Research-first intel for foreign travelers — sourced, verified, updated.
What'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.
Before You GoSet up WeChat from outside China, link a foreign card to WeChat Pay, scan-to-pay quirks, what breaks at registration. A 2026 guide for first-time users.
Before You Go30-min checklist: what to install, what to set up, and what to print before you fly to China. Visa-free or full visa—both paths covered, with 2026 timing.
Before You GoDo you need a China visa? Visa-free transit, 10-day TWOV, the digital arrival card, and which embassy form to use. Updated 2026 with the latest country list.