7 Shocking Things I Hated About China (2026 Travel Guide)

Updated: January 2026 | By Dennis Obel

China is a country of massive transformation. It has shifted from a poor agrarian state to a thriving, centrally controlled mixed economy in record time. It is modern, fascinating, and arguably one of the most unique places on Earth. I genuinely loved my trip—it was an experience like no other that gave me a more deeper understanding of China beyond Hong Kong.

However, let’s have some “real talk.”

Traveling here is not like visiting Japan or Europe. It can be stressful and incredibly difficult if you aren’t prepared.

If you are looking for China travel tips for 2026, this is the honest truth you need to hear. From the “Great Firewall” blocking your apps to culture shocks on the streets, here are the 7 things I didn’t like about China, followed by my Ultimate China Survival Guide so you don’t get stranded.

Part 1: China travel tips for 2026: The 7 Things I Didn’t Like

1. The Throat Clearing and Spitting is Real

If you think the stories about public spitting are exaggerated, think again. I stopped counting how many times this happened.

I was at the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station—a massive, modern transport hub with hundreds, if not thousands, of people waiting for the high-speed train to Nanjing. Suddenly, a man dressed in a sharp suit cleared his throat aggressively and spat right in front of me.

In many countries, this would be condemned instantly. Here? No one blinked. It happened so many times during my trip that I eventually just stopped trying to count.

Travel Tip: Watch your step. The streets (and sometimes station floors) can be a minefield.

2. Queue Jumping: The Survival of the Fittest

We were at the Forbidden City and our tour guide, Mike, warned: “Chinese people will not leave the way for you.”

I saw this in action shortly after words at a cafe. I was standing in line when a woman and her family completely bypassed everyone. She cut right in front of me and called her teenage kids to push in as well. I was flabbergasted.

In Australia, this would spark a confrontation, but here, it seemed normalised. It’s a competitive mindset—if you don’t fight for your spot, you miss out. But I was helpless. I didn’t speak the language and it was not my country. I walked out and Mike pointed me to another cafe.

3. Reckless Driving and Zero Pedestrian Rights

Road safety in China is terrifying compared to neighbors like Japan. In Japan, pedestrians wait for lights even at 2 AM. I saw this in Hakata when I visited in 2024. In China, the zebra crossing is just a decoration.

I had a nightmare taxi ride in Beijing (minus 8 degrees!) leaving Tiananmen Square. I hopped into a yellow taxi to get to the Dequan Luxury Hotel. Because the driver couldn’t read English characters and my phone battery was dead, we struggled for 10 minutes. Once we hit the road, he drove recklessly fast, almost hitting a woman crossing the street. Despite the millions of cameras in Beijing, he seemed fearless of fines.

• Warning: Motorcycles frequently drive across zebra crossings while people are walking. You have to be hyper-aware.

4. The “Digital Island”: No Western Apps Work

@afrofeast

Why Business Travel to China is SO Hard 📉🇨🇳 ​ The reality of trying to run a business while in Shanghai. 🇨🇳 I’m currently at the JL Boutique Hotel, and the struggle is real. 1️⃣ The Great Firewall: My western apps (Google, Linkedin, etc.) are useless here. 2️⃣ The Language Barrier: Local apps are Mandarin-only and finding English speakers is tougher than I expected. Has anyone else dealt with this disconnect? 👇 ​ #ChinaBusiness #Shanghai #DigitalNomadProblems #GreatFirewall #afrofeasttravel

♬ The Champion – Lux-Inspira

You think you will just roam with your current phone plan and check LinkedIn, Google Maps, YouTube, or TikTok? Think again.

The moment you land, your digital life goes dark.

• VPN Struggles: I refused to pay for a premium VPN (like ExpressVPN) before leaving Australia, and I deeply regretted it.

• Tor Browser: I downloaded Tor before I left and tried using it, but it was painfully slow. I managed to watch a couple of tennis videos, but the experience was terrible.

• AI Dependency: I relied on my AI app, Skywork, to ask questions in English, but once my credits ran out, I was stuck.

