The single page to screenshot before you fly: emergency numbers, voltage, time zone, what apps actually work, and the small habits that save you from awkward moments on the ground.
The quick-reference facts you’ll actually reach for — save this page or screenshot it before you fly.
1 Essential facts
| Category | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Capital | Beijing |
| Population | ~1.4 billion |
| Currency | Renminbi (RMB / ¥ / yuan); approx. ~6.78 RMB to 1 USD (market rate fluctuates — see the live Currency Converter tool) |
| Language | Mandarin (Putonghua); English is limited outside major hotels and airports |
| Time zone | China Standard Time (UTC+8, no daylight saving time) |
| Electricity | 220V, 50Hz — Type A/I (US-style) & Type C (Euro) sockets |
| Tipping | Not customary and not expected anywhere |
| Emergency | Police: 110 · Ambulance: 120 · Fire: 119 |
| Internet | Google, Meta, and X are blocked — set up a VPN or eSIM before you fly |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October (avoid early Oct & late Jan/Feb national holidays) |
2 Money & payments at a glance
- Carry emergency cash: ¥200–400 in small notes (¥10/¥20/¥50) covers street vendors, small emergency purchases, or backup scenarios.
- Set up digital wallets: Link your foreign card to Alipay and WeChat Pay before arriving — most daily transactions are QR-code based (physical foreign cards are rarely accepted on the street).
- Notify your bank: Inform your card issuer that you are traveling to China to avoid auto-blocking for “unusual” foreign transactions.
3 Getting around at a glance
- High-Speed Rail (HSR): Connects nearly every major city — fast, affordable, and punctual.
- City Transit: DiDi is the local equivalent of Uber; subways are best in mega-cities; trains beat domestic flights for trips under 4 hours.
- Driving: You cannot self-drive on a foreign or international driver’s license. Rely on DiDi, high-speed rail, or hired drivers.
4 Essential apps to install before you fly
- Alipay & WeChat: Essential for payments, navigation, transport booking, and translation mini-programs.
- Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps: Essential for navigation (Google Maps is inaccurate and unreliable locally).
- Translation Apps: Download Google Translate (remember to download the offline Chinese package) or Pleco (best for dictionary and character lookup).
- A Reliable VPN: Install and test it at home — VPN websites and app stores are blocked once you are behind the firewall.
5 Etiquette quick hits
- Greetings: A light nod or “ň ȟo” is ideal; handshakes are common in business settings.
- Politeness: Pass and receive objects (cards, payments, tea) with both hands; avoid pointing with a single finger.
- Chopstick Rules: Never stick chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice — it resembles incense used in funeral rituals.
6 Quick tips
- Adjust your clock: China operates on a single time zone (UTC+8) — ensure your train departure times match local time.
- Pack an adapter: Bring a universal plug adapter supporting Type A, Type C, and Type I sockets.
- Save hotel addresses in Chinese: Keep your hotel address written in Chinese characters (not pinyin) to show taxi drivers.
When in doubt on the ground, this single reference answers most quick “how does this work here?” questions.