Research-first intel for foreign travelers — sourced, verified, updated.
Walking routes through Time Out's #2 city in the world—the neighborhoods locals walk, with metro starts and stops, ~2h each. Shanghai citywalk 2026.
CitywalkHutong walking routes locals actually use—metro starts and stops, where to begin vs where to end, and the rebuilt-vs-authentic test. Beijing 2026.
When Things Go WrongAlipay or WeChat Pay declined? 60-second fixes for the most common failures—card mismatch, name format, FX limits, daily caps, KYC. From an industry insider, 2026.
When Things Go WrongWhat's actually banned at China customs (codeine, Adderall) vs what's fine (allergy meds, antibiotics). Forms, declaration limits, pharmacy backups. 2026.
City GuidesHow to spend a week in Yunnan—Dali, Erhai, Lijiang—and which mass-tourism spots to skip. Trains, ride-hailing, and homestays that accept foreigners. 2026.
City GuidesPandas, hotpot, and the temples worth your time—plus what to skip. A 3-day Chengdu itinerary with real cost ranges and local routes, 2026.
City GuidesWhat to skip at the Great Wall, the Forbidden City hack locals use, and the neighborhoods worth a half-day—a Beijing guide from inside China, 2026.
Getting AroundNot every Chinese hotel accepts foreign passports. How to filter on Trip.com/Booking, what to do if refused at check-in, and which chains to trust.
Getting AroundDiDi as a foreigner: payment binding traps, English-mode quirks, when Amap is better, and the robotaxi pilots you can actually try in 2026 China.
Getting Around12306 rejecting your passport? Trip.com adds a fee, Klook batches deliveries. Honest comparison of the three high-speed rail booking channels for 2026.
Before You GoGoogle Maps barely works in China: wrong coords, no transit, broken search. Which apps actually work in 2026—tested from inside China by an industry insider.
Before You GoForbidden City sold out, passport check failed? Compare booking channels (12306, Trip.com, Klook) for China's top attractions, and what to avoid in 2026.