Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are recommended for most travelers. Typhoid is advised if you’re going to rural areas or eating street food. Consider Japanese Encephalitis if you’re visiting rural parts during the summer. Rabies is suggested if you’ll be in contact with animals or in remote areas. Routine vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and polio should be up to date. Always consult a healthcare provider before traveling.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in China, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for ChinaCulture & Customs
Use both hands when giving or receiving anything, especially business cards, to show respect. Avoid pointing with your finger. Instead, use your whole hand to gesture. Tipping is not customary, though it’s becoming more common in tourist-heavy areas. Avoid discussing politics, especially topics like Taiwan or Tibet. Public displays of affection are uncommon and can attract attention. Women should be cautious in crowded areas to avoid pickpocketing. LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet, as public attitudes can vary. Always remove your shoes when entering someone’s home.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for China.
- Peking Duck: A crispy, succulent roasted duck known for its thin, crispy skin. Originating from Beijing, it’s a dish often associated with celebration and luxury. Eating it involves delicate slices wrapped in pancakes with hoisin sauce, spring onions, and cucumber.
- Kung Pao Chicken: A spicy, stir-fried dish made with chicken, peanuts, and vegetables. Originating from Sichuan province, it’s famous for its bold flavors combining sweet, sour, and spicy elements.
- Mapo Tofu: Another Sichuan classic, this dish features tofu set in a spicy, tangy sauce made with fermented black beans and ground pork. Known for its ”mala” flavor, the numbing spice from Sichuan peppercorns is a standout feature.
- Dim Sum: Not exactly a single dish but a collection of small bite-sized portions often served in steamer baskets. Originating from Cantonese cuisine, it’s a social dining experience that includes everything from dumplings to buns, best enjoyed with tea.
- Xiaolongbao: These are steamed soup dumplings filled with pork and a rich, savory broth. Hailing from Shanghai, they’re a masterclass in texture and flavor balance—be careful not to lose the soup when you bite in!
- Hot Pot: A communal eating experience involving a simmering pot of broth at the center of the table, into which diners add thinly sliced meats, vegetables, and noodles. Popular across the country, but particularly in Chongqing and Sichuan, it’s all about the social aspect and customizing your own meal.
- Jiaozi: Chinese dumplings that can be boiled, steamed, or fried. They’re a staple during Lunar New Year celebrations and symbolize wealth due to their shape resembling ancient Chinese gold ingots.
Tap water in China is generally not considered safe for drinking, even by locals, who typically boil it first. Tourists are advised to stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid any potential health issues.
Pro tip: Bring a portable water filter if you’re planning to travel extensively or visit remote areas.
The main language in China is
Mandarin. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Mandarin skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for China includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - In China,
English proficiency varies significantly by region and demographic. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou generally have a higher number of English speakers, especially among younger people, students, and professionals in the tourism and hospitality industries. Signs in urban areas often include English translations, making navigation easier for travelers.
However, in rural areas and smaller cities, English is less commonly spoken, and communication can be challenging. Many locals may understand basic phrases, but fluency is rare. In these regions, having a translation app or phrasebook can be invaluable.
In educational institutions, English is a mandatory subject, so many young people have some level of understanding. However, actual conversational skills may be limited due to a focus on reading and writing over speaking.
Overall, while you can find English speakers in China, especially in urban areas, it’s advisable to learn a few basic Mandarin phrases or use translation tools to enhance your travel experience.
Money & Payments
The local currency of China is CNY (¥).
When backpacking in China, having a mix of payment options is key. ATMs are common in cities, but rural areas might be a different story, so plan ahead if you’re heading off the beaten path. Most ATMs accept foreign cards, but go for those at major banks like ICBC or Bank of China to avoid issues.
Cash is king in smaller towns and markets, so keep some on hand. Yuan is the only currency accepted, so forget about using dollars or euros directly. As for card payments, major cities are getting better with credit card acceptance, but don’t rely on it, especially in street food stalls or smaller shops.
For currency exchange, airports and hotels offer convenience but with a hefty fee. Instead, hit up a bank branch for a better rate. Lastly, apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay are popular, but you’ll need a local bank account to use them effectively. If you can, set one up for smoother transactions on the go.
Tipping in China isn’t customary and can even be seen as unusual, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. In upscale restaurants or hotels in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, a service charge is often included in the bill, making additional tipping unnecessary. Taxi drivers, street vendors, and local eateries typically don’t expect tips.
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.