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Before travelling to China, we read countless articles warning about language barriers, blocked websites, complicated payment systems and the challenges of travelling without speaking Mandarin. By the time we boarded our flight, we weren’t quite sure what to expect.
After spending 10 days travelling independently through Chengdu, Chongqing and Shanghai, we came away with a very different impression.
Was everything effortless? No.
Was it as difficult as we’d been led to believe? Definitely not.
In fact, once we’d set ourselves up with a few essential apps, travelling independently around the parts of China we visited became far easier than we’d expected.
The Biggest Challenge Happens Before You Arrive
Ironically, the hardest part of travelling in China happens before you even land.
Downloading the right apps, setting up WeChat and Alipay, arranging an eSIM and understanding which websites are blocked took a little preparation before we left home.
We cover everything we used in our Essential Apps for Travelling in China guide.
Public Transport Was Outstanding
One of the things that impressed us most was China’s public transport.
The metro systems in Chengdu, Chongqing and Shanghai were clean, affordable, frequent and incredibly easy to use.
Adding a city transport card directly in Alipay meant we could simply tap in and out without buying individual tickets.
We also used local buses and found them just as easy to use. Whenever public transport wasn’t the most convenient option, we booked a DiDi, which was reliable, reasonably priced and simple to arrange through the WeChat app.
Even travelling between cities by high-speed rail was straightforward using Trip.com to buy tickets.
We Rarely Needed English
Before arriving, we assumed language would be one of our biggest obstacles.
Instead, we found that translation apps solved almost every situation we encountered.
Ordering food, asking simple questions and reading menus became much easier than we expected.
Shanghai had noticeably more English than Chengdu or Chongqing, but even in the cities where English was limited, we never felt unable to get around.
The People Were Incredibly Kind
One of the biggest surprises during our trip was how friendly and helpful people were. Despite the language barrier, we never felt unwelcome. Whether it was pointing us in the right direction, helping us find the right platform, order food or simply pointing us in the right direction, people were incredibly generous with their time.
There were plenty of moments where neither we nor the other person spoke the same language, but that never seemed to matter. A smile, a translation app and a little patience went a long way.
It reminded us that kindness doesn’t need a shared language. Even in a country where communication isn’t always easy, we left feeling that people genuinely wanted to help whenever they could.
Travelling Independently Doesn’t Mean Travelling Alone
Although we travelled independently throughout our 10 days in China, we were lucky enough to meet a local in each city who wanted to show us around for a few hours. They introduced us to neighbourhoods, local dishes and places we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own.
We always think it’s worth spending time with locals whenever we travel. They don’t just know the best places, they also give you a much better understanding of daily life. No matter where you are in the world, they often know the best places to eat, the quieter streets to explore and the hidden gems that rarely make it into guidebooks.
The rest of the time, we explored completely independently. We used the metro to get around, booked all our own transport and accommodation, and visited Zhujiajiao Ancient Town on our own using public transport as well as the Panda Research Center in Chengdu.
Mobile Payments Quickly Become Normal
Like many visitors, we wondered whether we’d struggle without cash. In reality, almost everything was paid for using Alipay and WeChat.
Restaurants, cafés, metro journeys, convenience stores and even small street food stalls all accepted mobile payments.
After a day or two, paying with your phone simply becomes second nature. One thing we did notice was that Alipay may occasionally flag your account for verification during your first few days of use, especially while it’s getting used to your spending. Livia was temporarily locked out a couple of times, but each time it was quickly resolved by completing a passport verification in the app, and there were no issues afterwards.
That’s why we’d recommend setting up both Alipay and WeChat before you travel, just in case one of them temporarily asks you to verify your identity.
Is China Safe?
We found China to feel incredibly safe.
Whether walking through busy city centres, using the metro late in the evening or exploring neighbourhoods away from the main tourist areas, we never felt uncomfortable.
As with travelling anywhere, it’s important to use common sense, but safety was never something we worried about during our trip.
The Cities Felt Completely Different
One thing we hadn’t expected was just how different each city would feel.
Chengdu was relaxed, green and food-focused.
Chongqing felt unlike anywhere we’d ever visited, with its dramatic hills, layered roads and incredible skyline.
Shanghai was modern, international and much easier to navigate, making it an excellent first stop for many visitors.
It never felt repetitive, and each destination brought something completely different to the trip.
So… Is China Difficult to Travel Independently?
For us, the answer is no.
China certainly requires a little more preparation than some destinations, particularly when it comes to apps and mobile payments, but once you’re there, travelling independently is far easier than many people expect.
Looking back, most of the challenges we worried about before arriving turned out to be much smaller than we’d imagined. With the right apps installed before you travel and a little preparation, we found China surprisingly easy to explore independently.
If you’ve been putting off visiting China because you think it will be too difficult, we’d encourage you to reconsider. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding and straightforward independent trips we’ve taken.
