China for First-Timers: Travel Tips, Surprises & Myths

October 1, 2025By maverickbirdPosted in China, Travel Extras, Travel Guides, Travel Tips

Napoleon had supposedly remarked, “Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world,” and indeed, it is true. I recently visited China, and it was an eye-opening experience. As much as I hate to admit it, I had a lot of preconceived notions about this Asian giant, and not all of them were flattering. China, however, I´m glad to say, busted all my ideas, and I returned from my trip, being extremely impressed. Read on to find out why I found China to be an amazing place to visit!

A Land of Contrasts: Ancient Culture Meets Modern Tech

The first things that occur to us when we think of China are pandas, Temu, and the Great Wall of China. Funnily enough, that´s not too far from reality because China blends 5,000 years of history with sci-fi futuristic cities. I remember one street scene from Chengdu that reflects it admirably. It was in the business district of the city, and the towering, glittering skyscrapers dominated the scene. However, equally vibrant were the tiny pavement eating houses that lined the street. Both the business types were buzzing; the combination was both incongruous and fascinating. That is China for you. One moment you’re standing on the Great Wall, the next you’re riding a bullet train at 350 km/h, paying for street food with just a QR code, or visiting a restroom that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie.

What First-Time Travelers Should Expect

If you´re a first timer like me, then know that China will surprise you. So, leave your pre-set notions behind, and come with a blank mind. Rest assured that your first trip will be full of surprises, culture shocks, and “oh wow!” moments. It’s a part of the grand China adventure.

Pleasant Surprises in China You Didn’t See Coming

Chinese Cities Are Squeaky Clean

This one´s an eye-opener. Forget old stereotypes because Chinese cities are remarkably clean, well-organized, and orderly. Streets are swept daily, parks are pristine, and metro systems gleam like shopping malls. Even the trees and flowering hedges bordering the streets are well-kept, and it´s difficult to find even a scrap of paper littered here and there. Their train stations are state-of-the-art, and the facilities will boggle your mind.

Experiencing Hotpot Culture in Chengdu

Hotpot is more than food—it’s a social experience – meant for long conversations, jokes, and laughter. Friends and family members gather around a pot of bubbling broth, dunking in pieces of meat, veggies, and tofu. It is a long process that follows a certain order when it comes to dunking in. Warning: Sichuan hotpot is so spicy that it will bring tears to your eyes, so the weak-hearted are recommended to stay away from it. Alternatively, you can ask for two kinds of broths in one pot – one spicy and the other bland. Opt for a dipping sauce with a kick to add a bit of heat.

The Convenience of Didi, Meituan & Other Travel Apps

  • Didi Chuxing: This one´s China’s answer to Uber. It is reliable, cheap, and tourist-friendly. Just link it with your AliPay account, order a cab, and pay on the app. Didi has an in-built translation feature that enables you to communicate with your taxi driver if you don´t speak Chinese.
  • Meituan & Ele.me: Food apps where you can order everything from dumplings to bubble tea at 1 am. The fun part is that you can even order food on these apps while staying at a hotel. It will be delivered right at your doorstep. So, there´s no pressure to go out on a food hunt on days when your travel-weary soul just wants to chill with a book.
    These apps turn what used to be travel headaches into seamless experiences.

Alipay – The App That Encompasses Everything in China

If there’s one thing that surprises first-time visitors, it’s how all-encompassing Alipay (Zhifubao) is. I simply loved using this app. Think of multiple helpful travel websites rolled into one easy-to-use app.

  • Pay for food at street stalls, metro rides, or even temple donations.
  • Book hotels, buy train/plane tickets, or even holidays, and order food—all within the app.
  • Split bills with friends instantly, without a word of cash.
  • It even has a variety of travel vlogs in case you´re looking for some inspiration.
  • It even offers translation and exchange rate services.

China is nearly a cashless society. Alipay (along with WeChat Pay) is so central that cash is almost disappearing in big cities. Paper currency is nearly redundant, so don´t forget to link your foreign card to your Alipay account.