5. The Language Barrier is Extreme

I landed at Pudong International Airport and realized almost zero people speak English. Even with Baidu Maps, the interface is in Mandarin, so I couldn’t read the characters.

I checked into hotels like the Jinglai Boutique Hotel in Shanghai and the Kingtown Plaza Hotel in Shanghai, and the staff spoke no English—we communicated entirely via translation apps.

• The Exception: Only international chains like Novotel (Nanjing) had English-speaking staff.

6. China Tourist Scams: Taxi Drivers

Because I hadn’t verified my WeChat account properly, I couldn’t pay for the metro or Didi.

• The Scam: I took a taxi from the Longyang Road Station to Campanille Hotel. Without using a metre, the driver charged me 200 Yuan for a ride that usually costs about 50 Yuan on Di Di. 200 Yuan was the highest amount I was ever charged in a taxi in China.

• The Lesson: If you can’t speak the language to argue or check the route on your own map, you are a target.

  Always keep in mind these key China travel tips for 2026 for a hassle-free trip.

7. The Payment Ecosystem is Hard for Foreigners

I downloaded WeChat before I left, but I didn’t link my bank card or verify my account properly after I arrived and bought a local number.

In China, although cash is still king, most people pay by scanning QR codes. If you don’t have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up, you can’t buy street food, book rides, or pay at automated kiosks.

Part 2: The Ultimate China Survival Guide (2026 Edition)

If you are heading to China in winter 2026, this is the summary of my top China travel tips for 2026 that you shouldn’t overlook.

1. Winter Packing (Dec/Jan is Brutal)

Beijing hits -8°C during day and Shanghai has a damp, bone-chilling cold although it is a bit warmer. Do not underestimate this.

• Must-haves: Heavy winter jacket, winter pants (jeans aren’t enough), thick cap, and heavy gloves.

2. Apps for China Travel (Download BEFORE You Leave)

You cannot download many of these once you are inside the “Great Firewall.”

• Skywork.ai: I used this to schedule itineraries and ask questions on the go. Crucial: Buy enough credits before you leave. You cannot top up credits easily once you are in China due to payment blocks.

• Trip.com: The only reliable way to book trains and hotels in English.

• Agoda: Great for accommodation bookings.

• Wise App: Transfer money from your local bank to Wise before you leave. You can link the Wise card to Alipay/WeChat to pay like a local.

• No Email: I couldn’t access my Gmail. I had to rely on in-app messages from Agoda or Trip.com for all my booking confirmations.

  Don’t forget these practical China travel tips for 2026 while planning your trip.

3. Arrival Logistics (The Day 1 Strategy)

Step A: Digital Arrival Card Complete this days before you fly. Don’t wait until you are at the immigration desk. You can do it at the airport as well; I do not recommend.

Step B: The SIM Card At Pudong Airport, choose China Unicom.

• I paid ~300 Yuan for a month-long SIM.

• You need this immediately to show immigration your hotel details (have these screenshot in Chinese!)

Step C: Getting into the City

Finally, ensure you follow these essential China travel tips for 2026 to have a memorable experience.

• Maglev Train: Use WeChat to buy a ticket for the Maglev (high-speed train) – costs about 40 Yuan. It drops you at Longyang Road Station, where you can catch the Metro.

• Didi (Uber): From the Metro station, call a Didi via the WeChat/Alipay app. Do not hail a random taxi or you might get cheated like I did.

Is China Still Worth Visiting?

Despite the spitting, the reckless driving, and the stress of the “Digital Island,” I loved my trip, and will be telling you more soon.

It was a unique experience that forced me out of my comfort zone. Seeing the mental transformation of a nation up close is powerful. Just remember these China travel tips for 2026: download a paid VPN, set up your payments beforehand, and bring your thickest winter coat!

About the Author

An entrepreneur and passionate traveller, Dennis is the founder of OurRoots.Africa, a heritage preparation platform which will launch in March 2026. He is currently travelling in China and has provided these China travel tips for 2026 to assist those who would like to travel to this beautiful country.

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