Traveling In China Without Speaking Chinese: 10 Useful Tips to Communicate With Locals

Last Updated on November 18, 2025

Can you travel to China without speaking Chinese? Of course! In 2025, thanks to technology, you can easily explore the country without having to learn a very complex (but extremely beautiful) new language.

After living in China for over a year (and I have to admit my Chinese wasn’t the best when I first moved there), I’ve learned the best tips to survive in China without speaking the language: ordering food, communicating with taxi drivers, and above all, how to get around in massive cities.

Traveling in China without speaking Chinese is not a challenge if you plan your trip well. In this post, I’m sharing 10 easy wins that will help you. You’ll learn how to get around by taxi, how to order food at local eateries, and general planning tips to avoid the language barrier.

If this is your first time in China and you’re looking for more information, check my tips-packed China Travel Guide for first-timers! 🇨🇳

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Can You Travel In China Without Speaking Chinese?

Yes, of course! However, depending on where you’re going, it could be more or less challenging. I would consider visiting major cities like Shanghai and Beijing an easy-level challenge, especially in 2025. I’d say China is slowly but surely opening to foreign tourism, and I’m seeing many more people planning trips there.

In these major tourism hubs, locals are more accustomed to communicating with foreign tourists, especially in hotels and at major tourist attractions. I don’t mean everyone necessarily speaks English (some do, but not everyone), but at least there are signs in English.

If you are used to big-city life, you will not have difficulty navigating public transport, restaurants, or visiting the main points of interest.

Here comes the challenge: more remote natural locations or regions where tourism is not as common. I’m thinking about Gansu, Xinjiang, or the far southern region of Yunnan, with its small traditional villages.

These are incredible hidden gems; however, the tourism infrastructure is not as developed (at least not yet). Often, you won’t find public transport to head there, and this usually involves some communication with locals.

Some challenges can be expected. However, I’ve seen many backpackers in some of the most remote places in China and asked myself, “How did they arrive here without speaking Chinese?” So, with good planning, traveling in China without speaking Chinese is 100% possible.

Here are some of the most beautiful hidden gems in China to inspire your next adventure

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10 Planning Tips That Will Help You If You Don’t Speak Chinese

1. Download Google Translate ( and Make Sure you have a Working VPN or eSIM with VPN included)

Google Translate is a great help. When I lived in China, a group of students I met didn’t speak a word of Chinese. They constantly used the app to translate what they said and what the Chinese person replied.

However, since Google services are restricted in China, it is essential to have a working VPN. You can also buy an eSIM with a built-in VPN, so you don’t have to worry about it.

When I lived in China, I had a local SIM and purchased a yearly ExpressVPN subscription (ideal for extended stays; the SIM is very cheap).

For a two- or three-week trip, an eSIM does the job, so I bought one from Holafly. It was easy to set up and activate once in China. Another option is Airalo. It works seamlessly in China without requiring a VPN purchase.

2. Prepare Your Addresses (Hotels, Sights, Airport, Train Station, etc…)

How to communicate with taxi drivers without speaking Chinese? Before taking a taxi, ensure the driver knows the destination. You can print your address somewhere, or have it on your phone. It must be written in Chinese characters.

Ensure you only take licensed taxis, so they will not charge you more than they should. When it comes to paying, taxi drivers accept digital and cash payments.

However, make sure they don’t need to give you change (they don’t always have it). You will see the price displayed on the taximeter (and ensure they use it!).

3. Download Alipay for Digital Payments

In China, digital payments have largely replaced cash (or at least that’s my experience). Whether you use WeChat or Alipay, you will not need to carry much cash (just some in case of an emergency).

At restaurants and shops, you will find blue (Alipay) and green (WeChat) signs indicating the QR codes to scan for payments. The employee will usually digit the price you have to pay on a calculator to make you understand.

For a shorter stay in China, I usually suggest only downloading Alipay. While WeChat is great for direct messaging, getting it to work in China is challenging because it requires verification with a Chinese account. You can ask your hotel’s staff to help you set up WeChat if you really need it.

However, Alipay will do the job if you’re only interested in digital payments and DIDI (Chinese Uber). You can easily include your credit card and pay by scanning QR codes. If you’re wondering which apps you’ll absolutely need when in China, make sure to check out this applications guide. I list only what is essential, so you don’t have to download a thousand useless apps.

4. Use DIDI For Taxi Rides

If you feel like taking a taxi on the street is daunting to you, you can use DIDI. Didi is the Chinese version of Uber, and it’s the best way to get a taxi if you want to be sure you’ll be taken to the right place at a fair price (and avoid getting scammed). You can type your destination in the English interface and select your preferred price option.

You will pay directly through Alipay and will not need to communicate with the taxi driver. While DIDI is available in all major cities, check its availability in more remote locations (where it is less likely to find drivers).

