanning out: the first gates they reached were for transfers, and they reminded themselves that the exit is usually down, not up.

From the station to their hotel near Swan Lake, the metro meant two lines, some walking and 42 minutes, while a taxi took just 13 minutes, so a cheap economy taxi was the better choice.

Boarding a high-speed train is not like flying: there is no check-in queue and you don't need to arrive 2 hours early. Pass security, wait upstairs and go through the ticket gate shortly before departure.

After security the waiting area has restaurants, convenience stores, drinking water and a smoking area, so you can pick up food and drinks before you get on.

On the way they bought two pairs of shoes, two pairs of shorts, a bag and a hat for about $12 in total; with more time they could have bargained the price down further.

Jake could not buy a ticket at the counter as a foreigner, while his companion had already bought one online, so book online ahead to avoid trouble at the gate.

To try niubie hot pot, go to the restaurant street in Rongjiang, where almost every restaurant specializes in this Dong and Miao dish from Qiandongnan in Guizhou.

Blanch the beef tripe in boiling water for about three minutes only, since longer makes it tough, then mix it with oil and soy sauce.

Smelly tofu, which is very popular here, and chopped chili fish head are Changsha's local specialities; look for them on the food streets if you want to try the city's signature dishes.

Street snacks are cheap and easy to pay for: a big portion of sweet sugar-oil dough balls cost 10 yuan, paid by tapping Alipay on the vendor's code.

The creator says taking a taxi to a starting point is the easiest option. He suggests asking your hotel for help and uses Google Translate because he does not speak Chinese.

Andreas recommends doing the hike on a clear day if possible, though he went in cloudy weather because he had only one day there. He later sees the views when the cloud lifts.

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.

Katherine says packing cubes helped her keep clothes and other belongings organized after she had been putting things in random places. She separates shirts and pants from dirty clothes, making it easier to find items in the bags on the bike.

On this trip, Katherine found washing machines in many of the hotels and inns where they stayed, especially rural homestays. She says they usually did not need to wash clothes by hand, though she has done so when necessary.

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.

The vlogger says all hotels in China should now legally accept foreigners, and he had no check-in problems. In India, he says some hotels do not accept foreigners without special permission.

For comparison, he paid $15 per night for the Wuzhou hotel he picked on trip.com, $7 in Kunming and $76 in Chongqing. These are his own examples from this trip, not current prices.