Space Reservation Information for Travel China
International Transportation Booking Tips
Booking platforms: Airlines' official websites and apps, Global OTAs such as Trip.com, KAYAK, Skyscanner.
Issues and Challenges: Dynamic pricing for flights; Visa Connection -- Confirmation of flight timing matching visa free and visa valid; Purchase international airtickets 1-3 months in advance may make costs down, and maybe last-minutes as well.
China Domestic Transportation Booking Tips
Trains (High-Speed Rail, train ticket booking) Transportation in China
Boooking Platforms: 12306.cn (English version), Trip.com.
Payment: Alipay, WeChat Pay, international credit cards (via Trip.com) .
Challenges and Issues: 12306 requires passport verification and with limited English support on the app.
Tips: Complete passport verification before travel, E-ticket only now, and boarding train with your passports, booking earliest as 15days only.
Air flight tickets booking in China
Airtickets booking platforms: Airlines’ apps and website, OTA such as Ctrip (Trip.com)
Payment: Cash (RMB), Alipay/WeChat Pay, cards (check for Visa/Mastercard acceptance).
City Transportation Booking and Ordering in China
Subway Metro and Bus
Plan downtown transportation routes / Nivagation platforms: Metroman app, Amap app, Baidu map app.
Tickets-buying
Platforms: Alipay (under "Transport" → "Metro/QR code"), physical transit cards (purchased with cash/WeChat at certain stations) .
Issues and
Challenges: Bus drivers rarely carry change; "Chelaile" app tracking bus driving but in Chinese only.
Tips: Pre-load Alipay’s "Metro Pass"; carry small RMB changes, and translation app as well.
Car Ride-Hailing
Platforms: DiDi (English app, banding international bank card), Alipay/WeChat mini-programs.
Payment: International cards via DiDi; Alipay/WeChat Pay.
Issues and Challenges: Driver's English poor, busy if rush hour.
Car chatering
Platforms: Izuche in English (Captial Auto rental), Zuche in Chinese (Shenzhou Auto rental).
Shared Bikes
There are three major bike-sharing platforms in China: Hellobike, Meituan and Qingju.
Hellobike bikes can be rented via the Hellobike app or Alipay, Meituan bikes via the Meituan app, and Qingju bikes via the Didi Qingju app or the Didi app.
How Can Foreigners Use Bike-Sharing and Ride-Hailing Services in Beijing (video) by beijign gov
How to ride a shared bike and use bike-sharing apps (video) by shine
3 shared baik brands still rolling in Chinaby life-china
Hotel Accommodation Reservation in China
Rooms Booking Platforms:
Trip.com (international version, better), E-long (Chinese only), Meituan, Booking.com, Agoda.
Payment:
Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), cash (RMB), Alipay, WeChat Pay.
Tips:
Filter for "foreigner-friendly" hotels on Trip.com; confirm payment methods before booking;
make sure the hotel clerk speaks English; Prepay via OTAs to avoid on-site card issues; Check-in wiht your passports (hotel accommodation registeration by hotel side); Check the address and location, check the facilities and service time, and deposit / cancellation policy as well.
Restaurant Dining Reservation or Orders in China
Restaurant Dining Orders'
Platforms: Meituan, Elema (English interfaces rare); direct calls for high-end restaurants.
Payment:
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash accepted.
Issues and
Challenges:
Language barriers on apps; limited English menus.
Tips:
Use WeChat Translate; book via concierge services (e.g., hotels) .
Scenic Spots Attraction Ticket and Tour Perfomance Ticket booking in China
Attractions & Tour Perfomance Tickets Booking / Purchasing
Platforms:
Trip.com (covers 300+ attractions; multilingual), official WeChat mini-programs, Official website and Apps, local travel agency.
Payment:
Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards (Trip.com).
Issues and
Challenges:
Some attractions require passport for ticket collection, purchasing / booking ticket and Check-in needs long queues and passports, and all tickets sold out, booking earliest as only 1-3days in advance for certain attractions.
Shows and Events Booking in China
Shows and Events
Booking Platforms:
Damai (limited to Chinese numbers), Maoyan (猫眼, supports foreign numbers), Venue official websites and Apps.
Payment:
Alipay, WeChat Pay; international cards rarely accepted.
Issuea and
Challenges:
High competition for popular events; complex refund policies.
Tips:
Use Maoyan via WeChat; book 1–2 months early.
(Travel Agency) Tours and Tour Guides Booking in China
Travel Agency Tours & Guides
Booking Platforms:
Trip.com (pre-packaged tours), local travdel agencies / tour operators(e.g., CITSs, CTSs, CYTSs, China Highlights)
.
Payment:
10–30% deposit and balance pre-tour or on the tour.
Issues and
Challenges:
Scams on unverified platforms; Service availability and quility gurantee during peak seasons;
visa support services; cancellation policies.
Tips:
Use government-certified travel agencies, check and make sure the cost of items list within package, need the emergency contact information, list all hidden fees in the tour, make sure the detailed tour itinerary and schedule.
Tourist complaint hotline: 12345, 12301.
Other Tips for Travel Booking in China
Payment Precautions:
Alipay and WeChat Pay are ubiquitous; link international cards before arriving.
Carry cash (RMB) as backup; many small vendors reject cards.
Payment failed: Prepare multiple international cards (Visa/MasterCard tried separately)
Lost voucher: Email saved electronic ticket+screenshot QR code (can be used when there is no network)
Critical Challenges --
Internet Restrictions: Use VPNs to access Google Maps, Gmail, etc.
Language Barriers: Download translation apps (e.g., Pleco); Download Tencent Translator (offline mode); Use bilingual apps like Trip.com and Wechat, Alipay.
Booking Arrangement:
avoid peak seasons (e.g., October Golden Week) and rush hour time.
Tours/Attractions: popular sites tickets sell out fast.
Refunds/Cancellations:
Train/flight refunds incur fees (10–20%); attractions/shows are often non-refundable,
Purchase travel insurance covering cancellations.
Visa
Policy change: Follow the update of the "China Visa" as well as the visa-free list.
If there are any changes or updates, please contact us for revisions.