Robot Deliveries in Hotels – The Future Is Here

This is one of the most fun experiences in China. Here, as a hotel guest, you don´t have to order room service or dine at a restaurant. You have the option to order food from restaurants nearby. Just scroll through one of the food delivery apps (my tip is to use Alipay to do this since it translates the page), order what you like, pay online, and wait for a robot rolling down the corridor to deliver your noodles or stir-fry. It’s adorable, futuristic, and surprisingly efficient. The first time a robot delivered food to my room, I nearly fell off my bed in surprise. After that, seeing robots zooming around delivering things busily became the norm. However, I still couldn´t resist a slight thrill when I shared an elevator with one such delivery robot going about its business.

Disney-Like Ancient Towns With Real Charm

Lijiang, Fenghuang, and other “ancient towns” feel like storybook movie sets—cobblestones, lantern-lit bridges, tea houses. They scream Disney vibes but are charming nonetheless. However, note that these ´´ancient towns´´ are not fake. They are partly authentic, partly tourist-curated.

CCC Power Banks – Charging on the Go

China is full of surprising modern conveniences, and the shared “CCC” power banks are one such feature.

  • Found in malls, restaurants, airports, tea houses, and sometimes, even on busy streets.
  • All you have to do is simply scan a QR code, grab a power bank, and return it to any other station when done.
  • No need to carry your own heavy charger—it’s like bike-sharing, but for your phone battery.

How thoughtful and easy is that! For travelers, this is a lifesaver when you’re navigating all day with Google Maps alternatives (Baidu Maps and Amap) or snapping endless photos of pandas.

The Startling Automatic Toilets

China is a land of contrasts. So, while squat toilets are quite rampant, high-tech automatic toilets are popular choices in malls, airports, hotels, and upscale areas. These toilets are a bit startling for first-time users, and they come in different varieties.

  • Some open their lids as you approach (startling the unprepared).
  • Others flush automatically when you stand up.
  • Many have heated seats, bidet sprays, and even music options.
  • A few even offer puffs of warm air to dry your ´´you know what´´.

For first-timers, it’s a shock to go from a rustic squat toilet in one location to a swanky toilet that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie in the next.

Fancy ID Checks Everywhere

China takes identity verification very seriously, and for first-timers, the frequency of ID checks may be a bit of a shock. However, it is diligently conducted everywhere for both the Chinese nationals and the foreigners:

  • At airports, be prepared that the boarding process often involves both passport and facial recognition scans.
  • At train stations, you will pass through airport-style security, bag scans, and sometimes biometric gates.
  • Even at hotels, you’ll need to show your passport for registration.

Travelers should expect to show their documents often, be prepared that their ID documents will be photographed every time they check in, and sometimes have their photo snapped by scanners. It’s all routine.

Myths About China – Busted

Is China Dirty and Chaotic?

No. Public transport, streets, and parks are spotlessly clean compared to many big cities elsewhere. You´ll be hard put to find trash or dirty streets. This was my biggest China travel surprise.

Can Foreigners Survive the Language Barrier?

Yes. In cities, young people know basic English. Elsewhere, translation apps and gestures work fine. The Chinese people are very friendly and hospitable. They go out of their way to help you, and even in remote Tibetan plateaus, I met locals who stopped me in the street only to say Welcome to China.

Is Chinese Food Just Fried Rice?

Definitely not. Chinese cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world. Each region is literally a culinary universe—Sichuan spice, Cantonese dim sum, Beijing’s Peking Duck, Xi’an’s hand-pulled noodles.

Challenges First-Time Visitors Should Prepare For

Squat Toilets and Toilet Paper Reality Check

Western toilets are common in hotels and airports, but in public areas, squat toilets rule. Unfortunately, they are not always very clean. So, be prepared to squat in non-urban areas, and always carry tissues and hand sanitizer.

Dining With Chopsticks (and the Fork Dilemma)

While spoons (often substituted by soup spoons) are available, forks are nonexistent in local eateries. So be prepared to either practice using chopsticks or bring your own travel fork. Alternatively, like me, simply learn how to use chopsticks from a local. Officially, there´s no correct way of using chopsticks, and usually, everyone holds them according to their convenience. I watched, learned, practised, and survived. At the fag end of my trip, I even managed to eat rice using chopsticks.

Why People Might Take Photos of You

In smaller towns, foreigners are still a novelty. Locals may snap pictures—or politely ask for a selfie. It’s usually harmless curiosity.

