Survival Guide
Everything you need to know to survive and thrive in China as a foreigner.
在华生存手册——外国人在中国需要知道的一切
Getting Around Cities
市内交通Didi (滴滴) is China's Uber — works in English, accepts foreign cards
滴滴是中国的Uber，有英文版，接受外卡
Metro/subway is the fastest way in big cities — buy tickets at English kiosks or use Alipay QR
地铁是大城市最快的方式，可在英文售票机或用支付宝二维码乘车
Taxis are cheap but drivers rarely speak English — show hotel address in Chinese
出租车便宜但司机不会英语——出示中文地址
Buses are cheap but confusing for tourists — no English announcements
公交便宜但对游客不友好——没有英文报站
Shared bikes (Meituan Bike, Hello Bike) are everywhere — use app to scan QR
共享单车遍地都是——扫码使用
Inter-City Travel
城际交通High-speed trains (高铁) are incredible — book via Trip.com or 12306 with passport
高铁非常发达——通过携程或用护照在12306订票
Bullet trains reach 350km/h — Shanghai to Beijing in 4.5 hours
动车时速350公里——京沪只需4.5小时
Save your ticket — you need it to scan to exit the station
留好车票——出站需要扫码
Domestic flights are cheap and frequent — use Trip.com English version
国内航班便宜且频繁——使用携程英文版
Long-distance buses exist but are not recommended for tourists
长途大巴存在但不推荐游客乘坐
Navigation
导航Google Maps does NOT work — use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps
Google地图不能用——用高德地图或百度地图
Amap has an English interface — essential for getting around
高德地图有英文界面——出门必备
Offline maps are critical — download before arriving
离线地图很重要——提前下载
Addresses in China are confusing — use landmarks and screenshots
中国地址很复杂——用地标和截图
📋 Quick Reference Card
Emergency
Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119
Key Phrases
Hello: 你好 (nǐ hǎo)
Thank you: 谢谢 (xiè xie)
How much?: 多少钱?
Help!: 救命! (jiù mìng)
Useful Numbers
China Mobile: 10086
China Unicom: 10010
Tourist Hotline: 12301
Embassy: look up yours