Food Guide
Shanghai Food Guide: Local Dishes and Restaurants
A practical Shanghai food guide covering local dishes, Chinese restaurants, Michelin meals, Black Pearl restaurants, and how to build a balanced first food plan.
Shanghai is not China.
Explore real China with China Passage
The city collection
Shanghai
East China, China
The city collection
Beijing
North China, China
The city collection
Chengdu
Southwest China, China
Lane-house streets, late dinners, contemporary culture. Get to know Shanghai one neighborhood at a time.
Explore Shanghai
Hutong walks, neighborhood kitchens, and the Great Wall. Find your own rhythm in the capital.
Explore Beijing
Tea houses, Sichuan kitchens, and a city that rewards taking your time. Start with the local essentials.
Explore ChengduChina Passage picks
On foot in
the French Concession
Shanghai
Tree-lined streets, lane houses, and a little room to wander. A local guide to a slower side of the city.
A local lens
City Guide
Shanghai French Concession Walking Guide
Follow a practical Former French Concession walk through Wukang Road, Anfu Road, lane-house streets, cafes, architecture, rest stops, photo timing, and route alternatives.
City Walk
Beijing Hutong Walking Guide: Qianmen and Yangmeizhu Xiejie
Walk from Qianmen through Yangmeizhu Xiejie, Beijing Fun, and Xixinglong Street with a flexible route, neighborhood etiquette, food, and timing advice.
Payments
How to Pay in China in 2026 for Everyday Travel
A practical payment plan for visitors to China, with real examples for shops, restaurants, hotels, metro gates, taxis, and trains.
Transport
How to Use China's High-Speed Trains Without Stress
Book China high-speed trains with a foreign passport, verify your identity, choose the correct station, and plan boarding, changes, and refunds.
Local voices
China, from
the inside.
Luhao Zhao
Gen Z China Travel Editor
Luhao Zhao is a Gen Z China travel editor who has lived in China for more than 20 years. He understands China through daily life, local platforms, city culture, and real traveler behavior, then turns that local knowledge into clear guides for international visitors.
Meet the editorFind your next stop
Explore our China
From familiar skylines to a street you haven’t walked before. Start somewhere that speaks to you.
Hover a name. Find your next stop.Tap a name to preview, then explore.
National Standard Map Compliance: Fully adheres to MNR Standard Map specifications. Includes Taiwan Province, Diaoyu Dao & South China Sea Islands.
Places to begin
All city guidesShanghai
Shanghai is China's easiest modern city for international visitors, ideal for stylish stopovers, food-focused trips, and east-coast itineraries that feel polished rather than rushed.
Beijing
China's capital blends imperial landmarks, contemporary culture, and the smoothest arrival experience for first-time visitors who want context as much as sightseeing.
Chengdu
Chengdu works for travelers who want panda reserves, tea-house culture, and one of the country's most memorable culinary scenes without losing comfort or walkability.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is an elegant contrast to Shanghai, ideal for tea culture, lakeside walks, and a slower east-China stop that still feels refined and accessible.
Go a little further
Journeys with local perspective
4-Day Beijing City Break
A focused capital-city itinerary that balances the Great Wall, imperial landmarks, and neighborhood texture for visitors short on time.
Private departureFrom $1,280 / traveler
Great Wall · Private guide · Fast arrival-ready
5-Day Guilin and Yangshuo Adventure Tour
A private Guilin and Yangshuo outdoor itinerary with river scenery, countryside cycling or walking, adjustable adventure options, and enough flexibility for weather and recovery.
Private departureFrom $1,720 / traveler
Nature-forward · Active options · Private pacing
6-Day Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou Escape
A polished east-China route that pairs Shanghai's energy with water-town elegance and Hangzhou's slower lake-and-tea atmosphere.
Private departureFrom $1,890 / traveler
East China · Luxury-friendly · Rail-connected
Have a route or pace in mind? Tell us what you are looking for and we will follow up by email.
Plan your China trip
Travel FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions for 2026 China Travelers
Direct, practical answers to help you navigate payments, internet access, attractions, visas, and local transport without confusion.
Can foreigners pay with international credit cards or mobile payments in China in 2026? ▾
Yes. In 2026, international travelers can easily pay throughout China by linking their foreign Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express cards directly to Alipay and WeChat Pay. Transactions under ¥200 RMB ($28 USD) have zero processing fees. Cash is also legally accepted everywhere, and major bank ATMs (Bank of China, ICBC) support international card withdrawals.
How do I access Google, WhatsApp, and social media in China without getting blocked? ▾
The most seamless method is using an international roaming eSIM (such as Airalo). Because roaming traffic is routed through overseas carrier gateways, all Western services—including Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube—work automatically without needing a VPN. If connecting to local hotel Wi-Fi, having a reliable VPN installed before departure is recommended.
How do I book tickets for the Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors? ▾
Major cultural landmarks in China mandate passport real-name reservations in advance. Forbidden City (Palace Museum) tickets open exactly 7 days prior at 20:00 (8:00 PM) Beijing Time through their official digital portal. Terracotta Warriors tickets must also be pre-reserved with passport details. Because high-season quotas sell out in seconds, China Passage provides a dedicated VIP Attraction Booking Pass ($49 USD) to handle real-name passport reservation.
Who qualifies for China's 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in 2026? ▾
Passport holders from 54 countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Schengen nations) can enter China visa-free for up to 144 hours (6 days) when transiting through designated hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi'an to a third country or region (e.g. Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand). Confirmed onward tickets are required upon arrival.
How does China High-Speed Rail ticketing work for international tourists? ▾
China Railway operates a 100% digital ticketing system. When you purchase high-speed train tickets on China Railway 12306 or Trip.com, your booking is electronically linked to your foreign passport number. No paper ticket is required; you simply scan your passport at the station gates to board.
What on-ground services and planning assistance does China Passage provide? ▾
China Passage offers three lightweight digital services and bespoke private tour planning: (1) China Travel Survival Digital Toolkit ($19 USD) including Notion planners and offline maps; (2) VIP Attraction Real-Name Booking Pass ($49 USD) for securing high-demand tickets; (3) 7-Day WhatsApp Onboarding & Emergency Concierge ($79 USD) providing 24/7 bilingual chat support; and (4) Tailor-Made Private Tour Planning ($200 USD priority deposit) for personalized multi-city itineraries with licensed private guides.