China, without the guesswork.

Practical guides for travelling, eating and speaking in China — the stuff that's hard to Google well: payments, apps, menus, and the Mandarin that actually gets used. Researched, tested, and dated so you know it's current.

Payments · Setup

How to Pay in China as a Tourist (2026): Alipay & WeChat Pay, Step by Step

Your credit card won't work at the restaurant. Here's the 10-minute setup to do before you fly — linking your Visa/Mastercard, the real fees and limits, and the fixes when something fails.

Updated July 24, 2026
Transport · Apps

Didi in China Without a Chinese Phone Number (2026)

Uber doesn't work in China. Didi does — with your home number and a foreign card, no Chinese SIM needed. The setup to do before you fly, the eSIM trap that catches people, and what to do when your card gets declined.

Updated July 31, 2026
Coming next

More guides on the way

eSIMs & staying connected · ordering food apps for foreigners · booking high-speed rail · what actually needs a VPN. One new guide at a time — quality over volume.