Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling China in 2026: What Changed and What You Need to Know

Updated June 2026 · 6 min read

Planning a trip to China in 2026? You are making an excellent choice. China has opened its doors wider than ever to international visitors, with expanded visa-free access and foreigners now able to use mobile payments seamlessly. Here is everything you need to know.

Visa and Entry Requirements in 2026

China dramatically expanded visa-free access in recent years. Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and more can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days. The 144-hour transit visa exemption lets travelers transiting through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu airports stay up to 6 days without a visa. E-Visa is now available for many nationalities at visaforchina.cn.

Cashless China — How to Pay Without a Chinese Bank Account

Getting Around China

The Language Barrier — What to Expect

English is not widely spoken outside major tourist areas. But a few Chinese phrases go an incredibly long way. Locals deeply appreciate any effort to speak Mandarin. Use Google Translate camera feature offline, or Baidu Translate for better Chinese-English accuracy.

10 Essential Chinese Phrases That Will Transform Your Trip