VISIT CHINA
Practical Guide & Help While in China
Everything foreign travellers need at a glance — visas, car rental, medical help, emergencies, payments and your embassy contacts.
Visa & Entry
- Main visa types: L (tourist), M (business), F (exchange), Z (work) and S (family visit).
- Apply at your nearest Chinese embassy/consulate or official visa centre; 240-hour TWOV transit applies at major hubs.
- Passport must be valid 6+ months; submit ID data 72h before travel so hotels and scenic sites can pre-file.
- Visa-free policy follows the official announcement on arrival day; groups over 30 should enter in waves.
Car Rental & Driving
- China does not recognise the International Driving Permit; visitors with a foreign licence can obtain a temporary driving permit at the local vehicle authority.
- The safest option is to rent a car with a Chinese-speaking driver, especially for mountains, scenic areas and long trips.
- Recommended platforms: China Auto Rental (CAR), eHi, Didi Car; confirm commercial insurance and GPS.
- Mountain and scenic roads enforce strict speed limits; DUI is zero-tolerance.
Medical & Health
- International medical centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou offer English service and accept international insurance.
- For emergencies dial 120 (ambulance); for non-urgent care use international departments or private clinics.
- Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation; carry regular meds and translated prescriptions.
- Common medicine is available at pharmacy chains with ID; prescriptions require a doctor’s note.
Emergencies
- Police 110; Fire 119; Ambulance 120; Traffic 122.
- MFA consular protection hotline 12308 (24h, Chinese).
- For personal safety threats, call police first and contact your embassy.
- Save your hotel address and emergency contacts in your phone.
Payments
- Mobile pay dominates: WeChat Pay and Alipay cover almost all merchants; link an international card or use the overseas wallet.
- UnionPay is widely accepted at ATMs and shops; Visa/Mastercard limited to top hotels and malls.
- Carry some cash for small amounts.
- Tipping is not customary; service charges are usually included.
Getting Around
- High-speed rail (12306) connects major cities — book with real-name ID in advance; metro covers city cores.
- Ride-hailing: Didi, with Chinese/English UI and international card payment.
- Taxi fares are low, but use the app to avoid detours.
- For scenic areas like Luofushan, book a local DMC with a private car to skip transfers and language barriers.
Your Embassy in China
🇺🇸
Embassy of the United States in China
北京市朝阳区安家楼路55号, 100600
- This page lists the embassy of the country matching your language, with address, phone and website.
- For visa extensions, document replacement or consular protection, contact the embassy directly.
- Consular districts differ — confirm which consulate-general covers your city.
Key Hotlines
110Police
119Fire
120Ambulance
122Traffic
12308MFA Consular protection