On the ground

11 articles

• How to Use Maps in China: AMAP Global, Apple Maps & Offline Maps

  Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use AMAP Global (Amap in English), Apple Maps or an offline map instead — plus what still needs Chinese names, and navigation tips kept up to date.

  Last updated 9/16/2026

• Staying Safe in China: How to Avoid the Common Scams

  China is very safe for tourists, but a few polite financial scams are common. How to spot taxi detours, the tea-house and bar scams, and stay safe with the right phrases.

  Last updated 9/11/2026

• How to Use the Metro in China: QR Codes, Apps & What Works for Foreigners

  How to ride the metro in China as a foreign visitor — setting up the Alipay and WeChat ride codes, which cities take international cards, and the step-by-step at the gate. Kept up to date.

  Last updated 9/7/2026

• Eating Halal in China: Where to Find Muslim-Friendly Food

  China is home to around 23 million Muslims, and halal food is easier to find than you would think — if you know one word: 清真 (qīngzhēn). A guide to halal restaurants and Muslim districts, the dishes worth trying, and the Chinese phrases to order them.

  Last updated 9/2/2026

• How to See a Doctor in China: Hospitals, Pharmacies & Getting Help When You Are Sick

  Getting sick in China: pharmacy vs hospital, how to register and see a doctor, paying, calling 120, and how to get by without Chinese — a practical guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.

  Last updated 8/30/2026

• How to Use Toilets in China: Squat Toilets, Toilet Paper & Where to Find Them

  Finding a toilet in China, squat vs sit toilets, why you should always carry your own tissue, and what the signs say — a practical guide for foreign visitors.

  Last updated 8/28/2026

• Eating Vegetarian in China: How to Avoid the Hidden Meat

  Many "vegetable" dishes in China are cooked in meat stock, lard and oyster sauce. How to spot and avoid hidden meat, and find food that is genuinely vegetarian.

  Last updated 8/26/2026

• How to Eat in China: Ordering, Menus, Dietary Needs & What to Try

  How to order food, read a menu without Chinese, handle dietary restrictions, and find the dishes worth trying — a practical dining guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.

  Last updated 8/21/2026

• How to Use Didi in China: Ride-Hailing, Taxis & Getting Around

  How to use Didi and taxis in China as a foreign visitor — setting up the app, ordering a ride, paying, and avoiding common mistakes. A practical, up-to-date guide.

  Last updated 8/21/2026

• Hotels in China: Booking, Check-In & What to Expect

  Which hotels accept foreign passports, how to book and check in, what the registration rules are, and how to pay — a practical guide for foreign visitors, kept up to date.

  Last updated 8/18/2026

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