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Start Planning Your Trip in China
MyChinaCompass is an independent travel guide sharing practical tips, tested routes, and honest advice to help you travel China your way.
China Travel Notes
Inspiration and practical tips
Food & Drink15 Must-Try Chinese Foods (and Where to Find Them)
From street snacks to regional specialties – your essential food list.
May 12, 2024 – Guides
Yunnan10 Things to Know Before You Go to Yunnan
Weather, altitude, transport, and cultural tips for a smoother trip.
Apr 28, 2024 – Destination Guide
ShanghaiShanghai Travel Guide: Where to Go & What to Do
Top sights, local neighborhoods, and practical travel tips.
Apr 15, 2024 – City Guide
TransportChina High-Speed Trains Guide for Travelers
Routes, tickets, seat classes, and booking tips.
Apr 2, 2024 – TransportationStart Here Essentials
Practical guide cards before you book anything
All old homepage planning modules are still here: visas, payments, internet, transport, culture, safety, and tools.
Visa & Entry
Visa-free transit, Chinese visa applications, customs rules, documents, and arrival tips.
Payments
Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards, cash, ATMs, exchange, and backup methods.
Internet & VPN
SIM cards, eSIMs, VPN preparation, Wi-Fi, mobile data, and staying connected.
Transport
High-speed rail, domestic flights, metro systems, taxis, Didi, and route planning.
Culture & Safety
Dining etiquette, social customs, scams, sensitive topics, local behavior, and safety advice.
Essential Tools
Travel apps, packing lists, translation tools, plugs, adapters, and first-trip essentials.
Pinned on the desk
More notes from the old homepage
Support, starter picks, Top 10, popular stories, and latest articles are preserved here in notebook form.
Shunde Food Guide: Best Restaurants, Dishes, and 3-Day Itinerary
Explore Shunde, UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy, where culinary artistry and Cantonese flavors define every dish.
Shantou Food Guide: Beef Hotpot, Street Food, and 4-Day Itinerary
A culinary guide to Shantou, China. Discover the city's best foods, from beef hotpot to street snacks.
Shunde Travel Guide: Qinghui Garden, Old Streets, Food, and Weekend Itinerary
Shunde, Guangdong—more than just Cantonese cuisine! Discover its UNESCO-listed culinary heritage, serene water towns, and vibrant arts. A cultural feast awaits beyond the wok.
Chaozhou Food and Travel Guide: Beef Hotpot, Old City, and 4-Day Itinerary
A culinary journey through Chaozhou, exploring authentic Chaoshan flavors, night congee, and local delicacies.
Chongqing 5-Day Guide: Independent Itinerary & Mountain Routes
A practical Chongqing 5-day independent itinerary with Hongyadong, Ciqikou, Yangtze cableway, Wulong karst, hotpot, city transport tips, and route-planning context.
Changzhi and Beyond: Temple Hopping in Southeast Shanxi
A deep southeast Shanxi temple route guide covering Changzhi, Pingshun, Qinxian, ancient timber halls, murals, rural roads, and practical planning tips.
Taiyuan Ancient Architecture Guide: Beyond the Transit Hub
A practical Taiyuan ancient architecture guide covering Jinci Temple, Yongzuo Pagodas, museums, grottoes, Shanxi food, and route ideas beyond a simple transit stop.
Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop: 10-Day Solo Road Trip Guide
A practical 10-day Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop guide with costs, route notes, self-drive cautions, and highlights from Zhangye, Dunhuang, Chaka Salt Lake, Labrang, Lanzhou, and...