Navigating Cashless Payments in a Mobile-First Society

China runs on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Tourists need to link their international cards or special tourist-friendly versions of these apps. Make sure to do the linking before arriving in China.

Dealing With the Great Firewall (VPN Essentials)

Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp don’t work in China. Download a VPN before you arrive so you can stay connected. I recommend Express VPN, and don´t forget to buy a local SIM card. These are available in two options: physical SIM cards found at any mobile communication shop (even at the airports) and e-SIMs. E-SIMS can be bought on Trip.com. I bought a physical SIM from China Telecom and would not recommend it.

The Cultural Shock of Mobile Craze

China is truly mobile-first:

  • People pay for everything with QR codes.
  • Locals spend hours glued to apps like Douyin (TikTok) and WeChat.
  • Couples on date nights often sit across from each other at restaurants, glued to their phones.
  • Even elderly grannies in parks scan QR codes to pay for tea or dance class lessons.

For travelers, it’s startling how completely life revolves around the phone—it makes life easier, but also feels overwhelming if you’re used to splitting time between digital and offline life.

The Photo & Social Media Craze

Chinese people love taking photos—for memories, social media, and sometimes just for fun:

  • Expect locals to snap photos of food before eating.
  • Scenic spots often have lines for the perfect selfie angle.
  • Foreigners may be asked to pose in photos—sometimes dozens in a row.

For first-timers, it’s both amusing and surprising. Social media culture is woven into daily life, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by tripods, ring lights, and coordinated photo poses in the most unexpected places.

Meeting China’s National Treasure – The Giant Panda

The Chinese Name for Panda (大熊猫 dà xióngmāo) Literally translated, it means “big bear cat.”

Why Pandas Are So Loved Worldwide

They’re ridiculously cute, symbolic of peace, and proudly considered a national treasure in China.

Funny Truth: Too Lazy to Save Their Species

Here’s the catch: pandas are famously lazy when it comes to mating. Breeding centers sometimes show them “panda romance videos” to set the mood. Until then, they’d rather nap and munch bamboo for 14 hours a day. They’re basically the introverts of the animal kingdom—and the world still adores them.

Best Cities and Destinations for First-Timers

Beijing – Great Wall & Forbidden City

Where history dominates. Walk the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, and dive into hutong alleyways.

Shanghai – Skyscrapers & The Bund

A futuristic city with colonial charm. Don’t miss the neon skyline from The Bund.

Xi’an – The Terracotta Warriors

Home to one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds—and a lively Muslim Quarter food scene.

Chengdu – Pandas & Fiery Hotpot

Pandas by day, spicy hotpot by night. Chengdu is laid-back but packed with flavor.

Guilin & Yangshuo – Nature and Karst Mountains

Cruise the Li River, cycle through rice paddies, and watch sunsets over dramatic karst peaks.

Lijiang & Fenghuang – Fairytale-Like Ancient Towns

Lanterns, canals, and old wooden houses make these towns feel like a Chinese Disneyland for history lovers.

Essential Travel Tips for China First-Timers

Do I Need a Visa for China?

Yes, most travelers require a tourist visa (L visa). Apply in advance.

Yes, China has excellent infrastructure, thus making it a very easy place to explore for DIY travelers. Moreover, the locals are very friendly, and they go out of their way to help travelers. However, if you want to explore the more remote regions like western Sichuan, then I recommend using the services of a reliable and professional local travel agency.

How Safe Is China for Tourists?

Extremely safe. Petty theft is rare, but stay alert in crowded areas.

How to Order Food Without Speaking Chinese

Use apps like Meituan, point at picture menus, or watch what others are eating.

Best Time to Visit China

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the best weather.

Staying Connected Online With VPNs & SIM Cards

Buy a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi. Don’t forget to install a VPN before you arrive.

Final Thoughts – Why China Will Surprise You

China, for first-timers, is a land of contrasts and quirks:

  • Spotless metros, but squat toilets in public parks.
  • High-tech apps and robot deliveries, but ancient traditions at every turn.
  • Pandas that steal your heart—while refusing to save their own species.

Bring curiosity, patience, and a sense of humor, and your first trip to China will be one of the most unforgettable adventures of your life.

Follow the rest of the Top Experiences series

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELING-BECAUSE I CARE

Tagged ,