China Travel Guide: Visa Rules That Actually Vary by Nationality, and a Real Advisory to Know

China runs two separate, easily-confused entry policies: a visa-free transit allowance for travellers passing through to a third country (not for a trip that starts and ends in China), and a separate unilateral visa-free entry policy for ordinary tourism that covers a specific, changing list of nationalities. The exact list and durations for the ordinary-tourism policy have changed multiple times and different sources report different country counts even within the same few months — that inconsistency is itself a sign this needs a direct check, not a hardcoded list repeated from an older guide.

Notably, US passport holders are generally not covered by the ordinary-tourism visa-free policy and still need a standard visa for a typical trip. Confirm your own nationality's current status directly with the National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking anything — do not rely on a blog post's country list, including this one, since this is one of the fastest-changing entry policies covered anywhere in this guide series.

China runs on mobile payment apps (Alipay and WeChat Pay) far more than on card swipes — outside upscale hotels and malls, many merchants simply aren't set up to take a foreign card directly. Both major apps now accept foreign Visa and Mastercard, which has substantially eased a friction point that used to catch visitors out — set one up with your card before you arrive if you can, rather than assuming you'll sort it out on the ground.

Carry some cash as backup regardless, and don't assume every venue takes a plastic card swipe even if it accepts a mobile wallet.

China's high-speed rail network is a real strength — extensive, generally punctual and comfortable. Foreign travellers can book directly with just a passport through the official 12306 app (available in English) using an international card, or through a booking platform that adds a small service fee in exchange for an easier foreign-card checkout. Most major stations now use paperless passport-tap entry gates rather than a physical paper ticket.

At the table: never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, since it echoes a funeral ritual; don't point with them or tap them against a bowl; rest them across your bowl or on a chopstick holder when you pause. Wait for the host to start eating or say the trip's equivalent of 'let's eat' before you begin — meals are typically shared and communal. When toasting, hold your glass lower than an elder's or senior's as a sign of respect.

Tipping is not customary in mainland China generally, though a private multi-day guide or driver is one case where a tip is genuinely welcomed. Avoid gifting clocks or sharp objects, which carry unlucky associations.