Sightseeing in China: A Practical Guide for Foreign Tourists

Generated: 2026-07-22 | Evidence: 8 records | Sources: stackexchange(8)

Summary

This guide helps foreign tourists navigate common sightseeing challenges in China, including visa considerations for trips to Taiwan, map accuracy issues, digital payment reliability, and customs scrutiny of electronic devices.

Contents

1. Visa Considerations for Sightseeing Trips to Taiwan
2. Navigating with Accurate Maps
3. Digital Payment Reliability for Sightseeing Expenses
4. Customs Scrutiny of Electronic Devices

1. Visa Considerations for Sightseeing Trips to Taiwan

Visa Considerations for Sightseeing Trips to Taiwan

If you hold a double-entry visa for China and plan to visit Taiwan during your trip, careful planning is essential. Because China does not recognize Taiwan as a separate country, traveling from mainland China to Taiwan and back is treated as an exit and re-entry to China. This means that a round-trip ferry journey from China to Taiwan will consume one of your visa entries.

One traveler on a double-entry visa described their situation:

"I have a double entry visa for China. I've used up the first one and will reenter China for the second one in the next few days. Now I'd really like to go to Taiwan by ferry but was worried that it would use up my last entry into China and I'd then have to fly out of Taiwan." (Source: Stack Exchange)

This concern is valid. If you have a double-entry visa and have already used one entry, a ferry trip to Taiwan and back will use your second and final entry. Upon returning to China, you would have no remaining entries left to re-enter the country if you need to leave again (e.g., to fly out of Taiwan or another destination). To avoid being stranded, plan your itinerary so that your return from Taiwan is your final re-entry into China, or ensure you have a valid visa with sufficient entries for any onward travel.

Key advice:

• Confirm your visa type (single, double, or multiple entries) before booking ferry tickets.
• If you have a double-entry visa, use the first entry for your initial stay in China, then travel to Taiwan, and use the second entry for your return to China. Do not plan any additional exits from China after returning from Taiwan.
• If you need to leave China again after your Taiwan trip, apply for a multiple-entry visa in advance.

Note: Limited data on this point—always verify current visa policies with the Chinese embassy or consulate before travel. (Source: Stack Exchange)

2. Navigating with Accurate Maps

Navigating with Accurate Maps

One of the first things you'll notice when using your phone for directions in China is that Google Maps' "My Location" feature is offset by about 200 meters. This is due to China's national GPS coordinate transformation policy, which deliberately shifts coordinates on foreign mapping services. As one traveler reported:

"Tonight is my fifth night in China... I'm hitchhiking from the very south to the very north so it's fairly important to have a decent online map. I don't have a smartphone or tablet, just a netbook running Windows." (Source: Stack Exchange)

This offset can be frustrating—especially if you're navigating unfamiliar streets or relying on walking directions. The blue dot showing your location may place you on a different block entirely.

The solution: Switch to local map services. Baidu Maps (百度地图) and Amap (高德地图, also called Gaode Maps) are the two dominant apps used by locals and are legally required to use corrected coordinates. They provide accurate, real-time navigation for driving, walking, and public transit.

• Baidu Maps offers an English-language interface option (switch in settings) and includes features like subway route planning, restaurant reviews, and street-level views.
• Amap is especially strong for driving directions and real-time traffic updates, though its English support is more limited.

Practical tips:

• Download the app before you arrive, as Google Play Store may be blocked in China. Use a VPN or download from the app's official website.
• For offline use, both apps allow you to download city maps in advance [需人工核查].
• If you're using a netbook or laptop without a smartphone, Baidu Maps also has a web version (map.baidu.com) that works in browsers, though it may require some Chinese language navigation.

Note: Limited data on whether Google Maps works at all in China without a VPN. Most travelers report it is unreliable for navigation due to the offset and occasional blocking.

Bottom line: For accurate, stress-free navigation during sightseeing, rely on Baidu Maps or Amap. Google Maps will only show you where you might be—not where you actually are.

3. Digital Payment Reliability for Sightseeing Expenses

Digital Payment Reliability for Sightseeing Expenses

Alipay is now available to non-Chinese users—you can link your foreign debit or credit card in the app. However, do not rely on it as your sole payment method. Multiple travelers report that payments can fail unexpectedly, even after successful setup.

"Alipay (支付宝) is now available to non-Chinese, just link up your debit/credit card in the app. However, anecdotal reports suggest that despite completing the setup successfully, on arrival in China sometimes payments don't actually go through at all." (Source: Stack Exchange)

One tourist in August 2024 found that a payment failed simply because their phone had no internet connection, even though a QR code was displayed:

"Though generally just providing your credit card data works really well with AliPay, we indeed had some payment problems during a trip in August 2024. All of which, I believe, your test does not cover. No internet connection: it may be..." (Source: Stack Exchange)

Carry sufficient cash as a backup. Many places in China are nearly cashless, but cash remains essential when digital payments fail. Note: Be cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs—one traveler in Beijing received counterfeit banknotes from an ICBC ATM, and the bank refused to help (Source: Stack Exchange). To minimize risk, withdraw cash from bank counters or reputable ATMs in busy areas, and inspect notes immediately.

