So, you decided to plan that trip to China you longed for? Finally! I am sure you are super excited. However, I know a tiny part of you keeps thinking about the language barrier challenge you will face, right? Well, I’m here to help!
In this blog post, I will share 10 China Travel Tips to help non-Chinese speakers survive in China. I’ve lived and traveled extensively in this country; sometimes, my medium-level Chinese wasn’t good enough. This is where my tips come in handy!
If this is your first time in China, check my tips-packed China Travel Guide for first-timers! 🇨🇳
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- Is Traveling to China A Challenge?
- 10 China Travel Tips for Non-Chinese Speakers
- 1. Download Google Translate ( and Make Sure you Have a Working VPN or E-SIM with VPN Included)
- 2. Prepare Your Addresses (Hotels, Sights, Airport, Train Station, etc…)
- 3. Download Alipay for Digital (& Voiceless) Payments
- 4. Download DIDI For Taxi Rides That Avoid The Language Barrier
- 5. Download PLECO for Immediate Words Translation
- 6. Look for Food Pictures (if You Want to Have Control Over What You Are Eating)
- 7. Don’t Be Afraid To Learn Some Easy Chinese Words
- 8. Plan to Avoid The Language Barrier
- 9. Book English Speaking Accommodation
- 10. Be Patient & Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Is Traveling to China A Challenge?
Well, my answer is “it depends”. Traveling in China can be challenging, depending on where you want to go. I would consider visiting major cities like Shanghai and Beijing a medium-level challenge. Here, the hotel and landmarks staff members are much more used to foreign tourists. I don’t mean that everyone necessarily speaks English (some will, but not everyone), but at least there are signs written in English. If you are used to big city life, you will not have difficulty navigating public transport, restaurants, and visiting the main points of interest.
Here comes the challenge: remote natural locations (usually of interest to backpackers and adventurers). These beautiful hidden gems are often reachable only by taxi, private transport, and bus. This means you will need to be involved in some communication with the taxi or bus driver (at least to understand if they are clear on the location you want to go). It’s not easy! 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 and these China Travel Tips, it’s all possible!
🌍 Ready for the challenge? Here are some of the most beautiful hidden gems in China to inspire your next adventure 🌸
If you want to play it safe, you can always book private tours to discover the more remote locations.
10 China Travel Tips for Non-Chinese Speakers
1. Download Google Translate ( and Make Sure you Have a Working VPN or E-SIM with VPN Included)
Google Translate is a great help. When I lived in China, a group of students didn’t speak a word of Chinese. They constantly used the app to translate what they had to say and what the Chinese person replied. However, considering that Google services are restricted in China, make sure you have a working VPN. You can also buy an E-SIM 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 Express VPN subscription (this is ideal for extended stays; the SIM is very cheap). Regarding a two or three-week travel period, an E-SIM does the job, I bought one with Holafly. It was easy to set up and activate once in China. Another option is Airalo. It works seamlessly in China without the need to purchase a VPN.
2. Prepare Your Addresses (Hotels, Sights, Airport, Train Station, etc…)
Before taking a taxi, ensure the location is ready for the driver. It must be written in Chinese characters, so you will not need to communicate with him. 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 written on the taximeter (and make sure they use it).
3. Download Alipay for Digital (& Voiceless) Payments
In China, digital payments rule over cash (or at least that’s my experience). Whether through WeChat or Alipay, you will not need to bring much cash (just some, in case of emergency). At restaurants and shops, you will find blue (Alipay) and green (Wechat) signs to indicate the QR codes that must be scanned 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, making it work once in China is challenging as it requires verification from a Chinese account. If you are interested in direct messaging, you can ask your hotel’s staff members to help you set up WeChat. 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.
4. Download DIDI For Taxi Rides That Avoid The Language Barrier
To avoid taxi scams, you can download DIDI (or open it through Alipay). Didi is like Uber: you can type your destination using an English interface and select the 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). In case, return to travel tip N. 2 and don’t forget your addresses.
5. Download PLECO for Immediate Words 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. Look for Food Pictures (if You Want to Have Control Over What You Are Eating)
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to the language barrier is ordering food. When traveling to China, you are not always eating in fancy restaurants used to foreign tourists (even more so if you’re in remote locations). During my last trip, I tested some techniques to ensure people eat something they like.
1. Look for 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! Look for simplicity and follow your intuition!
2. Use the Pictures on The Walls and Point At What You Like
Some restaurants will not have menus with pictures. No panic! You will likely find images of their most renowned dishes on the walls. If something inspires you (and your stomach), go for it and point out what you like to order it.
3. Research The Cuisine Style of the Region You Are Visiting & Find Something You May Like
By researching the dishes and cuisine style of the region you visit, you may find something you like and want to try out. 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.
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 am aware that 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.
If you need to take buses, check with your accommodation which bus will take you to a designated location and ask the bus driver for confirmation.
9. Book English Speaking Accommodation
Booking.com works perfectly in China! Make sure to check the reviews from foreigners. In most cases, foreign tourists pay attention to the fact that the staff speaks English and will mention it. If you can book accommodation with proven English-speaking staff members, 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 does not 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 expect people to speak English necessarily. 95% of Chinese tourism is domestic, and while the younger generations are much more open to the Western world, most adults didn’t learn English at school. Don’t get frustrated if the staff members cannot help you; you will eventually find a solution for what you need or realize that it is not that important.
Let me tell you that traveling to China is a humbling experience. Even if you are an experienced traveler, things will not go as expected (and I’m sure 100% about it). That said, don’t be discouraged! Good planning and preparation will help you during your time there. Hopefully, these China Travel Tips gave you some hints and solutions for overcoming the language barrier to make your stay smoother. I hope this helps!
This blog post was all about 10 China Travel Tips for Non-Chinese Speakers.
DISCLAIMER: These China travel Tips are purely based on my experiences during my trips and are meant to provide inspiration and suggestions for your own adventure. All information and instructions reflect my personal experiences and knowledge at the time of writing and may have changed since. You must double-check all the details before your trip to ensure accuracy. Please note that all opinions and recommendations shared here are entirely my own, rooted in my unique journey through China.
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