Money
The currency is the yuan (¥), also called the renminbi (RMB). ATMs are plentiful in cities but can be unreliable for foreign cards; Visa and Mastercard are hit-or-miss.
The practical reality is that China runs on mobile payments — WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Most shops, restaurants, street stalls, and transport no longer accept cash. Foreign visitors can link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay for limited use; set this up before you arrive. Carrying some cash as a backup is still wise.
Internet and the Firewall
The Great Firewall blocks Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and most Western news sites. Download a reliable VPN before you arrive — once you're in China, VPN apps are blocked from the App Store. Try several options as performance varies.
Within China, WeChat is the communication app everyone uses. It's also how you pay for things, call taxis, and access countless services. Install it before you go.
Health
No vaccinations are specifically required for China, but hepatitis A, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis are recommended. Altitude sickness is a real risk in Tibet; ascend gradually and don't fly directly to Lhasa from sea level if you can avoid it. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in China; bottled water is cheap and universally available. Medical care in major cities is adequate; rural areas are limited.
Safety
China is generally very safe for travelers — petty crime is low and violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are traffic (roads are chaotic and pedestrians are not given priority), air quality in industrial cities, and scams in tourist areas. The "tea ceremony" con in Beijing and Shanghai is notorious: a friendly stranger invites you to a tea house, then presents an enormous bill. If someone approaches you unsolicited near a tourist site, be skeptical.
Language
Mandarin (Putonghua) is the national language. English is spoken in major tourist areas, international hotels, and by younger urban professionals, but disappears quickly outside those contexts. Learning a few basic phrases goes a long way. Have your destination written in Chinese characters when taking taxis — most drivers don't read romanizations.
Regional dialects are significant: Cantonese in Guangdong and Hong Kong, Shanghainese in Shanghai, and dozens of minority languages in Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
Electricity
220V, 50Hz. Sockets are mostly the two-flat-pin type, with some three-pin Australian-style sockets. Bring a universal travel adapter.
SIM Cards and Phone
Chinese SIM cards are cheap and give you fast data in cities. You'll need to show your passport to buy one. Major carriers are China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile. International roaming is expensive. Note: in Tibet, internet access is sometimes restricted.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in China and is sometimes refused. Upscale hotels and tour guides have come to expect it in recent years, but don't tip in ordinary restaurants or taxis.