China Travel Guide — Currency, Costs & Culture (2026)

China uses the Chinese Yuan (CNY), symbol: ¥. Capital city: Beijing. Region: East Asia. Primary language: Mandarin Chinese.

Government & practicalities: Head of state: Xi Jinping (President & General Secretary). Government type: Single-party socialist republic (Chinese Communist Party). International calling code: +86. Drives on the Right. Power outlets: Type A/C/I, 220V 50Hz. Internet domain: .cn.

What $100 USD typically buys in China

• 🍜 36–48 bowls of noodles
• 🚇 145+ Beijing subway rides
• ☕ 21–29 bubble teas or café drinks
• 🥟 48–72 plates of dumplings
• 🏛️ 12 Forbidden City entrance tickets

Daily travel budgets in China

Budget travelers: ¥200–350/day (~$28–48) — guesthouses, street food, metro. Mid-range travelers: ¥500–1,000/day (~$70–140) — mid hotels, restaurants, attractions. Luxury travelers: ¥2,000+/day (~$280+) — 5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours.

Typical local prices in CNY

• Bowl of noodles (street): ¥12–25
• Dim sum / dumplings: ¥15–40
• Full restaurant meal: ¥60–150
• Bubble tea: ¥18–35
• Subway ride (Beijing/Shanghai): ¥3–8
• DiDi (Chinese Uber) short trip: ¥15–40
• Budget hotel/night: ¥150–300

Cultural tips for visitors to China

• 📱 Download WeChat and Alipay before arrival — they're essential for almost every payment in modern China.
• 🔴 Red is a lucky colour in Chinese culture — wear it at celebrations. White is associated with mourning.
• 🎁 Gift-giving with both hands is polite. Avoid clocks as gifts (associated with death in Chinese culture).
• 🥂 At business dinners, the host orders food — wait to eat until the host invites you to begin.
• 📶 Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western services are blocked. Download a VPN before arriving.

Tipping customs in China

Tipping is not customary in China and may even cause awkwardness — it is not part of Chinese service culture. High-end hotel staff and tour guides may quietly appreciate a tip, but it is never expected.

Useful phrases in Mandarin Chinese

• 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — Hello
• 谢谢 (Xiè xiè) — Thank you
• 多少钱? (Duō shǎo qián?) — How much does it cost?
• 好吃! (Hǎo chī!) — Delicious! (literally 'good to eat')
• 请问 (Qǐng wèn) — Excuse me / May I ask…
• 厕所在哪里? (Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) — Where is the toilet?

Traditional foods to try in China

• Peking duck
• Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
• Hot pot (Sichuan style)
• Mapo tofu
• Kung pao chicken
• Char siu (BBQ pork)
• Dan dan noodles

Major landmarks and attractions in China

• The Great Wall of China
• Forbidden City (Beijing)
• Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an)
• Li River & Guilin karst mountains
• The Bund (Shanghai)
• West Lake (Hangzhou)
• Zhangjiajie Avatar mountains

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China

• The Great Wall of China
• The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace, Beijing)
• Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an)
• Potala Palace (Lhasa, Tibet)
• Huangshan (Yellow Mountains, Anhui)
• Jiuzhaigou Valley (Sichuan)

Safety information for China

China is generally safe for tourists with very low violent crime rates. The main challenges are: internet restrictions (get a VPN), occasional scams in tourist areas, air quality in big cities (check AQI), food safety awareness, and communication barriers in smaller cities. Always carry your passport.

Visa information for China

Most nationalities require a visa to visit China. The L (tourist) visa can be obtained from Chinese embassies; a 30-day single-entry is standard. China has introduced 144-hour and 72-hour visa-free transit policies at many airports for select nationalities. In 2024, China expanded visa-free access t

Emergency numbers in China

police: 110, ambulance: 120, fire: 119, tourist: 12301 (China National Tourism Hotline)

Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and vary by city, season, and travel style. Exchange rates and costs are for informational purposes only. Always verify visa requirements and safety conditions with official sources before travel. Information current as of 2026.