About ChinaDayOne
Last updated: 2026-08-28
We are building the resource we wish existed before our first trip to China β practical, current, and written by people who have actually been there recently.
Why this site exists
Most China travel content falls into two categories: outdated guidebooks written in 2018, and SEO listicles ("Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing") that don't actually help you get through the airport. We started ChinaDayOne to fill the gap with content that answers the questions we had on our first day in China:
- Can I actually use Alipay with my foreign Visa card?
- How do I book a high-speed rail ticket without a Chinese ID?
- Will Google Maps work? What about WhatsApp?
- Is the cash I brought even useful, or is everything on Alipay now?
- What's the real situation with VPNs in 2026?
What we cover
We focus on the topics that actually block foreigners from enjoying China:
- Visa & entry requirements
- Payment (Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash)
- Internet, VPN, and social media
- Transport (high-speed rail, flights, metro)
- Essential apps to install before you fly
Plus city-by-city guides for popular destinations β currently Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, with more on the way.
What we don't do
- We don't accept free trips or comped stays in exchange for coverage.
- We don't run sponsored content disguised as editorial.
- We don't recommend things we haven't personally used or that haven't been independently verified.
How we make money
This site displays contextual advertising served by Google AdSense. The ads never influence our recommendations β we mark topics that happen to be adjacent to advertisers with the same skepticism as any other topic. We may add clearly-labeled affiliate links (e.g. to booking platforms) in the future.
How to reach us
Spotted something outdated? Have a question? Want to suggest a topic or city guide? Drop us a note. We read every email.