Practical tips:

• Before your trip, test Alipay by making a small payment (e.g., to a friend or a charity) to confirm your card link works. [需人工核查]
• Always carry at least 500–1000 RMB in small denominations for taxis, street food, and markets.
• If a digital payment fails, try switching to a different network (e.g., from Wi-Fi to mobile data) or restarting the app.
• Note: Limited data on whether Alipay works reliably for all foreign cards—some users report success, others do not.

Bottom line: Alipay is a convenient tool, but treat it as a backup to cash, not the other way around.

4. Customs Scrutiny of Electronic Devices

Customs Scrutiny of Electronic Devices

When entering China, be aware that customs agents may inspect the contents of your electronic devices—including Kindles, smartphones, and notebooks—for material they consider politically sensitive. This scrutiny applies to tourists as well as other travelers. One user on a travel forum expressed concern about this, stating:

"I have books on my Kindle with content that would probably make them ask more questions. It is nothing illegal or even questionable in most countries, but it would lead them to ask questions I don't want asked. I have similar content on my smartphone." (Source: Stack Exchange)

While the exact frequency of such checks is not documented in available data, the risk is real. Content that is legal in your home country—such as books, articles, or social media posts about sensitive topics like democracy, human rights, or historical events—could trigger additional questioning or delays at customs. For example, another traveler noted concerns about social media activity, citing the case of a musician banned from China for liking a controversial show:

"I am a German citizen planning to travel to China next year for leisure. On my various social media accounts I have previously liked South Park... and generally been outspoken about supporting freedom and democracy." (Source: Stack Exchange)

Actionable advice:

• Before traveling, review and remove any content on your devices (e-books, documents, photos, apps) that could be interpreted as politically sensitive, critical of the Chinese government, or related to topics like Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, or the Tiananmen Square protests.
• Consider using a "clean" device for travel—one with no personal data or sensitive files—or factory reset your phone/tablet before departure and reinstall only essential apps.
• Be prepared for agents to ask you to unlock your devices for inspection. If you refuse, you may face delays or denial of entry. (Note: Limited data on specific legal consequences for refusal.)
• Avoid storing any content related to banned topics (e.g., Falun Gong, independence movements) or materials that could be seen as promoting "Western values" in conflict with Chinese law.

Note: Evidence on this topic is limited to user reports and does not include official customs statistics. However, multiple travelers have raised similar concerns, suggesting the practice is not uncommon. (Source: Stack Exchange)

Real Traveler Stories

Story #1 (Unknown)

I have a double entry visa for China. I've used up the first one and will reenter China for the second one in the next few days.

Now I'd really like to go to Taiwan by ferry but was worried that it would use up my last entry into China and I'd then have to fly out of Taiwan.

But then I started thinking that since China doesn't recognize Taiwan that from their point of view I would not be leaving China, so it should not use up an entry, so I could return and continue travelling in China.

But s ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #2 (null)

Tonight is my fifth night in China, I've only been in non-tourist places so far where I've seen no other westerners. I'm hitchhiking from the very south to the very north so it's fairly important to have a decent online map. I don't have a smartphone or tablet, just a netbook running Windows.

Google Maps suffers from "My Location" always being wrong by about a couple of hundred metres. I believe this is related to China giving false GPS coordinates to foreign companies, or something l ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #3 (Unknown)

Alipay (支付宝) is now available to non-Chinese, just link up your debit/credit card in the app. However, anecdotal reports suggest that despite completing the setup successfully, on arrival in China sometimes payments don't actually go through at all -- which is a major problem, since in cash is close to extinct in post-COVID China, and nobody accepts Visa/MasterCard. Is there any way to confirm Alipay is working before arriving in China? Note that using Alipay for any payments outside China is no ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #4 (Unknown)

I have books on my Kindle with content that would probably make them ask more questions. It is nothing illegal or even questionable in most countries, but it would lead them to ask questions I don't want asked. I have similar content on my smartphone.

Also, do they check normal pen and paper notebooks? Like do they flip through them and read them?

I'll be carrying them on and traveling on a tourist visa if that makes any difference.

Edit: I don't know if it makes a difference, but I'm flying ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

Story #5 (Unknown)

I am a German citizen planning to travel to China next year for leisure. On my various social media accounts I have previously liked South Park (including using characters from the show as avatars, sharing clips from the show, etc.) and generally been outspoken about supporting freedom and democracy.

In light of recent news like this, where

Zedd, a high-profile DJ and music producer, has been permanently banned from China for liking a tweet from “South Park’s” official account.

Do I nee ... (truncated, full text at source)

Source: stackexchange

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This guide was auto-generated from 8 real traveler experiences. Operation steps marked [需人工核查] require manual verification before publishing.

Cities mentioned: Beijing, China, Shanghai, null

Last updated: 2026-07-22