Daily Survival
Transportation, banking, food, shopping, and everyday life in China.
How to Book China Train Tickets with a Passport
Complete guide to booking high-speed train tickets in China using a foreign passport. Covers 12306 app registration, passport verification (online and at the station), payment, ticket collection, and boarding procedures.
China Metro Guide for Foreigners
How to use the metro/subway in Chinese cities as a foreigner. Covers three ways to pay (Alipay/WeChat transit code, city metro apps, single-journey ticket), navigating stations, and common mistakes to avoid.
How to Use Didi in China (Without Chinese Language)
Step-by-step guide to using Didi ride-hailing in China as a foreigner. Covers the Didi Rider international app, registration with a foreign phone number, payment with foreign cards, and communication with drivers.
China Temporary Driving Permit for Foreigners
How to apply for a temporary Chinese driving permit using a foreign driver's license. Covers eligibility, required documents, application locations, validity periods, and which countries have mutual recognition agreements with China.
How to Order Food in China Without Speaking Chinese
Practical strategies for ordering food in Chinese restaurants without speaking the language. Covers scan-to-order QR codes, translation apps, picture menus, pointing strategies, and food delivery apps in English.
Tipping in China: Complete Guide (You Probably Shouldn't)
Do you tip in China? The short answer is no. This guide explains tipping culture across restaurants, hotels, taxis, and tour guides — and the rare exceptions where a tip might be accepted.
China Tax Refund for Tourists: Step-by-Step Guide
How to claim a tax refund on shopping in China as a foreign tourist. Covers eligibility, minimum purchase amounts, refund rates (11% minus 2% handling fee = 9% actual), and the airport refund process.
Can Foreigners Open a Bank Account in China?
Whether short-term foreign visitors can open a Chinese bank account. Covers account types available to non-residents, required documents, which banks accept foreign passport holders, and account limitations.