5. Download PLECO for Immediate Word Translation

Pleco is the first app I downloaded when I arrived in China. It’s an application that works as a dictionary. By inserting the English words you are looking for, you will get all the Chinese words corresponding to them.

This can be very useful in shops. Maybe you are looking for something in particular. You can type the word and show the results to the shop’s employees.

This is also very useful in a restaurant. Maybe there’s a Chinese dish you love, and you want to ask if they have it. You type the English translation and show it to the waiter.

6. How to Order Food Without Speaking Chinese

One of the biggest challenges with the language barrier is ordering food. Especially if you’re opting for those tiny, and often family-run local eateries (where you usually find the best food in China). During my last trip, I tested some techniques to ensure you end up eating something you’ll like.

1. Look for the Menu with Pictures & Point at What You Like

The majority of restaurants (almost always) have menus with pictures. While the photographs are not always the most attractive (there are always pictures with disgusting chicken feet for some reason), you can follow some rules.

Do you see pieces of meat mixed with green vegetables? That’s a yes. It’s one of the simplest things to prepare! Do you see some noodles? That’s also a good option! You will find green vegetables like Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower; I love them!

2. Use the Pictures on The Walls and Point At What You Like

Some restaurants will not have menus with pictures, but you will likely find images of their most renowned dishes on the walls. If something inspires you, go for it and point out what you like to order.

3. Research The Cuisine Style of the Region You Are Visiting & Find Something You May Like

By researching the dishes and cuisine of the region you visit, you may find something you like and want to try. Take screenshots of those dishes and save the Chinese translations on your phone. In this way, when you’re at restaurants, you can show pictures or translations of dishes you know you will like. This foodies guide can help you learn how to navigate restaurants while traveling in China.

7. Don’t Be Afraid To Learn Some Easy Chinese Words

Learning some easy Chinese words before your departure may be an excellent way to prepare for your trip. This will show respect to the Chinese people you will meet, and could benefit you while in China. Use Google Translate to learn how to pronounce them. Below, you will find some easy sentences:

Chinese Characters	Phonetic Transcription	English Translation
你好	nǐ hǎo	Hello
谢谢	xièxie	Thank you!
多少钱	duō shǎo qián?	How much does it cost?
我听不懂	wǒ tīng bù dǒng	I don’t understand
我不会说中文	Wǒ bú huì shuō zhōngwén	I don’t speak Chinese
厕所在哪里	cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?	Where is the bathroom?
不要，谢谢	bù yào, xièxie	No, thank you
对不起	duìbuqǐ	Excuse me/sorry
我要这个	wǒ yào zhège	I want this one (perfect for choosing at Restaurants)
我不喜欢吃辣的	Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī là de	I don’t like spicy food (very important)
你能帮我吗	Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?	Can you help me? (an excellent way to stop someone on the street to ask for help)

8. Plan to Avoid The Language Barrier

I’m usually all about DIY traveling. I love planning and the unexpected events that come with it. Some of the most fun stories from my time in China come from unforeseen and not-always-good surprises.

However, I know this could be more challenging for someone who does not speak Chinese. This is why planning to avoid the language barrier is a good idea.

GetYourGuide and Trip.com offer tours to more remote locations, and their guides usually speak English. For train tickets (please avoid buying them at the station), Trip.com is the way to go.

If you need to take a bus, check with your accommodation to find out which bus will take you to a designated location, and ask the driver for confirmation.

9. Book English-Speaking Accommodation

Booking.com works perfectly in China! Be sure to check the reviews from foreign visitors. In most cases, foreign tourists pay attention to whether the staff speaks English and will often mention it.

If you can book accommodation with staff who are proven English speakers, please do so. It will make everything easier. Don’t expect a C2 English level, but at least they will understand what you say and can help!

10. Be Patient & Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

The language barrier doesn’t have to discourage you from traveling to China. On the contrary, learning some easy Chinese words and being open to asking for help will make your stay even better.

Try to be patient with it, and don’t necessarily expect people to speak English. Approximately 95% of Chinese tourism is domestic, and while younger generations are more open to the Western world, most adults didn’t learn English in school.

Don’t get frustrated if the staff members cannot help you; you will eventually find a solution to what you need or realize that it is not that important.

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Let me tell you that traveling in China without speaking Chinese can turn into a very humbling experience. Even if you are an experienced traveler, things will not go as expected (and I’m 100% sure about it).

That said, don’t be discouraged! Good planning and preparation will help you during your time there. Hopefully, these China travel tips provided you with some hints and solutions for overcoming the language barrier, making your stay smoother. I hope this helps!

If you’re still planning your trip and itinerary, make sure to check the absolute best China itinerary for first-timers and the essentials you shouldn’t forget when packing.

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• Backpacking in China: Top 10 Reasons to Explore + Essential Travel Tips in 2025
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